cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating heat detector patch response to determine gonadotropin-releasing hormone use at timed artificial insemination on pregnancy rates in beef cattle

ABSTRACT This study evaluated pregnancy rates in response to heat detector patch activation and the fate of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at timed AI (TAI) in a 7-d Co-Synch-plus-controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) protocol in beef cattle. Nulliparous heifers (n = 75) and lactating cows (n = 371) from 3 locations (n = 35, 139, and 198) were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and postpartum interval to a control (CON) or treatment (TREAT) group. All females received GnRH plus a CIDR insert on d 0, prostaglandin F 2α , CIDR removal, and an Estrotect heat-detector patch on d 7. Beginning 54 h (heifers) and 72 h (cows) post-CIDR removal, a patch score (PS) was given (1 = unremoved; 2 = 35 to 65% removed; 3 = > 65% removed or missing). All heifers and cows in the CON, regardless of PS, and TREAT with a PS 1 received GnRH at TAI; all TREAT heifers and cows with a PS 2 and 3 received no GnRH at TAI. No treatment by location interaction (P > 0.10) existed for TAI pregnancy rates; thus, data was pooled across location. Timed AI pregnancy rates were similar (P > 0.05) between the CON and TREAT groups for heifers (43.2 and 50.0%) and cows (62.7 and 59.7%). Pregnancy rates were similar (P = 0.22) among cows with a PS of 2 and 3 in both groups. Using a heat-detector patch to determine if GnRH is needed at TAI may be an option to reduce CIDR-based TAI protocol cost.
Knowledge discovery in gene-expression-microarray data: mining the information output of the genome

A key aspect of the genomics revolution is the transformation of large amounts of biological information into an electronic format, leading to an information-based approach to biomedical problems. Large-scale RNA assays and gene-expression-microarray studies, in particular, represent the second wave of the genomics revolution, providing gene-expression data that complement gene-sequence data and help our understanding of the molecular basis of health and disease. They are being applied at several stages in the drug-development process and could ultimately have broad applications in disease diagnosis and patient prognosis.
Ulcerating cancer of breast as a portal of entry for fatal tetanus

Abstract An unusual case of ulcerating cancer of the breast as a portal of entry for fatal tetanus with autopsy proof of the organism spores found in the wound is described and discussed. No similar proved case is found in the literature.
Paving the road for lung stem cell biology: bronchioalveolar stem cells and other putative distal lung stem cells

New discoveries in stem cell biology are making the biology of solid tissues increasingly complex. Important seminal studies demonstrating the presence of damage-resistant cell populations together with new isolation and characterization techniques suggest that stem cells exist in the adult lung. More detailed in vivo molecular and cellular characterization of bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs), other putative lung stem and progenitor cells, and differentiated cells is needed to determine the lineage relationships in adult lung. Lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the most common form of lung cancer in the United States, all involve apparent bronchiolar and alveolar cell defects. It is likely that the delicate balance of stem, progenitor, and differentiated cell functions in the lung is critically affected in patients with these devastating diseases. Thus the discovery of BASCs and other putative lung stem cells will lay the foundation for new inroads to understanding lung biology related to lung disease.
A SIGNAL TRANSDUCER AND ACTIVATOR OF TRANSCRIPTION (STAT)4-INDEPENDENT PATHWAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF T HELPER TYPE 1 CELLS

The differentiation of T helper (Th) cells is regulated by members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of signaling molecules. We have generated mice lacking both Stat4 and Stat6 to examine the ability of Th cells to develop in the absence of these two transcription factors. Stat4, Stat6(-/-) lymphocytes fail to differentiate into interleukin (IL)-4-secreting Th2 cells. However, in contrast to Stat4(-/-) lymphocytes, T cells from Stat4, Stat6(-/-) mice produce significant amounts of interferon (IFN)-gamma when activated in vitro. Although Stat4, Stat6(-/-) lymphocytes produce less IFN-gamma than IL-12-stimulated control lymphocytes, equivalent numbers of IFN-gamma-secreting cells can be generated from cultures of Stat4, Stat6(-/-) lymphocytes activated under neutral conditions and control lymphocytes activated under Th1 cell-promoting conditions. Moreover, Stat4, Stat6(-/-) mice are able to mount an in vivo Th1 cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity response. These results support a model of Th cell differentiation in which the generation of Th2 cells requires Stat6, whereas a Stat4-independent pathway exists for the development of Th1 cells.
Sample size estimation for randomized pre-post designs.

