cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diurnal Variations in Articular Cartilage Thickness and Strain in the Human Knee

Due to the biphasic viscoelastic nature of cartilage, joint loading may result in deformations that require times on the order of hours to fully recover. Thus, cartilaginous tissues may exhibit cumulative strain over the course of each day. The goal of this study was to assess the magnitude and spatial distribution of strain in the articular cartilage of the knee with daily activity. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 10 asymptomatic subjects (six males and four females) with mean age of 29 years were obtained at 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the same day using a 3T magnet. These images were used to create 3D models of the femur, tibia, and patella from which cartilage thickness distributions were quantified. Cartilage thickness generally decreased from AM to PM in all areas except the patellofemoral groove and was associated with significant compressive strains in the medial condyle and tibial plateau. From AM to PM, cartilage of the medial tibial plateau exhibited a compressive strain of -5.1±1.0% (mean±SEM) averaged over all locations, while strains in the lateral plateau were slightly lower (-3.1±0.6%). Femoral cartilage showed an average strain of -1.9±0.6%. The findings of this study show that human knee cartilage undergoes diurnal changes in strain that vary with site in the joint. Since abnormal joint loading can be detrimental to cartilage homeostasis, these data provide a baseline for future studies investigating the effects of altered biomechanics on diurnal cartilage strains and cartilage physiology.
WDR5, a complexed protein.

The WD40 protein WDR5 is a core subunit of the human MLL and SET1 (hCOMPASS) histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4) methyltransferase complexes. Although initial studies suggested that WDR5 interacts with methylated H3K4 to catalyze Lys4 trimethylation, recent work has revealed that it binds an arginine-bearing motif in MLL1, promoting complex assembly and activity. These findings suggest that WDR5 functions as a peptidyl arginine–recognition factor that facilitates the assembly of hCOMPASS and other chromatin-modifying complexes.
Assessing the dynamics of liquid-phase solution growth via step growth models: From BCF to FEM

Abstract We examine the capability of the classical analyses of W.K. Burton, N. Cabrera and F.C. Frank (BCF) [Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London 243 (1951) 299–358], A.A. Chernov [Sov. Phys. Usp. 4 (1961) 116–148], G.H. Gilmer, R. Ghez and N. Cabrera [J. Cryst. Growth 8 (1971) 79–93], and R. Ghez and G.H. Gilmer [J. Cryst. Growth 21 (1974) 93–109] to model solution crystal growth and present a new formulation free of prior idealizations. Our model is based on an analysis of step motion along a vicinal crystal surface coupled with a detailed accounting of bulk and surface transport, thus representing phenomena ranging from the macro-scale to nanometers. The time-dependent governing equations of the model are solved simultaneously and self-consistently via a front-tracking Galerkin finite element method (FEM) in an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian reference attached to the moving steps. Step motion and interactions are analyzed under several classical scenarios, and new results are shown to demonstrate the utility of the finite element model for studying the dynamics of growth. Such models promise to complement the rapidly advancing experimental tools applied to study solution crystal growth and provide a more rigorous underpinning of our understanding of these systems.
Observational clues to the energy release process in impulsive solar bursts

The nature of the energy release process that produces impulsive bursts of hard X-rays and microwaves during solar flares is discussed, based on new evidence obtained using the method of Crannell et al. (1978). It is shown that the hard X-ray spectral index gamma is negatively correlated with the microwave peak frequency, suggesting a common source for the microwaves and X-rays. The thermal and nonthermal models are compared. It is found that the most straightforward explanations for burst time behavior are shock-wave particle acceleration in the nonthermal model and thermal conduction fronts in the thermal model.
Ha-117 and Ha-118 are potent dopamine receptor agonists

In-vitro studies evaluated the presynaptic dopamine receptor activities of trans-N-propyl-7,9-dihydroxyoctahydrobenzo[f]quinoline (Ha-117) and trans-N-ethyl-7,9-dihydroxyoctahydrobenzo[f]quinoline (Ha-118) using isolated field-stimulated cat right atria. Ha-117 and Ha-118 were found to be potent dopamine receptor agonists since their effects were antagonized by haloperidol. Compounds were inactive on presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors using rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum. Results show that both resorcinol derivatives of octahydrobenzo[f]quinoline are potent dopamine receptor agonists without having presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulating activity.
Esophageal cancer patients undergoing external beam radiation after placement of self-expandable metal stents: is there a risk of radiation dose enhancement?

