cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human and fungal 3′ splice sites are used by Trypanosoma brucei for trans splicing

Abstract In Trypanosoma brucei , pre-mRNAs are joined to a 5′ 39 nt spliced leader sequence by trans splicing, a process that has not been well characterized. We have asked whether the 3′ splice site regions of human and yeast introns are able to substitute in vivo for the 3′ spliced leader acceptor regions of trypanosome pre-mRNA sequences. The ability of heterologous sequences to participate in trans splicing in trypanosomes was assayed by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) enzyme activity and/or the detection of spliced CAT mRNA. Four out of the six heterologous 3′ splice site regions (human β-globin intervening sequence (IVS)2, human c-myc IVS2, human factor-VIII IVS1, and yeast actin IVS) functioned as 3′ spliced leader acceptor regions in T. brucei , while two did not show significant or detectable levels of CAT activity (human β-globin IVS1 and human c-myc IVS1). In the case of the human β-globin IVS1 however, lengthening of the polypyrimidine tract as a result of single purine to pyrimidine transversions produced an active acceptor in which the spliced leader addition site coincides with the 3′ splice site of the β-globin exon 2. These studies indicate that some, but not all 3′ acceptor regions in humans can function as spliced leader addition sites in trypanosomes.
The Strength of Gold Nanowires

Atomistic simulations are used to investigate the yield strength of experimentally observed atomic and nanometer scale gold wires. The atomistic predictions of strength are quantitatively consistent with discrete experimental measurements and they reveal the mechanisms for increasing nanowire strength with decreasing dimensional scale. Distinct transitions in yield strength and yield mechanism are discovered. At nanometer scales (diameter > 1 nm), the mechanism for strengthening involves the scarcity and low mobility of dislocations coupled with constraint from tensile surface stresses. As the wires approach the atomic scale (diameter < 1 nm), an increase in strength occurs concurrent with a surface-stress-induced change in the stable structure of the nanowires and the absence of dislocation-mediated yield. The results constitute a new fundamental understanding of strength in metallic nanowires spanning technologically relevant dimensional scales.
Conjunctive antithrombotic therapy for thrombolysis in myocardial infarction.

Disruption of an atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries with a minor stenosis is the usual stimulus for acute coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction. In this article the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis and contributions of local arterial wall substrates, the rheology of blood flow, systemic factors, and the critical role of thrombin in the formation of thrombus are discussed. More potent antithrombotic therapy may accelerate exogenous thrombolysis, allows endogenous thrombolysis, and should reduce recurrent infarction and ischemia and death, as well as need for coronary revascularization. Maximal antithrombotic therapy for acute myocardial infarction includes an intravenous bolus of heparin at 100 U/kg followed by an intravenous infusion—at 1,200 U/hr for patients weighing 60–80 kg, 1,300 U/hr for those weighing >80 kg, and 1,000 U/hr for those weighing < 60 kg (or 17 U/kg/hr)—to maintain the activated partial thromboplastin time at 2–3 times control (60–90 sec) for at least 5–7 days. To convert intravenous to subcutaneous administration, use 14,000–17,000 U every 12 hours and initially overlap the intravenous infusion by 2 hours. The loading dose of aspirin on admission to the hospital is 160 mg followed by 80 mg/day. High-risk patients should be considered for conversion of heparin to warfarin therapy for at least 3 months at an international normalized ratio of 2.5–4.0 for the prevention of recurrent ischemia, reinfarction, death, thromboembolism, reactivation of thrombosis, and reduced necessity for revascularization.
Abnormal glucose metabolism among older men with or at risk of HIV infection.

Objectives To determine factors associated with diabetes, insulin resistance, and abnormal glucose tolerance in older men with or at risk of HIV infection. Methods Diabetes was assessed by self-report in 643 men ≥49 years old with or at risk of HIV infection. In a subset of 216 men without previously diagnosed diabetes [including 90 HIV-uninfected men, 28 HIV-infected, antiretroviral-naive men, 28 HIV-infected men taking non-protease inhibitor (PI)-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 70 HIV-infected men taking PI-containing HAART], an oral glucose tolerance test with insulin levels was performed. HIV serology, CD4 cell count, weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Antiretroviral use, drug use, family history of diabetes, physical activity and sociodemographic data were obtained using standardized interviews. Results Of 643 participants, 116 (18%) had previously diagnosed diabetes. With the oral glucose tolerance test, 15 of 216 men (7%) were found to have undiagnosed diabetes and 40 (18%) impaired glucose tolerance. Factors independently associated with previously diagnosed diabetes included use of non-PI-containing HAART, methadone treatment, positive CAGE test for alcoholism, obesity and family history of diabetes. Factors independently associated with greater insulin resistance included waist circumference and heroin use. Factors independently associated with abnormal glucose tolerance (impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes) included age ≥55 years and Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusions HIV-infected men with diabetes risk factors should undergo screening for diabetes regardless of HAART use. Interventions targeting modifiable risk factors, including overweight and physical inactivity, are warranted. The potential impact of opiate and alcohol abuse on glucose metabolism should be recognized in clinical care, and addressed in future research studies of HIV-infected persons.
Rule-governed Institutions versus Act-Consequentialism: A Rejoinder to Naticchia

