cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Even up: Maintaining relationships

Abstract When are economic interactions mediated by prices and transfers, and when are they mediated by variations in the continuation payoffs within a relationship? To address this question, we examine a relationship between two players who periodically face opportunities to undertake randomly generated “projects” that impose a cost on one player and a benefit on the other, as well as opportunities to make voluntary transfers to one another. We characterize the set of equilibria, with particular emphasis on the efficient frontier. In the absence of transfers, incentives are often created by adjusting the continuation values of the relationship, sometimes increasing player 1's continuation payoff (to induce player 1 to accept a particularly costly current project) and sometimes increasing player 2's continuation payoff. In contrast, once transfers enter the picture, continuation payoffs maximize the sum of the two players' payoffs, no matter how asymmetric the point on the Pareto frontier under consideration. However, transfers can also be relatively rare, and in particular can occur less often than the adjustments in continuation values that occur without transfers. Players thus rely on transfers to create incentives, but manage to do so while rarely making transfers.
Trends in Central Nervous System-Active Polypharmacy Among Older Adults Seen in Outpatient Care in the United States.

This study uses data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to describe the central nervous system polypharmacy practices among outpatient older adults.
Overview of the Inland California Translational Consortium

The mission of the Inland California Translational Consortium (ICTC), an independent research consortium comprising a unique hub of regional institutions (City of Hope [COH], California Institute of Technology [Caltech], Jet Propulsion Laboratory [JPL], University of California Riverside [UCR], and Claremont Colleges Keck Graduate Institute [KGI], is to institute a new paradigm within the academic culture to accelerate translation of innovative biomedical discoveries into clinical applications that positively affect human health and life. The ICTC actively supports clinical translational research as well as the implementation and advancement of novel education and training models for the translation of basic discoveries into workable products and practices that preserve and improve human health while training and educating at all levels of the workforce using innovative forward-thinking approaches.
Health Promotion: What's in it for Business and Industry?

Health promotion has been linked to improved morale, increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and turnover, more appropriate utilization of medical services and decreased disability and premature death claims due to unhealthy lifestyles. Preliminary data in favor of HPPs are being accumulated. Final proof is not available to "sell" myopic bottom line managers on the concept, however, as Immanuel Kant stated, "It is often necessary to make a decision on the basis of knowledge sufficient for action but insufficient to satisfy the intellect." If techniques can be developed to quantify in economic terms the impact of health promotion in these areas, business and industry will have a profound, hard line reason beyond their genuine interest in the health of their employees, for providing health promotion to employee populations--MONEY.
Abstract 521: Cardiovascular Phenotype in Mice with Renovascular Hypertension and Type II Diabetes

Background: Combined renovascular hypertension (RVH) and type II diabetes (DM II) are a major health problem. Both share common risk factors and contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We recently observed a high mortality rate in DM II mice (dbdb) with RVH. Purpose: We sought to determine the interactions between renovascular hypertension and DM II on the cardiovascular phenotype in dbdb mice with RVH. Methods and Materials: RVH was established by placing a polytetrafluoroethylene cuff on the right renal artery of C57BL/KS (wild type, WT) or dbdb mice. We divided the mice into four groups: WT sham, WT type RAS, dbdb sham, dbdb RAS. We examined the blood pressure, plasma angiotensin I, renin, heart weight and myocyte diameter. Histologic parameters including inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis were assessed semiquantitively. Results: Blood pressure, Renin, Plasma angiotensin I: RAS produced a similar elevation in systolic blood pressure (SBP), renin mRNA expression, and plasma angiotensin I content in WT and dbdb mice with RAS. Heart weight: Despite similar elevation in SBP, db/db RAS mice showed a greater increase in heart weight than WT RAS mice (163.7 +/- 6.4 mmHg vs 145.7 +/- 2.3; n=23).. Similar trends were observed on normalization of the heart weight to tibial length. Cardiac myocyte diameter: Cardiac myocyte diameter in WT RAS (n=26) was significantly higher than in WT sham (n=15; 16.4 ± 0.3 vs. 15.0 ± 0.3 μm, p=0.0031). Myocyte diameter was higher in dbdb RAS mice (n=19, 14.76 ± 0.35) than dbdb sham (15.94 ± 0.29 μm, p= 0.0126). However, myocyte diameter was similar in dbdb RAS and WT RAS mice (16.4 ± 0.3 vs. 15.9 ± 0.3 μm, p=0.3). Histology: Sham groups had no inflammation (INF) or necrosis (NEC). Interstitial fibrous tissue was increased in dbdb RAS mice (28% by area) vs WT RAS (19% by area). Dbdb RAS mice had more severe INF (severe in 18%, mild in 82%) than WT RAS (severe in 0%, jild in 12%). Severe NEC was found in 32.1% of dbdb compared to 11.5% of WT RAS. Conclusion: The histologic changes and hypertrophy of the heart superimpose in dbdb RAS compared to WT RAS. This indicates that the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality increases synergisticly in the presence of DM II and RVH.
Bortezomib, rituximab, and risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after BEAM conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT).

