cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Mucopolysaccharidoses and Others

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a group of genetic disorders usually resulting from deficient enzymatic activity. Though individual IEM are often rare, collectively, they are common. With better health care and new treatments such as enzyme replacement therapy, patients with IEM are more likely to survive to adulthood. In many IEM, the chronic accumulation of toxic metabolites can lead to irreversible progressive impairment in multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, neuromuscular system, and airway. Sleep issues are commonly reported and seen, such as daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and circadian rhythm disruption. Sleep disorders were often more prevalent in late stages as the IEM progress and count for significant morbidity; therefore, the challenges for the clinician are to consider that the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders may improve the quality of life for these patients and their families. We reviewed the current literature covering sleep conditions in IEM, including mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) that were better known for their challenging sleep conditions. Most studies are limited to case series. Thus, further studies are needed to understand sleep conditions in IEM and to provide optimal management for patients with IEM.
Osteoclast-mediated resorption on additively manufactured porous metal and plasma-sprayed HA-coated Ti implants

Load-bearing bone substitutes must be designed to stimulate bone formation and allow crosstalk between the two primary skeletal cells, bone-forming osteoblasts, and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Compared to the dense implants, surface-modified, additively manufactured porous implants have shown osteogenic potential. Surface modification of metal implants by plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, show better clinical applicability due to their significant osteogenic potential, through better osteoblast proliferation and osseointegration. This study investigates additively manufactured porous metallic surface and plasma-sprayed HA-coated Ti on the proliferation and differentiation of monocytic cells into osteoclasts and their resorptive activity. Our results reveal that porous Ti6Al4V and porous Ta enhanced TRAP activity, compared to the control (p < 0.05). Similarly, plasma-sprayed HA-coated Ti implants also showed enhanced osteoclast-mediated resorption activity after 10 and 20 days of culture (p < 0.05). Osteoclast cell morphology was noted on both porous metal implants and HA-coated Ti, confirming their bone remodeling capability, essential for bone repair and regeneration.
Radiographic Outcomes, Union Rates, and Complications Associated With Plantar Implant Positioning for Midfoot Arthrodesis:

Background:Midfoot arthrodesis has long been successfully included in the treatment paradigm for a variety of pathologic foot conditions. A concern with midfoot arthrodesis is the rate of nonunion,...
Подходы к обеспечению потребности в сезонных работниках сельского хозяйства за счет трудовых мигрантов в условиях Covid-19 (Approaches to Meeting the Need for Seasonal Agricultural Workers through Labor Migrants in the Context of COVID-19)

Russian Abstract: Пандемия подчеркнула важную роль мигрантов в сельском хозяйстве и продовольственной системе многих стран. Меры по борьбе с Covid-19, ограничивающие передвижение людей, привели к нехватке трудовых ресурсов в данном секторе. В статье представлена информация о дефиците рабочих рук в сельском хозяйстве отдельных государств, возникшем в 2020 г., и механизмах его восполнения. English Abstract: The pandemic has highlighted the important role of migrants in the agriculture and food systems of many countries. COVID-19 measures that restrict the movement of people have led to a shortage of labor in the sector. The article provides information on the shortage of labor in agriculture of foreign countries and Russia in 2020 and measures to address it.
Computerized Molecular Modeling for Discovering Promising Glycosaminoglycan Oligosaccharides that Modulate Protein Function

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a class of highly negatively charged polysaccharides that plays a major role in various biological processes through their interaction with hundreds of proteins. A major challenge in understanding the specific protein-GAG interaction is their structural diversity and complexity. Recently, computational approaches have been used extensively in addressing this challenge. In this chapter, we present a generally-applicable methodology termed Combinatorial Virtual Library Screening (CVLS) that can identify potential high-affinity, high-specificity sequence(s) binding to a suitable GAG-binding protein from large GAG combinatorial libraries of various lengths and structural patterns.
Dorri Beam. Style, Gender, and Fantasy in Nineteenth-Century American Women's Writing

Literary criticism about nineteenth-century American women's writing often exposes how women writers' literary style participates in the cultural work of its time. For example, numerous studies of ...
Structural proteins of oncogenic ribonucleic acid viruses. Interspec II, a new interspecies antigen.

