cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-genomic actions of progesterone and estrogens in regulating reproductive events in domestic animals.

Abstract It has been established that nuclear receptors mediate the action of estrogens and progestins in regulating gene expression in the hypothalamic–hypophyseal–gonadal axis of domestic animals during various reproductive states. Results of recent in vitro studies suggest that estradiol-17β and progesterone can act non-genomically to affect signal transduction responses in target cells by binding to receptors in the plasma membrane. The genomic action of steroids is generally detectable in hours to days whereas non-genomic responses of cells occur in seconds to minutes. The nature of the plasma membrane receptors for estrogens and progesterone has been explored but has not been conclusively established for all cell types studied. In the ewe, estradiol-17β or estradiol-bovine serum albumin conjugate has been shown by in vitro and in vivo approaches to act non-genomically to suppress luteinizing hormone secretion by gonadotropes and stimulate production of nitric oxide by uterine arterial endothelial cells. Progesterone has been shown to inhibit oxytocin (OT) binding to its receptor in isolated ovine endometrial plasma membranes. This non-genomic action of progesterone blocks OT activation of the phosphoinositide cascade and production of prostaglandin F2α by ovine and bovine endometrium. The acrosome reaction of caprine and porcine spermatozoa is activated by the non-genomic action of progesterone. Further research is required to define the biological significances of the non-genomic actions of estrogens and progestins.
Effects of the nonimmobilizer hexafluroethane on the model membrane dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine.

BackgroundNonimmobilizers are agents that lack anesthetic properties, although their chemical structure is very similar to known anesthetics. The primary action site of both agents, whether at the membrane or target protein level, is still a matter of debate. However, increasing evidence points to t
Longitudinal and transverse response functions for quasielastic electron scattering

We consider the longitudinal and transverse response functions for quasielastic electron scattering from /sup 56/Fe. In a previous work we showed that the longitudinal response is overestimated by about forty percent in the impulse approximation. We argued that short-range correlations, among other effects, could shift transition strength to higher energies. To account for these features we multiplied the cross sections by a factor Z/sup 2/, where Z is a measure of the strength of the quasiparticle pole. The model we proposed then led to a significant underestimate of the transverse response. In this work we concentrate on the analysis of the transverse response and consider the electromagnetic properties of an interacting system of nucleons and deltas. Specific assumptions concerning the transition amplitudes NN/sup -1/..-->..NN/sup -1/ and NN/sup -1/..--> delta..N/sup -1/ allow for a simultaneous fit to both the longitudinal and transverse response functions. In our model the amplitude NN/sup -1/..--> delta..N/sup -1/ is governed by rho exchange with no additional correlation corrections. The model further requires that the NN/sup -1/..-->..NN/sup -1/ amplitude be small for the momentum transfers considered here: 210 MeV/c< or =Vertical BarqVertical Bar< or =410 MeV/c. Some theoretical support is offered for these small values of themore » latter amplitude.« less
A Redescription of the Euphausiid Crustacean, Nematoscelis Difficilis Hansen, 1911 1)

[Die Euphausiiden-Art Nematoscelis difficilis wird an Hand von Material, welches im nordostlichen Pazifik gesammelt worden war, wiederbeschrieben. Die Beschreibung erstreckt sich auch auf eine bezahnte Form dieser Art, die bisher unbeschrieben war. Zahnchen am unteren Carapaxrand wurden sehr haufig bei subadulten Individuen gefunden; in unserem Falle bleiben diese aber offenbar sowohl bei reifen Mannchen als auch bei reifen Weibchen erhalten. Die erwahnte Form scheint bei einer geringeren Grosse geschlechtsreif zu werden als die typische Form., Die Euphausiiden-Art Nematoscelis difficilis wird an Hand von Material, welches im nordostlichen Pazifik gesammelt worden war, wiederbeschrieben. Die Beschreibung erstreckt sich auch auf eine bezahnte Form dieser Art, die bisher unbeschrieben war. Zahnchen am unteren Carapaxrand wurden sehr haufig bei subadulten Individuen gefunden; in unserem Falle bleiben diese aber offenbar sowohl bei reifen Mannchen als auch bei reifen Weibchen erhalten. Die erwahnte Form scheint bei einer geringeren Grosse geschlechtsreif zu werden als die typische Form.]
Alterations in expression of specific microRNAs by combination of 4-HPR and EGCG inhibited growth of human malignant neuroblastoma cells.

