cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The preparation of a sarcolemmal fraction from evacuated muscle slices.

A novel procedure is described for preparing a plasma membrane fraction from skeletal muscle (e.i., sarcolemma). The procedure entails evacuating the myoplasm from muscle slices as a preliminary step to homogenization and fractionation. The evacuated muscle slices are composed of a stroma-containing sarcolemma, which is then homogenized and fractionated, utilizing a sequence of differential and discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugations. On the basis of electron microscopy, selective enzyme markers and alpha-bungarotoxin binding in innervated and denervated muscles, the fraction most enriched with sarcolemma is recovered from the 0.5/0.7 M interface of a discontinuous sucrose gradient.
Functional strain as a determinant for bone remodeling

Mechanical function has always been acknowledged to have a significant, continuing but hitherto unquantified influence on bone remodeling. The structural objective of this relationship is presumably to ensure that, at each location throughout the skeleton, there is sufficient bone tissue, appropriately placed, to withstand functional load-bearing without damage. The architectural modifications necessary to achieve and maintain this structural competence are made by the coordinated remodeling activity of populations of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The specific structure-function objectives at each location remain undefined, as are the mechanisms by which tissue loading is transduced into cellular control. The remodeling responses following a variety of experimental alterations in bones' strain environment are presented. Their significance to the process of remodeling control is discussed, and a scheme for the interaction of mechanical and hormonal influences proposed.
Calibrated multichannel electronic interferometry for quantitative flow visualization

Calibrated multichannel electronic interferometry, a new technique for quantitative flow visualization of transient phenomena, is discussed. This technique uses an interferometer combined with diffraction gratings to generate three phase shifted interferograms simultaneously which are used to perform multichannel phase shifting. The optical system is calibrated with no phase object present using standard piezoelectric phase shifting, and this calibration information is stored as an electro-optic hologram. The calibration information is used along with the three phase-shifted interferograms that exist with a phase object present to perform time-resolved phase shifting. Examples using natural convection and separated flows are presented.
Application of quaternary logic to the design of a proposed discrete cosine transform chip

Advantages of multiple-valued logic (MVL), such as reduced numbers of signal lines and increased functional density, are often accompanied by the disadvantage of reduced raw speed of operation. In some design situations, clock and throughput speeds are set by the application or design strategy. In such a situation, it may be possible to exploit the advantages of MVL without incurring the speed penalty. In this paper, we describe the design of a pipelined mathematical transform chip that can use MVL circuitry without speed penalty, requiring approximately 175% less silicon area than an all-binary version. CMOS quaternary threshold logic circuits are used in the design of the instruction memory and multiplier sections of the proposed single-chip implementation of a unified discrete cosine transform/ inverse discrete cosine transform (DCT/IDCT) architecture. This proposed MVL CMOS DCT/IDCT chip is projected to be capable of real-time processing of 10MHz video signals. In this paper, the unified DCT/IDCT arch...
Differential Tks5 Isoform Expression Contributes to Metastatic Invasion of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths, yet the molecular mechanisms that drive metastatic spread remain poorly understood. Here we report that Tks5, which has been linked to the formation of proteolytic cellular protrusions known as invadopodia, undergoes an isoform switch during metastatic progression in a genetically engineered mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma. Nonmetastatic primary tumor-derived cells predominantly expressed a short isoform, Tks5short, while metastatic primary tumor- and metastasis-derived cells acquired increased expression of the full-length isoform Tks5long. This elevation of Tks5long to Tks5short ratio correlated with a commensurate increase in invadopodia activity in metastatic cells compared with nonmetastatic cells. Further characterization of these isoforms by knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrated that Tks5long promoted invadopodia in vitro and increased metastasis in transplant models and an autochthonous model of lung adenocarcinoma. Conversely, Tks5short decreased invadopodia stability and proteolysis, acting as a natural dominant-negative inhibitor to Tks5long. Importantly, high Tks5long and low Tks5short expressions in human lung adenocarcinomas correlated with metastatic disease and predicted worse survival of early stage patients. These data indicate that tipping the Tks5 isoform balance to a high Tks5long to Tks5short ratio promotes invadopodia-mediated invasion and metastasis.
Ultrasound-guidance vs. standard technique in difficult vascular access patients by ED technicians.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of emergency department technicians' (EDT) use of ultrasound (US) guided peripheral intravenous (PIV) access compared to the traditional approach on a subset of patients with difficult IV access. Methods: We enrolled a convenience sample of 75 ED patients with difficult IVaccess (at least 2 failed PIVattempts). During phase I, EDTs used the standard technique. EDTs then attended a didactic session on ultrasound guided PIVaccess of the upper extremity. In phase II, the EDTs used US guidance for PIV access. Outcome measures were successful PIV cannulation by an EDT, time to cannulation, medical doctor (MD) or registered nurseRN intervention, complications, patient satisfaction, and number of skin punctures. Results: Successful cannulation rates were similar (US: 33/41, 80.5%; traditional technique: 24/34, 70.6%) (difference: 9.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -9.3%, 29.1%). US was 2.0 times faster (CI 1.3, 3.1), required less MD/RN intervention (7.3% vs. 20.6%) (difference: 13.3%; CI: -2.5, 30.2%), had fewer complications (41.5% vs. 64.7%, difference: 23.3%; CI 0.6%, 42.7%) and skin punctures (1.6 vs. 3.6; difference: 2.0; CI: 1.6, 2.7), and improved patient satisfaction from 4.4 to 7.7 cm (P-value = .0001). Conclusions: Following a brief US training for PIV access, EDTs showed similar success rates but US had significantly improved speed and patient satisfaction with fewer skin punctures and complications.
Agent-Based Models and Microsimulation

