cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal changes in lumbar bone mineral density distribution may increase the risk of wedge fractures

Abstract Background Trabecular bone strength diminishes as a result of osteoporosis and altered biomechanical loading at the vertebral and spinal levels. The spine consists of the anterior, middle and posterior columns and the load supported by the anterior and middle columns will differ across different regions of the spine. Stress shielding of the anterior column can contribute to bone loss and increase the risk of wedge fracture. There is a lack of quantitative data related to regional spinal bone mineral density distribution over time. We hypothesize that there is an increase in the posterior-to-anterior vertebral body bone mineral density ratio and a decrease in whole-body bone mineral density over time. Methods Bone mineral density was measured in 33 subjects using quantitative computed tomography scans for L1–L3 vertebrae, region (anterior and posterior vertebral body), and time (baseline and 6 years after). Findings Lumbar bone mineral density decreased significantly (Δ: ~ 15%) from baseline to the 6th year visit. Individual vertebra differences over time (L1: ~ 14%, L2: ~ 14%, L3: ~ 17%) showed statistical significance. Anterior bone mineral density change was significantly greater than in the posterior vertebral body region (Δ anterior: ~ 18%; Δ posterior: ~ 13%). Posterior-to-anterior bone mineral density ratio was significantly greater in the 6th year compared to baseline values (mean (SD), 1.33 (0.2) vs. 1.23 (0.1)). Interpretation This study provides longitudinal quantitative measurement of bone mineral density in vertebrae as well as regional changes in the anterior and posterior regions. Understanding bone mineral density distribution over time may help to decrease the risk of wedge fractures if interventions can be developed to bring spine loading to its normal state.
How Is an IT Innovation Assimilated

The concept of organizational assimilation of information technology (IT) innovations is under-explored in the research literature. Here we rethink the concept, focusing on assimilation in use, in particular. Taking an organizational learning perspective, we propose that experimentation in use serves as the assimilative engine, driving the innovation’s interpretation and routinization, leading in turn to its eventual conceptual sublimation and taken-for-grantedness. From this model, several new opportunities for research are identified.
Cost-effective and rapid presumptive identification of gram-negative bacilli in routine urine, pus, and stool cultures: evaluation of the use of CHROMagar Orientation medium in conjunction with simple biochemical tests.

The algorithm for a new identification system was designed on the basis of colony color and morphology on CHROMagar Orientation medium in conjunction with simple biochemical tests such as indole (IND), lysine decarboxylase (LDC), and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) utilization tests with gram-negative bacilli isolated from urine samples as well as pus, stool, and other clinical specimens by the following colony characteristics, biochemical reactions, and serological results: pinkish to red, IND positive (IND(+)), Escherichia coli; metallic blue, IND(+), LDC(+), and ODC negative (ODC(-)), Klebsiella oxytoca; IND(+), LDC(-), and ODC(+), Citrobacter diversus; IND(+) or IND(-), LDC(-), and ODC(-), Citrobacter freundii; IND(-), LDC(+), and ODC(+), Enterobacter aerogenes; IND(-), LDC(-), and ODC(+), Enterobacter cloacae; IND(-), LDC(+), and ODC(-), Klebsiella pneumoniae; diffuse brown and IND(+), Morganella morganii; IND(-), Proteus mirabilis; aqua blue, Serratia marcescens; bluish green and IND(+), Proteus vulgaris; transparent yellow-green, serology positive, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; clear and serology positive, Salmonella sp.; other colors and reactions, the organism was identified by the full identification methods. The accuracy and cost-effectiveness of this new system were prospectively evaluated. During an 8-month period, a total of 345 specimens yielded one or more gram-negative bacilli. A total of 472 gram-negative bacillus isolates were detected on CHROMagar Orientation medium. For 466 of the isolates (98.7%), no discrepancies in the results were obtained on the basis of the identification algorithm. The cost of identification of gram-negative bacilli during this period was reduced by about 70%. The results of this trial for the differentiation of the most commonly encountered gram-negative pathogens in clinical specimens with the new algorithm were favourable in that it permitted reliable detection and presumptive identification. In addition, this rapid identification system not only significantly reduced costs but it also improved the daily work flow within the clinical microbiology laboratory.
A fuzzy decision system based on statistical learning for fault classifications

A fuzzy decision system (FDS) is proposed for condition monitoring of machining processes. The membership functions are established through a learning process based on test data, rather than being selected as a priori. The optimal partition and information gain weighting functions are also introduced in order to improve the robustness and reliability of this method. Experiment verification with an optimistic success rate of 97.5% was achieved. >
Dynamic load balancing in distributed heterogeneous systems under stationary and bursty traffics

A heterogeneous system consisting of a number of hosts connected by a local area network (LAN) is described. The focus is on load balancing and process migration policies. An algorithm that increases the output performance of the system using load balancing is proposed. The computer simulation is based on a sender-initiated load balancing scheme, and is tested for a number of decision thresholds. A wide range of transfer delays due to bandwidth is considered in the simulation. Another parameter that is considered in the scheme is the uncertainty of the queuing status of the remote nodes, due to the combined effects of the system dynamics and the nonzero time required in probing the queuing status of the remote stations. Results show that the balancing scheme is capable of improving the system performance over that of no balancing for a wide range of transfer delays. >
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Critique of Instructional Materials for Science.

