cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger 1 is a key mechanosensitive molecule of the esophageal myenteric neurons.

Aim Our earlier studies showed that mechanical stretch activates inhibitory motor neurons of the oesophagus; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here, we sought to examine if Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) is responsible for the mechanosensitivity in the esophageal myenteric neurons (EMN) of rats and humans. Methods The function of NCX1 in primary culture of neurons was determined using calcium imaging, and mechanosensitivity was tested using osmotic stretch and direct mechanical stretch. Axial stretch-induced relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was also studied in vivo in rats. Results The expression and co-localization of NCX1 with nNOS were identified in the EMN from both rats and humans. The extracellular Ca2+ entry caused by ATP through purinergic signalling in the rat EMN was significantly inhibited by selective NCX blockers. Removal of extracellular Na+ to activate the Ca2+ entry mode of NCX1 induced an increase in the cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+ ]cyt ), which was attenuated by NCX blockers. Osmotic stretch and mechanical stretch-induced [Ca2+ ]cyt signalling in the rat and human EMN were attenuated by NCX blockers as well as specific NCX1 knockdown. Osmotic stretch and mechanical stretch also induced [Ca2+ ]cyt signalling in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with NCX1 over-expression, which was attenuated by NCX blockers. Finally, NCX blockade inhibited axial stretch-activated LES relaxation in vivo experiments in the rats. Conclusions We demonstrate a novel NCX1/Ca2+ pathway in the mechanosensitive neurons of rat and human oesophagus, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of oesophageal motility disorders.
Using Guided Reflection to Link Cultural and Service Learning in a Study Abroad Course

The literature indicates that service learning integrated into a study abroad course results in cultural learning, personal growth, and professional development. However, there are inadequate examples of strategies to achieve cultural learning in the context of study abroad. The purpose of this article is to briefly describe the authors' collaboration with leaders of an international health system in developing a faculty-led study abroad course and describe strategies to promote guided reflection to achieve cultural learning. The preparation phase of the course was delivered with two video conferences and an online learning management system for students on three campuses. Service learning with clinic nursing staff of the international health system and children in a residential home was purposefully incorporated in the study abroad phase of the course. During the first week of study abroad, specific prompts for daily journaling were introduced to the students to promote guided reflection as a critical component of service learning. During the second week, students discussed concepts that had been introduced during the preparation phase. The students wrote a final summary reflection paper with the guidance of additional prompts and an evaluation rubric. In summary, preparation phase learning activities, study abroad phase daily journaling and group discussion combined with a summary reflection paper were used as strategies to achieve cultural learning.
Spatial dynamics of access to primary care for the medicaid population

Primary care (PC) has always been underestimated and underinvested by the United States health system. Our goal was to investigate the effect of Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)...
ADVANCED BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE ITS-AIRBAG IN VEHICLES' SIDE- IMPCTS — FE SIMULATION AND SEVERITY ANALYSIS

The Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) airbag is a potentially life-saving device that has been implemented recently in some luxury vehicles. Its main objective is to provide head protection for the front seat occupants against upper side-interior car components. In a previous research conducted by the authors, a nonlinear Finite Element (FE) model for the ITS-airbag system was successfully developed and tested. In the current research, the developed ITS model is combined with a full-scale FE vehicle model and 50th percentile side-impact dummy (SID) model. The combined model is then used to conduct two series of side-impact simulations. The first series included side impacts with narrow objects, i.e. rigid poles, while the second series included side impacts with a Moving Deformable Barrier (MDB) as a wide and deformable object. The effect of the relative position between the dummy and the rigid pole was considered by conducting variety of simulation scenarios for two different rigid pole positions and three different dummy positions. The three dummy positions were also considered in the side impacts with the MDB. For both impact series, the effect of the impact velocity was considered by conducting each impact scenario at three different velocities. The ITS model performance, in allFE simulations, was fairly similar to the actual ITS performance. The simulation results indicated a significant reduction in the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) of the dummy head due to the ITS-airbag deployment. The life-threatening severity for occupants is usually measured by the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) that ranges from 1 (minor) to 6 (fatal). The AIS indices are calculated for all side impact cases. The results demonstrated a significant reduction/elimination in side-impact fatalities and severe injuries due to the ITS-airbag performance. The FE simulation results are then used in conducting a comprehensive benefit analysis for the ITS- airbag systems in vehicles' side-impacts.
Classifying suicidal behavior with resting-state functional connectivity and structural neuroimaging.

