cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A CASE OF OSTEOPETROSIS: UNUSUAL MAXILLOFACIAL PRESENTATION AND SUCCESSFUL DENTAL IMPLANT RESTORATIONS

Clinical Presentation A patient presented with malaligned and rotated, missing, unerupted, and partially erupted/maldeveloped teeth seeking care to improve her masticatory function. She had impaired hearing and vision, but no neurologic symptoms. A panoramic radiograph, a lateral cephalometric radiograph, and a medical CT scan were reviewed. The radiographic examination revealed a skeletal Class III relationship. Sclerosis related to osteopetrosis was seen throughout the maxilla, cranial base, and cervical spine. A train track–like radiopaque formation was noted bilaterally within the mandibular inferior alveolar canals. No symptoms related to inferior alveolar nerve impairment were noted. Differential Diagnosis Multiple impacted and malformed teeth were unusual presentations, leading to the diagnosis of osteopetrosis. Other syndromes, such as cleidocranial dysostosis and Gardner syndrome, can also have similar features. Diagnosis and Management The treatment comprised a maxillary overdenture and an implant-supported mandibular prosthesis. Despite the increased risk of failed osseointegration, the implants placed in the mandible have been successful for greater than 8 years. Discussion Osteopetrosis is a disorder characterized by impaired osteoclast function, leading to hyperdense, hypovascular, brittle bone. When considering dental implant placement in a patient with osteopetrosis, one must be wary of the increased possibility of bone fracture or osteomyelitis and the decreased likelihood of successful osseointegration because of hypovascularity. This case report describes successful osseointegration of multiple dental implants supporting a fixed mandibular prosthesis with long-term survival. Therefore, implant placement should not be excluded on the basis of an osteopetrosis diagnosis alone. Rather, one should evaluate the sclerosis radiographically in relation to intended implant sites.
Association Between the Atherosclerotic Disease Risk Score and Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract Background Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is the most frequently detected treatable cause of ischemic stroke. However, there are no recommendations to screen asymptomatic patients. The atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score estimates individuals’ 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study is to identify a relationship between the ASCVD risk score and moderate/severe CAS based on ultrasound findings. Materials and methods We performed a single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent a surveillance ultrasound for CAS between 2015 and 2018. We used Strandness velocity criteria to separate patients into two cohorts: none to mild CAS ( Results Two thousand eight hundred and fifty-six patients with carotid ultrasounds (1623 with none to mild, 1161 with moderate, and 72 with severe disease) were included in the study. The ASCVD risk score significantly predicted moderate/severe CAS in an adjusted multivariate analysis. Each 10% increase in the ASCVD risk score corresponded to an additional 11% likelihood of moderate/severe stenosis (OR: 1.11 [1.04-1.20], P = 0.004). The ROC area under the curve for predicting moderate/severe CAS based on the ASCVD risk score was 0.59 (Youden index (J) = 0.14); the optimized ASCVD cutoff point was 28.4%. Our new atherosclerotic disease model demonstrated increased odds of moderate/severe CAS with scores greater than zero (ROC area under the curve = 0.57). Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate an association between atherosclerotic disease risk factors as measured by the ASCVD risk score and moderate/severe CAS. However, this tool is not sensitive or specific for using the ASCVD risk score as a screening mechanism for moderate/severe CAS.
Common Microbes and Antibiotic Resistance in Ocular Infections at an Urban Public Tertiary Care Hospital.

Purpose We aim to describe ocular infection epidemiology for a public tertiary care hospital in New York City (NYC). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 558 patients with ocular isolates from conjunctival, corneal, and intraocular culture from 2009 to 2017 for microbial growth and antimicrobial sensitivities. Results In total, 185 ocular cultures (33%) had growth and the most commonly isolated microbes overall were Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (23%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (23%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (16%), and Streptococcus viridans (S. viridans) group (11%). The most common microbes within corneal (n = 61), conjunctival (n = 34), and intraocular isolates (n = 9) were P. aeruginosa (37.7%), S. aureus (35.3%), and S. viridans group (33.3%), respectively. Proportion of isolates exhibiting multi-drug resistance decreased over time (P = .006). Conclusions The microbial epidemiology of ocular infection of a public NYC hospital was distinct from other geographic locations, underscoring the importance of examining local profiles to more precisely inform empiric therapy.
Bias-free Forecast-driven Guidelines for Opening Pandemic-ravaged Economies

Official guidelines for opening America after COVID-19 lockdowns are backward-looking For example, they require a two-week downward trajectory of documented ca
Sleep, sedentary activity, physical activity, and cognitive function among older adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014.

