cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corticotropin-releasing hormone excites myenteric neurons in the guinea-pig small intestine.

Abstract The electrophysiological actions of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on myenteric neurons from the guinea-pig ileum were studied by intracellular microelectrode recording. CRH, when applied by micropressure ejection or in the medium (0.2–20 nM) evoked prolonged depolarization in 21 of 42 S/type 1 neurons and in 28 of 40 AH/type 2 neurons. These responses were associated with increased input resistance and augmented excitability. The post-spike hyperpolarization in AH/type 2 cell was suppressed during the CRH-evoked responses. The reversal potential of the response to CRH was about −90 mV, consistent with the closure of potassium channels by the peptide. The CRH-induced depolarization was prevented by incubation in 10 μM 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadesosine (NECA, an adenosine analog) suggesting that the response was mediated by stimulation of adenylate cyclase and elevation of cAMP. CRH reduced the amplitude of fast nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potentials. This appeared to be a postsynaptic action because the peptide also reduced the responses to exogenously applied acetylcholine. These results suggest that CRH can directly influence intestinal function by acting on myenteric neurons.
Up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression by chorionic gonadotropin in mucosal cells from human fallopian tubes.

The present study investigated the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene by human CG (hCG) in mucosal cells from human fallopian tubes. The mucosal cells contained a major [4.3 kilobase (kb)] and several minor (3.6, 2.4, and 1. 8 kb) messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts of LH/hCG receptors and also an 80-kDa receptor protein. The receptor protein can bind 125I-hCG. Culturing mucosal cells with increasing concentrations of highly purified hCG resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in steady-state levels of a 4.4-kb mRNA transcript and 72-kDa protein of COX-2. Whereas hLH and hCG could mimic each other in increasing COX-2 protein levels, FSH, TSH, PRL, and isolated alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG had no effect, suggesting that the hCG effect is hormone specific and requires the conformation of native hormone. Culturing mucosal cells with increasing concentrations of hCG also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in media PGE2, levels, suggesting that the COX-2 protein increased by hCG is catalyti...
The use of the MNDO SCF MO method in UPS band-assignments for unsaturated hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons

Abstract The MNDO SCF MO method developed by Dewar and co-workers has been tested in regard to its ability to provide UPS band-assignments for a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons. The method performs admirably in this endeavour and generally predicts the same orbital-ordering scheme as that predicted by rigorous ab initio computational procedures. The possible use of the method in studying the “perfluoro effect” has been addressed as well. The method is clearly not as reliable for hexafluoro-(Dewar)benzene as for the other fluorocarbons. The MNDO predictions of the band assignments for the syn and anti dimers of cyclobutadiene serve to muddle further an already lively, but muddled, controversy.
The carcinoid syndrome: Comparison of 21 necropsy subjects with carcinoid heart disease to 15 necropsy subjects without carcinoid heart disease

Carcinoid heart disease is a morphologically specific type of cardiac disorder that involves the mural and valvular endocardium on the right side of the heart. Twenty-one subjects (57 percent) (Group I) with carcinoid heart disease and 15 subjects (43 percent) (Group II) without carcinoid heart disease were studied at necropsy. The two groups were similar in mean age (54 years versus 55 years), duration of clinical illness (4.7 years versus 6.3 years), body weight (50 kg versus 52 kg), systemic blood pressure (117/77 mm Hg versus 128/77 mm Hg), blood hematocrit levels (37 percent versus 36 percent), total serum protein levels (6.0 g/dl), and serum albumin levels (2.2 g/dl versus 2.6 g/dl). The two groups were different in the frequency of the presence of precordial murmurs consistent with tricuspid regurgitation and/or pulmonic stenosis (95 percent versus 13 percent), cardiomegaly by chest radiography (38 percent versus 0), low voltage on electrocardiography (47 percent versus 0), and location of the primary site of the carcinoid tumor. Total electrocardiographic 12-lead QRS voltage was similar in each group (105 mm versus 132 mm) (10 mm = 1 mV). Of Group I subjects, 43 percent died of cardiac causes; none of the Group II subjects died of cardiac causes. Of the 21 subjects with carcinoid heart disease, seven had left-sided cardiac involvement, but in none was it of functional significance. Thus, although carcinoid heart disease frequently is the cause of death in patients with the carcinoid syndrome, the development of carcinoid heart disease is not related to the duration of symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome.
Effects of angiotensin and ergonovine on large and small coronary arteries in the intact dog.

