cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-time contamination modeling for robotic health care support

Real-time contamination monitoring in health care facilities would allow medical teams to take appropriate actions to carefully enter, avoid, or decontaminate contaminated areas, reducing infection risk for themselves and their patients. In this paper, we demonstrate and evaluate the first end-to-end, real-time contamination tracking system for robotic health care support. The system models contamination of the environment and people, directs decontamination efforts of a simulated scrubber robot, and alerts users when nearing contaminated areas. We outline our transmission model design choices, as based on Ebola virus disease, and evaluate the system against the spread of a physical substance.
Integration of Parent and Nurse Perspectives of Communication to Plan Care for Technology Dependent Children: The Theory of Shared Communication.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this qualitative research study was to expand our understanding of the process of communication between parents of hospitalized technology dependent children and their nurses originally detailed in the Theory of Shared Communication (TSC). Design and Methods This grounded theory study was conducted with five parents of technology dependent children hospitalized in a large Midwestern children's hospital and nine nurses who care for technology dependent children admitted to the same hospital during July and August 2013. Semi-structured interviews and journals (parents only), field notes and a demographic survey were used to collect data which was analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Results Parents verified the concepts of the TSC and relationships among them. Nurses' perceptions of communication with parents reflected the same parent identified and verified concepts upon which the TSC was originally grounded including respect for own and other's expertise, asking, listening, explaining, advocating, verifying understanding and negotiating roles to achieve mutual understanding of the child's plan of care. The nurses' perceptions differed stylistically but not categorically from those of the parents. Conclusions The addition of the nurse's perspectives to the verified TSC expands our understanding of this process of communication. Practice Implications With the integration of nurse and parent perspectives, the TSC can be used to enhance communication and care for hospitalized technology dependent children and their families.
Transworld Egoism, Empathy, and the Golden Rule

According to preferentism, the ‘desire theory’ of well-being, one is made better off to the extent that her preferences, or desires, are satisfied. According to narrow preferentism, preferentism as it has traditionally been understood, the preferences that matter in this regard are just actual preferences; preferences we might ‘easily have had’, do not matter. On this account also, only actual preference satisfaction contributes to well-being. Merely possible preference satisfaction, including the ‘real possibility’ of attaining desired states of affairs, does not contribute to well-being. Broad preferentism makes sense of the intuition that feasibility as such contributes to well-being. On this account, we are made better off not only by the actual satisfaction of our actual preferences but also by the mere feasibility of satisfying preferences that we ‘might easily have had’. In addition to making sense of our intuition that feasibility as such, contributes to our well-being, broad preferentism provides a rationale for altruistic behavior. On this account support policies that benefit worldmates whose actual circumstances are different from our own because their circumstances are the our circumstances at nearby possible worlds, and our circumstances at other possible worlds, affect our own actual well-being.
The 2017 ABJS Nicolas Andry Award: Advancing Personalized Medicine for Clubfoot Through Translational Research

Background Clubfoot is one of the most common pediatric orthopaedic disorders. While the Ponseti method has revolutionized clubfoot treatment, it is not effective for all patients. When the Ponseti method does not correct the foot, patients are at risk for lifelong disability and may require more-extensive surgery.
John Nash's Predelusional Phase: A Case of Acute Identity Confusion

This article uses Erik H. Erikson's concept of “acute identity confusion” to provide a psychoanalytic explanation for why John Nash, the mathematical genius, experienced a mental breakdown at age thirty. Particular emphasis is given to the problem of intimacy, a central feature of identity confusion, especially as this manifested itself in bisexual confusion. Special note is taken of the traditional psychoanalytic emphasis on the “regressive pull” in cases of preschizophrenic illness, together with Erikson's own emphasis on commitment pressures and consequent psychosocial and psychosexual foreclosures.
Tetragonal Diiodotetrapyridinedicopper(I): Structure, Luminescence, and Computational Modeling

We report on a new crystal modification of (CuIPy2) n (Py = pyridine), a compound first reported by White et al. In contrast to White’s orthorhombic structure, which is comprised of rhomboid iodide-bridged dimers, Cu2I2Py4, our new tetragonal crystal structure in space group P41212 is disordered and can be interpreted as either iodide-bridged dimers or helical chains. To determine the structure type, variable temperature X-ray diffraction and luminescence measurements were carried out. The photoluminescence spectrum shows a distinct cluster-centered transition at high excitation energies which is consistent with the dimer structure. DFT and TD-DFT calculations were performed to explain the difference between the emission spectrum at high energies compared to low energies. Furthermore, correlation of the luminescence spectrum with the X-ray results as temperature is varied demonstrates that the cluster-centered luminescence band in Cu2I2Py4 arises from close Cu⋯Cu distances which vary with temperature. A low temperature X-ray crystallographic redetermination of the cubane tetrameric Cu4I4Py4 is also presented. Both Cu2I2Py4 and Cu4I4Py4 structures show distortion of the Cu n I n core cluster at low temperature resulting in reduced Cu⋯Cu distances, but with I⋯I distances roughly unchanged.
Development and Evaluation of an Automated Spray Chamber

