cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Psychological Distress among Chemically Exposed Firefighters

Long-term psychological effects of exposure to a dangerous chemical were evaluated in a sample of firefighters who fought a large polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fire. When compared with nonexposed firefighter controls (n = 22), the exposed firefighters (n = 64) had significantly higher levels of demoralization and specific emotional distress 22 months after the incident. Longitudinal analyses of a subsample of exposed firefighter subjects (n = 55) surveyed 5 to 6 weeks after the fire and again 22 months later revealed that there was no reduction in symptomatology over time. Some psychological distress scores actually rose significantly between time points. Distress scores were also significantly correlated between time points. These results have a number of intervention and public health implications.
Effectiveness calculations in captive-carry HIL missile simulator experiments

Electronic countermeasures (ECMs) are instrumental in altering the flight path of an incoming active threat missile. To determine the effectiveness of the ECM, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) threat missile simulators are tested in several types of experimental configurations (e.g., closed-loop in an anechoic chamber, open-loop captive-carry held tests on board an aircraft). A new class of modeling and simulation algorithms is presented that allows an accurate miss distance to be calculated from a high-bandwidth ECM captive-carry test result. The techniques combine the results from each test configuration and represent an improvement in evaluating an ECM effectiveness over a singly independent analysis. Anechoic chamber and captive-carry test results from an HIL antiship missile (ASM) simulator are used to demonstrate the algorithms and detail the feasibility of the approach.
Incorporating theory into database system development

Abstract Database systems, like all models, must be constrained to represent just those states and transitions which are possible in the world they model. Database integrity constraints, transition constraints and transaction definitions specify the conformity of a database system to the real world. The enforcement of database system constraints is a difficult problem to solve efficiently; this follows from the large amounts of data involved and the complexity of determining minimum required checks. We present a database system development method in which considerable theoretical support in the form of automated theorem proving is brought to bear on the integrity enforcement problem.
Effect of the California tobacco control program on personal health care expenditures.

Background Large state tobacco control programs have been shown to reduce smoking and would be expected to affect health care costs. We investigate the effect of California's large-scale tobacco control program on aggregate personal health care expenditures in the state. Methods and Findings Cointegrating regressions were used to predict (1) the difference in per capita cigarette consumption between California and 38 control states as a function of the difference in cumulative expenditures of the California and control state tobacco control programs, and (2) the relationship between the difference in cigarette consumption and the difference in per capita personal health expenditures between the control states and California between 1980 and 2004. Between 1989 (when it started) and 2004, the California program was associated with $86 billion (2004 US dollars) (95% confidence interval [CI] $28 billion to $151 billion) lower health care expenditures than would have been expected without the program. This reduction grew over time, reaching 7.3% (95% CI 2.7%–12.1%) of total health care expenditures in 2004. Conclusions A strong tobacco control program is not only associated with reduced smoking, but also with reductions in health care expenditures.
Corticosteroid secretion following caval constriction in dogs with isolated pituitaries.

The output per minute of 17-hydroxycorticostcroids was measured before and after partial thoracic inferior vena caval constriction in normal dogs and those with brain removal and isolated pituitaries. The “resting” control 17-hydroxycorticosteroid output was higher in dogs with brain removal than in normal animals. Both groups of dogs demonstrated a significant increase in corticosteroid output following caval constriction. It is concluded that partial constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava is a strong stimulus to ACTH release.
The Gifted Handicapped: A Status Report.

Some attention has recently focused on the gifted/handicapped. To serve these children more efforts will have to be expended in program development and in developing new devices that serve as aids.
CD4 response is correlated with peak plasma concentrations of indinavir in adults with undetectable human immunodeficiency virus ribonucleic acid.

We retrospectively evaluated correlates of increases in CD4 cell count in antiretroviral agent-naive subjects with fewer than 50 copies per milliliter of plasma human immunodeficiency virus ribonucleic acid who were participating in a study of indinavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine therapy. Pharmacologic data from intensive pharmacokinetic studies and baseline patient characteristics were evaluated as predictors of the increase in CD4 count from baseline to weeks 24, 56, and 80. Relations were investigated with regression analysis. Of all covariates, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of indinavir was significantly and uniquely associated with increases in CD4 count from baseline to all end points (P = .002 at week 80; n = 20). At week 80, subjects with a Cmax greater than the overall group median value of 7 μg/ml had an increase in CD4 count of 358 cells/μl versus 197 cells/μl for those with a Cmax less than 7 μg/ml (P = .006). These data suggest distinct pharmacodynamic relations exist for immune reconstitution and suppression of plasma human immunodeficiency virus ribonucleic acid. We hypothesize this new finding may be associated with expression of P-glycoprotein. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 71, 280–285; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.121910
Severity of schizophrenia and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities: a comparison of state and veterans hospital patients

