cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Update on the Clinical Approach to Spatial Neglect.

Spatial neglect is asymmetric orienting and action after a brain lesion, causing functional disability. It is common after a stroke; however, it is vastly underdocumented and undertreated. This article addresses the implementation gap in identifying and treating spatial neglect, to reduce disability and improve healthcare costs and burden. Professional organizations published recommendations to implement spatial neglect care. Physicians can lead an interdisciplinary team: functionally relevant spatial neglect assessment, evidence-based spatial retraining, and integrated spatial and vision interventions can optimize outcomes. Research also strongly suggests spatial neglect adversely affects motor systems. Spatial neglect therapy might thus “kick-start” rehabilitation and improve paralysis recovery. Clinicians can implement new techniques to detect spatial neglect and lead interdisciplinary teams to promote better, integrated spatial neglect care. Future studies of brain imaging biomarkers to detect spatial neglect, and real-world applicability of prism adaptation treatment, are needed.
Differential gene expression and gene variants drive color and pattern development in divergent color morphs of a mimetic poison frog

Evolutionary biologists have long investigated the ecological contexts, evolutionary forces, and proximate mechanisms that produce the diversity of animal coloration we see in the natural world. In aposematic species, color and pattern is directly tied to survival and thus understanding the origin of the phenotype has been a focus of both theoretical and empirical inquiry. In order to better understand this diversity, we examined gene expression in skin tissue during development in four different color morphs of the aposematic mimic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator. We identified a suite of candidate color-related genes a priori and identified the pattern of expression in these genes over time, differences in expression of these genes between the mimetic morphs, and genetic variants that differ between color morphs. We identified several candidate color genes that are differentially expressed over time or across populations, as well as a number of color genes with fixed genetic variants between color morphs. Many of the color genes we discovered in our dataset are involved in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, including several fixed SNPs between color morphs. Further, many genes in this pathway were differentially expressed at different points in development (e.g., lef1, tyr, tyrp1). Importantly, Wnt signaling pathway genes are overrepresented relative to expression in Xenopus tropicalis. Taken together, this provides evidence that the Wnt signaling pathway is contributing to color pattern production in R. imitator, and is an excellent candidate for producing some of the differences in color pattern between morphs. In addition, we found evidence that sepiapterin reductase is likely important in the production of yellow-green coloration in this adaptive radiation. Finally, two iridophore genes (arfap1, gart) draw a strong parallel to previous work in another dendrobatid, indicating that these genes are also strong candidates for differential color production. We have used high throughput sequencing throughout development to examine the evolution of coloration in a rapid mimetic adaptive radiation and found that these divergent color patterns are likely to be affected by a combination of developmental patterns of gene expression, color morph-specific gene expression, and color morph-specific gene variants.
Accuracy of subjective vesicoureteral reflux timing assessment: supporting new voiding cystourethrogram guidelines

Bladder volume at the onset of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an important prognostic indicator of spontaneous resolution and the risk of pyelonephritis. We aim to determine whether pediatric urologists and pediatric radiologists can accurately estimate the timing of reflux by examining voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) images without prior knowledge of the instilled contrast volume. Total bladder volume and the volume at the time of reflux were collected from VCUG reports to determine the volume at the onset of VUR. Thirty-nine patients were sorted into three groups: early-/mid-filling reflux, late-filling and voiding only. Thirty-nine images were shown to three pediatric urologists and two pediatric radiologists in a blinded fashion and they were then asked to estimate VUR timing based on the above categories. A weighted kappa statistic was calculated to assess rater agreement with the gold standard volume-based report of VUR timing. The mean patient age at VCUG was 3.1±2.9 months, the median VUR was grade 3, and 20 patients were female. Overall agreement among all five raters was moderate (k=0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.50). Individual agreement between rater and gold standard was slight to moderate with kappa values ranging from 0.13 to 0.43. Pediatric radiologists and urologists are unable to accurately and reliably characterize VUR timing on fluoroscopic VCUG. These findings support the recently published American Academy of Pediatrics protocol recommending the routine recording of bladder volume at the onset of VUR as a standard component of all VCUGs to assist in a more accurate assessment of the likelihood of resolution and risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Vitamin D supplementation rescues aberrant NF-κB pathway activation and partially ameliorates Rett syndrome phenotypes in Mecp2 mutant mice

