cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunity to Rickettsiae (Redux)

The obligate intracellular bacteria that we call rickettsiae obviously share many biological traits with the other intracellular bacteria. For example, it has been shown that both L. monocytogenes and R. rickettsii move through the cell cytoplasm and from cell to cell by an identical technique of actin polymerization.69 It is also clear that the intracellular bacteria share many aspects of the immune response, and this is not surprising. From the existing data it can be concluded that immunity to primary rickettsial infections characteristically is a THl-type cellular immunity. Further, IFN-γ is probably the most important cytokine for clearance of the organisms, although clearly not the only cytokine of importance. This statement is apparently true for the members of the genera Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, as well as for C. burnetii. Infection with these organisms has been noted to be associated with an immunosuppression, and this observation is largely unstudied. Perhaps the more important issue is the mechanisms that these organisms use to evade the immune system rather than the mechanisms of immunity that clear the organisms.
The minimally invasive anterior approach to hip arthroplasty

A modified anterior approach to the hip developed by the senior author has been utilized in performing over 7000 hip replacement operations at this joint replacement center in the past three decades. It can be readily applied to both primary and revision surgery, and involves muscle splitting and sparing of the major hip muscles, innervation, and function. Since the late 1970s, Yale orthopaedic residents have been taught this minimally invasive anterior approach using one, two, or three mini-incisions without fluoroscopy, special operating room tables, or special retractors. The authors' overall experience has documented a very low incidence of dislocation and minimal perioperative complications. While a smaller skin incision is desirable by patients for cosmetic reasons and decreased healing time, what goes on beneath the skin is far more important. A well-placed total hip replacement should never be compromised. While many of these patients can ambulate the same or first postoperative day quite well, the authors do not advocate outpatient total hip arthroplasty as some proponents have. Bone is still cut, tissues bleed, clots can form, and the traditional complications of arthroplasty, while reduced, can still occur.
Can delay discounting deliver on the promise of RDoC

The National Institute of Mental Health launched the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative to better understand dimensions of behavior and identify targets for treatment. Examining dimensions across psychiatric illnesses has proven challenging, as reliable behavioral paradigms that are known to engage specific neural circuits and translate across diagnostic populations are scarce. Delay discounting paradigms seem to be an exception: they are useful for understanding links between neural systems and behavior in healthy individuals, with potential for assessing how these mechanisms go awry in psychiatric illnesses. This article reviews relevant literature on delay discounting (or the rate at which the value of a reward decreases as the delay to receipt increases) in humans, including methods for examining it, its putative neural mechanisms, and its application in psychiatric research. There exist rigorous and reproducible paradigms to evaluate delay discounting, standard methods for calculating discount rate, and known neural systems probed by these paradigms. Abnormalities in discounting have been associated with psychopathology ranging from addiction (with steep discount rates indicating relative preference for immediate rewards) to anorexia nervosa (with shallow discount rates indicating preference for future rewards). The latest research suggests that delay discounting can be manipulated in the laboratory. Extensively studied in cognitive neuroscience, delay discounting assesses a dimension of behavior that is important for decision-making and is linked to neural substrates and to psychopathology. The question now is whether manipulating delay discounting can yield clinically significant changes in behavior that promote health. If so, then delay discounting could deliver on the RDoC promise.
Provider with Disability “Don’t Want That ‘Robot’ Helping Me!”

This chapter presents a case study of a young patient, facing a series of surgeries and rehabilitation after an accident, who resists therapy from a provider with an electrolarynx.
Working smarter, not harder: Objective-dependent management of an invasive thistle, Carduus nutans

Many invasive species managers state that their objective is to “control” an invader. However, the appropriate choice of a management option requires a more explicit statement of management objectives, in terms of both the relevant time horizon and spatial scale. Using data from a 2-yr mowing experiment, we show that the most effective management strategy for controlling an invasive thistle depends fundamentally on the management goals. We integrate field data from a two-cohort experiment with modeling to assess 14 mowing treatments (differing in intensity, frequency, and timing, and thus also in their required logistical effort) based on their effectiveness in (1) reducing population density of the existing cohort, (2) decreasing projected long-term population growth, and (3) limiting projected population spread of an invasive thistle, musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.). The treatment with high intensity and a single late mow caused the largest reduction in plant survival (and density of existing adult plants); the treatment with high intensity and an early mow in addition to a late mow was most effective at reducing population growth rate and population spread. Against expectation and conventional wisdom, the most frequent mowing treatment did not provide the most effective management outcome for any stated objective. This study highlights the necessity of clearly defined management aims; the term “control” is too vague to be truly useful. The results also provide important insights for the management of this invasive species.
Does what happen in Vegas stay in Vegas? Football gambling and stock market activity