Background: The relationship between illness severity and neuroanatomical abnormalities in schizophrenia remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to test whether the pattern and extent of brain volume abnormalities differed between two patient groups, distinguished by their overall severity and clinical course of schizophrenia. Methods: Subjects were 56 severely ill, chronically hospitalized schizophrenic men from Napa State Hospital (SH-SZ), 44 moderately ill, acutely hospitalized schizophrenic men from the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Health Care System (VA-SZ), and 52 healthy male control subjects. Temporolimbic, ventricular, and frontoparietal volumes, quantified from 3-mm coronal spin-echo magnetic resonance images and adjusted for cerebral volume and age, were compared using analysis of variance. Results: Compared to control subjects, both SZ groups had smaller (p < .05) temporal lobe and frontoparietal gray matter volumes and larger ventricles and temporal sulci. Whereas SH-SZ had more pronounced cerebrospinal fluid and frontoparietal abnormalities relative to VA-SZ; VA-SZ had greater temporal lobe gray matter deficits. Neither patient group had hippocampal or cerebral volume deficits relative to control subjects. There were no differences between diagnostic subtypes. Conclusions: The magnitude of volume abnormalities in schizophrenia varies with respect to disease severity and to brain region, but disease severity is not associated with anatomically distinct subgroups.
Susceptibility line shape of a field-induced two-dimensional hole gas

We have measured the susceptibility of the two-dimensional hole gas in stage-2 bromine graphite intercalation compounds in a strong magnetic field. We discuss the broadening of the susceptibility spikes, structure in the density of states in a Landau level, and the mosaic spread in these materials.
Synthesis of the Liposidomycin Diazepanone Nucleoside

[structure: see text] The synthesis of the liposidomycin degradation product 4 from D-glucose establishes its stereochemistry as 5'S,6'S and, by incorporation of the earlier diazepanone relative stereochemical assignment, establishes the absolute stereochemistry of the liposidomycins 1 and 2 as 5'S,6'S,2'''S,3'''S.
Where Are the Great Plains? A Cartographic Analysis

Geographic regions all have some degree of uncertainty, though this is seldom represented on their maps. Uncertainty of the Great Plains boundary is shown here by comparing 50 previously published maps of the region. These maps were found in a variety of sources, from classic 1930s geographic works to current regional studies on the Internet. By examining this diverse collection, a distinction can be seen between those maps using primarily physical criteria to define the region and those using cultural characteristics, or a combination of these two characteristics. This distinction is supported by trends in boundary shape, size, and even the map's date of publication. The Great Plains is shown as a complex region, subject to the interpretations of individual cartographers, and can be better understood by considering all points of view rather than any single boundary line.
Much ado about Goffman

“The claim that all the world’s a stage is sufficiently commonplace for readers to be familiar with its limitations and tolerant of its presentation.” (Goffman 1959, 72, 254) “Given that the logic of privatization....now odiously shapes archetypes of citizenship, [and] manages our perceptions of what constitute the ‘good society’....it stands to reason that new ethnographic research approaches must take global capitalism not as an end point of analysis, but as a starting point.” (Kincheloe and McLaren 2000, 304) “My abhorrence of neoliberalism helps to explain my legitimate anger when I speak of the injustices to which the ragpickers among humanity are condemned. It also explains my total lack of interest in any pretension of impartiality, I am not impartial, or objective...[this] does not prevent me from holding always a rigorously ethical position.” (Freire 1998, 22)
Characterization of two human anti-DNA antibodies bearing the pathogenic idiotype 8.12.

Antibodies against double stranded DNA (dsDNA) are characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. Up to one third of an SLE patient's anti-dsDNA antibodies can express the γL chain idiotype 8.12. Serum titers of this idiotype are elevated in 50% of SLE patients, and idiotypic antibodies are present in glomerular immune deposits associated with lupus nephritis. Two EBV transformed B cell lines, KS3 from a patient with SLE and SD6 from an individual without autoimmune disease, secrete 8.12+ IgG antibodies that bind dsDNA. The 8.12+ γ L chains of these anti-DNA antibodies are encoded by members of the VγII gene family; the KS3 heavy chain is encoded by a VH4-DMl-DQ52-JH6b-Cγl gene rearrangement and the SD6 heavy chain is encoded by a VH3-D21/9-JH6b-Cγl rearrangement. Both of these monoclonal antibodies are somatically mutated: the KS3 antibody displays mutations in complementarity determining regions (CDRs) and the SD6 antibody in framework regions (FRs...
SU-FF-I-32: Profile and Exposure Measurements in Axial and Helical Multi-Slice Computed Tomography

