cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher-Way Designs

The principles discussed so far with respect to one-way and two-way designs can be extended to designs having any arbitrary number of factors. We need only extend the basic model to include the additional factors; however, the extension involves additional interaction effects. For example, consider a three-way analysis of variance (2 × 2 × 3), such as the one in Table 7.1.
Algorithm for searching and tracking an unknown and varying number of mobile targets using a limited FoV sensor

We study the problem of searching and tracking a collection of moving targets using a robot with a limited Field-of-View (FoV) sensor. The actual number of targets present in the environment is not known a priori. We propose a search and tracking framework based on the concept of Bayesian Random Finite Sets (RFSs). Specifically, we generalize the Gaussian Mixture Probability Hypothesis Density (GM-PHD) filter which was previously applied for only tracking problems to allow for simultaneous search and tracking. The proposed framework can extract individual target tracks as well as estimate the number and spatial density of the targets. We also show how to use Gaussian Process (GP) regression to extract and predict nonlinear target trajectories in this framework. We demonstrate the efficacy of our techniques through representative simulations where we also compare the performance of two active control strategies.
LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN THE OPTIC NERVE HEAD AND RETINA OVER TIME IN VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WITH FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY.

Purpose To explore vitreoretinal pathologies and their longitudinal changes visible on handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) of young children with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed handheld OCT images for vitreoretinal interface and retinal abnormalities and optic nerve head (ONH) elevation. Results From 26 eyes of 16 children (mean age 32 months) with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, 10 had ONH dragging on photographs, and in these, handheld OCT revealed temporal and anterior retinal displacement, prominent vitreopapillary adhesion or traction, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickening at ONH margins with adjacent retinal elevation. Despite a nearly normal photographic appearance, handheld OCT revealed ONH elevation with vitreopapillary traction (6/16 eyes), ONH edema (1/16 eye), and retinal vascular protrusion (5/16 eyes). Handheld OCT-visualized vitreous abnormalities (18/26 eyes) were more prevalent at higher stages of disease. Handheld OCT-visualized elevation of ONH and the retina worsened over time in nine eyes and improved in 5/6 eyes after vitrectomy. Conclusion Handheld OCT can detect early ONH, retinal, and vitreous changes in eyes with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. Contraction of strongly adherent vitreous in young patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy appears to cause characteristic ONH dragging and tractional complications without partial posterior vitreous detachment. Vitreopapillary dragging may be visible only on OCT and may progress in the absence of obvious retinal change on conventional examination.
Manuscript Revisions and Omissions in Joseph Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS

In reading Joseph Conrad's manuscript version of “Heart of Darkness,” it is tempting to think of F. R. Leavis's complaint of florid language and “adjectival insistence” in the story and wonder whet...
Simulation-Based Assessment of Critical Care "Front-Line" Providers.

Objectives:Develop a standardized simulation method to assess clinical skills of ICU providers.Design:Simulation assessment.Setting:Simulation laboratory.Subjects:Residents, Critical Care Medicine fellows, acute care nurse practitioner students.Interventions:Performance scoring in scenarios from mul
Flow Injection Analysis: A New Tool for the Automation of the Determination of Food Components

As one contemplates the future direction of the analytical chemistry of foods, several features predominate in the predictions of what may occur in the coming years. First, the food industry is a highly regulated industry, and it would seem likely that it will remain so. Second, total quality control of food processing and distribution is increasing and it would seem likely that a majority of the industry will implement such an approach in the not too distant future. Third, the concern of food scientists with food toxicology is likely to be a factor for several years to come. Fourth, in the continuing efforts to optimize products, it would appear that there will be increasing numbers of studies on the effects of processing and storage on the nutrient and nonnutrient content of foods.
Studies on Trace Elements in Human Hair by X-ray Emission Spectroscopy

References to some of the most significant papers on trace elements in human hair can be found in a book by Valkovic (1977). Head hair analysis appears to offer a unique approach to the investigation of trace elements, nutrition and metabolism. The trace element of hair may be correlated with body stores. Human head hair is a recording filament which can reflect metabolic changes of elements over a long period of time. The idea of hair analysis is inviting because hair is easily sampled, shipped, and analyzed.
Nanowell-mediated two-dimensional liquid chromatography enables deep proteome profiling of <1000 mammalian cells

Multidimensional peptide separations can greatly increase the depth of coverage in proteome profiling. However, a major challenge for multidimensional separations is the requirement of large biological samples, often containing milligram amounts of protein. We have developed nanowell-mediated two-dimensional (2D) reversed-phase nanoflow liquid chromatography (LC) separations for in-depth proteome profiling of low-nanogram samples. Peptides are first separated using high-pH LC and the effluent is concatenated into 4 or 12 nanowells. The contents of each nanowell are reconstituted in LC buffer and collected for subsequent separation and analysis by low-pH nanoLC-MS/MS. The nanowell platform minimizes peptide losses to surfaces in offline 2D LC fractionation, enabling >5800 proteins to be confidently identified from just 50 ng of HeLa digest. Furthermore, in combination with a recently developed nanowell-based sample preparation workflow, we demonstrated deep proteome profiling of >6000 protein groups from small populations of cells, including ∼650 HeLa cells and 10 single human pancreatic islet thin sections (∼1000 cells) from a pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetic donor.
Clinical reasoning model for pharmacy students.