e18543Background: GVHD remains the main limitation of alloSCT and is exacerbated by the intensity of the conditioning regimen. In a recent study, the risk of acute grade II-IV GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) after a nonmyelobaltive (NMA) regimen was 11%, and 26%, respectively (Khouri I. Blood 2014 124:2306). Higher rates were previously observed (32% and 54%, respectively) with the BEAM regimen. Based on clinical data showing a reduction in GVHD with the use of rituximab or bortezomib, we conducted a phase I/II study evaluating the addition of bortezomib to rituximab+BEAM in patients (pts.) who were not eligible for NMA alloSCT. Methods: Bortezomib was administered at 1.3 mg/m2 IV on days -13, -6, -1 and +2. The dose was later reduced to 1 mg/m2 after the occurrence of C. Difficile colitis in the first 3 pts. leading to 2 deaths. Rituximab was given on day -13 at a dose of 375 mg/m2, then at 1000 mg/m2 on days -6, +1, and +8 of alloSCT. BEAM was administered between days -6 and -1. All pts. receiv...
Superoleophilic and under-oil superhydrophobic organogel coatings for oil and water separation

Abstract The development of an effective and mechanically robust organogel coating that is both superoleophilic and under-oil superhydrophobic is presented. The organogel was shown to absorb and retain oil, and as a consequence render the surface superhydrophobic. The coating showed high repellence against water while letting oil pass through without the need to apply pressure. Utilization of the coating in oil and water separation was investigated and exhibited ≥ 99% separation efficiency for a wide variety of commercial oil. The coating was also shown to be mechanically robust and can withstand shear tests of different strengths and duration.
Review of novel radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

1268 Learning Objectives Ongoing basic and translational research activities in the development of novel PET radiotracers will help in better tumor characterization, staging, restaging and in assessment of treatment response of various cancers and other diseases. This educational exhibit will be a good learning tool for residents/fellows and will provide an overview of current advances taking place in the field of novel PET radiotracers. PURPOSE/AIM: In recent years, there has been a growing clinical interest in the research and development of new PET radiotracers to address the unmet clinical challenges in early diagnosis, staging and therapy monitoring of diseases. Translational research activities in the field of molecular imaging will play a pivotal role in advancing the concept of personalized medicine. Purpose of this educational exhibit is to summarize and provide clinicians knowledge about the biodistribution and potential utility of these promising radiotracers. CONTENT ORGANIZATION 1. Review the uptake and biodistribution of various new PET radiotracers which are currently in early phases of evaluation in preclinical studies or being tested in pilot clinical projects such as and not limited to: a) [Fluorine-18]-3′-Deoxy-3′-Fluorothymidine (FLT) b) [Fluorine-18]-2′-Fluoro-5-Methyl-1-β-DArabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU) c) Cu-diacetyl-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone (Cu-64 ATSM) d) Carbon-11-Methionine, Anti-1-Amino-3-(18F)-Fluorocyclobuate-1-Carboxylic (Anti-18F-FACBC) e) Fluorine-18-Labeled Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) f) [18F]Fluoromisonidazole-3-fluoro-1-(2 ′-nitro-1 ′-imidazolyl)-2-propanol ([18F]MISO) g) Ga-68-DOTA-Folate and Ga-68-DOTA-TATE h) F18-AV-45 (Florbetapir) i) F18 Flurpiridaz j) Acetate and Choline based tracers 2. Review published literature. 3. Provide few clinical case examples based on pilot clinical projects.
Shoulder Injuries in the Overhead-Throwing Athlete: Epidemiology, Mechanisms of Injury, and Imaging Findings.

This article reviews the epidemiology and biomechanics of throwing injuries and provides examples from the authors’ institutional experience with competitive, collegiate, and professional baseball players to demonstrate the constellation of unique imaging findings seen in overhead athletes.
Mice Lacking Transcription Factor NF-E2 Provide In Vivo Validation of the Proplatelet Model of Thrombocytopoiesis and Show a Platelet Production Defect That Is Intrinsic to Megakaryocytes

Mechanisms of platelet production and release by mammalian megakaryocytes are poorly understood. We used thrombocytopenic knockout mice to better understand these processes. Proplatelets are filamentous extensions of terminally differentiated megakaryocytes that are thought to represent one mechanism of platelet release; however, these structures have largely been recognized in cultured cells and there has been no correlation between thrombocytopoiesis in vivo and proplatelet formation. Mice lacking transcription factor NF-E2 have a late arrest in megakaryocyte maturation, resulting in profound thrombocytopenia. In contrast to normal megakaryocytes, which generate abundant proplatelets, cells from these mice never produce proplatelets, even after prolonged stimulation with c-Mpl ligand. Similarly, megakaryocytes from thrombocytopenic mice with lineage-selective loss of transcription factor GATA-1 produce proplatelets very rarely. These findings establish a significant correlation between thrombocytopoiesis and proplatelet formation and suggest that the latter represents a physiologic mechanism of platelet release. We further show that proplatelet formation by normal megakaryocytes and its absence in cells lacking NF-E2 are independent of interactions with adherent (stromal) cells. Similarly, thrombocytopenia in NF-E2(-/-) mice reflects intrinsic defects in the megakaryocyte lineage. These observations improve our understanding of platelet production and validate the study of proplatelets in probing the underlying mechanisms.
Food vs. Fuel

