cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the effects of alcohol on GABAA receptor mRNA expression and function in neural cultures generated from control and alcohol dependent donor induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract Factors influencing the development of alcohol-use disorder (AUD) are complex and heterogeneous. While animal models have been crucial to identifying actions of alcohol on neural cells, human-derived in vitro systems that reflect an individual's genetic background hold promise in furthering our understanding of the molecular and functional effects of alcohol exposure and the pathophysiology of AUD. In this report, we utilized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived neural cell cultures obtained from healthy individuals (CTLs) and those with alcohol dependence (ADs) to 1) examine the effect of 21-day alcohol exposure on mRNA expression of three genes encoding GABAA receptor subunits (GABRA1, GABRG2, and GABRD) using quantitative PCR, and 2) examine the effect of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on GABA-evoked currents using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. iPSCs from CTLs and ADs were differentiated into neural cultures enriched for forebrain-type excitatory glutamate neurons. Following 21-day alcohol exposure, significant treatment effects were observed in GABRA1, GABRG2, and GABRD mRNA expression. A modestly significant interaction between treatment and donor phenotype was observed for GABRD, which was increased in cell cultures derived from ADs. No effect of acute or chronic alcohol was observed on GABA-evoked currents in neurons from either CTLs or ADs. This work extends findings examining the effects of alcohol on the GABAA receptor in human cell in vitro model systems.
Bureaucratizing Islam: Morocco and the War on Terror

How have states in the Middle East and North Africa responded to the War on Terror? While much scholarship has focused on terrorism in the region, there is need for critical studies of Middle Eastern states' counter-terrorism policies. This book addresses that need by investigating Morocco's unique approach to counter-terrorism: the bureaucratization of religion. Morocco's strategy is unique in the degree to which it relies on reforms that seek to make the country's religious institutions into tools for rewarding loyalty and discouraging dissent from religious elites. Through these measures they have limited opposition through an enduring form of institutional control, accommodating some of the country's most virulent critics. This book will be of great use to researchers and scholars of Middle Eastern politics, and it will also appeal to those policymakers interested in security studies and counter-terrorism policies.
MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIAC EVENTS OF REVASCULARIZATION IN CHRONIC TOTAL CORONARY OCCLUSION COMPARED TO OPTIMAL MEDICAL THERAPY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) management remains a challenge. Several studies have reported the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in CTO. However, the outcomes of PCI versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) are still controversial. We conducted extensive reviews and meta-analysis to
Cardiovascular toxicity biomarkers

Stress and toxic substances induce the myocardium to produce measurable biomarkers, including hormones, enzymes, proteins and changes in the ionic homeostasis. The primary cardiac biomarkers in use today, their genesis and interpretation are described in detail. Markers of myocardial impairment, troponin, creatine kinase, myoglobin, natriuretic peptides and some of the newer markers under investigation, are considered. Oncology drug-induced cardiotoxicity, as well as toxicity caused by illegal drug use and environmental chemicals, such as organophosphates, are discussed. Improvement in assaying techniques has recently led to the consideration of a number of new biomarkers and their potential clinical use is reviewed. The chapter concludes with an overview of the new micro RNA cardiomarkers that upon further validation will completely change the palette of cardio biomarkers.
UBL domain of Usp14 and other proteins stimulates proteasome activities and protein degradation in cells.

The best-known function of ubiquitin-like (UBL) domains in proteins is to enable their binding to 26S proteasomes. The proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme Usp14/UBP6 contains an N-terminal UBL domain and is an important regulator of proteasomal activity. Usp14 by itself represses multiple proteasomal activities but, upon binding a ubiquitin chain, Usp14 stimulates these activities and promotes ubiquitin-conjugate degradation. Here, we demonstrate that Usp14’s UBL domain alone mimics this activation of proteasomes by ubiquitin chains. Addition of this UBL domain to purified 26S proteasomes stimulated the same activities inhibited by Usp14: peptide entry and hydrolysis, protein-dependent ATP hydrolysis, deubiquitination by Rpn11, and the degradation of ubiquitinated and nonubiquitinated proteins. Thus, the binding of Usp14’s UBL (apparently to Rpn1’s T2 site) seems to mediate the activation of proteasomes by ubiquitinated substrates. However, the stimulation of these various activities was greater in proteasomes lacking Usp14 than in wild-type particles and thus is a general response that does not involve some displacement of Usp14. Furthermore, the UBL domains from hHR23 and hPLIC1/UBQLN1 also stimulated peptide hydrolysis, and the expression of hHR23A’s UBL domain in HeLa cells stimulated overall protein degradation. Therefore, many UBL-containing proteins that bind to proteasomes may also enhance allosterically its proteolytic activity.
Constituent Communication Through Telephone Town Halls:: A Field Experiment Involving Members of Congress

Author(s): Abernathy, Claire; Esterling, Kevin M; Freebourn, Justin; Kennedy, Ryan; Minozzi, William; Neblo, Michael A; Solis, Jonathan A
An Economic Analysis of the Costs Associated with Pre-Weaning Management Strategies for Dairy Heifers.

