cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An object-oriented taxonomy of medical data presentations.

A variety of methods have been proposed for presenting medical data visually on computers. Discussion of and comparison among these methods have been hindered by a lack of consistent terminology. A taxonomy of medical data presentations based on object-oriented user interface principles is presented. Presentations are divided into five major classes—list, table, graph, icon, and generated text. These are subdivided into eight subclasses with simple inheritance and four subclasses with multiple inheritance. The various subclasses are reviewed and examples are provided. Issues critical to the development and evaluation of presentations are also discussed.
On the Relationship of Dielectrophoresis and Electrowetting

Electrostatic fields have two observable effects upon the hydrostatics of liquids. These are (i) a net force exerted on the liquid if the electric field is nonuniform and (ii) a change in the contact angle. For the case of electrodes coated with thin layers of dielectric material, both of these effects are most certainly electromechanical in nature. Though often seen to occur together, the bulk electromechanical and electrowetting effects are distinct and can be expected to occur independently under proper conditions. A derivation using the methods of lumped parameter electromechanics demonstrates that the net force on a liquid mass situated between two parallel, coated electrodes can be determined with no reference to the actual shape of the meniscus. By the very nature of its derivation, this electrostatic force cannot be localized as to where it acts on the liquid. The conclusion is that the term “electrowetting” should be restricted in its use to denote the effect of the electric field upon the contac...
Electronics insertion into printed antennas

Although antennas are followed by RF front ends made of electronic components in most radio communication and radar systems, they are typically separated in design and fabrication. This paper provides some effort to unify these two entities to create new avenues for efficient system design. The paper provides examples in two categories; active integrated antennas, and retrodirective systems. In the first category, both antennas and electronic devices are benefiting from each other by placing the device within or in close proximity of the antenna. The latter typically provides circuit functions in addition to radiation capability. The second category is an interesting system capable of providing special radiation properties from the system in which antennas and devices work together.
Protein kinase A-mediated CREB phosphorylation is an oxidant-induced survival pathway in alveolar type II cells

Oxidant stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases, including fibrotic lung disease and cancer. We previously found that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) initiates an increase in Ca2+/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in C10 alveolar type II cells that requires activation of extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Here, we investigated the role of crosstalk between protein kinase A (PKA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in oxidant-induced signaling to ERK1/2 and CREB in C10 cells. Application of H2O2 increased nuclear accumulation of PKA, and inhibition of PKA with H89 reduced oxidant-mediated phosphorylation of both CREB and ERK1/2. Single cell measurements of cAMP and redox status, using a FRET-based biosensor and a redox-sensitive GFP, respectively, indicated that H2O2 increases production of cAMP that correlates with redox state. Inhibition of EGFR activity decreased both H2O2-induced CREB phosphorylation and translocation of PKA to the nucleus, suggesting that crosstalk between PKA and EGFR underlies the oxidant-induced CREB response. Furthermore, knockdown of CREB expression using siRNA led to a decrease in bcl-2 and an increase in oxidant-induced apoptosis. Together these data reveal a novel role for crosstalk between PKA, ERK1/2 and CREB that mediates cell survival during oxidant stress.
Cross Flow in a Starved EHD Contact

An analysis of lubrication cross flow effects under starved elastohydrodynamic conditions is presented. Starvation is defined as any operating condition such that an increase in oil available to the contact will result in an increase in film thickness. Starved EHD behavior is considered in several situations: (1) when no new oil enters the contact, and (2) when a step change in one of the rolling parameters is introduced at an equilibrium contact. Based on the fact that important oil flow within the Hertz zone is across the rolling contact direction, it is possible to formulate a simple theory which explains quantitatively some aspects of starved ball bearing behavior.
SUPPLEMENTAL POLLINATION - INCREASING OLIVE (OLEA EUROPAEA) YIELDS IN HOT, ARID ENVIRONMENTS

SUMMARY In general, olive trees are self-compatible, but under some climatic conditions a number of cultivars have demonstrated problems with pollination and fruit set. The Manzanillo cultivar is usually self-pollinating, but under hot conditions its pollen develops slowly, resulting in little or no fertilization. Trials were carried out in two hot, arid ecosystems (Arid Chaco in La Rioja, Argentina and Sonoran Desert in Arizona, USA) to determine if supplemental pollination of a Manzanillo cultivar has the potential to increase yields, and to assess the effectiveness of three different cultivars as sources of pollen. Branches that received supplemental pollination produced 21 % more total olives than the control. In Arizona, total olive and shotberry (unpollinated olive) production were significantly different between treatments. Branches that received supplemental pollination produced 98 % more olives, and had 58 % fewer shotberries than did branches in the control rows. Significantly more olives were produced on branches pollinated with Sevillano and Arbequina pollen, compared with those pollinated with Ascolano pollen and with the control.
Quantification of vertebral bone marrow fat content using 3 tesla MR spectroscopy: Reproducibility, vertebral variation, and applications in osteoporosis