The long lines of motorists waiting for gasoline in the 1970s sent shock waves through the American public. In the United States big cars were part of the national way of life. We were used to driving wherever and whenever we wanted. Gasoline was cheap. The rest of the world taxed gasoline very heavily, thereby encouraging the development of small fuel-efficient cars. In the early 1970s, a group of countries formed a cartel called the “Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries” (OPEC), and raised the price of crude oil by a factor of 10–15. The search for alternative fuels began in earnest. One of the solutions was “gasohol,” a blend of 10% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and 90% gasoline. The ethanol could be produced from the large surpluses of corn available in the United States. In 1980, Congress passed legislation calling for production of 500 million gallons of ethanol for fuel in 1981, one billion gallons in 1982, rising to 10 billion gallons in 1990. The 1990 goal would have required about 100 million tons of corn, which is slightly less than half of the 1982 corn crop (210 million tons). This did not happen and, and we may be thankful that it didn’t, since it would have raised the cost of food.
Non-linear flow reduction factor and effective permeability of fractal fracture network

Abstract In this study, we investigate flow behaviors in a subsurface reservoir with fractal fracture network when both laminar and non-linear flows may occur in different fractures. The objective is to investigate how the non-linear flows in some fractures affect overall network permeability. A new non-linear flow reduction factor is developed to quantify the overall effective permeability by two separate components related to fractal fracture network features and flow characteristics respectively. The non-linear flow reduction factor takes into account flowrate reduction due to non-linear effect that is related to the hydraulic gradient. The other component is mainly related to the network characteristics representing the permeability of the fractal fracture network. The critical Reynolds number is explicitly used to distinguish non-linear flow from laminar flow in individual fractures. The effects of network and flow characteristics, including fractal dimension, scaling coefficient and exponent, maximum fracture trace length, and hydraulic gradient, on the non-linear flow ratio and effective permeability are examined. Both the laminar flow effective permeability and non-linear flow effective permeability decrease with the increase in hydraulic gradient. After scaling by the non-linear flow reduction factor, the scaled effective permeabilities vary much less significantly with the hydraulic gradient compared with the non-scaled ones, especially for the non-linear flow portion. Although it is proposed based on the idea of non-linear flows, the newly developed factor can also capture the laminar flow effective permeability reduction due to the reduction in the number of fractures where laminar flows occur.
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: carriage rates and characterization of students in a Texas university.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the carriage rates of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a university student population and describe risk factors associated with the carriage of each. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (N = 203). Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from Texas State University-San Marcos. SETTING: Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX. PARTICIPANTS: Two-hundred and three university student samples were collected from December 2007 to July 2008. INTERVENTIONS: None indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sample set was screened for S. aureus and MRSA identification by standard microbiological techniques and confirmed by use of a Vitek 2 per manufacturer recommendation. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted on each MRSA isolate by Vitek 2. A questionnaire was conducted with each student to acquire demographic and risk factor information. Demographic data is shown by raw numbers, percentages, mean, and median where applicable. The compiled data was screened and analyzed by chi square (p values) and odds ratio (OR) with confidence interval (CI) to determine significance. RESULTS: Of the 203 participants who were screened, 60 (29.6%) carried S. aureus. Univariate analysis found that only hospitalization in the past 12 months was significantly associated with the risk of being a S. aureus carrier (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.28-7.03). Of the 60 participants that carried S. aureus, 15 were identified as MRSA. This relates to a 7.4% MRSA carriage rate among generally healthy university students. Univariate analysis found that hospitalization in the past 12 months (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.29-13.36) and recent skin infection (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.07-18.24) were significantly associated with the risk of being a MRSA carrier. No unique antibiotic susceptibility patterns were identified with the MRSA isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage rate of S. aureus is consistent with similar studies. MRSA carriage in this university study appears high as compared to the general population. Although this study did not confirm a variety of risk factors for carriage of MRSA previously identified by others, university healthcare personnel should be aware of the changing epidemiology of MRSA and preventive measures needed to avoid outbreaks. ABBREVIATIONS:MRSA= Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; CA-MRSA=Community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; HA-MRSA=Healthcare-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; CLS = Clinical Laboratory Science; OR = Odds Ration; CI = Confidence Interval.
Trigeminal trophic syndrome: A possible dermatologic manifestation of stroke deficits.

