cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of a novel ophthalmology tele-triage system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a web-based tele-triage system was created to prioritize in-person clinic visits and ensure safety at the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences during a statewide shelter-in-place order. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the tele-triage system on urgent visit volume and explore the characteristics of acute visit requests at a tertiary referral eye center. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed acute visit requests between April 6, 2020 and June 6, 2020. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and bivariate logistic regression were used to compare variables with a p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-eight surveys were completed. Mean age was 49.7 ± 18.8 years (range 2-91). The majority of requests were determined as urgent (63.0%) or emergent (0.8%). Forty-nine patients had recent eye trauma (13.7%), and the most common reported symptoms were new onset eye pain (25.7%) and photophobia (22.9%). Most patients were self-referred (63.7%), though provider referral was more common in patients with symptoms of new onset lid swelling (p < 0.01), diplopia (p < 0.01), flashing lights (p = 0.02), or droopy eyelid (p < 0.01). Patients presenting with symptom onset within 48 h tended to be younger (45.8 years) versus those with symptom duration of 48 h to 1 week (49.6 years), or more than 1 week (52.6 years; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This novel tele-triage system screened out one-third of acute visit requests as non-urgent, which limited in-person visits during the initial shelter-in-place period of the pandemic. Tele-triage systems should be implemented in eye care practices for future emergency preparedness.
Business Performance Outcomes of Service Quality: A Conceptual Model

Because existing models of service quality are based on consumer behavior theory, they are limited to a focus on the customer's evaluation of the service encounter and they ignore business performance as the desired outcome of service quality. A Model of the Business Performance Outcome Process is introduced to explain the relationships between behavioral and financial outcomes that are encompassed in the business performance component of a service quality system.
Lower Extremity Muscle Thickness During 30-Day 6 degrees Head-Down Bed Rest with Isotonic and Isokinetic Exercise Training

Muscle thickness was measured in 19 Bed-Rested (BR) men (32-42 year) subjected to IsoTonic (ITE, cycle orgometer) and IsoKi- netic (IKE, torque orgometer) lower extremity exercise training, and NO Exercise (NOE) training. Thickness was measured with ultrasonography in anterior thigh-Rectus Femoris (RF) and Vastus Intermadius (VI), and combined posterior log-soleus, flexor ballucis longus, and tibialis posterior (S + FHL +TP) - muscles. Compared with ambulatory control values, thickness of the (S + FHL + TP) decreased by 90%-12% (p less than 0.05) In all three test groups. The (RF) thickness was unchanged in the two exercise groups, but decreased by 10% (p less than 0.05) in the NOE. The (VI) thickness was unchanged In the ITE group, but decreased by 12%-l6% (p less than 0.05) in the IKE and NOE groups. Thus, intensive, alternating, isotonic cycle ergometer exercise training is as effective as intensive, intermittent, isokinetic exercise training for maintaining thicknesses of rectus femoris and vastus lntermedius anterior thigh muscles, but not posterior log muscles, during prolonged BR deconditioning.
A Model for the North Atlantic

Arbitrarily, but rather conventionally we have chosen to consider the North Atlantic as the region bounded by North America on the west and Europe and North Africa on the east, with the Arctic Circle and Tropic of Cancer as the northern and southern limits. These limits are only approximate, and where it has seemed appropriate regions extending beyond them have been considered, for instance, Greenland (Birkelund et al., this volume) and Scandinavia (Nicholson, this volume) both reach well beyond the Arctic Circle and coverage of West Africa (Dillon and Sougy, this volume) includes regions south of the Tropic of Cancer.
Set Adrift: Identity and the Postcolonial Present in Gould's Book of Fish

This article presents a critical examination of the metafictional devices used by Richard Flanagan in developing a pointed fictional critique of postcolonial Tasmania in his novel Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish . Highlights Flanagan's insistence on developing and maintaining the postcolonial present as a place of literary intervention.
Vitamin D-dependent Calcium-binding Protein RESPONSE TO SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL VARIABLES

Abstract The effect of some physiological and nutritional variables on the vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein content of duodenal mucosa of chicks was assessed. Calcium-binding protein, originally detected in vitamin D3-treated rachitic chicks, is also present in normally raised chicks; however, the concentration of calcium-binding protein in the vitamin D3-treated rachitic chick mucosa exceeded that in normal mucosa. 47Ca absorption by a duodenal loop and the calcium-binding protein content of duodenal mucosa decreased at a similar rate when chicks given a single dose of vitamin D3 were replaced on a rachitogenic diet. Chicks adapted to a low calcium intake absorbed more calcium and had a greater concentration of duodenal calcium-binding protein than chicks on a normal diet. Further, content of mucosal calcium-binding protein was greater in younger than more mature birds, the same in pullets and cockerels of the same age, and greater in laying than in nonlaying hens. Estrogen (diethylstilbesterol), a hormone prominent in the process of egg laying, did not induce the formation of calcium-binding protein. Vitamin D3 was more effective in calcium-binding protein formation than vitamin D2 which fact coincides with their relative physiological effects. The relationship between these studies and the implication of a role of calcium-binding protein in calcium translocation is discussed.
Speech and Gesture Mediated Intelligent Teleoperation