Two Rauscher murine leukemia virus polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 69,000 and 71,000 have been purified and characterized. These polypeptides contained a previously undescribed interspecies antigenic determinant of mammalian oncogenic C type RNA viruses (interspec II), as was demonstrated by the reaction of the murine antigen with anti-feline leukemia virus serum. Radioimmunoassay analysis showed that both polypeptides were precipitated by the anti-feline virus serum, indicating that they each contained the interspecies determinant or that they were closely associated and coprecipitated. The interspec II antigen was distinguished from the known gs-3 interspecies antigen (interspec I) and the virus RNA-dependent DNA polymerase by protein purification, physical properties, and immunological analysis. The new antigen was not detected by competition radioimmunoassay in uninfected mouse cells or mouse cells productively infected with vesicular stomatitis virus.
Building Bridges in Bridgeport for HIV-Positive Substance Abusers

Engagement and retention in treatment are important keys to adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for people living with HIV/AIDS. Engaging with HIV-positive substance abusers is particularly challenging because of their multiple needs. Although co-locating primary care, substance abuse, mental health, and support services are thought to be most effective for treatment, such programs can be difficult to implement. Collaboration and linkage between community service providers offer a good alternative method for reaching service integration. This article overviews the treatment integration needs of HIV-positive substance abusers and describes how one empirically selected social service program originated and continues to assist a community-based approach to care.
The importance of using the mixed neutron flux in activation analysis of D-/sup 3/He fueled reactors

It is emphasized that the mixed neutron source should always be used in any activation and safety analysis performed for D-/sup 3/He reactors. It is noted that performing any activation analysis by using the two components of the neutron source (D-D and D-T) separately leads to overestimating the induced activity. The overestimation is determined by the destruction rate of the parent atoms, the magnitude of the neutron flux, the reactor operation time, and the radionuclide half-life. The overestimation was found to be more pronounced for short and intermediate lived nuclides. In a typical D-/sup 3/He reactor, the overestimation in the calculated activity and decay heat was as high as 40% after 30 years of reactor operation. In the meantime, the offsite dose was overestimated by 27%. >
Distributed processing of sensory information in the leech. II. Identification of interneurons contributing to the local bending reflex.

Isolated midbody ganglia of the leech Hirudo medicinalis were surveyed for interneurons contributing to the dorsal component of the local bending reflex, i.e., to the excitation of dorsal excitatory motor neurons that follows stimulation of dorsal mechanoreceptors responsive to pressure (P cells). Nine types of local bending interneuron could be distinguished on physiological and morphological grounds--8 paired and 1 unpaired cell per ganglion. Synaptic latencies from sensory neurons to interneurons were consistent with a direct or possibly disynaptic pathway. Connections between interneurons appeared to be rare and hyperpolarization of individual interneurons during local bending produced small but reliable decrements in motor neuron response, suggesting that multiple parallel pathways contribute to the behavior. Paradoxically, most interneurons received substantial inputs from ventral as well as dorsal mechanoreceptors, indicating that interneurons that were distinguished by their contribution to dorsal local bending were, in fact, active in ventral and lateral bends as well. The capacity to detect a particular stimulus and produce the appropriate response cannot be localized to particular types of interneuron; rather, it appears to be a distributed property of the entire local bending network.
Fidelity Mechanisms of DNA Polymerase β

Abstract DNA polymerase β (Pol β) is one of the best characterized eukaryotic DNA polymerases. Pol β is a member of the X family of DNA polymerases. The Pol β protein has two catalytic activities: DNA polymerase activity and dRP lyase activity. Pol β has no known proofreading activity, so its accuracy in vitro results exclusively from the nucleotide selectivity of this enzyme. Presteady-state kinetic analysis has shown that Pol β functions in nucleotide selectivity predominantly during phosphodiester bond formation, although this enzyme also possesses some ability to discriminate the correct from the incorrect deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) substrate during ground state binding. Recent results strongly suggest that Pol β does not employ an induced fit mechanism of nucleotide discrimination. The fidelity of Pol β appears to be determined through steric exclusion against the incorrect substrate and by the precise positioning of the catalytic residues, DNA, and substrate within the active site of the enzyme. Imprecise positioning of active site residues or DNA can result in the incorporation of the incorrect substrate into DNA. Amino acid residues both distant and near to the active site of Pol β influence its geometry, suggesting that the movements and positioning of subdomains of Pol β have a significant impact upon its fidelity. © 2003, Elsevier Science (USA).
Social Work in Rural Communities, by Leon H. Ginsberg (Ed.)

Leon Ginsberg's rural social work texts are among the most sought-after publications of the Council on Social Work Education. The fifth edition continues the momentum of a 40-year zeitgeist of swel...
A Hematologic “Gold Standard” for Iron-deficient States?

