cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of therapy activities across length of stay and impairment levels: Peering inside the “black box” of inpatient stroke rehabilitation

Abstract Bode RK, Heinemann AW, Semik P, Mallinson T. Patterns of therapy activities across length of stay and impairment levels: peering inside the "black box" of inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Objectives To classify therapy activities and to describe the type and pattern of activities provided during inpatient rehabilitation to persons with stroke. Design Descriptive study. Setting Eight acute and 5 subacute rehabilitation facilities across the United States. Participants Persons with stroke (N=177) who received rehabilitation services and had lengths of stay (LOSs) between 2 and 5 weeks. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcomes measures Weekly and total therapy units aggregated by discipline and activity type for each of 4 (2-wk, 3-wk, 4-wk, 5-wk) LOS groups. Results Across LOS groups, significant differences in total therapy units were found by week of rehabilitation, discipline, and therapy activity type. Patterns in and significant interactions of time and activity type by discipline were also found. The amount of therapy provided by occupational and physical therapists was significantly more than that provided by speech-language pathologists. Conclusions Patterns of time spent in therapy are similar for all LOS groups, but type of therapy received reflects a complex interaction of patient severity, rehabilitation discipline, and LOS.
Isofagomine- and 2,5-anhydro-2,5-imino-D-glucitol-based glucocerebrosidase pharmacological chaperones for Gaucher disease intervention.

Gaucher disease, resulting from deficient lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GC) activity, is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. Clinically important GC mutant enzymes typically have reduced sp...
Modeling Pb sorption to microporous amorphous oxides as discrete particles and coatings

Abstract Hydrous amorphous Al (HAO), Fe (HFO), and Mn (HMO) oxides are ubiquitous in the subsurface as both discrete particles and coatings and exhibit a high affinity for heavy metal contaminants. To assess risks associated with heavy metals, such as Pb, to the surrounding environment and manage remedial activities requires accurate mechanistic models with well-defined transport parameters that represent sorption processes. Experiments were conducted to evaluate Pb sorption to microporous Al, Fe, and Mn oxides, as well as to montmorillonite and HAO-coated montmorillonite. Intraparticle diffusion, a natural attenuating process, was observed to be the rate-limiting mechanism in the sorption process, where best-fit surface diffusivities ranged from 10 −18 to 10 −15 cm 2 s −1 . Specifically, diffusivities of Pb sorption to discrete aluminum oxide, aluminum oxide-coated montmorillonite, and montmorillonite indicated substrate surface characteristics influence metal mobility where diffusivity increased as affinity decreased. Furthermore, the diffusivity for aluminum oxide-coated montmorillonite was consistent with the concentrations of the individual minerals present and their associated particle size distributions. These results suggest that diffusivities for other coated systems can be predicted, and that oxide coatings and montmorillonite are effective sinks for heavy metal ions.
The optimal LQR digital control of a free-free orbiting platform

Abstract The analysis and design of the optimal LQR digital shape and orientation control of a thin square plate are presented. Under the assumption that the linear system is completely observable, the optimal control laws are developed for the case where the observational data is collected on a sampled basis. The attitude and shape control is achieved by placing point thrust actuators perpendicular to the main surface and the edge of the plate. Controllability of the system is verified for two sets of actuator locations. An application of the linear quadratic regulator technique in a discrete-time domain yields the optimum control law feedback gains. A comparison of the performance of the two sets of actuator locations results in the best choice of actuator positioning. Parametric studies are conducted to show the effect of varying the state penalty matrix, control penalty matrix, and the sampling period on the transient performance of the system.
A role for increased lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) gene transcription in the follitropin-stimulated induction of the LHR in granulosa cells.

Follitropin (FSH) has been shown in previous studies to stimulate the induction of the LH/CG receptor (LHR) and LHR mRNA in the granulosa cells of diethylstilbesterol-primed immature rats. The present studies were undertaken to identify the mechanisms underlying the hormone-dependent induction of the LHR in rat granulosa cells. The effect of FSH on LHR mRNA stability was determined by measuring the decay of LHR mRNA after removal of FSH under conditions where transcription was inhibited. Under these conditions, readdition of FSH had little effect on mRNA stability. However, inhibitors of transcription themselves were found to have a marked effect on stabilizing the LHR mRNA, thus potentially masking an effect of FSH. These results suggest that there is a labile destabilizing factor that constitutively degrades LHR mRNA. At present, it cannot be ascertained whether FSH has any effect on this destabilizing factor. Transcriptional activity of the LHR gene was examined using nuclear run-on assays. It was foun...
In vivo infectivity studies with avian myeloblastosis virus

