cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxoplasma gondii Effects on the Relationship of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites to Acoustic Startle Latency in Schizophrenia vs. Control Subjects.

Background: Chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii (TOXO) results in microcysts in the brain that are controlled by inflammatory activation and subsequent changes in the kynurenine pathway. TOXO seropositivity is associated with a heightened risk of schizophrenia (SCZ) and with cognitive impairments. Latency of the acoustic startle response, a putative index of neural processing speed, is slower in SCZ. SCZ subjects who are TOXO seropositive have slower latency than SCZ subjects who are TOXO seronegative. We assessed the relationship between kynurenine pathway metabolites and startle latency as a potential route by which chronic TOXO infection can lead to cognitive slowing in SCZ. Methods: Fourty-seven SCZ subjects and 30 controls (CON) were tested on a standard acoustic startle paradigm. Kynurenine pathway metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were kynurenine (KYN), tryptophan (TRYP), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OHAA), anthranilic acid (AA), and kynurenic acid (KYNA). TOXO status was determined by IgG ELISA. Results: In univariate ANCOVAs on onset and peak latency with age and log transformed startle magnitude as covariates, both onset latency [F(1,61) = 5.76; p = 0.019] and peak latency [F(1,61) = 4.34; p = 0.041] were slower in SCZ than CON subjects. In stepwise backward linear regressions after stratification by Diagnosis, slower onset latency in SCZ subjects was predicted by higher TRYP (B = 0.42; p = 0.008) and 3-OHAA:AA (B = 3.68; p = 0.007), and lower KYN:TRYP (B = -185.42; p = 0.034). In regressions with peak latency as the dependent variable, slower peak latency was predicted by higher TRYP (B = 0.47; p = 0.013) and 3-OHAA:AA ratio (B = 4.35; p = 0.010), and by lower KYNA (B = -6.67; p = 0.036). In CON subjects neither onset nor peak latency was predicted by any KYN metabolites. In regressions stratified by TOXO status, in TOXO positive subjects, slower peak latency was predicted by lower concentrations of KYN (B = -8.08; p = 0.008), KYNA (B = -10.64; p = 0.003), and lower KYN:TRYP ratios (B = -347.01; p = 0.03). In TOXO negative subjects neither onset nor peak latency was predicted by any KYN metabolites. Conclusions: KYN pathway markers predict slowing of startle latency in SCZ subjects and in those with chronic TOXO infection, but this is not seen in CON subjects nor TOXO seronegative subjects. These findings coupled with prior work indicating a relationship of slower latency with SCZ and TOXO infection suggest that alterations in KYN pathway markers may be a mechanism by which neural processing speed, as indexed by startle latency, is affected in these subjects.
Modification of the effects of intensive systolic blood pressure control on kidney outcomes by baseline body mass index.

Aim Obesity and intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) control are independently associated with greater risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined whether baseline body mass index (BMI) modifies the effects of intensive SBP lowering on AKI or incident CKD. Methods The systolic blood pressure intervention trial (SPRINT) randomized 9361 participants with high blood pressure to an SBP target of either Results Each 5 kg/m2 increase in baseline BMI was associated with higher risk of AKI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.25) and incident CKD (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.32). Intensive SBP control increased the risk of AKI (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.22-2.11) and incident CKD (HR 3.49, 95% CI 2.47-4.94). The increased risk of AKI with intensive SBP control was consistent across the baseline BMI spectrum (linear interaction p = 0.55); however, the risk of incident CKD with SPRINT intervention increased with higher BMI (linear interaction p = 0.043). Conclusion The increased risk of adverse kidney events seen with intensive SBP control in the SPRINT persisted across the baseline BMI spectrum. A higher baseline BMI was associated with an augmented risk of incident CKD with intensive SBP control.
Reconciling underspecification with the overlapping decomposition

Natural language grammar contains pockets of linear morphological contiguity, in which formal identity between non-contiguous categories is either unattested or extremely rare. Also called *ABA domains, the analysis of these etiologically heterogeneous patterns has been a fruitful site of cross-theoretic dis course. Following Caha (2017), surface *ABA distributions may be classified as resulting from one of at least two morphosyntactic decompositions: cumulating and overlapping. The cumulating decomposition characterizes Bobaljik's (2012) com parative suppletion, and describes domains in which the final category of an *ABA domain is the most featurally or representationally complex. In contrast, the over lapping decomposition describes domains in which the medial category is the most complex, which Caha further argues is poorly handled by realizational architectures that assume underspecification. This study reconciles underspecification with the overlapping distribution by means of a requirement of contextual contiguity, in which a Vocabulary entry can only realize a complex feature bundle [X, Y] if and only if there exists another entry that realizes either of the simplex features [X] or [Y].
Epidemic of Mycoplasma Mastitis in a Colorado Dairy Herd Following Expansion from 350 to 2,500 Milking Cows

