cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and Characterization of Ryanodine Receptor 3 from Mammalian Tissue

The ryanodine receptors are intracellular Ca2+ release channels that play a key role in cell signaling via Ca2+. There are three isoforms. Isoform 1 from skeletal muscle and isoform 2 from heart have been characterized. Isoform 3 is widely distributed in many mammalian tissues although in minuscule amounts. Its low abundance has hampered its study. We now describe methodology to isolate mammalian isoform 3 in amounts sufficient for biochemical and biophysical characterization. Bovine diaphragm sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions enriched in terminal cisternae containing both isoforms 1 (>95%) and 3 (<5% of the ryanodine binding) served as starting source. Isoform 3 was selectively immunoprecipitated from the 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS)-solubilized fraction and eluted with peptide epitope. Isoform 3 thus prepared is highly purified as characterized by SDS-polyacryamide gel electrophoresis, Coomassie Blue staining, and by high affinity ryanodine binding. The purified isoform 3 was incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, and its channel properties were studied. Channel characteristics in common with the other two isoforms are slope conductance, higher selectivity to Ca2+ versus K+ (PCa/K approximately 6), and response to drugs and ligands. In its response to Ca2+ and ATP, it more closely resembles isoform 2. The first two-dimensional structure of isoform 3 was obtained by cryoelectron microscopy and image enhancement techniques.
Phototriggering of geometric dendrimer disassembly: An improved synthesis of 2,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol based dendrimers

Abstract Dendrimers capable of phototriggered disassembly were prepared up to the second-generation using an improved synthesis of 2,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol based dendrimers. It was found that disassembly proceeds to 75–80% completion after 2 h of irradiation at 310 nm for all molecules studied. The lack of complete reaction is attributed to an inefficient photochemical deprotection process rather than the disassembly itself.
Visualizing uncertainty with fuzzy rose diagrams

This paper presents a novel method for visualizing vectors of fuzzy numbers. The proposed approach is an extension of the standard polar area diagram and can be applied to a single uncertain vector or a fuzzy weighted graph with vectors of fuzzy attributes on the vertices and/or edges. The resulting diagrams are intuitive to understand and do not require an extensive background in fuzzy set theory. By visualizing uncertain vectors in this way, the viewer can easily compare and contrast sets of fuzzy numbers. This can be useful in the context of decision support systems, particularly those involving multi-criteria decision making. We demonstrate our approach on the problem of finding a least-cost path through an uncertain environment.
Ordering-oriented Hopfield network and its application in stereo vision

The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a well known problem which can be solved using Hopfield Networks. The TSP solution with Hopfield Networks is based on the uniqueness constraint. This is, each city must be visited once and only once while trying to minimize the traveling distance. But in the real world applications, usually there are other equally important constraints needed to be considered. For example, an ordering constraint in how cities are to be visited. This paper describes a Hopfield neural network that can solve a new class of optimization problems, called 'The Picking Stone Problem (PSP)'. The PSP requires not only the uniqueness but also the ordering constraints. The neural network implementation to solve PSP tends to turn on neurons which satisfy the ordering constraint and this constraint is essential in solving stereo correspondence problem in binocular vision. In this paper we define the PSP, formulate its computational complexity, propose the ordering-oriented neural network architecture, discuss the performance of the proposed network by both the traditional way and a new initialization method, then finally apply the network to incorporate with all the major stereo vision constraints to solve the stereo correspondence problem. The implementation and the performance of the ordering-oriented neural networks are investigated in detail and experimental results applying this technique to solve the stereo correspondence problem on real images are presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Parent Religiosity, Family Processes, and Adolescent Outcomes

This study examined the effects of parent religiosity, family processes, and peer influences on adolescent behavior in light of social control and social learning theories. Data were obtained from ...
Prospects for forest-based ecosystem services in forest-coffee mosaics as forest loss continues in southwestern Ethiopia

When natural ecosystems are degraded owing to land-use changes, humans will increasingly rely on managed landscapes for biodiversity and ecosystem services. In landscapes with ongoing foresteagriculture transitions and agricultural intensification, we need to understand the impact of land-use changes on ecosystem service provisioning and the relative roles of remnant forests and managed landscapes in ecosystem service delivery. Using socio-ecological surveys in southwest Ethiopian agroecosystems, we assessed the impact of land-use changes on forest-based ecosystem services and livelihoods, and the prospects for coffee agroforests to provide complementary forest-based ecosystem services. We found that over 67% of provisioning and <50% of cultural and regulating forest-based services can be provided by semi-forest and garden coffee systems. Most forest-based cultural, regulating and supporting services cannot be substituted in coffee agroforests since these services are largely concentrated in the forest remnants. The extent to which people substitute or complement those losses in coffee agroforests depends on the livelihood strategies and socio-cultural practices of local people, management intensity, and policy and demographic factors that affect agroecosystem intensification.
Numerical integration of a differential-difference equation with a decreasing time-lag

Systems in which variable time-lags are present are of common occurrence in biology. Variable flow rates are a common cause of these variable lags. At present no extensive body of knowledge exists concerning the effects which these variable lags can cause. Shown here is a method of reducing some differential-difference equations to ordinary differential equations which can then be studied numerically with ease. Subsequent study will deal with situations in which multiple-lags and lags dependent on the solution itself are present.
Emergency physicians do not use more resources to evaluate obese patients with acute abdominal pain.

