cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of mind‐body treatment interventions on quality of life in neurofibromatosis patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Individuals with neurofibromatosis (NF) experience poorer quality of life (QoL), in part contributed by the clinical manifestations of NF, such as functional disability, chronic pain, and altered physical appearance. Mind-body therapies (MBTs) tailored to NF have been developed, and have demonstrated promising potential to improve QoL in this population. We sought to systematically review current evidence on the effectiveness of MBTs in addressing QoL deficits in NF patients. Databases were reviewed between the date of inception and June 2020, using search terms: neurofibromatosis, schwannomatosis, psychotherapy, mind-body, mindfulness, meditation, resiliency, and behavioral therapy. Quality appraisal was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools and National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tools. We conducted a meta-analysis of mean differences and reported aggregate effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 10 articles, including randomized-controlled trials and pre-post studies, were identified. Meta-analytic results of randomized-controlled trial data from six citations demonstrated MBTs were associated with improved physical (MD = 13.63, 95%CI 6.95-20.30, P < .0001, I2 = 24%), psychological (MD = 14.11, 95%CI 6.44-21.78, P = .0003, I2 = 38%), social (MD = 9.63, 95%CI 2.93-16.33, P = .005, I2 = 0%), and environmental QoL (MD = 14.14, 95%CI 8.28-20.00, P < .00001. I2 = 0%) in NF patients. These associations were maintained at 6-months follow-up for physical, psychological, and environmental QoL (P < .05). Our findings suggest that NF-adapted MBT strategies are associated with improving QoL in diverse NF populations, including NF2 patients experiencing deafness and youth NF patients. Providers and caregivers for NF should be aware of the potential benefits of MBT in chronic NF management.
Subversion of Programed Cell Death by Poxviruses.

Poxviruses have been long regarded as potent inhibitors of apoptotic cell death. More recently, they have been shown to inhibit necroptotic cell death through two distinct strategies. These strategies involve either blocking virus sensing by the host pattern recognition receptor, ZBP1 (also called DAI) or by influencing receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK)3 signal transduction by inhibition of activation of the executioner of necroptosis, mixed lineage kinase-like protein (MLKL). Vaccinia virus E3 specifically blocks ZBP1 → RIPK3 → MLKL necroptosis, leaving virus-infected cells susceptible to the TNF death-receptor signaling (e.g., TNFR1 → FADD → RIPK1 → RIPK3 → MLKL), and, potentially, TLR3 → TRIF → RIPK3 → MLKL necroptosis. While E3 restriction of necroptosis appears to be common to many poxviruses that infect vertebrate hosts, another modulatory strategy not observed in vaccinia or variola virus manifests through subversion of MLKL activation. Recently described viral mimics of MLKL in other chordopoxviruses inhibit all three modes of necroptotic cell death. As with inhibition of apoptosis, the evolution of potentially redundant viral mechanisms to inhibit programmed necroptotic cell death emphasizes the importance of this pathway in the arms race between pathogens and their hosts.
3153 – IMPACT OF SEPSIS ON EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS (HSC)

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory over-response to microbial infection associated with high mortality rates. In addition, survivors of sepsis exhibit long-lasting effects of the disease, remaining immunosuppressed and at high risk for infections for the rest of their life. Hence, new therapies for sepsis are an unmet clinical need and novel ideas and approaches are needed. Using a murine model of severe sepsis induced by P. aeruginosa (P. aer.) bacteria or LPS, our group has previously reported that bone marrow (BM) responds to infections with a significant expansion of HSC associated with a blockage in their differentiation and inability to continuously generate mature neutrophils. As a result, the most critical defense against bacterial pathogens is suppressed, leading to profound neutropenia. Furthermore, when transplanted into healthy mice, HSC that have been exposed to a septic environment showed reduced ability to contribute to the myeloid lineage and to engraft at long-term, suggesting that they retain memory of the septic injury and maintain long-lasting changes. We hypothesize that the latters are due to sepsis-induced rapid and permanent epigenetic modifications in HSC, reshaping their transcriptional programs and affecting cell fate decisions and differentiation. To address our hypothesis, we challenged wild-type mice with P.aer. LPS and performed ATAC-seq on sorted HSC at 24 hrs or 108 hrs after challenge. Immunophenotypic analysis showed that HSC levels renormalized after 108 hr following their rapid expansion and differentiation arrest in response to LPS. However, alterations in the abundance and cell-cycle of myeloid progenitors and mature cells still persevered at long-term. Interestingly, ATAC-seq analysis revealed the persistence of euchromatic regions at 108 hrs from challenge in genomic regions involved in cell fate decisions and cell-cycle, suggesting that inflammation has long-lasting effects on epigenetic regulation, despite apparent HSC phenotypic normalization. Differently from previous works, our studies focus on epigenetic changes at HSC level, during the initial stages of the disease, when opportunity for effective therapeutic intervention may still be available. Our ultimate goal is to identify strategies to re-direct “septic” HSC to a normal differentiation program, thus allowing an efficient innate host response.
FFAR4: A New Player in Cardiometabolic Disease?

