cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of the Interactions of Fusarium virguliforme Toxin FvTox1 with Synthetic Peptides by Molecular Simulations and a Label-Free Biosensor

Fusarium virguliforme is a soil borne pathogen that causes sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybean plants. This pathogenic disease may result in severe soybean yield suppression and can cause serious economic harm. It has been shown that the FvTox1 toxin produced by the pathogen may be the root cause of foliar SDS. Anti-FvTox1 single-chain variable fragment antibody expressed in transgenic soybean plants was shown to neutralize the FvTox1 toxin involved in foliar SDS development. Here, we have investigated the binding affinities of FvTox1 with four FvTox1-interacting peptides of 7 to 12 amino acids identified from phage display libraries using both bioinformatics-based molecular simulations and label-free bioassays with a unique photonic crystal biosensor. Results from the molecular simulations have predicted the interaction energies and 3-dimensional (3D) structures of FvTox1 and FvTox1-interacting peptide complexes. Our label-free binding assays have further provided the interaction strength of FvTox1 wi...
Fabricated Tubular Steel Columns

The Newton-Raphson iterative technique is used to model the strength and behavior of axially loaded, fabricated, tubular, steel columns. Such columns characteristically have highly variable section properties along their length, due in part to the residual stresses introduced by the longitudinal welding process. The analysis developed is used to derive a new set of column buckling curves for columns having the maximum permissible initial out-of-straightness. The curves derived show the dependence of ultimate column load on circumferential location of longitudinal welds. It is also shown that the analysis may be used to accurately model the strength and behavior of real fabricated tubular columns, as tested, provided that some consideration is given to eccentricity of load application and to any rotation resistance of end conditions.
Statistical Mechanics of Fluids at High Dimensions

High spatial dimensionality affects profoundly the qualitative, statistical mechanical behavior of many-body systems. The mean spherical nature of lattice gases of unbounded coordination number has been pointed out some time ago1 while more recently significant new results have been obtained for the Hubbard model of very high dimensions.2 Here we shall limit ourselves to reviewing the dramatic structural simplification of purely repulsive finite range continuum fluids in the high dimensionality limit.3–11 Our review is not exhaustive (we apologize in advance for slighting authors of any missing citations) but we focus instead on stating what can be achieved by this paradigm and point out, where relevant, what open problems need be addressed.
A HYDROLOGICAL BUDGET FOR THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP WATERSHED, 1981-82

Previous hydrological models of the Okefenokee Swamp watershed were developed without the benefit of accurate empirical data on surface runoff into and out of the swamp, and without data on direct ground water flow into the swamp. Data from a network of ground water observation wells during 1981-82 have revealed that ground water amounted to only 1.3% of total swamp inputs. This figure is much lower than had been expected and confirms that the swamp portion of the Okefenokee watershed is predominantly a surface-water system. A simple conceptual model of the watershed hydrology with upland and swamp compartments, and upland wetland, upland terrestrial, swamp prairie-marsh, and swamp forest-shrub subcompartments, indicates that in 1981-82 actual evapotranspiration from uplands and swamp was 78% and 84% of precipitation, respectively, and that upland surface runoff contributed only 13% of swamp inputs. Significant differences between the long-term and 1981-82 hydrological budgets emphasize that the Okefenoke...
Application of a Two-Sinker Densimeter for Phase-Equilibrium Measurements: A New Technique for the Detection of Dew Points and Measurements on the (Methane + Propane) System.

Abstract We explore a novel method for determining the dew-point density and dew-point pressure of fluid mixtures and compare it to traditional methods. The (p, ρ, T, x) behavior of three (methane + propane) mixtures was investigated with a two-sinker magnetic suspension densimeter over the temperature range of (248.15–293.15) K; the measurements extended from low pressures into the two-phase region. The compositions of the gravimetrically prepared mixtures were (0.74977, 0.50688, and 0.26579) mole fraction methane. We analyzed isothermal data by: (1) a “traditional” analysis of the intersection of a virial fit of the (p vs. ρ) data in the single-phase region with a linear fit of the data in the two-phase region; and (2) an analysis of the adsorbed mass on the sinker surfaces. We compared these to a traditional isochoric experiment. We conclude that the “adsorbed mass” analysis of an isothermal experiment provides an accurate determination of the dew-point temperature, pressure, and density. However, a two-sinker densimeter is required.
Ultra-Early Aneurysmal Rebleeding and Brainstem Destruction

Early secondary neurologic deterioration after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may have many causes including rebleeding, hydrocephalus, parenchymal hematoma, or seizures. Case report. A 69-year-old woman presented with thunderclap headache and nausea. A head computed tomography (CT) showed SAH. On initial evaluation she was awake, alert, and confused without focal neurologic deficits. Two episodes of marked clinical deterioration occurred, manifesting as acute unresponsiveness and fixed anisocoria. Serial head CTs showed massive extension of hemorrhage into the brainstem parenchyma and ventricles. Sudden clinical deterioration after SAH with coma and a fixed “blown” pupil may result from hemorrhage extension into the brainstem parenchyma rather than oculomotor nerve injury from compression or stretch.
Quality Control Approach to Anticoagulants and Transfusion

