cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell-Free Expression of Protein Kinase A for Rapid Activity Assays

Functional protein analysis often calls for lengthy, laborious in vivo protein expression and purification, and can be complicated by the lack of stability of the purified protein. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a simplified procedure for functional protein analysis on magnetic particles using cell-free protein synthesis of the catalytic subunit of human cAMP-dependent protein kinase as a HaloTag® fusion protein. The cell-free protein synthesis systems provide quick access to the protein of interest, while the HaloTag technology provides efficient, covalent protein immobilization of the fusion protein, eliminating the need for further protein purification and minimizing storage-related stability issues. The immobilized cPKA fusion protein is assayed directly on magnetic beads and can be used in inhibitor analyses. The combination of rapid protein synthesis and capture technologies can greatly facilitate the process of protein expression and activity screening, and therefore, can become a valuable tool for functional proteomics studies.
THE ORBIT STRUCTURE OF FINITE MONOIDS

Let M be a finite monoid with unit group G. We consider a refinement, of the Green’s relation . The -classes, denoted are the G×G orbits, GHG, of the ℋ-classes, H, of M. With an orbit we associate a local monoid and determine the structure of these local monoids. The theory is applied to the full transformation semigroup and we see that the number of orbits in is equal to the number of partitions of n.
Massive Endocytosis (MEND) Activated By Ca and Polyamines in Fibroblasts and Cardiac Myocytes: Optical Studies of Membrane and Na/Ca Exchanger (NCX1) Internalization, The Possible Role of Ca-activated Transglutaminase in MEND, and The Possible Function of MEND In Cardiac Myocytes

When cytoplasmic solutions contain physiological concentrations of polyamines (1 mM spermine or spermidine), large Ca transients can cause massive endocytosis in fibroblasts and cardiac myoyctes within 2 to 6 seconds. The magnitudes of responses (30 to 70% of cell surface) are confirmed by both capacitance and FM dye measurements. Using cardiac Na/Ca exchanger (NCX1) fusions with an extracellular Halo tag or an extracellular Phluorin tag, we confirm that NCX1 can be internalized during MEND. We next describe experiments to test candidates for the Ca sensor in MEND. Calmodulin-dependent processes have been largely eliminated by inhibitor studies. Ca-activated transglutaminase activity appears to be an interesting candidate with the potential that critical signaling proteins are activated by polyamination. MEND is inhibited by the transglutaminase blocker, cystamine, and by glutamine-containing peptide substrates of transglutaminase. We also describe that MEND-like processes can be activated in cardiac myoytes during cell isolation protocols. In myocytes from young rodents, NCX1 can be lost ‘biochemically’ and ‘functionally’ from the cell surface within 30 min to 1 h, and this loss can be largely blocked by cystamine. Furthermore, HRP labeling progresses rapidly through vesicle, multivesicular, and lysosome stages during this same time period after isolation.
On the compression behavior of Cr2GeC and V2GeC up to quasi-hydrostatic pressures of 50 GPa

Using a synchrotron x-ray radiation source and a diamond anvil cell we measured the functional dependences of the lattice parameters of Cr2GeC and V2GeC to quasi-hydrostatic pressures of the order of 50 GPa. Like other solids in this family of layered ternary carbides and nitrides, the bulk moduli are high and no phase transformations were observed. The bulk modulus of V2GeC (165 ± 2 GPa) is lower than that of Cr2GeC (182 ± 2 GPa). Replacing Ge by Al in V2GeC to form V2AlC leads to a 22% increase in bulk modulus. In contradistinction, the same substitution in Cr2GeC results in a 10% decrease in bulk modulus.
Regulation of synthesis of lactosylceramide in normal and tumor proximal tubular cells.

Abstract We have measured the binding and degradation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LDL-mediated effects on cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis in cultured normal and tumor proximal tubular (PT) cells. The effects of LDL on the regulation of glycosphingolipid metabolism in cells was pursued employing radioactive precursors, e.g., [3H]serine, and [3H]glucose and by measuring the activity of UDP-galactose:glucosylceramide:B1-4 galactosyltransferase (GalT-2). In normal PT cells, there was a saturable and displaceable binding and degradation of 125I-LDL and a LDL mediated 14-fold stimulation of cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis. This was accompanied by a suppression (70–80%) of incorporation of [3H]glucose and [3H]serine into GlcCer, LacCer, GbOse3Cer and GbOse4Cer and suppression (70–80%) of GalT-2 activity. In tumor PT cells, displaceable binding and degradation of 125I-LDL was not observed and LDL failed to stimulate CE synthesis. In such cells, LDL exerted a concentration-dependent stimulation of [3H]glucose and [3H]serine incorporation into GSL. Maximum stimulation (250%) of GalT-2 activity in tumor PT cells occurred with 25 μg LDL/ml medium. We conclude that LDL taken up via receptor mediated pathway decreases GaIT-2 activity in normal PT cells. In contrast, LDL not taken up via the LDL receptor pathway in tumor PT cells failed to suppress the incorporation of [3H]glucose and [3H]serine into glycosphingolipids and GalT-2 activity leading to a stimulation of lactosylceramide synthesis.
Positive autoregulation shapes response timing and intensity in two-component signal transduction systems

