cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capsaicin application to the temporomandibular joint alters calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in the trigeminal ganglion of the rat.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the temporal effect of an intra-articular injection of capsaicin to the temporomandibular joint on the levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) in the trigeminal ganglion of the rat. The temporomandibular joints of 26 adult female rates were injected on one side with capsaicin and contralaterally with a control vehicle. Another 8 animals served as an untreated control group and received no injections. Animals were sacrificed at time intervals of 4 hours, 48 hours, 10 days, and 21 days following treatment. The trigeminal ganglia were extirpated, and CGRP-ir levels were quantified using a radioimmunoassay. Results demonstrated that when the capsaicin-treated side and teh vehicle-treated side were compared, CGRP-ir levels decreased initially at 4 hours and increased at 48 hours. At 10 days, CGRP-ir levels had again dropped below control lev els, followed by an increase at 21 days. CGRP-ir levels for the first two time periods investigated, which simulate an acute inflammatory state, mimic results observed in studies using limb joints, while the other time pe riods, which represent an intermediate and a chronic condition, respectively, suggest a more complex interaction with capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents.
On drying shrinkage in alkali-activated concrete: Improving dimensional stability by aging or heat-curing

Abstract The problem of excessive drying shrinkage in alkali-activated concrete (AAC) is well-documented in the literature. The magnitude of drying shrinkage is often three or more times that in portland cement concrete. This study investigates the effects of binder type, activator concentration, strength, age, and curing method on the manifestation of drying shrinkage in alkali-activated fly ash and slag cement concrete. Early-age shrinkage strains in excess of 1200 μe (0.12 percent strain) are observed in AAC. This is attributed to delayed hydration, microstructure refinement, and strength development. The resulting damage is far more significant than in portland cement concrete. Shrinkage and resulting damage are greatly reduced when specimens are dried at later age and after heat-curing. Alkali-activated slag cement concrete is more sensitive to water loss than portland cement or alkali-activated fly ash concrete. This results from a finer pore structure in alkali-activated slag binders.
Distribution-connected PV's response to voltage sags at transmission-scale

The ever increasing amount of residential- and commercial-scale distribution-connected PV generation being installed and operated on the U.S.'s electric power system necessitates the use of increased fidelity representative distribution system models for transmission stability studies in order to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the grid. This paper describes a distribution model-based analysis that determines the amount of distribution-connected PV that trips off-line for a given voltage sag seen at the distribution circuit's substation. Such sags are what could potentially be experienced over a wide area of an interconnection during a transmission-level line fault. The results of this analysis show that the voltage diversity of the distribution system does cause different amounts of PV generation to be lost for differing severity of voltage sags. The variation of the response is most directly a function of the loading of the distribution system. At low load levels the inversion of the circuit's voltage profile results in considerable differences in the aggregated response of distribution-connected PV Less variation is seen in the response to specific PV deployment scenarios, unless pushed to extremes, and in the total amount of PV penetration attained. A simplified version of the combined CMPLDW and PVD1 models is compared to the results from the model-based analysis. Furthermore, the parameters of the simplified model are tuned to better match the determined response. The resulting tuning parameters do not match the expected physical model of the distribution system and PV systems and thus may indicate that another modeling approach would be warranted.
Immunomethylomic approach to explore the blood neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in glioma survival

Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) within DNA isolated from whole blood can be used to estimate the proportions of circulating leukocyte subtypes. We use the term “immunomethylomics” to describe the application of these immune lineage DMRs to studying leukocyte profiles. Here, we applied this approach to peripheral blood DNA from 72 glioma patients with molecularly defined brain tumors, representing common patient groups with defined characteristic survival times and risk factors. We first estimated the proportions of leukocyte subtypes in samples using deconvolution algorithms with reference DMR libraries from isolated leukocyte populations and Illumina 450K DNA methylation data. Then, we calculated the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) using methylation-derived cell composition estimates (mdNLR). The NLR is considered an indicator of immunosuppressive cells in cancer patients. Elevated mdNLR scores were observed in glioma patients compared to mdNLR values of published controls. Significantly decreased survival times were associated with mdNLR ≥ 4.0 in Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, gender, tumor grade, and molecular subtype (HR 2.02, 95% CI, 1.11–3.69). We also identified five myeloid-related CpGs that were highly correlated with the mdNLR (adjusted R 2 ≥ 0.80). Each of the five myeloid CpG loci was associated with survival when adjusted for the above covariates and offer a simplified approach for utilizing fresh or archived peripheral blood samples for interrogating a very small number of methylation markers to estimate myeloid immune influences in glioma survival. The mdNLR (based on DNA methylation) is a novel candidate methylation biomarker that represents immunosuppressive myeloid cells within the blood of glioma patients with potential application in clinical trials and future epidemiologic studies of glioma risk and survival.
Prevalence of Proteinuria and Other Abnormalities in Urinalysis Performed in the Urology Clinic.

