cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Divergent Acyl Carrier Protein Mediates Mitochondrial Fe-S Cluster Biosynthesis in Malaria Parasites

Abstract Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites are early-diverging eukaryotes with many unusual metabolic adaptations. Understanding these adaptations will give insight into parasite evolution and unveil new parasite-specific drug targets. In contrast to human cells, the Plasmodium mitochondrion lacks type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) enzymes yet curiously retains a divergent acyl carrier protein (mACP) incapable of modification by a 4-phosphopantetheine (Ppant) group required for canonical ACP function as the scaffold for fatty acid synthesis. We report that ligand-dependent knockdown of mACP expression is lethal to parasites, indicating an essential FASII-independent function. Decyl-ubiquinone rescues parasites temporarily from this lethal phenotype, suggesting a dominant dysfunction of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) followed by broader defects beyond the ETC. Biochemical studies reveal that Plasmodium mACP binds and stabilizes the Isd11-Nfs1 cysteine desulfurase complex required for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, and mACP knockdown causes loss of both Nfs1 and the Rieske Fe-S cluster protein in ETC Complex III. This work identifies Ppant-independent mACP as an essential mitochondrial adaptation in Plasmodium malaria parasites that appears to be a shared metabolic feature of Apicomplexan pathogens, including Toxoplasma and Babesia. This parasite-specific adaptation highlights the ancient, fundamental role of ACP in mitochondrial Fe-S cluster biogenesis and reveals an evolutionary driving force to retain this interaction with ACP independent of its eponymous function in fatty acid synthesis. Significance Statement Plasmodium malaria parasites are single-celled eukaryotes that evolved unusual metabolic adaptations. Parasites require a mitochondrion for blood-stage viability, but essential functions beyond the electron transport chain are sparsely understood. Unlike human cells, the Plasmodium mitochondrion lacks fatty acid synthesis enzymes but retains a divergent acyl carrier protein (mACP) incapable of tethering acyl groups. Nevertheless, mACP is essential for parasite viability by binding and stabilizing the core mitochondrial Fe-S cluster biogenesis complex via a divergent molecular interface lacking an acyl-pantetheine group that contrasts with humans. This discovery unveils an essential mitochondrial adaptation in Plasmodium shared by other human-infecting parasites and suggests a primordial ACP function in Fe-S cluster biogenesis independent of its canonical role as a scaffold for fatty acid synthesis.
Estimating Unbiased Statistics for Fundamental Site Frequency Using Spatially Distributed HVSR Measurements and Voronoi Tessellation

AbstractA site’s fundamental resonance frequency (f0), or its reciprocal, the fundamental period (T0), is a critical parameter in seismic studies due to its proven ability to aid in predicting loca...
Robust cost efficacy of a novel, validated screening test at 12–20 Weeks gestation for the prediction of preterm birth (PTB) at or before 32 Weeks in singletons

Abstract Objective Preterm birth (PTB) at or before 32 weeks complicates up to 2 ​% of United States (US) births and accounts for 80 ​% of perinatal expenditures in the first year of life. Existing screening tests for PTB performed from 12 weeks to 19 weeks 5 days have receiver operated area under the curve (AUC) indices of Methods Using the US rates for EOP (0.5 ​%) and sPTB ​≦ ​32 weeks (1.8 ​%) and adjusting the US pregnancy/neonatal medical costs to US dollars (2017 value), we calculated the cost per 100,000 singletons with or without universal FutureBIRTH™ testing before 19 weeks and 6 days using three detection rates and assuming screen-positive women would be treated with and respond to aspirin (assumed 80 ​% efficacy for EOP) and vaginal progesterone (assumed 38 ​% efficacy for sPTB). We also assessed test performance at disease incidence rates below that of the US (down to 0.46 ​%). For considering screening costs, we assumed test costs of $750, and treatment costs of $1000 for patients over 20 weeks gestational age. Results The identification and treatment of ‘at-risk’ pregnancies by FutureBIRTH™ with existing therapies would reduce direct healthcare costs by up to $95 million per 100,000 births. The projected savings were robust and achievable at each FutureBIRTH™ price despite the conservative costs, efficacy, and detection rate assumptions. The incidence of PTB ≦ 32 weeks would decline by 40 %–50 ​% with a test cost of $750 and an 80 ​% detection rate. Conclusion The accurate risk assessment provided by universal FutureBIRTH™ screening coupled with existing preventative treatments could lead to a 40 %–50 ​% decrease in PTB ≦ 32 weeks due to sPTB and EOP among ‘at-risk’ pregnancies, covering the cost of screening and treatment while still saving $450-$950 per pregnancy.
Collaborating with parents during COVID-19 online teaching: special educator perspectives