Background Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are used for palliation of malignant dysphagia. It is not known whether dose adjustments are required when there is a stent in the radiation field. Objective To measure the effects of esophageal stents of various designs and materials on radiation dose to the tissue adjacent to the stent in the radiation field to determine whether there should be any dose adjustment. Design Simulated clinical protocol. Setting Linear accelerator radiation treatment center. Patients Solid Water phantoms were used to mimic the tissue environment of the human esophagus as well as stents of various designs and materials and controls. Interventions Radiation beams composed of photons (x-rays) delivered in split dosing with energies of 6, 10, and 15 million volts. Main Outcome Measurements Film and image-based evidence of dose enhancement; Monte Carlo calculations. Results Dose enhancement from single beams was seen only on the anterior surface, particularly in the stainless steel Z-stent (3.5%-7.8%) and the nonmetal Polyflex stent (5.5%-8.8%); less dose enhancement was seen on the anterior surface of the Alimaxx and Ultraflex nitinol stents (2%-2.5%). A negligible dose effect was seen on the posterior wall of all the stents tested. Monte Carlo calculation results were roughly similar to actual dosimeter measurements. Limitations Simulated clinical protocol. Conclusions This tissue-mimicking model reveals that radiation dose enhancement is a function of stent design and material, and the dose reduction is unnecessary as long as multiple fields are used.
Nebulized β2-Agonist Use in High-Risk Inner-City Adults with Asthma

Nebulizer use has been linked to worse asthma outcomes, but the precise reason(s) for this relationship is not known. We assessed the frequency of nebulized β2-agonist use in high-risk inner-city adults with asthma and compared asthma self-management practices according to nebulizer use in this population. This was a cross-sectional study conducted over 6 weeks from 07 to 08 2000. A convenience sample (N = 50) was recruited from an inner-city emergency department (ED). Adults (age ≥18 years) were eligible if they had a physician diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation. Data regarding asthma symptoms, acute care utilization, use of nebulized β2-agonist for symptom relief, and indicators of asthma self-management (physician for asthma care, use of controller medications, current cigarette smoking, and substance use) were collected by an interviewer-administered survey. Nebulized β2-agonist use was reported by 54.0% of patients during the 30 days before their ED visit. Nebulizer users reported more severe ast...
Psychiatric issues in bariatric surgery.

Obesity is a systemic illness that affects virtually every organ system in the body. A presurgical psychiatric evaluation has been advocated as part of a multidisciplinary approach to bariatric surgery. This evaluation seeks to determine the patient's capacity to understand the risk and benefits of surgery and to appreciate the consequences of surgery. Given the comorbidity of psychiatric illness in the obese, the evaluation also screens for psychopathology, with particular attention paid to disorders of eating behavior. In the presurgical psychiatric evaluation a robust knowledge base concerning the various aspects of weight-loss surgery is essential.
Moral Being in Contemporary Views of the Self

Les discussions recentes sur la nature de la pensee, de l'emotion et du Soi correspondent souvent a un regain d'interet pour les sources de la morale et de la moralite. Dans cet article, je fais l'examen des positions soutenues, dans ce domaine, par Charles Taylor et deux de ses interlocuteurs, Thomas Wren et Justin Oakley. Je decris et compare leurs approches epistemologiques «holistes» dans la recherche d'un «Soi moral», pour ensuite evaluer la pertinence de leurs positions ontologiques connexes. Je termine cet article en discutant les implications meta-ethiques de ces vues emotionnelles sur l'individualite sur la base du statut objectif ou subjectif des valeurs morales, afin de determiner si ces vues satisfont aux criteres de plausibilite morale retenus par ces memes philosophes.
Living in the Next-Generation Operating System

A new generaffon of operating system, based on extended databases, will supplant the original phase-sequencing and current pipelining program composition mechanisms. This article describes a working prototype.
An autonomous blimp for a surveillance system

An autonomous blimp for a surveillance system, which is circling around a specified target with only one camera, is designed in this paper. For this purpose, an extension of Lucas-Kanade algorithm for detection and tracking of features with rotation and scaling is provided, and a simplified structure-from-motion algorithm is applied to improve the accuracy of state estimation. A tracking controller is designed for the blimp which is an underactuated system. The desired path of the blimp is also generated from image information of a target. The blimp flies around the target automatically, after a commander sets it. Some experiments are performed indoors by using an aerial blimp.
In vivo kinetic degradation analysis and biocompatibility of aliphatic polyester polyurethanes.

Polyester polyurethanes incorporating polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) as the crystalline hard block were evaluated for biocompatibility and degradation over 24 weeks in vivo. In vitro studies were also used to predict the onset of mass loss. The molecular weight of each sample was found to decrease quickly over an 8 week period and then became constant due to the nondegrading POSS hard block. Kinetic analysis of the initial molecular weight change indicated that the degradation rate was dependant on the soft block composition. Crystallinity, melting temperature, and heat of fusion of the polyurethanes were found to increase during degradation as the amorphous polyester soft segments were hydrolyzed. The histological analysis of each polymer demonstrated rapid resolution of the acute and chronic inflammatory responses and the development of expected, normal foreign body reaction, consisting of adherent macrophages and foreign body giant cells on the surface of the polymers, and fibrous capsule formation around the polymer. No acute and/or chronic inflammation was seen after 3 weeks, indicating that the polymers in film form and biodegraded form, that is, particles, were biocompatible and did not elicit inflammatory responses expected for toxic or nonbiocompatible materials. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Developments in bioethics from the perspective of HIV/AIDS.

