cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Third-Party Borehole Seismic Experiments during the Ocean Drilling Program

) could also be studied by shooting circles of could also be studied by shooting circles of shots at a fixed range from the borehole.
Activation of the cycA P2 promoter for the Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome c2 gene by the photosynthesis response regulator

The Rhodobacter sphaeroides photosynthesis response regulator, PrrA, positively regulates cycA P2 expression. Deletion analysis has identified sequences within 73 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site that are required for the activation of cycA P2 by PrrA. A mutant form of the Rhodobacter capsulatus PrrA homologue, whose activity is independent of phosphorylation (RegA*), protects an approximately 26 bp region of cycA P2 that is centred at approximately -50 from DNase digestion, and activates transcription of a mutant -14T promoter with increased activity when using either R. sphaeroides RNA polymerase or Escherichia coli Esigma70. A 4 bp target site mutation that eliminated DNA binding and transcription activation by RegA* in vitro also abolished PrrA activation of cycA P2 transcription in vivo, indicating that this region contains a PrrA binding site. By analysing the behaviour of the -14T mutant cycA P2 promoter in vivo, we also found that PrrA uses the same target site to activate expression in both the presence and the absence of O2. However, the extent of transcription activation by PrrA at cycA P2 in vivo is greater under anaerobic conditions.
Peroxiredoxin Evolution and the Regulation of Hydrogen Peroxide Signaling

Eukaryotic 2-Cys peroxiredoxins (2-Cys Prxs) not only act as antioxidants, but also appear to regulate hydrogen peroxide-mediated signal transduction. We show that bacterial 2-Cys Prxs are much less sensitive to oxidative inactivation than are eukaryotic 2-Cys Prxs. By identifying two sequence motifs unique to the sensitive 2-Cys Prxs and comparing the crystal structure of a bacterial 2-Cys Prx at 2.2 angstrom resolution with other Prx structures, we define the structural origins of sensitivity. We suggest this adaptation allows 2-Cys Prxs to act as floodgates, keeping resting levels of hydrogen peroxide low, while permitting higher levels during signal transduction.
Making the World a Better and Safer Place: The Time for Action is Now

This article argues that the events of 11 September 2001, and their aftermath, have heightened the need both to confront terrorism directly, increase global security and enhance the structures of global governance. The article concentrates on measures to enhance global security and governance. In particular, measures must be taken to address some of the root causes of terrorism: those of economic exclusion, poverty and under-development. The article argues that the World Bank, along with other international financial institutions and the UN system, have a central role to play. The article concludes by identifying four priority areas for international action.
Simplified YM-26734 inhibitors of secreted phospholipase A2 group IIA

Simplified analogs of YM-26734, a known inhibitor of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) group IIA, were synthesized and found to also display potent inhibition at low nanomolar concentrations. Analogs were based on the didodecanoylphloroglucinol portion of YM-26734 which contains the predicted active site calcium binding group.
Surface reconstruction with anisotropic density-scaled alpha shapes

Generation of a three-dimensional model from an unorganized set of points is an active area of research in computer graphics. Alpha shapes can be employed to construct a surface which most closely reflects the object described by the points. However, no /spl alpha/-shape, for any value of /spl alpha/, can properly detail discontinuous regions of a model. We introduce herein two methods of improving the results of reconstruction using /spl alpha/-shapes: density-scaling, which modulates the value of a depending on the density of points in a region; and anisotropic shaping, which modulates the form of the /spl alpha/-ball based on point normals. We give experimental results that show the successes and limitations of our method.
Coherency saturation in periodic structures with randomization

We study the effect of coherency saturation in spatially or temporally periodical structures with randomization, applicable to a very broad class of systems. We derive a simple analytical formula in the case of uncorrelated deviations of periods with Gaussian probability distribution. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we also demonstrate that many other distributions show statistical properties that closely coincide with the Gaussian, although some of them are drastically different from it. We observed that the characteristic number of elements necessary for the saturation of the coherency (the ‘‘coherency range’’) depends only on the normalized standard deviation of the size of the elements and not on their probability distribution function. A greatly simplified heuristic formula found by us also fits all of these results with very reasonable precision. In the specific case of x ray transition radiation of low-to-medium relativistic electron beams in multilayer solid-state nanostructures, we show that a structure of a few hundred layers can generate resonantly enhanced radiation in the hard x ray domain with almost unhampered coherency gain. © 2005 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 030.1640, 230.1950, 230.4170, 260.3160.
METAMORPHISM OF MAFIC DIKES FROM THE CENTRAL WHITE-INYO RANGE, EASTERN CALIFORNIA