Teachers whose students had trouble independently accessing the online curriculum during COVID-19 online learning had to rely heavily on parents. This paper presents findings from interviews with e...
Developing computational morphology for low- and middle-density languages

This tutorial will present an overview of the techiques for developing morphological processors for low- and middle-density languages. The developed morphological analyzers and generators can be used in many language processing applications.
Software distributed shared memory over virtual interface architecture: implementation and performance

In this paper, we describe an implementation of software Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) over Virtual Interface Architecture (VIA) for a Linux-based cluster of PCs and evaluate its performance. VIA is a user-level memory-mapped communication model that provides zero-copy communication and low-overhead by excluding the operating system kernel from the communication path. To our best knowledge, our implementation is the first software DSM protocol on VIA. The DSM protocol we have implemented on VIA is Home-based Lazy Release Consistency (HLRC) that previous studies have shown to exhibit good scalability by reducing the number of messages and memory overhead compared to the homeless counterpart. The experimental results obtained on seven Splash-2 applications show that VIA can be successfully used to support software shared memory on clusters of PCs. The paper is accompanied by a source-code distribution of the software DSM protocol for Linux/VIA clusters.
Lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis of allogeneic tumor cell in vitro: II. Binding of cytotoxic lymphocytes to formaldehyde-fixed target cells☆

Abstract Allogeneic immune peritoneal exudate lymphocytes would bind to viable monolayers of EL4 target cells but not to EL4 monolayers killed by heat, dehydration, osmotic shock, or other procedures. Fixation with formaldehyde in low concentration killed the EL4 monolayers but did not abolish binding. Formaldehyde-treated EL4 cells also permitted binding to varying degrees after further manipulations which originally abolished binding to unfixed cells.
Citation-Preferences in 'Schmalenbachs Zeitschrift fuer Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung' and 'Schmalenbach Business Review'

Over the last decade, the sources cited in papers published in "Schmalenbachs Zeitschrift fuer betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung" exhibit a strong, continuing trend towards more English-language citations. Furthermore, throughout the whole sample period, the English citations are more likely to be from older sources than are German citations, which could imply that English sources contain more insights of lasting importance. Over time, citations of journal articles have increased, whereas books are cited less often. However, this shift seems to be due to the increasing role of English citations, because English-language sources are much more likely to be journal articles. Finally, in terms of total number of citations, the major English-language journals rival their German counterparts.
Follicle stimulating hormone receptor in mesenchymal stem cells integrates effects of glycoprotein reproductive hormones

Previously we reported that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) affects bone degradation in human cells and in follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) null mice. Here we describe a FSH-R knockout bone-formation phenotype. We used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteoblast precursors that express FSH-R, to determine whether FSH regulates bone formation. FSH stimulates MSC cell adhesion 1-3 h and proliferation at 24 h after addition. On the basis of phylogenetic and clinical precedents, we also examined effects of pregnant levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on MSCs. We found effects similar to those of FSH, and RNAi knockdown of FSH-R abrogated both FSH and hCG effects on MSCs. In contrast to effects on MSCs, neither FSH nor hCG had significant effects on osteoblast maturation. Also in MSCs, short-term treatment by FSH and hCG altered signaling pathways for proliferation, including Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Our results show augmentation of MSC proliferation by either FSH at menopausal levels or hCG at normal pregnant levels. We conclude that FSH-R participates in regulation of MSC precursor pools in response to either FSH or hCG, integrating the effects of these two glycoprotein hormones.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Focus on Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical outcomes. Cytogenetic analysis reveals which patients may have favorable risk disease, but 5-year survival in this category is only approximately 60%, with intermediate and poor risk groups faring far worse. Advances in our understanding of the biology of leukemia pathogenesis and prognosis have not been matched with clinical improvements. Unsatisfactory outcomes persist for the majority of patients with AML, particularly the elderly. Novel agents and treatment approaches are needed in the induction, post-remission and relapsed settings. The additions of clofarabine for relapsed or refractory disease and the hypomethylating agents represent recent advances. Clinical trials of FLT3 inhibitors have yielded disappointing results to date, with ongoing collaborations attempting to identify the optimal role for these agents. Potential leukemia stem cell targeted therapies and treatments in the setting of minimal residual disease are also under investigation. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in AML treatment and novel therapeutic strategies.
A computational analysis of the relationship between neuronal and behavioral responses to visual motion

