cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of us adults attempting tobacco use cessation using e-cigarettes

Abstract Background Use of e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation efforts is a growing trend in the United States. However, little is known about the factors that determine the use of e-cigarettes for this specific purpose. Methods This study examined current and former cigarette smokers that reported ever using e-cigarettes. Data were obtained from a 2018 Texas population health assessment survey (n = 569) and weighted to be representative to Texas. A multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the socio-demographic and behavioral correlates of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation. Results Overall, 41.3% of e-cigarette users reported using them for tobacco cessation. Among ever e-cigarette users, Non-Hispanic blacks (aOR: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.64), males (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20–0.80), and individuals not confident in obtaining health information (aOR: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15–0.96) were less likely to use e-cigarettes for tobacco use cessation. Conversely, among ever e-cigarette users, odds of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation were higher among those who were 35–44 years old (aOR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.26–10.71), those who received advice to quit smoking from a healthcare professional (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI, 1.36–5.64), and those with more than 5 years since their last routine checkup (aOR: 3.91; 95% CI, 1.23–12.45). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that both health behaviors and sociodemographic factors predict use of e-cigarettes for the purpose of tobacco cessation. Furthermore, the relationship between use of e-cigarettes as a cessation device and being advised to quit tobacco use by a healthcare professional calls for additional investigation.
Drivers and Consequences of Alternative Landscape Futures on Wildlife Distributions in New England, United States

In an era of rapid climate and land transformation, it is increasingly important to understand how future changes impact natural systems. Scenario studies can offer the structure and perspective needed to understand the impacts of change and help inform management and conservation decisions. We implemented a scenario-based approach to assess how two high impact drivers of landscape change influence the distributions of managed wildlife species (n = 10) in the New England region of the northeastern United States. We used expert derived species distribution models (SDMs) and scenarios developed by the New England Landscape Futures Project (NELFP) to estimate how species distributions change under various trajectories (n = 5) of landscape change. The NELFP scenarios were built around two primary drivers – Socio-Economic Connectedness (SEC) and Natural Resource Planning and Innovation (NRPI) – and provide plausible alternatives for how the New England region may change over fifty years (2010 to 2060). Our models generally resulted in species occurrence and richness declines by 2060. The majority of species (7 of 10) experienced declines in regional occurrence for all NELFP scenarios, and one species experienced a projected increase in mean regional occurrence for all scenarios. Our results indicate that the NRPI and SEC drivers strongly influenced projected distribution changes compared to baseline projections. NRPI had a greater impact on distribution change for five species (coyote, moose, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey), while SEC had a greater impact on four species (American black bear, bobcat, raccoon, and red fox); one species (gray fox) was equally influenced by both NRPI and SEC. These results emphasize the importance of integrating both natural resource planning and socio-economic factors when addressing issues of distribution change and offer insights that can inform proactive management and conservation planning.
Adenovirus polypeptide IX revealed as capsid cement by difference images from electron microscopy and crystallography

Particles of adenovirus type 2 (ad2), when disassembled, consistently yield groups-of-nine (GON) hexons, which are the major virion shell component. The location of a minor component (6%) of the GON has been determined using a novel combination of electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. The Brookhaven Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) was used to estimate the distribution of protein in the GON to a resolution of 15-18 A. The relative hexon positions then were determined to within 1 A using a model of the hexon derived from the X-ray crystal structure to search the STEM image. The difference image between the STEM image and a model hexon group reveals individual monomers of polypeptide IX extending along the hexon--hexon interfaces. The distribution confirms our earlier proposal that four trimers of polypeptide IX are embedded in the large cavities in the upper surface of the GON to cement hexons into a highly-stable assembly.
Spatiotemporal variables to understand visitor travel patterns: A management-centric approach

Abstract Managers of parks and protected areas can use information about visitor travel patterns to conserve the biophysical resource and provide opportunities for quality visitor experiences. Visitor travel patterns are affected by the unique context of each park and protected area and can be assessed in a multitude of ways. Consequently, researchers have used numerous operationalizations and associated methods to understand visitor travel. However, during previous investigations, management input has not been fully taken into consideration to identify which spatiotemporal variables are the most important for understanding visitor travel patterns. In this study, the research team conducted semi-structured interviews and surveyed managers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park to determine which spatiotemporal variables were deemed the most important for understanding visitor travel patterns at the park, and distributed GPS data loggers to day visitors. Next, the spatiotemporal variables identified by managers were used to cluster travel groups using data collected by the GPS data loggers. Travel attributes of these groups were compared to gain more understanding of visitor travel patterns. Lastly, 3D geovisualizations that are intuitive and easy to understand were created for management purposes. A significant finding produced by this research was that managers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park identified three temporal variables as being the most important for understanding visitor travel patterns: total time spent at attraction areas, total time spent at the visitor center, and total time spent in the park.
Between history and philosophy: Anecdotes in early China: edited by Paul van els & sarah A. Queen, albany: SUNY press, 2017, pp. 376. $95.00 hardcover; $33.95 paperback. ISBN: 978-1-4384-6612-5

