cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversal of ion-charge selectivity renders the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel GLIC insensitive to anaesthetics.

Pentameric ligand gated ion channels (pLGICs) are a family of structurally homologous cationic and anionic channels involved in neurotransmission. Cationic members of the pLGIC family are typically inhibited by general anesthetics, while anionic members are potentiated. GLIC is a prokaryotic cationic pLGIC and can be inhibited by clinical concentrations of general anesthetics. The introduction of three mutations, Y221A (Y–3′A), E222P (E–2′P) and N224R (N0′R), at the selectivity filter and one, A237T (A13′T), at the hydrophobic gate, converted GLIC to an anion channel. The mutated GLIC (GLIC4) became insensitive to the anesthetics propofol and etomidate as well as the channel blocker picrotoxin. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed changes in the structure and dynamics of GLIC4 in comparison to GLIC, particularly in the tilting angles of the pore-lining helix (TM2) that consequently resulted in different pore radius and hydration profiles. Propofol binding to an intra-subunit site of GLIC shifted the tilting angles of TM2 towards closure at the hydrophobic gate region, consistent with propofol inhibition of GLIC. In contrast, the pore of GLIC4 was much more resilient to perturbation from propofol binding. This study underscores the importance of pore dynamics and conformation to anesthetic effects on channel functions.
STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF CERTAIN VARIANTS OF B. TYPHOSUS : I. AGGLUTINATION AND AGGLUTININ ABSORPTION.

The results of cross-agglutination and agglutinin absorption experiments with the motile smooth, non-motile smooth, motile rough, and non-motile rough forms of B. typhosus are presented. Cross-agglutination between these four forms is complete, save that the motile rough antigen is under certain conditions only weakly agglutinated by the antisera prepared with the non-motile forms. Cross-absorption of the somatic agglutinogen of the four variants is complete, save that the motile smooth culture still shows granular agglutination with the anti-MS and anti-MR sera after absorption with these cultures. A theory of the antigenic composition of the four variants of B. typhosus is presented, based on the results obtained in these experiments. It would appear that, contrary to the usually accepted theory, the four variants have a common somatic agglutinogen. To explain the difference between the smooth virulent forms and the rough non-virulent forms it has been assumed that the S forms contain a carbohydrate which is associated with virulence and which takes no part in the agglutination reaction.
Multilevel Control of Competence Development and Stress Tolerance in Streptococcus mutans UA159

Genetic competence appears to be important in establishment of biofilms and tolerance of environmental insults. We report here that the development of competence is controlled at multiple levels in a complex network that includes two signal-transducing two-component systems (TCS). Using Streptococcus mutans strain UA159, we demonstrate that the histidine kinase CiaH, but not the response regulator CiaR, causes a dramatic decrease in biofilm formation and in transformation efficiency. Inactivation of comE or comD had no effect on stress tolerance, but transformability of the mutants was poor and was not restored by addition of competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). Horse serum (HS) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) had no impact on transformability of any strains. Interestingly, though, the presence of HS or BSA in combination with CSP was required for efficient induction of comD, comX, and comYA, and induction was dependent on ComDE and CiaH, but not CiaR. Inactivation of comC, encoding CSP, had no impact on transformation, and CiaH was shown to be required for optimal comC expression. This study reveals that S. mutans integrates multiple environmental signals through CiaHR and ComDE to coordinate induction of com genes and that CiaH can exert its influence through CiaR and as-yet-unidentified regulators. The results highlight critical differences in the role and regulation of CiaRH and com genes in different S. mutans isolates and between S. mutans and Streptococcus pneumoniae, indicating that substantial divergence in the role and regulation of TCS and competence genes has occurred in streptococci.
Three-Dimensional Microscopy by Selective Illumination with Feedback

A novel method of 3D microscopy is demonstrated based on illumination of an object by a processed image of itself in a feedback loop. Using a simple apparatus, we obtain 8 mum optical sectioning resolution
Acute cAMP stimulation in Leydig cells: rapid accumulation of a protein similar to that detected in adrenal cortex and corpus luteum.

Addition of cAMP (as the dibutyryl compound) to a primary culture of mouse Leydig cells caused the accumulation of a protein, i(b), with the same dependence on cAMP concentration as the increase in testosterone synthesis. Stimulation of both protein i(b) and testo-sterone proouction were inhibited by cycloneximide. Additionally, cAMP caused repression of synthesis of another protein, p(b), with the same approximate molecular weight (28,000 daltons) as i(b), but more basic isoelectric point. This behavior resembles an event which has been documented in the adrenal cortex (Krueger, R.J., and Orme-Johnson, N.R., J. Biol. Chem., 258, 10159–10167, 1983) and corpus luteum (Pon, L.A., and Orme-Johnson, N.R., J. Biol. Chem., 261, 6594–6599, 1986). The discovery of these proteins in a third steroid-producing cell type and the close correlation between conditions causing increased steroid synthesis and increased i(b) production is further indication that protein i(b) may be an intermediary in peptide hormone or cAM...
Imaging and intussusception