Quality can be defined by processes of care and by the characteristics of the care and its outcomes. In terms of blood loss and transfusion, otolaryngologists should be aware of available guidelines, standards for use of blood products, devices and hemostatic agents, outcomes metrics relevant to patients, and tools for implementing quality improvements. This article reviews the definition of health care quality, and discusses the data regarding anticoagulant medications (particularly new oral anticoagulants) and guidelines for blood product transfusion. A brief outline of quality tools is provided to help otolaryngologists create quality plans for themselves and their institutions/systems.
Interaction of alpha-KG with basolateral organic anion transporter in isolated rabbit renal S3 proximal tubules.

To understand the basolateral p-aminohippurate (PAH) transporter in the S3 segment of rabbit proximal tubules and its relationship to the transporter in the S2 segment, we measured the 30-s uptake and efflux of PAH across the basolateral membrane of single isolated S3 segments at 37 degrees C in bicarbonate-buffered media. Kinetic analysis of uptake data revealed a concentration of PAH at one-half Jmax of approximately 107 microM (same as in the S2 segment) but a Jmax of 600 fmol.min-1.nl-1 (one-tenth that of S2 segment). The coefficient for efflux across the basolateral membrane was also only one-sixth to one-tenth of that in the S2 segment. These data suggest that the basolateral PAH transporter is the same in both segments but that there are fewer transporters in the S3 than in the S2 segment. However, the apparent inhibitor constant values for cis-inhibition by probenecid (approximately 29 microM in S3, approximately 15 microM in S2) and by alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) in the presence of LiCl (approximately 40 microM in S3, approximately 160 microM in S2) suggest that the transporters may not be identical in the two segments. In bicarbonate-buffered medium, preloading the tubules with 100 microM alpha-KG did not trans-stimulate PAH uptake across the basolateral membrane, whereas preloading with 1.0 microM alpha-KG caused a significant stimulation of 43%. However, in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered medium, preloading the tubules with 100 microM alpha-KG caused a twofold increase in PAH uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Commodification of Art Versus Creativity: The Antagonist Art Movement in the Expanding Arts Scene of New York City

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between artists and cities as the global art market continues to expand in established cultural hubs such as New York City. Using Bourdieu’s engagement with the art field, we draw from interdisciplinary scholarship on the relationship between artists and cities to examine the ways in which artists engage with the demands of urban livelihood and the desire to create art. Due to these two - at times contradictory - needs, artists find ways to create and show art in non-commercial spaces and to establish linkages with an international artist community. In particular, we explore art-space creation and community building by the Antagonist Art Movement (an international art group based in New York City) in Berlin, Lisbon, and New York City to investigate the relationships between individual artists, art groups, and the art market in 21 st century cities. The tensions between urban artists and global art market demands are analyzed through interviews, films, and observations of Antagonist Art Movement events. How the AAM produces these spaces reveals the connections of art to urbanization and globalization. Antagonist art spaces are produced through the tensions between 1) the commodification of art and artists’ creativity and 2) the challenges of living in urban spaces while creating art. The roles cities play in art production and how artists shape the cities in which they work and live create a mutual constitution through which urban art practice is redefined in 21st century cities.
Description of the Anticopper Drugs Which are Used in Wilson’s Disease Therapy

The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic required information about the various anticopper drugs. I recommend that prior to initiating treatment of a Wilson’s disease patient, or taking over the therapy of a previously treated patient, that physicians read both this chapter and the following chapter on overview of management in order to become familiar with various aspects of anticopper treatment and management. They can then turn to the chapter on managing their specific type of patient (one of Chapters 6–9).
Phonetic Features and Physiology: A Reappraisal.

Abstract: Traditional phonetic theories like that implicit in IPA notation have been structured in terms of the possible maneuvers of the vocal tract. Feature theories like that of the “Sound Pattern of English” are derived from the nineteenth century “Visible Speech” theory of Melville Bell (1867) which ultimately formed the basis of IPA notation. The Chomsky-Halle theory does not significantly differ from the IPA theory. The anatomy of the vocal tract and observations of the tongue, lips, etc., furnish the primary data base for these theories. Acoustic measurements and perceptual considerations derived from the constraints of auditory perception have a secondary role in these traditional theories. The physical correlate of a feature is usually a particular articulatory maneuver, e.g. +High Tongue. Features are often related to the activity of a single isolated muscle, e.g. the constriction of the levator veli-palantini muscle is presumed to be the muscular correlate of the feature state −Nasal. Recent advances in our knowledge of both speech production and speech perception show that these theories are descriptively inadequate and that functional, e.g. physiologic principles may instead structure phonetic feature theories.
Attachment theory within clinical supervision: application of the conceptual to the empirical

