cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Material model measurements and predictions for a random pore poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) scaffold

We investigated material models for a polymeric scaffold used for bone. The material was made by co-extruding poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable polyester, and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The water soluble PEO was removed resulting in a porous scaffold. The stress–strain curve in compression was fit with a phenomenological model in hyperbolic form. This material model will be useful for designers for quasi-static analysis as it provides a simple form that can easily be used in finite element models. The ASTM D-1621 standard recommends using a secant modulus based on 10% strain. The resulting modulus has a smaller scatter in its value compared with the coefficients of the hyperbolic model, and it is therefore easier to compare differences in material processing and ensure quality of the scaffold. A prediction of the small–strain elastic modulus was constructed from images of the microstructure. Each pixel of the micrographs was represented with a brick finite element and assigned the Young's modulus of bulk PCL or a value of 0 for a pore. A compressive strain was imposed on the model and the resulting stresses were calculated. The elastic constants of the scaffold were then computed with Hooke's law for a linear-elastic isotropic material. The model was able to predict the small–strain elastic modulus measured in the experiments to within one standard deviation. Thus, by knowing the microstructure of the scaffold, its bulk properties can be predicted from the material properties of the constituents. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
A coupled higher-order theory for functionally graded composites with partial homogenization

Abstract In a recent series of papers, the authors have shown that the currently employed micromechanics approach applied to functionally graded materials, based on the concept of a representative volume element (RVE) assumed to exist at every point within the material, may produce erroneous results in the presence of macroscopically nonuniform material properties and large field variable gradients. As a result, a new higher-order theory for functionally graded materials has been developed that explicitly couples the microstructural and macrostructural effects, thereby providing both a rational methodology for analyzing the response of this new class of materials and a means for evaluating the uncoupled RVE-based micromechanics approach. Herein, the new theory is further generalized by combining it with a partial homogenization scheme applied along the nonfunctionally graded directions, while preserving the elements of micro-macrostructural coupling along the graded direction. As a practical consequence, composite plates functionally graded in the through-thickness direction and subjected to a thermal gradient along the same direction can now be analyzed in the presence of imposed average normal stresses in the nongraded inplane directions. Examples dealing with such composite plates are presented that illustrate the effect of partial homogenization on the internal stress fields and inplane moment resultants.
BPA 500-kY Transmission-Line and Substation Design

The 500-kV line and station designs described will be used in development of an extensive EHV grid, which will overlay present lower voltage systems in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, they will be used for the northerly portions of two 500-kV interregional tie lines which will interconnect systems of the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest.
Usefulness of Transurethral Biopsy for Staging the Prostatic Urethra before Radical Cystectomy

Purpose: We determined the likelihood that transurethral resection biopsy of the prostatic urethra adjacent to the verumontanum would detect prostatic involvement of urothelial carcinoma in patients with bladder carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We compared precystectomy transurethral resection biopsy specimens of the prostatic urethra with those of the matched radical cystoprostatectomy in 272 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. All prostates were evaluated by whole mount step sections.Results: Prostatic involvement by urothelial carcinoma was detected by transurethral resection biopsy or radical cystoprostatectomy in 101 patients (37.1%). Transurethral resection biopsy detected urothelial carcinoma in 72 cases with 71.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The overall accuracy of transurethral resection biopsy to detect urothelial carcinoma of the prostate was 89% (positive and negative predictive values 100% and 86%, respectively). Invasive prostatic urothelial carcinoma arising from the pr...
MicroRNA silencing for cancer therapy targeted to the tumour microenvironment

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs expressed in different tissue and cell types that suppress the expression of target genes. As such, microRNAs are critical cogs in numerous biological processes, and dysregulated microRNA expression is correlated with many human diseases. Certain microRNAs, called oncomiRs, play a causal role in the onset and maintenance of cancer when overexpressed. Tumours that depend on these microRNAs are said to display oncomiR addiction. Some of the most effective anticancer therapies target oncogenes such as EGFR and HER2; similarly, inhibition of oncomiRs using antisense oligomers (that is, antimiRs) is an evolving therapeutic strategy. However, the in vivo efficacy of current antimiR technologies is hindered by physiological and cellular barriers to delivery into targeted cells. Here we introduce a novel antimiR delivery platform that targets the acidic tumour microenvironment, evades systemic clearance by the liver, and facilitates cell entry via a non-endocytic pathway. We find that the attachment of peptide nucleic acid antimiRs to a peptide with a low pH-induced transmembrane structure (pHLIP) produces a novel construct that could target the tumour microenvironment, transport antimiRs across plasma membranes under acidic conditions such as those found in solid tumours (pH approximately 6), and effectively inhibit the miR-155 oncomiR in a mouse model of lymphoma. This study introduces a new model for using antimiRs as anti-cancer drugs, which can have broad impacts on the field of targeted drug delivery.
Studies of the the mechanism of action of 1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid☆