We examine whether lagged football betting payoffs result in changes in retail investing in lottery-like stocks. We show that lagged, low betting imbalances are associated with increases in retail stock participation, particularly for lottery-like stocks. This finding implies support for the “break-even” hypothesis that following negative sentiment and losses from football gambling, investors use lottery-like stocks to offset losses or break-even. This result holds for lottery-like stocks defined based on high idiosyncratic volatility and skewness as well as stocks that trade in over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Finally, we address whether the reverse relation exists, finding that only OTC market activity leads to increases in football betting activity but not football betting imbalances. Overall, our paper contributes to the literature investigating the relation between gambling sentiment and stock market activity.
An Extended Laboratory Validation Study and Comparative Performance Evaluation of the Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 Assay in a Coastal California Tertiary Care Medical Center

Abstract The Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 assay is a rapid molecular diagnostic test particularly designed for on-site, rapid turnaround point of care (POC) testing. The utilization of rapid diagnostic tests is integral to optimizing workflow within the hospital and/or procedural-based clinics. The capability to provide both rapid disposition and correct patient classification during this COVID-19 pandemic is critically important with broad infection control implications for both patients and healthcare staff. A tightly controlled, extended laboratory validation was performed at our medical center to determine the negative test agreement of the Abbott ID NOW™ compared with the BD MAX™ analyzer, a laboratory-based, two target, molecular analyzer with a sensitive cycle threshold (Ct) positive cutoff value of ≤ 42. There was strict adoption of the procedures listed in the Abbott ID NOW™ Instruction for Use (IFU)1 insert delineating preferred practices for “optimal test performance.” Under these conditions, our institution demonstrated a significant negative percent agreement with 116 out of 117 patients correlating, which equates to a 99.1% concordance similar to a recently reported correlation study2.
Pediatric laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour: Case report and systematic review of the literature.

Abstract Introduction Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (IMT) are rare benign neoplasms in the pediatric population, found most frequently in the lungs with rare reports of laryngeal involvement. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case of laryngeal IMT followed by a systematic review on pediatric laryngeal IMT. Case Report We present the case and the management of a 13-year-old boy with a laryngeal IMT Material and Methods A comprehensive review of literature was conducted in September 2019 using Pubmed and Scopus. Included articles were reviewed for mean age at presentation, gender, main symptoms, treatment modality, histopathological features and follow-up Results Sixteen cases of pediatric laryngeal IMT were reported in the literature. The mean age of presentation was 7 years; endoscopic surgical resection was used in 87% of procedures, and the mean number of interventions needed to achieve remission was 1.6. Conclusions Pediatric laryngeal IMT are rare benign proliferations with only 16 reported case in the medical literature. The diagnosis of this entity remains a challenge and the standard of care is surgery with clear margins.
Smooth Bandit Optimization: Generalization to H\"older Space.

We consider bandit optimization of a smooth reward function, where the goal is cumulative regret minimization. This problem has been studied for $\alpha$-Holder continuous (including Lipschitz) functions with $0 1$ to bridge the gap between Lipschitz bandits and infinitely-differentiable models such as linear bandits. For Holder continuous functions, approaches based on random sampling in bins of a discretized domain suffices as optimal. In contrast, we propose a class of two-layer algorithms that deploy misspecified linear/polynomial bandit algorithms in bins. We demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can exploit higher-order smoothness of the function by deriving a regret upper bound of $\tilde{O}(T^\frac{d+\alpha}{d+2\alpha})$ for when $\alpha>1$, which matches existing lower bound. We also study adaptation to unknown function smoothness over a continuous scale of Holder spaces indexed by $\alpha$, with a bandit model selection approach applied with our proposed two-layer algorithms. We show that it achieves regret rate that matches the existing lower bound for adaptation within the $\alpha\leq 1$ subset.
The Use of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Heart Failure in Patients One Year and Under

Introduction Cardiac resynchronization (CRT) therapy with biventricular (biV) or multi-site ventricular pacing has been shown to improve cardiac function and outcomes in adult patients with cardiomyopathy. However, little is known about the benefits of this therapy in infants with complex congenital heart disease. We present 4 inotrope-dependent heart failure patients being considered for heart transplant, 1 year or younger, from our institution who avoided heart transplantation following the initiation of CRT. Case Report Patient 1 has neonatal lupus and dilated cardiomyopathy with severely decreased ejection fraction (EF). Following a cardiac arrest at 2 months, she was unable to wean off ECMO and underwent CRT pacemaker (PM) placement. She weaned off ECMO in 48 hours and inotropes after 15 days. Her EF normalized 7 months after CRT upgrade. QRS improved from 126 to 108 milliseconds (ms) Patient 2 has double inlet left ventricle (DILV) with heart block requiring a dual chamber PM. He then developed dyssynchronous function that prevented him from second stage repair, so he was upgraded to a CRT pacing system at 7 months. 4 days later, his echocardiogram (echo) showed improved synchrony, and he was able to have his surgery at 12 months. QRS improved from 158 to 132 ms. Patient 3 has DILV and congenital heart block who had a single chamber PM placed. Following a surgical procedure, she suffered hemodynamic compromise and remained on ECMO. Her PM was converted to a dual chamber system and her EF normalized in 7 days; however, 5 weeks later she had severely diminished EF. After multiple attempts to wean inotropes, she was upgraded to a CRT system at 17 months. Her EF significantly improved in 10 days, and she was off inotropes 21 days later. QRS improved from 180 to 130 ms. Patient 4 developed heart block after cardiac fibroma resection and had a dual chamber PM placed. Despite this, she remained on inotropes and was upgraded to a biV CRT system at 3 months. Her EF never normalized, but she weaned off inotropes after 64 days. QRS improved from 252 to 148 ms. Unfortunately, she suffered a fatal seizure at 2 years. Summary In this series of infants with severely depressed ventricular function, cardiac resynchronization improved ejection fraction and prevented the need for heart transplantation. Following CRT initiation, all patients were weaned off inotropic support and discharged without heart transplantation.
Enable the People to Say, 'We Did It!'

