cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Pain Mediate or Moderate the Effect of Cognitive Impairment on Aggression in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

Summary Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate if pain mediates or moderates the relationship between cognitive impairment and aggressive behaviors in nursing home residents with dementia based on the Need-driven Dementia-compromised Behavior model. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the Minimum Data Set assessment data on long-term care from the state of Florida during calendar year 2009. The data used in this study was the first comprehensive assessment data from residents with dementia ( N = 56,577) in Medicare-certified or Medicaid-certified nursing homes. Path analysis using a series of hierarchical regression analyses and two-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the mediating and moderating effect of pain on the relationship between the level of cognitive impairment and aggression. Results Results indicated that pain did not mediate the relationship between cognition and aggressive behaviors, but there was evidence of a significant moderating effect of pain only for residents with severe cognitive impairment. Only among the residents with severe cognitive impairment, those with pain had significantly more frequent aggressive behaviors than those without pain. Conclusion A change in the frequency of aggressive behaviors in severely cognitively impaired residents should signal the possibility that the person is experiencing pain. Accurate but simple pain assessment in this population including these behavioral changes should be developed further, and pain should be well controlled to reduce these problematic behaviors.
Physiographic Features on the Outer Shelf and Upper Slope, Atlantic Continental Margin, Southeastern United States

Both erosional and constructional processes appear to have formed physiographic features near the shelf break along the southeastern United States, as indicated by extensive echosounder profiles, rock-dredge material, and bottom photographs. Between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, four distinct physiographic areas are delineated, each having characteristic morphologies and lithologies. The ridges and well-defined troughs on the outer shelf and upper slope (depths of about 50 to 150 m) between Cape Hatteras and Cape Fear may be related largely to earlier Gulf Stream erosion, and the rocks (algal limestones and sandstones) and sediments dredged from these features probably are mainly Holocene, relict shallow-water deposits forming a thin veneer over this erosional surface of the sea floor. Relatively rapid accumulation of pre-Holocene sediments may account for the general absence of pronounced physiographic features on the outer shelf and upper slope from Cape Fear to Cape Kennedy . Ledges, small terraces, and rises (depths of 50 to 110 m) in this area are probably Holocene features eroded into, or constructed on the pre-Holocene sediments, which are covered by transgressive Holocene algal limestones and sandstones similar to those collected to the north. The lithology, together with radiocarbon dates of rock material, indicate that well-defined ridges in depths of 70 to 90 m between Cape Kennedy and Palm Beach are relict oolitic ridges or “dunes” formed during the Holocene transgression; these features are now covered by modern Oculina sp. coral debris. From Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale, where the continental shelf is narrow and shallow, a small ridge present at the shelf break (15 to 30 m) is thought to be an “inactive” coral reef.
Viking Orbiter observations of the Mars opposition effect

Viking television photography of two dust storms that occurred during the Viking extended mission are used to show that the enhancement of the opposition effect at short wavelengths reported during the 1967 and 1969 oppositions does not appear to be an atmospheric effect, as previously suggested. The brightness changes near 0 deg phase as seen by the Viking Orbiters during the June 15, 1977, dust storm are modeled, yielding first-order aerosol parameters that tend to suppress the opposition effect in violet light. It is proposed that the opposition-effect phenomenon, if real, might be characterized by assuming a surface covered with a particle microstructure of the same single-scattering albedo found for the June dust-storm aerosols, combined with a lunar phase function (macrostructure).
In vivo severe corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement of retrieved modular body titanium alloy hip‐implants

Titanium alloys are widely used in total-joint replacements due to a combination of outstanding mechanical properties, biocompatibility, passivity, and corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, retrieval studies have pointed out that these materials can be subjected to localized or general corrosion in modular interfaces when mechanical abrasion of the oxide film (fretting) occurs. Modularity adds large crevice environments, which are subject to micromotion between contacting interfaces and differential aeration of the surface. Titanium alloys are also known to be susceptible to hydrogen absorption, which can induce precipitation of hydrides and subsequent brittle failure. In this work, the surface of three designs of retrieved hip-implants with Ti-6Al-4V/Ti-6Al-4V modular taper interfaces in the stem were investigated for evidence of severe corrosion and precipitation of brittle hydrides during fretting-crevice corrosion in the modular connections. The devices were retrieved from patients and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and chemical analysis. The surface qualitative investigation revealed severe corrosion attack in the mating interfaces with evidence of etching, pitting, delamination, and surface cracking. In vivo hydrogen embrittlement was shown to be a mechanism of degradation in modular connections resulting from electrochemical reactions induced in the crevice environment of the tapers during fretting-crevice corrosion.
Reduction of murine mammary tumor metastasis by conjugated linoleic acid