Abstract Objective We hypothesized that emergency physicians would use more resources to evaluate acute abdominal pain in obese patients as compared with that in nonobese patients. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of adults with acute abdominal pain. Collected data included self-reported height and weight, demographics, medical history, laboratory and x-ray results, and final diagnosis. We followed the patients until they obtained their final diagnosis or for up to 21 days. Patients were grouped according to their body mass index (BMI): nonobese (BMI 2 ), obese (BMI = 30-40 kg/m 2 ), and morbidly obese (BMI > 40 mg/m 2 ). The main outcome measure was laboratory and radiographic testing. χ 2 Tests and analysis of variance were used as appropriate. Results Of the 971 patients (mean age, 41 years; 62% black; 65% female), 665 (68%) were nonobese, 246 (25%) were obese, and 60 (6%) were morbidly obese. In comparing nonobese patients with obese patients, we found no difference in laboratory or radiographic testing (3.20 vs 3.21 tests; mean difference, 0.004; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.26 to 0.27), physicians' pre–computed tomographic scan confidence level in their diagnosis (6.17 vs 6.04, mean difference, −0.13; 95% CI, −0.76 to 0.49), and emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS; 7.40 vs 7.57 hours; mean difference, −0.17; 95% CI, −0.49 to 0.83). In comparing all 3 groups, we found no difference in diagnostic testing, ED LOS, surgical intervention (10% vs 5% vs 9%, P = .2), disposition, and final diagnosis ( P > .05). Conclusions Physicians do not use more resources to identify the etiology of acute abdominal pain in obese patients as compared with that in nonobese patients. Furthermore, ED LOS, likelihood of surgical intervention, physicians' confidence level in their preimaging diagnosis, and final diagnosis do not appear to be influenced by BMI.
Computer Aided Design of Ka-band Waveguide Hybrid Junctions for Power Combining Architectures in Interplanetary Spacecraft

NASA's Prometheus program proposes using nuclear fission to provide unprecedented power capabilities for future interplanetary missions. Through nuclear fission, we can consider power-combining techniques using multiple TWTAs as opposed to multiple solid-state devices. Waveguide architectures represent one method of combining the power of multiple TWTAs and the fundamental element of waveguide combining architectures is the hybrid junction. We present the simulated transmission characteristics of four waveguide hybrid junctions designed for use in a TWTA power combining system capable of producing a kW of power.
Kalman Filter Constraint Switching for Turbofan Engine Health Estimation

Kalman filters are often used to estimate the state variables of a dynamic system. However, in the application of Kalman filters some known signal information is often either ignored or dealt with heuristically. For instance, state variable constraints are often neglected because they do not fit easily into the structure of the Kalman filter. Recently published work has shown a new method for incorporating state variable inequality constraints in the Kalman filter, which has been shown to generally improve the filter s estimation accuracy. However, the incorporation of inequality constraints poses some risk to the estimation accuracy as the Kalman filter is theoretically optimal. This paper proposes a way to tune the filter constraints so that the state estimates follow the unconstrained (theoretically optimal) filter when the confidence in the unconstrained filter is high. When confidence in the unconstrained filter is not so high, then we use our heuristic knowledge to constrain the state estimates. The confidence measure is based on the agreement of measurement residuals with their theoretical values. The algorithm is demonstrated on a linearized simulation of a turbofan engine to estimate engine health.
The flexure of infinite rectangular plates of varying thickness

It will be seen that the deflection and moment M x are both zero on edges x=±a, ±3 a,... Hence the above solution is also valid for a plate of finite length simply supported on any two of these edges. So far as the variable thickness version of MacGregor's single concentrated load case is concerned, the loading is written in the Fourier integral form (23) $$Q_{y = a} = \frac{P}{{\pi a}}\int\limits_0^\infty {\cos \gamma xd(\gamma a)}$$ and the deflections are given by the Fourier integral (24) $$\omega = \frac{1}{a}\int\limits_0^\infty {(A_1 e^{\lambda _1 y} + B_1 e^{\lambda _2 y} + C_1 e^{\lambda _3 y} + D_1 e^{\lambda _4 y} )\cos } {\text{ }}\gamma xd(\gamma a).$$ The evaluation of this integral must be performed numerically after the value of the thickness constant b has been selected to best fit the actual variation. This may be done by computing the integrand over a certain range for various values of γa and evaluating the integral in this range by Simpson's rule. Beyond this range, the integrand may be written in simpler form and the integral evaluated in closed form. This involves considerable labor and, since the calculations must be repeated for each value of b selected, they will not be made here. Numerical calculations of Fourier integrals such as the above have been made by Girkmamn 7 and the author8.
Reemergence of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 2000-2003 surveillance period.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute-onset, multisystem illness characterized by fever (>102°F), hypotension (systolic pressure, <90 mm of Hg), sunburn-like rash, peeling of the skin, and a variable multiorgan component that often initially appears flu-like, perhaps including vomiting and
Psychiatric symptoms during interferon treatment for hepatitis C:experiences from a tertiary care hepatology centre