Between History and Philosophy: Anecdotes in Early China offers a collection of essays with a focus on the rhetorical functions of anecdotes in the historical writings of early China between the pe...
Generalized symmetries of partial differential equations and quasi-exact solvability

Abstract Using the adjoint action of infinitesimal translations (with respect to some (in)dependent variables) on specific finite-dimensional subspaces of the space of generalized symmetries of a system of partial differential equations, we explicitly determine the dependence of coefficients of generalized symmetries from these subspaces on the variables mentioned above. We establish the connection of our results with the theory of quasi-exactly solvable models.
Extraordinary Permittivity Modulation in Zinc Oxide for Ultrafast Dynamic Nanophotonics

This work reports on the extraordinarily large optically-induced permittivity changes in zinc oxide thin films. Broadband, large reflectance modulation is demonstrated in both planar films and patterned resonators in the NIR wavelength range.
WearID: Low-Effort Wearable-Assisted Authentication of Voice Commands via Cross-Domain Comparison without Training

Due to the open nature of voice input, voice assistant (VA) systems (e.g., Google Home and Amazon Alexa) are vulnerable to various security and privacy leakages (e.g., credit card numbers, passwords), especially when issuing critical user commands involving large purchases, critical calls, etc. Though the existing VA systems may employ voice features to identify users, they are still vulnerable to various acoustic-based attacks (e.g., impersonation, replay, and hidden command attacks). In this work, we propose a training-free voice authentication system, WearID, leveraging the cross-domain speech similarity between the audio domain and the vibration domain to provide enhanced security to the ever-growing deployment of VA systems. In particular, when a user gives a critical command, WearID exploits motion sensors on the user’s wearable device to capture the aerial speech in the vibration domain and verify it with the speech captured in the audio domain via the VA device’s microphone. Compared to existing approaches, our solution is low-effort and privacy-preserving, as it neither requires users’ active inputs (e.g., replying messages/calls) nor to store users’ privacy-sensitive voice samples for training. In addition, our solution exploits the distinct vibration sensing interface and its short sensing range to sound (e.g., 25cm) to verify voice commands. Examining the similarity of the two domains’ data is not trivial. The huge sampling rate gap (e.g., 8000Hz vs. 200Hz) between the audio and vibration domains makes it hard to compare the two domains’ data directly, and even tiny data noises could be magnified and cause authentication failures. To address the challenges, we investigate the complex relationship between the two sensing domains and develop a spectrogram-based algorithm to convert the microphone data into the lower-frequency “ motion sensor data” to facilitate cross-domain comparisons. We further develop a user authentication scheme to verify that the received voice command originates from the legitimate user based on the cross-domain speech similarity of the received voice commands. We report on extensive experiments to evaluate the WearID under various audible and inaudible attacks. The results show WearID can verify voice commands with 99.8% accuracy in the normal situation and detect 97.2% fake voice commands from various attacks, including impersonation/replay attacks and hidden voice/ultrasound attacks.
Improving The Match: Use of Preference Signaling to Optimize the Urology Match Interview Process.

Objectives To outline the principles and premise, pros and cons of the use of preference signaling (PS) in the Urology Match. Methods PS is a standardized system in which a student may send a signal or token to a particular program to demonstrate genuine interest in advance of application review and interview selection. The available literature of the use of PS in other fields was assessed and applied to the unique construct of the Urology Match. Potential benefits and challenges are discussed and a process and timeline for implementation are presented. Results PS requires a limited number of signals to maintain value, a transparent system to disclose and distribute signals and continuous data assessment for optimization. It standardizes pre interview communication and highlights for programs which applicants have sincere interest although it does not directly address application overload. Conclusion PS is a viable and equitable method for applicants to indicate interest directly, confidentially and intentionally indicate interest in a program which can allow a program to maximize scarce resources such as time and interview slots in the match process.
The Ingredients in Food: Geography, Philosophy, and Team Teaching

Students in The Honors College at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are required to take a team-taught first-year seminar in their first semester. The seminar is theme-based and taught by two pro...
Athena: high-performance sparse tensor contraction sequence on heterogeneous memory

