cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered hydromorphone in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Abstract Objective To determine pharmacokinetic dosing strategy in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) based on two subcutaneously (SC) administered doses of hydromorphone (0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1). Study design Randomized crossover study. Animals Six healthy adult bearded dragons, seven healthy adult red-eared slider turtles. Methods Hydromorphone (0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1; 2 mg mL−1) was administered SC dorsolateral to the scapulae in the bearded dragons and between the head and thoracic limb of the red-eared slider turtles. Blood was collected for hydromorphone plasma concentration analysis from the ventral tail vein in bearded dragons and subcarapacial sinus in turtles before (time 0) hydromorphone administration and at 0.5, 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Results The half-life of hydromorphone administered at 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1 was 2.54 and 3.05 hours in bearded dragons and 2.67 and 2.01 hours in red-eared sliders, respectively. The maximum plasma concentrations for 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1 were 142 and 369 ng mL−1 in bearded dragons and 1610 and 5142 ng mL−1 in red-eared sliders, respectively. Peak plasma concentrations were detected at 30 minutes for both species. Hydromorphone administered at both dosages provided plasma concentrations of 13–14 ng mL−1 for at least 24 hours in bearded dragons and of 5–6 ng mL−1 for at least 12 hours in red-eared sliders. Clinical sedation was observed for up to 1 hour posthydromorphone (1.0 mg kg−1) administration for five of six bearded dragons characterized by low body carriage and decreased response to stimuli. No evidence of clinical sedation was observed in red-eared sliders at either dose. Conclusions and clinical relevance Recommended dosing strategy for hydromorphone is 0.5 mg kg−1 administered SC every 24 hours in bearded dragons and every 12–24 hours in red-eared sliders.
Skew-Polynomial Rings and Skew-Cyclic Codes.

This is a survey on the theory of skew-cyclic codes based on skew-polynomial rings of automorphism type. Skew-polynomial rings have been introduced and discussed by Ore (1933). Evaluation of skew polynomials and sets of (right) roots were first considered by Lam (1986) and studied in great detail by Lam and Leroy thereafter. After a detailed presentation of the most relevant properties of skew polynomials, we survey the algebraic theory of skew-cyclic codes as introduced by Boucher and Ulmer (2007) and studied by many authors thereafter. A crucial role will be played by skew-circulant matrices. Finally, skew-cyclic codes with designed minimum distance are discussed, and we report on two different kinds of skew-BCH codes, which were designed in 2014 and later.
Juvenile Hormone III but Not 20-Hydroxyecdysone Regulates the Embryonic Diapause of Aedes albopictus

Diapause is an alternative developmental trajectory allowing insects to enter dormancy and persist through predictable periods of seasonally unfavorable conditions. This crucial ecological adaptation defines the geographic and seasonal abundance of many insect pollinators, pests, and vectors. Understanding the hormonal changes by which insects coordinate the perception of external, diapause-inducing cues with the physiological mechanisms that lead to developmental arrest is a long-standing goal in biology. The hormonal regulation of diapause tends to vary by the life stage at which development arrest occurs; for example, diapause is typically regulated by ecdysteroids in larvae and pupae, and by juvenile hormones in adults. However, little is known about the hormonal control of embryonic diapause, particularly in Diptera. To address this fundamental gap, we directly measured 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) (via LC-MS/MS) and juvenile hormone III (JH3) (via GC-MS) in diapause and non-diapause eggs of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. While 20HE abundance did not differ, diapause eggs had lower JH3 abundance than non-diapause eggs. These results are corroborated by transcriptional and manipulative evidence suggesting that reduced JH3 regulates diapause in this medically important mosquito.
West Nile Virus: An Historical Overview

West Nile virus (WNV) has quickly established itself in North America since its recognition in New York City in 1999. Historically, WNV has been associated with temporally dispersed outbreaks of mild febrile illness. In recent years, the epidemiology and clinical features of the virus appear to have changed, with more frequent outbreaks associated with more severe illness being noted. The 2002 outbreak in North America was unprecedented in terms of the number of cases and geographic spread of the virus. Historical patterns of WNV provide few indications as to the future behavior of WNV in North America.
Community-University Partnerships for Change in the Black Belt South

This article explores issues related to community-university partnerships by examining the unfolding of the Black Belt Initiative, a 21st century mobilization within the Black Belt South to establish a Black Belt Regional Commission. The Black Belt Initiative provides an instructive and compelling case study. For instance, the very nature of the Black Belt Initiative’s beginnings through the provision of a grant by Senator Zell Miller of Georgia to the University of Georgia with the proviso that “poverty – not race be the guiding principle…” heightened the tension between historically black and white universities reflecting longstanding contestations around how problems within the Black Belt should be framed and addressed. Consequently, these contestations resulted in very different ideas for the governance structures that would guide the definition of policies and practices for a Black Belt Regional Commission.
High Fidelity and Objectivity in Balance Assessment—A Comparative Study of the 6-Degree Motion Tracking for Body Balance Assessment to the Conventional Paper Test

