cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The CHA2DS2-VASc Score for Risk Stratification of Stroke in Heart Failure With-vs-Without Atrial Fibrillation.

A recent study suggested that the CHA2DS2-VASc score can risk stratify heart failure (HF) patients without atrial fibrillation (AF) for stroke. We performed a retrospective analysis using the national Veteran Affairs database to externally validate the findings. Crude incidence rates of end points were calculated. A Cox proportional model was used to study the association between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and outcomes. In HF patients with AF (n = 17,481) and without AF (n = 36,935), the 1 year incidence rate for ischemic stroke, thromboembolism, thromboembolism (without MI), and death were 2.7 and 2.0%; 10.3 and 7.9%; 4.1 and 3.1%; and 19.2 and 26.0%, respectively, with higher rates with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc scores both with and without AF. CHA2DS2-VASc score predicted strokes in HF patients without AF (1-year C-statistic 0.62, 95% CI 0.60-0.64; NPV 85.4%, 95% CI 83.4-87.4%) with similar predictive ability to those with AF (C-statistic 0.59, 95% CI 0.56-0.62; NPV 86.4%, 95% CI 82.6-90.2%). Among patients with HF, there was an increased risk of stroke, thromboembolism, and death with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc scores regardless of AF status. Our findings support the use of the CHA2DS2-VASc score as a prognostic tool in HF.
Phytochemicals as potential inhibitors for novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2: a graph-based computational analysis

Corona viruses (CoVs) are a group of infectious viruses that causes the regular cold to more extreme illnesses like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and epic Covid (nCoV) is another strain that has been recently recognized in people. The formulation of effective drugs and treatment strategies are desperately required for 2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Reducing the clinical trial period of existing as well as new drugs, the phytochemicals present in natural products would be helpful to get a quick treatment solution for this pandemic. Here, computationally some of the effective phytochemicals are identified for treating Covid. Publicly available databases have been used for collecting the phytochemicals and their associated genes that also interact with Corona viruses. Then a bipartite graph has been built with two sets of inputs; one set is the set of phytochemicals and the second set is the set of viruses. Thereafter, the eigen vector centrality which is the measure of most influential node in a graph has been calculated for each phytochemical. We found four such phytochemicals which have the top four eigen vector score. Then again, all possible cliques from the bipartite graph have been calculated and it has been seen that the same top four phytochemicals are present in almost all the bicliques. Finally, these top four phytochemicals have been investigated for their molecular and drug likeliness properties. Also the ADMET profile of the top phytochemicals are explored and analyzed.
A conceptual study of transfer learning with linear models for data-driven property prediction

Abstract Transfer learning is a concept whereby data-driven models can be developed for tasks (e.g. molecular properties) with limited data availability (target task) by sharing information from a related task. In the context of chemical engineering, the two tasks can either pertain to related properties or to the same property calculated or measured in two different ways (with differing accuracies or resolution). Using an ensemble of linear and interpretable models, in this work, we present a conceptual study to explicate when transfer learning can be beneficial. We show that a large overlap of the underlying features of the two tasks (specifically greater than 50%) is required for transfer learning to improve the model for the target task. On the other hand, transferring information (in particular, information regarding salient features) from an uncorrelated task can be detrimental to train a model for the target task. Subsequently, we present three illustrative examples of transfer learning for molecular property prediction and rationalize the usefulness of transferred information based on the inferences from our conceptual studies. This work, thus, provides a simplified analysis of the concept of transfer learning for building molecular property models.
MECHANISM-BASED INHIBITORS OF ALKYLTRANSFERASES

Alkyltransferases catalyze the reaction of various cellular nucleophiles with an electrophilic carbon adjacent to electron-deficient trivalent sulfur. In the case of methyltransferases, nucleophilic attack is at the methyl group of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), whereas with the aminopropyltransferases, attack is at the less reactive aminopropyl methylene group of S-adenosyl(3-methylthio)-propylamine (decarboxylated AdoMet, dcAdoMet). Although nucleophilic attack at sp3 carbon is one of the most extensively studied reactions in organic chemistry, much less is known about the corresponding biochemical reactions catalyzed by the alkyltransferases. Our own mechanistic studies have focused on three areas of investigation: catalysis of non-enzymatic model reactions, kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and stereochemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Since this research is the basis for our inhibitor design and synthesis work, it will be reveiwed briefly here.
A User Modeling Server for Contemporary Adaptive Hypermedia: An Evaluation of the Push Approach to Evidence Propagation

Despite the growing popularity of user modeling servers, little attention has been paid to optimizing and evaluating the performance of these servers. We argue that implementation issues and their influence on server performance should become the central focus of the user modeling community, since there is a sharply increasing real-life load on user modeling servers, This paper focuses on a specific implementation-level aspect of user modeling servers --- the choice of pushor pullapproaches to evidence propagation. We present a new push-based implementation of our user modeling server CUMULATE and compare its performance with the performance of the original pull-based CUMULATE server.
Leukocyte integrin CD11b promoter directs expression in lymphocytes and granulocytes in transgenic mice

