cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Modern Screening Mammography

The University of California, San Francisco, Mobile Mammography Screening Program is a low-cost, community-based breast cancer screening program that offers mammography to women of diverse ethnic backgrounds (36% nonwhite) in six counties in northern California. Analysis of data collected on approximately 34,000 screening examinations from this program shows that the positive predictive value and sensitivity of modern screening mammography to be lower for women aged 40 to 49 years compared to women aged 50 and older. This lower performance is due to the lower prevalence of invasive breast cancer in younger women and possibly to age differences in breast tumor biology. Because of this lower performance, women in their forties may be subjected to more of the negative consequences of screening, which include additional diagnostic evaluations and the associated morbidity and anxiety, the potential for detecting and surgically treating clinically insignificant breast lesions, and the false reassurance resulting from normal mammographic results. Since the evidence is not compelling that the benefits of mammography screening outweigh the known risks for women aged 40 to 49 years, women considering mammography screening should be informed of the risks, potential benefits, and limitations of screening mammography, so that they can make individualized decisions based on their personal risk status and utility for the associated risks and potential benefits of screening.
Altered methylation and expression of ER-associated degradation factors in long-term alcohol and constitutive ER stress-induced murine hepatic tumors

Mortality from liver cancer in humans is increasingly attributable to heavy or long-term alcohol consumption. The mechanisms by which alcohol exerts its carcinogenic effect are not well understood. In this study, the role of alcohol-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in liver cancer development was investigated using an animal model with a liver knockout (KO) of the chaperone BiP and under constitutive hepatic ER stress. Long-term alcohol and high fat diet feeding resulted in higher levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, impaired ER stress response, and higher incidence of liver tumor in older (aged 16 months) KO females than in either middle-aged (6 months) KOs or older (aged 16 months) wild type females. In the older KO females, stronger effects of the alcohol on methylation of CpG islands at promoter regions of genes involved in the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) were also detected. Altered expression of ERAD factors including derlin 3, Creld2 (cysteine-rich with epidermal growth factor-like domains 2), Herpud1 (homocysteine-inducible, endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible, ubiquitin-like domain member), Wfs1 (Wolfram syndrome gene), and Yod1 (deubiquitinating enzyme 1) was co-present with decreased proteasome activities, increased estrogen receptor α variant (ERα36), and enhanced phosphorylations of ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2) and STAT3 (the signal transducers and activators of transcription) in the older KO female fed alcohol. Our results suggest that long-term alcohol consumption and aging may promote liver tumorigenesis in females through interfering with DNA methylation and expression of genes involved in the ERAD.
The nearly constant loss, Johari-Goldstein β-relaxation, and α-relaxation of 1,4-polybutadiene

From high-resolution dielectric spectroscopy measurements on 1,4-polybutadiene (1,4-PB), we show that in addition to the structural α-relaxation and higher frequency secondary relaxations in the spectra, a nearly constant loss (NCL) is observed at shorter times/lower temperatures. The properties of this NCL are compared to those of another chemically similar polymer, 1,4-polyisoprene. The secondary relaxations in 1,4-PB include the well-known Johari-Goldstein (JG) β-relaxation and two other higher-frequency peaks. One of these, referred to as the γ-relaxation, falls between the JG-relaxation and the NCL. Seen previously by others, this γ-relaxation in 1,4-PB is not the JG-process and bears no relation to the glass transition. At very low temperatures (<15 K), we confirm the existence of a very fast secondary relaxation, having a weak dielectric strength and an almost temperature-invariant relaxation time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 342–348, 2007
The Oral Reading Errors of Readers with Learning Disabilities: Variations Produced Within the Instructional and Frustrational Ranges

The purpose of this study was to examine the word recognition abilities of readers with learning disabilities (LD) at four levels: Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. The study's premise was that previous findings in relation to the word recognition abilities of readers with LD have been confounded by the use of frustration level materials for these readers. Therefore, this study compared the word recognition errors of readers with LD when they were reading instructional level materials (between 3% and 9% word recognition errors) and frustrational level materials (greater then 9% word recognition errors). The word recognition errors considered by this study were basic miscues (substitutions, omissions, insertions, teacher-pronounced); substitution types; reversal errors; and linguistic acceptability (syntactic and semantic). Findings showed that in the categories of linguistic acceptability, the readers produced significantly fewer acceptable responses when reading frustration level materials than when reading instru...
Adult subglottic stenosis: management with laser incisions and mitomycin-C.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic laser radial incisions with mitomycin-C application (ELRM) in managing adult subglottic stenosis (SGS). Study Design: Retrospective case series review. Methods: Fifteen consecutive cases of adult SGS treated with ELRM at a single tertiary referral center over three years were reviewed. Subjects with SGS secondary to Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) and idiopathic SGS were included. Patients with cartilaginous SGS were excluded. The primary outcome measure was postoperative reduction in symptoms. Secondary outcome measures included total number of procedures required to relieve symptoms, interval between procedures, and improvement in pulmonary function tests when available. In addition to surgery, 14 of 15 patients were treated medically for reflux. Results: Ten women and five men with average age 48 years were identified. Ten patients had idiopathic SGS and five had WG. The predominant presenting symptom was dyspnea on exertion in all patients. All subjects reported at least a temporary postoperative reduction in symptoms. Six patients (40%) required only one ELRM and nine patients (60%) required repeat ELRM at an average interval of 9 months. The average interval for the six patients with idiopathic etiology requiring a second procedure was 9 months. One subject with WG required four procedures. His interval improved from 2.5 to 7 months between procedures. Evidence of extrathoracic airway obstruction resolved in three of four patients with pre and postoperative pulmonary function tests. Conclusions: ELRM is an effective method of managing SGS associated with idiopathic causes. In patients with WG, ELRM reduced airway associated symptoms and avoided need for tracheotomy.
EFFECT OF MICROBIAL GROWTH UPON MYOFIBRILLAR PROTEINS

