cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active Phase – Week 7

In Week 7, group members receive information about evidence-based psychosocial treatments for ADHD. Behavioral strategies that support a healthy lifestyle and strong relationships with others are also discussed, as are adaptive thinking strategies for maintaining positive relationships. The mentoring session provides an opportunity for addressing any questions about psychosocial treatments for ADHD, for helping students implement and adapt healthy lifestyle and relationship strategies, and for refining use of adaptive thinking techniques pertinent to relationship issues.
Biology before the SOS Response-DNA Damage Mechanisms at Chromosome Fragile Sites.

The Escherichia coli SOS response to DNA damage, discovered and conceptualized by Evelyn Witkin and Miroslav Radman, is the prototypic DNA-damage stress response that upregulates proteins of DNA protection and repair, a radical idea when formulated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. SOS-like responses are now described across the tree of life, and similar mechanisms of DNA-damage tolerance and repair underlie the genome instability that drives human cancer and aging. The DNA damage that precedes damage responses constitutes upstream threats to genome integrity and arises mostly from endogenous biology. Radman’s vision and work on SOS, mismatch repair, and their regulation of genome and species evolution, were extrapolated directly from bacteria to humans, at a conceptual level, by Radman, then many others. We follow his lead in exploring bacterial molecular genomic mechanisms to illuminate universal biology, including in human disease, and focus here on some events upstream of SOS: the origins of DNA damage, specifically at chromosome fragile sites, and the engineered proteins that allow us to identify mechanisms. Two fragility mechanisms dominate: one at replication barriers and another associated with the decatenation of sister chromosomes following replication. DNA structures in E. coli, additionally, suggest new interpretations of pathways in cancer evolution, and that Holliday junctions may be universal molecular markers of chromosome fragility.
University Students’ Library Experience and Its Impact on Their GPA During the Pandemic

This article reports the results of a biennial student library use survey distributed in Spring 2021 at a large urban research university. Responses reveal library visits were significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Patterns of student needs and the impact of library use on academic achievements were explored, including comparisons to previous biennial survey data. There was a negative correlation with students’ GPA and physical library use, and a positive correlation with online library use and GPA. User service librarians, library administrators and academic librarians interested in demonstrating the library value on students’ academic success would benefit from this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Library Administration is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Fire History of the Lamar River Drainage, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

This study's goal is to document the fire history of the Lamar River drainage, southeast of Soda Butte Creek in the Absaroka Mountains of northeastern Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Elsewhere in YNP investigators have documented very long-interval fire regimes for lodgepole pine forests occurring on rhyolitic derived soils (Romme 1982, Romme and Despain 1989) and short-interval fire regimes for the Douglas-fir/grassland types (Houston 1973). No fire regime information was available for lodgepole pine forests on andesitic derived soils, such as in the Lamar drainage. This study will provide managers with a more complete understanding of YNP natural fire history, and the data will supplement the park's Geographic Information System (GIS) data base. Moreover, most of the study area was severely burned in 1988 and historical tree ring data soon will be lost to attrition of potential sample trees.
Interrupted aortic arch with post-interruption aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve in an adult: a case report and literature review

Interrupted aortic arch in adults is rare with a limited number of reported cases. We describe a case of a 53-year-old woman with interrupted aortic arch, bicuspid aortic valve, and post-interruption saccular aneurysm of the aorta. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of an adult patient with all 3 abnormalities. We also review the literature on this unusual condition and discuss its relationship with coarctation of the aorta.
Insulin Resistance Takes a Trip Through the ER

Given that 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight, there must be a molecular link between obesity and diabetes. In their Perspective, [Muoio and Newgard,][1] discuss a new study ([ Azcan et al .][2]) that dissects the molecular connections between signaling pathways controlling fat metabolism and insulin action. It turns out that obesity puts extra stress on the endoplasmic reticulum, which initiates a series of responses that result in blocking of the insulin signaling pathway. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5695/425 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/306/5695/457
The Emotional Economy of Capital Sentencing