Angiotensin (ATN) and ergonovine (ERG) are known to cause vasoconstriction of the coronary bed. However, ATN effects have been described mainly on the coronary resistance vessels, while ERG effects have been described on proximal conductance vessels. Recent studies have shown that proximal and distal coronary arteries are regulated independently. To examine both proximal and distal effects of ATN and ERG on the same heart, we studied 7 intact dogs, anesthetized with Innovar (Fentanyl 0.4 mg, Droperidol 20 mg, in 1 ml) and nitrous oxide, which were subjected to direct left anterior (LAD) coronary infusion of angiotensin (0.1, 0.5 and 5 μg/min) and ergonovine (0.5, 5, and 25 μg/min). Using a quantitative angiographic technique to measure artery dimensions and microspheres to measure flow, ERG infusion showed significant large artery constriction at all doses (maximum: 38.9±7.8% area reduction), and a significant decrease in LAD coronary artery flow, while endocardial/epicardial flow ratio remained unchanged. ATN produced a biphasic effect on the large coronary arteries. The lowest dose produced constriction (12.3±3.7% area reduction), which returned toward control value with the 0.5 μg/min dose (6.0±1.0% area reduction), and the 5 μg/min dose (1.5±9.5% area reduction), and no significant changes were observed in LAD flow with ATN infusion. Endocardial/epicardial ratio was unchanged, but aortic pressure was significantly increased during 0.5 and 5 μg/min ATN infusion. Coronary resistance (pressure/flow) increased with both ERG and ATN. ERG and ATN produce large and small coronary artery constriction. The coronary response to ERG in dogs is similar to the human coronary response, even though previous data indicated a minimal constrictor response to ERG in canine coronary arteries.
Pediatric Idiopathic Anaphylaxis: Additional Cases and Extended Observations

Pediatric Idiopathic Anaphylaxis (IA) was previously described in 3 patients. This report extends the series to 12 cases in an institution where the adult cases are in excess of 350 cases. The pediatric IA cases have a similar spectrum of severity as adult cases, and the classification of IA applies to children. The youngest case had the onset at age 3. Control and remission can be induced by prednisone. Corticosteroid-dependent IA may occur. One case of malignant IA was identified with subsequent improved control. In general, the prognosis for pediatric IA is favorable when the diagnosis has been established.
Comparison of dry matter intake and digestibility of sun-cured pigeon pea, alfalfa and coastal bermudagrass by growing dairy goats

Dry matter intake and digestibility of sun-cured pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were studied in thirty growing Alpine dairy goats, age 7 to 9 months, assigned to three groups of ten each. The forages were offered ad libitum with supplementation of 0.454 kg yellow corn grain per animal per day. A control group of an additional 9 doelings of the same age were fed a complete ration to compare its intake with the three forage groups. In a digestion trial, six Nubian and six Alpine bucks, age 7 to 9 months were fed the three forages for three weeks. Respective average daily dry matter intake for pigeon pea, alfalfa, bermudagrass and complete ration were 61.2, 61.3, 57.8 and 79.9 gDM/day/W0.75. Respective apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter for pigeon pea, alfalfa and bermudagrass were 51.5, 67.3 and 49.6; of crude protein 69.7, 79.4 and 43.2; and of crude fiber 30.1, 55.4 and 48.3.
Classification and description of dolomitic fabrics of rocks from the Floridan aquifer, U.S.A.

Abstract Biozones of the Lake City Formation, Avon Park Formation and Ocala Limestone are characterized by interbedded, massive, fossiliferous carbonate rocks (wackestones to grainstones) and thinly bedded, peloidal and carbonaceous rocks (mudstones and wackestones). Several horizons have been partly or completely dolomitized. A wide range of early to late stages of dolomitic fabrics are recognized. The fabrics are classified descriptively as equigranular (unimodal) or inequigranular (multimodal). Fabrics composed of crystals Two processes of dolomitization are suggested: (a) homogeneous dolomitization resulting in a single-stage development of microtextured (groundmass crystals
SU‐E‐T‐225: Factors Influencing Point A Treatment Volume for Tandem/Ring Applicators

Purpose: To study factors affecting the treatment volume (V100) for tandem/ring HDR brachytherapy. V100 values are used for patient specific treatment plan second checks. Methods: Treatment plans generated using Oncentra 4.1 (Nucletron/Elekta) for 28 patients involving a 2.6 cm ring with various tandem lengths (4 to 8 cm) were analyzed. All plans were prescribed to point A and no optimization was applied. Original plans were manipulated to alter dwell positions and the position of point A relative to the applicator to simulate gaps between the ring and external os. Dose volume histograms (dvh) were obtained for the treatment volume and in a subset of the study population for bladder and rectum according to GEC‐ESTRO guidelines. Results: Statistically significant differences in V100 were found for two different applicators having differing dwell position loadings. The differences were less than 10%. Increasing the distance from the ring surface to point A by 2 or 5 mm caused an increase in V100 of approximately 6% and 16% respectively for applicators with 4 or 6 cm tandems. The effect on organs at risk (bladder and rectum) according to GEC‐ESTRO dvh analysis showed changes of up to 20% with different dwell position ratios. Conclusion: The use of V100 values for treatment time verification should be supplemented with verification of the V100 itself. Not only does the size of the applicator affect V100 but also tandem/ring dwell positions need to be taken into account.
General floorplan for reversible quantum-dot cellular automata

