cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bioelectric Impedance and Hydrostatic Weighing With and Without Head Submersion in Persons Who are Morbidly Obese

Abstract Objective To compare hydrostatic weighing with and without head submersion and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for measurement of body composition of persons who are morbidly obese. Design Body composition was determined using 3 methods: hydrostatic weighing with and without head submersion and BIA. Residual volume for the hydrostatic weighing calculation was determined by body plethysmography. Subjects Subjects were 16 morbidly obese men (142.5kg mean body weight) and 30 morbidly obese women (125.9kg mean body weight) living in the Salt Lake County, Utah, area. Morbid obesity was defined as 40kg or more over ideal weight. Statistical analysis One-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance was followed by Scheffe post hoc tests; body-fat measurement method served as the repeated variable and percentage of body fat as the dependent variable. Men and women were analyzed separately. In addition, degree of agreement between the 3 methods of determining body composition was determined. A regression equation was used to calculate body density for hydrostatic weighing without head submersion. Two new BIA regression equations were developed from the data of the 16 men and 30 women. Results Values for percentage body fat from hydrostatic weighing with and without head submersion (41.8% vs 41.7%, respectively) were the same for men but differed for women (52.2% vs 49.4%, respectively, P P Applications/conclusions BIA tended to underpredict the measurement of percentage body fat in male and female subjects who were morbidly obese. Hydrostatic weighing without head submersion provides an accurate, acceptable, and convenient alternative method for body composition assessment of the morbidly obese population in comparison with the traditional hydrostatic weighing method. In population screening or other settings where underwater weighing is impractical, population-specific BIA regression equations should be used because general BIA equations lead to consistent underprediction of percentage body fat compared with hydrostatic weighing. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:869-875 .
ADVANCES IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF THORACIC TRAUMA

With the exception of the use of ECG to screen patients for blunt cardiac injury, recent advances in the diagnosis of thoracic trauma involve new technology. Use of surgeon-performed pericardial and pleural ultrasound for the detection of tamponade or hemothorax, TEE or spiral CT to diagnose rupture of the thoracic aorta, and thoracoscopy to evaluate a hemothorax or the integrity of the left hemidiaphragm are all standard techniques in modern trauma centers. In terms of treatment, emergency center thoracotomy is performed more selectively and with the adjunct of staple closure for cardiac wounds. Pulmonotomy is used selectively to control deep lobar hemorrhage and to avoid the need for an emergent lobectomy. Finally, nonoperative management of an intimal tear of the thoracic aorta or delayed operative management of a full-thickness tear in the patient with multiple injuries, using beta-blocker-induced relative hypotension, is rapidly becoming the standard of care throughout the United States.
Euglycemic Agent-mediated Hypothalamic Transcriptomic Manipulation in the N171–82Q Model of Huntington Disease Is Related to Their Physiological Efficacy

Our aim was to employ novel analytical methods to investigate the therapeutic treatment of the energy regulation dysfunction occurring in a Huntington disease (HD) mouse model. HD is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive motor impairment and cognitive alterations. Changes in neuroendocrine function, body weight, energy metabolism, euglycemia, appetite function, and gut function can also occur. It is likely that the locus of these alterations is the hypothalamus. We determined the effects of three different euglycemic agents on HD progression using standard physiological and transcriptomic signature analyses. N171–82Q HD mice were treated with insulin, Exendin-4, and the newly developed GLP-1-Tf to determine whether these agents could improve energy regulation and delay disease progression. Blood glucose, insulin, metabolic hormone levels, and pancreatic morphology were assessed. Hypothalamic gene transcription, motor coordination, and life span were also determined. The N171–82Q mice exhibited significant alterations in hypothalamic gene transcription signatures and energy metabolism that were ameliorated, to varying degrees, by the different euglycemic agents. Exendin-4 or GLP-1-Tf (but not insulin) treatment also improved pancreatic morphology, motor coordination, and increased life span. Using hypothalamic transcription signature analyses, we found that the physiological efficacy variation of the drugs was evident in the degree of reversal of the hypothalamic HD pathological signature. Euglycemic agents targeting hypothalamic and energy regulation dysfunction in HD could potentially alter disease progression and improve quality of life in HD.
Situated cognition and learning environments: roles, structures, and implications for design

Situated cognition has emerged as a powerful perspective in providing meaningful learning and promoting the transfer of knowledge to real-life situations. While considerable interest has been generated in situated learning environments, few guidelines exist related to their design. The purpose of this paper is to examine the theoretical underpinnings of situated cognition and to derive implications for the design of situated learning environments. The conceptual framework centers on four basic issues: the role of context, the role of content, the role of facilitation, and the role of assessment.
Threshold Erythema Dose of Low Voltage Roentgen Rays1