Body balance is an essential capability for an individual to perform functional activities. There are various performance-based balance measures available to occupational therapists. However, conventional balance measures are limited due to subjectivity. There is a prominent need for a more objective and accurate assessment. NIMBLE, using motion sensing and tracking system was developed for a more objective and accurate measure of body movement with high-resolution recording. A pilot study was conducted in 20 participants for functional sitting balance measures by using both paper-based assessment and the NIMBLE. Results showed substantial discrepancies when the NIMBLE was able to detect balance deficits when the paper-based measures failed. The NIMBLE system can accurately capture the extraction of joint centers and segment orientation, providing the ability to calculate joint kinematics and spatiotemporal aspects of the movement. With this low cost and friendly interface, it has great potential to be widely used in healthcare practices.
Optogenetic Stimulation Reduces Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression After Stroke

Post-stroke optogenetic stimulation has been shown to enhance neurovascular coupling and functional recovery. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) has been implicated as a key regulator of the neurovascular response in acute stroke; however, its role in subacute recovery remains unclear. We investigated the expression of nNOS in stroke mice undergoing optogenetic stimulation of the contralesional lateral cerebellar nucleus (cLCN). We also examined the effects of nNOS inhibition on functional recovery using a pharmacological inhibitor targeting nNOS. Optogenetically stimulated stroke mice demonstrated significant improvement on the horizontal rotating beam task at post-stroke days 10 and 14. nNOS mRNA and protein expression was significantly and selectively decreased in the contralesional primary motor cortex (cM1) of cLCN-stimulated mice. The nNOS expression in cM1 was negatively correlated with improved recovery. nNOS inhibitor (ARL 17477)-treated stroke mice exhibited a significant functional improvement in speed at post-stroke day 10, when compared to stroke mice receiving vehicle (saline) only. Our results show that optogenetic stimulation of cLCN and systemic nNOS inhibition both produce functional benefits after stroke, and suggest that nNOS may play a maladaptive role in post-stroke recovery.
PETNet: Polycount and Energy Trade-off Deep Networks for Producing 3D Objects from Images

We consider the task of predicting 3D object shapes from color images on mobile platforms, which has many real-world applications including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and robotics. Recent work has developed a Graph Convolution Network (GCN) based approach to produce 3D object shapes in the form of a triangular mesh of increasing polycount (no. of triangles in the mesh). In this paper, we propose a novel approach to trade-off polycount of a 3D object shape for the energy consumed at run-time called Polycount-Energy Trade-off networks (PETNet). The key idea behind PETNets is to design an architecture of increasing complexity with a comparator module and leveraging the pre-trained GCN to perform input-specific adaptive predictions. We perform experiments using pre-trained GCN on the ShapeNet dataset. Results show that with the optimized PETNets, we can get up to 20%-37% gain in energy for negligible loss (0.01 to 0.02) in accuracy, and provides a fine-grained control on performance when compared to a fixed level performance with the state-of-the-art Pixel2Mesh network.
Toward a Bias-Aware Future for Mixed-Initiative Visual Analytics.

Mixed-initiative visual analytics systems incorporate well-established design principles that improve users' abilities to solve problems. As these systems consider whether to take initiative towards achieving user goals, many current systems address the potential for cognitive bias in human initiatives statically, relying on fixed initiatives they can take instead of identifying, communicating and addressing the bias as it occurs. We argue that mixed-initiative design principles can and should incorporate cognitive bias mitigation strategies directly through development of mitigation techniques embedded in the system to address cognitive biases in situ. We identify domain experts in machine learning adopting visual analytics techniques and systems that incorporate existing mixed-initiative principles and examine their potential to support bias mitigation strategies. This examination considers the unique perspective these experts bring to visual analytics and is situated in existing user-centered systems that make exemplary use of design principles informed by cognitive theory. We then suggest informed opportunities for domain experts to take initiative toward addressing cognitive biases in light of their existing contributions to the field. Finally, we contribute open questions and research directions for designers seeking to adopt visual analytics techniques that incorporate bias-aware initiatives in future systems.
Analysis and Reconstruction of Medical Images Using Prior Information

We propose a Bayesian model for medical image analysis that permits prior structural information to be incorporated into the estimation of image features. Although the proposed methodology can be applied to a broad spectrum of images, we restrict attention here to emission computed tomography (ECT) images, and in particular single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images.
Connectome subgraph isomorphisms and graph queries

