cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Mechanical Thrombolysis via Microballoon Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for the Treatment of Acute Dural Sinus Thrombosis: Case Presentation and Technical Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Although conventional superselective chemical thrombolysis is frequently successful for the treatment of severe acute dural sinus thrombosis, the technique has limitations and risks. This prompted us to develop a supplemental technique for achieving more rapid recanalization, using coronary microballoon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheters. We describe a successful application of this technique and technology that has not been previously reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: After several days of severe headaches, photophobia, and vomiting, a 29-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive neurological deficits secondary to complete occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and right transverse/sigmoid sinus complex. Owing to her rapid neurological decline, she was referred for emergency endovascular intervention. TECHNIQUE: Initially, superselective chemical thrombolysis of the SSS was performed using urokinase. However, because of the extensive nature of the thrombus and lack of initial therapeutic response, we elected to attempt mechanical thrombolysis with various coronary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty microballoon catheters. This was accomplished by initial coaxial positioning of the device into an occluded segment, followed by gentle inflation and retraction of the device along the course of the right transverse sinus and/or SSS. These maneuvers were repeated with balloons of increasingly large diameter. Near-complete restoration of venous outflow was obtained within the SSS with preferential runoff into the left transverse sinus. The right transverse sinus was only partially recanalized. Despite the patient's rapid neurological decline on presentation, she experienced a dramatic clinical recovery with near-complete reversal of neurological deficits within 24 hours of intervention. CONCLUSION: This report shows the feasibility of performing safe and effective mechanical thrombolysis with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty coronary balloon microcatheters within the major dural sinuses. This technique can probably accelerate clot disruption and thrombolysis, possibly resulting in a more rapid restoration of venous flow.
2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct levels in tumor-target and nontargetorgans of rapid and slow acetylator syrian hamsters congenic at the NAT2 locus

Abstract DNA adduct formation is an important initial event in chemicalcarcinogenesis. Metabolic activation and deactivation pathways are involved in aromatic amine carcinogenesis, and genetic polymorphism in the N -acetyltransferase 2 ( NAT2 ) gene is associated with differential susceptibility to cancer from aromatic amine chemicals. In the present study, aromatic amine-DNA adduct levels were measured in rapid (Bio. 82.73/H- Pat r ) and slow (Bio. 82.73/H- Pat s ) acetylator Syrian hamsters congenic at the NAT2 locus following a single injection of 2-aminofluorene (60 mg/kg). The major DNA adduct, N -(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (C8-AF), was detected and quantitated by 32 P-postlabeling assay at 6, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hr postinjection. Peak levels of C8-AF were achieved at 18-36 hr post-injection in both rapid and slow acetylators. C8-AF levels were significantly higher in tumor-target organs (liver and urinary bladder) than in nontarget organs (heart, colon, and prostate). Significant differences in C8-AF levels between rapid and slow acetylators in liver, heart, colon, and prostate were not observed. However, C8-AF levels in urinary bladder were significantly (four-fold) higher in rapid versus slow acetylators. These results suggest that 2-aminofluorene forms significantly higher levels of DNA adducts in tumor-target organs than in non-target organs and that acetyltransferase polymorphism plays a significant role in 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation in urinary bladder of Syrian hamster.
Tendon Repair and Healing

Tendon connects muscle to bone and functions to transmit muscular forces across joints to stabilize or move those joints. Tendons in the foot and ankle are subject to enormous loads and consequently make up a substantial portion of the body's tendon injuries. Understanding the mechanisms of these injuries requires an understanding of the relative rates of muscle, tendon, osteotendinous junction, and myotendinous junction adaptation. This article provides the practitioner with an overview of tendon anatomy, physiology, healing, and repair and correlates didactic and clinical aspects so that practitioners can better treat patients and get them back to normal functioning as quickly and as close to anatomic and physiologic capabilities as possible.
Integration of Versatile Functional Design, Population Ecology, Ontogeny and Phylogeny

The study of the functional morphology of fishes has been greatly influenced by interactions with related fields. We give examples of some possible confounding factors when trying to assess the functional repertoire of fishes, including the effect of prey availability and the effect of captivity. A narrow range of prey items and an extended period in captivity both decrease the scope of the functional repertoire. Specialists and generalists have not been able to coexist in conventional competition based models of optimal foraging. A recent extension of this model does succeed in modeling the communities which are typical of the African Rift Lakes. This warrants a re-evaluation of the importance of competition in structuring fish communities. Ontogenetic shifts in the functional morphology of the feeding apparatus of teleostean fishes may explain why a synapomorphy of the group is not always important functionally in the adult. The levator operculi-opercular rotation mode of mouth opening is vital for larval fishes but in some cases becomes unimportant in adults. We emphasize that examination of early life history stages holds important information about the adaptive significance of diverse structures.
Inhibition of epoxide hydrolase from human, monkey, bovine, rabbit and murine liver by trans-3-phenylglycidols.