Background Clinical reasoning is an essential health care professional skill. Typically, pharmacy students figure out how to reason clinically on their own through the observation of skilled clinicians in various patient care settings. The need to start developing clinical reasoning skills in the pre-clinical years has increased interest in classroom-based clinical reasoning instruction. Context The focus of the current clinical reasoning literature is on teaching and assessing medical student clinical reasoning skills. Some literature is available for other health care professions, but there is little information regarding pharmacy student clinical reasoning skills. The current accreditation standards for pharmacy education in the USA require the assessment of clinical reasoning skills, but do not provide guidance regarding content, depth or breadth of skill development. Innovation A 2-credit pharmacy elective clinical reasoning course and a new integrated clinical reasoning model were developed for first-, second- and third-year pre-clinical Doctor of Pharmacy students. The new integrated clinical reasoning model, designed to guide pharmacy students through the clinical reasoning processes for making patient-specific therapeutic recommendations, integrates standard Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Planning (SOAPing) processes with pharmacy-specific elements of clinical reasoning. Implications Student achievement on whole case-based exams, designed to assess clinical reasoning skills, and student satisfaction with the course were high; however, longitudinal experience with cohorts internal and external to this institution is necessary to determine whether this type of course and clinical reasoning model is scalable, and whether the model has a measurable impact on student performance in the clinical year of the curriculum.
A Model for Glomerular Filtration Rate Assessment in Liver Disease (GRAIL) in the Presence of Renal Dysfunction.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with liver disease is suboptimal in the presence of renal dysfunction. We developed a model for GFR assessment in liver disease (GRAIL) before and after liver transplantation (LT). GRAIL was derived using objective variables (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, age, gender, race, and albumin) to estimate GFR based on timing of measurement relative to LT and degree of renal dysfunction (www.bswh.md/grail). The measured GFR (mGFR) by iothalamate clearance (n = 12,122, 1985-2015) at protocol time points before/after LT was used as reference. GRAIL was compared with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD-4, MDRD-6) equations for mGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Prediction of development of chronic kidney disease (mGFR < 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 , initiation of chronic dialysis) and listing or receipt of kidney transplantation within 5 years was examined in internal cohort (n = 785) and external validation (n = 68,217, 2001-2015). GRAIL had less bias and was more accurate and precise as compared with CKD-EPI, MDRD-4, and MDRD-6 at time points before/after LT for low GFR. For mGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , the median difference (eGFR-mGFR) was GRAIL: 5.24 (9.65) mL/min/1.73 m2 as compared with CKD-EPI: 8.70 (18.24) mL/min/1.73 m2 , MDRD-4: 8.82 (17.38) mL/min/1.73 m2 , and MDRD-6: 6.53 (14.42) mL/min/1.73 m2 . Before LT, GRAIL correctly classified 75% as having mGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 versus 36.1% (CKD-EPI), 36.1% (MDRD-4), and 52.8% (MDRD-6) (P < 0.01). An eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 by GRAIL predicted development of CKD (26.9% versus 4.6% CKD-EPI, 5.9% MDRD-4, and 10.5% MDRD-6) in center data and needing kidney after LT (48.3% versus 22.0% CKD-EPI versus 23.1% MDRD-4 versus 48.3% MDRD-6, P < 0.01) in national data within 5 years after LT. Conclusion: GRAIL may serve as an alternative model to estimate GFR among patients with liver disease before and after LT at low GFR.
The structure of DcrB, a lipoprotein from Salmonella enterica, reveals flexibility in the N-terminal segment of the Mog1p/PsbP-like fold.

Abstract DcrB is an 18 kDa lipoprotein that contains a single domain of unknown function. DcrB is found within Enterobacteriaceae, a family of Gram-negative bacteria which includes pathogens that can cause food-borne illness and hospital-acquired infections. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, DcrB is up-regulated by conditions that promote the production of known virulence factors. We determined the structure of a truncated form of DcrB from Salmonella to 1.92 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. This truncated form, DcrBΔ37, contains the entire domain of unknown function but lacks the lipoprotein signal sequence (residues 1–20) as well as residues 21–37. The DcrBΔ37 monomer contains the Mog1p/PsbP-like fold, which is found in functionally diverse proteins in mammals, yeast, plants, and cyanobacteria. Interestingly, DcrBΔ37 crystallized as a domain-swapped homodimer in which the N-terminal β-hairpin extends from one protomer to interact with the core of the second protomer. This domain-swapping indicates that the N-terminal portion of the Mog1p/PsbP-like fold likely has conformational flexibility. Overall, our results provide the first example of an enterobacterial protein that contains the Mog1p/PsbP-like fold and expands knowledge of the structural and phylogenetic diversity of Mog1p/PsbP-like proteins.
Probiotics for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases: An Updated Review of the Published Literature.

