cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An unsupervised machine learning method for discovering patient clusters based on genetic signatures.

Abstract Introduction Many chronic disorders have genomic etiology, disease progression, clinical presentation, and response to treatment that vary on a patient-to-patient basis. Such variability creates a need to identify characteristics within patient populations that have clinically relevant predictive value in order to advance personalized medicine. Unsupervised machine learning methods are suitable to address this type of problem, in which no a priori class label information is available to guide this search. However, it is challenging for existing methods to identify cluster memberships that are not just a result of natural sampling variation. Moreover, most of the current methods require researchers to provide specific input parameters a priori. Method This work presents an unsupervised machine learning method to cluster patients based on their genomic makeup without providing input parameters a priori. The method implements internal validity metrics to algorithmically identify the number of clusters, as well as statistical analyses to test for the significance of the results. Furthermore, the method takes advantage of the high degree of linkage disequilibrium between single nucleotide polymorphisms. Finally, a gene pathway analysis is performed to identify potential relationships between the clusters in the context of known biological knowledge. Datasets and results The method is tested with a cluster validation and a genomic dataset previously used in the literature. Benchmark results indicate that the proposed method provides the greatest performance out of the methods tested. Furthermore, the method is implemented on a sample genome-wide study dataset of 191 multiple sclerosis patients. The results indicate that the method was able to identify genetically distinct patient clusters without the need to select parameters a priori. Additionally, variants identified as significantly different between clusters are shown to be enriched for protein-protein interactions, especially in immune processes and cell adhesion pathways, via Gene Ontology term analysis. Conclusion Once links are drawn between clusters and clinically relevant outcomes, Immunochip data can be used to classify high-risk and newly diagnosed chronic disease patients into known clusters for predictive value. Further investigation can extend beyond pathway analysis to evaluate these clusters for clinical significance of genetically related characteristics such as age of onset, disease course, heritability, and response to treatment.
Video coding of classroom observations for research and instructional support in an innovative learning environment

Classroom observations are valuable tools for facilitating instructional evaluation and professional development. As research into engineering education continues to grow and expand, classroom obse...
Bioinformatics Analysis of Single-Cell RNA-Seq Raw Data from iPSC-Derived Neural Stem Cells

This chapter describes a pipeline for basic bioinformatics analysis of single-cell sequencing data (see Chap. 10 : Single-Cell Library Preparation). Starting with raw sequencing data, we describe how to quality check samples, to create an index from a reference genome, to align the sequences to an index, and to quantify transcript abundances. The curated data sets will enable differential expression analysis, population analysis, and pathway analysis.
Who’s Afraid of Multilingual Education? Conversations with Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Jim Cummins, Ajit Mohanty and Stephen Bahry about the Iranian Context and Beyond, by Kalan, A.

In his text Who’s Afraid of Multilingual Education?, Amir Kalan takes a critical linguistic lens to multilingualism in Iran by interviewing four prominent international scholars on the issues of mo...
Studies on the effect of exercise on cardiovascular function. II. The blood pressure and pulse rate.

Attempts to follow changes in blood pressure induced by exercise, using indirect sphygmomanometry, have yielded conflicting results. In the following study, blood pressure measurements were made at rest (standing), during a standard treadmill work load, and during a six-minute recovery period, using a direct method and a suitably damped recording system. It was found that during exercise systolic pressure rises and that diastolic pressure falls, the net result being very little change in the mean pressure. In some subjects there is a secondary rise in all three items between 10 and 30 seconds after cessation of exercise. Changes in pulse rate during exercise and recovery are also discussed.
Investigation of shear slip in hot fractured rock

Abstract This paper presents the results of a shear slip experiment in hot rock and its simulation and analysis using 3D coupled thermo-poromechanical model with the aim of assessing the role of pore pressure and temperature change on shear slip in granitic rock. The test is carried out in a triaxial system at representative reservoir pressure and temperature using right circular cylindrical specimens of Westerly granite with a 30° precut and ground surface. After the pore pressure and temperature were stabilized, the differential stress and absolute pore pressure were systematically varied to produce different effective stress states to evaluate the shearing response of the saw-cut fracture. The key objective of the experiment is to test the cooling effect on the fracture slip. The experimental results were then analyzed using a newly developed 3D thermo-poromechanical finite element model which uses traditional 4 node tetrahedron elements for intact rock deformation and transport processes. Zero thickness contact interface element is employed to capture the closure and slip on the fracture surface. The stick/slip state of fracture is determined by the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. Simulation results show that the convective cooling effects on rock/fracture surface promote deformation and slip of the fracture. The cold fluid cools the surrounding rock material and results in normal stress reduction that causes portions of the fracture surface to undergo stick/slip state changes, and induces irreversible slip. The experimental work along with modeling provides a physics-based understanding of the role of coupled processes on shear stimulation phenomenon.
Can we save the world through generosity? Philanthropy scholarship in the age of the megafoundation

