cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Elucidation of Ion Transport and Its Relation to Hysteresis in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films

The “dark” current–voltage (I–V) response of CH3NH3PbI3 organic–inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP) thin films is studied as a function of temperature, voltage, and scan rate to investigate the nature of the I–V hysteresis. This is to address the apparent discrepancy observed in characteristics of the I–V hysteresis. Depending on the measurement conditions, two complementary mechanisms appear to control the I–V behavior. First, ionic species contribute to the conduction, and because of their slow-moving nature, a slower scan rate gives ions enough time to take part in conduction (i.e., below a relaxation frequency). Second, migration of ionic species to the interface(s) modulates the Schottky junction and, consequently, the electronic transport across the interfaces. Therefore, a slower scan rate results in more charge accumulation at the interface, which leads to a decrease in the leakage current. These findings provide an explanation that resolves the ongoing debate regarding the characteristics of the I...
Looking at the Big Picture: School Administrators and Violence Reduction.

This study investigated district and site administrators’ perceptions of school violence and violence prevention programs in fifteen school districts of various sizes in twelve states located acros...
Electric shock-induced cardiac injuries requiring surgical intervention: Case series and a brief review.

Background Electric shock-induced cardiac injuries, such as myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and dissection, are rare. Few cases have been previously reported. The right coronary artery is most often affected because of its proximity to the chest wall. Aims To study the extend of electrical injuries on cardiac tissues and its surgical management. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective study on our patients in the last five years, looking for cardiac electrical injuries treated surgically in our department, we identified three cases. Result Our three-case series, reported herein, showed that multiple cardiac tissues are susceptible to electrical injuries, specifically the left coronary artery, inferior vena cava, and right ventricular free wall. In our series, the first patient was a 32-year-old man with triple vessel thrombosis and dissection who survived the electric shock. The second patient was a 23-year-old man who had an inferior vena cava burn and bruising; his heart was used for transplantation. After the transplant, the recipient had a left coronary artery dissection and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The third patient was a 30-year-old man (potential heart donor) who had a hematoma of the right ventricular free wall, possible coronary artery dissection, inferior vena cava bruising, and tissue damage. His heart was not used for transplant because of quality concerns. Conclusion We recommend that any person who sustains high voltage (500 V or more) electric shock should be evaluated carefully in the emergency department, including with echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, if indicated, to determine the extent of the injury and the viability of the heart, for patients who do not survive as a donor organ.
Performance of Two-Sensors Tandem Network for Detecting Deterministic Signals in Correlated Gaussian Noise

In this paper, we study Bayes error performance of a two-sensor tandem network designed to detect deterministic signals in correlated Gaussian noise. Specifically, we address the question of whether the stronger-signal sensor should be the fusion center of the network for achieving the least probability of error or notƒ In the process of this query, we draw some inference parallel to the 'Good, Bad, Ugly,' signal regions formulated originally for the two-sensors one-bit-per-sensor parallel fusion network by Willett, et. al. Numerical results show that the strategy of placing stronger-signal sensor as the fusion center provides slightly better probability of error performance than the strategy of placing the stronger-signal sensor at the top of the tandem stream, for all signal points in the tandem 'Good' signal region. Significantly, optimum performance is sensitive to the decision-threshold at the top sensor, if stronger-signal sensor were placed at the top, but not when the stronger-signal sensor is at the fusion center.
Role reversal for anticancer agents.

No Abstract Available Commentary to: Title: Flavopiridol Inversely Affects p21WAF1/CIP1 and p53 and Protects p21-Sensitive Cells from Paclitaxel Authors: Mikhail V. Blagosklonny, Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz and William D. Figg Page Numbers: 420-425
Cross-site concordance evaluation for the CIMAC-CIDC network to establish QC metrics enabling reliable generation of WES and RNA-seq data.

e15240Background: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) have become key components of cancer genomics, and analysis to provide comprehensive evaluation of spectrum somatic alter...
Weekly dengue forecasts in Iquitos, Peru; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Singapore.

Background Predictive models can serve as early warning systems and can be used to forecast future risk of various infectious diseases. Conventionally, regression and time series models are used to forecast dengue incidence, using dengue surveillance (e.g., case counts) and weather data. However, these models may be limited in terms of model assumptions and the number of predictors that can be included. Machine learning (ML) methods are designed to work with a large number of predictors and thus offer an appealing alternative. Here, we compared the performance of ML algorithms with that of regression models in predicting dengue cases and outbreaks from 4 to up to 12 weeks in advance. Many countries lack sufficient health surveillance infrastructure, as such we evaluated the contribution of dengue surveillance and weather data on the predictive power of these models. Methods We developed ML, regression, and time series models to forecast weekly dengue case counts and outbreaks in Iquitos, Peru; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Singapore from 1990-2016. Forecasts were generated using available weekly dengue surveillance, and weather data. We evaluated the agreement between model forecasts and actual dengue observations using Mean Absolute Error and Matthew's Correlation Coefficient (MCC). Results For near term predictions of weekly case counts and when using surveillance data, ML models had 21% and 33% less error than regression and time series models respectively. However, using weather data only, ML models did not demonstrate a practical advantage. When forecasting weekly dengue outbreaks 12 weeks in advance, ML models achieved a maximum MCC of 0.61. Conclusions Our results identified 2 scenarios when ML models are advantageous over regression model: 1) predicting dengue weekly case counts 4 weeks ahead when dengue surveillance data are available and 2) predicting weekly dengue outbreaks 12 weeks ahead when dengue surveillance data are unavailable. Given the advantages of ML models, dengue early warning systems may be improved by the inclusion of these models.
An Online Extremum Seeking Optimization Strategy for Warm-up of Lithium Batteries

