cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of transient loss of shear stress on blood–brain barrier endothelium: role of nitric oxide and IL-6

Loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function may contribute to post-ischemic cerebral injury by yet unknown mechanisms. Ischemia is associated with anoxia, aglycemia and loss of flow (i.e. shearing forces). We tested the hypothesis that loss of shear stress alone does not acutely affect BBB function due to a protective cascade of mechanisms involving cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). To determine the relative contribution of shear stress on BBB integrity we used a dynamic in vitro BBB model based on co-culture of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMEC) and astrocytes. Trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), IL-6 release and NO levels were measured from the lumenal and ablumenal compartments throughout the experiment. Flow-exposed RBMEC were challenged with 1 h of normoxic-normoglycemic flow cessation (NNFC) followed by reperfusion for 2 to 24 h. NNFC caused a progressive drop in nitric oxide production during flow cessation followed by a time-dependent increase in ablumenal IL-6 associated with a prolonged NO increase during reperfusion. The nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME (10 microM) abrogated all effects of NNFC, including changes in NO and cytokine production. BBB permeability did not increase during or after NNFC/reperfusion, but was increased by treatment with L-NAME or when the effects of IL-6 were blocked. Flow adapted RBMEC and astrocytes respond to NNFC/reperfusion by overproduction of IL-6, possibly secondary to increased production of NO during the reperfusion. Maintenance of BBB function during and following NNFC appears to depend on intact NO signaling and IL-6 release.
Restructuring Medicare for the next century: what will beneficiaries really need?

ABSTRACT: Medicare coverage falls short of its original mandate of access to modern medicine and protection against the high costs of medical care. These shortfalls destabilize both health outcomes and the economic viability of older adults and their families. Our proposed revisions would promote, rather than discourage, optimal care for beneficiaries. By replacing incentives for fragmented, episodic care with an orientation toward functional status, care management, and integration with long-term care, we can make an invaluable investment in a successfully aging society.
Opaque minerals in chondrules and fine-grained chondrule rims in the Bishunpur (LL3.1) chondrite

We present a detailed petrographic and electron microprobe study of metal grains and related opaque minerals in the chondrule interiors and rims of the Bishunpur (LL3.1) ordinary chondrite. There are distinct differences between metal grains that are completely encased in chondrule interiors and those that have some portion of their surface exposed outside of the chondrule boundary, even though the two types of metal grains can be separated by only a few microns. Metal grains in chondrule interiors exhibit minor alteration in the form of oxidized P-, Cr-, and Si-bearing minerals. Metal grains at chondrule boundaries and in chondrule rims are extensively altered into troilite and fayalite. The results of this study suggest that many metal grains in Bishunpur reacted with a type-I chondrule melt and incorporated significant amounts of P, Cr, and Si. As the system cooled, some metal oxidation occurred in the chondrule interior, producing metal-associated phosphate, chromite, and silica. Metal that migrated to chondrule boundaries experienced extensive corrosion as a result of exposure to the external atmosphere present during chondrule formation. It appears that chondrule- derived metal and its corrosion products were incorporated into the fine-grained rims that surround many type-I chondrules, contributing to their Fe-rich compositions. We propose that these fine- grained rims formed by a combination of corrosion of metal expelled from the chondrule interior and accretion of fine-grained mineral fragments and microchondrules.
GENERAL RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS ON THE INFRARED SPECTRUM OF THIN ACCRETION DISKS IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI: APPLICATION TO SAGITTARIUS A*

The possibility that some portion of the infrared (IR) radiation emanating from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) may arise from disklike structures of ionized plasma accreting onto massive black holes motivates the investigation of the effects of strong gravitational fields in the vicinity of emitting particles on the observed radiation. Numerous previous studies have been incomplete in several respects: (1) they have neglected to take into account the observed specific power flux contribution of radiation emitted from the underside of the disk and gravitationally lensed into the upper half-hemisphere, (2) they have considered only a limited range of observing positions and hole spins, and (3) many have been restricted to examination of the steady state flux arising from homogeneous disks. The present study develops, within the context of the optically thick, geometrically thin accretion disk model, a set of new calculational techniques based on an analysis of the algebraic properties of the effective potential functions governing photon propagation in the Kerr metric; ancillary techniques, such as that of extended images, are introduced and employed to illustrate aspects of general relativistic image formation that affect the observed time-dependent flux arising from a thermally inhomogeneous accretion disk. The contribution of the first-orbit disk images, including the effects of disk self-blocking, to the observed flux are fully taken into account for the entire range of observing positions and hole spins for both the steady state and time-dependent cases. The procedure is illustrated by application of the results to the paradigm case of the Galactic center black hole candidate Sagittarius A*. Current observations are somewhat contaminated because of poor angular resolution, making this exercise still only an illustrative examination of the method. However, the future deployment of the Near-Infrared Camera and Multiobject Spectrometer (NICMOS) on HST should provide data with sufficient sensitivity for direct comparison with our calculated K-band fluxes and light curves. Of particular interest in this comparison is the expected reversal of the disk's angular momentum in Sgr A* on a timescale of 10 yr or so. We discuss the distinct spectral signature of a retrograde disk versus that of a prograde configuration and demonstrate the feasibility of observing this transition.
Group Counseling with Couples or Families: Adding Adventure Activities.

