cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exchange of Guanine Nucleotides Between Tubulin and GTP‐Binding Proteins That Regulate Adenylate Cyclase: Cytoskeletal Modification of Neuronal Signal Transduction

Tubulin, the primary constituent of microtubules, is a GTP-binding proteins with structural similarities to other GTP-binding proteins. Whereas microtubules have been implicated as modulators of the adenylate cyclase system, the mechanism of this regulation has been elusive. Tubulin, polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], can promote inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase which persists subsequent to washing. Tubulin with Gpp(NH)p bound was slightly less potent than free Gpp(NH)p in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but tubulin without nucleotide bound had no effect on the enzyme. A GTP-binding protein from the rod outer segment (transducin), with Gpp(NH)p bound, was also without effect on adenylate cyclase. Tubulin (regardless of the nucleotide bound to it) did not alter the activity of the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit directly. When tubulin was polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant photoaffinity GTP analog, [32P]P3(4-azidoanilido)-P1-5'-GTP ([32P]AAGTP), and this protein was added to synaptic membranes, AAGTP was transferred from tubulin to the inhibitory GTP-binding protein, Gi. This transfer was blocked by prior incubation of the membranes with Gpp(NH)p or covalent binding of AAGTP to tubulin prior to exposure of that tubulin to membranes. Incubation of membranes with Gpp(NH)p subsequent to incubation with tubulin-AAGTP results in a decrease in AAGTP bound to Gi and a compensatory increase in AAGTP bound to the stimulatory GTP-binding protein, Gs. Likewise, persistent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by tubulin-Gpp(NH)p could be overridden by the inclusion of 100 microM Gpp(NH)p in the assay inhibition. Whereas Gpp(NH)p promotes persistent inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase without incubation at elevated temperatures, tubulin [with AAGTP or Gpp(NH)p bound] requires 30 s incubation at 23 degrees C to effect adenylate cyclase inhibition. Photoaffinity experiments yield parallel results. These data are consistent with synaptic membrane tubulin regulating neuronal adenylate cyclase by transferring GTP to Gi and, subsequently, to Gs.
Moving beyond the “Allegory of the Cave” in the assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION (PAH) remains a clinically vexing problem considering the high morbidity and mortality that plagues this entity despite indication of improved survival after the introduction of more targeted therapy. While this syndrome is well described from a pathological standpoint the mechanisms involved in the pulmonary vascular remodeling are less clear but are thought to involve endothelial dysfunction and proliferation of various cell types that comprise the wall of distal pulmonary vessels (3). The specific mechanisms leading to distal vessel obliteration and increased pulmonary vascular resistance have been particularly elusive for several decades (14), and although vasoconstriction as a primary event was the focus of research and targeted therapy in early studies, the PAH research community has witnessed a paradigm shift in recent years with a strong tendency to now view the PAH lesion as a quasi-cancerous process (12). In this issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology, Schwenke et al. (8) bring a new tool for assessment of the distal pulmonary vasculature and shake an old specter, vasoconstriction. The investigators employ synchrotron radiation microangiography (SRA), a fairly novel and powerful technique, to more directly evaluate vascular tone in a classic animal model of PAH, monocrotaline (MCT)-challenged rats, providing new insight into regional specific responses of the pulmonary circulation in PAH. SRA allows for both the measurement and assessment of control of blood flow in vivo and collection of data on small arteries and arterioles in situ over time (10). Thus it can supply superior information on kinetic events relative to ex vivo techniques. Since SRA has no focal plane, it can visualize both surface and penetrating vessels simultaneously unlike intravital microscopy, which is limited to assessment of vessel caliber at a single vascular plan. In dynamic organs such as the lung and heart, which are subject to motion, temporal
Folate Intake and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study

Folate deficiency has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of several tumor types. The role of folate in prostate cancer remains indeterminate. We investigated folate as a risk factor for prostate cancer among 140 biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer patients, 230 age-matched clinic controls, and 250 negative prostate biopsy controls. Dietary folate intake was inversely associated with overall risk of prostate cancer as compared to clinic controls (P for a linear trend = 0.003). When stratified by disease severity, dietary folate and folate from natural sources were associated with reduced risk of high-grade cancer as compared to both clinic controls (P for a linear trend = 0.0009 and 0.02, respectively) and biopsy negative controls (P for a linear trend = 0.03 and 0.05, respectively). There was no interaction between alcohol consumption and folate intake. These analyses support an inverse association between dietary folate intake and prostate cancer risk and primarily risk of high-grade prostate cancer.
Pilgrimage in Latin America

