cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracellular calcium release through IP 3 R or RyR contributes to secondary axonal degeneration.

Severed CNS axons often retract or dieback away from the injury site and fail to regenerate. The precise mechanisms underlying acute axonal dieback and secondary axonal degeneration remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the role of Ca2+ store mediated intra-axonal Ca2+ release in acute axonal dieback and secondary axonal degeneration. To differentiate between primary (directly transected) and "bystander" axonal injury (axons spared by the initial injury but then succumb to secondary degeneration) in real-time we use our previously published highly focal laser-induced spinal cord injury (LiSCI) ex vivo model. Ascending spinal cord dorsal column axons that express YFP were severed using an 800 nm laser pulse while being imaged continuously using two-photon excitation microscopy. We inhibited two major intra-axonal Ca2+ store channels, ryanodine receptors (RyR) and IP3R, with ryanodine or 2-APB, respectively, to individually determine their role in axonal dieback and secondary axonal degeneration. Each antagonist was dissolved in artificial CSF and applied 1h post-injury alone or in combination, and continuously perfused for the remainder of the imaging session. Initially following LiSCI, transected axons retracted equal distances both distal and proximal to the lesion. However, by 4h after injury, the distal axonal segments that are destined for Wallerian degeneration had significantly retracted further than their proximal counterparts. We also found that targeting either RyR or IP3R using pharmacological and genetic approaches significantly reduced proximal axonal dieback and "bystander" secondary degeneration of axons compared to vehicle controls at 6h post-injury. Combined treatment effects on secondary axonal degeneration were similar to either drug in isolation. Together, these results suggest that intra-axonal Ca2+ store mediated Ca2+ release through RyR or IP3R contributes to secondary axonal degeneration following SCI.
Applying Social Network Analysis to Identify the Social Support Needs of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Survivors.

Purpose: This article examines how theoretical and clinical applications of social network analysis (SNA) can inform opportunities for innovation and advancement of social support programming for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors. Applications: SNA can help address potential barriers and challenges to initiating and sustaining AYA peer support by helping to identify the diverse psychosocial needs among individuals in the AYA age range; find strategic ways to support and connect AYAs at different phases of the cancer trajectory with resources and services; and increase awareness of psychosocial resources and referrals from healthcare providers. Network perspectives on homophily, proximity, and evolution provide a foundational basis to explore the utility of SNA in AYA clinical care and research initiatives. The uniqueness of the AYA oncology community can also provide insight into extending and developing current SNA theories. Implications: Using SNA in AYA psychosocial cancer ...
Bilateral Sacral Ala Fractures Are Strongly Associated With Lumbopelvic Instability.

Objectives:To quantify the incidence of lumbopelvic instability in the setting of unilateral and bilateral sacral fractures and assess whether the presence of bilateral sacral fractures on axial imaging is a useful screening test for lumbopelvic instability.Design:Retrospective case series.Setting:L
Catalyze! Lowering the Activation Barriers to Undergraduate Students’ Success in Chemistry: A Board Game for Teaching Assistants

The commercial board game Cranium is the inspiration for an educational exercise developed for both undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants (TAs) in chemistry. Catalyze! has been used to highlight the value of game-based active learning while serving as a review of factors that influence undergraduate students’ persistence and success in chemistry studies, as well as teaching techniques and resources TAs can draw on to help students realize their academic potential. Players are challenged to consider common teaching and learning scenarios under five card categories: study strategies, prior knowledge and misconceptions, motivation and mindset, classroom climate, and social and personal issues. Overall, TAs appreciate the engagement and insights afforded them by the game. Catalyze! scenarios can be easily customized across disciplines and for use at other institutions, and the game can be incorporated in a variety of TA professional development contexts.
Deletion of Seventeen Amino Acids at the C-Terminal End of Aquaporin 0 Causes Distortion Aberration and Cataract in the Lenses of AQP0ΔC/ΔC Mice.