Abstract A rationale is presented for using adventure activities in group counseling. Two case examples are used to describe the adaptation of these activities to group counseling with couples and single-parent-adolescent families.
PF4/heparin antibody testing and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit.

Background:The diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) may be challenging in critically ill patients, as heparin exposures are ubiquitous, and thrombocytopenia is common. Unwarranted ordering and incorrect interpretation of heparin antibody tests can expose a patient to adverse drug events and imposes a significant economic burden on our health care system.Methods:A prospective, observational study was performed over 4 months on all adult patients located in 5 intensive care units, with a heparin antibody test ordered.Results:A platelet factor 4/heparin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was ordered in 131 patients. In total, 110 patients had a low 4Ts score (0-3), and of these 103 had a negative ELISA result. In patients with a low 4Ts score, 0 (0%) of 110 had an optical density value >1.0. One hundred twenty-nine patients (98%) had another possible cause of thrombocytopenia identified.Conclusion:In critically ill patients, low 4Ts scores indicate a low probability of HIT, and hep...
Pursuing excellence in mathematics classroom instruction through exemplary lesson development in China: a case study

In this article, we aim to examine the features of mathematics classroom instruction excellence valued in China. The popular approach to pursuing mathematics classroom instruction excellence through exemplary lesson development is also investigated to demonstrate the nature of teaching culture that has been advocated and nurtured in China. Features of an exemplary lesson are analyzed in detail, and the practicing teacher’s experience through participating in the development of the exemplary lesson is examined as well. Finally, the implications of developing exemplary lessons for pursuing excellence in mathematics classroom instruction as a culturally valued approach in China are also discussed.
Minimum Energy Path to Membrane Pore Formation and Rupture

We combine dynamic self-consistent field theory with the string method to calculate the minimum energy path to membrane pore formation and rupture. In the regime where nucleation can occur on experimentally relevant time scales, the structure of the critical nucleus is between a solvophilic stalk and a locally thinned membrane. Classical nucleation theory fails to capture these molecular details and significantly overestimates the free energy barrier. Our results suggest that thermally nucleated rupture may be an important factor for the low rupture strains observed in lipid membranes.
Development of Infant Prehension Handedness: A Longitudinal Analysis During the 6- to 14-month Age Period.

Handedness is a developmental phenomenon that becomes distinctively identifiable during infancy. Although infant hand-use preferences sometimes have been reported as unstable, other evidence demonstrates that infant hand-use preference for apprehending objects can be reliably assessed during the second half of the infant's first year of life. The current study provides further insight into the stability of prehension preferences. We modeled individual and group level patterns of prehension handedness during the period from 6 to 14 months of age. We examined the developmental trajectories for prehension handedness in relation to the sampling rate at which preferences are assessed. The results revealed interesting developmental changes in prehension handedness that can only be identified when using monthly sampling intervals. We conclude that using non-linear multilevel models of infant handedness with monthly sampling intervals permit us to accurately capture the developmental changes in manual skills that occur during this period of infancy.
Physiological Effects of Exogenous Adrenocorticotropin Injections in Japanese Quail

Administration of exogenous adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) into young Japanese quail resulted in certain physiological changes consistent with those which have been reported in chickens. These include reduced body weight gains and bursa weights. Also adrenal cholesterol values were decreased, and serum cholesterol and plasma refractive indices were increased. However, spleen weights, right adrenal weights, and packed cell volumes were not consistently altered at 24 hr post-ACTH administration. Collectively, these findings suggest that Japanese quail are less responsive to ACTH-induced adrenal hyperfunction than chickens.
Additions to corporate boards: the effect of gender

During the decade of the 1990s the number of women serving on corporate boards increased substantially. Over this decade, we show that the likelihood of a firm adding a woman to its board in a given year is negatively affected by the number of woman already on the board. The probability of adding a woman is materially increased when a female director departs the board. Adding a director, therefore, is clearly not gender neutral. Although we find that women tend to serve on better performing firms, we also document insignificant abnormal returns on the announcement of a woman added to the board. Rather than the demand for women directors being performance based, our results suggest corporations responding to either internal or external calls for diversity.
Nasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks and encephaloceles