Science teachers must adapt curriculum materials, so preservice teachers must develop beginning proficiency with this authentic task of teaching. What criteria do they use when they critique these materials in preparation for adapting them, when they develop the criteria themselves and when they are given a set of criteria from which to choose? These results indicate that the 20 participating preservice elementary teachers held a sophisticated set of criteria for critiquing instructional materials; for example, they paid attention to scientific inquiry and instructional goals. In some cases, providing options from which they could select as a part of the instructional approach taken in the class allowed the preservice teachers to engage in substantive critique of the instructional materials along criteria not prominent in their initial set. Even with explicit support, however, the preservice teachers did not engage in substantive critique about how scientific content is represented. Furthermore, they typically describe inquiry as important to incorporate to promote student interest, not to engage students in genuine scientific activity. It is concluded that critique activities used in science methods courses should be authentic and scaffolded to be optimally effective. Critique along especially challenging dimensions needs systematic, explicit, and perhaps more consistent support. C
A mobility-based hybrid multicast routing in mobile ad-hoc wireless networks

We propose a mobility-based hybrid multicast routing (MHMR) protocol suitable for mobile ad-hoc networks. The main features that our proposed protocol introduces are the following: (a) a mobility based clustering and group based hierarchical structure, in order to support stability and scalability effectively; (b) a group based (limited) mesh structure and forwarding tree concepts, in order to support mesh topology robustness which simultaneously provides "limited" redundancy and efficiency of tree forwarding; (c) a combination of proactive and reactive concepts which provide the low route acquisition delay of proactive techniques and the low overhead of reactive methods. The performance evaluation of the proposed protocol is achieved via modeling and simulation. The corresponding results demonstrate the proposed multicast protocol's efficiency in terms of packet delivery ratio, scalability, control overhead and end-to-end delay as a function of mobility, packet generation rate and multicast group size.
A combinatorial proof of a theorem of Tutte

We refer to a beautiful and important result of Tutte(1), in the theory of graphs; that a linear graph G is prime if and only if it contains a set ∑ of vertices, such that u(G∑) > n(∑); where n(∑) is the number of vertices in ∑, G∑ is the graph obtained from G by deleting the star of ∑ (all the vertices of G in ∑, together with all the edges of G meeting vertices of ∑), and u(G∑) is the number of connected components of G∑ having an odd number of vertices.
Review: insufficient evidence exists for oral nutritional supplements as aids for recovery in treated active tuberculosis.

In patients being treated for active tuberculosis, do oral nutritional supplements aid recovery? Included studies compared oral nutritional supplements taken for ⩾4 weeks with no nutritional intervention, placebo, or dietary advice in children or adults being treated with drugs for active tuberculosis. Outcomes included death, positive sputum tests, and weight change. Cochrane Infectious Disease Group Specialised Register, Medline, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, LILACS, metaRegister of Controlled Trials (all to Jun 2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( Cochrane Library , Issue 2, 2008), Indian J Tuber (1983 to Jun 2008), and reference lists were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). 12 RCTs (n = 3393) met the …
Contesting Stigma: On Goffman's Assumptions of Normative Order

Goffman's classic analysis of stigma tacitly suggests that it has a conditional nature. An important shortcoming, however, is that his analysis proceeds from the existence of a normatively shared understanding of the criteria for and the distribution of stigma assignment. I use data from Somali immigrants to Canada to further that argument by showing that stigma as a social object cannot be created when its cultural and structural contexts are disjunctive. Through reverse stigmatization, counter devaluation, and rejection of discrimination, Somalis reveal the problematics of stigma establishment and therein raise the question of who is stigmatizing whom.
Reproducibility of a novel model of murine asthma‐like pulmonary inflammation

