cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune responses to the smallpox vaccine given in combination with ST-246, a small-molecule inhibitor of poxvirus dissemination

The re-emerging threat of smallpox and the emerging threat of monkeypox highlight the need for effective poxvirus countermeasures. Currently approved smallpox vaccines have unacceptable safety profiles and, consequently, the general populace is no longer vaccinated, leading to an increasingly susceptible population. ST-246, a small-molecule inhibitor of poxvirus dissemination, has been demonstrated in various animal models to be safe and effective in preventing poxviral disease. This suggests that it may also be used to improve the safety of the traditional smallpox vaccine provided that it does not inhibit vaccine-induced protective immunity. In this study, we compared the immune responses elicited by the smallpox vaccine alone or in combination with ST-246 in mice. Normal lesion formation following dermal scarification with the attenuated New York City Board of Health strain (Dryvax), commonly referred to as a vaccine “take”, was not inhibited although severe lesions and systemic disease due to vaccination with the virulent Western Reserve (VV-WR) strain were prevented. The vaccine given with ST-246 did not affect cellular immune responses or neutralizing antibody titers although anti-vaccinia ELISA titers were slightly reduced. Vaccination in combination with ST-246 provided equivalent short- and long-term protection against lethal intranasal challenge with VV-WR when compared to vaccine alone. These results suggest that ST-246 does not compromise protective immunity elicited by the vaccine and provide the basis for future studies examining the efficacy of ST-246 in preventing or treating adverse events due to vaccination.
Vitamin E Ameliorates Renal Injury in an Experimental Model of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy

Vitamin E Ameliorates Renal Injury in an Experimental Model of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy 1
Lubricious zinc titanate coatings for high temperature applications

Processing-structure-tribological property interrelationships are reported for as-deposited and ex situ annealed atomic layer deposition (ALD) nanocrystalline zinc titanate (ZnxTiyOz) coatings. Annealed coatings at 550 degrees C exhibited improved friction (steady-state friction coefficient of similar to 0.12) and wear rate (1 x 10(-7) mm(3)/N.m) compared to the as-deposited coatings. The ilmenite structure ZnTiO3 (104) texture, which is present at temperatures up to 550 degrees C, was responsible for improved friction and wear compared to other phases/structures, e.g., Zn2TiO4 cubic spinet structure, annealed at T > 550 degrees C. Nanoscale sliding-induced plastic deformation was possible when TEM observed ZnTiO3 (104) stacking faults were sheared parallel to the sliding direction resulting in an intrafilm shear velocity accommodation mode. This subsurface aided in shear accommodation and prevented brittle fracture. Since there is predominately (104) slip, i.e., no interacting slip systems that lead to localized hardening and resistance to shear, this further translated to low friction and wear. Thus, it is feasible to generate high temperature lubricious oxides through nanostructural control of coating growth texture and defects. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Variations of the superior colliculus evoked response in cats.

Abstract The evoked potential seen in the superior colliculus of the cat following stimulation of the optic nerve is the manifestation of a dipole field of a uniformly excited cellular population. Bipolar electrodes were permanently oriented in the dipole field so that the electrode tips were located in opposite poles of the field straddling the zero isopotential surface. Following electrical stimulation, the bipolarly recorded evoked potentials were found to be frequency modulated, with three input conditions capable of affecting the frequency. Retinal illumination, electrical stimulation intensity, and the behavioral state of the animal caused characteristic changes in the frequency. In particular, the degree of arousal of the animal, caused by acoustic, tactile, nociceptive, olfactory, or visual stimuli, was found to be related to the oscillatory frequency. We concluded that the superior colliculus plays a role in the behavior of the animal, especially during arousal or attentiveness, and is not restricted to an absolute visual function.
Is endothelial cell autocrine production of tumor necrosis factor a mediator of lipid-induced endothelial dysfunction?

Abstract Injury or dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is one of the first events in the development of atherosclerosis. Individual lipids, e.g. fatty acids or lipoproteins, are among the most critical factors which may induce injury to the endothelium. Selected fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, can disrupt endothelial barrier function and increase the inflammatory response of the vascular endothelium. The mechanisms of these processes are not fully understood. It is hypothesized that selected fatty acids can mediate the autocrine production of tumor necrosis factor-α in endothelial cells. This will activate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways and further potentiate endothelial injury initially induced by fatty acids.
Age-related changes in AMP-activated protein kinase after stroke

