cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodistribution and excretion of radiolabeled 40 kDa polyethylene glycol following intravenous administration in mice.

The pharmacokinetics, excretion, and tissue distribution of [14C]-labeled polyethylene glycol–alanine (PEG–Ala) were determined after slow bolus administration into the femoral vein of male CD-1 mice. The pharmacokinetics of PEG–Ala in blood and plasma revealed a biphasic elimination with a terminal half-life of 20 h. Eighty-five percent of the excreted material was voided in the urine and the remaining amount was detected in the feces. PEG–Ala-derived radioactivity was widely distributed with detectable levels of radioactivity observed in all tissues examined. The highest concentration was observed in the kidneys followed by lungs, heart, and liver. Six hours after administration, PEG–Ala levels were significantly reduced in all tissues. Despite a slow prolonged decrease, radioactivity was still detectable after 28 days. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:2362–2370, 2013
Comments on the correspondence principles of quantum mechanical operators

In an article by Margenau and Cohen various correspondence principles were described in connection with Weyl, Born-Jordan, and symmetrized ordering of quantum mechanical operators. In this article we make an interesting comparison between the aforementioned ordering process and our previous prescriptions.
Experimental Study of Mixing and Entrainment in a Horizontal Turbulent Stratified Jet

The mixing efficiency, flux Richardson number Rif, is investigated in a horizontally injected turbulent stratified jet with a co-existence of stable and unstable stratifications. The high resolution experimental data from a developed laser-based technique show the statistical relationship between Rif and the gradient Richardson number Rig. In addition, the data are used to study the development of entrainment by two approaches, and compared with theoretical predictions.© 2014 ASME
Dynamic rheology and endothermic transitions of proteins recovered from chicken-meat processing by-products using isoelectric solubilization/precipitation and addition of TiO2

Chicken-meat processing generates large quantities of by-products (backs, necks, etc.). Dark chicken-meat processing by-products present the lowest value and greatest challenge. Therefore, recovery of functional proteins from this source for inclusion in food products resembling those from light chicken-meat presents the greatest value addition and opportunity. Novel isoelectric solubilization/precipitation (ISP) was applied to model, dark chicken-meat processing by-products (skin-on bone-in chicken drumsticks) to recover muscle proteins. Thermal denaturation (endothermic transitions), gelation (elasticity, G′), and fundamental texture properties (shear stress and strain at mechanical fracture) of the ISP-recovered proteins were determined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheometer, and torsion test, respectively; and compared to boneless skinless chicken breast. Endothermic transition of myosin was not detected only when TiO2 was not added, while the ISP-recovered proteins with TiO2 showed small myosin peak and large actin peak. However, the level of TiO2 addition did not affect thermal transition/denaturation of the ISP-recovered proteins. The ISP-recovered proteins had a greater transition for actin compared to chicken breast, suggesting that ISP predisposes this protein to thermal denaturation. Similar to endothermic transitions, elasticity (G′) generally increased when TiO2 was added to the ISP-recovered proteins. Gels made of chicken breast had the highest (P < 0.05) shear stress (i.e., gel strength), but gels made of the ISP-recovered chicken proteins had greater (P < 0.05) shear strain (i.e., gel cohesiveness). Addition of TiO2 to the ISP-recovered proteins resulted in increased (P < 0.05) gel strength. Based on the present study, addition of TiO2 is suggested for the development of restructured food products based on proteins recovered from dark chicken-meat processing by-products using ISP. Although the results of this study point towards a novel food product, further studies are recommended.
Evaluation of permeating cryoprotectants for the cryopreservation of bovine trophoblastic vesicles

Abstract In the first experiment, bovine trophoblastic vesicles (bTV; 46/treatment) were exposed to 1.5 M glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol for 30 min at room temperature (27° C). Cryoprotectants were removed from bTV by sequential exposure to 0.75 M of the appropriate cryoprotectant plus 0.75 M sucrose for 10 min, followed by 0.75 M sucrose for 10 min. The bTV were then cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and evaluated daily (for 3 d) for morphological quality. Post-exposure morphological quality of bTV indicated ethylene glycol was the least toxic cryoprotectant to bTV, followed by glycerol, propylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide. In the second experiment, bTV (60 bTV/treatment) were exposed to the same cryoprotectants for 30 min, loaded into 0.25-ml plastic straws (3 bTV/straw) and frozen, using a bovine embryo protocol (1° C/min from 20° C to −6° C; seeded and held at −6° C for 10 min; 0.3° C/min to −28° C; 0.1° C/min to −35° C; plunge into liquid nitrogen). After a few days storage, the straws were allowed to thaw in air (27° C), the cryoprotectants were removed as described in Experiment 1 and the bTV were placed into culture. Daily evaluation for 3 d post-thawing indicated bTV cryopreserved in ethylene glycol were of higher morphological quality than those cryopreserved in either glycerol, propylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide. The post-thaw viability of bTV (20 bTV/treatment) cryopreserved in either 1.0 M, 1.5 M or 2.0 M glycerol or ethylene glycol was compared in the third experiment. The bTV were cryopreserved, thawed, cultured and evaluated as described for Experiment 2. Post-thaw morphological quality was highest for bTV cryopreserved in 1.5 M ethylene glycol, followed by 1.0 M ethylene glycol, 1.5 M glycerol, 2.0 M ethylene glycol or glycerol and 1.0 M glycerol, respectively. The results of this study indicate that ethylene glycol is less toxic to bTV than the other cryoprotectants evaluated. Based on post-thaw morphological quality, 1.5 M ethylene glycol is the cryoprotectant of choice for bTV.
Expanded dispersion tolerance by SSB direct detection in duobinary-carrier-suppressed RZ signal transmission