SUMMARY— Aseptic samples from pig and rabbit muscles were inoculated with Achromobacter liquefaciens, Micrococcus luteus, Pediococcus cerevisiae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Streptococcus faecal is end a mixed culture obtained from commercial hamburger. Some difficulty was encountered in getting the organisms to grow, and good growth was achieved only with A. liquefaciens end mixed culture from commercial meat. Both inoculated and uninoculated control samples were incubated at 3 and 10°C for 0, 8 and 20 days. The salt soluble proteins were extracted with Weber-Edsall solution and subjected to sucrose density gradient centrifugation, gel filtration and disc gel electrophoresis. The microorganisms utilized in this study had no measurable effect upon the myofibrillar proteins from either pig or rabbit muscle. However, bacterial growth decreased the amount of certain non-protein ultra-violet absorbing components in the ultracentrifugal pattern of Weber-Edsall extract. These components did not appear to be of myofibrillar origin. Disc gel patterns of Weber-Edsall extracts from pig muscle produced a more intensely staining band than those from rabbit muscle at Rm, = 0.59.
Phylogeny and species boundaries in the gobiid genus Gnatholepis (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Species of the goby genus Gnatholepis Bleeker, 1874, are common inhabitants of shallow tropical seas worldwide. In this study, mitochondrial DNA sequence (ND2 gene), from 349 Gnatholepis individuals sampled from across the South and Central Pacific and Caribbean, is used to infer phylogeny and determine species boundaries. Seven species of Gnatholepis are recognized: the Indo-Pacific G. anjerensis (Bleeker, 1851) [G. cauerensis (Bleeker, 1853) is a synonym]; G. scapulostigma Herre, 1953; G. davaoensis Seale, 1910; G. knighti Jordan & Evermann, 1903; G. gymnocara Randall & Greenfield, 2001; G. sp. Randall & Greenfield, 2001; and the Atlantic/Caribbean G. thompsoni Jordan, 1904. Results from the molecular phylogeny are compared with a previous morphology-based revision of the genus in order to establish which morphological characters diagnose species in correspondence with the molecular phylogeny. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 142, 573–582.
Human body composition: in vivo methods

In vivo methods used to study human body composition continue to be developed, along with more advanced reference models that utilize the information obtained with these technologies. Some methods are well established, with a strong physiological basis for their measurement, whereas others are much more indirect. This review has been structured from the methodological point of view to help the reader understand what can be examined with each technique. The associations between the various in vivo methods (densitometry, dilution, bioelectrical impedance and conductance, whole body counting, neutron activation, X-ray absorptiometry, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) and the five-level multicompartment model of body composition are described, along with the limitations and advantages of each method. This review also provides an overview of the present status of this field of research in human biology, including examples of reference body composition data for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Q&A: What are pharmacological chaperones and why are they interesting?

We should have said, reversible inhibitor. That is the key to the use of active-site-directed ligands as pharmacological chaperones. An inhibitor that binds irreversibly to a target protein takes that protein out of circulation, activity-wise. But a reversible inhibitor always allows the presence of some equilibrium amount of free enzyme [12], which is then available for substrate binding (which will also stabilize the protein). The affinity of the inhibitor is also important. If it binds too tightly, it may be effectively irreversible. But if it binds too weakly, it may impossible to supply a high enough concentration of the chaperone to be effective. In practice, inhibitors with a Ki (equilibrium disassociation constant) close to the Km (Michaelis-Menten constant) of the substrate or a bit tighter seem to be useful.
Noninvasive prenatal RHD genotyping by real-time polymerase chain reaction using plasma from D-negative pregnant women.