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases that include obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). FFAs serve as ligands for free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) that belong to the family of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are expressed throughout the body to maintain energy homeostasis under changing nutritional conditions. Free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4), also known as G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), is a long-chain fatty acid receptor highly expressed in adipocytes, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Activation of FFAR4 helps maintain metabolic homeostasis by regulating adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. Furthermore, dysfunction of FFAR4 is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and eccentric remodeling in both humans and mice, making FFAR4 an attractive therapeutic target for treating or preventing metabolic diseases. While much of the previous literature on FFAR4 has focused on its role in obesity and diabetes, recent studies have demonstrated that FFAR4 may also play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and CVD. Most notably, FFAR4 activation reduces monocyte-endothelial cell interaction, enhances cholesterol efflux from macrophages, reduces lesion size in atherogenic mouse models, and stimulates oxylipin production in myocytes that functions in a feed-forward cardioprotective mechanism. This review will focus on the role of FFAR4 in metabolic diseases and highlights an underappreciated role of FFAR4 in the development of atherosclerosis and CVD.
Physician Survey Assessing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Knowledge and Attitudes to Identify Diagnosing and Reporting Barriers.

Abstract Background Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a notifiable disease in Hawaii with legal implications for noncompliance. A previous study comparing PID diagnoses in Hawaii's hospitals and state surveillance data confirmed underreporting in Hawaii. Reasons for noncompliance and underreporting are not well understood. Methods All licensed primary care physicians in Hawaii were mailed a survey addressing PID diagnosis and reporting attitudes and practices. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine if physician characteristics, PID knowledge, or attitudes related to the diagnosis or reporting of PID, increased the odds of diagnosing and reporting PID. Results Among survey respondents (486 of 1,062; response rate of 45.8%), 104 (21.4%) had diagnosed PID. The PID reporting rate was 55.8% (58 of 104). The majority of physicians who diagnosed PID reported that PID reporting was time consuming. In hierarchical regression, obstetrician/gynecologists and family practitioners had the highest odds of diagnosing PID and internists had the lowest odds of reporting PID, those 15 years or longer since residency were less likely to report PID than those fewer than 15 years since residency, and increased PID diagnosing and reporting knowledge increased the odds of PID reporting by 1.63 times. Conclusion Our findings suggest the need for training of all physicians on reportable diagnoses on a regular basis. There is a need to simplify the reporting process, because the time burden of reporting may present a modifiable barrier to reporting. Increased PID-related communication between local health departments and physicians is essential, and physicians should be provided technical assistance with reporting.
Genetic Analysis of Tryptophanase Mutants of Escherichia coli

Gartner, Theodore K. (University of California, Davis), and Monica Riley. Genetic analysis of tryptophanase mutants of Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 89:319–325. 1965.—The tryptophanase structural gene tna, and one of the tryptophanase regulation genes, R1tna, are closely linked, and lie between the pyr-E and ilv genes on the Escherichia coli chromosome. The mutant form of the regulation gene, which confers the properties of inducibility at 13 C, constitutivity at 37 C, and hyperinducibility at 37 C, is dominant over the wild form of the gene. Another regulation gene, R2tna, confers constitutivity at 13 C and does not map at the same locus as the R2tna gene.
Clusters first? A study of circuit structure and placement

Multilevel clustering has proven to be an effective technique for a number of problems. In this paper, we study a clusters-first approach to circuit placement, compare it to more traditional methods, and study the relationship between cluster sizes and placement quality. We also reveal shortcomings in recently developed benchmarks that can serve to bias experiments towards a clusters-first methodology.
Degradation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides by a cysteine . FeCl3 catalyst as a model for similar biochemical reactions. III. A novel product, trans-12,13-epoxy-11-oxo-trans-9-octadecenoic acid, from 13-L (S)-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid.

Degradation of 13-l(S)-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid by a cysteine · FeCl3 redox couple in the presence of O2 resulted in the formation of a number of oxygenated fatty acids, among which was a novel, optically active product, trans-12,13-epoxy-11-oxo-trans-9-octadecenoic acid. A pathway for formation of the epoxyoxoene via an epoxyhydroperoxyene intermediate is proposed.
Do what the neighbours do

If you are trying to reopen a business after a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, how is your decision affected by whether or not your neighbours are reopening as well?James LeSage, R. Kelley Pace, Richard Campanella, Nina Lam and Xingjian Liu take cycle rides through a recovering New Orleans.
An unconditionally-stable explicit and its application to groundwater flow equations

The geometry of the traditional explicit scheme is explained to be equivalent to a piecewise quadratic polynomial approximation. An unconditionally-stable explicit scheme (USES) is developed for a simple parabolic equation based on the understanding of the geometry of the explicit scheme. The consistency and stability of USES are discussed. The new scheme is demonstrated with two groundwater flow examples.
A reanalysis of Parabuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) phylogeny with descriptions of two new Parabuthus species endemic to the Central Namib gravel plains, Namibia