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe, progressive X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator MECP2 We previously identified aberrant NF-κB pathway upregulation in brains of Mecp2-null mice and demonstrated that genetically attenuating NF-κB rescues some characteristic neuronal RTT phenotypes. These results raised the intriguing question of whether NF-κB pathway inhibitors might provide a therapeutic avenue in RTT. Here, we investigate whether the known NF-κB pathway inhibitor vitamin D ameliorates neuronal phenotypes in Mecp2-mutant mice. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among RTT patients, and we find that Mecp2-null mice similarly have significantly reduced 25(OH)D serum levels compared with wild-type littermates. We identify that vitamin D rescues aberrant NF-κB pathway activation and reduced neurite outgrowth of Mecp2 knock-down cortical neurons in vitro Further, dietary supplementation with vitamin D in early symptomatic male Mecp2 hemizygous null and female Mecp2 heterozygous mice ameliorates reduced neocortical dendritic morphology and soma size phenotypes and modestly improves reduced lifespan of Mecp2-nulls. These results elucidate fundamental neurobiology of RTT and provide foundation that NF-κB pathway inhibition might be a therapeutic target for RTT.
Advice for teaching hands-on computer classes to adult professionals

Conseils pedagogiques destines aux personnes assurant des formations a des adultes en informatique de base: experience tiree de la formation a l'interrogation de PubMed (MEDLINE) de medecins, administrateurs, infirmiers...
Intrinsic frequency method for instantaneous assessment of left ventricular-arterial coupling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common cause for valve replacement in the United States. The pathophysiology of AS involves obstruction to the left ventricular (LV) outflow and reduced arterial compliance. The intrinsic frequency (IF) method is a system-based approach for hemodynamic monitoring of the LV-arterial system and involves determination of ω1and ω2, which represent the dynamics of LV systolic and vascular function, respectively. Total frequency variation of the systemic circulation is the difference between these IFs (Δω = ω1- ω2). OBJECTIVE: Our goal in this study was to investigate whether Δω, obtained from the ascending aortic pressure waveform, can be indicative of LV-arterial coupling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). APPROACH: Thirty patients undergoing elective TAVR for severe, symptomatic AS were included. We applied the IF method to assess the immediate effects of TAVR on LV-arterial coupling. MAIN RESULTS: Mean age was 86 ±4 years, 50% were male with a mean aortic valve area of 0.7 cm2and mean ejection fraction (EF) of 59 ± 7%. The results showed a significant decrease in Δω (47.6 to 9.5 bpm, p < 0.00001) and a significant increase in ω2(51.9 to 84.6 bpm, p<0.00001) immediately post TAVR. SIGNIFICANCE: These preliminary findings indicate that the IF method can be used to evaluate improvements in LV hemodynamics immediately following TAVR. Use of the IF method may have implications for patients undergoing TAVR with impaired left ventricular systolic function.
Did the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program get disbursed to minority communities in the early stages of COVID-19?

Social distancing restrictions and health- and economic-driven demand shifts from COVID-19 shut down many small businesses with especially negative impacts on minority owners. Is there evidence that the unprecedented federal government response to help small businesses—the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the related COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)—which had a stated goal of helping disadvantaged groups, was disbursed evenly to minority communities? In this descriptive research note, we provide the first detailed analysis of how the 2020 PPP and EIDL funds were disbursed across minority communities in the country. From our analysis of data on the universe of loans from these programs and administrative data on employer firms, we generally find a slightly positive relationship between PPP loan receipt per business and the minority share of the population or businesses, although funds flowed to minority communities later than to communities with lower minority shares. PPP loan amounts per employee, however, are negatively related to the minority share of the population. The EIDL program, in contrast, both in numbers per business and amounts per employee, was distributed positively to minority communities.
Implications of allopregnanolone in weak calf syndrome

Weak calf syndrome (WCS) produces "dummy calves" that are weak and unable to stand or nurse. The causes of WCS are not well understood and often attributed to hypoxic and ischemic injury without confirmation. Recent research in other species has pointed to an alternative mechanism behind neonatal syndromes comparable to WCS. This involves the persistence of progesterone metabolites in the neonatal brain resulting in symptoms consistent with WCS. One specific progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone, may be a significant contributor to WCS pathogenesis, which this study intended to demonstrate.
Asymmetric ferroelectricity by design in atomic-layer superlattices with broken inversion symmetry

One hundred years after ferroelectricity was first reported [Physical Review 17, 475 (1921)], a qualitatively different phenomenon, asymmetric ferroelectricity, is reported in atomic-scale engineered crystals. Unlike the high-temperature centrosymmetric structure that prevail in ferroelectric crystals, the crystals here break inversion symmetry by design. This is achieved by sequenced stacking of three molecular components. When these tailored crystals become hysteretic below an ordering temperature, two unequal polarization states emerge. This unusual bistability points to an asymmetric energy landscape, controlled by sample architecture.
Training as a Facilitator of Organizational Change in Health Care: The Input-Mediator/Moderator-Outcome-Input Model