Pilgrimage in Latin America. N. Ross Crumrine and Alan Morinis (editors). New York: Greenwood Press, 1991. 456 pp. $45.00 (cloth). ISBN 0–313–26110–5.
Culture Is More than a Static Residual: Introduction to the Special Section on Culture and Foreign Policy

The literature on international relations frequently refers to culture in broad, macro-level ways to explain what cannot be explained by economic or military power. The assumptions that culture is simple, uniform and the opposite of power are, in the view of the authors, erroneous. Also, the authors note that there is a lack of scholarly interaction among psychologists interested in cross-cultural phenomena and international relations specialists interested in questions of identity and foreign policy. As an introduction to a special section on culture and foreign policy, this article calls for more communication among these scholarly communities; provides a set of observations about foreign policy and culture understood as a complex, dynamic concept; and calls for specific kinds of studies to better understand foreign policy in the context of cultural complexity and richness.
The development of specifications-based N-type robust design

Robust design (RD), one of the most frequently used engineering methodologies as a set of process improvement techniques, is devoted to improve product quality, to promote cost-effective strategies, and to reduce product development intervals. Given the fact that most products are subject to screening tests implemented by pre-defined specification limits such as lower and upper specification limits for a nominal-the-best quality characteristic or N-type characteristic, their resulting distributions become truncated. However, this truncated distribution concept with the specification limits has not been fully incorporated into the RD models which are currently available. To fill this research gap, this paper proposes the utilisation of a truncated distribution as a basis to modify an RD model using response surface methodology , referred to as specifications-based N-type RD in this paper . In particular, many pharmaceutical quality characteristics are required to meet the specifications imposed by the US F...
Detecting Spatial Movement of Intra-Region Crime Patterns Over Time

Many of the traditional measures of the degree to which crime patterns change over space and time have limitations. In particular most are unable to determine any change in spatial crime pattern within an areal unit. Usually studies measure the change in crime levels in contiguous areas (expressed as discrete sub-divisions of a study area), but this can become problematic due to difficulties such as the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP). This paper describes a technique developed to allow researchers to examine intra-study region changes in crime patterns between two time periods without the need to aggregate crime counts to within-city areal boundaries. The method presented uses a random point nearest neighbor test combined with a Monte Carlo simulation. The process resolves problems of patterning and the MAUP that are common with a number of spatial displacement and pattern movement studies. This technique is demonstrated with example data from a city-wide police burglary crackdown in the Australian capital.
Interactive effects of elevated temperature and CO2 levels on metabolism and oxidative stress in two common marine bivalves (Crassostrea virginica and Mercenaria mercenaria)

Abstract Marine bivalves such as the hard shell clams Mercenaria mercenaria and eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica are affected by multiple stressors, including fluctuations in temperature and CO 2 levels in estuaries, and these stresses are expected to be exacerbated by ongoing global climate change. Hypercapnia (elevated CO 2 levels) and temperature stress can affect survival, growth and development of marine bivalves, but the cellular mechanisms of these effects are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether oxidative stress is implicated in cellular responses to elevated temperature and CO 2 levels in marine bivalves. We measured the whole-organism standard metabolic rate (SMR), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), and levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in the muscle tissues of clams and oysters exposed to different temperatures (22 and 27 °C) and CO 2 levels (the present day conditions of ~ 400 ppm CO 2 and 800 ppm CO 2 predicted by a consensus business-as-usual IPCC emission scenario for the year 2100). SMR was significantly higher and the antioxidant capacity was lower in oysters than in clams. Aerobic metabolism was largely temperature-independent in these two species in the studied temperature range (22–27 °C). However, the combined exposure to elevated temperature and hypercapnia led to elevated SMR in clams indicating elevated costs of basal maintenance. No persistent oxidative stress signal (measured by the levels of protein carbonyls, and protein conjugates with malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal) was observed during the long-term exposure to moderate warming (+ 5 °C) and hypercapnia (~ 800 ppm CO 2 ). This indicates that long-term exposure to moderately elevated CO 2 and temperature minimally affects the cellular redox status in these bivalve species and that the earlier observed negative physiological effects of elevated CO 2 and temperature must be explained by other cellular mechanisms.
Chromosomal translocations and their role in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas

The discovery that non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are monoclonal and that recurrent chromosomal translocations are involved in their pathogenesis has greatly revolutionised their diagnosis and improved our understanding of these diseases. In the last decades, many genes deregulated by such recurrent chromosomal translocations have been identified. However, we have also learned that these genetic alterations are apparently insufficient, in themselves, to cause neoplastic cell transformation and that more complex genetic events must be involved. This review examines the involved genes in chromosomal translocations and current evidence and postulated mechanisms for their role in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Barriers to activation of the rapid response system