Two new thick-tail scorpions in the genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 are described from the gravel plains of the Central Namib Desert, Namibia: Parabuthus glabrimanus sp. nov.; Parabuthus setiventer sp. nov. The two new species occupy discrete distributional ranges, allopatric with the closely related species Parabuthus gracilis Lamoral, 1979 and Parabuthus nanus Lamoral, 1979. The distributions of the four species are mapped and a key provided for their identification. Revised diagnoses are provided for P. gracilis and P. nanus. The two new species are added to a previously published morphological character matrix for Parabuthus species and their phylogenetic positions determined in a reanalysis of Parabuthus phylogeny. Parabuthus setiventer sp. nov. is found to be the sister species of P. nanus, whereas P. glabrimanus sp. nov. is sister to a monophyletic group comprising P. gracilis, P. nanus, and P. setiventer sp. nov. The discovery of two new scorpion species endemic to the Central Namib gravel plains contributes to a growing body of evidence that this barren and desolate region is a hotspot of arachnid species richness and endemism. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159, 673–710.
A Finance Perspective on Entrepreneurship Research

Entrepreneurship has been studied from numerous perspectives, most notably psychology, management, and marketing. Few studies, however, have utilized finance theory and methodology. Several finance based theories are explored as possible models for studying entrepreneurship, categorized as valuation and capital structure. Valuation theories and applications include such approaches as portfolio theory, capital asset pricing, efficient markets, and option pricing. The primary concepts of valuation theory are examined -- e.g., emphases on risk/return and time value of money -- as are the potential problems associated with the use of valuation theory. A second proposed approach is capital structure theory, which considers each of the following factors: leverage, taxes, and bankruptcy; agency costs; and information asymmetries. Potential limitations and implications of utilizing capital structure theory to examine entrepreneurial success are discussed, including the influence of factors like venture capital and the early stage growth/liquidity crisis. The implementation of chaos theory in studying entrepreneurship may also offer a different, valuable perspective. Overlapping areas of study for finance and entrepreneurship are identified as areas of opportunity for future research. (AKP)
The promoter for a sporulation gene in the spoIVC locus of Bacillus subtilis and its use in studies of temporal and spatial control of gene expression.

Abstract We have identified the transcription start site and regulatory region governing the expression of a sporulation gene in the spoIVC locus of Bacillus subtilis. Efficient expression and developmental regulation of this gene was controlled from a promoter region that extended no more than 110 base pairs upstream and no more than 4 base pairs downstream from the start site of transcription, on which basis we infer that spoIVC is regulated at the level of transcription initiation. Using a transcriptional fusion of the spoIVC gene to the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli, we found that spoIVC expression was turned on at the third to fourth hour of sporulation (at about the developmental stage [IV] that its products are required in spore formation) and that this transcription was largely restricted to the mother cell chamber of the sporangium. Mutations in many different spo genes (causing blocks at stages 0 to V) were found to influence (negatively and positively) the level of spoIVC expression. Our results distinguish the mode of spoIVC regulation from that of previously studied sporulation genes and indicate that it is representative of a new regulon of mother cell-specific gene expression.
Adenovirus endocytosis via alpha(v) integrins requires phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase.

Integrins mediate cell adhesion and motility on the extracellular matrix, yet they also promote viral attachment and/or entry. Evidence is presented that adenovirus internalization by αv integrins requires activation of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase (PI3K), whereas αv integrin-mediated cell motility depends on the ERK1/ERK2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Interaction of adenovirus with αv integrins induced activation of PI3K. Pharmacologic or genetic disruption of endogenous PI3K activity blocked adenovirus internalization and virus-mediated gene delivery yet had no effect on integrin-mediated cell adhesion or motility. Therefore, integrin ligation engages distinct signaling pathways that promote viral endocytosis or cell movement.
Application of a BOSS—Gaussian interface for QM/MM simulations of Henry and methyl transfer reactions

Hybrid quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) computer simulations have become an indispensable tool for studying chemical and biological phenomena for systems too large to treat with QM alone. For several decades, semiempirical QM methods have been used in QM/MM simulations. However, with increased computational resources, the introduction of ab initio and density function methods into on-the-fly QM/MM simulations is being increasingly preferred. This adaptation can be accomplished with a program interface that tethers independent QM and MM software packages. This report introduces such an interface for the BOSS and Gaussian programs, featuring modification of BOSS to request QM energies and partial atomic charges from Gaussian. A customizable C-shell linker script facilitates the interprogram communication. The BOSS-Gaussian interface also provides convenient access to Charge Model 5 (CM5) partial atomic charges for multiple purposes including QM/MM studies of reactions. In this report, the BOSS-Gaussian interface is applied to a nitroaldol (Henry) reaction and two methyl transfer reactions in aqueous solution. Improved agreement with experiment is found by determining free-energy surfaces with MP2/CM5 QM/MM simulations than previously reported investigations using semiempirical methods.
Fibrin(ogen)-αMβ2 Interactions Regulate Leukocyte Function and Innate Immunity In Vivo:

In addition to its well-characterized role in hemostasis, fibrin(ogen) has been proposed to be a central regulator of the inflammatory response. Multiple in vitro studies have demonstrated that thi...
Nutrient and metal analyses of Chinese herbal products marketed for veterinary use.