En reponse a l'article precedent de C. Naticchia («Recognition and legitimity: a reply to Buchanan», in «Philosophy and public affairs», 28, 3, 1999, pp. 242-57), l'A. examine les quatre arguments que celui-ci developpe en faveur d'une theorie pragmatique de la reconnaissance susceptible de surmonter les faiblesses de la theorie fondee sur la justice: 1) la distinction entre les notions de justice, justice minimale et legitimite; 2) la distinction entre la reconnaissance geree par la loi et la reconnaissance au cas par cas; 3) les contraintes dans la poursuite des fins: ne pas etre complice d'une injustice; 4) la distinction entre les normes du choix des regles de la reconnaissance et les normes du comportement de l'Etat.
Aprepitant has little inductive effect on CYP3A4 activity when coadministered with dexamethasone

Background Aprepitant (APR) is a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist approved, in combination with a corticosteroid and a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Corticosteroids and APR both induce CYP3A4 activity and thus this study was conducted to determine if coadministration of APR and a corticosteroid results in significant CYP3A4 induction in vivo. Methods This double-blind, 2-period, crossover study was conducted in 12 healthy subjects to assess the potential inductive effect of a triple-therapy antiemetic regimen versus a dual antiemetic regimen on CYP3A4 activity. Single doses of oral (2 mg) and IV (1 mg) stable isotope (13C515N1) labeled midazolam (MDZ) were simultaneously administered on Days -1 (baseline), 6, 8, 15, and 22 as probes to independently assess the effects on systemic vs systemic+ first pass CYP3A4 activity. (See Table) Results The fold-changes from baseline in oral and intravenous MDZ AUC0-∞ were used as the primary assessments of CYP3A4 activity and are summarized in the table below. The difference between the dual vs triple regimen on days 8, 15, and 22 was primarily due to slight CYP3A4 inhibition by the dual regimen. The mean fold-changes from baseline following the triple antiemetic regimen were all close to 1.0. Conclusion APR, when used in combination with DEX as part of a triple antiemetic regimen, is unlikely to have significant inductive effects on CYP3A4 activity. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P73–P73; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.169 Table 1. Regimen APR Ondansetron (OND) Dexamethasone (DEX) 1 Doses of DEX were reduced to achieve comparable exposure to dual regimen. Triple1 D1: 125 mg PO D1: 32 mg IV D1: 12 mg PO D2–3: 80 mg PO D2–4: 8 mg PO Dual D1: 32 mg IV D1: 20 mg PO D2–4: 16 mg PO Table 2. MDZ AUC0–∞ Geometric Mean Fold Change†† from Baseline† Ratio of Geometric Mean Fold Change†† (Triple/Double) with 90% CI† Day TripleRegimen DualRegimen P-value†† CI= Confidence interval. † Geometric means, CIs, ratios, and fold changes back-transformed from least-squares means from ANOVA, performed on natural log-transformed values †† Tests null hypothesis of no between-treatment difference versus two-sided alternative Oral MDZ 6 0.84 0.84 1.00 (0.80, 1.25) >0.250 8 0.91 1.45 0.63 (0.49, 0.78) <0.010 15 0.93 1.40 0.66 (0.53, 0.83) <0.010 22 0.83 1.18 0.70 (0.56, 0.88) <0.010 IV MDZ 6 0.90 1.02 0.88 (0.74, 1.03) 0.184 8 0.93 1.25 0.74 (0.63, 0.87) <0.010 15 0.90 1.14 0.79 (0.67, 0.93) 0.017 22 0.94 1.07 0.88 (0.75, 1.04) 0.198
Quality, Quantity, And Surprise! Trade-Offs In X-Raser ASAT Attrition

In order to characterize the effects of technological superiority, numerical superiority, and pre-emption on space battle outcomes, we have constructed a battle simulation in which "Red" and "Blue" ASATs, each armed with a specified number of x-ray lasers of specified range, move along specified orbits and fire on one another according to a pair of battle management algorithms. The simulated battle proceeds until apparent steady-state force levels are reached. Battle outcomes are characterized by terminal force ratio and by terminal force-exchange ratio as effective weapon range, multiplicity (x-rasers per ASAT), and pre-emptive role are varied parametrically. A major conclusion is that pre-emptive advantage increases with increasing x-raser range and multiplicity (x-rasers per ASAT) and with increasing force size. That is, the "use 'em or lose 'em" dilemma will become more stark as such weapons are refined and proliferated.
A note on (m.s)-optimality

