cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Other Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

The list of clinically important nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is growing as new species continue to be identified and older ones are found to be pathogenic. Molecular techniques such as real-time PCR and gene amplification and restriction length polymorphism are promising tools for rapid identification of NTM. Optimal therapy for a documented Mycobacterium gordonae infection remains undefined. The majority of isolates tested have been resistant in vitro to isoniazid and pyrazinamide, whereas many are susceptible to ethambutol, rifampin, clarithromycin, linezolid, and the fluoroquinolones. Unlike other nontuberculous mycobacteria, M. simiae produces niacin and thus may be confused with M. tuberculosis. M. simiae can colonize the respiratory tract, and the lung is the most commonly reported site of infection. The majority of reported infections have occurred in persons living near rivers or stagnant bodies of water. A recent open-label randomized trial conducted in Ghana compared two regimens for early, limited M. ulcerans infections. In this study, 73 of 76 patients who received streptomycin and rifampin for 8 weeks and 68 of 75 patients who received 4 weeks of streptomycin and rifampin followed by 4 weeks of rifampin and clarithromycin had healed lesions at 1 year after the start of treatment. Infections with M. xenopi have shown variable responses to drug therapy. Recommendations for initial therapy include isoniazid, a rifamycin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin with or without an initial course of streptomycin. Pyrazinamide and ciprofloxacin have been included in some successful regimens.
Models for managing the impact of an influenza epidemic

We present methodologies for managing the impact of workforce absenteeism on the operational continuity of public services during an influenza epidemic. From a planner’s perspective, it is of paramount importance to design contingency plans to administer resources on the face of such an event; however, there is significant complexity underlying this task, stemming from uncertainty on the likely severity and evolution of the epidemic. Our approach involves the procurement of additional resources in response to a robust model of the evolution of the epidemic. We develop insights on the structure of optimal robust strategies and on practical rules-of-thumb that can be applied should an epidemic take place. We present numerical examples that illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Towards a Critical Realist Theology of Law, Neurobiology and the Soul

This Chapter summarizes the challenges neurobiology presents to Christian theories of positive law. It begins by summarizing the Christian tradition's tight linkage between theological anthropology and theories of positive law. It next discusses the contemporary Christian theological engagement with neurobiology, which is surprisingly diverse. The discussion then turns to points of convergence and divergence between Christian and neurobiological accounts of law and personhood. It concludes with an outline of a methodological proposal for constructive engagement between Christian theories of law and the neurosciences.
Optimization of generalized transitive closure queries

Two complementary techniques for optimizing generalized transitive closure queries are presented: (i) selections on paths are applied during the closure computation, so that paths that are not in the result and that are not needed to compute the result are pruned as early as possible and (ii) paths that are in the result, or needed to compute the result, are represented in a condensed form. The condensed representation holds the minimal information that is necessary for the specified label computations and selections to be performed. The combined impact of these techniques is that the number of paths generated during the closure computation and the storage required for each such path are both greatly reduced. >
Foot Forces Exerted at Various Aircraft Brake-Pedal Angles

This study reports the forces (means and standards deviations) exerted by the foot at various angles of extension about its ankle. A sample of 100 rated pilots was selected by height and weight. The forces were measured in a cockpit mock-up constructed around a specially instrumented F-80 rudder-pedal assembly. The right rudder pedal (hinged on the rudder bar) could be rigidly set to any desired angle between vertical and 75° forward of vertical. Foot forces were measured at 11 positions of the instrumented brake pedal in both neutral and extended positions of the right leg, and in three cockpit sizes (37 in., 39¼ in., and 41 in.)–66 measures on each man. In all three conditions, maximal forces were exerted within a 20° zone between 15 and 35° forward of vertical. Subjective comfort preferences, expressed by 86 pilots, closely paralleled the force findings. It is concluded that aircraft brake-pedal systems should be designed to maximize the effectiveness of the foot in that optimal zone, and that the same...
Analysis of Variance with Unequal Variances

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is often used in quality control studies. It assumes equal variabilities within groups, and no exact procedures have been available for cases with unequal variabilities. In this paper exact procedures are given and illustrat..
Verification of Infinite State Systems by Compositional Model Checking