This paper presents the Collapsed Bennett Layout, a general purpose floorplan for reversible quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) circuits. In order to exploit the full density and speed potential of emerging nanodevices, the principles of reversible computing need to be incorporated into the design of nanoscale circuits and systems. The Collapsed Bennett Layout implements Bennett's algorithm in hardware, allowing any arbitrary logic function to be implemented reversibly in QCA.
Managing programmed instruction and collaborative peer tutoring in the classroom: Applications in teaching Java TM

To fulfill part of the course requirements, 34 undergraduate students in two courses completed an online programmed instruction tutor as the first technical training exercise in a Java(TM) programming course designed for information systems majors. The tutor taught a simple JApplet program to display a text string within a browser window on the Web. Students in the first course next participated in a collaborative peer tutoring session, based on the JApplet program, followed by a lecture on the program and by successfully running the program on the Web. For the second course, the peer tutoring session was scheduled after the lecture and after successfully running the program. Students in both courses completed tests of far transfer (''meaningful learning'') and software self-efficacy before using the tutor and on several subsequent occasions following that initial learning. Students in the second course also completed a 4-item scale to assess the development of classification and functionality knowledge regarding elements of the program. Students in both courses showed progressive improvement in all performance measures across the several assessment occasions. Students' positive ratings of the effectiveness of both the tutor and the collaborative peer tutoring supported the value of these learning experiences in a technical knowledge domain. The results of this study, based on student performance observed within the context of the classroom, show the importance of providing a range of synergistic learning experiences that culminate in a level of skill and confidence that prepares and motivates all students for advanced instruction in Java. They also show how to manage the instructional techniques in the classroom to accomplish that educational outcome.
Theoretical Model Studies of Drug Absorption and Transport in the Gastrointestinal Tract I

The simultaneous chemical equilibria and mass transfer of basic and acidic drugs through a two-phase compartment model were theoretically investigated. The model consisted of a well-stirred bulk aqueous phase, an aqueous diffusion layer, and a lipid barrier for perfect and imperfect sink cases. The nonsteady and quasi-steady-state changes in the concentration-distance distributions in the lipid phase were studied. The rate of change of the total drug concentration in the bulk aqueous phase was described in the general form of a first-order equation useful for the evaluation of experiments. A limiting steady-state relationship involving the transport rate with the partition coefficient, pH at the aqueous-lipid interface, dissociation constant of the drug, aqueous and lipid diffusion coefficients, and thickness of the diffusion layer was derived. Increasing the agitation rate in the aqueous phase markedly affects the pH profiles for the rate of transport. The pH-partition theory is shown to be a limiting case of the more general approach presented.
Controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factor enhances intestinal adaptation in rats with extensive small intestinal resection.

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be an essential factor in the intestinal adaption after extensive bowel resection. The present study investigates the controlled release of VEGF as a way to improve intestinal adaptation. Materials and Methods Biodegradable microspheres with or without VEGF were made using a double emulsion technique. Approximately 80% of the small intestine was removed, leaving the entire duodenum, 10 cm of jejunum, and 7 cm of ileum. The microspheres were distributed on the anastomosed small bowel. The animals were sacrificed after 14 days, and the adapted jejunum and ileum were analyzed for sucrase activity and histologic parameters. Results The average villus lengths of the adapted jejunum and ileum were 680 and 350 μm in rats that received blank microspheres, compared to 810 and 720 μm in rats that received VEGF microspheres. The average sucrase activity of the adapted jejunum and ileum was 0.0202 and 0.0073 μmol/mg protein/min in rats that received blank microspheres, compared with 0.0236 and 0.0232 μmmol/mg protein/min in rats that received VEGF microspheres. Conclusion The data suggest that the controlled delivery of VEGF from microspheres enhances the adaptation of the small intestine in rats. The controlled delivery of VEGF over time can potentially be used in patients following extensive intestinal resection.
Storage and release of solutes and microalgae from water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by silica nanoparticles

Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions using crop oils and stabilized by surface modified silica nanoparticles and polymeric surfactants appear to be a promising approach for storing and delivering microorganisms to aqueous environments. In these systems cells are contained within the internal phase of the emulsion. We examined two types of silica nanoparticles for stabilizing Chlorella vulgaris in W/O emulsions and release kinetics upon delivery to water. C. vulgaris was selected because of its potential for nutritional and industrial applications. We also examined the effects of silica nanoparticles on the release of a model solute NaCl. Surface modification of the nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles in the continuous phase had significant effects on the release of NaCl while only surface modification had an effect on the release of cells. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the nanoparticles significantly reduced the level of cell release and rate of solute release suggesting emulsion properties could be tailored to achieve the controlled release of cells and solute upon delivery.
Relationship between Cigarette Use and Mood/Anxiety Disorders among Pregnant Methadone-Maintained Patients