The diverse etiologies of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and encephaloceles make it essential to have a thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, principles of treatment, and treatment options to achieve an excellent outcome. Our current diagnostic studies and preoperative imaging for localization of skull base defects permit accurate identification with minimal operative morbidity. The site of the skull base defect ultimately determines the specific surgical approach. Almost all skull base defects in the anterior skull base are amenable to endoscopic repair. However, external approaches are still mandatory for posterior table defects in the frontal sinus located beyond the reach of frontal sinus instruments. Reconstruction of the skull base defect is dependent on the etiology of the leak and other factors, including the underlying intracranial pressure. This article will highlight the surgical techniques and perioperative care relevant to sinonasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks and encephaloceles.
In vitro development of the mammalian embryo

Normal growth and differentiation of mammalian embryos in vitro during the preimplantation period appear to be dependent upon the availability of appropriate metabolic substrates. For preimplantation embryos, defined conditions of culture have been achieved only in a few laboratory species. There is now evidence that differentiation factors isolated from fetal calf serum and human placental cord serum may promote further development of blastocysts. Postimplantation rat and mouse embryos can be cultured during the organogenesis period with rat or human sera in roller bottles. The embryonic differentiation of the rat at this stage of development is progressively retarded in such cultures with male rat serum. The embryonic development is not improved, even in sera obtained from rats at different days of gestation (12, 15-16, and 20-21). Inability to grow placental tissues simultaneously with embryos, accumulation of unfavorable substances, and rapid depletion of nutrients contribute to the retardation of embryonic growth. To improve growth and differentiation of conceptuses, a continuous culture system with the possibility of infusion of increasing concentrations of oxygen in the roller bottle gas atmosphere has been developed. This improved method allows considerable continuous growth and differentiation from the neurula stage with development of numerous primary organs. Utilizing these in vitro culture methods during pre- and postimplantation periods, it is now possible to assess embryotoxic or teratogenic potential of drugs and chemical agents. The postimplantation culture procedure allows a more precise assessment of mechanisms associated with anomalous embryonic differentiation. Bioactivation of teratogens and effects of active toxic metabolites on organ primordium differentiation have been shown by combining embryo culture with a hepatic microsomal activating system. Microinjection of teratogens and cells into conceptus compartments is being used to elucidate specific anomalous differentiation processes.
Secondary Porosity in the Upper Jackfork Sandstone (Pennsylvanian), Little Rock-Arkadelphia, Arkansas

ABSTRACT Of the 72 samples collected at 5 locations, three-fourths showed textural evidence of secondary porosity. On the basis of the geologic setting and history of the area, we reason that this porosity developed as a consequence of deep-burial diagenesis and not as a consequence of recent exhumation and weathering. Although the average porosity of 7 percent is not impressive, the high of 34 percent suggests that reservoir-potential rock volumes are present. The possible widespread development of secondary porosity suggests that the Jackfork merits attention as a gas-reservoir rock.
Differential Effects of Sex-Lethal Mutations on Dosage Compensation Early in Drosophila Development

In response to the primary sex determination signal, X chromosome dose, the Sex-lethal gene controls all aspects of somatic sex determination and differentiation, including X chromosome dosage compensation. Two complementary classes of mutations have been identified that differentially affect Sxl somatic functions: (1) those impairing the "early" function used to set developmental pathway choice in response to the sex determination signal and (2) those impairing "late" functions involved in maintaining the pathway choice independent of the initiating signal and/or in directing differentiation. This "early vs. late" distinction correlates with a switch in promoter utilization from SxlPe to SxlPm at the blastoderm stage and a corresponding switch from transcriptional to RNA splicing control. Here we characterize five partial-loss-of-function Sxl alleles to explore a distinction between "early vs. late" functioning of Sxl in dosage compensation. Assaying for dosage compensation during the blastoderm stage, we find that the earliest phase of the dosage compensation process is controlled by products of the early Sxl promoter, SxlPe. Hence, in addition to triggering the sexual pathway decision of cells, products derived from SxlPe also control early dosage compensation, the first manifestation of sexually dimorphic differentiation. The effects of mutant Sxl alleles on early dosage compensation are consistent with their previous categorization as early vs. late defective with respect to their effects on pathway initiation. Results reported here suggest that the dosage compensation regulatory genes currently known to function downstream of Sxl, genes known as the "male-specific lethals," do not control all aspects of dosage compensation either at the blastoderm stage or later in development. In the course of this study, we also discovered that the canonical early defective allele, Sxlf9, which is impaired in its ability to establish the female developmental pathway commitment, is likely to be defective in the stability and/or functioning of products derived from SxlPe, rather than in the ability of SxlPe to respond to the chromosomal sex determination signal.
A System of Systems' Prospective for Determining the Highway Systems Critical Links