Purpose Investigate the effects of the absence of 17 amino acids at the C-terminal end of Aquaporin 0 (AQP0) on lens transparency, focusing property, and homeostasis. Methods A knockin (KI) mouse model (AQP0ΔC/ΔC) was developed to express AQP0 only as the end-cleaved form in the lens. For this, AQP0 was genetically engineered as C-terminally end-cleaved with amino acids 1 to 246, instead of the full length 1 to 263 of the wild type (WT). After verifying the KI integration into the genome and its expression, the mouse model was bred for several generations. AQP0 KI homozygous (AQP0ΔC/ΔC) and heterozygous (AQP0+/ΔC) lenses were imaged and analyzed at different developmental stages for transparency. Correspondingly, aberrations in the lens were characterized using the standard metal grid focusing method. Data were compared with age-matched WT, AQP0 knockout (AQP0-/-), and AQP0 heterozygous (AQP0+/-) lenses. Results AQP0ΔC/ΔC lenses were transparent throughout the embryonic development and until postnatal day 15 (P15) in contrast to age-matched AQP0-/- lenses, which developed cataract at embryonic stage itself. However, there was distortion aberration in AQP0ΔC/ΔC lens at P5; after P15, cataract began to develop and progressed faster surpassing that of age-matched AQP0-/- lenses. AQP0+/ΔC lenses were transparent even at the age of 1 year in contrast to AQP0+/- lenses; however, there was distortion aberration starting at P15. Conclusions A specific distribution profile of intact and end-cleaved AQP0 from the outer cortex to the inner nucleus is required in the lens for establishing refractive index gradient to enable proper focusing without aberrations and for maintaining transparency.
Variation in movement: Multiple locomotor gaits in neotropical harvestmen

Author(s): Escalante, I; Badger, MA; Elias, DO | Abstract: Navigation of complex environments is crucial for animals to find food, mates and/or shelter and to escape enemies. In order to move successfully in variable conditions, many animals have evolved the ability to switch between several patterns of locomotion or gaits. Here, we describe and differentiate between putative locomotor gaits in the harvestman, an arachnid that uses a hexapod-like alternate tripod gait. We recorded Neotropical harvestmen of the genus Prionostemma moving across a flat surface using high-speed video. We reconstructed three-dimensional trajectories and associated kinematics and found four different locomotor gaits: running, stotting, bobbing and walking. Gaits differed in their performance and postural kinematics, body trajectory, gait diagrams and/or kinetic and potential energy exchange. Our approach points out the importance of using multiple kinematic features to differentiate gaits. The use of a specific gait was not predicted by leg length, body area or sex. We propose testable hypotheses regarding the function of each gait and the factors that drive the evolution of different gaits. Ultimately, the diversity of locomotory gaits can allow animals to respond to different environmental challenges and contexts.
Analysis of the non-coding rs3764479 mutation in the proximal promoter of the transthyretin gene

Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) is a sporadic protein misfolding disease with no specific biomarkers or treatment [1]. The disease most often features cardiomyopathy and heart failure ...
Evaluation of Extra High Voltage (XHV) Power Module for Gen3 10 kV SiC MOSFETs in a Mobile Utility Support Equipment based Solid State Transformer (MUSE-SST)

MV solid state transformers enabled by SiC semiconductor devices is a promising replacement to conventional low frequency transformers. However, when MV SiC devices are used in converter applications, they are exposed to a high peak stress (5 kV to 10 kV) and a very high dv / dt (10 kV/µS to 100 kV/µS). Operating these semiconductor devices at these high peak stresses require careful designing from the packaging point of view, as well as designing the auxiliary systems such as the gate drivers and busbars, to handle the peak stress conditions. Recently, an extra high voltage (XHV) power module has been developed by Wolfspeed to package the 10 kV SiC MOSFETs for continuous and reliable operation. This paper aims at testing these modules in continuous operation for qualifying their operation in a MV solid state transformer. Reliable operation of these modules require the development of reliable auxiliary parts including gate drivers, bus bars and inductors. Design and development of the auxiliary system is also carried out. Successful tests demonstrating operation at MV levels are also shown. These tests serve as a qualification method for using these devices in a MV solid state transformer. It is envisaged that successful operation of these devices would accelerate the growth and deployment of MV SiC devices for field operation.
Transcriptional Repression of the LMO2 Oncogene By Ikaros in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract LIM domain only protein 2 (LMO2) is a regulator of hematopoiesis and an oncogene that is overexpressed in a subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Overexpression of LMO2 in T-ALL is associated with a poor prognosis. The mechanisms that regulate LMO2 expression in T-ALL are still unknown. Here, we present evidence that expression of LMO2 in T-ALL is regulated at the transcriptional level by Ikaros, a tumor suppressor protein whose deletion is associated with the development T-ALL. Global chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) studies in primary human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and in cell lines demonstrated Ikaros occupancy of the LMO2 promoter. Ikaros binding at the LMO2 promoter was confirmed by quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) in primary T-ALL and B-ALL cells. The role of Ikaros in the regulation of LMO2 transcription in T-ALL was tested using gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. Ikaros knock-down with siRNA resulted in increased transcription of LMO2 in T-ALL. Overexpression of Ikaros in human T-ALL was associated with strongly reduced transcription of LMO2. In mice, T-ALL cells that are derived from Ikaros-knockout mice express high levels of LMO2. Transduction of these cells with Ikaros-containing retrovirus, results in a sharp reduction of LMO2 expression. Since Ikaros function in T-ALL is negatively regulated by the pro-oncogenic Casein Kinase II (CK2), we tested whether CK2 inhibition can enhance Ikaros-mediated transcriptional repression of LMO2. Molecular inhibition of CK2 using shRNA, as well as pharmacological inhibition with a specific CK2 inhibitor, resulted in reduced expression of LMO2 in primary human T-ALL. Inhibition of CK2 was associated with increased Ikaros binding at the LMO2 promoter. Ikaros knock-down restored high expression of LMO2 in T-ALL cells that were treated with CK2 inhibitors. These data show that Ikaros is a major regulator of LMO2 transcription in T-ALL and that CK2 inhibition requires Ikaros activity to repress LMO2 transcription. Increased Ikaros binding was associated with reduced histone H3K9ac and H3K4me3 marks at the LMO2 promoter suggesting that Ikaros regulates LMO2 transcription via chromatin remodeling. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that expression of the LMO2 oncogene is regulated by Ikaros and CK2 in T-ALL. Targeting CK2 with specific inhibitors has been used as a therapeutic strategy in a preclinical model of T-ALL. The presented data reveal a novel mechanism of therapeutic action for CK2 inhibitors - repression of LMO2 expression via Ikaros. These results provide a rationale for the use of CK2 inhibitors in T-ALL with LMO2 overexpression. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Reclassification of the Clostridium clostridioforme and Clostridium sphenoides clades as Enterocloster gen. nov. and Lacrimispora gen. nov., including reclassification of 15 taxa.