The durability and efficiency of lithium batteries are impaired in low temperature environments, in which it is necessary to heat them to a suitable temperature before normal operation. Self-heating by discharging battery current is an efficient and economical method, whose discharge current rate dramatically affects the heating time and the capacity decay. In the paper, a warm-up strategy based on extremum seeking is proposed to obtain the optimal discharging current. Firstly, the models are constructed by analyzing the electrical and thermal characteristics of lithium battery. Then, the loss function is formulated by combining capacity fade and heating efficiency. The extremum seeking algorithm is utilized to calculate the optimal heating current based on the real-time internal resistance state. The proposed strategy realizes the balance between heating time and energy loss, and reduce the required energy for heating battery.
Ultrafine mapping of chromosome conformation at hundred basepair resolution reveals regulatory genome architecture

Abstract The resolution limit of chromatin conformation capture methodologies (3Cs) has restrained their application in detection of fine-level chromatin structure mediated by cis-regulatory elements (CREs). Here we report two 3C-derived methods, Tri-4C and Tri-HiC, which utilize mult-restriction enzyme digestions for ultrafine mapping of targeted and genome-wide chromatin interaction, respectively, at up to one hundred basepair resolution. Tri-4C identified CRE loop interaction networks and quantifatively revealed their alterations underlying dynamic gene control. Tri-HiC uncovered global fine-gage regulatory interaction networks, identifying > 20-fold more enhancer:promoter (E:P) loops than in situ HiC. In addition to vasly improved identification of subkilobase-sized E:P loops, Tri-HiC also uncovered interaction stripes and contact domain insulation from promoters and enhancers, revealing their loop extrusion behaviors resembling the topologically-associated domain (TAD) boundaries. Tri-4C and Tri-HiC provide robust approaches to achieve the high resolution interactome maps required for characterizing fine-gage regulatory chromatin interactions in analysis of development, homeostasis and disease.
DNA Adductomics by mass tag prelabeling.

RATIONALE As a new approach to DNA adductomics, we directly reacted intact, double-stranded (ds)-DNA under warm conditions with an alkylating mass tag followed by analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. This method is based on the tendency of adducted nucleobases to locally disrupt the DNA structure (forming a "DNA bubble") potentially increasing exposure of their nucleophilic (including active hydrogen) sites for preferential alkylation. Also encouraging this strategy is that the scope of nucleotide excision repair is very broad, and this system primarily recognizes DNA bubbles. METHODS A cationic xylyl (CAX) mass tag with limited nonpolarity was selected to increase the retention of polar adducts in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for more detectability while maintaining resolution. We thereby detected a diversity of DNA adducts (mostly polar) by the following sequence of steps: (1) react DNA at 45°C for 2 h under aqueous conditions with CAX-B (has a benzyl bromide functional group to label active hydrogen sites) in the presence of triethylamine; (2) remove residual reagents by precipitating and washing the DNA (a convenient step); (3) digest the DNA enzymatically to nucleotides and remove unlabeled nucleotides by nonpolar solid-phase extraction (also a convenient step); and (4) detect CAX-labeled, adducted nucleotides by LC/MS2 or a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS technique. RESULTS Examples of the 42 DNA or RNA adducts detected, or tentatively so based on accurate mass and fragmentation data, are as follows: 8-oxo-dGMP, ethyl-dGMP, hydroxyethyl-dGMP (four isomers, all HPLC-resolved), uracil-glycol, apurinic/apyrimidinic sites, benzo[a]pyrene-dGMP, and, for the first time, benzoquinone-hydroxymethyl-dCMP. Importantly, these adducts are detected in a single procedure under a single set of conditions. Sensitivity, however, is only defined in a preliminary way, namely the latter adduct seems to be detected at a level of about 4 adducts in 109 nucleotides (S/N ~30). CONCLUSIONS CAX-Prelabeling is an emerging new technique for DNA adductomics, providing polar DNA adductomics in a practical way for the first time. Further study of the method is encouraged to better characterize and extend its performance, especially in scope and sensitivity.
0058 Changes in suspected overdoses following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the michigan system for opioid overdose surveillance