In recent years, several technical developments in roentgen tubes have brought about the introduction of apparatus designed especially for superficial roentgen therapy at low voltages. The object is to deliver adequate dosage to the layers of the skin and still cause no damage to underlying healthy tissue. This goal has been realized, at least to some degree, by designing tubes to be used at short target-skin distance, and with tube windows with minimum inherent filtration. These tube windows facilitate the passage of the longer wave lengths of the roentgen spectrum and thereby increase the proportion of the less penetrating rays which reach the superficial layers of the skin where the therapeutic effect is desired.
Education Programs at the DOE National Laboratories: Benefits to Teachers and Students

In 1980, when Fermilab began supporting precollege education programs, it was not at all clear that a research laboratory was an appropriate setting for major precollege education programs. Participants have given us the answer, “Yes!” Programs for students and teachers work at national laboratories because it is not business as usual. Participants come to a world class research laboratory for a unique opportunity to witness science conducted at the frontier of human understanding. They gain invaluable experience being in an environment where science is done. We have shown that teachers, in particular, respond positively to being treated as professionals and peers by researchers. Benefits to teachers and students from participating in a national laboratory’s education programs may be broadly categorized as either changed attitudes toward science or new knowledge about science and science teaching and will be described.
Synthesizing microwave resonator filters

In this article, analytic and optimization-based methods for the synthesis of dual-passband microwave filters are presented. First, the frequency transformations for synthesizing dual-passband filters is described. For the filters in which the reflection and transmission zeros cannot be found analytically using frequency transformations, an optimization (or trial-and-error) procedure for a systematic approach is described. The reflection and transmission zeros obtained by the frequency transformation were found to be good initial values for the optimization process.
Sexually dimorphic and developmentally regulated expression of tubulin-specific chaperone protein A in the LMAN of zebra finches

Sex differences in brain and behavior exist across vertebrates, but the molecular factors regulating their development are largely unknown. Songbirds exhibit substantial sexual dimorphisms. In zebra finches, only males sing, and the brain areas regulating song learning and production are much larger in males. Recent data suggest that sex chromosome genes (males ZZ; females ZW) may play roles in sexual differentiation. The present studies tested the hypothesis that a Z-gene, tubulin-specific chaperone protein A (TBCA), contributes to sexual differentiation of the song system. This taxonomically conserved gene is integral to microtubule synthesis, and within the song system, its mRNA is specifically increased in males compared to females in the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN), a region critical for song learning and plasticity. Using in situ hybridization, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry, we observed effects of both age and sex on TBCA mRNA and protein expression. The transcript is increased in males compared to females at three juvenile ages, but not in adults. TBCA protein, both the number of immunoreactive cells and relative concentration in LMAN, is diminished in adults compared to juveniles. The latter was also increased in males compared to females at post-hatching day 25. With double-label immunofluorescence and retrograde tract tracing, we also document that the majority of TBCA+ cells in LMAN are neurons, and that they include robust nucleus of the arcopallium-projecting cells. These results indicate that TBCA is both temporally and spatially primed to facilitate the development of a sexually dimorphic neural pathway critical for song.
Controversial Exothermicity of the Oxidative Addition of Methane to (Cyclopentadienyl)rhodium Carbonyl

A wide range of values for the exothermicity of the oxidative addition of methane to (cyclopentadienyl)rhodium carbonyl have been reported at the MP2 level of theory. These energies are recalculated using several different basis sets which reproduce previous results and provide evidence for the inadequacy of some commonly used basis sets. The calculations show that the magnitude of the exothermicity of this reaction is particularly sensitive to the metal 5s orbital. With a metal basis set which includes proper representation of the (n + 1)s and -p metal orbitals, the exothermicity is also calculated at the MP3, MP4(SDQ), and QCISD levels. The best results show that the MPX perturbation series does not converge well and that the MP2 results in any basis set are only qualitative.
Compatible Conditional Distributions

Abstract Consider two families of candidate conditional densities (or probability mass functions), {f(x | y);y ∈ S y} and {f(y | x): x ∈ S x}. This article investigates necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a joint density (or joint probability mass function) f(x, y) with the given families as its associated conditional densities. This supplements previous work that has addressed the question of uniqueness of f(x, y) assuming its existence.
Inelastic scattering and current saturation in graphene

We present a study of transport in graphene devices on polar insulating substrates by solving the Boltzmann transport equation in the presence of graphene phonon, surface polar phonon, and Coulomb charged impurity scattering. The value of the saturated velocity shows very weak dependence on the carrier density, the nature of the insulating substrate, and the low-field mobility, varied by the charged impurity concentration. The saturated velocity of $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}--8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\text{ }\text{cm}/\text{s}$ calculated at room temperature is significantly larger than reported experimental values. The discrepancy is due to the self-heating effect which lowers substantially the value of the saturated velocity. We predict that by reducing the insulator oxide thickness, which limits the thermal conductance, the saturated currents can be significantly enhanced. We also calculate the surface polar phonon contribution to the low-field mobility as a function of carrier density, temperature, and distance from the substrate.
Cellular signal transduction by anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol

Anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol mediate many of their actions via either CB(1) or CB(2) cannabinoid receptor subtypes. These agonist-receptor interactions result in activation of G proteins, particularly those of the G(i/o) family. Signal transduction pathways that are regulated by these G proteins include inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, regulation of ion currents (inhibition of voltage-gated L, N and P/Q Ca(2+)-currents; activation of K(+) currents); activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and induction of immediate early genes; and stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Other effects of anandamide and/or 2-arachidonoylglycerol that are not mediated via cannabinoid receptors include inhibition of L-type Ca(2+) channels, stimulation of VR(1) vanilloid receptors, transient changes in intracellular Ca(2+), and disruption of gap junction function. Cardiovascular regulation by anandamide appears to occur by a variety of receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated mechanisms. This review will describe and evaluate each of these signal transduction pathways and mechanisms.
Combined Antiangiogenic and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor Targeted Therapy in Metaplastic Breast Cancer Harboring a PIK3CA Mutation

Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is an extremely rare breast cancer subtype, characterized by a heterogeneous phenotype. MpBC aggressive biology is attributed to its stem cell-like characteristics. Since these tumors are largely chemoresistant, novel targeted therapies should be explored. Herein, we report the clinical course of a 59-year-old African American woman with MpBC with a PIK3CA mutation in codon 545, exon 10 (GAG to AAG; p.Glu545Lys) and a TP53 mutation in codon 286, exon 8 (GAA to AAA; p.Glu286Lys). The same mutations were observed in the primary and secondary sites. The patient was treated with a molecularly matched therapy using a combined antiangiogenic and mammalian target of rapamycin kinase inhibitor strategy that included liposomal doxorubicin, bevacizumab, and temsirolimus. Partial remission was achieved. In this report, the scientific rationale underlying the activity of this combination was explored. In conclusion, patients may benefit from being offered molecular profiling early during the course of the disease to receive a therapy guided accordingly.
Postconditioning: Reduction of reperfusion-induced injury

Reperfusion has the potential to introduce additional injury that is not evident at the end of ischaemia per se, i.e. reperfusion injury. Reperfusion injury is expressed as endothelial and microvascular dysfunction, impaired blood flow, metabolic dysfunction, cellular necrosis, and apoptosis. There is an impressive array of mechanisms contributing to reperfusion injury. Postconditioning, defined as brief periods of reperfusion alternating with re-occlusion applied during the very early minutes of reperfusion, mechanically alters the hydrodynamics of early reperfusion. However, postconditioning also stimulates endogenous mechanisms that attenuate the multiple manifestations of reperfusion injury listed above. These mechanisms include ligands, such as adenosine and opioids, that act as proximal triggers to stimulate molecular pathways involving mediators such as protein kinase C, mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and survival kinases. Postconditioning may also inhibit deleterious pathways such as p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and attenuate the damage to endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes from oxidants, cytokines, proteases, and inflammatory cells. Postconditioning has been shown to inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Hence, postconditioning marshals a variety of endogenous mechanisms that operate at numerous levels and target a broad range of pathological mechanisms. Two clinical studies in patients with acute myocardial infarction have demonstrated that postconditioning was effective in reducing infarct size. Postconditioning indirectly supports the concept of reperfusion injury in animal models of ischaemia-reperfusion and in patients, and exerts cardioprotection that is equivalent to that of ischaemic preconditioning.
The feasibility of images reconstructed with the methods of sieves

The concept of sieves has been applied with the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) to image reconstruction in emission tomography. While it makes it possible to recover smooth images consistent with the data, the degree of smoothness provided by it is arbitrary. It is shown that the concept of feasibility is able to resolve this arbitrariness. By varying the values of parameters determining the degree of smoothness, one can generate images on both sides of the feasibility region, as well as within the region. Feasible images recovered by using different sieve parameters are compared with feasible results of other procedures. One- and two-dimensional examples using both simulated and real data sets are considered. >
Pharmacokinetics of orally administered acetaminophen in man