Intussusception is one of the most common surgical emergencies in childhood although many patients will present initially to paediatricians. Imaging has a major role both in the diagnosis and management of this condition. Intussusception occurs when a segment of bowel invaginates into an immediately adjacent segment, often likened to a telescope. The proximal, inner (inverting) segment of bowel is called the intussusceptum , and the outer distal (receiving) segment the intussuscipiens . The intussusceptum is propagated distally by bowel peristalsis leading to compression and angulation of the mesenteric vessels which causes reduced perfusion, venous congestion and bowel wall oedema, leading to ischaemia and eventually bowel necrosis. The physical presence of an intussusception also causes bowel obstruction, with colicky abdominal pain, distension and vomiting. Intussusception can occur at any age but is most common in the first two years of life, with its peak incidence between the ages of 3–9 months. It is often seasonal, occurring with increased frequency during late spring and autumn in the UK, rather than summer or winter.1 Four types of intussusception are described; ileo-colic, ileo-ileo-colic, colo-colic and small bowel intussusception (jejuno-jejunal and ileo-ileal). Ileo-colic intussusception is the most common type, accounting for over 80% of cases in children. In approximately 90% of these no underlying cause is found, although most probably arise as a result of hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue in Peyer’s patches or mesenteric lymph nodes following a recent infection acting as a “lead point” for intussusception to occur. A history of upper respiratory tract or gastrointestinal viral infection in the preceding week is often elicited. The terminal ileum is particularly rich in lymphoid tissue which explains why the ileocaecal region is so frequently involved. Even when there is evidence of lymphoid hyperplasia on imaging or at surgery, these types of intussusception are referred …
The efficacy of prophylactic IVC filters in gastric bypass surgery

Background Patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery have a high risk for thromboembolic events. Over the last decade, the use of prophylactic IVC filters (IVCF) has drastically increased for patients who are considered high risk. However, the role and efficacy of prophylactic IVCF placement remain controversial, and the literature is limited to a few retrospective studies.
Description and Validation of a Noninvasive Placebo Acupuncture Procedure

Objective: To evaluate a simulated acupuncture technique for use in randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of acupuncture for low-back pain. Setting: The clinic of an accredited acupuncture college in Seattle, Washington. Subjects: Acupuncture-naive enrollees of Group Health Cooperative who had visited their primary care provider with a complaint of back pain that persisted for at least 3 months. Experimental design: In the first experiment, subjects received six insertions of real needles and six pokes with a toothpick in a guidetube in a two-period crossover design. In the second experiment, subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a complete treatment with real acupuncture needles or a simulated treatment using a toothpick in a guidetube. Outcomes: In the first experiment, we compared subjects' perceptions about which implement was used for each "insertion" while in the second, we compared the perceptions (e.g., acupuncturist's warmth and caring, the reasonableness of acupuncture ...
Three-Compton telescope: theory, simulations, and performance

The advent of highly segmented gamma-ray detectors with good energy resolution has made a new class of gamma-ray detectors possible. These instruments record the positions and energies of each individual gamma-ray interaction with high precision. Analysis of the individual interactions can provide energy and directional information, even for events with only partial energy deposition. Advantages over traditional gamma-ray detectors include enhanced efficiency, background rejection, gamma-ray imaging, and sensitivity to polarization. Consider those gamma-rays that interact three or more times in the detector. The energy of the gamma-ray that initiated one of these events is uniquely determined by measuring the energies of the first two interactions and the scatter angle of the second interaction. The precision of this measurement is limited by the energy and position resolution of the detector, but also from Doppler broadening that results from gamma-ray scattering off-bound electrons in the detector. It is also essential to correctly sequence the first three interactions. The importance of Doppler broadening is greater in higher Z-materials, thus silicon becomes a good choice for the detector material. We discuss performance and simulations of the multiple Compton telescope. Possible applications include an advanced Compton telescope (ACT) for astrophysics, a medical multiple-gamma detector high-energy imaging survey instrument, and a gamma-ray tracking detector for future low-energy nuclear physics experiments.
Glass-like lattice thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric efficiency in Yb9Mn4.2Sb9