The United States (US) critical infrastructures (CIs) are highly interconnected and each CI is a system of systems. These infrastructures are crucial to our way of life. Thus, analyzing the affects of disruptions in the CIs is important for planning and risk mitigation both on a local and national level. Because of the CIs' magnitude and complexity, we scope our analysis to present a methodology for determining the k-most critical links of a highway system, an element of the US Transportation CI. This methodology can form the basis for the analysis of the system of systems that represent the US CIs.
Layered turbo space-time coded MIMO-OFDM systems for time varying channels

A joint detection-estimation scheme is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. The transmitter employs a layered turbo space-time code. The iterative scheme proposed for the receiver integrates in one scheme turbo decoding, co-antenna interference suppression and channel estimation. A main observation is that the high coding gain of the turbo space-time code can compensate for the application of a simple co-antenna interference suppression scheme and can also facilitate good channel estimates. The performance of the MIMO-OFDM system is validated by simulations under various channel conditions, including high Doppler. Numerical results show that for a 4 transmit 4 receive antenna (4T4R) system, with a data rate of 4 Mb/s over a 1.25 MHz bandwidth, a packet error rate (PER) of 10/sup -2/ is achieved at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 16 dB for a typical urban channel with Doppler frequencies as high as 200 Hz. For a 4T6R system, the same performance can be achieved for only 6 dB SNR.
Parent-Reported Quality of Preventive Care for Children At-Risk for Developmental Delay

Abstract Objective To compare preventive care quality for children at risk and not at risk for developmental, behavioral, or social delays. Methods Using the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (n = 22,269), we used the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) questionnaire to identify children ages 10 months to 5 years who were at risk for delays. We examined parent-reported quality measures to evaluate whether care was comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered, effective in providing developmental surveillance and screening, and provided within a medical home. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used. Results Twenty-eight percent of children were at-risk for delay, with 17% at moderate risk and 11% at high risk. Greater proportions of children at high, moderate, and no/low risk had a usual source of care (89%–96%) and a personal doctor/nurse (91%–94%); smaller proportions of children underwent a standardized developmental screening (16%–23%) and had parental developmental concerns elicited from their doctor (47%–48%). In adjusted analyses, moderate-risk and high-risk children were less likely than no/low-risk children to receive needed care coordination (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for high risk 0.33, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.24–0.46) and referrals (high risk AOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25–0.65), family-centered care (high-risk AOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.36–0.62), and to have a medical home (high-risk AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32–0.54). Conclusions Our findings may reflect either poorer quality of care provided to at-risk children, or higher level of parental need that routine visits are not currently meeting. For at-risk children, enhanced screening and detection followed by targeted increases in communication and follow-up may help clinicians better anticipate families' needs.
Genotypic Responses to Auxins in Tissue Cultures of Phaseolus

Responses of seven Phaseolus genotypes to the four auxins picloram, 2,4-D, NAA and 1AA, in tissue cultures, were examined. Callus growth was promoted by picloram and the range of effective concentrations for most genotypes was broad. The auxin 2,4-D also enhanced callus growth, but the range of optimal concentrations was markedly narrower than that of picloram. NAA when supplied at relatively high concentrations gave good growth. IAA was ineffective in supporting callus growth. The differences in 2,4-D concentrations required for optimal growth and the differential responses to low concentrations (0.04–1.25 μM) of picloram between several genotypes tested were large. These genotypic variations in auxin responses were repeatable and may thus reflect genetic differences.
Hydronephrosis in the neonate and young infant: Current concepts

Asymptomatic neonates with urological abnormalities that were discovered antenatally or during screening sonography in the neonatal period differ in a number of important ways from those presenting later with overt clinical signs and symptoms of urological disease. The accumulated experience with these neonates over the past decade has led to important advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of congenital disorders of the urinary tract.
Effects of a strong static magnetic field on bacterium Shewanella oneidensis : An assessment by using whole genome microarray

The effect of a strong static 14.1 T magnetic field on log phase cells of bacterial strain Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 was evaluated by using whole genome microarray of this bacterium. Although differences were not observed between the treatment and control by measuring the optical density (OD), colony forming unit (CFU), as well as post-exposure growth of cells, transcriptional expression levels of 65 genes were altered according to our microarray data. Among these genes, 21 were upregulated while other 44 were downregulated, compared with control.
The p75(NTR) metastasis suppressor inhibits urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in PC-3 prostate cancer cells.