Abstract Background The rapid response system (RRS) has been widely implemented in the US. Despite efforts to encourage activation of the RRS, adherence to activation criteria remains suboptimal. Barriers to adherence to RRS activation criteria remains poorly understood. Objective To identify barriers associated to activation of the RRS system by clinical staff. Methods Physicians and nurses on the medical and surgical wards of a New York City community hospital were surveyed to identify barriers to six criteria for activation of the RRS. A paper questionnaire was disseminated. We assessed familiarity with, agreement with, and recognition of perceived benefit of the RRS calling criteria using a Likert scale. Self-reported adherence to RRS activation was also measured on a Likert scale. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the barriers and the six RRS criteria. Results Sixty eight physicians and 16 nurses completed the survey; response rates were 59% and 35%, respectively. Self-reported adherence rate was ≤25% for the six criteria. We observed that as the familiarity with, agreement with, and perceived benefit of activating the RRS increases, the self-reported adherence also increases. Conclusions Adherence to activation of RRT based on the six criteria measured is low. As familiarity with, agreement with, and perceived benefit of the RRS activating criteria rise, self-reported adherence rates increase, with familiarity having the greatest impact. These results can be used to develop tailored interventions to increase adherence to RRT activation in health care institutions.
Sums of Fibonacci–Pell–Jacobsthal products

Using generating functions, we develop a number of properties of sums of products of Fibonacci, Lucas, Pell, Pell–Lucas, Jacobsthal and Jacobsthal–Lucas numbers.
Purification of an 80,000-Mr glycylprolyl peptidase from Bacteroides gingivalis.

Abstract An enzyme from Bacteroides gingivalis SUNYAB A7A1-28 that hydrolyzes the synthetic peptide glycyl-L-proline 4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamide was purified 1,040-fold by urea extraction, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 80,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 75,000 as determined by gel filtration. The optimum pH for the hydrolysis of glycyl-L-proline 4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamide was 7.5 to 8.5. The enzyme activity was inhibited by the serine protease inhibitors diisopropyl fluorophosphate and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride by 82.5 and 78%, respectively. The activity was also inhibited by Hg2+ (55.6%) and Zn2+ (45%).
On the entire solutions of certain class of non-linear differential equations

Abstract : By using the fundamental theorems of Nevanlinna theory for meromorphic functions, one can determine whether the following type of nonlinear differential equation P sub n (Z) (f sup n) (Z) + P sub (n-1) (Z) f sup (n-1) (Z) + ... + P sub 1 (Z) f (Z) + P sub 0 (Z) + f1 (Z) = Q sub 1 (Z)(e to the power mp(Z)) + Q sub 2 (Z)(e to the power kp(Z)), has entire solutions or not, where p(z), (P sub i)(Z) (i = 0, 1, 2, ... n) and (Q sub j)(Z) (j = 1, 2) are polynomials, and m and k are integers. (Author)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002 And Non-Profit Organizations

The United States (US) has the unique record of having the largest sector of Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) in the world, comprising of over one million NPOs. The participation of Americans in philanthropic activities is unparalleled in the world. In recent years, NPOs received over $1.5 trillion in revenues as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. These charitable organizations contribute immensely towards improving the lives of disadvantageous people. However, the huge NPO sector of our economy has been plagued recently with a deluge of corporate financial scandals similar to the scandals in corporations in the for-profit sector, such as Enron, WorldCom and Tyco. The misappropriations of funds involved over 150 NPOs, including world renowned organizations such as Red Cross and United Way. The embezzled funds amounted to over $1 billion. The US Congress reacted quickly and vehemently to such scandals in the for-profit corporations with the enactment of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), with far reaching consequences to the American business organizations. The rigorous provisions of SOX did not extend to Non-Profit Organizations except in two specific areas – whistleblower protection and retention of documents for verification. However, the present flood of NPO scandals triggered a bevy of SOX-like proposals for laws for Non-Profit Organizations as well, in the US Congress and in many state legislatures. Some states have already passed such laws. This paper presents a brief description of the NPO scandals, the ongoing proposals of SOX-like laws for NPOs in several states and their impact on the future governance of the NPOs.
Green and black tea in relation to gynecologic cancers.

