cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of other autoantibodies in patients with autoimmune epilepsy in presence of elevated anti-GAD antibody titer (P4.286)

Objective: To compare seizure frequencies between the patients positive only for anti-GAD and the patients positive for other antibodies along with anti-GAD. Background: Autoimmune Epilepsy (AIE) is described in association with antibodies to increasing number of autoantigens such as GAD, NMDA, AMPA, VGKC (LGI1, CASPR2), GluR3, GABA B, GABA A, Hu, Ma, MOG and anti-TPO. Given the coexistence of other antibodies along with anti-GAD in AIE, their combined effect on disease and response to immunosuppression, as opposed to patients positive only for anti-GAD Ab has not been investigated fully. Design/Methods: In our retrospective chart review, 5 patients positive only for anti-GAD (GAD) and 7 patients positive for Anti GAD plus (GAD+) other antibodies (VJKC, TPO, Thyroglobulin, ANA, CRP) were included. The seizure frequency per month at the time of serum sample collection was calculated. Further, seizure type was noted based on EEG recording. Results: The patients mean age in GAD group was 38 years and GAD+ group was 41 years. The patients in GAD+ group had higher seizure frequency of 0.75 ± 0.25 seizures per month compared to GAD 2.55 ± 2 seizures per month. Within GAD+ group, the anti-TPO were positive in all the patients, with positivity to VGKC in 1 patient, ANA in 3 patients and C-reactive protein 2 patients. On EEG, the patients in GAD group had focal seizures with secondary generalization type scenario compared to GAD+ group that had relatively higher diverse pattern of seizure types. Conclusions: Per our observation, higher seizure frequency and diverse seizure presentations in GAD+ group suggests that the coexistence of other antibodies along with anti-GAD Ab have role in increasing disease burden. It also raises a possibility that the anti-GAD Ab itself may not be the cause of AIE. Further analysis of positive antibodies serial titers in response to immunosuppression may explain the role of other antibodies. Disclosure: Dr. Suchdev has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yarraguntla has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ibrahim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose.
Prosthetic Groups and Mechanism of Action of Nitrate Reductase from Neurospora Crassa

Publisher Summary The assimilation of nitrate by higher plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms as well as the use of nitrate by microorganisms as a terminal respiratory oxidant in the absence of oxygen require the presence of nitrate reductase, which catalyzes the two electron reduction of nitrate to nitrite. The ubiquity and importance of this reaction, as well as the ease of assaying the product nitrite, has resulted in a growing literature on many aspects of the enzymology and regulation of nitrate reductase. The assimilatory enzyme from the mold Neurospora crassa has been intensively studied. This chapter discusses a study to present an evaluation of the types of prosthetic groups present in the enzyme. Workers studying nitrate reductase in the tissues of higher plants have also observed destructive proteolytic activities during extraction of the enzyme. Nitrate reductase is an energetically wasteful enzyme and is rapidly repressed by ammonia. Thus the hypothesis that inducible enzymes of this type may be so constructed as to be especially susceptible to specific intracellular proteolytic inactivation, is reasonable in its logic.
On the Evolution of Reproductive Isolation and the Origin of Species

Species, in sexually reproducing organisms, are arrays of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such arrays. The origin of species may be seen as one important consequence of the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms (RIMs) between populations, or groups thereof. Some recent authors have argued that new species arise rather by the evolution of mutual recognition systems; and that species should be defined as populations sharing in a common fertilization system. These two views differ concerning the evolutionary sequence of events leading to new species. The first view implies that postzygotic RIMs are likely to evolve first, as a consequence of genetic divergence between geographically separated populations; whereas sexual isolation and other prezygotic RIMs are likely to evolve later. The evolution of prezygotic RIMs will be directly promoted by natural selection whenever populations exhibiting postzygotic RIMs become sympatric. The second hypothesis postulates, on the contrary, that mechanisms of mutual recognition readily evolve among geographically separated populations. A series of tests with several widely–distributed species of Drosophila, support the first hypothesis.
Voices from the Ground: The Impact of Local Organizing on National Policy and Advocacy Agendas

How do the poor gain political representation? What factors determine whether grassroots organizations engaged in local protest influence national policy and advocacy agendas? Existing research points to the importance of local protest strategy for constituencies that are unable to gain access to the political system. The political representation of politically marginalized groups, such as low-income communities of color, is a challenge for mainstream interest groups in the US political system. Due to such challenges, scholars have argued that advocacy on behalf of marginalized groups might be more likely to occur at the local level. Local organizations, sometimes independently and sometimes acting as affiliates of national groups, are more likely to engage constituencies in protest activities and to work on affecting change at the national, state, city, or neighborhood levels. Additionally, recent scholarship indicates that these local groups may influence national organizational priorities. In this paper, I present a piece of a larger book project assessing the organizing activities of the Black Panther Party and the National Welfare Rights Organization between 1968 and 1971, and the impact of those activities on national civil rights organizations. The two groups varied in their missions, structures, and relationships with national civil rights organizations. However, both shared a priority of establishing a guaranteed income. Based on the archives of the NAACP, National Urban League, and the SCLC, my findings indicate that local organizing influenced national priorities. The NWRO’s focus on legislative change, and the Black Panthers’ mass mobilization, worked in concert to make a guaranteed income policy a priority for national civil rights organizations.
Universal Generators for Primary Closures of Galois Fields