We propose a novel dispersion tolerant system using single-side-band direct detection (SSB-DD) of duobinary-carrier-suppressed return-to-zero (DCS-RZ)[1] signal using spectral filtering. We confirmed the feature of high nonlinearity and dispersion tolerance experimentally at 43 Gbit/s.
On the maximum charge state and proton transfer reactivity of peptide and protein ions formed by electrospray ionization

A relatively simple model for calculation of the energetics of gas-phase proton transfer reactions and the maximum charge state of multiply protonated ions formed by electrospray ionization is presented. This model is based on estimates of the intrinsic proton transfer reactivity of sites of protonation and point charge Coulomb interactions. From this model, apparent gas-phase basicities (GBapp) of multiply protonated ions are calculated. Comparison of this value to the gas-phase basicity of the solvent from which an ion is formed enables a maximum charge state to be calculated. For 13 commonly electrosprayed proteins, our calculated maximum charge states are within an average of 6% of the experimental values reported in the literature. This indicates that the maximum charge state for proteins is determined by their gas-phase reactivity. Similar results are observed for peptides with many basic residues. For peptides with few basic residues, we find that the maximum charge state is better correlated to the charge state in solution. For low charge state ions, we find that the most basic sites Arg, Lys, and His are preferentially protonated. A significant fraction of the less basic residues Pro, Trp, and Gln are protonated in high charge state ions. The calculated GBapp of individual protonation sites varies dramatically in the high charge state ions. From these values, we calculate a reduced cross section for proton transfer reactivity that is significantly lower than the Langevin collision frequency when the GBapp of the ion is approximately equal to the GB of the neutral base.
A RECENT MACRO‐SPICULAR RECOVERY FROM THE GLORIETA, NEW MEXICO, FALL (CN = 1058,356)*

This note gives an account of the discovery, and a description of the characteristics, of an unusual sword-shaped specimen of the Glorieta sideritic fall, found on January 19, 1954, near Canoncito, New Mexico.
Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy in Eyes With Corneal Stromal Dystrophies With and Without a Corneal Graft

Purpose To evaluate and compare the visual outcomes and recurrence patterns of corneal stromal dystrophies after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in eyes with and without a corneal graft. Design Retrospective, comparative case series. Methods setting: Cornea Service, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. study population: The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised patients with no graft who underwent PTK (22 eyes of 15 patients), and group 2 comprised patients who underwent PTK over a previous full-thickness graft (18 eyes of 14 patients). intervention: All patients underwent PTK for decreased vision, symptoms of recurrent erosions, or both. main outcome measures: Visual outcomes and recurrence patterns of corneal stromal dystrophies. Results Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities were 0.46 ± 0.25 and 0.51 ± 0.27 ( P = .56), respectively, in group 1 and 0.16 ± 0.13 and 0.21 ± 0.18 ( P = .25), respectively, in group 2. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was 1.54 ± 2.59 diopters (D) and −5.10 ± 5.81 D ( P = .01) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and mean postoperative spherical equivalent was 0.44 ± 1.8 D and −1.8 ± 4.25 D ( P = .19) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy ( P = .73) and safety ( P = .62) indices between the 2 groups. In group 1, mild recurrence was seen in 7 eyes (32%) and significant recurrence was seen in 4 eyes (18%) at a mean of 32 and 47 months after PTK, respectively. In group 2, mild recurrence was seen in 5 eyes (28%) and significant recurrence was seen in 5 eyes (28%) at a mean of 36 and 50 months after PTK, respectively. Conclusions PTK improved central corneal clarity, alleviated symptoms resulting from recurrent erosions, and improved visual acuity in both groups.
Evaluation of Kd underestimation using solid phase microextraction.