Objective About 80% of patients who commit suicide do not report suicidal ideation the last time they speak to their mental health provider, highlighting the need to identify biomarkers of suicidal behavior. Our goal is to identify suicidal behavior neural biomarkers to classify suicidal psychiatric inpatients. Methods Eighty percent of our sample [suicidal (n = 63) and non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients (n = 65)] was used to determine significant differences in structural and resting-state functional connectivity measures throughout the brain. These measures were used in a random forest classification model on 80% of the sample for training the model. Results The model built on 80% of the patients had sensitivity = 79.4% and specificity = 72.3%. This model was tested on an independent sample (20%; n = 32) with sensitivity = 81.3% and specificity = 75.0% for confirming the generalizability of the model. Altered resting-state functional connectivity features from frontal and middle temporal regions, as well as the amygdala, parahippocampus, putamen, and vermis were found to generalize best. Conclusion This work demonstrates neuroimaging (an unbiased biomarker) can be used to classify suicidal behavior in psychiatric inpatients without observing any clinical features.
Association between posttraumatic stress disorder severity and amygdala habituation to fearful stimuli.

Background Amygdala hyperreactivity to threat has been proposed to be a causal contributor to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, emerging literature in healthy samples shows higher test-retest reliability for amygdala habituation (the change over time in response to repeated stimuli) than for its reactivity to threat. Amygdala habituation has received relatively little attention in relationship to PTSD, despite the key role of this region in the etiology of the disorder. Thus, we investigated habituation to repeated fearful face stimuli and PTSD, in a large sample of trauma exposed African American women. Methods African American women (N = 100) were recruited from a nonprofit hospital serving a largely low-income population with a high risk of trauma exposure. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging, passively viewing fearful and neutral face stimuli, and reported their history of trauma exposure and current PTSD symptoms. We examined associations between PTSD symptom severity and amygdala reactivity (fearful > neutral) and habituation (early > late) to fearful faces. Secondary analyses tested whether amygdala habituation to fearful faces mediated the association between childhood trauma and PTSD. Results PTSD symptom severity and PTSD status (based on self-report measure) were both positively associated with amygdala habituation to repeated fearful face stimuli. Whole-brain analysis showed that this association extended to the bilateral hippocampus and left fusiform gyrus. The association held when controlling for trauma history and depressive symptoms. Amygdala habituation to fearful faces partially mediated the association between childhood trauma severity and PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion Individuals with greater PTSD symptom severity showed greater amygdala habituation to social threat cues (fearful faces), and greater habituation may partly explain the association between childhood trauma exposure and current PTSD symptoms. Further examination of the dynamics of the amygdala response to threat cues may lead to new insights in the understanding and treatment of stress-related disorders.
Role of Sex Steroids in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Abstract Sex Steroids are important to the pathogenesis of SLE, a disease which affects females in preference to males (13:1). Abnormalities of estrogen metabolism and androgen metabolism in the human have been described. Increased 16 hydroxylation of estrone has been found in males and females, whereas increased oxidation of testosterone (C-17) has been found only in females with the disease. Females with SLE have low plasma androgens. Patients with active disease have the lowest levels. The compound 16 alpha hydroxyestrone, a unique and potent estrogen, has been shown to bind covalently to plasma proteins and cell membranes. This compound is a product of 16 hydroxylation, and may be important to the pathogenesis of SLE.
Are Universal Banks More Risky

This paper studies whether universal banks exhibit more risky behaviour and require additional governance mechanisms compared to pure-play commercial banks. Using a unique setting of the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 which removed barriers to universal banking in the United States, this paper tests whether commercial banks that become universal exhibit more risky behaviour. This quasi-experimental setting also allows testing the impact of reintroduction of universal banking in the United States on banks’ risk profiles and governance mechanisms. Preliminary findings suggest that there is no observable difference in risk characteristics between universal and pure-play commercial banks. Furthermore, CEO pay-structure and compensation do not appear to be driven by the choice of the universal banking model. These findings add to the debate on whether universal banks are risky and require different governance mechanisms compared to the pure-play commercial banks.
Integrating field observations and process-based modeling to predict watershed water quality under environmental perturbations

Abstract Watersheds play a critical role in supplying water resources needed for human use and ecosystem health. Understanding and predicting how, when, and where changes in the quantity and quality of water resources occur under different environmental stresses including extreme events is crucial for sustainable management of water resources under a changing environment. However, few studies have attempted to quantify or identify the factors and process interactions controlling the impact of extreme events across watershed systems. Only few large-scale studies include coordinated monitoring and modeling efforts, which limits our ability to assess the large-scale impact of extreme events on water supply and quality. Methods are lacking to propagate uncertainty in process understanding through an integrated hydro-biogeochemical model framework and evaluate its importance, thus failing to take full advantage of the information potentially available through transformative advances in characterization technologies from high-resolution mass spectrometry to airborne and satellite-based remote sensing. There are consequent risks to our nation’s water security and to human and ecosystem health that may become exacerbated with the increasing frequency of extreme events that is projected for the coming decades. This paper reviews the current status of watershed science for both water quantity and quality and identifies critical gaps in our current knowledge and modeling capability in addressing the emergent needs in predicting watershed hydrologic and biogeochemical responses (i.e., water quantity and quality) under natural and anthropogenic perturbations. We highlight the need to (1) understand how environmental perturbations including extreme events like floods and droughts and anthropogenic changes such as deforestation and urbanization propagate through watershed systems and assess their short- and long-term impacts on watershed biogeochemistry, water quality and their recovery pathways; (2) develop and improve a watershed water quality model that reflects the state of scientific understanding gained from observations; and (3) construct a data-model fusion system for watershed characterization, process identification, and mechanistic model parameterization. A large base of modeling, monitoring and data capabilities have been built by various federal government agencies given the relevance of water to their critical missions. An emerging need is to build an integrated national capability for watershed water availability and quality that can address water-related missions across multiple federal agencies.
KidSpell: Making a difference in spellchecking for children

