cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fiber and filament

Thermoplastic fibers or filaments are produced by screw extruders. They are manufactured using the three common methods of melt spinning, dry spinning, and wet spinning. There are many variations and combinations of these basic processes. Other types of fiber-forming processes include: (1) reaction spinning; (2) dispersion, emulsion, and suspension spinning; (3) fusion-melt spinning; (4) phase-separation spinning; and (5) gel spinning (397, 413).
A Bayesian Approach for Aggregating Test Data Across Sub-Populations

In the process of conducting a reliability analysis of a system, quite often the population of interest is not homogenous; consisting of sub-populations which arise as production operations are adjusted, component suppliers are changed, etc. While these sub-populations are each unique in many ways, they also have much in common. It is also common for data to be available from a variety of different test regimes, e.g. environmental testing and fleet maintenance observations. Hierarchical Bayesian methods provide an organized, objective means of estimating the reliability of the individual systems, the sub-population reliability as well as the reliability of the entire population. This paper provides an introduction to a Bayesian approach that can be extended for more complicated situations.
Apocynaceae Seed Lipids: Characterization and Occurrence of Isoricinoleic Acid and Triacylglycerol Estolides

Isoricinoleic acid (9-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid; IR) is a potential renewable feedstock for the oleochemical industry, a precursor for the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds and a component of the seed oil of certain plants in the Apocynaceae. For a more detailed survey of this plant family, seeds of 18 species representing different subfamilies were obtained and acyl composition and oil content was determined. IR was observed only in species of the tribes Wrightieae and Nerieae in the Apocynoideae subfamily and is reported for the first time in the seed oil of the desert rose Adenium obesum in which it is present at a level of around 26 %. In contrast to previous reports, IR was not found in oil from Holarrhena species, H. antidysenterica and H. pubescens, nor in oil from Annona squamosa. To examine the oil structure, samples were analyzed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. This technique proved to be a simple method to demonstrate the occurrence of the estolide 9-acetoxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid in oil from Nerium oleander and gave further insight into the distribution of estolides within the oil, revealing the presence of tetra- and penta-acyl-TAG molecules, and molecules containing IR esterified to all three position of glycerol. For other species in which IR was observed, the HFA was found to be a component of seed TAG, but no secondary acylation of the hydroxyl groups was observed.
The Center for the Study of Market Processes

This case explores issues surrounding the establishment of centers in university lifecenters that cater to a professors special research interests and that involve outside funding and support. How do such centers come about? What are the challenges of managing them as an academic? How can one ensure the long-term sustainability of ones center?
Insights into the electronic structure of disulfur tetrafluoride isomers from generalized valence bond theory.

Sulfur and fluorine can participate in a variety of bonding motifs, lending significant diversity to their chemistry. Prior work has identified three distinct minima for disulfur tetrafluoride (S2F4) compounds: two FSSF3 isomers and one SSF4 species. We used a combination of sophisticated explicitly correlated coupled cluster calculations and generalized valence bond (GVB) theory to characterize the electronic structure of these species as well as additional stationary points on the potential energy surface with F2SSF2 connectivity. On the singlet surface, the two stationary points considered in this work with an F2SSF2 structure are first- or second-order saddle points and not minima. However, on the triplet surface, we discovered a novel C2 symmetric F2SSF2 minimum that was anticipated from the structure of an excited state (3B1) of SF2. Analysis using the GVB wave function in conjunction with the recoupled pair bonding model developed by our group provides a straightforward explanation of the bonding i...
Passive quantisation error extraction in continuous-time delta–sigma modulators

A new method for quantisation error extraction in continuous-time delta–sigma modulators (CTDSMs) is proposed. The proposed method avoids the use of additional active components such as transconductors and opamps and uses only passive components. Instead, the virtual ground of the second stage integrator is used as a summing node and is utilised to extract the quantisation error. Thus, multi-stage CTDSM can be implemented in a power and area efficient way.
Early time excited-state structural evolution of pyranine in methanol revealed by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy.

