cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a substance use treatment program for veterans with chronic pain and opioid use disorder

Abstract Objective Veterans suffer disproportionately from the combined adverse health impacts of chronic pain and hazardous opioid use. This evaluation involved a substance use treatment program that included medication for opioid use disorder (SATP-MOUD) in a large metro-area Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This form of treatment has become increasingly important during the opioid crisis and is among several important Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) initiatives to improve treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), for which chronic pain is often a comorbid condition. Methods We compared clinical measures related to substance use and mental health between groups who were considered either engaged or not engaged in completing treatment. The study used propensity score matching methods and Cox proportional hazards models to compare the mortality risk for treated and untreated veterans who had chronic pain with concurrent opioid use. Results We identified 1559 SATP-MOUD patients with 1 year of pre- and post-treatment follow-time. From those with chronic pain and concurrent opioid use, we matched 478 SATP-MOUD patients to 647 untreated patients. Engaged patients (at least 4 visits in the first 8 weeks of treatment) had significant improvements in Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM) scores and in PHQ-9 depression screening scores compared to those who started treatment but did not meet the engagement threshold. In Cox proportional hazards analysis, participation in SATP-MOUD was associated with a 38% lower mortality risk among veterans with chronic pain and opioid use when compared to the untreated group: (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.82). Conclusions SATP-MOUD, as delivered in actual practice, was associated with significant improvements in depression and addiction severity scores, and was associated with reduced mortality risk for veterans with chronic pain and OUD.
Robust Coefficients Alpha and Omega and Confidence Intervals With Outlying Observations and Missing Data Methods and Software

Cronbach’s coefficient alpha is a widely used reliability measure in social, behavioral, and education sciences. It is reported in nearly every study that involves measuring a construct through mul...
Presidential Address Criteria in Modern Sediments Useful in Recognizing Ancient Sedimentary Environments

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the evidence in favor of the hypothesis “the present is the key to the past.” It is felt that the difficulties experienced by geologists in the use of modern sediments as a means of interpreting ancient sediments are because of the common lack of knowledge of sedimentary basins of the present day. Recent studies are rapidly filling in the gaps in this information. It is felt that there are plenty of present day basins in which this information is available and the sea level has been essentially constant for a long enough period to allow sediments of the various types to accumulate.
Real-time imaging of Rab3a and Rab5a reveals differential roles in presynaptic function

We investigated the roles of two Rab-family proteins, Rab3a and Rab5a, in hippocampal synaptic transmission using real-time fluorescence imaging. During synaptic activity, Rab3a dissociated from synaptic vesicles and dispersed into neighbouring axonal regions. Dispersion required calcium-dependent exocytosis and was complete before the entire vesicle pool turned over. In contrast, even prolonged synaptic activity produced limited dispersion of Rab5a. A GTPase-deficient mutant, Rab3a (Q81L), dispersed more slowly than wild-type Rab3a, and decreased the rate of exocytosis and the size of the recycling pool of vesicles. While overexpression of Rab3a did not affect vesicle recycling, overexpression of Rab5a reduced the recycling pool size by 50%. We propose that while Rab3a preferentially associates with recycling synaptic vesicles and modulates their trafficking, Rab5a is largely excluded from recycling vesicles.
A Formal Theory of Undirected Graphs in Higher-Order Logic

This paper describes a formal theory of undirected (labeled) graphs in higher-order logic developed using the mechanical theoremproving system HOL. It formalizes and proves theorems about such notions as the empty graph, single-node graphs, finite graphs, subgraphs, adjacency relations, walks, paths, cycles, bridges, reachability, connectedness, acyclicity, trees, trees oriented with respect to roots, oriented trees viewed as family trees, top-down and bottom-up inductions in a family tree, distributing associative and commutative operations with identities recursively over subtrees of a family tree, and merging disjoint subgraphs of a graph. The main contribution of this work lies in the precise formalization of these graph-theoretic notions and the rigorous derivation of their properties in higher-order logic. This is significant because there is little tradition of formalization in graph theory due to the concreteness of graphs. A companion paper [2] describes the application of this formal graph theory to the mechanical verification of distributed algorithms.
Presunrise Heating of the Ionosphere at Arecibo Due to Conjugate Point Photoelectrons

In winter, as has previously been reported, the electron temperature at Arecibo starts to increase prior to local sunrise following illumination of the conjugate ionosphere. The roles played by heat conduction along the field line and by photoelectrons that traverse the field line are investigated. Photoelectron fluxes, calculated in the manner described by Nisbet, have been used to examine the mechanism of presunrise heating at Arecibo. Detailed analyses are made of the escaping photoelectron flux from the conjugate region including the effect of elastic collisions with neutrals in confining the photoelectrons. Comparisons between the theoretical heat input and observed energy losses in ambient electrons are presented. Also the theoretical and measured heat fluxes are compared.
Lyapunov-type numbers and torus breakdown: numerical aspects and a case study

