cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pro-inflammatory responses in human monocytes are β1-adrenergic receptor subtype dependent

Stress induced circulating catecholamines are hypothesized to selectively activate adrenergic receptors (ARs) on immunocompetent cells modulating their inflammatory response to trauma or environmental toxins. We characterized changes in expression of a pro-inflammatory cytokine modulated by beta-AR activation in human primary and immortalized monocytes that had been simultaneously stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results from cytokine antibody arrays demonstrated that half-maximal effective concentrations of the selective beta-AR agonist isoproterenol (Iso) qualitatively increased LPS-mediated expression of the soluble cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Semi-quantitative immunoblot techniques confirmed a synergistic increase of IL-1beta production in both LPS stimulated THP-1 cells and primary human monocytes co-incubated with Iso. Immunoblot techniques as well as radioligand binding studies were also used to characterize the heterogeneous expression of beta(1)- and beta(2)-AR subtypes on THP-1 cells. beta-AR activation is classically associated with generation of cAMP in many tissues and cell types. Therefore, using the method of Schild, we generated Iso concentration-response curves in the presence of fixed subtype-selective beta-AR antagonist concentrations to demonstrate that beta(1)-AR activation was exclusively linked with the generation of cAMP in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, use of a selective kinase inhibitor demonstrated that Iso potentiated the expression of soluble IL-1beta through activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Finally, discriminating concentrations of subtype-selective beta-AR antagonists revealed that beta(1)-AR stimulation alone accounted for the synergistic production of IL-1beta in LPS stimulated monocytes co-incubated with Iso. These results demonstrate a unique synergistic pro-inflammatory response mediated through a beta(1)-AR cAMP-dependent mechanism in LPS-challenged monocytic cells.
Spatially periodic solutions in a 1D model of phase transitions with order parameter

Abstract A model of phase transitions with convex strain energy is investigated within the limits of 1D nonlinear bar theory. The model is a special case of a coupled field theory using an order parameter that has been developed by Fried and Gurtin to study the nucleation and propagation of phase boundaries. The system of governing equations studied here consists of a wave equation coupled to a nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation. Using phase plane methods, the equilibria of the system have been constructed in order to obtain the macroscopic response of the bar. It is demonstrated that a large number of coexisting spatially periodic, inhomogeneous solutions can occur, with the number of these solutions being inversely proportional to the diffusion coefficient in the reaction-diffusion subsystem. A stability analysis of the equilibria is presented, and the bifurcation diagram is discussed in the context of quasistatic loading. It is shown that, though solutions with more than one interface are unstable, they are only weakly so, and can thus persist for a long time. The nucleation and propagation of phase boundaries are illustrated via a numerical study, which shows how nucleation relates to the loss of stability of the homogeneous equilibria.
Magnetic Field Dependence of Laser Emission in Pb 1-X Sn X Se Diodes

The magnetic field dependence of long-wavelength infared laser emission has been studied in ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{1\ensuremath{-}X}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{X}\mathrm{Se}$ diodes for compositions in the range $0l~xl~0.3$. For $xg0.15$ the energy of the lowest transition decreases with increasing magnetic field whereas for $xl0.15$ this energy increases. This unique observation is consistent with a theory of magnetic energy levels proposed by Baraff and also strongly supports the inversion model for the energy bands in Pb-Sn chalcogenides.
The inflamed plaque: cytokine production and cellular cholesterol balance in the vessel wall

Abstract Although the concept that inflammation plays a role in the biology of atherosclerosis is now well accepted, the basic feature of the arterial lesion remains the accumulation of clusters of foam cells. These clusters are the consequence of the enhanced recruitment of monocytes in the vessel wall induced by the hyperlipidemia and of the disproportionate accumulation of lipids in the cytoplasm of macrophages deriving from monocytes. Ultimately, every molecular force and pathway with modulating activity over the developing lesion will have to act on a convergence point with factors regulating cholesterol balance in the macrophage. Consistent with this view is the recent report that cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, can influence the expression of the scavenger receptor, whereas interferon-γ can inhibit adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter-1, the main effector of cholesterol efflux in the peripheral cell. Conversely, recent data have shown that primary alterations in macrophage cholesterol balance, such as those produced by the total absence of acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1, may determine local changes compatible with the activation of inflammatory pathways. In this brief review, we discuss some of the convergence points between inflammation and cholesterol balance, and we highlight the additional therapeutic targets suggested by these new developments in vascular biology.
Dynamic-persistence of cooperation in public good games when group size is dynamic

The evolution of cooperation is possible with a simple model of a population of agents that can move between groups. The agents play public good games within their group. The relative fitness of individuals within the whole population affects their number of offspring. Groups of cooperators evolve but over time are invaded by defectors which eventually results in the group's extinction. However, for small levels of migration and mutation, high levels of cooperation evolve at the population level. Thus, evolution of cooperation based on individual fitness without kin selection, indirect or direct reciprocity is possible. We provide an analysis of the parameters that affect cooperation, and describe the dynamics and distribution of population sizes over time.
Effect of long-term intermittent and sustained hypoxia on hypoxic ventilatory and metabolic responses in the adult rat