Summary Background Most research on the psychiatric symptoms of peginterferon/ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C comes from VA centres and clinical trials with rigid entry criteria that often excluded patients with markers of mental health and substance use disturbance (MH/SUD). The findings from these lines of research may not be generalizable to patients treated under standard of care in a tertiary care setting. Aim To investigate the incidence and outcomes of psychiatric symptoms in patients treated under standard of care protocol, not enrolled in clinical trials. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 215 patients who underwent therapy from 2002 to 2006 at a university-based tertiary care centre. Survival curves explored the relationship between history of MH/SUD and the development of psychiatric symptoms on treatment. Results The cumulative history of MH/SUD was 67%. Of these, 39% had taken psychotropic medications previously, and 80% continued on them during therapy. On therapy, 46% developed depressive symptoms, 19% and 46% endorsed anxiety and irritability respectively. Cumulatively, 64% of patients indicated mood disturbance on therapy. Most symptoms developed between weeks 2 and 18, and rarely after week 20. Of those who developed mood symptoms, 66% required an intervention. Treatment discontinuation was infrequent. Conclusions This large observational study provides important insights into the incidence and course of psychiatric symptoms in an unselected sample of patients treated in a tertiary care setting. Patients had higher rates of MH/SUD comorbidity, psychotropic medication use and exhibit higher rates of mood disturbance on therapy compared with previous reports, although a majority completed the prescribed treatment regimen.
Concepts in fabric air filtration.

(1960). Concepts in Fabric Air Filtration. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 1-14.
Methylation of neutral pseudotetrahedral zinc thiolate complexes: model reactions for alkyl group transfer to sulfur by zinc-containing enzymes.

Eight scorpionate-zinc thiolate complexes, [(L1O)ZnSPh], [(L1O)ZnSPhF5], [(L1O)ZnSBz], [(L1O)ZnSPh2,6-Me], [(L1O)ZnSPh2,4-Me], $${\rm [(L1O)ZnSPh}^{{\rm 4 - NO}_{\rm 2} } {\rm ]}$$ , [(TpPh,Ph)ZnSPh], and [(L2S)ZnSPh], were reacted with methyl iodide in chloroform, liberating the corresponding methyl thioethers as determined by 1H NMR. Three of these complexes are new and their synthesis and structural characterization are reported here. Weak alkylating agents such as trimethyl phosphate failed to undergo methyl transfer to the zinc thiolates under these conditions. Analysis of kinetic data as a function of concentration, temperature, pK a of the exogenous thiolate, and donor atom of the tripodal ligand are consistent with a mechanism where the zinc-bound thiolate is the active nucleophile in an associative-type methyl transfer reaction. Our model studies also provide experimental evidence to support the hypothesis that some enzymes can use the charge of the metal coordination site to modulate catalytic activity.
An unusual presentation of zenker's diverticulum

Zenker's diverticula are esophageal outpouchings in the region of the cricopharyngeus which typically grow in a posterolateral and inferior direction and can cause esophageal compression if the diverticulum is large enough. We describe a patient in whom a Zenker's diverticulum expanded posteriorly and superiorly so that it was positioned in the posterior pharyngeal space, causing both esophageal and tracheal narrowing.
Physical media covert channels on smart mobile devices

In recent years mobile smart devices such as tablets and smartphones have exploded in popularity. We are now in a world of ubiquitous smart devices that people rely on daily and carry everywhere. This is a fundamental shift for computing in two ways. Firstly, users increasingly place unprecedented amounts of sensitive information on these devices, which paints a precarious picture. Secondly, these devices commonly carry many physical world interfaces. In this paper, we propose information leakage malware, specifically designed for mobile devices, which uses covert channels over physical "real-world" media, such as sound or light. This malware is stealthy; able to circumvent current, and even state-of-the-art defenses to enable attacks including privilege escalation, and information leakage. We go on to present a defense mechanism, which balances security with usability to stop these attacks.
Between a rock and a hard place: How tax practitioners straddle client advocacy and professional responsibilities

