cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endocytic Clathrin-coated Pit Formation Is Independent of Receptor Internalization Signal Levels

The mechanisms responsible for coated pit formation in cells remain unknown, but indirect evidence has argued both for and against a critical role of receptor cytoplasmic domains in the process. If the endocytic motifs of receptors are responsible for recruiting AP2 to the plasma membrane, thereby driving coated pit formation, then the level of constitutively internalized receptors at the membrane would be expected to govern the steady-state level of coated pits in cells. Here we directly test this hypothesis for broad classes of receptors containing three distinct constitutive internalization signals. Chimeric proteins consisting of an integral membrane reporter protein (Tac) coupled to cytoplasmic domains bearing tyrosine-, di-leucine-, or acidic cluster/casein kinase II-based internalization signals were overexpressed to levels that saturated the internalization pathway. Quantitative confocal immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the number of plasma membrane clathrin-coated pits and the concentration of their structural components were invariant when comparing cells expressing saturating levels of the chimeric receptors to nonexpressing cells or to cells expressing only the Tac reporter lacking cytoplasmic internalization signals. Biochemical analysis showed that the distribution of coat proteins between assembled coated pits and soluble pools was also not altered by receptor overexpression. Finally, the cellular localizations of AP2 and AP1 were similarly unaffected. These results provide a clear indication that receptor endocytic signals do not determine coated pit levels by directly recruiting AP2 molecules. Rather, the findings support a model in which coated pit formation proceeds through recruitment and activation of AP2, likely through a limited number of regulated docking sites that act independently of endocytic signals.
Experimental investigation of actively confined concrete using shape memory alloys

This experimental study focuses on investigating the uniaxial compression behavior of concrete confined using an innovative active confinement technique. The thermally triggered recovery stress of prestrained Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) spirals is utilized to apply external active confining pressure to concrete cylinders. Thermo-mechanical tests are first conducted to determine the recovery stress and the prestrain losses of the spirals used. Next, the SMA spirals are utilized to confine concrete cylinders either solely or in conjunction with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wraps. The confined cylinders are tested in compression and their behavior is compared with that of cylinders confined passively with GFRP only. The results of the study show that SMA spirals exhibit stable recovery stress under monotonic and cyclic loading. The amount of prestrain losses measured in the study is minimal and thus has no impact on the behavior of the confined cylinders. The compression test results indicate that the SMA spirals are effective in applying large and reliable active confining pressure on the tested concrete specimens. Additionally, the concrete cylinders confined with the SMA spirals show significantly higher ultimate strain and slightly higher strength compared to those of the GFRP passively confined cylinders.
The ontogeny of [3H]muscimol binding sites in the C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum.

Abstract The characteristics of [ 3 H]muscimol binding were investigated in cerebellar sections from 7-day-old mice. The binding sites were found to possess the kinetic properties and pharmacological specificity characteristic of high-affinity GABA A receptors. [ 3 H]Muscimol binding sites in the developing C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum were visualized by light microscopic autoradiography. A distinct band of labeling situated over the molecular layer was apparent from day 1 to day 7. The external granule cell layer remained unlabeled throughout development. Labeling over the internal granule cell layer gradually increased from birth; it became more dense and well defined until adult levels of grain density were reached at 35–42 days of age. The deep cerebellar nuclei were moderately labeled at birth and gradually decreased in density thereafter. The observed ontogeny of granule cell [ 3 H]muscimol binding sites suggests that the synthesis of receptors is initiated at a time immediately after cessation of cell division, coinciding with the beginning of granule cell translocation across the molecular layer. Since, at this time, granule cells have not yet formed synapses with the GABAergic Golgi II cells, nor have they, in turn, formed the vast majority of synaptic contacts with Purkinje cells, it follows that receptor appearance precedes the formation of afferent connections, and may also precede efferent synaptic contacts. The timing of the appearance of [ 3 H]muscimol binding sites raises the possibility that their initial acquisition may be related to developmental events other than the interaction of the granule cell with its pre- or postsynaptic neuronal partners.
H 2 emission arises outside photodissociation regions in ultraluminous infrared galaxies