The effects of chronic sustained hypoxia (SH) on ventilation have been thoroughly studied. However, the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH), a more prevalent condition in health and disease are cu...
Prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in mice using estrogen receptor antagonists

The majority of human cervical cancers are associated with the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types. In mouse models for HPV-associated cancers, estrogen is required for the development of cervical and vaginal cancers. The estrogen receptor α (ERα) also is required in mice for these cancers to arise. These data are consistent with the observation in women that long-term use of oral contraceptives or multiple pregnancies significantly increases the risk for cervical cancer in HPV-positive women. In the present study, we examined whether drugs that interfere with the function of ERα are effective in treating and/or preventing cervical cancer in mice. We provide evidence that a complete ER antagonist, ICI 182,780 (ICI), as well as a selective ER modulator, raloxifene, efficiently clear cancer and its precursor lesions in both the cervix and the vagina. Furthermore, ICI was capable of preventing the onset of cancers in mice bearing precursor lesions. These findings point to the potential value of ER antagonists in controlling gynecological disease in the lower reproductive tracts in women.
Vertically coupled InP microdisk switching devices with electroabsorptive active regions

InP vertically coupled microdisk resonator/waveguide switching devices with an electroabsorptive (EA) active region are demonstrated for the first time. The devices exhibit single-mode operation, large free spectral range of 10.5 nm and a high quality factor of 5700. The EA effect provides a way of loss-trimming the resonant characteristics. Active switches, routers, and fast modulators based on these devices are envisioned as part of a WDM system.
PETUNIA VEIN-CLEARING VIRUS: A PLANT PARARETROVIRUS WITH THE CORE SEQUENCES FOR AN INTEGRASE FUNCTION

Petunia vein-clearing virus (PVCV) is a plant pararetrovirus that has some features of retrotransposons. It encapsidates dsDNA and has isometric particles and inclusion bodies similar to those of caulimoviruses. The PVCV genome of 7205 bp has two large ORFs in the transcribed strand and a methionine tRNA primer-binding site in its 663-bp intergenic region. The N-terminal position of the large protein (126 kDa) encoded by ORF I has similarity to the movement protein of caulimoviruses. Toward the C-terminus of this same polyprotein are the two distinctive sequence elements [HHCC and DD(35)E] of the integrase function of retroviruses and retrotransposons. ORF II of PVCV encodes a protein of 125 kDa with domains for an RNA-binding element, common to the gag gene of retroelements, followed by consensus sequences for an acid protease, reverse transcriptase, and ribonuclease H. Hence, the gag equivalent (capsid protein) and pol gene of PVCV are part of the same polyprotein. Phylogenetic comparison of the reverse transcriptase of PVCV with that of various other retroelements grouped PVCV between caulimoviruses and the Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, suggesting that PVCV is a divergent member of the caulimoviruses.
Swimming in the California sea lion: morphometrics, drag and energetics.

During swimming, the California sea lion, Zalophus californianus (Lesson), generates thrust forces solely by means of its pectoral flippers. This study examines the drag, energetic cost and efficiency associated with this method of locomotion. Sea lions are highly streamlined, with a fineness ratio of 5.5 and maximum girth at 40% of body length. This profile leads to reduced drag and swimming power requirements. Films of gliding animals showed the drag coefficient (based on wetted surface area) to be 0.0042 at a Reynolds number of 2.0 X 10(6). This value is comparable to that found for other aquatic vertebrates and suggests that the sea lion9s morphology helps to delay turbulent separation and maintain laminar flow over the forward portion of its body. Swimming metabolism was measured in a water flume at velocities up to 1.3 ms-1. Effective swimming speeds up to 2.7 ms-1 were attained by increasing each animal9s drag. Oxygen consumption rose exponentially with velocity and for two animals was best described as VO2 = 6.27e0.48U, where VO2 is in mlO2 min-1 kg-1 and U is in ms-1. Minimum cost of transport for these animals was 0.12 ml O2 kg-1 m-1 at a relative speed of 1.4 body lengths s-1. This is 2.5 times that predicted for a fish of similar size. Swimming efficiencies were determined from these results using power output values calculated from the measured drag coefficient and standard hydrodynamic equations. At the highest velocity, aerobic efficiency reached a maximum of 15% while mechanical efficiency of the foreflippers was 80%. The results demonstrate that foreflipper propulsion is a highly efficient and comparatively inexpensive method of locomotion in aquatic mammals.
Assessing Honey Bee Equilibrium Range and Forage Supply using Satelite-Derived Phenology

