cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pain in Persons With Postpolio Syndrome: Frequency, Intensity, and Impact

Abstract Stoelb BL, Carter GT, Abresch RT, Purekal S, McDonald CM, Jensen MP. Pain in persons with postpolio syndrome: frequency, intensity, and impact. Objective To describe the frequency, intensity, and impact of pain in persons with postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS). Design Retrospective, cross-sectional survey. Setting Community-based survey. Participants Convenience sample of people with PPS. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Overall intensity and duration of pain, pain sites, pain interference, pain treatments, and relief provided by pain treatments. Results A total of 91% (n=57) of the study participants (N=63) reported pain. The most frequently reported pain sites were the shoulders, lower back, legs, and hips. Participants reported pain intensity to be the greatest in the knees, legs, wrists, lower back, and head. Pain interfered most with sleep and with activities requiring a high level of musculoskeletal involvement. Respondents also reported pain problems that were more severe than those of the general population and than those of a sample of people with multiple sclerosis. Many treatments had been tried previously for pain, but continued use of treatments was reported by relatively few participants at the time of the survey. Conclusions The findings indicate that pain is a persistent and common problem in persons with PPS, highlighting the need for effective and accessible pain treatments for this population.
CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE IN THREE RELATED PATIENTS

SYNOPSIS Three related patients with chronic granulomatous disease are described. Two are brothers and one a half-brother; all have the same mother. The purpose of this paper is to stress that an X-linked genetic defect is probably involved in this condition, although there may be other modes of inheritance. This is thought to be the first report of chronic granulomatous disease in Australian children.
Operant aversive control and Pavlovian higher order conditioning

Pigeons pecked a key for food on a multiple schedule, while pecking in one component also produced time-outs intermittently. The time-outs could be avoided by withholding responses appropriately, and they could be escaped either by responding or by not responding (in separate conditions). Partial suppression of responding during the time-out component was evidence for moderate punishment, and every time-out was escaped successfully. The escape behavior transferred to the warning signal signifying when responses would produce the time-out. The transfer occurred even if this behavior during the signal produced the aversive consequence. The result was that avoidance occurred only if the escape response was the omission of pecking. Responding during the signal was determined neither by its consequences nor by species-specific responses to a salient stimulus, but, rather, by the behavior occurring in the aversive environment itself.
Shear wave attenuation and micro-fluidics in water-saturated sand and glass beads

An improvement in the modeling of shear wave attenuation and speed in water-saturated sand and glass beads is introduced. Some dry and water-saturated materials are known to follow a constant-Q model in which the attenuation, expressed as Q−1, is independent of frequency. The associated loss mechanism is thought to lie within the solid frame. A second loss mechanism in fluid-saturated porous materials is the viscous loss due to relative motion between pore fluid and solid frame predicted by the Biot–Stoll model. It contains a relaxation process that makes the Q−1 change with frequency, reaching a peak at a characteristic frequency. Examination of the published measurements above 1 kHz, particularly those of Brunson (Ph.D. thesis, Oregon State University, Corvalis, 1983), shows another peak, which is explained in terms of a relaxation process associated with the squirt flow process at the grain-grain contact. In the process of deriving a model for this phenomenon, it is necessary to consider the micro-flui...
Magnesium is more efficacious than phenytoin in reducing N-methyl-D-aspartate seizures in rats

Abstract Objective: Although magnesium sulfate is one of the most commonly used agents for seizure prophylaxis in preeclampsia, its efficacy relative to other anticonvulsants is incompletely investigated. The underlying mechanisms of eclamptic seizures are unknown, and there is currently no universally accepted animal model for eclampsia. However, one commonly used method for studying the relative efficacy of antiepileptic drugs is through their effect on N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures. Our aim was to compare the anticonvulsant effects of phenytoin and magnesium sulfate in an N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizure model. Study Design: Twenty-one female rats were each stereotaxically implanted with a chronic indwelling bipolar recording electrode in the hippocampus and an injection cannula in the lateral cerebral ventricle. After 7 days animals were randomly given 90 mg/kg magnesium sulfate ( n = 7), 50 mg/kg phenytoin, or saline solution ( n = 7) intravenously. Fifteen minutes after the infusions animals were given 20 μg/μl N -methyl-D-aspartate by direct intraventricular injection, and seizure activity was assessed for 20 minutes thereafter. All data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. Results: When compared with saline solution controls, total duration of seizure activity in animals treated with magnesium sulfate was significantly decreased ( p p N -methyl-D-aspartate seizure mortality rate was 50% in the saline solution controls and 29% in the phenytoin group, whereas none of the rats that received magnesium sulfate died. Conclusion: These results suggest that magnesium sulfate is a significantly more effective prophylactic agent than phenytoin for N -methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures.
Factors related to the use of cancer early detection techniques.

