cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwell devices with finger-like channels for long-term imaging of HIV-1 expression kinetics in primary human lymphocytes.

A major obstacle in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a sub-population of latently infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. The cellular and viral mechanisms regulating HIV-1 latency are not completely understood, and a promising technique for probing the regulation of HIV-1 latency is single-cell time-lapse microscopy. Unfortunately, CD4+ T lymphocytes rapidly migrate on substrates and spontaneously detach, making them exceedingly difficult to track, hampering single-cell level studies. To overcome these problems, we built microdevices with a three-level architecture. The devices contain arrays of finger-like microchannels to “corral” T-lymphocyte migration, round wells that are accessible to pipetting, and microwells connecting the microchannels with the round wells. T lymphocytes that are loaded into a well first settle into the microwells and then to microchannels by gravity. Within the microchannels, T lymphocytes are in favorable culture conditions because they are in physical contact with each other, under no mechanical stress, and fed from a large reservoir of fresh medium. Most importantly, T lymphocytes in the microchannels are not exposed to any flow and their random migration is restricted to a nearly one-dimensional region, greatly facilitating long-term tracking of multiple cells in time-lapse microscopy. The devices have up to nine separate round wells, making it possible to test up to nine different cell lines or medium conditions in a single experiment. Activated primary CD4+ T lymphocytes, resting primary CD4+ T lymphocytes, and THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells loaded into the devices maintained viability over multiple days. The devices were used to track the fluorescence level of individual primary CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for up to 60 hours (h) and to quantify single-cell gene-expression kinetics of four different HIV-1 variants. The kinetics of GFP expression from the lentiviruses in the primary CD4+ T lymphocytes agree with previous measurements of these lentiviral vectors in the immortalized Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line. The proposed devices offer a simple, robust approach to long-term single-cell studies of environmentally sensitive primary lymphocytes.
The Stigma of HIV

The article discusses an acrylic painting titled the Stigma of HIV created by artist, designer and clinical social worker Lou Storey. In the article the author and Storey offer their opinions on the stigma that is associated with HIV and on the role that Storey's painting can play in helping to prevent the stigma.
An analytical model and working equations for static deflections of a circular multi-layered diaphragm-type piezoelectric actuator

This paper presents an analytical model based on the classical laminated plate theory for deflections of multi-layered circular diaphragm-type piezoelectric actuators subjected to voltage and uniform pressure loads. Analytical equations are derived from the model and solved in closed form to obtain transverse and lateral deflections of a multi-layered actuator with the diaphragm layer only partially covered by the piezoelectric and other material layers as functions of the actuator geometry, the material properties and the applied voltage and pressure loads. The analytical equations are validated numerically via finite element analysis and experimentally via static deflection measurements on a commercially available piezoelectric actuator. The analytical results are found to be in agreement with the finite element results within 0.5% and with the experimental measurements within 4%. The application of the equations in typical analysis and design optimization of an actuator are elucidated through numerical examples.
Pooled estimators vs. their heterogeneous counterparts in the context of dynamic demand for gasoline

Abstract This paper utilizes an international panel data set and a dynamic demand specification for gasoline to compare the performance of homogeneous and heterogeneous parameter estimators. In addition to comparing the plausibility of the various estimates, a forecast performance comparison is performed to examine differences in predictions over one-, five-, and ten-year horizons.
Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of the gene coding for heterocyst ferredoxin from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120.

In heterocysts of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 a specific [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin is synthesized, serving as immediate electron donor to nitrogenase. The structural gene for this heterocyst ferredoxin, fdxH, was isolated from a recombinant lambda library, using an oligonucleotide probe derived from a unique segment of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein. The sequence of the entire fdxH coding region was determined including 3′ and 5′ flanking sequences. Assuming proteolytic cleavage of the first methionine residue, the molecular weight of Anabaena 7120 heterocyst ferredoxin is 10,806. Compared with the ferredoxin from vegetative cells, 47 out of 98 amino acid residues are different, including conversions within a highly conserved region responsible for binding of the iron-sulfur cluster. Northern hybridization with a 0.64 kb EcoRI DNA fragment containing the entire fdxH gene indicated two major transcripts of 0.59 and 1.85 kb, which are expressed at a late stage of heterocyst differentiation. By S1 nuclease digestion and primer extension a possible start site of transcription was mapped, 132 bp upstream of fdxH; however, neither a typical Escherichia coli nor nif-type promoter sequence was apparent. Southern hybridization detected only one copy of the fdxH gene in the Anabaena 7120 genome. FdxH is located approximately 7 kb downstream from the nifHDK gene cluster.
A Photochemical Approach to Integrated Optics

