cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunity and Means: Horizontal Gene Transfer from the Human Host to a Bacterial Pathogen

The acquisition and incorporation of genetic material between nonmating species, or horizontal gene transfer (HGT), has been frequently described for phylogenetically related organisms, but far less evidence exists for HGT between highly divergent organisms. Here we report the identification and characterization of a horizontally transferred fragment of the human long interspersed nuclear element L1 to the genome of the strictly human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A 685-bp sequence exhibiting 98 to 100% identity to copies of the human L1 element was identified adjacent to the irg4 gene in some N. gonorrhoeae genomes. The L1 fragment was observed in ~11% of the N. gonorrhoeae population sampled but was not detected in Neisseria meningitidis or commensal Neisseria isolates. In addition, N. gonorrhoeae transcripts containing the L1 sequence were detected by reverse transcription-PCR, indicating that an L1-derived gene product may be produced. The high degree of identity between human and gonococcal L1 sequences, together with the absence of L1 sequences from related Neisseriaspecies, indicates that this HGT event occurred relatively recently in evolutionary history. The identification of L1 sequences in N. gonorrhoeae demon- strates that HGT can occur between a mammalian host and a resident bacterium, which has important implications for the co- evolution of both humans and their associated microorganisms. IMPORTANCE The interactions between microbes and their hosts are relevant to several aspects of biology, including evolution, development, immunity, and disease. Neisseria gonorrhoeae serves as a particularly informative model for this interaction be- cause it has exclusively coevolved with humans and is not known to be found in any other environment. In addition, investiga- tion of the evolutionary relationship between N. gonorrhoeaeand humans has practical implications, since gonorrhea is a preva- lent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. This study was undertaken to characterize the horizontal transfer of genetic information from humans to N. gonorrhoeae, an event that has been scarcely recognized between any mammalian host and bac- terial pathogen. Here we provide evidence that this genetic exchange was the result of a recent evolutionary event that has been propagated within the gonococcal population.
Inhibiting Ras signaling in the therapy of breast cancer.

Abstract Ras is a small guanosine triphosphate—binding protein that plays an important role in signal transduction pathways that influence cellular proliferation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal organization, and other important biological processes. Prenylation of Ras proteins by the enzyme farnesyltransferase renders the protein hydrophobic, causing localization to the inner surface of the cell membrane, where it exerts its biological effects. Ras mutations that result in constitutive activation of the Ras pathway are common in certain human cancers, and transfection of cell lines with mutant Ras renders them tumorigenic. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) were initially developed to inhibit growth of cancers harboring Ras mutations, but preclinical data suggests that they also have antiproliferative effects in cell lines with wild-type Ras. Preclinical data suggest that FTIs have antiproliferative and antitumor effects in breast cancer cell lines, but the precise target(s) remain to be defined. One phase II trial has demonstrated that one orally administered FTI has significant antitumor activity in metastatic breast cancer. In addition, preclinical evidence suggests that FTIs may augment the activity of cytotoxic agents and hormonal therapy. Clinical trials are currently underway evaluating whether these agents have a useful role in the management of advanced breast cancer.
The origin of massive nonlinearity in Mixed-Ionic-Electronic-Conduction (MIEC)-based Access Devices, as revealed by numerical device simulation

Numerical modeling is used to explain the origin of the large ON/OFF ratios, ultra-low leakage, and high ON current densities exhibited by BEOL-friendly Access Devices (AD) based on Cu-containing MIEC materials [1-5]. Motion of large populations of copper ions and vacancies leads to exponential increases in hole current, with a turn-ON voltage that depends on material bandgap. Device simulations match experimental observations as a function of temperature, electrode aspect-ratio, thickness, and device CD.
How do proteins recognize DNA? Solution structure and local conformational dynamics of lac operators by 2D NMR

Abstract The NMR structures of the symmetrical lac operator DNA fragment, d(TGTGAGCGCTCACA)2 and it's mutant, d(TATGAGCGCTCATA)2, were determined by the MORASS hybrid relaxation matrix/restrained molecular dynamics methodology. The 1H chemical shifts of nearly all of the non-exchangeable protons were assigned using standard two-dimensional NMR techniques. Ultimately, 181 NOE volumes/strand were used in the final MORASS structural determination for each molecule. Both model built A- and B-form DNA starting geometries were used which converged to final structures giving 1.85A and 1.32A RMSD for the wild-type and mutant operators respectively. An excellent agreement between experimental NOESY data with that calculated from the final structures was achieved. The sequence dependence of the DNA backbone torsional angle conformational dynamics was further examined using trajectories from four 500 ps AMBER PMES molecular dynamics calculations performed on the final NMR structures. These are discussed as well as t...
Efficient multicast for link-heterogeneous wireless mesh networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMN) have emerged as an economical means for delivering last-mile Internet access. Multicast is a fundamental service in WMNs because it efficiently distributes data among a group of nodes. Multicast algorithms in WMNs are designed to maximize system throughput and minimize delay. Previous work has unrealistically assumed that the underlying WMN is link-homogeneous. We consider one important form of link heterogeneity: different link loss ratios, or equivalently different ETX. We model different link loss ratios by defining a new graph theory problem, HW-SCDS, on an edge-weighted directed graph, where the edge weights model ETX, the reciprocal of link loss ratios. We minimize transmissions in a multicast by computing a minimum HW-SCDS in the edge-weighted graph. We prove HW-SCDS is NP-hard and devise a greedy algorithm for it. Simulations show that our algorithm significantly outperforms the current best WMN multicast algorithm by both increasing throughput and reducing delay.
The Effect of the Thyroid on the Formation of the Hen’s Egg