Many important environmental pollutants are strongly adsorbing hydrophobic compounds. Because of their potential to adsorb to dissolved organic matter (DOM), their partition coefficient Kd may be u...
Segmental Transarterial Embolization in a Translational Rat Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To develop a clinically relevant, minimally invasive technique for transarterial embolization in a translational rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods Oral diethylnitrosamine was administered to 53 male Wistar rats ad libitum for 12 weeks. Tumor induction was monitored using magnetic resonance imaging. Minimally invasive lobar or segmental transarterial embolization was performed through a left common carotid artery approach. Necropsy was performed to evaluate periprocedural mortality. Histologic analysis of tumors that received embolization was performed to assess percent tumor necrosis. Results Severe cirrhosis and autochthonous HCCs were characterized in a cohort of rats composed of two groups of rats identically treated with diethylnitrosamine with median survival times of 101 days and 105 days (n = 10/group). A second cohort was used to develop minimally invasive transarterial embolization of HCCs (n = 10). In a third cohort, lobar embolization was successfully performed in 9 of 10 rats and demonstrated a high rate of periprocedural mortality (n = 5). Necropsy performed for periprocedural mortality after lobar embolization demonstrated extensive tissue necrosis within the liver (n = 3) and lungs (n = 2), indicating nontarget embolization as the likely cause of mortality. In a fourth cohort of rats, a segmental embolization technique was successfully applied in 10 of 13 rats. Segmental embolization resulted in a reduction in periprocedural mortality ( P = .06) relative to selective embolization and a 19% increase in average tumor necrosis ( P = .04). Conclusions Minimally invasive, segmental embolization mimicking the currently applied clinical approach is feasible in a translational rat model of HCC and offers the critical advantage of reduced nontarget embolization relative to lobar embolization.
Optical beam splitter integrated on a magnetic atom chip

A condensate on an atom chip with an integrated laser light standing wave is coherently split into wave packets traveling in opposite directions along the magnetic guide
An Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Dialyzability of Verapamil in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of verapamil were investigated in six chronic hemodialysis patients. A single oral 120-mg dose was administered both on a non-hemodialysis day and a hemodialysis day separated by greater than or equal to 7 days. Blood pressure and PR interval were measured simultaneously with each blood sample. Plasma verapamil and norverapamil concentrations were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The mean Cmax, tmax, AUC, apparent plasma clearance, and terminal t 1/2 were 190 +/- 108 ng/mL, 0.6 +/- 0.2 hour, 676 +/- 443 ng.hr/mL, 3926 +/- 1933 mL/min, and 11.4 +/- 4.0 hr, respectively, on the nonhemodialysis day. The dialysis clearance of verapamil and norverapamil was negligible. The t 1/2 during hemodialysis was 3.6 +/- 1.1 hr, compared with 3.4 +/- 0.7 hr during the same period of time postdose on the nonhemodialysis day (NS, P greater than .05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased for up to 4 hours postdose, whereas the PR interval tended to increase. Conclusions include: (1) the single oral-dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of verapamil in chronic hemodialysis patients are similar to published data in normal subjects and cardiac patients and (2) verapamil and norverapamil are not significantly removed by hemodialysis, so that supplemental doses are not necessary.
Environment-induced changes in peroxidase zymograms in the stems of deciduous and evergreen plants.

Summary Stems of four plants ( Sedum acre L., Mitchella repens L., Cornus stolonifera Michx., and Salix fragilis L.) representing a range of plant types were extracted and analyzed for peroxidase isozyme components. In all four species, the peroxidase components from the stems of winter-acclimated plants differed from the components found in tender, nonacclimated plants. This and other studies indicate that plant peroxidase metabolism is strongly influenced by the environment in which the plants are grown.
Maintenance of chromosome structure in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Replication and segregation of genetic information are the activities central to the well-being of all living cells. Concerted mechanisms have evolved that ensure that each cellular chromosome is replicated once and only once per cell cycle and then faithfully segregated into daughter cells. Despite remarkable taxonomic diversity, these mechanisms are largely conserved across eubacteria, although species-specific distinctions can often be noted. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge about maintenance of the chromosome structure in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We focus on global chromosome organization and its dynamics during DNA replication and cell division. Special emphasis is made on contrasting these activities in P. aeruginosa and other bacteria. Among unique P. aeruginosa, features are the presence of two distinct autonomously replicating sequences and multiple condensins, which suggests existence of novel regulatory mechanisms.
Philanthropy, Nonprofits, and the Fiscal Health of Cities:

A nonprofit sector that is quite active in the financing or production of public and human services could reduce the financial burdens on local governments to provide services. These governments could be considered more fiscally healthy than governments in communities with less active nonprofit sectors. Although an active nonprofit sector would seem to significantly affect a city's fiscal health, little statistical evidence exists to support this impression. Research reported here indicates that a measure of nonprofit sector service activity, along with accepted measures of fiscal health, effectively describes the distribution of bond ratings for the population of large U.S. city governments. Evidence is provided that (a) municipal bond ratings as of 1990 were an effective measure of fiscal health for large cities, and (b) nonprofit sector service activity was one of the most important determinants.
“I Don't Teach Reading”: Critical Reading Instruction in Composition Courses