Predicting future trends in bioethics depends on the recognition of contemporary innovations. Because of the extraordinary challenges brought on by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, bioethics has had to undergo a critical examination of its own effectiveness. This essay examines 10 developments that have helped shape the future of bioethics in a time of HIV/AIDS.
MOUSE CD1-SPECIFIC NK1 T CELLS: Development, Specificity, and Function

NK1 T cells are a specialized population of alpha/beta T cells that coexpress receptors of the NK lineage and have the unique potential to very rapidly secrete large amounts of cytokines, providing early help for effector cells and regulating the Th1 or Th2 differentiation of some immune responses. NK1 T cells express a restricted TCR repertoire made of an invariant TCR alpha chain, V alpha 14-J alpha 281, associated with polyclonal V beta 8, V beta 7, and V beta 2 TCR beta chains. NK1 T cells recognize the products of the conserved family of MHC class I-like CD1 genes, apparently in the absence of foreign antigens. Thus, this novel regulatory pathway, which straddles the innate and the adaptive immune systems, is unique in that its activation may not require associative recognition of antigen. Here, we review the specificity and function of mouse NK1 T cells, and we discuss the relationship of this lineage to mainstream T cells and NK cells.
Sexual harassment against men: Examining the roles of feminist activism, sexuality, and organizational context.

The current study investigated men’s experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, including sexually advancing harassment (e.g., unwanted touching) and gender harassment (e.g., derogatory comments). We examined the associations among engaging in feminist activism, being a sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual), and working in an organizational context that tolerates sexual harassment in predicting men’s experiences of harassment. Moreover, we examined whether activism was protective against negative personal and professional harassment-related outcomes. Our study utilized survey data from 326 working adult men. According to results, engaging in feminist activism and working in an organizational context that tolerates sexual harassment were significant predictors of the sexual harassment of men. Sexual orientation was not a significant predictor alone, although sexual minority men were more likely to engage in feminist activism. Sexual advance and gender harassment were both associated with decreased psychological well-being and job satisfaction, but engaging in feminist activism was protective for men’s psychological well-being. These findings support theoretical conceptualizations of sexual harassment as a form of punishment for men who deviate from the prescriptions of traditional masculinity. Our results suggest that organizations would benefit from comprehensive and gender-fair policies and trainings related to workplace sexual harassment.
Reliability and Accuracy of Routine Inspection of Highway Bridges

Routine inspection is the most common type of highway bridge inspection completed to satisfy the requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Routine inspections of highway bridges are typically completed using only visual inspection (VI) and rely heavily on subjective assessments made by bridge inspectors. Given this practice and the fact that VI may have limitations that affect its reliability, the Federal Highway Administration completed a comprehensive study to examine the reliability of VI as it is currently practiced in the United States. The accuracy and reliability of condition ratings generated through routine inspections of six in-service and decommissioned highway bridges were studied. These timed inspections were completed in normal summer weather conditions under direct observation. To ensure that results from this study would be applicable to normal bridge inspections, state department of transportation bridge inspectors made up the study sample, which included 49 inspectors fro...
Trajectory Association across Non-overlapping Moving Cameras in Planar Scenes

The ability to associate objects across multiple views allows co-operative use of an ensemble cameras for scene understanding. In this paper, we present a principled solution to object association where both the scene and the object motion are modeled. By making the motion model of each object with respect to time explicit, we are able to solve the trajectory association problem in a unified framework for overlapping or non-overlapping cameras. We recover the assignment of associations while simultaneously computing the maximum likelihood estimates of the inter-camera homographies and the trajectory parameters using the expectation maximization algorithm. Quantitative results on simulations are reported along with several results on real data.
Cellular pathogenesis of porcine circovirus type 2 infection

Porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) and the associated histological lesions are thought to appear due to an increase in the amount of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) present in an infected animal. However, examination of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of PCVAD is complicated by the lack of a consistent cell culture model that replicates the animal phenotypes of persistent, asymptomatic infection, and acute, pathological disease typified by lymphocyte depletion. The porcine fetal retina cell line, VR1BL, shows a high permissiveness to PCV2 infection, 40 times higher than the alternative PK15 culture model, allowing for high titer viral production, with PCV2b growth higher than PCV2a growth. Cytopathic effect due to apoptosis is observed after challenge with high amounts of PCV2, but at low levels, infection is maintained in passaged cells. Thus, VR1BL cells may be used as a model system to examine both acute viral pathogenesis and cellular innate defense, as well as persistent PCV2 infection.
Localized Ensemble Kalman Dynamic Data Assimilation for Atmospheric Chemistry