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionary conserved energy sensor sensitive to changes in cellular AMP/ATP ratio which is activated by phosphorylation (pAMPK). pAMPK levels decrease in peripheral tissues with age, but whether this also occurs in the aged brain, and how this contributes to the ability of the aged brain to cope with ischemic stress is unknown. This study investigated the activation of AMPK and the response to AMPK inhibition after induced stroke in both young and aged male mice. Baseline levels of phosphorylated AMPK were higher in aged brains compared to young mice. Stroke-induced a robust activation of AMPK in young mice, yet this response was muted in the aged brain. Young mice had larger infarct volumes compared with aged animals; however, more severe behavioral deficits and higher mortality were seen in aged mice after stroke. Inhibition of AMPK with Compound C decreased infarct size in young animals, but had no effect in aged mice. Compound C administration led to a reduction in brain ATP levels and induced hypothermia, which led to enhanced neuroprotection in young but not aged mice. This work demonstrates that aging increases baseline brain pAMPK levels; aged mice have a muted stroke-induced pAMPK response; and that AMPK inhibition and hypothermia are less efficacious neuroprotective agents in the aged brain. This has important translational relevance for the development of neuroprotective agents in preclinical models and our understanding of the enhanced metabolic stress experienced by the aged brain.
Obstructed Labor and Caesarean Delivery: The Cost and Benefit of Surgical Intervention

Background Although advances in the reduction of maternal mortality have been made, up to 273,000 women will die this year from obstetric etiologies. Obstructed labor (OL), most commonly treated with Caesarean delivery, has been identified as a major contributor to global maternal morbidity and mortality. We used economic and epidemiological modeling to estimate the cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted and benefit-cost ratio of treating OL with Caesarean delivery for 49 countries identified as providing an insufficient number of Caesarean deliveries to meet demand.
Roles of apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: lessons from ApoE mouse models

ApoE4 (apolipoprotein E4) is the major known genetic risk factor for AD (Alzheimer9s disease). In most clinical studies, apoE4 carriers account for 65–80% of all AD cases, highlighting the importance of apoE4 in AD pathogenesis. Emerging data suggest that apoE4, with its multiple cellular origins and multiple structural and biophysical properties, contributes to AD in multiple ways either independently or in combination with other factors, such as Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) and tau. Many apoE mouse models have been established to study the mechanisms underlying the pathogenic actions of apoE4. These include transgenic mice expressing different apoE isoforms in neurons or astrocytes, those expressing neurotoxic apoE4 fragments in neurons and human apoE isoform knock-in mice. Since apoE is expressed in different types of cells, including astrocytes and neurons, and in brains under diverse physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions, these apoE mouse models provide unique tools to study the cellular source-dependent roles of apoE isoforms in neurobiology and in the pathogenesis of AD. They also provide useful tools for discovery and development of drugs targeting apoE49s detrimental effects.
Health information on the Internet. Opportunities and pitfalls.

The Internetcontinues to grow in popularity, particularly the segment known as the World Wide Web. Nielsen Media Research recently reported 1 that up to 24% of all people in the United States aged 16 years and older had access to the Internet as of March 1996. The universal graphical interface supported by Web browsing programs has made the riches of the Internet available to the masses, including those with little computer knowledge or skill. A large and increasing number of medical sites are available. 2 I recently searched the Web for the key words medical or health and retrieved more than 3 800 000 documents. Internet-related medical publications increased from 0 in 1992 to 107 in 1995. 3 The scope of health-related applications on the Internet is as broad as medicine itself. Most medical schools and many hospitals have Web sites, which, in part, serve as marketing devices, but
Chondrichthyans from the Fairpoint Member of the Fox Hills Formation (Maastrichtian), Meade County, South Dakota

ABSTRACT The middle part of the Fairpoint Member of the Fox Hills Formation in Meade County, South Dakota consists of marine shoreface deposits and contains a chondrichthyan assemblage that includes both pelagic and bottom-feeding forms. The assemblage consists of genera (e.g., Rhombodus, Carcharias, Serratolamna, Ischyrhiza) widely known from Upper Cretaceous rocks of the Western Interior, and from other parts of North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This middle Fairpoint assemblage contains many of the same chondrichthyan genera reported by Cicimurri (1998) from the lignitic Stoneville lithofacies of the upper part of the Fairpoint Member. Fairpoint chondrichthyans are probably roughly equivalent in age to the chondrichthyans from the Timber Lake Member of the Fox Hills Formation in North Dakota, and are probably older than the chondrichthyan assemblage from the Breien Member of the Hell Creek Formation. The Breien, Timber Lake, and Fairpoint chondrichthyans are the youngest transitional marine chond...
Periodontal evaluation of two mucoperiosteal flaps used in removing impacted mandibular third molars

This study compared the results of two types of access flap used in removing impacted mandibular third molars. Fifteen patients were given periodontal examinations consisting of measurements of attachment level, level of the gingival margin, and width of the masticatory mucosa at three locations around the mandibular second molars. The examinations were done preoperatively, and two, six, and 12 weeks after removal of the impacted molars. Analyses of variance indicated that there was no significant difference between the two flap techniques and, therefore, the choice of flap technique is one of operator preference. There was a significant decrease in mean sulcus depth at all measured points for either flap technique, indicating a generally healthier condition around mandibular second molars 12 weeks after the surgical removal of mandibular third molars.
Adjustment to breast cancer: A replication study.

