cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CD44 Signaling Mediates High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan-Induced Antihyperalgesia.

We studied, in male Sprague Dawley rats, the role of the cognate hyaluronan receptor, CD44 signaling in the antihyperalgesia induced by high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWH). Low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMWH) acts at both peptidergic and nonpeptidergic nociceptors to induce mechanical hyperalgesia that is prevented by intrathecal oligodeoxynucleotide antisense to CD44 mRNA, which also prevents hyperalgesia induced by a CD44 receptor agonist, A6. Ongoing LMWH and A6 hyperalgesia are reversed by HMWH. HMWH also reverses the hyperalgesia induced by diverse pronociceptive mediators, prostaglandin E2, epinephrine, TNFα, and interleukin-6, and the neuropathic pain induced by the cancer chemotherapy paclitaxel. Although CD44 antisense has no effect on the hyperalgesia induced by inflammatory mediators or paclitaxel, it eliminates the antihyperalgesic effect of HMWH. HMWH also reverses the hyperalgesia induced by activation of intracellular second messengers, PKA and PKCe, indicating that HMWH-induced antihyperalgesia, although dependent on CD44, is mediated by an intracellular signaling pathway rather than as a competitive receptor antagonist. Sensitization of cultured small-diameter DRG neurons by prostaglandin E2 is also prevented and reversed by HMWH. These results demonstrate the central role of CD44 signaling in HMWH-induced antihyperalgesia, and establish it as a therapeutic target against inflammatory and neuropathic pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We demonstrate that hyaluronan (HA) with different molecular weights produces opposing nociceptive effects. While low molecular weight HA increases sensitivity to mechanical stimulation, high molecular weight HA reduces sensitization, attenuating inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia. Both pronociceptive and antinociceptive effects of HA are mediated by activation of signaling pathways downstream CD44, the cognate HA receptor, in nociceptors. These results contribute to our understanding of the role of the extracellular matrix in pain, and indicate CD44 as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Behavioral Health Training in Pediatric Residency Programs: A National Survey of Training Directors.

OBJECTIVE To identify perceptions of behavioral health (BH) training in pediatric residency programs, the degree of involvement from behavioral health providers (BHPs), and opportunities for and barriers to innovation in training. METHOD A tailored design methodology was used to target all pediatric residency program directors in the United States (N = 214). Participants were identified from the Electronic Residency Application Service website of the Association of American Medical Colleges and were asked to complete a 22-item item survey on BH training. RESULTS A 69.2% usable response rate (N = 148) was obtained. A total of 62.8% of directors described training in the developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) rotation as optimal; 36% described BH training in the residency program as a whole (i.e., outside the DBP rotation) as optimal. Only 20.3% described "common factors" training as optimal, and the quality of training in this area was positively and significantly related to the quality of BH training in the residency program as a whole (χ = 35.05, p < 0.001). The quality of common factors training was significantly higher in programs that had embedded BHPs (i.e., psychologists and social workers) in the continuity clinic than programs that did not (χ = 7.65, p = 0.04). Barriers to quality training included instructional content, instructional methods, stakeholder support, and resources. CONCLUSION Despite substantial improvement in residency training in BH over the last decade, additional improvement is needed. Barriers to continued improvement include training content, training methods, support from faculty and administrator stakeholders, and resource issues. Strategies derived from implementation science have the potential to address these barriers.
Effect of network architecture on the mechanical behavior of random fiber networks

Fiber-based materials are prevalent around us. While microscopically these systems resemble a discrete assembly of randomly interconnected fibers, the network architecture varies from one system to another. To identify the role of the network architecture, we study here cellular and fibrous random networks in tension and compression, and in the context of large strain elasticity. We observe that, compared to cellular networks of same global parameter set, fibrous networks exhibit in tension reduced strain stiffening, reduced fiber alignment, and reduced Poisson’s contraction in uniaxial tension. These effects are due to the larger number of kinematic constraints in the form of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case. The dependence of the small strain modulus on network density is cubic in the fibrous case and quadratic in the cellular case. This difference persists when the number of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case is rendered equal to that of the cellular case, which indicates that the different scaling is due to the higher structural disorder of the fibrous networks. The behavior of the two network types in compression is similar, although softening induced by fiber buckling and strain localization is less pronounced in the fibrous case. The contribution of transient interfiber contacts is weak in tension and important in compression
Learning to Be a Child Care Teacher: Reflections from Long-Term Practitioners

Ten long-term, college-educated child care teachers participated in semi-structured, individual interviews to elicit information about how they learned to be child care teachers. The transcripts of these tape recorded interviews were indexed and coded. They discuss education, child care experience, colleagues/mentoring, their experiences growing up, parenting their own children, and innate abilities. Participants' responses are presented in the context of current professional development efforts in the field. Implications for training and professional development are discussed.
A Retrospective Comparative Effectiveness Study of Medications for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Routine Practice

