cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current outpatient management of asthma shows poor compliance with International Consensus Guidelines.

Study objective This study aimed to establish whether the outpatient management of patients presenting with an asthma exacerbation to the emergency department (ED) was in compliance with the 1992 guidelines of the “International Consensus Report on the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.” Design Prospective, observational study using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Setting University tertiary referral ED. Patients Convenience sample of asthmatics (aged 18 to 54 years) presenting for asthma treatment between July 1, 1997, and June 30, 1998. Results Eighty-five asthmatic patients were enrolled. Of these, 34 patients (40%) smoked, 53 patients (62%) were undertreated with medication when compared to the consensus guidelines, and 74 patients (87%) had no written “plan of action.” During an asthma attack, 9 patients (11%) did not use a bronchodilator as first-line action and 76 patients (89%) did not commence or increase the use of an inhaled steroid. Forty-nine patients (58%) did not know that bronchospasm occurred in asthma, and 53 patients (62%) did not know that bronchial swelling occurred. Twenty-six patients (31%) thought short-acting bronchodilator drugs were asthma preventers. Sixty-two patients (73%) could not adequately define peak expiratory flow (PF), 41 patients (48%) did not own a PF meter, and only 8 patients (9%) determined their PF daily. Fifty-three patients (62%) were reviewed by a physician once a year or less, and 18 patients (21%) noted family and friends as their only source of asthma education. Conclusions The outpatient management of most asthma patients presenting to the ED did not comply with the consensus guidelines, and asthma knowledge was poor.
Design, Synthesis, and Performance of a Carbon Nanotube/Metal Foil Thermal Interface Material

The thermal performance of an interface material comprised of a metal foil with dense, vertically oriented carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays synthesized on both of its surfaces is characterized for rough and smooth interfaces. The CNT/foil deforms in the interfaces by two mechanisms, CNT deformation and foil deformation, that may significantly increase the number of CNT contact spots on both sides of the foil. As a result, the thermal conduction at the CNT-array-free-tip interfaces is greatly increased from previous measurements.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Inhibition of Protein Kinase C Signaling Maintains Rat Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency is orchestrated by distinct signaling pathways that are often targeted to maintain ESC self-renewal or their differentiation to other lineages. We showed earlier that inhibition of PKC signaling maintains pluripotency in mouse ESCs. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the importance of protein kinase C signaling in the context of rat ESC (rESC) pluripotency. Here we show that inhibition of PKC signaling is an efficient strategy to establish and maintain pluripotent rESCs and to facilitate reprogramming of rat embryonic fibroblasts to rat induced pluripotent stem cells. The complete developmental potential of rESCs was confirmed with viable chimeras and germ line transmission. Our molecular analyses indicated that inhibition of a PKCζ-NF-κB-microRNA-21/microRNA-29 regulatory axis contributes to the maintenance of rESC self-renewal. In addition, PKC inhibition maintains ESC-specific epigenetic modifications at the chromatin domains of pluripotency genes and, thereby, maintains their expression. Our results indicate a conserved function of PKC signaling in balancing self-renewal versus differentiation of both mouse and rat ESCs and indicate that targeting PKC signaling might be an efficient strategy to establish ESCs from other mammalian species.
Purification of DNA complementary to nucleotide sequences required for neoplastic transformation of fibroblasts by avian sarcoma viruses.

Abstract We have prepared radioactive DNA (cDNAsarc) complementary to nucleotide sequences which represent at least a portion of the viral gene(s) required for neoplastic transformation of fibroblasts by an avian sarcoma virus. The genetic complexity of cDNAsarc (~1600 nucleotides) is sufficient to represent an entire cistron. The genomes of three independent isolates of avian sarcoma viruses share nucleotide sequences closely related to cDNAsarc, whereas the sequences are absent from transformation-defective mutants of avian sarcoma viruses, several avian leukosis viruses, a non-pathogenic endogenous virus of chickens (Rous-associated virus-O), sarcoma-leukosis viruses of mice and cats, and mouse mammary tumor virus. We conclude that the transforming gene(s) of all avian sarcoma viruses have closely related or common genetic lineages distinct from the transforming genes in sarcoma viruses of other species. Our results conform to previous reports that transformation-defective variants of avian sarcoma viruses are mutants with identical regions deleted from each subunit of a polyploid genome.
Responses of regular spiking and fast spiking cells in turtle visual cortex to light flashes