In this essay, the author reflects in the first person on the history and development of philanthropy scholarship in the United States. The discourse is presented contrasting the political and social contexts of his country and internationally, along his forty years of professional career, from his relationship with the most renowned actors in the field, and his experience inside and leading different academic institutions and philanthropic organizations. In the same way, he also reflects on the current trends of philanthropy scholarship produced by the wealth redistribution that has been happening in recent decades, and the phenomenon of the megafoundation, associated with the embracement of terminology and practices influenced by the business community. With a high sense of social responsibility, the author bets for the vigilant role and critic commitment of academic research on the dilemma of biting the hand that feeds.
The state of algal genome quality and diversity

Abstract The genomic era of biology has created unprecedented opportunity to study how life works, including understanding evolutionary principles, bioprospecting for novel antibiotics, and genetic manipulation of bioeconomically-relevant species. While genome sequencing and genomic analysis was previously restricted to large-scale projects and consortia, sequencing has become democratized. However, as genomics has become commonplace, the cataloging of sequenced organisms has become challenging, and standardized practices for sequencing, assembly, and annotation have not been adopted. This is equally true in research fields such as algal biology, despite the growing importance of algae in a bio-based economy. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the state of eukaryotic algal genomics, explore the quality of algal genome assemblies, and identify the biases and gaps in the current species distribution to inform the development of future genome projects. Overall, we find a trend of declining quality of genomic resources, including a reduction in assembly quality, gene annotation quality, and genome completeness. Potential solutions to improve genome quality include widespread utilization of long read and scaffolding technologies, implementation of standards for assembly quality, evidence-based gene annotation and requisite publication, and support of continued development of gene prediction and genome assessment software.
Toward a Relational Theory of Employee Engagement: Understanding Authenticity, Transparency, and Employee Behaviors:

Based on the relationship management paradigm and the job demands-resources model, we proposed a relational theory of employee engagement integrating employees’ immediate supervisors’ authentic lea...
Online Adaptive Clothing Shopping Experience: Text-mining of Product Titles and Consumer Reviews

This paper aims to discover the current needs of adaptive clothing consumers and how consumers assess the adaptive clothing product in the context of online shopping, through a text-mining approach. 253 adaptive clothing product titles and 1060 customer reviews posted on Silvert’s, an adaptive clothing website were collected using Python. The terms associated with needs and target consumers were selected and coded guided by the FEA theory. Then the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was implemented to extract the topics from consumer reviews. The finding suggests that the functional needs are most important from both marketers’ and consumers’ perspective in adaptive clothing market. Online marketers mainly use functional words to introduce the products, while only few words are related to aesthetic. For future research, data from other resources, such as social media, will be collected to further explore the online searching habits of adaptive clothing consumers.
Quantifying the Effect of Abdominal Body Wall on In Situ Peak Rarefaction Pressure During Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging.

Abstract In this study, 3-D non-linear ultrasound simulations and experimental measurements were used to estimate the range of in situ pressures that can occur during transcutaneous abdominal imaging and to identify the sources of error when estimating in situ peak rarefaction pressures (PRPs) using linear derating, as specified by the mechanical index (MI) guideline. Using simulations, it was found that, for a large transmit aperture (F/1.5), MI consistently over-estimated in situ PRP by 20%–48% primarily owing to phase aberration. For a medium transmit aperture (F/3), the MI accurately estimated the in situ PRP to within 8%. For a small transmit aperture (F/5), MI consistently underestimated the in situ PRP by 32%–50%, with peak locations occurring 1–2 cm before the focal depth, often within the body wall itself. The large variability across body wall samples and focal configurations demonstrates the limitations of the simplified linear derating scheme. The results suggest that patient-specific in situ PRP estimation would allow for increases in transmit pressures, particularly for tightly focused beams, to improve diagnostic image quality while ensuring patient safety.
Firearm purchasing and firearm violence during the coronavirus pandemic in the United States: a cross-sectional study

