cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Taming dendritic cells with TIM-3: another immunosuppressive strategy used by tumors

Evaluation of: Chiba S, Baghdadi M, Akiba H et al. Tumor-infiltrating DCs suppress nucleic acid-mediated innate immune responses through interactions between the receptor TIM-3 and the alarmin HMGB1. Nat. Immunol. 13, 832-842 (2012). The identification of TIM-3 expression on tumor-associated dendritic cells (TADCs) provides insight into another aspect of tumor-mediated immunosuppression. The role of TIM-3 has been well characterized on tumor-infiltrating T cells; however, its role on TADCs was not previously known. The current paper demonstrated that TIM-3 was predominantly expressed by TADCs and its interaction with the nuclear protein HMGB1 suppressed nucleic acid-mediated activation of an effective antitumor immune response. The authors were able to show that TIM-3 interaction with HMGB1 prevented the localization of nucleic acids into endosomal vesicles. Furthermore, chemotherapy was found to be more effective in anti-TIM-3 monoclonal antibody-treated mice or mice depleted of all DCs, which indicated that a significant role is played by TADCs in inhibiting tumor regression. Taken together, these findings identify TIM-3 as a potential target for inducing antitumor immunity in conjunction with DNA vaccines and/or immunogenic chemotherapy in clinical settings.
Elevation of Plasma Cell-Free Hemoglobin in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND:Cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) is a potent nitric oxide scavenger associated with poor outcomes in several diseases. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by reduced nitric oxide availability. We hypothesized that CFH would be elevated in PAH and would associate with hemodynamics and clinical outcomes. METHODS:We measured CFH in 200 consecutively evaluated patients with PAH, 16 unaffected bone morphogenetic receptor protein type 2 (BMPR2) mutation carriers, 19 healthy subjects, and 29 patients with pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH). CFH values were tested for association with hemodynamics, time to hospitalization, and death. RESULTS:CFH was elevated in patients with PAH and BMPR2 carriers compared with healthy subjects and patients with PVH (P≤ .01 all comparisons). There were no differences in CFH across PAH subtypes. CFH modestly correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (ρ = 0.16,P= .03) and pulmonary vascular resistance (ρ = 0.21,P= .01) and inversely with cardiac index (ρ = −0.18,P= .02) in patients with PAH. CFH was not associated with hemodynamic response to nitric oxide or death. Patients with the highest CFH levels had increased risk of PAH-related hospitalization when adjusted for age, sex, and PAH cause (hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% CI,1.08-2.66;P= .02). CONCLUSIONS:CFH is elevated in patients with PAH and BMPR2 carriers compared with healthy subjects and patients with PVH. Elevated CFH levels are independently associated with an increased risk of hospitalization. Further study is required to understand the mechanism of CFH elevation and the potential pathologic contribution of CFH in PAH.
Residual Stress Measurement in 304 Stainless Steel Weld Overlay Pipes

Welding overlay repair (WOR) is commonly employed to rebuild piping systems suffering from intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). To understand the effects of this repair, it is necessary to investigate the distribution of residual stresses in the welding pipe. The overlay welding technique must induce compressive residual stress at the inner surface of the welded pipe to prevent IGSCC. To understand the bulk residual stress distribution, the stress profile as a function of location within wall is examined. In this study the full destructive residual stress measurement technique -- a cutting and sectioning method -- is used to determine the residual stress distribution. The sample is type 304 stainless steel weld overlay pipe with an outside diameter of 267 mm. A pipe segment is cut from the circular pipe; then a thin layer is removed axially from the inner to the outer surfaces until further sectioning is impractical. The total residual stress is calculated by adding the stress relieved by cutting the section away to the stress relieved by axially sectioning. The axial and hoop residual stresses are compressive at the inner surface of the weld overlay pipe. Compressive stress exists not only at the surface but is also distributedmore » over most of the pipe`s cross section. On the one hand, the maximum compressive hoop residual stress appears at the pipe`s inner surface. The thermal-mechanical induced crack closure from significant compressive residual stress is discussed. This crack closure can thus prevent IGSCC very effectively.« less
Spectrum and outcome of microbiologically documented listeria monocytogenes infections in cancer patients.

At the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston), Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from 14 patients between 1980 and 1987. The case records of 11 of these patients were reviewed. Underlying malignancies included acute leukemia (three), lymphoma (two), myeloma (one), adenocarcinoma of colon (two), carcinoma of breast (one), carcinoma of lung (one), and Kaposi's sarcoma associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (one). Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from blood (eight patients), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (two patients), and from both blood and CSF in one patient. All patients were receiving immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids in seven. An absolute neutrophil count of less than 1000/mm3 was noted in five. Bacteremia was the predominant type of infection and ten patients responded to antimicrobial therapy.
Two early light‐inducible protein (ELIP) cDNAs from the resurrection plant Tortula ruralis are differentially expressed in response to desiccation, rehydration, salinity, and high light

