cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Directional Macromolecular Trafficking Across Specific Cellular Boundaries: A Key to Integrative Plant Biology

There is now solid evidence that cell-to-cell trafficking of certain proteins and RNAs plays a critical role in trans-cellular regulation of gene expression to coordinate cellular differentiation and development. Such trafficking also is critical for viral infection and plant defense. The mechanisms of trafficking remain poorly understood. Although some proteins may move between cells by diffusion, many proteins and RNAs move in a highly regulated fashion. Regulation is likely achieved through interactions between distinct protein or RNA motifs and cellular factors. Some motifs and factors have been identified. One of the major focuses for future studies is to identify all motifs and their cognate factors and further elucidate their roles in trafficking between specific cells. With increasing information from such studies, we should be able to develop an understanding of the mechanisms that regulate trafficking of various proteins and RNAs across all and specific cellular boundaries. On the basis of such mechanistic knowledge, we can further investigate how the trafficking machinery has evolved to regulate developmental and physiological processes in a plant, how pathogens have co-evolved to use this machinery for systemic spread in a plant, and how plants use this machinery for counter- defense.
Examination of a role for metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in the medial prefrontal cortex in cocaine sensitization in rats

Rationale Glutamatergic projection neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are hyperexcitable in cocaine-sensitized animals, resulting in increased excitatory output to addiction-associated regions such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens. Evidence suggests that Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is necessary for cocaine sensitization, and stimulation of this receptor in the mPFC potentially alters cell excitability directly through glutamate release or indirectly through downstream signaling cascades.
NEW APPROACH TO THE THEORY OF FLUCTUATIONS IN A PLASMA

A rigorous but simple method is presented for calculating autocorrelation functions (fluctuations) of nonequilibrium plasmas\char22{}including inhomogeneous and nonstationary plasmas\char22{}in external fields. This method is based upon the derivation of an exact and remarkably simple formal relation between autocorrelation functions and the usual one-particle distribution function ${f}_{1}(\mathrm{R}, \mathrm{v}, t)$ for an explicitly defined initial value. This relation explicitly reduces the problem of calculating fluctuation spectra to the problem of solving the usual kinetic equations for ${f}_{1}(\mathrm{R}, \mathrm{v}, t)$. Consequently, the central quantity of fluctuation theory is one and the same with the central quantity of kinetic theory, and the two theories are completely and explicitly united. To first order in the plasma parameter it is shown that one need only solve the linearized Vlasov equation for ${f}_{1}(\mathrm{R}, \mathrm{v}, t)$, and when this solution is substituted into our formal relation we obtain a general formula for autocorrelation functions which is valid for nonstationary systems and includes the effects of the transverse motion of the plasma in addition to the longitudinal motion. For stationary systems this formula approaches the numerous calculations of previous authors in the limits where the transverse terms vanish. As a result of the transverse terms, the spectrum of scattered light can have resonant peaks at frequencies which correspond to transverse modes of oscillation as well as to the well-known longitudinal modes.
VLF emission bursts in the terrestrial and Venusian nightside troughs

It is shown here that the 100-Hz emission bursts in the Venusian nightside ionosphere are remarkably similar to those of the terrestrial VLF saucer emissions in terms of their spatial and temporal characteristics and the properties of their magnetoplasma environment. It is proposed that the generation mechanism for such VLF sources should be considered as a viable alternative to lightning as a source of Venusian ionospheric whistler-mode emissions.
I-123 iofetamine single-photon computed emission tomography in rapid cycling bipolar disorder : A clinical study

The regional distribution of I-123 iofetamine (IMP) in the brain of 12 patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder was studied by single-photon computed emission tomography imaging. Patients who were either medication free (n = 4) or on lithium monotherapy (n = 8) were assessed serially in depressed/dysphoric, manic/hypomanic, or euthymic states. In 23 imaging studies, IMP images of the brain were taken on a GE Starcam system 20 min after injection of 3–4 mCi of I-123 labeled IMP. The I-123 IMP distribution in the anterior part of the temporal lobes was asymmetric in both depression/dysphoria and mania/hypomania but not in euthymia. Images taken sequentially on the same patient showed temporal lobe asymmetry in the pathological mood states that diminished or disappeared in the euthymic state. The observed changes most likely reflect an altered cerebral blood flow and changes in high-affinity IMP binding to amine receptors in the temporal lobes. This pilot study suggests the presence of a state-dependent temporal lobe dysfunction in bipolar disorder.
Transient Absorption Studies of the Pacman Effect in Spring-Loaded Diiron(III) μ-Oxo Bisporphyrins