Average and individual sets of plasma concentration-time data for acetaminophen following two oral treatments were simuItaneously fitted to the integrated equation describing the two-compartment open model with first-order absorption and lag time. The nonlinear least-squares program NON LIN and an IBM 360/67 digital computer were employed to estimate nine parameters (k A, kB, C ~ C ~ k12 , k21, kel , toA and to8 ). When the mean plasma concentrations were weighted according to the inverse of their variances, the parameter estimates more accurately reflected those for individual subjects in the disposition portion of the model. Depending on the relative magnitudes of the disposition rate constants (k 12, k2 t, and k~0, the one-compartment open model can be used to predict equilibrium-state plasma levels even though the drug is really "two compartment." Equations are presented which show when the one-compartment approximation is justified. Equations are also presented for calculation of loading doses for multiple dose regimens of any drug obeying the twocompartment open model and the equations are applied to acetaminophen.
A Review of “Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery”

Steve Newcomb's choice of such a provocative title establishes the frame for analyzing how the combination of early Judeo-Christian narratives and the colonizing powers of metaphorical language wer...
An Evolutionary Model of Organizational Performance

Organizations vary in how well they perform. This can be due to differences in their strategic positions and to differences in their competitive abilities. We propose an evolutionary model in which there is a trade-off between these two sources of advantage. In a naive evolutionary model, competition triggers both selection and learning–leaving organizations with the capabilities to perform better. However, managers often buffer their organizations from the disciplining forces of selection by seeking out positional advantages in the market. We argue that when this is done using multiunit structures, market position improves but organizational learning is retarded. Consistent with this view, we find that after controlling for selection, single-unit organizations benefit today from being exposed historically to competition–evidence of learning–while large, multiunit organizations do not. Multiunit organizations instead benefit from mutual forbearance, a positional advantage. The findings come from a dynamic analysis of takeovers and performance among retail banks in Illinois. Implications for the study of strategic evolution are discussed.
Longitudinal Assessment of the Menopausal Transition, Endogenous Sex Hormones, and Perception of Physical Functioning: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation

Functional limitations, defined as the degree of difficulty in performing daily living activities (1), have been used as a surrogate marker of the overall impact of disease and environment (2). Self-reported functional limitations have been observed more frequently in women compared with men (3–5), even at relatively young ages of 40–55 years (6). This period of women’s lives coincides with the menopausal transition; a time when women are subjected to several physiological, physical, and psychological changes. The physiological changes accompanying the menopausal transition, including changes in endogenous sex hormone levels, may predispose women to the development of functional limitations. Earlier research from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) documented self-reported functional limitations among 20% of women aged 40–55 (7). Interestingly, postmenopausal women have been found to report greater functional limitations (both self-reported and objectively assessed) than premenopausal women (8–10). Additionally, women with surgical menopause (8,11) and earlier age at menopause (11) reported worse physical functioning. These findings were limited by the cross-sectional design (8,10,11) and/or the inability to adjust for over-time change in factors that may vary during the menopausal transition such as changes in body mass index (BMI) and level of physical activity (8–11). Whether or not the changes in endogenous sex hormones that accompany the menopausal transition contribute to the increase in functional limitations has yet to be evaluated. The aim of the current study was to assess the longitudinal relationships between endogenous sex hormones, menopausal status, and self-reported functional limitations in women transitioning through the menopause while controlling for factors known to change over the menopausal transition that could potentially impact physical functioning.
The Dynamic Nature of Conflict: A Longitudinal Study of Intragroup Conflict and Group Performance.

In a longitudinal study, we found that higher group performance was associated with a particular pattern of conflict. Teams performing well were characterized by low but increasing levels of proces...
Synthesis and evaluation of compounds that induce readthrough of premature termination codons

A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out to identify novel, small molecular weight compounds which induce readthrough of premature termination codons. In particular, analogs of RTC13, 1, were evaluated. In addition, hypothesizing that these compounds exhibit their activity by binding to the ribosome, we prepared the hybrid analogs 13 containing pyrimidine bases and these also showed good readthrough activity.
Humorous Self Disclosures as Resistance to Socially Imposed Gender Roles