Spitzer Space Telescope observations of ultraluminous infrared galaxies show that the molecular hydrogen (H2) emission in these objects — often considered an indicator of star formation — originates not from starburst activity deep within the galaxies but from outside the galaxies' dusty central regions. These objects are among the most luminous in the local Universe and are thought to be powered by intense star formation. These observations by Nadia Zakamska point to an alternative origin for the H2, however. Zakamska proposes that the H2 emission is produced by shocks in the surrounding material, which are excited by interactions with nearby galaxies. Ultraluminous infrared galaxies are among the most luminous objects in the local Universe and are thought to be powered by intense star formation. In these objects, the rotational lines of molecular hydrogen (H2) observed at mid-infrared wavelengths are not affected by dust obscuration, but the source of excitation has been unknown. Here it is found that H2 emission originates outside the obscured regions; it is proposed that H2 emission traces shocks in the surrounding material that are excited by interactions with nearby galaxies. Ultraluminous infrared galaxies are among the most luminous objects in the local Universe and are thought to be powered by intense star formation1,2. It has been shown that in these objects the rotational spectral lines of molecular hydrogen observed at mid-infrared wavelengths are not affected by dust obscuration3, but left unresolved was the source of excitation for this emission. Here I report an analysis of archival Spitzer Space Telescope data on ultraluminous infrared galaxies and demonstrate that dust obscuration affects star formation indicators but not molecular hydrogen. I thereby establish that the emission of H2 is not co-spatial with the buried starburst activity and originates outside the obscured regions. This is unexpected in light of the standard view that H2 emission is directly associated with star-formation activity3,4,5. I propose the alternative view that H2 emission in these objects traces shocks in the surrounding material that are excited by interactions with nearby galaxies. Large-scale shocks cooling by means of H2 emission may accordingly be more common than previously thought. In the early Universe, a boost in H2 emission by this process may have accelerated the cooling of matter as it collapsed to form the first stars and galaxies, and would make these first structures more readily observable6.
Alkalinity and pH off the coast of Oregon

Abstract Seasonal distributions of alkalinity and pH off the Oregon coast are complicated by coastal upwelling and by the presence of the Columbia River effluent in the upper 200 m. Between 200 and 1200 m, alkalinity and specific alkalinity do not change seasonally but increase linearly with depth. Their values are 2·29 mequiv./l. and 0·123 at 200 m and 2·45 mequiv./l. and 0·128 at 1200 m for alkalinity and specific alkalinity respectively. The vertical distribution of pH has a pattern similar to that of the oxygen distribution; the highest value is at the surface (8·2) and the lowest (7·5) in the oxygen minimum zone (800 m). The vertical distributions of alkalinity and pH are useful in the study of costal upwelling, and the horizontal distribution of specific alkalinity in the surface layers may be used to identify the Columbia River “plume” off the Oregon coast.
Analysis of USP Laser Induced Ablation Threshold in Transparent Aqueous Tissue

The ultrashort pulsed (USP) laser induced plasma-mediated ablation in transparent media is modeled and studied in this work. We propose that a certain number of free electrons are required to trigger the avalanche ionization for the first time. Based on this assumption, the ablation process is postulated as two separate processes — the multiphoton and avalanche ionizations. For USP laser induced ablation in the transparent corneal epithelium at 800 nm, the critical seed free-electron density and the time to initialize the avalanche ionization for pulse widths from picoseconds down to the femtoseconds range are calculated. It is found that the critical seed free-electron density decreases as the pulse width increases, obeying a tp−5.65 rule. Moreover, this model is also extended to the estimation of crater sizes in USP laser ablation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The crater sizes ablated in a PDMS by a 900 fs pulsed laser at wavelength 1552 nm are modeled using the present model, and the results match with the existing experimental measurements.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Anomalies in Lagrangian field theory

We investigate the manner in which anomalies enter the description of experimental data by means of effective Lagrangians, with particular attention to the known result that \ensuremath{\delta}-function-type contact singularities of Feynman integrals do not contribute to the S matrix. The development uses the two-photon decay of singlet positronium as an example. We show that the anomaly becomes essential on replacing positronium effectively by a point particle; the anomaly arises automatically in the resulting effective Lagrangian as a remnant of the underlying QED structure of positronium.
3503 Endoscopic cryotherapy: results of a pilot study for the treatment of mucosal vascular lesions in humans.

Thermal therapy is the cornerstone of endoscopic treatment of mucosal disease of the gastrointestinal tract.We have recently described results of animal studies with a novel endoscopic device that delivers a freezing spray based on the Joules-Thompson effect (Gastrointes Endosc 1999;49:627-31). This device is simple, portable, inexpensive and uses compressed gas. We report the results of a pilot study using an improved version of the device to treat mucosal vascular lesions in humans. AIM: To determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic cryotherapy to treat patients with mucosal vascular lesions and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: Patients with recurrent GI bleeding from mucosal vascular lesions such as AVM's, watermelon stomach and radiation gastritis/proctitis who had failed conventional thermal therapy were recruited. Cryotherapy was applied to affected areas in sessions until all areas were treated. Follow-up endoscopy was performed 2-4 weeks after the final session in all patients. Serial hematocrits and blood transfusions requirements following therapy were recorded. RESULTS: 8 patients were recruited with gastric AVM's (n=5), watermelon stomach(n=1), radiation gastritis(n=1), radiation proctitis (n=1). There mean number of sessions for therapy was 3.25(mean range of 1-6 sessions). 6 patients had no further bleeding after a mean follow of 6.7±4.6 weeks. Follow-up endoscopy in these patients revealed normally regenerated mucosa. 2 patients continued to have bleeding despite cryotherapy, one had a watermelon stomach with refractory post-chemotherapy thromboctopenia and the second patient had radiation gastritis and maked debilitation from metastatic cancer. There were no complications noted in any of the 8 patients enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that cryotherapy is safe and effective treatment for recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding from mucosal vascular lesions. Further controlled trials are needed.
Pseudarthrosis resulting in complete paraplegia fifteen years after spinal fusion

