cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN APPROACH TO SWITCHED SYSTEMS OPTIMAL CONTROL BASED ON PARAMETERIZATION OF THE SWITCHING INSTANTS

Abstract This paper provides a viable general approach to switched systems optimal control. Such optimal control problems require the solutions of not only optimal continuous inputs but also optimal switching sequences. Many practical problems only involve optimization where the number of switchings and the sequence of active subsystems are given. This is stage 1 of the two stage optimization methodology proposed by the authors in previous papers. In order to solve stage 1 problems, the derivatives of the optimal cost with respect to the switching instants need to be known. In (Xu and Antsaklis, 2001), we proposed an approach for solving a special class of such problems, namely, general switched linear quadratic problems. In this paper, the idea of (Xu and Antsaklis, 2001) is extended to general switched systems optimal control problems and an approach is proposed for solving them. The approach first transcribes a stage 1 problem into an equivalent problem parameterized by the switching instants and then the values of the derivatives are obtained based on the solution of a two point boundary value differential algebraic equation formed by the state, costate, stationarity equations, the boundary and continuity conditions and their differentiations. Examples are shown to illustrate the results in the paper.
Superficial Wound Closure Complications with Barbed Sutures Following Knee Arthroplasty

As quality measures may be increasingly used in knee surgery reimbursement, an important focus in outcome assessment will shift toward minimizing complications and increasing efficiency in knee arthroplasty reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of barbed, absorbable sutures in closure of the longitudinal surgical incision following knee arthroplasty, using post-operative complication occurrences. In 416 operations, primary outcomes assessed were deep infection, superficial infection, dehiscence, or stitch abscesses. Secondary outcomes included self-limiting eschar, severe effusion, arthrofibrosis, and keloid formation. Evaluation of overall primary outcomes showed a higher rate of wound complications using barbed sutures (P < 0.001). With increased rates of infection and overall closure related complications, this study shows that barbed suture use for superficial closure after knee arthroplasty should be avoided.
The effect of uremia on platelet contractile force, clot elastic modulus and bleeding time in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract Introduction Uremic bleeding frequently occurs in dialysis patients. Although its mechanism is not well characterized, acquired platelet dysfunction has been implicated in its pathogenesis. Skin bleeding time has been used to characterize platelet dysfunction in this population. However, the bleeding time is prone to error. The goal of this study was to compare the bleeding time to the novel platelet function parameters platelet contractile force and clot elastic modulus as well as platelet aggregation studies in controls and patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Materials and methods Forty-five subjects completed this study (25 controls, 20 dialysis). All subjects had the Ivy skin bleeding time procedure performed, as well as the collection of whole blood samples for the determination of platelet contractile force, clot elastic modulus, % von Willebrand Factor antigen, and platelet aggregation studies. Pearson's correlation determined the relationships between skin bleeding time and platelet function and clot structure parameters and markers of renal dysfunction. Results Bleeding time was significantly prolonged in the dialysis group relative to controls. The platelet function parameters were not significantly different between groups. There was a significant relationship between bleeding time and creatinine concentration, however, no relationship existed between bleeding time and platelet function parameters. Conclusions Skin bleeding time poorly correlates with measurements of platelet function. There were no significant differences noted in platelet function between the groups despite the prolongations in bleeding time in the dialysis group. These data may suggest that the bleeding time reflects perturbations in platelet adhesion or secretion, and not aggregation. Further study is needed to characterize platelet function in dialysis patients.
Temperature dependent reversible self assembly of methacrylated collagen gels

Hydrogel-based tissue engineering scaffolds can allow tissues to repair and regenerate by providing a 3D environment similar to soft tissue. Type I collagen has the ability to assemble into a fibrillar gel at physiological temperature and pH, while promoting cell adhesion and growth. Our lab has modified type I collagen by covalently adding methacrylate groups to lysine residues to create collagen methacrylamide (CMA). This biomaterial, like collagen, maintains the ability to self-assemble, and can then be photocrosslinked with long-wave UV light and a water-soluble photoinitiator, which allows extensive spatiotemporal control of mechanical and biochemical properties [1]. In characterizing CMA and developing it for other applications, we discovered an interesting property. Unlike type I collagen hydrogels, which maintain a stable fibrillar network during cooling and freezing, CMA will spontaneously disassemble at temperatures less than 10°C. In this paper, we discuss the temperature-dependent rheological properties of CMA as well as the nature of its molecular and supramolecular structure in comparison to collagen.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging of endive influences survival and regrowth of Listeria monocytogenes and product sensory qualities