Th is article examines the function of humorous Self Disclosures (SD) as a pragmatic means for women to grapple with their possible identities in modern society. In analyzing instances of SD, made freely in ordinary conversation and which place the speaker in a vulnerable position, we aim to observe identity stances situated between the personal and the social. The data show how humorous self disclosures co-constructed in talk-in-interaction build a shared history and display this history to others in talk. Th rough this sort of conversational exchange, female interlocutors develop relational (fluid) identities within particular constellations of interaction. Th e humorous frame through which the SDs are realized allows for resistance and exploration of roles imposed by the larger society, in particular gender roles. While, in the observed interactions, participants question hegemonic views of women as passive and victims, they also disclose contradictory practices questioning these women’s commitment to that resistance. Data for this study derive from two groups of professional women in distinct speech communities and languages.
Ontogeny of sexual size dimorphism in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Body size and growth rate are among the most important traits characterizing an organism, influencing niche occupancy, life-history patterns, mortality rates, and many other fitness components. Sexual size dimorphism is common among animals; in most species females are on average larger than males. In contrast, male mammals are usually larger on average than females of the same species, and the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) may be one of the rare species of mammal in which females are generally larger than males. Nevertheless, some have argued that the evidence is equivocal regarding this reversal. This disagreement may reflect differences in traits measured, methods used, or ontogenetic differences among individuals sampled for these studies. We quantified size at various points during ontogeny in 651 individuals, the largest sample used in size analyses of spotted hyenas to date. We measured 14 morphological traits as well as 4 linear combinations of the traits that provide multivariate estimates of size; these were used to examine growth patterns among males and females measured in a free-living population in Kenya. We demonstrate that female spotted hyenas are larger than males for most, but not all traits, and that females are larger because they grow faster, rather than exhibiting a prolonged period of growth. Early in life males and females appear to grow similarly, but between weaning and reproductive maturity their multivariate ontogenetic trajectories diverge. Traits that mature before divergence of these ontogenetic trajectories are monomorphic, whereas traits that mature later are dimorphic. Furthermore, dimorphism is generally greatest in traits that cease development latest. We propose that later-maturing traits are more dimorphic because of a systemic increase in female growth rates during adolescence that persists through morphological maturity, which varies among traits. We also assess body-size data obtained from captive hyenas to show that adult female hyenas are larger than adult males for some traits even when they are fed identical diets throughout development, allowing us to rule out a strictly environmental explanation for this dimorphism.
Characteristics of African-American male caregivers in a study of oral health in Detroit--a brief communication.

The role of fathers among African-American men, particularly related to oral health, has received relatively little scholarly attention. This paper describes the characteristics of African-American men who self-identified as primary caregiver to an index child participating in the Detroit Dental Health Project. Of 1.021, caregiver-child pairs recruited to this oral health study, 52 were male. Data were collected at a central site in Detroit on: 1) demographics; 2) social support; 3) oral health beliefs, behaviors, and knowledge; 4) caregivers’ and child’s oral health. Participants reported good availability of social support and high perceived self-efficacy to take care of their child’s teeth, yet, they possessed limited knowledge on preventing oral health problems. Moreover, male caregivers had high levels of caries, missing teeth, and poor hygiene. Findings may inform the development of effective interventions aimed at male caregivers to improve knowledge and understanding of the caries process, particularly concerning their children.
Superior hypogastric nerve block for pelvic pain

Abstract Opioids have been used for a long period in the treatment of pelvic pain. Patients often develop tolerance to opioids or experience unpleasant side effects, necessitating discontinuance. Superior hypogastric plexus nerve block with neurolytic agents may be useful in these patients and also may help in reducing mean opioid consumption in many other patients. Published studies have established that superior hypogastric nerve blocks can significantly reduce visual analog pain scores in patients and/or decrease their opioid intake. Superior hypogastric plexus is located bilaterally at the level of the lower third of the fifth lumbar vertebral body and upper third of the first sacral vertebral body at the sacral promontory, in which it is blocked under fluroscopic guidance. Therefore, this procedure, when performed properly, could help treat patients with chronic pelvic pain, resulting in minimal side effects. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
A HISTOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDY OF THE FATTY MATTER OF NORMAL AND CRYPTORCHID TESTES

1. About 19 per cent. of the dry weight of the normal pig testicle is fatty matter. Histologically this fat occurs largely in the cells of the seminal tubules, and especially in the Sertoli cells. 2. During spermatogenesis the fat of the Sertoli cell passes inward for the nutrition of the spermatids and spermatozoa. During this passage its character is altered from a neutral fat to a lipoid. 3. About 30 per cent. of the dry weight of the cryptorchid pig testicle is fatty material. Histologically this fat lies within the seminal tubules, partially filling the Sertoli cells. The spermatogenic cells have completely disappeared. 4. We conclude that the presence of such an excessive amount of fat in the cryptorchid testicle is due to the absence of the spermatogenic cells which normally utilize during their development the fat furnished by the Sertoli cells.
MicroRNA-26a Promotes Cholangiocarcinoma Growth by Activating β-catenin