OBJECTIVE Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, topiramate, and venlafaxine have consistently shown efficacy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. However, no study has compared the effectiveness of these agents in routine clinical practice. We conducted a retrospective comparative effectiveness study of these 5 medications using electronic medical record data. METHODS We identified 2,931 Department of Veterans Affairs outpatients initiating treatment for PTSD between fiscal years 2004 and 2013 who received 1 of the 5 medications at an adequate dose and duration, combined with baseline and endpoint PTSD Checklist (PCL) measurements. Patients were identified based on clinical diagnoses of PTSD (DSM-IV criteria). We weighted participants in order to balance pretreatment characteristics. We compared continuous changes on total PCL score, symptom cluster scores, and sleep items, as well as categorical changes including reliable improvement and loss of PTSD diagnosis, using weighted regression analyses. We conducted exploratory analysis to determine whether any patient characteristics or service use variables predicted loss of PTSD diagnosis. RESULTS Patients improved by a mean of 5-6 points on the PCL over approximately 6 months of treatment. While half of patients had a reliable improvement of 5 points or more on the PCL, less than a fifth achieved loss of PTSD diagnosis. There were no differences between medications. The only significant (P < .001) predictor of loss of PTSD diagnosis was concurrent treatment with evidence-based psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Available evidence-based medications for PTSD are equally effective in clinical practice. Although effective, our data suggest that patients choosing medication treatment for PTSD should consider concurrent treatment with evidence-based psychotherapy in order to maximize their chances of meaningful improvement.
This Is Not a Vacation: The Shadow Side of Study Abroad Programs for Faculty:

Study abroad programs (SAPs) are desirable experiential learning opportunities that can enrich students and faculty alike. Faculty participate in SAPs because their immersive learning contexts offe...
Predictive modeling in HEOR

This chapter covers predictive modeling approaches in the context of health economics and outcomes research. A historical perspective is first presented, and is followed by heuristic explanations of models commonly used in machine learning and predictive modeling. An introduction to high-dimensional data analysis is provided, including reviews of related models and available software.
An analysis of the impacts of Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events on global molluscan diversity dynamics

Oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) are contemporaneous with 11 of the 18 largest Phanerozoic extinction events, but the magnitude and selectivity of their paleoecological impact remains disputed. OAEs are associated with abrupt, rapid warming and increased CO2 flux to the atmosphere; thus, insights from this study may clarify the impact of current anthropogenic climate change on the biosphere. We investigated the influence of the Late Cretaceous Bonarelli event (OAE2; Cenomanian/Turonian stage boundary; ~94 Ma) on generic- and species-level molluscan diversity, extinction rates, and ecological turnover. Cenomanian/Turonian results were compared with changes across all Cretaceous stage boundaries, some of which are coincident with less severe OAEs. We found increased generic turnover, but not species-level turnover, associated with several Cretaceous OAEs. The absence of a species-level pattern may reflect species occurrence data that are too temporally coarse to robustly detect patterns. Five hypotheses of ecological selectivity relating anoxia to survivorship were tested across stage boundaries with respect to faunality, mobility, and diet using generalized linear models. Interestingly, benthic taxa were consistently selected against throughout the Cretaceous regardless of the presence or absence of OAEs. These results suggest that: (1) the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary (OAE2) was associated with a decline in molluscan diversity and increase in extinction rate that were significantly more severe than Cretaceous background levels; and (2) no differential ecological selectivity was associated with OAE-related diversity declines among the variables tested here.
Joe Hair: Adventurer, Scholar, Innovator, Family Man

Joseph (Joe) Hair has advanced thought in multiple fields and had significant impact on businesses. In particular, he revolutionized the worlds of marketing and research methods through his writing and research. His accomplishments as a scholar are countless, as reflected by an impressive publication record and numerous disciples who call Joe their mentor and friend. Through his forward-thinking and great talent, Joe has also helped reform traditional doctoral education by creating a highly innovative alternative model enabling executives and business professionals to leverage their practical expertise and supplement it with the skills needed to conduct theoretically grounded and scientifically rigorous research to prepare them effectively for teaching and research positions in academia and industry. This chapter provides a brief summary of Joe’s accomplishments with an emphasis on his leadership and mentorship in doctoral education. No account of Joe’s accomplishments would be complete without addressing what a wonderful family man he is who never ceases to inspire others.
Minimal Energy Asymptotics in the “Harmonic Series” Case