Abstract Avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) induces a variety of neoplastic diseases when injected into chicks. A new method of assay of AMV by injection of virus intravenously into 11-day chick embryos is described. This method is more sensitive than injection into newly hatched chicks. The infectivity of serial dilutions of a virus suspension indicates that a single infectious unit is sufficient to induce the disease. The results also support the view that a single type of virus is responsible for the various types of neoplasias induced by AMV. A hypothesis based upon a competition between the disappearance of susceptible cells and transformation by the virus is presented in an attempt to explain the unusual dose-response curve obtained in chicks with AMV.
Challenge of Changing Nursing Home Prescribing Culture

This article described a framework for improving prescribing in nursing homes (NH) by focusing on the whole facility as a system that has created a "prescribing culture." We offered this paradigm as an alternative to focused interventions that target prescribers only. We used the example of atypical antipsychotics to illustrate the approach. We also highlighted elements of the NH culture change movement that are germane to medication prescribing, and illustrated which elements of NH culture were shown to be associated with suboptimal quality of care. We concluded by describing current models, including our study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to identify the best methods of disseminating evidence-based medication use guides in NHs.
Unified Hilbert space approach to iterative least-squares linear signal restoration

We deal with iterative least-squares solutions of the linear signal-restoration problem g = Af. First, several existing techniques for solving this problem with different underlying models are unified. Specifically, the following are shown to be special cases of a general iterative procedure [ BialyH., Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal.4, 166 ( 1959)] for solving linear operator equations in Hilbert spaces: (1) a Van Cittert-type algorithm for deconvolution of discrete and continuous signals; (2) an iterative procedure for regularization when g is contaminated with noise; (3) a Papoulis–Gerchberg algorithm for extrapolation of continuous signals [ PapoulisA., IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst.CAS-22, 735 ( 1975); GerchbergR. W., Opt. Acta21, 709 ( 1974)]; (4) an iterative algorithm for discrete extrapolation of band-limited infinite-extent discrete signals {and the minimum-norm property of the extrapolation obtained by the iteration [ JainA.RanganathS., IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech Signal Process. ASSP-29, ( 1981)]}; and (5) a certain iterative procedure for extrapolation of band-limited periodic discrete signals [ TomV., IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech Signal Process.ASSP-29, 1052 ( 1981)]. The Bialy algorithm also generalizes the Papoulis–Gerchberg iteration to cases in which the ideal low-pass operator is replaced by some other operators. In addition a suitable modification of this general iteration is shown. This technique leads us to new iterative algorithms for band-limited signal extrapolation. In numerical simulations some of these algorithms provide a fast reconstruction of the sought signal.
Moral acquaintances: Loewy, Wildes, and beyond.

H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., has made a valuable contribution to moral discourse by highlighting the fact of rational moral pluralism and the consequent need for a moral system that can function in the face of that pluralism (Engelhardt, 1996). Engelhardt describes a fundamental division in moral reasoning between the thick moral views and communities that help most persons determine the whole of the moral world, and a secular morality that can be used by persons who share little in the way of moral understanding (Engelhardt, 1996; 1991). Whether or not he has satisfactorily defended the thin, permission-based secular moral theory that he proposes, he has carefully shown why moral persons must make and justify moral decisions differently depending upon the persons with whom they are debating morally. This vision of the divide between methods of moral resolution leads him to distinguish between “moral strangers,” who share little in the way of moral understandings, and “moral friends,” who share a
On Rényi measures and hypothesis testing

We provide a variational characterization for the various Renyi information measures via their Shannon counterparts, and demonstrate how properties of the former can be recovered from first principle via the associated properties of the latter. Motivated by this characterization, we give a new operational interpretation for the Renyi divergence in a two-sensor composite hypothesis testing framework.
Infant learning: Historical, conceptual, and methodological challenges.

Acquiring knowledge about the underlying structures of the environment presents a number of challenges for a naive learner. These challenges include the absence of reinforcement to guide learning, the presence of numerous information sources from which only a select few are relevant, and the uncertainty about when an underlying structure may have undergone a change. A crucial implication of these challenges is that the naive learner must make implicit decisions about when to generalize to novel inputs and when to restrict generalization because there are multiple underlying structures. An historical perspective on these challenges is presented, and some potential solutions are proposed.
Theory of the magnetic susceptibility of the nitric oxide clathrate