Malignant neuroblastomas are childhood tumors that remain mostly incurable. We explored efficacy of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in altering expression of oncogenic microRNAs (OGmiRs) and tumor suppressor miRs (TSmiRs) for controlling growth of human malignant neuroblastoma SK-N-BE2 and IMR-32 cells. Combination of 4-HPR and EGCG most significantly decreased expression of OGmiRs (miR-92, miR-93, and miR-106b) and increased expression of TSmiRs (miR-7-1, miR-34a, and miR-99a) in both cell lines. Overexpression of miR-93 and miR-7-1, respectively, decreased and increased efficacy of treatments. Thus, alterations in expression of specific OGmiRs and TSmiRs by 4-HPR and EGCG inhibited growth of malignant neuroblastomas.
A pharmacokinetic analysis of the vagal release of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the cat.

The kinetics of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release into the portal system after efferent electrical vagal stimulation were studied in anin vivo model. Blood samples were drawn from cats before, during and after vagal nerve stimulation, and portal plasma levels of 5-HT were measured. Portal plasma concentration of 5-HT rose during stimulation. After termination of stimulation, the plasma levels returned to steady state values and were used to calculate half-life and elimination rate constant. When pharmacokinetic principles were applied, the plasma half-life (T1/2) was determined to be 1.32 min and the elimination rate constant (kE), 0.5246 min−1. Pharmacokinetic principles also were applied to data from earlierin vitro studies using exogenously administered 5-HT, and a half-life of 1.03 min and a kE of 0.67 min−1 were calculated. Therefore, it appears that exogenously administered 5-HT and neurogenically released endogenous 5-HT are metabolized at a similar rate, both having a short half-life.
Antigenic Relationships Between the Egg White Proteins and the Serum Proteins of Chickens and Turkeys

Abstract INTRODUCTION EGG white and serum proteins have been the subject of numerous fundamental biochemical and immunological investigations. Among these are the reports made by Cohn et al. (1949), Wetter et al. (1952, 1953), Knight and Schechtman (1954), Vaughan and Kabat (1954) and Kaminski (1955). However, few attempts have been made to characterize the immunologic relationship between egg albumen and serum proteins of the different avian species. Many of the egg proteins are derived from the serum proteins during the process of egg formation. However, Schjeide et al. (1963) demonstrated the biochemical and immunological dissimilarity of egg and avian serum proteins in certain avian species. With the development of the immunoelectrophoretic techniques by Williams and Grabar (1955) a sensitive tool became available for the study of many natural proteins including egg albumen and serum proteins. To provide a basis for understanding passive immune mechanisms in avian species, fundamental information is needed…
Proteomic Analysis of Hypoxia/Ischemia-Induced Alteration of Cortical Development and Dopamine Neurotransmission in Neonatal Rat

Perinatal hypoxia/ischemia (HI) is a common cause of neurological deficits in children. Our goal was to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the neurological sequelae of HI-induced brain injury. HI was induced by permanent ligation of the left carotid artery followed by 90 min of hypoxia (7.8% O2) in female P7 rats. A two-dimensional differential proteome analysis was used to assess changes in protein expression in cortex 2 h after HI. In total, 17 proteins reflecting a 2-fold or higher perturbation of expression after HI as compared to sham-treated pups were identified by mass spectrometry. Of the altered proteins, 14-3-3epsilon and TUC-2, both playing an important role in the development of the central nervous system, decrease after HI, consistent with an early disturbance of cortical development. Also affected, DARPP-32 and alpha-synuclein, two proteins important for dopamine neurotransmission, increased more than 2-fold 2 h after HI injury. The differential expression of these proteins was validated by individual Western blot assays. The expression of several metabolic enzymes and translational factors was also perturbed early after HI brain injury. These findings provide initial insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative events after HI and may allow for the rational design of therapeutic strategies that enhance neuronal adaptation and compensation after HI.
Simulation of the transient, compressible, gas-dynamic behavior of catalytic-combustion ignition in stagnation flows

This paper develops and uses a computation model to explore the transient ignition dynamics of catalytic combustion in a stagnation-flow configuration. The analysis considers the elementary heterogeneous chemistry associated with catalytic behavior at the surface. It also considers gas-dynamic effects in the boundary layer, including temporal and spatial pressure variations. The gas-dynamic effects are included through the axial momentum equation, which has been neglected in previous analyses of unsteady stagnation flows. In addition to the physical interpretation of ignition transients, the paper presents a mathematical and computational analysis and comparison of the constant-pressure and compressible stagnation-flow equations. The constant-pressure equations, as commonly formulated and used, are a system of differential-algebraic equations (DAE) that have an index greater than two. This high-index behavior is responsible for severe numerical difficulties in regions of fast transients or stringent numerical error control. This paper relaxes the constant-pressure assumption using a compressible-flow formulation, which extends the range of physical validity and reduces the index of the transient stagnation-flow problem while preserving stagnation-flow “similarity”.
Review of Leiomyoma Variants

