cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal local opioid prescribing intervention outcomes in chronic noncancer pain management

Background: Opioid misuse in the United States has made it challenging for physicians to treat chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). We implemented an educational program aimed at promoting safe opioid prescribing practices in hopes of increasing the level of appropriateness associated with prescribing opioids for CNCP. Methods: We conducted a quality-improvement study with a retrospective chart review of adult patients who were prescribed opioids for CNCP for at least 90 consecutive days at 2 academic primary care clinics. Patients were reviewed at baseline (July 2014-May 2015) and after initial interventions (January 2016-June 2016; ie, following multimodal educational activities on appropriate opioid prescription implemented from June 2015-December 2015). An opioid appropriateness score was calculated based on documentation of 9 items. Categorical variables were analyzed with Fisher exact tests and continuous variables by 2-sample t tests and regression analysis. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariable modeling. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare appropriateness scores before and after intervention. Results: A total of 177 and 96 patients were evaluated at baseline and postintervention, respectively. Patient demographic characteristics were not statistically different. Overall, postintervention level of appropriateness was significantly different from preintervention (P Conclusions: Clinician education on best practices while treating CNCP is associated with an increase in the level of opioid use appropriateness.
“I Need Blockers So I Don’t Turn Into a Girl”

In this chapter, we will explore a case involving an 11-year-old who identifies as male but whose sex assigned at birth is female. His parents do not agree on whether he should take hormone-blocking medications to delay puberty. By the conclusion of the case discussion, learners will understand the basic language used to discuss gender, as well as how gender dysphoria can be approached in young adolescents entering puberty, begin to understand the ways minority stress and stigmatization contribute to health disparities, apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles to situations in which parents do not agree on treatment for a child, and develop an approach to addressing discrimination, bias, and microaggressions in their professional roles.
Lack of evidence that beta blocker use reduces knee pain, areas of joint pain, or analgesic use among individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Summary Objective The potential for beta blocker use to reduce joint pain and analgesic use in osteoarthritis (OA) patients has not been well established. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between beta blocker use and knee pain, areas of joint pain, and analgesic use among participants with symptomatic knee OA. Design We selected participants with symptomatic knee OA from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Outcome measures included knee pain (e.g., WOMAC pain subscale), areas of joint pain (e.g., widespread joint pain), and analgesic use (e.g., use of strong pain prescriptions including opioids). We decomposed time-varying beta blocker use into within-person and between-person variation, and included these components in linear mixed effects models for repeated outcome measures of knee pain, joint pain, and analgesic use over 8 years. Results Among 1,168 participants, 15% reported beta blocker use at baseline. Beta blocker users (5.2, 95% CI [4.7, 5.8]) had similar estimated mean WOMAC pain scores as other anti-hypertensive users (4.9, 95% CI [4.6, 5.2]), with an estimated within-person difference of 0.1 (95% CI [−0.3, 0.4]). Proportion of participants reporting widespread joint pain was similar between beta blocker users and other anti-hypertensive users (40.1% vs 40.3%; within-person effect, odds ratio [OR] = 0.87, 95% CI [0.63, 1.22]). Reported use of strong prescription pain medication was also similar between beta blocker users and other anti-hypertensive users (7.7% vs 8.2%; within-person effect, OR = 1.39, 95% CI [0.75, 2.55]). Conclusions We found no evidence that beta blockers confer a clinically meaningful reduction in knee pain severity, areas of joint pain, or analgesic use among participants with symptomatic knee OA.
Measurement Invariance and Sleep Quality Differences Between Men and Women in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Study Objectives:Previous research has reported mixed results in terms of sex differences in sleep quality. We conducted an analysis of measurement invariance of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ...
Propensity-Matched Outcomes of Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Versus Carotid Endarterectomy.

Abstract Background Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) with cerebral flow reversal is an emerging treatment option for carotid artery stenosis in patients with high risk for traditional endarterectomy. The purpose of this study was to compare real-world, procedure-related outcomes in similarly comorbid patients undergoing TCAR or carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods A retrospective review of all patients receiving either TCAR or CEA outside of clinical trial regulations at our institution was performed. Participants were propensity-matched by age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, presence of restenosis, history of neck radiation, presence of contralateral carotid occlusion, history of previous neck dissection, and symptom status. Bivariate analysis was followed by a penalized Firth logistic regression to compare treatments. Results Between January 2011 and July 2018, 342 CEAs and 109 TCARs were captured for analysis. After matching, 87 distinct treatment pairs were created without evidence of variation in any of the prespecified variables. On multivariate analysis using maximum and penalized likelihood ratios, we found that TCAR was associated with an increased incidence of intraoperative hypertension (adjusted coefficient, 1.41; 95% confidence interval [0.53, 2.29], P Conclusions This propensity-matched analysis of carotid artery revascularization modalities suggests that TCAR is equivalent to CEA in the perioperative period while incurring shorter operative time and less blood loss.
Respiration During Flight in Birds

