cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Arsenic in dried baby shrimp (Acetes sp.) using synchrotron-based X-Ray Spectrometry and LC coupled to ICP-MS/MS.

The arsenic content of dried baby shrimp (Acetes sp.) was investigated as part of an independent field study of human exposure to toxic metals/metalloids among the ethnic Chinese community located in Upstate New York. The dried baby shrimp were analyzed in a home environment using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrument based on monochromatic excitation. Study participants had obtained their dried baby shrimp either from a local Chinese market or prepared them at home. The shrimp are typically between 10–20 mm in size and are consumed whole, without separating the tail from the head. Elevated levels of As were detected using portable XRF, ranging between 5–30 μg g−1. Shrimp samples were taken to the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) for Synchrotron Radiation μXRF (SR-μXRF) elemental mapping using a 384-pixel Maia detector system. The Maia detector provided high resolution trace element images for As, Ca, and Br, (among others) and showed localized accumulation of As within the shrimp's cephalothorax (head), and various abdominal segments. As quantification by SR-μXRF was performed using a lobster hepatopancreas reference material pellet (NRC-CNRC TORT-2), with results in good agreement with both portable XRF and ICP-MS. Additional As characterization using μX-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (μXANES) with the Maia XRF detector at CHESS identified arsenobetaine and/or arsenocholine as the possible As species present. Further arsenic speciation analysis by LC-ICP-MS/MS confirmed that the majority of As (>95%) is present as the largely non-toxic arsenobetaine species with trace amounts of arsenocholine, methylated As and inorganic As species detected.
Decreasing Phosphatidylcholine on the Surface of the Lipid Droplet Correlates with Altered Protein Binding and Steatosis

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) in the liver. Here, we explore the composition of hepatic LDs in a rat model of AFLD. Five to seven weeks of alcohol consumption led to significant increases in hepatic triglyceride mass, along with increases in LD number and size. Additionally, hepatic LDs from rats with early alcoholic liver injury show a decreased ratio of surface phosphatidylcholine (PC) to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). This occurred in parallel with an increase in the LD association of perilipin 2, a prominent LD protein. To determine if changes to the LD phospholipid composition contributed to differences in protein association with LDs, we constructed liposomes that modeled the LD PC:PE ratios in AFLD and control rats. Reducing the ratio of PC to PE increased the binding of perilipin 2 to liposomes in an in vitro experiment. Moreover, we decreased the ratio of LD PC:PE in NIH 3T3 and AML12 cells by culturing these cells in choline-deficient media. We again detected increased association of specific LD proteins, including perilipin 2. Taken together, our experiments suggest an important link between LD phospholipids, protein composition, and lipid accumulation.
Staphylococcal infections in children: Part 1.

1. Anjali Jain, MD* 2. Robert S. Daum, MD* 1. 2. *Department of Pediatrics, Sections of General Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, the University of Chicago, Chicago IL. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. List the toxins and virulence factors that allow Staphylococcus aureus to be a highly virulent pathogen for children. 2. Define the important host defense mechanisms against staphylococcal infection. 3. Describe appropriate evaluation and therapy of a child who has a red and swollen eye. 4. Describe the clinical syndromes of impetigo, indicate how their etiologies differ, and delineate the appropriate diagnosis and management of each. 5. Describe the management of a febrile child who has an indwelling central venous catheter. It was more than a century ago that the Scottish surgeon Alexander Ogdson initially noticed an association between skin abscesses and an organism that formed clusters of“ berries” when seen by light microscopy. Today, we designate this organism Staphylococcus aureus , the most pathogenic of the genus Staphylococcus , and know that it is responsible for many serious community-acquired and nosocomial infections and for several more recently recognized toxin-mediated diseases. The defining characteristics of this species are the production of the extracellular enzyme coagulase and protein A. Staphylococci that do not produce these proteins are termed coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS); they were once believed to be nonpathogenic constituents of normal human bacterial flora, but we now appreciate that they also are important causes of nosocomial and urinary tract infections in children. Colonization with S aureus occurs intermittently in children; 10% to 40% are colonized, as are about 30% of adults. The most common site for colonization is the anterior nasal vestibule. Additionally, the skin, hair, nails, axillae, perineum, or vagina (in about 10% of menstruating women) may be colonized. Hospital personnel and individuals who have chronic skin conditions or medical devices (eg, indwelling catheters) have a higher rate of S aureus colonization than do individuals in the community. Unlike S aureus , CoNS colonize human skin …
Extrapolative Inflation Expectations and the Eurozone Missing Inflation Puzzle