Abstract MANY environmental factors are known to influence the size of the hen’s egg, particularly nutrition (Parkhurst, 1933) and temperature (Bennion and Warren, 1933). Hays (1929) and others have also shown that weight of egg is inherited. Relatively little is known regarding the effect of specific substances on egg size. Riddle and Basset (1916) treated pigeons with alcohol and report that not only was the weight of the yolk in eggs laid during the period of treatment reduced, but the effect lasted for several months. No data were presented for untreated controls. Asmundson (1931) found that feeding hens dessicated thyroid caused them to lay smaller eggs, the effect on the yolk being most consistent. However, the effect in this case persisted for only about a week after thyroid feeding was discontinued and is probably not to be compared with the effect produced by substances such as alcohol. Since it appeared likely . . .
ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY AND THE SCB STUDY: A U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PERSPECTIVE

As agency biologists with more than 30 years of collective recovery experience, we provide our perspective on the endangered species recovery planning process and the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) recovery planning study. As part of the continuum from listing through recovery planning and implementation to species recovery and delisting, we believe that clearly written, well-designed recovery plans can play a key role in organizing and focusing the recovery effort for endangered and threatened species. We outline major opportunities, constraints, and limitations of the recovery planning process. Next we discuss some of the major results and recommendations of the SCB recovery plan study and identify 10 action items for further U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service consideration as possible ways to strengthen our recovery program for endangered and threatened species.
Distributed information organization and management framework for regulation compliance

Regulation compliance is one of the critical services to citizens and businesses for e-government, as identified by the U. S. Office of Management and Budget. Regulation compliance is a complex process and offers many challenges in the design and implementation of a regulatory information management system that is able to support the regulation compliance process. It is important to first gain an understanding of the information flow in the regulation and compliance process, and to develop appropriate IT tools for building such a system. Focusing on environmental regulations related to hazardous waste management, we investigate the issues towards building an information infrastructure for a compliance assistance framework. This paper describes a prototype distributive regulation framework for: (1) the management of regulations and related information to support compliance assistance; (2) an Internet-based information management system; and (3) supporting the interoperability among the parties (regulatory agencies, businesses and third party waste handling facilitators), who are involved in the environmental regulation compliance process.
Global Scheduling for High-Level Synthesis Applications

In this paper, we present a resource-constrained global scheduling technique for synthesis applications. The algorithm accepts specifications containing conditional branches and while loops and schedules them for a given set of resources. The algorithm performs several types of code motions across different basic blocks and trades off cost with performance. Several real-life examples are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the approach.
Effects of English Ivy (Hedera Helix) on Seed Bank Formation and Germination

English ivy Hedera helix L. is rapidly invading forest ecosystems in the southeastern United States, leading to a decrease in the diversity of native plant species. To determine the underlying mechanism for the loss of diversity and understand the potential for restoration of impacted habitats, we examined whether ivy had a negative effect on seed bank formation and germination. We sampled the seed bank and the summer and fall seed rains in areas with and without ivy. In addition, we determined potential allelopathic effects of ivy on germination of Coreopsis lancelota seeds. The density and species diversity of the seed bank and seed rains were not significantly different between areas with and without ivy. However, ivy led to a marginally significant reduction in the germination rate of C. lancelota seeds. Yet, the effect of ivy on germination only occurred when ivy plants were present. Germination rates did not differ in soil from areas with and without ivy. Our results suggest that native plant communities can regenerate naturally from the seed bank if English ivy were removed.
Germination of Oospores Produced by Phytophthora Megasperma Var. Sojae

Thick-walled oospores of the homothallic Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae contained a large refractile body and two smaller pellucid bodies which prior to germination appeared to be absorbed. Whe...
Multiblock Copolymers by Thiol Addition Across Norbornene