Attachment theory, which has demonstrated application in caregiver-child, romantic, and psychotherapeutic relationships, also appears to be supervision relevant. But bad blood between attachment theory and psychoanalysis may well have hampered considering the relevance of attachment theory for psychoanalytic supervision. This project sought to investigate the application of attachment theory to the supervision situation, with the potential implications of our findings for psychoanalytic supervision being considered. Attachment styles, leader–follower dynamics, and attachment-based expectations were explored as predictors of supervisor-trainee working alliance using a prospective, longitudinal study design. Findings revealed the importance of measuring supervision-specific attachment, the particularly problematic nature of supervisee avoidant attachment, and the potential contribution of a leader–follower framework for understanding supervisory attachment. These attachment concepts may well be useful in, a...
Revisiting cruciate paralysis: A case report and systematic review.

Objective: Cruciate paralysis is a rare, poorly understood condition of the upper craniovertebral junction that allows for selective paralysis of the upper extremities while sparing the lower extremities. Reported cases are few and best treatment practices remain up for debate. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systemic literature review in an attempt to identify prognostic predictors and outcome trends associated with cases previously reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review for all cases using the term Cruciate Paralysis, reviewing a total of 37 reported cases. All outcomes were assigned a numerical value based on examination at the last follow up. These numerical values were further analyzed and tested for statistical significance. Results: Of the 37 cases, 78.4% were of traumatic causes. Of these, there were considerably worse outcomes associated with patients over the age of 65 years (P Conclusion: Numerous cases of trauma associated cruciate paralysis have been reported in the literature; however, there remains a strong need for further study of the condition. While certain risk factors can be elicited from currently reported studies, insignificant data exist to make any sound conclusion concerning whether surgical intervention is always the best method of treatment.
Zotter Living by Chocolate

This case is about a boutique chocolate manufacturer's decision to grow. Zotter, an Austrian company that was a pioneer in the organic and Fairtrade chocolate movement, uses the traditional confit technique to make premium hand-scooped chocolates in unusual and innovative flavor combinations. Having done many novel things to educate the market about the value of premium, organic and Fairtrade chocolate, Zotter consolidated its market position within the premium segment of the Austrian market for chocolate. The company only recently started to sell its product outside Austria. However, the time- and labor-intensive manufacturing process and the high prices of Zotter chocolates limit the scalability of the company, even though the founder desires to grow. While the founder has many ideas for the firm, it is not clear which path would be optimal for the kind of growth he desires. The case provides students an opportunity to discuss how entrepreneurs create markets for novel products, and how they can consolidate their position.Learning Objective:To demonstrate to students how entrepreneurs create markets for novel products, and how they can consolidate their position.
Sexual Function, Obesity, and Weight Loss in Men and Women.

Abstract Introduction Obesity is a major health concern in the United States and many developed countries. Among its many deleterious effects are those that can affect the sexual response. Aim To update and evaluate the state of knowledge on the possible link between obesity and sexual dysfunction. Methods A comprehensive search and review of biomedical, physiologic, and psychological databases were used to integrate findings on obesity, weight loss, and sexual function. Main Outcome Measures We briefly explain the two variables of interest—sexual functioning and obesity—indicating possible points of linkage. Then, we attempt to (i) describe possible direct links between obesity and sexual dysfunction; (ii) understand potential mediating biological, comorbid, and psychological factors and the interactions among such factors; (iii) discern differences in the mechanism and impact of obesity across the sexes; and (iv) review evidence suggesting that weight loss improves sexual functioning in obese individuals. Results The link between obesity and sexual function is complex and multivariate, with at least three different pathways likely: direct effects from adipose tissue; effects from pathophysiologic comorbidities; and effects mediated by psychological factors. In addition, effects and pathways appear to be different for men and women. Conclusion We conclude by identifying some existing challenges for the study of obesity and sexual function, specify areas that warrant further investigation, and reiterate the potential value of encouraging obese patients to consider weight loss as a path toward a healthier and more sexually satisfying life. Rowland DL, McNabney SM, Mann AR. Sexual Function, Obesity, and Weight Loss in Men and Women. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:323–338.
Mizoroki–Heck Cyclizations of Amide Derivatives for the Introduction of Quaternary Centers

We report non-decarbonylative Mizoroki–Heck reactions of amide derivatives. The transformation relies on the use of nickel catalysis and proceeds using sterically hindered tri- and tetrasubstituted olefins to give products containing quaternary centers. The resulting polycyclic or spirocyclic products can be obtained in good yields. Moreover, a diastereoselective variant of this method gives access to an adduct bearing vicinal, highly substituted sp3 stereocenters. These results demonstrate that amide derivatives can be used as building blocks for the assembly of complex scaffolds.
Predicted versus actual invasiveness of climbing vines in Florida