Objective Prenatal noninvasive determination of fetal Rh status is an important aid to the management of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. We performed real-time polymerase chain reaction on fetal DNA derived from maternal plasma to determine fetal Rh status. Study design Cell-free plasma DNA from 98 D-negative pregnant women was tested for the presence of exons 4, 5, and 10 of RHD. The presence of fetal DNA was confirmed by detection of SRY or biallelic insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the maternal plasma and buffy coat. Results Seventy-two D-positive infants and 26 D-negative infants were determined by serologic studies. All 3 RHD exon sequences were detected in 68 of 72 mothers of D-positive infants. The presence of fetal DNA in mothers of D-negative infants was confirmed in all 10 boys and in 14 of 16 girls. Conclusion Fetal RHD genotyping in this study correctly predicted fetal Rh status in 92 of 98 (94%) cases.
Conserved Role Of Drosophila Melanogaster Foxp In Motor Coordination And Courtship Song

Abstract FoxP2 is a highly conserved vertebrate transcription factor known for its importance in human speech and language production. Disruption of FoxP2 in several vertebrate models indicates a conserved functional role for this gene in both sound production and motor coordination. Although FoxP2 is known to be strongly expressed in brain regions important for motor coordination, little is known about FoxP2's role in the nervous system. The recent discovery of the well-conserved Drosophila melanogaster homolog, FoxP, provides an opportunity to study the role of this crucial gene in an invertebrate model. We hypothesized that, like FoxP2, Drosophila FoxP is important for behaviors requiring fine motor coordination. We used targeted RNA interference to reduce expression of FoxP and assayed the effects on a variety of adult behaviors. Male flies with reduced FoxP expression exhibit decreased levels of courtship behavior, altered pulse-song structure, and sex-specific motor impairments in walking and flight. Acute disruption of synaptic activity in FoxP expressing neurons using a temperature-sensitive shibire allele dramatically impaired motor coordination. Utilizing a GFP reporter to visualize FoxP in the fly brain reveals expression in relatively few neurons in distributed clusters within the larval and adult CNS, including distinct labeling of the adult protocerebral bridge – a section of the insect central complex known to be important for motor coordination and thought to be homologous to areas of the vertebrate basal ganglia. Our results establish the necessity of this gene in motor coordination in an invertebrate model and suggest a functional homology with vertebrate FoxP2.
Research Article: Effects of a Stress Hormone on the Function of Tumor Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cells

Abstract. The mind-body connection is well-established and evidence is mounting for a connection between stress, decreased immune function and tumor development. The studies described herein investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid hormone, corticosterone (CORT), on the function of tumor-antigen specific CD8+ T cells. K11 cells are a clonal CD8+ T cell line specific for epitope I of the Simian Virus 40 large tumor antigen (Tag) protein. Tag is a known oncoprotein that induces transformation of cells in vitro and tumor formation in susceptible animals. Control of Tag-induced tumors in vivo is mediated largely by CD8+ T cells specific for Tag. Treatment of K11 cells with physiologically relevant levels of CORT decreased their expansion during co-culture with Tag-expressing target cells. IFN-γ production by the K11 cells was also markedly decreased. In contrast, the ability of K11 cells to lyse Tag-expressing target cells was unaffected by CORT treatment. Ultimately, these studies will enhance our unde...
Nonpenetrating cardiac injuries: a collective review.

Abstract Nonpenetrating chest trauma with injury to the heart has become increasingly common, particularly as a result of deceleration injuries in modern, high speed, vehicular accidents. The present report reviews the currently available information concerning the several varieties of cardiac lesions which are incurred, including damage to the pericardium, myocardium, valvular structures, and coronary arteries. Although highly lethal if neglected and often obscured by associated trauma, cardiac damage can generally be estimated quickly with a proper index of suspicion and relatively simple diagnostic tools. Modern medical and surgical techniques in the appropriate clinical settings have proved curative.
Mapping of the relativistic kinetic balance equations onto the Klein–Gordon and second-order Dirac equations

In previous work we have shown that the quantum potential can be derived from the classical kinetic equations both for particles with and without spin. Here, we extend these mappings to the relativistic case. The essence of the analysis consists of Fourier transforming the momentum coordinate of the distribution function. This procedure introduces a natural parameter η with units of angular momentum. In the non-relativistic case the ansatz of either separability, or separability and additivity, imposed on the probability distribution function produces mappings onto the Schr¨ odinger equation and the Pauli equation, respectively. The former corresponds to an irrotational flow, the latter to a fluid with non-zero vorticity. In this work we show that the relativistic mappings lead to the Klein–Gordon equation in the irrotational case and to the secondorder Dirac equation in the rotational case. These mappings are irreversible; an approximate inverse is the Wigner function. Taken together, these results provide a statistical interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Short communication: Interaction of energy balance, feed efficiency, early lactation health events, and fertility in first-lactation Holstein, Jersey, and reciprocal F1 crossbred cows