Over the past two decades, dairies in the WesternUnited States (US) have been expanding by purchasing cattle from various sources within the country.1 During year 2001, cow numbers in the West increased by 72,000 head, while the dairy cow population in the rest of the country declined by a total of 163,000 head.2 The National Animal health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study conducted in 1996 reported that 44% of operations brought cattle onto their dairies during 1995. Among herds with 200 or more milk cows, 65% of herds brought cattle onto the dairy from an outside source.3 Avoidance of severe losses from introduction and spread of disease requires biosecurity practices at multiple checkpoints, plus a plan for handling problems that occur. The objective of this herd report was to describe an epidemic of Mycoplasma (Myco) mastitis in a recently expanded Colorado dairy herd and to analyze reasons for the outbreak.
Laboratory/Nursing Station Interface

Placing any medical system within the operating confines of the nursing station is the ultimate challenge. In a busy nursing station environment employees are usually conservative and show a great reluctance to change anything. Only when a situation becomes a crisis will there come a cry for change. This philosophy is a direct result of the highly skilled and detailed schedule which exists in this environment, and the extreme expectations and demands of the physicians who manipulate and control the staff for their patients. The hospital is always pressed between the demands of the physicians and the requirements of reasonable administrative control. If a new system does not provide some concrete, useful material for the nursing station and its personnel, it will be promptly rejected by the users. The nursing personnel have a close allegiance to practicing physicians and can mobilize their strength and power to inhibit anything that impinges on their personal ideas of success. All it takes is one nurse saying that the system has compromised patient care: one such statement made to a single physician can jeopardize a whole project. For this reason the coordination of any system with the nursing station personnel and clerks is a very highly sensitive task that deserves the undivided attention of any group attempting to interface with them to create such a working relationship.
The Effect of Year-Round School Calendars on Academic Performance

Using detailed longitudinal data for the state of California, this paper studies the effect that year-round school calendars have on academic performance. A particular type of year-round calendar, multi-track, allows for schools to house more students with the same facility and are often motivated for their potential to alleviate overcrowding as well as be cost saving relative to new school construction. This paper finds that these cost savings "come at a cost" in terms of the quality of education produced, as measured by a school's national percentile rank on standardized tests. I find that being on a year-round calendar results in a drop of 1-2 percentile points in national percentile rank on reading, math and language scores. The findings of this paper have strong policy implications that are especially relevant to the current condition of the US education system, where many states are facing overcrowding problems and have implemented or are seriously considering implementation of multi-track year-round calendars as a remedy.
Interventions to regulate confusion during learning

Experiences of confusion have been found to correlate with learning, particularly for learning at deeper levels of comprehension. Previously, we have induced confusion within learning environments that teach critical scientific reasoning. Confusion was successfully induced with the presentation of contradictory information and false feedback. Next, we would like to regulate experiences of confusion to increase learning. In the current paper, we propose a series of experiments that investigate potential interventions to help regulate confusion during learning. Specifically, these experiments will address the impact of feedback specificity and emotional support.
Modeling of “living” free-radical polymerization processes. II. Tubular reactors

A tubular reactor model for living free-radical polymerization is developed in this study. The model may be used as a tool to design efficient processes for tailored polymers from living free-radical polymerization. Examples presented include preparing bimodal polymers and copolymers of n-butyl acrylate and styrene. Residence time distribution effects on polymer properties are investigated by varying the Peclet number, to show the degree of backmixing that adversely affects polymer properties.
A Clinical Evaluation of Freeze‐Dried Homologous Dura Mater as a Periodontal Free Graft Material: Study in Humans

Homologous freeze dried dura mater (FDDM) was used as a graft material in the correction of inadequate zones of attached gingiva. Eleven patients having a mean preoperative width of attached gingiva of 0.31 mm with a range of 0 to 1 mm were used in this study. A total of 17 grafts were implanted at 42 tooth sites, all on the buccal side of the mandibular arch. Clinical observations were conducted over a 3-month postoperative period. The parameters examined pre- and postoperatively were the width of the attached gingiva, the crevice depth and the width of the homologous FDDM implanted. Postoperatively, the mean width of the attached gingiva was 3.65 mm with a range of 2 to 6 mm. This finding was statistically significant (P less than 0.001). The crevice depths did not vary significantly and the implanted FDDM evidenced a mean shrinkage of 46.7%. Within its temporal limits, the present study has shown that homologous FDDM can be used effectively as a free graft in mucogingival surgery to correct inadequate zones of attached gingiva.
Laparoscopic versus open surgery for colorectal cancer.