Abstract This study investigated the relationship of certain variables to the use of early detection of cancer techniques in a socioeconomically homogeneous, largely white, employed middle class population with access to a personal physician. Five hundred and forty-three teachers and administrators in two suburban Rochester school districts were surveyed to collect information on sociodemographic variables, health care variables (health status, source of health care, use of early detection techniques, “preventive orientation” of physician, satisfaction with care), and other attitudes and beliefs including some based on the Health Belief Model. Almost all of the population had personal physicians: 56% reported checkups at least annually and 40% of the women practiced BSE at least monthly. Both frequency of checkups and BSE practice were related to the “preventive orientation” of the physician, to satisfaction with care, and to the belief in the benefit-cost ratio of checkups. In addition, increased frequency of checkups was related to sex (female), higher income, and perceived accessibility of care; increased frequency of BSE was related to greater health concern and to the belief that women can detect breast lumps better than physicians. The results suggest that, in individuals with personal physicians, an important determinant of the use of early detection techniques for cancer may be the quality of the physician-patient relationship, including demonstration of the physician's concern with the importance of early detection.
Lorazepam versus diazepam for the treatment of status epilepticus

A retrospective study was performed to compare intravenous lorazepam and intravenous diazepam in the treatment of status epilepticus. Forty-five episodes of status epilepticus in children between the ages of 2 weeks and 18 years were reviewed. Lorazepam and diazepam proved similar in efficacy of seizure control and incidence of adverse effects. The dose of lorazepam required to control status epilepticus ranged from 0.03 to 0.22 mg/kg with a mean of 0.11 mg/kg (S.D. = 0.05 mg/kg). Among children treated with lorazepam, only children younger than 2 years of age had respiratory depression which required intubation.
Student Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Older People and Their Impact on Pursuing Aging Careers

The international community is facing the pressure of aging societies. In the United States of America, we will shortly be facing the aging of baby boomers, a dramatically large population expected to peak as senior citizens in 2030 at 70 million. Global societies are facing a crisis: lack of adequately trained and emotionally oriented personnel to work with aging persons in all fields, especially health and human services. There has been rising concern on how human service and social work programs resume their role in training future professionals in the aging fields. The focus of this article is an in-depth review of previous studies on understanding students' knowledge, negative attitudes toward older people, and how such attitudes and key factors are dissuasive to pursuing careers in the aging field. In addition, I provide a comprehensive review on factors that will increase the awareness of aging dynamics. Based on both persuasive and dissuasive factors, I conclude with aging curriculum improvements ...
Intimations of The Good: Iris Murdoch, Richard Swinburne and the Promise of Theism

Perhaps no one in the English speaking world has carried on a philosophical defence of theism like Richard Swinburne. Yet in all of Swinburne's work there is little use of a long-standing view in the Christian tradition that God is good, and that his goodness is interchangeable with his being. While Swinburne does little with the idea of goodness, Iris Murdoch proposes an anti-theistic view that insists on the Good without God. My argument is that both Swinburne's indifference to the notion of the good and Murdoch's ‘Good without God’ take away from the promise of theism. I suggest an Augustinian alternative that insists on the equation of God and the Good without falling into the problems inherent in both Swinburne and Murdoch's views.
Comparison of the colloidal chromic phosphate and BSP clearance methods for estimating hepatic blood flow.

H epatic blood flow in man is usually estimated by the clearance method first described by Bradley and associates1 in 1945. This technique requires hepatic venous catheterization and sampling because the clearance of Bromsulphalein (BSP) or other dyes2a3 is incomplete and varies with the functional state of the liver. The availability of a substance extracted solely and completely by the hepatic-portal bed in a single circulation, independent of hepatocellular function, would make it possible to estimate hepatic blood flow by peripheral blood concentrations alone. After studying the behavior of colloidal materials injected intravenously, Dobson,4 in 1952, recommended using the peripheral disappearance rate of colloidal chromic phosphate labeled with radiophosphorus as a measure of hepatic blood flow. He found that the colloid was almost completely removed in a single circulation by the reticuloendothelial cells, with deposition of from 85 to 90 per cent of the injected dose in the livers and spleens of mice, dogs, and rabbits. When the Pti activity of serial samples of blood was plotted on a logarithmic scale as a function of time, a curve was obtained in which the first 5 to lo-minute period described a straight-line downslope. This early downslope approximated a simple exponential function represented by the equation Ct = C, e-kt, in which C is the concentration at any time t, C, is the initial concentration, and k is a constant. If complete extraction is assumed, the slope of this line would represent the fraction of the blood volume perfusing the liver per unit time. This slope, termed the disappearance rate constant, is identical to k in the equation and can be calculated from the half-time of disappearance of the P32 by the expression k=0’693 -. P/” Calculation of the hepatic blood flow in man from the colloid disappearance rate has been reported to provide values which agree closely with those obtained by other investigators using the BSP method of Bradley.5*6 Such correlafion, however, between averages of different series may be fortuitous. The purpose of
Oxidation of 4-Methoxymandelic Acid by Lignin Peroxidase: MEDIATION BY VERATRYL ALCOHOL *