This chapter deals with the asymptotic behavior of the value of the minimal Riesz d-energy on compact subsets of d-dimensional \(C^1\) manifolds in \(\mathbb R^p\), \(d\le p\). The weak\(^*\)-limit distribution of sequences of energy minimizing configurations and lower estimates of their minimal pairwise separation can be also found here. Finally, a class of sequences of asymptotically d-energy minimizing configurations is constructed for sets of positive d-dimensional Lebesgue measure.
Spatial Network Connectivity and Spatial Reasoning Ability in Children with Nonverbal Learning Disability

Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) is characterized by deficits in visual-spatial, but not verbal, reasoning. Nevertheless, the functioning of the neural circuits supporting spatial processing have yet to be assessed in children with NVLD. We compared the resting state functional connectivity of a spatial brain network among children with NVLD, children with reading disorder (RD), and typically developing (TD) children. Seventy-five participants (7-15 years old) were included in the study (20 TD, 24 NVLD, and 31 RD). Group differences in global efficiency and functional connectivity among 12 regions comprising a previously defined spatial network were evaluated. Associations with behavior were explored. Global efficiency of the spatial network associated positively with spatial ability and inversely with socioemotional problems. Within the spatial network, associations between left posterior cingulate (PCC) and right retrosplenial cortical activity were reduced in children with NVLD relative to those without spatial deficits (RD and TD). Connectivity between left PCC and right posterior cerebellum (Crus I and II) was reduced in both groups of children with learning disabilities (NVLD and RD) relative to TD children. Functional connectivity of the spatial network was atypically associated with cognitive and socioemotional performance in children with NVLD. Identifying a neurobiological substrate for NVLD provides evidence that it is a discrete clinical entity and suggests targets for treatment.
Does concurrent posterior repair for an asymptomatic rectocele reduce the risk of surgical failure in patients undergoing sacrocolpopexy

To determine if a concurrent posterior repair for an asymptomatic rectocele at the time of sacrocolpopexy reduces the incidence of surgical failure. This is a retrospective chart review with a cross‐sectional follow-up survey of all patients who underwent sacrocolpopexy from 2004 to 2014. Demographic and operative data were collected from the medical record. For the cross-sectional portion, patients were contacted to obtain information on symptoms and retreatment after surgery. In this study, we included patients with an asymptomatic rectocele on examination, defined as Ap or Bp ≥ −1 on POP-Q without defecatory dysfunction, which was defined as constipation based on the Rome III criteria, dyschezia, excessive straining and/or splinting to have a bowel movement. The primary outcome was a composite score of subjective bulge symptoms or retreatment for prolapse. Three hundred forty-four patients met the inclusion criteria: 185 (53.8%) had a sacrocolpopexy only (SCP) and 159 (46.2%) had a concurrent posterior repair (SCP + PR). The composite failure rate was 10.2% (95% CI = 7.4–13.8%), with a 13.5% (25) failure rate in the SCP group compared with 6.3% (10) in the SCP + PR group (p = 0.03). On multivariable logistic regression, the adjusted odds of failure was 2.79 in the SCP compared with the SCP + PR group (CI 1.25-6.23; P = 0.01). The rates of de novo defecatory dysfunction following surgery were low (SCP = 5.6% vs. SCP + PR = 7.5%, p = 0.55). For patients with asymptomatic rectoceles, a concurrent posterior repair at the time of sacrocolpopexy reduces the odds of composite patient-centered failure without an increased rate of dyspareunia or de novo defecatory dysfunction.
Chapter 18 – Transgenics

Biotechnology has been applied to the agriculture industry in an attempt to lower the cost of production through reducing the use of pesticides or increasing crop yields. Transgenics have also been used on a scale with global impact, from feeding parts of the world having a starving populace to providing added nutrition to indigenous food staples. In addition to the science behind transgenic biotechnologies, some of the business aspects of biotechnology will be uncovered. It is a cold fact that development of a biotechnology takes money, and biotechnologists should be aware of ways to protect their investments.
Correction to: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in older adults: what we may expect regarding pathogenesis, immune responses, and outcomes

The affiliation of the second author (Kenneth S. Knox) should have been Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA instead of Department of Medicine, University of Arizona-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
Myelin basic protein in traumatic brain injury

Abstract Myelin basic protein (MBP) has a well-known association with multiple sclerosis. However, it is not well-studied as a biomarker for traumatic brain injury (TBI). To date there are only small studies which look at the level of MBP in traumatic brain injury but the data is promising and compelling enough to push for further larger studies. Calcium has been implicated as having an association with myelin damage, but again there is not enough compelling evidence to give support for making any conclusions. Another promising area of research with MBP and TBI is in neuroimaging and measuring myelin water as a surrogate for myelin. Here again, larger studies will need to be performed to make any positive conclusions.
Neighborhood environment perceptions associate with depression levels and cardiovascular risk among middle-aged and older adults: Data from the Washington, DC cardiovascular health and needs assessment.