This study investigates the association between cigarette use and current mood/anxiety disorders among pregnant opioid-dependent patients. Pregnant methadone-maintained women (N = 122) completed the Addiction Severity Index and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Participants were categorized based on past 30 days cigarette use: no (n = 15) and any smoking (n = 107); this latter group was then subdivided into light (one to ten cigarettes/day; n = 55), and heavy smokers (11+ cigarettes/day; n = 52). Any smoking was significantly associated with any current mood/anxiety disorder (p < 0.001), any current mood disorder (p = 0.007), and any current anxiety disorder (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between specific level of cigarette use and mood/anxiety disorders. This association between smoking and psychiatric disorders has implications for the mental and physical health of methadone-maintained women and their children, and may contribute to the understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying smoking and nicotine dependence.
Hypersensitivity to perturbations in the quantum baker's map.

We analyze a randomly perturbed quantum version of the baker’s transformation, a prototype of an area-conserving chaotic map. By numerically simulating the perturbed evolution, we estimate the information needed to follow a perturbed Hilbert-space vector in time. We find that the Landauer erasure cost associated with this information grows very rapidly and becomes much larger than the maximum statistical entropy given by the logarithm of the dimension of Hilbert space. The quantum baker’s map thus displays a hypersensitivity to perturbations that is analogous to behavior found earlier in the classical case. This hypersensitivity characterizes “quantum chaos” in a way that is directly relevant to statistical physics.
The Gnostic Adoption of John's Gospel and Its Canonization by the Church Catholic:

The severest threat to early Christianity was the Gnostic religion, the roots of which were probably in Iran. By the late second century there was a full-blown Gnostic Christianity in Rome and Alexandria, making its appeal chiefly to intellectuals. Accounts of its teaching found in the writings of St. Irenaeus and other church fathers were held suspect because of their adversarial stance until the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library in 1945, which largely confirmed them. The first known commentary on the Gospel according to John is that of the Gnostic thinker Heracleon, while various Ghostic tractates betray clear Johannine affinities. Patristic writers, aware of this challenge, began to use John's Gospel with its "Word become flesh" and many attributions of humanity to him, culminating in his death, against the Gnostics. This article suggests what cannot be proved: namely, that the insistence of the epistles of John on Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7) is clearly an anti-do...
Effectiveness of Cognitive Skills-Based Computer-Assisted Instruction for Students With Disabilities A Synthesis

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for students with disabilities can be categorized into the following categories: visual, auditory, mobile, and cognitive skills-based CAI. Cognitive-skills based CAI differs from other types of CAI largely in terms of an emphasis on instructional design features. We conducted both systematic review of literatures and meta-analysis of studies using cognitive skills-based CAI to determine the effectiveness of this technology on the learning outcomes of students with disabilities. This study also scrutinized critical instructional design features of CAI used in the synthesized studies. Results indicated (a) a moderate weighted average effect size of 0.35 for group-comparison design studies; (b) relatively large effect sizes, but inconsistent among different indices, in single-subject experimental design studies; and (c) insufficient information available on design features of the CAI used in the primary studies. Limitations, implications, and future research directions wer...
The Game of Choice: Patterns of Indian and Colonist Hunting in the Neotropics

Anthropologists have collected data on hunting by humans to test a number of different hypotheses, including that of protein limitation (Gross 1975), the ideas on taboos advanced by Ross (1978), the efficiency of different weapons (e.g., Hames 1979), and optimal foraging by humans (e.g., Hawkes et al. 1982). These data reveal the astonishing range of game species taken by Neotropical human hunters.
Invariant Signatures from Polygonal Approximations of Smooth Curves

In this paper we propose to use invariant signatures of polygonal approximations of smooth curves for projective object recognition. The proposed algorithm is not sensitive to the curve sampling scheme or density, due to a novel re-sampling scheme for arbitrary polygonal approximations of smooth curves. The proposed re-sampling provides for weak-affine invariant parameterization and signature. Curve templates characterized by a scale space of these weak-affine invariant signatures together with a metric based on a modified Dynamic Programming algorithm can accommodate projective invariant object recognition.
Introduction to Special Issue: On the State of Coastal Hazards Mapping—Part II

Rob Young is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Western Carolina University. He received a B.S. in Geology from the College of William and Mary and an M.S. in Quaternary Studies from the University of Maine, and he was a James B. Duke Doctoral Fellow at Duke University where he received a Ph.D. in Geology. Dr. Young serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Coastal Research and Environmental Geosciences. He is currently the Technical Program Director for the Geological Society of America's Annual Meeting. Dr. Young's research interests lie in a wide variety of coastal and wetland areas. Dr. David M. Bush is Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. Dr. Bush received his B.S. in Geology from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, and both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology from Duke University. His graduate research focused on the sediments and storm processes along the northern Puerto Rico …
Axisymmetric hypersonic flow with mass transfer and large transversecurvature