Thin mafic dikes, possibly correlative with the Independence dike swarm of SE California, transect uppermost Proterozoic–Cambrian metasedimentary strata in the White-Inyo Range. Textures and bulk-rock chemistry indicate that the protoliths were diabases and microdiorites, accompanied by Ca + Mg + Fe +Ni + Cr-rich hornblende (± minor augite) cumulates. Analytical data suggest crystal settling and fractionation at shallow depths. Most of the dikes lie in the mapped aureoles of – and were metamorphosed by – voluminous Late Jurassic granitoid plutons; however, a few metadikes cut these plutons and must have been recrystallized during the emplacement of Cretaceous granitic stocks. The mafic metadikes thus include members of two or more temporally distinct suites, pre-Late Jurassic, and latest Jurassic–Cretaceous. Neoblastic mineral assemblages and element partitioning within these nonfoliated mafic metadikes reflect lower-to-upper greenschist facies overprints; metamorphic parageneses, coincident with those developed in the metasedimentary wallrocks, are defined by the production of chlorite, biotite, white mica, epidote, and actinolite, and by albitization of the igneous plagioclase. Based on analytical and mineralogic data obtained in this study, the following conclusions regarding subsolidus recrystallization of the mafic metadikes are advanced: (1) Newly grown minerals and phase assemblages are systematic in their areal distributions. (2) Metamorphic grade increases chiefly toward the north and east, toward the Late Jurassic granitoids. (3) Element fractionation among coexisting neoblastic phases is regular, and compatible with a close approach to chemical equilibrium. (4) Assemblages 3–5 km from the granitic intrusive contacts reflect lowermost greenschist facies physical conditions. (5) Investigated mafic dikes exhibit mineral parageneses isofacial with the regional/contact metamorphic assemblages previously documented for the enclosing pre-Mesozoic clastic country rocks. Clearly, mafic dikes of several ages of injection and recrystallization are present in the central White-Inyo Range, making correlation with the Independence dike swarm problematic. In any case, the dikes record localized contact metamorphism that took place sporadically over portions of an approximately 100 million year interval.
Peripheral nerve disorders in instrumentalists.

I evaluated 226 instrumentalists for playing-related symptoms. There were 103 players (46%) of string instruments, 73 keyboard instrumentalists (32%), 44 players (19%) of wind instruments, and 6 percussionists (3%). The mean age was 32 years; 58% were women. Sixty-five patients (29%) had a peripheral nerve disorder; 27 had symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome; 12 had median neuropathies (carpal tunnel syndrome in 9); 9 had ulnar neuropathies; 6 had cervical radiculopathy; 5 had digital neuropathies; 3 had cranial neuropathies; and 3 had other peripheral nerve disorders. Treatment consisted of modification of playing schedules and technique, plus physical and occupational and therapy in 51 and surgical procedures in 9 patients; 5 were not treated. Follow-up at 1 to 8 years showed 74% had a satisfactory result, 14percnt; had slight or minimal improvement, and 12percnt; had no improvement. At the time of writing, all but 4 patients remained in the music profession. It is concluded that playing-related symptoms among instrumentalists are frequently neurological in origin and that the large majority can be helped by conservative or, on occasion, surgical means.
Pathogens, herbivores, and phenotypic plasticity of boreal Vaccinium vitis-idaea experiencing climate change

Climate warming is occurring at a rapid rate in the boreal forest; mean winter temperature has increased about 4°C in Alaska over the last 40 years and about the same increase is predicted over the next 40 years. Warming temperatures tend to increase the number and kinds of herbivores and pathogens. How will boreal plants to respond to these abiotic and biotic changes? To address these questions we used common gardens and reciprocal transplants of Vaccinium vitis-idaea at sites with contrasting abiotic conditions near Fairbanks, Alaska. Plant morphology, chemistry, resistance to pathogens and herbivores, and survival were all strongly influenced by the destination environment (planting site and block within site), and less by the site of origin for the seed. Overall, seedlings survived significantly better at the summer cold site, which was buffered from drought as a result of its northern aspect, presence of sphagnum moss and permafrost (86.4% survival versus 48.5%). However, this cool damp site had more...
Genetic Relationships of Extant Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) and Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) are closely related species for which extensive mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic comparisons have been made. We used previously published genotype data for 8 microsatellite DNA loci from 930 brown bears in 19 populations and 473 polar bears in 16 populations to compare the population genetic relationships of extant populations of the species. Genetic distances (Nei standard distance = 1.157), the proportion of private alleles (52% of alleles are not shared by the species), and Bayesian cluster analysis are consistent with morphological and life-history characteristics that distinguish polar bears and brown bears as different species with little or no gene flow among extant populations.
Delivery of Lipophilic Bioactives: Assembly, Disassembly, and Reassembly of Lipid Nanoparticles