Abstract Empirical formulae are presented for estimation of sample size in repeated measurement designs where analysis of gain scores or analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) is to be used to control for individual differences. Sample sizes required to achieve desired power are smaller for ANCOVA than for analysis of simple gain scores, and in both cases they depend on the magnitude of the pre-post correlation. An alternative approach to estimation of sample size which obviates the necessity for prior estimates of expected mean difference, experimental error, and pre-post correlation is presented.
Flow through tubes with sinusoidal axial variations in diameter

An iteration technique has been developed to solve the equations of motion for flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid through circular tube with a radius which varies sinusoidally in the axial direction. The iteration is essentially geometric; one proceeds from a solution for flow through a tube in which the waveleneth of diameter chance in the axial direction is
White Ibis integument color during the breeding season

Many birds undergo bare part color changes during the breeding season. Most investigators have focused on color as a signal of individual quality. An alternative, but not exclusive, function of bare part color may be signaling readiness to breed, especially in colonial, asynchronous breeders. White Ibises (Eudocimus albus )a re colonial waterbirds that show vivid bare part colors on their bills and legs during reproduction. We quantified bill and leg colors to describe color changes and their possible relationship to reproductive status during the breeding season of White Ibises in the Florida Everglades from 1998 to 2001. We also examined the correlation between bare part colors and circulating concentrations of sex steroids to understand the factors that regulate bare part colors. During the display stage, male and female ibises developed dark pink bills and scarlet legs. As the breeding season progressed, bills and legs faded and developed a muted pink hue. The bare part colors of female ibises were correlated with testosterone concentrations, but those of male ibises were not correlated with any hormones. A discriminant function analysis based on principal component scores (representing variation in saturation and hue) and the amount of black on the bill successfully classified ibis reproductive stage 94% of the time. The use of bare part colors to determine reproductive status may be useful for studying reproduction in colonially nesting birds, where access to breeding sites can be difficult and potential for researcher disturbance is high. SINOPSIS. Color del integumento en Eudocinus albus durante lade reproducci´ on Muchas aves experimentan cambios en la coloraci´ on de sus partes desnudas durante lade reproducci´ Muchos investigadores han enfocado el asunto como una sede la calidad de los individuos. Una alternativa, aunque no exclusiva, es que la funcidel cambio en coloracipuede ser una se˜ nal para indicar, que se est´ a listo para reproducirse, particularmente en aves coloniales que anidan asincrCuantificamos el color del pico y las patas del ibis, Eudocimus albus, para determinar si los colores en la partes desnudas correlacionaban con niveles de esteroides sexuales y si los cambios en coloraci´ on podser utilizados para clasificar el estado reproductivo de aves capturadas lejos de sus nidos. Durante la fase de cortejo, tanto el macho como la hembra de ibis desarrollan una coloraci´ on rosada en el pico y escarlata en las patas. Con el progreso de lade reproducci´
Improved speech recognition using a subspace projection approach

Two class separability criteria based on the divergence measure are proposed to improve speech recognition performance. The average and weighted average divergence measures are used as criteria for finding a transformation matrix which maps the original features into a more discriminative subspace. Results are presented for a highly confusable task.
Model selection for generalized linear models with factor-augmented predictors

This paper considers generalized linear models in a data-rich environment in which a large number of potentially useful explanatory variables are available. In particular, it deals with the case that the sample size and the number of explanatory variables are of similar sizes. We adopt the idea that the relevant information of explanatory variables concerning the dependent variable can be represented by a small number of common factors and investigate the issue of selecting the number of common factors while taking into account the effect of estimated regressors. We develop an information criterion under model mis-specification for both the distributional and structural assumptions and show that the proposed criterion is a natural extension of the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Simulations and empirical data analysis demonstrate that the proposed new criterion outperforms the AIC and Bayesian information criterion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive reduced-rank localization for multiple wideband acoustic sources

This paper proposes an adaptive reduced-rank algorithm, which is based on a multi-stage Wiener filter (MSWF) developed by Goldstein, to localize multiple wideband acoustic sources in the far field. In this paper, we provide two implementation schemes for this reduced rank algorithm. The samples in each sensor data are transformed to the frequency domain by the discrete Fourier transformation (DFT). In the first implementation scheme of MSWF, the received vector in the frequency domain is projected onto a lower dimensional subspace, which is formed by successively multiplying the initial steering vector with the sample covariance matrix. The reduced-rank cost function is then minimized to get the weight vector to estimate the sources' direction of arrival (DOA). In the second implementation scheme, the received vector is projected successively into orthogonal, lower dimensional subspaces. The simulation studies of the proposed algorithm show that near full-rank performance is achieved with rank much less than the source members.
Steroid Metabolism in the Syndrome of Testicular Feminization

