cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An empirical comparison between a regression framework and the Synthetic Control Method

Abstract The Synthetic Control Method has been used in comparative case studies in which the existence of a counterfactual unit with a high level of similarities and comparability is crucial. On the other hand, while many methods have been developed to enhance our estimation power, not many studies have explored the prediction power of the traditional regression frameworks in such comparative case studies. In this paper, we empirically compare the Synthetic Control Method with a Dynamic Panel Data Regression Framework. We compare the estimation result and the prediction power of the predicted unit driven from the Dynamic Panel Data model and the counterfactual unit from the SCM. To apply the idea, we employ the recent sanctions on Iran as a suitable case of policy intervention and a comparative case study.
An ecological assessment of large coastal shark communities in South Florida

Abstract Given population declines of many shark species, coupled with increasing conservation efforts and recoveries, there is a need for baseline assessments and continued monitoring of shark populations to support management. The waters of South Florida, USA, are used by a diverse array of sharks that occur among a mosaic of habitats and management zones. Here we conducted standardized drumline surveys from Miami through the middle Florida Keys to examine spatial, seasonal and environmental patterns in shark occurrence, catch per unit effort, composition, and demographic structure. Between 2009 and 2021, a total of 21,755 drumlines were deployed, capturing 3398 sharks, comprising fifteen species. Ginglymostoma cirratum, (n = 1335), Carcharhinus limbatus, (n = 650), Negaprion brevirostris, (n = 314), C. leucas, (n = 253), and Sphyrna mokarran, (n = 238) were the most common species encountered. Overall, the largest shark surveyed was a 450 cm S. mokarran and the smallest shark was a 50 cm Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. At the assemblage level, relative abundance among regions and seasons were generally similar; however clear species-specific patterns of abundance, size structure, and sex-composition were detected by season, region, habitat, and management zones. Of the physical conditions evaluated, habitat type and depth emerged as the most influential parameters affecting abundances and sizes of species captured. While few species exhibited significant differences in catches by management zone, areas with the most restrictive fisheries regulations generally supported higher abundances for which differences were detected. These data serve as a baseline for future monitoring of shark populations in South Florida and assessing their response to environmental change.
Spike protein multiorgan tropism suppressed by antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2

Abstract While there is clinical evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 multiorgan tropism in severely infected coronavirus 19 patients, it’s unclear if there is differential multiorgan biodistribution and organ uptake in healthy young individuals, a group that usually has asymptomatic to moderate coronavirus 19 symptoms. In addition, for antibody therapies and vaccines that target the spike protein, it’s unclear if these reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or spike protein multiorgan tropism equally. We used fluorescently labeled spike protein near infrared fluorescence to study viral behavior, using an in vivo dynamic imaging system, in young mice. We found a spike protein body-wide biodistribution followed by a slow regional elimination, except for the liver, which showed an accumulation. Spike protein uptake was highest for the lungs, and this was followed by kidney, heart and liver, but, unlike the choroid plexus, it was not detected in the brain parenchyma or cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, the brain vascular barriers were effective in restricting the entry of spike protein into brain parenchyma in young healthy mice. While both anti-angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and anti-spike protein antibodies suppressed spike protein biodistribution and organ uptake, anti-spike protein antibody was more effective. By extension, our data support the efficacy of these antibodies on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 biodistribution kinetics and multiorgan tropism that could determine coronavirus 19 organ-specific outcomes.
Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part XCI: Lean Thinking in Healthcare.

ABSTRACT Lean thinking refers to the thought processes utilizing the main characteristics of Lean to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase value to the customer. Lean thinking can be used to improve health care organizations using such tools as the A3 form, root-cause analysis, value stream maps, Gemba walks, kaizen events, and defining standard work. Examples are given about how Lean thinking improved scheduling and productivity, as well as better compliance regarding core measures and adherence to best practices. Lean thinking examples are also given which resulted in less need for space, inventory, and personnel, and a decrease in hospital-acquired infections.
Boston’s Olympic bid and the evolving urban politics of event-led development

The sports mega-events industry is in the midst of a significant reorganization, and the urban politics of event-led development planning is increasingly tumultuous. Three trends stand out: (1) the mega-events industry has been professionalized through consultancies, sports federations' urban policy programs, and city-to-city knowledge-sharing partnerships. (2) Critics of mega-events have been successful in drawing attention to state intervention and public subsidies involved in mega-event planning. (3) A proliferation of anti-bid social movements has pursued a form of urban politics, which more aggressively questions the legitimacy of using mega-events to pursue urban development. I evaluate the implications of these trends with a case study of a bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Boston. The failure of the Boston bid illustrates increasing tensions between cities and the mega-events industry.
Economic Theory in the Twentieth and Twenty‐First Century