The oral bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive molecules can be greatly increased by encapsulating them within engineered lipid nanoparticles (ELNs), such as micelles, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, or solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). After ingestion, these ELNs are disassembled in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and then reassembled into biological lipid nanoparticles (mixed micelles) in the small intestine. These mixed micelles solubilize and transport lipophilic bioactive components to the epithelial cells. The mixed micelles are then disassembled and reassembled into yet another form of biological lipid nanoparticle [chylomicrons (CMs)] within the enterocyte cells. The CMs carry the bioactive components into the systemic (blood) circulation via the lymphatic system, thereby avoiding first-pass metabolism. This article provides an overview of the various physicochemical and physiological processes responsible for the assembly and disassembly of lipid nanoparticles outside and inside the GIT. This knowledge can be used to design food-grade delivery systems to improve the oral bioavailability of encapsulated lipophilic bioactive components.
Heterochrony and the development of the escape response: prehatching movements in the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Teleost fishes produce coordinated escape responses (C-starts) at hatching. This implies that essential swimming morphologies and motor behaviors develop during the incubation interval while the embryo is in the chorion. We examined prehatching motor behaviors in rainbow trout Oncorhycus mykiss (considered morphologically mature at hatching) and compared this species with zebrafish Danio rerio (considered morphologically immature) and assessed two hypotheses concerning the development of escape behavior. (1) Escape behavior is associated with the formation of key elements of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems; thus, the escape response appears early in ontogeny, when these elements form. (2) Escape behavior is not directly associated with the formation of underlying morphological elements; instead, it appears at hatching (i.e. when needed). We find that rainbow trout, like zebrafish, respond to touch early in the incubation interval, but do not demonstrate a complete C-start (including the second, propulsive stage) until shortly before hatching. At hatching, rainbow trout and zebrafish are similar in the degree of development of the chondocranium, paired fins and visceral arches (which comprise the larval jaw and gill support); however, rainbow trout have incipient rays in their unpaired fins (dorsal, anal and caudal), whereas zebrafish retain the embryonic fin fold. Although rainbow trout are more mature in axial swimming morphology at hatching, the essential neural and musculoskeletal systems that produce a coordinated escape response are functional at hatching in both species. This finding supports the evolutionary hypothesis that an effective escape response is critical for the survival of newly hatched teleost fishes.
Industry standards for RAM transport: big plus in global village

The transport of radioactive materials is extremely sensitive to incidents, inter alia because it is so close to the public. Any incident will be hyped by the media because it is good copy and by opponents because transport is the lifeblood of the nuclear industry. The nuclear industry as a whole has much at stake if any operator cuts corners in safety and security in the name of economics or otherwise. It is essential that all players in transportation act responsibly, from the customers all the way down to the carriers and to any service providers. This paper advocates the extension of standardisation of most aspects of transport, translating regulations and good practices into recognised industry standards. In the course of time and on a step by step basis, this would cover all aspects of the activity, including the technical and the organisational sides, such as service provider qualification, stowage, packaging follow up, crisis management, etc. Standards would provide proper guidance and minimal req...
Protection against Candidiasis by an Immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) Monoclonal Antibody Specific for the Same Mannotriose as an IgM Protective Antibody

We previously reported that a liposome-mannan vaccine (L-mann) of Candida albicans induces production of mouse antibodies that protect against disseminated candidiasis and vaginal infection. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody (MAb) B6.1, specific for a C. albicans cell surface β-1,2-mannotriose, protects mice against both infections. Another IgM MAb, termed B6, which is specific for a different cell surface mannan epitope, does not protect against disseminated candidiasis. The B6.1 epitope is displayed homogeneously over the entire cell surface, compared to a patchy distribution of the B6 epitope. To determine if protection is restricted to an IgM class of antibody, we tested an IgG antibody. MAb C3.1 was obtained from L-mann-immunized mice. By results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunodiffusion tests, MAb C3.1 is an IgG3 isotype. By epitope inhibition assays, we determined that MAb C3.1 is specific for same mannotriose as MAb B6.1. As expected by the results of the inhibition assays, immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the C3.1 epitope is distributed on the yeast cell surface in a pattern identical to that of the B6.1 epitope. Kidney CFU and mean survival times of infected mice pretreated with MAb C3.1 indicated that the antibody enhanced resistance of mice against disseminated candidiasis. Mice in pseudoestrus that were given MAb C3.1 prior to vaginal infection developed fewer vaginal Candida CFU than control animals that received buffered saline instead of the antibody. The finding that an IgG3 antibody is protective is consistent with our hypothesis that epitope specificity and complement activation are related to the ability of an antibody to protect against candidiasis.
Precollapse Evolution of Globular Clusters

The dynamical evolution of a cluster in which N, the number of stars, is large, results primarily from encounters between pairs of stars; these tend to modify the system so that it approaches a more probable configuration. In statistical equilibrium, the distribution of stars among states of different energy, Ei, per unit mass would be determined to a first approximation by the probability Pi, where $${P_i} \propto {g_i}\exp ( - B{E_i});$$ (1) here gi is the statistical weight of each state, proportional to the amount of phase space available, and B is a constant. Evidently dynamical evolution tends a) towards stellar states which are more tightly bound by their mutual gravitational attraction and have a correspondingly lower Ei, and b) towards the free state, where the volume of available phase space is very large. The only relatively stable state for an isolated cluster is one in which a central, non-evolving massive configuration (a compact object, or tight binary, or a hierarchical multiple system) has all the initial binding energy of the cluster and all other stars have escaped.
Pyloroduodenal Duplication Cyst: The Rarest Alimentary Tract Duplication