Paraplegia immediately following spinal fusion is a known problem. This case demonstrates the importance of long-term follow-up of fusion patients. Prompt attention must be given to any change in neurological status. A careful check must be made for pseudarthrosis and for secondary compression of the spinal cord as possible causes of neurological compromise.
Effect of PEG Surface Conformation on Anticancer Activity and Blood Circulation of Nanoemulsions Loaded with Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction of Palm Oil

Tocotrienol-rich fraction of palm oil, which contains the isomers of vitamin E, was shown to possess potent anticancer activity against mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines. Its clinical use, however, is limited by poor oral bioavailability and short half-life. Previously, we developed tocotrienol-rich lipid nanoemulsions for intravenous administration. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of surface grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the properties of the nanoemulsions. PEGylation was achieved by the addition of equimolar PEG groups using poloxamer or 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)2000] (PEG2000-DSPE). The effect of PEG surface topography on the antiproliferative activity of nanoemulsions against mammary adenocarcinoma cells, their susceptibility to protein adsorption, and its effect on blood hemolysis and circulation time was investigated. Nanoemulsions PEGylated with poloxamer or PEG2000-DSPE were stable under physical stress. Poloxamer nanoemulsion, however, displayed higher uptake and potency against MCF-7 tumor cells in 2D and 3D culture and increased hemolytic effect and susceptibility to IgG adsorption, which was reflected in its rapid clearance and short circulation half-life (1.7 h). Conversely, PEGylation with PEG2000-DSPE led to a 7-fold increase in mean residence time (12.3 h) after IV injection in rats. Reduced activity in vitro and improved circulation time suggested strong shielding of plasma proteins from the droplets. Differences between the nanoemulsions were attributed to polymer imbibitions and the differences in PEG conformation and density on the surface of the droplets.
A percutaneous technique to treat unstable dorsal fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Purpose Unstable dorsal fracture–dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are complex injuries that are difficult to treat and usually require operative fixation. There are a number of surgical techniques for treating these injuries but none has emerged as superior. The purposes of this study were to describe a simple percutaneous technique to treat unstable dorsal fracture–dislocations of the PIP joint and to report short-term postoperative results. Methods We treated 6 patients with unstable dorsal fracture–dislocations of the PIP joint with the technique of closed reduction, percutaneous fracture reduction, and pinning via a volar approach and also with dorsal block pinning. We collected information on postoperative stability, range of motion at the PIP and distal interphalangeal joints, and radiographic outcomes. We also administered the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and visual analog pain scale questionnaires. Results At a mean follow-up of 18 months (range, 6–57 mo), there were no subluxation or dislocation events. The mean range of motion was from 4° of extension to 93° of flexion at the PIP joint and from 1° of extension to 73° of flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint. Radiographic analysis revealed a concentric reduction and union in all cases. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 8 and the mean visual analog pain score was 1.4 out of 10. There were no minor or major complications. Conclusions This percutaneous technique reliably restored stability to the PIP joint, allowed for concentric reduction of the joint, and produced excellent radiographic and clinical outcomes. The postoperative management course with this technique is critical to the outcome. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Special Issue on Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Physical Phenomena of Material Systems

Complex material systems, especially at small scales, require the marriage of advancements of theoretical studies, exploitations of computational methods, and nontraditional experimental validations to unveil their underpinning mechanisms. The advent of superior synthesis techniques coupled with ever-increasing computational powers has enabled concerted effort toward design and development of materials with impressive functional characteristics. This special issue centers on the recent research advances in computational modeling, theoretical analysis, and experimental characterization of material systems at the nano/micro scale. This special issue contains five technical papers in the studies of nanomaterials, microcracks, and biostructure imaging.
Characterization of INF56, a gene expressed during infection structure development of Uromyces appendiculatus

