cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organic Cation Transporter 3 Facilitates Fetal Exposure to Metformin during Pregnancy.

Metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic, is increasingly being prescribed to pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Metformin is a hydrophilic cation and relies on organic cation transporters to move across cell membranes. We previously demonstrated that human and mouse placentas predominantly express organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3), but the impact of this transporter on maternal and fetal disposition of metformin is unknown. Using immunofluorescence colocalization studies in term human placenta, we showed that OCT3 is localized to the basal (fetal-facing) membrane of syncytiotrophoblast cells with no expression on the apical (maternal-facing) membrane. OCT3 positive staining was also observed in fetal capillaries. To determine the in vivo role of OCT3 in maternal and fetal disposition of metformin, we determined metformin maternal pharmacokinetics and overall fetal exposure in wild-type and Oct3-null pregnant mice. After oral dosing of [14C]metformin at gestational day 19, the systemic drug exposure (AUC0-∞) in maternal plasma was slightly reduced by ∼16% in the Oct3-/- pregnant mice. In contrast, overall fetal AUC0-∞ was reduced by 47% in the Oct3-/- pregnant mice. Consistent with our previous findings in nonpregnant mice, metformin tissue distribution was respectively reduced by 70% and 52% in the salivary glands and heart in Oct3-/- pregnant mice. Our in vivo data in mice clearly demonstrated a significant role of Oct3 in facilitating metformin fetal distribution and exposure during pregnancy. Modulation of placental OCT3 expression or activity by gestational age, genetic polymorphism, or pharmacological inhibitors may alter fetal exposure to metformin or other drugs transported by OCT3.
The microbiota influences the Drosophila melanogaster life history strategy

Organismal life history traits are ideally adapted to local environments when an organism has a fitness advantage in one location relative to conspecifics from other geographies. Local adaptation has been best studied across, for example, latitudinal gradients, where organisms may tradeoff between investment in traits that maximize one, but not both, fitness components of somatic maintenance or reproductive output in the context of finite environmental resources. Latitudinal gradients in life history strategies are traditionally attributed to environmentally mediated selection on an animal9s genotype, without any consideration of the possible impact of associated microorganisms (microbiota) on life history traits. Here we show that in Drosophila melanogaster, a key organism for studying local adaptation and life history strategies, associated microorganisms can drive life history variation. First, we reveal that an isogenic fly line reared with different bacteria vary the investment in early reproduction versus somatic maintenance, with little resultant variation in lifetime fitness. Next, we show that in wild Drosophila the abundance of these same bacteria was correlated with the latitude and life history strategy of the flies, and bacterial abundance was driven at least in part by host genetic selection. Finally, by eliminating or manipulating the microbiota of fly lines collected across a latitudinal gradient, we reveal that host genotype contributes to latitude-specific life history traits independent of the microbiota; but that the microbiota can override these host genetic adaptations. Taken together, these findings establish the microbiota as an essential consideration in local adaptation and life history evolution.
California-Mexico Health Initiative Binational Health Week: A Strategy For Making Migrant/Immigrant Health a Policy Priority

This paper presents are overview of the University of California, California-Mexico Health Initiative, a health promotion program targeting low-income, immigrant/migrant Latino community that lacks access to health care coverage or immigration status.
Evolving insights into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex multisystem disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and most notably, fibrosis. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate a variety of emerging cellular and molecular pathways which are relevant to fibrosis in SSc. The myofibroblast remains the key effector cell in SSc. Understanding the development, differentiation, and function of the myofibroblast is therefore crucial to understanding the fibrotic phenotype of SSc. Studies now show that (1) multiple cell types give rise to myofibroblasts, (2) fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are heterogeneous, and (3) that a large number of (primarily immune) cells have important influences on the transition of fibroblasts to an activated myofibroblasts. In SSc, this differentiation process involves multiple pathways, including well known signaling cascades such as TGF-β and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, as well as epigenetic reprogramming and a number of more recently defined cellular pathways. After reviewing the major and emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SSc, this article looks to identify clinical applications where this new molecular knowledge may allow for targeted treatment and personalized medicine approaches.
Monotonic and Non-monotonic Context Delegation

Delegating access privileges is a common practice of access control mechanisms. Delegation is usually used for distributing responsibilities of task management among entities. Delegation comes in two forms, GRANT and TRANSFER. In GRANT delegation, a successful delegation operation allows delegated privileges to be available to both the delegator and delegatee. In TRANSFER delegation, delegated privileges are no longer available to the delegator. Although several delegation approaches have been proposed, current models do not consider the issue of context delegation in context-based access control policies. We present two ontology-based context delegation approaches. Monotonic context delegation, which adopts GRANT version of delegation, and non-monotonic for TRANSFER version of delegation. The approach presented here provides a dynamic and adaptive privilege delegation for access control policies. We employ Description logic (DL) and Logic Programming (LP) technologies for modeling contexts, delegation and CBAC privileges. We have designed three lightweight Web Ontology Language (OWL) ontologies, CTX, CBAC, and DEL, for context, Context-Based Access Control (CBAC), and delegation, respectively. We show that semantic-based techniques can be used to support adaptive and dynamic context delegation for CBAC policies. We provide the formal framework of the approaches and show that they are sound, consistent and preserve least-privilege principle.
Differential expression of nicotine withdrawal as a function of developmental age in the rat