Recent studies have shown that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can inhibit the initiation and thus, incidence of mammary tumors in rodents. The concentration of CLA required for these effects was as low as 0.1% of the diet, with no increased effects above 1%. To date, there is little evidence that CLA has any effect on growth or metastasis of mammary tumors. In this report, we demonstrate that CLA, at the concentrations used in previous studies, had a significant effect on the latency, metastasis, and pulmonary tumor burden of transplantable murine mammary tumors grown in mice fed 20% fat diets. The latency of tumors from mice fed CLA was significantly increased when compared with the 0% CLA control diet. The volume of pulmonary tumor burden, as a result of spontaneous metastasis, decreased proportionately with increasing concentrations of dietary CLA. With 0.5 and 1% CLA, pulmonary tumor burden was significantly decreased compared to mice treated with the eicosanoid inhibitor, indomethacin and fed diets containing no CLA. Tumors of mice fed as little as 0.1% CLA and as much as 1% had significantly decreased numbers of pulmonary nodules when compared with diets containing no CLA. The decrease in the number of pulmonary nodules by CLA was nearly as effective as indomethacin, a known suppressor of tumor growth and metastasis in this malignant model. These data suggest that effects of CLA on mammary tumorigenesis may go beyond the reported alterations in tumor incidence and effect later stages, especially metastasis.
A combined phase I-phase II projective algorithm for linear programming

We devise a projective algorithm which explicitly considers the constraint that an artificial variable be zero at the solution. Inclusion of such a constraint allows the algorithm to be applied to a (possibly infeasible) standard form linear program, without the addition of any “bigM“ terms or conversion to a primal-dual problem.
The unsilent majority–TRPV1 drives “spontaneous” transmission of unmyelinated primary afferents within cardiorespiratory NTS

Cranial primary afferent sensory neurons figure importantly in homeostatic control of visceral organ systems. Of the two broad classes of visceral afferents, the role of unmyelinated or C-type class remains poorly understood. This review contrasts key aspects of peripheral discharge properties of C-fiber afferents and their glutamate transmission mechanisms within the solitary tract nucleus (NTS). During normal prevailing conditions, most information arrives at the NTS through myelinated A-type nerves. However, most of visceral afferent axons (75–90%) in NTS are unmyelinated, C-type axons. Centrally, C-type solitary tract (ST) afferent terminals have presynaptic transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptors. Capsaicin activation of TRPV1 blocks phasic or synchronous release of glutamate but facilitates release of glutamate from a separate pool of vesicles. This TRPV1-operated pool of vesicles is active at normal temperatures and is responsible for actively driving a 10-fold higher release of glutamate at TRPV1 compared with TRPV1− terminals even in the absence of afferent action potentials. This novel TRPV1 mechanism is responsible for an additional asynchronous release of glutamate that is not present in myelinated terminals. The NTS is rich with presynaptic G protein-coupled receptors, and the implications of TRPV1-operated glutamate offer unique targets for signaling in C-type sensory afferent terminals from neuropeptides, inflammatory mediators, lipid metabolites, cytokines, and cannabinoids. From a homeostatic view, this combination could have broad implications for integration in chronic pathological disturbances in which the numeric dominance of C-type endings and TRPV1 would broadly disturb multisystem control mechanisms.
Historical and Projected Climate Trends Along the Appalachian Trail, USA, and the Implications for Trail Usage

Recent climate analyses indicate that average global temperature is rising and both global drought occurrence and precipitation intensity are increasing. The nature of climate change is unique to each location, and its impact, both positive and negative, is predicted to be widespread. One area to be potentially affected includes management and use of outdoor natural resources such as the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 3500 km continuous hiking trail in the eastern United States. Observed historical (1895-2008) and projected future (to 2099) seasonal temperature and precipitation trends were examined along the AT. The AT has generally warmed since 1895, with greater warming occurring more recently. The warming has been greatest in the northern part of the AT and during winter. Precipitation trends show wide spatial variation depending upon the season, but generally precipitation has increased more in the northern than southern AT. Temperature and precipitation are projected to increase for all regions during al...
Analysis of visual pigment absorbance and luminescence emission spectra in marine ostracodes (Crustacea: Ostracoda)

Abstract 1. 1. The luminescence emission spectra and the visual pigment absorbance spectra in digitonin extracts were examined and compared for marine luminescent ostracodes. 2. 2. The rhodopsin absorbance spectrum of one non-luminescent species was determined for comparison. 3. 3. For all species examined (Vargula tsujii, V. graminicola and Skogsbergia lerneri), the difference spectra for visual pigment absorbance peaked at 460 nm. 4. 4. The luminescence emission spectra were measured by means of a computer controlled optical multi-channel analyser (OMA). 5. 5. For the two luminescent species examined (V. graminicola and V. shulmanae), the λmax of the emitted light was 473 nm with full width at half maxima (FWHM) of about 80 nm. 6. 6. The luminescence emission spectra were also determined for male/female, adult/juvenile and dried/live pairs of V. graminicola. 7. 7. All had a λmax of 473 nm and in all cases the curves were unimodal with the FWHM of 80 nm. 8. 8. V. graminicola and V. shulmanae are found in Panama in the Caribbean and the males emit their luminescence in complex display patterns (signals) for purposes of attracting receptive females. 9. 9. Since the emission spectra for these two signalling species were similar, it would appear that species recognition is not based on wavelength but rather some other aspect of the luminescent display.
An Infrared Beam Projector for Use in Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