Purpose: To investigate why organ doses for helical computed tomography(CT) scans were found to be up to 25% less than similar axial scans. The organ dose measurements were performed previously using thermoluminescent point dosimeters (TLD) in a pediatric phantom. Method and Materials: Tension rods were placed across the bore of the CT scanners, flanking the scan region, in order to support measurement devices without relying on the patient table which moves during helical scans. Under this configuration, the table was kept out of the scan region for all measurements. Beam profile measurements were made for 20mm and 40mm beam configurations using computed radiography(CR) plates and software to compute the FWHM of the profile. Exposure measurements were made with a 10cm pencil ion chamber in a 16cm head phantom, similar to standard CTDImeasurements. These measurements were made for multiple 64‐channel CT scanners in both axial and helical modes. For the exposure measurements, multiple scan parameters were varied including kVp, focal spot size, field of view, rotation time, exposure time, and pitch. Differences between axial and helical measurement results were compared. Results: Differences in FWHM values for the beam width measurements between axial and helical scan modes were found to be less than 1%. The normalized exposure values between axial and helical scans were found to be less than 1% in general. The only exceptions were caused by differing focal spot sizes and rotation times of less than 1 second, for which the difference was up to 2.5%, but still well within the manufacturer's tolerance. Conclusion: There were no substantial differences between axial and helical scans for the radiation profiles and exposure parameters we examined. Therefore, we conclude that the explanation for the axial/helical point dose differences must lie elsewhere. One possibility might be patient table mechanic.
An extremely low noise photodetector based on the single electron transistor

We have demonstrated the use of the single electron transistor (SET) as an amplifier for a photodetector operated at 20 mK. The unparalleled low input noise of the SET permits the detection of very small numbers of charge carriers generated in a bulk p-type Si substrate. We present data showing the response of the detector when it is illuminated by extremely low levels of red light (λ=650 nm). Although we are not able to prove that individual charge carriers are being detected in our system, the magnitude of the detector response and the level of noise in the system are in good agreement with single charge, and therefore single photon, detection. From the “dark current” noise of 0.06 electron/s, we estimate a noise-equivalent power NEP=2×10−21 W/√Hz for infrared light with λ=30 µm, and from this calculate a detectivity D*=8×1017 cm-√Hz/W.
Current-controlled curvature of coated micromirrors.

Precise control of micromirror curvature is critical in many optical microsystems. Micromirrors with current-controlled curvature are demonstrated. The working principle is that resistive heating changes the temperature of the micromirrors and thermal expansion induces a controlled curvature whose magnitude is determined by coating design. For example, for wide focal-length tuning, the radius of curvature of a gold-coated mirror was tuned from 2.5 to 8.2 mm over a current-induced temperature range from 22° to 72 °C. For fine focal-length tuning, the radius of curvature of a dielectric-coated SiO2/Y2O3 λ/4 pairs mirror was tuned from -0.68 to -0.64 mm over a current-induced temperature range from 22 to 84 °C. These results should be readily extendable to mirror flattening or real-time adaptive shape control.
Examining the Roles of the Police and Private Security Officers in Urban Social Control

This cross-sectional research examined the deployment of police and security officers in the 300 most densely populated US counties. Controlling for indicators of population structure, race, income and the underclass, there is a clear and consistent relationship, albeit weak, between crime and the deployment of both the police and private security officers. Inconsistent with expectations, however, private security forces were more likely to be deployed in high crime counties than their public counterparts. This study also provides empirical support for the minority threat group hypothesis that posits that formal social control is used to regulate Black populations. Last, the presence of higher populations of the underclass was positively associated with both police and security officer strength. This study reveals that American private security officers have a significant role in augmenting the activities of the police by shaping urban social control. These results have implications for the study of priva...
The Elite Arts, More or Less de rigueur: A Comparative Analysis of Metropolitan Culture

The prevalence of elite art institutions-theater and dance companies, museums, orchestras, and opera-in the largest 125 metropolitan places in the United States is the focus of this investigation. Considered in the explanation are urban resources, region, and demographic characteristics. Urban size accounts for more of the total variation in museums and opera companies than that in the numbers of other institutions, yet nonsize factors play a major role in explaining the prevalence of museums but not that of opera companies-a finding that relates to their differences in artistic conventionality and public accessibility. Results for population diversity indicate that a critical mass mobilizes markets in very large places but diversity fractionates markets in less large places. Elite arts depend on a large homogeneous upper-middle class, except for opera, which alone is related to economic inequalities. Our assumptions about the social and economic conditions that promote
Regulation and localization of key enzymes during the induction of Kranz-less, C4-type photosynthesis in Hydrilla verticillata

Kranz-less, C4-type photosynthesis was induced in the submersed monocot Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. During a 12-d induction period the CO2 compensation point and O2 inhibition of photosynthesis declined linearly. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity increased 16-fold, with the major increase occurring within 3 d. Asparagine and alanine aminotransferases were also induced rapidly. Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) and NADP-malic enzyme (ME) activities increased 10-fold but slowly over 15 d. Total ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity did not increase, and its activation declined from 82 to 50%. Western blots for PEPC, PPDK, and NADP-ME indicated that increased protein levels were involved in their induction. The H. verticillata NADP-ME polypeptide was larger (90 kD) than the maize C4 enzyme (62 kD). PEPC and PPDK exhibited up-regulation in the light. Subcellular fractionation of C4-type leaves showed that PEPC was cytosolic, whereas PPDK and NADP-ME were located in the chloroplasts. The O2 inhibition of photosynthesis was doubled when C4-type but not C3-type leaves were exposed to diethyl oxalacetate, a PEPC inhibitor. The data are consistent with a C4-cycle concentrating CO2 in H. verticillata chloroplasts and indicate that Kranz anatomy is not obligatory for C4-type photosynthesis. H. verticillata predates modern terrestrial C4 monocots; therefore, this inducible CO2-concentrating mechanism may represent an ancient form of C4 photosynthesis.
High‐resolution isotropic 3D diffusion tensor imaging of the human brain