This paper proposes a solution to the post-crisis Eurozone "missing inflation" puzzle. I demonstrate that following an initially subdued inflation, economic agents started to forecast inflation by extrapolating past inflation developments as opposed to utilizing a purely forward-looking model. I show that such a shift aggravated the decline of actual inflation through a self-fullling, deflationary spiral jointly involving actual and expected inflation. Using market-implied inflation expectations extracted from inflation derivatives between 2009 and 2016, I provide evidence in favor of the extrapolative nature of these expectations, and incorporate them within the New Keynesian framework, resulting in an extrapolative New Keynesian Phillips curve. An empirical estimation of this augmented curve confirms the need to incorporate such expectations within the baseline framework in order to describe the post-crisis dynamics of inflation in the Eurozone. Subsequently, I show that the inflation inertia created by the backward-looking nature of the extrapolative expectations counteracted the reflationary impact created by the accommodative monetary policy within the Eurozone economy. The presence of such expectations, therefore, allowed a deflationary shock to have long-lasting effects on both expected and actual inflation. The results of this paper also shed light on the recent policy debate that has sought to understand the chronically low inflation among some advanced economies despite strengthening growth.
All-Polyethylene versus Metal-Backed Tibial Components in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

All-polyethylene tibial (APT) implants were incorporated into the initial design of the first total knee arthroplasty (TKA) systems. Since then, a dynamic shift has taken place and metal-backed tibial (MBT) implants have become the gold standard in TKA. This has mostly been due to the theoretical advantages of intraoperative flexibility and improved biomechanics in addition to the heavy influence of device manufacturers. MBT implant comes not only with a higher cost but also with potential for complications such as osteolysis, backside wear, and thinning of the polyethylene insert, which were not previously seen with APT implant. The majority of studies comparing APT and MBT implants have shown no difference in clinical outcomes and survivorship. Newer studies from the past decade have begun highlighting the economic advantages of APT implant, especially in patients undergoing primary, uncomplicated TKA. Use of APT implants in younger patients and those with a body mass index > 35 has not been extensively studied, but the existing literature suggests the use of APT implant in these cohorts to be equally as acceptable. With modern implant design and instrumentation, rising utilization of TKA along with current and future economic strain on health care, the increased use of APT implant could result in massive savings without sacrificing positive patient outcomes.
Climatic adaptation in human inferior nasal turbinate morphology: Evidence from Arctic and equatorial populations.

Objectives The nasal turbinates directly influence the overall size, shape, and surface area of the nasal passages, and thus contribute to intranasal heat and moisture exchange. However, unlike the encapsulating walls of the nasal cavity, ecogeographic variation in nasal turbinate morphology among humans has not yet been established. Here we investigate variation in inferior nasal turbinate morphology in two populations from climatically extreme environments. Materials and methods Twenty-three linear measurements of the inferior turbinate, nasal cavity walls, and airway passages were collected from CT scans of indigenous modern human crania from Equatorial Africa (n = 35) and the Arctic Circle (n = 35). MANOVA and ANCOVA were employed to test for predicted regional and sex differences in morphology between the samples. Results Significant morphological differences were identified between the two regional samples, with no evidence of significant sexual dimorphism or region-sex interaction effect. Individuals from the Arctic Circle possessed superoinferiorly and mediolaterally larger inferior turbinates compared to Equatorial Africans. In conjunction with the surrounding nasal cavity walls, these differences in turbinate morphology produced airway dimensions that were both consistent with functional expectations and more regionally distinct than either skeletal component independently. Conclusion This study documents the existence of ecogeographic variation in human nasal turbinate morphology reflecting climate-mediated evolutionary demands on intranasal heat and moisture exchange. Humans adapted to cold-dry environments exhibit turbinate morphologies that enhance contact between respired air and nasal mucosa to facilitate respiratory air conditioning. Conversely, humans adapted to hot-humid environments exhibit turbinate morphologies that minimize air-to-mucosa contact, likely to minimize airflow resistance and/or facilitate expiratory heat-shedding.
Biofilm and Chronic Nonhealing Wound Infections

In this review, the author summarizes the role of biofilm formation in chronic nonhealing wound infections along with characteristics of biofilm formation, diagnosis, detection, and treatment. Because biofilms are still not clearly understood, treatment and diagnosis are currently difficult.
Functional Restoration in Lower Extremity Reconstruction

Daily walking stance benefits the health, whereas lower extremity reconstruction aims to accomplish balanced walking and posture control. If local flap or tendon transfer cannot provide the basic function, microsurgical reconstruction is indicated for bony, soft tissue, and sensation restoration. Wound repair can use every modality and can achieve varying wound coverage results. However, all reconstruction should have functional goals using either local flap or free flap to restore the lost function. With less recipient site secondary damage, microsurgery can provide healthy composite tissue with like-replaces-like approach to create more stable long-term results.
Bayesian Persuasion with Private Information