Abstract The magnetic properties of the nitric oxide clathrate are studied with the hindered rotation model such as was successfully employed in the much simpler problem of the O 2 clathrate. M eyer's experimental measurements in the preceding paper show that the susceptibility at low temperatures is about 40 per cent higher than for the free molecule and is practically independent of temperature below about 20°K. This behavior is hard to explain since NO is an odd molecule, and hence in most crystalline potentials its susceptibility has a term in 1/ T arising from the Kramers doublet. The best results are achieved by using a crystalline potential of trigonal symmetry, in accord with the crystallographic symmetry of the clathrates. By proper, though arbitrary, combination of matrix elements of the crystalline potential of the form Δ m = ± 3 and Δ m = 0, we obtain the requisite 40 per cent increase in the susceptibility, but we have not been entirely successful in suppressing the 1/ T term, which we estimate to be about 6 per cent of the main term at 1°K. Conceivably the spin-lattice relaxation time is so long that this term would not be detected in M eyer 's experiments made at 175 c/s. Further experimentation is highly desirable to guide and clarify the theory.
Bacteriophage biology and bacterial virulence.

•Alteration of phage receptor function upon phage binding•Alteration of chromosomal gene expression
New tools for anxiety disorders: A clinical commentary on treatment innovations

Innovative treatment strategies provide clinicians with new therapeutic tools and the opportunity to reexamine current treatment strategies. In this clinical commentary on the “Innovations in Cognitive Behavioral Treatments of Anxiety Disorders” special series, attention is devoted to the exciting opportunities afforded by new therapeutic tools, as well as the way in which high-technology innovations may encourage the application of existing low- or no-technology alternatives.
Macromolecular arrangement within muscle.

Szent-Gyorgyi made considerable use of the electron microscope (a recently developed technology) to learn more about the structure of muscle fibers and their arrangement in muscle tissue. This article briefly described the regular, close-packed arrangement of fibers visible in transverse and longitudinal sections of rabbit psoas muscle.
Scientific Basis for the VOC Reactivity Issues Raised by Section 183(e) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

This article deals with reactivity and photochemical modeling methods needed to develop emission control strategies for ambient ozone reduction, and with the uncertainties associated with relevant data and methods. Specifically, the article identifies and describes existing reactivity data for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from consumer and commercial products (CCF), and methods for developing control strategies for such emissions that take into account emissions reactivities. Existing reactivity data consist of Incremental Reactivity data and KOH-reactivity data. Both types of data are subject to uncertainties associated with • lack of experimental evidence, which is particularly severe for CCP emissions species; • theoretical derivation and/or experimental measurement of reactivity; and • variation of VOC reactivity with ambient conditions. Methods are described for using the reactivity concept to estimate the contribution of CCP emissions to ambient ozone. Also, to comply with one of the requirements of Section 183(e) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and with current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy on reactivity, existing reactivity data were used to classify VOCs into three reactivity classes: "negligibly reactive"; "reactive", and "highly reactive".
Diversification of Ergot Alkaloids in Natural and Modified Fungi

Several fungi in two different families--the Clavicipitaceae and the Trichocomaceae--produce different profiles of ergot alkaloids, many of which are important in agriculture and medicine. All ergot alkaloid producers share early steps before their pathways diverge to produce different end products. EasA, an oxidoreductase of the old yellow enzyme class, has alternate activities in different fungi resulting in branching of the pathway. Enzymes beyond the branch point differ among lineages. In the Clavicipitaceae, diversity is generated by the presence or absence and activities of lysergyl peptide synthetases, which interact to make lysergic acid amides and ergopeptines. The range of ergopeptines in a fungus may be controlled by the presence of multiple peptide synthetases as well as by the specificity of individual peptide synthetase domains. In the Trichocomaceae, diversity is generated by the presence or absence of the prenyl transferase encoded by easL (also called fgaPT1). Moreover, relaxed specificity of EasL appears to contribute to ergot alkaloid diversification. The profile of ergot alkaloids observed within a fungus also is affected by a delayed flux of intermediates through the pathway, which results in an accumulation of intermediates or early pathway byproducts to concentrations comparable to that of the pathway end product.
Toward understanding relative growth, primate dietary adaptation, and a distinctive ape species

Chivers, David J., Bernard A. Wood, and Alan Bilsborough, eds. Food Acquisition and Processing in Primates. New York: Plenum Press, 1984. xi+ 576 pp. including photographs, chapter bibliographies, and index. $85.00 cloth. Susman, Randall L. The Pygmy Chimpanzee: Evolutionary Biology and Behavior. New York: Plenum Press, 1984. xxviii + 435 pp. including photographs, maps, chapter bibliographies, and author and subject indices. $59.50 cloth.
Direct isolation of xenotropic retraviruses from the NIH swiss mouse uterus.

Abstract Xenotropic type C retraviruses were isolated from cell-free uterine extracts of normal adult NIH Swiss mice by direct inoculation of mink, cat, and human target cells. Successful isolation occurred in approximately one-half the susceptible target cell cultures inoculated with a given extract. These results demonstrate the presence of fully infectious xenotropic virus particles in the uterus of the normal NIH Swiss mouse.
Rapid diagnosis of myocardial injury with troponin T and CK-MB relative index.