High-resolution cardiac-gated 3D diffusion tensor imaging (3D-DTI) is demonstrated in vivo for several areas of the human brain. Anatomical mapping of subcortical white matter (WM), as well as definition and identification of major WM bundles from the brainstem were performed in humans for the first time using this technique. Improved intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and relatively reduced sensitivity to physiological motion (e.g., brain pulsations) with respect to cardiac-gated multislice acquisition are demonstrated. The advantages and weaknesses of this approach are discussed.
Repression in the United States after the September 11 attack

This paper concerns the way the United States government has taken advantage of the situation after September 11, 2001, to increase surveillance over the activities of persons, both at the local and national level, to bring prosecutions where formerly people were left alone, to engage in round-ups of aliens and citizens, and to detain persons suspected of terrorism indefinitely and without trial or the assistance of counsel.
HI Imaging of Radio Active Ellipticals

Statistics on HI absorption in radio galaxies suggest that accretion of gas into the center might be a general phenomenon. Images of the HI emission from these galaxies show that the gas must have an external origin. The rotation curves derived from the HI data are flat.
Background of the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally sponsored nutrition programs operating daily in the nation's schools. The School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study had three primary objectives: 1) to describe the nutrient composition of NSLP lunches and SBP breakfasts as offered to students, 2) to analyze the dietary intakes of students, and 3) to compare the dietary intakes of program participants with nonparticipants. This paper describes the school nutrition programs, discusses current program issues and policy concerns, and provides an overview of the study objectives and papers included in this journal issue.
IMMUNOREGULATORY PROPERTIES OF ISG15, AN INTERFERON-INDUCED CYTOKINE

ISG15 is a 15-kDa protein of unique primary amino acid sequence, which is transcriptionally regulated by interferon (IFN) alpha and IFN-beta. Because it is synthesized in many cell types and secreted from human monocytes and lymphocytes, we postulated that ISG15 might act to modulate immune cell function. ISG15 stimulated B-depleted lymphocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with significant proliferation induced by amounts of ISG15 as low as 1 ng/ml (58 pM). Maximal stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation by B-depleted lymphocytes occurred at 6-7 days. Immunophenotyping of ISG15-treated B-depleted lymphocyte cultures indicated a 26-fold expansion of natural killer (NK) cells (CD56+). In cytotoxicity assays, ISG15 was a potent inducer of cytolytic activity directed against both K562 (100 lytic units per 10(6) cells) and Daudi (80 lytic units per 10(6) cells) tumor cell targets, indicating that ISG15 enhanced lymphokine-activated killer-like activity. ISG15-induced NK cell proliferation required coculturing of T and NK cells, suggesting that soluble factor(s) were required. Measurement of ISG15-treated cell culture supernatants for cytokines indicated production of IFN-gamma (> 700 units/ml). No interleukin 2 or interleukin 12 was detected. IFN-gamma itself failed to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine-activated killer cell activation. Further, induced expression of IFN-gamma mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-PCR in T lymphocytes after ISG15 treatment but not in NK cells. Enhancement of NK cell proliferation, augmentation of non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxicity, and induction of IFN-gamma from T cells identify ISG15 as a member of the cytokine cascade and suggest that it may be responsible for amplifying and directing some of the immunomodulatory effects of IFN-alpha or IFN-beta.
Vacuum System for the Stanford-Lbl Storage Ring (PEP)

The vacuum system for PEP will be similar in design, construction and operation to the system currently in operation at SPEAR. There will, of course, be quantitative differences since the closed path of PEP will be 10 times longer than the SPEAR path. Some qualitative differences will also arise since the radiated synchrotron power for PEP will be about 13 times greater than for SPEAR giving rise to an increased linear power density incident on the chamber wall. Other differences arise from the higher energy spectrum of the synchrotron radiation. The SPEAR vacuum system has been in operation since April 1972 and has proven satisfactory in design, construction and operation. The chamber has been subject to synchrotron radiation for approximately 300 ampere-hours and the beam lifetimes are now more than several hours. The details of the PEP design and the SPEAR operating experience will be further discussed in this paper.
Proteasome Inhibition and Combination Therapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: From Bench to Bedside

