cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex steroids do not affect shigatoxin cytotoxicity on human renal tubular or glomerular cells.

The greater susceptibility of children to renal injury in post-diarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) may be related, at least in part, to heightened renal cell sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of Shiga toxin (Stx), the putative mediator of kidney damage in HUS. We hypothesized that sexual maturation, which coincides with a falling incidence of HUS, may induce a relatively Stx-resistant state in the renal cells. Cultured human glomerular endothelial (HGEN), human glomerular visceral epithelial (HGEC) and human proximal tubule (HPT) cells were exposed to Stx-1 after pre-incubation with progesterone, β-estradiol or testosterone followed by determination of cytotoxicity. Under basal conditions, Stx-1 potently and dose-dependently killed HPT and HGEC, but had relatively little effect on HGEN. Pre-incubation for 1, 2 or 7 days with physiologic or pharmacologic concentrations of progesterone, β-estradiol or testosterone had no effect on Stx-1 cytotoxicity dose-response on any cell type. In addition, no steroid altered Gb3 expression (Stx receptor) by any cell type at any time point. These data do not support the notion that hormonal changes associated with puberty induce an Stx-resistant state within kidney cells.
A probabilistic analysis of a simplified biogeography-based optimization algorithm

Biogeography-based optimization (BBO) is a population-based evolutionary algorithm (EA) that is based on the mathematics of biogeography. Biogeography is the study of the geographical distribution of biological organisms. We present a simplified version of BBO and perform an approximate analysis of the BBO population using probability theory. Our analysis provides approximate values for the expected number of generations before the population's best solution improves, and the expected amount of improvement. These expected values are functions of the population size. We quantify three behaviors as the population size increases: first, we see that the best solution in the initial randomly generated population improves; second, we see that the expected number of generations before improvement increases; and third, we see that the expected amount of improvement decreases.
Cinoxacin: Effectiveness Against Experimental Pyelonephritis in Rats

The antimicrobial activity of cinoxacin, 1-ethyl-4(1H)-oxo-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]cinnoline-3-carboxylic acid, previously reported as compound 64716, was determined and compared with other antimicrobial agents at a dosage of 12 mg/kg once daily in a descending pyelonephritis rat model with Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis as infecting organisms. Cinoxacin was considerably more effective than either nalidixic acid or oxolinic acid when all three were administered orally at 3 mg/kg four times daily. The presence of demonstrable serum activity with a high recovery in urine indicates cinoxacin possesses highly desirable properties of an effective oral chemotherapeutic agent for urinary tract infections.
A SUGGESTED SCORE CARD FOR ATTAINMENT IN PRONUNCIATION

DURING the last decade, teachers of French in America have been placing ever increasing emphasis on the oral side of the subject. The result has been a higher standard of attainment in pronunciation. In fact, many schools now require the student to present satisfactory evidence of his oral ability as well as of his factual knowledge of the subject. Indeed, it is not too optimistic to hope that universities will enlarge the scope of their entrance requirements by adding a pronunciation test. Such an addition would be quite in accordance with the demands of justice to the student who has spent many hours of his course in perfecting his pronunciation. He has the right to expect that a chance be given him to demonstrate his ability in this branch of the subject. Many teachers are decidedly of the opinion that any French examination which ignores the oral attainment of the candidate is not only inadequate but altogether deficient and unjust. In the light of conditions and possibilities barely hinted at in the preceeding paragraph, there arises the need for a standardized test in pronunciation. It is manifestly unscientific to hear a candidate speak or read and then grade him on the impression his pronunciation has made on us, for there has been no definite basis upon which to render a judgment and no fixed unit by which the pronunciation could be measured. In order to construct a standard test we must have a fixed measure and such a measure can only be formed by factoring French pronunciation into its elements and component parts and by adding a definite value thereto. The first problem which presents itself, therefore, is to make an inventory of the primary factors of French pronunciation. Roughly speaking, there are sixteen vowel sounds and seventeen consonant sounds with their various mouth positions and characteristics. Of course, in actual practice there are many more sounds than these, but from a pedagogical point of view we would not be justified in considering them. Next comes the group laws, such as, grouping,
Effect of drug treatment options on the mobility and expression of blaKPC

OBJECTIVES: Both transposition and increases in gene expression have been implicated in the success of KPC-producing pathogens, but the stimulus required for these phenomena are unknown. It is possible that exposure to antimicrobials during patient treatment increases bla(KPC) expression or induces Tn4401 transposition. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to carbapenems or other antimicrobial drug classes could stimulate expression of bla(KPC) or the in vitro transposition of Tn4401. METHODS: Five KPC-producing clinical isolates were evaluated in this study. Gene expression of RNA from each isolate exposed to subinhibitory, MIC or suprainhibitory levels of antibiotics was evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. Southern blots were performed on plasmids from isolates exposed to subinhibitory levels of antibiotics. RESULTS: There were subtle changes in bla(KPC) RNA expression following antibiotic exposure that were both strain and drug dependent. Multiple plasmids ranging from ~8 to >200 kb were observed for the Enterobacteriaceae isolates, whereas the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate had one ~55 kb plasmid. No changes in hybridization patterns or binding intensity for the bla(KPC) probe were observed after antibiotic exposure. CONCLUSIONS: While the changes in bla(KPC) RNA expression are subtle, the different responses observed suggest both strain- and genera-specific variations in response to different antibiotic treatments.
CMOS active pixel image sensor with simple floating gate pixels