A method of compositional verification is presented that uses the combination of temporal case splitting and data type reductions to reduce types of infinite or unbounded range to small finite types, and arrays of infinite or unbounded size to small fixed-size arrays. This supports the verification by model checking of systems with unbounded resources and uninterpreted functions. The method is illustrated by application to an implementation of Tomasulo's algorithm, for arbitrary or infinite word size, register file size, number of reservation stations and number of execution units.
Physical therapy management of two patients with stage d heart failure in the cardiac medical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Due to the increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) and medical advances extending the life expectancy of patients with HF, physical therapists are often consulted to assist in the management of these patients in light of the benefits of exercise for them. The purpose of this paper is to review the equipment and measures often encountered in patients with Stage D HF in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to discuss the care provided to two patients in this setting. CASE DESCRIPTIONS One patient was a 40-year-old man with Stage D HF on multiple inotropes receiving physical therapy intervention while awaiting a cardiac transplant. The second patient was a 57-year-old man with Stage D HF due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, treated by physical therapy while receiving inotropic and intra-aortic balloon pump support, awaiting a renal and cardiac transplant. DISCUSSION Different physical therapy interventions were safely provided to both patients during their cardiac medical ICU courses. Despite multiple medical issues requiring more complex decision making skills, this patient population may greatly benefit from physical therapy intervention.
Alkaline phosphatase activity and pyridoxal phosphate concentrations in the milk of various species.

Because pyridoxal phosphate does not normally cross membranes, it was intriguing that the concentration of pyridoxal phosphate is much higher in goat milk than in human milk. We also noted that, although the total vitamin B-6 concentration of bovine milk was similar to that of caprine milk, the bovine milk had lower pyridoxal phosphate. Preliminary data from five Alpine goats, five Brown Swiss cows, five Holstein cows and three humans suggested that there was an inverse relationship between pyridoxal phosphate concentration and phosphatase activity in the goats and cows but not in the humans. This was confirmed with additional data from Nubian goats, Jersey and Guernsey cows, and crossbred sows. Combining the animal data yielded the following relationship between pyridoxal phosphate (PLP, mumol/L) and alkaline phosphatase (P'ase) activity (mmol/(min.L): PLP = 2.03e(-2.26 P'ase) + 0.03. The human milk samples were low in both pyridoxal phosphate and alkaline phosphatase. We conclude that in goats, cows and pigs a significant fraction of the vitamin B-6 appearing in the milk is secreted as pyridoxal phosphate, probably bound to protein, and varying amounts may then be hydrolyzed back to pyridoxal depending on the alkaline phosphatase activity. Human mammary tissue apparently secretes very little pyridoxal phosphate.
BIMOLECULAR FLUORESCENCE COMPLEMENTATION: VISUALIZATION OF MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS IN LIVING CELLS

A variety of experimental methods have been developed for the analysis of protein interactions. The majority of these methods either require disruption of the cells to detect molecular interactions or rely on indirect detection of the protein interaction. The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay provides a direct approach for the visualization of molecular interactions in living cells and organisms. The BiFC approach is based on the facilitated association between two fragments of a fluorescent protein when the fragments are brought together by an interaction between proteins fused to the fragments. The BiFC approach has been used for visualization of interactions among a variety of structurally diverse interaction partners in many different cell types. It enables detection of transient complexes as well as complexes formed by a subpopulation of the interaction partners. It is essential to include negative controls in each experiment in which the interface between the interaction partners has been mutated or deleted. The BiFC assay has been adapted for simultaneous visualization of multiple protein complexes in the same cell and the competition for shared interaction partners. A ubiquitin-mediated fluorescence complementation assay has also been developed for visualization of the covalent modification of proteins by ubiquitin family peptides. These fluorescence complementation assays have a great potential to illuminate a variety of biological interactions in the future.
Maintenance aspects of orthogonal extensions to programming languages