The genus Clostridium belongs to the family Clostridiaceae . However, many species with the genus name Clostridium are found in different families and even crossing into a different phylum. Motivated by recently completed genome sequences, we propose the reclassification of two separate clades that include misclassified Clostridium species which phylogenetically lie within the family Lachnospiraceae , known for being benign members of gut microbiomes and for their plant-degrading capabilities. We use several phylogenetic and phylogenomic perspectives as well as phenotypic comparisons to gain insight into the evolutionary history of these taxa. One clade, which includes Clostridium clostridioforme , Clostridium aldenense , Clostridium asparagiforme , Clostridium bolteae , Clostridium citroniae and Clostridium lavalense , we propose to reclassify as Enterocloster gen. nov., and reclassify the species as Enterocloster clostridioformis comb. nov., Enterocloster aldensis comb. nov., Enterocloster asparagiformis comb. nov., Enterocloster bolteae comb. nov., Enterocloster citroniae comb. nov. and Enterocloster lavalensis comb. nov. The other clade comprises Clostridium sphenoides , Clostridium aerotolerans , Clostridium algidixylanolyticum , Clostridium amygdalinum , Clostridium celerecrescens , Clostridium indolis , Clostridium saccharolyticum , Clostridium xylanolyticum and Desulfotomaculum guttoideum , and we propose to reclassify it as Lacrimispora gen. nov., including reclassification of the members as Lacrimispora sphenoides comb. nov., Lacrimispora aerotolerans comb. nov., Lacrimispora algidixylanolytica comb. nov., Lacrimispora amygdalina comb. nov., Lacrimispora celerecrescens comb. nov., Lacrimispora indolis comb. nov., Lacrimispora saccharolytica comb. nov. and Lacrimispora xylanolytica comb. nov. We emend the description of D. guttoideum to reflect that it is a later heterotypic synonym of Clostridiums phenoides, which we have reclassified as Lacrimispora sphenoides.
Meeting Users’ QoS in a Edge-to-Cloud Platform via Optimally Placing Services and Scheduling Tasks

This paper considers the problem of service placement and task scheduling on a three-tiered edge-to-cloud platform when user requests must be met by a certain deadline. Time-sensitive applications (e.g., augmented reality, gaming, real-time video analysis) have tight constraints that must be met. With multiple possible computation centers, the “where” and when” of solving these requests becomes paramount when meeting user deadlines. We formulate the problem of meeting users’ deadlines while minimizing the total cost to the edge-to-cloud service provider as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem. We show the NP-hardness of this problem, and propose two heuristics based on making decisions on a local vs global scale. We vary the user numbers, the QoS constraint, and the cost difference between a remote cloud and cloudlets(edge clouds), and run multiple Monte-Carlo runs for each case. Our simulation results show that the proposed heuristics are performing close to optimal while reducing complexity.
Climate: The Ultimate Resource?