You often hear that one reason capital jurors condemn capital defendants is that jurors don't empathize with defendants. And one reason they don't empathize is that the process of capital sentencing is rigged against empathy. Using data from the South Carolina segment of the Capital Jury Project, I try to examine the role emotion plays in capital sentencing. Without entering here all the important and necessary caveats, I find that the self-reported emotional responses jurors have toward capital defendants run the gamut from sympathy and pity at one extreme, to disgust, anger, and fear at the other. What causes these responses is hard to say, but it probably depends more on each juror's individual emotional capacities and dispositions, together with the evidence she sees and hears during the trial, than on how well she understands the judge's instructions. The psychology of the juror and the facts of the case seem to matter more than the law. A juror's race, especially in combination with the defendant's race, also appears to make a difference. Two emotions--fear and sympathy--appear to influence how a juror votes. Sympathy cuts in different directions. It understandably prompts some jurors to cast a vote for life. But many jurors who vote for death insist that they too feel sympathy or pity for the defendant. This insistence is puzzling, but only at first. On reflection it makes perfect sense. Some jurors sympathize with the defendant and accordingly vote for life; others sympathize with him because they voted for death. Fear tends to work its greatest influence on the minds of the un-decided, nudging them toward death. Jurors who at the outset of the jury's deliberations cast their first vote for death tend to be no more afraid of the defendant than do jurors who cast their first vote for life. But among jurors who are undecided at the first vote, fear appears to play a distinct role in the decision of those who cast their final ballot for death.
New Scalar Measures for Diffusion-Weighted MRI Visualization

We present new scalar measures for diffusion-weighted MRI visualization which are based on operations of tensor calculus and have a connection to topological visualization. These operators are generalizations of the familiar divergence and curl operations in vector calculus. We also present a method for computing the Helmholtz decomposition of tensor fields which can make the new scalar measures more robust. The methods we present are general with respect to tensor order, so they apply to traditional 2nd order diffusion tensor MRI, as well as 4th and high order models used in high angular resolution diffusion imaging. Results are shown for synthetic tensor fields of orders 2 and 4 and also real diffusion tensor MRI data of orders 2 and 4.
Studies of phospholipid-requiring bacterial enzymes. 3. Purification and properties of uridine diphosphate glucose:lipopolysaccharide glucosyltransferase I.

Abstract A phospholipid-requiring membrane enzyme of Salmonella typhimurium was isolated. The purified enzyme (UDP-glucose:lipopolysaccharide glucosyltransferase I) catalyzed transfer of glucosyl residues from uridine diphosphoglucose to the glucose-deficient lipopolysaccharide of a mutant strain (S. typhimurium SL1032) deficient in the glucosyltransferase. The glucosylated product of the reaction was a substrate for UDP-galactose:lipopolysaccharide α,3-galactosyltransferase, the next enzyme in the series of membrane-bound transferase enzymes that together catalyze the sequential addition of sugar residues during biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharide. Phospholipid was required for activity of both transferases and phosphatidylethanolamine was the most effective phospholipid.
Mechanical Reliability of Si3N4

Silicon nitride ceramics are leading candidates for advanced gas turbines. Testing of miniature disk specimens in a biaxial flexure mode has the potential to provide strength data needed for reliable performance prediction of the ceramic turbine components. To this end, the biaxial flexure strength of silicon nitride disks (with and without surface machining) was measured by a ball-on-ring fixture. The biaxial strength was compared with the measured strength of conventional flexure bars in order to assess the validity of the biaxial testing. The biaxial strength was higher than the strength of the flexure bars. This discrepancy may be related to the larger stressed volume of the flexure bars. Strength of both the biaxial disks and flexure bars was dependent on the severity of surface machining. As expected, coarser machining resulted in a lower strength. Since the surface of the flexure bars needs to be machined before testing to meet the standard geometrical requirement, conventional flexure bars may not provide reliable strength data for performance prediction of turbine components with as-processed surfaces. Unlike the flexure bars, the biaxial disks do not require surface machining because of their small size. Furthermore, fiactogaphy indicated that the flexure bars are more prone to fail from the specimen corners, making stress analysis and strength prediction difficult and complex. On the other hand, the biaxial disks always fail from the center of the disk, as predicted by analysis. Therefore, biaxial testing of miniature disks is the preferred mode of strength evaluation for performance prediction.
Effects of the anomaly on the QCD chiral phase transition

We study a lattice field theory described by two flavors of mass less staggered fermions interacting with U(1) gauge fields in the strong coupling limit. We show that the lat tice model has a SU(2) × SU(2) × U(1) chiral symmetry and can be used to model the two-flavor QCD chi ral phase transition in the absence of the anomaly. It is also possible to add a coupling to this model which breaks the chiral symmetry to SU(2) × SU(2) and thus mimics the effects of the anomaly in two-flavor QCD. We construct an efficient directed loop alg orithm to study such a model. We show that the chiral phase transition in our model is first ord er in the absence of the anomaly, while it becomes second order with O(4) exponents when the anomaly is turned on.
Electrotonic synapses between Aplysia neurons in situ and in culture: aspects of regulation and measurements of permeability