Abstract Cigarette smoking and resultant nicotine dependence remain major public health problems. Most smokers begin before the age of 18, yet preclinical models have insufficiently characterized the development of nicotine dependence in adolescence. To categorize the short-term effects of chronic nicotine administration throughout adolescence and adulthood, we exposed male Sprague Dawley rats to 14 days of continuously delivered nicotine (0, 1.2 or 4.8 mg/kg/d) using a subcutaneous osmotic minipump, starting between postnatal day 33 (p33) and p96. Next, to explore the effects of extended exposure to chronic nicotine, we exposed male Sprague Dawley rats to 42 days of continuous nicotine starting in adolescence (p33) or early adulthood (p68). Somatic and affective signs of precipitated withdrawal (PW) were observed after a mecamylamine (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) challenge as compared to a saline injection. Short term nicotine exposure starting at p96, well within the adult period, elicited a significant increase in somatic PW as measured by a composite behavioral score. In contrast, adolescent exposure to nicotine elicited a unique behavioral profile, dependent on the starting age of exposure. Late adolescence exposure was characterized by scratching while adult exposure was characterized by facial tremors and yawns. Extended exposure to nicotine resulted in age specific characteristic nicotine withdrawal behaviors, including scratches, ptosis and locomotion, distinct from the short-term exposure. Thus, nicotine dependence severity, based on the expression of total somatic PW behaviors, is not observed until the adult period, and differences between adolescents and adults are observed using a more nuanced behavioral scoring approach. We conclude that age of nicotine initiation affects somatic withdrawal signs and their magnitude. These data serve as a foundation for understanding the underlying brain mechanisms of nicotine dependence and their development over adolescence and early adulthood.
Optimized IoT Based Decision Making For Autonomous Vehicles In Intersections

Applications that use communication networks and distributed systems to control traffic have high latency, especially in critical situations. The performance of these applications largely depends on the computational delay of algorithms that run on local or central processors. Therefore, providing an optimized solution to minimize this delay to a tolerable range is highly needed. This article studies a method in which autonomous vehicles around an intersection try to control the intersection traffic efficiently by communicating and interacting with each other and road-side smart devices. This problem can be addressed in the form of a network utility maximization problem. To achieve a solution that is close to an optimal solution, a gradient descent algorithm with a fixed step size can be utilized. It is necessary to find a balance between latency and accuracy, which leads to finding a velocity close to the optimal velocity. The number of loop repetitions in the scheduling algorithm, determines the latency in preparation for making the proper schedule for autonomous vehicles. In this work, we propose an approach to provide an optimized schedule for autonomous vehicles in intersections considering pedestrian traffic. Autonomous vehicles are able to communicate with each other and road side unites. However, surveillance cameras are required to observe pedestrians passing the intersection. Hence, we utilize cameras, smart sensors, processors, and communication equipment embedded in autonomous vehicles and road side unites, to collect the required data, process it, and distribute the calculated optimal decision to autonomous vehicles. To simulate the traffic behaviors resulting from applying the proposed solution, Simulation of Urban Mobility software is used.
Atrial flutter as a rare manifestation of leptospirosis.

A 50-year-old healthy man presented with fever and chills after returning from Vietnam. While running around an urban water reservoir, he fell and sustained abrasions to his knee and elbow. He cleaned his injuries with dew and reservoir water. Approximately 14 days later, he began experiencing fever
Cyber Protection of Grid-Connected Devices Through Embedded Online Security

Cybersecurity research regarding the electric power grid has primarily been focused on protecting the communication layer of grid-connected devices against cyber-attack threats. Although many developed methods have greatly reduced the effects of a cyber-attack on the vulnerabilities of grid-connected devices, discovering new vulnerabilities is inevitable and a constant threat. As a result, the overall reliability and security of network communications with regard to grid-connected devices is a concern. This paper proposes a method that further secures a system by focusing on the control and hardware layer of grid-connected devices. The device’s controller firmware will be validated and authenticated using integrated device emulation resources prior to being activated to control the grid-connected device. This verification process is performed while the controller is online and actively controlling power flows related to the device. Therefore, an attack to the system through a malicious firmware patch would be detected by the online security and rejected while safely maintaining continuous and stable control of the device. This method integrates the concepts of firmware hot-patching, digital twins, and active monitoring into an overall cybersecurity protection system.
Intratumoral immunotherapy for melanoma