A computerized spray chamber for rapid implementation of spray deposit experiments was developed and evaluated. The system has been in use for a number of months and has significantly improved the efficiency of running spray-related laboratory experiments. The main features of the system include time-delay system to clear spray out of the chamber before the operator opens the door, charcoal filter to filter the air before exiting the building, a spray table with adjustable height, variable nozzle speed from 0.8 to 9.33 km/h (0.5 to 5.8 mph), nozzle mounting bracket that is supplied with air pressure of 0 to 412 kPa (0 to 60 PSI), liquid pressure of 0 to 412 kPa (0 to 60 psi), and 12 Volt DC power source to accommodate hydraulic, pneumatic, or rotary (electrical) atomizers. The pressures and travel speed are displayed during an entire spray run. Electronic measurements indicated that the system was able to maintain repeatability of speed of greater than 98%. This paper describes the mechanical and electric...
Funny Looking Kids

The literature of genetics repeatedly describes individual plants or insects with an extra chromosome (trisomic) or with one less chromosome (monosomic). In Drosophila melanogaster, for example, individuals with three X chromosomes have been known about for decades. Similarly, in the jimson weed Datura stramonium, trisomics were known to affect many characteristics of the plant, and trisomy for each chromosome was linked to a consistent series of morphological abnormalities. In the tobacco plant, monosomics have been used by geneticists to locate genes in a particular linkage group.
Note-taking During Discussion: Using a Weekly Reflection Assignment to Motivate Students to Learn from Their Peers

The benefits of in-class discussion, a form of active learning, are well-documented; in particular, discussions allow students the opportunity to learn from their peers. Yet students often treat di...
Hedy Lamarr: The Role of Amateurs

This chapter resumes the discussion of barriers faced by amateurs in science and technology. The famous Holywood starlet originated the idea of “frequency hopping” to solve problems of controlling devices by radio in the presence of jamming.
UV and chemical modifications of polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity 1 to develop vibrational spectroscopic probes of surface chemistry and porosity

Abstract This work probes host-guest interactions of nitrogen using in-situ vibrational spectroscopy, as the pore structure, pore size, and surface chemistry of a Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) are varied. N2 adsorption to PIM-1 renders the N2 infrared vibron active, establishing a weak dipole-dipole interaction. The perturbation of the N2 vibrational mode at room temperature is much stronger for PIM-1 than other porous carbon materials, implicating the C-N surface group of PIM-1 in the degree of shift in the vibrational spectra and suggesting a strong π-π stacking gas-surface interaction. No perturbation of the N2 spectra is observed for a non-porous C-N analogue (tetrafluoro-terepthalonitrile) or after conversion of the C-N group of PIM-1 to an amide. The pore size of PIM-1 is reduced via UV irradiation, leading to an increase in the shift of the Raman-active N2 perturbation.
Preliminary assessment of lead concentrations in topsoil of 100 parks in Los Angeles, California

Abstract Los Angeles has a long history of lead (Pb) contamination due to automobile emissions, industrial processes, and Pb-containing paint. Although the amount of Pb coming from these sources has been reduced or eliminated, exposure to Pb-contaminated soil is still a concern. Contaminated soil in urban parks may constitute an important exposure route, since children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of Pb. While the current EPA clean up level is 400 parts per million (ppm) in recreational and residential areas, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of California revised the soil-screening level to 80 ppm, based on a 1 μg/dL increase of blood level that children experience. In this work, top soil samples in triplicate were taken from each of 100 urban parks in Los Angeles and analyzed to determine Pb concentrations and soil properties. Results show that the average Pb concentration in park soil was 65.5 ppm (range: 0.969–363 ppm), with 35 parks exceeding the California guideline of 80 ppm based on the average Pb concentration measured at each park. Pb concentrations in 42 parks exceeded the background value of 19.7 ppm (by a factor of 3–17). However, variation in measured levels of Pb within most parks was high (>10% RSD in 89 parks). Parks containing elevated Pb concentrations in soil were distributed across many areas of Los Angeles, including central Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Inglewood, and Central Alameda. Children might potentially suffer from an estimated 1–4 μg/dL increase of blood Pb level according to LeadSpread model. Pb concentrations did not significantly correlate with most soil properties, except for silt (ρ = 0.226, p = 0.012). Additionally, soil from sandy loam contained significantly higher Pb concentrations as compared to soil from loamy sand (p = 0.008). Pb concentrations were significantly correlated with park age (ρ = −0.319, p = 0.033) and were generally lower in areas located away from major roads. Monitoring of parks with high levels of Pb as well as investigation of unexamined regions in Los Angeles are needed.
Making health a shared value: Lessons from nurse-designed models of care.