The mechanism of veratryl alcohol-mediated oxidation of 4-methoxymandelic acid by lignin peroxidase was studied by kinetic methods. For monomethoxylated substrates not directly oxidized by lignin peroxidase, veratryl alcohol has been proposed to act as a redox mediator. Our previous study showed that stimulation of anisyl alcohol oxidation by veratryl alcohol was not due to mediation but rather due to the requirement of veratryl alcohol to complete the catalytic cycle. Anisyl alcohol can react with compound I but not with compound II. In contrast, veratryl alcohol readily reduces compound II. We demonstrate in the present report that the oxidation of 4-methoxy mandelic acid is mediated by veratryl alcohol. Increasing veratryl alcohol concentration in the presence of 2 mM 4-methoxymandelic acid resulted in increased oxidation of 4-methoxymandelic acid yielding anisaldehyde. This is in contrast to results obtained with anisyl alcohol where increased concentrations of veratryl alcohol caused a decrease in product formation. ESR spectroscopy demonstrated that 4-methoxymandelic acid caused a decrease in the enzyme-bound veratryl alcohol cation radical signal, which is consistent with its reaction at the active site of the enzyme.
Role of nitric oxide in disruption of the blood-brain barrier during acute hypertension.

The goal of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide in disruption of the blood-brain barrier during acute hypertension. We examined the microcirculation of the cerebrum in vivo. Permeability of the blood-brain barrier was quantitated by the formation of venular leaky sites and clearance of fluorescent-labeled albumin (FITC-albumin) before and during phenylephrine-induced acute hypertension. We compared disruption of the blood-brain barrier during acute hypertension in untreated rats and in rats treated for 1 h with topical application ofNG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA; 100 μM) orNG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 100 μM). Under control conditions, no venular leaky sites were visible and clearance of FITC-albumin was minimal in untreated rats and in rats treated with topical application of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. Phenylephrine (20 μg/kg/min for 5 min) infusion increased systemic arterial pressure by a similar magnitude in all groups of rats and produced disruption of the blood-brain barrier in venules. However, the magnitude of disruption of the blood-brain barrier during acute hypertension was significantly less in rats treated withl-NMMA (52% reduction in the clearance of FITC-albumin) andl-NAME (47% reduction in clearance of FITC-albumin). The findings of the present study suggest that synthesis/release of nitric oxide contributes to disruption of the blood-brain barrier during acute hypertension.
Giemsa banding pattern of the karyotype of Aotus griseimembra Elliot 1912. A preliminary study

Abstract Chromosomal polymorphism for a Robertsonian fission-fusion element is present in the karyotype of the owl monkey species Aotus griseimembra Elliot 1912. Giemsa banding reveals the homology of the chromosomes in the Robertsonian element—a large median chromosome equivalent to a large terminal and large subterminal chromosome.
Brewing an Assortment of Responses to Institutional Logics

Organizations are often confronted with multiple demands imposed by their environment. While the organization, as a whole, may face the same pressures, responses may differ within and across the organization. This case study explores how organizational actors within five separate units of a global brewery group experience and respond to the same institutional complexity; that is, attendance to both social and commercial aspects in relation to the issue of ‘alcohol-related harm.’ The study shows that the organization, as a whole, pursued four different models of response simultaneously: separation, co-existence, industry bricolage, and organizational bricolage, while the individual units enacted different combinations of these four. This paper contributes to the literature on institutional logics by moving deeper inside the organization and studying the underlying meaning systems guiding these different responses.
A corticosteroid binding protein and endogenous ligand in C. albicans indicating a possible steroid-receptor system.

The evolution of endocrine systems has been intensively studied (for review see ref. 1). Recent findings indicate the existence of vertebrate-like hormones in primitive species including fungi and unicellular eukaryotes2–4. Although proteins that bind vertebrate steroids have been described in at least one lower organism5, the presence of recognition molecules analogous to hormone receptors in higher organisms has not previously been demonstrated. We have investigated Candida albicans and now report the existence of a receptor-like protein macromolecule in the cytosol of this simple yeast which binds vertebrate corticosteroids with high affinity, selectivity and stereospecificity. In addition, a lipid-extractable material present in the yeast cells and released into the chemically defined growth medium reversibly competes for 3H-corticosterone binding sites in yeast cytosol and may represent an endogenous ligand. Of interest is the finding that the yeast extract also competes for mammalian glucocorticoid receptors. The data suggest that the evolutionary origin of hormonal steroid systems may go back at least as far as simple unicellular eukaryotes. Furthermore, the demonstration of interactions between mammalian steroids and the yeast binder and between the yeast ligand and mammalian receptors suggests the possibility of important clinical consequences.
Treatment of Knee Arthrofibrosis and Quadriceps Insufficiency after Patellar Tendon Repair: A Case Report Including Use of the Graston Technique