Purpose: To determine the reproducibility of proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for assessing vertebral bone marrow adiposity at 3 Tesla (T); to evaluate variation of marrow adiposity at different vertebral levels; and to demonstrate the feasibility of using 1H-MRS at 3T for evaluating marrow adiposity in subjects with low bone density. Materials and Methods: Single voxel MRS was acquired at vertebral body L1 to L4 at 3T in 51 postmenopausal females including healthy controls (n = 13) and patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia (n = 38). Marrow fat contents were compared between vertebral levels and between groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Six subjects were scanned twice to evaluate technique reproducibility. Results: The average coefficient of variation of vertebral marrow fat content quantification was 1.7%. Marrow fat content significantly increased from L1 to L4. The average fat content was significantly elevated in patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia compared with controls, adjusted for age and body mass index (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In vivo MRS at high field strength provides reliable measurement of marrow adiposity with excellent reproducibility and can be a valuable tool for providing complementary information on bone quality and potentially also fracture risk. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:974–979. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How Are Athletic Directors Rewarded in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision

Intercollegiate athletics has been a source of ongoing controversy regarding the potential conflict in pursuing athletic success while maintaining academic standards. This study examines the implic...
Assessment of Equation Solvers and Optimization Techniques for Nonaxisymmetric Liners

CPU times and memory requirements for a commonly used solver are compared to that of a state-of-the-art, parallel, sparse solver. The sparse solver is then used in conjunction with three optimization methodologies (genetic algorithm, contour deformation, and Davidon‐Fletcher‐Powell) to assess the usefulness of these methodologies for designing optimized nonaxisymmetric liners. This assessment is performed using a multimodal noise source in a finite length rectangular duct without flow. The sparse solver is found to reduce memory requirements by a factor of 5 and processing time by a factor of 11 when compared with the commonly used solver. All three optimization techniques give nearly the same optimum impedance for uniform liners, and this impedance approaches the Cremer optimum impedance at low frequency where only the plane wave mode is cuton. For nonaxisymmetric liners, the genetic algorithm gives improvements in optimum attenuation over the other optimization methodologies because of the presence of multiple local optima. Another important result is the discovery that, when optimized, a spanwise segmented liner with two segments gives attenuations equal to or substantially greater than an optimized axially segmented liner with the same number of segments.
Synthesis, optical, and photocatalytic properties of cobalt mixed-metal spinel oxides Co(Al1−xGax)2O4

Cobalt mixed-metal spinel oxides, Co(Al1−xGax)2O4, have been predicted to exhibit promising properties as photocatalysts for solar energy conversion. In this work, Co(Al1−xGax)2O4 were synthesized with a range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 via both single-source and multi-source routes. Single-source molecular precursors, [Co{M(OtBu)4}2] (M = Al or Ga), were decomposed at 300 °C to form amorphous oxides. Multi-source precursors, stoichiometric mixtures of metal acetylacetonate (acac) complexes, were used to form nanocrystalline spinel materials. Both were subsequently converted to bulk spinel products by annealing at 1000 °C. The properties of materials fabricated from the single-source and multi-source synthetic routes were compared by analysing data from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, and gas sorption measurements. The X-ray diffraction data of the materials showed ideal solid solution behavior that followed Vegard's law for both routes, with the multi-source route giving more crystalline bulk material than the single-source route. UV-vis absorbance data revealed that the absorption onset energies of Co(Al1−xGax)2O4 decreased monotonically with increasing x (from 1.84 eV for x = 0 to 1.76 eV for x = 1 from the single-source method; 1.75 eV for x = 0 to 1.70 eV for x = 1 from the multi-source method). The photocatalytic activities of the spinel oxides were evaluated via the photodegradation of methyl orange and phenol, which showed that the photoactivity of Co(Al0.5Ga0.5)2O4 was dependent on both pH and substrate. Remarkably, under appropriate substrate binding conditions (pH 3 with methyl orange), low energy (<2.5 eV) ligand–field transitions contributed between 46 and 72% of the photoactivity of Co(Al0.5Ga0.5)2O4 prepared from the multi-source route.
Financial Benefit of Retrofitting Seismic-Risk Buildings with Passive Control Devices