Abstract Background Nurse-designed models of community-based care reflect a broad definition of health; family- and community-centricity; relationships; and group and public health approaches. Purpose To examine how nurse-designed models of care have addressed “making health a shared value” based on the framework of the Culture of Health. Method A mixed-methods design included an online survey completed by 37 of 41 of “Edge Runners” (American Academy of Nursing-designated nurse innovators) and telephone interviews with 13 of the 37. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and standard content analysis. Findings Two main areas of "making health a shared value" were increasing the perceptions that individual health is interdependent with the health of the community and community health promotion. Themes were the value of social support (interventions that engage an individual's inner circle and a group environment to reveal shared experiences); messaging (a holistic definition of health, the value of both culturally- and medically-accurate information, and the business case); and building trust (expertise sits locally and trust takes time). Discussion Refinement of the COH framework may be warranted and can provide strategies for making health a shared value within a community. Shifting the orientation of healthcare organizations must be a long-term, deliberate goal.
Ganglioside Antibodies in Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and its Variants (P2.439)

Objective: Ascertain utility of ganglioside antibody titres in patients with diagnosis of Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) or variants. Background: In our hospital, there has been an increasing trend to check ganglioside antibodies in all patients with the diagnosis. We wanted to see if this was beneficial to diagnose or predict prognosis/outcome. Design/Methods: We reviewed charts of patients admitted between 1/1/2016 – 6/30/2017 with the diagnosis. We collected data regarding age, sex, preceding infection- if any, cerebrospinal fluid protein and cells, electromyography/nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS), ganglioside antibodies, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Disability score on admission, at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Results: 17 patients were identified. Of these, 3 didn’t have ganglioside antibody testing, hence excluded. Of the remaining 14; 5(35.7%), 4(28.5%), 1(7.1%) had positive anti-GM1, anti-Asialo-GM1, anti-GQ1b titre respectively; 4(28.5%) had negative titres. Of the 4 with normal CSF protein, 1 had positive anti-Asialo-GM1 titre; 1 had positive anti-Asialo-GM1, anti-GM1, anti-GD1b titres; 1 had positive anti-GM1, anti-GD1, anti-GD1b titres; 1 had positive anti-GQ1b titre. 3 had axonal, 1 had combined axonal-demyelinating picture. Of the 5 anti-GM1 positive titres, all also had positive anti-GD1b titre, 2 had positive anti-GD1a titre. 3 had preceding diarrhea, 1 had flu-like illness, 1 had none. All had axonal involvement. At 8 weeks; 1 died; 2 had improved GBS disability score from 4 to 3; 1 from 4 to 2; 1 lost to follow up. Of the 4 with negative titres, 2 had preceding flu-like illness, 2 had none. 2 had axonal-demyelinating picture, 1 had prolonged f-waves, 1 was normal. At 8 weeks, GBS disability scores were 3 to 1; 1 to 1; 3 to 2; 1 lost to follow up. Conclusions: Checking antibodies in patients with high suspicion of AIDP but normal CSF protein might be helpful for diagnosis, it wasn’t found to be helpful for prognostication. Disclosure: Dr. Fadia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bhavaraju-Sanka has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Lundbeck.
‘Caution, we have power’: Resisting the ‘school-to-sweatshop pipeline’ through participatory artistic praxes and critical care

How might participatory creative praxes make visible a politics of critical care and new imaginaries for resisting the ‘school-to-sweatshop pipeline’? Drawing upon arts-based participatory action r...
Kleene's Readability and “Divides” Notions for Formalized Intuitionistic Mathematics

S.C. Kleene's two major continuing research interests have been recursive function theory and the foundations of intuitionistic mathematics. They come together in his various notions of recursive realizability, which in turn give rise to his “divides” notions. We review the original definitions and results, and indicate a few further developments.
Provider Perspectives of Patient Experiences in Primary Care Imaging.

Background: Imaging tests are a widely used tool in primary care with many known benefits. Without an understanding of which outcomes matter the most to patients, clinicians are challenged to balance the benefits and harms of imaging tests. This study aimed to explore the perceived impacts imaging tests have on patients from the perspective of the primary care providers (PCPs) and determine PCPs9 understanding of patient-centered outcomes (PCOs) from imaging tests. Methods: Recruitment of PCPs occurred at 4 family medicine clinics in Washington and Idaho. Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants who order imaging tests were eligible to participate. Semistructured interviews explored providers9 perceptions of patient experiences during the process of ordering, performing and following up on imaging tests. Classic content analysis generated themes and subthemes. Results: Sixteen PCPs, including 11 physicians, 3 physician assistants, and 2 nurse practitioners, completed interviews. Two themes were identified: 1) perceived PCOs, and 2) factors influencing the incorporation of PCOs into clinical management. Perceived outcomes included emotions related to the answer a test provides and costs to the patient such as monetary, physical, and added risk. Patient expectations, provider-patient communication, and inadequate knowledge all contributed as barriers to incorporating PCOs into clinical management. Discussion: PCPs recognize different outcomes of imaging tests that they consider important for patients. While providers are perceptive to patient outcomes there remains a challenge to how patient outcomes are used to improve care. Communication with patients and improving provider knowledge are needed to incorporate identified PCOs.
Allergies and Asthma in Relation to Cancer Risk.