The task of providing an optimal analysis of the state of the atmosphere requires the development of dynamic data-driven systems (DDDAS) that efficiently integrate the observational data and the models. Data assimilation, the dynamic incorporation of additional data into an executing application, is an essential DDDAS concept with wide applicability. In this paper we discuss practical aspects of nonlinear ensemble Kalman data assimilation applied to atmospheric chemical transport models. We highlight the challenges encountered in this approach such as filter divergence and spurious corrections, and propose solutions to overcome them, such as background covariance inflation and filter localization. The predictability is further improved by including model parameters in the assimilation process. Results for a large scale simulation of air pollution in North-East United States illustrate the potential of nonlinear ensemble techniques to assimilate chemical observations.
Some biophysical aspects of e-b virus adsorption to the surfaces of three types of mammalian cells

The electrokinetic properties of the surfaces of three types of cultured mammalian cells, in established lines, were studied to determine whether these properties could be correlated with adsorption of EB virus, as observed by electron microscopy and immunofluorescent techniques. As both viruses and cells carry a net negative surface charge, computations were made of the interactions between them using colloid theory. The results show that knowledge of various macroscopic surface parameters does not enable predictions to be made on whether viruses will adsorb or not. Modification of net surface charge by treatment of cells and viruses with neuraminidase, ribonuclease or with reagents reacting with amino-groups, did not demonstrably affect adsorption, which was also apparently insensitive to calcium concentration. The results may be interpretable in terms of structural microheterogeneity of the surfaces of the cells and/or virus particles. Quelques Aspects Biophysiques de L'adsorption de Virus E-BA la Surface de Trois Types de Cellules de Mammifbres Les proprietes electrocinetiques de la surface de trois types de cellules de mammiferes en culture, provenant de lignees etablies, ont ete etudiees en vue de determiner s'il est possible de les mettre en correlation avec l'adsorption de virus EB observee au microscope electronique et par immunofluorescence. Etant donne que les virus et les cellules portent une charge negative nette a la surface, des calculs ont ete effectues afin de determiner leurs interactions au moyen de la theorie des colloides. Les resultats montrent que la connaissance de divers parametres macroscopiques relatifs a la surface ne permet pas de prevoir s'il y aura adsorption ou non. Une modification de la charge nette a la surface due a un traitement des cellules et des virus a la neuramidinase, la ribonuclease ou des reactifs reagissant aux groupements amines n'a pas affecte de facon evidente l'adsorption, qui semble egalement insensible a la concentration de calcium. Les resultats peuvent ětre interpretes en termes de microheterogeneite structurale de la surface des cellules et/ou des particules virales.
Access to Care for Methadone Maintenance Patients in the United States

This policy commentary addresses a significant access to care issue that faces methadone maintenance patients seeking residential treatment in the United States. Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) has demonstrated strong efficacy in the outpatient treatment of opiate dependence. However, many opiate dependent patients are also in need of more intensive interventions, such as residential care. Many publically-funded residential treatment programs explicitly decline to admit MMT patients, contending that methadone raises both clinical and administrative problems in treatment. Although advocates within the field believe that this issue is a violation of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, no lawsuits have been brought forth, and there is no legal precedent or public policy to inform the debate. The present paper provides an overview of this problem and discusses factors that may contribute to the problem, including an abstinence-oriented philosophy and treatment program operational concerns. The paper also draws parallels between methadone and other medical conditions and analyzes the problem in the context of disabilities encompassed in the ADA. Finally, recommendations on strategies for increasing access to residential care for MMT patients are provided.
Cardiopulmonary transplantation--growing pains.

Cardiopulmonary transplantation has shown promise as a potential treatment for end-stage heart and lung disease and has given hope to potential recipients where none previously existed [1,2]. In reality, however, the procedure remains experimental. Between 1981 and 1986, 17 centers have reported the results of 239 procedures performed worldwide (Table 1). While more cases are being performed yearly, the results indicate that improvements in survival are likely to be related to better selection of candidates and donors, refinement of the operative techniques, and an understanding of the increased susceptibility of infection in the pulmonary allograft. Lastly, a better understanding of a chronic obstructive disease of the small airways, which occurs probably as a manifestation of pulmonary rejection, is required before a lasting therapeutic result can be anticipated (Fig. 1). The four-year experience in
PET and Fmri Studies of Cerebellar Function in Sensation, Perception, and Cognition