The article covers new theories in economics in the twentyfirst century, including sustainable development, North-South trade, the global environment, and decisions with catastrophic risks. Keywords: economic theory; catastrophic risks; North South trade; sustainable development; basic needs
Comparative in vitro spermicidal effects of (+)-gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (−)-gossypol and gossypolone

Abstract The comparative in vitro spermicidal effects of (+)-gossypol, (−)-gossypol and (+)-gossypol were evaluated on the spermatozoa of human, monkey, rabbit, mouse, rat and hamster. The spermicidal effects of gossypol isomers were also compared with those of gossypolone, which is a proposed major metabolite of gossypol. Gossypol isomers and gossypolone were all spermicidal. (+)- and (−)-Gossypol demonstrated spermicidal activities at the same concentration at which (+)-gossypol shows spermicidal effects on the spermatozoa of all species tested. However, gossypolone was less potent than the gossypol isomers. The spermicidal action of gossypol may be a nonspecific effect unrelated to the antifertility mechanism of orally administered gossypol, since (+)-gossypol which is not an effective male antifertility agent also showed the equivalent spermicidal effect to that of (+)-gossypol.
A four-phase approach for systematically collecting data and measuring medication discrepancies when patients transition between health care settings.

Abstract Background No methodological standards are available for researchers and clinicians to examine medication discrepancies between health care settings. Systematic methods of examining medication discrepancies will allow researchers and clinicians to better understand factors driving medication discrepancies, to better measure effects of medication reconciliation interventions, and to compare findings across studies. Objective This article proposes a four-phase approach for systematically collecting medication data and measuring medication discrepancies between a hospital and community pharmacies. Methodologic considerations related to studying medication discrepancies in health services research are also discussed. Methods A multi-disciplinary study team developed a four-phase systematic approach to improve quality of data and study rigor: 1) operationalization of a medication discrepancy, 2) acquiring medication data, 3) abstraction of medication data and creation of dataset, and 4) measuring and reporting medication discrepancies. Results Using this phase-based approach, the study team successfully identified and reported medication discrepancies between a hospital and community pharmacies at the patient, medication, and community pharmacy units of analyses. Conclusions Systematically measuring medication discrepancies that occur in the care transitions process is a critical step as researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders work to improve health care quality and patient outcomes. This article detailed how a phase-based approach can be used in research to examine medication discrepancies as well as address the complexity of collecting medication data and analyzing medication discrepancies. Such methods should be considered when developing, conducting, and reporting research on medication discrepancies.
High-throughput analysis of yeast replicative aging using a microfluidic system

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been an important model for studying the molecular mechanisms of aging in eukaryotic cells. However, the laborious and low-throughput methods of current yeast replicative lifespan assays limit their usefulness as a broad genetic screening platform for research on aging. We address this limitation by developing an efficient, high-throughput microfluidic single-cell analysis chip in combination with high-resolution time-lapse microscopy. This innovative design enables, to our knowledge for the first time, the determination of the yeast replicative lifespan in a high-throughput manner. Morphological and phenotypical changes during aging can also be monitored automatically with a much higher throughput than previous microfluidic designs. We demonstrate highly efficient trapping and retention of mother cells, determination of the replicative lifespan, and tracking of yeast cells throughout their entire lifespan. Using the high-resolution and large-scale data generated from the high-throughput yeast aging analysis (HYAA) chips, we investigated particular longevity-related changes in cell morphology and characteristics, including critical cell size, terminal morphology, and protein subcellular localization. In addition, because of the significantly improved retention rate of yeast mother cell, the HYAA-Chip was capable of demonstrating replicative lifespan extension by calorie restriction.
Preliminary investigation of employee's dog presence on stress and organizational perceptions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary study of the effect of the presence at work of employees' dogs on stress and organizational perceptions.Design/methodology/approach – A pre‐post between‐group design with repeated measures was used to compare differences between employees who bring their dogs to work (DOG group), employees who do not bring their dogs to work (NODOG group), and employees without pets (NOPET group) on physiological and perceived stress, perceptions of job satisfaction, organizational affective commitment, and perceived organizational support.Findings – Combined groups scored significantly higher on multiple job satisfaction subscales than the reference norm group for these scales. No significant differences were found between the groups on physiological stress or perceived organizational support. Although perceived stress was similar at baseline; over the course of the day, stress declined for the DOG group with their dogs present and increased for the NODOG an...
Micromechanical disk array for enhanced frequency stability against bias voltage fluctuations

A 215-MHz polysilicon capacitive-gap transduced micromechanical resonator array employing 50 mechanically coupled radial-contour mode disks - the largest such array yet fabricated and measured - has achieved 3.5× better frequency stability than single stand-alone disks against fluctuations in the dc bias voltage (VP) normally applied across electrode-to-resonator gaps during device operation. The key to enhanced frequency stability is the electrode-to-resonator capacitance (Co) generated by the parallel combination of input/output electrodes overlapping each resonator in the array that in turn reduces the efficacy of the bias voltage-controlled electrical stiffness. Here, a new equivalent circuit based on negative capacitance provides improved visualization that helps to identify methods to suppress electrical stiffness induced frequency variation. The circuit model indicates that the more resonators in an array, the smaller the frequency shift imposed by a given bias voltage change. Both modeling and measurement suggest that the most stable MEMS-based oscillators (e.g., against supply noise and acceleration) are ones that utilize mechanically-coupled arrays of resonators.
Cross system comparisons of children in treatment foster care: Using agency data to study cross-system child outcomes