A property called (M.S)-optimaiity is discussed. Examples are given to show that sometimes (M.S)-optimal designs are not optimal under certain criteria. In order to be optimal with respect to a broad class of criteria, some further conditions are needed. Finally, the performances under D-, A-, and E-criteria of a special class of (M.S)-optimal designs in the block-design setting called regular graph designs are studied. It turns out that the efficiencies are very high.
Fluorescent Hydrogels for Embryoid Body Formation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

Substrate mechanics (e.g., stiffness and topography of the microenvironment) are likely critical for driving normal morphogenesis and tissue development. As such, substrate mechanics imposed by hydrogels have been exploited to guide the lineage differentiation of stem cells and to drive stemness. In this work, we chemically modified gelatin hydrogels through glyceraldehyde cross-linking to render them suitable for cell culture. The modified hydrogels proved to be ideal for embryonic stem cell osteogenesis, initially providing a soft nonadhesive surface for the formation of embryoid bodies. They subsequently degraded in culture to afford a harder surface during osteoblast differentiation. The gels synthesized are highly fluorescent, relatively easy to prepare, and can potentially aid in overcoming the challenge of imaging changes to the microenvironments of cells during three-dimensional cell culture. Exploiting these materials could lead to the development of tissue-engineered products of increased comple...
Relationship Between Sex and School Achievement of One Thousand Indian Children

(1939). Relationship Between Sex and School Achievement of One Thousand Indian Children. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 399-406.
Reactions of chlorite with activated carbon and with vanillic acid and indan adsorbed on activated carbon

Abstract The reaction between chlorite (CIO 2 ) and vanillic acid, at pH 6.0 in the presence of granular activated carbon (GAC), yielded several reaction products identifiable by GC/MS; no products were found in the absence of GAC. Indan and C1O 2 or C1O 2 reacted in aqueous solution and gave similar products in the presence and absence of GAC. Carbon exposed to C1O 2 − appears to become capable of promoting hydroxylation, decarboxylation, ring cleavage and CO 2 addition reactions with vanillic acid. Chlorite in aqueous solution was reduced by GAC predominantly to Cl − . The capacity of one type of virgin GAC for C1O 2 − reduction to Cl − was about 80–90 mg C1O 2 − g −1 GAC before the rate of reaction was sharply reduced.
Bandwidth-efficient RZ format for DWDM transmission using orthogonal duobinary mode splitting

This paper describes wideband "orthogonal duobinary mode splitting", which realizes simple modulation and demodulation of novel bandwidth-efficient RZ format, duobinary CS-RZ and CS-RZ DPSK, at channel rates over 40 Gbit/s
A SPECIFIC AMINO ACID SEQUENCE AT THE HEAD-ROD JUNCTION IS NOT CRITICAL FOR THE PHOSPHORYLATION-DEPENDENT REGULATION OF SMOOTH MUSCLE MYOSIN

It has been suggested that the structure at the head-rod junction of smooth muscle myosin is important for the phosphorylation-mediated regulation of myosin motor activity. To investigate whether a specific amino acid sequence at the head-rod junction is critical for the regulation, three smooth muscle myosin mutants in which the sequence at the N-terminal end of S2 is deleted to various extents were expressed in Sf9 cells; 28, 56, and 84 amino acid residues, respectively, at the position immediately C-terminal to the invariant proline (Pro849) were deleted, and the S1 domain was directly linked to the downstream sequence of the rod. The mutant myosins were expressed, purified, and biochemically characterized. All three myosin mutants showed a stable double-headed structure based upon electron microscopic observation. Both the actin-activated ATPase activity and the actin translocating activity of the mutants were completely regulated by the phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain. The actin sliding velocity of the three mutant myosins was the same as the wild-type recombinant myosin. These results indicate that a specific amino acid sequence at the head-rod junction is not required for the regulation of smooth muscle myosin. The results also suggest that there is no functionally important interaction between the regulatory light chain and the heavy chain at the head-rod junction.
Risk factors for venous thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism is a common and potentially lethal disease. Patients who have pulmonary embolism are at especially high risk for death. Death owing to pulmonary embolism is independent of other comorbid conditions (e.g., cancer, chronic heart disease, or lung disease). Sudden death is often the first clinical manifestation. Only a reduction in the incidence of venous thromboembolism can reduce sudden death owing to pulmonary embolism and venous stasis syndrome owing to deep vein thrombosis. The incidence of venous thromboembolism has been relatively constant since about 1980. Improvement in the incidence of venous thromboembolism will require better recognition of persons at risk, improved estimates of the magnitude of risk, the avoidance of risk exposure when possible, more widespread use of safe and effective prophylaxis when risk is unavoidable, and targeting of prophylaxis to those persons who will benefit most. Recognition of venous thromboembolism as a multifactorial disease with genetic and genetic-environmental interaction has provided significant insights into its epidemiology and offers the possibility of improved identification of persons at risk for incident and recurrent venous thromboembolism.
Excess intake of fat and sugar potentiates epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia in male rats