Dairy calves are raised in various housing and feeding environments on dairy farms around North America. The objective of this study was to develop a simulation model to calculate the cost of raising replacement dairy heifers using different inputs that reflect different management decisions and evaluate their influence on the total cost. In this simulation, 84 calves were modeled between 0–2 months of age to reflect a 1000 heifer herd. The decisions associated with housing, liquid diet source and allowance, labor utilization, and health were calculated. Costs and biological responses were reflective of published surveys, literature, and market conditions. A 10,000-iteration economic simulation was used for each management scenario using @Risk and PrecisionTree add-ons (Palisade Corporation, Ithaca, NY, USA) to account for variation in pre-weaning mortality rate, weaning age, and disease prevalence. As milk allotment increased, total feed cost increased. Feeding calves a higher allowance of milk resulted in a lower cost per kg of gain. Average feed cost percentage of the total cost was 46% (min, max: 33%, 59%) while labor, and fixed and variable cost represented 33% (20%, 45%), 9% (2%, 12%), and 12% (10%, 14%), respectively. Total pre-weaning costs ranged from $258.56 to $582.98 per calf across all management scenarios and milk allotments.
The morbidity of C. difficile in necrotizing pancreatitis

Abstract Introduction Necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) patients commonly require antibiotic treatment during the several month-long disease course. We hypothesized that Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is common in NP and significantly impacts outcomes. Materials and methods Retrospective review of 704 NP patients treated at a single-institution (2005–2018). Results 10% (67/704) of patients developed CDI a mean 78 days after NP onset. Patients developing CDI experienced increased total hospital days (CDI, 104; No CDI, 42; P Conclusion Clostridium difficile infection is common in necrotizing pancreatitis and negatively impacts morbidity and disease recovery.
Variations in Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection Practice Patterns by Interventional Pain Management Physicians in the United States.

Background Previous surveys have identified variations in practice patterns related to epidural steroid injections. Since then, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the addition of drug warning labels for injectable corticosteroids. Updated evidence, as well as scrutiny from regulatory agencies, may affect practice patterns. Objective To provide an update on interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) practice patterns, we surveyed interventional pain management (IPM) physicians in the United States. Study design and setting This was a cross-sectional survey of IPM physicians in the United States. Methods A web-based survey was distributed to IPM physicians in the United States selected from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited pain medicine fellowship program list as well as the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians membership database. Physicians were queried about ILESI practices, including needle size, use of image guidance, level of injection, identification of the epidural space, and preference for injectate. Results A total of 249 responses were analyzed. All respondents used image guidance for ILESI. There were variations in needle size, use of contrast, number of fluoroscopic views utilized, technique for identifying the epidural space, and choice of injectate. Limitations The response rate is a limitation, thus the results may not be representative of all United States IPM physicians. Conclusions Though all respondents used image guidance for ILESI, variations in other ILESI practices still exist. Since the closure of this survey, a multi-society pain workgroup published recommendations regarding ESI practices. Our survey findings support the need for more evidence-based guidelines regarding ESI. Key words Epidural injection, epidural steroids, survey, low back pain, neck pain, technique.
Validating a Mobile Eye Tracking Measure of Integrated Attention Bias and Interpretation Bias in Youth

This study sought to validate a real-world speech task designed to assess attention and interpretation bias in an integrated and ecologically valid manner. Thirty adolescent girls gave a speech in front of an emotionally ambiguous judge and a positive judge while wearing mobile eye tracking glasses to assess how long they looked at each judge (i.e., attention bias). They also reported their interpretations of the ambiguous judge and distress associated with the task (i.e., interpretation bias). These task-based measures correlated with self-report of interpretation bias and mother-report of attentional control, demonstrating convergent validity. They did not correlate with frustration or high intensity pleasure, indicating discriminant validity. Task-based measures of interpretation bias also showed predictive and incremental validity in relation to child distress during the speech. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the initial validity of a novel task designed to assess attention and interpretation bias as they manifest in real-world social interactions.
Fertility Preservation in the Transgender Population