Arthrofibrosis of the knee is a surgical complication that can limit range of motion, inhibit muscle activity, and decrease patient function. Optimal conservative treatment has not been well established in the literature, leaving a clinician with limited evidence for treatment planning. Described here is part of the rehabilitative course of care for a patient with arthrofibrotic limitations after a mid-substance patellar tendon repair with augmentation. Marked limitations in knee flexion range of motion and quadriceps activity were addressed using the Graston Technique to deal with soft-tissue adhesions; traditional physical therapy care was also provided. Clear improvement in range of motion and quadriceps activity and function was noted over the course of 5 treatments during 1 month. Treatment process and clinical reasoning are offered to promote understanding and to facilitate future inquiry.
Synthesis of deuterated and tritiated derivatives of enflurane

Specifically deuterated derivatives of the inhalation anesthetic enflurane [2-chloro-1-(difluoromethoxy)-1,1,2-trifluoroethane] have been synthesized by a facile base catalyzed exchange. Tritiated enflurane has also been synthesized by this procedure.
Teaching introductory course in VLSI for graduate level program

This paper describe the first VLSI graduate course details for students studying in the field of computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and information technology. An overview of how VLSI course is taught in universities world wide has been covered in this paper. The curriculum of the introductory course in VLSI in different parts of the world has been investigated in this paper. However, we focused on the teaching of the ldquointroduction to VLSI designrdquo course at our academic institution - University of Michigan at Dearborn. The paper also focuses on the CAD tools used by universities to enhance the proclivity of the students towards the course.
Evaluation of peri‐implant sulcular temperature

Abstract Sulcular temperatures were measured on 35 clinically stable and restored osseointegrated denial implants and compared to 50 remaining natural teeth in 9 partially-edentulous adults using the Perio Temp temperature probe (ABIO-DENT, Inc., Danvers, MA USA). Replicate peri-implant sulcular measurements showed a mean difference of 0.1±0.15 (SD)°C. Implant temperatures varied from 0.41 to 3.9°C below sublingual temperatures measured on each patient, and maxillary implants were significantly cooler than mandibular implants (p<0.001, t-test). A posterior-to-anterior temperature gradient was found in both the maxilla and mandible, with anterior implants significantly cooler than posterior fixtures. No significant differences were found in sulcular temperatures of osseointegrated dental implants and natural teeth located in anatomically-equivalent oral sites. Similarly to natural teeth, sulcular temperature may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating dental implant status.
Fractal Analysis of Non-Solid Pulmonary Nodules in Lung-CT Scans

We have developed a fractal algorithm to supplement the current analysis in lung-CT scans on non-solid pulmonary nodule. The Cornell University Lung-CT Scans database and the US National Institute of Health ImageJ software were used. We found that the inner core average intensity could be a marker for the fractal dimension of a non-solid nodule. Z-scan image analysis of the adjacent boundaries showed that the fractal dimension has a range of about 0.1 in the studied cases. Extension of this proof-of-concept fractal analysis to growth rate estimation is also discussed.
Fabrication and Characterization of Silicon Micro-Funnels and Tapered Micro-Channels for Stochastic Sensing Applications

We present a simplified, highly reproducible process to fabricate arrays of tapered silicon micro-funnels and micro-channels using a single lithographic step with a silicon oxide (SiO2) hard mask on at a wafer scale. Two approaches were used for the fabrication. The first one involves a single wet anisotropic etch step in concentrated potassium hydroxide (KOH) and the second one is a combined approach comprising Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) followed by wet anisotropic etching. The etching is performed through a 500 mm thick silicon wafer, and the resulting structures are characterized by sharp tapered ends with a sub-micron cross-sectional area at the tip. We discuss the influence of various parameters involved in the fabrication such as the size and thickness variability of the substrate, dry and wet anisotropic etching conditions, the etchant composition, temperature, diffusion and micro-masking effects, the quality of the hard mask in the uniformity and reproducibility of the structures, and the importance of a complete removal of debris and precipitates. The presence of apertures at the tip of the structures is corroborated through current voltage measurements and by the translocation of DNA through the apertures. The relevance of the results obtained in this report is discussed in terms of the potential use of these structures for stochastic sensing.
OA08.04. Brain circuitry subserving acupuncture relief of itch in atopic dermatitis: an fMRI study