Abstract Children’s ability to spell effectively is a major barrier to using search engines successfully. While search engines make use of spellcheckers to provide spelling corrections to their users, they are designed for more traditional users (i.e., adults) and have proven inadequate for children. The specific target of children for this research are those with early literacy skills (whose are typically ages 6–12). The aim of this work is twofold: first, to address the types of spelling errors children make by researching, developing, and evaluating algorithms to generate and rank candidate English spelling suggestions for children; and second, to improve children’s user experience when using our proposed spellchecker by involving them in the design process through participatory design and evaluating the impact of interactive elements on children’s spellchecking behaviors. The outcomes of our studies and assessments result in a phonetic-based spelling correction model (KidSpell) that can more accurately correction children’s spelling errors than existing state-of-the-art models. Further, we learned that visual and audio cues have a positive impact on children’s ability to find their intended word from a list of spelling suggestions.
Why Compliance is needed for Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a relatively new concept that has been coined and is now commonly used in the field of Information Technology (IT). This concept is defined as many things, but the simplest way to describe IoT is as the culmination of all of the new devices, systems, applications, technology, etc. that are connected and can transmit data without the need of a human or computer. This developing industry is expected to have billions of devices interconnected in the next few years. This growth is happening in all branches of traditional IT. Different divisions of IT, such as the financial division or medical division of IT, are already moving to the IoT. While this technological advancement is conceptually astounding, just like anything new in the world of IT, there arise many questions about the security of, or lack thereof, IoT. The main purpose of this paper is not to come up with a solution to the lack of security compliance of IoT but identify that the lack of compliance laws for IoT is a problem and that traditional IT compliance laws do not work for the IoT unless modified. Instead, new compliance standards should be established to cover the subject of IoT.
Analysis of PFASs in Biological Tissues and Fluids

In order to determine the toxicology and health effects on humans and wildlife of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFASs), it is critical to develop rapid, accurate and sensitive methods for their analysis in biological tissues and fluids. In the past few years, extraction and analytical methods have been developed to allow their detection in very complex matrices and at very low levels. Biological tissues and fluids include: whole blood, serum, urine, feces, sweat, nails as well as organs: liver, kidneys and more. Although liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry has been the most prevalent method over the past decade, other techniques can be applied, particularly for the detection and discovery of newly developed fluorinated materials. This chapter will review current methods for the extraction and analysis of PFASs in biological matrixes as well as their analytical challenges and new developments.
Effect of toxemia therapy on uterine dynamics.

Abstract Effect on uterine dynamics of magnesium sulfate, hydralazine hydrochloride, and cryptenamine acetates was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo techniques. Magnesium sulfate depressed myometrial activity in vitro. Hydralazine hydrochloride decreased the rate and increased the amplitude of contraction of human myometrial strips. In concentrations of 6 to 8 mEq. per liter of maternal serum, magnesium reduced the uterine activity of 7 pre-eclamptic patients in active spontaneous labor. The effect of each agent on myometrial and hemodynamic variables was measured in 3 pregnant rhesus monkeys during both normotensive and induced hypertensive states. Serum magnesium concentrations of 6 to 8 mEq. per liter resulted in a reduction of arterial blood pressure, a greater decrease in extrinsic myometrial resistance, and an increase in uterine artery blood flow. Intravenous administration of hydralazine hydrochloride in quantities sufficient to produce a statistically significant decrease in arterial blood pressure did not significantly alter uterine artery blood flow or average intra-amniotic pressure. Responses to cryptenamine acetates were inconclusive.
Abstract P286: The Prevalence of Comorbid Depression & Diabetes across Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Study