Climbing vines cause substantial ecological and economic harm, and are disproportionately represented among invasive plant species. Thus, the ability to identify likely vine invaders would enhance the effectiveness of both prevention and management. We tested whether the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) accurately predicted the current invasion status of 84 non-native climbing vines in Florida. Seventeen percent of the species require further evaluation before risk of invasion can be determined. Of the remaining 70 species, the WRA predicted that 70% were at high risk for invasion, but only 50% of the 84 species are currently invasive in Florida. The status and risk prediction were inconsistent for 27% of the species: 15 non-invaders were predicted to be of high risk for invasion (i.e., false positive) and 4 invaders were predicted to be of low risk (i.e., false negative). Longer residence time in the flora was significantly correlated with higher invasion risk. Further investigation is necessary to identify whether residence time explains inconsistencies between risk and status conclusions, or whether the WRA over-predicts invasion risk. Nevertheless, the effects of invasive vines on native systems coupled with the influence of time on invasion status, suggest a precautionary approach is warranted when considering the introduction and management of non-native vines.
Neuropsychological and psychiatric outcome of GPi-deep brain stimulation in dystonia.

Abstract Background Previous investigators have observed changes in cognitive and psychiatric domains after GPi-DBS for dystonia, such as declines in semantic verbal fluency and set shifting or increased suicidality. Others have reported stability or improvements in select areas, such as graphomotor speed and mood. Interpretation of these findings is limited by inclusion of select patient populations or limited neuropsychological testing. Objective To describe cognitive and neuropsychiatric outcomes in a cohort of patients with primary and secondary dystonia undergoing Globus Pallidus pars interna deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS). Methods Patients with primary and secondary dystonia were evaluated at baseline and post-operatively with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and mood inventories including anxiety, depression and hopelessness scales. Statistical significance was calculated with one-tailed student t-test, defined as p value Results Twelve patients were included in the study. Nine were male (75%) and the mean age at baseline assessment was 42.3 years (range 13–68; SD 18.0). The majority had focal or segmental dystonia (8/12, 66%), 4 patients had generalized dystonia. Three patients had monogenic dystonias (DYT 1 and DYT 3), and two patients had acquired (tardive) dystonia. Mean time between surgery and follow-up was 13.1 months (SD 3.1). Subjects demonstrated stable performance on most tests, with statistically significant improvements noted in working memory (letter-number sequencing), executive function (trail-making B), anxiety and depression. Conclusions In an etiologically and clinically diverse patient population, administration of comprehensive battery of cognitive tests pre and post-operatively suggests that GPi-DBS is safe from cognitive and psychiatric perspectives.
Social justice and the distribution of republican freedom

A republican theory of social justice specifies how republican freedom should be distributed. The goal of this paper is to assess the plausibility of two recently proposed principles of republican social justice: an aggregative maximizing principle defended by Philip Pettit in Republicanism and a sufficiency principle of republican social justice offered by Pettit in On the People’s Terms. The maximizing principle must be rejected because it permits under-protecting vulnerable members of society in favor of increasing the freedom of the powerful. The sufficiency principle avoids the most basic objection to the maximizing principle, but it is at best an incomplete theory of social justice. Social justice requires principle(s) for determining the justice of distributions above the sufficiency threshold and republican theory does not determine which principle(s) should govern distributions above this threshold. Republicans must therefore decide whether they will incorporate an independent commitment to equal...
Purchase Quantity Restrictions: Good or Bad? An Abstract

Retailers often promote products at a discount with a requirement to buy more than one unit of the product. An example of such a practice is Domino’s two medium pizzas for $5.99 each, when you buy minimum two pizzas. A research question then is how do consumers evaluate such promotions with minimum purchase quantity requirements? Based on research on reactance, we argue that with promotions such as “must buy minimum 4,” consumers feel coerced into buying multiple units of the product, leading to a reactance. The reactance manifests in a scrutiny of the restrictive components of the deal leading to a focus on the price information rather than using the promotion itself as a signal of value (Suri & Monroe, 2003; Sheng et al., 2007). Hence, we predict that:
Fusarium spp., a Genus of Common Plant Pathogens That Can Cause Devastating, Opportunistic Human Disease

Abstract Fusarium spp. are environmental hyaline molds that are pathogens in plants and opportunistic pathogens in humans. In immunocompetent individuals, Fusarium sp. infections primarily include keratitis, onychomycosis, and localized infections due to trauma. However, in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies, members of this genus can cause devastating, invasive, and disseminated infections with high mortality. In general, these species are resistant to therapy with a variety of antifungal agents. This article reviews recent literature about human infections caused by Fusarium spp., treatment and outcomes, and methods for accurately identifying isolates recovered from clinical specimens.
Developing Mammalian Cellular Clock Models Using Firefly Luciferase Reporter

