cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sports and exercise medicine education in the USA: call to action

US healthcare has been ranked as both the costliest and the poorest quality1 among high-income countries. Our traditional fee-for-service model clearly incentivises treatment of sickness and disease ahead of disease prevention. One of us (IA) works in Alabama, a prime example of a US state with poor health outcomes. Alabama is ranked 48th out of 50 states for overall health, 45th in the proportion of people who meet physical activity guidelines, 49th in cardiovascular health and 44th in mental health, and is among the five worst states for obesity and in the top three for increasing prevalence of diabetes.2 To address the challenge of poor health outcomes, the US healthcare system has begun moving towards a value-based reimbursement system with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which aims to lower costs and improve quality. Since 80% of diseases (eg, hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, multiple cancers and osteoporosis) in the USA are related to poor lifestyles,3 the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating are low-cost measures that could significantly impact quality outcomes. Given …
Analytics Center Framework for Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean

As Alvin Toffler had eloquently put it "You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction." [6] We have a long history of building many innovative solutions. With a quick search on the web, we can find various tools that offer similar capabilities such as search, visualization, subsetting, analysis, etc. The community is very good with building domain-specific solutions for specific applications. The lack of cohesiveness among these tools introduces technology gaps, which lead to even more stovepipe solutions. An Analytics Center Framework is an architectural concept to establish an extensible, reusable software framework for specific research communities. This paper discusses the application of an open source data analytics framework NASA is developing through its Advanced Information Systems Technology (AIST) program to improve estimating ocean circulation modeling product generation and analysis.
Design simulations for a combined shaker-acoustic vibration test technique

A novel approach of combining multiple shaker and acoustic inputs can achieve a high-fidelity ground vibration test. Additionally, supplementing acoustic inputs with shakers enables higher response levels which is possible with shakers alone. As this is a new testing concept, exploring test design effects using simulations is useful. Here, models and simulation are utilized to explore how combining shaker and acoustic inputs can improve response levels and reduce input requirements while maintaining test accuracy. The derivation of acoustic and shaker inputs is explored using different control or input estimation techniques. In particular, the correlation requirements between shaker and acoustic inputs is examined using a Kronecker product formulation of the control problem, which enables specific inputs to be uncorrelated. This simulation-based test design approach provides useful guidance in the design of combined shaker-acoustic vibration tests. [Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract No. DE-NA0003525.]A novel approach of combining multiple shaker and acoustic inputs can achieve a high-fidelity ground vibration test. Additionally, supplementing acoustic inputs with shakers enables higher response levels which is possible with shakers alone. As this is a new testing concept, exploring test design effects using simulations is useful. Here, models and simulation are utilized to explore how combining shaker and acoustic inputs can improve response levels and reduce input requirements while maintaining test accuracy. The derivation of acoustic and shaker inputs is explored using different control or input estimation techniques. In particular, the correlation requirements between shaker and acoustic inputs is examined using a Kronecker product formulation of the control problem, which enables specific inputs to be uncorrelated. This simulation-based test design approach provides useful guidance in the design of combined shaker-acoustic vibration tests. [Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laborator...
Near field non-invasive electrophysiology of retrotrapezoid nucleus using amperometric cation sensor

Abstract Central chemoreception is the process whereby the brainstem senses blood gas levels and adjusts homeostatic functions such as breathing and cardiovascular tone accordingly. Rodent evidence suggests that the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is a master regulator of central chemoreception, in particular, through direct sensation of acidosis induced by CO2 levels. The oscillatory dynamics caused by pH changes as sensed by the RTN surface and its relationship to the fluctuations in cation flux is not clearly understood due to the current limitations of electrophysiology tools and this article presents our investigations to address this need. A cation selective sensor fabricated from polypyrrole doped with dodecyl benzenesulfonate (PPy (DBS)) is placed over RTN in an ex-vivo en bloc brain and changes in cation concentration in the diffusion limited region above the RTN is measured due to changes in externally imposed basal pH. The novelty of this technique lies in its feasibility to detect cation fluxes from the cells in the RTN region without having to access either sides of the cell membrane. Owing to the placement of the sensor in close proximity to the tissue, we refer to this technique as near-field electrophysiology. It is observed that lowering the pH in the physiological range (7.4–7.2) results in a significant increase in cation concentration in the vicinity of RTN with a median value of ~5 μM. The utilization of such quantifiable measurement techniques to detect sub-threshold brain activity may help provide a platform for future neural network architectures. Findings from this paper present a quantifiable, sensitive, and robust electrophysiology technique with minimal damage to the underlying tissue.
Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis: Evaluation of presentation and treatment outcomes in a large cohort (P5.6-070)