When the infrared spectrum of a sample is to be recorded, it is not always convenient to locate the sample and its supportive apparatus within the sample chamber of a spectrometer. The beam-projecting device described herein permits redirection of the infrared beam from the sample chamber to a location outside the spectrometer. Thus the effort required to obtain infrared spectra of in situ samples using a Fourier transform spectrometer is greatly reduced. The unique capability of this infrared beam projector is its ability to accommodate the large diameter beam of a Fourier transform spectrometer, even in the far infrared mode, without appreciable loss of throughput.
Venous Thrombosis: Detection via Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be an effective tool for evaluating the vascular system. MR imaging has proven to be a safe and reliable method for detecting venous thromboses. MRI can be used in place of venography, computed tomography (CT), or sonography as the initial study in almost all patients suspected of having occlusion of a major venous channel.
Reserpine effect on the axonal transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase in rat brain

Abstract Selective, unilateral lesions with 6-hydroxydopamine in the rostral forebrain of rats were used to interrupt ascending noradrenergic axons to produce an accumulation of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (D-β-H) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activities proximal to the lesion. The difference between endogenous plus accumulated enzyme activity on the D-β-H-damaged side, and endogenous activity on the nondamaged side was used as an index of axonal transport. Both D-β-H and TH activities accumulated linearly for 48 h in the anterior hypothalamic sections proximal to such lesions. While D-β-H activity decreased toward baseline over the next 4 days, TH activity remained at the 48-h levels, suggesting a faster turnover time of D-β-H activity at the lesion site. Accumulation of both enzymes was totally blocked by ipsilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions in the ascending dorsal and ventral noradrenergic bundles, suggesting that dopaminergic fibers did not contribute significantly to the accumulation of TH activity. Reserpine induced D-β-H and TH production in noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus was followed, after a delay of days, by increased levels in distally innervated regions. Single-dose reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) administration produced transient and sporadic decreases in the axonal transport of D-β-H and TH during the first 5 days after injection, followed by a steady increase to 693% of control for D-β-H at 7 days and 270% at 8 days for TH. Hypothalamic enzyme activities were unchanged until the 5th day when D-β-H activities decreased and then, in association with increased axonal transport, D-β-H increased steadily to a peak of 160% at 6 days and TH values to 270% of control on the 8th postreserpine day. Axonal transport of D-β-H returned to baseline at 22 days and TH transport returned to baseline at 15 days and was increased by 40% at 22 days. These results suggest that although reserpine induces the formation of new enzyme in noradrenergic cell bodies in 1 to 3 days, the subsequent appearance of increased enzyme activity in terminal regions innervated by these neurons is delayed due to a delay in the onset of increased enzyme transport from the cell bodies.
Fixed combination therapy of hypertension: focus on valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination (Diovan®/HCT)

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Monotherapy of hypertension is often ineffective, since it controls approximately 50% of the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. For lowering blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg (or <130/80 mmHg among people with diabetes or chronic renal disease) according to JNC-7 guidelines, combination therapy of two or more drugs is often necessary. The combination of a diuretic with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) is effective and provides the additional benefit of blocking the effects of angiotensin II, which is responsible for cardiovascular remodeling and its complications. ARBs may have an advantage over the ACEIs because they block the action of all angiotensin II directly, whereas ACEIs are ineffective in blocking angiotensin II generated by nonclassical ACE pathways. Valsartan (Diovan, Novartis) is one of the seven currently approved ARBs in the USA for the treatment of hypertension, and it has been shown to be very effective in controlling blood pressure given once-daily in doses of 80-160 or 320 mg. Its fixed combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) is even more effective in controlling blood pressure in 70% of the cases. The most commonly used combinations are valsartan/HCT (Diovan/HCT), 80/12.5 and 160/12.5 mg given once-daily.
Essential fatty acids and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review.

AIM Essential fatty acids (EFAs), also known as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have been claimed to have beneficial effects as a treatment for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Animal experiments have provided information about the role of EFA in the brain, and several mechanisms of EFA activity are well known. The current review provides an updated, systematic overview of the theory and use of EFA in ADHD. METHOD Clinical studies and review papers of EFA blood levels and EFA supplementation trials in children with ADHD were researched in the Medline PubMed database. Additional studies were found from the references of these reports. RESULTS Children with ADHD present lower levels of blood EFAs, and open-label EFA supplementation trials in ADHD raise EFA blood levels and improve symptoms of ADHD. Randomized controlled trials, however, have generally been unsuccessful in demonstrating any behavioural treatment effects. INTERPRETATION Current findings do not support the use of EFA supplements as a primary or supplementary treatment for children with ADHD.
Nearctic earthworm fauna in the southern USA: biodiversity and effects on ecosystem processes.