Motivated by excellent thermoelectric performance in the well-known Yb-based Zintl compounds Yb_(14)MnSb_(11) and YbZn_(2−x)Mn_xSb_2, this study investigates the thermoelectric properties of Yb_9Mn_(4.2)Sb_9. Unlike most transition metal containing Zintl phases, Yb_9Mn_(4.2)Sb)9 contains a partially occupied Mn site and thus does not have a valence-precise stoichiometry. Samples were synthesized by direct ball milling of the elements, followed by hot pressing. Consistent with previous reports, X-ray diffraction and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy confirmed a narrow composition range near Yb_9Mn_(4.2)Sb_9. High temperature measurements of the electronic properties of Yb_9Mn_(4.2)Sb_9 indicate that it is a degenerate p-type semiconductor with a band gap sufficiently large for high temperature thermoelectric applications. Hall measurements reveal that Yb_9Mn_(4.2)Sb_9 has a high extrinsic carrier concentration (~10^(20) h^+ cm^(−3)), which is due to the deviation from the theoretical “Zintl composition” of Yb_9Mn_(4.5)Sb_9. The measured carrier concentration coincides with the optimum concentration predicted using a single parabolic band model. Measurements of the thermal diffusivity and heat capacity reveal an extremely low, temperature-independent lattice thermal conductivity in this compound (κ_L < 0.4 W mK^(−1)), which is due to both the large unit cell size (44 atoms per primitive cell) and substantial disorder on the Mn site. This favorable combination of optimized electronic properties and low lattice thermal conductivity leads to a promising figure of merit at high temperature (zT = 0.7 at 950 K).
GPS denied source seeking for underactuated autonomous vehicles in 3D

Extremum seeking has been successfully applied to source seeking for autonomous vehicles operating in two dimensions. In this paper we extend these results to vehicles operating in three dimensions. The extension is interesting for several reasons. First, there is the choice of vehicle models to consider, and second there is the question of what type of vehicle movement can be actuated. We present two control schemes which address these questions. The first scheme focuses on vehicles with a constant forward velocity and the ability to actuate pitch and yaw velocities. The second scheme explores vehicles which operate with a constant forward velocity and a constant pitch velocity and which are capable of actuating only the roll velocity. We present the vehicle models, details of the control schemes, and simulation results.
Reliable Lightpath Routing in Optical Mesh Networks under Multiple Link Failures

In this work, we study the problem of maximizing lightpath reliability in optical mesh networks against simultaneous failures of multiple fiber links without using protection schemes. The fiber links belong to shared risk link groups (SRLGs) that have arbitrary failure probabilities. This problem is NP-hard and we propose heuristic algorithms for networks with large numbers of SRLGs as well as optimal solutions for networks with smaller numbers of SRLGs. The solutions are evaluated through simulations.
Textbooks and Kinetic Metastability

This letter calls attention to the coverage of kinetic metastability in the introductory textbooks and accompanying online materials written by the author and his coauthors.
Clinically meaningful changes in functional performance resulting from self-directed interventions in individuals with arthritis

Abstract Objectives To examine the clinical meaningfulness of changes observed in functional performance from two self-directed interventions targeting adults with arthritis. Study design Randomized controlled trial. Methods Participants ( n = 312) were randomized to a 12-week self-directed exercise or nutrition intervention. Objective measures of functional performance (6-minute walk, seated reach, grip strength, 30-second chair stand, gait speed, balance) were obtained at baseline, 12 weeks, and nine months. Minimally (≥0.20 standard deviation) and substantially (≥0.50) meaningful changes in functional performance were examined. Changes in the percent ‘impaired’ and at risk for losing independence using established standards, and associations between physical activity and impairment/risk status were also examined. Group × Time interactions were not significant; therefore groups were combined in all analyses. Results Minimally (31–71%) and substantially (13–54%) meaningful changes in function were shown. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of participants ‘impaired’ on the 30-second chair stand (both time points) and gait speed (nine months). The percentage of participants at risk for losing independence significantly decreased for the 30-second chair stand (both time points) and the 6-minute walk (nine months). Those engaging in ≥2 h of leisure-time physical activity were significantly less likely to be impaired on the 6-minute walk, 30-second chair stand, and gait speed at 12 weeks, and the 6-minute walk at nine months. Conclusions Interventions that can slow functional declines, and ideally result in clinically meaningful improvements in functional performance among adults with arthritis are needed. Meaningful improvements in various indicators of functional performance can result from self-directed exercise and nutrition programs. These types of programs have the potential for wide-spread dissemination, and thus broad reach.
Survey of Ochratoxin A in Freshly Harvested Durum and Hard Red Spring Wheat in the United States, 2011 and 2012

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxin produced by some Penicillium and Aspergillus species around the world in a variety of food and feed, especially cereal grains, before harvest but primarily during storage. Durum and hard red spring (HRS) wheat samples were collected right after harvest as part of the U. S. regional crop quality survey in both 2011 (n = 560) and 2012 (n = 654) from the upper Great Plains. All samples were analyzed for OTA contamination using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Overall, 2.1% of the samples were positive for OTA. In 2011, OTA was detected in 1.0% of the durum wheat samples but was not found in HRS wheat. In 2012, 8.3 and 1.4% of the durum and HRS wheat samples, respectively, were positive for OTA. Of the 25 samples that had detectable OTA, 3 samples (12%), all of which were durum wheat, had OTA that exceeded 5 ng/g.
Chemical and Structural Effects on Diamond C(111)-(2×1) Surface Exposed to F, H and Hydrocarbon Species