Picosecond transient absorption spectroscopy of diiron(III) μ-oxo bisporphyrins appended to xanthene, (DPX)Fe2O and (DPXM)Fe2O, and dibenzofuran (DPD)Fe2O have been investigated in order to decipher the effect of a spring-loaded cleft on their photophysics and attendant oxidation photocatalysis. The tension of the cofacial pocket is systematically tuned with the bridge span and meso-substitution opposite to the bridge; the distances of the relaxed cofacial pockets and clamped Fe−O−Fe pockets are known from X-ray crystallography (ΔdM-M(relaxed − clamped) = 4.271 A (DPD), 2.424 A (DPXM), 0.208 A (DPX)). The photophysical and chemical properties of these cofacial platforms are compared to the unbridged diiron(III) μ-oxo analogue, (Etio)2Fe2O. Photon absorption by the diiron(III) μ-oxo chromophore prompts Fe−O−Fe photocleavage to release the spring and present a PFeIVO/PFeII pair (P = porphyrin subunit); net photooxidation is observed when oxygen atom transfer to substrate occurs before the spring can reclamp...
Aging, the use of time, and social change

Modern age stratification has contributed to greater differentiation of old age from the rest of the life cycle and lowered status for the aged. Discontinuity in the transition to old age makes the...
The size Ramsey number of trees with bounded degree

The size Ramsey number r(G, H) of graphs G and H is the smallest integer r such that there is a graph F with r edges and if the edge set of F is red‐blue colored, there exists either a red copy of G or a blue copy of H in F. This article shows that r(Tnd, Tnd) ⩽ c · d2 · n and c · n3 ⩽ r(Kn, Tnd) ⩽ c(d)·n3 log n for every tree Tnd on n vertices. and maximal degree at most d and a complete graph Kn on n vertices. A generalization will be given. Probabilistic method is used throught this paper. © 1993 John Wiley Sons, Inc. © 1993 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The case of the missing animal

MA was a 13-year-old Filipino male who had moved to the United States 7 years earlier. He had an unremarkable past medical history, social history and family medical history. The patient initially presented with back pain, abdominal pain, priapism and a burning sensation in his penis. His white blood cell count (WBC) was 14000/mm 3 , the sedimentation rate was 5 mm/hour and his cerebrospinal fluid examination was normal. The following day he had fever, chills and a WBC count of 20000/mm 3
An econometric model of a public university's income and enrollments

Abstract An econometric model of a public organization's income and outputs is applied to a public university and contains equations representing legislative demand for enrollments, students' attendance demand, and university supply. The results support the hypotheses that supply and the two demands determine the university's instructional funding and enrollments, and that interest groups affect legislative demand. While per student legislative funding for high cost graduate and professional students was not found to exceed that of undergraduates, evidence is presented that these enrollments are financed by the estimated discretionary funds resulting from the legislature's high cost of controlling academic activities.
Incidence of Atresia Coli and Relationships Among the Affected Calves Born in One Herd of Holstein Cattle

Eighteen cases of atresia coli were observed in the University of Illinois Holstein herd from 1974 through August 1983 in 2367 births. The overall incidence of the abnormality was .76% during this period. All of the affected calves were related to one another, and 15 of them were inbred. More calves were born with atresia coli from dams in which pregnancy was diagnosed prior to d 41 of gestation than from dams in which pregnancy was diagnosed later. Early pregnancy diagnosis in dams may contribute, but was not essential, to atresia coli in Holstein calves. Thirteen of the affected calves were males. The proportion of calves aborted or born dead among the affected calves was greater than expected from the incidence of aborted or born dead among contemporary calves.
Regioselective Plasmonic Coupling in Metamolecular Analogs of Benzene Derivatives

In analogy with benzene-derived molecular structures, we construct plasmonic metamolecules by attaching Au nanospheres to specific sites on a hexagonal Au nanoplate. We employ a ligand exchange strategy that allows regioselective control of nanosphere attachment and study resulting structures using correlated electron microscopy/optical spectroscopy at the single-metamolecule level. We find that plasmonic coupling within the resulting assembly is strongly dependent on the structure of the metamolecule, in particular the site of attachment of the nanosphere(s). We also uncover a synergy in the polarizing effect of multiple nanospheres attached to the nanoplate. Regioselective control of plasmonic properties demonstrated here enables the design of novel structure-dependent electromagnetic modes and applications in three-dimensional spatial nanosensors.
P2‐221: Daytime hypersomnolence on the multiple sleep latency test in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies

ods: CSF and plasma were gathered from 29 patients with DLB, 174 with AD and 90 with AD with minor vascular components. All patients who had completed a full investigation were selected consecutively from patients referred to a specialist clinic. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were gathered from 51 healthy volunteers. Total concentrations of Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, and Cs in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were determined for all subjects. Results: Patients with DLB had significantly increased calcium and magnesium levels in their CSF compared to all other investigated groups (p 0.001). Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cu, Rb , and Sr concentration in CSF did not differ between DLB patients and the other groups. Furthermore, a combination of CSF-Mg and CSF-Ca could distinguish DLB from AD with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 85%. Cu levels in both CSF and plasma and Ca levels in plasma tended to be higher in DLB compared with the other groups, but these trends failed to reach significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: The increased Ca and Mg concentrations in the CSF of DLB patients may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of DLB. Furthermore, determination of CSF-Mg and CSF-Ca concentration may be a valuable tool in distinguishing DLB from AD.
The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) plays a strain-dependent role in vascular responses to cocaine but not cold stress in conscious rats

s / Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical 163 (2011) 1–133 56 P.039 The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) plays a strain-dependent role in vascular responses to cocaine but not cold stress in conscious rats M.M. Knuepfer, M. Busauskas (St. Louis University School of Medicine Pharmacol. & Physiol. Science, USA) We demonstrated that cocaine or cold water stress (CWS) elicits systemic vasoconstriction in Brown-Norway (BN) rats but an increase in cardiac output in Dahl salt sensitive (DSS) rats. Since the DMH plays an important role in stress responsiveness, we sought to determine the role of the DMH to these disparate stressors on regional vascular hemodynamics. We hypothesized that inhibition of the DMH would attenuate greater hindquarters vasoconstriction to either stress in BN compared to DSS rats. BN and DSS rats were instrumented for determination of arterial pressure, heart rate, andwith pulsed Doppler flowprobes on the superiormesenteric and abdominal aorta. Bilateral guide cannulaswere implanted above the DMH. After recovery, we observed that cocaine (5 mg/kg, iv) elicited greater hindquarters andmesenteric vasoconstriction and greater bradycardia in BN rats compared toDSS rats. In contrast, CWS (1 cm deep for 1 min) elicited tachycardia in all rats and greater increases in mesenteric resistance in BN rats but hindquarters vasodilation that was greater in BN compared to DSS rats. Therefore, visceral and skeletalmuscle vascular responses differed between strains and stressors. We examined the dependence of these responses on the DMH with bilateral microinjections of muscimol (80 pmol in 100 nl) in theDMH.Muscimol attenuated thegreaterhindquarters andmesenteric vasoconstriction and tachycardia in BN rats without affecting responses in DSS rats in response to cocaine. Responses to CWSwere unaffected by muscimol except that tachycardia was selectively reduced in BN rats. Kainate (10 pmol) in the DMH elicited a similar response pattern as CWS. These studies demonstrate that the DMH plays a strainand stimulus-dependent role in mediating hemodynamic responses to stress. Our data suggest that there are significant variations in central neural pathways mediating stress that vary in different rat strains.
Evaluating Models of Developmental Integration in the Laboratory Rat Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis

This study describes a procedure for constructing and evaluating developmental models by using confirmatory factor analysis which predicts covariation among morphological measures. The principal advantage of confirmatory factor analysis lies in its ability to reject poorly fitting hypotheses in favor of those better able to reconstruct observed variance-covariance structure. Conflicting causal hypotheses of increasing complexity are applied to osteometric measures taken on a sample of one-day-old laboratory rats, then evaluated for their relative ability to reconstruct observed covariance. Models derived from competing hypotheses could not be distinguished. When models are constructed after measurements are chosen, then discrimination between alternatives may re- quire indirect comparisons. In contrast, when hypotheses of integration vary in their predictions and the models differ significantly in fit, then confirmatory factor analysis can be used to decide between conflicting hypotheses. (Morphometrics; factor analysis; morphological integration; developmental models; laboratory rat; Rattus norvegicus.) Olson and Miller (1958) described the interdependence between, and coordina- tion among, the morphological parts of an organism as morphological integration. It can be recognized in the patterns of cor- relations among measures. Although ad- vances in multivariate techniques have
Reflectance Changes Of Metals During Laser Irradiation

The reflectance behavior of a target surface during laser irradiation determines the laser energy which is directly absorbed. Experimentally, the reflectance of a metal surface has been observed to undergo a sharp and substantial decrease during an intense laser pulse. Explanations have been offered based on an increase in electron-phonon collision frequency as the temperature of the metal surface rises to the melting point of the metal. It is doubtful, however, that the temperature dependence of a Drude-type free-electron model can explain the substantial reflectance changes reported, particularly for high conductivity metals such as copper. Three other classes of explanations have been proposed: 1) deformation of the metal surface, 2) plasma formation in the front of the target, or 3) a nonlinear process causing enhanced absorption within the metal. Specular and total reflectances of metal surfaces during ruby laser irradiation have been measured at the Polytechnic. The laser energy absorbed has been calculated and the temperature history of the metal surface determined using a one-dimensional heat-conduction approach. Reflectance and temperature histories have been related to permanent changes observed in the metal target surface. Only at temperatures significantly above the melting point of the metal does a substantial decrease in the total reflectance occur.
Mutant Mitochondria and Cancer Cell Metastasis: Quest for a Mechanism

Commentary to: Cancer cell mitochondria confer apoptosis resistance and promote metastasis Mariola Kulawiec, Kjerstin M Owens, Keshav K Singh
Evaluation of the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian vertical coordinate method in the MPAS-Ocean model