First-lactation Holstein (HH), Jersey (JJ), and crossbred cows (HJ and JH, with sire breed listed first, followed by dam breed) were observed for cumulative energy intake (CEI15) and energy used for milk production (CEL15) at wk 15 of lactation in addition to recordings of health problems and pregnancy. Cumulative energy balance (CEB15) was calculated from CEI15 and estimates of expenditures at wk 15 of lactation. Feed efficiency (FE15) was calculated by dividing CEL15 by CEI15. Data included 140 cows with 43, 34, 41, and 22 in the HH, HJ, JH, and JJ groups, respectively. The first incidence of displaced abomasum (DA), ketosis (KET), mastitis (MAST), and metritis (MET) was recorded in the first 100 d of lactation with an incidence of the disease coded as 1 and no incidence coded as 0. Pregnancy (PREG) at d 150 was recorded as 1 if a cow had conceived by d 150 and 0 if she had not. Logistic regression was used to analyze health and fertility with fixed effects in the model including genetic group, linear and quadratic effects for age at calving, and year-season of freshening group. Pregnancy was analyzed with the same variables and the addition of CEB15. In other analyses, CEB15, CEI15, CEL15, and FE15 were response variables with the same explanatory variables plus health events (MAST, DA, MET, and KET), where each health event was a separate analysis. Genetic group effects were significant in the occurrence of MAST and a trend for MET, but were not significant for PREG, DA, and KET. Significant odds ratio for MAST was 19.6 for HJ cows when compared with that for HH cows. Thus, HJ cows were 19.6 times more likely than HH cows to have an incidence of MAST. The trend was for HJ and JH to have a lower odds ratio of MET than that of HH. No other genetic group effects were significant in any of the disease and PREG models. The linear and quadratic terms for age at calving were not significant. An occurrence of MAST decreased FE15 by 5.2±2.2%. Mastitis also decreased CEI15 and CEL15, but the compensatory reductions left the CEB15 unaffected. An occurrence of a DA decreased CEI15 and an incidence of KET decreased CEB15.
Intratracheal amiodarone administration to F344 rats directly damages lung airway and parenchymal cells

Amiodarone (AD) is gaining support as a first-line antiarrhythmic drug despite its potentially fatal pulmonary toxicity involving inflammation and fibrosis. We previously reported a model for this amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) in which F344 rats were intratracheally (i.t.) instilled with AD (6.25 mg/kg) in sterile water on days 0 and 2, which led to transient pulmonary inflammation and lung damage and subsequent fibrosis. The goals of this study were to determine the direct effect of the drug in the lung damage occurring after i.t. AD administration, to identify its location, and to examine its potential mechanisms. Using bronchoalveolar lavage and laser-scanning confocal microscopy, it was discovered that AD instillation produces rapid and massive damage to the alveolar-capillary barrier and damage or death to lung airway and parenchymal cells. While AD in solution was found to be capable of generating hydroxyl radicals, protection from AD-induced damage could not be obtained by incorporating water-soluble antioxidants in the drug solution. However, damage induced by free-radicals could still occur after AD partitions into lipid membranes. AD could also be directly disrupting cellular membranes via its amphiphilic structure. It is not known if the mechanism(s) of damage following i.t. AD treatment are similar to the mechanisms that underlie human AIPT. Therefore these data suggest that investigators should use caution in extrapolating results from animal studies that utilize i.t. administration of AD to human AIPT.
Thermosensory and Nonthermosensory Isoforms of Drosophila melanogaster TRPA1 Reveal Heat-Sensor Domains of a ThermoTRP Channel

Specialized somatosensory neurons detect temperatures ranging from pleasantly cool or warm to burning hot and painful (nociceptive). The precise temperature ranges sensed by thermally sensitive neurons is determined by tissue-specific expression of ion channels of the transient receptor potential(TRP) family.We show here that in Drosophila, TRPA1 is required for the sensing of nociceptive heat. We identify two previously unidentified protein isoforms of dTRPA1, named dTRPA1-C and dTRPA1-D, that explain this requirement. A dTRPA1-C/D reporter was exclusively expressed in nociceptors, and dTRPA1-C rescued thermal nociception phenotypes when restored to mutant nociceptors. However,surprisingly, we find that dTRPA1-C is not a direct heat sensor. Alternative splicing generates at least four isoforms of dTRPA1. Our analysis of these isoforms reveals a 37-amino-acid-long intracellular region (encoded by a single exon) that is critical for dTRPA1 temperature responses. The identification of these amino acids opens the door to a biophysical understanding of a molecular thermosensor.
The Ultrastructural Localization of Transport ATPase in the Rat Liver at Nonbile Canalicular Plasma Membranes

Na,K-ATPase in rat livers was localized cytochemically at the ultrastructural level. The Ernst technique, a method using p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) substrate, was used to demonstrate ouabainsensitive, K-dependent phosphatase, an enzyme of the Na,K-ATPase reaction sequence. Reaction product was localized predominantly on the sinusoidal and non-bile canalicular (intercellular) surfaces. This localization contrasts with previous histochemical studies using ATP substrate and with models that have considered the transport enzyme to be localized at the canalicular surface. I f Na,K-ATPase is of importance in bile salt independent flow, a significant presence of the enzyme at sites other than the canalicular membrane suggests that a paracellular movement of sodium and water into the conaliculus must be considered.
Log-periodic antenna array inspired parallel strip ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna

In this paper, we propose a UWB antenna operating from 2.45GHz to 11.6GHz. This antenna is a combination of two antenna elements which are connected in a way inspired by the log-periodic antenna array technique. To reduce the total size of proposed antenna, compact metamaterial based antennas are employed as the basic radiating elements. To verify our design concept, a prototype antenna is designed on FR4 substrate, which exhibits good radiation over the entire designed frequency range from 2.45GHz to 11.6GHz.
Delayed onset of a daytime nap facilitates retention of declarative memory.