Sharp electrodes were used to record light-evoked postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) from neurons in turtle visual cortex in an in vitro preparation of the geniculocortical pathway. Neurons were placed into four groups based on the firing patterns produced by intracellular current injections: regular spiking (RS), fast spiking (FS), intrinsic bursting (IB), and chattering (CH) cells. RS cells have been shown to be pyramidal cells while FS cells are typically interneurons. Light stimuli were diffuse, 1-s flashes of 640-nm light with intensities ( I ) varying from 0 to 10 4 photons mm 22 s 21 . The response (R) in each case was the maximal amplitude of the light-evoked depolarizing PSP. Cells of all four types showed sigmoidal intensity‐response (IR) functions with a linear rising phase for stimuli above the intensity threshold followed by saturation at high light intensities. Responses at high intensities were variable and some cells showed indications of supersaturation. Light-evoked PSPs had longer latencies and times-to-peak response in RS cells than they did in FS cells. RS cells fired action potentials as much as 200 ms later than did FS cells. Since responses recorded in RS cells at light intensities just above threshold are unlikely to involve contributions from other pyramidal cells, these data indicate that the geniculocortical or feedforward pathway to pyramidal cells has a high gain. The fact that FS cells fire well before RS cells suggests that feedforward inhibition plays a role in controlling the gain of the geniculocortical pathway.
Exercises in canine physical rehabilitation: range of motion of the forelimb during stair and ramp ascent

Objectives To evaluate overall joint range of motion of the forelimb in healthy dogs ascending stairs compared with incline slope walking. Methods Normal canine forelimb kinematics (range of motion, flexion and extension) were compared during ascent of stairs or a ramp, and compared to unimpeded trotting on a flat surface. Eight adult dogs with no evidence of orthopaedic or neurological lameness were assessed using a 2-dimensional kinematic system as they walked up a custom built ramp and stairs. Results In healthy dogs, ramp and stair ascent consistently had greater range of motion compared to trotting on a flat surface, and ramp ascent had significantly greater range of motion compared to stair ascent (P<0·05). Shoulder flexion and extension, elbow extension and carpal flexion were all significantly greater while ascending the ramp compared to stairs. Shoulder extension on the flat was significantly greater than while ascending stairs. Clinical Significance When planning physical rehabilitation exercises following injury to the forelimb, stair and ramp ascent may be considered, as both augment range of motion of joints. Ramp ascent provides the greatest increase in range of motion of forelimb joints.
Evidence that the SDW phase transition in (TMTSF)2PF6 is first order

Abstract Analysis of the proton NMR lineshape in (TMTSF)2PF6 near the spin density wave (SDW) transition at 12.1 K shows that both the metallic and SDW phases coexist with a disconstinuous jump in the order parameter at the transition. This behavior is evidence that the transition is first order.
A conserved mode of protein recognition and binding in a ParD-ParE toxin-antitoxin complex

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems form a ubiquitous class of prokaryotic proteins with functional roles in plasmid inheritance, environmental stress response, and cell development. ParDE family TA systems are broadly conserved on plasmids and bacterial chromosomes and have been well characterized as genetic elements that promote stable plasmid inheritance. We present a crystal structure of a chromosomally encoded ParD-ParE complex from Caulobacter crescentus at 2.6 A resolution. This TA system forms an alpha(2)beta(2) heterotetramer in the crystal and in solution. The toxin-antitoxin binding interface reveals extensive polar and hydrophobic contacts of ParD antitoxin helices with a conserved recognition and binding groove on the ParE toxin. A cross-species comparison of this complex structure with related toxin structures identified an antitoxin recognition and binding subdomain that is conserved between distantly related members of the RelE/ParE toxin superfamily despite a low level of overall primary sequence identity. We further demonstrate that ParD antitoxin is dimeric, stably folded, and largely helical when not bound to ParE toxin. Thus, the paradigmatic model in which antitoxin undergoes a disorder-to-order transition upon toxin binding does not apply to this chromosomal ParD-ParE TA system.
On the role of hydrogel structure and degradation in controlling the transport of cell-secreted matrix molecules for engineered cartilage

Damage to cartilage caused by injury or disease can lead to pain and loss of mobility, diminishing one's quality of life. Because cartilage has a limited capacity for self-repair, tissue engineering strategies, such as cells encapsulated in synthetic hydrogels, are being investigated as a means to restore the damaged cartilage. However, strategies to date are suboptimal in part because designing degradable hydrogels is complicated by structural and temporal complexities of the gel and evolving tissue along multiple length scales. To address this problem, this study proposes a multi-scale mechanical model using a triphasic formulation (solid, fluid, unbound matrix molecules) based on a single chondrocyte releasing extracellular matrix molecules within a degrading hydrogel. This model describes the key players (cells, proteoglycans, collagen) of the biological system within the hydrogel encompassing different length scales. Two mechanisms are included: temporal changes of bulk properties due to hydrogel degradation, and matrix transport. Numerical results demonstrate that the temporal change of bulk properties is a decisive factor in the diffusion of unbound matrix molecules through the hydrogel. Transport of matrix molecules in the hydrogel contributes both to the development of the pericellular matrix and the extracellular matrix and is dependent on the relative size of matrix molecules and the hydrogel mesh. The numerical results also demonstrate that osmotic pressure, which leads to changes in mesh size, is a key parameter for achieving a larger diffusivity for matrix molecules in the hydrogel. The numerical model is confirmed with experimental results of matrix synthesis by chondrocytes in biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels. This model may ultimately be used to predict key hydrogel design parameters towards achieving optimal cartilage growth.
Antimycobacterial susceptibility testing: present practices and future trends.

