cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
543-P: A Clinical, Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Model to Predict Acute Kidney Injury in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography—Results from the Catheter Sampled Blood Archive in Cardiovascular Diseases Study

Background: We previously developed a clinical/proteomics panel for predicting procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) and now examine its performance in those with diabetes (DM). Methods: We measured 109 biomarkers in blood from patients undergoing coronary angiography. Procedural AKI defined as increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL, increase in serum creatinine of ≥50%, or documented oliguria ≤7 days after procedure. Clinical and biomarker predictors of AKI identified using least-angle regression; a final prognostic model was developed with LASSO; the model was then measured in those with DM. Results: Besides DM, 5 predictors were in the final model: 3 (blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio, C-reactive protein and osteopontin) had positive association, while 2 (CD5 antigen-like and Factor VII) had negative association with AKI risk. Among 217 patients with DM, 18 (8.3%) developed AKI. The final model had an AUC of 0.87 for predicting procedural AKI (P Conclusions: We describe a clinical and proteomics-supported biomarker model with high sensitivity/NPV for AKI in patients with DM following coronary angiography. Disclosure N.E. Ibrahim: Other Relationship; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. C.P. McCarthy: None. S. Shrestha: None. H. Gaggin: Other Relationship; Self; Dr. Gaggin has received research grant support from Roche Diagnostics, Jana Care, Ortho Clinical, Novartis; consulting income from Merck, Roche Diagnostics; research payments for clinical endpoint com. R. Mukai: None. C.A. Magaret: Consultant; Self; Prevencio. R.F. Rhyne: Board Member; Self; Prevencio. Employee; Self; Prevencio. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Prevencio. J. Januzzi: Consultant; Self; Abbott, Roche Diagnostic USA. Research Support; Self; Abbott, Prevencio, Quest Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostic USA. Funding Prevencio, Inc.
An Investigation of the Summer Learning Effect on Fourth Grade Students’ Reading Scores

Students’ reading losses during the summer are a concern for schools in the United States. The purpose of this investigation was to examine fourth grade students’ (N = 5,113) reading development ov...
Adoption of Cover Crops by U.S. Soybean Producers

Using cover crops can be beneficial not only for soil health but also for the environment. However, relatively few farmers have adopted cover crops, so understanding the barriers to adoption is necessary. We used a probit model with data on 1,712 soybean producers from the 2012 USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey to identify factors affecting adoption of cover crops. We found that more precipitation was positively correlated with adoption, as was more hired labor. Adoption was also positively correlated with crop diversification and no-till adoption, which may relate to equipment availability.
Uptake and Impact of Short Message Service Reminders via Sexually Transmitted Infection Partner Services on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Frequency Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infection (STI) partner services (PS) allow provision of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/STI prevention interventions to high-risk individuals, including testing reminders via short message service (SMS). METHODS In King County, Washington, PS attempt to reach all men who have sex with men (MSM) with early syphilis and those with gonorrhea or chlamydia as resources allow. Since 2013, PS offered quarterly SMS testing reminders. We evaluated correlates of reminder uptake and the association between reminder uptake and postinterview asymptomatic STI diagnosis using Poisson regression, and the association between preinterview SMS reminder use and intertest interval among HIV-negative MSM using median regression. RESULTS During July 1, 2013 to January 17, 2018, 8236 MSM were reported with 1 or more STI diagnoses and 5237 received PS interviews. Of these, 4087 (78%) were offered SMS reminders; 545 (13%) accepted, 265 (7%) were already receiving SMS, 3277 (80%) refused. Of 2602 patients who refused and were asked about other reminders, 37% used none, 16% received reminders from medical providers, 20% tested at routine physicals, and 26% used other reminders. SMS reminder use before and after PS interview was associated with negative HIV status, younger age, and diagnosis with gonorrhea or chlamydia (vs. syphilis) (P < 0.05 for all). Preinterview intertest interval was longer among MSM testing at physicals (9.6 months) than those using no reminder (5.6), SMS reminders (4.7, P < 0.05 vs. physicals), and non-SMS reminders (3.6, P < 0.001 vs. SMS). Reminder uptake was not associated with postinterview STI diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Offering SMS reminders through STI PS is feasible. Uptake was low, but higher among young MSM not on preexposure prophylaxis. The SMS reminders may increase testing frequency.
Bullying: the role of the clinician in prevention and intervention

Abstract Bullying is a public health problem with approximately 20% of children being bullied in the United States. Youth with developmental disabilities, special needs, chronic health conditions, and those who identify as being part of the LGBTQ community are more likely to be targets of bullying. Mental and physical health implications for those who are targets of bullying, those who engage in bullying behavior, and those who are considered victims of bullying are identified in this chapter. Risk and protective factors for bullying involvement and outcomes are provided. Recommendations for prevention and intervention strategies for school staff, behavioral health providers, and primary care clinicians are detailed.
Enchanted Determinism: Power without Responsibility in Artificial Intelligence