In this issue of the Journal, Thomas and Thomas (1) provide a novel approach to the diagnosis of iron-deficient states. Traditionally, iron deficiency studies have used various biochemical indicators of iron metabolism to establish the absence or presence of biochemical iron deficiency and to assess the performance of a potentially novel biochemical or hematologic marker. Biochemical indicators have included serum iron, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and serum circulating transferrin receptor (TfR) as well as various ratios of these variables. Hematologic indices that have been used to establish the presence of iron deficiency anemia have included, in addition to hemoglobin (Hb) or hematocrit (Hct), abnormal erythrocytes or reticulocyte indices that identify the presence of hypochromic and microcytic cells. Additional variables that have been investigated include zinc protoporphyrin and erythrocyte ferritin. Studies on the diagnosis of iron-deficient states have been complicated by the absence of a clear reference method to detect biochemical iron deficiency. Iron staining of bone marrow biopsy is widely quoted as a gold standard, but the invasive nature of this procedure severely limits its use. A less invasive standard for iron deficiency is based on the hematologic response to iron replacement therapy: an increase of the reticulocyte count or reticulocyte index after oral or intravenous iron replacement therapy reveals the presence of iron deficiency. The use of biochemical markers to diagnose iron-deficient states is problematic in clinical conditions such as the anemia of chronic disease (ACD). When a disturbed iron metabolism is associated with acute or chronic phase inflammatory responses, serum ferritin and transferrin concentrations are affected and not informative. Biochemical markers are also less effective in diagnosing functional iron deficiency, a transient discrepancy between iron supply and utilization that is mostly seen in individuals treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO). In their report, Thomas and Thomas …
Chapter 2 Methods of Culture for Plasmodial Myxomycetes

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the methods of culture of plasmodial myxomycetes with emphasis on the isolation and axenic culture of P. polycephalum. Plasmodial myxomycetes are multinucleate organisms in which a veinlike system of channels, which supports a cyclic, reciprocating flow of cytoplasm replaces conventional cellular organization. Syncytial organization, synchronous mitotic division, and several discrete phases in their life cycle characterize many of the myxomycetes. The recent development of axenic culture of P. polycephalum on soluble media has made possible biochemical analysis of many aspects of myxomycetes life cycle. The strain of P. polycephalum is isolated by the migration method of Cohen, and its purity is established by bacteriological and microscopical means. Glucose is used as energy source for growth of P. polycephalum strain. Other sources that are well utilized include fructose, disaccharides, and soluble starch. The completely synthetic medium developed for growth of P. polycephalum is established for a plasmodial myxomycete and has facilitated detailed nutritional and biochemical studies.
Parents: Trusted But Not Trustees or (Foster) Parents as Fiduciaries

Some fifteen years ago, Elizabeth and Robert Scott wrote an important article making the case that parents could be usefully described using a fiduciary model. This paper explains why their model fits foster parents better than biological or adoptive parents, at least in the sense that Tamar Frankel explains in her new book on fiduciary law.
Nitrogen solubility in odontocete blubber and mandibular fats in relation to lipid composition.

Understanding toothed whale (odontocete) diving gas dynamics is important given the recent atypical mass strandings of odontocetes (particularly beaked whales) associated with mid-frequency naval sonar. Some stranded whales have exhibited gas emboli (pathologies resembling decompression sickness) in their specialized intramandibular and extramandibular fat bodies used for echolocation and hearing. These tissues have phylogenetically unique, endogenous lipid profiles with poorly understood biochemical properties. Current diving gas dynamics models assume an Ostwald nitrogen (N2) solubility of 0.07 ml N2 ml(-1) oil in odontocete fats, although solubility in blubber from many odontocetes exceeds this value. The present study examined N2 solubility in the blubber and mandibular fats of seven species across five families, relating it to lipid composition. Across all species, N2 solubility increased with wax ester content and was generally higher in mandibular fats (0.083 ± 0.002 ml N2 ml(-1) oil) than in blubber (0.069 ± 0.007 ml N2 ml(-1) oil). This effect was more pronounced in mandibular fats with higher concentrations of shorter, branched fatty acids/alcohols. Mandibular fats of short-finned pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins and Mesoplodon beaked whales had the highest N2 solubility values (0.097 ± 0.005, 0.081 ± 0.007 and 0.080 ± 0.003 ml N2 ml(-1) oil, respectively). Pilot and beaked whales may experience high N2 loads during their relatively deeper dives, although more information is needed about in vivo blood circulation to mandibular fats. Future diving models should incorporate empirically measured N2 solubility of odontocete mandibular fats to better understand N2 dynamics and potential pathologies from gas/fat embolism.
Transarticular Application of the Kirschner-Ehmer Splint

Transarticular application of the Kirschner-Ehmer (K-E) splint provides for rigid stabilization of periarticular injuries. It prevents further trauma to injured tissues, facilitates management of concurrent soft tissue injuries, and in certain cases is clearly superior to other methods of articular stabilization.
QUALITY OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

The current study investigates the relationship between social support and mental and physical health. Results indicate that poor functional support (or quality of support) is related to physical health problems while structural support (or social network size) is not. Moreover, although both poor functional and structural support are related to depression and anxiety, functional support is more strongly related to these outcome variables, the strongest relationship being associated with depression. Depression and hostility are also related to social isolation, although the relationship is again stronger for depression. The results suggest that the quality of social relationships is more important than quantity for optimal mental and physical health. The clinical relevance of these findings is that the quality of social support in the lives of individuals is central to recovery and should be addressed in medical and mental health treatment planning whenever it is an etiological or maintaining factor.
Field-theoretic renormalization group and turbulence.