Firearm violence is a significant public health problem in the United States. A surge in firearm purchasing following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic may have contributed to an increase in firearm violence. We sought to estimate the state-level association between firearm purchasing and interpersonal firearm violence during the pandemic. Cross-sectional study of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia from January 2018 through July 2020. Data were obtained from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (a proxy for firearm purchasing) and the Gun Violence Archive. Using negative binomial regression models, we estimated the association between cumulative excess firearm purchases in March through July 2020 (measured as the difference between observed rates and those expected from autoregressive integrated moving average models) and injuries (including nonfatal and fatal) from intentional, interpersonal firearm violence (non-domestic and domestic violence). We estimated that there were 4.3 million excess firearm purchases nationally from March through July 2020 and a total of 4075 more firearm injuries than expected from April through July. We found no relationship between state-level excess purchasing and non-domestic firearm violence, e.g., each excess purchase per 100 population was associated with a rate ratio (RR) of firearm injury from non-domestic violence of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.50–1.02) in April; 0.99 (95% CI: 0.72–1.25) in May; 1.10 (95% CI: 0.93–1.32) in June; and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.85–1.12) in July. Excess firearm purchasing within states was associated with an increase in firearm injuries from domestic violence in April (RR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.32–5.93) and May (RR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.19–2.91), though estimates were sensitive to model specification. Nationwide, firearm purchasing and firearm violence increased substantially during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic. At the state level, the magnitude of the increase in purchasing was not associated with the magnitude of the increase in firearm violence. Increases in purchasing may have contributed to additional firearm injuries from domestic violence in April and May. Results suggest much of the rise in firearm violence during our study period was attributable to other factors, indicating a need for additional research.
Score equivalence of paper-, tablet-, and interactive voice response system-based versions of PROMIS, PRO-CTCAE, and numerical rating scales among cancer patients.

Background The study tests the effects of data collection modes on patient responses associated with the multi-item measures such as Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS®), and single-item measures such as Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) measures. Methods Adult cancer patients were recruited from five cancer centers and administered measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain intensity, pain interference, ability to participate in social roles and activities, global mental and physical health, and physical function. Patients were randomized to complete the measures on paper (595), interactive voice response (IVR, 596) system, or tablet computer (589). We evaluated differential item functioning (DIF) by method of data collection using the R software package, lordif. For constructs that showed no DIF, we concluded equivalence across modes if the equivalence margin, defined as ± 0.20 × pooled SD, completely surrounds 95% confidence intervals (CI's) for difference in mean score. If the 95% CI fell totally outside the equivalence margin, we concluded systematic score difference by modes. If the 95% CI partly overlaps the equivalence margin, we concluded neither equivalence nor difference. Results For all constructs, no DIF of any kind was found for the three modes. The scores on paper and tablet were more comparable than between IVR and other modes but none of the 95% CI's were completely outside the equivalence margins, in which we established neither equivalence nor difference. Percentages of missing values were comparable for paper and tablet modes. Percentages of missing values were higher for IVR (2.3% to 6.5% depending on measures) compared to paper and tablet modes (0.7% to 3.3% depending on measures and modes), which was attributed to random technical difficulties experienced in some centers. Conclusion Across all mode comparisons, there were some measures with CI's not completely contained within the margin of small effect. Two visual modes agreed more than visual-auditory pairs. IVR may induce differences in scores unrelated to constructs being measured in comparison with paper and tablet. The users of the surveys should consider using IVR only when paper and computer administration is not feasible.
Prenatal ambient temperature and risk for schizophrenia.

Abstract Objective We conducted a systematic review of the published literature to test the hypothesis that maternal exposure to extremes of ambient temperatures during pregnancy is associated with the risk for psychiatric disorders or congenital malformations in offspring, both of which are indicative of perturbations of fetal neurodevelopment. Method This study was conducted in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting proposal. Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycINFO, Ovid Global Health, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched. Four independent reviewers selected studies with the following criteria: (1) prenatal maternal ambient temperature exposure; (2) outcome of offspring psychiatric disorder or congenital defects; (3) empirical study; (4) full-length article, no conference presentations or abstracts. Results Twenty-two studies met criteria and one was added from a reference list (n = 23). Of these, schizophrenia (n = 5), anorexia nervosa (n = 3) and congenital cardiovascular malformations (n = 6) studies were the most common. Each of these categories showed some evidence of association with an early pregnancy maternal ambient heat exposure effect, with other evidence for a late pregnancy cold effect. Conclusion Some evidence supports a role for early pregnancy maternal exposure to extreme ambient heat in the development of psychiatric disorders, but large-scale, prospective cohort data on individual births is essential. Optimal studies will be conducted in seasonally variable climates, accounting for actual maternal residence over the pregnancy and at parturition, local environmental temperature records, and appropriate covariates, similar to studies identified by this systematic review for congenital malformations.
Onychopapilloma: a rare cause of longitudinal melanonychia. Usually benign (but not always). A case report

