cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 15820: Early and Pre-clinical Transcriptome Analysis by RNA Sequencing Identifies Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Inflammation as Early Phenotypic Consequences of Lamin A/C Deficiency

Introduction: Mutations in the LMNA gene, encoding Lamin A/C, cause several distinct phenotypes collectively referred to as laminopathies. Cardiac involvement is the primary cause of death and manifests as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), conduction defects, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The pathogenesis of cardiac phenotype in laminopathies remains largely unknown. Hypothesis: We posit that early pre-clinical RNA-Sequencing could identify the primary events in the heart in laminopathies. Methods: Lmna-/- and control wild type (WT) mice were characterized for cardiac function (echocardiography) and cardiac histology at 2 and 4 weeks. Transcriptome was analyzed by RNA-Seq at 2 weeks, prior to expression of cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Results: Hierarchal clustering of 908 differentially expressed transcripts in the heart (q Lmna -/- mice. Conclusions: Whole transcriptome analysis identifies mitochondrial dysfunction and myocardial inflammation, in part regulated by FOXO4 and E2F1 pathways, as early phenotypes preceding cardiac dysfunction and premature death. The findings implicate inflammation as a therapeutic target in cardiac involvement in laminopathies.
Explaining the discontinuation of a non-tobacco nicotine project at Philip Morris: obstacles to innovation

This paper investigates the fate of the Capillary Aerosol Generator (CAG), a nicotine aerosol device resembling modern e-cigarettes, developed by Philip Morris (PM) in 1994. A debate has emerged as to why this product never made it to market. In Donovan et al. v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., the sides presented opposing views in their arguments. To explore the reasons for CAG abandonment, we searched the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents database for key terms including ‘Capillary Aerosol,’ ‘Project LEAP’ (the project under which the CAG was housed), and ‘Tony Howell’ (CAG inventor). The results show that regulatory, legal, and political concerns deterred CAG development. A lack of progress even after these concerns had abated seems to reveal a larger reluctance to innovate non-tobacco products—perhaps due to concerns about competing against tobacco cigarettes. We also explored additional explanations such as technological barriers and lack of consumer interest.
Expedient on-resin synthesis of peptidic benzimidazoles.

Abstract The benzimidazole moiety is a ubiquitous pharmacophore present in numerous anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiviral, antineoplastic, and antifungal drugs. While the polypharmacology of this heterocycle has spurred the development of numerous solution-phase syntheses, only a handful of disparate and inefficient methods detailing its synthesis on-resin have been reported. Here we report the concise and expedient syntheses of internal and C-terminal peptidic benzimidazoles – an emerging class of peptide deformylase (PDF)-inhibiting antimicrobials. This method benefits from being performed wholly on solid-phase at room temperature resulting in minimal purification and tolerance of temperature-sensitive functionality.
The binary nucleation of n-octane and iso-octane

Publisher Summary This chapter presents preliminary results from the measurements of the nucleation of n-octane and isooctane. It discusses the difficulties with these measurements. It characterizes the data as showing the highest supersaturation, which one can achieve for a specific number of drops. The chapter measures the nucleation of pure n-octane and isooctane and one binary mixture with an expansion cloud chamber. These isomers were selected as a “nearly ideal” system with the expectation that information about the surface of a nucleation embryo could be extracted from the data. Conventional binary nucleation theory considers the nucleation embryo as a surface and a bulk mixture. For this model, one can ask, the surface tension that should be used to describe the surface of an embryo of only a few 10's of molecules. The experimental investigation of the binary nucleation of octane isomers is an attempt to isolate, as a single variable, the effects on nucleation of the changing of the surface of the embryo.
CdrA Interactions within the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Matrix Safeguard It from Proteolysis and Promote Cellular Packing

Biofilms are robust multicellular aggregates of bacteria that are encased in an extracellular matrix. Different bacterial species have been shown to use a range of biopolymers to build their matrices. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a model organism for the laboratory study of biofilms, and past work has suggested that exopolysaccharides are a required matrix component. However, we found that expression of the matrix protein CdrA, in the absence of biofilm exopolysaccharides, allowed biofilm formation through the production of a CdrA-rich proteinaceous matrix. This represents a novel function for CdrA. Similar observations have been made for other species such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which can utilize protein-dominant biofilm matrices. However, we found that these CdrA-containing matrices were susceptible to both exogenous and self-produced proteases. We previously reported that CdrA directly binds the biofilm matrix exopolysaccharide Psl. Now we have found that when CdrA bound to Psl, it was protected from proteolysis. Together, these results support the idea of the importance of multibiomolecular components in matrix stability and led us to propose a model in which CdrA-CdrA interactions can enhance cell-cell packing in an aggregate that is resistant to physical shear, while Psl-CdrA interactions enhance aggregate integrity in the presence of self-produced and exogenous proteases.IMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosa forms multicellular aggregates or biofilms using both exopolysaccharides and the CdrA matrix adhesin. We showed for the first time that P. aeruginosa can use CdrA to build biofilms that do not require known matrix exopolysaccharides. It is appreciated that biofilm growth is protective against environmental assaults. However, little is known about how the interactions between individual matrix components aid in this protection. We found that interactions between CdrA and the exopolysaccharide Psl fortify the matrix by preventing CdrA proteolysis. When both components-CdrA and Psl-are part of the matrix, robust aggregates form that are tightly packed and protease resistant. These findings provide insight into how biofilms persist in protease-rich host environments.
Children’s Drawings With Narratives in the Hospital Setting: Insights Into the Patient Experience