Selection of suitable tumor-associated antigens is a major challenge in the development of effective cancer vaccines. Intratumoral (i.t.) immunotherapy empowers the immune system to mount T cell responses against tumor-associated antigens which are most immunogenic. To mediate systemic tumor regression, i.t. immunotherapy must generate systemic T cell responses that can target distant metastases beyond the initially treated tumor mass. Now that promising preclinical results and some initial success in clinical trials have been obtained, we here review i.t. immunotherapy-related preclinical and clinical studies, their mechanisms of action and future prospects.
Sex Differences with Aging in the Fatigability of Dynamic Contractions

Abstract This study determined the sex difference with aging in fatigability of the elbow flexor muscles during a dynamic fatiguing task, and explored the associated mechanisms. We compared fatigability of the elbow flexor muscles in 18 young (20.2 ± 1 years: 9 men) and 36 old adults (73.5 ± 1 years: 16 men) during and in recovery from repeated dynamic contractions (~ 60°/s) with a load equivalent to 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque until failure. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess supraspinal fatigue (an increase in the superimposed twitch, SIT) and the peak rate of muscle relaxation. Time to failure was briefer for the men than the women (6.1 ± 2.1 vs. 9.7 ± 5.5 min, respectively; P = 0.02) with no difference between young and old adults (7.2 ± 2.9 vs. 8.4 ± 5.2 min, respectively, P = 0.45) and no interaction (P > 0.05). The relative decline in peak relaxation rate with fatigability was similar for young and old adults (P = 0.11), but greater for men than women (P = 0.046). Supraspinal fatigue increased for all groups and was associated with the time to failure (P
Race-Based Sexual Stereotypes and Their Effects on Sexual Risk Behavior in Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. The epidemic is not evenly distributed across MSM, and young racial minority MSM experience the highest rate of new infections. Race-based sexual stereotyping is not uncommon among MSM, and it may contribute to the isolation of racial minority sexual networks, which has been found to contribute to increased HIV incidence in Black MSM. The goals of these analyses were to describe the race-based sexual preferences and stereotypes of racially diverse young MSM (YMSM), and to examine whether endorsement of sexual stereotypes was associated with sexual risk behavior when having sex with partners of the stereotyped race. Data were taken from Crew 450, an ongoing longitudinal study of a syndemic of psychosocial health issues linked to HIV among YMSM in Chicago and surrounding areas. Analyses utilized data from three study waves, and longitudinal analyses were conducted with Hierarchical Linear Modeling. YMSM generally endorsed same-race preferences for sexual partners. Black partners were rated highest in displaying stereotypically dominant characteristics and in likelihood of taking the top/insertive sex role, while Latino partners were rated the highest in likelihood of sex being hot and passionate. White partners were rated lowest on each of these domains. Longitudinal analyses found that endorsement of these stereotypes had important implications for the rate of condomless receptive and insertive anal sex with racial minority partners. Findings suggest that sexual stereotypes may contribute to the isolation of racial minority sexual networks.
Estimation of net energy requirements (NEm and NE delta) of lactating beef cows.

Spring-calving Angus cows (n = 24) in moderate body condition were assigned to either a high (HI, maintenance-high (MH) to sup- port superior milk, maintenance-low (ML) to sup- port average milk, or low (L) energy diet at 12 d (SD = 4) postpartum. Energy balance for in- dividual cows was determined by body condition change, weight change, and weigh-suckle-weigh milk production estimates. High energy intake increased (P .30) variation in days to first ovulation or conception. Fasting heat production was estimated to be 72.5 k~al/BW.~~ from the regression of log daily heat production/ BW.75 on daily ME intake/BW.75. Rate of daily BW change did not affect concentration of energy in the weight change. Body condition score change was highly correlated (r = .98) to BW change, with each unit of BCS (1 to 5 scale) change associated with 68 kg of BW change. Two methods were used to determine NE for weight change (NEA) based on empty body weight (EBW) change. Method 1 used the equation: BCS change = -.404 + .0147(BW change) and Method 2 used only the regression coefficient of this equation to predict daily BCS change. Methods 1 and 2 resulted in similar regression equations: NEA (Mcal/kg EBW change) = 1.590 + 1.251(BCS) and NEA (Mcal/kg EBW change) = 1.317 + 1.251(BCS). Ranges of estimated protein and lipid in the EBW change, respectively, were 10.0 to 13.7% and 17.1 to 77.2%.
Radiation Transfer in the Atmosphere: Scattering

