cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic Pyridostigmine Bromide Administration: Side Effects Among Soldiers Working in a Desert Environment

The side effects of chronic pyridostigmine bromide administration were studied in seven male soldiers performing moderate-intensity exercise in a desert environment. A 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was employed in which pyridostigmine was administered for 7 consecutive days (30 mg orally, t.i.d.). Four hours each day were spent in the heat (42 degrees C, 20% relative humidity); 2 hours rest followed by 2 hours moderate exercise (40% maximal aerobic power). Each day, subjects completed four symptom questionnaires and received three focused physical examinations. Symptoms reported did not differ between treatment groups except for fewer headaches during pyridostigmine treatment. Soldiers were unable to distinguish the effects of pyridostigmine from placebo. Pyridostigmine was associated with lower resting diastolic blood pressure (approximately 4 mmHg, p less than 0.05), smaller pupil diameter (approximately 0.5 mm, p less than 0.01), decreased handgrip strength (approximately 3%, p less than 0.05), and higher final rectal temperature (approximately 0.1 degree C, p less than 0.01). Effects of this magnitude are not likely to appreciably limit performance. We conclude that chronic pyridostigmine administration does not negatively impact on soldiers' ability to perform physical work over repeated days in a desert environment.
Structural studies on the cardiac glycoside receptor

The recent publication by Shull et al. (20) of the complete primary amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase of sheep kidney allows investigators in the field to address questions of structure/function relationships more directly. Based on the analysis of Shull et al., one can schematically represent the enzyme as shown in Fig. 1. Eight membrane spanning sequences (H1–H8) are predicted. Very few extramembranous sequences are predicted to be extracellular. The majority of the hydrophilic sequences are predicted to be intracellular, primarily between H4 and H5. There are five possibles sites for N-glycosylation but these are all predicted to be intracellular. There is very little internal homology suggesting that equivalent distinct separate sites for cations do not exist. Another striking observation is the high degree of homology between the Na+,K+-ATPase (20) of sheep kidney and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase from skeletal muscle (14). The complete primary amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase of the electric organ of torpedo ray has also been determined (7). There is a remarkable 87% sequence homology between the alpha subunit of the ray electric organ and sheep kidney Na+,K+-ATPases. One would expect even greater homology between Na+,K+-ATPases from more closely related sources, e.g., the alpha and alpha+ subunits detected in brain (23) and two putative forms of Na+,K+-ATPase indirectly detected (1) in rat ventricle. Consistent with this concept, a comparison (Fig. 2) of the small (<4%) sequence determined for Na+,K+-ATPase from rat brain (18) with the same region of sheep kidney and torpedo enzyme indicates that the mammalian enzymes are much more homologous to each other than they are to the torpedo enzyme. One puzzling feature is the amino acid substitution at position 489 of an alanine residue in the sheep kidney enzyme for a proline residue in rat brain enzyme. Since proline residues cause folds in secondary structure, one would have predicted a higher degree of conservation for enzymes with similar functions.
Basic Principle of Resection for Head and Neck Cancer

Treatment options for the management of head and neck cancer include surgery, radiation, chemoradiotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. This chapter focuses on basic principles of the surgical resection for head and neck cancers. The challenge of ablative surgery of head and neck cancers is to perform an adequate resection while providing the best functional reconstruction. Adequate resection of the primary tumor, eradication of regional lymph nodes, and successful reconstruction are the key to most efficacious treatment for head and neck cancer. The following section would discuss some surgical details including approach/incision and resection concepts according to subsites of head and neck cancer.
Prognostic factors and survival for malignant conjunctival melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma over four decades.

Abstract Purpose To determine the epidemiology and survival of primary conjunctival malignant neoplasms. Methods Retrospective analysis of primary malignant conjunctival neoplasms using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1973 to 2012. Results Of 1661 cases, the most common neoplasms are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at 54.8% and melanoma at 38.8%. Mean diagnostic age for melanoma was 62.1 compared to 65.5 years for SCC (p = 0.002). 52.2% of melanoma are male versus 77.4% of SCC (p Conclusion Age at diagnosis is a determinant of survival for both conjunctival SCC and melanoma. Male sex, T4 and N1 staging are also important prognostic factors for melanoma. With respect to overall survival, SCC and melanoma did not differ significantly.
Computing water flow through complex landscapes-Part 2: Finding hierarchies in depressions and morphological segmentations

Abstract. Depressions – inwardly draining regions of digital elevation models – present difficulties for terrain analysis and hydrological modeling. Analogous “depressions” also arise in image processing and morphological segmentation, where they may represent noise, features of interest, or both. Here we provide a new data structure – the depression hierarchy – that captures the full topologic and topographic complexity of depressions in a region. We treat depressions as networks in a way that is analogous to surface-water flow paths, in which individual sub-depressions merge together to form meta-depressions in a process that continues until they begin to drain externally. This hierarchy can be used to selectively fill or breach depressions or to accelerate dynamic models of hydrological flow. Complete, well-commented, open-source code and correctness tests are available on GitHub and Zenodo.
Neuroepigenetic signatures of age and sex in the living human brain.