Clinicians should consider TTS in the differential of facial ulcerations following injury to the trigeminal pathway.
Realizing the Theory of Generative Change using a Freirean Lens: Situating the Zone of Generativity within a Liberatory Framework

This article represents an ideological and methodological call to action that is over fifty years in the making. It seeks to articulate a new form of critical consciousness by combining the princip...
A review of approaches to quantifying uncertainty in fisheries stock assessments

Abstract Scientific uncertainty affects all parts of the fisheries management process. This study reviews methods for quantifying scientific uncertainty for presentation as part of the scientific advice to fisheries managers. We surveyed stock assessment scientists to a) identify the methods commonly used to quantify uncertainty, b) describe how method use has changed over time, c) investigate the factors that influence which methods are used, and d) characterize how scientific uncertainty is presented to fisheries managers. We found that scientific uncertainty is being quantified and included in scientific advice across multiple fishery management systems. Frequentist approaches for quantifying uncertainty are used more broadly than Bayesian approaches, and the survey did not detect this changing over time. Time restrictions and methodology requests during the scientific review process were commonly reported as factors influencing the use of uncertainty methods. Uncertainty in estimates of management targets (e.g., fishing mortality or biomass), projections, and catch limits were the quantities most frequently included in the scientific advice presented to fisheries managers. Methods for quantifying uncertainty and their incorporation into management advice are quickly advancing, and our approaches for reviewing progress towards clearly and explicitly communicating the sources, treatment, and impacts of uncertainty in management processes must keep pace.
Mechanisms for target recognition and cleavage by the Cas12i RNA-guided endonuclease.

Cas12i is a recently identified type V CRISPR-Cas endonuclease that predominantly cleaves the non-target strand of a double-stranded DNA substrate. This nicking activity of Cas12i could potentially be used for genome editing with high specificity. To elucidate its mechanisms for target recognition and cleavage, we determined cryo-EM structures of Cas12i in multiple functional states. Cas12i pre-orders a seven-nucleotide seed sequence of the crRNA for target recognition and undergoes a two-step activation through crRNA–DNA hybridization. Formation of 14 base pairs activates the nickase activity, and 28-bp hybridization promotes cleavage of the target strand. The atomic structures and mechanistic insights gained should facilitate the manipulation of Cas12i for genome editing applications. Cryo-EM structures of Cas12i in multiple functional states provide insights that might facilitate the manipulation of this type V CRISPR-Cas endonuclease for genome editing applications.
Safety and Effectiveness of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin Combination Therapy for Treatment of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Propensity-Matched Study.

We sought to determine the effectiveness and safety of hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin (HCQ-AZM) therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This was a retrospective cohort study of 613 patients hospitalized (integrated health system involving three hospitals) for RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection between March 1, 2020 and April 25, 2020. Intervention was treatment with HCQ-AZM in hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Outcomes of interest were in-hospital all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest, non-lethal arrhythmias, and length of hospital stay. Secondary measures included in-hospital corrected QT (QTc) interval parameters and serum biomarkers levels. Propensity-matched groups were composed of 173 patients given HCQ-AZM and 173 matched patients who did not receive treatment. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80–2.89; p = 0.2), PEA arrest (OR 1.68, CI 0.68–4.15; p = 0.27), or incidence of non-lethal arrhythmias (10.4% vs. 6.8%; p = 0.28). Length of hospital stay (10.5 ± 7.4 vs. 5.8 ± 6.1; p < 0.001), peak CRP levels (252 ± 136 vs. 166 ± 124; p < 0.0001), and degree of QTc interval prolongation was higher for the HCQ-AZM group (28 ± 32 vs. 9 ± 32; p < 0.0001), but there was no significant difference in incidence of sustained ventricular arrhythmias (2.8% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.52). HCQ-AZM was stopped in 10 patients because of QT interval prolongation and 1 patient because of drug-related polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. In this propensity-matched study, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality, life-threatening arrhythmias, or incidence of PEA arrest between the HCQ-AZM and untreated control groups. QTc intervals were longer in patients receiving HCQ-AZM, but only one patient developed drug-related ventricular tachycardia.
Spin-orbit interaction and Kondo scattering at the PrAlO3/SrTiO3 interface: effects of oxygen content.

We report the effects of oxygen pressure during growth ([Formula: see text]) on the electronic and magnetic properties of PrAlO3 films grown on [Formula: see text]-terminated SrTiO3 substrates. Resistivity measurements show an increase in the sheet resistance as [Formula: see text] is increased. The saturation of the sheet resistance down to 0.3 K is consistent with Kondo theory for [Formula: see text] torr. Resistivity data fits indicate Kondo temperatures of 16-18 K. For the [Formula: see text] sample, we measured a moderate positive magnetoresistance (MR) due to a strong spin-orbit (SO) interaction at low magnetic fields that evolves into a larger negative MR at high fields due to the Kondo effect. Analysis of the MR data permitted the extraction of the SO interaction critical field for the [Formula: see text] torr interface ([Formula: see text] T). We observed high positive MR for the least oxygenated sample, where a fraction of the n-type carriers are derived from oxygen vacancies and possible cation interdiffusion; for this [Formula: see text] torr sample, Hall effect data indicate a thick conducting layer. Its extremely high MR (∼[Formula: see text]) is attributed to classical behavior due to a distribution of mobilities.
Seronegative Celiac Disease