Abstract Cut pieces of endive were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes , packaged in gas-impermeable bags in air, 5/5/90% or 10/10/80% CO 2 , O 2 and N2 (“Air-0”, “5/5” and “10/10”, respectively) and irradiated to 0.0 (control), 0.3 or 0.6 kGy. At various times during refrigerated storage, samples were taken and a determination made of (a) total microflora, (b) L. monocytogenes , (c) headspace gas composition, (d) color and (e) texture. Irradiation reduced initial microbial counts in a dose-dependant manner. Bacteria regrew during storage on Air-0 samples, but not on 5/5 or 10/10 samples. In each of the three atmospheres, O 2 declined and CO 2 increased, irrespective of radiation dose. Irradiated leaf material in Air-0 tended to retain color attributes during storage better than non-irradiated; color retention was more variable under 5/5 and 10/10 packaging. After 8 days, maximum shear force relative to the initial level was significantly reduced in 5/5 at all radiation doses, was not significantly changed in Air-0, and was dose-dependent in 10/10. By 14 days, the texture of all samples had degraded significantly. These results indicate that irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging can be combined to prevent the regrowth of L. monocytogenes during post-irradiation refrigerated storage, thereby improving product safety.
Regulation of the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA (Fimbrillin) Gene

In common with many bacterial virulence genes, the fimbrillin (fimA) gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis is modulated in response to environmental fluctuation. The trans-acting components that comprise the regulatory system for transcriptional activity of the fimA gene in P. gingivalis were investigated. Three major proteins were found to bind to the upstream region of the fimA promoter. One of these proteins was fimbrillin itself, and the other two were a major arginine protease (Rgp) and lysine protease (Kgp). Production of these proteins was necessary for maximal fimA transcription. An exogenous fimA promoter-lacZ reporter was inactive when introduced into a strain of P. gingivalis carrying a mutation in the indigenous fimA gene. Furthermore, fimA mRNA levels were significantly decreased in rgp and kgp mutant strains. These data indicate that P. gingivalis has evolved multiple levels of control of fimbrial gene expression to enhance its survival in hostile environments.
Microvascular free-tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction in Jehovah's Witness patients.

Background. Jehovah's Witnesses' religious convictions disallow blood transfusion. Major surgery in these patients is therefore problematic. The objective of this study is to describe our experience with microvascular reconstruction of complex head and neck defects in Jehovah's Witness patients. Methods. This was a retrospective review of all Jehovah's Witnesses' patients undergoing head and neck free-flap reconstruction at a tertiary academic referral center from 1997 to 2006. Results. Five Jehovah's Witnesses patients underwent a total of 7 free-flap reconstructions (6 radial, 1 rectus). Four flaps were immediate: 1 osteocutaneous radial forearm, 2 fasciocutaneous radial forearm, and 1 rectus abdominus myocutaneous. One fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap was staged. Two patients were planned secondary reconstructions, both facsciocutaneous radial forearm. Iron supplements and/or erythropoietin were administered perioperatively in 6 of the 7 microvascular reconstructions. Selective external carotid embolization was performed preoperatively in 1 patient. Hematocrit levels were 36% to 46% preoperatively and 30% to 41% postoperatively. Immediate postoperative hematocrit decline was 5.2% (3.0% to 6.0%). No transfusions or blood products were administered. Conclusions. Our case series supports the feasibility of head and neck free-flap reconstruction in these challenging patients. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Theoretical models for diffusion in glassy polymers. II

The author refines and generalizes a model for diffusion in glassy polymers which he previously introduced. The model unifies many diverse observations by explicity formulating the common property of a glassy polymer in all its various modes, namely the finite relaxation time due to its slow response to changing conditions. An integral approximation method is used to study the motion of the penetrant front and the glass-gel interface and a useful polynomial approximation method is introduced for use in special simple situations.
Influenza Induced Cardiomyopathy: An Unusual Cause of Hypoxemia

Influenza has considerable burden on public health funds. The complications of influenza can be devastating. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with history of asthma who presented to the emergency room in winter with shortness of breath and general malaise and was found to be in hypoxemic respiratory failure. She was diagnosed with influenza and workup revealed severely depressed systolic cardiac function (ejection fraction of 25%). She was treated with oseltamivir and diuresis and regained cardiac function within a week. We review the pathophysiology and management of influenza induced cardiomyopathy.
LigMerge: A Fast Algorithm to Generate Models of Novel Potential Ligands from Sets of Known Binders

One common practice in drug discovery is to optimize known or suspected ligands in order to improve binding affinity. In performing these optimizations, it is useful to look at as many known inhibitors as possible for guidance. Medicinal chemists often seek to improve potency by altering certain chemical moieties of known/endogenous ligands while retaining those critical for binding. To our knowledge, no automated, ligand-based algorithm exists for systematically ‘swapping’ the chemical moieties of known ligands to generate novel ligands with potentially improved potency. To address this need, we have created a novel algorithm called ‘LigMerge’. LigMerge identifies the maximum (largest) common substructure of two three-dimensional ligand models, superimposes these two substructures, and then systematically mixes and matches the distinct fragments attached to the common substructure at each common atom, thereby generating multiple compound models related to the known inhibitors that can be evaluated using computer docking prior to synthesis and experimental testing. To demonstrate the utility of LigMerge, we identify compounds predicted to inhibit peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma, HIV reverse transcriptase, and dihydrofolate reductase with affinities higher than those of known ligands. We hope that LigMerge will be a helpful tool for the drug design community.
The epidemiology of Wegener's granulomatosis. Estimates of the five‐year period prevalence, annual mortality, and geographic disease distribution from population‐based data sources