Age- and sex-related alterations in gene transcription have been demonstrated, however the underlying mechanisms are unresolved. Neuroepigenetic pathways regulate gene transcription in the brain. Here, we measure in vivo expression of the epigenetic enzymes, histone deacetylases (HDACs), across healthy human aging and between sexes using [11C]Martinostat positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging (n = 41). Relative HDAC expression increases with age in cerebral white matter, and correlates with age-associated disruptions in white matter microstructure. A post mortem study confirmed that HDAC1 and HDAC2 paralogs are elevated in white matter tissue from elderly donors. There are also sex-specific in vivo HDAC expression differences in brain regions associated with emotion and memory, including the amygdala and hippocampus. Hippocampus and white matter HDAC expression negatively correlates with emotion regulation skills (n = 23). Age and sex are associated with HDAC expression in vivo, which could drive age- and sex-related transcriptional changes and impact human behavior. Gene transcription is known to vary with age and sex, although the underlying mechanisms are unresolved. Here, the authors show that epigenetic enzymes known as HDACs, which regulate gene transcription, are increasingly expressed with age in the living human brain, with sex differences also observed.
Long-Term Interventions for Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Endoscopic and Open Procedures

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) usually refers to the immobility of both vocal folds, usually due to a neurologic etiology. It is often characterized by inspiratory or biphasic stridor with normal phonation. This is due to narrowing of the glottic airway with both vocal folds in the paramedian position. The dyspnea associated with BVFP can be life-threatening, requiring emergent intervention such as a tracheostomy. In most cases, patients are stable, and management is focused on creating a safe, tracheostomy-free airway while maintaining an intricate balance between airway, deglutition, and phonation. Often, a series of surgical procedures is needed to provide an adequate glottic airway while maintaining a passable voice. Surgical interventions include endoscopic techniques such as cordotomy, arytenoidectomy, and suture lateralization procedures, as well as open techniques such as posterior cricoid split with graft and tracheostomy. The outcome of tracheostomy and decannulation may be used as metrics to assess severity of disease and successful surgical therapy. Few studies have looked at success rates of these procedures, but generally less invasive procedures are attempted first; if unsuccessful, the patient and surgeon may decide more invasive procedures such as posterior cricoid split with rib graft to improve glottic airway and achieve decannulation. The surgical techniques, with their indications, advantages, complications, and success rates, when available, will be illustrated in this chapter.
Effects of Depth, Width, and Initialization: A Convergence Analysis of Layer-wise Training for Deep Linear Neural Networks.

Deep neural networks have been used in various machine learning applications and achieved tremendous empirical successes. However, training deep neural networks is a challenging task. Many alternatives have been proposed in place of end-to-end back-propagation. Layer-wise training is one of them, which trains a single layer at a time, rather than trains the whole layers simultaneously. In this paper, we study a layer-wise training using a block coordinate gradient descent (BCGD) for deep linear networks. We establish a general convergence analysis of BCGD and found the optimal learning rate, which results in the fastest decrease in the loss. More importantly, the optimal learning rate can directly be applied in practice, as it does not require any prior knowledge. Thus, tuning the learning rate is not needed at all. Also, we identify the effects of depth, width, and initialization in the training process. We show that when the orthogonal-like initialization is employed, the width of intermediate layers plays no role in gradient-based training, as long as the width is greater than or equal to both the input and output dimensions. We show that under some conditions, the deeper the network is, the faster the convergence is guaranteed. This implies that in an extreme case, the global optimum is achieved after updating each weight matrix only once. Besides, we found that the use of deep networks could drastically accelerate convergence when it is compared to those of a depth 1 network, even when the computational cost is considered. Numerical examples are provided to justify our theoretical findings and demonstrate the performance of layer-wise training by BCGD.
Agonism of the TMEM16A Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel Modulates Airway Smooth Muscle Tone

TMEM16A (anoctamin 1) is an important calcium-activated chloride channel in airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have previously shown that TMEM16A antagonists such as benzbromarone relax ASM and have pr...
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis, or impaired bile flow, of pregnancy is the most common pregnancy-related liver disease and is characterized by elevated bile acids and pruritus. This typically develops late in the second trimester and in the third trimester. Following delivery, signs and symptoms resolve quickly. It is diagnosed clinically, with rare need for liver biopsy to confirm. There are numerous epidemiologic factors that can be associated with developing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, including ethnicity, geography, season, and multiple gestations in addition to family history and age.
Releases From a Local Jail: The Impact of Visitation on Recidivism:

There is a large body of research that examines the impact of visitation on the likelihood of recidivism among released state prisoners. That research reveals that receiving any visits, and a great...
Scalable open-air deposition of compact ETL TiOx on perovskite for fullerene-free solar cells

