cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calmodulin and Ca2+ control of voltage gated Na+ channels

The structures of the cytosolic portion of voltage activated sodium channels (CTNav) in complexes with calmodulin and other effectors in the presence and the absence of calcium provide information about the mechanisms by which these effectors regulate channel activity. The most studied of these complexes, those of Nav1.2 and Nav1.5, show details of the conformations and the specific contacts that are involved in channel regulation. Another voltage activated sodium channel, Nav1.4, shows significant calcium dependent inactivation, while its homolog Nav1.5 does not. The available structures shed light on the possible localization of the elements responsible for this effect. Mutations in the genes of these 3 Nav channels are associated with several disease conditions: Nav1.2, neurological conditions; Nav1.4, syndromes involving skeletal muscle; and Nav1.5, cardiac arrhythmias. Many of these disease-specific mutations are located at the interfaces involving CTNav and its effectors.
An empirical exploration of selected policy options in organ donation.

Abstract This paper presents findings from a mail survey of 414 persons regarding organ transplantation and donation policy issues. Three measures of support for organ donation were measured: donor card commitment, required request of next-of-kin support, and weak presumed consent support. High levels of support exist for organ donor cards and the required request of next-of-kin law. Little support was found for the policy of weak presumed consent.
Resistance of a hemorrhagic proteinase from timber rattlesnake venom to proteolytic degradation.

Abstract The proteolytic activity of hemorrhagic proteinase IV isolated from timber rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus horridus ) venom was resistant to inactivation by trypsin, pronase and the proteolytic II, fraction isolated from timber rattlesnake venom. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the hemorrhagin incubated alone and with the three proteinases revealed that the addition of trypsin or the II, fraction caused little apparent degradation of the hemorrhagin, whether or not the samples were reduced prior to electrophoresis. SDS electrophoresis of the hemorrhagin after incubation with pronase revealed a single band of 28,000 apparent molecular weight (as compared to 52,000 for the original hemorrhagin) if the samples were not reduced prior to electrophoresis, and a single band of 17,000 if reduced. If the hemorrhagin was reduced and alkylated, it was much more susceptible to hydrolysis by all three proteinases.
Management turning-over and participatory management of irrigation schemes: a case study of the Gediz River Basin in Turkey

This paper argues the results of turning-over process in agricultural water management of Turkish agriculture. Water is a common pool resource, although services from this resource can be privately appropriated for production. This common problem, which has arisen during past public interventions, is related to institutional costs and information problems. The best solution was found to be management transfer from the state to users, such as Water User Associations (WUAs), cooperatives, farmer unions, etc. Participation is a process in which stakeholders influence policy formulation, investment choices and management decisions affecting their communities and establish the necessary sense of ownership. This paper is an attempt to determine whether the level of farmer participation in the decision making process has been realized and to make comparison of the irrigation scheme activities by making differentiation between the situation before and after turning-over.
Impact of L-Phenylalanine Supplementation on the Performance of Three-Week-Old Broilers Fed Diets Containing Ochratoxin A. 2. Effects on Hematology and Clinical Chemistry

Abstract Phenylalanine was evaluated for its ability to protect broiler chickens from the toxic effects of ochratoxin A (OA). A completely randomized 2-by-3 factorial design was utilized consisting of 0, .8, and 2.4% supplemental L-phenylalanine (Phe) and of 0 and 4 mg of OA per kg of diet. The basal diet contained 14% protein. Broilers were raised in battery brooders to 3 wk of age, when blood was collected and various hematological parameters were determined. The health status of the broilers was evaluated by assaying serum for various enzyme activities and metabolites using an automated, clinical chemistry analyzer. Adding OA to the broiler diets resulted in an increased concentration of serum hemoglobin as well as increased activity for cholinesterase and gamma glutamyl transferase but in decreased activity for aspartate amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline-phosphatase activity as well as decreased concentrations of total triglyceride and of inorganic phosphorus. Supplemental Phe decreased the concentrations of hemoglobin and serum glucose. The regression slopes for Phe at 4 mg of OA per kg of diet were significant for uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and cholesterol suggesting that supplemental Phe improved the health status of the broilers fed diets containing OA with respect to these parameters.
Hereditary breast cancer: Practical pursuit for clinical translation

The benefits of a skillful medical history and histologic confirmation of relevant pathology are potentially lifesaving. Appropriately directed DNA testing based on these initial steps provides an opportunity for clinical translation into a cancer prevention program targeted to family members. Unfortunately, cancer prevention strategies that are based on genetics are frequently overlooked or underestimated in the overall practical management of patients at high risk for breast cancer as well as integral cancers that constitute a hereditary breast cancer syndrome. DNA testing, particularly for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome and p53 in the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and many other syndromes is commercially available for inclusion in a cancer control program and merits attention in this major public health problem. It is clear that the time and effort expended for a hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis may significantly reduce both morbidity and mortality in breast cancer. We have found that genetic counselors can partner with the clinical physicians and make significant contributions to this labor-intensive effort.
Overexpression of 5-HT1B mRNA in nucleus accumbens shell projection neurons differentially affects microarchitecture of initiation and maintenance of ethanol consumption