Positive feedback loops are regulatory elements that can modulate expression output, kinetics and noise in genetic circuits. Transcriptional regulators participating in such loops are often expressed from two promoters, one constitutive and one autoregulated. Here, we investigate the interplay of promoter strengths and the intensity of the stimulus activating the transcriptional regulator in defining the output of a positively autoregulated genetic circuit. Using a mathematical model of two-component regulatory systems, which are present in all domains of life, we establish that positive feedback strongly affects the steady-state output levels at both low and high levels of stimulus if the constitutive promoter of the regulator is weak. By contrast, the effect of positive feedback is negligible when the constitutive promoter is sufficiently strong, unless the stimulus intensity is very high. Furthermore, we determine that positive feedback can affect both transient and steady state output levels even in the simplest genetic regulatory systems. We tested our modeling predictions by abolishing the positive feedback loop in the two-component regulatory system PhoP/PhoQ of Salmonella enterica, which resulted in diminished induction of PhoP-activated genes.
Magnetic resonance imaging k-space segmentation using phase-encoding groups: The accuracy of quantitative measurements of pulsatile flow

The use of phase-encode grouping (PEG) allows acquisition of a complete cardiac cine in a single breath hold, eliminating respiratory artifacts and improving edge definition. One approach to quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) flow measurements in pulmonary, coronary, and renal arteries uses phase velocity mapping with a PEG, single breath-hold, cine technique. Phantom studies were designed to evaluate the accuracy of MR phase velocity mapping (MRV) with PEG in continuous and pulsatile flow measurements in small vessels. Experiments were performed on a 1.5-T MRI system and results were compared with those obtained by timed volume measurements and a transit-time ultrasound flowmeter. Flow velocity, pulsatile flow wave form, pulsing rate, and PEG size were varied. For continuous flow, MRV measured velocities correlated well with those calculated from timed volume measurements (r > 0.998) under mean spatial velocities ranging from 20-100 cm s-1. The temporal mean velocity difference between MRV and ultrasound flowmeter measurements was less than +/- 2.9 cms-1 under pulsatile flow conditions with PEG sizes of 5 or less, however, the mean velocity difference was > 7 cm s-1 for PEG sizes of 8 or more. Accurate MR velocity measurement with PEG in small vessels under conditions of pulsatile flow is possible if an appropriate PEG size is selected.
Intrathoracic Gastrojejunostomy for Gastric Outlet Obstruction After Ivor Lewis Esophagogastrectomy

Gastric outlet obstruction after esophagogastrectomy with a drainage procedure is unusual, but when encountered, its management can be formidable. A Rous-en-Y intrathoracic gastrojejunostomy was created in a 74-year-old woman 2 years after Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy for benign disease to treat severe gastric outlet obstruction at the native pylorus.
Micromechanical analysis of the effect of void swelling on elastic and electric properties of irradiated steel

Abstract The paper focuses on changes in mechanical and electrical properties of austenitic steel due to radiation swelling. Various micromechanical models for the electrical conductivity and elastic moduli are assessed based on the experimental data available in literature. We show that, in the considered case, the effective field method provides the best prediction for both elastic and conductive properties. Comparing the two sets of experimental data, the cross-property connections that relate changes in the elastic and electrical conductivity of a material due to radiation swelling has been verified. It is shown that analytical cross-property connection is in a good agreement with experimental data and can be used to estimate changes in electrical resistivity of a material from the changes in Young’s modulus or vice versa.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of the 6-azauracil anion.

We report the photoelectron spectrum of the 6-azauracil anion. The spectrum is dominated by a broad band exhibiting a maximum at an electron binding energy (EBE) of 1.2 eV. This spectral pattern is indicative of a valence anion. Our calculations were carried out using ab initio electron propagator and other many-body methods. Comparison of the anion and corresponding neutral of 6-azauracil with those of uracil shows that substituting a nitrogen atom for C–H at the C6 position of uracil gives rise to significant changes in the electronic structure of 6-azauracil versus that of uracil. The adiabatic electron affinity (AEA) of the canonical 6-azauracil tautomer is substantially larger than that of canonical uracil. Among the five tautomeric, 6-azauracil anions studied computationally, the canonical structure was found to be the most stable. The vertical detachment energies (VDE) of the canonical, valence-bound anion of 6-azauracil and its closest “very-rare” tautomer have been calculated. Electron propagator...
Influenza-associated cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations.

