cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Cognitive Behavioral and Mindfulness Meditation Interventions on Adaptation to Rheumatoid Arthritis for Patients With and Without History of Recurrent Depression

This research examined whether cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness interventions that target responses to chronic stress, pain, and depression reduce pain and improve the quality of everyday life for adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The 144 RA participants were clustered into groups of 6-10 participants and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: cognitive behavioral therapy for pain (P); mindfulness meditation and emotion regulation therapy (M); or education-only group (E), which served as an attention placebo control. The authors took a multimethod approach, employing daily diaries and laboratory assessment of pain and mitogen-stimulated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine. Participants receiving P showed the greatest Pre to Post improvement in self-reported pain control and reductions in the IL-6; both P and M groups showed more improvement in coping efficacy than did the E group. The relative value of the treatments varied as a function of depression history. RA patients with recurrent depression benefited most from M across several measures, including negative and positive affect and physicians' ratings of joint tenderness, indicating that the emotion regulation aspects of that treatment were most beneficial to those with chronic depressive features.
Detection of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) Transcripts in Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are transcribed in many cancers including prostate cancer. HERV-K of the HML2 subtype is the most recently integrated and most intact retrovirus in the human genome, with many of the viral genomes encoding full-or partial-length viral proteins. To assess transcripts of HERV-K in prostate cancer cell lines and identify the specific HERV-K elements in the human genome that are transcribed, RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing were undertaken. Strand-specific RT-PCR, plasmid subcloning and cDNA sequencing detected the presence of HERV-K(HML2) coding strand transcripts within four prostate cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, PC3 and VCaP). RT-PCR across splice junctions revealed splicing variants for env gene mRNA in three cell lines, two involving previously undescribed alternative splice sites. To determine the HERV-K loci from which the transcripts arose, RepeatMasker was used to compile a list of over 200 HERV-K internal genome segment fragments and over 1000 HERV-K solo-LTR fragments in the human genome. Surprisingly, the sequences identified from internal positions of the viral genome were mostly smaller segments, while the LTRs were relatively intact. Possible reasons for this are discussed. The transcripts in the cell lines tested, arose from several HERV-K loci, with some proviruses being detected in multiple cell lines and others in only one of the four used. In some instances, transcripts from viral antisense strands was also detected. In addition, transcripts from both strands of solo LTRs were detected. These data show that transcripts from HERV-K loci commonly occur in prostate cancer cell lines and that transcription of either strand can occur. They also emphasize the importance of single nucleotide level analysis to identify the specific, individual HERV-K loci that are transcribed, and indicate that HERV-K expression in prostate cancer warrants further study.
A probabilistic approach to collision-free robot path planning

A method was developed that takes into consideration the size and shape of the obstacles as well as the distance from the robot's current position to the obstacles. The workspace is divided into a finite number of cubes. An obstacle is represented by the set of cubes it occupies. The probability of each cube becoming a dead end is calculated under the assumption that both the starting and destination points are randomly located in the workspace with a known distribution. These probabilities are used to determine an optimal robot path that minimizes some cost associated with the path. Several illustrative examples are presented. The method is intended to be used for 3-D problems and is simple enough to be implemented for online robot path planning. >
Group Therapy during a Modified Fasting Diet: Themes and Process

Individuals restricted to 400 calories per day were treated with weekly group therapy. The process involved development of group cohesiveness due to a commonly shared experience. The group was unable to accept that weight control meant severe caloric limitation. Themes of dependency and pairing tended to distract the group from their basic task of tolerating severe caloric limitation. Behavioral techniques as well as fostering of insight did not appear effective. Explanations for such a group format are discussed.
Correlation between virulence gene expression and proton pump inhibitors and ambient pH in Clostridium difficile: results of an in vitro study

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with the development of Clostridium difficile infection in humans. Though it is assumed that PPIs mediate this effect through gastric acid suppression, there has been little investigation into whether PPIs, or ambient pH, might directly affect the expression of C. difficile toxin genes. In the present study, C. difficile ribotypes 001, 027 and 078 obtained from human subjects were grown under anaerobic conditions prepared at pHs of 5, 7.3 and 9. Matched trios were exposed to 100 µM and 200 µM of omeprazole along with PPI untreated controls. Custom designed reverse transcription quantitative PCR hydrolysis probes were used to assess C. difficile gene expression for toxins A (tcdA), B (tcdB) and binary toxin (cdtB), as well as their positive regulators (tcdR and cdtR), using rrsA, which encodes 16S rRNA, as a constitutively expressed reference gene. tcdC and codY, negative regulators of toxin expression, were also assessed. Basic pH resulted in greater expression of tcdA, and with PPI exposure a 120-fold higher expression was noted with ribotype 001. tcdB and cdtB expressions were much less responsive to pH or PPIs, though a clear response to acidic pH and PPI exposure was observed in ribotype 027. tcdC and codY expressions were largely unaffected, except with ribotype 027; low pH and PPIs resulted in their greater expression, though to a lesser degree than with toxin genes and their positive regulators. Non-neutral pH and PPI exposure appear to have an effect on C. difficile, one that has a net effect towards toxin gene expression.
Energy-efficient growth of phage Qβ in Escherichia coli