As connectomics datasets continue to grow in size and complexity, methods to search for and identify interesting graph patterns offer a promising approach to quickly reduce data dimensionality and enable discovery. Recent advances in neuroscience have enabled brain structure exploration at the level of individual synaptic connections. These graphs are often too large to be analyzed manually, presenting significant barriers to searching for structure and testing hypotheses. We combine graph database and analysis libraries with an easy-to-use neuroscience grammar suitable for rapidly constructing queries and searching for subgraphs and patterns of interest. This abstracts many of the computer science and graph theory challenges associated with nanoscale brain network analysis and allows scientists to quickly achieve reproducible findings at scale. We demonstrate these tools to search for motifs on simulated data and real public connectomics datasets, and share simple and complex structures relevant to the neuroscience community. We contextualize these results and provide case studies to motivate future neuroscience questions. All of our tools are released open source to empower other scientists to use and extend these methods.
2020 international practice patterns in adult joint reconstruction surgery: a survey of members of the International Society of Orthopaedic Centers

It is important to assess global trends in the practice of adult reconstruction orthopaedic surgery to understand how new evidence is being implemented. The International Society of Orthopaedic Centers (ISOC) is a consortium of academic orthopaedic centers whose members’ practices likely reflect contemporary evidence and indicate how orthopaedic surgery residents and fellows are trained. We administered a 65 question, electronic survey of adult reconstruction surgeons across the ISOC centers in September 2020 to assess practice patterns. Results were assessed using descriptive statistics or by modeling the underlying response distribution, and the analysis was stratified by hospital region. 79 surgeons across 19 ISOC centers in 5 continents (Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America) completed the survey. Selected findings include: in total hip arthroplasty (THA), the posterolateral approach was used for 71 ± 42% of THA (mean ± standard deviation) and the direct anterior approach in 18% ± 34%. In total knee arthroplasty, posterior-stabilized (66% ± 39%) and cruciate-retaining (19 ± 33%) implants were most common. Robots were available in 56% (44 of 79) of surgeons’ centers more commonly in Asia, Australia, and North America. Tranexamic acid was routinely used in arthroplasty by 99% (78 of 79) of surgeons. Eighty-six percent (68 of 79) submit data to joint or other registries. Virtual visits were used for 13% ± 16% of outpatient visits and by 82% (64 of 79) of surgeons overall. These findings may be of use now for surgeons to consider the practices of their peers at high-volume academic institutions, and in the future as we track temporal trends.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS OF CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE OF VEGETABLES IN RURAL AND URBAN EGYPT

the research aims to prove the economic hypothesis that is provided by the economic theory by determining the positive relationship between the consumed quantities of vegetables and the average consumer income and the inverse relation between the quantity consumed and commodity prices. The most important results of the study: - The high level of demand for vegetables in rural area from urban according to the size of the family, Where the average annual individual expenditure on vegetables out of total expenditure on food and drink reached 7.4%, 6.8% in 2010/2011, 2015 in rural areas respectively, And about 6.5%, 5.4% in urban areas during the same two years. - The Lorenz curve of the distribution of consumer spending on vegetables for urban and urban rural areas in Egypt indicates that urban consumption is more equitable in rural consumption because it is closer to the equality line. When we explain which categories are more fair, 50% of the higher income groups in urban areas are characterized by a fair distribution of consumption of vegetables, while 30% of the rural population of the lowest income groups are characterized by a fair distribution of consumption of vegetables.ECOMMENDATIONS - Not to fully raise government support and channel support to the poorest. - Improving the standard of living of consumers as the government completes the process of economic reform to avoid the occurrence of crises that may arise as a result of increasing inflation. - Conducting more sluotion about family budget research to monitor and evaluate changes in consumption patterns and living standards of different social strata in different regions and at different time periods. - On the other side to provide annual data for consumer spending to conduct studies and research on consumption patterns to help the decision-maker better.
TagFi: Locating Ultra-Low Power WiFi Tags Using Unmodified WiFi Infrastructure

Tag localization is crucial for many context-aware and automation applications in smart homes, retail stores, or warehouses. While custom localization technologies (e.g RFID) have the potential to support low-cost battery-free tag tracking, the cost and complexity of commissioning a space with beacons or readers has stifled adoption. In this paper, we explore how WiFi backscatter localization can be realized using the existing WiFi infrastructure already deployed for data applications. We present a new approach that leverages existing WiFi infrastructure to enable extremely low-power and accurate tag localization relative to a single scanning device. First, we adopt an ultra-low power tag design in which the tag blindly modulates ongoing WiFi packets using On-Off Keying (OOK). Then, we utilize the underlying physical properties of multipath propagation to detect the passive wireless reflection from the tag in the presence of rich multipath propagations. Finally, we localize the tag from a single receiver by forming a triangle between the tag reflection and the LoS path between the two WiFi transceivers. We implement TagFi using a customized backscatter tag and off-the-shelf WiFi chipsets. Our empirical results in a cluttered office building demonstrate that TagFi achieves a median localization accuracy of 0.2m up to 8 meters range.
An owner's manual for CD19 "CAR"-T cell therapy in managing pediatric and young adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract Despite excellent cure rates in newly diagnosed patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), therapies that improve outcomes for children with relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-ALL are needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has demonstrated durable responses and a manageable safety profile in children, adolescents, and young adults less than 26 years old with r/r B-ALL, including patients who have relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplant. This comprehensive review summarizes current data, management practices, and future directions for the treatment of r/r B-ALL in pediatric and young adult patients with CAR-T cell therapy, including patient selection, patient preparation, and CAR-T cell infusion, as well as monitoring and management of short- and long-term safety events, long-term surveillance, and survivorship. Clinical trials registration number: N/A.
Modeling fog of war effects in AFSIM