If \( \bar{F} \) is an algebraic closure of a Galois field F, then for each integer n ≥ 1 there is exactly one subfield E n of \( \bar{F} \) containing F and having degree n over F. For a prime number r, we consider the r-primary closure \( {\bar{F}_{r}}: = \bigcup {_{{m \geqslant 0}}{E_{{{r^{m}}}}}} \) over F and prove, under the assumption that r ≥ 7, but without any restriction on the cardinality q of F, the existence of a universal generator for \( {\bar{F}_{r}} \) over F: this is a sequence \( w = {({w_{{{r^{m}}}}})_{{m \geqslant 0}}} \) in \( {\bar{F}_{r}} \) which satisfies all the following properties: (1) \( {w_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) is a. primitive element of \( {E_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) (for all m ≥ 0), (2) \( {w_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) generates a normal basis for \( {E_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) over F (for all m ≥ 0), (3) w is norm-compatible, (4) w is trace compatible. We prove furthermore that (2) can be strengthened to (2 c ) \( {w_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) is completely free in \( {E_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) over F (for all m ≥ 0),which means that \( {w_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) simultaneously generates a normal basis for \( {E_{{{r^{m}}}}} \) over \( {E_{{{r^{i}}}}} \) for all i = 0, 1, …, m, whence w is called a complete universal generator for \( {\bar{F}_{r}} \) over F. The results establish a (complete) primitive normal basis theorem for \( {\bar{F}_{r}} \) over F.
The Use of the AMS800 Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Combination with the Gastric Tube for Continence in the Canine Model

AbstractAn experimental canine model was designed to examine the potential use of the artificial urinary sphincter around a gastric tube. The artificial urinary sphincter was placed around a tubularized gastric flap as part of a continent gastric reservoir in 4 dogs and in 2 additional dogs the gastric tube was anastomosed to the native bladder. Two dogs underwent placement of the artificial urinary sphincter around the gastric tube 4 weeks postoperatively and the remainder had the sphincter placed simultaneously with creation of the gastric tube. All dogs with the gastric reservoir underwent urodynamics before and after activation of the sphincter. Only 61 to 70cm. water pressure balloons were used. All dogs were continent postoperatively on clean intermittent catheterization every 8 hours. There were no erosions or problems with catheterization. Urodynamics confirmed a compliant system and an average increase of capacity of 410% after artificial urinary sphincter activation (4 dogs). There was no leakag...
Luteinizing Hormone Involvement in Aging Female Cognition: Not All Is Estrogen Loss

Pervasive age-related dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is associated with cognitive impairments in aging as well as pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as the Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a major regulator of the HPG axis, the steroid hormone estrogen has been widely studied for its role in regulation of memory. Although estrogen modulates both cognition as well as cognition associated morphological components in a healthy state, the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy on cognition and disease seem to diminish with advancing age. Emerging data suggests an important role for luteinizing hormone (LH) in CNS function, which is another component of the HPG axis that becomes dysregulated during aging, particularly in menopause. The goal of this review is to highlight the current existing literature on LH and provide new insights on possible mechanisms of its action.
Extragenital condyloma acuminatum in the left axillary vault

Condyloma acuminatum is a benign epithelial proliferation attributed to the epidermotropic human papillomavirus (HPV) and generally associated with sexual transmission. More than 100 types of HPV have been discovered, but strains 6 and 11 are found to cause approximately 90% of condyloma acuminatum. Lesions occur most frequently on the mucous membranes of the anogenital region, but also may occur in the conjunctiva and oral mucosa. Extragenital condyloma acuminatum not associated with sexual activity is rare, having previously only been described in the groin and inframammary fold.1 We report a patient with condyloma acuminatum occurring on the skin of the axilla.
Past, present, future: mapping the research in visual literacy

The multi-disciplinarity of visual literacy has become even more pronounced in an age of digital information. What shared questions do we ask in our research, where does our work intersect and how ...
The NLRP1 inflammasome: new mechanistic insights and unresolved mysteries

Nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins constitute a diverse class of innate immune sensors that detect pathogens or stress-associated stimuli in plants and animals. Some NLRs are activated upon direct binding to pathogen-derived ligands. In contrast, we focus here on a vertebrate NLR called NLRP1 that responds to the enzymatic activities of pathogen effectors. We discuss a newly proposed 'functional degradation' mechanism that explains activation and assembly of NLRP1 into an oligomeric complex called an inflammasome. We also discuss how NLRP1 is activated by non-pathogen-associated triggers such as the anti-cancer drug Val-boroPro, or by human disease-associated mutations. Finally, we discuss how research on NLRP1 has led to additional biological insights, including the unexpected discovery of a new CARD8 inflammasome.
Clinical efficacy and toxicity data on phase I study of fosbretabulin in combination with everolimus in neuroendocrine tumors.