The Multimodal User Supervised Interface and Intelligent Control (MUSIIC) project addresses the issue of telemanipulation of everyday objects in an unstructured environment. Telerobot control by individuals with physical limitations pose a set of challenging problems that need to be resolved. MUSIIC addresses these problems by integrating a speech and gesture driven human-machine interface with a knowledge driven planner and a 3-D vision system. The resultant system offers the opportunity to study unstructured world telemanipulation by people with physical disabilities and provides means for generalizing to effective manipulation techniques for real-world unstructured tasks in domains where direct physical control may be limited due to time delay, lack of sensation, and coordination.
Flow of non-newtonian fluids in porous media

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the nature of non-Newtonian fluids that are commonly employed, followed by a look at the nature of the idealized porous media and the geometrical complexity of true porous media. Fluid and porous media interaction, such as adsorption, mechanical entrapment, and inaccessible pore volumes, have direct effect on the flow and are analyzed and quantified. The chapter studies microscopic and macroscopic views of the flow and presents the predictive models available for the study of the non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media. This includes models based on hydraulic radius concept, friction factor/Reynolds number relationship, and empirical methods. Non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media has become increasingly important in a wide range of disciplines and industrial segments. Catalytic polymerization process, the injection of polymer and surfactant solutions into petroleum reservoirs to enhance oil recovery, food processing, and fluid flow through riving tissues are examples of the vitality of understanding the non- Newtonian fluid flow through porous structures.
A New Direction in System Analysis: From Computation with Measurements to Computation with Perceptions (Abstract)

In one form or another, decision processes play a pivotal role in systems analysis. Decisions are based on information. More often than not, decision-relevant information is a mixture of measurements and perceptions.
Acupuncture and Stroke Rehabilitation

To the Editor: In a carefully controlled, randomized clinical trial, Johansson et al1 concluded that acupuncture had no effect on functional improvement in stroke, thus contradicting most of the previous randomized clinical trials studying this relationship, including their own groundbreaking research.2,3 However, inspection of their Figure 1 indicates that the acupuncture group improved over a 12-month period by approximately 61 Barthel points, while the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group improved by only 46 points and the subliminal stimulation group by 49 points. In other words, the median improvement of the acupuncture group, over and above the improvement seen in the control groups, was 12 to 15 points. This is not a trivial difference, despite the authors’ claim that this is a small difference in outcomes. Additionally, the interquartile range at 12 months clearly showed a lower boundary much closer to the median than in either of the 2 control conditions, which suggests that a greater proportion of the subjects received some benefit from the intervention when compared with the control conditions. In their original study,2 Johansson et al reported that the acupuncture group improved by 46.9 points while the standard-of-care control group improved by 26.2 points, producing a difference of 20.7 points in favor of the acupuncture group over a no-intervention control group. While the maximum relative improvement in the current study (15 points) is somewhat smaller than the 20.7 points in the original study, the absolute improvement of 61 points in this study certainly compares favorably to the 26.2-point improvement of the original standard-of-care group and the 46.9 points of the acupuncture group in that study. A similar inspection of their Table 2 shows that after 12 months, the acupuncture-treated subjects …
Fusarium graminearum as a dry rot pathogen of potato in the USA: prevalence, comparison of host isolate aggressiveness and factors affecting aetiology

A 2004–2005 survey of potatoes from stores in the north-central potato-producing region of the USA showed that the predominant causes of dry rot were Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium sambucinum. Isolates of F. graminearum originally isolated from potato tubers with dry rot (n = 15), wheat kernels with scab (n = 15), and sugarbeet tap roots with decay (n = 5) were tested for aggressiveness to potato tubers. There were no significant differences in aggressiveness among isolates of F. graminearum, regardless of original host, as measured by their ability to cause dry rot. These findings may have implications for survival of F. graminearum inoculum since potatoes, wheat and sugarbeets are frequently used in crop rotation in the region. Fusarium graminearum required larger wounds for infection of potato tubers than F. sambucinum. Plug-removal injury, simulating a stolon-removal injury, resulted in equal incidence of dry rot caused by the two Fusarium species, whereas abrasion and bruising injury were sufficient for infection and dry rot development by F. sambucinum, but not F. graminearum. A change in harvest practices from vine-killing prior to harvest to mechanical vine-killing on the day of harvest may be a factor affecting the onset of dry rot caused by F. graminearum, since this process often causes large wounds at the stem end of the tubers when the stolon is forcibly removed.
Tribology considerations for hip joint articulations in relation to the "new orthopaedic patient"