Abstract Objectives We aimed to estimate the association of sleep, sedentary activity and physical activity with cognitive function among older adults, with consideration of the competing nature between variables of activity status. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods A total of 3086 older adults (60 years or older) in the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure self-reported time for sedentary activity, walking/bicycling and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Cognitive function was examined using the CERAD Word Learning subtest (memory), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (executive function/processing speed), and Animal Fluency Test (language). Sleep duration was obtained via interview. Isotemporal substitution models using multivariable linear regression were applied to examine the associations of replacing sleep, sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, MVPA with each other and cognitive function, stratified by sleep duration per night (≤7 h, >7 h). Results Among participants with sleep duration ≤7 h/night, replacing 30 min/day of sedentary activity with 30 min/day of MVPA or 30 min/day was associated with better cognition. Among participants with sleep duration >7 h/night, replacing 30 min/day of sleep with 30 min/day of sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, or MVPA was associated with better cognition. Conclusions Replacing sedentary activities with MVPA was associated with favorable cognitive function among older adults sleeping no longer than 7 h/night, and replacing excessive sleep with sedentary or physical activities was associated with favorable cognition. Future research is expected to examine the associations of replacing different activity status on long-term cognitive outcomes in longitudinal studies.
Cytokine Storms, Evolution, and COVID-19

Since the identification of severe illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the role of the host immune system in causing disease has attracted widespread attention, along with intense interest in medical interventions that target the host immune response. A wide variety of agents have been proposed to treat a cytokine storm in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but so far, only one class of medications, corticosteroids, has proved useful. In recent decades, experimental therapies for cytokine storms have been tried and mostly failed to help patients with severe sepsis and other infections. We summarize this history in order to frame expectations for novel interventions in COVID-19 and to bring an evolutionary medicine perspective to the concept of cytokine storms and their treatment.
SpRY Cas9 Can Utilize a Variety of Protospacer Adjacent Motif Site Sequences To Edit the Candida albicans Genome.

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is a human fungal pathogen capable of causing life-threatening infections. The ability to edit the C. albicans genome using CRISPR/Cas9 is an important tool investigators can leverage in their search for novel therapeutic targets. However, wild-type Cas9 requires an NGG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), leaving many AT-rich regions of DNA inaccessible. A recently described near-PAMless CRISPR system that utilizes the SpRY Cas9 variant can target non-NGG PAM sequences. Using this system as a model, we developed C. albicans CRISPR/SpRY. We tested our system by mutating C. albicansADE2 and show that CRISPR/SpRY can utilize non-NGG PAM sequences in C. albicans. Our CRISPR/SpRY system will allow researchers to efficiently modify C. albicans DNA that lacks NGG PAM sequences. IMPORTANCE Genetic modification of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans allows us to better understand how fungi differ from humans at the molecular level and play essential roles in the development of therapeutics. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing systems can be used to introduce site-specific mutations to C. albicans. However, wild-type Cas9 is limited by the requirement of an NGG PAM site. CRISPR/SpRY targets a variety of different PAM sequences. We modified the C. albicans CRISPR/Cas9 system using the CRISPR/SpRY as a guide. We tested CRISPR/SpRY on C. albicansADE2 and show that our SpRY system can facilitate genome editing independent of an NGG PAM sequence, thus allowing the investigator to target AT-rich sequences. Our system will potentially enable mutation of the 125 C. albicans genes which have been previously untargetable with CRISPR/Cas9. Additionally, our system will allow for precise targeting of many genomic locations that lack NGG PAM sites.
Longitudinal trajectories of E-cigarette use among adolescents: A 5-year, multiple cohort study of vaping with and without marijuana.

Abstract E-cigarette use harms adolescent health, yet it continues to escalate rapidly among teens nationwide. This longitudinal study sought to identify and differentiate between developmental trajectories of past 30-day e-cigarette use with and without marijuana (i.e., liquid THC) across adolescence (11–19 years old). Three population-based cohorts of adolescents (n = 3907; N = 461,069) living in major metropolitan areas of Texas (Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin) completed up to 9 Waves of an e-cigarette use survey, from 2014 to 2019. Growth curve models (GCMs) were used to identify average trajectories of past 30-day e-cigarette use, by cohort. Growth mixture models (GMMs) were used to investigate developmental patterns in these trajectories, by cohort. Sociodemographic differences in trajectories were also investigated. Stable trajectories of e-cigarette use with and without marijuana were identified, from 11 through 19 years of age. Trajectories varied by age of onset; frequency and escalation in use; and substance used. With one exception, all trajectories of e-cigarette use escalated with age. Moreover, age of onset and progression in use were positively related. The most problematic trajectories, corresponding to more frequent use, were observed among the younger cohorts compared to the oldest. Primary prevention is critical. Interventions to prevent the onset and progression in e-cigarette use among teens must begin early (e.g., in middle school) and be sustained throughout adolescence.
Crowd Salience Heightens Tolerance to Healthy Facial Features