Abstract The mechanism of action of the nonmetabolizable α-amino acid, 1-amino- cyclo pentane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), was investigated in ascites tumor cells in vitro . ACC replaced no natural amino acid in protein synthesis nor did it interfere with the endogenous synthesis of natural amino acids from glucose. ACC appeared to be concentrated in the cells by an active transport system utilized by some natural amino acids. Participation in a heteroexchange diffusion process with dl -leucine and dl -valine was demonstrated. Although high concentrations of ACC partially inhibited the incorporation of amino acids into proteins in ascites tumor cells in vitro , evidence was presented that this was due to inhibition of the transport of these amino acids into the cells. The relation of the inhibition of transport of amino acids into neoplastic cells to the mechanism of carcinostatic action in vivo is discussed.
On the exponential exit law in the small parameter exit problem

We consider the diffusion dw in a domain D which contains a unique asymptotically stable critical point of the ODE . Using probabilistic estimates we prove the following: 1) The Principle eigenfunction of the differential generator for tghe process x(t converges to a constant as ∊→0, boundedly in D and uniformly on compacts. 2) If τ D is the exit time of x(t) from D, then λτ D converges in distribution to an exponential random variable with mean 1.(λ is the principle eigenvalue). Both of these results were known previosuly in the special case of a gradient flow: . Our arguments apply in the general non-gradient case.
Serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 5 acts upstream of p53 to regulate the induction of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and mediate growth arrest.

Understanding how alterations in growth control pathways are translated into changes in the cell cycle regulatory machinery is a major challenge for understanding the development of human cancers. The ability of both tumor suppressor proteins, p53 and BRCA1, to induce the expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) in combination with the inhibitory activity of p21(WAF1/Cip1) against cyclin-dependent kinases suggests that the regulation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression is an important aspect of mammalian cell cycle growth control. To elucidate the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 5 (PP5) in processes regulating cell cycle progression, we developed antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeted against PP5 (e.g. ISIS 15534) that specifically inhibit PP5 gene expression. Employing ISIS 15534, we demonstrate that the specific inhibition of PP5 gene expression has a marked antiproliferative effect on cells, characterized by induction of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and the subsequent arrest of cell growth. Investigations into the mechanisms leading to growth arrest reveal that, in the absence of PP5, the expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) is induced in p53-competent A549 cells but not in p53 protein-deficient T-24 cells. Employing a stable cell line derived from p53-deficient human fibroblast that contains tetracycline-regulated transactivator and operator plasmids to control the expression of wild-type p53 (TR9-7 cells), we then show that the induction of p21(WAF1/Cip1), which occurs in response to the inhibition of PP5 expression, requires the p53 protein. Additional studies indicate that PP5 acts upstream of p53, influencing both the phosphorylation state and the ability of p53 to bind DNA, without causing an increase in p53 gene transcription. Together these studies suggest that PP5 is a regulatory component of a signaling pathway that affords replicating cells G1 checkpoint growth control and that it is the regulation of PP5 that, in turn, controls p53-mediated expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and growth arrest in this pathway. In addition, since the inhibition of PP5 gene expression has marked antiproliferative activity and the overexpression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) blocks the growth of tumor cells, these studies suggest that compounds that inhibit of PP5 gene expression may be useful in the treatment of human cancers.
Expression and activity of C/EBPβ and δ are upregulated by dexamethasone in skeletal muscle

The influence of glucocorticoids on the expression and activity of the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)beta and delta in skeletal muscle was examined by treating rats or cultured L6 myotubes with dexamethasone. Treatment of rats with 10 mg/kg of dexamethasone resulted in increased C/EBPbeta and delta DNA binding activity in the extensor digitorum longus muscle as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and supershift analysis. A similar response was noticed in dexamethasone-treated myotubes. In other experiments, myocytes were transfected with a plasmid containing a promoter construct consisting of multiple C/EBP binding elements upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. Treatment of these cells with dexamethasone resulted in a fourfold increase in luciferase activity, suggesting that glucocorticoids increase C/EBP-dependent gene activation in muscle cells. In addition, dexamethasone upregulated the protein and gene expression of C/EBPbeta and delta in the myotubes in a time- and dose-dependent fashion as determined by Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. The results suggest that glucocorticoids increase C/EBPbeta and delta activity and expression through a direct effect in skeletal muscle.
Does Low Cholesterol Cause Death

Data linking low cholesterol with excess mortality have been gathered from both observational and clinical trials. The data are probably unrelated, as the levels of total cholesterol associated with excess mortality in observational studies are well below 160 mg/dl (4.1 mmol/l), whereas the levels achieved in clinical trials average around 230 mg/dl (5.9 mmol/l). Likely explanations of the association are that low cholesterol is a consequence of disease or is a confounder associated with other variables. The authors assess the relevance of the data to public health policy and medical practice. They conclude that evidence suggesting low cholesterol is a cause of excess mortality currently lacks breadth and rigor, and find no basis for changing cholesterol-management guidelines.
Phenomenology and Nonconceptual Content