Summary Many Chinese herbs and herbal mixtures are fed to domestic animals for their reputed medicinal properties. These herbs could contribute to the intake of essential nutrients and toxic metals, but their composition is mostly unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure major nutrient (crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate, fibre) and mineral (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, S, Al, Cd, Ni, Pb) concentrations in samples of fourteen combination formulas labelled for veterinary use and commonly administered to horses and dogs. Three single herbs, Bupleurum chinense, Curcuma zedoaria and Astragalus membranaceus, each obtained from several sources, and Yunnan Baiyao, a proprietary hemostatic mixture, were also analysed. Proximate analyses and some mineral concentrations differed (p 38%, 142% and 96%, respectively, of recommended allowances in adult dogs, and >13%, 122% and 2%, respectively, of maintenance requirements in horses, at the maximum labelled dose assuming complete availability. Concentrations of cadmium, nickel and lead were below published oral tolerance levels. Aluminium concentrations (median 380, maximum 920 mg/kg DM) were higher than has been previously reported in Chinese herbs. These nutrient analyses suggest that herbal combinations marketed to veterinarians, when fed at the maximal labelled dose, are unlikely to produce clinically relevant changes in the dietary intake of essential nutrients. However, small amounts of non-essential contaminant minerals are present in some formulas, and further research is necessary to understand the significance of this finding.
Making Sense of Schaumburg: Seeking Coherence in First Amendment Charitable Solicitation Law

The Supreme Court shaped its approach to charitable solicitation in a trilogy of cases in the 1980s: Schaumburg v. Citizens for a Better Environment (1980), Secretary of State of Maryland v. Joseph H. Munson Co. (1984), and Riley v. National Federation of the Blind of North Carolina (1988). Owing largely to ambiguity surrounding the concepts of content analysis, tiered scrutiny, and commercial speech emerging during that era, the Court failed to articulate a coherent framework for evaluating regulations of charitable solicitation. The result has left the Court without a clear understanding of the value of charitable solicitation. It has also left lower courts without a workable test for evaluating regulations affecting this form of speech: the Eighth and Tenth Circuits interpret Schaumburg as an intermediate scrutiny test, the Third and Eleventh Circuits view it as a strict scrutiny test, and the Fourth Circuit has simply noted that the Court has been 'unclear' about the appropriate standard. I propose a new test that incorporates current notions of content analysis and tiered scrutiny and better accounts for the speaker-based interests tied to charitable solicitation. My approach is cognizant of the matters of public concern advanced both directly and indirectly through charitable solicitation. I conclude that a balancing of interests offers a more appropriate review of charitable solicitation regulation than the cumbersome formulations arising out of the Schaumburg trilogy.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA binds to granulocyte DNA and nuclear proteins.

Summary Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The bacterium infects, survives, propagates in, and alters neutrophil phenotype, indicating unique survival mechanisms. AnkA is the only known A. phagocytophilum component that gains access beyond neutrophil vacuoles and is transported to the infected host cell nucleus. The ability of native and recombinant AnkA to bind DNA and nuclear proteins from host HL-60 cells was assessed by the use of immunoprecipitation after cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cis-DDP) DNA-protein crosslinking, by probing uninfected HL-60 cell nuclear lysates for AnkA binding, and by recovery and sequence analysis of immunoprecipitated DNA. AnkA binds HL-60 cell DNA as well as nuclear proteins of approximately 86, 53 and 25 kDa, whereas recombinant A. phagocytophilum Msp2 or control proteins do not. DNA immunoprecipitation reveals AnkA binding to a variety of target genes in the human genome, including genes that encode proteins with ATPase, tyrosine phosphatase and NADH dehydrogenase-like functions. These data indicate that AnkA could exert some effect on cells through binding to protein:DNA complexes in neutrophil nuclei. Whether AnkA binding leads to neutrophil functional alterations, and how such alterations might occur will depend upon definitive identification of binding partners and associated metabolic and biochemical pathways.
The Effect of Glutathione on Skeletal Muscle Calcium Sensitivity and Myofilament Sulfhydryl Groups