Along with the worldwide renewed interest in tuberculosis, the high incidence of nontuberculous disease in HIV-infected patients and the continuing problem of disease caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria, there has been a renewed interest in mycobacterial susceptibility testing. This renewed interest stems from the needs both to provide accurate, reliable and timely susceptibility test information for the management of patients infected with these mycobacteria and to identify new and more effective antimycobacterial agents. Indeed, many new agents have already been identified and are currently used to treat these infections, but the conventional susceptibility testing methods, in many instances, have not been adequately evaluated for these new agents. Perhaps the time has come to give consideration to abandoning such time-honored practices and criteria as the proportion method, the 99 % threshold, and “critical concentrations”. New methods of susceptibility testing are in various stages of development and many of these methods have advantages and improvements over the existing methods. There is an increased understanding of the pathobiology of mycobacterial infections and an increased understanding of the pharmacokinetics of antimycobacterial agents and the mechanisms of action and resistance. This article gives an overview of the present practices and an assessment of the current needs and potential for the near future of antimycobacterial susceptibility testing.
Preserving the Future from the Demands of the Present.

This chapter offers a case study of how one institution has implemented budget reductions. Using a narrative approach, the vice president for student life reviews the issues faced and the processes used to implement the changes.
The cost-effectiveness of screening mammography beyond age 65 years: A systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

PURPOSE There are few data on the effects of disease biology and competing mortality on the effectiveness of screening women for breast cancer after age 65 years. The authors performed a review to determine the costs and benefits of mammography screening after age 65 years. DATA SOURCES Cost-effectiveness articles published between January 1989 and March 2002. STUDY SELECTION Studies were identified by using MEDLINE and the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database. The authors included research on screening after age 65 years conducted from a societal or government perspective; reviews and analyses of other technologies were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS 115 studies were identified and 10 met inclusion criteria. One study modeled age-dependent assumptions of disease biology. No study fully captured the potential harms of screening, including anxiety associated with false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and previous knowledge of cancer or living longer with the consequences of treatment. Studies differed in the specific strategies compared and in analytic approaches. On average, extending biennial screening to age 75 or 80 years was estimated to cost 34 000 dollars to 88 000 dollars (2002 U.S. dollars) per life-year gained, compared with stopping screening at age 65 years. Two studies suggested that it was more cost-effective to target healthy women than those with several competing risks for death. CONCLUSIONS Current estimates suggest that biennial breast cancer screening after age 65 years reduces mortality at reasonable costs for women without clinically significant comorbid conditions. More data are needed on disease biology and preferences for benefits and harms in older women.
On the effectiveness of doubly adaptive estimation for dynamic MRI sequence acquisitions

We present experimentally-acquired MR image sequence reconstruction results and a review of the recently proposed doubly adaptive temporal update method (DATUM) for the acquisition of dynamic MRI sequences. The DATUM algorithm is novel in providing an estimation and tracking framework for both image reconstruction and the image acquisition inputs. We discuss the difficulty in choosing viable system inputs adaptively and compare DATUM to other minimal data MRI acquisition techniques. New results of image estimates constructed from data acquired on a standard production MRI scanner show that adapting system inputs to the sequence provides substantial image quality improvement to dynamic sequence estimation.
Full-thickness supraspinatus tears are associated with more synovial inflammation and tissue degeneration than partial-thickness tears

Background The objective of this study was to determine whether the tear size of a supraspinatus tendon correlated with synovial inflammation and tendon degeneration in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff repair. We hypothesized that increased synovial inflammation would correlate with greater tear size of the supraspinatus tendon at the time of surgery. Materials and methods Tissue from the synovium, bursa, torn supraspinatus tendon, and subscapularis tendon was obtained from patients during shoulder arthroscopy to evaluate the messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis factors in the tendon, bursa, and synovium. Additional tissue was fixed to determine histologic changes including inflammation, vascular ingrowth, and collagen organization. Results Increased expression of interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, and vascular endothelial growth factor was found in the synovium of patients with full-thickness tears versus partial-thickness tears (P Conclusion Increased synovial inflammation and tissue degeneration correlate with the tear size of the supraspinatus tendon. A better understanding of the relationship between synovial inflammation and the progression of tendon degeneration can help in the design of novel and effective treatments to limit the advancement of rotator cuff disease and to improve their clinical outcomes.
Systematic Composition of Distributed Objects: Processes and Sessions

