cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural characterization of human hemoglobin crosslinked by bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl) fumarate using mass spectrometric techniques

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) was analyzed by mass spectrometric-based techniques to identify the protein modifications effected by the crosslinking reaction with bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl) fumarate. DCLHb consists of two principal components. These components were isolated by size-exclusion chromatography and identified by measurement of their molecular weight using electrospray mass spectrometry and subsequent peptide mass mapping and mass spectrometric sequence analysis of their individual digests. Three major RP-HPLC fractions were observed from the major hemoglobin in DCLHb. Their MWs matched the MW of heme, intact hemoglobin beta-chain, and two hemoglobin alpha-chains crosslinked by a fumarate moiety, respectively. The minor HPLC peaks of DCLHb were also separated, and characterized by mass spectrometric methods. These minor components revealed additional details of the structural nature of covalent modification of DCLHb.
Waveform design for distributed aperture in through-the-wall radar

Distributed aperture allows the implementation of matched illumination waveform design for improved target detection in through-the-wall radar imaging and sensing applications. We consider a multistatic radar system for detection of stationary targets with known impulse responses behind walls. The stationary and slowly moving nature of typical indoor targets relaxes the orthogonality requirement on the waveforms, thereby allowing sequential transmissions from each transmitter with simultaneous reception at multiple receivers. Performance of the matched illumination multistatic waveforms is evaluated under range gate and target orientation errors using electromagnetic modeling data.
Acute hemorrhagic complications are associated with lower coated-platelet levels in non-lacunar brain infarction.

Summary Background Coated platelets are procoagulant platelets observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Coated-platelet levels are elevated in patients with non-lacunar ischemic stroke and decreased in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage as compared with controls. Objective To investigate whether acute hemorrhagic complications occurring during the initial hospital admission for non-lacunar ischemic stroke are associated with lower coated-platelet levels. Patients/methods Coated-platelet levels were determined in 385 consecutive patients with non-lacunar stroke. Hemorrhagic complications were defined as either intracranial hemorrhage or significant extracranial bleeding (drop in hemoglobin of ≥ 2 g dL−1). The rate of acute hemorrhagic complication was compared among subjects categorized into tertiles of coated-platelet levels using an exact Cochrane-Armitage trend test. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds of hemorrhagic complication associated with coated-platelet levels. Results Hemorrhagic complications were present in 15 (3.9%) cases. Of these, four had intracranial hemorrhage and 11 had extracranial hemorrhage. The occurrence of hemorrhagic complications differed among the coated-platelet tertiles: 10.2% for the first tertile (coated-platelet levels < 35.5%), 1.5% for the second tertile and 0% for the third tertile (coated-platelet levels ≥ 47.5%, trend test). Logistic regression showed that the odds of hemorrhagic complication in those with levels < 35.5% were 14.59 times the odds for patients with levels ≥ 35.5% (95% CI: 3.24–65.7). Conclusions Lower levels of procoagulant platelets are associated with acute hemorrhagic complications following non-lacunar ischemic stroke. These results suggest a role for coated-platelets in risk/benefit assessment in the early stages of stroke.
The Structures of Letters and Symbols throughout Human History Are Selected to Match Those Found in Objects in Natural Scenes

Abstract: Are there empirical regularities in the shapes of letters and other human visual signs, and if so, what are the selection pressures underlying these regularities? To examine this, we determined a wide variety of topologically distinct contour configurations and examined the relative frequency of these configuration types across writing systems, Chinese writing, and nonlinguistic symbols. Our first result is that these three classes of human visual sign possess a similar signature in their configuration distribution, suggesting that there are underlying principles governing the shapes of human visual signs. Second, we provide evidence that the shapes of visual signs are selected to be easily seen at the expense of the motor system. Finally, we provide evidence to support an ecological hypothesis that visual signs have been culturally selected to match the kinds of conglomeration of contours found in natural scenes because that is what we have evolved to be good at visually processing.
The use of cognitive ability measures as explanatory variables in regression analysis

Cognitive ability measures are often taken as explanatory variables in regression analysis, e.g., as a factor affecting a market outcome such as an individual’s wage, or a decision such as an individual’s education acquisition. Cognitive ability is a latent construct; its true value is unobserved. Nonetheless, researchers often assume that a test score, constructed via standard psychometric practice from individuals’ responses to test items, can be safely used in regression analysis. We examine problems that can arise, and suggest that an alternative approach, a “mixed effects structural equations” (MESE) model, may be more appropriate in many circumstances. J01
Multiclade Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Immunogens Elicit Broad Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Rhesus Monkeys