Serotonin 1B (5-HT(1B)) heteroreceptors on nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) projection neurons have been shown to enhance the voluntary consumption of alcohol by rats, presumably by modulating the activity of the mesolimbic reward pathway. The present study examined whether increasing 5-HT(1B) receptors expressed on NAcSh projection neurons by means of virus-mediated gene transfer enhances ethanol consumption during the initiation or maintenance phase of drinking and alters the temporal pattern of drinking behavior. Animals received stereotaxic injections of viral vectors expressing either 5-HT(1B) receptor and green fluorescent protein (GFP) or GFP alone. Home cages equipped with a three-bottle (water and 6 and 12% ethanol) lickometer system recorded animals' drinking behaviors continuously, capturing either initiation or maintenance of drinking behavior patterns. Overexpression of 5-HT(1B) receptors during initiation increased consumption of 12% ethanol during both forced-access and free-choice consumption. There was a shift in drinking pattern for 6% ethanol with an increase in number of drinking bouts per day, although the total number of drinking bouts for 12% ethanol was not different. Finally, increased 5-HT(1B) expression induced more bouts with very high-frequency licking from the ethanol bottle sippers. During the maintenance phase of drinking, there were no differences between groups in total volume of ethanol consumed; however, there was a shift toward drinking bouts of longer duration, especially for 12% ethanol. This suggests that during maintenance drinking, increased 5-HT(1B) receptors facilitate longer drinking bouts of more modest volumes. Taken together, these results indicate that 5-HT(1B) receptors expressed on NAcSh projection neurons facilitate ethanol drinking, with different effects during initiation and maintenance of ethanol-drinking behavior.
Impact of liver-directed therapy in colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Abstract Background There is a paucity of data on the current management and outcomes of liver-directed therapy (LDT) in older patients presenting with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the study was to evaluate treatment patterns and outcomes in use of LDT in the setting of improved chemotherapy. Methods We used Cancer Registry and linked Medicare claims to identify patients aged ≥66 y undergoing surgical resection of the primary tumor and chemotherapy after presenting with stage IV CRC (2001–2007). LDT was defined as liver resection and/or ablation-embolization. Results We identified 5500 patients. LDT was used in 34.9% of patients; liver resection was performed in 1686 patients (30.7%), and ablation-embolization in 554 patients (10.1%), with 322 patients having both resection and ablation-embolization. Use of LDT was negatively associated with increasing year of diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–0.99), age >85 y (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.45–0.82), and poor tumor differentiation (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.64–0.83). LDT was associated with improved survival (median 28.4 versus 21.1 mo, P Conclusions Older patients with stage IV CRC are experiencing improved survival over time, independent of age, comorbidity, and use of LDT. However, many older patients deemed to be appropriate candidates for resection of the primary tumor and receipt of systemic chemotherapy did not receive LDT. Our data suggest that improved patient selection may be positively impacting outcomes. Early referral and optimal selection of patients for LDT has the potential to further improve survival in older patients presenting with advanced colorectal cancer.
IL-17A Differentially Regulates Corneal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-A and Soluble VEGF Receptor 1 Expression and Promotes Corneal Angiogenesis after Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

Ocular infection with HSV causes corneal neovascularization (CV), an essential step in the pathogenesis of the blinding immunoinflammatory lesion stromal keratitis. The infection results in IL-17A production, which contributes to CV in ways that together serve to shift the balance between corneal concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 molecule, which binds to VEGF-A and blocks its function (a so-called VEGF trap). Accordingly, animals lacking responses to IL-17A signaling, either because of IL-17 receptor A knockout or wild-type animals that received neutralizing mAb to IL-17A, had diminished CV, compared with controls. The procedures reduced VEGF-A protein levels but had no effect on the levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1. Hence the VEGF trap was strengthened. IL-17A also caused increased CXCL1/KC synthesis, which attracts neutrophils to the inflammatory site. Neutrophils further influenced the extent of CV by acting as an additional source of VEGF-A, as did metalloproteinase enzymes that degrade the soluble receptor, inhibiting its VEGF-blocking activity. Our results indicate that suppressing the expression of IL-17A, or increasing the activity of the VEGF trap, represents a useful approach to inhibiting CV and the control of an ocular lesion that is an important cause of human blindness.
Implications for managed care for improving outcomes in Parkinson's disease: balancing aggressive treatment with appropriate care.