Properties of electrotonic synapses between L14 neurons in the abdominal ganglion of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica were examined in situ and between unidentified buccal neurons maintained in tissue culture. In culture, depolarizing postsynaptic potentials in response to a train of action potentials showed apparent facilitation with increasing spike number, which was attributable to the low-pass filter properties of electrotonic transmission via gap junctions and to network properties. Gap junctional conductance (gj), calculated from current-clamp data or measured directly under voltage clamp, indicated no significant dependence of gj on transjunctional or inside-outside potential in situ or in culture. Octanol, a local anesthetic agent that reduces gj in many other systems, had no effect on gj between Aplysia neurons. The effect of intracellular acidification, a treatment that rapidly and reversibly uncouples a variety of cell types, reduced gj between Aplysia neurons but did not completely abolish it. The relationship between intracellular pH (pHi), measured with ion- sensitive microelectrodes, and gj was steeper in cultured neurons than in situ and was maximally reduced by 70–80%, as compared to 50% or less in situ at the lowest pHi values tested. The coupling coefficient (k) was reduced less by low pHi than was gj, which could be explained by a simultaneous increase in nonjunctional membrane resistance. Permeability properties of Aplysia electrotonic synapses to a variety of tracer molecules were also examined between identified L 14 neurons in situ and in dissociated buccal, abdominal, and bag neurons in culture. The fluorescent dyes Lucifer yellow, 6-carboxyfluorescein, and dichlorofluorescein (1.2–1.4 nm maximal diameters) did not spread detectably from an injected neuron to its electrically coupled neighbors, regardless of the strength of electrotonic coupling. However, the smaller tetraalkylammonium ions TMA and TEA (diameters 0.66 and 0.8 nm, concentrations measured with ion-selective electrodes), could be detected in neighboring cells within minutes. In culture, transfer of the tetraalkylammonium ions was slow and not easily detectable in cell pairs where gj was low (less than 20 nS). The permeability was as high as 10(-10) cm3/sec in situ and 10(-12) cm3/sec in culture, and values were roughly correlated with simultaneously measured values of gj. Electrotonic synapses in the nervous system of Aplysia, therefore, have a quantitatively different spectrum of sensitivities than has been found for gap junctions of other systems and appear to possess reduced permeability to tracer molecules.
Comorbidities, smoking status, and life expectancy among individuals eligible for lung cancer screening

BACKGROUND Lung cancer screening recommendations are based on results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). The authors determined how the screening-eligible US population differs from NLST participants in terms of characteristics that affect their ability to benefit from screening. METHODS The authors identified respondents to the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey of individuals aged ≥50 years who are eligible for screening based on US Preventive Services Task Force and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services criteria. Comorbidities, life expectancy, smoking history, and other characteristics were compared between the screening-eligible population and NLST participants. RESULTS The authors estimated that in 2013, 8.4 million individuals (95% confidence interval, 7.9-8.9 million individuals) would have met the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening established by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Compared with NLST participants, HRS screening-eligible respondents were older, more likely to be current smokers, and more likely to have been diagnosed with comorbidities. The 5-year survival rate was 87% in the HRS screening-eligible individuals versus 93% in the NLST participants (P<.001, based on a 2-sided test). Life expectancy was 18.7 years in the HRS screening-eligible individuals versus 21.2 years in the NLST participants. CONCLUSIONS The US population eligible for lung cancer screening is probably less likely to benefit from early detection than NLST participants because they face a high risk of death from competing causes. The results of the current study highlight the need for smoking cessation interventions targeting those patients eligible for screening and tools to help clinicians determine the potential benefits of screening in individual patients. Cancer 2015;121:4341–7. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
A New Psychotherapy Training Program

Psychotherapy training programs require a uniform introduction to psychotherapy that presents the basic, generic concepts common to the major schools in a time-efficient manner. The program described in this article fits these criteria. The program has been initiated at seven residency training programs in the United States. The authors describe the six modules comprising the program—verbal response modes and intentions, working alliance, inducing patterns, change, resistance, and transference and countertransference. The authors also report preliminary results of the program evaluation (N = 15) from the University of Missouri-Columbia. By using a well-researched measure of trainee self-confidence as psychotherapist (The Counselor Self-Estimate Inventory), the authors report a statistically significant increase in trainee self-confidence beginning and maintained after Module 4. The authors conclude that this training shows promise as a standard introduction to psychotherapy for psychiatric residents.
Parallel assembly of 01005 surface mount technology components with 100% yield

This paper demonstrates a novel method to perform the delivery and assembly of standard 01005 format (0.016″×0.008″, 0.4mm×0.2mm) thin-film resistors and monolithic ceramic capacitors with a programmable batch assembly process that leads to 100% yield within tens of seconds, that is high volume manufacturing compatible. By characterizing the electrical performance of functional industrial-grade components assembled onto test substrates, we extend previous stochastic assembly work performed with dummy parts, validating our assembly methodology.
Pulsus alternans in aortic stenosis; hemodynamic observations in 50 patients studied by left heart catheterization.