Abstract This exploratory study matched a set of data from a treatment foster care population served in one Midwestern state during one calendar year with statewide data from public schools and child welfare agencies to create a broader picture of how these children were faring. Despite typical challenges to the quality of agency-level data, a significant proportion of child records could be matched to data from other systems. Important discoveries were made in terms of the attendance patterns of school-aged children and their participation in special education. The stabilizing effect of treatment foster care can be observed by high rates of child welfare involvement up to the point when children were placed in treatment foster care settings after which, they had very little, if any, subsequent child welfare involvement. Recommendations are provided for how treatment foster care agencies might not only enhance the quality of their data to improve their ability to report on their performance but to consider the broader research implications illustrated in the findings presented here.
Penetration of Airborne Microorganisms Through a Surgical Mask and a Dust/Mist Respirator

This study investigated bacterial penetration of different bacterial shapes, aerodynamic sizes, and flow rates through a surgical mask and a dust/mist respirator. The bacterial penetrations were compared with those of spherical corn oil particles of the same aerodynamic diameter tested under the same conditions. The tests were performed at different levels of aerosol penetration. Bacteria, ranging from spherical to rod-shaped with a high aspect (length to width) ratio, were selected as test agents. Among these, Pseudomonas fluorescens physically simulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis by shape and size. The concentrations of bacteria upstream and downstream of the test devices were measured with an aerodynamic size spectrometer. This instrument was found to measure the total viable and nonviable bacterial concentration effectively and dynamically over the entire bacterial size range down to 0.5 µm in aerodynamic size. The results indicate that the spherical corn oil particles and the spherical Streptococcus ...
Direct enumeration and functional assessment of circulating dendritic cells in patients with liver disease

Chronic liver disease has been shown to be associated with diminished humoral and cellular immune function. Although antigen-presenting cells (APC) that initiate immune responses include various cells (B cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, etc.), the dendritic cell (DC) is a professional APC that activates naive T cells most efficiently. To examine the frequency and function of DCs in chronic liver disease, we studied circulating DCs from a cohort of 112 subjects (23 normal subjects, 29 subjects who had spontaneously recovered from hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, 30 chronically infected HCV patients, and 30 patients with liver disease unrelated to HCV infection). Our analyses revealed significant reduction in both circulating myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in patients with liver disease. In contrast, examination of subjects with spontaneously resolved HCV infection revealed no significant difference in either circulating mDCs or pDCs. We found an inverse correlation with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and both mDCs and pDCs frequency. In a subset of patients for whom intrahepatic cells were available, paired analysis revealed enrichment for DCs within the intrahepatic compartment. Interferon alfa (IFN-α) production in response to influenza A and poly (I:C) correlated with the frequency of circulating DCs, although IFN-α production was comparable on a per-DC basis in patients with liver disease. In conclusion, patients with liver disease exhibit a reduction in circulating DCs. Considering that DCs are essential for initiation and regulation of innate and adaptive immunity, these findings have implications for both viral persistence and liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:335–345.)
Scaling information technology on the silicon platform

Silicon Microphotonics provides performance attributes for generational scaling of cost, energy and bandwidth density: small footprint, waveguide integration and highly parallel architectures through large-scale electronic-photonic integration. This tutorial presents design principles for monolithically integrated, silicon-based optical components, circuits and architectures.
Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode Focal Plane Arrays for 3D LIDAR Imaging

We describe FPAs based on planar-geometry Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes designed for single-photon 3D LIDAR imaging systems. We compare new 32×128×50µm format FPAs with 32×32×100µm FPAs for dark count rate, crosstalk performance, and overall pixel yield.
The induction of T-suppressor cells with a soluble extract of Candida albicans.