1. 1. trans-3-Phenylglycidols were potent inhibitors of cytosolic epoxide hydrolases in all species tested. 2. 2. The order of inhibitor potency varied from species to species but trans-3-(4-nitrophenyl)glycidols were always the most potent inhibitors tested for cytosolic epoxide hydrolase. 3. 3. The S,S-enantiomer was a more potent cytosolic epoxide hydrolase inhibitor than the R,R-enantiomer when a free hydroxyl group was present. However, (2R,3R)-1-benzoyloxy-2,3-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propane was always a better inhibitor than the (2S,3S)-enantiomer. 4. 4. All microsomal epoxide hydrolases were poorly inhibited by the trans-3-phenylglycidols, and related compounds, tested. The best new microsomal epoxide hydrolase inhibitor tested was (1S,2S)-1-phenyl-propylene oxide which gave 18–63% inhibition, at 2 mM, depending on the species tested.
Serum antibody response to soluble extract of the third-larval stage of ostertagia ostertagi in cattle

Serum IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody responses against L3 antigens of Ostertagia ostertagi were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after one, two or multiple sequential inoculations of this nematode in calves. Following the first infection, antibody levels did not change. After a second inoculation, IgG increased significantly (P less than 0.05) after 2 months. IgG was not significantly increased 1 month after challenge inoculation. IgM and IgA antibody levels did not change following the first or second inoculations of L3. IgG antibody levels rose only slightly following multiple sequential inoculations with infectious L3. Results indicate that calves with ostertagiasis have very weak serum antibody responses to L3, and these appear to be of little value in detection of the infection in these animals.
Abstract 1418: Induction of autophagy and apoptosis with polyamine synthesis inhibition and metformin in human melanoma and colon cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA We have previously reported inhibition of cell migration and proliferation induced by difluoromethylornithine (DMFO) and metformin (Met) combination in human melanoma and colon cancer cells. We further investigated the mechanism of cell death with the combination treatment in melanoma and colon cancer cells. The in vivo effect of the combination in melanoma was also determined. Human colon cancer (HCT 116, HT 29) and melanoma (MEL1861, SK-23) were treated with Met, DFMO, or combination. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of AMP kinase, mTOR, p70S6K and 4E-BP1. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin V assay. Autophagy was determined by fluorescence microscopy staining for LC3A/B and Western blot analysis of LC3A/B and Beclin-1 expression. For in vivo evaluation, SK-23 cells were injected SQ into BALB/c nu mice. After tumor nodule was established, 4 groups of 6 mice : group 1 - IP injections of vehicle and normal drinking water, group 2 - 2% (w/v) DFMO in drinking water; group 3 - IP Met (250 mg/kg/day), group 4 - DFMO plus Met. Mice body weight and tumor volume were measured every 3 days. Tumor weight was measured on Day 20 at necropsy. For comparison between groups, the student's t test was used and p< 0.05 was considered to be significant. DFMO and Met induced apoptosis in colon cancer and melanoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Significant increase in apoptosis was noted in the combined treatment group compared with either one alone. Increased number of autolysosomes was observed in the combination group under fluorescence microscopy. Up-regulation of Beclin-1 and LC3A/B expression were also increased with combination treatment compared with either treatment alone. Increased expression of phosphor-AMPK, decreases expression of p70S6 and 4EBP1 were observed with the combination treatment. Both DFMO and Met alone have significant in vivo anti-proliferative effect on human melanoma cells compared with control. However, the anti-proliferative effect of the combination treatment was significantly better than either regimen alone (p< 0.001). Average SK-23 tumor weight was 100 mg for control group compared with 45 mg for group 2 (p<0.05), 35mg for group 3 (p< 0.05), and 25mg for the combination group (p< 0.001). Our findings suggest that combination of DFMO and Met induced cancer cell death via apoptosis and autophagy though activation of AMPK pathway and suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. DFMO and Met combination can have significant anti-tumor effect in vivo. Citation Format: Yanping Zhang, Guangyong Peng, Eddy C. Hsueh. Induction of autophagy and apoptosis with polyamine synthesis inhibition and metformin in human melanoma and colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1418. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1418
A global civil economy

Abstract Every nation in the world has found it necessary to regulate markets to protect consumers, workers, and the public, but there are no plans to regulate business in the global market. There is no world government with agencies which can monitor and control corporate misconduct at the world level. The concept of a civil society, however, supplies ideas which have guided political philosophy for centuries, and today it is shaping public policy and socioeconomic research. This article (a) conceptualizes the problem of global markets in a civil society, (b) examines global business linked to civil market solutions, and (c) stresses the organization of world conferences to advance socioeconomic research on civil markets.
OPERETTA: An optimal energy efficient bandwidth aggregation system