The gas composition of the anterior and posterior thoracic airsacs and the rate of CO2 production were measured during flight in a starling. Metabolic rate is 8.9 times greater and minute volume is 8.2 times greater in. flight than at rest. Oxygen extraction (E) is approximately 0.3 and does not change between rest and flight. The respiratory exchange ratio (R) after the first 15 min of flight is 0.7. By making certain simplifying assumptions it is possible to calculate E and R separately for the neo- and paleopulmo. The respiratory exchange ratio does not differ significantly between the neo- and paleopulmo. In the paleopulmo E is 0.32 at rest and during flight. In the neopulmo E is 0.08 at rest and declines to 0.06 during flight.
The report on the first case of swine Streptococcus suis type 2 in Tianjin

人感染猪链球菌病是人畜共患传染病,传染源为病猪、死猪、带菌猪和羊,主要传播途径为人接触病、死猪,致病菌经破损皮肤或黏膜侵入人体,人类普遍易感,引起人重症链球菌感染的主要是猪链球菌2型[1].2013年4月天津市发现人感染猪链球菌病例,临床上表现为中毒性休克型.此病例为该地区首次发现. 关键词：人感染猪链球菌病;中毒性休克型;流行病学
Regiones y lugares en la era global

En este articulo A. Escobar avanza en nuevos elementos para aclarar su concepto de lugar que fue pensado desde al pacifico colombiano y que tiene reconocimiento amplio entre los que son adeptos de las tesis poscoloniales. En su trabajo intelectual fueron identificados cuatro principios de relaciones interetnicas y de relaciones con el estado: el hecho de que el Pacifico es “un territorio ancestral de grupos etnicos”; que estos grupos son culturalmente diversos y buscan el respeto a sus diferencias y de estas con la sociedad colombiana; que de esta posicion de mutuo respeto y de diferencia, asumen la coordinacion de la defensa de sus territorios; y permite que sus conocimientos tradicionales sean fundamentales en su relacion con la naturaleza y su identidad, y que deberian ser reconocidos como tales. La idea de red es central en su construccion teorica. En los anos noventa, explica el autor, las imagenes de redes circularon ampliamente en el Pacifico sin un patron estricto de regularidad, y siempre refiriendose a un conjunto de entidades como las organizaciones de los movimiento sociales, las redes de radios locales, las asociaciones de mujeres, los planes de accion, entre otros.
Machine Learning F-Doped Bi(Pb)–Sr–Ca–Cu–O Superconducting Transition Temperature

The increase in critical temperature of high-temperature superconductors fulfills needs of practical applications with liquid-helium-free refrigeration and a delay in magnet failure. But the research requires significant manpower for materials synthesis, characterization, and quench detection, as well as costly equipment and facilities. In this study, we develop the Gaussian process regression (GPR) model to shed light on the relationship between process parameters and superconducting transition temperature for BiPbSrCaCuOF superconductors. The modeling approach has a high degree of accuracy and stability, contributing to fast low-cost estimations of superconducting transition temperature.
Fiction and Fakements in Colonial Australia

The imaginations of convicts in Australia became attuned to the pairing of opposites and this led to strange tensions in their way of representing things. On Norfolk Island the meanings of words we...
Pardon paternel et justice d’exception dans Les Corrivaus (1573) de Jean de La Taille

Les Corrivaus de Jean de la Taille (1573) dramatise la souverainete royale comme source de justice et de concorde. Une double tentative d'enlevement demeure impunie dans cette comedie humaniste. Le...
Pediatric subspecialty telemedicine use from the patient and provider perspective.

Background To characterize telemedicine use among pediatric subspecialties with respect to clinical uses of telemedicine, provider experience, and patient perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We performed a mixed-methods study of telemedicine visits across pediatric endocrinology, nephrology, orthopedic surgery, and rheumatology at a large children's hospital. We used deductive analysis to review observational data from 40 video visits. Providers and patients/caregivers were surveyed around areas of satisfaction and communication. Results We found adaptations of telemedicine including shared-screen use and provider-guided parent procedures among others. All providers felt that it was safest for their patients to conduct visits by video, and 72.7% reported completing some component of a clinical exam. Patients rated the areas of being respected by the clinical staff/provider and showing care and concern highly, and the mean overall satisfaction was 86.7 ± 19.3%. Conclusions Telemedicine has been used to deliver care to pediatric patients during the pandemic, and we found that patients were satisfied with the telemedicine visits during this stressful time and that providers were able to innovate during visits. Telemedicine is a tool that can be successfully adapted to patient and provider needs, but further studies are needed to fully explore its integration in pediatric subspecialty care. Impact This study describes telemedicine use at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from both a provider and patient perspective, in four different pediatric subspecialties. Prior to COVID-19, pediatric telehealth landscape analysis suggested that many pediatric specialty practices had pilot telehealth programs, but there are few published studies evaluating telemedicine performance through the simultaneous patient and provider experience as part of standard care. We describe novel uses and adaptations of telemedicine during a time of rapid deployment in pediatric specialty care.
Convertible Bonds: How Much Equity, How Much Debt?