The final chapter treats what might be considered a “new” or unconventional resource: global climate, which obviously affects the environment and also underlies the productivity of renewable resources and agriculture. The starting point is a brief discussion of a perceived disconnect between natural scientists and economists on the importance of climate change, with the former believing it to be perhaps the most important environmental problem of the century, requiring prompt and dramatic action and the latter seeing it in less compelling terms—though not all economists are in agreement here. Recent projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are given, with a discussion suggesting these are likely to be conservative in a variety of ways, including neglect of methane feedback, and for a variety of reasons, including the need for consensus among the parties. A discussion of potential impacts focuses on some often neglected and potentially catastrophic, due to tipping points and extreme events, which can in turn lead to major loss of capital (ports, buildings, coastal agriculture, and so on) not well captured in policy models. Given the time scales involved, discounting is of course key. As considered here, the issue boils down to the choice of how the pure (social) rate of time preference in the Ramsey equation should be specified. Two schools of thought are identified. One argues that it is an ethical choice, reflecting relative weights of different generations, and thus exogenous to the economic problem (though this is consistent, in the equation, with a positive discount rate even if the pure rate of time preference is zero). The other school argues that the rate of time preference must be consistent with observed rates of return on investment in private capital markets. Closely related to discounting is the topic of irreversibility, since the world will be locked into a changed climate and its consequences, such as rising sea levels, essentially forever on human time scales. Again there is a split between (some) economists and climate scientists, with the former pointing out that investment in new energy sources and facilities is also irreversible, and might dominate under certain circumstances. The discussion here focuses on a comparison of time scales associated with the two types of irreversibility. Finally, implications for policy are briefly discussed, including the advantages of a carbon tax, but also a potential problem: to achieve a desired objective the tax might have to be unrealistically high. In this case it might be supplemented by a negative tax in the form of a tax credit on energy conservation and renewables, though this can be distortionary (favors one energy source or technology over another). Some attention is also given to the role of public investment in basic research into innovative technologies that do not involve the emission of greenhouse gases.
Adapting to the COVID-19 Online Transition: Reflections in a General Chemistry Sequence Taught by Multiple Instructors with Diverse Pedagogies

Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is an open-access, four-year, public liberal arts college that emphasizes excellent instruction through active learning and small class sizes. The COVID-19 pandemic p...
Health and Health Care Access Barriers Among Transgender Women Engaged in Sex Work: A Synthesis of U.S.-Based Studies Published 2005-2019.

Purpose: Transgender women (TW) are likely to experience job discrimination and engage in commercial sex transactions. As a group, they have the highest risk for HIV/AIDS. However, little is known about the health needs of transgender women sex workers (TWSW) in the United States and the structural and psychosocial barriers to their health care access. The objective of this systematic review was to systematically document these needs and barriers by using a framework approach. Methods: We searched PubMed, JSTOR, and Google Scholar for primary and secondary studies published in 2005-2019 that addressed the health of TWSW in the United States. We used a standardized data extraction form to gather data from eligible articles. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used to assess study quality. Results: Fifty-three articles met the inclusion criteria, including mentioning health-related topics among TWSW. More articles appeared in recent years. Most studies collected data with convenience samples in urban areas. Structural barriers reported included transphobia, lack of pre-exposure prophylaxis targeted at TW, and lack of health insurance coverage. Psychosocial barriers included distrust of the health care system, self-esteem, alcohol and substance use, and mental health. Conclusions: TWSW have unique health care needs that are not being addressed due to barriers to health care access. More research is required to identify non-HIV-related health burdens and details about psychosocial barriers to health care access.
Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants After Infection and Vaccination.

This study examines the neutralizing antibody response to 4 SARS-CoV-2 variants in infected and vaccinated individuals.
Transition States for Hydrolysis of Acetals, Ketals, Glycosides, and Glycosylamines

The point of this review is to define, within limits of current understanding, transition-state structures for enzymic hydrolysis of glycosyl compounds. Transition-state structures for corresponding nonenzymic reactions will be developed to the extent that such information is useful in consideration of the enzymic reactions.
Using Closed Itemsets for Discovering Representative Association Rules

A set of association rules is called representative if it is a minimal set of rules from which all association rules can be generated. The existing algorithms for generating representative association rules use all the frequent itemsets as input. In this paper, we present a new approach for generating representative association rules that uses only a subset of the set of frequent itemsets called frequent closed itemsets. This results in a big reduction in the input size and, therefore, faster algorithms for generating representative association rules. Our approach uses ideas from formal concept analysis to find frequent closed itemsets.
Wool carder bees of the genus Anthidium in the Western Hemisphere (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): diversity, host plant associations, phylogeny, and biogeography

