cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Distinct Case of CLIPPERS with predominant Spinal Cord Involvement (P3.419)

Objective: Here we presented a unique case of CLIPPERS with typical MRI findings predominant involving cervical spinal cord, which are consistent with multiple punctuate lesions as described in CLIPPERS. Background: “Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS)” is a rare steroid responsive relapsing-remitting CNS inflammatory disorder with distinct clinical, radiological, and pathological features involving mostly the pons, medulla, cerebellum and cervicomedullary junction with a distinct pattern of multiple punctate enhancing lesions. In this case presented, there is predominant involvement of cervical spinal cord in addition to the brainstem. A 22 year old right handed AA woman with weakness in both lower extremities worsened to the extent that she could not walk properly and transfer herself well. Patient was still able to ambulate with walker and used wheelchair as needed. She had lost urine and bowel control. She was started on IV steroids followed by oral steroids. She was completely wheelchair bound by this time. Design/Methods: Information regarding patient obtained via retrospective review of electronic medical records Results: MRI brain Multifocal punctate foci of increased T2 signal with enhancement in the dorsal pons, medulla and cervicomedullary junction consistent with the provided diagnosis of CLIPPERS disease. MRI C spine multifocal punctate T2 hyperintensities of the cervicomedullary junction and throughout the cervical spinal cord with patchy punctate enhancement, consistent with provided diagnosis of CLIPPERS disease. Ct thorax for concern of sarcoidosis was negative for any mass or lymphadenopathy. Conclusions: Most reported cases of CLIPPERS are in fact only pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids. We presented a unique case of CLIPPERS with typical MRI findings predominant involving cervical spinal cord, which are consistent with multiple punctuate lesions involving the pons, medulla, and cervical spine salt and pepper like appearance. Treatment with steroid improved the pt symptoms. Disclosure: Dr. Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sriwastava has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vemuri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Seraji-Bozorgzad has nothing to disclose.
Extracting and Measuring dNTP Pools in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Regulation of dNTP pools in an intracellular environment is not only vital for DNA replication but also plays a major role in maintaining genomic stability. Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in dNTP synthesis and altered regulation of RNR leads to imbalanced dNTP pools. Increased dNTP levels are mutagenic and have the potential to interfere with pathways that are involved in DNA replication, repair and DNA damage control. However, the mechanisms through which altered dNTP pools affect these pathways are poorly understood. Nonetheless, altered dNTP pools have been identified in a number of cellular contexts, including cancer. In order to interpret and analyze the effects of altered dNTP pools, we need quantitative information about dNTP pools in different genetic and environmental contexts in vivo. Here we describe a high-throughput fluorescence-based assay that uses a qPCR-based approach to quantify dNTP levels for use with Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts.
Analysis of the Type Ia Supernova SN1994D

We present an analysis of the observed light curves and spectra of the Type Ia supernova SN1994D in the galaxy NGC 4526. The sensitivity of theoretical light curves and spectra to the underlying hydrodynamical model is discussed. The calculations are consistent with respect to the explosion mechanism, the optical and infrared light curves, and the spectral evolution, leaving the description of the nuclear burning front and the structure of the white dwarf as the only free parameters. The explosions are calculated using a one-dimensional Lagrangian code including a nuclear network. Subsequently, the light curves are constructed. Detailed NLTE-spectra are computed for several instants of time using the density, chemical, and luminosity structure resulting from the light curve code. Different scenarios have been compared to the observations including detonations, deflagrations, delayed detonations, tamped detonations and Helium detonations. Only one of our delayed detonations models shows good agreement with the observations of SN1994D both for the B, V, R and I colors and the spectral evolution. The classical deflagration model W7 does not reproduce the high Si velocities as observed early on. The deflagration velocity is close to the laminar deflagration $(v =0.03 c_s)$, and the transition from the deflagration to the detonation occurs at $\rho_{tr} = 2.~10^7 g/cm^{3}$. The initial central density of the white dwarf (WD) is $2.7~10^9 g/cm^{3}$. The distance to SN1994D is determined to $16.2 \pm 2 Mpc$. The explosion took
Combining Expression of Hypervariably Expressed Genes with IGHV Mutation Status Is a More Robust Prognostic Indicator Than Mutation Status Alone in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract 1774 Introduction: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) follows a variable, difficult to predict course. Biomarkers ( IGHV mutations, CD38 and ZAP-70) have improved prognostication but accuracy is only ∼80%, not sufficient to initiate preemptive therapy. To address this, we have incorporated another molecular biological parameter, hypervariably expressed genes (HVEGs) from global gene expression profiles (GEPs) [Dozmorov, 2011], along with IGHV mutation status to develop a more robust method of prognostication. Methods: RNA was purified from B cells of 65 CLL patients and 25 normal subjects. GEPs were defined with Illumina HumanHT12 beadchips and analyzed to identify HVEGs fluctuating coordinately in CLL patients but not expressed in normal circulating human B cells. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compare expression levels with clinical outcome. Results: Unmutated CLL (U-CLL) and mutated CLL (M-CLL) samples were sorted based on the averaged normalized gene expression level in the largest HVEG cluster consisting of 45 genes. Samples were split into subgroups based on high and low expression of these genes. Four subgroups were identified: U-CLL with high (U-HVE hi ), U-CLL with low (U-HVE lo ), M-CLL with high (M-HVE hi ), and M-CLL with low (M-HVE lo ) expression of HVEGs. When these subgroups were analyzed for time-to-first treatment (TTFT), the findings were remarkably different. Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model we found that for M-CLL the presence of low levels of HVEGs denoted a subgroup with a prolonged median TTFT compared to M-CLL patients with high levels of HVEGs (23.46 yrs in M-HVE lo versus 9.05 yrs in M-HVE hi ; P =0.0075). This association was reversed in U-CLL, where low levels of HVEGs pinpointed a subgroup with a shortened median TTFT compared to U-CLL patients with high levels of HVEGs: median TTFT was 8.01 yrs in U-HVE hi and decreased by 50% to 3.12 yrs in U-HVE lo ( P =0.0151). Compared to the TTFT for M-HVE lo , the TTFT for U-HVE lo was dramatically shorter (3.12 vs. 23.46 years; P Discussion: Combining the HVEG approach with IGHV mutation status enabled us to define intra-group heterogeneity, and thereby improve prognostication for apparently homogeneous subgroups of U-CLL and M-CLL patients. This combination was superior to IGHV mutations alone in that it pinpointed a subset of M-CLL patients with shorter TTFTs and a subset of U-CLL patients with longer TTFTs, indicating that the combined approach selects those patients that IGHV mutation analysis misclassified. Therefore, combining IGHV mutation status and HVEG expression provides a more precise indicator with potentially valuable clinical implications. The data suggest that the HVEGs are responsible for the different outcomes in the two groups and could provide mechanistic insights into key aspects of CLL B-cell biology as well as therapeutic targets. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Algorithms, platforms, and ethnic bias

