cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Patients With Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis

In adults with moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS), valve replacement surgery is recommended when symptoms (ie, angina, syncope, or congestive heart failure) appear.1 In such patients, valve replacement surgery alleviates symptoms and improves survival, even in those with a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Although a minority of patients with symptomatic AS have a reduced LVEF, these individuals present challenges in evaluation and management. Article p 1738 In the patient with AS and a depressed LVEF, the latter may be caused by inadequate compensatory LV hypertrophy (so-called afterload mismatch) in which myocyte function is normal but LVEF is low because of inadequate LV mass. In such an individual, symptomatic status and LVEF improve with valve replacement surgery because the operation eliminates the preexisting excessive LV afterload, thereby restoring the match between LV myocyte mass and afterload. Alternatively, a depressed LVEF may be caused by a superimposed and separate myocardial disease process such as cardiomyopathy, ischemia, or fibrosis in which myocyte function is abnormal. In these individuals, operative risk is increased, symptomatic status often does not improve, and LVEF remains depressed after valve replacement surgery. Several previously published studies in subjects with AS and depressed LVEF have attempted to identify variables that may help to differentiate patients with afterload mismatch from those whose depressed LVEF is due to a separate disease process. Carabello and colleagues2 found that individuals with severe AS, depressed LVEF, and a transvalvular pressure gradient >30 mm Hg were likely to survive valve replacement surgery and to manifest symptomatic improvement postoperatively. In contrast, those with severe AS, depressed LVEF, and a low (<30 mm Hg) transvalvular pressure gradient did not benefit from valve replacement surgery; of 4 such subjects, 3 died perioperatively, and the 1 survivor did …
Measurement of particle size distribution in suspension polymerization using in situ laser backscattering

Abstract Many methods have been developed for characterizing the particle size distribution (PSD) in a suspension polymerization reactor, but are restricted to suspensions with low volume fractions of polymer or to determining the PSD only at the end of the batch. Laser backscattering can be used to measure the chord length distribution for slurries with high particle densities. Here, a combination of inverse modeling and laser backscattering is used to determine the PSD for polymer beads typical of operations for a suspension polymerization reactor. Several methods are compared for accurately determining the PSD from the reported chord length distribution (CLD), including methods that take surface roughness into account. These results demonstrate the applicability of laser backscattering for the in situ particle size distribution analysis in suspension polymerization reactors.
Asthma in exercising children exposed to ozone: a cohort study.

Findings In communities with high ozone concentrations, the relative risk of developing asthma in children playing three or more sports was 3·3 (95% CI 1·9‐5·8), compared with children playing no sports. Sports had no effect in areas of low ozone concentration (0·8, 0·4‐1·6). Time spent outside was associated with a higher incidence of asthma in areas of high ozone (1·4, 1·0‐2·1), but not in areas of low ozone. Exposure to pollutants other than ozone did not alter the effect of team sports. Interpretation Incidence of new diagnoses of asthma is associated with heavy exercise in communities with high concentrations of ozone, thus, air pollution and outdoor exercise could contribute to the development of asthma in children.
RELIGIOUS ORIENTATIONS OF THREE SAMPLES OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK, AND COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE

Stdmmary.-25 graduate students in a school of social work, 12 in clinical psychology, 41 in a department of counseling and guidance, and 22 undergraduates who attended a student center sponsored by a Fundamentalist church served as Ss. They took measures of Bible knowledge, liberal vs conservative religious attitudes, benefit derived from religion, introversion, and neuroticism. Student Fundamentalists were highest in Bible knowledge, conservatism, benefit from religion, and extraversion, and lowest in knowledge of modern theology. Psychology students were higher than social workers or counseling and guidance students on knowledge of modern theology and liberalism and lower on benetit derived from religion. The 12 psychology students were lower than all the other groups on neuroticism. On extraversion, both social work and psychology students were higher than counseling and guidance students. Implications for relations among these Souchern professional students were discussed. It was the purpose of this research to study the differences in the religious orientations of samples of graduate students in clinical psychology, social work, and guidance and counseling. As a group, graduate ssn~dents have many characteristics in common. They are above average in intelligence; they have more formal education than average, and the middle and upper socioeconomic classes are overreprexnted. These factors have all been shown to be related to liberal religious attirudes. Several smdies have yielded negative correlations between intelligence and traditional religious beliefs, attitudes, and experiences (Howells, 1928; Brown & Lowe, 1951; Gilliland, 1953). Fry (1933) noted liberal churches such as Unitarian and Episcopal were overrepresented in Who's Who while more conservative churches such as Disciples of Christ and Baptist were not well represented. After reviewing the literature dealing with the relacionship of education to religious attitudes, Argyle (1958) states that as years in college increase church attendance becomes less frequent and beliefs more liberal. Finally, relation of social class to religious beliefs has been exhaustively studied. A recent study (Demerath, 1965) supported previous findings which indicated that as social class increases religious attitudes become more liberal. These observations support the conclusion chat graduate students as a group are relatively liberal in religious orientation since the factors mentioned above are correlated with a more liberal outlook on religion. This study provides further information on the religious attitudes of some graduate student groups in the mental health professions. Since these groups interact frequently in professional life, differences in religious orientation may be an important aspect of
Geographic Illiteracy among College Students