We study a model of communication and Bayesian persuasion between a sender who is privately informed and has state independent preferences, and a receiver who has preferences that depend on the unknown state. In a model with two states of the world, over the interesting range of parameters, the equilibria can be pooling or separating, but a particular novel refinement forces the pooling to be on the most informative information structure in all but one case. We also study two extensions - a model with more information structures as well as a model where the state of the world is non-dichotomous, and show that analogous results emerge.
Histologic evaluation of host immune microenvironment and its prognostic significance in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a comparative study on lymphocytic host response (LHR) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)

Abstract Background Host immune microenvironment is a key component of anti-tumoral immune response, influencing tumor progression, regression, and treatment responses. There is a need for simple and reliable histologic measurements of host immune response in routine histopathologic diagnosis. Methods The prognostic value of lymphocytic host response (LHR), a qualitative histologic grading scheme, was compared to stromal/intratumoral TIL (sTIL/iTIL) percentage, a quantitative measurement in a retrospective study of 329 patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) of 4 cm or less in size. Results High sTIL predicted improved distant recurrence free survival on univariate survival analysis and was an independent prognostic factor for better overall survival on multivariate analysis. LHR and iTIL were not associated with the risk of nodal metastasis or outcome. Conclusions sTIL appears to be a superior quantitative histologic measurement for the host immune microenvironment compared with the qualitative LHR grading scheme. sTIL is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in OTSCC.
Depth-resolved cathodoluminescence and surface photovoltage spectroscopies of gallium vacancies in β-Ga2O3 with neutron irradiation and forming gas anneals

The gallium vacancy is one of the dominant native point defects in β-Ga2O3, one that, together with its complexes, can have a major effect on free carrier densities and transport in this wide bandgap semiconductor. We used a combination of depth-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy to identify the optical and energy-level properties of these defects as well as how their defect densities and spatial distributions vary with neutron irradiation and temperature-dependent-forming gas anneals. These studies reveal optical signatures that align closely with theoretical energy-level predictions. Likewise, our optical techniques reveal variations in these defect densities that are consistent with hydrogen passivation of gallium vacancies as a function of temperature and depth from the free Ga2O3 surface. These techniques can help guide the understanding and control of dominant native point defects in Ga2O3.
Incidence of Serum Creatinine Monitoring and Outpatient Visit Follow-Up among Acute Kidney Injury Survivors after Discharge: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 20% of hospitalized patients and worsens outcomes. To limit complications, post-discharge follow-up and kidney function testing are advised. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of follow-up after discharge among AKI survivors. METHODS This was a population-based cohort study of adult Olmsted County residents hospitalized with an episode of stage II or III AKI between 2006 and 2014. Those dismissed from the hospital on dialysis, hospice, or who died within 30 days after discharge were excluded. The frequency and predictors of follow-up, defined as an outpatient serum creatinine (SCr) level or an in-person healthcare visit after discharge were described. RESULTS In the 627 included AKI survivors, the 30-day cumulative incidence of a follow-up outpatient SCr was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 76% and 83%), a healthcare visit was 82% (95% CI: 79 and 85%), or both was 70% (95% CI: 66 and 73%). At 90 days and 1 year after discharge, the cumulative incidences of meeting both follow-up criteria rose to 82 and 91%, respectively. Independent predictors of receiving both an outpatient SCr assessment and healthcare visit within 30 days included lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at discharge, higher comorbidity burden, longer length of hospitalization, and greater maximum AKI severity. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, and socioeconomic status did not predict follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with moderate to severe AKI, 30% did not have follow-up with a SCr and healthcare visit in the 30-day post-discharge interval. Follow-up was associated with higher acuity of illness rather than demographic or socioeconomic factors.
Anatomy of a nonhost disease resistance response of pea to Fusarium solani: PR gene elicitation via DNase, chitosan and chromatin alterations.

Of the multiplicity of plant pathogens in nature, only a few are virulent on a given plant species. Conversely, plants develop a rapid “nonhost” resistance response to the majority of the pathogens. The anatomy of the nonhost resistance of pea endocarp tissue against a pathogen of bean, Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli (Fsph) and the susceptibility of pea to F. solani f sp. pisi (Fspi) has been described cytologically, biochemically and molecular-biologically. Cytological changes have been followed by electron microscope and stain differentiation under white and UV light. The induction of changes in transcription, protein synthesis, expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, and increases in metabolic pathways culminating in low molecular weight, antifungal compounds are described biochemically. Molecular changes initiated by fungal signals to host organelles, primarily to the chromatin within host nuclei, are identified according to source of the signal and the mechanisms utilized in activating defense genes. The functions of some PR genes are defined. A hypothesis based on this data is developed to explain both why fungal growth is suppressed in nonhost resistance and why growth can continue in a susceptible reaction.
A New Story to Tell: The East Commons at the Georgia Tech Library