We recently treated a patient who presented with a hyperpigmented longitudinal stripe of the thumb nailbed which was biopsied with a histopathologic diagnosis of onychopapilloma. We have not seen o...
Aggressive Anticoagulation May Decrease Mortality in Obese Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Obesity is a widely accepted risk factor for the development of severe COVID-19. We sought to determine the survival benefit of early initiation of aggressive anticoagulation in obese critically ill COVID-19 patients. We retrospectively reviewed 237 intubated patients at a single academic accredited bariatric center and stratified them based on their BMI into 2 groups, obese (BMI > 30) and non-obese (BMI ≤ 30). We used chi-square tests to compare categorical variables such as age and sex, and two-sample t-tests or Mann Whitney U-tests for continuous variables, including important laboratory values. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were utilized to determine whether obesity was an independent predictor of survival and multivariable analysis was performed to compare risk factors that were deemed significant in the univariable analysis. Survival with respect to BMI and its association with level of anticoagulation in the obese cohort was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier models. The overall mortality in the obese and non-obese groups was similar at 47% and 44%, respectively (p = 0.65). Further analysis based on the level of AC showed that obese patients placed on early aggressive AC protocol had improved survival compared to obese patients who did not receive protocol based aggressive AC (ON-aggressive AC protocol 26% versus OFF-aggressive AC protocol 61%, p = 0.0004). The implementation of early aggressive anticoagulation may balance the negative effects of obesity on the overall mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
ECG Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), also labeled as primary cardiac arrest (PCA) is generally defined as sudden death occurring within 1 h after the onset of symptoms when no other cause of death is evident. SCD is often the first manifestation of coronary heart disease (CHD). From various arrhythmias ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation play an important role as mechanisms of SCD. QT prolongation is thought to be a marker of increased risk of SCD.
Growing Old and Immunity to Viruses

This chapter deals with immunity to viruses in old age, and describes broad features of several infections from the standpoint of general host-pathogen interaction. It briefly reviews known and well-described changes in the immune system with aging, and focuses upon those whose relevance and reproducibility is firmly established. Age-related changes have been described both in cells, including neutrophils, dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are key antigen-presenting cells that function at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity. Age-related defects in CD4 and CD8 T cells and B cells have been known for decades, and these are linked to impaired antibody production and cellular immunity. 2009). Aging impacts the ability to generate strong antiviral humoral immunity to influenza and other respiratory viruses, largely the consequence of defective CD4 T-cell help for B cells. It has been shown that CD8 T-cell memory to respiratory virus infections established in aged individuals is inferior to memory established in the young, although the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Despite the fact that vaccination efficacy wanes with aging, to this day there is not a single vaccine tailored towards addressing the specific needs of the elderly population. In some of the cases one will be able to boost preexisting or even heterologous immunity using memory cells.
Angular momentum and arboreal stability in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Despite the importance that concepts of arboreal stability have in theories of primate locomotor evolution, we currently lack measures of balance per- formance during primate locomotion. We provide the first quantitative data on locomotor stability in an arbo- real primate, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), predicting that primates should maximize arboreal sta- bility by minimizing side-to-side angular momentum about the support (i.e., Lsup). If net Lsup becomes exces- sive, the animal will be unable to arrest its angular movement and will fall. Using a novel, highly integra- tive experimental procedure we directly measured whole-body Lsup in two adult marmosets moving along narrow (2.5 cm diameter) and broad (5 cm diameter) poles. Marmosets showed a strong preference for asym- metrical gaits (e.g., gallops and bounds) over symmetri- cal gaits (e.g., walks and runs), with asymmetrical gaits representing >90% of all strides. Movement on the nar- row support was associated with an increase in more "grounded" gaits (i.e., lacking an aerial phase) and a more even distribution of torque production between the fore- and hind limbs. These adjustments in gait dynam- ics significantly reduced net Lsup on the narrow support relative to the broad support. Despite their lack of a well-developed grasping apparatus, marmosets proved adept at producing muscular "grasping" torques about the support, particularly with the hind limbs. We con- tend that asymmetrical gaits permit small-bodied arbo- real mammals, including primates, to expand "effective grasp" by gripping the substrate between left and right limbs of a girdle. This model of arboreal stability may hold important implications for understanding primate locomotor evolution. Am J Phys Anthropol 000:000-000,
Gradient maintenance: A new algorithm for fast online replanning

