cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of atopic dermatitis with being overweight and obese: A systematic review and metaanalysis

Background Previous studies found conflicting results about whether atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with overweight/obesity. Objective We sought to examine the relationship between AD and overweight/obesity by performing a systematic review and metaanalysis. Methods Observational studies of the relationship between AD and overweight/obesity were selected from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Fixed and random effects metaanalyses were performed to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs). Sensitivity analyses were performed that compared results by location of study, study quality, and between studies in children and adults. Results In total, 30 studies were included for review. Patients who were overweight (Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel [CMH] OR, 1.27 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.19-1.36]; random effects OR, 1.23 [95% CI: 1.11-1.41]), obese (CMH OR, 1.68 [95% CI: 1.54-1.84]; random effects OR, 1.47 [95% CI: 1.21-1.79]), or overweight/obese (CMH OR, 1.42 [95% CI: 1.34-1.50]; random effects OR, 1.31 [95% CI: 1.16-1.48]) had higher odds of AD than normal weight patients. In sensitivity analyses, children who were overweight (random effects OR, 1.24 [95% CI: 1.08-1.43]), obese (random effects OR, 1.44 [95% CI: 1.12-1.86]), or overweight/obese (random effects OR, 1.32 [95% CI: 1.15-1.51]) and adults who were obese (random effects OR, 1.56 [95% CI: 1.24-1.95]) or overweight/obese (random effects OR, 1.29 [95% CI: 1.05-1.59]) had higher odds of AD. The association remained significant in North America and Asia but not Europe. Limitations Most studies were cross-sectional. Conclusions Overweight/obesity in North America and Asia is associated with an increased prevalence of AD.
A DNA recombination-based approach to eliminate papillomavirus infection

At present, no treatments exist that effectively target and eliminate papillomaviruses (PVs) from infected cells or prevent its replication. We are employing a strategy to prevent virus replication in PV-infected cells through the conditional expression of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene. Expression of TK in this system is expected to be triggered by a homologous recombination event between the endogenous PV genome and a nonexpressing TK gene cassette. Recombination between these two DNAs is expected to change the nonexpressing cassette into a form that expresses TK. Various constructs were generated to express the TK in the above manner. Transfection of cell lines with a TK nonexpressing plasmid did not result in TK production due to alternative splicing and polyadenylation site selection. However, cotransfection of cell lines with PV plasmids along with the above TK construct containing short segments of PV sequences resulted in a recombination event that led to TK expression as shown by Northern and Western blot analyses. We also developed a TK expression cassette utilizing an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Delivery of the cassette by AAV to PV-infected cells resulted in TK expression, and ganciclovir treatment resulted in efficient killing of these cells.
Globalizing Flowscapes and the Historical Archaeology of the Mormon Domain

Historical archaeology within the Mormon Domain should focus upon the globalizing flowscapes defined by Arjun Appaduri: ethnoscapes, mediascapes, technoscapes, financescapes, and ideoscapes. This perspective moves archaeological scholarship away from attempts to identify a single “Mormon Culture Pattern” and illustrate that pattern's collapse to processes of Americanization and Globalization after Utah achieved statehood. By shifting the focus to the relationships of exchange organized using the flowscapes, the Mormon Domain becomes an ideal venue to explore the roots of globalization's bifurcating tendency to deterritorialize nations and regions by connecting local places with transnational population movements. This intellectual perspective will further align historical archaeology in Utah and the Great Basin with general trends in historical archaeology, New Western History, and New Mormon History.
On The Convergence Of The Maximum Likelihood Estimator Method Of Tomographic Image Reconstruction

The Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) method of image reconstruction has been reported to exhibit image deterioration in regions of expected uniform activity as the number of iterations increases beyond a certain point. This apparent instability raises questions as to the usefulness of a method that yields images at different stages of the reconstruction that could have different medical interpretations. In this paper we look in some detail into the question of convergence of MLE solutions at a large number of iterations and show that the MLE method converges towards the image that it was designed to yield, i.e. the image which has the maximum likelihood to have generated the specific projection data resulting from a measurement. We also show that the maximum likelihood image can be a very deteriorated version of the true source image and that only as the number of counts in the projection data becomes very high, will the maximum likelihood image converge towards an acceptable reconstruction.
An improved Hessian matrix for recursive maximum likelihood ARMA estimation

Much work has been directed towards the development of recursive algorithms for estimating the parameters of a signal characterised by an autoregressive moving average signal model. Many of the techniques that have been proposed employ an approximation to the Hessian matrix of the prediction error. Often this approximation is not accurate, resulting in a degradation in the quality of the parameter estimates and an increase in the variance of these estimates. The paper presents a modified recursive maximum likelihood (MRML) algorithm that uses the true Hessian matrix. The performance of this algorithm is compared to that of other algorithms via numerical examples. A significant improvement in performance can be obtained via the proposed MRML algorithm.
The Effect of Sulfanilamide upon the Livability and Metabolism of Bovine Spermatozoa