Deep learning techniques are growing in popularity within the field of artificial intelligence (AI). These approaches identify patterns in large scale datasets, and make classifications and predictions, which have been celebrated as more accurate than those of humans. But for a number of reasons, including nonlinear path from inputs to outputs, there is a dearth of theory that can explain why deep learning techniques work so well at pattern detection and prediction. Claims about “superhuman” accuracy and insight, paired with the inability to fully explain how these results are produced, form a discourse about AI that we call enchanted determinism . To analyze enchanted determinism, we situate it within a broader epistemological diagnosis of modernity: Max Weber’s theory of disenchantment. Deep learning occupies an ambiguous position in this framework. On one hand, it represents a complex form of technological calculation and prediction, phenomena Weber associated with disenchantment. On the other hand, both deep learning experts and observers deploy enchanted, magical discourses to describe these systems’ uninterpretable mechanisms and counter-intuitive behavior. The combination of predictive accuracy and mysterious or unexplainable properties results in myth-making about deep learning’s transcendent, superhuman capacities, especially when it is applied in social settings. We analyze how discourses of magical deep learning produce techno-optimism, drawing on case studies from game-playing, adversarial examples, and attempts to infer sexual orientation from facial images. Enchantment shields the creators of these systems from accountability while its deterministic, calculative power intensifies social processes of classification and control.
Implementation of Febrile Infant Management Guidelines Reduces Hospitalization.

The clinical management of well-appearing febrile infants 7-60 days of age remains variable due in part to multiple criteria differentiating the risk of a serious bacterial infection. The purpose of this quality improvement study was to standardize risk stratification in the emergency department and length of stay in the inpatient unit by implementing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG). Methods The Model for Improvement was used to implement a CPG for the management of well-appearing febrile infants, with collaboration between pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric hospital medicine physicians. Interventions included physician education, process audit/feedback, and development of an electronic orderset. We used statistical process control charts to assess the primary aims of appropriate risk stratification and length of stay. Results Over a 34-month period, 168 unique encounters (baseline n = 65, intervention n = 103) were included. There was strong adherence for appropriate risk stratification in both periods: the proportion of low-risk patients admitted inappropriately decreased from 14.8% to 10.8%. Among admitted high-risk patients, the mean length of stay decreased from 49.4 to 38.2 hours, sustained for 18 months. Conclusion CPG implementation using quality improvement methodology can increase the delivery of evidence-based care for febrile infants, leading to a reduction in length of stay for high-risk infants.
Modeling and assessing interdependencies between critical infrastructures using Bayesian network: A case study of inland waterway port and surrounding supply chain network

Abstract The evolution of international supply chains have created a constant need for the transportation of goods through maritime transport. This mode of transport has been beneficial through its efficiency in the mobility of a large quantities of merchandise. In this context, inland waterway ports are one of the mainstays of the maritime transportation network. The aim of this paper is (1) to model and assess the interdependency between inland port infrastructure and its surrounding supply chain and (2) to show how the disturbance in one will have a ripple effect and trigger cascading failures in the entire network. To comprehend this interconnectedness, we outline three thorough interdependency types: geographic, service provision, and access for repair. After these interdependency types are validated, the factors related to port disruption and its supply chain performance are identified, and the Bayesian network is applied to visualize the interdependency among these factors. The quantification of interdependency is examined, and the results are profoundly analyzed through different advanced techniques such as belief propagation and sensitivity analysis. The general interpretation of these analyses entails that environmental factors and supplier responsiveness are imperative to port disruption and supply chain performance, respectively.
Giant Pericardial Lipoma Inducing Cardiac Tamponade and New Onset Atrial Flutter.

Although pericardial lipomas are both rare and benign, rapid or excessive growth can induce potentially fatal conditions such as pericarditis, arrhythmia, and cardiac tamponade. This case illustrates an example where a 65-year-old with atypical chest tightness unveiled a anterior pericardial mass with circumferential effusion and progressive deterioration to cardiac tamponade. Initial transthoracic echocardiogram imaging was technically difficult in this patient due to habitus and body mass, which failed to illustrate underlying effusion. Recurrent bouts of refractory supraventricular tachycardia prompted further investigation of this patient’s presentation with transesophageal echocardiogram, which showed evidence of an echogenic mass with cardiac tamponade. An urgent pericardial window and pericardial lipectomy immediately relieved this hemodynamically compromising condition. Subsequent atrial flutter resulted with the removal of the anterior fat pad during surgery, complicating recovery.
Bone disordersRickets and osteomalacia