Sparse tensor contraction sequence has been widely employed in many fields, such as chemistry and physics. However, how to efficiently implement the sequence faces multiple challenges, such as redundant computations and memory operations, massive memory consumption, and inefficient utilization of hardware. To address the above challenges, we introduce Athena, a high-performance framework for SpTC sequences. Athena introduces new data structures, leverages emerging Optane-based heterogeneous memory (HM) architecture, and adopts stage parallelism. In particular, Athena introduces shared hash table-represented sparse accumulator to eliminate unnecessary input processing and data migration; Athena uses a novel data-semantic guided dynamic migration solution to make the best use of the Optane-based HM for high performance; Athena also co-runs execution phases with different characteristics to enable high hardware utilization. Evaluating with 12 datasets, we show that Athena brings 327-7362× speedup over the state-of-the-art SpTC algorithm. With the dynamic data placement guided by data semantics, Athena brings performance improvement on Optane-based HM over a state-of-the-art software-based data management solution, a hardware-based data management solution, and PMM-only by 1.58×, 1.82×, and 2.34× respectively. Athena also showcases its effectiveness in quantum chemistry and physics scenarios.
Targeted cancer treatment and fertility: effect of immunotherapy and small molecule inhibitors on female reproduction

Targeted cancer therapy is rapidly evolving the landscape of personalized health care. Novel approaches to selectively impeding tumour growth carry significant potential to improve survival outcomes, particularly for reproductive-aged patients harbouring treatment refractory disease. Current agents fall within two classes: immunotherapy and small molecule inhibitors. These are collectively divided into the following subclasses: monoclonal antibodies; immunomodulators; adoptive cell therapy; treatment vaccines; kinase inhibitors; proteasome inhibitors; metalloproteinase and heat shock protein inhibitors; and promoters of apoptosis. The short- and long-term effects of these treatments on the female reproductive system are not well understood. As a result, clinicians are rendered unable to appropriately counsel women on downstream effects to their fertility. Data-driven consensus recommendations are desperately needed. This review aims to characterize the effect of targeted cancer therapy on the female hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis, direct ovarian function and conception.
Review of Changes in the Reinforcing Effects of Alcohol in Weight Loss Surgery Patients.

Purpose of review The reinforcing effects of alcohol are well documented, and they have been shown to play a role in the development of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Also well established is the fact that post-weight loss surgery (WLS) patients are at an increased risk for AUDs. In the current manuscript, we review the notion that the reinforcing effects of alcohol may change from before to after WLS and discuss a number of determinants of alcohol reinforcement change in WLS patients. Recent findings It has been increasingly well understood that WLS patients are at an increased risk for AUD, but empirical support for the mechanisms that may cause this phenomenon have been lacking. Recently, a model was proposed that offered a number of different potentially causal variables as mechanisms that result in increased risk for AUD in these surgical patients. Change in the extent to which alcohol is reinforcing to WLS patients may be key in determining the likelihood of AUDs in this group. We review a host of biological, psychological, and social variables that ultimately impact how reinforcing alcohol is to WLS patients.
Yttrium ibritumomab tiuxetan in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: current status and future prospects.

After nearly three decades with little change in the treatment for B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the addition of immunotherapy has had a profound effect on the treatment of this group of diseases. A more subtle addition to the armentarium has been the radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, 90yttrium ibritumomab tiuxetan and 131iodine tositumomab. Unfortunately these drugs have been underutilized. This is, in part, because of the need for coordination between specialties, concern about long-term effects, possible limitations on the tolerance of subsequent therapies and, in part, because of reimbursement factors. In this review, the studies in relapsed and refractory disease are discussed and the very promising results reported from phase II studies using radioimmunotherapy as first-line. Potential mechanisms of resistance to monoclonal antibodies are postulated based on alterations in cell signaling pathways that have been observed in lymphoma cell lines resistant to rituximab. It is anticipated that as mechanisms of resistance are better understood for both unlabeled and labeled monoclonal antibodies, biomarkers will not only predict their efficacy but also lead to the development of therapies to overcome resistance.
Decreased macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA expression from activated cord versus adult mononuclear cells: altered posttranscriptional stability