Disability in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is due not only to progressive impairment in balance, gait, and motor-related tasks, but also to several nonmotor symptoms affecting autonomic, neuropsychiatric, and sensory functions. The prevalence of PD in the United States is rising due to the expanding elderly population. Direct medical costs associated with PD are significant and influenced by level of disability and associated complexity of management. As new treatments are made available, reevaluation of treatment benefits and paradigms is warranted, for both motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD, to better manage outcomes. In addition to evaluation of symptomatic therapies for PD, attention to advances in disease-modifying therapies and to management of nonmotor symptoms should be an integral component of PD surveillance in the managed care environment.
Streaming trend detection in Twitter

As social media continue to grow, the zeitgeist of society is increasingly found not in the headlines of traditional media institutions, but in the activity of ordinary individuals. The identification of trending topics utilises social media (such as Twitter) to provide an overview of the topics and issues that are currently popular within the online community. In this paper, we outline methodologies of detecting and identifying trending topics from streaming data. Data from Twitter's streaming API was collected and put into documents of equal duration using data collection procedures that allow for analysis over multiple timespans, including those not currently associated with Twitter-identified trending topics. Term frequency-inverse document frequency analysis and relative normalised term frequency analysis were performed on the documents to identify the trending topics. Relative normalised term frequency analysis identified unigrams, bigrams, and trigrams as trending topics, while term frequency-inverse document frequency analysis identified unigrams as trending topics. Application of these methodologies to streaming data resulted in F-measures ranging from 0.1468 to 0.7508.
A comparison of performance-based measures of function in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

The objectives of this study are to compare the results of newer performance-based functional assessments in the study of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and to correlate these functional assessments with specific levels of severity of HAND. One hundred fourteen HIV+ subjects in an existing cohort were evaluated with a medical history, neurological exam, neuropsychological test battery as well as subjective and novel objective measures of functional abilities. Self-reported measures of functional performance included the Karnofsky Performance Scale, a questionnaire for instrumental activities of daily living, and a questionnaire for physical quality of life measures. The newer objective functional performance assessments included the Columbia Medication Management and the San Diego Finances tests. These newer performance-based measures of function were assessed for their ability to predict level of HAND. The two objective measures of functional performance, The Columbia Medication Management Scale and the San Diego Finances Test, were both associated with levels of severity of HAND. The Karnofsky Performance Scale and the questionnaires for role and physical quality of life were subjective measures that were also associated with specific levels of HAND. Newer measures of functional performance can be used to objectively evaluate functional impairment in HAND and validate different levels of HAND.
From the connectome to brain function

In this Historical Perspective, we ask what information is needed beyond connectivity diagrams to understand the function of nervous systems. Informed by invertebrate circuits whose connectivities are known, we highlight the importance of neuronal dynamics and neuromodulation, and the existence of parallel circuits. The vertebrate retina has these features in common with invertebrate circuits, suggesting that they are general across animals. Comparisons across these systems suggest approaches to study the functional organization of large circuits based on existing knowledge of small circuits.
Runx1 deficiency predisposes mice to T-lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Chromosomal rearrangements affecting RUNX1 and CBFB are common in acute leukemias. These mutations result in the expression of fusion proteins that act dominant-negatively to suppress the normal function of the Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX)/core binding factor β (CBFβ) complexes. In addition, loss-of-function mutations in Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) have been identified in sporadic cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in association with the familial platelet disorder with propensity to develop AML (FPD/AML). In order to examine the hypothesis that decreased gene dosage of RUNX1 may be a critical event in the development of leukemia, we treated chimeric mice generated from Runx1lacZ/lacZ embryonic stem (ES) cells that have homozygous disruption of the Runx1 gene with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). We observed an increased incidence of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma in Runx1lacZ/lacZ compared with wild-type chimeras and confirmed that the tumors were of ES-cell origin. Our results therefore suggest that deficiency of Runx1 can indeed predispose mice to hematopoietic malignancies.
Inhibitory synaptic input to identified rubrospinal neurons in Macaca fascicularis: An electron microscopic study using a combined immuno‐GABA‐gold technique and the retrograde transport of WGA‐HRP

