cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age Related Expression of hMLH1 but Not hMSH2 in Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells Predicts Genomic Instability.

Abstract Abstract 3235 Poster Board III-172 DNA damage repair pathways have been shown to be important for hematopoietic function and longevity. A number of studies focusing on the loss of DNA damage repair genes have reported age related loss of hematopoietic stem cells, reduced hematopoietic function, and increased rates of hematologic cancer. A poorly studied pathway with respect to its effect on hematopoietic function is the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway. Microsatellite instability (MSI), one marker of MMR failure, has been observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of the elderly. Further, studies investigating MMR pathway disruption in mice show an increased incidence of age related hematologic disorders and failure to repopulate in competitive transplant experiments. These reports led to the formation of the hypothesis that age related loss of MMR in a subset hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) leads to a progenitor population with a mutator phenotype potentially leading to cell death or leukemogenesis. To test this hypothesis we clonally expanded HSC from cord blood, bone marrow, and bone core samples from various aged individuals most of whom had normal CBCs. These colony forming units (CFU) were then tested for MSI at five microsatellite loci previously used in the diagnosis of the MMR defective disease HNPCC (BAT 25, BAT 26, D2S123, D5S346, and D17S250). These results showed a statistically significant increase in high grade instability (measured as MSI observed at >20% of loci tested) in CFU obtained from individuals over the age of 50 compared to those in the age range between 0 and 50 years (p=0.0034). Next we sought to determine if loss of gene expression in MMR genes could account for the observed MSI. Gene expression of two genes known to be transcriptionally downregulated in MMR failure, hMLH1 and hMSH2, were assessed by qRT-PCR in CFU obtained from pure CD34+ immunomagnetic separations of HSC from various aged donors. Further, individual CD34+ cells from these same donors were fixed to slides and immunostained for hMLH1 and hMSH2. We observed a significant loss of hMLH1 gene expression in a subset of HSC obtained from older donors above age 42, but no pattern of loss of hMSH2 gene expression. The age related loss of MMR in HSC suggests that MMR pathway proficiency is important for hematopoiesis. These results suggest that loss of MMR might precede myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemia in older individuals. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Positive Interventions in Substance Use Disorders

Positive psychology (PP) has grown as a field of study over the last two decades. The roots of the PP movement can be traced to Martin Seligman who in 1998 assumed the presidency of the American Psychological Association. At that time, he began to shift the focus in psychology research from pathology toward well-being. This change in focus was derived from the clear distinction between mental health and mental illness (Ryff and Keyes, J Personality Soc Psychol 69:719–727, 1995) exemplified by the World Health Organization (WHO) which defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from World Health Organization: www.who.int/about/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions, 2016). Most healthcare professionals have a greater knowledge and understanding of the treatment of illness, rather than of promoting well-being. As the field of PP has burgeoned, greater emphasis has shifted toward including, understanding, and strengthening those human qualities which promote human flourishing.
Reliability of Conclusions from Early Analyses of Real-World Data for Newly Approved Drugs in Advanced Gastric Cancer in the United States.

Background As real-world data resources expand and improve, there will increasingly be opportunities to study the effectiveness of interventions. There is a need to ensure that study designs explore potential sources of bias and either acknowledge or mitigate them, in order to improve the accuracy of findings. The objective of this study was to understand newly approved drug utilization patterns in real-world clinical settings over time. Methods This retrospective study included three sources of real-world data (claims, electronic health records, and recoded data from a quality care program) collected from patients diagnosed with gastric cancer who initiated therapy with either trastuzumab or ramucirumab. Linear regression was used to investigate trends in the use of these drugs for the care of patients with gastric cancer over time from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Results Eligible patients (n=1700) had consistent demographic and clinical characteristics over time. After regulatory approval, trastuzumab was used in later lines of therapy and then shifted to earlier lines (p=0.002), while ramucirumab utilization remained consistent over time after FDA approval (p=0.49). Ramucirumab augmentation, defined as the addition of the drug after initiation of a line of therapy, decreased over time (p=0.03), and trastuzumab augmentation remained consistent over time (p=0.58). Conclusion Since treatment effectiveness may change across lines of treatment, bias may arise if there are changes in the use of the drug (such as line migration) during the time period of analysis using real-world data.
Improving fuel economy of heavy-duty vehicles in daily driving

In this work, we integrate two once separate concepts for longitudinal control of heavy duty vehicles: responding to elevation changes to improve fuel economy using preview and reacting to the motion of preceding vehicles using feedback. The two concepts are unified to provide a safe yet fuel efficient connected and automated technology for heavy duty vehicles. First, we establish an integrated control framework of the two concepts based on barrier function theory and then we discuss the detailed control design of each concept. Finally, we demonstrate the benefits of the proposed design against a naive switching controller by experimentally evaluating the performance of a connected automated truck.
Artificial mechanical hearts and ventricular assist devices