Objective. To estimate the prevalence, annual mortality, and geographic distribution of Wegener's granulomatosis. Methods. Analysis of national vital statistics data and hospitalization data from a national survey and from all New York State inpatient facilities. Results. Between 1979 and 1988, 1,784 death certificates in the United States listed Wegener's granulomatosis as a cause of death. Nationally, an estimated 10,771 hospitalizations included Wegener's granulomatosis among the discharge diagnoses. In New York State, there were 978 hospitalizations among 571 individuals with Wegener's granulomatosis. Conclusion. The prevalence of Wegener's granulomatosis in the United States is approximately 3.0 per 100,000 persons. Clear differences in the geographic distribution of Wegener's granulomatosis are apparent when analyses consider rates of disease in individual counties. Contrary to previous reports, associations between disease exacerbations and season were not apparent.
RORα-Mediated Purkinje Cell Development Determines Disease Severity in Adult SCA1 Mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is one of nine inherited, typically adult onset, polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases. To examine whether development impacts SCA1, we used a conditional transgenic mouse model of SCA1 to delay the postnatal expression of mutant ATXN1 until after completion of cerebellar development. Delayed postnatal expression of mutant ATXN1 led to a substantial reduction in severity of disease in adults in comparison with early postnatal gene expression. This was linked to a destabilization of RORalpha, a transcription factor critical for cerebellar development. In SCA1 mice, there was a depletion of RORalpha and a reduction in expression of genes controlled by RORalpha. Partial loss of RORalpha enhanced mutant ATXN1 pathogenicity. Additionally, evidence points to the existence of a complex containing ATXN1, RORalpha, and the RORalpha coactivator Tip60. These studies indicate RORalpha and Tip60 have a role in SCA1 and suggest a mechanism by which compromising cerebellar development contributes to severity of neurodegeneration in an adult.
Saturation effects in gas-phase degenerate four-wave mixing spectroscopy: nonperturbative calculations

Saturation effects in gas-phase degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) are investigated for conditions of interest for diagnostic applications in flames and plasmas. In particular, the case in which Doppler and collisional broadening are comparable, as is often the case for flame species such as NO and OH, is investigated. DFWM line shapes and signal intensities are calculated nonperturbatively and compared with high-resolution laser measurements. In the nonperturbative calculations the time-dependent density-matrix equations for a two-level system interacting with three laser fields are integrated directly on a grid of spatial locations along the phase-matching axis. The electric-field amplitude for the DFWM signal is determined by multiplying the time-varying, laser-induced polarization at each grid point by the appropriate phase factor and then by summing over all grid points. The calculations are in excellent agreement with measurements of DFWM line shapes and signal intensities for NO in a buffer gas of He over a wide range of He pressure. Under saturation conditions the pressure dependence of the DFWM signal is reduced greatly compared with the unsaturated case. The signal level is still dependent on the ratio of pure dephasing to quenching collisions, even for saturation conditions. From the standpoint of minimal dependence on collisional processes it appears that operation with pump-laser intensities approximately equal to the saturation intensity is optimal. The dependence of the DFWM line shape and signal intensity on the ratio of probe to pump-laser intensity is also investigated.
Extending the self-explanation effect to second language grammar learning

Self-explanation is an instructional strategy that has shown to be beneficial for math and science learning. However, it remains an open question whether these benefits will extend to other domains like second language grammar learning. Within the domain of the English article system (teaching students when to use a, an, the, or no article at all), we compare two computer-based tutoring conditions in an in vivo classroom study. In the article choice condition, students select the correct article to complete the sentence. In the explanation choice condition, students are given a sentence with the correct article highlighted and choose the rule or feature that best explains the article use. Students (N=101) in both conditions show significant learning on both procedural (article choice) and declarative (explanation choice) tasks. Not surprisingly, we found that declarative instruction (explanation choice) led to significant learning of explanations, while procedural practice (article choice) led to significant learning of the procedures. More interestingly, we also found evidence of cross-type transfer such that declarative practice led to procedural gains and procedural practice led to better understanding of the declarative rules. In general the effects of prompted self-explanation appeared somewhat stronger than those of procedural practice.
The divine triangle: God in the marital system of religious couples