OBJECTIVES: To explore PICU patients’ experiences and perceptions through their drawings with explanatory narratives. METHODS: Single-center prospective study in a 14-bed PICU in a tertiary care, academic-affiliated hospital. Pediatric patients age 6 to 17 years admitted to the PICU were approached to participate within 12 hours of transfer out of the PICU. Patients completed a brief study interview to identify the best and worst things about their PICU experience. Patients were asked to draw a picture of their experiences and then explain their drawings to study staff. RESULTS: Forty patients (median age 11 [6–17] years) agreed to participate. The median length of PICU stay was 2 days. The best aspects of the PICU stay included staff (25%), entertainment devices (15%), and food (13%). The worst aspects of the PICU stay that were reported were the intravenous line (25%), alarms (10%), and physical discomfort (10%). The most common elements in drawings were self-depictions (88%), monitors (53%), the intravenous line (50%), registered nurses (35%), and television (33%). Patient narratives related to their drawings provided additional insights regarding patient experiences in the PICU and identified various coping mechanisms used by patients to adapt to their experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Drawing, along with explanation, enables patients admitted to a PICU to disclose additional unique descriptive information about their experiences as patients. Facilitating this mode of communication may increase providers’ awareness of positive and negative aspects of a PICU admission and may be used to improve pediatric patients’ experiences in the hospital setting.
Self-regenerating compliance and lubrication of polyacrylamide hydrogels

Pristine hydrogel surfaces typically have low friction, which is controlled by composition, slip speeds, and immediate slip history. The stiffness of such samples is typically measured with bulk techniques, and is assumed to be homogeneous at the surface. While the surface properties of homogeneous hydrogel samples are generally controlled by composition, the surface also interfaces with the open bath, which distinguishes it from the bulk. In this work, we disrupt as-molded polyacrylamide surfaces with abrasive wear and connect the effects on the surface stiffness and lubrication to the wear events. At both the nanoscale and the microscale, quasistatic indentations reveal a stiffer surface by up to two times following wear events, even considering roughness. Longitudinal experiments with a series of wear episodes interposed with periods of re-equilibration show that increased stiffness is reversible: more compliant surfaces regenerate within 24 hours. The timescale suggests an osmotic swelling mechanism, and we postulate that abrasive wear removes a swollen surface layer, revealing the stiffer bulk. The newly-revealed bulk becomes the surface, which re-swells over time. We quantify the effects on the self-lubricating ability of these surfaces following abrasive wear using micro-tribometry. The lubrication curve shows that robust low friction is maintained, and that the friction becomes less dependent upon the sliding speed. The unique ability of these materials to regenerate swollen surfaces and maintain robust low friction following abrasive wear is promising for designing their slip behavior into aqueous soft robotics components or biomedicine applications.
Comment on Jakubowicz et al. Reduction in Glycated Hemoglobin and Daily Insulin Dose Alongside Circadian Clock Upregulation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Consuming a Three-Meal Diet: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care 2019;42:2171-2180.

I read with great interest the clinical trial report by Jakubowicz et al. recently published in Diabetes Care (1). The authors demonstrated a large benefit in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes just by manipulating the frequency and distribution of meals throughout the day. The interesting findings were explained as suggestive of clock gene expression correction by means of shifting carbohydrate intake to the morning time. They performed mRNA expression assays to support this hypothesis. I want to point to an alternative explanation that, although inextricably associated with the protocol of the study, may be …
Reduced synthesis of zein in vitro by a high lysine mutant of maize.

Abstract Membrane-bound polyribosomes from normal maize and the opaque -2 mutant synthesized proteins in vitro which were similar to native zein in ethanol solubility and mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Unique size classes of large membrane-bound polyribosomes in normal maize were absent in the mutant. Correspondingly, there was a marked reduction in the synthesis of one of the major zein components by the mutant.
Continuous function of 80 primary renal allografts for 30-47 years with maintenance prednisone and azathioprine/mycophenolate mofetil therapy: A clinical mosaic of long-term successes.