In mammals, many aspects of metabolic, physiological, and behavioral processes are regulated by endogenous circadian clocks. Oscillators of different tissue types share a common molecular mechanism at the cellular and molecular level which underlies the rhythmic expression of genes. Individual cells are the functional units for rhythm generation and cell-based clock models offer experimental tractability for discovery. Cellular clock models can be developed by introducing a noninvasive and readily detectable luciferase bioluminescence reporter as a rhythmic output, in which the promoter of a rhythmically expressed gene is fused with the firefly luciferase (Luc) gene. The bioluminescence expression in the cells is measured continuously over several days using a highly sensitive and automated recording device. As such, the data are of high temporal resolution and allow precise determination of key circadian parameters including period length, amplitude, damping rate, and phase. Miniaturization of the assays improves throughput for large scale screens. In our lab, we have expertise for constructing circadian reporters and developing reporter cell lines. Here, we describe the procedure for establishing a stable mouse hepatocyte reporter cell line. The procedure described here can be applied to various other cell types.
Element Exchange Method for Stochastic Topology Optimization

In this chapter, a new stochastic topology optimization methodology for compliance minimization is presented. The element exchange method (EEM) is based on the principle that in a discretized domain consisting of a set of solid and a set of void elements at a specified volume fraction, the best topology for minimum compliance can be found through an iterative process involving the transformation of less-influential solid elements into void and the more-influential void elements into solid in the respective sets. The methodology can be integrated with existing finite element analysis codes to determine the stiffness or other structural characteristics of each candidate design during the optimization process. This chapter provides details of the EEM algorithm, the element exchange strategy, checkerboard control, random shuffle, and convergence criteria. The results for several two-dimensional example problems are presented with comparisons to those found using other stochastic and derivative-based approaches.
COMPARATIVE METABOLISM OF SULFAMETHAZINE [4-AMINO-N- (4,6-DIMETHYL-2-PYRIMIDINYL)BENZENESULFONAMIDE] IN THE RAT, CHICKEN, PIG AND SHEEP (Note a)

Pigs, rats, chickens, and sheep were given a single oral dose of 14 C-sulfamethazine [4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrirnidinyl)[ 14 C]-benzenesulfonamide]. Excreta were collected until the animals were sacrificed at 6, 24, 48 or 192 hours after the 14 C-sulfamethazine was given. Within 48 hours after dosing, combined urinary and fecal excretions were as follows: pigs, 70.2%; rats, 107.1%; chicken, 94.5%; and sheep, 56.5%. The 14 C-activity that remained in all of the animals at sacrifice was widely distributed throughout the body. The major 14 C-labeled compounds in the skeletal muscle at 6 hours (rats) or 24 hours (pigs, chickens, and sheep) after dosing were isolated by solvent extraction, and chromatographic techniques and then identified by comparative infrared and mass spectrometry. The parent compound, 14 C-sulfamethazine, accounted for 23, 48, 50 and 63% of the 14 C-activity in muscle from pigs, rats, chickens, and sheep respectively. N 4 -Acetylsulfamethazine accounted for 11, 10, 14 and 3% of the 14 C-activity in muscle from pigs, rats, chickens, and sheep respectively. The N 4 -glucoside conjugate of sulfamethazine accounted for 43% of the 14 C-activity in pig muscle but was either absent or present in only small amounts in the muscle of rats, chickens, and sheep. Desaminosulfamethazine [N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide] accounted for 2% of the 14 C-activity in pig muscle, but was absent or present in very small amounts in the muscle from rats, chickens, and sheep.
Assurance Via Redundancy

One of the most critical challenges facing Revere is that of supporting the high availability of security update dissemination under various circumstances, including the case where an attacker is trying to corrupt information while in transit. In this chapter we justify the fundamental concept of information assurance via redundancy and discuss general considerations on using redundancy to secure transmissions; we will thus establish that a redundancy mechanism is critical to the success of Revere.
Humans, Animals, and the Craft of Slaughter in Archaeo-Historic Societies

In this book, Krish Seetah uses butchery as a point of departure for exploring the changing historical relationships between animal utility, symbolism, and meat consumption. Seetah brings together several bodies of literature - on meat, cut marks, craftspeople, and the role of craft in production - that have heretofore been considered in isolation from one another. Focusing on the activity inherent in butcher, he describes the history of knowledge that typifies the craft. He also provides anthropological and archaeological case studies which showcase examples of butchery practices in varied contexts that are seldom identified with zooarchaeological research. Situating the relationship between practice, practitioner, material and commodity, this imaginative study offers new insights into food production, consumption, and the craft of cuisine.
Increasing Home Smoking Restrictions Boosts Underserved Moms' Bioverified Quit Success