Background Probiotics can be viewed as biological agents that modify the intestinal microbiota and certain cytokine profiles, which can lead to an improvement in certain gastrointestinal diseases, including diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease. Discussion Consumption of probiotics in their various forms, including yogurt, functional foods, and dietary supplements, is frequently encountered worldwide. Often, however, the correct prescription of these agents is dampened due to a lack of knowledge of the scientific evidence and the different presentations and microbial compositions of the currently available probiotic options. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of the evidence of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases. Objective Consumption of probiotics in their various forms, including yogurt, functional foods, and dietary supplements, is frequently encountered worldwide. Often, however, the correct prescription of these agents is dampened due to a lack of knowledge of the scientific evidence and the different presentations and microbial compositions of the currently available probiotic options. Methods/results Here, we provide an up-to-date review of the evidence of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusion While not efficacious in every disease process studied, probiotics have demonstrated some benefit in several specific gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
P-021 National trends in the U.S. of endovascular intra-arterial thrombectomy and related mortality following acute ischemic stroke in patients less than 80 years old compared to their older counterparts

Introduction The beneficial effect of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke has been proven effective in multiple trials. Recommendations regarding patient criteria and treatment window are frequently updated allowing inclusion of more patients in the treatment group. Elderly patients older than 80 years old have been largely excluded in multiple trials while the ongoing aging of the population will increase this subgroup for stroke management in many medical practices. Prior retrospective studies showed the mortality related thrombectomy was higher in octogenarians, but these conclusions where based on old data (pre-2011) and prior to technological advances and greater practitioner experience. We evaluated the national trends of performing thrombectomy and subsequent inpatient mortality in people less than 80 years old with ischemic stroke compared to their older counterparts. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database identified hospitalizations from 2006 to 2014 with ICD-9 codes for acute ischemic stroke and endovascular thrombectomy. Annual trends of thrombectomy for stroke patients≥80 years old were compared to those Results There were 3,821,234 total hospitalizations associated with acute ischemic stroke between 2006–2014 and the total thrombectomy rate was 0.71%, including patients≥80 years old (n=6,042) and patients Conclusion Overall mortality continued to be higher in people≥80 years old when compared to their younger counterparts following acute ischemic strokes. However, there was a notable trend of decreasing thrombectomy related mortality across all age groups over the years, suggesting minimally invasive neuro-interventional techniques are feasible in older stroke populations. Disclosures A. Aly: None. M. Ali: None. Z. Zitterkopf: None. S. Aurit: None. J. Stavas: 2; C; inRegen Biotechnology, Excelerate Health Ventures. A. Mironov: None.
Lifting ‘Round the World': The Goodwill Weightlifting Tours of 1955

AbstractIn the first visit by American athletes to the Soviet Union since World War II, the U.S. weightlifting team included 340-pound Paul Anderson who startled the sports world in June of 1955 by pressing a world record 402 pounds, exceeding that of his Soviet adversary by 77 pounds. The admiration evoked by his colossal size and strength encouraged the State Department to send Anderson and other weightlifters on goodwill tours to counter Soviet expansionism in the Middle East and South Asia. The first tour evoked praise from President Dwight Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon, but the second tour proved disappointing when Anderson was unable to perform as expected and Coach Bob Hoffman made disparaging remarks about local customs, thus inadvertently planting seeds of ill-will. The 1955 weightlifting tours illustrated the likelihood of unanticipated consequences and limitations of using athletics as a Cold War strategy to counter Soviet influence in non-aligned countries. Previous accounts have...
Effects of equations of state and constitutive models on simulating copper shaped charge jets in ALEGRA

Abstract We investigate the effects of copper equations of state and constitutive models on simulations of shaped charge jets using the Sandia National Laboratories’ multiphysics hydrocode, ALEGRA. Specifically, we compare (1) the 3320, 3325, 3331, and 3337 SESAME copper equations of state (EOS), and (2) Johnson–Cook, Zerilli–Armstrong, Preston–Tonks–Wallace, Steinberg–Guinan–Lund, and Mechanical Threshold Stress constitutive models. Several of these cases are also compared against photon Doppler velocimetry measurements of the tip velocity. Lagrangian tracer particles are used to follow a part of the jet's evolution in state space for the various models. We monitored the jet topology and found that the various EOS produce similar results, although the 3325 model generates a cavity near the jet tip whose size decreases with increasing mesh resolution. Constitutive models generated more noticeable differences. We found the SGL and PTW models produced higher temperatures while the MTS and JC models returned very similar results at lower temperatures. The SGL model was the only strength model that reported a liquid region along the axis of the jet. For all material models, we found similar results for the velocity history of the jet tip as measured against experiment using photon Doppler velocimetry.
Indoor versus Outdoor Air Quality during Wildfires