In a patient with the syndrome of testicular feminization, an evaluation of testicular function in vivo and in vitro was attempted. Urinary 17-ketosteroids were fractionated by gradient elution column chromatography. The effect of gonadotropic hormone preparations and of adrenocortical suppression on the steroid patterns was studied. It appeared that the testicular contribution to urinary dehydroepiandrosterone, androsterone and etiocholanolone was important. Also, a mild anabolic effect was observed during treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin. The capacity of the testes to synthesize hormones in vitro was studied by incubation of homogenates with radioactive steroids. The synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and Δ4-androstenedione was demonstrated. These experiments revealed 2 bio synthetic pathways to testosterone, one from Δ5-pregnenolone via 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone, and a second via progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The results are discussed in the ...
Chemical Signals from Avocado Surface Wax Trigger Germination and Appressorium Formation in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The surface wax of the host, avocado (Persea americana) fruit, induced germination and appressorium formation in the spores of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Waxes from nonhost plants did not induce appressorium formation in this fungus, and avocado wax did not induce appressorium formation in most Colletotrichum species that infect other hosts. Bioassays of the thin-layer chromatographic fractions of the avocado wax showed that the fatty alcohol fraction was the main appressorium-inducing component. Testing of authentic n-C8 to n-C32 fatty alcohols revealed that C24 and longer-chain alcohols induced appressorium formation. Gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of free fatty alcohols revealed that avocado wax contains a high content of very long chains. Waxes from nonhost plants containing an even higher content of the very long-chain alcohols did not induce appressorium formation. Waxes from nonhost plants strongly inhibited appressorium induction by avocado wax. Thus, a favorable balance between appressorium-inducing very long-chain fatty alcohols and the absence of inhibitors allows the fungus to use the host surface wax to trigger germination and differentiation of infection structures in the pathogen.
An Intervention Using Graduated Extinction to Decrease Bed-Sharing in 2- to 6-Year-Old Children

This single-case-design experiment examined an intervention to decrease bed-sharing in children, ages 2 through 6. Three sessions were conducted with each parent. At the first session, parents described bed-sharing history and began collecting baseline data. At the second session, parents were instructed to employ the intervention. At the third session, parents were interviewed and offered continued support, if needed. Participants included three children who slept with their parents 4 or more nights per week. The intervention resulted in a substantial decrease in bed-sharing behavior for all participants, and parents reported being satisfied with the intervention.
Identification of Nrf2-regulated genes induced by the chemopreventive agent sulforaphane by oligonucleotide microarray.

Electrophiles formed during metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens and reactive oxygen species generated from endogenous and exogenous sources play a significant role in carcinogenesis. Cancer chemoprevention by induction of phase 2 proteins to counteract the insults of these reactive intermediates has gained considerable attention. Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a bZIP transcription factor, plays a central role in the regulation (basal and or inducible expression) of phase 2 genes by binding to the “antioxidant response element” in their promoters. Identification of novel Nrf2-regulated genes is likely to provide insight into cellular defense systems against the toxicities of electrophiles and oxidants and may define effective targets for achieving cancer chemoprevention. Sulforaphane is a promising chemopreventive agent that exerts its effect by strong induction of phase 2 enzymes via activation of Nrf2. In the present study, a transcriptional profile of small intestine of wild-type (nrf2 +/+) and knock out (nrf2 −/−) mice treated with vehicle or sulforaphane (9 μmol/day for 1 week, p.o.) was generated using the Murine Genome U74Av2 oligonucleotide array (representing ∼6000 well-characterized genes and nearly 6000 expressed sequence tags). Comparative analysis of gene expression changes between different treatment groups of wild-type and nrf2-deficient mice facilitated identification of numerous genes regulated by Nrf2 including previously reported Nrf2-regulated genes such as NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQO1), glutathione S-transferase (GST), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT),epoxide hydrolase, as well as a number of new genes. Also identified were genes encoding for cellular NADPH regenerating enzymes (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and malic enzyme), various xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ferritin, and haptaglobin), and biosynthetic enzymes of the glutathione and glucuronidation conjugation pathways. The data were validated by Northern blot analysis and enzyme assays of selected genes. This investigation expands the horizon of Nrf2-regulated genes, highlights the cross-talk between various metabolic pathways, and divulges the pivotal role played by Nrf2 in regulating cellular defenses against carcinogens and other toxins.
A novel direction of arrival estimation technique using a single UWB antenna

Microwave direction finding has attracted a lot of attention due to its wide applications in the military and commercial areas, such as electronic warfare [1], wireless communications [2], etc. Various direction of arrival (DOA) estimation techniques including the estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) [3] and multiple signal classification (MUSIC) [4] have been developed to achieve high degree of accuracy. All of these techniques are based on arrays with multiple antenna elements. However, the power consumption and cost of the RF circuits associated to the arrays increase with the number of antenna elements. To reduce the size, decrease the power consumption and lower the cost, an accurate DOA estimation technique with reduced number of antenna elements is highly desirable.
PATTERNS OF LARVAL DISPERSAL AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE MAINTENANCE OF A BLUE MUSSEL HYBRID ZONE IN SOUTHWESTERN ENGLAND