In healthcare, training is an important mechanism to facilitate organizational change and can be understood using the input-mediator/moderator-output-input (IMOI) model. Using the examples of teamwork training and cultural competency training, we show that training in all its many forms is an input that is intended to influence change in organizations, such as improving team performance or increasing equity in care provision. This occurs by influencing changes in attitudes, behaviors, and cognitions on the job (i.e., mediators), which then result in outcomes for both patients and organizations (e.g., patient safety, worker well-being). In addition, the organization plays a critical support role in its own change process because organizational efforts to support training (e.g., conducting needs analyses, adhering to training best practices, providing resources to support training) serve as moderators of these relationships. Together, such factors feed into continued organizational change efforts (subsequent inputs). We summarize this area of research, presenting key messages about implications and recommendations for practice grounded in these areas, and comment about opportunities for future research.
Retrieval of Root-Zone Soil Moisture Profiles from Multi-Frequency Signals of Opportunity: A Simulation Study

Root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is a key environmental variable needed for drought and flood forecasts as well as fundamental understanding of the water cycle. Signals of opportunity (SoOp) reflectometry offers a new possibility to directly measure RZSM using multiple microwave frequencies allocated for communications and navigation. This paper develops a multi-frequency SoOp RZSM retrieval algorithm and presents simulated results. We adopted the Principle of Maximum Entropy (POME) model to construct soil moisture profiles from in-situ observations at discrete depths. Synthetic observations, representing SoOp reflectivities at four (4) frequencies spanning I, P and L-bands were generated for each profile. A simulated annealing method was then used to generate soil moisture profile retrievals from these simulated reflectivities. An error assessment was conducted for these simulated retrievals.
Training data recycling for multi-level learning

Among ensemble learning methods, stacking with a meta-level classifier is frequently adopted to fuse the output of multiple base-level classifiers and generate a final score. Labeled data is usually split for basetraining and meta-training, so that the meta-level learning is not impacted by over-fitting of base level classifiers on their training data. We propose a novel knowledge-transfer framework that reutilizes the basetraining data for learning the meta-level classifier without such negative consequences. By recycling the knowledge obtained during the base-classifier-training stage, we make the most efficient use of all available information and achieve better fusion, thus a better overall performance. With extensive experiments on complicated video event detection, where training data is scarce, we demonstrate the improved performance of our framework over other alternatives.
Silicon—carbon multiple-bonded (pπpπ) intermediates : I. Reactions of ketones and aldehydes with intermediates from thermolysis of silacyclobutanes☆

Abstract The reactions of R2SiCH2 (R = Me, Et, or Ph), generated by thermolysis of the corresponding 1,1-disubstituted silacyclobutane at 611°, with a variety of ketones and aldehydes, are described. Two major reaction pathways were observed: olefin formation, postulated to occur via a pseudo Wittig reaction; and silyl enol ether formation. Olefin formation predominated in reactions involving aromatic carbonyls in contrast to the reactions involving aliphatic ketones which afforded silyl enol ethers as the major products. Heptanal reacted to give comparable yields of each class of products.
Selection of bacteria with favorable transport properties through porous rock for the application of microbial-enhanced oil recovery

This paper presents a bench-scale study on the transport in highly permeable porous rock of three bacterial species—Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Clostridium acetobutylicum—potentially applicable in microbial-enhanced oil recovery processes. The transport of cells during the injection of bacterial suspension and nutrient medium was simulated by a deep bed filtration model. Deep bed filtration coefficients and the maximum capacity of cells in porous rock were measured. Low to intermediate (∼106/ml) injection concentrations of cellular suspensions are recommended because plugging of inlet surface is less likely to occur. In addition to their resistance to adverse environments, spores of clostridia are strongly recommended for use in microbial-enhanced oil recovery processes since they are easiest among the species tested to push through porous rock. After injection, further transport of bacteria during incubation can occur by growth and mobility through the stagnant nutrient medium which fills the porous rock. We have developed an apparatus to study the migration of bacteria through a Berea sandstone core containing nutrient medium.
On the radiative effects of dust on tropical convection

[1] Radiative-convective equilibrium experiments with a two-dimensional cloud resolving model illustrate the influence of a lofted absorbing dust layer on the organization of tropical convection. At quasi-equilibrium, the dust-covered region of the model exhibits increased occurrence of deep convection compared to the dust-free region but with reduced convection in the dust-free region controlled in part by a large-scale monsoon-like circulation forced by the aerosol radiative heating. The dry air associated with the dust layer inhibits convection initially over most of the dust-covered region with convection occurring predominantly at the lateral boundaries of the layer. This behavior reproduces features which have been observed in cases of Saharan dust transport over the tropical Atlantic.
Racemic Epinephrine in Croup (continued)