The human behavioral modification recommendations during wildfire events are based on particulate matter and may be confounded by the potential risks of gas-phase pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Moreover, the majority of adults spend over 90% of their time indoors where there is an increased concern of indoor air quality during wildfire events. We address these timely concerns by evaluating paired indoor and outdoor PAH concentrations in residential locations and their relationship with satellite model-based categorization of wildfire smoke intensity. Low-density polyethylene passive air samplers were deployed at six urban sites for 1 week in Eugene, Oregon, with matched indoor and outdoor samples and 24 h time resolution. Samples were then quantitatively analyzed for 63 PAH concentrations using gas-chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A probabilistic principal components analysis was used to reduce all 63 PAHs into an aggregate measure. Linear regression of the first princ...
An Agricultural Water Use Package for MODFLOW and GSFLOW

Abstract The Agricultural Water Use (AG) Package was developed for simulating demand-driven and supply-constrained agricultural water use in MODFLOW and GSFLOW models. The AG Package uses pre-existing hydrologic simulation provided by MODFLOW and GSFLOW. Three options are available for simulating water use for agriculture: (1) user-specified demands, (2) demands determined by a user-specified irrigation trigger value that is compared to the ratio of the simulated actual to potential evapotranspiration (ET), and (3) demands determined by minimizing the difference between potential and actual ET. The latter two approaches use energy and soil-water balance to determine crop-water demands. Irrigation withdrawals are diverted into canals and routed to fields using the MODFLOW SFR Package, or irrigation water is provided/supplemented by groundwater. Combined with MODFLOW or GSFLOW, the AG Package can simulate dynamic water use by agriculture in developed basins while providing flexibility to represent a range of irrigation practices.
Methodologic Considerations in Calculating and Analyzing Proportion of Time Covered as a Measure of Longitudinal Cancer Screening Adherence.

Background: Proportion of time covered (PTC, or “covered time”) is a longitudinal measure of adherence to preventive health services, the use of which has increased in recent years. This measure is helpful for evaluating the success of delivering screening interventions over time. However, there are challenges and nuances in computing and interpreting PTC. Methods: In this manuscript, we describe some desired properties of PTC measures, challenges in achieving those, and potential solutions using hypothetical examples. Results: We propose a modified PTC measure (mPTC) to complement the standard, existing PTC measure. The mPTC measure focuses on screening completion rather than initiation when a screening modality requires more than one step; is affected less by loss to follow-up, death, or cancer during covered time than the standard PTC measure; and is not sensitive to screening episode results. We propose weighting strategies to ensure that the average PTC and mPTC are more heavily influenced by individuals who were observed for longer and are thus more informative. We further describe how PTC and mPTC measures can incorporate test indication to focus specifically on screening. Conclusions: We recommend that studies of covered time present ample descriptive information, calculate both PTC and mPTC, describe how symptoms and indication are handled, and present multiple complementary measures, such as the proportion never screened and the proportion in need of screening. Impact: Common approaches, terminology, and reporting practices for covered time measures have the potential to improve the study of longitudinal cancer screening adherence.
Human chorionic gonadotropin-mediated modulation of pregnancy-compatible peripheral blood natural killer cells in frozen embryo transfer cycles.

Problem To evaluate pregnancy-compatible phenotypic and functional changes in peripheral blood natural killer (pNK) cells during frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Method of study Peripheral blood was collected from patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer cycles at three separate time points in the cycle. pNK cell phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry. Impact of pregnancy status on pNK cell cytotoxicity was characterized by two methods: (1) a three-dimensional endovascular tube formation approach and (2) a NK cell-specific K562 cell kill assay. Results A total of 35 patients were enrolled, 15 with clinical pregnancies and 20 with negative serum β-hCG levels. Overall percentage of CD45+ CD3- CD56+ pNK cell did not change during the FET cycle. Pregnancy resulted in an increase in CD45+ CD3- CD56+ pNK cell population on the day of serum β-hCG. pNK cells from non-pregnant patients caused significant tube disruption when compared to pregnant patients. Addition of serum from pregnant women reduced the tube disruption by pNK cells from non-pregnant patients. pNK cells from pregnant patients showed significantly lower cytotoxicity toward K562 cells in serum-free conditions. The addition of pregnancy serum decreased non-pregnant pNK cell cytotoxicity. Pregnancy status had no impact on VEGF-A and VEGF-C serum levels. Recombinant hCG added to non-pregnant serum resulted in a significant reduction in non-pregnant pNK cell-mediated K562 cell kill. Conclusion There was no difference in pNK cell populations based on timing of the FET cycle. However, pregnancy increased the percentage of CD45+ CD3- CD56+ pNK cells. Additionally, pNK cells from pregnant women have reduced cytotoxicity and this is possibly mediated by hCG.
Smart Communication for a Digital World