The widespread deployment of varying networking technologies, coupled with the exponential increase in end-user data demand, have led to the proliferation of multi-homed or multi-interface enabled devices. To date, these interfaces are mainly utilized one at a time based on network availability, cost, and user-choice. While researchers have focused on simultaneously leveraging these interfaces by aggregating their bandwidths, these solutions however, have faced a steep deployment barrier. In this paper, we propose a novel optimal, energy-efficient, and deployable bandwidth aggregation system (OPERETTA) for multiple interface enabled devices. OPERETTA satisfies three goals: achieving a user defined throughput level with optimal energy consumption over multiple interfaces, deployability without changes to current legacy servers, and leveraging incremental deployment to achieve increased performance gains. We present the OPERETTA architecture and formulate the optimal scheduling problem as a mixed integer programming problem yielding an efficient solution. We evaluate OPERETTA via implementation on the the Windows OS, and further verify our results with simulations on NS2. Our evaluation shows the tradeoffs between the energy and throughput goals. Furthermore, with no modifications to current legacy servers, OPERETTA achieves throughput gains up to 150% compared to current operating systems with the same energy consumption. In addition, with as few as 25% of the servers becoming OPERETTA enabled, OPERETTA performance reaches the throughput upper bound, highlighting its incremental deployment and performance gains.
Oxidative addition reactions of rhodium(I) complexes containing bidentate unsaturated tertiary phosphine ligands

Abstract The oxidative addition reactions of RhCpPPh 2 R (R = OCH 2 CHCH 2 (map) or CH 2 CH 2 CHCH 2 (mbp)) have been investigated. RhCp(map) and RhCp(mbp) react with one mole of X 2 (X = Br or I) to yield stable dihalide adducts with a non-coordinated olefin. RhCp(mbp) reacts with methyl halides primarily yielding ionic compounds which do not undergo migration of the methyl group to the coordinated olefin. The isolation of these ionic intermediates, [RhCp(mbp)CH 3 ]X, is consistent with formation by a S N 2 reaction mechanism with the Rh 1 complex acting as the nucleophile. The reaction of RhCp(mbp) with MeX also yields small amounts of products which contain a metallocyclic ring, RhCp[CH(CH 2 CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 PPh 2 ]X (7%) and possibly RhCp[CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 PPh 2 ]X (1%). RhCp(mbp) also reacts in solution with hydrogen halides, benzyl and allyl halides but not with carbon monoxide. In contrast, RhCp(map) reacts with carbon monoxide to form RhCp(map)CO but does not react with the organohalides. 1 H NMR and infrared data indicate a considerably stronger rhodiumolefin interaction for the Rh 1 than for the Rh III complexes, and this difference is related to the reactivity of the coordinated olefin. Thus, RhCp(mbp) can be recovered unreacted from a methanolic solution of sodium methoxide while the ionic Rh III complex [RhCp(mbp)CH 3 ]I, which has less electron density on the olefin, reacts with the nucleophile yielding RhCp[CH 2 CH(OCH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 PPh 2 ]CH 3 .
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IN NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY THAT USE A COMMISSARY‐SATELLITE PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Using a group timing instrument, labor minutes per meal were determined for a commissary-satellite production system in an elderly nutrition program in Dover, Delaware. Paid and volunteer staff contributions were studied in both congregate (CM) and home delivered meal (HDM) service for the central kitchen and four satellite units. Highest productivity was achieved in the satellite unit with the most congregate meals. High HDM productivity was found in those units with a single driver or a full time position of coordinator for home delivered meals. Significant differences among the satellites were found in service activities for CM and HDM and for both paid and volunteer labor. Volunteers provided between 23% and 56% of total time used for CM and between 16% and 52% of total time used in HDM. In the central kitchen, volunteer labor comprised only 3% of total labor time per meal. Variations among satellite units of a commissary-satellite production system represent opportunities to increase labor efficiency.
Respiratory metabolism and evaporative water loss in a small tropical lizard

Oxygen consumption (\(\dot Vo_2 \)) and evaporative water loss were determined in the 0.45-g mesophilic lizard,Sphaerodactylus macrolepis, between 21 and 33°C.\(\dot Vo_2 \) varied directly with temperature at low and high temperatures but was temperature independent between 24 and 27°C. At 30°C,\(\dot Vo_2 \) was 0.25 ml O2 g−1 h−1, within 10% of the value predicted from the weight-specific relation of oxygen consumption in lizards. Total evaporative water loss varied directly with temperature in a manner similar to oxygen consumption. At 30°C, total evaporative water loss was 5.4 mg H2O g−1 h−1. Nonrespiratory evaporative water loss was 5.1 mg H2O g−1 h−1 and accounted for 94% of total evaporative water loss. Breathing rate increased from 23.7 to 38.5 cycles min−1 between 21 and 27°C, but remained essentially constant between 27 and 33°C. Respiratory efficiency and evaporative water loss in this mesophilic lizard are compared with similar values in a xerophilic one,Xantusia vigilis, previously reported.
Field dependency and perceptual cues in perception of two trapezoid illusions.