This article reports a replication of an earlier study of how women cope with and adjust to breast cancer. Forty-nine women with breast cancer completed self-administered instruments that measured coping, fighting spirit, and psychosocial adjustment to illness. The results indicated that fighting spirit was related reliably to better psychosocial adjustment and that coping by avoidance was related reliably to poorer adjustment. Denial was not related reliably to any of the adjustment measures. Similarly, reliable relationships were not found between either disease status or duration of illness and adjustment to the illness.
Blunted peripheral tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormone in uremic patients.

Blunted peripheral tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormone in uremic patients. To understand the biologic significance of the low triiodothyronine (T 3 ) syndrome in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), we examined thyroid hormone profile, basal O 2 uptake (VO 2 ), and peripheral blood mononuclear leukocyte (PBL) ouabain binding in these patients and in the control subjects before and after L-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and sodium ipodate treatment. In the controls (N = 8), T 3 administration increased serum total T 3 from 136 ± 15 to 232 ± 11 ng/dl, and reduced total thyroxine (T 4 ) from 8.14 ± 0.56 to 6.08 ± 0.43 µg/dl, free T 4 from 1.59 ± 0.12 to 1.03 ± 0.05 ng/dl and thyroid–stimulating hormone (TSH) from 1.74 ± 0.24 to 0.41 ± 0.09 µU/ml. VO 2 increased from 2.66 ± 0.11 to 3.15 ± 0.09 ml/kg/min. Ipodate treatment, on the other hand, resulted in a reduction of serum total T 3 to 102 ± 21 ng/dl, an increase in total T 4 to 9.59 ± 0.50 µg/dl, free T 4 to 1.91 ± 0.13 ng/dl and TSH to 3.64 ± 1.14 µU/ml VO 2 decreased to 2.43 ± 0.06 ml/kg/min. P values ranged from 3 treatment also resulted in a rise in serum total T 3 from 75 ± 5 to 185 ± 8 ng/dl. Total T 4 declined from 6.68 ± 0.34 to 5.18 ± 0.48 µg/dl, free T 4 from 0.85 ± 0.1 to 0.67 ± 0.08 ng/dl and TSH from 3.67 ± 0.86 to 0.94 ± 0.3 µU/ml. VO 2 , however, did not change (from 2.91 ± 0.12 to 2.99 ± 0.17 ml/kg/min). Ipodate treatment decreased total T 3 to 65 ± 5 ng/dl, and increased total T 4 to 8.47 ± 0.52 µg/dl, free T 4 to 1.19 ± 0.15 ng/dl, and TSH to 9.82 ± 2.57 µU/ml. VO 2 remained unchanged and was 2.88 ± 0.2 ml/kg/min. P values, comparing before and after treatment data, were not significant for VO 2 , but ranged from 7 cells, respectively, in the control (N = 11), CRF (N = 9), and hypothyroid patients (N = 3). T 3 treatment failed to correct the ouabain binding deficiency (0.55 ± 0.06 pmole/10 7 cells) in the CRF patients even though serum TT 3 was restored to normal level. The blunted VO 2 response to T 3 and ipodate and the total lack of correlation between serum T 3 , T 4 and VO 2 in CRF patients suggest that T 3 is not the prime regulator of thermogenesis in these individuals. The pituitary, however, remained sensitive as serum TSH was suppressed by T 3 and stimulated by ipodate.
Radiation effects on mechanical properties of carbon/carbon composites

Abstract Two types of carbon/carbon composites were irradiated to a fast-neutron fluence of 2 × 1018 n/cm2 (E > 1 MeV) in a helium atmosphere at 175°C. These specimens were mechanically tested in flexure and in shear to determine resulting property changes. Shear strengths at room temperature were increased by 25 per cent or more by irradiation, and these increases in shear strengths allowed the composites to be flexed to higher stress levels (15–25 per cent) before undergoing permanent deformations. These property improvements were retained by the materials up to temperatures of at least 1000°C in an inert environment.
RNA ligase in bacteria : formation of a 2', 5' linkage by an E. coli extract

Ligase activity was detected in extracts of Escherichia coli, Clostridium tartarivorum, Rhodospirillum salexigens, Chromatium gracile, and Chlorobium limicola. Ligase was measured by joining of tRNA halves produced from yeast IVS-containing tRNA precursors by a yeast endonuclease. The structure of tRNA^(Tyr) halves joined by an E. coli extract was examined. The ligated junction is resistant to nuclease P1 and RNAase T2 but sensitive to venom phosphodiesterase and alkaline hydrolysis, consistent with a 2′,5′ linkage. The nuclease-resistant junction dinucleotide comigrates with authentic (2′,5′) A^PA marker in thin-layer chromatography. The phosphate in the newly formed phosphodiester bond is derived from the pre-tRNA substrate. The widespread existence of a bacterial ligase raises the possibility of a novel class of RNA processing reactions.
Annual Research Review: Current limitations and future directions in MRI studies of child- and adult-onset developmental psychopathologies