A new pixel structure using a simple floating gate (SFG) has been proposed. The pixel consists of a coupling capacitor, a photogate, a barrier gate and a MOS transistor. It features complete reset that results in no kTC noise and no image lag, high blooming overload protection, nondestructive readout (NDRO), and CMOS compatibility. Its basic operation has been confirmed with a 32(H)/spl times/27(V) pixel area array. Since the pixel structure is relatively simple, small pixel size is feasible. >
DECOMPOSITION OF PHOSPHONOFLUORIDATES ON GLASS

Abstract Neat droplets of O,O-diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) and O-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Soman) decompose on glass. In thirty hours at room temperature over 40% of the Soman has been decomposed while nearly 15% of the DFP has been degraded. NMR spectroscopic analysis of the Soman showed that Soman decomposed exclusively by scission of the PF bond to form O-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonic acid. The rate of decomposition of the two organophosphorus fluorine substrates is proportional to the rate of hydrolysis. The results are consistent with earlier studies which showed that silica or magnesia promoted the decomposition of sarin (O-2-propylisopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate). The rate of decomposition on glass is accelerated in the presence of high humidity.
The effect of age and everyday exercise on steady-state plasma digoxin concentrations.

Age-related physiologic changes may significantly alter the disposition and pharmacologic characteristics of many drugs. The elderly are the most frequent users of digoxin because of increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. This study was conducted to confirm the decrease in digoxin concentrations during exercise, to determine if age is a factor in this decrease, and to explore the difference between chronologic age and physiologic age. Eighteen men age 50-85 years were treated with digoxin for more than 1 month before enrolling and had serum digoxin concentrations of 0.4-2.0 micrograms/L. They were evaluated during a 3-hour period in the morning (A.M. dose withheld). Blood samples were obtained every 10 minutes during sequential 60-minute periods of rest (phase I), walking (phase II), and rest (phase III). There were no significant differences in mean concentration between phases II and I (p < 0.76), phases III and phase I (p < 0.70), or phases II and III (p < 0.37). The effect of age was positively correlated with the mean concentration of phase II but was not statistically significant (p < 0.62). Statistically significant correlations were seen only between the exercise phase and serum albumin and Mini-Mental Status Examination scores. We conclude that exercise has minimal, if any, clinically relevant effects on plasma digoxin concentrations. Increasing chronologic age has no influence on a decrease in the concentrations with exercise; a younger physiologic age may play a role.
Piggy-back pacing: implantation of pacemaker and defibrillator on top of each other

Following the publication of several landmark trials, there has been a significant increase in the cardiac device implantation. Within this population there are a number of patients who have pre-existing cardiac devices that have been placed for a number of different conditions. While the usual approach is to remove the existing unit and replace it with a new device with the removal or capping of existing lead systems, this practice often sacrifices an existing unit that still possesses good battery longevity. We explored the possibility of separating the pacing and defibrillating functions by implanting a new device on the top of the old device in a ‘piggy-back fashion’. We report a series of four cases (with various indications) with differing combinations of devices. The procedure was performed safely in every one of them, and no device–device interaction was noted. Combining the new with existing units in a ‘piggy-back’ manner may be a safe and cost-effective technique in the selected cases.
Genetic Thrombophilias: When to Consider and What to Do

The three aspects influencing risk of clotting—Virchow’s Triad—include venous stasis, vessel injury, and hypercoagulable states or thrombophilias (Fig. 13.1).
Uncertainties in cloud phase and optical thickness retrievals from the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC)

Abstract. This paper presents an investigation of the expected uncertainties of a single-channel cloud optical thickness (COT) retrieval technique, as well as a simple cloud-temperature-threshold-based thermodynamic phase approach, in support of the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) mission. DSCOVR cloud products will be derived from Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) observations in the ultraviolet and visible spectra. Since EPIC is not equipped with a spectral channel in the shortwave or mid-wave infrared that is sensitive to cloud effective radius (CER), COT will be inferred from a single visible channel with the assumption of appropriate CER values for liquid and ice phase clouds. One month of Aqua MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) daytime granules from April 2005 is selected for investigating cloud phase sensitivity, and a subset of these granules that has similar EPIC Sun-view geometry is selected for investigating COT uncertainties. EPIC COT retrievals are simulated with the same algorithm as the operational MODIS cloud products (MOD06), except using fixed phase-dependent CER values. Uncertainty estimates are derived by comparing the single-channel COT retrievals with the baseline bi-spectral MODIS retrievals. Results show that a single-channel COT retrieval is feasible for EPIC. For ice clouds, single-channel retrieval errors are minimal (
Linear Stability Analysis of a Boundary Layer with Plasma Actuators

