cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic associations of 4-year overweight and obese incidence among a racially diverse cohort of healthy weight 18-year-olds

SummaryBackground Emerging adulthood is a critical time for excess weight gain. Risk can be masked if recommended overweight and obesity cut-points for Asians are not employed. Objectives To determine the associations among sociodemographic factors and occurrence of overweight and obesity among normal weight 18-year olds. Methods Normal weight (body mass index < 25 kg m−2; <23 kg m−2 for Asians) 18-year-old (9037 boys, 13 786 girls, 36% Hispanic, 34% non-Hispanic Whites, 10% Black, 5% Asian) members of a healthcare organization in 2008 were followed through 2012 to identify incidence of overweight and obesity. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, neighbourhood education, neighbourhood income and smoking status. Results After 3 years of follow-up, the HR for overweight was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.45) in the lowest quartile of neighbourhood education compared with the highest. Asians and Pacific Islanders had greater risk of overweight (HR 2.89, 95% CI: 2.55, 3.28; HR 3.13, 95% CI 2.23, 4.38) than non-Hispanic Whites. Girls and Blacks were more likely to become obese than boys and non-Hispanic Whites, as were those living in the lowest neighbourhood education quartile and lower neighbourhood income quartiles. Conclusions Girls, Asians, Blacks and those living in low education and income neighbourhoods during adolescence are at risk for excessive weight gain trajectories.
Estimating the Price Elasticity of Demand for Cannabis: A Geographical and Crowdsourced Approach // La estimación de la elasticidad en los precios de la demanda de cannabis: un enfoque geográfico y basado en la colaboración abierta distribuida

Recent legalizations of cannabis at the state level in the United States have given rise to renewed interest in the price elasticity of demand for cannabis and implications for likely state excise and sales tax revenues. We use crowdsourced data on prices, qualities, and consumption of cannabis across regional markets in the United States to estimate the price elasticity of demand for cannabis. We use distances from growing areas to the major markets as a proxy for cost variations. We obtain an estimate of the price elasticity of demand for cannabis of -0.418, which suggests that legalizing and taxing recreational cannabis use would be lucrative for government treasuries. ------------------------------------ Las recientes legalizaciones del cannabis a nivel estatal en los Estados Unidos han dado lugar a un renovado interes en la elasticidad en los precios de la demanda de cannabis y sus implicaciones en los ingresos por impuestos estatales y sobre ingresos por ventas. Utilizamos datos en colaboracion abierta sobre precios, calidades y consumo de cannabis en los mercados regionales de los Estados Unidos para estimar la elasticidad en los precios de la demanda de cannabis. Utilizamos distancias desde las zonas de cultivo hasta los principales mercados como sustituto de las variaciones de los costos. Se obtiene una estimacion de la elasticidad en los precios de la demanda de cannabis de -0,418, lo que sugiere que la legalizacion y el gravamen del cannabis para uso recreativo seria lucrativo para los erarios publicos.
Maturation of effect size during enrollment of prospective randomized trials.

Abstract Background Randomized clinical trials are powered by calculating the minimum sample size required to achieve statistical significance, given an estimated effect size (ES). The ES is the raw difference between two treatment arms. ES quantifies the actual magnitude of clinical differences between cohorts and is usually reflective of the true meaning of the trial, regardless of statistical significance. Under a fixed protocol, we hypothesize that the ES may be attained at a smaller sample than predesigned. To investigate patterns of ES during enrollment, we analyzed completed trials that were completed at our institution. Methods Outcomes of 11 prospective randomized clinical trials from our institution were reviewed. ES was calculated at intervals throughout each trial to determine at which point a steady clinical difference was achieved between treatment cohorts. Results ES stabilized at a median of 64% enrollment. All patients were needed to meet the precise ES in our smallest study, indicating the need for full enrollment in smaller studies. Otherwise, 50% of our trials required between 48% and 76% of patient enrollment to meet ES. In comparing clinical outcomes, 9 of 12 found a final difference that was nearly identical to the difference that could have been determined much earlier. Categorical outcomes met stabilized ES at 51% enrollment and continuous outcomes at 68%. Conclusions ES and final clinical outcomes were achieved before the completion of enrollment for most of our studies. This suggests that clinical differences detected by randomization may not necessarily require the robust sample size often needed to establish statistical significance. This is particularly relevant in fixed-protocol interventional trials of homogenous populations.
Uterine Body Stuffing Confirmed by Computed Tomography.