Pyloroduodenal duplication is the rarest alimentary tract duplication known so far. A 1-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain, lump in the epigastrium and occasional vomiting. On ultrasound and CT scan of abdomen suspicion of duplication cyst was made. Operation revealed a duplication cyst along pylorus and first part of the duodenum. Excision of free part and mucosal stripping of the attached part of the duplication was done.
"Quien Sabe Mas Lucha Mejor": Adult Educators' Care of the Self Practices within Social Movements in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

This article looks at popular adult educators’ care of the self practices within social movements in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It answers the following questions: How is popular adult education practiced amongst educators in social movements? What can studying popular adult educators’ care of the self practices offer the field of adult education? To answer these questions, I look to adult educators’ practices of sacrifice and self-naming; remembering historical tragedies; and educator, classroom, and community support within the Union of Popular Organizations’ political formation school and popular adult education schools.
An Accounting Writing Proficiency Survey

Although there has been much discussion about improving college student writing with collegelevel courses, little is known about how accounting programs, in particular, are addressing the writing proficiency challenge. This study surveys the 852 accounting programs in the United States to identify the frequency and types of accounting writing courses currently offered. Results indicate that few schools require an accounting-specific writing course or require students to pass any kind of writing proficiency test as juniors or seniors. Most programs do, however, require students to demonstrate English composition skills within several of the upper division accounting courses. Most department chairs do not believe that the graduates of their programs write well enough.
Reliable Tracking of Large Scale Dense Antiparallel Particle Motion for Fluorescence Live Cell Imaging

This paper presents a technique that reliably tracks large numbers of particles undergoing dense antiparallel motion and frequent appearance and disappearance. Such techniques are essential to many applications of fluorescence cellular and molecular imaging for automated quantitative analysis of dynamic cellular functions. The basic tracking algorithmof this technique integrates motion models at particle, local and global levels. It establishes correspondence between particles based on state similarity and resolves correspondence conflicts using optimal graph assignment. A statistical and robust approach for algorithm parameter setting is developed through establishing the equivalence of the algorithm to a Kalman-filtering based tracker under assumptions that are biologically supported. Online track initiation and propagation depend critically on computing the global vector fleld of particle flow using a new optimal-flow minimum-cost graph algorithm. Vector field denoising and interpolation are performed using anisotropic filtering after clustering. The technique has been experimentally verified and successfully applied to the tracking of Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy images of live cells.
Absence of second Stokes in a Raman generator with no four-wave mixing

A simple one-dimensional model is given for Stokes-beam amplification and expansion in a Raman generator (i.e., a stimulated Raman scattering cell with no seed inputs or feedback) for those cases in which four-wave mixing is suppressed by phase mismatching. Expansion of the first Stokes beam decreases the gain for growth of a second Stokes beam. This model accounts for the absence of second Stokes observed experimentally by Carlsten et al. [Opt. Lett. 9, 353 (1984)].
Factors affecting annual plants assemblages on banner-tailed kangaroo rat mounds

We studied patterns of annual plants assemblages and soil properties of banner-tailed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) mounds. The spring annual flora on mounds was dominated by Descuraina pinnata and Eschscholtzia mexicana; intermound areas were dominated by Eriastrum diffusum. The peak above-ground standing biomass of spring annuals on mounds and intermounds respectively was 133·3 ± 5·9 g m−2 and 25·6 ± 6·3 g m−2. In summer, the mounds had a high density and biomass of Tidestromia lanuginosa. Intermound areas were dominated by Haplopappus gracilis and Eriogonum abertianum. The peak above-ground standing biomass of summer annuals on mounds and intermounds respectively, was 172·7 ± 7·3 g m−2 and 98·4 ± 2·3 g m−2. The above-ground standing biomass of annual plants on irrigated mounds in spring and summer was greater than on non-irrigated mounds. Bulk density was lower on mounds; nitrate and total nitrogen contents of the mound soils were higher than those of intermound soils. Available nitrate measured by absorption on ion exchange resins was consistently higher in mound soils than in intermound soils except for the period from March to April. Mound soils dried faster than intermound soils. Soil water potentials on mounds and intermounds at depths of 20 and 30 cm decreased continuously from January until mid-May, and then fluctuated in response to individual rainstorms. Irrigation of 6 mm of water per week had little effect on the soil water potentials except at the 10-cm soil depth of intermound areas. Differences in species composition and biomass production of annual plants between kangaroo rat mounds and intermound areas are attributed to the differences in both soil physical properties and nitrogen availability.
Increased hemoglobin-oxygen affinity does not decrease skeletal muscle oxygen consumption