4114Background: Fosbretabulin, a synthetic, water-soluble, phosphorylated prodrug of the natural product combretastatin A4 (CA4P), initially isolated from the bark of the South African bush willow,...
Prevention of cardiovascular disease and renal failure in type 2 diabetes: sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors

End-stage renal failure is a common and devastating consequence of type 2 diabetes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), reduce cardiovascular events and deterioration of renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment. Type 2 diabetes is a global epidemic.1 It is the third most frequent cause of disability in high-income countries and the most common cause in most low-income countries.1 Much of this disability relates from renal impairment caused by uncontrolled blood glucose levels; as many as 40% of patients with diabetes will develop kidney disease.2 The presence of renal impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes has many consequences—chiefly, these patients are at substantial risk of cardiovascular disease and, often in <10 years, progress to end-stage renal failure.3 Currently, the only medicines approved for renoprotective in patients with diabetes are renin–angiotensin blockers, namely ACEI and ARBs.4 The CREDENCE trial tested the effect of …
Democracy at Work: Pathways to Well-Being in Brazil

One of the greatest challenges in the twenty-first century is to address large, deep, and historic deficits in human development. Democracy at Work explores a crucial question: how does democracy, with all of its messy, contested, and, time-consuming features, advance well-being and improve citizens' lives? Professors Brian Wampler, Natasha Borges Sugiyama, and Michael Touchton argue that differences in the local robustness of three democratic pathways - participatory institutions, rights-based social programs, and inclusive state capacity - best explain the variation in how democratic governments improve well-being. Using novel data from Brazil and innovative analytic techniques, the authors show that participatory institutions permit citizens to express voice and exercise vote, inclusive social programs promote citizenship rights and access to public resources, and more capable local states use public resources according to democratic principles of rights protections and equal access. The analysis uncovers how democracy works to advance capabilities related to poverty, health, women's empowerment, and education.
Nutrient dilution and climate cycles underlie declines in a dominant insect herbivore

Evidence for global insect declines mounts, increasing our need to understand underlying mechanisms. We test the nutrient dilution (ND) hypothesis-the decreasing concentration of essential dietary minerals with increasing plant productivity-that particularly targets insect herbivores. Nutrient dilution can result from increased plant biomass due to climate or CO2 enrichment. Additionally, when considering long-term trends driven by climate, one must account for large-scale oscillations including El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). We combine long-term datasets of grasshopper abundance, climate, plant biomass, and end-of-season foliar elemental content to examine potential drivers of abundance cycles and trends of this dominant herbivore. Annual grasshopper abundances in 16- and 22-y time series from a Kansas prairie revealed both 5-y cycles and declines of 2.1-2.7%/y. Climate cycle indices of spring ENSO, summer NAO, and winter or spring PDO accounted for 40-54% of the variation in grasshopper abundance, mediated by effects of weather and host plants. Consistent with ND, grass biomass doubled and foliar concentrations of N, P, K, and Na-nutrients which limit grasshopper abundance-declined over the same period. The decline in plant nutrients accounted for 25% of the variation in grasshopper abundance over two decades. Thus a warming, wetter, more CO2-enriched world will likely contribute to declines in insect herbivores by depleting nutrients from their already nutrient-poor diet. Unlike other potential drivers of insect declines-habitat loss, light and chemical pollution-ND may be widespread in remaining natural areas.
Immuno-hematologic parameters following rodent spinal cord contusion are negatively influenced by high-fat diet consumption.

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in perturbations to the immune system leading to increased infection susceptibility. In parallel, the consumption of high-fat diets (HFD) leads to a chronic inflammation in circulation and body tissues. We investigated the impact of 16 weeks of HFD on chronically-injured rats. SCI rats under both chow and HFD showed peripheral leukocyte changes that include reduced percentages of total, helper and cytotoxic T, and natural killer cells. Expression of immune-related genes in the spleen and thymus reflected the impact of both chronic injury and diet. Changes to the immune system following SCI are adversely impacted by HFD consumption.
The Case of the Hungry Hippos: Supporting Students' Development of Problem-Finding Strategies.