There are three basic roles of laparoscopic surgery for patients with colorectal cancer. First, although infrequently needed prior to therapy, diagnostic or staging laparoscopy may be valuable in certain colorectal cancer patients. Second, the laparoscopic approach may offer several attractive features for the palliative management of patients with incurable colorectal cancer. Finally, although this issue is the most controversial, there are theoretic but unproved advantages of using laparoscopic techniques for curative colorectal cancer therapy. The concerted efforts of surgical oncologists and their colleagues must prove this theory in well constructed trials. The dramatic recovery of patients following laparoscopic chole- cystectomy stimulated surgeons to contemplate using minimally invasive surgical techniques (MISs) in patients with other intra- abdominal conditions. Because the most frequent indication for large bowel surgery in the United States is colorectal cancer, it became a logical disease to which MISs might be applied. The basic areas of application of MIS to colorectal cancers are (1) diagnostic or staging purposes; (2) palliative therapy; and (3) curative therapy (the most controversial). Applications of an MIS to each of these areas are briefly discussed.
Losartan inhibition of angiotensin-related drinking and Fos immunoreactivity in hypertensive and hypotensive contexts

We assessed the ability of acute peripheral administration of the AT-1 receptor antagonist, losartan, to reverse both the water intake and Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) induced in rats by either peripheral or cerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of angiotensin (Ang) II. We compared this with endogenous generation of Ang II during either hypovolemia or hypotension. Relatively low doses of losartan blocked the dipsogenic effect of peripherally administered exogenous Ang II, but a higher dose (20 mg/kg) was needed to block the dipsogenic effect of i.c.v.-administered Ang II. Fos-ir induced by i.c.v. Ang II was attenuated in SFO and SON by 10-20 mg losartan/kg given peripherally, but Fos-ir in the MnPO and PVN was unaffected. These findings suggest that losartan has limited permeability into the brain. We used peripheral losartan to assess the contribution of Ang II to water intake and Fos-ir responses to peripheral injection of either polyethylene glycol (PEG; a colloid that produces non-hypotensive hypovolemia) or isoproterenol (hypotensive agent). Water intakes were unaffected by the higher dose of losartan given s.c. Intraperitoneal injection of EXP 3174, the active metabolite of losartan that may more readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, inhibited isoproterenol-, but not PEG-induced water intakes. Fos-ir was induced by PEG and isoproterenol in several regions of the brain also activated by Ang II. Fos-ir was greatly attenuated in the SFO by losartan following administration of PEG, but not isoproterenol, and was either unaffected or increased in SON and PVN after either agent. These data suggest that the increased circulating Ang II following PEG or isoproterenol acts at the SFO and is more readily reversible by losartan in normotensive (PEG) than in hypotensive (isoproterenol) states. Non-Ang neural input to the SON and PVN, presumably from baroreceptors, appears to be sufficient to produce strong Fos-ir in these regions, as well as to engage drinking.
It's not what you say, its how you say it: improving the effectiveness of anticipatory guidance.

THERE IS VERY good news in primary care pediatrics. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 helps ensure that every American child will continue to receive routine health caremaintenance. Furthermore, the compendiumof routine health care maintenance that is enshrined in Bright Futures forms the core of covered routine health care maintenance for children. This represents a social consensus that routine health care is valuable for children and their families. The next step for us as a profession is to use this endorsement to make a real difference for children’s health. For those of us in the trenches, it is easy to underestimate the importance of anticipatory guidance. After all, how much impact can a 15or 20-minute visit have? It turns out that even marginally effective interventions may have a large impact. In simple terms, the public health impact of an intervention can be thought of as the product of the effectiveness of the intervention and the proportion the population reached. The near universal reach of routine health care maintenance for American children means that even interventions of relatively low individual effectiveness will have a large public health impact. The importance of these visits is magnified by the confluence of 2 other circumstances, one social and the other biological. For the years of a child’s life before school entry, health care providers are often among the most trusted sources of information regarding parenting practices. This is the same period of time when extraordinary brain growth occurs, suggesting a lifelong influence of early childhood environmental factors on the brain and nervous system. How can we best leverage this extraordinary access to children and their families to improve health outcomes? There has been a fair amount written, often in the form of consensus reports and policy statements regarding the content of such visits. Bright Futures, after reminding us to first attend to parent and child concerns, suggests 5 top priority topics for each routine health care maintenance visit. Examination of these priorities clearly establishes that 21st-century pediatrics includes the social, psychological, and behavioral factors that influence of child health. Although the content of the routine visit has changed, pediatricians have been slow to adapt strategies to improve
Coupling and linking reactions of living polyisobutylene by allylsilanes

The reactions of living polyisobutylene (PIB+) with different allylsilanes, as potential linking and coupling agents, have been studied. Quantitative monoaddition of 2-Phenylallyltrimethylsilane to living PIB+ yielded macromonomer (I), however coupling was absent. Rapid and quantitative coupling has been observed with 1,3-bis[2-(3-trimethylsilyl)-propenyl]benzene (bTPB). Using 1-(2-propenyl)-3-[2-(3-trimethylsilyl)-propenyl]benzene (PTPB) star polymers with an average of four arms have been prepared with high efficiency. The study of this linking reaction revealed that star formation takes place in two well separated steps. In the first step a macromonomer is formed in situ by the rapid reaction of PIB+ with the allyltrimethylsilyl functionality. Subsequent reaction of this macromonomer with the remaining electrophilic PIB+ ends followed by interchain reactions results in the formation of star polymers.
Xeroderma pigmentosum/de sanctis-cacchione syndrome: unusual cause of ataxia.