Fiber optic technology attests to the advantages of glass with respect optical signal transmission. Thermal and chemical stability, band width, and a tolerance of high laser input powers are specific advantages of glass, but its refractory nature presents significant problems with respect to its application in emerging optical technologies. The refractory nature of glass precludes simple coupling techniques, and the temperatures required for glass processing, typically ≥1000°C, limit the reagents that can be incorporated into glass. New optical technologies, such as integrated optics, optoelectronics, magnetooptics, and optical chemical and biological sensors, require not only the development of new photonic materials, but also the methodologies to produce and incorporate optical elements in transparent media such as glass.1–8 The specifics of these methodologies will obviously depend on the device and its intended function, but all will require procedures capable of creating well resolved refractive index gradients to guide light, and equally well resolved patterns of electrically, magnetically, optically, or chemically addressable components.
CD5 positive B lymphocytes in schizophrenia: No alteration in numbers or percentage as compared with control subjects

Some patients with autoimmune disease have an elevation of the B lymphocyte population bearing the CD5 marker. In an attempt to replicate an earlier report of elevated CD5+ B cells in schizophrenic patients, lymphocytes were phenotyped in 116 patients with schizophrenia and 166 control subjects. The CD5+ B lymphocyte population was not elevated in medicated or never-medicated patients as compared with control subjects of similar age, race, gender, or social class. CD5+ B cells were also not elevated in patients who had circulating autoantibodies. The CD5+ B lymphocyte population was significantly elevated in African-American control subjects and patients in comparison with that in Caucasian control subjects and patients. Thus, although other immune alterations characterized a subset of patients with schizophrenia, an elevation of the CD5+ B lymphocyte population was not found in this study.
A note on the profit—concentration relation

The efficiency view of the well-known industrial concentration–profits relation postulates that efficient firms achieve both high market share and high profits, incidentally creating a positive correlation between concentration and profit levels. A necessary implication is a positive relation between share and profit changesfor all firms, large and small. This hypothesis is tested using five size-ranked cohorts of firms in four-digit US manufacturing industries. A positive correlation is found between shart and profit change for all cohorts, consistent with the efficiency hypothesis.
Richmond road: A multilingual/multicultural primary school in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract This is a case study of one contemporary inner‐city school told through interviews with teachers and other adults in the school community. Although the principal of 16 years had died 9 months before the interviews, the importance of the school is due to his work: how an educational leader communicated to the staff his vision of what a multiethnic school for children and teachers should be, and embodied that vision in organisational structures and thereby in patterns of interaction—among staff, children, and the community.
Room-temperature chemical vapor deposition and mass detection on a heated atomic force microscope cantilever

This letter reports the localized room-temperature chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto an atomic force microscope cantilever having an integrated heater, using the cantilever self-heating to provide temperatures required for CNT growth. Precise temperature calibration of the cantilever was possible and the CNTs were synthesized at a cantilever heater temperature of 800°C in reactive gases at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the CNTs were vertically aligned and highly localized to only the heater area of the cantilever. The cantilever mechanical resonance decreased from 119.10kHzto118.23kHz upon CNT growth, and then returned to 119.09kHz following cantilever cleaning, indicating a CNT mass of 1.4×10−14kg. This technique for highly local growth and measurement of deposited CNTs creates new opportunities for interfacing nanomaterials with microstructures.
A simple transport apparatus for electrophoresis

Abstract A simple transport apparatus for electrophoretic analyses is presented and shown to function well, particularly with colloids that tend to form highly resistive films and with slightly sedimenting suspensions.
Adolescent Risk Behavior Subgroups: An Empirical Assessment

Theories and prior research have outlined a constellation of adolescent risk behaviors that tend to co-occur, reflecting a general pattern. Although their generality has largely been supported, there is some question about how to best study and portray the relationship among these behaviors. This study used data from a survey administered to high school youth (n = 2549, 38 schools). The general population sample comprised an even split between boys and girls, averaged roughly 16 years of age, and was 59% White and 10% Hispanic/Latino. Using latent class analysis, four subgroups, comprised of varying types and degrees of risky behavior, were identified. Specifically, there were two groups that “abstained” and “experimented” with risky behaviors and two others that had higher, but somewhat distinct, patterns of such activities. These groups were then examined in relation to youth characteristics (e.g., mental and physical health, school performance) and socio-environmental factors (e.g., social support, parental monitoring) that may be useful for better understanding “problem behavior syndrome” and development of prevention strategy.
Molecular phylogenetics of suborder Cactineae (Caryophyllales), including insights into photosynthetic diversification and historical biogeography.