Statement of purposeTo use data from a state-wide opioid overdose surveillance system in Michigan to evaluate changes in opioid overdose frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic Methods/ApproachThe System for Opioid Overdose Surveillance (SOS) is a near real-time overdose surveillance system in the state of Michigan run out of the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center, in collaboration with the Michigan HIDTA SOS receives daily data feeds containing all EMS encounters involving naloxone administration, and daily data on suspected fatal overdoses from medical examiners covering ∼80% of the state’s population We used SOS data to compare spatial and temporal changes in suspected opioid overdoses after 3/1/20, the approximate timing of the intensification of the COVID-19 pandemic, and compared those changes to those seen at the same time in 2019 ResultsFrom 3/1/20–9/16/20, suspected fatal overdoses were 15 0% higher than during the same time in 2019, and naloxone administrations by EMS were 28 8% higher;a majority of counties and cities saw analogous changes, though the magnitude varied Rates of both suspected fatal overdoses and EMS naloxone administrations were higher in 2020 prior to March, but the difference increased following the start of the pandemic By late August, rates of suspected fatal overdoses returned to 2019 levels, but EMS naloxone administration rates remained nearly 40% higher than the same time in 2019 ConclusionsEvidence suggests that overdose and the COVID-19 pandemic are interwoven crises, and resources are required to address both the isolation and stress of the pandemic, and the medical system excess burdens, which all may intensify substance use, and reduce the likelihood of seeking treatment SignificanceOverdose remains a leading cause of death, and that burden has increased during the pandemic in Michigan Approaches are needed to address secondary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
“Martin Luther King Fixed It”: Children Making Sense of Racial Identity in a Colorblind Society

Children in the United States grow up in a context wherein colorblindness and racism coexist. This article examined how colorblindness functions as a societal "master narrative" that shapes how children construct their own racial identities. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 217 Black, White, and Multiracial children (Mage = 9.92) in public schools in the Pacific Northwest during 2013-2014 academic year. Our analysis identified four race narratives, which varied systematically by child age and race. Associations were also found between narrative types and children's ratings of racial identity importance. Although colorblindness infuses many of the racial narratives, there was evidence that children also question and disrupt this master narrative with stories of resistance that counter colorblind norms.
Phylogenetic articulation of uric acid evolution in mammals and how it informs a therapeutic uricase.

The role of uric acid during primate evolution has remained elusive ever since it was discovered over 100 years ago that humans have unusually high levels of the small molecule in our serum. It has been difficult to generate a neutral or adaptive explanation in part because the uricase enzyme evolved to become a pseudogene in apes thus masking typical signals of sequence evolution. Adding to the difficulty is a lack of clarity on the functional role of uric acid in apes. One popular hypothesis proposes that uric acid is a potent antioxidant that increased in concentration to compensate for the lack of vitamin C synthesis in primate species ∼65 million years ago (Mya). Here, we have expanded on our previous work with resurrected ancient uricase proteins to better resolve the reshaping of uricase enzymatic activity prior to ape evolution. Our results suggest that the pivotal death-knell to uricase activity occurred between 20-30 Mya despite small sequential modifications to its catalytic efficiency for the tens of millions of years since primates lost their ability to synthesize vitamin C, and thus the two appear uncorrelated. We also use this opportunity to demonstrate how molecular evolution can contribute to biomedicine by presenting ancient uricases to human immune cells that assay for innate reactivity against foreign antigens. A highly stable and highly catalytic ancient uricase is shown to elicit a lower immune response in more human haplotypes than other uricases currently in therapeutic development.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

This chapter discusses general fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe technology and the use of FRET with single and dual hybridization probes in microbiology. It focuses on hydrolysis and hybridization FRET probes and the many variations used for detection of amplification products in PCR amplification. True multiplex assays simultaneously amplify different nucleic acid targets and result in multiple unique PCR products. These types of assays often have two or more sets of primers and probes and are most commonly used with genomic targets in which the amount of target nucleic acid is normally large and the ratio of the two target nucleic acids is close to unity. Recent applications of FRET probes in bacteriology include assays for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium difficile, Brucella, Francisella tularensis, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Burkholderia cepacia complex, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, and penA and ponA genotypes in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The use of homogeneous FRET probe technology for detection of PCR products provides an opportunity for microbiologists to use molecular detection in a closed system. The necessary specificity and sensitivity of many microbiology tests are achievable using PCR with FRET detection. The technology has become widely available, and configurations of instrumentation and FRET design are available for many applications. Hybridization FRET probes provide great sensitivity and specificity to real-time PCR with the benefit of sensitive detection of nucleic acid sequences with unexpected polymorphisms. The hybridization FRET probes also enable multiple formats for robust multiplexing reactions often with just a single set of primers and probes.
Effect of Hydroxylysine on the Biosynthesis of Lysine in Streptococcus faecalis