We believe the article by Gardner et al., "The Evaluation of Racemic Epinephrine in the Treatment of Infectious Croup," in the July 1973 issue of Pediatrics deserves comment. In our paper, "Ten-Year Experience with IPPB in the Treatment of Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis," referred to by Gardner et al., we described a method which, in our hands, totally eliminated the necessity for tracheostomy in infectious croup, with no mortality. To date we have found it necessary to perform tracheostomies on two patients with croup, both of whom were subsequently found to have congenital tracheal stenosis necessitating long-term tracheotomies; otherwise the effectiveness of our regimen in the treatment of infectious croup remains unchanged (100%), now over a 13-year period.
Psychoendocrine research on sexual orientation. Current status and future options.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the existing data on endocrine abnormalities—both in the prenatal and adult stage—in homosexual individuals as well as the evidence concerning sexual orientation in individuals with prenatal hormone disorders. It also discusses various options for future research in the light of new developments in general and behavioral endocrinology. The available endocrine data on male homosexuals versus heterosexuals make it seem highly unlikely that deviations in peripheral hormone levels or hormone production after puberty can be held responsible for the development of male homosexual orientation. Hormone deviations may simply represent an adrenal endocrine response to the psychological situation of female homosexuals or career women, who tend to be overrepresented in homosexual samples. The evidence from intersex patients as well as from the offspring of hormone treated pregnancies, suggests that prenatal hormones contribute to, but do not actually determine, the development of sexual orientation in individuals with abnormal sex hormone histories. The large number of hypothetical neuro-endocrine mechanisms that must be considered in the search for an explanation of homosexuality makes it unlikely that a single mechanism underlies all forms of homosexuality. The great variability of sex-dimorphic and, more specifically, cross-gender behavior patterns in homosexual individuals already makes a universal hormonal mechanism very unlikely and requires, at the very least, an assumption of the modification of hormonal effects by social learning.
REQUIREMENT OF SPHAEROTILUS FOR CYANOCOBALAMIN.

Okrend, Harold (Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, N.J.), and Norman C. Dondero. Requirement of Sphaerotilus for cyanocobalamin. J. Bacteriol. 87:286–292. 1964.—Cultures of Sphaerotilus grew well in a culture medium containing pancreatic digest of casein, glycerol, and yeast autolysate, but grew poorly in a defined medium containing monosodium glutamate, glycerol, and salts. Measurement of dry weight, cell nitrogen, and deoxyribonucleic acid showed that the addition of 1.0 mμg/ml of cyancobalamin to the defined medium gave growth equivalent to that obtained with the pancreatic digest of casein. Methionine, in a concentration of 2 × 104-fold, relieved the requirement for cyanocobalamin, but cobalt did not replace cyanocobalamin nor stimulate growth. Of 38 additional cultures of diverse origin, 19 showed stimulation by visible comparison of growth in tubes; nonquantitative comparisons, however, were not reliable for showing differences in growth of this organism.
Phylogeny, divergence times and biogeography of window flies (Scenopinidae) and the therevoid clade (Diptera: Asiloidea)

The evolution of the ‘therevoid’ clade, with an emphasis on window flies (Scenopinidae), is presented by combining DNA sequence data with morphological characters for living and fossil species. The therevoid clade represents a group of four families (Apsilocephalidae, Evocoidae, Scenopinidae and Therevidae) of lower brachyceran Diptera in the superfamily Asiloidea. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis using parsimony and likelihood methods was undertaken using extensive taxon sampling from all families and subfamilies, and compared with outgroup taxa sampled from the related families Asilidae, Mydidae, Apioceridae and Empididae. Fifty-nine morphological characters (adult, larval and pupal) were combined with 6.4 kb of DNA sequences for two ribosomal genes (16S and 18S ribosomal DNA) and three protein-encoding genes [cytochrome oxidase I (COI), triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) and the CPSase region of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase-aspartate transcarbamoylase-dihydroorotase (CAD)]. Results from combined analyses of morphological and molecular data for 78 taxa representing all families of the therevoid clade are presented. Specific hypotheses of the relationship between respective families and subfamilies were tested statistically using four-cluster likelihood mapping. The therevoid clade is a well-supported monophyletic group within Asiloidea, with Evocoidae sister to Apsilocephalidae and Therevidae sister to Scenopinidae. Temporal and zoogeographical aspects of therevoid clade evolution were investigated using Bayesian divergence time estimates and Lagrange ancestral range scenarios. The effect of inclusion of fossils as terminal taxa on phylogenetic and divergence time estimation was investigated, with morphological scoring for fossil representatives included in the analyses rather than used simply as minimum age constraints. In each analysis there was either improvement in estimation, or only marginal and localized loss in tree resolution, and with younger estimates of divergence time across the tree. The historical biogeography of the therevoid clade was examined with multiple trans-Antarctic vicariance events between Australasia and South America evident during the Late Cretaceous to early Palaeogene. Scenopininae is newly subdivided into two tribes, Metatrichini trib.n. and Scenopinini Fallen stat.r. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4974EBF8-3117-4189-B6DE-7D5BF9B23E53.
Thermal behavior of self-heating effect in FinFET devices acting on back-end interconnects