Rickets is the clinical consequence of impaired mineralization of bone matrix throughout the growing skeleton in children, whilst osteomalacia is the result of this disturbance after the growth plates have fused in adults. The three major causes of rickets and osteomalacia are vitamin D deficiency, renal tubular dysfunction, and abnormalities of chondrocyte, osteoblast or bone matrix function. Rickets and osteomalacia can occur as heritable disorders. The major clinical features of rickets and osteomalacia include bone pain and tenderness, skeletal deformity, muscle weakness and occasionally tetany due to hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia, and raised serum alkaline phosphatase activity are typically found together with radiographic abnormalities such as widening of growth plates in rickets and pseudofractures in osteomalacia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are low in states of vitamin D deficiency, but may be normal in chronic renal failure, hereditary forms of rickets and oncogenous osteomalacia; in these latter disorders, the serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D concentrations are low or inappropriately in the normal range. Treatment with vitamin D, or its active metabolites, will generally provide relief of bone pain, improve mobility and prevent fractures, but must be carefully monitored.
Elevated Brain Glutamate Levels in Bipolar Disorder and Pyruvate Carboxylase-Mediated Anaplerosis.

In vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have found elevated brain glutamate or glutamate + glutamine levels in bipolar disorder with surprisingly high reproducibility. Because brain relies on pyruvate carboxylase-mediated anaplerosis in astrocytes for de novo glutamate synthesis we propose that the elevated glutamate levels in bipolar disorder can be explained by increased pyruvate carboxylase-mediated anaplerosis in brain. Multiple independent lines of evidence supporting increased pyruvate carboxylase-mediated anaplerosis as a common mechanism underlying glutamatergic hyperactivity in bipolar disorder and the positive association between bipolar disorder and obesity are also described.
Caution Before Embracing Team Mentoring in Academic Medical Research Training: Recommendations from a Qualitative Study.

Background: Multidisciplinary team mentoring increasingly is being advocated for biomedical research training. Before implementing a curriculum that could include team mentoring, we asked faculty a...
Shaping the future of science: COVID-19 highlighting the importance of GeoHealth

From the heated debates over the airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus to the abrupt Earth system changes caused by the sudden lockdowns, the dire circumstances resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have brought the field of GeoHealth to the forefront of visibility in science and policy. The pandemic has inadvertently provided an opportunity to study how human response has impacted the Earth system, how the Earth system may impact the pandemic, and the capacity of GeoHealth to inform real-time policy. The lessons learned throughout our responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are shaping the future of GeoHealth.
EXPERIENCES OF OLDER ADULTS WHO STOPPED DRIVING BECAUSE OF THEIR VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: PART 2

This article is the second in a three-part series that provides data from interviews of 162 adult subjects aged 60 and older who stopped driving due to a visual impairment. Part Two describes the a...
Pharmacologic effects of nicotine upon the fetus and mother in the rhesus monkey.

Abstract The short-term pharmacologic effects of nicotine upon the cardiovascular performance, acid-base status, and oxygenation of the mother and fetus were investigated in 43 rhesus monkeys in the second half of gestation. Nicotine given intravenously to the mother in either a single dose of 1.0 mg. per kilogram or a constant infusion at a rate of 100 μg per kilogram per minute elicited bradycardia and hypertension which was followed by persistent hypotension. The fetus responded with hypotension and bradycardia (single injection) or tachycardia (constant infusion). Direct intravenous injection of nicotine into the fetus in a single dose of 0.9 to 2.5 mg. per kilogram produced changes similar to those seen in the mother but quite different from those which occurred in the fetus when nicotine was given to the mother. The cardiovascular responses were more pronounced in the mature fetuses than in the less mature ones, indicating that sensitivity to nicotine is related to the development of the autonomic nervous system. Hypoxia and acidosis of the metabolic and respiratory type developed in the more mature fetus following administration of nicotine to the mother while the less mature fetus showed no significant changes in its acid-base status. The adverse effects of nicotine on the fetus following its administration to the mother seem to be due to the combined effects of impaired placental perfusion and a direct action of the transmitted nicotine upon the cardiovascular system of the fetus.
PWA: There's no-business like microvave business!

Provides an abstract of the panel topic and a brief professional biography of the presenter. The complete presentation was not made available for publication as part of the conference proceedings.
Abstract 15889: C-Terminal Modifications of Akt Kinase Boost Cellular Responses to Insulin by Inhibiting Activation Loop Dephosphorylation

Introduction: The Akt kinase isoforms (Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3) are activated downstream of the insulin receptor, and exert unique effects on cell growth, survival and metabolism. We recently described a novel ATP-dependent "dephosphorylation-resistance cage" in Akt kinases that controls access of cellular phosphatases to dephosphorylate the Akt activation loop (T308 in Akt1). Hypothesis: Here, we describe that, when Akt is localized at the cell membrane, intramolecular interactions of Akt C-terminal sequences with the hydrophobic groove of the kinase domain protect the phosphorylated activation loop (pT308 in Akt1) from cellular phosphatases. Methods and Results: Charged amino acid replacements of Akt C-terminal phosphorylation sites regulated by MTORC2 (Ser473) and by cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Ser477) increased phospho-T308 protection from cellular phosphatases regardless of subcellular location. Functionally, these phosphatase-resistant Akt variants were refractory to ceramide-dependent dephosphorylation and amplified insulin-dependent T308 phosphorylation in a regulated fashion (Figure 1). Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that modulating phosphatase sensitivity of Akt activation loops via C-terminal hydrophobic groove may provide a platform to develop novel Akt agonists.
The Retromolar Space: A Morphological Curiosity Observed Amongst the Protohistoric Arikara and Mandan