Objective: To investigate clinical presentation, course, and response to treatment of myasthenia gravis in pediatric patients in a large single center cohort. Background: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies target the neuromuscular junction. In adults, well delineated symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigability are disease hallmarks. Clinical presentation and diagnosis in pediatric populations can be elusive. These patients have increased risk for other autoimmune diseases, have less well defined auto-antibody associations, and have different clinical characteristics. The management and outcomes vary broadly, especially with new immunosuppressive modalities becoming available. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review of electronic medical records of all children with ICD9/10 diagnosis of myasthenia gravis presenting to Texas Children’s Hospital. Results: The average age at presentation in this cohort was 8.2 years. Four patients (8%) had congenital myasthenia, while forty six (92%) had presumed autoimmune myasthenia, all of whom were tested for causative antibodies (acetylcholine receptor or muscle specific kinase). Of the tested patients, twenty four (48%) tested positive. Twenty two (44%) continued on an immunosuppressive agent. Four (8%) had a separate autoimmune disease, of which two were autoimmune thyroiditis and two were type I diabetes. The most common exam finding was ptosis. Ptosis was found at some point in forty eight patients (96%) during their care. In terms of treatment, nine (18%) of our patients had thymectomy. 78% of the patients had good outcomes, of which patients who were on medical management only had better rates of good outcomes (85%) as compared to medical and surgical management (44%). Conclusions: The present study offers one of the largest cohorts of pediatric MG patients who have undergone up to date diagnostic and therapeutic regimens. The responses to therapy in this pediatric cohort will help to guide future treatment of pediatric myasthenia gravis. Disclosure: Dr. Gill has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lotze has received research support from PTC Therapeutics, Serepta Therapeutics and Catalyst Therapeutics.
Effects of long-range forces on the D -term and the energy-momentum structure

The hadronic form factors of the energy-momentum tensor (EMT) have attracted considerable interest in recent literature. This concerns especially the $D$-term form factor $D(t)$ with its appealing interpretation in terms of internal forces. With their focus on hadron structure, theoretical studies so far have concentrated mainly on strongly interacting systems with short-range forces. Effects on the EMT due to long-range forces like the electromagnetic interaction have not yet been studied. Electromagnetic forces play a small role in the balance of forces inside the proton, but their long-range nature introduces new features which are not present in systems with short-range forces. We use a simple but consistent classical field theoretical model of the proton to show how the presence of long-range forces alters some notions taken for granted in short-range systems. Our results imply that a more careful definition of the $D$-term is required when long-range forces are present.
Obesity and Breast Cancer: A Case of Inflamed Adipose Tissue

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women and a worse prognosis for all major breast cancer subtypes regardless of menopausal status. While the link between obesity and the pathogenesis of breast cancer is clear, the molecular mechanism of this association is not completely understood due to the complexity of both obesity and breast cancer. The aim of this review is to highlight the association between obesity and breast cancer and discuss the literature, which indicates that this association is due to chronic adipose tissue inflammation. We will discuss the epidemiological data for the association between breast cancer incidence and progression as well as the potential molecular mechanisms for this association. We will focus on the role of inflammation within the adipose tissue during the pathogenesis of breast cancer. A better understanding of how obesity and adipose tissue inflammation affects the pathogenesis of breast cancer will lead to new strategies to reduce breast cancer risk and improve patient outcomes for obese patients.
Who Belongs?: Race, Resources, and Belonging in the Native South: New York: Oxford University Press, 352 pp., $42.95, ISBN: 9780190619466, Publication Date: October 2016

Mikaela M. Adams, associate professor of history at the University of Mississippi, explores the complex and often contested nature of tribal citizenship in Who Belongs?: Race, Resources, and Belong...
Phenomenological description of spread of Covid-19 in Italy: people mobility as main factor controlling propagation of infection cases

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), starting in late 2019, has determined in Italy several interventions aimed to prevent saturation of the health system. We have examined the effects of such measures by proposing a mean-field model describing the spread of the infection based on a simple diffusion process where all the observable variables (number of people still positive to the infection, hospitalized and fatalities cases, healed people, and total number of people that has contracted the infection) depend on average parameters, namely diffusion coefficient, infection cross-section, and population density. Although this model is less sophisticated than other models in the literature, it allows us to directly relate the trend of the epidemic statistical information (hospitalized cases, number of fatalities, number of infected people, etc.) to a well defined observable physical quantity: the average number of people that any individual meets per day. The model fits very well the epidemic data, and allows us to strictly relate the time evolution of the number of hospitalized case and fatalities of the outbreak to the change of people mobility, consequent to the implementation of progressive restrictions in Italy, running until the present days (November the 15th, 2020).
MLH1 Deficiency-Triggered DNA Hyperexcision by Exonuclease 1 Activates the cGAS-STING Pathway.