We were able to show that two lysine-independent mutants of Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 8043 contained the enzymes for the usual bacterial pathway for lysine biosynthesis. Because of this synthetic capacity, one mutant, the Lys+OHLyss strain, could not grow in the presence of hydroxylysine without a lysine supplement. Both lysine and hydroxylysine inhibited the first enzyme of the pathway, aspartokinase. Unlike the Escherichia coli enzyme, S. faecalis dihydrodipicolinic acid synthetase was not inhibited by either lysine or hydroxylysine. Both amino acids caused the repression of dihydrodipicolinic acid synthetase and diaminopimelic acid decarboxylase. Failure of Lys+OHLyss strain to grow in hydroxylysine-supplemented medium was caused by the mimicking of lysine control by hydroxylysine. Because hydroxylysine could not completely substitute for lysine and lysine could not be synthesized, the organism did not grow. We tested three lysine analogues and found that they prevented lysine-depletion lysis in the Lsy−OHLyss strain, as did hydroxylysine. Each analogue seemed to support cell wall mucopeptide synthesis, although ornithine did not. Preliminary data indicated that these analogues like hydroxylysine, have growth-inhibitory action on the Lys+OHLyss strain, but not the Lys+OHLysr strain. The nature of the specificity of the lysine-adding enzyme for cell wall mucopeptide synthesis is discussed.
Economy and Polity in Bentham's Science of Legislation

Author(s): Lieberman, David | Abstract: The article examines the account of human nature and social action which Bentham adopted in his legislative theory, or what might be considered the sociology informing Bentham's jurisprudence. I first explore what for numerous scholars has seemed the single most important feature of Bentham's thought: his reliance and valorization of "rational economic man" in his legislative program. Drawing on recent scholarship on Adam Smith and eighteenth-century political economy, I counter these interpretations by emphasizing Bentham's frequently limited and pragmatic use of economic theory. Economics did not furnish Bentham with a master-sociology, and market-oriented conduct was not taken to be characteristic of social action in general.The final part of the article takes up a neglected element of Bentham's legislative program: his reliance on publicity and critical public opinion to ensure the operation of responsible government in the Constitutional Code. I argue that the past preoccupation with Bentham's "economic presuppositions" has prevented scholars from recognizing his no less fundamental and contestable assumptions concerning the active, political orientation of social actors.
MIT-MANUS: a workstation for manual therapy and training. I

This paper presents some recent work on the development of a workstation for teaching and therapy in manual and manipulative skills. The experimental workstation, MANUS, as well as the overall concept are described. State-of-the-art aspects of the workstation under development are introduced. >
In the Mirror of the Divine Face: The Enochic Features of the Exagoge of Ezekiel the Tragedian

Moses received Torah from the Lord on earth, the Enochic hero acquired his revelation in the celestial realm, instructed there by angels and God. In the biblical account the Lord descends to Moses' realm to convey his revelation to the seer, while Enoch is able to ascend to the divine abode and behold the Throne of Glory. The advantage here is clearly on the side of the Enochic hero. One of the significant early testimonies of this polemical interaction between Mosaic and Enochic traditions has survived as a part of the drama Exagoge , a writing attributed to Ezekiel the Tragedian that depicts the prophet's experience at Sinai as his celestial enthronement. The text seeks to enhance the features of the biblical Moses and attribute to him some familiar qualities of exalted figure of seventh antediluvian patriarch Enoch. This chapter investigates the possible connections between the Exagoge and the Enochic tradition. Keywords: biblical account; divine abode; Enochic tradition; Exagoge ; Ezekiel; Moses; revelation; Sinai; Torah
The personal sense of power.

Scholars who examine the psychological effects of power have often argued that possessing power shapes individual behavior because it instills an elevated sense of power. However, little is known about the personal sense of power because very few studies have examined it empirically. In studies involving a total of 1,141 participants and nine different samples, we found that the personal sense of power was coherent within social contexts; for example, individuals who believed that they can get their way in a group also believed that they can influence fellow group members' attitudes and opinions. The personal sense of power was also moderately consistent across relationships but showed considerable relationship specificity; for example, individuals' personal sense of power vis-a-vis their friend tended to be distinct but moderately related to their personal sense of power vis-a-vis their parent. And the personal sense of power was affected not only by sociostructural factors (e.g., social position, status) but also by personality variables such as dominance.
Calculation of I-V curves of a GaAs MESFET with nonuniform channel doping by means of numerical integration

A numerical method for calculating the I-V characteristics of a GaAs MESFET with ion implanted layer is presented. This method is based on the finding of the channel conductance as a function of the voltage drop across the metal-semiconductor junction which in turn is related to the depletion depth of the active layer through the solution of Poisson's equation. >
9‐Azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐N‐oxyl