Glutathione, a critical reducing agent present in relatively high levels(∼5mM) in skeletal muscle, can also attach to protein thiols via a disulfide bond. This process is referred to as glutathionylation, and is thought to be a protective mechanism to prevent irreversible protein oxidation. Prior studies have shown that when skinned fibers are exposed to reduced glutathione there is an increase in calcium sensitivity with no significant change in maximal force. These calcium sensitivity changes were largely reversible by the reducing agent DTT, indicating modification of protein thiols. We measured the force-pCa relationship of permeabilized rabbit psoas fibers treated with DTDP a thiol-specific oxidizing agent and glutathione (5mM). 2D gel electrophoresis using either IEF 4-6.5 or NEPHGE 3-10 in the first dimension was used to identify myofilament proteins whose sulfhydryl groups were modified with the oxidant-glutathione treatment. Additionally, phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain was analyzed using 2d gels (IEF 4-6.5) and the phosphorylation specific stain Diamond Pro-Q. The pCa 50 of skinned psoas fibers was decreased upon exposure to DTT. Following DTT, the addition of DTDP and GSH sequentially, increased the calcium sensitivity. 2D gel electrophoresis, indicated myosin as a critical target for glutahionylation under these conditions. The RMLC was phosphorylated in the psoas fibers and the level remained constant during oxidant - glutathione treatment. In summary, our data suggest that glutathionylation of myofilament proteins can modulate calcium sensitivity, and may play an important role in maintaining muscle function during oxidative stress.
Comparison of exact and effective-gauge-boson calculations for gauge-boson fusion processes

The exact perturbative calculations for the gauge boson fusion processes W/sup +/W/sup /minus// ..-->.. W/sup +/W/sup /minus//, W/sup +/W/sup /minus// ..-->.. Z/sup 0/Z/sup 0/, and W/sup +/W/sup /minus// ..-->.. H/sup 0/H/sup 0/ are compared with the corresponding effective gauge boson calculations. These comparisons enable us to study the several forms of the gauge boson distribution functions and draw some conclusions about their non-leading terms. In addition, it is possible to study effects of various rapidity cuts on the exact and approximate calculations. For rapidity cuts /eta//sub C/ satisfying 1.0 less than or equal to /eta//sub C/ less than or equal to 2.0, the agreement is excellent. Larger rapidity cuts reveal factor of 2--3 disagreements when the invariant mass of the final state is large compared to the Higgs mass. In all cases, the agreement near the Higgs peak is good. The discrepancies are discussed in terms of the extra diagrams which occur in the exact calculations and the t-channel singularities which are present in the effective gauge boson calculations.
Synthesis and NMR characterization of cobalt(III) complexes with triethylenetetramine, 2,2-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

The compounds α-cis [Co(trien)(bipy)]Cl3 and α-cis [Co(trien)(phen)]Cl3 were synthesized and characterized by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Compared to α-cis [Co(trien)(NO2)2]Cl, the proton spectra of these two complexes were spread to a wider spectral width. With the aid of two-dimensional experiments, it was possible to assign three multiplets to specific protons, and the remaining multiplet was found to arise from overlap of three separate resonances.
The origin and development of the immune system with a view to stem cell therapy

Careful study of the phylogeny and ontogeny of the three components of the immune system reveals that the macrophage, lymphatic, and hematopoietic systems originate independently of each other. Chronologically, the most ancient is the macrophage system, which arises in the coelomic cavity as mesenchymal ameboid cells having the properties to recognize self from non-self and to ingest foreign particles. The lymphatic system later develops from the endoderm of pharyngeal pouches, where the thymic anlage differentiates. The lymphocytes that originate here seed all lymphatic organs and retain the ability to divide and thereby form multiple colonies (lymphatic nodules) in the respiratory and digestive tract; further diversification of lymphocytes follows after confrontation with antigens. The last component of the immune system to appear is the hematopoietic system, which originates from the splanchnic mesoderm of the yolk sac as hematogenic tissue, containing hemangioblasts. The hematogenic tissue remains attached to the outer wall of the vitelline vessels, which provides an efficient mechanism for introducing the hematogenic tissue into the embryo. In an appropriate microenvironment, the hemangioblasts give rise to sinusoidal endothelium and to hemocytoblasts - the bone marrow stem cells for erythrocytes, myeloid cells, and megakaryocytes. The facts and opinions presented in this article are not in agreement with the currently accepted dogma that a common "hematolymphatic stem cell" localized in the marrow generates all of the cellular components of blood and the immune system.
Computer determination of relationships between EEG activity and single unit discharges in isolated cerebral cortex.

Abstract An electronic averaging technique was used to detect consistent correlations between single unit discharges and EEG configuration in an isolated cortex preparation. These relationships were usually not evident by visual inspection of unprocessed data. Although each spontaneously active single unit was associated with a different averaged EEG wave form, the point of single unit discharge in almost all cases occurred during an initial positive phase and was followed by a rapid negative going change. The average EEG remained constant in wave form for any particular unit for the duration of the observation period. The components making up the average appear to be the slow, irregular EEG waves in the 0.5 to 4 per sec range. Onset of injury discharge results in loss of EEG-unitary relationship. The results suggest that unitary firing is modified by slow EEG processes rather than that some EEG component is originated by each cellular discharge. It is suggested that the average EEG wave form could represent an indirect record of the single cell's own slow membrane potential fluctuations occurring immediately before and after the time of the discharge.
A new approach to Euler splines