The role of natural selection in the optimal design of organisms is controversial. Optimal forms, functions, or behaviors of organisms have long been claimed without knowledge of how genotype contributes to phenotype, delineation of design constraints, or reference to alternative designs. Moreover, arguments for optimal designs have been often based on models that were difficult, if not impossible, to test. Here, we begin to address these issues by developing and probing a kinetic model for the intracellular growth of bacteriophage Qβ in Escherichia coli. The model accounts for the energetic costs of all template-dependent polymerization reactions, in ATP equivalents, including RNA-dependent RNA elongation by the phage replicase and synthesis of all phage proteins by the translation machinery of the E. coli host cell. We found that translation dominated phage growth, requiring 85% of the total energy expenditure. Only 10% of the total energy was applied to activities other than the direct synthesis of progeny phage components, reflecting primarily the cost of making the negative-strand RNA template that is needed for replication of phage genomic RNA. Further, we defined an energy efficiency of phage growth and showed its direct relationship to the yield of phage progeny. Finally, we performed a sensitivity analysis and found that the growth of wild-type phage was optimized for progeny yield or energy efficiency, suggesting that phage Qβ has evolved to optimally utilize the finite resources of its host cells. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developing a Safety Protocol in Qualitative Research Involving Battered Women

Qualitative research involving battered women requires advanced planning to protect participants and the investigator from the risk of violence from an abusive partner. Domestic violence creates a potentially dangerous research environment that is seldom discussed in the literature. The use of a safety protocol has been advocated as a way to ensure that research is conducted with maximum safeguards for the participating women. In this article, the author presents a safety protocol developed for a study of battered women's perceptions of danger in their relationship. Issues that relate to safety contacting participants, conducting the interviews, and protecting data are discussed.
Si thin layer growth from metal solutions on single-crystal and cast metallurgical-grade multicrystalline Si substrates

A simple, vertical-dipping, liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) method for growth of Si layers from Cu/Si solution at temperatures less than 950/spl deg/C has been shown to be a promising technique for thin crystalline Si photovoltaic (PV) applications. Solar cells with more than 15% AM1 efficiency were fabricated on 5-/spl mu/m-thick layers grown from Cu/Si solution on (111) Czochralski (CZ) substrates. To extend the application of this technique to low-cost substrates, we grew thin (5-40 /spl mu/m) Si layers on cast multicrystalline metallurgical-grade (MG) substrates from Cu/Si solution as well as from Al/Si, Al/Cu/Si, Bi/Si, Ga/Cu/Si, and Sn/Si solutions. The conditions of growth, morphology, solvent incorporation characteristics and problems that arise with the use of multicrystalline Si substrates are discussed. A diagnostic solar cell with efficiency equal to 0.42 and open-circuit voltage equal to 0.89 of the values for a single crystal control cell was obtained, without any light-trapping scheme, on a 15-/spl mu/m-thick layer grown on a MG Si substrate. >
Synthetic Jet Propulsion for Small Underwater Vehicles

This paper proposes a new synthetic jet actuation concept for small, low speed, highly maneuverable AUVs. Synthetic jet thrusters, which produce jets of vortex rings, are inspired by the pulsatile jet propulsion of salps, jellyfish, and squid. To assess the potential utility of this scheme, we developed synthetic jet actuator prototypes, and verified their function via both force measurement and flow visualization experiments. We used a genetic-algorithm based technique for optimizing the actuation profile of the thrusters. Also presented is an initial discussion of vehicle design. Our conclusion is that synthetic jet thrusters are a viable propulsion method for small underwater vehicles.
Distributional outcomes of a decentralized welfare program

It is common for central governments, to delegate authority over the targeting of welfare programs to local community organizations - which may be better informed about who is poor, though possibly less accountable for getting the money to the local poor - while the center retains control over how much goes to each local region. The authors outline a theoretical model of the interconnected behavior of the various actors in such a setting. The model's information structure provides scope for econometric identification. Applying data for a specific program in Bangladesh, they find that overall targeting was mildly pro-poor, mostly because of successful targeting within villages. But this varied across villages. Although some village characteristics promoted better targeting, these were generally not the same characteristics that attracted resources from the center. The authors observe that the center's desire for broad geographic coverage, appears to have severely constrained the scope for pro-poor village targeting. However, poor villages tended not to be better at reaching their poor. They find some evidence that local institutions matter. The presence of cooperatives for farmers and the landless, appears to be associated with more pro-poor program targeting. The presence of recreational clubs has the opposite effect. Sometimes the benefits of decentralized social programs are captured by local elites, depending on the type of spending being decentralized. When public spending us on private (excludable) good, and there is no self-targeting mechanism to ensure that only the poor participate, there is ample scope for local mis-targeting.
Vehicle/Guideway Dynamic Interaction in Maglev Systems