We have previously shown that protein production and mRNA expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and interleukin-3 are decreased in stimulated mononuclear cells (MNCs) from human umbilical cord compared with adult peripheral blood. These deficiencies may contribute to the increased susceptibility of neonates to infection. Macrophage colony- stimulating factor (M-CSF) regulates the proliferation, differentiation, and functional activation of monocytes. In the present study, we compared the regulation of M-CSF gene expression and protein production from stimulated cord and adult MNCs. Upon adhesion to tissue culture flasks, both cord and adult MNCs constitutively expressed M-CSF mRNA. In response to both adhesion and recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM- CSF) stimulation for 120 hours, radioimmunoassays and bioassays showed that cord MNCs produced twofold to threefold less M-CSF protein compared with adult MNCs. Northern blot analysis also showed a fourfold decrease in M-CSF mRNA expression in both unstimulated and GM-CSF- induced cord versus adult MNCs. M-CSF mRNA expression in both cord and adult MNCs peaked between 16 and 24 hours and decreased to normal levels by 48 hours. We next determined the relative rates of transcription of the M-CSF gene by nuclear run-on assays in both cord and adult MNCs. The basal level signal of the M-CSF gene was similar between cord and adult MNCs. The transcriptional rate after stimulation with rhGM-CSF appeared to increase to a similar extent in both cord and adult MNCs (130% +/- 10% v 150% +/- 15%, C v A, n = 3, mean +/- SD). The comparative stability of M-CSF mRNA from cord versus adult MNCs was next determined by actinomycin D decay studies. The half-life of M-CSF mRNA from stimulated adult MNCs was 70 +/- 7.0 minutes (n = 4) compared with 47 +/- 2.8 minutes (n = 3) from stimulated cord MNCs (mean +/- SD, P < .05). To further determine the involvement of labile protein factors in posttranscriptional regulation, cord and adult MNCs were incubated with cycloheximide (CHX; 10 micrograms/mL). There was a significant increase in the induction of M-CSF mRNA by CHX treatment in both cord and adult MNCs. The increase of M-CSF mRNA induction by CHX was 2.5 times higher in cord MNCs compared with that in adult MNCs. These results suggest that there are one or more labile proteins that regulate M-CSF transcript stability in both cord and adult MNCs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Chapter 1.4 The validity of intracerebral microdialysis

Abstract Notwithstanding its invasiveness, intracerebral microdialysis has become a popular tool in monitoring and interpreting neurochemical processes in the brain in conjunctions with various stimuli or pharmacological/pathological alterations in behavioral or pharmacological studies. The most widely used quantitative methods are the zero-net-flux (ZNF) method and the varied flow rate method, both of which have been questioned about their validity to determine the true “unperturbed” basal concentration of extracellular neurotransmitters. This inability is attributed to the inevitable disruption of both neurotransmitter release and uptake sites during microdialysis probe implantation. Model simulations show that if microdialysis impairs the neurotransmitter release site more than the corresponding uptake sites, underestimation of the unperturbed basal concentration by these quantitative methods occurs and the trend of the in vivo recovery of the neurotransmitter with the uptake inhibition would reverse as compared with that of microdialysis extraction. Two modified DA kinetic models accounting for the presence of DA baseline were presented and compared to assess the basal extracellular DA, [DA] e , in rat striatum. Examining the data from the microdialysis ZNF measurements and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry experiments on striatal DA systems shows reasonable doubt that the current ZNF measurement on striatal DA (5–10 nM) did underestimate the basal level [DA] e However, the underestimation is not as serious as previously thought by Michael and coworkers. Although the striatal [DA] e could be much higher than the single-digit nanomolar range determined by the microdialysis ZNF method, the basal [DA] e is probably still confined within nanomolar range, perhaps still fewer than 100 nM.
Data Base Requirements For Graphical Applications In Biochemistry

Although there are numerous areas of the life sciences that could benefit from having a general and universal data base for three-dimensional computer display systems, perhaps the most apparent is for structural studies of biological macromolecules (molecular graphics). Since the structure of the first protein (myoglobin, which contains 1400 non-hydrogen atoms) was solved by Sir John Kendrew and coworkers in 1962 by x-ray diffraction methods, no fewer than 80 different molecules of that size or larger have been solved. Probably in the next 5 years another 200 to 400 additional structures will be solved. These will include not only proteins, nucleic acids and polysaccharides, but complexes of these as well, where the total molecular weight may reach 10 to 50 times that of myoglobin (e.g. complete virus particles). The ultimate goals of the investigators are to discover the mechanism of action of these molecules and complexes, to predict three-dimensional structure and function of hypothetical molecules, and finally to be able to synthesize new macromolecules of new and predictable functions. In the past several years methods for solving large structures and refinement of models to observed crystallographic data have improved dramatically and will notably improve the accuracy of such models. It is quite clear that this improved accuracy will greatly aid reaching these objectives. Furthermore, these goals will only be possible if the present and future structural information can be thoroughly studied and assimilated. Computer graphics provides a reasonable hope and a sophisticated data base is an obvious necessity. Data base requirements for molecular graphics, not only those for display, manipulation and solving complex structures for they have been well demonstrated, but also those performing research studies on the accumulated results, are certainly within the grasp of current methods.
A review of pulse tube refrigeration

This paper reviews the development of the three types of pulse tube refrigerators: basic, resonant, and orifice types. The principles of operation are given. It is shown that the pulse tube refrigerator is a variation of the Stirling-cycle refrigerator, where the moving displacer is substituted by a heat transfer mechanism or by an orifice to bring about the proper phase shifts between pressure and mass flow rate. A harmonic analysis with phasors is described which gives reasonable results for the refrigeration power yet is simple enough to make clear the processes which give rise to the refrigeration. The efficiency and refrigeration power are compared with those of other refrigeration cycles. A brief review is given of the research being done at various laboratories on both one and two-stage pulse tubes. A preliminary assessment of the role of pulse tube refrigerators is discussed.
High temperature thermoelectric properties of Zn-doped Eu5In2Sb6