Background The widespread use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the study of child- and adult-onset developmental psychopathologies has generated many investigations that have measured brain structure and function in vivo throughout development, often generating great excitement over our ability to visualize the living, developing brain using the attractive, even seductive images that these studies produce. Often lost in this excitement is the recognition that brain imaging generally, and MRI in particular, is simply a technology, one that does not fundamentally differ from any other technology, be it a blood test, a genotyping assay, a biochemical assay, or behavioral test. No technology alone can generate valid scientific findings. Rather, it is only technology coupled with a strong experimental design that can generate valid and reproducible findings that lead to new insights into the mechanisms of disease and therapeutic response. Methods In this review we discuss selected studies to illustrate the most common and important limitations of MRI study designs as most commonly implemented thus far, as well as the misunderstanding that the interpretations of findings from those studies can create for our theories of developmental psychopathologies. Results Common limitations of MRI study designs are in large part responsible thus far for the generally poor reproducibility of findings across studies, poor generalizability to the larger population, failure to identify developmental trajectories, inability to distinguish causes from effects of illness, and poor ability to infer causal mechanisms in most MRI studies of developmental psychopathologies. For each of these limitations in study design and the difficulties they entail for the interpretation of findings, we discuss various approaches that numerous laboratories are now taking to address those difficulties, which have in common the yoking of brain imaging technologies to studies with inherently stronger designs that permit more valid and more powerful causal inferences. Those study designs include epidemiological, longitudinal, high-risk, clinical trials, and multimodal imaging studies. Conclusions We highlight several studies that have yoked brain imaging technologies to these stronger designs to illustrate how doing so can aid our understanding of disease mechanisms and in the foreseeable future can improve clinical diagnosis, prevention, and treatment planning for developmental psychopathologies.
Myb-related Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc5p is structurally and functionally conserved in eukaryotes.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc5p is a Myb-related protein that is essential for G2/M progression. To explore the structural and functional conservation of Cdc5 throughout evolution, we isolated Cdc5-related genes and cDNAs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and Homo sapiens. Supporting the notion that these Cdc5 gene family members are functionally homologous to S. pombe cdc5+, human and fly Cdc5 cDNAs are capable of complementing the temperature-sensitive lethality of the S. pombe cdc5-120 mutant. Furthermore, S. cerevisiae CEF1 (S. cerevisiae homolog of cdc5+), like S. pombe cdc5+, is essential during G2/M. The location of the cdc5-120 mutation, as well as mutational analyses of Cef1p, indicate that the Myb repeats of cdc5p and Cef1p are important for their function in vivo. However, we found that unlike in c-Myb, single residue substitutions of glycines for hydrophobic residues within the Myb repeats of Cef1p, which are essential for maintaining structure of the Myb domain, did not impair Cef1p function in vivo. Rather, multiple W-to-G substitutions were required to inactivate Cef1p, and many of the substitution mutants were found to confer temperature sensitivity. Although it is possible that Cef1p acts as a transcriptional activator, we have demonstrated that Cef1p is not involved in transcriptional activation of a class of G2/M-regulated genes typified by SWI5. Collectively, these results suggest that Cdc5 family members participate in a novel pathway to regulate G2/M progression.
The Epstein-Barr virus replication protein BBLF2/3 provides an origin-tethering function through interaction with the zinc finger DNA binding protein ZBRK1 and the KAP-1 corepressor.

Herpesviruses encode a set of core proteins essential for lytic replication of their genomes. Three of these proteins form a tripartite helix-primase complex that, in the case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), consists of the helicase BBLF4, the primase BSLF1, and the linker protein BBLF2/3. BBLF2/3 and its homologs in the other herpesviruses remain relatively poorly characterized. To better understand the contribution to replication made by BBLF2/3, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed with BBLF2/3 as the bait protein. This screen identified as interactors a number of cell replication-related proteins such as DNA polymerase beta and subunits of DNA polymerase delta along with the EBV-encoded DNase BGLF5. The screen also identified the DNA binding zinc finger protein ZBRK1 and the ZBRK1 corepressor KAP-1 as BBLF2/3 interactors. Interaction between BBLF2/3 and ZBRK1 and KAP-1 was confirmed in coimmunoprecipitation assays. A binding site for ZBRK1 in the EBV oriLyt enhancer was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. ZBRK1, KAP-1, and the ZBRK1 binding protein BRCA1 were shown by indirect immunofluorescence to be present in replication compartments in lytically induced D98-HR1 cells, and additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays determined that these proteins associated with oriLyt DNA. Replication of an oriLyt plasmid and a variant oriLyt (ΔZBRK1) plasmid was examined in lytically induced D98-HR1 cells. Exogenous ZBRK1, KAP-1, or BRCA1 increased the efficiency of oriLyt replication, while deletion of the ZBRK1 binding site impaired replication. These experiments identify ZBRK1 as another cell protein that, through BBLF2/3, provides a tethering point on oriLyt for the EBV replication complex. The data also suggest that BBLF2/3 may serve as a contact interface for cell proteins involved in replication of EBV oriLyt.
The usefulness of selected variables for predicting activity loyalty