Scope: Observational studies have evaluated the relationship between green tea intake and cancers of the ovary and endometrium, but we are not aware of the published studies on green tea intake and risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers of the cervix, vagina, or vulva. Methods and results: A critical review of the published literature on tea intake and risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers was conducted. In meta-analyses, we report inverse associations for green tea intake and risk of ovarian cancer (odds ratio [OR]=0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54, 0.80), and for green tea and risk of endometrial cancer (OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.98). There was no association for black tea and ovarian cancer risk (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.02) and a positive association with endometrial cancer risk (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.38). We summarized the experimental evidence supporting the antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of green tea catechins, and results from randomized clinical trials that demonstrated green tea catechin efficacy on treatment of cervical lesions and external genital warts. Conclusion: Observational data support a protective role of green tea on risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Observational data are needed to evaluate whether green tea reduces risk of human papillomavirus-related cancers.
Design tool and methodologies for interconnect reliability analysis in integrated circuits

Total on-chip interconnect length has been increasing exponentially with technology scaling. Consequently, interconnect-driven design is an emerging trend in state-of-the-art integrated circuits. Cu-based interconnect technology is expected to meet some of the challenges of technology scaling. However, Cu interconnects still pose a reliability concern due to electromigration-induced failure over time. The major contribution of this thesis is a new reliability CAD tool, SysRel, for thermal-aware reliability analysis with either Al or Cu metallization technology in conventional and three-dimensional integrated circuits. An interconnect tree is the fundamental reliability unit for circuit-level reliability assessments for metallization schemes with fully-blocking boundaries at the vias. When vias do not block electromigration as indicated in some Cu experimental studies, multiple trees linked by a non-blocking via are merged to create a single fundamental reliability unit. SysRel utilizes a tree-based hierarchical analysis that sufficiently captures the differences between electromigration behavior in Al and Cu metallizations. The hierarchical flow first identifies electromigration-critical nets or “mortal” trees, applies a default model to estimate the lifetimes of individual trees, and then produces a set of full-chip reliability metrics based on stochastic analysis using the desired lifetime of the circuit. We have exercised SysRel to compare layout-specific reliability with Cu and Al metallizations in various circuits and circuit elements. Significantly improved test-level reliability in Cu is required to achieve equivalent circuit-level reliability. The required improvement will increase as low-k dielectric materials are introduced and liner thicknesses are reduced in future. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Polychaetes of Truncated Reef Limestone Substrates on Eastern Indian Ocean Coral Reefs: Diversity, Abundance, and Taxonomy

This study provides the first evaluation of abundance and diversity of polychaete annelid assemblages of coral reefs. Quantitative analyses of the polychaete fauna of truncated coral reef limestone platforms off Sumatra and Thailand revealed a total of 76 species (13 reported for the first time from the tropical Indian Ocean) and average population densities of 49,000/m2. The number of species in a single sample ranged from 16 to 32, and species diversity (H) ranged from 1.9 to 2.5. Three species of Syllidae, Palola siciliensis, and Dodecaceria laddi occurred in all samples. The syllids dominated numerically in all samples but were quite small, mainly 2–10 mm long and 0.01–0.04 mg dry weight. Samples from the same station were essentially identical in species composition and relative abundance. Similarity decreased with increasing distance between stations. With respect to number of species, population density, and dominance of syllids, the assemblages studied resemble those associated with limestone substrates in marine caves in the Mediterranean.
Is Access to Food a Public Good? Meat Provisioning in Early New York City, 1790-1820

Taking New York as a case study, this article examines how well Early Republican city dwellers were provisioned with meat. It asks how the availability of supplies, and their distribution through a...
Reconstitution of thromboxane A2 receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in isolated platelet membranes: involvement of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-beta and GTP-binding protein Gq.

Abstract Activation of human platelets by the arachidonic acid metabolite thromboxane A2 and the thromboxane A2 mimic U46619 is mediated through phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-catalysed hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. We have established conditions to reconstitute U46619-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown by addition of guanine nucleotides and soluble platelet phospholipase C activities to isolated 32P-labelled membranes. Receptor-activated phosphoinositide hydrolysis was observed in the presence of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) or GTP plus U46619. Phosphoinositide hydrolysis was dependent on both GTP and U46619, with half-maximal stimulation observed at 5 microM and 500 nM respectively. Phospholipase C isoenzymes beta, gamma 1, gamma 2 and delta were purified from platelet cytosol and their ability to reconstitute GTP[S]-dependent and GTP/U46619-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis determined. Phospholipase C-beta and -delta, but not phospholipase C-gamma 1 or -gamma 2, catalysed phosphoinositide breakdown in the presence of GTP[S]. In contrast, only phospholipase C-beta was able to reconstitute GTP-dependent U46619-induced hydrolysis. The participation of GTP-regulatory proteins in the reconstitution of GTP[S]- and GTP/U46619-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis was examined using antibodies to the C-terminals of the alpha-subunits of three of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins expressed in human platelets Gq, Gi2 and Gi3. Anti-Gq antibody, but not anti-Gi2 or Gi3 antibody, inhibited both GTP[S]- and GTP/U46619-dependent reconstitution of phosphoinositide hydrolysis with phospholipase C-beta. In contrast GTP[S]-stimulated hydrolysis by phospholipase C-delta was not inhibited by any of the G-protein antibodies. These results show the functional specificity of GTP-binding proteins and phospholipase C isoenzymes in mediating agonist-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in human platelets.
Country Condition Evidence, Human Rights Experts, and Asylum-Seekers: Educating U.S. Adjudicators on Country Conditions in Asylum Cases