The development of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine that elicits potent cellular and humoral immune responses recognizing divergent strains of HIV-1 will be critical for combating the global AIDS epidemic. The present studies were initiated to examine the magnitude and breadth of envelope (Env)-specific T-lymphocyte and antibody responses generated by vaccines containing either a single or multiple genetically distant HIV-1 Env immunogens. Rhesus monkeys were immunized with DNA prime-recombinant adenovirus boost vaccines encoding a Gag-Pol-Nef polyprotein in combination with either a single Env or a mixture of clade-A, clade-B, and clade-C Envs. Monkeys receiving the multiclade Env immunization developed robust immune responses to all vaccine antigens and, importantly, a greater breadth of Env recognition than monkeys immunized with vaccines including a single Env immunogen. All groups of vaccinated monkeys demonstrated equivalent immune protection following challenge with the pathogenic simian-human immunodeficiency virus 89.6P. These data suggest that a multicomponent vaccine encoding Env proteins from multiple clades of HIV-1 can generate broad Env-specific T-lymphocyte and antibody responses without antigenic interference. This study demonstrates that it is possible to generate protective immune responses by vaccination with genetically diverse isolates of HIV-1.
On “Manual therapy, exercise, and traction for patients with cervical radiculopathy…” Young IA, et al. Phys Ther. 2009;89:632–642.

I appreciate the discussion in the article by Young et al1 that focused on the meaning and precision of confidence intervals regarding effect sizes seen in the study. This focus on the meaning of the data is extremely useful. However, it would have been more helpful if the …
Relationship of street drug use, hospitalization, and psychosocial factors to low birthweight among low-income women.

: A retrospective study was conducted to determine differences in psychosocial and medical factors among low-income women with low and normal birthweight infants. The matched sample included 65 women in each group and data was collected on medical, demographic and detailed psychosocial information. Street drug use and hospitalization during pregnancy were significantly related to low birthweight after matching for 8 factors. Psychosocial factors from a patient's past background included mother's history of drug abuse, poor parenting by her mother and father, and being abused as a child. Psychosocial factors noted during the current pregnancy were major financial concerns, street drug use; poor relationships, particularly with father of the baby; and emotional and physical abuse. Study results suggest the need for more in-depth psychosocial assessment during pregnancy, and prenatal interventions designed to address these special psychosocial factors.
Positron emission tomography: a novel technique for investigating the biodistribution and transport of nanoparticles.

Particulate matter (PM) has been associated with serious health effects within but also outside of the pulmonary system. Therefore, there is great interest in studying the biodistribution of PM after delivery to the lung to correlate sites of extrapulmonary particle accumulation and abnormal conditions known to be associated with PM exposure. Traditional PM tracking studies have introduced nanoparticles to animal models or humans and have determined the biodistribution with gamma counting, gamma camera, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The authors here demonstrate that positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful tool that can be employed to visualize the deposition and track the fate of nanoparticles in the mouse model. In these studies, ∼100-nm polystyrene nanoparticles were labeled with the positron emitter 64Cu bound by the chelator (S)-2-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid (p-SCN-Bn-DOTA). The labeled nanoparticles were instilled intr...
Heterotopic ossification in burns: Our experience and literature reviews

Abstract Purposes Heterotopic ossification (HO) is an uncommon, but high profile complication of burns. In this paper, a retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate our treatment and results of HO. Relevant literature was also reviewed to search for new advances in prevention and management for patients with HO after burns. Materials and methods A retrospective study was undertaken in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou. We collected 12 patients who suffered from HO after burn and received operation in our hospital between June 2000 and September 2007. The data was expressed as mean. Results Patients’ gender distribution was 10 males and 2 females. The mean age was 43 years old (range, 30–59). Causes of burn were flame burn (75%), scald burn (8%), contact burn (8%), and high-voltage electrical burn (8%). Mean TBSA was 39% (range, 8–90%). Nine of 12 patients (75%) were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and 6 (50%) received mechanical ventilator support. The mean ICU stay was 82 days (range, 26–240 days). The elbow was the most commonly affected joint (92%). The outcome of surgery was acceptable in all elbows at the time of surgery. The mean ROMs before surgery were 31° (range, 0–75°). The mean ROMs after surgery were 99° (range, 70–115°); mean gain was 68° (range, 35–115°). One (8%) patients had recurrent HO after operation. The mean outpatient department follow-up time was 14.6 months (range, 1–40 months). The incidence of HO in our burn center is 0.15%. Conclusion Although HO after burn is uncommon, physicians should keep the complication in mind. When burn patients complain decreased ROM or “locking sign” in their joints, X-ray examination is indicated to rule out HO. Surgery is the treatment of choice when the diagnosis of HO is confirmed.
Ecological importance of large-diameter trees in a temperate mixed-conifer forest.

