cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA: Primed for Packing?

How does RNA's seemingly subtle 2'-hydroxyl group contribute to its diverse biological functions? Using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis, Piccirilli and colleagues find that the 2'-OH fosters van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions that play underappreciated roles in RNA structure and molecular recognition.
When Free Speech Meets Free Association: The Case of the Boy Scouts

This paper explores the tension between freedom of speech and freedom of association. First, as an expressive association the Boy Scouts is on firmer ground asserting the centrality of theism than the importance of heterosexuality. Nevertheless, although I deplore the exclusion of gay Scouts, I offer qualified support for the Scouts’ right to set their terms of membership. Second, I examine the public reaction to the Scout case, arguing that “free speech” by the Scouts as a discriminatory organization is in tension with freedom of association, insofar as the Scouts have had to forfeit some support from other groups. Finally, I shall briefly discuss President Bush’s faith-based initiative as a further illustration of how the maintenance of one’s message may properly result in the forfeiture of public support. A robust defense of freedom of association does not require that voluntary associations be supported either by other private organizations or by public entities.
Pregnant Women and Equitable Access to Emergency Medical Care

A diabetic patient suffering from ketoacidosis was taken from his hospital bed, removed from the hospital, and left in the parking lot without shoes or a shirt because the patient did not have heal...
2D Electro-Optical Trapping and Analysis of Single Particles on an Integrated Optofluidic Chip

Two-dimensional electro-optical trapping of single particles is demonstrated by suppressing in-plane Brownian motion based on fluorescence tracking and electrokinetic feedback force. Trapping of single microbeads with significantly improved performance over 1D-trapping is demonstrated.
A Spatial Index Approach to Coastal Monitoring: A Florida Case Study

ABSTRACT Wozencraft, J.; Dunkin, L.; Reif, M., and Eisemann, E., 2018. A spatial index approach to coastal monitoring: A Florida case study. In: Almar, R.; Almeida, L.P.; Trung Viet, N., and Sall, ...
CD4+ Tissue-resident Memory T Cells Expand and Are a Major Source of Mucosal Tumour Necrosis Factor α in Active Crohn's Disease.

Background and aims Tumour necrosis factor [TNF]α- and IL-17A-producing T cells are implicated in Crohn's disease [CD]. Tissue-resident memory T [TRM] cells are tissue-restricted T cells that are regulated by PR zinc finger domain 1 [PRDM1], which has been implicated in pathogenic Th17 cell responses. TRM cells provide host defence but their role in CD is unknown. We thus examined CD4+ TRM cells in CD. Methods Colon samples were prospectively collected at endoscopy or surgery in CD and control subjects. Flow cytometry and ex vivo assays were performed to characterise CD4+ TRM cells. Results CD4+ TRM cells are the most abundant memory T cell population and are the major T cell source of mucosal TNFα in CD. CD4+ TRM cells are expanded in CD and more avidly produce IL-17A and TNFα relative to control cells. There was a unique population of TNFα+IL-17A+ CD4+ TRM cells in CD which are largely absent in controls. PRDM1 was highly expressed by CD4+ TRM cells but not by other effector T cells. Suppression of PRDM1 was associated with impaired induction of IL17A and TNFA by CD4+ TRM cells. Conclusions CD4+ TRM cells are expanded in CD and are a major source of TNFα, suggesting that they are important in CD. PRDM1 is expressed by TRM cells and may regulate their function. Collectively, this argues for prospective studies tracking CD4+ TRM cells over the disease course.
Mentoring, Bullying, and Educational Outcomes Among US School‐Aged Children 6‐17 Years

Background Ensuring the optimum development of all children and their attainment of age-appropriate educational outcomes is of great interest to public health researchers and professionals. Bullying and mentoring have opposite effects on child development and educational attainment. Mentoring exerts protective effects on youths against risky behaviors; however, the protective effects of community-oriented natural or informal mentoring on educational outcomes and bullying are largely underexplored. We examine associations between mentoring, bullying, and educational outcomes among US school-aged children 6-17 years. Methods We analyzed the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 65,593) to estimate prevalence and odds of repeating a grade in school, lower school engagement, and bullying perpetration according to mentoring receipt and sociodemographic characteristics. Results Overall, 5.4% of US school-aged children without a mentor perpetrated bullying against other children; 11.4% repeated more than one grade in school; and 23.0% had low school engagement. Children without mentors had 2.1 and 1.3 times higher adjusted odds, respectively, of bullying other children and low school engagement than those with mentors. Proportion of children who bullied others or repeated grades was higher among minority children. Conclusions Findings indicate that mentoring may be a pathway for providing programs that prevent bullying and improve educational outcomes among school-aged children.
The families Scissurellidae, Anatomidae, and Sutilizonidae in the northeast Pacific

The microscopic slit bearing gastropods of the northeastern Pacific are reviewed. Since the global monograph of Geiger (2012), one additional species has been described ( Anatoma georgii Geiger, 2017). No significant material of other species has changed distributional records or range limits of the known taxa.
A Site to Resist and Persist: Diversity, Social Justice, and the Unique Nature of Sport

