cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Differences in the Urinary Proteome of Siblings Discordant for Type 1 Diabetes Include Lysosomal Enzymes.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often have higher than normal blood glucose levels, causing advanced glycation end product formation and inflammation and increasing the risk of vascular complications years or decades later. To examine the urinary proteome in juveniles with T1D for signatures indicative of inflammatory consequences of hyperglycemia, we profiled the proteome of 40 T1D patients with an average of 6.3 years after disease onset and normal or elevated HbA1C levels, in comparison with a cohort of 41 healthy siblings. Using shotgun proteomics, 1036 proteins were identified, on average, per experiment, and 50 proteins showed significant abundance differences using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test (FDR q-value ≤ 0.05). Thirteen lysosomal proteins were increased in abundance in the T1D versus control cohort. Fifteen proteins with functional roles in vascular permeability and adhesion were quantitatively changed, including CD166 antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. α-N-Acetyl-galactosaminid...
Multiphoton Techniques for the Detection of Atoms

Multiphoton processes have been studied since the pulsed ruby laser was first invented in the early 1960’s. However, it is only recently that the development of lasers has progressed to the point that quantitative multiphoton experiments can be made with the confidence that the results can be reproduced in different laboratories. In particular, high-power dye lasers pumped by either YAG or excimer lasers have opened the door to new techniques for the detection of atoms and molecules. Thus it has only been in the last five years that multiphoton processes have been seriously considered as a sensitive and quantitative detection technique for atoms and molecules. In that time we have seen an explosion of new results, particularly in the area of detecting atomic species.
Viral Classification and Nomenclature

As any classification is essentially an arbitrary human invention, it is imperative to have a unique source of classification also for viruses. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), a committee of the Virology Division of the International Union of Microbiological Societies, has been in charge of this task since 1966 and has already published nine Reports updating the status of viral taxonomy. Contrary to other biological entities (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi and bacteria), viruses are not classified according to a Linnean latinised binomial system but, like these, they are arranged into species, genera, subfamilies, families and orders, whose names are written in italics with an initial capital letter. The last ICTV report (2011) lists 6 orders, 94 families, 22 subfamilies, 395 genera and 2480 recognised species. Species are the building blocks of the taxonomic construction. Although species identification is based on discriminating traits, their allocation into higher taxa takes into account common characters of increasingly hierarchical significance. Key Concepts: Taxonomy is an arbitrary organisation of biological entities to facilitate scientific studies and to identify common traits within similar taxonomic levels. Classification and nomenclature are the two facets of taxonomy. Classification is the arrangement of biological entities into taxonomic categories (taxa) on the basis of similarities and/or relationships (phylogeny). Nomenclature is the assignment of names to taxa, according to international rules. Virus classification is a rapidly evolving science particularly with the input of viral genome sequencing. Viruses are not named according to a Linnean latinised binomial system and instead are named with international English-based names and de novo international taxonomic names. The ICTV is entrusted with the task of classifying and naming virus taxa. Keywords: orthography; historical background; ICTV; IUMS; polythetic classification; demarcation criteria
Product Location with Foresight

Traditional location literatureconcludes that firms will optimally differentiate inorder to alleviate a tendency toward competitivepricing. However, it has recently been shown thatfirms will minimally differentiate if they (correctly)anticipate an absence of price competition. Thispaper examines the relationship between productlocation and the sustainability of cooperativepricing, in horizontally and vertically differentiatedmarkets. Further, it describes equilibrium locationswhen firms are able to choose their locations jointlyand when they must choose independently.
Evidence-Based Practices for Learners With Severe Intellectual Disability

Because of their highly intensive and variable learning needs, learners with severe intellectual disability present significant challenges to special educators and other stakeholders in terms of selecting and implementing effective instructional practices. Although scholars have made considerable progress in conducting and synthesizing research necessary to identify evidence-based practices (EBPs), much work remains to enable evidence-based reforms to broadly improve instruction and outcomes for learners with severe intellectual disability. In this article, we describe the importance of evidence-based reforms for learners with severe intellectual disability; discuss advances in the identification of EBPs for these learners, including a summary of the interventions identified as EBPs for this population in the professional literature and by online resources; and conclude with recommendations for improving the identification and implementation of EBPs for this population.
Faith, Belief and Perspective: Peter Winch's Philosophy of Religion

Peter Winch's philosophy of religion is controversial, accused of mere “perspectivism” and fideism, and for avoiding discussion of any existential reference for the object of belief. This essay examines what Winch meant by a “perspective.” It first deals with problems of first person propositions of belief. For Wittgenstein and Winch belief and the fact it believes are inextricably bound together. Thus Winch argues that what is said cannot be divorced from the situation of the sayer; understanding requires making shifts in perspective. Finally I compare Winch's use of religious language to Augustine's doctrine of the “inner word,” arguing that there are important parallels in Winch to pre-Lockean theological understandings of faith.
N-Acetylcysteine-promoted Survival of PC12 Cells Is Glutathione-independent but Transcription-dependent