We consider a system with the infrastructure for the creation and interconnection of large numbers of distributed persistent objects. This system is exemplified by the Internet: potentially, every appliance and document on the Internet has both persistent state and the ability to interact with large numbers of other appliances and documents on the Internet. This paper elucidates the characteristics of such a system, and proposes the compositional requirements of its corresponding infrastructure. We explore the problems of specifying, composing, reasoning about and implementing applications in such a system. A specific concern of our research is developing the infrastructure to support structuring distributed applications by using sequential, choice and parallel composition, in the anarchic environment where application compositions may be unforeseeable and interactions may be unknown prior to actually occurring. The structuring concepts discussed are relevant to a wide range of distributed applications; our implementation is illustrated with collaborative Java processes interacting over the Internet, but the methodology provided can be applied independent of specific platforms.
A Dimensional Model of Psychopathology Among Homeless Adolescents: Suicidality, Internalizing, and Externalizing Disorders

The present study examined associations among dimensions of suicidality and psychopathology in a sample of 428 homeless adolescents (56.3% female). Confirmatory factor analysis results provided support for a three-factor model in which suicidality (measured with lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts), internalizing disorders (assessed with lifetime diagnoses of major depressive episode and post-traumatic stress disorder), and externalizing disorders (indicated by lifetime diagnoses of conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse) were positively intercorrelated. The findings illustrate the utility of a dimensional approach that integrates suicidality and psychopathology into one model.
Entropy-driven loss of gas phase group V species from gold/III-V compound semiconductor systems

Abstract : Temperature dependent chemical interactions between Au and nine III-V compound semiconductors (III=A1, Ga, In and V=P, As, Sb) have been calculated using bulk thermodynamic properties. Enthalpic considerations alone are insufficient to predict metal/compound-semiconductor reactivities. The entropy of vaporization of the group V elements is shown to be an extremely important driving force for chemical reactions involving the III-V's, since it enables several endothermic reactions to occur spontaneously under certain temperature and pressure conditions. Plots of either Gibb's Free energies of reaction or equilibrium vapor pressure of the group v element versus temperature are used to predict critical reaction temperatures for each of the systems studied. These plots agree extremely well with previous experimental observations of thin film reactions of Au on GaAs.
Using Medication and Psychotherapy to Optimize Treatment Outcomes for Difficult, Depressed Couples and Families:

Depression, including chronic depression, is a common presentation in couples therapy. When a marriage and family counselor finds a history of chronic depression in one or both partners, and there is little or no response to couples therapy, integrated treatment may be indicated, that is, a referral for medication evaluation and the utilization of specialized psychotherapeutic strategies. Unlike acute depression, chronic depression is extremely treatment resistant and inevitably requires a specialized mind-brain treatment, which this article describes.
PARTIAL FACTOR APPROACH TO REPETITIVE-MEMBER SYSTEM FACTORS

Beneficial system behavior has been acknowledged in the design of repetitive-member systems. Current design specifications for wood (both National Design Specification and LRFD) permit the use of a repetitive-member factor to account for load-sharing or redistribution of load between framing members and partial composite action. The factors, however, were developed based on a simple statistical model rather than a more rigorous or comprehensive analytical study. The paper reports on a study to investigate load-sharing and system effects in light-frame wall systems and evaluate system factors for codified design that rationally account for load sharing and other system behavior. An objective at the study was to develop system factors that could be used in the design of individual wall members, much as repetitive member factors are used in the design of parallel-member floor and roof systems. Wall studs typically are much smaller in cross section than floor joists. In addition to having greater flexibility than floors, wood stud walls may be subject to the actions of combined loads and their load-sharing behavior may be influenced significantly by the presence of openings. A single system factor may, in fact, not be adequate to account for a wide range of system configurations, loading types, and so forth. This paper presents a new framework based on partial system factors to account for different system effects in parallel-member wood systems.
Flight path planning for UAV atmospheric energy harvesting using heuristic search

This paper presents an approach to planning long distance autonomous soaring trajectories for small uninhabited aerial vehicles harvesting energy from the atmosphere. An A* algorithm is used with a cost function which is the weighted sum of energy required and distance to goal. The eect of varying the weight parameter on the ight paths is explored. The required initial energy for varying weight is examined, and the results are compared with a wavefront expansion planning algorithm. The weight is selected based on maximum energy utilization that is available from the atmosphere and minimizing time to reach the goal. Optimal weight is selected based on simulation results and the performance of A* is studied for a realistic wind eld. Optimal energy ecient routes are predicted from a given wind eld data.
Reconstruction of two-dimensional permittivity distribution using the distorted Born iterative method