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an effective means of attracting productive capital required for economic growth and development. Developing countries, however, should also look inside and mobilize inactive domestic capital they are sitting on. The leader's task in every developing country is to initiate and accomplish the necessary national reforms, enabling it to transform the "dead" capital into "live" capital that would be utilized productively together with FDI. Developing countries must keep the economy humane, and that requires leadership. According to a great thinker of ancient China, Lao Tsu: A good leader is the one whom people respect and love. A bad leader is the one whom people fear. The worst leader is the one whom people despise. An ideal leader performs actions without *As Faculty Fellow of the Institute for International Business, the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, the author gratefully acknowledges the research support provided by the Institute. unnecessary speech (that is, without resorting to propaganda or spin), and his people say, "We did it!" Every leader should strive to become an ideal leader, as envisioned by Lao Tsu. Under such a leader (or leaders), the people will say, "We did it!" when they make remarkable economic development and enjoy high living standards in a civilized manner.
Research in Sickle Cell Disease: From Bedside to Bench to Bedside

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an exemplar of bidirectional translational research, starting with a remarkable astute observation of the abnormally shaped red blood cells that motivated decades of bench research that have now translated into new drugs and genetic therapies. Introduction of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, the only SCD-modifying treatment for >30 years and now standard care, was initiated through another clinical observation by a pediatrician. While the clinical efficacy of HU is primarily due to its fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction, the exact mechanism of how it increases HbF remains not fully understood. Unraveling of the molecular mechanism of how HU increases HbF has provided insights on the development of new HbF-reactivating agents in the pipeline. HU has other salutary effects, reduction of cellular adhesion to the vascular endothelium and inflammation, and dissecting these mechanisms has informed bench-both cellular and animal-research for development of the 3 recently approved agents: endari, voxelotor, and crizanlizumab; truly, a bidirectional bench to bedside translation. Decades of research to understand the mechanisms of fetal to adult hemoglobin have also culminated in promising anti-sickling genetic therapies and the first-in-human studies of reactivating an endogenous (γ-globin) gene HBG utilizing innovative genomic approaches.
An autopsy of the coloniality of suicide: Modernity's completed genocide.

From the Latin American modernity/coloniality project, we address the inhospitality of the modern/colonial and globally designed world-system in relation to suicidality. In our vernacular Spanglish...
Estimating the effect of vehicle speeds on bicycle and pedestrian safety on the Georgia arterial roadway network.

Abstract Cyclists and pedestrians account for a disproportionate amount of the world’s 1.3 million road deaths every year. This is a growing problem in the United Sates where bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities have increased steadily since 2009. A large body of research suggests vehicle speeds are a key contributing factor for crashes. However, few studies of bicycle or pedestrian crash probability incorporate detailed vehicle speed data. This study uses probe vehicle speed data to examine the impact of vehicle speeds on bicycle and pedestrian crashes on the state of Georgia’s network of major arterial roadways. The analysis examines 7000 road segments throughout the state in 2017. A Negative Binomial model relates annual crash and speed data on each segment. Models using speed percentiles (85th, 50th and 15th) are contrasted with models using speed differences (85th–50th and 50th–15th percentile). A small set of covariates are included: segment length, number of lanes, Average Annual Daily Traffic, and urbanicity. Results indicate that larger differences in high-end speed percentiles are positively associated with bicycle and pedestrian crash frequency on Georgia arterials. Furthermore, the coefficients on the high end of the speed distribution, measured by the difference in 85th and 50th percentile speeds, have greater magnitude and statistical significance than the low end of the distribution. This research shows a negative relationship between speed and crashes may be flawed, as it does not account for the distributions of speed. The findings in this study suggest that planners and engineers should identify areas with large speed distributions, especially at the high vehicle speeds, and work to reduce the fastest speeds on these roadways. To do so, differences in speed percentiles measured using probe vehicle speeds can be used to determine where high risk areas are located.
Truth and Justice