Abstract Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with durable ventricular assist devices (VADs) has become an accepted therapy for advanced heart failure that is refractory to medical management. There have been many advances in the landscape of VAD technology over the past two decades. This chapter outlines clinically available solutions, clinical trials and experimental treatments, and preclinical technologies that are in development. These notable advancements in device designs have been associated with significant improvements in patient outcomes. In order for the field of MCS to evolve and become accessible to a population of patients with less-advanced heart failure, continued progress is needed to reduce the current burden of major adverse events. It is likely that in the next decade a majority of these hurdles can be overcome and that VAD therapy can expand to a broader population of patients with advanced heart failure.
Macrophage-Targeted Gene Therapy to Improve the Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability

Macrophages play a pivotal role at all stages of progression of atherosclerosis. However, the macrophage-targeted treatment of atherosclerosis remains elusive. Recently, macrophage-targeted gene therapy via lipid polymer nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the atherosclerotic plaque stability in mice was reported.
Relation of Statin Use Prior to Admission to Severity and Recovery Among COVID-19 Inpatients.

The impact of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and recovery is important given their high prevalence of use among individuals at risk for severe COVID-19. We studied the association between use of statin/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/ARB in the month before hospital admission, with risk of severe outcome, and with time to severe outcome or disease recovery, among patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We performed a retrospective single-center study of all patients hospitalized at University of California San Diego Health between February 10, 2020 and June 17, 2020 (n = 170 hospitalized for COVID-19, n = 5,281 COVID-negative controls). Logistic regression and competing risks analyses were used to investigate progression to severe disease (death or intensive care unit admission), and time to discharge without severe disease. Severe disease occurred in 53% of COVID-positive inpatients. Median time from hospitalization to severe disease was 2 days; median time to recovery was 7 days. Statin use prior to admission was associated with reduced risk of severe COVID-19 (adjusted OR 0.29, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.71, p < 0.01) and faster time to recovery among those without severe disease (adjusted HR for recovery 2.69, 95%CI 1.36 to 5.33, p < 0.01). The association between statin use and severe disease was smaller in the COVID-negative cohort (p for interaction = 0.07). There was potential evidence of faster time to recovery with ARB use (adjusted HR 1.92, 95%CI 0.81 to 4.56). In conclusion, statin use during the 30 days prior to admission for COVID-19 was associated with a lower risk of developing severe COVID-19, and a faster time to recovery among patients without severe disease.
Testing the drug use and condomless anal sex link among sexual minority men: The predictive utility of marijuana and interactions with relationship status

Abstract Background The association between drug use and condomless anal sex (CAS) is well documented among sexual minority men (SMM). Less is known about whether this association generalizes to marijuana and across relationship status and sexual agreements groups (single, partnered monogamous, partnered open –outside partners permitted, and partnered monogamish –outside partners permitted when main partners are together). Methods A nationwide sample of SMM (N = 65,707) were recruited through a geosocial networking app between November 2017 and November 2019. Participants reported on drug use and instances of CAS with casual partners in the previous 30 days. Results Both marijuana and club drug use were associated with the occurrence of CAS with casual partners among single men. Only club drug use was associated with CAS frequency in this group. The association between marijuana and the occurrence of CAS did not differ significantly among monogamous men, while the associations between club drug use and the occurrence as well as frequency of CAS were significantly weaker. Meanwhile, the associations between club drug use and the occurrence as well as frequency of CAS did not differ significantly between single and non-monogamous (open and monogamish) subgroups; however, the association between marijuana and the occurrence of CAS was significantly weaker. Conclusions Findings largely replicated the robust association between club drug use and CAS with casual partners. They support the assertion that marijuana use predicts sexual risk for some SMM subgroups. Finally, they illustrate the potential for relationship status – and sexual agreements – to contextualize associations between drug use and CAS.
Effect of Tobacco Cessation on Weight in a Veteran Population.