Adsorption and subsequent surface processes of hydrogen and hydrocarbon species on the diamond C(111)-(2xF) bare surface have been investigated by AES, XPS, LEED, TDS and laser non-linear spectroscopies (SHG and SFG) under ultrahigh vacuum condition. Extremely low coverage of atomic H causes the transition of the hare (2×1) surface to the (1×1) structure. Exposure of the bare (2×1) surface to CIIx species from hot filament activated methane leads to the formation mainly of CH3 species. The conversion of the surface structure from (2×1) to (1×1) with exposure does take place but not as easily as for hydrogen. These studies are now being extended to adsorption of F by exposures to XeF2 There are two stages of saturation for 17 adsorption on the C(111)-(2xF) surface. This is interpreted to indicate that there are at least two adsorption sites for the F atoms. Whereas adsorption of II atoms at coverages less than 5% of a monolayer causes the surface lattice transition from (2×1) to (1×1) structure, the (2×1) structure is retained at all levels of fluorine adsorption. However the C(111)-(1x1) surface with over half a monolayer of II adsorption behaves quite differently with respect to F adsorption.
Theoretical study of structural and electronic properties of δ-MoN

Using density functional theory within the local density approximation and generalized gradient approximation, we compare the cohesive energy of molybdenum nitride in its hexagonal $\ensuremath{\delta}$-phase with that in the NiAs structure from which it differs by small distortions. The energy bands and bulk modulus are calculated, the latter in good agreement with experiment. Although $\ensuremath{\delta}$-MoN is a metal, we find a large ionic component to its bonding.
Effect of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Free Water on the Number and Normalcy of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Emerging from Eggs of Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effect of selected temperatures, relative humidities, and levels of free water at time of eclosion, and the effect of selected temperatures and relative humidity during development, were measured on the number of adult Trichogramma pretiosum Riley emerging from parasitized eggs of Heliothis zea (Boddie), and on the frequency of abnormal (brachypterous) wings among emerged adults. At time of eclosion, highest mean rates of emergence occurred at 32 ± 1°C and 60 and 80% RH. Significant declines in adult emergence occurred above 80% and below 40% RH at all temperatures evaluated. Temperatures of 38 and 43 ± 1°C lowered mean rates of adult eclosion by >70% under optimum relative humidity. T. pretiosum adults that emerged at 27 and 32 ± 1°C and 40, 60, and 80% RH generally had fully developed wings, whereas adults that emerged at higher and lower relative humidity and adults that emerged at 35, 38, and 43 ± 1°C (all RH) had significantly higher mean frequencies of brachypterous wings than did the control. Brachypterous wings among adult T. pretiosum emerging at 38 and 43 ± 1°C generally exceeded 50%. Eclosion responses of T. pretiosum reared at day temperatures of 27, 32, and 35 ± 1°C (21 ± 1°C night) and a range of relative humidity from 10 to 100% generally paralleled those of T. pretiosum exposed to similar ambient conditions only at time of eclosion. Largest mean numbers of T. pretiosum per host emerged from host eggs held for development and eclosion at 27 and 32 ± 1°C and 80% RH. Only when reared at day temperatures of 32 and 35 ± 1°C and 40, 60, and 80% RH was the mean number of T. pretiosum emerged with brachypterous wings the same as that of the control. Eclosion of T. pretiosum from eggs of H. zea held on filter paper substrates was statistically lowered when levels of free water reached or exceeded saturation. If augmented Trichogramma are ever to perform as expected, requisites for their successful eclosion and ambient conditions in which they are expected to emerge and perform must be identified and carefully aligned.
AIDS in the Developing World: An Epidemiologic Overview

The pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is rapidly becoming a tropical disease. Sub-Saharan Africa alone currently accounts for -60% of the estimated >11 million infections worldwide. In Africa the virus is transmitted heterosexually and in many areas is now widely dispersed in the general population. Spread of HIV in Asia has been more recent, with current estimates of 2 million infections, but has been very rapid in South and Southeast Asia. In Thailand extensive transmission of the virus has occurred over the last 5 years. Initially, infections were seen in users of intravenous drugs and in commercial sex workers; now, however, HIV has spread to the general population
Development of a Model to Predict Transplant-free Survival of Patients With Acute Liver Failure.

Background & Aims Patients with acute liver failure (ALF) have a high risk of death that can be substantially reduced with liver transplantation. It is a challenge to predict which patients with ALF will survive without liver transplant because available prognostic scoring systems are inadequate. We devised a mathematical model, using a large dataset collected by the Acute Liver Failure Study Group, which can predict transplant-free survival in patients with ALF. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 1974 subjects who met criteria for ALF (coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy within 26 weeks of the first symptoms, without pre-existing liver disease) enrolled in the Acute Liver Failure Study Group database from January 1, 1998 through June 11, 2013. We randomly assigned the subjects to development and validation cohorts. Data from the development cohort were analyzed to identify factors associated with transplant-free survival (alive without transplantation by 21 days after admission to the study). Statistically significant variables were used to create a multivariable logistic regression model. Results Most subjects were women (70%) and white (78%); acetaminophen overdose was the most common cause (48% of subjects). The rate of transplant-free survival was 50%. Admission values of hepatic encephalopathy grade, ALF etiology, vasopressor use, and log transformations of bilirubin and international normalized ratio were significantly associated with transplant-free survival, based on logistic regression analysis. In the validation cohort, the resulting model predicted transplant-free survival with a C statistic value of 0.84, 66.3% accuracy (95% confidence interval, 63.1%–69.4%), 37.1% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, 32.5%–41.8%), and 95.3% specificity (95% confidence interval, 92.9%–97.1%). Conclusions Using data from the Acute Liver Failure Study Group, we developed a model that predicts transplant-free survival of patients with ALF based on easily identifiable hospital admission data. External validation studies are required.
Epidemiology of Injury in High School Sports