Two important and highly publicized issues regarding honey bees are impacting agricultural pollination and honey production in the United States. These are: (1) the increasing presence of the invasive Africanized Honey Bee (AHB); and (2) the spread of pests and diseases within managed European Honey Bee (EHB) populations that cause major loss of colonies (of which Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the most recent). The primary objective of this research is to improve prediction of the equilibrium range of both the AHB and EHB within the U.S, and to determine the impact of both urbanization and climate change on this equilibrium range. This will be achieved through integration of: climate data; scale hive defined nectar flow measurements; nectar and pollen source distributions; as well as satellite-derived vegetation phenology.
The adsorption and diffusion of electrolytic hydrogen in palladium

A sensitive electrochemical technique, which permits the recording of the instantaneous rate of permeation of electrolytic hydrogen through palladium, is described. Results were obtained under conditions required by theory for the diffusion of hydrogen with the use of electronic potentiostats. Analysis of the results shows the validity of the equations previously deduced for the diffusion of hydrogen. No anomalies in the diffusion have been found under these conditions. Thus the diffusion constant is found to be independent of thickness in the range 0.0035 to 0.054 cm. The permeation has been found to be inversely proportional to thickness as required by theory. The diffusion constant for a hydrogen poor $\alpha$-palladium has been found to be 1.30 $\pm$ 0.20 x 10$^{-7}$ cm$^2$ s$^{-1}$ at room temperature. Reasons for permeation anomalies reported in the literature for diffusion of hydrogen from the gas phase are discussed. Attention is drawn to errors in the classical time lag determination which unless corrected, can give rise to spurious thickness and temperature dependence of the diffusion constant.
Land-Cover Change Monitoring with Classification Trees Using Landsat TM and Ancillary Data

We monitored land-cover change in San Diego County (1990‐1996) using multitemporal Landsat TM data. Change vectors of Kauth Thomas features were combined with stable multitemporal Kauth Thomas features and a suite of ancillary variables within a classification tree classifier. A combination of aerial photointerpretation and field measurements yielded training and validation data. Maps of land-cover change were generated for three hierarchical levels of change classification of increasing detail: change vs. no-change; four classes representing broad increase and decrease classes; and nine classes distinguishing increases or decreases in tree canopy cover, shrub cover, and urban change. The multitemporal Kauth Thomas (both stable and change features representing brightness, greenness, and wetness) provided information for magnitude and direction of land-cover change. Overall accuracies of the land-cover change maps were high (72 to 92 percent). Ancillary variables representing elevation, fire history, and slope were most significant in mapping the most complicated level of land-cover change, contributing 15 percent to overall accuracy. Classification trees have not previously been used operationally with remotely sensed and ancillary data to map land-cover change at this level of thematic detail.
A model for Environmental Earth Science module design

The Exploring the Environment (ETE) project team develops problem-based learning modules that engage high school students in authentic environmental Earth science situations such as biodiversity, sustainability, and deforestation. One of the overarching objectives is to create a multidisciplinary learning environment that emphasizes active student learning, teamwork, and authentic assessment techniques. Addressed in this article is the design, development, and evaluation of an Environmental Earth Science module with the focus on the use of remote sensing as a research tool. Satellites, computers, remote sensing, the super information highway-the list of technology and information available to classroom teachers is seemingly endless and growing exponentially. Technology-based applications and their significance are changing the landscape of tools available to science teachers. ETE modules feature essential teacher resources and an effective infusion of remote sensing tools and resources. This project demonstrates educational applications of NASA's wealth of scientific, remote sensing information. ETE emphasizes preparing teachers to use inquiry-based instructional methods and tools (remote sensing databases delivered over the Internet).
Polymer-surfactant nanoparticles for sustained release of water-soluble drugs

Poor drug encapsulation efficiency and rapid release of the encapsulated drug limit the use of nanoparticles in biomedical applications involving water-soluble drugs. We have developed a novel polymer-surfactant nanoparticle formulation, using the anionic surfactant Aerosol OT (AOT) and polysaccharide polymer alginate, for sustained release of water-soluble drugs. Particle size of nanoparticles, as determined by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, was in the range of 40-70 nm. Weakly basic molecules like methylene blue, doxorubicin, rhodamine, verapamil, and clonidine could be encapsulated efficiently in AOT-alginate nanoparticles. In vitro release studies with basic drug molecules indicate that nanoparticles released 60-70% of the encapsulated drug over 4 weeks, with near zero-order release during the first 15 days. Studies with anionic drug molecules demonstrate poorer drug encapsulation efficiency and more rapid drug release than those observed with basic drugs. Further studies investigating the effect of sodium concentration in the release medium and the charge of the drug suggest that calcium-sodium exchange between nanoparticle matrix and release medium and electrostatic interaction between drug and nanoparticle matrix are important determinants of drug release. In conclusion, we have formulated a novel surfactant-polymer drug delivery carrier demonstrating sustained release of water-soluble drugs.
Coping with caregiving stress: A wellness-oriented, strengths-based approach for family counselors