Recent findings suggest crowd salience heightens pathogen-avoidant motives, serving to reduce individuals’ infection risk through interpersonal contact. Such experiences may similarly facilitate the identification, and avoidance, of diseased conspecifics. The current experiment sought to replicate and extend previous crowding research. In this experiment, we primed participants at two universities with either a crowding or control experience before having them evaluate faces manipulated to appear healthy or diseased by indicating the degree to which they would want to interact with them. Crowding-primed participants reported a more heightened preferences for healthy faces than control-primed participants. Additionally, crowd salience reduced aversion toward healthy faces but did not heighten aversion to diseased faces. Results suggest crowding appears to heighten tolerance for health cues given the heightened proximal threat of infections through interpersonal contact within crowded environments. Conversely, this work extends previous findings by indicating this preference is not rooted in an aversion to cues of poor health. We frame findings from a threat management perspective in understanding how crowding fosters sensitivity toward pathogenic threats.
Electronic Instrumentation for Oceanography

Publisher Summary This chapter describes various aspects of electronic instrumentation for oceanography. Electronic instrumentation, because of its ability to make measurements and analyze data rapidly, is becoming progressively more important, in oceanographic research in spite of its limitations. Its utility lies in its ability to do sophisticated tasks which, by their nature, require complicated equipment. Careful engineering is required to make such equipment reliable and rugged enough for use at sea. The desirability of a wave recorder which can be mounted on a ship at sea is apparent, both for research into the generation and propagation of waves and for the study of ship motion due to the waves. Telemetering wave-measuring buoys have an advantage over the self-recording buoys because their operation can continually be monitored and most malfunctions can be recognized as soon as they occur, thus minimizing questionable or lost data. It is found that the successful use of resistance wires for the measurement of waves requires careful design of the measuring circuits and knowledge of the electrical behavior of the wires in the water.
Induction of 3T3 cell division at the monolayer stage: Early changes in macromolecular processes☆

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that 3T3 cells at the monolayer stage can be induced to divide by brief treatment with a variety of proteases. We have now used this system to investigate the macromolecular changes occurring in 3T3 cells induced to divide in this manner. Immediately after pronase treatment, 3T3 cells become agglutinable with concanavalin A. This is rapidly followed in order by a decrease in cyclic AMP concentration within the cell, and an increase in RNA synthesis and uridine transport. The increases in RNA synthesis and uridine transport are dependent on concomitant protein synthesis. Specific protein synthesis follows 1 h after protease treatment, with DNA synthesis occurring 24 h after treatment and mitosis 30 h after treatment. This work suggests that following alteration of the surface membrane a variety of intercellular macromolecular processes occur which eventually culminate in DNA synthesis and cell division. Such a series of events may occur during each cell cycle in non-confluent 3T3 cells.
The Overallocation Problem in Cap-and-Trade: Moving Toward Stringency

Cap-and-trade regulation is viewed by many as the most promising policy tool for reducing the emission of traditional air pollutants as well as greenhouse gases that cause climate change. But if the caps set by a cap-and-trade program are not adequately stringent, these programs may not be environmentally effective even when the caps are met. This article shows that caps in major existing cap-and-trade programs have been "overallocated," with caps often set at levels that require few if any reductions from business-as-usual emissions. The Article argues that caps should be set to require emissions reductions at least as great as those that would be achieved by mandating the use of feasible emissions control technologies and that mechanisms should be incorporated into programs to ensure that the caps continue to be stringent throughout the program's lifetime.
Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, and Physical Disability in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective Limited data exist describing relationships between muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical disability among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study examines the relationship of muscle strength and muscle mass with physical disability among adult women with SLE.
The New Biology and the Grid

Computational biology is undergoing a revolution from a traditionally compute-intensive science conducted by individuals and small research groups to a high-throughput, datadriven science conducted by teams working in both academia and industry. It is this new biology as a data-driven science in the era of Grid Computing that is the subject of this chapter. This chapter is written from the perspective of bioinformatics specialists who seek to fully capitalize on the promise of the Grid and who are working with computer scientists and technologists developing biological applications for the Grid. To understand what has been developed and what is proposed for utilizing the Grid in the new biology era, it is useful to review the ‘first wave’ of computational biology application models. In the next section, we describe the first wave of computational models used for computational biology and computational chemistry to date.
Study of chemical reactions under the influence of ultrasound

At Los Alamos the author is interested in sonochemistry because there is potential for accelerating reactions involving the synthesis of certain nitro compounds and for reducing the possibility of decomposition under milder reaction conditions. The author has initiated the study of the nitration of 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one with concentrated nitric acid under sonication. The preparation of 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and oxidation of 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine were also studied. Sonication reaction conditions and results of these reactions under ultrasound are discussed in detail.
The Role of Nuclear Matrix Attachment Regions in Plants