The epidemiology of injury among high school athletes varies by sport. Overall, injury rates vary widely with full-contact sports having the highest injury rates, followed by sports where athlete-athlete contact occurs relatively frequently although too much contact is in violation of the rules of the sport, followed by sports where athlete-athlete contact is rare. Across gender-comparable sports, girls have higher injury rates than boys. While the most commonly injured body sites and most common diagnoses of injury also vary by sport, patterns of specific injury in nearly all sports reflect the intense focus on concussions over the past decade. Targeted injury prevention efforts should be based on an understanding of sport-specific injury rates and patterns as these differences mean more general prevention programs are less likely to be effective.
Monitoring on Disinfection of Private Clinics in Xichang City

Objective By understanding the disinfection status of private clinics in Xichang,to find out the problems in the management of disinfection.Methods The object surfaces in private clinics,the hands of medical workers and the disinfection solutions were sampled and investigated during the year 2007 to 2010.Results During the four years,a total of 327 private clinics had been investigated and a total of 1 115 samples obtained with 960 of them qualified.The average passing rate was 86.1%.The passing rate in the 4 years was 80.1%,81.2%,90.0% and 95.2% respectively,with the differences statistically significant(χ2=36.14,P0.05).The qualified rate of object surfaces,the hands of medical workers and disinfection solutions was 80.7%,74.4% and 93.2% respectively,with the differences statistically significant(χ2=6.79,P0.05).Conclusion The quality of disinfection of private clinics in Xichang improved year by year,but there were still a lot of problems.It is necessary to enhance training on disinfection awareness and disinfection methods for medical workers to improve the quality of disinfection.
Lymphoma presenting as cranial nerve neuropathies in HIV-infected patients.

Patients with HIV infection are at increased risk for several types of malignancy. After Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the second most common HIV-associated cancer.1
FK 506: An Update

A metabolite of the fungus Streptomyces tsukubaensis was isolated in 1984. It was given the investigative code name FK 506 and was found to have potent immunosuppressive effects in vitro and vivo. In 1989 the first human trials were begun in Pittsburgh. Based on the positive findings of those trials two large multicenter trials were started, one in the United States and one in Europe. In the U.S. trial the study group was treated with FK 506 and corticosteroids at half the dose of the control group. The control group was treated with cyclosporine, azathioprine and corticosteroids. The protocol design grew out of the observations and concerns raised at the early trial in Pittsburgh. The 1-year patient survival was 80% in both groups, and the graft survival was 82% in FK 506 and 79% in the control group (NS). However, at the end of the 1st year 32% of the study group had not had any rejections vs 24% of the control group (p < 0.002). This was accentuated in the pediatric patients, of whom 58% of the FK 506-treated patients were free of rejections vs 28% of the control group at 6 months. The incidence of OKT3 treatment for steroid-resistant rejection was significantly lower (16%) in the FK 506 group compared to the control group (29%); p = 0.0001. The main adverse experiences were renal and neurotoxicity which were more common in the FK 506 patients than in the control group. FK 506 has been used extensively for rescue of treatment-resistant rejections. Unfortunately, no such trials have been randomized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Choices in Monitoring Wetlands

Wetlands pose unusual challenges for monitoring programs. The enormous spatial and temporal variability that is typical of wetlands requires that large numbers of samples be collected if the wetland community is to be properly characterized. However, access problems severely limit the ability to easily sample wetlands.
Calcium Modulates Herg Function by Acting at Two Distinct Binding Sites