Objective To compare the prevalence of proteinuria in the urology clinic with other outpatient settings. Chronic kidney disease is classified according to cause, glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria. Proteinuria may be more prevalent in patients with known chronic kidney disease, renal disorders (benign or malignant), or after urologic surgery. Methods A cross-sectional study of 3 populations undergoing urinalysis (UA) testing was carried out: general outpatients (n = 20,334), urology outpatients (n = 5023), and kidney cancer patients (n = 1016). Proteinuria was classified under Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines: A1 ( 300 mg). Results Proteinuria was detected throughout a community-based health system in 8.6% of UA (8.2%: A2; 0.4%: A3). In comparison, 18.6% of urology office-performed UA had proteinuria (16.0%: A2, 2.5%: A3) (P < .0001 vs non-urology). Kidney cancer patients were more likely to have proteinuria (17.9%: A2, 3.8%: A3). The proportion with A3 was significantly higher in urology and kidney cancer patients when compared with other outpatients (each P < .0001), and in the kidney cancer subgroup compared with all urology patients (P < .0001). Additional abnormalities were frequently present on microscopic analysis of UA in the urology clinic, including hematuria (20.9%), pyuria (21.8%), and bacteriuria (3.1%). Conclusion The value of UA in the urology clinic as a screening test for proteinuria and other conditions appears high, with >56% having at least 1 abnormality. The population risk of proteinuria in the urology clinic is 18.5%, which is higher than that observed in non-urology clinics. Patients with kidney cancer appear more likely to have proteinuria than the average urology patient. We recommend evaluation of urology patients with UA to identify proteinuria.
Cyclic Loading Response of Silt with Multiple Loading Events

AbstractThe evolution of cyclic resistance with multiple loading events is evaluated for nonplastic and low-plasticity silts with plasticity indices of 0 and 6, respectively. A series of direct sim...
Lusophone African poetry: at home and in the diaspora

When the subject in question is the Lusophone African Literature, one has to bear in mind that there are expatriate people who have moved from their countries and settled in other African countries or even beyond, like Europe and the Americas. For the purpose of illustration one may remember that here in the United States there are colonies of Capeverdeans scattered around the country. The same fact is true of people from other African territories. The consequence is that this dispersion from the homeland provokes unity among them when they are in foreign lands where they start a new life. Considering that nobody forgets his people and country when he is lonely, far from home, it is obvious that homesickness takes place and a way to exteriorize their feelings is through poetry (and Literature in general, of course). On the other hand, there is another aspect which is very important and ought to be focused on: the ideas the person expatriated may espouse through his work. Based on this statement I am going to point out some aspects of the exiled African writers as they are reflected in their Literature. Some are praised and some are denounced in this Literature written by/for African people from the Portuguese speaking countries.
In Vitro Sonothrombolysis Enhancement by Transiently Stable Microbubbles Produced by a Flow-Focusing Microfluidic Device

Therapeutic approaches that enhance thrombolysis by combining recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), ultrasound, and/or microbubbles (MBs) are known as sonothrombolysis techniques. To date, sonothrombolysis approaches have primarily utilized commercially available MB formulations (or derivatives thereof) with diameters in the range 1-4 µm and circulation lifetimes between 5 and 15 min. The present study evaluated the in vitro sonothrombolysis efficacy of large diameter MBs (d MB ≥ 10 µm) with much shorter lifetimes that were produced on demand and in close proximity to the blood clot using a flow-focusing microfluidic device. MBs with a N2 gas core and a non-crosslinked bovine serum albumin shell were produced with diameters between 10 and 20 µm at rates between 50 and 950 × 103 per second. Use of these large MBs resulted in approximately 4.0-8.8 fold increases in thrombolysis rates compared to a clinical rtPA dose and approximately 2.1-4.2 fold increases in thrombolysis rates compared to sonothrombolysis techniques using conventional MBs. The results of this study indicate that the large diameter microbubbles with transient stability are capable of significantly enhanced in vitro sonothrombolysis rates when delivered directly to the clot immediately following production by a flow focusing microfluidic device placed essentially in situ adjacent to the clot.
Ultrasonic Velocity and Attenuation in Hardened Steel.

Ultrasonic velocity and attenuation data are presented on three types of hardened steel corresponding to three different applications: carbon steel for ball bearings, pearlite steel for rail steel and case hardened 1043 steel for general commercial application. The results include dispersion data for surface acoustic waves in the presence of a hardness gradient. An inversion technique is demonstrated for obtaining the hardness profile in good agreement with that obtained by conventional destructive means. Preliminary results are presented for a noncontact technique of measuring surface wave velocity.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Elderly Patient

As with management of gastrointestinal bleeding in younger adults, successful therapy of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the elderly depends on source identification and source control through directed intervention. Frailty, defined as age-associated declines in physiologic reserve and function across multiorgan systems, may influence the impact of the bleed and limit the options for treatment [1]. Not only dose, but also duration of exposure to self-administered toxins may have a cumulative effect, as with the long-term effect of cigarette smoking on duodenal ulcers and the effect of chronic alcohol use on the development of bleeding esophageal varices.
Tomographic imaging of non-local media based on space-fractional diffusion models