Our prior work established that comparable concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) both block the proliferation of PC12 cells and prevent death of trophic factor-deprived sympathetic neurons and PC12 cells. The present work addresses several aspects of the mechanisms of these actions. NAC increases intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH) by approximately 10-fold in PC12 cells. However, blockade of this increase by treatment with buthionine sulfoximine did not affect either promotion of survival or inhibition of DNA synthesis. Thus, these actions of NAC are independent of its effects on intracellular GSH. NAC's actions in our system do not appear to be dependent on its anti-oxidant/radical scavenger properties, but may be due to its activity as a reductant. Consistent with this, several other reducing agents, the most effective of which was 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, mimicked NAC in blocking DNA synthesis and suppressing death of PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons. Finally, we observed that in striking contrast to nerve growth factor and a number of other trophic agents, the survival-promoting effects of NAC on PC12 cells are blocked by actinomycin D. This suggests that NAC may act by inducing specific gene expression.
Beliefs About Responsibility and Improvement Associated With Success Among Korean American Immigrants

Abstract The authors investigated whether beliefs about responsibility and improvement are associated with each of 3 domains of success (education level, family income, and religious commitment) among Korean American immigrants. The sample consisted of 356 Korean Americans, all claiming to have been born in Korea, who were administered the scenario-based Attributions of Responsibility Questionnaire (L. Miller & M. E. P. Seligman, 1994). Results showed that attributions of responsibility involving choice were positively associated with greater family income and frequent church attendance but negatively associated with level of educational attainment. Belief in the possibility for improvement was positively associated with greater family income and frequent church attendance but was not associated with level of educational attainment. The findings suggest that beliefs about responsibility and improvement associated with financial success and religious commitment may differ from beliefs associated with educa...
Nonparametric Estimation and Regression Analysis with Left-Truncated and Right-Censored Data

Abstract In many prospective and retrospective studies, survival data are subject to left truncation in addition to the usual right censoring. For left-truncated data without covariates, only the conditional distribution of the survival time Y given Y ≥ τ can be estimated nonparametrically, where τ is the lower boundary of the support of the left-truncation variable T. If the data are also right censored, then the conditional distribution can be consistently estimated only at points not larger than τ*, where τ* is the upper boundary of the support of the right-censoring variable C. In this article we first consider nonparametric estimation of trimmed functionals of the conditional distribution of Y, with the trimming inside the observable range between τ and τ*. We then extend the approach to regression analysis and curve fitting in the presence of left truncation and right censoring on the response variable Y. Asymptotic normality of M estimators of the regression parameters derived from this approach is...
Mars Pathfinder: Lander is silent, but data tell many tales

ARES VALLIS, MARS—Silence. Ares Vallis has been silent for most of its history, and it is a silent place once again. The data gathered from this valley by Mars Pathfinder, however, are not silent, and they still have many stories to tell (Fig. 1). “I am proud to announce the completion of the Mars Pathfinder Extended Mission,” said project manager Brian Muirhead of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in a November 4, 1997, press conference. Pathfinder's last science data transmission occurred on September 27. Attempts to communicate with the lander throughout October were fruitless, except for brief signals on October 2 and 7. Despite the apparent end of the spectacular mission, data analysis has barely begun.
Results on D0 - Anti-D0 Mixing and CP Violation at B Factories

We begin with a brief presentation of the phenomenology of D0 − mixing. This is followed by a summary of experimental results in various final states. In particular, we will first describe the discovery of D0 − mixing by BaBar and Belle using two-body decay modes, and follow this with more recent studies in three-body decay modes. Finally, we will mention semileptonic searches for D0 − mixing and end with a summary of all experimental results.
Automatic segmentation of intra-cochlear anatomy in post-implantation CT

A cochlear implant (CI) is a neural prosthetic device that restores hearing by directly stimulating the auditory nerve with an electrode array. In CI surgery, the surgeon threads the electrode array into the cochlea, blind to internal structures. We have recently developed algorithms for determining the position of CI electrodes relative to intra-cochlear anatomy using pre- and post-implantation CT. We are currently using this approach to develop a CI programming assistance system that uses knowledge of electrode position to determine a patient-customized CI sound processing strategy. However, this approach cannot be used for the majority of CI users because the cochlea is obscured by image artifacts produced by CI electrodes and acquisition of pre-implantation CT is not universal. In this study we propose an approach that extends our techniques so that intra-cochlear anatomy can be segmented for CI users for which pre-implantation CT was not acquired. The approach achieves automatic segmentation of intra-cochlear anatomy in post-implantation CT by exploiting intra-subject symmetry in cochlear anatomy across ears. We validated our approach on a dataset of 10 ears in which both pre- and post-implantation CTs were available. Our approach results in mean and maximum segmentation errors of 0.27 and 0.62 mm, respectively. This result suggests that our automatic segmentation approach is accurate enough for developing customized CI sound processing strategies for unilateral CI patients based solely on postimplantation CT scans.
On optimal decisions in an introduction-based reputation protocol