Large-diameter trees dominate the structure, dynamics and function of many temperate and tropical forests. Although both scaling theory and competition theory make predictions about the relative composition and spatial patterns of largediameter trees compared to smaller diameter trees, these predictions are rarely tested. We established a 25.6 ha permanent plot within which we tagged and mapped all trees $1 cm dbh, all snags $10 cm dbh, and all shrub patches $ 2m 2 .W e sampled downed woody debris, litter, and duff with line intercept transects. Aboveground live biomass of the 23 woody species was 507.9 Mg/ha, of which 503.8 Mg/ha was trees (SD=114.3 Mg/ha) and 4.1 Mg/ha was shrubs. Aboveground live and dead biomass was 652.0 Mg/ha. Large-diameter trees comprised 1.4% of individuals but 49.4% of biomass, with biomass dominated by Abies concolor and Pinus lambertiana (93.0% of tree biomass). The large-diameter component dominated the biomass of snags (59.5%) and contributed significantly to that of woody debris (36.6%). Traditional scaling theory was not a good model for either the relationship between tree radii and tree abundance or tree biomass. Spatial patterning of large-diameter trees of the three most abundant species differed from that of small-diameter conspecifics. For A. concolor and P. lambertiana, as well as all trees pooled, large-diameter and small-diameter trees were spatially segregated through inter-tree distances ,10 m. Competition alone was insufficient to explain the spatial patterns of large-diameter trees and spatial relationships between large-diameter and small-diameter trees. Long-term observations may reveal regulation of forest biomass and spatial structure by fire, wind, pathogens, and insects in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forests. Sustaining ecosystem functions such as carbon storage or provision of specialist species habitat will likely require different management strategies when the functions are performed primarily by a few large trees as opposed to many smaller trees.
Distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae

The distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae on the distal portion of male human thumbprints has been characterized. For each of 412 thumbprints, a centrally located focal minutia was chosen and neighboring minutiae were sampled. Minutiae were considered to be neighbors if there were no other minutiae appearing in the intervening region defined by the two minutia events and the ridge system. For each neighbor minutia, the total ridge distance between the focal and neighbor minutiae was measured. This distance is the total length of ridges appearing in the intervening region. The number of neighbor minutiae occurring about the focal minutia was found to be normally distributed with a mean of 6.42 (n = 412). The distribution of total ridge distances was not adequately described by the negative exponential distribution, but was well described by a gamma distribution with a shape parameter of 0.193 and a scale parameter of 5.91 mm. This gamma distribution reflects a local overdispersion of minutiae. This study is noteworthy as the first to describe the distribution of epidermal ridge minutiae within the ridge structure. The results support prior work based on quadrat sampling and eliminate two possible sources of error. A possible explanation for the overdispersed distribution lies in the growth stress model for minutia formation. Minutia formation may alleviate local growth stress, thereby removing the impetus for formation of additional minutiae in the immediately surrounding region.
A Binding Tie: Supportive Communication of Family Kinkeepers

Abstract Families are an important source of social support and little scholarship exists regarding how family members stay in touch and provide support for one another. Kinkeepers are said to provide support and keep family members informed about one another, yet there has been little research on who family kinkeepers are and how they communicate and enact this role. Two studies were undertaken. The first study used surveys to provide demographic data on kinkeepers and to ascertain information on their activities. The second study used diaries and interviews to document the activities of a set of kinkeepers and to describe outcomes of kinkeeping communication. These studies revealed that kinkeepers are mostly females between the ages of 40–59, who use the telephone and personal visits predominantly. Five outcomes of kinkeeping communication were identified: providing information, facilitating rituals, providing assistance, maintaining family relationships, and continuing a previous kinkeeper's work.
The Benefits of Peer Leader Programs: An Overview from the Literature.

This chapter provides a review of the literature on peer leadership with specific emphasis on the benefits of these programs to the students being served, to those who engage as peer leaders, and to the institution.
Comparison of Plasma Uric Acid Levels in Five Varieties of the Domestic Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo

Plasma uric acid (PUA) is a consensus physiological biomarker for many phenotypes in vertebrates because it is a reliable indicator for processes such as oxidative stress and tubular function. In birds, it is considered a major antioxidant and is also the primary endproduct of nitrogen metabolism. Despite this importance, knowledge of baseline levels of PUA in physiologically normal birds, including the turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, is limited. Here, we compared PUA levels in a total of 106 apparently normal male and female birds at 8 and 32 wk of age from 5 strains of the domestic turkey, including Bourbon Red, Narragansett, Blue Slate, Royal Palm, and Spanish Black. Though differences in PUA were not significant at 8 and 32 wk of age, BW, variety, and sex effects were highly significant. When adjusted for BW, female birds had, on average, a higher PUA per kilogram of BW than male birds. When adjusted for both sex and BW, Royal Palm birds had the lowest average PUA, and Blue Slate had the highest PUA. Results of these investigations represent the first comparative analysis of PUA in physiologically normal turkey varieties. They suggest that differences in basal plasma levels of uric acid in physiologically normal turkeys are influenced by sex, weight, and genetic background but may be independent of age.
Towards fast decentralized construction of locality-aware overlay networks