40 males and 40 females rated as field-independent or field-dependent on the Group Embedded-figures Test were tested on two dynamic trapezoid illusions and made position judgments of static trapezoidal targets. Field-independent subjects reported more illusory experiences on the perception of rotation of an oscillating target than the perception of oscillation of a rotating target. The opposite was true for field-dependent subjects. Position judgments were related to the latter illusion but not the former. There was strong evidence of a differential use of perceptual cues for the two dependency groups.
Use of pavlovian conditioning techniques to study disorders of attention and learning

A century of research on Pavlovian conditioning has produced a powerful experimental paradigm for studying behavioral and biological mechanisms of attention, learning, and memory. In the last three decades, historical conceptions of Pavlovian conditioning as a rigid process, relegated to the control of unconscious reflexes, have given way to an expanded, modern view, which links conditioning to a number of cognitive processes that may operate in diverse behavioral contexts. Over the same period, research on the neurobiology of learning has identified the neural circuitry for some instances of simple conditioning. This research has also begun to reveal brain systems that are important for “higher-order” conditioning phenomena which depend on attentional and other cognitive processes. In addition, a large and growing body of literature has emerged that examines developmental and comparative aspects of Pavlovian conditioning. In this article, we outline these developments and show how Pavlovian conditioning procedures could be used to study developmental disorders of attention and learning. We illustrate experimental preparations and designs that can identify and characterize the psychological components, neurological mechanisms, and developmental origins of such disorders, and that can help examine parallels between such disorders in humans and in animal models. We argue that these features of Pavlovian conditioning make it an excellent paradigm for studying the biological basis of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cross-sectional correlation of single-item health literacy screening questions with established measures of health literacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Research suggests that health literacy (HL) is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ functional status. Single-item health literacy screening (SILS) questionnaires may establish patients’ HL; however, the wording of SILS may be misinterpreted by RA patients as a query regarding physical limitations. Despite this threat to validity, multiple publications have employed the SILSs as a measure of health literacy. We assessed the construct validity of two SILS’s versions by correlating scores with standardized HL measures. English-speaking adult RA patients at a hospital serving low-income patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Subjects completed two SILS versions, as well as two longer HL measurement tools [short test of functional health literacy in adults (s-TOFHLA) and the rapid estimate of adult literacy in medicine (REALM)]. Spearman correlation was used to compare these tools. The study enrolled 110 subjects. There was a good correlation between the two SILS versions (r = 0.705). The correlation of SILS2 and REALM or s-TOFHLA was less robust. The distribution of scores within each SILS2 category demonstrated substantial variation. The SILS2 has construct validity in the assessment of HL in patients with RA, though its correlation with traditional methods of assessing HL is weak.
Cholesterol ozonolysis: kinetics, mechanism, and oligomer products.

Fine particles of cholesterol were reacted with ozone under pseudo-first-order conditions in an aerosol bag reactor. Gas-phase ozone was monitored using an ozone meter. Particle size distribution functions were determined using a scanning mobility particle sizer, which selected particle sizes for introduction into a photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer (PIAMS). PIAMS was used to determine the concentration of cholesterol in the aerosol as a function of reaction time. Dilution corrected rate coefficients were used to calculate the reactive uptake coefficient for ozone onto cholesterol particles as (2.8 ± 0.4) × 10-6. Uptake was found to be independent of particle diameter for the sizes studied (100 and 200 nm), suggesting that the uptake is surface mediated. The reaction products were also collected on filters and analyzed by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry with both direct infusion and liquid chromatography sample introduction. The main primary reaction products contained one, two, or...
Animal model of naturally occurring bladder cancer: Characterization of four new canine transitional cell carcinoma cell lines

Development and further characterization of animal models for human cancers is important for the improvement of cancer detection and therapy. Canine bladder cancer closely resembles human bladder cancer in many aspects. In this study, we isolated and characterized four primary transitional cell carcinoma (K9TCC) cell lines to be used for future in vitro validation of novel therapeutic agents for bladder cancer. Four K9TCC cell lines were established from naturally-occurring canine bladder cancers obtained from four dogs. Cell proliferation rates of K9TCC cells in vitro were characterized by doubling time. The expression profile of cell-cycle proteins, cytokeratin, E-cadherin, COX-2, PDGFR, VEGFR, and EGFR were evaluated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Western blotting (WB) analysis and compared with established human bladder TCC cell lines, T24 and UMUC-3. All tested K9TCC cell lines were assessed for tumorigenic behavior using athymic mice in vivo. Four established K9TCC cell lines: K9TCC#1Lillie, K9TCC#2Dakota, K9TCC#4Molly, and K9TCC#5Lilly were confirmed to have an epithelial-cell origin by morphology analysis, cytokeratin, and E-cadherin expressions. The tested K9TCC cells expressed UPIa (a specific marker of the urothelial cells), COX-2, PDGFR, and EGFR; however they lacked the expression of VEGFR. All tested K9TCC cell lines confirmed a tumorigenic behavior in athymic mice with 100% tumor incidence. The established K9TCC cell lines (K9TCC#1Lillie, K9TCC#2Dakota, K9TCC#4Molly, and K9TCC#5Lilly) can be further utilized to assist in development of new target-specific imaging and therapeutic agents for canine and human bladder cancer.
Applicability of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule to Nisei