Introduction: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of DNA repair, with a prevalence of 1 in 1 million. It may also be a cause of neurological symptoms including sensorineural hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and chorea. Severe neurological symptoms including mental retardation, short stature, and hypogonadism invoke De Sanctis-Cacchione syndrome (DCS). Case Report: The patient was a 55-year-old woman with a history of mental retardation who developed chorea at age 32 and ataxia at age 37. She had numerous facial scars from 10 prior basal cell carcinoma excisions as well as diminished deep tendon reflexes, bilateral hearing loss, dysphagia, and skin freckling. Brain MRI revealed severe cortical, cerebellar, and brainstem atrophy. Supportive treatment and prevention of further damage from UV light is the mainstay of treatment in XP and DCS. Conclusion: XP and related disorders should be considered in the setting of neurological disorder and multiple cutaneous cancers.
Equipment lease accounting in industrial marketing strategy

Abstract Industrial marketers have long used the lease as a sales and promotional tool. It has helped promote many products that otherwise could not be sold because of a buyer's lack of desire or inability to pay for an asset outright. As transportation equipment often requires a significant capital investment, the need to research the lease-purchase decision is imperative. Correspondingly, a thorough understanding of accounting standards constraining financial arrangements for transport equipment selected is necessary.
Penetrating keratoplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors reviewed in a retrospective manner 47 penetrating keratoplasties performed on 23 eyes of 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The indications for the first penetrating keratoplasty were corneal melt in 19 eyes (83%), infectious keratitis in 2 eyes (9%), and corneal scarring after ulceration in 2 eyes (9%). Twelve of the 23 eyes required 24 repeat penetrating keratoplasties. Seventeen of the 23 eyes (74%) had clear grafts at the last follow-up visit, a median of 13.7 months after the last penetrating keratoplasty. The final best corrected visual acuity was ≥ 20/60 in 4 eyes (17%), 20/70 to 20/100 in 1 eye (4%), 20/200 to 20/400 in 7 eyes (30%), counting fingers in 4 eyes (17%), hand motions in 2 eyes (9%), and light perception in 4 eyes (17%). One eye (4%) was enucleated. Anatomic success (absence of phthisis bulbi, enucleation, or conjunctival flap) was achieved in 20 eyes (87%). The survival probability for the 21 patients was only 48% 5 years after the first penetrating keratoplasty. The authors conclude that penetrating keratoplasty is often anatomically successful in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; however, the prognosis is poor for both vision and survival of the patient.
SOLAR-BLIND SINGLE-PHOTON 4H-SiC AVALANCHE PHOTODIODES

A solar blind 4H-SiC single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is reported. The SPAD with separate absorption and multiplication layers was designed for operation with low dark counts. A thin film optical filter deposited on a sapphire window of the device package provided sensitivity in the wavelength range between 240 and 280 nm with a very high solar photon rejection ratio. An estimated dark current of 0.4 pA (0.75 nA/cm2) at a gain of 1000 was measured on a device with an effective mesa diameter of 260 µm. A single photon detection efficiency of 9% (linear mode) and 9.5% (gated Geiger mode) were achieved at a wavelength of 266 nm for the same device. Corresponding dark count rate and dark count probability were 600 Hz and 4×10-4.
Molybdenum nitride catalysts: I. Influence of the synthesis factors on structural properties

Effects of the synthesis parameters on the structural properties of molybdenum nitride catalysts, prepared by the temperature-programmed reaction of MoO3 with NH3, have been examined. Molybdenum trioxide was heated in flowing NH3 through two linear heating segments (623 to 723 K then 723 to 973 K) with different space velocities in a 23 factorial design. The temperature limits for these heating segments were defined based on the results of in situ X-ray diffraction analysis of the gas-solid reaction. The resulting catalysts were characterized using BET surface area analysis, environmental scanning electron microscopy, ex situ X-ray diffraction, and oxygen chemisorption. The primary bulk phase present was γ-Mo2N. Some of the lower surface area catalysts also contained MoO2 and Mo, but there was no evidence of nitrides other than γ-Mo2N. The catalysts consisted of micrometersized, plate-like aggregates of nanometer-sized crystallites, and possessed surface areas ranging up to ≈140 m2/g depending on the synthesis and reduction conditions employed. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that the space velocity individually and the heating rates combined had the most significant effects on the structural properties. The production of catalysts with surface areas in excess of 50 m2/g required the use of slow heating rates during the first segment and high space velocities. We concluded that the key to producing the highest surface area Mo nitrides was channeling the reaction through HxMoO3 (x ≤ 0.34) and γ-Mo2OyN1-y intermediates. Passivation of the materials immediately following synthesis appeared to produce an oxynitride at the surface. Reduction of the passivated materials in H2 at temperatures up to 673 K caused a significant increase in the surface area and O2 uptake. The O2 uptake for the low and medium surface area catalysts varied linearly with the BET surface area and corresponded to an O:Mo stoichiometry of approximately 1:5. The oxygen site density for the highest surface area nitride was lower than those for the lower surface area catalysts, presumably due to differing surface structures.
Opioid Involvement in Alcohol Drinking