To understand chemical reactivity of molecules in condensed phase in real time, a structural dynamics technique capable of monitoring molecular conformational motions on their intrinsic time scales, typically on femtoseconds to picoseconds, is needed. We have studied a strong photoacid pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, HPTS, pKa* ≈ 0) in pure methanol and observed that excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) is absent, in sharp contrast with our previous work on HPTS in aqueous solutions wherein ESPT prevails following photoexcitation. Two transient vibrational marker bands at ∼1477 (1454) and 1532 (1528) cm–1 appear in CH3OH (CD3OD), respectively, rising within the instrument response time of ∼140 fs and decaying with 390–470 (490–1400) fs and ∼200 ps time constants in CH3OH (CD3OD). We attribute the mode onset to small-scale coherent proton motion along the pre-existing H-bonding chain between HPTS and methanol, and the two decay stages to the low-frequency skeletal motion-modulated Franck–...
Comparison of a new recirculation thrombectomy catheter with other devices of the same type: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To compare a new 7 Fr. Helix thrombectomy catheter with Amplatz thrombectomy devices (ATD) with respect to clot fragmentation efficiency, hemolytic potential, and risk for vascular trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Particle size was evaluated following the maceration of 8-to-10-day-old clots, each weighing 6 +/- 0.01 g. The clots were macerated using devices of various sizes, including the 7-Fr. Helix thrombectomy catheter, the 7-Fr. over-the-wire (OTW), 8-Fr. ATD and the 6-Fr. ATD. The number of particles by weight was quantified. The 7-Fr. Helix and the 8-Fr. ATD were tested in the native iliac vein of six dogs without presence of clots. Blood samples were obtained before, during, and at 1, 3, 6, 24, and 48 hours after the procedure, to monitor the hemolytic effects. The treated iliac veins were examined histologically. RESULTS Most of the clot was fragmented into particles <10 microm. The mean percentage by weight of the original clot that remained as particles larger than 10 microm was 1.59% in the 7-Fr. Helix group. This was significantly less than 3.10% with the 6-Fr. ATD, 2.57% with 7-Fr. OTW and 2.44% in the 8-Fr. ATD group (<0.01). In vivo results showed a higher plasma free hemoglobin (PFH) level starting 5 minutes after initiating the ATD activation, reaching its peak after completion of the activation, and declining afterward, with return to the baseline at 24 hours. The haptoglobin level tended to decline slightly at 10 minutes, reaching its lowest level at 24 hours, and starting to recover at 48 hours. A similar pattern of PFH and haptoglobin changes was found in both groups. There were no significant differences regarding hemolytic effect of the two tested devices. No significant changes of creatinine were observed for up to 48 hours after procedures. Focal microthrombosis was seen in two sites of two vessels treated with the 7-Fr. Helix and a focal injury of a venous valve was noted in the 8-Fr. ATD group. The media and internal elastic lamina (IEL) were intact in all cases. CONCLUSION The newly designed 7-Fr. Helix is more effective in fragmentation in vitro clots than the 6 Fr. ATD, 7-Fr. OTW and the 8-Fr. ATD. The 7-Fr. Helix and the 8-Fr. ATD produced hemolytic effects, but they appeared to be tolerated by the animals. The in vivo results indicated that the 7-Fr. Helix appears to be as safe as the 8-Fr. ATD.
FORTIS: A Comprehensive Solution for Establishing Forward Trust for Protecting IPs and ICs

With the advent of globalization in the semiconductor industry, it is necessary to prevent unauthorized usage of third-party IPs (3PIPs), cloning and unwanted modification of 3PIPs, and unauthorized production of ICs. Due to the increasing complexity of ICs, system-on-chip (SoC) designers use various 3PIPs in their design to reduce time-to-market and development costs, which creates a trust issue between the SoC designer and the IP owners. In addition, as the ICs are fabricated around the globe, the SoC designers give fabrication contracts to offshore foundries to manufacture ICs and have little control over the fabrication process, including the total number of chips fabricated. Similarly, the 3PIP owners lack control over the number of fabricated chips and/or the usage of their IPs in an SoC. Existing research only partially addresses the problems of IP piracy and IC overproduction, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no work that considers IP overuse. In this article, we present a comprehensive solution for preventing IP piracy and IC overproduction by assuring forward trust between all entities involved in the SoC design and fabrication process. We propose a novel design flow to prevent IC overproduction and IP overuse. We use an existing logic encryption technique to obfuscate the netlist of an SoC or a 3PIP and propose a modification to enable manufacturing tests before the activation of chips which is absolutely necessary to prevent overproduction. We have used asymmetric and symmetric key encryption, in a fashion similar to Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), to transfer keys from the SoC designer or 3PIP owners to the chips. In addition, we also propose to attach an IP digest (a cryptographic hash of the entire IP) to the header of an IP to prevent modification of the IP by the SoC designers. We have shown that our approach is resistant to various attacks with the cost of minimal area overhead.
Newly discovered actions of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and osteoporosis: basis and treatment.

Vitamin D was originally discovered because the bone disease rickets was found in epidemic proportions in Northern Europe, North America, and Northern Asia at about the time the concept of the vitamins made its appearance (about 1900–1920). Sir Edward Mellanby, in reacting to the discovery of the fat-soluble vitamin A and water-soluble vitamin B by McCollum and co-workers at Wisconsin (1, 2) and Mendel and Osborne at the Connecticut Experiment Station (3), conceived that rickets might also be a nutritional disorder. By feeding dogs a diet of oatmeal and maintaining them indoors, he produced the same disease rickets prevalent in the human population (4). Because he was able to cure the disease with cod liver oil that was shown to contain fat-soluble vitamin A, Sir Edward Mellanby considered this curing of the bony disease rickets as another property of fat-soluble vitamin A. However, McCollum and co-workers then at Johns Hopkins demonstrated clearly the existence of the new antirachitic factor which he ter...
Industrial compliant robot bases in interaction tasks: a force tracking algorithm with coupled dynamics compensation