SUMMARY Sensitization to cockroach allergens (CRA) has been implicated as a major cause of asthma, especially among inner-city populations. Endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria has also been investigated for its role in attenuating or exacerbating the asthmatic response. We have created a novel model utilizing house dust extract (HDE) containing high levels of both CRA and endotoxin to induce pulmonary inflammation (PI) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). A potential drawback of this model is that the HDE is in limited supply and preparation of new HDE will not contain the exact components of the HDE used to define our model system. The present study involved testing HDEs collected from various homes for their ability to cause PI and AHR. Dust collected from five homes was extracted in phosphate buffered saline overnight. The levels of CRA and endotoxin in the supernatants varied from 7·1 to 49·5 mg/ml of CRA and 1·7‐6 m g/ml of endotoxin in the HDEs. Following immunization and two pulmonary exposures to HDE all five HDEs induced AHR, PI and plasma IgE levels substantially higher than normal mice. This study shows that HDE containing high levels of cockroach allergens and endotoxin collected from different sources can induce an asthma-like response in our murine model.
A new “age” for high dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant

High dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (HDT-ASCT) has been a therapeutic option for lymphomas for nearly 30 years. By restoring bone marrow function via the return of the patient's o...
The interactive effects of procedural justice and exchange ideology on supervisor‐rated commitment

Matched data collected from 143 employees and their immediate supervisors of a private sector organization indicated that employee perceptions of procedural justice were only related to supervisor-rated affective commitment among employees with a strong exchange ideology. That is, individuals motivated by a fair exchange exhibited fewer affective commitment behaviors when they viewed the environment as unfair than when they perceived it to be fair. Individuals comparatively indifferent to a fair exchange did not alter their affective commitment behaviors regardless of the level of perceived environmental fairness. These results illustrate the importance of considering individual differences in exchange ideology when attempting to alter the work environment for the purpose of increasing commitment. Implications for research and management practice are presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined searching of Web and OAI digital library resources

In this paper, we describe an experiment in combined searching of web pages and digital library resources, exposed via an Open Archives metadata provider and web gateway service. We utilize only free/open source software components for our investigation, in order to demonstrate feasibility of deployment for all institutions.
Nitric oxide-releasing medications and colorectal cancer risk: the framingham study.

Background: The major sources of human exposure to nitric oxide (NO) are medicinal nitrovasodilators that release NO into the vasculature. Experimental NO- donating aspirin also releases NO in a similar manner, and is a potent in vitro inhibitor of colon cancer. Materials and Methods: The effects of nitrovasodilators on the risk of colorectal cancer was studied in the Framingham Heart and Offspring studies among 145 cases of colorectal cancer and 433 matched controls. Results: Eleven percent of controls reported currently using nitroglycerine or other long-lasting nitrates. In conditional logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for colorectal cancer associated with nitrovasodilator use was 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6, 2.2). In subgroup analysis, the OR was 0.7 (95% CI 0.2, 2.2) in aspirin users and 1.6 (95% CI 0.8, 3.2) in subjects not taking aspirin. Conclusion: These data indicate that NO does not change the risk of colorectal cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small biologically active molecule, whose production is determined by the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2). The increase of NO biosynthesis in colonic tumor cells (1) is associated with cancer promotion and metastasis via increased oxidative DNA damage, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth (2). NOS2 activity is correlated with p53 mutations, and the generation of NO in "bursts" can reach local genotoxic concentrations. In addition, NOS2 inhibitors reduce the incidence of colon cancer incidence in laboratory rats, further indicating that NO promotes colon carcinogenesis (3). Paradoxically, NO can also inhibit colon carcinogenesis and induce apopotosis in tumor cells. Its effects appear to depend upon local conditions such as the level of expression of NOS2 and the differential sensitivity of tumor cells to NO-mediated actions (4). The major endogeneous sources of human exposure to nitric oxide are nitrovasodilators, which include nitroglycerine (glycerol trinitrate), amyl nitrite, isosorbide mono- and di- nitrate, erythrityl tetranitrate and sodium nitroprusside. These medications are taken sublingually, orally or subcutaneously to treat angina pectoris and other manifestations of coronary artery disease. Nitroglycerine has been used effectively for over 100 years, and the other organic medicinal nitrates have been available since the 1930s. All routes of administration release
Free-paced high-performance brain-computer interfaces.

Neural prostheses aim to improve the quality of life of severely disabled patients by translating neural activity into control signals for guiding prosthetic devices or computer cursors. We recently demonstrated that plan activity from premotor cortex, which specifies the endpoint of the upcoming arm movement, can be used to swiftly and accurately guide computer cursors to the desired target locations. However, these systems currently require additional, non-neural information to specify when plan activity is present. We report here the design and performance of state estimator algorithms for automatically detecting the presence of plan activity using neural activity alone. Prosthesis performance was nearly as good when state estimation was used as when perfect plan timing information was provided separately (~5 percentage points lower, when using 200 ms of plan activity). These results strongly suggest that a completely neurally-driven high-performance brain?computer interface is possible.
Physical Impact of Pediatric Cancer and Its Treatment

