cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a Novel Voltage-Sensing Protein

The discovery of Ci-VSP, a voltage-sensing phosphatase, revealed that S1-S4 domains can exist in proteins independent of an ion-conducting pore (Nature, 2005). The voltage-activated proton channel, Hv1, was subsequently discovered and shown to consist of a voltage-sensing domain that conducts protons in response to membrane depolarization (Nature, 2006). Through bioinformatic searches, we identified a protein that we named NVS (Novel Voltage Sensor). NVS contains 531 residues and consists of 3 parts: an S1-S4 domain, a 90 residue N-terminus and a 307 residue C-terminus, both of which are predicted to be intracellular. The most critical residues found in other S1-S4 domains are conserved in NVS, including 3 Arg and a Lys in the S4 helix, and 4 conserved acidic residues in S1-S3. Other than an S1-S4 domain, NVS contains no conserved domains that offer clues about its function. However, the C-terminus does contain a coiled-coil domain, several SH3 binding motifs and a region that has 30% identity with a Ras-GAP binding protein thought to regulate Ras signaling pathways. Here, we show that NVS traffics to the membrane as determined by surface biotinylation. Additionally, tissue distribution studies show expression of NVS in brain, heart, kidney, liver and testes. Within the brain, NVS is enriched in cerebellum and immunofluorescence studies on frozen tissue sections indicate that NVS localizes to pre-synaptic terminals of granule cells. Furthermore, the S4 helix of NVS is capable of sensing changes in membrane potential as revealed by transferring this region into Hv1. Our guiding hypothesis is that NVS functions as a voltage sensor that interacts with signaling proteins to provide intracellular pathways with information about voltage changes across the membrane. To this end, experiments are underway to identify interacting proteins for clues about the function of NVS.
Functional alterations in CNS catecholamine systems in adolescence and adulthood after neonatal chlorpyrifos exposure

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), one of the most widely used pesticides, is a neurobehavioral teratogen in animals. We administered CPF to neonatal rats on postnatal days (PN) 1-4 (1 mg/kg) or PN11-14 (5 mg/kg), regimens devoid of overt systemic toxicity. We then examined the impact on catecholaminergic systems in adolescence (PN30) and adulthood (PN60), assessing basal neurotransmitter content and transmitter utilization rates (turnover) in brain regions comprising the major noradrenergic and dopaminergic projections. Although CPF had only sporadic effects on basal norepinephrine and dopamine content, it profoundly suppressed norepinephrine turnover across multiple regions, indicative of net reductions in presynaptic activity. Dopamine turnover showed less consistent effects, with subnormal turnover in some regions and activation in others. We also evaluated whether CPF exposure altered the ability of catecholamine systems to respond to acute cholinergic stimulation, elicited by administration of a single challenge dose of nicotine. In the normal brain, nicotine increases the utilization of norepinephrine and dopamine. With only a few exceptions, animals receiving neonatal CPF exposure showed lasting desensitization of the nicotine response; not only was the activation by nicotine blunted in the CPF group, but in some regions the nicotine response was reversed, eliciting a reduction in transmitter turnover. These results indicate that neonatal CPF exposure produces widespread deficiencies in catecholaminergic synaptic function that persist into adulthood, and that are best revealed by dynamic measures of synaptic activity and responsiveness, as opposed to static markers like basal transmitter levels. The effects seen here are likely to contribute to alterations in behavioral performance that persist or emerge long after the termination of CPF exposure.
Research on Mechanical Reliability Growth Model for Complete Failure Data

As everyone knows, reliability growth technology is an essential part in the mechanical reliability theory as well as an insurance of the products capability in usage. It exists throughout the entire lifespan of development, manufacturing and application. Concerning the reliability characters of mechanical products, that product life obeys Weibull distribution, which is mostly resulted from the test on the small sample, three parameters of life distribution are estimated by the grey estimation in this paper. Then according to the data acquired in the test, Duane growth model is surely developed to assess the situation of reliability growth. Furthermore, the following example ascertains that the developed model is in accordance with mechanical characters. From the result, Duane model is reasonable to evaluate the reliability growth level of mechanical products. It is obvious that the improved measure is effective to enhance the reliability and the value of MTBF can be calculated with the model.
Ionization behavior, stoichiometry of association, and accessibility of functional groups in the active layers of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes.