Alternation in the strength of left ventricular contractions was noted relatively frequently in patients with acquired aortic stenosis, but not in patients with congenital aortic stenosis of similar severity. The product of left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate, an index of the myocardial oxygen requirement, was significantly higher in those patients who exhibited persistent pulsus alternans.
Simian immunodeficiency virus dramatically alters expression of homeostatic chemokines and dendritic cell markers during infection in vivo

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that likely play multiple roles in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis. We used the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/macaque model to study the effects of infection on homeostatic chemokine expression and DC localization directly in secondary lymphoid tissues. SIV infection altered the expression of chemokines (CCL19/MIP-3β, CCL21/ 6Ckine, and CCL20/MIP-3α) and of chemokine receptors (CCR7 and CCR6) that drive DC trafficking. CCL19/MIP-3β, CCL20/MIP-3α, CCR6, and CCR7 expression increased in lymph nodes during the early systemic burst of viral replication (acute infection), whereas CCL21/6Ckine expression progressively decreased throughout disease to AIDS. Parallel with the SIV-induced perturbations in chemokine expression were changes in the expression of the DC-associated markers, DC-SIGN, DC-LAMP, and DECTIN-1. During AIDS, DC-LAMP mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in lymph nodes and spleen, and DC-SIGN levels were significantly reduced in spleen. These findings suggest that the disruption of homeostatic chemokine expression is responsible, in part, for alterations in the networks of antigen-presenting cells in lymphoid tissues, ultimately contributing to systemic immunodeficiency.
Second-order equations with two point and integral boundary conditions

Abstract The existence of eigenvalues for second-order linear equations with a combination of integral and nonseparated boundary conditions is proved. This generalizes some recent results, due to Etgen and Tefteller, and W. M. Whyburn.
Caring for Childbearing Korean Women

This article examines the traditional and modern cultural elements that may influence the health behaviors of the childbearing Korean woman and suggests ways to provide culturally sensitive care. The first author, born and raised in Korea, shares her reflections of culture and examples of clinical situations in Korea. Implications for nursing care are addressed through specific cultural prescriptions. Do's and don'ts are presented to foster culturally appropriate care for Korean childbearing women.
The fetal development of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neuronal systems of the guinea pig brain.

Abstract We have studied the distribution of LHRH-like immunoreactive material in fetal guinea pig brains beginning at day 25 of gestation. Cells and processes were first detected throughout the peripheral, intracranial and central course of the nervus terminalis at 28 (but not 25) days of gestation. The localization of LHRH in this structure preceded its appearance in the hypothalamus and coincided with the initial detection of immunoreactive LH in the pituitary gland. The possible role of the LHRH neuronal network within the nervus terminalis in the development of reproductive function is discussed. Comparisons between the brains of littermates of both sexes were made at each age (days 28 through 60 of gestation) to determine possible differences between the sexes in the development of the LHRH neurosecretory systems. No sexually dimorphic features were evident in these systems throughout the prenatal period except at days 40 and 45. At these ages, differences in the number of LHRH neurons in the arcuate nucleus were found between the sexes in some but not all of the brains examined. These differences in LHRH concentrations may reflect the onset of testicular activity as indicated by an increase in serum testosterone levels. Increased serum testosterone concentrations were observed in the male fetuses beginning at 45 days of gestation. However, cell counts made within this nucleus from days 40 through 60 of gestation indicated no comparable sexual dimorphism in the total neuronal population which appeared to be relatively stable throughout this period of brain growth. The number of immunoreactive LHRH neurons visible throughout the brain increased from days 30 through 45 and fewer LHRH cells were seen on days 50 and 60 of gestation, particularly in the arcuate nucleus. The apparent decrease in visible LHRH neurons was concomitant with an increase in number and more extensive distribution of immunoreactive processes throughout the hypothalamus and in certain extrahypothalamic areas of the brain.
Stimulation by quinones of initial pentose phosphate pathway steps in soluble brain preparations