Background: Allergies and asthma, conditions commonly characterized by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated atopic reactions, may decrease cancer risk via increases in immunosurveillance, but may increase risk due to persistent immune stimulation. Associations between allergies and asthma and cancer risk remain unclear, and it is unknown whether associations vary by race/ethnicity. Methods: We evaluated these associations in the Southern Community Cohort Study. At baseline (2002-2009), 64,170 participants were queried on history of allergies and asthma; participants were followed through 2011, during which time 3,628 incident, invasive cancers were identified, including 667 lung cancers, 539 breast cancers, and 529 prostate cancers. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CIs). Results: Neither allergies nor asthma was associated with risk of developing invasive cancer overall. Asthma was associated with increased lung cancer risk (HR:1.25; 95% CI:1.00-1.57), with no variation by race/ethnicity (p-interaction=0.84). Conversely, history of allergies was associated with decreased lung cancer risk (HR: 0.80; 0.65-1.00), with an inverse association observed among non-Hispanic whites (HR:0.65; 0.45-0.94) but not non-Hispanic blacks (HR:0.95; 0.73-1.25) (p-interaction=0.10). No statistically significant associations were observed for risk of breast or prostate cancers, overall or by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: No associations were observed for risk of overall cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. While asthma was associated with increased lung cancer risk, history of allergies was associated with decreased risk- an association driven by an inverse association among non-Hispanic whites. Impact: Associations pertaining to lung cancer merit follow-up in a large, diverse study.
Designing a Mobile Simulation Program

The design of a simulation program is grounded in educational theory, experiential learning, and business management.
Rogue Diplomats: The Proud Tradition of Disobedience in American Foreign Policy

Many of America's most significant political, economic, territorial, and geostrategic accomplishments from 1776 to the present day came about because a U.S. diplomat disobeyed orders. The magnificent terms granted to the infant republic by Britain at the close of the American Revolution, the bloodless acquisition of France's massive Louisiana territory in 1803, the procurement of an even vaster expanse of land from Mexico forty years later, the preservation of the Anglo-American 'special relationship' during World War I—these and other milestones in the history of U.S. geopolitics derived in large part from the refusal of ambassadors, ministers, and envoys to heed the instructions given to them by their superiors back home. Historians have neglected this pattern of insubordination—until now. Rogue Diplomats makes a seminal contribution to scholarship on U.S. geopolitics and provides a provocative response to the question that has vexed so many diplomatic historians: is there a distinctively “American” foreign policy?
Pharmacological Activation of Non-canonical NF-κB Signaling Activates Latent HIV-1 Reservoirs In Vivo.

Summary “Shock and kill” strategies focus on purging the latent HIV-1 reservoir by treating infected individuals with therapeutics that activate the latent virus and subsequently eliminating infected cells. We have previously reported that induction of non-canonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling through a class of small-molecule antagonists known as Smac mimetics can reverse HIV-1 latency. Here, we describe the development of Ciapavir (SBI-0953294), a molecule specifically optimized for HIV-1 latency reversal that was found to be more efficacious as a latency-reversing agent than other Smac mimetics under clinical development for cancer. Critically, this molecule induced activation of HIV-1 reservoirs in vivo in a bone marrow, liver, thymus (BLT) humanized mouse model without mediating systemic T cell activation. This study provides proof of concept for the in vivo efficacy and safety of Ciapavir and indicates that Smac mimetics can constitute a critical component of a safe and efficacious treatment strategy to eliminate the latent HIV-1 reservoir.
Efficient high-dimensional material reliability analysis with explicit voxel-level stochastic microstructure representation