In this work we examine the breakdown mechanism for a 2-torus associated to a system of coupled oscillators. To this end, we rely on computation of the Lyapunov-type numbers, as defined by Fenichel in N. Fenichel, Persistence and smoothness of invariant manifolds for flows, Indiana Univ. Math. J. 21 (1971) 193–226. We give some general results on these numbers, and some specific constructive results for the case in which there is phase-locking on the torus. This is the situation for the system of coupled oscillators we consider, and it leads to great simplifications in the computation of the Lyapunov-type numbers.
Electronic Commerce: Technical, Business, and Legal Issues

1. Introduction. Overview. EC Statistics. Objectives of EC. Requirements and Services. 2. EC Components. Electronic Data Interchange. Digital Currency. Electronic Catalogs. Intranets and Extranets. 3. EC in Business. The Business Case. Business Uses of Electronic Commerce. Business Models and Business Functions. Industrial Applications. EC Use within Government. 4. Technical Issues for Electronic Commerce. Telecommunication Infrastructure. Decision Support Systems for EC. Interoperability. Storage and Retrieval of Multimedia Information. Workflow Management. Markup Languages. 5. Security for Electronic Commerce. Functions and Requirements. Security Management and Business Controls. User Perceptions and Trust. Security Technologies. The Cryptography Debate. Legal Validity of Digital Signatures. 6. Legal Frameworks: Policy & Regulatory Issues for Electronic Commerce. Intellectual Property. Legal Issues for Electronic Payment Systems. Contractual and Legal Settlements. Regulatory Framework for Electronic Commerce. 7. Conclusions and Future Directions. Interoperability. Automated Interactions. Information Overload. Mobile Computing. Multimedia Information. Matchmaking Services. Economic, Social, and Cultural Issues. References. Index.
Amplification of the inosinate dehydrogenase gene in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense due to an increase in chromosome copy number.

Drug resistance is a significant impediment to the therapy of African sleeping sickness in humans. To evaluate molecular mechanisms that contribute to drug resistance in African trypanosomes, a clonal strain of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, MPA10, was selected in medium containing mycophenolic acid (MPA), an inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity. IMPDH activity in MPA10 cells was approximately 6-fold higher than that of wild type parental cells, although the enzymes in both strains were equally sensitive to inhibition by MPA. To evaluate the mechanism of IMPDH overexpression in MPA10 cells, the gene encoding IMPDH (impdh) was isolated from a T.b. brucei library by cross-hybridization to the Leishmania donovani impdh. Sequence analysis indicated that the T. brucei IMPDH was 76% identical with the L. donovani IMPDH. The T. brucei impdh hybridized to a 2.7-kb transcript that was expressed at approximately 10-fold greater levels in the MPA10 cells, and this impdh overexpression could be ascribed to an approximately 10-fold amplification of the impdh copy number. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed that the extra impdh copies in MPA10 cells were localized to an approximately 6.0-Mb chromosome that comigrated with the wild type chromosome encompassing impdh. The amplification of impdh could be ascribed to an increased copy number of this 6.0-Mb chromosome, and a predicted augmented DNA content in MPA10 cells was confirmed by flow cytometry. This is the first demonstration that DNA amplification can serve as a molecular mechanism by which T. brucei become resistant to cytotoxic drugs, and the amplification of the 6.0-Mb chromosome represents a novel mechanism of drug resistance in parasitic protozoa.
Electron tomography of yeast cells.

Electron microscopy (EM) is a useful method for the study of yeast cells and is complementary to a genetic analysis. EM provides high-resolution structure data about wild type cells and can document structural defects in mutant strains1,2. A number of EM techniques have been used to study the complex three-dimensional (3-D) arrangements of organelles in yeast. Examples include the use of freeze fracture replicas to reveal the surface topology of nuclear envelopes and cytoplasmic membrane systems3,4,5, as well as the use of serial sections to reconstruct entire mating factor-arrested cells6, to describe the 3-D geometry of the mitotic spindle7,8, and to document the 3-D distribution of nuclear pore complexes in wild type9 and mutant strains10. More recently, electron tomography has been used to describe the 3-D architecture of the yeast spindle pole body (SPB)11 and forming mitotic spindles12. Electron tomography has proven to be a useful method for obtaining 3-D structure data to describe complex cellular substructures13. Tomography is based on a series of tilted images, usually collected from a comparatively thick (0.2-1μm) section or from isolated organelles, to generate a 3-D reconstruction using back projection algorithms14. This method is like a ‘CAT’ scan of a cell, where the result is a computer-generated reconstruction that can be computationally sectioned and viewed in any orientation at 5-10 nm spatial resolution. In contrast to serial section reconstruction where multiple thin (50-70nm) sections have been used to reconstruct cellular objects that extend over many micrometers (e.g. an anaphase mitotic spindle15,16) tomography is best suited for structures whose dimensions change significantly, such that standard thin sections cannot reconstruct them accurately. Tomographic reconstruction permits the viewing of computer-generated ‘slices’ that are much thinner than could ever be cut physically with a microtome. This approach is therefore ideal for structures that have a complex 3-D geometry, such as arrays of cytoskeletal elements or convoluted membrane systems. In this chapter, we describe the steps necessary to prepare yeast cells for tomography and provide examples that illustrate the procedures for calculating tomographic reconstructions of organelles in situ and of whole cell profiles.
European integration and democratic consolidation: Spain, Poland and Turkey in comparative perspective

