cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermoreversible Gels Composed of Colloidal Silica Rods with Short-Range Attractions.

Dynamic arrest transitions of colloidal suspensions containing nonspherical particles are of interest for the design and processing of various particle technologies. To better understand the effects of particle shape anisotropy and attraction strength on gel and glass formation, we present a colloidal model system of octadecyl-coated silica rods, termed as adhesive hard rods (AHR), which enables control of rod aspect ratio and temperature-dependent interactions. The aspect ratios of silica rods were controlled by varying the initial TEOS concentration following the work of Kuijk et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 2346–2349) and temperature-dependent attractions were introduced by coating the calcined silica rods with an octadecyl-brush and suspending in tetradecane. The rod length and aspect ratio were found to increase with TEOS concentration as expected, while other properties such as the rod diameter, coating coverage, density, and surface roughness were nearly independent of the aspect ratio. Ultra...
Response to Frierson’s “Kantian Feeling: Empirical Psychology, Transcendental Critique and Phenomenology”

In this paper, I reject Frierson’s interpretation of Kantian reductionist phenomenology. I diagnose his failure to articulate a more robust notion of phenomenology in Kant as traceable to a misguided effort to protect pure reason from the undue influence of sensibility. But in fact Kant himself relies regularly on a phenomenological and felt first personal perspective in his practical philosophy. Once we think more broadly about what Frierson calls “the space of reasons,” we must admit a robust role for attentive reflection upon felt, phenomenological experience at the center of Kantian practical deliberation.
Respectable promiscuity: Digital cruising in an era of queer liberalism:

This article draws on data from a digital ethnography to identify a key paradox of Grindr, a gay hookup app. Despite the potential the app offers to invigorate public sex culture by circumventing increased policing of public spaces, users overwhelmingly use the app to arrange for sex to take place in the privacy of a home. Contemporary respectability politics in LGBTQ communities structures Grindr users’ reputation management practices as well as their perceptions of the purpose and potential uses of the technology. The porous public/private boundaries of the app allow users to navigate the stigma associated with promiscuity. “Respectable promiscuity” captures the negotiations individuals engage in as they enact stigmatized sexual practices, manage sexual reputations, and give meaning to their sexual practices within a specific socio-political context.
Child Pornography Statutes and New Legislation

Debate still exists whether criminalizing youth sexting is desirable. Opponents to criminalizing youth sexting argue that laws will be ineffective and are unnecessary and that children should not be penalized for bad judgment. Many legislators around the country do not agree and continue to propose new bills during their legislative sessions. These statutes are far from uniform. West Virginia passed the most recent bill creating a youth sexting education diversion program. In 2012, at least thirteen states proposed legislation dealing with youth sexting. Since 2009, nineteen states have passed some law specific to youth sexting. Similarly, prosecutors are not ignoring the issue and are using traditional child pornography statutes and the new statutes to bring actions against teenagers who sext. This chapter examines these statutes and prosecutions and offers drafting suggestions which will help better fulfill the goal of keeping children safe while not unduly punishing them for a youthful mistake.
Feeling Fishy: Trait Differences in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

Personality in humans refers to the behavioral, affective, and cognitive traits that persist through time and across ﻿context. However, specific definitions and methods of quantifying personality vary depending on the specific approach that researchers emphasize. The trait approach allows clinicians to make informed diagnoses about their patients, and demonstrates predictive validity regarding health (e.g., longevity) and personal (e.g., occupational success) outcomes. The trait approach has also been applied to study personality development and personality disorders in nonhuman species. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a widely used neurobehavioral model organism that demonstrates tremendous translational potential with humans. Zebrafish exhibit several traits that remain consistent with time and across situations and, thus, have some personality traits like those of humans. Many behavioral and genetic differences have been observed between laboratory bred and wild-type zebrafish, which are largely attributable to a decrease in selection pressures in the laboratory setting. Selective breeding of zebrafish allows for the study of particular phenotypes (e.g., anxiety) to gain a deeper understanding of behavioral phenotypes, and provides a model for testing novel drug treatments. Here, we discuss the five major traits exhibited by zebrafish (boldness, exploration, activity, aggression, and sociability), and population (strain) differences in these traits. The use of zebrafish as neurobehavioral models of personality, and potential for the development of drug therapies for personality disorders is discussed.
Atomic oxygen ions as ionospheric biomarkers on exoplanets