Objectives: Standard smoking cessation treatments remain relatively ineffective in vulnerable populations. This study tested whether efforts to restrict residential smoking mediated the counseling treatment - smoking cessation association in a child tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) reduction trial. Methods: Maternal smokers (N = 300) with young children from low-income minority communities were randomized to counseling or standard care control to promote child TSE reduction. Secondary mediation analyses controlled for factors associated with smoking cessation. Results: Counseling group mothers were more likely than controls to increase home smoking restrictions (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4) and quit smoking (OR = 11.0, 95% CI 6.3-19.2). As hypothesized, increasing home smoking restrictions improved likelihood of bioverified quit status at end of treatment (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.9) and partially mediated the association between counseling intervention and quit status. Conclusions: Results suggest that among maternal smokers known to experience increased challenges to quitting smoking, encouraging efforts to protect children from TSE by increasing home smoking restrictions may be an important counseling intervention element that facilitates smoking cessation.
Origins, Importance and Genetic Stability of the Prototype Strains Gilliam, Karp and Kato of Orientia tsutsugamushi

Scrub typhus, a chigger-borne febrile illness, occurs primarily in countries of the Asia-Pacific rim and islands of the Western Pacific. The etiologic agent is the obligate intracellular rickettsial bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. Research on O. tsutsugamushi has relied on the availability of several prototype strains, which were isolated from human cases of scrub typhus in the 1940s and 1950s. We review the history of the three original, and most important, prototype strains, Gilliam, Karp and Kato, including information on their isolation, their culture history, their clinical characteristics, their importance within the research literature on scrub typhus, and recent advances in elucidating their molecular genomics. The importance of these strains to the research and development of clinical tools related to scrub typhus is also considered. Finally, we examine whether the strains have been genetically stable since their isolation, and whether prototype strains maintained in separate laboratories are identical, based on pairwise comparisons of several sequences from four genes. By using genetic information archived in international DNA databases, we show that the prototype strains used by different laboratories are essentially identical, and that the strains have retained their genetic integrity at least since the 1950s. The three original prototype strains should remain a standard by which new diagnostic procedures are measured. Given their fundamental position in any comparative studies, they are likely to endure as a critical part of present and future research on scrub typhus and Orientia.
‘Having Enough’: Students’ Understanding of Food Insecurity and Campus Food Pantry Use

ABSTRACTThis narrative inquiry study explored the experiences of three students facing food insecurity and their use of a campus food pantry at a rural four-year public higher education institution...
Diet quality of children in the United States by body mass index and sociodemographic characteristics.

Objective The primary objective was to use the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) to describe diet quality by categories of body mass index (BMI) and by sociodemographic characteristics within categories of BMI using a nationally representative sample of US children. Methods Dietary datasets from three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014) were analysed for children 2 to 18 years of age (N = 8894). Using the population ratio method, mean and 95% confidence intervals for HEI-2015 total and component scores were computed by BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) and by age (2-5, 6-11, and 12-18 y), gender, race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, Mexican American, other Hispanic, and other race), and family poverty to income ratio (below and at/above poverty threshold). Results HEI-2015 mean total scores were 50.4, 55.2, 55.1, and 54.0 out of 100 points for children with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively, and were not significantly different. Within BMI categories, significant differences in total and mean component scores were present for age and race/ethnicity groups. Conclusions Total and most components of diet quality did not significantly differ among child populations classified by BMI status. Within BMI categories, significant diet quality differences were found for age and race/ethnicity groups, although scores were low for all child groups. Researchers may need to address or target specific dietary components with low quality in various child populations to have the greatest effect on improving nutrition nationwide.
Neurological manifestations and COVID-19: Experiences from a tertiary care center at the Frontline.

Abstract Objective To report neurological manifestations seen in patients hospitalized with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from a large academic medical center in Chicago, Illinois. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data records of 50 patients with COVID-19 who were evaluated by the neurology services from March 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on timing of developing neurological manifestations: the “Neuro first” group had neurological manifestations upon initial assessment, and the “COVID first” group developed neurological symptoms greater than 24 h after hospitalization. The demographics, comorbidities, disease severity and neurological symptoms and diagnoses of both groups were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the two groups. Results A total of 50 patients (48% African American and 24% Latino) were included in the analysis. Most common neurological manifestations observed were encephalopathy (n = 30), cerebrovascular disease (n = 20), cognitive impairment (n = 13), seizures (n = 13), hypoxic brain injury (n = 7), dysgeusia (n = 5), and extraocular movement abnormalities (n = 5). The “COVID-19 first” group had more evidence of physiologic disturbances on arrival with a more severe/critical disease course (83.3% vs 53.8%, p 0.025). Conclusion Neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 are highly variable and can occur prior to the diagnosis of or as a complication of the viral infection. Despite similar baseline comorbidities and demographics, the COVID-19 patients who developed neurologic symptoms later in hospitalization had more severe disease courses. Differently from previous studies, we noted a high percentage of African American and Latino individuals in both groups.
The metabolic importance of the glutaminase II pathway in normal and cancerous cells