A new decision-support model is developed for making well-informed retrofit decisions in seismic-risk management of structures retrofitted with passive control devices (PCD). Optimal design of passively damped structures in highly seismic environments requires not only choosing the most cost-effective approach from a series of alternatives but also defining the risk associated with each retrofit alternative. Thus, unlike previous works in PCD optimization, the proposed decisionsupport tool uses multi-criteria genetic algorithm to maximize the overall economic benefit of structural control system through different measures of risk that reflects physical and economical uncertainties, as well as the attitudes of decision makers. Risk measure characterizes the risk tolerance of the decision makers and allows the evolution of rational design or retrofit strategies that depend upon the level of risk aversion to low probability-high impact events. Through a review of different risk measures, a uniform and robust multi-criteria decision tool is created to:  provide a systematic and efficient approach for quantifying and evaluating the trade-offs between key decision components (i.e., benefit, cost, performance level, and risk) and deciding on optimal design /retrofit alternatives, therefore suggests a more efficient investment allocations for mitigation of existing structures  enable a decision maker to more accurately assess how the risk preferences affect the overall design/retrofit alternatives Besides presenting an outline of the risk-based computational framework, the paper includes numerical simulations to emphasize the financial benefits of using passive control devices to make retrofit decisions regarding seismic safety.
Vanilloid receptors presynaptically modulate cranial visceral afferent synaptic transmission in nucleus tractus solitarius

Although the central terminals of cranial visceral afferents express vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1), little is known about their functional properties at this first synapse within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). Here, we examined whether VR1 modulates afferent synaptic transmission. In horizontal brainstem slices, solitary tract (ST) activation evoked EPSCs. Monosynaptic EPSCs had low synaptic jitter (SD of latency to successive shocks) averaging 84.03 ± 3.74 μsec ( n = 72) and were completely blocked by the non-NMDA antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfonyl-benzo[ f ]quinoxaline (NBQX). Sustained exposure to the VR1 agonist capsaicin (CAP; 100 nm) blocked ST EPSCs (CAP-sensitive) in some neurons but not others (CAP-resistant). CAP-sensitive EPSCs had longer latencies than CAP-resistant EPSCs (4.65 ± 0.27 msec, n = 48 vs 3.53 ± 0.28 msec, n = 24, respectively; p = 0.011), but they had similar jitter. CAP evoked two transient responses in CAP-sensitive neurons: a rapidly developing inward current ( I cap) (108.1 ± 22.9 pA; n = 21) and an increase in spontaneous synaptic activity. After 3–5 min in CAP, I cap subsided and ST EPSCs disappeared. NBQX completely blocked I cap. The VR1 antagonist capsazepine (10–20 μm) attenuated CAP responses. Anatomically, second-order NTS neurons were identified by 4-(4-dihexadecylamino)styryl)- N -methylpyridinium iodide transported from the cervical aortic depressor nerve (ADN) to stain central terminals. Neurons with fluorescent ADN contacts had CAP-sensitive EPSCs ( n = 5) with latencies and jitter similar to those of unlabeled monosynaptic neurons. Thus, consistent with presynaptic VR1 localization, CAP selectively activates a subset of ST axons to release glutamate that acts on non-NMDA receptors. Because the CAP sensitivity of cranial afferents is exclusively associated with unmyelinated axons, VR1 identifies C-fiber afferent pathways within the brainstem.
Effects of dietary inulin on serum lipids, blood glucose and the gastrointestinal environment in hypercholesterolemic men

Abstract Inulin is a complex carbohydrate that belongs to a class of compounds known as fructans. Inulin has been consumed in plant sources by mankind for centuries, and is most concentrated in chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, leek and onion. It can be extracted from purified concentrated sources such as chicory root, and used to enhance the technological and nutritional properties of foods. Inulin is thought to share many of the properties of soluble dietary fibers, such as the ability to lower blood lipids and stabilize blood glucose. Additionally, inulin has been shown to enhance the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and enhance the gut environment. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a commercially available inulin from chicory root (degree of polymerization (DP) ranging between 2 and 60, modal DP=9) in men with hypercholesterolemia on serum parameters and fecal composition. The study was a randomized, double blind, crossover design with no washout period. Twelve men were randomly assigned to two controlled diets that differed only in that the control diet contained one pint of vanilla ice cream made with sucrose while the inulin containing diet was supplemented with one pint of vanilla ice cream made with 20 grams of inulin. Subjects consumed each controlled diet for three weeks. Daily intake of 20 g of inulin significantly reduced serum triglycerides by 40 mg/dL (p=0.05). A trend toward a reduction in serum cholesterol was observed. Trends toward short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile changes were observed after inulin administration. Transit time did not differ significantly between treatments. These data suggest that dietary inulin supplementation may improve blood lipid profiles and alters the colonic environment in a manner that may be beneficial. Because inulin is easily incorporated into an acceptable food like low-fat vanilla ice cream, it shows promise as a functional ingredient in many processed foods.
A public authority to manage the Atlantic outer continental shelf

Abstract The United States is increasingly in need of the Atlantic Continental Shelf for a variety of uses including the recovery of nonliving and living resources. It is proposed that an Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Authority be established to insure the efficient and economical conservation and development of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The Authority must consider the special interests of the United States, the bordering states, other nations, and other individuals and organizations who wish to use the Continental Shelf or its resources. Other major issues the Authority must face include finances, maritime commerce, import and export of resources, and marine conservation.
Managing Disagreement: A Defense of "Regime Bias"