The distorted Born iterative method (DBIM) is used to solve two-dimensional inverse scattering problems, thereby providing another general method to solve the two-dimensional imaging problem when the Born and the Rytov approximations break down. Numerical simulations are performed using the DBIM and the method proposed previously by the authors (Int. J. Imaging Syst. Technol., vol.1, no.1, p.100-8, 1989) called the Born iterative method (BIM) for several cases in which the conditions for the first-order Born approximation are not satisfied. The results show that each method has its advantages; the DBIM shows faster convergence rate compared to the BIM, while the BIM is more robust to noise contamination compared to the DBIM. >
Covariance learning of correlated patterns in competitive networks

Covariance learning is a powerful type of Hebbian learning, allowing both potentiation and depression of synaptic strength. It is used for associative memory in feedforward and recurrent neural network paradigms. This article describes a variant of covariance learning that works particularly well for correlated stimuli in feedforward networks with competitive K-of-N firing. The rule, which is nonlinear, has an intuitive mathematical interpretation, and simulations presented in this article demonstrate its utility.
Data efficient implementation of UWBWA SAR algorithms

It is shown that the particular form of the frequency support of raw data and focused imagery obtained from an ultra-wideband, wide beamwidth synthetic aperture radar system can be exploited in nonseparable sampling schemes to reduce the overall amount of raw data samples and image pixels that need to be stored and computed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the constant integration angle backprojection (CIAB) image former implicitly applies a fan filter that interpolates raw data sampled on a quincunx grid back onto the underlying rectangular grid. This subtle property of the CIAB has not been exploited so far. It leads to higher quality images with less computational complexity.
Effects of Neonatal Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure on Morphology and Growth Patterns of Endometrial Epithelial Cells in CD-1 Mice

The effects of neonatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure on the morphology and proliferating patterns of endometrial epithelial cells were investigated at various stages of development in mice. Fe...
Feeding behaviour and bite force of sabretoothed predators

The feeding behaviour of extinct sabretoothed predators (machaeroidines, nimravids, barbourofelids, machairodonts and thylacosmilines) is investigated using beam theory. Because bite force applied along the mandible should be proportional to the external dimension of the mandibular corpus, patterns of variation in these dimensions at interdental gaps will reflect the adaptation of the jaw to specific loads, related to killing methods. Comparison of the mandibular force profiles of sabretooths to those of extant conical-toothed carnivorans of known feeding behaviour reveals that sabretooths had a powerful bite, as strong or stronger than extant felids of similar mandibular length. Loads exerted at the lower canine were better constrained in the sagittal plane than in extant conical-toothed carnivorans, indicating that prey was efficiently restrained when the sabre bite was delivered. The mandibular symphysis is generally better buttressed dorsoventrally in dirk-toothed sabretooths than in scimitar-toothed sabretooths, implying different killing strategies for the two ecomorphs: dirktooths delivered powerful sabre bites on prey they restrained with their forelimbs, while scimitartooths delivered slashing sabre bites and may have used their incisor battery to subdue their prey. The mandibular symphysis of Smilodon fatalis is less buttressed dorsoventrally than that of other dirk-toothed sabretooths, possibly as a consequence of the greater torsional stresses induced while feeding rapidly on carcasses in response to intense competition. The mandibular symphysis of Thylacosmilus atrox is better buttressed dorsoventrally in juveniles than in adults, suggesting that young marsupial sabretooths underwent an extended period of parental care as typically observed in modern felids and inferred for eutherian sabretooths. Finally, machaeroidines and the nimravid Nimravus brachyops are exceptional in exhibiting a degree of dorsoventral buttressing of the mandibular symphysis that is intermediate between advanced sabretooths and conical-toothed felids but similar to the extant Neofelis nebulosa, suggesting that the latter taxon may be close to the ancestral condition of a new sabretooth radiation. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145, 393–426.
Optical Computing And Image Processing With Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

High-contrast, submicrosecond switching ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulators have many applications to optical computing and image processing. In this paper we describe the use of these low-voltage, low-power, and bistable devices to perform a variety of functions including polarization- and intensity-based logic gates, input/output displays, optical crossbars, and spatial filtering masks.
Multiphasic health testing - current status

Multiphasic health testing (MHT) has a long history of irregular development and sporadic diffusion as it has attempted to satisfy a variety of objectives in preventive medicine and in health care delivery. MHT systems have problems of interfacing with people, both patients and health professionals; while most patients find it very acceptable, yet many physicians are reluctant to adopt it. Some national governments have a policy of actively supporting MHT and others discourage it. Industry has not found it profitable to market, yet many companies make MHT available to their employees. With increasing occupational health hazard monitoring and public support of health promotion, it is likely there will always be a place for some form of MHT.
Application of the Protein Semisynthesis Strategy to the Generation of Modified Chromatin