Thermal impact on back-end interconnects resulted from self-heating (SH) effect in FinFET devices is investigated here. The self-heating effect in FinFET devices will generate more heat in fin structures than planar devices and influence the reliability of interconnects. In this study, testing structures including metal sensors of different metal layers are designed, fabricated and measured, as well as a computer-aided finite element model is also built and utilized in this report. With FinFET devices, the evaluation includes temperature saturation with the number of powered devices, temperature rising in different metal layer, and self-heating effect accompanying with joule heating (so-called coupling effect). This investigation shows the contribution of SH effect would change with varying joule heating. It is important to considering the temperature rising from SH effect when assess the risk of back-end interconnects reliability.
Optimizing coverage in the cortex

Many features are mapped onto the primary visual cortex. A new study shows that these maps are arranged in a way that optimizes the representation of each feature at each location in visual space.
CASE REPORTS: Psychiatric Illness Presenting with a Sexual Complaint and Management by Psychotropic Medications: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual medicine healthcare professionals, who do not normally examine men and women with psychiatric disorders, need to be aware that those with psychiatric disorders can and do present with sexual medicine problems. In particular, psychiatric individuals may present with a variety of delusions including those that have sexual content or sexual implications. The rare disorder of reverse delusional misidentification syndrome may be encountered in schizophrenic patients and may be best managed by the combined team effort of a sexual medicine specialist and psychiatrist. Aim To report a case study that reiterates the assessment and sexual medicine management of a female with sexual dysfunction who believed she was transforming into a male. Methods Case report of a woman who attended an outpatient clinic in an academic medical center. Results A 60-year-old woman with a history of paranoid schizophrenia presented to a gynecologist for ovarian cancer screening. Evaluation revealed complaints that the patient’s ovaries were testes that produced sperm and her clitoris was a penis capable of erection and ejaculation. Gynecological examination revealed only atrophic vaginitis. The patient was treated with local minimally absorbed vaginal estrogens and referred for psychological assessment and counseling. Psychotropic medication compliance was encouraged, weekly psychotherapy was continued, and delusional symptoms were minimized. Conclusion Sexual medicine healthcare providers should be prepared to manage sex health concerns of men and women with psychiatric disorders, including delusional misidentification syndrome, in conjunction with a psychiatrist. Krychman M, and Amsterdam A. Psychiatric illness presenting with a sexual complaint and management by psychotropic medications: A case report.
TARGET: thermal accelerated reliability go-no-go environmental testing dynamic board thermal shock using a single liquid fluorocarbon bath

TARGET, a novel method of accelerated thermal stress for board testing, is described. This method utilizes Fluorinert as the medium for rapid thermal energy transfer. Possible applications include environments for STRIFE testing and board debug. One of the most promising applications is in-line environmental stress screening (ESS). Boards receive a thorough temperature stress screen in the time taken for conventional go-no-go tests. The process is described in detail and analyzed. Data from initial experiments are presented. >
Droplet entrainment in vertical annular flow and its contribution to momentum transfer

Simultaneous measurements were made of the size, axial and radial velocity of drops entrained by the gas in annular flow. A model is developed to use these data to compute the rate of deposition or entrainment and the pressure gradient, del p/sub E/, due to drop interchange. del p/sub E/ is a significant fraction of the measured total shear del p.
Water–Gas Shift Catalysis at Corner Atoms of Pt Clusters in Contact with a TiO2 (110) Support Surface

The redox and associative carboxyl pathways of the water–gas shift reaction have been investigated at a corner Pt site of the Pt/TiO2 (110) interface using density functional theory and microkinetic modeling techniques. Overall rates calculated from the microkinetic model suggest that the redox pathway dominates in the temperature range of 473–673 K and that the oxygen vacancy structure plays a critical role in dissociating H2O. Because of the strong adsorption of CO at the corner Pt atoms, these sites are less active than the edge Pt sites at low temperatures; however, the activity of corner atoms becomes higher above 573 K. The CO adsorption strength and the ability to dissociate H2O are the two main factors that determine the activity of a particular site or catalyst for the water–gas shift reaction.
Intraoperative optimized inverse planning for prostate brachytherapy: early experience.

Abstract Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of an intraoperative inverse planning technique with advanced optimization for prostate seed implantation. Methods and Materials: We have implemented a method for optimized inverse planning of prostate seed implantation in the operating room (OR), based on the genetic algorithm (GA) driven Prostate Implant Planning Engine for Radiotherapy (PIPER). An integrated treatment planning system was deployed, which includes real-time ultrasound image acquisition, treatment volume segmentation, GA optimization, real-time decision making and sensitivity analysis, isodose and DVH evaluation, and virtual reality navigation and surgical guidance. Ten consecutive patients previously scheduled for implantation were included in the series. Results: The feasibility of the technique was established by careful monitoring of each step in the OR and comparison with conventional preplanned implants. The median elapsed time for complete image capture, segmentation, GA optimization, and plan evaluation was 4, 10, 2.2, and 2 min, respectively. The dosimetric quality of the OR-based plan was shown to be equivalent to the corresponding preplan. Conclusion: An intraoperative optimized inverse planning technique was developed for prostate brachytherapy. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated through an early clinical experience.
Direct Binding of Cytosolic NDP Kinases to Membrane Lipids is Regulated by Nucleotides