Financial analysts need accurate estimates of debt, equity, leverage, and EPS. The method proposed here, based on the probability of conversion, yields new estimates of the debt and equity in a convertible bond issue. When this method is used, the value of the equity component in a hypothetical issue is found to be substantial - larger than the value of the options and clearly larger than zero, which is assigned under current accounting rules. The estimate of the debt component is smaller than recorded under current accounting rules. Thus, the leverage of convertible bond issuers is substantially lower when this method is used.
Issues in Designing and Interpreting Small Clinical Trials.

Abstract The randomised controlled trial (RCT) is a powerful approach for testing the effectiveness of various clinical interventions. Cardiology often benefits from large RCTs, which may be used to inform practice decisions ranging from primary prevention to advanced cardiac disease and/or acute cardiac care. RCTs in cardiology often need to be quite large to test for meaningful effects on clinical outcomes, because effect sizes are typically modest and clinical outcomes may take several years to occur after treatment initiation. However, a variety of small clinical trials are also carried out in the biomedical research enterprise; these are often difficult to design and interpret, because the objectives and needs of small clinical trials are quite variable. Some are pilot trials that may be used to refine processes or as part of the planning in advance of a larger trial designed to test therapeutic efficacy. Some are first-in-human or proof-of-concept studies that, also, will eventually be followed by one or more larger trials to test therapeutic efficacy. Some are intended to be stand-alone trials that are small for other reasons. In this paper, we explore some key issues related to design and interpretation of small clinical trials in cardiology. We broadly classify small trials into 4 types: 1) pilot trials, 2) early-stage or proof-of-concept trials, 3) rare diseases or difficult-to-recruit populations, and 4) underpowered trials. For each, we describe the appropriate objectives, analysis, and interpretation.
Place Annihilation and Property under Assad: Examining Reconstruction and Neoliberal Authoritarianism in a 'Postwar' Syria

Syria’s civil war has been marked by brutal chemical and air attacks on civilians, widespread human rights violations, and urbicidal attacks—those intended to destroy both the built environment of urban centers and their distinctive ideological and cultural features. As open conflict in Syria draws to a halting close, human rights activists must pay urgent attention to the methods of reconstruction and property restitution contemplated and initiated in the postwar period, given the widespread destruction of Syria’s cities and the expropriation of civilian property. Drawing upon case studies from Bosnia and Beirut, this Note argues that traditional property restitution mechanisms are unsuited to facilitate the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their pre-war homes in the aftermath of urbicidal wars. By focusing on administratively adjudicating the status and retitling of property, such mechanisms fail to recognize the linkages between methods of destruction and possibilities of future conflict. Prior property restitution efforts have failed to account for the organizing logic underlying urbicidal wars. As a result, such mechanisms have ushered in opportunities for the deployment of neoliberal financing and urban planning practices that are themselves urbicidal in purpose and effect. This Note cautions that, in Syria, private foreign and regime interest-holders are likely to erect new modes of authoritarian control through the forcible imposition of new urban arrangements throughout the country. Postwar reconstruction in Syria will not be the solution to urban destruction, but rather the continuation of urbicidal violence. Without rapid intervention, the result will be continued potential for conflict and long-term destabilization in the region.
Do We Underestimate Risk of Mortality due to Lead Exposure

Background/Aim: Studies using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-III (NHANES-III) have demonstrated significant associations between blood lead levels and increased mort...
Empowering Nurses: Communicating Potential Medication Misuse:

BACKGROUNDIn nursing education and practice, we prepare nurses on topics such as patient care, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing leadership, and nursing competencies. Unfortunately, we may be ...
Task matters: an investigation on the effect of different secondary tasks on dual-task gait in older adults

Background Dual-task gait performance declines as humans age, leading to increased fall risk among older adults. It is unclear whether different secondary cognitive tasks mediate age-related decline in dual-task gait. This study aimed to examine how type and difficulty level of the secondary cognitive tasks differentially affect dual-task gait in older adults. Methods Twenty young and twenty older adults participated in this single-session study. We employed four different types of secondary tasks and each consisted of two difficulty levels, yielding eight different dual-task conditions. The dual-task conditions included walking and 1) counting backward by 3 s or by 7 s; 2) remembering a 5-item or 7-item lists; 3) responding to a simple or choice reaction time tasks; 4) generating words from single or alternated categories. Gait speed and cognitive task performance under single- and dual-task conditions were used to compute dual-task cost (DTC, %) with a greater DTC indicating a worse performance. Results A significant three-way interaction was found for the gait speed DTC (p = .04). Increased difficulty in the reaction time task significantly increased gait speed DTC for older adults (p = .01) but not for young adults (p = .90). In contrast, increased difficulty level in the counting backward task significantly increased gait speed DTC for young adults (p = .03) but not for older adults (p = .85). Both groups responded similarly to the increased task difficulty in the other two tasks. Conclusions Older adults demonstrated a different response to dual-task challenges than young adults. Aging might have different impacts on various cognitive domains and result in distinctive dual-task gait interference patterns.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as a Source of Essential Fatty Acids – A Biofortification Approach