Abstract The concept of loyalty is receiving increased attention from recreation and park researchers. Previous investigations have shown that, in general, participants exhibit low levels of loyalty to recreation and park services, but little attention has been given to identifying variables that could be useful in predicting activity loyalty. Three measures of activity loyalty (attitudinal, behavioral, and composite) were used in this study to assess it. It was hypothesized that participants who exhibited higher levels of loyalty would be intrinsically motivated, perceive personal competency and mastery as important, report high levels of involvement, be less price‐sensitive, have accrued a substantial number of side bets, and participate in fewer other recreation activities than those exhibiting lower levels of activity loyalty. Results of the multiple regression analyses suggest that behavioral, attitudinal, and composite measures of activity loyalty capture three different dimensions of the phenomenon.
Surfactant Effects on Hydrate Crystallization at the Water–Oil Interface: Hollow-Conical Crystals

Clathrate hydrates are icelike crystalline compounds with small guest molecules trapped inside the cages of hydrogen bonded water molecules. Clathrate hydrate crystal growth is studied for the specific case of the guest molecule cyclopentane. Cyclopentane hydrate formation is visualized at a millimeter-scale water drop. Crystal formation takes place at the water–organic interface and has been shown in prior work to occur in a three-step sequence of nucleation, lateral surface growth, and radial growth. This study describes cyclopentane hydrate crystal characteristics during the lateral surface growth and demonstrates the effect of the oil-soluble surfactant sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) on the hydrate crystal growth. A faceted polycrystalline hydrate shell is formed around the water drop in the absence of surfactant. A unique hollow-conical crystal is observed at Span 80 concentrations greater than 0.01% by volume in cyclopentane; the critical micelle concentration is 0.03% Span 80. The conical crystals h...
COMPARATIVE ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS OF TWO BINLJCLEATE DINOFLAGELLATES1

Although two clonal isolates of two different binucleate dinoflagellates Peridinium balticum (Levander) Letnmermann and Glcnodinium foliaceum Stein share a number of unique biochemical and ultrastructural attributes, comparative analysis for sixteen isozyme systems shows that these isolates are quite distinct from each other. Of the 129 different isozyme bands observed, only 28 were common to both organisms. These results support the contention based on plate tabulations that these two isolates should be placed in different genera and suggest that despite certain general biochemical and ultrastructural similarities that the isolates differ significantly at the biochemical and genetic levels and perhaps exhibit different adaptations between host and endosymbiont.
Small genomes and big science.

A report of the 13th Annual International Conference on Microbial Genomes, Madison, USA, 11-15 September 2005.
Reasoning about Human Intention Change for Individualized Runtime Software Service Evolution

While software evolution has been studied extensively in software engineering, few of these efforts have involved a systematic exploration of human epistemological attitudes, such as human desire and intention, as the driving force of software service evolution. Our work proposes a theoretical framework to monitor and reason about human intention and its changes, which in turn can be used to determine how software and services should evolve to be individualized and better serve each user. Extending the Situ framework, we explore the service satisfiability problem through sub-world coverage following Kripke semantics, which enjoys wide application in AI and other fields related to human epistemic reasoning.
A renal biopsy study of lupus nephropathy in the United States and Korea.

A comparative study was made using renal biopsy specimens obtained from US and Korean patients with lupus nephropathy. Significant differences were observed in the morphologic distribution and activity of the disease. Korean patients exhibited a higher frequency of World Health Organization class IV lupus nephropathy (77.8%) than black (47.2%) or white (42.1 %) US patients ( P P P P
Kullback Leibler divergence based curve matching method

In this paper, we propose a variational model for curve matching based on Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. This framework accomplishes the difficult task of finding correspondences for a group of curves simultaneously in a symmetric and transitive fashion. Moreover the distance in the energy functional has the metric property. We also introduce a location weighted model to handle noise, distortion and occlusion. Numerical results indicate the effective of this framework. The existence of this model is also provided.
A study of the performance of the gas transmission monitor of the PHENIX Hadron Blind Detector

For the successful operation of the Hadron Blind Detector (HBD) of the PHENIX Experiment at RHIC, it is essential that the radiator gas quality be continuously monitored. This is accomplished through the use of a gas transmission monitor, which is based on a customized McPherson 234/302 VUV spectrometer. After studying the performance characteristics of the spectrometer at the completion of RHIC Run9, a number of improvements were implemented to greatly improve its performance during Run10, including the replacement of all of the system optics. Following this upgrade, the transmission monitor was successfully used to monitor the gas quality of the HBD for the most recent Au+Au run at RHIC. With the aid of the transmission monitor, the absolute integrated transmittance of the detector was used to determine an absolute measure of the HBD detector efficiency throughout the run.
The nearly perfectly matched layer is a perfectly matched layer