Seronegative celiac disease (SNCD) is an uncommon, poorly defined form of celiac disease (CeD) that poses an important diagnostic challenge to clinicians, especially in regard to differential diagnoses. Due to a previous inconsistency in definition and use of celiac serology, data have been limited and contrasting in this condition. The chapter summarizes the current knowledge about SNCD and its pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment options.
“Building that World”: Movements of Vision in the Carceral Classroom

An article in which two teaching assistants and six students of a university course taught inside a correctional facility, "Writing as Activism," collaboratively examine their experience as co-teachers and co-learners in a humanities-based prison classroom. Fostered and framed by their instructor’s critical and transformative pedagogical approaches in this course, the authors locate integrated learning and collaborative writing within carceral classrooms as sites for intentional and resistant futures to be enacted and embodied as a practice of post-carceral world-building. The students enter their individual narratives into this location of their experience of envisioning and enacting resistant futures together in this space as a student movement dedicated and equipped to bring a world beyond prison into being.
Phase transitions and spiral defects of active liquid crystal polymers from a closure model

A closure model is derived from the kinetic theory for active suspensions of liquid crystal polymers. Numerical simulations of the closure model are then performed to investigate the phase transiti...
A force threshold-based position controller for legged locomotion

Taking inspiration from local leg feedback control loops present in animal legs, a force threshold-based position (FTP) controller is presented to aid with legged locomotion over irregular terrain. The algorithm uses pre-planned position trajectories and force feedback to either elevate or depress the foot. The FTP controller isolates the control of each leg to use only localized feedback, which can result in greater responsiveness to the terrain when compared to a centralized controller arbitrating all of the joint positions in a high degree of freedom system. The controller is robust to terrain elevations without using visual sensors, a priori terrain information, inertial sensing or inter-leg communication. Results of the FTP controller applied to a hexapod system in simulation and on an experimental system are shown in this paper. The algorithm also has the potential for expansion to bipeds, quadrupeds and other biologically-inspired forms.
Progestogen-estrogen therapy in the menopause: A double blind study

Abstract Nineteen of 20 patients experienced relief from menopausal hot flashes while on a combination tablet containing 2.5 mg. of 17α-ethinyl-19-nortestosterone acetate and 0.05 mg. of ethinyl estradiol as compared to 1 of 17 patients on a placebo in a double blind study. Approximately one third of the patients on this combination and on Estinyl alone experienced sufficient side effects to necessitate withdrawal of medication. Despite this, the authors concluded that this combination of steroids could be used for therapy of menopausal symptomatology and thus avoid some of the potential drawbacks of therapy with estrogen alone.
A comparison of automated statistical quality control methods for error detection in historical radiosonde temperatures

This paper presents a comparison of statistical methods for automated random error detection in historic radiosonde temperatures through a rigorous simulation study. We simulate temperature data designed to mimic observed radiosonde temperature time series from ten climate regions and three pressure levels and contaminate this simulated data with errors that are similar to those occurring in the historical record. Robust estimates of centre and spread of the temperatures are used to standardize values and flag potentially erroneous observations, and five approaches for selecting subsets of observations upon which to base these estimates are tested. Two robust estimators, one of which is designed to work well for asymmetric distributions and gives different estimates of standard deviation for each tail of the distribution, are investigated. We use a logistic regression model to assess the effects of climate, pressure level, record length, contamination percentage, error type, and window size on each method combined with each estimator in terms of both correctly and incorrectly identified errors. Temperature distributions are not always symmetric, and based on the simulation, we find that the asymmetric estimator makes fewer mistakes in error identification, and we illustrate its application with a case study at a Russian station.
Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis Crystals to Aedes aegypti Larvae: Carbonate Reversal

The toxicity of purified Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis crystals to larvae of Aedes aegypti could be reversed 100-fold by levels of K2CO3 as low as 0.15%.
An active triple-catalytic hybrid enzyme engineered by linking cyclo-oxygenase isoform-1 to prostacyclin synthase that can constantly biosynthesize prostacyclin, the vascular protector.

It remains a challenge to achieve the stable and long-term expression (in human cell lines) of a previously engineered hybrid enzyme [triple-catalytic (Trip-cat) enzyme-2; Ruan KH, Deng H & So SP (2006) Biochemistry45, 14003–14011], which links cyclo-oxygenase isoform-2 (COX-2) to prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGIS) for the direct conversion of arachidonic acid into PGI2 through the enzyme’s Trip-cat functions. The stable upregulation of the biosynthesis of the vascular protector, PGI2, in cells is an ideal model for the prevention and treatment of thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-mediated thrombosis and vasoconstriction, both of which cause stroke, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. Here, we report another case of engineering of the Trip-cat enzyme, in which human cyclo-oxygenase isoform-1, which has a different C-terminal sequence from COX-2, was linked to PGI2 synthase and called Trip-cat enzyme-1. Transient expression of recombinant Trip-cat enzyme-1 in HEK293 cells led to 3–5-fold higher expression capacity and better PGI2-synthesizing activity as compared to that of the previously engineered Trip-cat enzyme-2. Furthermore, an HEK293 cell line that can stably express the active new Trip-cat enzyme-1 and constantly synthesize the bioactive PGI2 was established by a screening approach. In addition, the stable HEK293 cell line, with constant production of PGI2, revealed strong antiplatelet aggregation properties through its unique dual functions (increasing PGI2 production while decreasing TXA2 production) in TXA2 synthase-rich plasma. This study has optimized engineering of the active Trip-cat enzyme, allowing it to become the first to stably upregulate PGI2 biosynthesis in a human cell line, which provides a basis for developing a PGI2-producing therapeutic cell line for use against vascular diseases.
Spatial Optimization Models