We consider a large overlay network where any two nodes can communicate directly via the underlying Internet as long as the sender knows the recipient's ip-address. Due to the scalability requirement, the overlay network must be sparse: a given node can store at most a polylogarithmic number of ip-addresses. A notion of distance (locality) in the network is given by node-to-node round-trip times. We assume that initially the overlay links are random, and hence have no explicit locality-aware properties.We provide fast distributed constructions for various locality-aware (low-stretch) distributed data structures, such as: distance labeling schemes, name-independent routing schemes, and multicast trees. In previous work, such data structures have only been constructed via centralized algorithms. Our constructions complete in poly-logarithmic time (and thus induce at most a poly-logarithmic load on every given node), and achieve quality guarantees similar to those of the corresponding centralized algorithms.Our algorithms use a common locality-aware, small-world-like overlay framework, constructed via concurrent random walks. Our guarantees are for growth-constrained metrics, a well-studied family of metrics which have been proposed as a reasonable abstraction of round-trip times in the Internet.
LIGHT TITRATIONS : I. THE STARCH-IODINE REACTION.

1. The usefulness of the radiomicrometer in titration work has been pointed out. The authors suggest that light titration may also be used where a reaction mixture changes its absorption in the (near) infra-red. 2. The applicability of this method to the starch-iodine reaction has been demonstrated.
Journal club: How radiation exposure histories influence physician imaging decisions: a multicenter radiologist survey study

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the influence of patient radiation exposure histories on radiologists' imaging decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We conducted a physician survey study in three academic medical centers. Radiologists were asked to make an imaging recommendation for a hypothetical patient with a history of multiple CT scans. We queried radiologists' decision making, evaluating whether they incorporated cancer risks from previous imaging, reported acceptance (or rejection) of the linear no-threshold model, and understood linear no-threshold model implications in this setting. Consistency between radiologists' decisions and their linear no-threshold model beliefs was evaluated; those acting in accordance with the linear no-threshold model were expected to disregard previously incurred cancer risks. A Fisher exact test was used to verify the generalizability of results across institutions and training levels (residents, fellows, and attending physicians). RESULTS. Fifty-six...
Ethics revisited in a society in transition: the case of the former East Germany

Since 1990, the German government has been demanding from the civil servants of the former East Germany a new adaptability and creativity that was never promoted in the GDR bureaucracy. The article analyses the change of ethics in the former East Germany after 1990. It looks at the development of the German civil service, discusses the economic disparity between East and West, and examines the ethical tradition in the former socialist country. It uses the case of the selection in 2001 of the city of Leipzig by BMW as the location of a new manufacturing plant as an illustration of the new goal-oriented activities of the present Eastern bureaucracy. More than 250 European cities were competing for the new plant, which will create over 10,000 jobs. The level of performance of the Leipzig bureaucracy in the BMW case reveals the new efficiency and professionalism of the former Eastern civil service. In addition to Leipzig, virtually all the local and state administrations from the former East Germany have developed a sense of the necessities of the time, including globalization. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Involvement of Interleukin (IL)-15 in Regulating the Differentiation of Granulated Metrial Gland Cells in Mouse Pregnant Uterus

Previous studies have suggested that granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are bone marrow– derived lymphoid cells, which differentiate in situ in the mouse pregnant uterus into natural killer (NK)–like cells. Similar to NK cells, GMG cells express an abundant level of cytolytic mediators such as perforin. The factor(s) regulating the differentiation of GMG cells remain(s) to be identified, although cytokines previously implicated in the stimulation/activation of NK cells (e.g., IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-12) can be considered as potential candidates. Recently, IL-15, a novel cytokine, which displays biological activities similar to IL-2, has also been shown to be capable of activating NK cells. Using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, we have demonstrated in the present study that IL-15 and its cognate receptor, but not the other cytokines, are expressed in the mouse pregnant uterus, with a time course concomitant with those of cytolytic mediators in differentiated GMG cells. Moreover, IL-15, though not IL-2, is capable of inducing the expression of perforin and granzymes in pregnant uterine tissues explanted in vitro. Data obtained from in situ hybridization study have suggested that the macrophages present in the pregnant uterus may be responsible for the production of IL-15. These results suggest that IL-15 is involved in regulating the differentiation of GMG cells during mouse pregnancy.
Jevons Paradox And The Economic Implications For Europe