An important aspect of biodiversity is the relative importance of species in the functioning of ecosystems; this is particularly so for the soil biota which regulate organic matter and nutrient dynamics in soil. This paper explores some of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem processes, using the example of the nearctic earthworm fauna in the glacial refugium of the southern USA. Competitive exclusion of nearctic earthworm species by exotic species has been postulated but there is little direct evidence of it; habitat alteration is the likely cause of native species decline. Reduced earthworm diversity may or may not strongly affect certain ecosystem processes, but more diverse assemblages may more effectively exploit soil resources and influence a wider array of processes. Nearctic species may be better adapted than exotics to local conditions and thus more strongly influence ecosystem processes. Earthworm communities provide a clear case for the union of functional and taxonomic biodiversity studies, because of the recognized ecological strategies of many species. However, some nearctic taxa may deviate from these strategies. Earthworms utilize course woody debris in forests both as a refuge and a resource, while enhancing the decomposition of wood. Management strategies to maintain or increase biodiversity of soil biota should include residual wood on the forest floor. An important task for ecosystem management is to restore biodiversity in degraded ecosystems; introduction programmes and techniques such as periodic burning may increase the abundance and diversity of native earthworm species. Whole ecosystem conservation and management are probably the most practical ways to conserve biodiversity generally and may be the only ways to maintain soil biodiversity.
Rapid Species Determination of Nocardia Keratitis Using Pyrosequencing Technology

Purpose To describe a new technique, pyrosequencing, which allows for the rapid identification of Mycobacterium and Nocardia species. Design Interventional case report. Methods The medical records of a patient presenting with an infectious keratitis were reviewed. Results A case of Nocardia abscessus/arthrititis/asiatica keratitis was diagnosed in a young individual with the aid of pyrosequencing technology. Based on presumed antibiotic sensitivities, therapy with topical trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole eyedrops was initiated, and the infection was cleared rapidly with minimal residual scarring. Conclusions Pyrosequencing may be a useful tool in aiding the rapid diagnosis and treatment of ocular infections caused by slow-growing pathogens.
Possible Association of Amelogenin to High Caries Experience in a Guatemalan-Mayan Population

There is evidence for a genetic component in caries susceptibility, but the disease is greatly influenced by environmental factors, which are extremely difficult to control in humans. For the present
Assessing Fish Populations in Remote Subarctic Lakes Using Hydroacoustics

Abstract High latitudes of North America and Asia have many unstudied small lakes. The remoteness of these lakes presents a challenge to biologists who manage these systems. At Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska we evaluated the use of mobile hydroacoustic surveys as a tool for assessing unstudied lakes and setting priorities for further study. We sampled 50-ha Hole Lake in July 2002 with a 120-kHz split-beam hydroacoustic system, completing four surveys at different times throughout daylight and darkness. Despite day-night changes in distribution of fishes in the lake we found no significant differences in relative biomass, density, or in the detection of larger fish targets that may be of importance from a fisheries management perspective. However, between-transect variability in acoustic measures was high and may have masked the ability to detect these changes. Nonetheless, a simple design bisecting the study lake that was completed in 25 min was capable of detecting fish populations of potentia...
The empirical behavior of sampling methods for stochastic programming

We investigate the quality of solutions obtained from sample-average approximations to two-stage stochastic linear programs with recourse. We use a recently developed software tool executing on a computational grid to solve many large instances of these problems, allowing us to obtain high-quality solutions and to verify optimality and near-optimality of the computed solutions in various ways.
Synthesis of iron pyrite nanocrystals utilizing trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) for photovoltaic devices

Abstract Iron pyrite nanocrystals with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) were synthesized and characterized bearing in mind their use for photovoltaic devices. The nanocrystals were characterized by using optical absorption, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical absorbance spectra exhibit large absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral range. Utilizing the X-ray diffraction, the FeS2 nanocrystals were found to have a face-centered cubic structure by comparing and matching the pattern to a data reference pattern. The SEM and TEM images indicate that the FeS2 nanocrystals exhibit face-centered cubic crystallographic structure.
A Challenge for All: Successfully Transferring Wealth and Management on Family Ranches

A Challenge for All: Successfully Transferring Wealth and Management on Family Ranches DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v31i2_dunn
Effectiveness of the B subunit of cholera toxin in potentiating immune responses to the recombinant hemagglutinin/adhesin domain of the gingipain Kgp from Porphyromonas gingivalis