Consider a network environment with no central authority in which each node gains value when transacting with behaving nodes but risks losing value when transacting with misbehaving nodes. One recently proposed mechanism for curbing the harm by misbehaving nodes is that of an introduction-based reputation protocol [1]: transactions are permitted only between two nodes who consent to being connected through introduction via a third node. This paper models the main decision process in this protocol, namely that of continuing/closing an active connection, as a sequential detection problem in which each stage corresponds to a transaction that is (perhaps erroneously) classified as either benign or harmful. It is shown that the optimal decision takes the form of a reputation threshold policy, the exact threshold determined by a Bellman equation that admits a tractable iterative solution.
Microheterogeneity of arylsulfatase A: Treatment with hydrolytic enzymes

Cerebroside sulfatase also known as arylsulfatase A from human liver displays six microheteromer bands upon narrow pH range isoelectric focusing. Sialic acid residues only partially account for this enzyme multiplicity since neuraminidase treatment reduces the number of bands to three. Uptake studies with cultured fibroblasts strongly suggest arylsulfatase A has covalently bound mannose 6-phosphate residues. However, treatment with alkaline phosphatase and a battery of glycohydrolases failed to reduce the number of enzyme charge forms below three. These results imply that the neuraminidase-resistant charge microheterogeneity is not due to structures associated with the carbohydrate moiety of arylsulfatase A.
Assessment and improvement of intelligent controllers for elevator energy efficiency

In recent years, several measures are being taken to conserve power with a goal towards energy savings without degradation in performance. In this paper we develop an algorithm to achieve notable energy savings in elevator systems. Operation of an elevator can be classified into two modes-running mode and stand-by mode. We design an energy-saving elevator system capable of manipulating its speed in running mode. Speed is varied based on the load carried and acceleration based on the number of floors to travel. The total travel time of the system is to be considered for enhancing its overall performance. The algorithm is tested on varied traffic patterns: 1) Non-peak hours and 2) Peak hours. The final results are compared with constant speed elevators and tabulated. This method produces a 12.35% energy savings and 5.49% reduction in travel time during non-peak hours and 5.06% energy savings and 1.32% reduction in travel time during peak hours of traffic intensity.
ESTIMATION OF SOIL MOISTURE FROM SEASAT SAR DATA

A study was made to determine if Seasat Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data could be used to make practical estimates of soil moisture. Extensive ground measurements were collected at two primary sites near Guymon, Oklahoma, and Sublette, Kansas. The relative sensitivity of the SAR to differences in soil moisture, tillage roughness, and vegetation was determined. To validate the effects detected in the SAR data, an airborne scatterometer with a similar wavelength was flown repeatedly over the Guymon site. Soil moisture variations in the surface 2 cm and surface 15 cm of fields with bare soil, milo and alfalfa produce similar responses in the scattering coefficient from both systems. Roughness due to tillage in row crops produced as much as 12–15 dB increase in the scatterometer return. Most agricultural vegetation was effectively penetrated by the L-band frequencies; however, corn produced an exceptionally high radar return either standing or after combine harvesting. When corn had ripened, there was some evidence that tillage roughness could be detected through the canopy. Moderate tillage roughness produced by grain drill furrows caused over 12 dB increase in return when row directions changed from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the SAR look direction. Dramatic increases in return occurred when vegetation surfaces were wet. Increased radar returns from tillage roughness, some vegetation and wet vegetation surfaces, all dyanmic in nature, were significant and may limit the practical estimation of soil moisture from the radar data.
The Historical Origins of Interstitial Cystitis

ABSTRACTPurpose: We identify early descriptions of interstitial cystitis and trace its evolution as a clinical entity during the 19th century.Materials and Methods: Primary and secondary source doc...
Simple Diode Laser Frequency Locking Based on Doppler-Free Magnetically Induced Dichroism

We present an optical system for frequency locking of a diode laser based on saturated absorption and magnetically induced dichroism in atomic vapor. The setup achieves stable locking and laser line width of ~300 kHz.
Data-driven fusion of EEG, functional and structural MRI: A comparison of two models

It has become quite common for multiple brain imaging types to be collected for a particular study. This raises the issue of how to combine these imaging types to gain the most useful information for inference. One can perform data integration, where one modality is used to improve the results of another, or true data fusion, where multiple modalities are used to inform one another. We propose two new methods of data fusion, entropy bound minimization (EBM) for joint independent component analysis (jICA) and independent vector analysis with a Gaussian prior (IVA-G), and compare them to the established data fusion techniques of multiset canonical correlation analysis (MCCA) and jICA using Infomax. Additionally, we propose a simulation model and use it to probe the limitations of these methods. Results show that EBM with jICA outperforms the other selected methods but is highly sensitive to the availability of joint information provided by these modalities.
Elevated tryptase levels are associated with greater bone density in a cohort of patients with mastocytosis.