Abstract The vertical coordinate of the Model for Prediction Across Scales-Ocean (MPAS-Ocean) uses the Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method, which offers a variety of configurations. When fully Eulerian, the vertical coordinate is fixed like a z-level ocean model; when fully Lagrangian there is no vertical transport through the interfaces so that the mesh moves with the fluid; additional options for vertical coordinates exist between these two extremes, including z-star, z-tilde, sigma, and isopycnal coordinates. Here we evaluate spurious diapycnal mixing in MPAS-Ocean in several idealized test cases as well as real-world domains with full bathymetry. Mixing data is compared to several other ocean models, including the Parallel Ocean Program (POP) z-level and z-star formulations. In three-dimensional domains, MPAS-Ocean has lower spurious mixing that other ocean models. A series of simulations show that this is likely due to MPAS-Ocean’s hexagon-type horizontal grid cells combined with a flux-corrected transport tracer advection scheme designed for these unstructured meshes. The frequency-filtered vertical coordinate of Leclair and Madec (2011) (also called z-tilde) has been implemented and analyzed in MPAS-Ocean. This addition allows low-frequency vertical transport to pass through the vertical interface in an Eulerian manner, while high-frequency vertical oscillations, such as internal gravity waves, are treated in a Lagrangian manner. Z-tilde leads to a substantial reduction in vertical transport across layer interfaces, and a reduction in spurious diapycnal mixing.
Algorithm and intelligent tutoring system design for programmable controller programming

Programmable logic controllers (PLC) are used for many industrial process control applications. Learning to write ladder logic programs for PLC control is an important and challenging task. However, the learning of ladder logic is often hindered by limited PLC availability due to expensive lab setup, limited lab time, and high student/instructor ratios. With the help of the internet, teaching is not constrained in the traditional classroom pedagogy; the instructors can put the course material on the website and allow the students go on to the course webpage as an alternative way to learn the domain knowledge. However, there is no interaction between the users and learning materials; so, the learning efficiency is often limited. The problem here is how to design a web-based system that is intelligent and adaptive enough to teach the students domain knowledge in PLC. In this research, we proposed a system architecture which combines the pre-test, cased-based reasoning (i.e., heuristic functions), tutorials and tests of the domain concepts, and post-test (i.e., including pre- and post-exam) to customize students' needs according to their knowledge levels and help them learn the PLC concepts, effectively. We have developed an intelligent tutoring system which is mainly based on the feedback and learning preference of the users' questionnaires. It includes many pictures, colorful diagrams, and interesting animations (i.e., switch control of the user's rung configuration) to attract the users' attention. From the model simulation results, a knowledge proficiency effect occurs on problem solving time. If the students are more knowledgeable about PLC concepts, they will take less time to complete problems than those who are not as proficient. Additionally, from the system experiments, the results indicate that the learning algorithm in this system is robust enough to pinpoint the most accurate error pattern (i.e., almost 90 % accuracy of mapping to the most similar error pattern), and the adaptive system will have a higher accuracy of discerning the error patterns which are close to the answers of the PLC problems when the databases have more built-in error patterns. The participant evaluation indicates that after using this system, the users will learn how to solve the problems and have a much better performance than before.
Post-bond Compression Process for Bonding Thin-Die on BT Substrate using Thermoplastic Adhesive Tape

Void formation along the bonding interface of bottom die and the BT substrate by using thermalplastic tape adhesives is studied in this article. Effect of surface (i) unevenness of the substrate, (ii) size and thickness of die as well as (iii) the die bonding parameters such as time and force on the interfacial void formation have been investigated experimentally. A post-bond compression process is introduced to reduce the size and number of voids. Finite element model is built to understand the characteristics of void under compression. Both experimental results and finite element method (FEM) analysis show that higher compressive force is needed to reduce the void formation for a thicker die than for a thinner die for given tape application process - tape is applied to substrate first and then die bonding. It is due to a lower rigidity of the die can conform better to an uneven substrate
High-Resolution Chromoendoscopy for the Diagnosis of Diminutive Colon Polyps: Implications for Colon Cancer Screening

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: A visual, nonbiopsy technique that could reliably determine the histology of diminutive colorectal polyps could greatly reduce the cost of colon cancer screening. This study was designed to report our experience using a high-resolution colonoscope combined with indigo carmine dye to diagnosis diminutive colorectal polyps. METHODS: Colonoscopy using a Fujinon EC-400 HM/HL was performed in 36 patients with polyps
Early lunar cratering

Abstract During the first seventh of lunar history, the cratering rate on the Moon averaged roughly two hundred times the average post-mare rate. The peak rate may have been much higher. Crater densities are thus not proportional to age. The large, circular mare basins fit the diameter distribution of the “continental” craters and are thus identified with the pre-mare cratering. This cratering is assumed to be due to a high early bombardment rate by objects of uncertain origin. Mars does not show early intense cratering. The objects were probably fragmented by collisions to a substantial degree, and were probably not the planetesimals from which the Moon and planets accreted. In this case, the true planetesimals from which the Moon accreted were probably smaller than 10 15 gm, and may represent an intermediate stage in planetesimal growth. Of six hypothetical origins considered for the objects, a circumterrestrial swarm, probably related to the origin of the Moon, appears the most likely. Observational tests for the hypotheses are listed.
Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDE, and mirex in waterfowl collected in New York State, 1981-1982.