We investigate a generalized tomographic imaging framework applicable to a class of inhomogeneous media characterized by non-local diffusive energy transport. Under these conditions, the transport mechanism is well described by fractional-order continuum models capable of capturing anomalous diffusion that would otherwise remain undetected when using traditional integer-order models. Although the underlying idea of the proposed framework is applicable to any transport mechanism, the case of fractional heat conduction is presented as a specific example to illustrate the methodology. By using numerical simulations, we show how complex inhomogeneous media involving non-local transport can be successfully imaged if fractional order models are used. In particular, results will show that by properly recognizing and accounting for the fractional character of the host medium not only allows achieving increased resolution but, in case of strong and spatially distributed non-locality, it represents the only viable approach to achieve a successful reconstruction.
La poética del fragmento y el tercer espacio de la historia en Noticias del Imperio de Fernando del Paso

Este trabajo aborda el analisis de los ensayos de Dulce Maria Loynaz (1902-1997,), considerados como un macrotexto en el cual es posible distinguir recurrencias, continuidades y tensiones. Se ofrece un rastreo tematico de los conceptos relacionados con la poesia, la figura del poeta en general y de la poetisa, esta ultima ejemplificada en las conferencias dedicadas a Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda (1957,), Gabriela Mistral (1957) y Delmira Agustini (1979). El analisis de "Poetisas de America" (1951) permite dilucidar las hipotesis mas personales de Dulce Maria Loynaz y senalar las multiples estrategias que producen el sentido en sus textos ensayisticos. Finalmente se evaluara, desde la perspectiva de los estudios de genero contemporaneos, el rol que jugaron los ensayos loynacianos en la consolidacion del mito de las poetisas americanas.
AI-06 Lupus nephritis is linked to dysbiosis, increased gut leakiness and immunity to an intestinal commensal lachnospiracaea species

Background A transmissible agent has long been suspected in the pathogenesis of SLE, yet the potential contribution of the human intestinal microbiome has been little examined. We therefore characterized the gut microbiota of patients with SLE, with special interest in those with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods Blood and fecal samples from SLE patients were obtained, with strict inclusion/exclusion of criteria. Fecal 16S rDNA sequencing, as well as cytokine and autoantibody assays were performed. In addition, sera from two independent lupus cohorts were studied for validation. Biomarkers of gut leakiness were assessed. Results Compared to controls, the intestinal microbiome from SLE patients (n=61) showed decreased species richness diversity with reductions in taxonomic complexity most pronounced in those with high disease activity. Notably, SLE patients had an overall 5-fold greater representation of a species in the Lachnospiracaea family of obligate anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, with reciprocal contractions of two other commensal species with putative protective properties. Abundance of the Lachnospiracaea species correlated with serum IgG to a cell wall component, postulated to represent a lipoglycan, from a strain of this same species (p=0.002, n=61, Spearman) but not with 7 other strains. There was also a significant direct correlation between SLEDAI scores and levels of these circulating anti-strain IgG antibodies (p=0.02, n=48). Levels of antibodies to strain-specific bacterial antigen, treated with RNAse/DNAse/proteinase K, were significantly higher in those with active nephritis at time of sampling compared to SLE without renal activity (Cohort 1 p=0.01 n=48; Cohort 2 p=0.006, n=28, Mann-Whitney). Levels of serum IgG anti- strain antibodies also significantly correlated with high-titer serum IgG to native DNA (p Conclusions These findings suggest a novel paradigm for the pathogenesis of LN in which a common intestinal commensal bacteria may contribute to the immune-complex mediated disease process, with features akin to poststreptococcal GN but without outward signs and symptoms of clinical infection. Acknowledgements Judith and Stuart Colton Foundation, NIAMS- P50 AR070591.
Clinical spectrum of neuropathy after primary total knee arthroplasty: A series of 54 cases.

Introduction Neuropathy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can cause significant morbidity but is inconsistently reported. Methods We reviewed the clinical, electrodiagnostic and perioperative features of all patients who underwent primary TKA at our institution and developed a new neuropathy within 8 weeks postoperatively. Results Fifty-four cases were identified (incidence 0.37% [95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.49]) affecting the following nerve(s): peroneal (37), sciatic (11), ulnar (2), tibial (2), sural (1), and lumbosacral plexus (1). In all cases with follow-up data, motor recovery typically occurred within 1 year and was complete or near-complete. Conclusions Post-TKA neuropathy is uncommon, typically does not require intervention and usually resolves within 1 year. Post-TKA neuropathy most often affects the nerves surgically at risk. Anesthesia type does not correlate with post-TKA neuropathy. An inflammatory etiology for post-TKA neuropathy is rare but should be considered in specific cases. Muscle Nerve 59:679-682, 2019.
Long Range Sequencing Shows Improved Resolution in the Detection of Beta Globin Cluster Variants