Purpose Chronic itch is a prevalent symptom of many inflammatory skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis (AD). While conventional systemic approaches to reduce AD itch have shown limited efficacy and/or significant side effects, several recent studies have demonstrated effectiveness of acupuncture for reducing itch in healthy adults and AD. We sought to evaluate the brain circuitry underlying acupuncture reduction of itch.
Enhancing user presence in a chest tube simulator by Joining virtual reality with a mannequin

Tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion) is a common clinical procedure that all medical and nursing students must learn. In order to lower complication rates and improve patient safety, virtual reality (VR) training has been employed in medical education. Despite the capabilities of VR and haptic interfaces, most VR simulators offer a lesser sense of presence than mannequin-based models. To improve the user's sense of presence in a VR simulator, this work combines VR with a mannequin to join a central point of physical interaction with a virtual 3-D environment. The human chest mannequin is integrated with two force feedback devices (SensAble OMNI), three haptic interfaces (pen, Kelly clamp, and finger constriction device), and a 3-D monitor. These elements are arranged to provide a greater degree of immersion as well as a more realistic user experience. By calibrating the angles of the mannequin and the 3-D monitor, the system aims to align the user's physical and visual sensory perceptions. Shifting the simulator - along the VR to mannequin continuum of interaction - to a hybrid system may provide users with a greater degree of presence which can enhance learning and reduce procedural complications.
A robust asynchronous multiple access system using multiple frequencies in AWGN and fading channels

This paper analyzes a system using noncoherent M-ary frequency shift keying frequency hopping. A nonorthogonal code based on Steiner BIB designs allows for more potential users than with dedicated channels (bands or slots). This technique is used in an asynchronous multiple access channel characterized by multiuser interference, additive white Gaussian noise and frequency-nonselective slow (Rayleigh) fading. The system model is described and the nonorthogonal signaling discussed. >
A 42–Year–Old Woman With a New Diagnosis of Sclerosing Cholangitis

Clinical Scenario A 42-year-old woman is referred to you for severe pruritus, dark urine, and acholic stools. These symptoms have gradally increased during the past 7–10 days. She had previously een in good health with no history of hepatobiliary dysfuncion. She complains of right upper quadrant discomfort and a eneral sense of malaise. Blood tests reveal a normal complete lood count, but her liver enzymes are elevated in a cholestatic attern. Her alkaline phosphatase level is approximately 3 times he upper limit of normal (ULN) at 428 U/L, the aspartate minotransferase level is 1.5 times the ULN at 116 U/L, and the otal serum bilirubin is 6.4 mg/dL, with a direct bilirubin of 4.8 g/dL. An antimitochondrial antibody is performed to evalute for primary biliary cirrhosis and is negative. On examinaion, she appears unwell with obvious jaundice. She is afebrile, nd there are no spider angiomas noted. She has generalized enderness with palpation of the right upper quadrant of the bdomen. Abdominal imaging is performed with an ultrasound and eveals focal dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts in the right nd left hepatic lobes. Also noted is diffuse wall thickening of he distal hepatic and common bile duct. There is no obvious epatic mass and no evidence of cholelithiasis or choledocholihiasis. The gallbladder and pancreas appear normal, and there s no splenomegaly or ascites.
Antidotes for nerve agent poisoning: should we differentiate children from adults?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chemical terrorism presents a threat to the civilian population, including children. Nerve agent antidotes are available in prepackaged autoinjectors that can be delivered rapidly following an exposure. The published evidence on the use of nerve agent antidotes consists of case reports, extrapolation from pediatric organophosphate poisonings, and expert opinion. This review examines the evidence supporting the use of nerve agent antidotes in children. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of adult formulated atropine and pralidoxime autoinjectors will deliver doses above current recommendations for infants and children. Data demonstrate, however, that atropine overdose is generally well tolerated in young children. Children symptomatic of nerve agent poisoning will likely need both supraphysiologic doses and frequent re-dosing of atropine. SUMMARY: Based on limited data, the Mark 1 autoinjector kit (Meridian Medical Technologies, Columbia, Maryland, USA) appears to be the most efficacious antidote delivery system following a nerve agent attack. Symptomatic children under 1 year of age should be given a full atropine dose from the Atropen (Meridian Medical Technologies) (0.5 mg) or Mark 1 kits (2 mg), while children over 1 year of age should be given a full dose of both atropine and pralidoxime from the Mark 1 kit when more accurate weight-based dosing of antidotes is impossible. Language: en
Dietary Protein Intake and Stage of Lactation Differentially Modulate Amino Acid Transporter mRNA Abundance in Porcine Mammary Tissue

Juliana Perez Laspiur, Jeanne L. Burton, Patty S. D. Weber, Julie Moore, Roy N. Kirkwood, and Nathalie L. Trottier
CTRP3 attenuates diet-induced hepatic steatosis by regulating triglyceride metabolism