Purpose – This article aims to review qualitative research on tax practitioners. US tax professionals have always found themselves in a uniquely ambiguous position. Unlike auditors, the espousal of service to the public interest is not constantly articulated. Unlike management consultants, the devotion that practitioners can have to their clients’ interest cannot be unconstrained. Tax practitioners are expected to help clients minimize their tax liabilities, while simultaneously assisting the government collect fair shares of tax revenue. Using semi-structured interviews, the paper examines the nuance of this navigation. Practitioners struggle to serve two masters, albeit imperfectly. The qualitative nature of relationships looms as a disproportionally important factor, often neglected in normative accounts and empirical evaluations Design and methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews with tax practitioners. Findings – Practitioners struggle to serve two masters, albeit imperfectly. Where they strike the balance is difficult to predict, as people differ in how aggressive they are willing to be. Practitioners want to be ethical and rarely are willing to take positions that they perceive to be dangerous to their livelihood. The fear of audits is also shared. The qualitative nature of relationships looms as a disproportionately important factor, and one that is not well-appreciated in the literature. Research limitations/implications – More study of a qualitative nature is needed. Students need to be given a better idea of the conflicts that exist in practice on a daily basis. More work is needed that exposes the importance of the client interface and the limited value of tax research outside of the marketplace. Practical implications – The long-term relationship with clients is very important to how tax practitioners approach the ambiguities of the tax law. How tax practitioners decide what is worth an investment of their time is under-studied Social implications – The extent to which we can ask individuals to protect the integrity of the tax collection process is debatable as long as they are compensated by self-interested taxpayers. The limits of ethical codes should be revisited in such a complex world. Originality/value – Actually listens to working professions describe their world.
Iris and anterior chamber angle neovascularization after iodine 125 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma

Purpose Iris neovascularization (INV) and anterior chamber angle neovascularization after radiotherapy for uveal melanoma may lead to neovascular glaucoma and enucleation. However, neovascularization of the anterior ocular segment may respond favorably to treatment with panretinal photocoagulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, interval to development, and predisposing factors of anterior ocular segment neovascularization following iodine 125 (I 125 ) brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Design Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series. Participants Sixty-five patients (65 eyes), consecutively treated with I 125 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma from 1995 through 2000 and followed up after radiation therapy for 24 months or more. Methods Clinical findings and ultrasonography characteristics as well as treatment parameters were analyzed. Main outcome measures The frequency of INV was determined and the interval to development of INV as well as the predisposing factors were analyzed statistically. Results In 15 of 65 eyes (23%), INV was detected after I 125 brachytherapy at a mean ± standard deviation of 26.66±11.63 months (median, 24 months; range, 9–48 months). Risk factors displaying the stronger correlation with INV were greater maximal tumor height ( P P P = 0.01). Conclusions After I 125 brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma, INV developed in 23% of eyes and was correlated with larger tumor size, greater tumor vascularity, and disinsertion of a horizontal rectus muscle.
Increased asthma admission rates in Asian patients: Blackburn 1987.

Asthma admissions for ages 1–44 for the year 1987 were studied to test the clinical impression that asthma admissions in ethnic Asians were more frequent than expected. Data on admissions was obtained from HAA statistics and from ward admission books. Population data was obtained from the 1981 Census with OPCS revisions and local epidemiological data of Asian births and new immigrant numbers. Admission rates per 1000 population were derived. Admissions were increased in Asian patients aged 1–4 years (odds ratio 1–18; 95% confidence interval 0.85–1.64) and 15–29 years (odds ratio 1–57; 95% confidence interval 0.83–2.98), but these increases were not significant. Admissions were significantly increased in Asian patients aged 5–14 (odds ratio 203; 95% confidence interval 1.32–3.12; 0.01>P>0.001) and 30–44 years (odds ratio 5–85; 95% confidence interval 3.66–9.35; 0.001 > P). The increased admission rate in Asians was not due to increased readmissions in the Asian ethnic group. The data supports the view that the difference in Asian admission rate may be due to a truly increased asthma prevalence in the Asian ethnic group.
Complete trisomy 9 in a term fetus: A case report

Complete trisomy 9 was diagnosed in a 35-week fetus by amniocentesis. Several sonograms had revealed only a two-vessel cord and intrauterine growth restriction. No other abnormalities were noted. A stillborn infant was delivered at 37 weeks gestation after induction of labor.
Coherent Structures in the Similarity Region of Two-Dimensional Turbulent Jets