Physical symptoms occur frequently in children with cancer and are caused by the disease, treatment regimens, or medical procedures. Any symptom can create significant toxicity, resulting in complications that may compromise therapy, negatively influence quality of life, and even threaten chances for long-term survival. Each physical symptom requires careful assessment and consideration of symptom interaction and the synergistic effect of multiple symptoms. It is essential for childhood cancer providers to understand cancer treatment symptoms, their interactions, and changes over time. These critical aspects should be incorporated into every assessment throughout the child’s cancer treatment. Realization that children with cancer may continue to experience physical impacts well beyond the completion of treatment is important. After a thorough assessment, appropriate interventions should be implemented to reduce distress, minimize further complications, and improve quality of life throughout a child’s cancer treatment. Multidisciplinary healthcare providers caring for children with cancer must become experts in symptom assessment and management.
Extinguishment characteristics of liquid heptane and gaseous propane diffusion flames

This paper presents a comparative study of the extinguishment characteristics of liquid heptane and gaseous propane diffusion flames in a co-flowing stream of air. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide were used as flame suppressants. Measurements included mass burning rate, concentrations of suppressants at flame extinction, in-flame temperature profiles, and exhaust composition. Adiabatic equilibrium temperatures in pure air stream and at extinction caused by additional agents were theoretically computed. Results indicate that the extinction processes of liquid and gas buoyant laminar diffusion flames are significantly different. The reaction zone temperature in the flame anchoring region of (lie heptane flame at extinction agrees well with the adiabatic flame temperature corresponding to the lean flammability limit. In the propane flame, where the flame base is lifted off the burner before extinction, the reaction zone temperature is 100-200 K higher tlian the adiabatic flame temperature at the lean flammability limit.
CASE HISTORY OF THE CAPE COD CANAL

No more interesting or appealing subject than the Cape Cod Canal could be assigned to one who is engaged in the study and development of navigation in New England. This sea-level canal, located 50 miles south of Boston at the narrow neck of land joining Cape Cod to the mainland, principally serves coastwise shipping to and from Boston and Northern New England. While it was only completed in 1940 no one should entertain the thought that it is of recent origin.
Spinal Cord Tumor Oligodendroglioma: Diagnosis

Oligodendrogliomas arise throughout the central nervous system (CNS), primarily affecting the cerebral hemispheres of adults, and sometimes disseminating as intraspinal drop metastasis. Primary spinal cord oligodendrogliomas are rare, constituting less than 2% of spinal cord tumors. Clinically, patients present with sensorimotor deficits such as weakness and pain, genitourinary dysfunction or scoliosis, depending on location. Radiographically, the characteristic finding is that of a hypodense, well-demarcated mass lesion, sometimes with calcifications on CT. With MRI the expansile, masses appear hypointense on T1-weighted images and show signal hyperintensity on T2 and FLAIR sequences. The classic microscopic appearance is that of an infiltrating glial neoplasm composed of monotonous clear cells with perinuclear halos embedded in a scaffolding of “chicken wire” vessels. Occasionally, the neoplastic cells possess round, eccentric nuclei with more abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm (gliofibrillary oligodendrocytes and minigemistocytes). Tumors lack the expression of markers of mature oligodendrocytes; although, there may be focal expression of GFAP, especially in gliofibrillary oligodendrocytes and minigemistocytes. In adult oligodendrogliomas, approximately 80% contain characteristic 1p36 and 19q13 co-deletions, due to an unbalanced t(1,19) (q10; p10) translocation, which appears to correlate with chemosensitivity. Rarely, spinal cord oligodendrogliomas present as primary leptomeningeal oligodendrogliomas (PLO)/primary leptomeningeal gliomatosis (PLG) or “holocord” oligodendrogliomas. The age group, clinical features and MRI findings of these patients are different than the localized spinal cord parenchymal oligodendrogliomas. Accordingly, a high index of suspicion is required for the timely diagnosis of these tumors. Distinction from other spinal cord tumors is crucial due to differences in patient management and long-term prognosis.
Stress echocardiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Stress echocardiography has emerged as an accurate, clinically important noninvasive tool for detecting the presence of ischemic heart disease. Details of patient selection, methods, analysis, and interpretation are discussed. The relative merits of peak versus postexercise data acquisition and qualitative versus quantitative interpretation are presented. The role of stress echocardiography in clinical decision making in relation to other diagnostic modalities is also discussed. The emerging role of myocardial contrast echocardiography in assessing regional myocardial blood flow is presented briefly.
Multicolored, Tb3+-Based Antibody-Free Detection of Multiple Tyrosine Kinase Activities