CTRP3 is a secreted plasma protein of the C1q family that helps regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis and is downregulated in a diet-induced obese state. However, the role of CTRP3 in regulating lipid metabolism has not been established. Here, we used a transgenic mouse model to address the potential function of CTRP3 in ameliorating high-fat diet-induced metabolic stress. Both transgenic and wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet showed similar body weight gain, food intake, and energy expenditure. Despite similar adiposity to wild-type mice upon diet-induced obesity (DIO), CTRP3 transgenic mice were strikingly resistant to the development of hepatic steatosis, had reduced serum TNF-α levels, and demonstrated a modest improvement in systemic insulin sensitivity. Additionally, reduced hepatic triglyceride levels were due to decreased expression of enzymes (GPAT, AGPAT, and DGAT) involved in triglyceride synthesis. Importantly, short-term daily administration of recombinant CTRP3 to DIO mice for 5 days was sufficient to improve the fatty liver phenotype, evident as reduced hepatic triglyceride content and expression of triglyceride synthesis genes. Consistent with a direct effect on liver cells, recombinant CTRP3 treatment reduced fatty acid synthesis and neutral lipid accumulation in cultured rat H4IIE hepatocytes. Together, these results establish a novel role for CTRP3 hormone in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and highlight its protective function and therapeutic potential in attenuating hepatic steatosis.
Impact of Statin Use on Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background— The benefits of statins have been demonstrated for patients with a remote history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); however, no investigation to date has evaluated whether initiation of statin therapy in the early months after surgery improves clinical outcomes. Methods and Results— A retrospective cohort of 7503 Medicare patients ≥65 years of age who underwent CABG (1995–2003) was assembled by use of linked hospital and pharmacy claims data. Rates of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were compared between patients who were (n=1745) and were not (n=5788) prescribed statins within 1 month of CABG discharge. Additional analyses evaluated the impact of statin initiation between 1 and 6 months after surgery. Multivariable and propensity score analysis demonstrated that statin use within 1 month of CABG discharge independently reduced the risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 0.94) compared with no statin use. Sim...
Managing computing resources in active intranets

The objective of this paper is to present an economic pricing-based resource management technique for Intranets that has the capability of managing Intranet resources from an organizational perspective. We discuss the adoption of this pricing scheme at three stages: application level, node level, and data-stream level implementations. These three levels demonstrate how a pricing based approach can be used with the current technology and also be migrated to evolving network architectures such as active networks.
Gaining insights into multicore cache partitioning: Bridging the gap between simulation and real systems

Cache partitioning and sharing is critical to the effective utilization of multicore processors. However, almost all existing studies have been evaluated by simulation that often has several limitations, such as excessive simulation time, absence of OS activities and proneness to simulation inaccuracy. To address these issues, we have taken an efficient software approach to supporting both static and dynamic cache partitioning in OS through memory address mapping. We have comprehensively evaluated several representative cache partitioning schemes with different optimization objectives, including performance, fairness, and quality of service (QoS). Our software approach makes it possible to run the SPEC CPU2006 benchmark suite to completion. Besides confirming important conclusions from previous work, we are able to gain several insights from whole-program executions, which are infeasible from simulation. For example, giving up some cache space in one program to help another one may improve the performance of both programs for certain workloads due to reduced contention for memory bandwidth. Our evaluation of previously proposed fairness metrics is also significantly different from a simulation-based study. The contributions of this study are threefold. (1) To the best of our knowledge, this is a highly comprehensive execution- and measurement-based study on multicore cache partitioning. This paper not only confirms important conclusions from simulation-based studies, but also provides new insights into dynamic behaviors and interaction effects. (2) Our approach provides a unique and efficient option for evaluating multicore cache partitioning. The implemented software layer can be used as a tool in multicore performance evaluation and hardware design. (3) The proposed schemes can be further refined for OS kernels to improve performance.
Preferred practices for electric control devices for aircraft

THE devices required for controlling electric equipment on airplanes include pressure switches, thermostats, control relays, contactors, switching mechanisms, and various combinations of these devices. These controls must operate correctly under the extremely severe conditions encountered on airplanes and, at tie same time, must be smaller, lighter, and more reliable than similar devices produced for other applications.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version in Healthy Adults and Application to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) is a questionnaire measure designed to assess executive functioning in everyday life. Analysis of data from the BRIEF-A standardization sample yielded a two-factor solution (labeled Behavioral Regulation and Metacognition). The present investigation employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate four alternative models of the factor structure of the BRIEF-A self-report form in a sample of 524 healthy young adults. Results indicated that a three-factor model best fits the data: a Metacognition factor, a Behavioral Regulation factor consisting of the Inhibit and Self-Monitor scales, and an Emotional Regulation factor composed of the Emotional Control and Shift scales. The three factors contributed 14%, 19%, and 24% of unique variance to the model, respectively, and a second-order general factor accounted for 41% of variance overall. This three-factor solution is consistent with recent CFAs of the Parent report form of the BRIEF. Furthermore, although the Behavioral Regulation factor score in the two-factor model did not differ between adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a matched healthy comparison group, greater impairment on the Behavioral Regulation factor but not the Emotional Regulation factor was found using the three-factor model. Together, these findings support the multidimensional nature of executive function and the clinical relevance of a three-factor model of the BRIEF-A.
Unconditional differentially private mechanisms for linear queries