The ionized form of atomic oxygen (O+) is the dominant ion species at the altitude of maximum electron density in only one of the many ionospheres in our Solar System — Earth’s. This ionospheric composition would not be present if oxygenic photosynthesis was not an ongoing mechanism that continuously impacts the terrestrial atmosphere. We propose that dominance of ionospheric composition by O+ ions at the altitude of maximum electron density can be used to identify a planet in orbit around a solar-type star where global-scale biological activity is present. There is no absolute numerical value required for this suggestion of an atmospheric plasma biomarker — only the dominating presence of O+ ions at the altitude of peak electron density.
Corneal Opacities in the Neonate

A congenital corneal opacity is a rare occurrence but can cause significant visual compromise to the affected infant. Corneal opacities can arise from infectious, metabolic, genetic, developmental, and idiopathic causes. Early diagnosis is imperative so that an appropriate treatment plan can be initiated as soon as possible to obtain the best visual potential. An early diagnosis can facilitate the recognition of an underlying systemic disorder that may also be affecting the infant. Management strategies include amblyopia treatments, refractive error correction, and surgery. Despite aggressive treatment, visual potential may still be limited in many cases.
Structural basis for disassembly of katanin heterododecamers.

The reorganization of microtubules in mitosis, meiosis, and development requires the microtubule-severing activity of katanin. Katanin is a heterodimer composed of an ATPase associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA) subunit and a regulatory subunit. Microtubule severing requires ATP hydrolysis by katanin's conserved AAA ATPase domains. Whereas other AAA ATPases form stable hexamers, we show that katanin forms only a monomer or dimers of heterodimers in solution. Katanin oligomers consistent with hexamers of heterodimers or heterododecamers were only observed for an ATP hydrolysis–deficient mutant in the presence of ATP. X-ray structures of katanin's AAA ATPase in monomeric nucleotide-free and pseudo-oligomeric ADP-bound states revealed conformational changes in the AAA subdomains that explained the structural basis for the instability of the katanin heterododecamer. We propose that the rapid dissociation of katanin AAA oligomers may lead to an autoinhibited state that prevents inappropriate microtubule severing or that cyclical disassembly into heterodimers may critically contribute to the microtubule-severing mechanism.
Micro-composite films constrained by irregularly bilateral walls: A size-dependent post-buckling analysis

Abstract Post-buckling analysis of micro-composite films (MCF) has been extensively investigated in recent years. However, the literature of composite elements at micro/nanoscale has been mainly focused on buckling response without lateral confinements. This paper takes one step forward to theoretical studying of static and dynamic post-buckling response of MCF constrained by irregularly bilateral walls using the modified couple stress theory. A discretization algorithm is developed to convert the irregular constraints into normalized gap vectors. An energy method is presented to solve the proposed model by minimizing the total energy with respect to the gap vectors. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate the theoretical model. Satisfactory agreements are obtained between the theoretical and FE results. The proposed theoretical model is used to study the effect of the material length factor ς on the buckling mode transition force P and highest achievable buckling mode of the irregularly constrained micro-films. The presented model can be used to predict and tune the post-buckling response of the axially loaded MCF subjected to irregularly bilateral constraints.
Industry output and employment projections to 2006.

The official projections for industry output and employment for the United States up to the year 2006 are presented. "The service-producing sector continues to lead projected employment growth; the 10 industries with the largest projected job growth are all service producers and account for 60 percent of the net increase in nonfarm wage and salary employment." (EXCERPT)
Challenges of the Neonatal Airway

Increasingly complex patients treated in neonatal intensive care units create a unique set of challenges in managing the neonate’s airway including both anatomical and physiological considerations that differentiate them from the general pediatric or adult populations. Potential airway emergencies can be classified into profiles such as the unanticipated emergency in the non-intubated patient, the unanticipated emergency in the intubated patient, and patients with tracheostomy. Furthermore, neonatal airways can be classified by severity in being considered either difficult or critical. These neonatal specific clinical challenges have recently substantiated the need for a distinct neonatal airway algorithm.
Effect of Soil Compaction and Oxygen Content on Vertical and Horizontal Root Distribution

Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis seedlings were field planted in compacted and non-compacted soil in both normal oxygen and reduced oxygen soil atmosphere. Entire root systems were excavated and mapped. Compaction caused significantly shallower roots in normal and reduced oxygen areas. Roots in the reduced oxygen area were not significantly shallower than in normal oxygen areas. Root spread was correlated with stem diameter and branch spread. Lateral roots extended three times as far from the trunk as did the branches.
Dronabinol for the Treatment of Paraneoplastic Night Sweats in Cancer Patients: A Report of Five Cases.