How computing platforms and algorithms can potentially either reinforce or identify and address ethnic biases.
Radiological diagnosis of pelvic ring fractures

Traumatische Beckenringfrakturen sind vergleichsweise selten, erhohen jedoch das Mortalitatsrisiko. Nach Verletzungsmechanismus und Hauptvektor der Energieeinwirkung unterscheidet man die anteroposteriore Kompression, die laterale Kompression und die vertikale Scherung (Young-Burgess-Klassifikation), wahrend die stabilitatsbezogene Klassifikation nach Tile zwischen Typ A (stabil), Typ B (rotatorisch instabil) und Typ C (komplett instabil) unterscheidet. Beide Klassifikationen finden Eingang in die AO/OTA-Klassifikation. Die Projektionsradiographie besitzt eine schlechte Sensitivitat, wird aber noch zur Erkennung hochinstabiler Beckenfrakturen eingesetzt. Die CT stellt die diagnostische Modalitat der Wahl dar (Sensitivitat bis 100 %). Neben der Frakturklassifikation erlaubt sie auch die sichere Mitbeurteilung assoziierter Gefas- und Harnblasen‑/Harnrohrenverletzungen sowie groser Weichteileinblutungen. Fruhe Insuffizienzfrakturen des Beckens sowie Cauda- und Plexusverletzungen konnen besser mit der MRT erfasst werden. Angiographie, Sonographie und nuklearmedizinische Methoden stellen zusatzliche wichtige diagnostische und therapeutische Verfahren dar. Die Kenntnis grundsatzlicher pelviner Traumamechanismen ist wichtig, um traumatische Beckenfrakturen in ihrer potenziellen Schwere zu erfassen und hinsichtlich ihrer Stabilitat richtig zu klassifizieren. Typische Begleitverletzungen bei Beckenringfrakturen mussen bekannt sein, sollten sicher diagnostiziert und dem Kliniker kommuniziert werden. Dabei bleibt die CT das „diagnostische Arbeitspferd“. Bei Fragilitatsfrakturen des Beckens ist auf den oftmals prolongierten Verlauf mit Frakturprogredienz zu achten, weswegen die MRT hier einen besonderen Stellenwert besitzt.
Weekly supervised convolutional long short-term memory neural networks for MR-TRUS registration

We propose an approach based on a weekly supervised method for MR-TRUS image registration. Inspired by the viscous fluid physical model, we made the first attempt at combining convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) Neural Network to perform deep learning-based dense deformation field prediction. Through the integration of convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) Neural Network and weakly supervised approach, we achieved accurate results in terms of Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and target registration error (TRE) without using conventional intensity-based image similarity measures. Thirty-six sets of patient data were used in the study. Experimental results showed that our proposed ConvLSTM neural network produced a mean TRE of 2.85±1.72 mm and a mean Dice of 0.89.
CD10/Neprilysin Enrichment in Infrapatellar Fat Pad-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Regulatory-Compliant Conditions: Implications for Efficient Synovitis and Fat Pad Fibrosis Reversal.