Regions of DNA that bind to the nuclear matrix, or nucleoskeleton, are known as Matrix Attachment Regions (MARs). MARs are thought to play an important role in higher-order structure and chromatin organization within the nucleus. MARs are also thought to act as boundaries of chromosomal domains that act to separate regions of gene-rich, decondensed euchromatin from highly repetitive, condensed heterochromatin. Herein I will present evidence that MARs do indeed act as domain boundaries and can prevent the spread of silencing into active genes. Many fundamental questions remain unanswered about how MARs function in the nucleus. New findings in epigenetics indicate that MARs may also play an important role in the organization of genes and the eventual transport of their mRNAs through the nuclear pore.
Corrosion and Corrosion Control

This article discusses the various types of corrosion and the fundamental mechanisms responsible for corrosion. The importance of electrochemical reactions in causing and controlling corrosion phenomena is emphasized. The influence of environmental factors and metallurgical variables is reviewed and the predominant corrosion modes for technologically significant metal and alloy systems are discussed. The various methods of corrosion prevention such as cathodic protection, coatings, and inhibitors are also described. Throughout the article, references to additional information are included. Keywords: corosion; corrosion control; mechanical electrochemical reactions; aluminum; titanium; copper; kinetics; Galvanic corrosions; stainless steel; cracking; indicators; coatings
A Changing Climate for Anthropological and Archaeological Research? Improving the Climate‐Change Models

Climate change is the latest in a dismaying series of challenges that industrialism and modernity have gifted to humanity. To date, anthropological and archaeological responses have focused largely on the culturally particular—that is, on the interactions of climate, environment, cultural schema, and social systems in specific locales and eras. In this article, I urge a complementary response that capitalizes on archaeology and anthropology's holistic and universalistic investigative aspirations and expertise. For two decades, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has overseen major efforts to model human social dynamics and their implications for future climate change. These models are technically sophisticated but economically reductionist and substantively crude. Here, I review these efforts and provide three examples of how established and future archaeological and anthropological research could improve them. Recent changes to the IPCC's modeling regime make this an opportune moment for such a project.
Right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation differentially predict biased evaluations of media reports

This study tested the dual-process motivational (DPM) model, which posits that right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) differentially predict attitudes toward socially threatening or subordinate groups, respectively. Participants read articles on same-sex relationships and affirmative action and evaluated the article content and the biases of the article authors. The article conclusions (i.e., pro- or anti-same-sex relationships and affirmative action) were varied between subjects. As expected, only RWA predicted evaluations of the same-sex relationships articles and authors, whereas only SDO predicted evaluations of the affirmative action articles and authors. These results extend applications of the dual-process model by demonstrating that RWA and SDO differentially predict evaluations of political information that pertains to socially threatening or subordinate groups, respectively.
L'ETRANGETE, L'EXIL ET L'AMOUR CHEZ BECKETT

The styles and subjects of Samuel Beckett's works continue to resonate in contemporary literature and theater: Beckett's modernity is contemporary with current 'post'-modern sensibility. Beckett's radical engagement with modernity is anchored in writing as the site of resisting any habits of subjective self-pity or complacency. A reading of First Love (first written in French, 1945) illustrates the ways that Beckett moves us beyond the predictable, into the strangeness of being and the poetic dimensions of language. From the rich play of language in the labyrinth of his early novels through the minimalism of his later years, fictional autobiography marks the unique history of his Nobel Prize awarded in 1969. Keywords: Samuel Beckett, modernism, fiction, short story, poetics, exile, love
AN EMPIRICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 2008 APRIL 26 CORONAL MASS EJECTION

We present a three-dimensional model of the density distribution of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from 2008 April 26. This CME was observed by the two spacecraft composing the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), which tracked the CME from near the Sun, into the interplanetary medium (IPM), and all the way to 1 AU. The CME was directed toward STEREO-B and hit that spacecraft on 2008 April 29. The STEREO images of the CME show an internal structure that can be interpreted as having a flux rope shape. The two different perspectives on the event provided by the two STEREO spacecraft allow us to make a particularly strong argument for the flux rope interpretation, and the STEREO data also allow us to study the evolution of the flux rope in the IPM. The flux rope is oriented close to the ecliptic plane, but with the western leg tilted northwards by about 20°. This implies an orientation roughly perpendicular to the neutral line of the active region at the event's point of origin, apparently an unusual geometry given that previous analyses have found that CME flux ropes are usually, but not always, oriented parallel to the neutral lines of their source regions. The CME model also consists of a front out ahead of the flux rope, possibly a shock launched by the flux rope driver. The model density distribution is reasonably successful at reproducing the CME appearance both close to the Sun in coronagraphic images, and far from the Sun in images of the IPM from STEREO's heliospheric imagers. This suggests that self-similar expansion is a reasonable first-order approximation for this particular CME, and also indicates that the flux rope's orientation does not change much during its journey through the IPM.
Achieving Network Stability through Convergence--Case Study of an E-Government Project Using Actor Network Theory