Background: Night sweats significantly impact the quality of life for cancer patients and are often resistant to treatment. Cannabinoids have been shown to modulate cytokine activity and produce hypothermia in animal models, suggesting that they may be a promising candidate for palliation of night sweats in patients with oncologic disease. Objective: Assess efficacy of the oral cannabinoid, dronabinol, for palliation of night sweats in cancer patients. Design: A retrospective record search identified five cancer patients who had tried oral dronabinol for palliation of their night sweats between 2013 and 2016 and subjectively reported on its efficacy. Setting/Subjects: A convenience sample of five patients from the outpatient consultative palliative medicine program at Stanford Medical Center was chosen from a search of past records. Patients were included if they had a cancer diagnosis and complained of night sweats that subjectively interfered with their quality of life. All agreed to try oral dronabinol for palliation of their night sweats. Measurements: Patients self-reported the effect of oral synthetic dronabinol on their night sweats. Results: Treatment of five patients with advanced cancer with synthetic orally administered dronabinol resulted in the successful management of persistent symptomatic paraneoplastic night sweats. Conclusion: Dronabinol and/or medicinal cannabis are promising therapies for palliation of night sweats in cancer patients.
Planning After Stroke Survival: Advance Care Planning in the Stroke Clinic.

Background Stroke survivors have high rates of mortality and recurrent stroke. Stroke patients are often unable to participate in decision making, highlighting the need for advance care planning (A...
A comprehensive empirical demonstration of the impact of choice constraints on solving generalizations of the 0–1 knapsack problem using the integer programming option of CPLEX®

This paper provides comprehensive empirical and analytical evidence of the impact of choice constraints on two important categories of knapsack problems by using the integer programming option of C...
Multi-wavelength beam profile analysis of near-infrared nanosecond pulses

Abstract We report on measurements of beam profiles of near-infrared idler pulses from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) using an infrared (IR) camera for wavelengths ranging from 1850 nm to 2050 nm, wavelengths of particular interest for optical pumping of mid-IR semiconductor lasers. The observed variations in the intensity profiles recorded correlate well with the decrease in idler intensity and simultaneous increase in IR camera sensitivity as the output wavelengths increase from 1850 nm to 2050 nm. Data is collected in both unsynchronized and synchronized configurations of the OPO and camera. Synchronization of the pump beam and camera is shown to increase the measured intensity of the output beam and also to reduce pixel-to-pixel intensity variation. Choice of an appropriate threshold value is seen to be more critically important at wavelengths where the signal is low. We are able to distinguish and track the peak center position as it varies with wavelength. The technique presented is applicable to beam profile measurements in the near-infrared not readily accessible by CCD and streak cameras or other existing instrumentation. It is the first step in the development of a technique for synchronizing and correlating spatio-temporal measurement of optical pump and output beams in the near- and mid-IR.
Spatial Variability of Soil and Plant Water Status and Their Cascading Effects on Grapevine Physiology Are Linked to Berry and Wine Chemistry.

The relationships between differences in plant water status, induced by spatial variability in soil texture, and the changes in berry and wine composition were investigated in an irrigated Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinefera L.) vineyard for 2 years. A stratified and an equidistant grid were overlaid on the vineyard to characterize the soil texture by proximal sensing, soil sampling, and grapevine physiological and berry chemical development. Based on the mid-day stem water potential (Ψ stem ) integrals, the vineyard was divided into two functional homogenous zones: Zone 1 with higher water stress and Zone 2 with lower water. Zone 1 consistently had lower Ψ stem , net carbon assimilation, and stomatal conductance in both years. Berry weight and titratable acidity were lower in Zone 1 at harvest. Zone 2 reached 26 and 24°Bx total soluble solids (TSS) at harvest in Years 1 and 2, respectively, with higher TSS values of 30 and 27°Bx in Zone 1. Ravaz index did not vary spatially. Fruits were harvested differentially in both years and vinified separately from the two zones. In Year 1, all berry skin anthocyanin derivatives, tri-, di- hydroxylated, and total anthocyanins concentrations were higher in Zone 2. However, in Year 2, only malvidin, tri-hydroxylated, and total anthocyanins were higher in Zone 1. There were no differences in wine flavonoids in Year 2 when harvest commenced earlier. In both years, Ψ stem , berry weight, and TSS were directly related to soil bulk electrical conductivity (EC). Our results indicated vineyard variability stemmed from soil texture that affected long-term plant water status which does not affect spatial variability of Ravaz Index. In conclusion, our work provides fundamental knowledge about the applicability of soil bulk EC sensing in the vineyards, and its potential directional utilization by connecting proximal soil sensing to spatial distribution of whole-plant physiological performance together with berry and wine chemistry.
Expanded roles for the MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins

The MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins plays a critical role in excising and repairing misincorporation errors during DNA replication. In many eukaryotes, members of this family have evolved to modulate and resolve recombination intermediates into crossovers during meiosis. In these organisms, such functions promote the accurate segregation of chromosomes during the meiosis I division. What alterations occurred in MutL homolog (MLH) family members that enabled them to acquire these new roles? In this review, we present evidence that the yeast Mlh1-Mlh3 and Mlh1-Mlh2 complexes have evolved novel enzymatic and nonenzymatic activities and protein-protein interactions that are critical for their meiotic functions. Curiously, even with these changes, these complexes retain backup and accessory roles in DNA mismatch repair during vegetative growth.
Of free markets and a secular mind: the value of economic decentralization and individual secular values in entrepreneurship

Building upon Hayek’s seminal work regarding the benefits of market decentralization, in this study, we examine the complementary role of an individual’s secular values in further explaining the association between decentralization of economic affairs, entrepreneurial activity, and self-employment. We argue that studies on Hayek’s notion of decentralization may be incomplete in their conceptualization without a transition to individual morality based on more secular values. We consider decentralization of economic affairs and secular values to explain why entrepreneurial activity differs across countries. In study 1, we find that the decentralization of economic affairs increases the odds of being an entrepreneur in a startup, but does not influence the likelihood of owning/managing a business or perceptions related to the opportunity to start a business. In study 2, we find evidence of mixed support for decentralization and self-employment; however, with meaningful effect sizes but with marginal significance, we find that an individual’s secular values complement the association between decentralization of economic affairs and self-employment. The findings are robust to alternate specifications. By demonstrating the role of secular values in strengthening decentralization, we lay the foundation for melding economic perspectives with the freedom from religious ethos as an important consideration for entrepreneurial activity. However, the mixed effects of decentralization on different modes of entrepreneurship also call into question the value of decentralization in modern economies. Plain English Summary Higher levels of individual secular values, even by a small amount, enhance the benefits that economic decentralization can have on entrepreneurial activity. In this paper, we use a two-study approach to examine how individual secular values might influence the effects of economic decentralization on entrepreneurial activity. In study 1, we find that the decentralization of economic affairs increases the odds of being an entrepreneur in a startup, but does not influence the likelihood of owning/managing a business or individual perceptions related to existing opportunities to start a business. In study 2, we find evidence of mixed support for the effects of economic decentralization on self-employment. However, we find some evidence suggesting that an individual’s secular values complement the association between decentralization of economic affairs and self-employment. Thus, the principal implication of this study is that policymakers should take into consideration the overall secular values present in society when making decisions regarding economic decentralization, particularly with regard to understanding the potential effects that decentralization could have on entrepreneurial activity.
Simple and Automatic Distributed Machine Learning on Ray

In recent years, the pace of innovations in the fields of machine learning (ML) has accelerated, researchers in SysML have created algorithms and systems that parallelize ML training over multiple devices or computational nodes. As ML models become more structurally complex, many systems have struggled to provide all-round performance on a variety of models. Particularly, ML scale-up is usually underestimated in terms of the amount of knowledge and time required to map from an appropriate distribution strategy to the model. Applying parallel training systems to complex models adds nontrivial development overheads in addition to model prototyping, and often results in lower-than-expected performance. This tutorial identifies research and practical pain points in parallel ML training, and discusses latest development of algorithms and systems on addressing these challenges in both usability and performance. In particular, this tutorial presents a new perspective of unifying seemingly different distributed ML training strategies. Based on it, introduces new techniques and system architectures to simplify and automate ML parallelization. This tutorial is built upon the authors' years' of research and industry experience, comprehensive literature survey, and several latest tutorials and papers published by the authors and peer researchers. The tutorial consists of four parts. The first part will present a landscape of distributed ML training techniques and systems, and highlight the major difficulties faced by real users when writing distributed ML code with big model or big data. The second part dives deep to explain the mainstream training strategies, guided with real use case. By developing a new and unified formulation to represent the seemingly different data- and model- parallel strategies, we describe a set of techniques and algorithms to achieve ML auto-parallelization, and compiler system architectures for auto-generating and exercising parallelization strategies based on models and clusters. The third part of this tutorial exposes a hidden layer of practical pain points in distributed ML training: hyper-parameter tuning and resource allocation, and introduces techniques to improve these aspects. The fourth part is designed as a hands-on coding session, in which we will walk through the audiences on writing distributed training programs in Python, using the various distributed ML tools and interfaces provided by the Ray ecosystem.
Single cell and ensemble activity of lumbar intermediate and ventral horn interneurons in the spinal air-stepping cat.