The retromolar space (RMS), defined in palaeoanthropology as a space posterior to the third molar, between the distal edge of the tooth and the anterior margin of the ascending ramus when the mandible is held in lateral view, has been described as an autapomorphic trait unique to Neanderthals despite its presence in anatomically modern humans. This study examined RMS prevalence in a sample of protohistoric Arikara and Mandan Amerindians to determine what craniofacial morphology is correlated with the RMS. It was hypothesised that the feature would be present in the Amerindians studied and associated with a long cranial length, a large nasal height, midfacial prognathism, a broad mandible, and dental wear. The results indicated that RMSs were present in the Arikara and Mandan and significantly correlated with cranial length, cranial breadth, nasal height, bizygomatic breadth, basion-nasion length, basion-nasiospinale, mandible length, gonial angle, bigonial breadth, and dental wear. Thus, RMSs are associated with a dolichocephalic skull, wide cranial and facial breadth, a prognathic face, large nose and a corresponding wide and long mandible with a reduced gonial angle. This suggests that the RMS is the result of these features merging together in the craniofacial complex and should not be considered a Neanderthal autapomorphy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fiscal leadership and central bank design

This article investigates the impact, on economic performance, of the timing of moves in a policy game between the government and the central bank for a government that has both redistributional and stabilization objectives. It is shown that both inflation and income inequality are reduced without sacrificing output growth if the government assumes a leadership role compared with a regime in which monetary and fiscal policy are determined simultaneously. Further, it is shown that government leadership benefits both the fiscal and monetary authorities through the enhanced coordination that this arrangement implies. JEL classification: E52, E61, F42
Peculiar dynamics of the stand-alone current source converter based photovoltaic system

The voltage source inverters (VSI) are usually used in Photo Voltaic (PV) systems as the converter for renewable energy system. However due to the inherent low voltage level of the PV cells, a DC/DC boost converter is needed to connect the PV to the inverter. Current Source Converters (CSI) on the other hand are voltage boost converters in nature. More so, the dc side inductors in CSI are more reliable when compared to the capacitors of VSI. The stress on the switches is lower due the fact that both switches on the same leg can be turned on at the same time. Prior to the controller design, inherent characteristics of the PV module connected to the CSI should be studied to determine the best operating point of the PV. PV generators can be considered as voltage or current sources depending on the operating regions. Although both regions are valid from power production point of view, the study of dynamic properties of a PV generator reveals that depending on the type of converter used; only one of these two regions is appropriate from the control point of view. This paper focuses on the use of the steady state results of both operation regions of the PV as well as the eigen-values and zero dynamic system of the system to locate the most stable and minimum phase region of operation.
The effect of enteral carnitine administration in humans.

We previously determined that the L-carnitine uptake by human duodenal tissue occurs by both active (KT 558 mumol/L) and passive mechanisms. The effects of enteral carnitine was studied in humans. A hamburger meal (345 mumol total carnitine) induced peak jejunal fluid free (unesterified) and short-chain acylcarnitine concentrations (SCAC) of 209 and 130 mumol/L, respectively. Plasma carnitine concentrations and the percent renal reabsorption remained unchanged. By contrast, a pharmacologic dose of free carnitine (25,298 mumol) raised peak intraluminal free and SCAC to 20,660 and 4204 mumol/L. Plasma total carnitine concentrations doubled to 93 mumol/L, and the percent renal reabsorption of free and SCAC declined to 76% and 52%, respectively. In triple-lumen perfusions, 200 mumol carnitine/L was absorbed at 484 nmol.min-1.30 cm-1 jejunum, a rate sufficient for prandial but not pharmacologic assimilation. Our findings indicate that absorption of physiologic and pharmacologic amounts of carnitine occurs predominantly by active transport and passive diffusion, respectively.
Correct cell-type-specific expression of a fusion gene injected into sea urchin eggs

A fusion gene construct containing the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of CyIIIa actin gene regulatory sequences was injected into unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and early pluteus stage embryos that developed from these eggs were fixed and sectioned for analysis by in situ hybridization. A [^3H]RNA antisense probe for CAT mRNA was hybridized to 5-μm embryo sections. Autoradiographic signal denoting the presence of CAT mRNA was detected only over aboral ectoderm cells, in which the CyIIIa gene is normally expressed, and not over any recognizable regions of gut or oral ectoderm included in the same sections.
He atom potential above an Ar film on graphite or Ag