Although patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) usually respond to initial conventional chemotherapy, they often relapse and mortality has continued to increase over the last three decades in spite of salvage therapy or high dose therapy and stem cell transplantation. Outcomes vary by subtype, but there continues to be a need for novel options that can help overcome chemotherapy resistance, offer new options as consolidation or maintenance therapy postinduction, and offer potentially less toxic combinations, especially in the elderly population. The bulk of these emerging novel agents for cancer treatment target important biological cellular processes. Bortezomib is the first in the class of proteasome inhibitors (PIs), which target the critical process of intracellular protein degradation or recycling and editing through the proteasome. Bortezomib is approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. The mechanisms of proteasome inhibition are very complex by nature (because they affect many pathways) and not fully understood. However, mechanisms of action shared by bortezomib and investigational PIs such as carfilzomib, marizomib, ONX-0912, and MLN9708 are distinct from those of other NHL treatments, making them attractive options for combination therapy. Preclinical evidence suggests that the PIs have additive and/or synergistic activity with a large number of agents both in vitro and in vivo, from cytotoxics to new biologicals, supporting a growing number of combination studies currently underway in NHL patients, as reviewed in this article. The results of these studies will help our understanding about how to best integrate proteasome inhibition in the management of NHL and continue to improve patient outcomes.
Epigenetics: Tools and Technologies

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes that control how the genome is accessed in different cell-types and during development and differentiation. Even though each cell contains essentially the same genetic code, epigenetic mechanisms permit specialization of function between cells. The state of chromatin, the complex of histone proteins, RNA and DNA that efficiently package the genome, is largely regulated by specific modifications to histone proteins and DNA, and the recognition of these marks by other proteins and protein complexes. The enzymes that produce these modifications (the 'writers'), the proteins that recognize them (the 'readers'), and the enzymes that remove them (the 'erasers') are critical targets for manipulation in order to further understand the histone code and its role in biology and human disease.
Using simulation to study service-rate controls to stabilize performance in a single-server queue with time-varying arrival rate

Simulation is used to evaluate the performance of alternative service-rate controls designed to stabilize performance in a queue with time-varying arrival rate, service in order of arrival and unlimited waiting space. Both Markovian and non-Markovian models are considered. Customer service requirements are specified separately from the service rate, which is subject to control. New versions of the inverse method exploiting tables constructed outside the simulation are developed to efficiently generate both the arrival times and service times. The simulation experiments show that a rate-matching service-rate control successfully stabilizes the expected queue length, but not the expected waiting time, while a new square-root service-rate control, based on a assuming that a pointwise-stationary approximation is appropriate, successfully stabilizes the expected waiting time when the arrival rate changes slowly compared to the expected service time.
A generalization of the Avram–Parter Theorem

Abstract The First Szegő Limit Theorem gives a remarkable connection between the eigenvalues distribution of a Hermitian Toeplitz matrix and its symbol. This result was extended by Avram and Parter to the singular values of complex Toeplitz matrices. The purpose of this note is to extend their results to a larger class of matrices whose entries are equidistributed and have small mean variation. We also present applications to Kac–Murdock–Szegő matrices, block Toeplitz and locally Toeplitz matrices.
Valuation Methodology: A Comparison of the Weighted-Average Cost of Capital and Equity-Residual Approaches

This technical note compares two methods of treating debt usage in discounted-cash-flow valuation of investment projects or companies. The note illustrates that the Weighted Average Cost of Capital approach (WACC) and the Equity Residual approach (ER) yield equivalent results if consistent assumptions are used. General features are illustrated with specific examples, including a LOTUS spreadsheet.
Trends in Inpatient Pediatric Polysomnography for Laryngomalacia and Craniofacial Anomalies.

Objective:Increasingly, laryngomalacia and craniofacial anomalies are recognized as risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. We sought to determine whether children with these diagnoses have become more likely to undergo inpatient polysomnogram (PSG) over time and to identify evolving trends in PSG utilization.Methods:Retrospective analysis of the Kids’ Inpatient Database from 2003 to 2012. Children <21 years who underwent PSG were included. Weighted comparisons of clinical/demographic characteristics of patients undergoing PSG were performed, as were associations between clinical and demographic patient characteristics and performance of inpatient PSG.Results:Between 2003 and 2012, PSG procedures decreased from 1266 to 829 (P < .001). Among children who underwent PSG, mean age decreased from 3.9 ± 5.1 to 3.1 ± 5.2 years (P = .001), and the frequency of age <1 year increased from 47.8% to 59.5% (P < .001). The frequency of laryngomalacia increased from 2.5% to 14.3% (P < .001), while the frequency of cra...
Self-concept clarity’s role in meaning in life among American college students: A latent growth approach

AbstractMeaning in life (MIL) is a fundamental building block of well-being, and MIL theory heavily emphasizes the importance of using self-knowledge to identify what makes life meaningful and to select suitable purposes to pursue in life. However, few studies have investigated this important theoretical point. The purpose of the present study was to investigate individual growth trajectories of self-knowledge, measured with a construct of self-concept clarity (SCC), and MIL. This study also examined whether the change of SCC predicts the change pattern of MIL using cross-domain latent growth analyses, controlling for the level of perceived stress. A longitudinal data-set with seventh measurement points was gathered from a total of 285 college students at a large Midwest university in the US during the period of 8 weeks. On average, a student’s levels of MIL and SCC tend to show a small amount of linear increase during the first semester of college, with individual differences in patterns of change. From ...
Associations of cortisol/testosterone and cortisol/sex hormone-binding globulin ratios with atherosclerosis in middle-age women.