Agent-based models (ABMs) are computational models used to simulate the actions and interactions of agents within a system. Usually, each agent has a relatively simple set of rules for how he or she responds to his or her environment and to other agents. These models are used to gain insight into the emergent behavior of complex systems with many agents, in which the emergent behavior depends upon the micro-level behavior of the individuals. ABMs are widely used in many fields, and this article reviews some of those applications. However, as relatively little work has been done on statistical inference for such models, this article also points out some of those gaps and recent strategies to address them.
Tumors and Pseudotumors of the Secondary Müllerian System: Review With Emphasis on Cross-Sectional Imaging Findings

OBJECTIVE. Microscopic structures lined by mullerian epithelium are frequently seen outside the uterus and fallopian tubes and are termed “mullerian rests” or “secondary mullerian system.” Varied entities ranging from benign endosalpingosis to highly malignant ovarian tumors are thought to be derived from the secondary mullerian system. Cross-sectional imaging findings of diseases and disorders of the secondary mullerian system are presented here.CONCLUSION. Familiarity with a wide spectrum of diseases and disorders of the secondary mullerian system allows accurate diagnosis and management.
Increased synaptic sprouting in response to estrogen via an apolipoprotein E-dependent mechanism: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

Estrogen replacement therapy appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the mechanisms for this action are incompletely known. We show how the enhancement of synaptic sprouting by estradiol (E 2 ) in response to an entorhinal cortex (EC) lesion model of AD may operate via an apolipoprotein E (apoE)-dependent mechanism. In wild-type (WT) mice, ovariectomy decreased commissural/associational sprouting to the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, with synaptophysin (SYN) as a marker. E 2 replacement returned SYN in the inner layer to levels of EC-lesioned, ovary-bearing controls and increased the area of compensatory synaptogenesis in the outer molecular layer. In EC-lesioned apoE-knock-out (KO) mice, however, E 2 did not enhance sprouting. We also examined apoJ (clusterin) mRNA, which is implicated in AD by its presence in senile plaques, its transport of Aβ across the blood–brain barrier, and its induction by neurodegenerative lesioning. ApoJ mRNA levels were increased by E 2 replacement in EC-lesioned WT mice but not in apoE-KO mice. These data suggest a mechanism for the protective effects of estrogens on AD and provide a link between two important risk factors in the etiology of AD, the apoE e4 genotype and an estrogen-deficient state. This is also the first evidence that SYN, a presynaptic protein involved in neurotransmitter release, is regulated by E 2 in the adult brain, and that apoE is necessary for the induction of apoJ mRNA by E 2 in brain injury.
The American News Media in an Increasingly Unequal Society

For the last third of a century, America's economy and politics have been changing drastically, but the news media that are aimed at the so-called popular or mass audience have not taken very much notice, which, in turn, has impaired what journalists and the news media can do for democracy. This article describes some of the reasons why the news media must also change and proposes several innovations in the content and formatting of the news.
Effect of Higher-Mode Interference on Measurements and Models of Fundamental-Mode Surface-Wave Dispersion

