cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of State Policies Allowing Medical Cannabis for Opioid Use Disorder With Dispensary Marketing for This Indication

Importance Misinformation about cannabis and opioid use disorder (OUD) may increase morbidity and mortality if it leads individuals with OUD to forego evidence-based treatment. It has not been systematically evaluated whether officially designating OUD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis is associated with cannabis dispensaries suggesting cannabis as a treatment for OUD. Objective To examine whether state-level policies designating OUD a qualifying condition for medical cannabis are associated with more dispensaries claiming cannabis can treat OUD. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of 208 medical dispensary brands was conducted in 2019 using the brands’ online content. The study included dispensaries operating in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, where OUD is a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, and in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia, where this policy does not exist. Exposures Presence of OUD on the list of qualifying conditions for a state’s medical cannabis program. Main Outcomes and Measures Binary indicators of whether online content from the brand said cannabis can treat OUD, can replace US Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for OUD, can be an adjunctive therapy to Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for OUD, or can be used as a substitute for opioids to treat other conditions (eg, chronic pain). Results After excluding duplicates, listings for nonexistent dispensaries, and those without online content, 167 brands across 7 states were included in the analysis (44 [26.3%] in states where OUD was a qualifying condition and 123 [73.7%] in adjacent states). A dispensary listed in a directory for West Virginia was not operational; therefore, comparison states were Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. In policy-exposed states, 39% (95% CI, 23%-55%) more dispensaries claimed cannabis could treat OUD compared with unexposed states (P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, state-level policies designating OUD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis were associated with more dispensaries claiming cannabis can treat OUD. In the current policy environment, in which medical claims by cannabis dispensaries are largely unregulated, these advertisements could harm patients. Future research linking these policies to patient outcomes is warranted.
Information in Financial Contracts: Evidence from CMBS Pooling and Servicing Agreements

We introduce a novel application of machine learning to compare the Pooling and Servicing Agreements (PSA) that govern asset-backed securities. The PSA is often viewed as mostly boilerplate legal text and thus may appear similar across deals despite heterogeneity in the underlying collateral and deal structures. Our empirical setting is PSAs governing commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). After documenting variation in PSAs, we find that underwriters tailor the PSAs to reflect the differences in the collateral pool as well as the macroeconomic environment prevailing at security origination.
Milking Cows Four and Six Times per Day (4X-6X) and its Impact on Animal Performance

Increasing the frequency of milk removal increases absolute milk output in cows during an established lactation. Recent studies indicate that high frequency of milking in the first three weeks of lactation can produce lasting increases in persistency after the milking frequency returns to 2 or 3X. This approach reduces the labor requirement of continuous frequent milking. However, a number of management factors need to be considered to effectively implement increased milking frequency. This paper presents evidence of the response, describes collateral effects and discusses possible limitations to implementation.
The vagus nerve is critical for regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to acute stress

Abstract The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is a critical regulator of physiologic and psychological responses to acute and chronic stressors. HPA axis function is control by numerous feedback inhibitory mechanisms, disruptions of which can lead to various psychiatric conditions, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. Vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of in these various mental health issues potentially via modulation of HPA axis function, but the mechanisms by which the vagus nerve may regulate HPA function has not been fully elucidated. In the present studies, we sought to test the hypothesis that the vagus nerve is a critical regulator of HPA function. Neuroendocrine function and neurocircuit changes in corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) were examined following acute stress after subdiaphragmatic left vagotomy (VX) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that VX mimics HPA activation seen in sham surgery animals exposed to acute restraint stress, particularly increased plasma corticosterone levels, elevated PVN CRF mRNA, and increased action potential firing of putative CRF neurons in PVN brain slices. Furthermore, VX animals exposed to acute restraint stress showed increased elevations of plasma corticosterone and PVN CRF mRNA which may be due to lack of compensatory PVN GABAergic signaling in response to acute stress. Both Sham/Stress and VX/no stress conditions increased action potential firing in putative PVN CRF neurons, but this effect was not seen in the VX/stress condition, suggesting that not all forms of stress compensation are lost following VX. Overall, these findings suggest that the vagus nerve may play a critical role in regulating HPA axis function via modulation of local PVN neurocircuit activity.
Transcription of Eukaryotic tRNA Genes

This chapter reviews the basis for the current view of eukaryotic tRNA promoters and transcription machinery, and discusses studies of mechanistic and regulatory strategies. Recent insights into the nature of the polymerase III transcription machinery give substance to these speculations and suggest a specific role for 5' flanking promoter elements. The discussion of the polymerase III transcription machinery first focuses on the two traditional factor fractions TFIIIB and TFIIIC and then on individual components recently resolved from these fractions. In the discussion, standard TFIIIB and TFIIIC nomenclature are used, but, keeping the heterogeneity of these fractions in mind, “F” are taken to mean “fraction” rather than “factor.” Also, it may be useful to avoid assumptions and consider the transcriptionally active polypeptides in these fractions as independent transcription factors, rather than as tightly associated subunits. Given the number of macromolecules involved in class III transcription, genetic approaches are likely to be essential for identifying all of the players. An intriguing focus of current work is the regulation of tRNA transcription. There are now a number of examples of enhanced production of particular tRNAs in response to cellular differentiation and growth conditions.
Sonographic Examination of the Musculoskeletal System