Background & Aims MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the development and progression of human cancers. We investigated the roles and mechanisms of miR-26a in human cholangiocarcinoma. Methods We used in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to measure expression of miR-26a in human cholangiocarcinoma tissues and cell lines (eg, CCLP1, SG231, HuCCT1, TFK1). Human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were transduced with lentiviruses that expressed miR-26a1 or a scrambled sequence (control); proliferation and colony formation were analyzed. We analyzed growth of human cholangiocarcinoma cells that overexpress miR-26a or its inhibitor in severe combined immune-deficient mice. Immunoblot, immunoprecipitation, DNA pull-down, immunofluorescence, and luciferase reporter assays were used to measure expression and activity of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, β-catenin, and related signaling molecules. Results Human cholangiocarcinoma tissues and cell lines had increased levels of miR-26a compared with the noncancerous biliary epithelial cells. Overexpression of miR-26a increased proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma cells and colony formation in vitro, whereas miR-26 depletion reduced these parameters. In severe combined immune-deficient mice, overexpression of miR-26a by cholangiocarcinoma cells increased tumor growth and overexpression of the miR-26a inhibitor reduced it. GSK-3β messenger RNA was identified as a direct target of miR-26a by computational analysis and experimental assays. miR-26a–mediated reduction of GSK-3β resulted in activation of β-catenin and induction of several downstream genes including c-Myc , cyclinD1 , and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ . Depletion of β-catenin partially prevented miR-26a–induced tumor cell proliferation and colony formation. Conclusions miR-26a promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth by inhibition of GSK-3β and subsequent activation of β-catenin. These signaling molecules might be targets for prevention or treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
Should interventional cardiac catheterization procedures take place at the time of diagnostic procedures

Background: In many cardiac catheterization laboratories interventional procedures are performed at a date later than the diagnostic study, causing increased hospital days and costs. Few data exist which compare procedural success, complications, and costs between procedures performed at the time of diagnostic study and those performed later. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and success of same-day interventional procedures and to quantitate hospital cost savings with this strategy. Method: In all, 357 consecutive patients who underwent an elective interventional procedure of a native coronary artery either at the time of diagnostic study (same day, n = 244) or later (delayed, n = 113) were reviewed. Procedural success [< 30% residual lesion post-percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or 0% residual lesion post-stent], major complications [death, emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), myocardial infarction, and ventricular fibrillation], hospital days, and costs were analyzed. Procedural expense, including the diagnostic and interventional procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and hospital expense were analyzed. Results: Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, coronary risk factors, indications (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, abnormal stress test), the culprit coronary artery, type of intervention (PTCA, stent), and lesion complexity (type A, B, C). The average hospital stay for the two groups was 4.37 ± 2 and 6.55 ± 2.4 days, respectively (p < 0.0001). The procedural charges were $ 8,207.99 and 10,581.87, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Catheter intervention performed at the same time as the diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedure is as successful and as safe as that performed at a later date. Hospital stay and costs, as well as procedural expenses are significantly reduced by this practice.
Human herpesvirus 8 interleukin-6 (vIL-6) signals through gp130 but has structural and receptor-binding properties distinct from those of human IL-6.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been associated with classical, endemic (African), and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), body cavity-based primary effusion lymphomas, and multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD). HHV-8 encodes a functional homologue of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that promotes the growth of KS and myeloma cells and is found at elevated levels in MCD lesions and patient sera. We have previously reported that the viral IL-6 (vIL-6) gene product can support the growth of the IL-6-dependent murine hybridoma cell line, B9, and that the gp80 (IL-6 receptor [IL-6R]) component of the IL-6 receptor-signal transducer (gp180) complex plays a role in mediating this activity. However, it has been shown by others that vIL-6 can function in human cells independently of IL-6R. Here we have extended our functional studies of vIL-6 by identifying transcription factors and pathways used in human Hep3B cells, investigating the utilization of gp130 and IL-6R by vIL-6, and undertaking mutational analyses of vIL-6 and gp130. The data presented here establish that vIL-6, in common with its endogenous counterparts, can mediate signal transduction through gp130 and activate multiple transcription factors, map residues within the vIL-6 protein that are and are not important for vIL-6 signalling, and identify a gp130 mutant that is nonfunctional with respect to vIL-6 signalling in the absence of IL-6R but that retains the ability to mediate vIL-6 and human IL-6 (hIL-6) signal transduction when IL-6R is coexpressed. The data presented demonstrate functional and mechanistic similarities between vIL-6 and endogenous IL-6 proteins but also highlight differences in the structural and receptor-binding properties of vIL-6 relative to its human counterpart.
Prediction of Losses Caused by Roughness of Metallization in Printed-Circuit Boards

In this paper, the effect of metal roughness on the total loss, the extracted tandelta, and signal integrity of typical interconnections found in printed-circuit boards is extracted from measurements on three different materials. The differing characteristics of the roughened metal cross sections are highlighted, and a simplified, practical, 2-D, causal, broadband modeling methodology is shown
VLSI design of optimization and image processing cellular neural networks