The recent analysis of the fluctuating Navier-Stokes equations with a random force with a ${k}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}y}$ spectrum by Yakhot and Orszag [Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 1722 (1986)] is repeated using field-theoretical renormalization techniques. A dimensional expansion around the full equilibrium state in two spatial dimensions is performed to one-loop order. The results differ from those of Yakhot and Orszag in a number of ways. A nontrivial fixed point is found which is the natural extension of that presented by Forster, Stephen, and Nelson [Phys. Rev. A 16, 732 (1977)], and various correlation functions in crossover form are presented. The application of the model to turbulence, i.e., in cases where the Kolmogorov (5/3 law is obtained, is analyzed in detail. Unlike the work of Yakhot and Orszag, a choice of the random force correlation exponent (y=-1.5851 in three dimensions) is found which gives the Kolmorov (5/3 law at high wave vectors.
Opportunities and challenges in development of phosphoantigens as Vγ9Vδ2 T cell agonists.

In contrast to T cells that express the more prevalent αβ T cell receptor and respond to peptide antigens, T cells that express the Vγ9Vδ2 T cell receptor detect and respond to non-peptide phosphorous-containing small molecules known as phosphoantigens. Because γδ T cells are early responders to infections and malignancies, it has been suggested that stimulation of their activity with small molecule phosphoantigen drugs may hold promise for therapeutic interventions. Recent studies have greatly advanced our knowledge of phosphoantigens as well as their cellular receptors. At the same time, clinical trials of phosphoantigens have suggested that development of these Vγ9Vδ2 T cell agonists has met unexpected challenges. In this commentary, we summarize the biology that underlies phosphoantigen activity and discuss the structural features of synthetic phosphoantigens that affect both their ability to stimulate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and their potential as therapeutic agents.
Youth Viewing Sexually Explicit Material Online: Addressing the Elephant on the Screen

Existing research demonstrates adolescents are increasingly using the Internet to learn about sex. This includes viewing sexually explicit material. Minimal scholarly work addresses the role of sexually explicit material in the lives of adolescents in the USA. This article reports findings drawn from open-ended semi-structured interviews with 51 young adults about their use of the Internet to learn about sex. Specifically discussed are the motivations for viewing sexually explicit material and participants’ responses to the material they viewed. Participants’ motivations for viewing sexually explicit content included curiosity about sex, curiosity about sexually explicit material, with romantic partners, in groups, or for individual sexual pleasure. Participants viewing of sexually explicit material as adolescents ranged from a minimal number of times to frequent and consistent viewing. Participants’ positive assessments of viewing sexually explicit material as adolescents included that some content portrayed a more realistic range of people and bodies than sexual content in mainstream media and that it was a safe means of exploring and learning about sexuality. Participants’ negative assessments of viewing sexually explicit material as adolescents included encountering upsetting content and feeling that it portrayed unrealistic sexual behaviors and interactions. Many participants described incorporating ideas gleaned from sexually explicit material into their sexual experiences. Participants with skills and resources to critically view sexually explicit material were most likely to assess it positively. Based on these findings, initial suggestions could be derived for how online sexual information as well as sexually explicit material might be responsibly addressed in formal sexual education settings.
"Applejack" technique: new application of an old approach to solute concentration.

Freezing and slow thawing is a simple and inexpensive means for preparing concentrated solutions from large volumes of water-soluble compounds. Particularly appropriate for colored compounds, it can be adapted easily to colorless solutes for which quantitative tests are available.
Isolation and identification of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species from bovine body sites and streak canals of nulliparous heifers.

Abstract Heifers (n = 103) ranging in age from 1 d to 2 yr were sampled to determine the coagulase-negative staphylococcal flora of haircoat, nares, vagina, teat skin, and streak canal. A total of 2706 staphylococcal strains were identified from 3612 bacterial isolates. Other genera or groups identified included Bacillus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium , and coliforms. Staphylococci were identified utilizing a simplified biochemical scheme. Staphylococcus xylosus, S. chromogenes , and S. warneri were the predominant species recovered from anatomic sites and streak canal. Staphylococcal strains identified from specific body sites (expressed as percentage of heifers harboring these species) were: nares 74% S. xylosus and 48% S. warneri ; haircoat, 70% S. xylosus and 57% S. chromogenes ; vagina, 60% S. chromogenes and 54% S. xylosus ; teat skin 62% S. chromogenes and 61% S. warneri ; streak canal 53% S. chromogenes , and 43% S. warneri . The prevalent staphylococcal strains identified differed from heifers in confined housing compared with heifers on pasture. Differences observed in distribution of Staphylococcus species among body sites, particularly those between teat skin and streak canal, suggest that establishment of staphylococcal microflora depends on the ability of a species to adapt to and colonize anatomic sites as well as on environmental conditions present.
Methionyl-tRNA synthetase detected by [75Se]selenomethionine in lenses from normal and galactose-fed rats *