Two decades ago ultrasound was first applied to the evaluation of disorders of the musculoskeletal system [1]. This was limited to the diagnosis of popliteal cysts (Baker’s cysts), which took advantage of ultrasound’s inherent ability to easily demonstrate fluid collections. Later, ultrasound was applied to the evaluation of tendon pathology. However, limitations in image quality imposed by equipment available at that time reduced sensitivity and specificity of the technique. In the past few years we have seen tremendous advances in sonographic image quality based largely on improved high frequency transducer technology. This has greatly broadened the spectrum of sonographic applications in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, as well as allowing increased diagnostic accuracy in areas already established [2].
Particle Beams: Sources, Optics, and Interactions

A key element in our ability to view, fabricate, and in some cases operate microdevices has been the availability of tightly focused particle beams, particularly of photons, electrons, and ions. Consideration of diffraction effects leads to the general rule that if one wishes to focus a beam of particles into a spot of a given size, the wavelength associated with the particles must be less than the required spot diameter. In Table 1 are listed the wavelengths (in μm) of three particles (photons, electrons, and protons) at various energies.
Projected Changes in the Composition of Bright (Flue-Cured) Tobacco

The distinguishing characteristics of flue-cured tobacco — its bright yellow color, its low nicotine and high sugar contents — are mostly the result of the process by which it is cured but also of cultural management and genetics. However, the art of growing and curing bright tobacco has not changed in any major way since its inception (2); therefore the mass of compositional data that has accumulated (1, 5) would not be atypical of the current crop. These generalizations do not imply that all lots of tobacco are identical. Large year-to-year and location-to-location differences do occur; these are mostly attributable to weather and, specifically, to the total amount and distribution of rainfall during the period of rapid growth (June in North Carolina). Blending balances out these differences.
Field experimental design comparisons to detect field effects associated with agronomic traits in upland cotton

Field variation is one of the important factors that can have a significant impact on genetic data analysis. Ineffective control of field variation may result in an inflated residual variance and/or biased estimation of genetic variations and/or effects. In this study, we addressed this problem by merging genetic models with the information from a rectangular cotton field layout (referred to row and column directions). Data from a genetic mapping study in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was used to validate the proposed methodology. This study included model evaluation based on simulations and actual data analysis on four agronomic traits (seed yield, lint yield, lint percentage, and boll weight) in cotton. Results based on simulations suggested that when there were no row and column effects, the conventional and the extended genetic models yielded similar results. However, when either field row and/or column effects were significant, the conventional genetic model yielded biased estimates for residual variance component with larger mean square error whereas the extended genetic models yielded more unbiased estimates. Actual data analysis revealed that lint yield and seed yield were significantly influenced by the systematic variation present in the field. With the extended model, the residual variance associated with these traits was reduced approximately 65 % compared to the conventional block model. Accordingly, the averaged heritability estimate increased by about 18 % for these traits. Thus, the results suggested that genetic data analysis can be improved when field variation is considered.
SL(2,Z) Multiplets in N=4 SYM Theory

We discuss the action of SL(2,Z) on local operators in D=4, N=4 SYM theory in the superconformal phase. The modular property of the operator's scaling dimension determines whether the operator transforms as a singlet, or covariantly, as part of a finite or infinite dimensional multiplet under the SL(2,Z) action. As an example, we argue that operators in the Konishi multiplet transform as part of a (p,q) PSL(2,Z) multiplet. We also comment on the non-perturbative local operators dual to the Konishi multiplet.
Osteochondritis dissecans from the Great Plains of North America.

Three probable examples of osteochondritis dissecans from the northern and southern Great Plains are discussed. The distal femora from the skeleton of a male from the Kaufman-Williams site, 41RR16,...
High fat diet increases hippocampal oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in aged mice: implications for decreased Nrf2 signaling

Long term consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Yet the specific effects of HFD consumption on brain aging are poorly understood. In the present study 20-month old male C57Bl/6 mice were fed either 'western diet' (41% fat), very high fat lard diet (60% fat), or corresponding control diets for 16 weeks and then assessed for changes in metabolism and brain homeostasis. Although both HFDs increased adiposity and fasting blood glucose, only the high fat lard diet increased age-related oxidative damage (protein carbonyls) and impaired retention in the behavioral test. This selective increase in oxidative damage and cognitive decline was also associated with a decline in NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels and Nrf2 activity, suggesting a potential role for decreased antioxidant response. Taken together, these data suggest that while adiposity and insulin resistance following HFD consumption are linked to increased morbidity, the relationship between these factors and brain homeostasis during aging is not a linear relationship. More specifically, these data implicate impaired Nrf2 signaling and increased cerebral oxidative stress as mechanisms underlying HFD-induced declines in cognitive performance in the aged brain.
Neoliberalism and the Battle Over Ethnic Studies in Arizona