We have documented previously a close relationship between neuronal activity in the middle temporal visual area (MT or V5) and behavioral judgments of motion (Newsome et al., 1989; Salzman et al., 1990; Britten et al., 1992; Britten et al., 1996). We have now used numerical simulations to try to understand how neural signals in area MT support psychophysical decisions. We developed a model that pools neuronal responses drawn from our physiological data set and compares average responses in different pools to produce psychophysical decisions. The structure of the model allows us to assess the relationship between “neuronal” input signals and simulated psychophysical performance using the same methods we have applied to real experimental data. We sought to reconcile three experimental observations: psychophysical performance (threshold sensitivity to motion stimuli embedded in noise), a trial-by-trial covariation between the neural response and the monkey9s choices, and a modest correlation between pairs of MT neurons in their variable responses to identical visual stimuli. Our results can be most accurately simulated if psychophysical decisions are based on pools of at least 100 weakly correlated sensory neurons. The neurons composing the pools must include a broader range of sensitivities than we encountered in our MT recordings, presumably because of the inclusion of neurons whose optimal stimulus is different from the one being discriminated. Central sources of noise degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of the pooled signal, but this degradation is relatively small compared with the noise typically carried by single cortical neurons. This suggests that our monkeys base near-threshold psychophysical judgments on signals carried by populations of weakly interacting neurons; these populations include many neurons that are not tuned optimally for the particular stimuli being discriminated.
Strategic issues in knowledge engineering

Expert systems should find widespread application in human factors, provided the problem of building expert systems (knowledge engineering) is dealt with satisfactorily. The task of knowledge engin...
Computation and Innovation in the Nonlinear Sciences

As the lead-off speaker I would like to reflect on the previous School of Nonlinear Mathematics and Physics [Zabusky, 1968] that Martin Kruskal and I organized 14 years ago. Several members of the present faculty or their teachers were there. W. Heisenberg, well-known for his pioneering contributions to quantum mechanics, opened the School with a talk “Nonlinear Problems in Physics” [Heisenberg, 1967] that I take the liberty of distilling into four aphorisms: 1. Simplification by symmetrizing. 2. Initial progress by linearizing. 3. General features by statistical methods. 4. Apparently coherent phenomena with long-time unpredictability.
New prophylactic treatment strategy for cytomegalovirus disease.

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of valganciclovir, an oral prodrug for ganciclovir, used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in solid organ transplant recipients are described. Valganciclovir was developed to overcome the disadvantages associated with ganciclovir, which include low oral bioavailability, limited efficacy because of the development of viral resistance, and the need for frequent administration, which can adversely affect patient adherence. Valganciclovir is rapidly converted to ganciclovir; systemic exposure to the parent drug is low and short in duration. The oral bioavailability of ganciclovir from valganciclovir is 10 times higher than that from the original ganciclovir formulation. Food increases the oral bioavailability of valganciclovir. In a four-way, randomized, crossover pharmacokinetic study of 28 liver transplant recipients, single doses of valganciclovir 900 mg and intravenous ganciclovir 5 mg/kg resulted in a similar ganciclovir systemic exposure. The systemic exposure was proportionately lower with a single 450-mg dose of valganciclovir but similar to that of oral ganciclovir 3 g administered in three divided doses. In the recent multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy PV16000 trial in 364 solid organ transplant recipients at high risk for CMV disease (i.e., CMV-negative recipients of CMV-positive donor organs), valganciclovir 900 mg once daily was as effective in preventing CMV-disease as oral ganciclovir 1 g three times daily. Resistance was reported with ganciclovir but not with valganciclovir. Both drugs were well tolerated.
Design of a steel liner against rupture

Abstract The effect of strain hardening in a plastic design against rupture and buckling is discussed. Both the idealized hinge model and an assumed deflection curve model are used for analysis at different stress distributions along the thickness of a liner when the yield strength is reached at both sides of the cross section. Curves are drawn to interpret results from the theoretical analysis, and also to show critical stresses and postbuckling performances of imperfect columns, and to reveal the role of plastic buckling loads from the analysis of plastic hinge models in the presence of strain hardening. The lower bound load to the experimental results is also shown in the curves. Comparison of the lower bound load between two different models is presented at different slenderness ratios.
Prevention of psychopathology with early interventions

Early interventions aiming at prevention from future psychopathology are critically evaluated. These interventions include: genetic psychiatric counselling, family planning, improvement of the physical health of the population, prenatal care, intervention in childhood, improvement of the physical health of the child, improvement of the home environment and improvement of the school environment. Although concrete evidence about the effectiveness of many of the above methods is lacking, they are nevertheless worth applying because on an individual basis they often contribute to the alleviation of human suffering. It is pointed out that early preventive interventions are particularly indicated in predisposed individuals (e.g. persons with hereditary predisposition for schizophrenia who must be protected from perinatal complications in order to be prevented from future development of this illness) or high-risk groups (e.g. the siblings of 'battered' children who have a greater probability of being abused by their parents, or 'battered' children who, when becoming parents, have a raised probability of abusing their own children).
The Importance of Radiative Transfer in Stellar Pulsation Models