Kinase signaling is a major mechanism driving many cancers. While many inhibitors have been developed and are employed in the clinic, resistance due to crosstalk and pathway reprogramming is an emerging problem. High-throughput assays to detect multiple pathway kinases simultaneously could better model these complex relationships and enable drug development to combat this type of resistance. We developed a strategy to take advantage of time-resolved luminescence of Tb3+-chelated phosphotyrosine-containing peptides, which facilitated efficient energy transfer to small molecule fluorophores conjugated to the peptides to produce orthogonally colored biosensors for two different kinases. This enabled multiplexed detection with high signal-to-noise in a high-throughput-compatible format. This proof-of-concept study provides a platform that could be applied to other lanthanide metal and fluorophore combinations to achieve even greater multiplexing without the need for phosphospecific antibodies.
Conclusion: Defense-Time: Immediacy and Realtime Resistance

Chapter 4 concerns “realtime resistance” the manner in which immediacy has transformed protest in the early 21st century, just as it has thought and control. In particular, we consider examples from the occupation movement that demonstrate how temporally oriented, tactico-strategic forms of resistance have increasingly overtaken previous dichotomies of strategy vs. tactics. The primary task, these examples suggest, is neither that of accepting immediacy by conforming to the imperatives of accelerationism, nor that of resisting it through decelerationist refusal, but instead affirming an ethos of realtime resistance, the collective deployment of speeds such that, in Deleuze’s words, a singularity or a collectivity becomes “the master of [its] speeds.”
"Colic"--primary excessive crying as an infant-environment interaction.

This article defines "colic" as excessive crying in young infants and suggests some specific diagnostic criteria. The three main theories of single causes are reviewed: feedings, psychosocial environment, and problems in the infant. In place of these oversimplified explanations, this article proposes an interactional model that considers both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Recommendations for management include suggestions for handling the infant, the environment, and their interaction. Some suggestions are then offered for improving the quality of future research.
Complement or substitute: Ethanol’s uncertain relationship with gasoline under alternative petroleum price and policy scenarios

Abstract Ethanol demand depends on the crude oil price and domestic biofuel mandate, but the aggregate effect on consumer fuel choices and export demand is uncertain. The relationship between crude oil and ethanol price is complex, and the presence of policy driven domestic biofuel use (mandate) make the modeling of the world ethanol market challenging. A structural economic multi-market multi-region partial equilibrium model considering the complementary and substituting effects between gasoline and ethanol demand is developed. In this study, a kinked ethanol demand curve that reflects those relationships is used to depict ethanol demand. We further simulate two forward-looking alternative crude oil price scenarios to identify how the crude oil price interacts with ethanol use mandates and trace the consequences on the U.S. Renewable Identification Number (RIN) market. The study finds that, under high crude oil prices, the substitution effect might trigger a large increase in ethanol demand by the rest of the world and the U.S. and Brazil will be the key ethanol exporting countries. In the U.S., the overall biofuel mandate might become non-binding.
Genetic Analysis with RAPD Markers

For many years the principles of genetics have been applied to crop variety improvement with great success. Several crop species, notably corn, wheat, and tomato, have been used as model genetic systems because of their central importance to food production. Until recently, virtually all progress in both breeding and model genetic systems has relied on a phenotypic assay of genotype. Since the efficiency of a selection scheme or genetic analysis based on phenotype is a function of the heritability of the trait, factors like the environment, multigenic and quantitative inheritance, or partial and complete dominance often confound the expression of a genetic trait (33). Many of the complications of a phenotype-based assay can be mitigated through direct identification of genotype with a DNA-based diagnostic assay (5,7). For this reason, DNA-based genetic markers are being integrated into several genetic systems, and are expected to play an important role in the future of plant breeding.
Relevance of the Nuclear Quantum Effects on the Proton/Deuteron Transmission through Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Graphene Monolayers

According to recent experiments, atomically thin hexagonal boron nitride and graphene are permeable to protons and deuterons (and not to other atomic species), and the experimental estimates of the activation energy are lower than the theoretical values by about 0.5 eV for the isolated proton–membrane transfer model. Our analysis of the electronic potential energy surfaces along the normal to the transmission direction, obtained using correlated electronic structure methods, suggests that the aqueous environment is essential to stabilize the proton transmission, as opposed to the hydrogen atom. Therefore, the process is examined within a molecular model of H2O–H(D)+–material–H2O. Exact quantum-mechanical scattering calculations are performed to assess the relevance of the nuclear quantum effects, such as tunneling factors and the kinetic isotope effect (KIE). Deuteration is found to affect the thermal reaction rate constants (KIE of 3–4 for hexagonal boron nitride and 20–30 for the graphene) and to effect...
Abstract 16907: A Light-powered Symbiosis With a Primordial Chloroplast Attenuates Myocardial Injury in the Absence of Blood Perfusion