Little is understood about associations between neighborhood characteristics and depression, a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, in diverse populations. We examined relationships between pe...
Towards low cadmium accumulation in barley

Barley grain can have high concentrations of the heavy metal cadmium. Identification of a gene controlling cadmium accumulation in barley offers a path to averting unsafe consumption by humans.
Effect of Performance Review and Faculty Development to Organizational Climate

Faculty performance review, faculty development, and organizational climate are an essential element of the educational institution. More importantly, the mentioned variables have certain connections and interplay with each other. This study describes the performance review, faculty development, and organizational climate of a tertiary education institution. This study used a descriptive-correlation design. 56 faculties took part in the survey using a convenience sampling technique. The researcher adopted and modified an instrument and subjected it to validity and reliability test using Cronbach Alpha which yielded an overall coefficient of .0968. The statistical tools used were: mean, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson-r, and regression analysis. With the help of SPSS 20, it analyzed the gathered data. The study found that the respondents observed faculty performance review contexts. Also, the respondents agreed on the unique perspectives of faculty development. Also, the respondents see that the organizational climate affects the faculty to a great extent. There were significant differences found in the three variables. There was a direct, positive relationship between the three variables of the study. In confirmation, the performance review predicts the organizational climate of the faculty. Based on the results of the study, the researcher suggested recommendations essential for the institution, human resource, and faculty.
Increased risk of recurrence in early-stage endometrial carcinoma after delays in adjuvant radiation treatment

Objective The benefits of adjuvant radiation treatment after hysterectomy have been confirmed in select patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the time interval between hysterectomy and starting adjuvant radiation treatment in patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma. Methods Our database was searched for women with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer who received adjuvant radiation therapy after hysterectomy. The patients were classified into two groups based on the time interval to adjuvant radiation therapy (≤8 weeks or >8 weeks) after hysterectomy. Recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were compared between the two groups. Results Four hundred and sixty patients were identified. Median follow-up was 70.5 months (range 1–360). One hundred and seventy-six patients (38%) were 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA, 207 (45%) stage IB, and 77 (17%) stage II. Three hundred and fifty-four women (77%) received adjuvant radiation therapy within 8 weeks after hysterectomy. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in baseline demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, except for the modality of adjuvant radiation therapy. Patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy within 8 weeks experienced significantly less disease recurrence (9% vs 18%; p=0.01) and particularly less isolated vaginal recurrence (0% vs 6%, p=0.04). Five-year recurrence-free survival was 89% versus 80% (p=0.04), 5-year disease-specific survival was 93% for both groups, and 5-year overall survival was 86% versus 85% for patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy ≤8 and >8 weeks, respectively (p=0.88). Conclusion Our study suggests that delaying adjuvant radiation therapy beyond 8 weeks after hysterectomy is associated with significantly more cancer recurrences for women with early-stage endometrial carcinoma.
Do Areas Affected by Flood Disasters Attract Lower-Income and Less Creditworthy Homeowners?

In this paper, we show that areas affected by major flood disasters attract less affluent and less creditworthy homebuyers. House prices drop after a flood disaster. The households that purchased h...
Hepatocyte membrane potential regulates serum insulin and insulin sensitivity by altering hepatic GABA release

Hepatic lipid accumulation in obesity correlates with the severity of hyperinsulinemia and systemic insulin resistance. Obesity-induced hepatocellular lipid accumulation results in hepatocyte depolarization. We have established that hepatocyte depolarization depresses hepatic afferent vagal nerve firing, increases GABA release from liver slices, and causes hyperinsulinemia. Preventing hepatic GABA release or eliminating the ability of the liver to communicate to the hepatic vagal nerve ameliorates the hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance associated with diet-induced obesity. In people with obesity, hepatic expression of GABA transporters is associated with glucose infusion and disposal rates during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in hepatic GABA re-uptake transporters are associated with an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Herein, we identify GABA as a neuro-hepatokine that is dysregulated in obesity and whose release can be manipulated to mute or exacerbate the glucoregulatory dysfunction common to obesity.
The safety concept of the new Volkswagen Polo

The safety concept for the new Volkswagen Polo introduces new standards in this class. The starting point for the development of this concept was Volkswagen’s policy to maintain an exceptionally high level of safety standards — standards which are more demanding even than those prescribed by existing laws and foreseeable developments.
Alpha-Particle Measurements Needed for Burning Plasma Experiments