The complex bonding environment of many ternary Zintl phases, which often results in low thermal conductivity, makes them strong contenders as thermoelectric materials. Here, we extend the investigation of A5In2Sb6 Zintl compounds with the Ca5Ga2As6 crystal structure to the only known rare-earth analogue: Eu5In2Sb6. Zn-doped samples with compositions of Eu5In2−xZnxSb6 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) were synthesized via ball milling followed by hot pressing. Eu5In2Sb6 showed significant improvements in air stability relative to its alkaline earth metal analogues. Eu5In2Sb6 exhibits semiconducting behavior with possible two band behavior suggested by increasing band mass as a function of Zn content, and two distinct transitions observed in optical absorption measurements (at 0.15 and 0.27 eV). The p-type Hall mobility of Eu5In2Sb6 was found to be much larger than that of the alkaline earth containing A5In2Sb6 phases (A = Sr, Ca) consistent with the reduced hole effective mass (1.1 me). Zn doping was successful in optimizing the carrier concentration, leading to a zT of up to 0.4 at ∼660 K, which is comparable to that of Zn-doped Sr5In2Sb6.
Microrna Regulation Of Annexin A2/p11 System Implicated In Diabetic Retinopathy

Background & Objectives Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of blindness among working-age adults in the industrialized world and, among Qataris over the age of 40 with diabetes, has a prevalence of 31.8%. Diabetic retinopathy begins when metabolic changes and alterations in vascular perfusion cause capillary leakage and closure, due to dropout of pericytes, cells that stabilizes microvessels. Annexin A2 (A2), a Ca2+- dependent phospholipid-binding protein that is expressed on endothelial cells. In the presence of S100 A10 (protein p11), A2 forms a stable heterotetramer that binds plasminogen (Plg) as well as its activator, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to enable tPA-dependent activation of Plg to plasmin and thus promotes angiogenesis. Thus inhibition of A2/p11 system is considered a promising therapeutic intervention in diabetic retinopathy. MicroRNAs are small (~22 nucleotide), noncoding single- strand RNAs that modulates both physiological and pathological pathways, by selectively inhibiting the expression of a set of target genes. MicroRNA target prediction programs reveal that both Annexin A2 and p11 3'-UTR region harbor distinct microRNA binding sites. However, the regulation of Annexin A2/p11 system by microRNAs remains unknown. Methods We performed microarray analysis to assess the microRNAs profile of isolated CD31+ mouse retinal endothelial cells. Second, Luciferase based assays were carried out to validate predicated microRNA binding sites using renilla Luciferase plasmid constructs containing human Annexin A2 and p11 3'UTR sequence, respectively. Moreover, Annexin A2 and p11 gene expression and protein levels were evaluated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in absence and presence of microRNA mimics or antisense-inhibitors. Results Global assessment of microRNA expression profile revealed miR-425 as the most highly expressed microRNA that is predicted to target Annexin A2. Indeed, validation of the cognate binding site confirmed that miR-425 specifically binds human Annexin A2 3'-UTR and inhibits its expression. Accordingly, ectopic expression of miR-425 significantly attenuated Annexin A2 expression in HUVEC cells. In addition, we found that human miR-767-3p as predicted specifically interacts with p11-3'UTR for inhibition. Conclusion Our current studies identified human miR-425 and miR-767-3p as two potent inhibitors of the Annexin A2/p11 system, thereby providing new insight into how Annexin A2/p11 system might be regulated at the posttranscriptional level. Further ongoing studies will elucidate the role of miR-425 and miR-767-3p and the underlying mechanism that contribute to angiogenesis in pathologic setting of diabetic retinopathy.
Wilms tumor with consumption coagulopathy

Abstract We report on a pediatric patient with combined solid malignancy and consumption coagulopathy, a rare example of the coexistence of these diseases.
Quantifying and visualizing variations in sets of images using continuous linear optimal transport