The importance of vehicle/guide way dynamics in maglev systems is discussed. The particular interests associated with modeling vehicle/guideway interactions and ex­ plaining response characteristics of maglev systems for a multicar, multiload vehicle traversing on a single- or double-span flexible guideway are considered, with an emphasis on vehicle/guide way coupling effects, comparison of concentrated and distributed loads, and ride comfort. Coupled effects of vehicle/guideway interactions over a wide range of vehicle speeds with various vehicle and guideway parameters are investigated, and appropriate criteria for decoupling at critical vehicle speeds or crossing frequencies are identified.
Galerkin method for a nonlinear parabolic–elliptic system with nonlinear mixed boundary conditions

Materials which are heated by the passage of electricity are usually modeled by a nonlinear coupled system of two partial differential equations. The current equation is elliptic, while the temperature equation is parabolic. These equations are coupled one to another through the conductivities and the Joule effect. A computationally attractive discretization method is analyzed and shown to yield optimal error estimates in H1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neonatal Mouse Cardiac Myocytes Exhibit Cardioprotection Induced by Hypoxic and Pharmacologic Preconditioning and by Transgenic Overexpression of Human Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase

Although mouse models have been increasingly used for studies of cardiac pathophysiology, there is little information regarding cultured murine cardiac myocytes. Accordingly, we have developed a cell culture model of neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes by modifying a protocol used to prepare neonatal rat myocytes. The principal change is the substitution of cytosine arabinoside for bromodeoxyuridine to prevent fibroblast proliferation. Neonatal murine myocytes exhibited persistent spontaneous contraction and were viable for up to 14 days in culture. By flow cytometry 85% of the cells were cardiac myocytes. In sparse cultures (average cell density 259 cells/mm(2)), both hypoxic preconditioning (n=5) and phenylephrine pretreatment (n=8) produced significant protection of cardiac myocytes from cell death during a prolonged period of severe hypoxia (<0.5% O(2)for 18-20 h, both P<0.05). The phenylephrine effect was inhibited by the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (n=4, P<0.05) and by an xi PKC peptide antagonist (xi V1-2) coupled to a TAT peptide (n=5, P<0. 05). Interestingly, the mixed alpha(1)- and beta -adrenoceptor agonist norepinephrine, which stimulates hypertrophy as measured by(14)[C]phenylalanine incorporation in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, did not cause hypertrophy in mouse myocytes, suggesting that the signaling pathways for myocardial protection and hypertrophy are likely to be both divergent and species specific. In cardiac myocytes prepared from transgenic mice either homozygous or heterozygous for human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, there was protection from cell death (n=3) and restoration of(14)[C]phenyl- alanine uptake (n=4) during prolonged hypoxia (1% O(2)for 3 days, both P<0.05). We conclude that this cellular model, which is relatively simple to prepare, can be used for in-vitro examination of cardiac protection induced by preconditioning agents, various transgenes, and potentially by targeted gene deletions.
Towards Intra-operative Monitoring of Ablation Using Tracked 3D Ultrasound Elastography and Internal Palpation

ABSTRACT B-mode ultrasound is widely used in liver ablation. However, the necrosis zone is typically not visible underb-mode ultrasound, since ablation does not necessarily change the acoustic properties of the tissue. In contrast,the change in tissue stin ess makes elastography ideal for monitoring ablation. Tissue palpation for elastographyis typically applied at the imaging probe, by indenting it slightly into the tissue surface. However, in this paperwe propose an alternate approach, where palpation is applied by a surgical instrument located inside the tissue.In our approach, the ablation needle is placed inside a steerable device called an active cannula and inserted intothe tissue. A controlled motion is applied to the center of the ablation zone via the active cannula. Since thetype and direction of motion is known, displacement c an then be computed from two frames with the desiredmotion. The elastography results show the ablated region around the needle.While internal palpation provides excellent local contrast, freehand palpation from outside of the tissue viathe transducer can provide a more global view of the region of the interest. For this purpose, we used a tracked3D transducer to generate volumetric elastography images covering the ablated region. The tracking informationis employed to improve the elastography results by selecting volume pairs suitable for elastography. This is anextension of our 2D frame selection technique which can cop e with uncertainties associ ated with intra-operativeelastography. In our experiments with phantom and ex-vivo tissue, we were able to generate high-quality imagesdepicting the boundaries of the hard lesions.Keywords: Elastography,Ablation, Strain, Active Cannula, FrameSelection, Tracking, Intra-operativeimaging,Monitoring
Extreme hyperinsulinemia unmasks insulin's effect to stimulate protein synthesis in the human forearm.