While problem identification is a key stage in creative problem solving, many gifted students may rush to begin developing solutions before they have spent sufficient time accurately identifying th...
On the giant sea-salt particles in the atmosphere: III. An estimate of the production and distribution over the world ocean1

Results of the preceding two parts of this series of articles, concerning the rate of production of giant particles at the sea surface and the manner in which they are distributed in the atmosphere...
Examining the Risk of Potentially Preventable Hospitalization in Adults with Congenital and Acquired Disabilities

Research Objectives Adults with congenital (cerebral palsy/spina bifida (CP/SB)) or acquired disabilities (spinal cord injury (SCI) or multiple sclerosis (MS)) are more likely than those without disability to develop medical complications. Little is known about potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) among adults with disabilities. PPHs are preventable if a patient had timely access to care. Our objective was to estimate PPH risk for each of the aforementioned disabilities. Design Logistic regression models with repeated measures were subsequently applied, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, health indicators, U.S. census divisions, and socioeconomic variables. Odd ratios (OR) were compared over 4-years of follow up. Setting We used private payer claims data from 2007-2017 to identify adults (18+) with diagnoses of CP/SB (n=10,617), SCI (n=5,173), and MS (n=6,198). Adults without these disabilities were included as controls.We propensity score matched individuals for age and sex. Logistic regression models with repeated measures were subsequently applied, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, health indicators, U.S. census divisions, and socioeconomic variables. Participants Adults (18+) with diagnoses of CP/SB (n=10,617), SCI (n=5,173), and MS (n=6,198). Interventions Use of preventative services and their interactions with our exposure variable (specific disability type). Main Outcome Measures Risk and cost of potentially preventable hospitalization. Results Adults with CP/SB, SCI, and MS had higher odds of any PPH compared with adults without disability [CP/SB: (OR=4.10; 95% CI: 2.31-7.31); SCI: (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.21-2.32); and MS: (OR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.00-2.25)]. Use of preventative services reduced the PPH risk. For example, wellness visit reduced the odds of PPH by almost half [CP/SB: (OR=0.52; 95% CI: 0.41-0.67); SCI: (OR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.45-0.71); and MS: (OR=0.53; 95% CI: 0.40-0.66)]. Conclusions Adults with disabilities are at greater odds of PPH compared to adults without disabilities. Clinical guidelines for use of preventative care for adults living with disabilities need to be accordingly updated. Author(s) Disclosures There is no conflict of interest to disclose.
Resolving Doppler-factor crisis in AGNs: non-steady magnetized outflows

Magnetically-driven non-stationary acceleration of jets in AGNs results in the leading parts of the flow been accelerated to much higher Lorentz factors than in the case of steady state acceleration with the same parameters. The higher Doppler-boosted parts of the flow may dominate the high energy emission of blazar jets. We suggest that highly variable GeV and TeV emission in blazars is produced by the faster moving leading edges of highly magnetized non-stationary ejection blobs, while the radio data trace the slower-moving bulk flow. Model predictions compare favorably with the latest Fermi gamma-ray and MOJAVE radio VLBI results.
Is Burnout an Institutional Syndrome

(1989). Is Burnout an Institutional Syndrome? Loss, Grief & Care: Vol. 3, No. 1-2, pp. 95-100.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF FLOW OSCILLATIONS IN CRYOGENIC FLUID HEAT EXCHANGERS

Flow oscillations have been encountered in numerous applications involving heat transfer to cryogenic fluids [1,2]. Analysis has indicated that pressure-drop feedback from the heated expanded fluid couples with the flow rate to cause the instability [3,4]. Oscillations are typically observed under conditions of low flow rate or high energy input into the fluid.
Profound morphological changes are associated with high FDG uptake in brown adipose tissue as observed in TEM images

1133 Objectives Brown adipose tissue can confound interpretation of FDG PET scans. Lower levels of BAT have been identified in the elderly, the obese, and those with poor glucose regulation suggesting BAT activity may impact blood glucose levels and obesity. Cold stimulation of BAT can result in markedly different levels of FDG uptake into stimulated BAT. We examined the morphological appearance, via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), of stimulated and non-stimulated BAT to determine whether specific morphological characteristics are seen that might be expected to be linked to the degree of radiotracer uptake. Methods Female Lewis rats were divided into two groups: room temperature or cold-exposed at 4 degrees for four hours. To determine FDG uptake, rats received 100uCi of FDG i.v. one-hour prior to sacrifice and uptake was determined with a gamma counter. Non-radioactive rats were used, but under the same temperature conditions, for the TEM tissues. Results Cold-stimulated BAT showed evidence of loss of BAT lipid content with profound alterations in the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios (i.e. increased) vs. the control animals. BAT from stimulated animals also had a markedly different appearance of the mitochondria, with evidence for irregularity of the mitochondrial surfaces consistent with volume loss or altered permeability vs. control animals. The ultrastructural changes are consistent with imaging changes we have described in which the CT HU decline in activated BAT, presumably due to consumption of the lipid from the BAT cell cytoplasm. Conclusions Ultrastructural anatomy of BAT cells is markedly different between the control and cold-stimulated states. Loss of intracellular lipid and alterations of mitochondrial membrane morphology are likely the structural results of the profound lipid and glucose consumption seen in stimulated BAT. Loss of the lipid also suggests BAT activation may not be sustainable due to consumption of lipid substrate
Understanding the embodied teacher: nonverbal cues for sociable robot learning