The purpose of this review is to examine alternative bearings used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and discuss the specific tribologic needs of the "New Orthopaedic Patient". As orthopaedic patients today are younger and more active, there is a clear need for hip joint implants and articulations minimising the amount of wear and guarantying better stability. Recent modern developments in tribology with highly cross-linked polyethylenes and hard-on-hard bearings allow the safe and effective use of larger diameter articulations in THA.
Neutralinos and sleptons at the LHC in light of muon ( g − 2 ) μ

We study the neutralinos and sleptons in multilepton final states at the LHC in light of $(g\ensuremath{-}2{)}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ anomaly. We scan the minimal supersymmetric standard model parameters relevant to $(g\ensuremath{-}2{)}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and focus on three distinct cases with different neutralino compositions. The explanation of $(g\ensuremath{-}2{)}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ excess at $2\ensuremath{\sigma}$ range requires the smuon (${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{1}$) to be lighter than $\ensuremath{\sim}500(1000)\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ for $\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\beta}=10(50)$. Correspondingly the two lightest neutralinos, ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{1}^{0}$, ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{2}^{0}$, have to be lighter than $\ensuremath{\sim}300(650)\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ and 900 (1500) GeV, respectively. We explore the prospects of searching these light neutralinos and smuons at the LHC. The upcoming run of the LHC will be able to set 95% CL exclusion limit on ${M}_{{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{2}^{0}}$ ($\ensuremath{\sim}650\ensuremath{-}1300\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) and ${m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{l}}$ ($\ensuremath{\sim}670\ensuremath{-}775\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) with ${M}_{{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{1}^{0}}\ensuremath{\sim}100\ensuremath{-}250\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ at $3000\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ integrated luminosity in $\text{multilepton}+{\overline{)E}}_{T}$ channel.
Fatty acid distillation—Comparison of two column types

1. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data are presented for the systems lauric acid-myristic acid, myristic acid-palmitic acid, and palmitic acid-stearic acid at four mm. pressure. Deviations from Raoult’s law are observed. 2. The performance of a small glass column packed with fibrous glass was studied. The H.E.T.P. was 30 to 35 inches and showed no consistent variation with composition. Above a vapor velocity of about seven feet per second, the H.E.T.P. increased. 3. The performance of a small bubble-cap column was studied. The overall plate efficiency was about 35%. The allowable vapor velocity was between four and five feet per second. 4. For the distillation of fatty acids at four mm. of Hg pressure the bubble-cap column was more satisfactory than the packed column containing fibrous glass since the pressure drop per theoretical plate was about one-fifth as great at comparable capacities. The comparison should be even more favorable to the bubble-cap column with larger sizes.
Practicing Birchism: The Assumption and Limits of Idiocultural Coherence in Framing Theory

Social movement theory and research over the past twenty years have utilized the concepts incorporated under the rubric of Framing Theory in order to draw attention to the cultural ‘meaning work’ within a social movement or social movement organization. Underlying Framing Theory is an assumption of what I term idiocultural coherence – that for a movement organization to be successful, its members must come to agree cognitively with its cultural understandings and identify collectively with it. Drawing on an example of the John Birch Society, a very successful conspiratorial, anti-communist organization, I show how people may join a social movement organization not because they necessarily or fully agree with its collective action frames but because it provides an opportunity to act collectively and publicly perform a collective identity. I argue that a narrow focus on idiocultural processes obfuscates important cultural processes ‘outside’ of a movement organization that have an impact on how and why peop...
Analysis and classification of surface variation error using a geometry-adapted discrete wavelet transform

In this paper, we propose the use of a geometry-adapted Discrete Wavelet Transform as a simple tool for classifying geometric errors that occur due to variation in manufacturing processes. It might be used, for example, in sheet metal forming, where a clay model of an automobile body needs to conform to the specifications contained in a CAD model. Likewise, it might also be used in numerically controlled machining to classify the source of machining error. We demonstrate that constant, oscillatory and random variations can be easily distinguished through an examination of the wavelet coefficients.
Surgical Treatment of Muscular Subaortic Stenosis Results from Septectomy in Twenty-six Patients

The results of surgical treatment of 26 patients with muscular subaortic stenosis are presented. Left ventricular septectomy was performed in 16 patients, and septal myocardiectomy via a right ventriculotomy was employed in the last ten patients. There were five hospital deaths among these patients, yielding a mortality rate of 19%. Hemodynamic studies after operation in six patients showed relief of functional left ventricular outflow obstruction in all but one patient. This patient subsequently underwent successful right ventricular septectomy. Recently we have employed a right ventriculotomy for excision of septal myocardium during digital exploration of the left ventricular outflow tract. Freedom from serious complications and effectiveness in relieving the subaortic stenosis recommend this technique for patients with obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Periodic vorticity and its effect on flow over a flat plate

