cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absence of risk factor change in young adults after family heart attack or stroke: the CARDIA Study.

Abstract Background: Health behavior theories suggest that occurrence of heart attack or stroke in an immediate family member should increase one’s perceived susceptibility to these conditions, which might lead to improved risk factor behavior and control. Methods: Changes in measures of smoking, physical activity, lipids/lipoproteins, body weight, and blood pressure were investigated over two consecutive 5-year follow-up periods among 3950 participants (aged 18 to 30 years) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, who either did or did not have an immediate family member experience a heart attack or stroke. Recruitment and examinations for Years 0, 5, and 10 took place in 1985–1986, 1990–1991, and 1995–1996, respectively. Results: After adjustment for baseline demographics and risk factors, young adults who experienced a change in family history of heart attack or stroke over a 5-year period were no more likely than those who did not to quit smoking, or to experience more positive changes in weight, physical activity, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or systolic or diastolic blood pressure. These findings persisted among the few study participants with one or more established risk factors at baseline. Conclusions: The occurrence of a heart attack or stroke in an immediate family member does not appear to lead to self-initiated, sustained change in modifiable risk factors in young adults. Since family history of heart attack and stroke is associated with known risk factors and is an independent risk factor for incident development of these conditions, interventions should be developed and tested to motivate sustained risk-factor control following occurrence of a severe vascular event in a family member.
Pathogenesis of hemangioma

Hemangioma is the most common tumor of any kind seen in infancy. It is also, perhaps, the least understood. This stems in part from a long history of confusing nomenclature for vascular anomalies that employed classification schemes based on superficial descriptions of the lesions. The first major step toward clarifying this nomenclatural morass was made by Mulliken and colleagues (1, 2), who employed a biological classification scheme based on the differing clinical courses and endothelial proliferative activity of hemangiomas versus malformations. Hemangiomas, often called infantile or juvenile hemangiomas for clarity, are benign tumors that exhibit an early and rapid proliferation phase during the first year of life characterized by endothelial and pericytic hyperplasia, followed by a slower but steady involution phase that may last for years. This basic scheme of histopathological classification has been refined by immunohistochemical characterization of hemangioma in each of the phases (3). Nonetheless, the pathogenesis of hemangioma is still not understood. Although growth factors and hormonal and mechanical influences have been postulated to affect the abnormal proliferation of endothelial cells in hemangioma, the primary, causative defect in hemangiogenesis remains unknown and no genetic alteration has been implicated. This dearth of molecular details is striking, considering the growing list of germline mutations in genes causing specific inherited syndromes involving vascular malformations, including hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (4, 5), cutaneous venous malformations (6), cerebral cavernous malformations (7, 8), and hyperkeratotic cutaneous capillary-venous malformation (9). Are we able to investigate hemangioma in a similar manner? Cheung and colleagues (10) compared the concordance of hemangioma in monozygotic versus dizygotic twins and found no evidence of a strong predisposing inherited component. However, Blei and colleagues described six rare families segregating hemangiomas and/or vascular malformations as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance (11). This suggested a predisposing mutation in these families segregating the trait. Genetic involvement was bolstered with the genetic mapping of a locus on chromosome 5q for hemangioma/malformation development in these particular families (12), but the gene responsible has yet to be identified. In addition, it is not certain that this gene plays any role in the more common sporadic hemangiomas. Into this gene-deficient story comes the paper of Boye and colleagues (13) in this issue of the JCI, showing that endothelial cells derived from hemangioma are clonal in origin and demonstrating that they arise from a common precursor cell. Significantly, fibroblast-like cells isolated from these tumors are not clonal, as determined using a well-established assay based on X-chromosome inactivation in females.
Lipid absorption in the young of protein-deficient rats.

The effect of reduced protein in the diet during pregnancy on the subsequent absorption of triolein and of oleic acid which were infused into the intestine of the young was studied. Pregnant rats were fed diets containing either 24% or 4% casein as the sole source of protein. Control and prenatally protein-deprived (PPD) young were studied at birth, before and after suckling, and at 4, 8, and 12 days. Both body weight and the weight and length of intestine were reduced in PPD young. Uptake of triolein from the lumen and retention in enterocytes increased on suckling in newborn control pups, but the amount transferred from or metabolized by the cells did not change. In suckled PPD young, transfer of triolein increased through the enterocyte as well. Unsuckled PPD pups had reduced absorption and retention per enterocyte, per g body weight, per cm gut, and in total. In intestines of control and PPD suckled newborn and postnatal pups, absorption per cell did not differ. Blood lipid levels were increased markedly between 0 and 4 days and tended to decrease to newborn levels by 12 days in both diet groups. Oleic acid absorption in newborn and 12-day PPD pups were reduced in total, per g body weight and per cm of gut. The individual enterocytes were shown to be equally capable of absorption and transfer of triolein and oleic acid. Differences in absorption are related primarily to the numbers of absorptive cells.
Generation of prion transmission barriers by mutational control of amyloid conformations