This note aims to clarify which arguments do, and which arguments do not, tell against Conceptualism, the thesis that the representational content of experience is exclusively conceptual. Contrary to Sean Kelly's position, conceptualism has no difficulty accommodating the phenomena of color constancy and of situation-dependence. Acknowledgment of nonconceptual content is also consistent with holding that experiences have nonrepresentational subjective features. the crucial arguments against conceptualism stem from animal perception, and from a distinction, elaborated in the final section of the paper, between content which is objective and content which is also conceived of by its subject as objective.
Magnetic resonance and echocardiographic imaging of pulmonary artery size throughout stages of Fontan reconstruction.

BACKGROUNDBecause pulmonary artery size is considered by most investigators to be a major prognosticator of outcome in patients undergoing staged Fontan reconstruction, the objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of noninvasive measures in determining pulmonary artery size.METHODS AND RESULTSThis study analyzed the T1-weighted, spin-echo magnetic resonance and echocardiographic images of 36 functional single-ventricle patients throughout stages of Fontan reconstruction (prebidirectional and postbidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and after Fontan) and compared them with angiography images at cardiac catheterization. Magnetic resonance imaging had a high degree of agreement with angiography, with the McGoon index agreeing better than the Nakata index and absolute right and left pulmonary diameters. Although echocardiography had fair agreement with angiography, it agreed less well and had a wider standard deviation than magnetic resonance imaging for all indexes and measurements and...
4π neutron source technique for neutron scattering measurements

Abstract A new time-of-flight technique for measuring neutron scattering cross sections, which is particularly valuable for fissile samples, has been developed. By means of a spatially uniform 4π neutron source, it is possible to place the neutron detector far from the scattering sample. With this geometry, the background associated with the neutron-induced capture and fission reactions can be completely separated from the scattered neutron signal. The reduction in background rate is adequate for performing scattering measurements on the common fissile nuclides. The large separation between the neutron detector and the scattering sample also permits measurements on very radioactive samples.
Re-evaluation of the Methionine and Protein Requirements of the Broiler Breeder Hen

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to study the Met and protein requirements of Arbor Acres broiler breeder hens. Broken line regression analysis in Experiments 1 and 3 indicated the Met requirement was 335 and 323 mg/d, respectively, with a production of a daily egg content (EC) of 42.3 or 43.0 g. A broken line could not be fitted to the data in Experiment 2. Therefore, this procedure could not be used to calculate a requirement. An average of 7.83 mg Met was required to produce 1 g of EC. Using this value, the requirement for the three experiments would be 344 mg at the level of EC produced in these experiments. The requirement would be higher with either a higher rate of lay or with larger eggs.
Does Early Tracheostomy Affect ICU Outcome? A Review of the Literature

The timing of performing a tracheostomy in patients needing prolonged mechanical ventilation has been the subject of many studies over the years. This review surveys the published literature on this topic and describes the findings from the most recent multicenter randomized trials. These data are then used to form the most up-to-date conclusions regarding best practices to guide decisions on timing of tracheostomy in ventilated ICU patients.
Function of opioids in the enteric nervous system

Alterations in gastrointestinal motility and secretion underlie the constipating action of therapeutically administered opiates. The prototype opiate is morphine, which acts to delay gastric emptying and intestinal transit, to suppress intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes and to suppress transport of bile into the duodenum. The effects of opiates, synthetic opioids and endogenously released opioid peptides on these organ-level gastrointestinal functions reflect actions on electrical and synaptic behaviour of neurones in the enteric nervous system. Adverse effects and positive therapeutic effects of administration of opioid-receptor-blocking drugs on the digestive tract must be understood in the context of the neurophysiology of the enteric nervous system and mechanisms of neural control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, secretory glands and blood-lymphatic vasculature. We review here the integrated systems of physiology and cellular neurobiology that are basic to understanding the actions of opioid agonists and antagonists in the digestive tract.
Pathway of proline oxidation in insect flight muscle

Summary 1 Enzymes catalyzing the two-step oxidation of L -proline to L -glutamate in insect flight muscle have been measured. The pathway is similar to that in mammalian liver and in microorganisms. 2 Proline oxidase, which catalyzes the oxidation of L -proline to Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate, is tightly bound to the particulate fraction. The requirement for cytochrome c and the effects of various electron transport inhibitors indicate that the enzyme system consists of a flavoprotein linked to the cytochrome chain. 3 Δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (Δ1-pyrroline-S-carboxylate: DPN+ oxidoreductase) catalyzes the DPN+-dependent oxidation of the proline oxidase product to glutamate. This enzyme requires Mg2+ ions and is not as tightly bound to particles as is proline oxidase. 4 The possible role of these two enzymes in insect flight metabolism is discussed.
Engineering Interface Structures and Thermal Stabilities via SPD Processing in Bulk Nanostructured Metals