Background Although cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited respiratory disease, the burden of influenza among individuals with CF is not well characterized. Methods We used the CF Foundation Patient Registry to determine the relationship between pulmonary exacerbation incidence rate and influenza virus season from July 2003 through June 2007. The outcome of interest, pulmonary exacerbation, was defined as treatment of a respiratory illness with IV antibiotics. Each influenza season was defined as all months during which ≥ 15% of laboratory tests for influenza virus were positive in the US influenza virologic surveillance system. We calculated incidence rates of pulmonary exacerbation during the influenza and summertime seasons as well as relative rates with 95% CIs. A multivariate regression model adjusted for demographic and clinical predictors. Results In 2003, the patient cohort size was 21,506 patients, and 7,727 patients experienced at least one pulmonary exacerbation. The overall pulmonary exacerbation incidence rate in the influenza season was 595.0 per 10,000 person-months compared with a summertime baseline of 549.6 per 10,000 person-months. The incidence rate ratio was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.10). Multivariate analysis did not change our estimate of risk (adjusted odds ratio: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.10). An estimated annual excess of 147.6 per 10,000 person-months or an excess 2.1% of total exacerbations occur during the influenza season. Conclusion Our data demonstrate a substantial contribution of the influenza season to CF morbidity. Further studies to determine any causal link between influenza infection and CF pulmonary exacerbations are necessary.
Determinants of capital structure choice and empirics on leverage behavior: a comparative analysis of hotel and manufacturing firms.

The relationship between a firm's capital structure, its cost of capital, and its stock value is an important financial and investment issue today. Using a cross- sectional regression analysis, the leverage behavior of 33 firms in 2 industry groups-the hotel industry and the manufacturing sector-was examined. Findings showed that all leverage determinants studied, excepting firm size, are significant in explaining leverage variations in debt behavior. In addition, although more industry- specific variables are needed, leverage behavior in hotel firms can be analyzed using traditionally theorized capital structure determinants. As such, the capital structure in the hotel industry is better understood, and some important distinctions between short-term and long-term debt behavior in hotel and manufacturing firms are revealed.
Life chances and wellness: meaning and motivation in the ‘yoga market’1

In the interest of gaining an insider's understanding of personal exercise habits, this study analyses the meanings and motivations brought by individuals to their Vinyasa yoga practice in the setting of a private, urban studio. Through an analysis of spatial and ideological evidence garnered through in-depth topical interviews and participant observation, this case study argues that social integration, economic privilege, childhood experience with sport and cultural values instigate and sustain this particular exercise and wellness habit. These findings complicate the common sense belief that lifestyle choices are solely a reflection of individual character and responsibility. Further, this study demonstrates that social capital, when understood as nested within broader structural and economic contexts, becomes an essential analytical tool for understanding individual exercise habits and underscores the need for future research exploring the connection between life chances and wellness.
Prophylactic distal revascularization with interval ligation and simultaneous arteriovenous fistula creation in high-risk patients

Dialysis access-related ischemic steal syndrome is a well-recognized dialysis access complication. When severe, manifestations include rest pain, hand dysfunction, and tissue loss. Dialysis access attempts on the affected extremity are usually abandoned after a diagnosis of steal syndrome, and patients are often left catheter-dependent. Prophylactic distal revascularization with interval ligation has been described in patients at high-risk for steal syndrome. We present our experience with prophylactic distal revascularization with interval ligation performed simultaneously with arteriovenous fistula creation to prevent the recurrence in five patients and review the current body of literature supporting its use.
Relationship of Word- and Sentence-Level Working Memory to Reading and Writing in Second, Fourth, and Sixth Grade

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of working memory at the word and sentence levels of language to reading and writing outcomes. Method Measures of working memory a...
Localization ofChl1-Related Helicase Genes to Human Chromosome Regions 12p11 and 12p13: Similarity between Parts of These Genes and Conserved Human Telomeric-Associated DNA

The helicase enzymes are essential components of a number of multi-protein complexes, including those that regulate transcription, splicing, translation, and DNA repair. These enzymes assist in the unwinding of double-stranded DNA and RNA as an essential part of their function. The yeast Chl1 gene encodes a putative helicase that appears to be essential for normal chromosome transmission. Human cDNAs related to this yeast gene, hCHLR1 and hCHLR2, were recently isolated and shown to encode products that localize to the nucleus. Two corresponding genes have now been partially characterized and localized to human chromosome regions 12p11 and 12p13, indicating that this gene is contained within a duplicated region localized to 12p. In addition, a comparison of the hCHLR gene sequences with available databases indicates that a large portion of these genes, including exons encoding two functional domains of the carboxyl-terminal region of these proteins, has been duplicated as part of a larger human telomeric repeat sequence found on many human chromosomes. Our results suggest that duplication of a relatively large region of chromosome 12p containing this putative helicase gene has resulted in the creation of numerous pseudogenes as part of a subtelomeric repeat. The presence of these helicase pseudogenes, as well as pseudogenes for other genes such as the interleukin-9 receptor, within many subtelomeric regions support the possibility that the spread of this region is subject to exchange between different chromosomes and may have implications for elucidation of the mechanism of intra- and interchromosomal duplication events.
Performance evaluation of neutron detectors incorporating intrinsic Gd using a GEANT4 modeling approach