Rubrospinal neurons of the magnocellular division of the red nucleus of Macaca fascicularis were retrogradely labeled following spinal cord microinjections of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase, as demonstrated by the chromagen tetramethylbenzidine, identifying the mesencephalic cells of origin of this descending motor pathway. The tissue was processed for electron microscopy and subsequently tested on the electron microscope grid for immunoreactivity of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in presumed local circuit neuronal somata, in dendrites, and in axonal terminals. Results demonstrate the presence of retrogradely labeled rubrospinal neurons of medium and large diameters (30-90 microns) and immunoreactive neurons of small size (less than 20 microns in diameter) within the nucleus. In addition, there are substantial numbers of GABAergic, presumably inhibitory, synaptic structures contacting somata and primary, medium, and small sized dendrites, as well as spineheads of rubrospinal neurons. The immunoreactive presynaptic profiles exhibit two different morphological appearances: one axonal and the other dendritic. Axonal terminals contain densely packed pleomorphic to flattened vesicles and form primarily symmetrical synapses with somata and all regions of the dendritic arbor. GABAergic profiles resembling presynaptic dendrites (PSDs) are also present. These profiles possess scattered flattened to pleomorphic synaptic vesicles in a translucent cytoplasm and are often postsynaptic to axonal terminals of unknown origin, or to GABAergic profiles. GABAergic local circuit neurons (LCNs), the neurites of which remain within the confines of the nucleus, appear to be contacted primarily by cortical and cerebellar afferents. These LCNs may or may not possess axons and thus may represent both the source of the GABAergic axonal terminals as well as that of the PSDs. Inhibitory afferents from other sources, such as the mesencephalic reticular formation, may also account for GABAergic terminals involved in this inhibition. We propose that the level of excitability of rubrospinal neurons and their subsequent activation of spinal motor neurons and interneurons is significantly regulated by the local circuit GABAergic inhibitory interneuronal population of the nucleus proper and probably by axons entering the nucleus from an extranuclear source.
Effect of 1,3-Butamediol and Propionic Acid on Blood Ketones, Lipids and Metal Ions in Rats

The metabolic effects of feeding butanediol (BD) and propionate to rats are presented. The weight gain of animals fed either BD or propionate was less than controls while food efficiency was decreased only in the animals fed either propionate or BD plus propionate. BD decreased liver glycogen in fed rats and partially preserved glycogen in fasted animals. On the other hand, propio nate slightly increased glycogen in the fed state but did not prevent the marked depletion of glycogen in fasting. Feeding either BD or propionate caused decrease of blood glucose, lactate and pyruvate, and decrease of adipose tissue weight. Propionate and BD plus propionate decreased triglycA©rides in blood and BD plus propionate increased fatty acids in blood. Although BD feeding markedly in creased acetoacetate and /3-hydroxybutyrate in blood and in urine, propionate feeding decreased blood and urine ketones. Moreover, propionate plus BD gave blood ketones no different from BD alone and caused even greater urinary ketone excretion than BD alone. Thus, propionate does not alleviate BD-induced ketosis as would be expected. The changes which occurred in serum and liver cations and electrolytes are best related to excretion of strong organic acids as salts. The modification of BD effects on metabolism produced by propionate is discussed in relation to known interrelated metabolic pathways. J. Nutr. 102: 1001-1008, 1972.
Novel Therapies for Crohn's Disease: Focus on Immunomodulators and Antibiotics

Objective:To review the literature on novel immunomodulators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)- and interleukin (IL)-related agents, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), tacrolimus, and leflunomide, and antibiotics such as ornidazole, rifaximin, and ciprofloxacin for the treatment of Crohn's disease.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966–January 2006) using the terms Crohn's disease, novel therapies, immunomodulators, and antibiotics. Article references were hand-searched for additional relevant articles and abstracts.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles in English identified from the data sources were evaluated. Studies including greater than 5 patients with primarly adult populations were included in the review.Data Synthesis:There are a number of new TNF-α and IL-related agents that may be useful for management of Crohn's disease. They include CDP 571, CDP 870, etanercept, onercept, thalidomide, IL-10, and IL-11. Several studies have shown that CDP 571 decreases the Crohn's D...
37.1: Invited Paper: 1-mm Diameter, Full-color Scanning Fiber Pico Projector

Media playback capabilities of mobile devices demand a large display in a small package. We have developed a 1-mm x 9-mm scan engine, projecting full-color images through a vibrating optical fiber tip and miniature lens system. Connected by optical fiber, the projection head and RGB light sources can be distributed across the mobile device.
POT1–TPP1 enhances telomerase processivity by slowing primer dissociation and aiding translocation

Telomerase contributes to chromosome end replication by synthesizing repeats of telomeric DNA, and the telomeric DNA-binding proteins protection of telomeres (POT1) and TPP1 synergistically increase its repeat addition processivity. To understand the mechanism of increased processivity, we measured the effect of POT1–TPP1 on individual steps in the telomerase reaction cycle. Under conditions where telomerase was actively synthesizing DNA, POT1–TPP1 bound to the primer decreased primer dissociation rate. In addition, POT1–TPP1 increased the translocation efficiency. A template-mutant telomerase that synthesizes DNA that cannot be bound by POT1–TPP1 exhibited increased processivity only when the primer contained at least one POT1–TPP1-binding site, so a single POT1–TPP1–DNA interaction is necessary and sufficient for stimulating processivity. The POT1–TPP1 effect is specific, as another single-stranded DNA-binding protein, gp32, cannot substitute. POT1–TPP1 increased processivity even when substoichiometric relative to the DNA, providing evidence for a recruitment function. These results support a model in which POT1–TPP1 enhances telomerase processivity in a manner markedly different from the sliding clamps used by DNA polymerases.
Egg Jerky. A Research Note