Energy consumption has increased considerably in the past two hundred years despite more efficient technology advancements. This positive correlation between increased energy consumption and increased efficiency is known as Jevons Paradox. Increased energy consumption should be of concern because all the inputs to economic production come from the environment and the consumption of resources from the ecosystem will cause an economic slowdown. Additionally, the consumption of natural resources to provide energy is an irreversible process, worsening the human condition instead of improving human welfare. Therefore, sustainable development policies need to be considered to end the continued excess consumption, beyond sustainable levels, of natural resources and the potential resulting conflicts. To design environmentally sustainable policies, the effect of economic activity, of resource utilization, and increased efficiency must be understood. In this paper, we attempt to illustrate how energy consumption alters the natural state of the economy and the environment. Further, using energy data from the Energy Information Administration we develop models that provide empirical support that Jevons Paradox may exist on a macro level for the countries of Europe. Specifically, eighteen European countries are examined. Finally, the resulting policy implications and the applications for an ecological economic approach are explored.
On the Origin of Preaspiration in Scandinavian

The peripheral location of Scandinavian dialects with preaspiration supports the view that preaspiration was present in Common Scandinavian. Sound changes in Common Scandinavian and resulting morphophonemic alternations in the older Scandinavian languages exhibit the articulatory timing characteristic of preaspiration and sonorant devoicing and further bolster the argument that Common Scandinavian is the terminus ad quem for the origin of preaspiration. Dialectal and historical data also indicate that preaspiration is primarily, but not exclusively, a West Scandinavian phenomenon. Finally, it is argued that the reconstruction of preaspiration and sonorant devoicing for Common Scandinavian motivates the development of West Jutlandic stod and the distribution of Common Danish stod in West Jutlandic.
Changes in Motoneuron Excitability in Hemiplegic Subjects After Passive Exercise When Using a Robotic Arm

Abstract Patel S, Ho JT, Kumar R, Lai K, Ahangar B, Burgar CG, Scremin AE. Changes in motoneuron excitability in hemiplegic subjects after passive exercise when using a robotic arm. Objective To test the hypothesis that motoneuron excitability in stroke subjects is influenced by peripheral sensory input through passive exercise to the hemiplegic upper extremity. Design Case-control prospective study. Setting Physical medicine and rehabilitation inpatient and outpatient clinic at a tertiary Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants Nineteen hemiplegic adult subjects with a history of a cerebrovascular event. Intervention A standardized passive exercise program was performed on the right upper extremity by using a robotic arm. Nerve conduction study of the median nerve was obtained before and after the exercise. Maximum onset and peak amplitudes of the Hoffmann reflex (Hmax) and motor response (Mmax) wave were recorded. Main Outcome Measures Hmax, Mmax, and Hmax/Mmax ratio. Results Immediately after passive exercise, there was no significant alteration in the Hmax ( P =.94), Mmax ( P =.60), or Hmax/Mmax ratio ( P =.53) as compared with pre-exercise evoked responses. Conclusions Peripheral proprioceptive input with passive exercise does not cause appreciable change in the Hmax/Mmax ratio, suggesting that motoneuron excitability of the affected upper extremity in stroke subjects is not influenced by passive robotic intervention.
Directional wave spectrum measurement with multistatic HF surface wave radar

HF surface wave radars (HFSWR) measure sea surface currents and current profiles via the Doppler shift of the discrete (first-order scattering) line structure in the radar Doppler spectrum. They can also exploit the higher-order scattering contributions to the Doppler spectrum which yield information on the sea surface directional spectrum in the gravity wave band. Most HFSWR systems operate in a quasi-monostatic configuration, that is, they employ separate transmit and receive antennas but with a baseline d much less than the range R to the nearest resolution cell of interest. Under conditions where d<<R, the well-known monostatic second-order scattering formula of D. E. Barrick (1972) can be used without appreciable error. In order to determine an independent second component of the surface current vector, or to obtain additional wave Eeld information, or to resolve ambiguities, researchers have sometimes deployed two quasi-monostatic HFSWR systems which interrogate a region of interest from different directions. Alternatively, one such system may be used consecutively at two or more locations. This arrangement is sometimes referred to as stereoscopic radar. A third option, now reported, is to employ two spatially-separated receiver (or transmitter) systems in conjunction with a single transmitter (or receiver), that is, a multistatic radar. To be effective, at least one Tx-Rx combination will involve bistatic scattering for which the constraint d<<R is not satisfied. In May 1998 the authors deployed an experimental multistatic HFSWR system near Darwin, Australia, with a number of objectives including the validation of a multiple scattering theory of HF radiowave propagation across the sea surface and the inversion of multistatic sea clutter Doppler spectra to yield unambiguous directional wave spectra.
Abstract 163: Induction of Lysosomal Biogenesis in Macrophages Reduces Atherosclerosis in an Autophagy-dependent Manner