Stein Ringen’s theory of democratic purpose cannot do the work expected of it. Ringen’s own criteria oscillate between being too vague to be useful (i.e. “freedom”) or, when specified more fully, conflicting, so that almost all democracies will seem to be potentially at cross-purposes with themselves rather than their purposes or sub-purposes being mutually reinforcing. This reflects a bigger and more theoretical problem. Disagreement about the purpose of democracy is built into democracy itself. The whole point of many (perhaps all) of our democratic institutions is to arrive at conditionally legitimate decisions in spite of such disagreement. So-called regime bias, i.e. the tendency to assess democracies according to the form and stability of their institutions rather than their results or their ability to serve certain purposes, does not in fact arise from bias. It arises on the contrary from a determination to avoid the bias inherent in giving some—inevitably partisan—ideals of what democracies should do pride of place over others in a scheme of measurement or evaluation. And even a regime-based definition of democracy must itself make simplifying assumptions that elide possible normative controversies over how the democratic game is best played. Vindicating one’s preferred set of democratic ideals against alternatives is a completely legitimate enterprise and lends richness to debates within and across democracies. But it is an inherently ideological and political enterprise, not a neutral or scholarly one.
Outcomes following combined intramedullary nail and plate fixation for complex tibia fractures: A multi-centre study.

Abstract Introduction Concomitant plate fixation as an adjunct to intramedullary nailing (IMN) of proximal third tibia fractures is a proven technique. Benefits include its role as a minimally invasive reduction aid, allowing for minimal soft tissue disruption. Expanding its indications as adjunct fixation to IMN throughout the tibia, we aimed to study outcomes in a multi-centre initiative. Materials and methods From May 1999 to March 2010, a total of 1302 operatively treated tibial fractures (including plateau and pilon fractures) with complete medical records were identified for review. Of these, 376 cases were treated via IMN, of which 30 cases were treated via combined IMN and plating, meeting inclusion criteria. Primary outcome was union rates, time to union, and complication rates. Secondary outcomes included mean alignment from the immediate postoperative period to the time of final follow-up. Results Twenty-seven out of 30 patients were available for follow-up. Twenty-five (93%) achieved bony union; the remaining two patients, sustained Type IIIA and B injuries respectively, went onto non-union secondary to deep infection and required multiple re-operations before achieving ultimate union. Mean time at final follow-up was 20 ± 10 months, 96% were ambulatory at full weight bearing status with no malunions. No significant changes in alignment in either the coronal or sagittal planes were noted at time of final follow-up. Conclusion Combined IMN and plate fixation is a reliable tool not only in the treatment of fractures of the proximal tibia, but also for those fractures in the diaphysis and segmental fractures with proximal and/or distal metadiaphyseal extension with consistent ability to maintain high union rates and maintained alignment. However, longer-term follow-up and prospective trials will be necessary before coming to a definitive conclusion.
An unusual syndrome of a devastating noninflammatory vasculopathy associated with anticardiolipin antibodies: report of two cases

We describe 2 patients with marked elevations of anticardiolipin antibodies who developed multiple-organ disease characterized by a noninflammatory vasculopathy. Their cases were remarkable for the fulminant nature of their thrombotic diathesis, which was heralded by a prominent livedo reticularis of the extremities. Both patients had a serologic profile and salivary gland biopsy findings that were consistent with a diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome.
The S4 Voltage Sensor Packs Against the Pore Domain in the KAT1 Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel

In voltage-gated ion channels, the S4 transmembrane segment responds to changes in membrane potential and controls channel opening. The local environment of S4 is still unknown, even regarding the basic question as to whether S4 is close to the pore domain. Relying on the ability of functional KAT1 channels to rescue potassium (K+) transport-deficient yeast, we have performed an unbiased mutagenesis screen aimed at determining whether S4 packs against S5 of the pore domain. Starting with semilethal mutations of surface-exposed S5 residues of the KAT1 pore domain, we have screened randomly mutagenized libraries of S4 or S1-S3 for second-site suppressors. Our study identifies two S4 residues that interact in a highly specific manner with two S5 residues in the middle of the membrane-spanning regions, supporting a model in which the S4 voltage sensor packs against the pore domain in the hyperpolarized, or "down," state of S4.
Ceramic-metal composite resonators

The results of investigations into the design and performance of composite resonators, for use in electric wave filters in the frequency range 15–30 kc/s, are reported. Each resonator comprises a ferro-electric ceramic element bonded between two metal rods so as to form a half-wavelength resonator. By using metal having a low temperature coefficient of elastic modulus, the frequency/temperature stability of the resonators can be restricted to a few parts per million per degree Celsius over the range 10–50° C. Ageing of the electrical parameters at present imposes limitations on the use of such resonators which, by comparison with low-frequency quartz crystals, offer advantages of cheapness, simplicity of manufacture and low capacitance ratios.
Characterization of a 90° waveguide bend using near-field scanning optical microscopy

Multiple modes are directly imaged in a silicon nitride waveguide bend using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The observations are in good agreement with modal calculations using conformal index transformation.
Alignment of microvascular units along skeletal muscle fibers of hamster retractor.