This paper analyzes the evolution of a network in an e-Government project in the state of Hawaii with technical design as the communication platform for different actors. The study employs a case study approach drawing on actor network theory (ANT) to chart the building, disintegration, and rebuilding of the network. This evolution can be understood based on the convergence between different actors through coordination and alignment. The paper demonstrates the usefulness of ANT's concepts in analyzing an e-Government project and how a technical design underwent transformation to reach network stability through interrelations of actors and convergence among them. The findings include the factors that contribute to the adaptability of the system design by all the actors.
Neuroprotective electrical stimulation of cerebellar fastigial nucleus attenuates expression of periinfarction depolarizing waves (PIDs) and inhibits cortical spreading depression.

In rat, electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) for 1 h reduces the volume of focal ischemic infarctions produced by occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCAO), even 10 days later. The mechanism by which this `central neurogenic neuroprotection' salvages ischemic brain is not known but does not result from changes in cerebral perfusion. MCAO also triggers periodic periinfarction depolarizing waves (PIDs) in the ischemic penumbra, the territory of salvage. These may contribute to neuronal death and promote infarct expansion. Conceivably, FN stimulation, which can otherwise modify cortical excitability, may alter the development of PIDs. We investigated in anesthetized rats whether FN stimulation modifies PIDs expression and, if so, the threshold for evoking cortical spreading depression (CSD), a process sharing characteristics with PIDs and an index of cortical excitability. Stimulation of FN immediately or 72 h before MCAO decreased infarction volumes by ∼45% (p 10-fold, and decreased the number of PIDs by >50% (p<0.001). In normal rats, stimulation of FN increased the threshold current for eliciting CSD by 175% and slowed its propagation velocity by 35% (p<0.01 for each) immediately, but not 72 h, after FN stimulation. We conclude: FN stimulation elicits long-lasting suppression of PIDs in parallel with neuroprotection. However, PIDs suppression over time is unlikely to result from a major increase in cortical tolerance to depolarization and probably is not the principal mechanism of salvage.
Metric Learning for Image Alignment

Image alignment has been a long standing problem in computer vision. Parameterized Appearance Models (PAMs) such as the Lucas-Kanade method, Eigentracking, and Active Appearance Models are commonly used to align images with respect to a template or to a previously learned model. While PAMs have numerous advantages relative to alternate approaches, they have at least two drawbacks. First, they are especially prone to local minima in the registration process. Second, often few, if any, of the local minima of the cost function correspond to acceptable solutions. To overcome these problems, this paper proposes a method to learn a metric for PAMs that explicitly optimizes that local minima occur at and only at the places corresponding to the correct fitting parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to address the problem of learning a metric to explicitly model local properties of the PAMs' error surface. Synthetic and real examples show improvement in alignment performance in comparison with traditional approaches. In addition, we show how the proposed criteria for a good metric can be used to select good features to track.
Local critical current variability and bulk critical current in long superconductors

The critical currents of metallic silver-superconducting oxide composite ribbons were determined locally and as a function of length to illustrate local critical current variability and its effects on bulk critical current as conductor length increases. The constant voltage based critical current of the test length corresponded to that of the first length tested as successively larger lengths were tested until a segment with lower critical current was encountered. The critical current of the new, longer test length was then set by that segment until an even lower critical current segment was encountered, consistent with a segmented series view of supercurrent transport in long superconductors. As the magnetic field was increased, the critical currents obtained from the 5 microvolt intercepts of the voltage-current relationships decreased, and the critical current variation with respect to length gradually assumed the (length) −1 relationship yielded by Ohm's law for nonsuperconducting samples under the same conditions. Constant electric field based critical currents had variable length dependencies that failed to represent the supercurrent capacities of samples with local variations in supercurrent capacity.
Effect of diabetes on guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity in skeletal muscle and heart.

The present study examined the effects of diabetes and insulin treatment of diabetic rats on the activity of the protein synthesis initiation factor, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor. In extracts from gastrocnemius and psoas muscles from two-day diabetic rats, guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity was reduced to 80% and 67% of control values, respectively. Insulin treatment (2 h) restored guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity to control values in both muscles. In contrast, guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity was unchanged in extracts from either soleus muscle or heart from diabetic rats compared to controls. Also, insulin treatment did not increase guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity in extracts from soleus and heart. The results suggest that the diabetes-induced impairment in peptide-chain initiation in fast-twitch skeletal muscle (i.e. gastrocnemius and psoas) is related to an inhibition of guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity and that slow-twitch muscle is spared from the effect on initiation due to the preservation of guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity.
Acute metabolic crisis with extreme deficiency of glutathione in combination with decreased CSF levels of leukotriene C4 in a patient with glutathione synthetase deficiency

Summary: A 32-year-old man with glutathione synthetase deficiency developing an acute metabolic crisis is described. During this acute episode, intracellular glutathione content in erythrocytes was below the detection limit (<0.3 mmol/L). Leukotriene C4 in CSF and urinary leukotriene E4 were massively decreased, indicating an impaired synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes. Clinical recovery after one week was accompanied by a clear improvement of these biochemical parameters. The highly disturbed glutathione synthesis is postulated to be the reason for a deficient synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes, which may at least in part be responsible for the severe clinical symptoms.
MDM2 expression is repressed by the RNA-binding protein RNPC1 via mRNA stability.