Chickpea is a highly nutritious pulse crop with low digestible carbohydrates (40-60%), protein (15-22%), essential fats (4-8%), and a range of minerals and vitamins. The fatty acid composition of the seed adds value because fats govern the texture, shelf-life, flavor, aroma, and nutritional composition of chickpea-based food products. Therefore, the biofortification of essential fatty acids has become a nutritional breeding target for chickpea crop improvement programs worldwide. This paper examines global chickpea production, focusing on plant lipids, their functions, and their benefits to human health. In addition, this paper also reviews the chemical analysis of essential fatty acids and possible breeding targets to enrich essential fatty acids in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) biofortification. Biofortification of chickpea for essential fatty acids within safe levels will improve human health and support food processing to retain the quality and flavor of chickpea-based food products. Essential fatty acid biofortification is possible by phenotyping diverse chickpea germplasm over suitable locations and years and identifying the candidate genes responsible for quantitative trait loci mapping using genome-wide association mapping.
Wind Turbine Tribology

Wind power is of increasing interest in society due to its prospects as an environmentally friendly source of renewable energy. The use of wind turbines to extract electrical energy from wind can be dated back to the late-1800s, with the 12 kW windmill generator by Charles Brush, as well as the mid-1900s, with the 1250 kW Smith-Putnam wind turbine. Developments in the wind industry were encouraged by the oil crisis in 1973.
Constructing Scenarios of Time Heterogeneous Series for Stress Testing

Heterogeneous global trends in asset prices and savings affect the macro economy. Our challenge is to use limited data to make inference regarding underlying causes. In general, government and business decision makers, FDIC type regulators and risk professionals need quantitative tools to help generate plausible scenarios of state-dependent and time heterogeneous nonstationary time series. We suggest using maximum entropy type bootstraps, recently implemented in an R software package called "meboot." A new modification of meboot divides the data series into blocks and can randomly modify the (down, at or up) direction of series within each block. Our large number of resamples are then available for construction of scenarios for probabilistic stress testing. A simulation study evaluates the performance of our proposal in the context of many types of time-heterogeneity showing that it behaves better than moving block bootstraps. We apply meboot tools to stress test inference regarding Granger-causality between asset prices and world savings rates, and also to the 'Value at Risk' used in Finance.
Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction X. Synthesis and cation-radical polymerization of 1,5-bis(1-naphthoxy)-3-oxapentane*

This paper describes the synthesis and cation-radical polymerization of 1,5-bis(1-naphthoxy)-3-oxapentane. This monomer contains a flexible diethylene oxide unit between two 1-naphthalene rings. The FT-IR analysis of the resulted polymer indicates that it contains 1,4-disubstituted naphthalene structural units, i.e. 4,4′-disubstituted-1,1′-binaphthalene units. The polymer is crystalline with a melting point of 236 °C.
Minimum time-error planning horizon for plan updating triggered by Poisson random events

Trajectory planning is essential in many applications, such as search and track missions by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). In a dynamic situation, events that call for a plan change may occur. Such events include the arrival of a new command or intelligence, detection of a new target, loss of a UAV, a sudden change of weather, etc. Therefore, a plan update is necessary and an appropriate time horizon for re-planning must be determined. If it is too long or too short, the updated plan may be poor. Unfortunately, there is little research in the selection of a planning horizon. This work presents a planning horizon that is optimal in the sense of minimizing errors in planning time. It is intended for use in mission planning but has many other applications. We model the rate of interrupting events as Poisson distributed with a known rate parameter. This paper shows the relationship between the optimal planning horizon and this rate parameter. To test the proposed planning horizon, a predator-prey scenario is simulated to compare different planning horizons. Simulation results are encouraging. While the proposed horizon is optimal in minimizing planning time errors, it is also near optimal in minimizing the average time needed to capture the prey.
GABAergic circuit dysfunction in the Drosophila Fragile X syndrome model

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by loss of FMR1 gene function, is the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. The FMR1 protein (FMRP) translational regulator mediates activity-dependent control of synapses. In addition to the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) hyperexcitation FXS theory, the GABA theory postulates that hypoinhibition is causative for disease state symptoms. Here, we use the Drosophila FXS model to assay central brain GABAergic circuitry, especially within the Mushroom Body (MB) learning center. All 3 GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subunits are reportedly downregulated in dfmr1 null brains. We demonstrate parallel downregulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting GABA synthesis enzyme, although GABAergic cell numbers appear unaffected. Mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker (MARCM) single-cell clonal studies show that dfmr1 null GABAergic neurons innervating the MB calyx display altered architectural development, with early underdevelopment followed by later overelaboration. In addition, a new class of extra-calyx terminating GABAergic neurons is shown to include MB intrinsic α/β Kenyon Cells (KCs), revealing a novel level of MB inhibitory regulation. Functionally, dfmr1 null GABAergic neurons exhibit elevated calcium signaling and altered kinetics in response to acute depolarization. To test the role of these GABAergic changes, we attempted to pharmacologically restore GABAergic signaling and assay effects on the compromised MB-dependent olfactory learning in dfmr1 mutants, but found no improvement. Our results show that GABAergic circuit structure and function are impaired in the FXS disease state, but that correction of hypoinhibition alone is not sufficient to rescue a behavioral learning impairment.
Neurite elongation on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans is characterized by axonal fasciculation.