The study explored when, under what conditions, and to what extent did European integration, particularly the European Union’s requirement for democratic conditionality, contribute to democratic consolidation in Spain, Poland, and Turkey? On the basis of a four-part definition, the dissertation examined the democratizing impact of European integration process on each of the following four components of consolidation: (i) holding of fair, free and competitive elections, (ii) protection of fundamental rights, including human and minority rights, (iii) high prospects of regime survival and civilian control of the military, and (iv) legitimacy, elite consensus, and stateness. To assess the relative significance of EU’s democratizing leverage, the thesis also examined domestic and non-EU international dynamics of democratic consolidation in the three countries.By employing two qualitative methods (case study and process-tracing), the study focused on three specific time frames: 1977-1986 for Spain, 1994-2004 for Poland, and 1999-present for Turkey. In addition to official documents, newspapers, and secondary sources, face-to-face interviews made with politicians, academics, experts, bureaucrats, and journalists in the three countries were utilized.The thesis generated several conclusions. First of all, the EU’s democratizing impact is not uniform across different components of democratic consolidation. Moreover, the EU’s democratizing leverage in Spain, Poland, and Turkey involved variations over time for three major reasons: (i) the changing nature of EU’s democratic conditionality over time (ii) varying levels of the EU’s credible commitment to the candidate country’s prospect for membership, and (iii) domestic dynamics in the candidate countries. Furthermore, the European integration process favors democratic consolidation but its magnitude is shaped by the candidate country’s prospect for EU membership and domestic factors in the candidate country. Finally, the study involves a major policy implication for the European Union: unless the EU provides a clear prospect for membership, its democratizing leverage will be limited in the candidate countries.
Wire-related pulmonary artery injury during pediatric and adult congenital interventional cardiac catheterization.

Objectives. Guidewires used in pediatric catheterization are typically floppy, soft, or J-tipped, and are generally assumed to be atraumatic. A recent sentinel case suggested that such wires may cause clinically significant pulmonary artery (PA) injury. We sought to determine the incidence of wire-related PA injury as a cause of “idiopathic” airway bleeding (endobronchial blood) during interventional cardiac catheterization in patients with congenital heart disease. Design. The Children's Hospital Boston database of cardiac catheterizations was reviewed for adverse events (AEs) indicating possible PA injury occurring between September 2006 and August 2011. Procedure notes were reviewed, and when the clinical scenario was suggestive of wire injury or was not clear, relevant angiograms were reviewed. Results. One thousand forty-seven cases involving PA dilation were performed in the period of interest. Five cases of probable wire injury were identified, suggesting an incidence of approximately 0.5 per 100 cases. Of these five cases, trauma was judged due to floppy-tipped wires in two, soft-tipped wires in two, and a J-tipped wire in one. In three cases, the distal wire was looped such that the leading segment was stiffer than the wire tip. Clinical manifestations of wire injury comprised contrast within the airway, vessel aneurysm/tear, obstructive intimal flap, blood from the endotracheal tube, hemothorax, and wedge defect on lung scan. These injuries were relatively benign and did not result in instability or prolonged bleeding. Conclusions. Wire injury to the PAs is relatively uncommon, although possible with even floppy-tipped wires. The mechanism and implications of such injuries are markedly different than balloon-mediated vascular tears.
SCENAREO - science and engineering activity reasoning and optimization

SCENAREO is a PC-based multi-mission scenario design tool for space missions based on inputs of subsystem performance models, information on various targets, and the specifications for the science objectives. This tool provides model-based analysis to compose and schedule subsystems operations automatically and optimally to meet the needs of the science objectives. Moreover, SCENAREO has analytical capabilities to validate the feasibility of the science objectives based on subsystem design parameters and to recommend the valid setting in terms of subsystem performance and resources usages to fulfill the proposed science objectives. This tool's automation, optimization, and accuracy capabilities reduce the mission design lifecycle.
Mechanisms in Reactive Ion Etching of Silicon Carbide Thin Films

The etching mechanisms for the reactive ion etching of SiC thin films were investigated using fluorinated gases, such as SF6/O2, CHF3/O2, CBrF3/O2. The major mechanisms involved are: (a) physical removal by sputtering due to ionized particles within the plasma, (b) chemical reaction of active plasma species with C and Si with the generation of volatile products. The self-induced DC Bias has been shown to have a very strong effect up to a certain cross-over value of around 300V. The effect is related to the rate-limiting removal of the C-rich surface layer. We have confirmed that the chemical reaction process proceeds by removal of Si through reactions with F species (to generate SiF4) while C is removed by reactions with O2 (to generate COx) only. No reaction between C and F was observed in the experimental results. A carbon blocking model is proposed to describe the etching profile under RIE mode.
Impact of IPsec and 6to4 on VoIP quality over IPv6