We report a scalable, low-temperature TiOx electron transport layer (ETL) produced directly on top of perovskite in an inverted architecture device by an open-air chemical vapor deposition (OA-CVD) process. The OA-CVD pyrolysis of a titanium ethoxide precursor forms a fully inorganic, conformal, and compact TiOx film. The resultant film is mechanically robust and exhibits a fracture toughness 30-fold higher than commonly used fullerene-based ETL films. The TiOx is an effective barrier layer against environmental degradation—unencapsulated devices with the TiOx ETL retain 60% of their initial efficiency after 1000 hours in ambient aging conditions—compared to devices with a fullerene ETL which were inoperable after 144 hours. Inverted architecture devices with an optimized TiOx ETL thickness of 70 nm exhibited high open-circuit voltages of 1.08 V. We comment on the photocatalytic properties of TiOx and the influence of an amorphous film on maximum power point stability.
Offshore vs. Local Listings of Taiwanese Firms: Evidence from London, New York and Taipei

This paper examines the differential between the share prices of Taiwanese securities traded on their home market of Taipei vs. their trading values offshore in London and New York over the 1998-2009 period. In line with prior research on mainland Chinese securities, we examine how the premiums attached to Taiwanese securities abroad are related to exchange rate expectations and investor sentiment. Our cross-sectional panel regression analysis identifies significant roles for both market-wide and company-specific sentiment effects. Additional sentiment effects may be linked with fluctuations in the bid-ask spreads as investor interest waxes and wanes.
Is Propionibacterium acnes becoming the most common bacteria in delayed infections following adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery

Retrospective review of hospital charts. (1) To determine the microbiological profile of patients with surgical site infections following posterior spinal fusion surgery (PSF) for Adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). (2) To study the treatment outcome of patients with surgical site infections (SSI) following surgery for AIS. (3) To identify the key differences in presentation and management of acute and delayed SSI following AIS surgery. There has been increasing evidence of the role of P. acnes in deep surgical site infections. Literature related to this is abundant in relation to shoulder arthroplasty; however, it is sparse in relation to spine surgery. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients treated for AIS during a 5-year period (2010–2014) at our institution, with a minimum of 2-year follow-up after the index surgery. Patients with a postoperative infection following their index surgery were included. Charts of AIS patients with post-op infections were reviewed for details of the index surgery, time to presentation of the infection, presenting signs/symptoms, microbiology details, details of surgical and antibiotic treatment, and outcomes. Nine (2.8%) post-op infections were identified out of 315 cases for AIS during this period. Seven (2.2%) involved P. acnes. Two (0.6%) involved MSSA. The average time for cultures to show growth was 6.1 days (range 5–8 days) in P. acnes group and 2–3 days in MSSA group. Patients with P. acnes infections were treated with implant removal, debridement and antibiotics. All patients achieved solid fusion except two patients from the P. acnes group had pseudoarthrosis and had to undergo revision fusion. Propionibacterium acnes was the single most common bacteria isolated from delayed surgical site infection following PSF in AIS patients. Optimal treatment consists of debridement, implant removal and antibiotics. These patients have high incidence of pseudoarthrosis. Level IV.
Exploiting telerobotics for sensorimotor rehabilitation: a locomotor embodiment.

Manual treadmill training is used for rehabilitating locomotor impairments but can be physically demanding for trainers. This has been addressed by enlisting robots, but in doing so, the ability of trainers to use their experience and judgment to modulate locomotor assistance on the fly has been lost. This paper explores the feasibility of a telerobotics approach for locomotor training that allows patients to receive remote physical assistance from trainers. In the approach, a trainer holds a small robotic manipulandum that shadows the motion of a large robotic arm magnetically attached to a locomoting patient's leg. When the trainer deflects the manipulandum, the robotic arm applies a proportional force to the patient. An initial evaluation of the telerobotic system’s transparency (ability to follow the leg during unassisted locomotion) was performed with two unimpaired participants. Transparency was quantified by the magnitude of unwanted robot interaction forces. In a small six-session feasibility study, six individuals who had prior strokes telerobotically interacted with two trainers (separately), who assisted in altering a targeted gait feature: an increase in the affected leg’s swing length. During unassisted walking, unwanted robot interaction forces averaged 3−4 N (swing–stance) for unimpaired individuals and 2−3 N for the patients who survived strokes. Transients averaging about 10 N were sometimes present at heel-strike/toe-off. For five of six patients, these forces increased with treadmill speed during stance (R2 = .99; p < 0.001) and increased with patient height during swing (R2 = .71; p = 0.073). During assisted walking, the trainers applied 3.0 ± 2.8 N (mean ± standard deviation across patients) and 14.1 ± 3.4 N of force anteriorly and upwards, respectively. The patients exhibited a 20 ± 21% increase in unassisted swing length between Days 1−6 (p = 0.058). The results support the feasibility of locomotor assistance with a telerobotics approach. Simultaneous measurement of trainer manipulative actions, patient motor responses, and the forces associated with these interactions may prove useful for testing sensorimotor rehabilitation hypotheses. Further research with clinicians as operators and randomized controlled trials are needed before conclusions regarding efficacy can be made.
Optimizing Composition in MnBi Permanent Magnet Alloys