Abstract Observations of fundamental-mode Love- and Rayleigh-wave dispersion provide some of the strongest constraints on the elastic structure of the upper mantle including lateral variations in radial anisotropy. However, estimates of the phase speed of fundamental-mode Love waves can easily be contaminated by the presence of overtones with similar group speeds if special care is not taken in the measurement procedure. Here, we evaluate the ability of modern measurement techniques to obtain unbiased fundamental-mode dispersion estimates and examine maps constructed using such data for artifacts caused by overtone contamination. We focus on the measurement approach of Ekstrom et al. (1997), which has been used to produce large datasets employed by many authors and which shares key characteristics with other commonly used approaches. We find that errors introduced by overtone interference are generally small in individual measurements compared with typical signal amplitudes. We find no systematic bias in the resulting phase-velocity models and conclude that recently observed differences in radial anisotropy beneath continents and oceans are unlikely to result from measurement biases caused by higher-mode interference.
Poldip2, a novel regulator of Nox4 and cytoskeletal integrity in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Rationale: NADPH oxidases (Noxes) regulate vascular physiology and contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the interactions of individual Nox homologs with regulatory proteins are poorly defined. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify novel NADPH oxidase regulatory proteins. Methods and Results: Using a yeast 2-hybrid screen, we identified a novel p22phox binding partner, Poldip2, and demonstrated that it associates with p22phox, NADPH oxidase (Nox)1, and Nox4 and colocalizes with p22phox at sites of Nox4 localization. Poldip2 increases Nox4 enzymatic activity by 3-fold and positively regulates basal reactive oxygen species production in VSMCs (O2·−: 86.3±15.6% increase; H2O2: 40.7±4.5% increase). Overexpression of Poldip2 activates Rho (180.2±24.8% increase), strengthens focal adhesions, and increases stress fiber formation. These phenotypic changes are blocked by dominant negative Rho. In contrast, depletion of either Poldip2 or Nox4 r...
Radionuclide imaging of musculoskeletal infection

Radionuclide imaging studies are routinely used to evaluate patients suspected of having musculoskeletal infection. Three-phase bone imaging is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and very accurate in the setting of otherwise normal bone. Labeled leukocyte imaging should be used in cases of "complicating osteomyelitis" such as prosthetic joint infection. This test also is useful in clinically unsuspected diabetic pedal osteomyelitis as well as in the neuropathic joint. It is often necessary, however, to perform complementary bone marrow imaging, to maximize the accuracy of labeled leukocyte imaging. In contrast to other regions in the skeleton, labeled leukocyte imaging is not useful for diagnosing spinal osteomyelitis. At the moment, gallium is the preferred radionuclide procedure for this condition and is a useful adjunct to magnetic resonance imaging. FDG-PET likely will play an important role in the evaluation of musculoskeletal infection, especially spinal osteomyelitis, and may replace gallium imaging for this purpose.
A new class of chromatic filters for color image processing. theory and applications

This paper advances a new framework for chromatic filtering of color images. The chromatic content of a color image is encoded in the CIE u'v' chromaticity coordinates whereas the achromatic content is encoded as CIE Y tristimulus value. Within the u'v' chromaticity diagram, colors are added according to the well-known center of gravity law of additive color mixtures, which is generalized here into a nonlinear filtering scheme for processing the two chromatic signals u' and v'. The achromatic channel Y can be processed with traditional filtering schemes, either linear or nonlinear, depending on the specific task at hand. The most interesting characteristics of the new filtering scheme are: 1) the elimination of color smearing effects along edges between bright and dark areas; 2) the possibility of processing chromatic components in a noniterative fashion through linear convolution operations; and 3) the consequent amenability to computationally efficient implementations with fast Fourier transform. The paper includes several examples with both synthetic and real images where the performance of the new filtering method is compared with that of other color image processing algorithms.
SUBSTRATES OF HAGEMAN FACTOR : I. Isolation and Characterization of Human Factor XI (PTA) and Inhibition of the Activated Enzyme by α1-Antitrypsin

Unactivated partial thromboplastin antecedent (PTA) has been purified by sequential chromatography of plasma on quaternary aminoethyl Sephadex, sulphoprophyl Sephadex, Sephadex G-150, and passage over an anti-IgG immunoadsorbant. The preparation gave a single band after alkaline disc gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in acrylamide gels and was found to have a mol wt of 175,000 by gel filtration, 163,000 by SDS gel electrophoresis, and an isoelectric point of 8.8–9.4 (peak 9.0–9.1). Pre-PTA was activated directly by activated Hageman factor or by Hageman factor prealbumin fragments. Its coagulant activity was inhibited by DFP, soybean trypsin inhibitor and trasylol but not by lima bean trypsin inhibitor or ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor indicating that activated PTA possesses the same inhibition profile utilizing these reagents as does plasma kallikrein. A major plasma inhibitor of activated PTA was found to be a 65,000 mol wt α-globulin which was isolated free of α1-chymotrypsin inhibitor, inter α-trypsin inhibitor, α2-macroglobulin, and the other known inhibitors of activated PTA, the activated first component of complement (C1 INH), and antithrombin III. Its physicochemical properties were identical to α1-antitrypsin, and it was absent in α1-antitrypsin-deficient plasma thereby identifying this PTA inhibitor as α1-antitrypsin.
The analysis of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO® resin) in mixtures of PPO resin, polystyrene, and copolymers of PPO resin and polystyrene

A method of determining the quantity of ungrafted poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO®11 resin) in mixtures of such polyphenylene oxide or PPO resin, polystyrene (PS), and graft copolymers of PPO resin and PS is described. The technique is a combination of physical and chemical separations and gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) analysis. The extent of grafting on PPO resin and the quantity of ungrafted PPO resin were calculated from molecular weight data and compositional analysis.
On the Blind Classification of Time Series