This special section presents research papers selected from the 2019 American Academy of Advertising (AAA) Global Conference, which was held July 12 through 14, 2019, at Peking University in Beijin...
The Effects of the Hypothetical Putative Confession and Negatively Valenced Yes/No Questions on Maltreated and Nonmaltreated Children’s Disclosure of a Minor Transgression

This study examined the effects of the hypothetical putative confession (telling children “What if I said that [the suspect] told me everything that happened and he said he wants you to tell the truth?”) and negatively valenced yes/no questions varying in their explicitness (“Did the [toy] break?” vs. “Did something bad happen to the [toy]?”) on two hundred and six 4- to 9-year-old maltreated and nonmaltreated children’s reports, half of whom had experienced toy breakage and had been admonished to keep the breakage a secret. The hypothetical putative confession increased the likelihood that children disclosed breakage without increasing false reports. The yes/no questions elicited additional disclosures of breakage but also some false reports. The less explicit questions (referencing “something bad”) were as effective in eliciting true reports as the questions explicitly referencing breakage. Pairing affirmative answers to the yes/no questions with recall questions asking for elaboration allowed for bette...
Coupled mathematical model of tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in vascular tumours.

Objectives: Mathematical models are useful for studying vascular and avascular tumours, because these allow for more logical experimental design and provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of their growth and development. The processes of avascular tumour growth and the development of capillary networks through tumour-induced angiogenesis have already been extensively investigated, albeit separately. Despite the clinical significance of vascular tumours, few studies have combined these approaches to develop a single comprehensive growth and development model. Materials and methods: We develop a continuum-based mathematical model of vascular tumour growth. In the model, angiogenesis is initiated through the release of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) by cells in the hypoxic regions of the tumour. The nutrient concentration within the tumour reflects the influence of capillary growth and invasion induced by AGF. Results and conclusions: Parametric and sensitivity studies were performed to evaluate the influence of different model parameters on tumour growth and to identify the parameters with the most influence, which include the rates of proliferation, apoptosis and necrosis, as well as the diffusion of sprout tips and the size of the region affected by angiogenesis. An optimization was performed for values of the model parameters that resulted in the best agreement with published experimental data. The resulting model solution matched the experimental data with a high degree of correlation (r = 0.85).
Calculation of entropy changes in biological processes: folding, binding, and oligomerization.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses that in contrast to processes involving the formation of covalent bonds, the free energy changes in protein folding and binding are small, usually in the range of 5-15 kcal/mol. This free energy change is the difference between the two larger quantities ΔH and TΔS. The change in enthalpy ΔH results from the differences in the energies of the bonds present in the initial and the final state. The change in entropy ΔS reflects changes in the configurational entropy of the protein and the ligand, as well as changes in the organization of the solvent. In binding and oligomerization, ΔS include changes in translational and rotational degrees of freedom. It reviews that the changes in configurational, rotational, and translational entropy are amenable to treatments using molecular mechanics calculations. In contrast, solvent effects are difficult to evaluate quantitatively by calculations involving pairwise interactions and are better estimated by empirically parameterized equations. The chapter discusses methods that can be used to evaluate changes in entropy in protein folding, binding, and oligomerization. Only methods to calculate changes in configurational entropy are also presented.
Trafficking‐competent and trafficking‐defective KCNJ2 mutations in Andersen syndrome

Mutations in KCNJ2, the gene encoding the human inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1, have been identified in Andersen syndrome (or Andersen-Tawil syndrome), an inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias, and dysmorphic features. We identified and characterized two novel KCNJ2 mutations (c.220A>G/p.T74A and c.443G>C/p.G144A) associated with Andersen syndrome. Heterologous expression of a recombinant wild type human KCNJ2 cDNA (WT-KCNJ2) in HEK-293 cells results in robust inward rectifying currents, but we did not observe measurable currents from cells expressing either mutant. Cells co-transfected with WT-KCNJ2 and either mutant exhibited substantially lower whole-cell current amplitude consistent with a dominant-negative suppression of WT-KCNJ2 by the mutant channels. Both p.T74A and p.G144A exhibit robust plasma membrane expression, but a third previously reported allele (p.C101R) exhibited impaired trafficking. Our results demonstrate functional consequences of two novel trafficking-competent KCNJ2 mutations associated with Andersen syndrome and expand our knowledge of allelic diversity in this disease.
Quintessence and Cosmic Acceleration

Quintessence [1, 3] and the cosmological constant [4] are unanticipated and unwanted energy components from the point-of-view of both cosmologists and high energy physicists. Yet, confirming either would undoubtedly be one of the most important discoveries in both fields and would produce new links between the two.
Anaerobic benzene degradation.