Multiblock copolymers, composed of different combinations and number of blocks, offer appreciable opportunities for new advanced materials. However, exploring this parameter space using traditional block copolymer synthetic techniques, such as living polymerization of sequential blocks, is time-consuming and requires stringent conditions. Using thiol addition across norbornene chemistry, we demonstrate a simple synthetic approach to multiblock copolymers that produces either random or alternating architectures, depending on the choice of reactants. Past reports have highlighted the challenges associated with using thiol–ene chemistry for polymer–polymer conjugation; however, using norbornene as the “ene” yielded multiblock copolymers at least four or five blocks. Preparation of new multiblock copolymers containing two or three block chemistries highlights the versatility of this new approach. These materials were thermally stable and showed microphase separation according to characterization by DSC, SAXS,...
Macroinvertebrate Response to Flow Manipulation in the Strawberry River, Utah (U.S.A.)

The effects of flow regulation on stream communities immediately below reservoirs have been reported by several authors (Radford and Hartland-Rowe, 1971; Trotsky and Gregory, 1974; Ward, 1976a; Gore, 1977). Ward (1976a) reviewed the effects of reduced flow below dams on the physical and biological characteristics of streams. Attempts to provide criteria for recommending adequate stream flows have resulted in several survey methods using physical stream parameters, such as width, depth and velocity, pool-to-riffle ratio, and wetted perimeter (Stalnaker and Arnett, 1976). Recommended flows have also been based on a percentage of the historical stream flow (Tennant, 1975) or “adequate” water coverage for aquatic insect production and fish spawning (Hooper, 1973; Gore, 1978). Recommended minimum flows do not, however, take into account the long-term implications of altering the natural flow regime of a lotic system.
Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in Adolescents

The guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control should be applied with appreciation of their limitations. The serious sequelae of chlamydial infections in young patients warrant vigorous antichlamydial therapy and specific microbiologic diagnosis. Until public health authorities implement control programs, the efforts of individual practitioners will probably be the mainstay of the flight against C. trachomatis.
Interaction of Lysates of Histiocytes and Tubercle Bacilli.

SummaryCell lysates derived from peritoneal histiocytes of normal and BCG-immunized rabbits or guinea pigs had no demonstrable direct effect on the morphology, neutral red binding capacity, viability or cytotoxic activity of virulent and attenuated strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Histiocytic lysate in combination with Tween 80 was found to be bactericidal for strains of tubercle bacilli but not for a strain of Escherichia coli or a strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanism of this activity appeared to be due to the enzymatic degradation of Tween 80 by histiocytic lipases with the formation of oleic acid. A similar antimycobacterial activity was manifested in mixtures of histiocytic lysates with crude lipid extracts of normal rabbit serum and with lipemic rabbit serum. No difference in activity was found between cell lysates prepared from histiocytes of normal and BCG-immunized rabbits or guinea pigs.
Is There a Future for Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer

The outcome of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, demonstrating harm and no preventive activity of selenomethionine and α-tocopherol for prostate cancer, and the lack of approval by the FDA for the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors to prevent prostate cancer have cast doubt about the future of chemoprevention of prostate cancer. This article attempts to critically assess whether the notion that chemoprevention of prostate cancer has no future is warranted. Risk of prostate cancer is modifiable and chemoprevention of prostate cancer, particularly fatal/lethal cancer, is both needed and possible. However, the approach to prostate cancer-chemopreventive agent development has not followed a rational and systematic process. To make progress, the following steps are necessary: (i) identification of intermediate biomarkers predictive of fatal/lethal disease; (ii) development of a rational approach to identification of candidate agents, including high-throughput screening and generation of information on mechanism and biology of candidate agents and potential molecular targets; and (iii) systematic evaluation of the predictive value of preclinical models, phase II trials, and intermediate biomarkers for the outcome of phase III trials. New phase III trials should be based on adequate preclinical and phase II studies. Cancer Prev Res; 9(8); 642-7. ©2016 AACR.
Health-economic Effects of Implementation of Tuberculosis Control Planning in Qiyang County During the Period of 2001～2010

Objective Based on the view of the health economics,we analyzed and evaluated the economic effects of tuberculosis control planning in Qiyang County,and then explored the feasibility and profitability of this planning.Methods Seasonal and annual repors of tuberculosis control planning and demographic data from 2001 to 20010 were collected.With the health-economic theory and methods,we evaluated the cost-effectiveness,cost-utility and cost-benefit of tuberculosis control planning.Results Government and related international organizations had been invested 2.543 million Yuan during the last 10 years.Each identified and treated patient spent about 338.71 Yuan(2.543 million/7,508).The investment cost to patients was 8.128 million Yuan,and the cost of each patient was 1,082.6 Yuan(8.128 million/7,508).A total of 3,715 patients had been cured during the last 10 years,and 39,152 DALYs(disability-adjusted life years) were retrieved.Totally 536 complete lives were obtained according to the average anticipated lifetime of 73 years in Qiyang County.5,573 new patients with pulmonary TB were reduced and 35.6672 million Yuan were saved.GDP per capita was 7,259.4 Yuan per year during the last 10 years,and 0.28 billion Yuan of GDP was retrieved.146.934 million Yuan of personal income loss which resulted from TB were avoided according to the rural per capita net income(3,752.9 Yuan) in Qiyang.Conclusions With the implementation of tuberculosis control planning,various indexes reached the demands of "The Planning of Tuberculosis Control in Hunan(2001~2010)",which obtained significantly social benefit and economic benefit,and made a contribution to ensuring the health of the people all over the county.
Intentional and Evolutionary Visions of US Antitrust Law – Teaching Module Presentation Notes and Slides