We conduct experiments in a LAN environment to determine the impact of IPsec and 6to4 encapsulation on VoIP quality in future IPv6 networks. We measure VoIP performance in the presence of varying background traffic for each of four IPsec scenarios with IPv6 and 6to4 encapsulation, with and without NAT, and compare with IPv4. The scenarios reflect situations commonly encountered in today's VPNs including no-security (i.e., traffic bypasses IPsec), network-to-network (i.e., an IPsec VPN between corporate sites), client-to-network (i.e., remote user access to a corporate network via IPsec tunnels), and client-to-client (i.e., IPsec transport mode for secure end-to-end communication). We use the popular Openswan implementation of IPsec and focus on ESP with the authentication option. The measures used for evaluating VoIP performance are delta (packet inter-arrival time), jitter, packet loss, throughput, and MOS. Our results demonstrate that VoIP quality due to using IPsec with IPv6, 6to4, and NAT in VPNs during the IPv4/IPv6 transition is not significantly different from using IPsec with IPv4, and that there is a minimal impact on voice quality as long as the network capacity is not exceeded.
Microscope Image Processing and Analysis

The sections in this article are 1 Microscopy 2 Electron Microscopy 3 Confocal Microscopy 4 Image Analysis 5 Medical Applications 6 Hardware Keywords: microscopy; light microscopy, image analysis; confocal microscopy; electron microscopy; 3D techniques; medical applications; hardware
Automated determination of protein subcellular locations from 3D fluorescence microscope images

Knowing the subcellular location of a protein is critical to a full understanding of its function, and automated, objective methods for assigning locations are needed as part of the characterization process for the thousands of proteins expressed in each cell type. Fluorescence microscopy is the most common method used for determining subcellular location, and we have previously described automated systems that can recognize all major subcellular structures in 2D fluorescence microscope images. Here we show that 2D pattern recognition accuracy is dependent on the choice of the vertical position of the 2D slice through the cell and that classification of protein location patterns in 3D images results in higher accuracy than in 2D. In particular, automated analysis of 3D images provides excellent distinction between two Golgi proteins whose patterns are indistinguishable by visual examination.
The phrenic ampulla: distal esophagus or potential hiatal hernia?

The mechanics of phrenic ampullary emptying were analyzed to determine whether this structure functions in a manner similar to the tubular esophagus or a hiatal hernia. Simultaneous videofluoroscopy and intraluminal manometry of the gastroesophageal junction were done during barium swallows in 18 normal volunteers. Esophageal emptying was studied without any external influences, during abdominal compression with a cuff inflated to 100 mmHg, during a Muller maneuver, and after medication with atropine. The key finding of the study was that ampullary emptying was distinct from esophageal bolus transport in several ways: the propagation velocity of the clearing wave was slower, the maximal contact pressures achieved after luminal closure were lower and unaffected by atropine or outflow obstruction, and ampulary emptying was driven by a hydrostatic pressure difference between the ampulla and stomach rather than by a peristaltic contraction. Increased bolus volume slightly enlarged the ampulla. Taken together, these findings suggest that ampullary emptying occurs, in part, as a result of the restoration of esophageal length (presumably by tension from the phrenoesophageal membrane) rather than as a result of an aborally propagated contraction. As such, a normal phrenic ampulla is analogous to a small reducing hiatal hernia. We speculate that overt hernia formation occurs as a result of progressive degeneration of the phrenoesophageal membrane.
Guidance counsellor strategies for handling bullying

The purpose of this exploratory-descriptive study was to examine how guidance counsellors in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador would handle a specific verbal-relational bullying incident. Also of interest was guidance counsellor involvement and training in bullying programmes and Positive Behaviour Supports. Data for this study was collected using the Handling Bullying Questionnaire (Bauman, Rigby, & Hoppa, 2008). Results suggested that guidance counsellors tended to take on various responsibilities in addressing verbal-relational bullying (e.g. work with victims and bullies, disciplinary) and tended to enlist the support of other adults. It is argued that guidance counsellors assume important roles in addressing school bullying and that training in this area is critical for guidance counsellors. Study implications and future research directions are discussed.
Metallic stents in the airway: should we continue to use them and can we remove them?