Abstract A novel efficient methodology for probabilistic material reliability analysis considering fine-scale microstructure stochasticity is proposed in this paper. Integrated computational material engineering requires efficient multiscale computational capabilities to enable computational design and validation. Two critical challenges are identified: handling uncertainties from microstructures and material properties; and handling the “curse of dimensionality” for probabilistic solvers. The proposed study addresses these two critical challenges. First, an analytical and hierarchical uncertainty quantification method is proposed for the explicit stochastic microstructure representation at the voxel-level. The hierarchy of uncertainties from both phase maps and uncertainties within each phase is modeled using an explicit Gaussian mixture random field. Analytical approximation for the arbitrary non-Gaussian random field is derived, which can facilitate the computation of gradient information in optimization. Following this, an efficient probabilistic solver using adjoint first-order reliability method combining the importance sampling is derived by formulating the material reliability analysis as a constrained optimization problem. The adjoint method is used to efficiently evaluate the responses and exact gradients with the help of the analytical Gaussian mixture random field. Several numerical examples for material reliability calculation with high-dimensional (voxel-level) random fields are subsequently employed to demonstrate and validate the proposed methodology. The results of the proposed method are quantitatively compared to those obtained via the classical first-order reliability method, direct Monte Carlo simulation, subset simulation, and the sequential importance sampling method. The comparisons indicate that the proposed method possesses high efficiency for high-dimensional material reliability problems.
Dact-4 is a Xenopus laevis Spemann organizer gene related to the Dapper/Frodo antagonist of β-catenin family of proteins.

Abstract Dact/Dapper/Frodo members belong to an evolutionarily conserved family of Dishevelled-binding proteins present in mammals, birds, amphibians and fishes that are involved in the regulation of Wnt and TGF-β signaling. In addition to the three established genes (Dact1-3) that compose the Dact family, a fourth paralogue group of related proteins has been recently identified and named Dact-4. Interestingly, Dact-4 is the most rapidly evolving gene of the entire family, as it displays very low homology with other Dact proteins and has lost key conserved domains. Dact-4 is not present in mammals, but weakly conserved homologs were found in reptiles and fishes. Recent RNAseq from our group identified new genes specifically expressed in the Xenopus laevis Spemann organizer. Among these, LOC100170590 mRNA encoded a protein sharing weak homology with a coelacanth Dact-like protein member. Here, by analyzing protein phylogeny and synteny, we show that this organizer gene corresponds to Dact-4. We report that Dact-4 is expressed in the Xenopus blastula pre-organizer region in addition to the gastrula organizer, as well as in placodes, eyes, neural tube, presomitic mesoderm and pronephros. Dact-4-Flag microinjection experiments suggest it is a nucleocytoplasmic protein, as are the other Dact paralogues.
Deep learning the structural determinants of protein biochemical properties by comparing structural ensembles with DiffNets.

Understanding the structural determinants of a protein’s biochemical properties, such as activity and stability, is a major challenge in biology and medicine. Comparing computer simulations of protein variants with different biochemical properties is an increasingly powerful means to drive progress. However, success often hinges on dimensionality reduction algorithms for simplifying the complex ensemble of structures each variant adopts. Unfortunately, common algorithms rely on potentially misleading assumptions about what structural features are important, such as emphasizing larger geometric changes over smaller ones. Here we present DiffNets, self-supervised autoencoders that avoid such assumptions, and automatically identify the relevant features, by requiring that the low-dimensional representations they learn are sufficient to predict the biochemical differences between protein variants. For example, DiffNets automatically identify subtle structural signatures that predict the relative stabilities of β-lactamase variants and duty ratios of myosin isoforms. DiffNets should also be applicable to understanding other perturbations, such as ligand binding. Comparing and contrasting structural ensembles of different protein variants helps connect specific structural features to a protein’s biochemical properties. Here, the authors propose DiffNets, a self-supervised, deep learning method that streamlines this process.
Analytical Design of a Pneumatic Elastomer Robot With Deterministically Adjusted Stiffness

This letter presents a novel Pneumatic Elastomer Robot (PER), called Deterministically Adjusted Stiffness-Pneumatic Elasotmer Robot (DAS-PER), that can concurrently display preprogrammed elongation and bending behaviors. Our design methodology integrates a comprehensive analytical modeling and additive manufacturing-based fabrication to (i) address current ad-hoc and arduous PERs’ fabrication limitations, and (ii) enable deterministic stiffness and deformation behavior tuning based on the desired application. To thoroughly evaluate the efficacy of the presented modeling and fabrication approaches, based on the developed model, we first designed and fabricated two DAS-PERs with different bending and elongation stiffnesses. Next, we performed experimental studies to thoroughly evaluate and compare the expected and obtained deformation behaviors. Results demonstrated the efficacy of the fabrication procedure and model fidelity for successful tunability of DAS-PERs solely based on adjusting two internal structure diameter parameters.
Co-occupancy analysis reveals novel transcriptional synergies for axon growth

