cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective analysis of 3525 esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed by surgeons

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgeons performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and to use these results to assess existing credentialing guidelines for surgeons. Methods: A prospective outcomes study was designed to accept input from members of SAGES. End points were the time taken and rate of success in reaching the duodenum, the frequency of arriving at a diagnosis, and complications of EGD as related to operator experience. Results: Information from a total of 3,525 EGDs was prospectively entered into a database between December 2001 and December 2002. Common indications were abdominal pain/nausea/vomiting (34.8%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (24.9%) and dysphagia (17.4%). The findings were inflammation in 1,895 (53.8%), hiatus hernia in 1,010 (28.7%), nonbleeding ulcer in 462 (13.1%), bleeding ulcer in 59 (1.7%), stricture in 344 (9.8%), and polyp/tumor in 206 (5.8%). Biopsies were obtained in 2080 (59.0%). Concomittant procedures performed were dilation in 253 (7.2%), removal of a foreign body (FB) or removal/insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG) in 190 (5.4%), and polypectomy in 59 (1.7%). The EGD was completed to the duodenum in 3282 patients (93.1%) with a mean procedure time of 9.2 min (range 1–60 min). Examination of the duodenum was not attempted in 231 patients for reasons such as previous gastric surgery (n = 119), obstruction (n = 58) or because the EGD was done for FB/PEG removal or PEG placement (n = 36). Attempted EGD could not be completed in 12 patients (0.3%). The most common complication was hypoxia (n = 57, 1.6%), which was treated with supplemental oxygen and observation. New bleeding occurred in eight patients and the procedure failed to control bleeding in three others. No complications occurred in 3447 patients (97.8%). Completion rates and major complications were not correlated to experience, but there was a significant association between experience and the time required for completion of the procedure (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study shows that surgeons can perform EGD with a high degree of success and low morbidity. On the basis of this large prospective study, no minimum number of cases could be proposed for credentialing surgeons to safely perform either diagnostic or therapeutic esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Effect of ionizing radiation on the serological affinity of T-1 bacteriophage.

Abstract The serological affinity of T-1 bacteriophage is decreased when it is bombarded in the dry state by deuterons, α-particles, or fast electrons. The manner of inactivation enables a cross section of 1.9 × 10−13 sq. cm., a thickness of 22 A. and a length of 86 A. to be inferred for the dimensions of the sensitive region of the serum-blocking antigen. In the presence of 0.8% broth a much less simple type of inactivation takes place, which seems to indicate a greater stability for a broth-virus complex.
Gastrocolic fistula secondary to diverticulitis of the splenic flexure: report of a case.

A gastrocolic fistula was demonstrated on barium-enema examination of a patient with recurrent left upper abdominal pain. The underlying cause proved to be perforated diverticulitis of the splenic flexure. This unusual etiology may be considered when the radiologic evidence for gastrocolic fistula and colonic diverticula occur together.
A RE‐EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF MONEY IN CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS: OPEN SEAT ELECTIONS FROM 1982–1992

This essay analyzes the applicability of the conventional understanding of the role of money in elections for the House of Representatives. While the conventional wisdom is not incorrect, it is better viewed as incomplete. A substantial body of literature exists investigating the role of challenger's, incumbent's and open seat candidate's campaign expenditures on the probability of electoral success. The thrust of the research has been on incumbent/challenger races for the House of Representatives. The research presented here focuses on open seat races to avoid the cumbersome, albeit interesting and substantial, impact of incumbency. Money is an important factor, here the conventional wisdom is correct, but its effect is neither all-encompassing nor static; the impact varies with differing situations. In addition, relative campaign expenditures are more significant than the literature would lead one to believe. Individual campaign expenditures are consequential but of more importance is relative campaign expenditure. The levels of aggregate spending are meaningful, but of more importance are differentials in expenditures. One must comprehend that the impact of campaign expenditures varies with district-specific factors and that disparities in campaign expenditures are substantial in understanding the role of money in congressional elections.
Analysis of the Contribution of Adhesion and Hysteresis to Shoe–Floor Lubricated Friction in the Boundary Lubrication Regime

Slip and fall accidents cause frequent occupational injuries. Despite recent evidence that boundary lubrication is relevant to slipping, few studies have examined the mechanisms that contribute to shoe–floor friction in this lubrication regime. This study aims to identify the contributions of adhesion and hysteresis to friction in boundary lubrication. Three shoe materials (40 Shore A hardness polyurethane, 60 Shore A hardness rubber, and 70 Shore A hardness rubber), two floor materials (vinyl and marble), and six lubricants (water, 1.5 % detergent, 25 % glycerol–75 % water, 50 % glycerol–50 % water, 75 % glycerol–25 % water, and canola oil) were tested at a single sliding speed (0.01 m s−1). Dry adhesion and hysteresis were quantified for each of the shoe–floor combinations and lubricated adhesion was quantified for all shoe–floor-fluid combinations. The contribution of adhesion and hysteresis to shoe–floor-lubricant friction was affected by both the shoe and floor material due to differences in hardness and roughness. Lubricated adhesion was complex and multifactorial with contributions from the shoe, fluid, shoe–floor interaction, floor-lubricant interaction, and shoe-lubricant interactions. A simple regression model including two fluid coefficients and the dry adhesion friction force was able to predict 49 % of the lubricated adhesion friction variability.
Lateralized division of attention in the commissurotomized and intact brain