Abstract the bean rust fungus, Uromyces appendiculatus, undergoes thigmotropic differentiation to produce infection structures. Six differentiation-specific genes have been isolated and one, INF24, has been characterized [Bhairi et al., Gene 81 (1989) 237–243]. Here, we report the structure of a second gene, INF56, which was subcloned on a 2.6-kb fragment and sequenced. The location of the 1.0-kb INF56 transcript was determined by S1 nuclease protection and primer extension. A TATA box was found 38 bp upstream and a CAAT box 130 bp upstream from the major transcription start point (tsp). The gene contains two open reading frames: ORF2 is nested within ORF1; they share a 67-bp intron. ORF1 encodes a 14.1-kDa polypeptide which has an amino acid sequence rich in Gly, Pro and Ser. It has sequence similarity to a functional domain (V2) of mammalian cytokeratin type II. ORF2 encodes a 10.1-kDa polypeptide which is rich in Pro. It shares similarity with the cell-surface recognition region of chicken fibronectin. Hybrid selection and in vitro translation of the INF56 mRNA yielded two polypeptides of 15.5 and 23 kDa, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. INF56 is constitutively expressed at a low level, but the abundance of its steady-state transcript is upshifted 4.5 h after spore hydration during the period that infection structures are formed.
Ground penetrating radar survey of Edenton green for early structural remains

Edenton, North Carolina was established in 1712 as the Towne on Queen Anne's Creek. It was later known as Ye Towne on Mattercommack Creek and, yet later as the Port of Roanoke. It was renamed Edenton and incorporated in 1722 in honor of Governor Charles Eden who had died that year.
Eye-safe laser scanner for range imaging

A fast, range imaging, eye-safe laser scanner which uses a synchronized scanning geometry is described. The device operates at a 1.5-μm wavelength and incorporates an Er doped fiber laser as well as an InGaAs position sensitive detector. Factors influencing device performances are presented along with range images obtained at 1.5 μm.
La linguistique de l'énonciation et le concept de déictique

En linguistique de l'enonciation, le concept de deictique est souvent evoque comme allant de pair avec celui de modalite. Tout en etant disposes a prendre en charge divers elements du cadre enonciatif (le phenomene de la deixis s'occupe sur­ tout d'identifier les protagonistes et de preciser le cadre spatio-temporel de l'enon­ ciation tandis que celui de Ia modalite privilegie les donnees logiques, linguistiques et psychologiques des enonces), ce que ces deux concepts ont egalement en commun, c'est leur "statut clairement enonciatif “. Les deictiques et les modalites sont non seulement disposes a tenir compte "du surgissement du sujet dans l'enonce" (deictique), de Ia "relation que le locuteur entretient par le texte avec l'interlocuteur", mais ils peuvent egalement traduire "l'attitude du sujet parlant a l'egard de son enonce" (modalite), Ia "marque que le sujet ne cesse de donner a son enonce". Compte tenu de ce que ces deux phenomenes sont susceptibles d'engendrer, ils doivent etre percus comme les lieux d'inscription "les plus manifestes, les plus voyants" de Ia subjectivite dans le langage.
Chlorpromazine Metabolism VIII: Blood Levels of Chlorpromazine and Its Sulfoxide in Schizophrenic Patients

A procedure was standardized for extracting chlorpromazine and its sulfoxide from the blood and for applying a recently developed fluorometric assay method to determine blood levels of these two compounds in schizophrenic patients receiving chlorpromazine therapy. The described methodology opens avenues for performing bioavailability and generic equivalence studies in humans.
Monte-carlo evidence suggesting a no moment problem of the continuous updating estimator

Monte Carlo evidence is provided that suggests that the continuous updating estimator might have a moment problem. In the linear simultaneous equation model, its performance in terms of sample median and standard deviation is virtually identical to the one of the limited information maximum likelihood estimator.
Random access game and medium access control design

Motivated partially by a control-theoretic viewpoint, we propose a game-theoretic model, called random access game, for contention control. We characterize Nash equilibria of random access games, study their dynamics, and propose distributed algorithms (strategy evolutions) to achieve Nash equilibria. This provides a general analytical framework that is capable of modeling a large class of system-wide quality-of-service (QoS) models via the specification of per-node utility functions, in which system-wide fairness or service differentiation can be achieved in a distributed manner as long as each node executes a contention resolution algorithm that is designed to achieve the Nash equilibrium. We thus propose a novel medium access method derived from carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) according to distributed strategy update mechanism achieving the Nash equilibrium of random access game. We present a concrete medium access method that adapts to a continuous contention measure called conditional collision probability, stabilizes the network into a steady state that achieves optimal throughput with targeted fairness (or service differentiation), and can decouple contention control from handling failed transmissions. In addition to guiding medium access control design, the random access game model also provides an analytical framework to understand equilibrium and dynamic properties of different medium access protocols.
Life-Threatening Respiratory Pasteurellosis Associated With Palliative Pet Care