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical, imaging, and pathologic features of leiomyoma variants. CONCLUSION. Fortunately, most of these variants are rare and have a benign natural history, given currently there are no significant series to establish definitive clinical or imaging findings that can reliably distinguish among them. Although there are some suggestive features, the diagnosis of a leiomyoma variant is usually made postoperatively at pathologic examination.
Myocardial anaerobic metabolism during isoprenaline infusion in a cyanotic animal model: possible cause of myocardial dysfunction in cyanotic congenital heart disease

Mongrel dogs were made acutely cyanotic by anastamosis of the inferior vena cava to the left atrium and measurements of high fidelity left ventricular pressure, arterial pressure, blood gases, and myocardial lactate arteriovenous differences were determined before pacing, with atrial pacing at a rate of approximately 240 per minute, and during an infusion of isoprenaline to increase myocardial oxygen demands. The animals were divided into two groups on the basis of the arterial PO2 during isoprenaline: acyanotic or control dogs (n =4, PO2 , ≥ 6.7 kPa [50 mmHg], x = 52) and cyanotic dogs (n =5, PO2 , ≤ 4.7 kPa (35 mmHg), x = 32). Myocardial lactate arterio-venous difference showed no significant changes in the control dogs with pacing or isoprenaline, but myocardial lactate production occurred in all five cyanotic dogs with isoprenaline infusion. These studies demonstrate that myocardial anaerobic metabolism can be produced during times of stress with isoprenaline infusion in a cyanotic animal model at systemic oxygen levels that can occur clinically.
Neurogenesis in the Neocortex of Adult Primates

In primates, prefrontal, inferior temporal, and posterior parietal cortex are important for cognitive function. It is shown that in adult macaques, new neurons are added to these three neocortical association areas, but not to a primary sensory area (striate cortex). The new neurons appeared to originate in the subventricular zone and to migrate through the white matter to the neocortex, where they extended axons. These new neurons, which are continually added in adulthood, may play a role in the functions of association neocortex.
Mobility productivity impacts on selection of lunar exploration architectures

The productivity of scientific exploration of the Moon and Mars has been significantly improved through the mobility of roving vehicles (rovers) since these vehicles allow scientists to conduct operations well beyond the immediate vicinity of the landing area. This paper reports on a quantitative approach developed to evaluate the productivity of alternative human and robot work-system alternatives for a lunar science mission. A graph-search approach for task planning was used for assigning human and robotic work systems to scientific tasks in order to evaluate the productivity of different mobility options. The results were used to identify the benefits and costs of alternative rover combinations in order to establish guidelines for the roles of the different vehicle types. Pressurized rovers displayed advantages over unpressurized rovers due to enhanced range and duration yielding more science productivity. Multiple pressurized rovers were found to be more productive than multiple unpressurized rovers.
Implementation and evaluation of a training program to improve resident teaching skills

Abstract Objective This study was undertaken to develop, implement, and evaluate a program designed to improve residents' teaching skills. Study design A training program to improve the teaching skills of obstetrics and gynecology residents was developed and implemented. All residents completed a survey of their teaching skills, participated in the program, and then completed a follow-up survey. The surveys were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Medical students also completed surveys about participating residents' teaching skills either before or after the intervention. Results The training program was well received by the residents. Resident self-rating scores significantly improved ( P Conclusion Although the training program improved resident self-ratings of teaching skills, this was not reflected in student ratings of resident teaching skills. Possible explanations for this difference will be explored.
Genetic Contributions to Labor Pain and Progress

Studies on genetic contributions to labor analgesia have essentially evaluated the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), with some evidence that p.118A/G of OPRM1 influences the response to neuraxial opioids. As for labor progress, the β2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) is associated with preterm labor and delivery, and impacts the course of labor. Taken together though, there is no evidence that pharmacogenetic testing is needed or beneficial in the context of obstetric anesthesia; however, realizing the influence of genetic variants on specific phenotypes provides the rationale for a more cautious interpretation of clinical studies that attempt to find a dose-regimen that fits all.
(M.S)-optimal designs with block size three

The existence of (M, B)-optimal designs for block size three is completely settled. Such a design is a collection of b triples on v elements so that for every two elements the numbers of triples containing them differ by at most one, and for every two pairs of elements the numbers of triples containing them also differ by at most one.
Multimodality therapy for carcinoma of the Bartholin gland.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to report the value of chemoradiation in the management of cancers of the Bartholin gland. Methods. Primary treatment consisting of 45–46 Gy teletherapy radiation to the vulva, pelvis, and groins in combination with 50 mg/m 2 of cisplatin and 1000 mg/m 2 /day of 5-fluorouracil for 5 days during the first and fifth weeks of irradiation was delivered, followed by intersititial implant or excision. Results. Two patients were free of disease at 30 and 59 months following therapy. Both patients required myocutaneous flap closure, one after excision of tumor after radiation and one after radionecrosis at the implant site. Conclusions. Primary chemoradiation may allow continence-sparing therapy for women with primary carcinoma of the Bartholin gland.
Dilution, storage, and electromyographic guidance in the use of botulinum toxins