We calculate the potential energy V(r) of a He atom above an incommensurate Ar film on either a graphite or a Ag surface. The dominant term in the interaction is the sum of He interactions U(r−Ri) with the Ar atoms; non-negligible contributions arise also from the substrate and from three-body interactions involving both adatoms and the substrate. The dependence on coverage is explored. The results are quite similar to those found previously for the cases of Kr and Xe adlayers at lower coverage.
Removal of palm fruits and ecosystem engineering in palm stands by white-lipped peccaries ( Tayassu pecari ) and other frugivores in an isolated Atlantic Forest fragment

Long-term studies in a 2,178 ha fragment of semideciduous Atlantic Forest demonstrated important interactions between white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) and the common palms, Syagrus romanzoffiana and Euterpe edulis. We conducted fruit removal and medium-to-large-sized mammalian exclusion experiments to: (1) quantify seasonal fruit consumption from high-density patches beneath parent trees by T. pecari and other consumers, and (2) measure impacts of T. pecari rooting and foraging activities on seedling dynamics in E. edulis stands. A diverse array of fauna consumed S. romanzoffiana fruits. During the dry season, when S. romanzoffiana palms provided 68% of fruit dry weight in the fragment, T. pecari consumed significantly greater amounts than other consumers, and along with Pecari tajacu and Tapirus terrestris, were potential seed dispersers. The rodents, Sciurus ingrami and Agouti paca, consumed most S. romanzoffiana fruits in the wet season, acting as both seed dispersers and predators. More than 95% of E. edulis fruit removal was due to seed predation by T. pecari. Intense removal during the dry season was closely linked with previously documented range shifts and habitat preferences by T. pecari. Exclusion plot experiments in E. edulis (palmito) stands showed that the number and proportion of nonpalmito (not E. edulis) seedlings increased dramatically in the absence of T. pecari rooting and foraging activities that disturbed soil and thinned seedlings. We discuss the importance of these ecosystem engineering activities and palm-peccary trophic interactions for long-term maintenance of E. edulis stands and T. pecari populations, as well as water balance, in the forest fragment.
Influence des comorbidités sur les différences de mortalité chirurgicale vasculaire liées au sexe et à l'origine ethnique

Beaucoup d'etudes precedentes des procedures vasculaires ont trouve des differences liees au sexe et a l'ethnie dans la mortalite chirurgicale qui ont ete attribuees a une prevalence differente des comorbidites. L'ajustement pour des comorbidites selectionnees ne supprime pas tous les biais. En plus des ajustements pour d'autres variables, les taux de mortalite dans cette etude ont ete ajustes aux conditions coexistantes qui ont cause le deces postoperatoire mais etaient independantes de l'intervention. La mortalite ajustee etait donc attribuable au procede. Les donnees administratives Medicare et le certificat de deces beneficiaires âges de 65 a 99 ans qui residaient en Indiana et au Kentucky et avaient eu 6016 interventions vasculaires principales de 1994 a 1997 ont ete exploites. A l'aide des modeles proportionnels de risque de Cox, les rapports de mortalite hommes/femmes et non blancs/blancs ont ete ajustes pour l'âge, le sexe, ou a l'ethnie;le score de comorbidites pondere de Charlson;la duree d'hospitalisation;et les facteurs coexistants de mortalite (FCM). Globalement, 3333 patients sont morts au cours des 30 jours postoperatoires. Il y avait des differences liees au sexe et/ou a l'ethnie dans la mortalite due aux anevrismes aortiques, aux accidents vasculaires cerebraux, et au diabete ( p P P
Synthesis and protein degradation capacity of photoactivated enediynes.

The viability of proteins as targets of thermally and photoactivated enediynes has been confirmed at the molecular level. Model studies using a labeled substrate confirmed the efficacy of atom transfer from diyl radicals produced from enediynes to form captodatively stabilized carbon centered aminoacyl radicals, which then undergo either fragmentation or dimerization. To exploit this finding, a family of enediynes was developed using an intramolecular coupling strategy. Derivatives were prepared and used to target specific proteins, showing good correlation between affinity and photoinduced protein degrading activity. The findings have potential applications in the design of artificial chemical proteases and add to our understanding of the mechanism of action of the clinically important enediyne antitumor antibiotics.
Labile lipophilic derivatives of norepinephrine capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Das in vivo leicht hydrolysierbare 0, 0, 0-Triacetat und das zyklische Brenzkatechin-carbonat desl-Noradrenalins setzen im Herzen der Maus tritiiertes Noradrenalin frei. Beide Derivate sowie das 0, 0, 0-Trimethylsilyl-l-noradrenalin-7-3H, sind genugend lipophil, um leicht die Liquorschranke zu uberschreiten, wo sie im Zentralnervensystem langsam tritiiertes Noradrenalin freisetzen. Solche Noradrenalin-Depot-Derivate sind moglicherweise von therapeutischem Interesse.
Virtual screening application of a model of full-length HIV-1 integrase complexed with viral DNA.