Self-propagating β-sheet-rich protein aggregates are implicated in a wide range of protein-misfolding phenomena, including amyloid diseases and prion-based inheritance1. Two properties have emerged as common features of amyloids. Amyloid formation is ubiquitous: many unrelated proteins form such aggregates and even a single polypeptide can misfold into multiple forms2,3,4,5,6 — a process that is thought to underlie prion strain variation7. Despite this promiscuity, amyloid propagation can be highly sequence specific: amyloid fibres often fail to catalyse the aggregation of other amyloidogenic proteins8,9. In prions, this specificity leads to barriers that limit transmission between species7,8,10,11,12. Using the yeast prion [PSI+]13, we show in vitro that point mutations in Sup35p, the protein determinant of [PSI+], alter the range of ‘infectious’ conformations, which in turn changes amyloid seeding specificity. We generate a new transmission barrier in vivo by using these mutations to specifically disfavour subsets of prion strains. The ability of mutations to alter the conformations of amyloid states without preventing amyloid formation altogether provides a general mechanism for the generation of prion transmission barriers and may help to explain how mutations alter toxicity in conformational diseases.
Agrarian Reform in Eastern Europe following World War I: Motives and Outcomes

Massive economic and political changes in Eastern Europe are not unique to today. Eastern Europe also underwent profound transformation after both World Wars. As a result of the peace process following World War I, the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires were dismantled, new countries were created (Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia), and borders of preexisting countries were redefined (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria). A major issue after World War I was the organization of agriculture and the future of the peasantry in Eastern Europe. The majority of the population of Eastern Europe at the end of the war was agricultural. According to Seton-Watson (p. 75), the peasant proportions of the populations in 1918 were as follows: Rumania 78%, Bulgaria 80%, Yugoslavia 75%, Poland 63%, Hungary 55%, and Czechoslovakia 34%. Rural population density was also very high. At the turn of the century, man-land ratios ranged between four and seven hectares per man (Dovring, 1965, pp. 63-64). Seton-Watson (p. 97) reports the following population densities per square kilometer of cultivable land during the interwar period: Hungary 80.6, Rumania 116.3, Bulgaria 119, and Yugoslavia 157.4. In contrast, the figure for Denmark during the same period was 36.6. Roszkowski also reports that rural overpopulation and underemployment were severe in Poland.
Personnel tracking on construction sites using video cameras

This paper discusses the possibility of- and need for-tracking workforce on construction jobsites using video cameras. An evaluation of algorithms and their associated results is presented. The principal objective of this paper is to test and demonstrate the feasibility of tracking workers from statically placed and dynamically moving cameras. This paper also reviews existing techniques to monitor workforce and describes areas where this work might be useful in engineering applications. The main difficulties associated with tracking on a construction site is the significant amount of visual clutter, the changing photometric visual content throughout the course of a day, and the presence of occluding and moving obstacles. The tracking of workers within the field of view of the camera will involve four tracking techniques, density mean-shift, Bayesian segmentation, active contours, and graph-cuts. Typical construction site video will be processed using the proposed algorithms and analyzed to determine the most appropriate tracking method for the video presented.
Supra-aortic vessels aneurysms: diagnosis and prompt intervention.

Purpose Aneurysms involving the supra-aortic vessels are rare but carry serious risk of embolization, thrombosis, and rupture. We describe our experience with the diagnosis, treatment strategies, and outcomes in patients with extended follow-up. Methods Data during a 17-year period (January 1990 to December 2007) was analyzed. We assessed age, gender, presenting symptoms, localization, pathologic diagnosis, type of procedures, complications, and survival. Results A total of 74 patients were treated for supra-aortic aneurysms. Of all aneurysms treated, 63% were degenerative, 24% iatrogenic, 8% traumatic, 3% genetic, and 1% mycotic. The subclavian artery was most commonly affected (50%, 2/3 in the right side), followed by the common carotid (36%), internal carotid (10%), innominate (3%), and vertebral (1%). At the time of diagnosis, 52 patients (70%) were asymptomatic, but of those symptomatic 68% had an embolic event as a presenting symptom. Embolic episodes were more common in patients with smaller aneurysms (P Conclusion Most cases of supra-aortic aneurysm are asymptomatic and embolization as opposed to rupture represents the greatest risk to the patient. Most cases can be detected prior to symptoms. Endovascular repair is an emerging alternative of treatment and, with the current development of appropriate devices, will likely form the mainstay of therapy in the near future.
The SMC-Like Protein Complex SbcCD Enhances DNA Polymerase IV-Dependent Spontaneous Mutation in Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, RpoS, the general stress response sigma factor, regulates the activity of the specialized DNA polymerase DNA polymerase IV (Pol IV) both in stationary-phase and in exponential-phase cells. Because during exponential phase dinB, the gene encoding Pol IV, is transcribed independently of RpoS, RpoS must regulate Pol IV activity in growing cells indirectly via one or more intermediate factors. The results presented here show that one of these intermediate factors is SbcCD, an SMC-like protein and an ATP-dependent nuclease. By initiating or participating in double-strand break repair, SbcCD may provide DNA substrates for Pol IV polymerase activity.
Erythrocyte membrane: chemical modification.