Abstract Aims Over the past five decades, per capita caloric intake has increased significantly, and diet- and stress-related diseases are more prevalent. The stress hormone epinephrine stimulates hepatic glucose release during a stress response. The present experiment tested the hypothesis that excess caloric intake alters this ability of epinephrine to increase blood glucose. Methods Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-energy cafeteria-style diet (HED). Weight gain during the first 5days on the diet was used to divide the rats into an HED-lean group and HED-obese group. After 9weeks, the rats were injected with epinephrine, and blood glucose was measured. Results HED-obese rats gained body and fat mass, and developed insulin resistance (IR) and hepatic steatosis. HED-lean and control rats did not differ. Epinephrine produced larger increases in blood glucose in the HED-obese rats than in the HED-lean and control rats. Removing the high-energy components of the diet for 4weeks reversed the potentiated effects of epinephrine on glucose and corrected the IR but not the steatosis or obesity. Conclusions Consumption of a high-energy cafeteria diet potentiates epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia. This effect is associated with insulin resistance but not adiposity or steatosis and is reversed by 4weeks of standard chow.
Controlling exit site infections: Does it decrease the incidence of catheter‐related bacteremia in children on chronic hemodialysis?

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether the application of a chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing (Biopatch) at the exit site of tunneled-cuffed hemodialysis catheters has any effect on the incidence and etiology of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB). This study was carried out over a 5-year period in a single center, where, in the first 2(1/2) years, the exit sites were cleansed with betadine at every hemodialysis session and then covered with a transparent dressing (pre-Biopatch Era). During the next 2(1/2) years, Biopatch was applied to the exit site once a week after cleansing with betadine, and then covered with a transparent dressing (Biopatch Era). The application of Biopatch significantly decreased the incidence of exit site infections (ESI) (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in the incidence of CRBs or their microbiological distribution. The improved ESI rate had no effect on the overall catheter survival time. The antimicrobial sensitivities of the Gram-positive microorganisms were statistically different for the 2 different types of infections (P<0.05). In conclusion, even though Biopatch is effective in decreasing the incidence of ESI, it has no effect on the incidence of CRB, the etiology of CRB, or the overall catheter survival time. The distinct difference between the antimicrobial sensitivities of the ESI and CRB suggests that they are not a spectrum of the same pathogenesis. These preliminary data support the intraluminal pathogenesis of CRB, rather than the exit site as a possible entry point for the extraluminal route.
Optical Archiving For Scientific Data

Write-once-read-many (WORM) optical disk technology is now practical for use as (1) a near online storage media, (2) long-term storage in a passive repository, and (3) under some circumstances, transporting from and to data generators and data users at remote sites. Optical technology provides several significant advantages over magnetic tapes as a data storage media because it is more compact, provides random access, has a longer lifetime, at least 30 years, and is less sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Two major archival projects using optical technology underway are discussed: the Coastal Zone Color Scanner data and the Dynamics Explorer data. Both projects have used the software for optical archive and retrieval (SOAR) to transfer data in a volume format that can be read transparently by VAX/VMS. Through the use of this software technique, (1) data generators and data users do not have to rewrite extant software and (2) the VAX/VMS Files-11 volume format is in wide use, so it can serve as an interim standard and will be accessible in the long-term.
The Influence of Dietary and Environmental Factors upon Feed Consumption and Production Responses in Laying Chickens

Abstract INTRODUCTION DIETARY protein, energy, weight and volume all have been found to exert a significant linear effect upon feed consumption of laying chickens (Gleaves et al, 1968). However, the existence of several significant interaction effects demonstrated that the dietary factors were not independent of one another. The purpose of the experiments reported herein was three-fold. The first was to reexamine the effects of dietary protein, energy, weight and volume upon feed consumption and production characteristics of laying hens, under different environmental conditions and with a less complex factorial arrangement of treatments. The large factorial (34) used by Gleaves et al. (1968) was broken into small factorials (32) to permit a closer examination of the main effects of the four dietary factors without the interference of so many interactions. Even though the interactions might be present, they should not confound the main effects as much in smaller factorials because fewer factors would…
Mosaic tetrasomy 12p with triplication of 12p detected by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization of peripheral blood DNA

A patient whose dysmorphism at birth was not diagnostic for Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) was found to have mosaic tetrasomy 12p by an array-based comparative genomic hybridization of peripheral blood DNA. He was determined to be mosaic for 46,XY,trp(12)(p11.2 p13) in cultured skin fibroblasts. His appearance was typical for PKS at 4 months of age. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evaluating blocking probability in distributors

A model for evaluating blocking probability in distribution networks is presented, and equations for computing blocking probability for the class of series-parallel networks are derived. The quotations are exact for pure series networks and approximate for parallel networks. The accuracy of the approximation is investigated by comparing the blocking probability computed using the equations to measured simulation data. The results indicate that for higher loads and larger switches the approximation is generally within 10% of the simulation results. >
Collaborative multi-regression models for predicting students' performance in course activities