Incorporating both Bowenian and structural approaches, this article offers a constructivist view for dealing with religious belief systems of couples. After exploring the evolving process by which couples mutually define an ongoing triadic relationship with their Deity, different triangular processes from an integrated structural and Bowenian perspective are presented. This view is evaluative in terms of the triangulation process rather than the belief systems themselves, and, as such, it can be useful in marital therapy regardless of the religious beliefs of the therapist. Implications for marital therapy are examined.
UIC at TREC 2008 Blog Track

Our opinion retrieval system has four steps. In the first step, documents which are deemed relevant by the system with respect to the query are retrieved, without taking into consideration whether the documents are opinionative or not. In the second step, the abbreviations of query concepts in documents are recognized. This helps in identifying whether an opinion is in the vicinity of a query concept (which can be an abbreviation) in a document. The third step of opinion identification is designed for recognizing query-relevant opinions within the documents. In the forth step, for each query, all retrieved opinionated documents are ranked by various methods which take into account IR scores, opinion scores and the number of concepts in query. For the polarity subtask, the opinionative documents are classified into positive, negative and mixed types by two classifiers. Since TREC 2008 does not require mixed documents, all documents which are deemed mixed by our system are discarded.
Ilfeld Abduction Orthosis Is an Effective Second-Line Treatment After Failure of Pavlik Harness for Infants with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Background: Closed reduction and spica casting is the most commonly recommended choice for infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) for whom Pavlik harness treatment has failed, but it requires general anesthesia in addition to the challenges of spica cast care. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of Ilfeld bracing for infants for whom Pavlik harness treatment is unsuccessful and to compare these results with those for a similar cohort of patients directly undergoing closed reduction and spica casting. Methods: We reviewed the cases of a consecutive series of children with DDH who had failure of Pavlik harness treatment and were subsequently managed with Ilfeld bracing (the BR cohort) and compared this cohort with a similar historical group of infants who had failure of Pavlik harness treatment but had standard closed reduction and spica casting (the CR cohort). The cohorts were compared with respect to clinical and ultrasonographic data at the time of Pavlik discontinuation. At one year, the hip stability and acetabular index were assessed; the presence of osteonecrosis was graded according to the criteria described by Salter et al. Results: Twenty-eight hips (nineteen infants) made up the BR cohort and twenty-two hips (sixteen infants) made up the CR cohort. Ultrasonographic indices (including the alpha angle and the percentage of femoral head coverage) were comparable between the two cohorts (p = 0.66 and 0.19, respectively). Following treatment, a stable reduction was achieved in twenty-three (82%) of twenty-eight hips in the BR cohort compared with twenty (91%) of twenty-two hips in the CR cohort. At one year, acetabular indices were similar between both cohorts (mean and standard deviation, 27° ± 6° for the BR cohort versus 27° ± 5° for the CR cohort; p = 0.62); however, osteonecrosis developed in three hips in the CR cohort compared with none in the BR cohort. Conclusions: In our series of infants with DDH for whom Pavlik harness treatment had failed, Ilfeld bracing had success rates comparable with those for closed reduction and spica cast treatment. With the added advantages of avoiding general anesthesia and spica casting as well as a potentially lower rate of osteonecrosis, rigid abduction bracing should be considered as the next step for infants who have had failed Pavlik harness treatment prior to proceeding with closed reduction and spica casting. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Quantitative estimate of synaptic inputs to striatal neurons during up and down states in vitro.

Up states are prolonged membrane potential depolarizations critical for synaptic integration and action potential generation in cortical and striatal neurons. They commonly result from numerous concurrent synaptic inputs, whereas neurons reside in a down state when synaptic inputs are few. By quantifying the composition, frequency, and amplitude of synaptic inputs for both states, we provide important constraints for state transitions in striatal network dynamics. Up and down states occur naturally in cortex-striatum-substantia nigra cocultures, which were used as an in vitro model in the present study. Spontaneous synaptic inputs during down states were extracted automatically in spiny projection neurons and fast spiking interneurons of the striatum using a newly developed computer algorithm. Consistent with a heterogeneous population of synaptic inputs, PSPs and PSCs showed no correlation in amplitude and rise time and occurred at relatively low frequencies of 10-40 Hz during the down state. The number of synaptic inputs during up states, estimated from the up-state charge and the unitary charge of down-state PSCs, was 217 ± 44. Given the average up-state duration of 284 ± 34 msec, synaptic input frequency was ∼800 Hz during up-states for both neuronal types. Many down-state events reversed at the chloride reversal potential and were blocked by GABA A antagonists. The high correlation between up- and down-state reversal potential suggests that despite these drastic changes in synaptic input frequency, the ratio of inhibitory to excitatory currents is similar during both states.
Computer Modeling Of GRIN-SCH-SQW Diode Lasers