Background:Synovitis and infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) fibrosis participate in various conditions of the knee. Substance P (SP), a neurotransmitter secreted within those structures and historically a...
Intractable Problems and Approximation Algorithms

We now introduce techniques for proving that no efficient algorithm exists for a given problem. The practical reader is probably squirming at the notion of proving anything, and will be particularly alarmed at the idea of investing time to prove that something does not exist. Why are you better off knowing that something you don’t know how to do in fact can’t be done at all?
Contrasting patterns of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) vs. geosmin across depth in a drinking water reservoir are mediated by cyanobacteria and actinobacteria.

Taste and odor episodes caused by off-flavor secondary metabolites, such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, pose one of the greatest challenges for drinking water utilities around the world. The prevalence of these compounds is predicted to increase in the future as a function of nutrient enrichment and elevated temperatures of surface drinking water sources. We conducted a manipulative field experiment in a drinking water reservoir to elucidate patterns for two taste and odor compounds, MIB and geosmin, as well as two taxa known to produce these compounds, phytoplankton (more specifically, cyanobacteria) and actinobacteria, across different depths in response to nutrient enrichment with two common dissolved nitrogen forms, organic urea or inorganic nitrate. In general, we found that MIB levels increased by greater than 250% with nutrient enrichment mediated by increased phytoplankton biomass. However, the effect of the fertilization treatments on MIB decreased with depth with a 35% reduction at 7 m versus 1.5 m. In contrast, geosmin levels reached a maximum at the lowest measured depth (7 m), were unaffected by the fertilization treatments, and followed a similar pattern to the abundance of actinobacteria. Thus, our data suggest that the positive response of phytoplankton (e.g., cyanobacteria, such as Oscillatoria species) to the fertilization treatments is likely responsible for increased MIB, while geosmin concentrations may be a function of actinobacteria-mediated decomposition in the hypolimnion in our study system.
Performance Analysis of LTE Signals in RD-STAP Applications

Widespread availability of long-term evolution (LTE) signals makes them potential for use in passive bistatic radar (PBR) applications. However, their utility in such applications is yet to be fully explored. This research focuses on the key LTE signal attributes, such as modulation schemes and bandwidth, and their effect on PBR application. Space-time adaptive processing (STAP) concepts, both full-dimension (FD-STAP) and reduced-dimension (RD-STAP), were employed to evaluate and compare the effects of varying these signal attributes, in terms of signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) metrics. Simulation results indicate that decreasing LTE signal’s bandwidth and increasing its bitrate will worsen both SINR L and SINR L,o . This trend remained valid irrespective of the type of STAP algorithm used.
Advanced monitoring and simulation for underground gas storage risk management

Abstract It is crucial to ensure the safety and integrity of underground gas storage (UGS) infrastructure for energy reliability in California, and many other places around the world. To address the risk management need in UGS industry, we take advantage of recent advances in downhole fiber optic monitoring and coupled well-reservoir simulation to provide unprecedented understanding of gas flow in wells at UGS sites. We have combined advanced monitoring and simulation of UGS operations into a decision-support system called the Integrated Risk Management and Decision Support System (IRMDSS). The IRMDSS framework includes three components: (i) mechanistic models, (ii) continuous and frequent monitoring data, and (iii) a supervisory interface for performing analyses using the models and monitoring data. The goal of the IRMDSS is to equip UGS operators with real-time monitoring data and simulation tools that can alert them to potential failures, detect early leakage, and support mitigation decision-making to prevent otherwise larger failures. We demonstrate an application of the IRMDSS by analyzing the temperature and pressure response to a hypothetical leak. Through a review of distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data collected at an operating UGS facility we show that DTS can uniquely and precisely identify the depth of the gas-water-contact in the well annulus, and that DTS can provide an early warning signal of upward gas flow as would occur in a well blowout scenario. When combined with modeling analysis, a rough leak rate can be roughly estimated to understand the severity of the leakage conditions and to support the mitigation decision needed.
A closer look at the practice and impact of “rounds”

Abstract A practice that is gaining momentum in many countries in the world is “Rounds,” also known as Teacher Rounds, Instructional Rounds, or Education Rounds. Rounds engage educators in communities of practice, engender critical reflection, and support mutual learning. However, though promising as a way to focus learning in, from, and about teaching practice, Rounds has been the subject of comparatively little theoretical analysis or empirical study. It seems timely then to look at this emerging practice. This special issue delves into the conceptualization and practice of Rounds in the U.S., U.K., and Australia by theorizing around the idea, providing portraits of implementation, and sharing research that has emerged from enactments of Rounds with both pre-service and in-service teachers.
Mental Disorders in Older Adults: Fundamentals of Assessment and Treatment, by Steven H. Zarit and Judy M. Zarit

The older adult population will exponentially increase in the next couple of decades as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age. This means that health care providers will be faced with a...
Pten and p27KIP1 cooperate in prostate cancer tumor suppression in the mouse