Over 300 college students were given a survey assessing four aspects of geographic knowledge, which included cultural, spatial, and map reading considerations. A variety of demographic and academic factors were compared to levels of geographic literacy as measured by the survey. Weak relationships were found between some of the academic factors and geographic competence. However, very powerful relationships were evident between geographic literacy and race, age, and especially gender.
Lung Protective Ventilation Strategies

While traditional ventilation approaches are appropriate for the patient without significant lung disease and only requiring short-term mechanical ventilatory support, the strategy should be altered for the patient with severe lung disease. Research on the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury has led to the development of mechanical ventilation strategies that imrove patient outcomes. The trend toward using lower tidal volmes, limited airway pressures, and PEEP have produced imroved outcome results. Predictive indices of outcome using laboratory values, biologic markers, and mediators of lung inury are being evaluated for early identification of patients at risk for lung injury. Nonconventional ventilatory approaches, such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and high freuency ventilation, as well as adjunctive therapies (inhaled niric oxide and extracorporeal circulation) are being explored as alternatives in ARDS and ALI. While more clinical studies outine outcomes in specific subgroups ...
Estimates of State Price Levels for Consumption Goods and Services: A First Brush

This paper develops exploratory estimates of the spatial price differences for consumption goods and services at the U.S. state level. Spatial (place-to-place) price differences are important to regional and other sub-national accounting frameworks as they make possible comparisons of economic data that are adjusted for geographic differences in price levels. In international comparisons, these adjustments are termed purchasing power parities (PPP); when divided by exchange rates they are called national price levels. In areas with a common currency like the Euro, the exchange rates are the same and the PPP becomes the price level. Just as there are differences in price levels between European Union member countries, there are significant differences in the purchasing power of a currency across diverse areas of the United States, for example between metropolitan New York compared to rural South Dakota. I use the term Spatial Price Indexes (SPIs) to label these sub-national estimates of PPPs. The SPIs can be used to adjust consumption-related statistics, such as per capita incomes, expenditures and output, providing users with a more accurate picture of regional economic differences at one point in time. The SPIs are built up in this paper from two main data sets. The first is the principal source of consumer price information in the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 38 metropolitan and urban areas, which is of course a time-to-time index. Aten (2006) presented spatial price index estimates for 2003 and 2004 for these 38 areas, which cover 87% of the population but only about 15% of U.S. counties. In addition, some states are not covered at all by the CPI. The second source of information is the county level rent surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. The estimates presented here are generated using a multi-stage approach that bridges the results in the areas sampled by the CPI price surveys to the remaining non-sampled areas using the Census rent information.
Predictors of substance abuse treatment retention among women and men in an HMO.

Background: Although prior research has examined predictors of treatment retention in public alcohol and drug treatment programs, little is known about factors that influence treatment retention in an insured outpatient population. Because there is growing evidence that the factors which influence treatment retention may differ by gender, we identify sex-specific predictors. Methods: We recruited all eligible intakes to a health maintenance organization's outpatient alcohol and drug treatment program during a 2-year period and obtained a sample of 317 women and 599 men. The programs, day hospital and traditional outpatient modalities, were abstinence based. We separated our sample by sex and used least squares and logistic regression to identify independent predictors of length of stay and program completion, respectively. Results: One general pattern of predictors of increased retention was shared by women and men in this alcohol and drug treatment program—fewer and less severe drug problems. However, most predictors were sex-specific. Among women, retention was predicted by having higher incomes, belonging to ethnic categories other than African American, being unemployed, being married, and having lower levels of psychiatric severity. Among men, predictors of higher retention included being older, receiving employer suggestions to enter treatment, and having abstinence goals. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of examining aspects of the course of treatment separately by sex. They also suggest treatment factors that may enhance retention among insured populations, including employer referrals, psychiatric services, and drug-related services.
The Cascade Hypothesis of Keratoconus