Erythrocytes treated with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene become permeable to Na+ and K+, but not to small water-soluble nonelectrolytes hemoglobin, and eventually lyse inisotonic buffer. Erythrocytes treated with 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene become permeable to Na+ and K+ but do not lyse in buffer or in water, even after extraction with lipid solvents. The difluoro compound crosslinks the membrane and increases its strength. Both reagents appear to remove the positive fixed charge responsible for the cation impermeability of the normal cell.
Depolymerization of light meromyosin by urea.

Abstract Light meromyosin depolymerizes by urea into units of 4600 weight under specific conditions which are described. These units, called protomyosins, appear to be uniform as far as their size and shape is concerned but are different in their amino acid composition. The possible role of the protomyosins in the structure of light meromyosin and in contractility is discussed.
Postsynaptic potentials and contraction pattern in the heart of the desert scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis

Abstract 1. 1. The postsynaptic potentials in scorpion myocardial cells are variable in amplitude and duration, follow the pattern of impulses in the cardiac ganglion and appear to be a summation of smaller junction potentials. 2. 2. The cardiac ganglion in the dorsal midline of the heart produces almost synchronous contraction throughout the length of the tubular heart. Detailed analysis shows that most commonly the posterior end reaches maximum systole 20–100 msec before the anterior end. This suggests the pacemaker site is usually near the posterior end of the cardiac ganglion, but the site may shift because other contraction patterns were also recorded. 3. 3. In dye infusion studies, it was evident that fluid in the heart is rapidly forced forward and is sometimes prevented from entering the posterior and lateral arteries. Histological studies showed that valves are present at the origin of these arteries, and the anterior aorta and communicating artery. 4. 4. These experiments raise the possibility that the scorpion can regulate the distribution of blood to internal organs by shifting the site of the pacemaker, selective activation of cardioregulatory nerves and/or closure of cardioarterial valves.
Microbiology of Sinusitis

Most sinus infections are viral, and only a small proportion develops a secondary bacterial infection. Rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and parainfluenza viruses are the most common causes of sinusitis. The most common bacteria isolated from pediatric and adult patients with community-acquired acute purulent sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic bacteria (Prevotella and Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium and Peptostreptococcus spp.) are the main isolates in chronic sinusitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other aerobic and facultative gram-negative rods are commonly isolated from patients with nosocomial sinusitis, the immunocompromised host, those with HIV infection, and in cystic fibrosis. Fungi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common isolates in neutropenic patients. The microbiology of sinusitis is influenced by the previous antimicrobial therapy, vaccinations, and the presence of normal flor...
Hydroclimatology of the continental United States

[1] The overall water balance and the sensitivity of watershed runoff to changes in climate are investigated using national databases of climate and streamflow for 1,337 watersheds in the U.S. We document that 1% changes in precipitation result in 1.5–2.5% changes in watershed runoff, depending upon the degree of buffering by storage processes and other factors. Unlike previous research, our approach to estimating climate sensitivity of streamflow is nonparametric and does not depend on a hydrologic model. The upper bound for precipitation elasticity of streamflow is shown to be the inverse of the runoff ratio. For over a century, investigators [Pike, 1964; Budyko, 1974; Ol'dekop, 1911; and Schreiber, 1904] have suggested that variations in watershed aridity alone are sufficient to predict spatial variations in long-term watershed runoff. We document that variations in soil moisture holding capacity are just as important as variations in watershed aridity in explaining the mean and variance of annual watershed runoff.
Starch analyses reveal the relationship between tool type and function: an example from the Orinoco valley of Venezuela

Archaeologists working in the lowlands of South America have often interpreted specific groups of artifacts as reliable indicators of either maize or bitter manioc use. These interpretations are based upon the resemblance of archaeological artifact assemblages to modern plant processing tools. A collection of archaeological lithic tools including mano fragments, microlithic teeth, and other groundstone and flake artifacts from the site of Los Mangos del Parguaza in the middle Orinoco valley of Venezuela was chosen for examination. A series of studies incorporated starch residue analyses in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the relationship between tool type and function. Methods were devised to both maximize the recovery of starches from different lithic materials and construct permanent collections of the archaeological residues. To augment the archaeobotanical assemblage, starch data were combined with macrobotanical data. The starch analyses indicate that there is no definitive tool type associated with either maize or bitter manioc use.
Thermal shock and post-quench strength of lapped borosilicate optical glass