[31785-68-9] C8H14NO (MW 140.20) InChI = 1S/C8H14NO/c10-9-7-3-1-4-8(9)6-2-5-7/h7-8H,1-6H2/t7-,8+ InChIKey = SZAKAAGHPLUEPM-OCAPTIKFSA-N (stable nitroxyl radical, highly efficient organocatalyst for the oxidation of both primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively; trapping agent for carbon radicals) Solubility: soluble in a wide variety of common organic solvents such as CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CH3CN, benzene, fluorobenzene, n-hexane, and cyclopentane. Form Supplied in: red solid. Preparative Method: the title reagent can be prepared in three steps commencing with the decarboxylative double Mannich condensation of acetonedicarboxylic acid with glutaraldehyde and ammonia. Hydrazine reduction of the resultant bicyclic amino ketone using the Huang–Minlon modification of the Wolff–Kishner reduction followed by oxidation of the amine function with cat Na2WO4 and urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) furnished ABNO as a red solid in 42% overall yield after purification by silica gel column chromatography (eq 1).1 (1) Purification: checked by TLC; purified by column chromatography on silica as needed; analytical samples can be prepared by sublimation: phase change 50 and ca. 85 °C, mp 126–129 °C. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: care should be taken in handling this free radical reagent due to potential toxicity; should be stored in dark.
Ketamine attenuates cytochrome p450 aromatase gene expression and estradiol-17β levels in zebrafish early life stages

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors. In rodents and non-human primates as well as in zebrafish embryos, ketamine has been shown to be neurotoxic. In cyclic female rats, ketamine has been shown to decrease serum estradiol-17β (E2) levels. E2 plays critical roles in neurodevelopment and neuroprotection. Cytochrome p450 (CYP) aromatase catalyzes E2 synthesis from androgens. Although ketamine down-regulates a number of CYP enzymes in rodents, its effect on the CYP aromatase (CYP19) is not known. Zebrafish have been used as a model system for examining mechanisms underlying drug effects. Here, using wild-type (WT) zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, we demonstrate that ketamine significantly reduced E2 levels compared with the control. However, the testosterone level was elevated in ketamine-treated embryos. These results are concordant with data from mammalian studies. Ketamine also attenuated the expression of the ovary form of CYP aromatase (cyp19a1a) at the transcriptional level but not the brain form of aromatase, cyp19a1b. Exogenous E2 potently induced the expression of cyp19a1b and vtg 1, both validated biomarkers of estrogenicity and endocrine disruption, but not cyp19a1a expression. Attenuation of activated ERK/MAPK levels, reportedly responsible for reduced human cyp19 transcription, was also observed in ketamine-treated embryos. These results suggest that reduced E2 levels in ketamine-treated embryos may have resulted from the suppression of cyp19a1a transcription.
Integrating alcohol response feedback in a brief intervention for young adult heavy drinkers who smoke: A pilot study

Abstract Background More effective approaches are needed to enhance drinking and other health behavior (e.g., smoking) outcomes of alcohol brief intervention (BI). Young adult heavy drinkers often engage in other health risk behaviors and show sensitivity to alcohol's stimulating and rewarding effects, which predicts future alcohol-related problems. However, standard alcohol BIs do not address these issues. The current pilot study tested the utility of including feedback on alcohol response phenotype to improve BI outcomes among young adult heavy drinkers who smoke (HDS). Methods Thirty-three young adult ( M ± SD age = 23.8 ± 2.1 years) HDS (8.7 ± 4.3 binge episodes/month; 23.6 ± 6.3 smoking days/month) were randomly assigned to standard alcohol BI (BI-S; n = 11), standard alcohol BI with personalized alcohol response feedback (BI-ARF; n = 10), or a health behavior attention control BI (AC; n = 11). Alcohol responses (stimulation, sedation, reward, and smoking urge) for the BI-ARF were recorded during a separate alcohol challenge session (.8 g/kg). Outcomes were past-month drinking and smoking behavior assessed at 1- and 6-months post-intervention. Results At 6-month follow-up, the BI-ARF produced significant reductions in binge drinking, alcohol-smoking co-use, drinking quantity and frequency, and smoking frequency, but not maximum drinks per occasion, relative to baseline. Overall, the BI-ARF produced larger reductions in drinking/smoking behaviors at follow-up than did the BI-S or AC. Conclusions Including personalized feedback on alcohol response phenotype may improve BI outcomes for young adult HDS. Additional research is warranted to enhance and refine this approach in a broader sample.
Effects of Dietary Fiber, Fats, and Meat Intakes on the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus

Animal and human models suggest associations between fat intake, fiber intake, and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We evaluated whether these factors may act early in the carcinogenic pathway as a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus, a potentially premalignant precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma using a case-control design within the Kaiser Permanente, Northern California population. Incident Barrett's esophagus cases (n = 296) were matched to persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (n = 308) and to population controls (n = 309). Higher intakes of omega-3-fatty-acids [cases vs. population controls; OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22-0.97, 4th vs. 1st quartiles of intake], polyunsaturated fat, total fiber (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15-0.76), and fiber from fruits and vegetables (OR = 0.47 95% CI = 0.25-0.88) were associated with a lower risk of Barrett's esophagus. Higher meat intakes were associated with a lower risk of long-segment Barrett's esophagus (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.09-0.72). In contrast, higher trans-fat intakes were associated with increased risk (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03-1.21 per g/day). Total fat intake, barbecued foods, and fiber intake from sources other than fruits and vegetables were not associated with Barrett's esophagus. Future studies to evaluate whether dietary interventions might influence the risk of Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma in high risk persons are needed.
Coefficient-free adaptations of polynomial root-finders

We adapt two celebrated polynomial root-finders. Performing one of them, we involve only the scaled values of the input polynomial c(@l) at the points approximating the roots and recursively updated. Performing another root-finder, we also compute the values of the derivative c'(@l) at these points. In neither case do we use the coefficients of c(@l). We also relate our algorithms to approximating the eigenvalues of a matrix.
Outcome based state budget allocation for diabetes prevention programs using multi-criteria optimization with robust weights

We consider the problem of outcomes based budget allocations to chronic disease prevention programs across the United States (US) to achieve greater geographical healthcare equity. We use Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs (DPCP) by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an example. We present a multi-criteria robust weighted sum model for such multi-criteria decision making in a group decision setting. The principal component analysis and an inverse linear programming techniques are presented and used to study the actual 2009 budget allocation by CDC. Our results show that the CDC budget allocation process for the DPCPs is not likely model based. In our empirical study, the relative weights for different prevalence and comorbidity factors and the corresponding budgets obtained under different weight regions are discussed. Parametric analysis suggests that money should be allocated to states to promote diabetes education and to increase patient-healthcare provider interactions to reduce disparity across the US.
Anti-Fibrinolytic Effect of ∊-Aminocaproic Acid as Measured by in vivo Clot Lysis.

SummaryThe in vivo anti-fibrinolytic properties of ∊-aminocaproic acid (EACA) were measured in rats by studying the effect of orally administered EACA on retention of subcutaneous rat plasma clots labeled with either I131-fibrinogen or I131-antibody to fi-brinogen. Five percent EACA in drinking water was found to be a better fibrinolytic inhibitor than 2% EACA; predosing with EACA did not further enhance fibrinolytic inhibition; and the EACA-induced anti-fibrinolytic state was shown to be initiated and terminated within hours after initiation and cessation, respectively, of EACA treatment. Results obtained support the hypothesis that EACA is a potent fibrinolytic inhibitor in vivo, as well as in vitro.
Spectral-moment constraints on electride-electron locations in the crystalline electride [Cs(18-crown-6) 2 ]

The inverse-first moment and the first moment of the observed optical-absorption spectrum of the crystalline electride [Cs(18-crown-6${)}_{2}$] [where (18-crown-6) is (${\mathrm{CH}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CH}}_{2}$O${)}_{6}$] are used to determine rigorous upper and lower bounds for the absolute maximum of the single-particle probability density of a typical constituent electride electron. These bounds sufficiently bracket the contact densitites that are determined from magic-angle-spinning $^{133}\mathrm{NMR}$ spectra of the pure electride and of its mix-crystals with the isomorphous sodide, [Cs(18-crown-6${)}_{2}$Na], to indicate that the distribution of the electron most likely is located in the immediate vicinity of a cesium nucleus. Limitations on the number of $^{133}\mathrm{NMR}$ absorptions in sodide-electride mix-crystals are shown to support such a location.
Dysplasia of human prostate CD133hi sub population in NOD-SCIDS is blocked by c-myc anti-sense

Background: The CD133hi sub-population of prostate epithelial cells has been demonstrated to possess tumor-initiating capacity consistent with that of the cancer stem cell theory. However, the involvement of oncogenes such as c-myc has not been fully elucidated in the CD133hi sub-population.
Depressed phagocytic function exhibited by polymorphonuclear leucocytes from chronically iron deficient rabbits.