Pasteurella multocida is a zoonotic Gram-negative coccobacillus often associated with soft tissue infections due to dog and cat bites. Here we report 3 patients who developed life-threatening P. multocida respiratory tract infections after providing palliative care to their dying pets. The majority of patients with Pasteurella multocida infections are bitten or scratched by the offending animal [ 1 ]. The mortality of P. multocida infections, especially severe and invasive infections like pneumonia, could be more pronounced than that seen with bite infections [ 2 , 3 ]. We report 3 patients with lifethreatening P. multocida respiratory tract infections associated with palliative pet care. A PubMed search revealed no report of zoonotic illness associated with palliative pet care. Because more than 50% of pet owners consider pets as family members [ 4 ]a nd because of the likely expansion of palliative pet care services [ 5 ], providers of palliative pet care will likely have more frequent close contact with dying animals and may be at risk for invasive P. multocida infections. Pet owners, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and physicians should therefore be aware of the potential risk of life-threatening respiratory P. multocida infections in the setting of palliative pet care. In patients with possible zoonotic infection, the physician’s history about patientanimal contact should routinely include questions regarding end-of-life animal care. METHODS
Kinship Care and “Child-Only” Welfare Grants: Low Participation Despite Potential Benefits

Several U.S. social policies identify kinship care as the preferred out-of-home placement. However, financial assistance to defray the cost of kinship caregiving is limited. One option is the child-only welfare grant. This study investigates kinship households' eligibility for, utilization of, and educational benefits associated with these grants. Most kinship households are eligible for these grants, which in 2003 provided a median monthly benefit of $227. However, analysis of National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data indicates that few eligible kinship households receive the grants. Regression analysis indicates that an increase in this amount of monthly household income during adolescence is associated with a 7% greater likelihood of kinship youth graduating from high school.
Time‐wave velocity analysis for early earthquake damage detection in buildings: application to a damaged full‐scale RC building

An algorithm for time velocity analysis of building response is presented, which identifies the wave velocity of vertically propagating waves through the building and detects their changes. The algorithm is intended for use in SHM systems for rapid assessment of the structural health and integrity following an earthquake. The velocities are identified by an interferometric algorithm, which involves least squares fit of pulses in impulse response functions. An important feature of this method is that it is not sensitive to the effects of soil– structure interaction. The algorithm is applied to a 12-story RC building in Los Angeles, lightly damaged by the San Fernando 1971 earthquake. The results of the time velocity analysis are critically compared with results of analysis of input power, interstory drift, and instantaneous frequency. The identified average vertical wave velocity was initially ~140m/s for the NS and ~110m/s for the EW response and reduced by ~26% and 32%, respectively. The detected reduction of the fundamental frequency of vibration was larger (~44% for the NS and 48% for the EW response). The difference is interpreted to be due to softening of the soil–foundation system, to which the identified frequency of vibration is sensitive. The change was larger in the lower half of the building (~31% for the NS and ~37% for the EW response) as compared with the upper half (~24% for the NS and ~27% for the EW response), consistent with the observed damage. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The open circuit nitrogen washout technique for measuring the lung volume in infants: methodological aspects.

BACKGROUND—Lung volume measurement by nitrogen washout is widely used in infants, though a lack of accuracy and changes of calibration over time have been reported. The potential sources of error were explored in order to increase the accuracy and reliability of the technique. METHODS—A commercial system for nitrogen washout and a 0.5 litre calibrating syringe as a lung model were used to perform over 2000in vitro washouts, including simulated rapid breathing, shallow breathing, periodic breathing, sighs, and brief apnoeas. A constant 10 l/min bias flow of oxygen and extended equipment warming times were employed. A collapsible breathing bag was incorporated into the washout circuit. Following a single two point calibration, known air volumes from 42 ml to 492 ml were measured by nitrogen washout over a 14 hour period. The flow waveform in the nitrogen mixing chamber during a washout in vitro, with and without the breathing bag in the circuit, was also studied. RESULTS—The mean coefficient of variation of all volumes was 0.66%. The mean difference between measured and known volumes was 0.30ml (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.18 to 0.79). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). The mean percentage error was -0.1% (range -0.47% to 0.46%). Nitrogen calibration remained stable for 14 hours. Without the breathing bag flow transients were frequent in the mixing chamber during in vitro washout. CONCLUSIONS—This technique increases the accuracy in vitro and the precision in vivo of volume measurement by nitrogen washout. Sources of potential errors including baseline drifting and inadequate equipment warming times were identified. The breathing bag acted as a buffer reservoir, preventing large swings in flows within the nitrogen mixing chamber during washouts, and should be an integral component of the nitrogen washout circuit.
Three-Dimensional Gray Matter Atrophy Mapping in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer Disease