We characterized the fully aromatic polyamide (PA) active layers of six commercial reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes and found that in contrast to their similar elemental compo...
Hydrodynamic and reactive/diffusive instabilities in a dynamic model of liquid propellant combustion

In a classical study of liquid propellant combustion. Landau 1 introduced a simple model in which the liquid/gas interface was assumed to propagate normal to itself with constant velocity. Such a model, applied to the problem of premixed flame propagation, introduced the phenomenon of hydrodynamic flame instability, in which steady, planar deflagration was unstable to steady, but nonplanar (cellular), disturbances. For the case of liquid propellants, it was shown that the inclusion of gravitational and surface tension effects could supress this phenomenon, whereas a later study due to Levich 2 showed that the coupling of gravitational and viscous effects could produce a similar result. In the present work, we show that the assumption of a more realistic pyrolysis burning-rate law, which couples the temperature field to the problem, also is stabilizing with respect to hydrodynamic instability. In addition, this model admits a pulsating type of instability associated with the thermal sensitivity of the chemical reaction, analogous to that which exists for solid propellant combustion and the combustion synthesis of refractory materials. These results parallel recent developments in flame theory, which also suggest that the dynamic coupling of the burning rate with local conditions at the flame front can suppress Landau instability. In addition, however, the present work presents a closed-form expression for the dispersion relation, and predicts regions of stability for steady, planar burning with to both hydrodynamic and reactive/diffusive instabilities.
Role of HAMP domains in chemotaxis signaling by bacterial chemoreceptors

Bacterial chemoreceptors undergo conformational changes in response to variations in the concentration of extracellular ligands. These changes in chemoreceptor structure initiate a series of signaling events that ultimately result in regulation of rotation of the flagellar motor. Here we have used cryo-electron tomography combined with 3D averaging to determine the in situ structure of chemoreceptor assemblies in Escherichia coli cells that have been engineered to overproduce the serine chemoreceptor Tsr. We demonstrate that chemoreceptors are organized as trimers of receptor dimers and display two distinct conformations that differ principally in arrangement of the HAMP domains within each trimer. Ligand binding and methylation alter the distribution of chemoreceptors between the two conformations, with serine binding favoring the “expanded” conformation and chemoreceptor methylation favoring the “compact” conformation. The distinct positions of chemoreceptor HAMP domains within the context of a trimeric unit are thus likely to represent important aspects of chemoreceptor structural changes relevant to chemotaxis signaling. Based on these results, we propose that the compact and expanded conformations represent the “kinase-on” and “kinase-off” states of chemoreceptor trimers, respectively.
Effects of Radioprotective Agents on Foot Deformities and Gait Defects in the Prenatally X-Irradiated Rat.∗

SummaryThe radioprotective agents AET, cysteamine and MEG largely prevented the occurrence of foot deformities and a defect in gait (which was unrelated to the foot abnormalities) in the young of rats exposed to a single dose of 150 r total body x-irradiation on the 14th day of pregnancy. These substances also prevented in part the occurrence of an abnormality in development of the cerebral hemispheres of such young but were without significant effect in altering an attendant reduction in the ratio of brain to body weight.
Intramolecular interactions in poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends

Specific interactions in blends of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(styrene-co-acry-lonitrile) (SAN) were studied as a function of copolymer composition and blend ratio by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was shown that miscibility occurred within a certain range of copolymer compositions because the presence of PCL reduced the thermodynamically unfavorable repulsion between styrene and acrylonitrile segments in the random copolymer. This effect was observed in terms of a shift to higher frequencies in the 700 cm-1 γ-CH out-of-plane deformation vibration absorption of styrene and in the approximately 2236 cm−1 CN stretching frequency band in acrylonitrile segments. Specific intermolecular interactions between SAN and PCL were not observed in this study. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Binding Specificity of Rat a-Fetoprotein for a Series of Estrogen Derivatives: Studies Using Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Binding Techniques

The binding specificity of rat alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for a series of estrogen derivatives has been investigated and compared to that of the uterine cytosol estrogen receptor. In addition, several equilibrium and nonequilibrium binding techniques have been examined for their appropriateness in studying AFP-estrogen interactions under different experimental conditions. The ratio of association constants (RAC) of various estrogen derivatives (compared to 17 beta-estradiol; RAC = 100%) were determined using a rapid and convenient miniaturized equilibrium assay that utilizes the partitioning properties of Sephadex G-25. AFP has the highest affinity for estrone derivatives and is especially tolerant of small, nonpolar substituents in the D ring; it binds nonsteroidal estrogens and antiestrogens weakly or not at all. Thus, it has a binding specificity quite unlike that of the estrogen receptor. Several potential affinity labels were studied. Of these, 16-diazoestrone, a photoreactive compound, has the highest affinity for AFP (RAC = 121%). Another equilibrium technique, steady state polyacrylamide electrophoresis, effects a clear separation between AFP and albumin. It is superior to conventional polyacrylamide electrophoresis under conditions where dissociation is rapid. Charcoaldextran adsorption also rapidly removes estradiol that is bound to AFP (t1/2 = approximately 10 min at 0 C). The AFP-estradiol complex appears to be stabilized by adsorption to hydroxylapatite, however, so that hydroxylapatite can be employed in a batchwise manner to assay binding to AFP. This is the most appropriate technique when high concentrations of ligand are used. These studies highlight the marked differences in binding specificity between rat AFP and the uterine cytosol estrogen receptor and indicate the techniques most appropriate for binding measurements under different conditions. This work should facilitate the design of affinity labeling reagents for rat AFP as well.
Comparison of methods for the extraction of plant lipids