MnBi is an attractive rare-earth-free permanent magnetic material due to its low materials cost, high magnetocrystalline anisotropy (1.6 × 106 J m-3), and good magnetization (81 emu g-1) at room temperature. Although the theoretical maximum energy product (BH)max of 20 MGOe is lower than that of NdFeB-based magnets, the low temperature phase (LTP) of MnBi has a positive temperature coefficient of coercivity, up to 200 °C, which makes it a potential candidate for high temperature applications such as permanent magnet motors. However, the oxygen sensitivity of the MnBi compound and the peritectic reaction between Mn and Bi make it difficult to synthesize into a material with high purity. This challenge is partly offset by adding excess Mn to the alloy, with composition close to Mn55Bi45 resulting in the highest saturation magnetization after common processing techniques such as arc melting, casting, melt spinning, and ball milling. Here we report a systematic process which reduces the amount of excessive Mn, while simultaneously providing a large saturation magnetization (MS) of 79 emu g-1 at 300 K in the annealed Mn52Bi48 ribbons. We also report excellent magnetic properties in the ball powders, resulting in 0.5-5 µm particles with MS of 75.5 emu g-1, coercivity Hci of 10.8 kOe, and (BH)max of 13 MGOe using 9 T applied field at 300 K. A secondary annealing treatment on various ball milled powders increased Hci by up to 21%, and also resulted in an increase in MS up to 78.8 emu g-1.
The designing of Web services to deliver Web documents associated with historical links

The historical links of a Web site include the URLs invalidated due to Web site reorganization, document removal, renaming or relocation, or links to document snapshots, which are defined as the document's contents as of a specific point in time. Tracking historical links allow users to use out of date URLs, retrieve removed documents and document snapshots. This paper presents a logging and archiving scheme to track a document's history of changes, and designs a Web service to deliver the Web document associated with a historical link.
Child Exploitation and Trafficking: Examining the Global Challenges and U.S. Responses by Virginia M. Kendall and T. Markus Funk

Judge Virginia Kendall, appointed to the federal bench in 2006, and T. Markus Funk, attorney in private practice, were federal prosecutors for more than 10 years in the Chicago area. Both tried a n...
An analysis of fetal hemoglobin variation in sickle cell disease: the relative contributions of the X-linked factor, beta-globin haplotypes, alpha-globin gene number, gender, and age

Five factors have been shown to influence the 20-fold variation of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) levels in sickle cell anemia (SS): age, sex, the alpha-globin gene number, beta-globin haplotypes, and an X-linked locus that regulates the production of Hb F-containing erythrocytes (F cells), ie, the F-cell production (FCP) locus. To determine the relative importance of these factors, we studied 257 Jamaican SS subjects from a Cohort group identified by newborn screening and from a Sib Pair study. Linear regression analyses showed that each variable, when analyzed alone, had a significant association with Hb F levels (P < .05). Multiple regression analysis, including all variables, showed that the FCP locus is the strongest predictor, accounting for 40% of Hb F variation. beta-Globin haplotypes, alpha-globin genes, and age accounted for less than 10% of the variation. The association between the beta-globin haplotypes and Hb F levels becomes apparent if the influence of the FCP locus is removed by analyzing only individuals with the same FCP phenotype. Thus, the FCP locus is the most important factor identified to date in determining Hb F levels. The variation within each FCP phenotype is modulated by factors associated with the three common beta-globin haplotypes and other as yet unidentified factor(s).
CHAPERONE-DEPENDENT FOLDING AND ACTIVATION OF RIBOSOME-BOUND NASCENT RHODANESE : ANALYSIS BY FLUORESCENCE

Fluorescently labeled rhodanese was synthesized by coupled transcription/translation in a cell-free Escherichia coli system. A derivative of coumarin was co-translationally incorporated at the N terminus of the polypeptide. Molecules released from the ribosomes during the incubation are enzymatically active; however, continued incubation results in accumulation of enzymatically inactive full-length rhodanese polypeptides on the ribosomes. These can be activated and released in the presence of the added chaperones, DnaJ, DnaK, GrpE, GroEL, GroES and ATP. Fluorescence parameters (quantum yield, anisotropy and the emission maximum) of ribosome-bound coumarin-labeled rhodanese are affected differentially by addition of the chaperones individually or sequentially. Rhodanese released from the ribosomes in the presence of all chaperones (enzymatically active) differs in fluorescence properties from rhodanese released by GroES or DnaK only or by puromycin (enzymatically inactive) indicating a difference in conformation. Using sparsomycin, an inhibitor of the peptidyl transferase reaction, full-length rhodanese can be trapped on the ribosomes. A ribosome-bound intermediate formed by DnaJ or DnaJ plus DnaK was demonstrated by the effect of these chaperones on fluorescence spectra resulting from binding of anticoumarin antibodies to the N terminus of newly synthesized rhodanese. The results support the hypothesis that folding of nascent proteins can take place on the ribosome.
The learning curve of robotic lobectomy.