The cerebellum contains half of our neurons [99], has reciprocal anatomical connections with many non-motor areas in cerebral cortex [61, 84], and in hominids evolved in size more in proportion to the extent of cognitive adaptations than of motor ones [23, 56, 73]. Yet the cerebellum has been missing throughout much of the history of the functional neuroanatomy of mental processes. It was absent from the influential functional neuroanatomy of, e.g., Wernicke [98], Brodmann [16], Penfield [75], and Talairach [94]. The cerebellum has instead been assumed for more than a century to be dedicated solely to fine coordinated motor control [4, 38, 46, 47, 57, 95]. This conclusion was made first on the basis of lesion-deficit observations in non-human animal experiments [34] and in clinical neurology [44, 95], and later confirmed by electrophysiological studies in rat and monkey [24, 47, 95]. Findings consistent with this hypothesis have also recently been produced by neuroimaging studies that use PET and fMRI to record brain activation of healthy humans [26,32].
Robotic Use in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Robotic surgical approach for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) provides several potential advantages, particularly to the surgeons who are early in their robotic learning curve. Unlike the operations for malignant tumors with strict requirements for precise oncologic resection such as high ligation of the mesenteric vessels or total mesorectal excision, the operations for IBD allow some leeway for the surgeon who is just embarking on adaptation of the robotic technique. On the other hand, operations for IBD could be complex and technically challenging due to inflammation in the operative field resulting in oozing or bleeding; the tissues may be more friable due to preoperative use of steroids or biologics, and the dissection planes can be more difficult to define. Nevertheless, robotic surgery for IBD has several advantages to the patients, particularly those requiring low pelvic dissection for an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedure or patients with Crohn’s disease requiring proctectomy. This chapter will focus primarily on technique of low pelvic dissection where robotic advantages are the most pronounced.
Microbiology and ecology are vitally important to premedical curricula

Despite the impact of the human microbiome on health, an appreciation of microbial ecology is yet to be translated into mainstream medical training and practice. The human microbiota plays a role in the development of the immune system, in the development and function of the brain, in digestion, and in host defense, and we anticipate that many more functions are yet to be discovered. We argue here that without formal exposure to microbiology and ecology—fields that explore the networks, interactions and dynamics between members of populations of microbes—vitally important links between the human microbiome and health will be overlooked. This educational shortfall has significant downstream effects on patient care and biomedical research, and we provide examples from current research highlighting the influence of the microbiome on human health. We conclude that formally incorporating microbiology and ecology into the premedical curricula is invaluable to the training of future health professionals and critical to the development of novel therapeutics and treatment practices.
Large cross-sectional study of presbycusis reveals rapid progressive decline in auditory temporal acuity

Abstract The auditory system relies on extraordinarily precise timing cues for the accurate perception of speech, music, and object identification. Epidemiological research has documented the age-related progressive decline in hearing sensitivity that is known to be a major health concern for the elderly. Although smaller investigations indicate that auditory temporal processing also declines with age, such measures have not been included in larger studies. Temporal gap detection thresholds (TGDTs; an index of auditory temporal resolution) measured in 1071 listeners (aged 18–98 years) were shown to decline at a minimum rate of 1.05 ms (15%) per decade. Age was a significant predictor of TGDT when controlling for audibility (partial correlation) and when restricting analyses to persons with normal-hearing sensitivity (n = 434). The TGDTs were significantly better for males (3.5 ms; 51%) than females when averaged across the life span. These results highlight the need for indices of temporal processing in diagnostics, as treatment targets, and as factors in models of aging.
Exploring the Chermak-Delgado Lattice

Need a project to satisfy your craving for abstract algebra? Or do you have a student nosing around your office looking for a project? The Chermak–Delgado lattice is a sublattice of the subgroup la...
MAO Dun and Editorial Features of Literary Position

MAO Dun launched the semimonthly Literary Position in 1938, and edited from the first 18 issues. His edition makes Literary Position one of the most household and far-reaching significant national literary periodicals. These issues edited by MAO Dun show the following editorial features: to entitle literary periodicals with the responsibility of serving for the War of Resistance and national emancipation course; to push editors to communicate with authors and readers and increase affinity of this journal; to make the subjects humane and bring this periodical more affinity and cohesive force.
Pseudouridine synthase 1 deficient mice, a model for Mitochondrial Myopathy with Sideroblastic Anemia, exhibit muscle morphology and physiology alterations