Keratoconus, a non-inflammatory thinning of the cornea, is a leading indication for corneal transplantation. For its causation, we propose a "Cascade Hypothesis" stating that keratoconus corneas have abnormal or defective enzymes in the lipid peroxidation and/or nitric oxide pathways leading to oxidative damage. The accumulation of oxidative, cytotoxic by-products causes an alteration of various corneal proteins, triggering a cascade of events, (i.e. apoptosis, altered signaling pathways, increased enzyme activities, fibrosis). This hypothesis is supported by biochemical, immunohistochemical and molecular data presented in this review. Based upon this evidence, one can speculate that keratoconus patients should minimize their exposure to oxidative stress. Protective steps should include wearing ultraviolet (UV) protection (in the contact lenses and/or sunglasses), minimizing the mechanical trauma (eye rubbing, poorly fit contact lenses) and keeping eyes comfortable with artificial tears, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or allergy medications.
Can we eliminate placebo in ALS clinical Trials

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease with limited treatment options. Controlled studies are a necessary part of Phase II and Phase III assessments of proposed therapies. Due to the relatively small number of patients with ALS, several study designs have been proposed to improve the efficiency of Phase II studies. Some of these advocate the use of historical controls in place of placebo controls. However, the characteristics of historical controls may not mirror those of patients in the treatment group. Novel study designs can be used to decrease the number of patients required for Phase II studies. The use of placebo controls rather than historical controls in these novel study designs likely leads to better predictions of treatments that will be successful in Phase III studies. There is general agreement on the necessity of placebo controls in Phase III studies.
Peripheral CXCR3-Associated Chemokines as Biomarkers of Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background. CXCR3-associated chemokines CXCL9–CXCL11 promote histologic progression in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as indicated by elevated intrahepatic levels of messenger RNA in patients with advanced inflammation and fibrosis. We evaluated the potential of peripheral chemokine levels to discriminate among patients with chronic HCV infection who had different stages of fibrosis. Methods. Peripheral levels of CXCR3-associated chemokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma samples obtained from 93 patients with chronic HCV infection. Of the subjects, 79 (85%) were white, and 68 (73%) were infected with HCV genotype 1. Results. Expression of all 3 chemokines, when analyzed as a group, was significantly associated with intrahepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Plasma levels of CXCL10 were significantly elevated in patients with advanced fibrosis, whereas CXCL9 levels were significantly elevated in patients with advanced inflammation. By proportional odds multivariate modeling, we observed an association between fibrosis and CXCL10 ( ) as well as between P ! .002 fibrosis and inflammation ( ). Of the individual parameters, the CXCL10 level was most useful in identifying P ! .001 patients with more-severe (stage 3–4) fibrosis. Discriminatory ability was improved by the combination of CXCL10 and CXCL9. Conclusions. The strong association between CXCR3-associated chemokines and fibrosis suggests that they may have promise as noninvasive markers of hepatic fibrosis in a predominantly white HCV genotype 1–infected population.
The simulation of a master-slave event set processor

Event set manipulation may consume a considerable amount of the computation time spent in performing a discrete-event simulation. One way of minimizing this time is to allow event set processing to proceed in parallel with the remainder of the simulation computation. The paper describes a multiprocessor simulation computer, in which all non-event set processing is performed by the principal processor (called the host). Event set processing is coordinated by a front end processor (the master) and actually performed by several other functionally identical processors (the slaves). A trace-driven simulation program modeling this system was constructed, and was run with trace output taken from two different simulation programs. Output from this simulation suggests that a significant reduction in run time may be realized by this approach. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the significant parameters to the system (number of slave processors, relative processor speeds, and interprocessor communication times). A comparison between actual and simulation run times for a one-processor system was used to assist in the validation of the simulation. 7 references.
Lines of Flight: Jean-Daniel Pollet, Méditerranée, and the Tel Quel Group

It may be that Richard Roud’s designation of what he termed “Left Bank cinema” was intended as much to provoke reflection on the consequences of classification as to name a particular group of three post-war French filmmakers (Agnes Varda, Alain Resnais, and Chris Marker) with obvious intellectual and aesthetic affinities. Why else would Roud begin his 1962 essay on the Left Bank with the claim that classification “proves nothing and is only valuable if it tells us more about what is being classified” (24)? Perhaps the time has come to ask whether the distinction between a Left Bank group and the Nouvelle Vague still “tells us more” about the films and filmmakers under discussion. What other questions are deferred by the goal of categorization? Which films and filmmakers fall out of film histories because they cannot fit neatly into either category? Bracketing the question of classification allows films of the period to be inserted into broader thematics and debates that touch on multiple aspects of post-war French film culture. For a case of critical neglect, it would be difficult to find a better example than Jean-Daniel Pollet’s Mediterranee (1963), an experimental short subject hardly known outside France, but which played a crucial role in the development of film theory from the 1960s to the early 1970s. For French film critics, the importance of Mediterranee stems from its adaptation of experimental writing practices associated with the nouveau roman to the medium of film. Due in part to Pollet’s collaboration with avant-garde novelist and literary theorist Philippe Sollers, who wrote the voice-over commentary, the film became a primary example of revolution ary film practice during the period preceding and immediately following the events of May 1968, when literary theorists linked to the avant-garde journal Tel Quel made their first, highly influential forays into the field of film theory. Core members of the Tel Quel group—including Sollers, Julia Kristeva, Marcelin Pleynet, and Jean-Louis Baudry—all published articles and interviews discussing Mediterranee, collectively provoking a
Quality of Thought Disorder in Differential Diagnosis