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) is designed to measure 15 personality variables by forced choices between pairs of statements. Statements in the EPPS were scaled for social desirability by college students. Statements representing different needs were then matched for social desirability. This technique reduced the correlation between social desirability and the probability of endorsement in normal college populations from .87 to .40. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the applicability of the EPPS to a cultural subgroup of Nisei students. Specific hypotheses investigated were: ( a ) The social desirability scale values of the EPPS items for the Nisei group will not differ significantly from those of the normative group. ( b ) The social desirability matching of paired items in the EPPS is adequate for the Nisei population. Ss were 50 men and 50 women Nisei students enrolled at the University of Washington. Group I, 25 of each sex, scaled the EPPS items for social desirability. Group 11, 25 of each sex, were administered the EPPS. For Group I the original list of 140 items used in constructing the EPPS was presented. A 9-point scale was used to obtain ratings of social desirability for each statement. Scale values were obtained by the method of successive intervals. The product moment correlation between these values and the scaled values of the normative group, obtained by the same method, was 95. To determine if the paired statements were matched adequately for Nisei, Fisher's intra-class correlation was calculated. The obtained value of .76 for the Nisei group compares favorably with the .85 correlation for the normative group given by Edwards. The results of giving the EPPS to Group I1 showed no significant differences, at the 1% level, between individual trait means of like sexes for the Nisei and the normative group. A rank order correlation of the means was calculated between like sexes. Correlation between the means for men was .44. This low rank order correlation indicates some difference in the organization of variables for the Nisei men as compared to the normative group men. The rank order correlation between the variable means for Nisei women was .79. This correlation, plus the lack of significant differences of means, supports the interpretation that Nisei women represent a sample from the general college population.
Characterizing parameters of Jatropha curcas cell cultures for microgravity studies

Abstract Jatropha ( Jatropha curcas ) is a tropical perennial species identified as a potential biofuel crop. The oil is of excellent quality and it has been successfully tested as biodiesel and in jet fuel mixes. However, studies on breeding and genetic improvement of jatropha are limited. Space offers a unique environment for experiments aiming at the assessment of mutations and differential gene expression of crops and in vitro cultures of plants are convenient for studies of genetic variation as affected by microgravity. However, before microgravity studies can be successfully performed, pre-flight experiments are necessary to characterize plant material and validate flight hardware environmental conditions. Such preliminary studies set the ground for subsequent spaceflight experiments. The objectives of this study were to compare the in vitro growth of cultures from three explant sources (cotyledon, leaf, and stem sections) of three jatropha accessions (Brazil, India, and Tanzania) outside and inside the petriGAP, a modified group activation pack (GAP) flight hardware to fit petri dishes. In vitro jatropha cell cultures were established in petri dishes containing a modified MS medium and maintained in a plant growth chamber at 25 ± 2 °C in the dark. Parameters evaluated were surface area of the explant tissue (A), fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) for a period of 12 weeks. Growth was observed for cultures from all accessions at week 12, including subsequent plantlet regeneration. For all accessions differences in A, FW and DW were observed for inside vs. outside the PetriGAPs. Growth parameters were affected by accession (genotype), explant type, and environment. The type of explant influenced the type of cell growth and subsequent plantlet regeneration capacity. However, overall cell growth showed no abnormalities. The present study demonstrated that jatropha in vitro cell cultures are suitable for growth inside PetriGAPs for a period of 12 weeks. The parameters evaluated in this study provide the basic ground work and pre-flight assessment needed to justify a model for microgravity studies with jatropha in vitro cell cultures. Future studies should focus on results of experiments performed with jatropha in vitro cultures in microgravity.
Multi-Systemic Intervention for School Refusal Behavior: Integrating Approaches across Disciplines

School refusal behavior is defined as ‘child-motivated refusal to attend school or difficulties remaining in school for an entire day’ (Kearney & Silverman, 1996 p365). Evidence exists indicating that the etiological and sustaining factors in cases of school refusal behavior are often multi-systemic in nature. Nevertheless, intervention approaches in the psychological literature have remained largely individual-focused. Similarly, literatures (for example education) in which school refusal behavior is conceptualized as ‘truancy’ are more likely to address the problem by intervening in multiple systems. The current paper argues for the utility of a multi-systemic approach to interventions for school refusal behavior that integrates multiple disciplines. Using an ecological systems framework, intervention options for school refusal behavior are detailed at the exosystemic, mesosystemic and microsystemic levels. Attention to systemic factors is intended to complement existing individual-focused approaches. I...
Bioscaffolds and the Reconstruction of Ligaments and Tendons in the Foot and Ankle