Abstract We have previously shown that whole cell preparations of Candida albicans are capable of inducing immunosuppressive B-cell activity both in vivo and in vitro . In an effort to characterize the components of the yeast which manifest this immunomodulatory activity, we have successfully generated a soluble extract with dithiothreitol which exerts immunosuppressive activity. This extract is capable of inducing antigen-nonspecific suppressor cells which inhibit the antibody response of normal cells in coculture. Both primary and secondary antibody responses are suppressed by these cells. Our results also show that the suppressor cell population is a member of the L3T4 + Ly-1 + Lyt-2 − T-cell lineage. These results provide evidence that Candida extracts may possess clinically significant immunomodulatory activities.
Early Silurian radiolaria from northern Nevada, USA

Abstract Radiolarians recovered from three sites in the early Llandoverian Cherry Spring chert, north-central Nevada, provide the first Early Silurian radiolarian data from the conterminous United States. Two assemblages were recovered that contain abundant pylomate sphaerellarians, rotasphaerids, inaniguttids, and possible palaeoactinosphaerids. The pylomate taxa have an intermediate spine morphology with Cessipylorum and Aciferopylorum , bringing into question the present criteria for distinguishing these two genera. Rotasphaerids include both species of Rotasphaera and Secuicollacta , that have five primary rods per spine unit, similar to those present in Ordovician assemblages (Caradocian-Ashgillian) reported from Nevada and Australia. Oriundogutta is another common component shared between the Cherry Spring and Caradocian-Ashgillian age faunas. To a lesser extent, the Cherry Spring fauna resembles late Early-Late Silurian (Wenlockian-Ludlovian) assemblages that contain abundant inaniguttids and rotasphaerids. None of the younger species of inaniguttids have been recognized, however, and younger species of rotasphaerids differ in that they have six primary rods per spine unit and a more diverse spine morphology. These preliminary data indicate a stronger similarity between Late Ordovician and early Llandoverian assemblages than between early Llandoverian and Wenlockian-Ludlovian assemblages. The Cherry Spring chert faunas contain several distinct forms, such as Cessipylorum (?) sp. A and B, that may prove useful for biostratigraphic correlation.
Landscape patterns and dispersal success: simulated population dynamics in the brown treecreeper

We used a spatially explicit, individual-based simulation model to explain the possible role of patch isolation in causing observed declines of Brown Treecreepers (Climacteris picumnus) in northern New South Wales, Australia. Using aerial photographs and a geographic information system, we created a spatially realistic landscape in which territories were constrained to woodlands and the matrix composition mimicked the actual landscape in the study area. We compared observed population behavior to the outcome of simulations based on two dispersal movement rules and three dispersal mortality rules. Under the first movement rule, a dispersing bird's initial direction was selected at random (Random); under the second rule, a bird's initial direction was toward its nearest neighbor (Neighbor). The first mortality rule used a constant mortality rate for dispersing birds, whereas the second and third varied mortality rate dependent on habitat type traversed. In simulations using the Random movement rule, populations in contiguous habitat were relatively stable, whereas populations in fragmented habitat steadily declined due to low female recruitment, which is the same pattern observed in the real population. Populations in both contiguous and fragmented habitat increased under the Neighbor movement rule, suggesting that population dynamics may be sensitive to dispersal search patterns. Varying mortality rate with habitat type had a large effect on population behavior even though long-distance dispersal was infrequent. Thus, for this cooperative breeder, where territories become clumped due to a high rate of territorial budding, matrix habitats continue to influence overall population performance. In this system, conservation efforts must address the quality of the matrix habitats as well as the configuration of remaining habitat.
Transplantation of gorgoderine trematodes into challenging habitats.

Abstract Adult bladder flukes of frogs, Gorgodera amplicava from Rana catesbeiana and Gorgoderina attenuata from R. pipiens , died within 24–36 hours after implantation into intact, functional recta of recipient leopard frogs, Rana pipiens . Specimens of the same species of flukes implanted into small intestinal fistulas produced by surgery, and into cleansed recta after the latter had been surgically disjoined from the ileum, also failed to survive for longer than 24–48 hours. Bladder flukes appeared normal in behavior for two days post-implantation, and survived a maximum of 4 days, in anuran recta whose anterior ends were surgically opened to the flank and whose lumina were carefully flushed with artificial frog-bladder-urine. Frog-bladder-flukes placed into the accessory urinary bladders of female painted turtles, Chrysemys p. picta , succumbed within 24 hours; others implanted into the true urinary bladder were normal after 7–10 days. Completely normal frog-bladder-flukes were also recovered from newts, Triturus v. viridescens , after an intravesical existence of 48 hours. Much longer survivals in bladders of turtles and newts, both naturally non-infective with these species of flukes, is considered possible. These facts suggest a type of natural resistance in non-infective hosts against excystation or post-metacercarial migration of juveniles which does not operate against adult flukes artificially implanted into the urinary bladder.
Electronic monitoring feedback to promote adherence in an adolescent with Fanconi Anemia.