Metallic stents have proven to be valuable tools for the management of both malignant and benign airway obstruction. Their use has become popular worldwide as has our knowledge of their long-term effects on the airway. It is essential to understand the implications of placing a metallic stent since they are not devoid of potentially significant complications. It is also important to acknowledge that metallic stents are not always easily removed and a lack of familiarity with the complexities of their removal can have serious consequences. In general, their use should be reserved for malignant airway obstruction or in rare cases of benign disease where all other options have been ruled out.
Optical transmittance standard reference materials for ultraviolet and visible molecular absorption spectrometry

Abstract Transmittance accuracy of ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) molecular absorption spectrometers is a necessary condition for meaningful intra- and inter-laboratory exchange and comparison of analytical data for research, quality control (QC) and regulatory compliance. Several important instrumental parameters may affect the analytical results of transmittance measurements. Included among these parameters is the accuracy of the transmittance scale which is determined ultimately by the linearity of the detection and signal processing system when other instrumental parameters-including wavelength accuracy, adequate spectral bandpass, stray radiation and photometric precision-are in control. Five optical transmittance Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for monitoring instrument stability and for verifying the accuracy of the transmittance (or absorbance) scale of the spectrometer are described. As with any optical filter standard for verifying UV/Vis spectrometers, the transmittance SRMs must be utilized in a judicious manner for meaningful and valid QC measurements and data interpretation. The analytical attributes and limitations of the five transmittance SRMs are discussed to illustrate some of the measurement concerns for using optical filter standards to verify the proper functioning of UV/Vis absorption spectrometers.
EIC's Message: Putting Ability to Work

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 65 in the US is estimated at 60 to 70 percent. This astounding ratio makes people with disabilities the largest underemployed sector in the US. One major contributing factor is that many people in this group dont pursue more marketable professions such as engineering, computing, and information technology.
Complexation of caesium and rubidium cations with crown ethers in N,N-dimethylformamide

The 133Cs NMR method was used to study the complexation of a series of crown ethers with caesium cations in NN-dimethylformamide (DM F). A competitive' 13Cs NMR technique was also used to probe the complexation of rubidium cations with the same crown ethers. The ligand 18-crown-6 forms the most stable complexes with caesium and rubidium cations. The effect of the addition of the substituent group(s) on the crown ring and the effect of the replacement of the oxygen donor atoms with nitrogen and sulfur atoms in 18-crown-6 were studied. The results show that the complex formation constants with Cs+ cation increase through the series: dithia-18-crown-6 ⪡ diaza-18-crown-6 < dibenzo-18-crown-6 < dicyclohexano-l8-crown-6 < 18-crown-6. The trend with rubidium metal ion is: diaza-l8-crown-6 < dicyclohexano-l8-crown-6 < dibenzo-l8-crown-6 < 18-crown-6. Among the ligands studied, only 18-crown-6 and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 form both 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 (ligand : cation) complexes with the caesium cation in DMF.
Development of low noise, back-side illuminated silicon photodiode arrays

We have developed low noise, high quantum efficiency photodiode arrays for use with positron-emission tomography (PET). A fabrication process developed for high-energy physics detectors was modified to allow for back-side illumination. A back-side contact consisting of a thin (10 nm) n/sup +/ polysilicon layer covered by an indium tin oxide (ITO) antireflection coating (57 nm) results in >70% quantum efficiency over the wavelength range of 400-1000 nm. The photodiodes are operated fully depleted (300 /spl mu/m thick) resulting in a measured capacitance of 3.2 pF and typical leakage currents of 20-50 pA for a 3 mm square element. At room temperature the noise measured at a shaping time of 4 /spl mu/s is 140 e/sup -/ rms. When coupled to a CsI(TI) scintillator and excited with 141 keV gamma rays, the energy resolution is 12% fwhm.
The Effects of the Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylivarium on Egg Production and Body Weight of Caged White Leghorn Hens

Abstract Egg production of caged White Leghorn hens with heavy (>1000) populations of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), was 5 to 15% less than egg production of control hens. Body weight was depressed in hens infested with mites before the hens came into full egg production but not when hens were infested after that time. Feed consumption was not affected by mite populations.
Morula forms of E rosettes: distribution, specific inhibition, and enhancement.

Extract: Rosette-forming cells (RFC) with more than 10 sheep red blood cells (SRBC's) per cell defined as morula-forming cells (MFC) were studied in human lymphoid organs and in the peripheral blood (PBL). MFC are most common in the thymus (more than 50%) and the frequency is much less in peripheral lymphoid tissues and in the blood (29.8% in those less than 5 years old; 14.9% in adults). There is very slight decrease in total RFC in PBL over age 5, but the changes in MFC are quite striking. Treatment with anti-human thymus antiserum (ATS) and with anti-human lymphoblastic antiserum (ATL) resulted in significant inhibition of total rosette and morula rosette formation. No inhibition was seen using normal brain antiserum, anti-IgM antiserum, or anti-L chain antiserum. In two patients with chronic lymphoeytic leukemia and in some cases of thymic deficiency the ratio of MFC to total RFC was unusually high. After culture with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and conversion to blast forms or. after surface peturbation by papain or freeze-thaw treatment, MFC numbers were increased. Speculation: The reason that T cells bind SRBC without prior sensitization remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the reaction serves, as a reliable detector of a special class of immunologically competent Lymphocytes. Subpopulations within the two major classes of human lymphocytes (B and T cells) are now known. We speculate that an analysis of surface markers may help to detect these sub-classes. We suggest that the more primitive T cells may show the phenomenon of morula formation. It is postulated that the increase in MFC's might be due to the exposure of hidden sites or alteration of pre-existing surface receptors.
Protonation of histidine groups inhibits gating of the of the quisqualate/kainate channel protein in isolated catfish cone horizontal cells