Summary 1. The addition of 300 mg. of sulfanilamide per 100 ml. of yolk-citrate diluent, gave a significant improvement in the livability of ejculated bull spermatozoa over a 20-days-storage period and prevented bacterial growth. 2. Sulfanilamide depressed glucose and oxygen utilization at all concentrations studied. 3. The accumulation of lactic acid was increased both absolutely and in relation to the glucose utilized in the presence of sulfanilamide.
Imaging of Football Injuries to the Upper Extremity

Imaging of football players is unique in many ways. Familiarity with mechanisms of injury, position of the player, and the need for rapid diagnosis and reporting will help radiologists when dealing with these athletes. Although plain radiographs are typically the first imaging modality used, MR imaging has become the cornerstone on which diagnoses and treatment decisions are based. As these athletes become stronger, faster, and more skilled, the ability to accurately assess their injuries becomes even more important, and understanding of the challenges that these patients present becomes critical.
A practical method for identifying inoculants

The macrostructure of an ingot can be altered by controlling the fluid flow during solidification. Such control produces drastically different results depending on whether a solute addition acts as an inoculating agent (involving a low proportion of a nucleating second phase) or if it is mostly soluble and forms a second phase only as a result of microsegregation. This differentiation, previously shown for Al and some of its alloys, is repeated with magnesium containing zirconium, which is a known inoculant for Mg. Copper is then tested as an addition to lead. Its action allows the production of very curious macroscopic grain structures which will be shown to be characteristic of an inoculant. Subsequent tests support the validity of applying fluid flow structure-control as a method for identifying inoculants.
Application of the Kirkwood-Buff theory of solutions to dilute supercritical mixtures

Kirkwood-Buff (KB) solution theory has been used to develop a rigorous and general theory for the solubility of a nonvolatile solute in a supercritical solvent. The theory leads to expressions in terms of the Kirkwood fluctuation integrals, Gmn, in a fluid mixture at equilibrium with a second (condensed) phase. The general theoretical framework presented in this work allows application of various molecular solution theories such as conformal solution models. A solution theory, based on a scaled distribution function approach, is introduced which leads to particularly simple results in the KB formalism. For dilute solutions this leads to an expression for the solubility which involves only the solvent properties plus characterization parameters for the solute. Predictions of solubility over the full range of densities, from dilute gas to dense fluid, are made for a sample supercritical mixture with satisfactory results. Predictions are sensitive to the model parameters which, in the simple formalism used, are assumed to be independent of state and are estimated from the critical properties. Less stringent assumptions may be introduced by use of other molecular solution theories.
Designing Polymers for Biphasic Liquid/Liquid Separations after Homogeneous Reactions

The phase-selective solubility properties of polymer supports that could be used in thermomorphic and latent biphasic systems useful in synthesis and catalysis were evaluated using polymers tagged with either visible dyes or fluorescent probes. Heptane/DMF, heptane/90% ethanol−water, heptane/ethyl acetate, heptane/ethanol, and heptane/tert-butyl alcohol solvent mixtures were all studied as examples of thermomorphic or latent biphasic systems. A range of polymers including polyisobutylene (PIB), poly(tert-butylstyrene) (PTBS), poly(octadecyl acrylate) (PODA), and poly(octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA) were tested for hydrophobic phase-selective solubility. The results of these studies are compared to prior work with polar and nonpolar poly(N-alkylacrylamide)s and polystyrene. Together with this prior work, these results show that a wide range of polymers and solvent mixtures can be used for the recycling of soluble polymer-bound catalysts, reagents, and sequestrants using either thermomorphic or latent bipha...
The Police in the 1800's: A Three City Analysis

Abstract What was the nature of American policing in the 1800's? Organizing historical police activities around four job functions—order keeping, service, law enforcement and class control—the present study provides information and analysis relevant to this question. Specifically, the focus is on nineteenth-century police development in Savannah, Atlanta and St. Louis. Archival data and historical media accounts reveal a variegated pattern of policing for these cities, although there is suggestive evidence which argues for the ascendancy of the class control function.
MMP-2 siRNA Induced Fas/CD95 Mediated Extrinsic II Apoptotic Pathway in the A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Line