Background: Depression, both diagnosed and based on elevated symptom scores, is highly prevalent in individuals with Type II Diabetes (T2DM). Depression predisposes individuals to poorer glycemic control, higher rates of T2DM complications and elevated mortality. African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to be diagnosed with depression than non-Hispanic whites; however, prevalence studies in the general (i.e., non-diabetic) population report that rates of elevated depressive symptoms are similar across race/ethnic groups. Objective: To calculate the age-adjusted prevalence of comorbid depression and Type II Diabetes by race/ethnicity and to investigate whether the patterns vary according to treatment of depression or elevated depressive symptoms (EDS). We hypothesize that racial/ethnic differences in depression among adults with diabetes will vary according to whether depression is treated or based on elevated depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (2005-2010) classified as White (n=459), Black (n=250), Mexican American (n=233), or “Other Racial/Ethnic Background” (n=149) and had T2DM (i.e., fasting glucose >=126, clinician diagnosis, or diabetic medication use) and responses to current prescription drug use and depression syndrome measures were included in the analysis (n=1,091, Mean age=48.2 year). Undiagnosed depression was determined by an elevated depressive symptoms (EDS) score => 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and no report of current antidepressant use. Treatment for depression was determined by self-reported current antidepressant use (e.g., SSRI, MAOI, and TCA). Weighted age-adjusted prevalence rates of depression among adults who have diabetes were stratified by race/ethnic background. Results: Twelve percent used antidepressants and 7% of the sample had EDS without antidepressant use. The age-adjusted prevalence of antidepressant use among adults with diabetes was higher in Whites (16%, 95% CI: 9%, 22%) than Black (9%, 95% CI: 3%, 15%), Mexican Americans (5%, 95% CI: 3%, 8%), and “Others” (6%, 95% CI: 1%, 10%). These prevalence estimates remained significantly different after adjusting for healthcare provider and income. The prevalence of EDS among adults with diabetes was not significantly different across race/ethnic background groups (Whites- 5%, 95% CI: 3%, 8%; Blacks- 8%, 95% CI: 2%, 13%; Mexican Americans- 8%, 95% CI: 3%, 13%; “Others”- 8%, 95% CI %, 14%). The prevalence estimates of EDS and antidepressants by race/ethnic group did not vary by gender. Conclusions: Although African Americans and Mexican-Americans with diabetes were as likely to experience EDS, they were less likely to have to be treated for depression. These findings highlight the importance of screening for both treated depression and EDS in individuals who have Type II Diabetes.
Abstract 3649: Significance of HIV viral load and CD4 count on Kaposi sarcoma in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background: Approximately 20% of patients with HIV will have Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) and about half will die within 3 months of diagnosis. Incidence and outcomes of KS have traditionally been linked to CD4 counts <350. More recently, KS has been increasingly described in higher CD4 counts and variable presentations in the era of Highly-Active-Antiretroviral-Therapy (HAART). No studies have established the role of Viral Load (VL) on KS. Objective: To determine the effect of CD4 count and HIV VL on KS presentation and outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of KS patients with HIV admitted over 12 years (2000-2012). KS patients without HIV infection were excluded. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on CD4 count (≥200 or 100,000 or <100,000). Groups were analyzed with regards to KS severity (good vs poor risk), extent (soft tissue vs visceral), receipt of HAART and survival (6months). Statistical analysis was done via Chi-Square test. Results: 43 patients were included. KS affected predominantly young (30-40yrs), male (93%) HIV patients with VL >100,000 (85%) and CD4 counts 100,000 had a statistically significant increased incidence for visceral involvement (96%, p100,000 ((66.7% with good risk), increased survival (59.4% survived >6months) and less use of HAART (20%). Although, these differences were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: HIV VL of >100,000 is correlated with increased severity and extent of KS. Though statistically insignificant, CD4 counts <200 showed a trend for less severe disease and increased survival despite less use of HAART. Larger prospective studies are warranted to elucidate on these differences. Citation Format: Gentry T. King, Shivani Garg. Significance of HIV viral load and CD4 count on Kaposi sarcoma in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3649. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3649
Cassini Imaging at Jupiter

The Voyager and Galileo spacecraft have provided tantalizing glimpses of Jupiter's active atmosphere and its rings and moons. Now, on its way to Saturn, Cassini has succeeded in imaging the giant planet continuously for 6 months. In his Perspective, [Esposito][1] discusses the imaging results reported by [ Porco et al .][2] The data provide unprecedented insights into atmospheric phenomena such as giant storms and into the source of Jupiter's rings. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5612/1529 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/299/5612/1541
Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of human adenosine deaminase: expression of functional enzyme in murine hematopoietic stem cells in vivo.