Reduction of the current carried by the cardiac potassium channel HERG can lead to Long QT syndrome, an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rate and reduced cardiac output, which can, in certain situations, be fatal. The effect of extracellular electrolytes on the biophysical properties of the HERG channel have been studied in some detail. In particular, increases in extracellular calcium, magnesium and hydrogen have been shown to slow channel activation, increase channel deactivation, and shift the G-V curve to more positive voltages. A number of reports have also shown that hydrogen can reduce HERG current by a mechanism that does not involve an effect on channel deactivation and which likely involves pore block. We have shown previously that reducing extracellular potassium results in a significant increase in HERG current reduction by a number of extracellular divalent ions, including calcium, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, and hydrogen. We have also shown that current reduction of the HERG mutant G628CS631A is significantly reduced compared to WT at all voltages tested. We show here that the positive shift in the G-V curve of the WT HERG due to an increase in extracellular calcium is much less sensitive to potassium than the effect of extracellular potassium on current reduction. In addition, the G-V curve of the HERG double mutant G682CS631 (which shows reduced current reduction with an increase in extracellular calcium) is shifted to the right with an increase in extracellular calcium in a similar manner to the positive shift with increased extracellular calcium seen with the WT channel. Both of these findings are consistent two separate calcium binding sites: one site that interacts with the voltage sensor and one site that may interact with the outer pore of the HERG channel.
Ethanol administration and the relationship of malonyl-coenzyme A concentrations to the rate of fatty acid synthesis in rat liver.

Abstract 1. The effect of ethanol on liver fatty acid synthesis was studied in vivo in 24h-starved and `meal-fed' rats (i.e. fed for 3h per day and not ad libitum). 2. In the fed animal 3H2O was incorporated into fat at a rate of 0.46μmol of C2 units/min per g wet wt. of liver. Administration of either ethanol (3.2g/kg) or equicaloric amounts of glucose had no effect on the rate of 3H2O incorporation into lipid. 3. In the 24h-starved animal, administration of the same dose of ethanol produced an increase in the rate of 3H2O incorporation from 0.06 to 0.12μmol of C2 units/min per g fresh wt. after 3h whereas [malonyl-CoA] increased from 0.006 to 0.009μmol/g. Glucose given in amounts equicaloric to ethanol was significantly more lipogenic, increasing both the 3H2O incorporation from 0.06 to 0.20μmol of C2 units/min per g and the malonyl-CoA content from 0.006 to 0.013 μmol/g wet wt. at 3h. 4. The decrease in the redox state of free cytoplasm NAD or NADP couples or the changes in content of citrate, glucose 6-phosphate and pyruvate of liver after ethanol administration had no measurable effect on the rate of fatty acid synthesis in vivo. 5. Under the conditions of the experiments there was no significant difference, among any of the groups, in the activity of liver fatty acid synthetase measured in vitro. A double-reciprocal plot of the rate of 3H2O incorporation and the total tissue malonyl-CoA concentrations showed a striking relationship. It has been concluded that the rate of fatty acid synthesis in vivo is determined principally by the Vmax. of fatty acid synthetase and the concentration of free malonyl-CoA. 6. It has also been concluded that under the conditions of the present study, the synthesis of fatty acids de novo is unlikely to be an important factor in the increased liver lipid content associated with ethanol administration.
BLINKING AS AN ATTENTIONAL VARIABLE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

The rationale for the search for a behavioral measure which is sufficiently molecular to be close to the biologic phenotype and which is also integrated into more complex, clinically relevant behaviors is presented. Blinking is utilized as a part process of attention. Blinking is increased in schizophrenics and this paper reports on some relationships of blinking rates to other measures of attention.
Editorial: It's All About Students . . . Learning

E ducation is all about students! Pro or con? It depends on your outlook. Should students determine what the curriculum is and how a professor teaches a class? Absolutely not! Should the curriculum and a professor’s class organization and presentation be geared to maximize student learning? Absolutely! Consider the following: A very good friend assailed me a few years ago about how uncaring her daughter’s college professors were. “They have no concern for the students,” she said. Evidence for this was that in high school her daughter could take tests and turn in written assignments as many times as she wanted. Each time her teachers would correct the exam/work, give it back, and allow the student to study/correct the work, and do it again. College professors grade it the first time, so they don’t like the students. While there is something to be said about allowing a student to learn from his/her mistakes, to totally remove accountability for the student’s actions does not prepare them for the real world. I have also known teachers who allow students to vote on what will be covered in a class. “I want the students to like me,” some say. Our Academic Vice President, a former English professor, periodically shares essays about faculty responsibilities. In the most recent essay, he talked about the need to be student-centered in our teaching. Our goal, he wrote, should be to “transform not just to inform students.” We “should forget any need to impress and try 1
Key Components of a Comprehensive Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound Report

Ultrasound imaging is an indispensable tool in the diagnosis, workup, and surveillance of thyroid and parathyroid disease. Clinical decision-making based on the ultrasonographic findings relies on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information. With a large number of practitioners performing thyroid and parathyroid ultrasounds in a variety of settings, standardization of ultrasound reporting is paramount. Here, we review the recommendations of what features are considered to be key components of a comprehensive report. A comparison is drawn between the recommendations from the American Thyroid Association (ATA), a multidisciplinary group of experts, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). In addition, we discuss the need to track ultrasonographic features of thyroid pathology for each patient over time. Such a database must be able to incorporate all the key elements of the ultrasound exam and highlight any clinically significant change.
Complementary Bell Numbers: Arithmetical Properties and Wilf's Conjecture