Solid-state neutron detectors from heterostructures that incorporate Gd intrinsically or as a dopant may significantly benefit from the high thermal neutron capture cross section of gadolinium. Semiconducting devices with Gd atoms can act as a neutron capture medium and simultaneously detect the electronic signal that characterizes the interaction. Neutron capture in natural isotopic abundance gadolinium predominantly occurs via the formation of 158mGd, which decays to the ground state through the emission of high-energy gamma rays and an internal conversion electron. Detection of the internal conversion electron and/or the subsequent Auger electron emission provides a distinct and identifiable signature that neutron capture has occurred. Ensuring that the medium responds to these emissions is imperative to maximizing the efficiency and separating out other interactions from the radiation environment. A GEANT4 model, which includes incorporation of the nuclear structure of Gd, has been constructed to simulate the expected device behavior. This model allows the energy deposited from the decay of the meta-stable state to be localized and transported, providing for analysis of various device parameters. Device fabrication has been completed for Gd doped HfO2 on n-type silicon, Gd2O3 on p-type silicon and Gd2O3 on SiC for validation of the code. A preliminary evaluation of neutron detection capabilities of these devices using a GEANT4 modeling approach is presented.
Effectiveness of an Online Community of Practice for Learning to Teach Elementary Science

The purpose of this study was to understand how teachers participate in and benefit from an online community of practice (NETwork) for learning to teach. Dependent-samples t-tests were employed to examine the significant differences of members' perceptions of their social experience, while content analysis was utilized to identify members' perceptions of their growth in learning to teach from participation in NETwork. The results show significant positive changes in members' perceptions of social navigation, perceived ease of use and usefulness of the NETwork tools, and satisfaction with NETwork experiences. Also, members reported they found NETwork to be effective in supporting their current/future teaching and that their interactions in NETwork led to a sense of community.
Does right thoracotomy increase the risk of mitral valve reoperation

Objective The study objective was to determine whether a right thoracotomy approach increases the risk of mitral valve reoperation. Methods Between January of 1993 and January of 2004, 2469 patients with mitral valve disease underwent 2570 reoperations (1508 replacements, 1062 repairs). The approach was median sternotomy in 2444 patients, right thoracotomy in 80 patients, and other in 46 patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with median sternotomy versus right thoracotomy, mitral valve repair versus replacement, hospital death, and stroke. Factors favoring median sternotomy (P Results Hospital mortality was 6.7% (163/2444) for the median sternotomy approach and 6.3% (5/80) for the thoracotomy approach (P = .9). Risk factors (P Conclusions Compared with median sternotomy, right thoracotomy is associated with a higher occurrence of stroke and less frequent mitral valve repair. Specific strategies for conducting the operation should be used to reduce the risk of stroke when right thoracotomy is used for mitral valve reoperation. In most instances, repeat median sternotomy, with its better exposure and greater latitude for concomitant procedures, is preferred.
Effects of clonidine on hormone and substrate responses to hypoglycemia

We have reported that clonidine (CLON) reduces basal norepinephrine (NE) levels but has no effect on basal epinephrine (E) levels. To study the effects of CLON on stimulated NE and E secretion, six normal men received a single dose of CLON followed by induction of hypoglycemia with insulin. Despite the presence of a mean hypoglycemic nadir of 44 mg/100 ml, there was no rise in E and NE levels during CLON treatment. To determine the effects of such catecholamine inhibition on the counterregulation of hypoglycemia, additional experiments were performed since the mean glucose nadir during CLON in the initial studies was slightly (9 mg/100 ml) less deep than in controls. When subjects on CLON received higher doses of insulin, glucose responses were identical to control responses; CLON still reduced the 0 to 60-min catecholamine response by 83% (p < 0.02). Glucagon secretion was not impaired, but CLON blunted the early rate of glucose recovery in the first 15 min after the glucose nadir. We conclude that CLON inhibits the catecholamine (but not the glucagon) rise during insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Selective inhibition of catecholamine secretion does not inhibit the glucogan response but leads to definite, although transient, inhibition of glucose recovery after hypoglycemia. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 28, 441–448; doi:10.1038/clpt.1980.186
Effects of Adult Day Care on Daily Stress of Caregivers: A Within-Person Approach

Objectives. This article examined exposure to and appraisal of care-related stressors associated with use of adult day services (ADS) by family caregivers of individuals with dementia. Methods. Using a within-person withdrawal design (A-B-A-B), we compared caregivers’ exposure to and appraisal of behavior problems on days their relative attended and did not attend ADS. Participants were 121 family caregivers enrolling a relative with dementia in an ADS program. Daily assessments were obtained prior to the person’s attending ADS for the first time and after 1 and 2 months of attendance on days the person attended and did not attend ADS. Results. Total exposure to stressors and stress appraisals decreased significantly over time on ADS days compared with non-ADS days. Most of this difference was accounted by the time the person with dementia was away from the caregiver, but there were also significant reductions in behavioral problems during the evening and improved sleep imme diately following ADS use. Discussion. ADS use lowered caregivers’ exposure to stressors and may improve behavior and sleep for people with dementia on days they have ADS. The study highlights how a within-person design can identify the effects of an intermittent intervention, such as ADS.
Design and experimental characterization of an omnidirectional unmanned ground vehicle for unstructured terrain