Sunlight illuminating the Earth's atmosphere is scattered by gas molecules and suspended particles, giving rise to blue skies, white clouds, and optical displays such as rainbows and halos. By scattering and absorbing the shortwave solar radiation and the longwave radiation emitted by the underlying surface, cloud and aerosol particles strongly affect the radiation budget of the terrestrial climate system. As a consequence of the dependence of scattering characteristics on particle size, morphology, and composition, scattered light can be remarkably rich in information on particle properties and thus provides a sensitive tool for remote retrievals of macro- and microphysical parameters of clouds and aerosols.
Fluvial range expansion, allopatry, and parallel evolution in a Danubian snail lineage (Neritidae: Theodoxus)

The snails Theodoxus danubialis and Theodoxus prevostianus form a single clade native to freshwaters of south-eastern Europe whose inter- and intraspecific relationships remain unresolved. The present study utilized a phylogeographical approach to clarify the relationship of these species as well as to reconstruct the evolutionary and demographic history of populations in the western portion of their range. Phylogenetic, population genetic, and nested clade analyses reveal a clade that has distributed itself upriver from a lower Danube River source population and become genetically distinct primarily through range expansion and localized allopatric divergence. Notably, this geographical pattern is replicated phylogenetically in the form of two cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I) lineages that are present simultaneously in individual snails. Haplotypes from polymorphic individuals form two distinct clades, both of which show phylogenetic and nucleotide substitution patterns consistent with a mitochondrial origin, and whose common ancestor must have occurred in a lower Danube source population. Separated allopatrically from their Danubian relatives, populations of T. danubialis in northern Italy have also undergone substantial range expansion, much more recently than Danube watershed lineages. In addition to repeated patterns of range expansion, parallelism is found in T. prevostianus , which is shown to be a nonmonophyletic taxon of remarkable morphological and ecological similarity. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 90 , 603‐617.
Gender Assignment in Intersexuality

Abstract The prevalent policy of assignment of gender to children born with ambiguous genitalia has recently been questioned from both biological and social-constructionist perspectives, This paper comments on the debate from the perspective of the clinician involved in the psychosocial management of intersexuality. It argues for only minor changes of the policy until a more extensive data base is available that permits a firmly empirically grounded revision.
Guillain Barre and Anesthesia— Intraoperative Disaster?

This is the case of a 76 y/o AA man with a past medical history of Hypertension and Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), who presented for a median sternotomy and excision of a thymic mass after workup for multiple episodes of syncope revealed the thymic mass. Intraoperatively, the patient had 2 episodes of cardiac arrest with asystole. He was adequately resuscitated and extubated. He was later determined by Neurology to have severe autonomic dysfunction and not a candidate for any elective surgery.
Chemotherapy for intraperitoneal use: a review of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Peritoneal spread of tumors is a major problem in cancer management. Patients develop a marked deterioration in quality of life and shortened survival. This is in part due to bowel obstructions, marked ascites, and overall increase debilitation. Standard medical management has shown to be inadequate for the treatment of these problems. Surgery can palliate symptoms, however, it is unable to be complete at the microscopic level by a significant spillage of tumor cells throughout the abdomen. Chemotherapy can have some improvement in symptoms however it is short lived due to poor penetration into the peritoneal cavity. The role of intraperitoneal chemotherapy is to maximize tumor penetration and optimize cell death while minimizing systemic toxicity. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and early post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) are two treatment methods that serve this role and have been shown to improve survival. This review will discuss different chemotherapies used for both of these treatment options.
Fuzzy logic learning algorithm for identifying inverse dynamics of a system

When designing a fuzzy logic controller, most of the time is spent in the developing the rule base. These rules are what describes how the fuzzy controller will work. This is usually a trial and error process. A starting set of rules are obtained and tried. The results are studied and the rules are adjusted. This process is repeated until the desired results are achieved. An automated process would greatly simplify the design process of a fuzzy logic controller. In this paper, a two level learning algorithm is studied and applied to obtain the inverse dynamics of a system. The learning algorithm allows the rules to be obtained from data collected from the system. The inverse dynamics is then implemented as a feedforward controller. To demonstrate the learning algorithm, simulation results are presented.
Prediction of Community College Students' Success in Developmental Math with Traditional Classroom, Computer-Based On-Campus and Computer-Based at a Distance Instruction Using Locus of Control, Math Anxiety and Learning Style