An approximate solution is derived for the mean and oscillatory velocity profiles in the boundary layer on a flat plate, with a periodic source of vorticity near the leading edge.
Immune Signaling by RIG-I-like Receptors

The RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2 play a major role in pathogen sensing of RNA virus infection to initiate and modulate antiviral immunity. The RLRs detect viral RNA ligands or processed self RNA in the cytoplasm to trigger innate immunity and inflammation and to impart gene expression that serves to control infection. Importantly, RLRs cooperate in signaling crosstalk networks with Toll-like receptors and other factors to impart innate immunity and to modulate the adaptive immune response. RLR regulation occurs at a variety of levels ranging from autoregulation to ligand and cofactor interactions and posttranslational modifications. Abberant RLR signaling or dysregulation of RLR expression is now implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. Understanding the processes of RLR signaling and response will provide insights to guide RLR-targeted therapeutics for antiviral and immune-modifying applications.
Comparison of Emissions from Light Rail Transit and Bus Rapid Transit

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is an evolving and promising transit mode that has emerged as a low-cost competitor to light rail transit (LRT) in providing medium-capacity semirapid transit. In addition, recent advances in diesel and compressed natural gas technology have caused the truism "electric rail is cleaner than diesel bus" to be revisited. A partial fuel cycle comparison of the regional or urban emissions of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds from BRT and LRT is presented. The BRT analysis includes tailpipe exhaust emissions and fuel transportation, storage, and distribution emissions. The LRT analysis contains electric power plant emissions and line-loss-induced emissions. The analysis shows that whenever equal levels of technology are compared, LRT consistently performs better than BRT despite recent advances in the BRT mode. The analysis also shows that both modes are cleaner now than in the past.
Technical Note: Relationship between Chromium Depletion in Sensitized Alloy 600 and U-Bend Cracking in Sodium Thiosulfate Solution

In order to further investigate the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Alloy 600 steam generator tube failures as in the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant unit 1 (TMI-1), an Alloy 600 tube was directly sensitized from the mill annealed condition (MAS) by a thermal treatment at 621C for 18 h prior to corrosion cracking studies. Reverse U-bends of the MAS material did not suffer SCC from exposure to sodium thiosulfate solutions up to 0.01M concentration and 80C. Results of past experiments have indicated that the U-bends cracked readily in a solution containing a few ppM sodium tetrathionate leading to the conclusion that some reduced species of sulfur could be the cause for SCC of the TMI-1 tubes. Tests were conducted on various specimens of MAS material, and new results indicate that SCC was very rapid and occurred in very dilute levels of thiosulfate. It is also indicated that SCC initiated by thiosulfate probably occurs only after a critical or threshold level of chromium depletion is achieved. The results also most pointedly indicate that processing variations from mill to mill in MAS material cause wide variations in structure and related properties.
High-spin negative parity band in162Er

A recently reported side band in162Er is shown by in-beam conversion electron spectroscopy to have negative parity. The internal conversion coefficients αK of three transitions connecting high-spin side band states to the ground state band, with energies 652.7, 765.4, and 889.7 keV, were measured to be (0.29±0.03)×10−2, (0.21±0.03)×10−2, and (0.16 ±0.03)× 10−2, respectively. These correspond to values expected for E1 transitions. The high-spin negative parity levels, as well as some lower spin levels, are interpreted in context of the quadrupole-octupole coupling model.
A high sensitivity titration calorimeter using pyroelectric sensor

A new sensitive isothermal titration microcalorimeter using polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as detector has been developed. Heat pulses of less than 0.4 μJ can be detected and the baseline noise level (p-p) is 40 nW. The calorimeter is constructed with one reaction cell (0.7 ml) insulated by several radiation shields inside a vacuum chamber. The performance of the instrument was examined by measuring the heat of protonation of Tris with HCl. The enthalpy of reaction was found to be −49±1 kJ·mol−1, in good agreement with the reported value of −47.5 kJ·mol−1.
Structural and neurochemical markers of brain injury in the migraine diathesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To determine whether migraine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with accentuated brain injury and disease activity.Methods: Forty SLE patients (11 without headache, 11 with non-migraine headache, and 18 with migraine) underwent clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and spectroscopy (MRS).Results: Recurrent headache occurred in 75% of SLE patients. MRI abnormalities and reduced N-acetylaspartate were common. However, migraine in SLE was not associated with increased disease activity or severity, neuropsychiatrie manifestations, or end-organ involvement compared to patients without migraine (p>0.05). There were no differences in the prevalence or severity of MRI or MRS abnormalities between SLE patients with migraine, with non-migraine headache, or without headache (p>0.05).Conclusions: Headache does not identify SLE patients at risk for brain injury, increased disease activity, or increased end-organ involvement. Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy for headach...
Sustained work, fatigue, sleep loss and performance: A review of the issues