Bees are among the most important pollinators of flowering plants in most ecosystems. Recent concerns about population decline worldwide have highlighted the urgent societal need for species-level systematic work that facilitates assessments of the status of pollinators and pollination services. This is a comprehensive, broadly comparative study on the diversity, biology, biogeography, and evolution of Anthidium Fabricius, 1804, one of the most diverse megachilid genera, containing more than 160 species worldwide. Herein, the Western Hemisphere species are revised. All 92 recognized species, including the two adventive species Anthidium oblongatum (Illiger, 1806) and Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus, 1758), are described and illustrated. A neotype for Anthidium emarginatum (Say, 1824) and lectotypes for 16 names are designated; five names are relegated to synonymy, three names are revalidated, previously unknown males of three species are described, and 21 new species are proposed. Identification keys as well as information on the distribution, seasonality, nesting biology, and host plants are provided. The relationships of the Anthidium subgenera and all Western Hemisphere species are explored using a cladistic analysis based on adult external morphological characters. The subgenus Callanthidium Cockerell, 1925, renders Anthidium s.s. paraphylectic in the analysis, and is here synonymized. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis is used to examine possible biogeographical patterns, origins of the Western Hemisphere fauna, and the evolution of morphological traits associated with foraging for pollen from nototribic flowers and exudates from glandular trichomes. To facilitate the transfer of knowledge to non-specialists, some digital outputs and web-based products, including a geo-referenced specimen database consisting of more than 20 000 records, species pages, and interactive digital keys, were also developed during this study. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London
Toward an Immersive 3D Virtual BoK Exploratorium: A Proof of Concept

The UCGIS GIS&T Body of Knowledge document provided an opportunity for the GIS educational com- munity to link course content and curricular sequencing to a catalog of subject matter. Focusing on learn- ing objectives, a selection of relevant citations, and basic background for each topic, it has been used to a limited degree for both course topic selection and curriculum development. However, the static format of the document, lack of an index, and dated nature of the material limit its utility for education. Based on the success of our research team in developing a virtual platform for a new, more interactive, and collabo- rative environment to catalogue and interactively add to the body knowledge (Ahearn et al. 2013), this article describes efforts to develop a multi-user virtual user environment that will add social presence to the experience. It describes the successes and failures of using Second Life as the initial platform for this work, illustrates the available interactions and limitations, and depicts ongoing efforts to move beyond Second Life for this development. Finally it discusses a possible methodology to leverage the power of virtual crowd sourcing within competitive gaming environments such as Unity to allow for the creation of on-demand virtual 3-D visualizations of GIS&T concepts in a digital Exploratorium.
Web-based Mentoring: Challenging traditional models to increase women's access

Mentoring relationships can support college students as they strive to develop a sense of career-related identity. However, many students, especially college women pursuing non-traditional careers such as those in the sciences, face barriers to mentoring. Advances in technology-supported mentoring have increased students' access to mentoring opportunities. Many technology-supported mentoring initiatives are designed with only the traditional dyadic mentoring model in mind, which is limiting. When an alternative networking mentoring model provides the conceptual framework for web-based programmes, new opportunities to gain access to mentoring become visible, and the benefits for mentors and students alike are extended and amplified. Caveats, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
A simple method for evaluating the clinical literature.

The “PP-ICONS” approach will help you separate the clinical wheat from the chaff in mere minutes.
Information patterns and Hedging Brockett's theorem in controlling vehicle formations

Efforts to apply computer vision and various optical and acoustic proximity sensors for distributed/ coordinated motion control of a small group of autonomous vehicles has led us to consider a number of natural feedback control laws which utilize realtime measurements of relative distances between the vehicles. Unfortunately, none of the feedback laws satisfies Brockett's necessary conditions for asymptotic stabilization. They do appear to provide a basis for practical solutions to a number of interesting vehicle control problems, however. Part of the rationale for proposing feedback laws which are not asymptotically stabilizing is that in a number of cases of practical interest, one may show that the set of initial conditions which are not driven to the prescribed rest point is either small (in some sense) or uninteresting (in the problem context) or both. In some cases, one can also show that by choosing feedback gains in terms of the problem's initial conditions-using say a table look-up-it is possible to steer from any given initial state into an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the desired goal state. The aim of the research here is to develop a large catalogue of simple controlled motions which in appropriate sequential combinations permit autonomous nonholonomic vehicles to assemble themselves and execute coordinated motions in highly structured formations.
SITTING OR RECEIVING

OBJECTIVE: Drawing on design theory and historical research, this article offers a design analysis and cultural account of a special hall-as-room type, the reception hall, as represented in the designs of architect George W. Payne. RESEARCH DESIGN: A source of design for the everyday hall was located: twelve cottage designs of plan book architect George W. Payne, published between 1888 and 1898 in Carpentry and Building. Comparative design analyses along with primary source materials establish criteria for interpreting associational values and social and cultural dimensions of Payne's hall designs. ANALYSIS: George W. Payne's hall designs were compared with other plan book designs and model halls from millwork catalogs and compared with each other in terms of formal design theory (relationships among hall types, circulation patterns, and perceptual qualities). KEY FINDINGS: Payne's cottages illustrate that the reception hall was not reserved for large, expensive houses. In modest houses, Payne often substituted a vestibule for a hall. When the hall became a specialized room, ambiguous meanings emerged, for example, the reception hall could not function as a homey place because of expectations about the social life of the hall. In the end, reception halls favored abundance in architectural treatment, requiring little furnishing. CONCLUSION: Payne's concepts were at odds with social uses of the spaces, for example, sitting or receiving. In spite of the ideals about the hall as another living space, the hall served as a place of contradiction, blending and mixing ambiguity regarding design and behavior.
Hormone Levels in Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Teenage Girls: Potential Implications for Breast Cancer Risk