An absorbing boundary condition for computational electromagnetics called the nearly perfectly matched layer (NPML) was recently introduced. This boundary condition, designed to be simple to implement in complex media, was regarded as not quite a perfectly matched layer because its formulation deviates from the standard PML through an inexact variable change. Analytical and numerical results are presented here that show that the NPML is equivalent to the standard perfectly matched layer (PML) in Cartesian coordinates for one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional problems through simple variable changes. Consequently, the NPML performs identically to the PML as an absorbing boundary condition while maintaining its simplicity of implementation.
The Neurobiology of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Le systeme GABA est-il implique? Necessite de nouvelles facons d'envisager le probleme. Etude des potentiels evoques visuels. Etude des recepteurs de neurotransmetteurs. Hypothese
Organization of microtubule assemblies in Dictyostelium syncytia depends on the microtubule crosslinker, Ase1

It has long been known that the interphase microtubule (MT) array is a key cellular scaffold that provides structural support and directs organelle trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Although in animal cells, a combination of centrosome nucleating properties and polymer dynamics at the distal microtubule ends is generally sufficient to establish a radial, polar array of MTs, little is known about how effector proteins (motors and crosslinkers) are coordinated to produce the diversity of interphase MT array morphologies found in nature. This diversity is particularly important in multinucleated environments where multiple MT arrays must coexist and function. We initiate here a study to address the higher ordered coordination of multiple, independent MT arrays in a common cytoplasm. Deletion of a MT crosslinker of the MAP65/Ase1/PRC1 family disrupts the spatial integrity of multiple arrays in Dictyostelium discoideum, reducing the distance between centrosomes and increasing the intermingling of MTs with opposite polarity. This result, coupled with previous dynein disruptions suggest a robust mechanism by which interphase MT arrays can utilize motors and crosslinkers to sense their position and minimize overlap in a common cytoplasm.
Heuristics for Systems Engineering Cost Estimation

Engineering cannot wait until all phenomena are explained. Engineers may work effectively, often for centuries, with heuristics. This paper provides thirty one heuristics that have been inspired by the development and application of a systems engineering cost estimation model. The objective of this paper is to present such heuristics in a simple manner so that they can benefit systems engineering researchers and practitioners that develop, calibrate, and use cost models.
Structural basis for mobility in the 1.1 Å crystal structure of the NG domain of Thermus aquaticus Ffh

The NG domain of the prokaryotic signal recognition protein Ffh is a two-domain GTPase that comprises part of the prokaryotic signal recognition particle (SRP) that functions in co-translational targeting of proteins to the membrane. The interface between the N and G domains includes two highly conserved sequence motifs and is adjacent in sequence and structure to one of the conserved GTPase signature motifs. Previous structural studies have shown that the relative orientation of the two domains is dynamic. The N domain of Ffh has been proposed to function in regulating the nucleotide-binding interactions of the G domain. However, biochemical studies suggest a more complex role for the domain in integrating communication between signal sequence recognition and interaction with receptor. Here, we report the structure of the apo NG GTPase of Ffh from Thermus aquaticus refined at 1.10 A resolution. Although the G domain is very well ordered in this structure, the N domain is less well ordered, reflecting the dynamic relationship between the two domains previously inferred. We demonstrate that the anisotropic displacement parameters directly visualize the underlying mobility between the two domains, and present a detailed structural analysis of the packing of the residues, including the critical α4 helix, that comprise the interface. Our data allows us to propose a structural explanation for the functional significance of sequence elements conserved at the N/G interface.
Internal fixation: An evolutionary appraisal of methods used for long bone fractures

Internal fixation has been playing a pivotal role in orthopedic surgical procedures, yet the evolution of these devices has been relatively short. There is an uprising increase in the instance of trauma and injury. Therefore to accurately ensure the fracture management; fixation or reduction of fracture to reinstate anatomical associations while maintaining the stability of the fixation device and to preserve the blood supply of soft tissues and bone is advantageous. Internal fixation devices offer sustenance until the bone is entirely rehabilitated. These can also be kept throughout the life time of a recipient. This review focuses on an evolutionary perspective of different devices used surgically for the repair of long bone fractures.
Presentation of Pediatric Celiac Disease in the United States: Prominent Effect of Breastfeeding

in the study. We found significant differences in the clinical spectrum of children based on their infant feeding history. Exclusively breastfed children were significantly less likely to report failure to thrive (69% vs 88%, p<0.05) and short stature (37% vs 62%, p<0.05), and had a higher rate of “atypical” symptoms (p<0.01). Breastfeeding alters the presentation and contributes to atypical presentations of CD and diagnostic delay. Pediatricians need to be aware of the diverse manifestations of celiac disease to reduce diagnostic delay. Clin Pediatr. 2005;44:249-258
Independent component analysis of gait-related movement artifact recorded using EEG electrodes during treadmill walking