Background: Current hospital practice involves protracted observation of chest-pain patients to rule out myocardial infarction. Concurrent measurement of multiple biomarkers may increase sensitivity and make rapid diagnosis feasible. Objective: We sought to determine the optimal biomarker strategy for highly sensitive, early diagnosis of myocardial injury. Study Design: A prospective evaluation of 171 acute coronary syndrome patients admitted to a single university medical center was performed. Blood tests for creatine kinase (CK), CK myocardial band isoenzyme (CK-MB), and troponin T were obtained at 0, 3, 6, 8, and 16 hours after presentation to the emergency department. Myocardial injury was defined as a troponin T level of ≥0.03 ng/mL. Results: Troponin T had sensitivities of 79.7%, 95.7%, and 98.4% at the time of initial presentation, 3 and 6 hours after presentation, respectively. Using a combination of troponin T and CK-MB relative index, sensitivity on presentation was increased to 90.6%. The sensitivity was improved to 97.9% and 100% at 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the diagnosis of myocardial injury can be accurately excluded within 6 hours of admission with high sensitivity using troponin T. The combination of troponin T and CK-MB relative index provided the largest improvement in diagnostic sensitivity at patient arrival. These results support the feasibility of rapid, efficient triage for the emergent presentation of patients with chest pain.
A strategy for the late-stage divergent syntheses of scyphostatin analogues.

This account details the synthesis of two scyphostatin analogues exhibiting a reactive polar epoxycyclohexenone core and various amide side chains outfitted for late-stage chemical derivatization into the desirable lipophilic tails. Our efforts highlight a key ipso-dearomatization process and provide new insights regarding the incompatibility and orthogonal reactivity of scyphostatin’s functional groups. We further showcase the utility of resorcinol derived 2,5-cyclohexadienones as synthetic platforms capable of participating in selective chemical reactivity, and we further demonstrate their potential for rapid elaboration into complex structural motifs.
A radiant heat flux apparatus for measuring the thermal response of polymeric materials to high temperatures

An efficient and economical experimental apparatus has been designed and built which delivers a known radiant heat flux and simultaneously measures the in-depth temperature profiles in polymeric materials. Test samples are maintained in a controlled environment and are heated radiantly by a silicon carbide heating element capable of producing heat fluxes up to 7.0 cal/cm2-sec. The experimental data produced by this device are extremely accurate and therefore are suitable for use in verification of numerical models. The utility of the apparatus was demonstrated by measuring temperature profiles to approximately 1000°C in a glass-filled phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Factors controlling impulse transmission with special reference to A-V conduction.

Abstract Various electrophysiologic as well as anatomic factors affecting impulse transmission in general, and A-V conduction in particular, have been discussed, to illustrate the complexity and diversity of the phenomenon of conduction in the heart. Arguments have also been presented for a new classification of A-V conduction block.
Lipid encapsulated docosahexaenoic acid methyl ester

Abstract Encapsulation of structurally sensitive compounds within a solid lipid matrix provides a barrier to prooxidant compounds and effectively limits the extent of oxidative degradation. Encapsulated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) methyl ester was examined as a model compound for functional foods and feeds. Solid lipid particles were prepared from triacylglycerols and evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal characteristics of the lipids used to form the particle were related to structure and could be adjusted by selection of the appropriate component fatty acids. Encapsulation by solid lipid particles provides a method to inhibit oxidation and improve shelf life of products formulated with DHA.
Are the Northern Hemisphere Winter Storm Tracks Significantly Correlated

Abstract In this study, the correlation between the Northern Hemisphere winter Pacific and Atlantic storm tracks is examined using the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), as well as unassimilated aircraft observations. By examining month-to-month variability in the 250-hPa meridional velocity variance, the correlation between the two storm track peaks is found to be as high as 0.5 during the winters between 1975/76 and 1998/99. Here, it is shown that the correlation between the two storm tracks can be clearly detected from the aircraft data. Further analyses of the reanalysis data show that the correlation can also be seen in other eddy variance and covariance statistics, including the poleward heat flux at the 700-hPa level. The correlation between the two storm tracks, as seen in both reanalysis datasets, is shown to be much weaker during the period 1957/58–1971/72, suggesting a possible regime transition from largely uncorrelated storm tracks to highly correlated storm tracks...
A Qualitative Study of the Activities and Outcomes of Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils

Efforts to promote systems change frequently involve the creation of councils, coalitions, and other collaborative settings. However, research, to date, reports limited empirical evidence that they achieve desired outcomes (Roussos and Fawcett, Annu Rev Public Health 21:369–402, 2000). The precise nature of this evidence base has received less attention. In particular, formal investigations into council effectiveness (a) rarely highlight the specific nature of collaborative efforts; (b) emphasize fairly distal markers as the “gold standard” for effectiveness; (c) focus largely on formative “outcomes” (e.g., action plan quality); and (d) utilize primarily quantitative research approaches. The current study extends previous research by employing a qualitative approach to investigate the particular activities and proximal outcomes of 41 domestic violence coordinating councils. Study findings suggest that councils engage in six primary activities: discussing issues, sharing information, identifying weaknesses in the system’s response, providing training for key stakeholders, engaging in public/community education, and lobbying key stakeholders who are not council members. Three proximal outcomes were consistently identified in council efforts: the promotion of knowledge, relationships, and institutionalized change. Attending more directly to proximal outcomes and concrete activities in our research has important implications for conceptualizing and researching the effectiveness of councils and collaborative settings.
State and local tax reform for the 1990s: Implications from Arizona

The state of Arizona recently established a temporary, blue-ribbon committee to evaluate the state's fiscal system and to recommend changes that would improve the system. The impetus for the committee was a series of budgetary difficulties in the 1980s that lawmakers hoped might be avoided in the future by implementing major structural changes suggested by a long-run analysis of the state's economy and taxes and expenditures. The findings and recommendations of the committee are relevant for states across the country. It is likely that many states will be faced with tough budgetary challenges in the decade of the 1990s because the states' revenue systems have not adapted to the changes in the level and nature of state spending responsibilities.
Large-order behavior and nonperturbative effects

Abstract We consider the energy-dependence of the large-order behavior of forward scattering amplitudes in theories having explicit mass parameters and instanton solutions. We show that in weak coupling theories the exponential part of the Espinosa-Ringwald type cross section can be determined by taking the minimum element of the perturbative series, suggesting that the series is asymptotic. This observation enables us to calculate the nonperturbative cross section by the perturbation of the Borel transform σ (b) about the instanton-anti-instanton singularity. The anomalous cross section in the standard model using the leading energy-dependent σ (b) is presented.
Inelastic electron scattering from 4He

Abstract The spectra of electrons scattered inelastically from 4 He have been measured at incident energies from 150 MeV to 400 MeV for scattering angles from 38° to 90°. Through the use of a liquid 4 He target, a high momentum resolution (≈0.25%) was obtained, and the 20 MeV 0 + state of the α-particle was observed for the first time in electron scattering. The excitation energy and the total width of this state were determined and are in good agreement with the results from other experimental methods. It was found that the total disintegration cross section appears be smaller than 2(σ p +σ n ) by more than an order of magnitude at the lowest q 2 (≈ 0.33 fm −2 ). In earlier work the assumption of a total cross section of 2(σ p +σ n ) was found to be quite accurate for higher q 2 . As a new result, the partial radiative width for the 0 + state is determined to be Γ rad = 1.1±0.3 meV.
Callus formation and plant regeneration from somatic embryos of oat (Avena sativa L.).

Globular-stage somatic embryos were isolated by vortexing friable, embryogenic callus of oat (Avena sativa L.) followed by fractionation based on size. Somatic embryos were most frequently found in the 300–380 μm size fraction. Friable, embryogenic callus was reinitiated from 55% of isolated somatic embryos. Fertile plants were regenerated from 22% of isolated somatic embryos. Reinitiation of callus from somatic embryos and growth of friable, embryogenic callus was inhibited by the selective agents G418 and methotrexate. These results suggest that somatic embryos isolated from friable, embryogenic callus of oat may be useful totipotent targets for particle acceleration-mediated transformation.
Diel variation in predator abundance, predation risk and prey distribution in shallow-water estuarine habitats

Abstract Predation by visual predators is often affected by light conditions and may therefore exhibit strong diel variation. The dominant predators on grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio , are finfish predators that are thought to locate their prey by visual cues. We examined the response of grass shrimp to diel variation in predation risk in the nearshore shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. We used diel shoreline seines to assess the relative abundance of predators. We assessed the relative risk of predation with shrimp tethered at refuge (30 cm) and nonrefuge (60 cm) depths. To measure grass shrimp response to predation risk, we used dipnets to monitor habitat use. Four predominantly visual predators dominated the shoreline seine catches, Fundulus heteroclitus , Micropogonias undulatus , Morone americana and Morone saxatilis . Total predator abundance had a diel component, with dramatic nighttime decreases in total abundance, whereas guild composition and relative abundance remained unchanged. Relative predation risk for tethered shrimp exhibited significant time by habitat interaction. During the day, depth negatively affected survivorship of tethered shrimp while at night overall survivorship increased and there was no effect of depth. Shrimp habitats use reflected diel predation risks. Abundances in the near shore were highest during the day with decreased abundances at night. Together, the seine and tethering data highlight the importance for a refuge (e.g., shallow water) from predation during the daytime and a relaxation of predation pressure at night.
Impact of Severity of a Child's Chronic Condition on the Functioning of Two-Parent Families