Scholarly debate on the unique characteristics of sport management continues, with much of the dialogue focusing on the sport product, the relationship between sport and external stakeholders (e.g....
‘History in conflict: Israeli–Palestinian speeches at the United Nations, 1998–2016’

A close textual study of Israeli and Palestinian speeches at the annual UN General Debate from 1998 to 2016 demonstrates how conflict is embedded in historical presentations. At the same time, the ...
Phase Current Reconstruction based on Rogowski Coils Integrated on Gate Driver of SiC MOSFET Half-Bridge Module for Continuous and Discontinuous PWM Inverter Applications

This paper seeks to explore the benefits brought by PCB-embedded Rogowski switch-current sensors integrated on the gate driver of a 1.2 kV, 300 A SiC MOSFET half-bridge module. They collect two MOSFET switch currents in a manner of high magnitude, high bandwidth, and solid signal isolation. Apart from high bandwidth switch-current signals being used for short-circuit detection, they are further utilized for phase current reconstruction. The fundamentals of the phase current reconstruction done by subtraction of switch currents are presented in the paper as well as phase current sensor performance during continuous and discontinuous PWM schemes for three-phase inverter applications. Presented principles can be applied to any half-bridge power module. A three-phase inverter prototype has been built and operated in both continuous and discontinuous PWM mode. On this setup, the performance and limitations of phase-current reconstruction are experimentally validated for both PWM schemes.
Measuring, Science, and History.

time-line problem that is described here is an activity that requires the use of the metric system and develops a moderate amount of integration of science and mathematics, with a little history added. Since a "group" effort may be required to deal with some of the mathematics concepts involved, it is best to work in teams (two or three students to a team). Each team will need the following materials ( 1 ) a narrow strip of paper about 5 meters long (adding machine tape is ideal), and (2) a meterstick (one per team).
Evidence for impacts on surface-level air quality in the Northeastern U.S. from long-distance transport of smoke from North American fires during LISTOS 2018

Abstract. Biomass burning is a large source of uncontrolled air pollutants, including particulate matter (i.e. PM2.5), black carbon (BC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO), which have significant effects on air quality, human health, and climate. Measurements of PM2.5, BC, and CO made at the Yale Coastal Field Station in Guilford, CT and five other sites in the metropolitan New York City (NYC) area indicate long-distance transport of pollutants from wildfires and other biomass burning to surface-level sites in the region. Here, we examine two such events occurring on August 16th–17th and 27th–29th, 2018. In addition to regionally-consistent enhancements in the surface concentrations of gases and particulates associated with biomass burning, satellite imagery confirms the presence of smoke plumes in the NYC-Connecticut region during these events. Backward-trajectory modeling indicates that air masses arriving in coastal Connecticut on August 16th–17th passed over the west coast of Canada, near multiple large wildfires. In contrast, air parcels arriving on August 27th–29th passed over active fires in the southeastern United States. The results of this study demonstrate that biomass burning events throughout the U.S. and Canada (more than 4000 km away), which are increasing in frequency, impact surface-level air quality beyond regional scales, including in NYC and the northeastern U.S.
Impact of Gamified Interaction with Virtual Nature on Sustained Attention and Self-Reported Restoration — A Pilot Study

Interaction with nature in virtual reality has been shown to induce similar restorative benefits as interaction with real-life nature. Drawing from Attention restoration theory, restorative benefits from being in virtual nature are likely to be improved through greater active engagement techniques with specific virtual natural features. Gamification is the process of adding game design elements in non-game scenarios in order to improve engagement and motivation. In the present pilot study, six participants completed either a gamified interaction with virtual nature, one where game design elements had been added in order to improve engagement with specific virtual nature features and thus possibly further facilitating sustained attention and self-reported restoration, having them pick plants and gain rewards such as a higher level in return, or a non-gamified task, one where they explored the virtual nature environment and looked at plants at their own pace without any game design elements. Gamified interaction improved sustained attention restoration more than non-gamified interaction. Additionally, gamified interaction was also shown to have reduced negative effect in self-reported restoration more than non-gamified interaction. While there are still several limitations, gamified interaction with virtual nature seems to offer vast potential as an engagement technique in improving sustained attention and self-reported restoration.
Variation in the Heartland: Explaining the Use of Economic Development Incentives in Three Great Lakes States:

We identify the factors correlated with the use of economic development incentives after the Great Recession of 2007–2009 to determine the presence of entrepreneurial development regimes. We utiliz...
Less is more? Evidence for a curvilinear relationship between readability and screening evaluations across pitch competition and crowdfunding contexts