Hormonal and surgical treatments for transgender individuals can severely impact reproductive potential. In this review, we discuss the role of fertility preservation in both male-to-female and female-to-male transgender patients. We focus on the effects of hormone replacement therapy on the gonads and discuss current methods and techniques available for fertility preservation. Moreover, we review the current literature on patient attitudes toward fertility preservation and existing barriers to care. The literature supports the notion that feminizing therapy negatively impacts spermatogenesis, as evidenced by impaired semen parameters. The degree of such decline lies on a spectrum and can be somewhat unpredictable. Similarly, masculinizing therapy with testosterone has variable effects on ovarian function, gynecologic organs, and future fertility potential. Further research is required to better elucidate the long-term effects of such therapies. Optimal timing for fertility preservation is in the postpubertal period prior to initiation of hormonal therapy. This is however not always possible. A multitude of barriers to pursuing fertility preservation exist, including lack of appropriate counseling, the potentially invasive nature of some fertility preservation methods, and the financial burden placed on the patients. Fertility preservation in the transgender population remains poorly utilized. For transgender women, cryopreservation of sperm ideally is performed prior to initiation of hormone replacement therapy. Nonetheless, studies have shown that a degree of spermatogenesis is seen in some individuals without discontinuation of hormonal therapy. This could allow for less disruption, both physically and emotionally. Fertility preservation in transgender men remains invasive with oocyte retrieval as the main technique. Cessation of therapy, ovarian stimulation, and invasive testing has potential to be traumatic and enhance dysphoria. The possibility of fertility preservation at the time of gonadectomy is promising. Prepubertal fertility preservation is also on the horizon, though still experimental. Cost of preservation techniques and storage is currently prohibitive for many patients. Recent changes to state insurance mandates may soon make fertility preservation more accessible. Future research may demonstrate that fertility preservation is possible at the time of gender confirmation surgery, with the goal of being both effective and nontraumatic to the patient.
Screening of lupine germplasm for resistance against Phytophthora sojae

Phytophthora sojae is a major pathogen in cultivated soybeans world-wide. Although incorporating resistance genes has been an effective management tool for soybean breeders, surveys of soybean fiel...
Smart Tourism Approaches Through Intelligent Print Media

The prospects for sustainable development in future cities are directly linked to the current smart city strategies. With cutting-edge internet and the co-sponsorship of other software, innovative systems are being developed on issues such as transport, health, culture, education, and consequently tourism. These systems are defined by numerous factors such as economy, environment, specific area of a region, etc. However, the success of such systems requires absolute cooperation between state and private factors to draw together a single strategy. The introduction of new technologies that facilitate and enhance long-distance links to tourism offer new horizons to tourism businesses. Printed media can be user friendly and can also provide to users quick and direct information.
Identifying Key Genetic Regions for Cell Sheet Morphogenesis on Chromosome 2L Using a Drosophila Deficiency Screen in Dorsal Closure

Cell sheet morphogenesis is essential for metazoan development and homeostasis of animal form – it contributes to developmental milestones including gastrulation, neural tube closure, heart and palate formation and to tissue maintenance during wound healing. Dorsal closure, a well-characterized stage in Drosophila embryogenesis and a model for cell sheet morphogenesis, is a remarkably robust process during which coordination of conserved gene expression patterns and signaling cascades regulate the cellular shape changes and movements. New ‘dorsal closure genes’ continue to be discovered due to advances in imaging and genetics. Here, we extend our previous study of the right arm of the 2nd chromosome to the left arm of the 2nd chromosome using the Bloomington deficiency kit’s set of large deletions, which collectively remove 98.9% of the genes on the left arm of chromosome two (2L) to identify ‘dorsal closure deficiencies’. We successfully screened 87.2% of the genes and identified diverse dorsal closure defects in embryos homozygous for 49 deficiencies, 27 of which delete no known dorsal closure gene. These homozygous deficiencies cause defects in cell shape, canthus formation and tissue dynamics. Within these deficiencies, we have identified pimples, odd-skipped, paired, and sloppy-paired 1 as dorsal closure genes on 2L that affect lateral epidermal cells. We will continue to identify novel ‘dorsal closure genes’ with further analysis. These forward genetic screens are expected to identify new processes and pathways that contribute to closure and links between pathways and structures already known to coordinate various aspects of closure.
Sobre “Lenin: The Day after the Revolution” (2017) y “Revolution at the Gates” (2002) de Slavoj Zizek

En una cita mas o menos desconocida, el filosofo italiano Antonio Gramsci senala que una teoria es revolucionaria cuando es inaccesible al campo adversario. ?No es eso precisamente lo que vemos que pasa en Chile, el pais latinoamericano donde exploto una de las revueltas mas largas de las ultimas decadas? Despues del estallido del 18 de octubre, en efecto, los intelectuales chilenos de derecha se han dedicado a un salvataje teorico de su posicion economica y politica. Reinventando los motes conceptuales del pueblo nacional, el componente telurico de la identidad chilena, la libertad individual, los derechos de propiedad, el estado de derecho, entre otro sinfin de elementos, la derecha pretende recuperar una posicion y reconstituir su hegemonia academico-intelectual
Gastric endocrine pancreatic heterotopia: Report of a case with histologic and immunohistochemical findings and review of the literature