Methods that accurately predict the grade of a student at a given activity or course can identify students that are at risk in failing a course and allow their educational institution to take corrective actions. Though a number of prediction models have been developed, they either estimate a single model for all students based on their past course performance and interactions with learning management systems (LMS), or estimate student-specific models that do not take into account LMS interactions; thus, failing to exploit fine-grain information related to a student's engagement. In this work we present a class of collaborative multi-regression models that are personalized to each student and also take into account features related to student's past performance, engagement and course characteristics. These models use all historical information to estimate a small number of regression models shared by all students along with student-specific combination weights. This allows for information sharing and also generating personalized predictions. Our experimental evaluation on a large set of students, courses, and activities shows that these models are capable of improving the performance prediction accuracy by over 20%. In addition, we show that by analyzing the estimated models and the student-specific combination functions we can gain insights on the effectiveness of the educational material that is made available at the courses of different departments.
A conceptual foundation for software re-engineering

The author presents a conceptual foundation for software re-engineering. The foundation is composed of properties and principles that underlie re-engineering methods, and assumptions about re-engineering. The value of this conceptual foundation is its ability to model understanding of re-engineering, how it is practiced, and how it can be practiced. A general model of software re-engineering is established, based on this foundation. This model, along with its underlying foundation, proves useful for examining issues such as the re-engineering process and strategies. >
Impaired Ca2+-dependent activation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in the coronary artery smooth muscle cells of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats.

The large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels play an important role in the regulation of cellular excitability in response to changes in intracellular metabolic state and Ca2+ homeostasis. In vascular smooth muscle, BK channels are key determinants of vasoreactivity and vital-organ perfusion. Vascular BK channel functions are impaired in diabetes mellitus, but the mechanisms underlying such changes have not been examined in detail. We examined and compared the activities and kinetics of BK channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells from Lean control and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, using single-channel recording techniques. We found that BK channels in ZDF rats have impaired Ca2+ sensitivity, including an increased free Ca2+ concentration at half-maximal effect on channel activation, a reduced steepness of Ca2+ dose-dependent curve, altered Ca2+-dependent gating properties with decreased maximal open probability, and a shortened mean open-time and prolonged mean closed-time durations. In addition, the BK channel β-subunit-mediated activation by dehydrosoyasaponin-1 (DHS-1) was lost in cells from ZDF rats. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed a 2.1-fold decrease in BK channel β1-subunit expression in ZDF rats, compared with that of Lean rats. These abnormalities in BK channel gating lead to an increase in the energy barrier for channel activation, and may contribute to the development of vascular dysfunction and complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF MAST CELL PROTEASES

The properties of the rat mast cell proteases, RMCP I and RMCP II are compared. How the structures of these enzymes may relate to substrate specificity and function is discussed. Additionally, it is proposed that the mast cell proteases represent the best characterized members of a distinct subclass of serine proteases that also include proteolytic enzymes found in cytotoxic lymphocytes and granulocytes.
Quantum afterburner: improving the efficiency of an ideal heat engine.

By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases of a heat engine. Such a “quantum afterburner” involves the internal quantum states of the working molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. It is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the “ideal” Otto heat engine. Furthermore, the present work demonstrates a new kind of lasing without initial inversion.
Brain imaging of tongue-twister sentence comprehension: twisting the tongue and the brain.

This study used fMRI to investigate the neural basis of the tongue-twister effect in a sentence comprehension task. Participants silently read sentences equated for the syntactic structure and the lexical frequency of the constituent words, but differing in the proportion of words that shared similar initial phonemes. The manipulation affected not only the reading times and comprehension performance, but also the amount of activation seen in a number of language-related cortical areas. The effect was not restricted to cortical areas known to be involved in articulatory speech programming or rehearsal processes (the inferior frontal gyrus and anterior insula), but also extended to areas associated with other aspects of language processing (inferior parietal cortex) associated with phonological processing and storage.
The Divisor Matrix, Dirichlet Series, and SL(2, Z)

A representation of SL(2, Z) by integer matrices acting on the space of analytic ordinary Dirichlet series is constructed, in which the standard unipotent element acts as multiplication by the Riemann zeta function. It is then shown that the Dirichlet series in the orbit of the zeta function are related to it by algebraic equations.
Home-based diabetes symptom self-management education for Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes

This pilot study evaluated an innovative diabetes symptom awareness and self-management educational program for Mexican Americans, a fast growing minority population experiencing a diabetes epidemic. Patients with diabetes need assistance interpreting and managing symptoms, which are often annoying and potentially life-threatening. A repeated measures randomized controlled trial was conducted with 72 Mexican Americans aged 25-75 years with type 2 diabetes. Experimental condition participants received eight weekly, in-home, one-on-one educational and behavior modification sessions with a registered nurse focusing on symptom awareness, glucose self-testing and appropriate treatments, followed by eight biweekly support telephone sessions. Wait-listed control condition participants served as comparisons at three time points. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention between- and within groups on psychosocial, behavioral and clinical outcomes. Participants were predominantly female, middle-aged, moderately acculturated and in poor glycemic control. Experimental group participants (n = 39) significantly improved glycemic control, blood pressure, symptoms, knowledge, self-efficacy, empowerment and quality of life. Post intervention focus groups reported satisfaction with the symptom focus. Addressing symptoms led to clinical and psychosocial improvements. Symptoms seem to be an important motivator and a useful prompt to engage patients in diabetes self-management behaviors to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Primary, Secondary and Coincidental Ocular Complications of Crohn's Disease