Abstract We explore how the readability of an investment document influences new venture screening evaluations. Based on two field studies across pitch competition and crowdfunding contexts, we find that documents of high and low readability receive more favorable screening evaluations compared with those of medium readability. Our post-hoc experiment illustrates how the effect of readability is mediated by entrepreneurial capability and idea complexity. It appears that highly readable documents are generally valued because they make it easy for investors to process information, whereas less readable documents may be preferred because investors perceive the entrepreneurs to possess greater capability.
Abstract 1689: Intranodal self-correlation analysis reveals differences in gene-to-gene interactions between lymph nodes draining cold vs. hot triple-negative breast tumors

Hot tumors (i.e., tumors with more infiltrating lymphocytes) are generally associated with better prognosis and response to immune checkpoint blockade therapies in TNBC. Higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) has been associated with hot tumors and considered a potential reason why hot tumors may have more tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) compared to cold tumors. However, TMB does not fully explain immune infiltration. We hypothesized that tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) play an important role in lymphocyte infiltration into tumors. To study the functional features of LNs draining cold vs. hot tumors, we characterized the expression of 730 immune functional genes of 15 tumor-free TDLNs from paired cold (n = 7) and hot (n = 8) tumors based on low ( 60%) TIL percentages defined by pathologists in HE 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1689.
High Contrast Multipass Fabry-Perot Spectrometer

Although diffraction grating and Fourier Transform spectrometers are widely used in the infrared & far infrared, both techniques posses inherent disadvantages. It is well-known that the radiation throughput of the grating spectrometer is severely reduced as the resolution is increased, it is this lack of radiation energy and the accompanying need for long measurement times which has led to the rapid expansion of the Fourier technique as the basic FIR instrument. However the grating does have a number of advantages, namely it is real-time, resolution over a small spectral interval can be improved by closing the splits without a too prohibitively long scan time, it has high contrast, i.e., its spectral purity when used with good blocking filters is very good. This means that transmissions less than 1% can be measured with a high degree of confidence and small, < 0.5%, changes can easily be seen.
A Toy for Thoughtful Parents: The Rhetorical Building Blocks of LEGO’s Reputation

Most LEGO scholarship focuses on the scientific measuring of LEGO’s effects on children in various settings and scenarios, and typically assume that LEGO is good for children, particularly as a STEM toy in educational settings. In contrast, little humanistic critical scholarship about LEGO exists and that research generally assumes or only indirectly interrogates LEGO’s reputation as a kid- and family-friendly building toy and company, offering no explanation of how LEGO established its reputation or its acute ability to navigate changing emphases of parenting discourses over time. Using a critical rhetorical approach to analyze how language and other symbols make meaning and craft cultures, this chapter explores how, during the mid-to late-twentieth century, LEGO cultivated a narrative that positioned the company as a reliable mediator between parents and children. By comparing parenting literature with contemporaneous LEGO advertisements, I argue that LEGO situated itself as the provider of a toy that could help parents achieve those two contradictory aims through its indelible connection to open-ended, creative play. Furthermore, LEGO continued to rely on (and, ultimately, preserve) its reputation in the twenty-first century by purportedly engendering girls’ interest in building toys by styling sets in accordance with girls’ market research-determined tastes.
Pattern recognition receptors as therapeutic targets for bacterial, viral and fungal sepsis

Sepsis remains to be a significant health care problem associated with high morbidities and mortalities. Recognizing its heterogeneity, it is critical to understand our host immunological responses to develop appropriate therapeutic approaches according to the type of sepsis. Because pattern recognition receptors are largely responsible for the recognition of microbes, we reviewed their role in immunological responses in the setting of bacterial, fungal and viral sepsis. We also considered their therapeutic potentials in sepsis.
Digital Spatial Profiling of Collapsing Glomerulopathy

Collapsing glomerulopathy is a histologically distinct variant of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis that presents with heavy proteinuria and portends a poor prognosis. Collapsing glomerulopathy can be triggered by viral infections such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Transcriptional profiling of collapsing glomerulopathy lesions is difficult since only a few glomeruli may exhibit this histology within a kidney biopsy and the mechanisms driving this heterogeneity are unknown. Therefore, we used recently developed digital spatial profiling (DSP) technology which permits quantification of mRNA at the level of individual glomeruli. Using DSP, we profiled 1,852 transcripts in glomeruli from HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with biopsy confirmed collapsing glomerulopathy. The increased resolution of DSP uncovered heterogeneity in glomerular transcriptional profiles that were missed in early laser capture microdissection studies of pooled glomeruli. Focused validation using immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization showed good concordance with DSP results. Therefore, DSP represents a powerful method to dissect transcriptional programs of pathologically discernible kidney lesions.
Economics not engineering

Economics, ideally a positive science pursuing knowledge “for its own sake,” is distinguished from engineering, an intrinsically purposive attempt to control nature or people to serve human interests. The attempt to meld them in a new transdiscipline inappositely brings engineering’s element of purpose to what should be a positive economic science. Only Mariotti’s economics and engineering maintains the critical distance necessary for economic scientists to evaluate the purposes to which economic engineers put their theories. The history of scientific management is briefly sketched to suggest that the new transdiscipline is likely to be reduced to a tool for profit-seeking, an economics for engineering.
Simplified method for the accelerated growth of amniotic fluid cell cultures