The importance of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity (HOA) in affecting skeletal muscle oxygen consumption (VO2) was reevaluated using an isolated canine gracilis muscle. HOA of the blood [normal O2 half-saturation pressure of hemoglobin (P50) = 30 Torr] was increased by refrigerated storage (P50 = 22 Torr), incubation in sodium metabisulfite (P50 = 24 Torr), or in sodium cyanate (P50 = 14 Torr). Stored blood caused a significant fall in VO2 to 80% of control, with no change in venous O2 partial pressure (PvO2), substantiating previous studies. However, in contrast, blood incubated in sodium metabisulfite or sodium cyanate resulted in no impairment of VO2, with a fall in PvO2 in the latter case indicating that a critical PvO2 did not cause the reduction in VO2 with stored blood. To substantiate further the lack of existence of a critical PO2, fresh and increased HOA blood was perfused at constant flow rates and varying arterial oxygen saturations. Stored blood showed a marked reduction in VO2 as compared with normal blood over a wide range of saturations. However, carbamylated blood VO2 was identical to fresh blood VO2 values. The data suggest that the position of the oxygen dissociation curve may not be as important as originally thought in determining skeletal muscle oxygen delivery. The drop in VO2 caused by perfusion with stored blood is due to some other factor unrelated to HOA.
Characterizing Themed Touring Routes: A Geospatial and Tourism Evaluation of Wine Trails

ABSTRACTWine trails have been the most commonly developed type of Themed Touring Routes (TTRs) around the world during the past decade. Despite such development, limited studies have examined their geospatial or tourism characteristics reducing marketing and managerial efficacy. To address this gap, this study measured six geospatial and tourism attributes of nine wine trails in North Carolina (USA) toward a characterization of TTRs. Results indicated a shared low Connectivity and good Accessibility among study wine trails regardless of their spatial patterns. Tourism-wise, services provided were Comprehensive within wine trails and Complementary across wineries. Results provided managerial intelligence to existing wine trails, such as the need to enhance local road network density and outbalance tourism dominance within trails. Results were also used to develop a geospatial-tourism classification of wine trails which provide managerial intelligence to optimize resources allocation and to shed light on ch...
Regional Ocean Governance: The Perils of Multiple-Use and the Promise of Agency Diversity

Two high-level committees - the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission - have recently issued reports expressing grave concerns about the condition of America's oceans. In these reports, the commissions suggest that institutional flaws underlie current problems. Specifically, the commissions' views are that state and federal agencies with marine jurisdiction lack the mechanisms, and the incentives, to coordinate their management activities. Accordingly, both commissions recommend the creation of regional ocean governance bodies. Although the commissions' designs differ, their goal is the same: management that operates on a larger scale and incorporates more ocean interests. This article critiques these proposals and suggests an alternate focus for reform. As compared to the multiple-use regime proposed by the commissions, a system of smaller-scale, dominant-use agencies has a greater chance to improve the condition of the marine environment.
Measuring access to liver transplantation: An overdue metric for center quality and performance.

Over the past 4 decades, liver transplantation (OLT) has evolved into a standard, life saving therapy for end stage liver disease. Indications are well accepted, conforming to a norm that requires an ‘‘acceptable” chance of a successful outcome recognizing the limited supply of donor organs. Thus, unlike other forms of surgery, the practice of OLT requires rationing in all parts of the world, though approaches vary widely [1]. The ethics of rationing are of both theoretical and practical interest, and application ranges from individual physician decision-making to governmentally regulated systems of organ distribution [2]. In North America, the availability of donor organs is characterized in two ways; first with respect to allocation, in which the recipients on the list are ranked in order of need, and second with respect to distribution, in which organs are made available to patients according to the geographic boundaries in which the donor occurred. The primary ethical principle that guides allocation is need, and a scheme of points based on the MELD system is in place to rank patients in order of risk of dying without transplantation [3]. In both regulated and unregulated systems, humans behave according to both internal and external motivations, though these influences are easier to discern in regulated systems. Incentives to perform liver transplantation include the desire to save lives, financial reimbursement, and enhancing the reputation of the institution. On the other hand, oversight and regulation by government and the insurance system may cause an aversion to risk, leading to withholding transplantation from patients in dire need [4]. In the US, although process metrics are examined to ensure safety and fairness, transplant centers are exclusively measured by post transplant outcomes, narrowly defined by one-year patient and graft survival. Because advances in transplant surgery and medicine have markedly reduced the variability of post liver transplant outcomes, the largest contributor to mortality of the liver transplant patient is death on the waitlist [5].
Adolescence and Migration: Nîmes, France, 1906

The migration of adolescents in France in the early twentieth century is examined. Data are from the 1906 census list for the city of Nimes. The family membership household position and labor force participation of 600 Nimois between the ages of 15 and 24 are analyzed and the characteristics of young people living with or separated from their nuclear family are compared. (ANNOTATION)
Where to draw the line using statins: lessons from 4S to AFCAPS/TexCAPS.