The human leukocyte integrin subunit CD11b is expressed predominantly on myelomonocytic cells. To identify CD11b promoter sequences important for myelomonocytic gene expression and to assess the utility of the CD11b promoter for expressing heterologous genes in vivo, we generated transgenic mice with a human CD4 reporter gene driven by CD11b promoter constructs composed of 1.5, 0.3, or 0.1 kb of DNA sequence 5' to the transcription start site. Using flow cytometry to detect the human CD4 reporter on murine leukocytes, two of three 1.5-kb CD11b promoter founder lines showed surface expression of the human CD4 transgene in granulocytes and lymphocytes. The transgene expression observed in lymphocytes was inappropriate relative to the normal pattern of CD11b expression. Of the eight 0.3-kb or 0.1-kb founder lines, only one 0.1-kb founder line showed transgene expression. The overall pattern of transgene expression among the 11 founder lines does not parallel expression of the endogenous CD11b gene. These studies indicate that additional CD11b regulatory elements will be required to express a reporter gene in vivo in a lineage-specific pattern that mimics the endogenous CD11b gene.
The sandy (sdy) mouse: a dysbindin-1 mutant relevant to schizophrenia research.

Abstract Dysbindin-1 reductions appear to be common in dysfunctional brain areas of schizophrenia cases. In the absence of a dysbindin-1 knockout, sandy (sdy) mice provide our only means of studying the potential contribution of this protein to clinical features of schizophrenia in live animals. Our knowledge of sandy mice is reviewed here. These mice have a deletion mutation that arose spontaneously in DBA/2J mice in the gene encoding dysbindin-1 (Dtnbp1). This null protein mutation (Dtnbp1sdy) leads to an absence of dysbindin-1 in homozygotes, as well as reductions in several direct and indirect binding partners of dysbindin-1 that contribute to the protein assembly known as BLOC-1. Studies of sdy mice on the original DBA/2J background and on a C57BL/6J background indicate that the Dtnbp1sdy mutation does not affect viability, basic sensory or motor functions, or measures of anxiety and motivation. Such studies do indicate, however, that the mutation affects several biological functions, including adrenal neurosecretion and pre- and postsynaptic aspects of dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic transmission. These effects and those on prepulse inhibition, social interaction, and diverse aspects of spatial memory suggest that homozygous sdy mice may model various features of schizophrenia.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the pediatric population: a review of current literature.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare and serious reaction to unfractionated heparin and lowmolecular-weight heparins in children. Quick recognition, discontinuation of heparin, and subsequent treatment with an alternative anticoagulant are essential steps to prevent serious complications such as thrombus and limb amputation. The purpose of this review is to describe the clinical features of heparininduced thrombocytopenia in children and to summarize the data available for its management. This paper summarizes data and relates the use of direct thrombin inhibitors with clinical outcomes. A literature search was conducted with Ovid, using the key terms argatroban, bivalirudin, hirulog, danaparoid, lepirudin, direct thrombin inhibitor, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, warfarin, and fondaparinux. Articles were excluded if they were classified as editorials, review articles, or conference
The Theory of Entrepreneurial Policy Alignment: A Newer Institutional Economics

The emergence of supply chain as a growing area of research has generated a renewed interest in theory and theory-making within the field of operations management. This interest is the result of the parallel advances in other areas like economics, sociology, and general management that have developed theoretical perspectives and tools relevant for the operations domain. Work in these areas has demonstrated the relevance of strategic action and organizational structure that are traditionally ignored in an operations framework. In this paper we propose a new theory through which existing research paradigms in the field of operations management may be reinterpreted and redirected. We call this theory the Theory of Entrepreneurial Policy Alignment (TEPA). The point of departure for the theory is the concept of the policy as the locus of institutional activity. The TEPA defines the policy as the fundamental unit of economic analysis and the strategic lever of entrepreneurial action. Analysis of policy – as opposed to the individual choice or the transaction cost – permits the examination of economic activity, which draws attention to the Schumpeterian dynamics of competing supply chains operating in environments far from equilibrium. This theoretical innovation marks the theory as distinct from others on order and can be seen as a movement through transaction cost economics. The TEPA recognizes the consequential nature of operations and incorporates policy considerations to arrive at a newer institutional economics. In this paper, we motivate the argument for developing such a theory, present its basic features and provide an example of how TEPA may be applied to a decision to offshore a manufacturing production facility.
Applying the lessons of Internet services to space systems