Recent reports of the proatherogenic phenotype of mice with a macrophage-specific autophagy deficiency have renewed interest in the role of the autophagy-lysosomal system in atherosclerosis. Lysosomes have the unique role of processing both exogenous material such as excess atherogenic lipids and endogenous cargo that includes dysfunctional proteins and organelles via autophagy. Previously we demonstrated that oxidized LDL and cholesterol crystals, two of the commonly encountered lipid species in the atherosclerotic plaque, create a profound lysosomal and autophagy dysfunction in cultured macrophages. Overexpression of TFEB, a transcription factor that is the only known master regulator of lysosomal and autophagy biogenesis, in macrophages initiates a robust prodegradative response including induction of lysosomal and autophagy genes. This in turn ameliorates several deleterious effects of the lipid-mediated dysfunction, namely the blunting of inflammasome activation, enhancing cholesterol efflux, and accelerating the degradation of protein aggregates. Our in vitro data suggest that the induction of a lysosomal biogenesis program in macrophages can have atheroprotective effects. Indeed, myeloid-specific TFEB overexpression in mice significantly reduces atherosclerotic plaque burden as well as plaque complexity as gauged by reduced necrotic core and markers of apoptosis. Interestingly, this protection is autophagy-dependent since these TFEB-overexpressing mice on a background of myeloid-specific autophagy (ATG5)-deficiency no longer demonstrate plaque reduction. Mechanistically, this indicates that suppression of the inflammasome and enhancement of cholesterol efflux and protein aggregate removal is dependent on the TFEB-autophagy axis. Taken together, our data support the notion that harnessing the prodegradative response in macrophages via TFEB can be atheroprotective and provides the impetus to evaluate mechanisms by which macrophage lysosomal and autophagy biogenesis can be modulated therapeutically.
Assortative Matching with Explicit Search Costs: Existence and Asymptotic Analysis

This paper analyzes a decentralized search and matching economy comprised of heterogeneous agents. The paper looks at a model with additive search costs and transferable utility, gives a general proof of equilibrium existence and shows that perfect assortative matching is the unique equilibrium in the limit economy as search frictions disappear.
Two-photon flow cytometer with laser scanning Bessel beams

ABSTRACT Flow cytometry is an important technique in biomedical discovery for cell counting, cell sorting and biomarker detection. In vivo flow cytometers, based on one -photon or two -photon excited fluorescence, have been developed for more than a decade. One drawback o f laser beam scanning two -photon flow cytometer is that the two -photon excitation volume is fairly small due to the short Rayleigh range of a focused Gaussian beam. Hence, the sampling volume is much smaller than one -photon flow cytometry, which makes it challenging to count or detect rare circulating cells in vivo. Bessel beams have narrow intensity profiles with an effective spot size (FWHM) as small as several wavelengths, making them comparable to Gaussian beams. More significantly, the theoretical dept h of field (propagation distance without diffraction) can be infinite, making it an ideal solution as a light source for scanning beam flow cytometry. The trade -off of using Bessel beams rather than a Gaussian beam is the fact that Bessel beams have small concentric side rings that contribute to background noise. Two -photon excitation can reduce this noise, as the excitation efficiency is proportional to intensity squared. Therefore, we developed a two -photon flow cytometer using scanned Bessel beams to for m a light sheet that intersects the micro fluidic channel . Keywords: two -photon excitation , flow cytometer , Bessel beams , light sheet , epi -detection , lase scan , non -diffracting
Role of transforming growth factor beta in human disease.

In human tissues, normal homeostasis requires intricately balanced interactions between cells and the network of secreted proteins known as the extracellular matrix. These cooperative interactions involve numerous cytokines acting through specific cell-surface receptors. When the balance between the cells and the extracellular matrix is perturbed, disease can result. This is clearly evident in the interactions mediated by the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). TGF-β is a member of a family of dimeric polypeptide growth factors that includes bone morphogenic proteins and activins. All of these growth factors share a cluster of conserved cysteine residues that form a common cysteine . . .
Coronary slow flow--prevalence and clinical correlations

Background: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined as delayed coronary opacification in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In the present study, we sought to define its prevalence and clinical features. Methods and Results: The 1,741 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were identified. Those with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal coronary arteries were included in the study (n=158). TIMI frame counts were calculated, and data on demographics, comorbidities, and medication use were collected. CSFP was defined as frame count >27. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of CSFP. CSFP was identified in 96 (5.5%) subjects referred for CAG. Subjects with CSFP were more obese (body mass index [BMI] 33.9 vs. 29.8kg/m2, P=0.003) and had lower high-density lipoprotein levels (39.7 vs. 45.7mg/dl, P=0.04). In the CSFP group, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and frame counts increased significantly with increasing vessel involvement (1-, vs. 2-, vs. 3-vessel involvement; P<0.05 for each variable). By multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.17-8.61, P=0.02) and higher BMI independently predicted the presence of CSFP (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.15, P=0.003). Conclusions: CSFP is associated with male sex and obesity. Multivessel involvement may be a marker of more severe, diffuse disease. Further studies are needed to investigate this hypothesis. (Circ J 2012; 76: 936-942)
Comprehension syntax