On May 14, 2010, Sandra K. Soto served as the invited faculty speaker at the Convocation ceremony for the University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. She spoke in the context of, and made explicit reference to, the raging political debate in Arizona over the passage of two laws: the anti-immigration law, SB 1070, that has received international attention; and HB 2281, intended to ban the teaching of Ethnic Studies in K-12. Soto’s speech and the reactions to it - the audience’s effort to shout her down, a strategic YouTube posting of the decontextualized second-half of the speech, the attention from local and national news and opinion media, hundreds of e- mails addressed to her and to university administrators - became an occasion through which the political and racialized dynamics at work in the state were repeated and elaborated. This essay analyses the ways the speech became another battle in the war over the external boundaries, internal norms, power relations, and resource distribution of the state and nation and highlighted the complexities of the so-called “public sphere,” the various institutional sites of discourse and their diverse norms and the constraints on who can speak and be heard, what can be said and be heard.
Another view of translation manuals and the study of science

The article argues for the possibility of translation manuals having an implicit internal structure. This structure is composed of specific methodological assumptions and techniques. Using the (N)-type and (G)-type distinction developed by Fuller for the study of scientific behavior, it is shown that these are incomplete characterizations of translation manuals. A more complete characterization must involve an analysis of how the presence or absence of methodological rules influences the interpretation of specific research questions. It is further argued that while Quine's original indeterminacy thesis cannot be completely rejected, in some cases it can be modified to reflect the importance of the methodological constraints. Finally, it is suggested that the more critical analysis of translation manuals will benefit the on-going debates in the study of scientific behavior.
Parent material as a factor

The rock or sediment in which a soil develops is its parent material and it is a starting point for the process of soil formation. In the early stages of their formation, soils are not much different from their parent materials. With time, fewer and fewer features of the parent material persist, and ultimately the soil takes on an identity of its own. The nature of a parent material is a base line that must be known in order to assess the amount of soil formation that has taken place.
Network science meets circuit theory: Kirchhoff index of a graph and the power of node-to-datum resistance matrix

The emerging area of network science studies the properties of networks and dynamic processes on networks (such as spread of epidemics) that arises in a variety of applications including electrical, communication, internet, biological, ecological networks etc. Treating each element of a graph as a resistance, Kirchhoff index defined by the chemistry community is the sum of the effective resistances across all pairs of nodes of the graph. This index has been studied using the graph Laplacian (same as the indefinite admittance matrix). In this paper we present a simpler formula for Kirchhoff index based on the properties of the node-to-datum resistance matrix, considerably reducing the computational effort. A byproduct of this formula is a new invariant property of node-to-conductance matrix that does not depend on the choice of the datum node, extending the currently available knowledge on the determinant of the node-to-conductance matrix. Furthermore it can be shown that link congestion (if random-walk routing is used) can be estimated using the elements of the node-to-datum resistance matrix.
Urea Cycle Function in the Dog with Emphasis on the Role of Arginine

English Pointer puppies were used in experiments designed to assess urea cycle function. A preliminary assay revealed a dietary arginine (Arg) requirement of 0.40% for maximal weight gain of puppies fed a chemically defined L-amino acid diet. Subsequent studies showed that consumption of an Arg-free diet resulted in growth failure, emetic episodes, mild hyperammonemia, decreased plasma Arg and urea, and orotic aciduria. Oral administration of ornithine (Orn), equimolar to 0.40% Arg, failed to correct these Arg deficiency symptoms. Consumption of an equimolar concentration of citrulline (Cit), on the other hand, resulted in near normal weight gains, but blood and urine metabolite levels still did not parallel those of dogs fed Arg. Plasma glucose concentration was unaffected by dietary treatment. Older dogs (20 weeks of age) performed no better than younger dogs (7 weeks of age) when fed an Arg-free diet. In a serial bleeding study, plasma ammonia increased after ingestion of an Arg-free diet, reached a peak during emesis and declined immediately thereafter. In contrast, plasma ammonia of dogs fed an Arg-adequate diet remained relatively constant. It was apparent that in terms of meaningful Arg replacement value, Orn had minimal activity. Cit could replace Arg for growth, but was not as efficient as Arg for urea cycle function.
The Parallel Asynchronous Data Routing Environment PADRE