Although many studies have indicated that benzene persists under anaerobic conditions in petroleum-contaminated environments, it has recently been documented that benzene can be anaerobically oxidized with most commonlyconsidered electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration. These include: Fe(III),sulfate, nitrate, and possibly humic substances. Benzene can also be convertedto methane and carbon dioxide under methanogenic conditions. There is evidencethat benzene can be degraded under in situ conditions in petroleum-contaminatedaquifers in which either Fe(III) reduction or methane production is the predominant terminal electron-accepting process. Furthermore, evidence from laboratory studies suggests that benzene may be anaerobically degraded in petroleum-contaminated marine sediments under sulfate-reducing conditions. Laboratory studies have suggested that within the Fe(III) reduction zone of petroleum-contaminated aquifers, benzene degradation can be stimulated with the addition of synthetic chelators which make Fe(III) more available for microbial reduction. The addition of humic substances and other compounds that contain quinone moieties can also stimulate anaerobic benzene degradation in laboratory incubations of Fe(III)-reducing aquifer sediments by providing an electron shuttle between Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms and insoluble Fe(III) oxides. Anaerobic benzene degradation in aquifer sediments can be stimulated with the addition of sulfate, but in some instances an inoculum of benzene-oxidizing,sulfate-reducing microorganisms must also be added. In a field trial, sulfate addition to the methanogenic zone of a petroleum-contaminated aquifer stimulated the growth and activity of sulfate-reducing microorganisms and enhanced benzene removal. Molecular phylogenetic studies have provided indications of what microorganisms might be involved in anaerobic benzene degradation in aquifers. The major factor limiting further understanding of anaerobic benzene degradation is the lack of a pure culture of an organism capable of anaerobic benzene degradation.
Range-wide age and growth characteristics of shovelnose sturgeon from mark–recapture data: implications for conservation and management

We used mark–recapture data from shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) to describe range-wide growth characteristics and developed a model to estimate ages. Data were solicited throughout much of the current distribution of shovelnose sturgeon, specifically from the mainstem Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries. Shovelnose sturgeon exhibited variable growth among locations; however, adult fish exhibited almost no growth after they reached a particular size, presumably the size at sexual maturity. Shovelnose sturgeon from the Mississippi River basin attained greater maximum sizes and ages compared with the Missouri River basin. However, two populations from the Mississippi River that received high exploitation from commercial harvest had truncated age distributions with smaller asymptotic lengths. Lower Missouri River populations were characteristic of exploited populations (i.e., smaller fish and reduced longevity), presumably a result of anthropogenic effects. Wide discrepanc...
Assessment of RAPD marker frequencies over cycles of recurrent selection for pigment concentration and percent solids in red beet ( Beta vulgaris L.)

In the past twenty years, betalain pigments found in red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) have been adopted for use as natural red food colorings. Utility and extractability of these compounds is dependent upon native concentrations of both pigment and total dissolved solids. In an effort to develop red beet populations with elevated levels of betalain pigment, recurrent half-sib family selection for high pigment and both high and low solids was practiced for seven cycles. This scheme resulted in the development of a high pigment/high solids and a high pigment/low solids population. A total of 200 randomly chosen oligonucleotide decamer primers were used to amplify genomic DNA of individual plants in the selection scheme for repeatability and clarity of amplification products. Thirty-one primers were chosen on this basis and used to assess random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker frequencies on genomic DNA samples isolated from 47 randomly-chosen individual plants in each of cycles 1, 3, and 6 in both high pigment/high solids and high pigment/low solids. Number of scorable Polymerase Chain Reaction products ranged from 1–10, resulting in a total of 161 RAPD markers. Chi-square and regression analyses were performed to determine the presence/absence of a linear trend in marker frequencies during the selection scheme. Comparisons were made among cycles within high pigment/high solids and high pigment/low solids populations. Significant linear trends were detected in both cases for certain RAPD markers. Formulae were used to test whether observed linear marker frequency trends were due to the effects of selection or random genetic drift. Chi-square tests revealed a subset of markers which exhibited significant frequency changes across cycles changed due to selection. These data demonstrate changes in RAPD marker frequencies with recurrent selection and suggest linkage of RAPD markers to genes controlling pigment in red beet.
Convergence of the Equilibrium Code SOLGASMIX

The procedure used to calculate chemical equilibrium in the code SOLGASMIX has been evaluated mathematically and applied to several examples in aqueous electrolyte chemistry. Matrix representation of the solution procedure allows convenient expression as a standard fixed-point iteration. Evaluation of sample problems illustrates the importance of certain free energy differences in theoretical convergence results. An interpolation scheme based on the oscillation of Gibbs energies yields legitimate equilibrium results in situations where the code would otherwise fail to converge properly.
Counterbalancing and Other Uses of Repeated-Measures Latin-Square Designs: Analyses and Interpretations