The authors used a reliable scale to assess quantity and quality of thought disorder in manic, schizophrenic, schizoaffective manic, and schizoaffective depressed patients. High levels of thought disorder occurred in all psychotic groups except in the schizoaffective depressed group. Manic patients produced thought disorders that revealed both prominent combinatory thinking and intrusions of irrelevant ideas into the stream of discourse, usually with flippancy and humor. The thinking of schizophrenic patients was confused and fluid, and usually peppered with many idiosyncratic and peculiar words and phrases. Although schizoaffective manic patients resembled manics in their tendency to show combinatory thinking, their productions lacked the jocularity of the manics. The schizoaffective manic patients more strongly resembled the schizophrenic patients in their production of idiosyncratic verbalizations and in confused thinking. Schizoaffective depressed patients showed a strikingly constricted output, but produced a few noteworthy absurd responses, and in that respect resembled the schizophrenic patients. The authors suggest that quality of thought disorder differs in schizophrenia and in mania, and that the thought disorder of schizoaffective conditions resembles that of schizophrenia.
Recombination and allelic association in the Xq/Yq homology region

The ends of the long arms of the human X and Y chromosomes contain a homologous region that can undergo sequence exchange. We have developed new polymorphic markers to analyze the genetic behavior of this region in the three-generation CEPH reference families. These Xq/Yq markers undergo crossovers in approximately 2% of male meioses in a pattern consistent with reciprocal recombination rather than gene conversion. Although the rate of recombination in males is significantly higher than in females or in autosomal sequences, it is more than an order of magnitude lower than in the short arm pseudoautosomal region at Xp/Yp. The Xq/Yq markers exhibit allelic association with one another, but not with markers in the X-specific or Y-specific regions of the sex chromosomes. Hence the Xq/Yq homology region displays behavior that is intermediate between sex-linked and true pseudoautosomal, and is unlikely to be essential for proper chromosome segregation.
Contributions of Light Microscopy to Contemporary Materials Characterization: The New Directional Solidification

In this article, we illustrate novel, columnar precipitate architectures in Co-base and Ni-base superalloys, and Cu components, directionally fabricated by electron beam melting; using light microscopy (LM). These microstructural architectures and related microstructural features are characteristic of a new directional solidification phenomenon created by selective melting of precursor powder layers, forming 3-dimensional (3D) products which result by additive manufacturing. Comprehensive, micron-scale observations rendered in 3D metallography are supplemented by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to provide a structural and microstructural overview. These observations illustrate the continuing importance of LM in contemporary materials characterization applied to advanced metals technologies.
68: Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension Is a Risk Factor for Primary Graft Dysfunction Following Lung Transplantation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

or disease was assessed with multivariate regression. Results: 27 pts received BAS induction and 36 received no induction(NI). No significant difference was seen in baseline demographics between groups. AR occurred 11 times in 9 pts (33%) in the BAS group compared to 9 times in 8 pts (22%) in the NI group. Use of BAS was associated with a non-significant trend toward increased risk of AR development, HR 2.0 (95% CI .77-5.4, p 0.15). No significant difference in 1 year survival (BAS 96% vs NI 89%) was seen (p .97). In addition, no significant association was seen between the use of BAS and the development of CMV (p .53) or Aspergillus infection/ colonization/disease (p .58). Conclusions: Our single-center experience finds no evidence that BAS is effective in reducing the rate of acute rejection in the first year after lung transplantation.
The Transformation of the American Defense Industry: Corporate Perceptions and Preferences:

In the last few years, the end of the Cold War and the increasing emphasis on economic rather than military competitiveness have significantly eroded the special position the American defense industry has played in the U.S. government's pursuit of national security. In response, this industry has initiated controversial moves to diversify into nondefense production and to expand into foreign markets. Using data from annual reports and survey questionnaires, this article analyzes these moves and the corporate perceptions and preferences associated with them, providing one of the first systematic and comprehensive looks at the defense industry's adjustment to the changing context of national security.
Complete Echocardiographic Assessment of the Postoperative Fontan Patient