Tumors with defective mismatch repair (dMMR) are responsive to immunotherapy because of dMMR-induced neoantigens and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. While neoantigens result from the hypermutable nature of dMMR, it is unknown how dMMR activates the cGAS-STING pathway. We show here that loss of the MutLα subunit MLH1, whose defect is responsible for ~50% of dMMR cancers, results in loss of MutLα-specific regulation of exonuclease 1 (Exo1) during DNA repair. This leads to unrestrained DNA excision by Exo1, which causes increased single-strand DNA formation, RPA exhaustion, DNA breaks, and aberrant DNA repair intermediates. Ultimately, this generates chromosomal abnormalities and the release of nuclear DNA into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING pathway. In this study, we discovered a hitherto unknown MMR mechanism that modulates genome stability and has implications for cancer therapy.
These Arms of Mine: The Birth of Southern Soul: Various Artists, Jasmine Records JASCD 867, 2020, 2 CDs, $16.99

Before assessing the regional origins of soul recordings, we might benefit from reflecting upon the artistic lineage of this important American musical genre. The two decades of soul music dominanc...
Pregnancy endocrine disruption and obesity-related outcomes in the third generation

Background/Aims Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with 1 in 3 children in the United States affected. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial, including genetic, perinatal, dietary,...
Evolution in the Acute Management of Open Fracture Treatment? Part 2.

INTRODUCTION In the first installment of this two-part series, we explored the history of open fracture treatment focusing primarily on bacteriology and antibiotic selection/stewardship. In this follow-up segment, we will analyze and summarize the other aspects of open fracture care such as time to debridement, pulsatile lavage, and open wound management (including time to closure)-finishing with summative statements and recommendations based on the current most up-to-date literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
pvOps: Improving Operational Assessments through Data Fusion

PV system reliability analyses often depend on production data to evaluate the system state. However, using this information alone leads to incomplete assessments, since contextual information about potential sources of data quality issues is lacking (e.g., missing data from offline communications vs. offline production). This paper introduces a new Python-based software capability (called pvOps) for fusing production data with readily available text-based maintenance information to improve reliability assessments. In addition to details about the package development process, the general capabilities to gain actionable insights using field data are presented through a case study. These findings highlight the significant potential for continued advancements in operational assessments.
China's rise and its implications for International Relations and Northeast Asia

Abstract The paper analyzes China's rise, its causes and consequences as well as China's geopolitical strategy. We discuss in particular its meaning in the context of the evolution of the International (dis)order, threatened by nationalist populism. A particularly important question is the effect of North Korea's successful nuclear program on the situation in Northeast Asia, in the context of China's rise.
The Relationship between a 'Don't Know' Response and Approval of Members of Congress: A Randomized Experiment

We conducted an experiment that gave constituents the chance to interact with their sitting member of Congress, and evaluate the causal impact of this exposure on the "don't know'' (DK) response and reported feeling thermometer scores.
Rethinking Financial Regulation: How Confusion Has Prevented Progress

The extreme fragility of the financial system that gives rise to systemic risk and crises is rooted in the incentives of people within this system and the failure of regulation to counter these incentives. The same forces that increase systemic risk also distort credit markets, exacerbate governance and control problems, and create opacity and inefficiencies. I discuss the flaws in existing capital regulations, including measurement issues, low equity levels, the risk-weighting system, and the use of debt-like hybrids such as Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLACs) as substitutes for equity. Regulatory reform efforts do not reflect lessons from the failure of past regulation. I also discuss briefly shadow banking and the politics of financial regulation. Confusions and flawed narratives have muddled the policy debate and, together with political forces, helped derail progress towards a safer and healthier financial system. . .
A stochastic model of the formation and survival of lunar craters: III. Filling and disappearance of craters

Abstract A previous model is extended to include the effects of the disappearance of craters due to filling by dust or lava. Both the age distribution and expected number density of lunar craters are obtained as functions of crater diameter and of time. These results are applied to the meteoroidal impact hypothesis of the origin of lunar craters. Good agreement is obtained with observed number densities on the lunar continents and maria. It is assumed that the rate of filling of craters on the continents corresponds to the rate of meteoritic accretion, and the rate of filling on the maria is 50 to 100 times larger than on the continents, corresponding to filling of mare craters by lava.
Marginal Utility and Economic Development: Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Aspirations and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Employees