We propose a cord distance in the space of dynamical models that takes into account their dynamics, including transients, output maps and input distributions. In data analysis applications, as opposed to control, the input is often not known and is inferred as part of the (blind) identification. So it is an integral part of the model that should be considered when comparing different time series. Previous work on kernel distances between dynamical models assumed either identical or independent inputs. We extend it to arbitrary distributions, highlighting connections with system identification, independent component analysis, and optimal transport. The increased modeling power is demonstrated empirically on gait classification from simple visual features.
Cooking Tips for Pluripotency: Add Acid and Squeeze

Eight years ago, Shinya Yamanaka stunned the world by converting “mono-tasking” differentiated cells into pluripotent cells. The simplicity of the molecular trick, which uses a bundle of transcription factors to turn the clock on cell differentiation, earned Yamanaka a Nobel Prize and heralded a dawn of regenerative human medicine. The recent publication by Obokata et al. makes Yamanaka’s approach seem a collection of vintage molecular tools. In a surprisingly radical—if not heretical—twist, Obokata et al. presented us with a strikingly simple method of stem cell preparation. The procedure reads like a recipe for busy cooks: Take the mature cells, squeeze them at low pH, leave few cells to die, and collect the rest to serve as pluripotent stem cells. Everything goes: T cells, neurons, skin, lung, and liver cells could be converted with stunning ease into pluripotent stem cells. The story of the discovery has a fairy-tale narrative with a happy ending. Obokata first observed morphological and molecular stem cell–like changes in mature cells upon squeezing them through a capillary. To convince herself, and later the skeptical referees, that the cells were not the stems cells to start with, she chose to manipulate mature T cells that are naturally tagged with a particular T cell antigen receptor DNA template. After squeezing T cells at low pH, Obokata et al. were able to trace the recombined DNA segment from the mature T cells to the reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells. The ultimate proof of true pluripotency came from the ability of these cells, once injected into a mouse embryo, to give rise to various tissues. Maybe most surprising, stem-like cells generated by the method were able to create placenta tissue. The study, although already highly promising for regenerative medicine, is made even more exciting by raising the possibility of naturally occurring cell reprogramming within the human body. Numerous cells, especially cells of the immune system, need to squeeze hard to traverse through the blood vessel barriers. The cells that line our intestine and live in low-oxygen conditions are exposed to bacteria that produce lots of acidic substances and experience substantial mechanic pressure. Is there any chance that these mechanic stresses can lead to the generation of stem-like cells? If yes, is it possible that invasion of metastatic cells helps them to acquire pluripotency and hence make metastatic tumors highly adaptable to their new environment? All of these fascinating questions remain to be answered in the future, but for now, if shown to be equally applicable to human cells, Obokata’s approach is likely to help to make stem cell therapy a reality. H. Obokata et al. , Bidirectional developmental potential in reprogrammed cells with acquired pluripotency. Nature 505 , 676–680 (2014). [[Abstract]][1] H. Obokata et al. , Stimulus-triggered fate conversion of somatic cells into pluripotency. Nature 505 , 641–647 (2014). [[Abstract]][2] [1]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24476891 [2]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24476887
Racial Differences in Attitudes Toward Professional Mental Health Treatment: The Mediating Effect of Stigma

Stigma associated with mental illness continues to be a pervasive barrier to mental health treatment, leading to negative attitudes about treatment and deterring appropriate care seeking. Empirical research suggests that the stigma of mental illness may exert an adverse influence on attitudes toward mental health treatment and service utilization patterns by individuals with a mental illness, particularly African Americans. However, little research has examined the impact of stigma on racial differences in attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment. This study examined the hypothesis that stigma partially mediates the relationship between race and attitudes towards mental health treatment in a community-based sample of 101 African American and White older adults. Multiple regression analyses and classic path analysis was utilized to test the partial mediation model. Controlling for socio-demographic factors, African American older adults were more likely to have negative attitudes toward mental health treatment, and they also reported more public and internalized stigma than their White counterparts. As hypothesized, the relationship between race and attitudes toward mental health treatment was partially mediated by internalized stigma, suggesting that internalized stigma may cause older adults to develop negative attitudes about mental health treatment. The partial mediation model was not significant for public stigma, however. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.
Axin1 and Axin2 Are Regulated by TGF-β and Mediate Cross-talk between TGF-β and Wnt Signaling Pathways