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Phylogenetic relationships were investigated among the eight families (Anacampserotaceae, Basellaceae, Cactaceae, Didiereaceae, Halophytaceae, Montiaceae, Portulacaceae, Talinaceae) that form suborder Cactineae (= Portulacineae) of the Caryophyllales. In addition, photosynthesis diversification and historical biogeography were addressed. • METHODS Chloroplast DNA sequences, mostly noncoding, were used to estimate the phylogeny. Divergence times were calibrated using two Hawaiian Portulaca species, due to the lack of an unequivocal fossil record for Cactineae. Photosynthetic pathways were determined from carbon isotope ratios (δ(13)C) and leaf anatomy. • KEY RESULTS Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were consistent with previous studies in that the suborder, almost all families, and the ACPT clade (Anacampserotaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, Talinaceae) were strongly supported as monophyletic; however, relationships among families remain uncertain. The age of Cactineae was estimated to be 18.8 Myr. Leaf anatomy and δ(13)C and were congruent in most cases, and inconsistencies between these pointed to photosynthetic intermediates. Reconstruction of photosynthesis diversification showed C(3) to be the ancestral pathway, a shift to C(4) in Portulacaceae, and five independent origins of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Cactineae were inferred to have originated in the New World. • CONCLUSIONS Although the C(3) pathway is inferred as the ancestral state in Cactineae, some CAM activity has been reported in the literature in almost every family of the suborder, leaving open the possibility that CAM may have one origin in the group. Incongruence among loci could be due to internal short branches, which possibly represent rapid radiations in response to increasing aridity in the Miocene.
Non‐destructive optical analysis of band gap profile, crystalline phase, and grain size for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells deposited by 1‐stage, 2‐stage, and 3‐stage co‐evaporation

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films co-evaporated by 1-stage, 2-stage, and 3-stage processes have been studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The disappearance of a Cu2-xSe optical signature, detected by real time SE during multistage CIGS, has enabled precise endpoint control. Band gap energies determined by SE as depth averages show little process variation for fixed [Ga]/([In] + [Ga]) atomic ratio, whereas their broadening parameters decrease with increasing number of stages, identifying successive grain size enhancements. Refined SE analysis has revealed band gap profiling only for 3-stage CIGS. Solar cells incorporating these absorbers have yielded increased efficiencies in correlation with phase control, grain size, and band gap profiling. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sinonasal Epithelial Cell Response to Staphylococcus aureus Burden in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Importance Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disorder of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly linked with CRS exacerbations. Little is known about how bacteria activate inflammatory pathways that contribute to CRS. Objective To develop an in vitro coculture system to explore how infection with S aureus stimulates innate immune responses of sinonasal epithelial cells (SNECs). Design, Setting, and Participants Sinonasal epithelial cells were collected from 13 patients during endoscopic sinus surgery and grown in culture at the air-liquid interface from July 2014 through December 2014. Interventions Differentiated SNECs from control individuals, patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs), and patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNPs) were infected with S aureus at 3 different concentrations for 24 hours. Main Outcomes and Measures Growth of S aureus and viability of SNECs were measured. Expression of inflammatory markers and innate immune genes was measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Basal secretion of interleukin 8 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Cultured SNECs from patients with CRSsNPs demonstrated a significant increase ( P S aureus . Control or CRSwNP SNECs demonstrated a significant increase ( P S aureus . Basal secretion of inflammatory markers correlated with expression changes. No significant changes in expression were observed for the helper T cell, subtype 2, inflammatory mediators tested. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, we developed a model to study early innate immune-mediated changes in SNECs cocultured at an air-liquid interface with bacteria. We also demonstrated that bacterial burden can be detected by SNECs in the absence of adaptive immune-mediated responses. The CRSsNP SNECs are more sensitive to S aureus burden than control or CRSwNP SNECs. Future studies will further develop this infection model and explore the SNEC innate immune response to bacteria.
Rankings aggregation in regional planning

This paper proposes a solution to the Owsinsky and Zadrozny problem based on the Condorcet criterion. With this unique criterion and a unique approach it is possible to obtain either a collective ranking or clusters without using any distance. In both cases indices of conditioning can be associated. Also in both cases a very simple way (requiring practically no computation for this problem) to obtain the collective results will be given.
Bacterial anti-adhesive properties of polysulfone membranes modified with polyelectrolyte multilayers

The bacterial anti-adhesive properties of polysulfone (PSU) microfiltration membranes modified with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) were investigated in this study. Using a direct microscopic observation membrane filtration system, the deposition kinetics of Escherichia coli cells on the membrane surfaces, as well as the reversibility of bacterial deposition, were examined in the absence and presence of calcium. The PEM-modified membranes exhibited significantly improved bacterial anti-adhesive properties compared to the PSU base membranes in both the tested solution chemistries. Specifically, the bacterial deposition kinetics on the modified membranes were slower than the deposition kinetics on the base membranes. Furthermore, the bacterial removal efficiency was significantly enhanced from o10% to as high as 99% after PEM modification. Interaction force measurements conducted through atomic force microscopy revealed strong, long-ranged repulsive interactions between a carboxylate modified latex colloid probe and PEMmodified membranes, while attractive interactions were detected between the colloid probe and PSU base membranes. The bacterial anti-adhesive properties exhibited by the PEM-modified membranes were attributed to the highly swollen and hydrated PEMs that inhibit the direct contact or close approach of bacteria to the underlying PSU membranes.
Three-dimensionally coupled microstrip lines via a rotated slot in a common ground plane