The goal of this work is to lower financial and engineering thresholds for deploying and interacting with small satellites and their science data. The general approach is to rely on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software for both satellites and ground systems; and to virtualize the spacecraft/ground system by "horizontalizing" into logical layers that agree upon common, portable representations for data, low-level commands, and high-level services. Recognizing that COTS brings stability and robustness challenges as well as opportunity, we apply the lessons of recovery-oriented design, as practiced in successful COTS-based Internet servers that combine high availability in a hostile operating environment with favorable economic costs, and accommodate rapid-prototyping cycles that would "open the playing field" much more widely for science data missions. As both a testbed and implementation test case, we propose a federated ground station network that supports access to space systems.
Total phenolics content, anthocyanins, and dietary fiber content of apple pomace powders produced by vacuum‐belt drying

Background Apple pomace is a waste material from apple juice processing, and contains significant amounts of dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Many of these compounds may be degraded post-pressing and during drying operations. Continuous vacuum-belt drying (VBD) was studied as a means of drying and maintaining quality of apple pomace. The color and chemical properties of samples dried by vacuum-belt drying at different temperatures were evaluated including total phenolics content (TPC), monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) and dietary fiber content (TDF). Results VBD powders were pale golden yellow, and those dried at 80°C did not differ in L*, a* and b* values from freeze-dried powders. VBD pomace had 44.9 to 51.9 g gallic acid equivalents kg−1 TPC, with greatest retention for pomace dried at 80 and 95°C. TPC for pomace dried at 80 or 95°C was not significantly different from that for freeze-dried pomace. TMA levels (74.0 mg C3G kg−1, where C3G is cyanidine 3-O-glucoside equivalents) were highest in pomace vacuum dried at 80°C. TDF ranged from 442 to 495 g kg−1 in vacuum-dried pomace and was not significantly different from TDF of freeze-dried poamce (480 g kg−1). Conclusion In all cases, TPC, TMA and TDF were higher in VBD pomace than in freeze-dried whole apple, while VBD pomace prepared at 80 or 95°C had fiber and phytochemical levels similar to freeze-dried powders. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Time-to-Passage Judgments in Nonconstant Optical Flow Fields

The time until an approaching object will pass an observer (time to passage, or TTP) is optically specified by a global flow field even in the absence of local expansion or size cues. Kaiser and Mowafy (1993) have demonstrated that observers are in fact sensitive to this global flow information. The present studies investigate two factors that are usually ignored in work related to TTP: (1) non-constant motion functions and (2) concomitant eye rotation. Non-constant velocities violate an assumption of some TTP derivations, and eye rotations may complicate heading extraction. Such factors have practical significance, for example, in the case of a pilot accelerating an aircraft or executing a roll. In our studies, a flow field of constant-sized stars was presented monocularly on a large screen. TTP judgments had to be made on the basis of one target star. The flow field varied in its acceleration pattern and its roll component. Observers did not appear to utilize acceleration information. In particular, TTPs with decelerating motion were consistently underestimated. TTP judgments were fairly robust with respect to roll, even when roll axis and track vector were decoupled. However, substantial decoupling between heading and track vector led to a decrement in performance, in both the presence and the absence of roll.
PARACONSISTENT INFERENCE FROM DATA USING EXISTENTIAL Ω-ENTAILMENT

Existential Ω-entailment is a paraconsistent entailment relation designed to show the consequences of data which is inconsistent with a set of integrity constraints Ω. In this paper, we prove semantic properties of existential Ω-entailment and give an algorithm for computing it.
Water deficit affects plant and soil water status, plant growth, and ginsenoside contents in American ginseng

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) produces pharmacologically active secondary compounds known as ginsenosides which have been shown to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In a greenhouse experiment, effects of water deficit on ginseng plant growth, predawn leaf water potential (ΨLeaf), soil water potential (ΨSoil), leaf abscisic acid (ABA) concentration, and root ginsenoside contents as well as photosynthesis-related physiological responses were studied. Three-year-old seedlings, grown in 200 mL volume of plastic pots, were well watered for 45 days prior to the initiation of water deficit treatments. Plants in the water deficit treatments were irrigated every 10 or 20 days for the mild and severe water deficit treatments, respectively, while the control plants were watered every 4 days. The experiment was terminated after 15, 6, and 3 dry down cycles (60 days) for the control, mild, and severe water deficit treatments, respectively. As water deficit progressed, both ΨSoil and ΨLeaf decreased, but foliar ABA concentration increased. Other physiological responses to water deficit, including transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and CO2 assimilation rate, were decreased. Water deficit decreased root growth, but unaffected shoot growth. Foliar chlorophyll content was also decreased in the water deficit treatments. The contents of individual ginsenosides Re, Rb1, Rc and Rd, and total ginsenosides were increased in the storage roots of water deficit-treated plants as compared with well-watered controls. Rootlet fresh weight before transplanting (RFWBT) as a covariate had a significant effect on the contents of ginsenoside Rb1, Rc, and Rb2. Overall, the results indicate that water deficit could contribute not only to reducing plant performance but also increasing the levels of ABA and certain ginsenoisdes.
Axonal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease: When signaling abnormalities meet the axonal transport system