The increasing complexity of parallel scientific (numerical) software, just as in all other areas of software development, demands increasing modularity and reusability of software components. For parallel scientific applications, the management of data distribution and interprocess- and interprocessor communication is an issue of some complexity that is not typically a consideration in more mainstream areas of computing.
EMPATHY AS A MORAL CONCEPT: COMMENTS ON JOHN DEIGH'S “EMPATHY, JUSTICE, AND JURISPRUDENCE”

In these brief comments, I explore some ambiguities concerning John Deigh's notion of empathy in relation to morality and justice. First, does Deigh conceive of empathy as a morally neutral capacity that can be used for good or bad purposes or, rather, as a capacity that presupposes a moral orientation? I look to his previous work and find evidence supporting both readings. I suggest that the right way to understand empathy is as a moral notion. Empathy is the product of an activity—the activity of empathizing. This activity in turn presupposes a certain moral orientation: one that involves placing a certain kind of value on others. I then ask whether Deigh equates empathy with the sense of justice. I do not believe he does, but still he does not say much about the relation between them. I suggest that while the two are not the same, and while there can be tension between them, they ultimately stem from the same basic moral orientation, one that at least vaguely resembles the morality of cooperation.
Helminthic Diseases: Foodborne Trematode Infections

This article emphasizes the most common foodborne trematodiasis (FBT) in humans associated with liver flukes in the genera Clonorchis , Opisthorchis , and Fasciola , lung flukes in the genus Paragonimus , and intestinal flukes in the genera Heterophyes , Metagonimus, and Echinostoma . Emphasis is also placed on the most important animal and plant second intermediate hosts that are contaminated with encysted metacercariae (cysts) transmitted to humans by the ingestion of raw or improperly cooked food. The use of praziquantel and triclabendazole as anthelmintics to treat FBT is discussed.
Inferring Time Varying Dynamic Linear Model Parameters from a Mixture Model

Non-stationary time series are extremely challenging to model. We propose a Bayesian mixture model framework for obtaining time varying parameters for a dynamic linear model. We discuss on-line estimation of time varying DLM parameters by means of a dynamic mixture model composed of constant parameter DLMs. For time series with low signal-to-noise ratios, we propose a novel method of constructing model priors. We calculate model likelihoods by comparing forecast distributions with observed values. We utilize computationally efficient moment matching Gaussians to approximate exact mixtures of path dependent posterior densities. The effectiveness of our approach is illustrated by extracting insightful time varying parameters for an ETF returns model in a period spanning the 2008 financial crisis; and, by demonstrating the superior performance in a statistical arbitrage application.
Medication reconciliation in ambulatory oncology.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Few models for medication reconciliation in ambulatory primary or specialty care have been described, perhaps because of the special challenges posed by this environment. Methods Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston) created a reconciliation program that was designed as a patient-clinician partnership intervention. Policies that require clinicians to review and update medication lists at regular appointments were augmented. Clinic assistants printed patients' medication lists from the electronic medical record and distributed lists to established patients for review. Patients provided updated lists to their oncology clinicians. Clinicians then entered the information or indicated changes to be entered by a pharmacist. Results At baseline, 81% of patients' medication lists included at least one error or omission. With medication reconciliation, 90% of incorrect medication lists were updated. In contrast, only 2% of medication lists were corrected among patients who received "usual" care (p Discussion From the program' inception in November 2005 through August 2007, patients and staff reconciled 24,148 medication lists by making 53,040 changes to 168,475 listed drugs, a rate of 31 changes per 100 medications. Implementation required broad staff engagement and ongoing attention to operational issues.
FATTY ACIDS, AMINO ACIDS, MINERAL CONTENTS, AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SOME BROWN SEAWEEDS(1).

This study was conducted to create a nutritional database on brown seaweeds and to popularize their consumption and utilization in Iran. The fatty acid contents, amino acids profiles, and certain mineral elements composition of some brown seaweeds, Padina pavonica (L.) Thivy, Dictyota dichotoma (Huds.) J. V. Lamour., and Colpomenia sinuosa (Mert. ex Roth) Derbes et Solier were determined. Total lipid content ranged from 1.46 ± 0.38 to 2.94 ± 0.94 g · 100 g(-1) dry weight (dwt), and the most abundant fatty acids were C16:0, C18:1, C20:4 ω6, and C20:5 ω3. The unsaturated fatty acids predominated in all species and had balanced sources of ω3 and ω6 acids. Highest total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels occurred in C. sinuosa. The protein content of D. dichotoma was 17.73 ± 0.29 g · 100 g(-1) dwt, significantly higher than the other seaweeds examined. Among amino acids essential to human nutrition, methionine (Met; in D. dichotoma and P. pavonica) and lysine (Lys; in C. sinuosa) were present in high concentrations. The crude fiber content varied by 9.5 ± 11.6 g · 100 g(-1) dwt in all species. Chemical analysis indicated that ash content was between 27.02 ± 0.6 and 39.28 ± 0.7 g · 100 g(-1) dwt, and that these seaweeds contained higher amounts of both macrominerals (7,308-9,160 mg · 100 g(-1) dwt; Na, K, Ca) and trace elements (263-1,594 mg · 100 g(-1) dwt; Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Co) than have been reported for edible land plants. C. sinuosa had the highest amount of Ca, Fe, and a considerable content of Na was measured in P. pavonica.
Modulational instability of nonlinear spin waves in easy-axis antiferromagnetic chains. II. Influence of sample shape on intrinsic localized modes and dynamic spin defects