This research identifies specific communication sensor features vulnerable to fog and provides a method to introduce them into an Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM...
Reaping What They Sow: The Basmati Rice Controversy and Strategies for Protecting Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge (TK) is a form of intellectual production that is a source of economic and cultural Yalue, especially for local communities in developing countries. Yet, a legal gap exists between the kinds of protections afforded by existing intellectual property (IP) law and TK. This legal gap poses serious consequences for trade relations and the relations between deYeloping and developed countries. Using the controYersy in which the U.S.-based RiceTec Company attempted to gain IP rights over basmati rice derived from traditional sources, this Note explains the legal gap that exists and how it manifested itself in U.S. IP law. This Note also argues that TK products like basmati rice, while not strong candidates to receive patent protection, are strong candidates to receive geographical indication protection.
Identification of deletion polymorphisms from haplotypes

Numerous efforts are underway to catalog genetic variation in human populations. While the majority of studies of genetic variation have focused on single base pair differences between individuals, i.e. single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), several recent studies have demonstrated that larger scale structural variation including copy number polymorphisms and inversion polymorphisms are also common. However, direct techniques for detection and validation of structural variants are generally much more expensive than detection and validation of SNPs. For some types of structural variation, in particular deletions, the polymorphism produces a distinct signature in the SNP data. In this paper, we describe a new probabilistic method for detecting deletion polymorphisms from SNP data. The key idea in our method is that we estimate the frequency of the haplotypes in a region of the genome both with and without the possibility of a deletion in the region and apply a generalized likelihood ratio test to assess the significance of a deletion. Application of our method to the HapMap Phase I data revealed 319 candidate deletions, 142 of these overlap with variants identified in earlier studies, while 177 are novel. Using Phase II HapMap data we predict 6730 deletions.
Fecal osmotic gap and pH in experimental diarrhea of various causes

Abstract Although the osmotic gap of fecal fluid is often used to distinguish osmotic diarrhea from secretory diarrhea, there has never been a scientific evaluation of the validity of this concept. Similarly, although a low fecal fluid pH value is used to indicate that diarrhea is mediated by carbohydrate malabsorption, the validity of this method is unproven. Therefore, in the present study, diarrhea was induced in normal subjects by different mechanisms and fecal fluid osmotic gap (using an assumed fecal fluid osmolality of 290 mOsm/kg) and pH were measured. In secretory diarrhea caused by phenolphthalein, the osmotic gap was always
Bile salts and fatty acids induce the expression of Escherichia coli AcrAB multidrug efflux pump through their interaction with Rob regulatory protein

Summary AcrAB of Escherichia coli, an archetype among bacterial multidrug efflux pumps, exports an extremely wide range of substrates including solvents, dyes, detergents and antimicrobial agents. Its expression is regulated by three XylS/AraC family regulators, MarA, SoxS and Rob. Although MarA and SoxS regulation works by the alteration of their own expression levels, it was not known how Rob, which is constitutively expressed, exerts its regulatory action. We show here that the induction of the AcrAB efflux pump by decanoate and the more lipophilic unconjugated bile salts is mediated by Rob, and that the low-molecular-weight inducers specifically bind to the C-terminal, non-DNA-binding domain of Rob. Induction of Rob is not needed for induction of AcrAB, and we suggest that the inducers act by producing conformational alterations in pre-existing Rob, as was suggested recently (Rosner, Dangi, Gronenborn and Martin, J Bacteriol 184: 1407–1416, 2002). Decanoate and unconjugated bile salts, which are present in the normal habitat of E. coli, were further shown to make the bacteria more resistant to lipophilic antibiotics, at least in part because of the induction of the AcrAB efflux pump. Thus, it is likely that E. coli is protecting itself by the Rob-mediated upregulation of AcrAB against the harmful effects of bile salts and fatty acids in the intestinal tract.
The anti-vascular and anti-tumor response of human lung cancer growing orthotopically in mice to AEE788, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR and VEGFR, is dependent upon EGF/TGFα expression