Background: Learning followed by a period of sleep, even as little as a nap, promotes memory consolidation. It is now generally recognized that sleep facilitates the stabilization of information acquired prior to sleep. However, the temporal nature of the effect of sleep on retention of declarative memory is yet to be understood. We examined the impact of a delayed nap onset on the recognition of neutral pictorial stimuli with an added spatial component. Methodology/Principal Findings: Participants completed an initial study session involving 150 neutral pictures of people, places, and objects. Immediately following the picture presentation, participants were asked to make recognition judgments on a subset of ‘‘old’’, previously seen, pictures versus intermixed ‘‘new’’ pictures. Participants were then divided into one of four groups who either took a 90-minute nap immediately, 2 hours, or 4 hours after learning, or remained awake for the duration of the experiment. 6 hours after initial learning, participants were again tested on the remaining ‘‘old’’ pictures, with ‘‘new’’ pictures intermixed. Conclusions/Significance: Interestingly, we found a stabilizing benefit of sleep on the memory trace reflected as a significant negative correlation between the average time elapsed before napping and decline in performance from test to retest (p=.001). We found a significant interaction between the groups and their performance from test to retest (p=.010), with the 4-hour delay group performing significantly better than both those who slept immediately and those who remained awake (p=.044, p=.010, respectively). Analysis of sleep data revealed a significant positive correlation between amount of slow wave sleep (SWS) achieved and length of the delay before sleep onset (p=.048). The findings add to the understanding of memory processing in humans, suggesting that factors such as waking processing and homeostatic increases in need for sleep over time modulate the importance of sleep to consolidation of neutral declarative memories.
Decreased protein binding of alfentanil in plasma from children with kidney or liver failure

Summary Disease states, including end-stage kidney or liver failure, can alter the protein binding of various drugs in children. The plasma protein binding of alfentanil was evaluated in blood samples from 15 children about to undergo kidney transplantation, 21 children undergoing liver transplantation, and 28 otherwise healthy children undergoing elective surgery. Compared with the healthy children, patients with kidney disease had a significant decrease in protein binding (89.2%± 5.4 v. 93.1%± 3.2), an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein concentration (108.8 mg·dl−1± 44.3 v. 71.8 mg·dl−1± 30.7), and no change in albumin concentration (3910 mg·dl−1± 754 v. 4555 mg·dl−1± 524); whereas patients with liver disease had a significant decrease in protein binding (85.9%± 6.2 v. 93.1%± 3.2), no change in α1-acid glycoprotein concentration (65.8 mg·dl−1± 31.8 v. 71.8 mg·dl ± 30.7), and a decrease in albumin concentration (3045 mg·dl−1± 1255 v. 4555 mg·dl−1± 524). Because alfentanil is highly protein bound, even small changes in the drug's free fraction could have marked pharmacodynamic effects in patients with kidney or liver failure.
LARGE DEVONIAN AND MISSISSIPPIAN ROSTROCONCHS (MOLLUSCA) FROM IRAN

LARGE ROSTROCONCHS have been described from Europe by Sowerby (1815), M'Coy (1844), Baily (1871), Halfar (1882), de Koninck (1885), Hind (1900), and Amler (1996). This report concerns the first known occurrences of rostroconchs from Iran (Fig. 1). The specimens are from the Devonian Bahram Formation (Famennian) (Dastanpour, 1996; Dastanpour and Bassett, 1998; Brice, 1999; Brice et al., 1999) and the Mississippian Mobarak Formation (Tournaisian-Visean) (Gaetani, 1968; Bozorgnia, 1973). The Devonian specimens were collected from limestone and argillaceous limestone associated with a diverse brachiopod fauna (Fig. 2). The Mississippian specimens were found in limestone with brachiopods, corals, and crinoids (Fig. 3). Figure 1 —Map of Iran showing general location of collecting localities Figure 2 —Stratigraphic column of Devonian section near Kerman with position of rostroconchs (from Dastanpour and Bassett, 1998) Figure 3 —Stratigraphic column of Carboniferous section near Damghan with position of rostroconchs (from Aghababalu, 1999) A survey of reported North American taxa of Devonian and Mississippian rostroconchs made during a study of occurrences in Ohio (Hoare, 1989, 1990) indicated a much smaller size for most described taxa. The Iranian Mississippian specimens are two or more times larger overall than Mississippian taxa described from North America. Little study of epizoans on rostroconchs has been published. Pojeta and Runnegar (1976), Bonem (1982), and Hoare (1989) described various epizoan relationships on a number of genera. Shells and indications of attachment of shells of the worm Spirorbis Daudin, 1800, are present on two of the Mississippian specimens (UEGMM 89, 90). These are located on the ventral surface of the hood and the posterior ventral margin of the body. An encrusting trepostomate bryozoan is also present on the umbonal area of one specimen (EUGMM 90). These areas of the shell …
Sustained esophageal contraction: a motor correlate of heartburn symptom

Heartburn occurs in the presence as well as the absence of acid reflux. We searched for a motor correlate of heartburn. Twelve subjects with heartburn were studied with 24-h synchronized pressure, ...
Hiding in the Shadows: Philip Morris and the Use of Third Parties to Oppose Ingredient Disclosure Regulations.