Abstract Background and aims The cortisol/testosterone (C/T) ratio has been hypothesized to be a better predictor of atherosclerosis than cortisol alone. No study has assessed whether the C/T and C/sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) ratios are associated with atherosclerosis in a U.S. population sample. Methods This substudy included 367 women who had both cortisol from year 15 and testosterone and SHBG at year 16 of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, an ongoing observational cohort in the United States. Of these, intima-media thickness (IMT) was available at follow-up year 20 in 339 (n = 332 with measurement at carotid bulb), and 303 were free of prevalent coronary artery calcium (CAC) at year 15. Area under the curve (AUC) of salivary cortisol was available in 302 individuals. Ratios of AUCs of cortisol to total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG were categorized into tertiles. Associations with CAC and IMT were assessed by regression models adjusted for age, race, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, menopause, oral contraceptive use, diabetes, alcohol, and smoking. Results Only the highest tertile of the AUC/free testosterone ratio was positively associated with carotid bulb IMT (β = 0.088, P = 0.006). This tertile was also positively associated with new onset CAC between year 15 and 25 (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.18–10.06). Tertiles of cortisol or testosterone alone were not associated with new onset CAC. Conclusion AUC/Free testosterone ratio may be more associated with atherosclerosis in women than either indicator alone. The ratio may serve as a suitable biomarker of cortisol-linked stress.
Monoclonal IgH Gene Rearrangement in Microdissected Nodules From Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin Disease

Recently, single-cell PCR studies have demonstrated that Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells are clonally related in many cases of Hodgkin disease. To investigate the lineage and clonality of neoplastic cells in local environments in nodular sclerosis Hodgkin disease (NSHD), we microdissected multiple distinct nodules from patients with NSHD and analyzed them for IgH gene rearrangement by PCR. These results were correlated with immunophenotype, Epstein-Barr-encoded RNA (EBER) expression, and clinical outcome. Forty individual nodules from 10 patients with NSHD (11 specimens) were microdissected from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. DNA extracts were analyzed for IgH gene rearrangement by using PCR with FRIIIa and JHa primers. Cases were immunophenotyped in paraffin sections with antibodies to CD20(L26), CD79a(HM57), CD45RO(A6), CD15 (Leu-M1), and CD30(Ber-H2). Infection of HRS cells by Epstein-Barr virus was evaluated by using EBER in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH). DNA extracts from 12 of 40 microdissected nodules from 8 of 10 patients demonstrated a monoclonal pattern by IgH-PCR. Three patients demonstrated 2 individual nodules with different monoclonal patterns. One patient demonstrated 2 nodules with bands that appeared similar in size but were found to be different from one another upon further testing. All 28 remaining nodules demonstrated a polyclonal pattern. Six of 10 patients were positive for the Epstein-Barr virus genome by EBER-ISH. No correlation was found between IgH monoclonality, immunophenotypic features, Epstein-Barr virus infection, or clinical outcome. It was concluded that a subset of NSHD cases contain detectable monoclonality within individual nodules by IgH-PCR, suggesting that HRS cells are clonally related within local microenvironments.
Beyond Neutrality: Perfectionism and Politics

1. Introduction 2. The principle of neutrality 3. Autonomy and neutrality (1) 4. Autonomy and neutrality (2) 5. Prophylactic neutrality 6. Knowing about the good 7. Three grades of social involvement 8. Against subjectivism 9. Perfectionism: a theory 10. Conclusion.
Abstract 286: Cucurbitacin B inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells through Snail downregulation.

Metastasis is a primary cause of about 90% of cancer related deaths worldwide. It is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal characteristics transition (EMT), which helps in attaining migratory phenotype by tumor cells. Cucurbitacin B (CuB), a triterpenoid steroidal compound has been shown to suppress JAK/STAT3 signaling and cause G2/M arrest in cancer cells. However, the role of CuB as an anti-metastatic agent still remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CuB on EMT in breast cancer cells. These cells are known to exhibit significant mesenchymal properties that endow aggressive nature. Our results show that CuB significantly suppressed cell migration of MDA-MB-231 cells in wound healing assay. In addition, we also observed reduced cell invasion with CuB treatment using transwell invasion assay. To elucidate the mechanism of these effects, western blotting was performed using whole cell lysates from CuB treated MDA-MB-231 cells. We observed significantly reduced expression of snail and twist with CuB treatment. Snail and twist are known to be repressors of E-cadherin. Generally upregulation of snail and twist mark the initiation of EMT, and eventually leads to loss of epithelial signature of cells. Furthermore, with CuB treatment upregulation of E-cadherin was observed. Transforming growth factor β is known to induce EMT in malignant breast cancer cells. We further investigated the role of CuB on TGFβ induced EMT. Interestingly, we observed that TGFβ induced snail expression was reversed by CuB in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, CuB treatment also contributed protection to the loss of E-cadherin caused by TGFβ treatment. Taken together our results indicate reversal of EMT by CuB treatment in breast cancer cells, which lead to suppression of metastasic ability. However, further in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies are under progress. [Supported in part by R01 grant CA129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute]. Citation Format: Parul Gupta, Sanjay K. Srivastava. Cucurbitacin B inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells through Snail downregulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 286. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-286
Urinary Excretion of Zinc and Iron following Acute Injection of Dead Bacteria in Dog