3031 Introduction: Targeting of EGFR has been extensively studied in lung cancer; yet, clinical data show that only a fraction of patients can respond to EGFR inhibitors. The development and validation of strategies to identify patients likely to benefit from these agents is therefore of critical importance. We hypothesized that the expression of EGF/TGFα by tumors is needed for activation of EGFR in both tumor (autocrine) and tumor-associated endothelial (paracrine) cells and would thus be required for an anti-tumor and anti-vascular response to EGFR signal blockade. Methods: The human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines NCIH441 (EGF/TGFα+/EGFR+) and PC14PE6 (EGF/TGFα-/EGFR+) were injected into the lungs of mice. Once tumors formed, mice were randomized to treatment with AEE788 or vehicle. When control mice became moribund, animals were killed and assessed for tumor size, pleural effusion, metastasis, and immunohistochemical studies. The EGFR nucleotide sequence was analyzed in H441 and PC14PE6 cell lines. Results: EGFR was found to be wild type in both H441 and PC14PE6 cells. Treatment of mice bearing H441 lung tumors with AEE788 resulted in a significant (p
Optical orthogonal codes-new bounds and an optimal construction

A technique for constructing optimal OOCs (optical orthogonal codes) is presented. It provides the only known family of optimal (with respect to family size) OOCs having lambda =2. The parameters (n, omega , lambda ) are respectively (p/sup 2m/-1, p/sup m/+1,2), where p is any prime and the family size is p/sup m/-2. Three distinct upper bounds on the size of an OOC are presented that, for many values of the parameter set (n, omega , lambda ), improve upon the tightest previously known bound. >
A general-purpose man-machine environment with special reference to air traffic control

First, we describe briefly some issues concerning decision-making and planning. We then discuss decision support systems which increase the effectiveness and efficiency of human judgmental processes by extending their range, capabilities and speed. A novel man-machine environment is proposed that is a useful tool in training human decision-makers and planners, and can also serve as the basis for routine operations. Finally, we describe the first area of application of this environment in simulated air traffic control. Five large-scale projects are integrated in the environment, which are also discussed.
Data Mining for Security Applications

In this paper we discuss various data mining techniques that we have successfully applied for cyber security. These applications include but are not limited to malicious code detection by mining binary executables, network intrusion detection by mining network traffic, anomaly detection, and data stream mining. We summarize our achievements and current works at the University of Texas at Dallas on intrusion detection, and cyber-security research.
The effects of intravenous L-arginine supplementation on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics and oxygen utilization during group B streptococcal sepsis in piglets.

Abstract Purpose : In these investigations, three questions were addressed. First, to what extent did inhibition of endothelium-derived relaxation factor (EDRF) mimic the hemodynamic disturbances noted in a piglet model of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis? Second, to what extent would an attempt to augment EDRF production reverse the hemodynamic effects of continued GBS infusion in septic piglets? Third, to what extent would an attempt to augment EDRF production affect hemodynamics in piglets who were not septic. Methods: Six experimental protocols were studied in a total of 25 piglets. The extent to which inhibition of EDRF resembled GBS sepsis was determined by comparing hemodynamic observations during (1) EDRF inhibition (using a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, N-nitro- l -arginine [NNLA], 80 mg/kg) with (2) GBS infusion. Next, the extent to which an attempt to augment EDRF production would reverse hemodynamic effects of neonatal GBS sepsis was addressed by comparing hemodynamic observations during (3) administration of pharmacological doses (300 mg/kg) of the EDRF precursor l -arginine l L-ARG) in piglets receiving continuous GBS infusion with (4) continuous GBS infusion in piglets who did not receive l -ARG. Finally, to provide an additional comparison for the protocols described above, the effects of (5) l -ARG in piglets pretreated with NNLA were compared with (6) l -ARG infusion in normal piglets, who had received neither GBS nor NNLA. Results: Both NNLA and GBS increased systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance and decreased systemic cardiac output. For equivalent reductions in cardiac output, GBS preferentially vasoconstricted the pulmonary versus systemic circulation, whereas NNLA produced equivalent vasoconstriction in both circulations. During continuous GBS infusion, l -ARG attentuated the progressive increase in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance/ systemic vascular resistance. l -ARG infusion in nonseptic, non-NNLA-treated piglets had no significant effect on any hemodynamic variable. l -ARG infusion in piglets pretreated with NNLA restored hemodynamic values towards those of piglets treated with l -ARG alone. Conclusions: EDRF inhibition with NNLA appeared to model GBS infusion partially but not completely. l -ARG appeared to produce desirable hemodynamic effects during GBS sepsis when compared with the consequences of ongoing GBS infusion without l -ARG. Given the constellation of increased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance often observed during neonatal GBS sepsis in human infants, all these effects of l -ARG, if extrapolated from our piglets to the clinical arena, would appear to be beneficial. Particularly in the context of deleterious consequences resulting from increased pulmonary artery pressure (either right-to-left shunting or right ventricular decompensation from increased afterload), l -ARG administration might prove clinically useful.
Immune complexes in the portal and systemic circulation of patients with alcoholic liver disease