Abstract The ability of a number of different solvent systems to extract lipid from a range of plant tissues was compared by measurement of phospholipid, glycolipid, sterol lipid and total acyl lipid content. A chloroform-methanol extraction method based upon the principles of Bligh and Dyer was considered to be the most efficient system for use with the majority of plant tissues. Cereal seeds were anomalous in that water saturated n - butanol was the preferred solvent system due to its superior ability to extract bound lysophospholipids present in large amounts in the endosperm portion of the tissue.
Vascular anomalies of the head and neck: a review of genetics.

AbstractPurpose: Vascular anomalies comprise malformations, hemangiomas, and rare tumors. The commonality among these lesions is their origin in vascular endothelia. Most occur sporadically, but occasional inheritance is observed and thus allows genetic research and insight into etiology. This review highlights those vascular anomalies in which genetic inheritance has been demonstrated. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed. Fifty-five full-length articles were reviewed. Results: Five categories of vascular anomalies with patterned inheritance were identified: arteriovenous malformation (AVM), capillary malformation (CM), lymphatic malformation (LM), venous malformation (VM), and infantile hemangioma (IH). Capillary and arteriovenous malformation subtypes are associated with a RASA-1 gene mutation and show autosomal dominant inheritance. VEGFR3 mutations have been associated with generalized forms of LM and lymphedema. Mutations in TIE2/TEK genes cause inherited forms of venou...
Effects of graphite content on the morphology and barrier properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites

Abstract We have performed a series of morphology and CO2-probe diffusion analyses to ascertain the existence and composition dependence of voids in graphite/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites both above and below the graphite percolation threshold, as determined from electrical conductivity measurements. Sorption data indicate that, with increasing graphite loading: (i) the diffusivity of CO2 in the composite material decreases; and (ii) the volume fraction of voids in the material increases. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals that polymer crystals nucleate heterogeneously on graphite particles and that samples containing graphite have higher degrees of crystallinity than the neat polymer. Crystallinity effects appear to dominate barrier properties at low graphite loadings, while porosity effects dominate at high graphite loadings. Our results strongly suggest that, although voids in these composites are probably associated with relatively poor adhesion along graphite/polymer interfaces, the voids are also discrete (i.e. they do not form a continuous network, even if the graphite particles do).
Telework: an innovation where nobody is getting on the bandwagon?

Despite predictions over the years that many employees would soon be teleworking from their homes, neither employees in general nor information systems (IS) professionals in particular, whose work is especially appropriate for telework, have begun teleworking to any large extent. The reasons for this lack of telework growth are empirically untested. Yet an understanding of why organizations and IS departments are not joining the telework bandwagon is critical if predictions of improved flexibility and productivity through telework are to be realized.This study used innovation theory to suggest key variables that may be related to telework use among IS programmer/analysts. A national survey of IS executives was used to obtain information on the variables relevant to IS telework assimilation. The survey resulted in responses from 252 IS departments describing their telework arrangements.Key variables related to both the adoption stage and the infusion stage of IS teleworking were middle management support for telework, administrative intensity, and professionalism. A variable significantly related only to the adoption decision was centralization. The key variable related only to the infusion stage was size. The variables that were not related to either adoption or infusion were specialization and formalization, suggesting that bureaucracy alone is not an obstacle to telework.Overall, the findings suggest a bottom-up initiation of telework; i.e., that programmer/analysts are initiating telework arrangements. Lack of middle management support for telework has a strong negative effect on the assimilation of telework. Thus, this study suggests that future research may wish to investigate further the reasons for lack of managerial support. Moreover, the lack of organizations getting on the telework bandwagon, together with the variables found significant in this study, suggest fruitful areas for future research may be an analysis of the type of publicity describing telework arrangements, managerial knowledge of telework arrangements, the nature of IS work appropriate for telework, and the managerial skills demanded by telework.
Job performance of MIS professionals: An examination of the antecedents and consequences

Abstract This study examines the antecedents and consequences of job performance among management information systems (MIS) employees. The results obtained show that job performance is affected by perceived job characteristics and that job performance displays a number of positive effects on career advancement prospects, career satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intention to stay. They also indicate that role stressors display a number of negative effects on job satisfaction, career satisfaction, career advancement prospects, organizational commitment, and intention to stay. Furthermore, job satisfaction and career satisfaction are found to have direct effects on organizational commitment, and organizational commitment and job satisfaction have direct effects on intention to stay. Finally, these results are related to prior research, suggestions for future research are offered and implications for management of MIS employees are identified.
Aging and environmental influences on two types of dendritic spines in the rat occipital cortex