Nanostructured metals achieve extraordinary strength but suffer from low thermal stability, both a consequence of a high fraction of interfaces. Overcoming this tradeoff relies on making the interfaces themselves thermally stable. Here we show that the atomic structures of bi-metal interfaces in macroscale nanomaterials suitable for engineering structures can be significantly altered via changing the severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing pathway. Two types of interfaces are formed, both exhibiting a regular atomic structure and providing for excellent thermal stability, up to more than half the melting temperature of one of the constituents. Most importantly, the thermal stability of one is found to be significantly better than the other, indicating the exciting potential to control and optimize macroscale robustness via atomic-scale bimetal interface tuning. Taken together, these results demonstrate an innovative way to engineer pristine bimetal interfaces for a new class of simultaneously strong and thermally stable materials.
Intrinsic electrophysiology of neurons in thalamorecipient layers of developing rat auditory cortex.

During early postnatal life, several critical events contribute to the functional development of rat sensory neocortex. Thalamocortical innervation of sensory cortex is completed during the first postnatal week and extrathalamic innervation develops over the first several weeks. In auditory cortex, acoustic-evoked potentials first occur in week 2 and develop most rapidly over weeks 2-3. Thus, rapid functional maturation of cortical circuits in sensory cortex occurs during the second and third postnatal weeks. The electrophysiological properties of cortical neurons that receive afferent inputs during this time may play an important role in development and function. In this study we examined the intrinsic electrophysiology, including spiking patterns, of neurons in layers II/III and IV of auditory cortex during postnatal weeks 2 and 3. Many neurons displayed characteristics consistent with previous descriptions of response classes (regular spiking, fast spiking, intrinsic bursting). In addition, we identified two groups, Rectifying and On-spiking neurons, that were characterized by (i) brief spike trains in response to maintained intracellular depolarizations, and (ii) striking outward rectification upon depolarization. Unusually brief spike trains (1-2 spikes) and short spike latencies (<10 ms) further distinguished On-spiking from Rectifying cells. Biocytin labeling demonstrated that On-spiking and Rectifying cells could be either pyramidal or nonpyramidal neurons. The intrinsic physiology of these cell groups may play an important role in auditory cortex function.
Towards a repulsive and adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm

This paper proposes a Repulsive Adaptive PSO (RAPSO) variant that adaptively optimizes the velocity weights of every particle at every iteration. RAPSO optimizes the velocity weights during every outer PSO iteration, and optimizes the solution of the problem in an inner PSO iteration. We compare RAPSO to Global Best PSO (GBPSO) on nine benchmark problems, and the results show that RAPSO out-performs GBPSO on difficult optimization problems.
Investigation of the distribution of (n,l) states populated by beam-foil excitation of 32-MeV oxygen ions

The decay curves for 2p-1s and 3p-1s transitions in 32-MeV H-like oxygen projectiles excited by a thin carbon foil have been measured and compared with the results of a cascade computer program which calculates the intensities of these transitions for an assumed initial distribution of excited states as a function of decay time. The measured decay curves agreed best with those predicted by the cascade program using an l-independent population probability proportional to ${n}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ for each state.
Arterial Blood Gases in Dogs with Bacterial Pneumonia

Summary The purpose of this study is to report the aterial blood gas findings in dogs with bacterial pneumonia. Arterial blood gas samples were collected from 62 dogs with culture-confirmed bacterial pneumonia. These results were compared with 46 normal dog arterial blood gas samples. Results demonstrated that respiratory acidosis was not a problem in dogs with pneumonia in this study. Significant evidence of hypoxemia was noted with abnormal mean values in PaO2 (P<0.001) and the Alveolar-arterial (A-α) gradient (P<0.001).
Administration of agonistic and antagonistic analogues of LH-RH induce anovulation in Macaca fasicularis

Abstract This study was designed to compare the effects of [N-Ac-D-Trp1,3, D-p-Cl-Phe2, D-Phe6, D-Ala10] (A-LH-RH), an inhibitory analogue, and D-Trp6-LH-RH, an agonist of LH-RH, administered to normally cycling cynomologous monkeys. Animals were divided into three groups (n = 5 each), each group receiving one of the following daily during the first 25 days of the menstrual cycle: 1) 20 μg of D-Trp6-LH-RH daily. 2) 1 mg of A-LH-RH, and 3) vehicle. Ovulation was established by serial laparoscopies and serum estradiol measurement. Controls presented normal cycles, as evidenced by ovulation day, luteal phase length and hormone levels. Ovulation was completely inhibited during drug administration in all animals of groups 1 and 2. Luteal phase length of all monkeys that ovulated was normal. The present data, therefore, not only show evidence for a consistent anovulatory effect of agonistic and antagonistic analogues of LH-RH in non-human primates, but also open a new approach for non-steroidal contraception.
PATIENT ADHERENCE TO LONG-TERM MEDICAL TREATMENT OF KIDNEY STONES