The next major step in magnetic fusion studies will be the construction of a burning plasma (BP) experiment where the goals will be to achieve and understand the plasma behavior with the internal heating provided by the fusion-generated alpha- particles (α-particles). Two devices with these physics goals have been proposed, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)1 and the Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE)2. Extensive conceptual design work for the instrumentation to try to meet the physics demands has been done for these devices, especially ITER3, and the overall requirements are reviewed in this book.
Population newborn screening for inherited metabolic disease : Current UK perspectives

Some of the generally accepted criteria for screening programmes are inappropriate for newborn metabolic screening as they ignore the family dimension and the importance of timely genetic information. Uncritical application of such criteria creates special difficulties for screening by tandem mass spectrometry, which can detect a range diseases with widely different natural histories and responsiveness to treatment. Further difficulties arise from increasing demands for direct proof of the effects of screening on long-term morbidity and mortality. The randomized controlled trial is held to be the gold standard, but for ethical and practical reasons it will be impossible to achieve for such relatively rare diseases. This approach also oversimplifies the complex matrix of costs and benefits of newborn metabolic screening. A more workable approach could involve Bayesian synthesis, combining quantitative performance data from carefully designed prospective pilot studies of screening with existing experience of the natural history, diagnosis, and management of the individual disorders concerned.
Thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency and associated neurological deficit.

Thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency and significant mental deficiency were found to be associated in four males of one family, all of whom had absence of serum thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). In 18 family members studied, two additional females had a decreased thyroxine (T4) binding capacity of TBG but were not retarded. No other specific cause of the mental retardation could be elicited. The hereditary nature of TBG deficiency and the associated neurological and mental defects could suggest that the gene loci for these disorders are "near" to each other, although no evidence is available to verify this possibility. The spectrum of this disorder should now be widened to include mental retardation as one of its features.
Compiling Array Statements for Efficient Execution on Distributed-Memory Machines: Two-Level Mappings

In languages such as High Performance Fortran (HPF), array statements are used for expressing data parallelism. In compiling array statements for distributed-memory machines, efficient enumeration of local index sets and communication sets is important. The virtual processor approach, among several other methods, has been proposed for efficient enumeration of these index sets. In this paper, using simple mathematical properties of regular sections, we extend the virtual processor approach to address the memory allocation and index set enumeration problems for array statements involving arrays mapped using the two-level mapping supported by HPF. Performance results on the Cray T3D are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the extensions and identify various tradeoffs associated with the proposed method.
Hidden Markov models applied to the validation of sensor transient responses

Methods for using the transient response of composite polymer chemiresistors for validating sensor behavior are presented. The transient responses of ten types of (composite polymer) chemiresistors are characterized using hidden Markov models and then tested. Results show that relatively small hidden Markov models (four states or less) can be used to accurately distinguish the transient responses of closely related chemiresistors. These models can be used as a means to establish a confidence level with which subsequent interpretations of sensor response (individual or array based) including analyte discrimination can be made.
Metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients: Can we improve survival by metastasectomy? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background Prognosis with current management strategies continues to be dismal in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients. We aimed to evaluate the role of metastasectomy in improving survival. Methods A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane central databases (1965 to present) was performed. All comparative studies measuring survival in MGC patients undergoing metastasectomy versus other therapies were included. Pooled risk ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. Results Sixteen studies with 1712 patients (378 patients in metastasectomy, 1334 patients in other therapies) were eligible for the final meta-analysis. Median age was 63 years. For patients undergoing metastasectomy, a significant survival advantage was observed at 1 year (RR 0.52, CI 0.43–0.62), 3 year (RR 0.75 CI 0.67–0.83), and 5 year (RR 0.82, CI 0.74–0.91); mean increased difference in survival conferred by metastasectomy averaged between 9.3 and 15.7 months; P < 0.001 for all results. Age, ECOG status, and STROBE score did not contribute to differences in survival. Conclusion Metastasectomy is associated with increased survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in MGC patients. Large prospective randomized controlled trials are critically needed to evaluate the role of metastasectomy in MGC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:38–45. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuropathology of trimethyltin intoxication. I. Light microscopy study

Abstract BALB c mice with average body weight of 25 g were injected intraperitoneally with trimethyltin chloride (TMT) at a dosage of 3.0 mg TMT/kg body wt. Control animals were injected with saline solution. Mice were found to be extremely sensitive to TMT toxicity. Within 24 hr postinjection, the TMT-treated animals displayed severe tremor, hyperexcitability, and aggression. All animals were sacrificed at 48 hr postinjection by intracardial perfusion with glutaraldehyde. Neuronal degradation could be observed in the neocortex, hippocampus, pyriform cortex, amygdaloid nucleus, and brain stem. In the hippocampus, severe neuronal necrosis was found among the granule cells of the fascia dentata with relatively sparing of the pyramidal cells of the Ammon's horn. Degeneration of some large brain stem neurons was also a prominent finding, particularly those neurons in the mesencephalic trigeminal nuclei. Chromatolytic and hyalinization of these nerve cells occurred with eventual disintegration and vacuolation of the neurons. Electron microscopic findings will be presented in future papers of the series.
Robust output feedback control of parabolic PDE systems with time-dependent spatial domains

We synthesize robust static output feedback controllers for systems of quasi-linear parabolic partial differential equations with time-dependent spatial domains and uncertain variables. The controllers are successfully applied to a typical diffusion-reaction process with moving boundary and uncertainty.
Evidence for a single catalytic site on the "beta-D-glucosidase-beta-D-galactosidase" of almond emulsin.