The stability of plasma actuated boundary layers is analyzed using linear stability theory for flow wise (co-flow) and flow opposing (counter flow) operated plasma actuators. The combined wall jet/boundary layer velocity profile is discussed, important parameters are identified, and a simplified model of the base flow is proposed. This base flow is then analyzed using one-dimensional linear stability theory. Neutral stability curves have been calculated, and both stabilizing and destabilizing effects were found, which correlate strongly with the existence of an inviscid instability. A hypothesized absolute instability is also found to exist. The addition of a wall jet is found to have a profound impact on the stability of the boundary layer profile, which is compared to existing data for other boundary layer profiles. Considerations for flow control applications are discussed in order to suggest the effects for real flows.
Theoretical investigation into the structural, thermochemical, and electronic properties of the decathio[10]circulene.

For the first time, a theoretical study has been performed on the prototypical decathio[10]circulene (C20S10) species, which is an analogue of the novel octathio[8]circulene “Sulflower” molecule (C16S8). Examinations of the singlet and triplet states of C20S10 were made at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level. Local minima of C2 and Cs symmetry were found for the lowest singlet and triplet states, respectively. The stability of C20S10 was assessed by calculating the ΔH°f of C16S8 and C20S10 and the ΔHo for their decomposition into C2S units. Frontier molecular orbital plots show that structural adjacent steric factors along with the twist and strain orientations of C20S10 do not disturb the aromatic π-delocalizing effects. In fact, C20S10 maintains the same pz HOMO character as C16S8. These similarities are further verified by density-of-states characterization. Calculated infrared spectra of C16S8 and C20S10 show broad similarities. Molecular electrostatic potential results reveal that eight of the peripheral sulfu...
Application of Newton’s Zero Order Caustic for Analysis and Measurement: Part II Fluorescence

An oblate spheroid-shaped liquid solution acts as a lens through the phenomenon of Newton’s zero order caustic resulting in the focusing of a low power source into high intensity light within the sample to detect and measure fluorescence. Microwatt LED sources can be used to measure fluorescence in two ways, depending on the properties of the solute. For a weakly fluorescing solute, emitted light can be detected as a beam emanating from the spheroid sample along the path of illumination. For strongly fluorescing solutes, emitted light can be detected radiating from the surface orthogonal to the excitation source. Three fluorescent molecules (tartrazine, SYBR Green I, and BBT anion) were studied using photodiode excitation sources of 430 and 470 nm maximum wavelengths respectively. Image capture for strongly fluorescent molecules was performed with a digital phone camera, followed by image analysis in order to calibrate light detected as a function of fluorescent molecule or complex concentration. Research Article International Research Journal of Pure & Applied Chemistry, 4(1): 1-13, 2014 2
Objective Gait and Balance Impairments Relate to Balance Confidence and Perceived Mobility in People With Parkinson Disease

Background Body-worn, inertial sensors can provide many objective measures of balance and gait. However, the objective measures that best reflect patient perception of mobility disability and clinician assessment of Parkinson disease (PD) are unknown. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine which objective measures of balance and gait are most related to patient perception of mobility disability and disease severity in people with PD and (2) to examine the effect of levodopa therapy on these correlates. Design This was an experimental correlation study. Methods One hundred four people with idiopathic PD performed 3 trials of the Instrumented Stand and Walk Test (ISAW) in the “on” and “off” medication states. The ISAW consists of quiet standing (30 seconds), gait initiation, straight walking (7 m), and turning (180°), yielding 34 objective measures of mobility from body-worn inertial sensors. Patient perception of mobility disability was assessed with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and the mobility subscale of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Disease severity was assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, part III (motor UPDRS). Spearman correlations were used to relate objective measures of mobility to patient perception and disease severity. Results Turning speed, gait speed, and stride length were most highly correlated to severity of disease and patient perception of mobility disability. The objective measures of mobility in the off-medication state were more indicative of patient perception of mobility disability and balance confidence compared with on-medication state measures. Limitations Causation is an inherent problem of correlation studies. Conclusion Physical therapists should evaluate mobility in people with PD in the off-medication state because the off-medication state is more related to disease severity and patient perception of mobility disability than the on-medication state mobility. Assessment and treatment of mobility in people with PD should target specific measures (ie, turning, gait speed, and stride length) because these measures best reflect patients' quality of life and balance confidence.
Optimization of Nutritional Components of High Yield Medium of Oleaginous Yeast Strain