Postoperative echocardiographic assessment of the Fontan patient should include both anatomical and physiological parameters. Anatomical features to be defined with two-dimensional (2-D) imaging should include a detailed demonstration of the atriopulmonary connection, the pulmonary arterial tree, and the pulmonary venous return. Color flow imaging should be included to provide visual clues for abnormal flow patterns to suggest obstruction or residual shunts. Intracardiac thrombi, pericardial, and pleural effusions should be excluded. Inadequate transthoracic images should mandate the use of transesophageal imaging to adequately detail the extracardiac anatomy and connections. Physiological parameters should include M-mode and 2-D studies to assess ventricular systolic function and the degrees of ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, extensive pulsed Doppler examination should be performed to determine the systemic venous, pulmonary arterial, pulmonary venous, and atrioventricular (AV) valve inflow patterns. Significant information detailing abnormalities of pulmonary artery flow and ventricular diastolic function parameters can be obtained. Doppler color flow imaging should be obtained to assess competency of AV and semilunar valves. Continuous-wave Doppler should be utilized to determine the presence and severity of aortic outflow obstruction. Complete echocardiographic evaluation should include all facets of echocardiographic study as detailed previously.
Hemorrhage in late pregnancy

Abstract This study suggests that a fair percentage of the hemorrhages in late pregnancy may be treated expectantly with success. An early diagnosis, the combating of shock and anemia by fluids and blood transfusions together with immediate treatment is essential for good results. While cesarean section is the best treatment in selected cases, it should not be advocated as routine treatment. The low cervical cesarean scetion is not contraindicated in either placenta previa or premature separation.
Social Support and Stress in Autism Blogging Community on Twitter

At present about one percent of the world population is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With the rising prevalence of children diagnosed with ASD, the United States faces shortage of autism expertise and resources for delivery of effective therapy to the people who need services. For families dealing with autism, social media has become a crucial part of life. Parents of children with autism use social media platforms to build social bonding with other parents of children with special needs, access information, and share experiences. Content from social media such as blogs and Twitter can be analyzed to extract knowledge that could help develop practical and useful learning tools for other families with autistic kids. The current study is aimed to provide a research-based understanding of conversations in social media among families with autism. We systematically analyzed relevant interactions among the autism blogger community on Twitter. The study revealed that the autism blogger community provides quite significant social support to its members in the form of information sharing and reaching out to other members. We further found that perceived social support facilitated by the community members could be very effective in reducing psychological distress for parents of children with autism and help them adapt to the challenges.
Bases consisting of units for Leavitt path algebras

An algebra with a basis consisting solely of units has been called an invertible algebra, and such bases are said to be invertible bases. We announce necessary and sufficient conditions for Leavitt path algebras to be invertible, illustrate the use of the announced criteria, and provide examples of invertible bases.
Chemotherapy of Colorectal Cancer: A Critical Analysis of Response Criteria and Therapeutic Efficacy

Large bowel cancer afflicts more patients in the United States than any other malignant neoplasm excluding skin cancer, is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death, and accounts for 15% of all cancer deaths (Silverberg and Holleb, 1971). During the past 30 years there has been little change in the overall 5-year survival, 30% (Cutler, 1968), in patients who undergo “curative” surgical resection for colorectal cancer. These statistics are not surprising since almost half the patients with colorectal carcinoma have evidence of metastatic lymph node involvement at the time of surgery (Coller, 1956). While pre-and postoperative radiation therapy has permitted an increase in surgical resectability and overall palliation, it has not influenced 5-year survival rates. Obviously, other therapeutic modalities are needed.
Challenges for ICU Survivors and Their Caregivers.

Advances in technology and therapeutics continue to improve survival of critically ill patients. However, with improved survival has come the recognition that many ICU survivors face a complex recovery trajectory following discharge from the ICU.[1][1],[2][2] Numerous studies document that critical
An Empirical Analysis of Intentions to Cocreate Value in Hotels Using Mobile Devices

Value cocreation represents a critical element of the service-dominant logic paradigm, which is currently becoming increasingly important in hospitality. A number of recent studies are pointing to the criticality of examining the value cocreation mechanisms in hotels. While value can be cocreated using a variety of methods, mobile commerce offers unique opportunities to lay the foundation of value cocreation in hotels, which can bring substantial benefits for all stakeholders of this process. To understand the how hotel guests develop intentions to cocreate value in hotels using their mobile devices, a conceptual model was developed and validated empirically based on data from U.S. hotel guests. Guests’ perceptions of personalization, trust in the hotel, and their personal innovativeness were found to influence their degree of involvement with mobile devices in hotels, which are instrumental in the development of intentions to engage in specific cocreation behaviors.
Parameter Extrapolation in Marketing Research

