cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD41 on CD34+ primitive yolk sac hematopoietic progenitors

Abstract The phenotype of primitive hematopoietic cells varies during murine ontogeny. CD41 is an integrin alpha chain involved in platelet aggregation and generally considered a platelet lineage marker. Recently, CD41 has been identified as a cell surface marker of primitive hematopoietic cells in the chick. The purpose of the present experiments was to characterize CD41 expression on primitive hematopoietic cells (CD34+ cells including repopulating stem cells) in the murine yolk sac. CD41 was expressed on 65% of CD34+ cells and CD41+CD34+ represent 4.5% of fresh yolk sac cells. Cells were isolated by collagenase/dispase digestion of yolk sacs from timed-pregnant females. Plating of 500 CD41+CD34+ and 5000 CD41-CD34+ cells in progenitor or high proliferative potential colony forming cell (HPP) assays revealed that essentially all HPP and committed progenitor activity resides in the CD41+CD34+ fraction of E9 yolk sac cells (HPP: 10±1 vs. 0 for CD41−CD34+). No HPP or progenitors were observed in the CD41+CD34− or CD41−CD34− populations. All megakaryocyte progenitors are present in the CD41+CD34+ population (BFU-Meg: 2±1, CFU-Meg 8±1). In ongoing studies, 500–1000 CD41+CD34+ or 10,000 CD41−CD34+ cells were transplanted into busulfan conditioned newborn congenic pups for evidence of repopulating ability (pending). Of interest, CD41 is expressed on 86% of cKit+CD34+ cells which contains long-term repopulating cells. In summary, CD41 is expressed on primitive hematopoietic cells and not restricted to the megakaryocyte lineage.
Evidence based update: Open versus closed reduction

Outcomes after operative treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults are fraught with high complications rates including non-union and avascular necrosis. Among the therapeutic controversies that persist is the role of open reduction, which would allow surgeons a direct means to improve the quality of reduction, a predictor of successful treatment. We performed a systematic review of the literature to compare the outcomes (nonunion, avascular necrosis, and deep infection) after open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) to closed reduction with internal fixation (CRIF) of acute (surgery performed less than 6 weeks from injury) femoral neck fractures in young adults (average age of 50 or younger) followed for at least one year. Despite the large literature investigating outcomes after operative treatment of femoral neck fracture, relatively few studies aimed to determine the relative risk of complications associated with method of reduction. Therefore, both observational and randomised studies as well as case series with clear descriptions of surgical approach and outcomes were included. We identified 21 studies that matched our inclusion criteria. The incidence of nonunion was 11.6% in closed reduction and 14.9% in the open reduction group (P=0.25). The incidence of avascular necrosis for CRIF and ORIF were 17.2% and 17.7% respectively (P=0.91). The incidence of deep wound infection was 0.49% in the closed reduction group and 3.9% in the open reduction group (P=0.0019). Meta-analysis of risk ratios estimated from six of the studies with comparative data revealed no significant difference in the incidence of nonunion, avascular necrosis or total complications between the two reduction techniques. In summary, systematic review of the literature reveals a lack of evidence in support of ORIF versus CRIF as a means of treating displaced femoral neck fractures in young patients with respect to union and avascular necrosis; however, the incidence of surgical site infections may be lower with CRIF. Firm conclusions cannot be drawn given the lack of high quality prospective studies and patient reported outcomes. In the future, randomised controlled trials will be required to test the effect of reduction method.
An intercomparison of longwave measurements by ERBE radiometers on the NOAA-9 and ERBS satellites

Two instrument modules of each satellite on which the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) is orbiting observe components of the earth radiation budget with three different scales of earth view. An intercomparison of longwave measurements by these instruments provides relative information concerning radiometric performance at satellite altitude, techniques of estimating upwelling exitances, and an end-to-end evaluation of the data processing system. Results indicate that the ERBE radiometers are mildly sensitive to varying thermal loads from the spacecraft and/or the earth-space environment. Radiometric variations at the satellite and methods of data interpretation contribute about equally to the uncertainty of radiant exitances from the earth.
Utility of ultrasound for evaluating the appendix during the second and third trimester of pregnancy