Emerson, Geoffrey G., and Steven S. Segal. Alignment of microvascular units along skeletal muscle fibers of hamster retractor.J. Appl. Physiol. 82(1): 42–48, 1997.—When muscle fibers contract, bloo...
Leukotriene B4 amplifies eosinophil accumulation in response to nematodes

Eosinophil accumulation is a defining feature of the immune response to parasitic worm infection. Tissue-resident cells, such as epithelial cells, are thought to initiate eosinophil recruitment. However, direct recognition of worms by eosinophils has not been explored as a mechanism for amplifying eosinophil accumulation. Here, we report that eosinophils rapidly migrate toward diverse nematode species in three-dimensional culture. These include the mammalian parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Surprisingly, collective migration toward worms requires paracrine leukotriene B4 signaling between eosinophils. In contrast, neutrophils show a minimal response to nematodes, yet are able to undergo robust leukotriene-dependent migration toward IgG-coated beads. We further demonstrate that eosinophils accumulate around C. elegans in the lungs of mice. This response is not dependent on bacterial products, CCR3, or complement activation. However, mice deficient in leukotriene signaling show markedly attenuated eosinophil accumulation after injection of C. elegans or N. brasiliensis. Our findings establish that nematode-derived signals can directly induce leukotriene production by eosinophils and that leukotriene signaling is a major contributor to nematode-induced eosinophil accumulation in the lung. The similarity of the eosinophil responses to diverse nematode species suggests that conserved features of nematodes are recognized during parasite infection.
An Origin of Life on Mars

Evidence of past liquid water on the surface of Mars suggests that this world once had habitable conditions and leads to the question of life. If there was life on Mars, it would be interesting to determine if it represented a separate origin from life on Earth. To determine the biochemistry and genetics of life on Mars requires that we have access to an organism or the biological remains of one-possibly preserved in ancient permafrost. A way to determine if organic material found on Mars represents the remains of an alien biological system could be based on the observation that biological systems select certain organic molecules over others that are chemically similar (e.g., chirality in amino acids).
Overcoming Unintentional Barriers with Intentional Strategies: Educating Faculty about Student Disabilities

Krista Forrest is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she teaches general psychology and life span development as well as advanced...
SKELETAL INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN WHO HAVE CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE

Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare disorder of the oxidative metabolism of the white blood cells that results in immunodeficiency. In a retrospective review of the records of forty-two patients who had chronic granulomatous disease, we identified thirteen patients who had a total of twenty skeletal infections. Two types of infection were noted: Type 1, which resulted from a direct spread of the infection from an adjacent focus, usually of fungus or mycobacteria, and Type 2, which resulted from hematogenous spread, usually of Nocardia or more common bacteria. The thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and metatarsals were the most commonly involved bones. All four patients in whom the vertebrae were involved had a Type-1 fungal infection. Paresis developed in three of these patients, and two of them died. Antibiotics alone effectively eradicated the infection in only one patient. Wide operative debridement combined with administration of antibiotics was the most successful treatment. Comprehensive preoperative imaging and several cultures are necessary to locate the infection in the bone and to identify the organism.
Vodou vatican: a prolegomenon for understanding authority in a synthetic religion

1986 was a year of living dangerously for Haiti. In February, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier and his rapacious wife Michele fled to France along with her furs and his "primitive" art and $800 million or so from the national treasury. In the wake of this popular dechoukai (Creole for "uprooting") of the Duvaliers, came a far more ambiguous cultural uprooting. Almost as soon as Duvalier fils settled near the Cote d'Azur, attacks began on Vodou. Houngans (priests) and mambos (priestesses) were murdered, or forced to recant their religion. Hounfors (temples) were sacked. The mud pits at Plaine du Nord, where every year pilgrim devotees of the Iwa (deity) Ogun gather to immerse themselves in primal sludge (on the days preceding the canonical feast of St. James), were attacked by a group of cement carrying fundamentalist Christians intent on sealing up this source of Vodou grace. That attack was repulsed, but the ferocity of the dechoukai inspired a national debate on the future of Vodou as the common religion of Haitians (or the "national patrimony" as the post-Duvalier constitution lated described it). To engage in that debate we must examine the question of authority within Vodou, especially in light of efforts by Max Beauvoir, Herard Simon, and other Houngans to construct a national framework for a segmented, non-authoritarian religion. Causes for these attacks against Vodou are themselves a cause of some controversy. The most common rationale offered by those opposed to the religion is political: the Duvalier regime had co- opted Vodou. Papa Doc and his grossly inept son Baby recruited heavily from the ranks of the houngans to man the Ton-Ton Macoute: the infamous thugs in sun glasses and para-military gear who constituted a kind of SS for the Duvaliers. It is further argued that the Duvaliers were Vodou practioners, and that the family maintained itself in power through the powerful oungas (evil charms) of the religion. 1 Vodou defenders call these charges bogus. The most flamboyant houngan in Haiti, Max Beauvoir of the Port au Prince suburb of Mariani, points out that the Duvaliers co-opted every institution and everyone who remained in Haiti. Hougans, Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors were all Duvalierist in like proportion when it was expedient to be so. According to Beauvoir, the bishops and the pastors, in nefarious collusion with the minions of Ronald Reagan and John Paul H, have used the political revolution to uproot Vodou. They are attempting to transform the "oldest African religious practice" in the world into
Multipath Interconnection: A Technique for Reducing Congestion Within Fast Packet Switching Fabrics