Background Robotic lobectomy has been shown to be feasible, safe and oncologically efficacious. The actual learning curve of robotic lobectomy has yet to be defined. This study was designed to define the learning curve of robotic lobectomy. Methods We performed a retrospective review of prospectively accrued patients at our institution who underwent robotic lobectomy from January 2004 until December 2011. Six scatter graphs were constructed, comparing operative time, conversion rate, morbidity, mortality, length of stay and surgeon comfort with the number of consecutive cases. In each graph, a regression trendline was drawn and the change in the slope of the curve corresponding to the beginning of the plateau defined the learning curve. The overall learning curve was defined as mean ± SD of the sum of the individual learning curves. Results Based on operative times, mortality and surgeon comfort, the overall learning curve was 18 ± 3 cases. The learning curve based on operative times, mortality and surgeon comfort was 15, 20 and 19 cases, respectively. There was no association between the need for conversion and number of consecutive cases. There was a trend towards lower morbidity and decreased length of stay with greater experience. However, these parameters did not define a specific learning curve. Conclusions Operative time, mortality and surgeon comfort were found to be key parameters for the learning curve of robotic lobectomy when performed by surgeons who are experienced with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The learning curve was 18 ± 3 cases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiodensity of the Proposed New Penny

In 1973 the United States Mint proposed replacing the bronze penny with a less expensive penny made of aluminum. Pediatricians and pediatric radiologists, by testifying that aluminum coins are difficult to see on radiographs, helped defeat that legislation. Now the Mint again proposes a less expensive penny, one made principally of zinc. This proposed penny is radiopaque and will be easily identified on radiographs.
Poverty in Schools and Educational Failure

A 500-pound gorilla is trying to enter our discussion of the standards for equal opportunity to learn for all American children. The gorilla represents the most serious inequities among American schools, inequities that most of us know exist. These inequities among schools reflect fundamental inequalities in the distribution of power and resources in American society.
Surgical duration and risk of Urinary Tract Infection: An analysis of 1,452,369 patients using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)

Abstract Introduction While the relationship between surgical duration and post-operative morbidity has been well-studied in specific procedures for specific complications, there is a paucity of literature that addresses whether longer surgeries increase the risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). We have performed the first study to elucidate the relationship between increasing surgical duration and UTI events across surgical specialties via the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Methods Patients, who received general anesthesia, were stratified into quintiles by a calculated z-score for their anesthesia time based on the standard deviation and mean of their respective current procedural terminology (CPT) code. Z-score analysis standardized interprocedural differences in anesthesia time. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to evaluate the independent association of anesthesia time with risk of UTI. Multiple sub-analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of our results. Results 22,305 patients (1.5%) experienced a UTI. Compared to the mean procedural duration as represented by the 3rd quintile, procedures of longer duration were independently associated with increased risk of UTI (OR, 1.156 (95% CI 1.104–1.21); OR, 1.758 (95% CI 1.682–1.838)) while procedures of shorter duration were associated with reduced risk (OR, .928 (95% CI .873-.987); OR, .955 (95% CI .906–1.007)). Conclusions Our findings suggest that increasing surgical duration may independently worsen the risk of post-operative UTI pan-surgically. We hope that our results will help guide decision making regarding the safety of combination procedures as well as improve pre-operative risk stratification.
Theme and Variations in Statutory Preclusions Against Successive Environmental Enforcement Actions by EPA and Citizens, Part One: Statutory Bars in Citizen Suit Provisions

This two-part Article examines the preclusion device, its legislative history, and the decisions interpreting it. Part One examines the device in citizen suit provisions. Part Two, to be published subsequently, will examine the device in EPA enforcement provisions. The two parts develop a unified interpretation of the device in both sets of enforcement provisions to resolve the tension between achieving compliance and protecting prosecutorial discretion. The Article concludes that Congress meant exactly what it wrote and enacted: the device solely precludes the successive enforcement it actually addresses. Several of the most common canons of statutory interpretation lead inexorably to this interpretation. But a phenomenon not yet observed by the courts or commentators is even more suggestive of it. The preclusion device is a theme with many variations. While Congress constantly employed the theme of the device throughout the statutes, it employed variations of the theme's three elements in the different provisions, reflecting the varying roles it intended EPA, the states and, to a lesser extent, citizens to play in the implementation and enforcement of each statute. The result is a nuanced pattern of variations, suggesting that Congress intended the meanings of the constants in the provisions to be identical, and the variations in them to have singular meanings.
Alu: a parasite's parasite?