Author(s): Abesamis, Michael G.; Taki, Najeeb; Kaplan, Richard | Abstract: A 31-year-old woman presented to an emergency department for suspected vaginal “stuffing” of cocaine. Her physical and pelvic exams were unremarkable despite agitation, tachycardia and hypertension. Abdominal radiograph was concerning for foreign body; transabdominal ultrasound was non-diagnostic. A noncontrast abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed aradiopaque mass within the cervix extending into the uterus. Gynecology was consulted, but thepatient refused removal and left against medical advice. Radiographs have varied sensitivity fordetecting stuffed foreign bodies; CT is more sensitive and specific. This case suggests that CT issuitable to evaluate for this rare event.
SCOUR AROUND MODEL PIPELINES DUE TO WAVE ACTION

The size, number and application of offshore pipelines are steadily increasing. At the same time, the incidence of reported pipeline failures is also increasing. There appear to be several reasons for these failures, and they can be placed in two basic categories: 1. inadequate cover, and 2. low "specific gravity" of the pipeline. Under the first category the depth of burial may be insufficient, the type of burial material may be inferior to the material alongside the trench, or the compaction of cover material may be inadequate. Under the second category the pipe may actually float up to the surface from the ocean bottom as material around the buried pipe liquifies. An extensive literature search revealed that many studies were conducted by Meyers (1936), Waters (1939), Johnson (1940), W.E.S. (1940), Rector (1954), Wiegel, et al (1954), Saville (1957), Iwagaki and Noda (1962), Nayak (1972), Noda (1972), and Earattupuzha (1974). In general, two types of "equilibrium profiles" were developed in the laboratory flumes, the "ordinary" and the "storm" (sometimes referred to as summer and winter profiles). Despite numerous previous investigations, knowledge of the "scale effects" involved in equilibrium beach profiles is inadequate. Many authors have analyzed model data without stating the relation between model and prototype dimensions. In addition, many have claimed certain phenomena observed in the model to be independent of initial slope. An extensive laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the development of underwater bars and scour patterns with the pipeline buried at various depths below the ocean bottom. Pictures of the beach profile were taken at specific time intervals through the glass wall of the wave tank. Attempts were made to correlate equilibrium profile geometric quantities, such as depth of offshore bar, scour depth and berm height with the wave characteristics. Qualitative agreement between laboratory and natural beach profiles were demonstrated by trial and error fitting of one to the other.
Rotational Problems of the Lower Extremities

Rotational problems are common, often the source of great parental concern, but only occasionally is active treatment required. Cast correction of rigid metatarsus adductus in infancy and operative correction in middle to late childhood are occasionally appropriate for severe deformity.
Metatarsophalangeal joint extension changes ultrasound measurements for plantar fascia thickness.

Ultrasound is an inexpensive method for quantifying plantar fascia thickness, especially in those with plantar fasciitis. Ultrasound has also been used to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for plantar fasciitis by comparing plantar fascia thickness before and after an intervention period. While a plantar fascia thickness over 4 mm via ultrasound has been proposed to be consistent with plantar fasciitis, some researchers believe the 4 mm plantar fascia thickness level to be a dubious guideline for diagnosing plantar fasciitis due to the lack of standardization of the measurement process for plantar fascia thickness. In particular, no universal guidelines exist on the positioning of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints during the procedure and the literature also has inconsistent protocols. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the influence of MTP joint extension on plantar fascia thickness in healthy participants and those with unilateral plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia thickness of forty participants (20 with unilateral plantar fasciitis and 20 control) was measured via ultrasound three times at three different MTP joint positions: 1) at rest, 2) 30° of extension from the plantar surface, and 3) maximal extension possible. The plantar fascia became significantly thinner as MTP joint extension increased in both the plantar fasciitis group (p < 0.001) and the control group (p < 0.001). In the plantar fasciitis group, the involved plantar fascia was 1.2 to 1.3 mm thicker (p < 0.001) than the uninvolved side depending on the MTP joint position. In the control group, the difference in plantar fascia thickness between the two sides was less than 0.1 mm (p < 0.92) at any MTP joint position. MTP joint position can influence the ultrasound measurement of plantar fascia thickness. It is recommended that plantar fascia thickness measurements be performed with the toes at rest. If MTP joints must be extended, then the toes should be extended maximally and then noted to ensure subsequent ultrasound procedures are repeated. Standardizing the position of the MTP joints is not only important for attaining the most accurate thickness measurement of the plantar fascia, but is also important to researchers who use plantar fascia thickness to determine the effectiveness of various plantar fasciitis interventions.
Applications of the “phase abstractions” for portable and scalable parallel programming

Abstract Recently developed parallel programming abstractions are illustrated in a complete example by programming the Jacobi iterative approximation computation. The program, written in pseudocode, is designed to illustrate the way in which the new concepts can assist scaling and portability. The specific abstractions exhibited, collectively called the “phase abstractions,” are the data, code and port ensembles and the XYZ programming levels .
Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Synthetase Superactivity: Detection, Characterization of Underlying Defects, and Treatment

Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase catalyzes the synthesis of PRPP, a critical substrate common to the de novo and salvage pathways of purine nucleotide synthesis. The PRPP synthetase reaction involves the transfer of the terminal pyrophosphate group of ATP (as a MgATP complex) to the C-1 carbon of ribose-5-P and is dependent on inorganic phosphate (Pi) and Mg2+ which serve as enzyme activators as well as cofactors. Activity of PRPP synthetase is inhibited by a number of phosphorylated compounds including the reaction products (PRPP) and AMP), purine, pyrimidine, and pyridine nucleotides and 2,3-DPG.1 Human PRPP synthetase is composed of a single polypeptide subunit2 the structural gene for which maps to the long arm of the X-chromasome.3 Under appropriate conditions of enzyme and effector concentration in vitro PRPP synthetase subunits are capable of reversible self-association to aggregates containing 2,4,8,16 and 32 subunits, with only the largest two of these containing significant enzyme activity.4
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

A 77-year-old woman presented with a history of chest pain, subsequent to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Antonio Gramsci on Italian Futurism: Politics and the Path to Modernism

ABSTRACTThis article catalogues and contextualizes Antonio Gramsci’s pre-prison newspaper articles on Futurism, as well as each reference to Futurism in the Quaderni del carcere, to show that Gramsci is equally attentive to aesthetic and political concerns in his evaluation of the movement, and that they present an evolving but coherent view. This perspective is conditioned by awareness of Futurism’s interventions in the context of efforts at creating a ‘contemporary romanticism’, to use Gramsci’s term. Furthermore, this view is predicated on Gramsci’s insistence that Futurism fails in its aim to create a national(ist) art and culture because its leader, F.T. Marinetti, cannot overcome his attachment to the Italian high literary tradition, and the role of the artist within it.
Childfree by Choice: Stigma in Medical Consultations for Voluntary Sterilization

Nearly one half of women between the ages of 40 and 44 who do not have children are voluntarily childless, or “childfree” (Pew Research Center, 2015). Many childfree women (and men) request sterili...
Breaking Down Oral Health Care Siloes with Innovative Technology

Purpose The link between oral health and overall health is unequivocal. The need for innovative approaches that enable integrated care and address the oral health disease burden is substantial. Medical and dental providers strive to offer the best care possible for their patients, yet to date, coordinating care across these settings brings unique challenges. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend establishment of a dental home by the 1st birthday. Unfortunately, national data indicate that the …
Human Resource Professionals’ Perceptions of Music Teacher Candidate Performance on Prescreening Interview Instruments:

The purpose of this study was to investigate human resources (HR) professionals’ perceptions of music teacher job candidate performance on prescreening interviews in five Midwestern school district...
Association of Poverty Income Ratio with Physical Functioning in a Cohort of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective To examine the association of income relative to the poverty threshold [poverty income ratio (PIR)] with self-reported physical functioning in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methods We used cross-sectional data on 744 participants from Georgians Organized Against Lupus (GOAL), and secondary analyses used data on 56 participants from a nested pilot study. Primary analyses utilized multivariable linear regression to estimate the association between PIR (categorized as Results Overall, the mean age of participants was 48.0 years; 6.7% were male; 80.9% were black; and 37.5%, 21.0%, 29.6% and 12.0% had PIRs of Conclusion Our results show that higher income relative to the poverty threshold is associated with better physical functioning across multiple domains, warranting further research into multicomponent functional assessments to develop individual treatment plans and, potentially, improve socioeconomic disparities in outcomes.
Development of a nested PCR assay for detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in clinical equine specimens and comparison with a qPCR assay.

Streptococcus equi subsp. equi is a Gram positive bacterial pathogen commonly associated with strangles in horses, a respiratory disease characterized by abscessation of submandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes which can lead to obstruction of the airway. Several real-time PCR (qPCR) assays have been developed for detection of S. equi from horses with many targeting conserved regions of the S. equi cell wall-associated M-protein (SeM), a major virulence factor and immunogen of S. equi. Our objective was to develop a nested PCR (nPCR) targeting SeM and an 18S rRNA internal control gene for detection of S. equi from horses with potential improvement in detection sensitivity compared to a qPCR. Primers and probes from the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) S. equi clinical testing assay were utilized for all qPCR testing. Primers flanking the SeM qPCR target region were selected for an initial end-point PCR step of the nested assay; PCR product from the end-point reaction then served as template for the qPCR reaction step of the nested assay. Sample nucleic acid was also tested directly with qPCR to allow for assay comparison. Nucleic acid from clinical specimens (n = 188) submitted to KSVDL were tested in parallel with each assay. The nPCR and qPCR assays identified 22.9% (43/188) and 13.3% (25/188) of samples positive for S. equi, respectively. None of the samples positive by qPCR were negative by nPCR. The PCR products from all positive samples were submitted for DNA sequencing. Each of the 25 samples positive by both assays had a high nucleotide identity match (>96%) to the SeM gene. Among the samples positive by nPCR but negative by qPCR, 17 of 18 were sequence confirmed for SeM at greater than 96% nucleotide identity. Based on the nPCR Ct (37.8) of the one sequence un-confirmed case, it is likely that the S. equi bacterial load in this sample was below the necessary concentration for successful sequencing. Limit of detection (LOD) for the nPCR was established at a Ct of 37, and based both on the LOD of the qPCR assay (Ct of 37), as determined by standard curve data, and on the highest nPCR Cts (~37) of clinical samples able to result in SeM sequence-confirmation. As demonstrated by sequencing confirmation, the nPCR assay targeting the SeM gene is highly specific to S. equi. The increased sensitivity of the nPCR, compared to the qPCR, may reduce the number of false negative sample results in clinical testing and provide a superior detection method during low bacterial shedding periods.
Demystifying Transportation Using Big Data Analytics