Light-weight manipulators are used in industrial tasks mounted on mobile platforms to improve flexibility. However, such mountings introduce compliance affecting the tasks. This work deals with such scenarios by designing a controller that also takes into account compliant environments. The controller allows the tracking of a target force using the estimation of the environment stiffness (EKF) and the estimation of the base position (KF), compensating the robot base deformation. The closed-loop stability has been analyzed. Observers and the control law have been validated in experiments. An assembly task is considered with a standard industrial non-actuated mobile platform. Control laws with and without base compensation are compared.
Interactive Effect of Temperature, Atmosphere and Storage Time on the Probability of Colony Formation on Blood Agar by Four Listeria Species.

The probability (P) of one Listeria cell and the cells needed to initiate colony formation on sheep blood agar plates as affected by atmospheric conditions (AC), storage temperature (T), time (t), and Listeria species was evaluated. The factorial design experi­ ments included Listeria monocytogenes (2 strains), Listeria seeligeri, Listeria ivanovii, and Listeria innocua, as test organ­ isms, storage of the plates at 4, 8, 20, and 30°C under air (A), modified atmosphere (MA) of 5% O, + 10% C02 + 85% N„ 100% C02 (C02), vacuum (V), and candle jar (CJ) for 7, 14, 21, 42, and 56 d. Statistical analysis indicated the significant effect of AC (p 0.71). None of the interactions with atmospheric conditions were significant (AC x species, AC x t, AC x T, all with p>0.46). Pairwise comparison of the P's for each of the AC's indicated that 100% C02 was significantly more inhibitory to growth initiation than any other AC (p<0.004). No difference among the other AC's was shown. The effect of C02 on delaying growth of Listeria was enhanced with decreasing storage T. Thus, under C02, <6 cells of L. monocytogenes formed a colony within 7 d at 20°C and 42 d at 4°C. L. ivanovii was the most sensitive to C02 and required 4.7 x 10 4 cells to form a colony after 42 d at 4°C. C02 (100%) extended the lag phase at <8°C and decreased the rate of growth of the test organisms at 4°C but not at higher temperatures.
Fertility programs for lactating dairy cows, their physiological basis, and the factors that are critical for their success

Lactating dairy cows have unique reproductive responses compared to when they were heifers that result in distinctly different reproductive measurements and pregnancy outcomes that can be partially overcome with pharmacological strategies. These parameters include circulating progesterone and estradiol concentrations, ovulatory follicle and corpus luteum diameter, incidence of anovulation and double ovulations, time in estrus, pregnancies per artificial insemination and pregnancy losses. Circulating concentrations of progesterone during diestrus are approximately half that in cows compared with heifers. This marked difference in progesterone is likely the explanation for an increased size in diameter of the ovulatory follicle and incidence of double ovulations in cows compared with heifers. Differences in diameter of the ovulatory follicle may explain why cows have greater corpora lutea diameters compared to heifers. The increase in double ovulations appears to be a key driver in the increase in twinning and pregnancy loss as dairy heifers transition to primi- and multiparous cows. Reduced estradiol concentrations in cows at time of estrus helps to explain the decreased duration of estrus in cows compared with heifers. Concentrations of progesterone during growth of the ovulatory follicle may be a key driver in differences in pregnancies per AI in cows compared with heifers. The difference in circulating progesterone may be related to LH overstimulation of the oocyte/cumulus complex in cows compared to when they were heifers. Pharmacological strategies have been developed in lactating dairy cows to manipulate ovarian development to create a hormonal environment similar to that of heifers. Three primary strategies, Presynch-11, G6G and Double Ovsynch appear to enhance fertility of dairy cows. This review discusses how these three strategies manipulate ovarian development similar to that of heifers and why compelling data indicate these programs should be referred to as “fertility programs.”
Leaving the Scientific Comfort Zone to Address Complex Challenges

Dr. Ayala Lampel is a postdoctoral research associate in Prof. Rein Ulijn's research group in the Nanoscience Initiative at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center and an awardee of an Israeli Council for Higher Education Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her work focuses on designing functional supramolecular materials for biological systems. Before this, Ayala received her PhD in biotechnology at Tel Aviv University, where she worked with Prof. Ehud Gazit on viral capsid assembly and antiviral design tools, and her BSc in neuroscience (BSc Program in Neuroscience for Outstanding Students, Tel Aviv University). During her PhD, Ayala volunteered in the Israeli association "Bashaar" to introduce scientific higher education to underprivileged high school students.
Effects of chloride additives on the mechanical stability and environmental durability of porous MgF2 thin films