The Georgia Tech Library is transforming, one section at a time, to keep up with changes in library use and perception that have accompanied the digital revolution. Four years ago, we renovated a study area and created a computer lab dedicated to student productivity. Our attendance numbers jumped, and we started staying open overnight during the school week. As we kept the library open longer, we realized that the students needed better study spaces if they were going to stay in the library for hours on end. With “Library as Place” and “Libraries Designed for Learning” (recent CLIR publications) and student focus groups as our guides, we explored what would make a great study space in a modern research library, as well as what kind of space would help us test our own ideas on how to support student productivity, creativity, and success. We asked the students what they wanted and needed, and they had a lot to tell us. While they were glad to get the essential computer terminals, they needed more — resources to help them through long days of studying and to keep their minds and bodies refreshed. Students were working more and more in groups as class styles changed, and our group-study areas were old and unappealing. The narrative the students described for us was simple: “I spend more time in the library than anywhere else. I want to be as comfortable and productive as possible.”
The IceT Environment for Parallel and Distributed Computing

The current programming models, tools and environments associated with Internet programming and parallel, high-performance distributed computing have remained isolated from one another. The focus of the IceT project has been to bring together the common and unique attributes of these areas. The result is a confluence of technologies in a parallel programming environment with several novel characteristics. The result provides users with a parallel, multi-user, distributed programming environment; upon which processes and data are allowed to migrate and to be transfered throughout owned and unowned resources, under security measures imposed by owners of the local resources.
The Gram‐Negative Bacteria‐Binding Protein gene family: Its role in the innate immune system of Anopheles gambiae and in anti‐Plasmodium defence

Gram-negative bacteria-binding proteins (GNBPs) are pattern recognition receptors which contribute to the defensive response against Plasmodium infection in Anopheles. We have characterized the GNBP gene family in Anopheles gambiae at the molecular level, and show that they are functionally diverse components of the A. gambiae innate immune system. GNBPB4 is a major factor in the defence against a broad range of pathogens, while the other GNBPs have narrower defence specificities. GNBPB4 is associated with the regulation of immune signalling pathways and was found to interact with the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and weakly co-localized with Plasmodium berghei ookinetes in the mosquito midgut epithelium.
Global Pension Fund Activism

Public pension funds, as some of the world’s largest institutional investors, can command substantial ownership and influence over corporate governance and strategy. This influence can extend to shareholder activism, and can be at odds with other corporate owners. This study analyzes the role of the largest public pension systems in corporate activism in North America, Western Europe and Asia. The paper compares formal fund guidelines for socially responsible investing and ownership, along with shareholder actions such as proxy proposals, class action lawsuits and communication with corporate management. In addition, the study considers possible contradictions between public pension activism and the retirement funds’ dependence from the government sponsor. Implications for India’s civil service pension funds are considered.
Risk factors for early disability pension in patients with epilepsy and vocational difficulties — Data from a specialized rehabilitation unit

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for early disability pension (EDP) in adult patients with epilepsy in a specialized epilepsy rehabilitation setting. Methods In a retrospective study, 246 patients with epilepsy and employment difficulties leading to referral to an inpatient rehabilitation unit were evaluated with a questionnaire on admission and after a mean of 2.5 years after discharge. Patients already receiving EDP at baseline were excluded. Epilepsy-related, demographic, and employment-related data as well as cognitive functioning and psychiatric comorbidity were assessed as risk factors for EDP at follow-up and analyzed using logistic regression models. Results Seventy-six percent of the patients had uncontrolled epilepsy, and 66.7% had psychiatric comorbidity. At follow-up, 33.7% received an EDP. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, age > 50 years (odds ratio (OR) 5.44, compared to age 3 months in the previous year (OR 3.30, compared to sickness absence Conclusions Potential risk factors for EDP in patients with epilepsy were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Knowledge of such factors may help to develop appropriate criteria for rehabilitation candidacy and interventions to reduce the risk for EDP. This might lead to an amelioration of both psychosocial burden of patients and economic burden on society.
Ounces of Prevention and Pounds of Cure: Developing Sound Policies for Environmental Compliance Programs