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between individual student differences and academic success in three pedagogical methods (traditional classroom, computer-aided instruction (CAI) in an on-campus setting, and CAI in a distance education setting) for developmental mathematics classes at the community college level. Locus of control, math anxiety and learning style were the individual differences examined. Final grade, final exam score and persistence were the indicators of success. The literature review focused on developmental mathematics, pedagogical techniques and variables contributing to academic performance. Two parallel research populations consisted of 135 Beginning Algebra students and 113 Intermediate Algebra students. The Rotter I-E Locus of Control Scale, the Abbreviated Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale, the 4MAT Learning Type Measure, and an instrument to gather demographic data were used. It was the conclusion of this study that the instructional methods were not equal with respect to achievement. In Beginning Algebra, the CAI students received significantly higher final grades than did the traditionally taught students. In Intermediate Algebra traditional students scored significantly higher on the final exam than did the CBI students. There were more students persisting than expected in traditionally taught Beginning Algebra and no significant difference in attrition in Intermediate Algebra. There was no significant prediction of achievement in Beginning Algebra. For Intermediate Algebra math anxiety was a significant predictor for final exam percentage and locus of control was a significant predictor for final grade percentage. Only the instructional method contributed significantly to the prediction of attrition. While these findings are statistically significant, they account for only a small part of student success. However, the results had implications for the future. In particular, further study should be given to the question of whether CAI, and its associated expenses, is prudent for developmental mathematics instruction.
Hard Wall Imaging of Objects Hidden by Non-Penetrating Obstacles Using Modified Time Reversal Technique

One of the important current problems is imaging and detection of objects hidden by obscuring obstacles. There have been extensive works reported on “Through-Wall Imaging” in recent years. This paper extends the previous works to the case where the wall is non-penetrating and the diffraction around the edge becomes important. This hard-wall imaging is related to the historical problem of “Poisson Spot” and “Anti-Podal point.” This paper makes use of the modified time-reversal technique and GTD, and shows the formulations of the multistatic data matrix, eigenvectors and steering vectors to form the imaging function. Signal processing includes the multiplicative modified time reversal technique to eliminate the unwanted extraneous images. Numerical examples include comparisons between the modified and the conventional time-reversal imaging to show the effectiveness of the hard-wall imaging method.
A discretized variational formalation of anisotropic small strain plasticity problems

Abstract A general deformation theory of small elastic-plastic strains in an orthotropic material is presented together with a variational formulation and solution technique for the associated discretized plane strain problem. Quasi-linear difference equations are obtained through minimization of the discretized potential energy function, resulting in positive definite stiffness matrices (given appropriate constraints on the elastic and plastic parameters of the material). Alternate ways of organizing the iterative calculation steps for digital computer are discussed. In addition, an analytic stress path criterion for the orthotropic deformation theory is given, based upon the concept of a corner forming on the yield surface.
Equivalence in functional languages with effects

Traditionally the view has been that direct expression of control and store mechanisms and clear mathematical semantics are incompatible requirements. This paper shows that adding objects with memory to the call-by-value lambda calculus results in a language with a rich equational theory, satisfying many of the usual laws. Combined with other recent work, this provides evidence that expressive, mathematically clean programming languages are indeed possible.
Magnetic susceptibility of V 9 O 17 between 1 and 120 K

The low-field dc susceptibility of single-phase single crystals of ${\mathrm{V}}_{9}$${\mathrm{O}}_{17}$ has been measured in the temperature range 1-120 K. It shows a broad maximum around 14 K which corresponds to an antiferromagnetic transition, the behavior of which is similar to other Magn\'eli phase compounds ${\mathrm{V}}_{n}{\mathrm{O}}_{2n\ensuremath{-}1}$ ($n=3 \mathrm{to} 8$). On the other hand, at the metal-insulator transition at 79 K, only a small anomaly could be detected. This behavior is vastly different from other Magn\'eli phase compounds.
SU-E-T-408: Enhancing Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Using Gold Nanoparticles

Purpose: Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60 in the United States. In this study the dosimetric feasibility of using goldnanoparticles (AuNP) as radiosensitizers to enhance stereotactic radiosurgery for neovascular AMD is investigated. Methods: Analytic calculations were carried out to estimate the nucleus dose enhancement factor (nDEF) due to photon‐induced photo‐ /Auger electrons from AuNP targeting neovascular AMD endothelial cells (EC). The nDEF represents the ratio of the dose to the nucleus with and without the presence of AuNP. As in previous studies, the EC is modeled as a slab of 2 μm (thickness) × 10 μm (length) × 10 μm (width) containing a nucleus of 5 μm diameter and thickness of 0.5 – 1 μm. The targeted AuNP are attached to the exterior of the EC. The nDEF was calculated for a range of feasible AuNP local concentrations (1–7 mg/g) using the clinically applicable 100 kVp x‐rays employed by the IRayTM system (Oraya Therapeutics Inc. Newark, CA), with total filtration of 0.75 mm Al and 0.8 mm Be. For comparison the nDEF for other energies: 80 kVp, 90 kVp, 110 kVp, and 120 kVp was also investigated. Results: For 100 kVp x‐rays, the results revealed nDEF values of 1.30 – 3.26 for the investigated concentration range of 1 – 7 mg/g, respectively. In comparison, for the same concentration range, nDEF values of 1.32 – 3.40, 1.31–3.33, 1.29 – 3.19, 1.28 – 3.12 were calculated for 80 kVp, 90 kVp, 110 kVp, and 120 kVp x‐rays, respectively. Conclusions: The results predict substantial dose enhancement to the sensitive nucleus of neovascular endothelial cells, targeted by AuNP during kilovoltage stereotactic radiosurgery. This suggests that AuNP may be employed as radiosensitizers to enhance therapeutic efficacy during radiosurgery for neovascular AMD.
Vitamin A requirements in infancy as determinedby dark adaptation