Abstract An isoenzyme of glycosidase obtained from almond emulsin, which is both a β- d -glucosidase and a β- d -galactosidase, has now been shown to possess β-D-fucosidase activity. It has been concluded that all three activities reside in a single catalytic site for the following reasons. (i) d -Glucosylamine, d -galactosylamine, and d -fucosylamine (a newly discovered potent inhibitor of this enzyme) each act competitively against all three of the substrates. (ii) Any given inhibitor exhibits the same K i value when tested in the presence of any of the three substrates, (iii) When the enzyme is incubated with any two of the p -nitrophenyl glycoside substrates, at or above their respective K m values, the rate of p -nitrophenol formation is not additive, but rather is equal to the value calculated on the basis of the individual K m values and relative maximum velocities.
Evaluating feathermoss growth: a challenge to traditional methods and implications for the boreal carbon budget

Summary 1 Accurate assessment of net primary production is vital for understanding carbon (C) cycling, both regionally and globally. However, this requires effective methods of measurement that acknowledge the unique characteristics of the subject or area being monitored. 2 Feathermosses dominate the ground layer of boreal upland ecosystems and play a vital role in soil C accumulation, accounting for up to 50% of total photosynthesis. Feathermoss growth is both apical and lateral, with branches of determinate length at maturity produced at consistent frequencies along the stem. 3 Traditional methods of estimating annual production of feathermosses underestimate total plant production because they do not account for lateral growth of the previous year's immature branches. We present a conceptual model of feathermoss growth using Pleurozium schreberi that includes apical and lateral annual growth. From this model, we provide a modified method to more accurately estimate P. schreberi production. The top 3 cm of 10 P. schreberi plants from each of five bog peatlands in Alberta, Canada, were collected. For each plant, distance from the stem apex to branch insertion, branch length and dry mass, and dry mass of 3-mm stem sections were measured and used to define model parameters that, due to lack of significant variability among the sites, can be applied regionally and possibly globally throughout the boreal zone. An additional 20 plants were collected from a sixth site for testing the accuracy of our modified method. 4 Assessment of our method showed an insignificant mean difference between observed and calculated production values. Furthermore, comparison of our method with traditional methods showed a c. 25% underestimation of annual production by the latter. Traditional methods underestimate annual biomass production of P. schreberi by c. 73 g m−2, accounting for more than 14 Tg C year−1 across the boreal region. 5 Our study shows that accounting for species-specific growth characteristics when estimating ground layer production has a substantial impact on boreal C budget assessments and therefore the terrestrial C cycle.
Sonographic findings in methamphetamine-induced ischemic colitis

Ischemic colitis is a clinicopathologic condition that commonly occurs in elderly patients with atherosclerotic disease or diabetes mellitus. Uncommon etiologies include vasculitis and use of drugs such as oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, nasal decongestants, dextroamphetamine, and cocaine. Recent studies have shown sonography and CT to be helpful in the evaluation of the colitides. We report the sonographic and CT findings in an unusual case of methamphetamine-induced ischemic colitis. Sonography and CT revealed diffuse thickening of the large bowel wall. Methamphetamine abuse should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the colitides, particularly in the setting of a young patient with a history of drug use and no other predisposing conditions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 26:479–482, 1998.
Hunger and food insecurity in the elderly: its nature and measurement.

To better understand the nature of food insecurity in the elderly and to improve its measurement, in-depth interviews were conducted with 41 urban Black and rural White elderly in 35 households, fo...
An e-government information architecture for regulation analysis and compliance assistance

The complexity and diversity of government regulations make understanding the regulations a non-trivial task. One of the issues is the existence of multiple sources of regulations and interpretive guides. In this work, we propose an information infrastructure for regulation analysis, which includes a document repository and tools for compliance assistance and similarity analysis. A regulatory repository is developed based on an XML format, and important features, such as concepts and measurements, are extracted using handcrafted rules and a text mining tool. Our framework provides compliance assistance using a reasoning tool based on First Order Predicate Calculus logic, where users are alerted of detected conflicts or otherwise compliance with the regulation. A relatedness analysis is performed by comparing the extracted features as well as structural and referential information from regulations. Examples of an electronic-rulemaking scenario and a compliance checking procedure are shown to demonstrate current capabilities of the prototype system.
Tricuspid Leaflet Aortic Valve Prosthesis