Recent studies indicate that many entering freshmen are not prepared for the demands of college reading, yet most higher education institutions do not require stand alone reading courses. Although critical reading is an often-cited objective of some college composition courses, little research exists that describes how composition instructors teach critical reading strategies. This study examined ways that critical reading is taught in freshman composition courses at one university by generating data from teacher interviews and document analysis. The data suggests that reading pedagogy varies widely among composition instructors and that critical reading was generally not taught explicitly by participants in this study.
Four structural risk factors identify most fibril-forming kappa light chains

Antibody light chains (LCs) comprise the most structurally diverse family of proteins involved in amyloidosis. Many antibody LCs incorporate structural features that impair their stability and solubility, leading to their assembly into fibrils and to their subsequent pathological deposition when produced in excess during multiple myeloma and primary amyloidosis. The particular amino acid variations in antibody LCs that account for fibril formation and amyloidogenesis have not been identified. This study focuses on amyloidogenesis within the kappa1 family of human LCs. Reanalysis of the current database of primary structures of proteins from more than 100 patients who produced kappa1 LCs, 37 of which were amyloidogenic, reveals apparent structural features that may contribute to amyloidosis. These features include loss of conserved residues or the gain of particular residues through mutation at sites involving a repertoire of approximately 20% of the amino acid positions in the light chain variable domain (V(L)). Moreover 80% of all kappa1 amyloidogenic V(L)s are identifiable by the presence of at least one of three single-site substitutions or the acquisition of an N-linked glycosylation site through mutations. These findings suggest that it is feasible to predict fibril propensity by analysis of primary structure.
Disorders of Sex Development (DSDs): An Update

Context: Disorders of sex development (DSDs) may arise from genetic defects in testis or ovary determination. Current analytical technologies and improved understanding of major regulatory pathways have cast new insight into the genetic basis for these disorders. Evidence Acquisition: A PubMed search was performed for the years 2011–13 using the terms “disorder of sex development,” “gonadal dysgenesis,” “ovarian dysgenesis,” “array CGH,” and “whole exome sequencing.” Only articles from peer-reviewed journals were included. Evidence Synthesis: Key themes that emerged included aberrant regulation of SOX9 via the hTES promoter in 46,XY gonadal DSDs, the role of the MAPK pathway in normal and aberrant gonadal development, and the role of new technologies in identification of gonadal DSDs. Conclusions: With the advent of the robust new technologies of array comparative genomic hybridization and genomic sequencing in recent years, many new sex-determining genes have been identified. These genes have been organi...
Opportunity, Constraints, and the Development of the Institutional Presidency: The Issuance of Executive Orders, 1939-96

A central question in the study of executive politics concerns whether presidents behave in an idiopathic, opportunistic fashion reflecting individual differences across administrations, or whether presidents behave as institutional actors who are constrained by external forces that occur across administrations. We argue that development of the institutional presidency is an important consideration in understanding presidential behavior. We maintain that presidents will behave consistent with the opportunistic model during the developmental phase of the institutional presidency, while they will act compatibly with the constraint model once the institution has fully matured. Using data on executive orders for the 1939-96 sample period, both event count regression techniques and model selection criteria are employed to test our theory. The statistical evidence supports our claim that each theory has empirical merit, depending upon the stage of the institutional presidency under investigation.
Simple assay for 5 fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B

A simple method for the measurement of 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B is described. The antifungal activity of amphotericin B is abolished by heating serum at 100 C for 45 min. 5-Fluorocytosine is unaffected by this treatment, and serum levels can be subsequently assayed by either tube dilution or disk diffusion methods.
Preliminary design considerations for a human powered vehicle lighting system

The need for an improved lighting system for HPVs is established and major constraints are reviewed. A power flow model is established for a system having a generator and a battery. Preliminary details of a proposed control scheme are discussed.
Longitudinal Examination of Homebound Older Adults Who Experience Heightened Food Insufficiency: Effect of Diabetes Status and Implications for Service Provision

Purpose: Healthful eating is important for optimal diabetes self-care. However, the level of food sufficiency may influence the degree of adherence to dietary self-care behaviors through the affordability of nutritionally appropriate food. This study examines whether homebound older adults with diabetes were at greater risk for heightened food insufficiency over 1 year, despite regular receipt of home-delivered meals. Design and Methods: This was a longitudinal study of a randomly recruited sample of 268 homebound older adults in the Nutrition and Function Study (NAFS) who regularly received home-delivered meals and completed baseline and 1-year in-home assessments. Based on an economic context model, selfreported data were collected on fundamental and proximate factors, food-sufficiency status, and intervening events. Determinants of heightened food insufficiency were examined with multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Not only did foodsufficiency status diminish over time in this sample, but it became or remained worse for older adults with diabetes. In addition to diabetes status, heightened food insufficiency was associated with perceived inadequacy of economic resources. Implications: Health care providers and nutrition programs should attempt to identify high-risk older adults ‐ those who have diabetes and are at risk of food insufficiency ‐ and develop community linkages and strategies that integrate nutrition with diabetes care plans, thus supporting a multidisciplinary, chronic care model to improve diabetes management and outcomes.
Seizure freedom with VNS monotherapy: A case report