This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the right lower quadrant ultrasounds in women presenting during the second or third trimester of pregnancy for the frequency of appendix visualization and accuracy in diagnosing appendicitis. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study. We reviewed imaging records from 99 consecutive pregnant women from 2001 to 2011 who presented during the second (≥14 weeks gestation) or third trimester for right lower quadrant ultrasound to evaluate the appendix. Visualization of the appendix as well as the size and compressibility, if identified, were recorded. The medical records and labs related to the initial patient presentation, subsequent management, and follow-up were reviewed for surgical and clinical outcomes. Pathology records were reviewed to determine if appendicitis was present when appendectomy was performed. Patients who underwent appendectomy were considered to have appendicitis based on pathology results, and patients managed non-operatively with symptom improvement and those with a normal appendix at pathology were considered to not have appendicitis. During the study period, 99 women meeting inclusion criteria presented to our institution for right lower quadrant ultrasound to evaluate the appendix during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The mean gestational age at presentation was 23 weeks (±7 weeks). The mean maternal age was 28 years (±6.6 years). The appendix was not visualized in 97% (96/99) of right lower quadrant ultrasound examinations. Of the three studies in which the appendix was visualized, two were considered positive for appendicitis and one was considered negative. Eight patients in this group ultimately underwent appendectomy, including the two patients with positive right lower quadrant ultrasounds, and appendicitis confirmed at pathology in seven of these cases (87.5%). Right lower quadrant ultrasound successfully demonstrated an abnormal appendix in 28.7% (two of seven) of surgically confirmed cases; however, this technique did not detect appendicitis in 71% (five of seven) of patients with surgically proven disease due to nonvisualization of the appendix. Retrospective review of right lower quadrant ultrasounds performed during the second and third trimester of pregnancy suggests that this modality has limited utility for diagnosing appendicitis due to infrequent visualization of the appendix.
Nutrient and growth interactions in soybeans colonized with Glomus fasciculatum and Rhizobium japonicum

Glycine max (L. Merr. cv. Amsoy 71) plants were grown in a greenhouse in a sand/perlite medium low in plant-available N and P. Plants were either inoculated with a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus alone, a strain ofRhizobium japonicum alone, both endophytes together or were left non-inoculated to serve as a control. All combinations received a N-and P-free nutrient solution. Nodulated plants contained 4 to 5 times the phytomass of non-inoculated controls, and plants colonized with both the VAM fungus and Rhizobium were 18% greater in dry weight than nodulated, non-VAM plants due to a positive VAM times Rhizobium interaction. Nitrogen fixation, calculated from C2H4 and H2 data, was significantly higher in the tripartite symbiosis, with 80% of the increase attributable to increased nodule mass and 20% due to increases in specific nodule activity. Colonization by the VAM fungus and the development of vesicles increased significantly following nodulation. The synergistic interactions between the microsymbionts suggests that the response of the host to dual colonization is complex and depends on a balance between the three members of the symbiosis.
Neural Effects of Auditory Distraction on Visual Attention in Schizophrenia

Sensory flooding, particularly during auditory stimulation, is a common problem for patients with schizophrenia. The functional consequences of this impairment during cross-modal attention tasks, however, are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine how auditory distraction differentially affects task-associated response during visual attention in patients and healthy controls. To that end, 21 outpatients with schizophrenia and 23 healthy comparison subjects performed a visual attention task in the presence or absence of distracting, environmentally relevant “urban” noise while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T. The task had two conditions (difficult and easy); task-related neural activity was defined as difficult – easy. During task performance, a significant distraction (noise or silence) by group (patient or control) interaction was observed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right hippocampus, left temporoparietal junction, and right fusiform gyrus, with patients showing relative hypoactivation during noise compared to controls. In patients, the ability to recruit the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the task in noise was negatively correlated with the effect of noise on reaction time. Clinically, the ability to recruit the fusiform gyrus during the task in noise was negatively correlated with SANS affective flattening score, and hippocampal recruitment during the task in noise was positively correlated with global functioning. In conclusion, schizophrenia may be associated with abnormalities in neural response during visual attention tasks in the presence of cross-modal noise distraction. These response differences may predict global functioning in the illness, and may serve as a biomarker for therapeutic development.
Physical and mechanical characterization of near-zero shrinkage polybenzoxazines

A new class of phenolic-like thermosetting resins has been developed that is based on the ring-opening polymerization of a benzoxazine precursor. These new materials were developed to combine the thermal properties and flame retardance of phenolics with the mechanical performance and molecular design flexibility of advanced epoxy systems. The polybenzoxazines overcome many of the traditional shortcomings of conventional novolak and resoletype phenolic resins, while retaining their benefits. The physical and mechanical properties of these new polybenzoxazines are investigated and are shown to compare very favorably with those of conventional phenolic and epoxy resins. The ring-opening polymerization of these new materials occurs with either near-zero shrinkage or even a slight expansion upon cure. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals that these candidates for composite applications possess high moduli and glass transition temperatures, but low crosslink densities. Long-term immersion studies indicate that these materials have a low rate of water absorption and low saturation content. Impact, tensile, and flexural properties are also studied. Results of the dielectric analysis on these polybenzoxazines demonstrate the suitability of these materials for electrical applications. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Norman Ramsey and ICAP