Abstract We have measured and modeled the thermal shock fracture and strength degradation of the commercially available BK-7 borosilicate crown optical glass as a function of surface finish prior to thermal shock testing. For surfaces lapped with alumina abrasives in the range 5–40 μm, the critical temperature drop for catastrophic fracture in thin disk samples increases with diminishing abrasive size, and changes from 123.7 ± 1.1 °C (for surfaces lapped with 40 μm abrasives) to 140.2 ± 2.8 °C (for surfaces lapped with 5 μm abrasives). There is little strength degradation for temperature drops smaller than critical, and post-quenching strength depends on surface finish. We correlate the measured thermal shock (critical) temperature drop with the glass thermal and mechanical properties and lapping-induced surface finish. We distinguish between ‘severe’ and ‘mild’ thermal shock conditions in terms of the applicable heat transfer coefficient and Biot number. We estimate that the depth of the strength-controlling cracks on the edge of the disk samples was about 33–42 μm.
Establishing a Critical-Size Mandibular Defect Model in Growing Pigs: Characterization of Spontaneous Healing

Purpose A large animal model is desired for preclinical studies aimed at reconstructing severe mandibular skeletal defects using tissue engineering techniques. To identify the size and location requirements for a mandibular critical-size bone defect in growing pigs, the present study investigated the spontaneous healing of surgically created mandibular defects. Materials and Methods Six 4-month-old domestic pigs were used. In pigs 1 and 2, a 3-, 5-, or 7-cm 3 subperiosteal mandibular defect was created. In pigs 3 to 6, 3- to 5-cm 3 bilateral defects were randomly created at the anterior (apical to the molars) and posterior (mandibular angle) mandibular regions. Spontaneous healing of these defects was assessed by serial computed tomography scans (postoperative week 1, 6, and 12) and histologic analyses. Results In pigs 1 and 2, regardless of defect size, the anterior, but not posterior, defects had largely healed. Systematic analyses of pigs 3 to 6 revealed, first, the extent of defect regeneration from spontaneous healing was significantly less in the posterior than in the anterior defects, with about two thirds and one third of the original defect volume remaining, respectively. Second, histologically, the posterior defects had considerably less regeneration and more evident tapering of the new bone than did the anterior defects. Finally, the buccal periosteum had completely regenerated in the anterior defects, but had only partially done so in the posterior defects. Also, the buccal surface contour was moderately concave in the anterior defects, but it was severely concave in the posterior defects. Conclusions Despite robust spontaneous healing of mandibular defects in growing pigs, 5-cm 3 defects in the mandibular angle region without buccal periosteum would be a reasonable critical-size defect model relevant to mandibular defects in adolescent humans.
Nonadiabatic dynamics for processes involving multiple avoided curve crossings: Double proton transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer reactions

The extension of the surface hopping method “molecular dynamics with quantum transitions” (MDQT) to double proton transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer reactions is tested by comparison to fully quantum dynamical calculations for simple model systems. These model systems each include four potential energy surfaces and three or four avoided curve crossings. The agreement between the MDQT and fully quantum dynamical calculations provides validation for the application of MDQT to these biologically important processes.
Mineralization of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid): Characterization and phylogenetic identification of microbial strains

Four bacterial strains that use picric acid as their sole carbon and energy source were isolated. Mineralization of 14C-UL-picric acid showed that up to 65% of the radioactivity was released as 14CO2. HPLC and UV/Vis spectral analyses indicated complete degradation of picric acid by these organisms. HPLC and LC/MS analyses showed transient formation of 2,4-dinitrophenol during picric acid degradation. Degradation of picric acid was concomitant with stoichiometric release of three moles of nitrite per mole of picric acid. The four picric acid degraders were identified as close relatives of Nocardioides simplex (ATCC 6946) based on their small subunit (16S) rRNA gene sequences.
Parathyroid-responsive modifications in the nuclear matrix of ros 17/2.8 Rat osteosarcoma cells

PTH is a mediator of skeletal development and remodeling that influences gene expression in osteoblastic cells. It is well established that PTH modulates the activity of membrane-associated second messenger signal transduction pathways. In these studies we have addressed the potential contribution of components of cell structure to the integration of PTH-related regulatory signals that influence the expression of bone cell genes. Chronic treatment of ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma cells with PTH is accompanied by changes in gene expression that are at least in part transcriptionally controlled. To explore the involvement of nuclear architecture in PTH-responsive modifications in gene expression, we investigated changes in the nuclear matrix after PTH treatment. Consistent with a role for the nuclear matrix in determining spatial organization and topology of chromatin as well as in the localization and targeting of transcription factors, we observed PTH-associated changes in a 200-kilodalton nuclear matrix protein in response to PTH. A significant down-regulation of synthesis was observed when nuclear matrix proteins were resolved electrophoretically in two-dimensional gels. This protein was restricted to the nuclear matrix and was not detected in the chromatin or cytoskeletal cellular fractions. These alterations in nuclear matrix proteins that occur after PTH treatment in osteosarcoma cells were phenotype related. They did not occur in UMR-106 POL or H4 hepatoma cells. Our findings support a role for the nuclear matrix in transducing PTH-mediated regulatory signals to facilitate the extent to which genes in osteoblasts are transcribed.
Scale-Up for viscoelastic fluids