Insulin clearly stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis in vitro. Surprisingly, this effect has been difficult to reproduce in vivo. As in vitro studies have typically used much higher insulin...
A Tale of Two Worlds: A South African-Born Educator's Journey in the American Academy

Nkabinde examines her academic and professional experiences of an African-born educator in the American higher education landscape. The premise of he tale is that African-born educators have been able to make great contributions in the American academy despite being underrepresented and not always welcomed in higher education. The author’s experiences as a South African-born woman of color in the academy will provide an African world view such as beliefs and values that have shaped her and helped her in navigating different cultural, social, educational, and professional terrains. Along the way, she also explores the challenges of being a South African-born woman of color in the academy. The South African educational experience will be discussed in the context of describing how its foundation has helped the narrator in developing her strong character and a sense of resiliency that has served her well in the American academy.
Near-Infrared Photodetection with Molecular Beam Epitaxy Grown Extended InGaAs

Strain-balanced InxGa1-xAs/InyGa1-yAs superlattices and fractional monolayer In0.532Ga0.468As/InAs superlattices were grown by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (SSMBE) in order to extend the photodetection wavelength range beyond 1.7μm. Material qualities were characterized by transmitted electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), roomtemperature photoluminesecence (RTPL) and optical absorption measurement.
Intrinsic-extrinsic Muscle Control of the Hand in Power Grip and Precision Handling: An Electromyographic Study

We tested the hand muscles of 115 normal subjects electromyographically to determine the function of these muscles in power grip and precision handling. In power grip all the intrinsics and extrinsics were tested in detail (ten subjects per muscle); in precision handling the intrinsics of the thumb and first two fingers were tested; other intrinsics and extrinsics were spot-checked. In the experimental laboratory, activities were developed to represent resisted motions performed by the hand in activities of daily living. Graded resistances were tested and various sizes of simulated objects were used. The classifications of motion were: (1) power grip, including squeeze, disc, hook, and spherical grips, (2) precision handling, including rotation and translation, and (3) pinch. Our findings warrant the following conclusions: 1. In power grip the extrinsics provide the major gripping force. All of the extrinsics are involved in power gripping and are used in proportion to the desired force to be used against the external force. The major intrinsic muscles of power grip are the interossei, used as phalangeal rotators and metacarpophalangeal flexors. The lumbricales, with the exception of the fourth, are not significantly used in power grip. The thenar muscles are used in all forms of power grip except hook grip. 2. In precision handling, specific extrinsic muscles provide gross motion and compressive forces. In rotation motions the interossei are important in imposing the necessary rotational forces on the object to be rotated; the motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint which provides this rotation is abduction or adduction, not rotation of the first phalanx. The lumbricales are interphalangeal joint extensors as in the unloaded hand, and additionally are first phalangeal abductor-adductors and rotators. In translation motions towards the palm, the interossei provide intrinsic compression and rotation forces for most efficient finger positioning; the lumbricalis is not active. Moving away from the palm the handled object is driven by interossei and lumbricales to provide intrinsic compression and metacarpophalangeal-joint flexion and interphalangeal-joint extension. The thenar muscles in precision handling act as a triad of flexor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and abductor pollicis brevis to provide adduction across the palm, internal rotation of the first metacarpal, and maintenance of web space depth. The adductor pollicis is used in specific situations when force is required to adduct the first metacarpal towards the second. 3. In pinch, compression is provided primarily by the extrinsic muscles. Phalangeal rotational position is adjusted by the interossei and perhaps also by the lumbricales. Compression is assisted by the metacarpophalangeal-joint flexion force of the interossei and flexor pollicis brevis and by the adducting force of the adductor pollicis. The opponens assists through rotational positioning of the first metacarpal.
Natural Distribution of Incompatibility Factors in Basidiomycetous Fungi

In earlier studies involving Sistotrema brinkmannii and Schisophyllum commune, it was noted that the frequencies of allelic repeats for incompatibility factors were equal in samples obtained from g...
Modeling Silicon-Based Periodic Waveguides for Optical Interconnects

To assist the precision and stability of wavelength at 1550 nm and 1300 nm in planar optical waveguides, hybrid semiconductor-metal corrugated gratings with nanometer period are integrated into silicon-based optical interconnects. This work utilizes multi-parametric optical waveguide models to compute the mode-coupling coefficients in the silicon photonic devices. For such a semiconductor-metal hybrid structure, a proper photonic technique needs to be utilized to solve this computational complexity. The optical method and the photonic method are used to compute coupling coefficients. Both methods have close numerical values shown in figures. Numerical results demonstrate how the normalized corrugation amplitudes of metal gratings can affect the coupling coefficients. Further physical interpretation and discussion can support and explain the above results. The modeling results can help engineers decide the values of parameters used in the design and fabrication of optical waveguides.
Testing of oil pipeline crude oil temperature drop law in the oil depot