A computer model for the optical gain of graded-index, separate-confinement-heterostructure, single-quantum-well (GRIN-SCH-SQW) Alx Ga1-xAs diode lasers is presented, and compared with experimental data. The model combines many individual features not heretofore included together, and gives good agreement with gain vs current density data for two different structure variations. In addition, the threshold temperature dependence agrees well with data for typical laser conditions, the observed high-gain discontinuity in T ° vs temperature is explained, and new predictions are made concerning T ° discontinuities at gain cross-overs.
The Role of Fire in the Establishment and Spread of Nonnative Plants in Arizona Ponderosa Pine Forests: A Review

ABSTRACT Arizona ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests have undergone dramatic changes since the late nineteenth century. Management practices such as fire exclusion have resulted in increased surface and tree crown fuel loads. Consequently, large and severe wildfires have been occurring more frequently in the ponderosa pine forests of Arizona. Furthermore, prescribed fire, both with and without tree thinning, is being applied to ponderosa pine forests to mitigate the risk of wildfire. Increasingly, normative plant species are spreading into burned forests regardless of fire type. In this article, we review recent literature on normative establishment in the post-fire plant community. Current research suggests an increasing risk of nonnative establishment is associated with increasing fire severity. Furthermore, wildfires seem more likely to promote nonnative species establishment than prescribed fires. The results are inconsistent, however, with some high-severity fires having few normatives and some ...
Reduction of sidegating in GaAs analog and digital circuits using a new buffer layer

Sidegating effects relevant to GaAs digital, analog, and monolithic microwave integrated circuits have been significantly reduced or eliminated by using a low-temperature buffer layer grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. At radio frequencies the low-temperature buffer layer reduced the signal coupling between devices, which is an important consideration in microwave integrated circuits. For digital circuit applications, the low-temperature buffer layer eliminated the dependence of the voltage level of an inverter on the logic state of adjacent devices and on the duty cycle of a pulse train encountered in the circuit. The highly resistive nature of the low-temperature buffer allows experimental identification of the role that a buffer layer plays in sidegating. >
Mixing ratios of methane, ethane, and acetylene in Neptune's stratosphere

Abstract Matching computed spectra for the ν 4 band of methane, the ν 9 band of ethane, and the R branch of the ν 5 band of acetylene to observed spectra for Neptune suggests mixing ratios of CH 4 /H 2 ∼ 10 −3 −10 −2 , C 2 H 6 /H 2 ∼ 10 −6 , and C 2 H 2 /H 2 ∼ 10 −8 in the stratosphere.
RATO-net: a random-access protocol for unidirectional ultra-high-speed optical fiber network

The local network medium is a pair of unidirectional fiber optic buses to which stations are connected via passive taps. For this configuration, a random-access protocol called RATO (random-access time-out) is presented. RATO provides random access, fairness, and bounded delay access to all stations, and is particularly suited for ultra-high-speed transmission when the performance of the popular Ethernet becomes unattractive. Simplicity and ease of hardware implementation of RATO under ultra-high-speed environment is emphasized because the only control requirements are the sensing of activity in the bus and a fixed time delay between consecutive transmissions from the same station. Results of simulation and performance comparisons of RATO with other schemes are given. In ultra-high-speed wide-area networks, RATO outperforms all these other schemes. >
The Early Histopathologic Effects of Intratesticular Injection with Hyperosmolar Glycerol, Glucose or NaCI Solutions

Summary: A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were used to compare the effects of intratesticular injection of 0.2 ml of hyperosmolar solutions of glycerol, glucose and NaCI with or without simultaneous treatment with indomethacin or dexamethasone. The hyperosmolar solutions caused a characteristic focal lesion with destruction of central testicular tissue as early as 12 hr after injection, and an inflammatory leukocytic halo present throughout the first week after injection. Neither anti-inflammatory drug altered this lesion. We concluded that intratesticular sterilization by hyperosmolar solutions in not a viable means of male contraception. Zusammenfassung: Insgesamt 50 erwachsene mannliche Sprague-Dawley-Ratten wurden be-nutzt, um die Effekte einer intratestikularen Injektion von 0,2 ml hyperosmolarer Glycerol-, Glucose- und NaCI-Losung mit oder ohne gleichzeitige Behandlung mit Indomethacin oder Dexamethason zu vergleichen. Die hyperosmolaren Losungen verursachten eine charakteristi-sche fokale Lasion mit Zerstorung des zentralen testikularen Gewebes schon 12 Stunden nach der Injektion und einen inflammatorischen leukozytaren Hof, der in der ersten Woche nach der Injektion bestand. Keines (von beiden) antiinflammatorischen Mitteln veranderte diese Lasion. Wir kamen zu dem Schlus, das intratestikulare Sterilisation durch hyperosmolare Losungen kein fahiges Mittel mannlicher Kontrazeption ist.
Incorporation of 14C-galactose into gangliosides of rabbit lens