Summary The minimum light threshold after complete dark adaptation was determined in 53 infants ranging in age from 1½ to 13 months. These infants were divided into four groups: Group 1 consisted of 26 infants receiving the average infant's diet; Group 2 consisted of 9 infants receiving a diet supplemented by large quantities of vitamin A (17,000 units) in the form of halibut-liver oil; Group 3 consisted of 4 infants, receiving a diet containing approximately one-fourth the vitamin A content of the average diet; and Group 4 consisted of 14 infants receiving about one-twelfth the vitamin A content of the average diet. These diets were given for periods varying from 3 to 10 months. The results of the dark adaptation tests were within normal limits in all four groups of infants. Thus, infants receiving only 135 to 200 vitamin A units daily had as low a threshold for vision in the dark as infants receiving an average diet supplemented by 17,000 vitamin A units. It should also be added that the infants in the low vitamin A group gained weight just as well as, and were no more susceptible to infections than, those in the high vitamin A group. These observations indicate that 135 to 200 units of vitamin A (approximately 25 units per kilogram of body weight) covered the minimum vitamin A requirements in these infants. Since the average diet contains approximately 12 times as many units of vitamin A as were contained in our low vitamin A diet, it is apparent that there is a large margin of safety in the infant's diet with respect to its vitamin A content. It would, therefore, seem unnecessary to supplement the average diet of infants with special preparations which contain vitamin A. Three infants, two of whom had eczema, received as a substitutefor milk a proprietary preparation containing soy bean, starch, and olive oil. This product is almost devoid of vitamin A. In 3 to 4 weeks these infants manifested poor dark adaptation. The addition of 120 units of vitamin A in the form of cod-liver oil resulted in normal dark adaptation in two of these infants. Computed on the basis of kilogram body weight this dosage (plus the vitamin A content of the diet) was equivalent to 18 units of vitamin A for one infant and 20 units of vitamin A for the other infant. When a single large dose of vitamin A, 30,000 to 50,000 units, was given to two infants who had developed high threshold values on this diet, a prompt response occurred; dark adaptation returned to normal in 40 minutes in one infant and in 65 minutes in the other infant. During the period that the three infants on the soy bean diet hadpoor dark adaptation, they gained well in height and in weight and were no more susceptible to infections than infants receiving large quantities of vitamin A. In view of the fact that these infants appeared normal in every way, we must conclude that they had a latent or subclinical form of vitamin A deficiency which became evident only as a result of the dark adaptation tests.
Monopoles, Topology, Symmetry

Maxwell's electromagnetic theory is symmetric under the interchange of electric and magnetic field strengths: E ~ H, H--->-E. To maintain this symmetry in the presence of sources one has to also interchange the electric and magnetic charges and therefore one has to introduce magnetic charges in the first place. In a quantum-theoretical context, as shown by Dirac, this requires a relation between possible values e and g of the electric and magnetic charges, viz.,
Solubilization and reconstitution of membranes containing the Na+-Ca2+ exchange carrier from rat brain

Abstract The Na+ -Ca2+ exchange carrier from brain plasmalemma was solubilized in cholate and reconstituted into asolectin vesicles by the cholate dilution method. Optimal solubilization and reconstitution required the presence of high NaCl (⩾ 1.3 M). The reconstituted vesicles rapidly accumulated 45Ca2+ in the presence of an outward directed Na+ gradient. Other monovalent ion gradients (K+, Li+ or cholate+) did not drive transport. Further, Mg2+ · ATP did not drive Ca2+ uptake in the reconstituted vesicles. Uptake was temperature dependent with highest uptake occurring at 37°C. Intravesicular Ca2+ accumulated by the Na+-dependent process could be released by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or by extravesicular Na+ but not by external EGTA. Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by extravesicular Li+ or Na+. The Ki for Na+ inhibition was 35 mM for both the original membrane vesicles from brain plasmalemma and for the reconstituted vesicles. Ca2+ uptake was saturable with respect to extravesicular Ca2+ (Km(Ca2+) = 27 μM).
Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) monitors cellular energy, regulates genes involved in ATP synthesis and consumption, and is allosterically activated by nucleotides and synthetic ligands. Analysis of the intact enzyme with hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry reveals conformational perturbations of AMPK in response to binding of nucleotides, cyclodextrin, and a synthetic small molecule activator, A769662. Results from this analysis clearly show that binding of AMP leads to conformational changes primarily in the γ subunit of AMPK and subtle changes in the α and β subunits. In contrast, A769662 causes profound conformational changes in the glycogen binding module of the β subunit and in the kinase domain of the α subunit, suggesting that the molecular binding site of the latter resides between the α and β subunits. The distinct short- and long-range perturbations induced upon binding of AMP and A769662 suggest fundamentally different molecular mechanisms for activation of AMPK by these two ligands.
Midlatency auditory-evoked responses: effect of scopolamine in the cat and implications for brain stem cholinergic mechanisms.