Abstract Many investigators use repeated-measures Latin-square designs to counterbalance treatments across a procedural variable such as temporal or spatial position or to reduce the number of treatment combinations given to each research participant. Effects of the counterbalancing should be analyzed statistically unless the investigator can argue persuasively that the analysis would be uninformative. Less often, investigators use these designs to create treatments; in this kind of use, effects of the Latin square (the treatment-combinations) are always analyzed statistically. The designs can also be used in intervention research. In all uses, the between-groups component of the variance associated with the Latin square is usually interpreted as a main effect of Subgroup, or of Treatment-combination, but it is also interpretable as the interaction between the two variables in the Latin square (Treatment variable × Procedural variable or Treatment variable A × Treatment variable B). Neither interpretation is inherently preferable; therefore, investigators should consider both and select and report the one that turns out to have a more convincing rationale, which will be external to the design per se.
MODIFICATION OF A MALARIA PARASITE (PLASMODIUM BERGHEI) FOLLOWING PASSAGE THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE.

THE Kasapa strain of Plasmodium berghei, which normally kills mice within three weeks of infection, has been modified by serial passage through tissue culture so that 80 per cent of mice infected with it recover and are immune to reinfection with the culture and parent strains.
Disseminated histoplasmosis: a cause of hemophagocytic syndrome.

From the Division of Hematology (Y.L), and the Department of Internal Medicine (L.T.H.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. A 41-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of fevers, rigors, and general malaise of 3 weeks’ duration. His history was remarkable for chronic asthma treated with prednisone. Examination showed an ill-appearing man without localized findings. Fevers persisted despite broad-spectrum antibiotics. Laboratory findings included anemia (9.1 g/dL), leukopenia (2.4 10/L), thrombocytopenia (72 10/L), abnormal liver function (AST 377 U/L), and hyperferritinemia (37,630 mcg/L). Bone marrow aspirate demonstrated clusters of macrophages containing engulfed
Accentuated selective population transfer difference spectroscopy: a new method for revealing hidden NMR resonances.

Abstract Block difference FID accumulation with an initial selective decoupler pulse alternately placed at the high and low frequency lines of a multiples provides, upon transform, a difference spectrum that shows only those other multiplets that are scalar coupled to the probed resonance with full retention of all splittings for the multiplets so revealed.
Properties of tachykinin receptors examined by intracellular recording from chick sympathetic ganglia

Abstract The physiological and pharmacological properties of tachykinin receptors have been examined by intracellular recording from intact chick lumbar sympathetic ganglia in vitro. In these ganglia, both substance P and eledoisin are potent agonists, producing a slowly developing depolarization in ganglion neurons is associated with an increase in input resistance and inhibition of the M-current. In contrast, physalaemin is a considerably less potent tachykinin in chick ganglia, and kassinin is without activity even at high doses. The rank order of potencies of tachykinin agonists is consistent from cell to cell, indicating that a single type of tachykinin receptor may be responsible for the observed responses. A putative tachykinin antagonist, ( d -Arg1, d -Pro2, d -Trp7,9,Leu11)-substance P, exhibits no intrinsic activity in the ganglia but does block the responses to subsequently applied substance P and eledoisin. This tachykinin antagonist also inhibits a portion of the slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) elicited in ganglion neurons by repetitive nerve stimulation. Since substance P has been identified within nerve fibers in the ganglia, it appears that this or another endogenous tachykinin mediates a portion of the slow EPSPs observed in the ganglia. Acetylcholine acting via muscarinic receptors is also capable of producing slow EPSPs in the ganglia, since perfusion with atropine can reduce the size of some slow EPSPs. It is concluded that chick sympathetic neurons contain both tachykinin and muscarinic receptors, and that these receptors are involved in slow synaptic responses in the ganglion neurons which increase the excitability of the cells.
What We Know and What We Do Not Know About Factors Associated with and Interventions to Promote Antiretroviral Adherence

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence remains critical for achieving successful outcomes. Factors affecting ART adherence can occur at the individual level or be related to the treatment regimen, daily schedule, and/or interpersonal relationships. While treatment-related barriers have diminished with recent simplified ART regimens, guidelines still recommend considering regimen simplicity. ART readiness should be assessed prior to starting ART, with follow-up adherence assessments once ART is initiated, and at all subsequent clinical visits. Adherence interventions work best when multifaceted, targeted for at-risk and nonadherent participants, and tailored to individuals’ needs. Successful interventions have included education and counseling, provision of social support, directly observed therapy, and financial incentives. Pillboxes and two-way short-text messaging service (SMS) reminders have been shown to be effective and are widely recommended tools for promoting ART adherence. Further research is needed to determine the optimal combination of adherence interventions, as well as generalizability, implementation, and cost-effectiveness.
Acute graft-versus-host disease: inflammation run amok?