Abstract A simplified method of growing amniotic fluid cells yielding a greatly increased number of cells at an earlier time is presented. Amniotic fluid cells obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis have been successfully cultivated without centrifugation in plastic tissue culture flasks ∗ ∗Falcon Plastic, Div. of Bioquest, Oxnard, California. in 49 of 50 attempts. During cultivation, the milieu of the cells has been gradually changed from that of amniotic fluid to highly enriched tissue culture medium. The number of cells present at the fifth day of culture is usually sufficient for karyotyping.
Alterations in polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoretic patterns of hemoglobin after exposure to fluorescent light. Electrophoretic separation of some hemoglobin variants on polyacrylamide gels.

Abstract The exposure of hemoglobin solutions to the fluorescent light required for photopolymerization in disc acrylamide gel electrophoresis resulted in extensive alteration in the electrophoretic patterns. The hemoglobin samples in sucrose solution should be layered in place without exposure to ultraviolet light. By using this precaution, hemoglobins A, A 3 , F, and S were readily differentiated. Hemoglobins A 2 , E, and C had closely similar mobilities under a variety of conditions and were not differentiated.
Optimization Methods for Radiation Therapy Plans

We develop and apply a variety of optimization methods to obtain, in three dimensions, optimal beam angles and intensities in radiation treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Thus, flexible and fast algorithms, graphics, and human interaction using computed tomography scans in three dimensional treatment problems are incorporated in the development of the methods and in the computational experiments that are reported. We use MATLAB as a means to demonstrate the viability of our optimization methods to aid oncology clinics in three dimensional treatment plans.
Application of the pagerank algorithm to alarm graphs

The task of separating genuine attacks from false alarms in large intrusion detection infrastructures is extremely difficult. The number of alarms received in such environments can easily enter into the millions of alerts per day. The overwhelming noise created by these alarms can cause genuine attacks to go unnoticed. As means of highlighting these attacks, we introduce a host ranking technique utilizing Alarm Graphs. Rather than enumerate all potential attack paths as in Attack Graphs, we build and analyze graphs based on the alarms generated by the intrusion detection sensors installed on a network. Given that the alarms are predominantly false positives, the challenge is to identify, separate, and ideally predict future attacks. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to tackle this problem based on the PageRank algorithm. By elevating the rank of known attackers and victims we are able to observe the effect that these hosts have on the other nodes in the Alarm Graph. Using this information we are able to discover previously overlooked attacks, as well as defend against future intrusions.
Lithium increases PGC-1α expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in primary bovine aortic endothelial cells

Lithium is a therapeutic agent commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and its beneficial effects are thought to be due to a combination of activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and depletion of the inositol pool via inhibition of the inositol monophosphatase-1. We demonstrated that lithium in primary endothelial cells induced an increase in mitochondrial mass leading to an increase in ATP production without any significant change in mitochondrial efficiency. This increase in mitochondrial mass was associated with an increase in the mRNA levels of mitochondrial biogenesis transcription factors: nuclear respiratory factor-1 and -2beta, as well as mitochondrial transcription factors A and B2, which lead to the coordinated upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation components encoded by either the nuclear or mitochondrial genome. These effects of lithium on mitochondrial biogenesis were independent of the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and independent of inositol depletion. Also, expression of the coactivator PGC-1alpha was increased, whereas expression of the coactivator PRC was not affected. Lithium treatment rapidly induced a decrease in activating Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation and inhibitory Forkhead box class O (FOXO1)-Thr24 phosphorylation, as well as an increase in activating c-AMP responsive element binding (CREB)-Ser133 phosphorylation, two mechanisms known to control PGC-1alpha expression. Together, our results show that lithium induces mitochondrial biogenesis via CREB/PGC-1alpha and FOXO1/PGC-1alpha cascades, which highlight the pleiotropic effects of lithium and reveal also novel beneficial effects via preservation of mitochondrial functions.
(Z)-β-Aminoacrolein