Abstract Between September 1984 and June 1985, a total of 75 adolescent girls, 35 vegetarians residing in a Seventh-Day Adventist school and 40 non-vegetarians residing in a private non-Adventist boarding school, underwent measurement of their plasma hormone levels in the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles as well as dietary intake measured by 3-day food records, medical history, height, and weight. There were no significant differences between vegetarians and nonvegetarians in average age of the girls, weight, body mass index, age at menarche, years since the onset of menstruation, or percentage of girls with ovulatory cycles. Vegetarian girls had significantly higher levels of log follicular estradiol [2.00 ± 0.27 (SD) versus 1.85 ± 0.27 pg/ml, P ≤ 0.05] and luteal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHS) (1.88 ± 0.71 versus 1.45 ± 0.80 µg/ml, P ≤ 0.05) than nonvegetarian girls. Follicular DHS was higher in vegetarians than in nonvegetarians (1.72 ± 0.79 versus 1.45 ± 0.95 µg/ml), but the difference was not significant. The differences in follicular and luteal DHS, but not the difference in log estradiol, were significant (P ≤ 0.05) after controlling for ovulation, smoking, and alcohol intake with multivariable regression analysis. There were no significant differences in testosterone or in percentage free estradiol levels between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Smoking was significantly associated with follicular and luteal DHS and with percentage free follicular estradiol, while alcohol use was significantly and inversely associated with percentage free follicular estradiol after controlling for other variables. The implications for breast cancer risk are discussed.
Customization Of Instant Feedback For Integrated Assignments: A Case Study

This paper describes a project which developed 26 sophisticated spreadsheet templates designed to give students instant feedback on integrated case assignments in introductory accounting courses. The approach, however, can be used in any course with a quantitative component and can be used by any instructor with intermediate spreadsheet skills. Students were required to complete unique, pre-formatted templates programmed to provide feedback immediately following the completion of a cell formula. Anonymous questionnaires were completed by students at semester’s end and faculty met to discuss their observations. Students reported that they liked the templates and spent more time on their homework because of the instant feedback, but were undecided as to whether completing the computer-graded templates helped them on exams. The faculty observed students to be more prepared to discuss the cases when the instant feedback templates were used.
A Low Power 64-point Bit-Serial FFT Engine for Implantable Biomedical Applications

Implantable biomedical devices are typically battery operated. Therefore they normally have stringent constrains on power consumption and size. This paper presents a low power 64-point, 16-bit fixed-point Fast Fourier Transform(FFT) processor design. Bit-serial logic was used in the design to achieve low power while maintain sufficient performance for biomedical applications. The proposed FFT design was implemented in a commercial 0.18um CMOS process with a power supplier of 1.8V and running at 50MHz clock rate. The power consumption of 14mW with 0.55Mpoints/s signal throughput is achieved.
The relation between pseudonormality and quasiregularity in constrained optimization

We consider optimization problems with equality, inequality, and abstract set constraints. We investigate the relations between various characteristics of the constraint set related to the existence of Lagrange multipliers. For problems with no abstract set constraint, the classical condition of quasiregularity provides the connecting link between the most common constraint qualifications and existence of Lagrange multipliers. In earlier work, we introduced a new and general condition, pseudonormality, that is central within the theory of constraint qualifications, exact penalty functions, and existence of Lagrange multipliers. In this paper, we explore the relations between pseudonormality, quasiregularity, and existence of Lagrange multipliers, and show that, unlike pseudonormality, quasiregularity cannot play the role of a general constraint qualification in the presence of an abstract set constraint. In particular, under a regularity assumption on the abstract constraint set, we show that pseudonormal...
Heat Shock Protein: Hard Worker or Bad Offender for Gastric Diseases

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have core housekeeping functions in the cells where they are built-in components of folding, signal transduction pathways, and quality control functions for which they proofread the structure of proteins and repair misfolded conformers. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection leads to significant inflammations in the gastric mucosa, which is closely associated with development of either precancerous lesion including chronic atrophic gastritis or gastric cancer in addition to, peptic ulcer disease, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Therefore, the association between H. pylori infection and role of HSP has been focused as an important issue because there had been rather conflicting publications showing that HSPs as a good worker for defense against H. pylori infection, whereas HSPs as a bad offender contributing to the progression of H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis in addition to aggravation of gastric inflammation. In this paper regarding proteomic discovery of HSPs related to H. pylori-associated gastric diseases, we introduce several evidences obtained from proteomic analysis dealing with friend or foe role of HSP in H. pylori infection from a cellular level to human diseases. The implication of HSPs in alcoholic or NSAIDs-induced gastritis and the intervening of HSPs in biological changes exemplified with TGF-β signaling, key tumor suppressor growth factors regulating inflammation, immune function, and carcinogenesis were further introduced.
Atrophic luetic glossitis. Report of a case.