Caregiving has become a normative family stress that typically extends over multiple years. Traditional conceptualizations of caregiving in terms of burden and stress lead to interventions based in a medical model of care. Wellness is presented as an alternative model with the potential for empowering caregivers and helping them develop healthier lifestyles. A case example is presented to demonstrate how marriage and family counselors can use this approach to enhance wellness in caregivers and their families.
The complexity of constraint satisfaction in prolog

We obtain here the complexity of solving a type of Prolog problem which Genesereth and Nilsson have called sequential constraint satisfaction. Such problems are of direct relevance to relational database retrieval as well as providing a tractable first step in analyzing Prolog problem-solving in the general case. The present paper provides the first analytic expressions for the expected complexity of solving sequential constraint satisfaction problems. These expressions provide a basis for the formal derivation of heuristics for such problems, analogous to the theory-based heuristics obtained by the author for traditional constraint satisfaction problem-solving. A first application has been in providing a formal basis for Warren's heuristic for optimally ordering the goals in a conjunctive query. Due to the incorporation of "constraint looseness" into the analysis, the expected complexity obtained here has the useful property that it is usually quite accurate even for individual problem instances, rather than only for the assumed underlying problem class as a whole. Heuristics based on these results can be expected to be equally instance-specific. Preliminary results for Warren's heuristic have shown this to be the case.
Autosomal Resequence Data Reveal Late Stone Age Signals of Population Expansion in Sub-Saharan African Foraging and Farming Populations

Background: A major unanswered question in the evolution of Homo sapiens is when anatomically modern human populations began to expand: was demographic growth associated with the invention of particular technologies or behavioral innovations by hunter-gatherers in the Late Pleistocene, or with the acquisition of farming in the Neolithic? Methodology/Principal Findings: We investigate the timing of human population expansion by performing a multilocus analysis of$20 unlinked autosomal noncoding regions, each consisting of ,6 kilobases, resequenced in ,184 individuals from 7 human populations. We test the hypothesis that the autosomal polymorphism data fit a simple two-phase growth model, and when the hypothesis is not rejected, we fit parameters of this model to our data using approximate Bayesian computation. Conclusions/Significance: The data from the three surveyed non-African populations (French Basque, Chinese Han, and Melanesians) are inconsistent with the simple growth model, presumably because they reflect more complex demographic histories. In contrast, data from all four sub-Saharan African populations fit the two-phase growth model, and a range of onset times and growth rates is inferred for each population. Interestingly, both hunter-gatherers (San and Biaka) and foodproducers (Mandenka and Yorubans) best fit models with population growth beginning in the Late Pleistocene. Moreover, our hunter-gatherer populations show a tendency towards slightly older and stronger growth (,41 thousand years ago, ,13-fold) than our food-producing populations (,31 thousand years ago, ,7-fold). These dates are concurrent with the appearance of the Late Stone Age in Africa, supporting the hypothesis that population growth played a significant role in the evolution of Late Pleistocene human cultures.
An estimation theoretic approach to the asynchronous detection of PSK signals

An algorithm is presented for smoothing data that are modeled piecewise by linear state-space equations from measurements corrupted by additive noise. Its main feature is the combination of a Markov model with Kalman filtering (KF) techniques in order to smooth and segment the data within the regions and detect the instant when the transitions occur. Particular attention is given to the filtering and segmentation of sinusoidal signals with periodic phase shifts, and the algorithm is shown to operate as a PSK detector. >
Anoxia in CA1 Pyramidal Cells: Ionic and Metabolic Factors Contributing to Recovery of Ion Transport and Synaptic Transmission

Ionic and electrophysiological characteristics of CA1 pyramidal cells were studied in hippocampal slices during and following anoxia to further understand the sensitivity of these neurons to anoxia. The response of these neurons to anoxia differs from other hippocampal neurons, for example dentate granule cells, in that early after the onset of anoxia synaptic transmission fails apparently due to neuronal hyperpolarization. In contrast, other investigators have reported that dentate granule cells depolarize steadily during anoxia. It remains possible that the ionic conductance properties of CA1 pyramidal cells which cause the hyperpolarizing response to anoxia also render these cells susceptible to long term anoxic damage. We also investigated ion transport dysfunction in hippocampal subfield CA1 following brief anoxia. Reaccumulation of potassium ion, released into the extracellular space during anoxia, was impaired if the duration of anoxic depolarization was sufficiently long. Potassium transport dysfunction was exaccerbated by high calcium treatment and was prevented if extracellular calcium was lowered. Recovery of synaptic transmission following anoxia always was correlated with potassium transport dysfunction. That is, if reaccumulation of potassium ion was impaired, so also was recovery of synaptic transmission. These studies suggest that influx of calcium ion into neurons during the period of anoxic depolarization causes damage to cell metabolism, likely mithochondrial damage, which impairs active ion transport. If this impairment includes the active transport or active sequestration of calcium ion, then long-term inhibition of synaptic transmission will ensue.
Mesenteric calcification following abdominal stab wound.