The PCBs, DDE, and mirex levels were measured in the subcutaneous fat and breast muscle of fifty-five waterfowl collected in New York State during 1981 and 1982. Levels were obtained by electron capture gas chromatography (EC-GC) on wet weight, dry weight, and lipid weight bases; results were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean PCB levels were 6.1 (μg/g in fat and 0.25 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis. The mean DDE and mirex levels were 0.10 μg/g and 0.28 μg/g in fat and 0.01 μg/g and 0.002 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis, respectively.
The effect of weight on the efficacy of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis.

Background The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing in the United States. Patients with psoriasis, in particular, tend to be above normal weight. Three of the 5 biologics used to treat psoriasis are fixed-dosed treatments: alefacept, etanercept, and adalimumab. Dosing regimens do not account for weight. Objective We attempted to determine whether the efficacy of the biologics is affected by weight. Methods We review the existing body of literature, including subgroup analyses, relating to efficacy and weight for infliximab, efalizumab, alefacept, and etanercept. No relevant literature was found for adalimumab. Results Weight-based dosed medications do not seem to lose efficacy with increasing weight. Both etanercept and alefacept may have compromised efficacy in heavier individuals. Limitations The data are limited to subgroup analyses and smaller studies, often with no statistical significance reported. Conclusions Additional studies are warranted, specifically designed to address the issue of obesity and response to therapy of the biologics. Alternative dosing for etanercept and alefacept should be further evaluated in patients above normal weight
Site-specific gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells with intact bacterial artificial chromosomes.

Homologous recombination in Escherichia coli simplifies the generation of gene targeting constructs for transduction into mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Taking advantage of the extensive homology provided by intact bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), we have developed an efficient method for preparing targeted gene disruptions in ES cells. Correctly integrated clones were identified by a simple screening procedure based on chromosomal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To date, five mutant lines have been generated and bred to homozygosity by this approach.
Reelin down-regulation in mice and psychosis endophenotypes.

Abstract Reelin, a large glycoprotein secreted by telencephalic GABAergic neurons, plays an important role in neuronal guidance embryonically and in synaptic plasticity postnatally. The reeler heterozygous mouse (+/rl) appears superficially normal but has been of interest as an animal model for psychosis since the discovery that reelin is 50% down-regulated in postmortem psychotic brain. Brain abnormalities in +/rl are similar to psychotic brain and include a reduction in glutamic acid de carboxylase 67 (GAD67), dendritic arbors and spine density in cortex and hippocampus, and abnormalities in synaptic function including long-term potentiation (LTP). In spite of these abnormalities, behavioral abnormalities in +/rl are subtle and controversial. Recent findings indicate that the reelin (RELN) and GAD67 promoters are hypermethylated in GABAergic neurons of psychotic postmortem brain and that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is up-regulated. Hypermethlyation of RELN and GAD67 promoters can be induced by treating mice with methionine, and these mice display brain and behavioral abnormalities similar to +/rl. Thus, an animal model that combines genetic heterozygocity with epigenesis holds promise for understanding the role of Reelin down-regulation in psychosis
Problems and possible solutions for therapy with statins.

Despite issues about the value of statins, benefit for high cardiovascular (CV) risk outweighs problems. However, the practitioner must be aware of concerns, be prepared to respond, and justify statin usage. Symptoms of statin-related myopathy are of more concern than stated by pharmaceutical companies. Occurrence of myopathy symptoms, estimated to be up to 10.4%, can decrease statin adherence of high CV risk patients. Dosage modification, or use of pitavastatin, may help the problematic patient. There are concerns that there may be little benefit of statins for primary prevention in women. However, evidence appears to support statin use in women at high CV risk, both in primary and secondary prevention. Abandoning low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a valid target is unwarranted; there is much evidence to support “lower is better.” The practitioner must be aware of the complicated processes causing atherosclerosis and when to incorporate new approaches to disease management. Tailoring therapy for CV risk, when indicated, may contribute further to LDL-C reduction. Liver inflammation can occur with statins but is of minimal concern; frequently, statins alleviate the problem. Unless liver transaminases are over three times normal, a statin should be prescribed, if indicated. The net effect of statins on cognition appears to be zero—no harm, no benefit. Despite reports of improved cognition, statins should not be prescribed for this. With diabetes mellitus (DM), statins can increase incidence, but the CV benefit far outweighs any risk. Therefore, statins should be prescribed in DM to reduce CV risk. Statins are a major medical contribution when used appropriately.
Porous polymer scaffolds surface-modified with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid enhance bone cell attachment and differentiation in vitro.