Background: Mastocytosis is associated with a pathological increase in tissue mast cells. Associated skeletal problems include a decrease in bone density and pathological fractures.
Psychopathology in boys with Tourette syndrome: Effects of age on the relationship between psychological and physical symptoms

Tourette syndrome (TS), a neuropsychiatric disorder that presents in childhood and is characterized by recurrent tics, is often associated with a variety of psychological problems. Most studies of concomitant problems have focused on psychiatric comorbidity, with less attention paid to nonsyndrome-specific or subsyndromal emotional and behavioral difficulties. Moreover, little is known about the factors that influence the specificity or severity of psychological problems. We hypothesized that level and type of psychological problem would be influenced by both severity of illness and developmental period. Children with severe tics were predicted to show increased levels of externalizing (undercontrolled) behavior, whereas adolescents with severe tics were predicted to show increased levels of internalizing (overcontrolled) behavior. Forty-one boys with TS were rated by their parents for tic severity (simple and complex motor tics) and psychological symptoms (Connors Parent Symptom Questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist). Results partially confirmed the hypothesis, indicating that greater illness severity was associated with greater psychological disturbance, but only in the younger subjects. Among the adolescents, even those with mild tics demonstrated relatively high levels of psychological symptoms. However, there was no indication that developmental period was related to the specific type of problem manifested. Regardless of age, patients with severe tics domonstrated high levels of externalizing behavior, and relatively high levels of internalizing behavior were also seen. Results are discussed in terms of the developmental factors that might influence the relationship between psychological and physical symptoms in children with TS.
White settlers and the law in early colonial Kenya

Abstract This article examines settler attitudes toward the law and the legal system in early colonial Kenya. Settlers believed that English law was the culmination of centuries of evolution and was unsurpassed for its justice and logic. Nonetheless, they insisted English law and legal procedure were supremely ill-suited for the African context. When courts released Africans on “technicalities” it only encouraged more crime; insufficient punishments did the same. Settlers argued that the state – administrators and the judiciary – must twist the legal system to fit settler needs. The law must be a tool used on behalf of whites to bend Africans to their will. It must be personal and racially biased, the punishment swift and sharp. In many ways, settlers held an older, cruder understanding of the law, one more suited to manorial estates or Jim Crow America.
C. H. McCloy Lecture: Symbols, Conventions, Games, Eleanor Metheny, and the Evolution of Human Intelligence

In this essay I argue that Eleanor Metheny was ahead of her time when she argued that non-verbal physical activities carry symbolic meanings and are, for that reason and others, intellectually impressive. I compare her theories on the symbolic process with something that might be called the “conventional process.” I will show why conventional logic rather than symbolic reasoning tells us more about the way intelligence evolved and the potentially impressive role played by games in the advance of human civilization.
Simulation and Evaluation of Passive Energy Technology in Residential Space

Comparisons are presented of predictions from a reasonably complete computer model simulating the heat transfer in residential spaces to actual measurements taken from a room space configured with two passive energy-conserving technologies: radiant barrier insulation and highly reflective ceramic paint. Closely correlated temperature responses are presented in comparative graphs validating the model as a quantitative design tool for use in previewing the merits of these new technology products. Energy usage data from a model home is included that indicates cost recovery in less than one year and supports the use of the energy-saving technologies.
A benchmark coupled-cluster single, double, and triple excitation (CCSDT) study of the structure and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the ozone molecule☆

Abstract We report a benchmark calculation of the structure and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the ozone molecule using the full coupled-cluster single, double, and triple excitation model (CCSDT) with a DZP basis set. The results offer a definitive reference for assessing the accuracy of methods which approximate the effects of T3. For the bending and symmetric stretching frequencies, CCSD(T), CCSDT-2, and CCSDT-3 all give results close to CCSDT. For the asymmetric stretching frequency, however, the values predicted by the CCSD(T) and CCSDT-2 models are respectively about 100 cm−1 lower and higher than the CCSDT value, while the CCSDT-3 value exceeds the CCSDT value by 41 cm−1. It is suggested that effects of connected quadruple excitations (T4) and higher cluster operators may have a significant effect on the asymmetric stretching frequency.
Organotypic slice cultures from transgenic mice as disease model systems