Multistage interconnection networks such as the banyan are well suited to multiprocessor and fast packet communication systems. However, the banyan interconnection is prone to internal link congestion resulting in a blocking switch architecture. Several solutions have already been proposed, and implemented, to reduce the severity of link congestion. In general, these solutions offer packets of multiplicity of paths which tend to increase packet delay variability and allow delivery of out-of-sequence packets. This, in turn, may lead to an increase in end-to-end protocol complexity, particularly in the case of real-time services. A solution, called multipath interconnection, is proposed to overcome this difficulty. Multiple (i.e., alternate) paths are provided and one is selected at call setup time. Subsequent packets belonging to the call are constrained to follow the selected path. A number of path selection strategies are presented. Implementation costs, in terms of relative processing and memory requirements, of each algorithm are compared. The ability of the algorithms to evenly distribute traffic across the internal links is evaluated by means of a simulation study. Queueing behavior is estimated using an approximate model of a switch path. The results indicate that the more able a path selection algorithm is to distribute switch traffic, the greater the limiting throughput. The model is also used to investigate the effect of parameters, such as switch size and buffering capacity, on switch performance.
Designing Administrative Organizations for Health Reform

Many proposals for expanding health coverage involve the creation of organizations to produce information on comparative effectiveness, make coverage decisions, manage the marketplace for health insurance, or offer a public health insurance plan. These new organizations might take the form of a federal executive branch agency, an independent commission, government corporation, legislative branch agency, or public-private entity. Some proposals would create entities with substantial independence from the usual political processes, such as the Federal Reserve enjoys.The choice of an appropriate organizational structure to carry out a public function raises several issues: the source and predictability of the entity's funding, its operational flexibilities, its degree of political independence and accountability, and the structure of its management. These matters are not fully determined by an agency's organizational form, however, and targeted solutions are often available and usually preferable. For example, the Congress may provide an agency with a permanent appropriation or exemption from certain legal or regulatory constraints without removing it from an executive department.Organizations that use governmental powers and funds and make public policy need to be accountable as well as effective. A quasi-governmental or Federal Reserve-like entity might be suitable for producing advisory information on the comparative effectiveness of medical treatments but not for making decisions that directly affect the health coverage of individual Americans.
Rare a1-Antitrypsin Variant Phenotypes

α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic disorder caused by defective production of serine protease inhibitor, which can lead to lung and liver diseases. Severity of disease depends particularly on the phenotypic representation of the patient. AAT phenotyping is interpreted using isoelectric focusing. We present here the determination of 7 common and 9 rare variant phenotypes …
Pressure excursions during oscillatory flow in a branching network of tubes.

The pressure difference across individual branches of a four-generation network of branching tubes was measured with the objective of obtaining general laws to describe the pressure drop in the air...
What African-American women know, do, and feel about AIDS : A function of age and education

Because African-American women tend to be studied as a homogeneous group, little data exist that report differences in what they know, feel, and do about AIDS. The purpose of this study was to compare African-American women across two age groups and four educational groups to discern if differences exist. African-American women who were 20 years of age or over were recruited in a variety of settings to obtain a heterogeneous sample. The sample totaled 281 women. Participation consisted of the completion of the AIDS Knowledge, Feelings, and Behavior Questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that educational level influenced their knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, whereas age influenced not knowledge but attitudes and sexual behavior. Based on race alone, African-American women should not be treated as homogeneous in what they know, do, and feel about AIDS.
Les préférences tarifaires canadiennes et la libéralisation des échanges

The developing countries currently enjoy preferential entry on designated exports of manufactures under the Canadian Scheme of Generalized Preferences introduced in 1974. This paper makes a quantitative assessment of the erosion of such preferential margins likely to result from current multilateral tariff negotiations at GATT. Estimates are made under four alternative tariff-cutting techniques.
Spontaneous synaptic activation of muscarinic receptors by striatal cholinergic neuron firing