A theory is presented for the combined effects of mass transfer and transverse curvature on the hypersonic flow of a perfect gas in the limit where an axisymmetric body is vanishingly thin compared with an adjacent, single-species laminar boundary layer. Arbitrary distributions of body temperature, mass transfer, and thickness are considered. The major boundary-layer properties are presented as analytic functions of Prandtl number, specific heat ratio, exponent of the power-law viscosity relation, body enthalpy ratio, a mass-transfer parameter, and a transverse-cur vature parameter. The expressions for skin-friction, drag, and heattransfer estimates are valid for any shock-wave strength but require knowledge of the order of magnitude of surface pressure. This is provided for the limiting cases of very strong and very weak shock waves. Numerical results are also presented for self-similar hypersonic flow over slender % power-law bodies with mass transfer and transverse curvature effects ranging from small to large. The present theory is compared with these numerical solutions and, although exact only in the limit of large transverse curvature, is found to predict accurately the relative effects of mass transfer.
A power adaptive variable gain instrumentation amplifier for electrical impedance tomography

In this paper, we present an instrumentation amplifier for electrical impedance tomography. The instrumentation amplifier is designed to process a wide dynamic range input, based on a fast automatic gain control technique that minimizes measurement latency. In addition, the instrumentation amplifier employs a reconfigurable power scheme that allows it to adjust its total power consumption depending on the frequency of the input signal as well as on the phase of the measurement cycle. Results from a 3.3 V, 180 nm CMOS process simulation show that the proposed instrumentation amplifier can process signals up to 6 MHz, with an amplitude of 2 Vpp. The instrumentation amplifier maintains an SNR > 50 dB down to input amplitudes of 1.07 mV, and it has an average power consumption of 698 //W ( 500 kHz operation).
Microfluidic cell surface antigen expression analysis using a single antibody type

Antigen expression plays a significant role in clinical studies, pathology, biology and chemistry. The type and degree of antigen expression can provide information for disease diagnosis/monitoring and is used for phenotype analysis of cells. In this work, an affinity capture method was developed to capture cells based on antigen expression differences in a single microfluidic chip. Microfluidic chips with two affinity regions—at different antibody concentrations—captured two cell types based on differences in the expression of a single antigen. Using herringbone-modified capture channels, a separation purity of 95% and a capture efficiency of 15% were achieved under continuous-flow conditions. We observed that the capture ratio of Ramos B lymphocytes and HuT 78 T lymphocytes matched the expression ratio of CD71 for the two cell lines (R2 = 0.94). To further validate our analytical method, Ramos B lymphocytes were spiked into blood samples to demonstrate performance with a complex sample. Expression ratios matched conventional flow cytometry measurements over a 40-fold difference, and the sample enrichment was 9.5×. This method has proven to be a robust system to measure the differences in antigen expression, and can be used to distinguish cells without having a unique surface antigen if the expression level is sufficiently high in one cell type.
Quantifying model uncertainty in dynamical systems driven by non-Gaussian Lévy stable noise with observations on mean exit time or escape probability

Abstract Complex systems are sometimes subject to non-Gaussian α-stable Levy fluctuations. A new method is devised to estimate the uncertain parameter α and other system parameters, using observations on mean exit time or escape probability for the system evolution. It is based on solving an inverse problem for a deterministic, nonlocal partial differential equation via numerical optimization. The existing methods for estimating parameters require observations on system state sample paths for long time periods or probability densities at large spatial ranges. The method proposed here, instead, requires observations on mean exit time or escape probability only for an arbitrarily small spatial domain. This new method is beneficial to systems for which mean exit time or escape probability is feasible to observe.
Massive milky pleural effusion.

A 53-year-old man with a history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) presented with worsening shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with bulky grade III follicular lymphoma 5 years ago and was in remission after receiving eight cycles of chemotherapy. The chest X-ray revealed a left-sided pleural effusion (figure 1A). During thoracentesis, chylous-appearing fluid was removed (figure 1B). The pleural fluid had chylomicrons, and a high triglyceride level confirmed the presence of a chylothorax. Computed axial tomography of the chest …
Distinguishing Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities in Children with Bacterial Meningitis and Traumatic Lumbar Puncture

The characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) associated with traumatic lumbar puncture, defined as CSF red blood cell (RBC) count greater than 1000/mm3, were reviewed in 92 previously healthy children greater than 1 month of age; 30 had bacterial meningitis and 62 had negative CSF cultures. The purpose was to distinguish CSF profiles of the two groups despite contamination with peripheral blood elements. In each case, white blood cell (WBC) counts were observed (O) and compared with those predicted (P), calculated as P = CSF RBC X (blood WBC/blood RBC). Comparison of O:P ratios revealed that all 30 patients with bacterial meningitis had ratios greater than or equal to 1, 28 (93%) had ratios greater than 10, and 24 (80%) had ratios greater than 100; by contrast, only 2 patients (3%) with culture-negative CSF had ratios greater than 10, 21 (34%) had ratios of 1-10, and 39 (63%) had ratios less than 1. Significant differences were observed in the rate of O:P ratio greater than or equal to 1 (100% vs. 32%), CSF differential cell count predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (97% vs. 11%), hypoglycorrhachia (73% vs. 3%), and positive Gram's-stained smear for pathologic organisms (80% vs. 0) in those with and without bacterial meningitis, respectively (P less than .0001). Thus, in children greater than 1 month of age, CSF abnormalities associated with bacterial meningitis are rarely obscured by blood contamination from traumatic lumbar puncture.
The Phenomenology of Unprecedented Experience: Ontological and Cognitive Wonder