By analyzing the data which are obtained by oil pipeline crude oil temperature circuit monitor system,we summarize a series of oil temperature drop laws.A series of oil pipeline crude oil temperature are summarized.Not only the relations between the temperature drop rate and the mean temperature difference of the different oil pipelines are different,but also the relations of the different axial positions on the same pipeline are different.With the increase of the temperature difference,the temperature drop rate of the oil pipelines located in right side of the center line increases,but the temperature drop rate of the left side pipelines appears a deceasing situation.There is no linear relation between the temperature drop rate and mean temperature difference.
Giant left atrium--a case report.

A seventy-seven-year old woman, with mitral stenosis, presented with car diomegaly evident on her chest roentgenogram. The cardiac enlargement was due to a giant left atrium that distorted the cardiac structures. An echocardio gram and a first-pass nuclear angiogram were able to delineate the huge left atrum.
Single absorbable polydioxanone pin fixation for distal chevron bunion osteotomies.

The distal chevron osteotomy is a well-established technique for correction of symptomatic mild to moderate metatarsus primus varus with hallux valgus deformity. Fixation of the osteotomy ranges from none to bone pegs, Kirschner wires, screws, or absorbable pins. We evaluated one surgeon's (J.K.D.) results of distal chevron osteotomy fixation with a single, nonpredrilled, 1.3-mm poly-p-dioxanone pin and analyzed any differences in patients with unilateral or bilateral symptomatic metatarsus primus varus with hallux valgus deformities. All osteotomies healed without evidence of infection, osteolysis, nonunion, or necrosis. Equal correction was achieved in unilateral and bilateral procedures. The technique is quick and easy, and adequate fixation is achieved.
Spin Dependence of PP Inclusive Reactions

Data are presented for the spin correlation parameter ANN in the inclusive reactions P↑ + P↑ → π+ + X and P↑ + P↑ → P + X at 6 GeV/c. For π+ inclusives substantial asymmetries are observed which decrease with increasing momentum transfer squared P T 2 . For proton inclusives ANN is small but appears to increase with increasing P T 2 .
Risk of Multiple Seizure Recurrence

The risk of multiple recurrences after an initial seizure recurrence was assessed in a prospective study of 407 children, followed for a mean of 9.6 years at Montefiore Medical Center, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, and in private practices.
An Analysis of the Bachelor of Science in Geology Degree as Offered in the United States

The Bachelor of Science in Geology degree is offered by nearly 300 universities and colleges in the United States. The curriculum of these degree programs is composed of three parts: core required ...
Development of Engineered Bacteriophages for Escherichia coli Detection and High-Throughput Antibiotic Resistance Determination

T7 bacteriophages (phages) have been genetically engineered to carry the lacZ operon, enabling the overexpression of beta-galactosidase (β-gal) during phage infection and allowing for the enhanced colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Following the phage infection of E. coli, the enzymatic activity of the released β-gal was monitored using a colorimetric substrate. Compared with a control T7 phage, our T7lacZ phage generated significantly higher levels of β-gal expression following phage infection, enabling a lower limit of detection for E. coli cells. Using this engineered T7lacZ phage, we were able to detect E. coli cells at 10 CFU·mL–1 within 7 h. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential for phage-based sensing of bacteria antibiotic resistance profiling using our T7lacZ phage, and subsequent β-gal expression to detect antibiotic resistant profile of E. coli strains.
The stability of children's weight status over time, and the role of television, physical activity, and diet.

Abstract Weight-related behaviors such as sedentary activity, physical activity, and diet have been the focus of efforts to prevent and reduce the occurrence of obesity and overweight in children, but few longitudinal studies have examined the effects of weight-related behaviors on changes in weight status over time in children. This study examines the effects of weight-related behaviors on subsequent changes in weight during childhood. We used the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a nationally representative prospective cohort of children in the United States. Data, including anthropometric measures, were collected six times across 1998–2007 (analytic sample = 4938). We employed an autoregressive cross-lagged model in a structural equation model framework to assess the effects of behavioral factors -intake of fruit, vegetables, fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages, television viewing, and physical activity - on weight stability over time. BMI z-scores were highly stable throughout childhood: the standardized parameter estimates of BMI z-scores on subsequent-period BMI z-scores ranged from 0.79 to 0.86. BMI z-scores were least stable between Kindergarten and 1st grade but became highly stable between 3rd and 5th grades. After accounting for prior weight, behavioral factors had little effect on subsequent weight. The most important behavioral factor was TV viewing in the 1st and 3rd grades: an additional hour of daily TV viewing was associated with 0.04 higher BMI z-score. It is important to prevent excessive weight gain early in childhood, as weight patterns are long-lasting; the most important behavioral factor may be limiting children's screen time.
Herpesvirus Capsid Assembly and DNA Packaging

Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) is the causative agent of several pathologies ranging in severity from the common cold sore to life-threatening encephalitic infection. During productive lytic infection, over 80 viral proteins are expressed in a highly regulated manner, resulting in the replication of viral genomes and assembly of progeny virions. The virion of all herpesviruses consists of an external membrane envelope, a proteinaceous layer called the tegument, and an icosahedral capsid containing the double-stranded linear DNA genome. The capsid shell of HSV-1 is built from four structural proteins: a major capsid protein, VP5, which forms the capsomers (hexons and pentons), the triplex consisting of VP19C and VP23 found between the capsomers, and VP26 which binds to VP5 on hexons but not pentons. In addition, the dodecameric pUL6 portal complex occupies 1 of the 12 capsid vertices, and the capsid vertex specific component (CVSC), a heterotrimer complex of pUL17, pUL25, and pUL36, binds specifically to the triplexes adjacent to each penton. The capsid is assembled in the nucleus where the viral genome is packaged into newly assembled closed capsid shells. Cleavage and packaging of replicated, concatemeric viral DNA requires the seven viral proteins encoded by the UL6, UL15, UL17, UL25, UL28, UL32, and UL33 genes. Considerable advances have been made in understanding the structure of the herpesvirus capsid and the function of several of the DNA packaging proteins by applying biochemical, genetic, and structural techniques. This review is a summary of recent advances with respect to the structure of the HSV-1 virion capsid and what is known about the function of the seven packaging proteins and their interactions with each other and with the capsid shell.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 and optic pathway glioma: Molecular interplay and therapeutic insights

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are predisposed to develop central nervous system neoplasms, the most common of which are low-grade gliomas (LGGs). The absence of human NF1 associated LGG-derived cell lines, coupled with an inability to generate patient-derived xenograft models, represents barriers to profile molecularly targeted therapies for these tumors. Thus, genetically engineered mouse models have been identified to evaluate the interplay between Nf1-deficient tumor cells and nonneoplastic stromal cells to evaluate potential therapies for these neoplasms. Future treatments might also consider targeting the nonneoplastic cells in NF1-LGGs to reduce tumor growth and neurologic morbidity in affected children.
Self-Consistent Numerical Model

In the development of a new technology, the availability of a tool able to simulate the cell behavior is key for proper device engineering. However, as extensively discussed in Chaps. 2 and 3, the main physical ingredients at the basis of PCM operation are uncommon for conventional electronics, and the available commercial tools cannot be thus employed. In this chapter, a numerical model will be described that couples the conduction properties of crystalline and amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 (including the threshold switching) with a local nucleation and growth algorithm to account for the phase transition dynamics. The proposed model can simulate three-dimensional PCM devices, and it is capable to quantitatively reproduce the key features of chalcogenide physics when integrated in an electronic memory cell. More detailed material can be found in the original paper which is partially reproduced here with permission from A. Redaelli A. P. (J Appl Phys – Appl Phys Rev 103(111101), 2008); copyright AIP Publishing LLC 2008.
Water and Ion Transport in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Much of the work on Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFCs) in recent years has focused on the development of new catalysts and membranes. Though this work is important, it has overlooked mass transport in these systems, which is equally critical to achieving high performance. This chapter provides an overview of aspects related to AEMFC water management and carbonation upon exposure to carbon dioxide. managing both of these are needed in order to achieve high performing fuel cells.
Helping Engineering Students Learn in Introductory Computer Science (CS1) Using Computational Creativity Exercises (CCEs)