A large body of evidence indicates that the endogenous opioid system plays an important role in maintaining alcohol drinking behavior. Evidence is reviewed that indicates that the reinforcing properties of alcohol that lead to continued and repeated bouts of drinking may be due, in part, to alcohol-induced activation of the endogenous opioid system. Much of this evidence is pharmacologic in nature. Blocking the action of endogenous opioid peptides via administration of opioid antagonists significantly attenuates alcohol consumption in animals under a variety of experimental conditions. In clinical trials, opioid receptor antagonists decrease alcohol consumption, relapse rates, subjective high, and alcohol craving in outpatient alcoholics. The potential clinical utility of opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of alcoholism and alcohol dependence is discussed. Language: en
Comparison of endogenous phosphorylation of hen and rat spinal cord proteins and partial characterization of optimal phosphorylation conditions for hen spinal cord

Abstract The optimal conditions for the endogenous phosphorylation of hen spinal cord cytosolic and membrane proteins with 5 μM [γ-32P]ATP, 10 mM MgCl2, were determined by 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, autoradiography, and microdensitometry. Phosphate incorporation increased linearly with concentrations ranging from 35–75 μg/100 μl for cytosolic proteins and 21–125 μg/200 μl for membrane proteins. Optimal incubation times, temperatures, and pH values were 60 s, 30°C, and 6.0, respectively, for spinal cord cytosolic proteins and 15 s, 45°C, and 8.0, respectively, for spinal cord membranes. Prominent species differences in protein phosphorylation between these fractions in hens and similarly prepared fractions in rats, co-electrophoresed, include 80K and 30K protein phosphate acceptors unique to rat spinal cord cytosol, 60K and 16K protein phosphate acceptors characteristic of rat spinal cord membranes, a 50K protein phosphate acceptor present only in hen spinal cord membranes, and greater phosphorylation of a more abundant 20K protein in both hen spinal cord fractions. The functional significance of these differences is presently unclear. However, their characterization provides a basis from which to launch future investigations of the biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of spinal cord protein phosphorylation and indicates that caution should be exercised in the choice of an animal model with characteristics appropriate to those of the system it is representing.
Bimetallic Pt−Au Clusters on TiO2(110): Growth, Surface Composition, and Metal−Support Interactions

Au, Pt, and Au−Pt clusters were grown on TiO2(110) at room temperature and studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. For the same metal coverages, the deposition of pure Pt produces smaller cluster...
Low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass: Importance of blood pressure in maintaining cerebral blood flow

Background During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), global hypoperfusion of the brain has been shown to result in ischemic insult and subsequent neurologic injury. Methods We measured cerebral blood flow during independent manipulations of arterial blood pressure and pump flow rate to determine which of these hemodynamic parameters regulates cerebral perfusion during CPB. Seven adolescent baboons were placed on CPB and cooled to 28 °C. Pump flow rate and arterial blood pressure were altered in varied sequence to each of four conditions: (1) full flow (2.23 ± 0.06 L · min −1 · m −2 , mean ± standard deviation) at high pressure (61 ±2 mm Hg), (2) full flow (2.23 ± 0.06 L · min −1 · m −2 ) at low pressure (24 ± 3 mm Hg), (3) low flow (0.75 L · min −1 · m −2 ) at high pressure (62 ± 2 mm Hg), and (4) low flow (0.75 L · min −1 · m −2 ) at low pressure (23 ±3 mm Hg). During each of these hemodynamic conditions cerebral blood flow was measured by washout of intracarotid xenon 133. Results Cerebral blood flow was greater at high blood pressure than at low pressure during CPB both at low flow (34 ± 8.3 versus 14.1 ± 3.7 mL · min −1 · 100 g −1 ) and full flow (27.6 ± 9.9 versus 16.8 ± 3.7 mL · min −1 · 100 g −1 ) ( p Conclusions These results indicate that during low-flow CPB, mean arterial pressure should be maintained within the brain's autoregulatory range to maximize cerebral blood flow.
Abstract 2356: The role of the Rac GTPases in PC-3 prostate cancer cell diapadesis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The Rho GTPases are molecular switches intimately involved in cancer metastasis through orchestrating changes in the cytoskeleton leading to motility and invasion. Previously, we demonstrated that RhoC GTPase was sufficient and required for PC-3 prostate cancer invasion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that targeted down-regulation of RhoC using either a dominant-negative RhoC or by specific shRNAs led to increased and sustained activation of Rac1 GTPase. Increased levels of active Rac1 led to morphological, molecular and phenotypic changes reminiscent of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, we demonstrated a requirement for active Rac1 GTPase in PC-3 tumor cell diapedesis across a bone marrow endothelial cell (BMEC) layer, an important step in prostate cancer skeletal metastasis. In the current study, we analyze the specific roles of Rac1, Rac3 and RhoG GTPases in tumor cell diapadesis. Use of specific siRNAs to down-regulate the individual Rac proteins demonstrated unique roles for each in promoting cell adhesion and diapedesis. We found Rac1 to be expressed at significantly higher levels than Rac3 or RhoG. However, RhoG appears to regulate PC-3 diapadesis at levels similar to Rac1. In contrast, Rac3 does not regulate diapadesis but controls PC-3 binding to substrates and BMECs. Together, these data suggest a role for coordinated activity of the Rac GTPases during diapadesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2356.
Localization of α1-adrenergic receptors in normal and weaver mouse brain with in vitro 125I-HEAT autoradiography