Organotypic slice cultures have been prepared from the brains of transgenic mice with Alzheimer’s disease-type pathology. Cell types within the slice undergo differentiation and slices can be maintained in culture for up to 6 mo when prepared from young neonates. Slices have been prepared from mice overexpressing genes of relevance to Alzheimer’s disease, including mutant or wild-type tau. Neurons in these slices develop neurons that are immunoreactive for a number of markers of abnormal tau. Organotypic slice models are currently being used to test the impact of tangle enhancers or inhibitors as a prescreen for efficacy before testing drugs in vivo.
Content Analysis in Computer-Mediated Communication: Analyzing Models for Assessing Critical Thinking Through the Lens of Social Constructivism

Abstact This article reviews content analysis studies aimed to assess critical thinking in computer-mediated communication. It also discusses theories and content analysis models that encourage critical thinking skills in asynchronous learning environments and reviews theories and factors that may foster critical thinking skills and new knowledge construction.
Effectiveness of robust optimization in intensity-modulated proton therapy planning for head and neck cancers

Purpose: Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) is highly sensitive to uncertainties in beam range and patient setup. Conventionally, these uncertainties are dealt using geometrically expanded planning target volume (PTV). In this paper, the authors evaluated a robust optimization method that deals with the uncertainties directly during the spot weight optimization to ensure clinical target volume (CTV) coverage without using PTV. The authors compared the two methods for a population of head and neck (H&N) cancer patients. Methods: Two sets of IMPT plans were generated for 14 H&N cases, one being PTV-based conventionally optimized and the other CTV-based robustly optimized. For the PTV-based conventionally optimized plans, the uncertainties are accounted for by expanding CTV to PTV via margins and delivering the prescribed dose to PTV. For the CTV-based robustly optimized plans, spot weight optimization was guided to reduce the discrepancy in doses under extreme setup and range uncertainties directly, while delivering the prescribed dose to CTV rather than PTV. For each of these plans, the authors calculated dose distributions under various uncertainty settings. The root-mean-square dose (RMSD) for each voxel was computed and the area under the RMSD-volume histogram curves (AUC) was used to relatively compare plan robustness. Data derived from the dose volume histogram in the worst-case and nominal doses were used to evaluate the plan optimality. Then the plan evaluation metrics were averaged over the 14 cases and were compared with two-sided paired t tests. Results: CTV-based robust optimization led to more robust (i.e., smaller AUCs) plans for both targets and organs. Under the worst-case scenario and the nominal scenario, CTV-based robustly optimized plans showed better target coverage (i.e., greater D95%), improved dose homogeneity (i.e., smaller D5% − D95%), and lower or equivalent dose to organs at risk. Conclusions: CTV-based robust optimization provided significantly more robust dose distributions to targets and organs than PTV-based conventional optimization in H&N using IMPT. Eliminating the use of PTV and planning directly based on CTV provided better or equivalent normal tissue sparing.
Research and Demonstration Issues in Self-Care: Measuring the Decline of Medicocentrism

Emergence of consumer health self-care is a reflection of the increased commitment of health professionals to patient education, growing consumer awareness that they are capable of sophisticated self-help, and a variety of social, economic and technological currents. These currents are reviewed and a survey of existing medical self-care programs is summarized. The attempts and potentials to evaluate these programs are critically examined. A number of important research and demonstration issues are raised including the determination of behavioral outcomes, technical limits, and manpower implications. A federal program of replicative studies on such issues would provide substantive knowledge in the self-care field, generalizable to the larger field of health education, but the hazards of undermining the voluntaristic and non-establishment character of the programs must be considered in designing evaluative studies.
Expression and enzymatic activity of human disintegrin and metalloproteinase ADAM19/meltrin beta.

Abstract The adamalysins are involved in proteolysis, adhesion, fusion, and intracellular signaling. Human ADAM19/adamalysin-19 (A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 19) was identified from primary dendritic cell cDNA libraries. It has a signal sequence, a pro-domain with a “cysteine-switch” residue, a metalloproteinase domain with a zinc-binding site, a disintegrin, a cysteine-rich domain, an epidermal-growth-factor-like domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain with putative SH3 ligand binding sites. Its mRNA was expressed in the placenta, heart, bladder, lymph nodes, and leukocytes, colorectal adenocarcinoma SW 480, and other organs/cells. The hADAM19 recombinant protein was expressed in human cells. It formed a complex with and cleaved alpha-2 macroglobulin (α2-M). Its proteolytic activity was blocked by 1,10-phenanthroline, EDTA, EGTA, and a synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor and not by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. It did not cleave the MMP substrates tested, e.g., type I collagen and gelatin, casein, and four peptide substrates. Thus, hADAM19 is an active metalloproteinase and may have a specific substrate profile.
Hole-induced quenching of triplet and singlet excitons in conjugated polymers.