For patients at low risk, a treatment that is beneficial statistically may not be practical or economical. But how should this question be decided? And who should decide?
Mechanism of endothelin activation of phospholipase A2 in rat renal medullary interstitial cells.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET) stimulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, activates dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+ channels, and promotes pro...
SLC30A8 : A Complex Road from Association to Function

One of the more compelling common variants associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the initial wave of genome-wide association studies was a missense variant (rs13266634, p.Trp325Arg) in SLC30A8, a gene that encodes a zinc transporter (ZnT8) expressed primarily in pancreatic islets. This widely replicated association, together with the importance of ZnT8 in the process of zinc transport into insulin secretory granules, provided a potentially straightforward path toward insight into T2D pathogenesis. However, since this initial observation, the path from association to function for SLC30A8 has been far from straightforward. In this chapter, we review (a) the initial genetic evidence that identified variation in SLC30A8 as a risk factor for T2D, (b) the biological function of its protein product (ZnT8), (c) associations between SLC30A8 variation and other diabetes-related intermediate phenotypes, (d) experiments to discern the mechanism whereby perturbation of ZnT8 influences T2D risk, and (e) recent results from large-scale sequencing and genotyping to identify a broader allelic series within SLC30A8. Although both genetic and experimental evidences point to clear link between altered SLC30A8 function and T2D in human populations, the specific mechanism of pathogenesis is still far from clear.
Identifying Future High Cost Individuals within an Intermediate Cost Population.

Background: Improving health and controlling healthcare costs requires better tools for predicting future health needs across populations. We sought to identify factors associated with transitioning of enrollees in an indigent care program from an intermediate cost segment to a high cost segment of this population. Methods: We analyzed data from 9,624 enrollees of the Virginia Coordinated Care program between 2010 and 2013. Each fiscal year included all enrollees who were classified in an intermediate cost segment in the preceding year and also enrolled in the program in the following year. Using information from the preceding year, we built logistic regression models to identify the individuals in the top 10% of expenditures in the following year. The effect of demographics, count of chronic conditions, presence of the prevalent chronic conditions, and utilization indicators were evaluated and compared. Models were compared via the Bayesian information criterion and c-statistic. Results: The count of chronic conditions, diagnosis of congestive heart failure, and numbers of total hospital visits and prescriptions were significantly and independently associated with being in the future high cost segment. Overall, the model that included demographics and utilization indicators had a reasonable discrimination (c=0.67). Conclusions: A simple model including demographics and health utilization indicators predicted high future costs. The count of chronic conditions and certain medical diagnoses added additional predictive value. With further validation, the approach could be used to identify high-risk individuals and target interventions that decrease utilization and improve health.
Selection of attenuated dengue 4 viruses by serial passage in primary kidney cells. III. Reversion to virulence by passage of cloned virus in fetal rhesus lung cells.

Abstract Two strains of primary dog kidney-passaged dengue (DEN) 4 (H-241) virus cloned by terminal dilution (PDK 24-TD3 and 35-TD3) were propagated in fetal rhesus lung (FRhL) cells to produce candidate vaccine virus seeds. Both serial passage and prolonged replication of PDK 24-TD3 in FRhL resulted in appearance of medium and large plaques in LLC-MK2 assays. When picked, these plaques proved to contain temperature-resistant, monkey-virulent revertants. Serial passage and prolonged replication of PDK 24-TD3 in LLC-MK2 cells did not result in reversion; but, prolonged replication in PDK cells did. Passage of PDK 35-TD3 in FRhL cells resulted in appearance of medium size plaques which, when picked, yielded temperature sensitive (ts) (38.5°C) viruses of low monkey-virulence. Because of its stability in monkeys and FRhL cells, reduced monkey virulence and ts property, PDK 35-TD3 is a promising candidate for trial in man.
Eternal Life in This Life

If it is contradictory for the timelessly eternal God to be a living God, it is also contradictory for a temporal human being to have eternal life. The root of the contradiction is in the conjunction of life and eternity. Life is lived and as such by its nature has a temporal progression, while eternity is by its nature timeless and so atemporal. The very idea of ‘eternal life’ presents a contradiction, it seems. If ‘eternal’ is rendered as ‘everlasting,’ then the contradiction is escaped. Yet in one way of religious understanding, the eternal life held open to human persons is not an everlasting eschatological life but an eternal life, a timelessly eternal life, in this life. It is now time to address the question of how this can be.
Sentiment and Emotion Analysis for Social Multimedia: Methodologies and Applications