Porous antireflective thin films, prepared of nanoscopic MgF 2 sols, exhibit a low refraction index and are useful for various optical applications. Due to their porosity, film stability and durability suffer from mechanical abrasion and water solubility, respectively. Hence, we present approaches of improved mechanical stability of MgF 2 layers induced by chloride addition. Antireflective (AR) films were produced by dip-coating followed by thermal treatment. Afterwards, film stability and environmental durability was strained by crockmeter and water stability tests, respectively. In comparison to films prepared from chloride-free MgF 2 sols, chloride mingled sols form coatings with increased mechanical stability and a lower solubility.
Self-report indicators of negative valence constructs within the research domain criteria (RDoC): A critical review

Abstract Background In 2010, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) created the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), a research framework for integrating multiple units of information to explicate basic dimensions of functioning underlying both adaptive and maladaptive behavior. Our goal in this review is to evaluate self-report indicators of negative valence systems constructs within RDoC. Methods We review the content and correlates of several of the most popular self-report measures currently classified within the negative valence systems in the RDoC matrix, using both our own data and previously published results. We use these data to evaluate whether these measures are appropriately placed; in addition, wherever possible, we recommend better alternatives to assess key RDoC constructs. Results Our findings indicate that many of the currently listed self-report measures are misplaced. Specifically, our data reveal that some of the purported fear scales are better conceptualized as measures of anxiety and/or anxious arousal. In addition, none of the currently listed measures of frustrative nonreward is a clear, unambiguous indicator of that construct. Limitations The RDoC matrix currently does not list any specific measures of either loss or sustained threat, which makes it difficult to identify appropriate measures of these constructs. In many cases, the specificity/discriminant validity of proposed measures remains uncertain. Conclusions Researchers wanting to include self-report measures of negative valence constructs currently receive little guidance from the RDoC matrix. Future assessment work should be oriented toward the development of measures that are explicitly designed to assess these RDoC constructs.
Raman Spectroscopic Signature Markers of Dopamine-Human Dopamine Transporter Interaction in Living Cells.

Dopamine (DA) controls many psychological and behavioral activities in the central nervous system (CNS) through interactions with the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) and dopamine receptors. The roles of DA in the function of the CNS are affected by the targeted binding of drugs to hDAT; thus, hDAT plays a critical role in neurophysiology and neuropathophysiology. An effective experimental method is necessary to study the DA–hDAT interaction and effects of variety of drugs like psychostimulants and antidepressants that are dependent on this interaction. In searching for obtaining and identifying the Raman spectral signatures, we have used surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy to record SERS spectra from DA, human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293), hDAT-HEK293, DA-HEK293, and DA-hDAT-HEK293. We have demonstrated a specific 2D-distribution SERS spectral analytical approach to analyze DA–hDAT interaction. Our study shows that the Raman modes at 807, 839, 1076, 1090, 1538, and 1665 cm–1 are...
Convenient synthetic route to tetraarylphosphonium polyelectrolytes via palladium-catalyzed P–C coupling of aryl triflates and diphenylphosphine

A series of eight tetraarylphosphonium polyelectrolytes (TPELs) has been successfully synthesized by polymerization of diphenylphosphine and bis(aryl triflate)s. The bis(aryl triflate)s are readily prepared from bisphenols, some of which are commodity feedstocks such as bisphenol A. The polymerization via palladium catalyzed P–C bond formation produces degrees of polymerization up to 65. All polymeric triflates have reasonable thermal stability in the range of 350–450 °C. The stability of the TPELs to alkaline solution is strongly depending on the spacer between adjacent phosphonium sites. Polymers with electron-releasing and bulky substituent para- to the phosphonium site have improved stability while those with electron-withdrawing substituent para- to phosphonium site have decreased alkaline stability due to decomposition via a nucleophilic aromatic substitution pathway. These findings have important ramifications for the design of ionomers for alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells and related electrochemical energy conversion devices. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017
Physiological and Molecular Characterization of Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibitor Resistance in Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.)

Herbicides that inhibit hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) such as mesotrione are widely used to control a broad spectrum of weeds in agriculture. Amaranthus palmeri is an economically troublesome weed throughout the United States. The first case of evolution of resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in A. palmeri was documented in Kansas (KS) and later in Nebraska (NE). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechansim of HPPD-inhibitor (mesotrione) resistance in A. palmeri. Dose response analysis revealed that this population (KSR) was 10-18 times more resistant than their sensitive counterparts (MSS or KSS). Absorbtion and translocation analysis of [14C] mesotrione suggested that these mechanisms were not involved in the resistance in A. palmeri. Importantly, mesotrione (>90%) was detoxified markedly faster in the resistant populations (KSR and NER), within 24 hours after treatment (HAT) compared to sensitive plants (MSS, KSS, or NER). However, at 48 HAT all populations metabolized the mesotrione, suggesting additional factors may contribute to this resistance. Further evaluation of mesotrione-resistant A. palmeri did not reveal any specific resistance-conferring mutations nor amplification of HPPD gene, the molecular target of mesotrione. However, the resistant populations showed 4- to 12-fold increase in HPPD gene expression. This increase in HPPD transcript levels was accompanied by increased HPPD protein expression. The significant aspects of this research include: the mesotrione resistance in A. palmeri is conferred primarily by rapid detoxification (non-target-site based) of mesotrione; additionally, increased HPPD gene expression (target-site based) also contributes to the resistance mechanism in the evolution of herbicide resistance in this naturally occurring weed species.
Why Did People Move During the Great Recession?: The Role of Economics in Migration Decisions