The theoretical and practical advantages of the flexible-leaflet prosthetic aortic valve make it worthy of continued development. Laboratory and clinical experience with a precision-molded, single-unit, tricuspid silicone rubber prosthesis suggest that the problems of materials, construction, and performance have been overcome. The use of a suitable elastomer in a precision casting with an anticlotting surface coating has resulted in a leaflet prosthesis the long-term functional performance of which should compare favorably with any device currently in use.
2-hydroxyglutarate production, but not dominant negative function, is conferred by glioma-derived NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations

Background Gliomas frequently contain mutations in the cytoplasmic NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) or the mitochondrial NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2). Several different amino acid substitutions recur at either IDH1 R132 or IDH2 R172 in glioma patients. Genetic evidence indicates that these mutations share a common gain of function, but it is unclear whether the shared function is dominant negative activity, neomorphic production of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), or both. Methodology/Principal Findings We show by coprecipitation that five cancer-derived IDH1 R132 mutants bind IDH1-WT but that three cancer-derived IDH2 R172 mutants exert minimal binding to IDH2-WT. None of the mutants dominant-negatively lower isocitrate dehydrogenase activity at physiological (40 µM) isocitrate concentrations in mammalian cell lysates. In contrast to this, all of these mutants confer 10- to 100-fold higher 2HG production to cells, and glioma tissues containing IDH1 R132 or IDH2 R172 mutations contain high levels of 2HG compared to glioma tissues without IDH mutations (54.4 vs. 0.1 mg 2HG/g protein). Conclusions Binding to, or dominant inhibition of, WT IDH1 or IDH2 is not a shared feature of the IDH1 and IDH2 mutations, and thus is not likely to be important in cancer. The fact that the gain of the enzymatic activity to produce 2HG is a shared feature of the IDH1 and IDH2 mutations suggests that this is an important function for these mutants in driving cancer pathogenesis.
Microwave-assisted, solventless Suzuki coupling reactions on palladium-doped alumina

The generation of carbon–carbon bonds forms the backbone of organic synthesis. In recent years, the use of boron-containing precursors in palladium-assisted bond forming reactions (the Suzuki reaction) has gained prominence because of the vast array of functionally substituted boron containing reagents available to the organic chemist. The development of a solventless, microwave-assisted Suzuki reaction utilizing a readily recyclable solid catalyst offers numerous benefits. These include the straightforward recovery of both product and catalyst, conservation of energy through the use of microwave irradiation, simple commercial scale up, and low waste protocols due to the absence of solvents.
Conformation dependence of MHC class I in the modulation of target cell sensitivity to natural killing.

C1R.Aw68 delta 242 is a human B cell line expressing a mutant class I molecule that is defective in assembly and transport at 37 degrees C but is stably expressed at room temperature. This cell line has been utilized to study the conformation dependence of MHC class I in the modulation of target cell sensitivity to natural killing. Surface expression of MHC class I molecules was monitored by the antibodies W6/32 (detecting a pan-class I specificity that is beta 2-microglobulin and conformation dependent) and HC.10 (detecting free HLA-B heavy chain and a subset of HLA-A heavy chains). C1R.Aw68 delta 242 was cultured at reduced temperature to induce cell surface expression of class I molecules, and then the temperature was shifted to 37 degrees C. During the first 2 h at 37 degrees C, C1R.Aw68 delta 242 displayed a higher level of HC.10 reactivity than W6/32. Conjugation of C1R.Aw68 delta 242 to NK cells correlated inversely with W6/32 expression, but not with HC.10 reactivity as revealed by flow cytometry. The sensitivity of the C1R.Aw68 delta 242 cells to NK-mediated lysis was also examined as a function of temperature, and the level of C1R.Aw68 delta 242 cytolysis correlated inversely with W6/32 expression but not HC.10. The fact that both the conjugation rate and target cell cytolysis increased with decreased reactivity with the conformation-dependent antibody W6/32 and not with HC.10, is consistent with the hypothesis that NK cell inhibitory receptors (KIR) detect a conformation-dependent epitope(s).
Early Application of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Patients at Risk for the Adult Respiratory-Distress Syndrome