This article considers how economic research and rationale have changed the interpretation and implementation of US antitrust laws. Section 1 considers the two opposing ideologies that contributed to the development and implementation of US antitrust laws viz. INTENTIONAL and EVOLUTIONARY visions. The intentional vision regards markets can be swayed by powerful interests resulting in corrupt outcomes requiring a bigger role for government intervention to improve the economic welfare. Thus the antitrust institution is generally strengthened by the intentional vision. In contrast, the evolutionary vision limits the degree and extent of government intervention; in its purist form based on libertarian principles (the closest example being Austrian economic thought), the evolutionary vision regards 'free market' processes to always result in morally good outcomes, hence with no role for government intervention. The article argues that 'strengthening' or 'repealing' of antitrust laws are untenable but 'reforming' of antitrust institutions are possible based on a moderate-evolutionary perspective. It argues that 'antitrust laws should promote and enhance the trio of - consumer welfare, competition process, and dynamic (productive and allocative) efficiency.' Section 2 considers The role of US antitrust in a globalized world are discussed in section 2. The last section provides US antitrust cases (and the economic rationale for their rulings) that exemplifies the Intentional and Evolutionary visions. The article is presented as a teaching module with tips for teaching the undergraduate students in Industrial Organization. The presentation answers questions such as:* What are the economic bases used to rule in antitrust cases? * How the interpretation of antitrust laws changed over time?* Whether the current interpretation is valid or will it change in the future? * Will there be a new role for antitrust policies in a globalized world? * What industry characteristics lead to any radically opposing indictments?This article can be covered as a teaching supplement and used ideally by the end of the course as it revisits and discusses alternative viewpoints for many Industrial Organization concepts (economies of scale, industry structure, competition, welfare).
Longitudinal predictors of human papillomavirus vaccine initiation among adolescent girls in a high-risk geographic area.

Background:Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is low among adolescent girls in the United States. We sought to identify longitudinal predictors of HPV vaccine initiation in populations at elevated risk for cervical cancer.Methods:We interviewed a population-based sample of parents of 10- to 1
Charts, Tables & Text-Based Graphics

Abstract graphs and charts, along with the beginnings of statistical theory and the systematic collection of empirical data, were introduced to mathematics during the Eighteenth Century And as the collection of economic, political and census data became more common, visual forms of presentation that allowed the data to “speak to the eyes” also became more prevalent. First conceptualized in the late 1700s by William Playfair, a Scottish architect, pie charts and bar charts use geometric shapes to metaphorically represent statistical concepts. Pie charts, for example, use sections of circles to represent parts of a whole amount. Bar charts, on the other hand, use rectangular shapes to represent how whole amounts may compare to one another. These simple shapes act as illustrations of visual data metaphors. And because the brain tends to better remember information that is in some way related to visual symbolism or imagery, individuals often come to understand statistical information more quickly and easily when presented in this way.
Sleep in Alzheimer's Disease - Beyond Amyloid.

Sleep disorders are prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a major cause of institutionalization. Like AD pathology, sleep abnormalities can appear years before cognitive decline and may be predictive of dementia. A bidirectional relationship between sleep and amyloid β (Aβ) has been well established with disturbed sleep and increased wakefulness leading to increased Aβ production and decreased Aβ clearance; whereas Aβ deposition is associated with increased wakefulness and sleep disturbances. Aβ fluctuates with the sleep-wake cycle and is higher during wakefulness and lower during sleep. This fluctuation is lost with Aβ deposition, likely due to its sequestration into amyloid plaques. As such, Aβ is believed to play a significant role in the development of sleep disturbances in the preclinical and clinical phases of AD. In addition to Aβ, the influence of tau AD pathology is likely important to the sleep disturbances observed in AD. Abnormal tau is the earliest observable AD-like pathology in the brain with abnormal tau phosphorylation in many sleep regulating regions such as the locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe, tuberomammillary nucleus, parabrachial nucleus, and basal forebrain prior to the appearance of amyloid or cortical tau pathology. Furthermore, human tau mouse models exhibit AD-like sleep disturbances and sleep changes are common in other tauopathies including frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy. Together these observations suggest that tau pathology can induce sleep disturbances and may play a large role in the sleep disruption seen in AD. To elucidate the relationship between sleep and AD it will be necessary to not only understand the role of amyloid but also tau and how these two pathologies, together with comorbid pathology such as alpha-synuclein, interact and affect sleep regulation in the brain.
A Study of Inexpensive Stable Conducted/Radiated Emission Sources Suitable for the EMC Directives