Norman Foster Ramsey, who was born on August 27th, 1917 and died on November 4th, 2011, had an enormous influence on the world of physics during the second half of the 20th century. His scientific ideas underlie much of the research reported at this conference and he played a principal role in the creation of ICAP itself. In 1946 Ramsey became the first head of the physics department at the newly created Brookhaven National Laboratory. He appointed Victor A. Cohen, I.I. Rabi’s first graduate student, to set up a molecular beams laboratory. Interest in molecular beam magnetic resonance grew rapidly and in the early 1950s, Ramsey, who was then at Harvard, inaugurated a summer conference–the Brookhaven Molecular Beams Conference–that was held biannually and supervised by Victor Cohen. Scientific interest flourished and in the mid 1960s Vernon Hughes proposed expanding the Brookhaven Molecular Beams Conference into the International Conference on Atomic Physics, ICAP. The first ICAP was held at New York University in the spring of 1968. Vernon Hughes is justly remembered as the father of ICAP but Norman Ramsey deserves to be remembered as its grandfather. Ramsey’s name is primarily associated with the separated oscillatory field method for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1989, but this was only one of his many scientific contributions. With Edward M. Purcell he launched the search for breakdowns of fundamental symmetries that continues today and he carried out classic studies of magnetic interactions in molecules. He had a deep interest in high precision measurements and atomic clocks. His invention of the hydrogen maser was cited in his Nobel Prize. That Prize was shared with Hans G. Dehmelt and Wolfgang Paul and at the Nobel banquet Ramsey presented what could be a credo for much of the ICAP community:
New and Expedient Determination of Atenolol in Biological Samples

A method is described for the GLC determination of atenolol BP in plasma and urine. Extraction is accomplished under dehydrating conditions, and interfering impurities are removed by using an acidified cyclohexane-isopropanol mixture (2:1) and charcoal-treated paper disks. The drug thus isolated appears to react more efficiently with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, increasing the sensitivity of GLC electron-capture analysis. Concentrations as low as 0.02 mug/ml were measured using 0.5-ml aliquots of plasma or 0.1 ml of urine. Amino alcohols such as atenolol may form hydrates or alcoholates, precluding complete derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride.
Gone but Not Forgotten: Lesional Memory in Psoriatic Skin

One of the most frustrating aspects of treating psoriasis is the tendency of psoriatic skin lesions to recur after therapy has been discontinued. Not only do lesions recur, but they often recur in the same anatomical locations, expanding to the size they were before therapy. This engenders feelings of frustration and futility in both patients and the dermatologists who care for them. In this issue, Suarez-Farinas and colleagues identified a gene set—the residual disease genomic profile—of psoriasis, suggesting the presence of both immunologic and structural abnormalities within healed psoriatic lesions. By understanding this “invisible lesion,” we may be one step closer to curing psoriasis.
Cell pathology in bipolar disorder.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to review findings of morphometric postmortem studies conducted on tissues from subjects with bipolar disorder (BPD) to demonstrate that impairments of cell morphology and resilience may underlie the neurobiology of BPD. Methods:Reports of alterations in number, density and size of neurons and glial cells in BPD are reviewed. Owing to the low number of postmortem studies on cellular pathology in BPD, abstracts of recent symposia are also discussed. Results and Conclusions: In BPD, significant reductions in the volume of several brain regions, as well as region- and layer-specific reductions in the number, density and/or size of neurons and glial cells have been demonstrated. Moreover, the results of recent clinical and preclinical studies investigating the molecular and cellular targets of mood stabilizing and antidepressant medications provide intriguing possibilities that impairments in neuroplasticity and cellular resilience may underlie the neurobiology of BPD. Future studies will likely examine the role of both genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis and cellular changes in BPD.
Polyarginine Molecular Weight Determines Transfection Efficiency of Calcium Condensed Complexes

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been extensively studied in polyelectrolyte complexes as a means to enhance the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Increasing the molecular weight of CPPs often enhances gene expression but poses a risk of increased cytotoxicity and immunogenicity compared to low molecular weight CCPs. Conversely, low molecular weight CPPs typically have low transfection efficiency due to large complex size. Complexes made using low molecular weight CPPs were found to be condensed to a small size by adding calcium. In this study, complexes of low molecular weight polyarginine and pDNA were condensed with calcium. These complexes showed high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity in A549 carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells. The relationships between transfection efficiency and polyarginine size (5, 7, 9, or 11 amino acids), polyarginine/pDNA charge ratios, and calcium concentrations were studied. Polyarginine 7 was significantly more effective than other ...
Spermine detection via metal-mediated ethynylarene 'turn-on' fluorescence signaling.