One of the most important intentions of marketing planning is inferring about the entire customer population from customer samples. In many cases relevant data from recent marketing tests concerning small, representative customer samples are being used. Response bias may occur due to nonresponse or delay in customer responses. This article supposes that it is possible to recognize the above mentioned bias in structure data which are known for the entire customer population. In these cases extrapolation procedures should use the information from structure data to correct classical estimates. This contribution discusses a technique that allows linear weighting of sample objects so that the total sum of squares between parameters in the target population and their estimates based on the sample are being minimized If the sum of weights is 1, one can prove that the weighted estimation is unbiased for independent, identically distributed random variables. This article features two methods of determining weighting vectors and discusses their characteristics.
ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY AND ANGULAR CONVERGENCE OF STOCHASTIC SYSTEMS.

A system of Ito equations is considered in the unit disc. The circumference is assumed to be a stable invariant manifold with a finite number of stable equilibrium points. Under supplementary hypotheses it is proved that the solution converges to a limit and that the angle converges to a limit. This leads to a well-posed Dirichlet problem and to the determination of all L-harmonic functions for the infinitesimal operator of the process.
Primary and Secondary Sequence Structure Requirements for Recognition and Discrimination of Target RNAs by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RsmA and RsmF.

ABSTRACT CsrA family RNA-binding proteins are widely distributed in bacteria and regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a canonical member of the CsrA family (RsmA) and a novel, structurally distinct variant (RsmF). To better understand RsmF binding properties, we performed parallel systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) experiments for RsmA and RsmF. The initial target library consisted of 62-nucleotide (nt) RNA transcripts with central cores randomized at 15 sequential positions. Most targets selected by RsmA and RsmF were the expected size and shared a common consensus sequence (CANGGAYG) that was positioned in a hexaloop region of the stem-loop structure. RsmA and RsmF also selected for longer targets (≥96 nt) that were likely generated by rare PCR errors. Most of the long targets contained two consensus-binding sites. Representative short (single consensus site) and long (two consensus sites) targets were tested for RsmA and RsmF binding. Whereas RsmA bound the short targets with high affinity, RsmF was unable to bind the same targets. RsmA and RsmF both bound the long targets. Mutation of either consensus GGA site in the long targets reduced or eliminated RsmF binding, suggesting a requirement for two tandem binding sites. Conversely, RsmA bound long targets containing only a single GGA site with unaltered affinity. The RsmF requirement for two binding sites was confirmed with tssA1 , an in vivo regulatory target of RsmA and RsmF. Our findings suggest that RsmF binding requires two GGA-containing sites, while RsmA binding requirements are less stringent. IMPORTANCE The CsrA family of RNA-binding proteins is widely conserved in bacteria and plays important roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of protein synthesis. P. aeruginosa has two CsrA proteins, RsmA and RsmF. Although RsmA and RsmF share a few RNA targets, RsmF is unable to bind to other targets recognized by RsmA. The goal of the present study was to better understand the basis for differential binding by RsmF. Our data indicate that RsmF binding requires target RNAs with two consensus-binding sites, while RsmA recognizes targets with just a single binding site. This information should prove useful to future efforts to define the RsmF regulon and its contribution to P. aeruginosa physiology and virulence.
Neurobehavioral Effects of Consuming Dietary Fatty Acids.

Background:Research results on the neurobehavioral effects of consuming dietary fatty acids are mixed. Therefore, this study examined the effects of consuming dietary fatty acids on depression, moo...
The Acousto-Optic Effect for a Nematic Liquid Crystal in the Presence of an Applied Electric Field

It has been over forty years since Frederiks and Zolin1 observed the acousto-optic effect. They used tuning forks from 200 to 600 Hz and acoustically excited a nematic. The cause of the effect was attributed to a rotation of the optic axis although no details for the mechanism were given. In the last eight years there has been a renewed interest in the effect with a number of quantitative studies performed.1–8 Most of the experimental reports refer to a threshold of acoustic intensity required before the effect occurs. The first two theoretical explanations for the effect also predict such a threshold.6,9 In 1976 experimental results were presented which indicated there was no threshold for the effect.10–12 Two of these reports10,11 indicate the mechanism responsible for the effect is acoustic streaming, although the formulation in each case is quite different.
Evaluation of Static Work Capabilities in a Hot Environment