Abstract Fifty-two patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) were studied for the presence of circulating immune complexes. “Mixed” type of cryoglobulins consisting of immunoglobulins and complement components were found in 61% of 67 sera specimens tested. The C1q binding test was positive in 56% of 66 sera tested. Serum autoantibodies especially antinuclear and antiskeletal muscle antibodies were more prevalent in ALD patients than control subjects. The serum titer of IgG antibody to E. coli was higher in ALD patients compared to controls. However, we found no evidence to implicate autoantibodies or antibacterial antibodies in the formation of immune complexes. Immune complexes were detected by the C1q binding test in serum specimens obtained concomitantly from the portal vein, hepatic vein, and peripheral vein in seven of nine ALD patients. When the level of immune complexes in the portal vein was compared to that of the hepatic vein, the concentration remained unchanged in seven patients, increased in one, and decreased in another patient. The lack of concentration gradient of the immune complexes between the portal vein and hepatic vein cannot be explained by the magnitude of intrahepatic vascular shunts. This suggests that the capacity of the liver to clear immune complexes in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis may be saturated or impaired.
81. Relationships of Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers and dysphoric moods in female veterans

A cross-sectional study of ethnically diverse female veterans (n = 53) was conducted. These veterans had a mean age of 49.8 years. A demographic scale and panel of psychosocial instruments were employed. Blood was drawn for inflammatory markers and Toxoplasma gondii titers. Chronic T. gondii infection has been associated with behavioral and mood changes in several populations, but has not been studied in veterans. Sixteen percent of this sample screened positive for PTSD and 20% for depression. T. gondii chronic infection, defined as a titer of 10 IU/ml or higher was present in 16% of the sample, and 5% had levels consistent with reactivation of this brain parasite (>200 IU/ml). The titers associated with chronic infection were correlated significantly with depression (p < .03), anger (p < .001) and total disturbance (p < .03). Women screening positive for depression and/or PTSD had four times higher titers than non-depressed women. In addition, T. gondii positive women reported significantly more experiences of military sexual trauma (p < .04). These data provide a snapshot of older women veterans with a 22% T. gondii infection rate. These women may have been exposed in the middle east where infection rate is much higher than in the US. This parasite localizes in the brain and may influence risk taking, reaction time, depression, schizophrenia and suicidality risk. The role of this organism in military related psychological and neurological sequelae deserves attention.
Application of decision analysis techniques to the Weber facility location problem

A location problem with future uncertainties about the data is considered. Several possible scenarios about the future values of the parameters are postulated. However, it is not clear which of these scenarios will actually happen. We find the location that will best accommodate the possible scenarios. Four rules utilized in decision theory are examined: the expected value rule, the optimistic rule, the pessimistic rule, and the minimax regret rule. The solution for the squared Euclidean distance is explicitly found. Algorithms are suggested for general convex distance metrics. An example problem is solved in detail to illustrate the findings, and computational experiments with randomly generated problems are reported.
Seizure recurrence following epilepsy surgery: Is post-operative EEG helpful?

Objectives: We examined whether the relationship between interictal epileptiform discharges (IED) on post-operative EEG and seizure recurrence after epilepsy surgery was different in patients with neocortical and mesiotemporal resections. Methods: We reviewed the records of 93 consecutive patients who underwent epilepsy surgery at our center and who had adequate post-operative follow-up and a post-operative EEG to determine the type of surgery, the recurrence of seizures and the presence of IED on post-operative EEG. Results: Chi-square test revealed that for the entire group, there was a significant relationship between the presence of IED and seizure recurrence. However, this relationship was significant in neocortical surgery but not in mesiotemporal surgery. Time distribution of seizure recurrence revealed that in more than half the cases, seizures recurred with the first 3 months. Time distribution was not influenced by the presence of IED. Conclusions: This study revealed that IED on early post-operative EEG correlate with seizure recurrence in neocortical but not mesiotemporal surgeries and may be used to guide patient counseling in this group of patients.
Identification of anionic supramolecular complexes of sulfonamide receptors with Cl-, NO3-, Br-, and I- by APCI-MS.