Abstract A dicarboxylated ethynylarene was shown to behave as a fluorescent chemosensor for millimolar concentrations of polyamines when mixed with Cd(II), Pb(II) or Zn(II) ions at micromolar concentrations. A bathochromic shift and intensification of fluorescence emission was observed with increasing amounts of metal ion in the presence of aqueous polyamines buffered at pH = 7.6. Such perturbations manifested as ‘turn-on’ signals from a ratiometric comparison of emission intensities at 390 nm versus 340 nm. Using Pb(II) as the metal mediator, spermine was selectively detected as a 40-fold signal enhancement relative to spermidine, putrescine, cadaverine and several other non-biogenic diamines. Evaluation of additional triamine and tetraamine analytes showed the influence that amine group quantity and spacing had on signal generation. By increasing the ratio of Pb(II) relative to ethynylarene, the detection limit for spermine was successfully lowered to a 25 micromolar level. Noncovalent association between ethynylarene, metal ion and polyamine are believed to promote the observed spectroscopic changes. This study exploits the subtle impact that polyamine structural identity has on transition metal chelation to define a new approach toward polyamine chemosensor development.
Lymphocyte-derived adrenocorticotropin is insufficient to stimulate adrenal steroidogenesis in hypophysectomized rats.

Cells of the immune system can produce and respond to peptide hormones associated with the endocrine system. However, the physiological significance of these endocrine-immune interactions is not known. It has been postulated that cells of the immune system, when stimulated with viruses that induce interferon-alpha, produce sufficient levels of ACTH to stimulate adrenal steroidogenesis and, thus, function as an auxiliary source of ACTH that may have a role in the response to stress. However, we have confirmed that levels of ACTH-related peptides produced by immunocompetent cells are far lower than those produced by the pituitary, raising questions about the ability of lymphocyte-derived ACTH to stimulate adrenal function. Furthermore, we have rigorously examined this issue using intact and hypophysectomized rats treated with Newcastle disease virus. Although high levels of interferon-alpha were produced by both intact and hypophysectomized rats, and the plasma corticosterone concentration increased dramati...
Towards Empirical Computer Science

Part I presents a model of interactive computation and a metric for expressiveness, Part II relates interactive models of computation to physics, and Part in considers empirical models from a philosophical perspective. Interaction machines, which extend Turing Machines to interaction, are shown in Part I to be more expressive than Turing Machines by a direct proof, by adapting Godel's incompleteness result, and by observability metrics. Observation equivalence provides a tool for measuring expressiveness according to which interactive systems are more expressive than algorithms. Refinement of function equivalence by observation of outer interactive behavior and inner computation steps is examined. The change of focus from algorithms specified by computable functions to interaction specified by observation equivalence captures the essence of empirical computer science.
Computing: an emerging profession?

Computing has been an academic and industrial discipline for barely two generations. In this time, a worldwide community numbering millions of computing practitioners has emerged. Does this community now constitute a profession of computing? If not, is it in the process of becoming a profession? Does the emergence of the engineering profession provide an analogy for computing? Useful insights can be obtained from a close look at some aspects of professionalism: academic preparation, body of knowledge, codes of ethics, and professional status.
Subtypes, Specifiers, Epicycles, and Eccentrics: Toward a More Parsimonious Taxonomy of Psychopathology

Berenbaum, Raghavan, Le, Vernon, and Gomez (2003; this issue) have performed a valuable service by articulating a taxonomy of emotional disturbance. While acknowledging that this structure has many attractive features (e.g., its inclusion of specific negative emotions such as disgust and anger), I discuss three potential problems. First, in comparison to “predominantly unpleasant” dysfunctions, little evidence supports the existence of “predominantly pleasant” disturbances in psychopathol-ogy. Second, emotional reactivity is confounded with valence, and it is unclear whether these two proposed types of disturbances actually provide independent information. Third, Berenbaum et al.'s taxonomy fails to model the behavioral substrate of emotions. I conclude by arguing that emotion-based taxonomies should be used to supplant—rather than supplement—the existing DSM framework.
Remission from alcohol and other drug problem use in public and private treatment samples over seven years.

Abstract Background The treatment of alcohol and other drugs is now more commonly framed in terms of a chronic condition which requires ongoing monitoring. A model which includes continuing access to health care may optimize outcomes. Most studies of chronic care models have not included health care and have only examined short term effects. Methods The sample ( n = 783) included consecutive admissions in ten public and private alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment programs followed over seven years. The outcome was remission which was defined as alcohol and drug abstinence or non-problem use. Results In the private sample, receiving health care services predicted remission across the seven years; however this did not occur in the public sample. More patients in the public treatment sample received AOD treatment readmissions each year, while more of those in the private sector received psychiatric and general health visits. Except for drug problem severity, there were no other clinical differences between the samples. There were no differences in the proportions of patients in the two sectors who received the full spectrum of chronic care services. In the final models, 12-step participation was markedly significant for both samples. Conclusions Models of chronic care for substance use need to consider differences between private and public treatment and should take into account that individuals may not always have access, or avail themselves of services that may optimize long-term outcomes.
Children and divorce: The child's view