Purpose: We determine patient adherence to and quality of outcome of medical kidney stone treatment during a 30-year duration at a single university based referral clinic. We also analyze time trends in adherence and timing of followup measurements, and supersaturation reduction during treatment.Materials and Methods: Data on all patients who entered the University of Chicago Kidney Stone Prevention Program from 1970 to 2000 were analyzed. Fractions of new patients who had any followup and those remaining in followup at increasing intervals were analyzed. Timing of followup was measured. Changes in adherence during the 3 decades were also analyzed, as was reduction in supersaturation in regard to calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid.Results: A total of 70% to 80% of patients were retained at each successive followup cycle with 2 physicians, and a clinical protocol that always required 6-week followup with 24-hour urine collection and a yearly one thereafter for stone risk factors. Retention de...
Microvesicles as risk markers for venous thrombosis

Microvesicles (MVs) are small (0.1-1 µm) membrane vesicles released from activated cells. The surface of MVs can be highly procoagulant due to the presence of the procoagulant protein tissue factor (TF) and of negatively charged phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine. This review focuses on the potential utility of plasma MVs as a biomarker of venous thrombosis. The majority of studies have not found a clear relationship between venous thrombosis and phosphatidylserine-positive MVs or platelet MVs. Conversely, TF-positive MVs are increased in patients with venous thromboembolism. Studies with pancreatic cancer patients suggest that elevated levels of TF-positive MVs may be predictive of the development of venous thrombosis and patient survival. However, further studies are needed to determine if TF-positive MVs are a good biomarker for venous thrombosis in cancer and other diseases.
An inexpensive 1-millisecond experiment control interface for IBM PCs and its user-friendly control language

An inexpensive, professionally manufactured, digital I/O experiment control interface for any PC-compatible computer is described. It plugs into a standard printer port and provides 1-msec accuracy for up to 4 inputs and 22 outputs. It also allows experiment control procedures to be written in an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use Experiment Control language (ECBASIC). In addition to many instructions specifically designed to simplify behavioral research, ECBASIC provides for transparent collection and storage of event logs.
Role of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in somatic embryogenesis on cultured zygotic embryos of Arabidopsis: cell expansion, cell cycling, and morphogenesis during continuous exposure of embryos to 2,4-D

The relationship between cell expansion and cell cycling during somatic embryogenesis was studied in cultured bent-cotyledon-stage zygotic embryos of a transgenic stock of Arabidopsis thaliana harboring a cyclin 1 At:β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene construct. In embryos cultured in a medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), following a brief period of growth by cell expansion, divisions were initiated in the procambial cells facing the adaxial side at the base of the cotyledons. Cell division activity later spread to almost the entire length of the cotyledons to form a callus on which globular and heart-shaped embryos appeared in about 10 d after culture. Anatomical and morphogenetic changes observed in cultured embryos were correlated with patterns of cell cycling by histochemical detection of GUS-expressing cells. Although early-stage somatic embryos did not develop further during their continued growth in the auxin-containing medium, maturation of embryos ensued upon their transfer to an auxin-free medium. In a small number of cultured zygotic embryos the shoot apical meristem was found to differentiate a leaf, a green tubular structure, or a somatic embryo. Contrary to the results from previous investigations, which have assigned a major role for the shoot apical meristem and cells in the axils of cotyledons in the development of somatic embryos on cultured zygotic embryos of A. thaliana, the present work shows that somatic embryos originate almost exclusively on the callus formed on the cotyledons. Other observations such as the induction of somatic embryos on cultured cotyledons and the inability of the embryo axis (consisting of the root, hypocotyl, and shoot apical meristem without the cotyledons) to form somatic embryos, reaffirm the important role of the cotyledons in somatic embryogenesis in this plant.
A new algorithm for simulation of power electronic systems using piecewise-linear device models

This paper describes a new algorithm for simulation of power electronic systems. Piecewise-linear (PWL) approximation is used to model nonlinear components, including switching devices, nonlinear reactive components, and nonlinear control circuitry. A representation of PWL elements is constructed such that a constant system matrix is obtained, regardless of the states of PWL elements. An efficient method for state determination is proposed, which is capable of resolving difficulties caused by discontinuous characteristics of PWL elements. The resulting simulation algorithm is quite general, requires no prior knowledge of the circuit operation, is void of convergence problems, and yields relatively short simulation times on desktop PC machines. >
A psychometric analysis of the Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS) in survivors of childhood cancer.