We explored the relationship between population interneuronal network activation and motor output in the adult, in-vivo, air stepping, spinal cat. By simultaneously measuring the activity of large numbers of spinal interneurons, we explored ensembles of coherently firing interneurons and their relation to motor output. Additionally, the networks were analyzed in relation to their spatial distribution along the lumbar enlargement for evidence of localized groups driving particular phases of the locomotor step cycle. We simultaneously recorded hindlimb EMG activity during stepping and extracellular signals from 128 channels across two polytrodes inserted within lamina V-VII of two separate lumbar segments. Results indicated that spinal interneurons participate in one of two ensembles that are highly correlated with the flexor or the extensor muscle bursts during stepping. Interestingly, less than half of the isolated single units were significantly unimodally tuned during the step cycle while >97% of the single units of the ensembles were significantly correlated with muscle activity. These results show the importance of population scale analysis in neural studies of behavior as there is a much greater correlation between muscle activity and ensemble firing than between muscle activity and individual neurons. Finally, we show that there is no correlation between interneurons' rostrocaudal locations within the lumbar enlargement and their preferred phase of firing or ensemble participation. These findings indicate that spinal interneurons of lamina V-VII encoding for different phases of the locomotor cycle are spread throughout the lumbar enlargement in the adult spinal cord.
40 Year Old White Female with an Itchy, Widespread Rash

A 40-year-old white female presented with erythematous plaques with whitish streaks that had spread throughout her body. On the first occurrence of these rashes, she visited an emergency room where she was given glucocorticoid injections. The patient was instructed to see her primary care physician, where she was given a topical steroid ointment and oral steroid tablets. The patient had stopped taking the steroid tablets due to weight gain and increased fluid retention, even though they were resolving the skin lesions. The physician diagnosed the condition as psoriasis although no biopsy was done. The patient also had a history of diabetes and has noted that heat and stress made her skin lesions worse. A recent laboratory test revealed that she had elevated hepatitis C antibodies.
Primate mesenteric blood flow. Effects of vasopressin and its route of delivery.

Abstract The effects of vasopressin on blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery and on mean arterial pressure and portal venous pressure were measured in 7 rhesus monkeys. Vasopressin was injected, as either a bolus, or infused both intravenously and intraarterially to assess the influence of the route of administration upon hemodynamic responses. Dose-dependent decreases in superior mesenteric arterial flow were observed during both intraarterial and intravenous injections of vasopressin. No statistically significant differences between the two routes of administration, the decreases in flow, and changes in pressure were observed. Based upon these observations, one might anticipate that intravenously administered vasopressin will be as effective as intraarterially administered vasopressin in reducing mesenteric blood flow, and thus portal venous pressure, in man.
Response rate, response time, and economic costs of survey research: A randomized trial of practicing pharmacists

Abstract Background There is a gap between increasing demands from pharmacy journals, publishers, and reviewers for high survey response rates and the actual responses often obtained in the field by survey researchers. Presumably demands have been set high because response rates, times, and costs affect the validity and reliability of survey results. Objective Explore the extent to which survey response rates, average response times, and economic costs are affected by conditions under which pharmacist workforce surveys are administered. Methods A random sample of 7200 U.S. practicing pharmacists was selected. The sample was stratified by delivery method, questionnaire length, item placement, and gender of respondent for a total of 300 observations within each subgroup. A job satisfaction survey was administered during March–April 2012. Results Delivery method was the only classification showing significant differences in response rates and average response times. The postal mail procedure accounted for the highest response rates of completed surveys, but the email method exhibited the quickest turnaround. A hybrid approach, consisting of a combination of postal and electronic means, showed the least favorable results. Postal mail was 2.9 times more cost effective than the email approach and 4.6 times more cost effective than the hybrid approach. Conclusion Researchers seeking to increase practicing pharmacists' survey participation and reduce response time and related costs can benefit from the analytical procedures tested here.
A Non-oscillatory Advection Operator for the Compatible Spectral Element Method

The spectral element method is well known as an efficient way to obtain high-order numerical solutions on unstructured finite element grids. However, the oscillatory nature of the method's advection operator makes it unsuitable for many applications. One popular way to address this problem is with high-order discontinuous-Galerkin methods. In this work, an alternative solution which fits within the continuous Galerkin formulation of the spectral element method is proposed. Making use of a compatible formulation of spectral elements, a natural way to implement conservative non-oscillatory reconstructions for spectral element advection is shown. The reconstructions are local to the element and thus preserve the parallel efficiency of the method. Numerical results from a low-order quasi-monotone reconstruction and a higher-order sign-preserving reconstruction are presented.
Mutagenesis of the alpha subunit of the F1Fo-ATPase from Escherichia coli. Mutations at Glu-196, Pro-190, and Ser-199.