Cholinergic interneurons (CHIs) play a major role in motor and learning functions of the striatum. As acetylcholine does not directly evoke postsynaptic events at most striatal synapses, it remains unclear how postsynaptic cholinergic receptors encode the firing patterns of CHIs in the striatum. To examine the dynamics of acetylcholine release, we used optogenetics and paired recordings from CHIs and medium spiny neurons (MSNs) virally overexpressing G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. Due to the efficient coupling between endogenous muscarinic receptors and GIRK channels, we found that firing of individual CHIs resulted in monosynaptic spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSCs) in MSNs. Paired CHI-MSN recordings revealed that the high probability of acetylcholine release at these synapses allowed muscarinic receptors to faithfully encode physiological activity patterns from individual CHIs without failure. These results indicate that muscarinic receptors in striatal output neurons reliably decode CHI firing.
SYSTEMS STUDIES OF LOWER COST ITER OPTIONS

The tokamak systems code (SuperCode) is used to identify lower-cost ITER options. Superconducting coil, lower-cost options are found by: (1) reducing the ITER technical objectives (e.g., driven bur...
Race and invasive fungal infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Health disparities in access to solid organ transplantation (SOT) and graft survival are well recognized, but there are limited data on the relationship of race to risk of invasive fungal infection (IFI) among SOT recipients. We conducted a case-control study using data from the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET) to investigate race and IFI. Cases ( n= 1,214) and controls ( n= 16,550) were compared on demographic variables using chi-square, and the relationship between race and IFI was assesses with unconditional logistic regression. Compared to White transplant patients, Blacks had similar odds of developing IFI (OR=.97, 95% CI 0.82– 1.15, P =.7125), while participants who identified as other ethnicity were less likely to develop IFI (OR=.56, 95% CI .41–.75, P <.001). Blacks, when compared to White patients, were at increased odds of developing cryptococcal infection (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.35–3.54, P =.002). Despite pharmacogenetic differences, Black transplant recipients were not more likely overall to develop IFI compared to White transplant recipients. ( Ethn Dis . 2014;24[3]:382–385
Abstract 2478: A mAb within vivotherapeutic activity against spontaneous breast tumors in FVB-neuN mice recognizes SLP-2

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA BCSC (breast cancer stem cells) derived from FVB-neuN mice bearing primary breast tumors were used to vaccinate mice and vaccine-draining lymph node T cells were adoptively transferred to mice with advanced primary tumors. Treated mice experienced tumor regression and importantly a concomitant serologic response was induced to an antigen that is expressed by BCSC even in Neu-antigen loss tumor cells. We generated a specific mAb (mAb2) reactive against a membrane antigen on BCSC tumorsphere cultures derived from NeuN spontaneous breast tumors but not the counterpart adherent cultures. In vivo administration of mAb2 inhibited progression of macroscopic primary tumors in Her-2/neu transgenic mice. We further observed that the molecule bound by mAb2 is expressed on proliferating but not growth-arrested C2D1-tumorspheres and this antigen is re-expressed when cells are digested into single cell suspension and re-fed with fresh medium. Similar results are observed with 4T1-tumorsphere cells, an additional breast cancer cell line arising initially in BALB/c mice. Interestingly, the target of mAb2 is also down-regulated following irradiation-induced growth arrest of tumor cells. To identify the antigen recognized by mAb2, cultured C2D1-tumorsphere or 4T1-tumorspheres were cells were lysed and the supernatant was immunoprecipitated with mAb2. The proteins captured by mAb2 were separated by 10% SDS-PAGE and visualized by silver staining. The bands of interest were excised then subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) analysis. A ∼40 KDa protein was detected in all five experiments from either C2D1-tumorsphere or 4T1-tumorsphere cells. Stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2) a 38.5 KDa protein was consistently identified whereas 14 other proteins were sporadically found. Western blots of mAb2 immunoprecipitates from C2D1 or 4T1-tumorsphere lysates were probed with two distinct commercial antibodies against SLP-2 and we confirmed its presence. To validate SLP-2 as the target, an expression vector was transfected into NIH 3T3 cells and FACS analysis demonstrated 19% positive cells versus 3.6% for un-transfected 3T3 cells. SLP-2 overexpression is associated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in several types of human tumors. Our results indicate that the antigen recognized by this auto-antibody might have immunodiagnostic or immunotherapeutic potential. Citation Format: Li-Xin Wang, Michael Berk, Gregory E. Plautz. A mAb with in vivo therapeutic activity against spontaneous breast tumors in FVB-neuN mice recognizes SLP-2. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2478. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2478
Safe and Efficient Silencing with a Pol II, but Not a Pol lII, Promoter Expressing an Artificial miRNA Targeting Human Huntingtin