Abstract The density of dendritic spines was determined by counting spines on 34-μm segments from basal branches of pyramidal cells in layers II and III of the rat occipital cortex. Counts began at the first bifurcation site from the soma, and one segment from each side of the neuron was studied. The results of this investigation indicated a marked decrease in spines with a lollipop (type L) configuration from 90 to 414 days of age. After this decrease, the density of type L spines increased to 630 days to the same density as they were at 90 days. The presence or absence of type L spines was not affected by housing the animals in an enriched environment. In contrast to the type L spines, another type of spine, those with a nubbin configuration (type N) increased in density at each age. The density of these type N spines also appeared subject to environmental influences in the oldest group. We conclude that type L spines, after decreasing to the adult level, increase as the animal approaches senescence perhaps as a compensatory mechanism. On the other hand, type N spines increase with age and are responsive to the environment in the old animals. Type N spines possibly represent degenerating spines.
The effect of an equilibrated melt phase on the shear creep and attenuation behavior of polycrystalline olivine

The impact of a chemically and texturally equilibrated melt phase on the shear creep and attenuation behaviors of polycrystalline olivine has been measured experimentally at seismic-to-subseismic frequencies. The experiments were performed on aggregates that had a particularly uniform and fine grain size (∼3 µm). The effect of the melt phase (∼5 vol%) is to decrease the (Newtonian) viscosity by a factor of ∼6; there is no dramatic disaggregation effect or melt-induced plummeting of the shear modulus. Both the melt-free and melt-bearing aggregates display an attenuation “band” of the form QG−1 ∝ f−1 4. This response cannot be attributed to a variation in microstructure; it is intrinsic to the diffusional creep behavior. There is no unique effect of the melt phase on the attenuation response: the slight increase in absorption of partial melt specimens is explained fully by the effect of the texturally equilibrated melt on aggregate viscosity.
Behavioral, Affective, and Social Correlates of Involvement in Cross-Sex Friendship in Elementary School

The purpose of this study was to compare children with and without cross-sex friends on measures of social and cognitive competence, endorsement of sex-role stereotypes, and family composition. Subjects were 723 third and fourth graders (377 girls, 346 boys) from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds; 35% were African American. Measures included sociometric assessments of peer acceptance, friendship, and behavioral reputation, as well as self-reports of perceived self-competence and endorsement of sex-role stereotypes. In addition, teachers completed ratings of children's social and cognitive competence. In all, 92 children, about 14% of the sample, had one or more reciprocal opposite-sex friends; for 21 of these children, their cross-sex friendships were their primary or only friendships. African American children were more likely than European American children to have opposite-sex friends. Involvement in cross-sex friendships was unrelated to the gender make-up of the classroom, but was related to family structure. Comparisons of the children who had primarily or only cross-sex friends to matched groups of children who had only same-sex friends and to children who had cross-sex friends secondarily to same-sex ones revealed a number of differences between the groups in social competence and relationships with peers. Overall, children with primarily opposite-sex friends had poorer social skills than other children with friends, although they were less stereotyped about sex roles than other children, and were better adjusted than children with no friends on most measures. In contrast, children involved in opposite-sex friendship secondarily to same-sex friendship were as well adjusted socially as children with only same-sex friendships. These results suggest that children with cross-sex friends differ among themselves, depending on the primacy of the cross-sex relationship.
Analysis of the NSQIP Database in 676 Patients Undergoing Laryngopharyngectomy: The Impact of Flap Reconstruction

ObjectiveAssess impact of reconstructive procedures on patients undergoing laryngopharyngectomy and to determine whether 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality varied between patients who underwent flap reconstruction and those who did not.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of the prospectively collected American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) database.SettingTertiary medical center.Subjects and MethodsWe reviewed the 2005-2011 ACS-NSQIP database to identify patients undergoing laryngectomy and/or pharyngectomy. Bivariate analysis was done to compare preoperative variables and postoperative outcomes between the flap reconstruction group and non-reconstruction group. Chi-square tests were used for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio to account for potential confounders. To create a valid logistic analysis model, F-test was used to determine whether certain variables should...
Gabapentin enhances the antinociceptive effects of spinal morphine in the rat tail-flick test.

Abstract The antinociceptive effects of the combination of spinal morphine and gabapentin were evaluated in the tail-flick test in rats. The intrathecal coadministration of a subantinociceptive dose of morphine at 0.2 μg and gabapentin at 300 μg produced significant antinociception. Pretreatment with spinal gabapentin at 300 μg shifted the dose-response curve of spinal morphine to the left with a decrease in morphine ED50 value from 1.06 μg to 0.34 μg. The antinociceptive effects produced by the combination of a subantinociceptive dose of morphine and gabapentin were reversed by spinal naloxone at 30 μg but were not reversed by spinal bicuculline at 0.3 μg. Furthermore, the concurrent administration of spinal naloxone at 30 μg with the combination of morphine and gabapentin blocked antinociception, while the concurrent administration of spinal bicuculline at 0.3 μg failed to prevent antinociception. These results indicate that the combination of spinal gabapentin and morphine produces an enhancement of antinociception that appears to involve the spinal mu opioid receptors. Furthermore, repeated administration of gabapentin for 3 days did not affect the enhancing effect of gabapentin on the antinociceptive effect of morphine, indicating that tolerance did not develop to gabapentin's ability to enhance morphine antinociception.
CD4+ T cell subset differentiation and avidity setpoint are dictated by the interplay of cytokine and antigen mediated signals.