Botulinim toxin A (BTX-A) is available commercially in two formulations: Botox® (Allergan, Inc. Irvine, California) and Dysport® (Ipsen Limited, Berkshire, United Kingdom). To use BTX-A successfully for cosmetic purposes, it is important to understand the basic principles of BTX-A therapy and the specific guidelines for its use, including dilution and storage. Injection using electromyographic guidance is helpful in achieving correct placement of BTX-A by locating the muscle responsible for a particular facial line.
Rigorous pre-clinical evaluation of topical microbicides to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus

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THE LOS ANGELES RIOT AND THE ECONOMICS OF URBAN UNREST

Abstract The Los Angeles riot of 1992 resulted in 52 deaths, 2500 injuries, and at least $446 million in property damage; this staggering toll rekindled interest in understanding the underlying causes of the widespread social phenomenon of rioting. We examine the causes of rioting using international data, evidence from the race riots of the 1960s in the U.S., and Census data on Los Angeles, 1990. We find some support for the notions that the opportunity cost of time and the potential costs of punishment influence the incidence and intensity of riots. Beyond these individual costs and benefits, community structure matters. In our results, ethnic diversity seems a significant determinant of rioting, while we find little evidence that poverty in the community matters.
A critique on the micromachining of steel

A critique on some recent computational results on the subject of micromachining of steel is presented in this paper. A scientific-based criticism is presented of selected results and analysis on the nature of chip formation at the microscale. The paper confirms that a mechanism known as 'quasi-shear extrusion' takes place when machining materials of variable hardness and is confirmed using a dedicated finite element model for the analysis of machining at the microscale. The authors also provide an insight into how to further investigate the phenomenon of 'quasi-shear extrusion chip formation' from an experimental viewpoint.
Phase I clinical/pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic trial of the c-raf-1 antisense oligonucleotide ISIS 5132 (CGP 69846A).

PURPOSE: Raf-1 is a protein kinase that plays a broad role in oncogenic signaling and acts as a downstream effector of Ras in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The present study was designed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of the c-raf-1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide ISIS 5132 (CGP 69846A; ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc, Carlsbad, CA). The effect of ISIS 5132 on c-raf-1 gene expression in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of treated patients was studied using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with refractory malignancies received ISIS 5132 as a 2-hour intravenous infusion three times weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed during the first cycle in all patients; PBMCs for c-raf-1 mRNA analysis were collected at baseline and on days 3, 5, 8, and 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of each cycle thereafter. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients received...
The impact of tobacco expenditures on spending within Turkish households.

Purpose The aim of this study is to determine whether tobacco spending has a ‘crowding out’ effect on food and utility spending within Turkish households. It also examines whether tobacco control policies have caused the spending patterns of smoking households to become similar to those of non-smoking households. Methods Using 2007 and 2011 Turkish Household Budget Surveys, we estimated the Quadratic Conditional Engel Curve (QCEC) to determine household spending patterns. The QCEC was estimated using the Three-Stage Least Square (3SLS) method with instrumental variables. Results In Turkey, smoking households spend nearly 8% of their monthly budgets on smoking, while the expenditures of non-smoking households on food, utilities and housing average 9% more than those of smoking households. For both years studied, a crowding out effect was demonstrated whereby smoking expenditure results in decreased household expenditure on food, housing, durable/non-durable goods and education. Conclusions In Turkey, households including at least one smoker spend nearly 8% of their monthly budget on tobacco, with a converse reduction in spending on food and utilities. While tobacco control policies (eg, increasing taxes on tobacco products and extending smoking bans) have decreased tobacco consumption, these policies have had limited impact on the spending patterns of smoking households.
Cutting Back: Revisions to Dodd-Frank Derivatives Rules

From the aftermath of the Financial Crisis until recently, the prevailing paradigm has been toward more regulation. Within the last year, however, significant rollbacks of the post-Dodd-Frank financial regulatory regime have occurred. This article assesses the major regulatory rollbacks that have occurred.
Response of Corn to Granular Insecticides Applied to the Row at Planting

Seven of 8 granular insecticides had no adverse effect on corn growth when used at 4 lb AI/acre as a 7-in. band on the row surface. This rate of Mocap® ( O -ethyl S, S -dipropyl phosphorodithioate) did reduce corn yield. As an index of phytotoxicity, granular formulations were drilled into the soil with the seed. Carbofuran, even at 4 lb/acre, seemed to have a positive effect on corn growth. Diazinon, fensulfothion, and disulfoton caused minimal adverse effects when used at 1 lb/acre in the seed furrow whereas Bux® Insecticide ( m -(1-ethylpropyl)phenyl methylcarbamate mixture (1:4) with m -(1-methylbutyl) phenyl methylcarbamate), Dyfonate® ( O -ethyl S -phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate), and phorate showed marked phytotoxicity. Landrin® (3,4,5-trimethylphenyl methylcarbamate, 75%; 2,3,5-trimethylphenyl methylcarbamate, 18%), and Mocap were extremely phytotoxic to corn when placed with the seed in the furrow.
Ensemble and Single-Particle Fluorescence Photomodulation in Diarylethene-Doped Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles

Fluorescent systems that can undergo intensity photomodulation in aqueous environments are finding increasing applications, particularly in high-resolution imaging of biological samples. We seek to...
Abstract 4341: Tumor imaging via β-galactosidase fragment complementation with a multifunctional targeted-reporter complex

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Determining the status of cell surface receptors has become routine in the care of patients with cancer and has proven to be helpful in guiding treatment. Mutational events that drive a normal cell to become a cancer cell require the coordinated overexpression of not just one receptor at a time, but rather multiple biomarkers. A growing body of evidence from genomic and proteomic research asserts that several receptors contribute to tumor behavior and these expression patterns are referred to as the cancer signature. Many cancers are characterized by an abnormal increase in the activity of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and transferrin receptors (TfR). Our data of representative human cancer cell lines demonstrate unique, observable expression patterns for the two receptors. Targeted-reporter imaging agent platforms have real application for noninvasive imaging of the multi-step progression of cancer growth, creating the next frontier in in vivo imaging. To develop imaging tools that take advantage of the diagnostic molecular signature, new technologies must employ a contrast agent or signal-amplifying material conjugated to a targeting agent. By linking a reporter enzyme, such as β-gal, to a targeting moiety, either ligand or a short peptide, signal-amplification at the molecular level is achieved. We divided β-gal into unique, independent polypeptides that reassemble and complement enzymatic activity in bacteria and in mammalian cells. We created two sets of complementing pairs that individually have no enzymatic activity. However, when brought into close proximity, complementing pairs associate, resulting in detectable enzymatic activity. We then constructed a targeting complex composed of reporter fragment, linker, and targeting moiety. Our studies demonstrate a time course- and dose-dependent uptake in vitro. Further, we were able to simultaneously visualize the two cell surface receptors implicated in cancer development, EGFR and TfR, using complementing pairs of the targeted-reporter fragment complex. In addition, we are able to image tumor localization in vivo of the targeted-complexes when a fluorescence reporter is added to the complex, as well as immunohistochemical staining of the β-gal reporter complex ex vivo. 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 4341.
Separation and functional characterization of human neutrophil subpopulations

Human neutrophils have been considered to be a functionally homogeneous population of cells. We have developed a density sedimentation technique for separation of neutrophils into two populations based on their ability to form rosettes with IgG-coated human erythrocytes (7SEA). Under the experimental conditions 80% +/- 4.3% of normal human peripheral blood neutrophilis form rosettes. Functionally rosette- forming neutrophils are more adherent to nylon wool, able to phagocytize more 14C-labeled Staphylococcus aureus, more efficient in killing S. aureus, and more responsive to endotoxin-activated human serum in a 51-cr chemotaxis assay that the non-rosette forming neutrophils. However, there is no difference among neutrophil subpopulations' ability to phagocytize latex particles. Paired samples of exudate neutrophils from cutaneous abscess fluid and peripheral neutrophils from three patients were investigated for their ability to form 7SEA rosettes. In each case exudate neutrophils contained greater than 96% rosette-forming neutrophils, whereas peripheral blood contained the normal 80% ( less than 0.01). Thus we show that peripheral blood contains at least two distinct populations of neutrophils. However, an essentially homogeneous neutrophil population is present in cutaneous exudate fluid.
The New Face of Tuberculosis

Its continued sporadic appearance, especially in the elderly, is explained as the reactivation, under certain conditions, of bacilli that have remained viable in dormant foci following infection earlier in life. The practical implication is that tuberculosis should be considered far more often in the diagnosis of chronic illness among older persons, whether or not they have recently been exposed to an active case.
The eta invariant of even order operators

The eta invariant of Atiyah et al is a spectral invariant measuring the spectral asymmetry of a self adjoint elliptic operator P. In general it is a geometric invariant. However, if dim(M)+order(P) is odd, it is rigid and is a homotopy invariant. There are many examples known where this invariant is non trivial if dim(M) is even and order(P)=1. However, it is not known if the invariant is non trivial if dim(M) is odd and order(P) is even. In this note, we discuss some of the functorial properties which this invariant has.
Bilayer Elasticity and Its Effects on Channel-Forming Peptides