Abstract The objective of this study has been to define the role of cholinergic mechanisms in the generation of “wave A,” a middle latency auditory-evoked potential recorded as a positivity with a 20–25 ms peak latency from the vertex of conscious cats. Wave A and its generator system have particular significance as an experimental model of the human middle latency component “P1.” Both the feline wave A and the human P1 are characterized by a long recovery cycle, disappearance during slow wave sleep, and reappearance during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and during wakefulness. The orchestration of several phenomena of REM sleep are known to involve muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms in the brain stem. Therefore, middle latency auditory-evoked potentials were studied in awake cats before and after injection of a cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine. Wave A and the successive negative potential were abolished by scopolamine in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect occurred within 5–15 min and was spontaneously reversible within a few hours. Although individual subjects were differentially susceptible to lower doses of the drug, all six subjects in this study demonstrated a well-defined statistically significant response at higher doses of the drug. In addition, careful parametric baseline studies were performed in each cat to strengthen the evidentiary linkage between wave A as recorded from the vertex in these experiments and previous studies describing the origin and trajectory of wave A in the brainstem reticular formation and several regions of thalamus, including the intralaminar nuclei. Thus, we conclude that the production of wave A depends substantially on the postsynaptic activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors whose cells of origin lie within the brainstem reticular formation.
HBS-JFE conference volume: complementary research methods

The purpose of the Harvard Business School-Journal of Financial Economics conference was to reexamine the role of clinical work in our profession. Clinical research–empirical work that examines a relatively small number of events intensively–accounts for a very small fraction of published work in the field. The pieces in this conference volume are case studies of different “clinical” research techniques that are used to develop, test, apply and communicate theory.
Abstract B21: Relationship of the global metabolome in blood to smoking behavior: A pilot study

Introduction: Better biomarkers of cancer risk are needed for smokers to enhance early detection and support the FDA as it considers cigarette performance standards and evaluate health claims for modified tobacco products. This study will identify new biomarkers through metabolomics, a powerful method to identify numerous metabolites and profiles. Study Design: We utilized a previously conducted epidemiology study of well-characterized smokers. These subjects completed an extensive interview and smoked two cigarettes, one hour apart, in a smoking laboratory. Blood and CO measurements were collected before and after each cigarette. Plasma is available for metabolomic profiling. A pilot study was conducted on 5 light smokers and 5 heavy smokers’ plasma from the study and evaluated whether number of cigarettes per day mediates the influence of global metabolome. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the number of cigarettes per day exerts their influence on phenotype through global metabolome. Methods: Using UPLC-TOFMS in our pilot study, we first analyzed global metabolomic profiles of 5 light smokers and 5 heavy smokers’ plasma and evaluated whether number of cigarettes per day mediate the influence of global metabolomic profiles. The data obtained for multivariate data analyses using Scripps’ XCMS. t-test, SVM (Support Vector Machine analysis), and Random Forest from the Metaboanalyst (www.metaboanalyst) were used for feature selection. The OOB (out-of-bag) error was used to measure the performance of Random Forest classification and the performance for SVMs was estimated using leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV). Results: In our results, 1199 peaks in the positive mode and 497 peaks in the negative mode were detected and after feature selection, 816 and 361 peaks were selected in the positive mode and negative mode, separately. Those significant features from all three methods (t-test, SVM and Random Forest) were pooled together for identification using Metlin, MMCD and HMDB databases to obtain the KEGG IDs, and the pooled KEGG IDs were used for Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (Ingenuity@ Systems, www.ingenuity.com). Our preliminary results suggest that smoking behavior is associated with several biological pathways such as cell death, gene expression, cell-cell interaction, and lipid metabolism. The Pathways Analysis also reveals several liver, heart and renal toxicity and altered bile acid biosynthesis, phospholipid degradation due to heavy smoking. Future Studies: We will further evaluate whether smoking topography and inhalation, as measured by a nicotine boost and CO boost, and whether nicotine metabolism is associated with smokers’ global metabolome by level of smoking. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B21.
Integrated Pest Management for Poultry Production: Implementation Through Integrated Poultry Companies.