Introduction/Objectives:Weight gain concerns remain a barrier to tobacco cessation. Literature suggests that weight gain can occur after stopping tobacco, but continuing tobacco can have far worse ...
Participatory branding on social media: The affordances of live streaming for creative labor:

Creative workers in the social media industries face the imperative to brand themselves to audiences, corporate sponsors, and potential customers. This study complicates the role of self-branding o...
Diversity through equity and inclusion: The responsibility belongs to all of us

Despite the recognized benefits of diversity and the decades of programs targeted at increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, the underrepresentation of historically excluded groups continues due to persisting systemic inequalities. It is imperative that we reassess our current recruitment strategies and reimagine our campus and workplace environments to provide an inclusive and equitable culture that is free of institutional barriers, affording equal opportunities for each individual to succeed, thrive, and be their whole self. For too long this vision has been the fight of a heroic few, but it must become the fight of all in order to achieve true change. I am working toward, and look forward to, a future where contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion is fully integrated into the core mission of our institutions and is an expectation for all of us.
Biometrics for Enterprise Security Risk Mitigation

Biometrics are unique human characteristics, such as an individual’s face, fingerprints, and voice, that can be used for identification and authentication. Today, companies are turning to biometrics to mitigate security risks. The goal of this chapter is to help security managers to better understand the role of biometrics in enterprise security and the challenges and opportunities of deploying biometric enterprise solutions. Specifically, we provide a brief introduction to risk analysis and the basics of biometric technologies, discuss the challenges and opportunities of using biometrics for enterprise security, and conclude with a case study of how biometrics can be used to address security risks during the COVID-19 era.
The Double-voiced Nature of Becoming a Teacher in the Era of Neoliberal Teaching and Teacher Education

As policy makers’ neoliberal reforms continue to impact teaching and teacher education, stakeholders across both fields of teaching continue to seek out alternative practices that assist educators ...
Myxedema crisis and ovarian hyperstimulation in a child with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Myxedema crisis, a fatal complication of severe hypothyroidism, is extremely rare in children and treatment guidelines are lacking. Since availability of intravenous levothyroxine is limited in resource poor settings, myxedema crisis can be treated with oral levothyroxine and/or oral liothyronine (if necessary), in the absence of cardiac risk factors, thus hastening the recovery and significantly decreasing the associated morbidity and mortality. In the background of untreated hypothyroidism, a possible association of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and reactive pituitary hyperplasia should be kept in mind, thus preventing unnecessary interventions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old girl child with Down syndrome, presented with myxedema crisis, as initial presentation of untreated hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Annual screening, timely diagnosis of hypothyroidism, and early initiation of thyroid hormone supplementation will prevent associated physical and neurocognitive morbidity in children, especially those with Down syndrome. Importance of oral liothyronine supplementation in myxedema crisis, has been highlighted in this case report.
"No Man Is an Island": Perspectives of CHamorus in Guam on COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES Guam is a United States territory situated in the western Pacific Ocean with a multiethnic population numbering approximately 168,000. The CHamorus, who are the Indigenous people of Guam, make up 37%. In this study, we sought to explore CHamorus' perspectives on and experiences of COVID-19. DESIGN Interviews were conducted with 10 CHamoru adults in June-July 2020 via telephone for a larger study on understanding how the collective history of the CHamoru people is perceived relative to contemporary health beliefs and practices. This study is a secondary data analysis of questions that focused on COVID-19. We used thematic analysis techniques to analyze the data. RESULTS Three themes were identified: self and other, or "no man is an island"; trust in government; and focusing on the positives. A cross-cutting theme was commitment to the common welfare of the community through interconnectedness and inafa'maolek (doing good for others). CONCLUSION Results indicated that CHamorus recognized a balance between community and individual, the need to protect the vulnerable while also considering personal choice, and the implications of enforced social distancing on community and economic stability.
Analysis of the effect of gamma-ray irradiation and low-temperature characteristics of sol-gel derived ZnO thin-film transistors

In conclusion, we investigated the effects of gamma-ray irradiation and low temperature on the device performance of sol-gel derived ZnO thin-film transistors. In both cases, the degradation of the device performance was observed. In the case of radiation study, further investigation is needed to identify which part of the device is damaged upon gamma-ray irradiation. Further details and results from additional experiments will be presented.
Divergent Paths for Children and the Elderly

In the past two decades we have witnessed a sharp reversal of fortunes for the two large groups of age-related dependents in the United States. Conditions among the elderly have improved markedly, whereas those among children have deteriorated. These changes reflect alterations in family structures, in public policy, and in the size of the two dependent groups. One of the most straightforward ways to compare children with the elderly is to measure the fraction of the two groups that live in poverty. Because children generally do not have independent incomes, one cannot directly compare personal income. One can, however, measure the incomes of the families in which the children live and compare the incomes to a minimum standard of need.
The degrees of freedom region of the 3-User MIMO cyclic Z-interference channel with perfect and delayed CSIT