Eighty primary renal allograft recipients, 61 living-related and 19 deceased donor, transplanted from 1963 through 1984 had continuous graft function for 30-47 years. They were treated with three different early immunosuppression programs (1963-1970: thymectomy, splenectomy, high oral prednisone; 1971-1979: divided-dose intravenous methylprednisolone; and 1980-1984: antilymphocyte globulin) each with maintenance prednisone and azathioprine, and no calcineurin inhibitor. Long-term treatment often included the anti-platelet medication, dipyridamole. Although both recipient and donor ages were young (27.2 ± 9.5 and 33.1 ± 12.0 years, respectively), six recipients with a parent donor had >40-year success. At 35 years, death-censored graft survival was 85.3% and death with a functioning graft 84.2%; overall graft survival was 69.5% (Kaplan-Meier estimate). Biopsy-documented early acute cellular and highly probable antibody-mediated rejections were reversed with divided-dose intravenous methylprednisolone. Complications are detailed in an integrated timeline. Hypogammaglobulinemia identified after 20 years doubled the infection rate. An association between a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and non-plasma-cell malignancies was identified. Twenty-seven azathioprine-treated patients tested after 37 years had extremely low levels of T1/T2 B lymphocytes representing a "low immunosuppression state of allograft acceptance (LISAA)". The lifetime achievements of these patients following a single renal allograft and low-dose maintenance immunosuppression are remarkable. Their success evolved as a clinical mosaic.
Safety and Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment of Portal Vein Stenosis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review.

Purpose:To evaluate the efficacy of Angioplasty and Stent Placement for the treatment of Portal Vein Stenosis in Liver Transplant Recipients by performing a systematic review.Materials and Methods:...
Better Edges not Bigger Graphs: An Interaction-Driven Friendship Recommender Algorithm for Social Networks

Online social networks have been increasingly growing over the past few years. One of the critical factors that drive these social networks’ success and growth is the friendship recommender algorithms, which are used to suggest relationships between users. Current friending algorithms are designed to recommend friendship connections that are easily accepted. Yet, most of these accepted relationships do not lead to any interactions. We refer to these relationships as weak connections. Facebook’s Friends-of-Friends (FoF) algorithm is an example of a friending algorithm that generates friendship recommendations with a high acceptance rate. However, a considerably high percentage of Facebook algorithm’s recommendations are of weak connections. The metric of measuring the accuracy of friendship recommender algorithms by acceptance rate does not correlate with the level of interactions, i.e., how much connected friends interact with one another. Consequently, new metrics and friendship recommenders are needed to form the next generation of social networks by generating better edges instead of merely growing the social graph with weak edges. This paper is a step towards this vision. We first introduce a new metric to measure the accuracy of friending recommendations by the probability that they lead to interactions. We then briefly investigate existing recommender systems and their limitations. We also highlight the consequences of recommending weak relationships within online social networks. To overcome the limitations of current friending algorithms, we present and evaluate a novel approach that generates friendship recommendations that have a higher probability of leading to interactions between users than existing friending algorithms.
The Effect of JAK1/2 Inhibitors on HIV Reservoir Using Primary Lymphoid Cell Model of HIV Latency

HIV eradication is hindered by the existence of latent HIV reservoirs in CD4+ T cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting latent cells are required to achieve a functional cure, however the study of latently infected cells from HIV infected persons is extremely challenging due to the lack of biomarkers that uniquely characterize them. In this study, the dual reporter virus HIVGKO was used to investigate latency establishment and maintenance in lymphoid-derived CD4+ T cells. Single cell technologies to evaluate protein expression, host gene expression, and HIV transcript expression were integrated to identify and analyze latently infected cells. FDA-approved, JAK1/2 inhibitors were tested in this system as a potential therapeutic strategy to target the latent reservoir. Latent and productively infected tonsillar CD4+ T cells displayed similar activation profiles as measured by expression of CD69, CD25, and HLADR, however latent cells showed higher CXCR5 expression 3 days post-infection. Single cell analysis revealed a small set of genes, including HIST1-related genes and the inflammatory cytokine, IL32, that were upregulated in latent compared to uninfected and productively infected cells suggesting a role for these molecular pathways in persistent HIV infection. In vitro treatment of HIV-infected CD4+ T cells with physiological concentrations of JAK1/2 inhibitors, ruxolitinib and baricitinib, used in clinical settings to target inflammation, reduced latent and productive infection events when added 24 hr after infection and blocked HIV reactivation from latent cells. Our methods using an established model of HIV latency and lymphoid-derived cells shed light on the biology of latency in a crucial anatomical site for HIV persistence and provides key insights about repurposing baricitinib or ruxolitinib to target the HIV reservoir.
Social Climate Research