This Briefing explores the evolving evidentiary issues in U.S. asylum law and the impact of recent legal developments, focusing on the role of expert evidence. The Briefing then addresses the historic context for the use of country condition evidence and, particularly, expert testimony in asylum cases. The third part of this Briefing highlights the importance of country condition evidence and expert testimony. Finally, the Briefing concludes with a brief discussion of some of the challenges that attorneys may face in working with country experts in asylum cases.
Contingent resistance in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) growth and defense 10 years following smoldering fires

Abstract In many fire-prone woodlands and forests, fire exclusion has resulted in substantial litter and duff accumulations capable of long-duration smoldering once fire is reintroduced. While previous research has shown that the soil heating from smoldering fires resulted in short-term reductions in coarse root non-structural carbohydrates and latewood growth, information on the long-term effects of smoldering fire is lacking. Our study compared the effects of three smoldering fire treatments (root only, stem only, root and stem) and two control treatments (no fire and surface fire only) on longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) growth and defense ten years after treatments. We cored 17–29 similar sized trees per treatment and measured growth as basal area increment and defense as resin duct properties (e.g., resin duct size, % resin duct area). We used generalized linear mixed models to determine the influence of smoldering treatments and climate on basal area increment and resin duct properties. Variation in basal area increment and resin duct size during the previous ten years were positively correlated with the subsequent ten years, r2 = 0.71 and r2 = 0.65, respectively. Additionally, temporal variation in growth and defense were related to climatic factors. Growth had the strongest correlation with current August temperatures (r = −0.50), and defense had the strongest correlation with current December temperatures (r = −0.64). Basal area increment was best predicted by summer and fall Palmer Drought Severity Index, while resin duct size was best predicted by the interaction of treatment and precipitation during the previous November. During the three driest years following treatment smoldering duration had a negative relationship with basal area increment (p
Reduced- vs. Conventional Tillage Practices in Cotton and Tobacco: a Comparison of Insect Populations and Yields in Northeastern South Carolina, 1977–1979

Destructive and beneficial insect populations were monitored in reduced- and conventional tillage systems for cotton and tobacco for 3 years in plots located on the Pee Dee Experiment Station, Dargan Farm, Darlington County, S.C. Seasonal insect populations on plants in the two tillage systems were not significantly different, but records of emergence from soil indicated more Heliothis spp. moths were found in reduced-tillage plots than in conventionally tilled plots. Yield records for the two crops showed no significant differences between the two tillage systems.
Optical Addressing of High-Speed Spatial Light Modulators with Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

We demonstrate the operation of a high-speed optically addressed spatial light modulator utilizing a hydrogenated amorphous silicon photosensor and a ferroelectric liquid crystal modulator. The device has numerous optical parallel processing and interconnect applications. It combines desirable resolution, switching speed, size, and contrast characteristics. The devices are driven by a square-wave voltage, such that read and write operations take place under reverse bias, and an erase operation occurs under forward bias. The capacitance associated with the photosensor plays a critical role in the device performance.
Change blindness for cast shadows in natural scenes: Even informative shadow changes are missed

Previous work has shown that human observers discount or neglect cast shadows in natural and artificial scenes across a range of visual tasks. This is a reasonable strategy for a visual system designed to recognize objects under a range of lighting conditions, since cast shadows are not intrinsic properties of the scene-they look different (or disappear entirely) under different lighting conditions. However, cast shadows can convey useful information about the three-dimensional shapes of objects and their spatial relations. In this study, we investigated how well people detect changes to cast shadows, presented in natural scenes in a change blindness paradigm, and whether shadow changes that imply the movement or disappearance of an object are more easily noticed than shadow changes that imply a change in lighting. In Experiment 1, a critical object's shadow was removed, rotated to another direction, or shifted down to suggest that the object was floating. All of these shadow changes were noticed less often than changes to physical objects or surfaces in the scene, and there was no difference in the detection rates for the three types of changes. In Experiment 2, the shadows of visible or occluded objects were removed from the scenes. Although removing the cast shadow of an occluded object could be seen as an object deletion, both types of shadow changes were noticed less often than deletions of the visible, physical objects in the scene. These results show that even informative shadow changes are missed, suggesting that cast shadows are discounted fairly early in the processing of natural scenes.
Phrenic Nerve Conduction Studies Are Enhanced by Simultaneous Visualization of the Diaphragm with Ultrasound (P01.198)