Abstract Transcription factors (TFs) act as powerful levers to regulate neural physiology and can be targeted to improve cellular responses to injury or disease. Because TFs often depend on cooperative activity, a major challenge is to identify and deploy optimal sets. Here we developed a novel bioinformatics pipeline, centered on TF co-occupancy of regulatory DNA, and used it to predict factors that potentiate the effects of pro-regenerative Klf6. High content screens of neurite outgrowth identified cooperative activity by 12 candidates, and systematic testing in an animal model of corticospinal tract (CST) damage substantiated three novel instances of pairwise cooperation. Combined Klf6 and Nr5a2 drove the strongest growth, and transcriptional profiling of CST neurons identified Klf6/Nr5a2-responsive gene networks involved in macromolecule biosynthesis and DNA repair. These data identify novel TF combinations that promote enhanced CST growth, clarify the transcriptional correlates, and provide a bioinformatics roadmap to detect TF synergy.
SYNAPTIC DYSFUNCTION UNDERLIES ALTERATIONS IN THE INITIATION OF GOAL-DIRECTED BEHAVIORS: IMPLICATIONS FOR HIV-1 ASSOCIATED APATHY

Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exhibit an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric comorbities (e.g., apathy) relative to their seronegative counterparts. Given the profound functional consequences associated with apathy, conceptualizing the multidimensional neuropsychiatric syndrome, and associated neural mechanisms, following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure remains a critical need. HIV-1 associated apathy was examined by quantifying goal-directed behaviors, indexed using voluntary wheel running, during the diurnal and nocturnal cycle. Apathetic behaviors in the HIV-1 Tg rat were characterized by a profound decrease in the number of running bouts during both the diurnal and nocturnal cycle, supporting a prominent deficit in the self-initiation of spontaneous behaviors. Additionally, HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a decreased reinforcing efficacy of voluntary wheel running during the nocturnal cycle. Following the completion of voluntary wheel running, synaptic dysfunction in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was examined as a potential neural mechanism underlying HIV-1 associated apathy. HIV-1 Tg animals displayed prominent synaptic dysfunction in MSNs of the NAc, characterized by decreased synaptic connectivity and a population shift towards an immature dendritic spine phenotype relative to control animals. Synaptic dysfunction accounted for 42.0% to 68.5% of the variance in the number of running bouts affording a key neural mechanism underlying the self-initiation of spontaneous behaviors. The establishment of a fundamental neural mechanism underlying apathy affords a key target for the development of novel therapeutics and cure strategies for affective alterations associated with HIV-1.
Topical salicylic acid treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cows

Salicylic acid (SA) provides similar treatment efficacy to tetracycline-class antibiotic drugs for the treatment of digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows. No milk withholding time following SA treatment has been established in the United States. The objective of this study was to generate data about drug residues in milk following topical treatment of DD lesions with SA. Cows with active (M2 stage) DD lesions were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: salicylic acid paste, salicylic acid powder, or tetracycline powder. Lesions were photographed digitally and thermographically and scored using the M-stage scoring system before treatment and at 7 and 28 d post-treatment. Milk samples were collected before treatment and at 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h afterward. Most cows did not have detectable salicylic acid in their milk more than 24 hours after treatment; however, 3 cows had detectable levels of SA at 36 hours post treatment. Treatments did not differ in their effects on DD lesions. These data suggest that milk from treated cows should not be used or sold for at least 48 hours following the topical treatment of DD lesions with salicylic acid.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioral disorder and one of the most prevalent chronic health problems afflicting school-aged children in the United States (1). ADHD has a prevalence rate estimated to range from 4 to 9% of children and adolescents (1, 2, 3). Multimodal treatment approaches-those that combine medication treatment with psychotherapeutic, environmental, educational, and school-based interventions—are generally recommended to treat the disorder. Pharmacotherapy is established as both a common and an effective intervention (2,4,5). Although recently published practice guidelines, algorithms, and consensus statements support the judicious use of medication as a fundamental treatment for ADHD (2,6,7), pharmacotherapy is not universal. A recent survey performed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that only approx 54% of children 6–11 yr of age diagnosed with ADHD receive prescription medication, with this number increasing to 61% among children with ADHD and a learning disorder (8). Other data have suggested that these estimates may be conservative.
Using Category Theory to Design Programming Languages

In a 1980 paper entitled "Using Category Theory to Design Conversions and Generic Operators", the author showed how the concepts of category theory can guide the design of a programming language to avoid anomalies in the interaction of implicit conversions and generic operators.
Structural aberrations in T-even bacteriophage: VI. Molecular weight of DNA from giant heads☆

Abstract Cummings et al. (1973) reported that when l -canavanine was chased from a T-even. bacteriophage-infected culture with its analog, l -arginine, a new type of aberrant particle was formed. These particles, which were termed “lollipops”, had giant heads as long as 44 normal head lengths, and were filled with DNA. We have now separated these particles into different size classes ranging from about three to 13 normal head lengths and measured the molecular weight of their DNA. The DNA released from intact phage particles by neutral or alkaline detergent lysis was characterized using a recently described biophysical technique which determines DNA molecular weight from solution viscoelasticity. The maximum DNA size correlated roughly with phage head length, indicating that these giant heads were often filled with single, long DNA molecules rather than with several normal-sized molecules. Many of the heads, however, must have contained several molecules, since a large amount of DNA of less than maximum size was present. In alkali the native molecules separated into single strands of approximately the same length as that of the native molecules.
New algorithm for field splitting in radiation therapy