Purpose: Clinical use of online adaptive replanning has been hampered by the unpractically long time required to delineate volumes based on the image of the day. The authors propose a new replanning algorithm, named gradient maintenance (GM), which does not require the delineation of organs at risk (OARs), and can enhance automation, drastically reducing planning time and improving consistency and throughput of online replanning. Methods: The proposed GM algorithm is based on the hypothesis that if the dose gradient toward each OAR in daily anatomy can be maintained the same as that in the original plan, the intended plan quality of the original plan would be preserved in the adaptive plan. The algorithm requires a series of partial concentric rings (PCRs) to be automatically generated around the target toward each OAR on the planning and the daily images. The PCRs are used in the daily optimization objective function. The PCR dose constraints are generated with dose–volume data extracted from the original plan. To demonstrate this idea, GM plans generated using daily images acquired using an in-room CT were compared to regular optimization and image guided radiation therapy repositioning plans for representative prostate and pancreatic cancer cases. Results: The adaptive replanning using the GM algorithm, requiring only the target contour from the CT of the day, can be completed within 5 min without using high-power hardware. The obtained adaptive plans were almost as good as the regular optimization plans and were better than the repositioning plans for the cases studied. Conclusions: The newly proposed GM replanning algorithm, requiring only target delineation, not full delineation of OARs, substantially increased planning speed for online adaptive replanning. The preliminary results indicate that the GM algorithm may be a solution to improve the ability for automation and may be especially suitable for sites with small-to-medium size targets surrounded by several critical structures.
Mesoscale variations of sea surface temperature and ocean color patterns at the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelfbreak

[1] Concurrent sea surface temperature (SST) and color observations obtained by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectra-radiometer) provide an excellent opportunity to investigate simultaneous mesoscale variations in SST and surface pigment at the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) shelf-break. Cloud-free MODIS images that clearly reveal mesoscale signals are used to estimate the dominant spatial scales of MAB shelfbreak water properties. Along-shelfbreak decorrelation scales for SST and surface pigment are 45 and 40 km, respectively, whereas the across-shelfbreak scales are much shorter, ranging from 19 km for SST to 25 km for pigment. The shelfbreak SST and surface pigment are generally inversely correlated. Cold (warm) SST corresponds to high (low) pigment concentration. Mesoscale variations account for 30% of the total variance in shelfbreak SST. For the shelfbreak surface pigment, the mesoscale variation is much larger, reaching 60–90% of its total variance.
Properties of lithium hydride—IV: F-center formation at low temperatures☆

Abstract The growth of the F -band in LiH crystals has been studied in samples exposed to X-rays, thermal neutrons, and β-particles at low temperatures. The F -band growth curves obtained for LiH are compared to growth curves published for alkali halides irradiated under similar conditions. Probable mechanisms for the production of F -centers and H 2 molecules in V -type centers in LiH are discussed. Several LiH crystals containing LiT at various concentrations were prepared so that comparable samples cleaved from these crystals could be used for concurrent measurements of the effect of a regularly rising. F -center concentration on a number of crystal properties. In this way the growths of the F -band, the F -center paramagnetic resonance and the crystal volume were correlated to the steady production of F -centers and interstitial He 3 atoms by tritium decay in the crystals. The optical absorption of the interstitial He 3 atom in LiH was observed at 3.4 eV, and the β-band was found at 4.7 eV. Increasing F -center concentration and thermal annealing reduce the relaxation time of the F -center paramagnetic resonance in LiH. The aggregation of F -centers is associated with more drastic changes in the paramagnetic resonance band.
Evolution of cepheids with pulsationally driven mass loss

We have run models of intermediate mass stars (5, 6, 7, and 8 M□ with Y=0.28, Z=0.02) with pulsationally driven mass loss occurring in the Cepheid instability strip. We used the new 12C(α,γ)16O rates of Caughlan et. al. (1985). The enhanced rate extends the tip of the blue loop, allowing the 5 and 6 Mp models to re-enter the Cepheid strip, unlike the models calculated using the old rates (Becker, 1981). We attempted to see if mass loss during the Cepheid stage could redden the tip of the blue loop sufficiently to place it inside the instability strip, thereby "trapping" the star, and allowing it to lose mass for a period of time significantly longer than the normal crossing time. Our results show that this mechanism does in fact work for a 7 MD star with mass loss rates as low as 5×10-7 MO yr-1. Observations of P-Cygni profiles in Cepheids indicate that this rate is not unreasonable. This behavior acts to reduce the discrepancy between the evolutionary and pulsation-derived masses for Cepheids. Another consequence is that the rates of period change are decreased, bringing them into better agreement with observed values.
Auditory Cortical Images of Cochlear-Implant Stimuli: Dependence on Electrode Configuration

This study examines patterns of auditory cortical activity elicited by single-pulse cochlear implant stimuli that vary in electrode configuration, cochlear place of stimulation, and stimulus level....
Advanced Technology Lunar Astronomy Mission, the Moon as an Immense Optical Bench in Vacuum

The Moon combines some of the most attractive features for astronomical observations from space (no atmospheric absorption, perfect seeing, etc.) and those from ground (large steady optical bench, ease of control from Earth, etc.). Astronomers have planned for telescopes on the Moon for decades but, due to its primary obstacle — high cost — they have not yet been built, save one small telescope that was carried to the Moon on an Apollo mission.
Depolarization-induced effects of Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase injection, in vivo, in single neurons of cat motor cortex