In the 1990s, when criminal enforcement of American environmental statutes became more widespread, and the consequences of violations potentially more severe, the creation of effective environmental compliance programs became a priority for the regulated community. In previous years, creation of such programs could have been viewed merely as a responsible option to assist corporations in achieving or maintaining reputations as good corporate citizens.However, when the 1990s ushered in increased criminal prosecution of environmental violators, the stakes were raised significantly and the motives for creating environmental compliance plans changed. Such plans became important not only as a way to prevent the occurrence of environmental harm, but also as a method of decreasing the criminal consequences of future occurrences.Unfortunately, however, while much attention has been paid to the beneficial legal consequences of compliance plans for those who implement them, the more crucial question has received less attention: What is the actual impact of compliance plans on the avoidance of harmful environmental consequences? While it would be naive at best, and foolhardy at worst, to discount the legitimate legal benefits for creating a compliance plan, these rewards should not be the exclusive reason for doing so. The policies created to encourage such compliance should be carefully evaluated to ensure that they include adequate incentives not merely to comply with the law, but also to benefit the environment.This Article examines the federal policies currently in place to benefit organizations that adopt compliance plans. Parts I and II will explore those benefits at two stages of an environmental criminal action: case selection and sentencing. Parts III and IV will then postulate that while these policies are the beginning of a good effort to promote compliance plans they must be refocused. To gain the most environmental benefit, the policies creating incentives for environmental compliance must center on the goal of preventing environmental harm. American environmental policy has been moving from a command-and-control enforcement philosophy toward one that focuses more heavily on encouraging legal compliance. This is a wise move, but it must continue to shift the emphasis from mere legal compliance to real pollution prevention and outcome-oriented environmental improvement. The Article will conclude by suggesting that this goal can be achieved only if the concept of a “compliance plan” is broadened to emphasize and reward initiatives with a direct positive impact on the environment.Although 15 years have passed from the publication of this article, the conflicting public policy issues it tackled continue to challenge environmental enforcement experts to this day.
Framing M4D: The Utility of Continuity and the Dual Heritage of "Mobiles and Development"

The paper suggests that research on the role of mobile telephony for socioeconomic development (M4D) draws on two frames. One frame stresses the relative freedom of telephone users to do whatever they choose. The other stresses how technologies and technology-led interventions are embedded in recursive, context specific relationships with user communities. Together these frames support M4D’s “dual heritage”. After detailing current M4D archetypes representing each heritage, the paper introduces a conceptual and practical synthesis, that is, large-scale platforms for distributed, semi-constrained interaction. This paper considers two examples of such platforms—MXit, South Africa’s mobile social networking service and M-PESA, Kenya’s mobile money transfer system—including both anticipated and unanticipated consequences of operating “at scale” and beyond the confines of a controlled M4D intervention. Finally, this paper introduces implications of the dual heritage and of the rise of hybrid platforms for research and practice.
Abstract 1854: P16 immunoreactivity in endocervical tubo-endometrial metaplasia (TEM) and correlation with high risk HPV (HRHPV) status by chromogenic in-situ hybridization (HPV-CISH) and hybrid capture 2 assay

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background Several studies have shown that endocervical TEM can intensively over express p16 and involve more than 50% of the cells. It could be speculated that TEM may be a precursor lesion of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasm. The aim of this study is to evaluate endocervical TEM p16 overexpression pattern and further investigate its potential driven mechanisms by correlating with HRHPV status. Method Our search included cervical biopsy, LEEP, conization with TEM diagnosis from January 2005-May 2013. Only cases with concurrent Pap smear with HRHPV testing were selected. HRHPV detected in liquid based cytology is by Hybrid Capture 2 Assay. Surgical specimens containing concurrent squamous dysplasia were excluded due to potential confounding by HRHPV positivity in dysplastic squamous epithelium. P16 stain was performed and graded as negative, focal+ ( 50% cytoplasmic and nuclear stain). HRHPV data was collected from Pap reports. HPV-CISH assays will be performed for all cased with positive HRHPV detected in liquid based cytology. Result: Our search generated 159 cases with TEM. Only 81 cases had concurrent Pap smear with HRHPV testing. 48 cases were excluded due to squamous dysplasia. A total of 33 patients with an age range of 20-59 were available for the study. Twenty nine out of 33 had negative HRHPV in liquid based cytology; in which, p16 stain results as: 8/29 negative, 14/29 focally +. 7/29 diffusely +. Four out of 33 had positive HRHPV detected in liquid based cytology; in which, p16 stain results as: 1/4 negative, 3/4 diffusely +. HPV-CISH assays were performed in all 4 cases and they were negative. Conclusions P16 overexpression in TEM can be intense and involve more than 50% of the cells but the pattern is heterogenous and positivity never involves 100% of the cells. Neither HPV-CISH nor Hybrid Capture 2 Assay detects HRHPV in TEM. P16 overexpression in TEM is most likely HRHPV-independent mechanisms. . Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Shobhana Talukdar, Gomez-Gelvez Juan, Thomas E Buekers, Ziying Zhang. P16 immunoreactivity in endocervical tubo-endometrial metaplasia (TEM) and correlation with high risk HPV (HRHPV) status by chromogenic in-situ hybridization (HPV-CISH) and hybrid capture 2 assay. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1854. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1854
Sunspots and solar radiation

Pending a thorough revision of all solar-constant observations made at the Smithsonian station at Montezuma, Chile, certain small errors of scale have come to light. Corresponding corrections have been applied to the list of provisional monthly mean observations, 1918 to 1926. A fairly close correlation exists between the variation of the “solar constant of radiation” and the Wolfer sunspot numbers. Higher solar radiation attends larger sunspot numbers. The relation is not linear. More rapid changes of radiation accompany changes at times of low absolute numbers. At high numbers the change tends to be asymptotic.
N-3 fatty acid rich triglyceride emulsions are neuroprotective after cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal mice.