This study was designed to determine if the surface modification of porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds would enhance osteogenic precursor cell (OPC) attachment, growth, and differentiation. A covalently grafted amino group (−NH2), poly(L-lysine) (PLL), and the peptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) were selected for the evaluation. The hypothesis was that surface modification would have a positive impact on cell–substratum interactions. The experiment was performed by OPC cells being placed on PLA films and scaffolds modified with NH2, PLL, or RGD in tissue culture media. OPC attachment to PLA films was assessed after 24 h of incubation. The growth and differentiation of the adherent OPCs on porous PLA scaffolds were assessed after 14 and 28 days for alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity and calcium levels, both of which increase as OPCs differentiate into mature bone cells. All assays were accomplished in triplicate, and data were tested with post hoc orthogonal contrasts (i.e., Fisher's least significant difference) at p ≤ 0.05. The PLA film surface-modified with RGD showed better OPC cell attachment than the other films. The cells on the PLA scaffolds surface-modified with RGD also exhibited an increase in APase activity and calcium levels in comparison with those on other scaffolds. This difference was apparent at both time intervals and was especially evident in the tissue culture media containing an osteogenic supplement. The results of this study indicate that modifying the surface of PLA polymer scaffolds with RGD enhances bone cell attachment and differentiation and may improve their ability to regenerate bone tissue more efficiently in wound models. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 64A: 583–590, 2003
How to Succeed in Political Science by Being Very Trying: A Methodological Sampler

Daily we are bombarded by advice on how to succeed in political science. We are told what to read—everybody in Philadelphia reads World Politics , conclude media watchers Giles and Wright. We are told how to speak—practice phrases like “latent functional isomorphism” and “quasi-longitudinal typology,” concludes politico-linguist Betty Zisk, and success will be ours. We are even told where to dine—Tadich's or Sam's for fish in San Francisco, decrees gastronomical heavyweight Richard Brody. Impeccable reading habits, a finely-honed vocabulary, and proper nutrition notwithstanding, we are in imminent danger of failure as political scientists unless we are able to establish our bona fides as data analysts. This requires that we master some canons of research methodology. Unfortunately, these methodological strictures have yet to be systematically codified. By presenting some basics of proper research methodology, by discussing some more sophisticated techniques (e.g., the Multiplicative N-Extender, the Levitating Measure Raiser), and by cataloguing some even more advanced routines (e.g., the Spontaneous Phytogeny Recapitulator, the Deviant Data Bender), the present exploratory study takes a tentative first step in the direction of a more systematic political science.
Recent progress in phosphorescent white organic light-emitting devices for displays and lighting

A phosphorescent white organic light-emitting device (WOLEDTM) with 14% etaege at 1,000 cd/m2 (25% EQE with outcoupling enhancements), CIE coordinates (0.46plusmn0.01, 0.46plusmn0.01) and a 50% lifetime 21,000 hours at an initial luminance of 1,000 cd/m2 has been demonstrated.
Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR): the concept.

Although many states have laws that require health providers to report cases of occupational illness and injury, most states do not maintain a comprehensive system that actively identifies and targets potential sources of case reports and then responds to such reports. NIOSH has developed a Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) that uses targeted sources of sentinel providers to recognize and report selected occupational disorders to a state surveillance center. SENSOR is a cooperative state-federal effort designed to develop local capability for preventing selected occupational disorders. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, NIOSH initially funded seven SENSOR projects in 1987 and three additional projects in early 1988 (Table 1). Currently, these projects are in the preliminary stages of organization and start-up, with some having begun to receive case reports. As funds become available, NIOSH intends to gradually expand the scope of the program to include additi...
Robust System Design

Robust system design ensures that future systems continue to meet user expectations despite rising levels of underlying disturbances. This paper discusses two essential aspects of robust system design: 1. Effective post-silicon validation, despite staggering complexity of future systems, using a new technique called Instruction Footprint Recording and Analysis (IFRA). 2. Cost-effective design of systems that overcome CMOS reliability challenges through built-in tolerance to errors in hardware during system operation. A combination of Built-In Soft Error Resilience (BISER) and circuit failure prediction, together with on-line self-test/diagnostics and software-orchestrated optimization across multiple abstraction layers, enable design of cost-effective resilient systems.
Prostanoid-induced modulation of neuropeptide Y and noradrenaline release from the rat mesenteric bed.