Abstract The degree to which voluntary maintenance of independent attentional systems in left and right hemispheres during lateralized double simultaneous performances is possible for prolonged periods was assessed in five complete commissurotomy patients, two partial commissurotomy patients and eight normal subjects. Subjects performed a unimanual tactual sorting task as well as bimanual sorting tasks requiring (1) the same, (2) different or (3) opposite simultaneous decisions by left and right hemispheres. Normals were also given additional practice sessions with the same tasks in an effort to determine limitations in the capacity for dual processing. The results suggest that the cerebral commissures force the two hemispheres to work together and maintain attentional unity in the intact brain. Practice increases the capacity for simultaneous processing in normals, but this enhancement is most readily interpreted as the result of automation of performance decreasing the need for attentional supervision rather than as a division of the normal unity of focus in the intact attentional system.
On the Stability of Productivity and Recognition

The auto- and cross-lagged correlations between productivity (measured by number of publications) and recognition (measured by citations to published work) in a sample of personality and social psychologists were examined for the years 1965, 1970, and 1975. Citation rates were more stable over time than publication rates, although all autocorrelations were significant. Those classified as prolific scientists (productive and highly cited) on the basis of 1965 data retained this position 5 and 10 years later; silent scientists (low publications and low citations in 1965) continued to be unproductive and unrecognized in 1970 and 1975. Institutional effects on productivity and recognition are also discussed.
Extraction of Segment Orientation Distributions in Polymer Networks by Inversion of 2H NMR Spectra through the Maximum-Entropy Method

We present a simple and computationally inexpensive strategy, to first estimate the average segment-orientation order parameter and then, based on the maximum-entropy method, extract distributions of this order parameter from the conventionally measured 2H NMR spectra. The proposed methodology allows for a more complete characterization of the segmental orientation behavior as compared to solely measuring the observed quadrupolar splittings. The latter approach only quantifies the segment orientation due to local excluded volume interactions, and does not account for the orientation arising from the network topology that is manifested through the width of the spectral “wings”. The application of the proposed strategy can be especially advantageous in polymer networks exhibiting highly heterogeneous segment-orientation responses (e.g., bimodal networks) and complex 2H NMR spectrum lineshapes. The methodology is validated with both molecular simulation and experimental results as well as applied to complex ...
Evolutionarily stable communication between kin:a general model

At present, the most general evolutionary theory of honest communication is Grafen's model of Zahavi's 'handicap' signalling system, in which honesty of signals about the signaller's quality (e.g. mate suitability or fighting ability) is maintained by the differentially high cost of signals to signallers having lower quality. The latter model is here further generalized to include any communication between signallers and receivers that are genetically related (e.g. parents and begging offspring, cooperative or competing siblings). Signalling systems involving relatives are shown to be evolutionarily stable, despite a potential pay-off for false signalling, if the Zahavian assumption of differential signal costs holds and there are diminishing reproductive returns to the signaller as the receiver's assessed value of its attribute increases, or if, regardless of whether the Zahavian assumption holds, signallers with high values of the attribute benefit more from a given receiver assessment than signallers with low values (e.g. begging chicks that are hungrier benefit more from being fed). In stable systems of signalling among kin, it is also shown to be generally true that (i) levels of signalling and thus observed signal costs will decline as relatedness increases or as the receiver's reproductive penalty for erroneous assessment increases, and (ii) receivers will consistently, altruistically overestimate the true value of the signalled attribute.
Progress in Seismic Research on Electrical Equipments in Substations

The Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 caused serious damage to electrical equipments in substations. In recent years after Wenchuan earthquake, domestic scholars and research institutions have carried out a lot of research on seismic performance of electrical equipments in substations. These research yielded good results as a whole and enhanced the seismic safety of power system in China. In this paper, seismic research progress of this filed in recent years were summarized systematically, covering the topics such as fortification targets, seismic analysis method, seismic performance testing methods, isolation technique. Future research directions on this filed are also prospected.
The Role of Standards in Engineering Education

The role of standards is increasing, and as a result the role of education about standards should also increase. At the same time, there are a set of requirements-accreditation criteria-toward engineering programs. The close relationships between the accreditation criteria and standards education is not fully recognized, even by accreditation bodies and educators. The goal of this article is to uncover these relationships. Furthermore, the article establishes connections between other components of engineering education such as ethics, engineering design, labs, and integrated courses, on one hand and standards education on another. The conclusion from these relationships is that standards education is more important than previously realized. The article also discusses how standards education can be incorporated in engineering and technical curricula.
COMPARATIVE PATHOGENESIS OF HAEMORRHAGIC ENTERITIS VIRUS (HEV) INFECTION IN TURKEYS AND CHICKENS