Social climate (psychological climate, social context) is typically defined as the perceptions of a social environment that tend to be shared by a group of people. Climate is rooted in perception (“how I see the way things are done or how people treat each other around here”). Culture refers more to the beliefs, values, and norms that comprise the interdependent experiences and practices of larger collectives (“what we—as a group—should do and why and how we do it”) (Deninson, 1996; Schneider, 1990). Like meteorological or atmospheric climate, social climate is relatively distinctive across groups (as the tropics differ from the Himalayas), is dynamic or changeable within groups (like the seasons), and can influence behavior (like an individual's choice of clothing). Social climate research has grown considerably since White and Lippitt's (1960) early experiments comparing democratic, autocratic, and laissez-faire leadership in small groups of children. The concept and measurement of social climate have since been applied across widely diverse disciplines both within and outside the field of psychology. Keywords: group behavior; group psychology; social climate research; social environment
Arachidonoyl-ethanolamide activates endoplasmic reticulum stress-apoptosis in tumorigenic keratinocytes: Role of cyclooxygenase-2 and novel J-series prostamides.

Non-melanoma skin cancer and other epithelial tumors overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), differentiating them from normal cells. COX-2 metabolizes arachidonic acid to prostaglandins including, the J-series prostaglandins, which induce apoptosis by mechanisms including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Arachidonoyl-ethanolamide (AEA) is a cannabinoid that causes apoptosis in diverse tumor types. Previous studies from our group demonstrated that AEA was metabolized by COX-2 to J-series prostaglandins. Thus, the current study examines the role of COX-2, J-series prostaglandins, and ER stress in AEA-induced apoptosis. In tumorigenic keratinocytes that overexpress COX-2, AEA activated the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol requiring kinase-1 (IRE1), and activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6) ER stress pathways and the ER stress apoptosis-associated proteins, C/EBP homologous protein-10 (CHOP10), caspase-12, and caspase-3. Using an ER stress inhibitor, it was determined that ER stress was required for AEA-induced apoptosis. To evaluate the role of COX-2 in ER stress-apoptosis, HaCaT keratinocytes with low endogenous COX-2 expression were transfected with COX-2 cDNA or an empty vector and AEA-induced ER stress-apoptosis occurred only in the presence of COX-2. Moreover, LC-MS analysis showed that the novel prostaglandins, 15-deoxyΔ12,14PGJ2-EA and Δ12PGJ2/PGJ2-EA, were synthesized from AEA. These findings suggest that AEA will be selectively toxic in tumor cells that overexpress COX-2 due to the metabolism of AEA by COX-2 to J-series prostaglandin-ethanolamides (prostamides). Hence, AEA may be an ideal topical agent for the elimination of malignancies that overexpress COX-2. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SOLUTION OF INDEX 2 IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIAL-ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS BY LOBATTO RUNGE-KUTTA METHODS ∗

We consider the numerical solution of systems of index 2 implicit differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) by a class of super partitioned additive Runge–Kutta (SPARK) methods. The families of Lobatto IIIA-B-C-C*-D methods are included. We show super-convergence of optimal order 2s−2 for the s-stage Lobatto families provided the constraints are treated in a particular way which strongly relies on specific properties of the SPARK coefficients. Moreover, reversibility properties of the flow can still be preserved provided certain SPARK coefficients are symmetric.
Identity, Grievances, and Popular Mobilization for Independence in Catalonia

Ted Robert Gurr explains group mobilization in terms of the joint effects of shared identity, economic and status grievances, and the actions of political entrepreneurs. This article examines the relative effects of identity, material grievances, and estimates of the consequences of independence on two key indicators of support for independence in Catalonia: declared preferences for independence and intentions to vote for independence in a future referendum. We examine the impact of political entrepreneurs by analyzing the vote for independence-oriented parties in the 2012 Catalan election. Our findings suggest mobilization is more a product of strong Catalan identity than of grievance, and that mitigation of Catalan demands will therefore require increasing the recognition and status of Catalonia in the Spanish state.
Gay and Lesbian Faculty in Social Work: Roles and Responsibilities

Gay and lesbian students in schools of social work may experience discriminations and other forms of overt or subtle oppression, which is contrary to the NASW Code of Ethics and CSWE Curriculum Policy Statements. Gay and lesbian faculty in these schools must be encouraged to assume important roles and responsibilities in addressing the needs of these students. Primarily they must make sure that lesbians and gays, and their issues, do not remain invisible,. They should be open about thei9r sexual orientation and actively work toward creating an atmosphere that is truly committed to faculty must have explicit guarantees of nondiscrimination and other sources of support.
IMPLICIT PROGRAMMING AND THE INVARIANT MANIFOLD FOR RAMSEY EQUILIBRIA

We present an economically motivated construction of the global invariant manifold for a class of Ramsey equilibria. This invariant manifold is found by solving a functional equation for an implicit programming problem based on the most patient household’s necessary condition for an optimum. An iterative process is given which yields the first agent’s optimal policy function in the limit and thereby the invariant manifold.
Multiple Patient Samples of an Analyte Improve Detection of Changes in Clinical Status