Histone proteins are subject to a host of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that modulate chromatin structure and function. Such control is achieved by the direct alteration of the intrinsic physical properties of the chromatin fiber or by regulating the recruitment and activity of a host of trans-acting nuclear factors. The sheer number of histone PTMs presents a formidable barrier to understanding the molecular mechanisms at the heart of epigenetic regulation of eukaryotic genomes. One aspect of this multifarious problem, namely how to access homogeneously modified chromatin for biochemical studies, is well suited to the sensibilities of the organic chemist. Indeed, recent years have witnessed a critical role for synthetic protein chemistry methods in generating the raw materials needed for studying how histone PTMs regulate chromatin biochemistry. This review focuses on what is arguably the most powerful, and widely employed, of these chemical strategies, namely histone semisynthesis via the chemi...
Flow of an inviscid fluid past a sphere in a pipe

The problem of flow of an inviscid, incompressible fluid inside a circular pipe, with a sphere on the axis of the pipe, has been studied by Lamb (1936) (irrotational flow), Long (1953) and Fraenkel (1956) (swirling flow). Because of the difficulty of satisfying all the boundary conditions in the problem, only approximate solutions, valid for spheres of small diameter (compared with that of the pipe) have been obtained. In this paper, it is found that by introducing a vortex sheet over a segment of the diameter of the sphere, flow patterns can be obtained by an inverse method for the case of large spheres. Four different types of flow are considered: (1) irrotational flow, (2) swirling flow with constant axial and angular velocities far upstream, without lee waves, (3) swirling flow with constant axial and angular velocities far upstream, with lee waves, and (4) rotational flow with a paraboloidal velocity distribution far upstream.
Abstract #5605: Silencing glucose-regulated protein 78 sensitizes malignant glioma towards radiation therapy

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Purpose/Objective(s):The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), a major endoplasmic reticulum chaperone with prosurvival properties, plays a direct role in mediating radiation resistance in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines and the underlying mechanisms. Materials/Methods: Stable knockdown cell lines of GRP78 using lentiviral based short hairpin RNA transduction were generated in GBM cell lines U87 and LN18. A co-immunoprecipitation was done to confirm that Phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85 formed complex with GRP78. The radiosensitivities of GRP78-knockdown U87 and LN18 cell lines were evaluated using clonogenic assay. Cells were given gamma-radiation and were allowed to form colonies for 14 days. Additionally, the GBM cell lines were exposed gamma-ray and subsequently evaluated for extent of double-strand DNA damage using the neutral comet assay at various time points in the ranging from 30 minutes to 96 hours after radiation exposure. An apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V assay using a flowcytometer at various time points in the ranging from 10 minutes to 120 hours after 6Gy gamma-ray exposure. In vivo determinations of the respective radiosensitivities of GRP78-knockdown cells are ongoing and will be presented at the AACR annual meeting. Results: Co-immunoprecipitation verified interaction of p85 with GRP78. A dose enhancement factor at a surviving fraction of 0.1 of LN18 and U87 was 1.34 and 1.31, respectively. The maximum length of comet tails of GRP78-knockdown cell line of LN18 and U87 after 6Gy irradiation was 4.4 times and 3.0 times longer than that of Non-Target knockdown cell line. The maximum apoptotic index of wild type, Non-Target knockdown, GRP78-knockdown cell line in LN18 and U87 cell line was 26%, 20%, & 51% and 13%, 16%, & 38% respectively, indicating greater enhanced sensitivity to radiation in the GRP78-knockdown cell lines. GRP78 knockdown releases cells from G1 phase and accumulates cells in the chemo-/radio- sensitive G2/M phase as evidenced from the cell cycle analysis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GRP78 plays a critical role in mediating radiation resistance in GBM cells and show that GRP78-inhibition strategies might represent a novel approach to enhance the therapeutic gain of radiotherapy in the management of GBMs. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 5605.
Best evidence supports topical corticosteroids and routine saline irrigations for medical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis

Commentary on: Rudmik L, Soler ZM. Medical therapies for adult chronic sinusitis: a systematic review. JAMA 2015;314:926–39.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects between 7% and 15.5% of the US population. In Europe, the latest estimates put prevalence at 10.9%.1 ,2 The condition produces symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pressure/pain, purulent nasal drainage and is associated with significant fatigue and decreased productivity. While complications from the disease are rare, CRS is often treated with antibiotics, based on an older understanding that CRS results from bacterial infection. Newer data strongly suggest that CRS results from chronic inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa.3 Among otolaryngologists, the treatment strategy has shifted towards the use of antiinflammatory medications, such as topical and systemic corticosteroids. Choosing the optimal, … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.volume%253D314%26rft.spage%253D926%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2015.7544%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26325561%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2015.7544&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=26325561&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F2%2F63.atom
Can Obviously Intoxicated Patrons Still Easily Buy Alcohol at On-Premise Establishments?