Labor migration offers an important mechanism to reallocate workers when there are regional differences in employment conditions. Whereas conventional wisdom suggests migration rates should increase during recessions as workers move out of areas that are hit hardest, initial evidence suggested that overall migration rates declined during the Great Recession, despite large regional differences in unemployment and growth rates. In this paper we use data from the American Community Survey to analyze internal migration trends before and during the economic downturn. First, we find only a modest decline in the odds of adults leaving distressed labor market areas during the Great Recession, which may result in part from challenges related to the housing price crash. Second, we estimate conditional logit models of destination choice for individuals who migrate across labor market areas; we find a substantial effect of economic factors such as labor demand, unemployment, and housing values. We also estimate latent class conditional logit models that test whether there is heterogeneity in preferences for destination characteristics among migrants. Over all, the latent class models suggest that roughly equal percentages of migrants were motivated by economic factors before and during the Great Recession. We conclude that fears of dramatic declines in labor migration seem to be unsubstantiated.
Dysfunctional T Regulatory Cells in Myeloma: Molecular Mechanisms of Dysregulation.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by production of monoclonal immunoglobulin, associated with suppressed uninvolved immunoglobulins and dysfunctional T cell responses. The biological basis of this dysfunction remains ill defined. Since T regulatory (T reg ) cells play an important role in suppressing normal immune responses, we have here evaluated the potential role of T reg cells in immune dysfunction in MM. We observed a significant increase in CD4 + CD25 + T cells in individuals with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and patients with MM compared to normal donors (25% and 26% versus 14%, respectively); however, T reg cells as measured by Foxp3 expression are significantly decreased in both MGUS (1.6±0.5%, p reg cells also do not function normally. T reg cells from patients with MM and MGUS even when added in higher proportions are unable to suppress anti-CD3-mediated T cell proliferation. This decreased number and function of T reg cells in MGUS and in MM may account, at least in part, for the non-specific increase in CD4 + CD25 + T cells, thereby contributing to dysfunctional T cell responses. We have further analyzed the molecular basis for the T reg cell dysfunction in myeloma. Based on the preliminary results suggesting a role of IL-6 in T reg cell function and since both serum IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor levels are significantly elevated in MGUS and MM, we evaluated the role of IL-6 and its soluble receptor on T reg cell function. We observed that the addition of IL-6 and/or sIL-6 receptor to the culture leads to loss of T reg cell activity in normal donor cells similar to one observed in myeloma patients; and conversely, when T reg cells from MM patients are treated with the anti-IL-6 antibody or IL-6 receptor super antagonist, sant 7, the suppressive activity of T reg cells is restored. Additionally, we have preliminary evidence of expansion of Foxp3 + cell numbers in PBMC from MM patients following in vitro treatment with anti-IL-6 antibody. This data suggests a role of IL-6 and bone marrow microenvironment in dysfunctional T reg cells in MM and that inhibition of IL-6 signaling results in beneficial effects on T cell activity by increasing T reg cell activity. A blockade of IL-6 signaling thus emerges as a potential approach to establish immune homeostasis to improve immune function in MM.
Autoantibodies against PFDN2 are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes: A case‐control study