Abstract In this study, 84 elementary school children whose mothers had responded to a questionnaire on their children's reactions to divorce, were interviewed to determine how they felt about the divorce and its aftermath. Where possible, comparisons were made between the children's responses and those of their mothers. The results point to the importance of the fathers in the lives of these children, despite the fact that 23% of the children were seen by their mothers as having little or no opportunity to build a relationship with their fathers. The children wished they spend more time with their fathers, looked forward to seeing them, and the overwhelming majority rated their relationships with their fathers as good or excellent. The children's perceptions differed markedly from their mothers on several issues: the atmosphere in the home prior to divorce, the intensity of the children's feelings before and after the divorce and the wisdom of divorce as an alternative. In general, mothers diminished the...
Real-time intrinsic stress generation during Volmer–Weber growth of Co by electrochemical deposition

Real time in situ stress measurements were performed during constant current electrochemical deposition of Co thin films on amorphous substrates. A three-stage compression-tension–compression-stress evolution was displayed during the growth similar to behavior that has been observed during growth of films produced by physical vapor deposition. The different stages of stress generation were correlated with morphological changes of the thin films that showed that deposition occurred by the Volmer–Weber island growth mode. Potential transients also displayed a strong correlation with the morphological changes. A bimodal island size distribution was generated that was associated with features in the stress and potential evolution.
Clinical characteristics of acute uvulitis

Previous literature has identified uvulitis as a condition with serious implications. This report details a series of 15 patients with uvulitis whose clinical features were remarkable for a relatively benign course. This is the largest series of patients with uvulitis in the literature. The predominant symptoms were related to sore throat and pain or difficulty on swallowing. No patient had significant airway or infectious complications attributable to the uvulitis. The only patient admitted to the hospital required management of an associated peritonsillar abscess. Of the 14 patients discharged, 13 (93%) were followed-up and none required further care. Seven (50%) of the discharged patients received symptomatic treatment only, whereas the others were treated with medications including antibiotics, corticosteroids, diphenhydramine, and B-agonists. Further research into the etiology and management of uvulitis is warranted.
Clinical experience using the Levitronix CentriMag system for temporary right ventricular mechanical circulatory support

Background Short-term mechanical circulatory support may be lifesaving in patients with right ventricular (RV) failure related to post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS), cardiac transplantation (CTx), and long-term therapy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This study evaluates our clinical experience using the CentriMag (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, Mass) system for temporary mechanical RV support. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 29 patients (mean age, 57 ± 14 years) in whom the CentriMag system was used for RV support from September 2005 to March 2008. Results The indication for RV support was PCCS in 7 (24%), CTx in 10 (35%), and LVAD placement in 12 (41%). The mean support time was 8 ± 8 days. The device was successfully weaned in 3 PCCS patients (43%), 7 CTx patients (70%), and 7 LVAD patients (58%). Complications included major infection (pneumonia, sepsis, or LVAD pocket infection) in 13 (45%), arrhythmia in 13 (45%), reoperation for bleeding in 10 (35%), stroke/encephalopathy in 3 (10%), and air embolism in 1 (3%). Early mortality ( Conclusions The CentriMag system provides effective temporary mechanical circulatory support for RV failure. Ease of implantation and a high rate of successful device weaning justify the use of the CentriMag system for temporary RV support.
Trends in engineering education in the USA

In the knowledge-based society of the 21st century, the critical and only sustainable competitive advantage will be to have the ability to learn faster than the competitors. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, universities must become learning organisations which are skilled at creating, acquiring and transferring knowledge, and at modifying their behaviour to reflect new knowledge and insights. To accommodate these new needs, a model for engineering education must be generated which is learning-based, practice-oriented and demands active involvement of the student.
Assessing communicative rationality as a transportation planning paradigm

Communicative rationality offers a new paradigm for transportation planning. Drawing on the literature and lessons from transportation planning practice, this paper describes the characteristics of a “communicative” form of transportation planning and compares them with conventional practices. A communicative rationality paradigm would place language and discourse at the core of transportation planning. The paper argues that it would lead to greater attention to desired transportation ends (goals), better integration of means and ends, new forms of participation and learning, and enhanced deliberative capacity. The paper explains the implications of this paradigm for the role of the transportation planner, the purpose of planning, the planning process, communicative practices, problem framing, and the nature of planning analysis. The paper concludes with an assessment of communicative rationality's ability to promote more effective transportation planning. It seeks to create a dialogue that will support the investigation of new transportation planning processes.
Three-dimensional analysis of basic formation initialization algorithms in deep space