As robots enter the social environments of our workplaces and homes, it will be important for them to be able to learn from natural human teaching behavior. My research seeks to identify simple, non-verbal cues that human teachers naturally provide that are useful for directing the attention of robot learners. I conducted two novel studies that examined the use of embodied cues in human task learning and teaching behavior. These studies motivated the creation of a novel data-gathering system for capturing teaching and learning interactions at very high spatial and temporal resolutions. Through the studies, I observed a number of salient attention-direction cues, the most promising of which were visual perspective, action timing, and spatial scaffolding. In particular, this thesis argues that spatial scaffolding, in which teachers use their bodies to spatially structure the learning environment to direct the attention of the learner, is a highly valuable cue for robotic learning systems. I constructed a number of learning algorithms to evaluate the utility of the identified cues. I situated these learning algorithms within a large architecture for robot cognition, augmented with novel mechanisms for social attention and visual perspective taking. Finally, I evaluated the performance of these learning algorithms in comparison to human learning data, providing quantitative evidence for the utility of the identified cues. As a secondary contribution, this evaluation process supported the construction of a number of demonstrations of the humanoid robot Leonardo learning in novel ways from natural human teaching behavior. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Transcriptomic profiling comparison of YAP over-expression and conditional knockout mouse tooth germs

To identify the downstream target genes of YAP, we used RNA-Seq technology to compare the transcriptomic profilings of Yap conditional knockout (Yap CKO) and YAP over-expression mouse tooth germs. Our results showed that some Hox, Wnt and Laminin family genes had concurrent changes with YAP transcripts, indicating that the expression of these genes may be regulated by YAP. Here, we provide the detailed experimental procedure for the transcriptomic profiling results (NCBI GEO accession number GSE65524). The associated study on the regulation of Hoxa1 and Hoxc13 genes by YAP was published in Molecular Cellular Biology in 2015 [Liu et al., 2015].
The impact of the interaction between increasing gestational age and obstetrical risk on birth outcomes : evidence of a varying optimal time of delivery

To estimate the gestational age ranges that result in optimal birth outcomes for each of four risk-defined groups. Retrospective cohort study of singleton late third-trimester deliveries at a large urban teaching hospital between July 1995 and September 2003. Low-risk, advanced maternal age, hypertensive and diabetic patients were identified and grouped. Rates, by day of gestation at delivery, of cesarean delivery, major maternal perineal trauma, low 5-min APGAR score and NICU admission were determined for each study group. Each study group had meaningful changes in rates of obstetric outcomes as a function of gestational age at delivery and these patterns differed from group to group. A unique optimal time of delivery (OTD) was estimated for each group. The low-risk group OTD was calculated to be 37 weeks 1 day to 41 weeks 0 day; the advanced maternal age group OTD was 38 weeks 5 days to 39 weeks 6 days; the hypertension group OTD was 39 weeks 2 days to 40 weeks 1 day; and the diabetes mellitus group OTD was 40 weeks 3 days to 41 weeks 1 day. The OTD varied based on obstetrical risk. Strategies to increase the proportion of deliveries that occur within the OTD for specific risk-defined groups could theoretically improve birth outcomes.
Evidence for the role of velocity shear on the L-H transition in DIII-D

Recent measurements from the DIII-D tokamak indicate that shear in the group velocity of the edge density fluctuations is at least partly responsible for the factor 2 change in the H-mode power threshold that is observed when the direction of the ion ∇B drift relative to the X-point location is reversed. Spatially resolved edge density fluctuation measurements show a change in the poloidal group velocity of the fluctuations when the ∇B drift direction was changed, even though the edge profiles of density and temperature remained nearly the same. High (low) shear in the poloidal velocity is associated with a low (high) power threshold.
Physics of RNA and viral assembly

The overview discusses the application of physical arguments to structure and function of single-stranded viral RNA genomes.
From measurement to management: how accounting evolved to form a new research field

Accounting evolved from a convenient and sketchy measure of reality – a systematic account of economic values of business transactions for bookkeeping purposes – in early days to becoming a tool of managing a company’s financial appearance in the capital market in modern times. Accounting research evolved along in seeking to be ‘scientific’. While the direction of this academic pursuit is well justified and accounting indeed evolved such that it was ready to be a field of scientific research, this goal was never reached.
Efalizumab, a Human Monoclonal Anti-CD11a Antibody, in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease: An Open-Label Pilot Study

Background and Aims Efalizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD11a, an adhesion molecule involved in the activation and trafficking of T-lymphocytes. This agent has proven efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis. We performed an open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of efalizumab in Crohn’s disease (CD).
The importance of semantic similarity to the irrelevant speech effect.