Objective: To determine if diaphragmatic ultrasound (DU) complements phrenic nerve conduction studies (PNCS) in the evaluation of phrenic neuropathy. Background PNCS are often performed to evaluate phrenic nerve function. However, PNCS can be technically difficult, and associated with false positives and negatives. Design/Methods: PNCS with simultaneous DU was performed in 10 patients (mean age: 42; range: 1-71) referred for phrenic neuropathy. The phrenic nerve was supramaximally stimulated in the neck bilaterally at end-expiration. Both the diaphragmatic compound muscle action potential (CMAP, recording electrode above xiphoid, reference electrode inferolaterally over ipsilateral costal margin) and the evoked diaphragmatic muscle twitch (visualized with percutaneous ultrasound over the lateral chest wall), were recorded. In addition, diaphragmatic movement during spontaneous respiration was visualized with DU and recorded. Correlations were sought between PNCS and DU data. Results: PNCS and DU data were concordant in 17/20 studies, documenting phrenic neuropathy in 8 patients including 2 with a very low amplitude CMAP and twitch. Of 3 discordant studies, 1 had an unevocable diaphragmatic CMAP and twitch but normal diaphragm movement with respiration (false positive), 1 had a low amplitude CMAP but normal diaphragmatic twitch and movement with respiration (false positive), and 1 had a normal CMAP but low amplitude diaphragmatic twitch and movement with respiration (false negative). Conclusions: Unlike other motor NCS, PNCS are limited by inability to visualize the evoked muscle twitch and target muscle during spontaneous movement. Addition of DU to PNCS provides this information, and enhances the diagnostic accuracy of PNCS, specifically by: 1) confirming partial phrenic neuropathy when CMAPs are low amplitude by demonstrating diminished but evocable diaphragmatic twitch and spontaneous movement, 2) reducing false positives when PNCS are technically challenging (e.g., CMAPs unevocable but diaphragmatic spontaneous movement normal), 3) reducing false negatives when CMAPs are of low-normal amplitude but diaphragmatic movement is reduced. Disclosure: Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Patrick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Downs has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dogra has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Ultrasound Clinics. Dr. Logigian has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Corporation as a consultant.
Laparoscopic enucleation or wedge resection of benign gastric pathology: analysis of 44 consecutive cases.

Abstract Laparoscopic resection of gastric submucosal tumors has been described, but the role of laparoscopy for tumors within the esophagus or near the gastroesophageal junction is not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of laparoscopic or thoracoscopic enucleation or wedge resection of benign gastric tumors. The charts of 44 patients who underwent minimally invasive resection of benign esophagogastric tumors were reviewed. Surgical approaches included thoracoscopic enucleation (n = 2), laparoscopic enucleation (n = 6), transgastric enucleation (n = 2), and laparoscopic gastric wedge resection (n = 34). There were 23 males with a mean age of 57 years. There was one conversion (2.5%) to laparotomy. Mean operative time was 97 ± 52 minutes. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.6 ± 2.0 days. One patient developed gastric outlet obstruction requiring Roux-en-Y reconstruction. There were no leaks and the 90-day mortality was zero. Pathology demonstrated gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 31), leiomyoma (n = 6), and other benign pathology (n = 7). There has been one tumor recurrence at a mean follow-up of 4.3 years. The laparoscopic approaches to local resection of gastric tumors are safe and feasible. The type of minimally invasive surgical approaches should be tailored based on the location and size of the lesion.
Translating science into the art of acute pain management

Pain is a multistep process that originates in the peripheral nervous system at the site of injury, is transmitted and processed within the central nervous system, and is perceived at the level of the cerebral cortex. Each of these steps in pain transmission is subject to intervention, with the possibility of reducing or blocking the nociceptive information to result in decreased pain. Based on knowledge of pain processes, dentists can use analgesic strategies to prevent or reduce pain.
Nutrition in hepatic failure and liver transplantation

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a common problem in patients with end-stage liver disease, and it is universally present in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Although PEM is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality, it need not be considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. The etiology of PEM in liver disease is multifactorial and includes decreased nutrient and calorie intake, alterations in intestinal malabsorption and/or maldigestion, and diverse abnormalities of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. This article reviews the prevalence of malnutrition, its pathophysiology, different modalities for assessment of body composition, and general guidelines for nutritional support in patients with liver disease and liver transplantation.
Measuring the Effects of Non-Cash Investing & Financing Activities