Abstract In rapidly dividing cells, including many cancer cells, l -glutamine is a major energy source. Utilization of glutamine is usually depicted as: l -glutamine → l -glutamate (catalyzed by glutaminase isozymes; GLS1 and GLS2), followed by l -glutamate → α-ketoglutarate [catalyzed by glutamate-linked aminotransferases or by glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)]. α-Ketoglutarate is a major anaplerotic component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. However, the glutaminase II pathway also converts l -glutamine to α-ketoglutarate. This pathway consists of a glutamine transaminase coupled to ω-amidase [Net reaction: l -Glutamine + α-keto acid + H2O → α-ketoglutarate + l -amino acid + NH4+]. This review focuses on the biological importance of the glutaminase II pathway, especially in relation to metabolism of cancer cells. Our studies suggest a component enzyme of the glutaminase II pathway, ω-amidase, is utilized by tumor cells to provide anaplerotic carbon. Inhibitors of GLS1 are currently in clinical trials as anti-cancer agents. However, this treatment will not prevent the glutaminase II pathway from providing anaplerotic carbon derived from glutamine. Specific inhibitors of ω-amidase, perhaps in combination with a GLS1 inhibitor, may provide greater therapeutic efficacy.
Rapid accomodation of an A1 renal allograft after preconditioning for ABO-incompatible transplantation.

Background: Successful ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation of non-A2 renal allografts requires preconditioning to reduce anti-blood group antibody to safe lev-els in order to avoid hyperacu
Collapse of Water-Stress Emboli in the Tracheids of Thuja occidentalis L

We report the kinetics of embolus formation and collapse in the tracheids of Thuja occidentalis L. stem segments. Radial wood sections were trimmed to 4 mm long paralleling the tracheids by 1 mm wide and 0.1 mm thick. They were observed under a dissecting microscope at 128x while sections were dehydrated and rehydrated. During dehydration, cavitations resulted in the formation of emboli in tracheids, but we concluded that the cavitated tracheids did not immediately fill with air at atmospheric pressure. This conclusion was based on the time required for the emboli to collapse after the rewetting of the dehydrated segment. By hypothesis, the time for the emboli to collapse should be proportional to the amount of air in the emboli. The time for all the emboli to collapse was a linear function of the dehydration time for times up to 15 min. For dehydrations greater than 80 min, the time for collapse after rewetting was constant, and we concluded that the tracheids have saturated with air by 80 min of dehydration. The kinetics of embolus formation is discussed in terms of the air-seeding hypothesis for cavitation, and collapse is discussed in terms of the physics of gas dissolution and diffusion. Embolus formation and dissolution in intact herbaceous and woody plants should follow the same physical laws.
LAG PERIOD CHARACTERIZING THE ENTRY OF TRANSFORMING DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID INTO BACILLUS SUBTILIS.

Levine, James S. (Yale University, New Haven, Conn.), and Norman Strauss. Lag period characterizing the entry of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid into Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 89:281–287. 1965.—The kinetics of appearance of transformants as a function of time of exposure to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been studied in Bacillus subtilis. A short lag period of approximately 1 min at 37 C is evident when the transformation is terminated with deoxyribonuclease. The length of this lag is independent of the genetic trait transferred. Moreover, the lag is unaffected by transforming DNA concentration, by the presence of homologous unmarked DNA, and by shearing and cross-linking of the transforming DNA. The lag shows a strong inverse temperature dependence. The energy of activation is 13.9 kcal. The lag is abolished when the transformation is terminated by washing instead of by addition of deoxyribonuclease. These results are taken to indicate an immediate adsorption of DNA to cells, followed by a deoxyribonuclease-sensitive period of 1 min, during which time the genetic trait is entering the cell. These results make feasible an investigation of the configuration assumed by the DNA molecule during entry into the cell.
Particle mixing and concentration through competing electrokinetic and hydrodynamic flows

We have developed a novel, low voltage particle concentration and separation paradigm that exploits the interplay between electrokinetic, dielectrophoretic, and pressure-driven flows. The devices presented utilize weak DC fields (5-25 V/cm) and patterned, insulating microfluidic channels. This approach has been applied to species varying in size by two orders of magnitude on the same chip (2 /spl mu/m-20 nm), can be applied to both biological and synthetic particles, and permits the channel geometry to be optimized to a specific size range.
Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Activity and pp60v-src expression in Whole Cells Measured by Flow Cytometry