The effects of heat stress on an individual's static work capabilities were investigated. Various indicators of strength and endurance were measured under differing heat stress levels. One measure which exhibited a significant change at higher heat stress levels was a combined strength-endurance measurement involving a series of maximal voluntary contractions throughout a one hour exposure. At 35° C WBGT the decrease in MVC from the beginning of the exposure to the end was 43% compared to only 6% at 18° C WBGT. Core temperature was also monitored throughout each exposure.
Insurgência, planejamento e a perspectiva de um urbanismo humano

Conferencia de Abertura do IV World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC), realizada no Rio de Janeiro, em 3 de julho de 2016. Traducao de Ester Limonad, docente do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Geografia da Universidade Federal Fluminense (POSGEO/UFF).
Creep and Superplasticity

The principal features of the elevated temperature deformation processes of creep and superplasticity are reviewed. The features that may be strongly influenced by the ultra-fine microstructure are emphasized. It is concluded that creep resistance will be low but creep studies may provide information on diffusional flow and dislocation behavior in nanonstructured materials. Superplasticity offers promise for forming normally brittle materials.
Pediatricians' Comfort Level in Caring for Children With Special Health Care Needs.

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated pediatrician attitudes about providing primary medical care for children with special health care needs. The objective of this study was to determine pediatrician perspectives on their comfort level in providing care and on where the medical home should be for children with chronic medical and developmental conditions. Methods Survey of pediatricians in California in 2014. Pediatricians were randomized to receive surveys featuring either a case of a child with a chronic medical (neurofibromatosis) or a developmental condition (autism). They were then asked about their comfort level in providing primary care for the child. We developed logistic regression models to adjust for practice and provider factors, and availability of family social resources. Results The survey response rate was 50.2%. Primary care pediatricians expressed more comfort than nonprimary care pediatricians in providing a medical home for a child with chronic medical or developmental condition (range, 84%–92% comfortable vs 58%–79% comfortable), respectively. All pediatricians expressed more comfort providing care for a child with autism than neurofibromatosis. Nearly all primary care pediatricians (90%) believed that the medical home should be in pediatric primary care practice. Pediatrician comfort in becoming a medical home was higher when the family had more social resources. Conclusions Most pediatricians endorse that the medical home for children with special health care needs be in the primary care setting. Improving access to subspecialty care and providing resources, such as case management, to address family social complexity might raise pediatrician comfort in providing primary care to children with medical and developmental conditions.
Binge alcohol alters PNPLA3 levels in liver through epigenetic mechanism involving histone H3 acetylation.

The human PNPLA3 (patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3) gene codes for a protein which is highly expressed in adipose tissue and liver, and is implicated in lipid homeostasis. While PNPLA3 protein contains regions homologous to functional lipolytic proteins, the regulation of its tissue expression is reflective of lipogenic genes. A naturally occurring genetic variant of PNPLA3 in humans has been linked to increased susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease. We have examined the modulatory effect of alcohol on PNPLA3 protein and mRNA expression as well as the association of its gene promoter with acetylated histone H3K9 by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay in rat hepatocytes in vitro, and in vivo in mouse and rat models of acute binge, chronic, and chronic followed by acute binge ethanol administration. Protein expression of PNPLA3 was significantly increased by alcohol in all three models used. PNPLA3 mRNA also increased, albeit to a varying degree. ChIP assay using H3AcK9 antibody showed increased association with the promoter of PNPLA3 in hepatocytes and in mouse liver. This was less evident in rat livers in vivo except under chronic treatment. It is concluded for the first time that histone acetylation plays a role in the modulation of PNPLA3 levels in the liver exposed to binge ethanol both in vitro and in vivo.
Prenatal DNA Sequencing: Clinical, Counseling, and Diagnostic Laboratory Considerations

Clinical diagnostic laboratories are producing next-generation sequencing-based test results that are becoming increasingly incorporated into patient care. Whole genome and exome sequencing on fetal material derived from amniocytes, chorionic villi, or products of conception is starting to be offered clinically in specialized centers, but it has not yet become routine practice. The technical, interpretation, and ethical challenges are greatest in the area of prenatal medicine because the fetus has a limited health history, and the physical examination is only indirectly available via prenatal sonography. Here, we provide an overview of these challenges and highlight the clinical utility, reporting, and counseling issues associated with prenatal DNA sequencing. Future considerations are also discussed. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacterial Microbiome and Nematode Occurrence in Different Potato Agricultural Soils