Quantitative information on the mechanisms and rates of hole (radical cation)-induced quenching of triplet and singlet excitons in the conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2‘-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] has been acquired by a new technique, fluorescence-voltage time-resolved single molecule spectroscopy (FV-TR-SMS). FV-TR-SMS measures the fluorescence intensity of a single conjugated polymer molecule that is embedded in a capacitor-like device while simultaneously modulating the bias on the device and the irradiation intensity. The results demonstrate that triplet excitons are efficiently quenched by holes in conjugated polymers for hole densities >1016 charges/cm3, while singlet excitons are quenched with a much lower efficiency. Detailed kinetic analysis shows that the greater efficiency for quenching of triplets by holes (compared to that for singlets) is due to a >106 times longer exciton lifetime for triplets. In fact, the results suggest that while singlet quenching is less efficient due to...
Reduced thrombogenicity of type VI collagen as compared to type I collagen

Type VI collagen has been recently identified as a major constituent of vascular subendothelium where it serves as a binding site for von Willebrand factor. The present study compares the functional characteristics of type VI collagen with those of type I collagen with respect to platelet aggregating and secretory activities. The differences between the two collagens in platelet aggregation and serotonin and betathromboglobulin release were found to be highly significant (p<0.001,p<0.0007, p<0.005 respectively). Our results indicate that under in vitro conditions, type VI collagen stimulates a significantly lesser platelet activation and aggregation response than collagen I, suggesting that type VI collagen may play a role in vivo to limit the platelet thrombotic response following injury to the vascular subendothelium.
Medical student debt and major life choices other than specialty

Background : Median indebtedness at graduation is now more than $170,000 for graduates of US Medical Schools. Debate still exists as to whether higher debt levels influence students to choose high paying non-primary care specialties. Notably, no previous research on the topic has taken into account cost of attendance when constructing a debt model, nor has any research examined the non-career major life decisions that medical students face. Methods : Medical students were surveyed using an anonymous electronic instrument developed for this study. The survey was delivered through a link included in a study email and students were recruited from school wide listservs and through snowball sampling (students were encouraged to share a link to the survey with other medical students). No incentives were offered for survey completion. Results : Responses were recorded from 102 US Allopathic medical schools ( n =3,032), with 22 institutions (11 public, 11 private) meeting inclusion criteria of 10% student body response proportion ( n =1,846). Students with higher debt relative to their peers at their home institution reported higher frequencies of feeling callous towards others, were more likely to choose a specialty with a higher average annual income, were less likely to plan to practice in underserved locations, and were less likely to choose primary care specialties. Students with higher aggregate amounts of medical student loan debt were more likely to report high levels of stress from their educational debt, to delay getting married and to report disagreement that they would choose to become a physician again, if given the opportunity to revisit that choice. Increases in both aggregate and relative debt were associated with delaying having children, delaying buying a house, concerns about managing and paying back educational debt, and worrying that educational debt will influence one’s specialty choice. Conclusions : Medical student debt and particularly debt relative to peers at the same institution appears to influence the way that students approach major life choices like when to start a family, when to buy a home, and what specialty to choose. Future research should take into account cost of attendance when looking for the impact of medical student debt on major life choices. Keywords: debt; specialty choice; primary care; medical student; salary; burnout (Published: 11 November 2014) Citation: Med Educ Online 2014, 19 : 25603 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v19.25603
Feeding and sleep difficulties in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present with a variety of comorbid difficulties, some of which relate to seemingly simply activities of daily living. Feeding and sleep difficulties are purportedly common within the ASD population, although the association between these problems and ASD symptomatology has rarely been addressed. The current study examined the feeding and sleep difficulties of 1747 toddlers who had a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder ( n = 506), PDD-NOS ( n = 522), or atypical development ( n = 719) using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 2 , a screening tool designed to identify comorbid difficulties of toddlers with ASD and/or atypical development. Individuals with Autistic Disorder were found to exhibit significantly more feeding and sleep difficulties than those with PDD-NOS, who in turn presented with more difficulties of this type than those with atypical development. While developmental quotient (DQ) was also related to feeding and sleep difficulties, DQ could not account for the differences between these groups.
Acids Produced by Oral Streptococci on Cereal Substrates

Fermentation of several common cereal flours with six strains of oral streptococci showed that the quantities of titratable and volatile acids, and their proportions, varied according to the cereal and bacterial strain.
Evaluating Consumer Health Information: What Fails to Harm Us Makes Us Smarter