Using the oleaginous yeast Y1 as the experiment strain, single factor experiments and orthogonal experiment of liquid fermentation medium were optimized. The optimal medium were glucose 85 g / L, peptone 40 g / L,(NH4)2 SO4 10.00 g / L, MgSO4 ·7H2 O 0.300 g / L, Na2 HPO4 3.0 g / L, KH2 PO4 2.5 g / L. According to the optimum combination of nutritional components, liquid volume in 100 mL flask was 30 mL, seed inoculation of liquid was 10%,shaking speed was 160 r / min, temperature was 28 ℃, the cell biomass of oleaginous yeast Y1 was 20.25 g / L, the cell biomass increased by 46.5% after the optimization.
Breeding and Application of New High-yielding and Weakly Photosensitive Hybrid Rice Combination Jindaoyou 122

Jindaoyou 122 is a new three-line hybrid rice combination with weak photosensitivity derived from Jindao 13A and Guanghui 122 with blast resistance,both of which are developed by the Rice Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences.It shows high and stable yielding ability.In the late cropping regional trials of Guangdong Province in 2005 and 2006,its yields were significantly higher than those of the check hybrid(Boyou 122) by 8.59% and 5.95%,respectively.It is suitable for growing as late rice in the provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.In January,2008,Jindaoyou 122 was certified for release by Guangdong Provincial Crop Variety Appraisal Committee.
pH regulation in single glomerular mesangial cells. II. Na+-dependent and -independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchangers.

We used the pH-sensitive dye 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) to further characterize the mechanisms of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in renal mesangial cells. In the accompa...
High-deductible health plans: litigation hazards for health insurers.

Recent decades have witnessed enormous and ongoing change in the American health care scene. The "Artesian Well of Money" that followed World War II--lavish funding that paid health care providers virtually anything they asked, for virtually any service they rendered-spawned roaring inflation in health care that, in turn, triggered a nearviolent reversal: managed care. Though temporarily successful in
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Through Youth Activity Participation: Lessons from Research

Most young people in the U.S. participate in some form of structured movement activity, such as sports or dance, and these activities have the potential to support positive youth development and continued engagement in healthy activity. In this chapter, we discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with youth participation in movement activities, potential barriers and facilitators to activity participation across diverse contexts, and ways to promote sustained participation. This chapter emphasizes that development takes place within an integrated system involving youth, their social relationships, and the multiple activities in which they participate. We examine how three key elements (positive sustained youth-adult relationships, life skill development, and opportunities for leadership) can be used to help movement-based programs promote positive youth development. In particular, we recommend that programs and policy makers should work collaboratively to provide developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant activities for young people that incorporate these three key elements, in order to better support positive youth development and healthy lifestyles.
Androgenic Regulation of Estrogenic Action on Accessory Sex Organ Smooth Muscle

Abstract Our previous research has shown that 4 weeks of daily estrogen treatment, started on the day of castration, resulted in significant growth of the guinea pig seminal vesicle smooth muscle, yet little or no estrogenic effect on muscle tissue weight or DNA content was observed when the treatment was initiated after a 1-month period of castration induced regression. With the hypothesis that castration induced reductions in estrogenic sensitivity were due to alterations in the intracellular fate of estradiol in the muscle, we determined, following the intravenous injection of 3 H-estradiol to normal, 24-hour castrates and 1-month castrates, the whole muscle tissue accumulation and subcellular distribution of 3 H-estradiol. In the same 3 experimental groups, we also determined, using in vitro exchange assays with 3 H-estradiol, the number of estrogen binding sites in both the cytosol and salt (1.2 m KCl) soluble fraction of the crude nuclear-myofibrillar pellet. It was found that the loss of estrogenic sensitivity in the 1-month castrate was not due to a reduction in either whole tissue accumulation, subcellular distribution, cytosol binding or salt-soluble nuclear binding of 3 H-estradiol. Restoration of estrogenic responses in muscle DNA content and wet weight was achieved by priming 1-month castrates with 5 daily injections of dihydrotestosterone immediately prior to the onset of estrogen treatment. Shorter periods of androgen priming (e.g., 1, 2 or 3 days) slightly enhanced, but did not completely restore, estrogenic responses in muscle wet weight and DNA content. For estrogen sensitive parameters of muscle growth, such as collagen and RNA content, which were not altered in their response to the estrogen treatment by a 1-month period of castration-induced regression, androgen priming prior to estrogen treatment had no effect. Therefore, testicular androgens regulate selected facets of estrogenic sensitivity in guinea pig seminal vesicle smooth muscle; changes in the muscle cytosol or salt-soluble nuclear myofibrillar estrophiles do not appear to be responsible for the changes in estrogenic sensitivity.
Household welfare implications of fossil fuel subsidy reforms in developing countries