Background Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the recent terminology for patients with cognitive deficiencies in the absence of functional decline. Most patients with MCI harbor the pathologic changes of AD and demonstrate transition to dementia at a rate of 10% to 15% per year. Patients with AD and MCI experience progressive brain atrophy. Objective To analyze the structural magnetic resonance imaging data for 24 patients with amnestic MCI and 25 patients with mild AD using an advanced 3-dimensional cortical mapping technique. Design Cross-sectional cohort design. Patients/Methods We analyzed the structural magnetic resonance imaging data of 24 amnestic MCI (mean MMSE, 28.1; SD, 1.7) and 25 mild AD patients (all MMSE scores, >18; mean MMSE, 23.7; SD, 2.9) using an advanced 3-dimensional cortical mapping technique. Results We observed significantly greater cortical atrophy in patients with mild AD. The entorhinal cortex, right more than left lateral temporal cortex, right parietal cortex, and bilateral precuneus showed 15% more atrophy and the remainder of the cortex primarily exhibited 10% to 15% more atrophy in patients with mild AD than in patients with amnestic MCI. Conclusion There are striking cortical differences between mild AD and the immediately preceding cognitive state of amnestic MCI. Cortical areas affected earlier in the disease process are more severely affected than those that are affected late. Our method may prove to be a reliable in vivo disease-tracking technique that can also be used for evaluating disease-modifying therapies in the future.
Neurologic disorders in Medicaid vs privately insured children and working-age adults.

Summary This retrospective, observational study reports health utilization and access patterns of Medicaid recipients for neurologic diseases compared to privately insured individuals seen in 2 hospitals at a single institution in the same time period. We reviewed records of patients and compared demographic characteristics, visit types, neurologic diagnoses, and all-cause mortality, by age group, when seen with Medicaid vs private insurance. Adults insured by Medicaid were more likely to present as inpatients and with life-threatening neurologic disease compared to privately insured patients. Moreover, adult patients presenting with neurologic disease on Medicaid had a higher all-cause mortality rate than privately insured patients. Similar disparities in neurologic disease were not observed in children. The relationship of these findings to patient educational status, household income, comorbidities, and the reasons prompting Medicaid eligibility require additional study.
Petrodiesel and waste grease biodiesel (B20) emission particles at a rural recycling center: characterization and effects on lung epithelial cells and macrophages

Diesel engine emissions are an important source of ultrafine particulate matter (PM) in both ambient air and many occupational settings. Biodiesel is a popular ‘green’ alternative to petroleum diesel fuel, but little is known about the impact of ‘real-world’ biodiesel combustion on workplace PM concentrations and particle characteristics including size, morphology, and composition; or on biological responses. The objectives of the present work were to characterize PM workplace concentrations and tailpipe emissions produced by the combustion of commercially purchased low sulfur petrodiesel and a waste grease B20 blend (20 % biodiesel/80 % petrodiesel by volume) in heavy duty diesel (HDD) nonroad equipment operating in a ‘real-world’ rural recycling center. Furthermore, we assessed the in vitro responses of cell lines representing human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and macrophages (THP-1) after 24 h of exposure to these real-world particles. Compared to petroleum diesel, use of B20 in HDD equipment resulted in lower mass concentrations of PM2.5, PM<0.25 (particle diameter less than 2.5 and 0.25 μm, respectively), and elemental carbon. Transmission electron analysis of PM showed that primary particle size and morphology were similar between fuel types. Metals composition analysis revealed differences between fuels, with higher Fe, Al, V, and Se measured during B20 use, and higher As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb concentrations measured during petrodiesel use. In vitro responses varied between fuels but data supported that waste grease B20 particles elicited inflammatory responses in human macrophages and lung epithelial cells comparable to petrodiesel particles. However, the effects were more pronounced with B20 than petrodiesel at the same mass concentration. Since the primary particle size and morphology were similar between fuels, it is likely that the differential results seen in the in vitro assays points to differences in the composition of the PM. Future research should focus on the organic carbon and metals speciation and potential impact of real-world particles on reactive oxygen species generation and mechanisms for differences in the cellular inflammatory responses.
A request-routing framework for SOA-based enterprise computing

Enterprises may use a service-oriented architecture (SOA) to provide a streamlined interface to their business processes. To scale up the system, each tier in a composite service usually deploys multiple servers for load distribution and fault tolerance. Such load distribution across multiple servers within the same tier can be viewed as horizontal load distribution. One limitation of this approach is that load cannot be further distributed when all servers in the same tier are fully loaded. In complex multi-tiered systems, a single business process may actually be implemented by multiple different computation pathways among the tiers, each with different components, in order to provide resiliency and scalability. Such SOA-based enterprise computing with multiple implementation options gives opportunities for vertical load distribution across tiers. In this paper, we propose a requestrouting framework for SOA-based enterprise computing that takes into consideration both horizontal and vertical load distribution. Through experimentation we show that our algorithm and methodology scale well up to a large system configuration comprising up to 1000 workflow requests to a complex composite service with multiple implementations. We also show that a combination of both horizontal and vertical load distributions gives the maximum flexibility to improve performance and fault tolerance.
Review and reading