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is generally considered as a palliative treatment for patients with drug-resistant partial onset epilepsy. Although seizure freedom can be occasionally achieved in patients with VNS, anti-epileptic medications (AEDs) are commonly required to maintain seizure freedom. We report a case that a patient became seizure free for 5 years with VNS monotherapy. To our knowledge, a similar case has not been reported previously.
Metabolic differences in microbial cell populations revealed by nanophotonic ionization.

whereas microbialsingle cell metabolomics has not progressed as rapidlybecause it involves studying compounds of larger chemicalvariety, higher turnover rates, and lower molecular weights,coincident with the mass range of common contaminants.Owing to the low copy number of some intracellular proteinsand the presence of extracellular noise, isogenic cells canexhibit large differences in their metabolic makeup.
Individual Time Perspective And Alliance Formation Behavior

The impact of time orientation on leaders’ behavior has been largely unexplored in research. This study examined the role of time perspective in alliance formation. Using a game, participants formed alliances using information about past behavior. Findings suggest that participants with future time perspective were more likely to initiate alliances and those with a past-negative perspective were more likely to cooperate. This finding supports the Theory of Leadership and Time Orientation.
Neuromorphic motivated systems

Although reinforcement learning has been extensively modeled, few agent models that incorporate values use biologically plausible neural networks as a uniform computational architecture. We call biologically plausible neural network architecture neuromorphic. This paper discusses some theoretical constraints on neuromorphic intrinsic value systems [3]. By intrinsic, we mean a value system that is likely programmed by the genes, whose value bias has already taken a shape at the birth time. Such an intrinsic value system plays an important role in developing extrinsic values through the agent's own experience during its life span. Based on our theoretical constraints, we model two types of neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, to construct a neuromorpic intrinsic value system based on a uniform neural network architecture. Serotonin represents punishment and stress, while dopamine represents reward and pleasure. Experimentally, this model allows our simulated robot to develop an attachment to one entity and fear another.
Cholesterol and phospholipid composition of cerebellar fractions enriched in unmyelinated axons and synaptosomes.

Three distinct phospholipid patterns occurred in the mitochondrial subcellular fractions: a) myelin, b) axonal-synaptosomal and c) mitochondrial. Axonal and synaptosomal fractions were found to be very similar in phospholipid and cholesterol composition. In all submitochondrial fractions cholesterol, phosphatidyl serine and sphingomyelin occurred in the relatively constant molar ratio of 1.0∶0.18∶0.11. The phospholipid patterns reported in this paper correspond well to others published for synaptosomes and “synaptic membranes” from mammalian sources as well as axonal membranes from invertebrate sources. However, morphological analysis has indicated that axonal as well as synaptosomal fractions contained significant amounts of microsomes and abundant membranes of undetermined origin which must also be considered when attempting morphological-biochemical correlations. Attention was given to the possible functional and chemical similarity of axonal and synaptosomal membranes other than that portion presumably specialized for chemical transmission, and to the difficulty of establishing the lipid pattern of the “true synaptic membrane” in presently available preparations.
Inflammation and oxygen free radical formation during pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury

In a companion study, we showed that 2 h of warm unilateral lung ischemia followed by reperfusion resulted in bilateral tissue injury, indicated by increases in extravascular density (EVD) and permeability, measured as the pulmonary transcapillary escape rate (PTCER) for radiolabeled transferrin. EVD and PTCER measurements were obtained with the quantitative imaging technique of positron emission tomography (PET). In the current study, we evaluated this increase in EVD histologically and correlated EVD and PTCER with measurements of oxidant-reactive sulfhydryls (RSH) in plasma as a marker of oxygen free radical (OFR) formation. Histologically edema, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage were all present on the ischemic side, but only after reperfusion, whereas only neutrophil infiltration was observed on the nonischemic side. Histology scores correlated with EVD (r = 0.81) and PTCER (r = 0.75), but permeability was abnormal at times even in the absence of neutrophil infiltration. Plasma RSH concentration from the ischemic lung decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) during pulmonary ischemia (i.e., before reperfusion) and returned to baseline on reperfusion. The degree of RSH oxidation did not correlate with the severity of injury as measured by PET or histology. Thus pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury is characterized by inflammation, hemorrhage, edema, and OFR formation. Injury occurred after reperfusion, not after ischemia alone. In addition, injury to the contralateral nonischemic lung suggests a neutrophil-independent circulating mediator of injury.
BDNF-Val66Met variant and adolescent stress interact to promote susceptibility to anorexic behavior in mice