In the developing or regenerating nervous system, migrating growth cones are exposed to regulatory molecules that positively and/or negatively affect guidance. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are complex macromolecules that are typically negative regulators of growth cone migration in vivo and in vitro. However, in certain cases, neurites sometimes traverse regions expressing relatively high levels of CSPGs, seemingly a paradox. In our continuing efforts to characterize CSPG inhibition in vitro, we manipulated the ratio of CSPGs to growth-promoting laminin-1 to produce a substratum that supports outgrowth of a subpopulation of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurites, while still being inhibitory to other populations of DRG neurons [Exp. Neurol. 109 (1990), 111; J. Neurobiol. 51 (2002), 285]. This model comprises a useful tool in the analysis of mechanisms of growth cone guidance and is particularly useful to analyze how CSPGs can be inhibitory under some conditions, and growth permissive under others. We grew embryonic (E9-10) chicken DRG neurons on nervous system-isolated, substratum-bound CSPGs at a concentration that supports an intermittent pattern of outgrowth, alternating with regions adsorbed with growth-promoting laminin-1 alone, and analyzed outgrowth behaviors qualitatively and quantitatively. A novel finding of the study was that DRG neurites that elongated onto CSPGs were predominantly fasciculated, but immediately returned to a defasciculated state upon contact with laminin-1. Further, cursory inspection suggests that outgrowth onto CSPGs may be initially accomplished by pioneer axons, along which subsequent axons migrate. The outgrowth patterns characterized in vitro may accurately reflect outgrowth in vivo in locations where inhibitory CSPGs and growth-promoting molecules are coexpressed, e.g., in the developing retina where fasciculated outgrowth may be instrumental in the guidance of retinal ganglion cells from the periphery to the optic fissure.
Advance simulation and optimization of high power lnGaN/GaN laser diodes

The optimization of InGaN/GaN multiquantum wells structure based on Si-doped GaN substrate for λ∼445 nm is performed. Advance simulation for a self-consistent laser model combined with band-structure and free-carrier gain calculations is employed to study effects such as waveguiding, carrier transport and heat flux. Enhancement in output power of the optimized structure is calculated. It has been found that electron leakage into the p-doped ridge is the major limiting factor for high output power. The non-uniformity of the carrier distribution among quantum wells is believed to be responsible for undesired absorption. Noticeable improvement in the threshold currents and corresponding substantial enhancement in the optical output power have been achieved.
Self-diffusion in dilute binary solid solutions—III: Diffusion in silver germanium and silver thallium solutions

Abstract The results of measurements of the diffusivities of silver in silver-thallium solutions and of thallium and germanium in pure silver and their corresponding solutions are reported. These data, and published solute and solvent diffusion data for silver-lead and silver-copper solutions, are in good agreement with predictions based on a previously proposed model for diffusion in dilute solid solutions.
Nucleotide rhythms in the mature rat heart.

CARDIAC cells in adult humans or animals, like neurones, do not divide in the mature state1, in contradistinction either to cells which continue to proliferate throughout the life of the organism (haematopoietic, oesophago-intestinal cells), or which show a gradual waning of this capacity with maturity (liver)2. Mitotic figures have been seen in certain human infant hearts but these cases are rare and serve as exceptions to the rule.
Group Counseling: C.H. Patterson—A Personalized View

Abstract C.H. Patterson, a leader in the field of counseling, was interviewed about the profession and, in particular, group counseling. The interview provides a personalized view of significant events in his professional career and important issues involving group counseling.
Analytical Stability Analysis of Variable Spindle Speed Machining

A new analytical model to predict the chatter stability of variable spindle speed machining is presented. This model is based on transforming the linear differential equations with time varying delay to the solution of an infinite order characteristic equation. The model has been validated using the results of numerical time domain simulations and through experimentation. The analytical model employs normalized parameters which permits its use in studying the stability of variable spindle speed machining systems with a wide range of parameters without having to solve the complex system of differential equations. The analytical model is also used to design optimal variable spindle speed machining parameters in the presence of known fixed or varying machining dynamics.
Sequence determination of variable regions within the genomes of gallid herpesvirus-2 pathotypes