Tortula ruralis (Syntrichia ruralis) is a useful model system for the study of gene control in response to severe water deficit-stress. EST gene discovery efforts utilizing desiccated gametophytes have identified two cDNAs designated Elipa and Elipb with significant similarity to early light-inducible proteins (ELIPs). Elipa is 1006 bp in length, encoding a 212 amino acid deduced polypeptide (ELIPa) with a predicted molecular mass of 23.3 kDa and pI of 5.57. Elipb is 997 bp in length, encoding a 224 amino acid deduced polypeptide (ELIPb) with a predicted molecular mass of 24.4 kDa and pI of 9.27. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that ELIPa and ELIPb are reproducibly grouped with ELIP sequences derived from desiccation-tolerance tissues. RNA blot hybridization was used to analyse Elipa and Elipb mRNA abundance in response to a variety of stresses. Elipa steady-state transcript levels increased in response to slow desiccation, rapid desiccation/rehydration, salinity, ABA, and rehydration in high light. The Elipb transcript was only detectable in response to ABA or rehydration in high light. It is postulated that ELIPa and ELIPb are an adaptive response to stress-induced photodamage within the moss chloroplast, and play a key role in the protection and/or repair of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Quantum Chemical Predictions of the Properties of Known and Postulated Neutral Interstellar Molecules

In order to make new predictions for chemical rate coefficients for ion-molecule reactions, quantum chemical calculations were performed for about 200 neutral molecules with up to 12 atoms that are known or postulated to be present in interstellar or circumstellar sources. After optimizing equilibrium structures, dipole moment and dipole polarizability components were computed using the finite field approach. Properties were computed at the RCCSD(T) level with basis sets as large as aug-cc-pVTZ, depending upon the size of the molecule. Comparisons are made to existing experimental data, which are quite limited in the case of dipole polarizabilities.
Membrane-induced alterations in HIV-1 Gag and matrix protein-protein interactions.

The matrix (MA) domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) contains sequences that direct association with the nucleus at early times in the virus replication cycle and with the plasma membrane at late times in the cycle. Localization to these sites is critical for functions related to the establishment of the infecting provirus and viral assembly, respectively. Mutational and structural analyses indicate that the opposing targeting signals which mediate these subcellular localization events include the same basic residues found in the N-terminal region of the protein. Here, we examined protein multimerization as a determinant of membrane association. Under high ionic strength conditions, Gag, but not MA, binds phospholipid membranes with high affinity. The oligomerization state of the protein per se did not appear to be a prerequisite for stable membrane binding, as Gag and MA were both capable of forming oligomers in high ionic strength buffer. To determine the fate of Gag and MA multimers in the presence of phospholipid membranes in real time, we measured resonance energy transfer between oligomer subunits in the presence and absence of lipid. The presence of phospholipid significantly increased the efficiency of resonance energy transfer between Gag molecules, consistent with enhanced Gag multimerization. This suggests that Gag oligomers assembled on the membrane surface and correlated with the observed stability of membrane binding. In contrast, the efficiency of resonance energy transfer between MA molecules decreased, indicating that MA oligomers dissociated in the presence of membrane, consistent with observed unstable binding. Identical results were obtained whether the probes were covalently attached to a Lys residue in Gag or to residues specifically within the MA domain of Gag; whether the fluorophore was rhodamine or fluorescein; or whether hetero- or homotransfer was measured. The results suggest that phospholipid induces alterations in Gag and MA protein-protein interactions that may contribute to the puzzling ability of MA to direct targeting functions requiring alternately membrane binding and membrane dissociation. The results also suggest that regions downstream of the MA domain in the precursor, or conformations formed after maturation of MA, play a critical role in oligomerization-modulated membrane binding.
A neural-network approach to the problem of photon-pair combinatorics

Abstract A neural-network approach is applied to the problem of correctly pairing photons from π 0 , η, and higher resonance decays in the presence of a large background of photons resulting from many simultaneous decays. The method uses the full information of the multiphoton final state to suppress the selection of false photon pairs which arise from the many combinatorial possibilities. The method is demonstrated for simulated high photon multiplicity events under realistic experimental conditions. The applicability and limitations of this method, or similar methods which use the full event information, are discussed.
Kinetics of cycle length dependence of ventricular repolarization: effect of autonomic blockade