To address the absence of experimental data on the full-length structure of HIV-1 integrase and the way it binds to viral and human DNA, we had previously [Karki, R. G.; Tang, Y.; Burke, T. R., Jr.; Nicklaus, M. C. J. Comput. Aided Mol. Des. 2004, 18, 739] constructed models of full-length HIV-1 integrase complexed with models of viral and human DNA. Here we describe the discovery of novel HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors based on one of these models. Virtual screening methods including docking and filtering by predicted ADME/Tox properties yielded several μM level inhibitors of the strand transfer reaction catalyzed by wild-type HIV-1 integrase.
Efficacy of different bone volume expanders for augmenting lumbar fusions

Abstract Background A wide variety of bone volume expanders are being used in performing posterolateral lumbar noninstrumented and instrumented lumbar fusions. This article presents a review of their efficacy based on fusion rates, complications, and outcomes. Methods Lumbar noninstrumented and instrumented fusions frequently use laminar autografts and different bone graft expanders. This review presents the utility of multiple forms/ratios of DBMs containing allografts. It also discusses the efficacy of artificial bone graft substitutes, including HA and B-TCP. Dynamic x-ray and/or CT examinations were used to document fusion in most series. Outcomes were variously assessed using Odom's criteria or different outcome questionnaires (Oswestry Questionnaire, SF-36, Dallas Pain Questionnaire, and/or Low Back Pain Rating Scale). Results Performing noninstrumented and instrumented lumbar posterolateral fusions resulted in comparable fusion rates in many series. Similar outcomes were also documented based on Odom's criteria or the multiple patient-based questionnaires. However, in some studies, the addition of spinal instrumentation increased the reoperation rate, operative time, blood loss, and cost. Various forms of DBMs, applied in different ratios to autografts, effectively supplemented spinal fusions in animal models and patient series. β –Tricalcium phosphate, which is used to augment autograft fusions addressing idiopathic scoliosis or lumbar disease, also proved to be effective. Conclusions Different types of bone volume expanders, including various forms of allograft-based DBMs, and artificial bone graft substitutes (HA and B-TCP) effectively promote posterolateral lumbar noninstrumented and instrumented fusions when added to autografts.
Compositional Effects on the Properties of Si-Al-RE-Based Oxynitride Glasses (RE = La, Nd, Gd, Y, or Lu)

A series of silicon-aluminum oxynitride-glass compositions containing selected rare-earth (RE) additions were prepared to examine the effects of specific RE, as well as Si:Al:RE and N:O ratio, on properties. The properties that were characterized included density, thermal expansion coefficient (α), glass-transition temperature (Tg), hardness (H), and Young's modulus (E). The compositions (in equivalent percent) selected included: 55 Si-20 RE-25 Al oxide and 80 O-20 N oxynitride, and 45 Si-30 RE-25 Al oxide and 70 O-30 N glasses. The results show that the density increased significantly with an increase in the RE atomic mass and slightly with an increase in N:O ratio. For each of the fixed Si-Al-RE-O-N compositions, the E, H, and Tg values were each increased by substituting smaller RE ions, whereas the α value was decreased. For each specific cation composition and RE, increasing the N:O ratio systematically led to a decrease in the α values but an increase in the E, H, and Tg values. The observed response in the glass properties to changes in composition appears to reflect modifications in the bonding within the glass network.
Environmental stability of intercalated graphite fibers

Graphite fibers intercalated with bromine, iodine monochloride, ferric chloride, and cupric chloride were subjected to stability tests under four environments which are encountered by engineering materials in the aerospace industry: ambient laboratory conditions, as would be experienced during handling operations and terrestrial applications; high vacuum, as would be experienced in space applications; high humidity, as would be experienced in marine applications; and high temperature, as would be experienced in some processing steps and applications. Monitoring the resistance of the fibers at ambient laboratory conditions revealed that only the ferric chloride intercalated fibers were unstable, due to absorption of water from the air. All four types of intercalated fibers were unstable, due to absorption of water from the air. All four types of intercalated fibers were stable for long periods under high vacuum. Ferric chloride, cupric chloride, and iodine monochloride intercalated fibers were sensitive to high humidity conditions. All intercalated fibers began to degrade above 250 C. The order of their thermal stability, from lowest to highest, was cupric chloride, iodine monochloride, bromine, and ferric chloride. Of the four types of intercalated fibers tested, the bromine intercalated fibers appear to have the most potential for application, based on environmental stability.
Canna yellow mottle virus Detected in Canna in Florida

Cannas are herbaceous flowering plants native to the tropics and subtropics and widely cultivated as ornamentals in Florida. Canna yellow mottle virus (CaYMV), previously reported in Japan and Minnesota, is now also present in Florida, based on symptoms, microscopy, PCR, and sequence analysis. There is no known vector for this virus. Canna yellow mottle disease can be an economically important disease constraint on the production of cannas in Florida.
Seeing beyond the midline: The role of the contralateral isthmotectal projection in the leopard frog