Summary The pathogenesis of haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) infection in chickens 3–4 days post-infection was compared with that in turkeys. As expected, infected turkeys showed HEV-specific lesions that included enlargement and mottling of the spleen, as well as haemorrhagic enteritis. In infected chickens, only splenomegaly was observed. The number of HEV-infected cells in the spleen was significantly (P
Functional Analysis of the Single Est1/Ebs1 Homologue in Kluyveromyces lactis Reveals Roles in both Telomere Maintenance and Rapamycin Resistance

Est1 and Ebs1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are paralogous proteins that arose through whole-genome duplication and that serve distinct functions in telomere maintenance and translational regulation. Here we present our functional analysis of the sole Est1/Ebs1 homologue in the related budding yeast Kluyveromyces lactis (named KlEst1). We show that similar to other Est1s, KlEst1 is required for normal telomere maintenance in vivo and full telomerase primer extension activity in vitro. KlEst1 also associates with telomerase RNA (Ter1) and an active telomerase complex in cell extracts. Both the telomere maintenance and the Ter1 association functions of KlEst1 require its N-terminal domain but not its C terminus. Analysis of clusters of point mutations revealed residues in both the N-terminal TPR subdomain and the downstream helical subdomain (DSH) that are important for telomere maintenance and Ter1 association. A UV cross-linking assay was used to establish a direct physical interaction between KlEst1 and a putative stem-loop in Ter1, which also requires both the TPR and DSH subdomains. Moreover, similar to S. cerevisiae Ebs1 (ScEbs1) (but not ScEst1), KlEst1 confers rapamycin sensitivity and may be involved in nonsense-mediated decay. Interestingly, unlike telomere regulation, this apparently separate function of KlEst1 requires its C-terminal domain. Our findings provide insights on the mechanisms and evolution of Est1/Ebs1 homologues in budding yeast and present an attractive model system for analyzing members of this multifunctional protein family.
809-4 Effect of Beta Adrenergic Stimulation on Regional Norepinephrine Spillover in Human Congestive Heart Failure

Beta blockers may be effective therapy in congestive heart failure; the reasons are not fully clear norepinephrine (NE) rel. Presynaptic beta-1 receptors are known to facilitateease. If this effect occurs in congestive heart failure (CHF) an important positive feedback loop might exist contributing to chronic sympathetic activation; conversely, interference with such an interaction could contribute to beneficial effects of beta adrenergic blockade. To test the hypothesis that beta simulation would lead to increased local sympathetic activity we measured regional forearm NE kinetics (clearance method of Esler with 3HNE) during intraarterial infusion of subsystemic doses of isoproterenol (ISU) in 6 patients with chronic stable, moderate CHF. As a control for flow-related effects due to vasodilation from ISU, we also assessed the response to nitroprusside (NP). Forearm blood flow (FBF) and regional NE spillover (Regional NE s/o = [NEa - NEv] + NEa [extraction 3HNE) × FBF) were: Control ISU Recontrol NP FBF (ml/100 gm/min) 1.5 ± 1.17 4.6 ± 1.0 * 1.8 ± 0.32 6.5 ± 1.5 * NE s/o (pg/min) 447 ± 115 1276 ± 425 * 420 ± 121 983 ± 389 * p l 0.01 vs. Control or Recontrol Regional NE s/o therefore increased after local infusion of isoproterenol, but not after a similar increase in flow during nitroprusside. Although a flow-dependent effect is not completely excluded, these data suggest that regional beta adrenergic stimulation is capable of increasing local NE s/o. This observation may be relevant to both the control of sympathetic activity and the possible effects of beta blockers in CHF.
Mutations in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Kit Receptor: An Uncommon Site in Human Piebaldism

Heterozygous mutations in the gene for the Kit transmembrane receptor have been identified recently in human piebaldism and mouse "dominant spotting". Interestingly, all of the 14 known missense mutations that cause depigmentation in these species map to the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor, whereas none have involved the extracellular ligand-binding domain. In an attempt to detect these uncommon mutations, we screened the nine exons encoding the extracellular portion of Kit for single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) in eight piebald subjects previously reported to be negative for kinase mutations. Four of these eight kindreds proved to carry novel mutations. The first mutation, found in two apparently unrelated probands with mild piebaldism and English ancestry, substitutes an arginine for a highly conserved cysteine at codon 136. This substitution disrupts a putative disulfide bond required for formation of the second Ig-like (D2) loop of the Kit ligand-binding domain. The second mutation, detected in a piebald kindred characterized by unusually limited depigmentation, substitutes a threonine for an alanine at codon 178, a site just proximal to conserved cysteines at codons 183 and 186. The third mutation, occurring in a kindred with more extensive depigmentation, is a novel four-base insertion in exon 2 that results in a proximal frameshift and premature termination. The data strongly suggest that piebaldism can result from missense mutations in the Kit ligand-binding domain, although the resulting phenotype may be milder than that observed for null or kinase mutations. The apparent clustering of these uncommon mutations at or near the conserved cysteines for the D2 Ig-like loop further suggests a critical role for this region in Kit receptor function.
Supersaturation of aqueous species and hydrothermal crystal growth of ZnO