Summary table of all personal pronouns. Unstressed forms are in parenthesis: Open image in new window
Community-based rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease: from neurons to neighborhoods

This paper describes a model for developing early, community-based exercise interventions for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The model being described is novel in that it advocates collaborative development of the program by multiple stakeholders (i.e., researchers, people with Parkinson's disease, caregivers, Parkinson's associations and healthcare providers), utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, and peer-to-peer training by caregivers and person's with PD. Opportunities and challenges of creating community-based exercise programs are discussed.
Increasing Student Diversity and Cultural Competence as Part of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s Service Mission

For many years, studies have identified a need for greater racial and ethnic diversity among dental professionals. However, the ability of the field to collectively address the problem has been hindered by the low numbers of underrepresented minority students who apply to dental school. Over the past two decades, college attendance rates have increased and U.S. dental school applications have tripled, but the number of underrepresented minority dental applicants has remained about the same. With the increasing diversity of the U.S. population and specifically that of the state of California, the dental workforce would be enhanced by the presence of more underrepresented minority dentists. Additionally, curricular changes should be implemented to better prepare dental students to meet the oral health care needs of diverse populations. There is general agreement that these workforce and curricular changes would enhance access to care for underserved populations. For seven years, Loma Linda Uni- versity School of Dentistry participated in the Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program. The first phase of this national program addressed deficiencies in diversity in dentistry and in access to oral health care. In the second phase, Loma Linda University continued to collaborate with other California dental schools on specific state initiatives. This article provides an overview of the school's efforts to enroll a more diverse student body, enhance all its students' cultural competence, and expand care to underserved populations.
Autonomous lateral following consideration for vehicle platoons

In this paper the problem of lateral control of vehicles operating in a platoon without the use of road infrastructure is analyzed. It is shown that the use of sensors that monitor the preceding vehicle's relative lateral position is enough to achieve lateral control for a pair of vehicles, provided that certain limitations are taken into account. For a platoon of multiple vehicles, the lateral error propagation is a serious issue that can be solved if performance is compromised. The use of inter-vehicle communication is proposed in order to recover platoon stability and satisfactory performance. Experimental data and simulations for both passenger and tractor-semi-trailer vehicles illustrate the analytical results.
A Silicone Membrane for in Vitro Feeding of Ixodes scapularis (Ixodida: Ixodidae)

We describe a simple silicone membrane for in vitro feeding of Ixodes scapularis (Say), the main tick vector of Lyme borreliosis in the United States. Membranes are prepared using regenerated cellulose lens paper, which is coated with a controlled layer of silicone by submerging and removing the paper in a defined solution of silicone glue dissolved in toluene. Median engorged weight obtained by I. scapularis fed on defibrinated bovine blood using these membranes was 109 mg (32–198 mg). These ticks laid eggs in the laboratory and larvae hatched 6 wk later. This method simplifies artificial membranes for in vitro feeding of ixodid ticks, which have long required a considerable amount of skill and experience to prepare.
The int-2 gene product acts as an epithelial growth factor in transgenic mice.

Abstract The induction of mammary tumors by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is thought to occur through proviral activation of one or more cellular genes. One of these, int-2, encodes a 27 kd protein which exhibits striking homology to the basic fibroblast growth factor family. To assess directly the role of the int-2 protein in cell proliferation, we have established transgenic mice which carry the int-2 gene driven by the MMTV promoter/enhancer. Expression of the int-2 gene in female transgenic mice results in pronounced mammary gland hyperplasia. Interestingly, expression of the MMTV-int-2 transgene in the prostate gland of male carriers results in a benign, but dramatic, epithelial hyperplasia similar to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a common but poorly understood disorder in human populations. Together, these results indicate that the int-2 product can act as a potent growth factor in these epithelial tissues.
Measuring Canopy Structure and the Kinematics of Subcanopy Flows in Two Forests