Intracellular injection of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase followed by depolarization and depolarization-elicited impulse activity increased input resistance of neurons of the motor cortex of cats. Protein kinase alone or depolarization in the absence of protein kinase did not produce this effect. An analogous increase of input resistance can be produced in the type B photoreceptor of Hermissenda by applying protein kinase and sufficient depolarization to increase calcium conductance and internal Ca2+ concentration. Given previous studies linking changes in both types of neurons to the development of conditioning, the results suggest the possibility of shared biochemical steps in mechanisms of neuronal adaptation by vertebrate and invertebrate species.
Activities and kinetics of digestive α- and β-glucosidase and β-galactosidase of Luidia clathrata (Say) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

Abstract 1. 1. Specific activities (nmol substrate hydrolysed per min per mg total protein) of crude homogenates of pyloric caeca of Luidia clathrata measured with artificial substrates were 0.09 ± 0.01 for α-glucosidase, 0.90 ± 0.23 for β-glucosidase, 0 for α-galactosidase, and 0.29 ± 0.02 for β-galactosidase ( means ± 1 SE , measured at pH of maximal activity). 2. 2. Specific activities measured with natural disaccharide substrates were similar to those measured with artificial substrates. 3. 3. Maximal specific activity was at pH 7.5, with detectable activity at pH 6–9. 4. 4. The K m (measured at pH 7.5) was 0.19 mM for β-glucosidase and 0.15 mM for β-galactosidase. 5. 5. The calculated maximal velocity ( V max , sp. act., measured at pH 7.5) was 0.97 for β-glucosidase and 0.36 for β-galactosidase.
Project food aid and equitable growth: Income-transfer efficiency first!☆

Abstract This paper discusses the income transfer properties of food aid in order to shed light on the inputs necessary to ensure a contribution to equitable growth, particularly with reference to the alleviation of poverty and malnutrition. The author defines the concepts of income-transfer efficiency and nutrition efficiency and shows that food aid which is income-transfer efficient is usually also nutrition efficient. Some empirical evidence of the income-transfer efficiency of different commodities supplied to various countries is reviewed and policy implications for the selection of food aid commodities and projects are discussed. The author concludes with some working propositions designed to stimulate further debate on the selection and administration of food aid projects.
General method for modification of liposomes for encoded assembly on supported bilayers.

An amphiphilic oligonucleotide species ((C18)2-DNA) is presented as a generally useful reagent to display encoded tether sequences on the surface of phospholipid assemblies. (C18)2-DNA inserts into preformed vesicles and proteoliposomes of arbitrary composition, content, and origin using a simple and gentle procedure and is a significant improvement over the previously described method particularly since it allows postmodification of any phospholipid assembly without the need for special lipids carrying reactive headgroups. DNA-modified vesicles can then be tethered, via DNA hybridization, onto a supported phospholipid bilayer displaying the complementary sequence. The encoding capability of the tether can be exploited to form an array of tethered vesicles spatially defined by the DNA sequence displayed on the surface and demonstrates that (C18)2-DNA is stably associated with a membrane to allow sorting. Vesicles tethered in this way show two-dimensional mobility, reflecting the fluidity of the supporting...
Factors associated with high Cesarean deliveries in China and Brazil - A Call for reducing elective surgeries in moving towards Universal Health Coverage

Background : Annually 6.2 million unnecessary Cesarean Deliveries (CD) are performed globally. Such high unnecessary CD rate is a concern not only due to the additional financial burden it places on the health system but also because the quality of care could be compromised. There is an even more imperative need to reduce elective surgeries in moving towards the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), to ensure the ever stretched resources are effectively channeled for the best health outcomes. Methods : The paper uses a case study method. China and Brazil were selected primarily due to their alarmingly high number and percentage of the CD rate. Systematic literature review was conducted and the analyses were structured based on the framework “Determinants of High Cesarean Delivery Rates”, developed by the authors. Results : In China and Brazil, cultural belief, fear of labor pain and patient’s perception regarding quality of care may play a role in the patient’s preference for CD but these perceptions are shaped by their health care providers as well. The principal-agent relation comes into play as the health professionals can modify perceived needs of their patients. Availability of health insurance to mothers, physicians’ preference for convenient working hours, and payment incentives for performing higher yielding Cesarean procedures are driving the high CD rate phenomena in China and Brazil. Understand the social determinants of CD and using various instruments to change women’s perceptions of birthing options and physicians’ behaviors are critical in managing the CD rate. Conclusion: In the context of the rapid movement towards UHC, the evidence presented in this paper supports the call for implementing complementary policy interventions and regulation to ensure minimal efficiency loss due to resources being diverted to unnecessary procedures or hospital stays.
It's about time to hear their stories: Impediments to rehabilitation at a Canadian provincial correctional facility for women