With the ever-growing generation and collection of data, there are ample opportunities to extract useful information from big data. The transportation industry, particularly the taxi companies, are a significant contributor to this data age. This research analyzes a 2016 voluminous taxi dataset from the City of Chicago to find impactful transportation trends for determining city hotspots based on time and location. Customer satisfaction was used as a way of deciding which taxi companies need to look at improving their customer service. Linear regression models were used to estimate tips relative to the distance traveled and the time taken. The haversine distance was utilized to pair the latitude and longitude coordinates of drop-offs and their next pickup. To maximize the driver's earnings, information on tips, and to analyze the average range to drivers next fare were combined. Stakeholders, customers, and transportation authorities can use the results of this analysis to plan better commute patterns.
Low-loss nonlinear optical isolators in silicon

Asymmetric forward and backward transmission through photonic structures can be achieved via optical nonlinearities, but existing systems have typically used slow thermo-optic effects. A new resonator design has now enabled low-loss, non-reciprocal pulse routing based on the Kerr nonlinearity in integrated silicon waveguides.
Rehabilitation interventions to reduce the risk of falls in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review of the literature

Background: Individuals with COPD develop many clinical manifestations that affect overall morbidity and mortality, with fall risk being one of the leading factors reported in the literature. Purpo...
Abstract IA23: The role of hepatocyte TAZ in NASH and NASH-HCC

NASH has emerged as the leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. However, there is a dearth of treatment options, which is due in large part to a poor understanding of NASH pathophysiology, particularly in the conversion of the relatively benign steatosis to clinically important fibrosis and HCC. We hypothesized that the transcription factor TAZ (WWTR1) in hepatocytes (HCs) promotes the progression of steatosis to fibrotic NASH and HCC. We studied liver tissue from humans with NASH and NASH-HCC and used several mouse models, including a dietary model of obesity, insulin resistance, NASH fibrosis, and HCC. NASH mice were treated with various AAV8-H1-shRNAs to silence genes specifically in HCs. The data show that TAZ is markedly increased in HCs in both human and murine NASH liver compared with normal or steatotic liver. In murine models of NASH, silencing of HC TAZ prevents or reverses hepatic inflammation, HC death, and fibrosis. Moreover, HC-targeted expression of TAZ in a mouse model of steatosis promoted NASH features, including fibrosis. Mechanistic studies using cultured cells and molecular-genetic causation studies in mice revealed that a key mechanism linking is TAZ-mediated induction of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), an HC secretory factor that activates fibrogenic genes in hepatic stellate cells (Wang et al., Cell Metabolism). The mechanism of TAZ upregulation in NASH involves a pathway in which excess cholesterol in HCs disrupts the normal proteasomal degradation of TAZ. Prolonged feeding of mice with the NASH diet leads to HCC, with both the tumors and surrounding tissues expressing high levels of TAZ. Silencing TAZ in HCs after advanced NASH has developed eliminates the progression to HCC, and silencing HC TAZ in mice with NASH-HCC shrinks the tumors. The mechanisms of linking TAZ to NASH-HCC likely both niche (surrounding tissue) and oncogenic effects. In conclusion, HC TAZ, whose levels markedly increase during NASH progression via a pathway involving cholesterol enrichment of HCs, plays an essential role in the progression of steatosis to fibrotic NASH and in the progression of NASH to HCC. As such, silencing TAZ in hepatocytes in the setting of early NASH is a potentially powerful new strategy to prevent the progression of NASH to cirrhosis and HCC. Citation Format: Xiaobo Wang, Robert Schwabe, Ira Tabas. The role of hepatocyte TAZ in NASH and NASH-HCC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
MODELING ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS FEEDBACK IN COOL-CORE CLUSTERS: THE FORMATION OF COLD CLUMPS

We perform high-resolution (15-30 pc) adaptive mesh simulations to study the impact of momentum-driven active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback in cool-core clusters, focusing in this paper on the formation of cold clumps. The feedback is jet-driven with an energy determined by the amount of cold gas within 500 pc of the super-massive black hole. When the intracluster medium in the core of the cluster becomes marginally stable to radiative cooling, with the thermal instability to the free-fall timescale ratio t{sub TI}/t{sub ff} < 3-10, cold clumps of gas start to form along the propagation direction of the AGN jets. By tracing the particles in the simulations, we find that these cold clumps originate from low entropy (but still hot) gas that is accelerated by the jet to outward radial velocities of a few hundred km s{sup –1}. This gas is out of hydrostatic equilibrium and so can cool. The clumps then grow larger as they decelerate and fall toward the center of the cluster, eventually being accreted onto the super-massive black hole. The general morphology, spatial distribution, and estimated Hα morphology of the clumps are in reasonable agreement with observations, although we do not fully replicate the filamentary morphology ofmore » the clumps seen in the observations, probably due to missing physics.« less
States and Markets: The Advantage of an Early Start