Rabbit lenses were incubated in organ culture with 14C-galactose for 6, 12 and 20 hours. Gangliosides were extracted using the Folch-Suzuki method, purified by dialysis and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. Six radioactive bands, including the origin, were observed. Tentative identification of these bands as N-acetylneuraminylgalactosyglucosyl-ceramide (GM3), N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosylglucosylceramide (GM2), galactosyl-N-acetylgal-actosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosylglucosylceramide (GM1), N-acetylneur-aminylgalactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosylglucosyl-ceramide (GD1a), N-acetylneuraminylgalactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl-N-acetylneuraminyl) -galactos-ylglucosylceramide (GT) was made by comparison with authentic standard gangliosides. Galactose incorporation into GM3 and GM2 increased during the first 12 hours but decreased during the period from 12 to 20 hours. GD1a and GT incorporated the greatest amount of label duri...
TLS-ERG Leukemia Fusion Protein Deregulates Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 and Blocks Terminal Differentiation of Myeloid Progenitor Cells

TLS-ERG fusion protein is derived from the t(16;21) translocation found in human myeloid leukemia. Here, we show that retroviral transduction of TLS-ERG confers a growth advantage to L-G myeloid progenitor cells and blocks terminal differentiation. We found that the level of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) protein was significantly decreased in controls but unchanged in TLS-ERG–expressing cells after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment or interleukin-3 withdrawal. Injection of TLS-ERG–expressing L-G cells induced rapid development of a leukemia-like disease in syngeneic mice. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that transformation and deregulation of Cdk1 by TLS-ERG require an intact ets DNA-binding domain within the fusion protein. Interestingly, treatment of TLS-ERG–expressing L-G cells with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (Decitabine) or trichostatin A resulted in down-regulation of Cdk1 and induction of terminal differentiation. To investigate whether Cdk1 deregulation is indeed responsible for transformation by TLS-ERG, we constructed lentiviral vectors for delivery of Cdk1 mutants and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Both dominant-negative inhibition and siRNA knockdown of Cdk1 were able to restore the ability of TLS-ERG–expressing L-G cells to undergo terminal differentiation. In addition, siRNA knockdown of Cdk1 in YNH-1 cells derived from a t(16;21) acute myelogenous leukemia patient also resulted in terminal differentiation. As restoration of terminal myeloid differentiation to TLS-ERG cells is dependent on cell cycle arrest, our findings suggest an important role for Cdk1 in cellular transformation and may be useful in the search for new treatments of TLS-ERG–associated myeloid leukemia. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(5):862–72)
Poitier Revisited: Reconsidering a Black Icon in the Obama Age

Assessments of Sidney Poitier tend to split into two camps: celebration and dissatisfaction.Celebration has been the official mode in the twenty-first century, when Poitier was awarded an honorary ...
Attachment Chemistry of PCBM to a Primary-Amine-Terminated Organic Monolayer on a Si(111) Surface

Interfacing multifunctional molecules with semiconductor surfaces has a variety of applications; however, it is important to understand the selectivity of target surface reactions to produce the surface with desired functionality. In this work, a silicon surface modified with 1-amino-10-undecene was reacted with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in toluene. Two possible competing reactions for PCBM, via the ester group and by direct attachment to the C60 portion, are analyzed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, supplemented by density functional theory calculations, suggest that despite the similarity of the energetics for those two reaction pathways, predominant chemisorption occurs via the direct attachment of the C60 cage to the primary amino group of the functionalized silicon surface.
Brief, patient-centred risk-reduction counselling at the time of a rapid HIV test does not affect subsequent acquisition of sexually transmitted infections.

Commentary on: Metsch LR, Feaster DJ, Gooden L, et al. Effect of risk-reduction counseling with rapid HIV testing on risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections: the AWARE randomised clinical trial. JAMA 2013;310:1701–10.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a key entry point to care and treatment services for those who test HIV positive, and to prevention services for those who test HIV negative. Over the past few decades, HTC has been scaled up globally through client-initiated and provider-initiated testing services. The WHO recommends counselling as an integral part of all HIV testing strategies: ‘Testing services must be accompanied by appropriate and high-quality pretest information or pretest counselling and post-test counselling’.1 However, the nature and extent of pretest counselling in particular has been debated, as extensive counselling requirements may pose human resource … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.issn%253D0002-9955%26rft.volume%253D310%26rft.spage%253D1701%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2013.280034%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24150466%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2013.280034&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=24150466&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F4%2F147.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000325948500026&link_type=ISI
A Comparison of Performance of Layers in Cage and Floor Housing

Abstract THE use of wire cages for housing laying birds has gained widespread favor in recent years, particularly in the western, southwestern and southern parts of the United States. Most commercial producers have a very definite preference for either cage or floor housing, but have very little experimental support of their preference. Gowe (1955), in a test involving seven White Leghorn strains, found average hen-housed production of 176 eggs for birds housed on the floor compared with 154 eggs for comparable birds in laying batteries. The response differences among strains were inconsistent. Miller (1956) reported more eggs, better feed efficiency, and lower mortality for birds housed in individual cages as compared to conventional floor housing. These differences were consistent for the three strains and crosses of egg production stocks tested. Lowry et al. (1956) reported on a four year study of cages versus floor management involving 2,176 birds. In this study …
1 CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS RECEIVING PHARMACEUTICAL SAMPLES AND ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SAMPLE RECEIPT AND OUT-OF-POCKET PRESCRIPTION COSTS.