Microstrip lines coupled with a slot in a common ground plane are analyzed. The slot is rotated with respect to the propagating axis of the microstrips. The analysis is based on the spectral domain method and the reciprocity theorem. Numerical results of the S parameters are presented for different values of angle of rotation of the slot. >
Adapting wound care for complex patients

This article describes the management of complex patients with wounds. Basic prin ciples of wound care, understanding the patient's underlying condition, interdiscipli nary approaches to care, and case studies are included.
The Integration of COTS/GOTS within NASA's HST Command and Control System

NASA's mission critical Hubble Space Telescope (HST) command and control system has been re-engineered with commercial-off the shelf/government-off-the-shelf (COTS/GOTS) and minimal custom code. This paper focuses on the design of this new HST Control Center System (CCS) and the lessons learned throughout its development. CCS currently utilizes more than 30 COTS/GOTS products with an additional 1/2 million lines of custom glueware code; the new CCS exceeds the capabilities of the original system while significantly reducing the lines of custom code by more than 50%. The lifecycle of COTS/GOTS products will be examined including the package selection process, evaluation process, and integration process. The advantages, disadvantages, issues, concerns, and lessons learned for integrating COTS/GOTS into the NASA's mission critical HST CCS will be examined in detail. This paper will reveal the many hidden costs of COTS/GOTS solutions when compared to traditional custom code development efforts.
Prevalence of vertebral artery origin stenosis and occlusion in outpatient extracranial ultrasonography.

Background and Purpose: Despite being an important cause of posterior circulation stroke and TIA very little is known about the prevalence of vertebral artery origin (VAo) stenosis or occlusion. Most data on the prevalence of VAo disease is derived from hospital based studies of patients with posterior circulation strokes and TIA. The prevalence of VAo disease in patients without posterior circulation symptoms or asymptomatic patients is poorly characterized. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of VAo stenosis and occlusion in consecutive patients, presenting for extracranial ultrasonography to an outpatient laboratory. Methods: We retrospectively identified 2490 consecutive extracranial duplex studies performed in an ambulatory neurovascular ultrasound laboratory. All studies were reviewed for the presence of >50% VAo stenosis, defined as a PSV>114cm/s, and VA occlusion. We also reviewed the prevalence of >50% carotid stenosis, defined as a PSV > 120cm/s, in the same population, to draw comparisons to VAo stenosis prevalence. Results: We found right VAo stenosis in 52/1955 (2.7%) and occlusion in 74/ 1955 (3.9%) and left sided VAo stenosis in 45/ 1973 (2.5%) and occlusion in 64/1973 (3.6%). The prevalence of having any (either right or left) VAo stenosis or occlusion was 8.2% and 1.4% had bilateral VAo stenosis or occlusion. Right carotid stenosis and occlusion was found in 236/2399 (9.8%) and 53/2399 (2.2%) and left carotid stenosis and occlusion in 236/2397 (9.8%) and 45/2397 (1.9%) respectively. Any carotid disease, either right or left, was present in 18.9% and 4.7% had bilateral carotid disease. Conclusion: Although less prevalent than cervical carotid disease we found that approximately 8% of patients who presented to an ambulatory ultrasound laboratory had >50% VAo disease. Our study is one of the few to report on the prevalence of VAo disease in patients largely asymptomatic for posterior circulation disease and contributes to our understanding of the epidemiology of extracranial vertebral atherosclerosis.
Late-onset erythromelalgia in a previously healthy young woman: a case report and review of the literature

Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder characterized by episodic erythema and burning pain, which commonly involves the extremities. We present a case of late onset erythromelalgia in a previously healthy young woman and briefly review the literature. Our patient's case also has additional uncommon features not reported previously. A 33-year-old previously healthy Caucasian woman presented with complaints of episodic burning pain and flushing occurring in a central distribution involving her face, ears, upper chest and, occasionally, her upper extremities. Her symptoms were triggered by lying down or warm temperature exposure and were relieved by cooling measures. Extensive diagnostic work-up looking for secondary causes for the symptoms was negative and the diagnosis of erythromelalgia was made based on details provided in her clinical history supported by raised temperature in the affected area measured by thermography during a symptomatic episode. The patient did not respond to pharmacological therapy or surgical sympathectomy. She was advised on lifestyle modification to avoid activities which triggered her symptoms. She was hypothermic with a core temperature between 92 and 95°F. She also had premature ovarian failure, which had not previously been reported. Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder of unknown cause. There is no confirmatory diagnostic test; diagnosis is based on details provided in the patient's medical history and physical examination during the episodes. For those affected, this disorder leads to significant long-term morbidity and unfortunately, to date, no definitive therapy is available except for lifestyle modification.
Hemispheric biases and the control of visuospatial attention: an ERP study