INTRODUCTION: Beat-to-beat adaptation of ventricular repolarization duration to cardiac cycle length and autonomic activity has not been previously characterized in the spontaneously beating human heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ECG of 14 healthy subjects was recorded from the supine and upright positions. Autonomic blockade was accomplished by atropine and propranolol. RR and RT intervals were measured by a computer algorithm, and the impulse response (h) from RR to RT computed. In the supine position the maximal adjustment of the RT interval occurred in the first beat following a change in cycle length (hpeak = 17.8 +/- 1.6 msec/sec), but continued to be detectable for 3.8 seconds (2.9-4.7 sec). Propranolol attenuated the peak impulse response to 15.8 +/- 4.0 msec/sec (P = NS). In the standing position the peak impulse response was increased to 25.2 +/- 5.0 msec/sec (P = 0.004 vs supine), and the impulse response duration (hdur) shortened to 1.4 seconds (1.3-1.6). This was reversed by beta blockade (hpeak = 10.7 +/- 3.6 [P = 0.005 vs standing]; hdur = 5.5 sec [4.8-6.1]). Parasympathetic and combined autonomic blockade resulted in too little residual heart rate variability to estimate the impulse response accurately. The slope of the regression of delta RT and delta RR in the supine position was 0.0177 +/- 0.0016, which was closely correlated with the peak impulse response (r = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: System identification techniques can assist in characterizing the cycle dependence of ventricular repolarization and may provide new insights into conditions associated with abnormal repolarization.
Light-dark variations in ocular timolol concentrations following topical solution installation in the pigmented rabbit

The objective of this study was to determine whether ocular absorption of topically applied timolol in the pigmented rabbit varied with the time of drop instillation. Twenty-five microliters of a 0.65% timolol maleate solution were instilled in the pigmented rabbit eye at 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100, 2400, or 0300 hr. Timolol concentrations in the conjunctiva, sclera, corneal epithelium, corneal stroma, aqueous humor, and iris-ciliary body at 15 and 30 min post-dosing were monitored using reversed phase HPLC. Ocular timolol concentrations were higher when the drug was administered during the light period (0900-1800 hr) than when it was administered during the dark period (1800-0600 hr). There exist, therefore, light-dark variations in the ocular absorption of topically applied timolol.
Women's Benevolent Sexism as Reaction to Hostility:

Grounded in the theory of ambivalent sexism, this study tested the speculation that women's benevolent sexist attitudes may be, in part, a self-protective response to environments they perceive as ...
Exhaled nitric oxide correlates with experimental lung transplant rejection

Abstract Background . Increased nitric oxide production accompanies acute lung allograft rejection. Transforming growth factor-β1 is an immunosuppressive cytokine capable of ameliorating acute rejection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) concentrations correlated with the degree of acute rejection. Methods . A model of acute lung transplant rejection in the rat was developed, and concentrations of eNO were measured at the time of animal sacrifice. In group 1 (partial immunosuppression), donor lungs were pretreated with transforming growth factor-β1 before implantation. In group 2 (fulminant acute rejection), no immunosuppression was used. In group 3 (full immunosuppression), recipients received cyclosporine. Group 4 were normal rats. Results . When measured from both lungs, eNO concentrations were 4.97 ± 0.68 versus 6.73 ± 2.90 ppb for groups 1 and 2, respectively ( p = 0.58). When measured selectively from transplanted left lungs, eNO concentrations were 8.61 ± 0.97 versus 42.14 ± 7.27 ppb, respectively ( p Conclusions . Exhaled nitric oxide is elevated in fulminant acute rejection, is reduced after partial immunosuppression using transforming growth factor-β1 gene therapy, and is in the normal range in cyclosporine-treated animals. The measurement of eNO correlates with the degree of acute lung allograft rejection and may serve as a noninvasive measure of acute lung transplant rejection in the clinical setting.
Glioblastoma multiforme: Can neural stem cells deliver the therapeutic payload and fulfill the clinical promise?

Expert Rev. Neurother. 11(6), xxx–xxx (2011) “The available preclinical data strongly argues in favor of the hypothesis that a stem cell-based delivery system can be clinically effective in targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to the disseminated tumor burden in the brain” Neural stem cells (NSCs) are defined as progenitor cells of the CNS. They have the capacity for self-renewal and multipotent potential to differentiate into three major types of CNS cells: neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Recently, NSCs have received a great deal of attention owing to their therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative and oncologic diseases. It has been speculated for many years that it may be possible to formulate a novel cell replacement platform for these diseases by harnessing NSC’s multipotent nature. In
Relation between cartilage volume and meniscal contact in medial osteoarthritis of the knee.

Background The purpose was to determine the relationship between the cartilage volumes in different regions of the femur and tibia, and the lengths of contacts between the meniscus and cartilage. The rationale was that less meniscal contact would make the cartilage more susceptible to loss of volume due to degeneration and wear.
Depression, impulsivity and health-related disability: A moderated mediation analysis

Abstract The goal of the current study is to examine how impulsivity affects the relationship between depression and health-related disability. Specifically, we examined impulsivity as a possible moderator of this relationship, as well as alcohol use, smoking, and binge eating as possible mediators. The study utilized the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys (N = 20,013, mean age = 43.38, female = 57.3%). We conducted a series of moderated mediation analyses to test hypotheses. In all analyses, the relationship between depression and health-related disability was mediated by each maladaptive coping behavior, and the relationship between depression and the behavior was moderated by impulsivity. The study supports the utility of examining the individual difference mechanisms that might drive the relationship between depression and health-related disability.
Changes in urinary bladder cytokine mRNA and protein after cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis

Cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis alters micturition function and produces reorganization of the micturition reflex. This reorganization may involve cytokine expression in the urinary bladder...
The Effect of High Density Lipoprotein Phospholipid Acyl Chain Composition on the Efflux of Cellular Free Cholesterol

High density lipoprotein (HDL) phospholipid (PL) fatty acyl chain composition has been proposed to affect the ability of HDL to participate in the first step of reverse cholesterol transport. To examine the effects of PL fatty acid chain length and degree of unsaturation in this process, reconstituted HDL (rHDL) particles were made with human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and PL containing fatty acid chains from 14 to 18 carbons in length, which were either fully saturated or unsaturated in one or both chains. These particles were characterized structurally and for their ability to promote free (unesterified) cholesterol (FC) efflux from cells growing in culture. The discoidal rHDL particles were homogeneous and exhibited similar hydrodynamic diameters (10.4 ± 1.0 nm) indicating that apoA-I forms similarly sized discs with a variety of PL. Measurements of particle surface charge, apoA-I α-helix content, and conformational stability indicated that the conformation of apoA-I varies among the particles. These conformational effects on apoA-I are consistent with the PL fluidity influencing the interaction between the amphipathic α-helical segments and PL acyl chains. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that the physical state of the rHDL PL at 37°C varied according to acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation; the FC efflux efficiencies for particles with PL in either the gel or liquid crystal states were determined. The ability of the rHDL to accept cellular FC depended on the physical state of the PL in the rHDL. Liquid crystal PL formed the most efficient FC acceptor particles exhibiting a maximal efflux velocity (Vmax) of 12-14% release of total cellular FC per h. Gel-phase PL formed inefficient rHDL acceptors with a Vmax of about 3%/h. A similar hierarchy of FC efflux efficiency was noted when either mouse L-cells or rat Fu5AH hepatoma cells were used as the FC donors. Furthermore, this hierarchy was found to be due to the characteristics of the PL and not due to variable apoA-I conformation because protein-free, small unilamellar vesicles made with the same PL exhibited similar relative efflux capabilities. Generally, the ability of a given rHDL particle to accept cellular FC was related to rHDL PL acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation; decreases in PL acyl chain length and increases in chain unsaturation tended to result in more efficient FC acceptor particles. These results suggest that rHDL acceptor particles that contain highly fluid surfaces sequester FC molecules that have diffused from the cell plasma membrane at a significantly faster rate than those containing highly organized lipid surfaces with restricted PL acyl chain mobility. This information forms a basis for understanding the role of lipid content in the structural and functional diversity of HDL.
Salesperson Perceptions of Ethical Behaviors: Their Influence on Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions

In the academic world, research has indicated that “good ethics is good business.” Such research seems to indicate that firms, which emphasize ethical values and social responsibilities, tend to be more profitable than others. Generally, the profitability is credited to the firm’s positive relationships with its customers, reduced costs of attempting to rebuild a tarnished image, ease of attracting capital, etc. The research conducted in this study evaluated salespeople’s perceptions of the ethics of businesses in general, their employer’s ethics, their attitudes as consumers, and the relationships existing between these perceptions and the sale force’s job satisfaction and turnover intentions. The results show a positive relationship existing between salesperson perceptions of business ethics, his/her employer’s ethics, consumer attitudes, and the salesperson’s job satisfaction and reduced turnover intentions.
Handling Low Frequency Drifting Background Noise in Data from a Swept-Potential Electrochemical Detector

The quality of measurements obtained from high-performance liquid chromatography using electrochemical detection is often obscured by both the low-frequency drifting background noise and the high-frequency background noise. While the quality of measurements can be greatly improved by digital filtering techniques which are capable of minimizing high-frequency noise, these techniques are very limited in handling low-frequency drifting background noise. A method for effectively performing background correction (the moving band method) has been developed and applied to a few chemical systems which were studied in our laboratory. The method examines each sweep (chromatograms or voltammogram) for the presence of the analyte peak. Once the peak has been detected, the base of the peak is then generated by interpolation and then refined visually by adjusting the base peak width. The generated base, along with the data points which do not contain the peaks, constitutes the background of that sweep. This background is then subtracted from the original sweep, leaving the analyte signal on a flat baseline. Before the method is applied to a sweep, high-frequency noise is removed by fast Fourier transforms digital filtering. The moving band method is tested and evaluated using data matrices of nitrophenols and catecholamines at concentrations of about 5.0 ng/10 μL where the drifting background noise is significant. The quality of the data matrices is greatly improved due to the improved signal-to-noise ratios.
Development of Molecular Probes for the Identification of Extra Interaction Sites in the Mid-Gorge and Peripheral Sites of Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Rational Design of Novel, Selective, and Highly Potent BuChE Inhibitors†