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive, age-dependent degeneration of neurons in the central nervous system. A large body of evidence indicates that neurons affected in AD follow a dying-back pattern of degeneration, where abnormalities in synaptic function and axonal connectivity long precede somatic cell death. Mechanisms underlying dying-back degeneration of neurons in AD remain elusive but several have been proposed, including deficits in fast axonal transport (FAT). Accordingly, genetic evidence linked alterations in FAT to dying-back degeneration of neurons, and FAT defects have been widely documented in various AD models. In light of these findings, we discuss experimental evidence linking several AD-related pathogenic polypeptides to aberrant activation of signaling pathways involved in the phosphoregulation of microtubule-based motor proteins. While each pathway appears to affect FAT in a unique manner, in the context of AD, many of these pathways might work synergistically to compromise the delivery of molecular components critical for the maintenance and function of synapses and axons. Therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing FAT deficits by normalizing the activity of specific protein kinases may help prevent degeneration of vulnerable neurons in AD.
A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TISSUE DYNAMICS DURING CLOSURE IN THE TRAPS OF VENUS'S FLYTRAP DIONAEA MUSCIPULA ELLIS

The mechanisms by which Venus's Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) close are not clearly understood, and several conflicting models have been proposed. We have measured the dynamics of five trap tissues from three trap regions during full closure ofyoung, fully developed, previously unclosed traps. Closure was divided into three distinct stages: 1) Capture- occurred immediately after stimulation of the trigger hairs and involved the rapid inward flexure of the trap margin and tynes. This motion interlocked the tynes, effectively capturing the prey. This was the only rapid movement of the trap; 2) Appression-completed by 30 min poststimulation, was characterized by contact of the margins; and 3) Sealing-completed by 1 hr poststimulation, was characterized by a sealed "digestive" sac formed around the potential prey, also by tight appression and recurved bending of the trap-margins. Major tissue dynamics that facilitated changes in trap morphology (hence, closure) occurred in different regions of the trap during different periods of time. The first regions where activity occurred were the A and C regions (Fig. 1), after approximately 15 min poststimulation; tissues in the C regions were most active followed by those in the B region of the trap (30 min to 1 hr poststimulation). Thus, shape changes during each stage of closure were the result of temporally separated changes in trap tissue volume. The complete sequence of events was elicited by a single 5-sec period of trigger hair stimulation. Our study showed that changes in the curvature of the trap during closure involved the expansion of opposing tissue groups (i.e., on opposite sides of trap medullary tissues). The pressure from contact of opposing trap lobes during the Appression stage may play an important role in regulating further trap closure and morphology.
The burden of inappropriate shocks in young people and how to avoid them

Implicated in up to half of all cardiovascular mortality among developed nations worldwide,w1 w2 sudden cardiac death (SCD) is associated with approximately 450 000 deaths annually in the USA and >700 000 deaths in Europe.w3 w4 In 23% of out-of-hospital and 17% of inhospital cardiac arrests, the initial observed rhythm was ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), both potentially treatable with defibrillation.w5 w6 Large scale trials have also demonstrated that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can improve survival through terminating malignant ventricular arrhythmias, particularly among SCD survivorsw7 and heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction.w8–w12 Based on these data, there has been a dramatic surge in the utilisation of ICDs over the past two decades, with 116 000 ICD device implantations in the USA in 2009 alone, of which 53 000 (46%) were implanted in patients younger than the age of 65 years.w6 With increasing use of ICDs, there has also been heightened awareness of device-related complications and associated risk–benefit trade-offs. Specifically, although it is clear that appropriate ICD therapies extend survival, inappropriate ICD shocks are common and occur in a similar magnitude of patients.w12 w13 Frequent ICD shocks are associated with diminished quality of life,w14 w15 and significant anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress in a minority of patients.w16 w17 In addition, inappropriate ICD shocks have been linked to the possibility of proarryhthmiaw18–w20 and are associated with increased mortality in some patients, although any causal relationship remains controversial.1–3 w21–w23 Conversely, interventions to prevent inappropriate ICD shocks reduce morbidity,4 and also have been shown to reduce heart failure hospitalisation.5 As the use of ICDs continues to expand further into primary prevention and younger patient populations, identifying at-risk patients and devising a treatment plan for patients suffering from inappropriate shocks are critical. Strategies to avoid inappropriate …
In vitroAnalysis of a Constitutively Active Mutant Form of theEscherichia coliGlobal Transcription Factor FNR