In this paper, we consider the problem of establishing front-to-front sensor lock (FFSL) between two spacecraft when the relative trajectory is not constrained to a plane that is normal to the sunline. We then provide a detailed three-dimensional analysis of the basic formation initialization algorithm, and introduce projection operations in which establishing FFSL in 3D is effectively reduced to analysis in a plane. Finally, we provide easily testable conditions whether in-plane searching be sufficient to guarantee FFSL and discuss a situation where in-plane search fails.
Can we apply the Mendelian randomization methodology without considering epigenetic effects

Instrumental variable (IV) methods have been used in econometrics for several decades now, but have only recently been introduced into the epidemiologic research frameworks. Similarly, Mendelian randomization studies, which use the IV methodology for analysis and inference in epidemiology, were introduced into the epidemiologist's toolbox only in the last decade. Mendelian randomization studies using instrumental variables (IVs) have the potential to avoid some of the limitations of observational epidemiology (confounding, reverse causality, regression dilution bias) for making causal inferences. Certain limitations of randomized controlled trials, such as problems with generalizability, feasibility and ethics for some exposures, and high costs, also make the use of Mendelian randomization in observational studies attractive. Unlike conventional randomized controlled trials (RCTs), Mendelian randomization studies can be conducted in a representative sample without imposing any exclusion criteria or requiring volunteers to be amenable to random treatment allocation. Within the last decade, epigenetics has gained recognition as an independent field of study, and appears to be the new direction for future research into the genetics of complex diseases. Although previous articles have addressed some of the limitations of Mendelian randomization (such as the lack of suitable genetic variants, unreliable associations, population stratification, linkage disequilibrium (LD), pleiotropy, developmental canalization, the need for large sample sizes and some potential problems with binary outcomes), none has directly characterized the impact of epigenetics on Mendelian randomization. The possibility of epigenetic effects (non-Mendelian, heritable changes in gene expression not accompanied by alterations in DNA sequence) could alter the core instrumental variable assumptions of Mendelian randomization. This paper applies conceptual considerations, algebraic derivations and data simulations to question the appropriateness of Mendelian randomization methods when epigenetic modifications are present. Given an inheritance of gene expression from parents, Mendelian randomization studies not only need to assume a random distribution of alleles in the offspring, but also a random distribution of epigenetic changes (e.g. gene expression) at conception, in order for the core assumptions of the Mendelian randomization methodology to remain valid. As an increasing number of epidemiologists employ Mendelian randomization methods in their research, caution is therefore needed in drawing conclusions from these studies if these assumptions are not met.
Enteral glutamine supplementation impairs intestinal blood flow in rats.

Abstract Background Clinical studies have shown that enteral immune-enhancing diets (IEDs) containing l -glutamine decrease septic complications and length of stay in some patient populations. Animal studies suggest IED benefits might include augmented gut blood flow. We hypothesized that enteral glutamine supplementation modulates gastrointestinal blood flow. Methods Blood flow was measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats via the colorimetric microsphere technique at baseline, 60, and 120 minutes. Four groups were studied: (1) control diet (CD) + enteral glutamine; (2) CD + enteral glycine; (3) CD + enteral saline; and (4) CD + intravenous glutamine. Results There were no differences in blood pressure or heart rate in any group. Group 1 blood flow was decreased at 120 minutes compared with controls (groups 2 and 3) in small intestine, colon, spleen, and pancreas, whereas the intravenous glutamine group (group 4) had no effect on blood flow. Conclusions Enteral glutamine supplementation (as in IEDs) appears to impair gastrointestinal blood flow. Because glutamine provides energy directly to active enterocytes, enteral glutamine availability might diminish metabolic stimuli of absorptive hyperemia. This finding might partially explain the benefits observed with parenteral versus enteral glutamine supplementation in clinical studies (such as bone-marrow–transplant patients).
Genetic and hybridization evidence confirms that a geographic population of Gonatocerus morrilli (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from California is a new species: egg parasitoids of the glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca coagulata (Homoptera: Cicadellidae).