Summary 1 A variety of prostanoids were examined for their ability to alter the periarterial nerve stimulation-induced release of noradrenaline (NA) and neuropeptide Y immunoreactive compounds (NPY-ir) from the perfused mesenteric arterial bed of the rat. 2 Periarterial nerve stimulation (16 Hz) increased the overflow of NA, NPY-ir and perfusion pressure. 3 The prostacyclin (PGI2) analogues, carbaPGI2 and cicaprost both produced a concentration-dependent attenuation of the nerve stimulation-induced increase in NA, NPY-ir overflow and perfusion pressure. 4 The prostaglandin (PG) analogue PGE2 attenuated the evoked increase in NPY-ir overflow as well as a modest decrease in NA. 5 PGE1, sulprostone and iloprost attenuated the nerve stimulation-induced increase in NA overflow but not NPY-ir. 6 Neither PGF2α nor the thromboxane A2 analogue U46619 altered the evoked increase in NA or NPY-ir overflow. 7 The results support the view that sympathetic co-transmitter release can be differentially modulated by paracrine/autocrine mediators at sympathetic neuroeffector junctions.
Treatment Integrity and Therapeutic Change: Issues and Research Recommendations

One of the most important aspects of treatment outcome research is establishing treatment integrity. Integrity of the treatment refers to the degree to which treatment is implemented as intended. Research examining the relationship between treatment integrity and therapeutic change has produced conflicting results. However, assessment, design strategies, and the possible confound of integrity with other variables may explain the inconsistency in findings. This paper elaborates the limitations of existing strategies for evaluating the relationship between treatment integrity and outcome. Recommendations for future research include controlling possible confounding variables, experimentally manipulating treatment integrity, and using novel assessment and evaluation strategies.
HIV-associated opportunistic infections of the CNS

Survival in people infected with HIV has improved because of an increasingly powerful array of antiretroviral treatments, but neurological symptoms due to comorbid conditions, including infection with hepatitis C virus, malnutrition, and the effects of accelerated cardiovascular disease and ageing, are increasingly salient. A therapeutic gap seems to exist between the salutary effects of antiretroviral regimens and the normalisation of neurological function in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Despite the advances in antiretroviral therapy, CNS opportunistic infections remain a serious burden worldwide. Most opportunistic infections can be recognised by a combination of characteristic clinical and radiological features and are treatable, but some important challenges remain in the diagnosis and management of HIV-associated opportunistic infections.
Sportsbook pricing and the behavioral biases of bettors in the NHL

The betting market for the NHL is investigated using actual betting percentages on favorites and underdogs from real sportsbooks. Sportsbooks do not appear to attempt to price to balance the book as betting percentages are not proportional to set odds. As in the NFL and NBA, bettors are shown to have a strong preference for favorites and road favorites in particular. Simple strategies of betting against significant imbalances toward the favorite are shown to generate positive returns. Although not pricing to balance the book, sportsbooks do not appear to price to exploit known bettor biases in all cases. Clear bettor behavioral biases for road favorites are not priced into the odds as the prices set in these cases appear to be a forecast of game outcomes. Pricing as a forecast may ensure long-run viability for the sportsbook as it discourages entry into this market by informed traders and still allows the sportsbook to capture its commission on losing bets over time.
DNA‐Directed Three‐Dimensional Protein Organization

All bound together: self-assembled symmetric DNA polyhedra were used to organize proteins in 3D space. Biotin moieties were incorporated into the self-assembled symmetric DNA polyhedra. Upon incubation with streptavidin (STV) protein, an STV protein became bound to each polyhedral face, thus resulting in well-structured DNA polyhedra/STV complexes. This strategy was also applied to different 3D DNA nanostructures and different proteins.
Increased Tgf-β1 Production by Rat Osteoblasts in the Presence of PepGen P-15 in Vitro

Bone grafting materials may enhance tissue regeneration after endodontic, periodontal, or implant surgery. The differences in physical and biological properties between products may result in different osteoblastic responses. This study was designed to determine whether interleukin-1β and Tgf-β1 production by primary cultures of rat osteoblasts differed when cells were exposed to three grafting materials: BioOss, OsteoGraf N-300, and PepGen P-15. Cells were exposed to materials for 24, 48, and 72 h and were characterized by mineralized nodule formation. Supernatants were collected for Lowry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to assess cytokine production. All groups produced mineralized nodules after 14 days. Statistical analysis revealed no difference in interleukin-1β production between groups, but a significant increase in Tgf-β1 production was noted in the PepGen P-15 group. These results indicate that PepGen P-15 stimulates osteoblasts to express Tgf-β1, which may accelerate repair of bone defects created during periradicular or dental implant surgeries.
A General System for Studying Protein−Protein Interactions in Gram-Negative Bacteria

One of the most promising methods for large-scale studies of protein interactions is isolation of an affinity-tagged protein with its in vivo interaction partners, followed by mass spectrometric identification of the copurified proteins. Previous studies have generated affinity-tagged proteins using genetic tools or cloning systems that are specific to a particular organism. To enable protein−protein interaction studies across a wider range of Gram-negative bacteria, we have developed a methodology based on expression of affinity-tagged “bait” proteins from a medium copy-number plasmid. This construct is based on a broad-host-range vector backbone (pBBR1MCS5). The vector has been modified to incorporate the Gateway DEST vector recombination region, to facilitate cloning and expression of fusion proteins bearing a variety of affinity, fluorescent, or other tags. We demonstrate this methodology by characterizing interactions among subunits of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex in two metabolically ver...
REVCOM: a robust Bayesian method for evolutionary rate estimation