We have previously reported that the downregulation of MMP-2 by adenovirus-mediated delivery of MMP-2 siRNA (Ad-MMP-2) reduced spheroid invasion and angiogenesis in vitro, and, metastasis and tumor growth in vivo. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of Ad-MMP-2-mediated growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Ad-MMP-2 infection led to the induction of apoptosis as determined by TUNEL assay, Annexin-V staining and PARP-1 cleavage in a dose-dependent manner in A549 cells. Ad-MMP-2 decreased the content of the antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) and increased the content of the pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family (Bax and Bcl-xS) as determined by immunoblotting analysis. Furthermore, Ad-MMP-2-mediated apoptosis was accompanied by increase in truncated Bid, release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3. Immunoblot analysis showed that Ad-MMP-2 infection caused upregulation of Fas/Fas-L and FADD, and Anti-Fas-L antibody reversed Ad-MMP-2-induced apoptosis. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3, an endogenous inhibitor of MMP-2, which cleaves Fas-L and activates the Fas/Fas-L inducing apoptotic pathway, was increased in Ad-MMP-2-treated cells. Adenovirus-mediated expression of MMP-2 siRNA in human lung xenografts in vivo resulted in increased immunostaining of Fas, Fas-L, cleaved Bid and TIMP-3. This is the first report, to our knowledge, showing that MMP-2 inhibition upregulates TIMP-3 levels, which in turn, promotes apoptosis in lung cancer.
MONOTONE BOUNDS ON THE CHI‐SQUARED APPROXIMATION TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF PEARSON'S XSTATISTICS12

0. Summary Monotone bounds, depending on the underlying multinomial probabilities and the sample size, are given for the chi-squared approximation to the distribution of Pearson’s statistic for goodness of fit for simple hypotheses. These bounds apply to the distribution of a single statistic and to the joint distribution of two statistics associated with the margins of a two-way table, in both the central and non-central cases. Let Xff=C(O --E)”IE be Pearson’s (1900) statistic for testing goodness of fit in terms of the observed (0) and the expected (E) cell frequencies in a sample of N independent trials j let {xl, . . ., xk) be the underlying mnltinomial probabilities j and denote by FN( -) and t)”( .) the actual cumulative distribution function (cdf) of X; and its limiting chi-squared ( x2) form, respectively, where v =k -1. Esseen (1945) studied the rate of convergence of FIN( .) to (J~( -) j in the central case he derived the uniform bound
Cardiovascular risk factors in chronic renal failure and hemodialysis populations

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, lipid abnormalities, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and glucose intolerance, are present more frequently in patients with chronic renal failure than in the general population, even before the onset of replacement therapy. The prevalence, pathogenesis, and significance of these factors in the uremic population are examined, and the potential roles of intervention are reviewed. Evidence suggests, but is not conclusive, that these factors are of predictive value for cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic renal failure. The effect of modification of these factors on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population, especially in the early stages of renal failure, is an important area for further study.
Exploring pattern recognition enhancements to ACSPO clear-sky mask for VIIRS: potential and limitations

Discriminating clear-ocean from cloud in the thermal IR imagery is challenging, especially at night. Thresholds in automated cloud detection algorithms are often set conservatively leading to underestimation of the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) domain. Yet an expert user can visually distinguish the cloud patterns from SST. In this study, available pattern recognition methodologies are discussed and an automated algorithm formulated. Analyses are performed with the SSTs retrieved from the VIIRS sensor onboard S-NPP using the NOAA ACSPO system. Based on the analyses of global data, we have identified low-level spectral and spatial features potentially useful for discriminating cloud from clear-ocean. The algorithm attempts to mimic the visual perception by a human operator such as gradient information, spatial connectivity, and high/low frequency discrimination. It first identifies contiguous areas with similar features, and then makes decision based on the statistics of the whole region, rather than on a per pixel basis. Our initial objective was to automatically identify clear sky regions misclassified by ACSPO as cloud, and improve coverage of dynamic areas of the ocean and coastal zones.
Genesis of Garnet Hill Skarn, Calaveras County, California

The Garnet Hill roof pendant, located in Calaveras County, California, contains sparse lenses and beds of limestone within metasedimentary rocks, which have been converted to marble or zoned skarn in response to thermal metamorphism by intruding granodiorite of the Sierra Nevada batholith. Skarn near the granodiorite contact is composed of iron-rich minerals in disordered bands parallel to bedding in adjacent metasedimentary rocks, whereas skarn farther from the contact contains iron-poor minerals arranged in sequential bands. Occurring within these metasomatic rocks are phases stable over a range of different temperatures, which formed in response to cooling of the adjacent pluton. Banding in the skarn is most easily explained by considering direct chemical reaction between the metasedimentary rock and the marble. During emplacement of the pluton, marble-pelite chemical interactions produced diffusion skarn composed of sequential monomineralic bands parallel to the contact between the two rock types. Subsequently, an aqueous phase emanating from the cooling pluton permeated the iron-poor skarn, converting it to infiltration skarn. These magmatically derived solutions introduced Fe, Si, and base metals, but the preponderance of Si, Al, and Mg utilized in skarn development was supplied by directly adjacent metasedimentary rocks, thereby offering an explanation for the lack of endoskarn in contiguous granodiorite. Interaction between skarn and aqueous solutions continued until the granodiorite was below temperatures at which zeolites develop, and chemical disequilibrium caused by falling temperatures resulted in complex mineralogy and intricate replacement textures in the skarn.
The effect of nursing leadership on hospital nurses' professional practice behaviors.