The Escherichia coli transcription factor FNR regulates expression of genes required for the metabolic switch between aerobic and anaerobic respiration. In order to investigate how FNR controls transcription of its target operons, DNA binding was examined for both the wild-type (WT) FNR protein and an altered function FNR* protein (DA154) that exhibits enhanced activity in the presence of oxygen both in vivo and in vitro, apparently due to the fact that DA154 is able to dimerize to a greater extent than WT FNR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, using a consensus symmetrical FNR target site, revealed that both DA154 and WT FNR gave rise to protein-DNA complexes of indistinguishable electrophoretic mobilities. In addition, an estimate of the molecular weight from the mobility of the DA154-DNA complex indicated that both mutant and WT FNR were dimeric when bound to DNA. Under the same binding conditions, DA154 showed an observed constant of approximately 3 x 10(8) M-1 for the consensus symmetrical target site. In addition, the results of DNA binding competition assays provided evidence that DA154 was a site-specific DNA binding protein, since this mutant protein bound to the consensus symmetrical target site with approximately 40-fold and 250-fold higher affinity than a natural target site from the nar promoter or a non-specific DNA target, respectively. Electrophoretic mobility shift DNA bending assays demonstrated protein-induced DNA bending by both DA154 and WT FNR. In addition, in vitro transcription assays using an FNR-dependent variant of the lac P1 promoter demonstrated levels of transcription activation by DA154 comparable to those observed in vivo. These results provide several new insights into how FNR functions to activate transcription of target genes.
Specific heat of polyglycine I and II in the temperature interval 150–375 K

Abstract The specific heat, C, of polyglycine I (β-sheet) and II (3I helix) have been determined in the temperature interval 150–375 K by differential scanning calorimetry. The apparatus repeated National Bureau of Standards' adiabatic calorimetry specific heat measurements on sapphire to within 2% and on high density polyethylene to within 5%. The conformation of the lyophilized polyglycine samples was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. The specific heat of polyglycine is fitted by the following expressions to within ± 7% experimentally: polyglycine I: C = 37.744 ± 0.218T − 2.333 × 10−6 T2 (σ = 3.3) J mole−1 K−1 polyglycine II: C = 57.598 + 0.05T + 2.357 × 10−4 T2 (σ = 2.5) J mole−1 K−1 The specific heat of polyglycine I and II differs markedly and unexpectedly from that of poly-L-alanine in the α-helix and β-sheet forms. It is hoped that these results will encourage theoretical calculations.
Technocracy revisited: knowledge, power and the crisis in energy decision making:

Technocracy is problematic because it disempowers citizens. Previously, scholars worried that technocracy empowered technical elites. When that con tention failed, technocracy was dismissed as not being a serious problem. But the literature was half right. The growing importance of scientific technology in public affairs does have an effect on the power relationships within society. The mistake was assuming that possession of scientific knowledge automati cally enhanced power for the possessors. That error came out of a conceptual confusion about the nature of power relationships and the role of scientific knowledge within them. This paper will review that conceptual ground and reformulate the concept of technocracy. It then presents a case study in energy policy, virtually a critical case, showing the empirical validity of the reformu lation of technocracy.
An Examination of the Theory of Heterogeneous Nucleation of Ice

Abstract Examination of the theory of heterogeneous nucleation of ice has led to a number of observations which indicate several inconsistencies between this theory and experimental observations. Using activity curves for AgI-bearing smokes proposed by Fletcher, we have calculated the hypothetical efficiency curves from log-normal distributions of such smokes. We have also generated ΔT vs radius (Ra) data from fitted curves to experimental activity data to test the values of contact and other parameters in the theory. As a result of the above analysis, we observe that: Using a KI-AgI activity curve and log-normal smoke distributions, the resulting efficiency curve shows a sharp-kneed trend completely unlike the smooth sweeping trends of actual curves observed by experiments. Some of the data involving means of distributions of smoke sizes are considerably different from those estimated from electron micrographs. When inserted into the theoretical expressions the generated ΔT and Ra data result in values o...
Support vector machines for learning to identify the critical positions of a protein.

A method for identifying the positions in the amino acid sequence, which are critical for the catalytic activity of a protein using support vector machines (SVMs) is introduced and analysed. SVMs are supported by an efficient learning algorithm and can utilize some prior knowledge about the structure of the problem. The amino acid sequences of the variants of a protein, created by inducing mutations, along with their fitness are required as input data by the method to predict its critical positions. To investigate the performance of this algorithm, variants of the β-lactamase enzyme were created in silico using simulations of both mutagenesis and recombination protocols. Results from literature on β-lactamase were used to test the accuracy of this method. It was also compared with the results from a simple search algorithm. The algorithm was also shown to be able to predict critical positions that can tolerate two different amino acids and retain function.
Meconium pseudocyst in a newborn.