As part of a mass spectrometric investigation of the binding properties of sulfonamide anion receptors, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric (APCI-MS) method involving direct infusion followed by thermal desorption was employed for identification of anionic supramolecular complexes in dichloromethane (CH2Cl2). Specifically, the dansylamide derivative of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) (1), the chiral 1,3-benzenesulfonamide derivatives of (1R,2S)-(+)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol (2), and (R)-(+)-bornylamine, (3), were shown to bind halide and nitrate ions in the presence of (n−Bu)4N+X− (X− = Cl−, NO3−, Br−, I−). Solutions of receptors and anions in CH2Cl2 were combined to form the anionic supramolecular complexes, which were subsequently introduced into the mass spectrometer via direct infusion followed by thermal desorption. The anionic supramolecular complexes [M+X]−, (M=1–3, X−=Cl−, NO3−, Br−, I−) were observed in negative mode APCI-MS along with the deprotonated receptors [M−H]−. Full ionization energy of the APCI corona pin (4.5 kV) was necessary for obtaining mass spectra with the best signal-to-noise ratios.
Protein kinase C phosphorylation sensitizes but does not activate the capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)

Protein kinase C (PKC) modulates the function of the capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). This modulation manifests as increased current when the channel is activated by capsaicin. In addition, studies have suggested that phosphorylation by PKC might directly gate the channel, because PKC-activating phorbol esters induce TRPV1 currents in the absence of applied ligands. To test whether PKC both modulates and gates the TRPV1 function by direct phosphorylation, we used direct sequencing to determine the major sites of PKC phosphorylation on TRPV1 intracellular domains. We then tested the ability of the PKC-activating phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to potentiate capsaicin-induced currents and to directly gate TRPV1. We found that mutation of S800 to alanine significantly reduced the PMA-induced enhancement of capsaicin-evoked currents and the direct activation of TRPV1 by PMA. Mutation of S502 to alanine reduced PMA enhancement of capsaicin-evoked currents, but had no effect on direct activation of TRPV1 by PMA. Conversely, mutation of T704 to alanine had no effect on PMA enhancement of capsaicin-evoked currents but dramatically reduced direct activation of TRPV1 by PMA. These results, combined with pharmacological studies showing that inactive phorbol esters also weakly activate TRPV1, suggest that PKC-mediated phosphorylation modulates TRPV1 but does not directly gate the channel. Rather, currents induced by phorbol esters result from the combination of a weak direct ligand-like activation of TRPV1 and the phosphorylation-induced enhancement of the TRPV1 function. Furthermore, modulation of the TRPV1 function by PKC appears to involve distinct phosphorylation sites depending on the mechanism of channel activation.
Super-Resolution Localization of MAVS and RIG-I in MEF

Upon viral-infection, RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) recognizes cytoplasmic viral RNA and activates the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), which in turn activates the transcriptional factors to induce type I interferons (IFN). It has been reported that viral infection causes the majority of MAVS to form speckle-like aggregates on the outer membrane of mitochondria, while a fraction of recombinant MAVS form prion-like fibrils, and mitochondria themselves are redistributed closer to the nucleus. We designed a 3D two color super-resolution nanoscopy to investigate the morphology of MAVS fibrils and aggregates. As a reference for mitochondrial periphery, we imaged Tom20, a mitochondrial membrane protein, along with MAVS. We found that before infection MAVS proteins are uniformly distributed around mitochondria. However, after infection MAVS form aggregates on the mitochondrial membrane and constitute localized structures around the nucleus, while remaining on mitochondrial membrane. Our super-resolution approach allowed us to resolve the fine distribution of MAVS aggregates with respect to mitochondria. Moreover, we quantified the size distribution and morphology of MAVS clusters as a function of time after infection with high accuracy.
Ecology of alveolar bone loss

Abstract The literature is replete with evidence suggesting that, with advancing age, there is an increased alveolar bone loss. However, there is also clinical evidence that not all persons show bone loss with age. This suggests that either (1) there is physiologic bone loss, which means that it is pathologic to have no bone loss with age, or (2) that a few elderly persons without bone loss are well and the majority have pathologic bone loss. Granted that the latter is the more tenable hypothesis, the question is “Why?” Evidence has been presented to show that there is a correlation between local factors and bone loss, irrespective of host state. Data have been offered to show that there is a relationship between host state and alveolar bone loss, irrespective of local challenges. Evidence has been cited to show that the relationship of age and alveolar bone loss is heightened when viewed in the light of both host and local states. However, it should be emphasized that these are only relationships and do not necessarily prove cause and effect. A study has been presented, using vitamin C as the experimental model, to show that the host state may play a causative role in the genesis of alveolar bone loss.
Update: Percentage of Young Persons With a Driver's License Continues to Drop