The hemagglutinin/adhesin HArep domain is present in the gingipains HRgpA and Kgp and in the hemagglutinin HagA of Porphyromonas gingivalis and is felt to be important in the virulence of this bacterium. In the present study, we determined the immunogenicity of recombinant HArep from the gingipain Kgp (termed Kgp-rHArep) and the effectiveness of the B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB), compared to other adjuvants in potentiating a specific response to Kgp-rHArep following intranasal (i.n.) immunization of mice. Furthermore, we determined the effectiveness of anti-Kgp-rHArep antibodies in protection against P. gingivalis invasion of epithelial cells. Evidence is provided that Kgp-rHArep was effective in inducing immune responses following systemic or mucosal immunization. Kgp-rHArep induced both a Th1- and Th2-type response following i.n. immunization. Immunization of mice with Kgp-rHArep and CTB, either admixed or chemically conjugated to the antigen, via the i.n. route, resulted in a significant augmentation of the systemic and mucosal immune response to Kgp-rHArep, which was similar to or higher than the responses seen in mice immunized with antigen and the other adjuvants tested. CTB and the heat-labile toxin of Escherichia coli potentiated a Th1- and Th2-type response to Kgp-rHArep, whereas the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A preferentially promoted a Th1-type response to the antigen. Furthermore, anti-Kgp-rHArep antibodies were shown to protect against P. gingivalis invasion of epithelial cells in an in vitro system. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of certain mucosal adjuvants in potentiating and in altering the nature of the immune response to Kgp-rHArep following i.n. immunization, and provide evidence for the potential usefulness of Kgp-rHArep for the development of a vaccine against periodontal disease.
A Continuous Kinetic Assay for Adenylation Enzyme Activity and Inhibition

Abstract Adenylation/adenylate-forming enzymes catalyze the activation of a carboxylic acid at the expense of ATP to form an acyl-adenylate intermediate and pyrophosphate (PPi). In a second half-reaction, adenylation enzymes catalyze the transfer of the acyl moiety of the acyl-adenylate onto an acceptor molecule, which can be either a protein or a small molecule. We describe the design, development, and validation of a coupled continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenylation enzymes that employs hydroxylamine as a surrogate acceptor molecule, leading to the formation of a hydroxamate. The released pyrophosphate from the first half-reaction is measured using the pyrophosphatase–purine nucleoside phosphorylase coupling system with the chromogenic substrate 7-methylthioguanosine (MesG). The coupled hydroxamate–MesG assay is especially useful for characterizing the activity and inhibition of adenylation enzymes that acylate a protein substrate and/or fail to undergo rapid ATP–PPi exchange.
Identification of Chlamydia trachomatis in the human temporomandibular joint.

Purpose: Reactive arthritis (ReA) as a consequence of triggering Chlamydia trachomatis infections has been extensively studied to better understand inflammatory arthritis. This study investigated whether the presence of C trachomatis can be shown in the TMJ of patients with internal derangement. Patients and Methods: Posterior bilaminar tissue removed from 31 patients (29 F, 2 M) during TMJ articular disc repositioning and posterior ligament repair was tested for the presence of C trachomatis. Cryosections were stained using a monoclonal antibody that identifies all chlamydial serovars. Highly specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays independently targeting two genes of p p ]C trachomatis also were performed; these assays also identify all serovars of this organism. Results: TMJ tissue from 6 of 30 patients (20%) showed the presence of C trachomatis in the posterior bilaminar tissue on immunostaining. PCR screening identified 12 of 31 patients (39%) as having C trachomatis DNA in tissue, including four of six positive by immunostaining. All chlamydia-positive patients were female, with an average age of 36.7 years (15 to 48 years). Conclusions: The presence of C trachomatis in the human TMJ has not been previously shown. The presence of this organism may serve as the pathogenetic mechanism for TMJ dysfunction, as demonstrated in other joints. Nonapparent chlamydial infection in females may also explain the marked prevalence of TMJ symptoms in women.
Effects of BST on oviductal and uterine genes encoding components of the IGF system in lactating dairy cows