Abstract Starting from the exponential Euler polynomials discussed by Euler in “Institutions Calculi Differentialis,” Vol. II, 1755, the author introduced in “Linear operators and approximation,” Vol. 20, 1972, the so-called exponential Euler splines. Here we describe a new approach to these splines. Let t be a constant such that t=|t|e iα , −π . Let S1(x:t) be the cardinal linear spline such that S1(v:t) = tv for all v ϵ Z. Starting from S1(x:t) it is shown that we obtain all higher degree exponential Euler splines recursively by the averaging operation S n (x;t)= ∫ x− 1 2 x+ 1 2 S n−1 (u;t) du| ∫ − 1 2 1 2 S n−1 (u;t)du (n=2,3,…,). . Here Sn(x:t) is a cardinal spline of degree n if n is odd, while S n (x + 1 2 :t) is a cardinal spline if n is even. It is shown that they have the properties Sn(v:t) = tv for v ϵ Z. S n (v;t)=t v for v ϵ Z, lim> n→∞ S n (x;t)=t x =|t| x e iαx .
A Global Time-Dependent Model of Thunderstorm Electricity. Part I: Mathematical Properties of the Physical and Numerical Models

A time-dependent model is introduced that can be used to simulate the interaction of a thunderstorm with its global electrical environment. The model solves the continuity equation of the Maxwell current, which is assumed to be composed of the conduction, displacement, and source currents. Boundary conditions which can be used in conjunction with the continuity equation to form a well-posed initial-boundary value problem are determined. Properties of various components of solutions of the initial-boundary value problem are analytically determined. The results indicate that the problem has two time scales, one determined by the background electrical conductivity and the other by the time variation of the source function. A numerical method for obtaining quantitative results is introduced, and its properties are studied. Some simulation results on the evolution of the displacement and conduction currents during the electrification of a storm are presented.
Toward an activist agenda for monitoring virus emergence

The continuing emergence of arboviruses such as chikungunya virus requires thoughtful attention and approaches for risk management. Incorporating experimental evolutionary studies, as described in this issue by Stapleford et al. (2014), has the potential to move public health toward a more proactive agenda for predicting and responding to disease emergence.
Continous‐mixture kinetics of coke formation from olefinic oligomers

A model for interpreting the molecular-weight distributions is presented for the olefinic oligomers and aromatic coke compounds that are experimentally observed in a catalyzed hexene isomerization process (the primary reaction). Reaction rate expressions for the secondary generation of hexene dimers, trimers and tetramers by irreversible reaction are represented in mass balances for a stirred-tank reactor. Dehydrogenation of the oligomers to form coke aromatics and their subsequent adsorption and desorption are included. A molecular-weight moment method allows solution of the model and computation of time dependence of molecular-weight distributions for all components. The model is consistent with observations of decreased catalyst deactivation rates when coke desorption rates approach coke production rates. Catalyst activity maintenance, which can occur under supercritical conditions, is also predicted by the model.
Systems Pharmacological Analysis of Drugs Inducing Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious cutaneous adverse reactions. We mined the approved labels in Drugs@FDA, identified the SJS/TEN list of 259 small molecular drugs and biologics, and conducted systems pharmacological network analyses. Pharmacological network analysis revealed that drugs with treatment-related SJS and/or TEN are pharmacologically diverse and that the largest subnetwork is associated with antiepileptic drugs and their pharmacological targets. Our pharmacological network analysis identified CTNNB1 [catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1, 88 kDa] as a significant intermediator. This protein is involved in maintaining the functional integrity of the epithelium through regulating cell growth and adhesion between cells in various organs, including the skin. Leveraging a publicly accessible genome-wide transcriptional expression database, we found that human leukocyte antigen-related (HLA) genes were significantly perturbed by various SJS/TEN-inducing drugs. Notably, carbamazepine (CBZ) perturbed several HLA genes, among which HLA-DQB1*0201 was reportedly shown to be associated with CBZ-induced SJS/TEN in caucasians. In short, systems analysis by leveraging a publicly accessible knowledge base and databases could produce meaningful results for further mechanistic investigation. Our study sheds light on the utility of systems pharmacology analysis for gaining insight into clinical drug toxicity.
Partner similarity matters for the insecure: : Attachment orientations moderate the association between similarity in partners personality traits and relationship satisfaction

Abstract A longitudinal sample of romantic couples was used to examine whether attachment security moderates the association between partners’ personality-trait-similarity to each other and their relationship satisfaction. Replicating previous research, there were no bivariate associations between trait-similarity and satisfaction. However, partners’ perceptions of personality-similarity were associated with satisfaction. Attachment styles also moderated the curvilinear associations between partners’ trait-similarity and satisfaction. People with high attachment avoidance and low attachment anxiety (dismissing attachment) seemed to have an optimal level of similarity in which satisfaction was maximized at moderate levels of similarity. People with low avoidance and high anxiety (preoccupied attachment) exhibited the opposite pattern, expressing higher levels of satisfaction if their partner was highly similar or dissimilar to them.
Predictability in the Midst of Chaos: A Scientific Basis for Climate Forecasting