The syntax of comprehensions is very close to the syntax of a number of practical database query languages and is, we believe, a better starting point than first-order logic for the development of database languages. We give an informal account of a language based on comprehension syntax that deals uniformly with a variety of collection types; it also includes pattern matching, variant types and function definition. We show, again informally, how comprehension syntax is a natural fragment of structural recursion, a much more powerful programming paradigm for collection types. We also show that a very small "abstract syntax language" can serve as a basis for the implementation and optimization of comprehension syntax.
Set-valued Statistics Trustworthiness Measurement towards User Behavior in Networks

The research of trustworthiness measurement of user behavior is the hotpot in the network security. By analyzing the user behavior data in netw orks,this paper built a trustw orthy behavior evaluation tree,and put forw ard user behavior hierarchies and judging method to determine the trustw orthiness threshold. We brought the set-valued statistics in the trustw orthiness measurement,and put forw ard the Dynamic M ulti-dimensional Calculated Algorithm,w hich can calculate the value of the user behavior data,so as to predict the user behavior in netw orks using the linear regression. This method changed the methods in the past w hich relied on subjective evaluation of attribute's value. The collection of objective evidence confirmed behavior data evaluation value,and expanded the value of attribute to a range. Simulating results show that the model can accurately predict the user behavior in the netw ork environments and validate its dynamic variety characters.
Acne Vulgaris: A Treatment Update

Though acne is not generally cured, treatment can reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks, lessen discomfort from inflamed lesions, improve appearance, and prevent or minimize scarring, thereby averting or ameliorating potentially serious adverse psychosocial effects. A number of new agents are available; combination therapies that achieve synergism are described.
Murine congenital polycystic kidney disease: a model for studying development of cystic disease.

AbstractThe genetic, clinical and pathologic characteristics of murine congenital polycystic kidney disease (CPK) have been examined in mutant mice highly congenic with C57BL/6J inbred strains. This CPK defect appears to resemble closely human Infantile Polycystic Kidney Disease in its pattern of inheritance, clinical course, and appearance of the kidney in the severely affected animal. Histologic studies of early postnatal animals suggest that cystic alterations may occur first in the proximal tubules and secondarily affect the collecting ducts. The CPK mouse mutant should prove useful in further investigations into the early morphologic alterations and progression of cystic disease.
Pilot study measuring the effects of bandaging and cold compression therapy following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy

OBJECTIVES To compare cold compression therapy, modified Robert-Jones bandage or the combination of cold compression therapy plus modified Robert-Jones bandage on operated limbs following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs. METHODS Twenty-one client-owned dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease were prospectively enrolled. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three postoperative treatment groups: cold compression therapy, modified Robert-Jones bandage or a combination of both. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 12, 24 and 36 hours following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Measurements included weight-bearing on the operated limb, stifle flexion and extension angles and circumference of the operated limb at four levels. RESULTS There was no significant difference in weight-bearing, range of motion or limb swelling between groups. There was a trend for dogs in the cold compression therapy and cold compression therapy with a bandage groups to have a greater increase in weight-bearing after surgery compared with the bandage-only group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cold compression therapy is a safe modality following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy surgery. The trend towards improved use of the operated limb in the groups receiving cold compression therapy compared with those treated with only a bandage may be an indication that these patients are more comfortable in the postoperative period. The small sample size limits interpretation of the data but this pilot study provides data to guide future investigation.
Ultrasonic characterization of foods

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the basic concepts of ultrasonic propagation in materials, describes some of the most important methods for measuring and interpreting ultrasonic measurements, and focuses on the existing and possible applications of the technique in the food industry. There are two distinct types of applications of ultrasound in the food industry: high and low intensity. Low-intensity ultrasound does not alter the properties of a material and is therefore, non-destructive. This chapter discusses only low intensity applications. . Ultrasound is the study and application of sound waves whose frequency is too high to be detected by the human ear, i.e., above about 16 kHz. It is already an established technique for characterizing the physical properties of many biological and non-biological materials. It is used to obtain information about the properties of a material by measuring the interaction between a high-frequency sound wave and the material through which it propagates. The possibility of using ultrasound to characterize foods has been realized for over half a century. Ultrasound offers a number of advantages over alternative techniques used to characterize food: it is capable of rapid and precise measurements, is non-intrusive and non-invasive, can be applied to systems, which are concentrated and optically opaque, is relatively inexpensive, and can easily be adapted for on-line measurements. The continued development of ultrasound in the food industry depends on the availability of appropriate ultrasonic instrumentation and workers using a systematic approach to the measurement and interpretation of ultrasonic data.
Age-Dependent Status Epilepticus