The internal elastic mode of a bilayer and its effect on channel-forming peptides are discussed. We explain the effect of bilayer thickness on the gramicidin channel lifetime and discuss a new phase-transition-like phenomenon of alamethicin in bilayers.
The Variation of Post-Vowel –S in the Portuguese Dialect of Rio de Janeiro

A cidade do Rio de Janeiro e conhecida por sua beleza exuberante e sua cultura unica. Pelo menos entre os brasileiros, a cidade tambem se destaca por suas caracteristicas dialetais, das quais a realizacao alveopalatal do –s pos-vocalico e provavelmente a mais notavel. No dialeto carioca, –s pos-vocalico e geralmente pronunciado como os sons alveopalatais [ʃ] e [ʒ], diferente das pronuncias alveolares [s] e [z], mais comuns em alguns outros dialetos do portugues brasileiro. Em vista disso, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a variacao de –s pos-vocalico no referido dialeto para saber quais sao os fatores linguisticos e sociais mais relevantes para a ocorrencia desse fenomeno de variacao. Seguindo os principios da sociolinguistica variacionista, foi analisada a influencia de duas variaveis linguisticas – idade e genero – e duas variaveis nao-linguisticas – contexto sonoro seguinte e tipo silabico. Depois da analise dos dados com o VABRUL, constatou-se que tipo silabico e idade foram os grupos de fatores com influencia mais significativa para a ocorrencia de [ʃ] e [ʒ]. Contexto sonoro seguinte e genero foram descartados como insignificantes.
Increasing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Radiotherapy Using Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have garnered significant interest in recent decades for both biomedical imaging and therapeutic applications. The ability to finely tune their sizes and morphologies and modify their surface properties to enable cell-specific receptor targeting for tumor localization and prolonged circulation and the potential of low or reduced toxicity make them attractive agents in both cancer imaging and therapy. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles in combination with radiation therapy can lead to an increase in the number of DNA double-stranded breaks compared with radiation alone and improve cancer survival in mouse models. With recent advances in imaging modalities as well as new radiation therapy technologies, targeted radiation therapy with nanoparticles is actively being pursued as a strategy to increase the effectiveness of radiation-induced cancer cell death while minimizing damage to normal tissues. This chapter will highlight the past and current developments of nanomedicines used to increase the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy for in vitro models and in vivo models, the mechanisms of radiation enhancement and interaction of ionizing radiation with nanoparticles, and explore the potential for future integration into clinical radiotherapy practice.
Creating a More Ideal Self Through the Use of Clothing: An Exploratory Study of Women’s Perceptions of Optical Illusion Garments

Using an exploratory approach, the current study, theoretically grounded in the self-discrepancy theory, investigated a woman’s perceptions of her body shape. The purpose was to understand how garments created with optical illusion prints or patterns affect women’s perceptions of body shape. Fifteen women were body scanned to determine their body shape and participated in an in-depth semistructured interview while viewing a personalized avatar (created from their body scan) depicted in the seven different optical illusion garments created by the researcher. Data analysis revealed six themes: (1) perception of self, (2) clothing and the body, (3) defining ideals, (4) preferences by body shape category, (5) effects of wearing optical illusions, and (6) a more ideal self. The results from this study indicated that optical illusion garments do effect the visual perception of body shape and can result in the perception of a more ideal body shape.
The Dimensions of Cyberpsychology Architecture

Abstract Cyberspace is psychological space; an extension of our individual and collective minds. How we react to the different environments within this space—be it social media, games, chat, text messaging, video, exotic virtual worlds, or email—depends on how that particular environment is constructed using the Eight Dimensions of Cyberpsychology Architecture: (1) Identity (the presentation of self); (2) Social (interpersonal relationships and groups); (3) Interactive (interface and human/computer interaction); (4) Text (long and short forms of text communication); (5) Sensory (activation of some or all of the five senses); (6) Reality (true-to-life and imaginative features); (7) Temporal (the experience and use of time); and (8) Physical (the role of the physical body and physical environment). The power of cyberspace arises from its versatility in developing, combining, and minimizing or maximizing these eight dimensions in unique ways. Cyberpsychology Architecture serves as a useful transdisciplinary theory in analyzing the psychological impact of different digital environments, assessing an individual's digital lifestyle, and investigating critical issues in cyberpsychology.
Local recurrence after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors: Results of a contemporary series.