Abstract With over 200 countries reaching an agreement with the stated aim of restricting global warming to “well below 2° C above pre-industrial levels” – the most comprehensive climate change agreement was recently signed. Though most of the hard work lies ahead, it marks an important first step for the collective global community to address climate change. Fossil fuels continue to remain one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and for many developing countries high levels fossil fuels continues to enable an overconsumption of fossil fuels. Given the sensitivity of governments to subsidy reforms, this study examines the household welfare implications of the removal of fossil fuel subsidies. It finds that while welfare implications are unambiguously positive for government the results are mixed for private households, although in an overwhelming majority of cases, the results are positive. However, even in the cases where the welfare implications are negative for private households we find that it is possible for governments to carry out the reforms in such a way as to be welfare improving to households incomes by compensating them with some of the fiscal savings gained from the subsidy reform.
Polymer molecular behaviors at buried polymer/metal and polymer/polymer interfaces and their relations to adhesion in packaging

ABSTRACTPackaging materials are widely used in modern microelectronics. The interfacial structures of packaging materials determine the adhesion properties of these materials. Weak adhesion or delamination at interfaces involving packaging materials can lead to failure of microelectronic devices. Therefore, it is important to investigate the molecular structures of such interfaces. However, it is difficult to study molecular structures of buried interfaces due to the lack of appropriate analytical techniques. Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy has recently been used to probe buried solid/solid interfaces to understand molecular structures and behaviors such as the presence, coverage, ordering, orientation, and diffusion of functional groups at buried interfaces and their relations to adhesion in situ in real time. In this review, we describe our recent progress in the development of nondestructive methodology to examine buried polymer/metal interfaces and summarize how the developed m...
Gamete Transport and Fertilization

This chapter discusses the process of gamete transport and fertilization. The process of fertilization involves fusion of the nucleus of a male gamete and a female gamete to form a new individual. Conception occurs when a sperm and an ovum fuse to become a zygote. The zygote then divides mitotically to form two blastomeres. These cells divide to produce four smaller blastomeres. Once sperms are deposited in the female reproductive tract, they travel a relatively long distance and overcome several obstacles before reaching the ovum. Similarly, the ovum travels through a portion of the female reproductive tract before it is fertilized. After the sperm matures in the epididymides, they move down the vasa deferentia. Seminal plasma consists of secretions from male sex accessory glands. These secretions are added to the sperm to form semen, which leaves the male urethra during ejaculation. Seminal plasma contains substances necessary for sperm movement, maturation, and maintenance. Some of these sperm are abnormal and die. A healthy sperm is made up of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. Most embryos with serious chromosomal errors die early during development, but some genetic errors cause mild to severe disorders in humans. Chromosomal sex is determined at fertilization.
Comparing Fixed-amount and Progressive-amount DRO Schedules for Tic Suppression in Youth with Chronic Tic Disorders

Chronic tic disorders (CTDs) involve motor and/or vocal tics that often cause substantial distress and impairment. Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) schedules of reinforcement produce robust, but incomplete, reductions in tic frequency in youth with CTDs; however, a more robust reduction may be needed to affect durable clinical change. Standard, fixed-amount DRO schedules have not commonly yielded such reductions, so we evaluated a novel, progressive-amount DRO schedule, based on its ability to facilitate sustained abstinence from functionally similar behaviors. Five youth with CTDs were exposed to periods of baseline, fixed-amount DRO (DRO-F), and progressive-amount DRO (DRO-P). Both DRO schedules produced decreases in tic rate and increases in intertic interval duration, but no systematic differences were seen between the two schedules on any dimension of tic occurrence. The DRO-F schedule was generally preferred to the DRO-P schedule. Possible procedural improvements and other future directions are discussed.
IMMUNOGENIC PROPERTIES OF SLIME FROM PROPIONIBACTERIA

Slime, produced by members of the genus Propionbacterium, was isolated, and attempts were made with it to induce antibody formation in biological systems to demonstrate the possible use of anticapsular antibodies for serological typing. Slime produced by three different species of Propionbacterium did not produce detectable precipitating antibodies in rabbits. Killed whole cells of Propionbacterium Zeae induced specific agglutinin formation. Antibodies produced against whole cell antigens of P. freudenreichii and P. shermanii exhibited substantial heterologous agglutination reactions.
Home Visiting and Use of Infant Health Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluations of home visiting models have shown that they can reduce children’s health care use in the first year of life. Models that exclusively use nurses as home visitors may cost more and be infeasible given nursing shortages in some locations. The goal of this study was to test whether a universal home visiting model employing a nurse–parent educator team as home visitors reduces health care use in the first year of life. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial of an intensive home visiting program delivered in homes of primary caregivers and their first-born children in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Intention-to-treat and contamination-adjusted intention-to-treat models were estimated, and 244 primary caregivers participated in the survey. RESULTS: In their first year of life, treatment group children were one-third less likely to visit the emergency department (control group mean, MC = 0.42, treatment group mean, MT = 0.28, P = .02) and were also 41% less likely to have visited a primary care provider ≥9 times (MC = 0.49, MT = 0.29, P CONCLUSIONS: Children in families randomly assigned to the program had less health care use in their first year, demonstrating that a universal prevention home visiting model delivered by a nurse–parent educator team can reduce infant health care use.
Laser-assisted capillary discharge for enhanced guiding of tightly focused laser pulses at low densities

Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) rely on intense laser fields that create wakes in plasmas. Advancement in the field of LPAs depends on extending the laser-plasma interaction length. State-of-the-art accelerators make use of laser guiding by capillary discharge channels. The transverse density profile (channel depth) of such channels confines the laser, and the on-axis density determines the energy transfer to the wake. The transverse profile can be controlled by choosing the radius of the capillary, but laser-induced capillary damage occurs when the radius is reduced to achieve the required channel depth. Both the on-axis density and the transverse profile depend on the pressure inside the capillary before discharge. As the pressure is reduced to increase the interaction length, confinement of the laser beam is reduced. A scheme to improve laser guiding at low densities by locally heating the plasma with a secondary, nanosecond-scale heater laser has been implemented, and preliminary results are presented here. Heating of the plasma and modified confinement of the main laser pulse have been demonstrated.
α2 Subunit–Containing GABAA Receptor Subtypes Are Upregulated and Contribute to Alcohol-Induced Functional Plasticity in the Rat Hippocampus

Alcohol (EtOH) intoxication causes changes in the rodent brain γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR) subunit composition and function, playing a crucial role in EtOH withdrawal symptoms and dependence. Building evidence indicates that withdrawal from acute EtOH and chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) results in decreased EtOH-enhanced GABAAR δ subunit-containing extrasynaptic and EtOH-insensitive α1βγ2 subtype synaptic GABAARs but increased synaptic α4βγ2 subtype, and increased EtOH sensitivity of GABAAR miniature postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) correlated with EtOH dependence. Here we demonstrate that after acute EtOH intoxication and CIE, upregulation of hippocampal α4βγ2 subtypes, as well as increased cell-surface levels of GABAAR α2 and γ1 subunits, along with increased α2β1γ1 GABAAR pentamers in hippocampal slices using cell-surface cross-linking, followed by Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation. One-dose and two-dose acute EtOH treatments produced temporal plastic changes in EtOH-induced anxiolysis or withdrawal anxiety, and the presence or absence of EtOH-sensitive synaptic currents correlated with cell surface peptide levels of both α4 and γ1(new α2) subunits. CIE increased the abundance of novel mIPSC patterns differing in activation/deactivation kinetics, charge transfer, and sensitivity to EtOH. The different mIPSC patterns in CIE could be correlated with upregulated highly EtOH-sensitive α2βγ subtypes and EtOH-sensitive α4βγ2 subtypes. Naive α4 subunit knockout mice express EtOH-sensitive mIPSCs in hippocampal slices, correlating with upregulated GABAAR α2 (and not α4) subunits. Consistent with α2, β1, and γ1 subunits genetically linked to alcoholism in humans, our findings indicate that these new α2-containing synaptic GABAARs could mediate the maintained anxiolytic response to EtOH in dependent individuals, rat or human, contributing to elevated EtOH consumption.
Characteristics, significance, and human dimension of global invasive weeds

Invasive plant species have potential to damage our crops, our industries, the environment and public health. Scientists, academics, leaders of industry and land managers are realizing that invasive species are serious environmental threats for the 21st century [1, 2]. Also, invasive species are recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and imposes tremendous costs on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, wetlands, roadsides, natural areas, and other human enterprises, including human health. Invasive species take a heavy economic toll with costs estimated to be $137 billion every year in the United States [3]. In 1994, the impacts of invasive plants in the United States were estimated at $13 billion per year [4]. For centuries people have moved plants, animals, and microbes around the world. Most countries now rely on plants and animals from other regions of the world in order to meet their dietary needs. People in the US also import plants and animals, and their products, as ornamental plants and pets. Organisms that have been moved from their native habitat to a distant location are typically referred to as “non-native”, “non-indigenous”, “exotic”, or “alien” to the new environment. There are fundamental differences in the approaches dealing with invasive plant species problem depending on the ecosystem being invaded (terrestrial, forests, and marine). My purpose is to highlight the characteristics and significance of terrestrial invasive plant species. Also, I link various aspects of the human dimension to the current status of global invasive weeds.
Ethanol differentially modulates P2X4 and P2X7 receptor activity and function in BV2 microglial cells