Irrelevant speech disrupts immediate recall of a short sequence of items. Salame and Baddeley (1982) found a very small and nonsignificant increase in the irrelevant speech effect when the speech comprised items semantically identical to the to-be-remembered items, leading subsequent researchers to conclude that semantic similarity plays no role in the irrelevant speech effect. Experiment 1 showed that strong free associates of the to-be-remembered items disrupted serial recall to a greater extent than words that were dissimilar to the to-be-remembered items. Experiment 2 showed that this same pattern of disruption in a free recall task. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Bifurcations of compressible pressure-sensitive materials in plane strain tension and compression

Abstract B ifurcations , including shear band and diffuse geometric modes, are analysed for plane strain deformation of a rectangular slab subject to a constant lateral confining stress. The response of the slab material is characterized by an incrementally linear constitutive relation that allows for the possibility of volume change accompanying shear deformation, pressure dependence and deviations from plastic “normality”. When the lateral confining stress is zero, the picture of bifurcations is qualitatively similar to that investigated by N eedleman ( J. Mech. Phys. Solids 27 , 231, 1979) for incompressible materials. For example, when normality is satisfied, localization is excluded by a positive uniaxial tangent modulus (to within terms of order stress divided by elastic modulus), deviations from normality promote localization, and the occurrence of a long wavelength symmetric, diffuse bifurcation coincides with the attainment of maximum load in tension. However, increasing the compressibility decreases the value of the uniaxial tangent modulus at which localization modes become possible. When lateral confining stress is non-zero, differences from the analysis of N eedleman (1979) are more dramatic. For example, a finite stress difference is required for the onset of an anti-symmetric, long wavelength bifurcation and, when the lateral stress is compressive, shear band modes become possible prior to the maximum load in tension.
Phase diagram of Z ( N ) and U(1) gauge theories in three dimensions

We present Monte Carlo studies of $Z(N)$ and U(1) lattice gauge theories in three space-time dimensions. The $Z(N)$ gauge theory is analyzed via its dual spin system. We find that $Z(N)$ has one phase transition that moves to zero temperature as $N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. The U(1) theory has only a single, confining phase. A study of Wilson loops in $Z(8)$ shows that the coefficient of the area law vanishes for all temperatures below the critical temperature. No such zero is seen in the string tension for U(1) gauge theory. We also study the U(1) gauge theory in five dimensions and see a clear signal for a first-order phase transition.
5a-formylbicyclomycin: studies on the bicyclomycin-Rho interaction.

Bicyclomycin (1) is a commercial antibiotic whose primary site of action is the rho transcription termination factor. A new bicyclomycin irreversible inactivator, 5a-formylbicyclomycin (3), was prepared to provide information concerning the bicyclomycin-rho inactivation process and the drug's binding pocket within rho. The apparent I50 value for 3 was 35 μM, showing that 3 was a more effective inhibitor of rho poly C-dependent ATPase activity than 1 (I50 = 60 μM). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that 3 inhibited poly C-dependent ATP hydrolysis, in part, by a reversible, noncompetitive pathway with respect to ATP (Ki = 62 μM). Incubation of 3 with rho led to efficient imine formation. Adding excess 1 to solutions containing 3 and rho prevented imine formation, demonstrating that 1 and 3 bind to the same active site in the protein. The 3-rho imine was stabilized by either ATP or ADP or by both, and was converted to the nonreversible 3-rho amine adduct upon treatment with NaBH4. Mass spectrometric analysis ...
Hepatic cholesterol metabolism in vitro in the obese spontaneously hypertensive, hyperlipemic and atherosclerotic rat

Abstract Hepatic cholesterol synthesis and esterification as well as cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and cholesterol-7α-hydroxylation in vitro were studied in a strain of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in which phenotypic obesity is inherited as a recessive trait. The obese rats also develop hyperlipemia and arterial lesions while on Purina Chow diet, but their heterozygous littermates do not. Measurements of cholesterol synthesis from [ 14 C]mevalonate by microsomal fraction of liver homogenates from obese SHR gave evidence of elevated hepatic cholesterogenesis as compared to nonobese SHR. Other experiments in vitro also showed that the obese SHR liver had a decreased cholesterol esterifying capacity and a reduced capacity of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylation as a function of free cholesterol concentration, as well as a depressed cholesteryl ester hydrolytic capacity as a function of cholesteryl ester concentration when compared with nonobese SHR. These changes in enzymatic activities may, in part, contribute to the elevated total cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver of these obese SHR.
A comparison of alternative term premium estimates

Abstract This paper compares rational term premia obtained by projecting ex post excess returns on the slope of the yield curve and survey term premia isolated using the Goldsmith-Nagan interest rate forecasts. The analysis demonstrates that: 1) the survey term premia exhibit a strong positive relationship with conditional interest rate variances while the rational term premia do not, and 2) the survey forecasts are less accurate than the forecasts implied by the rational term premia and persistently under predict (over predict) interest rate levels following the monetary policy rule change in the fourth quarter of 1979 (the third quarter of 1982). The first finding suggests that the survey forecasts reflect market beliefs more accurately than do the implied rational forecasts. Taken together, findings one and two provide evidence that market participants gradually learned about changes in the monetary policy rule.
Dielectric omnidirectional visible reflector.