In this paper, an index of the depth of experience with state-level institutions, or state antiquity, is derived for a large set of countries. We show that state antiquity is significantly correlated with measures of political stability and institutional quality, with income per capita, and with the rate of economic growth between 1960 and 1995. State antiquity contributes significantly to the explanation of differences in growth rates, explaining half of the differences in growth rates between countries like China and Mauritania, which are located at the two ends of the spectrum. It is also a good instrument for “social infrastructure,” which explains cross-country differences in worker productivity.
Unequal rates of postoperative complications in relatively healthy bariatric surgical patients of white and black race.

Abstract Background Racial disparities in postsurgical complications are often presumed to be due to a higher preoperative co-morbidity burden among patients of black race, although being relatively healthy is not a prerequisite for a complication-free postoperative course. Objectives To examine the association of race with short-term postbariatric surgery complications in seemingly healthy patients. Settings Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database (2015–2018). Methods We studied a relatively healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 or 2), propensity score–matched cohort of adult non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white bariatric surgery patients. We compared the risk-adjusted incidences of postoperative complications, serious adverse events, and measures of postoperative resource utilization across racial groups. Results We identified 44,090 matched pairs of relatively healthy black and white bariatric surgery patients. Patients of black race were 72% more likely than those of white race to develop 1 or more postoperative complications (.7% versus .4%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–2.24; P Conclusion Even among relatively healthy patients, race appears to be an important determinant of postbariatric surgery complications and resource utilization. Research and interventions aimed at narrowing the racial disparities in bariatric surgery outcomes may need to broaden the focus beyond the racial variation in the preoperative co-morbidity burden.
The Integration of Discernment Counseling and Emotionally Focused Therapy: Attachment-Based Therapy with Mixed Agenda Couples

Couple and family therapists (CFTs) routinely encounter couples with differing levels of commitment, otherwise known as mixed agenda couples, in their practice. CFTs using a traditional model of couple therapy may miss opportunities to help these types of couples make a coherent and deliberate decision for the future of their relationship. In response to the large number of mixed agenda couples coming to therapy, this article outlines a way to integrate Discernment Counseling (Doherty & Harris in Helping couples on the brink of divorce: Discernment counseling for troubled relationships. American Psychological Association, 2017) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (Greenberg & Johnson in Emotionally focused therapy for couples. Guilford Press, 1988). EFT and Discernment Counseling view couple relationships as attachment relationships, thus providing common ground for integration. However, the primary goal of EFT of creating a securely attached couple relationship does not account for mixed agenda couples, thus necessitating this integration to provide a method for EFT practitioners to address this common dilemma. In this manuscript, the author creates a roadmap for EFT therapists to use Discernment Counseling to enhance assessment, treatment planning, and initial sessions.
Refined Madelung Equations

The Madelung equations are two equations that are equivalent to the one-body time-dependent Schroedinger equation. In this paper, the Madelung equation, whose gradient is an Euler equation, is refined by introducing interpretations of functions that are shown to depend only on the real-part of the complex-valued wavefunction. These interpretations are extensions of functions from the recently derived generalized Bernoulli equation, applicable to real-valued quantum-mechanical stationary states. In particular, the velocity and pressure definitions are extended so that they depend on the real-part of a time-dependent complex-valued wavefunction. The Bohn quantum potential is then interpreted as the sum of two terms, one involving the kinetic energy and the other involving the pressure. Substituting the interpreted quantum-potential into the Madelung equation gives a refined equation containing two kinetic energy terms, a pressure term, and the external potential. It is easily demonstrated that the refined Madelung equation, applied to the hydrogen atom states with a nonzero magnetic quantum number, gives a fluid velocity that contains both a radial component and a free vortex. Hence, the fluid particles have angular momentum and move on streamlines that terminate at infinity. It is also demonstrated that the two velocities from the refined Madelung equation are related: One is the real component and the other is the imaginary component of a complex velocity. Furthermore, an Euler equation for quantum mechanical systems is derived by taking the gradient of the refined Madelung equation.
Reduction in Right Atrial Pressures Is Associated With Hemodynamic Improvements After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair of the Tricuspid Valve.