Freely available health information on the Web often requires academic librarians to evaluate content on-the-fly. Studies indicated a significant number of health web sites do not measure up to research standards. Instruments that evaluate web sites have themselves performed unevenly and a standardized instrument has yet to be realized. Instruments for evaluating health information relatively quickly are presented so librarians can familiarize themselves with the process. The debate concerning whether health web sites possess harmful or potentially harmful content is reviewed. Librarians are encouraged to work with teaching faculty and urge students to look beyond currency, authority, and advertising and apply rigorous criteria.
Structure and Dynamics of AMPA Receptor GluA2 in Resting, Pre-Open, and Desensitized States.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate the majority of fast excitatory signaling in the nervous system. Despite the profound importance of iGluRs to neurotransmission, little is known about the structures and dynamics of intact receptors in distinct functional states. Here, we elucidate the structures of the intact GluA2 AMPA receptor in an apo resting/closed state, in an activated/pre-open state bound with partial agonists and a positive allosteric modulator, and in a desensitized/closed state in complex with fluorowilliardiine. To probe the conformational properties of these states, we carried out double electron-electron resonance experiments on cysteine mutants and cryoelectron microscopy studies. We show how agonist binding modulates the conformation of the ligand-binding domain “layer” of the intact receptors and how, upon desensitization, the receptor undergoes large conformational rearrangements of the amino-terminal and ligand-binding domains. We define mechanistic principles by which to understand antagonism, activation, and desensitization in AMPA iGluRs.
Extending conditioned stimuli before vs after unconditioned stimuli: Convergence of effect over trials

Abstract Two experiments using conditioned suppression in rats tested the computer-simulated predictions of two real-time models of Pavlovian conditioning. The predictions concerned the effects of extending conditioned stimuli (CSs) before vs after the delivery of unconditioned stimuli (USs). In Experiment 1, three groups of 16 rats received 10 CS-US pairings at 1 trial per day. Group O received a 2-min noise CS that coterminated with a 1-s 0.6-mA grid shock US. Group B received a 12-min CS that coterminated with the US. Group A received a 12-min CS that ended 10 min after the US. Groups B and A thus received before-US and after-US extensions, respectively. Experiment 2 was similar except that the US intensity was raised to 0.8 mA, Groups A and B were each assigned 12 rats, and Group O was not included. In general, conditioning declined across Groups O, A, and B, with A and B converging late in training. This convergence is more easily accommodated by a model described by Ayres, Albert, and Bombace (1987) than by SOP (e.g., Wagner, 1981 ).
An integrable normal form for water waves in infinite depth

Abstract We consider the Birkhoff normal form for the water wave problem posed in a fluid of infinite depth, with the starting point of our analysis a version of the Hamiltonian given by Zakharov. We verify that in the fourth order normal form, the coefficients vanish for all non-generic resonant terms, and we show that the resulting truncated system is completely integrable. In contrast we show that there are resonant fifth order terms with nonvanishing coefficients, answering to the negative the conjecture of Dyachenko & Zakharov on the integrability of free surface hydrodynamics. We analyse all solutions of the fourth order integrable system. In particular, the bifurcation structures of standing wave and travelling wave solutions are remarkably explicit due to the normal form.
The employment and use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants by rural hospitals

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are both important resources for the delivery of health care services in rural areas. Nevertheless, little is known about the demand for their services by rural employers. The purpose of this study was: (1) to describe and compare the employment and use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants by rural hospitals in an eight-state region in the northwestern United States (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington); and (2) to examine how different market and organizational factors influence the employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants by rural hospitals. Data for the study were collected through telephone interviews of rural hospital administrators (N = 407) and analyzed using both descriptive tables and logistic regression. Study results show that rural hospitals are important employers of both nurse practitioners and physician assistants, although there is a greater demand for than supply of both types of practitioners. Moreover, there are several differences in the characteristics of hospitals that employ the different types of practitioners. Rural hospitals use nurse practitioners and physician assistants to enhance their delivery of outpatient services, and a major factor related to the employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants by rural hospitals is the Rural Health Clinic program. The majority of hospitals that use nurse practitioners, as well as those that use physician assistants, indicate that nurse practitioners and physician assistants can prescribe medications and order lab tests and X-rays, but considerably fewer report that nurse practitioners and physician assistants have admitting or discharge privileges. Physician assistants appear to provide a more expanded scope of services in rural hospitals. Nonetheless, rural hospitals seem to employ nurse practitioners and physician assistants for similar reasons: (1) to extend care, assist physicians, or increase access to primary care; (2) because physicians are unavailable or too difficult to recruit; (3) because nurse practitioners or physician assistants are considered cost-effective or more economical for rural areas; and, (4) for Rural Health Clinic certification.
Kinetic faceting of multiply twinned diamond crystals during vapor phase synthesis