The blue mussels Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis hybridize in southwestern England. Within this hybrid zone environmentally based directional selection favors individuals with alleles specific to M. galloprovincialis. What forces are countering this directional selection and allowing for the maintenance of a stable hybrid population are unknown. We used both the genetics of recently settled larvae and a fine-scale model of the physical oceanography of the region to determine the patterns of larval dispersal throughout the hybrid zone and the bordering parental populations. Evidence from both the model and the genetics suggests that the hybrid zone lies between two barriers to dispersal. Start Point separates the M. edulis population from the hybrid zone and allows minimal dispersal from the hybrid zone into the M. edulis population, but none in the other direction. Likewise, the M. galloprovincialis populations along the northern coast of Cornwall regularly receive immigrating larvae from the hybrid zone, but larvae from the M. galloprovincialis population do not enter the hybrid zone. However, larvae settling at hybrid zone sites have high frequencies of alleles specific to M. edulis, suggesting that reproductive barriers, selection in the larval stage, or gene flow from an undetermined source is effectively balancing the directional selection observed in the adults.
Defining the white matter hyperintensity penumbra: a pulsed arterial spin labeling study (P5.009)

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to use arterial spin labeling (ASL) to determine the presence and extent of low normal appearing white matter (NAWM) cerebral blood flow (CBF) surrounding WMHs to identify ‘WM at risk’, or the WMH CBF penumbra. We further aimed to validate cross-sectional findings by determining whether baseline WMH penumbra CBF predicts developing new WMHs at follow-up. BACKGROUND: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common with age, grow over time, and are associated with cognitive and motor impairments. Mechanisms underlying WMH growth are unclear. Understanding these mechanisms could help in impeding WMH expansion and subsequently enhance the development of effective prevention and treatment interventions. DESIGN/METHODS: Sixty-one cognitively intact elderly subjects received 3T MPRAGE, FLAIR, and pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL). Twenty-four subjects returned for follow-up MRI. A NAWM layer mask, comprised of fifteen layers, 1 mm thick each surrounding WMHs, was generated for periventricular (PVWMH) and deep (DWMH) WMHs. Mean CBF for each layer was computed. New WMH and persistent NAWM voxels for each penumbra layer were defined from follow-up MRI. RESULTS: CBF of WMHs and its surrounding NAWM layers was significantly lower than mean total brain NAWM CBF up to layer 12 for PVWMH and layer 7 for DWMH, which can be defined as the WMH penumbra. Voxels with new WMHs at follow-up had significantly lower baseline CBF than voxels that maintained NAWM in follow-up MRI. CONCLUSIONS: CBF penumbra exists surrounding WMHs that is associated with future WMH expansion. Therefore, interventions to increase white matter blood flow should be a main target for prevention of further WM damage and its cognitive and motor consequences. Study Supported by: NIH (1RO1AG036772, P30 AG008017, RO1 AG024059) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Disclosure: Dr. Promjunyakul has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lahna has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaye has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly & Co. Dr. Dodge has nothing to disclose. Dr. Erten-Lyons has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rooney has nothing to disclose. Dr. Silbert has nothing to disclose.
Standard off-the-shelf versus custom-made multibranched thoracoabdominal aortic stent grafts.

Objective The complex aortic branch anatomy in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) and pararenal aortic aneurysms (PRAAs) presents a challenge for endovascular repair. The multibranched endovascular device has durable midterm results with use of a custom branch stent graft (CSG) configuration. The midterm results with use of the standard branch stent graft (SSG) configuration are unknown, but it has the advantage of off-the-shelf technology. The goal of this study was to compare the midterm outcomes of CSG and SSG multibranched endovascular devices. Methods From July 2005 to September 2014, 133 patients underwent elective endovascular repair of TAAA and PRAA in a prospective trial. Beginning in December 2008, SSGs were used in those with suitable anatomy. Results Fifty patients (mean age, 71 ± 7 years; 11 women [22%]) were treated using SSGs, and 83 patients (mean age, 74 ± 9 years; 22 women [26.5%]) underwent repair using CSGs. The SSG and CSG groups were similar with regard to aneurysm size, aneurysm extent, and medical comorbidities, with the sole exception of lung disease, which was more common in the SSG group. All stent grafts were deployed as intended, with no conversions to open repair. Mean ± standard deviation follow-up (days) was 694 ± 525 for the SSG group and 942 ± 764 for the CSG group ( P = .045). There were no significant differences in aneurysm-related death, renal failure requiring dialysis, stroke, endoleak, visceral or renal branch occlusion, lower extremity weakness, or reintervention ( P > .05 for each). The volume of contrast material was significantly lower in those with SSGs compared with CSGs ( P = .016), but there were no significant differences in operative or fluoroscopy times. Time to treatment (days from consent to surgery) was significantly lower in SSG patients compared with CSG patients ( P = .01). Conclusions For patients with suitable anatomy, the use of SSGs for TAAA and PRAA repair results in significantly shorter wait times to surgery and is as safe, effective, and durable in the midterm compared with CSGs.
An Electoral Theory of Forbearance