AbstractThe major goal of this study was to determine whether injection of heat-killed bacteria alters urinary excretion of Zn and Fe. Pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs were prepared for standard renal clearance experiments; following a 1-hr control period, the animals received either heat-killed Pasteurella multocida or vehicle. Rectal temperature in bacteria-treated animals increased significantly by 2 hr following bacterial injection. Excretion rates of Zn and Fe were also significantly elevated by this time; by the end of 4 hr they had approximately doubled. The changes in Zn and Fe excretion correlated significantly with changes in rectal temperature. K excretion and urine flow over the 4 hr tended to increase, but the rises were not statistically significant. Plasma concentrations of Zn, Fe, and K did not change, nor did GFR. We conclude that, in the anesthetized dog, injection of heat-killed bacteria can acutely increase urinary trace-element excretion. However, the maximal contribution of the increa...
Prevalence and risk factors for oral DNA tumor viruses in HIV‐infected youth

Human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) may promote oral cancers, especially among immunosuppressed individuals. The aims of this study were to examine whether demographic characteristics, medical history, sexual behaviors, substance use, CD4+ T-cell count, HIV viral load, and HPV vaccination were associated with HPV, EBV, and KSHV infection and viral load. Multivariable modeling using logistic or linear regression examined associations between independent variables and infection or viral load, respectively. Among 272 HIV-infected 12-24-year-old youth, 19.5% were positive for oral HPV, 88.2% for EBV, and 11.8% for KSHV. In multivariable models, recent marijuana use (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.02-3.82) and lower CD4+ T-cell count ( 400 vs. <400 copies/ml: OR 3.98, 95%CI 1.84-8.74) with EBV infection; Black versus White race (EC 1.18, SE 0.37, P = 0.0023), and lower CD4+ T-cell count (EC 0.70, SE 0.28, P = 0.017) with EBV viral load, male versus female gender (OR 10, 95%CI 1.32-100) with KSHV infection, and younger age at HIV diagnosis (1-14 vs. 18-20 years: EC 0.33, SE 0.16, P = 0.049; 15-17 vs. 18-20 years: EC 0.35, SE 0.13, P = 0.0099) with KSHV viral load. In conclusion, substance use and immunosuppression are associated with oral DNA tumor viruses in HIV-infected youth. J. Med. Virol. 88:1944-1952, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
198 ETS-1 AND P300 SYNERGISTICALLY UP-REGULATE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE RECEPTOR A GENE (NPR1) TRANSCRIPTION.

Activation of guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor A (GC-A/NPRA) produces the second messenger cGMP, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular homeostasis. Studies to elucidate the molecular regulation of Npr1 (coding for NPRA) gene transcription are limited. The present study was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanism governing Npr1 gene transcription, which would provide new insights into strategies to control NPRA-dependent signaling in pathophysiology of hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Npr1 promoter-reporter deletion constructs were transiently transfected in mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) and transcriptional activity was measured by dual luciferase assay. To determine the effect of transcription factors, cotransfections were performed along with the promoter constructs. Functional deletion analysis of Npr1 promoter defined a ≈400 base pairs (bp) region as a basal promoter having Sp1, Lyf-1, p300, c-ETS, and GATA 1/2 transcription factor binding sites. Further deletion of the basal promoter defined a 90 bp fragment as core promoter, having two Ets-1 and a p300 binding motifs, which was found to be essential in controlling transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, competition binding, and supershift analyses confirmed that endogenously expressed Ets-1 binds to Ets-1 consensus sites. Site-directed mutagenesis of the two Ets-1 and p300 binding sites significantly reduced the functional activity (p
GFAAS Direct Determination of Lead in Soy Sauce