The technical problem of detecting the retrotransposition—amplification and genomic dispersion of sequences through an RNA intermediate—of Pol III–directed transcripts has been solved. This provides a long-sought experimental system to learn how Alu repeats amplified to a high copy number in human DNA.
Cost-effective solid-state reactive sintering method for high conductivity proton conducting yttrium-doped barium zirconium ceramics

Abstract Using cost-effective precursors of BaCO3, ZrO2, and Y2O3, proton conducting ceramic pellets of BaZr0.8Y0.2O3 − δ (BZY20) were successfully fabricated with the help of a range of sintering aids including LiF, NiO, Al2O3, and SnO2. This simple and cost-effective solid-state reactive sintering (SSRS) method involved only a single high-temperature sintering step. The effect of various experimental conditions on the crystal structure, relative density, morphology, and total conductivity of the as-prepared BZY20 ceramic pellets were investigated in detail. Tunable experimental parameters included the type of sintering aid, the amount of aid, and the sintering temperature. NiO was determined to be the most effective sintering aid investigated. Under optimized conditions using 1–2 wt.% NiO as a sintering aid, dense BZY20 ceramic pellets (> 95% relative density) with grain sizes as large as 5 μm were successfully prepared at a relatively low sintering temperature of 1400 °C. In comparison, most alternative sintering techniques for BZY require temperatures in excess of 1700 °C. Total conductivities as high as 2.2 × 10− 2 and 3.3 × 10− 2 S cm− 1 were obtained from the resulting pellets at 600 °C under dry- and wet-argon atmospheres respectively. These are among the highest values reported for BZY20, highlighting the potential of the NiO-modified reactive sintering approach to provide a simple, cost-effective, reduced-temperature route to achieve dense, large-grained parts for protonic-ceramic applications.
Effects of dopamine replacement therapy on lower extremity kinetics and kinematics during a rapid force production task in persons with Parkinson disease

Postural instability appears to be a dopamine resistance motor deficit in persons with Parkinson disease (PD); however, little is known about the effects of dopamine replacement on the relative biomechanical contributions of individual lower extremity joints during postural control tasks. To gain insight, we examined persons with PD using both clinical and laboratory measures. For a clinical measure of motor severity we utilized the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor subsection during both OFF and ON medication conditions. For the laboratory measure we utilized data gathered during a rapid lower extremity force production task. Kinematic and kinetic variables at the hip, knee, and ankle were gathered during a counter movement jump during both OFF and ON medication conditions. Sixteen persons with PD with a median Hoehn and Yahr severity of 2.5 completed the study. Medication resulted in significant improvements of angular displacement for the hip, knee, and ankle. Furthermore, significant improvements were revealed only at the hip for peak net moments and average angular velocity compared to the OFF medication condition. These results suggest that dopamine replacement medication result in decreased clinical motor disease severity and have a greater influence on kinetics and kinematics proximally. This proximally focused improvement may be due to active recruitment of muscle force and reductions in passive restraint during lower extremity rapid force production.
Reasoning in evaluation: Challenges for the practitioner

The reasoning process should be salient to the evaluator throughout the course of an evaluation.
HDAC Inhibitors Affect Sulfonylurea Receptor Subunit MRNA Expression in Atrial-Derived Hl-1 Cells but not Pancreatic Beta Cell-Derived MIN6 Cells

KATP channels are expressed in many types of excitable cells where they typically act as key sensors of cell metabolism. All KATP channels share the same architecture—a K+ channel pore (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) combines with a sulfonylurea receptor (SUR1, SUR2A or SUR2B) to form a functional channel. Importantly, KATP channels composition is tissue specific. SUR1 and Kir6.2 make up the channel in atrial cardiomyocytes and pancreatic beta cell, while SUR2A combines with Kir6.2 to form ventricular myocyte KATP. Tissue specific heterogeneity appears to be driven principally by differential subunit transcription, but the mechanisms that determine when and where specific KATP channels are expressed are poorly understood. In this study, we have employed both cardiac- (HL-1) and pancreatic beta cell- (MIN6) derived cell lines to explore the mechanisms that control SURx gene expression. In both HL-1 and MIN6 cells we find that SUR1 expression is significantly greater than SUR2. When cells are treated for 72 hours with trichostatin A (a general inhibitor of histone deacetylases or HDACs), there is a significant increase in SUR2 subunit expression in HL-1 cells, but no apparent change in SUR2 expression in MIN6 cells. This result indicates that in the absence of HDAC activity, the transcriptional machinery to drive SUR2 gene expression is available in HL-1, but not in MIN6 cells. From this data, we conclude that both the SURx subunit transcriptional profile and the mechanisms that determine that profile are tissue specific.
A unified approach to the teaching of electromechanical energy conversion

This approach presents a consistent treatment of electromechanical-energy conversion using the theory of circuits and fields in relative motion. The approach is an attempt to produce an acceptable solution to present-day electrical engineering curricula.
Biochemical markers for the prediction of preterm birth

The prediction of preterm birth may be important (1) to initiate risk specific treatment; (2) to define a population that is at risk in which to study a particular treatment; or (3) to better understand the pathways that lead to preterm birth. Biologic fluids that have been used as sources for tests include serum, plasma, amniotic fluid, urine, vaginal and cervical secretions, saliva, and even periodontal fluid. We discuss the types of substances that are found in body fluids (eg, organisms, cytokines, enzymes, hormones) that have been studied as predictors of preterm birth, the fluids in which they are found, and issues that are related to the timing of the test, the cost, and the ease of fluid collection and processing. We emphasize that a test for any of these substances should not be introduced into clinical practice until the use of the test, which is followed by an appropriate intervention, leads to a reduction in preterm birth.
Causal attributions and information seeking to explain success and failure.