A 1-day-old, full-term male infant had a right groinswelling that was nonreducible. Ultrasonography ofthe right groin demonstrated the presence of calcifi-cations (A, arrowhead), an undescended testicle (A &B, white arrow), and evidence of an incarceratedloopof bowel (B, arrowhead). An abdominal x-ray showedmultiple calcifications in the right groin and scrotalsac consistent with a suspected scrotal meconiumpseudocyst (C, arrowhead).He had diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate the possi-bility of an intraperitoneal perforation or meconiumperitonitis. It revealed a prenatal incarcerated right in-guinal hernia with a right undescended testicle with noevidence of perforation. At operative exploration, alarge meconium pseudocyst with multiple calcifica-tionsandmeconiumwaspresentintherightgroinscro-talsac.Thepseudocystwascompletelyresectedthroughagroinincision.Afullorchiopexywasperformedontheright testicle. Intraoperative ultrasonography showedadequatebloodflowtothetesticledespiteincarceration.The indirect hernia sac was ligated and a Bassini repairwas used because of the large size and chronic nature ofthe incarcerated hernia, which resulted in disruption ofthe inguinal floor. Careful examination of the intraab-dominal viscera showed no evidence of intestinal perfo-ration. The patient had an uneventful postoperativecourse.Meconium pseudocysts are commonly associatedwith meconium peritonitis, a serious and potentiallyfatal neonatal condition that occurs secondary to fetalbowel perforation.
Lifestyle and health status in long-term cardiac transplant recipients.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the lifestyle and health status of long-term cardiac transplant recipients. Design And Setting: The study was a descriptive correlational design at a health sciences center. Measures: We measured lifestyle, using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, and indicators of health status (eg, number of medications, infections, and rejections; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; lipid profile; and percent ideal body weight) in 47 patients after an annual evaluation or follow-up visit after patients received cardiac transplantation. Results: Patients were primarily male, white, 56.5 years old and 75.6 months after transplant. Spiritual growth was the most frequently reported lifestyle characteristic (mean, 27.4; SD, 4.9). The least frequently reported lifestyle characteristic was engagement in physical activity (mean, 18.4; SD, 5.7). Factorial between-subjects analysis of variance demonstrated that women had a higher high-density lipoprotein level (P =.0001) and reported healthier dietary habits (P =.02) and greater spiritual growth (P =.006) than men. African Americans reported poorer stress management behaviors (P =.04). Recipients whose heart failure was due to ischemic cardiomyopathy had a lower percent ideal body weight than those with a nonischemic cause (P =.01). Recipients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy had a higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P =.05) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P =.05) than those without cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and those persons who required maintenance corticosteroid therapy reported poorer interpersonal relationships than those persons not receiving corticosteroids (P =.04). Conclusion: Cardiac transplant recipients did not consistently include health-promoting behaviors in their lifestyles although some of the behaviors were associated with a better health status. Future research should be aimed at identifying factors that affect the ability to make and sustain changes in lifestyle and improve health status. (Heart Lung® 2001;30:445-57.)
The Term 1s 2 2s2p3s 4 P° in the First Spectrum of Boron*

The following levels have been identified in B i: 1s22s2p3s P41/2°at77 168+xP43/2°at77 175+xP45/2°at77 187+x cm-1.
A Report of an Additional 52 Cases Compared with a Previous Study of 50 Cases

Summary An additional 52 cases of cor pulmonale are analyzed and compared with the data recorded previously in a series of 50 cases from this hospital. A positive correlation was carried out on all points mentioned previously and no significant findings are compiled to refute what was set down in the early paper.
Making study abroad a reality for all students

One of the most widely discussed and highly agreed upon curricular issues for business and economic programs is the need to integrate international topics into the curriculum. Evidence indicates that little progress has been made in achieving this objective. To ignite the process of internationalizing the curriculum, a departmental study abroad program, based on the experience of Niagara University and Schiller International University, is proposed. Unlike most study abroad models, this approach systematically links the curricula of the host and domestic institutions. Faculty, who on most campuses are largely bystanders in the study abroad process, now assume a central role. This approach makes study abroad a major campus focus and a source of faculty development in international topics.
Laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery

In the short time since LC was first performed in humans, minimal-access surgical techniques have been applied to the full spectrum of surgical therapy of gastrointestinal diseases. For many gastrointestinal diseases, [figure: see text] laparoscopy seems to offer advantages over traditional open surgery. The long-term results of laparoscopic surgery for cancer await the results of prospective clinical trials currently underway and caution is urged when laparoscopic curative resection is performed. On the horizon are significant improvements in technology that should lead to further applications and advances in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery.
(S)-1-[3-Hydroxy-2-(Phosphonylmethoxy)propyl]cytosine (Cidofovir): Results of a Phase I/II Study of a Novel Antiviral Nucleotide Analogue