[25186-34-9] C3H5NO (MW 71.08) InChI = 1S/C3H5NO/c4-2-1-3-5/h1-3H,4H2/b2-1- InChIKey = UCRYVFBKCBUURB-UPHRSURJSA-N (pyridine synthesis, Friedlander synthon, β-amino aldehyde) Alternate Name: 3-amino-2-propenal. Physical Data: yellow solid, mp 105–106 °C. Solubility: sol alcohol and water. Preparative Methods: the reagent is highly reactive towards self-condensation and is best when freshly prepared. One method of preparation involves the reaction of Ammonia with Propargyl Alcohol (propynal) in the presence of ethanol in a sealed tube.1 This method is somewhat erratic, propargaldehyde is not commercially available, and the stereochemistry of the resulting double bond is most likely trans. A modified route, proceeding through 1,1,3,3-tetraethoxypropane, has also been reported.2 The most satisfactory preparation of β-aminoacrolein involves the partial hydrogenation of isoxazole.3, 4 A solution of commercially available isoxazole (5 g, 0.073 mol) in anhyd MeOH (100 mL) containing 1.0 g of Raney Nickel was hydrogenated at 40 psi until one equivalent of hydrogen had been absorbed and hydrogen uptake had ceased (eq 1). The mixture was filtered to remove the catalyst and the solvent was evaporated to give 4.2 g (82%) of a yellow solid, mp 96–97 °C. Recrystallization from chloroform–petroleum ether (1∶1) gave crystals, mp 104–105 °C. (1) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the reagent should be used immediately although it can be stored under inert atmosphere at 0 °C in the dark for several days. Analysis by NMR (D2O) shows three equal area peaks at δ 5.41 (dd), 7.50 (d), and 8.70 (d). Repurification can be effected by sublimination if necessary. Use in a fume hood.
Distributed Hydrologic Modeling Using GIS

Considering the spatial character of parameters and precipitation controlling hydrologic processes, it is not surprising that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become an integral part of hydrologic studies. The primary motivation for this book is to bring together the key ingredients necessary to use GIS to model hydrologic processes, i.e., the spatial and temporal distribution of the inputs and parameters controlling surface runoff. GIS maps describing topography, land use and cover, soils, rainfall, and meteorological variables may become model parameters or inputs in the simulation of hydrologic processes.
Analysis of Bacteriophage φ29 Gene Function: Protein Synthesis in Suppressor-Sensitive Mutant Infection of Bacillus subtilis

Phage phi29 suppressor-sensitive (sus) mutants of 14 cistrons have been examined for production of (14)C-labeled viral-specific proteins in restrictive infections of Bacillus subtilis. Proteins specified by four cistrons (H, J, L, and N) have been resolved and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, and fragments of the normal polypeptides were detected. Mutants of six cistrons (C, D, E, F, I, and M) demonstrated two or more missing bands in the gel profiles, and thus some of these gene products may have regulatory functions. Mutation was detected in at least five genes coding for low-molecular-weight proteins, but a conditionally lethal mutant in only one of these genes has been isolated. Preliminary evidence that a precursor protein is cleaved to generate the neck appendage structural protein and a low-molecular-weight product has been obtained.
Sox proteins in melanocyte development and melanoma

Over 10 years have passed since the first Sox gene was implicated in melanocyte development. Since then, we have discovered that SOX5, SOX9, SOX10 and SOX18 all participate as transcription factors that affect key melanocytic genes in both regulatory and modulatory fashions. Both SOX9 and SOX10 play major roles in the establishment and normal function of the melanocyte; SOX10 has been shown to heavily influence melanocyte development and SOX9 has been implicated in melanogenesis in the adult. Despite these advances, the precise cellular and molecular details of how these SOX proteins are regulated and interact during all stages of the melanocyte life cycle remain unknown. Improper regulation of SOX9 or SOX10 is also associated with cancerous transformation, and thus understanding the normal function of SOX proteins in the melanocyte will be key to revealing how these proteins contribute to melanoma.
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 inhibits proximal TCR signaling by targeting ZAP-70.

The long cytoplasmic tail (CT) isoforms of carcinoembryonic Ag-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) are expressed on activated human T cells and possess two ITIM motifs in the CT. These isoforms of CEACAM1 are inhibitory for T cell responses initiated by the TCR/CD3 complex with the inhibition dependent upon the ITIMs of CEACAM1 and Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1). However, the mechanism by which this inhibition occurs in T cells is unknown. We demonstrate here that the Src family kinase, Lck, and the ability of CEACAM1 to bind homophilically are required for the ITIM phosphorylation of CEACAM1 that is a prerequisite for CEACAM1 association with SHP-1. We further show that CEACAM1 associates with and recruits SHP-1 to the TCR/CD3 complex leading to decreased phosphorylation of CD3-ζ and ZAP-70 and consequently decreased activation of the elements downstream of ZAP-70. This is physiologically relevant because extinction of SHP-1 expression or blockade of homophilic binding by CEACAM1 using a Fab that specifically recognizes the homophilic binding region of human CEACAM1 increases the cytolytic function initiated by the TCR/CD3 complex. These studies show that long CT isoforms of CEACAM1 orchestrate an inhibitory program that abrogates extremely proximal events downstream of the TCR/CD3 complex by focusing on the activation of ZAP-70.
In vitro biomechanical comparison of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis techniques: prototype equine spoon plate versus axially positioned dynamic compression plate and two abaxial transarticular cortical screws inserted in lag fashion.