There is an urgent need to identify therapeutic targets for anorexia nervosa (AN) because current medications do not impact eating behaviors that drive AN's high mortality rate. A major obstacle to developing new treatments is the lack of animal models that recapitulate the pattern of disease onset typically observed in human populations. Here we describe a translational mouse model to study interactions between genetic, psychological and biological risk factors that promote anorexic behavior. We combined several factors that are consistently associated with increased risk of AN-adolescent females, genetic predisposition to anxiety imposed by the BDNF-Val66Met gene variant, social isolation stress and caloric restriction (CR). Approximately 40% of the mice with all of these risk factors will exhibit severe self-imposed dietary restriction, sometimes to the point of death. We systematically varied the risk factors outlined above to explore how they interact to influence anorexic behavior. We found that the Val66Met genotype markedly increases the likelihood and severity of abnormal feeding behavior triggered by CR, but only when CR is imposed in the peri-pubertal period. Incidence of anorexic behavior in our model is dependent on juvenile exposure to social stress and can be extinguished by adolescent handling, but is discordant from anxiety-like behavior. Thus, this study characterized gene × environment interactions during adolescence that could be the underlying driver of abnormal eating behavior in certain AN patients, and represents a promising system to identify possible targets for therapeutic intervention.
Chemotactic activity in inflammatory bowel disease. Role of leukotriene B4

An important histologic feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is infiltration of the colonic mucosa with neutrophils. To investigate the nature of the chemotactic agents responsible for this infiltration, colonic mucosa from three normals and nine patients with inflammatory bowel disease (seven ulcerative colitis, two Crohn's colitis) was assayed for chemotactic activity for human neutrophils in vitro in a Boyden chamber. There was more (greater than 10-fold more) chemotactic activity in homogenates of inflammatory bowel disease mucosa than in homogenates of normal colonic mucosa. Analysis of the chemotactic activity in the inflammatory bowel disease mucosa revealed that most was lipid extractable. Moreover, when the lipid extract was fractionated by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, the only fraction with significant chemotactic activity was the fraction that coeluted with leukotriene B4. The chemotactic response to IBD mucosa was blocked by anti-LTB4 antisera. The amount of chemotactic activity in lipid extracts of different inflammatory bowel disease specimens correlated well with the concentration of leukotriene B4 measured by UV absorbance (250 ng/g of mucosa). These data suggest that leukotriene B4 is an important stimulus to neutrophil chemotaxis in inflammatory bowel disease and, thus, may play a major role in the amplification of the inflammatory response in this condition.
How Words Can Improve Organizational Performance: Understanding Employee Feedback Preferences

Feedback is critically important for improving performance in organizations, but an employee’s feedback preferences can play a significant role in how that feedback is received and the extent to wh...
Review of Mycobacterial Isolation in Children

A 5-year retrospective analysis of 2,809 mycobacterial cultures of patients from Texas Children's Hospital (private pediatric), Houston, was undertaken to evaluate patterns of mycobacterial isolation. The goal was cost reduction while enhancing diagnostic efficiency. This study showed (l)the yield of positive specimens is low (3.7%); (2) Mycobacterium avium complex is the most common isolate; (3) gastric washings (11 %) and lymph nodes (8%) most often provide positive specimens; (4) cerebrospinal fluid with normal results from chemistry studies and white blood cell counts of less than 10 cells/mm3 need not be cultured in the absence of strong clinical suspicion of meningitis or from an immunocompetent patient; (5) bronchial washings (1.8%), tracheal aspirates (0%), and bone marrow specimens (0.5%) have such a low yield that culture is unnecessary in patients with a normal immune status; (6) urine specimens have such a low recovery that routine culture is unnecessary except in suspected renal tuberculosis or an immunocompromised host; and (7) American Thoracic Society media had the highest recovery of isolates and Petragnani media had the lowest recovery. These guidelines are suggested to reduce the mycobacterial section work load and patient costs
316 QUANTIFICATION OF PATHOGENIC LEPTOSPIRA IN SURFACE WATERS EXPLAINS URBAN PREDOMINANCE OF SEVERE HUMAN LEPTOSPIROSIS IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON.