The post-1979 economic reforms have led to impressive economic growth in China both in terms of gross domestic product and individual income. Individual well-being, however, has not increased on par with the economy (Brockmann et al. in J Happiness Stud 10(4):387–405, 2009; Easterlin et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci 109(25):9775–9780, 2012). In the current series of studies, traditional and multilevel regression models are applied to examine the relationship between income and employee well-being. Results suggest a curvilinear relationship between income and satisfaction (both with one’s job and one’s income), supporting a diminishing marginal utility effect. Additionally, confirming a central postulate of Goal Contents Theory (GCT), individuals who espoused the importance of income (an extrinsic motive) were less satisfied with income itself. Further examining the application of GCT in a Chinese context, results suggest individuals who value extrinsic motives (i.e., money, possessions, fame) exhibit lower levels of job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and feelings of accomplishment. Finally, there is a significant multilevel effect such that between-city levels of health have a significant positive relationship with life satisfaction. These results offer organizational and policy implications related to the interaction between economic prosperity and human development.
Stick–slip water penetration into capillaries coated with swelling hydrogel

We have observed intriguing stick-slip behavior during capillary pressure driven filling of borosilicate microtubes coated with hydrogel on their inner wall. Swelling of hydrogel upon exposure to a translating waterfront is accompanied by "stick-and-slip" motion. This results in the macroscopic filling velocity for water penetration into glass capillaries coated with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) being constant throughout the filling process, and reduced by three orders of magnitude when compared to filling of uncoated capillaries. A simple scaling analysis is used to introduce a possible explanation by considering the mechanisms responsible for pinning and unpinning of the contact line. The explanation assumes that the time scale for water diffusion into a hydrogel film and the resulting swelling/change of the local meniscus contact angle define the duration of each "stick" event. The "slip" length scale is in turn established by the elastocapillary deformation of dry hydrogel at the pinning point of the contact line. The sequential dynamics of these processes then determine the rate of water filling into a swelling capillary. Collectively, these experimental and theoretical results provide a new conceptual framework for liquid motion confined by soft, dynamically evolving polymer interfaces, in which the system creates an energy barrier to further motion through elasto-capillary deformation, and then lowers the barrier through diffusive softening. This insight has implications for optimal design of microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices based on stimuli-responsive smart polymers.
Ethanol and acetone from Douglas-fir roots stressed by Phellinus sulphurascens infection: Implications for detecting diseased trees and for beetle host selection

Abstract Phellinus sulphurascens (previously the Douglas-fir form of Phellinus weirii) is an important native pathogen causing laminated root rot in forests of western North America. Visual crown symptoms, or attacks by bark or ambrosia beetles appear only during advanced stages of the disease with extensive infection in the lower bole. Ethanol synthesis is one of many physiological responses in tree tissues stressed by pathogens. Ethanol, acetone and other volatiles from root tissues of healthy and diseased trees were analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. Xylem and phloem from 20 diseased trees at two western Oregon sites contained higher concentrations of ethanol, acetone, or other headspace volatiles than 20 healthy trees on one or more dates in September, November, or the following May. Root cross-sections from eight diseased trees were sampled along perpendicular transects and found to contain extremely variable ethanol concentrations, with highest xylem quantities in a 0–2 cm zone outside the infection boundary and lowest amounts inside the infection. Acetone concentrations were the opposite. Logistic regression models were built and tested to determine which volatiles could predict diseased trees. A model using xylem ethanol concentrations as the only parameter was selected and validated with measurements from 80 trees on the edges of P. sulphurascens infection centers at two different western Oregon sites. This model successfully predicted trees with laminated root rot (78% overall correct classification and 68% for known diseased trees), but worked best for those with infections observed in both root cores and the root collar (100% correct). Early detection of P. sulphurascens infected trees remains a challenge. Our ethanol analysis method is useful for research, but provides limited benefits for identifying individual P. sulphurascens hazard trees, or for extensive ground surveys in the forest. Whether ethanol is released to the atmosphere in sufficient quantities to confirm infection before the late appearance of crown symptoms, or bark beetles remains unknown. If it is, then development of sensors capable of tree side detection requiring minimal tissue sampling would be useful in managing this disease. We also propose a mechanism for how ethanol with host monoterpenes could play a central role in pioneering bark beetle primary host selection of trees infected with this pathogen.
Hemangiopericytoma: a rare pineal mass

We describe a hemangiopericytoma of the pineal region in a young woman. The striking radiologic features were intense, homogeneous contrast enhancement on MRI and a dense blush on angiography.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition in the craniovertebral junction.

Object Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition is a rare cause of retroodontoid mass lesions in elderly individuals. However, this condition may be severely underdiagnosed if sufficient attention is not paid to imaging characteristics and clinical presentation. The authors sought to evaluate the decision-making process in both the diagnosis and surgical treatment of CPPD. Methods A retrospective review of University of Iowa medical records and radiographs accumulated between 1977 and 2006 was performed. The inclusion criterion was histopathological findings consistent with pseudogout at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Twenty-one patients with a mean age of 70.3 years and a mean symptom duration prior to presentation of 17.5 months were identified and included in this study. Results The patients presented most frequently with occipital and neck pain (85%) and numbness or paresthesias (61%). Lower cranial nerve deficits were seen in 29%. Calcification of the mass or transverse ligament was see...
Independence of mechanical fragility and red blood cell age in the rat.