○ Heterotopic pancreas is a relatively infrequent lesion most often found in the stomach. Four histologic types are recognized: total, canalicular, exocrine, and endocrine heterotopia. To our knowledge, only 2 cases of purely endocrine heterotopic pancreas have been reported in detail. We describe the case of a patient with gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastric endocrine heterotopia. The lack of mass formation, histomorphology, and immunohistochemical features simulating islets of Langerhans supported the diagnosis. We conclude that purely endocrine heterotopic pancreas is a very rare entity that, when present, can simulate a primary or metastatic neuroendocrine tumor. Adequate sampling of the specimen, histomorphologic pattern, and immunohistochemistry are important for the purpose of distinguishing between a neuroendocrine tumor and purely endocrine pancreatic heterotopia.
Are We Losing Control

This chapter challenges the predominant assumption that humans shape technology using top-down, intelligent design, suggesting that technology should instead be viewed as the result of a Darwinian evolutionary process where humans are the agents of mutation. Consequently, we humans have much less control than we think over the outcomes of technology development.
The use of radium in cancer of the female generative organs

Abstract The full technic, using the external radiation as an aid to the capsule and bomb was not in routine use until 1918. If the advanced primary cancer and the recurrent cancer groups are taken together, there were 132 cases treated before January 1, 1918, and there are but 5 cases alive today. If these same groups are taken for 1918, there are 76 cases, and 15 are alive, for 1919, 112 and 40 are living, for 1920, 129 and 85 are still alive. While the prospects of greatly reducing these figures are present and sure, nevertheless, the indications are that in these groups we have had our greatest advance. The follow-up of our operable and borderline classes will have to be continued through three or four more years before deductions may be made. Our present figures are remarkable and indicative. In the prophylaxis after hysterectomy great care must be used that the tissues are not overradiated. The end results in this class are very good for the time elapsed since treatment. We believe that these results cannot be duplicated without the use of massive doses of radium or without thoroughly radiating the parametrium.
Reminiscences of automatic control education at the University of Washington

This paper accounts for the vast experiences of Robert N. Clark in the field of automatic control. Clark received BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and a PhD degree from Stanford University. He was a research engineer with Honeywell for six years and has been a professor of electrical engineering and of aeronautics and astronautics at the University of Washington. He also authored two textbooks on automatic control, Introduction to Automatic Control Systems (Wiley, 1962) and Control System Dynamics (Cambridge University Press 1996).
System development with integration architectures

The concepts presented in this paper show a possible alternative of the existing post-facto, bottom-up approach used in developing an integrated system. Based on the needs of distributed and complex application systems, the authors propose a pre-planned development process. This integrated approach introduces the notion of a meta-level of control and management which coordinates otherwise independent projects. Domain analysis and integration architectures are identified as the two main components of the proposed generic integration framework. Finally, they describe project management as an embedded sub-task in a generic, domain oriented development effort. >
Reactions of mixtures in supported catalysts: I. Models for catalyst deactivation and support pore size change and a single pellet behavior

Abstract A general model is presented for reaction mixtures undergoing catalytic reactions that are affected by catalyst deactivation. A continuum approach is used to represent the mixtures in terms of molecular size. The model accounts for the pore size exclusion effect, the change of pore size with deactivation along the entire pore length, and the effect of multilayer deposition of coke or metals on residual activity. The model also accounts for all possible reaction paths leading to all products and intermediates. Simulation results are presented for typical reaction mixtures. The results show that a larger pellet gives a higher residual activity for smaller molecules whereas a smaller pellet yields a higher activity for larger molecules. They also show that pellet size has little effect on the change of pore diameter with time.
The mismeasure of islands: implications for biogeographical theory and the conservation of nature

The focus on place rather than space provides geography with a powerful raison d’etre. As in human geography, the functional role of place is integral to the understanding of evolution, persistence and extinction of biotic taxa. This paper re-examines concepts and biogeographical evidence from a geographical rather than ecological or evolutionary perspective. Functional areography provides convincing arguments for a postmodern deconstruction of major principles of the dynamic Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography (ETIB). Endemic oceanic island taxa are functionally insular as a result of long-term island stability, confinement, isolation, and protection from continental invasion and disturbance. Most continental taxa persist in different, more complex and open spatial systems; their geographical place is therefore fundamentally distinct from the functional insularity of oceanic island taxa. This creates an insular-continental polarity in biogeography that is currently not reflected in conservation theory. The focus on the biogeographical place leads to the development of the eigenplace concept defined as the functional spatial complex of existence. The application of still popular ETIB concepts in conservation biology is discouraged. The author calls for the integration of functional areography into modern conservation science.
Relations between system matrices and the complete data space in MLEM using the Kullback-Leibler distance