In this paper, a single-phase stable and inexpensive switching power supply (SPS), which gives three values as called for in the US and EU standards, when spectrum analyzer (SA) operating in peak, quasi-peak and average detecting modes, is identified. In order to have a usable stable source, a warm up time for the SPS should be more than 15 minutes. Several conducted and radiated measurements at four selected frequencies have been repeated in a month span. It is determined that an amplitude variation of plusmn1.0 dB can be achieved. For radiated emissions, an in-house printed circuit board employing a simple logic is designed and built for peak detection mode. The worst amplitude stabilities are within plusmn2.07 dB for vertical polarizations. The inter-laboratory correlation is performed only on conducted emission. The variation was within plusmn3 dB for the three modes of detection
Direct Measurements of Two Photon Exchange on Lepton-Proton Elastic Scattering Using Simultaneous Electron-Positron Beams in CLAS

The electric (GE) and magnetic ( GM) form factors of the proton are fundamental observables which characterize its charge and magnetization distributions. There are two methods to measure the proton form factors: the Rosenbluth separation method and the polarization transfer technique. However, the ratio of the electric and magnetic form factors measured by those methods significantly disagree at momentum transfer Q2 > 1 GeV2. The most likely explanation of this discrepancy is the inclusion of two-photon exchange (TPE) amplitude contributions to the elastic electron-proton cross section which significantly changes the extraction of GE from the Rosenbluth separation measurement. The Jefferson Lab CLAS TPE experiment determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections. The primary electron beam was used to create an intense bremsstrahlung photon beam. Some of the photons were then converted to a mixed e+/ e- beam which then interacted with a liquid hydrogen target. The e+p and e-p events were detected by the CLAS (CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer). The elastic cross section ratios ((σ( e+p)/(σ(e -p)) were measured over a wide range of virtual photon polarization ϵ and Q2. The cross section ratios displayed a strong ϵ dependence at Q2 = 1.45 GeV2. There is no significant Q2 dependence observed at ϵ = 0.45. The results are consistent with a recent measurement at the VEPP-3 lepton storage ring in Novosibirsk and with the hadronic calculation by Blunders, Melnitchouk and Tjon. The hadronic calculation resolves the disagreement between the Rosenbluth separation and polarization transfer extractions of GE/GM at Q2 up to 2 – 3 GeV2. Applying the GLAS TPE correction to the Rosenbluth cross section measurements significantly decreases the extracted value of GE and brings it into good agreement with the polarization transfer measurement at Q2∼1.75 GeV2. Thus, these measurements appear to resolve the proton electric form factor discrepancy for Q2
Physiological state tunes mesolimbic signaling: Lessons from sodium appetite and inspiration from Randall R. Sakai ☆

Sodium deficit poses a life-threatening challenge to body fluid homeostasis and generates a sodium appetite - the behavioral drive to ingest sodium. Dr. Randall R. Sakai greatly contributed to our understanding of the hormonal responses to negative sodium balance and to the central processing of these signals. Reactivity to the taste of sodium solutions and the motivation to seek and consume sodium changes dramatically with body fluid balance. Here, we review studies that collectively suggest that sodium deficit recruits the mesolimbic system to play a role in the behavioral expression of sodium appetite. The recruitment of the mesolimbic system likely contributes to intense sodium seeking and reinforces sodium consumption observed in deficient animals. Some of the hormones that are released in response to sodium deficit act directly on both dopamine and nucleus accumbens elements. Moreover, the taste of sodium in sodium deficient rats evokes a pattern of dopamine and nucleus accumbens activity that is similar to responses to rewarding stimuli. A very different pattern of activity is observed in non-deficient rats. Given the well-characterized endocrine response to sodium deficit and its central action, sodium appetite becomes an ideal model for understanding the role of mesolimbic signaling in reward, reinforcement and the generation of motivated behavior.
Quantification of Inter-Erythrocyte Forces with Ultra-High Frequency (410 MHz) Single Beam Acoustic Tweezer