There has been a recent surge in the use of electroencephalography (EEG) as a tool for mobile brain imaging due to its portability and fine time resolution. When EEG is combined with independent component analysis (ICA) and source localization techniques, it can model electrocortical activity as arising from temporally independent signals located in spatially distinct cortical areas. However, for mobile tasks, it is not clear how movement artifacts influence ICA and source localization. We devised a novel method to collect pure movement artifact data (devoid of any electrophysiological signals) with a 256-channel EEG system. We first blocked true electrocortical activity using a silicone swim cap. Over the silicone layer, we placed a simulated scalp with electrical properties similar to real human scalp. We collected EEG movement artifact signals from ten healthy, young subjects wearing this setup as they walked on a treadmill at speeds from 0.4-1.6 m/s. We performed ICA and dipole fitting on the EEG movement artifact data to quantify how accurately these methods would identify the artifact signals as non-neural. ICA and dipole fitting accurately localized 99% of the independent components in non-neural locations or lacked dipolar characteristics. The remaining 1% of sources had locations within the brain volume and low residual variances, but had topographical maps, power spectra, time courses, and event related spectral perturbations typical of non-neural sources. Caution should be exercised when interpreting ICA for data that includes semi-periodic artifacts including artifact arising from human walking. Alternative methods are needed for the identification and separation of movement artifact in mobile EEG signals, especially methods that can be performed in real time. Separating true brain signals from motion artifact could clear the way for EEG brain computer interfaces for assistance during mobile activities, such as walking.
Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics. From the editors.

This issue was borne out of discussions held at annual meetings of Biostatistics Directors from NCI-designated cancer centers. These meetings were held during the Joint Statistical Meetings that ha...
Dancers’ stories: A narrative study of professional dancers

Abstract The lifestyles, identities, and motivations of professional dancers are not well documented in the literature. This study used a grounded theory qualitative methodology combined with a modified Life Story Narrative script to assess professional dancers’ life stories and identities. Twenty professional dancers from the U.S. Midwest were interviewed. During the interviews, dancers recounted emotionally vivid memories related to their dance careers. Data analysis revealed that most dancers emphasized the importance of personal recognition and chose the dance profession at a relatively young age. Variances between working [currently performing] dancers and retired [no longer performing] dancers were found regarding agency of entering the dance field, challenges within the career, and interest in teaching new dancers. Finally, a dichotomous description of appropriate teaching approaches emerged; some dancers expressed concern that past teaching methods were too harsh, whereas others conveyed that extreme measures better prepared students today for the professional realm. This study provides a deeper understanding of a unique population of people as well as evidence that time affects narrative stories; both of these implications are useful to inform public awareness and clinical practice.
Differential effects of elevated potassium ion concentration and of theophylline on growth hormone release by rat adenohypophyses in vitro

The effects of 27 mM K+ and of 6.7 mM theophylline on the release of growth hormone (GH) by rat hemipituitaries in vitro were investigated using bioassay (rat tibia test) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Both agents markedly increased the release of immunoreactive GH. High K+ also promoted the release of bioactive GH but to a much lesser degree than RIA-GH. Theophylline did not consistently affect the release of bioassay-detectable GH. The results suggest that these agents promote massive release of a form of immunoreactive GH (possibly "immature") that has little or no activity in the bioassay. Theophylline is relatively more effective in this regard than is elevated K+.
Causal Analysis and Latent Class Models: An Application to a Communication Hierarchy of Effects Model:

The authors illustrate the use of latent structure analysis to test, in a confirmatory sense, causal hypotheses in an experimental design setting. Two latent factors conceptualized as arousal and y...
Thermal energy storage characteristics of sand as filler material for solar thermocline tank

The feasibility of sand at various grain sizes as filler material for solar sensible heat thermal energy storage(TES) was investigated. An indirect contact sensible heat TES experiment setup was built. The TES section is a cylindrical tank, which is embedded with 19 stainless tubes arranged like a hexagonal honeycomb. Air was chosen as the heat transfer fluid to flow inside the tubes and carry heat, while the sand in the tank contacts the outside of tubes. Four types of sand: silver sand, medium sand, filter sand and coarse sand, were selected. The results show that voidage is the determining factor for the TES performance rather than density or grain size. Coarse sand is the best among the four types. For materials such as sand whose basic thermal properties only vary a bit, the change of charge temperature can hardly affect the TES performance. When using air as the heat transfer fluid, the TES efficiency is relatively lower. To enhance heat transfer, a lower air velocity or longer tube length is needed. The simplified 2-D simulation results match well with the experimental results and can be used for the prediction of large scale TES tank performance.
Auditor Switch,Government Backing and Audit Quality——An Empirical Test of the Effect of the Strategy of Strengthening CPA Firms

The author investigates the effect of the strategy of strengthening CPA firms from the perspective of auditing demand.Based on the analysis of the auditor switches of China's listed companies,the author finds with the implementation of the strengthening strategy,compared with the non-government-controlled listed companies,the auditors of government-controlled listed companies change from small ones to big ones,but when the auditor switches to a bigger one,the audit quality is significantly lower than before.As a conclusion,the author believes that the strategy of strengthening CPA firms hasn't achieved notable result in auditing practice.
Bilateral functioning cystadenofibromas of the ovaries: report of a case.