Abstract A new convenience jerky-like product was made from whole egg, textured vegetable protein, and spices. The moisture content was 22.1%, the water activity (Aw) .655, and no visible mold growth occurred after 11 months of storage. An untrained taste panel ranked flavor scores from 7, like moderately to 8, like very much, on a 9-point hedonic scale.
Antihypertensive Medication Compliance in a Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

OBJECTIVE:To compare compliance rates associated with categories of antihypertensive medications in a Veteran's Affairs (VA) Healthcare System by use of readily available data and standard software.METHODS:Prescriptions from the Veteran's Health Information System Technology Architecture (VISTA) database for angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), diuretics, and a miscellaneous group of antihypertensives filled or refilled during a 12-month period were included in the analysis. Claims data for each prescription were exported from the VISTA database to Microsoft Excel, and compliance rates were calculated by use of a methodology reported elsewhere. Mean compliance rates for each antihypertensive category were compared.RESULTS:A total of 26 201 prescription records accounting for 51 927 separate prescription fills or refills were included. The majority of prescriptions (77%) were associated with calculated complia...
Thalamocortical Relationships in Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Dr. Richard Lende’s interest in comparative studies of sensory cortex in mammals led him to examine the somatic sensory, motor, visual, and auditory areas of echidnas (Lende, 1964). This chapter is a direct outcome of Dr. Lende’s desire to corroborate his electrophysiological delineation of cortical sensory and motor areas in echidnas by means of retrograde degeneration studies of thalamocortical connections. Striking features of the echidna brain are its relatively large size and fissural complexity, two characteristics which, among others, make these animals of special interest to comparative neurologists (Abbie, 1938).
Microvascular shunts in the pathogenesis of high intracranial pressure.

Hyperemia in the infarcted brain has been ­suggested for years by “red veins” reported by neurosurgeons, shunt peaks in radioactive blood flow clearance curves, and quantitative cerebral blood flow using stable xenon CT. Histological characterization of infarcted brain revealed capillary rarefaction with prominent microvascular shunts (MVS). Despite abundant histological evidence, the presence of cerebrovascular shunts have been largely ignored, perhaps because of a lack of physiological evidence demonstrating the transition from capillary flow to MVS flow. Our studies have shown that high intracranial pressure induces a transition from capillary to microvascular shunt flow resulting in cerebral hypoperfusion, tissue hypoxia and brain edema, which could be delayed by increasing cerebral perfusion pressure. The transition from capillary to microvascular shunt flow provides for the first time a physiological basis for evaluating the optimal cerebral perfusion pressure with increased intracranial pressure. It also provides a physiological basis for evaluating the effectiveness of various drugs and therapies in reducing intracranial pressure and the development of brain edema and tissue hypoxia after brain injury and ischemia. In summary, the clear-cut demonstration of the transition from capillary to MVS flow provides an important method for evaluating various therapies for the treatment of brain edema and loss of autoregulation.
Technical Note: Electrochemical and Chemical Complications Resulting from Yeast Extract Addition to Stimulate Microbial Growth

Addition of 1 g/L yeast extract (YE) to sterile, aerobic (approximately 21% dissolved oxygen) and deoxygenated (<0.0001% dissolved oxygen) natural seawater fixed the corrosion potential (Ecorr) of ...
Finite-temperature properties of antiferroelectric PbZrO 3 from atomistic simulations

Antiferroelectrics are under extensive reexamination owing to their unique properties and technological promise. Computationally, they pose a challenge for predictive modeling as they often do not possess well-defined localized electric moments and exhibit a delicate energetic balance between polar and antipolar phases. We propose a first-principles-based atomistic model for the prototype antiferroelectric ${\mathrm{PbZrO}}_{3}$ that captures accurately a wide range of its properties. Application of the model to study finite-temperature properties of ${\mathrm{PbZrO}}_{3}$ under external electric field and hydrostatic pressure aids in achieving a coherent picture of this intriguing material. In particular, our simulations predict (i) the existence of a strong coupling between the antiferrodistortive motion of oxygen octahedra and the antipolar distortion in a wide range of temperatures and electric fields; (ii) a linear temperature dependence for the critical field associated with the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition; and (iii) a stabilizing effect of the hydrostatic pressure on the phase transition in ${\mathrm{PbZrO}}_{3}$.
Photoresponsive elastic properties of azobenzene-containing poly(ethylene-glycol)-based hydrogels.