Efforts on quantitative measurements of the interactive forces of red blood cells (RBC) have been pursued for many years in hopes of a better understanding of hemodynamics and blood rheology. In this paper, we report an approach based on an ultra-high frequency (410 MHz) single beam acoustic tweezer (SBAT) for quantitative measurements of inter-RBC forces at a single cell level. The trapping forces produced by this ultra-high frequency (UHF) SBAT can be quantitatively estimated with a micropipette. Since the focal beam diameter of the 410 MHz ultrasonic transducer used in this SBAT was only 6.5 micrometer (μm), which was smaller than that of a RBC (~7.5 μm), it was made possible to directly apply the beam to a single RBC and measure inter-RBC forces against the pre-calibrated acoustic trapping forces as another example of potential cellular applications of the SBAT. The magnitude of these forces was found to be 391.0 ± 86.4 pN. Finally, it is worth noting that unlike several other methods, this method does not require the measuring device to be in contact with the cells.
Impact of Hospital Librarian’s Participation in the Magnet Program: A Solo Librarian’s Journey

ABSTRACTWhen a hospital earns magnet status, it is compelled to find ways to infuse evidence-based practice culture into the nursing staff. At the Dayton Children’s Hospital, this was accomplished by adopting a mentor-mentee program. Mentors set up classes during which they could teach and mentees learn the steps of the evidence-based practice process. When the topic moved to literature searching, the medical librarian gave a lecture/demonstration to the mentees. This article discusses the impact of the medical librarian’s participation in this program. A 10-item survey was used to gather the mentees comfort level in searching literature after the session.
Safety Evaluation of Green Tea Polyphenols Consumption in Middle‐aged Ovariectomized Rat Model

This work evaluates chronic safety in middle-aged ovariectomized rats supplemented with different dosages of green tea polyphenols (GTP) in drinking water. The experiment used 6-mo-old sham (n = 39) and ovariectomized (OVX, n = 143) female rats. All sham (n = 39) and 39 of the OVX animals received no GTP treatment and their samples were collected for outcome measures at baseline, 3 mo, and 6 mo (n = 13 per group for each). The remaining OVX animals were randomized into 4 groups receiving 0.15%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% (n = 26 for each) of GTP (wt/vol), respectively, in drinking water for 3 and 6 mo. No mortality or abnormal treatment-related findings in clinical observations or ophthalmologic examinations were noted. No treatment-related macroscopic or microscopic findings were noted for animals administered 1.5% GTP supplementation. Throughout the study, there was no difference in the body weight among all OVX groups. In all OVX groups, feed intake and water consumption significantly decreased with GTP dose throughout the study period. At 6 mo, GTP intake did not affect hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis, except for phosphorus and blood urea nitrogen (increased), total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and urine pH (decreased). This study reveals that the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of GTP is 1.5% (wt/vol) in drinking water, the highest dose used in this study.
The Ethics of Sport: what everyone needs to know

Robert L. Simon’s The Ethics of Sport is a welcome and recent addition to Oxford University Press’s series ‘what everyone needs to know.’ The series, which also furnishes the subtitle for the book,...
A Simple Model for the Thermal Noise of Saturated MOSFETs at All Inversion Levels

We propose a single formula for the channel thermal noise of saturated long-channel MOSFETs operating in weak, moderate, and strong inversion. Our approach is based on a novel interpolation of well-known analytical formulas known to be valid in weak and strong inversion, and the result is both accurate and simple enough to be useful for hand calculations. We expect the formula to be particularly useful for designing energy-efficient analog circuits biased in moderate inversion. We have validated it using noise measurements of nMOS and pMOS transistors in a 0.5- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS process.
Visual security policy for the web

Many web security vulnerabilities allow parts of a page to interact when they should be isolated. Such vulnerabilities can be mitigated by implementing protection boundaries between web page elements. Several methods exist for creating such boundaries, but existing methods require relatively sophisticated knowledge of web technologies. To make protection mechanisms available to a wider audience, we propose a simple web page security policy language, ViSP, modelled on mechanisms for specifying page layout. Here we characterise ViSP and describe a simple Firefox-based prototype that allows interactive, graphical specification of per-page security policies. We also show how these tools can be used to protect against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks on common web applications.
The Role of Iron in Asbestos-Induced Cancer

The mechanism by which asbestos and other mineral fibers cause cancer remains unknown despite intensive investigation. The most carcinogenic forms of asbestos contain iron and catalyze many of the same reactions that iron does. In fact, there is increasing evidence to suggest that iron is responsible for the biochemical reactivity of asbestos in vitro. Iron appears to be responsible for asbestos-dependent 02 consumption [Aust and Lund (1991); Lund and Aust (1991)], OH formation [Weitzman and Graceffa (1984); Gulumian and Van Wyk (1987); Zalma et al. (1987); Kennedy et al. (1989); Aust and Lund (1991)], lipid peroxidation [Weitzman and Weitberg (1985); Turver and Brown (1987); Goodlick et al. (1989)], induction of deoxyribonuclease-S1 sensitive sites [Turver and Brwon (1987)], and induction of DNA single-strand breaks [Lund and Aust (1992)]. Iron may also play a role in one mechanism of phagocytosis of asbestos fibers [Hobson et al. (1990)]. Desferrioxamine B, an iron-specific chelator, reduced the cytotoxicity of asbestos to a variety of different cultured cell types, suggesting that iron may be involved in the cytotoxicity of asbestos [Goodlick and Kane (1986); Shatos et al. (1987); Garcia et al. (1988); Kamp et al. (1990); Goodlick and Kane (1990)].
Preparing and Recording Lectures for Online Delivery