The genetic bases underlying prostate tumorigenesis are poorly understood. Inactivation of the tumor-suppressor gene PTEN and lack of p27(KIP1) expression have been detected in most advanced prostate cancers. But mice deficient for Cdkn1b (encoding p27(Kip1)) do not develop prostate cancer. PTEN activity leads to the induction of p27(KIP1) expression, which in turn can negatively regulate the transition through the cell cycle. Thus, the inactivation of p27(KIP1) may be epistatic to PTEN in the control of the cell cycle. Here we show that the concomitant inactivation of one Pten allele and one or both Cdkn1b alleles accelerates spontaneous neoplastic transformation and incidence of tumors of various histological origins. Cell proliferation, but not cell survival, is increased in Pten(+/-)/Cdkn1b(-/-) mice. Moreover, Pten(+/-)/Cdkn1b(-/-) mice develop prostate carcinoma at complete penetrance within three months from birth. These cancers recapitulate the natural history and pathological features of human prostate cancer. Our findings reveal the crucial relevance of the combined tumor-suppressive activity of Pten and p27(Kip1) through the control of cell-cycle progression.
Analysis of High-Molecular-Weight Ribonucleic Acid Associated with Intracisternal A Particles

Intracisternal A particles, known primarily for their association with various tumors, have been shown to contain high-molecular-weight (HMW) ribonucleic acid (RNA) by velocity centrifugation, using linear glycerol gradients. This HMW RNA is sensitive to ribonuclease digestion and alkali treatment but is resistant to Pronase treatment. By a double-labeling experiment, HMW RNA was shown to be intrinsic to intracisternal A particles and not to have resulted from cytoplasmic polysomal RNA aggregation. By a reconstitution experiment, it was determined that the results were not due to C-type virus contamination. The synthesis of HMW RNA in intracisternal A particles is inhibited by actinomycin D and ethidium bromide. These observations emphasize that there are probably some taxonomic relationships between intracisternal A particles and oncogenic RNA viruses. Images
Study Habits of Preservice Teachers

It is reasonable to believe that an effective teacher has been trained to use a variety of methods and teaching strategies to help students learn in the teacher’s specific content area. It is also conceivable to think that teachers are aware of study strategies. Teachers should know what it takes to be academically successful in that content area. However, it is when teachers do not possess this knowledge for themselves that makes one wonder “why not”. This exploratory study investigated the study habits of junior level preservice teachers (N=96) as the first step in revising an online content reading course designed to provide reading strategies for preservice teachers in the content areas. The results showed that the majority of preservice teacher respondents listed factors related to the classroom (P-12 and college) and use of study aids as most related to their academic success. Implications for future research are included. Keywords: Study habits, Pre-Service Teachers
Anatomy of viral persistence : Mechanisms of persistence and associated disease

Publisher Summary The knowledge that viruses can persist is as important finding in virology. Indeed, the puzzle for a virus to solve is how to live within a host over the lifetime of the host. Viruses that persist in a host are ultimately successful by virtue of their abilities to (1) survive within cells that provide their sustenance, and (2) avoid recognition by the host immune system. Viruses that persist must remain within a cell for a prolonged time without disturbing the transcription or translation of genes necessary for survival of the infected cell or altering lysosomal or plasma membranes. It is reported that a number of current diseases affecting differentiated systems such as the nervous, endocrine, immune, and cardioskeletal muscle systems as yet of unknown etiology may likely be caused by infectious agents such as viruses, which have evolved to persist and replicate in differentiated cells without causing lysis of the cell they infect. With the availability of highly sensitive molecular techniques to identify limited amounts of materials, this hypothesis can be adequately tested in the coming decades. From the evidence that is evolving, the study of such persistent viruses may dominate virology in the 21st century.
Conductance of Dilute Sodium Acetate Solutions to 469 K and of Acetic Acid and Sodium Acetate/Acetic Acid Mixtures to 548 K and 20 MPa

In order to obtain accurate association constants for sodium acetate, a very precise flow method was used to measure the electrical conductivity of dilute aqueous solutions of sodium acetate at ambient conditions and 469 K and 20 MPa. Measurements at ambient conditions, 469 and 548 K and 20 MPa, were also made on sodium acetate/acetic acid mixtures and acetic acid. In order to determine the limiting the equivalent conductances and the association constant for sodium acetate, and dissociation constant for acetic acid, the results were fitted to two modern conductance equations (Fuoss–Hsia–Fernandez–Prini and Turq–Blum–Bernard–Kunz) with accompanying activity coefficient models (mean spherical approximation and the Debye–Huckel with the Bjerrum distance). The choice of conductance equation, activity coefficient model, assumed values for the limiting equivalent conductance for minor species, and assumed equilibrium constants for minor reactions, did not significantly change the resulting equilibrium constants. The insensitivity of the calculated equilibrium constants to these choices in conjunction with the inherent precision of the flow conductance technique leads us to believe that the present results are the most accurate sodium acetate ion-pairing constants published to date. Our results for acetic acid are in good agreement with previously published results from other laboratories.
Dechlorination of Four Commercial Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixtures (Aroclors) by Anaerobic Microorganisms from Sediments.