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has been characterized as a metastasis and tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. In order to investigate the mechanism(s) by which the p75NTR functions as a metastasis suppressor in prostate cancer cells, we characterized the ectopic expression of p75NTR on the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and the type IV collagen matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Rank-order expression of p75NTR greatly reduced protein levels and enzymatic activities of uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 as shown by immunoblot and zymography analyses. Conversely, expression of the MMP-9 antagonist, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) exhibited an increase in protein levels with an increase in p75NTR levels, whereas TIMP-2 was not detected. Transient transfection with an inducible dominant negative antagonist Δp75NTR rescued uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein levels and protease activities, and conversely suppressed TIMP-1 levels. Since p75NTR signal transduction occurs via the NFκB and JNK pathways, antagonism of signaling intermediates in these pathways, using dominant negative IKKβ or dominant negative MKK-4, respectively, was shown to further decrease expression of uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein and enzymatic activity levels, and conversely up-regulate levels of TIMP-1. These results indicate that expression of uPA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 are directly regulated by expression of p75NTR and its downstream signal transduction cascade. These results suggest that the metastasis suppressor activity of p75NTR is mediated, in part, by down-regulation of specific proteases (uPA, type IV collagenases) implicated in cell migration and metastasis.
Activation of STATs 3 and 5 Through the EGFR Signaling Axis

The living cell is a dynamic system, which is in a constant state of flux with the extracellular environment. Despite the intricacies of cellular interaction with its microenvironment, one striking feature of all biological systems remains their inherent unity in terms of signaling cascades. In the same cell, similar signaling pathways mediated through a common effector may give rise to a variety of cellular processes including differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, depending upon the upstream regulator. Conversely, activation of the same downstream signaling pathway can occur via distinct upstream receptors. The various downstream effects mediated by interaction between the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its numerous ligands are such an example.
VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI: Mechanism and Clinical Relevance

First recognized in the mid-1980s, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become an issue of enormous concern over the past decade. 27 Only 6 years after the first descriptions of these organisms from clinical specimens, guidelines aimed at controlling the spread of multiply resistant enterococci were promulgated at a national level. 16 However, devastating as infections with VRE may be at present, it is the fear that vancomycin resistance genes may spread to other genera, particularly to methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus , that has prompted such alarm. This article reviews the mechanisms currently understood to be responsible for vancomycin resistance in enterococci and examines the clinical significance of VRE.
Benchmark of Parallel Finite Difference Time Domain on IBM BlueGene/L System

in this paper, we analyze the efficiency of the Parallel Finite Difference Time Domain (PFDTD) code on the IBM BlueGene/L platform. We present the results of numerical experiments that demonstrate the fact that the efficiency of the PFDTD code on BlueGene/L can be 90 percent better even when using a large number of processors. We also discuss some techniques for increasing the I/O bandwidth when dealing with a large output data set, as for instance in the case of a large-size phased array antenna.
Controller synthesis with guaranteed closed-loop phase constraints

In this paper, we present an analysis and synthesis framework for guaranteeing that the phase of a single-input, single-output closed-loop transfer function is contained in the interval [-alpha, alpha] for a given alpha>0 at all frequencies. Specifically, we first derive a sufficient condition involving a frequency domain inequality for guaranteeing a given phase constraint. Next, we use the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov theorem to derive an equivalent time domain condition. In the case where alpha=pi/2, we show that frequency and time domain sufficient conditions specialize to the positivity theorem. Furthermore, using linear matrix inequalities, we develop a controller synthesis framework for guaranteeing a phase constraint on the closed-loop transfer function. Finally, we extend this synthesis framework to address mixed gain and phase constraints on the closed-loop transfer function.
Virtual Service Grids: Integrating IT with Business Processes

The alignment of information technology and business has shifted significantly since computing's mainframe era. The high costs of mainframe technology meant that only the largest organizations could afford it, and applications were relatively few. Business was expected to adapt to the technology. This all changed in the 1990s. Industry's widespread adoption of PCs, especially Intel x86-based systems, radically reduced computing costs. The benefits of IT spread to much smaller organizations worldwide, and a large market for hardware, software, and business services emerged. As system integrators began using components from diverse suppliers to build standards-based computers, system costs dropped two orders of magnitude from those of comparably powered mainframes. Many large deployments moved from mainframes to client-server distributed systems. The three-tier computing architecture came to dominate this era, and it introduced a separation between hardware and software. The authors describe how we got to this point and what direction we're headed in for the future.
Atypical Antipsychotics and Pituitary Tumors: A Pharmacovigilance Study