SummaryWhole blood of rats was subjected to a standardized amount of mechanical trauma (325 dynes/cm2 for 2 min) after the production of cohorts of 59Fe-labeled red blood cells, and the relative release of hemoglobin and 59Fe from the red blood cells was determined. The results indicate that rat red blood cell susceptibility to mechanical hemolysis is independent of cell age.
Growth Patterns in Children Hospitalized Because of Caloric-Deprivation Failure to Thrive

• Infants and children with suspected caloric-deprivation failure to thrive (CDFTT) are commonly hospitalized to confirm the diagnosis. In the hospital, weight gain at an accelerated rate is used as the primary diagnostic criterion. We evaluated how soon patients with CDFTT began to gain weight and if the speed with which the patients started to gain weight was age dependent. Of 476 patients with growth problems, 57 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. We developed the concept of the "growth quotient," which expresses the patient's rate of growth. We found that almost all 57 children started to grow in less than two weeks, and those less than 6 months old usually began to gain weight in only two to three days. Older infants and children with CDFTT often had initial corrective growth rates equal to or greater than those of young infants. ( AJDC 1985;139:164-166)
Isoform distinct time-, dose-, and castration-dependent alterations in flavin-containing monooxygenase expression in mouse liver after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment

Flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) expression in male mouse liver is altered after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure or castration. Because TCDD is slowly eliminated from the body, we examined hepatic Fmo mRNA alterations for up to 32 days following 10 or 64 microg/kg TCDD exposure by oral gavage in male C57BL/6J mice. Fmo2 mRNA was significantly induced at 1, 4, and 8 days whereas Fmo3 mRNA was also induced at 32 days relative to controls. Fmo3 mRNA levels exhibited a dose-dependent increase at 4, 8, and 32 days after exposure; Fmo1, Fmo4, and Fmo5 mRNA did not exhibit clear trends. Because castration alone also increased Fmo2, Fmo3, and Fmo4 mRNA we examined the combined effects of castration and TCDD treatment on FMO expression. A greater than additive effect was observed with Fmo2 and Fmo3 mRNA expression. Fmo2 mRNA exhibited a 3-5-fold increase after castration or 10 microg/kg TCDD exposure by oral gavage, whereas an approximately 20-fold increase was observed between the sham-castrated control and castrated TCDD-treated mice. Similarly, treatment with 10 microg/kg TCDD alone increased Fmo3 mRNA 130- and 180-fold in the sham-castrated and castrated mice compared to their controls respectively, whereas, Fmo3 mRNA increased approximately 1900-fold between the sham control and castrated TCDD-treated mice. An increase in hepatic Fmo3 protein in TCDD-treated mice was observed by immunoblotting and assaying methionine S-oxidase activity. Collectively, these results provide evidence for isoform distinct time-, dose-, and castration-dependent effects of TCDD on FMO expression and suggest cross-talk between TCDD and testosterone signal transduction pathways.
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of the Superacid System SbF5/HF Solution

We have investigated one of the strongest superacid systems, SbF5 in liquid HF, by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. In dilute solution a barrierless, diffusion-limited fluorination reaction takes place to form the SbF6- anion and H2F+ cation. The initial contact ion pair evolves to become a fully separated ion pair by a series of stepwise, incoherent proton jumps. On average, the SbF6- anion had an octahedral structure with the average bond length of 1.9 A. The cationic species is a protonated HF chain, which mediates the fast proton jump process.
Electrochemical properties of vanadium(III,IV,V)-salen complexes in acetonitrile. Four-electron reduction of O2 by V(III)-salen.

The coordination chemistry and electrochemistry of complexes of vanadium(III,IV,V) with salen (H_2 salen = N,N‘-ethylenebis(salicylideneamine) were reexamined in an attempt to uncover the origin of puzzling results reported in a previous study (Inorg. Chem. 1994, 33, 1056). Microelectrodes were utilized to allow measurements in the absence of supporting electrolyte. The source of the puzzling results was identified and the modifications required in the previous interpretations are specified. Corrected values of formal potentials and diffusion coefficients are also given. The acid-induced disproportionation of V^(IV)O(salen), as originally proposed by Bonadies et al. (J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1986, 1218; Inorg. Chem. 1987, 26, 1218), was largely supported by the present results. The equilibrium constant for this disproportionation reaction was measured. The stoichiometry and kinetics of the reaction between O_2 and the V(III)−salen complex were examined, and a possible mechanism for this four-electron reduction of O_2 is suggested.
Dynamic changes in cerebral glucose metabolism in conscious infant monkeys during the first year of life as measured by positron emission tomography