The degrees of freedom (DoF) region is obtained for the 3-user symmetric multiple-input multiple-output cyclic Z-interference channel with M transmit antennas and N receive antennas at each user-pair under the separate assumptions of perfect and delayed channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT). New communication schemes based on interference alignment are developed and are shown to be DoF-optimal for all choices of the number of antennas. For both perfect and delayed CSIT, the new schemes are shown to outperform those for the 2-user Z-interference channel in terms of sum DoF.
Structural biology: The ABC of a versatile engine

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family of proteins all contain two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) along with two membrane-spanning domains. The NBDs are molecular engines, and the crystal structure of one -- the NBD from theSalmonella typhimuriumhistidine permease -- now gives us clues about how the NBDs work. The results have implications for other ABC transporters, including the protein that is mutated in cystic fibrosis.
Arms Transfers: Effects on African Interstate Wars and Interventions

Despite such research, little or no attention has been paid to the ef­ fect of armament during warfare on the escalation and de-escalation pat­ terns of wars. Harkavy, for example, has noted "the almost complete absence of any focused, comparative analysis of arms transfer diplomacy after the onset of and during conflict" (original emphasis).2 Yet, in view of the increasing military carnage and social dislocation in much of the Third World, restraining or controlling the flow of arms has been sug­ gested as one method of conflict control. It has been argued that weapons transfers to warring parties, or the withholding of arms resupply can profoundly affect the outcome of a war or prospects for peace, especially where combatants are highly dependent on foreign arms suppliers. Governments which provide arms to combatants frequently claim a desire to influence the outcome of the war, and to hasten peace.3 Indeed a U.S.-UK arms embargo of India and Pakistan in 1965 generally is credited with bringing their South Asian war to a grinding halt, but also with stimulating both the growth of in­ digenous arms industries in, and the search for alternate arms suppliers by, India and Pakistan, enabling them to fight further wars. One region of the world which is particularly dependent on the out­ side supply of arms is Africa. While arms transfers to Africa do not com­ pare with the 45% of global arms imports going to the Middle East, and while arms imports to the region have been declining throughout the 1980s, Africa was still second among Third World regions in 1984 with nearly 14% of world arms imports.4 As in other parts of the world, African states increasingly have diversified their arms suppliers, but with the exception of South Africa, generally they remain too new and too poor to have developed much arms self-sufficiency or to pay for the most advanced weapons systems. African states, perhaps more than those in other regions, also have been willing to preserve long-standing client rela­ tionships with major powers, even including former colonial patrons,
Fractional representation formulae and right fractional inequalities

Here we prove fractional representation formulae involving generalized fractional derivatives, Caputo fractional derivatives and Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives.
Resilience and Coping With Trauma: Does Gender Make a Difference?

The goal of this article is to explore an enhanced version of the Holocaust Survivorship Model with the addition of a stress, appraisal, and coping model. Data from the entire sample (N = 133), along with a randomly selected sub-sample of men (n = 10) and women (n = 10), were used to assess similarities and differences in the ways in which male and female survivors (1) responded to survey questions related to resilience, (2) reported their own favorable or unfavorable resolution of Erikson's eight stages of development, and (3) perceived other survivors' resolution of the eight life stages. The study also explores the role of gender within the context of the stress, appraisal, and coping model. The findings suggest that there are limited differences between male and female survivors in terms of perceived resilience, self-reported resolution of Erikson's life stages, and perceptions of other survivors' resolution of Erikson's life stages. However, gender differences did manifest in survivors' primary and s...
Comparison of the Effects of Phospholamban and Jasmone on the Calcium Pump of Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum EVIDENCE FOR MODULATION BY PHOSPHOLAMBAN OF BOTH Ca2+ AFFINITY AND Vmax (Ca) OF CALCIUM TRANSPORT

Regulation of the calcium pump of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of phospholamban is central to the inotropic and lusitropic effects of β-adrenergic agonists on the heart. In order to study the mechanism of this regulation, we first obtained purified ruthenium red-insensitive microsomes enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The kinetics of microsomal Ca2+ uptake after phospholamban phosphorylation or trypsin treatment, which cleaves the inhibitory cytoplasmic domain of phospholamban, were then compared with those in the presence of jasmone, whose effects on the kinetics of fast skeletal muscle Ca2+-ATPase are largely known. All three treatments increased Vmax(Ca) at 25°C and millimolar ATP; phosphorylation and trypsin decreased the Km(Ca), while jasmone increased it. Trypsin and jasmone increased the rate of E2P decomposition 1.8- and 3.0-fold, respectively. The effects of phospholamban phosphorylation and jasmone on the Ca2+-ATPase activity paralleled their effects on Ca2+ uptake. Our data demonstrate that phospholamban regulates E2P decomposition in addition to the known increase in the rate of a conformational change in the Ca2+-ATPase upon binding the first of two Ca2+. These steps in the catalytic cycle of the Ca2+-ATPase may contribute to or account for phospholamban's effects on both Vmax(Ca) and Km(Ca), whose relative magnitude may vary under different experimental and, presumably, physiological conditions.
THE PRESSURE EFFECT ON DEFECT MIGRATION IN ALUMINUM