We present a quantitative method for relating system matrices to the complete-data space in maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) using the Kullback-Leibler distance. We show that a more accurate system matrix has a smaller Kullback-Leibler (KL) distance. System matrices of a coded aperture imaging system were used for comparison. The calculation of the KL distance is based on the Monte Carlo integral. We note that system matrices for the KL distance evaluation should be generated by underlying physics processes.
The allergic response to stinging insects: III. The specificity of venom sac antigens

Abstract Common antigens were demonstrated in venom sac and sacless insect extracts of hymenoptera by hemmagglutination, gel diffusion, and immunoelectrophoresis. The insects studied were bee, wasp, and yellow jacket. Antigens specific to venom sac extracts of hymenoptera were also demonstrated by the same methods. There is at least one, and possibly two, antigens specific for the venom sac, for each of these insects. The complex antigenic nature of hymenoptera extracts was illustrated by immunoelectrophoresis. These results are discussed in the light of previous studies on human sera of patients sensitive to hymenoptera.
Thermal Inactivation of Staphylococcal Enterotoxins B and C

Thermal inactivation profiles of staphylococcal enterotoxins B (SEB) and C (SEC) at 80, 100, and 121 C showed that SEC is more resistant than SEB to heat. After 24 h of incubation at 25 C, some reactivation (recovery of serological reactivity) occurred in toxins that had been inactivated by heat. If the toxin was stirred during heating, reactivation did not occur. An examination of the reactivation kinetics of heat-treated SEC showed that reactivation was temperature dependent. At 25 C, the incubation temperature of heat-treated crude SEC (80 C for 10 min), 100% reactivation occurred after 24 h, whereas at 4 C only slight reactivation was observed. We and others observed that heat-treated toxins initially lost more serological activity when heated at a low temperature (80 C) than at a higher temperature (100 C); in the present study we demonstrate that this is a reversible phenomenon.
Candida albicans Shed Msb2 and Host Mucins Affect the Candidacidal Activity of Salivary Hst 5

Salivary Histatin 5 (Hst 5) is an antimicrobial peptide that exhibits potent antifungal activity towards Candida albicans, the causative agent of oral candidiasis. However, it exhibits limited activity in vivo, largely due to inactivation by salivary components of both host and pathogen origin. Proteins secreted by C. albicans during infection such as secreted aspartyl proteases (Saps) and shed mucin Msb2 can reduce Hst 5 activity; and human salivary mucins, while suggested to protect Hst 5 from proteolytic degradation, can entrap peptides into mucin gels, thereby reducing bioavailability. We show here that Sap6 that is secreted during hyphal growth reduces Hst 5 activity, most likely a result of proteolytic degradation of Hst 5 since this effect is abrogated with heat inactivated Sap 6. We further show that just like C. albicans shedding Msb2, mammalian mucins, fetuin and porcine gut mucin (that is related to salivary mucins), also reduce Hst 5 activity. However, we identify mucin-like protein-induced changes in C. albicans cell morphology and aggregation patterns, suggesting that the effect of such proteins on Hst 5 cannot be interpreted independently of their effect on yeast cells.
Negotiating climate legislation: Policy path dependence and coalition stabilization

This article investigates the nature of policy path dependence through analysis of climate policy formation in the United States. In 2008 the US Congress attempted to pass the Lieberman–Warner bill, a comprehensive climate and energy package that would have capped greenhouse emissions and established a nationwide cap and trade program. In the same year, California successfully enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act. This article explores the circumstances of both cases and raises the question of why legislation at the state level was successful and took such a divergent form from legislation at the federal level. The divergence of these cases is used to highlight the nature of coalition formation and policy path dependence in the legislative process. Explanations of policy tend to gravitate toward either the generalizability of game theoretic approaches or the empirical depth of case studies. This article suggests a combined approach that uses case studies to analyze the positions and motivations of actors and to then model policy development over time. The approach examines policy through the formation and negotiation of policy coalitions. Drawing on the Advocacy Coalition Framework and omnibus analysis, the approach expands these coalition theories first by analysing legislative development at the interface of legislators and constituent interest groups, and second by adding temporal dimension to the analysis. The findings suggest that policy is path dependent in that it is negotiated between coalitions that in turn create stability in the policy process and insulate policy fields from external shocks. Policy path dependence suggests that theory alone is insufficient to predict policy outcomes; policy results depend strongly on prior policy efforts, historically and socially contingent coalitions, and the resulting framing of policy possibilities.
Comprehensive Assessment of Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils

UNLABELLED Essential oils have been studied for their unique ability to act as antioxidants. Antioxidant activities of 423 essential oils of 48 different botanical families were evaluated for their antioxidant activities as free radical scavenging agents using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. Seventy-three oils showed 50% or more inhibition at a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL. The 73 most active oil samples were further evaluated for their scavenging activities using series of dilutions to estimate their EC(50) . The EC(50) of the 73 most active oils ranged from 4 to 2000 μg/mL. Oils having an EC(50) of less than 300 μg/mL (20 selected samples) were subjected to β-carotene bleaching antioxidant activity test and more detailed analysis including thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and bioautography. Essential oils of the botanical families Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae were the most effective antioxidants. Thymol and carvacrol were the major constituents in most of the essential oils of the family Lamiaceae and eugenol was the major terpene in all of the essential oils of the family Myrtaceae. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Supplementation of food with spices containing essential oils may counteract and retard the process of oxidative damage, lipid oxidation and elevate antioxidant activity of the final product.
Miniature gravity gradiometer for detection of minelike targets

This paper reports the latest development of a miniature gravity gradiometer. This device consists of two pairs of classical spring-mass sensors and microwave displacement detectors. We have completed a set of two collinear accelerometers and report the initial performance characteristics as well as its potential applications to the detection of buried objects. Gravity gradient changes of 1000 Eotvos units were detected using the present two-axis system in a 10-s sampling mode.
Biochemical characterization of primary peritoneal carcinoma cell adhesion, migration, and proteinase activity.

Primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum (PPC) is clinically and histologically similar to advanced stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma. PPC classically presents with widespread intraperitoneal dissemination, superficial invasion, and minimal ovarian involvement. Surgical cytoreduction and combination chemotherapy utilized for patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma have produced varying results for patients with PPC. These differences in response may be secondary to the stage of disease or due to biological differences in metastatic behavior between these carcinomas. In this study, short-term primary cultures of PPC and epithelial ovarian carcinoma (OVCA) were compared to enable biochemical comparison with respect to components of the metastatic cascade including adhesion, migration, and proteinase activity. These data demonstrated similar properties in adhesive profiles of PPC and OVCA, with preferential adhesion to type I collagen and vitronectin. Matrix-degrading proteinases including matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and urinary-type plasminogen activator were produced by both cell types. PPC migration was stimulated by multiple extracellular matrix proteins, whereas OVCA cells demonstrated maximal migration on type I collagen coated surfaces. Together our data suggest biochemical similarities between PPC and OVCA with respect to individual components of the metastatic cascade.
p53-independent induction of apoptosis by the HTLV-I tax protein following UV irradiation.

Abstract Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) encodes a transforming protein, Tax. Tax is a promiscuous viral transactivator involved in both cell growth and death control. We have previously shown that Tax sensitizes cells to apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging agents and this report further characterizes the Tax-mediated apoptosis pathway. We found that Tax-mediated apoptosis in response to UV irradiation was inhibited by Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL overexpression and by treatment with the caspase inhibitor z -VA d -FMK. Since Tax has been shown to functionally inactivate the apoptosis regulator p53, the effect of Tax on apoptosis in the absence of p53 was examined. In these studies, Tax sensitized p53-negative cells to apoptose, suggesting that Tax can mediate a p53-independent form of apoptosis. In addition, cells expressing both Tax and p53 displayed higher levels of apoptosis than cells expressing either protein alone, suggesting that the apoptosis-inducing activities of Tax and p53 are not completely overlapping. These observations demonstrate that Tax can utilize a p53-independent mechanism to induce apoptotic cell death following UV irradiation.
A highly conserved intronic sequence is involved in transcriptional regulation of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene.

Abstract The first intron of the human alpha 1(I) collagen gene contains a positive, orientation-dependent cis-acting sequence located between bases +292 and +670. Transient transfection experiments indicate that this sequence is functional in both primary chicken tendon fibroblasts and in a human fibroblast-like cell line derived from SV40-transformed marrow stromal cells. DNase I footprint, methylation interference, and mobility shift analyses provide evidence for a sequence-specific binding activity and show that the region of binding corresponds to a 29-base-pair sequence that is also present in the rat alpha 1(I) collagen intron. This conserved sequence contains an AP1 consensus motif. Sequence-specific binding activity is present in nuclear extracts from HeLa and fibroblast cell lines but not in extracts from two lymphoid cell lines. Mutation of the AP1 consensus sequence indicates that this motif is required for function of the cis-acting element. These data indicate that transcriptional modulation of the alpha 1(I) collagen gene involves an interaction between an intronic AP1-containing sequence and its cognate transcription factors.
An interfacial stress sensor for biomechanical applications

This paper presents a capacitive sensor that measures interfacial forces in prostheses and is promising for other biomedical applications. These sensors can be integrated into prosthetic devices to measure both normal and shear stress simultaneously, allowing for the study of prosthetic limb fit, and ultimately for the ability to better adapt prosthetics to individual users. A sensing cell with a 1.0 cm2 spatial resolution and a measurement range of 0–220 kPa of shear and 0–2 MPa of pressure was constructed. The cell was load tested and found to be capable of isolating the applied shear and pressure forces. This paper discusses the construction of the prototype, the mechanical and electrode design, fabrication and characterization. The work presented is aimed at creating a class of adaptive prosthetic interfaces using a capacitive sensor.
The Presentist Media Landscape and the Practice of Doing History