Background: Investigational transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has shown promise as an alternative to surgery, but factors influencing outcomes, optima...
Ultrasonic Measurement of Aircraft Strut Hydraulic Fluid Level

An ultrasonic method is presented for non-intrusively measuring hydraulic fluid level in aircraft struts in the field quickly and easily without modifying the strut or aircraft. The technique interrogates the strut with ultrasonic waves generated and received by a removable ultrasonic transducer hand-held on the outside of the strut in a fashion that is in the presence or absence of hydraulic fluid inside the strut. This technique was successfully demonstrated on an A-6 aircraft strut on the carriage at the Aircraft Landing Dynamics Research Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. Conventional practice upon detection of strut problem symptoms is to remove aircraft from service for extensive maintenance to determine fluid level. No practical technique like the method presented herein for locating strut hydraulic fluid level is currently known to be used.
N,N-Dimethyl-alpha-[2-(p-tolyloxy)ethyl]benzylamine hydrochloride (LY125180). Effects on serotonin uptake and serotonin synthesis in rat brain in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract N , N -Dimethyl- α -[2-( p -tolyloxy)ethyl]benzylamine hydrochloride (LY125180) competitively inhibited the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine by cortical synaptosomes and of dopamine by striatal synaptosomes, with K i values of 0.06, 2.2 and 2.5 μM respectively. In platelets of human plasma, LY125180 blocked serotonin uptake by 50 per cent at 22 nM. The administration of LY125180 led to a reduction of serotonin uptake by rat hypothalamic synaptosomes with an ed 50 value of 12 mg/kg, i.p., and a maximum effect within 1 hr. Prior treatment with β-diethylaminoethyl-2, 2-diphenylvalerate, HCl (SKF-525A), an inhibitor of microsomal metabolism, enhanced the potency of LY125180 by 3-fold and prolonged its action for at least 4 hr. LY125180 in vivo blocked the neurotoxic effect of p -chloroamphetamine on serotonin uptake by cortical synaptosomes but did not prevent the neurotoxic effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on norepinephrine uptake by hypothalamic synaptosomes or the accumulation of radiolabeled norepinephrine in rat heart at 50 mg/kg, i.p. A reduction in brain level of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid but not of serotonin and tryptophan and a decrease in the conversion of [ 3 H]tryptophan to [ 3 H]serotonin and [ 3 H]-5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid after the administration of LY125180 suggest a decrease of serotonin turnover in rat brain. These data are consistent with the conclusion that LY125180 is effective and selective in the blockade of the serotonin pump in vitro as well as in vivo . Except for a much shorter duration of action in vivo , LY125180 exhibits properties similar to the earlier reported selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, fluoxetine.
Modeling of quasi-stationary signals using temporal fuzzy sets and time-frequency distributions

We present a novel method for modeling quasi-stationary signals based on time-frequency feature extraction and fuzzy classification. A family of fuzzy sets, induced on a temporal universe, is utilized to decompose a dynamic trajectory of the observed signal into patterns of physical activity. Cluster prototypes are shown to approximate the power spectra of the stationary generators that jointly govern the process realization. A simulation example is provided to illustrate the method. >
The α1 and α6 subunit subtypes of the mammalian GABAA receptor confer distinct channel gating kinetics

The GABAA receptors show a large degree of structural heterogeneity, with seven different subunit families, and 16 different subtypes in mammalian species. The α family is the largest, with six different subtypes. The α1 and α6 subtypes are among the most diverse within this family and confer distinct pharmacological properties to recombinant and neuronal receptors. To determine whether different single channel and macroscopic kinetic properties were also associated with these subtypes, the α1 or α6 subunit was expressed in mammalian cells along with β3 and γ2L subunits and the kinetic properties examined with outside-out patch recordings. The α1β3γ2L receptors responded to GABA with long-duration openings organized into multi-opening bursts. In contrast, channel openings of the α6β3γ2L receptors were predominately short in duration and occurred as isolated, single openings. The subunit subtype also affected the deactivation rate of the receptor, which was almost 2-fold slower for α6β3γ2L, compared with the α1β3γ2L isoform. Onset of fast desensitization did not differ between the isoforms. To determine the structural domains responsible for these differences in kinetic properties, we constructed six chimeric subunits, combining different regions of the α1 and α6 subunits. The properties of the chimeric subunits indicated that structures within the third transmembrane domain (TM3) and the TM3–TM4 intracellular loop conferred differences in single channel gating kinetics that subsequently affected the deactivation rate and GABA EC50. The effect of agonist concentration on the rise time of the current showed that the extracellular N-terminal domain was largely responsible for binding characteristics, while the transmembrane domains determined the activation rate at saturating GABA concentrations. This suggests that subunit structures outside of the agonist binding and pore-lining domains are responsible for the kinetic differences conferred by the α1 and α6 subtypes. Structural heterogeneity within these transmembrane and intracellular regions can therefore influence the characteristics of the postsynaptic response of GABAA receptors with different subunit composition.
Hyperglycemia and Extracellular Glutamate in the Ischemic Brain