Abstract Simplified Moloney murine leukemia virus-based recombinant retrovirus vectors have been constructed which transduce human adenosine deaminase (ADA) cDNA. ADA transcription is under the control of the constitutive promoter for the human X chromosome phosphoglycerate kinase (pgk) gene. In these simplified vectors, dominant selectable markers are not included and selection is dependent on overproduction of functional ADA enzyme. Primary murine hematopoietic cells were infected with helper-free recombinant ADA virus generated from Psi-2 packaging cells. Protein analysis revealed that human ADA enzyme was expressed in progenitor-derived hematopoietic colonies in vitro and CFU-S-derived spleen colonies in vivo. Enzyme expression was dependent on transcription from the pgk promoter. ADA expression in primary murine hematopoietic cells directed by the internal promoter was not adversely affected by the presence of the Moloney virus long terminal repeat enhancer sequence. Use of these vectors allows systematic evaluation of the effects of specific sequences in recombinant retrovirus vectors on expression in primary murine hematopoietic cells in vivo.
Limits of policy intervention in a world of neoliberal mechanism designs: Paradoxes of the global crisis

Summary: The current global context poses several paradoxes: the recovery from the 2009 recession was not a recovery; investment, normally driven by profit rates, is lagging and not leading economic activity; the crisis is global but debate involves sub-global levels; and public safety-nets, which have helped to stabilize national income, are being cut. These paradoxes can be traced, in part, to the impact of the “truce” that followed the Keynesian-Monetarist controversy on economists’ ideas about policy activism. This implicit “truce” has removed activist macro policy from discussion, and shifted attention toward institutions as mechanisms for solving game-theoretic coordination problems. Policy activism then centers on how the “agents” (nations) can achieve optimal use of their available resources (or optimal access to resources) at the global level; and this involves creating and fine-tuning compacts – neoliberal mechanism designs – that can capture rents and attract globally mobile capital. This approach leads economists to see the key problem in the current global crisis as fixing broken neoliberal mechanisms. However, a global economy dominated by mechanisms that feed on aggregate demand without generating it faces the prospect of stagnation or collapse.
Stretching and yawning: A role of glutamate

Systemic injection of GDEE (glutamate diethyl ester), an antagonist of glutamate and aspartate receptors, induces stretching and yawning in rats. This was not accompanied by excessive grooming. Coupled with previous work these findings give evidence that a glutamatergic mechanism is involved in stretching and yawning.
West Ford and the scientists

Throughout Project West Ford, from its inception until after the formation of a dipole belt in May, 1963, the possibly harmful effects of the experiment itself and of possible future belts of orbiting dipoles have concerned many scientists. The author was Chairman of the Committee of the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences which endeavored to inform scientists throughout the world both of the project and of the predicted and observed effects of the experimental belt on astronomical and radio-astronomical measurements. The article represents the author's personal summary of the history of interaction between West Ford and the scientific community.
THE MULTIPLICITY OF DOMAINS IN PROTEINS

The domainal nature of proteins is well established. What is less certain is how many domains are evolutionarily mobile in that they occur in otherwise nonhomologous proteins or in different sequential locations in homologous proteins. The combinatorial advantage of shuffling domains around into diverse settings is obvious. Those domains that have been shuffled about in recent evolutionary times, within the last half billion years or so, can usually be identified on the basis of sequence resemblances alone. Contrarily, domains that were rearranged in ancient times may only be apparent after three-dimensional analysis, their sequence resemblances having been eroded over time. The shuffling of domains in recently evolved proteins has been greatly promoted by introns, but this does not imply that all domainal rearrangements involve introns. Only a small fraction of known exons show evidence of having been shuffled. Taken in aggregate, the available data best fit a scenario whereby a relative small number of genes encoding domain-sized polypeptides has been expanded by duplication and modification with a burst of exceptional genomic rearrangement.
Enzymic synthesis of loganin by carboxyl group methylation of loganic acid.

We have found that mevalonic acid-2-“C is incorporated into the aglucone moiety of the iridoid glucoside, loganic acid (fig. l), in both flowering JGzcu rosea and germinating seedlings [ I] . Loganin, its methyl ester, serves as a precursor of the nontryptophan moiety of three different classes of indole alkaloids in the same plant [2,3]. However, the occurrence of 7deoxyloganin in V. roseu has also been reported and this glucoside was found to be hydroxylated to loganin in vivb. Since tracer studies in a related species, Menyanthes tn’foliata, have revealed that the O-methyl group of loganin is derived from the methyl of methionine [4] , it was of interest to determine which monoterpene, loganic acid or 7-deoxyloganic acid, is methylated prefentially in Y rosea.
Early leukocytosis in trauma patients: what difference does it make?