Abstract Context. When comparing results over time, biologic variation must be statistically incorporated into the evaluation of laboratory results to identify a physiologic change. Traditional methods compare the difference in 2 values with the standard deviation (SD) of the biologic variation to indicate whether a “true” physiologic change has occurred. Objective. To develop methodology to reduce the effect of biologic variation on the difference necessary to detect changes in clinical status in the presence of biologic variation. Design. The standard test for change compares the difference between 2 points with the 95% confidence limit, given as . We examined the effect of multiple data pairs on the confidence limit. Results. Increasing the number of data pairs using the formula , where n = number of data pairs, significantly reduces the difference between values necessary to achieve a 95% confidence limit. Conclusions. Evaluating multiple paired sets of patient data rather than a single pair results...
The use of recombinant erythropoietin for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with ovarian cancer does not affect progression-free or overall survival.

BACKGROUND. Studies have suggested that erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) may affect progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a variety of cancer types. Because this finding had not been explored previously in ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma, the authors of this report analyzed their ovarian cancer population to determine whether ESA treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia affected PFS or OS. METHODS. A retrospective review was conducted of women who were treated for ovarian cancer at the corresponding author's institution over a 10-year period (from January 1994 to May 2004). Treatment groups were formed based on the use of an ESA. Two analyses of survival were conducted to determine the effect of ESA therapy on PFS and OS. Disease status was modeled as a function of treatment group using a logistic regression model. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to compare the groups, and a Cox proportional hazards model was fit to the data. RESULTS. In total, 343 women were identified. The median age was 57 (interquartile range, 48-68 years). The majority of women were Caucasian (n = 255; 74%) and were diagnosed with stage III (n = 210; 61%), epithelial (n = 268; 78%) ovarian cancer. Although the disease stage at diagnosis and surgical staging significantly affected the rates of disease recurrence and OS, the receipt of an ESA had no effect on PFS (P = .9) or OS (P = .25). CONCLUSIONS. The current results indicated that there was no difference in cancer-related PFS or OS with use of ESA in this cohort of women treated for ovarian cancer. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Heterogeneity in nanocomposite hydrogels from poly(ethylene oxide) cross-linked with silicate nanoparticles

We investigate the influence of ionic strength on the structural heterogeneity and viscoelastic properties of nanocomposite hydrogels. We use small-angle scattering and rheology to monitor structural changes as a function of ionic strength. Increasing ionic strength makes the nanocomposite gels macroscopically heterogeneous, stiffer and more turbid. At high shear rates, nanometre structures rearrange within aggregates and orient in the flow direction. The changing structural properties that develop with ionic strength are due to increased heterogeneity of nanoparticle distribution and polymer–nanoparticle interactions as well as to the formation of PEO [poly(ethylene oxide)] aggregates interacting with sodium cations, which reinforce the overall hydrogel network.
An improved isolation method and new composition data for Forssman hapten from sheep erythrocytes.

Abstract Forssman hapten was purified from sheep erythrocytes by extraction and chromatography on magnesium silicate, salicic acid, silica gel G and a Sephadex LH 20 derivative. It was homogeneous in five thin layer chromatographic systems, migrating either as a tetrahexosyl or pentahexosyl ceramide. Although isohaptens could not be detected chromatographically, differences in fatty acid components suggest that isohaptens might exist without resolution by the chromatographic methods employed herein. Lignoceric and nervonic acids occurred at a ratio of 2·8:1·0. Carbohydrate analysis by two methods revealed galactose, glucose and galactosamine in molar ratios of 2·17:1·12:2:16. When activated with phrenosine, purified hapten had a mean specific activity of 586 AbH 50 units/μg.
Local Solution for the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Equation in R2

Abstract In this paper we obtain results about local existence, uniqueness, regularity, and continuous dependence on the initial data for the solution of the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation with positive dispersion in R 2 and initial data in Sobolev spaces of order s ≥ 3. Our method uses an approximated problem where the theory of quasi-linear evolution equations is applicable.
Systematic Literature Review of Spinal Decompression Via Motorized Traction for Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain

Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature to assess the efficacy of nonsurgical spinal decompression achieved with motorized traction for chronic discogenic lumbosacral back pain. Design: Computer-aided systematic literature search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane collaboration for prospective clinical trials on adults with low back pain in the English literature from 1975 to October 2005. Methodologic quality for each study was assessed. Studies were included if the intervention group received motorized spinal decompression and the comparison group received sham or another type of nonsurgical treatment. Results: Data from 10 studies were fully analyzed. Seven studies were randomized controlled trials using various apparatus types. Because of this low number, we also analyzed three nonrandomized case series studies of spinal decompression systems. As the overall quality of studies was low and the patient groups heterogeneous, a meta-analysis was not appropriate and a qualitative review was undertaken. Sample sizes averaged 121 patients (range 27–292), with six of the seven randomized studies reporting no difference with motorized spinal decompression and one study reporting reduced pain but not disability. The three unrandomized studies (no control group) of motorized spinal decompression found a 77% to 86% reduction in pain. Conclusions: These data suggest that the efficacy of spinal decompression achieved with motorized traction for chronic discogenic low back pain remains unproved. This may be, in part, due to heterogeneous patient groups and the difficulties involved in properly blinding patients to the mechanical pulling mechanism. Scientifically more rigorous studies with better randomization, control groups, and standardized outcome measures are needed to overcome the limitations of past studies.
Non-spatial setting in Nungon