We questioned if acute administration of n-3 fatty acids (FA) carried in n-3 rich triglyceride (TG) emulsions provides neuroprotection in neonatal mice subjected to hypoxic-ischemic (H/I) brain injury. We examined specificity of FA, optimal doses, and therapeutic windows for neuroprotection after H/I. H/I insult was induced in C57BL/6J 10-day-old mice by right carotid artery ligation followed by exposure to 8% O2 for 15 minutes at 37°C. Intraperitoneal injection with n-3-rich TG emulsions, n-6 rich TG emulsions or saline for control was administered at different time points before and/or after H/I. In separate experiments, dose responses were determined with TG containing only docosahexaenoic acid (Tri-DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (Tri-EPA) with a range of 0.1–0.375 g n-3 TG/kg, administered immediately after H/I insult. Infarct volume and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were measured. Treatment with n-3 TG emulsions both before- and after- H/I significantly reduced total infarct volume by a mean of 43% when administered 90 min prior to H/I and by 47% when administered immediately after H/I. In post-H/I experiments Tri-DHA, but not Tri-EPA exhibited neuroprotective effects with both low and high doses (p<0.05). Moreover, delayed post-H/I treatment with Tri-DHA significantly decreased total infarct volume by a mean of 51% when administered at 0 hr, by 46% at 1 hr, and by 51% at 2 hr after H/I insult. No protective effect occurred with Tri-DHA injection at 4 hr after H/I. There were no n-3 TG related differences in CBF. A significant reduction in brain tissue death was maintained after Tri-DHA injection at 8 wk after the initial brain injury. Thus, n-3 TG, specifically containing DHA, is protective against H/I induced brain infarction when administered up to 2 hr after H/I injury. Acute administration of TG-rich DHA may prove effective for treatment of stroke in humans.
Development of a method for determination of the malondialdehyde-deoxyguanosine adduct in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract A procedure is described for the quantification of the major malondialdehyde deoxyguanosine adduct, pyrimido[1,2-α]purin-10(3H)-one-deoxyribose (M1GdR) in urine. M1GdR is isolated from urine by a combination of C18 solid-phase extraction and immunoaffinity chromatography. Sodium borohydride treatment reduces M1GdR to the 5,6-dihydro derivative, which is quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Authentic [7,9 - 15 N ,8 - 13 C ] M 1 GdR is added to urine as an internal standard. A detection limit of 50 fmol M1GdR/ml urine is achieved starting with 5 ml of urine. Analysis of urine samples from control rats or rats treated with CCl4 indicates that the levels of M1GdR are below the detection limit of the assay. This method is easily adaptable to the analysis of M1GdR in DNA samples or biological fluids.
Coseismic Electromagnetic Field Due to the Electrokinetic Effect

In the earth’s crust, an electromagnetic (EM) field may be generated spontaneously by a seismic wave through a variety of mechanoelectromagnetic transducer mechanisms, such as the piezomagnetic effect, the piezoelectric effect, the electrokinetic effect, and the EM induction (the movement of an electrically conducting crust through a geomagnetic field). The coseismic EM field contains information about the structure and physical parameters of the crust, which complements that which can be obtained by purely seismic or purely EM methods. The magnitude, direction, and polarization of this field depend on the origin of the source, the type of seismic wave, and the geometry of the crust. Of the possible mechanisms mentioned above, the electrokinetic effect produces the largest magnitude of coseismic EM field. Detailed theoretical and computational calculations of the electric and magnetic fields, thus induced by a Rayleigh wave, were obtained. Several typical models of heterogeneity were considered, including horizontally stratified layers and fault like heterogeneities. We determined that the polarization and spatial distribution of the electric and magnetic fields arising from the electrokinetic effect are very specific and distinguishable from the fields generated by other sources. The expected magnitudes of electric and magnetic fields were large enough to be detected by conventional sensors and specific enough to be separated from the noise. The results obtained can be used for the interpretation of electric and magnetic disturbances observed during an earthquake and for prospecting the earth’s upper crust from depths of a few meters to a few kilometers.
Marine viruses exploit their host's two-component regulatory system in response to resource limitation.