Abstract Using 125I-HEAT, a specific α1-adrenergic antagonist, we have autoradiographically localized α1-adrenergic receptors in the normal and weaver mutant mouse. Highest levels of binding in both the normal and weaver mouse were seen in the dorsal thalamus, external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb and intermediate layers of the frontoparietal cortex. These results essentially parallel those found in the rat, with some differences in the cortical pattern that are attributable to differences between the cytological organization in the two species. Reduced levels of binding in the agranular weaver cerebellum as compared to normals indicated that binding in the normal cerebellum was to receptors on granule cell dendrites.
Boiling heat transfer during rewetting

An analytical one-dimensional conduction model is developed for the rewetting of a hot surface. The solution scheme is not limited to a specific heat flux profile. Experimental results falling within the range of validity of the one-dimensional solution are correlated using a generalized pool boiling curve. The effect of various heat transfer parameters such as inlet velocity and local subcooling is discussed. A unique relationship is shown to exist between the dimensionless quench front velocity, which is defined here as an eigenvalue of the governing equation, the ratio of the integral of the dimensionless heat flux, and the integral of the surface axial temperature gradient.
A pilot study of the effectiveness of citalopram in patients with premenstrual syndrome with prior selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment failure

Abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a chronic mood disorder experienced by reproductive-aged women. Evidence suggests that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) effectively reduce PMS symptoms. A randomized, placebo-controlled study of citalopram (CIT), the most selective SSRI, demonstrated that intermittent dosing (luteal phase) significantly reduced PMS symptoms. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of CIT in patients with PMS who did not respond to previous SSRIs. Methods: Sixteen women (10 intermittent, 6 daily) with no symptom improvement after two menstrual cycles on an SSRI were given open-label CIT (20–40 mg/day). Scores on the 17-item daily symptom report (DSR) and for each of 5 symptom clusters measured CIT efficacy. Intermittent and daily dosing scores were compared. Results: Baseline DSR scores were significantly improved ( P = 0.02) in both groups, with no difference between the intermittent and daily dosing groups. Clinical improvement (≥50% decrease in DSR) was reported by 80% and 66% of the intermittent and daily dosing groups, respectively. Symptoms were reduced to postmenstrual levels in 60% of the intermittent dosing group. Mood ( P = 0.01) and appetite ( P = 0.01) improved significantly. Function and pain also improved. Conclusion: Citalopram significantly reduced PMS symptoms in patients who failed previous SSRI treatment. These data suggest that intermittent CIT dosing is effective in the treatment of PMS.
Quantitative studies on the interaction of concanavalin A, the carbohydrate-binding protein of the jack bean, with model carbohydrate-protein conjugates.

Abstract The interaction of concanavalin A with a comprehensive series of carbohydrate-bovine serum albumin comjugates was investigated by agar gel diffusion and quantitative precipitation techniques. These studies showed that when conjugated to bovine serum albumin, those sugars which inhibited concanavalin A-polysaccharide interaction formed a precipitate with concanavalin A. The unexpected reactivity of the p -phenylazo s- D -glucopyranoside-bovine serum albumin conjugate is rationalized on the basis of inhibition data employing several aryl and alkylglycosides.
Rotational and Predissociation Lifetimes of the A²Σ⁺ State of OD

The lifetime and predissociation probabilities of various rotational levels of the A2∑+ state of OD were measured. A strong predissociation at N′ = 35 was observed. This predissociation could be explained by the level crossing of the A2∑+ state with the repulsive 4∑− state which are mixed by a weak spin–orbit interaction.
Model interfaces for two-way obliviousness