The Finisterre-Huon Papuan language Nungon, like related languages, shows fusion of tense marking with number marking. Nungon is remarkable among Finisterre-Huon languages for an aspectual distinction conflated with evidentiality, and for the development of a formally marked realis Remote Future tense inflection with a formally unmarked irrealis counterpart. This paper presents the entire Nungon verbal inflectional system, including tense, aspect, status, subject and object indexing, referent tracking, and evidentiality.
Using the National Longitudinal Surveys to Examine Changes in Women's Role Behavior

This paper explores the uses of a particular set of panel data, the National Longitudinal Surveys, to study women's issues. Women's labor force behaviors, role conceptions, and family statuses were measured at several time points. Various ways of examining the relationships among these variables are presented. The general utility of using panel data to study women's issues is also discussed.
Tethered epidermal growth factor as a paradigm for growth factor–induced stimulation from the solid phase

We have tethered epidermal growth factor (EGF) to a solid substrate in a manner permitting the factor to retain its biological activity as assessed by both mitogenic and morphological assays. Mouse EGF was covalently coupled to aminosilane-modified glass via star poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), which allows the ligand to retain significant mobility and active conformation. Tethered EGF was as effective as soluble EGF in eliciting DNA synthesis and cell rounding responses of primary rat hepatocytes under different surface conditions. In contrast, physically adsorbed EGF at comparable surface concentrations showed no activity. Presentation of growth factors in this manner may help to expedite their clinical use by permitting greater control of temporal and spatial availability in the extracellular environment.
Salivary Gland Antigens in Normal Human Urine, one Representing Amylase (18)

1. Hyperimmune antiserum to human submaxillary gland was exhaustively absorbed with plasma, kidney, pancreas and prostate; the resulting reagent failed to react detectably with concentrated extracts of 17 different tissues, while it revealed at least four antigens in submaxillary gland extracts by various gel diffusion methods.2. Such antiserum, apparently specific for constituents of submaxillary gland, regularly demonstrated two of these antigens in normal human urine concentrates. The latter showed distinctly differing electrophoretic mobilities.3. The most cathodal urinary antigen detected with the antiserum “specific” for submaxillary gland was shown to be amylase, while the anodal one was enzymatically non-active in tests for esterase, glucuronidase, glucosaminidase, catalase, phosphatase, cystine-aminopeptidase, and sulfatase.4. Comparative tests with partially absorbed antiserum to submaxillary gland and to pancreas yielded evidence which indicated that submaxillary gland contains an amylase isoen...
Excretion of K+ by frog skin with rate varying with K+ load

Abstract 1. 1. The skin of Rana pipiens excretes K+ in an in vivo preparation. 2. 2. The excretion of K+ by the skin is augmented by loading of the animal with K+ salts. 3. 3. In the K+ loaded frogs K+ excretion by the skin averaged 41% of total excretion (skin + urine), while in the control group K+ excretion by the skin was at least 90% of the total. 4. 4. It is concluded that the frog skin can excrete K+ and that the skin is an important organ for K+ balance.
Specificity studies of the GDP-[l]-fucose: 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-[d]-glucoside (Fuc → Asn-linked GlcNac) 6-α-[l]-fucosyltransferase from rat-liver Golgi membranes

Abstract The specificity of Golgi-membrane glycoprotein 6-α-[ l -fucosyltransferase [GDP-[ l ]-fucose: 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-[ d ]-glucoside (Fuc → Asn-linked GlcNAc) 6-α-[ l ]-fucosyltransferase; EC 2.4.1.68] has been assessed with regard to substrate covalent structures and the effect of a protein matrix on the conformational display of those covalent structures. Specificity was studied by direct comparison of the substrate quality of nine 6-biotinamidohexanoylAsn (= R) derivatives of intermediates and products in the pathway from Man5GlcNAc2-R to a fully sialylated biantennary complex-type glycan. The Man5 derivative and the sialic acid-containing glycans were completely inactive as substrates. The other glycans were all fucosylated; the best substrate was GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc2-R. The protein-matrix effect was studied by comparing the substrate quality of the same 6-biotinamidohexanoylAsn derivatives as well as the corresponding biotinylAsn derivatives free in solution and bound to streptavidin. On the basis of a model derived from the known 3D structure of biotin (biocytin)-saturated streptavidin, it was predicted that the fucosylation site in the substrates would be completely masked in the biotin-binding pocket in the biotinyl derivatives (proximal display), and at least partially masked in the 6-biotinamidohexanoyl derivatives (distal display). The activity measurements were in agreement with these predictions; the glycan structures GlcNAcMan5GlcNAc2-, GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc2-, and GlcNAc2Man3GlcNAc2- were readily fucosylated as derivatives free in solution, but were totally inert in the proximal complex with streptavidin. In the distal complexes the latter two structures were found to be fucosylated very slowly while the former structure was inactive.
Optimal control of dynamic systems: Application to spline approximations