A language extension and a system to support evolutionary development of programs are proposed. The proposed framework is a powerful context in which to perform maintenance work. The language extension, called an orthogonal language, addresses both the program structure and its informative context. The language allows interactive and incremental construction of extensions to evolving programs. Such extensions can be debugging fragments, graphic demonstrations and alternative versions. The extensions become part of the structure of the evolving program, but are nevertheless independent of it. Since most nontrivial programs are accompanied by many code fragments that are used to develop and support the programs, a framework that combines the program with its fragments is larger and more informative than the developed program alone. The new program complex offers two advantages: maintenance can use the fragments to support its goals, while the fragments form a better informative context for the maintenance process. >
Global Perspectives on Global History: Movements and patterns: environments of global history

The question of traditions The idea that in the future, global history may experience more sustained dialogues between scholars from different world regions leads to deeper theoretical challenges than may be apparent at first sight. Most importantly, there is the question of how to conceptualize “local” viewpoints in today's complex intellectual and academic landscapes. As I already argued in the introduction, plural approaches to global history cannot be simply based on celebrations of “otherness” or lip service to “authenticity.” While searching for greater levels of inclusivity, it is also necessary to consider the global condition of the field with all its networks, flows, and inequalities. After all, all over the world academic historiography has been at least partly the product of international power plays, worldwide transformations, and modern transfers. These translocal entanglements of modern historiography become particularly visible when we look at the field through global lenses and consider the epistemological as well as sociological changes that accompanied its spread to different parts of the world. Nevertheless, the globalization of university-based historiography did not lead to a standardization of scholarship all over the world.
Building an Effective Classification Model for Breast Cancer Patient Response Data

Choosing an appropriate cancer treatment is potentially the most important task in the treatment of a cancer patient. If it were possible to identify the best option for a patient (or at minimum to remove options that will not help the patient), then the general prognosis of the patient improves. However, this task becomes much more subtle due to characteristics such as high dimensionality found in many gene expression datasets. In this study, we seek to identify classifiers and feature selection techniques best suited for predicting a breast cancer patient's response to a cancer treatment. In order to determine this, we have collected a group of five high-dimensional breast cancer patient response datasets and use a group of four classifiers, and three feature selection techniques along with four feature subset sizes. Our results show that 5-Nearest Neighbor classifier and Signal-to-Noise feature selection technique are the most frequently top performing techniques. Statistical analysis confirms that these techniques are the top performing techniques. Thus, we recommend the use of 5-Nearest Neighbor and Signal-to-Noise for breast cancer patient response data. To our knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on the classification process on patient response data for breast cancer.
Pacemakers in children: An update

This report reviews recent pacemaker technological advances as they apply to infants, children, and adolescents. Indications for pacemaker implantation in children have evolved since the 1984 Joint Task Force Guidelines. Recent data show that pacemaker implantation should be strongly considered in patients who have (1) asymptomatic congenital complete AV block with a mean heart rate less than 50 beats/min or other evidence of junctional instability; (2) congenital AV block with long QT interval; or (3) congenital long QT syndrome with bradyarrhythmias, or when conventional beta-blocker therapy is unsuccessful. Permanent pacemaker implantation is not necessarily an effective prophylactic measure against sudden death in patients following their operation who are receiving drug therapy for atrial tachyarrhythmias, and so is not absolutely indicated. New developments in lead technology have made transvenous lead systems more feasible for pediatric use. Because epicardial leads are required for small infants and for cosmetic reasons in some older children, design improvements are needed to enhance epicardial lead performance. Rate-responsive pacing is an acceptable alternative to dual-chamber pacing for augmenting exercise tolerance, and for children with sinus node dysfunction it is the preferred pacing mode. Pacemakers with automatic antitachycardia capabilities and with noninvasive electrophysiology features are valuable in children with atrial tachyarrhythmias. New data suggest that chronic atrial pacing also may be effective in controlling atrial tachyarrhythmias. New developments in pacemaker systems for the young parallel those for the older population, but differences between adult and pediatric patients demand ongoing increased participation by pediatric cardiologists.
Accounting for Temporal Trends in Party Affect: Negativity versus Neutrality