Mitochondrial myopathy with lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia (MLASA) is an oxidative phosphorylation disorder, with primary clinical manifestations of myopathic exercise intolerance and a macrocytic sideroblastic anemia. One cause of MLASA is recessive mutations in PUS1, which encodes pseudouridine (Ψ) synthase 1 (Pus1p). Here we describe a mouse model of MLASA due to mutations in PUS1. As expected, certain Ψ modifications were missing in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs from Pus1−/− animals. Pus1−/− mice were born at the expected Mendelian frequency and were non-dysmorphic. At 14 weeks the mutants displayed reduced exercise capacity. Examination of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle morphology and histochemistry demonstrated an increase in the cross sectional area and proportion of myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIB and low succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) expressing myofibers, without a change in the size of MHC IIA positive or high SDH myofibers. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly reduced in extracts from red gastrocnemius muscle from Pus1−/− mice. Transmission electron microscopy on red gastrocnemius muscle demonstrated that Pus1−/− mice also had lower intermyofibrillar mitochondrial density and smaller mitochondria. Collectively, these results suggest that alterations in muscle metabolism related to mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity may account for the reduced exercise capacity in Pus1−/− mice.
Pyridoxal phosphate and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) concentrations in peripheral and cord blood obtained at the time of delivery were measured in 30 women. The average plasma concentration in nine women with normal pregnancy was 4.3 ng. per milliliter; in 10 women with pre-eclampsia, 3.3 ng. per milliliter; and in nonpregnant women, 17 ng. per milliliter. The average cord blood plasma concentration of normal infants was 28.4 ng. per milliliter, whereas that of infants of pre-eclamptic mothers was 12.2 ng. per milliliter. This twofold difference in the cord plasma concentrations was statistically significant (p smaller than 0.001). Pyridoxal phosphate concentrations in the infants' cord plasma were increased in all pregnancies studied by administration of pyridoxine either orally or intravenously. These findings together with other data, demonstrating (1) that B6 deficiency during pregnancy may lead to abnormal neurologic development in experimental animals and (2) that brain development in infants of toxemic mothers may be retarded, suggest that dietary supplementation with vitamin B6 should be instituted in women at high risk for development of toxemia of pregnancy.
The cell biology of aging.

Cultured normal human and animal cells have a limited capacity to divide and function, which are manifestations of aging at the cell level. Humans yield cultured cells that divide inversely proportional to donor age, and cells from ten different animal species divide in direct proportion to species life span. Transplanted normal cells in vivo, likewise, have a limited capacity to replicate and function.
Radon, Secondhand Smoke, and Children in the Home: Creating a Teachable Moment for Lung Cancer Prevention.

Objective This study determined whether having minor children in the home was associated with the teachable moment (TM) constructs of lung cancer worry, perceived risk, health-related self-concept, and the novel construct of synergistic risk. Design and Sample Secondary data analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to reduce home exposure to radon and secondhand smoke (SHS). Quota sample of adults recruited at a Central Kentucky academic medical center (N = 556). Measures Survey items assessed lung cancer worry, perceived risk, synergistic risk perception, and health-related self-concept. Results The presence of children in the home was not a significant predictor of any construct needed to create a TM for lung cancer prevention. Individuals with children living in the home were more likely to be younger, a racial/ethnic minority, a current smoker, and live with a smoker compared to those without children in the home. Conclusions There is a critical need to raise parental awareness on child health inequities related to the home exposure to radon and SHS. Public health nurses can create TMs for lung cancer prevention through greater awareness of the risks posed by radon and SHS along with promoting home testing and low-cost resources to reduce risk.
Genotype–Phenotype Correlations

Abstract Comparing mutations in genes with the associated phenotypes is sometimes straightforward and other times ­difficult and puzzling. This chapter approaches that problem in five categories: 1) multiple genes associated with a single phenotype (such as Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy and the hereditary cerebellar ataxias); 2) multiple phenotypes associated with mutations in a single gene (such as CACNA1A, PRNP and LAMIN A/C); 3) selective vulnerability of neurons (as in Huntington disease); 4) highly variable systemic phenotypes (as in myotonic muscular dystrophy); and 5) penetrance and age of onset. This should provide a helpful orientation toward genotype–phenotype ­correlations.
Cortico-fugal output from visual cortex promotes plasticity of innate motor behaviour

The mammalian visual cortex massively innervates the brainstem, a phylogenetically older structure, via cortico-fugal axonal projections. Many cortico-fugal projections target brainstem nuclei that mediate innate motor behaviours, but the function of these projections remains poorly understood. A prime example of such behaviours is the optokinetic reflex (OKR), an innate eye movement mediated by the brainstem accessory optic system, that stabilizes images on the retina as the animal moves through the environment and is thus crucial for vision. The OKR is plastic, allowing the amplitude of this reflex to be adaptively adjusted relative to other oculomotor reflexes and thereby ensuring image stability throughout life. Although the plasticity of the OKR is thought to involve subcortical structures such as the cerebellum and vestibular nuclei, cortical lesions have suggested that the visual cortex might also be involved. Here we show that projections from the mouse visual cortex to the accessory optic system promote the adaptive plasticity of the OKR. OKR potentiation, a compensatory plastic increase in the amplitude of the OKR in response to vestibular impairment, is diminished by silencing visual cortex. Furthermore, targeted ablation of a sparse population of cortico-fugal neurons that specifically project to the accessory optic system severely impairs OKR potentiation. Finally, OKR potentiation results from an enhanced drive exerted by the visual cortex onto the accessory optic system. Thus, cortico-fugal projections to the brainstem enable the visual cortex, an area that has been principally studied for its sensory processing function, to plastically adapt the execution of innate motor behaviours.
Motion sensors in multiple sclerosis: Narrative review and update of applications.