With the advent of new astrophysical opacities it seems appropriate to discuss the need for a full radiative transfer (RT) theory instead of the usual equilibrium diffusion theory used in most nonlinear pulsation codes. Early studies on the importance of RT in the calculation of light curves for Cepheid models showed little effect over diffusion theory. The new opacities though may help to explain the ”bump” mass discrepancy problem. For RR Lyrae models the use of RT theory causes some effects both in the color differences (U-B) as well as in the light curves. New opacities help to explain the period ratios for double mode RR Lyrae and beat Cepheids. A new area of research is in the modeling of stars with high luminosity to mass ratios that show tendencies for doubling and transitions to chaos, such as W Virginis and RV Tauri stars. For these stars it has been shown that RT is necessary in calculating their light curves and that the understanding of the shock dynamics depends on the transfer of lines in the pulsating RT dependent atmospheres (Fokin 1991).
Photovoltaic effects in biomembranes/spl minus/reverse-engineering naturally occurring molecular optoelectronic devices

Discusses the fundamental principles of the fast photoelectric effect and its applications to molecular electronics research. The principles are illustrated with experimental data obtained from reconstituted bacteriorhodopsin membranes. The following topics are considered: Halobacterium halobium; light-induced charge separation; equivalent circuit analysis; the concept of intelligent materials; reverse engineering of visual rhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin; bacteriorhodopsin as an advanced bioelectronic material; the role of protein engineering; the interface problem. >
Instability of Motion at the Lagrangian Triangular Point in the Earth–Moon System

I WISH to comment on the communication by Dr. E. T. Benedikt1 on the “Exact Determination of the Lunar Mass by means of a Selenoid Satellite”.
A Study of Particle Settling in Non-Newtonian Fluids—Part II: Rheological Characterization of Polymer Solutions

Aqueous solutions of different concentrations of three polymers : a synthetic high molecular weight polymer, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA), a xanthan-type polymer (Xanvis), and a cellulose-type polymer (HEC) were investigate in this study. It was found that the steric arrangement of molecules or interactions between molecules can be detected by a systematically designed strain and frequency sweep measurement, and is reflected by the different relaxation times of the solutions. The degree of elasticity can be quantified by G'/|G * | in linear viscoelastic range. The responses of the fluids to frequency sweeps are displayed in a normalized moduli versus normalized frequency pattern derived from the Maxwell model.
A Sensitivity Study on Regional Pressure Buildup from Large-Scale CO2 Storage Projects

Abstract Several international researchers have in recent years evaluated the potentially far-reaching brine pressurization and migration processes resulting from the storage of large volumes of CO2 in deep saline aquifers (e.g, ). Predictive simulations have been conducted for idealized geologic systems as well as for large sedimentary basins with promising CO2 sequestration potential. In contrast to the latter studies, which often involve laterally extensive sediments with large storage capacity, we investigate here the potential impact of geologic carbon sequestration in a partially compartmentalized sandstone basin in the Southern San Joaquin Valley in California, USA. The expected CO2 plume behavior and injection-related pressure perturbation are modeled for a hypothetical CO2 sequestration project situated in the center of the basin. Uncertainty about fault behavior is addressed by assessing two distinctive fault property scenarios. A systematic sensitivity study is conducted for each scenario to identify key parameters and processes affecting pressure buildup and brine migration. We distinguish in this sensitivity study between the near-field region comprising the projected size of the CO2 plume, where hydrogeological properties are expected to be better constrained, and the far-field region comprising the projected extent of pressure buildup, where parameter uncertainty can be quite high.
Role of theory in the design of semiconducting nanostructures

Understanding the structure–property relationship in semiconducting nanostructures is key to tailoring the technologically important physical properties and can lead to the design of new nanostructured materials. Examples include nanostructures in optoelectronic devices ranging from solar cells, novel lasers, and optical amplifiers to physical representations of a quantum bit, or single polarized photon sources emitting quantum bits. The complexity of the problem is reflected in the fact that these nano-systems contain >104 atoms, suggesting an extremely large phase space of sizes, shapes, and constituent materials. In this paper, we will (i) show how to establish the relationship between structure and properties in nanostructures; (ii) discuss the role of theory in the design of nanostructures with targeted physical properties, including the review and limitations of typically employed methods for electronic structure calculations; (iii) discuss possibilities to use predictive theory to “guide” nanostructures' fabrication; and (iv) address application of nanostructures for renewable energy issues and single-photon sources.
International Human Rights and Consumer Quality of Life: An Ethical Perspective

This article represents an attempt to expand understanding of and dedication to global social justice through presentation and extension of the Rawlsian philosophical tenets regarding the definitio...
A study of the effect of various drugs on the whealing reaction.