Background: We examined whether individual differences in hemispheric utilization can interact with the intrinsic attentional biases of the cerebral hemispheres. Evidence suggests that the hemispheres have competing biases to direct attention contralaterally, with the left hemisphere (LH) having a stronger bias than the right hemisphere. There is also evidence that individuals have characteristic biases to utilize one hemisphere more than the other for processing information, which can induce a bias to direct attention to contralateral space. We predicted that LH-biased individuals would display a strong rightward attentional bias, which would create difficulty in selectively attending to target stimuli in the left visual field (LVF) as compared to right in the performance of a bilateral flanker task. Results: Consistent with our hypothesis, flanker interference effects were found on the N2c event-related brain potential and error rate for LH-biased individuals in the Attend-LVF condition. The error rate effect was correlated with the degree of hemispheric utilization bias for the LH-Bias group. Conclusion: We conclude that hemispheric utilization bias can enhance a hemisphere's contralateral attentional bias, at least for individuals with a LH utilization bias. Hemispheric utilization bias may play an important and largely unrecognized role in visuospatial attention.
Biology of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder in Childhood and Adolescence

Diverse patterns of cortisol secretion with consistently high circulating catecholamines have been reported in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety state that develops after exposure to traumatic life events. Indeed, peripheral cortisol levels have been reported to be low or normal in the majority of adult chronic PTSD studies, whereas, in most paediatric studies, high cortisol values have been documented. Longitudinal studies on PTSD biology, including the transition from childhood to adulthood, may shed light on these discrepancies. In children, elevated evening salivary cortisol in the aftermath of the trauma was predictive of PTSD development 6 months later, whereas plasma interleukin-6 correlated positively with evening cortisol and was equally predictive of later PTSD. Longitudinal assessment of PTSD children 1 and 6 months later revealed progressive normalisation of cortisol levels, whereas noradrenaline concentrations became gradually higher. We hypothesise that, in adults with chronic PTSD, low cortisol levels, together with high catecholamines, may reflect a late event in the natural history of the disorder, months or years after the trauma. The progressive divergence of cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations over time may be responsible for PTSD maintenance in children and explain the differences between the child and adult PTSD endophenotypes. In adults studied immediately after the trauma, and by contrast to children, low cortisol levels are predictive of later PTSD development. Our hypothesis that low cortisol levels may reflect a previous trauma, earlier in development, is supported by the well established observation that prior trauma is a risk factor for a new PTSD diagnosis. The developmental stage of an individual in relation to previous exposure to trauma and PTSD vulnerability are crucial variables that may determine clinical and biological PTSD phenotypes and explain the discrepancies between adults and children in reported cortisol levels.
Vitronectin, a glioma-derived extracellular matrix protein, protects tumor cells from apoptotic death.

Vitronectin (VN) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, the synthesis of which in vivo by glioma cells correlates with tumor grade. Although the role of VN as a permissive substrate for glioma migration has been well characterized, its role in conferring a survival advantage for tumor cells has not been addressed previously. By using an in vitro assay of DNA fragmentation as a quantitative measure of apoptotic cell death, we sought to determine whether the sensitivity of two human glioma cell lines (D54 and U251) to drug-induced apoptosis could be inhibited by VN. As well, the extent to which apoptosis could be inhibited was correlated with the levels of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that are known to modulate apoptosis and chemoresistance. Results of the study were: ( a ) VN coatings, in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited topoisomerase (Topo)-induced apoptosis by up to 50% (optimal coating density, 500 ng/cm 2 ); in contrast, fibronectin (FN), an ECM protein present in abundance in the brain, demonstrated no protection; ( b ) in a dose-response study, VN clearly conferred a survival advantage (LD 50 of Topo: on VN, 120 ng/ml; on FN, 35 ng/ml); ( c ) the protective effect of VN was not due to enhanced cell adhesion or alterations in the cell cycle distribution; ( d ) both of the classic integrin receptors that bind VN (α ν β 3 , α ν β 5 ) were capable of mediating this protective effect, because ligation of either of the two classic integrins conferred chemoresistance to Topo; and ( e ) chemoresistance observed with VN was associated with an increase in expression of two antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L , with a consequent increase in the ratios for Bcl-2:Bax and Bcl-X L :Bax. VN, an ECM protein preferentially expressed at the tumor-brain interface in vivo , may confer a survival advantage to glioma cells at the advancing tumor margin and may thus, in part, underlie the high level of tumor recurrence at this interface.
Effects of dietary fatty acid composition on 24-h energy expenditure and chronic disease risk factors in men