CD4+ T cell differentiation has been shown to be regulated by the cytokine milieu present during activation as well as peptide MHC levels. However, the extent to which these two important regulatory signals work in concert to shape CD4+ T cell function has not been investigated. Using a murine OT-II transgenic TCR model of in vitro differentiation, we demonstrate that the ability of CD4+ T cells to commit to a distinct lineage, i.e. Th1 vs. Th2 vs. Th17, is restricted by the amount of peptide antigen present in the stimulating environment. In addition, whether cells succumb to inhibitory effects associated with high dose antigen is dependent on the array of cytokine signals encountered. Specifically, stimulation with high dose antigen in Th1 or Th17 conditions promoted efficient generation of functional cells, while Th2 polarizing conditions did not. Finally, we found that the peptide sensitivity of an effector cell was determined by the combined actions of cytokine and peptide level, with Th1 cells exhibiting the highest avidity, followed by Th17 and Th2 cells. Together, these data show that the interplay of antigen and cytokine signals shape both the differentiation fate and avidity setpoint of CD4+ T cells.
Aligning Molecular Attachment Sites in Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Measurements

In atomic force microscopy (AFM) -based single molecule force spectroscopy, it is assumed that the pulling angle is negligible and that the force applied to the molecule is equivalent to the force measured by the instrument. Although this assumption may hold for flexible, compact molecules, studies have shown that it may not be appropriate for fairly rigid molecules, where measured forces can be a fraction of the actual values experienced by the molecule. Previously, we have proposed a method to align a molecule’s substrate and cantilever attachment sites and tested it in a simulated environment. Here we continue our work and test the alignment program in an experimental environment. In this paper we demonstrate that circling-induced force fluctuations are the result of stretching and relaxing a tethered molecule and we present the results of an alignment trial. Combined, these preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the alignment program and are a promising step towards correcting pulling geometry errors in single molecule force spectroscopy studies.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Signaling in Satellite Cells Potentiates Skeletal Muscle Regeneration

Patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have increased angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and cachexia. Ang II infusion in rodents causes sustained skeletal muscle wasting and decreases muscle regenerative potential through Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated signaling, likely contributing to the development of cachexia in CHF and CKD. However, the potential role of Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) signaling in skeletal muscle physiology is unknown. We found that AT2R expression was increased robustly in regenerating skeletal muscle after cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced muscle injury in vivo and differentiating myoblasts in vitro, suggesting that the increase in AT2R played an important role in regulating myoblast differentiation and muscle regeneration. To determine the potential role of AT2R in muscle regeneration, we infused C57BL/6 mice with the AT2R antagonist PD123319 during CTX-induced muscle regeneration. PD123319 reduced the size of regenerating myofibers and expression of the myoblast differentiation markers myogenin and embryonic myosin heavy chain. On the other hand, AT2R agonist CGP42112 infusion potentiated CTX injury-induced myogenin and embryonic myosin heavy chain expression and increased the size of regenerating myofibers. In cultured myoblasts, AT2R knockdown by siRNA suppressed myoblast differentiation marker expression and myoblast differentiation via up-regulation of phospho-ERK1/2, and ERK inhibitor treatment completely blocked the effect of AT2R knockdown. These data indicate that AT2R signaling positively regulates myoblast differentiation and potentiates skeletal muscle regenerative potential, providing a new therapeutic target in wasting disorders such as CHF and CKD.
BDNF mRNA expression during postnatal development, maturation and aging of the human prefrontal cortex

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and has survival-promoting actions on a variety of CNS neurons. We have examined changes in the level of BDNF mRNA expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of the postnatal human brain using both RNAse protection assay and in situ hybridization. Expression of BDNF mRNA in the DLPFC was compared to that in the occipital cortex. BDNF mRNA levels vary between layers, with layer VI consistently higher than other layers in both the DLPFC and occipital regions. BDNF mRNA levels increase approximately one-third from infancy to adulthood, i.e. they are relatively low during infancy and adolescence, peak during young adulthood, and are maintained at a constant level throughout adulthood and aging. The significant increase in BDNF mRNA levels in the DLPFC during the young adult period coincides with the time when the frontal cortex matures both structurally and functionally. The increase in BDNF at this critical time in human development may have important implications for the etiology and treatment of the severe mental disorders that tend to present during this time.
The sitting active and prone passive lag test: An inter-rater reliability study