Given the increasing interest in quality of life research in cancer survivorship, psychometric properties of the Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS) were explored in a group of childhood cancer survivors. The QOL-CS is a 41-item visual analog scale composed of four multi-item sub-scales (physical well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, spiritual well-being) and two sub-components (fears, distress). This instrument was incorporated in a mailed survey completed by 177 respondents. The underlying factor structure and internal reliability of the instrument were explored. A preliminary assessment of the external validity of the factor structure was undertaken. Results of a factor analysis were theoretically consistent with elements assessed in the QOL-CS, although misclassification of several items was noted and discussed. Internal-consistency reliability was very good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80-0.89) for five of the six factors. Moderate (0.30 0.60) concurrent validity was observed for four factors. Discriminant validity was noted across groups defined by health and social status variables. Psychometric analysis indicated that the instrument measured distinct and relevant domains of quality of life for childhood cancer survivors, but in its current form does not appear to be an optimal measure of quality of life in this population.
Molecular Tumor Board: The University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center Experience

Objective. DNA sequencing tests are enabling physicians to interrogate the molecular profiles of patients’ tumors, but mostoncologistshavenotbeentrainedinadvancedgenomics. We initiated a molecular tumor board to provide expert multidisciplinary input for these patients. MaterialsandMethods. Ateamthatincludedclinicians,basic scientists, geneticists, and bioinformatics/pathway scientists with expertise in various cancer types attended. Molecular tests were performed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments environment.
Structuring Information Interfaces for Procedural Learning

Interface design should be informed by the application of top-down cognitive principles derived from basic theory and research. Cognitive design principles from 2 domains, event cognition and media, were applied to the design of interfaces for teaching procedures. According to theories of event cognition, procedures should be presented hierarchically, organized by objects or large object parts and actions on objects. According to research on effects of media, adding appropriate graphics to text instructions can facilitate learning and memory. These principles were partially supported in 2 tasks: assembling a musical instrument and building a model. Although both top-down principles were effective in guiding interface design, they were not sufficient. They can be combined with iterative bottom-up methods to produce usable interfaces.
Am I My Brother’s Keeper? African American Men’s Health Within the Context of Equity and Policy:

African American men's health has at times been regarded as irrelevant to the health and well-being of the communities where they are born, grow, live, work, and age. The uniqueness of being male and of African descent calls for a critical examination and deeper understanding of the psycho-socio-historical context in which African American men have lived. There is a critical need for scholarship that better contextualizes African American Male Theory and cultural humility in terms of public health. Furthermore, the focus of much of the social determinants of health and health equity policy literature has been on advocacy, but few researchers have examined why health-related public policies have not been adopted and implemented from a political and theoretical policy analysis perspective. The purpose of this article will be to examine African American men's health within the context of social determinants of health status, health behavior, and health inequalities-elucidating policy implications for system change and providing recommendations from the vantage point of health equity.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detection of Antibodies to Ebola and Marburg Viruses Using Recombinant Nucleoproteins

The full-length nucleoprotein (NP) of Ebola virus (EBO) was expressed as a His-tagged recombinant protein (His-EBO-NP) by a baculovirus system. Carboxy-terminal halves of NPs of EBO and Marburg virus (MBG) were expressed as glutathione S-transferase-tagged recombinant proteins in an Escherichia coli system. The antigenic regions on the NPs of EBO and MBG were determined by both Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be located on the C-terminal halves. The C-terminal 110 and 102 amino acids of the NPs of EBO and MBG, respectively, possess strong antigenicity. The full-length NP of EBO was strongly expressed in insect cells upon infection with the recombinant baculovirus, while expression of the full-length NP of MBG was weak. We developed an immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA using His-EBO-NP and the C-terminal halves of the NPs of EBO and MBG as antigens. We evaluated the IgG ELISA for the ability to detect IgG antibodies to EBO and MBG, using human sera collected from EBO and MBG patients. The IgG ELISA with the recombinant NPs showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting EBO and MBG antibodies. The results indicate that ELISA systems prepared with the recombinant NPs of EBO and MBG are valuable tools for the diagnosis of EBO and MBG infections and for seroepidemiological field studies.
Coarse acquisition for ultra wideband digital receivers

Ultra wideband (UWB) radio is a new wireless technology that uses sub-nanosecond pulses to transmit information, resulting in a bandwidth greater than 1 GHz. The problem of synchronizing a receiver with the incoming signal grows in complexity as the signal bandwidth increases. This paper addresses coarse synchronization in UWB receivers. It analyzes how the design of the correlation process affects the time to achieve synchronization, highlighting the importance of the probability of false alarm in its performance.
Gastrointestinal side effects of mycophenolic acid in renal transplant patients: a reappraisal