Objectives— To compare in vitro monotonic biomechanical properties of an equine spoon plate (ESP) with an axial 3-hole, 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP) using 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws (DCP-TLS) inserted in lag fashion for equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis. Study Design— Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods of stabilizing cadaveric adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Animal Population— Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=18 pairs). Methods— For each forelimb pair, 1 PIP joint was stabilized with an ESP (8 hole, 4.5 mm) and 1 with an axial 3-hole narrow DCP (4.5 mm) using 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion. Six matching pairs of constructs were tested in single cycle to failure under axial compression with load applied under displacement control at a constant rate of 5 cm/s. Six construct pairs were tested for cyclic fatigue under axial compression with cyclic load (0–7.5 kN) applied at 6 Hz; cycles to failure were recorded. Six construct pairs were tested in single cycle to failure under torsional loading applied at a constant displacement rate (0.17 radians/s) until rotation of 0.87 radians occurred. Mean values for each fixation method were compared using a paired t-test within each group with statistical significance set at P<.05. Results— Mean yield load, yield stiffness, and failure load for ESP fixation were significantly greater (for axial compression and torsion) than for DCP-TLS fixation. Mean (± SD) values for the ESP and DCP-TLS fixation techniques, respectively, in single cycle to failure under axial compression were: yield load 123.9 ± 8.96 and 28.5 ± 3.32 kN; stiffness, 13.11 ± 0.242 and 2.60 ± 0.17 kN/cm; and failure load, 144.4 ± 13.6 and 31.4 ± 3.8 kN. In single cycle to failure under torsion, mean (± SD) values for ESP and DCP-TLS, respectively, were: stiffness 2,022 ± 26.2 and 107.9 ± 11.1 N m/rad; and failure load: 256.4 ± 39.2 and 87.1 ± 11.5 N m. Mean cycles to failure in axial compression of ESP fixation (622,529 ± 65,468) was significantly greater than DCP-TLS (95,418 ± 11,037). Conclusion— ESP was superior to an axial 3-hole narrow DCP with 2 abaxial transarticular screws inserted in lag fashion in resisting static overload forces and cyclic fatigue. Clinical Relevance— In vitro results support further evaluation of ESP for PIP joint arthrodesis in horses. Its specific design may provide increased stability without need for external coaptation support.
Regulation of proliferation, survival and apoptosis by members of the TNF superfamily.

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was first identified in 1984 as a cytokine with anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo . Extensive research since then has shown that there are at least 18 distinct members of the TNF super family and they exhibit 15–25% amino acid sequence homology with each other. These family members bind to distinct receptors, which are homologous in their extracellular domain. These cytokines have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases including tumorigenesis, septic shock, viral replication, bone resorption, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases. TNF blockers have been approved for human use in treating some of these conditions in the United States and other countries. Various members of the TNF super family mediate either proliferation, survival, or apoptosis of cells. Although distinct receptors, all members share a common cell signaling pathway that mediates the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (e.g. c- jun N-terminal kinase). Regulation of cell growth and activation of NF-κB and of c- jun N-terminal kinase by the TNF super family is mediated through sequential activation/association of a set of cell signaling proteins named TNF receptor-associated factors, Fas-associated death domain and FADD-like ICE, caspases, receptor-interacting protein, NF-κB-inducing kinases, and IκBα kinases. Both apoptotic and antiapoptotic signals are activated simultaneously by the same cytokine in the same cell. Together these cytokines regulate cell growth/survival/apoptosis in a complex dance of changing partners and overlapping steps.
Iterative MLSE for MIMO underwater acoustic channels

Multi-input multi-output (MIMO) is an attractive solution to high data rate underwater acoustic communications (UAC) with limited bandwidth. However, the long delay spread characteristic of UAC channels makes the equalization challenging for those MIMO schemes. Although maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) is known to be optimum and is intensively used in many terrestrial wireless applications, it is not applicable for UAC channels since the computational complexity of MLSE increases exponentially with the number of channel taps. This paper presents an iterative reduced state MLSE scheme for MIMO UAC by taking advantage of the inherent line-of-sight feature of UAC channels. The proposed scheme spans the MLSE state space only from the dominant UAC channel taps and iteratively eliminates the residual inter-symbol interference (ISI) caused by the weak taps. Both Viterbi algorithm (VA) and sphere decoder (SD) are adopted in the proposed iterative MLSE. Analytical and numerical results are given to evaluate the performance of this scheme. Sea experiment results are also provided to further verify the performance of our proposed scheme. The proposed approach achieves 1.07% uncoded bit error rate (BER) with 2 transducers in SPACE08 sea experiment at a 1000m distance.
The history of diving within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

As the nation's premiere ocean science agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a variety of programs that require research below the ocean's surface. This research is conducted using a variety of diving methodologies, including wet diving, seafloor habitats, remotely operated vehicles, and manned submersibles. For almost fifty years NOAA and its predecessors, the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and the Coast and Geodetic Survey, have been, actively involved in undersea research. Many of the lessons learned and technologies developed during this time have been adopted by the recreational, scientific, and military diving communities, thus benefiting divers everywhere. This paper traces the history of NOAA's two major diving programs; the NOAA Diving Program and the National Undersea Research Program, and highlights some of the significant accomplishments of each program.
Synthesis and assembly of bacterial and higher plant Rubisco subunits in Escherichia coli