Cidofovir, (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonylmethoxy)propyl]cytosine, is a novel antiviral nucleotide analogue with potent in vitro and in vivo activity against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other herpesviruses. Thirty-one human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with asymptomatic CMV excretion were evaluated in a phase I/II study with 2 regimens of cidofovir: cidofovir alone at doses of 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, or 10.0 mg/kg/week (20 patients) and cidofovir at 3.0, 5.0, or 7.5 mg/kg with concomitant oral probenecid, saline prehydration, extended dosing intervals, and drug interruption for proteinuria (19 patients). Prolonged and dose-dependent anti-CMV effect was observed with all cidofovir regimens > or = 3.0 mg/kg. The dose-limiting toxicity of cidofovir was dose- and schedule-dependent nephrotoxicity. Four of 20 patients had serum creatinine levels > or = 2.0 mg/dL after a mean cumulative exposure of 14.8 mg/kg cidofovir alone; however, none of 19 patients receiving the modified regimen had elevated creatinine (mean cidofovir exposure, 32.2 mg/kg). The clinical efficacy of cidofovir and its potential for cumulative nephrotoxicity needs further study in patients with end-organ CMV disease.
The effects of lauryl maltoside on the reactivation of several enzymes after treatment with guanidinium chloride.

Abstract The present study confirms the previous reports that detergents can facilitate the reactivation of guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) denatured rhodanese (Tandon, S. and Horowitz, P. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15615–15618; Tandon, S. and Horowitz, P. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 4486–4491). Here, we report the effect of the detergent, lauryl maltoside, on the reactivation of several enzymes other than rhodanese. For this study we used five different enzymes each having a single polypeptide chain, namely: adenosine deaminase; 3-phosphoglyceric phosphokinase; myokinase; 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; and phosphoglucomutase. The regain of enzyme activity was used to monitor refolding. Like rhodanese, these enzymes were denatured in 6 M GdmCl and diluted into a buffer containing various concentrations of lauryl maltoside. The effect of lauryl maltoside on reactivating these proteins depended on the specific enzyme used. For example, in the presence of lauryl maltoside, reactivation of adenosine deaminase increased to 98%, while phosphoglucomutase could not be reactivated significantly. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of lauryl maltoside was measured under the present experimental conditions using 2-( p -toluidinyl)naphthalene 6-sulfonate (TNS) as an apolar fluorescent probe, and gave a value of 0.085 mg·ml −1 in 10 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.4). The reactivating effect of lauryl maltoside was not generally related to its CMC. In some cases an induction period was observed before the enzyme attained its steady-state velocity. This might suggest the presence of intermediate(s) in the refolding pathway that could have been stabilized by the detergent. These findings indicate that ‘non-denaturing’ detergents may be useful for assisting reactivation of enzymes, although the optimum conditions will have to be determined for each individual case.
Countably Complementable Linear Orderings

We say that a countable linear ordering \(\mathcal L\) is countably complementable if there exists a linear ordering \(\overline{\mathcal L}\), possibly uncountable, such that for any countable linear ordering \(\mathcal B\),\(\mathcal L\) does not embed into \(\mathcal B\) if and only if \(\mathcal B\) embeds into \(\overline{\mathcal L}\). We characterize the linear orderings which are countably complementable. We also show that this property is equivalent to the countable version of the finitely faithful extension property introduced by Hagendorf. Using similar methods and introducing the notion of weakly countably complementable linear orderings, we answer a question posed by Rosenstein and prove the countable case of a conjecture of Hagendorf, namely, that every countable linear ordering satisfies the countable version of the totally faithful extension property.
Stress Response and Posttransport Survival of Hybrid Striped Bass Transported with or without Clove Oil

Abstract A study was undertaken to determine whether stress responses and associated mortality in hybrid striped bass (white bass Morone chrysops × striped bass M. saxatilis) during and after transport could be mitigated by use of anesthesia with low concentrations of clove oil (10 μL/L of water) during transport. Stress indicators, including plasma cortisol, glucose, chloride (Cl−), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca++) concentrations, were determined for hybrid striped bass sampled (1) initially from ponds, (2) after seining (45 min), (3) immediately after a 3-h transport, and (4) at 24 h posttransport (recovery); these values were compared with those of captive control fish. Fish anesthetized with clove oil during transport exhibited prolonged elevation of cortisol concentrations (124.3 ± 13.2 ng/mL, mean ± SE) at 24 h posttransport, while fish not exposed to anesthetic during transport recovered rapidly (to 34.1 ± 13.3 ng/mL) within 24 h. Plasma glucose concentrations in hybrid striped bass...
Markov chain approximations to symmetric diffusions

Abstract This paper contains an attempt to carry out for diffusions corresponding to divergence form operators the sort of approximation via Markov chains which is familiar in the non-divergence form context. At the heart of the our procedure are an extension to the discrete setting of the famous De Giorgi-Moser-Nash theory.
Mitochondria-derived superoxide and voltage-gated sodium channels in baroreceptor neurons from chronic heart-failure rats.