Study Objective. To analyze the disproportionality of reporting of hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea, and pituitary tumors with seven widely used antipsychotic drugs. Design. Retrospective pharmacovigilance study. Data Source. United States Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database. Intervention. We initially identified higher-than-expected postmarketing reports of pituitary tumors associated with risperidone, a potent dopamine D2-receptor antagonist antipsychotic, by analyzing reporting patterns of these tumors in the AERS database. To further examine this association, we analyzed disproportionate reporting patterns of pituitary tumor reports for seven antipsychotics with different affinities for blocking D2 receptors: aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone, and haloperidol. Measurements and Main Results. To conduct both of these analyses, we used the Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) data mining algorithm applied to the AERS database. The MGPS uses a Bayesian model to calculate adjusted observed:expected ratios of drug‐adverse event associations (Empiric Bayes Geometric Mean [EBGM] values) in huge drug safety databases. The higher the adjusted reporting ratio, or EBGM value, the greater the strength of the association between a drug and an adverse event. Risperidone had the highest adjusted reporting ratios for hyperprolactinemia (EBGM 34.9, 90% confidence interval [CI] 32.8‐37.1]), galactorrhea (EBGM 19.9, 90% CI 18.6‐21.4), and pituitary tumor (EBGM 18.7, 90% CI 14.9‐23.3) among the seven antipsychotics, and one of the highest scores for all drugs in the AERS database. Some tumors were associated with visual field defects, hemorrhage, convulsions, surgery, and severe (> 10-fold) prolactin elevations. The EBGM values for risperidone for these adverse events were higher in women, but high EBGM values for these events were also seen in men and children. Moreover, the rank order of the EBGM values for pituitary tumors corresponded to the affinities of these seven drugs for D2 receptors. Conclusion. Treatment with potent D2-receptor antagonists, such as risperidone, may be associated with pituitary tumors. These findings are consistent with animal (mice) studies and raise the need for clinical awareness and longitudinal studies.
A note on extensions of Baer and p.p-rings

Baer rings are rings in which the left (right) annihilator of each subset is generated by an idempotent [6]. Closely related to Baer rings are left P.P.-rings; these are rings in which each principal left ideal is projective, or equivalently, rings in which the left annihilator of each element is generated by an idempotent. Both Baer and P.P.-rings have been extensively studied (e.g. [2], [1], [3], [7]) and it is known that both of these properties are not stable relative to the formation of polynomial rings [5]. However we will show that if a ring R has no nonzero nilpotent elements then R[X] is a Baer or P.P.-ring if and only if R is a Baer or P.P.-ring. This generalizes a result of S. Jondrup [5] who proved stability for commutative P.P.-rings via localizations – a technique which is, of course, not available to us. We also consider the converse to the well-known result that the center of a Baer ring is a Baer ring [6] and show that if R has no nonzero nilpotent elements, satisfies a polynomial identity and has a Baer ring as center, then R must be a Baer ring. We include examples to illustrate that all the hypotheses are needed.
Exploring changes in middle-school student lunch consumption after local school food service policy modifications.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of changes in school food policy on student lunch consumption in middle schools. Methods: Two years of lunch food records were collected from students at three middle schools in the Houston, Texas area. During the first year, no changes occurred in the school food environment. After that school year was completed, chips and dessert foods were removed from the snack bars of all schools by the Food Service Director. Students recorded the amount and source of food and beverage items consumed. Point-of-service purchase machines provided a day-by-day electronic data file with food and beverage purchases from the snack bars during the 2-year period. Independent t-tests and time series analyses were used to document the impact of the policy change on consumption and sales data between the two years. Results: In general, student consumption of sweetened beverages declined and milk, calcium, vitamin A, saturated fat and sodium increased after the policy change. Snack chips consumption from the snack bar declined in year 2; however, consumption of snack chips and candy from vending increased and the number of vending machines in study schools doubled during the study period. Ice cream sales increased significantly in year 2. Conclusions: Policy changes on foods sold in schools can result in changes in student consumption from the targeted environments. However, if all environments do not make similar changes, compensation may occur.
A Review of Acinetobacter baumannii as a Highly Successful Pathogen in Times of War

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant hospital pathogen, quickly becoming resistant to commonly prescribed antimicrobials. It has recently gained notoriety as a cause of debilitating soft tissue infections in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Current literature supports the belief that it is the widespread contamination of increasingly antimicrobial-resistant A. baumannii in both military and civilian hospitals that contributes to the rising rates of infections. * ICU : intensive care unit MDR : multi-drug resistant WRAMC : Walter Reed Army Medical Center OIF : Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF : Operation Enduring Freedom ATCC : American Type Culture Collection MIC : minimum inhibitory concentration OMP : outer membrane protein PFGE : pulsed field gel electrophoresis rDNA : ribosomal DNA BAMC : Brooke Army Medical Center MRSA : methicillin-resistant Staph aureus CDC : Centers for Disease Control
Hexammineruthenium (III) chloride: a highly efficient promoter of the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition of poly-(dG-m5dC)·poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG-dC)·poly(dG-dC)