Comparative genomic studies of attenuated and virulent strains of Gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2) have identified 6 regions of sequence variability. These regions include the open reading frames (ORFs) encoding UL36 and UL49 and regions devoid of large ORFs (132-bp repeats, a-like sequences and the junctions flanking the unique short region). Our data indicate that the carboxyl terminus of UL36 contains regions of heterogeneity that are unique to CVI988-derived attenuated strains. A deletion of the TKSERT domain and a glycine245 polymorphism in the UL49 proteins were also identified in these derivatives. Phylogenetic analyses of both UL36 and UL49 sequences indicate that CVI988-derived strains partition differently from other attenuated strains (RM-1 and R2/23), indicating that additional mutations contribute to attenuation. In very virulent and very virulent plus strains a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified within the 132-bp tandem repeats. Within the junctions flanking the unique short region, these strains also contain deletions in sequences that are predicted to bind the transcription factor NF kappaB. In some attenuated strains, deletions were also identified in the latency-associated transcript (LAT) promoters and adjacent regions encoding microRNAs. These results indicate that virulence is likely multi-factorial with contributions from both multiple genes and cis-acting sites.
Oxidation reactions and photochemistry of aluminum cluster anions (Al3− to Al23−)

Abstract Reactions of mass-selected Aln− (n=3–23) with O2 produce AlO2−, AlO−, and electron detachment (n≤8); or Aln−4− (n=8–12, 14–22) and sequential dissociation products. All clusters except Al13− absorb at 1064 nm, losing one atom or electron. Several clusters require sequential absorption of two 1064 nm photons to dissociate. Single-photon excitation of Al16− and Al18− retards their oxidation reactions by factors of 2.5±1.0 and 5.0±2.0, respectively. Radiative relaxation of Al16− proceeds with a rate constant of 0.47±0.10 s−1, measured by the return to thermal reaction behavior.
Idiotypic cross-reactions among anti-streptococcal antibodies in an inbred rabbit population.

Idiotypic cross-reactions were detected among Group C streptococcal antibodies from 58% of related rabbits but were seldom seen among the antibodies of unrelated rabbits The studies reported here indicate that idiotypic cross-reactions were due to a minor antibody component in each reactive streptococcal antiserum. Immunoadsorbent methods were modified to isolate antibody components from antisera on the basis of relative binding affinity. We used an immunoadsorbent prepared by coupling Ba(OH)2-treated Group C streptococcal carbohydrate to Sepharose with CNBr at pH 7. Three or four antibody components were recovered from each of four Group C antisera. Components containing idiotypically cross-reacting antibodies represented 2% to 8% of the total serum antibody. Antibodies in the other components did not give idiotypic cross-reactions. Light chains from the cross-reacting antibody all displayed the same Vx III amino terminal sequence. Ile-Val-Met. Such findings suggest linkage of this rare L chain variable region subgroup to this particular idiotypic specificity.
Exploring Obstacles toEducational Reform: Observations from Finding a Way

This paper examines teachers' expressions of concerns and resistance to the idea of making their classrooms gender equitable. The observations made here arose in the context of the National Science Foundation-funded National Council for Geographic Education Finding A Way project. During Finding A Way summer institutes, teachers were asked to look critically at themselves and reflect on their classroom practices. From their journal entries and personal narratives, it was found that teachers frequently experience powerful emotional responses and cognitive dissonance when asked to address issues of equity in their classrooms. Dissonance, ambivalence, and resistance surfaced most often over the “request” that they become proactive. We found that Finding A Way was most successful with those teachers who were willing to assume the role of “change agents” and who were personally invested in the outcome. Heretofore, professional development research in geography has been remarkably silent on the issue of teacher ...
Expression of both B7‐1 and CD28 contributes to the IL‐2 responsiveness of CTLL‐2 cells

The CTLL-2 bioassay is used frequently to determine interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations in experimental samples, including samples that contain reagents which affect the CD28-B7 interaction. We therefore evaluated whether the CD28-B7 pathway plays a role in the growth of CTLL-2 cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated that CTLL-2 cells express both CD28 and B7-1. CTLA4-immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) inhibited the growth of CTLL-2 cells over a range of IL-2 concentrations, suggesting that the CD28-B7 interaction plays an important role in the growth of CTLL-2 cells. Anti-B7-1 antibody also inhibited CTLL-2 proliferation at all concentrations of IL-2. These results indicate that the CTLL-2 bioassay may not be a reliable means of determining IL-2 levels in experimental samples containing reagents that affect the CD28-B7 interaction. They also suggest that co-expression of CD28 and B7 may contribute to the growth of malignant T cells.
Diallel analysis of fumonisin accumulation in maize.

Contamination of maize (Zea mays L.) grain with aflatoxin, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link: Fries, or fumonisin, produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg (Syn F. moniliforme Sheldon), greatly reduces its value and marketability. Host resistance to fungal infection and mycotoxin accumulation is considered a highly desirable way to reduce losses of both aflatoxin and fumonisin. Maize germplasm lines with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation have been developed in Mississippi. Three of the aflatoxin-resistant lines and five additional lines were used as parents to produce a diallel cross. The diallel cross was evaluated for fumonisin accumulation in field tests conducted in Mississippi in 2007 and 2008. General combining ability (GCA) was a highly significant source of variation in both 2007 and 2008, but specific combining ability (SCA) was not significant. GCA effects for reduced fumonisin levels were highly significant for Mp715, Mp717, and GA209. Mp715 and Mp717 were developed and released as sources of resistance to aflatoxin contamination and exhibit resistance as inbred lines and in hybrid combinations. These lines should be useful in developing maize lines and hybrids with resistance to both fumonisin and aflatoxin accumulation in grain.
Dynamics of Bayes estimates for the rate of poisson processes with gamma priors and convex loss