Our previous study has shown that chronic heart failure (CHF) reduces expression and activation of voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels in baroreceptor neurons, which are involved in the blunted baroreceptor neuron excitability and contribute to the impairment of baroreflex in the CHF state. The present study examined the role of mitochondria-derived superoxide in the reduced Nav channel function in coronary artery ligation-induced CHF rats. CHF decreased the protein expression and activity of mitochondrial complex enzymes and manganese SOD (MnSOD) and elevated the mitochondria-derived superoxide level in the nodose neurons compared with those in sham nodose neurons. Adenoviral MnSOD (Ad.MnSOD) gene transfection (50 multiplicity of infection) into the nodose neurons normalized the MnSOD expression and reduced the elevation of mitochondrial superoxide in the nodose neurons from CHF rats. Ad.MnSOD also partially reversed the reduced protein expression and current density of the Nav channels and the suppressed cell excitability (the number of action potential and the current threshold for inducing action potential) in aortic baroreceptor neurons from CHF rats. Data from the present study indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction, including decreased protein expression and activity of mitochondrial complex enzymes and MnSOD and elevated mitochondria-derived superoxide, contributes to the reduced Nav channel activation and cell excitability in the aortic baroreceptor neurons in CHF rats.
Costimulation of T cells by OX40, 4-1BB, and CD27

Costimulatory signals have been defined as signals brought about by ligation of membrane bound molecules that synergize with, or modify, signals provided when the T cell receptor engages peptide-MHC complexes. In large part, costimulatory signals are essential for many facets of a T cell response, and the general rule is that without these signals, a T cell is ineffective and may often succumb to death or become unresponsive. Until recently, costimulation has been dominated by studies of the Ig superfamily member, CD28, a constitutively expressed molecule that is required to initiate a majority of T cell responses. However, growing evidence over the past few years has now shown that several members of the TNFR family, OX40 (CD134), 4-1BB (CD137), and CD27, are equally important to the effective generation of many types of T cell response. In contrast to CD28, these molecules are either induced or highly upregulated on the T cell surface a number of hours or days after recognition of antigen, and appear to provide signals to allow continued cell division initially regulated by CD28 and/or to prevent excessive cell death several days into the response. An argument can be made that these molecules control the absolute number of effector T cells that are generated at the peak of the immune response and dictate the frequency of memory T cells that subsequently develop. The exact relationship between OX40, 4-1BB, and CD27, is at present unknown, including whether these molecules act together, or sequentially, or control differing types of T cell response. This review will focus on recent studies of these molecules and discuss their implications.
Repetition in Nonnative Speaker Writing: More than Quantity

This paper presents an empirical study of repetition in expository essays written by 24 nonnative speakers (NNS) and 16 native speakers (NS) of English. Repetition is coded according to three categories: the degree of particular types of repetition, the interaction between instances of repetition, and the location of these interactions (Hoey, 1991). Four quantitative measures devised for this study show no significant differences between the two groups. A qualitative comparison of three essays from each group, however, shows that the NSSs do not match their degree of repetition to the development of the argument structure of the text in the same way as the NSs. These examples from NNS texts show that when considering the significance of repetition the content of what is being repeated is as important as the quantity.
‘B Seeing U’ in unfamiliar places: ESL writers, email epistolaries, and critical computer literacy

Abstract This article poses a rich, to date unexplored, resource for facilitating students’ development of critical technological literacy: the email epistolary novel. With reference to a developmental writing class populated primarily by international English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students, the article describes how the study of an email epistolary helped students to examine technology critically and made students’ technological literacies a course emphasis. This approach to writing pedagogy, the article argues, illustrates how ESL students negotiate their technological literacies in the context of their assimilation into American undergraduate communities. The article concludes by suggesting that email epistolaries can guide students at all levels toward more nuanced understandings of how technological literacy emerges in dialogue with other literacy practices.
On the semantics of theory change: arbitration between old and new information

Katsuno and Mendelzon divide theory change, the problem of adding new information to a logical theory, into two types: revision and update. We propose a third type of theory change: arbitration. The key idea is the following: the new information is considered neither better nor worse than the old information represented by the logical theory. The new information is simply one voice against a set of others already incorporated into the logical theory. From this follows that arbitration should be commutative. First we define arbitration by a set of postulates and then describe a model-theoretic characterization of arbitration for the case of propositional logical theories. We also study weighted arbitration where different models of a theory can have different weights.