Software programs allowing quality audio–video recording of lectures have been rapidly evolving in the last few years and faculty teaching anatomy across the world have been integrating them in the set of educational tools used to teach their specialty. Ranging from very simple to very sophisticated, these software programs have allowed faculty to face the increasing demands placed upon them in terms of teaching load. The published research in the usefulness of lecture recording clearly indicates that the use of lecture recording systems (LRS) is usually well received by students but also indicates that not all students in an anatomy course will spontaneously use LRS. A significant percentage of them, up to 30 % ,will not use the LRS at all with a possible additional 40 % or so using it very little (less than 10 times for the semester). Recent evidence suggest that students should use it in moderation in order to benefit from it (one time per lecture on average with the most common time of use being from 10 to 20 min per lecture) and that excessive usage may lead to lower score on exams. This chapter describes strategies to help faculty successfully adopt and implement LRS in the field of anatomy teaching.
Campus Climate for Students with Disabilities

Zehner describes how students with disabilities perceive the treatment they receive on large public university campuses. To facilitate student success and institutional goals for student performance, institutions must establish a campus climate where students with disabilities expect fair treatment and effective accommodation. Evidence from multi-institutional surveys shows significant gaps between students with disabilities and other students in measures of fairness, belonging, and other aspects of campus climate. Differences also appear between students with various types of disability and between students who report only one versus multiple disabilities. The analysis discussed in this chapter yields insights into specific aspects of the social and academic dimensions of college life, pointing to those with the greatest impact on students’ satisfaction with and confidence in the institution they attend.
Milestones in stereotactic radiosurgery for the central nervous system.

Abstract Introduction Since Lars Leksell developed the first stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) device in 1951, there has been growth in the technologies available and clinical indications for SRS. This expansion has been reflected in the medical literature, which is built upon key articles and institutions that have significantly impacted SRS applications. Our aim was to identify these prominent works and provide an educational tool for training and further inquiry. Method A list of search phrases relating to central nervous system applications of stereotactic radiosurgery was compiled. A topic search was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. The journal, year of publication, authors, treatment technology, clinical subject, study design and level of evidence for each article were documented. Influence was proposed by citation count and rate. Results Our search identified a total of 10,211 articles with the top 10 publications overall on the study of SRS spanning 443–1313 total citations. Four articles reported on randomized controlled trials, all of which evaluated intracranial metastases. The most prominent subtopics included SRS for arteriovenous malformation, glioblastoma, and acoustic neuroma. Greatest representation by treatment modality included Gamma Knife, LINAC, and TomoTherapy. Conclusions This systematic reporting of the influential literature on SRS for intracranial and spinal pathologies underscores the technology’s rapid and wide reaching clinical applications. Moreover the findings provide an academic guide to future health practitioners and engineers in their study of SRS for neurosurgery.
Critical Observations That Shaped Our Understanding of the Function(s) of Intracellular Glycosylation (O-GlcNAc)

Almost 100 years after the first descriptions of proteins conjugated to carbohydrates (mucins), several studies suggested that glycoproteins were not restricted to the serum, extracellular matrix, cell surface, or endomembrane system. In the 1980s, key data emerged demonstrating that intracellular proteins were modified by monosaccharides of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). Subsequently, this modification was identified on thousands of proteins that regulate cellular processes as diverse as protein aggregation, localization, post-translational modifications, activity, and interactions. In this Review, we will highlight critical discoveries that shaped our understanding of the molecular events underpinning the impact of O-GlcNAc on protein function, the role that O-GlcNAc plays in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate O-GlcNAc-cycling.
New standards for collecting and fitting steady state kinetic data.