Abstract Previous studies of attributions for success and failure have relied upon a theoretically derived set of causal attributions, either luck versus skill (derived from Rotter, 1966 ) or ability, effort, luck, and task difficulty ( Weiner et al., 1971 ; Weiner, 1972 ). The same tendency of relying upon a set of logically derived cues has been evident in investigations of information-processing in making attributional judgments for success and failure (e.g., Fontaine, 1972 ; Frieze & Weiner, 1971 ). Two studies were conducted which employed an open-ended format to determine the relevance of the causal categories and information which have been utilized in previous studies. Results of these studies supported the validity of previously employed causal categories and information cues as well as establishing other important but previously ignored causes and sources of information.
Protein Prosthesis: A Semisynthetic Enzyme with a β-Peptide Reverse Turn

beta-Amino acids are incorporated into an enzyme by using the method of expressed protein ligation. In the resulting semisynthetic enzyme, an R-nipecotic acid-S-nipecotic acid module replaces Asn113 and Pro114 of ribonuclease A. The semisynthetic enzyme not only retains full catalytic activity but also gains conformational stability. Thus, structural elements can be replaced with foldameric equivalents to endow proteins with more desirable properties.
Diphenylhydantoin: an alternative ligand of a glucocorticoid receptor affecting prostaglandin generation in A/J mice

Evidence for the binding of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin and glucocorticoids to a common receptor is presented for pulmonary and hepatic cytosols and thymocytes of A/J female mice. The 5,5-diphenylhydantoin-protein complex is absorbed by DNA cellulose, and is incorporated into nuclei, 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin, like glucocorticoids, inhibits the production of prostaglandins in thymocytes. Thus a common receptor is probably responsible for the inhibitory and teratogenic effects of these drugs.
Human Four-Dimensional Spatial Judgments of Hyper-Volume

Abstract:The dimensionality limitation of human spatial representations has been a long-lasting, unsolved issue in psychology, mathematics, and philosophy. The present study examined the possibility of human four-dimensional spatial representations using a spatial judgment task on hyper-volume, a novel property unique to higher dimensional space. Observers studied visual simulations of random wireframe hyper-tetrahedrons (4-simplexes) rotating around the y-z plane and judged their hyper-volume by adjusting the size of a 4-D block. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the responses and the actual hyper-volume but not the definition-based, lower-dimensional cues such as the mean 3-D volume, providing empirical evidence of human 4-D spatial representations that can support judgments of certain novel, high-dimensional properties.
Rib remodeling dynamics in a skeletal population from Kulubnarti, Nubia.

Bone remodeling variables in the rib were analyzed for a skeletal population of medieval antiquity (ca. A.D. 550-1450) from Kulubnarti, in Sudanese Nubia. The skeletal remains are naturally mummified and in an excellent state of preservation. The study sample consists of thin sections from the ribs of 80 individuals, ranging in age from 15-50+ years. Ribs were examined using a standard microscope and image analysis software. Numbers of intact osteons, fragmentary osteons, forming osteons, and resorption spaces were counted, osteon and Haversian canal areas were measured, and several variables were calculated to assess morphometric and remodeling status in the rib. Variables calculated included mean annual activation frequency, mean bone formation rate, and net osteonal remodeling. Results indicate that age changes are consistent with those observed for other archaeological and modern samples. High numbers of resorption spaces in young males may reflect slower skeletal development in boys compared to girls. Comparisons of rib data with results of a previous study on patterns of femoral bone remodeling in the same population indicate that ribs have more osteons and higher bone formation rates compared to the femur. Also, sexual differences in osteon size observed in the femur were not observed in the rib. Activation frequency and bone formation rate are low in the Kulubnarti population compared to previously published data for a modern sample, a finding consistent with reported results from other archaeological samples. Genetic factors influencing the minimum effective strain setpoint and duration of skeletal maturation, in addition to repetitive high strains at Kulubnarti, may contribute to observed differences.
Electronic energy alignment at the PbSe quantum dots/ZnO(101̅0) interface