Detailed design of a current-mode cellular neural network for optimization and image processing is presented. The hardware annealing function is also embedded in the network. It is a paralleled version of fast mean-field annealing in analog networks, and is highly efficient in finding globally optimal solutions for cellular neural networks. The network was designed to perform programmable functions for fine-grained processing with annealing control to enhance the output quality. A 5/spl times/5 prototype chip was fabricated in a 2.0 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Since the MOSIS scalable design rules are used, it is also suitable for submicron technologies. For high circuit reliability and compactness purpose, a unit current of 6.0 /spl mu/A is used. The cell density is 505 cell/cm/sup 2/ and the cell time constant is chosen to be 0.3 /spl mu/s. From this prototype, a scalable VLSI core of around 50/spl times/50 neural processors can be integrated on a 1-cm/sup 2/ silicon area in a 0.8 /spl mu/m technology. Experimental results of building blocks and the prototype chip are also presented.
Frontal Lobe Seizures

Despite the fact that clinical characteristics of frontal lobe seizures have been recently described better, differentiating seizures of frontal lobe origin from NES on clinical grounds alone is difficult. The difficulty has been compounded by the fact that both inter-ictal and ictal EEG can be normal or nonspecific, and the same is true of imaging studies. A detailed clinical history as well as video monitoring can be helpful diagnostic tools. A multidisciplinary approach is warranted and is at times essential to improve the diagnosis and care of these difficult patients.
Coupled Magneto-mechanical Modeling of Composites Containing Aligned Ferromagnetic Particles

The objective of this paper is to investigate effective magneto-mechanical behavior of composites containing aligned ferromagnetic particles. The effective magneto-elastic properties and the overall magnetostriction of the composites are derived by considering the pair-wise interaction between ferromagnetic particles. For the composites with soft elastomer matrix, the microstructural configuration rapidly changes with the magnetic and mechanical loads so that the local magnetic and elastic fields are fully coupled. This model accounts for the coupled magneto-elastic interaction and pair-wise interaction between particles. The results show that the Young’s modulus along the particle-chain direction is reduced and the shear modulus is increased under the applied magnetic field. Predictions from the proposed model are compared with available experimental data and other models.
Implicit anti-fat bias among health professionals: is anyone immune?

A total of 84 health professionals who treat obesity (71% male, mean age 48 y, mean body mass index (BMI) 25.39). completed a series of implicit and explicit attitude and belief measures. Results were compared to measures obtained from a general population sample. Participants completed an attitude- and a belief-based lmplicit Association Test. This reaction time measure of automatic memory-based associations asked participants to classify words into the following target category pair. 'fat people' vs 'thin people'. Simultaneously, the tasks required categorization of words into one of the following descriptor category pairs: good vs bad (attitude measure) or motivated vs lazy (stereotype measure). Participants also reported explicit attitudes and beliefs about fat and thin persons. Clear evidence for implicit anti-fat bias was found for both the attitude and stereotype measures. As expected, this bias was strong but was lower than bias in the general population. Also as predicted, only minimal evidence for an explicit anti-fat bias was found. Implicit and explicit measures of the lazy stereotype were positively related although the attitude measures were not.
Efficient call graph analysis

We present an efficient algorithm for computing the procedure call graph, the program representation underlying most interprocedural optimization techniques. The algorithm computes the possible bindings of procedure variables in languages where such variables only receive their values through parameter passing, such as Fortran. We extend the algorithm to accommodate a limited form of assignments to procedure variables. The resulting algorithm can also be used in analysis of functional programs that have been converted to Continuation-Passing-Style.We discuss the algorithm in relationship to other call graph analysis approaches. Many less efficient techniques produce essentially the same call graph. A few algorithms are more precise, but they may be prohibitively expensive depending on language features.
Media scaling in a multimedia communication system

HeiTS, the Heidelberg Transport System, is a multimedia communication system for real-time delivery of digital audio and video. HeiTS operates on top of guaranteedperformance networks that apply resource reservation techniques. To make HeiTS also work with networks for which no reservation scheme can be realized (for example, Ethernet or existing internetworks), we implement an extension to HeiTS which performs media scaling at the transport level: The media encoding is modified according to the bandwidth available in the underlying networks. Both transparent and nontransparent scaling methods are examined. HeiTS lends itself to implement transparent temporal and spatial scaling of media streams. At the HeiTS interface, functions are provided which report information on the available resource bandwidth to the application so that nontransparent scaling methods may be used, too. Both a continuous and discrete scaling solution for HeiTS are presented. The continuous solution uses feedback messages to adjust the data flow. The discrete solution also exploits the multipoint network connection mechanism of HeiTS. Whereas the first method is more flexible, the second technique is better suited for multicast scenarios. The combination of resource reservation and media scaling seems to be particularly well suited to meet the varying demands of distributed multimedia applications.
Measuring magnetic declination with a compass, virtual globes and a global positioning system