The rate, extent, and pattern of dechlorination of four Aroclors by inocula prepared from two polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediments were compared. The four mixtures used, Aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260, average approximately three, four, five, and six chlorines, respectively, per biphenyl molecule. All four Aroclors were dechlorinated with the loss of meta plus para chlorines ranging from 15 to 85%. Microorganisms from an Aroclor 1242-contaminated site in the upper Hudson River dechlorinated Aroclor 1242 to a greater extent than did microorganisms from Aroclor 1260-contaminated sediments from Silver Lake, Mass. The Silver Lake inoculum dechlorinated Aroclor 1260 more rapidly than the Hudson River inoculum did and showed a preferential removal of meta chlorines. For each inoculum the rate and extent of dechlorination tended to decrease as the degree of chlorination of the Aroclor increased, especially for Aroclor 1260. The maximal observed dechlorination rates were 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2 μg-atoms of Cl removed per g of sediment per week for Aroclors 1242, 1248, and 1254, respectively. The maximal observed dechlorination rates for Hudson River and Silver Lake organisms for Aroclor 1260 were 0.04 and 0.21 μg-atoms of Cl removed per g of sediment per week, respectively. The dechlorination patterns obtained suggested that the Hudson River microorganisms were more capable than the Silver Lake organisms of removing the last para chlorine. These results suggest that there are different PCB-dechlorinating microorganisms at different sites, with characteristic specificities for PCB dechlorination.
Primary care at the Alaska Native Medical Center: a fully deployed "new model" of primary care.

OBJECTIVES Beginning in the 1940s health care for Alaska Native people was delivered by the United States Indian Health Service. The transition to Alaska Native ownership was completed in 1998-9 with the transfer of the Alaska Native Medical Center to Alaska Native corporations. METHODS The Native leaders of Southcentral Foundation made a conscious decision to redesign the medical primary care system around the core premise of optimizing long-term, trusting, accountable relationships. The medical system was reoriented to optimize these relationships, assure whole system intentional and integrated design, and remove barriers to these relationship being formed. RESULTS . The transformed system allowed Alaska Native individuals and families to choose a primary care provider, enter into long-term trusting relationship with the provider, and partner in the journey towards wellness. It was a fully integrated approach that used every part of the system to best advantage, put the power in the hands of the individual and family, and effectively focused on the underlying determinants of health. CONCLUSIONS The primary care system created and managed by Southcentral Foundation at the Alaska Native Medical Center demonstrated a system built on similar premises to the "New Model" of family medicine.
Early Biochemical Events Occurring After Infection of Bacillus cereus 569-SP1 with Bacteriophage GSW

After infection of Bacillus cereus 569-SP1 with the 5-hydroxymethyluracil-containing phage GSW, new dTTPase, dUTPase, and dUMP-hydroxymethylase activities appear. No significant changes in activities of other pyrimidine ribonucleoside or 2′-deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate nucleotidohydrolases were detected. dUTP and dUMP inhibit the dTTPase activity, whereas dTTP failed to inhibit dUTPase activity. The K m value for the substrate dUTP is 10 −4 M and for dTTP is 4.85 × 10 −4 M. Thymidylate synthetase activity is inhibited only when cells are infected during the late lag or very early log phases of growth; when cells are infected with phage during mid-log, thymidylate synthetase activity is unaffected. The data support the suggestion that, although phage GSW may inhibit an otherwise expected increase in activity of thymidylate synthetase, it fails to affect the already existing activity. The data presented do not allow discrimination as to whether the phage specifies inhibition of de novo synthesis of thymidylate synthetase or the increase in activity of already existing but not fully expressed enzyme.
Alternative conceptions of the time-line

Summary form only given. It is often assumed that if time is continuous, then the standard mathematical account of the continuum, the real line, is the appropriate model of the local structure of the timeline. However, another popular account of the timeline which provides the basis for Allen's famous 13 interval relations does not seem naturally compatible with the real line. This paper sharpens the differences between these two accounts and offers a unified account which retains some advantages of both, at the cost of making the continuum a slightly more complicated structure. The end result, which allows intervals to have negative and zero lengths, might be seen as a re-invention of arithmetic.
Outcomes of Combined Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff and Labral Repair

BackgroundRotator cuff tears, Bankart lesions, and superior labral anterior posterior lesions commonly occur in isolation, but there is a subgroup of patients who experience combined injuries. Prior studies have excluded such patients as confounding groups.HypothesisIn patients with combined lesions of the labrum and rotator cuff, arthroscopic repair of both lesions will restore range of motion and stability and provide good clinical results.Study DesignCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes of a series of patients with combined rotator cuff and labral (Bankart or superior labral anterior posterior) lesions treated arthroscopically.ResultsThirty patients (average age, 47.8 years) with combined rotator cuff and labral lesions were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 2.7 years (range, 24-54 months). Sixteen patients had Bankart lesions and 14 patients had SLAP lesions. Significant improvements in forward flexion (20.5°, P = .005), external rotation (9.0°, P...
Formal syntax methods for natural language