Purpose of Study Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection caused by spirochetes, spread to the environment by chronically infected mammals. In the Peruvian Amazon we have found a higher rate of severe human leptospirosis in urban, as compared to rural, sites. We hypothesize that numbers of Leptospira would be higher in urban than rural environmental surface waters so that severe disease might result from a larger infectious inoculum in urban areas and also if more pathogenic Leptospira might predominate in urban rather than rural settings, explaining the distribution of severe leptospirosis. Methods Water samples were collected in the urban and in the rural settings and the position of selected water sources was digitally mapped. Water samples were tested for the presence of leptospiral DNA by a quantitative real-time PCR assay specific for the 16s ribosomal leptospiral gene of pathogenic Leptospira. Nested PCR was used to amplify leptospiral 16S rRNA genes from water samples, which were cloned into a plasmid and later sequenced. The 16S leptospiral sequences were identified by a General Time Reversible Model phylogenetic tree analysis. Summary of Results Urban locations were more often positive for pathogenic leptospiral DNA than rural locations, with far higher leptospiral concentrations (χ2 = 46.69, p Conclusions Surface waters in an urban slum area of the Peruvian Amazon had higher concentrations of highly pathogenic Leptospira than those in a rural village, supporting our hypothesis that both quantity and type of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental surface waters are associated with increased risk for severe leptospirosis. Quantitative DNA amplification will be useful for assessing human risk for acquiring leptospirosis from exposure to contaminated water sources in endemic and epidemic settings.
Investigation of high‐level waste glass melting using X‐ray computed tomography

A method has been developed to quantitatively assess the melting behavior of simulated nuclear waste glasses in a 5-cm-diameter stainless steel beaker heated from the bottom. The method applies X-ray scanning and computed tomography to build three-dimensional volumetric data of a heat-treated sample and performs an adaptive segmentation analysis of the volumetric data to identify morphologically distinct regions in the sample matrix and quantify the amount of material in each region based on computed tomography density. The method was applied to two different series of simulated high-level waste glass melter feeds, and the results showed that it provides detailed images of samples at various stages of melting, including distribution of gas bubbles of varying sizes within the sample matrix, as well as a quantitative measure of how fast various waste/frit feeds melted relative to each other. The results show that the melting rate is influenced by the rate of calcine gas evolution, melt viscosity, and the presence of modifier ions in the feed.
Usability Analysis and Redesign of Infusion Pump User Interface

Infusion pump is a vital medical device used to continually deliver medications or fluids to the patient's body in a controlled manner. This device is capable of delivering predetermined amounts of fluids and may be used to deliver nutrients, blood, or medications, such as antibiotics, pain medications, and chemotherapeutic. However, due to poorly designed user interface, misuses can be prevalent and might lead to serious medical errors, such as dosing errors. The aim of this research is to (1) identify usability problems of infusion pumps commonly used in oncology clinics and other outpatient settings through interviews and heuristic evaluation; (2) propose new designs to address the problems and eventually improve performance. During a heuristic evaluation, three major violations of human factors design principles were identified: (1) lack of feedback about the patient and the patient condition? Not sure if this is a violation; (2) poor flexibility and efficiency of use; (3) the position of start/stop b...
Noninvasive monitoring of beta-adrenergic tone during isoproterenol infusions.

Sphygmo-Recording is a simple, noninvasive technique for analysis of pulse wave contour and timing which has been used to evaluate the change in cardiac dynamics during isoproterenol infusion. The QKd interval, i.e., the time interval between the onset of the QRS complex and the onset of the Korotkoff sound at the brachial artery when the sphygomomanometer cuff is at diastolic pressure, is normally 205 +/- 15 msec. Continuous intravenous infusion of isoproterenol at 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 microgram/kg/min into 12 euthyroid normotensive adult volunteers for 10-min intervals resulted in decreases of 55, 79, and 89 msec in QKd and increases of heart rate of 14, 27, and 43 beats/min, respectively. The corresponding changes in dP/dt, i.e., slope of the pulse wave upstroke at the brachial artery determined noninvasively from the same records, were 0.65, 1.47, and 2.26 mm Hg/msec. These results confirm previous studies which indicate that the chronotropic response of normal subjects to isoproterenol infusion is comparable to that previously reported in patients with the putative "hyperdynamic beta-adrenergic state."
Die Zukunft gestalten – mein Traumjob – meine Träume

In diesem Kapitel wird das Thema Werte und Motive, die uns im Leben und in der Jobsuche leiten, reflektiert. Sie erfahren, wie wichtig die Fahigkeit ist, sich Dinge in der Zukunft vorstellen zu konnen und wie motivierend es sein kann, von der Zukunft zu traumen. Sie lernen, sich verschiedene Ziele zu setzen und auch das unerreichbar Scheinende in Betracht zu ziehen. Das Kapitel enthalt wichtige Tipps und Anleitungen zu einer Methode, die Ihnen hilft in Optionen zu denken und mogliche Zukunftsszenarien zu erarbeiten.
Efficient second harmonic generation in lithium niobate on insulator

We demonstrate doubly resonant second harmonic generation from 1550 to 775 nm in microdisks fabricated from lithium niobate on insulator wafers. We use a novel phase matching technique to achieve a conversion efficiency of 0.167%/mW.
Book Review: Silence: A User's Guide. Volume I: Process:

Silence: A User's Guide. Volume I: Process. By Maggie Ross. Eugene, Ore.: Cascade Books, 2014. xiii + 233 pp. $28.00 (paper).Rowan Williams's foreword to this book refers to it as "the work of one of the most independent and ruthlessly realistic religious writers of our time." Williams writes of "the current vocabulary of contemplative practice which can lure us into thinking that we are undertaking a set of tactics that will deliver commodities called spiritual experience" (p. ix). This book confronts much of what we have come to think of as Christian spirituality.Regrettably, in recent years I have noted that even in theological bookstores the texts on spirituality generally embody an approach to spirituality which is rather like tending a hot-house plant, and of little value in shaping an authentic Christian spirituality grounded in the Incarnation. Maggie Ross's new book is a radical response to such self-obsessed nonsense.The sheer scope of Ross's work gives the reviewer a challenging task: to adequately explore its riches would require another book. I must be content to point to its extraordinary significance. The book's chapters range widely over the fundamental dimensions of Christian faith and practice through an intense focus on the recovery of an authentic spirituality in the context of the disintegrating world in which we live. The destructive bypath into which the human race has moved is leading us to annihilation; as the author writes, "The human race is sleepwalking into extinction" (p. 9).The abrasive character of this phrase characterizes much of what Maggie Ross places before her readers, but it is intentionally abrasive in order to awaken us to the destructive aspects which she documents as the shaping forces in our world. From that, she calls us to the transformative power of "deep silence" as the ground of an authentic spirituality.It is important to note that this is the first volume of what will be a two-volume work. The author writes: "To make this work affordable, we have split it into two volumes" (p. 8). But reader, beware! This one volume has more substance than most books twice its size, and its substance is profoundly challenging. I regret its lack of an index-at the very least an index of authors. It includes, however, a valuable bibliography, often of books that one does not generally find in publications on spirituality. The text develops around numerous and substantial quotations that contribute significantly to the development of the author's purpose. …
Biochemical Testing in Thyroid Disorders

This article summarizes the main principles for the appropriate use of laboratory testing in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders, as well as controversies that have arisen in association with some of these biochemical tests. To place a test in perspective, its sensitivity and accuracy should be taken into account. Ordering the correct laboratory tests facilitates the early diagnosis of a thyroid disorder and allows for timely and appropriate treatment. This article focuses on a comprehensive update regarding thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine/triiodothyronine, thyroid autoantibodies, thyroglobulin, and calcitonin. Clinical uses of these biochemical tests are outlined.
Topical Review: MACI as an Emerging Technology for the Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Lesions.

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is a viable procedure that can be used as both a primary or revision cartilage regenerative procedure in high-functioning individuals without tibiotalar arthritis. Both short-term and midterm follow-up results demonstrate clinical, radiographic, and functional improvements with high rates of return to full activities. Cost remains a chief concern with the use of this technique, but theoretical improvements in the durability of repair with type II cartilage replacement may offer long-term benefits. Level of evidence Level V, expert opinion.
Albumin Protein Cleavage Affects the Wear and Friction of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

It is well established that the total protein concentration and albumin-to-globulin ratio influence the wear of ultra-high molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE, "polyethylene") in joint prostheses. A factor on wear not yet studied, but of possible clinical relevance, is protein cleavage. Such cleavage is expected in the presence of an inflammatory response and as a result of wear processes at the articular interface. The aim of this study was to compare the tribological behavior of polyethylene articulated against an orthopedic wrought CoCrMo alloy for three lubricants: cleaved albumin, uncleaved albumin, and newborn calf serum (control). We hypothesized that the cleavage of albumin will increase the friction and wear rate of polyethylene, with a concomitant roughening of the polymer surface and the generation of larger wear debris particles. Cleavage of the bovine albumin into five fragments was performed by digestion with cyanogen bromide. In pin-on-flat (POF) wear tests of polyethylene pins made of Ticona GUR® 1020/1050 against CoCrMo alloy discs, the cleaved albumin led to the lowest polyethylene wear and highest friction coefficients, whereas albumin led to the highest wear rates. In knee simulator tests, the albumin lubricant also led to a 2.7-fold increase in the tibial insert wear rate compared to the regular bovine serum lubricant (a wear rate for the cleaved albumin could not be obtained). The generated polyethylene wear particles were of increasing size and fibrillar shape in going from serum to albumin to cleaved albumin, although only the shape achieved statistical significance. Unlike bovine serum, cleaved albumin led to wear scars for both the POF and simulator wear tests that closely emulated the morphological features observed on explanted polyethylene tibial inserts from total knee replacements. We posit that the smaller protein fragments can more efficiently adsorb on the surfaces of both the polyethylene and the metal, thus offering protection against wear, while at the same time leading to an increase in friction, particle size, and particle elongation, as the protein fragment films interact adhesively during sliding. The results of this study have implications for pre-clinical wear testing methodology as they suggest that albumin concentration may be more pertinent than total protein concentration for wear testing polyethylene.
Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response After 90Y Radioembolization.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to discuss the imaging modalities and response criteria used for assessing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) response to 90Y radioembolization, as well as the i...