Generally, classical polynomial splines tend to exhibit unwanted undulations. In this work, we discuss a technique, based on control principles, for eliminating these undulations and increasing the smoothness properties of the spline interpolants. We give a generalization of the classical polynomial splines and show that this generalization is, in fact, a family of splines that covers the broad spectrum of polynomial, trigonometric and exponential splines. A particular element in this family is determined by the appropriate control data. It is shown that this technique is easy to implement. Several numerical and curve-fitting examples are given to illustrate the advantages of this technique over the classical approach. Finally, we discuss the convergence properties of the interpolant.
Spacelab 2 infrared telescope cryogenic system

The paper discusses the development of a cryogenic helium system to provide cooling to a scanning infrared telescope for the Spacelab 2 mission. The infrared optical/detector system and related electronics are being developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the University of Arizona. A superfluid helium dewar and porous plug phase separator permit gas cooling of the infrared focal plane assembly to about 2.5 K, and of the two telescope sections to 8 K and 60 K. The design of the cryogenic system,including a commandable vacuum cover, and the prelaunch liquid helium servicing and maintenance approach were discussed. It is concluded that the system will satisfy the Infrared Telescope requirements, and the superfluid helium system shall be capable of satisfying cryogenic helium cooled requirements for the next several years.
Quantification of zidovudine and individual zidovudine phosphates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by a combined isocratic high performance liquid chromatography radioimmunoassay method

Zidovudine (ZDV, AZT) is the first clinically effective drug licensed for use in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Activation of ZDV requires phosphorylation to ZDV triphosphate by cellular kinases. It is important, therefore, to determine the intracellular levels of the active form because measurement of ZDV concentrations in plasma have not reflected any direct relationship with activity or toxicity. In this paper a validated assay for the measurement of both ZDV and its three phosphorylated anabolites, ZDV mono-, di- and triphosphate, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is described. The method consisted of a combination of isocratic high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and radioimmunoassay (RIA). The PBMCs were separated from whole blood and ZDV and ZDV nucleotides were extracted and separated by isocratic elution with an ion-pairing mobile phase on a reversed-phase HPLC column. The collected ZDV and individual ZDV nucleotide fractions were dephosphorylated to ZDV, cleaned by solid phase extraction and assayed by a commercially available RIA kit. The assay developed was successfully used to determine intracellular ZDV and anabolite concentrations of 10 PBMC samples taken from HIV positive patients on ZDV treatment.
Sex-specific effects of AGT-6 and ACE I/D on pulse pressure after 6 months on antihypertensive treatment: the GenHAT study.

Summary Research suggests pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease, and genes likely influence PP levels. Additionally, gender may be an effect modifier between PP and cardiovascular disease. This study addresses whether two renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) variants are associated with PP in a sex-specific manner (genotype-by-sex interaction). Subjects comprised 35,048 GenHAT study participants over 55 years old, approximately half were women and half nonHispanic white. Blood pressure measurements were obtained 6 months after randomization to one of four antihypertensive medications. The polymorphisms considered were AGT-6 and ACE-I/D. We employed linear regression to assess the interaction. AGT-6 showed a significant (p < 0.001) genotype-by-sex interaction. Men with the ‘G/G’ genotype had a higher PP (0.6 mm HG) than men carrying an ‘A’ allele, while ‘G/G’ women had a lower PP (0.7 mm Hg) than women carrying an ‘A’ allele. Three of the four treatment groups (chlorthalidone, amlodipine and lisinopril) suggested a consistent interaction in sub-group analyses (only amlodipine was statistically significant, p < 0.001), whereas doxazosin did not. The interaction was evident among non-Hispanic participants but not among Hispanic participants. For ACE-I/D no evidence for a genotype-by-sex interaction was detected. This finding of genotype-by-sex interaction on PP helps our understanding of the complexity of genetic effects on blood pressure.
The general motion of a circular disk in a Brinkman medium