We investigated the differentiation and reproductive isolation among different geographic populations of Gonatocerus morrilli, egg parasitoids of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata), to confirm previous observations that there may exist a cryptic species complex or a new species. Two mitochondrial genes [cytochrome oxidase subunits I (COI) and II (COII)] and the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) of several individuals per population were sequenced. G. morrilli populations from Texas (TX), Florida (FL), California (CA), and an outgroup (G. ashmeadi) were analyzed. For comparison, a population from Argentina (G. annulicornis) morphologically similar to G. morrilli was also included. For all three sequence fragments, percentage sequence divergence (%D) demonstrated that both the TX and FL populations (TX/FL) were closely related and therefore determined to be the same species; in contrast, the %D between TX/FL and CA fell within the range of the outgroup, making the CA population a new species or sp. n. Neighbor-joining distance trees also clustered the TX/FL and CA populations or species into two well supported distinctive clades. The near G. morrilli sp. n. was more closely related to G. annulicornis than to the TX/FL species. Mating studies demonstrated that the populations or species from CA and TX were reproductively incompatible, producing no female offspring in both direct and reciprocal crosses; whereas, the heterogamic crosses between TX and FL produced fertile offspring and relative compatibility indices similar to the homogamic crosses. Unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility was ruled out as a cause for the lack of reproduction since both males and females were infected in equal portions with Wolbachia.
A Review of “Marketing Across Cultures”

Institutions of higher education have traditionally stressed the importance of developing future leaders with a global vision, but the heightened interest in and commitment to the internationalizat...
Amputee Mobility Predictor-Bilateral: A performance-based measure of mobility for people with bilateral lower-limb loss

The Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP) is an outcome measure designed to assess mobility and functional capabilities for people with unilateral lower-limb amputation. No comparable measure exists for those with bilateral lower-limb amputation (BLLA). The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the AMP-Bilateral (AMP-B) to measure the ability to perform functional tasks related to participation in advanced skill activities in those with BLLA and to determine whether AMP-B scores correlated with 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performance. Twenty-six male servicemembers (SMs) completed the study: 12 with bilateral transtibial amputation (BTTA), 7 with bilateral transfemoral amputation (BTFA), and 7 with combination transtibial and transfemoral amputation (TTA/TFA). Significant differences existed between the AMP-B scores (p < 0.001), AMP scores (p < 0.001), and 6MWT distance (p < 0.05) for SMs with BTTA and TTA/TFA and SMs with BTTA and BTFA but not between those with BTFA and TTA/TFA. Scoring of five AMP items was modified because they necessitate at least one intact knee joint to generate the necessary torque requirements to perform the activity without upper-limb assistance. Minor modifications in scoring of the AMP do not alter total score and allow clinicians to determine the mobility and functional capabilities of SMs with BTFA and TFA/TTA.
Characterization of deep-submicron varactor mismatches in a digitally controlled oscillator

The use of deep sub-micron CMOS processes presents several daunting challenges to the RF designers. The latest CMOS technologies, optimized for parameters suited to digital designs only, are forcing the analog and mixed-signal designers to make multi-dimensional trade-offs. In general, the lack of adequate analog device characterization and inaccurate SPICE models mandate several expensive additional design and fabrication iterations before arriving at an acceptable solution. Sometimes, the task is further complicated by the difficulty in even making reliable lab measurements due to accuracy issues caused by probing noise, minuscule device sizing, dynamic effects and loading. This paper summarizes the harmonic characterization techniques used to estimate the mismatches in the minimal size inversion-type CMOS varactors in a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The DCO is a centerpiece of the first ever all-digital phase locked loop (ADPLL) fabricated in 90 nm digital CMOS that meets the challenging GSM performance specifications. Simulation as well as lab measurements confirm that the tracking bank varactors have a better than 5.5% mismatch, thus contributing to the excellent modulation performance.
Shedding new light on a burning question

Only recently, three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) with detailed chemistry have become possible. These types of simulations will have an important impact on combustion science because of the data they provide. Obtaining similar data sets through experimental characterization is very challenging and requires joint measurements of a multitude of chemical species concentrations in addition to temperature and velocity fields. Gruber et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 658, 2010, pp. 5-32) have performed a detailed chemistry DNS to understand the physics of flame/wall interactions. They found that flames interact with streamwise vortical structures close to the wall, and that these structures can push the flame towards or away from the wall. The flames get extinguish when they are too close to the wall. Interestingly, the extinction process actually causes an order-of-magnitude increase in heat release, and therefore, strongly amplifies wall heat transfer.
Detection of Colorectal Neoplasia by Colonoscopy in Average-Risk Patients Age 40–49 Versus 50–59 Years

The USPSTF recommends beginning colorectal cancer screening at age 50. A recent study showed prevalence of colorectal adenomas among individuals aged 40–49 was similar to that among those aged 50–59. To assess the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia, detected during colonoscopy, by age among average-risk patients. Nine-hundred and ninety-four colonoscopies were analyzed (247 ages 40–49, 747 ages 50–59). We included consecutive patients of ages 40–59 undergoing their first colonoscopy. Colonoscopies that did not reach the cecum and patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer were excluded. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia by age. Secondary endpoints included the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia by gender, ethnicity, and BMI. The prevalence of colorectal neoplasia was 12.1% in patients aged 40–49 and 22.6% in those aged 50–59. Compared with individuals aged 40–49 there was a significantly greater prevalence of adenomas (chi-squared = 12.72, P = 0.0004) and of advanced adenomas or cancer (chi-squared = 5.73, P = 0.01) in individuals aged 50–59. After adjusting for gender, race, and BMI the effect of age remained significant (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.33–0.76). Higher BMI was associated with increased risk of colorectal neoplasia (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.06). The number that had to be screened to detect one advanced lesion in the 40–49 age group was 49 compared with 20 in those aged 50–59. Individuals aged 40–49 have a lower but measurable risk of colorectal neoplasia compared with those aged 50–59. Although there may be population subgroups for which screening below the age of 50 may be indicated, our results do not support lowering the age threshold for colonoscopy in the general population.
An extensible interface for QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations with AMBER