SUMMARY. The production of chronic iron deficiency in rabbits was associated with impaired phagocytosis of opsonized Staphylococcus aureus by their polymorphonuclear leucocytes. These cells had a reduced ability to ingest the bacteria and the rate of ingestion could not be stimulated by autologous serum leucophilic γ-globulin.
Analysis of folate cofactor levels in tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract A method for the isolation and concentration of the monoglutamate forms of folate cofactors from tissues and for their subsequent separation and quantitation using HPLC coupled with uv detection at 284 nm is described. A chromatographic procedure utilizing Dowex 50 has been developed for the separation of the folate monoglutamates from a large portion of the nonfolate-related material following digestion of the polyglutamated froms with a highly purified preparation of rat liver conjugase. This chromatographic procedure combined with concentration of the Dowex eluate by lyophilization eliminates uv-absorbing material, which interferes with the detection and quantitation of the folate cofactors and makes possible uv measurement of the individual folates. Reverse-phase paired-ion chromatography on μBondapak C 18 coupled with uv detection allows direct quantitation of the folates in the nanogram range.
Smoking, inflammatory patterns and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia

Background Smoking is associated with increased postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PPT). Inflammation and insulin resistance are potential “drivers” for this phenomenon. We tested whether inflammatory patterns and/or insulin resistance explain the effect of smoking on PPT.
O4-S2.06 A primate model of Mycoplasma genitalium cervical infection

Background Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a newly recognised pathogen associated with acute and persistent reproductive tract infection in men and women. Understanding of the disease mechanisms, persistence and immune avoidance of this organism is hampered by the lack of a suitable animal model. Methods Female pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) were inoculated cervically with ∼109 genome equivalents (∼108 ccu9s) of MG strain G37, then assessed at intervals over 8 weeks for the persistence of MG in lower tract specimens. Fallopian tube biopsies were collected via laparotomy at Weeks 4 and 8. Specimens were assessed for the presence of MG DNA by qPCR and for viable MG by growth in H broth and Vero cell co-cultures. Serum collected at intervals was evaluated by immunoblot and ELISA for reactivity to MG antigens. Finally the variable regions of the immunodominant surface antigens, MgpB and MgpC, were analysed by PCR cloning and sequencing to evaluate sequence variation during infection. Results Of the five primates inoculated cervically with MG, three were infected throughout the 8 weeks of the study, one maintained infection for 4 weeks and one resisted infection. Recovery of viable MG from lower reproductive tract sites was improved by co-culture in Vero cells followed by qPCR to measure an increase in MG genomes during culture. Growth in H broth, as determined by colour change proved an unreliable indicator of the presence of viable MG in the specimen possibly due to the presence of primate microorganisms that inhibit the growth of MG. No viable MG or MG DNA was detected in upper tract tissues in any of the primates perhaps suggesting that longer infection times or repeated inoculations are needed to achieve ascension in this model. Analysis of mgpB variable regions B and G indicated that after 8 weeks of infection the predominant expressed sequence changed from that of the G37C inoculum to 1 to 5 novel sequences consistent with recombination between the expression site and the MgPars. In contrast, no sequence variation was observed in the inoculum grown in vitro for a similar duration. Antibodies reactive with MG antigens, including the variable regions of MgpB and MgpC, were detected by immunoblot and ELISA in serum and cervical exudates. Conclusions The cervical inoculation model of pigtail macaques results in long-term infection and can be used to study the persistence of MG, development of antibodies and antigenic variation.
Potassium accumulation as dynamic modulator of neurohypophysial excitability

Abstract Activity-dependent modulation of excitable responses from neurohypophysial axons and their secretory swellings has long been recognized as an important regulator of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin release during patterned stimulation. Various activity-dependent mechanisms, including action potential broadening, potassium accumulation, and autocrine or paracrine feedback, have been proposed as underlying mechanisms. However, the relevance of any specific mechanism on net excitability in the intact preparation, during different levels of overall activation, and during realistic stimulation with trains of action potentials has remained largely undetermined. Using high-speed optical recordings and potentiometric dyes, we have quantified the dynamics of global excitability under physiologically more realistic conditions, that is in the intact neurohypophysis during trains of stimuli at varying frequencies and levels of overall activity. Net excitability facilitated during stimulation at low frequencies or at low activity. During persistent high-intensity or high-frequency stimulation, net excitability became severely depressed. Depression of excitable responses was strongly affected by manipulations of extracellular potassium levels, including changes to resting [K + ] out , increases of interstitial spaces with hypertonic solutions and inhibition of Na + /K + ATPase activity. Application of the GABA A receptor blocker bicuculline or manipulations of Ca 2+ influx showed little effect. Numerical simulation of K + accumulation on action potentials of individual axons reproduced optically recorded population responses, including the overall depression of action potential (AP) amplitudes, modest AP broadening and the prominent loss of hyperpolarizing undershoots. Hence, extracellular potassium accumulation dominates activity-dependent depression of neurohypophysial excitability under elevated stimulation conditions. The intricate dependence on the short-term stimulation history and its resulting feedback on neurohypophysial excitability renders [K + ] out accumulation a surprisingly complex mechanism for regulating axonal excitability and subsequent neuroendocrine release.
Ensemble-Based Error and Predictability Metrics Associated with Tropical Cyclogenesis. Part I: Basinwide Perspective