Chondrocyte maturation during endochondral bone formation is regulated by a number of signals that either promote or inhibit maturation. Among these, two well-studied signaling pathways play crucial roles in modulating chondrocyte maturation: transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/Smad3 signaling slows the rate of chondrocyte maturation, while Wingless/INT-1-related (Wnt)/beta-catenin signaling enhances the rate of chondrocyte maturation. Axin1 and Axin2 are functionally equivalent and have been shown to inhibit Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and stimulate TGF-beta signaling. Here we show that while Wnt3a stimulates Axin2 in a negative feedback loop, TGF-beta suppresses the expression of both Axin1 and Axin2 and stimulates beta-catenin signaling. In Axin2 -/- chondrocytes, TGF-beta treatment results in a sustained increase in beta-catenin levels compared to wild-type chondrocytes. In contrast, overexpression of Axin enhanced TGF-beta signaling while overexpression of beta-catenin inhibited the ability of TGF-beta to induce Smad3-sensitive reporters. Finally, the suppression of the Axins is Smad3-dependent since the effect is absent in Smad3 -/- chondrocytes. Altogether these findings show that the Axins act to integrate signals between the Wnt/beta-catenin and TGF-beta/Smad pathways. Since the suppression Axin1 and Axin2 expression by TGF-beta reduces TGF-beta signaling and enhances Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, the overall effect is a shift from TGF-beta toward Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and an acceleration of chondrocyte maturation.
In Vivo Cardiac Cellular Reprogramming Efficacy Is Enhanced by Angiogenic Preconditioning of the Infarcted Myocardium With Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Methods and Results-—Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT) administration via lentiviral transduction was demonstrated to transdifferentiate rat fibroblasts into (induced) cardiomyocytes in vitro by cardiomyocyte marker studies. Fisher 344 rats underwent coronary ligation and intramyocardial administration of an adenovirus encoding all 3 major isoforms of VEGF (AdVEGFAll6A + ) or an AdNull control vector (n=12/group). Lentivirus encoding GMT or a GFP control was administered to each animal 3 weeks later, followed by histologic and echocardiographic analyses. GMT administration reduced the extent of fibrosis by half compared with GFP controls (12� 2% vs 24� 3%, P<0.01) and reduced the number of myofibroblasts detected in the infarct zone by 4-fold. GMT-treated animals also demonstrated greater density of cardiomyocyte-specific marker beta myosin heavy chain 7 + cells compared with animals receiving GFP with or without VEGF (P<0.01). Ejection fraction was significantly improved after GMT vs GFP administration (12� 3% vs � 7� 3%, P<0.01). Eight (73%) GFP animals but no GMT animals demonstrated decreased ejection fraction during this interval (P<0.01). Also, improvement in ejection fraction was 4-fold greater in GMT/VEGF vs GMT/null animals (17� 2% vs 4� 1%, P<0.05). Conclusions-—VEGF administration to infarcted myocardium enhances the efficacy of GMT-mediated cellular reprogramming in improving myocardial function and reducing the extent of myocardial fibrosis compared with the use of GMT or VEGF alone. ( JA m Heart Assoc. 2012;1:e005652 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.112.005652)
Software Quality Assurance

Successful implementation of IT (information technology) projects is a critical strategic and competitive necessity for firms in all industrial sectors today. However, due to cost overruns, schedule delays, unfilled requirements and poor quality, it is reported that less than 30% of IT projects are perceived to be successful. Much has been written about causes of project failure and many have provided best practices and critical success factors for effective management projects, yet projects still continue to fail. As a first step to overcome systemic causes of project failure we propose a unified definition of software quality assurance (SQA). We use this definition to develop and present an approach to SQA that focuses on controlling risks and provide a framework for assuring the development and project management life cycles.
Charge-dependent many-body exchange and dispersion interactions in combined QM/MM simulations

Accurate modeling of the molecular environment is critical in condensed phase simulations of chemical reactions. Conventional quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations traditionally model non-electrostatic non-bonded interactions through an empirical Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential which, in violation of intuitive chemical principles, is bereft of any explicit coupling to an atom's local electronic structure. This oversight results in a model whereby short-ranged exchange-repulsion and long-ranged dispersion interactions are invariant to changes in the local atomic charge, leading to accuracy limitations for chemical reactions where significant atomic charge transfer can occur along the reaction coordinate. The present work presents a variational, charge-dependent exchange-repulsion and dispersion model, referred to as the charge-dependent exchange and dispersion (QXD) model, for hybrid QM/MM simulations. Analytic expressions for the energy and gradients are provided, as well as a description of the integration of the model into existing QM/MM frameworks, allowing QXD to replace traditional LJ interactions in simulations of reactive condensed phase systems. After initial validation against QM data, the method is demonstrated by capturing the solvation free energies of a series of small, chlorine-containing compounds that have varying charge on the chlorine atom. The model is further tested on the SN2 attack of a chloride anion on methylchloride. Results suggest that the QXD model, unlike the traditional LJ model, is able to simultaneously obtain accurate solvation free energies for a range of compounds while at the same time closely reproducing the experimental reaction free energy barrier. The QXD interaction model allows explicit coupling of atomic charge with many-body exchange and dispersion interactions that are related to atomic size and provides a more accurate and robust representation of non-electrostatic non-bonded QM/MM interactions.
A multifunctional polymer combining the imidazole and zwitterion motifs as a biocompatible compact coating for quantum dots.