Etude experimentale visant a verifier l'hypothese selon laquelle une allee de tourbillons de Von Karman serait responsable du comportement de battement apparent dans l'ecoulement d'un jet plan
On-probe sample pretreatment for the detection of proteins above 15 KDa from whole cell bacteria by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A rapid methodology is described for the enhancement of the signal-to-base-line (S/B) ratio of high molecular weight protein signals from whole cell bacteria analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The procedure involves depositing growing bacteria colonies from culture dishes directly onto the MALDI probe followed by treatment of the sample spot with a 2 µL aliquot of 40% ethanol prior to the addition of a ferulic acid matrix solution (12.5 mg dissolved in 17% formic acid/33% acetonitrile/50% H2O). Protein signals of more than 20 kDa were routinely produced from both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria prepared in this manner. Moreover, a substantial number of intense protein signals were also produced in the more ‘conventional’ fingerprint region extending from 4 to 20 kDa. This approach is rapid, easy to implement into existing methodologies, and does not require any special hardware. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Numerical technique for solving carrier-mediated transport problems

Abstract A numerical technique and a computer program based on the method of orthogonal collocation on finite elements for solving steady state carrier-mediated transport problems is presented. The method is especially suitable in solving boundary layer type of problems as arise in carrier-mediated transport. The method uses an efficient LU decomposition of a blockdiagonal matrix. A residual criterion is used for the placement of elements which can be easily implemented using an interactive feature in the computer program. Numerical results for three different systems; a system with simple kinetics and equal diffusivities for carrier and its complex, a system with simple kinetics and unequal diffusivities and a system with complex kinetics and equal diffusivities, indicate that the method is very versatile and has very good convergence properties. The method can be used very easily for all these systems by making minor modifications to the computer program.
Actigraphy-based physical activity monitoring in adolescents with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) is a chronic pain condition associated with significant impairment in physical functioning, but no studies have used newer technologies such as actigraphy to document objective physical activity levels in JPFS. This is the first study to objectively describe physical activity in JPFS patients and examine the relationship of pain, perceived functional impairment, and depressive symptoms on physical activity. One hundred four clinically referred adolescents with JPFS (ages 11 to 18 years) wore a hip-mounted actigraph for 1 week. Data on pain intensity, functional disability, depressive symptoms, and psychiatric diagnoses were obtained using self- and parent-report measures and a standardized psychiatric interview. Results showed that younger patients were more active. Pain intensity was not significantly associated with physical activity levels overall, but the most highly active group of adolescents reported lower levels of pain and disability than the least active. Parent report of adolescents' physical functioning and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with adolescents' physical activity levels. Actigraphy provides a unique source of information about physical functioning which is distinct from adolescents' self-report of physical functioning in JPFS. Preliminary findings suggest that further study of factors that predict perceived and actual physical functioning in JPFS is warranted. Perspective This study presents the results of physical activity monitoring in adolescents with JPFS using actigraphy. Results indicate that actigraphy provides a unique source of objective information that can advance our understanding of physical disability in JPFS and the factors associated with physical impairment.
Hippocampal involvement in contextual modulation of fear extinction

Extinction of fear conditioning in animals is an excellent model for the study of fear inhibition in humans. Substantial evidence has shown that extinction is a new learning process that is highly context-dependent. Several recovery effects (renewal, spontaneous recovery, and reinstatement) after extinction suggest that the contextual modulation of extinction is a critical behavioral mechanism underlying fear extinction. In addition, recent studies demonstrate a critical role for hippocampus in the context control of extinction. A growing body of evidence suggests that the hippocampus not only plays a role in contextual encoding and retrieval of fear extinction memories, but also interacts with other brain structures to regulate context-specificity of fear extinction. In this article, the authors will first discuss the fundamental behavioral features of the context effects of extinction and its underlying behavioral mechanisms. In the second part, the review will focus on the brain mechanisms for the contextual control of extinction.
Allocating Access for Information and Contributions

Legislators value both campaign contributions and policy-relevant information interest groups might offer through lobbying. At the same time, there is some evidence that legislators are price setters to the extent that access to an incumbent legislator is conditional in part on making some level of campaign contribution. In this article, I consider a legislator's trade-off between granting access for informational reasons and granting access for contributions. Legislative influence in the model is exclusively through the provision of decision-relevant information, and money is used exclusively to seek access; in particular, groups cannot make contributions in exchange for policy decisions. The focus of the analysis is on the implications of the legislator's price setting on the induced pattern of demand for access and the consequences for the informational quality of subsequent legislative decisions. Moreover, although lobbyists are permitted to choose their informational source strategically, there is no possibility of dissembling when making an argument for one policy decision over another. The analysis yields both empirical predictions on the frequency and character of induced lobbying by different types of agents and provides some qualified support for limiting campaign contributions.
Using Artist Trading Cards as an Expressive Arts Intervention in Counseling

Artist trading cards (ATCs) are miniature works of art that are created within the dimensions of standardized trading cards or playing cards (2.5 inches × 3.5 inches). ATCs can be made with a variety of media—everything from pen and ink to oil paints, collages, mosaics, stamping, and altered photos. Using this compact art format as an expressive arts intervention in the therapeutic environment provides the counselor with most, if not all, of the same therapeutic benefits of larger art media (e.g., expressive release, creativity, artistic communication, symbolic self-expression, self-exploration, etc.). The unique benefit of the ATC format is that ATCs allow for traditional expressive arts interventions to be “better, faster, and cheaper” in many ways.
Zinc protects against shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli by acting on host tissues as well as on bacteria