Abstract Increases in the extracellular hydrogen ion concentration ([H + ] o ) but not the intracellular concentration ([H + ] i ) antagonized the inward going membrane currents recorded from isolated cone horizontal cells during application of quisqualate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid, and kainate. The pK determined from a titration curve was 6.5 with a slope greater than 1, indicating protonation of several histidines. The reduction in membrane current was voltage-independent. The affinity of the agonist for the receptor, the single-channel conductance, and the open time were unaffected by [H + ] o· [H + ] o antagonism was not the result of charge neutralization such as screening surface charge. Diethylpyrocarbonate, a histidine-modifying reagent, reduced the agonist-induced current, but disulfide- and sulfhydryl-modifying reagents were ineffective. These results suggest that histidine groups on the external face of the channel protein provide a functional site regulating channel gating.
Ethical issues in fertility preservation for adolescent cancer survivors: oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation

Abstract Oocyte and ovarian tissue harvesting and implantation may one day restore fertility in adolescent cancer survivors. Discussion ensues regarding ways to respect patients and address ethical issues in future clinical trials. Study objective To offer a normative analysis of ethical issues in oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation and implantation for adolescent cancer survivors. Design Normative ethical analysis. Results and conclusion Oocyte and ovarian tissue harvesting and implantation hold promise in restoring fertility in adolescent cancer survivors; however, more research is required before adolescents can ethically be enrolled in clinical trials. As these methods advance, clinician investigators serve these patients best by (1) ensuring that the intervention does not harm the patient by delaying cancer treatment; (2) ensuring that no remnant cancer cells will be reintroduced in transplantation or fertilization; (3) preventing damaged cryopreserved oocytes from being fertilized and implanted; (4) seeking informed assent from adolescent patients and informed consent from their parents or guardians; (5) developing policies to protect the patient's future rights to her gametes; (6) developing policies addressing the disposition of gametes if the patient dies; and (7) respecting the patient by protecting her from harm while also honoring her right to self-determination.
Performing English with a Postcolonial Accent: Ethnographic Narrativ es from Mexico

A Clemente,M J Higgins. (2008) Performing English With A Postcolonial Accent: Ethnographic Narratives From Mexico. The Tufnell Press. 240 pages ISBN-10: 1872767877 ISBN-13: 9781872767871
Cyclopropane as a propagating reagent in gas-phase radical cation oligomerization

Abstract Fourier transform (FTMS), collisionally activated dissociation, and tandem mass spectrometry, were utilized for investigating gas-phase radical-cation initiated reactions where neutral cyclopropane functions as the propagating reagent. When cyclopropane is reacted in a FTMS trap with the radical cations of ethylene, propylene, and cyclopropane as initiators, the cyclopropane propagating species undergoes successive reactions that proceed by the addition of three carbons followed by the rapid expulsion of ethylene, resulting in the sequential addition of a methylene unit. The mechanism of these successive addition reactions, whereas potentially being either radical- or cation-based, is consistent with a cationic addition processes. The resulting radical cations that now contain an additional methylene unit addition undergo extensive isomerization. The isomerized species may react further with the cyclopropane propagating reagent to yield higher-order oligomeric radical cations. With the cyclopropane radical cation as the initiator, neutral cyclopropane adds, in successive reactions, three methylene units resulting in a mixture of C 6 H 12 ·+ ions, the highest-order oligomeric products observed. These ions do not react further with cyclopropane, hence causing the oligomerization process to stop.
Aktivierungsmethoden im EEG

Zusammenfassung Die elektroenzephalographische Aktivierung umfasst Masnahmen, um pathologische EEG-Aktivitat, insbesondere epilepsietypische Potentiale vermehrt oder uberhaupt auftreten zu lassen. Routinemasig angewandte Verfahren sind Schlaf/Schlafentzug, Hyperventilation und Photostimulation. Schlaf ist eine sehr effektive Masnahme, um sowohl generalisierte als auch fokale interiktale epilepsietypische Entladungen zu aktivieren. Diese Ausbeute kann oft noch erhoht werden, wenn Schlaf wahrend der Ableitung durch vorausgegangenen Schlafentzug erreicht wurde. Pathologische Veranderungen unter Hyperventilation sind lateralisierte oder fokale Verlangsamungen, verzogert einsetzende Verlangsamungen und das Auftreten epilepsietypischer Aktivitat. Hyperventilation ist am effektivsten bei idiopathisch generaliserten Epilepsien, weniger bei fokalen Epilepsien. Photostimulation produziert als normale Antwort rhythmische, occipital dominante Wellen, als pathologische Antwort epilepsietypische Potentiale, die sogenannte photoparoxysmale Reaktion. Generalisierte epilepsietypische Aktivitat, die die Photostimulation uberdauert, stellt deren starkste Auspragung dar und ist in hohem Mas mit idiopathisch generalisierten Epilepsien assoziiert.
m6A RNA Modification Controls Cell Fate Transition in Mammalian Embryonic Stem Cells