Introduction: Globin gene sequencing has long been impeded by repetitive regions, homology and structural variation. Currently, long-read sequencing technology has been limited by high cost and error rate. These challenges can be mitigated by sample multiplexing of targeted capture sequencing and the use of consensus reads, respectively. This ongoing study analyzes the utility of long range sequencing technology in identifying historically problematic beta globin cluster mutations. Materials and methods: Long range sequencing was performed on complex beta globin gene cluster cases utilizing the Sequel platform (Pacific Biosciences, Menlo Park, California, United States). Sample input was 1 microgram of DNA extracted from whole blood. Circular Consensus Sequence (CCS) FASTQ sequences files were mapped to reference genome (GRCh37/hg19) using NGMLR, followed by annotation of variants using a custom bioinformatics workflow. Comparison to multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), Sanger sequencing, array CGH, short-range NGS (300 bp), hemoglobin protein, and clinical data was performed. Results: CCS read length varied from 1 to 10 kb, average 3.5. Analysis of the beta globin cluster region showed impressive superiority and comprehensiveness to Sanger, MLPA, array CGH and short range sequencing technology: 1) single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified to a sensitivity and specificity of 99.5%; 2) large structural variants (SVs) such as large deletions, duplications, insertions, crossovers and fusions spanning many kilobases were characterized in the heterozygous, homozygous and compound heterozygous state to a precise genomic coordinate (table 1); 3) phasing SNVs identified Hb S haplotypes (Central African region (CAR), Benin, Senegal, Arab-Indian and Cameroon). Conclusion: 1) Long range sequencing holds significant promise in genotyping hemoglobin disorders. This method improves efficiency with potential for a single test offering with increased resolution, particularly in large deletion analysis. Complex cases greatly benefited from improved range and resolution. 2) The decreased requirement of blood volume for extensive testing is of particular interest for the pediatric population. 3) Genotyping of Hb S patients detected by positive newborn screening will help predict need for prophylaxis or therapy by assessing variant zygosity, phasing and haplotypes. In conclusion, we believe that long range sequencing has immense potential to contribute extensively to thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy diagnostics and is far superior to the currently available technologies for beta globin cluster analysis. Download : Download high-res image (146KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Jen: Celgene: Employment.
Electric scooter craniofacial trauma

Objective The use of standing electronic scooters associated with micromobility applications (e-scooters) has risen nationally. The aim of this study was to obtain a detailed view of soft tissue and bony craniofacial injury associated with e-scooter-related trauma. Methods Single-institution retrospective case series of patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center emergency department or trauma unit with documented e-scooter-related craniofacial injury. Results Of 203 included patients, 188 (92.6%) patients sustained craniofacial injury. One hundred thirty-one (64.5%) had exclusively soft tissue injury, 3 (1.5%) exclusively bony injury, 51 (25.1%) both soft and bony injuries, and twenty-five (12.3%) patients sustained dental injury. Aesthetic units most frequently sustaining acute soft tissue injury were the forehead (n = 106, 34.6%), scalp (n = 36, 11.8%), chin (n = 34, 11.1%), upper lip (n = 32, 10.5%), and cheek (n = 31, 10.1%). Aesthetic subunits most often sustaining acute soft tissue injury included the brow (42, 13.7%), central forehead (39, 12.7%), lateral forehead (n = 25, 8.2%), and upper lip vermillion (n = 23, 7.5%). Craniofacial osseous fracture most often occurred in the orbit (n = 42, 24.6%) and maxilla (n = 40, 23.4%). Individual osseous segments most frequently sustaining acute fracture included the anterior maxillary sinus wall (n = 22, 12.9%), nasal bone (n = 20, 11.7%), lateral orbital wall (n = 16, 9.4%), orbital floor (n = 15, 8.8%), and zygomatic bone (13, 7.6%). Conclusions Our analysis demonstrates that most patients presenting to our center with craniofacial trauma sustained acute bony fracture, most often to the midface. Our data of common injuries associated with e-scooter trauma could inform implementation in the form of facial safety equipment or safety skills training for e-scooter riders. Level of evidence 4.
Class Analysis of the Experience of Migration during the Partition of India

The paper conducts a class analysis of the human experience of migration during the Partition of India using a dataset constructed from 1,000 recently published oral narratives by migrants from acr...
Plant traits that influence flower visits by birds in a montane forest

Abstract In a bird-flowering plant network, birds select plants that present traits attractive to them. I studied plant characteristics that might predict flower visitation rate by the most common bird visitors in a bird-flowering plant network located in an elfin forest of the Andes. The nectarivorous birds which had the highest number of interactions with flowering plants in this network were the Coppery Metaltail (Metallura theresiae), the Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus), and the Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis). I analyzed different flower traits (flower aggregation, nectar volume, nectar energy, color, orientation, and dimensions of the corolla) of the common plants that these birds visited with a principal component analysis. The plants most visited by birds were Brachyotum lutescens and Tristerix longebracteatus. While nectar traits of the plants seemed to be the best predictor for bird visitation, there was no statistical association between visitation and plant traits, except for Metallura theresiae in the dry season. I discuss the possible causes of resource partitioning for these nectarivorous birds.
Exploration of the Utility of a Brief Electronic Cigarettes Educational Module for Health Professions Students: A National Study