The RNA-binding protein (RBP) RNPC1 is a target of the p53 family and forms a feedback regulatory loop with the p53 family proteins. The murine double minute-2 (MDM2) oncogene, a key negative regulator of p53, has a critical role in a variety of fundamental cellular processes. MDM2 expression is found to be regulated via gene amplification, transcription, protein translation and protein stability. In the current study, we reported a novel regulation of MDM2 by RNPC1 via mRNA stability. Specifically, we found that overexpression of RNPC1 decreases, whereas knockdown or knockout of RNPC1 increases, the level of MDM2 transcript and protein independent of p53. To uncover the underlying mechanism, we found that RNPC1 is able to destabilize the MDM2 transcript via binding to multiple AU-/U-rich elements in MDM2 3′untranslated region (3′UTR). Consistent with this, we showed that RNPC1 inhibits expression of exogenous MDM2 from an expression vector as long as the vector contains an AU-/U-rich element from MDM2 3′UTR. Finally, we showed that the RNA-binding activity of RNPC1 is required for binding to MDM2 transcript and consequently, for inhibiting MDM2 expression. Together, we uncover a novel regulation of MDM2 by the RBP RNPC1 via mRNA stability.
On the “protein unit” standardization of pollen extracts proposed by Cooke and Stull

Abstract 1.1. Experiments are described which show that two dilutions of pollen extract and of an extract of Ascaris lumbricoides and of histamine differing in activity by 25 per cent can be distinguished from each other in appropriate comparative skin tests. 2.2. Two dilutions of the same pollen extract differing by 15 per cent in specific activity were indistinguishable in comparative skin tests. 3.3. The assertion of Cooke and Stull that the content of P-T-A precipitable substance in pollen extracts diminishes with time pari passu with the loss of specific activity could not be confirmed in a study of five pollen extracts from two to eight years old. 4.4. The present study confirms Coca's finding that the plan of standardizing extracts suggested by Cooke and Stull is fallacious.
The Impact of Pedophile Priests on American Catholic Education: Reflections of a Cradle Catholic 1

Highly publicized incidents involving pedophile priests have shined the light on this pathology, the American Roman Catholic Church's worst-kept secret. Yet, the sad saga of priestly child abuse of young men and boys, a dilemma that, tragically, is not limited to the United States, to Catholic clergy, or religion generally, has been reasonably well-chronicled in the secular press but has not been subject to much in the way of independent academic or empirical scrutiny. Consequently, the first part of this article provides historical background on the development of American Catholic schools, a loosely federated system of what are basically independent schools, thereby setting the stage for the second part. This section discusses data on the size and growth of Catholic schools to demonstrate that as serious as the scandal has been in recent years, it cannot be overstated because Catholic schools have functioned well as a national network of loosely coupled institutions.
Receptor recognition of transferrin bound to lanthanides and actinides: a discriminating step in cellular acquisition of f-block metals

Following an internal contamination event, the transport of actinide (An) and lanthanide (Ln) metal ions through the body is facilitated by endogenous ligands such as the human iron-transport protein transferrin (Tf). The recognition of resulting metallo-transferrin complexes (M2Tf) by the cognate transferrin receptor (TfR) is therefore a critical step for cellular uptake of these metal ions. A high performance liquid chromatography-based method has been used to probe the binding of M2Tf with TfR, yielding a direct measurement of the successive thermodynamic constants that correspond to the dissociation of TfR(M2Tf)2 and TfR(M2Tf) complexes for Fe3+, Ga3+, La3+, Nd3+, Gd3+, Yb3+, Lu3+, 232Th4+, 238UO22+, and 242Pu4+. Important features of this method are (i) its ability to distinguish both 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes formed between the receptor and the metal-bound transferrin, and (ii) the requirement for very small amounts of each binding partner ( Ln3+ ∼ Ga3+ ⋙ Yb3+ ∼ Pu4+. This study substantiates a role for Tf in binding lanthanide fission products and actinides, and transporting them into cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Structure and synthesis of physoperuvine: x-ray crystal and molecular structures of the n-benzoyl derivatives of (±)-3- and (+)-4-methylaminocycloheptanone