Abstract This article reports findings from a case study carried out at a Canadian medium-security women's correctional institution. A total of twenty-seven respondents, including inmates, correctional officers, treatment providers, and administrators, were interviewed in 1999. Current conditions (economy of scale, prison location, facility design, conditional sentencing and trans-institutionalization, correctional officer work orientations) affecting the effectiveness of rehabilitation were identified and examined with an eye to assessing how well lessons of the past were mastered. The article concludes with some observations on the future of women's rehabilitation.
The Comparison of Otoscopic Findings and Impedance Measurements

Otomicroscopic visual observations including the use of the pneumatic otoscope were compared with impedance measurements: middle ear pressure, compliance, and stapedius reflex threshold. The tympanic membrane position, appearance, and mobility were used for an attempt to suggest an actual middle ear pressure in otomicroscopy. This was achieved by prior exercises connecting the pneumatic otoscope to the impedance bridge and monitoring different pressures. Audiological findings were in good agreement with previous similar investigations in the same age groups. A retracted ear drum always correlated with a negative middle ear pressure. Contrarily, bulging ear drums did not deviate from normal findings. Tympanic membranes with decreased motion correlated with a negative middle ear pressure. Flaccid ear drums demonstrated a considerable increase in compliance. The suggested middle ear pressure in otomicroscopy showed high agreement with subsequent impedance measurements. There was a marked tendency to higher n...
Expert network development environment for automating machine fault diagnosis

Automation of machine fault diagnosis is approached using an expert network which captures human expertise in symbolic form and is refined using historical performance data. A development environment for expert networks which draws from knowledge implicit in historical data to build and refine the expert network dynamically is presented. The testbed for the design of this development environment is fault diagnosis for gas chromatographs used in detecting contaminants in soil samples. The expert knowledge capture procedure for this testbed problem and its implementation in the G2 commercial expert system package were presented at AeroSense '95. The development environment for the fault diagnosis system includes several data-assisted methods which complement the expert knowledge embedded in the expert network. The first module presented, NetMaker, automatically constructs the network in G2 from an ASCH knowledge table file. NetMedic, the second module, is a data- assisted method which is used to confirm, refine, and augment expert knowledge in order to make the knowledge table more accurate. These tools form the foundation of the expert network development environment. The basis of the expert networks developed for machine fault diagnosis is the knowledge table, a matrix of signature symptoms and machine faults related by linguistic qualifiers. The knowledge table undergoes frequent revision due to refinements from the experts, data-enhanced knowledge from NetMedic, and improved symptom extraction algorithms. NetMaker satisfies the need to easily revise the knowledge tables and incorporate them seamlessly into the G2 expert network environment. NetMedic is used to improve machine fault diagnosis by suggesting alterations to the physical architecture of the knowledge table and the associated expert network, including several non-trainable parameters. This utility discovers relationships in the sample data using statistics from historical data. The experts may then incorporate new relationships in the expert knowledge as well as confirm existing knowledge. This approach preserves the ability to retrieve the expert knowledge from the modified network.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cost–benefit analysis of retrofit of high-intensity discharge factory lighting with energy-saving alternatives

Due to increased concern about overall energy costs and the appearance of efficient and inexpensive lighting system alternatives, factories and plants with high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting are forced to consider retrofit with more modern, energy-efficient lighting. The decision is complicated from an economic perspective, and there is a lack of information readily available on the topic. This study provides an analysis of the replacement by retrofit of common probe-start metal halide and high-pressure sodium industrial lighting systems. Retrofit options considered include the more recent pulse-start metal halide lamps and a range of T5 high output and T8 fluorescent lamp configurations. Recent data on lighting system pricing, labor and energy costs, and time required for tasks are reported. The results generated include savings, payback period, and net present value for many retrofit options, as well as the change in energy consumption, carbon footprint, and lumen output for each retrofit. Effects of varying rate of return and daily duration of operation are considered. Based on change in lumen output, payback period, net present value, and comparison of lighting quality, one or two options are recommended from the overall retrofit options considered. A fluorescent retrofit is recommended for each of the HID initial scenarios considered. The payback period is no more than 3 years in any recommended case. The focus of this study is on the potential energy and cost savings, and some proposed solutions may, or may not, be acceptable due to lack of illuminance uniformity.
Polyamines modulate multiple protein phosphorylation pathways in the insect prothoracic gland.