Background The adaptive immune system is involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), indicating the presence of unidentified autoantibodies that might be useful biomarkers for emerging immunomodulatory therapy. A prior microarray study with a small number of participants suggested the association of novel autoantibodies with T2DM in Southwest American Indians. We therefore sought to determine whether antibodies against 14 target proteins are associated with T2DM in a large case-control study. Methods Participants were adults (age 20-59 y) of Southwest American Indian heritage. Plasma antibodies against 14 possible target proteins were measured in 476 cases with T2DM of less than 5 years duration and compared with 424 controls with normal glucose regulation. Results Higher levels of antibodies against prefoldin subunit 2 (PFDN2) were associated with T2DM (P = .0001; Bonferroni-corrected threshold for multiple tests = 0.0036 [α = 0.05]). The association between anti-PFDN2 antibodies and T2DM remained in multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.49; per one SD difference in anti-PFDN2 antibody). The odds of T2DM were increased in the highest anti-PFDN2 antibody quintile by 66% compared with the lowest quintile. Differences in anti-PFDN2 antibodies were most prominent among cases with earlier onset of disease (ie, age 20-39 y) compared with controls. Conclusions Anti-PFDN2 antibodies are associated with T2DM and might be a useful biomarker. These findings indicate that autoimmunity may play a role in T2DM in Southwest American Indians, especially among adults presenting with young onset of disease.
Migraine, White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH), and Subclinical Brain Infarction (SBI) in a Race/Ethnically Diverse Older Cohort: The Northern Manhattan Study (S09.007)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between migraine and subclinical cerebrovascular measures in a race/ethnically diverse population-based cohort study. BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that migraine is a risk factor for WMH and SBI. DESIGN/METHODS: In the Northern Manhattan Study, stroke-free participants underwent quantitative assessment of WMH volume (WMHV) and SBI. We examined features of SBI and WMHV in those with migraine without aura (MwO) and migraine with aura (MA) in a subset of participants with information on migraine determined by self-report using questions based on the ICHD-2 criteria. We examined the association between migraine overall (MO), MA, and MwO, with WMHV using linear regression, and with SBI using logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of the 546 study participants (41% male, mean age at baseline=65 ±8 yrs and MRI=71 ±8 yrs, 72% Hispanic), 104 (19%) were classified as having migraines at baseline, 6% with MA, and 13% with MwO. At the time of MRI, 56 of the 546 (10%) had SBI, of whom 15 also had migraines, only 2 with MA. The three most frequent SBI locations were the frontal white matter (13%), cerebellum (10%), and frontal cortex (7%). When controlling for demographics, those with MO at baseline had a 2.2-fold increased odds of SBI (95% CI 1.2-4.4). The association was stronger among those with MwO (vs. no migraine OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4-5.8). The associations persisted after controlling for vascular risk factors (MO vs. no migraine OR, 95% CI=2.1, 1.0-4.3; MwO vs. no migraine OR, 95% CI=2.6, 1.2-5.7). No association was observed between migraine and WMHV. The analysis for MA did not show a significant association, but was under-powered. CONCLUSIONS: SBI in migraine may be due to non-vascular etiologies. These results suggest that MwO is associated with SBI, but not WMHV. Supported by: NINDS R37, formerly 2R01 NS 29993; Dr. Rundek has federal grant support (NINDS K24 NS 062737); Dr. Wright9s grant support includes federal (K02 NS 059729, R01 HL 108623) and private (American Heart Association SDG 0735387N) sources. Disclosure: Dr. Monteith has received personal compensation for activities with Iroko Pharmaceuticals and Allergan. Dr. Gardener has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Santiago has nothing to disclose. Dr. Elkind has received personal compensation for activities with Jarvik Heart, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., Organon, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and Pfizer Inc. Dr. Elkind has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurology. Dr. Elkind has received research support from diaDexus, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Rundek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sacco has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wright has received personal compensation for activities with Abali, Milne and Faegre, Baker, Daniels, Merck and the NIH. Dr. Wright has received royalty payments from UpToDate.
High‐fat‐diet‐induced remission of diabetes in a subset of KATP‐GOF insulin‐secretory‐deficient mice

Aims To examine the effects of a high-fat-diet (HFD) on monogenic neonatal diabetes, without the confounding effects of compensatory hyperinsulinaemia. Methods Mice expressing KATP channel gain-of-function (KATP -GOF) mutations, which models human neonatal diabetes, were fed an HFD. Results Surprisingly, KATP -GOF mice exhibited resistance to HFD-induced obesity, accompanied by markedly divergent blood glucose control, with some KATP -GOF mice showing persistent diabetes (KATP -GOF-non-remitter [NR] mice) and others showing remission of diabetes (KATP -GOF-remitter [R] mice). Compared with the severely diabetic and insulin-resistant KATP -GOF-NR mice, HFD-fed KATP -GOF-R mice had lower blood glucose, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased circulating plasma insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations. Strikingly, while HFD-fed KATP -GOF-NR mice showed increased food intake and decreased physical activity, reduced whole body fat mass and increased plasma lipids, KATP -GOF-R mice showed similar features to those of control littermates. Importantly, KATP -GOF-R mice had restored insulin content and β-cell mass compared with the marked loss observed in both HFD-fed KATP -GOF-NR and chow-fed KATP -GOF mice. Conclusion Together, our results suggest that restriction of dietary carbohydrates and caloric replacement by fat can induce metabolic changes that are beneficial in reducing glucotoxicity and secondary consequences of diabetes in a mouse model of insulin-secretory deficiency.
Understanding the Pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation from Clinical Observations

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly encountered sustained arrhythmia in man [1]. A number of conditions are associated with the development of AF, including cardiac surgery. The incidence of AF after cardiac surgery, however, far exceeds the incidence of AF in the general population, or in patients with ischernic heart disease [2,3,4]. In this chapter, anatomic and pathophysiologic factors associated with AF will be explored, with particular consideration to those relevant to cardiac surgery.
How Lawyers Compete

Lester Brickman's article establishes that the market for contingent fee lawyers is unusual, perhaps even bizarre. By removing legal impediments to the solicitation of clients, by unleashing the capital markets to finance legal claims, and by allowing intermediaries to match client and counsel, we could produce competition. Brickman has convinced me that there is little competition in contingency fee markets, and that such markets could be much more competitive. But I am not sure there is as little competition as he thinks, or that the changes in legal regimes he proposes would be sufficient to make the markets more competitive.
Rehabilitation of the Sarcoma Patient