Abstract Menadione, plumbagin, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone are highly active in catalytic amounts in stimulating G-6-P metabolism and TPNH oxidation by soluble guinea-pig brain preparations. Quinone, toluquinone, m and p -xyloquinone, trimethylquinone, lawsone, phthiocol, droserone, 2-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,4naphthoquinone, and 2-methyl-4a,5,8,8a-tetrahydro-1,4-naphthoquinone are either completely inactive or active only in stoichiometric, rather than catalytic, amounts. Juglone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone have some catalytic activity. Vitamin K 1 and coenzyme Q 10 are subject to solubility problems. The menadione stimulation is inhibited by an equivalent concentration of dicoumarol but not by the inactive members, e.g., phthiocol. The two tetrahydro members, despite their inactivity in the soluble preparation, continue to stimulate C 14 O 2 production from glucose-1-C 14 by brain slices.
Development and Modeling of a Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Platform

This paper describes the development and modeling of a low-cost and reliable small unmanned aerial vehicle research platform for advanced control implementation. The platform is mostly constructed of low-cost commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The only non-COTS components are the airdata probes, which are manufactured and calibrated in-house. The airframe used is the commercially available radio-controlled (R/C) 6-foot Telemaster airplane from Hobby Express, chosen mainly for its adequately spacious fuselage and for being reasonably stable and sufficiently agile. One noteworthy feature of this platform is the use of two separate low-cost onboard computers for handling the data management/hardware interfacing and control computation. Specifically, the single board computer, Gumstix Overo Fire, is used to execute the control algorithms, whereas the open source autopilot, Ardupilot Mega, is mostly used to interface the Overo computer with the sensors and actuators. The platform supports multi-vehicle operations through the use of a radio modem that enables multi-point communications. As the goal of this platform is to implement rigorous control algorithms for real-time trajectory tracking and distributed control, it is important to derive an appropriate flight dynamic model of the platform, based on which the controllers will be synthesized. For that matter, the paper provides reasonably accurate models of the vehicle, servomotors, and propulsion system. Namely, the output error method is used to estimate the longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic parameters from flight test data. The moments of inertia of the platform are determined using the simple pendulum test method, and the frequency response of each servomotor is also obtained experimentally. The Javaprop applet is used to obtain lookup tables relating airspeed to propeller thrust at constant throttle settings.
Photoresponse of spray pyrolytically synthesized magnesium-doped iron (III) oxide (p-Fe2O3) thin films under solar simulated light illumination

Abstract Stable Mg-doped iron (III) oxide thin film electrodes that exhibit p-type behavior were synthesized by spray pyrolytic methods on indium doped tin oxide-coated glass substrate. The highest photocurrent density of 0.22 mA/cm 2 was observed for Mg-doped p-Fe 2 O 3 samples prepared at the optimal substrate temperature of 390 °C at 0.2 V/SCE. The total spray time for optimized photoconversion efficiency of 0.33% was found to be at 130 s for a spray period of 10 s. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed mixed structures (α and γ-Fe 2 O 3 and MgO) for the Mg-doped p-Fe 2 O 3 thin films.
Lorentz-invariant Newtonian mechanics for three or more particles

Lorentz-invariant Newtonian equations of motion for three or more interacting particles can be constructed just as for two by assuming that the center-of-mass acceleration is zero when the center-of-mass velocity is zero. But two-particle systems are not obtained from a larger system of this kind when the other particles are widely separated in space. The same is true if the total relativistic kinematic particle momentum and its time derivative are used in place of the center-of-mass velocity and acceleration. The assumption that the center-of-mass acceleration is zero when the center-of-mass velocity is zero does not hold, in particular, for party-conserving forces for three or more identical particles as it does for two.
Characterization of extracts of coals and coal-derived products by liquid chromatography using optical activity detection

Abstract Extracts from various coals and coal-derived products were studied using liquid chromatography with optical activity detection. The chromatograms show that there are substantial numbers of optically active components in these samples. Since both dextrorotatory and laevorotatory components are present, some mutual cancellation would result if only the bulk optical rotation were measured. The chromatograms are generally rich in structure and contain distinct features which may be good fingerprints for establishing the origins of the coals and monitoring coal processing.
Dynamic gadolinium‐enhanced three‐dimensional abdominal MR arteriography

The abdominal aorta and renal, visceral, and iliac arteries were evaluated in 16 patients with three-dimensional Fourier transform imaging enhanced with gadopentetate dimeglumine. By imaging dynamically during the arterial phase of a 5-minute injection (0.2 mmol/kg), highly significant (P < .0001) preferential arterial enhancement (signal-to-noise ratio +/- standard deviation, 10 +/- 0.9), with minimal enhancement of the inferior vena cava (5.1 +/- 1.4) or background tissues (fat, 4.3 +/- 0.7; muscle, 2.4 +/- 0.5), was achieved in every patient. In six patients with angiographic and/or surgical correlation, 10 of 10 stenoses and two of two occlusions were correctly identified. No in-plane saturation or pulsatility artifact was identified in any of the 16 patients. In conclusion, dynamic imaging during the injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine is a promising technique for evaluation of the abdominal aorta and branch vessels.
An Investigation of Liquid Carryover and Sample Residual for a High-Throughput Flow Cytometer Sample Delivery System