Abstract Multiply twinned particles in diamond cubic crystals such as decahedron and icosahedron were explained using Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations by the sequential occurrence of two and three stacking faults on different {1 1 1} surfaces during vapor-phase growth. However, the same simulations, using single adatom adsorption and desorption of singly bonded sites, failed to predict the kinetic faceting of another commonly observed ‘star-shaped’ decahedron. In this work, a set of KMC simulations were performed using an additional reaction step for etching of doubly bonded surface sites during growth starting with a seed crystal containing two stacking errors. These simulations produced star-shaped decahedral crystals and thus pointed to a possible explanation of the observed ‘star-shaped’ decahedral morphology for diamond crystals. The experimental results on the morphological evolution of star-decahedral crystals exhibited a sequence in which an intermediate shape, between decahedron and icosahedron, developed into a more complete icosahedral shape upon further growth.
IDENTIFICATION OF AN AUTOSTIMULATORY GROWTH FACTOR IN THE EXTRACTS AND CONDITIONED MEDIUM OP GH3/C14 RAT PITUITARY CELLS IN CULTURE

An acid- and heat-stable low molecular weight (Mr 2,500–6,200) autostimulatory growth factor has been identified in extracts of GH3/C14 rat pituitary tumors, in extracts of these cells in culture and in their serumfree conditioned medium. The concentrations of autostimulatory activity required to achieve ED50 in serum-free culture were 4.3, 4.0 and 85 μg/ml for extracts of tumors, the cultured cells, and from the conditioned medium of the cells in culture, respectively. To characterize this activity, we have used an isolation method that included 0.1 M acetic acid extraction, heating at 95 C, SP-Sephadex chromatography, and finally, Sephadex G-50 chromatography. The identification of this activity in rapidly growing, relatively autonomous GH3/C14 tumors suggests an autostimulatory role in the conversion from estrogen-responsive growth to autonomy.
Implementation of optical logic gates using closed packed 2D-photonic crystal structure

Abstract A proposal for implementation of optical logic gates using a two dimensional closed packed photonic crystal structure is presented here. The logic operations are realized by a control signal and the input signal(s) applied across two adjacent faces, while the output is obtained along one of the remaining faces. Finite Difference Time Domain simulations show that, this structure can be used to realize AND, OR, NOT, XNOR, NAND operations, if phase difference of π/2 is maintained between the control and the input signal. Further it is found that the same structure can be used as a switch, if Kerr nonlinearity is introduced to the dielectric rods constituting the photonic crystal structure.
Aporphine alkaloids and lignans formed in response to injury of sapwood in Liriodendron tulipifera

Abstract Two new phenolic aporphine alkaloids, (+)-lirioferine and (+)liriotulipiferine, were isolated from discolored sapwood of L. tulipifera. Injury to the tree stem greatly stimulated biosynthesis of glaucine and phenolic alkaloids related to glaucine including thaliporphine, predicentrine, N-methylaurotetanine and corunine as well as the above two compounds. Injury also stimulated synthesis of oxoaporphine related and other polymeric pigments. Corunine was responsible for at least part of the color of discolored sapwood. None of the above compounds except glaucine was detected in normal sapwood or heartwood of L. tulipifera. Thus, formation of alkaloids and lignans in discolored sapwood differs both quantitatively and qualitatively from that observed during the normal transition of sapwood to heartwood in this tree. The compounds formed in response to injury differed substantially from one zone of injury to another within the same tree.
Changes in cigarette smoking not observed following repeated cocaine self-administration.

Acute administration of some psychoactive drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, methadone d-amphetamine) has been found to increase spontaneous cigarette smoking for 1-3 hr, but the effects of chronic drug administration have not been systematically studied. Computerized cigarette dispensers were used to study the effects of multiple daily cocaine administrations on cigarette smoking. Participants were 8 (5 male) cocaine-dependent cigarette smokers who resided on a closed clinical research ward and smoked an average of 16.7 cigarettes per day during the week prior to starting the study. During test sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week, participants could obtain either cocaine (25 mg i.v.) on 2 days or saline (1 ml i.v.) on the other day, 3 times per day at 2-hr intervals under double-blind conditions. The number of cigarettes dispensed during study days was analyzed in 2-hr increments. No significant cocaine effect was found. These findings fail to show a change in the number of cigarettes smoked after chronic cocaine self-administration over time intervals longer than 1-3 hr.
Bio-Inspired Nonholonomic Tracking Control

The behavior of nature’s predators is considered for designing a high speed tracking controller for nonholonomic vehicles, whose dynamics are represented using a unicycle model. To ensure that the vehicle behavior closely resembles that of a predator, saturation constraints are added and accounted for using Lyapunov stability criterion. Following verification and comparison of the saturation constraints, the proposed algorithm is implemented on a testing platform. Based on the results presented, we believe the algorithm shows significant promise in high speed control and obstacle avoidance.Copyright © 2013 by ASME