A key problem in software development is producing systems that are maintainable even as the concerns at play evolve. Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) seeks to foster maintainability by isolating the specifications of cross-cutting concerns, allowing them to be modified in relative isolation from the rest of the system. Research in aspect-oriented modeling (AOM) aims to develop a model-layer analogue of AOP, allowing integration with accepted modeling practices. Aspects usually allow developers of the primary model to be oblivious to the aspects that modify the primary model; because of this, aspects can be closely coupled to potentially transient details of the primary model. When those details change, the aspects that depend on them may no longer have the desired effect. In this paper, we introduce model interfaces as a solution to the problem of obliviousness by extending a graph-transformational approach to AOM.
Analogy and expert systems: Some epistemic elements in their design

An expert system is a constructed analogue of human memory, thinking and language. The epistemic elements involved in the design of an expert system are six: (a) the metatheory of analogy; (b) the structural, substantive, processual and telic characteristics of the analogue; (c) the cognitive state of knowing built into the expert system; (d) the relation of knowing and believing to the interpretation of an expert system's derived results; (e) the principle of the unity of fact and value built into the expert system; (f) the interpretation of the expert system's calculated results, given the unity of fact and value built into the expert system. Prolog is used to illustrate expert systems design. The expert system is found to be the subjective product of the designer's intentions. Additionally, the expert system as artifact is a factually-ladened value.
Moving Forward in HIV Vaccine Development

Early in the AIDS epidemic, efforts to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV infection were focused on two vaccine strategies. It was hoped that the HIV envelope glycoprotein (gp120) would generate an antibody response that would block the initiation of HIV infections, and that a recombinant canary pox construct expressing HIV genes would elicit cellular immune responses that would inhibit HIV replication. However, the nature of the immune responses elicited by each of these vaccine candidates in monkeys and human subjects proved disappointing ( 1 – 3 ). Despite these results, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) proceeded with plans to initiate the RV144 trial in Thailand to test the efficacy of a vaccine regimen that included both agents. At that time, the U.S. National Institutes of Health assumed responsibility for a major component of the DOD HIV/AIDS program, and provided a substantial proportion of the funding for the Thai trial.
Prediction of Timing Constraint Violation for Real-Time Embedded Systems with Known Transient Hardware Failure Distribution Model

We apply interval-based timing constraint satisfaction probability results to predict timing constraint violations in real-time embedded system with a known hardware transient failure model. A previous study indicated that hardware transient failures follow a Poisson distribution with an average failure arrival rate lambda. Under this model, the distribution of time intervals between successive failures follows an exponential distribution with the same parameter lambda. Our goal is to use the statistical transient failure models to calculate the earliest time at which we can predict, with a determined level of confidence, that a given timing constraint may be violated. This earlier prediction provides time-critical systems with valuable time before the deadline is reached to adapt themselves, and hence, to minimize possible negative impacts caused by timing constraint violations
Default knowledge and measures of specificity

Abstract The problem of representing and manipulating typical or default knowledge is a central concern in the development of knowledge-based systems. We suggest an approach to addressing this problem which has the advantage of also being able to work in environments in which the knowledge is imprecise. We first discuss the framework of the theory of approximate reasoning. We then discuss measures of specificity of a proposition and describe their usefulness as measures of the amount of information in a proposition or knowledge base. We introduce a new class of specificity measures, called linear measures of specificity. We next discuss the idea of a default proposition and suggest that its intention is to provide the maximal information possible without causing conflicts. We then suggest the use of the optimization of the specificity as a method for providing the maximal information associated with a knowledge base. We call the process of optimization of associated default type knowledge the effectation process.
Pharmacometabolomic Signature of Ataxia SCA1 Mouse Model and Lithium Effects

We have shown that lithium treatment improves motor coordination in a spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) disease mouse model (Sca1(154Q/+)). To learn more about disease pathogenesis and molecular contributions to the neuroprotective effects of lithium, we investigated metabolomic profiles of cerebellar tissue and plasma from SCA1-model treated and untreated mice. Metabolomic analyses of wild-type and Sca1(154Q/+) mice, with and without lithium treatment, were performed using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry and BinBase mass spectral annotations. We detected 416 metabolites, of which 130 were identified. We observed specific metabolic perturbations in Sca1(154Q/+) mice and major effects of lithium on metabolism, centrally and peripherally. Compared to wild-type, Sca1(154Q/+) cerebella metabolic profile revealed changes in glucose, lipids, and metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and purines. Fewer metabolic differences were noted in Sca1(154Q/+) mouse plasma versus wild-type. In both genotypes, the major lithium responses in cerebellum involved energy metabolism, purines, unsaturated free fatty acids, and aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acids. The largest metabolic difference with lithium was a 10-fold increase in ascorbate levels in wild-type cerebella (p<0.002), with lower threonate levels, a major ascorbate catabolite. In contrast, Sca1(154Q/+) mice that received lithium showed no elevated cerebellar ascorbate levels. Our data emphasize that lithium regulates a variety of metabolic pathways, including purine, oxidative stress and energy production pathways. The purine metabolite level, reduced in the Sca1(154Q/+) mice and restored upon lithium treatment, might relate to lithium neuroprotective properties.
Individualized treatment of pediatric craniopharyngiomas