Patient and graft survival following renal transplantation have improved markedly over the past decade, meaning that physician attention has turned more towards minimizing short- and long-term toxicities associated with immunosuppressive regimens. Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events are common following renal transplantation and all immunosuppressive regimens have been associated with such events. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) are potential components of immunosuppression regimens, and are associated with the most successful outcomes in kidney transplantation. The effects of MMF and EC-MPS are likely mediated via the active metabolite mycophenolic acid (MPA). The GI events caused by both MMF and EC-MPS may, in part, be related to MPA, independent of the formulation or route of administration. MPA may produce GI events either through direct action or through the action of it metabolites. However, many other factors may cause GI events observed following renal transplantation. These include the surgery itself and concurrent diseases such as diabetes, and bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitical infections. Additionally, numerous concomitant non-immunosuppressive agents, including antibiotics hypoglycaemic and proton-pump inhibitors, can be associated with GI events. In a recent trial in renal transplant patients with severe diarrhoea, approximately 50% of patients achieved resolution of diarrhoea through methods other than altering their immunosuppressive regimens. Indeed altering of the immunosuppressive regimen may lead to the risk of acute rejection. Thus, in order to reduce the risk of rejection and subsequent damage to the graft, it is important to consider other causes of GI events in renal transplant patients before altering immunosuppressive regimens.
Regulation of cell motility, morphology, and growth by sulfated glycosaminoglycans.

Due to the recent observation that heparin binds to several growth factors and cell adhesion molecules, the effect of heparin on biological processes governed by growth factors and cell adhesion molecules was investigated. Pharmacological doses of heparin were found to alter cell growth rate, cellular morphology, and cell motility. Concentrations (μg/ml) of heparin or dextran sulfate decreased cell growth rate, but not the final cell density attained in plateau phase. The effect of heparin on cell growth rate was most pronounced when cells were cultured in low concentrations of serum. A heparin-induced decrease in cell growth rate could be reversed by addition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a heparin-binding growth factor. Heparin altered the morphology of all cell lines studied to various degrees. The effect of heparin on cell morphology was quantitated by measuring the heparin-induced change in cell surface area. HT-1080 and HeLa cells nearly doubled in surface area upon exposure to 10μg/ml heparin. Since several heparin-binding cell adhesion proteins mediate both cell spreading and cell migration, the influence of heparin on cell migration was investigated with an improved version of the phagokinetic track technique. Low concentrations of heparin and dextran sulfate were found to increase the rate of cell migration in a dose-dependent fashion. Since the quantitative effect of heparin on cell growth rate, morphology, and migration depends on the cell line studied, it is suggested that three separate phenomena may be involved. The results presented indicate a central role for sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the control of both cell growth and cell-cell interactions.
Disrupting KATP channels diminishes the estrogen-mediated protection in female mutant mice during ischemia-reperfusion

Background: Estrogen has been shown to mediate protection in female hearts against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) stress. Composed by a Kir6.2 pore and an SUR2 regulatory subunit, cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) remain quiescent under normal physiological conditions but they are activated by stress stimuli to confer protection to the heart. It remains unclear whether KATP is a regulatory target of estrogen in the female-specific I-R signaling pathway. In this study, we aimed at delineating the molecular mechanism underlying estrogen modulation on KATP channel activity during I-R. Materials and methods: We employed KATP knockout mice in which SUR2 is disrupted (SUR2KO) to characterize their I-R response using an in vivo occlusion model. To test the protective effects of estrogen, female mice were ovariectomized and implanted with 17β-estradiol (E2) or placebo pellets (0.1 μg/g/day, 21-day release) before receiving an I-R treatment. Comparative proteomic analyses were performed to assess pathway-level alterations between KO-IR and WT-IR hearts. Results and discussion: Echocardiographic results indicated that KO females were pre-disposed to cardiac dysfunction at baseline. The mutant mice were more susceptible to I-R stress by having bigger infarcts (46%) than WT controls (31%). The observation was confirmed using ovariectomized mice implanted with E2 or placebo. However, the estrogen-mediated protection was diminished in KO hearts. Expression studies showed that the SUR2 protein level, but not RNA level, was up-regulated in WT-IR mice relative to untreated controls possibly via PTMs. Our antibodies detected different glycosylated SUR2 receptor species after the PNGase F treatment, suggesting that SUR2 could be modified by N-glycosylation. We subsequently showed that E2 could further induce the formation of complex-glycosylated SUR2. Additional time-point experiments revealed that I-R hearts had increased levels of N-glycosylated SUR2; and DPM1, the first committed step enzyme in the N-glycosylation pathway. Comparative proteomic profiling identified 41 differentially altered protein hits between KO-IR and WT-IR mice encompassing those related to estrogen biosynthesis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that KATP is likely a downstream regulatory target of estrogen and it is indispensable in female I-R signaling. Increasing SUR2 expression by N-glycosylation mediated by estrogen may be effective to enhance KATP channel subunit expression in I-R.
Measurement of hydrogen absorption in flowing liquid lithium in the flowing lithium retention experiment (FLIRE)