In two previous studies, we have shown that in several countries, including the United States, the percentage of young persons with a driver's license has recently decreased substantially. In this update, we extend the analysis for the United States—originally performed for 1983 and 2008—through 2010 by using driver-license and general-population data from the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau. The results indicate that the general trend continues. For example, the percentages of persons 19 years of age with a driver's license in 1983, 2008, and 2010 were 87.3, 75.5, and 69.5, respectively.
Nursing in Japan

and attended daily rounds with the housestaff and interacted with nurses. l Nursing Science on the topic of “Nurses’ Involvement with Ethics Committees in U.S. Hospitals” Moderating a panel of researchers at an international nursing research conference sponsored by the Japanese Academy of Nursing Science Talking about the role of the clinical nurse specialist to graduate nursing students at St. Luke’s College of Nursing and the Tokyo University School of Nursing Attending meetings of the Psychiatric Liaison Nursing Interest Group Speaking about nursing ethics at Tokyo University Consulting with the international liaison nurse at the Japanese Nursing Association This proximity to the work and homes of the doctors and nurses provided a unique opportunity to observe their lives and work on adaily basis. Through the University of California, San Francisco, contacts made before our departure, and various associations made while in Japan, activities such as the following were made possible far one of us (M.J.T.): l Addressing the Ethics Steering Committee of the Japanese Academy of
Time of participation effect and grade-orientation

Abstract The motivation and academic performance of research participants depends on the time of the semester in which the research is conducted. Therefore, data collected only once during an academic term may not adequately sample the participant pool. Sixty-eight undergraduates enrolled in various sections of an introductory psychology course participated in this research. Approximately every 2 weeks for 13 weeks, a different group of 5–16 participants completed two motivation orientation questionnaires. Participation was voluntary and participants received extra credit for participating. Participants during the last 6 weeks of data collection were more grade-oriented and had lower academic performance than participants during the first 6 weeks. Participants in the thirteenth week of the semester were more grade-oriented than those in the fifth or eleventh weeks. This time of participation effect poses a threat to the external and internal validity of research. Recommended approaches to reducing this threat include collecting data throughout an academic term and randomly assigning participants to the research dates.
Classification of Tandem Repeats in the Human Genome

Tandem repeats in DNA sequences are extremely relevant in biological phenomena and diagnostic tools. Computational programs that discover these tandem repeats generate a huge volume of data, which is often difficult to decipher without further organization. In this paper, the authors describe a new method for post-processing tandem repeats through clustering and classification. Their work presents multiple ways of expressing tandem repeats using the n-gram model with different clustering distance measures. Analysis of the clusters for the tandem repeats in the human genome shows that the method yields a well-defined grouping in which similarity among repeats is apparent. The authors' new, alignment-free method facilitates the analysis of the myriad of tandem repeats that occur in the human genome and they believe that this work will lead to new discoveries on the roles, origins, and significance of tandem repeats.
Practical lessons in supporting large-scale computational science

Business needs have driven the development of commercial database systems since their inception. As a result, there has been a strong focus on supporting many users, minimizing the potential corruption or loss of data, and maximizing performance metrics such as transactions-per-second and benchmark results [Gra93]. These goals have little to do with supporting business intelligence needs such as the decision support and data mining activities common in on-line analytic processing (OLAP) applications. As a result, business data are typically off-loaded to secondary systems before these activities occur. In addition, they have little to do with the needs of the scientific community, which typically revolve around a great deal of compute and I/O intensive analysis, often over large data with high dimensionality. For scientific data, in many cases the data was never collected in a DBMS in the first place, and so the analysis and visualization take place over specialized flat-file formats. This is a painful solution, because a DBMS has much to offer in the overall process of managing and exploring data.
Discontinuation of maintenance therapy in patients with quiescent cytomegalovirus retinitis and elevated CD4+ counts

Abstract Objective To determine whether maintenance therapy can be discontinued safely in patients with quiescent cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) and increased CD4+ counts after treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Design A prospective observational case series. Participants Eight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with quiescent CMVR who were taking HAART and had CD4+ counts above 100 cells/μl elected to discontinue anti-CMV maintenance treatment. Intervention Biweekly-to-monthly indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photographs, monthly-to-quarterly CD4+ counts, and quarterly HIV viral loads were ordered. Main outcome measures Twelve previously affected eyes were examined for evidence of recurrent retinitis, which was defined as any retinal whitening, border opacification, or expansion of areas of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) atrophy greater than 750 μm. Four previously unaffected fellow eyes were observed for new CMVR. Results There was no reactivation or progression of retinitis in any patient during the mean follow-up interval of 11.4 months (range, 3–16 months). No previously unaffected eye developed CMVR. CD4+ remained elevated in all patients (range, 70–725; mean, 255). The HIV viral load ranged from undetectable to 139,000 copies. Conclusion Discontinuation of maintenance therapy may be considered in patients with HAART-induced elevated CD4+ counts above 100 cells/μl, prolonged relapse-free intervals during the reconstitution period before CD4+ counts rise above 100 cells/μl, and completely quiescent retinitis characterized by RPE scarring only. Reduced risks of drug toxicity and drug-resistant organisms are potential benefits. Close observation for evidence of recurrent retinitis is indicated.