Abstract Objective To determine the association of the admission white blood cell count in trauma patients with demographics, severity and mechanism of injury, and need for therapeutic intervention. Methods Evaluation of prospectively collected registry data (admissions to a Level I trauma center in 2001). Differences in mean white blood cell count on admission were evaluated with t tests. Multiple linear regressions were performed with forward stepwise selection of variables. Results Of the 882 patients admitted for greater than 24 hours, white blood cell count was available for 786. Variations in white blood cell count were noted on bivariate analysis among different races, injury mechanisms and severities, Glascow Coma Scores, blood pressures, and between patients requiring early transfusions versus those who did not. No difference was noted between patients who went to the operating room in the first 24 hours versus those who did not, or for patients who died in the hospital. On multiple linear regression analyses, only ISS greater than 15, GCS less than or equal to 8, and white race were associated with increases in white blood cell count. Leukocytosis was found not to be associated with mechanism of injury, specific organ injury, shock on admission, or the need for transfusion or surgery. Conclusion Variations in white blood cell count in trauma patients are associated with race and injury severity, but they are not beneficial in predicting the need for volume resuscitation, transfusion, or surgery.
Processes that shape conversation and their implications for computational linguistics

Experimental studies of interactive language use have shed light on the cognitive and interpersonal processes that shape conversation; corpora are the emergent products of these processes. I will survey studies that focus on under-modelled aspects of interactive language use, including the processing of spontaneous speech and disfluencies; metalinguistic displays such as hedges; interactive processes that affect choices of referring expressions; and how communication media shape conversations. The findings suggest some agendas for computational linguistics.
The coating of bovine and rabbit corneas denuded of their endothelium with bovine corneal endothelial cells.

Abstract A method for coating corneas denuded of their endothelium has been developed. The attachment and spreading of cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells seeded upon the Descemet's membrane of corneal buttons previously denuded of their endothelium by delicately sweeping the endothelial side with a cotton swab have been analyzed. Confluent cultures of bovine corneal endothelial cells were exposed to trypsin to disrupt the cell monolayer into single cells. Increasing concentrations of endothelial cells ranging from 2·5 × 10 4 to 3 × 10 5 cells were then seeded on the denuded Descemet's membrane of 11 mm bovine corneal buttons. When the corneal buttons were stained with alizarin red after an incubation period of 8 hr at 37°C, the best coating was observed with 10 5 seeded cells. In this case, no areas of denudation could be seen and the cells were clearly apposed to one another, thereby reconstituting an endothelial cell monolayer. The cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells seeded on denuded Descemet's membranes plated extremely rapidly. By 15 min, 80% of Descemet's membrane was covered with a monolayer of endothelial cells and by 30 min all of Descemet's membrane was covered. The plating of bovine corneal endothelial cells on denuded Descemet's membrane was a direct function of the trypsin concentration to which they were first exposed. Cells first treated with 0·05% trypsin plated poorly 1 hr after being seeded on a denuded Descemet's membrane. Better plating efficiency was achieved with cells first exposed respectively to 0·025% and 0·01% trypsin. The best results were consistently obtained with cells first dissociated with 0·005% trypsin. Although serum is required in vitro for the attachment of normal cells to tissue culture dishes, it was not required for the attachment of corneal endothelial cells to the denuded Descemet's membrane. Cultured corneal endothelial cells plated equally well in the presence or absence of serum. Similar results were obtained when the cells were suspended in aqueous humor instead of in tissue culture medium. When denuded rabbit corneas were used as a substrate instead of bovine corneas, all the parameters studied for the attachment and spreading of bovine corneal endothelial cells seeded on bovine corneas (cell density, time, and medium) lead to similar conclusions with respect to the interactions between corneal endothelial cells and rabbit Descemet's membrane.
The null cell compartment of the mouse spleen.

Abstract Null lymphocytes were defined as lymphocytes without detectable T- or B-cell markers using a battery of techniques. The null cell compartment was divided into pre-T cells, pre-B cells, and other null cells based upon their acquisition of membrane markers when incubated with ubiquitin. The null cell subpopulations were remarkably consistent in spleen cell suspensions from young adult mice of various strains. Commitment to T- or B-cell differentiation took place at the null cell stage and did not require thymic input. Pre-T cells, but not pre-B cells, were steroid sensitive. Pre-T cells accumulate with congenital thymic deficiency. This differed from senescent thymodeprivation where the outstanding finding was an accumulation of uninducible null cells. Neonatal mouse spleens were deficient in pre-T and pre-B cells but had an accumulation of uninducible cells.
Understanding soft error propagation using Efficient vulnerability-driven fault injection

Extreme CMOS scaling is expected to significantly impact the reliability of future microprocessors, prompting recent research effort on low-cost hardware-software cross-layer reliability solutions. To evaluate, statistical fault injection (SFI) is often used to estimate the error coverage of the underlying method. Unfortunately, because a significant number of errors injected by SFI are often derated, the evaluation becomes less rigorous and less efficient. This paper makes the observation that many derated errors can be gracefully avoided to allow the fault injection campaign to focus on likely non-derated faults that stress the method-under-test. We propose a biased injection framework called CriticalFault that employs vulnerability analysis to map out relevant faults for stress testing. With CriticalFault, our results show that the injection space is reduced by 29% and 59% of the biased injections cause either software aborts or silent data corruptions, both are improvements from SFI. Moreover, we characterize different propagation behaviors of these non-derated faults and discuss the implications of designing future cross-layer solutions. Overall, not only CriticalFault is highly effective in identifying relevant test cases for current systems, but reliability researchers and engineers can also conduct more in-depth and meaningful analysis in deveoping future reliability solutions using CriticalFault.
Optimization of Nb3SnCu superconductor wire prepared by the in situ process