As detected by [75Se]selenomethionine binding, rat lens methionyl-tRNA synthetase has been characterized and quantitated. The enzyme activity is relatively constant over a pH range of 6·8–8·6, and optimal binding occurs at 37°C after a 40-min incubation. Total lens enzyme increases between 22 and 123 days of age and thereafter remains relatively constant. The activity expressed per milligram of protein decreases until approximately 123 days. A significant increase in total synthetase activity occurs in lenses from galactose-fed animals at 3–4 days. This increase may reflect the observed galactose-induced cell proliferation or cell alterations of another nature. With continued galactose feeding total lens activity returns to the control value at 8 days and then rapidly declines so that at 24 days it is about 20% of the controls. Animals fed galactose for 3 days showed normal lens synthetase activity after having been returned to a Purina diet for 2, 12 or 21 days. When galactose is discontinued after 8 days, enzyme activity 7 and 16 days later is less than the control value but higher than that of the galactose-fed animals.
Models for alcohol dependence: A clinical perspective

Alcohol use is the third leading modifiable cause of death in the United States. Alcoholism has many genetic, developmental and environmental sources of susceptibility, and recruits extensive neuroadaptation as it develops. Identifying new drugs for alcoholism will be facilitated by the recent emergence of clinically efficacious medications, the identification of neurobiological mechanisms of susceptibility and dependence and the development of animal paradigms which model many of the defining elements of alcoholism.
Stages III and IV invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma in younger versus older women: what prognostic factors are important?

Abstract Objective To compare the survival rates in younger (45 years or younger) and older women (over 45) diagnosed with advanced-stage invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. Clinical and pathologic factors responsible for survival differences between the two groups were also determined. Methods All younger women with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma diagnosed between 1984 and 2001 were identified from tumor registry databases at two hospitals. Patients with borderline tumors were excluded. An older group of comparable controls was selected for comparison. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine the predictors for survival. Results Of 104 women with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 52 were 45 or younger and the rest were over 45. The 5-year survival rate and median survival in younger patients were 48% and 54 months, compared with 22% and 34 months in the older women ( P = .003). Younger women had significantly better performance status than older patients, and survival remained significantly better in younger women based on Kaplan–Meier analysis stratified by performance status (0 versus 1 to 2, P = .02). Furthermore, overall survival was significantly better in younger women after stratification by stage (III versus IV, P = .002) and by cytoreductive surgery (optimal versus suboptimal, P = .003). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that all these factors remained as significant independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusion Younger women with advanced-stage invasive epithelial ovarian cancer have significantly improved survival rates relative to older patients. Age, performance status, stage of disease, and extent of cytoreductive surgery are important independent prognostic factors for survival.
Effect of Chromium, Tungsten, Tantalum, and Boron on Mechanical Properties of 5-9Cr-WVTaB Steels

Abstract The Cr–W–V–Ta reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic steels use tungsten and tantalum as substitutes for molybdenum and niobium in the Cr–Mo–V–Nb steels that the reduced-activation steels replaced as candidate materials for fusion applications. Studies were made to determine the effect of W, Ta, and Cr composition on the tensile and Charpy properties of the Cr–W–V–Ta; steels with 5%, 7%, and 9% Cr with 2% or 3% W and 0%, 0.05%, or 0.10% Ta were examined. Boron has a long history of use in steels to improve properties, and the effect of boron was also examined. Regardless of the chromium concentration, the steels with 2% W and 0.05–0.1% Ta generally had a better combination of tensile and Charpy properties than steels with 3% W. Boron had a negative effect on properties for the 5% and 7% Cr steels, but had a positive effect on the 9% Cr steel. When the 5, 7, and 9Cr steels containing 2% W and 0.05% Ta were compared, the tensile and Charpy properties of the 5 and 9Cr steels were better than those of the 7Cr steel, and overall, the properties of the 5Cr steel were better than those of the 9Cr steel. Such information will be useful if the properties of the reduced-activation steels are to be optimized.
Gravitational field of a global string.

The gravitational field of a straight global string is derived in the linear approximation to general relativity, and the resulting trajectories of test particles are found. Part of the gravitational effect of global strings is a deficit angle which increases logarithmically with the distance to the string core. In this regard, a global string resembles a gauge string. A new feature, not present for gauge strings, is a repulsive gravitational potential outside the core. The lensing properties of the global string, as well as other classical effects, are studied.
Impaired surface membrane expression of C3bi but not C3b receptors on neonatal neutrophils