An indirect method of producing intrinsic localized modes (ILM's) is to drive an unstable uniform mode to large amplitude. In this investigation the intimate connection between the shape-dependent demagnetization factor, the modulation instability, and ILM behavior is established. The stability of the antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) against breakup into such ILM's is shown to depend strongly on the frequency difference between the linear AFMR and the long-wavelength limit of the spin-wave dispersion curve. This difference, which stems from the long-range dipole-dipole interactions, depends on the demagnetization factor and hence the sample shape. Here it is demonstrated initially with linear perturbation analysis and later with molecular-dynamics simulations that the instability characteristics and ILM production properties depend strongly on the sign and magnitude of the frequency difference. The simulations show that when the AFMR frequency is coincident with the spin-wave band, a spatially coherent train of ILM's appears, but this coherence is lost at long times. When the AFMR frequency is inside the spin-wave band, the Suhl instability populates the degenerate spin waves, whose subsequent modulational instability leads to traveling and decelerating ILM's. When the AFMR frequency is below the spin-wave band, a large-amplitude threshold for the instability appears. Above this threshold ILM's and localized dynamic spin flops occur, confined to specific lattice regions.
Prolonging the Lifetime of Large Scale Wireless Sensor Networks via Base Station Placement

Network lifetime is a critical design goal of any battery operated large scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, we investigate how to prolong the lifetime of large scale WSNs via optimal placement of base stations (BSs). With multiple BSs placed, the sensor nodes can send their data to nearby sinks and may reduce energy consumption of relaying packets for other sensor nodes. Due to the high cost of BSs and geographical constraints in WSNs, we can only place a limited number of BSs in a few candidate locations. Considering wireless transmission features and flow routing, we formulate this base station placement (BSP) problem in WSNs into a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. In view of the NP-hardness of the formulated problem, we develop the heuristic algorithm to pursue feasible solutions. Through extensive simulations, we show that the solutions found by the proposed algorithm are close to the optimal one and the proposed scheme is effective in prolonging the lifetime of large scale WSNs.
Axial buckling of composite cylindrical shells with periodic thickness variation

Abstract This study addresses the effect of thickness variation on the stability of the composite cylindrical shells under axial compression. Various lamination configurations and three commonly used composite materials are considered. Numerical results show that certain types of thickness variation patterns can greatly reduce the classical buckling load. Results indicate that the most detrimental effect of the thickness variation occurs when the wave number of the thickness variation is twice that of the classical buckling mode. For this case, an asymptotic formula is established by use of a computer algebra, which relates the buckling load reduction rate to the thickness variation parameter.
Vertical transmission of Citrobacter diversus documented by DNA fingerprinting.

Objective To confirm the vertical transmission of Citrobacter diversus from a mother to her infant and to evaluate the epidemiologic usefulness of a new automated procedure for analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-generated DNA fingerprints. Design Repetitive element-based PCR (rep-PCR) analysis of C diversus isolates from the blood and amniotic fluid of a mother and the blood of her infant was performed. Unrelated C diversus isolates also were characterized and compared with the isolates from mother and infant. DNA fingerprints were generated by gel electrophoresis of PCR products derived from either unlabeled standard repetitive sequence-based oligonucleotide primers or fluorescent primers. The standard rep-PCR fingerprints were analyzed by visual inspection. The fluorescent primers were used in fluorophore-enhanced rep-PCR (FERP), and the FERP DNA fingerprints were analyzed by an Applied BioSystems (ABI) Model 373A laser scanning unit equipped with Genescan 672 software (Applied Biosystems, Inc, Foster City, CA). Setting and patients A mother and her newborn infant, both with invasive disease due to C diversus, in an urban tertiary-care hospital. Results The DNA fingerprints of the maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and infant blood isolates of C diversus were identical by both visual inspection of ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels and computer-aided analysis of FERP patterns. These strains appeared to differ from all but one control isolate, which had been collected 7 years earlier in the same city in which the infant was born. Conclusions Vertical transmission of C diversus from mother to infant can occur in utero. Automated analysis of rep-PCR-generated DNA fingerprints derived using fluorescent primers is an objective means for comparing isolates of C diversus and in all likelihood would be useful for other species of bacteria that possess repetitive elements.
Phosphatidylinositol 5-Phosphate Biosynthesis Is Linked to PIKfyve and Is Involved in Osmotic Response Pathway in Mammalian Cells