Summary Phosphorus (P) availability, which often limits productivity in marine ecosystems, shapes the P-acquisition gene content of the marine cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus [1–4] and its viruses (cyanophages) [5, 6]. As in other bacteria, in Prochlorococcus these genes are regulated by the PhoR/PhoB two-component regulatory system that is used to sense and respond to P availability and is typical of signal transduction systems found in diverse organisms [7]. Replication of cyanophage genomes requires a significant amount of P, and therefore these phages could gain a fitness advantage by influencing host P acquisition in P-limited environments. Here we show that the transcription of a phage-encoded high-affinity phosphate-binding protein gene ( pstS ) and alkaline phosphatase gene ( phoA )—both of which have host orthologs—is elevated when the phages are infecting host cells that are P starved, relative to P-replete control cells. We further show that the phage versions of these genes are regulated by the host's PhoR/PhoB system. This not only extends this fundamental signaling mechanism to viruses but is also the first example of regulation of lytic phage genes by nutrient limitation in the host. As such, it reveals an important new dimension of the intimate coevolution of phage, host, and environment in the world's oceans.
Test Chip Electrical Measurements with Model Correlation

An integrated circuit device developed through a JEDEC standards committee with multiple, selectable, and controllable CMOS output drivers is installed in a complex plastic ball grid array package with multiple power and ground planes. A specialized circuit board is designed and used to mount the package and loads, to facilitate device control from an external signal source, and to provide output measurement ports. Measurements of simultaneous switching noise (SSN) are made under various conditions of the test chip operation, measurement points, and ground port configurations. The switching characteristics of the output drivers are shown to depend on the configuration of the package connections and the number of active outputs. Computer models of the system were generated and the data are compared to the measured values. Good correlation with models is observed to be highly dependant on using accurate driver switching characteristics.
Identification of the histidyl residue of rabbit muscle aldolase alkylated by N-bromoacetylethanolamine phosphate

Summary The site-specific reagent N -bromoacetylethanolamine phosphate has previously been shown to inactivate aldolase by alkylation of an essential histidyl residue. To determine the position of this residue in the primary sequence, we have isolated the labeled peptides in tryptic digests of aldolase after its inactivation by 14C reagent. Two peptides, which contain the histidine derivative and have apparently identical amino acid compositions, are obtained. These peptides lack Arg and Lys, and thus appear to be derived from the C -terminal portion of the aldolase molecule. This assumption is confirmed by carboxypeptidase digestion of the modified aldolase and the purified peptides. Thus, the histidyl residue alkylated by the reagent is the one adjacent to the penultimate residue. The finding that two peptides arise from the C-terminal region is consistent with the previous finding that in the α subunits the penultimate residue is Asn and in the β subunits is Asp.
Molecular properties of cis,cis-muconate cycloisomerase from Pseudomonas putida.

Abstract cis,cis-Muconate cycloisomerase (cis,cis-muconate lactonizing enzyme, EC 5.5.1.1.) was purified in crystalline form from Pseudomonas putida. Ultracentrifugation studies, as well as gel filtration chromatography and electrophoresis, indicate that the enzyme is an oligomeric protein of molecular weight 252,000 (s20,w 12.20 × 10−13 s), which is built of six homologous protomers of molecular weight 42,000. Studies of enzyme crystals and enzyme molecules in the electron microscope suggest that the cis,cis-muconate cycloisomerase is a hexamer in which the six protomers are arranged in a dihedral point-group symmetry 32 (D3). Each protomer has a diameter of 42.5Aand six protomers are associated in a structure with a trigonal antiprismatic geometry (a hexamer D3 octahedron). This model could account for the dimensions most frequently observed by negative staining of the enzyme in solution. A model for the three-dimensional structure of enzyme crystals in which each hexameric enzyme molecule is surrounded by eight neighbouring enzyme molecules, is described.
Relative foster care: An emerging trend in foster care placement policy and practice

Abstract Increases in the foster child population, at a time when terminations in foster care placement have decreased along with a decline in the number of non‐related foster parents, has resulted in an increasing use of relative foster care placement. Relative care as an emerging trend in foster care placement, is not without controversy. Its merits, however, should be assessed in terms of its benefits to the children in care, the fiscal and organizational costs, and the problems it creates for the child welfare system. This paper reviews what is known about the characteristics of relative caregivers and the children in their care. Federal and state policies that affect the use of relatives as an alternative placement resource for children are described. The available data regarding the length of time in placement, number of placements, physical, mental health and educational and permanency outcomes for children placed with relatives are discussed. Implications for practice are drawn and areas for furth...
A Computerized Quantitative Procedure for Modeling and Predicting Human Capabalities

Equations, or models, which describe trends of experimental data are frequently used by ergonomists and human factors specialists to predict human capabilities. Advance knowledge of what people can do, or how they will respond to a set of conditions, permits efficient job and workplace design and safe matching of individuals with tasks. This paper describes a heuristic technique which can be used to model complex human responses. This relatively new method is more efficient than the traditional stepwise regression analysis and utilizes existing software for model development. Language: en
Poverty, Primary Care and Age-Specific Mortality*