The 2-adic valuations of Bell and complementary Bell numbers are determined. The complementary Bell numbers are known to be zero at n = 2 and H. S. Wilf conjectured that this is the only case where vanishing occurs. N. C. Alexander and J. An proved (independently) that there are at most two indices where this happens. This paper presents yet an alternative proof of the latter.
Complications of Inguinal Lymphadenectomy

The urologic oncology literature has supported a more aggressive use of inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with high-risk penile cancer. Lymphadenectomy provides important staging that may determine the need for further adjuvant therapies and may prove therapeutic in some tumors. However, surgical morbidity can be a significant problem after radical inguinal lymph node dissection. Wound infection, skin necrosis, wound dehiscence, and lymphedema have been reported in a high portion of cases. Modified approaches and development of new techniques have reduced the incidence of these complications. This chapter provides an overview of complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer and outlines strategies that may be helpful in preventing or treating these complications.
Accentuate the Negative: Grammatical Errors During Narrative Production as a Clinical Marker of Central Nervous System Abnormality in School-Aged Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine (a) whether increased grammatical error rates during a standardized narrative task are a more clinically useful marker of central nervous system abn...
A fast algorithm for Quadrature by Expansion in three dimensions

Abstract This paper presents an accelerated quadrature scheme for the evaluation of layer potentials in three dimensions. Our scheme combines a generic, high order quadrature method for singular kernels called Quadrature by Expansion (QBX) with a modified version of the Fast Multipole Method (FMM). Our scheme extends a recently developed formulation of the FMM for QBX in two dimensions, which, in that setting, achieves mathematically rigorous error and running time bounds. In addition to generalization to three dimensions, we highlight some algorithmic and mathematical opportunities for improved performance and stability. Lastly, we give numerical evidence supporting the accuracy, performance, and scalability of the algorithm through a series of experiments involving the Laplace and Helmholtz equations.
Bridging the gaps between ecology and nutrition: a middle school–university collaboration

ABSTRACTThis article examines the design and evaluation of a novel, cross-institutional, classroom-based nutrition intervention program created by a seventh grade science teacher and a university i...
A New Design Criterion of Corrosion Fatigue Strength

ABSTRACT In this paper the corrosion fatigue behaviour (R = -1, 0, 0.3, 1) of turbine blade steels, ZG20MnSi and ZG0Crl3Ni4Mo, was studied in water. The results indicate that tensile mean stress have a greater influence on the corrosion fatigue endurence limit in water than in air. Its micromechanism is explained by SEM observation of fracture surface. The test results still showed that the corrosion fatigue behaviour of the metals is below the Goodman line. When the design against corrosion fatigue is done, the modified Goodman criterion can't be used, because it is not safe, its relative error is 55 percent. A new criterion is advanced. The criterion equation is easy to obtain, its relative error is less than 10 percent. At last the criterion equation of two materials are given. Moreover, the data of some references are analysied, we obtained the same conclusion.
Cross-Colonization in Intensive Care Units: Fact or Fiction?

The central issue addressed in this chapter is the origin of microorganisms colonizing patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) (1). To what extent are organisms acquired in the ICU via patient-to-patient transmission and to what extent are they brought into the ICU because of pre-existing colonization? These questions could equally well be directed toward other types of settings such as non-ICU acute-care wards or extended care facilities. The underlying characteristics that establish the dynamics of microbial transmission within an ICU population—a) entry into and discharge from a geographically-confined area of persons who are ill, receive antibiotics and other gastrointestinal flora-altering medications, and undergo invasive procedures; and b) a work-force of caregivers who inadvertently serve as vectors for transmission of microorganisms via transient hand carriage—are also operational in other epidemiologic settings. The distinction of the ICU is that it is the environment where the factors which promote spread and acquisition of microorganisms are most highly concentrated.
Intercalating drugs: DNA binding and molecular pharmacology.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the intercalating drugs. There are many drug molecules containing planar aromatic ring systems which can be inserted between base pairs of DNA in a process called intercalation. This interaction can lead to inhibition of DNA and/or RNA polymerase reactions and can, thus, cause metabolic changes and death in organisms or cells treated with intercalating drugs. There is evidence that many intercalating compounds, which have activity against microbial organisms and neoplastic cells exert their activity through a binding process of this type with DNA. Several general reviews of intercalation and intercalating drugs have been published and it is hoped that the present article will update and prove complementary to this previous cover-age of the field. It was suggested that these results could best be explained by a nonclassical intercalation binding mechanism as follows: (1) the unsubstituted compound binds in a classical manner; (2) symmetrically substituted compounds bind in a more or less classical manner but cause larger length increases than the unsubstituted compound because of the greater effective thickness of their methylated intercalating ring systems; (3) the asymmetrically substituted compounds bind by intercalation but can cause both lengthening and bending of the double helix.
Topography as a contextual variable in infectious disease transmission.