a b s t r a c t INTRODUCTION: Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to the formation of bone in non-ossifying tissue. Heterotopic mesenteric ossification is a rare form of HO that is characterized by the formation of an ossifying pseudotumour at the base of the mesentery, usually following abdominal surgery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe a case of mesenteric HO in a young male who presented for elective ventral incisional hernia repair following a stab wound to the abdomen requiring exploratory laparotomy 21 months earlier. Preoperative workup was unremarkable, but a hard, bone-like lesion was noted to encircle the base of the mesentery upon entering the abdomen, consistent with HO. The lesion was excised with close margins, and his hernia was repaired without incident. DISCUSSION: Traumatic HO describes the ossification of extra-skeletal tissue that specifically follows a traumatic event. It usually occurs adjacent to skeletal tissue, but has been occasionally described in the abdomen as well, usually in patients who suffer abdominal trauma. Overall the prognosis of HO is good, as it is considered a benign lesion with no malignant potential. However, the major morbidity associated with mesenteric HO is bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION: The size, location, and symptoms related to our patient's mesenteric HO put him risk for obstruction in the future. As a result, the mass was surgically excised during his ventral hernia repair with good outcomes. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Growth and Electrochemical Properties of V 2 O 5 Nanotube Arrays

Nanotube arrays of amorphous vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) were synthesized through the template-based electrodeposition and its electrochemical properties were investigated for Li-ion intercalation applications. The nanotubes have a length of 10 μm, outer-diameter of 200 nm and inner-diameter of 100 nm. Electrochemical analyses demonstrate that the V2O5 nanotube array delivers a high initial capacity of 300 mAh/g, about twice that of the electrochemically-prepared V2O5 film. Although the V2O5 nanotube array shows a more drastic degradation than the film under electrochemical redox cycles, the nanotube array reaches a stabilized capacity of 160 mAh/g which remains about 1.3 times the stabilized capacity of the film.
Vortex Formation During Magnetization Reversal of Co Slotted Nanorings

Electron holography can provide direct visualization and quantitative information about magnetization configurations, which is essential for determination of reversal mechanisms. The remanent states and switching behavior of Co slotted nanorings have been investigated using off-axis electron holography and Lorentz microscopy. The 30-nm-thick Co elements, with outer and inner diameters of 450 and 150 nm, and slot angle of 60deg, were lithographically patterned into 3 times 3 arrays. Depending on whether the external field was applied parallel or perpendicular to the slot direction, the individual elements exhibited onion or flux-closure configurations at remanence, with three-step or one-step hysteresis behavior, respectively. Vortex formation was observed during the three-step magnetization reversal, whereas abrupt reversal in the chirality of flux closure states was evident for the one-step hysteresis loop.
Transaction Exposure, Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts And Exchange Rate Risk

This paper shows that, for an American multinational corporation that faces transaction exposure, forward foreign exchange market hedges have the ability to lower foreign exchange risk if there is long-term exposure in Pounds, Deutsche Marks, Swiss Francs, and Japanese Yen. While this result also holds for shortterm exposure in Pounds, for the other three currencies there are short time periods in which exchange rate risk is not significantly reduced by hedging.
Abstract TP296: Leukoaraiosis on MRI Correlates with Worse Outcomes after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Leukoaraiosis (LA) is associated with aging, dementia, ischemic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but there are few data on how LA might impact outcomes after ICH. We tested the hypothesis that the severity of LA on MRI is related to worse functional outcomes after spontaneous ICH. Methods: We prospectively identified patients with spontaneous ICH. LA was identified on MRI and its severity graded using the Fazekas method to include a score for the deep white matter (DWM) and periventricular (PV) regions. Outcomes were obtained at 14 days, 28 days, and 3 months with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS, a validated scale from 0, no symptoms, to 6, dead), analyzed with multivariate ordinal and logistic regression. Results: Higher Fazekas total (PV+DWM) score correlated with higher mRS at 14 days (p=0.02) and 3 months (p=0.02). This relationship was driven by the PV score, for which higher score (more severe disease) correlated with higher NIHSS at 14 days (p=0.03), and higher mRS at 14 days (p 3 per point on Fazekas PV, 95% CI 1.02-3.2, p=0.04). Conclusion: Increased severity of LA in PV regions is an independent predictor of worse functional outcomes in patients after spontaneous ICH. The pathophysiology associating LA with worse outcomes requires further study. These data may improve prognostication and selection for clinical trials.
Crystal Structure of the Calcium ATPase SERCA in Complex to a Novel Anti-Cancer Agent that Targets Multidrug-Resistant Leukemia

We have used x-ray crystallography to solve the crystal structure of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) in complex with a novel lead compound (CXL017) that targets multidrug-resistant leukemia (Hermanson et al., Mol Pharmacol 2009). The structure, solved at 3.01A resolution, reveals CXL017 bound to SERCA near the ATP binding site and suggests blockage of the ATP channel as the main mechanism of inhibition. This result confirms that CXL017 binds SERCA at a location that is distinct from the binding sites of other inhibitors of SERCA, and it explains the synergistic relationship that was uncovered between CXL017 and classic SERCA inhibitors (Bleeker et al., Mol. Pharmacol 2013). Further, it provides the platform for structure-guided improvements on this new class of potential anti-cancer agent. This work was funded by a grant from NIH to DDT (R01 GM27906) and a grant from NIH to XC (R01 CA163864).
Determination of the Mobile-Hydrogen Charge State in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