Abstract Implementation of an integrated pest management program for poultry production is discussed. We discuss most often seen pests of poultry: northern fowl mites, chicken lice, red mites, bedbugs, and rodents. Procedures for sampling and monitoring for each pest as well as control procedures that can be utilized for each pest are included.
Farmland returns and economic conditions: a FAVAR approach

This study examines the linkages between farmland returns and other market forces including the returns to alternative investments, agricultural sector activity, non-farm real estate, and macroeconomic conditions over the period 1973–2008. The study applies factor-augmented vector autoregression to extract information from a large panel of economic time series. Results suggest that farmland returns are influenced by common trends in the returns to alternative investments and general macroeconomic conditions.
Increasing Unevenness in the Distribution of City Sizes in Post-Soviet Russia

This paper describes the distribution of urban areas in post-Soviet Russia using the rank-size method for quantifying longitudinal change. As many studies show, urbanization under state socialism achieved a relatively uniform city-size distribution in accordance to Marxist ideals. I test the initial hypothesis that variation in city size would increase after dissolution of the USSR, to converge toward distributions found in market economies. The analysis shows that increasing unevenness in city-size depends on the nature of variation that existed prior to the USSR's disintegration, as well as on geographic location within Russia. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J61, O18, R58. 7 figures, 4 tables, 46 references.
“Authenticity” in Language Testing: Evaluating Spoken Language Tests for International Teaching Assistants

The past decade has brought increased legislative pressure to assure English language "fluency" on the part of nonnative-English-speaking teaching assistants (NNS TAs). However, no consensus has been reached in second language assessment about the appropriate instruments to evaluate the spoken language proficiency of NNS TAs. We see as a major issue the fact that, as a field, we have not articulated the theoretical grounds on which to evaluate the merit of assessment instruments as they are used in NNS TA testing. In this paper, we use Bachman's (1990, 1991) framework of language testing and, in particular, his standard of "authenticity" for language testing instruments to evaluate three instruments of spoken language assessmentthe SPEAK (Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit) test, the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview), and a performance test-in terms of their "authenticity" as language tests for NNS TAs. We first look at the three test instruments as contexts for language use by examining what Bachman terms their test method facets. We then examine discourse elicited by the test instruments and consider the discourse differences arising from these differences in test context. Finally, we consider the three test instruments in relation to features of language use in the target context and draw conclusions regarding the authenticity of the instruments in NNS TA evaluation.
Hyaluronic acid cues for functional endothelialization of vascular constructs.

Current vascular implant materials insufficiently recruit endothelial cells (ECs) to form a normally functional and confluent endothelium, a key challenge to reinstating vascular homeostasis at the surgical site. Recent studies indicate that hyaluronan (HA), a connective tissue GAG whose biological effects are often dictated by its fragment size, may inherently stimulate endothelialization. We previously showed that ECs respond poorly to large HA fragments (10 kDa 1000 kDa) and oligomeric (0.75–10 kDa) ranges on various phenotypic and functional aspects of cultured ECs. HA-1500 (1500 kDa) was enzymatically digested into oligomers under iteratively defined conditions, until a mixture (HA-o) containing a maximal yield of HA-6-mer and 12-mers (33.3 ± 2.44% and 39.2 ± 2.68% w/w, respectively) was obtained. The effects of HA-1500, HA-o and pure HA-6-mers on rat aortic ECs were compared. DNA and tube formation assays revealed HA-o and HA-6-mers to stimulate EC proliferation and EC tube formation (angiogenesis) much more than non-HA controls, while HA-1500 had a significant but more modest effect. Both HA-o and HA-6-mers attenuated platelet adhesion and activation on EC layers, while HA-1500 drastically inhibited the same relative to controls. However, flow cytometry and cytokine array studies found that HA-o incited increased expression levels of EC activation markers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and promoted the release of select inflammatory cytokines to a greater degree than HA-1500. These results suggest that HA-o and HA-1500 both provide benefits, although frequently of different kinds, to endothelial cell sustenance, proliferation and normal functionality. Thus, tissue engineering scaffolds containing both these cues in optimized ratios could potentially serve as excellent materials for vascular EC regeneration. This forms the basis of our ongoing studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of Tri‐ and dichloroacetic acids on the oxygen consumption of the dragonfly nymph Aeschna Umbrosa

Abstract The discovery of trihalomethanes in drinking water and the subsequent establishment of limits by the U.S. EPA aroused concern over the potential toxicological effects of related by‐products of water chlorination. Two recently characterized haloforms, trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) and dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), have been reported to occur in drinking water at levels comparable to the trihalomethanes.1 As a consequence, this research examined the effects of these two chemicals on the oxygen consumption rate of the dragonfly nymph Aeschna umbrosa. Nymphs were exposed for 8 hours to one of three haloform preparations—TCAA, DCAA or combined—in a gravity feed flow‐through testing apparatus. Four treatment levels (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/l) and an unexposed control were tested. Results indicated a significant elevation in oxygen consumption of nymphs exposed to 100 and 1000 μg/l of all three haloform preparations (p < 0.001) but not at lower concentrations.