Tacrine heterobivalent ligands were designed as novel and reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases. On the basis of the investigation of the active site gorge topology of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and by using flexible docking procedures, molecular modeling studies formulated the hypothesis of extra interaction sites in the active gorge of hBuChE, namely, a mid-gorge interaction site and a peripheral interaction site. The design strategy led to novel BuChE inhibitors, balancing potency and selectivity. Among the compounds identified, the heterobivalent ligand 4m, containing an amide nitrogen and a sulfur atom at the 8-membered tether level, is one of the most potent and selective BuChE inhibitors described to date. The novel inhibitors, bearing postulated key features, validated the hypothesis of the presence of extra interaction sites within the hBuChE active site gorge.
A scalable, power-efficient broadcast algorithm for wireless networks

Scalability and power-efficiency are two of the most important design challenges in wireless ad hoc networks. In this paper, we present a scalable, power-efficient broadcast algorithm for wireless ad hoc networks. We first investigate the trade-off between (i) reaching more nodes in a single hop using higher transmission power and (ii) reaching fewer nodes using lower transmission power and relaying messages through multiple hops. Our analysis indicates that multi-hop broadcast is more power-efficient if α ≥ 2.2, where α is the path loss exponent in the power consumption model P(r, α) = c0 ċ rα + c1. Based on the analysis, we then propose Broadcast over Local Spanning Subgraph (BLSS). In BLSS, an underlying topology is first constructed by a localized topology control algorithm, Fault-Tolerant Local Spanning Subgraph (FLSS). FLSS can preserve k- connectivity of the network, where the value of k determines the degree of fault tolerance. Broadcast messages are then simply relayed through the derived topology in a constrained flooding fashion. BLSS is fully localized, scalable, power-efficient, and fault-tolerant. Simulation results show that the performance of BLSS is comparable to that of centralized algorithms.
Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries and Subsequent Load on the Anterior Cruciate Ligament A Biomechanical Evaluation in a Cadaveric Model

BackgroundNumerous studies have documented the effect of complete medial collateral ligament injury on anterior cruciate ligament loads; few have addressed how partial medial collateral ligament disruption affects knee kinematics.PurposeTo determine knee kinematics and subsequent change in anterior cruciate ligament load in a partial and complete medial collateral ligament injury model.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsTen human cadaveric knees were sequentially tested by a robot with the medial collateral ligament intact, in a partial injury model, and in a complete injury model with a universal force-moment sensor measuring system. Tibial translation, rotation, and anterior cruciate ligament load were measured under 3 conditions: anterior load (125 N), valgus load (10 N·m), and internal-external rotation torque (4 N·m; all at 0° and 30° of flexion).ResultsAnterior and posterior translation did not statistically increase with a partial or complete medial collateral ligament injury at 0° and ...
Antigen Processing and Autoimmunity: Evaluation of mRNA Abundance and Function of HLA-linked Genesa

Abstract: Quantitative defects in the density of conformationally correct human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) class I complexes on the surface of lymphocytes are apparent in patients with diverse HLA-linked autoimmune diseases, including Type I diabetes and Sjogren's syndrome. First, HLA class I expression was investigated in individuals with two rare and genetically divergent polyglandular autoimmune diseases. Polyglandular failure patients whose disease showed HLA linkage, but not those whose disease was not HLA linked, exhibited decreased HLA class I expression on the surface of their lymphocytes as well as a reduced abundance of transcripts of the HLA-linked genes Tap1 and Tap2, both of which encode proteins that contribute to HLA class I processing. Second, lymphocytes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Sjogren's syndrome, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's disease showed varying degrees of decreased abundance of mRNAs that encode Tap1, Tap2, Lmp2, or Lmp7 (the latter two proteins also contribute to HLA class I processing). Third, in twins discordant for IDDM, reduced transcript abundance was preferential to diabetic subjects. Fourth, functional assays of isolated diabetic proteasomes, the peptide cutting complex containing LMP2 and LMP7 proteins, revealed altered peptidase activity. These data suggest that defective transcription of HLA class I-processing genes could contribute to the quantitative defect in cell-surface expression in autoimmune lymphocytes of HLA-controlled disease.
Remote data acquisition, control and analysis using LabVIEW front panel and real time engine

Students and faculty from South Carolina State University (SCSU) are collaborating with the staff at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) to allow the SMILEY radio telescope to be accessed and controlled over the SCSU Network and the Internet. National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW software package has been used to design a virtual instrument (VI) for the system that has a front panel that will request a users name and password to either view and/or control the SMILEY. To publish the Web page, students used hypertext markup language, Internet Protocol and a Uniform Resource Locator. The earlier versions of LabVIEW provided a number of VI options such as VI server, data socket server, and Visual Basic and Active X to design and develop modules for remote data acquisition and control, usually in a local network. It also required that both the client and server must have LabVIEW and design and development of modules for remote control using the Internet was more involved. The recent LabVIEW 6.1 version introduced remote front panels to view and control a VI in any Web browser. The objective is to discuss the design, development and testing of VI modules using LabVIEW front panel and real-time engine. This work was funded in part by a PAIR (Partnership Award for the Integration of Research) grant from NASA-MURED to SCSU under NCC 5-454.
Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty Implant Utilization in the United States