We find that hydrogen diffuses as H+, H0, or H- in hydrogenated amorphous silicon depending on its location within the i-layer of a p-i-n device. We annealed a set of five p-i-n devices, each with a thin deuterium-doped layer at a different location in the i-layer, and observed the D-diffusion using secondary ionmass spectrometry (SIMS). When H-diffuses in a charged state, electric fields in the device strongly influence the direction and distance of diffusion. When D is incorporated into a device near the p-layer, almost all of the D-diffusion occurs as D+, and when the D is incorporated near the n-layer, most of the D-diffusion occurs as D-. We correlate the preferential direction of D-motion at given depth within the i-layer, with the local Fermi level (as calculated by solar cell simulations), to empirically determine an effective correlation energy for mobile-H electronic transitions of 0.39 ± 0.1 eV. Using this procedure, the best fit to the data produces a disorder broadening of the transition levels of ∼0.25 eV. The midpoint between the H0/+ and the H0/- transition levels is ∼0.20 ± 0.05 eV above midgap.
The Herbert Bone Screw Used to Treat Various Fractures

The Herbert bone screw was originally developed for internal fixation of fractures of the carpal scaphoid bone but has proved to be so effective its use has now expanded to include fixation of other fractures. We used the cannulated Herbert bone screw for treatment of fractures (ankle ten, foot eight, knee seven, elbow five, shoulder three, distal radial bone one, hand one). The mean age of patients at the time of the injury was 38 years and 11 months, ranging from 17 to 73-years. Good bone union and clinical results were obtained in all cases. Advantages of this procedure are;(1) Lack of a protrusive head allowing it to be positioned in thin soft tissue parts (Malleolar, Olecranon).(2) Surgical technique is easier using the guide pin.(3) Screw threads which are at both ends have different pithces so that during insertion rigid compression is produced across the fracture line.
The value of micro-blog in the hospital public benefit and culture field

Micro-blog provides a convenient platform for interaction,and allows communication between doctors and patients.Micro-blog has some characteristics,including simple,real-time,credible,and efficient transmission.To handle the new media tools,it is necessary to establish a set of work systems and management measures,and keep public benefit of public hospitals according to the operation experience of official micro-blog of Children's Hospital of Shanghai.And then,a harmonious,stable,and trusting doctor-patient relationship can be set up.
Human plasma extrinsic pathway inhibitor activity: II. Plasma levels in disseminated intravascular coagulation and hepatocellular disease.

Plasma or serum extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI) activity was measured in 24 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and in 23 patients with severe hepatocellular disease. EPI was measured as activity in a test sample that inhibited factor VIIa/tissue factor (TF)- catalyzed activation of 3H-factor IX (activation peptide release) in the presence of factor X. Of the 24 patients with DIC, 13 had sepsis and five had metastatic carcinoma, disorders in which tissue factor is believed to initiate DIC. EPI activity ranged from 68% to 300% (mean 134% +/- 50%). Serial measurements in nine patients failed to show depletion of EPI activity coincident with worsening DIC. DIC induced by tissue factor or other activating materials may progress despite normal EPI levels. In the patients with liver disease, of whom 15 had decompensated chronic hepatocellular disease (two fatal cases) and eight had acute fulminant liver failure (seven fatal cases), plasma or serum EPI activity varied from less than 20% to 194%. Values were distributed in a bimodal fashion. EPI activity could not be correlated with either the etiology of the liver disease or the degree of prolongation of the prothrombin time. Patients with chronic hepatocellular disease who survived had normal or elevated EPI activity. Patients with fatal hepatic dysfunction had low, normal, or high values for EPI activity. This must mean that secretion of EPI from cells other than hepatocytes can maintain normal plasma EPI levels.
Visceral inputs to sensory pathways in the spinal cord.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the experimental studies of the visceral afferent system at the spinal cord level that reveal several similarities and differences between this system and the somatic afferent system. Spinal cord interneurons frequently receive a convergent input from the somatic and the visceral afferent fibers. Although some interneurons have a peripheral input that appears to be restricted to visceral afferents, most interneurons, with visceral input, have a convergent input from the somatic tissue. The convergent inputs may reflect the neural processing responsible for pain referral. Besides excitatory interactions between the somatic and visceral inputs, there are also inhibitory interactions. The ascending sensory pathways, from the spinal cord, that convey visceral information to the brain include pathways in both the dorsal and the ventral parts of the cord. In man, the dorsal pathways appear to be responsible for such sensations, as the bladder, the rectal fullness, and the passage of urine and feces, whereas the ventral pathways are concerned with the pain.
Coalitions Are People: Policy Narratives and the Defeat of Ohio Senate Bill 5