The synthesis in Escherichia coli of both the large and small subunits of cereal ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase has been obtained using expression plasmids and bacteriophages. The level and order of synthesis of the large and small subunits were regulated using different promoters, resulting in different subunit pool sizes and ratios that could be controlled in attempts to optimize the conditions for assembly. Neither assembly nor enzyme activity were observed for the higher plant enzyme. In contrast, cyanobacterial large and small subunits can assemble to give an active holoenzyme in Escherichia coli. By the use of deletion plasmids, followed by infection with appropriate phages, it can be demonstrated that the small subunit is essential for catalysis. However, the small subunit is not required for the assembly of a large subunit octomer core in the case of the Synechococcus enzyme; self-assembly of the octomer will occur in an rbcS deletion strain. The cyanobacterial small subunits can be replaced by wheat small subunits to give an active enzyme in Escherichia coli. The hybrid cyanobacterial large/wheat small subunit enzyme has only about 10% of the level of activity of the wild-type enzyme, reflecting the incomplete saturation of the small subunit binding sites on the large subunit octomer, and possibly a mismatch in the subunit interactions of those small subunits that do bind, giving rise to a lower rate of turnover at the active sites.
The Sonographic Squeeze Test: Assessing the Reliability of the Dorsal Scapholunate Ligament

Background There is no universally accepted imaging method to diagnose scapholunate ligament (SLL) tears. Our aim was to use sonography to evaluate the reliability of SLL length at baseline compared with a standardized dynamometer maneuver in healthy normals. Materials and methods Sonographic exams from 31 consented asymptomatic patients between 18 years and 45 years of age were collected on a total of 60 wrists. The length of the SLL was measured superficially and at a depth of 3.0 mm during static and dynamic squeeze maneuver. Inter- and intraexaminer reliability was performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The superficial ligament length measured 0.60 cm ± 0.11 cm with a deep measurement of 0.20 cm ± 0.06 cm. Dynamic evaluation revealed superficial and deep measurements at 0.62 ± 0.12 cm and 0.20 ± 0.06 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the SLL length at rest and during the squeeze test. The interexaminer and intraexaminer reliability was rated at fair to very good. Conclusion The evaluation of the dorsal SLL by sonographic squeeze test is reliable. Future studies will apply this method to suspected SLL tears.
Health Care Inequities : An Introduction for Dermatology Providers

When differences in health and health care are avoidable and unfair, they are labeled health inequities. In large part health inequities reflect social determinants of health, lack of access to care, and a health care system that does not allow sufficient time and resources so high-quality care may be provided to all patients. Programs aiming at reducing health disparities must include the provision of services as well as address access to care and socioeconomic barriers. This article focuses on health care disparities in dermatology, and invites providers to become agents of change.
Substrate specificity of ascorbate oxidase.

Abstract Ascorbate oxidase oxidizes leuco 2, 6-dichloroindophenol to the blue quinoid dye and produces spectral changes in the UV spectra of certain substituted polyhydric and amino phenols at pH 5.7. The new peaks produced by the addition of enzyme to the dichlorohydroquinones (2,5 and 2,6) and hydroxyhydroquinone correspond to the respective p-quinones of these substrates. At pH 5.7, the enzyme does not oxidize hydroquinone, barely oxidizes chlorohydroquinone, but oxidizes 2,6- and 2,5-dichlorohydroquinone and hydroxyhydroquinone at a rate about 1 12 that of ascorbic acid, with the uptake of one gram atom of oxygen per mole of substrate. A correlation has been found between the concentration of anion present in solution at pH 5.7 and the rate of oxidation of compounds of the hydroquinone series by the enzyme. The results indicate that an anionic form of the substrate is an important requirement of the enzyme specificity.
Deficiency of essential neurotrophic factors in conditioned media produced by ethanol-exposed cortical astrocytes.

Prior research in this laboratory has shown that in utero ethanol exposure adversely affects the development of serotonergic neurons. The current study investigated the hypothesis that cortical astrocytes produce trophic factors which are essential for the development of the fetal precursors of serotonergic and other raphe neurons (e.g. rhombencephalic neurons), and that ethanol exposure impairs the production of these factors by astrocytes. The results of these experiments demonstrated that cultured cortical astrocytes produce trophic factors which are necessary for the development of rhombencephalic neurons. Conditioned media obtained from control astrocytes promoted both general neuronal development (increased cell number, cell survival, DNA content, protein content, and neurite outgrowth) and serotonergic neuronal development (increased number of serotonin (5-HT) immunopositive cells and [3H]5-HT uptake). However, the conditioned media produced by ethanol-treated astrocytes (ECM) lacked essential neurotrophic factors. Neuronal cultures maintained in ECM had reduced DNA and neuronal survival, and altered neurite outgrowth. 5-HT immunopositive neurons and [3H]5-HT uptake were also decreased in ECM cultures. Thus, the damaging effects of in utero ethanol exposure on developing serotonergic neurons may be due to impaired production of astroglial neurotrophic factors.
Isomeric Forms of [Mn12O12(O2CR)16 H2O)4] Complexes Showing Different Magnetization Relaxation Processes