Lactating Holstein cows, averaging 80 d in milk, were used to examine effects of exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST) on oviductal and uterine genes encoding components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. About 12 h before expected ovulation in an Ovsynch protocol, cows were assigned randomly to receive bST (500 mg; n = 11) or serve as untreated controls (n = 10). Cows that ovulated (n = 9 bST, 8 control) were divided within treatment to be sacrificed on d 3 or 7 postovulation. Samples of oviductal and intercaruncular endometrial tissue from oviducts and uterine horns ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL) were collected and immediately frozen at -80 degrees C for subsequent mRNA analyses. Northern blots revealed mRNAs for IGF-II, IGF-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2), and IGFBP-3 in all oviductal and endometrial tissues. Significant amounts of IGF-I and growth hormone receptor-1A (GHR-1A) mRNAs were detected in uteri but not in oviducts. The bST treatment had no effect on amount of IGF-I mRNA transcript in uterine endometrium. The mRNA encoding IGF-II was induced by bST in oviducts collected on both d 3 and 7 but was down-regulated in endometrium on d 7. Transcript of IGFBP-2 mRNA was greater in endometrial than oviductal tissues and did not differ between treatments. Both oviductal and endometrial IGFBP-3 mRNA concentrations increased between d 3 and 7 postovulation, with a tendency for greater endometrial IGFBP-3 mRNA in bST-treated cows on d 7. On d 7, concentrations of endometrial GHR-1A mRNA were 30% lower in bST-treated cows. Results indicate complex and tissue-specific regulation of the uterine IGF system components by exogenous bST. Some of those biological responses to bST may be important in early development of bovine embryos.
The Schistosoma mansoni egg-derived r38 peptide-induced Th1 response affects the synchronous pulmonary but not the asynchronous hepatic granuloma growth.

Summary The p38 peptide derived from Schistosoma mansoni egg-antigens (SEA) is a preferential inducer of the Th1 response. In the present study, we investigated whether induction of a p38-specific Th1 or Th2 response can influence granuloma development in infected or sensitized mice. Mice sensitized with SEA/IL-12 3 weeks after infection but before worm oviposition commenced developed Th1 cytokine responses and had significantly reduced hepatic granuloma size. Similar immunization with p38/IL-12 induced a strong peptide-specific Th1, mixed SEA-specific Th1/Th2 responses without effect on hepatic granuloma development. Presentation of p38 with alum or alum/IL-12 mixture enhanced Th2 cytokine responses and hepatic granuloma sizes. In the synchronized pulmonary model, sensitization of naive mice with p38/IL-12 induced a strong Th1 cytokine production to p38 and SEA, led to a moderate increase in granuloma growth at days 4 and 8 following egg injection and actually promoted the resolution of the lesion by day 16. Sensitization with p38 in alum induced Th2 cytokine production and generated the largest granulomas whereas the p38/alum/IL-12 sensitized group showed intermediate results in cytokine production and granuloma growth. Thus, in infected mice, the p38 induced strong Th1 response was insufficient to cross-regulate the evolving Th2 environment that generated large granulomas.
Correcting effect sizes for score reliability: A reminder that measurement and substantive issues are linked inextricably

The present article emphasizes that measurement issues must be explicitly considered even in studies that focus on substantive questions. First, dynamics associated with insufficient attention being paid to score reliabilities in substantive studies are discussed. Next, reasons to adjust effect size indices for score unreliability are presented. Finally, some procedures for adjusting effect sizes for score reliability are briefly reviewed.
Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonism effects on rat ultrasonic vocalizations.

Voice disorders manifest in the early stages of Parkinson disease (PD), suggesting the vulnerability of the laryngeal sensorimotor system to mild alterations in dopamine signaling. Previous research has demonstrated that manipulations of central dopamine result in acoustic changes in rat ultrasonic vocalization (USV) and selective manipulation of receptor subtypes results in dose dependent changes in call rate and complexity. However, no study has specifically focused on the influence of dopamine receptor subtypes on acoustic features of USV production. This study examined the influence of D1 and D2 receptor subtypes on voluntary laryngeal sensorimotor control (USV) and gross whole-body involvement. Rat USV acoustics and catalepsy descent time were analyzed following the administration of selective D1 and D2 receptor antagonists in isolation and in combination, and a vehicle control. Results support the hypothesis that degradations of the acoustic signal would be most severe following combined receptor antagonism (D1 + D2) compared with D1 or D2 receptor antagonism alone, and the vehicle (saline) condition. In addition, results indicate that selective D1 receptor antagonism alters acoustic parameters to a greater extent than D2 receptor antagonism. Thus, dopamine receptor subtypes appear to influence acoustic parameters to different degrees. Catalepsy descent time was longest following combined dopamine receptor antagonism but was also significantly increased with selective D1 or D2 antagonism. Together, these results support the potentially different contributions receptor subtypes play in cranial and limb sensorimotor control.
Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide: The Importance of Enemies and Apparency in Adaptation to Harsh Soil Environments

Abstract Bare, simplified searching environments, often associated with sparsely vegetated harsh soils, may cause both plant and animal inhabitants to be apparent and conspicuous. “Apparency” has been a key concept to explain the diversity of plant defensive chemistry but has been difficult to test. In animals, there is extensive work on camouflage and crypsis, adaptations to apparency that reduce detection by predators. Here, we explore apparency as a challenge in bare soil habitats characterized by sparse vegetative cover for both plants and animals. Using experiment and observation, we show that attack rates from enemies on vulnerable plants and undefended caterpillar models are greater in barer serpentine habitats than in adjacent more vegetated ones. Palatable Streptanthus species (Brassicaceae) may have adapted to apparency with a crypsis defense, typically considered the purview of animals. In Streptanthus breweri, leaf color is locally matched to soil outcrop color, and experimental mismatching of...
The effect of utility time-varying pricing and load control strategies on residential summer peak electricity use: A review