Objective To examine the impact of the severity of a child’s chronic condition on family functioning from the perspectives of mothers and fathers and to compare their reports with the functioning of families with healthy children. Methods Mothers and fathers in two-parent families of 160 infants and 102 preadolescents with a wide range of chronic health conditions (noncategorical approach) completed standard self-report inventories. Results The families of children with chronic conditions functioned as well or better compared with normative data for families with healthy children. The only significant differences between mothers’ and fathers’ reports of family functioning were a greater negative impact on role performance reported by mothers of infants and pre-adolescents and a great negative impact on affective expression reported by fathers of pre-adolescents. Conclusions Overall, very little of the variance in family functioning was explained by severity of the child’s chronic condition in this sample of middle-class, two-parent families.
Biochemical Analysis and Structure Determination of Bacterial Acetyltransferases Responsible for the Biosynthesis of UDP-N,N-Diacetylbacillosamine *

UDP-N,N′-diacetylbacillosamine (UDP-diNAcBac) is a unique carbohydrate produced by a number of bacterial species and has been implicated in pathogenesis. The terminal step in the formation of this important bacterial sugar is catalyzed by an acetyl-CoA (AcCoA)-dependent acetyltransferase in both N- and O-linked protein glycosylation pathways. This bacterial acetyltransferase is a member of the left-handed β-helix family and forms a homotrimer as the functional unit. Whereas previous endeavors have focused on the Campylobacter jejuni acetyltransferase (PglD) from the N-linked glycosylation pathway, structural characterization of the homologous enzymes in the O-linked glycosylation pathways is lacking. Herein, we present the apo-crystal structures of the acetyltransferase domain (ATD) from the bifunctional enzyme PglB (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and the full-length acetyltransferase WeeI (Acinetobacter baumannii). Additionally, a PglB-ATD structure was solved in complex with AcCoA. Surprisingly, this structure reveals a contrasting binding mechanism for this substrate when compared with the AcCoA-bound PglD structure. A comparison between these findings and the previously solved PglD crystal structures illustrates a dichotomy among N- and O-linked glycosylation pathway enzymes. Based upon these structures, key residues in the UDP-4-amino and AcCoA binding pockets were mutated to determine their effect on binding and catalysis in PglD, PglB-ATD, and WeeI. Last, a phylogenetic analysis of the aforementioned acetyltransferases was employed to illuminate the diversity among N- and O-linked glycosylation pathway enzymes. Background: A connection between glycoproteins containing N,N′-diacetylbacillosamine and pathogenicity has previously been shown in Campylobacter jejuni. Results: Structural and kinetic studies of two bacterial acetyltransferases show the diversity within the binding pockets responsible for UDP-N,N′-diacetylbacillosamine production. Conclusion: Carbohydrate acetyltransferases from O-linked glycosylation pathways exhibit significant divergence from their N-linked counterparts. Significance: Acetyltransferase characterization increases our understanding of the diverse nature of bacterial glycosylation.
A new method for simulating rigid body motion in incompressible two‐phase flow

Computational treatment of immersed rigid bodies, especially in the presence of free surfaces and/or breaking waves, poses several modeling challenges. A motivating example where these systems are of interest is found in offshore wave energy harvesting systems, where a floating structure converts mechanical oscillations to electrical energy. In this study, we take the first step in developing a robust computational strategy for treating rigid bodies with possible internal dynamics, such that they may be fully coupled to a fluid environment with free surfaces and arbitrarily large fluid motion. Many schemes for fluid–solid interaction involve formulating and solving all of the equations of motion on a structured cartesian finite difference grid, but with overlaying Lagrangian representation of the solid that is used to track its position. Ultimately, most of these techniques, which include methods for deformable solids as well, solve the equations of motion completely on the Eulerian grid (see, for example, (J. Comput. Phys. 2005; 205:439–457) and (J. Comput. Phys. 2008; 227:3114–3140)). By contrast, we solve Lagrangian-type rigid body equations coupled with the Eulerian formulation of the Navier Stokes equations for an immersed solid. This departure from the standard method facilitates the addition of the internal dynamics characteristic of power conversion systems. The study is based on a finite difference and level set description of a free surface between two immiscible fluids (for example water and air) for incompressible flow by Summan (J. Comput. Phys. 1994; 114:146–159). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the Process of Norm Emergence to Model Consensus Formation