In this paper, we study an interesting geometric partition problem, called optimal field splitting, which arises in Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). In current clinical practice, a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) is used to deliver the prescribed intensity maps (IMs). However, the maximum leaf spread of an MLC may require to split a large intensity map into several overlapping sub-IMs. We develop the first optimal linear time algorithm for solving the field splitting problem while minimizing the total complexity of the resulting sub-IMs. Meanwhile, our algorithm strives to minimize the maximum beam-on time of those sub-IMs. Our basic idea is to formulate the field splitting problem as computing a shortest path in a directed acyclic graph, with a special "layered" structure. The edge weights of the graph satisfy the Monge property, which enables us to speed up the algorithm to optimal linear time. To minimize the maximum beam-on time of the resulting sub-IMs, we consider an interesting min-max slope path problem in a monotone polygon which is solvable in linear time. The min-max slope path problem is of its own interest.
Gene Expression in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the gene expression in cultured mammalian cells. Cell and tissue culture provides a simple system for investigating a variety of fundamental problems involved in gene expression. Cells can be grown under relatively controlled environmental conditions that permit analysis of the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of cells in culture. New methods of cell fusion and hybridization allow some aspects of recombination analysis in mammalian cell culture, and the recent development of methods for enucleating mammalian cells with the recovery of cytoplasm and nuclei separately permits reconstruction of cells by fusing nuclear and cytoplasmic components derived from different cell types. The chapter emphasizes on mutant cell cultures, as well as examples of enzyme regulation and metabolic control that reflect gene expression in cultured mammalian cells. Studies on mutant mammalian cells, particularly those that show temperature sensitivity toward expressing differentiated activities, may be useful in separating and analyzing the required biochemical events. Difficulty in selecting for such mutant cells is a serious limitation, but recent studies on cell lines selected for temperature-sensitive differences in contact inhibition of cell growth confirm the resolving power of such methods. Cell lines derived from mutant subjects and from multipotential tumors are particularly informative for investigating basic mechanisms of gene expression and determination. Cell fusion and the subsequent analysis of complementation in heterokaryons and synkaryons may provide insight into the nature of mutations at the levels of the defective protein and interactions of the regulatory process.
Interaction of Genes Controlling Ultraviolet Sensitivity in Neurospora crassa

Abstract Two independently segregating ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity genes in Neurospora crassa interact synergistically resulting in UV sensitivity approximately twice that expected based on an evaluation of the sensitivities of the individual mutants. The mutant genes singly and together reduce photoreactivation (PR) in vivo although a PR enzyme is produced which exhibits normal activity in vitro.
The Method of Characteristics for Three-Dimensional Problems in Gas Dynamics

Although both the Godunov and BVLR methods for solving compressible flow problems in three dimensions use finite difference formulas in rectangular networks their foundations rest on the properties of characteristics of the governing equations. Both before and during the development of these methods, over the past twenty five years, a series of methods of characteristics, as such, have been proposed for three dimensional problems. Many of these compete with finite difference techniques, especially when applied to such problems as unsteady transonic flow, and it is appropriate to include a survey of such methods here. They may be classified under four headings: 1) Methods based entirely on bicharacteristics (Thornhill (1952), Fowell (1961), Butler (1960), Ransom et al. (1970)). 2) Methods based on two bicharacteristic families and one noncharacteristic family (Coburn and Dolph (1949), Holt (1956)). 3) Optimal methods of type 2) (Bruhn and Haack (1958), Schaetz (1961)). 4) Methods based on characteristic lines not in the bicharacteristic direction (Albrecht and Urich (1961). Sauer (1962)).
Characterization of β-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation signals in isolated pulmonary artery of Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Summary 1 Relaxant responses to isoprenaline (ISO) were studied in the pulmonary arteries of normotensive and hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Rats were fed either a high-salt (4.0%) or low-salt (0.14%) diet for 5 weeks. Animals fed a high-salt diet (167/123 ± 2/2 mmHg) had a significantly higher blood pressure compared to those fed a low-salt diet (127/87 ± 2/2 mmHg). 2 Isoprenaline-elicited relaxations were not significantly different in tissues from hypertensive compared to normotensive animals. Responses to ISO were significantly attenuated in denuded tissues and substantially more so in hypertensive compared to normotensive animals. While relaxant responses to ISO were resistant to inhibition by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, indomethacin, glibenclamide or a combination of barium chloride and ouabain, they were inhibited by Rp-cAMP, anandamide and acidic buffer. The inhibitory impact of anandamide and acidic buffer was significantly greater in tissues from hypertensive vs. normotensive rats. 3 The resting membrane potential (Em) of smooth muscle cells was −67.0 ± 0.7 mV (n = 43 cells) and −66.6 ± 0.8 mV (n = 55 cells) in pulmonary arteries from hypertensive and normotensive rats, respectively. Isoprenaline produced hyperpolarization of Em which was significant in the blood vessels of hypertensive (−71.6 ± 0.8 mV; n = 29 cells) but not normotensive (−68.1 ± 0.7 mV; n = 49 cells) rats. 4 The endothelium plays a critical role in β-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation but nitric oxide is not the mediator for the response. It is possible that the greater hyperpolarization caused by ISO in blood vessels from hypertensive compared to normotensive rats is mediated by activation of TASK-1 channels.
The effect of shear flow on nanoparticle agglomeration and deposition in in vitro dynamic flow models