INTRODUCTION The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of Local recurrence (LR) in patients at long-term follow-up after laparoscopic RFA (LRFA) and also to determine the risk factors for LR from a contemporary series. METHODS Patients undergoing LRFA between 2005 and 2014 by a single surgeon were reviewed. Demographic and perioperative data were analyzed from a prospective database. RESULTS LRFA was performed on 316 patients with 901 lesions. Median follow-up was 25 months, with 76% of whom completed at least one year of follow-up. The LR rate was 18.4%. The LR in patients followed for less than 12 months was 13.8%, 20.3% for 12 months, and 19.7% for 18 months (P = 0.02). One-fourth of the LRs developed after the 1st year. Morbidity was 8.9% and mortality 0.3%. Tumor type, size, ablation margin, and surgeon experience affected LR, with tumor type, size, and ablation margin being independent. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that 14% of malignant liver tumors will develop LR within a year after LRFA. Additional 4% of the lesions will demonstrate recurrence within 1 cm of the ablation zone, mostly as part of a multifocal recurrence. Ablation margin is the only parameter that the surgeon can manipulate to decrease LR.
The effects of leader–member exchange on generation Y employees’ organizational behaviours in China

AbstractThis study explores the impact of leader–member exchange (LMX) on Chinese Gen Y employee’s organizational behaviours (i.e. employee empowerment, voice, job satisfaction and commitment to customer service). Gen Y hotel employees in China were selected to examine the proposed LMX model, and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Results indicate that LMX and employee empowerment were positively related to employee voice; employee voice was positively related to employee job satisfaction; there was a significant relationship between employee job satisfaction and employee commitment to customer service. Implications for researchers and managers are discussed.
Hear the heart: Daily cardiac health monitoring using Ear-ECG and machine learning

Daily cardiac health monitoring is of high importance for effective heart disease prediction/management. In this study, we propose a novel ear-worn system for long-term continuous ECG QRS duration tracking, to overcome challenges of current wearable ECG systems such as the uncomfortableness and inconvenience. Specifically, we place all the ECG electrodes behind the ear to enhance the wearability, and weak/noisy ear-ECG is obtained. Then, we use a support vector machine classifier for heartbeat identification, apply an unsupervised learning approach for heartbeat purification, and a regression model to derive the standard chest-ECG QRS durations from the ear-ECG QRS durations. We have evaluated the proof-of-concept system using an ear-ECG dataset acquired by a semi-customized wearable prototype, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed system. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study on an ear-worn system for ECG QRS duration estimation, which can be used in daily cardiac health monitoring applications.
Successful thrombectomy for thrombosis of the right side of the heart after the Fontan operation. Report of two cases and review of the literature

We performed operative thrombectomy for the treatment of cardiac thrombosis on the right side of the heart in two patients; thrombosis occurred after a total cavopulmonary connection (modified Fontan operation). In the first case, thrombosis occurred approximately 6 months postoperatively, and the thrombus was evacuated without cardiopulmonary bypass. In the second case, an emergency open atrial thrombectomy and revision of the stenotic inferior cavopulmonary anastomosis was performed on the tenth postoperative day. Review of the literature identified 12 previously reported cases that were similar. In these 12 cases 6 patients died, 5 of them early after diagnosis and institution of treatment We believe that appropriate management should include thrombectomy and revision if a surgically remediable cause of the thrombosis is identified; otherwise, thrombolytic therapy should be initiated. The use of heparin and then sodium warfarin (Coumadin) has also been successful. Risk of thrombosis of the right side of the heart after the Fontan repair may be minimized by the use of prophylactic anticoagulation in high-risk patients soon after the Fontan operation.
Shaping the Experience of Behavior: Construct of an Electronic Teaching Module in Nonpharmacologic Analgesia and Anxiolysis

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors' purpose was to develop an electronic teaching module in nonpharmacologic analgesia and anxiolysis for use in the radiology department. Materials and Methods The teaching document was derived from previous training courses validated by patient outcome. Skills in structured empathic attention and guidance of self-hypnotic relaxation were tested in a previous prospective, randomized study with 241 patients and shown to affect positively patients' perception of pain and anxiety. Patients undergoing hypnosis had the greatest relief and most hemodynamic stability. The skills applied also saved, on average, 17 minutes of procedure time and approximately $340 in sedation cost per case. With these validated behavioral skills, an electronic teaching module was constructed. Results The mode of teaching reflected the content of teaching, which was achieved through a multimedia format containing text, audio, video, pictures, and animation. Advanced navigation tools put the students in control of their learning experience. Inclusion of experiential components, congruity of language with Ericksonian syntax, and provision of an electronic journal catered to the development of greater biobehavioral awareness. Conclusion Electronic teaching modules for biobehavioral skill training are feasible and promise to reduce the time need for life interactions with instructors.
Genesis and Observership