Every agent in a society initially possesses a set of personal norms. Group norms emerge when agents interact with one another and exchange information in such a way that multiple agents begin to acquire the same personal norm. This emergence is the result of information transmission, social enforcement, and internalization. If a population contains a single group norm, as a result of every agent in the population acquiring the same personal norm, then it can be said that a consensus has been reached by the population. We model the formation of consensus in silico by adapting a recently developed model of norm emergence to a multi-agent simulation. A screening experiment is conducted to identify the significant parameters of our model and verify that our model is capable of producing a consensus. The experimental results show that our model can attain consensus as well as two additional states of information equilibrium. The results also indicate that both network structure and agent behavior play an important role in the formation of consensus. In addition, it is shown that the formation of consensus is sensitive to the simulation parameter settings, and certain values can prevent its formation entirely.
Life cycle assessment of dewatering routes for algae derived biodiesel processes

Biodiesel derived from algae is considered as a sustainable fuel, but proper downstream processing is necessary to minimize the environmental footprint of this process. Algae is grown in dilute liquid cultures, and achieving the low water contents required for extraction represents one of the greatest challenges for the production of algae derived biodiesel. An analysis of the life cycle emissions associated with harvesting, dewatering, extraction, reaction, and product purification stages for algae biodiesel were performed. This “base case” found 10,500 kg of total emissions per t of biodiesel with 96 % of those attributed to the spray dryer used for dewatering. Alternative cases were evaluated for various sequences of mechanical and thermal dewatering techniques. The best case, consisted of a disk-stack centrifuge, followed by the chamber filter press, and a heat integrated dryer. This resulted in 875 kg emissions/t of biodiesel, a 91 % reduction from the base case. Significant reductions in life cycle emissions were achieved for all mechanical dewatering alternatives compared to the base case, but further improvements using these existing technologies were limited. Additional improvements will require the development of new techniques for water removal or wet extractions.
A control systems model of smooth pursuit eye movements with realistic emergent properties

Visual tracking of objects in a noisy environment is a difficult problem that has been solved by the primate oculomotor system, but remains unsolved in robotics. In primates, smooth pursuit eye movements match eye motion to target motion to keep the eye pointed at smoothly moving targets. We have used computer models as a tool to investigate possible computational strategies underlying this behavior. Here, we present a model based upon behavioral data from monkeys. The model emphasizes the variety of visual signals available for pursuit and, in particular, includes a sensitivity to the acceleration of retinal images. The model was designed to replicate the initial eye velocity response observed during pursuit of different target motions. The strength of the model is that it also exhibits a number of emergent properties that are seen in the behavior of both humans and monkeys. This suggests that the elements in the model capture important aspects of the mechanism of visual tracking by the primate smooth pursuit system.
Complexity-based Analysis of the Dynamic of Propagation of Epileptic Seizures

Partial seizures originate from focal regions of epileptogenesis and have variable patterns of regional propagation. To study these patterns, we used the Gabor atom density (GAD) which is a measure of complexity of a signal. It is based on the time-frequency decomposition obtained by the matching pursuit (MP) algorithm. The GAD/MP method was applied to EEG data recorded from intracranial electrodes in patients with intractable epileptic seizures. Seizures analyzed include partial and generalized tonic-clonic events. GAD analyses show that this complexity measure can facilitate the identification of temporal patterns of propagation of epileptic seizures. Local measure of GAD complexity can be an indicator of regional propagation and therefore be a key to identify critical moments in seizure evolution that could be useful in the developing interventions for seizure control
THE α7 NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR SUBUNIT EXISTS IN TWO ISOFORMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FUNCTIONAL LIGAND-GATED ION CHANNELS*

Fast synaptic transmission in mammalian autonomic ganglia is mediated primarily by nicotinic receptors, and one of the most abundant nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in these neurons contains the α7 subunit (α7-nAChRs). Unlike α7-nAChRs expressed in other cells, the predominant α7-nAChR subtype found in rat intracardiac and superior cervical ganglion neurons exhibits a slow rate of desensitization and is reversibly blocked by α-bungarotoxin (αBgt). We report here the identification of an α7 subunit sequence variant in rat autonomic neurons that incorporates a novel 87-base pair cassette exon in the N terminus of the receptor and preserves the reading frame of the transcript. This α7 isoform was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction techniques in neonatal rat brain and intracardiac and superior cervical ganglion neurons. Immunoblot experiments using a polyclonal antibody directed against the deduced amino acid sequence of the α7-2 insert showed a pattern of expression consistent with α7-2 subunit mRNA distribution. Moreover, the α7-2 subunit could be immunodepleted from protein extracts by solid-phase immunoprecipitation techniques using the anti-α7 monoclonal antibody 319. The α7-2 subunit was shown to form functional homomeric ion channels that were activated by acetylcholine and blocked by α-bungarotoxin when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. This α7 isoform exhibited a slow rate of desensitization, and inhibition of these channels by αBgt reversed rapidly after washout. Taken together, these data indicate that the α7-2 subunit is capable of forming functional αBgt-sensitive acetylcholine receptors that resemble the α7-nAChRs previously identified in rat autonomic neurons. Furthermore, the distribution of the α7-2 isoform is not limited to peripheral neurons.
On Different Types of International Relations Scholarship