Is wonder inconceivable? The question is not, is wonder impossible, but is it inconceivable, that is, is it impossible to put into concepts, despite the fact that clearly people experience it, and we talk and write about it? Is wonder absolutely unique to each person who experiences it? Do concepts undermine wonder as wonder, turning it into something else that might be researchable, but is no longer the original experience?
Accurate Determination of Renal Function by Renal Histography without Collection of Blood or Urine. II. Correlation of the Renal Histogram and Renal Function

Abstract A program for rapid determination of renal function is presented. It is adaptable to a completely automated, computer-coupled gamma camera system. Its use in routine patient evaluation yields an index of renal function after 6.4 minutes of camera time in patients of all ages without collection of blood or urine.
Cortisol stimulation of estradiol and progesterone secretion by human granulosa cells is independent of follicle-stimulating hormone effects

The effects of cortisol on steroid secretion by human luteinized granulosa cells was investigated by culturing cells from mature follicles of gonadotropin-treated women. After culturing for 24 hours in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, the cells were washed and incubated in a chemically defined medium. Cortisol (10(-5), 10(-6), and 10(-7) M), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 100 ng/ml), FSH plus cortisol (10(-6], or vehicle were added to replicate cultures. After incubating for 6 hours, medium was harvested and assayed for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P). Cortisol (10(-5), 10(-6) but not 10(-7) M) significantly (P less than 0.05) stimulated E2 secretion when compared to controls. FSH alone did not alter E2 secretion while FSH plus cortisol had a similar effect to cortisol alone. Likewise, P secretion was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by cortisol when compared with controls and the stimulation was dose dependent. FSH also stimulated P secretion, but the combination of FSH and cortisol did not give an additive or synergistic effect. It appears that cortisol can stimulate the secretion of E2 and P by human granulosa cells without involving FSH receptor interaction. The findings suggest that, in addition to pituitary and ovarian hormones, cortisol may also be directly involved in granulosa cell function.
Laser drilling of via holes in green ceramic

In the fabrication of multilayered packages, electrical vias or feedthroughs are required to electrically interconnect the various layers of the package. Traditionally, these vias have been generated in the sheet by mechanical methods which have limitations. Lasers are being evaluated as a possible alternative method of generating via holes. The main concern in laser drilling is via quality, consistency, and throughput.
Leveraging 3D chemical similarity, target and phenotypic data in the identification of drug-protein and drug-adverse effect associations

Drug-target identification is crucial to discover novel applications for existing drugs and provide more insights about mechanisms of biological actions, such as adverse drug effects (ADEs). Computational methods along with the integration of current big data sources provide a useful framework for drug-target and drug-adverse effect discovery. In this article, we propose a method based on the integration of 3D chemical similarity, target and adverse effect data to generate a drug-target-adverse effect predictor along with a simple leveraging system to improve identification of drug-targets and drug-adverse effects. In the first step, we generated a system for multiple drug-target identification based on the application of 3D drug similarity into a large target dataset extracted from the ChEMBL. Next, we developed a target-adverse effect predictor combining targets from ChEMBL with phenotypic information provided by SIDER data source. Both modules were linked to generate a final predictor that establishes hypothesis about new drug-target-adverse effect candidates. Additionally, we showed that leveraging drug-target candidates with phenotypic data is very useful to improve the identification of drug-targets. The integration of phenotypic data into drug-target candidates yielded up to twofold precision improvement. In the opposite direction, leveraging drug-phenotype candidates with target data also yielded a significant enhancement in the performance. The modeling described in the current study is simple and efficient and has applications at large scale in drug repurposing and drug safety through the identification of mechanism of action of biological effects.
dFOXO Activates Large and Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in Response to Oxidative Stress to Maintain Proteostasis in Drosophila

Maintaining protein homeostasis is critical for survival at the cellular and organismal level (Morimoto, R. I. (2011) Cold Spring Harb. Symp. Quant. Biol. 76, 91-99). Cells express a family of molecular chaperones, the heat shock proteins, during times of oxidative stress to protect against proteotoxicity. We have identified a second stress responsive transcription factor, dFOXO, that works alongside the heat shock transcription factor to activate transcription of both the small heat shock protein and the large heat shock protein genes. This expression likely protects cells from protein misfolding associated with oxidative stress. Here we identify the regions of the Hsp70 promoter essential for FOXO-dependent transcription using in vitro methods and find a physiological role for FOXO-dependent expression of heat shock proteins in vivo.
Dual Proteasome and mTOR Inhibition Promotes Apoptosis in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cell Lines