Abstract Total hip arthroplasty (THA) implant usage has evolved as experience has been gained with newer implant designs. The purpose of this study was to characterize trends in THA implant usage between 2001 and 2012. The Orthopedic Research Network, which includes 174 hospitals and ~ 105,000 THA, was used to evaluate trends in fixation, bearings, acetabular cup and liner, and femoral head usage. In 2012, 93% of THAs were cementless; 56% of THA bearings were metal-HXLPE; and 35% were ceramic-HXLPE. 99% of acetabular cups were modular. 61% of femoral heads were metal, 39% were ceramic, 51% were 36 mm, and 28% were 32 mm. THA implant usage trends favor cementless fixation, metal-on-polyethylene or ceramic-on-polyethylene bearings, modular acetabular cups, and large diameter femoral heads.
The Response of Commercial Egg Production Stocks to Experimental Infection With Eimeria tenella and its Relation to Field Mortality

Abstract INTRODUCTION MUCH information has been accumulated concerning the performance of commercial egg production stocks with respect to a variety of economic traits. A particularly valuable source of information has been the various Random Sample egg production tests. Although variation between stocks in the occurrence of mortality has been observed, there is by the nature of the tests little information concerning response to specific pathogens. The Random Sample tests do not provide a highly sensitive means of detecting differences in survivability since the incidence of mortality due to pathogens is dependent upon natural exposure. In addition, more or less strenuous control measures are directed at certain diseases. These factors have evidently led to a large amount of stock × environment interaction which has contributed to the very low repeatability estimates for mortality data (A.R.S., U.S.D.A., 1961–1966). This study was designed to measure the response of a series of Random Sample . . .
Amelioration of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: Effect of islet isografts on plasma lipids and other metabolic abnormalities

Abstract Administration of streptozotocin in rats results in many metabolic abnormalities, including hyperlipidemia. Plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, and glucose levels were compared in normal rats, in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and in streptozotocin-injected rats ameliorated of diabetes 1 mo later by transplantation of adult or neonatal islets to the liver or the lung. Mean plasma glucose levels were 98 ± 4 mg/dl in normal rats, 504 ± 36 mg/dl in untreated diabetic rats, and 139 ± 18, 146 ± 9, and 117 ± 19 mg/dl in recipients of intraportal adult islets, intraportal neonatal islets, and i.v. neonatal islets, respectively; the glucose levels in the recipients of intraportal islets were significantly higher than in normal rats. Mean plasma insulin levels were 23 ± 4 μU/ml in normal rats, 12 ± 5 μU/ml in diabetic rats, and 46 ± 14, 84 ± 25, and 30 ± 5 μU/ml in recipients of intraportal adult islets, intraportal neonatal islets, and i.v. neonatal islets, respectively; the insulin levels in the recipients of intraportal islets were also significantly higher than those in normal rats. Mean plasma triglyceride levels were 35 ± 3 mg/dl in normal rats, 280 ± 72 mg/dl in diabetic rats, and 49 ± 9, 58 ± 8, and 70 ± 4 mg/dl in recipients of intraportal adult islets, intraportal neonatal islets, and i.v. neonatal islets, respectively; the levels in recipients of neonatal islets were significantly higher than those in normal rats. Mean plasma cholesterol levels were 122 ± 10 mg/dl in normal rats, 88 ± 13 mg/dl in diabetic rats, and 105 ± 10, 166 ± 19, and 114 ± 18 mg/dl in recipients of intraportal adult islets, intraportal neonatal islets, and i.v. neonatal islets, respectively; the levels were significantly higher than normal only for the group receiving neonatal islet tissue via the portal vein. Islet transplantation ameliorated diabetes, but mild hyperglycemia persisted even though plasma insulin levels were elevated above normal in recipients of intraportal islets. In addition, plasma triglyceride levels remained slightly elevated after transplantation of neonatal islets, and cholesterol levels were elevated in the group with the highest insulin levels. Possible mechanisms to explain the abnormalities after islet transplantation are discussed. The results indicate the difficulty in restoring completely normal metabolism by ectopic islet transplantation in diabetic recipients.
Input‐specific regulation of hippocampal circuit maturation by non‐muscle myosin IIB