A suggestion is made as to how one might proceed to scale up a process involving an arbitrary viscoelastic fluid. The discussion is based upon Noll's theory of simple fluids. Turbulent flow in an infinitely long pipe is used as an illustration.
Management of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common medical condition with extensive morbidity and mortality. Approximately 210,000 Americans are hospitalized each year; and 5% of patients with AP will die. It is also an expensive condition, costing 2.6 billion dollars (United States) in 2009 alone. Moreover, the incidence is increasing - the National Hospital Discharge Survey showed hospitalizations increased from 78 per 100,000 in 2007 to 90 per 100,000 just three years later in 2010. There is no proven pharmacologic entity to treat the inflammatory response associated with acute pancreatitis; supportive care with IV fluids, bowel rest and pain control are the mainstays of therapy. Recently, new developments to help increase survival and minimize morbidity with several key interventions have been investigated. This summary highlights new studies and meta-analyses to provide current opinion on treatment of this morbid condition.
Speech perception by infants: Categorization based on nasal consonant place of articulation

This study examined the ability of six‐month‐old infants to recognize the perceptual similarity of syllables sharing a phonetic segment when variations were introduced in phonetic environment and talker. Infants in a ‘‘phonetic’’ group were visually reinforced for head turns when a change occurred from a background category of labial nasals to a comparison category of alveolar nasals. The infants were initially trained on a [ma]–[na] contrast produced by a male talker. Novel tokens differing in vowel environment and talker were introduced over several stages of increasing complexity. In the most complex stage infants were required to make a head turn when a change occurred from [ma,mi,mu] to [na,ni,nu], with the tokens in each category produced by both male and female talkers. A ‘‘nonphonetic’’ control group was tested using the same pool of stimuli as the phonetic condition. The only difference was that the stimuli in the background and comparison categories were chosen in such a way that the sounds coul...
Anthrax: From Antiquity to Answers

be guided by pathogenesis studies. Anthrax continues to occupy its position atop the category A agent bioterrorism threat list [2], in large part because of the potential for large-scale morbidity and mortality associated with its use as an aerosolized weapon [3]. Selected antimicrobials, although they have activity against the organism, do not prevent the pathogenic consequences of infection, because systemic illness results from the effects of protein exotoxins produced by the pathogen during infection. Individuals with inhalational anthrax appear to reach a critical threshold beyond which death, despite the use of appropriate antimicrobials, is expected [4]. Two discrete exotoxins are responsible for the pathogenic sequelae of anthrax: lethal toxin (LT), which is composed of a heptameric protective antigen (PA) bound to lethal factor, and edema toxin (ET), which is composed of PA bound to edema factor [5]. Much has been learned in the recent past, especially since 2001, concerning the molecular and cellular processes involved in anthrax intoxication [6]. LT has been the focus of substantial in-
Advanced neonatal NeuroMRI.

This article describes the potentials and challenges of quantitative analyses of human neonatal brain images using structural MR imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. To maximize the potential of MR imaging for neonatal brain studies, the combination of both contrasts is highly beneficial. Based on the multicontrast data, a neonate brain atlas was created, which allows automated segmentation of neonate brain MR images. The accuracy, advantages, and potential pitfalls of this atlas-based segmentation approach are discussed. The accurate and reproducible MR imaging quantification achieved by this approach could be an initial step toward the successful clinical evaluation of the neonatal brain.
Integrated Process Configuration for High-Temperature Sulfur Mitigation during Biomass Conversion via Indirect Gasification

Sulfur present in biomass often causes catalyst deactivation during downstream operations after gasification. Early removal of sulfur from the syngas stream post-gasification is possible via process rearrangements and can be beneficial for maintaining a low-sulfur environment for all downstream operations. High-temperature sulfur sorbents have superior performance and capacity under drier syngas conditions. The reconfigured process discussed in this paper is comprised of indirect biomass gasification using dry recycled gas from downstream operations, which produces a drier syngas stream and, consequently, more-efficient sulfur removal at high temperatures using regenerable sorbents. A combination of experimental results from NREL’s fluidizable Ni-based reforming catalyst, fluidizable Mn-based sulfur sorbent, and process modeling information show that using a coupled process of dry gasification with high-temperature sulfur removal can improve the performance of Ni-based reforming catalysts significantly.
Prescribing and monitoring hemodialysis in a 3‐4 ×/week setting

The basics of targeting, writing, adjusting, and monitoring a hemodialysis prescription are reviewed for patients being dialyzed 3 or 4 times a week. K/DOQI 2006 adequacy guidelines and practice recommendations are reviewed, and a practical method using a variety of nomograms is suggested to monitor and adjust the desired level of Kt/V.
Cloning, genomic organization, and chromosomal localization of human citrate transport protein to the DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome minimal critical region.

DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) and velocardiofacial syndrome have been shown to be associated with microdeletions of chromosomal region 22q11. More recently, patients with conotruncal anomaly face syndrome and some nonsyndromic patients with isolated forms of conotruncal cardiac defects have been found to have 22q11 microdeletions as well. The commonly deleted region, called the DiGeorge chromosomal region (DGCR), spans approximately 1.2 Mb and is estimated to contain at least 30 genes. We report a computational approach for gene identification that makes use of large-scale sequencing of cosmids from a contig spanning the DGCR. Using this methodology, we have mapped the human homolog of a rodent citrate transport protein to the DGCR. We have isolated a partial cDNA containing the complete open reading frame and have determined the genomic structure by comparing the genomic sequence from the cosmid to the sequence of the cDNA clone. Whether the citrate transport protein can be implicated in the biological etiology of DGS or other 22q11 microdeletion syndromes remains to be defined.
Differential sorption of 1-methylcyclopropene to fruit and vegetable tissues, storage and cell wall polysaccharides, oils, and lignins

Abstract This study was designed to determine the nature and multiplicity of non-specific 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) sorption sites in fruit and vegetable tissues. 1-MCP sorption rates and capacities were measured for plant tissues, cell wall polysaccharides, starch, oils, and lignins sealed in 130 mL jars and provided with 18.6 μL L −1 gaseous 1-MCP (SmartFresh™ Technology). Significant variation was noted in the sorption properties of the different plant tissues, with both sorption rates and capacities being notably higher for external/exocarp tissues compared with internal tissues. Among the tissues examined, avocado exocarp, mesocarp and seed coat, plantain exocarp, and asparagus stem tissues exhibited the highest sorption rates and capacities. Sorption was markedly reduced in response to tissue drying but recovered to different extents in response to rehydration. Avocado mesocarp treated to deplete oil content showed reduced 1-MCP sorption rate and capacity whereas the exocarp was negligibly affected, indicating that multiple cellular components contribute to non-specific sorption. Starch and the cell wall polysaccharides cellulose, polygalacturonic acid and xyloglucan showed low sorption properties and were unaffected by polymer hydration. In contrast, high methoxy pectic polymers and lignins were strong molecular sinks for 1-MCP sorption. Sorption to pectin was dependent on the esterified methyl moiety, as de-esterification reduced sorption rate and capacity to levels comparable with polygalacturonic acid. Plantain-exocarp and spruce lignins, and avocado and safflower oils exhibited the highest initial sorption rates. For oils, rapid initial sorption was followed by establishment of stable equilibrium between gaseous and partitioned 1-MCP. Compared with oils, the binding capacity of lignins was markedly higher and irreversible. The data collectively demonstrate that 1-MCP sorbs to several cellular targets and that hydrophobic components are preferred sorption sinks. The highly disparate 1-MCP sorption rates and capacities of the different fruit and vegetable tissues examined are consistent with compositional differences in lignin, methylated pectin, and oil levels.
The combination of IGF-I and KGF cDNA improves dermal and epidermal regeneration by increased VEGF expression and neovascularization

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) cDNA gene transfer individually improves dermal and epidermal regeneration. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the combination of IGF-I plus KGF cDNA further improves wound healing and by which mechanisms these changes occur. Rats received an acute wound and were divided into four groups to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of liposomes plus Lac Z cDNA, liposomes plus IGF-I cDNA, liposomes plus KGF cDNA, or liposomes plus IGF-I/KGF cDNA. Planimetry, immunological assays, histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine IGF-I, KGF, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor-beta and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and different types of collagen (I, III and IV). IGF-I, KGF and their combination cDNA treatment significantly (P<0.05) accelerated re-epithelization, increased IGF-I, KGF, FGF, VEGF and collagen type IV expression, while it had no effect on collagen type I and III expression. The combination of IGF-I plus KGF cDNA increased (P<0.05) neovascularization and VEGF expression when compared to IGF-I cDNA, KGF cDNA groups and controls. In conclusion, exogenous administration of liposomal IGF-I plus KGF cDNA enhanced dermal and epidermal regeneration which is due to increased neovascularization.
{111} Si Etched Planar Electrical Contacts for Power MEMS-relays