Abstract In an attempt to identify amino acid residues involved in proton translocation by the Fo sector of the Escherichia coli F1Fo-ATPase, 16 mutations at the carboxyl-terminal third of the a subunit have been isolated, and their phenotypes have been partially characterized. Thirteen mutations were constructed by "cassette" mutagenesis at two highly conserved residues, aglu196 and apro190. Two mutations were products of oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of a portion of of oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of a portion of the uncB gene cloned into an M13 vector. One mutation was isolated after in vitro mutagenesis of the entire uncB gene in a plasmid vector with hydroxylamine. Amino acid substitutions for aglu196 (Asp, Gln, His, Asn, Lys, Ala, Ser, Pro) affect ATP-driven proton translocation and passive proton permeability by Fo to varying extents, but do not prevent growth on minimal succinate media. Amino acid substitutions of glutamine or arginine for apro190 affect F1Fo-ATPase assembly and eliminate ATP-driven proton translocation, while the substitution of asparagine at this position does not significantly affect either assembly or proton translocation. The substitution of amino acids threonine or alanine for aser199 causes no detectable phenotypic change from wild type. These and other mutations are discussed in terms of the assembly, structure, and function of the a subunit. It is concluded that aglu196 and apro190 are not obligate components of the proton channel, but that they affect proton translocation indirectly.
MMP7 Shedding of Syndecan-1 Facilitates Re-Epithelialization by Affecting α2β1 Integrin Activation

Background Lung injury promotes the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7, matrilysin), which is required for neutrophil recruitment and re-epithelialization. MMP7 governs the lung inflammatory response through the shedding of syndecan-1. Because inflammation and repair are related events, we evaluated the role of syndecan-1 shedding in lung re-epithelialization. Methodology/principal finding Epithelial injury induced syndecan-1 shedding from wild-type epithelium but not from Mmp7(-/-) mice in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, cell migration and wound closure was enhanced by MMP7 shedding of syndecan-1. Additionally, we found that syndecan-1 augmented cell adhesion to collagen by controlling the affinity state of the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin. Conclusion/significance MMP7 shedding of syndecan-1 facilitates wound closure by causing the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin to assume a less active conformation thereby removing restrictions to migration. MMP7 acts in the lungs to regulate inflammation and repair, and our data now show that both these functions are controlled through the shedding of syndecan-1.
The Sexual Interactions of Men with Secondary Erectile Dysfunction

AbstractUsing the Sexual Interaction Inventory (SII), the scores of 21 couples in which the men had secondary erectile dysfunction were contrasted with those of 63 “sexually satisfied” couples. Significant differences between the two samples were found on 7 of the 11 scales. As expected, the dysfunctional couples reported greater dissatisfaction with the frequency and range of their sexual activities and less accurate perceptions of their partners sexual preference. The dysfunctional men reported less self-acceptance than the men of the normative couples, whereas mean pleasure ratings of sexual activity did not differentiate the two groups. The findings offer further support for the ability of the SII to identify problems in the sexual interactions of sexually dysfunctional samples.
Association between self-report adherence measures and oestrogen suppression among breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors

Abstract Purpose Poor adherence to oral adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast cancer is a common problem, but little is known about the relationship between self-report adherence measures and hormonal suppression. We evaluated the relationship of three self-report measures of medication adherence and oestrogen among patients on aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Materials and methods We recruited 235 women with breast cancer who were prescribed AI therapy. Participants self-reported AI adherence by completing the following: (1) a single item asking whether they took an AI in the last month, (2) a modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) and (3) the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Serum estrone and estradiol were analysed using organic solvent extraction and Celite column partition chromatography, followed by radioimmunoassay. Results Ten percent of participants reported they had not taken an AI in the last month and among this group, median estrone (33.2 pg/ml [interquartile range (IQR) = 22.3]) and estradiol levels (7.2 pg/mL [IQR = 3.3]) were significantly higher than those in participants who reported AI use (median estrone = 11.5 pg/mL [IQR = 4.9]; median estradiol = 3.4 pg/mL [IQR = 2.1]; p Conclusions A single-item monthly-recall adherence measure for AIs was associated with oestrogen serum levels. This suggests that patient-reported monthly adherence may be a useful measure to identify early non-adherence behaviour and guide interventions to improve patient adherence to hormonal treatment.
Influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation on sea surface salinity in the Indian Ocean

[1] Using satellite measurements of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) influence on Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) across the Indian Ocean is examined. The SSS pattern during different stages of the MJO propagation across the Indian Ocean are analyzed conditioned on season and phase of the El Nino – Southern Oscillation. The processes through which the SSS patterns develop depend upon anomalous atmospheric conditions and oceanic processes during the different stages of the MJO. The combinations of anomalous conditions during each stage of the MJO with seasonal and long-term climate variations create different responses in SSS. The SSS variability during the MJO may produce numerous indirect feedbacks, which are the result of SSS altering the depth of the Barrier Layer (BL) and mixed layer. Satellite salinity measurements will enhance our knowledge of the SSS variability during different stages of the MJO propagation.
Hypercapnia Inhibits Autophagy and Bacterial Killing in Human Macrophages by Increasing Expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL

Hypercapnia, the elevation of CO2 in blood and tissue, commonly develops in patients with advanced lung disease and severe pulmonary infections, and it is associated with high mortality. We previously reported that hypercapnia alters expression of host defense genes, inhibits phagocytosis, and increases the mortality of Pseudomonas pneumonia in mice. However, the effect of hypercapnia on autophagy, a conserved process by which cells sequester and degrade proteins and damaged organelles that also plays a key role in antimicrobial host defense and pathogen clearance, has not previously been examined. In the present study we show that hypercapnia inhibits autophagy induced by starvation, rapamycin, LPS, heat-killed bacteria, and live bacteria in the human macrophage. Inhibition of autophagy by elevated CO2 was not attributable to acidosis. Hypercapnia also reduced macrophage killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, elevated CO2 induced the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, antiapoptotic factors that negatively regulate autophagy by blocking Beclin 1, an essential component of the autophagy initiation complex. Furthermore, small interfering RNA targeting Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and the small molecule Z36, which blocks Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL binding to Beclin 1, prevented hypercapnic inhibition of autophagy and bacterial killing. These results suggest that targeting the Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-Beclin 1 interaction may hold promise for ameliorating hypercapnia-induced immunosuppression and improving resistance to infection in patients with advanced lung disease and hypercapnia.
I Am a Critical Care Nurse

Alisha Burnett, RN, is a staff nurse in the surgical trauma intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida.
Functional organization of TRPC-Ca2+ channels and regulation of calcium microdomains

TRP family of proteins are components of unique cation channels that are activated in response to diverse stimuli ranging from growth factor and neurotransmitter stimulation of plasma membrane receptors to a variety of chemical and sensory signals. This review will focus on members of the TRPC sub-family (TRPC1-TRPC7) which currently appear to be the strongest candidates for the enigmatic Ca(2+) influx channels that are activated in response to stimulation of plasma membrane receptors which result in phosphatidyl inositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) hydrolysis, generation of IP(3) and DAG, and IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release from the intracellular Ca(2+) store via inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R). Homomeric or selective heteromeric interactions between TRPC monomers generate distinct channels that contribute to store-operated as well as store-independent Ca(2+) entry mechanisms. The former is regulated by the emptying/refilling of internal Ca(2+) store(s) while the latter depends on PIP(2) hydrolysis (due to changes in PIP(2) per se or an increase in diacylglycerol, DAG). Although the exact physiological function of TRPC channels and how they are regulated has not yet been conclusively established, it is clear that a variety of cellular functions are controlled by Ca(2+) entry via these channels. Thus, it is critical to understand how cells coordinate the regulation of diverse TRPC channels to elicit specific physiological functions. It is now well established that segregation of TRPC channels mediated by interactions with signaling and scaffolding proteins, determines their localization and regulation in functionally distinct cellular domains. Furthermore, both protein and lipid components of intracellular and plasma membranes contribute to the organization of these microdomains. Such organization serves as a platform for the generation of spatially and temporally dictated [Ca(2+)](i) signals which are critical for precise control of downstream cellular functions.
Site-directed mutagenesis of cation coordinating residues in the gastric H,K-ATPase.

Abstract Site-mutations were introduced into putative cation binding site 1 of the H,K-ATPase at glu-797, thr-825, and glu-938. The side chain oxygen of each was not essential but the mutations produced different activation and inhibition kinetics. Site mutations thr-825 (ala, leu) and glu-938 (ala, gln) modestly decreased the apparent affinity to K+, while glu-797 (gln) was equivalent to wild type. As expected of competitive inhibition, mutations of thr-825 and glu-938 that decreased the apparent affinity for K+ also increased the apparent affinity for SCH28080. This is consistent with the participation of thr-825 and glu-938 in a cation binding domain. The sidechain geometry, but not the sidechain charge of glu-797, is essential to ATPase function as the site mutant glu-797 (gly) inactivated the H,K-ATPase, while glu-797 (gln) was active but the apparent affinity to SCH 28080 was decreased by fourfold. Lys-793, a unique residue of the H,K-ATPase, was essential for ATPase function. Since this residue is adjacent to site 1, the result suggests that charge pairing between lys-793 and residues at or near this site may be essential to ATPase function.
Plasmonic optical antennas excited by resonant guided mode for SERS applications

We report a numerical study on the frequency property of a system composed of an optical antenna array placed on the surface of a dielectric grating. Such a periodic structure is designed for Raman spectroscopy application because of its advantages over the conventional rough-surface based surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy: the position of the high field intensity and the exact field magnitude is well controlled by the design, and the constructive interference from the elements placed in periodic array may form a collective resonance and provide a further enhancement to the field intensity. By integrating and weakly coupling the guided mode resonance (GMR) of a dielectric grating with optical nano-antennas made of plasmonic materials that are also field-enhancing devices, it provides a further enhanced local field around the antenna. We specifically studied the behavior of the device under oblique incidence, and show that multiple resonant peaks are observed in the spectrum. The application of the device in a Raman process is discussed in details.
A collaborative community-based oral care program for school-age children.