Objective: The treatment for acute myocardial infarction (MI) is prompt revascularization. Our goal is to develop a novel therapy that mimics perfusion, but is not reliant on restitution of blood flow. We hypothesized that targeted delivery of a photosynthetic agent to the ischemic heart would restore myocardial energetics, attenuate damage, and improve long-term performance. Methods: Ten-week old male Wistar rats were used for the ischemia-reperfusion model. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was temporarily ligated 2mm below the left atrial appendage via a left thoracotomy. Following ligation, animals were randomized to receive direct intramyocardial injection of 200μL PBS (n=7), 10x10 6 photosynthetic Synechecoccus elongatus (SE) of equivalent volume (n=10), or sham surgery (n=7). A light source illuminated the ischemic region for 1 hr after injection. The LAD tourniquet was subsequently removed and the heart reperfused. Ventricular function, geometry, and hemodynamics were assessed 4 weeks after surgery with MRI and LV catheterization. Results: Myocardial injury was attenuated by the photosynthetic agent: troponin-I concentration in peripheral blood was significantly lower in SE treated animals compared with controls 24 hrs post MI (6.5±4.8 vs. 16.5±10.5 ng/mL, P =0.05). Four weeks after MI, the mean LV ejection fraction was significantly greater in SE treated rats compared with controls (36.9±4.7 vs. 48.3±10.5%, P =0.02). Similarly, SE treated animals demonstrated a decreased end-systolic volume (327±133 vs. 487±140 μL, P =0.03) and a steeper slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (0.35±0.12 vs. 0.19±0.08, P =0.01). Histologic analyses revealed no evidence of intramyocardial abscess formation or persistent SE. Furthermore, the photosynthetic agent prevented upregulation of genes associated with hypoxia (downregulated Hsp-1b 11 fold). Conclusions: Delivery of a photosynthetic agent to ischemic myocardium creates a localized symbiotic relationship that safely attenuates myocardial injury and improves long-term ventricular function in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. Energizing myocardium with light in the absence of perfusion is a completely novel strategy for treating cardiac ischemia.
Statement of the Financial Economists Roundtable: Bank Capital as a Substitute for Prudential Regulation

The Financial CHOICE Act recently passed by the House proposes to create an â€œoffâ€ rampâ€ that would allow banks to escape burdensome prudential regulation if the ratio of their equity capital to their total assets is 10% or more. The Financial Economists Roundtable supports this idea as a means of reducing regulatory costs, but believes some additional safeguards are needed. A capital ratio of 10% may not be high enough to discourage banks from excessive risk taking. A solution is to have two capital requirements for banks choosing the offâ€ ramp: one absolute (as proposed in the act) and one riskâ€ based. The FER believes that many banks will prefer this regime to the current burdensome prudential regulation, especially if regulators simplify the setting of risk weights and make them more ruleâ€ based. Regulators setting minimum capital requirements should consider not only a bankâ€™s standâ€ alone risk, but also the systemic risk posed by banks, as well as the tendency of accounting measures of income and assets to overstate the economic value of banksâ€™ equity capital. The Financial Choice Act would also eliminate useful elements of ongoing supervision and regulation, not all of which can be addressed by higher capital alone. Furthermore, to facilitate regulatory learning about risks, offâ€ ramped banks should continue to report the data that regulators use for stress tests, even if they are no longer subjected to the discipline of stress tests. Finally, the act is viewed as too permissive in its treatment of offâ€ ramped banks that get into trouble. To prevent gaming of regulation, FERC recommends that offâ€ ramped banks that subsequently fall below the minimum requirements should be required to raise new capital immediately.
The CD8 T Cell Response to Respiratory Virus Infections

Humans are highly susceptible to infection with respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus, and parainfluenza virus. While some viruses simply cause symptoms of the common cold, many respiratory viruses induce severe bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and even death following infection. Despite the immense clinical burden, the majority of the most common pulmonary viruses lack long-lasting efficacious vaccines. Nearly all current vaccination strategies are designed to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies, which prevent severe disease following a subsequent infection. However, the mucosal antibody response to many respiratory viruses is not long-lasting and declines with age. CD8 T cells are critical for mediating clearance following many acute viral infections in the lung. In addition, memory CD8 T cells are capable of providing protection against secondary infections. Therefore, the combined induction of virus-specific CD8 T cells and antibodies may provide optimal protective immunity. Herein, we review the current literature on CD8 T cell responses induced by respiratory virus infections. Additionally, we explore how this knowledge could be utilized in the development of future vaccines against respiratory viruses, with a special emphasis on RSV vaccination.
Molecular Cloning, Structure and Expression of an Elicitor-Inducible Chitinase Gene From Pine Trees