We present the design of electrical contacts used in a MEMS-relay for power applications. The device is bulk micromachined in single crystalline silicon and bonded to a glass substrate. Anisotropic etching, using aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, is used to fabricate the oblique, complementary, planar and parallel (111) contact surfaces having nanometer-scale surface roughness. The silicon contact surfaces are evaporated with a conductive film. A thermal oxide layer provides insulation between the silicon substrate and the metal contacts. The contacts are capable of make-break switching resistive and inductive loads. The MEMS device has large contact travel, in the order of 30 mum and low contact resistance, in the order of 120 mOmega. Testing has demonstrated current carrying capacity in the order of 3 A and hot-switching of inductive loads, in the order of 10 mH, without low cycle performance degradation over approximately 30 switching cycles.
Transduction of a bistable inductive generator driven by white and exponentially correlated Gaussian noise

Abstract In this theoretical study, the response of an inductive power generator with a bistable symmetric potential to stationary random environmental excitations is investigated. Both white and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck-type excitations are considered. In the white noise limit, the stationary Fokker–Plank–Kolmagorov equation is solved for the exact joint probability density function (PDF) of the response. The PDF is then used to obtain analytical expressions for the response statistics. It is shown that the expected value of the generator's output power is independent of the potential shape leading to the conclusion that under white noise excitations, bistabilities in the potential do not provide any enhancement over the traditional linear resonant generators which have a single-well potential. In the case of Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (exponentially correlated) noise, an approximate expression for the mean power of the generator which depends on the potential shape, the generator's design parameters and the noise bandwidth and intensity is obtained. It is shown that there exists an optimal potential shape which maximizes the output power. This optimal shape guarantees an optimal escapement frequency between the potential wells which remains constant even as the noise intensity is varied.
Numerical study of rate-dependent strength behavior under ramp and shock wave loading

Abstract The main objective of the current study was to gain a detailed understanding on the rate-dependent strength behavior under ramp and shock wave loading. A forward, numerical-simulation-based cause and effect analysis was used to address the research objective. The apparent strength associated with shock and ramp wave loadings with different risetimes and shapes was investigated. It was shown that intrinsic material strength could vary with pressure, temperature, and deformation history, but the apparent strength, which was larger than the intrinsic strength, was a result of the interaction between the rate sensitivity of the strength and the rate of the external loading. The degree of interaction led to different levels of mechanical and thermal dissipations and their partition, which was manifested by different temperature, stress, and deformation histories. The knowledge and foundation established in this study should provide some guidance in the proper interpretation and analysis of the measured wave profiles obtained from ramp and shock wave experiments, instead of simply by trial and error of applying an arbitrary model without a sound physical justification. As also demonstrated in this study, different types and degrees of material dissipations result in much more dramatic changes in temperature than mechanical response. In other words, temperature could provide a direct measurement of material dissipation and provide a distinct signature of the actual material response. This study also shows that by varying the risetimes and/or shapes of ramp waves, different strain rate histories can be produced. Thus, the ramp wave experiment is potentially a very effective tool to investigate the rate sensitivity of material strength.
Prospective evaluation of day-to-day reproducibility of upright tilt-table testing in unexplained syncope

To evaluate the day-to-day reproducibility of upright tilt-table testing, 109 patients with unexplained syncope prospectively underwent testing on 2 consecutive days using a uniform protocol. Results of testing on 2 separate days were concordant in 69 of 109 patients (63%), and discordant in 40 of 109 patients (37%). Thirty-six of 109 patients (33%) had vasodepressor syncope on 1 or both days of testing. Nineteen of 30 patients (63%) with vasodepressor responses on the first day did not reproduce this response during the second day of testing. An additional 6 patients with an initial negative tilt test had a vasodepressor response on the second day. Only 11 of 36 patients (31%) had reproducible vasodepressor responses on both days of testing. Patients with reproducible vasodepressor responses had a significantly higher mean number of preceding clinical syncopal events than patients with 2 normal tests (p < 0.02) or nonreproducible results (p < 0.04). In addition, these patients had a significantly longer duration of clinical symptoms relative to patients with 2 tests that yielded negative results (p < 0.008) and nonreproducible results (p < 0.01). The elapsed time between the most recent clinical event and the performance of tilt-table testing was not significantly different among the 3 groups, and did not appear to influence the outcome of testing. These data show that vasodepressor responses elicited by upright tilt-table testing show day-to-day variability in many patients, a finding that may limit the interpretation of initial and follow-up test results.
Contingency management reduces drug-related human immunodeficiency virus risk behaviors in cocaine-abusing methadone patients.