OBJECTIVE This report describes an intervention to promote medication adherence and treat comorbid psychological symptoms in a 17 year-old female with Fanconi Anemia. The patient presented with a typical adherence rate estimated at 25% and self-reported symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety. METHOD Our comprehensive treatment approach integrated electronic monitoring (EM), an emerging strategy for adherence promotion, and motivational interviewing (MI) within an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) framework. We used EM data to assess and track medication adherence. The therapist reviewed these data with the patient and family in session and used MI techniques to promote health behavior change. We analyzed changes in adherence rates over time using a time series analysis (Auto-Regressive Moving Average [ARIMA]). In addition, the patient and her mother reported on depression, anxiety, and quality of life at intake and after 12 months, and the therapist treated psychological symptoms with CBT. RESULTS The average adherence rate during the baseline EM phase was ~53%. The mean adherence rate across treatment was ~77%, and after 17 months, the final weekly adherence rate was 82%. Adherence rates significantly improved over the treatment period, ARIMA t = 36.16, p < .01. CONCLUSIONS EM feedback and MI are viable additions to CBT to promote medication adherence in adolescence. This approach has the potential to effectively treat adolescents with adherence problems and psychological symptoms across multiple chronic illness diagnoses, and ultimately to improve health and quality of life outcomes.
Livermore computer network simulation program

The Livermore Lab has embarked on a multi-year effort to develop a large-scale realistic network simulation capability. Specifically, we are developing computer network simulations for realistic networks derived from real and synthetic network maps, and which incorporate real hardware and geographic constraints, at enterprise (10K node) and above scale; incorporate near-realtime updates from the real global Internet; and generate traffic from realistic traffic models matched to observed data. In this poster we describe our approach and specific applications areas of interest.
THE BINDING OF PHOSPHATE, PYROPHOSPHATE, AND NUCLEOTIDES TO THE STRUCTURAL PROTEIN OF BEEF HEART MITOCHONDRIA.

Abstract The binding of phosphate and some of its esters to the structural protein from beef heart mitochondria has been demonstrated. Approximately one molecule of phosphate compound per molecule of protein is bound under optimal conditions. The binding appears to be due to an ionic interaction between the electronegative phosphate and electropositive charges on the protein. Binding of ATP to a structural protein-phospholipid complex has also been shown. Similarities between the binding of phosphates to the mitochondrial structural protein and to other mitochondrial systems are discussed.
Requirements of thermodynamics in the analysis of elastic-plastic shock waves

Abstract Thermodynamical requirements on elastic-plastic shock waves are investigated to explore the range of validity of, and provide rigorous substantiation for, the previous shock analyses of Drugan and coworkers. These studies assumed (implicitly) that during shock passage, a material particle's stress and deformation history is well-approximated by its history during passage of a smooth wave, and that the material response is purely mechanical. We show precisely the conditions under which these analyses are valid. Courant and Friedrichs' [(1948) Supersonic Flow and Shock Waves (Third Printing: 1985). Springer, Berlin] analysis of the order of entropy effects for weak one-dimensional shocks in mechanically conservative fluids is extended to shocks in general three-dimensional large deformations in a material of arbitrary constitution . Specifically, we prove that the change in thermodynamic state across a suitably-chosen smooth wave coincides with that across a general shock up until third order in material time rates of fundamental field variables, at which point contributions from the shock itself first appear. This result, which is valid even if entropy generation (due to mechanical dissipation) occurs at first or second order, corrects the common mis-conception that a shock may be approximated by a smooth wave only if the entropy generation is small. We further prove that for the special class of shocks that propagate under steady-state conditions with non-rotating reference configuration images, a smooth wave can be constructed whose change in thermodynamic state coincides with that across the shock through all orders of field variable rates. That is, a smooth wave is a potentially exact model of a shock in this class. Having legitimized the representation of a shock by a smooth wave, a large deformation statement of the maximum plastic work inequality is integrated across the shock to give general thermomechanical existence conditions for steady shocks. These conditions reduce to those of Drugan and Rice [(1984) Restrictions on quasi-statically moving surfaces of strong discontinuity in elastic—plastic solids. In Mechanics of Material Behavior (ed. G. J. Dvorak and R. T. Shield), pp. 59–73. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam] and Drugan and Shen [(1987) Restrictions on dynamically propagating surfaces of strong discontinuity in elastic-plastic solids. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 35 , 771–787; (1990) Finite deformation analysis of restrictions on moving strong discontinuity surfaces in elastic-plastic materials: quasi-static and dynamic deformations. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 38 , 553–574] whenever thermomechanical coupling is neglected (i.e. when the thermal deformation coefficients or the jump in temperature is neglected, or if the jump in strain has a zero inner product with the thermal deformation coefficient tensor); specific situations where such a simplification is sensible are outlined.
A 10GS/s 6b time-interleaved ADC with partially active flash sub-ADCs

A 10GS/s 6b time-interleaved ADC in 65nm CMOS is presented in this paper. A partially-active flash sub-ADC structure is proposed to improve the ADC power efficiency and a source-follower based boot-strap T&H circuit is proposed to reduce input kickback and improve the ADC bandwidth. The four-phase 2.5GHz clocks for the sub-ADCs are derived from a 5GHz Nyquist frequency input clock. This leads to accurate timing skew calibration based on duty-cycle calibration, improving the ADC effective resolution at high input frequencies. Measured SNDR is 34.3dB at low input frequencies and 32.0dB at the Nyquist input frequency. The ADC including the input clock buffer consumes 83mW with a FOM of 197fJ/conv-step.
Regional expression of epithelial MDR1/P-glycoprotein in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis

Background: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene and is constitutively expressed on lower airway epithelium. P-gp has been shown to function as an immunomodulator regulating efflux of T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokines from its host cell; however, its association with sinonasal inflammation has not been described. The purpose of this study is to determine the pattern and degree of epithelial P-gp expression in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) or CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP). Methods: Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study utilizing sinus, septal, and inferior turbinate mucosa in patients with no disease, CRS, and CRSwNP (n = 4 each). Quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry (Q-FIHC) was performed using an anti-P-gp antibody and a secondary fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Fc specific fragment. Protein expression was quantified by calculating the epithelial to nonspecific background intensity ratio (4 images/subsite). Scores less than 1 suggested negligible expression. Staining ratios between patient groups and subsites were compared using a 2-tailed Student t test. Results: Among the sinus mucosa, P-gp expression in CRSwNP (1.570 ± 0.354) was significantly greater than both CRS (1.224 ± 0.248) and control (0.762 ± 0.128) (p < 0.001, p = 0.002; respectively). CRS scores were significantly greater than control (p = 0.002). Among the septal mucosa, there was no significant difference between CRSwNP (0.914 ± 0.264), CRS (1.126 ± 0.476), or control (0.966 ± 0.327). Among the inferior turbinate mucosa, there was no significant difference between CRSwNP (1.047 ± 0.157), CRS (1.099 ± 0.362), or control (0.824 ± 0.181). Conclusion: MDR1/P-gp is overexpressed in the epithelial layer of sinus mucosa in patients with both CRSwNP and CRS relative to other sinonasal subsites. Expression in healthy mucosa is negligible. Given its known immunomodulatory function this suggests that P-gp may play a role in the pathogenesis or maintenance of chronic sinonasal inflammation. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Trauma modifies strength and composition of retrodiscal tissues of the goat temporomandibular joint.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular pain is often accompanied by pathologic changes to joint retrodiscal tissues. The substantial representation of females in this condition has encouraged hypotheses which link genetic or hormonally induced abnormalities in tissue composition (type III collagen, type I collagen, type III/type I ratio) to the development of temporomandibular disorderS. As this condition is often associated with a history of orofacial trauma, we investigated the functional impact of retrodiscal trauma on the composition and biomechanics of retrodiscal tissues. DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrodiscal tissue of female goats received trauma or sham trauma. Following a healing period of 30 days, the tissues were pulled to failure on an extensometer. OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments were made of tissue biomechanical properties (failure force, elastic stiffness, strain distribution). Tissue fragments were assayed for collagens I and III. RESULTS: Thirty days after surgical section of retrodiscal tissues, the tissue had reformed, but the composition and biomechanics were substantially changed. Healed tissue manifested less than half the strength of normal tissue (P= 0.02). In addition, the development of tissue strain shifted from a relatively even distribution to a confined region near the retrodiscaldiscal attachment zone. It appeared that a large increase in the expression of type III collagen (179.6%; P= 0.038) and the ratio of type III/type I collagen (180.9%; P= 0.011) accounted for these functional changes. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that shifts in collagen expression following injury create shifts in strain development which focus tissue stresses near the interface of the disc and retrodiscal tissue, and that this shift dramatically weakens the tissue and increases the probability of re-injury, inflammation and pain.
Incorporation of plasma palmitate into the brain of the rat during development

Jpalm, the rate of incorporation of plasma palmitate into brain, was determined in awake Fischer-344 rats at 15, 20, 25 and 38 days of age, by a modification of the method of Kimes et al. [14C]palmitate was injected intravenously and plasma-specific activity of unesterified palmitate was followed until the animals were killed at 4 h, when radioactivity was determined by quantitative autoradiography in 45 individual brain regions. Jpalm was calculated as the 4 h brain radioactivity divided by integrated plasma palmitate-specific activity to 4 h. Jpalm rose between 15 and 20 days of age in gray and white matter regions, then declined 4-5-fold in gray matter and 7-10-fold in white matter by 38 days and reached adult levels by 3 months. The white/gray ratio for Jpalm declined significantly between 20 and 38 days, and between 38 days and 3 months of age, consistent with a lower rate of turnover of white matter lipids in the mature brain. The results support the use of the Jpalm technique to measure brain lipid synthesis and turnover. They show that Jpalm corresponds to the time course of myelination during development of the rat brain, when there are parallel changes in the rates of palmitate incorporation into gray and white matter regions.
Exclusive Measurements of Omega Electroproduction off the Proton in the Resonance Region