Recently, advances in spatial resolution have provided the opportunity to utilize positron emission tomography (PET) to examine local cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (lCMR(glc)) in large animals noninvasively, thereby allowing repeated lCMR(glc) measurements in the same animal. Previous studies have attempted to describe the ontogeny of cerebral glucose metabolism in anesthetized nonhuman primates using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and PET. However, the use of sedation during the tracer uptake period may influence lCMR(glc). This study was conducted to describe lCMR(glc) in conscious infant vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) during the first year of life utilizing FDG-PET. Cross-sectional studies (n=23) displayed lowest and highest lCMR(glc) in all structures at the 2-3 and 8-9 month age groups, respectively. The metabolic pattern suggested an increase in lCMR(glc) values between 2 and 8 months of age with decreased metabolism observed at 10-12 months of age in all regions. Peak lCMR(glc) values at 8 months were an average of 84+/-24% higher than values seen at the youngest age examined quantitatively (2-3 months). The regions of greatest and smallest increases in lCMR(glc) at 8 months were the cerebellar hemispheres (90%) and the thalamus (39%), respectively. Longitudinal analysis in 4 animals supported this developmental pattern, demonstrating the ability to detect changes in cerebral glucose metabolism within animals and the potential for FDG-PET in nonhuman primate models of brain maturation. By determining the normative profile of lCMR(glc) during development in monkeys, future application of FDG-PET will provide the opportunity to longitudinally assess the effects of environmental or pharmacological intervention on the immature brain.
Emerging Research and Clinical Development Trends of Liposome and Lipid Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems

Liposomes are spherical-enclosed membrane vesicles mainly constructed with lipids. Lipid nanoparticles are loaded with therapeutics and may not contain an enclosed bilayer. The majority of those clinically approved have diameters of 50–300 nm. The growing interest in nanomedicine has fueled lipid–drug and lipid–protein studies, which provide a foundation for developing lipid particles that improve drug potency and reduce off-target effects. Integrating advances in lipid membrane research has enabled therapeutic development. At present, about 600 clinical trials involve lipid particle drug delivery systems. Greater understanding of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and disposition of lipid–drug particles facilitated particle surface hydration technology (with polyethylene glycol) to reduce rapid clearance and provide sufficient blood circulation time for drug to reach target tissues and cells. Surface hydration enabled the liposome-encapsulated cancer drug doxorubicin (Doxil) to gain clinical approval in 1995. Fifteen lipidic therapeutics are now clinically approved. Although much research involves attaching lipid particles to ligands selective for occult cells and tissues, preparation procedures are often complex and pose scale-up challenges. With emerging knowledge in drug target and lipid–drug distribution in the body, a systems approach that integrates knowledge to design and scale lipid–drug particles may further advance translation of these systems to improve therapeutic safety and efficacy.
Convolution congruences for the partition function

Ahlgren and Boylan recently proved the uniqueness of the Ramanujan congruences for the primes 5, 7, and 11 by using the modularity of a certain partition function. Here we use their result to find universal congruences, of a different type, which hold for the partition function modulo all primes l ≥ 5.
A study on the drilling of composite and titanium stacks

Abstract An experimental study on drilling of graphite/bismaleimide (Gr/Bi) titanium (Ti) stacks was conducted by using different cutter materials with a standard geometry to understand and characterize the process. The tool materials used were high-speed steel (HSS), high-speed cobalt (HSS-Co), and carbide. It was observed that at the interface of Gr/Bi–Ti, high temperatures induced material damage near and around the hole region. Dissimilar mechanical and thermal properties affected the tool life and allowed for increased matrix degradation and burr formation in Ti, regardless of the cutting tool material. As a result, fewer holes were produced when high spindle speeds and slow feeds were used. It was also found that carbide drills outperformed all other tools in terms of tool life, minimal surface damage, and heat induced damage on both workpiece materials.
Suppression of the lexC (ssbA) mutation of Escherichia coli by a mutant of bacteriophage P1

A new mutant of bacteriophage P1 designated lxc that suppresses the phenotype of lexC and ssbA mutants of Escherichia coli was isolated and characterized. The properties of lexC mutants suppressed by the lxc mutation include temperature sensitive growth at 42° C, sensitivity to ultraviolet light and alkylating agents, and a nonmutagenic response following exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. A bac mutant of bacteriophage P1 that suppresses the temperature sensitivity of dnaB mutants does not affect the phenotype of lexC or ssbA mutants. Neither the lxc or bac mutations affect the ultraviolet light sensitivity of strains with the mutations uvrA155, lexA102, or recA56.
Why Does Trypsin Cleave BPTI so Slowly

Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) binds to trypsin with high affinity. In the trypsin−BPTI complex the reactive peptide sequence of BPTI is positioned ideally for peptide bond hydrolysis. However, the peptide bond hydrolysis is ∼1011 slower for BPTI than for peptide substrates. We have applied the quantum mechanical-free energy (QM-FE) approach and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate peptide bond cleavage in the trypsin−BPTI and the trypsin−substrate systems. The activation free energy calculated for BPTI as substrate suggests a decrease in catalytic rate by 106−109, in qualitative agreement with the ∼1011 found experimentally. We provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the remaining 102−105 decrease in rate arises from the fact that the peptide bond in BPTI, once cleaved, is much more likely to re-ligate than to be further hydrolyzed to form products which will be released from trypsin. We have also demonstrated that the QM-FE approach, in combination with the free energy compo...
14 Pregnancy in women on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

Summary Pregnancy in women with renal insufficiency and end-stage renal disease, while uncommon, is definitely possible, and such women should not assume they are infertile. Contraception should be prescribed for those who do not want to conceive. For the woman who is dialysed during pregnancy, the risks can be minimized by aggressive blood pressure control and prompt diagnosis and treatment of bleeding episodes; however, no degree of vigilance can guarantee that a woman will not suffer any of the severe complications that have been described in pregnant dialysis patients. Intensive dialysis should be undertaken to maintain chemistries that are as nearly normal as possible, and premature labour should be treated with indomethacin. Our current state of knowledge suggests that the success rate of pregnancy in dialysis patients is no better than 52%. It remains to be seen whether CAPD and erythropoietin improve the currently poor outcome. While transplantation offers the best chance of child bearing for women with end-stage renal disease, transplantation is not always possible. Thus we no longer discourage women on dialysis from becoming pregnant as long as they understand that the likelihood of success is small and that serious risks are involved, and as long as they are willing to follow the time-consuming regimen we think it is necessary for their safety. We hope that, in time, increased experience with pregnant dialysis patients will lead to more successful outcomes and that the possibility of parenthood will be added to the improved quality of life in these women.
Selective Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Sulfate-Conjugated Resveratrol Metabolites

Five resveratrol sulfate metabolites were synthesized and assessed for activities known to be mediated by resveratrol: inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha induced NFkappaB activity, cylcooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), aromatase, nitric oxide production in endotoxin-stimulated macrophages, proliferation of KB or MCF7 cells, induction of quinone reductase 1 (QR1), accumulation in the sub-G(1) phase of the cell cycle, and quenching of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Two metabolites showed activity in these assays; the 3-sulfate exhibited QR1 induction, DPPH free radical scavenging, and COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities and the 4'-sulfate inhibited NFkappaB induction, as well as COX-1 and COX-2 activities. Resveratrol and its 3'-sulfate and 4-sulfate inhibit NO production by NO scavenging and down-regulation of iNOS expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Resveratrol sulfates displayed low antiproliferative activity and negligible uptake in MCF7 cells.
Obturator prosthesis design for acquired maxillary defects

Fabrication of obturator prostheses does not require a special ability to fabricate a prosthesis extension into a defect or an arbitrary extension of a prosthesis into a defect. Fabrication of an obturator prosthesis depends on the application of basic prosthodontic principles that are used in the treatment of patients without maxillary defects. Some principles must be modified because of the defect and the character and position of the remaining structures. The defect, in conjunction with the remaining structures, must be used to provide support, retention, and stability of an obturator prosthesis. If basic prosthodontic principles are applied the size and extension of the obturator will be determined, and the extensive variation so commonly seen in obturators will be minimized. Acceptable prosthodontic care for the patient with the acquired maxillary defect should include cautious prosthesis design combined with routine maintenance care to provide comfort, function, cosmetics, and minimal change to the compromised remaining structures.
Photosensitized Growth of Silver Nanoparticles under Visible Light Irradiation: A Mechanistic Investigation

By employing thionine as a sensitizing dye, we have succeeded in inducing silver nanoparticle formation in ethanol/toluene medium. The particle size increases with the duration of photolysis, thus providing a simple experimental parameter to control the particle size. The photoinduced transformations as probed by steady state photolysis and transient absorption spectroscopy provide an insight into the charge-transfer processes leading to the formation of nanoparticles. Under visible light illumination, dye thionine undergoes self-quenching of the excited triplet to produce electron-transfer products in toluene/ethanol (1:1) mixture. The quenching of triplet excited dye by the ground state dye molecules (k = 4.9 × 109 M-1 s-1) occurs at a much faster rate than the quenching by Ag+ ions (k = 1.30 × 106 M-1 s-1). Semithionine acts as a mild reductant to initiate reduction of silver ions (k = 7.26 × 107 M-1 s-1) and form silver seeds. These seeds grow with autocatalytic reduction of Ag+ ions and by Ostwald ri...
The Second Domain of the CD45 Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Is Critical for Interleukin-2 Secretion and Substrate Recruitment of TCR-ζ in Vivo

The CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) has been shown to regulate the activity of Lck and Fyn protein tyrosine kinases in T cells. However, it is not clear that these constitute the only CD45 substrates. Moreover, the manner by which PTPase activity and substrate recruitment are regulated, is poorly understood. Previous in vitro studies suggest that the first cytoplasmic PTPase domain (D1) of CD45 is the active PTPase, which may be regulated by an enzymatically inactive second PTPase domain (D2). However, the function of CD45 D2 in vivo is unknown. In this study, reconstitution of CD45(-) T cells with specific CD45 PTPase mutants allowed demonstration of a critical role for D2 in TCR-mediated interleukin (IL)-2 production. Specifically, replacement of CD45 D2 with that of the LAR PTPase to form a CD45/LAR:D2 chimera, abrogates CD45-dependent IL-2 production. This effect cannot be accounted for by loss of PTPase activity per se. The expression of D1 substrate-trapping mutants reveals an in vivo interaction between CD45 and TCR-zeta that is dependent on CD45 D2. Thus, cells expressing CD45 lacking D2 exhibit abnormal TCR-mediated signaling characterized by hyperphosphorylation of zeta and deficient ZAP-70 phosphorylation. These data suggest an essential role for CD45 D2 in TCR-regulated IL-2 production through substrate recruitment of the zeta chain.
A mechanical study of six digital pulley reconstruction techniques: Part I. Mechanical effectiveness.

A laboratory study on fresh-frozen human cadaver limbs compared six types of flexor tendon pulley reconstruction in the fingers. The reconstructions used were those described by (1) Bunnell, (2) Karev, (3) Weilby, and (4) Lister, and two types developed by us that have not been previously described. The pulleys were studied in specific configurations to determine their effectiveness in transforming tendon excursion into finger flexion. In each finger, comparison was made between the amount of tendon excursion required for full flexion with an intact pulley system versus the various types of reconstructed pulleys. The ratio of these two values was defined as the mechanical effectiveness of the pulley reconstruction. The Karev reconstruction was most effective at 108.2%, which was significantly different from the other five reconstructions ( p
Evolution of the mammalian placenta revealed by phylogenetic analysis

The placenta is essential for the success of therian mammalian reproduction. Intense selective pressure has shaped changes in placental anatomy and function during mammalian cladogenesis. Here we challenge the view that the hemochorial placenta is a derived feature in haplorhine primates. Using phylogenetic and statistical analyses of molecular and morphological data, we demonstrate that the ancestral eutherian mammalian placenta had the distinctive features of (i) hemochorial placental interface, (ii) a discoid shape, and (iii) a labyrinthine maternofetal interdigitation. These results reveal that the first eutherians had a deeply invasive placenta and imply that the major role of the placenta in sustaining pregnancy and promoting gestational development existed throughout the eutherian lineage that descended to humans from the last common ancestor of placental mammals. The ancestral state reconstructions demonstrate both clade-specific patterns of placentation and specific cases of convergent evolution within individual eutherian clades. Determining the mammalian pattern of change in placental morphology is important for understanding the evolutionary pressures faced by these lineages. The effects of selection pressures on the efficiency of placentation may stem from changes in nutritional demand, gestational length, number of embryos per pregnancy, uterine shape, and maternal body constitution. The influence of these factors on placental development needs further investigation.
Interferon-γ deficiency reveals that 129Sv mice are inherently more susceptible to Anaplasma phagocytophilum than C57BL/6 mice

Immunocompetent mice 129Sv (129) and C57BL/6 (B6) mice are similarly susceptible to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We now show that 129 mice lacking interferon-γ (IFN-γ) develop more severe infection with A. phagocytophilum than IFN-γ deficient B6 mice. These data demonstrate that there is an inherent increased susceptibility of 129 mice, compared with B6 mice, to A. phagocytophilum that can only be discerned in the absence of IFN-γ.
Optical frequency mixing through nanoantenna enhanced difference frequency generation: Metatronic mixer

A design for a subwavelength all-optical frequency mixer is proposed. The method relies on enhanced difference-frequency generation, which is achieved in two steps with the help of plasmonic nanoantennas. The interaction of the two input signals with the nonlinear material is increased through the use of input nanoantennas, which focus the incident energy of two different frequencies onto the nanoparticle formed by a nonlinear material. Next, the difference-frequency emission is enhanced through the Purcell effect by the use of a separate output nanoantenna that is resonant at the difference frequency. The application of this twofold approach allows for a significant enhancement in the difference-frequency generation efficiency. Simulation results are presented highlighting the features of the method. This multi-element nanostructure is indeed an optical mixer circuit element in the metatronic paradigm.