The narrative policy framework (NPF) provides a structure for examining the impact of policy narratives on policy change (Jones and McBeth 2010). At the meso level, policy process scholars, including NPF research, tend to focus on legislative and agency-level case studies; direct democracy decisions are an understudied area in our sub-discipline. Direct democracy provides an important venue for policy making by a public who is growing increasingly dissatisfied with our politicians and political institutions. How “We the People” make policy often frustrates our elected officials but emboldens citizens and bolsters participation—cornerstones in a well-functioning democracy. At the heart of politics are policy narratives or stories, and how “We the People” tell stories and use narratives to frame our policy preferences is fundamental to their success. But to date, despite the centrality of narratives in democracy, no meso-level NPF research examines the role of policy narratives in direct democracy debates or connects these narratives to specific outcomes. This research fills that niche through the use of NPF to understand the policy outcome of Ohio voter referendum, Issue 2, which asked voters to maintain or repeal Senate Bill 5 (SB5), a 2011 state law restricting the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers. Using NPF narrative components to analyze media policy narratives, we compare these results to elite interviews, public opinion data, voter registration, and voting results by county to determine effective narratives and help understand why Ohio voters rejected SB5 in a referendum (Issue 2).
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer: is prostate an immune responsive tumor?

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to identify possible reasons why prostate cancer suboptimally responds to immune therapies. Recent findings Interrogation of the intraprostatic milieu suggests that within the normal prostate, foci of tumor can be surrounded by inflammatory cells that may or may not represent foci of immune sensitivity. Whether or not these cells are specific 'immune responders' depends on a multiplicity of factors within the host and intratumoral/stromal milieu. Solid tumors such as kidney and melanoma can undergo spontaneous regressions alone or upon removal of a primary mass lesion, suggestive of some sort of immune derepression once the original lesion is removed. Such observations, though rare, suggest that some unknown immunologic process may be governing how the tumor behaves. Similarly, in melanoma, there are rare abscopal effects suggesting that once a primary lesion is radiated, a secondary lesion afar from the treated lesion could remit. Summary Why prostate cancer remains an immunologic conundrum remains a mystery. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have a survival benefit but minimal or no antitumor response with the autologous cellular product immune therapy, sipuleucel-T, whereas checkpoint inhibitors, successful in melanoma, renal cell, nonsmall cell lung, and urothelial cancers, have little or no activity. This review serves to bring to the forefront the issues that may underlie why prostate cancer is not robustly responsive to immune strategies.
Chemical Studies of Pheromone Reception and Catabolism

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methodology employed in using radiochemicals to study pheromone catabolism and pheromone reception. It reviews the literature by presenting case studies for seven insect species for which detailed chemical studies have been undertaken. These examples include previously unpublished results from my laboratories at Stony Brook. The enzymes that degrade pheromones fall into four categories: (1) tissue-and substrate-specific, (2) tissue-specific but nonspecific for pheromone components, (3) generally distributed but pheromone-specific, and (4) generally distributed and nonspecific enzymes. The catabolism of pheromones is important in clearing external surfaces and in maintaining a low-stimulus noise level in the lumen of the sensory hair. Inhibition of this pheromone breakdown can be achieved with chemically reactive pheromone analogs and may lead to novel control strategies based on sensory disruption. In addition, the molecules that bind pheromones are targets for both chemically reactive and photoactivatable affinity labels.
Intradural-extramedullary isolated compressive sarcoid lesion.

BACKGROUND Sarcoid involvement of the central nervous system is a rare occurrence, with involvement in approximately 5-10% of all cases. Isolated spinal involvement is an even rarer encounter, only 0.3-1% of all cases. These lesions can form compressive nodules leading to myelopathy. In the presented case of cervical sarcoid, the patient required a decompressive procedure to address cord compression. CASE DESCRIPTION This is the case of a 39-year-old male presenting with cervical myelopathy caused by a compressive sarcoid nodule who underwent a successful posterior decompressive procedure. The pathology demonstrated a non-caseating granuloma, consistent with sarcoid. Postoperatively, the patient's myelopathic symptoms improved. CONCLUSIONS Sarcoid is rarely associated with an isolated compressive cervical lesion. Although sarcoid management typically involves immune suppression, in cases of active cord compression surgical intervention is warranted.
Acquisition and Generalization of Coffee Purchase Skills by Adults with Severe Disabilities.