Abstract This paper investigates whether affect toward the two major parties has shifted in a negative or neutral direction over the past half‐century based on several systematic tests that structure citizens by their type of party affect: whether they feel positively about both parties (optimists), negatively about both (pessimists), neutral toward both (indifferent), or positive toward one party and negative toward the other (partisans). Using ANES data from 1952 to 2004, with feeling thermometers and likes/dislikes about the parties as measures of party affect, we conduct several tests and find that changes in mean party affect toward the parties, as well as changes in the distribution of individuals across different types of party affect, support the negativity theory. Additionally, our results indicate that the role of the parties in the political environment has changed, with citizens structuring their affect toward the parties differently.
Analysis of monoamine accumulations in the neuronal tissues of mytilus edulis (bivalvia)—I. Ganglionic variations

Abstract 1. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed the presence of high (uptake 1) and low (uptake 2) affinity reuptake components for serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the cerebral and in the visceral ganglia of M. edulis. 2. The Km, affinity value for norepinephrine was 5 times greater in the visceral ganglia than in the cerebral ganglia, a finding which demonstrates ganglionic variations in norepinephrine uptake. 3. The rank order of monoamine affinity for the uptake 1 system is serotonin > norepinephrine > dopamine in the cerebral ganglia, whereas in the visceral it is norepinephrine > serotonin > dopamine. 4. A Michaelis-Menten analysis of the uptake data revealed that at low monoamine concentrations uptake 1 contributes more than uptake 2 to the total amount of amine accumulated, while at higher concentrations the reverse is true.
Pharmacology Review: Newer Antibiotics: Cefepime

Cefepime is the only fourth-generation cephalosporin licensed for use in the United States. It is being used increasingly for treatment of infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria in older infants and children. Some hospitals have replaced antipseudomonal third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics (eg, ceftazidime) with cefepime because of high rates of infection caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria. Although cefepime generally is not used to treat infections in neonates, it is important for neonatologists to be familiar with the characteristics of the drug because there are a few circumstances in which cefepime may be appropriate therapy for an older infant hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. It is important to understand the unique differences of the drug compared with older cephalosporins. The cephalosporin antibiotics are derivatives of cephalosporin C, a natural antibiotic derived from the fungus Emericellopsis minimum . Cephalosporins have a beta-lactam ring as their major structural component, and their spectrum of activity varies, depending on substitutions at the 3 and 7 positions of the cephalosporin nucleus. Traditionally, these antibiotics are grouped by their spectrum of activity against antimicrobial organisms (Table 1). First-generation cephalosporins are active against most gram-positive bacteria (except enterococci and Listeria ) and have limited activity against some gram-negative organisms. Second-generation cephalosporins have increased activity against gram-negative organisms. Cephamycins, which generally are classified with the second-generation cephalosporins, have enhanced activity against anaerobic bacteria. The third-generation cephalosporins have extended potency against gram-negative bacteria but are generally less active against susceptible staphylococci. Cefepime hydrochloride is a newer semisynthetic, broad-spectrum fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The other antibiotic in this class is cefpirome, which is not available for use in the United States. | | First Generation | Second Generation | Third Generation | Fourth Generation | |:----------:| ---------------- | ----------------- | ---------------- | ----------------- | | Oral | Cefadroxil | Cefaclor | Cefdinir | | | | Cephalexin | Cefprozil | Cefpodoxime | | | | Cephradine | Cefuroxime axetil | | | | | | Loracarbef | | | | Parenteral | Cefazolin | Cefamandole | Cefoperazone | Cefepime | | | Cephalothin | Cefuroxime | Cefotaxime | | | | Cephapirin | | Ceftizoxime | | | | | Cephamycins | Ceftriaxone | | | | | Cefotetan | Ceftazidime | | | | | Cefoxitin | | | Table 1. Generations of Cephalosporins Cefepime differs from the third-generation cephalosporins by having a quaternized N-methylpyrrolidine substitution at the C3 position of the cephem nucleus and an alkoxyimino group at the C7 position …
Hairless and the polyamine putrescine form a negative regulatory loop in the epidermis