In spite of their complete lack of any structural features that characterize membrane proteins, cytosolic nucleoside-diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) have been found repeatedly to associate with membranes. In some instances the recruitment of cytosolic NDPKs to membranes was attributed to interactions with peripheral or integral membrane proteins, but in many cases the mechanism underlying the association of NDPKs with membranes remained unknown. We show here that cytosolic NDPKs bind directly to membrane lipids in a dynamic process that is controlled by its substrates, nucleoside tri- and diphosphates, and can be fully reconstituted with chemically defined, protein-free phospholipids and recombinant NDPK, or with purified NDPK. Our results uncover a novel mechanism for the reversible targeting of soluble NDPKs to membranes, where they may act as a reservoir of high energy phosphate, supporting the operation of membrane-based processes that utilize nucleotides other than ATP, such as intracellular traffic and phospholipid biosynthesis.
Evaluation of Mössbauer spectra for 57Fe

Abstract A Fortran program is described which computes the expected Mossbauer spectra of 57 Fe for any combination of a magnetic field, H (0) and an electrical field gradient, EFG. The solutions for the most common cases are given in the form of graphs which allow a convenient determination of H (0) and the EFG.
Sorption of tetravalent thorium on muscovite

Abstract Adsorption of tetravalent thorium to the (0 0 1) basal surface of the phyllosilicate muscovite from an aqueous solution (1 × 10−4 mol/L Th(IV) in 1 × 10−1 mol/L NaCl, pH = 3.2) was studied by crystal truncation rod (CTR) and resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity (RAXR) measurements. Th uptake to the muscovite surface from solutions with total Th concentrations [Th]tot = 1 × 10−6–4.88 × 10−3 mol/L and 1 × 10−1 mol/L NaCl, pH = 3.2 was quantified by alpha-spectrometry. The uptake measurements showed that Th adsorption to the muscovite surface follows a Langmuir isotherm with an apparent adsorption constant Kapp = 2 × 104 L/mol up to [Th]tot = 1.02 × 10−3 mol/L. The CTR and RAXR results identified one dominant Th species with a very broad distribution centered ∼10 A above the surface, in agreement with strongly hydrated extended outer sphere sorption. The findings indicate that the large energy of hydration (ΔGhyd = −5815 kJ/mol ( Marcus, 1991 )) for the small and highly-charged Th4+ cation is a controlling parameter in its surface speciation. The surface occupancy (0.4 Th per unit cell area, AUC) measured by RAXR exceeds the expected level for surface charge compensation by tetravalent Th (0.25 Th/AUC). However, the radiometric uptake measurements show smaller occupancies (0.21 Th/AUC) after rinsing by deionized water, indicating a partial removability of sorbed thorium. Thorium oligomerization was observed at total Th concentrations [Th]tot ⩾ 2.0 × 10−3 mol/L in presence of the surface, although solubility studies suggest that Th is soluble under these solution conditions.
Imaginal wing discs in larvae of the soldier caste of Pheidole bicarinata vinelandica Forel (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Abstract In Pheidole bicarinata vinelandica , soldier larvae have prominent mesothoracic wing discs. Imaginal wing discs are suppressed in minor worker larvae. In soldiers, wing discs appear abruptly late in larvae life and are unusually large when compared with wing discs in worker larvae of other ant genera. Once development has been initiated, wing discs of soldier larvae grow at a rate comparable to soldier leg discs. The dynamics of development of soldier wing discs differ fundamentally from those of other holometabolous insects, worker ants and Pheidole bicarinata queens. This unusual developmental pattern may provide a clue to the physiological basis and timing of soldier determination.
Computational design of protein–protein interactions

Computational protein design strategies have been developed to reengineer protein-protein interfaces in an automated, generalizable fashion. In the past two years, these methods have been successfully applied to generate chimeric proteins and protein pairs with specificities different from naturally occurring protein-protein interactions. Although there are shortcomings in current approaches, both in the way conformational space is sampled and in the energy functions used to evaluate designed conformations, the successes suggest we are now entering an era in which computational methods can be used to modulate, reengineer and design protein-protein interaction networks in living cells.
A high performance computing approach to the registration of medical imaging data

Abstract A novel automatic registration algorithm for the alignment of medical imaging data was developed. The algorithm measures alignment by comparison of dense feature sets (tissue labels) and optimum alignment is found by minimizing the mismatch of tissue segmentations. A parallel implementation that distributes resampling and comparison operations across a cluster of symmetric multiprocessors achieves execution times in a clinically compatible range (5–10 min). Each node executes a parallelized resample and compare operation implemented with POSIX threads, and work is dynamically load balanced across the cluster with communication implemented with MPI. The quality of the registration algorithm and the performance characteristics of the parallel implementation were investigated for typical registration problems. The algorithm has been used to successfully achieve intrapatient and interpatient registration of tissue segmentations without any manual intervention for over three hundred scans of the brain.
Adverse fetal outcomes: expanding the role of infection.