Abstract Multiple endogenous substrates phosphorylated by four distinct protein kinases were identified in particulate and cytosolic fractions from the larval prothoracic gland of the tobacco hornworm, Manducasexta. Three prominent particulate-associated phosphoprotein substrates (19, 21, and 34 kDa) were of particular interest. The in vitro phosphorylation of the 19 and 21 kDa peptides was markedly enhanced by cAMP, Ca2+/calmodulin, as well as Ca2+/phospholipids, presumably via cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (Ca2+/CaM-PK), and protein kinase C (PKC), respectively. The polyamine spermine markedly inhibits both PKC- and cAMP-PK-mediated phosphorylation of the 19 and 21 kDa peptides but had no effect on the Ca2+/CaM-PK-mediated phosphorylation. Spermine also inhibits the phosphorylation of the 34 kDa peptide via cAMP-PK but does not affect PKC-promoted phosphorylation. In contrast to this differential inhibition of phosphorylation by a polyamine, four cytosolic and three particulate-associated peptides from the prothoracic glands undergo enhanced phosphorylation in the presence of spermine, presumably by stimulating casein kinase II activity. Therefore, polyamines appear to have multiple effects on protein phosphorylation pathways in this important endocrine gland, perhaps representing an important new regulatory control mechanism.
Is there In Vivo Evidence for Amino Acid Shuttles Carrying Ammonia from Neurons to Astrocytes

The high in vivo flux of the glutamate/glutamine cycle puts a strong demand on the return of ammonia released by phosphate activated glutaminase from the neurons to the astrocytes in order to maintain nitrogen balance. In this paper we review several amino acid shuttles that have been proposed for balancing the nitrogen flows between neurons and astrocytes in the glutamate/glutamine cycle. All of these cycles depend on the directionality of glutamate dehydrogenase, catalyzing reductive glutamate synthesis (forward reaction) in the neuron in order to capture the ammonia released by phosphate activated glutaminase, while catalyzing oxidative deamination of glutamate (reverse reaction) in the astrocytes to release ammonia for glutamine synthesis. Reanalysis of results from in vivo experiments using (13)N and (15)N labeled ammonia and (15)N leucine in rats suggests that the maximum flux of the alanine/lactate or branched chain amino acid/branched chain amino acid transaminase shuttles between neurons and astrocytes are approximately 3-5 times lower than would be required to account for the ammonia transfer from neurons to astrocytes needed for glutamine synthesis (amide nitrogen) to sustain the glutamate/glutamine cycle. However, in the rat brain both the total ammonia fixation rate by glutamate dehydrogenase and the total branched chain amino acid transaminase activity are sufficient to support a branched chain amino acid/branched chain keto acid shuttle, as proposed by Hutson and coworkers, which would support the de novo synthesis of glutamine in the astrocyte to replace the ~20 % of neurotransmitter glutamate that is oxidized. A higher fraction of the nitrogen needs of total glutamate neurotransmitter cycling could be supported by hybrid cycles in which glutamate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates act as a nitrogen shuttle. A limitation of all in vivo studies in animals conducted to date is that none have shown transfer of nitrogen for glutamine amide synthesis, either as free ammonia or via an amino acid from the neurons to the astrocytes. Future work will be needed, perhaps using methods for selectively labeling nitrogen in neurons, to conclusively establish the rate of amino acid nitrogen shuttles in vivo and their coupling to the glutamate/glutamine cycle.
MicroRNA-mediated regulation of T helper cell differentiation and plasticity

CD4(+) T helper (TH) cells regulate appropriate cellular and humoral immune responses to a wide range of pathogens and are central to the success of vaccines. However, their dysregulation can cause allergies and autoimmune diseases. The CD4(+) T cell population is characterized not only by a range of distinct cell subsets, such as TH1, TH2 and TH17 cells, regulatory T cells and T follicular helper cells--each with specific functions and gene expression programmes--but also by plasticity between the different TH cell subsets. In this Review, we discuss recent advances and emerging ideas about how microRNAs--small endogenously expressed oligonucleotides that modulate gene expression--are involved in the regulatory networks that determine TH cell fate decisions and that regulate their effector functions.
IgM-restricted production of immunoglobulin by lymphoid cell lines from patients with immunodeficiency with hyper IgM (dysgammaglobulinemia)

Abstract Patients with immunodeficiency with hyper IgM have elevated levels of serum IgM and sometimes IgD, with absent IgG and IgA. To examine the cellular basis of this deficiency, B lymphocytes from five patients with this disease were transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The resulting lymphoid cell lines bore surface IgM and IgD, but no IgG or IgA. IgM was secreted by cell lines for all five individuals. No secretion of IgG, IgA, or IgD was detected. The restricted expression of IgM and IgD as surface molecules and secretion of IgM only contrasts with the expression of multiple classes of immunoglobulin by recently established cell lines from normal individuals. These results demonstrate there is a primary B lymphocyte defect responsible for immunodeficiency.