Summary N6-methyl-adenosine (m 6 A) is the most abundant modification on messenger RNAs and is linked to human diseases, but its functions in mammalian development are poorly understood. Here we reveal the evolutionary conservation and function of m 6 A by mapping the m 6 A methylome in mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Thousands of messenger and long noncoding RNAs show conserved m 6 A modification, including transcripts encoding core pluripotency transcription factors. m 6 A is enriched over 3′ untranslated regions at defined sequence motifs and marks unstable transcripts, including transcripts turned over upon differentiation. Genetic inactivation or depletion of mouse and human Mettl3 , one of the m 6 A methylases, led to m 6 A erasure on select target genes, prolonged Nanog expression upon differentiation, and impaired ESC exit from self-renewal toward differentiation into several lineages in vitro and in vivo. Thus, m 6 A is a mark of transcriptome flexibility required for stem cells to differentiate to specific lineages.
Authorship: "Law" and order.

Abstract. Publication is a marker of academic success. In academia, appointments and promotions are in many cases strongly linked to the candidate's bibliography. The “publish or perish” mindset has placed extraordinary pressures on scientists and academic physicians alike. Authorship controversies have received considerable attention in the medical literature. Although guidelines are available to help determine how attribution should be acknowledged, anecdotal experiences with disputes associated with authorship continue to exist. This paper addresses several key problems facing authorship. A discussion of who should be given authorship, the responsibilities of an author, and a method for assigning authorship in a multiauthored publication is provided.
Impact of perfusion strategy on neurologic recovery in acute type A aortic dissection.

Background The optimal perfusion strategy during surgery of acute type A aortic dissection is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of retrograde cerebral perfusion during hypothermic circulatory arrest on short-term and long-term outcome in this specific patient population. Methods Between 1984 and 2005, 175 consecutive patients underwent repair of an acute type A dissection. Three different surgical approaches were used: aortic cross-clamping without hypothermic circulatory arrest in 50 (29%), hypothermic circulatory arrest alone in 69 (39%), and hypothermic circulatory arrest with supplemental retrograde cerebral perfusion in 56 (32%). Results Operative mortality was 18% ± 3% (± 70% confidence interval), and adverse outcomes (death or cerebrovascular accident) occurred in 21% ± 3% of patients ( p = 0.97 between groups). Multivariate analysis identified valve replacement ( p = 0.04), preoperative flow complications ( p = 0.03), and non-Marfan syndrome ( p = 0.04) as predictors of operative mortality. Intraoperative dissection ( p p = 0.02) were predictors for permanent neurologic deficit, and retrograde cerebral perfusion was shown to have a protective effect on transient neurologic deficits ( p = 0.008). Kaplan-Meier survival was 75% ± 3% at 1 year (131 patients at risk), 63% ± 4% at 5 years (87 patients at risk), and 49% ± 4% at 10 years (48 patients at risk) and was independent of surgical approach ( p = 0.37). Long-term survival was diminished with increased age ( p p p = 0.02). Conclusions The current investigation suggests improved neurologic recovery with circulatory arrest and supplemental retrograde cerebral perfusion. Operative mortality and long-term survival were comparable among groups.
Gender Dissimilarity in Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors: a Chinese Study

Gender has been identified as a significant factor that contributes to variations on unhealthy behavior engagement and disparity in health outcomes; however, gender dissimilarity in type 2 diabetes-related behavioral risks has not been fully understood in a non-Western social setting. Recognizing gender-specific behavioral risks of type 2 diabetes is important in improving the disease associated health outcomes and healthcare service. This study identifies gender-specific behavioral factors associated with type 2 diabetes diagnoses among middle-aged and older adults in a Chinese context. Data are selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) 2009. There are 259 male cases and 280 female cases individually matched with their nondiabetic controls on age. Higher level of total carbohydrate intake and physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes diagnoses in both genders (p < .001). Odds ratios of type 2 diabetes diagnoses are higher only among male cigarette smokers and heavy alcohol drinkers. This study provides evidence regarding gender-specific behavioral risks of type 2 diabetes suggesting the need for improving type 2 diabetes related research, prevention, education, and healthcare services for middle-aged and older adults in China.
Molecular Detection of Colorectal Neoplasia

A variety of noninvasive molecular approaches to colorectal cancer screening are emerging with potential to improve screening effectiveness and user-friendliness. These approaches are based on the sensitive assay of molecular markers in stool, blood, and urine samples. New methods, especially next generation stool-based tests, have been shown to detect both colorectal cancers and precancerous lesions with high accuracy. Validation of these technologies in average-risk populations are needed to establish their role for general colorectal cancer screening. This review addresses the biological rationale, technical advances, recent clinical performance data, and remaining issues with molecular screening for colorectal cancer.
How can we target the weed seedbank