The elastic modulus of the extracellular matrix is a dynamic property that changes during various biological processes, such as disease progression or wound healing. Most cell culture platforms, however, have traditionally exhibited static properties, making it necessary to replate cells to study the effects of different elastic moduli on cell phenotype. Recently, much progress has been made in the development of substrates with mechanisms for either increasing or decreasing stiffness in situ, but there are fewer examples of substrates that can both stiffen and soften, which may be important for simulating the effects of repeated ECM injury and resolution. In the work presented here, poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels reversibly stiffen and soften with multiple light stimuli via photoisomerization of an azobenzene-containing cross-linker. Upon irradiation with cytocompatible doses of 365 nm light (10 mW/cm2, 5 min), isomerization to the azobenzene cis configuration leads to a softening of the hydrogel ...
Some Properties of Lines Associated with a Hyperbola

Introduction. In his article "On four lines and their associated parabola" published in the October, 1937 issue of this MONTHLY, J. R. Musselman has defined a parabola by means of a complex variable and has determined some of the properties of its tangent lines. It is the purpose of the present note to define a hyperbola by means of a complex variable, to determine certain lines associated with each point on the hyperbola, and to show that these lines are tangent to a parabola, and hence have all the properties of the lines described in Musselman's paper.
Disorders of the endocrine system.

The early identification of a number of neonatal endocrine diseases can result in successful therapy. Laboratory diagnosis of thyroid disorders, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, growth hormone deficiency, and diabetes insipidus are discussed.
Connecting Female Infertility to Obesity, Inflammation, and Maternal Gut Dysbiosis.

The prevalence of obesity has reached alarming proportions globally, and continues to rise in both developed and developing countries. At least 2.8 million people each year die as a result of being overweight or obese. According to the estimates by the World Health Organization in 2008 more than 1.4 billion adults were overweight in 2008, and more than half a billion were obese, and the number of overweight and obese adults is projected to increase to 2.2 billion and 1.1 billion, respectively, by 2030. As the numbers of obese women increases the associated comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancers and reproductive disorders will also increase. Women with obesity have a number of reproductive disorders including problems with ovulation, decreased rates of conception, infertility, early pregnancy loss, birth defects, and reduced assisted reproductive technology success (1, 2). The increased incidence of miscarriages and assisted reproductive technology failure in obese women (3, 4) is attributed in large part to poor oocyte quality manifest as impaired oocyte maturation and disrupted spindle morphology. A number of investigators provide evidence of metabolic perturbations in oocytes from obese mothers including high levels of intracellular lipid (5), elevated endoplasmic reticulum (6), and oxidative stress (7, 8), increased accumulation of oocyte mRNA (9), and mitochondrial dysfunction (1, 7). These obesity-induced alterations in ovarian follicle development and oocyte quality are associated with activation of systemic or local inflammatory pathways (10–12). In this issue of Endocrinology, Xie et al (13) find that obesity-dependent increases in proinflammatory signaling regulates the abundance of oocyte specific mRNAs (Figure 1). This journey began when this group found that a subset of maternal RNAs, including maternal effect genes, are elevated in oocytes from mature obese mice (9) and women with metabolic dysfunction (14). These observations are important because the increased abundance of maternal effect genes is known to interfere with normal embryonic development (15, 16). In the present study, to induce the obese phenotype the investigators fed young adult female mice normal rodent chow or a high-fat diet containing 45% or 60% of its calories from fat. The highfat diet induced increases in adipose tissue and whole body
Study on AIDS Related Knowledge and Attitude Among Different Population in Yantan District of Zigong

Objective To analyze the AIDS related knowledge,attitude and behaviors among different populations in Yantan district and provide evidence for the targeted health education about AIDS.Methods The face to face questionnaire survey was conducted among female sex workers,middle school students and general population selected by stratified sampling,the data were entered by using Epidata,processed by using SPSS 13.0 software and analyzed by χ2 test,multiple linear regression and logistic regression Results A total of 200 female sex workers,500 middle school students and 500 general people were surveyed.The awareness rates of AIDS related knowledge among these people were 70.38%,66.10% and 59.35% respectively.The difference on the awareness rate among three groups had statistical significance.The influence factors of the awareness rate included age,sex partner and education background for female sex workers,gender,school and age for middle school students,and community,age,sex partner and education background for general people.The proportion of middle school students and general people with positive attitude to family member with AIDS was 47.5%(54.8% for middle school,42.3% for general people);the proportion of middle school students and general people with positive attitude to classmate with AIDS was 55.2%(71.2% for middle school,39.2% for general people).Conclusion The awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge among the population in Yantan district was low,especially among middle school students and general people.The health education among middle school students and general people should be strengthened besides the intervention among the female sex workers.
Role of endothelin in microvascular dysfunction following percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: a single-centre randomised controlled trial