This paper describes the design and experimental validation of an omnidirectional unmanned ground vehicle built for operation on real-world, unstructured terrains. The omnidirectional capabilities of this robot give it advantages over skid-steered or Ackermann-steered vehicles in tight and confined spaces. The robot's conventional wheels allow for operation in natural, outdoor environments as compared to omnidirectional robots that use specialized wheels with small, slender rollers and parts that can easily become obstructed with debris and dirt. Additionally, the robot's active split offset caster design allows the robot to kinematically follow continuous but non-differentiable paths and heading angles regardless of its current kinematic configuration. The active split offset caster design also results in less scrubbing torque and therefore less energy consumption during steering as compared to actively steered caster designs. The focus of this paper is the robot's mechanical design as it relates to kinematic isotropy and experimental validation of the design.
Market Impact of Macroeconomic Announcements: Do Surprises Matter?

Current research of market impact caused by macroeconomic announcements is based on regressing asset returns on macroeconomic surprises, S(t) ~ A(t) – E(t), where A(t) and E(t) are actual and expected (consensus) values of macroeconomic indicators at time t, correspondingly. We found that regressing returns of SPDR ETF SPY on actual change, AC(t) ~ A(t) – A(t-1), and expected change, EC(t) ~ E(t) – A(t-1), yield statistically significant indicators similar to those for S(t). These indicators somewhat vary for the periods 2004-2008 and 2009-2013. The advantage of AC(t) is that it is not based on the subjective nature of consensus. As for EC(t), it does not have a look-ahead bias since E(t) are published a few days prior to A(t). Hence CE(t) can be used for short-term forecasting. We show that with proper fitting, AC-, EC-, and S-based indexes can be used for qualitative modeling the SPY price dynamics. However, the effects of macroeconomic announcements alone do not describe the strength of the bull market in 2009-2014.
Using a Strengths- Based Perspective to Change Perceptions: An Exploratory Study

Child welfare is a field plagued with negative perceptions, which have the potential to influence how caseworkers approach their practice with families. As a result, a child welfare course emphasizing the strengths-based approach to practice with families was developed to better prepare students for engaging families and building a helping alliance. The researchers sought to examine whether this new course exerted a positive influence on undergraduate social work students' perception of the parent/caseworker relationship. Compared to undergraduate students not enrolled in this course, at post-test students enrolled in the Child Welfare course more positively perceived the parent/caseworker relationship than they did at pretest. Implications for social work practice and pedagogy are discussed.
Structures and Energies of Hexa-, Hepta-, and Octacoordinate Alonium Ions AlH6+, AlH72+, and AlH83+ and Related AlH4+, AlH52+, and AlH63+ Ions1

Structures and energies of the parent hexa-, hepta-, and octacoordinate alonium ions AlH6+, AlH72+, and AlH83+, respectively, were calculated at the ab initio MP2/6-31G** and QCISD(T)/6-311G** levels. The C2v symmetrical 4, C3v symmetrical 7, and Td symmetrical 10 were found to be the energy-minimum structures of AlH6+, AlH72+, and AlH83+, respectively. The related structures of AlH4+ (6), AlH52+ (9), and AlH63+ (11) were also calculated at the ab initio MP2/6-31G** level. Formation of AlH6+ by protonation of AlH5 was found to be strongly exothermic by 181.0 kcal/mol. The protonation of AlH3 to AlH4+ (6) is also highly exothermic by 176.4 kcal/mol.
Use of the electron microscope to detect organic-phosphate-induced demyelination.

Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of using the electron microscope as a device for detecting, in peripheral nerves, early demyelination caused by organic-phosphate chemicals. Chicken hens were given triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP) per os, then were killed at intervals of 4, 12, 16 and 26 days posttreatment. Other hens were given 9 successive doses of TOCP and were killed 11 and 15 days following the initial treatment. Electron microscopy indicated that demyelination may have occurred as early as 4 days posttreatment during the period prior to development of the paralysis. As expected, the hens which received TOCP became paralyzed within 12 days posttreatment.
Incentive contracts in virtual enterprise under dual information asymmetry