Background In 1996 Massachusetts proposed regulations that would require tobacco companies to disclose information about the ingredients in their products on a by-brand basis. This paper examines the strategies employed by Philip Morris to stop these regulations from being implemented. Methods and Finding We used previously secret tobacco industry documents and published literature to examine the activities of the tobacco companies after the regulations were proposed. Philip Morris hired a public relations firm to establish a coalition that was instructed to oppose the regulations by linking them to other industrial sectors (the slippery slope) and stating they would damage the state's economy. Philip Morris also retained a polling firm to test the popularity of specific arguments against ingredient disclosure and developed a strategic plan for opposing similar regulations in Vermont. Conclusion Tobacco companies have historically used third parties to form coalitions to oppose ingredient disclosure regulations. These coalitions have had success preventing regulations from being implemented after they are initially proposed by creating the appearance of local opposition. With countries around the world currently implementing ingredient disclosure regulations in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco, governments and regulatory agencies should be aware of the political strategies that the tobacco companies have used to create the impression of popular opposition to these measures.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels Shape Subthreshold EPSPs in Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons From Rat Prefrontal Cortex

The role of voltage-dependent channels in shaping subthreshold excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons from rat medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) was invest...
The role of 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline (DHQ) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenicity

Bacteria synchronize group behaviors using quorum sensing, which is advantageous during an infection to thwart immune cell attack and resist deleterious changes in the environment. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (Pqs) quorum-sensing system is an important component of an interconnected intercellular communication network. Two alkylquinolones, 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ) and 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (PQS), activate transcriptional regulator PqsR to promote the production of quinolone signals and virulence factors. Our work focused on the most abundant quinolone produced from the Pqs system, 2,4-dihydroxyquinoline (DHQ), which was shown previously to sustain pyocyanin production and antifungal activity of P. aeruginosa. However, little is known about how DHQ affects P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. Using C. elegans as a model for P. aeruginosa infection, we found pqs mutants only able to produce DHQ maintained virulence towards the nematodes similar to wild-type. In addition, DHQ-only producing mutants displayed increased colonization of C. elegans and virulence factor production compared to a quinolone-null strain. DHQ also bound to PqsR and activated the transcription of pqs operon. More importantly, high extracellular concentration of DHQ was maintained in both aerobic and anaerobic growth. High levels of DHQ were also detected in the sputum samples of cystic fibrosis patients. Taken together, our findings suggest DHQ may play an important role in sustaining P. aeruginosa pathogenicity under oxygen-limiting conditions.
Technologies to Operate Year-Round Remote Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Stations in Extreme Environments

The POLar Earth observing NETwork(POLENET) is an ambitious international project to deploy geophysical instruments at very remote high-latitude sites during the International Polar Year (IPY). One of the goals of the project is to run instruments year round with as little maintenance as possible. POLENET will be installed using robust lightweight systems, minimizing the need for heavy battery banks as much as possible. This weight reduction is needed in order to meet logistical constraints on deployment at very remote sites. New and established technologies for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations are critically examined here in order to determine the best balance between reliable power generation and storage and the logistical cost to deploy such a system. Best practices are summarized from successful projects that have run reliably in extreme polar environments.
Microfilm Copying of Documents

Microphotographic duplication peculiarly fits the research needs of modern scholarship for the following reasons: it reduces the bulk of records in the same geometric ratio in which they are accumulating; it makes them as permanent as they are now ephemeral; it makes them mobile, permitting a more widespread use of them; it makes it possible to supply records for specialized use; it facilitates the cooperative exploitation of records that have become so extensive that they can no longer be mastered individually; and it permits a more exact and accurate use of records.
Tracer Studies of Vitamin C Utilization in Men Metabolism of D-Glucuronolactone-6-C14, D-Glucuronic-6-C14 Acid and L-Ascorbic-1-C14 Acid.

Summary1. Results of studies with healthy men revealed that close to one-fourth of D-glucuronolactone-6-C14 was converted to L-ascorbic acid whereas, on the other hand, no activity could be detected in the ascorbate derivative isolated from the urine of subjects receiving D-glucuronic-6-C14 acid. 2. One-half of the urinary oxalate arises from the breakdown of ascorbic acid and is excreted at a constant rate. 3. The size of the ascorbic acid pool and its rate of utilization were directly related to the size of the fat-free body weight.
Irrigation Criteria and Sweetpotato Cultivar Performance in the Treasure Valley of Eastern Oregon