We have cloned, sequenced, and examined the expression of genes from pine trees that appear to encode extracellular class II chitinase. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates a coding sequence composed of three exons interrupted by two introns at locations identical to those found in other chitinase genes that possess introns. One of the genes, Pschi4, potentially encodes a protein that shares 62% amino acid sequence identity through the catalytic domain with class II chitinase from tobacco. In contrast, Pschi1 contains a stop codon in the first exon and may be a pseudogene. Pschi4 genes are conserved in several species of pine, and appear to comprise a small multigene family. Treatment of pine cell suspension cultures with the general elicitor chitosan induced Pschi4 expression. The regulatory sequences associated with the Pschi4 gene were sufficient to direct chitosan-inducible expression of Pschi4 in transgenic tobacco plants, which indicates that Pschi4 is an actively expressed member of the multigene family. The observation that the Pschi4 gene from pine (a gymnosperm) was appropriately regulated by chitosan in tobacco (an angiosperm) suggests that the signaling pathways that mediate chitosan-induced transcription are highly conserved in the plant kingdom.
The New Science of Aging

Never in the history of the mankind has there been a better time to age. With the expansion of the lifespan from mid-30’s to nearly 80 years there is a surge towards harnessing the power of mobility to preserve health and change the way we age. This text book serves as a guide for clinicans caring for athletes and active agers of all ages and skill levels as we seek to optimize performance across the lifespan and minimize injury.
Micropapular Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Reviewed.

Background Micropapular cutaneous sarcoidosis (MPCS) is a rare variant of sarcoidosis. Herein we review the literature and include a recent case of MPCS discussing pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Method A review was conducted using the terms "micropapular sarcoidosis" and "micropapular sarcoid." A recent case of a 50-year-old male patient with biopsy-identified MPCS was also included in the review. Results In total, 12 cases with an aggregate of 18 patients were included in the review. Presentation among all patients was consistent, with scattered, occasionally pruritic, faintly erythematous shiny white papules. Skin biopsy demonstrated noncaseating granulomas. Systemic prednisone, oxytetracycline, and hydroxychloroquine, as well as topical betamethasone, were used for therapy. Conclusion In our review there does not seem to be a clear link as to the definite cause of the MPCS. While the relationships to tuberculosis and autoimmunity seem to be often emphasized, there was no clear association with either etiology.
Influence of small doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone following controlled internal drug-release insert removal on reproductive parameters in beef cattle subjected to a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol

ABSTRACT Heifers and cows that exhibit estrus before fixed-time AI have increased concentrations of estradiol and greater conception rates compared with those that do not. Our objective was to determine whether small doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone following controlled internal drug-release insert removal would affect estradiol concentrations, estrus expression, or pregnancy success. Beef cattle (n = 247) were synchronized using the 7-d CO-Synch+CIDR protocol and assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (0 μg,10 μg, or 5 + 5 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone). Animals were observed for estrus, blood samples were collected, and animals were bred by appointment. Concentrations of estradiol were influenced by time (P
Genetic variation of waterlogging tolerance in Pima (Gossypium barbadense) cotton and glanded and glandless Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) under field conditions

Abstract Waterlogging stress is a serious problem in many cotton production areas where seasonal heavy rain, floods, inappropriate irrigation or poor soil drainage are frequently encountered. In this study, 104 entries from 81 cotton genotypes including 8 Pima (Gossypium barbadense L.) and 73 Upland (G. hirsutum L.) genotypes were divided into four replicated tests under the same field conditions in 2016. The evaluation of waterlogging tolerance based on leaf color ratings was performed at the flowering stage (64 days after planting, DAP) by furrow irrigation with standing water in the field for 48 h. At 7 days after irrigation (DAI), the Pima cotton did not display any leaf color changes, indicating a high level of short-term waterlogging tolerance. A great variation in waterlogging tolerance was detected in both commercial transgenic cultivars and non-transgenic advanced breeding lines in Upland cotton, and the broad-sense heritability estimates for waterlogging tolerance ranged from 0.536 to 0.816, with an average of 0.676. When 18 lines were tested in 2–3 tests (or twice in the same test), overall consistent results in waterlogging tolerance were obtained in that seven New Mexico lines including Acala 1517-08, NM 13G2019, NM 13G1029, and NM 13R1015 and three glandless lines (Acala 1517-18 GLS, NuMex COT 15 GLS, and NuMex COT 17 GLS) and four commercial cultivars (FM 1911 GLT, FM 2322 GL, FM 2484 B2F and PHY 725 RF) were waterlogging tolerant. However, at 21 DAI, no significant differences in chlorophyll content were detected in all the three Upland cotton tests each with 32 genotypes. This study provides useful information in cotton breeding for cultivar selection for tolerance to waterlogging stress.
Consolidation of Molybdenum nanopowders by spark plasma sintering: Densification mechanism and first mirror application