Background: A high-fat (HF) diet and sedentary lifestyle are implicated in the development of obesity. Controlled feeding studies and measures of short-term resting energy expenditure (REE) have suggested that the type of dietary fat may alter energy expenditure (EE). Objective: The objective was to examine the effects of an HF diet rich in either monounsaturated or saturated fatty acids (FAs) and of exercise on EE and chronic disease risk factors. Design: Eight healthy men [age: 18–45 y; body mass index (in kg/m 2 ): 22 6 3] were randomly assigned in a 2 3 2 crossover design to 1 of 4 treatments: HF diet (50% of energy) with a high amount of saturated fat (22% of energy) plus exercise (SE) or a sedentary (SS) condition or a diet high in monounsaturated fat (30% of energy) plus exercise (UE) or a sedentary (US) condition. The subjects spent 5 d in a metabolic chamber and cycled at 45% of maximal oxygen uptake for 2 h each day during the exercise visits. Respiratory gases and urinary nitrogen were measured to determine 24-h EE. Resting metabolic rate was measured on days 2, 4, and 6. Results: Average 24-h EE was not different with respect to dietary FA composition (3202 6 146, 3208 6 151, 2240 6 82, and 2270 6 104 for SE, UE, SS, and US, respectively). Total and LDL cholesterol and blood pressure were significantly greater after the SE and SS treatments than after the UE and US treatments. Conclusion: Resting metabolic rate and 24-h EE were not significantly different after short-term exposure to an HF diet rich in monounsaturated FAs or after exposure to a diet rich in saturated FAs in healthy, nonobese men. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1350–6.
Chondroitinase treatment increases the effective length of acellular nerve grafts

Acellular nerve allografts have been explored as an alternative to nerve autografting. It has long been recognized that there is a distinct limit to the effective length of conventional acellular nerve grafts, which must be overcome for many grafting applications. In rodent models nerve regeneration fails in acellular nerve grafts greater than 2 cm in length. In previous studies we found that nerve regeneration is markedly enhanced with acellular nerve grafts in which growth-inhibiting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was degraded by pretreatment with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC). Here, we tested if nerve regeneration can be achieved through 4-cm acellular nerve grafts pretreated with ChABC. Adult rats received bilateral sciatic nerve segmental resection and repair with a 4 cm, thermally acellularized, nerve graft treated with ChABC (ChABC graft) or vehicle-treated acellularized graft (Control graft). Nerve regeneration was examined 12 weeks after implantation. Our findings confirm that functional axonal regeneration fails in conventional long acellular grafts. In this condition we found very few axons in the distal host nerve, and there were marginal signs of sciatic nerve reinnervation in few (2/9) rats. This was accompanied by extensive structural disintegration of the distal graft and abundant retrograde axonal regeneration in the proximal nerve. In contrast, most (8/9) animals receiving nerve repair with ChABC grafts showed sciatic nerve reinnervation by direct nerve pinch testing. Histological examination revealed much better structural preservation and axonal growth throughout the ChABC grafts. Numerous axons were found in all but one (8/9) of the host distal nerves and many of these regenerated axons were myelinated. In addition, the amount of aberrant retrograde axonal growth (originating near the proximal suture line) was markedly reduced by repair with ChABC grafts. Based on these results we conclude that ChABC treatment substantially increases the effective length of acellular nerve grafts.
Diagnosing breast cancer using Raman spectroscopy: prospective analysis

We present the first prospective test of Raman spectroscopy in diagnosing normal, benign, and malignant human breast tissues. Prospective testing of spectral diagnostic algorithms allows clinicians to accurately assess the diagnostic information contained in, and any bias of, the spectroscopic measurement. In previous work, we developed an accurate, internally validated algorithm for breast cancer diagnosis based on analysis of Raman spectra acquired from fresh-frozen in vitro tissue samples. We currently evaluate the performance of this algorithm prospectively on a large ex vivo clinical data set that closely mimics the in vivo environment. Spectroscopic data were collected from freshly excised surgical specimens, and 129 tissue sites from 21 patients were examined. Prospective application of the algorithm to the clinical data set resulted in a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 36%, and a negative predictive value of 99% for distinguishing cancerous from normal and benign tissues. The performance of the algorithm in different patient populations is discussed. Sources of bias in the in vitro calibration and ex vivo prospective data sets, including disease prevalence and disease spectrum, are examined and analytical methods for comparison provided.
Biomarkers of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns

As neonatal intensive care has evolved, the focus has shifted from improving mortality alone to an effort to improve both mortality and morbidity. The most frequent source of neonatal brain injury occurs as a result of hypoxic-ischemic injury. Hypoxic-ischemic injury occurs in about 2 of 1,000 full-term infants and severe injured infants will have lifetime disabilities and neurodevelopmental delays. Most recently, remarkable efforts toward neuroprotection have been started with the advent of therapeutic hypothermia and a key step in the evolution of neonatal neuroprotection is the discovery of biomarkers that enable the clinician-scientist to screen infants for brain injury, monitor progression of disease, identify injured brain regions, and assess efficacy of neuroprotective clinical trials. Lastly, biomarkers offer great hope identifying when an injury occurred shedding light on the potential pathophysiology and the most effective therapy. In this article, we will review biomarkers of HIE including S100B, neuron specific enolase, umbilical cord IL-6, CK-BB, GFAP, myelin basic protein, UCHL-1, and pNF-H. We hope to contribute to the awareness, validation, and clinical use of established as well as novel neonatal brain injury biomarkers.
Cu deposition on rough ceramic substrate: Physical structure, microstructure, and resistivity

Cu films with a thickness around 3.5 μm have been deposited on rough Al2O3 ceramic substrates by the partially ionized beam deposition technique. While the ion bombardment parameters are similar for all depositions, the substrate temperature during deposition is varied from 50 °C to 300 °C. Physical structure of the films is studied by SEM in cross-sectional and surface geometries. X-ray diffraction 2θ scan is performed to obtain information on the microstructure of the films, such as (111) fiber texture and average crystallite size. Resistivity of the films is also measured. It has been found that the physical structure of the films varies from a typical columnar structure at 50 °C to a completely noncolumnar structure at 300 °C. The XRD results show that the films are polycrystalline and have different degrees of 〈111〉 preferred orientation, depending on the substrate temperature. The average crystallite size increases with the increase of substrate temperature. No correlation between the physical structure and microstructure of the films is observed. The resistivity of the films was also seen to change as a function of the substrate temperature. This can be explained by quantitative models in which grain and columnar boundaries in the films are responsible for the decrease in electric conductivity of the films.
Classroom conditions and CO2 concentrations and teacher health symptom reporting in 10 New York State Schools

This study assessed the relationship between teacher-reported symptoms and classroom carbon dioxide (CO2 ) concentrations. Previous studies have suggested that poor indoor ventilation can result in higher levels of indoor pollutants, which may affect student and teacher health. Ten schools (9 elementary, 1 combined middle/high school) in eight New York State school districts were visited over a 4-month period in 2010. Carbon dioxide concentrations were measured in classrooms over 48-h, and teachers completed surveys assessing demographic information and self-reported symptoms experienced during the current school year. Data from 64 classrooms (ranging from 1 to 9 per school) were linked with 68 teacher surveys (for four classrooms, two surveys were returned). Overall, approximately 20% of the measured classroom CO2 concentrations were above 1000 parts per million (ppm), ranging from 352 to 1591 ppm. In multivariate analyses, the odds of reporting neuro-physiologic (i.e., headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating) symptoms among teachers significantly increased (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02-1.64) for every 100 ppm increase in maximum classroom CO2 concentrations and were non-significantly increased in classrooms with above-median proportions of CO2 concentrations greater than 1000 ppm (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 0.72-7.12).
A high-volume trauma intensive care unit can be successfully staffed by advanced practitioners at night.

Abstract Purpose It remains unknown whether critically ill trauma patients can be successfully managed by advanced practitioners (APs). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of night coverage by APs in a high-volume trauma intensive care unit (ICU) on patient outcomes and care processes. Materials and methods During the study period, our ICU was staffed by APs during the night shift (7 pm -7 am ) from Sunday to Wednesday and by resident physicians (RPs) from Thursday to Saturday. On-call trauma fellows and attending surgeons in house supervised both APs and RPs. Patient outcomes and care processes by APs was compared with those admitted by RPs. Results A total of 289 patients were identified between July 2013 and February 2014. Median lactate clearance rate within 24 hours of admission was similar between study groups (10.0% vs 9.1%; P = .39). Advanced practitioners and RPs transfused patients requiring massive transfusion with a similar blood product ratio (packed red blood cell:fresh frozen plasma) (2.1:1 vs 1.7:1; P = .32). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, AP coverage was not associated with any clinical outcome differences. Conclusions Our data suggest that, with adequate supervision, a high-volume trauma ICU can be safely staffed by APs overnight.
It's not zippo

One of the major tasks in algebra is recognizing or creating l in any of its various disguises. We can help students to think algebraically by using precise mathematical language with students, and expecting them to do the same. Just like this student, some students think slashing numbers means crossing them out. Students need to understand mathematically why the numbers went away.
Complex adaptive systems and the threshold effect: Towards a general tool for studying dynamic phenomena across diverse domains.