In the United States, sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)) is predominately grown in the southeastern states and in California, but production farther north is limited. To determine if sweetpotato could be successfully produced in semiarid Pacific North West, four sweetpotato cultivars (Covington, Beauregard, Diane, and Evangeline) were subjected to four soil water tension (SWT) irrigation criteria treatments (40, 60, 80, 100 kPa in 2011 and 25, 40, 60, and 80 kPa in 2012) using drip irrigation at Ontario, OR. The four SWT criteria were maintained by an automated irrigation system. Sweetpotato cultivars were evaluated for the percentage of early groundcover, number of vines per hill, vine length, and yield. The total applied water decreased with the increase in the targetedSWT.The highest amountof water was appliedat the 25 kPa criterion(1184mm) and the least amount at the 100 kPa SWT criterion (146 mm). Cultivars varied in the average number of vines per hill, with 'Covington' having the fewest at 6 vines per hill compared with 'Beauregard' and 'Evangeline' that averaged 10 vines and 'Diane' averaging 11. The average vine length increased with the decrease in SWT criteria during both years. The total, marketable, and U.S.No. 1 sweetpotato yield was influenced by cultivars and varied among irrigation criteria and years. In general, the sweetpotato yield decreased with the increase in SWT, with the highest yield attained at the lowest SWT tested, 40 kPa in 2011 and 25 kPa in 2012. For 'Beauregard' grown with irrigation onset criteria of 40 and 25 kPa, the marketable yields were 49 and 87 Mg·ha L1 and U.S. No. 1yields were 35and 27 Mg·ha L1 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The results suggested
Imperfect forecasts and decision making in agriculture

Abstract The past few decades saw tremendous advances in weather and climate forecasting ability. These advances opened up the possibility of strategic adaptation of agricultural management in anticipation of weather and climate outcomes, resulting in a profusion of studies estimating the value of weather and climate forecasts. Estimated values from this literature were, in many cases, substantive, implying that farmers could significantly benefit from forecasts. Yet the response from farmers, it appears, was not commensurate with the values suggested by the studies. In this article we make the case that forecast quality, both real and perceived, may still pose a significant obstacle; despite recent gains in forecasting ability, forecasts—especially seasonal climate forecasts—are far from certain. Unless this uncertainty is explicitly and more realistically incorporated into models of forecast use, a gap will always exist between expectations of forecast use and actual forecast use by farmers. We conclude by establishing the need for 1) making imperfect forecasts a standard feature in models of forecast use and 2) informing these models with empirical research on farmer use of imperfect forecasts.
An Appeal of Digital Times to us for Teaching Reform

In digital times, great changes are taking place in social production and people's life styles. In educational field digital technique brings forth changes in all aspects, which demands a reform in the traditional teaching and the construction of new teaching mode suitable for digitalizing study.
Pharmacological Properties of the Optical Isomers of Ketamine

The hypnotic effects of intravenous racemic ketamine and of its (+) and (-) isomers were examined in the ICR mouse at dosages of 10 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg. At equimolar doses (25 mg/kg) the duration of hypnosis was 4.0, 5.3 and 1.9 minutes for racemic ketamine and the (+) and (-) isomers respectively. Following 25 mg/kg of racemic ketamine, brain and plasma levels of the drug were 22 μg/g and 4.6 μg/ml respectively at recovery of righting reflex. Dose/response curves were obtained for analgesic activity in the mouse using the phenylquinone writhing test. The AD50 for racemic ketamine following subcutaneous administration was 6.5 mg/kg. At equimolar doses the (+) isomer was approximately 2 × as potent in terms of analgesia as the race-mate while the (-) isomer lacked significant analgesic activity. Previously this laboratory has reported significant differences in hypnotic and locomotor activity between (+) and (-) ketamine in the Sprague-Dawley rat. The present study shows that such differences can occur in other animal species and in addition demonstrates significant differences in the analgesic activity of the two isomers. (Supported in part by NIDA grant no. DA00006).
Patent Licensing and Monetization

This paper provides a window into the world of patent licensing. It begins with an overview of what patent licensing is and why it is such an important technique for companies seeking to monetize patents as well as those seeking to gain access to patented technologies. We next review some of the essential terms most commonly found in patent license agreements. We close by taking a look both backwards and forwards, addressing how patent licensing has evolved, and also reviewing newer cutting edge monetization techniques that have their foundation in traditional bilateral patent licensing.
High-speed ADC with error correction

A digital error correction scheme is described for ΔΣ ADCs with multibit quantisers. It operates in the background and remains effective even for very low oversampling ratios.
Queue-based broadcast gossip algorithm for consensus

We study broadcast gossip algorithms to compute the average of given initial sensor measurements. In the context of wireless networks, an algorithm was proposed by Scaglione et al. that allows a single node to broadcast at each time with geometrically fast convergence to consensus. To improve the rate of convergence to consensus, we go beyond this single node broadcast approach and propose a queue-based broadcast gossip algorithm, in which simultaneous node broadcasts are allowed. Since packet collisions may happen, we choose time-varying update weights. Using a novel interval-based consensus error analysis to handle the time-dependent update weights, we show that with appropriate choice of parameters, the proposed algorithm converges to consensus in the mean-square sense geometrically fast. We prove that for the class of networks modeled as non-bipartite Ramanujan graphs, the exponent of convergence of the proposed algorithm is independent of the number of nodes, unlike the single node broadcast case which converges slowly in large networks. We also demonstrate through simulations that our proposed algorithm improves the rate of convergence for some other example networks.
Combining OR/MS and expert systems for inventory management