Background: Bortezomib is a selective, reversible inhibitor of the ubiquitinproteasome pathway whose action leads to tumor growth arrest and induction of apoptosis. Bortezomib has demonstrated clinical activity in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and is approved in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in the PI3K/AKT pathway that regulates tumor cell growth and proliferation. Temsirolimus is an mTOR inhibitor that has shown activity in preclinical and clinical studies in various NHL subtypes. The objective of this study was to determine the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of the novel combination of bortezomib and temsirolimus in selected NHL cell lines including: Granta-519 (MCL), Toledo (large B-cell lymphoma), and EHEB (chronic B-cell leukemia). Materials and Methods: Cell viability was determined by the colorimetric MTS assay after 24 and 48 hours of treatment with bortezomib (1 – 10 nM) and temsirolimus (0.1 – 5 μM). Drug interactions were examined by the combinationindex (CI) isobologram method of median dose-effect analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by measuring cytochrome c and caspase-3 activity after 24 hours of treatment. In addition, the expression of several key factors involved in pro-apoptotic signaling (Bax and FasL) were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results: The MTS assays revealed a significant time and dose-dependent growth inhibition with either agent alone in all three NHL subtypes. A synergistic interaction was demonstrated with bortezomib and temsirolimus in the EHEB and Granta-519 cell lines, while an additive effect was seen at lower drug doses in the Toledo cell line. The LD 50 ranged from 2.7 – 9.2 nM for bortezomib alone and 0.3 – 10.6 μM for temsirolimus alone. These levels were reduced to 0.4 – 4.5 nM and 0.04 – 2.25 μM for bortezomib and temsirolimus, respectively, when these drugs were used in combination. Growth inhibition in these cell lines was due in large part to the induction of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. A 4 to 10-fold (bortezomib) and 2 to 8-fold (temsirolimus) increase in caspase-3 activity was seen, which was significantly increased 8 to 24-fold (p Conclusion: Targeting both the ubiquitin-proteasome and mTOR pathways, which are critical for tumor cell growth and survival, may be a promising new therapeutic strategy in NHL. This in vitro study demonstrates a significant increase in growth inhibition and apoptosis with the novel combination of bortezomib and temsirolimus, when compared to either drug alone, in selected NHL subtypes. These results provide a rationale for the use of this drug combination in NHL clinical trials.
Comprehensive Literature Review of Factors Influencing Medication Safety in Nursing Homes: Using a Systems Model

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this review were to identify the work system factors influencing medication safety measures [adverse drug events (ADEs), adverse drug reactions, or medication errors (MEs)], to determine the incidence of ADEs, and describe the most common ADEs in nursing homes (NHs). Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL to identify studies investigating factors that influence ADEs, adverse drug reactions, and MEs in NHs and skilled nursing facilities. An initial search identified related studies over 3 decades (1985-2016). Studies were classified according to Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model factors. Results Sixty studies were included in this review, which identifies 5 categories of work system factors affecting medication safety in NHs: persons (resident and staff), organization, tools and technology, tasks, and environment. The personal characteristics of NH residents included age, number and types of scheduled medications, and number and types of comorbidities. In addition, inadequate nursing staff medication knowledge and training are usually associated with administration MEs. Organizational factors include interprofessional collaboration, physician and pharmacist accessibility, and staff/resident ratio. A high staff number plays an essential role in preventing MEs and fracture incidents. The technology (barcode medication system) and tools (ME-reporting systems, ADE trigger tool, and potentially inappropriate medication criteria) can enhance the detection of MEs and ADEs. Workload and time pressure negatively impact NH staff task performance. Use of an ADE trigger tool by healthcare providers enhanced the ability to identify ADEs more than 50-fold over 6 months. Several environmental characteristics such as staff distraction and interruption negatively influence medication safety in NHs. The incidence rates of ADEs in NHs ranged from 1.89 to 10.8 per 100 resident-months. The most common ADEs were bleeding, thromboembolic events, hypoglycemia, falls, and constipation. Conclusions The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model is a useful framework for investigating the factors contributing to ADEs. Multiple work-system factors affect the medication safety of NH residents. A comprehensive study is needed to quantify the influence of various work-system factors on ADEs in NHs.
Krüppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4): What We Currently Know

Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger-containing transcription factor that regulates diverse cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Since its discovery in 1996, KLF4 has been gaining a lot of attention, particularly after it was shown in 2006 as one of four factors involved in the induction of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here we review the current knowledge about the different functions and roles of KLF4 in various tissue and organ systems.
3D printing for orthopedic applications: from high resolution cone beam CT images to life size physical models