Aim Contingency management (CM) is efficacious in reducing drug use. This study examined whether CM also reduces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors and if these effects are mediated by longest duration of abstinence achieved during treatment. Design Data were analyzed from a subset of participants in a combined data set of three published randomized controlled trials of CM treatments. Setting A community-based methadone maintenance clinic. Participants One-hundred and sixty-five cocaine-abusing methadone maintenance patients. Intervention Participants received either standard methadone treatment or standard methadone treatment with CM for 3 months. Measurements The HIV Risk Behavior Scale (HRBS) was administered prior to randomization to a study condition and 3 months after the study treatments ended. The primary objective indicator of drug use was longest duration of cocaine and opioid abstinence achieved during treatment. Findings Relative to those assigned to standard care, participants receiving CM significantly decreased overall HIV risk behaviors and injection drug use risk behaviors. CM participants also achieved longer durations of consecutive cocaine and opioid abstinence during treatment. Duration of abstinence achieved mediated the relationship between treatment condition and HRBS difference scores. Conclusions These results suggest that CM treatment reduces HIV drug use risk behaviors in cocaine-abusing methadone maintenance patients.
Social structure and child poverty

Child poverty, as a critical indicator of the QOL, is intricately related to the social structure of the community. This hypothesis is explored for the 159 counties of Georgia for the year 2000. The influence of demographic, economic, family and health factors upon child poverty are explored through models of total, black and white child poverty. Factor analyses of factors uncovered by the models identify the social-structural features of counties in relation to child poverty. Counties considered “Deprived/rural” harbor child poverty, while counties described as “Business/money” and “Progressive/urban” bear a negative relationship to child poverty. Positively associated with child poverty are residential stability, unemployment, low educational achievement, youth and age dependency, single-parent female household heads with children, grandparent child care, and health disability of child, elders and of working-age persons. Structural factors militating against child poverty are persons with greater education, higher population density, out migration, larger married population, higher retail sales, larger middle class families, higher weekly wages, and other structural features of the county.
Electro-optical and optical evaluation of Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thin films using waveguide refractometry☆

Prism-coupled, waveguide refractometry was utilized to independently monitor electric field-induced changes in the extraordinary and ordinary refractive indices of a Pb(Zr{sub 0.53}Ti{sub 0.47})O{sub 3}(PZT 53/47) thin film. Under an electric field, applied normal to the film plane and corresponding to saturation of the electric polarization, ratio of the extraordinary to ordinary refractive index change ({Delta}n{sub e}/{Delta}n{sub o}) is found to be {minus}4/1, contributing to a net birefringence change ({Delta}n{sub e}-n{sub o}) of {minus}0.021. The technique, thus, accesses both diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the electrooptic response tensor describing the macroscopic behavior of the polycrystalline film. In addition, the widths of waveguide mode reflectivity minima were sensitive to variation in the microstructure of several PZT (40/60) films, indicating that the refractometry technique can provide information helpful in evaluating optical quality in these films.
Visual deficit in albino rats following fetal x irradiation.

To investigate the effect of radiation on visual ability, five groups of rats on the 15th day of gestation received x irradiation in doses of 0, 50, 75, 100, or 150 r at 50 r/ min. Two-thirds of the newborn rats died or were killed and eaten during the first postnatal week. The 75- and 50-r groups were lost entirely. The cannibalism occurred in all groups, so that its cause was uncertain. The remaining rats, which as fetuses had received 0, 100, and 150 r, were tested for visual discrimination in a water-flooded T. All 3 groups discriminated a lighted escape ladder from the unlighted arm of the T with near- equal facility. Thereafter, as the light was dimmed progressively, performance declined in relation to dose. With the light turned off, but the bulb and ladder visible in ambient illumination, the 150-r group performed at chance, the 100-r group reliably better, and the control group better still. Thus, in the more precise task the irradiated animals failed. Since irradiation on the 15th day primarily damages the cortex, central blindness seems the most likely explanation. All animals had previously demonstrated their ability to solve the problem conceptually; hence a conclusion ofmore » visual deficiency seems justified. The similar performances of all groups during the easiest light discrimination test showed that the heavily irradiated and severely injured animals of the 150-r group were nonetheless able to learn readily. Finally, contrary to earlier studies in which irradiated rats were retarded in discriminating a light in a Skinner box, present tests reveal impairment neither in learning rate nor light discrimination.« less
Neuroprotective therapy in Parkinson's disease and motor complications: A search for a pathogenesis‐targeted, disease‐modifying strategy

The introduction of levodopa in the late 1960s represented a landmark in the therapy of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, motor complications of chronic levodopa therapy have emerged as a major limitation of this otherwise effective therapy. Advancing medical and surgical treatment of these complications has been the main objective of clinical trials during the past few decades. In addition, basic research has focused on better understanding of the mechanisms of motor complications and how to prevent them. Slowing or delaying the progression of the disease delays the need for levodopa therapy; therefore, neuroprotective strategies may play an important role in preventing the onset and reducing the severity of levodopa-related adverse effects. In this introductory review, we present the rationale for current and experimental therapies designed to favorably modify the progression of PD. If implemented early in the course of the disease, such treatments, if found effective, may not only alter the natural progression of the disease but may also delay or minimize motor and nonmotor complications associated with levodopa.
Void nucleation with embryo injection

The effect of embryo injection on void nucleation is evaluated through an extension of classical nucleation theory. Calculations indicate that embryo injection may play a significant role in void nucleation under cascade-producing irradiation environments, such as occur in fission and proposed fusion reactors.