The effect of hydrostatic pressure up to 9.5 kbar on the annealing rate of the excess resistivity in quenched aluminum was measured in two annealing regions. One was at \char22{}65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C following quenches from 580\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and the other at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C following quenches from 331\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Effective activation volumes for motion were determined to be (3.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ and (2.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, respectively. These results were interpreted in terms of vacancy and divacancy motion. The -65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C anneal value represents the motion of divacancies. The 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C anneal value cannot unambiguously be assigned to a single type of defect. However, assignment of a single-vacancy motional volume close to the 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C anneal value is consistent with these and diffusion results if it is assumed that there is a divacancy contribution to self-diffusion in aluminum, or that the motional volume is temperature-dependent.
An Endoscope Compatible Low-coherence Enhanced Backscattering Spectroscopy Probe for Cancer Screening

Low-coherence Enhanced Backscattering Spectroscopy (LEBS), an angular resolved spectroscopic technique developed by our group, has been shown to detect early forms of cancer. Here, we implement the technique in an endoscope compatible probe.
Image Analysis Technique for Aggregate Morphology Analysis with Two-Dimensional Fourier Transform Method:

This paper presents some results of the NCHRP 4-34 Laser Detection and Ranging project. A high-resolution Fourier transform interferometry (FTI) system was developed for aggregate morphology characterization with the use of a fiber-optic coupler to form a Young's double-pinhole interferometer. The FTI system used a charge-coupled device camera to capture fringe images of aggregates with a size ranging from 3/4 in. to No. 50 and to reconstruct three-dimensional surfaces of aggregates on the basis of fringe distortions from the captured digital images. A program was developed in MATLAB to quantify morphologic characteristics of aggregates from a variety of sources. The output results include sphericity, flatness ratio, elongation ratio, angularity, and texture for each individual aggregate particle. In this paper, only the morphologic characteristics of seven types of coarse aggregate with sizes ranging from 3/4 in. to No. 4 are presented. These aggregates were also analyzed with the Aggregate Image Measure...
mTOR and lymphocyte metabolism.

Upon antigen engagement and proper co-stimulation, naive lymphocytes exit quiescence and undergo clonal expansion and differentiate into functional effector cells, after which they either die through apoptosis or survive as memory cells. Lymphocytes at different activation stages exhibit distinct metabolic signatures. Emerging evidence highlights a central role for the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in bridging immune signals and metabolic cues to direct lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation and survival. Here we review recent advances in understanding the functional significance and signal transduction of mTOR in T cell biology, and the interplay between mTOR signaling and metabolic programs.
Taking mathematical fictions seriously

I argue on the basis of an example, Fourier theory applied to the problem of vibration, that Field's program for nominalizing science is unlikely to succeed generally, since no nominalistic variant will provide us with the kind of physical insight into the phenomena that the standard theory supplies. Consideration of the same example also shows, I argue, that some of the motivation for mathematical fictionalism, particularly the alleged problem of cognitive access, is more apparent than real.
A Simple Method of Making Light Mirrors

THE following description of a simple and inexpensive method of making optically perfect mirrors for galvanometers and similar instruments will, I think, be of interest to many of your readers.
The Influence of Spatial Inhomogeneities on Neutral Models of Geographical Variation IV. Discontinuities in the Population Density and Migration Rate

Abstract The equilibrium structure of the infinite, one-dimensional stepping-stone model with coincident discontinuities in the population density and migration rate is investigated in the diffusion approximation. The monoecious, diploid population is subdivided into an infinite linear array of equally large, panmictic colonies that exchange gametes isotropically. The population density and the migration rate have a discontinuity at the origin, but are elsewhere uniform. Generations are discrete and nonoverlapping; the analysis is restricted to a single locus without selection; every allele mutates to new alleles at the same rate. The three dimensionless parameters in the theory are α=(ρ+/ρ−)2 (V+/V−)3/2, and β±=4ρ± 2 uV ± , where ρ+ (ρ−) and V+ (V−) designate the population density and variance of gametic dispersion per generation to the right (left) of the discontinuity, respectively, and u denotes the mutation rate. The characteristic length on the right (left) is V + /(2 u ) ( V − /(2 u ) ). The probability of identity is continuous at the origin, but its partial derivatives have a discontinuity unless migration is conservative (ρ−V−=ρ+V+). At least for nonconservative migration, the probability of identity (including the expected homozygosity) can be nonmonotonic even if the migration rate is uniform and the population density is monotonic. Thus, there can be a nonmonotonic genetic response in a neutral model to a monotonic environment.
Exercise and Immunity: A Review with Emphasis on the Horse