Abstract This case report of luetic glossitis should alert us to several important points which must be recognized by the dentist and the physician alike. Even though tertiary syphilis occurs with less frequency now than in previous years, luetic glossitis still warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis of suspicious oral lesions. A thorough examination of the patient's past medical history may uncover evidence of previous exposure to syphilis. The latent potential of this disease is one reason we should not exclude it or its manifestations from our differential diagnosis. We would also like to emphasize the importance of adequate treatment for any patient with a positive serologic test reaction and clinical evidence of syphilis.
Neuroprotective Effects of Tempol, a Catalytic Scavenger of Peroxynitrite-Derived Free Radicals, in a Mouse Traumatic Brain Injury Model

We examined the ability of tempol, a catalytic scavenger of peroxynitrite (PN)-derived free radicals, to reduce cortical oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, calpain-mediated cytoskeletal (...
Determination of Optimal Incubation Media and Suitable Slice Diameters in Precision-Cut Liver Slices: Optimization of Tissue Slice Culture, Part 2

To validate tissue slice methodology in experiments from one laboratory to another, it is important to optimize slice viability. The effects of different culture media and slice diameters were investigated in this study. Rat and mouse liver slices (200 μm thick) were placed in either Krebs/Hepes, Kxebs/bicarbonate, Waymouth's/Hepes, or Waymouth's/bicarbonate to assess the effects of nutrient-enriched and nutrient-deprived media as well as the effects of a Hepes-or bicarbonate-based medium on slice viability. Overall, an enriched and bicarbonate-based medium maintained slice viability better. Determination of suitable slice diameters was achieved by incubating 6- and 8-mm-diameter rat, mouse, and dog liver slices in Waymouth's/bicarbonate media for 24 h. For both rat and mouse liver slices, the 8-mm-diameter slices were better maintained than the 6-mm slices, whereas both diameters were equivalent for dog liver slices. Various nutrient-enriched media were also compared for their ability to maintain rat liv...
Usefulness of a Standard Battery of Laboratory Tests in Investigating Chronic Fatigue in Adults

Twenty-two adults with chronic fatigue were studied to determine the clinical usefulness of commonly applied laboratory tests. Subjects with the chief complaint of fatigue persisting for more than one year were followed for an average of seven months at a university family health centre. During this time a group of commonly recommended tests were carried out and the patients had repeated physical examinations. Physical diseases and laboratory abnormalities were few, and patients with abnormal values and active problems were followed until their fatigue resolved or their abnormalities reverted to normal following therapy. The study demonstrated that the presence of an abnormal laboratory result in a fatigued individual does not necessarily indicate the cause of fatigue. A psychiatric history was also performed and patients were tested with the symptom check list 90-R (SCL-90-R), a 90-item psychological symptom check list. Seven patients were receiving psychotherapy when they enrolled in the study. Two additional subjects entered therapy after the start of the study. Results on the symptom check list for the study group were largely abnormal, with a majority scoring in the highest quartile for depression, paranoid ideation and psychoticism. It is concluded that the investigation of patients with fatigue which has lasted for longer than one year should focus on psychological causes. In this group of patients laboratory abnormalities are not useful in guiding evaluation or treatment for their fatigue.
Chemiluminescence high-performance liquid chromatographic detector applied to ascorbic acid determinations

Abstract Instrumentation is developed to apply chemiluminescene as a detector for high-performance liquid chromatography and the lucigenin—base—reductant system is investigated as the post-column chemiluminescent reaction. Dependence of emission intensity on reagent flow-rates, analyte flow-rate, sample size, and delay time is studied. Mixtures of ascorbic acid (5–800 mg/ l ) and dehydroascorbic acid (10–100 mg/ l ) can be quantified. The system was also used with a mixture of glucose, glucuronic acid, creatinine, and ascorbic acid.
Localization of spot test colors by use of the ring oven

The limit of identification of spot tests leading to soluble colored reaction products which are not adsorbed by the paper may be improved from ten to a hundred times by concentrating the colored matter by the ring oven technique.
Disequilibrium partitioning of oxygen isotopes associated with sector zoning in quartz