The ground level visual field of each eye of the leopard frog includes the entire ipsilateral 180-deg field and approximately 60 deg into the frontal contralateral field. When one eye is covered with an opaque patch, a frog responds to prey stimuli over the entire field of the other eye. Nevertheless, when one optic nerve is cut, the animal responds to prey in the ipsilateral hemifield of the connected eye, but only responds as far as about 30 deg past the frontal midline. If one optic tract is cut, the animal does not respond to prey past the frontal midline. We hypothesized that the responses past the frontal midline might be mediated by input from contralaterally projecting isthmotectal fibers. These fibers originate in the nucleus isthmi, a posterior midbrain structure. We found that when we placed an opaque patch over one eye and either ablated the ipsilateral nucleus isthmi, or cut crossing isthmotectal fibers in the optic chiasm, or blocked input to nucleus isthmi by ablating the ipsilateral tectal lobe, animals did not respond to prey stimuli past the frontal midline. We found that when we placed an opaque patch over one eye and cut crossing optic fibers in the anterior part of the optic chiasm (sparing crossing isthmotectal fibers), animals responded to prey stimuli in the nasal half of the seeing eye's contralateral frontal field. Our results suggest that contralaterally projecting isthmotectal fibers enable the frog to respond to stimuli past the frontal midline. We suggest a one-dimensional model of how nucleus isthmi influences tectal function.
Survival rates are similar between African American and white patients with heart failure

Abstract Background The clinical characteristics of heart failure differ significantly between African American patients and white patients, apparently as a result of differences in the pathobiology of the condition in the races. We investigated the hypothesis that race also influences the survival of patients with heart failure. Methods Data from the University of North Carolina Heart Failure Database were analyzed for 853 patients (44% African American, 32% women) who had symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association class 2.8 ± 0.02 [mean ± SEM]) with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 26% ± 0.5% and a body mass index of 27 ± 0.2. Data on vital status were available in 96.4% of these patients, with a mean length of follow-up of 3.8 ± 0.1 years. Results An unadjusted univariate proportional-hazards analysis suggested similar survival rates between African American patients and white patients in the study population (relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73-1.10; P = .293). Adjusted analysis, taking into account the characteristics shown to be of prognostic importance, demonstrated no difference in survival rate between African American patients and white patients (relative risk,1.12; 95% CI, 0.89-1.42; P = .336). The adjusted relative risk of all-cause mortality in the respective races among patients with heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease was 1.21 (95% CI, 0.80-1.84; P = .367). Conclusion African American and white patients with symptomatic heart failure had similar survival rates in our database.
Chemo-Predictive Assay for Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Patients Affected by Brain Tumors

Administration of ineffective anticancer therapy is associated with unnecessary toxicity and development of resistant clones. Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) resist chemotherapy, thereby causing relapse of the disease. Thus, development of a test that identifies the most effective chemotherapy management offers great promise for individualized anticancer treatments. We have developed an ex vivo chemotherapy sensitivity assay (ChemoID), which measures the sensitivity of CSLCs as well as the bulk of tumor cells to a variety of chemotherapy agents. Two patients, a 21-year old male (patient 1) and a 5-month female (patient 2), affected by anaplastic WHO grade-III ependymoma were screened using the ChemoID assay. Patient 1 was found sensitive to the combination of irinotecan and bevacizumab, which resulted in a prolonged disease progression free period of 18 months. Following recurrence, the combination of various chemotherapy drugs was tested again with the ChemoID assay. We found that benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) greatly increased the chemosensitivity of the ependymoma cells to the combination of irinotecan and bevacizumab. After patient 1 was treated for two months with irinotecan, bevacizumab and supplements of cruciferous vegetable extracts containing BITC, we observed over 50% tumoral regression in comparison with pre-ChemoID scan as evidenced by MRI. Patient 2 was found resistant to all treatments tested and following 6 cycles of vincristine, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin in various combinations, the tumor of this patient rapidly progressed and proton beam therapy was recommended. As expected animal studies conducted with patient derived xenografts treated with ChemoID screened drugs recapitulated the clinical observation. This assay demonstrates that patients with the same histological stage and grade of cancer may vary considerably in their clinical response, suggesting that ChemoID testing which measures the sensitivity of CSLCs as well as the bulk of tumor cells to a variety of chemotherapy agents could lead to more effective and personalized anticancer treatments in the future.
Drift flux representation of gas–particle flow

Drift flux methodology has occasionally been used to represent aspects of particulate fluidization. It provides a single, compact tool for relating various situations of captive bed fluidization, co- and counter-current upflow and downflow of fluid and particles, and batch sedimentation of an expanded bed. Bubbling bed systems of type A and B powders differ in important effects from particulate systems, and drift flux diagrams are presented to illustrate those differences.
Non-adiabatic effects in charge transfer caused by electron correlation

Abstract Using a recently developed many-electron theory, we investigate the velocity dependence of charge transfer probabilities in atom-surface scattering. By analysis of the instantaneous spectral function of the atomic levels, the microscopic origins of non-adiabaticity can be determined. We show that, under certain conditions, intra-atomic correlation effects can introduce novel and non-trivial sources of non-adiabaticity, due to the formation of the Kondo resonance near the Fermi level of the substrate. The narrow width of the Kondo resonance introduces an additional long time scale, which persists even at low velocities.
Will Practitioners Benefit from Meta-Analysis?