The Michaelis–Menten equation is usually expressed in terms of kcat and Km values: v = kcat[S]/(Km + [S]). However, it is impossible to interpret Km in the absence of additional information, while the ratio of kcat/Km provides a measure of enzyme specificity and is proportional to enzyme efficiency and proficiency. Moreover, kcat/Km provides a lower limit on the second order rate constant for substrate binding. For these reasons it is better to redefine the Michaelis–Menten equation in terms of kcat and kcat/Km values: v = kSP[S]/(1 + kSP[S]/kcat), where the specificity constant, kSP = kcat/Km. In this short review, the rationale for this assertion is explained and it is shown that more accurate measurements of kcat/Km can be derived directly using the modified form of the Michaelis–Menten equation rather than calculated from the ratio of kcat and Km values measured separately. Even greater accuracy is achieved with fitting the raw data directly by numerical integration of the rate equations rather than using analytically derived equations. The importance of fitting to derive kcat and kcat/Km is illustrated by considering the role of conformational changes in enzyme specificity where kcat and kcat/Km can reflect different steps in the pathway. This highlights the pitfalls in attempting to interpret Km, which is best understood as the ratio of kcat divided by kcat/Km.
Evaluation of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss in the Adult

Tinnitus and hearing loss in the adult can have profound effects on the quality of life. The imaging workup for tinnitus and hearing loss in adults follows otoscopic exam and audiometry testing. CT and MR imaging have different and often complementary roles in the evaluation of tinnitus and hearing loss depending on the clinical scenario and the suspected underlying cause. Imaging can often identify the cause and evaluate the extent of disease for surgical planning. This article discusses anatomy, imaging technique, and diseases that cause tinnitus and hearing loss with a mass and without a mass.
Human decision making in future ATC systems comparative studies in distributed traffic management

Seven different human-centered alternatives for distributing traffic management responsibility between air and ground in the terminal area were simulated and evaluated at NASA-Ames Research Center in the man-machine integration branch. The alternatives differed in three divisions of decision-making responsibility ranging from completely ground-centered to completely air-centered and in the amount of information presented to the pilots via traffic situation displays (TSD). Objective, verbal and subjective measures of system performance, workloads, preferences, etc., were obtained. Based on the task and corresponding measures, the ground-centered (vectoring) alternative was the least favorable. Best overall performance was achieved and preferred with a moderate division of responsibility in which controllers issued sequence order only and pilots used a TSD with 30 sec path predictors on their own aircraft. Speculations on the use of the results in context of a ground-centralized system failure and for future ATC systems are presented.
52 – Cardiac Action Potentials

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the characteristics of the cardiac action potential (AP), with emphasis on major currents responsible for the various components or phases of the APs, as well as the regional differences in cardiac APs. Some cardiac cells display automaticity, because of the presence of a cyclical spontaneous depolarization called the pacemaker potential. The cells of the sinoatrial node normally exhibit the fastest spontaneous depolarization of automatic cells in the heart and are therefore the normal pacemaker cells. Automaticity in nodal cells is caused by the interaction of several currents, including a hyperpolarization-activated cation current (the “funny current”), a small background Na+ current, the delayed rectifier K+ current, and Ca2+ currents. The chapter also discusses the currents during phases of the action potential and the additional currents contributing to the action potential. The currents during phases of the action potential includes sodium current, transient outward current, calcium current, delayed rectifier current, and inward rectifier current. Additional currents contributing to the AP includes pump current, Na+-Ca2+ exchange current, cAMP-stimulated chloride current, ATP-sensitive potassium current. Additional information about regional differences in the AP phases and currents are also presented for sinoatrial nodal cells, atrial cells, atrioventricular nodal cells, and Purkinje fibers. Automaticity refers to the ability of some cardiac cells to depolarize and fire repetitive APs spontaneously, including automaticity in Purkinje fibers, automaticity in nodal cells and modulation of automaticity The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves play important (and opposite) roles in regulating the force of myocardial contraction and heart rate. Thus, actions of neurotransmitters on cardiac ionic currents are a major site for modulating cardiac function.
Loss of patient centeredness in interpreter-mediated primary care visits.

Abstract Objectives To explore consequences of interpreter mediation of visit communication on patient centered dialogue and patient satisfaction with interpreter listening. Methods Fifty-five professionally interpreted primary care visits were coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Two corresponding quantitative measures of patient-centered dialogue were calculated as ratios of psycho-emotional to biomedical statements based on (1) patient and clinician expressed codes and (2) interpreter conveyed codes. Multilevel models examined consequences of interpreter mediation on patient-centered dialogue and patient ratings of interpreter listening. Results Study participants included 27 Cantonese, 17 Mandarin and 11 Spanish-speaking primary care patients and 31 of their clinicians. Overall, clinicians expressed 2.26 times more statements and patients expressed 1.74 times more statements than interpreters conveyed. Interpreters conveyed significantly less patient-centered dialogue than expressed by patients and clinicians. All differences were evident within each study language. Interpreter conveyed patient centered dialogue positively predicted patient ratings of interpreter listening (B = 0.817; p Conclusions The level of interpreter-conveyed patient-centered dialogue was both substantially lower than that expressed by patients and clinicians and a positive predictor of patient satisfaction with interpreter listening. Practice implications Fuller interpretation of patient-centered dialogue may enhance patient experience with interpreters and thereby increase care quality.