Objectives Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes frequently fails to restore myocardial perfusion despite establishing epicardial vessel patency. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor, and its expression is increased in atherosclerosis and after PCI. In this study, we aim to define the role of endothelin in regulating coronary microvascular blood flow and myocardial perfusion following PCI in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS), by assessing whether adjunctive therapy with a selective endothelin A (ET A ) receptor antagonist acutely improves postprocedural coronary microvascular blood flow. Methods In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 23 NSTACS patients were enrolled to receive an intracoronary infusion of placebo (n=11) or BQ-123 (n=12) immediately before PCI. Post-PCI coronary microvascular blood flow and myocardial perfusion were assessed by measuring Doppler-derived average peak velocity (APV), and cardiac biomarker levels were quantified. Results Compared with the placebo group, APV was significantly higher in the drug group immediately after PCI (30 (20, 37) vs 19 (9, 26) cm/s; p=0.03). Hyperaemic APV, measured post-adenosine administration, was higher in the BQ-123 group, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (56 (48, 72) vs 46 (34, 64) cm/s; p=0.090). Maximum coronary flow reserve postprocedure was not different between the two groups (2.1 (1.6, 2.3) vs 2.5 (1.8, 3.0)). Per cent change in creatine kinase isoenzyme MB from the time of PCI to 8 and 16 hours post-PCI was significantly lower in the drug group compared with the placebo group (−17 (−26, −10) vs 26 (−15, 134); p=0.02 and −17 (−38, 14) vs 107 (2, 446); p=0.007, respectively). Conclusions Endothelin is a mediator of microvascular dysfunction during PCI in NSTACS, and adjunctive selective ET A antagonist may augment myocardial perfusion during PCI. Trial registration number NCT00586820; Results.
Understanding When Teachers Disagree about Student Disability

The persistent racial and ethnic disparities in special education in the United States raise concerns about the potential misidentification of students. While previous studies have focused on how v...
Epicureans and Atheists in France, 1650-1729

Atheism was the most foundational challenge to early-modern French certainties. Theologians and philosophers labelled such atheism as absurd, confident that neither the fact nor behaviour of nature was explicable without reference to God. The alternative was a categorical naturalism, whose most extreme form was Epicureanism. The dynamics of the Christian learned world, however, which this book explains, allowed the wide dissemination of the Epicurean argument. By the end of the seventeenth century, atheism achieved real voice and life. This book examines the Epicurean inheritance and explains what constituted actual atheistic thinking in early-modern France, distinguishing such categorical unbelief from other challenges to orthodox beliefs. Without understanding the actual context and convergence of the inheritance, scholarship, protocols, and polemical modes of orthodox culture, the early-modern generation and dissemination of atheism are inexplicable. This book brings to life both early-modern French Christian learned culture and the atheists who emerged from its intellectual vitality.
Cytologic assessment of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status in metastatic breast carcinoma.

Introduction Discordance in the receptor status between primary breast carcinomas (PBCs) and corresponding metastasis is well documented. Interrogation of the receptor status of metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) in cytology material is common practice, although its utility has not been thoroughly validated. We studied patients with MBC, and evaluated the concordance rates of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) between PBC surgical specimens and corresponding MBC cell blocks (CBs). We correlated the findings with clinicopathologic variables and with the fixation methods used. Materials and methods We searched for patients with MBC diagnosed on cytology from 2007 to 2009 and selected those with ER, PR, and HER2 tested in both the PBC surgical specimens and the MBC CBs. We included CBs fixed in formalin and methanol based solution (CytoLyt, Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, MA). All slides were reevaluated by cytopathologists. Clinical information was retrieved from the medical records. Results We studied 65 patients with PBC and MBC paired specimens. The concordance rates between PBC and MBC were 78.5%, 58.5% and 96.9%, for ER, PR and HER2, respectively. When discordant, PR status switched from positive (PBC) to negative (MBC) in most cases (23/27). The PR concordance rate was 45.2% for CBs fixed in formalin and 70.6% for those fixed with CytoLyt ( P = 0.047). Conclusions The ER, PR, and HER2 concordance rates between the PBC and MBC CBs are similar to those reported in paired surgical specimens. PR status was the most prevalent discordance and was not accompanied by a switch in ER.
Strain control of composite superconductors to prevent degradation of superconducting magnets due to a quench: I. Ag/Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox multifilament round wires