We investigate the problem of designing differentially private mechanisms for a set of d linear queries over a database, while adding as little error as possible. Hardt and Talwar [HT10] related this problem to geometric properties of a convex body defined by the set of queries and gave a O(log3 d)-approximation to the minimum l22 error, assuming a conjecture from convex geometry called the Slicing or Hyperplane conjecture. In this work we give a mechanism that works unconditionally, and also gives an improved O(log2 d) approximation to the expected l22 error. We remove the dependence on the Slicing conjecture by using a result of Klartag [Kla06] that shows that any convex body is close to one for which the conjecture holds; our main contribution is in making this result constructive by using recent techniques of Dadush, Peikert and Vempala [DPV10]. The improvement in approximation ratio relies on a stronger lower bound we derive on the optimum. This new lower bound goes beyond the packing argument that has traditionally been used in Differential Privacy and allows us to add the packing lower bounds obtained from orthogonal subspaces. We are able to achieve this via a symmetrization argument which argues that there always exists a near optimal differentially private mechanism which adds noise that is independent of the input database! We believe this result should be of independent interest, and also discuss some interesting consequences.
Economic Choices for Educational Policy in Africa

For African countries engaged in structural reform, resource constraints on education systems are likely to rise over the next several years. Absent a significant increase in resources, educational enrollment ratios are likely to remain stagnant or decline, and allocative efficiency in education is likely to fall. A linear educational forecasting model is used to simulate alternative educational scenarios, including the impact of structural reforms in education on forecasted budget levels, and on underlying rates of return to investment in education. Improving technical efficiency within the education system can help to offset rising budgetary constraints, and thus help African countries meet goals of higher educational enrollment ratios, as well as satisfy the need for an efficient allocation of resources to the education sector of the economy.
Institutional Aspects of Agricultural Development Policy

The modernization of agriculture is a never-ending task, with a baffling number of dimensions, of which the formation of institutions is only one. As we understand the problem of institutional policy, the general terms of resolution are to be found in the development process; consequently, the problems of institutional innovation need to be formulated within the context of agricultural development. For such a perspective, a general conceptualization of the agricultural development process is essential. We accept the current views and terminology that agricultural development consists of the transformation or modernization of an antecedent
Hypercapnia slightly raises blood volume and sizably elevates flow velocity in brain microvessels

The increase in local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) caused by hypercapnia may be mainly accomplished by raising the velocity of plasma and/or red blood cell (RBC) flow through the microvessels and not by perfusing more capillaries. This suggestion was tested in awake rats exposed to 8% CO2 and in control rats. LCBF was measured by the 14C-labeled iodoantipyrine method. The volume of blood in small parenchymal microvessels was estimated from the distribution spaces of 125I-labeled serum albumin (RISA) and 55Fe-labeled RBCs. Hypercapnia elevated LCBF 2.0- to 3.5-fold in the 40 brain areas studied, marginally raised the RBC spaces, and significantly increased the RISA and whole blood distribution spaces (approximately 25 and 19%, respectively). These changes in microvessel distribution volumes could be the result of perfusing a slightly larger fraction of capillaries (recruitment), increasing microvessel diameter somewhat, or both. With hypercapnia, the mean transit times fell to approximately 45% of control, which indicated that LCBF was mainly increased by raising the velocity of RBC and plasma flow through already perfused microvessels. Overall, few, if any, capillaries or other microvessels were recruited by hypercapnia.
Tracking the aesthetic outcomes of prosthetic breast reconstructions that have complications.