Abstract Synthesis of ZnO crystals prepared with zinc acetate or chloride, disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), potassium hydroxide and sodium triflate at 200 °C and variable pH 8–12 is reported. Crystals were imaged and size-analyzed with optical microscopy. Using aqueous speciation modeling software, supersaturation dependence on pH was calculated for five zinc species—Zn 2+ , Zn(OH) + , Zn(OH) 2 , Zn ( OH ) 3 – and Zn ( OH ) 4 2 – —to investigate connections between predominate crystal habits at different pH and dominant aqueous species. For zinc acetate and chloride systems, the zinc species with highest supersaturation was Zn ( OH ) 4 2 – throughout the pH 8–12 range, and the second highest was Zn 2+ or Zn ( OH ) 3 – , with a crossover pH of 10.2–10.4 depending on counterion. The prominence of the tetrahydroxyl zinc species in ZnO crystal growth is supported by these calculations, and total supersaturation is inversely proportional to average crystal sizes, as expected. Optical microscopy and size analysis on products revealed crystals with a needle or prismatic habit throughout the studied pH range, and the change in aspect ratio correlates with supersaturation changes for the Zn 2+ in this pH range, thus suggesting that growth rates along the [001] crystallographic direction are affected by small concentration changes of this ion.
"Coercion in Japan": A Historical Footnote

Burks reveals the background of efforts in the last nineteenth century to revise the "unequal treaty status" of Japan.Â He basis his story on a complete file of clippings and letters concerning an incident in 1887-88 from the William Elliot Griffis Papers at Rutgers. This folio is of historic interest because it sheds new light on very delicate Japanese-American diplomatic relations at the time.
Identifying and Addressing Mental Health Risks and Problems in Primary Care Pediatric Settings: A Model to Promote Developmental and Cultural Competence

Young children, particularly uninsured children of color, suffer from mental health disturbances at rates similar to older children and adults, yet they have higher rates of unmet needs. To address unmet needs, efforts to identify mental health problems in primary care pediatric settings have grown in recent years, thanks in large part to expanded screening efforts. Yet, health disparities in early detection remain. Enhancing understanding of how early childhood mental health problems can be identified and addressed within pediatric settings is an important and growing area of research. The authors draw on theoretical models from public health policy, health psychology, and child development, including health beliefs, help seeking, transtheoretical, motivation to change, and dynamic systems, to better understand and address challenges to and disparities in identifying and addressing mental health problems in pediatric settings. These theories have not previously been applied to early mental health screening and identification efforts. Developmental and sociocultural considerations are highlighted in an effort to address and reduce higher rates of unmet needs among young, uninsured children of color.
Uniqueness of Weighted Code Representations

Decimal computers ordinarily use a binary-coded decimal representation. One class of binary-coded decimal digits is the so-called four-bit weighted code representation with weights ?1 ?2 ?3 ?4. Each ?i is a nonzero integer in the range ?9??i?9, and the set of weights must have the property that every decimal digit can be represented by the sum ?i=14 bi ?i, with the bi being 0 or 1. For some weighted codes the weights are such that some digits can be represented by more than one sum of the specified form. For example, the 7421 weighted code has the property that 7 may be represented either as 1000 or as 0111. This paper produces a necessary and sufficient condition on the weights of a weighted code for the unique representation of each digit by a sum of the specified form. Further, all possible sets of weights are displayed.
We Need to Talk

We have created a new column that will focus on the state of psychiatric nursing around the world and on the increasingly important need for all of us, the family of psychiatric nurses, to begin to explore more deeply, and strengthen in more focused ways, the ties that bind all of us. We begin with an article that presents an international perspective on psychiatric illness and mental health promotion and ends by identifying common concerns often shared by the world's psychiatric nurses. Susan McCabe has a unique ability to blend the hard-core facts with a compassionate and intelligent point of view that is compelling and understandable. She is currently an associate professor at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming. She is an international speaker who presented at many international venues including the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Conference in the Virgin Islands in 2003 and the International Conference for Mental Health Nurses in Malta in 2002, a gathering that explored and discussed global issues of mental illness and psychiatric nursing. She is also frequently a keynote speaker or presenter at numerous psychiatric nursing conferences and has published extensively in several refereed journals and book chapters. She has expressed a deep desire for other psychiatric nurses to add their voices to hers and to comment and dialogue about our practice lives via the journal.
A posteriori model validation for the temporal order of directed functional connectivity maps