This paper identifies the shortcomings of considering OR/MS and heuristic solution techniques, in isolation from each other, in problem–solving. A survey of Expert Systems (ESs) in the Inventory Management (IM) problem domain reveals that the synergistic potential of these two approaches is not being exploited. A decomposition of the Knowledge–Base (KB) is proposed to include essential knowledge elements for effective integration of these solution techniques. The suggested decomposition is used to develop a prototype system using Turbo Prolog in the IM problem domain. Grounds for future research and implications for practice are identified.
Antimicrobial Activities of Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles From Plant Extracts

Abstract Metallic nanoparticles find immense applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas as alternative antimicrobial strategy due to the reemergence of infectious diseases and the appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains. Since conventional synthesis by chemical means pose various biological risks and may have adverse effects, synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant extracts is gaining momentum as an alternative approach. Such biologically synthesized nanoparticles are nontoxic, ecofriendly (could be safely discharged in the environment), possess distinctive properties, and are synthesized at a very fast rate in a cost-effective manner. Biomolecules from plant extracts act as reducing and capping agents, improving the stability of nanoparticles. Varying properties of the plant extracts impart varying properties to the nanoparticles synthesized from them. Metallic nanoparticles from medicinal plant extracts have been reported to possess biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. The present chapter aims to provide a review of the antimicrobial activities exhibited by metallic nanoparticles synthesized using various plant extracts. Additionally, background information regarding their mechanism of action, green synthesis, and future prospects have been provided.
Fifty Years of Super Bowl Commercials, Thirty-Two Years of Spectacular Consumption

AbstractThis article will explore the role and visibility of advertising during the Super Bowl over the years as a model for strategies of modern advertising and the resulting commercialization of US society. It uses the concepts of ‘spectacular consumption’ derived from Guy Debord and the ‘commodity audience’ from Dallas Smythe to frame the commercials’ cultural transformation and influence. The spectacular nature of Super Bowl commercials and the special commodity worth of its audience were not present in the early days of the event, but gained momentum with Super Bowl XVII and its airing of Apple’s ‘1984’ commercial that became mythologized in the advertising industry. After 1984, both the rising inflation-adjusted CPM (‘cost-per-thousand’) and the increased media coverage indicate an increased spectacularization. This also manifested in such phenomena as the influential, decades-long Doritos user-generated content contests and the Greatest Super Bowl Commercials TV specials, and was a forerunner of su...
Schwannoma of the nasal septum: Rare presentation and literature review

Abstract Schwannomas are benign primary tumors of the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath known to occur throughout the body. We present a unique case of a schwannoma arising from the nasal septum in a healthy 16-year-old adolescent boy. The patient had approximately two months of left-sided nasal obstruction after sustaining a lacrosse injury to the nose. Imaging revealed a nonspecific soft tissue mass, which after nasal endoscopy and excision was revealed to be a schwannoma. We discuss our results as well as present a review of the existing literature.
Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Women’s Sport, by Susan K. Cahn

In the second edition of Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Women’s Sport, Susan K. Cahn continues her historical look into the resounding athletic accomplishments of women in sports pre- an...
Assessment of Renal Function

Mrs. P is a 62-year-old African-American female with type II diabetes mellitus. She weighs 78 kg, and has previously had an above-knee amputation of the right leg. She is being seen in clinic for an annual examination, and inquires about her kidney function.
Prospective Evaluation of Physical Contact with Critically Ill Child on Caregiver Spiritual Wellbeing

Objectives To evaluate whether a pediatric intensive care unit initiative promoting physical contact between caregiver and patient improves caregiver spiritual wellbeing. The secondary objectives were to evaluate caregiver perceptions of care before and after the initiative and to follow unplanned extubation rate as a marker of safety of the initiative. We hypothesized that caregiver spiritual wellbeing and caregiver perceptions of care would improve with implementation of our physical contact initiative known as Project ROSE (Reach Out, Soothe, and Embrace). Study design Project ROSE was a practice change initiative promoting physical contact between caregiver and hospitalized child in an academic quaternary care pediatric intensive care unit. Caregivers' spiritual wellbeing and perceptions of care were surveyed at days 1 and 4, then compared pre- and postimplementation of the unit-wide initiative. Wilcoxon rank sum tests compared groups (pre- and post-Project ROSE). A total of 331 caregivers returned surveys. Results We analyzed 331 surveys (pre, n = 174/post, n = 157). Caregiver spiritual wellbeing at enrollment (day 1) was no different between groups ( P = .47). Caregiver spiritual wellbeing on day 4 was greater in the postintervention group (pre 40.0 [32.0, 44.0] vs post 42.0 [37.5, 45.0] P = .03). Caregiver perceptions of care improved postintervention. There was no change in the unplanned extubation rate between groups. Conclusion Project ROSE improved caregiver spiritual wellbeing and perceptions of care, was implemented safely, addresses a need in family-centered care of critically ill pediatric patients, and merits consideration for integration into practice.