In this study, for a sample of 120 companies, we identify and recast the statement of cash flows for the implied cash effects of six general categories of non-cash activity, transactions affecting 1) capital expenditures and operating activities, 2) capital expenditures and other investing activities, 3) capital expenditures and financing activities, 4) other investing activities and operating activities, 5) other investing activities and financing activities, and 6) financing activities and operating activities. We focus on the implied cash effects of two key non-cash activities from category three, debt issued for capital assets and capital lease financing of capital assets. These are transactions that directly affect capital expenditures and free cash flow. When revising the statement of cash flows to include the implied cash effects of these two non-cash transactions, we find a reduction in free cash flow in 62 instances for a median amount that comprised 2.8% of reported free cash flow. Among the 62 firms, 24 saw free cash flow decline by more than 5%, 16 by more than 10% and 9 by more than 25%. In a paired t-test, adjusted free cash flow was significantly less than reported free cash flow at the .00 level. Given the importance of non-cash capital expenditures to calculations of free cash flow, the FASB may wish to revise its stance regarding the exclusion of all non-cash activities from the statement of cash flows. As to analysts and investors, in the absence of changes to the reporting of non-cash activities, such users of financial statements will want to ensure that such non-cash activities are given explicit consideration when analysing financial results.
Attention and Neurocognitive Impairment in ADHD

Specific executive functions (EFs) and attention deficit patterns in ADHD subtypes were studied in 50 boys (ages 8-14 years, mean 10.42) with ADHD and 44 controls, at the University of Rome, Italy.
Introducing Electrochemical Engineering to Future Generations

In this article, different examples of a demonstration of an electrochemical technology that covers different aspects that can be used in the engineering curriculum or as an informal science and engineering program are discussed. The examples shown here can be adapted for other courses and/or outreach programs.
Mobile Media as a Political Institution in Asia: Preliminary Evidence from Empirical Research 2000–2015

Analyzing articles from a dozen leading academic journals in the field published between 2000 and 2015, this chapter assesses twenty-first century mobile communication research on Asia to trace the evolutionary trajectory of mobile phones from a technological device and tool of social interaction, and then to a global information and news platform. Results show that mobile media research on Asia has corresponded to the technological evolution, from which mobile media are examined as an institution that draws together large publics for purposes of civic engagement and political action. The mobile phone has become a pocket-sized political tool. Moreover, evidence analyzed from empirical research on Asian countries reveals the strong possibility of mobile media as a persisting civic and political institution in both democratic and non-democratic societies.
Advances in fluorescent-image guided surgery

Fluorescence imaging is increasingly gaining intraoperative applications. Here, we highlight a few recent advances in the surgical use of fluorescent probes.
Neutrophils Slow Disease Progression in Murine Lupus via Modulation of Autoreactive Germinal Centers.

Neutrophils are well characterized as mediators of peripheral tissue damage in lupus, but it remains unclear whether they influence loss of self-tolerance in the adaptive immune compartment. Lupus neutrophils produce elevated levels of factors known to fuel autoantibody production, including IL-6 and B cell survival factors, but also reactive oxygen intermediates, which can suppress lymphocyte proliferation. To assess whether neutrophils directly influence the progression of autoreactivity in secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs), we characterized the localization and cell–cell contacts of splenic neutrophils at several stages in the progression of disease in the NZB/W murine model of lupus. Neutrophils accumulate in SLO over the course of lupus progression, preferentially localizing near T lymphocytes early in disease and B cells with advanced disease. RNA sequencing reveals that the splenic neutrophil transcriptional program changes significantly over the course of disease, with neutrophil expression of anti-inflammatory mediators peaking during early-stage and midstage disease, and evidence of neutrophil activation with advanced disease. To assess whether neutrophils exert predominantly protective or deleterious effects on loss of B cell self-tolerance in vivo, we depleted neutrophils at different stages of disease. Neutrophil depletion early in lupus resulted in a striking acceleration in the onset of renal disease, SLO germinal center formation, and autoreactive plasma cell production. In contrast, neutrophil depletion with more advanced disease did not alter systemic lupus erythematosus progression. These results demonstrate a surprising temporal and context-dependent role for neutrophils in restraining autoreactive B cell activation in lupus.
O-010 Clinical imaging mismatch versus perfusion imaging mismatch selection for stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

Background and Purpose The best approach to select patients for reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke remains to be established. Different methodologies have been proposed using different clinical, vascular, and parenchymal imaging parameters. Our aim is to compare Perfusion-imaging Mismatch (PIM) and Clinical-Core Mismatch (CCM) patient selection and assess their ability to predict outcomes. Methods We reviewed our prospectively collected endovascular database at a tertiary care academic institution for patients with acute anterior circulation strokes, adequate CT perfusion imaging maps and a National Institute of health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)≥10 from September 2010 to March 2015. Patients were categorized according to the PIM and CCM definitions. The ability of PIM and CCM to predict good outcomes (modified Rankin scale 0–2) was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Results A total of 368 patients qualified for the study. PIM had a lower number of qualifying patients compared to CCM (n=231, 62.8% vs n=303, 82.3%). The two groups were statistically different (p Conclusion We were unable to demonstrate a difference between the PIM and CCM selection modalities in the prediction of clinical outcomes. However, PIM seems to unjustifiably disqualify a significant proportion of patients that still benefit from reperfusion. In contrast with CCM, the existence of PIM does not seem to be a good discriminator of good outcomes. Future prospective studies are warranted. Disclosures J. Grossberg: None. M. Bouslama: None. D. Haussen: None. L. Rebello: None. M. Frankel: None. R. Nogueira: None.
International Business as a Possible Civilizing Force in a Cosmopolitan World