The cellular functions, regulation and enzymology of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 5-P, the newest addition to the family of phosphoinositides (PI), are still elusive. Whereas a kinase that uses PtdIns-5-P as an intracellular substrate has been assigned, a kinase that produces it remained to be identified. Here we report that PIKfyve, the enzyme found to synthesize PtdIns-5-P in vitroand PtdIns-3,5-P2 in vitro and in vivo, is responsible for PtdIns-5-P production in a cellular context. Evidence is based on examination of two groups of cell types by two independent approaches. First, [32P]orthophosphate-labeled cells (Sf9, 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, and 3T3-L1 adipocytes) that show a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-detectable peak of the PtdIns-5-P head group at basal conditions demonstrated a 20–50% increase in radioactive PtdIns-5-P amounts upon expression of PIKfyveWT. Second, cell types (HEK293), in which the basal levels of radioactive PtdIns-5-P were undetectable by HPLC head group analysis, demonstrated higher in vitro type II PIP kinase-directed conversion of the endogenous PtdIns-5-P pool into PtdIns-4,5-P2, when induced to express PIKfyveWT. Conversely, a decrease by 60% in the conversion of PtdIns-5-P to PtdIns-4,5-P2 was associated with induced expression of the dominant-negative kinase-deficient PIKfyveK1831E mutant in HEK293 cells. When 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were subjected to osmotic shock, levels of PtdIns-5-P measured by both approaches were found to decrease profoundly upon a hypo-osmotic stimulus. Together, these results identify PIKfyve as an enzyme responsible for PtdIns-5-P biosynthesis and indicate a role for PtdIns-5-P in osmotic response pathways in mammalian cells.
The fine structure of the lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat. II. synaptic organization

Three types of axon terminal occur in the lateral vestibular nucleus of the rat: large, slender and small. Large terminals are often seated in cup-like depressions in giant cells and encircled by thorns. The junctional interface exhibits 3 kinds of specialization: (1) puncta adhaerentia, interpreted as simply adhesive; (2) ‘active’ zones, interpreted as sites of chemical transmission, and (3) ‘gap’ junctions, interpreted as sites of low electrical resistance between the apposed cells. The physiological implications of this complicated synaptic interface are considered and several possible functions are suggested. Primarily, it is suggested that the operation of such a synaptic interface would be more subtle and delicate than what has been found hitherto. Large terminals and these mixed synapses have not been seen in the cat. Slender terminals are long, relatively straight axons with several varicosities (boutons en passant) along their course, each with ‘active’ zones. These endings are the least common in the nucleus. The most common are the small endings, which occur on all cell types and are the only ones to appear on the small neurons. No correlation was found between sizes of synaptic vesicles and sizes of the endings as all kinds of terminals contained similar vesicles. Axo-axonal synapses and complex glomeruli are also encountered in this nucleus.
Determination of Interferon-alpha Receptors in Urothelial Cancer and in Normal Urothelium

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined and compared the presence and frequency of interferon-alpha 2b receptors in urothelial neoplasms and normal urothelium, since the biological activity of interferons becomes apparent only after they bind to specific receptors.Materials and Methods: With our method detection of interferon-alpha 2b receptors required a large number of cells, that is more than 1 x 106 cells per ml. We studied 14 patients with relatively large tumors of all stages and grades. Three patients had grade I, 4 grade II and 7 grade III disease. As controls we used biopsies of normal urothelium from 14 patients who underwent transvesical prostatectomy. Interferon-alpha 2b receptors were detected quantitatively through the binding of radiolabeled125 iodine human recombinant interferon-alpha 2b in normal and malignant urothelial tissue samples. The interferon-alpha 2b receptors are expressed as receptor sites per cell, and the results were evaluated with Scatchard analysis.Results: The number of interfero...
Chemical potential of a layer of water adsorbed on a solid surface

Abstract We present the equilibrium thermodynamics of a layer of water adsorbed on a wettable solid. It seems reasonable to express the adsorption potential with the integration of the van der Waals potential of the power −6 over a given domain of the solid material. First we develop the theory with regard to a layer of water adsorbed on an ice sphere. The theory is then extended to a layer of water adsorbed on a wettable solid of any shape. The chemical potential inside the adsorption layer includes the pressure of water, i.e., the disjoining pressure introduced by Derjaguin. The vapor/water interface, if it exists, can be located by solving the differential equation that the formula of the chemical potential valid on the interface produces when the water pressure is equated to the capillary pressure expressed in terms of the curvature of the surface. The constant that defines the van der Waals potential can be expressed with the material constants if the water is overlaid by the vapor. Importance of the disjoining pressure for causing a flow of adsorbed water is recognized. The theory applies to any liquid that wets a solid surface.
Modeling pollutant penetration across building envelopes