Abstract The in situ process for preparing Nb3SnCu superconductor wire produces the Nb3Sn filaments in a bronze matrix from as-cast NbCu ingots. The ingots are drawn to produce a composite of aligned Nb filaments in a Cu matrix and following Sn plating a diffusion anneal converts Nb filaments to Nb3Sn filaments. This work shows that an optimum size Nb filament is required to maximize critical current capacity. If the filaments are too big resistance of the Nb3SnCuNb3Sn junctions limit Jc. while if the filaments are too small coarsening occurs during the diffusion anneal and the junctions so formed limit Jc. It is shown that Jc values for wires of optimum filament size compare quite favorably to bronze processed Nb3SnCu wire at fields as high as 15T.
Genetic profiles of Shiga toxin and intimin genes found in stool broth cultures: a 2-year reference laboratory study

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are associated with potentially serious illness in humans. STEC detection is often based on the presence of Stxs, Stx(1) and/or Stx(2), and intimin, encoded by the eae gene. A 2-year collection of stool broth cultures was tested for variants of stx(1), stx(2), and eae. Approximately 80% (138 of 174) were positive for stx(1) and/or stx(2), with stx(1) as the most prevalent (66%). Of the stx(1) variants, stx(1) was the most common (76%) followed by stx(1c) (22%). Analysis of stx(2)-positive isolates found 20 (53%) stx(2), 13 (34%) stx(2)/stx(2v-ha), 3 (8%) stx(2v-ha), 1 (3%) stx(2v-hb), and 1 (3%) stx(2d-activatable). Findings of stx(2)/stx(2v-ha) and stx(2d-activatable) are noteworthy given associations with hemolytic uremic syndrome and increased cytotoxicity, respectively. Of the Stx positive, 94 (68%) were eae positive with 31 (33%) eae(varepsilon1), 19 (20%) eae(gamma1), and 18 (19%) eae(beta1). A predominance of eae(varepsilon1) may suggest a new pathogenic significance because, reportedly, eae(beta1) is one of the most widespread variants.
Classifying and Forecasting Microburst Activity in the Denver, Colorado, Area

Results of an exploratory study indicate that microburst activity in the Denver, Colorado, area is predictable with some success. Since the types of storm environments that occur in Denver are fairly typical of those that recur with a fairly high frequency in other western cities, these results should have some general validity over the western half of the U.S. Two conceptual models of microburst-producing environments and associated processes are presented, and one of these is used as a basis for developing both subjective and objective prediction schemes that are driven by 1200 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) sounding data. The prediction schemes have been verified by using data taken during the Joint Airport Weather Studies (JAWS) project, during the summer of 1982. One of these prediction schemes uses a three-level microburst classification of none (0), few (1-4), and many ( >4), together with data from a single local sounding to yield probabilities of detection 70, 32, and 80%, respectively. A similar scheme, but incorporating regional sounding data, has a corresponding set of detection probabilities of 65, 55, and 82%, respectively.
Nutrition, infection, and periodontal disease

Even though nutrition is not recognized as a risk factor for periodontal diseases, nutrition is acknowledged to have a significant impact on optimal functioning of the immune response. Dental professionals need to routinely assess nutritional status and provide basic nutrition counseling to their patients to ensure optimal functioning of the immune system in combating infection and to promote optimal periodontal health.
The value of the gelatin infusion test in the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with Billroth. II. Anastomoses.

Infusion of a test solution of gelatin into the proximal jejunum of 5 patients with Billroth II anastomoses with no suspected pancreatic disease produced a mean hydrolysis of 46.2%±4.9 SD of the infused gelatin to dialyzable peptides. In 3 patients with Billroth II anastomoses and chronic pancreatitis, the mean hydrolysis was 16%±2.6 SD. In 5 normal subjects and 7 patients with chronic pancreatitis and no prior surgery, the mean intraduodenal gelatin hydrolysis was 72.4%±9.1 SD and 9.0%±3.6 SD, respectively. These preliminary studies indicate that the gelatin infusion test may be of value in assessing pancreatic function in patients with Billroth II anastomoses in whom a secretin test cannot be performed.
Randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of famciclovir for reduction of Ménière's disease symptoms.