Abstract The physiological and psychological stressors associated with sustained work, fatigue, and sleep loss affect worker performance. This review describes findings relating to sustained work stresses commonly found in our advancing technological world. Researchers report decrements in sustained performance as a function of fatigue, especially during and following one or more nights of complete sleep loss, or longer periods of reduced or fragmented sleep. Sleep loss appears to result in reduced reaction time, decreased vigilance, perceptual and cognitive distortions, and changes in affect. Sleep loss and workload interact with circadian rhythms in producing their effects. These interactions are a major source of stress in work situations requiring sustained work in continuous operations and have implications for theoretical models of sustained perceptual and cognitive functioning.
Two Dual Assertions: The First on Learning and the Second on Teaching (or Vice Versa)

(1998). Two Dual Assertions: The First on Learning and the Second on Teaching (or Vice Versa) The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 497-507.
Using MEMS mirrors to pattern electrical forces

By switching between two tilt angles MEMS mirrors can be used to produce spatial light patterns. This enables the Digital Micromirror Display (DMD, Texas Instruments) chip to produce the images found in some data projectors. In this paper we will show how these images can be converted into electrical patterns. We use the electrical gradients in these patterns to control the movement of particles through dielectrophoresis. We show how this can be used to move cells within PBS solution and characterize our device. We also discuss possible ways to improve our optical setup through Adaptive Optics (AO).
Geometry and energetics of DNA basepairs and triplets from first principles quantum molecular relaxations

A first principles model for calculating hydrogen bonding interactions, previously applied to water, is here applied to the more difficult problem of interactions between DNA bases. We first consider the energetics and geometry for the A-T and the G-C basepairs, comparing our results to other calculated results as well as to experiment. Next, we study the interactions of isomorphic DNA base triplet structures, which are important because of their suggested role in the recombination process. We find that energetically the third base in the triplet tends to favor a position along the dyadic axis, where it is hydrogen bonded to both bases in the duplex.
A Trigonometry of Quantum States

Recently the geometry of quantum states has been under considerable development. Every good geometry deserves, if possible, an accompanying trigonometry. I will here introduce such a trigonometry to accompany the geometry of quantum states.
In Defense of the Duty to Participate in Biomedical Research

In de Melo-Martin's (2008) criticism of my position in “Rethinking Research Ethics” (Rhodes 2005) and my “Reply to Comments on 'Rethinking Research Ethics”' (Rhodes 2005a), de Melo-Martin (2008) ta...
Dementia and molecule of the month APP.

The progressive and relentless accumulation of amyloid beta (Abeta) protein in the brain is a key component of memory loss and dementia in Alzheimer's disease. This process also occurs and is considered a component of aging, HIV dementia, and other dementias. Abeta is processed from Amyloid precursor protein, APP. Under conditions still under investigation, anomalous Abeta protein fragments are produced that although initially soluble, become insoluble deposits during an oligomerization process. This progression affects neurons and glia (e.g. astrocytes) in the brain and results in the toxic effects that contribute to loss of cognitive performance. Therapies are being developed to reduce the production of toxic Abeta fragments from APP [1, 2]. Many proteins interact with APP and several proteins and their interactions are shown in (Figure 1) including APP amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein, BACE1 beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1, APBA1 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family A, member 1, APBA2 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family A, member 2, APBA3 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family A, member 3, APBB1 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family B, member 1 (Fe65), APBB2 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family B, member 2, APBB3 amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family B, member 3, APPBP2 amyloid beta precursor protein (cytoplasmic tail) binding protein 2, PSEN1 presenilin 1, an enzyme that processes the APP, Lipid binding proteins APOE apolipoprotein E, APOA1 apolipoprotein A-I, Transcription factors CREBBP CREB binding protein, JUN jun protooncogene, JAK2 Janus kinase 2, STAT5A signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A. Figure 1 APP interactions. APP interactions with 99 other gene products are shown. In this figure, line-colors and various interactions with other genes are red Down-regulation, green Up-regulation, beige Regulation, purple Co-expression, brown Physical Interaction, ... Mutations in the genes for presenilin (PSEN) or APP cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Such mutations show increased production of amyloid β (Aβ) 42 oligopeptide compared to levels of Aβ40. These mutations may entail gain or loss of function mutations exhibited by the γ-secretase enzyme, of which PSENs are key components. NOTCH processing may be involved as well, especially in development. Thus, PSENs have multifactorial effects. Figure 2 shows interactions and genes associated with APP, NOTCH1, and the protease PSEN1. Reactions and interactions such as these need great study, as they will lead to pinpointed mechanisms in the defeat of dementias involving APP [3]. Figure 2 APP, NOTCH1, and PSEN1 interactions. APP, NOTCH1, and PSEN1 interactions with other gene products are shown. In this figure, line-colors and various interactions with other genes are red Down-regulation, green Up-regulation, beige Regulation, purple Co-expression, ...
Some Enchanted Bureaucracy