This chapter studies Habermas’s modernist doctrines of truth, justice, and the internal relationship among truth, justice, and human reason. First, it examines Habermas’s concept of truth: from the early discursive concept to the present Kantian-pragmatic concept. Second, taking the Habermas-Rawls debate in 1990s as its paradigm of illustration, it examines Habermas’s concept of the reasonableness of a political concept of justice, and his view on the inseparability of truth, justice, and reason. Third, it examines Habermas’s concept of the ideal speech situation as the mechanism for the establishment of a political concept of justice that is reasonable. Fourth, it examines Habermas’s view on the role of overlapping consensus in establishing a political concept of justice that is reasonable. It thus demonstrates Habermas’s modernist sentiment in which truth, justice and reason are inseparable; there can no justice without the rule of reason; there can be no the rule of reason without truth.
The role of nerve growth factor receptors in cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration in prodromal Alzheimer disease.

Dysfunction of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high (TrkA) and low (p75 NTR ) affinity receptors has been suggested to underlie the selective degeneration of the nucleus basalis (NB) cholinergic cortical projection neurons in end stage Alzheimer disease (AD). Whether the NGF system is dysfunctional during the prodromal stages of AD has only recently been evaluated. Surprisingly, the number of choline acetyltransferase-containing neurons remains stable despite a significant reduction in NGF receptor-positive cells in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), suggesting a phenotypic NGF receptor downregulation but not a frank loss of NB neurons during prodromal AD. Moreover, there is a loss of cortical TrkA in the face of stable p75 NTR and increased proNGF levels, the precursor molecule of mature NGF, in early AD. Depending upon the cellular context these changes may result in increased pro-apoptotic signaling, cell survival, or a defect in retrograde transport mechanisms. Alterations in NGF and its receptors within the cholinotrophic NB system in early AD suggest that NGF-mediated cell signaling is required for the long-term survival of these neurons. Therapeutic neurotrophic intervention might delay or prevent NB neuron degeneration and preserve cholinergic cortical function during prodromal AD.
Blockage of Lysosomal Degradation Is Detrimental to Cancer Cell Survival: Role of Autophagy Activation

Autophagy is a major catabolic process used by cells to remove superfluous or damaged proteins and organelles. In the final stages of autophagy, acidic organelles (lysosomes) act to degrade autophagic cargo and to facilitate their recycling. Little is known about how cancer cells undergoing autophagy, often as a consequence of stress, respond when lysosomal function is blocked. To elucidate this mechanism, several recent studies report that lysosomes and their hydrolytic proteases (cathepsins) play a critical role in autophagy and subsequent cancer progression. Our studies in breast cancer suggest that inhibition of cathepsins D and L using the BH3-mimetic, obatoclax, is effective in reducing the cell density of anti-estrogen sensitive and resistant breast cancer cells. Furthermore, blockage of cathepsin protein expression with obatoclax leads to the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and impairs the ability of cells to use degraded material to restore homeostasis. While cancer cells are dependent on effective lysosomal function, neoplastic transformation induces changes in lysosomal volume, number, and protease activity. Recent reports suggest that pro-oncogenic changes render cancer cells more susceptible to lysosomal-associated death pathways. A number of distinct stimuli have been shown to permeabilize the lysosomal membrane, leading to the release of hydrolases into the cytosol and ultimately cell death. Thus, changes in cathepsin and lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) regulation during cancer cell progression suggest that strategies targeting this cellular compartment may be exploited to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
The Specificity of Cathepsin D

Abstract Bovine spleen cathepsin D has been partially purified for studies of its specificity. Isoelectric focusing of the purest preparation obtained indicated the presence of three molecular forms having approximately the same specific activity, but differing in their isoelectric points. Gel chromatography of this preparation on Sephadex G-100 gave an apparent molecular weight of about 42,000, and its sedimentation equilibrium behavior was found to be consistent with that of a dissociating system, with an apparent molecular weight of about 43,000 for an oligomer. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicated the presence of a subunit of molecular weight about 28,000. A series of oligopeptides having a p-nitro-l-phenylalanyl-l-phenylalanyl (Phe(NO2)-Phe) unit were tested as substrates for purified cathepsin D. It was found that for substrates of the type A-Phe(NO2)-Phe-B, where the Phe(NO2)-Phe bond is the only one cleaved by the enzyme, modification of the A and B groups markedly affected the kinetic parameters. The best substrate found was Phe-Gly-His-Phe-(NO2)-Phe-Val-Leu-OMe. This substrate is cleaved by cathepsin D at pH 4 more slowly than by pepsin, but at about the same rate as by the acid proteinase of Rhizopus chinensis. The data give further evidence of the similarity in the specificity of cathepsin D to that of other known acid proteinases and underline the importance of secondary enzyme-substrate interactions, at a distance from the site of catalytic action, in determining the apparent differences among these enzymes in their cleavage of oligopeptide substrates. The availability of a suitable synthetic substrate for cathepsin D has permitted the study of the competitive inhibition of this enzyme by peptides, including pepstatin. Like other acid proteinases, cathepsin D is inhibited by active site-directed diazoketones, and it has been found that this enzyme is less susceptible to such inhibition than are pepsin and the Rhizopus proteinase. This difference in behavior may be correlated with the apparent weaker binding of small oligopeptide substrates at the active site of cathepsin D.
Abstract MP21: Circulating Biomarkers of Dairy Fat and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Two US Prospective Cohorts