Fractionation of oxygen isotopes during crystal growth is commonly assumed to be an equilibrium process. We present evidence here that large variations in delta(18)O values in a zoned vein quartz crystal are the result of disequilibrium partitioning between fluid and crystal. Within a single crystal,vith well-developed concentric and sector zoning, delta(18)O values determined with laser extraction techniques on milligram- to submilligram-sized samples range from 4.7 parts per thousand to 7.3 parts per thousand. Core to rim variations within single growth sectors fluctuate by 2.6 parts per thousand, whereas differences between adjacent sectors along the same growth zone can exceed 2.0 parts per thousand. In contrast, fluid-inclusion homogenization temperatures and salinities are relatively constant and show no effect of grow th or sector zoning. Differences in delta(18)O values between sectors along the same growth zone cannot result from variations in the oxygen isotope composition of the fluid and strongly suggest disequilibrium partitioning of oxygen isotopes between fluid and the growing crystal. The cause of this disequilibrium is believed to be due to differences in surface structure and/or growth mechanisms between nonequivalent faces.
Synthesis of C15,C14′-ring locked all-trans-β-carotene

Abstract Synthesis of C15,14′-ring locked all- trans -β-carotene is described. The symmetric nature of the β-carotene analog allowed for rapid construction of the carbon frame through bis-olefination of the central dialdehyde containing the ring functionality with a C15 ylide bearing the ionone moiety.
A Concatenated Model for Video Frame Interpolation

A concatenated model for video frame interpolation is presented in this paper. The algorithm involves warping a high resolution reference image in a way that preserves much of the high resolution detail in the sequence. The concatenated model incorporates adaptive bidirectional warping and has the flexibility to incorporate a variety of frame-based interpolation methods within the system. The concatenated system is evaluated using several constituent interpolation methods in conjunction with the adaptive warping. It is shown that high subjective quality and PSNRs can be obtained relative to the benchmark enlargement methods considered.
School based intervention improves PTSD symptoms in children affected by political violence

ED FROM Tol WA, Komproe IH, Susanty D, et al. School-based mental health intervention for children affected by political violence in Indonesia. A cluster randomized trial. JAMA 2008;300:655– 62. Correspondence to: Wietse A Tol, Healthnet TPO, Public Health and Research, Tolstraat 127, 1074 VJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; wtol@healthnettpo.org Source of funding: PLAN Netherlands. C O M M EN TA R Y T ol and colleagues found that a school based intervention developed in Boston was feasible in this low resource environment. They also found that it was useful but not effective for all problems, being helpful for PTSD symptoms but not for other trauma and non-trauma problems, such as depression and anxiety. The study has therefore begun the process of developing an evidence base by beginning to demonstrate the populations and issues for which the intervention is appropriate. They point out that their study is practically unique as there is little attention given to, or data on, the impact of mental health interventions among war affected children in low resource environments despite a strong consensus that such studies are a priority. The authors could also have stated that there is little evidence for the effectiveness of any child mental health interventions outside highly resourced countries. Therefore, rather than adding to what should already be an impressive body of knowledge, this study instead stands with a handful of others as the current sum of evidence for child based interventions for the world’s 150 or so developing nations. So the findings, while a good start, are far from providing adequate evidence on which to base future mental health practices in low resource countries. In addition to the study’s clinical implications, the authors have also demonstrated that solid scientific study of child mental health programmes is possible in low resource environments. Clearly the lack of such studies is not a function of feasibility but rather of the will and resources to do them. If child mental health interventions in this type of environment are to be evidence based, many more such studies are needed. If this is left solely to research institutions it will be decades before sufficient studies are done. Most low resource countries have organisations providing ‘‘psychosocial programmes’’. Few of these are well evaluated for effectiveness. The present study should propel programme implementers and policy makers of clinical programmes in low resource countries to consider the current state of evidence and to try to improve this by seeking ways to evaluate their programmes. Only if many organisations take on this role and publish their results will the global youth mental health field develop sufficient knowledge to guide services. Paul Bolton, MB, BS, Laura Murray, PhD, Judith Bass, PhD Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA Competing interests: None. Therapeutics EBMH May 2009 Vol 12 No 2 47 on 8 September 2009 ebmh.bmj.com Downloaded from
Perfect matchings in regular bipartite graphs

P. Hall, [2], gave necessary and sufficient conditions for a bipartite graph to have a perfect matching. Koning, [3], proved that such a graph can be decomposed intok edge-disjoint perfect matchings if and only if it isk-regular. It immediately follows that in ak-regular bipartite graphG, the deletion of any setS of at mostk ? 1 edges leaves intact one of those perfect matchings. However, it is not known what happens if we delete more thank ? 1 edges. In this paper we give sufficient conditions so that by deleting a setS ofk + r edgesr ? 0, stillG ? S has a perfect matching. Furthermore we prove that our result, in some sense, is best possible.