Abstract Single-crystal X-ray analyses have defined the structures and solid-state conformations of (±)-N-benzoyl-3-methylaminocycloheptanone [(±)- 3 ]and (+)-N-benzoyl-4-methylaminocycloheptanone [(±) 4 ]. Resolution of (±)-[4- methylaminocycloheptanone α 1-hydroxytropane]to yield the (+)-enantiomer. Identical in all respects with the free base from natural (+)-physoperuvine, was achieved via the di-p-toluoyl-(+)-tartrate salt.
Distinct pathogenic sequela in rhesus macaques infected with CCR5 or CXCR4 utilizing SHIVs

Infection of macaques with chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) provides an excellent in vivo model for examining the influence of envelope on HIV-1 pathogenesis. Infection with a pathogenic CCR5 (R5)-specific enveloped virus, SHIVSF162P, was compared with infection with the CXCR4 (X4)-specific SHIVSF33A.2. Despite comparable levels of viral replication, animals infected with the R5 and X4 SHIV had distinct pathogenic outcomes. SHIVSF162P caused a dramatic loss of CD4+ intestinal T cells followed by a gradual depletion in peripheral CD4+ T cells, whereas infection with SHIVSF33A.2 caused a profound loss in peripheral T cells that was not paralleled in the intestine. These results suggest a critical role of co-receptor utilization in viral pathogenesis and provide a reliable in vivo model for preclinical examination of HIV-1 vaccines and therapeutic agents in the context of the HIV-1 envelope protein.
Raman Spectral Evidence for Conformational Changes in the Liquid-Crystal Homologous Series of the Alkoxyazoxybenzenes

A study of the Raman spectra of the alkoxyazoxybenzenes has revealed new bands which change markedly in all phases. Evidence is presented that indicates the existence of different alkoxy tail conformations between all observed phases. A tentative assignment of a band associated with an accordion mode is made.
An Earring for the Double Helix: Assembly of Topological Links Comprising Duplex DNA and a Circular Oligodeoxynucleotide

Abstract Novel DNA nanostructures, locked pseudorotaxane and locked catenane were assembled through topological linkage of a double-stranded target to a circular oligodeoxyribonucleotide (cODN)+. The formation of these supramolecular complexes occurs with remarkable sequence specificity and is accomplished via local opening of duplex DNA by a pair of homopyrimidine bis-PNAs. The obtained cODN label, resembling an earring, forms a true topological link with the linear or closed circular (cc) target DNA and occupies a fixed position along the double helix. The PNA directed assembly described here introduces PNA oligomers into the repertoire of DNA nanotechnological tools.
An adder design optimized for DCS logic

The basic DCS logic gate provides a two-way SELECT function and, with modifications, a two-way XOR, OR, or AND function. Furthermore, outputs of DCS gates can be wired together (dotted) to perform dotted SELECT, XOR, OR, or AND functions. The versatility of this logic is illustrated in the design of a carry-lookahead adder.
Biopolyester Membranes of Plants: Cutin and Suberin

Cutin, a biopolyester composed of hydroxy and epoxy fatty acids, is the barrier between the aerial parts of higher plants and their environment. Suberin a polymer containing aromatics and polyesters, functions as a barrier in underground parts, wound surfaces, and a variety of internal organs. The composition and probable structure of these polymers are discussed. The biosynthesis of the hydroxy, epoxy, and dicarboxylic acids of the polyesters from the common cellular fatty acids is elucidated. An extracellular enzyme transfers the hydroxy and epoxyacyl moieties from their coenzyme A derivatives to the growing polyester. The enzymes acting in the biodegradation of the polyesters have been isolated from fungi, pollen, and mammals and characterized. The function and possible practical implications of these polyester barriers are briefly discussed.
Sensitivity Analysis for Mixed-Language Numerical Models☆

Abstract The separation of concerns in the development of numerical models not only leads to a separation into components but, based on their purpose, these components may also be written in different programming languages. The sensitivity analysis of a numerical model provides quantitative information about the dependencies of the model outputs with respect to its inputs. An analysis of mixed-language models using derivatives computed with algorithmic (or automatic) differentiation needs to comprehensively handle all the involved components and the respective interfaces in a mixed-language environment. We describe the issues arising in the context of the sensitivity analysis, present a solution implemented with the algorithmic differentiation tool Rapsodia for C++ and Fortran, and discuss its practical use in a large-scale engineering application.
Recursive two-dimensional signal reconstruction from linear system input and output magnitudes

A recursive algorithm is presented for reconstructing a two-dimensional complex signal from its magnitude and the magnitude of the output of a known linear shift-invariant system whose input is the desired signal. The recursion has a simple geometric interpretation, and is easily extended to causal, shift-varying systems.
Monuments in the Desert: A Maritime Landscape in Namibia