A better understanding of forest subcanopy flows is needed to evaluate their role in the horizontal movement of scalars, particularly in complex terrain. This paper describes detailed measurements of the canopy structure and its variability in both the horizontal and vertical directions at a deciduous forest in complex terrain (the Harvard Forest, Petersham, Massachusetts). The effects of the trunks and subcanopy shrubs on the flow field at each of six subcanopy array locations are quantified. The dynamics of the subcanopy flow are examined with pragmatic methods that can be implemented on a small scale with limited resources to estimate the stress divergence, buoyancy, and pressure gradient forces that drive the flow. The subcanopy flow at the Harvard Forest was driven by mechanisms other than vertical stress divergence 75% of the time. Nocturnal flows were driven predominantly by the negative buoyancy of a relatively cool layer near the forest floor. The direction of the resulting drainage flows followed the azimuth of the longest forest-floor slope. Similar results were found at a much flatter site at Borden, Ontario, Canada. There was no clear evidence of flow reversals in the subcanopy in the lee of ridges or hills at the Harvard Forest even in high wind conditions, contrary to some model predictions.
Is Accounting Education Failing Students? The Case for a Skills-Based Curriculum of 4C Plus 1

Accounting education has not changed enough in response to the financial scandals and crises of the last two decades. Employers today demand a set of skills that will enable employees to be life-long learners, yet colleges are too narrowly focused on technical knowledge with an increasingly short life-span. We advocate for a skills-based curriculum of the four C’s identified as critical by employers: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. We add a fifth C for Character/Integrity which, contrary to popular belief, can be taught.
Thyrotropin receptor expression in orbital adipose/connective tissues from patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

The TSH receptor (TSHR) is the autoantigen responsible for the hyperthyroidism of Graves' disease. However, whether this receptor plays a role in the development of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is u...
The stresses around a fault or crack in dissimilar media

In order to investigate some problems of geophysical interest, the usual consideration of symmetrical or antisymmetrical loading of an isotropic homogeneous plate containing a crack was extended to the case where the alignment of the crack separates two separate isotropic homogeneous regions. It develops that the modulus of the singular behavior of the stress remains proportional to the inverse square root of the distance from the point of the crack, but the stresses possess a sharp oscillatory character of the type r^(-1/2) sin (b log r), which seems to be confined quite close to the point, as well as a shear stress along the material joint line as long as the materials are different. The off-fault areas of high strain energy release reported by St. Amand for the White Wolf fault are qualitatively shown to be expected.
Miné Okubo: A Memory of Genius

Mine Okubo would have grimly enjoyed this irony: that I am composing a memorial to her at the same historical moment as the United States is mourning the deaths of around 3,000 Americans and other nationals in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon. For, as numerous commentators have repeated, September 11, 2001 shares parallels with December 7, 1941, a day "that will live in infamy," when the Japanese Airforce attacked Pearl Harbor and pulled the U.S. into the Pacific War.
Isoantigens ABH in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the histologic findings and the presence or absence of ABH isoantigens in intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix. After the lesions were graded by four pathologists, the Red Cell Adherence (RCA) test was done to demonstrate the ABH antigens, and the results of the two were compared. The correlation between the morphologic diagnosis and the results of the RCA test was limited. The percentages of tissues giving positive (+) or positive-negative (+/-) reactions were very similar in intraepithelial neoplsia (59.2%) and normal squamous epithelium (58.4%). The relationship of the RCA test results and behavior of the lesion was not studied.
Group Leader Self-Assessment (GLSA): Establishing Validity

Date Presented 4/17/2015 The results of this descriptive research support the current structure and viability of the Group Leader Self-Assessment (GLSA) as an outcome measure for group leader training in occupational therapy education.
Large Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels responsive to angiotensin II in cultured human mesangial cells.

The patch-clamp method was used to determine the properties and response to angiotensin II (ANG II) of K+ channels in subpassages of human mesangial cell cultures. In cell-attached patches, with 14...
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Art: Implementing Self-Governed Personally Responsible Decision-Making in the Context of Artificial Reproductive Technology

Hitching a ride on an artificial reproductive technology vehicle to undergo a rendition of alien or reproductive technology propels a couple into a place of moral dilemma they never imagined. There, they must find the "answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything." That is the story of Ohio residents Mr. and Mrs. Sean Savage and their family. This article discusses the Savage dilemma when they find they have become pregnant by ART with another couple's embyro. Their personally responsible decisions far surpass the legal directives that would have otherwise dictated a different future for a child and two families.
Application of an optimal stochastic Newton-Raphson technique to triangulation-based localization systems

Trilateration-based localization schemes typically extract the needed information, such as distances between transmitters and receivers, from noisy received signal strength (RSS) measurements specific to the employed technologies. Such applications employ non-stochastic methods without appropriately targeting noise. This paper proposes employing a recent optimal stochastic Newton-Raphson (NR) algorithm with measurement noise rejection capability for a class of localization applications. In order to show the effectiveness of this algorithm, we numerically consider an anchor-free localization problem with random initial guess. Numerical results show that the proposed recursive algorithm provides significant improvement over the traditional NR method.