Online social networks have attracted the attention from both the academia and real world. In particular, the rich multimedia information accumulated in recent years provides an easy and convenient way for more active communication between people. This offers an opportunity to research people's behaviors and activities based on those multimedia content. One emerging area is driven by the fact that these massive multimedia data contain people's daily sentiments and opinions. However, existing sentiment analysis typically focuses on textual information regardless of the visual content, which may be as informative in expressing people's sentiments and opinions. In this research, we attempt to analyze the online sentiment changes of social media users using both the textual and visual content. Nowadays, social media networks such as Twitter have become major platforms of information exchange and communication between users, with tweets as the common information carrier. As an old saying has it, an image is worth a thousand words. The image tweet is a great example of multimodal sentiment. In this research, we focus on sentiment analysis based on visual and multimedia information analysis. We will review the state-of-the-art in this topic. Several of our projects related to this research area will also be discussed. Experimental results are included to demonstrate and summarize our contributions.
High performance non-conductive film (NCF) with conjugated molecular wires

Two types of conjugated molecular wires, biphenyldithiol (BPD) and 1,4-benezenedithiol (BDT), were introduced at the interface of NCF joints. The molecular wires could adsorb on the gold electrodes and improve the interface properties. Formation of electrical junction with molecular wires between Au electrodes could tune the effective work function (Φ) of Au electrodes. The lower work function reduced the tunnel resistivity and thus improving the electrical conduction significantly. The joint resistance of NCF with BDT and BPD was reduced by 1/3 and 2/3, respectively. The more distinct improvement with BPD was due to the higher thermal stability of BPD than BDT. Improvement of electrical performance of NCF enables the application of NCF in fine pitch and high performance interconnects in microelectronics.
Oral Soft Tissue Manifestations of Hematologic Abnormalities and Diseases

Hematologic disorders may exhibit nonspecific as well as pathognomonic oral manifestations.
Indicators of abdominal size relative to height associated with sex, age, socioeconomic position and ancestry among US adults.

Background/objectives The supine sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and standing waist circumference (WC) describe abdominal size. The SAD/height ratio (SADHtR) or WC/height ratio (WHtR) may better identify cardiometabolic disorders than BMI (weight/height2), but population-based distributions of SADHtR and WHtR are not widely available. Abdominal adiposity may differ by sociodemographic characteristics. Subjects/methods Anthropometry, including SAD by sliding-beam caliper, was performed on 9894 non-pregnant adults ≥20 years in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of 2011-2014. Applying survey design factors and sampling weights, we estimated nationally representative SADHtR and WHtR distributions by sex, age, educational attainment, and four ancestral groups. Results The median (10th percentile, 90th percentile) for men's SADHtR was 0.130 (0.103, 0.165) and WHtR 0.569 (0.467, 0.690). For women, median SADHtR was 0.132 (0.102, 0.175) and WHtR 0.586 (0.473, 0.738). Medians for SADHtR and WHtR increased steadily through age 79. The median BMI, however, reached maximum values at ages 40-49 (men) or 60-69 (women) and then declined. Low educational attainment, adjusted for age and ancestry, was associated with elevated SADHtR more strongly than elevated BMI. While non-Hispanic Asians had substantially lower BMI compared to all other ancestral groups (adjusted for sex, age and education), their relative reductions in SADHtR and WHtR, were less marked. Conclusions These cross-sectional data are consistent with monotonically increasing abdominal adipose tissue through the years of adulthood but decreasing mass in non-abdominal regions beyond middle age. They suggest also that visceral adipose tissue, estimated by SADHtR, expands differentially in association with low socioeconomic position. Insofar as Asians have lower BMIs than other populations, employing abdominal indicators may attenuate the adiposity differences reported between ancestral groups. Documenting the distribution and sociodemographic features of SADHtR and WHtR supports the clinical and epidemiologic adoption of these adiposity indicators.
Assessment of Depression in Children and Adolescents by Parents, Teachers, and Peers

The limitations of self-report measures and interviews with children dictate the need for data from parents, teachers, and peers. Although children may be the best source of information for rating their inner feelings and self-perceptions, most authorities agree that information should be obtained from other sources. Several limitations of self-report measures are noteworthy, each of which underscores the need for input from significant others in the child’s life. Prominent among these limitations are the comprehension of items in self-report scales, the lability of children’s moods, and the need for an ecological perspective.
Case 3: A Preterm Neonate with Severe Respiratory Distress and Hydrops