ABSTRACT: An important area of concern among rural health researchers and policy analysts is the social and ecological correlates of mortality levels. This research is concerned with the empirical relationship between the prevalence of poverty and the mortality experience of different age groups within the population. Poverty is viewed as a characteristic ofthe social organization of local areas and operationalized by employing several indicators, including a measure of rurality. The empirical results indicate that the magnitude of the association between the prevalence of poverty and mortality varies among different age groups. The impact of rurality, while being consistently positive, is shown to be statistically nonsignificant. The research also shows that the availability of primary care is associated with lower mortality.
Wide baseline matching through homographic transformation

This work discusses the wide baseline matching problem where the camera parameters are known up to an error factor and the ground surface is considered planar. Junctions of different shapes and orientations are detected. Homographic correlation, an invariant measure to projective transformation, is utilized using reconstructed planes made of detected junctions. Two variants of homographic correlation are proposed showing that this approach outperforms non-homographic correlation.
Anatomical Mapping of White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH) Exploring the Relationships Between Periventricular WMH, Deep WMH, and Total WMH Burden

Background and Purpose— MRI segmentation and mapping techniques were used to assess evidence in support of categorical distinctions between periventricular white matter hyperintensities (PVWMH) and deep WMH (DWMH). Qualitative MRI studies generally identify 2 categories of WMH on the basis of anatomical localization. Separate pathophysiologies and behavioral consequences are often attributed to these 2 classes of WMH. However, evidence to support these empirical distinctions has not been rigorously sought. Methods— MRI analysis of 55 subjects included quantification of WMH volume, mapping onto a common anatomical image, and spatial localization of each WMH voxel. WMH locations were then divided into PVWMH and DWMH on the basis of distance from the lateral ventricles and correlations, with total WMH volume determined. Periventricular distance histograms of WMH voxels were also calculated. Results— PVWMH and DWMH were highly correlated with total WMH (R2>0.95) and with each other (R2>0.87). Mapping of all W...
A method for facilitating endoscopic diagnosis of esophageal varices and gastric lesions.

The use of an endotracheal cuff on the esophagoscope improves the visualization and accuracy of diagnosis of esophageal varices. The addition of a modified endotracheal cuff to the flexible gastroscope with a movable tip enhances visualization of the lesser curvature of the antrum and of the pylorus. It is also of assistance in examining the posterior wall and the cardia of the stomach.
Antithrombotic benefit of subendothelium-bound urokinase: an experimental study.

To improve the outcome of extremity replantation, microsurgeons have administered systemic antithrombotic agents (e.g., heparin, aspirin, dextran). To obviate the risks associated with systemic anticoagulation, we have investigated the use of topically applied urokinase for its binding capacity to arterial subendothelium and for its ability to prevent subsequent thrombosis. An arterial model of thrombosis associated with intimal deendothelialization was developed. Donor rat carotid arteries were everted and mechanically deendothelialized with a scalpel blade. The vessels were next subjected to one of several treatments, which included 30-minute incubation with urokinase, heparin, or vehicle (lactated Ringer's solution). The vessels were then washed, reinverted to normal orientation, sectioned into 5 mm lengths, and grafted into the femoral arteries of recipient rats. Two-hour patency rates were 25% for controls (n = 20), 10% for heparin-treated vessels (n = 10), and 55% for urokinase-treated vessels (n = 20); this last was significantly greater than the other two groups. In vitro investigations revealed that urokinase has a high capacity for binding to subendothelium, with a release half-life of approximately 20 minutes. Surface-bound urokinase was found to have proteolytic activity similar to that of urokinase in solution. These results indicate that urokinase may be a more beneficial irrigating solution additive than heparin for repair of traumatized vessels.
Modeling of rare-earth element partitioning between particles and solution in aquatic environments

We have modeled the partitioning of rare earth elements (REEs) between O-donor surface groups and aqueous solutions with a simple thermodynamic treatment. Our model predicts that the Lanormalized ratios of adsorbed to dissolved REEs depend primarily on the first hydroxide binding constants of the REEs, their first and second carbonate complexing constants, and the ionic strength and carbonate concentration of the solution. For modern and for ancient seawater, we predict an overall light REE (LREE) enrichment of surfaces relative to coexisting aqueous solutions and a positive Eu anomaly in the adsorbed component. The REE pattern of average modem ocean water can be explained quantitatively if the oceans are equilibrated with particle surfaces having REE patterns similar to average upper continental crust. Applying our treatment to the REE patterns of sediments from the Archean Hamersley-basin iron formation, we show that the observed positive Eu anomalies and LREE depletions of these rocks can be qualitatively accounted for if a significant fraction of the REEs in these rocks were initially present as an adsorbed component equilibrated with Archean ocean water that had no Eu anomaly. This suggests that the sources of REEs in the Archean ocean could have been dominantly continental as they are today and that the observed positive Eu anomalies of banded iron formations need not be inherited from the aqueous solutions from which they were deposited and do not necessarily indicate a significant ocean hydrothermal component in these solutions.