Abstract As air infiltrates through unintentional openings in building envelopes, pollutants may interact with adjacent surfaces. Such interactions can alter human exposure to air pollutants of outdoor origin. We present modeling explorations of the proportion of particles and reactive gases (e.g., ozone) that penetrate building envelopes as air enters through cracks and wall cavities. Calculations were performed for idealized rectangular cracks, assuming regular geometry, smooth inner crack surface and steady airflow. Particles of 0.1–1.0 μm diameter are predicted to have the highest penetration efficiency, nearly unity for crack heights of 0.25 mm or larger, assuming a pressure difference of 4 Pa or greater and a flow path length of 3 cm or less. Supermicron and ultrafine particles are significantly removed by means of gravitational settling and Brownian diffusion, respectively. In addition to crack geometry, ozone penetration depends on its reactivity with crack surfaces, as parameterized by the reaction probability. For reaction probabilities less than ∼10−5, penetration is complete for cracks heights greater than ∼1 mm. However, penetration through mm scale cracks is small if the reaction probability is ∼10−4 or greater. For wall cavities, fiberglass insulation is an efficient particle filter, but particles would penetrate efficiently through uninsulated wall cavities or through insulated cavities with significant airflow bypass. The ozone reaction probability on fiberglass fibers was measured to be 10−7 for fibers previously exposed to high ozone levels and 6×10−6 for unexposed fibers. Over this range, ozone penetration through fiberglass insulation would vary from >90% to ∼10–40%. Thus, under many conditions penetration is high; however, there are realistic circumstances in which building envelopes can provide substantial pollutant removal. Not enough is yet known about the detailed nature of pollutant penetration leakage paths to reliably predict infiltration into real buildings.
Lone pair electrons minimize lattice thermal conductivity

As over 93% of the world's energy comes from thermal processes, new materials that maximize heat transfer or minimize heat waste are crucial to improving efficiency. Here we focus on fully dense electrical insulators at the low end of the spectrum of lattice thermal conductivity κL. We present an experimentally validated predictive tool that shows how the high deformability of lone-pair electron charge density can limit κL in crystalline materials. Using first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predict that several ABX2 (groups I–V–VI2) compounds based on the rocksalt structure develop soft phonon modes due to the strong hybridization and repulsion between the lone-pair electrons of the group V cations and the valence p orbitals of group VI anions. In many cases, this creates lattice instabilities and the compounds either do not exist or crystallize in a different structure. Marginally stable ABX2 compounds have anharmonic bonds that result in strong phonon–phonon interactions. We show experimentally how these can reduce κL to the amorphous limit.
A local dust storm in the Chryse Region of Mars: Viking Orbiter observations

A local dust storm was observed near the Viking Lander 1 site by Viking Orbiter 1 in September, 1977, when the areocentric longitude of the sun (L sub s) was 340 deg (shortly before vernal equinox). The orbiter observations, which consisted of a time sequence of pictures, show that the storm moved at about 50 m/sec to the ENE from the Lunae-Planum region into the Chryse basin. Both baroclinic waves and topography may have been associated with the generation of the storm.
Effects of high solenoidal magnetic fields on rf accelerating cavities

We have measured the effects of high (0--4.5 T) magnetic fields on the operating conditions of 805 MHz accelerating cavities, and discovered that the maximum accelerating gradient drops as a function of the axial magnetic field. While the maximum gradient of any cavity is governed by a number of factors including conditioning, surface topology and materials, we argue that $\mathbf{J}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbf{B}$ forces within the emitters are the mechanism for enhanced breakdown in magnetic fields. The pattern of emitters changes over time and we show an example of a bright emitter which disappears during a breakdown event. We also present unique measurements of the distribution of enhancement factors, $\ensuremath{\beta}$, of secondary emitters produced in breakdown events during conditioning. We believe these secondary emitters can also be breakdown triggers, and the secondary emitter spectrum helps to determine the maximum operating field.
Electoral Victory and Statistical Defeat? Economics, Politics, and the 2004 Presidential Election

Electoral Victory and Statistical Defeat? Economics, Politics, and the 2004 Presidential Election
Low molecular weight angiotensin I converting enzyme from rat lung.