We introduce a set of multicoordinating imidazole- and zwitterion-based ligands suited for surface functionalization of quantum dots (QDs). The polymeric ligands are built using a one-step nucleophilic addition reaction between poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) and distinct amine-containing functionalities. This has allowed us to introduce several imidazole anchoring groups along the polymer chain for tight coordination to the QD surface and a controllable number of zwitterion moieties for water solubilization. It has also permitted the introduction of reactive and biomolecular groups for further conjugation and targeting. The QDs capped with these new ligands exhibit excellent long-term colloidal stability over a broad range of pH, toward excess electrolyte, in cell-growth media, and in the presence of natural reducing agents such as glutathione. These QDs are also resistant to the oxidizing agent H2O2. More importantly, by the use of zwitterion moieties as the hydrophilic block, this polymer design...
Singlet-oxygen Generation from Nanostructures in a Near Infrared Optical Trap

We demonstrate that NIR laser-tweezers can be used to induce and observe the formation of singlet-oxygen produced from individual silicon and gold nanowires via use of a commercially available reporting dye and 2-photon photoexcitation.
Low-dose transdermal estradiol for vasomotor symptoms: a systematic review.

Objective This review aims to determine the effectiveness of low-dose transdermal estrogen versus placebo in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe hot flashes. Methods We conducted a systematic review of studies by searching Medline and EMBASE using the following inclusion criteria: double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials conducted in postmenopausal women with at least 7 hot flashes per day and/or at least 50 hot flashes per week. All included studies used estrogen formulations below the equivalent dose of 0.05 mg of 17β-estradiol. Results Nine studies met all inclusion criteria. Seven of nine studies had low risk of bias, whereas two studies had high risk of bias. Low-dose transdermal estrogen in all dose ranges was more likely than placebo to decrease the daily number of hot flashes. Meta-analysis was not performed as only three of the nine studies included measures of variance; weighted means were used to summarize the data. Results were divided into three groups by decreasing estrogen dose range (0.037-0.045, 0.020-0.029, and 0.003-0.125 mg). The mean daily decrease in the number of hot flashes from baseline was 9.36, 7.91, and 7.07, respectively. The mean daily decrease in the placebo groups was 5.07. Eight of the nine studies reported P values comparing each estrogen dose to placebo; all were significant at P Conclusions Although publication bias cannot be excluded, risk of bias and heterogeneity among studies are low. There is strong evidence to conclude that low-dose transdermal estrogen at any dose is more effective than placebo in decreasing the daily number of moderate to severe hot flashes.
Extracting potassium from Daqaidam Salt Lake brine by forced evaporation

Application of forced evaporation in extracting potassium technology from Daqaidam Salt Lake brine was studied because the natural evaporation can not meet the requirement of potassium crystallization in Daqaidam Salt Lake.The results showed that high grade potassium chloride product with the concentration of over 95.0% wt.KCl could be obtained by adopting this technology.
Critical pathway experience at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center

Critical pathways provide an excellent tool for promoting multidisciplinary efforts to develop optimal, cost-competitive plans for managing patient care. The pharmacy department can play a variety of roles in developing and implementing critical pathways. In advocating optimal drug selection and monitoring, pharmacists can help their institutions reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality of care.
2015 ESGF Progress Report

The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) is a multi-agency, international collaboration whose purpose is to develop the software infrastructure needed to facilitate and empower the study of climate change on a global scale. ESGF’s architecture employs a system of geographically distributed peer nodes that are independently administered yet united by common federation protocols and application programming interfaces. The cornerstones of its interoperability are the peer-to-peer messaging, which is continuously exchanged among all nodes in the federation; a shared architecture for search and discovery; and a security infrastructure based on industry standards. ESGF integrates popular application engines available from the open-source community with custom components (for data publishing, searching, user interface, security, and messaging) that were developed collaboratively by the team. The full ESGF infrastructure has now been adopted by multiple Earth science projects and allows access to petabytes of geophysical data, including the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP)—output used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment reports. ESGF is a successful example of integration of disparate open-source technologies into a cohesive functional system that serves the needs of the global climate science community.
Nanoparticle-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy for Mixed Biofilms

Wounds associated with diabetes are difficult to heal and often stay unhealed, leading to higher morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. A major barrier to the successful healing of chronic diabetic wounds is the presence of biofilm-mediated infections. In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for the management of chronic wounds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of toluidine blue- (TB-) loaded nanoparticle-mediated PDT in eradicating antibiotic-resistant polymicrobial biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an in vitro model. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (aerosol OT, AOT)-alginate nanoparticles with high TB loading (10.8&#-79;2.2%) were formulated using a double emulsification cross-linking method. TB nanoparticles induced effective killing of planktonic P. aeruginosa (3.5 log10 CFU) and S. aureus (>5 log10 CFU) and their combined biofilms (2.8 log10 CFU for P. aeruginosa versus 3.4 log10 CFU for S. aureus). While P. aeruginosa biofilm was more resistant when compared to that of S. aureus, our results demonstrated effective eradication of complex biofilms of dual bacterial strains in vitro.
Overview of revisions to IEEE standard 519-1992

The areas of intended revision to IEEE std. 519-1992 are summarized in this paper. Major areas of revision include 1) incorporating harmonic limits for buses with nominal voltage of less than I kV, 2) including limits for interharmonics, 3) adding recommendations with respect to time-varying harmonics, and 4) replacing the existing material relating to voltage notches and ringing.
Improving ultrasound for appendicitis through standardized reporting of secondary signs.