Background: Prior observational studies suggest that self-reported consumption of dairy foods is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes (DM). Few studies have used circulating biomarkers that provide objective measures of dairy fat consumption. Aim: To test the hypothesis that plasma fatty acid biomarkers of dairy fat, 15:0, 17:0, 16:1 n-7t and 14:0, are associated with lower incidence of DM. Methods: We used gas-liquid chromatography to measure plasma 15:0, 17:0, 16:1 n-7t and 14:0 biomarkers in 3,347 adults aged 30-75 years and free of prevalent DM at baseline in two separate U.S. prospective cohorts, Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals’ Follow Up Study (HPFS). Incident DM was identified through 2008 and confirmed by validated supplementary questionnaire using symptoms, diagnostic tests, and medical therapy. Cox proportional hazards regression was used and cohort findings pooled by fixed-effects meta-analysis. Results: During mean ± SD follow-up of 14.0 ± 4.9 years, 254 new cases ...
Permeability effects on winter-time natural convection in gravel embankments

Winter-time natural convection in open-graded gravel embankments has been suggested as a technique which can be used to provide passive cooling and thereby avoid thaw- settlement of roadways located in permafrost areas (Goering and Kumar [1]). The present paper examines the ability of these embankments to maintain the structural integrity of thaw-unstable permafrost which often underlies roadway or airport embankments in northern climates. As a result of low ambient temperatures acting on the embankment surface during winter months, an unstable density stratification develops in the embankment. Buoyancy-driven convection of the pore air occurs in reaction to the density gradient. The convection enhances the upward transport of heat out of the embankment during winter months, thus cooling the lower portions of the embankment and underlying foundation soil. During summer months the density stratification is stable and convection does not occur. Consequently, summer-time heat transfer is dominated by thermal conduction which transports heat less effectively. The results of the present study show that the winter-time convection can lower foundation soil temperatures beneath open-graded embankments by as much as 6°C on an annual average basis compared to standard sand and gravel embankments. Time varying temperatures and pore air velocities are calculated for different embankment permeabilities and the results are visualized in the form of isotherm and velocity vector plots for different times of the year.
Calcium metabolism under conditions of weightlessness.

Abstract This is a brief report on the possible effects of weightlessness on calcium metabolism. Interest in this topic is based on common, clinical experience: immobilization from any cause is accompanied by skeletal rarefaction and hypercalcuria.
Examining the effects of geometric uncertainty when computing endocardial and intracavitary probe potentials using a surface integral equation solution

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of geometric uncertainty when computing intracavitary probe potentials and endocardial potentials via a forward and inverse solution, respectively. A cylindrical probe with 57 unipolar electrodes and 56 subendocardial electrodes were used to simultaneously record potentials within the left ventricular (LV) cavity and LV endocardium, respectively. Geometric uncertainty was examined by: (1) rotating the intracavitary probe surface from its known position within the LV cavity about its long (z) axis by -20/spl deg/ and +20/spl deg/; and (2) randomly perturbing the known LV endocardial geometry by /spl plusmn/5 mm. Quantitative comparison of results showed that the levels of geometric uncertainty used in this study did not have significant effects on the accuracy of the volume conductor model. Given the imaging modalities currently available, these levels of geometric uncertainty should be attainable when conducting studies of this nature. >
Effects of thermal and electrical stressing on the breakdown behavior of space wiring

Several failures in the electrical wiring systems of many aircraft and space vehicles have been attributed to arc tracking and damaged insulation. In some instances, these failures proved to be very costly as they have led to the loss of many aircraft and imperilment of space missions. Efforts are currently underway to develop lightweight, reliable, and arc track resistant wiring for aerospace applications. In this work, six wiring constructions were evaluated in terms of their breakdown behavior as a function of temperature. These hybrid constructions employed insulation consisting of Kapton, Teflon, and cross-linked Tefzel. The properties investigated included the 400 Hz AC dielectric strength at ambient and 200/spl deg/C, and the lifetime at high temperature with an applied bias of 40, 60, and 80% of breakdown voltage level. The results obtained are discussed, and conclusions are made concerning the suitability of the wiring constructions investigated for aerospace applications.
Radiofrequency Transseptal Catheter Electrode Fracture