To the Editor: In their recent Stroke contribution, Li and colleagues1 presented data showing an enhancement of glutamate accumulation in the ischemic rat cerebral cortex following glucose administration. The results presented are comparable to those in a prior publication by this group2 on the relationship between extracellular glutamate levels in the ischemic rat forebrain and hyperglycemia. Hippocampal glutamate levels were unaffected. The result is of particular interest in that an elevation of glutamate levels in the extracellular milieu, in conjunction with the excitotoxic actions of this amino acid, could account for the generally accepted notion that preischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates brain damage due to transient global or forebrain ischemia. Unfortunately, readers of the article are apt to be misled by the authors’ discussion of existing literature on the effects of hyperglycemia on extracellular glutamate levels. They have neglected to mention both an earlier publication by their own group showing that topically applied glucose induced a decrease in glutamate levels in the ischemic human brain3 as well as another report describing a glucose-induced reduction in extracellular glutamate levels in the caudate nucleus of rats following cardiac arrest.4 The reduction in glutamate levels has been attributed to an ability …
Design of a Bufferless Photonic Clos Network-on-Chip Architecture

On-chip photonic waveguides have been proposed as a feasible replacement for the long interconnects that cause speed and power bottlenecks. Along with recent advancements in nanophotonic technologies, we believe that combining on-chip waveguides with high-radix Network on Chip (NoC) topologies is a promising way to improve NoC performance. In this paper, we propose the BufferLess phOtonic ClOs Network (BLOCON) to exploit silicon photonics. We propose a scheduling algorithm named Sustained and Informed Dual Round-Robin Matching (SIDRRM) to solve the output contention problem, a path allocation scheme named Distributed and Informed Path Allocation (DIPA) to solve the Clos network routing problem, and a methodology to achieve an optimal off-chip laser-power budget. In the simulation results, we show that with SIDRRM and DIPA, BLOCON improves the delay and on-chip power performance of the compared electrical and photonic NoC architectures over synthetic traffic patterns and SPLASH-2 traces.
Understanding Noncovalent Absorption and Packing of 1-Pyrene Butanoic Acid Succinimidyl Ester on Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have unique properties that give them strong potential for applications in high performance sensors and molecular electronics.1 One problem relevant to such technological applications is the functionalization of SWNT sidewalls. Recent experiments at Stanford have shown that 1-pyrene butanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PBSE) shows promise for non-covalent absorption onto SWNT sidewalls. We have conducted studies aimed at understanding the structural arrangement and packing of PBSE on the SWNT sidewall.
Auditory Masking Effects on Speech Fluency in Apraxia of Speech and Aphasia: Comparison to Altered Auditory Feedback.

Purpose To study the effects of masked auditory feedback (MAF) on speech fluency in adults with aphasia and/or apraxia of speech (APH/AOS). We hypothesized that adults with AOS would increase speec...
Segregation and linkage analysis of the complex trait Q1.

Segregation and linkage analysis of GAW9 Problem 2 quantitative trait 1 (Q1) was performed. Eight segregation models comprising all possible combinations of the environmental factor (EF), quantitative trait 2 (Q2), and quantitative trait 3 (Q3) as covariates were considered. Seven of the eight segregation models showed strong evidence for a major gene, the other model was marginal. When all genotypes are known, some evidence for linkage (lod > 2) was found to all three of the markers that affect Q1. Furthermore, four of the eight models each showed some linkage (lod > 2) to two of the three markers that affect Q1 with no false positives. Each of these segregation analysis major genes is a hybrid combination of the true multiple loci that affect Q1. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Overview of the special series

This special series was designed to stimulate eating disorders research by sampling from four strands of particularly promising research directions: taxometric nosology; neuroscience and psychopharmacology; clinical/demographic risk prediction in epidemiologic samples; and psychological models of symptom development. In this overview, I highlight the series' import by putting its papers in general context (as well as in context of each other), and also by highlighting key explanatory concepts from each paper. An additional purpose is to articulate areas not directly covered by this series that deserve careful attention in future research.
Initiating nucleotide identity determines efficiency of RNA synthesis from 6S RNA templates in Bacillus subtilis but not Escherichia coli

The 6S RNA is a non-coding small RNA that binds within the active site of housekeeping forms of RNA polymerases (e.g. Eσ(70) in Escherichia coli, Eσ(A) in Bacillus subtilis) and regulates transcription. Efficient release of RNA polymerase from 6S RNA regulation during outgrowth from stationary phase is dependent on use of 6S RNA as a template to generate a product RNA (pRNA). Interestingly, B. subtilis has two 6S RNAs, 6S-1 and 6S-2, but only 6S-1 RNA appears to be used efficiently as a template for pRNA synthesis during outgrowth. Here, we demonstrate that the identity of the initiating nucleotide is particularly important for the B. subtilis RNA polymerase to use RNA templates. Specifically, initiation with guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is required for efficient pRNA synthesis, providing mechanistic insight into why 6S-2 RNA does not support robust pRNA synthesis as it initiates with adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Intriguingly, E. coli RNA polymerase does not have a strong preference for initiating nucleotide identity. These observations highlight an important difference in biochemical properties of B. subtilis and E. coli RNA polymerases, specifically in their ability to use RNA templates efficiently, which also may reflect the differences in GTP and ATP metabolism in these two organisms.
Optically detected zero field magnetic resonance characterization of a bromine atom-containing polynucleotide, poly(dA-br5dU)