The Earth's atmosphere is generally considered to be an example of a chaotic system that is sensitively dependent on initial conditions. It is shown here that certain regions of the atmosphere are an exception. Wind patterns and rainfall in certain regions of the tropics are so strongly determined by the temperature of the underlying sea surface that they do not show sensitive dependence on the initial conditions of the atmosphere. Therefore, it should be possible to predict the large-scale tropical circulation and rainfall for as long as the ocean temperature can be predicted. If changes in tropical Pacific sea-surface temperature are quite large, even the extratropical circulation over some regions, especially over the Pacific-North American sector, is predictable.
Excessive Thyrotropin Concentrations in the Circulation of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

SummaryThyroid function in SHR was compared to that of inbred normotensive Wistar rats from Kyoto, and random bred Wistar rats from the United States. A marked increase in circulating thyrotropin concentration was found in SHR compared to controls. Serum thyroxine and T3 concentrations relative to controls, however, were variable and the concentrations in male and female SHR relative to Kyoto controls did not correspond with each other. No ready explanation for the circulating excess of thyrotropin, with minimal increase in T4 and T3 concentrations, is available.
Superconducting Transitions of Amorphous Bismuth Alloys

Measurements have been made of the critical temperatures ${T}_{c}$ of binary-alloy films composed of amorphous bismuth with lead, thallium, or antimony in concentrations up to 13 at.%. The curves showing ${T}_{c}$ a function of impurity concentration are nearly linear, as expected for a superconductor with no crystalline anisotropy. The slopes of the curves are not simply related to the valence or free-atom size of the impurity atoms. It is suggested that this may be explainable by extending Faber and Ziman's theory of the breakdown of Linde's rule for liquid alloys. The transitions of the films into the superconducting state are extremely sharp (\ensuremath{\sim}5 mdeg wide). This indicates strongly that the electromagnetic coherence length does not limit the sharpness of the transition.
The fractal galaxy distribution

Abstract The space distribution of galaxies on scales less than about 50 million light years is remarkably well approximated as a fractal with dimension D = 1.23 ± 0.04. The history of the discovery of this effect is reviewed, and then some issues that arise in attempts to explore the details, are mentioned.
Us versus them: Understanding the process of race perception with event-related brain potentials

Race is powerful social signal, imbued with a great deal of meaning and capable of affecting a wide range of behaviours and judgements. This review focuses on the use of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to better understand the process and implications of race perception. Research to date repeatedly demonstrates the speed and automaticity with which racial category membership is encoded. The quick and relatively obligatory encoding of racial ingroup and outgroup distinctions in turn affects a variety of subsequent racially biased behaviours. Such findings not only speak to the close link between social categorization and behaviour, but also have been used to understand how the effects of race perception can be moderated.
Focus groups with children: A resource for sexual abuse prevention program evaluation

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the focus group method as a tool for conducting research with children and critiques the advantages and disadvantages of the use of focus groups with children for evaluative purposes. METHOD: A description of the focus group method and the phases involved in its development and implementation in one child sexual abuse prevention program evaluation is provided, along with general recommendations derived from the study. RESULTS: The described study reveals that the focus group method is highly feasible and that children are capable of participating in research using this method. Use of the focus group for data collection allows discovery of unanticipated information such as the role of context in shaping children's interpretations of prevention messages and subtle between-group differences in cognitive style and reactions to prevention messages. CONCLUSIONS: The focus group represents untapped potential for furthering the quality and usefulness of child sexual abuse prevention research. The method is an innovative strategy for elaboration upon quantitative findings and the development of instrumentation. The method is also worthwhile for exploratory research and for program evaluations that seek in-depth understanding of the meaning of prevention messages in a child's world. Language: en
Rat NAP1: cDNA cloning and upregulation by Mpl ligand.

Abstract The Mpl ligand is a hematopoietic cytokine which exerts its effects through association with the c-Mpl receptor. It regulates the proliferation, polyploidization and maturation of platelet precursors, the megakaryocytes. Using a differential display polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach, we have identified an mRNA, belonging to a family of nucleosome assembly proteins, whose expression is upregulated in response to Mpl ligand. Multiple size classes of this mRNA (1.7, 2.5 and 4.3 kb) are readily detected in rat primary bone marrow cells and hematopoietic tissues. The size classes are also expressed to different extents in cell lines of all hematopoietic lineages. We isolated the full-length cDNA encoding the rat megakaryocyte 1.7 kb mRNA, referred to as rNAP1. Bacterially expressed recombinant protein encoded by the 1.7 kb cDNA facilitates the formation of nucleosomes on relaxed circular DNA in vitro. Our data indicate that rNAPs, which may facilitate chromatin reorganization, are upregulated by Mpl ligand. It is possible that NAPs contribute to Mpl ligand's induced effects on hematopoietic cells.
A simulation model for fate and transport of methyl bromide during fumigation in plastic-mulched vegetable soil beds †