INTRODUCTION The use of motion sensors for measuring physical activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved with increasing research particularly during the past decade. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews the literature regarding the application of motion sensors for measuring physical activity in MS. We first describe 'what is known' about their use in MS by examining the evidence generated between 1997 and 2012, including the psychometric properties of motion sensors in MS and the development of MS-specific accelerometer cut-points. We then evaluate 'what is new' based on research conducted between 2013 and 2017. This includes newer research on psychometric properties of motion sensors in MS, development of new MS-specific accelerometer and step-rate cut-points, sedentary behavior assessment, and research on fitness trackers and multisensors in MS. The final part presents a picture of 'what is next' for the applications of motion sensors in MS, especially pertaining new opportunities for testing and using fitness trackers in MS, and tracking disease and disability progression based on motion sensor output. Expert commentary: The use of motion sensors in MS has grown substantially over the years; however, a lot more can be done to explore the full potential and utility of these devices in MS.
A case study on the modeling of system state degradation for data center cooling systems

The energy efficiency of a data center largely depends on the performance of its cooling system, which consumes 30% to 40% of the total electricity. Very often, the cooling efficiency degrades over time and the degradation depends on various external factors and internal system states. This study is motivated by the need to estimate the degradation of system internal states from measured system operating data. Based on the thermodynamic law that governs the relationship between system internal states, operating conditions and cooling efficiency, a two-stage physics-based statistical approach for modeling the cooling efficiency is proposed. The model also takes into account the statistical dependence among system state variables, and captures the complex dependence structure by the Archimedean family of copulas with its generator function approximated by a cubic B-splines. The case study demonstrates how statistical models can be constructed for complex physical systems.
Chapter 2 Pathogenesis of Renal Disease: Complement

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the pathogenesis of renal disease, complement. The complement system is a collection of proteins that recognize and facilitate the removal of pathogens and unwanted host material. Complement activation can contribute to systemic autoimmune diseases involving three anatomic compartments. Most commonly, the glomerulus is the primary site of involvement, while renal blood vessels and/or the tubulointerstitium can also be involved to a lesser or secondary extent, with particular patterns unique to the underlying disease process. Nearly every systemic autoimmune disease and its renal involvement is related to pathogenic antibodies (Abs) generated through abnormalities in the humoral immune system. The complement system contains the alternative, classical and lectin pathways along with regulators poised at key points throughout. Complement activation ranges from the fairly discriminatory classical pathway, requiring specific Ab bound to cognate antigen, to the rather indiscriminate alternative pathway, which is constantly active.
Synthesis of new polyfluorinated oxaziridines

Abstract The article describes a synthesis of new per- and polyfluorinated oxaziridines along with some reactions of these materials.
DISLOCATION DRAG MECHANISMS

Abstract We present some measurements of the influence of electron drag on the mobility of dislocations, in copper-aluminum alloys and zinc crystals. These results show that the electron drag is independent of temperature, and of applied strain rate. In the case of the copper-aluminum crystals, the change in stress with magnetic field varies approximately with the concentration, c, as c1/2.
Synergy between 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and paclitaxel in human pharynx FaDu cells.

Purpose. We recently demonstrated simultaneous targeting of telomere and telomerase as a novel cancer therapeutic approach, and that telomerase inhibitors such as 3′azido-3′deoxythymidine (AZT) significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of paclitaxel, which causes telomere erosion, in telomerase-positive human pharynx FaDu tumors in vitro and in vivo (1). The present study evaluated the synergy between AZT and paclitaxel to identify optimal combinations for future clinical evaluation.
The Timeline Followback Spousal Violence Interview to Assess Physical Aggression between Intimate Partners: Reliability and Validity

The psychometric properties of the Timeline Followback Spousal Violence interview (TLFB-SV), a calendar method used to assess daily patterns and frequency of spousal violence, were evaluated. Men (N = 104) entering a spousal violence treatment program, along with their female partners, were interviewed with the TLFB-SV at pretreatment, posttreatment, and quarterly thereafter for 1 year and asked to identify days of male-to-female and female-to-male physical aggression that had occurred between them. For posttreatment and follow-up interviews, participants maintained a weekly diary, in which they catalogued the days on which acts of spousal violence occurred. The subscale scores derived from the TLFB-SV, the proportion of days of any violence, and proportion of days of severe violence for each partner were calculated for each assessment interval. The TLFB-SV subscales had excellent temporal stability and concurrent and discriminant validity. Interpartner agreement on TLFB-SV subscale scores and agreement between partners on days when spousal violence occurred was low at pretreatment, but was high for the other assessment periods.
Vapor phase proportional counting.