Summary Background & purpose To determine inter-rater reliability in identifying a knee extension lag using the sitting active and prone passive lag test (SAPLT). Methods 56 patients with a diagnosis of knee pain were randomly assigned and independently examined by two physical therapists at a time, to determine the presence of an active or a passive extension lag at the knee. An active lag was determined by the inability of the erectly seated subject to actively extend the involved knee in maximal dorsiflexion of the ankle to the same level as the normal knee held in maximal extension and ankle in maximal dorsiflexion, as seen by the levels of the toes. A passive lag was determined by placing the subject prone with the knees just past the edge of the table and determining the high position of the heel in a fully resting extension position compared to the heel on the normal side. Results For the sitting active lag test, the inter-rater reliability was ‘good' (Kappa 0.792, SE of kappa 0.115, 95% confidence interval). For the prone passive lag test, the inter-rater reliability was ‘good' (Kappa 0.636, SE of kappa 0.136, 95% confidence interval). Conclusion The SAPLT may be incorporated as a simple yet effective test to determine the presence of a knee extension lag. It identifies the type of restraint, active, passive or both, and is suggestive of the most appropriate management.
Utilization of Calcium Soaps by the White Rat.

ConclusionCalcium palmitate soap was utilized to the extent of 38 to 66%; calcium oleate 90 to 91 %; mixed calcium soaps from lard, 70-75%. Calcium stearate was rather poorly utilized, 25 to 45% of the soap disappearing from the intestinal contents.
Modeling and Respecting Privacy Specification when Composing DaaS Services

The concept of Web service composition has undergone many evolutions and improvements including especially the apparition of new category of services, on which the composition process is made, called "Data-As-A-Service DaaS. However, privacy is still among the key challenges that keep hampering DaaS service composition solution. Indeed services may follow different, conflicting privacy specifications with respect to the data they use and provide within a composition. In this paper, the authors propose an approach for privacy-aware composition of DaaS services. The authors' approach allows verifying the compatibility of privacy specifications of services involved in a composition. In the case when any composition will be incompatible in terms of privacy, the authors introduce a novel approach based on negotiation to reach compatibility of concerned services. The negotiation approach is cautiously operated with without any privacy damaging of services. The authors validate the applicability of their proposal through a set of experiments.
Using an Invitational Theory of Practice to Create Safe and Successful Schools

This article describes an Invitational Theory of Practice that can be used to create and maintain safe and successful schools by addressing the total culture of the educational environment. Key concepts include transforming how people communicate with each other, assessing 5 critical components of a school (people, places, programs, policies, and processes), and using a group process exercise to set goals and action plans to meet school goals.
Gelation of Chicken Pectoralis Major Myosin And Heat-Denatured β-Lactoglobulin

Thermal, rheological, and microstructural properties of myosin (1 and 2% protein) were compared to mixtures of 1% myosin and 1% heat-denatured beta-lactoglobulin aggregates (myosin/HDLG) and 1% myosin and 1% native beta-lactoglobulin (myosin/beta-LG) in 0.6 M NaCl and 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 during heating to 71 degrees C. Thermal denaturation patterns of myosin and myosin/HDLG were similar except for the appearance of an endothermic peak at 54-56 degrees C in the mixed system. At pH 7.0, 2% myosin began to gel at 48 degrees C and had a storage modulus (G') of 500 Pa upon cooling. Myosin/HDLG (2% total protein) had a gel point of 48 degrees C and a G' of 650 Pa, whereas myosin/beta-LG had a gel point of 49 degrees C but the G' was lower (180 Pa). As the pH was decreased, the gel points of myosin and myosin/HDLG decreased and the G' after cooling increased. The HDLG was incorporated within the myosin gel network, whereas beta-LG remained soluble.
Placenta percreta with spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus in the second trimester.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Rupture of a pregnant uterus occurs most often in a scarred uterus, and spontaneous rupture of a non-scarred uterus in the early second trimester is rare. CASE: A woman with two previous normal vaginal deliveries and no prior trauma to the uterus presented at 16 weeks’ gestation with an acute abdomen due to intraperitoneal hemorrhage. A large rupture of the fundus of the uterus was found. A supracervical hysterectomy was carried out, with subsequent good recovery. The specimen showed placenta percreta. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus, due to placenta percreta, should be considered in cases of acute intraperitoneal hemorrhage, even in early pregnancy.
Biochemical changes in rhesus monkey during the first days after streptozotocin administration are indicative of selective β cell destruction