A posteriori model validation for the temporal order of neural directed functional connectivity maps is rare. This is striking because models that require sequential independence among residuals are regularly implemented. The aim of the current study was (a) to apply to directed functional connectivity maps of functional magnetic resonance imaging data an a posteriori model validation procedure (i.e., white noise tests of one-step-ahead prediction errors combined with decision criteria for revising the maps based upon Lagrange Multiplier tests), and (b) to demonstrate how the procedure applies to single-subject simulated, single-subject task-related, and multi-subject resting state data. Directed functional connectivity was determined by the unified structural equation model family of approaches in order to map contemporaneous and first order lagged connections among brain regions at the group- and individual-levels while incorporating external input, then white noise tests were run. Findings revealed that the validation procedure successfully detected unmodeled sequential dependencies among residuals and recovered higher order (greater than one) simulated connections, and that the procedure can accommodate task-related input. Findings also revealed that lags greater than one were present in resting state data: With a group-level network that contained only contemporaneous and first order connections, 44% of subjects required second order, individual-level connections in order to obtain maps with white noise residuals. Results have broad methodological relevance (e.g., temporal validation is necessary after directed functional connectivity analyses because the presence of unmodeled higher order sequential dependencies may bias parameter estimates) and substantive implications (e.g., higher order lags may be common in resting state data).
Interuncal distance measurements in healthy volunteers and in patients with Alzheimer disease

PURPOSE To evaluate further the clinical utility of the interuncal distance (IUD) measured from axial MR scans as a reflection of hippocampal atrophy. METHODS The IUD measured from the axial MR scans of 17 healthy control subjects was correlated with the volume of the amygdala hippocampal complex obtained from coronal MR images. The IUD was also measured on axial MR scans in 12 patients with possible or probable Alzheimer disease. RESULTS The correlation between the total amygdala hippocampal volume and the IUD was insignificant for control subjects (r = -0.38, P = .13). When analysis of covariance was performed with the IUD as the dependent variable and age and diagnosis as the independent variables, overall R2 was 0.25. Age (F = 5.02, df = 1, P = .034), but not diagnosis (F = 0.02, df = 2, P = .88), had a significant effect. CONCLUSIONS The IUD has no significant correlation with the amygdala hippocampal volume. The IUD appears to be a better measure of overall brain volume, which changes with age. In our patient population diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, the IUD measurement was not found to be useful in distinguishing their scans from those of the volunteers.
Dorsal downregulation of GSK3beta by a non-Wnt-like mechanism is an early molecular consequence of cortical rotation in early Xenopus embryos

Cortical rotation and concomitant dorsal translocation of cytoplasmic determinants are the earliest events known to be necessary for dorsoventral patterning in Xenopus embryos. The earliest known molecular target is beta-catenin, which is essential for dorsal development and becomes dorsally enriched shortly after cortical rotation. In mammalian cells cytoplasmic accumulation of beta-catenin follows reduction of the specific activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (GSK3beta). In Xenopus embryos, exogenous GSK3beta) suppresses dorsal development as predicted and GSK3beta dominant negative (kinase dead) mutants cause ectopic axis formation. However, endogenous GSK3beta regulation is poorly characterized. Here we demonstrate two modes of GSK3beta regulation in Xenopus. Endogenous mechanisms cause depletion of GSK3beta protein on the dorsal side of the embryo. The timing, location and magnitude of the depletion correspond to those of endogenous beta-catenin accumulation. UV and D(2)O treatments that abolish and enhance dorsal character of the embryo, respectively, correspondingly abolish and enhance GSK3beta depletion. A candidate regulator of GSK3beta, GSK3-binding protein (GBP), known to be essential for axis formation, also induces depletion of GSK3beta. Depletion of GSK3beta is a previously undescribed mode of regulation of this signal transducer. The other mode of regulation is observed in response to Wnt and dishevelled expression. Neither Wnt nor dishevelled causes depletion but instead they reduce GSK3beta-specific activity. Thus, Wnt/Dsh and GBP appear to effect two biochemically distinct modes of GSK3beta regulation.
Complementary transcriptomic, lipidomic, and targeted functional genetic analyses in cultured Drosophila cells highlight the role of glycerophospholipid metabolism in Flock House virus RNA replication