Owing to the situation that the partner's action could not be observed by the owner in Virtual Enterprise(VE)and they had additional private information,to ensure the project completed on time,the reasonable incentive contract must be drafted by owner to screen the true information of the partner and provide incentive to make them work hard.Aiming at the above dual information asymmetric problem,the completion time-based incentive model both considering moral hazard and adverse selection was constructed by incorporating Stackelberg game model and incentive mechanism theory.Furthermore,the corresponding optimal contract was analyzed and compared to the single information asymmetric with the only moral hazard.The comparison results showed that the owner's expected revenue was reduce,the partner's effort was reduced but the revenue was increased in dual information asymmetric situation,which reflected the value of information and its influence on the decisions and revenue of both sides.It had the reference valuable and significance to the operation of VE.
Epidemiological analysis on new cases of leprosy in Bozhou city between 1993 and 2012

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of new cases of leprosy between 1993 and 2012 in Bozhou City,to understand the epidemic situation of leprosy in the Bozhou City after basic elimination of leprosy,and to provide the preventive measures and scientific basis for the future prevention of leprosy. Methods The epidemiological characteristics of 27 cases of leprosy between 1993 and 2012 in Bozhou city were analyzed,and descriptive analysis was performed by using discovery rate,incidence,prevalence,and etc. Results 27 new leprosy cases were found between 1993 and 2012. The average annual discovery rate was 0.13 / 10 million and the sex ratio was 3.50∶1. The average age was 37.29,and the average delay of diagnosis was 40.52 months. The ratio of multibacillary leprosy(MB) and paucibacillary leprosy(PB)was 12.50 ∶1. Conclusions The level of leprosy epidemic was not significant decline after the launching of leprosy program.It is considered as a low level of epidemic.Adoption of comprehensive prevention and control measures,early detection and early treatment of leprosy patients should beconsideredin the future control of leprosy.
Minimum Ages of Legal Access for Tobacco in the United States From 1863 to 2015

In the United States, state laws establish a minimum age of legal access (MLA) for most tobacco products at 18 years. We reviewed the history of these laws with internal tobacco industry documents and newspaper archives from 1860 to 2014. The laws appeared in the 1880s; by 1920, half of states had set MLAs of at least 21 years. After 1920, tobacco industry lobbying eroded them to between 16 and 18 years. By the 1980s, the tobacco industry viewed restoration of higher MLAs as a critical business threat. The industry's political advocacy reflects its assessment that recruiting youth smokers is critical to its survival. The increasing evidence on tobacco addiction suggests that restoring MLAs to 21 years would reduce smoking initiation and prevalence, particularly among those younger than 18 years.
The use of serum hCG as a marker of tumor progression and of the response of metastatic urothelial cancer to systemic chemotherapy.

A 55-year-old woman with a history of metastatic melanoma in remission for 8 years presented to the emergency department with gross hematuria. A CT scan, ordered because the patient was in menopause, demonstrated a bladder tumor.
Trial of Insulin for Poststroke Hyperglycemia

The effect of glucose potassium insulin (GKI) infusion (compared to saline as control) within 24 hours of ischemic stroke was studied in patients (> 18 years old) with blood glucose >126mg/dl (7mmol/l) admitted to Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland.
Diversity of a Different Kind: Gentrification and Its Impact on Social Capital and Political Participation in Black Communities

The literature examining the effect of residential integration on political behavior primarily focuses on how whites react to the entrance of non-whites into their communities. Over the past few decades however, the process of “white return” to urban centers throughout the nation has created the opportunity to invert the standard approach to studying racial context by exploring how minorities react to the entrance of whites into their communities. We adapt realistic conflict theories to the case of gentrification, and offer a model of the effect of white in-migration on social capital (SC) and political engagement in black communities. We demonstrate that white population growth erodes SC in black neighborhoods only where the larger surrounding community is majority black, and where such growth is accompanied by rising housing costs. Further, we find that residing in a gentrifying context, by eroding social capital, ultimately results in the political demobilization of black citizens.
The Stable Years

The next major event in global history was the Second World War. Like its predecessor, a complex combination of causes led to the conflagration. The First World War ended with the Treaty of Versailles. The Germans felt humiliated by the conditions the treaty placed on them, which cut German territory by 13 percent by ceding them to Belgium, Poland, and the League of Nations; Germany lost almost seven million people as a result. Military restrictions placed on Germany downsized their army and navy and abolished their air force. Germany was also forced to pay reparations to France and Britain. This led to popular discontent in Germany, with its electorate turning to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP), more commonly known as the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler became the chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, after a stint as a rather unsuccessful painter, followed by service in the Bavarian Army. Beginning with Austria and Czechoslovakia, Germany made ever-increasing territorial demands. Italy had turned to authoritarianism before Germany, but their grievances arose from a feeling of entitlement after finishing on the winning side of the war. The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini wanted to create a New Roman Empire in the Mediterranean region, so Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 (resulting in the formation of the colony of Italian East Africa in 1936), Albania in 1939, and France and Greece in 1940.
The Human Microbiome before Birth