A coupled water-heat and chemical transport model was used to describe the fate and transport of methyl bromide fumigant in low-density polyethylene plastic-mulched soil beds used for vegetable production. Methyl bromide transport was described by convective-dispersive processes including transformations through hydrolysis. Effects of non-isothermal conditions on chemical transport were considered through inclusion of temperature effects on transport parameters. An energy-balance approach was used to describe the plastic-mulched boundary condition that controls the thermal regime within the soil bed. Simulations were made for variable water-saturation regimes within the bed and for different depths of fumigant injection. Simulations for various scenarios revealed that large amounts (20-44% over a 7-day period) of applied methyl bromide are lost from the un-mulched furrows between the beds. Plastic mulching of the bed was found to be only partially effective (11-29% emission losses over a 7-day period) in reducing atmospheric emissions. Deep injection of fumigant and saturating the soil with water both led to increased retention of methyl bromide within the soil and less emission to the atmosphere. However, deep injection was unfavorable for effective sterilization of the crop root zone.
The Accelerator Breeder, a Viable Option for the Production of Nuclear Fuels

Despite the growing pains of the US Nuclear Power Industry, the dependence of the United States on nuclear energy for the production of electricity and, possibly, process heat is likely to increase dramatically over the next few decades. This paper dismisses fusion as being entirely too speculative to be practical within that time frame. Presently, between the years 2000 and 2050, fissile materials will be in short supply, whether to fuel existing inefficient LWR's or to provide initial fuel inventories for FBR's. The accelerator breeder could produce the fuel shortfall predicted to occur during the first half of the next century. The accelerator breeder offers the only practical means today of producing, or breeding, large quantities of fissile fuels from fertile materials, albeit at high cost. Studies performed over the last few years at Chalk River Laboratory and at Brookhaven National Laboratory have demonstrated that the accelerator breeder is practical, technically feasible with state-of-the-art technology, and can be made to be economically competitive with any other proposed synthetic means of fissile fuel production. This paper gives the parameters of a nearly optimized accelerator-breeder system, then discusses the developmental needs and the economics and institutional problems which this breeding concept faces.
A position-sensitive detector for use in positron emission tomography

Abstract A two-dimensionally position-sensitive NaI(Tl) detector has been developed for use in a positron tomograph, which consists of six detectors in a ring. The detector, with an active area of 45 × 9 cm, offers high spatial resolution with continuous sampling and high countrate capability. Position is calculated digitally using nonlinear weighting of the signals from 30 photomultipliers, whose gains are digitally matched. A spatial distortion correction is subsequently applied. The spatial resolution is 5.2 mm (FWHM) along the long axis and 6.2 mm along the short axis. The optimum coincidence time resolution between two detectors is 3.8 ns (FWHM). The use of pulse shortening and a local centroid position algorithm minimize the effect of pulse pileup and enable the detector to count at 2 million counts per second (cps) with only 20% loss in spatial resolution and 20% dead time. Variable integration time, used to optimize spatial resolution for a range of countrates, is evaluated.
Consciousness and the act of will

L'A. propose une explication des experiences sur la conscience entreprises par B. Libet qui va dans le sens de l'idee selon laquelle la decision consciente de bouger entraine un processus neurophysiologique qui provoque le mouvement physique. Cette explication necessite une revision de la conception ordinaire de la conscience, a la lumiere de la theorie de la perception d'un ordre superieur (HOP) developpee par D. M. Armstrong
Sanitizing using metadata in MetaXQuery

Metadata plays an important role in describing and proscribing data in both traditional and XML applications. In this paper, we present an extension of the XML data model and XQuery query language to certify the reachability of data and to sanitize data with the existence of metadata, especially proscriptive metadata. The data model extension is called MetaDOM, and the query language is called MetaXQuery. This paper describes a certify function to check if the metadata in the data model is correctly embedded, in other words, whether all of the data nodes are reachable from the root. It also describes a sanitize function that automatically corrects the data model if it is invalid. The sanitize function can also be used to generate a view of the data from a specific metadata perspective.
Evaluation of Two Internalizing Carcinoembryonic Antigen Reporter Genes for Molecular Imaging

The objective of this article is to develop internalizing positron emission tomography (PET) reporter genes for tracking genetically modified T cells in vivo. The transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the human transferrin receptor (TfR) and CD5 were each fused to the carcinoembryonic (CEA) minigene N-A3 and expressed in Jurkat T cells. Internalization was evaluated by confocal microscopy or by intracellular uptake of 125I-labeled anti-CEA scFv-Fc. Reporter gene-transfected Jurkat xenografts in mice were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and imaged by PET using 124I- or 64Cu-scFv-Fc as tracers. Surface expression of TR(1–99)-NA3 was lower than that of NA3-CD5. Both reporter genes were internalized following binding of the anti-CEA antibody fragment. IHC of tumors showed strong staining of NA3-CD5, whereas TR(1–99)-NA3 stained weakly. Specific targeting of TR(1–99)-NA3 or NA3-CD5 was shown by PET in xenografted mice. The in vivo imaging studies suggest a potential application of the internalizing form of CEA (N-A3) as a PET reporter gene.
Politics in circle city, Oklahoma

The fate of a good city manager in a town that knows its politics. Of course the names are fictitious.