Abstract 1.1. Antihistaminic drugs exhibit the property of inhibiting histamine- or antigen-induced wheals, but do not affect preformed wheals. 2.2. Sympathicomimetic drugs and aminophyllin both inhibit and cause resolution of histamine- or antigen-induced wheals. 3.3. Some mechanism other than "H" substance or histamine plays a role in many cases of chronic urticaria.
Secretion of bacterial lipoproteins: through the cytoplasmic membrane, the periplasm and beyond.

Abstract Bacterial lipoproteins are peripherally anchored membrane proteins that play a variety of roles in bacterial physiology and virulence in monoderm (single membrane-enveloped, e.g., gram-positive) and diderm (double membrane-enveloped, e.g., gram-negative) bacteria. After export of prolipoproteins through the cytoplasmic membrane, which occurs predominantly but not exclusively via the general secretory or Sec pathway, the proteins are lipid-modified at the cytoplasmic membrane in a multistep process that involves sequential modification of a cysteine residue and cleavage of the signal peptide by the signal II peptidase Lsp. In both monoderms and diderms, signal peptide processing is preceded by acylation with a diacylglycerol through prepro l ipoprotein diacyl g lycerol t ransferase (Lgt). In diderms but also some monoderms, lipoproteins are further modified with a third acyl chain through lipoprotein N -acyl transferase (Lnt). Fully modified lipoproteins that are destined to be anchored in the inner leaflet of the outer membrane (OM) are selected, transported and inserted by the Lol ( l ipoprotein o uter membrane l ocalization) pathway machinery, which consists of the inner-membrane (IM) ABC transporter-like LolCDE complex, the periplasmic LolA chaperone and the OM LolB lipoprotein receptor. Retention of lipoproteins in the cytoplasmic membrane results from Lol avoidance signals that were originally described as the “+ 2 rule”. Surface localization of lipoproteins in diderms is rare in most bacteria, with the exception of several spirochetal species. Type 2 (T2SS) and type 5 (T5SS) secretion systems are involved in secretion of specific surface lipoproteins of γ-proteobacteria. In the model spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi , surface lipoprotein secretion does not follow established sorting rules, but remains dependent on N-terminal peptide sequences. Secretion through the outer membrane requires maintenance of lipoproteins in a translocation-competent unfolded conformation, likely through interaction with a periplasmic holding chaperone, which delivers the proteins to an outer membrane lipoprotein flippase. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.
Thermodynamic mixing properties of NaCl-KCl liquids

Abstract The excess Gibbs energies and entropies of mixing of NaCl-KCl liquids have been calculated using previously derived mixing parameters of the crystalline solutions and the temperature and composition of the minimum (657°C, 48·5 mole % KCl) in the melting region. Margules parameters of the liquid based on the present formulation differ by 1 kcal at 800°C from the values obtained in electrochemical studies. Solidus and liquidus curves calculated from these results are compared with experimental data from 12 previous studies of the melting region. Alkali buffer potentials, ( μ K − μ Na ), in this system, calculated from the mixing properties of the liquid, range from −14 · 6 ± 0 · 5 kcal at 796°C ( N KCl ≈ 0), to −5 · 90 ± 0 · 05 kcal at the minimum, to +7 · 6 ± 0 · 5 kcal at 770°C ( N KCl ≈ 1).
Distinct Pathways for Rule-Based Retrieval and Spatial Mapping of Memory Representations in Hippocampal Neurons

Hippocampal neurons encode events within the context in which they occurred, a fundamental feature of episodic memory. Here we explored the sources of event and context information represented by hippocampal neurons during the retrieval of object associations in rats. Temporary inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex differentially reduced the selectivity of rule-based object associations represented by hippocampal neuronal firing patterns but did not affect spatial firing patterns. In contrast, inactivation of the medial entorhinal cortex resulted in a pervasive reorganization of hippocampal mappings of spatial context and events. These results suggest distinct and cooperative prefrontal and medial temporal mechanisms in memory representation.
Natural selection on body size and proportions in house sparrows

Variation in morphology across a species range is largely a function of climatic conditions. Evidence for this comes primarily from correlations of latitudinal trends of climate with those of body size or shape (the classic ecogeographic rules of Bergmann and Allen1). Few studies have documented a temporal sequence of natural selection on size variables within a single population2–7, and no study precisely documents selection on shape variables. For birds in temperate regions, winter climate can be a major source of mortality8, and is likely to be an important agent of selection on overall size2–6. We reported previously6 that severe winter weather produced significant changes in the distribution of size classes of a population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). In that study, post-winter males were on average significantly larger than pre-winter males and post-winter females averaged significantly smaller than pre-winter females. We report here further analyses indicating that sparrows also undergo selection for refinement of bodily proportions, consistent with predictions from Allen's ecogeographic rule. Such selection for increased core-to-limb proportions probably results in greater thermoregulatory efficiency. The changes in proportions accompany the changes in overall size6 and there are major inter-sexual differences in how such proportions are achieved.
A survey of heat transfer phenomena in glass-to-metal seals