We present an extensible interface between the AMBER molecular dynamics (MD) software package and electronic structure software packages for quantum mechanical (QM) and mixed QM and classical molecular mechanical (MM) MD simulations within both mechanical and electronic embedding schemes. With this interface, ab initio wave function theory and density functional theory methods, as available in the supported electronic structure software packages, become available for QM/MM MD simulations with AMBER. The interface has been written in a modular fashion that allows straight forward extensions to support additional QM software packages and can easily be ported to other MD software. Data exchange between the MD and QM software is implemented by means of files and system calls or the message passing interface standard. Based on extensive tests, default settings for the supported QM packages are provided such that energy is conserved for typical QM/MM MD simulations in the microcanonical ensemble. Results for the free energy of binding of calcium ions to aspartate in aqueous solution comparing semiempirical and density functional Hamiltonians are shown to demonstrate features of this interface.
Venlafaxine‐Associated Vaginal Bleeding

A 41-year-old amenorrheic woman started taking venlafaxine 37.5 mg/day for treatment of depression; 7 days later, she experienced vaginal bleeding, which ceased 1 day after she stopped taking the drug. On rechallenge with venlafaxine, she again experienced vaginal bleeding that resolved after discontinuation. We found no published reports describing vaginal bleeding associated with venlafaxine. However, premarketing and postmarketing data report similar adverse effects in patients taking the agent. In addition, several cases of menstrual irregularities have occurred with two other antidepressants: fluoxetine and bupropion. This case report supports previous surveillance data indicating that venlafaxine may cause vaginal bleeding.
On the ionization produced by the gamma rays from quincy granite

With an ionization meter devised by O. H. Gish and the author, experiments were carried out to determine the average ionization produced by the penetrating rays from uranium-radium and thorium products as well as by the gamma rays from potassium contained in a very homogeneous sort of granite quarried at Quincy, Massachusetts. The uranium-radium and thorium content of this sort of granite was determined very carefully by Evans and Goodman in 1941 [see “References” at end of paper]. The potassium content was estimated as three per cent. The ionization measurements performed in the quarry in August 1945, by the author and F. A. Benedetto, and later experiments carried out with 400 lb of crushed Quincy granite at Fordham University, show that the ionization actually observed above a plane surface of granite amounts to almost 6 I, while the value computed from the known uranium-radium, thorium, and potassium content is only slightly above 2 I. Similar discrepancies were found in the laboratory experiments. These discrepancies cannot be explained by assuming that part of the excess ionization is due to secondary radiation produced by cosmic rays impinging on the surface. It must be concluded either that the reported values for the uranium-radium and thorium content are much too low, which is unlikely, or that a hitherto unknown penetrating radiation is given off by the granite.
Zinc-Binding Groups Modulate Selective Inhibition of MMPs

The need for selective matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition is of interest because of the range of pathologies mediated by different MMP isoforms. The development of more selective MMP inhibitors (MMPi) may help to overcome some of the undesired side effects that have hindered the clinical success of these compounds. In an effort to devise new approaches to selective inhibitors, herein we describe several novel MMPi and show that their selectivity is dependent on the nature of the zinc-binding group (ZBG). This is in contrast to most current MMPi, which obtain isoform selectivity solely from the peptidomimetic backbone portion of the compound. In the present study, six different hydroxypyrone and hydroxypyridinone ZBGs were appended to a common biphenyl backbone and the inhibition efficiency of each inhibitor was determined in vitro (IC(50) values) against MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, -12, and -13. The results show that the selectivity profile of each inhibitor is different as a result of the various ZBGs. Computational modeling studies were used to explain some trends in the observed selectivity profiles. To assess the importance of the ZBG in a biological model, two of the semiselective, potent MMPi (and one control) were evaluated using an isolated perfused rat heart system. Hearts were subjected to ischemia reperfusion injury, and recovery of contractile function was examined. In this model, only one of the two MMPi showed significant and sustained heart recovery, demonstrating that the choice of ZBG can have a significant effect in a relevant pathophysiological endpoint.