Background Pharmaceutical samples are widely used for promotion and marketing, yet little is known about who receives samples or how their use is associated with patient9s prescription costs. Objective To examine the characteristics of patients receiving samples and to describe the association between sample receipt and prescription costs. Design, Setting, and Participants We divided the 2002-2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative, panel-design longitudinal study, into baseline and analysis periods. We conducted logistic and generalized linear regression analysis of 5,709 individuals in the analysis period who did not receive any samples during the baseline period. Measurements (1) Sample receipt and (2) prescription expenditures Results A total of 781 (14%) individuals received at least one sample during the analysis period. On multivariate analyses, sample receipt was greater among those who were younger and those not on Medicaid. In generalized linear regressions controlling for demographic characteristics and health care use, the 180-day out-of-pocket prescription expenditures were $178 (standard error [SE] $3.9) for those never receiving samples. Among those receiving samples, the corresponding out-of-pocket expenditures were $166 (SE $8.9) for periods before sample receipt, $244 (SE $9.2) for periods during sample receipt, and $212 (SE 12.4) for periods following sample receipt. Results were similar when total prescription costs were examined. Limitations Sample use was based on self-report, the analysis period was limited to 12 months, and the associations observed may not be causal. Conclusions Individuals receiving samples have higher prescription expenditures than their counterparts. This finding, which may be from sample-induced demand for prescriptions, as well as greater illness among sample recipients, suggest that sample recipients may be disproportionately burdened by prescription costs even after sample receipt.
The Influence of the Cross-national Company Localization Strategy Upon the Host Country

As our country being after joining WTO,more and more enterprises will go abroad,it is trans-nation to launch,draw lessons from and adopt locality strategy,can solve the problem that exist in our country is trans-nation at present partly,dissolve the tide which enters global economic integration actively.So the MNCs has to make the part to revise to global integrated strategy,make the strategy of suiting measures to local conditions,namely realize locality management strategy.And the locality strategy of the MNCs certainly will have a certain impact on host country.This text main research MNCs the pros and cons to the host country influence under present new strategic trends and measure,and as between host country and MNCs this influence countermeasure should taken.
Nonmedicinal therapies for osteoarthritis.

Given the modest efficacy of medicinal therapy for OA, nonpharmacologic therapy is popular. Convincing evidence exists to support the efficacy of exercise and muscle strengthening for patients with knee OA. Weight loss is likely to be effective, as are some types of biomechanical alterations, possibly including elastic knee supports and the use of canes and crutches. The clinical management of patients with OA should sample broadly from these treatments, especially because they may offer other health benefits as well (i.e., aerobic exercise and weight loss). The optimal use of these modalities requires a team approach to patient care, in which the physician works closely with a physical therapist and nutritionist. This integrated approach may lead to decreases in pain and disability for the patient with OA.
Multiple coronary-cameral fistulas to the left ventricle arising from both coronary arteries

Coronary-cameral fistula (CCF) is an anomalous connection between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or major vessel, seen in about 0.8% of the cases undergoing coronary angiography. Most patients are asymptomatic and diagnosis is made incidentally during coronary angiography. We present an image case of CCF which was found incidentally during pre-liver transplantation work up.
Anatomy and Physiology of Sensory Organs

This chapter discusses the similarities and the differences between various sensory organs and sensory cells and provides an overview of the anatomy and function of sensory organs and the commonalties regarding the signal processing that occurs in sensory organs for the different senses. The main function of sensory receptors is to transform physical stimuli into trains of nerve impulses in the afferent nerve fibers that innervate the receptors. Receptors only respond to physical stimuli of certain types. The properties of the receptors and the media that transmit the physical stimuli to the receptors determine the range of stimuli that are coded in the discharge pattern of the afferent nerve fibers. The frequency and intensity range of hearing, the wavelength range of visible light, and the range of vibrations that can be sensed by skin receptors, along with the range of chemicals that can be sensed by the chemical senses, depend on the properties of the receptors and the media that transmit the physical stimuli to the receptors. Sensory organs that respond to innocuous stimulation perform two important tasks for the organism: (1) detecting a physical stimulus that reaches one of its sensory organs and (2) communicating that information to the sensory nervous system where extraction of useful information occurs.
Education Goes Outdoors