Transseptal puncture is performed using a long needle advanced from the femoral approach. A radiofrequency catheter has been developed that delivers a short burst of radiofrequency energy and creates a micro puncture in the interatrial septum. We describe a case in which the distal radiofrequency electrode broke and became embedded in the interatrial septum. (PACE 2010; 33:e57–e58)
Kinetic properties of 'soluble' adenylyl cyclase: Synergism between calcium and bicarbonate

Abstract “Soluble” adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a widely expressed source of cAMP in mammalian cells that is evolutionarily, structurally, and biochemically distinct from the G protein-responsive transmembrane adenylyl cyclases. In contrast to transmembrane adenylyl cyclases, sAC is insensitive to heterotrimeric G protein regulation and forskolin stimulation and is uniquely modulated by bicarbonate ions. Here we present the first report detailing kinetic analysis and biochemical properties of purified recombinant sAC. We confirm that bicarbonate regulation is conserved among mammalian sAC orthologs and demonstrate that bicarbonate stimulation is consistent with an increase in the V max of the enzyme with little effect on the apparent K m for substrate, ATP-Mg2+. Bicarbonate can further increase sAC activity by relieving substrate inhibition. We also identify calcium as a direct modulator of sAC activity. In contrast to bicarbonate, calcium stimulates sAC activity by decreasing its apparentK m for ATP-Mg2+. Because of their different mechanisms, calcium and bicarbonate synergistically activate sAC; therefore, small changes of either calcium or bicarbonate will lead to significant changes in cellular cAMP levels.
Literacy, Access, and Mobility: Analysis from Sylhet, Bangladesh

This study uses data from Sylhet, Bangladesh, to examine the relationship between the distance to school locations and attendance to understand how transport can positively influence school attendance. Logit regression models and a database of 3,402 households were used to correlate household schooling decisions with the built environment, local infrastructure, and household and individual characteristics. Travel demand for school trips was examined to identify how transportation can aid or hinder literacy objectives. Among other findings, two underserved populations were identified: (a) inner-city slum residents and (b) lowincome remote households. Two possible transport actions for them are to increase (a) school supply in remote areas to improve accessibility and (b) public investment in affordable bus transit to improve mobility for students who travel to distant school locations. Thus, a combination of economic and transportation policies would likely increase literacy rates and overall educational a...
Landau damping of electrostatic ion waves in a uniform magnetic field

Abstract Landau damping of electrostatic ion waves due to contaminant helium ions in a xenon plasma is studied as a function of frequency and propagation angle in a uniform magnetic field. For ωclHe ⪡ ω ≲ ωclHe, damping for perpendicular propagation is immeasurably small. The damping is recovered for ω > ωclHe.
Use of absolute and comparative performance feedback in absolute and comparative judgments and decisions

Abstract Which matters more—beliefs about absolute ability or ability relative to others? This study set out to compare the effects of such beliefs on satisfaction with performance, self-evaluations, and bets on future performance. In Experiment 1, undergraduate participants were told they had answered 20% correct, 80% correct, or were not given their scores on a practice test. Orthogonal to this manipulation, participants learned that their performance placed them in the 23rd percentile or 77th percentile, or they did not receive comparative feedback. Participants were then given a chance to place bets on two games—one in which they needed to get more than 50% right to double their money (absolute bet), and one in which they needed to beat more than 50% of other test-takers (comparative bet). Absolute feedback influenced comparative betting, particularly when no comparative feedback was available. Comparative feedback exerted weaker and inconsistent effects on absolute bets. Absolute feedback also had stronger (and more consistent) effects on satisfaction with performance and state self-esteem. Experiment 2 replicated these effects in a different university sample, and demonstrated that the effects emerge even when bets are placed after participants rate their satisfaction with their performance (although these ratings do not mediate the effect of feedback on bets). These findings suggest that information about one’s absolute standing on a dimension may be more influential than information about comparative standing, partially supporting a key tenet of Festinger’s [Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations , 7 , 117–140.] theory of social comparison.
The national inventory of core capabilities for pandemic influenza preparedness and response: an instrument for planning and evaluation

Background Reviews of the global response to the 2009 pandemic of influenza A/H1N1 affirmed the importance of assessment of preparedness and response capabilities. Design The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners developed the National Inventory of Core Capabilities for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/international/tools.htm) to collect data on coverage, quality, and timeliness in 12 domains: country planning, research and use of findings, communications, epidemiologic capability, laboratory capability, routine influenza surveillance, national respiratory disease surveillance and reporting, outbreak response, resources for containment, community-based interventions to prevent the spread of influenza, infection control, and health sector pandemic response. For each of the capabilities, we selected four indicators. Each indicator includes four levels of performance (0–3), ranging from no or limited capability to fully capable. Results In 2008, 40 countries in 6 regions of the World Health Organization (WHO) collected data using the instrument. In 2010 and 2012, 36 and 39 countries did so, respectively. Data collection at regular intervals allows changes in preparedness and response capabilities to be documented. In most countries, participants used the instrument and data collected to inform discussion and planning toward improving the country's level of preparedness for pandemic influenza. Conclusions The National Inventory provides countries with a systematic method to document the status of their capabilities with regard to pandemic influenza and to assess progress over time. The National Inventory produces data and findings that serve a wide range of users and uses.
Ellipsometric study of 400ev ion damage in silicon