Objective To understand the effect of unit-level nursing leadership on the relationship of structural empowerment and nursing self-efficacy to professional nursing practice behaviors. Background Nursing leadership at both organizational and unit levels is a major influence on professional nursing practice. The interaction between environmental factors, such as structural empowerment and unit-based nursing leadership, and self-efficacy for nursing practice may determine whether a nurse's practice behaviors are either professional or more task-focused. Methods A nonexperimental, comparative survey design was used. Instruments included the Conditions for Work Effectiveness-II, Caring Efficacy Scale, Manager's Activities Scale, and Nurse Activity Scale. Multigroup path analysis demonstrated the effects of strong and weak nursing leadership on variables of interest. Results Nursing leadership contributed to the effects of empowerment and self-efficacy on practice behaviors. Strong nursing leadership also contributed to an additional relationship between empowerment and self-efficacy. Nursing leadership helped to explain 46% of the variance in nursing practice behaviors overall. Conclusions Nurses may be able to practice more professionally when they perceive strong nursing leadership. By providing more access to structural empowerment factors for staff, strong unit-level nursing leadership may also influence nurses' self-efficacy, which in turn leads to more professional practice behaviors.
Finite-element quantum electrodynamics: Canonical formulation, unitarity, and the magnetic moment of the electron.

This is the first in a series of papers dealing with four-dimensional quantum electrodynamics on a finite-element lattice. We begin by studying the canonical structure of the theory without interactions. This tells us how to construct momentum expansions for the field operators. Next we examine the interaction term in the Dirac equation. We construct the transfer matrix explicitly in the temporal gauge, and show that it is unitary. Therefore, fermion canonical anticommutation relations hold at each lattice site. Finally, we expand the interaction term to second order in the temporal-lattice spacing and deduce the magnetic moment of the electron in a background field, consistent with the continuum value of {ital g}=2.
Wideband MIMO channel sounding setup for 2.4 GHz ISM band

This paper describes a wideband multi-antenna channel sounding system designed to capture 4×4 space-polarization MIMO channel impulse responses using an 80 MHz-wide signal in the 2.4 GHz ISM band (2402–2483 MHz). Frequency multiplexing of the sounding waveforms across the transmit antenna ports enables simultaneous capture of the full 4×4 MIMO channel response within a short snapshot time (less then 100 microseconds). Therefore, channel sounding repetition rates up to 10 kHZ are achievable. The sounding waveforms are optimized for low crest factor (0.4 dB) in order to make best use of the power amplifiers output range and are designed to have minimal spurious power in an adjacent restricted-band-of-operation described by FCC regulations (part 15.205). The receiver employs direct digital RF reception and digital linear phase down-conversion to help minimize distortion of the captured time-domain channel impulse responses.
Reconfigurable and non-volatile vertical magnetic logic gates

In this paper, we discuss the concept and prototype fabrication of reconfigurable and non-volatile vertical magnetic logic gates. These gates consist of two input layers and a RESET layer. The RESET layer allows the structure to be used as either an AND or an OR gate, depending on its magnetization state. To prove this concept, the gates were fabricated using a multi-layered patterned magnetic media, in which three magnetic layers are stacked and exchange-decoupled via non-magnetic interlayers. We demonstrate the functionality of these logic gates by conducting atomic force microscopy and magnetic force microscopy (MFM) analysis of the multi-layered patterned magnetic media. The logic gates operation mechanism and fabrication feasibility are both validated by the MFM imaging results.
Oesophageal replacement in children.

INTRODUCTIONThe usual indications for oesophageal replacement in childhood are intractable corrosive strictures and long-gap oesophageal atresia. Generally, paediatric surgeons attempt to preserve the native oesophagus with repeat dilatations. However, when this is not successful, an appropriate conduit must be fashioned to replace the oesophagus. The neo-oesophagus should allow normal oral feeding, not have gastro-oesophageal reflux, and be able to function well for the life-time of the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODSA Medline search for oesophageal replacement, oesophageal atresia, gastric transposition, colon transposition, gastric tube, caustic stricture was conducted. The commonest conduits including whole stomach, gastric tube, colon and jejunum are all discussed. RESULTSNo randomised controlled studies exist comparing the different types of conduits available for children. The techniques used tend to be based on personal preference and local experience rather than on any discernible objective data. T...
The Cost of Treating Addiction from the Client's Perspective: Results from a Multi-Modality Application of the Client DATCAP