This article discusses the use of general mental ability tests in hiring decisions. The premise of this assessment suggests that general mental ability is predictive of an individual's job performance and that the ability-performance relationship is more evident in higher-status jobs. Mental ability tests are also indicative of such factors as dollar value changes in an individual's job performance. Meta-analysis is a valuable research tool that has summarized and confirmed the importance of mental ability tests and has disciplined scientific discourse in many areas.
Additional Archives of the Yatoi

FO R some time scholars have realized that it would be difficult to treat modern Japanese relations with the West, more particularly, Japan's contacts with America, without a visit to New Brunswick. This is true because of the location of the Griffis Papers in the Department of Special Collections and Archives of the University Libraries. The presence of the Griffis Papers at Rutgers University was in turn the product of the experience and interest of a remarkable individual, as well as of a fortuitous relationship between Rutgers and Japan during the nineteenth century. The individual was, of course, William Elliot Griffis (1843-1928, Rutgers Class of 1869),1 who was doubtless America's first "old Japan hand." The relationship was technically between the Rutgers Grammar School (now Rutgers Preparatory School),2 Rutgers College (now part of Rutgers University), and a feudal domain, Echizen (modern Fukui Prefecture).3 The ties began in the 1860s, when a band of samurai (with assumed names to hide their illegal exit from Japan) arrived to study English and then to transfer into college-level work at Rutgers. In our day, thanks to the work of American and Japanese scholars and to the generosity of Japanese philanthropy, the original Griffis Papers have been greatly augmented and the significance of this resource greatly enhanced. On December 6, 1980 in the Alexander
The Significance of Intra- and Intersentence Pause Times in Perceptual Judgments of Oral Reading Rate

A total of 31 pause-altered recordings was constructed and played to a group of 78 judges for rate evaluation. Results indicate that pause time is an important variable in perceptual judgments of o...
PLUNC Is a Novel Airway Surfactant Protein with Anti-Biofilm Activity

Background The PLUNC (“Palate, lung, nasal epithelium clone”) protein is an abundant secretory product of epithelia present throughout the conducting airways of humans and other mammals, which is evolutionarily related to the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LT/LBP) family. Two members of this family - the bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI) and the lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) - are innate immune molecules with recognized roles in sensing and responding to Gram negative bacteria, leading many to propose that PLUNC may play a host defense role in the human airways.
Process for the aerobic conversion of poultry manure into high‐protein feedstuff

A two-stage aerobic continuous process is suggested for the conversion of poultry waste into a single-cell protein (SCP) product. The technical feasibility of the process is examined in this paper. Using bench-scale apparatus the approximate growth kinetics have been discovered. Possible modes of product recovery have been examined. The product consists primarily of a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens which has a lysine-rich (∼9.3%) amino acid profile that could make this product an attractive feed ingredient for poultry diets.
Facile AB ring cleavage reactions of taxoids

Abstract Two facile B ring cleavage reactions of taxoids related to paclitaxel are reported. Treatment of a 13-chlorobaccatin with azide ion led to cleavage of the C-10/C-11 bond and formation of a hemiketal product. Treatment of a protected 2-debenzoyl paclitaxel with MnO 2 yielded a ketoaldehyde in which the C-1/C-2 bond had been cleaved and the side chain had been eliminated.
Evaluation of single-use rotary nickel-titanium instruments.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the number and types of defects observed in single-use, rotary nickel-titanium instruments. Every ProFile Series 29 .04 taper nickel-titanium instrument used during a 4-week period in an endodontic specialty practice was collected. All instruments were new and were used by experienced clinicians during a single patient visit. The instruments were routinely used in a crown-down manner with RC Prep lubrication and copious irrigation. The instruments were used in a MicroMega 324 air motor in a 6:1 gear reduction contra-angle at 333 rpm. The instruments were collected, ultrasonically cleaned, sterilized, and inspected at ×16 magnification. Torsional, flexural, and fracture defects were recorded and statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. A total of 786 ProFile Series 29 nickel-titanium rotary instruments were evaluated; 115 (14.63%) showed some type of defect after one clinical use. Size 3 instruments had the highest defect rate (22.66%) followed by size 5 (17.30%), size 2 (17.24%), and size 4 instruments (16.10%). However, there was no statistically significant difference. The size 6 and size 7 instruments showed minimal defects (2.38% and 4.76%, respectfully). Seven of 786 files had fractured (0.891%). There was no statistically significant difference in the type of failure seen within each file size. This study does show that defects can occur even with new files in the hands of experienced endodontists, and for absolute safety a single-use approach should be followed.