The surgical management of soft-tissue sarcoma is not infrequently associated with various degrees of physical disability, which may range from limitation in range of motion to loss of an extremity. The loss of function may result in discomfort from prolonged sitting, standing, and walking, difficulty in running or kneeling, precarious balance, restrictions in lifting, and inability to hold or grasp objects. The fear of the anticipated disability from treatment produces significant anxiety in the patient and his family, with major concerns of dependence, pain, alteration of self-image, loss of self-esteem, and psychosexual adjustment problems. A well-planned program for rehabilitation will minimize the psychosocial and functional impact of any loss of function from treatment by restoring the patient to self-sufficiency at his highest attainable skill in the shortest period of time. These goals are attained optimally through early intervention of a multidisciplinary team integrated by the surgeon which should include a physical medicine specialist (physiatrist), social worker, nurse, psychologist, occupational and physical therapists, and a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Palladium: Exposure, Uses, and Human Health Effects

Palladium (Pd) is a precious metal that, together with iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), and osmium (Os), belongs to the platinum group elements (PGEs). Pd is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust and its main ore deposits are found in the Russian Federation and South Africa. The unique chemical and physical properties of palladium account for its widespread use in many industrial sectors like chemical and petroleum industry, production of automobile catalysts, electronic devices, dental applications, and fine jewelry. A significant increase in the industrial use of Pd in the past 20 years has resulted in higher environmental levels of this metal, particularly in road dust, airborne particulate, soil, and groundwater tables. Therefore, it is clear that in recent years there has been a notable increase in Pd exposure both in the general population and in occupationally exposed subjects. Exposure to Pd can cause acute toxicity or hypersensitivity with respiratory symptoms, urticaria and, less frequently, contact dermatitis. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, among metals, Pd ions are one of the most frequent reacting sensitizers. This effect on the immune system represents the most important health hazard to humans.
The Controversy Surrounding Facilitated Communication

Facilitated communication, long ago debunked, is a method that has been used with people with CCN to type messages. A “facilitator” uses physical prompts to assist the person to type or touch a keyboard or communication board. Although decades of research has demonstrated that the messages are most often formed by the facilitators and reports have found that it has resulted in false accusations of abuse, facilitated communication has continued to be promoted. This chapter reviews the history of facilitated communication and the research debunking the method.
Postsynaptic Activity-Dependent Facilitation of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in the Neocortex

Heterosynaptic facilitation (HF), analyzed first by Kandel and Tauc (1965), is an activity-dependent, lasting amplification of synaptic transmission in convergent neural pathways. As a cellular associative mechanism, HF can account for the temporal specificity and stimulus—response specificity of classical conditioning in Aplysia (Kandel and Tauc, 1965; Kandel, 1976). Heterosynaptic facilitation is a presynaptic phenomenon in molluscs, and action potential generation in the postsynaptic neuron is neither necessary nor sufficient for HF induction in these species (Wurtz et al., 1967; Carew et al., 1984). This finding is at odds with Hebb’s postulate (Hebb, 1949) proposing that synaptic transmission is enhanced only when the presynaptic stimulus occurs in conjunction with action potential generation in the postsynaptic cell. Apart from Aplysia, plastic synaptic changes in agreement with the Hebb model have been documented in vertebrate ganglion cells (Schulman and Weight, 1976; Kumamoto and Kuba, 1983; Mochida and Libet, 1985), in the hippocampus (McNaughton et al., 1978; Levy and Steward, 1979; Lynch et al., 1983; Kuhnt, 1984; Scharfman and Sarvey, 1985; Wigstrom and Gustafsson, 1985; Wigstrom et al., 1986; Kelso et al., 1986; Malinow and Miller, 1986), and in the visual cortex (Hubel and Wiesel, 1965; Rauschecker and Singer, 1981; Bienenstock et al., 1983; Fregnac and Imbert, 1984; Bear and Singer, 1986).
ACTIVE SITES IN THE β-ENDORPHIN STRUCTURE FOR ACTIVATION OF THE EPSILON-OPIATE RECEPTOR

β-Endorphin (β-EP) caused a dose related blockade of the twitch response of the rat vas deferens elicited by electrical stimulation. Half maximal inhibition occurred at about 60–100 nM. The inhibitory action of β-EP was not mimicked by its fragments 1–5, 6–31, (1–5) - (16–31) or the 1–5 plus 6–31 fragment of β-EP. Acetylated β-EP was inactive as an opioid agonist or antagonist. It is concluded that minor modifications in the structure of β-EP cause significant changes in the potency of the opioid to activate the epsilon-opiate receptor.
Relational uncertainty management in adult children of divorce