Flowing metal plasma facing components (PFCs) have the ability to withstand the extreme conditions of future tokamaks. The FLIRE facility at the University of Illinois measures the retention properties, both for helium (ash pumping) and hydrogen (recycling regime, tritium inventory), of candidate liquid PFCs, such as lithium. Results of hydrogen absorption measurements in flowing liquid lithium are presented. Absorption experiments with a flowing lithium stream passing through a low-pressure neutral deuterium gas show 0.1–0.2% D concentration retained long-term in the sample. A similar experiment with a high deuterium pressure of approximately 1 Torr shows the same long-term deuterium retention. These values indicate that the deuterium absorption rate is limited by the dissociation rate of the molecular deuterium gas on the Li surface. � 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.
The Psychohistory of Warfare: The Co-Evolution of Culture, Psyche and Enemy

The commonly held belief that there have always been wars is documented, and its implications for the inevitability of war are explored. Against this belief is placed a new definition of war as a s...
Spectral performance characterizations of some generalized median filters

Abstract Output correlations and power spectral densities are obtained for two types of generalized median filters: the L- and M-filters, for a sequence of independent, identically distributed inputs and also for a simple first-order Markov input sequence. The results show the ability of generalized median filters to flexibly achieve performance compromises between edge preservation and impulsive noise rejection, and Gaussian noise suppression.
Rapid Accumulation of Cholesterol in Serum, Liver and Aorta of Japanese Quail

Abstract Five-week-old, male, Japanese quail (Coturnix cotumix japonica) were given ad lib. access to either a glucose-soybean meal diet with 10% fat and 1% cholesterol (inducer) diet, or a corn-soybean meal (control) diet for 10 weeks. At the beginning of the experiment, and at two week intervals thereafter, quail from each treatment were killed, and the cholesterol concentrations of serum, aorta, and liver, as well as the extent of lipid accumulation in the intima of the aortas were determined. The cholesterol concentration of the serum, aorta, and liver of the control birds remained constant throughout the experiment, while the cholesterol concentration of these organs from birds fed the inducer diet were markedly elevated. At the conclusion of the experiment, the cholesterol concentrations of the serum and liver of birds fed the inducer diet were 6.7 and 14.4 times greater, respectively, than those from the control-fed birds. Approximately 45% of the aortas from the birds fed the inducer diet exhibited moderate to severe (greater than 25% of surface area covered) lipid accumulations at 10 weeks. The rate of cholesterol accumulation appeared to be more rapid than has been reported previously for this species.
Predicting ex vivo failure loads in human metatarsals using bone strength indices derived from volumetric quantitative computed tomography

We investigated the capacity of bone quantity and bone geometric strength indices to predict ultimate force in the human second metatarsal (Met2) and third metatarsal (Met3). Intact lower extremity cadaver samples were measured using clinical, volumetric quantitative computed tomography (vQCT) with positioning and parameters applicable to in vivo scanning. During processing, raw voxel data (0.4 mm isotropic voxels) were converted from Hounsfield units to apparent bone mineral density (BMD) using hydroxyapatite calibration phantoms to allow direct volumetric assessment of whole-bone and subregional metatarsal BMD. Voxel data were realigned to produce cross-sectional slices perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the metatarsals. Average mid-diaphyseal BMD, bone thickness, and buckling ratio were measured using an optimized threshold to distinguish bone from non-bone material. Minimum and maximum moments of inertia and section moduli were measured in the mid-diaphysis region using both a binary threshold for areal, unit-density measures and a novel technique for density-weighted measures. BMD and geometric strength indices were strongly correlated to ultimate force measured by ex vivo 3point bending. Geometric indices were more highly correlated to ultimate force than was BMD; bone thickness and density-weighted minimum section modulus had the highest individual correlations to ultimate force. Density-weighted geometric indices explained more variance than their binary analogs. Multiple regression analyses defined models that predicted 85–89% of variance in ultimate force in Met2 and Met3 using bone thickness and minimum section modulus in the mid-diaphysis. These results have implications for future in vivo imaging to non-invasively assess bone strength and metatarsal fracture risk.
A hybrid approach to flow net generation

By following a simple set of rules, a flow net can be manually constructed to obtain a graphical solution to the Laplace equation for simple two-dimensional (2-D) flow problems. With the advent of numerical solutions such as the finite difference and finite element methods, it is more common to generate a flow net automatically using the nodal head and flow values output by the computer program. Two methods have been published for automatically generating flow nets from finite element solutions: the stream-function method and the particle-tracking method. The stream-function method works well for many cases, but it does not work for problems with holes in the mesh or internal sources or sinks. The particle-tracking method works for all cases, but previously published algorithms that utilize this method do not result in the properly sized flow channels. A new approach is presented in this paper that is a hybrid of the stream-function and particle-tracking approaches. This method works for all cases and generates the properly sized flow channels. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.