Biologic scaffolds have become an integral part of surgical soft tissue reconstruction in recent years. The increased use of these materials can be partially attributed to poor long-term outcomes with synthetic products as well as the cost and morbidity associated with allografts and autografts. Bioscaffolds can augment natural healing processes of tendons and ligaments while providing additional structural support. Although these implants lack the mechanical strength of synthetics and other transplants, proper preparation can optimize their load-sharing capacity. This article presents methods that can improve these characteristics of bioscaffolds. Available studies in foot and ankle applications have shown minimal complications in a variety of techniques.
Generation of Self-Incompatible Arabidopsis thaliana by Transfer of Two S Locus Genes from A. lyrata

Transitions from cross-fertilizing to self-fertilizing mating systems have occurred frequently in natural and domesticated plant populations, but the underlying genetic causes are unknown. We show that gene transfer of the stigma receptor kinase SRK and its pollen-borne ligand SCR from one S-locus haplotype of the self-incompatible and cross-fertilizing Arabidopsis lyrata is sufficient to impart self-incompatibility phenotype in self-fertile Arabidopsis thaliana, which lacks functional orthologs of these genes. This successful complementation demonstrates that the signaling cascade leading to inhibition of self-related pollen was maintained in A. thaliana. Analysis of self-incompatibility will be facilitated by the tools available in this species.
Control of Electromagnetic Forces on Stator Windings of Large Turbine-Generators

In the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in kVA ratings of large turbine-generators, accompanied by a parallel increase in the electromagnetic forces acting on the stator windings. This has created an industry-wide problem of providing a stator winding support system which is capable of adequately restraining these forces to avoid impairment of machine reliability.
Tratamiento endoscópico de la incontinencia urinaria femenina mediante inyección endouretral de colágeno

En una epoca en la que la incontinencia urinaria femenina se ha convertido en una enfermedad que se diagnostica con mas frecuencia y se trata mejor, la ventaja que ofrecen las tecnicas sencillas, baratas, duraderas y aplicadas de forma ambulatoria podria constituir un avance significativo. El tratamiento endoscopico mediante la inyeccion periuretral constituye una opcion util en los casos seleccionados. Esta tecnica permite obtener una mejoria significativa en la mayoria de las pacientes, pero persisten incertidumbres en cuanto a su eficacia a largo plazo. El producto inyectable ideal aun no existe, pero en la literatura actual se recogen numerosos datos sobre el colageno, asi como sobre otros muchos productos introducidos mas recientemente. En este articulo se describe la tecnica quirurgica de inyeccion del colageno, se exponen los avances recientes (en especial el uso de la ecografia tridimensional para medir de forma objetiva los resultados del procedimiento) y se citan las futuras orientaciones en este ambito, que se encuentra en plena expansion.
New therapeutic horizons: mapping the future of glycemic control with incretin-based therapy.

PURPOSE More than 24 million adults and children in the United States are living with diabetes, and the vast majority of those individuals have type 2 diabetes. The clinical benefits of good glycemic control have been well established. Most patients eventually require the use of multiple hyperglycemic drugs in combination to approach or achieve the American Diabetes Association's recommended target A1C value of 7%. The role of incretin-based therapies for both glycemic control and beta-cell protection has become an area of intense interest and development. Although current practice guidelines do not include specific recommendations about when and how to incorporate incretin-based agents, a consensus statement published by the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes suggests the addition of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist for patients not at goal A1C with metformin and lifestyle changes. The goal of this article is to review this class of agents, discuss their role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and address the practical aspects of integrating incretin-based agents into the management of patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION Currently, 3 incretin-based therapies are available and widely used in clinical practice. Several more agents are either under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or are in the very late stages of development. For diabetes educators trying to help their patients understand the differences among their antidiabetic medications, a comprehensive understanding of these agents and their role in therapy is imperative.
Incremental validity of positive and negative valence in predicting personality disorder.

The Big Seven model of personality includes five dimensions similar to the Big Five model as well as two evaluative dimensions—Positive Valence (PV) and Negative Valence (NV)—which reflect extremely positive and negative person descriptors, respectively. Recent theory and research have suggested that PV and NV predict significant variance in personality disorder (PD) above that predicted by the Big Five, but firm conclusions have not been possible because previous studies have been limited to only single measures of PV, NV, and the Big Five traits. In the present study, we replicated and extended previous findings using three markers of all key constructs—including PV, NV, and the Big Five—in a diverse sample of 338 undergraduates. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that PV incrementally predicted Narcissistic and Histrionic PDs above the Big Five and that NV non-specifically incremented the prediction of most PDs. Implications for dimensional models of personality pathology are discussed.
Effectiveness of Search Patterns for Recovery of Animal Carcasses in Relation to Pocket Gopher Infestation Control.