Abstract The present investigation through a survey of the literature aims to develop a basic understanding of the formation of glass-to-metal seals. The generic problem consists of a thin-walled cylindrical glass tube to be sealed on to a single or a pair of metallic conductors by a high intensity heat source employed in a suitably designed optical system to form a vacuum tight fusion seal. In the present investigation a generic form of the problem is considered and therefore the present synthesis will relate to applications outside the electronic industry.
Contesting Horses: Borders and Shifting Social Meanings in Veterinary Medical Education

Abstract Within veterinary medical education, tracking systems exist that differentiate between “large” and “small” animal medicine. In a tracking system, students can focus primarily on their choice of animal medicine once they have completed the core curriculum. This article argues that these socially created categories are ever shifting; therefore, some species do not always “fit.” This generates new discourses surrounding emerging “border tracks”; these “tracks” focus on species whose social definitions change so that their placement in the tracking system of veterinary medical education is a site of contestation. Thus, animal medicine operates not solely on the basis of biology, but on the basis of social meaning as well. This analysis will use the equine concentration to demonstrate the ambiguity of borders, as well as their potential to serve as communicative sites for social change.
LEFT BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK IS NOT INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH LONG TERM MORTALITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH PRESERVED LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). Little is known about the impact of LBBB in individuals with preserved LV ejection fraction on long term clinical outcomes. We examined the association
An electrical study of differential clock die-to-die interconnection in multi-chip packages

This paper presents an electrical study on die-to-die interconnect, differential clock signals in MCPs. The paper seeks to tackle the issues caused by shorter and denser interconnection in combination with an ever-decreasing z-height profile. The proposed methods focus on buffer and channel design on existing or new signaling. Of note, they maintain a fair amount of design flexibility, while not jeopardizing overall margins. The methods primarily mitigate harmful ringing, ledge effects and excessively slow slew rates in the monotonic region in both MCP and discrete solutions. Ultimately, this translates into a shift in line with recent platforms' sleek and thin form factor and in turn, a cost saving benefit.
Characterization of Functionally Typical and Atypical Types of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Context: The typical polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotype includes 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) hyperresponsiveness to GnRH agonist (GnRHag) testing. Functionally atypical PCOS lacks this feature. Objective: The hypothesis was tested that the typical PCOS ovarian dysfunction results from intrinsically increased sensitivity to LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) due to a flaw in FSH action. Participants/Design/Interventions/Main Outcome Measures: After phenotyping a cohort of 60 women, steroid and inhibin-B responses to gonadotropins were evaluated in representative typical (n = 7) and atypical (n = 5) PCOS and healthy controls (n = 8). Submaximal hCG testing before and after an FSH test dose was performed in random order before and after prolonged ovarian suppression by depot GnRHag. Setting: The study was performed at a Clinical Research Center. Results: Of our PCOS cohort, 68% were the typical type. Typical PCOS had 17OHP hyperresponsiveness and, unlike controls, significant androgen and estra...
Polymicrobial Bacteremia Involving Comamonas testosteroni

Comamonas spp. are uncommon isolates in microbiology laboratories and have been rarely observed as an infectious agent in clinical practice. They have widespread environmental distribution and have been isolated from water, soil, and plants as well as from some hospital devices such as intravenous catheters and water contained in humidifier reservoirs used in respiratory treatment. The genus Comamonas originally contained the following species: acidovorans, testosteroni, kerstersii, terrigena, denitrificans, and nitrativorans. It now contains 17 species, while acidovorans spp. have been reclassified as Delftia acidovorans. In spite of its uncommon human pathogenesis, there are few reports on the aggressive manner of it as an opportunistic pathogen, mostly related to testosteroni spp. We present a case of polymicrobial bacteremia involving Comamonas testosteroni. The aim of this case report is to alert clinicians to the potential diagnosis of bloodstream infections caused by uncommon pathogens.
Development and function of metabotropic glutamate receptors in cat visual cortex.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors have been implicated in plasticity in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Are they also involved in plasticity in the visual cortex? This is a complicated question because of the diversity of metabotropic glutamate receptors and the variations in both receptors and plasticity with layer. Inhibition driven by group II metabotropic glutamate receptors is certainly correlated with ocular dominance segregation in layer IV of the cortex. Of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors, mGluR5 may be involved in plasticity, but mGluR1 is unlikely to be. Both group I and group II receptors produce increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate which are clearly related to plasticity. Further conclusions await the development of agonists and antagonists specific for individual metabotropic glutamate receptors, as opposed to groups of the receptors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 41: 102–107, 1999
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α-Responsive Genes Induced in the Newborn but Not Prenatal Liver of Peroxisomal Fatty Acyl-CoA Oxidase Null Mice