We demonstrate the fabrication of an all-dielectric omnidirectional mirror for visible frequencies. The dielectric reflector consists of a stack of 19 alternating layers of tin (IV) sulfide and silica. Using a combination of thermal evaporation (for tin sulfide) and thick electron-beam evaporation (for silica), we have achieved a refractive-index contrast of 2.6/1.46 , one of the highest refractive-index contrasts demonstrated in one-dimensional photonic bandgap systems designed for the visible frequency range. The tin sulfide-silica material system developed allowed the formation of a broadband visible reflector with an omnidirectional range greater than 10%. Possible applications of the system include efficient reflectors, high-frequency waveguides for communications and power delivery, and high- Q cavities.
Effect of childhood emotional abuse and age on cortisol responsivity in adulthood

Background The dexamethasone/corticotropin releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test has been proposed as a potential tool for identifying endophenotypes relevant to mood disorders. Several studies have shown abnormal cortisol reactivity in phenotypically healthy adults without psychiatric disorders as a function of exposure to adverse early environments. Methods After a battery of self-report and interview assessments, 230 adults without major Axis I Disorders completed the Dex/CRH test. Childhood maltreatment was evaluated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Effect of childhood emotional abuse (EA) on cortisol responses to the Dex/CRH test was examined with repeated measures general linear models, including age, gender, and other types of maltreatment. Post hoc models examined the significant interaction between EA and age and tested the stability of the main findings with selected covariates. Results A history of self-reported childhood EA independently and significantly diminished cortisol response. This effect was amplified with advancing subject age and was independent of the effects of other types of childhood maltreatment, lifetime diagnoses, and symptom scores. Conclusions Dampened cortisol reactivity might be a consequence of childhood EA that is cumulative over time. Prospective longitudinal investigation is needed to evaluate the potential of this proposed endophenotype.
Emphasizing Research (Further) in Undergraduate Technical Communication Curricula: Involving Undergraduate Students with an Academic Journal's Publication and Management.

This article presents follow-up information to a previous publication regarding ways to increase emphasis on research skills in undergraduate Technical Communication curricula. We detail the ways our undergraduate program highlights research by requiring majors to complete senior thesis projects that culminate in submission to an online peer-reviewed journal housed at our institution. This article also describes the roles our undergraduate students play in helping to manage the publication of that academic journal, an activity that further increases students' awareness of the research process and the value of writing for an academic audience beyond the classroom.
Culture Change and Ethnic-Minority Health Behavior: An Operant Theory of Acculturation

Data on acculturation and ethnic-minority health indicate that acculturation has opposite effects on the same health behavior among different ethnic groups; opposite effects on different health behaviors within an ethnic group; opposite effects on the same health behavior for the women vs. the men of most ethnic groups; and no effect whatsoever on some health behaviors for some ethnic groups. This evidence is so incoherent that it is unintelligible, and hence it continues to be largely useless to health psychology and behavioral medicine. This paper presents a new theory of acculturation that renders these confusing data coherent by predicting such changes in minority health behavior a priori. By so doing, the operant model of acculturation has the potential to improve health promotion and disease prevention and thereby reduce ethnic health disparities.
Saving time or innovating practice: Investigating perceptions and uses of Learning Management Systems

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are web-based systems that allow instructors and/or students to share materials, submit and return assignments, and communicate online. In this study, we explored the uses and perceived benefits of using a LMS to support traditional classroom teaching as reported by instructors and students at a large American Midwestern university. We examined two years of survey data focusing on specific uses of the LMS that emphasized either efficient communication or interactive teaching and learning practices. We matched aggregate user log data with corresponding survey items to see if system use was consistent with patterns seen in the survey results. Findings suggest that instructors and students value tools and activities for efficient communication more than interactive tools for innovating existing practices. However, survey item analysis reveals that instructors and students also highly value the teaching and learning tools within the LMS.
Moving Across the Margins: A Review of Stigma and Perseverance in the Lives of Boys Who Dance