Abstract We tested four search patterns to identify one or more that consistently resulted in the location of a high percentage of above ground carcasses. Searchers found only 25·4% of placed carcasses. The random search pattern exhibited the lowest search efficiency (i.e. percent carcass recovery), 2·6%. This differed significantly from the other three search patterns ( E W transects; E W transects followed by N S transects; five randomly placed, 0·027-ha circular plots), which ranged in search efficiency from 24·5 to 36·2%. No significant difference in search efficiency over time was noted, and recovery rates were comparable in the morning and afternoon. Searchers did not differ in mean time spent searching or in carcass recovery efficiency. Carcass density did not influence search efficiency, but searchers found proportionally more carcasses on high carcass density plots. Starlings, the largest and least cryptically colored of the three carcass types, were recovered in the greatest proportion. Carcass degradation by various animals was confirmed to be an important contributor to rapid carcass deterioration. Selecting the best overall search pattern requires careful consideration of a number of factors. Because search efficiency was low regardless of search pattern, a substantial correction factor should be used to estimate the number of carcasses occurring on the surface after a baiting operation.
The influence of potential biases on the risk of breast tumors among women who received radiotherapy for acute postpartum mastitis.

Data from a 30-year follow-up study of 606 women given radiotherapy for acute postpartum mastitis and two non-irradiated control groups were reanalyzed to determine whether bias could account for the reported increased risk of benign and malignant breast tumors in the irradiated population. The biases examined were comparison group selection (i.e. selection bias); differential medical verification of breast tumors between exposed and unexposed groups; differential detection of breast tumors; and confounding. Overall age-adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates for breast cancer (RR = 2.0; 95% CL:1.3-3.1) and for benign neoplastic (RR = 3.5; 95% CL:1.8-6.8) and non-neoplastic breast tumors (RR = 1.5; 95% CL: 1.2-2.1) were compared to those obtained after adjustment for the above biases. The increased risk for breast cancer among the irradiated women could not be accounted for by any of the biases examined, supporting previous reports based on this cohort. However, the suggested association of radiation with benign breast tumors may represent a selection bias since the RR estimate for non-neoplastic breast tumors was no longer statistically significant (RR = 1.2; 95% CL:0.8-1.6) while that for neoplastic breast lesions declined to 2.0 (95% CL:1.1-1-4.0) when non-irradiated women with acute postpartum mastitis were used as the comparison group instead of the non-irradiated female siblings of the exposed. This finding suggests that acute postpartum mastitis may predispose a woman to later developing a benign breast tumor irrespective of whether or not radiotherapy was used to treat this condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
GRADING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HEALTH PROPOSAL

MAY IS that otherwise lovely month when American college professors are buried under mountains of examinations, papers, and dissertations, each waiting to be read and graded. This year, for some of us, the month of May will bring an extra assignment: Bill and Hillary Clinton's weighty tome on health care reform, coauthored by them, with the assistance of Ira Magaziner and some 500 additional miniauthors known in the trade as The Task Force. The tome is likely to span dozens of chapters and hundreds of pages, but these can be organized into three parts, reflecting the conventional three goals of health care reform: better cost control, better quality control , and universal health insurance coverage . To assign the proposal an overall grade one should, first, grade each part separately and then collapse the three scores into an overall weighted average grade, where the weight assigned to each part represents the relative
A simple method for modeling VLSI yields

Abstract Data show that simplistic models of yield as a function of chip area are not realistic. Yield of ROS ( R ead O nly S tore) chips as a function of the number of bits results, however, in a smooth relationship. This observation appeared to hold for three manufacturing lines. The authors therefore propose that yields should be modeled by the number of circuits rather than by chip area.
Comparison of Advanced Control Techniques for Grid Side Converter of Doubly-Fed Induction Generator Back-to-Back Converters to Improve Power Quality Performance During Unbalanced Voltage Dips

A doubly-fed induction generator grid side converter is studied under voltage disturbances. During voltage dips, conventional current control techniques involving the decoupling of d – q axis in the synchronous reference frame (SRF) exhibits oscillations in the stiff dc link voltage, as well as in the active and reactive power outputs of the voltage source converter (VSC). To mitigate the oscillations, an advanced control technique called the sequence domain control (SDC) is evaluated. This approach implements individual controllers in the positive and negative sequence domains and demonstrates stabilization of the dc link voltage to a greater extent during a disturbance, but is more sluggish than the conventional control. An innovative control technique called direct power control (DPC) is also investigated. This control achieves active and reactive power stability with simple active and reactive power control variables replacing the traditional current control loops. The DPC technique is verified using a prototype in the laboratory. A modified DPC algorithm combining the benefits of DPC and SDC to eliminate the current harmonics created by DPC during system disturbances is introduced. The benefits of the proposed controllers are compared using a simulation of voltage dip on a VSC based on the IEC-61400-21 standard.
Coherent destruction of Coulomb blockade peaks in molecular junctions