With group psychology and business management hand in hand, a major cultural imperative is to strengthen the intensity and intimacy of corporate human resources programs. Stressing an ethic of authentic individuality, the human resources industry seeks to leverage the competitive spirit into a rationale for the collaborative spirit. In so doing, it reflects a profound change in the meaning of vocation. Bureaucracies must compete for the commitment of authenticity-seeking individuals with a freewheeling leisure market that rewards work with social entertainment experiences. The business environment must redefine itself as a social activity center that mirrors rewards available outside the workplace, blurring the lines between work and play and self and other. By elevating teamwork to social instinct as the mode of production, human resources practices contribute to a deepening recognition that bureaucracy must be re-enchanted in order to survive amid the same ethic of individuality that powers contemporary market capitalism.
Pyruvate kinase from oplophorus Gracilirostris muscle.

Abstract 1. 1. Pyruvate kinase from Oplophorus gracilirostris shows a high affinity for its substrate phosphoenolpyruvate ( K m = 0.04 mM ). Fructose 1,6 diphosphate does not activate the binding of substrate. 2. 2. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by MgATP, arginine phosphate and malate. The K i for MgATP inhibition vs phosphoenolpyruvate was 3.15 mM. Arginine phosphate showed mixed competitive inhibition vs both substrates with a K i of 3.5 mM. Mg-malate was also mixed competitive and showed a K i vs PEP of 1.7 mM. 3. 3. Fructose 1,6 diphosphate produced a partial reversal of Mg-malate inhibition. 4. 4. Control of the enzyme is probably vested in changing ATP, arginine phosphate and malate levels.
Performance variance on walking while talking tasks: theory, findings, and clinical implications

Dual tasks that involve walking and cognitive interference tests are commonly used in mobility assessments and interventions. However, factors that explain variance in dual-task performance costs are poorly understood. We, therefore, examined the moderating effects of two putative constructs, postural reserve and hazard estimate, on performance on a walking while talking paradigm. Participants were 285 non-demented older adults (mean age = 76.9 years; %female = 54.4). Postural reserve was operationalized as the presence or absence of clinical gait abnormalities. An empirical factor, based on measures of executive functions, served as a marker for hazard estimate. The moderation effects of postural reserve and hazard estimate on dual-task costs were examined via two-way interactions in a joint linear mixed effect model. Significant dual-task costs were observed for gait speed (95% CI = 30.814 to 39.121) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI = 6.568 to 13.607). High hazard estimate had a protective effect against decline in gait speed (95% CI = −8.372 to −0.151) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI = −8.372 to −0.680). Poor postural reserve was associated with reduced decline in gait speed (95% CI = −9.611 to −0.702) but did not moderate the decline in cognitive accuracy (95% CI = −3.016 to 4.559). Assessing postural reserve and hazard estimate can help improve mobility risk assessment procedures and interventions for individuals with cognitive and movement disorders.
An Integrated Approach to the Study of the Venous System with Steps Toward a Detailed Model of the Dynamics of Venous Return to the Right Heart

We attempt to define, in terms familiar to engineers, physicists, and workers in the life sciences, the uncontrolled mechanical system returning venous blood to the right heart. Our ultimate aim is to complete a description of the venous circulation useful to close the loop with current models of the arterial circulation and the heart. Such a detailed global circulatory model will incorporate eventually enough control theory to render insight into basic regulatory mechanisms of man in health and disease. Only a multidisciplinary approach can lead to this ultimate objective.
Ether-containing lipids of methanogenic bacteria

Abstract Acid-hydrolysis of the phospholipid fraction of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum , Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanospirillum hungatii demonstrated the presence of two neutral lipid products. Characterization of these lipids resulted in their identification as dialkyl glyceryl ether and diglycerol tetraethers. The ether-linked alkyl chains were identified as the 20- and 40-carbon branched chains for the diether and tetraether, respectively. M . thermoautotrophicum and M . formicicum were also characterized by the presence of acid-stable phospholipid components.
Digital filtering of stochastic-network decision-node noise

Digital filtering techniques are utilized to counteract serial correlation in random-number sequences generated during discrete-event stochastic-network simulations. An algorithm is described which monitors departures from Bernoulli decision-node branch probabilities and compensates for observed serial correlation. Relationships between branch probability and system performance are then explored.
Occurrence of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in chorioallantoic membrane of the chick embryo.