AbstractTraditional in vitro toxicity experiments typically involve exposure of a mono- or co-culture of cells to nanoparticles (NPs) in static conditions with the assumption of 100% deposition (i.e. dose) of well-dispersed particles. However, cellular dose can be affected by agglomeration and the unique transport kinetics of NPs in biological media. We hypothesize that shear flow can address these issues and achieve more predictable dosage. Here, we compare the behavior of gold NPs with diameters of 5, 10 and 30 nm in static and dynamic in vitro models. We also utilize transport modeling to approximate the shear rate experienced by the cells in dynamic conditions to evaluate physiological relevance. The transport kinetics show that NP behavior is governed by both gravity and diffusion forces in static conditions and only diffusion in dynamic conditions. Our results reveal that dynamic systems are capable of producing a more predictable dose compared to static systems, which has strong implications for im...
JNK and PI3k/Akt signaling pathways are required for establishing persistent SARS-CoV infection in Vero E6 cells

Persistence was established after most of the SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells died. RNA of the defective interfering virus was not observed in the persistently infected cells by Northern blot analysis. SARS-CoV diluted to 2 PFU failed to establish persistence, suggesting that some particular viruses in the seed virus did not induce persistent infection. Interestingly, a viral receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-2, was down-regulated in persistently infected cells. G418-selected clones established from parent Vero E6 cells, which were transfected with a plasmid containing the neomycin resistance gene, were infected with SARS-CoV, resulting in a potential cell population capable of persistence in Vero E6 cells. Our previous studies demonstrated that signaling pathways of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/Akt were activated in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. Previous studies also showed that the activation of p38 MAPK by viral infection-induced apoptosis, and a weak activation of Akt was not sufficient to protect from apoptosis. In the present study, we showed that the inhibitors of JNK and PI3K/Akt inhibited the establishment of persistence, but those of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK; as an inhibitor for ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK did not. These results indicated that two signaling pathways of JNK and PI3K/Akt were important for the establishment of persistence in Vero E6 cells.
Ignition and combustion of isolated and binary array of coal particles

Abstract A digital image processing technique is employed to investigate the ignition and combustion characteristics of isolated coal particles as well as the interactive combustion of a binary coal array in low Re flow. When an isolated coal particle is suddenly subjected to hot vitiated gases, the following sequence of events is observed: (i) primary heterogeneous ignition (HI) at the leading edge of the particle, (ii) ejection of volatiles as jets in the direction of the convective flow, (iii) secondary gas phase ignition of volatiles (SGI), and (iv) formation of wake flame due to combustion of volatiles with a black inner zone along with heterogeneous combustion of char. Also, for high volatile nonswelling bituminous coal (PSOC 1447, hvCb) intermittent volatiles ignition and combustion are observed to occur during the combustion process, for a few of the experiments. The experiments are then repeated for a binary array. A group flame is formed for the binary array at closer interparticle spacing. Intermittent ignition does not occur for the binary array of hvCb coal particles. Such a behavior persists even at larger inter-particle spacing, which suggests that radiation interaction between the particles might be occurring even though mass transfer interactions are absent. Flame characteristics and flame merging times are obtained for the binary coal particle array.
Current state of pain care for hospitalized patients at end of life.

We report findings on the current state of pain care in hospitals for end-of-life (EOL) patients using longitudinal data from 8 diverse medical–surgical units located in 4 different Midwestern hospitals over 24 months. We identified 1425 EOL care episodes, 596 (41.3%) of which had a pain diagnosis. The percentage of EOL patients with pain varied significantly across units (P < .001) and was even lower (27.7%) for those with “acute confusion.” Additionally, 30% of EOL patients had severe or significant pain at death or discharge to hospice and only 42.7% actually met the expected pain-related outcome ratings. Pain often improved within 48 hours of admission (P < .005), the improvement, however, stagnated following this initial time period (P = .92). A sizable gap between pain science and clinical practice continues.