Abstract Because herbicide and cultivation efficacy is generally density independent, seedling density following these weed control practices will be proportional to the density of germinable seeds in the seedbank. Most farmers would therefore benefit from management practices that reduce seed inputs, increase seed losses, and reduce the probability that remaining seeds establish. Germination, predation, and decay are the primary sources of loss to the seedbank that may respond to management. Farmers have long prepared stale seedbeds in which shallow soil disturbance encourages germination losses. Postdispersal seed predation by vertebrate and invertebrate granivores may cause high rates of seed mortality in a wide range of cropping systems, but seed dispersal asynchronous with predator activity, and seed burial, may limit the overall effect on the seedbank. Although seeds would seem to be an ideal carbon source for soil microorganisms, limited evidence from a study of wild oat suggests that decay may be ...
Improving CMD Areal Density Analysis: Algorithms and Strategies

Essential ideas, successes, and difficulties of Areal Density Analysis (ADA) for color-magnitude diagrams (CMD’s) of resolved stellar populations are examined, with explanation of various algorithms and strategies for optimal performance. A CMDgeneration program computes theoretical datasets with simulated observational error and a solution program inverts the problem by the method of Differential Corrections (DC) so as to compute parameter values from observed magnitudes and colors, with standard error estimates and correlation coefficients. ADA promises not only impersonal results, but also significant saving of labor, especially where a given dataset is analyzed with several evolution models. Observational errors and multiple star systems, along with various single star characteristics and phenomena, are modeled directly via the Functional Statistics Algorithm (FSA). Unlike Monte Carlo, FSA is not dependent on a random number generator. Discussions include difficulties and overall requirements, such as need for fast evolutionary computation and realization of goals within machine memory limits. Degradation of results due to influence of pixelization on derivatives, Initial Mass Function (IMF) quantization, IMF steepness, low Areal Densities ( ), and large variation in are reduced or eliminated through a variety of schemes that are explained sufficiently for general application. The Levenberg-Marquardt and MMS algorithms for improvement of solution convergence are contained within the DC program. An example of convergence, which typically is very good, is shown in tabular form. A number of theoretical and practical solution issues are discussed, as are prospects for further development.
The role of multivessel coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: have we reached a verdict?

192 www.ccmjournal.org Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicates 7–10% of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI). In the last decade, increased availability of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has decreased the prevalence of CS in STEMI; despite this, mortality in these patients remains above 50%. It has been demonstrated that prompt PCI can improve outcomes among patients with STEMI complicated by CS (1, 2). A majority of these patients have associated multivessel disease (MVD) (3, 4) that is an independent predictor of mortality (5, 6). Optimal revascularization strategies in these patients remain controversial (7–13). Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology state that only the infarctrelated artery (IRA) should be treated during the initial intervention for patients not in CS (14, 15). There are exceptions, although present guidelines do not explicitly recommend it. The Role of Multivessel Coronary Intervention in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock: Have We Reached a Verdict?*
Fingerprint body myopathy: a report of twins.

SUMMARY Ultramicroscopic changes of subsarcolemmal fingerprints in the muscle of children with infantile hypotonia and weakness may represent a specific congenital entity. Four children have been reported so far. The two children reported in the present paper are the first full siblings to be described and, in addition, are identical twins. Four of these six children also had mental retardation, which suggests that this disorder may carry with it a significant risk of central nervous system abnormality. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Fingerprint body myopathy: Ein Bericht uber Zwillinge Ultramikroskopische Veranderungen der Fingerprints im Subsarkolem der Muskulatur von Kindern mit Infantiler Hypotonie und Muskelschwache reprasentieren moglicherweise eine kongenitale Einheit. Vier Kinder sind bisher beschrieben worden. Die zwei Kinder, uber die in der vorliegenden Arbeit berichtet wird, sind die ersten Geschwister und daruber hinaus eineiige Zwillinge. Vier dieser sechs Kinder waren ausserdem geistig retardiert, was vermuten lasst, dass diese Erkrankung ein erhebliches Risiko fur Missbildungen im Zentralnervensystem in sich tragt. RESUMEN Miopatia del tipo de huella digital: aportacion de gemelos Los cambios ultramicroscopicos de las huellas digitales subsarcolemicas en el musculo de ninos con hipotonia infantil y debilidad pueden representar una entidad congenita especifica. Hasta el momento se han aportado cuatro ninos. Los dos ninos aportados en la presente comunicacion son los primeros gemelos descritos, y por otra parte se trataba de gemelos identicos. Cuatro de estos seis ninos tenian tambien retraso mental, lo cual sugiere que esa alteracion puede ocurrir con un significativo riesgo de anomalia del sistema nervioso central.
An extended version of minimum information estimation of allocation models

Abstract The minimum information approach proposed by Theil et al. (1984) for the estimation of allocation models is extended to include Strobel measures for goodness of fit and bootstrap replications for standard errors. Also, a comparison is made with maximum likelihood results.