Abstract A case of bilateral cystadenofibromas of the ovaries, apparently producing estrogenic substances, is reported. We have not been able to find a previous report in the English literature of a similar case of bilaterality and estrogenic function.
Dissociation of phosphaturia and 25(OH)D-1 alpha-hydroxylase trophism using a novel analogue of parathyroid hormone.

Certain parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogues have been shown to selectively impair some but not all physiological actions of PTH. In this study, transaminated rat (r) PTH [TA-rPTH-(1-34)], a PTH ana...
Fluorescence bronchoscopy for localizing early bronchial cancer and carcinoma in situ.

The detection, diagnosis, and aggressive treatment of lung cancer in its intrabronchial or preinvasive phase has been shown to result in 5-year survival rates of over 70%–80% [16, 19, 29]. In the case of carcinoma in situ, resection may result in prolonged survival and possibly cure [4]. In contrast, stage I lung cancer is of the invasive type and includes lesions that have already extended to the ipsilateral hilar lymph nodes; the 5-year survival at this stage is at best about 40%–50%. In small peripheral lung cancers (less than 3.0 cm in diameter), visible on chest X-ray but without hilar lymph node involvement, 5-year survival can be up to 60% [18]. The goal of physicians, therefore, must be the diagnosis of preinvasive lung cancer in patients at high risk. High risk patients include heavy cigarette smokers who have smoked one package per day or more for 20 years or longer, particularly those over age 45 years. Patients at particularly high risk are heavy smokers who also have symptoms or signs related to lung cancer and especially include smokers who have also been occupationally exposed to asbestos, uranium mining, coke oven emissions, nickel, and chromates, which are known industrial carcinogens.
Substance Use Among Homeless and Runaway Adolescents

This chapter analyzes the rates and types of substance use and abuse among homeless and runaway youth and young people in the general population. In this chapter, the rates of street youth using substances such as tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, hallucinogens, methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, and MDMA (ecstasy) are presented. In this chapter, risk factors such as the street youth’s demographic characteristics, parental use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, family dysfunction, negative peer influence, and social networks are analyzed.
Surface- vs Diffusion-Limited Mechanisms of Anion Exchange in CsPbBr3 Nanocrystal Cubes Revealed through Kinetic Studies

Ion-exchange transformations allow access to nanocrystalline materials with compositions that are inaccessible via direct synthetic routes. However, additional mechanistic insight into the processes that govern these reactions is needed. We present evidence for the presence of two distinct mechanisms of exchange during anion exchange in CsPbX3 nanocrystals (NCs), ranging in size from 6.5 to 11.5 nm, for transformations from CsPbBr3 to CsPbCl3 or CsPbI3. These NCs exhibit bright luminescence throughout the exchange, allowing their optical properties to be observed in real time, in situ. The iodine exchange presents surface-reaction-limited exchanges allowing all anionic sites within the NC to appear chemically identical, whereas the chlorine exchange presents diffusion-limited exchanges proceeding through a more complicated exchange mechanism. Our results represent the first steps toward developing a microkinetic description of the anion exchange, with implications not only for understanding the lead halid...
Introducing the Language Gap

In her cogent analysis of the social discourses surrounding the “logic” of education policy over the past 60 years, Teresa McCarty points out that “[o]ne of the most pervasive discursive tropes in ...
Impact of Ethnic Composition on Mechanisms of Change in School-Based Substance Use Intervention Groups.

Delivering alcohol use intervention services in the school setting represents a key approach to engaging youth of all backgrounds, particularly underserved populations, in such programming. Relative progress has been made toward implementing culturally responsive services for youth; however, little is known about the role of ethnic composition on group processes purported to underlie mechanisms of change. We examined associations between ethnic group composition and therapeutic processes within a voluntary, school-based alcohol use intervention at seven schools across three cities (N groups = 353). Ethnic composition was characterized as: group ethnic diversity on a continuum, group ethnic homogeneity (i.e., where at least 66% of participants shared the same ethnicity), and comparing groups where one of the three largest ethnicities in the sample reached the majority (i.e., African-American vs. Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic white). Ratings on group processes were obtained from participants (satisfaction; belonging), facilitators (empathy; rapport), and coders (engagement; responsiveness). Mixed-effects models revealed that students in groups with African-American and Hispanic majorities reported a higher sense of satisfaction compared to groups with non-Hispanic white majorities. Facilitators endorsed expressing empathy more frequently with majority African-American and Hispanic groups than with non-Hispanic white groups. Study findings highlight the importance of considering different dimensions of ethnic composition when examining mechanisms of change in group intervention research.