Abstract The effects of Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ on the conformation of poly(dG-m 5 dC)·poly(dG-M 5 dC) and poly(dG-dC)·poly(dG-dC) were studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ at very low concentrations provokes the Z -DNA conformation in both polynucleotides. In the presence of 50 mM NaCl, the concentration of Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ at the midpoint of B to Z transition of poldy(dG-m 5 dC)°poly(dG-m 5 dC) is 4 μM compared to 5 μM for Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ . The half-lives of the B to Z transition of poly(dG-m 5 dC)·poly(dG-m 5 dC) in the presence of 10 μM Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ and Co(NHG 3 ) 6 3+ are at 23 and 30 min, respectively. The concentration of Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ at the midpoint of B to Z transition of poly(dG-dC)·poly(dG-dC) is 50 μM. These results demonstrate that Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ is a highly efficient trivalent cation for the induction of B to Z transition in poly(dG-m 5 dC)·poly(dG-m 5 dC) and poly(dG-dC)·poly(dG-dC). In contrast, Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ has no significant effect on the conformation of calf thymus DNA, poly(dA-dT)·poly(dA-dT) and poly(dA-dC)·poly(dG-dT).
The immunologic problem of pregnancy. 3. Effect of pregnancy on survival of adult and neonatal skin grafts.

Abstract Hybrid neonatal and adult skin grafts were transplanted to virgin and pregnant inbred female mice. Pregnancy in C3H mice had no effect on the survival of neonatal (C3H × C57)F 1 skin grafts. Neonatal (C3H × CBA)F 1 skin grafts demonstrated slightly prolonged survival when compared with adult grafts on CBA virgin mice. Homozygous pregnancy of the CBA female mice lengthened the survival of neonatal and adult (C3H × CBA)F 1 skin grafts only slightly. Specific heterozygous pregnancy by C3H males permitted a significant prolongation of survival of both neonatal and adult grafts. Several neonatal (C3H × CBA)F 1 skin grafts were prolonged indefinitely. The results indicate that pregnancy, in itself, does not significantly impair allograft reactivity even across weak histocompatibility barriers. A single heterozygous pregnancy confers a state of partial specific nonreactivity to paternal antigens. The relatively feeble antigenic expression of the neonatal skin graft allows this partial nonreactivity to be manifest.
AirLoc: Mobile Robots Assisted Indoor Localization

People carry smartphones that have a variety of radios and sensors. Increasingly, smartphone applications use the radios and sensors to determine a user's location and to sense motion. Nevertheless, most existing smartphone applications cannot avoid accumulative errors when calculating position and movement. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, Air Loc - Adopting mobile robots to assist indoor Localization of smartphones. A moving robot employs a Bluetooth adapter and a known map to assist a smartphone to reduce its localization error. When a robot is near a smartphone, the robot sends accurate location information to users' smartphones via Bluetooth. We design a path planning strategy for a robot to enhance the localization accuracies of smartphones over extended time periods. Moreover, in order to promote the single robot approach, we extend it to the multi-robot assisted indoor localization. The multi-robots are organized by an unbalanced tree and serve areas by the Distance/Density First Algorithm. Through experimentation and simulation in a multi-room building, we evaluate Air Loc and believe it is promising as a cost-efficient means to yield average positioning error below 0.9 meter and possibly lead to better localization results for some scenarios, including shopping mall and hospital.
Modeling Block Copolymer Interactions with Biomimetic Membranes

Association of amphiphilic triblock copolymers with lipid membranes results in versatile novel materials with enormous potential in many areas of bionanotechnology. The molecular architecture and concentration of block copolymers along with environmental variables such as temperature and pH provide means to tune these structures for desired applications and also allow for designing signal-responsive materials. Understanding interaction between block copolymers and lipid bilayers is crucial for applications in nanomedicine. Monte Carlo simulations are used to explore the effect of molecular architecture on the mode of insertion of triblock copolymers into lipid bilayers. The results are compared with small angle X-ray scattering data.
Frequency response characteristic of sympathetic-mediated vasomotor waves in conscious rats

Power spectrum analysis of arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) has been used to investigate autonomic nervous system activity. Sympathetic-mediated vasomotor tone has been attributed to the BP power at frequencies between 0.05 and 0.15 Hz in humans and dogs and between 0.2 and 0.8 Hz in rats. In contrast, it has been suggested that the sympathetic nervous system is too sluggish to transmit frequencies higher than 0.017 Hz in dogs. Thus we investigated the frequency-response characteristics of the transmission of peripheral sympathetic nerve discharge to peripheral vascular resistance and arterial blood pressure in conscious rats. Eleven rats were instrumented with arterial catheters, nerve electrodes on the sympathetic splanchnic nerve, and flow probes on the superior mesenteric artery. The splanchnic nerve was cut proximal to the electrode to avoid afferent nerve stimulation. The next day the nerve was stimulated at frequencies of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 Hz while mesenteric blood flow, BP, and HR were recorded in conscious rats. Mesenteric resistance (MR) was calculated off-line. Nerve stimulation at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 Hz significantly increased the power in MR at these respective frequencies. The greatest response was found between 0.2 and 0.5 Hz. These oscillations in MR were translated to oscillations in BP, but not in HR. Nerve stimulation on the second day, when the nerve was degenerated, did not elicit oscillations in MR or BP. We conclude that the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in rats can transmit signals at frequencies higher than those traditionally assigned to sympathetic vasomotor activity in several species, including humans, and may even overlap with the respiration-related high-frequency range.
Study on the risk factors of occupational hazards in steel enterprise