Hairless (HR) is a nuclear protein with corepressor activity that is highly expressed in the skin and hair follicle. Mutations in Hairless lead to hair loss accompanied by the appearance of papules (atrichia with papular lesions), and similar phenotypes appear when the key polyamine enzymes ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermidine/spermine N(1) -acetyltransferase (SSAT) are overexpressed. Both ODC and SSAT transgenic mice have elevated epidermal levels of putrescine, leading us to investigate the mechanistic link between putrescine and HR. We show here that HR and putrescine form a negative regulatory network, as epidermal ODC expression is elevated when HR is decreased and vice versa. We also show that the regulation of ODC by HR is dependent on the MYC superfamily of proteins, in particular MYC, MXI1 and MXD3. Furthermore, we found that elevated levels of putrescine lead to decreased HR expression, but that the SSAT-TG phenotype is distinct from that found when HR is mutated. Transcriptional microarray analysis of putrescine-treated primary human keratinocytes demonstrated differential regulation of genes involved in protein-protein interactions, nucleotide binding and transcription factor activity, suggesting that the putrescine-HR negative regulatory loop may have a large impact on epidermal homeostasis and hair follicle cycling.
Capacitance sensors for nondestructive moisture determination in grain, nuts and bio-fuel materials

Moisture content of grain, nuts and similar organic materials is an important property to be known to determine their time of harvest, and at various stages of their processing and storage. Several moisture measuring instruments are available in the market but for most of these instruments some sort of sample preparation is needed that involves shelling, grinding and weighing. The samples in this process are usually destroyed, and the measurement involves considerable time and labor. In this work, estimating moisture content (MC) of various types of grain, nuts, and bio-fuel materials from measurement of certain dielectric related properties of a parallel-plate capacitor holding samples of these materials between them at radio frequencies is presented.
Production of lymphotoxin (LTα) and a soluble dimeric form of its receptor using the baculovirus expression system

Abstract Human LTα and a fusion protein (p60:Fc) comprised of the extracellular domain of the 60 kDa TNF receptor (TNFR 60 ) fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1 were produced in insect cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses. The p60:Fc fusion produced in insect cells accumulates in culture supernatants to levels > 2 mg/l. Purified p60:Fc binds human TNF and LTα with high affinity (200–600 pM) and neutralizes TNF cytolytic activity at equimolar stoichiometric concentration. The data show that p60:Fc is an effective ligand-precipitating reagent which recognizes recombinant LTα produced in mammalian or insect cells and naturally occuring LTα produced in T cells. The levels of human LTα produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells is estimated to be ∼20 mg/l. Insect cell-derived human LTα is biologically active in an L929 cytotoxicity assay and is efficiently neutralized by p60:Fc. These data demonstrate that the baculovirus system is useful for overexpressing biologically active LTα and p60:Fc and therefore, may be applicable to other oligomeric cytokines and soluble dimeric cytokine receptors.
Clustering in comprehensive bibliographies and related literatures

A Bradford analysis was performed on the author and journal series of four comprehensive bibliographies and four related literatures. Goffman and Warren's (1969) minimum zone cohort methodology was used. A clustering index was introduced that relates the minimum zone cohort to the total recurring cases of a literature. The comprehensive bibliographies and related literatures were compared by clustering indices, Bradford multipliers, bibliograph slopes, and reference-scattering coefficients. Other bibliometric indicators were unable to discriminate between weakly Bradfordian and strongly Bradfordian series, author and journal series, and comprehensive bibliographies and related literatures. The data were analyzed by The Bibliometrics Toolbox
Evidence for Dynamic Air-Water Exchange of PCDD/Fs: A Study in the Raritan Bay/Hudson River Estuary