Abstract Lattice damage in silicon induced by low-energy argon ions is characterized ellipsometrically in two ways. In one the optical model consists of residual surface contamination and the partially-damaged substrate. The characterizing parameter in this case is an apparent substrate index N ' s which is a composite of the refractive indices of the damaged and undamaged portions of the substrate. Alternatively the damage can be analyzed using a three-layer model consisting of residual surface contaminant, the damaged layer and the underlying undamaged substrate. Using the latter model the spatial extent of the damage and the optical constants of the damage layer can be determined. The bombardment causes an increase in the absorption in the infrared, a decrease in the reflectivity in the ultra-violet, and broadens the absorption edge. The degree of damage increases with ion energy and can be removed by annealing at 800°C.
Tortured masculinity: Gendering Jesus in the robe

(2001). Tortured masculinity: Gendering Jesus in the robe. Quarterly Review of Film and Video: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 117-128.
Pseudoaneurysm Formation in a Gore-Tex Graft Used for Hemodialysis:

Gore-Tex has become the graft material of choice for angioaccess in hemodialysis patients. We present the first report of a pseudoaneurysm arising at the puncture site of a Gore-Tex prosthesis.
Comparison of Patients With Central Sleep Apnea: With and Without Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

This study was designed to determine the impact of central sleep apnea with or without Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) on morbidity and mortality. Central sleep apnea was found in 77 male general medical ward in-patients. Cheyne-Stokes respiration was found in 49 of the 77 men; in 15 men, CSR was severe, ie , ≥25 percent of the night spent in CSR, in 34 men CSR was mild (1 to 25 percent CSR). Twenty-eight men had central sleep apnea but no CSR. An additional 31 patients had no sleep apnea and no CSR. The patients with severe CSR had more central apneas, more, but shorter desaturations, more awakenings and more wake time during the night, but spent more time in bed than those with no CSR or no apnea. Radiographic evidence was consistent with an association of CSR and heart failure. In addition, patients with severe CSR were at almost twice the risk of dying compared with those with no apnea and had a shorter survival time. Nevertheless, we could not confirm that CSR was an independent predictor of elevated mortality risk, implying that some other factors specific to severe CSR predispose these patients to shorter survival time.
Diastereoselective Diels¿Alder Reactions of N-Sulfonyl-1-aza-1,3-butadienes with Optically Active Enol Ethers: An Asymmetric Variant of the 1-Azadiene Diels¿Alder Reaction

The first detailed study of a room-temperature asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of N-sulfonyl-1-aza-1,3-butadienes is reported enlisting a series of 19 enol ethers bearing chiral auxiliaries, with many providing highly diastereoselective (endo and facial diastereoselection) reactions, largely the result of an exquisitely organized [4+2] cycloaddition transition state. Three new, readily accessible, and previously unexplored auxiliaries rationally emerged from the studies and provide remarkable selectivities (two of these give 49:1 endo:exo and 48:1 facial selectivity) that promise to be useful in systems beyond those detailed.
A model for analogical reasoning.

Abstract A theory of analogical reasoning is proposed in which the elements of a set of concepts, e.g., animals, are represented as points in a multidimensional Euclidean space. Four elements A,B,C,D, are in an analogical relationship A:B::C:D if the vector distance from A to B is the same as that from C to D. Given three elements A,B,C, an ideal solution point I for A:B::C:? exists. In a problem A:B::C:D 1 , …, D i , …, D n , the probability of choosing D i as the best solution is a monotonic decreasing function of the absolute distance of D i from I. A stronger decision rule incorporating a negative exponential function in Luce's choice rule is also proposed. Both the strong and weak versions of the theory were supported in two experiments where S s rank-ordered the alternatives in problems A:B::C:D 1 ,D 2 , D 3 D 4 . In a third experiment the theory was applied and further tested in teaching new concepts by analogy.
Ordered nanocrystals on argon ion sputtered polymer film

We demonstrate that a variety of intriguing patterns can be induced by several keV Argon ions on the ultrathin polymer films at glancing angles of incidence with the simultaneous sample rotation. These periodic structure films can be used as the templates to fabricate densely packed nanometer-scale structures by deposition of atoms. Well-ordered arrays of stripe-like Si nanostructures with 7 nm wavelength and uniformly sized and shaped nanoparticles of copper in diameter of 7 nm were produced on the thin polymer film. This approach represents a convenient route for fabricating nanometer-scale wires and dots for metals and semiconductors.
REASONING WITH FUZZY QUANTIFIED STATEMENTS: PART II

In this second part of a set of two papers we investigate some applications of quantified statements.
Partial purification of a protein growth inhibitor from multicellular spheroids