Human activities are often arranged into zones or groups. For example, a town may have a central business district, residential areas, schools, medical clinics, etc. Activity patterns are determined in part by the basic layout. In contrast, a manufacturing plant is designed to have an assembly line or assembly areas, parts fabrication, inventory storage, etc. The layout of any facility helps determine the cost of manufacturing a product, just as the layout of a town helps determine the extent to which various people travel to accomplish daily tasks. The layout or location of all or a subset of such activities is called spatial optimization. This review article describes a number of different spatial optimization problems and concludes with directions for future research.
Actinic keratosis treatment as a key component of preventive strategies for nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Actinic keratosis is responsible for more than eight million visits to dermatologists and primary care physicians annually. Actinic keratosis, the result of chronic sun damage to the skin, is closely linked to nonmelanoma skin cancer, both histologically and pathophysiologically. Clinical evidence shows that not only does actinic keratosis have the potential to progress and transform into nonmelanoma skin cancer, but it also may in fact be an early stage of cancer. The treatment of actinic keratosis is evolving from a “treat-as-you-go” strategy to a more preventive approach to curtail the potential emergence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. As the interrelationship between actinic keratosis and nonmelanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma continues to strengthen, treating actinic keratosis as part of a preventive strategy to reduce nonmelanoma skin cancer is coming to the forefront. The following review of the relationship between actinic keratosis and nonmelanoma skin cancer discusses the rationale for early actinic keratosis treatment to prevent or reduce nonmelanoma skin cancer occurrence.
Landmark-based versus ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks in the treatment of chronic postherniorrhaphy groin pain: a retrospective study.

Background Chronic postherniorrhaphy groin pain (CPGP) is a debilitating condition, which is often refractory to conservative medical management. To our knowledge, there have been no studies directly comparing landmarked-based and ultrasound-guided approaches in this population.
The rise and fall of Organizational Commitment

The concept and theory of Organizational Commitment (OC) has gained considerable attention in the management and behavioral sciences. Numerous studies have explored the associations between OC and various phenomena, with impressive results. This paper argue that the concept needs re-examination in light of recent business changes. The assertion that OC leads to a set of desired outputs proved to be valid for times of mutual commitment between organizations and their employees. We are now entering a new era of Human Resource and industrial relation systems, characterised by frequent redundancies and downsizing processes. This trend reflects a low commitment from organizations to their employees which is followed by a reduced level of OC. Subsequently it is hypothesised that the strength of OC as a leading concept in management and behavioral sciences is continuously decreasing. Support from the literature is provided, and recommendations for future research are presented.
Aortic Insufficiency Requiring Valve Replacement in Whipple's Disease

Abstract Reviews of postmortem reports on patients with Whipple's disease (intestinal lipodystrophy) describe gross valvular deformity in more than 50% with characteristic histological findings of macrophages containing periodic acid-Schiffpositive, diastase-resistant granules. Frequently, congestive heart failure characterizes the terminal stages. In a 58-year-old man with well-documented Whipple's disease for 5 years, gastrointestinal, joint, and pericardial involvement apparently resolved with medical therapy. However, 10 years later, severe aortic insufficiency necessitated prosthetic valve replacement, at which time gross and histological examination of the excised valve demonstrated characteristic changes of Whipple's disease. Clinical recognition of the importance of cardiac valvular abnormalities and of possible late cardiac decompensation mandates close observation of patients with Whipple's disease. Corrective operation should improve the patient's chances of survival.
Release from the cone ribbon synapse under bright light conditions can be controlled by the opening of only a few Ca(2+) channels.

Light hyperpolarizes cone photoreceptors, causing synaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open infrequently. To understand neurotransmission under these conditions, we determined the number of L-ty...
Efficient Algorithms for Finding Optimal Power-of-Two Policies for Production/Distribution Systems with General Joint Setup Costs

We consider a production/distribution system represented by a general directed acyclic network. Each node is associated with a specific "product" at a given location and/or production stage. An arc i, j indicates that item i is used to "produce" item j. External demands may occur at any of the network's nodes. These demands occur continuously at item-specific constant rates. Components may be assembled in any given proportions. The cost structure consists of inventory carrying, variable, and fixed production/distribution costs. The latter depend, at any given replenishment epoch, on the specific set of items being replenished, according to an arbitrary set function merely assumed to be monotone and submodular. It has been shown that a simply structured, so-called power-of-two policy is guaranteed to come within 2% of a lower bound for the minimum cost. In this paper, we derive efficient algorithms for the computation of an optimal power-of-two policy, possibly in combination with this lower bound. These consist of a limited number of polymatroidal maximum flow calculations in networks closely associated with the original production/distribution network.
Constitutive Activation of Smoothened (SMO) Enhances MMTV-c-ErbB2-Induced, but Not MMTV-Wnt1-Induced, Mammary Tumorigenesis.