Patients with granulomatous enterocolitis, a disorder which can affect the whole alimentary tract, have a 10% chance of having an ocular complication. Experience with 47 patients seen over 20 years found different types of ocular complications. Definition of the type of complication aids in diagnosis and management of both the eye and intestine. Primary ocular complications are those which occur with activity of Crohn's disease and respond to treatment for the Crohn's disease. Secondary ocular complications occur because of some other primary, systemic, or ocular complication. Coincidental ocular complications are unrelated to Crohn's disease.
Integration of InGaN-based Optoelectronics with Dissimilar Substrates by Wafer Bonding and Laser Lift-off

InGaN-based optoelectronics have been integrated with dissimilar substrate materials using a novel thin-film laser lift-off process. By employing the LLO process with wafer-bonding techniques, InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been integrated with Si substrates, forming vertically structured LEDs. The LLO process has also been employed to integrate InGaN-based laser diodes (LDs) with Cu and diamond substrates. Separation of InGaN-based thin-film devices from their typical sapphire growth substrates is accomplished using a pulsed excimer laser in the ultraviolet regime incident through the transparent substrate. Characterization of the LEDs and LDs before and after the sapphire substrate removal revealed no measurable degradation in device performance.
Dynamical Time Scales of Aqueous Solvation at Negatively Charged Lipid/Water Interfaces†

Time-resolved second harmonic generation spectroscopy of a solvatochromic dye coumarin 314 was used to investigate how the solvation dynamics at the air/water interface are affected by lipid surfactants with anionic carboxylate and sulfate headgroups. The surfactants were chosen to mimic common functional groups and the negative charge of biological aqueous interfaces such as cell membranes and folded proteins. The diffusive component of the solvation response, associated with rearrangement of the water hydrogen bond network, exhibits a biexponential decay. The two time scales change as a function of the surface charge density, compared to the bare air/water interface solvation dynamics, τ1 = 250 ± 50 fs and τ2 = 2.0 ± 0.4 ps, which are similar to the bulk water response, τ1 = 130−250 fs and τ2 = 0.6−1.2 ps. The faster τ1 component is unaffected at low to intermediate sulfate surface coverage (270 ± 50 fs at 500 A2/molecule and 225 ± 25 fs at 250 A2/molecule) but becomes slower at high surface coverage (1...
A Determination of Velocities and Angles of Projection for the Tennis Serve

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum and maximum velocity of the tennis ball for selected heights of contact and angles of projection and wall impact points during the tennis serve. By use of a ballistics formula, a number of variables which determine the trajectory of the tennis ball were programed for the computer. Tables were tabulated and are available for all data gathered. Angles of projection from the horizontal were selected to range from −5° to 15° in increments of 1°. Velocity of the serve ranged from a low of 30 ft. per second to a high of 176 ft. per second. Finally, the height of the contact point ranged from a low of 6.0 ft. to a high of 9.0 ft. in increments of .5 ft. Height of the ball when crossing the net (impact point on the practice court) ranged from a low of 3.01 ft. to a high of 8.47 ft. The minimum height at crossing was achieved at 6.5 ft. service height, a −3° angle of projection and time from baseline of .30 sec. This is a relatively high velocity serv...
Nutrition and Oral Health

Of the many diseases that affect man, certain disorders of the oral cavity are the most prevalent. These diseases are, of course, dental caries and periodontal disease (gum disease). Like many diseases, these have complex etiologies and may be mediated by a variety of factors, nutrition being among the most important. What is presented here is a brief summary of current thinking of the cause of these two diseases and a somewhat more detailed description of the nutritional aspects that may play important roles in the cause and prevention of these disorders.
Learning and practicing decision structures in a game

This paper presents a game-like instructional module titled "The Lost Java Code" for teaching decision structures (if, if-else, if-else-if and switch) and related concepts in Computer Programming I class. Developed by two undergraduate students with GameMaker 8.1, it is a side scroll game where participants need to stop at all the information booths to learn/review the concepts at each level and then answer all the questions correctly in order to open the gate to the next level. The objective of the game is to provide the participants with a fun environment to review and practice the concepts of decision structures. This paper presents the game design and implementation in detail and shares our experiences in using this module in the CSC1310 Computer Programming I class at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Initial assessment outcomes show promising results and student feedback is very positive.
POSTURAL CHANGES IN BLOOD PRESSURE AND PULSE RATE AMONG BLACK ADOLESCENTS AND WHITE ADOLESCENTS: THE MINNEAPOLIS CHILDREN'S BLOOD PRESSURE STUDY