Most interesting phenomena in natural and social systems include transitions and oscillations among their various phases. A new phase begins when the system reaches a threshold that marks a qualitative change in system characteristics. These threshold effects are found all around us. In economics, this could be movement from a bull market to a bear market; in sociology, it could be the spread of political dissent, culminating in rebellion; in biology, the immune response to infection or disease as the body moves from sickness to health. Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) has proven to be a powerful framework for exploring these and other related phenomena. Our hypothesis is that by modeling differing complex systems we can use the known causes and mechanisms in one domain to gain insight into the controlling properties of similar effects in another domain. To that end, we have created a general CAS model; one that is flexible enough so that it can be individually tailored and mapped to phenomena in various domains, yet retains sufficient commonality across applications to facilitate a deeper, cross-disciplinary understanding of these phenomena. In this work, we focus on the threshold effect. We show that the general model successfully replicates key features of a CAS. And we demonstrate its general applicability by adapting the model to three domains: cancer cells and the immune response; political dissent in a polity; and a marine ecosystem.
Bacterial Flora in Experimental Dental Caries of the Rat

According to Miller's theory1 dental caries is caused by acids elaborated by microorganisms. Of the acidogenic and aciduric bacteria present in the plaques covering early lesions and in the carious dentine of advanced cavities, lactobacilli and acid-producing streptococci are the forms commonly believed to be implicated in decalcification of human teeth. However, these organisms are regularly found in the mouths of caries-free rats and if they are involved in experimental rat-caries their activities must be dependent upon other not well understood factors. The present investigation was made with animals used by Dr. B. F. Miller2 in a study of the inhibition of rat-caries and cultures were taken with his kind cooperation.Material from the surfaces of molar teeth of 60 young rats was cultured aerobically, at the beginning of the diet periods and again after 7 and 13 weeks, on Kulp's agar,3 Jay's broth,4 blood-agar, and brom-cresol-green serum-dextrose agar. The methods were not quantitative but all samples ...
Effect of endotoxin on granulopoiesis and the in vitro colony-forming cell.

The effect of endotoxin on the tibial in vitro colony-forming cell (CFC) and the differentiated granulocyte compartment was evaluated. The injection of 5 µg of Salmonella typhosa endotoxin into CF 1 mice leads to elevated serum colony-stimulating factor (CSF) levels along with a transient granulocytopenia followed by the release of granulocytes from the marrow. The present study demonstrates that the number of tibial CFC, as assayed on soft agar, decreases within 20 min after endotoxin, reaches a nadir at 6 hr (65.8 ± 4.9% of control), and then returns to control values by 48 hr. Concomitantly, over the 48 hr after endotoxin, there are sequential increases in the marrow myeloblast-promyelocyte compartment (MPC), myelocyte compartment (MC), and the PMN compartment. Radioautographic studies utilizing 3 HTdR showed increased labeling indices and grain counts in the MPC and MC at 24 or 48 hr after endotoxin, indicating a shortening of generation time and perhaps of the DNA synthetic period in these compartments. The present data suggest that elevated CSF levels seen after endotoxin administration may lead to differentiation of the marrow CFC into the granulocyte pathway. There are also changes in the differentiated granulocyte compartment, suggesting a decreased generation time that may be due to CSF or a separate regulator such as antichalone.
Understanding the metabolic phenotype of heart disease

Substantial changes in cardiac energy metabolism have been observed in a variety of heart diseases. Understanding the functional role of these changes is critical for developing the concept of metabolic intervention for heart disease. The use of genetically engineered mice in recent studies has made it possible to alter cardiac metabolism independently of secondary influence by disease and, thus, allow the causal role of metabolic remodeling in the pathogenesis and progression of heart disease ‐ in particular, heart failure ‐ to be tested. Results from these studies also shed light on the potential tactics for targeting energy metabolism in heart failure. Heart Metab. 2006;32:5‐8.
Computing FMLA Leave Time: An Excel Exercise

There are four methods allowed to compute the leave year for the Family and Medical Leave Act. Though they sound similar, they have very different implications for both employer and employee. One important consideration is the risk to the employer of overlapping employeerequests. The purpose of this Excel-based exercise is to allow individual students to experiment with the four options and discover for themselves the implications of each method. Because the exercise is Excel-based and designed for individual use, it can be effective for either traditional classroom or asynchronous online learning. Though the exercise requires no previous exposure to the law, it is assumed that the level of application and detail would be most appropriate for graduate students