Background. Smoothened (Smo) is a key effector protein in the hedgehog signaling pathway, a developmental pathway involved in the regulation of pattern formation, proliferation, cell fate, and stem/progenitor cell function in the mammary gland. In human clinical samples, altered hedgehog signaling occurs early in breast cancer development with SMO ectopically expressed in 70% of DCIS and 30% of IBC. Coupled with our genetic studies in mice, these clinical observations suggest a causal or contributory role in breast cancer.Materials and Methods. To determine whether activation of SMO is oncogenic in the mammary gland, and to study possible interactions between hedgehog signaling and other oncogenic signaling pathways, we crossed transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of Smo (SmoM2) under the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus promoter (MMTV-SmoM2) with mice expressing either MMTV-Wnt1 or MMTV-c-ErbB2. Time to tumor onset, tumor growth, and tumor multiplicity were measured, and resulting tumors evaluated histologically.Results. Expression of MMTV-SmoM2 was not oncogenic as a single genetic alteration. In genetic crosses, simultaneous expression of MMTV-Wnt1 and MMTV-SmoM2 within mammary epithelium did not affect tumor formation. However, simultaneous expression of MMTV-c-ErbB2 and MMTV-SmoM2 resulted in significantly accelerated median time to tumor formation, with an overall tumor formation rate of 100% compared to MMTV-c-ErbB2 alone (74%).Discussion. Activated SMO is not oncogenic under the conditions tested. However, MMTV-SmoM2 interacts genetically with MMTV-c-ErbB2, but not MMTV-Wnt1 to promote mammary tumorigenesis. Together, our data indicate a contributory role for Smo in breast cancer progression and suggest that hedgehog signaling inhibitors may be useful for treatment of a subset of human breast cancers. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3152.
Device Scaling Effect on the Spectral Absorptance of Wafer Front Side

Temperature non-uniformity is a critical problem in the rapid thermal processing of wafers because it leads to uneven diffusion of implanted dopants and introduces thermal stress. One cause of the problem is non-uniform absorption of thermal radiation, especially in patterned wafers, where the optical properties vary across the wafer surface. The feature size of the new generation of semiconductor devices is already below 100 nm and is smaller than the wavelength (200 - 1000 nm) of the flash-lamp annealing heat sources. Little is known to the spectral distribution of the absorbed energy for different patterning structures. This paper presents a parametric study of the radiative properties of patterned wafers with the smallest feature dimension down to 10 nm, considering the effects of temperature, wavelength, and angle of incidence. Two different front side topographies are considered: (1) arrays of silicon gates on a silicon substrate; and (2) arrays of oxide trenches embedded inside a silicon substrate. Various gate and trench sizes and their dimensions relative to the period are used in examining the effect of device scaling on the spectral absorptance. The rigorous coupled wave analysis and finite-difference time-domain method are employed to obtain numerical solutions of the Maxwell equations. The effective medium theory is also used to explain the trends observed in the calculated absorptance. It is found that depending on the gate size and trench size relative to the period and the wavelength, different effect (diffraction, interference, etc.) appears in the absorptance of the wafer front side.
Long-term maternal and subsequent pregnancy outcomes 5 years after hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.

Objective To evaluate subsequent pregnancy outcome and impact of gestational age at onset of HELLP on long-term prognosis after HELLP over an average follow-up of 5 years Study Design One hundred twenty-eight patients with a history of HELLP filled out questionnaires and sent their medical records. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets data were stratified according to gestational age at onset of HELLP ≤28 weeks and >28 weeks. Results Fifty-three patients had subsequent pregnancies with 24% complicated by HELLP and 28% by preeclampsia. During follow-up, 33% of the patients had new onset hypertension develop, 32% had depression develop, 26% had anxiety develop, and 2.4% required dialysis. There was no significant difference in long-term outcome between comparison groups. Conclusion Patients with a history of HELLP are at increased risk for preeclampsia and HELLP as well as long-term morbidities as depression and chronic hypertension. Gestational age at the onset of HELLP could be a predictor for long-term outcome.
Enabling Geographic Research Across Disciplines: Building an Institutional Infrastructure for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University