The phenomenon of intersample contamination in air-segmented continuous-flow assays has been studied for many years, and new uses are being found for these sampling techniques every day. One application that has been developed recently employs a flow cytometer to conduct high-throughput screening assays of biological compounds. We have explored the sources of intersample contamination in the system and shown how methods developed previously can be applied to describe these phenomena. Using a simple model, we were able to accurately measure liquid film thickness in the sample tubing and demonstrate the effects of intersample contamination in a flow cytometer assay. Also, measures have been taken to reduce the level of intersample contamination in cytometric screening assays, helping to make the system a more viable tool for drug screening applications.
Pupillary Defects in Amblyopia

We examined the pupils of 55 amblyopic subjects to determine whether a pupillary defect could be detected in the amblyopic eye. We found relative afferent pupillary defects in 45 of the subjects; these defects were equal to or larger than 0.3 log unit (that is, easily visible) in 29 subjects. The pupillary defect was always in the amblyopic eye, but it could not be correlated with the severity or the cause of the amblyopia, with visual-evoked potential abnormalities, or with color vision defects.
Role of the Serum Response Factor in Regulating Contractile Apparatus Gene Expression and Sarcomeric Integrity in Cardiomyocytes

The serum response factor (SRF) is a transcriptional regulator required for mesodermal development, including heart formation and function. Previous studies have described the role of SRF in controlling expression of structural genes involved in conferring the myogenic phenotype. Recent studies by us and others have demonstrated embryonic lethal cardiovascular phenotypes in SRF-null animals, but have not directly addressed the mechanistic role of SRF in controlling broad regulatory programs in cardiac cells. In this study, we used a loss-of-function approach to delineate the role of SRF in cardiomyocyte gene expression and function. In SRF-null neonatal cardiomyocytes, we observed severe defects in the contractile apparatus, including Z-disc and stress fiber formation, as well as mislocalization and/or attenuation of sarcomeric proteins. Consistent with this, gene array and reverse transcription-PCR analyses showed down-regulation of genes encoding key cardiac transcriptional regulatory factors and proteins required for the maintenance of sarcomeric structure, function, and regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that at least a subset of these proteins are likely regulated directly by SRF. The results presented here indicate that SRF is an essential coordinator of cardiomyocyte function due to its ability to regulate expression of numerous genes (some previously identified and at least 28 targets newly identified in this study) that are involved in multiple and disparate levels of sarcomeric function and assembly.
Simulation of Direct‐Current Microdischarges for Application in Electro‐Thermal Class of Small Satellite Propulsion Devices