Modern advancements in imaging devices have enabled us to explore the subcellular structure of living organisms and extract vast amounts of information. However, interpreting the biological information mined in the captured images is not a trivial task. Utilizing predetermined numerical features is usually the only hope for quantifying this information. Nonetheless, direct visual or biological interpretation of results obtained from these selected features is non-intuitive and difficult. In this paper, we describe an automatic method for modeling visual variations in a set of images, which allows for direct visual interpretation of the most significant differences, without the need for predefined features. The method is based on a linearized version of the continuous optimal transport (OT) metric, which provides a natural linear embedding for the image data set, in which linear combination of images leads to a visually meaningful image. This enables us to apply linear geometric data analysis techniques such as principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis in the linearly embedded space and visualize the most prominent modes, as well as the most discriminant modes of variations, in the dataset. Using the continuous OT framework, we are able to analyze variations in shape and texture in a set of images utilizing each image at full resolution, that otherwise cannot be done by existing methods. The proposed method is applied to a set of nuclei images segmented from Feulgen stained liver tissues in order to investigate the major visual differences in chromatin distribution of Fetal-Type Hepatoblastoma (FHB) cells compared to the normal cells.
Composition of white matter bovine brain coated vesicles: evidence that several components influence β-amyloid peptide to form oligomers and aggregates in vitro

Clathrin coated vesicles (CVs) purified from white matter of human or bovine brain contain amyloid precursor protein (APP), several C-terminal fragments encompassing the beta-amyloid domain (betaA), the alpha-secretase 11-12 kDa intermediate, ApoE and tau. The convergence of these components implicates CVs as potential sites for their interaction, yielding products linked to fibrillogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Analysis of components co-reactive with both anti-ApoE and betaA suggested presence of stable intravesicular conjugates. To evaluate these interactions in vitro, mixtures containing betaA(1-40), ApoE4 or E3 isoforms with and without lipid added as dymyristoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes were co-incubated from 5 h to 7 days at 37 degrees C and analyzed on Western blots using a panel of antibodies recognizing betaA and ApoE. Data showed ApoE4 plus lipid induced betaA to form oligomers, conjugates and high Mr aggregates. The rates of formation for these products varied significantly with the ApoE isoform. E3 formed conjugates more rapidly, but these levels were exceeded by those of E4 at 7 days. ApoE4 plus lipid facilitated more rapid formation of higher Mr betaA aggregates which appeared in parallel with betaA oligomers containing up to seven molecules of betaA. Data suggest that the native ApoE, as found in CVs which contain lipid, can be an effective agent for promoting formation of betaA oligomers or other complexes that may be linked to formation of abnormal deposits in AD.
Development of a Two Matrix Model for Thermal Analysis of a Multichip Module

The customary one-dimensional thermal resistance model used for single chip modules is not well suited for use with multichip modules. In this paper, it is proposed to model a multichip module (MCM) using a two matrix approach. An external matrix of influence coefficients is used in conjunction with cap temperatures measured above each chip site to determine individual chip powers within the MCM. These chip powers are then used with a matrix of internal influence coefficients to determine chip temperature rise relative to the cap temperature. The proposed matrices are determined using a “thermal test module” or “computational model” where chip power, chip temperature, and cap temperature can be explicitly measured. This dual matrix model is then available for use with production modules to determine chip powers and temperatures from a measurement of cap temperatures above each chip-site. The proposed model is demonstrated for a four chip MCM using data from numerical simulations. A sample of test runs using the model predicts the chip powers and temperatures to within 3.5 and 5.5 percent, respectively, of the values from the numerical model. Module physical properties are also parametrically varied to determine their effect on matrix elements. The matrix model is also proposed as a design tool to augment more numerically intensive methods of thermal analysis.
Treatment Outcomes Research: A Response to Ryan (2006)

Purpose This is a response to B. Ryan’s (2006) letter to the editor regarding “Intensive Stuttering Modification Therapy: A Multidimensional Assessment of Treatment Outcomes,” by M. Blomgren, N. Ro...
Relational database constraints as counterexamples

First order static database constraints are expressed as counterexamples, i.e., examples that violate the integrity of the database. Examples are data and as such they can be specified and stored as data, and structured into database files for efficient search and retrieval. To express all first order constraints as counterexamples, a new normal form for first order logic is created which, after some syntactic transformation, is amenable to storage in flat files, and efficient search and retrieval. The critical contribution is the ability to manage a large number constraints on secondary storage devices, and eliminate the requirement to transport all constraints to main memory for testing.
Video-enhanced microscopy of organelle movement in an intact epithelium.

Digitally enhanced video microscopy has provided improved optical resolution in the study of intracellular organelle/particle movement, particularly in extruded axoplasm and certain thin single cell systems. We report here, for the first time, particle movement in an intact, isolated epithelium, the killifish proximal convoluted tubule. Cytoplasmic particles exhibited predominately unidirectional linear movement approaching several microns in length, sometimes with multiple turns. The velocities of 34 particles measured in 11 cells averaged 0.29 μm/sec (range, 0.007–3.1 μm/sec). Microtubules—the well-established basis for organelle movement in cells—were present but were sparsely represented in electron micrographs of these cells. Video-enhanced microscopic techniques can now be applied to the study of organelle/particle movement in an intact epithelium. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thiamine mutants of the crucifer, Arabidopsis.