Abstract Peak demand for electricity in North America is expected to grow, challenging electrical utilities to supply this demand in a cost-effective, reliable manner. Therefore, there is growing interest in strategies to reduce peak demand by eliminating electricity use, or shifting it to non-peak times. This strategy is commonly called “demand response”. In households, common strategies are time-varying pricing, which charge more for energy use on peak, or direct load control, which allows utilities to curtail certain loads during high demand periods. We reviewed recent North American studies of these strategies. The data suggest that the most effective strategy is a critical peak price (CPP) program with enabling technology to automatically curtail loads on event days. There is little evidence that this causes substantial hardship for occupants, particularly if they have input into which loads are controlled and how, and have an override option. In such cases, a peak load reduction of at least 30% is a reasonable expectation. It might be possible to attain such load reductions without enabling technology by focusing on household types more likely to respond, and providing them with excellent support. A simple time-of-use (TOU) program can only expect to realise on-peak reductions of 5%.
A comparison of the mechanical designs of articulating total elbow prostheses

Abstract Mechanical design features for nine types of articulating total elbow prostheses (Stanmore, Pritchard Mark II, Capitello-Condylar, Coonrad 11, Wadsworth, Tri-axial, London, Schlein, Mayo) were compared. First, the prostheses were classified according to bearing surface constraint. Other design features assessed were location of the axis of rotation, range of motion, cubital angle, limits of varus/valgus motion and internal/external rotation, intercondylar width, stem dimensions, materials of construction and provisions for radial head replacement. A geometric method was developed to determine the location of the axis of rotation that each device would produce when implanted, relative to the long axis of the humerus. The method may also prove useful in preoperative planning. One device (Stanmore) was classified as constrained, five as semiconstrained and three as unconstrained. The offset in the location of the axis of rotation ranged from less than 1.5mm to greater than 4mm. Range of motion varied from a maximum flexion of 180° (Stanmore) to a maximum hyperextension of 165° (Mayo). One implant (Wadsworth) had a cubital angle of 0°. The semiconstrained designs allowed 7.5–11.8° of varus/valgus motion and/or internal/external rotation, and about 0.5mm of subluxation. Intercondylar width varied from 20–44mm, humeral stem length from about 68–181 mm, and ulnar length from about 23–82mm. Only one device included a radial head component. The wide variation in designs and reported general early incidence of clinical failures (chiefly stem loosening) make it clear that there is not yet a clear design consensus. Our analysis may help surgeons make necessary clinical choices and also provide a basis for assessing newer design ideas.
Removal of contaminants from soils by electrokinetics: A theoretical treatise

Abstract Feasibility and cost‐effectiveness of electrokinetic soil processing in the remediation of contaminated clayey soils has been demonstrated by bench‐scale studies and limited pilot‐scale studies. A review of the fundamentals controlling the process demonstrates that contaminant transport and removal by electrokinetics are dependent on several factors including electrode reactions, pH and surface chemistry of the soil, equilibrium chemistry of the aqueous system, electrochemical properties of the contaminants and hydrological properties of the soil medium. Chemical, hydraulic and electrical fluxes in electrokinetic processing are formalized. A theoretical model describing reactive solute transport is developed in a coupled system of differential/algebraic equations. Considerations for solutions are discussed. An important factor in the removal of contaminants is the transport of the acid front developed by the anode reaction. The basic equation describing the pH distribution resulting from electrod...
Evidence suggesting a role for hydroxyl radical in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced proteinuria

A single intravenous injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) results in marked proteinuria and glomerular morphological changes that are similar to minimal change disease in humans. We examined the effect of hydroxyl radical scavengers and an iron chelator on PAN-induced proteinuria. PAN in a dose of 5 mg/100 g body wt significantly increased urinary protein by day 5 (saline: 15 +/- 2, N = 24: PAN: 63 +/- 17, N = 23, P less than 0.001); the proteinuria rapidly increased thereafter, reaching 216 +/- 34, N = 23 by day 7. Concurrent administration of hydroxyl radical scavengers dimethylthiourea, (DMTU 500 mg/kg followed by 125 mg/kg i.p. twice a day) and sodium benzoate (BENZ, 150 mg/kg followed by 125 mg/kg i.p. twice a day) starting the evening before PAN injection markedly reduced proteinuria throughout the course of the study (urinary protein, mg/24 hours on day 7, mean +/- SEM: PAN: 229 +/- 45, N = 15; PAN + DMTU: 30 +/- 5, N = 18; PAN + BENZ: 80 +/- 18, N = 16. Because of the participation of iron in biological systems to generate hydroxyl radical, we also examined the effect of deferoxamine (DFO, 30 mg/day), an iron chelator, on the PAN-induced proteinuria. Concurrent administration of DFO was also protective. In a second series of experiments, DMTU and DFO (administered as described above and then for two additional days after the PAN) provided marked protection even when they were stopped prior to the onset of proteinuria. The protective effects of two hydroxyl radical scavengers and iron chelator implicate an important role for hydroxyl radical in PAN-induced nephrotic syndrome.
Influence of fear of falling on gait and balance in Parkinson's disease