Purpose/Objectives: In Vermont in 2001, less than half of school-age children on Medicaid received dental services. Vermont is a designated resettlement area for refugees, many of whom have never had dental care. A school-based oral health program was designed to meet the needs of this high-risk pediatric population. Program: A plan was developed to offer dental services to this group of children. Through the efforts of a multidisciplinary committee the Tooth Tutor Program, developed by the Vermont Department of Health, dental care was made available to the children. The Tooth Tutor Program provides cost-effective dental hygienist care to children in the school setting and includes referral to community dentists. Outcome: The program was able to provide services to approximately 500 children in the first 2 years with an increase in preventative services and decrease in restorative services from year 1 to year 2. After 3 years, a school-based dental service opened in 1 of the 3 target schools. Conclusion: A school-based dental service that includes education, screening, and referral can be an effective program for improving oral health among impoverished children. Implications for Nursing Practice: For the community health clinical nurse specialist, the client is the community. Clinical nurse specialist practice in this community resulted in improved oral health for high-risk school-age children. This program can be adapted for other communities.
Welfare as a Moral Category

Sociologists trying to account for social arrangements in the United States today must carefully consider "welfare," both in itself and in its articulation with virtually all other aspects of American life and social structure. Not only is welfare extremely important today but its significance in the future will be even greater. The role of welfare is even more impressive from the wider perspective of industrial societies in general. There is reason to suppose that some form of welfare activity characterizes all such societies, perhaps amounting to a structural requisite. One might argue that certain functional requisites satisfied by various institutions in other societies can no longer be satisfied by them, because advanced industrial societies place strict limits on their operations. This line of reasoning is most familiar with regard to the family. As a result, it is argued, requisites must be met by the peculiarly modern institutions of welfare. All discussions of welfare which start from these intriguing points should refer to a conceptualization or definition of welfare which would
How age changes in knowledge base contribute to the development of children's memory: An interpretive review

Abstract The influence of differences in knowledge base on children's memory performance is reviewed. It is proposed that age differences in semantic memory affect the ease with which information in permanent memory can be activated, which in turn influences the amount of mental effort available for other cognitive operations. Having detailed knowledge about a set of items can influence memory performance by (a) increasing the accessibility of specific items (item-specific effects), (b) the relatively effortless activation of relations among sets of items (nonstrategic organization), or (c) facilitating the use of deliberate memory strategies. Concerning the latter, children are not expected to use sophisticated mnemonics until processing of individual items requires sufficiently little mental effort. As items and relations among items in children's semantic memories become more elaboratively represented and easily activated, processing efficiency increases and deliberate strategies are more apt to be used.
Risk factors for cardiopulmonary events during propofol-mediated upper endoscopy and colonoscopy

Summary Background Propofol-mediated sedation for endoscopy is popular because of its rapid onset and recovery profile. Aim To examine procedure-specific occurrence and risk factors for cardiopulmonary events during propofol-mediated upper endoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy. Design A cohort study using the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative database was used to determine the frequency of cardiopulmonary events. Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative consisted of 69 practice sites comprising 593 US endoscopists. Multivariate logistic regression analysis used variables, such as age, ASA classification and propofol administration by monitored anaesthesia care or gastroenterologist-administered propofol to determine the risk of cardiopulmonary events. Results The overall cardiopulmonary event rate for 5928 EGDs and 11 683 colonoscopies was 11.7/1000 cases. For colonoscopy, ascending ASA classification was associated with an increased risk. Monitored anaesthesia care was associated with a decreased adjusted relative risk (0.5, 95% CI: 0.36–0.72). ASA I and II patients receiving monitored anaesthesia care for EGD exhibited a significantly lower relative risk (ARR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14–0.64). For subjects with ASA class III or greater, there was no difference in the risk between monitored anaesthesia care and gastroenterologist-administered propofol. Conclusions There are procedure-specific risk factors for cardiopulmonary events during propofol-mediated EGD and colonoscopy. These should be taken into account during future prospective comparative trials.