What does it mean to be the first to know something? What value do we attach to that knowledge, particularly in the digital age, and how do we, as historians, consider a culture that places more va...
Investigating gait recognition in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum: dataset and challenges

In the biometrics community, challenge datasets are often released to determine the robustness of state-of-the- art algorithms to conditions that can confound recognition accuracy. In the context of automated human gait recognition, evaluation has predominantly been conducted on video data acquired in the active visible spectral band, although recent literature has explored recognition in the passive thermal band. The advent of sophisticated sensors has piqued interest in performing gait recognition in other spectral bands such as short-wave infrared (SWIR), due to their use in military-based tactical applications and the possibility of operating in nighttime environments. Further, in many operational scenarios, the environmental variables are not controlled, thereby posing several challenges to traditional recognition schemes. In this work, we discuss the possibility of performing gait recognition in the SWIR spectrum by first assembling a dataset, referred to as the WVU Outdoor SWIR Gait (WOSG) Dataset, and then evaluate the performance of three gait recognition algorithms on the dataset. The dataset consists of 155 subjects and represents gait information acquired under multiple walking paths in an uncontrolled, outdoor environment. Detailed experimental analysis suggests the benefits of distributing this new challenging dataset to the broader research community. In particular, the following observations were made: (a) the importance of SWIR imagery in acquiring data covertly for surveillance applications; (b) the difficulty in extracting human silhouettes in low-contrast SWIR imagery; (c) the impact of silhouette quality on overall recognition accuracy; (d) the possibility of matching gait sequences pertaining to different walking trajectories; and (e) the need for developing sophisticated gait recognition algorithms to handle data acquired in unconstrained environments.
Assessment of left ventricular regional wall motion and ejection fraction with low-radiation dose helical dual-source CT: comparison to two-dimensional echocardiography.

Background Electrocardiographic (ECG)–based tube current modulation during cardiac CT reduces radiation exposure but significantly increases noise in parts of the cardiac cycle where tube current is minimized. Objective We evaluated the effect of maximal ECG-based tube current reduction on left ventricular (LV) regional wall motion assessment and ejection fraction (EF) by comparing low-radiation helical dual-source CT (DSCT) to 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE). Methods We studied 83 consecutive patients (15 with prior myocardial infarction) who underwent helically acquired DSCT coronary angiography with maximal ECG-based tube current modulation (low-radiation helical DSCT) and 2D-TTE within a 6-month period (median, 1 day), without any change in clinical status between the studies. In all patients, full tube current was applied only at 70% of the R-R interval, with minimal tube current (4% of maximum) in all other parts of the cardiac cycle. Reduced tube voltage (100 kVp) was combined with the maximal dose modulation in 34 patients. DSCT datasets were evaluated by a blinded, experienced cardiologist. Regional wall motion was assessed with the standard 17-segment model, with each segment scored as normal, hypokinetic, akinetic, and dyskinetic. Results Mean effective radiation dose for the low-radiation helical DSCT was 5.2 ± 1.7 mSv. Regional wall motion was evaluable in all segments on low-radiation helical DSCT. There was excellent agreement of wall motion scoring by low-radiation helical DSCT and 2D-TTE in 1382 of 1411 segments (98%; Cohen's κ value 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.89; P P Conclusion Low-radiation dose helical coronary CT angiography with maximal ECG-based tube current modulation is comparable to 2D-TTE for regional wall motion and EF assessment.
Heterogeneity of mammalian mast cells differentiated in vivo and in vitro

The evidence for mast cell heterogeneity in vivo has grown in the last several years from the initial morphologic and histochemical observations to biochemical and functional criteria. In several species, there appear to be at least two distinct classes of tissue mast cells that differ in their content of intragranular amines, proteoglycans, and proteases and in their metabolism of arachidonic acid after cell activation. With the recent discovery of differentiation/growth factors for mast cells in vitro, it has been shown that a discrete subpopulation of cells resembling one of the two in vivo classes can be derived in culture. The diversity of mast cell mediators synthesized by these various populations and their potential functions in vivo imply that mast cells may be involved not only in allergic responses but also in other inflammatory processes, including tissue repair and growth.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND CARE TEACHING GERIATRICS AWAY FROM THE MEDICAL MODEL

The nursing home as well as other health and social service agencies are vastly underdeveloped as teaching resources. Several historical reasons account for the gaps in geriatric health and medical...
RNA Transcript 3′-Proximal Sequence Affects Translocation Bias of RNA Polymerase