The first detailed evidence for dynamic air−water exchange of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) is presented. Samples of air (340−380 m3) and water (33−60 L) were taken simultaneously during July 1998 at two sites in the lower Hudson River Estuary, NY. The atmospheric gas and particulate phases and the aqueous dissolved and particulate phases were analyzed for di- to octa-CDD/Fs. All the homologue groups were routinely detected by HRGC-HRMS, with detection limits for the homologue groups 1 pg/sample. Cl2DDs, OCDD, and Cl2DFs were the most abundant homologues in the water, and the Cl2DDs were the most abundant in the air (4.3−7.6 pg/m3). The Cl2DD/Fs and Cl7/8DD/Fs were 25−53% and 78−99% associated with the water particulate phase, respectively. The likelihood of sampling artifacts influencing the apparent dissolved/particulate partitioning of the higher chlorinated congeners is discussed. Water concentrations were constant over the sampling period, while atmospheric concentrations varied with air mass origin. The fugacity ratios between the dissolved phase in water and the gas phase in air were usually >1, implying a net volatilization flux. Evidence for outgassing of the lower chlorinated homologues, obtained by the simultaneous measurement of air over adjacent land and water, provided further support for the outgassing of the lower chlorinated homologues from the water body.
Expanding the Range of the First Step to Success Intervention: Tertiary-Level Support for Children, Teachers, and Families.

Abstract This study presents the findings of a quasi-experimental feasibility study examining the Tertiary First Step intervention, an enhanced version of the First Step to Success early intervention program. Tertiary First Step was developed to engage families more effectively and influence and improve parenting practices for children having challenging behavior. Process (fidelity, dosage, and social validity) and outcome data were collected for all participants in the Tertiary First Step condition ( N = 33). Parent- and teacher-reported outcomes were collected for the comparison condition ( N = 22). Process data suggest the intervention was implemented with fidelity, and that teachers, parents, and coaches perceived the intervention as socially valid. This study presents the first empirical examination of the Tertiary Frist Step variation. The outcomes provide compelling evidence that the Tertiary First Step intervention is promising for improving student outcomes on social-behavioral indices, decreasing problem behavior, and improving academic engaged time.
Formulation of nondairy coffee whiteners with cottonseed protein isolates

Nondairy coffee whiteners were prepared on a pilot scale using four different glandless cottonseed protein isolates prepared by different processes. Bulk density, whitening capacity, cream separation and oil retention capacity of the whiteners were compared to those formulated with sodium caseinate and a commercial whitener. Glandless cottonseed protein isolates, prepared by conventional and aqueous extraction processes, are poor ingredients for coffee whitener production, showing poor whitening capacity, separation of proteins through sedimentation and separation of fat as a cream layer in a mixture with aqueous coffee. Succinylated cottonseed proteins showed many markedly improved characteristics as coffee whiteners. Ca. 50% replacement of sodium caseinate with succinylated cottonseed protein isolate did not affect the quality of whiteners compared to that of 100% sodium caseinate-based whitener.
Polyuria and refractory hypernatremia after cardiopulmonary arrest

A patient exhibited brain damage, polyuria, and refractory hypernatremia after myocardial infarction and cardiopulmonary arrest. Serum vasopressin levels were relatively fixed and inappropriately low for the elevated serum osmolality. Hypernatremia persisted despite administration of vasopressin; after vasopressin was discontinued, serum sodium value was corrected with small doses of furosemide and replacement of free water. In her case, impairment of osmotic homeostasis could not be attributed to either simple resetting or complete destruction of osmoreceptors; metabolic normalization required an unusual therapeutic approach.
Agonist-induced tension determines vascular reactivity during anoxia and reoxygenation.

Abstract To determine the influence of pre-existing pharmacologically-induced tension on vascular reactivity during anoxia and reoxygenation, rat aortic rings were contracted with norepinephrine, epinephrine, endothelin or KCI to 1, 2 or 4 g of tension. The rings were then exposed to anoxia (95% N 2 ) for 10 min followed by reoxygenation (95% O 2 ). The degree of anoxia-mediated contraction varied with the magnitude of tension before anoxia and resembled the length-tension relationship in myocardial fibers. The optimal agonist-induced tension for maximal anoxic contraction was approximately 1 to 2 g. This relationship between tension and anoxic contraction was observed in all but KCI-contracted rings. The agonist- as well as KCI-contracted rings showed normal relaxant response to acetylcholine, suggesting that a decrease in endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) alone cannot be the basis of anoxic contraction and release of endothelium-derived constricting factors (EDCFs) may relate to anoxic contraction in agonist-preconstricted rings. The relationship between the magnitude of agonist-induced tension and the extent of anoxia-mediated contraction may relate to the ability of endothelium to release EDRF and EDCFs as well as to the degree of phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells. The reoxygenation-mediated contraction was noted to progressively increase in all experiments regardless of the pharmacologic agent used. This increase in reoxygenation-mediated contraction correlated with pre-existing pharmacologic tension, and may relate to calcium influx and restoration of ATP and other mediators in the vascular tissues during reoxygenation.
Hybrid and secure scheme for pre-ordered video delivery over low-bandwidth links