There is a considerable disparity between the number of individuals who need substance abuse treatment and the number who actually receive it. This is partly due to the fact that many individuals with substance use disorders do not perceive a need for formal treatment. Another contributing factor, however, is a discrepancy between the real and perceived cost of services. Although many cost evaluations of substance abuse treatment have been conducted from the treatment provider perspective, less is known about the client-specific costs of attending treatment (e.g., lost work and leisure time, transportation, out-of-pocket and in-kind payments). Concerns about financial and other barriers to participating in treatment have encouraged addiction researchers to more carefully consider these previously unmeasured costs. To address this information gap, we administered the Client Drug Abuse Treatment Cost Analysis Program (Client DATCAP) to 302 clients (representing a total of 302 outpatient and 142 inpatient treatment episodes) as part of a larger study examining the cost-effectiveness of interventions designed to improve treatment linkage and engagement in Dayton, Ohio. The value of a client's time accounted for the largest component of total cost (more than 59%). The cost per visit for outpatient clients ranged from $19 for outpatient methadone to $38 for intensive outpatient/aftercare treatment. The average cost per day of treatment for inpatient clients was $235. Policy makers and treatment providers now have a broader view of the opportunity cost of addiction treatment and can use this information to support initiatives for improved treatment access and delivery.
Staying Connected: A Case Study of Distance Learning for Student Interns

This paper reports a pilot distance learning course that was launched in response to a number of concerns regarding an existing internship program at a Midwestern university. Not surprisingly, student reactions to the program were somewhat inconsistent, as their experiences varied widely, both in terms of the technology and the internship site, and the new course needed considerable debugging. Comments ranged from very negative to very positive. However, most of the students (63.5%) highly recommended or recommended without qualification that communication technologies be used for summer internships. Another 20.5% of the students recommended the use of communication technology with suggestions for improvement. A major improvement in the general quality of student report writing also was noted. The data indicate that a distance learning approach to internships has great potential to enhance synthesis and integration of classroom learning with on-the-job experiences.
Anthocyanin variation in an introgressive complex in Clarkia

Abstract The biochemical basis of flower color variation in the Clarkia nitens-C. speciosa subsp. polyantha complex was studied. Floral anthocyanine were identified and pigment profiles for the taxa were compared. The 3-mono- and 3,5-diglucosides of malvidin, cyanidin and delphinidin were identified. C. nitens is distinct from C. s. subsp. polyantha in anthocyanin profile. The introgressant race polyantha-North is qualitatively identical to C. s. subsp. polyantha but appears to differ in the amount of pigments produced. Anthocyanin variation in this complex is consistent with previous interpretations of these taxa and with patterns of flower color variation. This is the first report of delphinidin in Clarkia ; this anthocyanidin may serve as a marker in elucidating phylogenetic relationships within Clarkia .
Mining linguistic cues for query expansion: applications to drug interaction search

Given a drug under development, what are other drugs or biochemical compounds that it might interact with? Early answers to this question, by mining the literature, are valuable for pharmaceutical companies, both monetarily and in avoiding public relations nightmares. Inferring drug-drug interactions is also important in designing combination therapies for complex diseases including cancers. We study this problem as one of mining linguistic cues for query expansion. By using (only) positive instances of drug interactions, we show how we can extract linguistic cues which can then be used to expand and reformulate queries to improve the effectiveness of drug interaction search. Our approach integrates many learning paradigms: partially supervised classification, association measures for collocation mining, and feature selection in supervised learning. We demonstrate compelling results on using positive examples from the DrugBank database to seed MEDLINE searches for drug interactions. In particular, we show that purely data-driven linguistic cues can be effectively mined and applied to realize a successful domain-specific query expansion framework.
Kinetic Studies on the Decomposition of Thiolatocobalamins in Acidic Solution

Thiolatocobalamins (RSCbls), or vitamin B12 derivatives with a thiolato ligand coordinated at the β-axial site of the cobalamin, have been shown to have superior antioxidant properties relative to the currently available therapeutic forms of cobalamin. It has also recently been shown that small amounts of glutathionylcobalamin are isolable from mammalian cells in the presence of a ligand trap. Kinetic studies are now presented for four representative thiolatocobalamins of glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, homocysteine, and captopril, which show that RSCbls spontaneously decompose to aquacobalamin (H2OCbl+) at pH < 3. A mechanism is proposed in which rapid protonation at the thiol sulfur of RSCbl precedes rate-determining decomposition. These results indicate that protection of RSCbls from acidic environments such as that found in the stomach is essential if RSCbls are to remain intact.
Psychiatric Nursing Outcome Research: The State of the Science

A review of the nursing literature from 1989 to 1994 indicates that few psychiatric nursing studies are published in the major nursing research journals. The psychiatric specialization literature includes a large number of studies that are classified as either outcome studies or could serve as building blocks for future outcome studies. Few studies build on prior research, resulting in a weak scientific basis for evaluating the outcomes of psychiatric nursing care. Strategies for increasing the quantity and quality of psychiatric nursing outcome research are presented.
Early alterations in mitochondrial membrane transport during endotoxemia.