Abstract Let dγ(k(t), t) be the Bayes estimate of the rate of a Poisson process with Gamma prior and loss function |γ - d|γ, l ⩽ γ F t = σ(k(u): 0 ⩽ u ⩽ t) . It is shown that dγ (k(t), t) is a submartingale for l 2 with respect to F t , t ⩾ 0 .
Effect of Intraruminal Infusion of Volatile Fatty Acids and Lactic Acid on Voluntary Hay Intake

Summary Four rumen-fistulated cows were used to determine the effect of intraruminal infusion of certain rumen metabolites on voluntary hay consumption by dairy cows. The infusion of acetic acid significantly decreased daily hay consumption. When the acetic acid was supplied as the sodium salt or when partially neutralized to pH 5.0 with sodium hydroxide, there was only a small reduction in hay intake. There was no change in the blood sugar, ketones, CO 2 , or pH. There was a slight decrease in blood urea, suggesting that the acid absorbed into the blood stream was being neutralized by the urea, which would prevent a drop in blood pH. Propionic acid infusion did not result in a significant decrease in hay consumption, although the results were quite variable. Butyric acid caused only moderate decreases in voluntary hay intake with very little, if any, carry-over effect. Infusion of lactic acid caused a slight decrease in the intake of hay and an increase in the per cent butyric acid in the rumen. Results of in vitro rate of cellulose digestion suggest that there is very little difference in the ability of the microorganisms, taken from the rumen of cows of varying hay intake, to digest cellulose.
Food webs in Mediterranean rivers

River food webs are subject to two regimes of longitudinally varying ecological control: productivity and disturbance. Light-limited productivity increases as channels widen downstream. Time windows for growth, however, shrink as discharge increases, substrate particle size decreases, and the frequency of flood-driven bed mobilization increases downstream. Mediterranean rivers are periodically reset by hydrologic events with somewhat predictable timing. Typically, a rainy winter with high river discharge is followed by summer drought with little or no rainfall and slowly declining river flow. The magnitude and timing of winter floods and severity of subsequent summer drought can vary considerably from year to year, however. Episodic scouring floods or prolonged periods of drought are experienced as disturbances, stressors, or opportunities by river biota. The timing, duration, and intensity of these hydrologic controls affect performances of individuals, distribution and abundances of populations, and outcomes and consequences of species interactions. These interactions in turn determine how river food webs will assemble, develop, and reconfigure after disturbance. We discuss how spatial variation in solar radiation and spatial and temporal variations in disturbance affects river food webs under Mediterranean climate seasonality, focusing primarily on long-term observations in the Eel River of northwestern California, USA.
Preparative-scale synthesis of both antipodes of B-γ,γ-dimethylallyldiisopinocampheylborane: application for the synthesis of C1–C6 subunit of epothilone

Abstract A preparative-scale synthesis of B-γ,γ-dimethylallyldiisopinocampheylborane starting from prenyl alcohol has been described. This reagent, upon reaction with various aldehydes, provides the corresponding α,α-dimethylhomoallylic alcohols in high enantioselectivities. The application of this reagent has been demonstrated for the synthesis of C1–C6 subunit of epothilone.
Immunoreactivity of multiple molecular forms of human thyroglobulin

Human thyroglobulin (Tg) was purified from thyroids of normal individuals and of patients with Graves' disease using gel filtration (Sephacryl S-400) and ion-exchange (DEAE) column chromatography. We isolated five protein peaks of Tg from the DEAE column, using a step gradient, characterized them for protein and iodine content, and assessed their immunological properties by reactivity to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Normal and Graves' Tgs differed in the relative protein content of these five protein peaks from the DEAE column. In the case of normal Tg, the majority of Tg was eluted in peak 2 but in the Graves' Tg, most of the protein was eluted in peak 1 of this column. The immunoreactivity of these five protein peaks of Tg was studied using 11 mouse mAbs prepared against human Tg, sera from patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and polyclonal antibody from a rabbit immunized with human Tg. All of five protein peaks of Tg reacted equally with rabbit antibody. The sera of five thyroiditis patients showed greater binding to peak 1 of Graves' Tg than peak 1 of normal Tg. Similarly, most mAbs showed greater binding to peak 1 of Graves' Tg than the peak 1 of normal Tg. Of particular interest was one mAb (42C3) which reacted only with Tgs containing iodine. The immunoreactivity of this mAb paralleled the iodine content of Tg. This mAb might be useful for evaluating the role of iodine in the antigenicity of human Tg.
An optimal algorithm for distributed snapshots with causal message ordering

Abstract We present an optimal distributed algorithm to record a global state of a distributed system with causally ordered message delivery. The message complexity of our algorithm is O(n) bits where n is the number of processes in the system.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins Stimulate Mammary Fibroblasts to Promote Mammary Carcinoma Cell Invasion