Exercise has been recognized as a stress, which can significantly alter the host's immune response and, therefore, its susceptibility to disease. Whereas research in this area has previously focused primarily on human subjects and laboratory animals, it has more recently extended to domestic animals, especially the equine athlete. Despite several studies, defining the relationship among exercise, the immune response, and disease has proven difficult due to a number of factors, including the complexity of the immune system and the variable nature of exercise itself. It now appears that exercise has dual effects on the immune system. Suppressive effects, such as a decline in the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cells, diminished lymphocyte function, and a decline in the number and cytolytic activity of natural killer cells have been observed in response to brief high-intensity exercise, prolonged exhaustive exercise, and overtraining. In contrast, moderate training generally has beneficial effects on host defense mechanisms. The mechanisms for regulating the dual effects of exercise are complex, involving a network of neuroendocrine hormones and cytokines.
A Case of aHUS-Associated Renal Failure Mistakenly Attributed to HIV Nephropathy

Human immunodeficiency virus infection has been implicated in multiple viral-based processes adversely affecting the renal system, including HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), HIV-related immune complex disease, and the less well-described HIV-related thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). While HIV nephropathy has an overall poor renal prognosis and is treated primarily with anti-viral therapy, the etiology of HIV-related (non-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-associated) renal TMA may be causally linked to viral amplification of a dysregulated alternate complement cascade. Thus, if detected in its incipient stages, the associated renal injury may respond similarly to complement-inhibitory modalities as has been observed in cases of non-virally-linked TMA (aHUS), thus yielding significant recovery of kidney function. We report a case of a 43-year-old male patient with a history of advanced HIV disease and chronic renal insufficiency, previously attributed to HIVAN, who presented with acute renal decline, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, and biopsy-proven renal TMA, whose acute renal decompensation responded favorably to terminal complement blockade (eculizumab). J Hematol. 2015;4(1):141-143 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jh183w
Effects of Diet on the Activities of Enzymes Related to Lipogenesis in Rat Liver and Adipose Tissue

SummaryThe activities of glucoses-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and pyruvate kinase were significantly higher in the livers and adipose tissues from rats fed purified diets than in these tissues from rats fed commercial lab chow. The type of carbohydrate fed in the purified diet did not have a significant effect on the final levels of the three enzymes in epididymal adipose tissue, but did affect the levels of these enzymes in the liver: rats fed sucrose or invert sugar had higher activities than those fed glucose or starch. The activity of malic enzyme was higher in the livers of rats fed diets containing glucose than in those fed starch. No significant differences in enzyme activities were observed between rats fed diets containing sucrose or invert sugar.
Testing the reliability of the Fall Risk Screening Tool in an elderly ambulatory population

AIM: To identify and test the reliability of a fall risk screening tool in an ambulatory outpatient clinic. BACKGROUND: The Fall Risk Screening Tool (Albert Lea Medical Center, MN, USA) was scripted for an interview format. METHOD: Two interviewers separately screened a convenience sample of 111 patients (age ≥ 65 years) in an ambulatory outpatient clinic in a northeastern US city. RESULT: The interviewers' scoring of fall risk categories was similar. There was good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.834-0.889) and inter-rater reliability [intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) = 0.824-0.881] for total, Risk Factor and Client's Health Status subscales. The Physical Environment scores indicated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.742) and adequate reliability (ICC = 0.688). Two Physical Environment items (furniture and medical equipment condition) had low reliabilities [Kappa (K) = 0.323, P = 0.08; K = -0.078, P = 0.648), respectively. CONCLUSION: The scripted Fall Risk Screening Tool demonstrated good reliability in this sample. Rewording two Physical Environment items will be considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: A reliable instrument such as the scripted Fall Risk Screening Tool provides a standardised assessment for identifying high fall risk patients. This tool is especially useful because it assesses personal, behavioural and environmental factors specific to community-dwelling patients; the interview format also facilitates patient-provider interaction. Language: en
Naturalismo y antinaturalismo en "Los pazos de Ulloa"

A la ‘muy noble y leal’ Marineda El protagonista de Los pazos de Ulloa es, sin duda, Julian, no el marques don Pedro. Quiero decir que Julian es el eje de la narracion. La novela pinta el asombro d...
Emergent patterns of integration in electronic channel systems