Breast reconstruction can help moderate the distressing postoperative changes in body image and the quality of life of breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy (1–4). In particular, the literature has shown aesthetic results following reconstruction to be a major contributor to patient satisfaction and overall quality of life (5). With numerous reconstruction techniques currently available, myriad studies have detailed the postoperative surgical and cosmetic outcomes of such methods. In addition, factors that may influence final aesthetic results, such as body mass index (BMI), preoperative and postoperative radiation, and age, have also been assessed (6–21). However, little data regarding the impact of postoperative complications on aesthetic outcomes of breast reconstruction exist (22). Does having a complication necessarily mean an adverse aesthetic outcome? We endeavored to track aesthetic outcomes following implant reconstruction in patients who experienced a complication. Studies have shown that complications following surgery can negatively impact a patient’s health status, extend hospital stays and lead to higher medical bills (23–26). The potential ramifications of complications on local vasculature and wound healing may be of particular importance in the reconstruction population, in which improved aesthetic outcomes enhance a patient’s self image and well-being. To date, there has been little investigation into whether complications actually result in poorer cosmetic outcomes in these patients. Previous studies involving reconstruction patients have focused on the overall aesthetics associated with various methods, with some additional analysis of factors that may have contributed significantly to the final cosmetic result (6,10,13,15). Such studies have revealed that autologous tissue-based reconstruction can yield superior aesthetic results compared with prosthetic methods (6,18,19), while implicating breast size, final implant volume, radiation status and BMI as important contributors to aesthetic outcomes in the implant population (10,11). The present study aimed to track aesthetic outcomes in implant breast reconstruction cases that involved complications. A more thorough understanding of how complications influence aesthetics may be derived from our use of a validated aesthetic scoring scale. Moreover, we stratified aesthetic outcomes according to a more detailed validated metric that encompassed breast mound volume, placement, contour, scarring and inframammary fold definition.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Is Strongly Associated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Is Strongly Associated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF FITNESS TRAITS IN A WILD POPULATION OF PHLOX.

To determine if the evolution of fitness traits in the annual plant, Phlox drummondii, is constrained by lack of genetic variation, we calculated the heritability and genetic correlation of 16 traits in a field population. Full- and half-sib families of seeds were generated in the greenhouse and planted back into the study population. Of 855 seeds that germinated, 609 survived to produce fruit. For each plant we measured several aspects of plant size and three components of female fecundity: total number of fruits produced, number of seeds per fruit, and mass of individual seeds. Heritability of traits ranged from 0.00 to 0.15. Several traits showed significant levels of additive genetic variance, but we found no evidence of additive genetic variance in components of female fecundity and no evidence of negative genetic correlation between fitness traits. These results suggest that evolution in this population would be constrained by lack of heritable variation in fitness traits.
Abstract 5194: Induction of Fyn via the Ras/PI3K pathway is necessary and sufficient for enhanced migration and invasion

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Over-expression and activation of Src family kinases, particularly Fyn, is relatively frequent in human cancers. Fyn promotes cancer progression, tumor survival and carcinoma invasion, making it a potential molecular target for cancer therapeutics; however the mechanism of Fyn over-expression in cancers is not clear. Since activation of Ras oncogenes in human cancers is a very common oncogenic event, we explored if an active Ras oncogene could induce Fyn expression. Interestingly, retroviral transduction of the immortalized human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT with oncogenic H-Ras dramatically upregulated Fyn mRNA, protein, and activity (>100 fold mRNA induction, p<0.001). Src levels and kinase activity were not affected by H-Ras transduction. Furthermore, activation of Akt, but not MAPK or EGFR, was necessary and sufficient for induction of Fyn by H-Ras. The enhanced migration and invasion induced by H-Ras could be significantly blocked (70% reduction, p<0.0001) by Fyn specific siRNA knockdown or inhibition by PP2 (10 µM). In addition, expression of active Fyn in HaCaT cells was sufficient for increased migration or invasion of cells. These results implicate induction of Fyn in Ras-induced enhanced migration and invasion of cancer cells. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation has been strongly linked with the Ras-mediated increased migratory phenotype of tumor cells. We found that Fyn was necessary and sufficient for Ras induced activation of FAK. In summary, we show that Fyn induction by oncogenic Ras/PI3K/Akt pathway can account for the elevated Src family kinase activity in cancers, and is a critical mediator of the Ras-stimulated invasive cell phenotype. These results have strong implications for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting Akt/Fyn pathway to block migration and invasion of tumor cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5194.
Mechanisms for the tachypneic response to the thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46,619 in rabbits

These experiments were designed to determine if intravenous infusion of the thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46,619, would elicit tachypnea in the rabbit, and if so whether the afferent signal was generated by receptors innervated by myelinated or unmyelinated vagal nerve fibers. Intravenous infusion of U-46,619 (0.5 microgram/kg delivered over 10 s) increased breathing frequency (26%) and right ventricular blood pressure (59%) in the anesthetized rabbit (n = 10). Systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and tidal volume were unaffected by the infusion of U-46,619. When myelinated fiber conduction in the vagus nerve was eliminated by bilaterally cooling the nerve to 6 degrees C, the increase in breathing frequency was only 5% above baseline levels. The tachypneic response to U-46,619 was totally eliminated when both myelinated and unmyelinated fiber conduction was abolished by cooling the vagi to 0 degree C. The increase in right ventricular blood pressure after U-46,619 infusion was unaffected by vagal cooling. Because most (> 80%) of the tachypneic response to U-46,619 was eliminated by blockade of myelinated vagal fiber conduction, we conclude that the tachypneic response to U-46,619 is mediated mostly by receptors innervated by myelinated vagal afferent fibers in the anesthetized rabbit.