AbstractSeveral metrics are employed to evaluate predictive skill and attempt to quantify predictability using the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, with an emphasis on large-scale variables relevant to tropical cyclogenesis. These metrics include the following: 1) growth and saturation of error, 2) errors versus climatology, 3) predicted forecast error standard deviation, and 4) predictive power. Overall, variables that are more directly related to large-scale, slowly varying phenomena are found to be much more predictable than variables that are inherently related to small-scale convective processes, regardless of the metric. For example, 850–200-hPa wind shear and 200-hPa velocity potential are found to be predictable beyond one week, while 200-hPa divergence and 850-hPa relative vorticity are only predictable to about one day. Similarly, area-averaged quantities such as circulation are much more predictable than nonaveraged quantities such as vorticity. Signif...
Mechanisms of LTP Induction in Rat Motor Cortex in vitro

The motor cortex displays remarkable plasticity in response to changes in sensory and motor experience; however, the synaptic mechanisms underlying functional plasticity are not known. It is believed that synaptic processes that alter the strength of neuronal connections, such as long-term potentiation (LTP), are mechanisms by which synaptic circuits are modified by experience, resulting in functional adaptations. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of LTP of synaptic responses in layers II/III to vertical (stimulation in layers V/VI) and horizontal (stimulation in layers II/III) inputs, in slices from rat motor cortex. Tetanic stimulation in layers V/VI or II/III induced LTP in 60% of the field potentials (n = 20) and in 73% of the intracellularly recorded postsynaptic potentials (n = 33). LTP was induced in cells with firing patterns characteristic of regular-spiking, fast-spiking, or bursting cells. LTP was expressed, for the most part, in kainate/AMPA receptor-mediated responses; however, potentiation of NMDA receptor-mediated components was also observed. Induction of LTP was prevented when either NMDA receptors or dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels (DSCCs) were blocked, although blockade of DSCCs was less effective in preventing LTP induction. Based on the present data and previous LTP studies, we suggest that in many forms of LTP more than one mechanism participates in the induction process. The present findings may be relevant to the synaptic mechanisms underlying functional plasticity in motor cortex.
Multi-Dimensional Real-Time Convolver

A new design of a multi-dimensional real-time VLSI convolver is presented. A custom VLSI chip is proposed which, when accompanied by memory buffers, can be used to assemble a convolver of arbitrary dimension and with arbitrary input size. The convolver is optimal with respect to the size of memory and has very small latency. Numerous modifications of the basic design are introduced in a framework of a unified graph-theoretic transformation called retiming. This approach guarantees functional equivalence of the original and modified systems.
The polyol pathway—a culprit in diabetic neuropathy?

The development of diabetic neuropathy is strongly linked to chronic hyperglycemia. While numerous biochemical mechanism(s) are suspected of mediating this linkage, substantial evidence points an incriminating finger at the polyol pathway. In particular, structurally distinct inhibitors of aldose reductase (ARIs) prevent, retard, and sometimes reverse, functional and structural nerve abnormalities in animal models of diabetic neuropathy. Early trials of ARIs in human diabetics have shown "small" positive effects on nerve function and structure, but have been disappointing to some because of both overly optimistic therapeutic expectations and deficiencies in the pharmacodynamic or toleration profiles of the agents tested. Recently, strong new evidence has emerged that better defines the impact of intensified glycemic control on diabetic neuropathy and provides more realistic therapeutic expectations for ARI therapy. In this context, clinical results with current ARIs offer substantial encouragement for the therapeutic potential of ARIs to treat, slow and prevent diabetic neuropathy. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of chicken liver cell adhesion molecule fusion genes in transgenic mice.

Abstract The tissue-specific expression of the chicken liver cell adhesion molecule (L-CAM) was studied by generating transgenic mice. The rat insulin II promoter was fused to a chicken L-CAM cDNA or to chicken genomic L-CAM sequences. Mice carrying the cDNA showed no expression of L-CAM. Mice carrying L-CAM genomic sequences showed expression in the beta cells of the pancreas, suggesting that sequences in introns or in flanking regions are required for expression. Murine L-CAM was undetectable in the beta cells of the pancreas of those transgenic mice expressing chicken L-CAM and thus appeared to be down-regulated, but expression of the mouse protein was not altered at other sites. Chicken L-CAM was also found in extrapancreatic tissues such as skin, kidney, liver, lung, intestine, blood vessels, and the choroid plexus and leptomeninges of the central nervous system. These findings raised the possibility that the chicken L-CAM gene contains cis regulatory elements that interfere with the specificity of a tissue-specific promoter such as the rat insulin promoter. To test this hypothesis, transgenic mice were produced with a construct containing the murine neurofilament promoter fused to genomic chicken L-CAM sequences. Chicken L-CAM was expressed in the brain and spinal cord, where L-CAM is not normally found, but it was also found in some nonneural tissues (kidney, liver, intestine, lung) in which L-CAM is normally expressed. The combined results suggest that tissue-specific cis-acting elements in the chicken L-CAM gene, when combined with heterologous promoters/enhancers, can generate novel patterns of gene expression.