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines whether or not topography is a contextual variable that indirectly influences the transmission of infectious diseases. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, economic status, injection drug use, and high-risk sexual behavior are known to influence infectious diseases transmission, but the effects of topography are often overlooked. DESIGN: A sample of 395 drug users were chosen from census tracts based upon a target profile of drug use behavior and demographics for the city of Houston. HIV was chosen as the infectious disease used to test this hypothesis. SETTING: Residents of 16 census tracts in Houston, Texas participated in this study. RESULTS: The findings revealed that census tracts that were ‘isolated’ by topographic barriers, such as bayous, parks, railroad tracks, railway yards, major thoroughfares, freeways, and unique street grids had fewer cases of HIV than census tracks that were more accessible to thru-traffic. CONCLUSION: The research findings suggest that future research studies should consider topography as being contextually related to infectious disease transmission. ABBREVIATIONS USED:HIV = human immunodeficiency virus
Testing New Hypotheses About Neurochemistry, Depression, and Drugs

The new hypotheses generated from the CDS about antidepressant clinical actions required evaluation in an independent study. The new study included a placebo control, and, a SSRI and selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), each targeted specifically on one of the critical neurotransmitter systems. This study was aimed at determining (1) the nature and sequence of the behavioral actions induced by the SNRI, desipramine (DMI), and the SSRI, paroxetine; (2) onsets of drug-induced behavioral action; (3) whether the two treatments induced different behavioral changes in depressed patients. The hypotheses were that the SSRI would initially impact anxiety and hostility, and the SNRI, motor activity. The results highlighted the conflict of the three depression dimensions, the arousal, anger, and depressive components, and how the disorder is affected differently by the two drugs and placebo. The sequences of behavioral actions are shown to be different for the two treatments. Depressive state cannot only be resolved through different pathways neurochemically, but also through different mood and behavioral changes, i.e., by initially reducing any one or two of the three major dimensions. Further, past success in predicting response to any antidepressant, has been very limited. The study showed a strong relationship between improvement within the first 2 weeks and a positive outcome. Even more strongly, the converse, absence of early improvements in, at minimum, one of the major components, predicted almost certain failure to ultimately respond. The predictions and different pattern of changes associated with the two drugs were, therefore, new and unique to this study.
The Influence of Histamine on Immune and Inflammatory Responses

Publisher Summary The fact that histamine can influence the immune process at different stages and that it can influence different subpopulations of cells at concentrations that probably exist in vivo during physiologic and pathologic events indicates that it can be seriously considered as a significant modulator of inflammatory and immune processes. Once histamine is made available, it is capable of interacting in the local milieu with lymphocytes/macrophages or other cell types present at the site of the reaction and modulating immune and inflammatory events. Some of its pro-inflammatory effects include stimulating T effector cells to produce chemoattractant and migration-inhibitory lymphokines, thus recruiting other immunocompetent lymphocytes to the reaction site and retaining them there. Some of the anti-inflammatory events mediated by histamine include the activation of suppression cells following their interaction with macrophages and/or their products (IL-1), which leads to the production of HSF. The latter augments the production of prostaglandins by macrophages/monocytes. Histamine may modulate the function of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells directly, thereby reducing their ability to mediate damage to their target cells. Histamine inhibition of complement synthesis by macrophages may serve to limit the severity of the inflammatory response.
Correlated Hypothesizing and the Distinction between Contingency-Shaped and Rule-Governed Behavior

Within our culture, references to consciousness, rational thought, and the use of knowledge are taken as straightforward descriptions of basic human functioning. Within psychology, there has been an enduring controversy over whether such terms qualify as basic explanatory terms, or whether they are misleading intrusions from ordinary language. On one hand, cognitivists have conformed to common usage, encorporating “knowledge,” “awareness,” and other terms of mentalistic origin into the groundwork of their theories. These concepts are said to explain why humans (and sometimes animals as well) behave as they do. On the other hand, behavioral traditions have run counter to these patterns. Many behaviorists have asserted that terms of mentalistic origin are inappropriate to a scientific account.
Depth-wise Decomposition for Accelerating Separable Convolutions in Efficient Convolutional Neural Networks.

Very deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been firmly established as the primary methods for many computer vision tasks. However, most state-of-the-art CNNs are large, which results in high inference latency. Recently, depth-wise separable convolution has been proposed for image recognition tasks on computationally limited platforms such as robotics and self-driving cars. Though it is much faster than its counterpart, regular convolution, accuracy is sacrificed. In this paper, we propose a novel decomposition approach based on SVD, namely depth-wise decomposition, for expanding regular convolutions into depthwise separable convolutions while maintaining high accuracy. We show our approach can be further generalized to the multi-channel and multi-layer cases, based on Generalized Singular Value Decomposition (GSVD) [59]. We conduct thorough experiments with the latest ShuffleNet V2 model [47] on both random synthesized dataset and a large-scale image recognition dataset: ImageNet [10]. Our approach outperforms channel decomposition [73] on all datasets. More importantly, our approach improves the Top-1 accuracy of ShuffleNet V2 by ~2%.