Abstract Endotoxemia and changes in reaction medium pH and ionic composition were studied to determine their effect on mitochondrial membrane transport of calcium, potassium, and adenine nucleotides. Endotoxemia decreases calcium translocation from 373 ± 13 to 177 ± 19 nmoles calcium per minute per mg mitochondrial protein in normal and endotoxemic mitochondria respectively. Lowering the pH of the reaction medium to 6.5 decreases the calcium uptake in normal mitochondria to 101 ± 20 nmoles per minute per mg mitochondrial protein. Similarly, the calcium uptake is reduced in a medium designed to simulate the intracellular shock state. Endotoxemia also increases mitochondrial membrane permeability for potassium to unphysiologic levels, and this may be responsible for mitochondrial swelling noted in vivo . The translocation and phosphorylation of ADP is not significantly inhibited in early endotoxemia. Thus, some of the early endotoxemic changes are seen in the ion transport reactions of the mitochondrial membrane. The inhibition of ATP production occurs later when the mitochondrial membrane has become more extensively damaged.
Evidence-Based Speech-Language Pathology Practices in Schools: Findings From a National Survey

Purpose This study documented evidence-based practice (EBP) patterns as reported by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) employed in public schools during 2010–2011. Method Using an online survey, p...
MICU1 Serves as a Ca2+-Controlled Gatekeeper for the Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter

MICU1 serves as a Ca2+-controlled gatekeeper for the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter Mitochondria are important targets and relay points of calcium signaling. Ca2+ is driven to the mitochondrial matrix via a low-affinity Ca2+ channel, the Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) that exhibits time-dependent sensitization by Ca2+. However, the molecular mechanism of the MCU's regulation by Ca2+ remains unclear. Recently, MICU1 has been identified as an EF-hand-containing regulatory component of the MCU. We set out to elucidate the role of MICU1 in the Ca2+ regulation of the MCU and to examine its possible contribution to the sensitization. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was evaluated fluorometrically in suspensions of permeabilized MICU1 knockdown (MICU1KD) and control HeLa cells as ruthenium red-sensitive Ca2+ clearance from the incubation buffer. Clearance of small Ca2+ pulses elevating the [Ca2+] to 10uM were taken up effectively by both MICU1KD and control cells. The dose-response for the clearance of added Ca2+ was sigmoidal in the control cells. This was leftward-shifted and showed lesser cooperativity in the MICU1KD cells. MICU1KD rescue with wild type MICU1 restored the control type dose-response, whereas an EF-hand-mutant MICU1 shifted it to the right. When the time-dependent sensitization of the MCU was tested by a two-pulse protocol, the MICU1KD failed to show a further increase in Ca2+ sensitivity. As to the functional significance of altered Ca2+ handling in MICU1KD, these cells displayed lesser Ca2+ tolerance and more cell death under stress conditions. We propose that the MICU1, through its EF-hands, controls the [Ca2+] set-point for MCU channel closure. MICU1 helps mitochondria to respond to physiological [Ca2+] oscillations and provides some protection from Ca2+ overloading.
Influence of Asian and Western United States Urban Areas and Fires on the Atmospheric Transport of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Fluorotelomer Alcohols in the Western United States

Atmospheric measurements of semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) were made at Mt. Bachelor Observatory (MBO), located in Oregon’s Cascade Range, to understand the trans-Pacific and regional transport of SOCs from urban areas. High volume air sampling (∼644 m3 for 24 h periods) of both the gas and particulate phases was conducted from April 19, 2004 to May 13, 2006 (n = 69); including NASA’s INTEX-B campaign in spring 2006 (n = 34 of 69). Air mass back trajectories were calculated and were used to calculate source region impact factors (SRIFs), the percentage of time the sampled air mass resided in a given source region. Particulate-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations at MBO increased with the percentage of air mass time in Asia and, in conjunction with other data, provided strong evidence that particulate-phase PAHs are emitted from Asia and undergo trans-Pacific atmospheric transport to North America. Gas-phase PAH and fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) concentrations significantly incr...
HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE TRANSFORMATION FOLLOWING INHIBITION OF PURINE NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHORYLASE

The genetic absence of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) is associated with an isolated T-cell immune deficiency in humans. NP is responsible for the conversion of inosine to hypoxanthine and guanosine to guanine. We have synthesized a non-metabolizable compound, 6-hydroxy-9-p-aminobenzylpurine (HABP), an inhibitor of NP that has a Ki of 250 μM. The presence of HABP reduced the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA in phytohemagglutinin stimulated human lymphocytes from healthy volunteers to 30% of control values. Patients with NP deficiency have increased levels of inosine and guanosine in their plasma. The addition of inosine to the culture medium of stimulated lymphocytes at 4 mM had no inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis as measured by thymidine incorporation. The addition of 2 mM guanosine, however, reduced thymidine incorporation to 4% of control lymphocytes. The inhibitory effect of guanosine could be partially corrected by the addition of hypoxanthine to the medium at 500 μM concentrations. The addition of uridine to the medium at concentrations to 1 mM did not reverse the inhibition induced by guanosine. These studies indicate that the T-cell abnormality observed in NP deficiency can be mimicked by two related mechanisms, 1) by inhibiting NP in normal lymphocytes, or 2) by increased concentration of guanosine in the culture medium.
Proton-linked bi- and tri-metallic gold cyanide complexes observed by ESI-MS spectrometry.