Abstract Mice deficient in fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX−/−), the first enzyme of the peroxisomal β-oxidation system, develop specific morphological and molecular changes in the liver characterized by microvesicular fatty change, increased mitosis, spontaneous peroxisome proliferation, increased mRNA and protein levels of genes regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on these findings it is proposed that substrates for AOX function as ligands for PPARα. In this study we examined the sequential changes in morphology and gene expression in the liver of wild-type and AOX−/− mice at Embryonic Day 17.5, and during postnatal development up to 2 months of age. In AOX−/− mice high levels of expression of PPARα-responsive genes in the liver commenced on the day of birth and persisted throughout the postnatal period. We found no indication of PPARα activation in the livers of AOX−/− mice at embryonic age E17.5. In AOX−/− mice microvesicular fatty change in liver cells was evident at 7 days. At 2 months of age livers showed extensive steatosis and the presence in the periportal areas of clusters of hepatocytes with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm rich in peroxisomes. These results suggest that the biological ligands for PPARα vis a vis substrates for AOX either are not functional in fetal liver or do not cross the placental barrier during the fetal development and that postnatally they are likely derived from milk and diet.
The Effect of Processing Code, Response Modality and Task Difficulty on Dual Task Performance and Subjective Workload in a Manual System

This paper reports on the first experiment of a series studying the effect of task structure and difficulty demand on time-sharing performance and workload in both automated and corresponding manual systems. The experimental task involves manual control time-shared with spatial and verbal decisions tasks of two levels of difficulty and two modes of response (voice or manual). The results provide strong evidence that tasks and processes competing for common processing resources are time shared less effecively and have higher workload than tasks competing for separate resources. Subjective measures and the structure of multiple resources are used in conjunction to predict dual task performance. The evidence comes from both single-task and from dual-task performance.
Using group support systems to discover hidden profiles

This paper reports on an experimental study of information sharing for groups using a group support system (GSS). A group member's success or failure in sharing unique information can have important impacts on meeting outcomes. This research builds on previous work which has examined various factors that impact information-sharing performance. To examine these issues, groups processed a hidden profile task, i.e. a task with an asymmetrical distribution of information. In addition, group size (groups of four and seven) and the level of structure (structured or unstructured agenda) were manipulated. Results show that group size had no effect on information sharing. However, groups using the structured agenda shared more initially-shared information and initially-unshared information. Although no relationship was found between information-sharing performance and decision quality, a curvilinear (U-shaped) relationship between information sharing and satisfaction was observed. These results show that, for hidden-profile tasks, a critical performance level must be reached before performance is positively related to satisfaction. The paper concludes with a discussion of the findings and the implications for future research and use.
Combined Ventricular Shortening Fraction: An Echocardiographic Index of Fetal Systolic Cardiac Function

Fetal cardiac function was investigated using a two-dimensional directed M-mode measurement of combined ventricular shortening fraction (SF). From a four-chamber view, the M-line was directed perpendicular to the atrioventricular valves to obtain end-diastolic and systolic dimensions from RV anterior wall to LV posterior wall in 76 normal gestations (NL), 29 well-controlled diabetics (DM), and two hydropic fetuses with ventricular dysfunction. SF was inversely proportional to gestational age and heart size, but independent of heart rate and umbilical artery Doppler wave form (A/B). In NL, SF = 43 ± 5% (range 33–55) and was not significantly different from that in DM (SF = 43 ± 6%, range 30–56), even in the presence of abnormal A/B. Both fetuses who died in hydrops had decreased SF of 15 and 23%. SF is a practical tool to assess fetal systolic function and response to therapy.
Familial Aggregation of Early Onset (≤ 20 Years) Panic Disorder

The familial risk of panic disorder (PD) was examined in 143 adult first-degree relatives (AFDRs) of 25 probands with early (≤ 20 years) onset and 449 AFDRs of 82 probands with late (> 20 years) onset of PD. Rates of PD in these groups were compared to those in 255 AFDRs of 45 screened normal controls. AFDRs of probands with onset ≤ 20 years carried an 18-fold increased risk, AFDRs of probands with onset between 21 and 30 years of age carried a fivefold increased risk, and AFDRs of probands with onset after age 30 carried a sevenfold increased risk of PD compared to AFDRs of normal controls. These relative risks were adjusted for ascertainment source of proband (treatment clinic vs. community sample) and gender, age, and interview status of relative using proportional hazard models. However, age at onset of PD was not specifically transmitted within families. While PD is highly familial irrespective of age at onset, as with many other disorders, the earliest onsets in probands confer particularly high familial risk.
Programmed cell death of the normal human neutrophil: An in vitro model of senescence