Hormonal and glycemic changes in 22 rhesus monkeys were characterized during the first days after treatment with streptozotocin (STZ) (45 to 55 mg/kg, administered intravenously [IV]). Almost half (10/22) of the monkeys developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (STZ-IDDM) within five days following injection. Four of the remaining monkeys did not become insulin dependent for at least 6 months after STZ treatment, during which time they were considered non-insulin-dependent, and eight monkeys never required exogenous insulin. In the STZ-IDDM group, plasma immunoreactive c-peptide (IRC-P) levels fell by three hours after STZ from a mean +/- SEM of 252 +/- 82 to 101 +/- 45 pg/mL, as glucose and immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) levels increased from 65 +/- 3 and 120 +/- 37, respectively, to 336 +/- 43 mg/dL and 234 +/- 52 pg/mL, respectively. Between six and 30 hours after treatment, IRC-P increased to a peak of 1,561 +/- 360 pg/mL before falling permanently to less than 60 pg/mL by 66 hours. During this period, glucose and IRG responded in a reciprocal fashion by falling and then increasing to levels above 300 mg/dL and 300 pg/mL, respectively, by 66 hours. In the non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (STZ-NIDDM) group, no clear reciprocal relationship between IRC-P and glucose and IRG was obtained. In nine additional monkeys subjected to total pancreatectomy (Px), IRC-P and IRG levels fell immediately and permanently by greater than 90% and 75%, respectively. Levels of immunoreactive somatostatin increased steadily over the initial 96 hours following STZ, but did so both STZ-IDDM and Px monkey groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Omentin as a biomarker associated with improved overall survival in serous ovarian cancer

specific. Results: Overall, positive PD-1 expression was 67.9% (1086/1599) and PD-L1 expression was 19.6% (313/1598). Analysis showed the highest PD-1 expression in the following tumor types: endometrial cancer (343/456, 75.2%), epithelial ovarian cancer (622/930, 66.9%), and cervical cancer (53/84, 63.1%). Rhe highest PD-L1 expression rates were in the following tumor types: ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors (24/32, 75.0%), uterine sarcoma (37/80, 46.3%), and endometrial cancer (115/456, 25.2%). In terms of histology, the highest PD-1 expression rates were in carcinosarcomas of the endometrium and ovary (82.4% and 74.3%, respectively), while the highest PD-L1 expression rates occurred in granulosa cell tumors (77.8%) and endometrioid endometrial cancer (39.7%). The highest PD-1/PD-L1 co-expression rate was in endometrioid endometrial cancer (35.3%). Conclusions: Subsets of gynecologic cancer preferentially express PD-1 and PD-L1, implying potential application of a new set of agents in the treatment of such cancers. As no predictive standard exists, biomarker studies will be necessary to elucidate which patients derive the most benefit from novel immunotherapies.
Automated measurement of earthwork volume in construction projects

Purpose – This paper aims to present an automated system that measures the volume of excavated soil in earthmoving operations. It focuses primarily on presenting the use of the radio frequency identification – real time location technology and image analysis techniques in isolation of stockpiles from their noisy backgrounds, extraction of their geometrical attributes and determination of their location.Design/methodology/approach – An extensive literature review of image analysis techniques is performed to identify the ones most applicable in developing the proposed automated system. A set of techniques are selected and experimented to evaluate their effectiveness in the proposed application. A review of the state‐of‐the‐art distance measurement technologies is also conducted to identify the most suitable system to be used in the proposed system.Findings – A set of image analysis techniques that positively contribute to the accuracy of the proposed system is identified. Geometrical attributes of stockpile...
The Globalization of Healthcare: Implications of Medical Tourism for the Infectious Disease Clinician

Travel abroad for healthcare has increased rapidly; interventions include organ transplant; cardiac surgery; reproductive care; and joint, cosmetic, and dental procedures. Individuals who receive medical care abroad are a vulnerable, sentinel population, who sample the local environment and can carry home unusual and resistant infections, documented in many reports. Medical tourists are at risk for hospital-associated and procedure-related infections as well as for locally endemic infections. Patients may not volunteer details about care abroad, so clinicians must inquire about medical procedures abroad as well as recent travel. Special infection control measures may be warranted. Healthcare abroad is associated with diverse financial, legal, ethical, and health-related issues. We focus on problems the infectious disease clinician may encounter and provide a framework for evaluating returned medical tourists with suspected infections. A better system is needed to ensure broad access to high-quality health services, continuity of care, and surveillance for complications.
Conditioning and Detailed Analysis of Biomass Derived Fuel Gas Ongoing and Planned Work by Battelle