Why do politicians tolerate the violation of the law? The conventional wisdom is that the weak rule of law reflects a weak state. This paper argues, in contrast, that enforcement depends on the electoral consequences. I develop the concept of forbearance, meaning intentional non-enforcement of law, and distinguish subtypes of forbearance based on their distributive incidence. When forbearance has economically progressive effects, I propose that politicians who represent poor constituents are more likely to forbear to provide informal social welfare and signal their commitments to the poor. However, substitute government social expenditures allow politicians to enforce, regardless of their electoral constituency, by boosting local welfare and attenuating class cues. I test the argument through an analysis of enforcement against unlicensed street vendors and illegal land occupations in two cities with varying electoral and social policy structures, Bogota, Colombia and Santiago, Chile.
Does Treating Sleep Apnea Reduce Heart Failure Risks

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is the most common comorbidity in heart failure (HF) patients. SDB, including both central sleep apnea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), affects up to 70 % of all heart patients. Numerous studies have identified intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, and sympathetic activation as the main pathways through which SDB exerts its negative cardiovascular consequences. The etiological relation between SDB and HF is complex and multi-layered. On one level, SDB contributes to the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) into HF; on another level, SDB is a consequence of severe advanced HF. At all stages of CVD, SDB likely contributes to the acceleration of disease progression into end-stage process including advanced HF, stroke, and death. Figure 1 describes the role of OSA in the progression of CVD risk status, the role of CSA in end-stage CVD (including HF) and the reciprocal relationship between advanced CVD and SDB. Current evidence supports that SDB treatment improves several physiological parameters and disease markers in patients with CVD and likely decreases the progression into HF. In patients with established HF, available evidence supports that untreated SDB is independently associated with negative consequences in heart failure. However, there are insufficient studies in support of a conclusion that treatment of SDB changes important HF outcomes. In particular, there are no adequately powered randomized controlled trials demonstrating improvement in mortality, admissions, or cardiac function in HF patients with SDB therapy. However, treatment of SDB is largely safe, associated with critical functional benefits, and is increasingly better tolerated, allowing for decision-making processes that favor treatment.
Intramolecular Insertion of Alkenes into Pd−N Bonds. Effects of Substrate and Ligand Structure on the Reactivity of (P−P)Pd(Ar)[N(Ar1)(CH2)3CR═CHR′] Complexes

Studies on the synthesis and reactivity of a series of (P−P)Pd(Ar)[N(Ar1)(CH2)3CR═CHR′] complexes 3 are described. These complexes are transformed to observable (P−P)Pd(Ar)[pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl] complexes 4 via syn insertion of the pendant alkene into the Pd−N bond. Complexes 4 then undergo C−C bond-forming reductive elimination to yield N-aryl-2-benzylpyrrolidine derivatives 2. Kinetic studies indicate the rates of conversion of 3 to 4 and 4 to 2 are within 1 order of magnitude. The effects of phosphine ligand structure, alkene substitution, and the electronic properties of the Ar and Ar1 groups on reaction rates are reported, as are the results of deuterium isotope effect studies. The mechanism of the aminopalladation step is discussed in detail, and the results of the experiments described in this paper are most consistent with conversion of 3 to 4 via rate-determining ligand displacement followed by fast aminopalladation. These transformations represent rare examples of syn migratory insertion of una...
Effect of neurotensin on amylase secretion from rat pancreasin vivo andin vitro

The effects of neurotensin, a tridecapeptide localized mainly in the gut, on pancreatic secretion are controversial. It is not clear whether the effects are mediated by direct or indirect effects. The present study was done to determine the effect of threshold doses of neurotensinin vivo in the rat as well asin vitro to clarify whether the action is direct or indirect. Forin vivo studies the pancreatic duct of rats was cannulated and threshold doses of neurotensin and CCK-8 alone or in combination were infused as an intravenous bolus and pancreatic juice collected at 10-min intervals for 1 hr. Forin vitro studies dissociated lobules and acini were incubated for 1 hr with 10−11–10−6 M neurotensin with or without 10−9 M CCK-8 (maximally effective dose). Amylase secretion in the pancreatic juice or in the medium was determined. Neurotensin and CCK-8 at a dose of 50 pM/kg increased pancreatic protein secretionin vivo. Neurotensin in combination with CCK-8 did not potentiate protein secretion. In the pancreatic lobules and acini, neurotensin 10−11–10−6 M alone or in combination with CCK-8 (10−9 M) did not stimulate amylase secretion above the basal level or that stimulated with CCK-8. The combined data indicate that the effect of neurotensin is not mediated by a direct action on the pancreatic acinar cells.
CHANGES IN EJECTION FRACTION PRECEDING AND FOLLOWING HOSPITALIZATION FOR HEART FAILURE

While recovery of ejection fraction (EF) with therapy in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced EF (HFrEF) is well recognized, whether “recovered EF” patients are at risk for future HF events due to HF with preserved EF (HFpEF, EF≥50%) is unclear. We examined trends in EF in the years
The “Life Drawing” as a Measure of Time Perspective in Adulthood:

As a measure of time perspective, a variation of the life graph was administered to forty-seven men and forty-seven women ranging from twenty-four to sixty years (M age = 40.67). It was expected that age would be related positively to past versus present temporal dominance and lack of future extension of the life drawing. The effects of sex, work status, and geographic mobility were also assessed through log-linear analyses. Age was found to relate to past temporal dominance, particularly for men. Twelve month test-retest analyses of data from fifty-five respondents showed that both time perspective measures were reliable. Life changes in that interval appeared to precipitate movement from past to present temporal dominance. Temporal dominance also showed a relationship to behavioral observations made by interviewers at the first testing occasion. Of interest was the lack of support in the life drawings for age-stage theories of adult development in that the events depicted as markers had no relationship ...
The Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidity on Inpatient Outcomes following Distal Humerus Fractures

Background. The influence of psychiatric comorbidity on outcomes following inpatient management of upper extremity fractures is poorly understood. Methods. The National Hospital Discharge Survey was queried to identify patients admitted to US hospitals with distal humerus fractures between 1990 and 2007. Patients were subdivided into 5 groups: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia, and no psychiatric comorbidity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors for adverse events, requirement of blood transfusion, and discharge to another inpatient facility. Results. A cohort representative of 526,185 patients was identified as having a distal humerus fracture. Depression, anxiety, and dementia were independently associated with higher odds of in-hospital adverse events (). Depression was associated with higher odds of inpatient blood transfusion (). Depression, schizophrenia, and dementia were associated with higher odds of nonroutine discharge to another inpatient facility (). Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia had a mean of 12 () more days of care than patients with no psychiatric comorbidity. Discussion. Patients with comorbid psychiatric illness who are admitted to hospitals with distal humerus fractures are at increased risk of inpatient adverse events and posthospitalization care.
Stability Analysis of the Heterogeneous Traffic Flow Mixed by Two Driving Styles

The stability of the heterogeneous traffic flow mixed by two driving styles was studied.The corresponding car-following models of the two driving styles,the optimal velocity car-following model and the intelligent driver car-following model,were calibrated first using the real traffic data.The stability of the heterogeneous traffic flow was derived,based which the stability functions of the traffic flow and the driving style were defined.The simulations were conducted to analyze the stability condition.The results show that the stability of the heterogeneous traffic flow is impacted by the two factors:the proportion of the driving style and the stability function of the driving style.The simulation results showed that the intelligent driver driving style always has better stability effect than the optimal velocity driving style.In addition,the neutral stability lines with respect to the proportions of the two driving styles are obtained under the rage of the whole feasible velocity.The results provide the theoretical supports for the control of the heterogeneous traffic flow stability and the traffic congestion.
Value of ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal meconium peritonitis

Objective To explore the value of ultrasound in fetal meconium peritonitis(FMP).Methods The ultrasonic sonograms of FMP were analyzed.Results There were 17 cases with strong calcific echo in their abdominal cavities,12 cases with fetal ascities,4 cases with meconium pseudocyst,1 case with intestinal canal dilation and 5 cases with polyhydramnios.Fifteen fetus were alive,9 fetus were died.In 17 FMP fetus combined with abdominal cavities calcification,the survival rate of simple calcification and calcification combined with one kind of abnormality was 81.8%,while the survival rate of calcification combined with two kinds of abnormality was 33.3%.Conclusion Ultrasound has high value in diagnosis of FMP.
Spectrally Resolved Super-Resolution Microscopy

Recent advances in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy methods have led to ∼10 spatial resolution and thus profound impacts on biology. However, previous super-resolution methods provide no spectral information, thus throwing away a potentially rich dimension of information, and making multicolor imaging difficult. We recently developed a method, named Spectrally Resolved - Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (SR-STORM), to synchronously obtain the fluorescence spectra and positions of millions of single molecules in densely labeled cell samples in minutes, and hence the concept and realization of spectrally resolved, “true-color” super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. This allowed us to unambiguously identify single molecules of different dyes that overlapped heavily in spectrum. Crosstalk-free 3D super-resolution microscopy was thus achieved for four dyes that were only 10 nm apart in emission spectrum; excellent resolution was obtained for every channel, and the 3D localizations of all molecules were automatically aligned within one imaging path. Moreover, our technique is suitable for live-cell imaging, and using fluorophores spectrally responsive to local environments, we enter a new regime in which local physicochemical parameters, including pH and polarity, may be probed at nanometer resolution and single-molecule sensitivity.
Studies on translocation. VII. The nonidentity of G factor and a guanosine triphosphate-dependent cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate binding component.