Founded in 1818, the Harvard Map Collection (HMC) is the oldest map collection in America, holding 400,000 maps, more than 6,000 atlases, and thousands of reference books. HMC has a strong commitment to digital resources, and it manages the Harvard Geospatial Library, a foundation for geospatial data service at Harvard. The Center for Geographic Analysis (CGA) at Harvard University was founded in 2006, independent of the library system, to serve the entire university. This article presents the history, organizational structure, and operational model of CGA and HMC, reviews achievements, lessons learned, suggests future improvements, and reviews GIS-related medical research at Harvard.
The Kinetic Stability of MHC Class II:Peptide Complexes Is a Key Parameter that Dictates Immunodominance

Summary T cell priming to exogenous antigens reflects regulated antigen processing in dendritic cells, subsequent homing to lymph nodes, sustained interactions between T cells and antigen-bearing dendritic cells, and, ultimately, selective T cell activation and differentiation. In this study, we test the hypothesis that an intrinsic property of the class II:peptide complex is a key determinant that dictates the specificity of an emerging CD4 T cell response. We found that immunodominant peptides possess extremely long half-lives with class II molecules (t 1/2 > 150 hr), whereas cryptic peptides displayed half-lives of less than 10 hr. Furthermore, and most importantly, by using a peptide shuttle vector and four independent antigens, we demonstrate a direct, causative relationship between the half-life of peptide epitopes and their immunogenicity in vivo. Taken collectively, our results suggest the half-life of class II:peptide complexes is the primary parameter that dictates the ultimate hierarchy of the elicited T cell response.
Modelling of asymmetric membrane formation. I. Critique of evaporation models and development of a diffusion equation formalism for the quench period

Abstract In this paper a review and critique is presented of the mathematical models which have been developed to describe the mass transfer processes occurring during asymmetric membrane formation in polymeric systems. A principal object is to point out several shortcomings of the modelling efforts which have been primarily confined to a description of the evaporation step. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the general mass transfer problem along with the development of a model based on a pseudobinary diffusion equation formalism, to describe the solvent—nonsolvent exchange process which occurs during quenching. The derivation demonstrates that the pseudobinary approach enables the decoupling of the mixing rule from the diffusion equations, therefore allowing its separate specification without affecting the validity of the transport model. Solution of the model equations allows plotting of concentration profiles directly onto the ternary phase diagram. The discussion shows how such ternary concentration plots can be used to differentiate formation conditions for completely dense morphologies from those of either asymmetric or porous structures. Finally, a special case solution to the mass transfer model is presented to predict concentrations of the nonsolvent and polymer as a function of time and distance in the forming membrane.
The gas-phase acidity of hindered amines and some reaction chemistry of their corresponding amide ions

Abstract The gas-phase acidities of three hindered amines have been determined by equilibrium measurements using tandem flowing afterglow-selected-ion flow tube technology. These amines, tert-butylamine (ΔH°acid = 396.6 kcal mol−1), di-sec-butylamine (ΔH°acid = 386.1 kcal mol−1), and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (ΔH°acid = 387.5 kcal mol−1), were chosen because of their hindered nature and differing substitution patterns. The ion/molecule chemistry of the anions corresponding to these amides was studied in detail. This demonstrated quite different reactivity patterns, which are discussed in terms of steric properties and other structural features. Thus, primary and secondary substituted amides can be differentiated by reactions with N2O and ND3, and di-sec-butylamide has a strong tendency to act as a hydride donor.
Problem-Finding and Solving in Play: The Teacher's Role

(1989). Problem-Finding and Solving in Play: The Teacher's Role. Childhood Education: Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 92-97.
Kinetic equivalence of the heat and cold structural transitions of λ6–85

Heat- and cold-denatured proteins are considered separate thermodynamic states because temperature tuning requires the protein to pass through two 'soft' first-order phase transitions. When both pressure and temperature changes are allowed, the heat- and cold-denatured states of proteins can be interconverted without going through the native state. This raises the question of whether these states are distinguished from one another by their folding kinetics. For the Tyr22Trp/Ala37Gly/Ala49Gly mutant of the 80 residue five-helix bundle protein lambda(6-85), we show that viscosity-corrected folding rates do not distinguish the cold- and heat-denatured states. We attribute this to a folding mechanism dominated by hydrophobic collapse. Our 'temperature-symmetric' approach offers an alternative to viscosity tuning with solvent additives in such cases.
Adenosine triphosphatase from cockroach coxal muscle mitochondria. Isolation, properties, and response to DDT

Abstract An insect water-soluble ATPase (IF 1 ) was isolated from mitochondria of cockroach coxal muscle. It was homogenous as assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy. It was found to be composed of five subunits with molecular weights of 70,000, 68,000, 53,000, 43,000, and 34,000. IF 1 was cold labile and showed maximal activity at 47–50°C. Its ATPase activity was Mg+ dependent and was stimulated by DNP and p -hydroxy-mercuribenzoate. This activity was inhibited by sodium azide and guanidine-HCl, not inhibited by oligomycin, and only slightly inhibited at a relatively high level of DDT. The site of action of DDT is discussed in light of relative insensitivity of IF 1 ATPase to DDT compared to the high sensitivity of particulate mitochondrial ATPase activity.