Gas turbine based power and cogeneration schemes are likely to become more favored as turbine efficiencies improve, but the economics of local power generation may depend on the use of low cost fuels other than natural gas. Opportunities may arise in the application of gas turbines in the pulp and paper industry and the wider use of biomass derived fuels in general.These fuels, as produced, typically contain inorganic impurities originating from ash forming substances and other minor constituents of the feedstock. Also, depending on the biomass treatment process, they contain varying amounts of complex organic derivatives, commonly referred to as tars, and some simpler condensable vapors.The Department of Energy is sponsoring work aimed at providing realistic data on low level constituents and impurities in gas derived by indirect gasification of wood, some of which may have disproportionately severe effects on turbine operation, durability, and emissions performance. It is planned to sample gas from both laboratory scale (up to 20 tons/day) and pilot scale (200 tons/day) installations and to assess the effectiveness of wet scrubbing procedures and catalytic reforming of condensables in cleaning up the gases. This paper discusses the rationale for this work, experimental approach, and analytic procedures that will be used. The work will include the operation of a small (220-kWe) gas turbine to provide direct information on the impact of using the final biomass derived gas delivered by the system.The laboratory scale work is currently under way, with a planned completion date in mid 2000. The second phase is dependent on arrangements for integration of the R&D effort with the operation of the pilot plant.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Mortality in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

The authors identified 132 patients who died with a documented diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). A review of the medical records, autopsy reports, and in-depth discussion with local physicians and well-informed family members was performed. It was impossible, even after the review, to ascertain the exact cause of death in 22 patients. In the remaining patients, the cause of death was as follows: metastatic colorectal carcinoma, 64 patients (58.2 percent), (colon, 49 [44.5 percent], rectal, 15 [13.6 percent]); desmoid tumors, 12 (10.9 percent); periampullary carcinoma, 9 (8.2 percent); brain tumors, 8 (7.3 percent); perioperative mortalities, 5 (4.5 percent); adrenal carcinoma, 1 (0.9 percent); and abdominal carcinomatosis, 1 (0.9 percent). Ten patients died of causes not related to FAP. The major causes of death in 36 patients who underwent prophylactic colectomy were desmoid tumor and periampullary malignancy. This finding underscores the importance of lifelong surveillance and periodic endoscopic evaluation in patients with FAP.
Kuiper prize lecture: Escape of atmospheres, ancient and modern☆

Abstract The escape of gases from atmospheres is discussed from a historical viewpoint, with emphasis on concepts rather than details, and on the interaction of ideas and observations. Although rooted in theoretical ideas from the kinetic theory of gases, the subject remained almost sterile until space-age data could be brought to bear. Major advances followed from the first sounding-rocket data on the Earth's upper atmosphere, from the Mariner 5 results on hydrogen near Venus, and the nitrogen isotopic composition found by Viking at Mars. These results stimulated concepts of diffusion-limited flow, nonthermal escape mechanisms, formation of bound nonthermal coronae, energy-limited escape, and mass fractionation during early blowoff. As a consequence, we not only have acceptable explanations of a wide range of phenomena, but also prospects of explaining the xenon isotopic patterns in meteorites and various atmospheres, and the stil -mysterious behavior of Io's atmosphere and plasma torus.
Minimal factorization of rational matrix functions

The theorem on minimal factorization of rational matrix functions without a pole or zero at infinity is extended to arbitrary rational matrix functions. To obtain this generalization, the concept of a centered realization for possibly nonproper rational matrix function is developed. A centered realization involves a single state-space operator and has most properties of a usual state-space realization. >
Synthesis of specifically labeled (S)‐nicotine‐5‐3H and (S)‐cotinine‐5‐3H BY carrier free tritiolysis of the corresponding 5‐bromo derivatives

The synthesis of high specific activity tritium labeled (S)-nicotine and (S)-cotinine has been achieved. (S)-5-Bromonornicotine of high enantiomeric purity was converted to the corresponding (S)-5-bromonicotine by reductive amination with formaldehyde and sodium borohydride. Tritiolysis of this intermediate with carrier free tritium in the presence of triethylamine using 10% Pd/C catalyst provided (S)-nicotine-5- H with a specific activity of 32 Ci/mmol in ethanol solvent and 28 Ci/mmol in tetrahydrofuran solvent. Similarly, tritiation of (S)-5-bromocotinine, obtained by oxidation of (S)-5-bromocotinine, obtained by oxidation of (S)-5-bromonicotine with bromine followed by reduction of the intermediate (S)-3′, 3′, 5-tribromonicotine with zinc dust, yielded the corresponding (S)-cotinine-5- H (22.8 Ci/mmol). All reactions proceeded in good to excellent yields.
Commentary on Joseph Scott's “Black Polygamous Family Formation”

The essay critiques the polygyny model of Joseph Scott in terms of the pressures felt by young, poor, Black women with children who often enter into extramarital unions with married men as they attempt to find economic and emotional security.
Geodesic lens antennas for low-angle radiation

Previous unit-index geodesic lens antenna designs have not been able to produce a lens with good radiation characteristics in or near the plane of the lens rim. This paper extends previous work to permit the design of a geodesic lens for angles within approximately 20\deg of the plane of the lens rim. This is accomplished by requiring that less than the full semicircular aperture be exactly focused, and also by dividing the outer annulus into two or more constant-slope sections. The capability of these lenses for beam elevation positioning is also discussed.