Six adults with severe disabilities were taught to purchase coffee in a community sit-down restaurant. Skills in the community were taught using a 46 step task analysis, a prompt hierarchy of least to greatest prompts, and social reinforcement. Generalization was assessed across two restaurants with similar characteristics and one with dissimilar characteristics (i.e., a fast food restaurant). At the completion of training, the people involved in the study demonstrated competencies equal to non-handicapped customers and they maintained these skills at a two to five month follow-up assessment.
Nutrition label use is associated with lower longer-term diabetes risk in US adults

Background: Regular nutrition label use may have important long-term health implications. To our knowledge, the role of nutrition label use in protecting against the development of chronic diseases was unexplored prospectively before this study. Objective: We tested the association between nutrition label use and risk of a future diabetes diagnosis in a multiethnic US cohort. Design: Data from the ongoing National Longitudinal Survey of Youth–1979 (NLSY79) were analyzed. From 2002 (baseline) to 5 follow-up time points (2004–2012), 7150 diabetes-free, multiethnic young adults were prospectively followed for a diagnosis of incident diabetes. Nutrition label use, diabetes diagnosis, time to diabetes diagnosis, and all covariates were self-reported. Results: Between January 2002 and September 2013, 430 participants (6.0%) were diagnosed with diabetes. A weighted, multivariable, extended Cox regression was conducted, which suggested that in nutrition label users, the HR of diabetes diagnosis risk decreased significantly with time (P-nutrition label use × time interaction < 0.05) compared with risk in nutrition label nonusers. Conclusions: There is an association between nutrition label use and diabetes risk in the longer term. However, additional longitudinal research with a robust dietary intake assessment is needed to test this hypothesis.
Inequality: Underrepresentation of African American Males in U. S. Higher Education

Although the percentage of Blacks earning college degrees has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, Blacks earn only 10% of college degrees, 12% of graduate degrees, and 7% of doctoral degrees (U....
Dynamic structure function of some singular Fermi liquids

The density correlations of some singular Fermi liquids with anomalous properties such as resistivity varying linearly with $T$ at low temperatures and a $TlogT$ contribution to the entropy and thermopower are expected to be quite different from that in Landau Fermi liquids. A possible statistical mechanical model for the quantum-critical fluctuations in diverse systems with such properties is the 2D dissipative quantum XY model. Exact relations between the density correlations and singular irreducible vertices due to coupling of fermions to the topological excitations of the 2D dissipative quantum XY model are used to derive results which have become measurable only recently because of advances in experimental techniques. The density correlations are unusual at all momenta $\mathbf{q}$ and energy $\ensuremath{\omega}$, from the hydrodynamic limit to that for large momenta and energy. The hydrodynamic limit together with the continuity equation gives the linear in $T$ resistivity. The density correlations are almost independent of frequency up to a high-frequency cutoff for ${q}_{ZB}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}q\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\omega}/{v}_{F}$; ${q}_{ZB}$ is the Brillouin zone boundary and ${v}_{F}$ is the Fermi velocity. The results should be applicable to loop-current quantum criticality in cuprates, and to 2D Fe-based compounds near their antiferromagnetic quantum criticality. The relation of the results to the temperature and frequency dependent conductivity and to Raman response is also discussed.
Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation

Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation , Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز
Propensity for erosion and deposition in a deltaic wetland complex: Implications for river management and coastal restoration

Abstract The Mississippi River Delta is one of the most rapidly changing area on Earth, with large areas experiencing land loss and smaller areas experiencing loss. While some of the drivers of these changes are well known (high rates of relative sea level rise, reduced sediment inputs, canal dredging), debate exists about other drivers. One area that has received substantial attention is the role of, “river diversions,” areas where sediments and water are diverted from the Mississippi River into degrading wetlands with the hope of reinitiating deltaic land building processes. Some authors have argued that diversions lead to reduced shear strengths of wetland soils that make them more vulnerable to storm driven erosion, while other authors have argued that sediments from river diversions will develop stable land. This study examined this controversy in the Cubits Gap Subdelta, an analogue for a large (> 1420 m3 s− 1) river diversion by testing the hypothesis that areas of land gain, and/or resilience to erosion occurred in areas that actively received river sediments and as a result had mineral rich soils with high shear strength. To accomplish this, a Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) was developed for Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM +) and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images. The NDWI was calculated from (Blue − SWIR) / (Blue + SWIR), where SWIR is the shorter wavelength, and yielded land/water boundary maps with 30 m resolution. Results indicate that land gain occurred predominantly in the riverside section of this subdelta where sediments were imported from Mississippi River crevasses and/or dredging. Land loss typically occurred in the distal regions of the subdelta, which had lower levels of sediment supply and greater wave exposure. Sediment geotechnical analyses revealed land loss pixels generally correlated sediments with to high organic contents (9.0 ± 1.9%), water contents (54.8 ± 3.7%) and salinity (6.5 ± 2.0 PSU), with low shear strengths (5.7 ± 0.8 kN m− 2) and low bulk density (0.6 ± 0.8 g cm− 3), whereas land gain pixels generally correlate with low organic content (3.9 ± 0.6%), water content (38.1 ± 4.2%) high shear strength (10.9 ± 4.1 kN m− 2) and bulk density (1.00 ± 0.1 g cm− 3). This study suggests plans to restore the region by partially diverting the flow of the Mississippi River will be most successful if they carry high loads of sediment, and that concerns about the integrity of fresh marsh may be unwarranted if those marshes are sediment rich.