Four lines of evidence out of physics would seem to have direct relevance to the question, how did the universe come into being? (1) Gravitational collapse speaks for the mutability of the laws and structure of physics. (2) No way is evident how physics can bottom out in a smallest object or most basic field or continue on to forever greater depths; and the third possibility presents itself that the observer himself closes up full circle the links of interdependence between the successive levels of structure. (3) What is the explanation for the ‘anthropic principle’ of Dicke and Carter? Carter’s ‘ensemble of universes’, in only a very small fraction of which life and consciousness are possible? Or is the very mechanism for the universe to come into being meaningless or unworkable or both unless the universe is guaranteed to produce life, consciousness and observership somewhere and for some little time in its history-to-be? (4) The quantum principle shows that there is a sense in which what the observer will do in the future defines what happens in the past - even in a past so remote that life did not then exist, and shows even more, that ‘observership’ is a prerequisite for any useful version of ‘reality’. One is led by these considerations to explore the working hypothesis that ‘observership is the mechanism of genesis’. Testable, ‘falsifiable’, consequences may never flow from this concept unless and until one discovers how to derivefrom it the existence and structure of quantum mechanics.
The Formulas of Weierstrass and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra for Minimal Surfaces

The fundamental theorem of algebra for rational or logarithmico-rational minimal surfaces is the statement that for such a surface S of degree n ≥ 1 in R-3 (R3 closed with a single ideal point at ∞), and for each point a of R-3, the sum of the orders of the a-points on S, plus the degree of the spherical, or Gaussian, representation of S (on the unit sphere Sa with center at a), plus the degree of the counterspherical representation of S on Sa, is equal to n. If S is a plane surface (for which, it so happens, there can be no logarithmic terms), then the degree of the spherical representation is identically 0; the degree of the counterspherical representation on Sa is 0 if a is on S, and is n if a is not on S; and the number of a-points on S is n if a is on S (the classical theorem), and is 0 if a is not on S. Our present purpose is to use the Weierstrass formulas for the coordinate functions of a minimal surface in isothermal representation to gain further insight into the possible relative magnitudes of these three integer components of n in general.
Pharmaceutical Take Back Programs

Prior to September 2010 the US national policy for the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals was limited to published guidance provided by several federal agencies; however, on September 25, 2010 the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) established the National Take Back Initiative. This program is designed to provide citizens an opportunity to safely dispose of medications they no longer need or want. In 2010 two of these DEA events were held during which a total of 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies across the country participated and a staggering 309 tons of medications were collected. A third event is planned for October 2011. Additionally, the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010 signed by President Obama on October 12, 2010 provided the means for the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) to be amended to allow the DEA to develop a procedure for individuals to safely dispose of their unwanted medications, including medications considered controlled under the CSA [1]. This legislation will ensure future DEA events and other take back events are legally able to dispose of controlled medications, which is critical as these medications have a high potential for diversion or abuse.
Using a Model of Cognitive Function to Plan Cognitive Treatment

The practice of neuropsychological assessment routinely calls for the selection of a series or “battery” of psychometric measures of cortical functions. Rehabilitative interventions for cognitive retraining also require assessment and description of debilitated and normal cortical functions. The selection of tests for an assessment battery or any other clinical test aggregate requires either an explicit or implicit model or scheme based upon the kinds or types of cortical functions expected to be assessed and described. However, such models are not plentiful and it is easy for practitioners in such circumstances to fall back upon functional descriptions generated by the “face validities” of the tests themselves or some “folk psychological” list of cortical functions (see Smith Churchland, 1986, for a discussion of “folk psychological” constructs).
A Simplified Threshold Dynamics Algorithm for Isotropic Surface Energies

We present a simplified version of the threshold dynamics algorithm given in Esedoḡlu and Otto (Commun Pure Appl Math 68(5):808–864, 2015). The new version still allows specifying $$N\atopwithdelims ()2$$ possibly distinct surface tensions and $$N\atopwithdelims ()2$$ possibly distinct mobilities for a network with N phases, but achieves this level of generality without the use of retardation functions. Instead, it employs linear combinations of Gaussians in the convolution step of the algorithm. Convolutions with only two distinct Gaussians is enough for the entire network, maintaining the efficiency of the original thresholding scheme. We discuss stability and convergence of the new algorithm, including some counterexamples in which convergence fails. The apparently convergent cases include unequal surface tensions given by the Read and Shockley model and its three dimensional extensions, along with equal mobilities, that are a very common choice in computational materials science.
Time constructs: Discursive temporality in the future Internet

Critical theorists from Scott Lash to Trebor Scholz, software studies adherents such as Alex Galloway, sociologists including Manuel Castells, and science and technology studies (STS) theorist Judy Wajcman — among others — have pointed out that the mobility, speed, responsiveness, and increasingly real-time characteristics of computer and application interfaces have a great deal to do with the social, economic, and political structure of contemporary society. What these fields leave relatively undertheorized can best be phrased as a question: How is technology is developed in relation to concepts of time and temporality? This paper supplies an answer, derived from interview and document data regarding a real-time videoconferencing application named Flume, which runs on Named Data Networking (NDN), a NSF-funded Future Internet Architecture (FIA) project that is currently underway.