Background: E-cigarettes are fairly new, but are exponentially increasing in popularity. Subsequently, there is emerging evidence-based research on the topic. Patients are increasingly asking healthcare providers about e-cigarettes, especially as methods for cessation from combustible cigarettes. The advice patients receive from healthcare providers influences their perceptions and behaviors. Current and future healthcare providers should be prepared to provide advice to their patients regarding this emerging issue. The purpose of the study was to assess and compare the knowledge, perceptions, and self-efficacy of emerging healthcare professionals (students) regarding the use of e-cigarettes. Methods: This IRB approved, national survey of nursing and respiratory therapy (RT) students utilized a pre-test, post-test design following a brief educational intervention. The brief on-line video module was a 9.5 minute review of the National Academies of Science publication, “Public Consequences of E-Cigarettes.” Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy for counseling about e-cigarettes were explored using an on-line survey instrument before and after viewing the video. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and t-tests. Results: A total of 308 students (54% RT; 57% associate’s degree) were recruited by an email sent to their program director and elected to participate. Most (77.3%) were not educated in their program about e-cigarettes, and received information largely from ads and social media. Baseline assessment of their knowledge and perceptions were not congruent with the current levels of scientific evidence, but this improved following the educational intervention. In addition, student reported self-efficacy in counseling also improved (P
NIR Emission from Lanthanides in Bioimaging

Optical imaging is becoming an increasingly utilized diagnostic modality in the clinic. To render optical imaging a viable imaging technique, luminescent reporters are required, with absorbance and emission profiles compatible with the near-infrared (NIR) biological optical window ranging from 600 to 1,350 nm, where light has its maximum depth of penetration in tissue. As an attractive alternative to organic fluorophores, certain lanthanides are considered suitable for NIR applications, but implementation has been hampered to date by non-trivial access to excited states and competing, non-emissive de-excitation processes if the excited, lanthanide-based electronic state can be accessed. This book chapter seeks to summarize recent advances in the application of NIR lanthanide luminescence for optical bioimaging applications using discrete and nanomaterial-based probe design approaches.
A Comparative Study of Nanostructures of CuO/Cu2O Fabricated via Potentiostatic and Galvanostatic Anodization

A detailed comparative study on the synthesis process of coral-like CuO/Cu2O nanorods (NRs) and nanopolycrystals (NPCs) fabricated on Cu foil employing aqueous electrolyte via potentiostatic (POT) and galvanostatic (GAL) modes is discussed. The structural, morphological, thermal, compositional, and molecular vibration of the prepared CuO/Cu2O nanostructures was characterized by XRD, HRSEM, TG/DTA, FTIR, and EDX techniques. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline phase of the formation of monoclinic CuO and cubic Cu2O nanostructures with well-defined morphology. The average particle size was found to be 21.52 nm and 26.59 nm for NRs (POT) and NPCs (GAL), respectively, and this result is corroborated from the HRSEM analysis. POT synthesized nanoparticle depicted a higher thermal stability up to 600°C implying that the potentiostatically grown coral-like NRs exhibit a good crystallinity and well-ordered morphology.
When Is Fear for One's Life Race-Gendered? An Intersectional Analysis of the Bureau of Immigration Appeals's In re A-R-C-G- Decision

In August 2014, the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) handed down a breakthrough decision, In re A-R-C-G-,1 permitting courts to consider domestic violence as a gendered form of persecution in a home country and thus grounds for asylum in the United States. Along with two other 2014 decisions, In re W-G-R-2 and In re M-E-V-G-,3 this case represented a marked shift from prior BIA decisions, which for fifteen years had interpreted sections 208(a) and 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act more narrowly, thus excluding claims of home country abuse as reasonable grounds to grant asylum. Specifically, in A-R-C-G-, the BIA found that Guatemalan women fleeing domestic violence can be considered a “particular social group” (PSG).4 Its decision has been celebrated as a step forward in resolving contradictory and arbitrary outcomes that persisted in a vacuum of jurisprudential norms about the issue.5 The definition of a “particular social group” is key to understanding the possible ramifications of the decision. While legal theorists have a specific
Electrodes for the Neural Interface