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption at licensed alcohol establishments (i.e., bars and restaurants) has been directly linked to alcohol-related problems such as traffic crashes and violence. Historically, alcohol establishments have had a high likelihood of selling alcohol to obviously intoxicated patrons (also referred to as "overservice") despite laws prohibiting these sales. Given the risks associated with overservice and the need for up-to-date data, it is critical that we monitor the likelihood of sales to obviously intoxicated patrons. METHODS: To assess the current likelihood of a licensed alcohol establishment selling alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron, we conducted pseudo-intoxicated purchase attempts (i.e., actors attempt to purchase alcohol while acting out obvious signs of intoxication) at 340 establishments in 1 Midwestern metropolitan area. We also measured characteristics of the establishments, the pseudo-intoxicated patrons, the servers, the managers, and the neighborhoods to assess whether these characteristics were associated with likelihood of sales of obviously intoxicated patrons. We assessed these associations with bivariate and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Pseudo-intoxicated buyers were able to purchase alcohol at 82% of the establishments. In the fully adjusted multivariate regression model, only 1 of the characteristics we assessed was significantly associated with likelihood of selling to intoxicated patrons-establishments owned by a corporate entity had 3.6 greater odds of selling alcohol to a pseudo-intoxicated buyer compared to independently owned establishments. CONCLUSIONS: Given the risks associated with overservice of alcohol, more resources should be devoted first to identify effective interventions for decreasing overservice of alcohol and then to educate practitioners who are working in their communities to address this public health problem. Language: en
Cross-Reactive CD8 + T Cell Epitopes Identified in US Adolescent Minorities

Summary: Vaccines designed to bring forth CD8 + T cell responses in different racial and ethnic groups will require inclusion of T cell epitopes presented by various MHC class I molecules. This study was designed to identify new CD8 + T cell epitopes in HIV-infected African American and Hispanic youth as well as to determine the frequency of responses to both novel and previously described HIV-1 epitopes in a cohort of racially and ethnically diverse individuals. We found 8 MHC class I–restricted CD8 + T cell epitopes that had not been previously described, another 8 epitopes that were restricted by class I alleles not previously associated with these epitopes, and 8 additional epitopes that have been described previously. In a larger cohort, we demonstrated that 11 (69%) of these 16 newly described immunogens were recognized by individuals of different race or ethnicity. Most HIV-1–specific CD8 + T cell epitopes identified were either novel or restricted by alternative MHC class I alleles. Frequent recognition of several of these CTL epitopes in persons of diverse racial backgrounds bodes well for the development of a broadly reactive HIV-1 vaccine. Key Words: CTL epitopes, HIV vaccine, class I restriction, CTL vaccines, CD8 T cell responses
Effect of Fullerene Nanospheres on Water Evaporation Kinetics and First-Order Thermal Transitions

We investigate the evaporation kinetics and first-order thermodynamic transitions of C60/water solutions and find that the fullerene nanospheres cause a reduction in the evaporation rate, an increase in the evaporation point, and a slight increase in the freezing point of the system. The changes were found to be linearly dependent on the fullerene concentration in the solution, and the calculated change in entropy of evaporation indicates that fullerene molecules noticeably induce ordering in the water molecular structure. The results are discussed in light of findings from recent molecular simulation investigations.
Routine Transradial Coronary Angiography in the Malaysian Population

The feasibility and safety of routine transradial coronary angiography was assessed prospectively in 394 patients between March 1998 and July 1999. All patients had a normal Allen's test. The right radial approach was used in 84% of cases and the left in 16%. Radial artery catheterization was successful in 91% of patients; the left coronary artery was selectively catheterized in 92%, and the right coronary artery in 91%. Procedure time was 28 ± 20 minutes, screening time was 8 ± 5 minutes, and 62% of patients were discharged on the same day. The optimal catheter selection was a single Castillo catheter for both coronary arteries. Left ventriculography was performed with the same catheter in 25% of patients. One patient had a left Judkins catheter that kinked and became entrapped in the right subclavian artery, requiring vascular surgery. No coronary or neurological complications were observed. Asymptomatic radial occlusion occurred in 3.5% of patients. The transradial approach was considered to give a hig...
Gross Reactions with Tuberculins on Guinea Pigs with Single and Double Experimental Infections with Mycobacteria.