Huntington's disease is a devastating, incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting up to 12 per 100,000 patients worldwide. The disease is caused by a mutation in the Huntingtin (Htt) gene. There is interest in reducing mutant Huntingtin by targeting it at the mRNA level, but the maximum tolerable dose and long-term effects of such a treatment are unknown. Using a self-complementary AAV9 vector, we delivered a mir-155-based artificial miRNA under the control of the chicken β-actin or human U6 promoter. In mouse brain, the artificial miRNA reduced the human huntingtin mRNA by 50%. The U6, but not the CβA promoter, produced the artificial miRNA at supraphysiologic levels. Embedding the antisense strand in a U6-mir-30 scaffold reduced expression of the antisense strand but increased the sense strand. In mice treated with scAAV9-U6-mir-155-HTT or scAAV9-CβA-mir-155-HTT, activated microglia were present around the injection site 1 month post-injection. Six months post-injection, mice treated with scAAV9-CβA-mir-155-HTT were indistinguishable from controls. Those that received scAAV9-U6-mir-155-HTT showed behavioral abnormalities and striatal damage. In conclusion, miRNA backbone and promoter can be used together to modulate expression levels and strand selection of artificial miRNAs, and in brain, the CβA promoter can provide an effective and safe dose of a human huntingtin miRNA.
P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptor Prompts Human Cardiac Progenitor Cell Activation by Modulating Hippo Signaling.

Rationale: Autologous stem cell therapy using human c-Kit + cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of heart failure (HF). However, hCPCs derived from aged patients with HF with genetic predispositions and comorbidities of chronic diseases exhibit poor proliferative and migratory capabilities, which impair overall reparative potential for injured myocardium. Therefore, empowering functionally compromised hCPCs with proregenerative molecules ex vivo is crucial for improving the therapeutic outcome in patients with HF. Objective: To improve hCPC proliferation and migration responses that are critical for regeneration by targeting proregenerative P2Y 2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y 2 R) activated by extracellular ATP and UTP molecules released following injury/stress. Methods and Results: c-Kit + hCPCs were isolated from cardiac tissue of patients with HF undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation surgery. Correlations between P2 nucleotide receptor expression and hCPC growth kinetics revealed downregulation of select P2 receptors, including P2Y 2 R, in slow-growing hCPCs compared with fast growers. hCPC proliferation and migration significantly improved by overexpressing or stimulating P2Y 2 R. Mechanistically, P2Y 2 R-induced proliferation and migration were dependent on activation of YAP (yes-associated protein)—the downstream effector of Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusions: Proliferation and migration of functionally impaired hCPCs are enhanced by P2Y 2 R-mediated YAP activation, revealing a novel link between extracellular nucleotides released during injury/stress and Hippo signaling—a central regulator of cardiac regeneration. Functional correlations exist between hCPC phenotypic properties and P2 purinergic receptor expression. Lack of P2Y 2 R and other crucial purinergic stress detectors could compromise hCPC responsiveness to presence of extracellular stress signals. These findings set the stage for subsequent studies to assess purinergic signaling modulation as a potential strategy to improve therapeutic outcome for use of hCPCs in patients with HF.
Coexistence and Pattern Formation in Bacterial Mixtures with Contact-Dependent Killing.

Abstract Multistrain microbial communities often exhibit complex spatial organization that emerges because of the interplay of various cooperative and competitive interaction mechanisms. One strong competitive mechanism is contact-dependent neighbor killing enabled by the type VI secretion system. It has been previously shown that contact-dependent killing can result in bistability of bacterial mixtures so that only one strain survives and displaces the other. However, it remains unclear whether stable coexistence is possible in such mixtures. Using a population dynamics model for two interacting bacterial strains, we found that coexistence can be made possible by the interplay of contact-dependent killing and long-range growth inhibition, leading to the formation of various cellular patterns. These patterns emerge in a much broader parameter range than that required for the linear Turing-like instability, suggesting this may be a robust mechanism for pattern formation.
The DREADD agonist clozapine N-oxide (CNO) is reverse-metabolized to clozapine and produces clozapine-like interoceptive stimulus effects in rats and mice.

Clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) has long been the ligand of choice for selectively activating Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs). However, recent studies have challenged the long-held assertion that CNO is otherwise pharmacologically inert. The present study aimed to 1) determine whether CNO is reverse-metabolized to its parent compound clozapine in mice (as has recently been reported in rats), and 2) determine whether CNO exerts clozapine-like interoceptive stimulus effects in rats and/or mice. Following administration of 10.0 mg/kg CNO, pharmacokinetic analyses replicated recent reports of back-conversion to clozapine in rats and revealed that this phenomenon also occurs in mice. In rats and mice trained to discriminate 1.25 mg/kg clozapine from vehicle, CNO (1.0–20.0 mg/kg) produced partial substitution for the clozapine stimulus on average, with full substitution being detected in some individual animals of both species at doses frequently used to activate DREADDs. The present demonstration that CNO is converted to clozapine and exerts clozapine-like behavioral effects in both mice and rats further emphasizes the need for appropriate control groups in studies employing DREADDs, and highlights the utility of the drug discrimination procedure as a tool with which to screen the off-target effects of novel DREADD agonists.