Cellular membranes are crucial host components utilized by positive-strand RNA viruses for replication of their genomes. Published studies have suggested that the synthesis and distribution of membrane lipids are particularly important for the assembly and function of positive-strand RNA virus replication complexes. However, the impact of specific lipid metabolism pathways in this process have not been well defined, nor have potential changes in lipid expression associated with positive-strand RNA virus replication been examined in detail. In this study we used parallel and complementary global and targeted approaches to examine the impact of lipid metabolism on the replication of the well-studied model alphanodavirus Flock House virus (FHV). We found that FHV RNA replication in cultured Drosophila S2 cells stimulated the transcriptional upregulation of several lipid metabolism genes, and was also associated with increased phosphatidylcholine accumulation with preferential increases in lipid molecules with longer and unsaturated acyl chains. Furthermore, targeted RNA interference-mediated downregulation of candidate glycerophospholipid metabolism genes revealed a functional role of several genes in virus replication. In particular, we found that downregulation of Cct1 or Cct2, which encode essential enzymes for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, suppressed FHV RNA replication. These results indicate that glycerophospholipid metabolism, and in particular phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, plays an important role in FHV RNA replication. Furthermore, they provide a framework in which to further explore the impact of specific steps in lipid metabolism on FHV replication, and potentially identify novel cellular targets for the development of drugs to inhibit positive-strand RNA viruses.
Use of Muscle Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Older Individuals

Muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging (mfMRI) has been widely used to study muscle recruitment in exercise in young healthy subjects, but has not been validated or used with older subjects. This study validates and demonstrates the use of mfMRI in older subjects. Subjects consisted of apparently healthy sedentary younger (n = 7) and older (n = 6) women. Proton transverse relaxation (T2)-weighted MRI scans were obtained of the quadriceps femoris at rest and immediately following three bouts of knee extension exercise (50%, 75%, and 100% of untrained 5 x 10 repetition maximum [RM]). Older subjects performed knee extension training for 12 weeks and repeated the MRI scan protocol using the same absolute loads. Training induced a 13% increase in 1 RM and a 25% increase in 5 x 10 RM. Older subjects had higher resting T2 values compared with younger subjects; however, the T2 response to exercise (slope) was similar among groups (young = 0.063+/-0.003, older untrained = 0.055+/-0.011, older trained = 0.053+/-0.008; p > .05). In all cases, T2 increased linearly with load. Trained older subjects showed a lower T2 response when lifting the same absolute load compared with before training, which is consistent with results previously obtained from young subjects. In the older population, mfMRI is appropriate for use and offers benefits over other technologies.
Hepatic Encephalopathy Associated With Hepatic Lipidosis in Llamas (Lama glama)

Hepatic encephalopathy has been listed as a differential for llamas displaying neurologic signs, but it has not been histopathologically described. This report details the neurologic histopathologic findings associated with 3 cases of hepatic lipidosis with concurrent neurologic signs and compares them to 3 cases of hepatic lipidosis in the absence of neurologic signs and 3 cases without hepatic lipidosis. Brain from all 3 llamas displaying neurologic signs contained Alzheimer type II cells, which were not detected in either subset of llamas without neurologic signs. Astrocytic immunohistochemical staining intensity for glial fibrillary acid protein was decreased in llamas with neurologic signs as compared to 2 of 3 llamas with hepatic lipidosis and without neurologic signs and to 2 of 3 llamas without hepatic lipidosis. Immunohistochemical staining for S100 did not vary between groups. These findings suggest that hepatic encephalopathy may be associated with hepatic lipidosis in llamas.
Community Level Disadvantage and the Likelihood of First Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose. Residing in “disadvantaged” communities may increase morbidity and mortality independent of individual social resources and biological factors. This study evaluates the impact of population-level disadvantage on incident ischemic stroke likelihood in a multiethnic urban population. Methods. A population based case-control study was conducted in an ethnically diverse community of New York. First ischemic stroke cases and community controls were enrolled and a stroke risk assessment performed. Data regarding population level economic indicators for each census tract was assembled using geocoding. Census variables were also grouped together to define a broader measure of collective disadvantage. We evaluated the likelihood of stroke for population-level variables controlling for individual social (education, social isolation, and insurance) and vascular risk factors. Results. We age-, sex-, and race-ethnicity-matched 687 incident ischemic stroke cases to 1153 community controls. The mean age was 69 years: 60% women; 22% white, 28% black, and 50% Hispanic. After adjustment, the index of community level disadvantage (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.7–2.1) was associated with increased stroke likelihood overall and among all three race-ethnic groups. Conclusion. Social inequalities measured by census tract data including indices of community disadvantage confer a significant likelihood of ischemic stroke independent of conventional risk factors.
Information-singular random processes

Random processes that generate information slower than linearly with time are termed information-singular. The study of information-singularity contributes to a more thorough understanding of the mathematical nature of information generation. Specifically, it elucidates the manner in which generation of information by a time series is critically dependent on the detailed behavior of the sample functions of its spectral representation. The main theorem states that any random sequence whose spectral representation has stationary independent increments with no Brownian motion component is information-singular in the mean-squared sense. The concept of information-singularity can be construed as a means for discriminating between deterministic and nondeterministic processes. It is felt that information-singularity fulfills this discriminating function in a physically more satisfying manner than does the classical Hilbert space theory of linear and nonlinear prediction. The desire for a still more satisfying discriminant motivates investigation of the class of random processes that retain their information-singularity even when corrupted by additive noise. In the case of strictly stationary processes, the discussion focuses on the relationship between information-singularity and zero entropy. Lastly, some alternative definitions of information-singularity are considered and several open problems are identified.
The relationship of infant sleep and play positioning to motor milestone achievement.