Abstract Neuroinflammation is one of the mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative brain damage induced by chronic alcohol (ethanol) exposure. Microglia play a major role in the development of innate immune responses to environmental injuries including ethanol. Adenosine 5″-triphosphate (ATP)-activated purinergic P2X receptor (P2XR) subtypes, P2X4Rs and P2X7Rs, are endogenously expressed in microglia and can modulate their activity. These 2 P2XR subtypes differ pharmacologically and functionally: 1) P2X4Rs are activated at lower (≤0.1 mM) whereas P2X7Rs – at higher (≥1.0 mM) ATP concentrations; 2) P2X4R activation contributes to the release of brain derived neurotrophic factor and its role in tactile allodynia and neuropathic pain is demonstrated; 3) Due to its role in the secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-1β, P2X7Rs have been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative pathologies, pain and morphine tolerance. To date, the roles of individual P2XR subtypes in ethanol effects on microglia and the functional consequences are not completely understood. Based on the existing knowledge on the pharmacological and functional differences between P2X4Rs and P2X7Rs, the present work tested the hypothesis that P2X4Rs and P2X7Rs play differential roles in ethanol action in microglia. Effects of ethanol on P2X4R and P2X7R activity, expression and functional consequences were determined using murine BV2 microglial cells. Ethanol (≥100 mM) inhibited P2X4Rs but was inactive on P2X7 channel activity. Ethanol (25, 100 mM) inhibited P2X4R-mediated microglia migration whereas it potentiated pore formation in P2X7Rs. Furthermore, ethanol (25, 100 mM) potentiated P2X7R-mediated IL-1β secretion from BV2 microglia. Ethanol also induced protein expression for both P2XR subtypes. Overall, the findings identify differential roles for P2X4Rs and P2X7Rs in regards to ethanol effects on microglia which may be linked to different stages of ethanol exposure.
ADHD, Smoking Withdrawal, and Inhibitory Control: Results of a Neuroimaging Study with Methylphenidate Challenge

Smoking withdrawal negatively impacts inhibitory control, and these effects are greater for smokers with preexisting attention problems, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study preliminarily evaluated changes in inhibitory control-related behavior and brain activation during smoking withdrawal among smokers with ADHD. Moreover, we investigated the role of catecholamine transmission in these changes by examining the effects of 40 mg methylphenidate (MPH) administration. Adult daily smokers with (n=17) and without (n=20) ADHD completed fMRI scanning under each of three conditions: (a) smoking as usual+placebo; (b) 24 h smoking abstinence+placebo and (c) 24 h smoking abstinence+MPH. Scan order was randomized and counterbalanced. Participants completed a modified Go/No-Go task to assess both sustained and transient inhibitory control. Voxelwise analysis of task-related BOLD signal revealed a significant group-by-abstinence interaction in occipital/parietal cortex during sustained inhibition, with greater abstinence-induced decreases in activation observed among ADHD smokers compared with non-ADHD smokers. Changes in behavioral performance during abstinence were associated with changes in activation in regions of occipital and parietal cortex and bilateral insula during sustained inhibition in both groups. MPH administration improved behavioral performance and increased sustained inhibitory control-related activation for both groups. During transient inhibition, MPH increased prefrontal activation for both groups and increased striatal activation only among ADHD smokers. These preliminary findings suggest that abstinence-induced changes in catecholamine transmission in visual attention areas (eg, occipital and superior parietal cortex) may be associated with inhibitory control deficits and contribute to smoking vulnerability among individuals with ADHD.
Economic Considerations in MR Imaging of Patients with Cardiac Devices.

Several recent high-profile publications have generated interest in MR imaging in patients with implantable cardiac devices, some of which were traditionally considered an absolute contraindication. In particular, an analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine documented an overall
Meditation as First-Person Methodology: Real Promise—and Problems

Meditation as a scientific first-person investigative tool has been discussed for decades, but remains largely a mere idea. One reason may be lack of relevant theory. Maps of mind developed by meditation traditions could prove helpful. The map used by orthodox Indian traditions, for example, identifies six phenomenologically distinct levels (senses, discursive thinking, discriminative intellect, pure individuality and pure consciousness/emptiness). This map, if valid, would have implications for many fields. It would indicate, for example, that the introspective awareness of major philosophers such as Descartes, Hume and Kant was open to particular levels and not others, and suggest why each favored particular theories and found particular problems unresolvable. Identification of physiological correlates of the levels could provide evidence for the map’s validity. Significant correlates of the deepest level already appear to be identified. Research relevant to other levels has been conducted. Identifying correlates of all the levels would provide an objective way to evaluate many mind-related questions. It would also provide an objective, tradition-invariant way to identify individuals capable of sustaining attention at specific levels and using meditation to investigate diverse levels-related topics. Meditation research faces strong questions of appearances of bias.
Feasibility Analysis and Appraisal of Projects

Figure 1.1 shows the formulation of a project is the second task in the planning process and involves the articulation of objectives or goals and outputs. It must also provide an estimate of the various resources required to achieve the objectives. This makes it possible to develop a preliminary design as the basis for conducting feasibility studies to determine if the project can be implemented according to the standards and criteria set forth in the preliminary design. Appraisal consists of an evaluation of all of the feasibility studies to determine the ability of the project to succeed. Thus, feasibility analysis and appraisal form the critical juncture in the integrated project cycle.
Fungal Lymphadenitis: Histoplasma, Cryptococcus, and Coccidioides

A number of fungal infections can occur, particularly in patients who are immunosuppressed. Theoretically, any fungal infection can involve lymph nodes. In many ways, the pathologic findings in fungal lymphadenitis are similar. In this chapter, we review three specific types of fungal infections that are representative examples of fungal lymphadenitis.
Statistical issues: sample size and dropout.