Objective To explore the risk factor of occupational injuries in a steel enterprise.Methods Case-control study was used in this study.171 pairs of matched workers in the same steel factory were selected and analyzed.Male workers with nonfatal occupational injuries were selected as the observation case,and the male workers with similar work,age but without any occupational injury were selected as the controls.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of education,drinking,smoking,sleep,work pressure,mental status,health status,shift mode,high temperature,noise,and economic income on safety consciusness.Results The low educational degree,drinking,poor sleep,health and mental status could increase the risk of occupational injury;the education on safety before working could reduce the probability of occupational injury.Conclusion The results showed that it is necessary to improve the health and mental status of workers and strengthen the education on safety.
List of four kinds of Acaridae in Northwest China

Objective To study features of species and geographical distribution of Aceosejidae,Ameroseiidae,Blattisocidae and Macrochelidae in Northwest China.Methods By the methods of mite inspection of host surface and nest.Results Aceosejidae,Ameroseiidae,Blattisocidae and Macrochelidae in the Northwest China belonging to 6 genera and a total of 27 species had been recorded,9 species of Genus Lasioseius Berlese and 1 species of Genus Leioseius Berlese in Aceosejidae,5 species of Genus Ameroseius Berlese in Ameroseiidae,1 species of Genus Sinoseius Bai et Gu and 4 species of Genus Proctolaelaps Berlese in Blattisocidae.7 species of Genus Macrocheles Latreille in Macrochelidae.Conclusion The research provides scientific gist to more study and preventing and controlling by grasping Aceosejidae,Ameroseiidae,Blattisocidae and Macrochelidae in Northwest China.
Patterns of spatial interaction and hierarchical structure of Chinese cities based on intercity air passenger flows

The patterns of spatial interaction and hierarchical structure of Chinese cities have been both shaped by and reflected in the air traffic pattern as air transport industry developed rapidly since the 1990s.Air passenger linkages or traffic flows among cities are used as the basis for identifying hierarchical status of cities-a theme of long-standing concern for analysis in spatial organization.Three specific research areas are addressed in this paper:(1) the spatial structure of intercity air passenger flows;(2) the pattern and hierarchical standing of major Chinese cities in domestic passenger air transport-based spatial interaction;and(3) air passenger dominance and changing urban system structure.Fifty-seven major Chinese cities with scheduled passenger flights and substantial passenger turnovers are included in the study.Principle of dominant flow,or Nystuen-Dacey method,along with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis by squared Euclidean distance,is applied to intercity air passenger data of 1995,2000,and 2003.This study reveals,first,that directional intercity air routes and interactions are strongly dominated by cities in the East,where the trio of Beijing,Shanghai and Guangzhou-Shenzhen constitutes the backbone of the national air transport network.Cities in the Middle Region lag behind their counterparts in the other two regions in terms of air network importance.Second,measured by dominant(first-order) air passenger flows,a highly concentrated hierarchical system of passenger air transport and spatial organization of cities has evolved in the form of the control of three top-ranked,national command and control centers from 1995 to 2003.Third,under the national hierarchy led by Beijing,Shanghai,and Guangzhou-Shenzhen,the regional and provincial significance of such cities as Chengdu,Xi'an,Kunming,Xiamen and Urumqi is also evident.Fourth,it seems that the hierarchical nature of the patterns of intercity linkages is increasing.The expansion of China's regional airlines and the probable development of the hub-and-spoke network system have the potential to promote further hierarchical connections and organization in China's national air transport network and urban system.
Books in print and Ulrich's on CDROM: a preliminary

Books in print et Ulrich's International Periodical Directory, tous deux edites par R. R. Bowker Company, sont depuis de nombreuses annees des ouvrages fondamentaux figurant dans la plupart des bibliotheques. La mise sur CD-ROM de ces 2 repertoires a rencontre un grand succes car elle permet un acces a l'information beaucoup plus performant et le disque comporte en supplement d'autres repertoires. Le logiciel de recherche, l'assistance aux utilisateurs et la documentation, les couts, les modalites de souscriptions, le mode d'utilisation sont successivement examines. Une comparaison est faite entre les versions online et le CD-ROM. (INTD)