Objective Limited information is available on how sleep and play positions affect infant gross motor skills and occupational development. The overall objective of this descriptive developmental pilot study was to compare normative and sampled infants relative to sleep and awake positioning using the Denver II Gross Motor Sector. Method A cross-sectional sample of 66 infants 2.0 (n = 23), 4.1 (n = 26), and 6.0 (n = 17) months of age were administered the Denver II Gross Motor Sector. Caregivers identified infants' primary sleep positions and amount of awake-time in prone. Data were analyzed using chi-square goodness-of-fit tests. Results The sample of 2.0-month-old supine and side sleeping infants differed significantly from the normative population on three gross motor milestones. Two-month-old infants spending 15 min or fewer of awake-time in prone passed the gross motor milestones at significantly lower percentages than the normative population. No significant differences were noted between sampled and normative populations at 4.1 and 6.0 months of age. Conclusion Results suggest that infant gross motor development may be related to sleep and play positioning. Information regarding infants' sleep and awake positioning may be important to occupational therapists when evaluating gross motor development. Implications for caregiver education and future research are proposed.
Neuroblastoma Cell-Adapted Yellow Fever 17D Virus: Characterization of a Viral Variant Associated with Persistent Infection and Decreased Virus Spread

Serial passage of yellow fever 17D virus (YF5.2iv, derived from an infectious molecular clone) on mouse neuroblastoma (NB41A3) cells established a persistent noncytopathic infection associated with a variant virus. This virus (NB15a) was dramatically reduced in plaque formation and exhibited impaired replication kinetics on all cell lines examined compared to the parental virus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of NB15a revealed a substitution in domain III of the envelope (E) protein at residue 360, where an aspartic acid residue was replaced by glycine. Single mutations were also found within the NS2A and NS3 proteins. Engineering of YF5.2iv virus to contain the E360 substitution yielded a virus (G360 mutant) whose plaque size and growth efficiency in cell culture resembled those of NB15a. Compared with YF5.2iv, both NB15a and G360 were markedly restricted for spread through Vero cell monolayers and mildly restricted in C6/36 cells. On NB41A3 cells, spread of the viruses was similar, but all three were generally inefficient compared with spread in other cell lines. Compared to YF5.2iv virus, NB15a was uniformly impaired in its ability to penetrate different cell lines, but a difference in cell surface binding was detected only on NB41A3 cells, where NB15a appeared less efficient. Despite its small plaque size, impaired growth, and decreased penetration efficiency, NB15a did not differ from YF5.2iv in mouse neurovirulence testing, based on mortality rates and average survival times after intracerebral inoculation of young adult mice. The data indicate that persistence of yellow fever virus in NB41A3 cells is associated with a mutation in the receptor binding domain of the E protein that impairs the virus entry process in cell culture. However, the phenotypic changes which occur in the virus as a result of the persistent infection in vitro do not correlate with attenuation during pathogenesis in the mouse central nervous system.
Instructional design approaches for improving a course in productivity and work measurement

This article explores the teaching styles of the professor, learning styles of the students, characteristics of the students, comparisons of Pearson's correlation coefficients between student grades earned in the course versus their cumulative grade point averages, and factors to consider for future Web-enhanced courses. The objectives of the course were to develop students' understanding of productivity and work measurement. It also explored the ability to understand and apply systems thinking and innovative planning for the purpose of improving personal productivity, the productivity of other people, and the productivity of systems and organizations.
Flight Time Errors in a Highly Automated Air Traffic Control System

Future Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems will include highly-automated and highly-integrated capabilities to safely and efficiently control future traffic loads. Most aircraft will have equipage for three dimensional (3-D) lateral and vertical trajectories that are more predictable and accurate than today. However, highly accurate 4-D trajectories are a key part of future ATC evolution. Recent experiments with actual en route and arrival flights provide initial insights into benefits, procedures, and flight time errors associated with 4-D trajectories in these flight phases. Although in many cases aircraft can limit flight time errors, prediction of accurate flight times along a trajectory will remain a limiting factor for ATC automation performance. With accurate aircraft dynamics data, flight times in still air (without wind errors) can be computed within a small tolerance. However, flight time differences from planned flight times are dependent on many factors such as forecast wind errors, unpredicted severe weather volumes, aircraft conflicts, departure time errors, and traffic flow initiatives. This paper presents results from two simulation experiments to fly a trajectory within a longitudinal tolerance in the presence of forecast wind errors and aircraft speed changes. If aircraft apply up to 20-knot change in True Airspeed (TAS) as an error mitigation technique, average flight time delay due to forecast wind errors was decreased by more than two-thirds. Additionally, flight time differences introduced by aircraft conflict resolution maneuvers were modeled. Future systems will need to plan for flight time delays introduced by conflict resolution maneuvers since more than one-third of the aircraft required conflict resolution maneuvers. In a sample scenario with seventy percent more traffic than today and a large (15 knots) average forecast wind error, flight time errors due to ground-based conflict resolution maneuvers were larger than flight time errors due to forecast wind errors. Speed change was effective at reducing the flight time errors, but did not eliminate all large flight time errors. Flight time errors could be decreased by additional capabilities such as timely detection of large forecast wind errors to allow earlier speed changes, airborne separation to minimize maneuver costs, and integrated departure planning to minimize departure phase conflicts.
The rise of middle and upper middle class in emerging markets: product and service opportunities