In higher plants the only obligate organoauxotrophic mutants available are concerned with the synthesis of thiamine, vitamin B1. In Arabidopsis 65 mutants, representing four loci controlling four different steps in the thiamine pathway, have been obtained and identified. Heteroalleles were distinguished within two loci by qualitative and quantitative responses to low and high temperatures. The availability of auxotrophs in higher plants makes it possible to employ highly selective genetic techniques in well-differentiated diploid organisms.
Rheological Behaviors of Pressure-Driven Radial Flow

The characteristics of fluid flows confined within microscale space are of theoretical and practical interest [1]. Such flow includes the thin lubrication films, the liquid flow between biological cells, and the flow of polymer melts in a micro-injection molding machines, etc. A pressure-driven radial flow microrheometry (PDRFM) is used to characterize high-shear microscale fluids. The shear-dependent viscosity of the pressure-driven radial flow is modeled to investigate the possible size effect on the fluid viscosity. In the modeling, the surface shear rate and surface shear stress at the edge of the radial flow are expressed in terms of three measurable parameters, i.e. the flow rate, the loading force, and the fluid film thickness. By decreasing the fluid film thickness to microscale level, this model can be used to study the microscale effect of any homogeneous fluids. The analysis has been verified by using CFD simulations as digital testing platforms. Furthermore, the preliminary experimental results of Newtonian and non-Newtonian flows also proved the rheological modeling.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Projecting Prison Populations Starting With Projected Admissions

In this article, a methodology is presented to apply the laws and policies regulating releases from prison and to project the prison population that results from offenders newly admitted into the prison system. The model is a disaggregated flow simulation model that uses Microsoft Excel but can be set up in any electronic worksheet system. Offenders are grouped into unique categories that share common release laws, based on offense categories and sentence lengths. Survival tables are calculated using recently released offenders from prison to estimate future releases. The resulting projected population is only part of the entire population. To calculate the total projected population, the number of offenders resulting from admissions to prison is added to the population that remains in prison from those who are incarcerated at the time the projection begins.
Preferential human eosinophil chemotactic activity of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) 1-0-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC).

The chemotactic responses of human blood neutrophils and of eosinophils of two different densities, which were resolved by centrifugation on gradients of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silica gel (Percoll), were quantified in modified Boyden micropore filter chambers using highly purified synthetic 1-0-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC or PAFacether) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) as stimuli. Maximal chemotactic responses of the densest eosinophils, less dense eosinophils, and neutrophils were evoked by 1 nM, 100 nM, and 1 µM PAFacether, respectively, and by 30–100, 30–100, and 10 nM LTB4. The magnitude of the maximal chemotactic response to PAFacether of the densest eosinophils was significantly greater than that of neutrophils. The eosinophil responses to PAFacether were chemotactic, as distinguished from chemokinetic, and were not influenced by the percentage of contaminating neutrophils. PAFacether is a more potent chemotactic factor for eosinophils than neutrophils and selectively attracts the densest population of human blood eosinophils.
Do basic laboratory tests or clinical observations predict bleeding in thrombocytopenic oncology patients? A reevaluation of prophylactic platelet transfusions.

The purpose of this study was to determine which clinical and laboratory features correlate with serious hemorrhage in thrombocytopenic oncology patients. A retrospective review was conducted of all thrombocytopenic adult patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, MD, over the last 10 years. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis on 2942 patients looking at the frequency of serious bleeding as a function of platelet count and numerous features that may correlate with hemorrhage. Multivariate analyses showed no relationship between either the first morning platelet count or the lowest platelet count of the day and the risk of hemorrhage. Of the other features we examined, several correlated independently with bleeding, including uremia (odds ratio [OR] 1.64; 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.40 to 1.92), hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.54; 95% Cl, 1.33 to 1.79), recent bone marrow transplantation (OR 1.32; 95% Cl, 1.22 to 1.43), and recent hemorrhage (OR 6.72; 95% Cl, 5.53 to 8.18). Leukopenia was associated with a decreased risk of bleeding (OR 0.70; 95% Cl, 0.60 to 0.82). Although this large study identified a number of clinical and laboratory features that correlated significantly with bleeding, the ORs of these factors were not large and all were much less than previous bleeding. These findings suggest that the major goal of transfusion support should be the aggressive therapeutic use of blood products rather than prophylactic use based on such weak clinical correlates and on the platelet count, which was not a correlate at all in multivariate analysis.
Multiplicities and Reduction Numbers

Let ðR; mÞ be a Cohen-Macaulay local ring and let I be an ideal. There are at least five algebras built on I whose multiplicity data affect the reduction number rðI Þ of the ideal. We introduce techniques from the Rees algebra theory of modules to produce estimates for rðI Þ, for classes of ideals of dimension one and two. Previous cases of such estimates were derived for ideals of dimension zero.
Treatment of Potato Processing Wastewater with Coagulating and Polymeric Flocculating Agents