Abstract This paper describes on-going research into the applications of some techniques normally used to formally specify and analyze the context-sensitive syntax of programming languages to the specification and analysis of the syntax of a natural language, namely English. The specific formal methods presently being investigated are two-level grammar (2LG) and the Vienna Definition Language (VDL). A preliminary subset of English has been established consisting of fifteen basic sentence patterns. 2LG and VDL specifications are given for one of these sentence types and the syntactic analysis of an English sentence using each of the two specifications is illustrated through an example.
Ashby's notion of memory and the ontology of technical evolution

In Ross Ashby's cybernetic theory, he proposed an illuminating angle for understanding the notion of memory. While the conventional understanding of the notion of memory for a learning system treats memory in terms of things to remember, Ashby led us to rethink the idea of memory through its relation to an adaptive learning system. That is, we can have a learning machine without the possession of memory as long as the machine can derive required information about the past from the current conditions of its environment. In this paper, we elucidate this notion and argue that memory should be understood as a co-constitution by both a learning machine and its environment through their continuous interactions with each other.
Immunocytochemical analysis of prolactin cells in the adult rat adenohypophysis: distribution and quantitation relative to sex and strain.

Prolactin immunocytochemistry was conducted (1) in serial sections of whole fixed pituitaries, for cell distribution analysis; and (2) on preparations of enzymatically dispersed anterior pituitary cells maintained for 1–4 days in vitro, for quantitation of the relative population of prolactin (PRL) cells. Both types of analysis were conducted on glands from young adult rats of both sexes in Long-Evans, Sprague-Dawley, and Fischer 344 strains. Cell quantitation results were compared with serum levels, intracellular content, and in vitro release of prolactin, for individual cell preparations. The results show that both PRL cell distribution and relative population numbers are similar between sexes in all three rat strains. Average percentages ranged from 25.9% to 32.1% in all young males and diestrous females. Prolactinpositive numbers of cells correlated positively with intracellular hormone content but not with serum or medium PRL levels. The prolactin cell population was significantly larger in aged Fischer 344 males but was not correlated with intracellular PRL levels. The prolactin cell population was heterogeneous in staining intensity and distribution in both sexes of all three strains.
Gender Differences in Courtship Violence Victimization.

Using data from a seven college sample of students, gender differences in three dimensions of courtship violence victimization (acts, meanings, and events) are explored. Females were principle victims by both male and female report. Rates of commission of acts and initiation of violence were similar across gender, although females sustained more higher level violence. Male reports of motives were largely culpability reducing. Females reported many more sexual assaults, and physical and emotional injury than males. Males did not perceive families as sustaining greater harm. Implications of the results for practitioners, particularly for understanding "batterer denial" are discussed.
Cholestasis and increased biliary excretion of inulin in rats given 1,1-dichloroethylene

Bile flow and biliary excretion of the inert solute [3H]inulin were monitored in unanesthetized, freely moving male rats for 4 h after oral administration of 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Comparisons were made between 4 groups: fed-controls, fed-1,1-DCE treated, fasted-controls, and fasted-1,1-DCE treated. Biliary inulin excretion was assessed at 30-min intervals as total excretion and as bile/plasma ratio. 1,1-DCE treatment was consistently associated with at least a 2-fold increase in both parameters of inulin excretion within 2 h after toxin administration. In contrast, 1,1-DCE treatment was not associated with changes in plasma inulin values at any time or in liver/plasma inulin ratios at 4 h. Bile flow decreased in all groups: gradually by 30% in the fed and fasted controls, by 40% in the fed-1,1-DCE treated group, and markedly by 65% in the fasted-1,1-DCE treated group. Liver damage at 4 h as reflected by elevated plasma activities of liver-derived enzymes was found only in fasted-1,1-DCE treated rats. Thus the cholestatic effect of 1,1-DCE appears related to the development of liver damage whereas other aspects of the hepatic response to 1,1-DCE may enhanced biliary excretion of inulin.
MAPK ERK Signaling Regulates the TGF-β1-Dependent Mosquito Response to Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria is caused by infection with intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium that are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Although a variety of anti-parasite effector genes have been identified in anopheline mosquitoes, little is known about the signaling pathways that regulate these responses during parasite development. Here we demonstrate that the MEK-ERK signaling pathway in Anopheles is controlled by ingested human TGF-β1 and finely tunes mosquito innate immunity to parasite infection. Specifically, MEK-ERK signaling was dose-dependently induced in response to TGF-β1 in immortalized cells in vitro and in the A. stephensi midgut epithelium in vivo. At the highest treatment dose of TGF-β1, inhibition of ERK phosphorylation increased TGF-β1-induced expression of the anti-parasite effector gene nitric oxide synthase (NOS), suggesting that increasing levels of ERK activation negatively feed back on induced NOS expression. At infection levels similar to those found in nature, inhibition of ERK activation reduced P. falciparum oocyst loads and infection prevalence in A. stephensi and enhanced TGF-β1-mediated control of P. falciparum development. Taken together, our data demonstrate that malaria parasite development in the mosquito is regulated by a conserved MAPK signaling pathway that mediates the effects of an ingested cytokine.
On the amazing olivocerebellar system.