ABSTRACT: Because increased complement receptor expression is necessary for optimal function of adult neutrophils, we tested the hypothesis that the increased susceptibility of neonates to infection might be due to an impaired ability of neonatal neutrophils to increase expression of complement receptors in response to chemotactic stimuli. We used monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry to compare surface expression of the receptors for the complement components C3b (CR1) and C3bi (CR3) on adult and neonatal cord blood neutrophils (PMNs). We also compared receptor expression on PMNs from infants delivered by cesarean section without labor versus infants delivered vaginally. Expression of both CR1 and CR3 was minimal on resting adult and neonatal PMNs maintained at 0° C. There was a modest increase in expression of both receptors when PMNs were warmed to 37° C. This increase was similar on adult and neonatal cells, both unfractionated in whole blood and after isolation with Percoll density centrifugation, with one exception. Expression of CR1 was greater on isolated PMNs from vaginally delivered infants versus adults when the cells were warmed to 37° C. This difference was not observed with cells from infants delivered by cesarean section without labor, suggesting this modest increase in receptor expression may be due to factors associated with labor. When isolated cells were stimulated with either N-formyl-methionyl-Ieucyl-phenylalanine or zymosan-activated serum, expression of CR1 increased to the same extent in both neonatal and adult PMNs. In contrast, maximal CR3 expression on cord PMNs stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or zymosan-activated serum was only 75% of the adult values. This was significantly less than CR3 expression in adult PMNs across a broad range of N-formylmethionyl- Ieucyl-phenylalanine concentrations. Maximal stimulated expression of both receptors was the same in PMNs from infants delivered by cesarean section without labor and from infants delivered vaginally. The diminished CR3 expression on cord PMNs was not due to decreased responsiveness to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine per se since deficient CR3 expression was observed at all concentrations tested and also when zymosan-activated serum was the stimulus. Our observations of impaired expression of CR3, which is necessary for adherence and directed migration, may explain some of the impairment of these functions in neonatal neutrophils.
Selective reinstatement of instrumental performance depends on the discriminative stimulus properties of the mediating outcome

We conducted three experiments to investigate the associative structure underlying the reinstatement of instrumental performance after extinction. In each experiment, rats were initially rewarded on two responses with different outcomes. At test, both responses were extinguished in order to assess the impact of a single noncontingent outcome delivery on response selection. Experiment 1 found evidence of outcome-selective reinstatement (i.e., more responses were performed on the lever that was trained with the reinstating outcome than on the other lever). Experiment 2 demonstrated that the outcome’s capacity to reinstate performance was not affected by a reduction in its motivational value. Experiment 3 found evidence that the reinstating outcome selectively retrieved the response it signaled rather than the response it followed during training. Together, these findings are consistent with the view that instrumental reinstatement depends on the discriminative stimulus properties of the reinstating outcome.
Magnetic graphene nanocomposites: electron conduction, giant magnetoresistance and tunable negative permittivity

Magnetic graphene nanocomposites (MGNCs) with surface-adhered magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by a facile thermal-decomposition method. Two different sized graphenes (Gra-10 and Gra-40) are used. The stacking of a few layers of NPs is revealed by the AFM observation in the nanocomposites, especially with a higher particle loading. The TEM observations show that the average particle size increases from 12.1 to 17.4 nm with increasing particle loading from 2 to 10% on Gra-10 substrate. The NPs exhibit a core@shell structure with an iron core and iron oxide shell, confirmed by high resolution TEM, selected area electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction analysis. The graphene size and particle loading dependent behavior such as dielectric permittivity, electrical conductivity, magnetization and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) are observed. The electrical conductivity has been significantly changed in the different sized graphenes after coating with NPs (conductivity: Gra-10 > NPs/Gra-10; Gra-40 < NPs/Gra-40). The MR is observed to vary from 38 to 64% at 130 K, and even higher MR of about 46–72% is observed at 290 K. More interestingly, the dielectric permittivity can be tuned from negative to positive at high frequency with increasing particle loading. All the results indicate that graphene with smaller size obtains superior properties than the one with larger size.
MKK6 Phosphorylation Regulates Production of Superoxide by Enhancing Rac GTPase Activity

Rac-dependent NADPH oxidases generate reactive oxygen species used in cell signaling and microbial killing or both. Whereas the mechanisms leading to NADPH oxidase activation are fairly well studied, the mechanisms that control downregulation of this enzyme complex remain unclear. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidase may autoregulate the complex by inhibiting Rac activity. To this end, we searched for binding partners of Rac1 and identified a tyrosine-phosphorylated fragment of MKK6 that bound to Rac1 under redox-stress conditions. Constitutively active MKK6 interacted directly with Rac1 in vitro, and this interaction was enhanced when MKK6 was phosphorylated on tyrosine 219. Both Rac1 and Rac2 immunoprecipitated an MKK6 fragment under conditions that elevate cellular peroxide levels in 293 and RAW cells, respectively. Constitutively active and wild-type MKK6 enhanced Rac-GTPase activity in vitro, and their overexpression inhibited PMA-induced NADPH oxidase activation in RAW cells. In contrast, a Y219F mutant of MKK6 only partially enhanced Rac1 GTPase activity, and its overexpression did not alter PMA-induced NADPH oxidase activation in RAW cells. Last, MKK6 deficiency led to an increase in Rac1-GTP levels in brain tissue. Our findings suggest that MKK6 downregulates NADPH oxidase activity by enhancing Rac-GTPase activity.
Auditory evoked responses to binaural beat illusion: Stimulus generation and the derivation of the Binaural Interaction Component (BIC)