Examining the first phase of a three-year study of adolescent boys engaged in preprofessional dance training, Doug Risner's Stigma and Perseverance in the Lives of Boys Who Dance: An Empirical Study of Male Identities in Western Theatrical Dance Training broadly identifies the challenges facing male students pursuing dance education. His book aims to quantify the “stigma and perseverance” these youth face and qualify how dance instructors may (not) be reinforcing homophobic norms connected to the dance field and larger gendered assumptions of dance as an aesthetic/physical pursuit. Through survey, interview, and ethnographic research, a fairly rigorous review of the literature, and thorough intertextual analyses of these multiple data forms, Risner renders these (inadvertent) prohibitions constructing the marginality of preprofessional dance training of the adolescent male.
Crystallization studies of isotactic polypropylene containing nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane molecules under quiescent and shear conditions

Crystallization studies at quiescent and shear states in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) containing nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules were performed with in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC was used to characterize the quiescent crystallization behavior. It was observed that the addition of POSS molecules increased the crystallization rate of iPP under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions, which suggests that POSS crystals act as nucleating agents. Furthermore, the crystallization rate was significantly reduced at a POSS concentration of 30 wt %, which suggests a retarded growth mechanism due to the molecular dispersion of POSS in the matrix. In situ SAXS was used to study the behavior of shear-induced crystallization at temperatures of 140, 145, and 150 °C in samples with POSS concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt %. The SAXS patterns showed scattering maxima along the shear direction, which corresponded to a lamellar structure developed perpendicularly to the flow direction. The crystallization half-time was calculated from the total scattered intensity of the SAXS image. The oriented fraction, defined as the fraction of scattered intensity from the oriented component to the total scattered intensity, was also calculated. The addition of POSS significantly increased the crystallization rate during shear compared with the rate for the neat polymer without POSS. We postulate that although POSS crystals have a limited role in shear-induced crystallization, molecularly dispersed POSS molecules behave as weak crosslinkers in polymer melts and increase the relaxation time of iPP chains after shear. Therefore, the overall orientation of the polymer chains is improved and a faster crystallization rate is obtained with the addition of POSS. Moreover, higher POSS concentrations resulted in faster crystallization rates during shear. The addition of POSS decreased the average long-period value of crystallized iPP after shear, which indicates that iPP nuclei are probably initiated in large numbers near molecularly dispersed POSS molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2727–2739, 2001
REGGE POLES WITH ABSORPTIVE-CORRECTION CUTS AND EXCHANGE DEGENERACY IN THE REACTION $pi$$sup -$p $Yields$ etan.

A Regge-pole model with absorptive corrections is used to fit the differential cross sections for the reaction ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}n$. This model, unlike the pure Regge-pole ${A}_{2}$-exchange model, also predicts a nonzero polarization. Exchange degeneracy is assumed for residues and trajectory. Thus, previous work on $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ scattering and ${A}_{2}$ scattering is used to fix the trajectory of the ${A}_{2}$ and its residue functions. $S{U}_{3}$ is also used to determine the size of the residues. Only a small amount of $S{U}_{3}$ breaking (10%) is needed to fit the data.
Circadian rhythm in gastric mucosal blood flow in fasting rat stomach.

Abstract Circadian rhythms are present in several gastric functions including acid secretion and emptying rates. We hypothesize that aggressive and defensive factors in the gastric mucosa follow similar circadian rhythms. The purpose of this study was to determine if gastric mucosal blood flow, a known defensive factor, manifests a circadian rhythm in fasting rats. Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were light-adapted in isolation chambers for 3 weeks prior to the study. Half the rats experienced light from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the other half from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. After an 18-hr fast, 12 rats were studied at each of eight sampling times: 0100, 0400, 0700, 1000, 1300, 1600, 1900, and 2200 hr after lights on (HALO). After anesthesia and laparotomy, the stomachs were opened along the anterior surface, gently stretched with mucosal surface upmost, and trapped between two lucite rings, with blood supply intact. Mucosal blood flow (ml/min/100 g) was measured in the forestomach, corpus, and antrum with a laser Doppler flowmeter (TSI Laserflo BPM 403). Cosinor analysis showed a significant (P
The HIV-associated renal diseases: Current insight into pathogenesis and treatment

The HIV-associated renal diseases: Current insight into pathogenesis and treatment. Since the description of a new renal syndrome in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the middle 1980s, much has been learned regarding the association of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and renal disease. The HIV-associated renal diseases represent a spectrum of clinical and histopathologic conditions. In this review, epidemiologic and clinical aspects of HIV-associated renal diseases are presented. Particular attention is placed on the pathologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in HIV-associated focal glomerulosclerosis, immune complex–mediated disease, and thrombotic microangiopathies. Pharmaceutical treatment options, including the use of glucocorticoids, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and highly active antiretroviral therapy, are discussed. The therapeutic option of renal transplantation is presented, with insight into new clinical and basic research supporting a possible role of immunosuppressive therapy in this already immunocompromised patient population.