Abstract A number of solar energy conversion strategies depend on exciton dissociation across interfaces between semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and other electron or hole conducting materials. A critical factor governing exciton dissociation and charge transfer in these systems is the alignment of electronic energy levels across the interface. We probe interfacial electronic energy alignment in a model system, sub-monolayer films of PbSe QDs adsorbed on single crystal ZnO(1010) surfaces using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. We establish electronic energy alignment as a function of quantum dot size and surface chemistry. We find that replacing insulating oleic-acid capping molecules on the QDs by the short hydrazine or ethanedithiol molecules results in pinning of the valence band maximum (VBM) of QDs to ZnO substrate states, independent of QD size. This is in contrast to similar measurements on TiO 2 (110) where the alignment of the PbSe QD VBM to that of the TiO 2 substrate depends on QD size. We interpret these findings as indicative of strong electronic coupling of QDs with the ZnO surface but less with the TiO 2 surface. Based on the measured energy alignment, we predict that electron injection from the 1s e level in photo-excited PbSe QDs to ZnO can occur with small QDs (diameter ϕ = 3.4 nm), but energetically unfavorably for larger dots ( ϕ = 6.7 nm). In the latter, hot electrons above the 1s e level are necessary for interfacial electron injection.
Synthesis of anionic poly(ethylene glycol) derivative for chitosan surface modification in blood-contacting applications

Abstract To improve blood compatibility, chitosan surface was modified by the complexa-tion-interpenetration method using an anionic derivative of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) sulfonate (MPEG sulfonate)-modified chitosan was prepared by allowing the base polymer to swell in an acidic medium, followed by polyelectrolyte complexation and interpenetration of MPEG sulfonate with the chitosan matrix. Addition of a strong base collapsed the base polymer to permanently immobilize the modifying agent on the surface. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) confirmed the presence of MPEG sulfonate on chitosan and the high resolution Cls peak showed an increase in -C—O- which is indicative of the ethylene oxide residues. The number of adherent platelets and the extent of platelet activation was significantly reduced on MPEG sulfonate-modified chitosan. Compared to an average of more than 66 fully activated platelets on unmodified chitosan surface, only 3.0 contact-adherent platelets were present on MPEG sulfonate-modified chitosan. Plasma recalcification time, a measure of the intrinsic coagulation reaction, was about 11.5 min in contact with modified chitosan. The results of this study show that chitosan surface can be modified by the complexation-interpenetration method with anionic PEG derivative. Surface-immobilized MPEG sulfonate was effective in preventing plasma protein adsorption and platelet adhesion and activation by the steric repulsion mechanism.
Sexual Differences in Offspring Defense in a Monogamous Cichlid Fish

Solitary male and female Texas cichlids, Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum employ different tactics when defending their offspring. Males emphasize the lateral display against an intruder and make infrequent return visits to the young while the intruder is present. The female is more likely to attack, attempting to bite the intruder and also making frequent return visits to the offspring. These differences disappear with increasing age of the offspring as the male becomes more like the female with more violent attacks. Both defense systems appear effective, in the short term, against intruders.
Trade, structure and linkages in developing and regional economies

Abstract This short note addresses some issues raised in a recent paper in this Journal by Bulmer-Thomas (1978) in connection with the relationship between structure and growth. Some comparisons are drawn between the experiences from developing countries and regional economies within the developed world.
Recumbent folding in ice sheets: a core-referential study

To better understand apparent stratigraphic disturbances in ice cores such as Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 (GISP2), we examine how ice-sheet flow can transform gentle open folds into order-disturbing recumbent folds. The initial disturbances in the stratigraphy have their roots in transient dynamic processes and local rheological inhomogeneities, but the kinematics of even a simple ice-flow model can deform these disturbances enough to alter paleoclimatic interpretation of an ice core. The local vorticity number suggests which structures can be passively overturned, but analyzing the finite strain along particle paths gives a more complete picture, especially when taken relative to a hypothetical core location. Core-relative isochrones, or “pre-cores”, predict which stratigraphic disturbances will appear as obviously overturned layers in a core. The deformation-gradient tensor along particle paths allows us to calculate the rotation of segments of various reference slopes. These calculations suggest that observed 20° dips in the GISP2 core are rotating on a time-scale of a few hundred years and could result from distortions with much smaller slopes produced upstream. The time during which they can be recognized to be overturning is short because the rotation rate is high. Once overturned they are flattened further and may be hard to recognize, especially in the small cross-section of a core.
Kinetic Model of Gas−Liquid−Liquid Decomposition Extraction

The typical reaction of gas−liquid−liquid decomposition extraction process can be expressed as follows: MA(w) + CO2(g) + H2O(w) + Am(o) = MHCO3(w,s) + AmHA(o), where M stands for metal ion, such a...
The combinatorial structure of (m, n)-convex sets

LetS be a closed subset of a Hausdorff linear topological space,S having no isolated points, and letc s (m) denote the largest integern for whichS is (m,n)-convex. Ifc s (k)=0 andc s (k+1)=1, then $$ c_s \left( m \right) = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^k {\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {\left[ {\frac{{m + k - i}} {k}} \right]} \\ 2 \\ \end{array} } \right)} $$ . Moreover, ifT is a minimalm subset ofS, the combinatorial structure ofT is revealed.