Translocation of RNA polymerase on DNA is thought to involve oscillations between pretranslocated and posttranslocated states that are rectified by nucleotide addition or pyrophosphorolysis. The pretranslocated register is also a precursor to transcriptional pause states that mediate regulation of transcript elongation. However, the determinants of bias between the pretranslocated and posttranslocated states are incompletely understood. To investigate translocation bias in multisubunit RNA polymerases, we measured rates of pyrophosphorolysis, which occurs in the pretranslocated register, in minimal elongation complexes containing T. thermophilus or E. coli RNA polymerase. Our results suggest that the identity of RNA:DNA nucleotides in the active site are strong determinants of susceptibility to pyrophosphorolysis, and thus translocation bias, with the 3′ RNA nucleotide favoring the pretranslocated state in the order U > C > A > G. The preference of 3′ U vs G for the pretranslocated register appeared to be...
Quantitative Relation between Coronary Atherosclerosis and Blood Lipids

Fasting and postprandial blood triglycerides and cholesterol were measured in 38 patients in whom the extent of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by selective arteriography. A significant correlation was found between fasting and postprandial triglycerides and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. When nine subjects with diminished glucose tolerance were eliminated, the cholesterol levels also showed a significant correlation with the severity of atherosclerosis. The findings support the quantitative relationship between these blood lipids and coronary atherosclerosis.
Nonhomogeneous local atrial activity during acute atrial fibrillation: spectral and dynamic analysis.

KARAGUEUZIAN, H.S., ET AL.: Nonhomogeneous Local Atrial Activity During Acute Atrial Fibrillation: Spectral and Dynamic Analysis. Atrial fibrillation (A Fib) has been categorized into four different types (I-IV) based on the morphology of the epicardial bipolar electrogram. In the present study, we hypothesized that these same types of A Fib also exist at endocardial sites. Simultaneous high, mid, and low right atrial endocardial bipolar electrograms were analyzed during acute A Fib induced by a rapid train of stimuli (20–40 Hz] for 1–3 seconds in anesthetized closed-chest dogs (N = 7, total of 72 episodes). A Fib lasted between 3 seconds and a few minutes (22.3 ± 22.8 sec). During A Fib, bipolar electrograms (0.5–500 Hz) were both discrete (types I and II) on electrograms recorded at one site and at the same time irregular (type III) on electrograms recorded at another site. The three simultaneously recorded electrograms encompassed all combinations of the four types of A Fib. When A Fib had a discrete electrogram morphology (types I andlor II), the mean rate of the A Fib was 494 ± 93 beats/min. At a given site, electrogram morphology also changed type over time. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the digitized electrograms (8–10 sec, 800 Hz digitization) showed peaks mostly below 15 Hz [range 0–30 Hz), that were either discrete (narrow band) with clear harmonic components, or had continuous (broad band) spectra, that changed in a time and site dependent manner. Phase plane plots (PPP), a plot of voltage versus rate of change of voltage, varied with respect to time and location. However, the morphology of these PPP often inscribed well defined structure suggesting dynamics compatible with deterministic chaos, rather than random dynamics. We conclude that A Fib is both temporally and spatially heterogeneous and that all combinations of the four different types of A Fib occur simultaneously. These findings may be helpful in developing robust algorithms for A Fib recognition for antitachycardia devices.
The development of passive design features for the Korean Next Generation Reactor

Four passive design features, such as a fluidic device, a passive secondary condensing system (PSCS), a passive cavity flooding system, and a passive hydrogen ignitor, are under development as part of the Korean Next Generation Reactor (KNGR), an advanced PWR, to increase its safety. The fluidic device, which is located at the discharge of the safety injection tank, is a system to inject the borated water into the reactor coolant system in a passively regulating way to elongate the allowable start-up time of emergency diesel generators and to enhance performance against the loss of coolant accidents. The PSCS, which supplements the auxiliary feedwater system, secures the heat removal through steam generators in the case of the loss of feedwater event. The PSCS takes inlet flow from the steam line and returns condensate into the feedwater line after condensation through condenser tubes. Fusible plugs have been adopted for passive cavity flooding. If the ambient temperature is high enough, the plugs between the in-containment refueling water storage tank (IRWST) and the reactor cavity melt so that the IRWST water starts to flow into the reactor cavity by gravity. Passive hydrogen ignitors (i.e. catalytic ignitors) have been adopted in addition to the active hydrogen ignitors to maintain containment hydrogen concentrations below a detectable limit of 10 volume percent. Applicability of these passive features on KNGR has been studied following the three-step approach of (1) preliminary analyses using computer codes and small-scale experimental facilities, (2) detailed analyses through large-scale tests, code running, and uncertainty validation, and (3) quality assurance by design verification and analyses on interfaces with other systems.