The middle and upper middle class population in the often termed emerging markets is typically a less investigated target as most consumer research and development efforts for such markets are primarily focused on rural communities as well as the lower to middle class population.We believe that, in a context where emerging markets are in constant transformation and the middle to upper middle classes are on a substantial growth path, it is important to explore appropriate ways to address these market segments as they represent an opportunity space for technological research and development. This paper discusses and shares results of a recent case study where a number of concepts and products were developed for such market segments in emerging markets and subsequently tested in China, Egypt, India and Brazil.
Unequal Importance Image Communication over Heterogeneous Networks

An unequal importance communication approach, for cheap, reliable and real-time image communication over heterogeneous networks and its applications in mobile multimedia communication systems is presented. Here, an image is partitioned into different layers of importance: base layer and enhancement layers. The low-rate base layer description, which can be strongly protected, is transmitted through a low-bandwidth, but robust and more expensive channel, supporting delay-sensitive applications (e.g. GSM network), while the high-rate enhancement layer description(s) are transmitted through a high-bandwidth, but high/variable-delay and cheap channel which does not support delay-sensitive applications (e.g. WLAN). In the receiver, when the base layer description is quickly received, an acceptable quality image is reconstructed, and when the enhancement layer description(s) are received a high quality image can be reconstructed. Our practical results indicated that this effective, flexible, and highly compatible method not only facilitates high quality image distribution among heterogeneous networks and increases the coverage, quality of service, and bandwidth and power efficiency but also decreases the delay and cost of image distribution in mobile communication systems.
Value of MRI of the brain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neurologic disturbance

Our objective was to review the frequency and pattern of signal abnormalities seen on conventional MRI in patients with suspected neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NP-SLE). We reviewed 116 MRI examinations of the brain performed on 85 patients with SLE, (81 women, four men, aged 21-78 years, mean 40.6 years) presenting with neurological disturbances. MRI was normal or nearly normal in 34%. In 60% high-signal lesions were observed on T2-weighted images, frequently in the frontal and parietal subcortical white matter. Infarct-like lesions involving gray and white matter were demonstrated in 21 of cases. Areas of restricted diffusion were seen in 12 of the 67 patients who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging. Other abnormalities included loss of brain volume, hemorrhage, meningeal enhancement, and bilateral high signal in occipital white-matter. The MRI findings alone did not allow us to distinguish between thromboembolic and inflammatory events in many patients. Some patients with normal MRI improved clinically while on immunosuppressive therapy. More sensitive and/or specific imaging methods, such as spectroscopy and perfusion-weighted imaging, should be investigated in these subgroups of patients with suspected NP-SLE.
MCMC inference of the shape and variability of time-response signals

Signals in response to time-localized events of a common phenomenon tend to exhibit a common shape, but with variable time scale, amplitude, and delay across trials in many domains. We develop a new formulation to learn the common shape and variables from noisy signal samples with a Bayesian signal model and a Markov chain Monte Carlo inference scheme involving Gibbs sampling and independent Metropolis-Hastings. Our experiments with generated and real-world data show that the algorithm is robust to missing data, outperforms the existing approaches and produces easily interpretable outputs.
Identification of Diverse Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants Carried on Bacterial, Plasmid, or Viral Metagenomes from an Activated Sludge Microbial Assemblage

Using both sequence- and function-based metagenomic approaches, multiple antibiotic resistance determinants were identified within metagenomic libraries constructed from DNA extracted from bacterial chromosomes, plasmids, or viruses within an activated sludge microbial assemblage. Metagenomic clones and a plasmid that in Escherichia coli expressed resistance to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, or kanamycin were isolated, with many cloned DNA sequences lacking any significant homology to known antibiotic resistance determinants.
Subject Matter Jurisdiction and the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone

This is an analysis of Gulf Restoration Network v. McCarthy, 783 F.3d 227 (5th Cir. 2015), which is about judicial review an agency's duty to respond to a petition for rulemaking.