Solutions of the Brinkman equation for the arbitrary motion of a circular disk are obtained which examine for the first time the effect of particle orientation on the particle drag and torque. Four elementary motions are studied analytically: broadside translation, edgewise translation, rotation about the axis of symmetry, and rotation about the diameter. These motions are closely related to the analogous unsteady oscillation of a disk in Stokes flow [Zhang and Stone, J. Fluid Mech. (1998)]. However, our solution procedure differs in that the problems are formulated using a general solution of the Brinkman equation and are solved by reducing the dual integral equations arising from the mixed boundary conditions in the plane of the disk to a Fredholm integral equation of the second type. Asymptotic results for the drag and torque are derived for both small and large values of the permeability parameter α defined by a/Kp, where a is the radius of the disk and Kp the Darcy permeability. In contrast to the Stokesian motion of a disk, where the drag differs by only a factor of 1.5 for broadside and edgewise translational motion, and is isotropic for rotation about any axis through its center, there is a large difference in the drag and torque with increasing α. In a Brinkman medium, the drag on the disk is proportional to α for edgewise motion and to α2 for broadside motion and the torque is proportional to α2 for out-of-plane rotation and to α for in-plane rotation. For intermediate values of α, the integral equations are solved numerically for the drag and torque exerted by the porous medium on the disk. These results are of importance in probing the microstructure of the porous medium and thus provide a way to test the validity of the effective medium approach.
Cre-lox univector acceptor vectors for functional screening in protoplasts: analysis of Arabidopsis donor cDNAs encoding ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE1-like protein phosphatases

The 14,200 available full length Arabidopsis thaliana cDNAs in the universal plasmid system (UPS) donor vector pUNI51 should be applied broadly and efficiently to leverage a “functional map-space” of homologous plant genes. We have engineered Cre-lox UPS host acceptor vectors (pCR701- 705) with N-terminal epitope tags in frame with the loxH site and downstream from the maize Ubiquitin promoter for use in transient protoplast expression assays and particle bombardment transformation of monocots. As an example of the utility of these vectors, we recombined them with several Arabidopsis cDNAs encoding Ser/Thr protein phosphatase type 2C (PP2Cs) known from genetic studies or predicted by hierarchical clustering meta-analysis to be involved in ABA and stress responses. Our functional results in Zea mays mesophyll protoplasts on ABA-inducible expression effects on the Late Embryogenesis Abundant promoter ProEm:GUS reporter were consistent with predictions and resulted in identification of novel activities of some PP2Cs. Deployment of these vectors can facilitate functional genomics and proteomics and identification of novel gene activities.
Density-dependent matrix yield equation for optimal harvest of age-structured wildlife populations

Abstract A density-dependent matrix model was applied to develop a harvest model for wildlife populations. The model links life tables, Leslie matrix models, the logistic equation, and surplus production models applied in fisheries; it is well suited for populations such as white-tailed deer. The model was applied to determine the optimum yield of the white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus borealis Miller) population on the George Reserve in southeastern Michigan. The optimum yield and the age structure of the optimum yield were determined by fecundity, survival, and the carrying capacity. The optimum yield obtained with the density-dependent matrix model is nearly identical to that obtained through extensive biological analyses, and it did not require habitat analyses or determination of factors limiting population growth.
Four-wave mixing and wavelength conversion in quantum dots

We perform a theoretical analysis based on density-matrix equations to determine the nonlinear susceptibilities and gain coefficients for a quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier. Our results show that for a single bound-state quantum-dot, carrier relaxation at large current densities is limited by the carrier capture time from the continuum to the bound state. We then compare our results with experiment and show that there is a significant contribution from carrier heating in the four-wave mixing efficiency. Our results and data fit indicate that efficient four-wave mixing on high-speed signals of greater than 160 Gb/s is possible.
Psychological Inquiry and the Pragmatic and Hermeneutic Traditions

Psychological practitioner inquiry differs in kind from psychological researcher inquiry. From the perspective of researcher inquiry, practice should consist of applying research-generated knowledge. Because practitioners consistently report that this is not how they approach their clients, and because the epistemological foundations of psychology research inquiry have been questioned, it is necessary to study how practitioners actually engage in practice. The hermeneutic tradition of Heidegger and Gadamer and the pragmatic tradition of Dewey provide a philosophical groundwork for the study of practitioner inquiry. Gadamer and Dewey propose that in everyday functioning people primarily act out of their internalized, culturally provided knowledge, which primarily functions outside of awareness. However, they also hold that people are not locked into their socially transmitted backgrounds. People can advance the effectiveness of their received practical knowledge through reflective inquiry and trial-and-err...
The Job of Representation in Congress: Public Expectations and Representative Approval

Few concepts are more central to democratic theory than that of representation. Theories of representation are commonly premised on the belief that citizens' expectations of their representative are politically consequential, yet we know little about the nature of these expectations and precisely how they matter. Using individual-level data from a recent national survey, we investigate the influence of constituents' job expectations on their approval of their representative in Congress. We find that citizens' job expectations condition the effects of members' legislative activities on their job approval.