(1953). Education Goes Outdoors! Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Vol. 24, No. 10, pp. 20-21.
The Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor OSU-HDAC42 Has Class I and II Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitory Activity and Represents a Novel Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Abstract Inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) have generated major interest for the treatment of multiple cancers including B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). To date, HDAC inhibitors introduced for clinical development in CLL have been associated either with suboptimal activity relative to concentrations required to mediate cytotoxicity in vitro (Valproic Acid, MS-275, SAHA), or demonstrate unacceptable acute or long-term toxicities (depsipeptide) that limit their clinical potential. Fortunately, several alternative HDAC inhibitors are in pre-clinical or early clinical development. One such agent currently undergoing pre-clinical testing by the National Cancer Institute-sponsored RAID program is OSU-HDAC42 (s-HDAC-42), a novel, orally bioavailable phenylbutyrate-derived HDAC inhibitor with both in vitro and in vivo efficacy against prostate cancer cells. We therefore tested OSU-HDAC42 against CD19-positive cells obtained from patients with CLL to determine its potential in this disease. The LC50 of OSU-HDAC42 in CLL cells was 0.46 uM at 48 hours of continuous incubation by MTT assay, which was corroborated by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide flow cytometry. To determine the minimum amount of time that OSU-HDAC42 must be present to induce cell death, cells were incubated for various times, washed, resuspended in fresh media without drug, then assessed by MTT at a total of 48 hours incubation. The effects of OSU-HDAC42 were eliminated in CLL cells when drug was removed after 4 or 6 hours. However, there was a gradual increase in effect over time, and by 16 hours, approximately 60% of the cytotoxicity achieved with continuous incubation was retained. OSU-HDAC42 induced acetylation of histone proteins H3 and H4 as early as 4 hours that was dose and time dependent. LC/MS interrogation of OSU-HDAC42-treated CLL cells is currently underway to determine specific post-translational modification changes of all histone proteins and variants. OSU-HDAC42 also was able to sensitize CLL cells to TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner, supporting its class I HDAC inhibitory activity as recently reported by Inoue and colleagues (Cancer Res. 2006; 66:6785). Evidence of class II HDAC inhibitory activity was also observed with OSU-HDAC42 at 12 hours with acetylation of tubulin. Unlike depsipeptide, OSU-HDAC42 activated both caspase-8 and -9 followed by PARP processing. Cell death induced by OSU-HDAC42 was completely inhibited with pre-treatment by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. In vivo experiments are underway to examine the efficacy of OSU-HDAC42 in several murine models of leukemia to confirm in vivo efficacy as well as influence on murine effector cells. Our data strongly support continued investigation of OSU-HDAC42 in CLL and related B-cell malignancies.
Delayed Carotid Pseudoaneurysms from Iatrogenic Clival Meningeal Branches Avulsion: Recognition and Proposed Management.

Background Carotid injury during anterior skull base approaches is promptly recognizable and mandates immediate treatment; likewise, development of pseudoaneurysms after such injuries is anticipated and managed. Methods We report here on the delayed development of a pseudoaneurysm as the result of avulsion of clival meningeal arteries that manifests as unalarming intraoperative bleeding. Results and Conclusions The bleeding is brisk and arterial but easily controlled. Immediate postoperative angiography is negative, necessitating repeated angiography to depict the delayed formation. It is best treated by endovascular means that maintains patency of the carotid artery, calling for the development of a suitable device that obliterates the opening of the pseudoaneurysm while maintaining carotid flow that is deployable in the tortuous carotid artery.
Irregular sleep/wake patterns are associated with poorer academic performance and delayed circadian and sleep/wake timing

The association of irregular sleep schedules with circadian timing and academic performance has not been systematically examined. We studied 61 undergraduates for 30 days using sleep diaries, and quantified sleep regularity using a novel metric, the sleep regularity index (SRI). In the most and least regular quintiles, circadian phase and light exposure were assessed using salivary dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) and wrist-worn photometry, respectively. DLMO occurred later (00:08 ± 1:54 vs. 21:32 ± 1:48; p < 0.003); the daily sleep propensity rhythm peaked later (06:33 ± 0:19 vs. 04:45 ± 0:11; p < 0.005); and light rhythms had lower amplitude (102 ± 19 lux vs. 179 ± 29 lux; p < 0.005) in Irregular compared to Regular sleepers. A mathematical model of the circadian pacemaker and its response to light was used to demonstrate that Irregular vs. Regular group differences in circadian timing were likely primarily due to their different patterns of light exposure. A positive correlation (r = 0.37; p < 0.004) between academic performance and SRI was observed. These findings show that irregular sleep and light exposure patterns in college students are associated with delayed circadian rhythms and lower academic performance. Moreover, the modeling results reveal that light-based interventions may be therapeutically effective in improving sleep regularity in this population.