: Over the last four decades elegant sets of a single-cell studies, originating from various research groups, have contributed significantly to our understanding of olivary and cerebellar physiology. Nevertheless questions relating to the dynamic properties of olivocerebellar network, as a system, remain unsolved. We may be reaching the limits of what can be learned using the single-cell recordings. Further research on this subject may require study of the spatiotemporal activity profiles of ensemble neuronal activity. This paper summarizes results obtained using voltage-sensitive dye imaging in inferior olive slices, and the use of mathematical modeling to address such activity profiles.
Chronic murine hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni : relative irreversibility after treatment.

Abstract Previous studies in the experimental animal on hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni after antischistosomal treatment have revealed marked regression of both overt disease and liver lesions; treatment in all instances was instituted at the acute or early chronic stage of the disease. In the present study treatment was started in the late chronic stages of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: regression of the disease was relatively slight over a 25-week period.
Induction Heating - Selection of Frequency

THE general definition of induction heating is the use of eddy currents to raise the temperature of a conducting mass. Thus induction heating is an application of the theory of the eddy-current phenomenon.
Insulin-like growth factor 2/H19 methylation at birth and risk of overweight and obesity in children.

The prevalence of obesity in children under the age of five years has more than doubled since the 1990s, affecting one in five children in the US, with minority populations disproportionately affected (1, 2). Early childhood obesity and excessive infant weight gain have been associated with higher blood pressure (3) and wheezing (4) in childhood, and obesity and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood (reviewed in Ong) (5). Childhood obesity may be an early adaptive response hypothesized to be largely driven by epigenetic mechanisms that guide expression of genes involved in energy balance, culminating in gene expression profiles that predispose to overweight and obesity. A commonly studied epigenetic mechanism is DNA methylation, in part because of its stability in conditions in which human specimens are collected. Animal evidence from the last decade indicates that DNA methylation alterations at susceptible loci link the early environment to obesity in later life. The monoallelic expression of imprinted genes-a class of genes that is over-selected for growth effectors (11) is regulated (and dysregulated) by DNA methylation at differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Aberrant methylation at these DMRs has been associated with aberrant changes in gene expression. Because imprinted genes occur in clusters throughout the genome (12) and their regulation may be networked (11), a single DMR can regulate the expression of several genes; suggesting aberrant methylation at a single DMR can affect the expression of several of these growth effectors. The most studied imprinted gene is insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). IGF2 is a paternally expressed imprinted gene that encodes a potent mitogenic growth factor that plays a critical role in placental and fetal development. Aberrant DNA methylation at the IGF2 DMRs has been associated with increased gene expression, and presumably, circulating IGF2 levels and risk of overweight status, obesity and overgrowth disorders (13). Numerous epidemiological studies have reported a small but consistently lower risk of rapid growth and obesity in breastfed children, Though epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed (23), the mechanism by which breastfeeding confers a lower risk of childhood obesity remains unknown. Because breastfeeding varies by race/ethnicity, we evaluated whether aberrant DNA methylation at two IGF2 DMRs at birth increases the risk of overweight and obesity status in early childhood, and this association may vary by ethnic group and breastfeeding.
Glucose metabolism in intestinal epithelium

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolism of d -glucose in the epithelial cell of the rat intestine has been studied with intestinal rings. 2. 2. From study of the relative lability of tritium in positions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of glucose as compared with the metabolism of d -[U-14C]glucose,evidence has been obtained which is consistent with the following: 3. 3. The pentose phosphate shunt does not contribute significantly to glucose metabolism in intestinal tissue. 4. 4. The phosphofructokinase reaction is apparently rate-limiting in formation of fructose 1,6-diphosphate from glucose 6-phosphate. 5. 5. There is an accumulation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate during the initial stage in glycolysis.
Planar, bimanual, whole-arm grasping

We address the problem of synthesizing planar, bimanual, whole-arm grasps by developing the abstraction of an open chain gripper, an open, planar chain of rigid links and revolute joints contacting a planar, polygonal object, and introducing the concept of a generalized contact. Since two generalized contacts suffice for planar grasps, we leverage previous work on caging and immobilization for two contact grasps to construct an algorithm which synthesizes contact configurations for stable grasping. Simulations show that our methodology can be applied to grasp a wide range of planar objects without relying on special-purpose end-effectors. Representative experiments with the PR2 humanoid robot illustrate that this approach is practical.
High-Strain-Rate Deformation: Mechanical Behavior and Deformation Substructures Induced

The influence of increasing strain rate on the mechanical behavior and deformation substructures in metals and alloys that deform predominately by slip is very similar to that seen following quasi-static deformation at increasingly lower temperatures or due to a decrease in stacking-fault energy (γsf). Deformation at higher rates (a) produces more uniform dislocation distributions for the same amount of strain, (b) hinders the formation of discrete dislocation cells, (c) decreases cell size, and (d) increases misorientation, with more dislocations trapped within cell interiors. The suppression of thermally activated dislocation processes in this regime can lead to stresses high enough to activate and grow deformation twins even in high-stacking-fault-energy, face-centered-cubic metals. In this review, examples of the high-strain-rate mechanical behavior and the deformation substructure evolution observed in a range of materials following high and shock-loading strain rates are presented and compared with ...
Role of the alveolar macrophage in lung injury: studies with ultrafine particles.