A male infant is born at an estimated 27+3/7 weeks’ gestation via emergent cesarean delivery due to vaginal bleeding and fetal distress. The mother is a 31-year-old gravida 8, para 1-2-4-3 woman with pregnancy complications including absence of prenatal care, premature rupture of membranes, vaginal bleeding, and premature labor. She reports to our hospital on the morning of birth with preterm labor and vaginal bleeding. She receives 1 dose of steroids, magnesium, and antibiotics (ampicillin and azithromycin). Ultrasonography on the day of birth shows left ventriculomegaly, echogenic bowel, and shortened long bones suggestive of skeletal dysplasia. The infant is apneic on presentation and severely edematous. He requires extensive resuscitation including intubation, emergent UV line placement as well as thoracentesis and abdominal paracentesis because of persistently low oxygen saturations. On admission, examination reveals generalized edema, widely split cranial sutures, and grossly distended abdomen. Laboratory findings on admission reveal metabolic acidosis, low normal hemoglobin (11.5 g/dL [115 g/L]), alanine aminotransferase of 473 U/L (7.9 μkat/L), aspartate aminotransferase of 2,837 U/L (47.3 μkat/L), total bilirubin of 12.3 mg/dL (210.3 μmol/L), direct bilirubin of 4.7 mg/dL (80.4 μmol/L), and an albumin …
Staying Up To Date

Is there a being more deserving of scorn and pity than the physician whose medical knowledge is outdated, and whose clinical skills have withered? The choice of a medical career connotes a commitment to lifetime learning. And what was true when Dr. W. M. Johnson wrote the introductory paragraph above in the 1930s is even truer now, owing to the accelerating pace of change in medical knowledge and techniques. Each year, we physicians and scientists encounter literally thousands of new scientific factoids, pharmaceutical agents, and drug interactions. I am fond of telling my medical students that, with the exception of a very few drugs such as salicylates and digitalis, the medications I use today were all introduced after I finished medical school and postgraduate training. Only diligent attention to continuing medical education (CME) keeps us from becoming professional dinosaurs.
ReRAM-based accelerator for deep learning

Big data computing applications such as deep learning and graph analytic usually incur a large amount of data movements. Deploying such applications on conventional von Neumann architecture that separates the processing units and memory components likely leads to performance bottleneck due to the limited memory bandwidth. A common approach is to develop architecture and memory co-design methodologies to overcome the challenge. Our research follows the same strategy by leveraging resistive memory (ReRAM) to further enhance the performance and energy efficiency. Specifically, we employ the general principles behind processing-in-memory to design efficient ReRAM based accelerators that support both testing and training operations. Related circuit and architecture optimization will be discussed too.
Association among depression, symptom experience, and quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background Clinical stigmata of polycystic ovary syndrome include hirsutism, obesity, menstrual disturbances, and infertility. These symptoms impair health-related quality of life. Depression is also common. The relationship among depression, symptom self-perception, and quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome is poorly understood. Objective We sought to investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Study Design We conducted a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized clinical trial (Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome II, NCT00719186 ) comparing clomiphene citrate vs letrozole in the treatment of infertility. Subjects included 732 women ages 18–40 years with polycystic ovary syndrome by modified Rotterdam criteria. The validated Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life survey was self-administered, assessing the following domains: emotions, body hair, body weight, menstrual problems, and infertility; scores range from 1–7, with lower numbers indicating poorer quality of life. Depression was evaluated via the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire. Quality-of-life scores were compared between depressed and nondepressed women. Multivariate linear regression models analyzed the association between depression and quality-of-life scores, controlling for age, body mass index, hirsutism score, and duration of infertility. Results In all, 64 women (8.4%) met criteria for depression. Depressed women reported reduced quality of life in all domains compared to nondepressed women: mood (3.1 vs 4.6, P Conclusion Depression is associated with reduced quality of life related to polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms. Disturbances in health-related quality of life in depressed women are not explained by objective measures including body mass index, hirsutism scores, and duration of infertility. Depression may color the experience of polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and should be considered when there is significant discordance between subjective and objective measures in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Learning Style Preferences: Physical Therapy Students in the United States

The purpose of this study was to describe the learning style preferences of students enrolled in their first year of basic professional programs in physical therapy in the United States in the academic year 1975 to 1976. The testing instrument used was the Learning Styles inventory developed by Canfield and Lafferty. A sample of 1,099 (40.8% of the total population) was collected. The results have been tabulated using descriptive statistics of means and standard deviations for: 1) total sample, 2) men, and 3) women. The "typical" or "average" physical therapy student is described. These results have important implications for physical therapy educators in terms of arranging their instructional activities to optimize learning.
The promise of health information technology.

The addition of IT to our health care system should not be viewed as merely a technological upgrade, but rather a fundamental change in our approach to the practice of medicine. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Inhibition of oligopeptide transport in S. cerevisiae by a peptide-poly (ethylene glycol) conjugate

Abstract A soluble macromolecule-peptide conjugate, [(Met)3-OPEG] inhibited the uptake of Met-Met-[ 14 C ] Met into S. cerevisiae . Uptake of leucine into this strain was not affected by Met3-OPEG under identical conditions. Inhibition by the macromolecular inhibitor was competitive (KI = 5.1 × 10−5M)and followed the structural requirments of the peptide transport systems in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans . These findings give the first example of inhibition of metabolite transport by a synthetic macromolecular competitor.