AbstractPurpose: To study the relationship of fear of falling (FoF) with gait characteristics and balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: Seventy-nine non-demented individuals (62 males) with PD were studied. Their mean age was 69.22 ± 8.93 years. The average time since diagnosis was 8.27 ± 5.31 years. FoF was assessed by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale in which high scores indicate less FoF. Gait was measured using a computerized walkway. Balance was measured by timed tests including the 5-step test, 360 degree turn, timed sideways walk, and timed up and go test. Participants were divided into two groups based on their ABC score (high FoF, ABC score <69; low FoF, ABC score ≥69). Gait characteristics and balance measures of the two groups were compared. Results: Gait speed and stride length for forward walking (p < 0.0005 for both) and backward walking (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively) were lower for those with a high level of FoF compared to those with a low...
A Short-Range Scheduling Model for Blockbuster's Order-Processing Operation

Blockbuster Inc., a chain of VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and video game rental stores, has developed a highly specialized distribution network. The company maintains a single distribution center in which it receives products from suppliers, and processes and packs them for shipping to stores across the United States. The volumes of particular products and the number of different products shipped in a week have significant week-to-week volatility. Short lead times are typical because of supplier manufacturing delays and strict in-store due-date requirements. At the distribution center, processing and packing are scheduled through multiple processing departments that compete for use of shared merge conveyors and shared sortation systems. Blockbuster's general processing and packing goal is on-time delivery of products to stores while controlling costs. In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of a mixed-integer programming model to schedule Blockbuster's short-range order-processing operations. Implemented beginning in January 2007, the model has helped Blockbuster to maintain timely shipping, reduce related labor and transportation costs, improve capacity utilization, and attain a better understanding of how to achieve further improvements. Blockbuster's structure, in which multiple processing departments compete for subsequent shared resources, such as merge conveyors and sortation systems, is common in other industries; therefore, we also discuss the relevance of this model to other organizations.
Human immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling: Nuts and bolts

The human immunodeficiency virus poses an increasing health hazard to women. Physicians must recognize this risk and evaluate their patients for human immunodeficiency virus. Because of general increased awareness and the recommendations that all prenatal patients be offered human immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling, more and more women will be tested, yet counseling has not become a routine aspect in the evaluation of patients. This article reviews the key components of human immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling, including test interpretation, risk assessment, risk reduction, and pretest and posttest counseling. Familiarity with these areas should enable the practitioner to feel comfortable in providing this service.
Dealkylative decarboxylation. IV. A novel approach to ketene thioacetals

Abstract Reaction of 2-carbomethoxy-1,3-dithiane enolate with in equimolar mixture of trimethylacetyl chloride and an aldehyde followed by dealkylative decarboxylation of the resulting pivalate yields ketene thioacetals.
Developmental changes in pituitary-thyroid function in the human fetus and newborn

Maturation of the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis as reflected in cord serum thyroid hormone concentrations was assessed in premature and full term infants born between 26 and 43 weeks gestation. Measurements of thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) in cord sera were correlated with gestational age, sex and birthweight and compared to similar measurements in well two month old infants and adults. There were significant increases in T4, FT4, and TBG with increasing gestational age (GA) between 26 and 33-35 weeks (P less than 0.001). After 34 weeks, none of these parameters varied with GA. When the infants were separated on the basis of sex the linear regression curves describing the relationships between hormone and TBG concentrations and GA were not different from the curves in the total population. The mean FT4/TSH ratio increased significantly with age throughout gestation (P less than 0.01) and was significantly lower in cord blood samples than in blood samples from the 2-month-old infants or the adults. The results suggest that the set point for negative feedback control of TSH secretion at the pituitary level is changing between 26 weeks GA and 2 months of life. Thyroid gland sensitivity to TSH stimulation also appears to be increasing between 26 and 33 weeks GA.
Sleeping Multipath Routing: A Trade-Off between Reliability and Lifetime in Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, multipath routing is used to alleviate reliability degradation due to multihop transmissions over error-prone wireless channels. However, multipath routing is not energy-efficient, as it requires all the nodes in the network to always be awake. To prolong the network lifetime while maintaining a certain reliability performance, we propose Sleeping Multipath Routing, which selects the minimum number of disjoint paths to achieve a given reliability requirement and puts the rest of the network to sleep. Simulation results show that Sleeping Multipath Routing can significantly extend the network lifetime, and it can trade off reliability for lifetime.