Coherent electronic transport in single-molecule junctions is investigated in the Coulomb blockade regime. Both the transmission phase and probability are calculated for junctions with various contact symmetries. A dramatic suppression of the Coulomb blockade peaks is predicted for junctions where multiple atomic orbitals of the molecule couple to a single electrode although the charging steps are unaffected.
Integrated marketing‐manufacturing strategies

Asserts that there are two forces at work in the business environment that are requiring organizations to rethink their business models: the power of customers and changes in technology. Suggests that companies are moving away from customer‐relationship‐management to customer‐managed relationships. Discusses how successful manufacturing businesses adapt to “high pressure” markets. These organizations leverage advanced manufacturing technologies, such as flexible tooling, computer‐aided design and computer‐integrated manufacturing control systems, to significantly improve their strategic marketing capabilities.
Monitoring of hirudin therapy with the thrombelastograph

Lepirudin is a specific thrombin inhibitor that is used for anticoagulation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who are also undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Monitoring of lepirudin during CPB has been carried out with activated clotting time and ecarin clotting time. Correlation is poor with the former method, whereas ecarin clotting time is not widely available. A patient is described with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who underwent CPB, where coagulation monitoring was accomplished with the Thrombelastograph®. This more widely available method may be useful in such patients.
Myxochondroid metaplasia of the plantar foot: a distinctive pseudoneoplastic lesion resembling nuchal fibrocartilaginous pseudotumor and the equine digital cushion

Myxochondroid metaplasia of the plantar foot: a distinctive pseudoneoplastic lesion resembling nuchal fibrocartilaginous pseudotumor and the equine digital cushion
Proinflammation: the key to arterial aging

Arterial aging is the major contributing factor to increases in the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease, due mainly to the presence of chronic, low-grade, 'sterile' arterial inflammation. Inflammatory signaling driven by the angiotensin II cascade perpetrates adverse age-associated arterial structural and functional remodeling. The aged artery is characterized by endothelial disruption, enhanced vascular smooth muscle cell (VMSC) migration and proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, elastin fracture, and matrix calcification/amyloidosis/glycation. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms of arterial aging are also relevant to the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Age-associated arterial proinflammation is to some extent mutable, and interventions to suppress or delay it may have the potential to ameliorate or retard age-associated arterial diseases.
Cell-free translation of human pheochromocytoma messenger RNA yields protein(s) containing methionine-enkephalin.

Abstract Cell-free translation of messenger RNA extracted from a human pheochromocytoma yields protein(s) of apparent molecular weight >70,000 daltons which contain the pentapeptide methionine-enkephalin. It is estimated that 0.8–1.0% of the total pheochromocytoma mRNA codes for the methionine-enkephalin-containing protein, based on percent incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine into methionine-enkephalin during cell-free translation. These results demonstrate that human pheochromocytoma mRNA contains the message for a high-molecular weight methionine-enkephalin-containing protein or proteins, presumably the methionine-enkephalin precursor molecule(s).
Influence of tongue muscle contraction and dynamic airway pressure on velopharyngeal volume in the rat

The mammalian pharynx is a collapsible tube that narrows during inspiration as transmural pressure becomes negative. The velopharynx (VP), which lies posterior to the soft palate, is considered to ...
Cranberry Juice Inhibits Metal and Non-Metal Initiated Oxidation of Human Low Density Lipoproteins in vitro

ABSTRACT Flavonoids can bind the divalent cations frequently used to evaluate LDL antioxidant capacity in vitro.Flavonoids in cranberry juice (CBJ) may serve as antioxidants and promote cardiovascular health. This in vitrostudy characterizes CBJ effects on metal and non-metal based oxidation of human LDL. For cupric ion-initiated oxidation of LDL, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) were significantly inhibited by CBJ at a dilution of 1:10,000. Diene formation during LDL oxidation was evaluated by continuous measurement of absorbance at 234 nm. Tie time required for cupric ion-initiated LDL oxidations to reach maximum reaction velocity was significantly delayed by 1:10,000 dilutions of CBJ. Non-metal initiated LDL oxidation by 2,2'-azobis-amidi-nopropane was significantly inhibited by CBJ at dilutions of 1:10,000 and 1:5,000 for REM and TT5ARS tests, respectively. Protection of LDL from both metal and non-metal based oxidative injury confirm...
Dynamic response of power conditioning systems for superconductive magnetic energy storage

The dynamic response of two power conditioning systems for superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) are presented. One power conditioning system is based on a hybrid current sourced inverter (CSI), the second is a combination of a DC chopper with a voltage sourced inverter (VSI). The response of both systems to a load change, a three phase fault, and start-up is presented. >
Prehospital helicopter transport and survival of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Objective:To investigate the association of helicopter transport with survival of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), in comparison with ground emergency medical services (EMS).Background:Helicopter utilization and its effect on the outcomes of TBI remain controversial.Methods:We performed a