SummaryPrimary sensitization of guinea pigs with Battey, fortuitum, human, photochromogen, and scotochromogen mycobacteria produced large tuberculin reactions to the homologous PPD's but less and varying degrees of cross reactivity with other PPD's. Double infections in guinea pigs from human and scotochoromogen bacilli gave large cross reactions with PPD-A and PPD-B, but not with PPD-Y or PPD-F. Double infections with human and photochromogen bacilli gave large reactions to PPD-S and PPD-Y but not to PPD-B or PPD-F. Double infections with Battey and human bacilli gave large cross reactions to PPD-scot. but not to PPD-Y or PPD-F. It is concluded from these observations that skin testing with a battery of PPD's at the 5 TU dose level may be a valuable diagnostic tool in the presence of infection by a single organism. This value decreases in the presence of a double infection.
Tax Expense Momentum: tax expense momentum

We investigate the joint hypothesis that (1) tax expense contains information about core profitability that is incremental to reported earnings and (2) that information is reflected in stock prices with a delay. We find that seasonally differenced quarterly tax expense, our proxy for tax expense surprise, is related positively to future returns. This anomaly is separate from previously documented pricing anomalies based on financial and tax variables. Additional investigation reveals that tax expense surprise is related positively to changes in future quarterly earnings and tax expense, and both those future changes are related positively to future returns. While the returns to investing in predictable future earnings changes has been documented before, these results suggest that predicting changes in future tax expense also generates incremental future returns.
Renal clearance of essential amino acids; threonine and phenylalanine.

SummaryRenal clearance studies of threonine and phenylalanine in dogs have shown that the maximal rate of tubular re-absorption of these amino acids could not be exceeded by the administration of an amount of each amino acid sufficient to raise the plasma level to a value over 10 times that of the postabsorptive state.
Role of Polymer Structure on the Conductivity of N-Doped Polymers

The n-doping of several conjugated co-polymers based on perylene diimide (PDI) and napthalene diimide (NDI) acceptors co-polymerized with ethynylene, ethylene, and bithiophene by the dimeric dopant (2-Cyc-DMBI)2 is reported. The n-doping reactions are confirmed in solution by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy and in thin films with photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS). The reduced species of the ethynylene-linked polymers are found to be more delocalized along the polymer backbone than the bithiophene-linked polymers by comparison of the absorption spectra. A high conductivity of 0.45 S cm−1 is measured for the ethynylene-linked polymer P(PDI2OD-A). In contrast, neither of the two bithiophene-linked polymers, P(NDI2OD-T2) and P(PDI2OD-T2), achieve conductivities greater than 4 × 10−3 S cm−1. Furthermore, there is no correlation between the conductivity of the doped films and the mobility of the pure films used in this study. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) measurements of the films find that a similar doped phase forms irrespective of the crystallinity of the pure host polymer. In absence of a significant difference in morphology, these results suggest a link between the polaron delocalization length of the polymers and the conductivity, and more fundamentally between the backbone structure of the polymer and the polaron delocalization length.
Lygus hesperus Distribution and Sampling Procedures in Lentils

The spatial distribution, minimum number of samples, and number of sweeps per sample required to estimate populations of Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae) in lentils were determined from three plot types, using 1 to 25 randomly collected 180° sweeps with a sweep net. Overall, 92% of the adult populations and 85% of the nymphal populations had means less than the variance, indicating a negative binomial distribution. The negative binomial K appeared to vary over the season and with density of the adults. The number of sweeps per sample was inversely related to the K value of nymphs, whereas the density was directly related to nymphal K values. The slope for Taylor's power law appeared to be related to the adult density, although it was consistent for all nymphal densities in our experiments. On average, five 25-sweep samples were required for adult population estimates, and about 10 single-sweep samples were recommended for nymphal population estimates.
Your Privacy Concerns May Be Unfounded: Why Marketers Want Your Information

Tracking purchase and search habits of consumers not only improves the company’s profits through lower costs and more satisfied customers but also sustains the environment since fewer resources, time, and talent are wasted on mismatched customers and product offers.
Succinate alters respiration, membrane potential, and intracellular K+ in proximal tubule

Succinate, a dicarboxylic acid, is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle that is transported and metabolized by the renal proximal tubule. It is also known to increase proximal tubule transport of phosphate and glucose but not fluid by unknown mechanisms. In the present study, succinate increased proximal tubule respiration in a dose-dependent manner, and a kinetic evaluation indicated that two separate processes were activated. A lower-affinity (Km = 0.9 mM), higher-capacity stimulation (Vmax increase of 49%) was attributed to a decrease in the mitochondrial coupling efficiency. A higher-affinity process (Km = 0.012 mM) was related to an apparent increase in ATP synthesis. The apparent increase in ATP synthesis was not associated with a change in Na+-K+-ATPase activity, however, but rather indicated a 49% increase in ion transport-independent ATP utilization. Basolateral membrane potential hyperpolarized by -7 mV in the presence of succinate, and this was related to an increase in the K+ transference number. Finally, 1 and 5 mM succinate promoted a net cellular uptake of K+, leading to an 11% increase in intracellular K+, which was not the result of an increase in Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Thus the cellular entry and metabolism of succinate promotes multiple changes in ion transport without altering Na+-K+-ATPase activity.