The conservation of the microbiota within humans and other hominids suggests an ancient assembly that has been selected to optimize host fitness. Pregnancy induces changes in the maternal microbiome just before the intergenerational hand-off of the microbiota. Interventions, including peri-partum antibiotics and Cesarean sections, may have unintended effects on babies.
Correlates of Resource Empowerment among Parents of Children with Overweight or Obesity

Abstract Background: Few studies have examined correlates of resource empowerment among parents of children with overweight or obesity. Methods: We studied baseline data of 721 parent–child pairs participating in the Connect for Health randomized trial being conducted at six pediatric practices in Massachusetts. Parents completed the child weight management subscale (n = 5 items; 4-point response scale) of the Parent Resource Empowerment Scale; items were averaged to create a summary empowerment score. We used linear regression to examine the independent effects of child (age, sex, and race/ethnicity), parent/household characteristics (age, education, annual household income, BMI category, perceived stress, and their ratings of their healthcare quality), and neighborhood median household income, on parental resource empowerment. Results: Mean (SD) child age was 7.7 years (2.9) and mean (SD) BMI z-score was 1.9 (0.5); 34% of children were white, 32% black, 22% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 6% multiracial/other. ...
The Functions of Mental Nodes

Previous chapters have advanced various sources of evidence for the existence of nodes that play a role in both perception and action. Chapter 7 examines the functional issues. Why have mental nodes evolved? What functions do mental nodes serve?
Integrating LibGuides Into Library Websites: A LITA Guide

This new LITA Guide on integrating LibGuides into library websites is sure to motivate readers to do better and do more with their LibGuides. It begins with a short section that takes a big-picture...
Servo-hydraulic actuator in controllable canonical form: Identification and experimental validation

Abstract Hydraulic actuators have been widely used to experimentally examine structural behavior at multiple scales. Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is one innovative testing method that largely relies on such servo-hydraulic actuators. In RTHS, interface conditions must be enforced in real time, and controllers are often used to achieve tracking of the desired displacements. Thus, neglecting the dynamics of hydraulic transfer system may result either in system instability or sub-optimal performance. Herein, we propose a nonlinear dynamical model for a servo-hydraulic actuator (a.k.a. hydraulic transfer system) coupled with a nonlinear physical specimen. The nonlinear dynamical model is transformed into controllable canonical form for further tracking control design purposes. Through a number of experiments, the controllable canonical model is validated.
Step-index optical fiber based on citrate-based synthetic polymers (Conference Presentation)

The turbidity of biological tissue due to fundamental light-tissue interactions has been a long-standing challenge in biomedical optical technologies. Implanting fibrous optical waveguide into tissue and organ for light delivery and collection is one of the most effective way for alleviate this problem. In this manuscript, by taking advantage of the favorable designability and processibility of citrate-based synthetic polymers, two bio-elastomers with distinct optical properties but matched mechanical properties and similar biodegradation profiles were developed. Combining with an efficient two-step fabrication method, we created a new biodegradable and biocompatible step-index optical fiber. Benefited from this step-index structure and high tunability of citrate-based bio-elastomers, our optical fiber not only demonstrated outstanding optical performance (0.4dB/cm loss), but also had favorable mechanical and biodegradable properties. Apart from the fabrication and characterization of our optical fiber, we successfully demonstrated the functionalities of multimode fiber imaging, deep tissue light delivery and in vivo fluorescence detection of our newly designed optical fiber. We believe the flexible, biodegradable and low loss optical fiber designed in our work offers a valuable tool for optical applications including imaging, detecting, sensing, optogenetic stimulation, and treatment to target regions underneath deep tissue.
Special Issue: The 75th Anniversary of the New York State Communication Association: An Introduction

The beginnings of the discipline of speech communication within higher education in the United States can be considered in terms of two events. The first of these was the unfolding of a battle, in ...
Synthesis, thermal stability, and computed bond dissociation energies of tetraarylphosphonium-based mesothermal ionic liquids bearing a quinoline ring system

Abstract Seven new ionic liquids have been prepared which contain tetraarylphosphonium cations in which one of the aromatic groups is a quinoline ring. These compounds, which differ from each other in the point of attachment of the quinoline to the phosphorous core, were evaluated by DSC and TGA, then screened for thermal stability for 96 h at temperatures up to 300 °C. The observed thermal stabilities of the salts were found to be sensitive to the position of quinoline ring substitution, and correlated well with computed homolytic bond dissociation energies of the quinoline-P bonds.
Assimilation of ocean sea-surface height observations of mesoscale eddies

Mesoscale eddies are one of the dominant sources of variability in the world's oceans. With eddy-resolving global ocean models, it becomes important to assimilate observations of mesoscale eddies to correctly represent the state of the mesoscale. Here, we investigate strategies for assimilating a reduced number of sea-surface height observations by focusing on the coherent mesoscale eddies. The study is carried out in an idealized perfect-model framework using two-layer forced quasigeostrophic dynamics, which captures the dominant dynamics of ocean mesoscale eddies. We study errors in state-estimation as well as error growth in forecasts and find that as fewer observations are assimilated, assimilating at vortex locations results in reduced state estimation and forecast errors.
Identification of two lysine tRNA cistrons in Bacillus subtilis by hybridization of lysyl-tRNA with DNA.