Abstract Earth's magnetic declination was experimentally measured at 15 sites in western USA from Alaska to Texas; each site exhibited a large linear feature identifiable in virtual globe imagery (NASA's World Wind or Google Earth). The difference between the geographic bearing of the linear feature measured directly on a virtual globe image and the magnetic bearing of the same linear feature measured on the ground with a compass defines the magnetic declination δ for that site. For all 15 sites, δ values, determined by this differencing procedure, ranged from about 20° to 5° E and fell within 1° (over half within 0.5°) of expected values. Global positioning system (GPS) data recorded at most sites and plotted on virtual globe images aided in the identification of relevant features. This straightforward method for determining magnetic declination using virtual globe software and a compass provides a contemporary geospatial field/laboratory activity that dramatically elucidates and contrasts features of ma...
L. D. Mech Critique of Our Work Lacks Scientific Validity

An accompanying article in this issue of the Bulletin (Mech 2006) purports to critique our past research. L. D. Mech attempts to show that our model of prospective, preferred gray wolf (Canis lupus) habitat (Mladenoff et al. 1995, 1997, 1999, Mladenoff and Sickley 1998) has been incorrect. We first state clearly that we are not opposed to the re-assessment of our work based on new data. However we believe the Mech paper contains both serious conceptual and methodological flaws that render its conclusions invalid. Our own analysis, based on logic and current techniques (Mladenoff et al. 2005), shows that the model has behaved according to our predictions and continues to successfully predict wolf recolonization in Wisconsin, USA, over more than 25 years. However, the serious flaws of Mech (2006) alone show that he is incorrect in his putative critique of our work.
Radiofluorination of polymer-supported precursors: Preparation of [18F]-azido-prosthetics

159 Objectives Streamlining radiosynthetic processes reduces synthesis time and increases effective specific activity. Polymer-supported sulfonyl esters provide a platform for 18F tracer preparation where unlabeled precursor may be filtered from the solution obviating the need for lengthy purification. Herein we report a radiofluorination methodology utilizing polymer-supported [4-(azidomethyl)phenyl]alkylsulfonyl esters to efficiently synthesize [4-(azidomethyl)phenyl]alkyl-[18F]fluorides as prosthetics for click chemistry. Methods Either [4-(azidomethyl)phenyl]meth-, eth- or prop-anol were coupled to commercial sulfonyl chloride resin to produce polymer-bound sulfonyl esters. Nucleophilic displacement with K18F/ K2.2.2/ K2CO3 under various conditions gave the alkyl 18F-fluorides. Solid phase extraction was used to filter the resin, remove a non-radioctive hydrolysis side product and unreacted 18F- while concentrating the tracer for subsequent reactons. Labeling efficiency and purity (chemical and radiochemical) was determined by radioTLC and radioHPLC. Results Optimization studies revealed that azidomethyl-phenyl-propyl[18F]fluoride may be prepared in 60-92% yield by microwave heating in tBuOH or MeCN for 15 mins. Yields for the meth- and eth-anol analogs were significantly lower. A non-radioactive mass peak was noted in the tBuOH reaction by analytical HPLC that was absent in the MeCN reaction. The effective specific activity from the resin based method was significantly higher than the non-resin nucleophilic tosylate displacement reaction. Conclusions We have successfully prepared 18F-prosthetics for click chemistry applications in high yield from polymer-supported sulfonyl esters. This labeling strategy provides an efficient method for 18F incorporation with easy removal of starting material that may otherwise react in subsequent synthetic steps, compromising tracer specific activity. This methodology may be applied to a broader spectrum of 18F-labeled tracers. Research Support DoD (W81XWH-11-1-0464) and NIH (CA 140617)
Design of a Platform to Discuss Ethical Considerations of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: a Case for Integration of Ethics in Foundational Science Medical Curriculum

The creation of an integrated basic science curriculum is a major goal in medical education. However, there is little consensus on how this can be effectively accomplished. One route is to utilize clinical problems that integrate multiple disciplines. This study describes an approach to utilize a large group case-based discussion (CBD) integrating ethics and medical genetics that has been administered to two consecutive classes. In this CBD, first-year medical students were provided the opportunity to apply and transfer knowledge to a novel clinical scenario utilizing content previously covered in two courses (“Genes, Molecules and Cells” and “Ethical Foundations in Medicine”) that run concurrently. Students were presented with preimplantation genetic diagnosis results for an X-linked disorder and asked to decipher embryo genotypes and make group recommendations on which embryo(s) they would transfer to achieve a “healthy” pregnancy. In addition to genotype considerations, students were asked to consider the three fundamental ethical principles in healthcare and shared medical decision-making when making their embryo transfer recommendations. This study reports the details of the integrated activity, facilitator feedback, and discusses modifications made to the activity to improve integration and knowledge transfer. Furthermore, this study reports positive feedback from students for this integrated discipline CBD and a significant improvement in learning outcomes following the intervention.