Abstract Mo nanopowders are synthesized by ball milling and the following hydrogen reduction of MoO3 powders. The densification mechanism of Mo nanopowders during spark plasma sintering (SPS) is analyzed by the combination of the regression of the experimental data on regular SPS and on the SPS multistep pressure dilatometry based on the continuum theory of the sintering. The Mo mirror with 400 nm average grain size and 93% relative density is fabricated by the SPS. The performance of the mirrors made from a single crystal Mo and from the hydrogen-reduced sintered Mo nanopowder is discussed. The microstructure and optical properties of the mirrors are characterized before and after plasma exposure, and no substantial degradation of the reflectivity was observed.
The Effect of Metal Temper on Explosively-Formed Fuse Performance

A strong dependence of the dynamic resistivity of Explosively-Formed Fuses (EFF) on metal temper is reported. The explosively driven switch has been extremely effective in a wide range of large-scale experiments but good, predictive, computational models of its performance have proven elusive, possibly because the temper of the metal conductor has not been previously considered. Small-scale experiments were employed to study the effects of metal temper. It was found that the dynamic resistivity of the switch increased significantly with metal hardness; the dynamic resistivity of the hardest foils being approximately three times that of the dead-soft material. These results suggest that metal fracture is an important aspect of the EFF behavior.
Community in the Permanent Supportive Housing Model: Applications to Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

A key aspect of permanent supportive housing (PSH) is the community it forms, providing social supports and a sense of home for residents. Only recently, however, have evaluations of PSH examined c...
Factors Associated With Use of High-Cost Agents for the Treatment of Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND Antineoplastic agents approved in recent decades are a marked advancement in cancer treatment, but they come at considerable cost. These drugs may widen survival disparities between patients who receive these agents and those who do not. We examine factors associated with the use of high-cost antineoplastic agents for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study using 2007-2015 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-Medicare data supplemented with the Area Health Resource File. Patients were aged 66 years and older, were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare Part D, were diagnosed with a first primary diagnosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and had received an antineoplastic agent. "High-cost agents" were defined as agents costing $5000 or more per month. Independent variables include race/ethnicity, urban or rural residency, census tract poverty, and treatment facility type (eg, National Cancer Institute designation). RESULTS Patients who lived in areas of high poverty were 4 percentage points less likely to receive high-cost agents (two-sided P < .001). Patients who were not treated at a National Cancer Institute-designated center were 10 percentage points less likely to receive these agents (two-sided P < .001). A 27 percentage-point increase in the likelihood of receiving a high-cost agent was observed in 2015, as compared to 2007, highlighting the rapid change in practice patterns (two-sided P < .001). CONCLUSION Potential policy and care delivery solutions involve outreach and support to community physicians who treat patients in remote areas. We estimate that widespread use of these agents conservatively cost approximately $3 billion per year for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer alone.
Early changes in serum osteocalcin and body weight are predictive of implant fixation in a rat model of implant loosening.

Biomarkers are of interest to identify patients at risk for peri-implant osteolysis and aseptic loosening. We used a rat model of particle-induced peri-implant osteolysis to investigate if early changes in biomarkers were associated with subsequent implant fixation strength. Implants were placed in rat femora, which were then challenged with intra-articular knee injections of either clean polyethylene, lipopolysaccharide-doped polyethylene, or cobalt-chromium alloy particles, with particle-free vehicle serving as control (n ≥ 8 per group). Rats were weighed weekly, blood was collected at weeks 0, 3, 5, and 6, and locomotor behavior was assessed 4 days before study conclusion. Rats were euthanized 6 weeks post surgery. Week 6 serum was analyzed for five bone remodeling markers, while longitudinal serum was assessed for osteocalcin. Bone-implant contact, peri-implant trabecular architecture, and implant fixation strength were measured. Rats challenged with cobalt-chromium particles had a significant reduction in implant fixation strength compared with the vehicle-control group (P = .034). This group also had elevated serum osteocalcin (P = .005), depressed weight gain (P = .001) and less frequent rearing behavior (P = .029). Regardless of group, change in serum osteocalcin at week 3 (r = -.368; P = .046), change in weight at week 2 (r = .586; P < .001), as well as weight change at all other time intervals were associated with fixation strength. The finding that early alterations in serum osteocalcin and body weight were predictive of subsequent implant fixation strength supports continued investigation of biomarkers for early detection of peri-implant osteolysis and implant loosening. Further, change in biomarker levels was found to be more indicative of implant fixation status than any single measurement.