Infectious diseases contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirths, perinatal complications, and deaths in newborns. A population-based study suggested that infection accounted for 12.9% of fetal loss by stillbirth in the United States.1 Worldwide, among 7.6 million deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2010, approximately 1 million deaths were attributed to preterm birth complications.2 Intrapartum-related complications and neonatal sepsis and meningitis also rank as leading causes of death, together accounting for more than 1 million deaths in newborns globally.2 Given the magnitude of the burden of perinatal deaths, clarifying the extent that bacterial infections result in stillbirth and preterm delivery could potentially inform interventions to improve child and maternal health globally.
Molecular dynamics of ferrocytochrome c: anharmonicity of atomic displacements.

The atomic position distributions obtained from a 32-ps molecular-dynamics simulation of tuna ferrocytochrome c at 297 K are analyzed in terms of their second, third, and fourth moments. Non-Gaussian relations among these moments are found for the majority of atoms in the molecule, indicating anharmonicity in the effective potential functions for the atomic motions. Many atoms exhibit only slightly anharmonic mobility during the 32-ps period, but about half of the atoms exhibit sizeable anharmonicity. For a typical atom, the anharmonic effects are largest for motions in the direction along which the largest displacements occur. Two classes of significantly anharmonic atoms are apparent: those whose effective potentials are distorted toward a square-well shape and those whose effective potentials have secondary minima corresponding to conformational substates.
CMBFIT: Rapid WMAP likelihood calculations with normal parameters

We present a method for ultra-fast confrontation of the WMAP cosmic microwave background observations with theoretical models, implemented as a publicly available software package called CMBfit, useful for anyone wishing to measure cosmological parameters by combining WMAP with other observations. The method takes advantage of the underlying physics by transforming into a set of parameters where the WMAP likelihood surface is accurately fit by the exponential of a quartic or sextic polynomial. Building on previous physics based approximations by Hu et.al., Kosowsky et.al. and Chu et.al., it combines their speed with precision cosmology grade accuracy. A Fortran code for computing the WMAP likelihood for a given set of parameters is provided, pre-calibrated against CMBfast, accurate to Delta lnL ~ 0.05 over the entire 2sigma region of the parameter space for 6 parameter ``vanilla'' Lambda CDM models. We also provide 7-parameter fits including spatial curvature, gravitational waves and a running spectral index.
Muscle perforator flaps: the name game.

Abstract:The creation of a consistent nomenclature for muscle perforator flaps is essential not only to eliminate confusion in the literature, but also to facilitate their surgical application. Universal acceptance demands that the chosen system be as simple as possible, yet remain comprehensive and
A Classification of Alternative Reproductive Behaviors and Methods for Field-testing ESS Models

A number of superficially similar evolutionary phenomena are often lumped together as “alternative reproductive behaviors (ARBs).” Several authors have previously organized the broad array of reproductive alternatives by their relation to ESS theory. Because such an organizing scheme begs the question of how much ESS models can contribute to our understanding of ARBs, I suggest a different scheme—devoid of ESS connotations—which classifies alternatives according to whether they represent genetic differences between individuals (genotypic versus phenotypic alternatives), whether the alternatives can be expected to manifest equal or unequal fitnesses (isogignous versus allogignous alternatives), and whether individuals may switch back and forth between alternatives (reversible versus irreversible alternatives). I point out that plausible selective regimes other than frequency-dependence can maintain genotypic alternatives, and that explanations for the maintenance of phenotypic alternatives usually can be examined only theoretically. I also urge more rigor in the field-testing of ESS models, review criteria which putative ESSs should meet, and suggest a statistical approach for evaluating evidence with regard to equality of fitnesses of reproductive alternatives.
Characterization of the Oscillometric Method for Measuring Indirect Blood Pressure

In this study, human subjects and dogs were used to determine the ability of the oscillometric method to indicate systolic and diastolic pressure. In the human studies, the auscultatory method was used as the reference. In the animal studies, directly recorded blood pressure was used as the reference. The ability of the sudden increase in cuff pressure oscillations during cuff deflation to indicate systolic pressure was examined and found to overestimate systolic pressure slightly in man, but more in animals. Systolic pressure was encountered when the cuff pressure oscillations were about one half of their maximum amplitude. However, in both man and animals the ratio was not constant; although the range was less in man than in animals. Diastolic pressure was encountered when cuff-pressure oscillation amplitude was about 0.8 of the maximal amplutide. This ratio for diastolic pressure was not constant over a range of diastolic pressure. The range of variability was less for man than for the dog.
Effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide and hydrocortisone on the exocrine pancreas of fed and fasted 24-hour-old rats: An electron microscopic study☆