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secreted cytokines that are part of the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. BMPs have been shown to be highly expressed in human breast cancers, and loss of BMP signaling in mammary carcinomas has been shown to accelerate metastases. Interestingly, other work has indicated that stimulation of dermal fibroblasts with BMP can enhance secretion of pro-tumorigenic factors. Furthermore, treatment of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) derived from a mouse prostate carcinoma with BMP4 was shown to stimulate angiogenesis. We sought to determine the effect of BMP treatment on mammary fibroblasts. A large number of secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix-metallo proteases (MMPs) were found to be upregulated in response to BMP4 treatment. Fibroblasts that were stimulated with BMP4 were found to enhance mammary carcinoma cell invasion, and these effects were inhibited by a BMP receptor kinase antagonist. Treatment with BMP in turn elevated pro-tumorigenic secreted factors such as IL-6 and MMP-3. These experiments demonstrate that BMP may stimulate tumor progression within the tumor microenvironment.
An autoradiographic assessment of epithelial cell proliferation and post-natal maturation of the tracheal epithelium in infant ferrets.

The tracheal epithelium of infant ferrets undergoes rapid postnatal maturation over the first month of life to achieve the pseudostratified columnar configuration characteristic of the large airways of other mammals. We have used in vivo pulsing with tritiated thymidine (3HT) to elicit autoradiographic labeling of cells synthesizing nucleic acids in order to characterize more fully the contribution to development of different cell types comprising the nascent epithelial layer during this period of rapid growth. These studies indicate that two distinct populations of epithelial cells possess proliferative potential and contribute to the establishment of the mature adult epithelial layer. These investigations further confirm the mitotic potential of basal cells during a period of rapid postnatal growth and development of the tracheal epithelial layer. These studies also document the contribution to early airway development by non-ciliated cells, which predominate on the luminal border of the ferret trachea at birth. The temporal and histologic patterns of airway epithelial maturation during post-natal life in the ferret as contained in this study exhibit similarities to those which occur with recovery from injury by infection and irritant exposure in mature airways. Thus, the characterization of epithelial cell compartments having proliferative potential may provide insights into the mechanisms whereby normal airway epithelial organization is established and maintained during development as well as the possible recapitulation of these mechanisms during times of epithelial regeneration following injury. Anat Rec 256:242–251, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of p-selectin on hematopoietic cell proliferation, colony formation and adhesion to fibronectin

Abstract P-selectin, inducibly expressed on platelets and endothelial cells, interacts with ligands on leukocytes and hematopoietic cells to mediate adhesion. Occupancy of the P-selectin ligand CD162 (PSGL-1) has recently been reported to activate β2 integrins in human neutrophils, and to reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis in a subset of human bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Our laboratory has further characterized the effects of P-selectin on a variety of hematopoietic cells. Addition of soluble P-selectin to clonogenic assays in methylcellulose increased colony formation of HL-60 cells but not CD34+ cells from human bone marrow (mBM). In suspension culture, P-selectin suppressed proliferation of hBM and hCB cells, but not mBM or HL-60 cells. Of interest, P-selectin induced a rapid and specific increase in attachment of HL-60 and mBM cells but not hBM or hCB cells to immobilized fibronectin (FN). The contradictory effects of P-selectin on HL-60 and mBM versus hBM and hCB suggest that this molecule is capable of triggering both positive and negative effects, depending on its target cell. Further studies with HL-60 cells demonstrated that adhesion to FN was both time- and P-selectin-dose-dependent. P-selectin-induced adhesion of HL-60 to FN was blocked with specific mAbs against α5 or β1 integrin chains. Addition of P-selectin did not increase cell surface integrin expression or induce cell-cell aggregation, suggesting that occupancy of P-selectin ligand on HL-60 increases the binding affinity of α5/β1 integrin. These data illustrate that P-selectin binding to its ligand can activate α5/β1 integrin and imply that mBM hematopoietic cell responses to exogenous stimuli may not directly extrapolate to hBM cells.
Biotransformation of the Naturally Occurring Isothiocyanate Sulforaphane in the Rat: Identification of Phase I Metabolites and Glutathione Conjugates

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate present in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, that has been identified as a potent inducer of glutathione S-transferase activities in laboratory animals. The present studies were carried out to elucidate the metabolic fate of SFN in the rat. Particular emphasis was placed on glutathione (GSH)-dependent pathways because conjugation with GSH is a major route by which many isothiocyanates are eliminated in mammals. Male Sprague−Dawley rats were administered a single dose of SFN (50 mg kg-1 ip), and bile and urine were collected over ascorbic acid. Analysis of biological fluids was carried out by ionspray LC−MS/MS using the neutral loss (129 Da) and precursor ion (m/z 164) scan modes to detect GSH and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) conjugates, respectively. In bile, five thiol conjugates (designated M1−M5) were detected. Metabolites M2 and M4 were identified as the GSH conjugates of SFN and erucin (ERN, the sulfide analog of SFN), respectively, by comp...