The records of 394 children aged 1 month to 16 years with status epilepticus (SE) were reviewed at the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, and Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA.
Broadband Flat-top Superluminescent Diode with Low Spectral Modulation at 850 nm

The broadest bandwidth (80 nm) superluminescent diode (SLD) with center wavelength at 850 nm fabricated on GaAs/AlGaAs double quantum-well structure is characterized and analyzed. The broadband flat-top like spectrum and a 0.3 dB spectral modulation enable this device to produce an axial resolution of 4 mum in optical coherence tomography systems.
TP53 and Decitabine in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

BackgroundThe molecular determinants of clinical responses to decitabine therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are unclear. MethodsWe enrolled 84 adult patients with AML or MDS in a single-institution trial of decitabine to identify somatic mutations and their relationships to clinical responses. Decitabine was administered at a dose of 20 mg per square meter of body-surface area per day for 10 consecutive days in monthly cycles. We performed enhanced exome or gene-panel sequencing in 67 of these patients and serial sequencing at multiple time points to evaluate patterns of mutation clearance in 54 patients. An extension cohort included 32 additional patients who received decitabine in different protocols. ResultsOf the 116 patients, 53 (46%) had bone marrow blast clearance (<5% blasts). Response rates were higher among patients with an unfavorable-risk cytogenetic profile than among patients with an intermediate-risk or favorable-risk cytogenetic profile...
Voice-Vibratory Assessment With Laryngeal Imaging (VALI) Form: Reliability of Rating Stroboscopy and High-speed Videoendoscopy.

Summary Objective The purpose of the study was to evaluate the inter-judge and intra-judge reliability of raters using the Voice-Vibratory Assessment with Laryngeal Imaging (VALI) rating form that was developed for assessing videostroboscopy and high-speed videoendoscopic (HSV) recordings. Subjects and Methods Nine speech-language pathologists with an average of 12.8 years of experience with laryngeal imaging were trained to use the VALI form for rating 66 de-identified and randomized samples with voice disorders. Inter-judge reliability for parameters with scale data (amplitude, mucosal wave, nonvibratory portion, supraglottic activity, phase closure, symmetry, and regularity or periodicity) was assessed with intraclass correlations, and parameters with nominal data (glottal closure, vertical level, and free edge contour) were assessed with Fleiss' kappa. Intra-judge reliability was assessed using the Spearman rho statistic for scale data and percentage of concordant pairs for nominal data. Results Inter-judge reliability for parameters with scale data ranged from 0.57 to 0.96 for stroboscopy and from 0.81 to 0.94 for HSV. For nominal parameters, correlations ranged from 0.18 to 0.35 for stroboscopy and from 0.13 to 0.33 for HSV. Intra-judge reliability correlations for parameters with scale data ranged from 0.19 to 0.87 for stroboscopy and from 0.28 to 0.85 for HSV. For parameters with nominal data, percentage of concordance ranged from 44% to 78% for stroboscopy and from 52% to 89% for HSV. Conclusions The VALI rating form and the training protocol is a first, a priori developed rating form that includes visual-perceptual ratings of both stroboscopy and HSV. The current form can be used to make reliable visual-perceptual judgments for selected features of vibratory motion from stroboscopy and HSV.
A framework for place-making using Alexander’s patterns

Christopher Alexander’s book, A Pattern Language, introduces 253 design patterns that offer a vast grab bag of neo-traditional design options for place-making. One of the more compelling strengths of the text is the connectivity rule which indicates that each pattern is closely connected to other complimentary patterns. What remains unclear is which of these patterns are most influential. In this research, a quantitative assessment through network analysis is used to visualize the networks within Alexander’s patterns and examine each pattern’s relative importance for place-making. Findings suggest that five design patterns – Wings of Light, Arcades, Building Complex, Pedestrian Street, and Path and Goals – are, relatively, the most significantly influential and highly connected patterns. These patterns prioritize the importance of the quality of building arrangements, the function of building edges and emphasizes pedestrian-friendly design. The findings of this paper could be used to prioritize specific goals and for long-term place-making during initial design and planning.
Spectroscopic Evidence for a Monomeric Copper(I) Hydride and Crystallographic Characterization of a Monomeric Silver(I) Hydride.

(1,3-bis[2,6-bis[di(4-tert-butylphenyl)methyl]-4-methylphenyl]imidazol-2-ylidene)CuOPh [(IPr**)CuOPh] reacts with poly(methylhydrosiloxane) as the hydride donor to afford the monomeric (IPr**)CuH complex, which was spectroscopically characterized. The latter is in equilibrium in solution with [(IPr**)CuH]2, the dimer being exclusively present in the solid state. These results support the hypothesis that copper hydride aggregates dissociate in solution. In contrast, addition of pinacolborane to [(IPr**)AgOPh] at −40 °C allows the isolation of the monomeric (IPr**)AgH complex, which was crystallographically characterized.