Abstract Electrospray ionization spectra of potential cyanide-containing gold-drug metabolites revealed additional, weak, unanticipated peaks at approximately twice the mass of the gold(I) and gold(III) cyanide complexes. The exact masses correspond to proton-linked bimetallic complexes, [H{Au(CN) m } 2 ] − , ( m = 2,4). Further investigation revealed a total of 12 examples, including trimetallic complexes, [H 2 {Au(CN) m } 3 ] − ; mixed species with two complexes, [H{Au(CN) 2 }{Au(CN) 4 }] − ; and thiolato species, [H{(RS)Au(CN) 3 } 2 ] − . trans -[AuX 2 (CN) 2 Cl 2 ] − and trans -[AuX 2 (CN) 2 Br 2 ] − generated 35 Cl/ 37 Cl and 79 Br/ 81 Br isotopic patterns for the protonated bi- and tri-metallic analogues which were in good agreement with the presence of four or six halide ligands, respectively. Concentration-dependent studies demonstrated that the signals are independent of the solution concentrations of mono-metallic precursors, suggesting formation in the gas phase during or following droplet desolvation.
Inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation by retinal glial Müller cells: reversal of inhibition by glucocorticoids.

Study of interactions between retinal glial Muller cells and T lymphocytes have revealed a wide array of reciprocal influences on the functions of these cells. In the present study we show that these interactions can be further modified by corticosteroid hormones. The primary effect of Muller cells on T lymphocytes is an inhibition of the T-cell proliferative response, and it is exerted via a membrane-bound factor. In this report we show that glucocorticoids can reverse the inhibition by suppressing the expression of the Muller cell inhibitory factor. This effect was independent of the action of glucocorticoids on arachidonic acid metabolism.
Emerging treatments in Neurogastroenterology: relamorelin: a novel gastrocolokinetic synthetic ghrelin agonist.

Synthetic ghrelin agonists, predominantly small molecules, are being developed as prokinetic agents that may prove useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. Relamorelin (RM-131) is a pentapeptide synthetic ghrelin analog that activates the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS)-1a (also called the ghrelin) receptor with approximately 6-fold greater potency than natural ghrelin. The ability of relamorelin to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release is comparable to that of native ghrelin. Relamorelin has enhanced efficacy and plasma stability compared to native ghrelin. In this review, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and potential indications for relamorelin. Relamorelin is administered subcutaneously, dosed daily or twice daily. Relamorelin is being studied for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders. Phase IIA pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated acceleration of gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM) and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In a phase IIA study in patients with diabetic gastroparesis, relamorelin accelerated gastric emptying and significantly improved vomiting frequency compared to placebo and improved other symptoms of gastroparesis in a pre-specified subgroup of patients with vomiting at baseline. In patients with chronic idiopathic constipation with defined transit profile at baseline, relamorelin relieved constipation and accelerated colonic transit compared to placebo. These characteristics suggest that this new ghrelin analog shows great promise to relieve patients with upper or lower gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Optimal control with mixed H 2 and H ∞ performance objectives

This paper considers the analysis and synthesis of control systems subject to two types of disturbance signals: signals with bounded power spectral density and signals with bounded power. The resulting control problem involves minimizing a mixed H2 and H∞ norm of the system. It is shown that the controller shares a separation property similar to those of pare H2 or H∞. controller. It is also shown that the mixed problem reduces naturally to H2 and H∞ problem in special cases. Some necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of a solution to the mixed problem. Explicit state space formulae are given for the optimal controllers.
A sensitivity analysis algorithm for the constant sum pair-wise comparison judgments in hierarchical decision models

Every hierarchical decision modeling process starts with quantifying the contributions of decision elements through pair-wise comparisons. As subjective values, the pair-wise comparison judgments are seldom provided at a 100% confidence level and are subject to variations. To increase the model's validity and ensure requisite decision making, it is important to know how sensitive the model result is to these inputs. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis algorithm is developed to test a hierarchical decision model's robustness to the pair-wise comparison judgment inputs acquire from the constant sum method. It defines the allowable region of perturbation(s) induced to a judgment matrix at any level of a decision hierarchy to keep the current ranking of decision alternatives unchanged. An example will be presented to demonstrate the application of this algorithm in technology selection.
Skill representation and acquisition

This paper presents a new approach for representing and acquiring skill by a robot based on experimental data. Skill is represented by describing a feasible state transition region embedded in experimental data as an union of hyper-ellipsoidal subregions of various sizes and shapes. Multi-resolution radial basis competitive and cooperative network (MRCCN) is formulated for self-organizing hyper-ellipsoidal subregions and for providing accurate forward and backward state transitions through interpolation. Skill acquisition is performed by finding an optimal path from the current to the goal state in the feasible state transition region. The search for an optimal path is based on bidirectional dynamic path planning algorithm proposed in this paper.
Cluster rendering of skewed datasets via visualization