Conclusions and SummaryIt is evident that the chorioallantoic membranes of chick embryos can oxidize glucose-6-phosphate by an enzyme system similar to that discovered by Warburg and Christian(12,13). The centrifugal supernatant fluid of homogenates contains the complete catalytic system necessary for oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate as measured in our test system. The reaction is completely dependent on hexose-6-phosphate and TPN. This finding is of particular interest since it indicates that the chorioallantoic membrane contains an alternative pathway of glucose metabolism besides the glycolytic system described pre viously (1).Homogenates of chorioallantoic membranes of the chick embryo oxidize glucoses-phosphate or fructose-6-phosphate aer-obically if TPN and pyocyanine are present. The enzyme activity which is recovered in the centrifugal supernatant fluid does not change appreciably with age of the embryo between 6 and 13 days.
Surface analysis and peel strength of aged, oxygen-plasma-modified unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) films

The surface of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC) was modified by oxygen plasma treatment and analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle analysis (CAA) and 180° peel test measurements. XPS results show a surface rich in oxygen-containing species which are detectable on the surface after 10 weeks following plasma treatment. CAA results, however, indicate that an initial increase in surface energy immediately after the plasma treatment is followed by a dramatic decrease after 24 h of ageing due to a thin layer of organic contamination. Peel test results imply that oxygen plasma treatment initially increases peel strength of Scotch Magic® tape against the surface, but after 8 weeks the peel strength decreases below that of the untreated sample, suggesting the formation of a weak boundary layer.
Inhibition of p53 attenuates steatosis and liver injury in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims p53 and its transcriptional target miRNA34a have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fatty liver. We tested the efficacy of a p53 inhibitor, pifithrin-α p -nitro (PFT) in attenuating steatosis, associated oxidative stress and apoptosis in a murine model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat (HFD) or control diet for 8weeks; PFT or DMSO (vehicle) was administered three times per week. Markers of oxidative stress and apoptosis as well as mediators of hepatic fatty acid metabolism were assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, real-time PCR, and biochemical assays. Results PFT administration suppressed HFD-induced weight gain, ALT elevation, steatosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. PFT treatment blunted the HFD-induced upregulation of miRNA34a and increased SIRT1 expression. In the livers of HFD-fed, PFT-treated mice, activation of the SIRT1/PGC1α/PPARα axis increased the expression of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MLYCD), an enzyme responsible for malonyl-CoA (mCoA) degradation. Additionally, the SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK pathway (upstream activator of MLYCD) was promoted by PFT. Thus, induction of these two pathways by PFT diminished the hepatic mCoA content by enhancing MLYCD expression and function. Since mCoA inhibits carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), the decrease of hepatic mCoA in the PFT-treated, HFD-fed mice increased CPT1 activity, favored fatty acid oxidation, and decreased steatosis. Additionally, we demonstrated that PFT abrogated steatosis and promoted MLYCD expression in palmitoleic acid-treated human HepaRG cells. Conclusions The p53 inhibitor PFT diminished hepatic triglyceride accumulation and lipotoxicity in mice fed a HFD, by depleting mCoA and favoring the β-oxidation of fatty acids.
Effects of modifications of the linker in a series of phenylpropanoic acid derivatives: Synthesis, evaluation as PPARα/γ dual agonists, and X-ray crystallographic studies

A new series of alpha-aryl or alpha-heteroarylphenyl propanoic acid derivatives was synthesized that incorporate acetylene-, ethylene-, propyl-, or nitrogen-derived linkers as a replacement of the commonly used ether moiety that joins the central phenyl ring with the lipophilic tail. The effect of these modifications in the binding and activation of PPARalpha and PPARgamma was first evaluated in vitro. Compounds possessing suitable profiles were then evaluated in the ob/ob mouse model of type 2 diabetes. The propylene derivative 40 and the propyl derivative 53 demonstrated robust plasma glucose lowering activity in this model. Compound 53 was also evaluated in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats and was found to achieve normalization of glucose, triglycerides, and insulin levels. An X-ray crystal structure of the complex of 53 with the PPARgamma-ligand-binding domain was obtained and discussed in this report.
Argon Laser Treatment of Radiation Proctitis

Radiation therapy for malignant gynecologic disease and prostatic cancer has resulted in increased survival and cure rates. This modality has unfortunately produced debilitating radiation proctitis. Recently, five patients were seen with continuous rectal bleeding secondary to radiation disease of the rectum. Four of these patients were women who were being treated for cervical carcinoma and one was a man with prostatic cancer. These patients were refractory to steroid retention enemas, iron therapy, and benproperine enema therapy. Treatment was accomplished using the argon laser with a 300-micron fiber passed via flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope. The most proximal areas were treated first. One and a half watts at 0.5 pulses was used. Up to 50 pulses were delivered per therapy session. The fiber was placed in contact with the lesion and circumferentially for 0.5 cm surrounding each suspected area. Bleeding stopped in the four women after two sessions and in the man after four sessions.
Implications of the Observed Seismic Performance of a Pile-Supported Wharf for Numerical Modeling