Abstract Objective Our aim was to implement a standardized US report that included secondary signs of appendicitis (SS) to facilitate accurate diagnosis of appendicitis and decrease the use of computed tomography (CT) and admissions for observation. Methods A multidisciplinary team implemented a quality improvement (QI) intervention in the form of a standardized US report and provided stakeholders with monthly feedback. Outcomes including report compliance, CT use, and observation admissions were compared pretemplate and posttemplate. Results We identified 387 patients in the pretemplate period and 483 patients in the posttemplate period. In the posttemplate period, the reporting of SS increased from 5.4% to 79.5% ( p p p =0.41) and the negative appendectomy rate remained stable (1.0% vs 1.0%, p =1.0). CT utilization for patients with an equivocal ultrasound and SS present decreased (36.4% vs 8.9%, p =0.002) and admissions for observations decreased (21.5% vs 15.3%, p =0.02). Test characteristics of RLQ US for appendicitis also improved in the posttemplate period. Conclusion A focused QI initiative led to high compliance rates of utilizing the standardized US report and resulted in lower CT use and fewer admissions for observation. Study of a Diagnostic Test Level of Evidence: 1.
Ivabradine in the treatment of systolic heart failure - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ivabradine in the treatment of systolic heart failure - A systematic review and meta-analysis
A Comparison of Two MCMC Algorithms for the 2PL IRT Model

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques have become popular for estimating item response theory (IRT) models. The current development of MCMC includes two major algorithms: Gibbs sampling and the No-U-Turn sampler (NUTS), which can be implemented in two specialized software packages JAGS and Stan, respectively. This study focused on comparing these two algorithms in estimating the two-parameter logistic (2PL) IRT model where different prior specifications for the discrimination parameter were considered. Results suggest that Gibbs sampling performed similarly to the NUTS under most of the conditions considered. In addition, both algorithms recovered model parameters with a similar precision except for small sample size situations. Findings from this study also shed light on the use of the two MCMC algorithms with more complicated IRT models.
ADAPTATION TO METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION DURING AGING: MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD SITUATION

Mitochondria play a central role in energy metabolism in the process of oxidative phosphorylation. As importantly, they are key in several anabolic processes, including amino acid biosynthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, heme biosynthesis, and the formation of iron‑sulfur clusters. Mitochondria are also engaged in waste removal in the urea cycle. Their activity can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species which have damaging effects in the cell. These organelles are dynamic, undergoing cycles of fission and fusion which can be coupled to their removal by mitophagy. In addition to these widely recognized processes, mitochondria communicate with other subcellular compartments. Various components of mitochondrial complexes are encoded by either the nuclear or the mitochondrial genome necessitating coordination between these two organelles. This article reviews another form of communication between the mitochondria and the nucleus, in which the dysfunction of the former triggers changes in the expression of nuclear genes to compensate for it. The most extensively studied of these signaling pathways is the retrograde response whose effectors and downstream targets have been characterized. This response extends yeast replicative lifespan by adapting the organism to the mitochondrial dysfunction. Similar responses have been found in several other organisms, including mammals. Declining health and function during human aging incurs energetic costs. This compensation plays out differently in males and females, and variation in nuclear genes whose products affect mitochondrial function influences the outcome. Thus, the theme of mitochondria-nucleus communication as an adaptive response during aging appears very widespread.
Training for Success.

As scientists, the decision about where to postdoc is among the most important that we will make in our professional development. Postdoctoral training, after all, is where young scientists are set loose to utilize those skills obtained during their graduate studies and create a trajectory of inquiry that will guide the early stages of their independent careers. So how does a senior graduate student or a newly-minted PhD go about picking the best postdoctoral environment? For that matter, how does one decide whether or not a postdoc is even right for them? Fortunately, the graduate school experience itself goes a long way toward informing this decision. Not only is it an important formative period that develops bench skills and teaches students how to formulate hypotheses and develop effective experimental strategies, but graduate education should also provide the young scientist with a better understanding of their own interests and what additional scientific training they require to meet their career goals. When it was time for me to find a lab in which to do my postdoctoral training, I was a senior graduate student in biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in the lab of Doug Andres. Over a period of 6 years in his laboratory, Dr Andres provided a tremendous …
Size-dependent Catalysis of Chlorovirus Population Growth by A Messy Feeding Predator