Motivation: Evolutionary conservation estimated from a multiple sequence alignment is a powerful indicator of the functional significance of a residue and helps to predict active sites, ligand binding sites, and protein interaction interfaces. Many algorithms that calculate conservation work well, provided an accurate and balanced alignment is used. However, such a strong dependence on the alignment makes the results highly variable. We attempted to improve the conservation prediction algorithm by making it more robust and less sensitive to (1) local alignment errors, (2) overrepresentation of sequences in some branches and (3) occasional presence of unrelated sequences. Results: A novel method is presented for robust constrained Bayesian estimation of evolutionary rates that avoids overfitting independent rates and satisfies the above requirements. The method is evaluated and compared with an entropy-based conservation measure on a set of 1494 protein interfaces. We demonstrated that ∼62% of the analyzed protein interfaces are more conserved than the remaining surface at the 5% significance level. A consistent method to incorporate alignment reliability is proposed and demonstrated to reduce arbitrary variation of calculated rates upon inclusion of distantly related or unrelated sequences into the alignment. Contact: bordner@ornl.gov Supplementary information: The protein--protein interface dataset, multiple sequence alignments and corresponding phylogenetic trees are available at http://www.molsoft.com/~bordner/REVCOM/
Optimal, sparse sampling times of anti‐factor XA (anti‐XA) activity following subcutaneous enoxaparin administration in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Purpose To develop an efficient sampling strategy to optimally predict anti-Xa activity exposure following enoxaparin administration. METHODS: Previously published data was acquired by computer digitization of the anti-Xa-time profiles of 8 anuric patients administered enoxaparin (1 mg/kg) immediately following hemodialysis (Pharmacotherapy 2001;21:p171). A 1-compartment model best fit the data and Maximum A Posteriori Bayesian (MAPB) priors were developed by a modified 2-stage approach with ADAPT II. The 2, 3, and 4 D-optimal sampling designs were determined and Monte Carlo simulations using the MAPB estimator were performed. The original model with the estimator was used to fit the simulated data with the 3 sampling schemes. RESULTS: The median error (ME) and median absolute error (MAE) are presented (Table). Median 2, 3, and 4 optimal sampling times were 5.1 and 24h; 0.5, 5.4, and 24h; and 0.5, 3.8, 7.2, and 24h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All sampling schemes were accurate and precise in predicting anti-Xa exposure in CKD patients. OSS-2 is efficient and has been developed for use in a trial to determine the optimal dosing schedule. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P40–P40; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.151 Table 1. Predictive Performance of Optimal Sampling Strategies (OSS) Strategy AUC Vd/F % ME % MAE % ME % MAE Data presented as median (IQ). p>0.05 by nonparametric ANOVA. OSS-2 -3.2 (-8.3,3.6) 6.5 (3.2,11.3) -0.7 (-7.3,6.9) 7.2 (3.7,12.6) OSS-3 1.2 (-5.5,4.1) 4.7 (2.4,9.7) 1.4 (-7.1,10.0) 7.6 (3.2,15.3) OSS-4 0.3 (-5.6,5.2) 5.6 (2.6,9.4) -0.7 (-6.4,7.1) 6.6 (2.8,11.4)
Integrating observational and experimental approaches to demonstrate causation in stream biomonitoring studies

Routine biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems generally is performed with the intent of demonstrating a causal relationship between stressors and responses. However, because it is impossible to eliminate other potential explanations for observed spatiotemporal correlation between stressors and responses, demonstrating causal relationships is highly tenuous in descriptive studies. In this research we show how results of descriptive and experimental approaches can be integrated to demonstrate a causal relationship between heavy metals and benthic community responses in a Rocky Mountain stream (CO, USA). By using a stressor identification process, we show that effects and exposure data collected from a contaminated site (Arkansas River, CO, USA) can be integrated with experimental data to support causal arguments. Analysis of the spatial co-occurrence of metals and benthic community responses in the Arkansas River provided support for the hypothesis that metals caused alterations in benthic community structure. Exposure pathways were quantified by measuring metal bioaccumulation in caddisflies (Trichoptera) collected upstream and downstream from metal inputs. A long-term (10-year) monitoring study showed that reductions in metal concentrations corresponded with improvements in benthic communities. These results were supported by microcosm and field experiments that quantified concentration-response relationships between heavy metals and benthic community composition. Consistency of these responses was demonstrated by comparing results to a spatially extensive survey of metal-polluted streams in Colorado. Our study demonstrates the power of integrating descriptive and experimental approaches for developing causal arguments in ecological assessments.