[Objective]To establish a direct determination of lead in soy sauce.[Methods]After the dilution with 1%nitric acid,ammonium dihydrogen phosphate solution and magnesium nitrate solution were added in the samples as matrix modifier.Improving the ashing temperature and atomization temperature,eliminating matrix interference by using standard addition method provided equipment,and then the lead was detected.[Results]The matrix modifier of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and magnesium nitrate solution could reduce the effect of sample matrix on the results of the determination.The recovery of standard addition was 93%-104%,Linear detection range was 0～50 μg/L.Correlation coefficient was 0.9992~0.9997,the detection limit was 0.16 μg/L,the relative standard deviation was 1.0%.[Conclusion] The direct determination of lead,which adopts ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and magnesium nitrate solution as matrix modifier,GFAAS and standard addition method provided equipment,is simple,rapid,sensitive,reliable and proper for the detection of lead in soy sauce.
SOME ANTIGENS IN HUMAN EMBRYONIC AND FETAL BASEMENT MEMBRANE OF VILLOUS TROPHOBLAST AND OFAMNION

ome antigenic composition in human embryonic and fetal basement membrane of villoustrophoblast and of amnion were observed by using irnmunohistochemical ABC method.Theresults showed that the basement membrane of amnion was positive for anti-NP185, anti-BM165 and anti-GB3 from 11 to 40 weeks of gestation post menstruation, but the basementmembrane of villous trophoblast was negative for the antigen mentioned above。 There areobvious differences between the antigenic composition of basement membrane of villoustrophoblast and amnion,but the basement membrane of amnion and the basement membraneof skin are very similar in antigenic composition. The data suggest that the amnion is derivedfrom the embryonic ectoderm. The early diagnosis of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)may beunavailable by examining the antigen in basement membrane of villous trophoblast.
Yield of diagnostic tests and its impact on cost in adult patients with syncope presenting to a community hospital.

Objectives Total annual costs for syncope-related hospitalizations were $2.4 billion in 2000. The aim of this study was to examine the type and number of tests ordered for patients admitted with syncope and whether these tests helped establish the cause. Methods We studied the records of 1038 patients coded as "syncope" in billing records, and 167 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The main outcome measures were the diagnostic yield of the ordered tests, the incremental cost/incremental benefit, and the number of admissions that can be averted if risk stratification were used in the evaluation. Results The etiology of the syncope was identified in 48.3% of the patients. Postural blood pressure measurement has the highest diagnostic yield at 58.7%, whereas history taking diagnosed 19.7% of cases. The diagnostic yields of telemetry, electrocardiogram, radionuclide stress test, echocardiography, and troponin measurement were 4.76%, 4.24%, 3.44%, 0.94%, and 0.62%, respectively. Chest x-ray, carotid ultrasonography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, brain computed tomography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging did not yield the diagnosis in any of the patients. Only 1.9% of the money spent in the evaluation of syncope was effective in leading to a definitive diagnosis. The orthostatic blood pressure measurement was ranked first in the incremental cost/incremental benefit ratio and the radionuclide stress test was ranked last (17.03 vs 42,369.0, respectively). Approximately 6% of the patients did not meet the admission criteria. Conclusions Physicians ordered unnecessary tests that have a low yield and are not cost-effective. A standardized algorithmic approach should be the cornerstone in the evaluation of syncope.
Early Development of Olfactory Function

Over the past decade, increasing experimental evidence has attested to the importance of olfaction in the early development of rodents. It has become clear that odor cues play a critical role in behaviors essential for survival; these include nipple location and attachment and home and maternal orientation, among others. The predominant role of this sense in developing rodents, its relative maturity at birth in contrast to other sensory systems, and its behavioral plasticity are all properties that invite vigorous neuroanatomical and neurophysiological investigation. This is especially important because olfaction is a sensory system of which our understanding of its basic processes lags behind that of other sensory systems.
Affinity membrane adsorbers for binding arginine-rich proteins

ABSTRACTDelivering protein chemotherapeutics into cancer cells is a challenge. Fusing the protein to an arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide offers a possible solution. The goal of this work was to develop an affinity membrane for the purification of Arg-rich fusion proteins via capture chromatography. Membranes were prepared by grafting polymers bearing diethyl-4-aminobenzyl phosphonate (D4ABP) ligands from macroporous membrane supports. Incorporation of D4ABP was studied by infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Protein-binding capacities of 3 mg lysozyme/mL were measured. While further studies are required to evaluate binding kinetics and Arg-selectivity, achieving higher protein-binding capacity is needed before investment in such studies.
Probabilistic Formal Verification of the SATS Concept of Operation

The objective of NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System SATS Concept of Operations ConOps is to facilitate High Volume Operation HVO of advanced small aircraft operating in non-towered non-radar airports. Given the safety-critical nature of SATS, its analysis accuracy is extremely important. However, the commonly used analysis techniques, like simulation and traditional model checking, do not ascertain a complete verification of SATS due to the wide range of possibilities involved in SATS or the inability to capture the randomized and unpredictable aspects of the SATS ConOps environment in their models. To overcome these limitations, we propose to formulate the SATS ConOps as a fully synchronous and probabilistic model, i.e., SATS-SMA, that supports simultaneously moving aircraft. The distinguishing features of our work include the preservation of safety of aircraft while improving throughput at the airport. Important insights related to take-off and landing operations during the Instrument Meteorological Conditions IMC are also presented.