The effect of capitalism on the quality of life has been much debated. Albert O. Hirschman has classified the views of the impact of capitalism on the quality of life as civilizing, destructive, and feeble. I believe that multinational corporations (MNCs) should be and could be a civilizing force in today’s cosmopolitan but turbulent world. A number of initiatives will be discussed with special emphasis on business contributions to human rights and to the achievement of past and present United Nations (UN) initiatives. As MNCs undertake these initiatives, they will do well by doing good.
Climate Similarity Search - GeoWeb Tool for Exploring Climate Variability

AbstractClimate and climate change are among the scientific topics most widely recognized by the public. Thus, climatologists seek out effective ways of communicating results of their research to various constituencies—a task made difficult by the complexity of the concept of climate. The current standard for communicated variability of climate on the global scale is a map based on the Koppen-Geiger classification (KGC) of climates, and maps of change in average annual temperatures and total annual precipitation for communicating climate change. The ClimateEx (Climate Explorer) project (http://sil.uc.edu/webapps/climateex/) communicates spatial variability and temporal change of global climate in a novel way by using the data science concept of similarity-based query. ClimateEx is implemented as a web-based visual spatial search tool. Users select a location (query), and ClimatEx returns a similarity map that visually communicates locations of places in the world having climates similar to the climate at ...
The Fat Leading the Thin: Relative Body Size, Physical Activity Identification, and Behavioral Problems

Though sport and physical activity participation are key elements of a healthy lifestyle, anti-fat biases serve as barriers to active living, leaving a large population segment underserved. This stigma also creates thin body standards for people working in sport and physical activity, including instructors. In this study, the authors conducted an experiment to explore how instructor and participant body size interact to influence activity identification and subsequent intentions to be physically active. Results indicate that larger-bodied participants were more identified when working with a larger instructor. For thinner participants, there were no significant differences in identification related to instructor body size. Identification was positively related to future intentions in the activity. Implications for practice are discussed. Subscribe to JASM
Fractonic line excitations: An inroad from three-dimensional elasticity theory

We demonstrate the existence of a fundamentally new type of excitation, fractonic lines, which are linelike excitations with the restricted mobility properties of fractons. These excitations, described using an amalgamation of higher-form gauge theories with symmetric tensor gauge theories, see direct physical realization as the topological lattice defects of ordinary three-dimensional quantum crystals. Starting with the more familiar elasticity theory, we show how theory maps onto a rank-4 tensor gauge theory, with phonons corresponding to gapless gauge modes and disclination defects corresponding to linelike charges. We derive flux conservation laws which lock these linelike excitations in place, analogous to the higher moment charge conservation laws of fracton theories. This way of encoding mobility restrictions of lattice defects could shed light on melting transitions in three dimensions. This new type of extended object may also be a useful tool in the search for improved quantum error-correcting codes in three dimensions.
Development of effective thermal conductivity model for particle-type nuclear fuels randomly distributed in a matrix

Abstract Several advance nuclear reactors use particle-type Tristructural-Isotropic (TRISO) fuels randomly distributed in a matrix to allow aggressive operating conditions. Since those fuels are composites with randomly distributed TRISO particles in a matrix, suitable smearing methods are needed to obtain effective pellet-level thermomechanical properties for reactor design, and safety analysis. Currently available smearing methods for effective thermal conductivity assume uniform or no heat generation, thereby neglecting the random heat source distribution. By developing three-dimensional finite-element heat conduction models for randomly distributed heat generating kernels in a matrix, this study demonstrates that the consideration of a randomly distributed heat source is important in predicting the peak fuel temperature. In this study, (1) random packing of heat generating fuel particles introduces the statistical distribution of peak and average temperatures, and (2) those statistical temperature distributions are quantified. In light of this, thermal conductivity models with randomly distributed heat generating kernels are developed to predict peak pellet temperature for Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel and Cermet fuel for space propulsion. The developed methodology and models provide a practical methodology to predict statistically-informed peak and average fuel temperatures of nuclear fuel pellets of heat generating particles. The presented methodology is useful to quantify uncertainties in predicting nuclear fuel temperatures with TRISO particles.