Abstract The seismic response and performance of pile-supported wharves on sloping ground is not well documented due to an historical lack of instrumentation on port structures. Although general surface observations have been made at numerous ports following recent earthquakes, much more specific soil foundation-structure-interaction data could have been obtained with the more widespread employment of instrumentation. This paper presents the results of empirical and numerical analyses of recorded strong-motion data (SMD) from an array of instruments located on a pile-supported wharf and in the adjacent free field. Data were recorded with an instrumentation array at Berth 24∕25 at the Port of Oakland, California, during the M7.0 Loma Prieta earthquake. The primary objectives of this project were to evaluate the SMD and identify the limitations inherent in capturing the complete dynamic character, including soil structure interaction, of a pier or wharf with a structural model. The project is expected to se...
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteremia linked to intravenous drug abusers using a “shooting gallery”

Abstract Over a 15-month period, seven intravenous drug abusers had 10 admissions because of bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Seven episodes of probable bacterial endocarditis occurred in four patients; one patient had septic thrombophlebitis and two had soft tissue infections. All seven patients patronized a local "shooting gallery" where paraphernalia were provided and drugs were often administered by a "street doctor." All isolates were phage type 29/77/83A/84/85 and demonstrated resistance only to methicillin, oxacillin, and penicillin. This strain of methicillin-resistant S. aureus has a phage type and antibiogram that is distinct from nosocomial methicillin-resistant S. aureus and was probably acquired by intravenous drug abusers during visits to the "shooting gallery." The "shooting gallery" is an integral part of the drug culture and a likely source for the transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms.
Estimating functionals of particle size distributions

SUMMARY Data consisting of the intersections of a planar or linear probe with a field of spheres, with a diameter distribution G(x), is often used to estimate linear functionals or their ratios. It is shown that distribution-free estimators may be poor and that their distribution, even in large samples, depends on knowledge of G for small x that may be unobtainable. The parametric approach is arduous and not robust against errors in the lower tail. It seems that this experimental method should be avoided when there is a practicable alternative. Suppose that a population of particles, geometrically similar with a size distribution function G(x) are randomly dispersed through space. Roughly, their centres will be placed by a Poisson process. The space may be probed in some way; we will consider only planar and linear probes. In the former the data are the intersections of the particles and some area of the probing plane. In the latter the data are a set of chords on some interval of the probing line. From such data, the object is to estimate functionals of the form
Effect of clonidine on the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase from rat brainstem following in vivo or in vitro treatment.

Abstract In vivo administration of clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres) via tail vein injection produced a rapid increase in brainstem tryptophan hydroxylase activity assayed in vitro under subsaturating conditions of reduced pterin cofactor, 6MPH4. Enzyme activity returned to and remained at control levels about 60 min after treatment with low doses of clonidine (5 μg/kg). However, with higher doses of the drug (15 μg/kg), enzyme activity fell to below control levels for about an hour. Incubation of brainstem slices with clonidine also produced a dose-dependent increase in enzyme activity. The increase in enzyme activity appears to be mediated indirectly since it was abolished when brain catecholamine levels were depleted by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine 8 days prior to clonidine treatment. The kinetic properties of tryptophan hydroxylase prepared 25 and 90 min after clonidine administration indicate that the initial increase and subsequent decrease in enzyme activity seen under these conditions may be due to changes in apparent Vmax of the enzyme.
An efficient algorithm for incompressible N-phase flows

Abstract We present an efficient algorithm within the phase field framework for simulating the motion of a mixture of N ( N ⩾ 2 ) immiscible incompressible fluids, with possibly very different physical properties such as densities, viscosities, and pairwise surface tensions. The algorithm employs a physical formulation for the N-phase system that honors the conservations of mass and momentum and the second law of thermodynamics. We present a method for uniquely determining the mixing energy density coefficients involved in the N-phase model based on the pairwise surface tensions among the N fluids. Our numerical algorithm has several attractive properties that make it computationally very efficient: (i) it has completely de-coupled the computations for different flow variables, and has also completely de-coupled the computations for the ( N − 1 ) phase field functions; (ii) the algorithm only requires the solution of linear algebraic systems after discretization, and no nonlinear algebraic solve is needed; (iii) for each flow variable the linear algebraic system involves only constant and time-independent coefficient matrices, which can be pre-computed during pre-processing, despite the variable density and variable viscosity of the N-phase mixture; (iv) within a time step the semi-discretized system involves only individual de-coupled Helmholtz-type (including Poisson) equations, despite the strongly-coupled phase–field system of fourth spatial order at the continuum level; (v) the algorithm is suitable for large density contrasts and large viscosity contrasts among the N fluids. Extensive numerical experiments have been presented for several problems involving multiple fluid phases, large density contrasts and large viscosity contrasts. In particular, we compare our simulations with the de Gennes theory, and demonstrate that our method produces physically accurate results for multiple fluid phases. We also demonstrate the significant and sometimes dramatic effects of the gravity, density ratios, pairwise surface tensions, and drop sizes on the N-phase configurations and dynamics. The numerical results show that the method developed herein is capable of dealing with N-phase systems with large density ratios, large viscosity ratios, and pairwise surface tensions, and that it can be a powerful tool for studying the interactions among multiple types of fluid interfaces.