A proportional counter consists simply of a center wire which is positively charged with respect to a coaxial cylindrical case. A sample may be counted by introducing it into the counter as a vapor, usually mixed with a counting gas such as methane. Electrons produced by radiation in the counter are attracted to the center wire at a sufficiently high velocity to produce a secondary electron shower by collision with gas molecules. Thus, each pulse of radiation produces an electrical pulse sufficiently large to be detected by the amplifier-scaler circuit with essentially 100% efficiency [1]. Unlike a Geiger counter, however, a proportional counter does not produce pulses so large as to induce appreciable dead times, with consequent limitations on the amount of activity that can be counted. Proportional counters thus combine the advantage of simplicity with maximum sensitivity and applicability to a very wide range of counting rates. They also retain the advantages of pulse counters in that results are available in a continuously integrated form, and in that for the highest-sensitivity applications, they may be used with anticoincidence background-reduction apparatus.
Translational Cellular Models of Breast Cancer Progression and Outcome

Breast cancer heterogeneity reflects considerable complexity underlying causality and disease progression. In vitro models composed of live-cell populations, maintained in the laboratory as cell cultures, are indispensable tools for in-depth biological characterization of breast cancer. Cell cultures also serve as surrogate models of functional response to physical and chemical elements and to other cell types that coexist in the tumor microenvironment. Over the past four decades, a limited subset of rare spontaneously immortalized cell lines has provided critical starting material for the vast majority of basic analytical studies in breast cancer. Employing additional sources of tumor cells together with new high-throughput, high-dimensional assays has improved patient prognostication. Concurrently, advances in the in vitro propagation of patient-derived tumor cells representing the full spectrum of subclass, subtype, and stage of malignant disease will be instrumental in the optimization of next-generation preclinical models to better predict the outcome of expensive long-term clinical trials and in expediting drug discovery. Ultimately, successful targeting of deterministic cellular aberrations within patients' own cellular in vitro test systems could guide the implementation of individualized cancer treatment and prevention measures.
The Role of the Posterior Fossa in Pediatric Neuropsychiatry

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, including mania and psychosis, have been reported with new or recent pediatric brain tumor diagnoses. However, such symptoms have rarely been described in the setting of stable postoperative posterior fossa lesions. The cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome, described more commonly in adults than children, suggests an association between the posterior fossa and affective dysregulation and cognition.
The Unintended Consequences of Internal Controls Reporting on Tax Decision Making

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of the internal controls over financial reporting requirements (ICFR) on the decision making of corporate tax executives. I examine tax executives' decis...
Unlocking the genetic basis of monarch butterflies' use of medicinal plants

If there was any doubt of the primary role that plant secondary metabolites play in host-parasite co-evolution, the "From the Cover" paper by Tan et al. (2019) featured in this issue of Molecular Ecology will lay these doubts to rest. The group's previous work on monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) infected with the protozoan pathogen Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) demonstrated higher survival and lower spore load on high cardenolide-producing milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) (Figure 1a) compared with low cardenolide-producing milkweed (A. incarnata) (de Roode, Pedersen, Hunter, & Altizer, 2008) (Figure 1b). The mechanism of this protective effect is not directly clear, but a leading hypothesis is that the cardenolides confer protection through toxicity to the parasite. However, the role of the caterpillar immune system in managing this parasite is largely unknown. Novel insights into the influence of toxic plant metabolites on caterpillar immunity are explored in Tan et al. (2019). Using transcriptomics to probe this model system, the authors found that herbivore immune genes were down-regulated and detoxification genes were up-regulated when larvae were reared on the milkweed species with high cardenolide concentrations (A. curassavica). Surprisingly, immune genes were not significantly up- or down-regulated in response to protozoan infection alone. This tantalizing result suggests that sequestered plant metabolites, not immunity, is reining in protozoan infections in these larvae, and promoting survival. As the authors point out, the strategy to invest in sequestration may come at a cost, which is to the detriment of the immune response (Smilanich, Dyer, Chambers, & Bowers, 2009). However, the cost becomes worth the investment when chemical sequestration takes on an antipathogen role. The novelty of the Tan et al. (2019) paper is that they show the investment in sequestration leading to a possible divestment in immunity.