What should producers and consumers alike make of the emerging class of middlemen and intermediaries in electronic channels?
Fas and TNFR1, But Not Cytolytic Granule-Dependent Mechanisms, Mediate Clearance of Murine Liver Adenoviral Infection

After intravenous injection of replication-deficient adenovirus, hepatocytes are transduced and express high levels of adenovirus-encoded genes. However, adenovirally encoded gene expression is ablated rapidly by CD8+ T-cell-dependent mechanisms. Thus, this model is suitable for examining intrahepatic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector mechanisms. In the present studies, recombinant adenoviruses encoding secreted (human apolipoprotein A-I) or intracellular (beta-galactosidase) gene products were infused into mice with genetic deficiencies affecting the granule exocytosis-, Fas-, or tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)-mediated pathways of CTL and natural killer cell effector function; the rates of clearance of adenovirus-encoded gene products were assessed. Clearance of secreted or intracellular adenoviral gene products was not delayed in perforin-deficient mice or dipeptidyl peptidase I-deficient mice, which fail to process and activate granzyme A or granzyme B. TNFR1-deficient mice also exhibited no delay in clearance of adenoviral gene products. However, adenoviral clearance from Fas-deficient mice was delayed, and such delays were much greater in mice deficient in both TNFR1 and Fas. In contrast, chimeric mice lacking both hepatic Fas and lymphocyte perforin function exhibited no greater delay in adenoviral clearance than chimeras deficient only in hepatic Fas expression. In conclusion, Fas-dependent mechanisms are required for efficient clearance of virally infected hepatocytes and, in Fas-deficient animals, TNFR1-dependent mechanisms provide an alternative mechanism for hepatic adenovirus clearance. In contrast, perforin- and granule protease-dependent cytotoxicity mechanisms play no apparent role in clearance of adenovirus from the liver.
The Clash between Security and Liberty in the U.S. Response to Terror

This study examines U.S. public opinion on civil liberties and security in response to the politically pivotal events of September 11, 2001—what shape it is in, what shapes it, and what it shapes. Public opinion is a critical restraint on political and administrative action today because so many regulators, rule makers, and law enforcers are making decisions or advocating policies that directly affect the balance between liberty and security. The general importance that is popularly attributed to terrorism is gauged by its ranking among the most important problems. The ostensibly contradictory public attitudes toward civil liberties are analyzed, as is the supposed inconsistency between perceived personal impact and the general significance attributed to the attacks. The data rebut the allegation that the public is readily disposed to restrict civil liberties as the price of security. Findings show the public does not perceive a personal or immediate threat to civil liberties. The implications for further research and good governance are laid out.
Simulation of a pressure relief valve

An example is presented of the simulation of a hydraulic system involving transient fluid flow. Many approximate relationships are derived for the system, and the resulting equations are mechanized on an analog computer. Re sults are given which compare the simulation model to the actual system. The example clearly shows many of the advantages of simulation in problems of this type.
Regulation of nuclear processes by inositol polyphosphates.

Inositide signaling pathways represent a multifaceted ensemble of cellular switches capable of regulating a number of processes, for example, intracellular calcium release, membrane trafficking, chemotaxis, ion channel activity and several nuclear functions. Over 30 inositide messengers are found in eukaryotic cells that may be grouped into two classes: (1) inositol lipids, phosphatidylinositols or phosphoinositides (PIPs) and (2) water-soluble inositol polyphosphates (IPs). This review will focus on inositol polyphosphate kinases (IPK) and inositol pyrophosphate synthases (IPS) responsible for the cellular production of IP 4 , IP 5 IP 6 and PP-IPs. Of interest, IPK and IPS proteins localize, in part, within the nucleus and their activities are necessary for proper regulation of gene expression, mRNA export, DNA repair and telomere maintenance. The breadth of nuclear processes regulated and the evolutionary conservation of the genes involved in their synthesis have sparked renewed interest in inositide messengers derived from sequential phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.
Esthetic evaluation of dynamic smiles with attention to facial muscle activity.

Introduction Numerous studies of smile esthetics have used still photos. Photos, however, do not capture the dynamics of a smile, an element that can contribute to overall smile esthetics. In this study, we assessed the esthetics of dynamic smiles. Methods Four facially balanced female dental students were trained to produce 8 distinct smiles using the facial action coding system. Videos of the models' whole faces were presented to 2 panels of raters: dental students and nondental undergraduate students. Smile attractiveness was rated using a Web-based survey. Results The smile that used 4 labial muscles was rated significantly better than the smile involving only the risorius muscle ( P P P P >0.05), perhaps because orbicularis oculi activation altered activations in other muscles in such a way that smile attractiveness was increased in the lower face. Conclusions Smile esthetics increased with increased recruitment of muscles involved in smile production. The results were robust across the models, suggesting that objective rating methods of smile-dynamic esthetics could become an important clinical tool.
Protein-Induced DNA Unwinding is An Intrinsic Feature of Certain Sequence-Specific DNA-Binding Proteins