Objective To conduct a clinical trial of famciclovir for symptom control in Meniere’s disease. Study design and setting Randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial in a tertiary referral center, with 12 subjects in the active treatment arm and 11 subjects in the placebo arm. Results There were no serious adverse events. Twenty-five percent of the famciclovir group and 18% of the placebo group showed a reduction in number of vertigo spells, the primary efficacy endpoint. This difference was not statistically significant. All subjects improved in dizziness and health-related quality of life. There was a trend for the famciclovir arm to have less fluctuation in hearing relative to the placebo arm. Conclusion No dramatic effects of famciclovir were found on vertigo or dizziness. Some promising effects on reduction of the fluctuation in hearing were observed. Significance Famciclovir may suppress the fluctuation of hearing in Meniere’s disease, but had a minimal effect on vertigo or dizziness symptoms in this study. The probable multifactorial etiology in Meniere’s disease requires that further studies be conducted to determine the effects of antiviral medications. EBM rating: A.
Biomechanics of aggressive inline skating: landing and balancing on a grind rail.

Abstract Currently, only epidemiological injury data have been reported for the new extreme sport of aggressive inline skating, or trick skating. No studies have examined the biomechanics of this sport, which involves repetitive jumping and landing from railings, ramps, and ledges, often over 1 m in height. We present results of a pilot study that examined the effect of skater experience and lower extremity biomechanics on energy absorption ability, and observed balance strategies used during two basic tricks. In these tricks, the skater jumps onto an elevated rail and maintains balance while standing in a single position (stall) or sliding along the rail (grind). Lower extremity joint kinematics, impact force characteristics, and general movement behaviours were examined during landing and balance phases. Ten male skaters performed ten stalls and ten frontside grinds on an instrumented grind rail, capable of measuring vertical force. Vertical impact force was found to decrease with increasing skater expe...
High-temperature nucleation and silicide formation at the Co/Si(111)-7×7 interface: A structural investigation.

We have investigated the atomic structure of annealed Co/Si(111) interfaces prepared by the evaporation of one-, two-, and thirty-monolayer equivalent coverages of Co. Experimental and theoretical angular distributions of the Co LMM Auger intensity reveal that for all coverages investigated a ${\mathrm{CoSi}}_{2}$ phase forms which is rotated 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} about the surface normal relative to the substrate. At low coverages, the ${\mathrm{CoSi}}_{2}$ phase is in the form of clusters which appear to be two to three ${\mathrm{CoSi}}_{2}$ layers in thickness and are terminated by a Si(111) bilayer. The Si(111) overlayer, which is in addition to the terminal plane of Si atoms associated with the outermost ${\mathrm{CoSi}}_{2}$ layer, also appears to be rotated 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} about the surface normal relative to the Si substrate.
Adolescents' views on food and nutrition

Abstract This study, which investigated the opinions and views of adolescents throughout the state of Minnesota, examines a range of nutrition-related topics. Using a small group discussion format and qualitative survey methods, we polled 900 high school students. Data were analyzed using content analytic techniques. In general, we found that adolescents were well informed about good health and nutrition practices, but they did not translate this knowledge into food behavior. Adolescents felt that there were many barriers to changing their dietary behaviors—specifically, lack of time, lack of discipline, and lack of a sense of urgency. We discuss the implications for nutrition education and designing programs aimed at changing adolescent dietary behaviors.
Popeye Domain-Containing Proteins and Stress-Mediated Modulation of Cardiac Pacemaking

An intricate network of ion channels and pumps are involved in generating a diastolic pacemaker potential, which is transmitted to the working myocardium with the help of the cardiac conduction system. The principles of cardiac pacemaking are reasonably well understood, however, the mechanism by which the heart increases its beating frequency in response to adrenergic stimulation has not been fully worked out. The Popeye domain-containing (Popdc) genes encode plasma membrane-localized proteins that are able to bind cAMP with high affinity; mice with null mutations in Popdc1 or 2 have a stress-induced pacemaker dysfunction. The phenotype in both mutants develops in an age-dependent manner and thus may model pacemaker dysfunction in man, as well as provide novel mechanistic insights into the process of pacemaker adaptation to stress.
Size dependence of twin formation energy of metallic nanowires

Twin formation energy is an intrinsic quantity for bulk crystals. At the nanoscale, the twin formation energy of covalent SiC nanowires goes up with decreasing dimension. In contrast, this article reports that the twin formation energy of metallic nanowires goes down with decreasing dimension. This result is based on classical molecular statics simulations of four representative metals. Cu and Al represent face-centered cubic (FCC) metals of low and high twin formation energies. Ta represents a body-centered cubic (BCC) metal, and Mg represents a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) metal. For all the four metals, the dependence of twin formation energy on size correlates with lower twin formation energy near surfaces, according to atomic-level analysis. Based on this atomic-level insight, the authors propose a core–shell model that reveals the twin formation energy as inversely proportional to the diameter of nanowires. This dependence is in agreement with the results of molecular statics simulations.