The treatment of children with craniopharyngiomas should be individualized because of their heterogeneous clinical and radiographic characteristics. We performed this study to correlate the clinical and radiographic features at the time of presentation with the multimodality treatments the children received. Medical records were reviewed for children with craniopharyngiomas who presented to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for their initial management between 1983 and 2004. Children were treated with microsurgical tumor resections (27), intracavitary irradiation with phosphorus 32 (32P) (12), and with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSR) (5). There were no deaths in any treatment group. Gross total resections were thought to be performed in 18 patients and were confirmed by imaging in 13 of the 18 patients. The primary operative morbidities were hormonal and visual. Every child needed at least two replacement hormones and most had panhypopituitarism. Vision worsened postoperatively in 5 of 27 children. There was no operative morbidity or mortality from 32P. After 32P treatment, one child required a later cyst aspiration and one required a craniotomy for progressive cyst enlargement. There was no morbidity or mortality from GKSR, which achieved tumor stabilization or shrinkage in 4 of 5 cases. Resections, 32P, and GKSR are complimentary treatment modalities for children with craniopharyngiomas. Their indications and outcomes differ, but all should be available in the treatment armamentarium.
Modification of the standard epifluorescence microscopic method for total bacterial counts in environmental samples

Abstract Acridine orange direct count (AODC) is a popular method for determining microbial numbers in environmental samples via epifluorescence microscopy. We have found that the color of the fluorescing cells (green vs orange-red cells) depends on the level of moisture on the filter and that the percentage of green-fluorescing cells decreases when the filter is dry. Since the level of moisture can vary across the filter and is difficult to control in any case, the use of color as a basis for inferring cell activity is not justified. The proportion of cells fluorescing green on a previously dried filter can be greatly increased by remoistening the filter prior to microscopic examination. This is advantageous since cells which fluoresce green are more easily visualized than orange-red fluorescing cells. We therefore propose modification of the Standard Methods protocol for AODC to include the remoistening step.
Old Order Mennonite One‐Room School: A Case Study

This case study describes the building, curriculum, students, teacher, and instructional methods of an Old Order Mennonite one-room school in Pennsylvania. It was found that the students spend most of their time working on individual assignments and that the Mennonite heritage permeates the school. Analysis of the data indicates that this Old Order Mennonite school is one of the most important sociocultural instruments to socialize Mennonite children. The one-room school aids the community in resisting social change. MENNONITE EDUCATION, ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS, RURAL EDUCATION
Newspapers experiment online: Story content after a decade on the web

Mainstream US newspapers since the 1890s moved away from event-centered news of local persons and places and toward interpretative news of more distant issues, a trend called the new long journalism that continued when the press moved online. By the mid-2000s social media and web interactivity were common, and print news had not yet entered the profitability and jobs crisis-to-come. A study in 2005 replicates and extends the baseline measures of online news content. The long journalism trends continued for politics, a core topic in serving the public, and for NYTimes.com, a leader in the media and innovator online. But for breaking news topics such as accidents and for less prominent news outlets, online content moved toward shorter, less analytical coverage linked to individuals, other current happenings, and an especially local focus. The results show how journalists were experimenting at a key moment in the development of online news.
“We don’t tell people what to do”: An examination of the factors influencing NGO decisions to campaign for reduced meat consumption in light of climate change

Abstract To date, efforts by non-governmental organizations to encourage reduced meat consumption in light of climate change have been quite limited, particularly among environmental non-governmental organizations. This study sought to examine the factors influencing non-governmental organization decisions to establish and sustain dedicated public education and/or policy advocacy campaigns on this issue. More specifically, a grounded theory approach was used to examine environmental, food-focused, and animal protection non-governmental organizations in the U.S., Sweden, and Canada. Results indicate that the relatively limited degree of engagement is primarily attributable to the fact that few non-governmental organization staffers felt that addressing meat consumption within a climate change context was a part of their core missions. Reduced meat consumption was also seen as an issue with limited social and political appeal. Further, many environmental non-governmental organizations appeared to be reluctant to mount campaigns explicitly encouraging personal behavior change of any type. Cross- non-governmental organization collaboration or the creation of additional non-governmental organizations with missions focused on this specific issue may be needed to increase the level of campaigning on this issue.
A physician oriented method for clinical information retrieval

A system is described whereby a physician can, by use of a simple language, effectively search a large amount of active clinical patient data. The language, which is in everyday use has been found to be easily learnable. The language allows partitioning a file in a number of different ways, thus permitting the chronology of a patient's record to be a search parameter. The output from the search provides a count of the documents searched, the proportion that satisfy the search, and the identifying numbers of those documents which contain the desired information. At the option of the user, the output may be supplemented by all or part of those documents which met the requirements of the search.