Because studies have suggested a possible relation between vascular responsiveness to postural changes and risk of subsequent myocardial infarction, the reactivity of blood pressure and pulse rate to change from supine to standing positions was examined in 158 black males, 144 black females, 342 white males, and 272 white females aged 14-16 years. The study was part of the Minneapolis Children's Blood Pressure Study and was conducted during October to December 1985. Two blood pressure readings and one pulse reading were taken after five minutes of supine rest, immediately upon standing, and five minutes after standing. After adjustment for body mass index, mean systolic blood pressure decreased, and fourth- and fifth-phase diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate increased from supine to standing positions in all race and sex groups. Black males had significantly larger changes in systolic pressure than did white males (-5.9 vs. -4.1 mmHg), and males had significantly larger changes in fourth- and fifth-phase diastolic pressures compared with females of the same race (fourth-phase diastolic pressure, 8.0 vs. 4.1 mmHg for blacks and 10.0 vs. 4.8 mmHg for whites). Fifth-phase diastolic pressure increased more than did fourth-phase diastolic pressure in all groups. No race or sex differences were seen for pulse changes. For all race-sex groups, decreases in systolic pressure were positively correlated with initial levels of supine systolic pressure, whereas increases in fourth- and fifth-phase diastolic pressures were negatively correlated with corresponding initial levels. Measurement of postural changes may provide a clinically simple and reproducible way of testing for abnormalities in blood pressure and may better discriminate those at high risk of hypertension and its cardiovascular complications than would the commonly used single-seated blood pressure measurement.
Oral Nutrient Supplementation and Cognitive Function

To the Editor The study by Dr Chew and colleagues1 found that oral supplementation with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) or lutein/zeaxanthin had no effect on cognitive function in older persons with age-related macular degeneration. We are concerned about a number of conceptual and methodological issues. First, the authors described this ancillary study as a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial. They also stated “All participants were also given varying combinations of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, and zinc.” Therefore, LCPUFAs and lutein/zeaxanthin were not compared with a placebo. Rather, they were added to other nutrients already shown to be effective at reducing risk for central neurodegenerative disease.2- 4 A more appropriate conclusion would be that additive nutrition, in a population described as well-nourished, was not more effective than the original formulation at influencing cognitive function in older persons experiencing visual impairment.
Role of NO and cytochrome P-450-derived eicosanoids in ET-1-induced changes in intrarenal hemodynamics in rats.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) produces potent renal effects that we have previously shown to be dependent on cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) metabolites of aracidonic acid (24) This study evaluated the role of the...
Policy change towards implementing harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Opiate use has been documented in 36 countries in Africa, with its prevalence ranging from an estimated 2.3% of the adult population in Seychelles, to 1% in Mauritius, and 0.3% in Kenya (Ministry of Health of Seychelles, 2011; UNODC, 2014). Injecting drug use has been reported in 28 African countries, with increasing evidence of linked HIV epidemics (Bouscalliou, Evanno, Proute, Inwole, & Kanran, 2016; Kurth et al., 2015; Lepretres et al., 2015; Matiko et al., 2014; Nyandindi et al., 2014; Scheibe et al., 2016; Eluwa et al. 2013). Two scenarios characterize the diffusion of HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Sub-Saharan African region: there are countries, such as Kenya and Tanzania, that have moved from a long-established generalized HIV epidemic to a recent mixed epidemic with high HIV prevalence among key populations, including PWID; and there are concentrated HIV epidemics among PWIDs emerging in low HIV prevalence countries, such as Mauritius, Seychelles and Zanzibar. There is now wide consensus in the region that the adoption of the comprehensive package of nine evidence-informed interventions recommended by United Nations (WHO, UNODC and UNAIDS, 2012), and the United States President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) tenth intervention, namely outreach, can help significantly reduce new HIV and hepatitis infections among PWID and their sexual partners. The global evidence in support of combination HIV prevention for PWID is compelling (Degenhardt et al., 2010; MacArthur, Minozzi, & Martin, 2012), and this has framed initiatives supported by PEPFAR in the region since 2010 towards fostering policy change supportive of the development of harm reduction. The combination of interventions promoted includes mutually reinforcing biomedical, behavioural, and structural interventions, which are not only evidenceinformed but rights-based as well as community-owned. Countries have begun to endorse and develop a package of HIV prevention intervention for PWIDs, including to varying extent, medically assisted therapies for treating opiate use and addiction, low threshold access to antiretroviral HIV treatment, needle and syringe distribution and exchange, sexual behaviour change communication, and community outreach. There is also a need for structural interventions to address critical social, legal, political, and environmental enablers of HIV risk. The policy environment for harm reduction has significantly improved in the region over the last five years. This has enabled
Three Geometrically Exact Beam Theories for Analysis of Highly Flexible 1-D Structures