Contribution: This paper provides evidence that computational creativity exercises (CCEs) can increase engineering students’ learning in introductory computer science (CS1) courses. Its main contribution is its more rigorous treatment/control group research design that allows testing for causal influences of CCEs on student learning and performance. Background: Computer science (CS) courses are critical foundational courses for engineering students. CCEs that merge computational and creative thinking have been shown to increase achievement and learning of engineering and nonengineering students in CS1 courses, but previous research has used quasi- and non-experimental designs. Intended Outcomes: CCEs are intended to improve students’ learning of CS1 content and problem-solving ability by fostering computational creativity. Application Design: CCEs can improve student learning and can be used to supplement other evidence-based instructional practices. Findings: Propensity score matching was used to create equivalent treatment and control groups; results show that students in the CCE implementation section had higher scores on a CS knowledge test than students in the control section, but not higher self-efficacy for their CS knowledge. Focus group and open-ended survey questions indicated that students had mixed reactions to the CCEs, with about half the students seeing them as improving their learning, understanding, and ability to apply CS in their engineering field. Responses also reinforced the importance of fully incorporating CCEs in courses and aligning them with course topics.
Major components and themes of local public health laws in select U.S. jurisdictions.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has concluded that an effective public health system must work collaboratively with the entire community, including political, legal, and governmental processes.1 Correspondingly, legal structures and the authority vested in health agencies and other partners within the public health system are quintessential to improving the public's health.2 Although federal and state public health laws have been extensively studied during the past 20 years, less attention has been directed to the broad range of local public health regulations in the United States. In view of the decentralized nature of public health law,3 local health entities (e.g., boards of health, city councils, or county councils) can be expected to have a significant impact on community health status,4 but existing schol arly work on local public health law has thus far largely focused on specific topics such as firearms,5 housing,6 or smoking regulations.7 More than 18,000 local jurisdictions (e.g., counties, cities, boroughs, and special districts) exist in the U.S., each of which may have some legal authority (albeit minimal in some cases) to regulate in the interests of protecting the public's health.8 Local conditions and problems often stimulate local governments to adopt and promulgate rules and ordinances to address the pressing health concerns of a given community. Some local health issues such as food handling are common across many local governments, but are handled differ ently depending on multiple factors, including rural or urban setting, population size, local governance, extent of home rule, and existence and powers of boards of health. Other health issues (e.g., physical activity,9 outside burning,10 and smoking11) are uniquely addressed at the local level in ways that contrast with federal or state approaches. Local governments address public health issues through regulations based on the extent of authority bestowed by the state. "Home rule" statutes authorize local governments, depending on their size, class, and other factors, to direcdy address specific local public health issues through local laws.12 Forty-eight states have constitutional or statutory home-rule law.11 At times, local ordinances fill gaps in federal or state public health laws by addressing critical areas of public health concern not otherwise regulated.13 In some jurisdic tions, innovative local public health legal approaches have "trickled up" to the state level as seen prominently in the areas of tobacco control14 and firearms.15 In other jurisdictions, where state law preempts local ordinances, local governments may be obligated to carry out state health regulations while adapting them to address local needs and priorities.16
Macrophages from the upper and lower human respiratory tract are metabolically distinct

The function and cell surface phenotype of lung macrophages vary within the respiratory tract. Alterations in the bioenergetic profile of macrophages may also be influenced by their location within...
Home care workers in heart failure: a systematic review.

Background Home care workers (HCWs), which include home health aides and personal care aides, are increasingly used by heart failure (HF) patients for post-acute care and long-term assistance. Despite their growing presence, they have largely been left out of HF research and interventions. This systematic review was aimed to 1) describe utilization patterns of HCWs by adults with HF, 2) examine the effect of HCWs on HF outcomes, and 3) review HF interventions that involve HCWs. Methods Five electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library [Wiley], CINAHL [EBSCO], and AgeLine [EBSCO]) were searched from inception through August 4, 2017. The yield was screened using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two authors independently reviewed references and a third reviewer acted as an arbitrator when needed. Data were extracted from articles that met the inclusion criteria. The Downs and Black checklist was used for quality assessment. Due to study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results Of the 7,032 studies screened, 13 underwent full-text review, and six met the inclusion criteria. Two descriptive studies found that adults with HF who live alone and have functional and cognitive deficits utilize HCWs. While three retrospective cohort studies examined the association between having an HCW post-HF hospitalization and readmission rates, their findings were conflicting. One quasi-experimental study found that an HCW-delivered educational intervention improved HF patients' self-care abilities. Overall, despite some significant findings, the studies assessed were of poor-to-fair quality (Downs and Black score range: 10-16 [28 total points]), with most lacking methodological rigor. Conclusion Although HCWs are quite common, the literature on these paraprofessionals in HF is limited. Given the paucity of research in this area and the low quality of studies reviewed here, additional research is warranted on the potential role of HCWs in HF self-care and on outcomes among adults with HF.
Heterotrophic metabolism of C1 and C2 low molecular weight compounds in northern Gulf of Mexico sediments: Controlling factors and implications for organic carbon degradation