Zinc supplements can treat or prevent enteric infections and diarrheal disease. Many articles on zinc in bacteria, however, highlight the essential nature of this metal for bacterial growth and virulence, suggesting that zinc should make infections worse, not better. To address this paradox, we tested whether zinc might have protective effects on intestinal epithelium as well as on the pathogen. Using polarized monolayers of T84 cells we found that zinc protected against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide, as measured by trans-epithelial electrical resistance. Zinc also reduced peroxide-induced translocation of Shiga toxin (Stx) across T84 monolayers from the apical to basolateral side. Zinc was superior to other divalent metals to (iron, manganese, and nickel) in protecting against peroxide-induced epithelial damage, while copper also showed a protective effect. The SOS bacterial stress response pathway is a powerful regulator of Stx production in STEC. We examined whether zinc’s known inhibitory effects on Stx might be mediated by blocking the SOS response. Zinc reduced expression of recA, a reliable marker of the SOS. Zinc was more potent and more efficacious than other metals tested in inhibiting recA expression induced by hydrogen peroxide, xanthine oxidase, or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The close correlation between zinc’s effects on recA/SOS and on Stx suggested that inhibition of the SOS response is one mechanism by which zinc protects against STEC infection. Zinc’s ability to protect against enteric bacterial pathogens may be the result of its combined effects on host tissues as well as inhibition of virulence in some pathogens. Research focused solely on the effects of zinc on pathogenic microbes may give an incomplete picture by failing to account for protective effects of zinc on host epithelia.
Responses of GLUT4-Deficient Hearts to Ischemia Underscore the Importance of Glycolysis

Background—The ischemic heart is dependent on glycolysis for ATP generation, and therapies that increase glucose utilization during ischemia improve survival. Myocardial ischemia results in the translocation of the glucose transporter proteins GLUT1 and GLUT4 to the sarcolemma. The increased glucose entry via these transporters contributes to enhanced glycolysis during ischemia. Methods and Results—To determine the role of GLUT4 in mediating increased glycolytic flux during ischemia, hearts from mice with cardiac-selective GLUT4 deficiency (G4H−/−) were subjected to global low-flow ischemia. During normal perfusion, hearts from fed G4H−/− mice showed increased GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake, higher concentrations of glycogen and phosphocreatine, but delayed recovery after ischemia. When these compensatory changes were eliminated by a 20-hour fast, G4H−/− hearts exhibited depressed glucose utilization during ischemia and developed profound and irreversible systolic and diastolic dysfunction associated with ...
Mapping the informal science education landscape: An exploratory study

This study investigated the informal science education (ISE) field to determine whether it currently functions as an effective community of practice. Research questions included: How do professionals describe and self-identify their practice, including what missions, goals and motivating factors influence their professional work? What challenges do they face and how are these resolved? Is participation in ISE activities perceived as core or peripheral to their work? Open-ended interviews were conducted with high-level representatives of 17 different ISE sub-communities; results were analyzed qualitatively. Findings showed this broad assortment of ISE sub-communities as not currently functioning as a cohesive community of practice. Although examples of shared practice and ways of talking were found, evidence of widespread, active relationship-building over time and coalescence around issues of common concern were absent. A current “map” of the ISE community is proposed and thoughts about how this map could...
The Mexicans Speak for Themselves

Anyone teaching a course focused on an alien culture has his hands full—be it economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, geography, language, literature or history. The instructor constantly must ask himself: am I getting it across? That question, of course, is a normal one for any teacher but somehow it seems to appear more frequently and most frighteningly before the individual charged with enlightening some fellow Americans on the subject of some select foreign group. I remember the last time I got into that pattern of thought. That was the time I actually did something about it.
Topological Excitations in Two-Dimensional Superconductors

We propose a method to calculate the unbinding of a gas of thermally activated vortex pairs above a critical temperature ${T}_{2\mathrm{D}}$ lying below the bulk transition temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{B}\mathrm{}\mathrm{CS}}$ of thin superconducting films, as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field. We hence determine the phase diagram of the films and their resistivity as a function of field and temperature.
No (B 2Π, C 2Π) rotational energy levels near the first dissociation limit

Abstract Excitation spectra have been taken near 191 nm of the intermixed C-X 0-0 and B-X 7-0 transitions in NO. The relative positions of rotational lines of the two bands have been measured, and compared with tabulations in the literature. As a result, the absolute level positions can be specified with ±0.1 cm −1 accuracy.
Serious Renal Impairment Is Associated With Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition

Thirty-three current long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) patients (13 men, 20 women) aged 21 to 79 years were prospectively studied to evaluate their change in glomerular filtration rate since beginning TPN. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) from the subject's initial home TPN clinic visit and at present were estimated from standard formulas and compared. The CrCl in 12 patients who had received home TPN for > 10 years was estimated retrospectively on a yearly basis. The estimated CrCl as an accurate measure of glomerular filtration rate was confirmed by measuring plasma indium-111 diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid clearance. The mean daily intravenous protein intake and days during which nephrotoxic medications were used and number of bacteremic/fungemic episodes were determined for each subject. CrCl declined by 3.5 +/- 6.3% per year (p = .004). Twenty-nine of 33 patients had decreases of 0.6% to 15.4% per year. Tubular function, as determined by the tubular reabsorption of phosphate, was impaired in 52% of the subjects. The intravenous protein load averaged 1.28 +/- 0.32 g/kg per day, nephrotoxic drug use averaged 3.4 +/- 4.0% of all days on home TPN, and each patient averaged 2.3 episodes of bacteremia or fungemia since home TPN was started (0.5 +/- 0.5 episodes per year). When all factors were assessed simultaneously, nephrotoxic drug use, episodes of bacteremia/fungemia, and age accounted for approximately 46% of the variability in CrCl. When bacteremia/fungemia was expressed as a yearly rate, nephrotoxic drug use assumed no role in the glomerular filtration rate determination; infection rate and age alone accounted for 53% of the CrCl variability. We describe a profound decrease in renal function associated with long-term TPN, most of which is largely unexplained.
Fate of organohalogens in US wastewater treatment plants and estimated chemical releases to soils nationwide from biosolids recycling

This study examined the occurrence in wastewater of 11 aromatic biocides, pesticides and degradates, and their fate during passage through US treatment plants, as well as the chemical mass contained in sewage sludge (biosolids) destined for land application. Analyte concentrations in wastewater influent, effluent and sludge from 25 facilities in 18 US states were determined by liquid chromatography electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry. Dichlorocarbanilide, fipronil, triclocarban, and triclosan were found consistently in all sample types. Dichlorophene, hexachlorophene, and tetrachlorocarbanilide were detected infrequently only, and concentrations of the phenyl urea pesticides diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, and linuron were below the limit of detection in all matrixes. Median concentrations (±95% confidence interval) of quantifiable compounds in influent ranged from 4.2 ± 0.8 μg L−1 for triclocarban to 0.03 ± 0.01 μg L−1 for fipronil. Median concentrations in effluent were highest for triclocarban and triclosan (0.23 ± 0.08 and 0.07 ± 0.04 μg L−1, respectively). Median aqueous-phase removal efficiencies (±95% CI) of activated sludge treatment plants decreased in the order of: triclosan (96 ± 2%) > triclocarban (87 ± 7%) > dichlorocarbanilide (55 ± 20%) > fipronil (18 ± 22%). Median concentrations of organohalogens were typically higher in anaerobically than in aerobically digested sludges, and peaked at 27 600 ± 9600 and 15 800 ± 8200 μg kg−1 for triclocarban and triclosan, respectively. Mass balances obtained for three primary pesticides in six activated sludge treatment plants employing anaerobic digestion suggested a decreasing overall persistence from fipronil (97 ± 70%) to triclocarban (87 ± 29%) to triclosan (28 ± 30%). Nationwide release of the investigated organohalogens to agricultural land via municipal sludge recycling and into surface waters is estimated to total 258 000 ± 110 00 kg year−1 (mean ± 95% confidence interval), with most of this mass derived from antimicrobial consumer products of daily use. This study addresses some of the data gaps identified by the National Research Council in its 2002 study on standards and practices of biosolids application on land.
Requirements for protein and essential amino acids in early infancy. Studies with a soy-isolate formula.

Summary Thirteen normal female infants were observed from 8 through 111 days of age while receiving a diet providing 1.62 g of protein per 100 kcal, almost entirely from soy-isolate. Clinical observations, growth rates and serum concentrations of albumin were similar to those of female infants fed milk-based formulas providing greater intakes of protein. On the basis of these findings, it is assumed that the requirements for protein and essential amino acids of these infants were no greater than the amounts consumed. Reasons for preferring to express requirements for proteins and amino acids per unit of calorie intake rather than per unit of body weight are presented. The preliminary estimates of requirements presented here are believed applicable when the diet is adequate in total calories and non-nitrogenous essential nutrients, nitrogen is provided primarily in the form of whole proteins, and protein intakes do not greatly exceed the requirement. For reasons discussed, the approach is likely to yield estimates of requirements for some amino acids that are substantially greater than the true requirements. Nevertheless, our estimates of requirements for isoleucine and methionine are distinctly less than those reported by Holt & Snyderman. We conclude that the estimates of Holt & Snyderman from studies of infants fed mixtures of amino acids are less relevant than our estimates to circumstances in which whole proteins are fed in amounts that do not greatly exceed the requirement for protein.
Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatation obviates the need for pyloroplasty at esophagectomy