Abstract Two lysyl-tRNA species were obtained from Bacillus subtilis by benzoylated-DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. They were found to hybridize in an additive fashion to B. subtilis DNA. These results indicate that the base sequences of these two lysine tRNA species differ sufficiently to prevent the saturation of both genetic sites by either and indicate that there are at least two cistrons for lysine tRNA.
The effects of the electrochemical properties of pyrite by polypyrrole (PPy)

With the shortage of energy and the environmental problems becoming more and more serious, it has become one of the most urgent problems to find a new type of high specific energy. FeS2 has become ...
Abstract LB-326: Unresolved microgliosis and impaired neurogenesis are associated with cognitive deficiency in a clinically relevant mouse model of fractionated whole brain radiation

The objective of this study is to evaluate the cellular and molecular changes associated with the cognitive function as a late- effect of clinically relevant fractionated whole brain irradiation (fWBI) treatment using immunocompetent mouse model. Microglia are not only the immune mediators of the brain but also involved in synaptic pruning and neurogenesis. However, the microglial response to fractionated radiation and how this contributes to radiation-induced cognitive impairment is poorly understood. Here, C57BL/6J mice were randomized into two groups. One group received X-radiation (XRT) and another was sham treated (CTL). The whole brain of each XRT mouse received a total of 30 Gy (3 Gy/fraction) of radiation over two weeks. XRT and CTL mice were then evaluated for cognitive and behavioral functions after one, four, and six months of radiation treatment using the rotarod test, novel object recognition test, the free running Y-Maze and Barnes Maze. Whole brains were harvested and stored after completion of behavioral studies for immunohistochemical analysis. Microglia were enriched by Percoll gradient separation and extracted mRNA was characterized by qPCR analysis. A significant (P Citation Format: Suman Kanji, Benjamin Johnson, Kristina Witcher, Pooja Gulati, John Gregory Bodnar, Julie Fitzgerald, Courtney DeVries, Randy Nelson, Jonathan Godbout, Saikh Jaharul Haque, Saikh Jaharul Haque, Arnab Chakravarti. Unresolved microgliosis and impaired neurogenesis are associated with cognitive deficiency in a clinically relevant mouse model of fractionated whole brain radiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-326.
Temperature‐correlated shifts in the timing of egg‐laying in House Finches Haemorhous mexicanus

Although temperature‐correlated shifts in the timing of egg‐laying have been documented in numerous bird species, the vast majority of species examined to date have been those that breed in Europe and have an animal‐based diet during breeding. However, given that the timing of breeding can be driven, either in the proximate or in the ultimate sense, by seasonal fluctuations in food availability, the relationship between temperature and laying may differ with diet. Here, we report on patterns of reproductive timing in House Finches Haemorhous mexicanus, a North American species that breeds on a primarily seed‐based diet. Analysing nest records from House Finches in California spanning more than a century, we found that egg‐laying occurred significantly earlier in warmer springs. We also found that although the timing of egg‐laying does not show long‐term changes in most of California, in the hottest region of the state (the southeast desert basin) it has advanced significantly.
High interindividual variability in plasma clopidogrel active metabolite concentrations in healthy cats is associated with sex and cytochrome P450 2C genetic polymorphism.

Clopidogrel response variability has been identified in cats. In humans, evidence suggests that variable clopidogrel active metabolite (CAM) generation is the primary explanation for clopidogrel response variability with differences in body weight, sex, and variable metabolism of clopidogrel primarily due to polymorphisms of the gene encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 as some proposed mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether variation in CAM concentrations exists in healthy cats and what the cause of such variation might be. Nineteen healthy cats were given 18.75 mg clopidogrel by mouth. Blood was collected 2 hr later. Plasma CAM concentrations were measured using high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Clopidogrel metabolism was estimated by calculating CAM metabolic ratio. DNA was collected, and feline CYP2C genotyping was performed. The cats demonstrated high interindividual variation of plasma CAM concentrations. Approximately 69% of this interindividual variation was primarily explained by differences in clopidogrel metabolism as measured by CAM metabolic ratio with some influence by sex but not by weight. A single nucleotide polymorphism was identified in the feline CYP2C gene that explained in part individual differences in CAM metabolic ratio and CAM plasma concentrations.
Connecting Arts and Place in American Cities

This book has uncovered the artistic energy of American cities and offered a framework for thinking spatially in cultural policy. American cities have engaged in numerous initiatives connecting the arts to place and have nurtured this connection using many strategies rooted cultural policy concepts developed in the international literature. The idea of thirdspace brought into focus the relational, layered, and dynamic connection between arts and place. Overall, this investigation is relevant not only for academic inquiry but also for policymakers and arts practitioners, reminding us that cultural policy research is a community of practice