Myh9 and Myh10, which encode two major isoforms of non-muscle myosin II expressed in the brain, have emerged as risk factors for developmental brain disorders. Myosin II motors regulate neuronal cytoskeletal dynamics leading to optimization of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. However, the role of these motor complexes in brain development remains poorly understood. Here, we disrupted the in vivo expression of Myh9 and/or Myh10 in developing hippocampal neurons to determine how these motors contribute to circuit maturation in this brain area important for cognition. We found that Myh10 ablation in early postnatal, but not mature, CA1 pyramidal neurons reduced excitatory synaptic function in the Schaffer collateral pathway, whereas more distal inputs to CA1 neurons were relatively unaffected. Myh10 ablation in young neurons also selectively impaired the elongation of oblique dendrites that receive Schaffer collateral inputs, whereas the structure of distal dendrites was normal. We observed normal spine density and spontaneous excitatory currents in these neurons, indicating that Myh10 KO impaired proximal pathway synaptic maturation through disruptions to dendritic development rather than post-synaptic strength or spine morphogenesis. To address possible redundancy and/or compensation by other Myosin II motors expressed in neurons, we performed similar experiments in Myh9 null neurons. In contrast to findings in Myh10 mutants, evoked synaptic function in young Myh9 KO hippocampal neurons was normal. Data obtained from double Myh9/Myh10 KO neurons largely resembled the MyH10 KO synaptic phenotype. These data indicate that Myosin IIB is a key molecular factor that guides input-specific circuit maturation in the developing hippocampus. Non-muscle myosin II is an actin binding protein with three isoforms in the brain (IIA, IIB and IIC) encoded by the myh9, myh10, and myh14 genes in mice, respectively. We have studied the structure and the function of hippocampal CA1 neurons missing NMIIB and/or NMIIA proteins at different times during development. We have discovered that NMIIB is the major isoform regulating Schaffer collateral inputs, and that this regulation is restricted to early postnatal development.
Nilotinib As Front-Line Treatment for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Early Chronic Phase

Purpose Although most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase respond well to front-line therapy with imatinib, some patients do not achieve the desirable end point, and others may eventually lose response or are intolerant. Patients and Methods Patients with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase were treated with nilotinib 400 mg twice daily on an empty stomach as initial therapy. Results Among 51 patients in chronic phase observed for at least 3 months, 50 (98%) achieved a complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR), and 39 (76%) achieved a major molecular response (MMR). Responses occurred rapidly, with 96% of patients achieving CCyR by 3 months and 98% achieving CCyR by 6 months. The projected event-free survival at 24 months is 90%, and all patients are alive after a median follow-up time of 17 months. Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia occurred in 12% of patients, and thrombocytopenia in occurred 11%. Nonhematologic toxicity was usually grade 1 to 2 and manageable. The actual median dose at 12 mon...
1,1,3,3‐Tetrabromoacetone

[22612-89-1] C3H2Br4O (MW 373.65) InChI = 1S/C3H2Br4O/c4-2(5)1(8)3(6)7/h2-3H InChIKey = SAMNBOHOBWEEEU-UHFFFAOYSA-N (a good source of the 1,3-dibromooxyallyl cation, a synthetic equivalent of the oxyallyl cation; especially useful for [4 + 3] cycloadditions1) Alternate Names: 1,1,3,3-tetrabromopropanone. Physical Data: bp 129–130 °C;7 mp 37–38 °C. Solubility: sol moderately polar to polar organic solvents. Form Supplied in: not commercially available and should be prepared as needed.2 Analysis of Reagent Purity: assay by NMR.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: powerful lachrymator; use in a fume hood. If contact with the skin occurs the affected area should be thoroughly washed with soap followed by a solution of sodium bicarbonate.3
Design of IP Media Accelerator

Multimedia processing is computation intensive and not efficient to be proceeded on current GPP (general purpose processor) based server architectures. In order to enhance the multimedia processing capability of servers, we propose a re-configurable multi-core platform for media and network acceleration. The platform is composed of DSP array and FP-GAs, and is compatible to IBM blade server specification. In this paper, we highlight the design challenge and present the hardware and software design of this accelerator. The prototype of IP Media Server (IMS) is implemented on this platform, which completes the essential functions of voice conference application. The first-stage test results are presented and the perspective of future work is proposed.
Prevalence, Awareness, and Management of Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes Among United States Adults Aged 65 and Older

HYPERTENSION, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality (1). Adults aged 65 and older are disproportionately affected by these factors, and although they make up only 12% of the total United States (U.S.) population, they incur 62% of national health care expenses for heart conditions (2,3). CVD risk reduction strategies among older adults can lead to a decline in premature CVD morbidity and mortality (4–7). However, the past decade has shown a general increase in CVD risk factors in this population along with suboptimal control rates. CVD mortality remains the number one cause of death among adults aged 65 and older, accounting for 31% of all deaths in this age group in 2003 (8–11). The prevalence and management (treatment and control) of cardiovascular risk factors among elderly people aged 65 and older has not been well described, yet this population will nearly double from 37 million in 2005 to 72 million in 2030 (2,12) presenting challenges to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which provides the primary health insurance program, Medicare, to most of these adults. Knowledge of the current magnitude of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in this population is important for health care resource allocation, disease management, and education (13,14). The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized adults providing data on a wide variety of health conditions through in-person interviews at home, followed by clinical examinations and laboratory tests in a mobile examination center (15). This study presents national-level data from the NHANES 1999–2004 to estimate the prevalence, awareness, pharmacologic treatment, and control of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes among adults 65 years of age and older. A number of publications have used the NHANES 2003–2004 data to report on aspects of hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes in selected subpopulations; however, these have not specifically addressed awareness, treatment, and control in adults aged 65 and older (8,9,16–19). Our study updates the current literature with analyses of these three cardiovascular risk factors, combining the NHANES 2003–2004 with the NHANES 1999–2002 data in order to present a more robust sample. Prevalence estimates in this study are based on clinical examination rather than self-reported data; therefore, prevalence rates for each condition include diagnosed and undiagnosed disease. We also present predictors of awareness, treatment, and control for these three CVD risk factors.
Robust adaptive optimal control modification with large adaptive gain