The occurrence of a GTP-dependent, cAMP (cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate)-binding component in crude extracts of Escherichia coli reported by others was confirmed. This binding of cAMP is partially inhibited by high concentrations of the translocation inhibitor, fusidic acid. In contrast to the earlier report, however, purified preparations of G factor (the soluble translocation protein) possess insignificant cAMP binding activity; less than 1 in 10,000 molecules of G factor active in forming the ribosome-G factor-GDP complex binds cAMP. Attempts to purify the GTP-dependent, cAMP-binding component were hampered by its instability although it was determined to be relatively stable in the presence of GTP and cAMP. The GTP-dependent, cAMP-binding component did not react with G factor-specific antibodies; neither its binding activity nor sedimentation characteristics were altered by these antibodies. It is concluded that the GTP-dependent binding of cAMP is not a property of G factor itself and that G factor is not required for the binding of cAMP to this component. The nature and functional significance of the GTP-dependent, cAMP-binding component remains to be determined.
Spectrum of anemia after kidney transplantation: pathophysiology and therapeutic implications.

The prevalence of anemia in the first month after transplant is 70%-80%. The rate declines to 30%-40% at 3 months and 20% by 12 months. Its occurrence is influenced by the quality of the transplanted organ, bone marrow regenerative capacity, amount of surgical blood loss, and increased iron recycling. There is also a blunted response by oxidative inflammation to the effectiveness of supranormal levels of erythropoietin (EPO) release during ischemic-reperfusion allograft injury. The prevalence rate of late-onset post-transplant anemia (PTA) is 30%-50%. This category of patients falls into two ill-defined groups: (i) those with impaired renal capacity for EPO synthesis and (ii) those with bone marrow resistance. Given the difference in pathophysiology, the current KDIGO guideline that adopts uniform therapeutic approach for the two groups may be inappropriate. Comorbidity due to iron deficiency is common. Anemia is predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and shorter graft survival. Perhaps due to concern for the safe use of EPO stimulating agent (ESA) to correct anemia, there is often inadequate treatment of late-onset PTA. However, universal application of ESA may be harmful. Therefore, clinical trials are needed to define parameters for selecting patients (e.g., EPO assay) that will benefit the most from therapy for anemia.
Appetite and gastric emptying differ when fiber is consumed in macronutrient-matched liquid and solid meals

IntroductionResearch suggests fiber improves satiety and slows gastric emptying time (GET); however, it is unclear whether these endpoints differ based on food form. We compared the results after s...
Challenges Facing Military Spouses During Postdeployment Reintegration: A Review of the Literature and Current Supports

ABSTRACTThe reintegration period when service members return from deployment and transition back into family life is usually filled with joy, but can also involve unique stressors and challenges. In this review, the authors synthesize the empirical literature on the well-being of military spouses during reintegration across 6 domains: mental health, social/role functioning, relationship functioning, spiritual functioning, physical health, and financial well-being. In each domain, the authors provide an overview of current support programs available to military spouses to aid in reintegration. Recommendations for future research and programming are offered.
Evaluating Community-Academic Partnerships of the South Carolina Healthy Brain Research Network.

Community–academic partnerships have a long history of support from public health researchers and practitioners as an effective way to advance research and solutions to issues that are of concern t...
Measurement invariance of the Eating Disorder Examination in black and white children and adolescents.

Objective The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) was originally developed and validated in primarily white female samples. Since data indicate that eating pathology impacts black youth, elucidating the psychometric appropriateness of the EDE for black youth is crucial. Methods A convenience sample was assembled from seven pediatric obesity studies. The EDE was administered to all youth. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted to examine the original four-factor model fit and two alternative factor structures for black and white youth. With acceptable fit, multiple-group CFAs were conducted. For measurement invariant structures, the interactive effects of race with sex, BMIz, adiposity, and age were explored (all significance levels p < .05). Results For both black and white youth (N = 820; 41% black; 37% male; 6–18 years; BMIz −3.11 to 3.40), the original four-factor EDE structure and alternative eight-item one-factor structure had mixed fit via CFA. However, a seven-item, three-factor structure reflecting Dietary Restraint, Shape/Weight Overvaluation, and Body Dissatisfaction had good fit and held at the level of strict invariance. Girls reported higher factor scores than boys. BMIz and adiposity were positively associated with each subscale. Age was associated with Dietary Restraint and Body Dissatisfaction. The interactional effects between sex, BMIz, and age with race were not significant; however, the interaction between adiposity and race was significant. At higher adiposity, white youth reported greater pathology than black youth. Conclusion An abbreviated seven-item, three-factor version of the EDE captures eating pathology equivalently across black and white youth. Full psychometric testing of the modified EDE factor structure in black youth is warranted.
Strength of nanoscale metallic multilayers

Abstract The relationship between microstructure, dislocation motion and mechanical response of metallic multilayered nanomaterials is investigated. Several competing theories for the dependence of hardness on layer thickness, namely Confined Layer Slip (CLS) and Hall-Petch (H-P) theories are discussed. Analysis of homophase and heterophase experimental data suggests that Hall-Petch with modified coefficients provides a good fit down to layer thicknesses of about 5 nm, below which experimental data starts to deviate. We suggest that at this layer thickness, dislocations accumulate in the interface, and assuming there is a constant dislocation density in each interface, the strength varies as h −1/2 .
Abstract 498: Attenuation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-mediated pulmonary carcinogenesis in mice by omega-3-fatty acids