Microdischarges are miniature non-equilibrium plasma discharges with characteristic dimensions of ∼10's–100's μm and relatively high operating pressures of ∼10's–100's Torr. Microdischarges possess several unique properties that have been exploited in a number of new applications. We have recently proposed amicrodischargebased electro-thermal class of microthrusters for small satellite propulsion. These devices utilize intense gas heating in microdischarges to preheat a propellant gas stream before it is expanded in a micronozzle to produce thrust; thereby improving specific impulse of the device over a conventional cold gas microthruster. This paper addresses direct-current microdischarge phenomena in a flowing gas stream. A two-dimensional, selfconsistent, fluid model of a helium microdischarge in a bulk gas flow is developed. For relatively high current/power levels considered in this study, the microdischarge operates in an abnormal glow mode with positive differential resistivity. Increasing discharge pressures for fixed power and bulk flow rates results in a decrease in charged species densities and the electron and gas temperatures. Also the discharge becomes increasingly constricted with increasing pressures, resulting in a more normal glow mode-like operation. Increasing bulk flow rates results in exactly the same trends as increasing pressures. For given input power and pressure, there exists an optimum flow rate for which the average outlet gas temperature from the discharge is a maximum. An increase in input electrical power results in an almost linear increase in the gas temperatures; this property of microdischarges is the key feature that is exploited in our microdischarge-based thruster concept. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Therapeutic strategies in pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening condition characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. It is clinically classified into five groups: patients in the first group are considered to have pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) whereas patients of the other groups have PH that is due to cardiopulmonary or other systemic diseases. The management of patients with PH has advanced rapidly over the last decade and the introduction of specific treatments especially for PAH has lead to an improved outcome. However, despite the progress in the treatment, the functional limitation and the survival of these patients remain unsatisfactory and there is no cure for PAH. Therefore the search for an “ideal” therapy still goes on. At present, two levels of treatment can be identified: primary and specific therapy. Primary therapy is directed at the underlying cause of the PH. It also includes a supportive therapy consisting in oxygen supplementation, diuretics, and anticoagulation which should be considered in all patients with PH. Specific therapy is directed at the PH itself and includes treatment with vasodilatators such as calcium channel blockers and with vasodilatator and pathogenetic drugs such as prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors. These drugs act in several pathogenetic mechanisms of the PH and are specific for PAH although they might be used also in the other groups of PH. Finally, atrial septostomy and lung transplantation are reserved for patients refractory to medical therapy. Different therapeutic approaches can be considered in the management of patients with PH. Therapy can be established on the basis of both the clinical classification and the functional class. It is also possible to adopt a goal-oriented therapy in which the timing of treatment escalation is determined by inadequate response to known prognostic indicators.
Productive infection of CD34+-cell-derived megakaryocytes by X4 and R5 HIV-1 isolates.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) causes various hematopoietic abnormalities, with thrombocytopenia (TP) occurring in 30% of infected individuals. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether HIV-1 in the bone marrow of TP patients can infect primary megakaryocytes in vitro, which may contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia. We amplified the V3 loop of HIV-1 envelope from the bone marrow of TP and non-TP patients and constructed recombinant viruses. We demonstrate that the bone marrow of TP and non-TP patients contained R5 strains, whereas X4 strains were present only in the bone marrow of TP patients. Furthermore, HIV-1 from the bone marrow of TP and non-TP patients infected megakaryocytes to similar levels, suggesting that the V3 loop of HIV-1 may not contain the viral determinants of HIV-associated TP. Chemokine receptor analysis determined that CD34+-cell-derived megakaryocytes express CD4, CXCR4, and CCR5 and are productively infected by both X4 and R5 HIV-1 isolates. Finally, we showed that CD34+-cell-derived megakaryocytes express the chemokine receptor CCR3.
Coupled-wave theory for multiply exposed thick holographic gratings

A coupled-wave analysis is given for Bragg-angle diffraction of light within a thick holographic emulsion containing two incoherently superimposed phase gratings with a common Bragg angle. Algebraic formulas are given for the amplitude of the coupled diffracted waves. Applications to holographic multi-beam splitters and beam combiners are given and experimental verification is discussed.
A Biochemical Effect of Ether on the Gut

SummaryEther acts to increase reduction processes in the gut of rats, and gives rise to significant changes in these processes if the anesthesia is repeated on successive days. Epinephrine HCl show...
Measuring electric field dependent photodegradation and recovery of disperse orange 11 dye doped polymer thin films using photoconductivity and digital imaging microscopy

One of the limiting factors of optical devices for space applications is photodamage from high intensity light and radiation. Dye doped polymers offer many advantages in device design but are susceptible to photodamage, especially due to high intensity UV radiation. Several organic dyes have been observed to self heal after photodegradation. We seek to understand the underlying mechanism with the goal of designing materials that are more robust to photodegradation. We test the hypothesis that photodegradation is due to charge injection into the polymer and healing due to recombination using photoconductivity and imaging measurements of disperse orange 11(DO11) doped into PMMA.
Angioplasty and stenting should be performed only in the setting of a clinical trial.

Dr Roubin cites exciting observational data supporting carotid artery stenting as treatment for focal carotid artery disease. Unfortunately, observational studies cannot substitute for randomized trials.1 The design is not experimental. The treatment for each patient is chosen by the interventionalist, and so selection bias cannot be avoided. Assessment of outcomes is vulnerable to investigator ascertainment bias and in some cases conflict of interest. Full reporting cannot be ensured, nor can publication bias be avoided. Comparison to historical controls is not valid because the competing medical and surgical treatments have advanced. For surgical therapy, randomized trials have shown that absolute risk reduction may be high as 5% per year for symptomatic patients with stenosis ≥70%,2,3⇓ approximately 1% per year for symptomatic patients with stenosis ≥50% to 69%,3 and up to 1% per year in asymptomatic patients with stenosis ≥60%, when surgical results are optimal.4 Benefits …
Respiratory and cardiovascular effects of intraventricular cholecystokinin

Abstract Cholecystokinin (1–300 ng) was administered into the lateral brain ventricle of chloralose-anesthetized cats while monitoring tracheal airflow, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. Dose-related increases in respiratory activity occurred in each animal tested, and were due to an increase in tidal volume. When 300–1000 ng of cholecystokinin was administered intravenously, no respiratory stimulant effect was observed. These results indicate that cholecystokinin acts in the brain to stimulate respiration.
Frequency of rheumatic heart disease in Miami, Florida; autopsy findings.