Pratylenchus neglectus and Meloidogyne chitwoodi are the main plant-parasitic nematodes in potato crops of the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Bacterial microbiome (16S rRNA copies per gram of soil) and nematode communities (nematodes per 200 g of soil) from five different potato farms were analyzed to determine negative and positive correlations between any bacterial genus and P. neglectus and M. chitwoodi. Farms showed differences in bacterial communities, percentage of bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes, and numbers of P. neglectus and M. chitwoodi. The farm with the lowest population of P. neglectus and M. chitwoodi had higher abundances of the bacterial genera Bacillus spp., Arthrobacter spp., and Lysobacter spp., and the soil nematode community was composed of more than 30% of fungivorous nematodes. In contrast, the farm with higher numbers of P. neglectus and M. chitwoodi had a lower abundance of the abovementioned bacterial genera, higher abundance of Burkholderia spp., and less than 25% of fungivorous nematodes. The α-Proteobacteria Rhodoplanes, Phenylobacterium, and Kaistobacter positively correlated with M. chitwoodi, and the Bacteroidia and γ-Proteobacteria positively correlated with P. neglectus. Our results, based largely on co-occurrence analyses, suggest that the abundance of Bacillus spp., Arthrobacter spp., and Lysobacter spp. in Colorado potato soils is negatively correlated with P. neglectus and M. chitwoodi abundance. Further studies will isolate and identify bacterial strains of these genera, and evaluate their nematode-antagonistic activity.
Environmental Histories and Personal Memory: Collaborative Works in Sonification and Virtual Reality

This short paper will present an overview of two historical data projects developed at the Sensory Computation/Experimental Narrative Environments Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology between 201...
Development of low cost device for in-situ algae monitoring

Water quality monitoring for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in large coastal and inland environments currently relies on techniques that are expensive and, in the case of aerial photography, are unable to provide data necessary to help predict future events. The development of a technique that is inexpensive and simple enough for anyone to use is important to the research surrounding HABs and the dangerous conditions they can bring about for aquatic and human life. The goal of this research is the development of a prototype, handheld, low cost device for in-situ monitoring of potentially harmful algae species whose presence could lead to a HAB. Using visible light spectrophotometry incorporated with a near-field enhanced nano biosensor, the concentrations of harmful algae in water samples can be measured and determined to be safe or dangerous, prompting further data collection and surveillance.
Engaging Black Churches to Address Cancer Health Disparities: Project CHURCH

African Americans in the United States suffer disproportionately from cancer, having the highest mortality rate of any racial/ethnic group across all cancers for the past several decades. In addition, significant disparities exist in several cancer risk behaviors, including obesity, intake of fruits and vegetables, leisure time physical activity and cancer screening. Addressing these disparities require successful development of relationships with minority communities to partner in the research process, in order to understand areas of critical need and develop interventions that are compatible with this community. In this manuscript we describe Project CHURCH (Creating a Higher Understanding of Cancer Research and Community Health), a collaborative partnership between The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston-area African American churches. Project CHURCH was developed to understand disparities in cancer prevention risk factors and engage African Americans as partners in the research process. Using community-based participatory research principles, we describe the development and infrastructure of the research partnership, as well as how the church community has been engaged in the development and implementation of a large African American cohort study (N = 2,338). Finally, the characteristics of the cohort are presented along with cohort success in addressing community need while having significant contribution to the scientific literature. Project CHURCH serves as a valuable resource for cancer prevention in the African American community.
Molecular Markers and Abiotic Stresses

In most moderate climates plants encounter a variety of abiotic stress conditions during the growing season which significantly impact their productivity. For purposes of this review abiotic stress will be defined as climatic and soil variation in osmotic environment (salt, drought and cold), daily or seasonal temperature variation (cold and heat) and oxidative stress exacerbating the other stress conditions especially in presence of high light intensity. These stress conditions can be of short duration, such as temperature variations during the day and night or the drying of fields. The stress can also be prolonged as during seasonal changes of heat and cold, while drought and salinity conditions are brought on by lack of sufficient water and poor irrigation practices. The goal in crop improvement is to extend plant tolerance to these stress conditions for survival and continued productivity under the adverse growing conditions.
Chromatographic Separation of the IgG Fragments

Carboxymethyl cellulose has been shown to be one of the most useful ion exchangers in protein chromatography, The procedure elaborated by Peterson and Sober (1956) as well as by Sober et al. (1956) gives good resolution of different proteins. This method has been applied by Porter (1959) for the separation of breakdown products of IgG globulin,
Building Capacity and Commitment for Leadership in Preservice Teacher Education

Current educational reform initiatives advocate changes in both teachers’ and administrators’ roles. Increasingly, teachers are being asked to work with colleagues, administrators, and parents to a...
Conclusion: Loose Threads

The conclusion considers the lingering impact of imperialism and indenture upon gender roles and ethnic relations in the contemporary Caribbean, as well as the forms of indenture that exist around the globe today. The conclusion also emphasizes the role that narratives of indenture play in helping us recognize and prevent such abuses. Finally, this chapter suggests possible areas for further exploration in the study of indenture literature.