Many chloroviruses replicate in endosymbiotic zoochlorellae that are protected from infection by their symbiotic host. To reach the high virus concentrations that often occur in natural systems, a mechanism is needed to release zoochlorellae from their hosts. We demonstrate that the ciliate predator Didinium nasutum foraging on zoochlorellae-bearing Paramecium bursaria can release live zoochlorellae from the ruptured prey cell that can then be infected by chloroviruses. The catalysis process is very effective, yielding roughly 95% of the theoretical infectious virus yield as determined by sonication of P. bursaria. Chlorovirus activation is more effective with smaller Didinia, as larger Didinia typically consume entire P. bursaria cells without rupturing them, precluding the release of zoochlorellae. We also show that the timing of Chlorovirus growth is tightly linked to the predator-prey cycle between Didinium and Paramecium, with the most rapid increase in chloroviruses temporally linked to the peak foraging rate of Didinium, supporting the idea that predator-prey cycles can drive cycles of Chlorovirus abundance.
Optimization of the prescription isodose line for Gamma Knife radiosurgery using the shot within shot technique

This work explores how the choice of prescription isodose line (IDL) affects the dose gradient, target coverage, and treatment time for Gamma Knife radiosurgery when a smaller shot is encompassed within a larger shot at the same stereotactic coordinates (shot within shot technique). Beam profiles for the 4, 8, and 16 mm collimator settings were extracted from the treatment planning system and characterized using Gaussian fits. The characterized data were used to create over 10,000 shot within shot configurations by systematically changing collimator weighting and choice of prescription IDL. Each configuration was quantified in terms of the dose gradient, target coverage, and beam-on time. By analyzing these configurations, it was found that there are regions of overlap in target size where a higher prescription IDL provides equivalent dose fall-off to a plan prescribed at the 50% IDL. Furthermore, the data indicate that treatment times within these regions can be reduced by up to 40%. An optimization strategy was devised to realize these gains. The strategy was tested for seven patients treated for 1–4 brain metastases (20 lesions total). For a single collimator setting, the gradient in the axial plane was steepest when prescribed to the 56–63% (4 mm), 62–70% (8 mm), and 77–84% (16 mm) IDL, respectively. Through utilization of the optimization technique, beam-on time was reduced by more than 15% in 16/20 lesions. The volume of normal brain receiving 12 Gy or above also decreased in many cases, and in only one instance increased by more than 0.5 cm3. This work demonstrates that IDL optimization using the shot within shot technique can reduce treatment times without degrading treatment plan quality.
A performance comparison between the subjective workload analysis technique and the NASA-TLX in a healthcare setting

In recent years, healthcare organizations in the United States have been looking for methods to improve the efficiency of their processes and use of human resources. Many organizations have adapted...
Potential for western US seasonal snowpack prediction

Western US snowpack—snow that accumulates on the ground in the mountains—plays a critical role in regional hydroclimate and water supply, with 80% of snowmelt runoff being used for agriculture. While climate projections provide estimates of snowpack loss by the end of the century and weather forecasts provide predictions of weather conditions out to 2 weeks, less progress has been made for snow predictions at seasonal timescales (months to 2 years), crucial for regional agricultural decisions (e.g., plant choice and quantity). Seasonal predictions with climate models first took the form of El Nino predictions 3 decades ago, with hydroclimate predictions emerging more recently. While the field has been focused on single-season predictions (3 months or less), we are now poised to advance our predictions beyond this timeframe. Utilizing observations, climate indices, and a suite of global climate models, we demonstrate the feasibility of seasonal snowpack predictions and quantify the limits of predictive skill 8 months in advance. This physically based dynamic system outperforms observation-based statistical predictions made on July 1 for March snowpack everywhere except the southern Sierra Nevada, a region where prediction skill is nonexistent for every predictor presently tested. Additionally, in the absence of externally forced negative trends in snowpack, narrow maritime mountain ranges with high hydroclimate variability pose a challenge for seasonal prediction in our present system; natural snowpack variability may inherently be unpredictable at this timescale. This work highlights present prediction system successes and gives cause for optimism for developing seasonal predictions for societal needs.
Sonography of Zenker Diverticulum

Zenker diverticulum, also known as a pharyngeal pouch, is the most common type of esophageal diverticulum. While sonography is not the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis of a suspected diverticulum, it is not uncommon to detect during a sonographic examination. Typically, a Zenker diverticulum is located in close proximity to the left thyroid gland.
Is Teen Risk of Having Sex with Strangers Associated with Family Environment? Family Processes, Household Structure, and Adolescent Sex with Strangers.

Research on family contexts and adolescent sexual risk behavior has largely neglected relational aspects of sexual risk, such as having sex with strangers. The present study uses the NLSY97 to exam...