A complete theory of strong interactions must describe the excited baryon spectrum as well as the structure of prominent states, which reflects the dynamics of nonperturbative QCD. Beyond the discriminating power of exclusive single- and double-pion electroproduction, the ω channel provides an additional probe of high-mass excited states. The current analysis provides preliminary differential and integrated cross sections of ω electroproduction off the proton from W = 1.7 to 3.2 GeV and Q2 = 1.5 to 5.5 GeV2. The data was collected by JLab's CLAS detector during two run periods and comprises the largest sample of exclusive resonance-region ω electroproduction ever analyzed. Preliminary Legendre decomposition of the cross sections supports previous indications of s-channel contributions to cross sections in the resonance region.
Itch is an unpleasant sensory experience.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. In a note attached to that definition (http://www.iasppain.org.terms-p.html#Pain), the IASP further states that “unpleasant, abnormal experiences (dysesthesias) may also be pain but are not necessarily so because, subjectively, they may not have the usual sensory qualities of pain.” While everyone would agree that itch does not have the sensory qualities of pain, for those patients with intense, unrelenting itch the sensory and emotional experiences can be as unpleasant as pain. Clinical colleagues have told me anecdotal stories of patients with itch due to spinal intrathecal opioid administration who indicated a desire to stop the opioid administration because they would rather experience the pain than the itch. It is difficult to define the number of patients whose quality of life is adversely impacted by uncontrolled itch. However, as suggested in Table 1 by a partial list of dermatologic and systemic diseases that are associated with itch, it is likely that the number is quite high. Because itch does cause unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences in a large number of humans, it seems appropriate to focus more attention on efforts to understand the physiology of itch. In addition, because most current treatments for itch are quite inadequate, it also seems appropriate to attempt to develop better treatment modalities for patients suffering with intense, unrelenting itch. This topic is also of potential interest
Augmented Phosphorylation of Cardiac Troponin I in Hypertensive Heart Failure

An altered cardiac myofilament response to activating Ca2+ is a hallmark of human heart failure. Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is critical in modulating contractility and Ca2+ sensitivity of cardiac muscle. cTnI can be phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA) at Ser22/23 and protein kinase C (PKC) at Ser22/23, Ser42/44, and Thr143. Whereas the functional significance of Ser22/23 phosphorylation is well understood, the role of other cTnI phosphorylation sites in the regulation of cardiac contractility remains a topic of intense debate, in part, due to the lack of evidence of in vivo phosphorylation. In this study, we utilized top-down high resolution mass spectrometry (MS) combined with immunoaffinity chromatography to determine quantitatively the cTnI phosphorylation changes in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of hypertensive heart disease and failure. Our data indicate that cTnI is hyperphosphorylated in the failing SHR myocardium compared with age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The top-down electron capture dissociation MS unambiguously localized augmented phosphorylation sites to Ser22/23 and Ser42/44 in SHR. Enhanced Ser22/23 phosphorylation was verified by immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies. Immunoblot analysis also revealed up-regulation of PKC-α and -δ, decreased PKCϵ, but no changes in PKA or PKC-β levels in the SHR myocardium. This provides direct evidence of in vivo phosphorylation of cTnI-Ser42/44 (PKC-specific) sites in an animal model of hypertensive heart failure, supporting the hypothesis that PKC phosphorylation of cTnI may be maladaptive and potentially associated with cardiac dysfunction.
A profile of methylphenidate exposures.

Introduction: Methylphenidate is prescribed commonly for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An estimated 2.8% of US youths aged 5 to 18 years use it for the management of this disorder. Despite the widespread use of methylphenidate, the demographics and outcome of intentional and unintentional exposures to methylphenidate have not been described. Methods: To profile human exposures to methylphenidate, a retrospective review of all reports to a certified regional poison information center during 1998 was conducted. Data analysis included patient demographics, reason for the exposure, dose ingested, clinical effects, and patient outcome. Results: There were 113 methylphenidate human exposures. The following table summarizes the values for selected parameters that were investigated: Age Group (Years) 19Mean Age ± SD2.9 ± 1.48.5 ± 2.115.0 ± 1.633.0 ± 10.1Mean Dose ± SD13.6 ± 8.2 mg26.8 ± 18.7 mg106.8 ± 177 mg70.0 ± 73.9 mgUnintentional100%80.8%26.7%44.5%Intentional0%19.2%73.3%5...
Bit-by-Bit Pipelined and Hybrid-Grained 2D Architecture for Motion Estimation of H.264/AVC

In H.264/AVC, the motion estimation (ME) routine supports variable block size and involves highly parallel sum of absolute difference (SAD) computations. In this study, we introduce a bit serial hybrid-grained processing element (PE) based 2D architecture that has both early termination and intensive data reuse capabilities. PEs operate on most significant bit-first arithmetic for early termination and the 2D architecture enables on-chip data reuse between neighboring PEs in a bit-by-bit pipelined fashion. Hybrid-grained PEs reduce the hardware overhead of conventional adder tree structures used for implementing the variable block size ME. Our design reduces the gate count by 7x compared to its ASIC counterpart, operates at a comparable frequency while sustaining 30 fps and 60 fps; and outperforms bit parallel and bit serial architectures in terms of throughput and performance per gate for various video formats.
Monzonitic plutons, California, and a model for generation of alkali-rich, near silica-saturated magmas