Abstract Between 1950 and 1955 inclusive, 145,301 patients were admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida. Of these, 6,358 died, and 2,967 (46.7 per cent) were autopsied. There were 75 (2.5 per cent) whose hearts showed rheumatic disease, as judged by the criteria of Wallach, Lukash, and Angrist. Only 52 (1.7 per cent), however, died of rheumatic heart disease or its complications. Data are presented for all deaths at Jackson Memorial Hospital, as well as information relative to the total deaths for Dade County, Florida. Of 2,899 autopsies in which birthplace was recorded, 25 per cent (725) listed their nativity as Florida. Only 8 per cent (6) of the autopsies showing rheumatic disease were among Florida-born individuals. Floridians in this series demonstrated a mortality rate from rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease of one-third the over-all death rate. Death rates for rheumatic heart disease are compared with similar findings elsewhere in the world. Factors which influence the rate are discussed. These factors include the criteria used for pathologic diagnosis; the economic strata from which the hospital's population is drawn; the years of study as affected by unusual economic, martial, or other critically stressful situations; the climate of the area in which the individual spent his years of childhood, when most prone to rheumatic attack; and, finally, the corollary effects of latitude, altitude, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, diurnal change in temperature, and so forth. How these factors apply in the Miami area is indicated.
New coatings for metal-dielectric hollow waveguides

Flexible polycarbonate tubing with bore sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 micron was used to make hollow waveguides. Silver/silver iodide and copper/copper iodide were chosen as the metal and dielectric layers respectively. The Ag/AgI waveguide loss at lambda equals 10.6 micron is below 0.1 dB/m for bore sizes over 1200 micron. The small bore size waveguides are single mode even on bending, while the larger bore size waveguides are multimode. The measured loss at 10.6 micron for a 1000 micron bore size Cu/CuI waveguide is 0.33 dB/m. An approximately flat transmission window was obtained for Cu/CuI waveguides in the wavelength region from 2 to 16 micron.
Genetic susceptibility to aminoglycoside ototoxicity: how many are at risk?

Purpose: To assess the occurrence of two mutations associated with susceptibility to aminoglycoside ototoxicity. Methods: Genetic analysis of anonymized, residual diagnostic specimens. Results: One occurrence of the A1555G mutation and seven occurrences of the 961delT + C(n) nucleotide change were found. Two previously unreported sequence changes, T961G and 956–960insC, were also found in six and five specimens, respectively. Conclusions: Genetic susceptibility to aminoglycoside ototoxicity may be more common than previously suspected. Further study of the 961delT + C(n) mutation is recommended to confirm its role in aminoglycoside ototoxicity and assess penetrance and variability with and without exposure to aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Childhood Sjögren syndrome: insights from adults and animal models.

Purpose of reviewSjogren syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting lacrimal and salivary glands that often is accompanied by extraglandular disease manifestations. Although common in adults, the prevalence and prognosis of childhood Sjogren syndrome are unknown, in part due to lack of child
The "gray cortex ": an early sign of stress fracture.

The purpose of this report is to describe an early radiographic sign of stress fracture, the “gray cortex.” The imaging findings in three patients with tibial stress fractures were reviewed. The “gray cortex” sign was evident on the initial conventional radiographs in all three cases. It was prospectively reported as a sign of stress fracture in two patients and was evident on the initial radiographs (taken elsewhere) of the third patient, who was referred for additional workup of a possible neoplasm. Special imaging studies (technetium-99m bone scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) confirmed the diagnosis in all three cases.
Automatic classification of protein crystallization images using a curve‐tracking algorithm

An algorithm for automatic classification of protein crystallization images acquired from a high-throughput vapor-diffusion system is described. The classifier uses edge detection followed by dynamic-programming curve tracking to determine the drop boundary; this technique optimizes a scoring function that incorporates roundness, smoothness and gradient intensity. The classifier focuses on the most promising region in the drop and computes a number of statistical features, including some derived from the Hough transform and from curve tracking. The five classes of images are `Empty', `Clear', `Precipitate', `Microcrystal Hit' and `Crystal'. On test data, the classifier gives about 12% false negatives (true crystals called `Empty', `Clear' or `Precipitate') and about 14% false positives (true clears or precipitates called `Crystal' or `Microcrystal Hit').