Abstract We evaluated by electron microscopy the effects of two hormones, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and hydrocortisone, on the development of the pancreatic acinar cell in newborn rats. The newborn rat pancreas contains abundant zymogen granules of variable size but is unresponsive to secretagogues. In contrast the 24-hr-old pancreas is depleted of granules, indicating emptying of the acinocytes in response to feeding. Zymogen granule content is moderate in the 24-hr-old rat that is fasted from birth. The pancreas from the 24-hr-old rat that is fasted and treated with either hydrocortisone or CCK-8 has an intermediate number of granules. In the animals fasted and treated with hormones, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is arranged into parallel lamellae suggesting a higher level of protein synthesis which may contribute to the formation of abundant zymogen stores. We conclude that zymogen stores are lost earlier postnatally than previously understood, and that zymogen seen in the 24-hr-old animals may represent newly synthesized materials.
Evaluation of EMP Failure Models for Discrete Semiconductor Devices

Empirical models are often used in EMP assessments of electronic equipment. Two such sets of models previously developed for prediction of EMP failure levels of discrete silicon bipolar semiconductor devices are evaluated. The sample mean and standard deviation of the ratio of failure model calculated to experimentally measured damage constant for each model and device type form the basis of the evaluation. The sample mean is used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of each model. The sample standard deviation is used to develop error bounds and to evaluate the recommended hierarchy of use of each of the model sets. The computerized data base SUPERSAP2 is the source of device numbers and experimental damage constants. Model input parameters are device electrical characteristics extracted from SUPERSAP2, vendor catalogs, and D.A.T.A. books.
Model of medical supply and astronaut health for long-duration human space flight

Abstract Planning a safe and productive human space exploration mission involves a dual approach addressing both the health of the vehicle and the crew. The goal of this study was to develop a quantitative model of astronaut health during long-duration space flight and a medical supply demand model in support of such missions. The model provides two outputs, Alphah and Mass of Medical Consumables (MMC), for each set of input parameters. Alphah is an estimate of total crew health and is displayed as a percentage. MMC is a measure of medical consumables expended during the mission and is displayed in units of kilograms. We have demonstrated that Alphah is a function of three scaling parameters, the type of mission, duration of mission, and gender mix of the crew. The type of mission and gender of crew are linked to radiation fatality data published by NASA. Mission duration is incorporated into the model with predicted incidence of illness and injury data published on US Navy submarine crews. MMC increases non-linearly with the number of crew, the duration of the mission and the distance of the mission away from Earth. This article describes the relationships between these parameters and discusses implications for future crewed space missions.
Residual Structures in Latent Growth Curve Modeling

Several alternatives are available for specifying the residual structure in latent growth curve modeling. Two specifications involve uncorrelated residuals and represent the most commonly used residual structures. The first, building on repeated measures analysis of variance and common specifications in multilevel models, forces residual variances to be invariant across measurement occasions. The second, generally arising from structural equation modeling perspectives, allows residual variances to be freely estimated across occasions. Usually an afterthought, alternate specifications of the residual structure can have sizable effects on variance and covariance estimates for the intercept and slope factors (Ferron, Dailey, & Yi, 2002; Kwok, West, & Green, 2007; Sivo, Fan, & Witta, 2005), the fit of the model, and model convergence. We propose additional residual structures in latent growth modeling arising from ideas regarding growth curve reliability. These structures allow residual variances to change ac...
Gender roles and decision-making in demographically diverse groups: A case for reviving androgyny

This study examined the gender roles of members of demographically diverse groups and the outcomes of group decision-making. In a laboratory exercise, 40 4-person groups made decisions concerning a complex business case. Groups with high levels of androgyny across members made higher quality decisions than did groups with low levels of androgyny. Group commitment to the decision, however, did not differ by level of androgyny. It was high levels of femininity that was associated with high commitment. Furthermore, the androgyny levels of group members who were women or non-European in descent were more important to decision quality than were those of males of European descent. The findings encourage further investigation of androgyny in settings where complex social interaction occurs and with dependent variables at the group level.
Multiple adenosine deaminases in the frog (Rana catesbeiana)

Abstract 1. 1. Three classes of adenosine deaminases have been found in frog tissues. Types A, B and C have molecular weights in the range of 180,000, 100,000 and 35,000 respectively. Studies of tissues from a wide variety of vertebrates have shown that all of these enzyme types are widespread among vertebrates (Ma & Fisher, unpublished results). 2. 2. Tissue specific differences in the frog result from different proportions of the three types of enzymes in the liver and duodenum. In the liver a type B enzyme accounts for most activity while in the duodenum a type C enzyme predominates.
Megestrol acetate and hyperpnea.

Excerpt To the Editor:After reading the interesting article by Von Roenn and colleagues ( 1 ), I wish to alert physicians who use high doses of megestrol acetate of an unexpected and potentially pe...