A new adaptive control modification is presented that can achieve robust adaptation with a large adaptive gain without incurring high-frequency oscillations as with the standard model-reference adaptive control. The modification is based on an optimal control formulation that minimizes the L 2 norm of the tracking error. The optimality condition is used to derive the modification using the gradient method. The adaptive optimal control modification results in a stable adaptation and allows a large adaptive gain to be used for better tracking performance with improved stability robustness. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modification.
Drug information--the systematic approach: continuing education article.

Proper drug information (DI) skills are essential for being a competent pharmacy practitioner. To effectively manage DI queries and clinical dilemmas, the practitioner should follow a systematic ap...
Cellular Oxidative Efficiency: A New Approach to Calculating Theoretical P/O Ratios

2 Acknowledgements 3 Introduction 5 Purpose 17 Methods 18 Results 26 Discussion 30 References 43 Tables 47 Figures 50 Appendix 1 59 Appendix 2 63
Main Facts of the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

This a review of the main issues involving the oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010 in the Deepwater Horizon platform owned by British Petroleum. A general description of the main facts that occurred, supported by images and a brief description, since the spill began to the date when it was finally controlled on July 15. It contains brief comments on future consequences.
Photoionization and electron-impact ionization of Ar 5 +

Absolute cross sections for photoionization and electron-impact ionization of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{5+}$ have been measured using two different interacting-beams setups. The spectra consist of measurements of the yield of products due to single ionization as a function of electron or photon energy. In addition, absolute photoionization and electron-impact ionization cross sections were measured to normalize the measured ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{6+}$ product-ion yield spectra. In the energy range from $90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}111\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, both electron-impact ionization and photoionization of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{5+}$ are dominated by indirect $3s$ subshell excitation-autoionization. In the energy range from $270\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}285\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, resonances due to $2p\text{\ensuremath{-}}3d$ excitation-autoionization are prominent in the photoionization spectrum. In the range from $225\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}335\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, an enhancement due to $2p\text{\ensuremath{-}}nl$ $(ng2)$ excitations are evident in the electron-impact ionization cross section. The electron and photon impact data show some features due to excitation of the same intermediate autoionizing states.
THE EFFECT OF WAVES ON THE PROFILE OF A NATURAL BEACH

A 60-day field study was conducted on a selected natural beach in which the beach profile was measured daily and the waves incident upon the profile were recorded continuously. Beach and wave parameters derived from the field data were empirically combined to yield: (a) quantitative relationships between the change in the profile and the-average deepwater wave steepness and wave power over a lunar day (24.8 hours) given the profile at the beginning of the period, (b) equilibrium profiles for different values of wave steepness, (c) an empirical relationship between wave steepness and wave power which agrees well with theory, and (d) rates at which the beach profile approached equilibrium for given initial conditions of non-equilibrium. Using the relationship developed between beach change and wave steepness, hindcasts were made of the day-to-day sand elevation at a selected location near the middle of the profile and were found to agree fairly well with the observed sand level.
ESCRT-III activation by parallel action of ESCRT-I/II and ESCRT-0/Bro1 during MVB biogenesis

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway facilitates multiple fundamental membrane remodeling events. Previously, we determined X-ray crystal structures of ESCRT-III subunit Snf7, the yeast CHMP4 ortholog, in its active and polymeric state (Tang et al., 2015). However, how ESCRT-III activation is coordinated by the upstream ESCRT components at endosomes remains unclear. Here, we provide a molecular explanation for the functional divergence of structurally similar ESCRT-III subunits. We characterize novel mutations in ESCRT-III Snf7 that trigger activation, and identify a novel role of Bro1, the yeast ALIX ortholog, in Snf7 assembly. We show that upstream ESCRTs regulate Snf7 activation at both its N-terminal core domain and the C-terminus α6 helix through two parallel ubiquitin-dependent pathways: the ESCRT-I-ESCRT-II-Vps20 pathway and the ESCRT-0-Bro1 pathway. We therefore provide an enhanced understanding for the activation of the spatially unique ESCRT-III-mediated membrane remodeling.