The present study provides experimental data which indicate that the neutrophil is ideal for studying programmed cell death or apoptosis in vitro. Neutrophils can be obtained from human peripheral blood in large numbers with minimal experimental manipulation and are easily separated from other leukocytes, providing nearly pure cell suspensions. The neutrophil life span in vitro is sufficiently short to allow observations to be made within eight hours after experimental manipulation. Neutrophils can also be easily maintained in serum-free, chemically defined media which can be systematically altered, thereby defining specific variables that influence the apoptotic process. Since the neutrophils do not need an exogenous trigger to undergo programmed cell death, it is also an excellent model to study senescence. It was determined from this study that neutrophils undergo apoptosis most efficiently at 37 degrees C, a temperature requirement for physiologic cell death. Neutrophils undergo apoptosis at a slightly faster rate and maintain membrane integrity better when incubated in a tissue culture medium (e.g., RPMI 1640) compared with a balanced salt solution (e.g., HBBB). Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was shown to accelerate apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of Zn++ significantly decreased the rate of apoptosis, whereas the presence of Ca++ and Mg++ had no apparent effect. These studies indicate that the process of senescence, culminating in cell death, is subject to modulation by a variety of agents and experimental conditions. In addition, the ultrastructural features of neutrophils undergoing programmed cell death in vitro were compared in detail to those occurring in vivo and were found to be comparable.
IDSCA: An intelligent direction selector for the controller's action in multiloop control systems

IDSCA, an intelligent system, is developed for the direction selection of controller's action in a multiloop control system. In the design of a controller, the selections of both the valve type and the controller's action direction are important tasks, which directly affects the operation and safety of production. Traditional design can hardly solve the problem. Programmed in OPS5, IDSCA can perform the heuristic inference reasoning and make the intelligent decision. A significant result from IDSCA is the fact that a new design criterion is developed, which may complement the knowledge of controller design technique. the other important investigation is that the Adaptive Feedback Testing System (AFTS) is developed to provide the high reliability of the design results. These two investigations indicate that the development of intelligent systems can stimulate and help the development of both AI and related prototype problems. Moreover, IDSCA has some additional important features: its knowledge base can be modified and new production rules can be created in the running process to solve special problems; and the hierarchy of meta-level control strategy provides the means to manage the knowledge base of IDSCA efficiently. In this article, the principle of building intelligent systems is discussed. As an example, the cascade control system of a polymerizer is applied to illustrate the use of IDSCA.
Late-onset laryngomalacia: a variant of disease

Objective To identify and describe the features of laryngomalacia (LM) in a cohort of older children, with the goal of providing an approach to diagnosis and management of these patients. Laryngomalacia is a common congenital disorder characterized by decreased laryngeal tone, supraglottic collapse, and stridor during inspiration and is rarely seen in older children. However, the presence of LM in this population may be obscured by related but uncommon clinical features. Design Prospective collection and retrospective evaluation of older children with evidence of LM from 1998 to 2005. Setting Two tertiary pediatric institutions. Patients Prospective data collection of 239 patients with LM, including 222 with congenital LM and 17 diagnosed as having LM when they were older than 2 years and without a medical history of prior disease or symptoms—late-onset LM (mean age at onset, 6.6 years). Intervention Supraglottoplasty. Main Outcome Measure Symptom improvement. Results Patients with late-onset LM were classified into 3 categories according to their symptom complex; those presenting with feeding-disordered LM (n = 7; mean age at onset, 3.3 years), sleep-disordered LM (n = 7; mean age at onset, 6.3 years), and exercise-induced LM (n = 3; mean age at onset, 15 years). Stridor was rarely present except in patients with exercise-induced LM during strenuous activity. Profound arytenoid redundancy and prolapse was discovered in all patients during nasolaryngeal endoscopy. Typical anatomic features of congenital LM (shortened aryepiglottic folds or retroflexed epiglottis) were not discovered. No patient had a history of neuromuscular disease. Supra-arytenoid reduction (supraglottoplasty) led to clinical cure in all patients (mean duration of follow-up, 7.4 months). Prior adenotonsillectomies were performed in 5 patients with sleep-disordered LM. This did not improve symptoms, and these patients displayed evidence of LM as the source of obstruction. Conclusions Physicians should consider late-onset LM as a potential cause of feeding difficulties in toddlers, sleep apnea in children, and exercise intolerance in teenagers. As in infants with LM, supraglottoplasty improves late-onset disease.