Abstract Phosphorescence and optically detected zero field magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra are reported for a bromine atom-containing polynucleotide, poly(dA-br 5 dU). The triplet state luminescence of poly(dA-br 5 dU) is dominated by the phosphorescence of the bromouracil base which possesses sub-millisecond triplet lifetimes. Characteristic multiple slow passage ODMR transitions, which are observed in both br 5 dUrd and poly(dA-br 5 dU), are assigned to the triplet state of bromouracil. In addition, an abnormally-perturbed adenine triplet state, which is not apparent in the phosphorescence spectrum of poly(dA-br 5 dU), is detected and identified by its slow passage ODMR and amplitude-modulated phosphorescence microwave double resonance spectra. It is proposed that the perturbed adenine is a minor component of the polynucleotide structure which is present in regions of altered stacking induced by the high polarizability of the Br atom.
Attitudes toward Genetic Research Review: Results from a National Survey of Professionals involved in Human Subjects Protection

The recent expansion of human genetics research has raised complex ethical and regulatory issues. However, few published reports describe the views of professionals involved in human subjects protection (HSP) regarding the risks and benefits of genetic research. This anonymous, web-based study elicited the opinions of 208 HSP professionals about review of genetic research. The majority of respondents felt that different guidance is needed for various aspects of genetic protocol review compared with other types of human subjects research. Importantly, opinions were divided on specific genetic research issues, such as what constitutes human subjects research, when to re-consent, and the likelihood and risks of research participant identification. Findings from this study illustrate the need for a collaborative approach to ethics oversight in the review and conduct of genetic research.
Reversible aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by pH dependent conformational transitions of a self-assembled polypeptide

Controlling the stable structures of metallic nanoparticles on mesoscopic and macroscopic length scales is of great interest in nanotechnology. Here, this task is accomplished using a synthetic biopolymer that is responsive to external stimuli and undergoes changes in secondary structure. Reversible aggregation of gold nanoparticles (GNP) is induced by pH dependent changes in a self-assembled monolayer of disulfide modified poly(L-glutamic acid) (SSPLGA) with M(w) approximately 27000. The disulfide anchoring group drives chemisorption onto the gold nanoparticles and leads to the formation of a self-assembled monolayer. Characterization of the modified GNP and its aggregation behavior is performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Experimental results show that decrease in pH near 5.5 leads to aggregation of the modified GNP. The change in aggregation behavior with pH occurs within minutes, is reversible, and happens within a narrow range of pH from about 4.5 to 5.5. Comparison with literature data on molar enthalpy of hydrogen bonding, specific optical rotation, and ionization for the helix-coil transition of PLGA indicates that the aggregation of the SSPLGA modified GNP corresponds to the transition in the secondary structure of the polyacid.
Organization, nucleation, and acetylation of microtubules in Xenopus laevis oocytes: a study by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy.

Abstract Anti-tubulin immunofluorescence and laser-scanning confocal microscopy were used to examine microtubule organization during Xenopus oogenesis (Dumont stages I–VI). Stage I oocytes contained a poorly ordered microtubule array, characterized by concentrations of microtubules in the cortex, surrounding the germinal vesicle, and associated with the mitochondrial mass. No focus of microtubule organization was detectable by optical sectioning or in microtubule regrowth experiments, suggesting that stage I oocytes lack a functional MTOC. The microtubule array becomes progressively more complex and polarized during oogenesis; an extensive array of microtubules and microtubule bundles was apparent in the animal hemisphere of stage VI oocytes, and a less ordered array was observed in the vegetal hemisphere. A dense network of microtubules surrounded the germinal vesicle, apparently extending from a tubulin- and microtubule-rich region of cytoplasm adjacent to the vegetal surface of the GV. The organization of microtubules in normal oocytes, in oocytes recovering from cold-induced microtubule depolymerization, and in enucleated oocytes, suggested that the germinal vesicle serves as an MTOC in stage VI oocytes. Antibodies to acetylated α-tubulin revealed numerous acetylated, presumably stable, microtubules in stage I and stage VI oocytes. The array of oocyte microtubules thus might function as a stable framework for the localization of developmentally important molecules and organelles during oogenesis.
INDUCTION OF GADD45 AND JNK/SAPK-DEPENDENT APOPTOSIS FOLLOWING INDUCIBLE EXPRESSION OF BRCA1

The breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 encodes a protein implicated in the cellular response to DNA damage, with postulated roles in homologous recombination as well as transcriptional regulation. To identify downstream target genes, we established cell lines with tightly regulated inducible expression of BRCA1. High-density oligonucleotide arrays were used to analyze gene expression profiles at various times following BRCA1 induction. A major BRCA1 target is the DNA damage-responsive gene GADD45. Induction of BRCA1 triggers apoptosis through activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK), a signaling pathway potentially linked to GADD45 gene family members. The p53-independent induction of GADD45 by BRCA1 and its activation of JNK/SAPK suggest a pathway for BRCA1-induced apoptosis.