Psychopharmacology has reached a state of maturity characterized by the availability of “standard” treatments of proven efficacy (relative to placebo), for many of the most common mental disorders. That has caused an evolutionary saltus in the kinds of research designs contemplated for studying the efficacy of compounds. Because of the need to compare the new treatment with the standard, studies with at least two “active” treatment conditions have become more frequent. For reasons that will be discussed below, many researchers find it desirable (or even necessary) to retain the placebo condition in the design, and place great weight on the results of the contrast between placebo and standard. Thus, the first jump in the evolution of clinical trials design has usually been the “three cell” design (two actives and a placebo cell).
Solar Lanterns and Solar Home Systems

Solar lanterns and solar home systems are consumer products that provide lower-tier access to electricity. Their sales have grown rapidly, exceeding 20 million units per year worldwide. Solar lanterns, also known as “pico solar,” use small solar cells or panels and batteries to provide several hours of LED-based lighting each night. Some can charge mobile phones. Solar home systems can power several lights and even small appliances. This chapter describes the basic features and design of solar lanterns and solar home systems, as well as the business models that have allowed them to rapidly proliferate in recent years.
Tools for 3D Interactome Visualization

In cells, intra- and intermolecular interactions of proteins confer function, and the dynamic modulation of this interactome is critical to meet the changing needs required to support life. Cross-linking and mass spectrometry (XL-MS) enable the detection of both intra- and intermolecular protein interactions in organelles, cells, tissues, and organs. Quantitative XL-MS enables the detection of interactome changes in cells due to environmental, phenotypic, pharmacological, or genetic perturbations. We have developed new informatics capabilities, the first to enable 3D visualization of multiple quantitative interactome data sets, acquired over time or with varied perturbation levels, to reveal relevant dynamic interactome changes. These new tools are integrated within release 3.0 of our online cross-linked peptide database and analysis tool suite XLinkDB. With the recent rapid expansion in XL-MS for protein structural studies and the extension to quantitative XL-MS measurements, 3D interactome visualization tools are of critical need.
Designing biofunctional immunotherapies

Intelligent design of materials for biomedical applications involves the development of technologies that are informed by an understanding of biological systems. Immunoengineers have been making essential inroads in developing therapeutics endowed with designed biofunctionality, particularly in vaccinology, cancer immunotherapy and immune tolerance.
Nitrogen Application after Plant Growth Regulator Herbicide Drift Reduces Soybean Growth and Yield

The success of dicamba-tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has revived concerns about plant growth regulator (PGR) herbicide exposure to conventional soybean. In laboratory studies, soybean root nodulation is inhibited by excess auxin, which is the mechanism of action of PGR herbicides. Soybean exposed to PGRs in a field environment may have a similar response, and if nodulation is compromised, nitrogen (N) fixation may be reduced, with subsequent seed yield or protein content decreases. Many soybean–N studies report minimal impact to soybean yield. However, if soybeans show foliar PGR injury symptoms, could N application compensate for a potential nodulation inhibition response? This study examined the response of non–PGR tolerant soybean to N after exposure to low doses of 2,4-D and dicamba applied once (at soybean growth stages V1, V3, and early reproduction [R1 or R2]) or twice (V1 + V3 or V3 + R). N was either foliar or soil applied at early (∼5 d after PGR application) or late (10 d after PGR application) timings. Nodulation and plant growth were evaluated at R3, and grain yield and seed protein and oil content were quantified at maturity. Plant biomass and nodulation were reduced by 10% with some PGR treatments, and early foliar N application after PGR injury resulted in reduction up to 25%. N applications to non–PGR treated soybean did not increase yield. Soybean treated with PGR at V1 or V3, with or without N, had yields similar to control treatments. However, yield reductions of up to 20% were observed when PGRs were applied at V5 or R stages or when double PGR applications were followed by early foliar N application. Seed protein and oil content were not affected by PGR or N treatment.
Suppressing an avoidance response by a pre-aversive stimulus

Subjects trained under a free operant avoidance schedule were exposed to a 1-min clicker (CS) followed by an unavoidable shock (US). During the preaversive stimulus, overall response rates declined and frequency of shock increased. During this period, the response frequency distribution was U -shaped. When the US was removed, response rates increased and shock rates decreased.