The expression and phosphotyrosine activity of pp60v-src were measured in the B31 avian sarcoma virus-transformed rat cell line by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against pp60v-src (EB7) and phosphotyrosine (1G2). Although the immunocytochemical staining was markedly heterogeneous, binding of both antibodies was significantly greater to B31 cells than to untransformed Rat 1 cells. Binding of 1G2 to phosphotyrosine residues was specific; it was entirely inhibited by adding excess phenylphosphate but was not affected by phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The relationship between the amount of phosphorylated tyrosine measured by our FCM technique and total cellular phosphotyrosine measured by phosphoamino acid analysis was linear in vanadate-treated BALB/c 3T3 cells. Treatment of B31 cells for 48 h with herbimycin A, a benzenoid ansamycin antibiotic, to decrease the expression and tyrosine kinase activity of pp60v-src caused reductions of 42% in anti-pp60v-src and 58% in anti-phosphotyrosine antibody immunofluorescence. DNA staining with the fluorescent dye propidium iodide showed no cell cycle specificity in the binding of either antibody. Herbimycin A also caused the transformed cell line to revert to the morphology, actin configuration, and growth behavior of untransformed cells; these changes were reversed within 12 h after removal of the drug. Flow cytometric evaluation of tyrosine kinase expression and activity was fast and easy, and the results correlated well with other measures of cell phenotype. This technique can be used to quantitate the effects of drugs on oncogenic proteins such as pp60v-src and their associated tyrosine kinase activity.
DMRG Study of the Striped Phase in the 2D t-J model

Using the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG), we study the 2D t-J model at a hole doping of x=1/8 on clusters as large as 19x8. We find a striped phase which is consistent with recent neutron scattering experiments. We find that bond-centered and site-centered stripes have nearly the same energy, suggesting that in the absence of pinning effects the domain walls can fluctuate.
All-optical Bose-Einstein condensates

Summary form only given. Recently, we have created a Bose condensate of /sup 87/Rb atoms directly in an optical trap formed by tightly focused laser beams. Following initial loading from a laser cooled gas, evaporative cooling through the BEC transition is achieved by simply lowering the depth of the optical trap. Our success is due in part to a high initial phase space density realized in the loading of our optical dipole trap and in part to the tight confinement of the atoms that permits rapid evaporative cooling to the BEC transition in 2 s.
Ultrasound imaging of tumor perfusion

Our goal is to evaluate the use of ultrasound to detect small regions of increased vascular density and altered blood flow and to quantify small changes in these parameters due to effects of new anti-angiogenic drugs. Regions containing intravascular contrast agents are identified using a new ultrasound strategy that combines subharmonic and phase inversion imaging. The contrast agent is repeatedly destroyed in order to estimate the time required for local replenishment. Parameters are estimated based on this strategy and include measures of the spatial extent of flow, the spatial integral of flow, and the time required for 80% replenishment. In a study of 25 tumors, we first demonstrate that regions of viable tumor as small as 1 mm, as verified by histology, can be detected and show similar morphology to images acquired with computed tomography (CT). The spatial mapping of vessels with ultrasound is superior to contrast enhanced computed tomography due to the intravascular distribution of ultrasound contrast agents. Estimation of the time to 80% replenishment was conducted on kidney and tumor data and is a robust parameter not altered by attenuation. Mean times to 80% replenishment of 1–5 s were estimated for the kidney cortex and mean times of 6–14 s were observed for viable tumor tissue. This broad range of replenishment times is indicative of abnormal tumor vascular density and tortuosity. Changes in flow parameters with anti-angiogenic therapy are significant beginning at 48 hours post-treatment.
In reference to the article a comparative study between endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy and caldwell-luc surgery in the treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis: by k. Joe jacob · shibu george · s. Preethi · v. S. Arunraj.

Dear Editor I read with grave concern the article by K. Joe Jacob et al. discussing the comparative efficacy and complications of endoscopic sinus surgery and Caldwell-Luc in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. As rightly noted by authors themselves Caldwell-Luc is fairly abandoned in the treatment of chronic sinusitis for various reasons including—(a) Increased incidence of complications when compared to endoscopic sinus surgeries [1], (b) decreased cure rates when compared to endoscopic sinus surgeries [2]. Endoscopic sinus surgery is more physiological because it adheres to the principles of mucosal clearance and hence mucosal preservation is emphasized. The complications and morbidity associated with Caldwell-Luc range for 10–40% [3].Hence endoscopic sinus surgery is now the ‘standard of care’ worldwide for the management of chronic sinusitis. Now this raises an ethical question in the study design used by the authors. When endoscopic sinus surgery is available at the authors disposition, offering Caldwell-Luc as a treatment option to the patients is unethical as there is considerable evidence in literature already showing increased morbidity and decreased efficacy of Caldwell-Luc when compared to endoscopic sinus surgery. If a true informed consent was obtained explaining the risks, benefits and the outcomes of both treatment options, it is very difficult to understand how a consent for Caldwell-Luc could be obtained. The authors findings are definitely valid, but similar findings have been demonstrated more than a decade and half earlier [1, 2] and this study is like “reinventing the wheel” at the expense of patients who did not receive the ‘standard of care’ even when that was available. The authors should have done a thorough review of literature before conducting a study when considerable morbidity is associated with one treatment option compared to the other. There appears no need to conduct prospective randomized comparative study when the benefit of one option both in terms of increased efficacy and decreased complications appear overwhelming clear [4]. The authors could just have compared their results from endoscopic sinus surgery with results of Caldwell-Luc surgery already found in literature.