Eduard Bohlen II, wrecked in 1909 on the coast of Namibia in Africa, has an illustrious history, which is part of a larger maritime cultural landscape linked to the diamond mining industry. The ship, like many artifacts and sites, served many different purposes over time and the historical and archaeological record incorporates different levels of meaning, some of which may be nationally divisive or reconciliatory. The role of historical archaeologists is not only to document, interpret, preserve and manage grandiose elements of heritage that evoke stakeholder nationalism, but also to explore the mundane, unsavory aspects of the historical narrative. In 2010, a team from the Program in Maritime Studies of East Carolina University supported by the Maritime Archaeology Division of the Windhoek Underwater Club investigated a surf boat, diamond mining settlement and some of the remaining structure of Eduard Bohlen II, while posing mitigation and management questions about legacy of historical memory within Skeleton Coast Park.
Absorption Characteristics of Multilayered Sphere Models Exposed to UHF/Microwave Radiation

The interaction of electromagnetic plane waves with multilayered spherical models composed of lossy dielectric media that represent different biological tissues found in human and animal heads is examined in the frequency range 0.1 to 10 GHz. The model ranges in size from 2 to 12.5 cms outer radius and consists of a core of brain-like material surrounded by five outer layers of CSF, bone, fat and skin-dura tissues. The absorption properties of the model have been analyzed throughout this range of size and frequency. The distribution of internally deposited energy has also been investigated in detail for three basic spheres of 3.3, 6 and 10 cms radii, with emphasis on the creation of localized regions of strong heating (hot-spots). Based on these results, some generalized conclusions are presented on the interaction of microwaves with different sized biological objects.
Experimental characterization of mass, work and heat flows in an air cooled, single cylinder engine

Small air cooled engines, although large in numbers, receive scant attention in the literature. Experimental data for a four stroke, air cooled, single cylinder engine are presented in this report. Air to fuel ratios, indicated and output power, exhaust composition and heat loss are determined to result in suitable thermal and mechanical efficiencies. The data obtained are discussed with the perspective obtained from other literature references. Exhaust composition figures appear reasonable, but the measurement of the transient exhaust flows is still a concern. Based on the measurements, a graph illustrating the different energy transformations in the engine is produced. Undergraduate students in the curriculum routinely use the engine and the present work allows one to conclude that the measurement approach produces reasonable results. These results could be used by engine modelers and others interested in this wide field of technology.
Synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of modified bile salts

For the study of hepatic bile acid transport in vivo, a series of modified bile salts were synthesized. The N-cholyl derivatives of L-leucine, L-alanine, D-alanine, beta-alanine, L-proline, and gamma-amino-butyric acid were prepared from cholic acid, ethyl chloroformate and the corresponding amino acid. Structural analysis of products was carried out mainly by electron impact mass spectrometry (20 eV) of the methyl ester/acetate derivatives. In all EI spectra, fragments in the lower mass region included McLafferty rearrangement ions (beta-cleavage) and product ions of gamma-cleavage in the vicinity of the amide linkage. In the upper mass region, fragmentation was characterized by consecutive eliminations of ketene and/or acetic acid from low intensity molecular ions. The purity of the products and their molecular weights were checked by a novel ionization technique in mass spectrometry, fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. FAB spectra were obtained from underivatized bile salts. The spectra were characterized by ions formed by attachment of a proton or an alkali ion to the bile salt to give intense M+H, M+Na, or M+K ions, which then showed little fragmentation.
Clinical significance of auditory target P300 subcomponents in psychosis: Differential diagnosis, symptom profiles, and course

Abstract Background Reduced auditory target P300 amplitude is a leading biomarker for psychotic disorders, although its relevance for differential diagnosis and link to specific clinical features (symptom profiles, functional impairment, and course) are unclear. This study aims to clarify the clinical significance of auditory target P300 using concurrent and retrospective clinical data from a longitudinal cohort with psychosis. Methods 92 cases from an epidemiological study of first-admission psychosis were assessed using an auditory oddball paradigm at 15-year follow-up along with 44 never-psychotic adults. Subcomponents of auditory target P300 amplitude (i.e., a central positive P3a, a parietal positive P3b, and a frontal negative slow wave) were isolated using temporal–spatial principal component analysis. Results P3a amplitude was blunted across psychotic disorders relative to non-psychotic adults. P3b amplitude was reduced in schizophrenia specifically, including cases initially misclassified at baseline. The frontal negative slow wave did not distinguish among groups. P3b amplitude reduction was associated with several clinical features at the concurrent assessment, as well as previous time points, including recovery from psychosis even 5 years earlier and functioning even 15 years earlier. Conclusions Auditory target P300 amplitude yields both a schizophrenia-specific component (i.e., P3b) and a transdiagnostic psychosis component (i.e., P3a). The P3b component may also shed light on prognosis, real-world functioning, and course, as well as help to reduce misdiagnosis of psychotic disorders. Prospective studies are needed to test whether P3b tracks or predicts clinical status.