Protein-DNA interactions play a key role in many fundamental biological processes, such as DNA replication, transcription, and recombination. Very often, the DNA-binding proteins induce structural changes of the target DNA-binding sequences. These DNA structural changes include DNA bending, twisting, and wrapping. Although protein-induced DNA-bending has been widely studied, other protein-induced DNA structural changes have not been fully explored due to the lack of a feasible experimental approach. In this study, we developed a new experimental strategy to probe the protein-induced DNA-unwinding. Our first step is to make a circular plasmid DNA template containing multiple tandem copy of a DNA-binding site of a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein, such as λ O protein and LacI. This plasmid also contains one nicking-enzyme recognition site, such as Nb.Bsm I. Next, we nicked this plasmid using the nicking enzyme, Nb.Bsm I, and then titrated the nicked plasmid by increasing the concentration of the DNA-binding protein. The DNA template was ligated by T4 DNA ligase. The linking number (Lk) of the ligated DNA products was determined by one or two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence of chloroquine. The linking number changes (ΔLK) was calculated using equation ΔLK=Lk-Lk°, where Lk and Lk° are the Boltzmann centers of the topoisomers band in the presence of the DNA-binding protein and in its absence, respectively. If we define the apparent protein-induced DNA unwinding angle (αobs) equals to 360×ΔLK, i.e. αobs =360× ΔLK, then the protein-induced DNA-unwinding angle (α) and the DNA-binding constant (K) can be simultaneously determined. Using this method, we have determined the DNA-unwinding angle and the DNA-binding constant for the following sequence-specific DNA-binding protein: λO, LacI, GalR, AraC, and CRP. Our results indicate that protein-induced DNA-unwinding is a unique feature for these sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins.
Crystalline polymorphs and co-crystals for nonlinear optics

Crystalline polymorphism is quite common for nonlinear optical (NLO) compounds. During our studies of NLO materials we found several compounds that crystallize in two or more forms. We present a short review of our recent data on the crystalline polymorphism of NLO compounds. Among the compounds studied, we found examples of concomitant polymorphism, induced conformational polymorphism, and organic polytypism. For several compounds, X-ray data are discussed along with computational data on molecular and crystal structure energy.
The Ghost of Arthur H. Smith in the Mirror of Cultural Translation

Arthur H. Smith’s Chinese Characteristics (1890) remained the most widely read American book on China until Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth (1931). Smith’s collection of pungent and humorous essays, originally written for white expatriates in Asia, was accepted by Americans at home as a wise and authentic handbook. The book was soon translated into Japanese (1896), classical Chinese (1903), and at least three more times into Chinese since 1990. The characteristics Smith identified reflect his conception of the American Way of Life, racial hierarchy, the idea of progress, and the middle-class values with which he was brought up. He used race and “national character” to explain Chinese food, dress, body care, music, art, language, and architecture, as well as politics and religion. Lu Xun, the preeminent Chinese cultural critic of the early twentieth century, pondered why his country had been defeated and came to believe that the character of his countrymen was the key to their future survival. Smith’s criticisms were valuable for this task of introspection but Lu Xun took him to task for misunderstanding the concept of “face” because he did not grasp it in the social context of unequal power. The ghost of Arthur Smith thus haunts both Chinese and Americans.
Indium 111 white blood cell imaging of epididymitis

The clinical diagnosis of epididymitis is frequently substantiated radiographically with pertechnetate 99m (99mTc) testicular scintigraphy and scrotal sonography. Indium 111 (111In) autologous leukocyte imaging in a patient with epididymitis has to our knowledge not been reported previously. The case presented is an elderly man with epididymitis. An111In-labelled white blood cell scan demonstrated increased tracer accumulation in the region of the right epididymis. This suggests that111In-labelled leukocyte scanning may be helpful in evaluating an inflammatory process involving the epididymis or testis and potentially may allow for differentiation of epididymitis and orchitis from missed torsion, tumour or cystic lesions.
Seismic wave attenuation during the 19 September 1985 Michoacan, Mexico earthquake

The severity of damage to Mexico City as a result of the 19 September 1985 Michoacan earthquake was unusual given the City's distance (350 km) from the zone of seismic energy release. To explain the damage many authors have suggested that unusual source or transmission path characteristics contributed to enhanced ground motion in Mexico City. The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of results obtained from data recorded during the earthquake related to possible anomalous transmission path characteristics.