Abstract Low molecular weight (LMW) compounds are key intermediates in organic matter degradation and their metabolism supports a diverse microbial community in anoxic sediments. Much remains to be learned about the metabolic pathways and turnover rates of LMW compounds as well as the factors that influence their metabolism in the environment. We studied the microbial metabolism of acetate, methanol and methylamine in sediments from Northern Gulf of Mexico to elucidate their role as energy and carbon sources for microorganisms mediating terminal metabolic processes and to constrain the importance of C1 and C2 metabolism in the sedimentary carbon cycle. In terms of carbon flow, methanogenesis was a minor process in sulfate-rich sediments; acetate and methanol were oxidized primarily by non-methanogenic heterotrophs as an energy source. A large fraction of utilized acetate (20–76%) was assimilated into biomass, suggesting that acetate was a significant biomass-building source. In situ thermodynamic calculations suggested the utilization of acetate and methanol by sulfate-reducing bacteria was more favorable than the utilization by methanogens, consistent with the observed higher oxidation rates than methanogenesis rates as well as results from inhibitor experiments employing 2-bromoethanesulfonate and molybdate. Methylamine, by contrast, was utilized for methane production (up to 100%), but its utilization was not limited to methanogens. At an organic-poor deep-sea site, elevated acetate and methanol oxidation rates in the absence of sulfate-reducing and methanogenic activity indicated that metabolism of LMW compounds was coupled to other electron accepting processes, such as denitrification. Heterotrophic carbon assimilation was an important pathway for generating biomass at this site, as evidenced by comparable rates of acetate assimilation to bicarbonate incorporation. The oxidation and assimilation rates of LMW compounds generally decreased with sediment depth, following the trend of organic carbon degradation rates. Environmental factor, such as temperature but not pressure, affected the metabolism of LMW compounds; the oxidation of acetate, methanol and methylamine exhibited distinct responses to changes in temperature. In seep sediments, the oxidation of acetate and methanol accounted for 5% and 0.9%, respectively, of the total organic carbon oxidation. Collectively, this assessment of C1 and C2 LMW compound utilization shows that these compounds serve as energetic substrates to fuel methanogens, sulfate reducers and other microbes.
Abstract WMP47: Traditional Doppler Measures Do Not predict Cognition in a Cohort With Advanced Atherosclerosis

Introduction: Traditional Doppler measures have been used to predict cognitive performance in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Novel measures, such as carotid strain indices (CSI) have shown ...
Sulfur mustard exposure enhances Fc receptor expression on human epidermal keratinocytes in cell culture: implications for toxicity and medical countermeasures.

Sulfur mustard (HD) is a chemical warfare blister agent. The biochemical basis of HD-induced vesication is unknown, and no antidote currently exists. Basal epidermal cells are a major site of HD toxicity in vivo, with inflammation and HD-increased proteolytic activity implicated as factors that contribute to HD pathology. Fc receptors (FcR) bind to the Fc region of antibody to mediate many effector and regulatory functions that can influence inflammatory responses. FcR are found on all types of immune cells and are also expressed on the surface of human keratinocytes. Assay by fluorescent antibodies demonstrated significantly enhanced CD32 (FcRII) and CD16 (FcRIII) on human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cell cultures at 8 to 24 h after exposure to HD (50, 100 and 200 µmol/L). The enhanced CD32 was time- and concentration-dependent and agreed well with the time course of increased proteolysis and cutaneous pathology observed during HD vesication. HD-increased FcR on the surface of HEK might be a mechanism of vesication.
Severe acquired tracheomalacia caused by a chronic esophageal foreign body

Abstract A 3-year-old otherwise healthy boy presented with new-onset progressive stridor that began 3 months prior. He was noted to have dyspnea on exertion, inspiratory stridor, and occasional regurgitation of undigested food. Direct laryngoscopy with bronchoscopy revealed tracheomalacia of the cervical trachea with marked compression extending down to 2 cm above the carina. Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and esophagram confirmed the presence of an esophageal foreign body with extensive inflammatory changes of the cervical and thoracic esophagus with mass effect causing compression on the trachea. Flexible esophagoscopy under sedation revealed a 2.9 cm × 2.5 cm hard plastic toy in the shape of rabbit ears, which was removed. The patient was extubated in the intensive care unit and was quickly advanced to a soft diet. He was asymptomatic at follow up 3 weeks after his procedure. Esophageal foreign bodies usually present with respiratory symptoms or feeding issues due to direct compression, and the presentation is typically acute. The finding of severe tracheomalacia has only been described in a few case reports. This is an unusual case of severe tracheomalacia secondary to a chronic esophageal foreign body.
A Scalable and Efficient In-Memory Interconnect Architecture for Automata Processing

Accelerating finite automata processing benefits regular-expression workloads and a wide range of other applications that do not map obviously to regular expressions, including pattern mining, bioinfomatics, and machine learning. Existing in-memory automata processing accelerators suffer from inefficient routing architectures. They are either incapable of efficiently place-and-route a highly connected automaton or require an excessive amount of hardware resources. In this paper, we propose a compact, low-overhead, and yet flexible in-memory interconnect architecture that efficiently implements routing for next-state activation, and can be applied to the existing in-memory automata processing architectures. We use SRAM 8T subarrays to evaluate our interconnect. Compared to the Cache Automaton routing design, our interconnect reduces the number of switches 7×, therefore, reduces area overhead for the interconnect. It also has faster row cycle time because of shorter wires and consumes less power.