Hematopoietic stem cell transplanta- tion (HSCT) has substantially fulfilled its promise as a curative therapy for hematopoietic disorders and some dis- orders of metabolism. More recently, it has been investigated for its potential in establishing tolerance for organ trans- plantation. In its typical application, conditioning steps involving cytotoxic radiation or chemotherapy are admin- istered first, after which some combi- nation of stem cells, lymphocytes, den- dritic cells, and other cells is infused into the recipient. In the treatment of malignant disorders, the goal is to erad- icate the cancer through a combination of cytotoxic injury and destruction of the malignancy by immunologic attack, a response described as the graft-versus- leukemia (GVL) effect. This approach is limited by (a) collateral tissue damage from the conditioning regimen, (b) immunological injury to normal tissues (graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)), and (c) the ability of the malignancy to survive this dual assault. substantial damage to the basilar layer of the skin, the intestinal crypts, and the portal area of the liver. Apoptosis of cells in these areas results in rash, mucosal denudation and subsequent diarrhea, and/or biliary stasis. In severe cases it can be fatal. One hint that helps explain the organ selectivity and some aspects of the pathophysiology of GVHD is the target organ distribution per se — these organs are all primary or secondary barriers to the environment. The functions of skin and gut are self- evident, and the liver's extensive reticu- loendothelial system reinforces the bar- rier function of the endotoxin-rich intestinal mucosa. While we refer to the GVH reaction as a "disease," it is better considered as a normal reaction of normal, donor lym- phocytes to what appears to the immune system to be a serious infec- tion. Thus, a reasonable framework in which to consider the induction of GVHD is that there is damage to the epithelium and endothelium by the conditioning regimen itself as well as by effects of the underlying disease. The injured tissues respond as if there were a serious infection, with the production of factors — cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules, among others — that signal the immune system that infection or injury has occurred. The damaged tissues express antigens that are perceived as foreign by the immune system and are considered targets for elimination. The donor lymphocytes are in a milieu that fosters their direct attack on epithelia, causing tissue dam- age through perforin, granzyme B, and/or Fas/FasL interactions. They may also recruit other effector cells, such as granulocytes and macrophages (par- tially summarized in Figure 1). In addi- tion, the dysregulated production of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF- α, IFN-γ, IL-1, and others, may cause direct tissue damage. Endotoxin may leak through these injured barriers, where it tends to fuel the response. Fur- ther injury to the barrier results in more release of endotoxin and exacerbation of the inflammation. Indirect support
Characterization and mapping of the gene encoding mouse proteasome subunit DELTA (Lmp19)

The proteasome subunit DELTA is unusually closely related to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked proteasome subunit, LMP2. The sequence of a mouse cDNA for DELTA confirms that this 22 100 M r proteasome subunit is highly conserved across species. Sequence analysis of the mouse gene encoding DELTA, designated Lmp19, indicates that it consists of six exons and five introns, similar to the Lmp2 gene. The 5′ upstream region lacks a TATA regulatory sequence, which is also absent from proteasome genes isolated from Drosophila. BXD recombinant inbred (RI) mice were used to map the potential chromosomal location of Lmp19, and revealed that the DELTA subunit has related sequences present on two different mouse chromosomes, chromosomes 1 and 11. Typing of 89 progeny from a C57BL/6J X Mus spretus DNA backcross panel (BSS) confirmed the chromosome 1 assignment. Southern hybridization with a polymerase chain reaction-generated Lmp19 intron 2-specific probe indicates that the Lmp19 genomic clone corresponds to the sequence on chromosome 11, and further suggests that the chromosome 1 copy represents a processed pseudogene (Lmp19-ps1).
Precision in research on mathematics learning: The emerging field of psycho-mathematics

The field of learning psychology spans all the disciplines. This scholarly study, while primarily directing itself to the area of mathematics, will prove to be stimulating and thought provoking to all scientists.
Messenger functions of phosphatidic acid

Under physiological conditions, phosphatidic acid (PA) is an anionic phospholipid with moderate biological reactivity. Some of its biological effects can be attributed to lyso-PA and diacylglycerol generated by the action of cellular hydrolases. However, it is clear that the parent compound exhibits biological activities of its own. Early studies implicated PA in the transport of Ca++ across plasma membranes as well as in the mobilization of intracellular stored calcium. Both responses may be induced as a consequence of other cellular processes activated by PA, as opposed to being directly mediated by the lipid. PA may be involved in the activation of certain functions confined to specialized groupings of cells, such as the neutrophil superoxide-generating enzyme or actin polymerization. Recent studies implicate PA as an activator of intracellular protein kinases, and a PA-dependent superfamily of kinases involved in cellular signalling has been hypothesized. Deployed on the outer surface of the plasma membrane, PA potentially provides a method of communication between cells in direct contact. This review will explore the known functions of PA as an intracellular mediator and extracellular messenger of biological activities and address ways in which these functions are potentially regulated by cellular enzymes which hydrolyse the phospholipid.