Previous studies have suggested that the early application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) reduces the incidence of the adult respiratory-distress syndrome. We randomly assigned 92 patients with a known risk for this syndrome to receive mechanical ventilation either without PEEP (control) or with early PEEP at 8 cm H2O. These therapies continued for 72 hours unless respiratory distress developed or arterial oxygen tension was above 140 (fractional inspired oxygen concentration, 0.5) at 24 hours or later and remained at that level after removal of PEEP. The study was designed to have an 80 per cent probability of detecting a 60 per cent reduction in the incidence of the syndrome. The treatment groups were comparable in age, severity of injury, number and type of risk factors for adult respiratory-distress syndrome, and initial oxygenation. The syndrome developed in 11 of 44 patients given early PEEP (25 per cent) and in 13 of 48 control patients (27 per cent). The incidence of atelectasis, pneumonia, and barotrauma was the same in both groups, as was mortality. We found that the early application of PEEP at 8 cm H2O in high-risk patients had no effect on the incidence of the adult respiratory-distress syndrome or other, associated complications.
Sex differences in stroke: The contribution of coagulation

Stroke is now the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Women are disproportionately affected by stroke. Women increasingly outnumber men in the elderly population, the period of highest risk for stroke. However, there is also a growing recognition that fundamental sex differences are present that contribute to differential ischemic sensitivity. In addition, gonadal hormone exposure can impact coagulation and fibrinolysis, key factors in the initiation of thrombosis. In this review we will discuss sex differences in stroke, with a focus on platelets, vascular reactivity and coagulation.
When Latina hips make/mark history: Music video in the “new” American studies

As a Lebanese-origin native of the Colombian Caribbean, singer/songwriter Shakira's self-description as a combination of “quibbe crudo and platano frito” (“raw quibbe and fried plantain”) neatly reflects the trans-cultural aesthetic recipe upon which her artistic identity and media persona are based.1 Emphasizing the role of sexuality and movement in Shakira's recordings, music videos, and press coverage, I assert that Shakira's personal history, artistic production and media star text are of significance to the ongoing “worlding” of American and area studies. Grounded in the overarching concerns of feminist, media, and music criticism, this cross-media analysis questions the “commonsense” of ethno-racial identity, gender and sexuality in music video. In turn, I address the methodological and thematic gaps in existing scholarly approaches to gender, race, and sexuality in the genre, and ultimately argue for a more nuanced meta-disciplinary engagement with the location and politics of transnational studies...
Determination of levetiracetam in human plasma/serum/saliva by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract Background Levetiracetam (Keppra) is a novel antiepileptic drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an add-on therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in patients. We developed and describe a simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) assay for the determination of levetiracetam in human matrix (plasma, serum, or saliva). Methods An API-3000 or API-4000 triple–quadrupole mass spectrometer (Sciex, Concord, Canada) coupled with the IonSpray source and Shimadzu HPLC system (Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Columbia, MD) was used employing ritonavir as internal standard (IS) for levetiracetam. One hundred microliters of serum (or plasma, saliva) was deproteinized by adding 150 μl of acetonitrile containing internal standard. After centrifugation, 100 μl of supernatant was diluted with 300 μl of water and 10 μl aliquot was injected onto a C-18 column. After a 2.5 min wash the valve was activated to initiate the isocratic elution program which eluted the levetiracetam and internal standard into the MS/MS system. Quantitation by MRM analysis was performed in the positive ion mode. Within-day and between-day imprecision were evaluated for levetiracetam using three levels of in-house controls. Reliability and accuracy of this method were assessed by comparison of targets with external QC material (ChromSystems), between laboratory comparisons and by recovery studies. Results Within-day coefficients of variation (CVs) were Conclusions The method was found both specific and sensitive for the rapid and accurate measurement of levetiracetam in human matrices and correlated well with the Quest/Chantilly tandem mass spectrometric method ( r = 0.983).
The transnitrosation of secondary amines S-nitrosocysteine in relation to N-nitrosamine formation in cured meats.

The reactions at 37°C of S-nitrosocysteine hydrochloride with three secondary amines, N-methylaniline, morpholine and pyrrolidine, have been studied at pH 2.65, 5.5 and 9.75. The reactions result in the formation of the N-nitroso derivatives of the three amines at all three pH values studied. The rates of N-nitrosation and final yields of products in these reactions were compared with those in reactions in which the N-nitrosation of the secondary amines was effected by nitrite. The comparative rates varied considerably according to the amine being studied and the reaction pH. The relevance of these findings to nitrosamine formation in cured meat and in vivo are discussed. Reaction of S-nitrosocysteine hydrochloride with all three amines at pH 9.75 and with N-methylaniline at pH 5.5 resulted in some N-nitrosamine formation in the headspace above the reaction mixture. The stability of S-nitrosocysteine hydrochloride was studied as a function of pH. The compound was fairly stable at pH 2.65, but decomposed rapidly at pH 5.5 and 9.75. The decomposition reaction at pH 5.5 followed three-halves order kinetics, but that at pH 9.75 did not conform to simple kinetics.