We conducted a series of experiments with ultrafine particles (approximately 20 nm) and larger particles (less than 200 nm) of "nuisance" dusts to evaluate the involvement of alveolar macrophages (AM) in particle-induced lung injury and particle translocation in rats. After intratracheal instillation of both ultrafine particles and larger particles of TiO2, we found a highly increased interstitial access of the ultrafine particles combined with a large acute inflammatory reaction as determined by lung lavage parameters. An additional experiment revealed that intratracheal instillation of phagocytized ultrafine TiO2 particles (inside AM) prevented both the pulmonary inflammatory reaction and the interstitial access of the ultrafine particles. Another experiment showed that the influx of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) into the alveolar space unexpectedly decreased with higher doses of ultrafine particles, whereas alveolar epithelial permeability (protein leakage) increased. The divergence between PMN influx into the alveolar space and changes in alveolar epithelial permeability implies that they are separate events. Pulmonary inflammatory parameters determined by lung lavage analysis correlated best with the surface area of the retained particles rather than with their mass, volume, or numbers. Because higher doses resulted in an increased interstitialized fraction of particles, we suggest that inflammatory events induced by particles in the interstitial space can modify the inflammation in the alveolar space detectable by lung lavage. Our results demonstrate the dual role of AM for modifying particle-induced lung injury, i.e., both preventing such injury and contributing to it. We conclude that the increased pulmonary toxicity of ultrafine particles is related to their larger surface area and to their increased interstitial access.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
USE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS BY SAN JOAQUIN KIT FOXES

Although the current range of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) borders large areas of farmland, the ecology of this species rarely has been studied within an agricultural setting. In central California, we examined habitat use, prey availability, and diet of radio-collared kit foxes inhabiting an aqueduct right-of-way (ROW) bordered by farmland. During both years of study (1998-1999), nocturnal locations of foxes occurred more often than expected (based on habitat availability) in the ROW and less often than expected within annual crops. Orchards were used disproportionately more than their availability during 1998 and were used in proportion to availability during 1999. Kit foxes traveled up to 1.1 km into annual crops and up to 1.5 km into orchards. Among diurnal locations (den sites) of foxes, 98% were within the ROW. Live-trapping revealed higher densities and greater diversity of rodents along the ROW than within farmland. Remains of murid rodents were found in 79% of kit fox scats. Our findings indicated that kit foxes ranged into orchards and annual croplands at night, but almost never occupied these areas during the day. The lack of den sites and low prey availability within farmland probably limited the ability of kit foxes to exploit and occupy these areas. Providing artificial den sites within croplands (especially within orchards) and along canals may increase use of farmland by kit foxes and facilitate their movement between isolated patches of natural lands.
Predicting and measuring repulsive van der Waals forces for a Teflon AF™–solvent–α-alumina system

Abstract The force interaction of an α-alumina particle against Teflon AF™ in the presence of several non-polar and polar solvents was quantified. Solvents were chosen based on calculation of a negative Hamaker constant, indicating a repulsive van der Waals interaction. These results were compared to those predicted by theoretical models for van der Waals forces. Measured forces for the non-polar solvent interactions are comparable to theoretical predictions, whereas the polar solvent interactions show repulsive forces between one and two orders of magnitude smaller than those predicted. In the case of water, surface charges were large enough to completely counteract the repulsive van der Waals forces and lead to an attractive force interaction. This minimization of repulsion, and even attraction, can be predicted by DLVO theory.
Relationship of hypokalemia to metabolic alkalosis in the intact Yucatan miniature boar following implantation of deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) or d-aldosterone.

Abstract 1. 1. Normo-kalemic Yucatan miniature boars were implanted with deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) or d-aldosterone (Aldo) to evaluate the relationship of hypokalemia to the pathogenesis of metabolic alkalosis following mineralocorticoid administration. 2. 2. Serum potassium was significantly less than control within 24 hr, serum bicarbonate significantly elevated within 4 days and pH 1–2 days later with no significant differences between DOCA and Aldo. 3. 3. These data demonstrate that pre-existing potassium deficits are not required for the development of alkalosis with mineralocorticoid administration, DOCA and Aldo are equally effective, co-existing hypokalemia is necessary in the genesis, and perhaps maintenance, of metabolic alkalosis with excess mineralocorticoids, and hypokalemia is not a consequence of the alkalosis.