International relations features different types of scholarship. These types are metaphor, history, theory, engineering, and pattern recognition. This essay discusses the nature and contribution of each type as research characteristic of these different undertakings shows substantial overtime continuity in attracting varying attention from identifiable communities. It also raises several concerns about the extant literature. These concerns address the problems of endogeneity, selection effects, concept stretching, over-determination and indeterminacy, multiple conjunctural causality, and falsifiable proposition. Although hardly representing novel discoveries, they present generic and seemingly persistent challenges to valid inference. While not irrelevant to the conduct of social inquiry in general, this review addresses specifically international relations scholarship.
Lophotrochozoan mitochondrial genomes

Progress in both molecular techniques and phylogenetic methods has challenged many of the interpretations of traditional taxonomy. One example is in the recognition of the animal superphylum Lophotrochozoa (annelids, mollusks, echiurans, platyhelminthes, brachiopods, and other phyla), although the relationships within this group and the inclusion of some phyla remain uncertain. While much of this progress in phylogenetic reconstruction has been based on comparing single gene sequences, there are also higher order features of genomes, such as the relative order of genes, that have contributed, and this seems likely to be even more fruitful in the future. Even though tremendous progress is being made on the sequence determination of whole nuclear genomes, the dataset of choice for genome-level characters for many animals across a broad taxonomic range remains mitochondrial genomes. We review here what is known about mitochondrial genomes of the lophotrochozoans and how comparisons of some of these features may be useful in discerning the phylogeny of this group.
Centrosome Size: Scaling Without Measuring

Centrosome size is controlled by a limiting component mechanism in which a fixed quantity of precursor protein is divided up among however many centrosomes are present. This simple scheme explains size control and scaling of centrosomes relative to cell volume.
BONE DISEASE IN MODERATE RENAL FAILURE: Cause, Nature, and Prevention

▪ Abstract There are two primary types of bone disorders observed in patients with end-stage renal disease: a high-turnover osteodystrophy characterized by osteitis fibrosa, and a low-turnover osteodystrophy characterized initially by osteomalacia and, more recently, by adynamic or aplastic bone disease. This article reviews the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and laboratory findings of patients with these two disorders. It discusses the important roles of phosphorus binding, vitamin D administration, and correction of acidosis in prevention and treatment of bone disease in patients with moderate renal insufficiency.
Differential susceptibility of mice humanized for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α to Wy-14,643-induced liver tumorigenesis

Peroxisome proliferators, such as lipid-lowering fibrate drugs, are agonists for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). Sustained activation of PPARalpha leads to the development of liver tumors in rodents. Paradoxically, humans appear to be resistant to the induction of peroxisome proliferation and development of liver tumors by peroxisome proliferators. To examine the species differences in response to peroxisome proliferators, a PPARalpha humanized mouse (hPPARalpha) was generated, in which the human PPARalpha was expressed in liver under control of the Tet-OFF system. To evaluate the susceptibility of hPPARalpha mice to peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, a long-term feeding study of Wy-14,643 was carried out. hPPARalpha and wild-type (mPPARalpha) mice were fed either a control diet or one containing 0.1% Wy-14,643 for 44 and 38 weeks, respectively. Gene expression analysis for peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolizing enzymes revealed that both hPPARalpha and mPPARalpha were functional. However, the incidence of liver tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma was 71% in Wy-14,643-treated mPPARalpha mice, and 5% in Wy-14,643-treated hPPARalpha mice. Upregulation of cell cycle regulated genes such as cd1 and Cdks were observed in non-tumorous liver tissue of Wy-14,643-treated mPPARalpha mice, whereas p53 gene expression was increased only in the livers of Wy-14,643-treated hPPARalpha mice. These findings suggest that structural differences between human and mouse PPARalpha are responsible for the differential susceptibility to the peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. This mouse model will be useful for human cancer risk assessment of PPARalpha ligands.