Background Because the rate of acquired pyloric stenosis (APS) from truncal vagotomy is 15%, many surgeons perform pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy at the time of esophagectomy. Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatation (EPBD) is another method to manage APS. This study evaluated a cohort treated with preoperative EPBD.
Costs of Deficient Infrastructure: The Case of Nigerian Manufacturing:

As cities in developing countries continue to grow rapidly, the need to meet the increasing demand for urban infrastructure services has become an important policy problem, since failures to respon...
Modeling Evaporating Droplets in Complex Unsteady Flows

In many applications, a moving fluid carries a suspension of droplets of a second phase which may change in size due to evaporation or condensation. Examples include liquid fuel drops in engines and raindrops or ice-crystals in a thunderstorm. If the number of such particles is very large, and, if further, the flow is inhomogeneous, unsteady or turbulent, it may be practically impossible to explicitly compute all of the fluid and particle degrees of freedom in a numerical simulation of the system. Under such circumstances Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT) of a small subset of the particles is used to reduce the computational effort. The purpose of this paper is to compare the LPT with an alternate method that is based on an approximate solution of the conservation equation of particle density in phase space by the method of moments (MOM). Closure is achieved by invoking the assumption that the droplet size distribution is locally lognormal. The resulting coupled transport equations for the local mean and variance of the particle size distribution are then solved in conjunction with the usual equations for the fluid and associated scalar fields. The formalism is applied to the test case of a uniform distribution of droplets placed in a non homogeneous temperature field and stirred with a decaying Taylor vortex. As a benchmark, we perform a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of high resolution that keeps track of all the particles together with the fluid flow.
Security Analyst Incentives and Quality of Analyst Generated Information

We investigate the relationship between security analyst coverage characteristics and analyst-related incentives in order to determine whether the quality of analyst-generated information, (as measured by the absolute median forecast error of estimates, analyst uncertainty, diversity of opinion among analysts, and excessive analyst optimism) improves if higher trading commissions and fees can be earned, or when there is greater investor interest and scrutiny. We find strong evidence that incentives influence the quality of analyst information. The implication of our findings is that it would serve investors well to distinguish between high quality and low quality analyst forecasts and recommendations. We recommend that investors estimate the “information risk” associated with analyst reports.
Neuron-Glial Interactions in Blood-Brain Barrier Formation

The blood brain barrier (BBB) evolved to preserve the microenvironment of the highly excitable neuronal cells to allow for action potential generation and propagation. Intricate molecular interactions between two main cell types, the neurons and the glial cells, form the underlying basis of the critical functioning of the nervous system across species. In invertebrates, interactions between neurons and glial cells are central in establishing a functional BBB. However, in vertebrates, the BBB formation and function is coordinated by interactions between neurons, glial cells, and endothelial cells. Here we review the neuron-glial interaction–based blood barriers in invertebrates and vertebrates and provide an evolutionary perspective as to how a glial-barrier system in invertebrates evolved into an endothelial barrier system. We also summarize the clinical relevance of the BBB as this protective barrier becomes disadvantageous in the pharmacological treatment of various neurological disorders.
Humiliation and the Inertia Effect: Implications for Understanding Violence and Compromise in Intractable Intergroup Conflicts

We investigated the infl uence of humiliation on inter-group confl ict in three studies of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. We demonstrate that experienced humiliation produces an inertia e! ect; a tendency towards inaction that suppresses rebellious or violent action but which paradoxically also suppresses support for acts of inter-group compromise. In Study 1, Palestinians who felt more humiliated by the Israeli occupation were less likely to support suicide attacks against Israelis. In Study 2, priming Palestinians with a humiliating experience caused fewer expressions of joy when subsequently hearing about suicide attacks. In Study 3, Palestinians who felt more humiliated by peace deals were less likely to support those deals, while Israeli symbolic compromises that decreased feelings of humiliation increased support for the same deals. While the experience of humiliation does not seem to contribute to political violence, it does seem to suppress support for confl ict resolution.
Parent Perceptions of the Specialty Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Their Understanding of the Provider Roles in a Pediatric Emergency Department

This study was conducted to assess parents' understanding of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the roles of different providers in a pediatric emergency department. Parents were surveyed regarding these subjects and given a sheet explaining provider roles. Of 102 questionnaires completed, 82% of questions on attending roles were answered correctly and 70% of questions about pediatric emergency medicine were answered correctly. Ninety percent of parents felt the information sheet made understanding provider roles easier. Many parents were informed regarding emergency department provider roles. Certain aspects of these roles and the practice of pediatric emergency department are less well understood. An informational sheet can help educate parents about provider roles and the practice of pediatric emergency medicine.