Information Visualization is commonly recognized as a useful method for understanding sophistication in large datasets. In this paper, we introduce a flexible clustering approach with visualization techniques, aiming at the datasets that have skewed cluster distribution. This paper has three contributions. First, we propose a framework Vista that incorporates information visualization methods into the clustering process in order to enhance the understanding of the intermediate clustering results and allow user to revise the clustering results easily. Second, we develop a visualization model that maps multidimensional dataset to 2D visualizations while preserving or partially preserving clusters. Third, based on the visualization model, a set of operating rules are proposed to guide the user rendering clusters efficiently. Experiments show that the Vista system can yield lower error rates for real datasets than typical automated algorithms.
A numerical scheme for optimal transition paths of stochastic chemical kinetic systems

We present a new framework for finding the optimal transition paths of metastable stochastic chemical kinetic systems with large system size. The optimal transition paths are identified to be the most probable paths according to the Large Deviation Theory of stochastic processes. Dynamical equations for the optimal transition paths are derived using the variational principle. A modified Minimum Action Method (MAM) is proposed as a numerical scheme to solve the optimal transition paths. Applications to Gene Regulatory Networks such as the toggle switch model and the Lactose Operon Model in Escherichia coli are presented as numerical examples.
Ion channel basis for alternans and memory in cardiac myocytes.

Beat-to-beat alternation in action potential morphology (alternans) in individual cardiac cells may be important in the development of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. So far, it has been difficult to identify the cause for alternans at the ion channel level because computer models and experiments that display alternans also simultaneously exhibit other confounding rhythm patterns, including those attributable to short timescale memory effects. To address this difficulty, we have developed an eigenmode method to study the dynamics of detailed cardiac cell models under constant pacing. The method completely separates these effects from one another in the linear regime, allowing each to be studied individually. For the Beeler–Reuter ion channel model, the fundamental difference between the alternans and memory modes was found to be rooted in the difference in the relative phasings of the x_{1} and f gate perturbations associated with the slow outward and slow inward currents, respectively. The importance of this relative phasing was analyzed with the help of two new analytical methods. For the alternans case, the relative phasing produced constructive interference between the two currents large enough to reverse the perturbation in membrane potential from beat to beat. The opposite was true of the memory mode. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8716Uv, 8719Hh, 8717Aa, 8719Nn
Long and short delay feedback on one-link nonlinear forearm with coactivation

Control strategies for a one-link model of the human forearm system are presented. Three attributes of the human forearm are implemented in the second order nonlinear model: neural transmission delays in the feedback paths, nonlinear behavior of the spindle reflex, and stiffness regulation through coactivation. Three feedback loops are present in the model: intrinsic feedback (undelayed) from the actuators, spindle feedback (delayed), and higher level controller feedback (delayed). The stability of the model is examined through computer simulation analysis. A method of speed control of the arm is presented that utilizes continuous transitions in the feedforward activation levels of the muscles. Two control strategies are utilized by the higher level controller: a proportional plus integral (PI) compensation strategy, and a fuzzy control strategy. Both strategies can endure long loop transmission delays without causing the system to become unstable. A comparison of the settling time of these two controllers in compensating for disturbances and loading errors is presented. >
The time course of developmental cell death in phenotypically defined dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra

We have previously shown that apoptotic natural cell death occurs within the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta of the rat postnatally. However, the occurrence of natural cell death in phenotypically defined dopaminergic neurons has not previously been identified, nor has its time course been defined in pre- or postnatal development. We therefore examined the SN at intervals from E19 to P28 using immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase with a Nissl counterstain to identify intranuclear apoptotic chromatin clumps. We have found that natural cell death in dopaminergic neurons is biphasic. An initial, broad peak begins at E20, reaches maximum at P2, and abates by P8. A second peak occurs at P14. We conclude that most of the natural cell death in this neuronal population occurs in the early postnatal period.
Rapid and Reproducible Deactivation of Rhodopsin Requires Multiple Phosphorylation Sites

Abstract Efficient single-photon detection by retinal rod photoreceptors requires timely and reproducible deactivation of rhodopsin. Like other G protein–coupled receptors, rhodopsin contains multiple sites for phosphorylation at its COOH-terminal domain. Transgenic and electrophysiological methods were used to functionally dissect the role of the multiple phosphorylation sites during deactivation of rhodopsin in intact mouse rods. Mutant rhodopsins bearing zero, one (S338), or two (S334/S338) phosphorylation sites generated single-photon responses with greatly prolonged, exponentially distributed durations. Responses from rods expressing mutant rhodopsins bearing more than two phosphorylation sites declined along smooth, reproducible time courses; the rate of recovery increased with increasing numbers of phosphorylation sites. We conclude that multiple phosphorylation of rhodopsin is necessary for rapid and reproducible deactivation.