Presented here are three geometrically exact beam theories for analysis of beam-like structures undergoing arbitrarily large three-dimensional elastic deformation and/or rigidbody motion. Different methods of modeling torsional deformation result in different beam theories with different mathematical characteristics. Each theory fully accounts for geometric nonlinearities and initial curvatures by using Jaumann strains, exact coordinate transformations, and orthogonal virtual rotations. The derivations are presented in detail, a finite element formulation is included, fully nonlinear governing equations and boundary conditions are presented, and the corresponding form for numerically exact analysis using multiple shooting methods is also derived. These theories are compared in terms of their appropriate application areas, possible singular problems, and easiness for use in modeling and analysis of multibody systems. Nonlinear finite element analysis of a rotating beam and nonlinear multiple shooting analysis of a torsional bar are performed to demonstrate the capability and accuracy of these beam theories.
Hayek and Popper: on rationality, economism, and democracy

In Hayek and Popper, the philosopher Mark Notturno contrasts the ideas of economist Friedrich Hayek and philosopher Karl Popper on the topics of rationality, economism, and democracy. Following a f...
PROBLEMS OF MANOEUVRING AT POST-CRITICAL ANGLES OF ATTACK - CONTINUATION AND BIFURCATION METHODS APPROACH

Post-critical manoeuvres of aircraft increase the possibilities in aircraft fuselage targeting refer to the flight path and reduce aircraft lift, speed and as a result reduce controllability and manoeuvrability of aircraft. For this reason the post-stall manoeuvres has to be short of duration and aircraft orientation during the manoeuvre has to be near fixed in the space. Investigations of post-stall manoeuvres dynamics show the necessity of automation of aircraft and engines control during post-stall manoeuvres, and the necessity of special control system operational modes. In the paper are discussed the possibilities of Dynamical Systems Theory to solve these problems, and some results of continuation and bifurcation methods investigations are presented. Results from dynamical systems theory are used to predict the nature of the instabilities caused by bifurcations and the response of the aircraft after a bifurcation is studied. It is considered a non-linear dynamic model which enables to determine the aircraft's motion. The aerodynamic model includes nonlinearities, hysteresis of aerodynamic coefficients, and a region of higher angles-of-attack, (unsteady aerodynamics, dynamic stall effect, and deep stall phenomena). This paper describes the implementation of continuation methods and bifurcation analysis in the "global" identification of control law parameters. In the examples presented, continuation method is used to determine the steady states of a thrust-vectoring, supersonic combat aircraft with a streaked wing, as functions of the deflections of thrust vector, and bifurcations of these steady states are encountered.
Islamophobia and Public Health in the United States

Anti-Muslim sentiments are increasingly common globally and in the United States. The recent rise in Islamophobia calls for a public health perspective that considers the stigmatized identity of Muslim Americans and health implications of Islamophobic discrimination. Drawing on a stigma, discrimination, and health framework, I expand the dialogue on the rise of Islamophobia to a discussion of how Islamophobia affects the health of Muslim Americans. Islamophobia can negatively influence health by disrupting several systems-individual (stress reactivity and identity concealment), interpersonal (social relationships and socialization processes), and structural (institutional policies and media coverage). Islamophobia deserves attention as a source of negative health outcomes and health disparities. Future public health research should explore the multilevel and multidimensional pathways between Islamophobia and population health.
Energy Balance Modulation Impacts Epigenetic Reprogramming, ERα and ERβ Expression, and Mammary Tumor Development in MMTV-neu Transgenic Mice

The association between obesity and breast cancer risk and prognosis is well established in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease but less clear in HER2-positive disease. Here, we report preclinical evidence suggesting weight maintenance through calorie restriction (CR) may limit risk of HER2-positive breast cancer. In female MMTV-HER2/neu transgenic mice, we found that ERα and ERβ expression, mammary tumorigenesis, and survival are energy balance dependent in association with epigenetic reprogramming. Mice were randomized to receive a CR, overweight-inducing, or diet-induced obesity regimen (n = 27/group). Subsets of mice (n = 4/group/time point) were euthanized after 1, 3, and 5 months to characterize diet-dependent metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic perturbations. Remaining mice were followed up to 22 months. Relative to the overweight and diet-induced obesity regimens, CR decreased body weight, adiposity, and serum metabolic hormones as expected and also elicited an increase in mammary ERα and ERβ expression. Increased DNA methylation accompanied this pattern, particularly at CpG dinucleotides located within binding or flanking regions for the transcriptional regulator CCCTC-binding factor of ESR1 and ESR2, consistent with sustained transcriptional activation of ERα and ERβ. Mammary expression of the DNA methylation enzyme DNMT1 was stable in CR mice but increased over time in overweight and diet-induced obesity mice, suggesting CR obviates epigenetic alterations concurrent with chronic excess energy intake. In the survival study, CR elicited a significant suppression in spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis. Overall, our findings suggest a mechanistic rationale to prevent or reverse excess body weight as a strategy to reduce HER2-positive breast cancer risk. Cancer Res; 77(9); 2500-11. ©2017 AACR.