Author(s): Ye, L; Li, P; Jaroszynski, J; Schwartz, J; Shen, T | Abstract: The critical current of many practical superconductors is sensitive to strain, and this sensitivity is exacerbated during a quench that induces a peak local strain which can be fatal to superconducting magnets. Here, a new method is introduced to quantify the influence of the conductor stress and strain state during normal operation on the margin to degradation during a quench, as measured by the maximum allowable hot spot temperature T allowable, for composite wires within superconducting magnets. The first conductor examined is Ag-sheathed Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox round wire carrying high engineering critical current density, J E, of 550 A mm-2 at 4.2 K and 15 T. The critical axial tensile stress of this conductor is determined to be 150 MPa and, in the absence of Lorentz forces, T allowable is greater than 450 K. With increasing axial tensile stress, σ a, however, T allowable decreases nonlinearly, dropping to 280 K for σ a = 120 MPa and to 160 K for σ a = 145 MPa. T allowable(σ a) is shown to be nonlinear and independent of magnetic field from 15 to 30 T. T allowable(σ a) dictates the balance between magnetic field generation, which increases with the magnet operating current and stress, and the safety margin, which decreases with decreasing T allowable, and therefore has important engineering value. It is also shown that T allowable(σ a) can be predicted accurately by a general strain model, showing that strain control is the key to preventing degradation of superconductors during a quench.
Current Practices and Controversies in Management of the Submucous Cleft Palate

A review of the published literature on submucous cleft palate was conducted. Specific information sought included definition and prevalence of submucous cleft palate, indications for surgical inte...
Abstract 125: Natural Language Processing Identifies an Association Between Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Severity and Mortality Within the Department of Veterans Affairs

Background: Stable angina is estimated to affect more than 10 million Americans and is the presenting symptom in half of patients diagnosed with coronary disease. Documentation of angina severity r...
Embedding Orbifold GUTs in the Heterotic String

We have seen that supersymmetric orbifold GUTs retain many of the nice features of 4D GUTs, such as gauge coupling unification and GUT relations for Yukawa couplings. In addition, they replace the complicated GUT breaking and doublet-triplet splitting sectors of the 4D theory by the very elegant mathematics of orbifolding with discrete symmetries. They also open up new mechanisms for supersymmetry breaking. However, on the down side, these orbifold GUT theories are non-renormalizable and therefore an explicit cut-off must be introduced. In this chapter we begin the discussion of embedding supersymmetric orbifold GUTs into string theory. In a string theory, the arbitrary cut-off is replaced by the physical string scale. Moreover, string theory has the benefit of also including quantum gravity.
Book Review: Paul G. Mahoney, Wasting a Crisis: Why Securities Regulation Fails, University of Chicago Press (2015)

This is a book review of Paul Mahoney's new book, Wasting a Crisis: Why Securities Regulation Fails, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2015. The book is an excellent treatment and critique of the market failure narrative on financial reform with a focus on the New Deal securities statutes. Mahoney employs to great effect standard event studies in concluding that in nearly all cases, the market failure narrative is incorrect by pursuing politically expedient objectives in lieu of regulation that remedies an actual problem. Mahoney’s convincing empirical analysis is a significant contribution to the literature on financial market reform, most of which accepts the market failure thesis.
Modular Femoral Stems in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

Revision total hip arthroplasty presents some of the most difficult challenges in reconstructive surgery. With the success of nonmodular stems, the use of modularity to address complex revisions has been questioned. Multiple studies highlight the success of these stems; they allow for improved reconstruction options when addressing concerns for bone quality, leg length discrepancy, and stability. The increased modularity allows opportunities for improvement but can also lead to an increased number of challenges. This article highlights the important aspects when considering the use of a modular femoral stem.
Electrometry by optical charge conversion of deep defects in 4H-SiC

Optically active point defects in various host materials, such as diamond and silicon carbide (SiC), have shown significant promise as local sensors of magnetic fields, electric fields, strain, and temperature. Modern sensing techniques take advantage of the relaxation and coherence times of the spin state within these defects. Here we show that the defect charge state can also be used to sense the environment, in particular high-frequency (megahertz to gigahertz) electric fields, complementing established spin-based techniques. This is enabled by optical charge conversion of the defects between their photoluminescent and dark charge states, with conversion rate dependent on the electric field (energy density). The technique provides an all-optical high-frequency electrometer which is tested in 4H-SiC for both ensembles of divacancies and silicon vacancies, from cryogenic to room temperature, and with a measured sensitivity of 41 ± 8 ( V / c m ) 2 / H z . Finally, due to the piezoelectric character of SiC, we obtain spatial 3D maps of surface acoustic wave modes in a mechanical resonator.
3D fluorescence microscopy with multi-shot coded aperture measurements (Conference Presentation)

Coded aperture imaging for 3D reconstructions have been applied in both photography and microscopy to successfully recover depth information from images captured with a patterned pupil plane. Generally, single-shot coded aperture microscopy methods require the 3D sample to be extremely sparse and with no overlapping features. Here, we extend coded aperture microscopy methods to multi-shot 3D fluorescent imaging with wave-optical forward models, enabling thicker and denser 3D samples to be faithfully reconstructed with efficient data capture via compressed sensing and advanced inverse algorithms.. We demonstrate successful reconstruction of a 500um thick brine shrimp sample. We further study the minimum required number of codes to capture full fluorescent information under wide-field illumination The experiments are carried out with a 4f system and a spatial light modulator in the Fourier (aperture) domain to display the codes.