Electrophysiological indices of auditory binaural beats illusions are studied using late latency evoked responses. Binaural beats are generated by continuous monaural FM tones with slightly different ascending and descending frequencies lasting about 25 ms presented at 1 sec intervals. Frequency changes are carefully adjusted to avoid any creation of abrupt waveform changes. Binaural Interaction Component (BIC) analysis is used to separate the neural responses due to binaural involvement. The results show that the transient auditory evoked responses can be obtained from the auditory illusion of binaural beats.
The Value of Ground Whole Grains versus By-Products in Concentrate Mixtures for Dairy Cows

Summary A series of three experiments comparing the feeding value of different concentrate mixtures indicated that there was little or no difference in the palatability of concentrate mixtures that differed widely in the ingredients used. A mixture containing 76 per cent of farm-grown grains was equal in promoting milk production and in palatability to a standard concentrate mixture throughout a continuous study of 26 weeks' duration. Similar results were obtained in a double reversal trial. Another experiment involving four concentrate mixtures containing widely different ingredients showed there was little difference in feeding value among the four mixtures. Abrupt changes from one mixture to another had no unfavorable effect on feed consumption. All mixtures proved equally palatable. Body weight essentially was unaffected by the different concentrate mixtures.
Diffraction, the bare Pomeron, and the multifireball expansion☆

Abstract A specific multifireball model incorporating a bare Pomeron with intercept 0.85 and a renormalized Pomeron with intercept 0.99 is used to study diffraction in inelastic processes. It is concluded that this effect can be much larger than the easily accessible low mass diffraction cross section. In particular, it is noted that experimentally, events with maximum rapidity gap greater than 2 form half the inelastic cross section at 200 GeV/ c , and that charge transfer zero predominates across the maximum gap.
Kin discrimination in prepubescent and adult Long–Evans rats

The present study investigated the preference of prepubescent and adult rats for an unrelated conspecific over a closely related conspecific (e.g., father, mother). Preference was measured by the amount of time spent in the vicinity of the stimulus animals as well as who was visited first. To prevent mating behavior, stimulus animals were housed behind wire-mesh. Experiment 1 determined if adult female offspring prefer an unrelated, unfamiliar adult male or their father. The preference of adult female rats was independent of kinship. Experiment 2 evaluated the preference of prepubescent female and male offspring for an unrelated, unfamiliar adult male or their father. The preference of prepubescent female and male rats was also independent of kinship. Experiment 3 evaluated the preference of adult male offspring for an unrelated, unfamiliar adult female or their mother. The preference of adult male rats was independent of kinship. In summary, prepubescent and adult rats do not demonstrate preference for kin vs. non-kin (as measured by time spent near stimulus animals or who was visited first). Although kin recognition provides a mechanism for inbreeding avoidance (Wilson, 1987), in the present study adult rats show no evidence of inbreeding avoidance.
B7-H4 mediates inhibition of T cell responses by activated murine hepatic stellate cells†

Liver fibrosis is mediated by the transformation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) from a quiescent to an activated state. To understand the role of HSC in liver immunity, we investigated the effect of this transition on T cell stimulation in vitro. Unlike quiescent HSC, activated HSC did not induce proliferation of antigen-specific T cells. Phenotypic analysis of quiescent and activated HSC revealed that activated HSC expressed the coinhibitory molecule B7-H4. Silencing B7-H4 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in activated HSC restored the ability of T cells to proliferate, differentiate, and regain effector recall responses. Furthermore, expression of B7-H4 on HSC inhibits early T cell activation and addition of exogenous interleukin (IL)-2 reversed the T cell anergy induced by activated HSC. Conclusion: These studies reveal a novel role for activated HSC in the attenuation of intrahepatic T cell responses by way of expression of the coinhibitory molecule B7-H4, and may provide fundamental insight into intrahepatic immunity during liver fibrogenesis. (HEPATOLOGY 2010)
Is the Sweat Test Safe? Some Instances of Burns Received during Pilocarpine Iontophoresis