The characterization of two new single-molecule magnets,[Mn12O12(O2CCH2C6H5H5)16(H2O)4] (7) and [Mn12O12(O2CCH2But)16(H2O)4] (8) is reported here. Even though the two complexes have the same isomer...
Lumbar Puncture and Post-Dural Puncture Headaches: Implications for the Emergency Physician

Lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure commonly performed by emergency physicians. Post-dural puncture headaches occur frequently after this procedure and can be associated with significant morbidity and, occasionally, even death. There is also a lot of variation in how post-dural puncture headaches are treated once they occur. This article seeks to examine the science behind post-dural puncture headaches, their prevention and treatment.
A comparison of the metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamine D3 by chick renal tubules, homegenates and mitochondria

Abstract The metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol by chick renal tubules was compared to its metabolism by renal homogenates and isolated renal mitochondria. The tubules preparation converted 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol faster than the other preparations. Recombining the renal mitochondria with the renal cytosol markedly enhanced 25-hydroxycholecalciferol metabolism. Cytosol from kidneys of vitamin D supplemented or 3.0% calcium diet animals worked as well as that from vitamin D deficinet animals on the 0.43% calcium diet. The cytocol did not change the apparent K m of the mitochondrial 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 1α-hydroxylase. The apparent K m for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol production by chick renal mitochondria and renal tubules was calculated as 3.2 · 10 −7 M.
HIGH FREQUENCY JET VENTILATION (HFJV) WITH INTERMITTENT MANDATORY VENTILATION (IMV): A ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO SEVERE NEONATAL RESPIRATORY DISEASE

High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) represents a radically different management approach to severe neonatal respiratory disease. In order to determine if HFJV could be augmented by the use of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), two groups of infants were prospectively evaluated. Both groups consisted of 3 infants, two with severe RDS, one with pulmonary hypertension. Mean BW was similar (2.0 ± .6 SEM kg vs. 2.1 ± .7 SEM kg) as were GA (32.7 ± 3.4 wks vs. 24 ± 3.1 SEM wks). One group (HFJV-IMV) received HFJV (Bunnell Life Systems Inc.) (rate 400-500 bpm) and IMV (5 bpm). The other group received HFJV alone (rate 400-600 bpm). The HFJV-IMV group was treated for a mean of 112 ± 40.6 SEM hrs., the HFJV group was treated for a mean of 24.3 ± 13.6 SEM hrs. The HFJV-IMV group demonstrated a 13.3 ± 2.3 SEM cmH2O decrease in peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and a 5.0 ± 1.1 SEM cmH2O decrease in mean airway pressure (MAP). PaO2 increased a mean of 66.0 ± 11.5 SEM torr, while PaCO2 decreased 13.6 ± 7.1 SEM torr. In the HFJV group there was a 9.6 ± 4.9 cmH2O decrease in PIP and a 3.3 ± 1.2 cmH2O decrease in MAP. PaO2 increased 31.3 ± 17.6 SEM torr, while CO2 showed a 4.3 ± 11.6 SEM torr decrease. Infants in both groups took 2.2 ± 0.4 SEM hours to stabilize on HFJV. One infant in each group survived and is entirely well at present. These preliminary data suggest that HFJV may be an effective therapy in severe neonatal respiratory disease. Augmentation of HFJV by IMV may be a valuable approach in some infants.
Redefining Development as Humane and Sustainable

The goal of this paper is to create a theoretical context out of which can emerge a method for measuring the overall development of countries and therefore their position within the structure of the global economy. That context asks for a rethinking of development as other than the western model informing development studies over the last several decades. Instead, the view of development urged here is one that defines the progress of any society according to the goals it sets for itself. Wealth, or capital, is therefore more broadly defined as all of the potential resources that make this development possible. The translation of this philosophical stance into a working model for development studies draws from three theoretical sources—world-systems theory, complex systems theory, and ecological economics. The conceptual model is then operationalized as a multidimensional measure of development, and contrasted with the western tradition of chiefly defining development as national income or GNP per capita. ...
Alcoholics Anonymous and Spiritual Recovery: A Cultural Perspective

Spirituality and culture overlap in supporting recovery in such areas as altered states, altruism, belief, and meaning. Conceiving recovery in spiritual and cultural terms facilitates development of recovery plans. The following are dimensions of recovery bridge spirituality and culture: (1) change in composition of the intimate social network, (2) transition from egotism to altruism, (3) evolution from anomie to positive self-identity, (4) prominence of time and misery in spiritual re-birth and reacculturation, and (5) Alcoholics Anonymous facilitation in accessing social support for sobriety, coping with the culture at large, and guiding spiritual rebirth and reacculturation.