Reduction of wastewater strength in abrasive-peeled, lye-peeled, and steam-peeled potato processing wastewater using 4 inorganic salts and 11 polymers was investigated. Treatment of wastewater with 150 mg/ L FeCl3 6H2O + 20 mg/L Purifloc Anionic Polymer #23 aided in coagulation and flocculation of suspended solids of effluent from abrasive-peeled potatoes including greater than 90% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity. Treatment with 300 mg/L CaCl2+ 25 mg/L Purifloc #23 reduced COD and TSS levels in wastewater from lye-peeled potato by 69% and 76%, respectively. In steam-peeled effluent, 350 mg/L CaCl2+ 25 mg/L Nalco 7122 reduced TSS by 90% and COD by 60%. Waste strength of effluent from processing potatoes can be substantially reduced by treating with coagulating and flocculating agents before discharging into municipal or other treatment systems.
Characterization of androgen receptor and estramustine binding protein of rat ventral prostatic tissue in organ culture.

Abstract Explants of ventral prostatic tissue from Wistar-Furth rats were maintained in an organ culture system for 7 days. Histological examination verified that androgens are essential for morphological integrity of explanted tissue. The specific cytosol receptor was present (sucrose density gradient centrifugation) only in the first 4 h of culture following incubation of 2.3 nM of [3H]-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in cytosol prepared from explanted tissue. Analysis of cytosol from explants maintained for 24 h in 2.3 nM or 0.5 μM of [3H]-testosterone (T) revealed possible traces of the receptor, whereas distinct nuclear receptor peaks persisted. We showed that the “classical receptor transportation system” is operative only during the first hours in culture since we could demonstrate a sequential labeling of cytosol and nuclear receptors only within this short time period. Neither cytoplasmic nor nuclear receptors could be reinduced in tissue which had been explanted for 24 h. On the other hand, nuclear residue binding (remaining radioactivity after extraction of nuclear receptors) could be found throughout the total 7 days culture period and this type of binding could be re-induced after 24 h in culture. Estramustine binding protein, another prostate-specific protein, was also found throughout the total 7 days culture period. The maintenance in culture of apparently almost normal histology of explanted tissue by androgens, in spite of the absence of specific receptors, indicates that some of the physiological effects of steroids need not depend on the “classical receptor system”.
Cross-correlation of voice and heart rate as stress measures

Abstract Heart rate and O2 uptake, etc. have been widely used to assess the physical fitness of human subjects. Recently developed Hayre voice-based parameters for physical stress or fatigue are validated by the results of this work. These parameters are not only non-obtrusive means of real time observation of clinical, educational and physical training of subjects but also provide a unique comparative means of monitoring physical fatigue among various professionals such as athletes, truck drivers, pilots and doctors of medicine, etc. Subjects of various ages running on a treadmill were instrumented for recording heart rate, EKG, treadmill speed and slope. The treadmill was run at 3·3 mph (90 m/min) and the grade was increased by one per cent a minute up to a maximum of 25 per cent and then the speed was increased by 0·2 mph until exhaustion. Each subject was asked to count from one to ten and utter two other preselected words separated by silence gaps in between for ease of analysis. An analysis of these utterances indicates that a monotonic increase in heart rate is highly correlated with Hayre parameters G 1 and F 1 mentioned above, up to the time of maximum stress and the associated peak heart rate of 175. After stopping the treadmill run and letting the subject sit down, the heart rate starts dropping rapidly whereas the Hayre stress parameter G 1 tends to increase to a saturation level, thus verifying that the continued physically stressed state of the subject has not significantly lessened as one would perceive from the above mentioned drop in heart rate.
Mitochondrial polymorphism. III. Heterosis, complementation, and spectral properties of purified cytochrome oxidase of wheat

Cytochrome oxidase was purified twentyfold from mitochondria of seedlings of wheat genotypes 28, 31 MS, and 31 MS/28. The enzyme of the hybrid exceeded in activity the parental enzymes. Mixtures of cytochrome oxidase of the parents exhibited complementation in that they approached the activity of the hybrid cytochrome oxidase. Hybrid mitochondria also exhibited heterosis in NADH: cytochrome c reductase activity. Complementation by parent mitochondria was observed for this enzyme also. The Michaelis constant of cytochrome oxidase and NADH: cytochrome reductase was markedly less in the hybrid and the mixture than in the parents. Difference spectra revealed the following: strain 28 had cytochromes a and b but was deficient in cytochrome c; strain 31 MS had cytochromes b and c but no a; the hybrid had all three cytochromes, as did the mixture. The relationship of cytochromes to heterosis and complementation is considered.