Petrochemical data suggest that early Mesozoic alkali-rich monzonite plutons in California were generated by partial melting of a garnet-bearing, virtually feldspar-free source which was rich (compared to abyssal basalt or sub-oceanic mantle peridotites) in LIL elements. These monzonites are characterized by high Na2O+K2O (near 10 wt% total) and Sr (1000 to 2000 ppm), moderate SiO2 (53 to 63 wt%), steep negatively sloping REE patterns (from >100 to <10 × chondritic abundance), and moderate initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.705 to 0.707). Most are very slightly oversaturated in silica, but one pluton includes both oversaturated and undersaturated units. The simplest petrogenetic model which can account for the compositions of these rocks involves partial melting of quartz eclogite. Any differentiation of the resulting magma must take place under pressures at which plagioclase is unstable. The eclogite could be equivalent to a wide variety of continental or oceanic island basalts. Rocks which are chemically similar to these monzonites, though not extremely abundant, are widespread in both space and time and occur in a wide variety of tectonic settings. These rocks are anomalous in terms of crustal compositions and phase equilibria, but many could be explained as partial melting products of eclogite. Relatively minor thermal events or early stages of major events may tap alkalic intermediate magmas from eclogite pockets as the lowest temperature melting fractions of the upper mantle.
LINK INVARIANTS ASSOCIATED TO TQFT’S WITH FINITE GAUGE GROUPS

It has already been rigorously established that if G is a finite group and α∈H4(G; ℤ), there is an associated 2+1-dimensional topological quantum field theory. In the case α=0, there is a Hopf algebra associated to the theory. We give an intuitive geometric solution to the Yang-Baxter equation for and go on to show that is a modular Hopf algebra. We also prove a structure theorem concerning the Verlinde algebra which is seen to correspond to an algebra structure on the space of finite dimensional representations of . A knowledge of this structure aids the development of the skein theory for the link invariants of Reshetikhin and Turaev which are associated to .
The separation of the heme and apoheme forms of soluble guanylate cyclase.

Abstract Two forms of soluble quanylate cyclase from mammalian tissues can be separated on DEAE Sephacel or Blue Sepharose CL-6B. The two forms, referred to as peak I or peak II, migrate identically during electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence or absence of Na-dodecyl-SO4. Peak I is markedly stimulated by sodium nitroprusside and is the heme-containing form of guanylate cyclase. Peak II is only weakly stimulated by nitroprusside and contains no heme absorbance. In fresh tissue extracts, peak I is the predominant form, but it can be converted to peak II by treatments (pH 5.0, storage at 4°C) that result in the loss of the heme absorbance from the enzyme. Peak II is not formed from peak I by proteolysis.
Generation of Electron Beams for Materials Processing

Electron beams can be used for processing materials both through thermal effects and through nonthermal, or chemical, effects. Although most interest for the last 10 years or more has been on nonthermal effects, there has recently been revived interest in electron beam heating. Such beams can be pulsed flood beams of large area (8 cm diameter), large current density (500 A cm−2) and electron energies of 5–30 keV. At the other extreme are focused cw beams of a few µm diameter and currents of about 50 µA which can be used for selective heating. There are also systems which generate ribbon beams which are effective for well controlled annealing of large areas.
Relationship of charge to antiaromaticity in bis-fluorenyl dications and fluorenyl monocations: experimental support for theoretical calculations

The antiaromaticity of fluorenyl cations is dependent on the magnitude of the charge of the system. Theoretical assessments of antiaromaticity and charge were supported by experimental NMR chemical shifts. Delocalization was related to antiaromaticity, and evaluated through the standard deviation of the charges on carbons of the fluorenyl systems.
Multigrid methods and high order finite difference for flow in transition - Effects of isolated and distributed roughness elements

The high order finite difference and multigrid methods have been successfully applied to direct numerical simulation (DNS) for flow transition in 3D channels and 3D boundary layers with 2D and 3D isolated and distributed roughness in a curvilinear coordinate system. A fourth-order finite difference technique on stretched and staggered grids, a fully-implicit time marching scheme, a semicoarsening multigrid method associated with line distributive relaxation scheme, and a new treatment of the outflow boundary condition, which needs only a very short buffer domain to damp all wave reflection, are developed. These approaches make the multigrid DNS code very accurate and efficient. This makes us not only able to do spatial DNS for the 3D channel and flat plate at low computational costs, but also able to do spatial DNS for transition in the 3D boundary layer with 3D single and multiple roughness elements. Numerical results show good agreement with the linear stability theory, the secondary instability theory, and a number of laboratory experiments.