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the electrodes used as neural interfaces. The neural interface can be unidirectional or bidirectional with information from an engineered system transferred to the neural system and/or information from the neural system transferred to an engineered system. The electrode for the neural interface is a critical component of any neuromodulation system and its development requires careful consideration of all aspects of the neural anatomy, gross physiology, molecular physiology, and electrophysiology. Surface electrodes applied to the skin are widely used in many neuromodulation applications and clinical diagnostic procedures, which ranges from ECG and EEG measurement to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain management and physical therapy to EMG recording for control of amputee prostheses. Muscle-based electrodes are used in the somatic peripheral nervous system and take advantage of the somatic PNS characteristic of point-like innervations at the neuromuscular junctions. By placing an electrode at a few positions, i.e., at the motor points, of a muscle, the entire muscle can be activated. Peripheral Nervous System Electrodes are designed for implantation directly on the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. The electrode technologies applied to the superficial and distal CNS are similar to the electrodes described for the PNS. These paddle-like electrodes are applied to the dorsal and ventral columns of the spinal cord for stimulation of cough, and respiration function and chronic, and intractable pain. Arrays of the paddle-like discs are embedded in silicon sheeting and applied over the cortical surface for measurement of the cortical activity.
IL22 and CD160 play additive roles in the mucosal host response to Clostridium difficult infection in mice (INM8P.435)

We have previously shown the significant up-regulation of Il22 and increased phosphorylation of STAT3 as part of the mucosal response to C. difficile VPI 10463 infection. Others have shown that phosphorylation of STAT3 at mucosal surfaces includes IL22- and CD160-mediated components. The current study sought to determine the potential role(s) of IL22 and/or CD160 in the mucosal response to C. difficile infection. Infection of mice with C. difficile 630 led to the significant induction of STAT3 phosphorylation and a very similar set of genes in the colon as we had reported previously. C. difficile-infected mice treated with anti-IL22, anti-CD160 or both showed significantly reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in comparison to C. difficile-infected mice that had received neither antibody. In addition, C. difficile-infected mice treated with anti-IL22/CD160 induced a smaller set of genes, and at significantly lower levels than the untreated C. difficile-infected mice. These included pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines and anti-bacterial peptides. In addition, mice treated with anti-IL22/CD160 had a lower influx of neutrophils than the other 3 infected groups. These data demonstrate that IL22 and CD160 are together responsible for a significant fraction of the colonic STAT3 phosphorylation in C. difficile infection. They also underscore the additive effects of IL22 and CD160 in mediating both the pro-inflammatory and pro-survival aspects of the mucosal response in this infection.
Dealer Markets Under Stress: The Performance of NASDAQ Market Makers During the November 15, 1991, Market Break

The liquidity of the NASDAQ market was seriously undermined during the crash on October 19,1987, when bidask spreads widened dramatically and dealers reputedly withdrew from market making. This paper studies the liquidity of 36 NASDAQ issues on November 15, 1991, when average prices fell over 4%, representing the first major correction in the post-crash era. We find that bid-ask spreads, the percentage of dealers posting inside quotes, and trading volume remained virtually unaffected. Effective spreads were also largely unaffected, except for trades in excess of 1,000 shares among issues whose market makers avoided odd-eighth quotes. Our evidence implies that, unlike October 1987, the liquidity of the NASDAQ market did not deteriorate appreciably during this episode of unusual market stress.
Clinical Expression Correlates With Location of Rhodopsin Mutation in Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

Methods. Data from 128 patients (age range, 7 to 73 years), each with 1 of 27 rhodopsin mutations, were analyzed. To approximate normal distributions, visual acuities were converted to ranks and then to the normal form, kinetic visual fields to a V4e test light were converted to equivalent diameters, and dark-adapted sensitivities to an 11° diameter stimulus and electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes to full-field 0.5-Hz and 30-Hz flashes were converted to common logarithms. Each of these measures was then regressed on age, refractive error (for the ERG), and domain (intradiscal, transmembrane, or cytoplasmic) or codon number of the opsin molecule altered by the mutation. Results. All five measures of function varied significantly with the domain (P := 0.0007) or codon number (P < 0.0001) altered by a mutation; visual acuity, visual field diameter, darkadapted sensitivity, and ERG amplitudes were highest for mutations altering the intradiscal domain or low-numbered codons and lowest for mutations altering the cytoplasmic domain or high-numbered codons. Conclusions. These data indicate that severity of disease correlates with the location of the amino acid residue altered by a rhodopsin mutation in dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1995;36:1934-1942. Approximately 20% to 30% of cases of dominantly inherited retinitis pigmentosa are caused by a mutation in the rhodopsin gene. Well more than 60 different mutations have been described to date, most of which are missense, with the remaining few in framedeletions of one or a few codons or insertions or truncations altering the 3' end of the reading frame. 1 " 7 Hence, these mutations would be expected to encode abnormal variants of opsin. Studies of these mutant opsins expressed in vitro have failed to reveal an abnormal property shared by them all: some of the mutant opsins fail to bind the chromophore ll-ds-retinal,
Halobenzimidazole Ribosides and RNA Synthesis of Cells and Viruses