3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) and benzo[a]pyrene (BP) are potent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) carcinogens. PAHs are present in cigarette smoke, diesel exhausts, and charcoal broiled meats, etc. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A/1B1 enzymes play key roles in the activation of PAHs to carcinogenic metabolites, which initiate carcinogenesis by binding covalently to DNA, and the adducts, if not repaired, could lead to tumorigenesis. In this study we tested the hypothesis that pre-treatment of mice with omega-3-fatty acids, i.e. [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) will lead to attenuation of PAH-mediated pulmonary DNA adduct formation and pulmonary tumorigenesis. Twelve week old male and female A/J mice received EPA (60 mg/kg) and DHA (40 mg/kg) from day 1 to day 24. Control mice were treated with vehicle corn oil. On day 3, mice were treated with BP (40 µmol/kg) or 3-methylcholanthrene (MC, 40 µmol/kg) by i.p. In the short-term experiment (DNA adduct studies), 3-5 mice from each group were terminated at day 10 (7 days after BP or MC treatment). EPA/DHA significantly suppressed formation of BP-DNA and MC-DNA adducts in lung and liver of both male and female mice. In the long-term experiment (tumor studies), 8 mice for each group continued to receive EPA/DHA twice per week till end of experiment (16 weeks). Pulmonary tumor incidence and multiplicity was significantly suppressed in mice given EPA+DHA, compared to those given the PAHs, BP or MC alone. These studies suggest that the omega 3-fatty acids could be developed as novel candidates for the prevention of PAH-mediated lung cancers in humans. Citation Format: Bhagavatula Moorthy, Weiwu Jiang, Lihua Wang, Sudha R. Kondraganti, Guodong Zhou. Attenuation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-mediated pulmonary carcinogenesis in mice by omega-3-fatty acids [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 498. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-498
Hidden subsidies and the public ownership of sports facilities: a case study of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara

Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California is an example of a private financing/public ownership arrangement. While the stadium's construction resulted in no direct tax increases and officially included only $114 million in direct subsidies, this ownership arrangement allows the San Francisco 49ers to avoid many types of taxes on the income generated from Levi's Stadium. We estimate the total tax savings for the 49ers to be between $106 and $213 million over the first 20 years of operations at Levi's Stadium compared with a privately financed and owned option. These amounts match or exceed the more widely publicised direct construction subsidies for the stadium. We argue that tax savings inherent in private financing/public ownership arrangements represent indirect and hidden subsidies.
Rushdie's Shalimar the Clown, National Allegory, and Kashmiriyat

(2014). Rushdie's Shalimar the Clown, National Allegory, and Kashmiriyat. South Asian Review: Vol. 35, Salman Rushdie, pp. 125-137.
A MMP7-sensitive photoclickable biomimetic hydrogel for MSC encapsulation towards engineering human cartilage.

Cartilage tissue engineering strategies that use in situ forming degradable hydrogels for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) delivery are promising for treating chondral defects. Hydrogels that recapitulate aspects of the native tissue have the potential to encourage chondrogenesis, permit cellular mediated degradation, and facilitate tissue growth. This study investigated photoclickable poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels, which were tailored to mimic the cartilage microenvironment by incorporating extracellular matrix analogs, chondroitin sulfate and RGD, and crosslinks sensitive to matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7). Human MSCs were encapsulated in the hydrogel, cultured up to nine weeks, and assessed by mRNA expression, protein production and biochemical analysis. Chondrogenic genes, SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1, significantly increased with culture time, and the ratios of COL2A1:COL10A1 and SOX9:RUNX2 reached values of ∼20-100 by week 6. The encapsulated MSCs degraded the hydrogel, which was nearly undetectable by week 9. There was substantial deposition of aggrecan and collagen II, which correlated with degradation of the hydrogel. Minimal collagen X was detectable, but collagen I was prevalent. After week 1, extracellular matrix elaboration was accompanied by a ∼twofold increase in compressive modulus with culture time. The MMP7-sensitive cartilage mimetic hydrogel supported MSC chondrogenesis and promoted macroscopic neocartilaginous matrix elaboration representative of fibrocartilage. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2344-2355, 2018.
HEMATURIA: An Integrated Medical and Surgical Approach

The need to perform a detailed work-up of microscopic hematuria is based on the following set of questions: Does the history or physical examination findings suggest systemic or renal disease? Is the patient able to acidify and concentrate urine? Is proteinuria present? Do other family members have hematuria or other renal problems? Does the microscopic analysis show casts, crystals, or WBCs? Are the RBCs eumorphic or dysmorphic? Using this scheme of questions, most children do not require laboratory tests or radiographic studies. In the case of gross or macroscopic hematuria, the initial evaluation may require only a urine culture, urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio, and renal and bladder sonography or a very detailed evaluation for renal parenchymal disease, stones, tumors, or anatomic abnormalities. In these instances, consultation with a pediatric nephrologist, urologist, or both is necessary.