After iontophoresis, it was noticed that a child had a circular 'punched out' mark of about 2 mm diameter penetrating the skin to full thickness. A stitch was inserted to close up the wound and minimal scarring was visible at follow-up. The likely cause of the mark was explained to the parents who consulted a solicitor. The hospital received two letters enquiring about the accident, but there was no subsequent action and no compensation was requested. The child had eczema but not where the electrodes were placed (instructions state that iontophoresis must not be performed at the site of any skin lesion). Investigation showed that the most likely cause of this bum was contact between the metal electrode and the skin, probably due to it slipping from the calico sleeve when the child struggled. The remedy was to replace the electrodes with button type enclosed in sleeves with a 'button hole' opening away from the skin and to loop the wire from the electrodes under a crepe bandage to give some slack.
Small back-to-back detector for precise comparison of fission and (n,α) reaction rates

Abstract A multiple wire proportional counter for simultaneous measurement and comparison of fission and (n,α) reaction rates in identical geometry is described. The active materials are plated in back-to-back geometry in a cylindrical housing less than 1.2 cm in diameter. Provision is made for assessment of gamma-ray sensitivity during in-core reactor measurements and for internal absolute calibration.
Antecedent-Relative Comparative World Similarity

In “Backward Causation and the Stalnaker–Lewis Approach to Counterfactuals,” Analysis 62:191–7, (2002), Michael Tooley argues that if a certain kind of backward causation is possible, then a Stalnaker–Lewis comparative world similarity account of the truth conditions of counterfactuals cannot be sound. In “Tooley on Backward Causation,” Analysis 63:157–62, (2003), Paul Noordhof argues that Tooley’s example can be reconciled with a Stalnaker–Lewis account of counterfactuals if the comparative world similarity relation on which the Stalnaker–Lewis account relies is allowed to be antecedent-relative. In this paper I show that taking comparative world similarity to be antecedent-relative results in a formal semantics which is a comparative world similarity semantics in name only.
Cloning and Expression of the Oxalyl-CoA Decarboxylase Gene From the Bacterium, Oxalobacter formigenes: Prospects for Gene Therapy to Control Ca-Oxalate Kidney Stone Formation

Evidence suggests that the formation of calcium-oxalate stones in the urine is dependent on the saturation levels of both calcium and oxalate; thus, management of one or both of these ions in individuals susceptible to urolithiasis appears important. Since there are no known naturally occurring enzymes in vertebrates capable of degrading oxalate, we have initiated a study to insert a plant-derived oxalate degrading enzyme gene into human cells as a means of lowering plasma and urinary oxalate concentrations. We present here the cloning of the oxalylCoA decarboxylase gene from the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes and its subsequent expression in a foreign environment. These results provide the basis for eventual transfer of an oxalate decarboxylase gene into mammalian cells.
Travel-related health problems of Hong Kong residents: Assessing the need for travel medicine services.

Summary Background Although there has been a marked increase in travel among Hong Kong residents, travel-related health risks have not been well characterized nor has their use of travel medicine services. Objectives To assess the travel health care needs of Chinese residents in Hong Kong by examining travel health problems of returning Hong Kong residents and by understanding their use of travel health services before or after travel. Methods Review of available data followed by a cross-sectional telephone survey of 280 travellers and 15 service providers. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Household members, who were ethnic Chinese, aged 15–64 years, able to communicate in Cantonese, and who had travelled at least once during the preceding 12 months were invited to participate. Results There was a scarcity of travel medicine services in Hong Kong. The most common destinations for travellers were countries in the Asia-Pacific region, especially mainland China (33%). Twenty percent of the respondents developed health problems during or shortly after travel. Although only 9% of respondents had received pre-travel health advice, 61% used some form of precautions. Twelve percent had lost at least a day due to travel-related health problems. The service providers agreed that there are demands for travel health services. However, half of the service providers had not been trained in travel or tropical medicine. Conclusions This study indicates the need for specialized travel medicine services in Hong Kong to improve the health of travellers.
Implicit java array bounds checking on 64-bit architecture

Interest in using Java for high-performance parallel computing has increased in recent years. One obstacle that has inhibited Java from widespread acceptance in the scientific community is the language requirement that all array accesses must be checked to ensure they are within bounds. In practice, array bounds checking in scientific applications may increase execution time by more than a factor of 2. Previous research has explored optimizations to statically eliminate bounds checks, but the dynamic nature of many scientific codes makes this difficult or impossible.Our approach is instead to create a new Java implementation that does not generate explicit bounds checks. It instead places arrays inside of Index Confinement Regions (ICRs), which are large, isolated, mostly unmapped virtual memory regions. Any array reference outside of its bounds will cause a protection violation; this provides implicit bounds checking. Our results show that our new Java implementation reduces the overhead of bounds checking from an average of 63% to an average of 9% on our benchmarks.
Gravitational Effects on Concentrations and Partial Pressures in Solutions: A Thermodynamic Analysis

Thermodynamic analysis establishes the equilibrium relationships between the concentrations and partial pressures of the components of liquid and gaseous solutions in the presence of a gravitational field. The conditions of equilibrium between a column of gas and gas-saturated water and the conditions of equilibrium governing a model of the distribution of radioactive heat sources in surface rocks are deduced from the theory.