We report the partial purification of growth inhibitors extracted from human and mouse multicellular tumor spheroids with extensive necrosis. Sephadex G-100 column chromatography of spheroid extracts separated inhibitory fractions which eluted just after the void volume of the column. Identical chromatography of monolayer cell extracts showed no inhibitory activity. High-performance liquid chromatography of spheroid extracts separated single active peaks at apparent molecular weights of 80–89 kD. These extracts were extremely heat labile, and activity was destroyed by moderate trypsin treatment. The isolation of similar growth inhibitors from spheroids of two cell lines suggests that inhibition is important in tumor cell growth control in a three-dimensional situation.
The Efficacy of Problem-Focused and Emotional Approach Interventions Varies as a Function of Emotional Processing Style

This study examined whether individual differences in emotional processing style (e.g., attention to and clarity of emotions) moderated the effectiveness of emotional approach and problem-focused interventions. Forty-one college freshmen were randomly assigned to one of two adjustment-to-college interventions: (a) an emotional approach intervention in which participants described their feelings, the sources of these feelings, and were provided with feedback about their feelings; or (b) a problem-focused intervention in which participants discussed how to solve their problems. Positive affect, negative affect, and anhedonic depression were measured before the intervention and 2 weeks subsequent to the intervention. Dimensions of emotional processing style were assessed using self-report. Participants low in attention to emotions benefited more from the emotional approach intervention, whereas those high in attention benefited more from the problem-focused intervention.
Using remote sensing to quantify albedo of roofs in seven California cities, Part 1: Methods

Abstract Cool roofs reflect sunlight and therefore can reduce cooling energy use in buildings. Further, since roofs typically cover about 20–25% of a city, widespread deployment of cool roofs could mitigate the urban heat island effect and partially counter urban temperature increases associated with global scale climate change. The magnitude of these potential benefits for a given city depends on the increase in albedo that can be achieved using reflective roofs. Assessing this increase requires knowledge of roof albedo at the city scale, which until now has been hindered by a lack of reflectance data with sufficient spatial coverage, spatial resolution, and spectral detail. In this work we use multiband aerial imagery to derive the albedos of individual roofs in seven California cities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose. The radiometrically calibrated, remotely sensed imagery has high spatial resolution (1 m) and four narrowband reflectances: blue, green, red, and near-infrared. First, we locate roof pixels within GIS building outlines. Next, we use laboratory measurements of the solar spectral reflectances of 190 roofing products to empirically relate broadband solar reflectance to reflectances in the four narrow bands; this empirical relationship well predicts solar reflectance, as indicated by a low root-mean-square of the residuals of 0.016. Albedos computed from remotely sensed reflectances are calibrated to ground measurements of roof albedo in each city. The error (accuracy) at 90% confidence interval of the calibrated albedos is found to vary by city, from 0.00–0.01 at low albedo and 0.06–0.14 at high albedo.
PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF THE ALANINE RACEMASE FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS.

Abstract 1. 1. A study was made of the purification and some of the properties of the alanine racemase (EC 5.1.1.1) obtained from Bacillus subtilis . A sensitive method of assay was developed and fractionation procedures involving cell extraction, streptomycin precipitation, ammonium sulfate and ethanol fractionation, followed by density- gradient sedimentation and density-gradient electrophoresis resulted in enzyme preparations which have been purified 140 times. 2. 2. Results of investigation of properties show that alanine racemase is relatively stable to dialysis, heat, storage and low ionic strength. Losses of activity are found in the presence of EDTA or GSH after the enzyme has been precipitated by HgCl 2 . 3. 3. The enzyme has been completely resolved from pyridoxal phosphate and partially resovled from a second cofactor. Full activity is restored when FAD is added to the system, while FMN, NAD, NADP, and NADH 2 will not function as coenzyme for the reaction.
Evidence for Directional Wind Response in Controlling Inter-annual Variations in Duration and Areal Extent of Summertime Hypoxia in Western Long Island Sound

Observations of summertime hypoxia duration and hypoxia areal extent in western Long Island Sound from 1991 to 2010 are correlated with local wind forcing. Results show a strong dependence on wind direction consistent with straining due to axial winds. The analysis of current data from moored ADCPs in the western Sound shows that the dominant mode of response is that of axial currents to axial winds. Estimates for the Wedderburn number (W) are relatively low ranging from 0.75 to 2.5 for prevailing winds, putting the western Sound in a regime more dominated by wind straining than by wind mixing. Estimates for the Kelvin number (Ke) range from approximately 1 to 6 in this diverging channel suggesting the importance of rotation; in the wide part of the basin, current observations show that significant vertically sheared lateral currents develop consistent with the tilting of planetary vortex lines by wind-driven axial current shear. Lateral straining, however, offsets longitudinal straining in the wide part of the basin supporting the hypothesis that simple longitudinal straining associated with axial winds exerts the most important control on the development summertime hypoxia in the constricted part of the western Sound.