Abstract A low molecular weight angiotensin I converting enzyme (light angiotensin enzyme) was isolated from a homogenate of rat lung subjected to dialysis against sodium acetate at pH 4.8. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 84 000 on Sephadex G-200 and a molecular weight of 91 000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel as compared with a molecular weight of 139 000 for angiotensin I converting enzyme on SDS-polyacrylamide. Light angiotensin enzyme was activated by NaCl and inhibited by EDTA, angiotensin II, and bradykinin potentiating factor nonapeptide. Light angiotensin enzyme cross-reacted with antibody prepared against angiotensin I converting enzyme and stained with periodic acid-Schiff reagent as a glycoprotein. The evidence suggests that light angiotensin enzyme is a fragment of the higher molecular weight enzyme.
Percutaneous coronary intervention and atrial fibrillation: the triple therapy dilemma

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common cardiac arrhythmia and chronic oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the cornerstone therapy to prevent cerebrovascular events among those having high thromboembolic risk. However, 20-30% of patients with AF have co-existing coronary artery disease (CAD). Importantly, since the prevalence of both AF and CAD increase with age, management of these patients has become an emerging clinical problem with the ever growing elderly population. In particular, many of these patients may develop an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or require percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), leading to the concomitant use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) including aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in addition to OAC, also known as triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT). However, TAT comes at the expense of an increased risk of bleeding complications. This viewpoint focuses on the current evidence of treatment, areas of unmet needs and future perspectives in the management of these high-risk patients.
From Dungeons to Dance Parties: Contested Histories of Ghana's Slave Forts

(2006). From Dungeons to Dance Parties: Contested Histories of Ghana's Slave Forts. Journal of Contemporary African Studies: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 249-260.
Electrogenerated polypyridyl ruthenium hydride and ligand activation for water reduction to hydrogen and acetone to iso-propanol

The complex [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(S)](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, S = solvent) is an electrocatalyst for water or proton reduction to hydrogen and for reduction of acetone to iso-propanol in CH3CN. Electrocatalysis is initiated by sequential 1e(-) reductions at the tpy and bpy ligands followed by addition of water to give a ruthenium hydride intermediate. Significant rate enhancements for hydrogen evolution are observed with added weak acids, such as H2PO4(-), for the latter, with a rate enhancement of 10(4) compared to water. The reactivity of the in situ electrogenerated hydride toward hydride transfer is promoted by ligand reduction.
The Resistive Client: A Neglected Phenomenon in Behavior Therapy

The limited behavioral literature on resistance is briefly reviewed. Initial attempts by behavior therapists to operationally define resistance, pertinent research variables, and hypothesized types of resistance are discussed. Parallel concepts are drawn from seemingly unrelated fields, such as reactance and communications theories, medicine, and hypnotherapy, and are related to behavioral techniques and potential research. Possible reasons for the neglect of this area are discussed and include the behavior therapist's theoretical orientation, the need to consider cognitive variables, and the methodological complexity required.
Fluorocarbons and Stratospheric Ozone: A Review of Current Knowledge

Abstract During the past decade, significant attention has been focused on the stratospheric ozone layer and its possible perturbation by human activities. The field has recently been entered by a number of statisticians applying the methods of time series analysis of the ozone data record in an attempt to search for deterministic trends. This paper is an elementary introduction to the theory of the ozone layer with special attention to the potential impact of fluorocarbons.
Effect of Strophanthus on Coronary Blood Flow and Cardiac Oxygen Consumption of Normal and Failing Human Hearts

The action of strophanthus preparations on the coronary blood flow and the oxidative metabolism of the normal and failing human heart has been studied by coronary sinus catheterization. It has been found that strophanthus preparations have no effect on the coronary flow or oxidative metabolism of either the normal or failing heart. This agrees with the concept that the oxidative metabolism (energy production) of the failing heart in vivo is not abnormal. The results indicate that this drug is responsible for causing more effective conversion of oxidative energy into work.
Toxicogenomics and cross-species biomarker discovery: applications in drug discovery and safety assessment.

Toxicogenomics has evolved into a useful technique for providing greater mechanistic insights into adverse effects that will spur the development of novel approaches for identifying and understanding toxicity issues. The ability to capture a snapshot of the transcriptome at any given time during the development of an adverse phenotype allows unprecedented molecular views into the dynamic physiological changes that are occurring on either time or dose continuum for a toxicology study of interest advancing our basic knowledge of adverse events, and providing the necessary scientific framework for developing new strategies and tools for safety assessment programs. The development of an effective subset of cost effective devices for identifying toxicity earlier in the drug development process will help identify the most promising candidate compounds to move forward leading to a reduction in compound attrition due to toxicity. In addition, there is a need in the pharmaceutical industry to develop safety and ef...
Plasma paracetamol concentrations after different doses of rectal paracetamol in older children A comparison of 1 g vs. 40 mg.kg−1

Summary We compared the plasma paracetamol levels attained after the administration of different doses of rectal paracetamol in healthy children to see if they attained therapeutic levels (> 10 µg.ml−1). We recruited 24 children (ASA I–III) over 25 kg undergoing elective surgery. They were randomly assigned to receive rectal paracetamol at a dose of 1 g or 40 mg.kg−1. Blood samples were taken for analysis at 2, 3, 4 and 5 h post dose. Most children in the 1 g group failed to attain therapeutic plasma levels, whereas those in the 40 mg kg−1 group did achieve therapeutic levels (mean maximum concentration = 7.8 vs. 15.9 µg.ml−1, p = 0.009).