Publisher Summary This chapter brings together in a systematic way the recent work as well as some of the earlier studies on the mode of action of halogenated ribofuranosylbenzimidazoles on cellular and viral biosynthesis. Investigations of the cellular and viral biosynthesis, in which these compounds have been used as exploratory tools are also reviewed in this chapter. Compounds in this class of benzimidazoles possess the unique biological activity of selective inhibition of the synthesis of nuclear heterogeneous RNA (hnRNA) in cells of cold-blooded animals, including insects and in cells of avian and mammalian species. Because of the universality of the synthesis of hnRNA in animal species and because a portion of hnRNA sequences becomes mRNA, the action of halobenzimidazole ribosides on cellular biosynthesis is of broad interest. The action of these derivatives is also relevant to the process of transcription of the viral genomes of certain RNA and DNA viruses. In addition, this chapter briefly discusses three groups of structurally distinct bcnzimidazolcs that possess biological actions entirely different from those of halobenzimidazole ribosides: 2-(α-hydroxybenzyl) benzimidazole and certain related compounds are selective inhibitors of picornavirus multiplication; 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole and congeners and 5-hydroxy-l-methylbenzimidazole and certain related compounds restore the capacity of chorioallantoic membranes from older chicken embryos to produce influenza virus in high yield.
The economic impact of ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure.

Object Detailed costs to individuals with hydrocephalus and their families as well as to third-party payers have not been previously described. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary caregiver out-of-pocket expenses and the third-party payer reimbursement rate associated with a shunt failure episode. Methods A retrospective study of children born between 2000 and 2005 who underwent initial ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement and who subsequently experienced a shunt failure requiring surgical intervention within 2 years of their initial shunt placement was conducted. Institutional reimbursement and demographic data from Children's Hospital of Alabama (CHA) were augmented with a caregiver survey of any out-of pocket expenses encountered during the shunt failure episode. Institutional reimbursements and caregiver out-of-pocket expenses were then combined to provide the cost for a shunt failure episode at CHA. Results For shunt failures, the median reimbursement total was $5008 (interqua...
Need for Caution in Interpreting Extreme Weather Statistics

AbstractGiven the reality of anthropogenic global warming, it is tempting to seek an anthropogenic component in any recent change in the statistics of extreme weather. This paper cautions that such efforts may, however, lead to wrong conclusions if the distinctively skewed and heavy-tailed aspects of the probability distributions of daily weather anomalies are ignored or misrepresented. Departures of several standard deviations from the mean, although rare, are far more common in such a distinctively non-Gaussian world than they are in a Gaussian world. This further complicates the problem of detecting changes in tail probabilities from historical records of limited length and accuracy.A possible solution is to exploit the fact that the salient non-Gaussian features of the observed distributions are captured by so-called stochastically generated skewed (SGS) distributions that include Gaussian distributions as special cases. SGS distributions are associated with damped linear Markov processes perturbed by...
Multiattributional Causality for Social Affiliation across Five Cross-National Samples.

Summary This study examined four individual causal attributions (ability, effort, context, and luck), using both an internal-external and a stable-unstable dimension in success and failure conditions for social affiliation. Subjects were 684 university students from India, Japan, South Africa, United States, and Yugoslavia majoring in education, social science, and physical science. In general all subjects attributed their social affiliations about equally to their effort, ability, and context, and less to luck. Subjects attributed their affiliations more to internal than external factors. Subjects across all countries attributed success mostly to context and failures largely to lack of effort. Except for Japan, students across the countries attributed success significantly more to stable than unstable causes. Differences among countries were significant for all four attributions for both success and failure and also for the internality and stability dimensions.
Rapid emplacement of a mid-ocean ridge lava flow on the East Pacific Rise at 9° 46'-51'N

In April, 1991, during a submersible diving expedition to the East Pacific Rise (EPR) crest at 9°46′–51′N, a new volcanic eruption on the sea floor was discovered. Here, we report results from numerical modeling of that eruption, which indicate that ∼ 4 × 106 −6 × 106 m3 of lava was emplaced in ∼ 1–2 h, with an average eruption rate of ∼ 103–106 m3 s−1 — comparable to rates observed in Hawaii at Kilauea's East Rift Zone. If the rapid emplacement of the 1991 EPR lava and its short eruption duration are typical of volcanic events at fast-spreading mid-ocean ridge crests, these characteristics have broad implications for our ability to detect, monitor and understand the evolution of magmatic and volcanic processes within the axial zone.
THE INTRACELLULAR SITE OF SYNTHESIS OF MITOCHONDRIAL RIBOSOMAL PROTEINS IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA

The intracellular site of synthesis of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRP) in Neurospora crassa has been investigated using three complementary approaches. (a) Mitochondrial protein synthesis in vitro: Tritium-labeled proteins made by isolated mitochondria were compared to 14C-labeled marker MRP by cofractionation in a two-step procedure involving isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Examination of the electrophoretic profiles showed that essentially none of the peaks of in vitro product corresponded exactly to any of the MRP marker peaks. (b) Sensitivity of in vivo MRP synthesis to chloramphenicol: Cells were labeled with leucine-3H in the presence of chloramphenicol, mitochondrial ribosomal subunits were subsequently isolated, and their proteins fractionated by isoelectric focusing followed by gel electrophoresis. The labeling of every single MRP was found to be insensitive to chloramphenicol, a selective inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis. (c) Sensitivity of in vivo MRP synthesis to anisomycin: We have found this antibiotic to be a good selective inhibitor of cytoplasmic protein synthesis in Neurospora. In the presence of anisomycin the labeling of virtually all MRP is inhibited to the same extent as the labeling of cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins. On the basis of these three types of studies we conclude that most if not all 53 structural proteins of mitochondrial ribosomal subunits in Neurospora are synthesized by cytoplasmic ribosomes.
Electrostatic binding with tat and other cationic peptides increases cell accumulation of 99mTc-antisense DNAs without entrapment

Abstract An important limitation restricting antisense nuclear medicine imaging is low radioactivity accumulations in target cells. The Tat peptide (Tat), a basic domain of the HIV Tat protein, has been shown to enhance cell accumulation of various biomolecules. PURPOSE: The influence of Tat, as a cationic carrier, on the accumulation in cell culture of anionic antisense DNAs bound electrostatically rather than covalently was investigated. To establish specificity of the accumulation, antisense DNA and control sequence were studied along with four different peptides. The technique of in situ reverse transcription was used to assay the in vivo hybridization of antisense DNA to the target mRNA in cultured live cells when transducted with the Tat peptide. METHODS: Uniform phosphorothioated DNAs were radiolabeled with 99mTc via Hynic/tricine. This 18 mer antisense DNA against RIα mRNA along with its sense and random control was studied in ACHN cells with the four peptides as carriers. RESULTS: The addition of Tat significantly increased cell accumulations. At 12 hours accumulations went from 14% to 45% for the antisense DNA and from 4% to 12% for control. Furthermore, an antisense effect was again suggested, now with the Tat carrier, by the significantly higher accumulation of 99mTc on both antisense DNAs vs. controls. Moreover, the accumulated antisense DNA enhanced with the Tat carrier was capable of priming reverse transcription as determined by an in situ assay suggesting that the DNA could escape from entrapment in endosome or lysosome vesicles for hybridization. However, differences in cellular accumulation with either Tat compared to either scrambled peptide were not significant, showing that the Tat in this study was functioning merely as a cationic carrier. CONCLUSIONS: Although electrostatic binding of antisense DNA to Tat is convenient, the association may mask the unique transduction properties of the peptide. Nevertheless, a promising improvement in cellular accumulation of antisense DNA was observed through the use of these carriers. In addition, at least a fraction of the transducted DNA appears to be free of entrapment to hybridize to its mRNA target in live cells.
Crocetin Inhibits mRNA Expression for Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1β, and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Hemorrhagic Shock

Background: Inflammatory factors play an important role in cellular damage after shock and resuscitation. Crocetin, a saffron-derived carotenoid, has been shown to improve postshock recovery of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and to increase overall survival in an experimental model of hemorrhagic shock. The hypothesis of the present study is that treatment with crocetin at the beginning of resuscitation suppresses subsequent expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 45, 350 ± 30 g) were randomly assigned to 5 groups of 9 animals each. After anesthesia with isoflurane, the femoral artery and vein were surgically cannulated. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by withdrawing blood through the arterial cannula until the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 25–30 mm Hg and maintained at the level for 30 minutes with further withdrawals. Resuscitation was carried out by...
Peptide-membrane interactions and mechanisms of membrane destruction by amphipathic α-helical antimicrobial peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have received considerable interest as a source of new antibiotics with the potential for treatment of multiple-drug resistant infections. An important class of AMPs is composed of linear, cationic peptides that form amphipathic alpha-helices. Among the most potent of these are the cecropins and synthetic peptides that are hybrids of cecropin and the bee venom peptide, mellitin. Both cecropins and cecropin-mellitin hybrids exist in solution as unstructured monomers, folding into predominantly alpha-helical structures upon membrane binding with their long helical axis parallel to the bilayer surface. Studies using model membranes have shown that these peptides intercalate into the lipid bilayer just below the level of the phospholipid glycerol backbone in a location that requires expansion of the outer leaflet of the bilayer, and evidence from a variety of experimental approaches indicates that expansion and thinning of the bilayer are common characteristics during the early stages of antimicrobial peptide-membrane interactions. Subsequent disruption of the membrane permeability barrier may occur by a variety of mechanisms, leading ultimately to loss of cytoplasmic membrane integrity and cell death.
Matching to prevent adoption disruption

The number of children being freed for adoption placement is increasing due to legislation. These children are frequently the victims of chaotic environments. Their exposure to adversity makes it more difficult for them to maintain long term placements. Suggestions are made toward the utilization of standardized instruments in the matching of adoptive parents and children to prevent adoption disruption.
Physical fitness and cardiac risk factors of professional firefighters across the career span.

(2002). Physical Fitness and Cardiac Risk Factors of Professional Firefighters across the Career Span. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 73, No. 3, pp. 363-370.