With increasing resolution in image acquisition, the project explores capabilities of printing toward faithfully reflecting detail and features depicted in medical images. To improve safety and efficiency of orthopedic surgery and spatial conceptualization in training and education, this project focused on generating virtual models of orthopedic anatomy from clinical quality computed tomography (CT) image datasets and manufacturing life-size physical models of the anatomy using 3D printing tools. Beginning with raw micro CT data, several image segmentation techniques including thresholding, edge recognition, and region-growing algorithms available in packages such as ITK-SNAP, MITK, or Mimics, were utilized to separate bone from surrounding soft tissue. After converting the resulting data to a standard 3D printing format, stereolithography (STL), the STL file was edited using Meshlab, Netfabb, and Meshmixer. The editing process was necessary to ensure a fully connected surface (no loose elements), positive volume with manifold geometry (geometry possible in the 3D physical world), and a single, closed shell. The resulting surface was then imported into a “slicing” software to scale and orient for printing on a Flashforge Creator Pro. In printing, relationships between orientation, print bed volume, model quality, material use and cost, and print time were considered. We generated anatomical models of the hand, elbow, knee, ankle, and foot from both low-dose high-resolution cone-beam CT images acquired using the soon to be released scanner developed by Carestream, as well as scaled models of the skeletal anatomy of the arm and leg, together with life-size models of the hand and foot.
Nanofluidic Devices with 8 Pores in Series for Real-Time, Resistive-Pulse Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly

To improve the precision of resistive-pulse measurements, we have used a focused ion beam instrument to mill nanofluidic devices with 2, 4, and 8 pores in series and compared their performance. The in-plane design facilitates the fabrication of multiple pores in series which, in turn, permits averaging of the series of pulses generated from each translocation event. The standard deviations (σ) of the pulse amplitude distributions decrease by 2.7-fold when the average amplitudes of eight pulses are compared to the amplitudes of single pulses. Similarly, standard deviations of the pore-to-pore time distributions decrease by 3.2-fold when the averages of the seven measurements from 8-pore devices are contrasted to single measurements from 2-pore devices. With signal averaging, the inherent uncertainty in the measurements decreases; consequently, the resolution (mean/σ) improves by a factor equal to the square root of the number of measurements. We took advantage of the improved size resolution of the 8-pore ...
Poster Abstract: User Authentication Using Wrist Mounted Inertial Sensors

Smart wrist devices available today like smart watches and fitness trackers are usually enriched with inertial sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes that can be used to capture wrist motions. This opens an opportunity to use these devices for user authentication, exploiting an important biometric trait of a user: the wrist gestures during performing a signature in the air. In contrast to traditional authentication methods, the gestures can be captured while signing in the air freely with no need for any input media like keypads and signature capture devices. This paper presents result from a preliminary study that shows the potential of the proposed approach to be used for robust user authentication.
The Quiet Ego: Concept, Measurement, and Well-Being

This chapter shows how the qualities of a quiet ego counter the egotism of the noisy ego. Far from a squashed, deflated, or silenced ego, the quiet ego comes from a place of non-defensive strength. The quiet ego is a self-identity nurtured through deliberate reflection and endorsement of four values that promote balance and growth: detached awareness, inclusive identification, perspective-taking, and growth-mindedness. A quieter ego is a compassionate and regulated ego—a self-identity that strengthens thoughts, feelings, and behavior congruent with eudaimonic well-being. In this chapter, we describe the concept of quiet ego, its measurement, and its application to finding meaning and well-being in everyday life.
Rapid, automated, quality control of diffraction grating efficiency

A diffraction grating is found at the heart of every modern spectrophotometer and yet, despite being used for over 60 years, a practical and efficient characterization tool has proven to be elusive. Part of the challenge can be attributed to the unique angular dependent geometry, or off axis dispersion, of gratings. Here we demonstrate automated grating efficiency measurements of four reflection gratings (300, 1200, 1800 and 3600 grooves per mm). Total measurement time was less than 2 hrs at a maximum of 161 wavelengths per grating. This approach can reduce test times or assist expand quality assurance, or design verification, programs. Automated measurements are performed in hours demonstrating efficiency and ease-of-use advantages when compared to equivalent manually operated systems.
Preventing Summer Learning Loss: Results of a Summer Literacy Program for Students from Low-SES Homes.

ABSTRACTAmong the academic challenges faced by students from low–socioeconomic status (SES) homes is the loss of academic skills during the summer months. A total of 22 elementary students from low-SES homes participated in a summer program designed to improve oral and written narrative skills. We gathered oral and written narrative samples at the beginning and end of the program and obtained curriculum-based measures (CBMs) weekly from the students. Results revealed a significant improvement in oral narrative skills and written composition. There were no significant changes in CBMs scores, indicating that students did not experience a summer learning loss of literacy skills. This study demonstrates that a well-designed summer program at a local community center can improve narrative outcomes for students from low-SES homes. It is imperative to continue to examine the efficacy of summer programs designed to maintain or facilitate gains in the academic abilities of at-risk students during the summer months.