ABSTRACTUtilizing uncertainty management theory (UMT) and a multiple goals theory of personal relationships (MGPR) the present study examined how adult children of divorce (ACOD) manage relational ...
Use of Guidelines in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability among children and adults ages 1–44 years. Management of TBI patients has relied on clinical practice guidelines (CPG), which play a pivotal role in their decision-making. Moreover, CPG implementation has been shown to decrease mortality, improve outcomes, and reduce the length of hospital stay. Guidelines published in the United States that are discussed in this chapter include the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines (4th Edition Guidelines for the Management of Severe TBI; 2nd Edition Guidelines for the Prehospital Management of TBI; 2nd Edition Guidelines for Severe TBI in Infants, Children, and Adolescents; Early Indicators of Prognosis in Severe TBI; Guidelines for Field Management of Combat-Related Head Trauma), Guidelines for the Management of Penetrating Brain Injury, Guidelines for Surgical Management of Traumatic Brain Injury, the Neurocritical Care Society Guidelines, and the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program. The context of each guideline is discussed in detail with summary recommendations, classification of evidence, and limitations. Future directions are discussed as they pertain to systematic processes for developing a research agenda to answer key questions and attain better quality evidence to support recommendations.
The Asp99-Arg188 salt bridge of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa HemO is critical in allowing conformational flexibility during catalysis.

The P. aeruginosa iron-regulated heme oxygenase (HemO) is required within the host for the utilization of heme as an iron source. As iron is essential for survival and virulence, HemO represents a novel antimicrobial target. We recently characterized small molecule inhibitors that bind to an allosteric site distant from the heme pocket, and further proposed binding at this site disrupts a nearby salt bridge between D99 and R188. Herein, through a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), we determined that the disruption of the D99–R188 salt bridge leads to significant decrease in conformational flexibility within the distal and proximal helices that form the heme-binding site. The RR spectra of the resting state Fe(III) and reduced Fe(II)-deoxy heme-HemO D99A, R188A and D99/R188A complexes are virtually identical to those of wild-type HemO, indicating no significant change in the heme environment. Furthermore, mutation of D99 or R188 leads to a modest decrease in the stability of the Fe(II)-O2 heme complex. Despite this slight difference in Fe(II)-O2 stability, we observe complete loss of enzymatic activity. We conclude the loss of activity is a result of decreased conformational flexibility in helices previously shown to be critical in accommodating variation in the distal ligand and the resulting chemical intermediates generated during catalysis. Furthermore, this newly identified allosteric binding site on HemO represents a novel alternative drug-design strategy to that of competitive inhibition at the active site or via direct coordination of ligands to the heme iron.
Incorporating Business Processes and Functions: Addressing the Missing Element in Information Systems Education

In the online world of complex and customizable products, the Internet can offer more than just electronic order forms and data transfer — it has the ability to provide customers with automated tools to custom configure products. This paper develops a basis for an online customer decision support system that offers product configurator functionality. A prototype for such a system, based upon the types of matrix methods employed in the process of quality function deployment, is described. In addition to the development of a new and functionally useful application that offers value-added implications, the prototype provides a basis for organizing and advancing important implications with respect to the key features and enablers of online custom configuration.
NOVEL EPICARDIAL-ONLY APPROACH TO LAA LIGATION

Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke, and the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most common source of thrombus. A percutaneous suture delivery system (LARIAT) for LAA closure has emerged, however it requires simultaneous endo-epicardial access. We describe a new epicardial-only
Psychiatric Symptoms in WD

Abstract Cognitive and psychiatric presentations may occur at any point in the course of Wilson disease (WD) or its treatment. Mood symptoms, such as depression, mood instability, and bipolar-like presentations, are particularly common, much more frequent than in the general population. Cognitive deficits may be subtle. The psychiatric presentations that occur without hepatic or neurological findings are the most challenging, often mislabeled as functional psychosis. These symptoms have a negative impact upon patient’s quality of life and may delay the diagnosis. With current treatments for WD, remission of these symptoms is the goal of care, and irreversible cognitive decline is no longer expected. New psychotropic medications allow symptomatic treatment with less severe side effects and can have a positive impact upon quality of life of WD patients.
Rapid Regio- and Diastereoselective Paternò-Büchi Reaction of Alkyl Phenylglyoxylates.

Triplet excited states of alkyl phenylglyoxylates react rapidly (k = 9.4 × 109 M-1 s-1) with electron rich alkenes forming oxetanes with high regio and stereoselectivity. The well-known intramolecular γ-hydrogen abstraction (Norrish type II) cannot compete. When less electron-rich alkenes are used, the Norrish type II reaction becomes competitive. Intramolecular Paterno−Buchi reactions predominate in those alkyl phenylglyoxylates containing properly situated electron-rich alkene groups. The regioselectivity of this reaction is explained by the stability of the intermediate 1,4-biradical. The appropriate conformation at the instant of intersystem crossing determines the stereoselectivity of the products. The priority of the Paterno−Buchi over the Norrish type II reaction is understood by considering the conformation of phenylglyoxylate esters.