Despite efforts to increase access to broadband Internet services nationally and globally, a large number of households remains connected using lower bandwidth connections. At the same time, however, a connected household's demands for data services (including the typical triple-play services) increases continuously. One of the main drivers in the triple-play service domain is Video-on-Demand (VoD). VoD services today mix realtime streaming (or watching) of content with pre-selection and personal library-building for later consumption. In this contribution, we evaluate the extensive caching of video sequences that were pre-ordered (e.g., added to a personal library with a VoD service provider) under the constraints of low-bandwidth links commonly encountered in rural communities. We find that by combining extensive client-side caching, video coding patterns, and stream-level smoothing at the time of media consumption, our approach enables the delivery of full HD resolution content to connections under 1 Mbps given enough time for pre-caching. Additionally, utilizing the inter-frame dependencies and coding properties of H.264/AVC encodings, our approach disables broad decoding of content from the client-side cache and hence preserves copyrights.
Effects of tail docking on behavior of confined feedlot cattle

Tail tip injuries occur in some feedlot cattle housed in slatted-floor facilities typically found in the midwestern United States. The practice of tail docking cattle on entry into these feedlot facilities was initiated to prevent tail injuries. Tail docking is a welfare concern from the standpoint that an important method of fly avoidance is removed and the tail docking procedure is painful and often excludes local anesthesia or extended analgesia. The primary objective of this study was to describe the behavioral responses of feedlot cattle following tail docking. Thirty-six heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: docked (DK) or control (CN). All calves received an epidural following surgical preparation of the sacrococcygeal area and postoperative intravenous flunixin meglumine. A portion of the tail of DK calves was removed using pruning shears. An elastrator band was placed near the tail tip for hemostasis and tail tips were sprayed with fly spray. IceQube accelerometers collected step counts, motion index, lying time, lying bouts, and lying bout duration during d -4 through 13. Direct observations of cattle behavior were performed on d 0, 1, and 2. Step counts of DK calves were increased (P < 0.05) on d 0, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 13, and motion index of DK calves was also increased (P < 0.05) on d 0, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 13. Docked cattle performed rear foot stomp behavior more (P < 0.001) than CN on d 0, 1, and 2. Forty-eight hours after tail docking, DK calves had increased lying bouts per hour (1.7 vs. 0.9 on d 0; P < 0.001; 1.1 vs. 0.8 on d 1; P < 0.01) but reduced lying bout durations (12.6 vs. 47.1 min on d 0; P < 0.001; 22.6 vs. 44.7 min on d 1; P < 0.001). On d 0, DK calves twitched tails more (P < 0.05) and ruminated less (P < 0.001). Despite provision of perioperative and postoperative analgesia, we identified altered behavior in DK cattle that may reflect a compromised welfare state for tail-docked feedlot cattle. We recommend that alternative strategies to reduce tail tip injury be explored.
Examining drug treatment entry patterns among young injection drug users

Using a longitudinal state data base, 1996-2002, of all Injection Drug Users (IDU) (n = 37,227) admissions to all state-licensed drug treatment programs, this study examined differences in drug treatment entry patterns between younger IDUs (ages 18-25) compared to middle-age IDUs (ages 26-39) and older IDUs (over 40 years of age). Most of the younger IDUs were male, unemployed, and dependent on heroin. After controlling for factors known to affect type of drug treatment entered, younger IDUs were significantly more likely than their older counterparts to only use detoxification services and not enter additional treatment. Further, younger IDUs were significantly less likely to enter methadone maintenance and significantly more likely to enter residential treatment compared to older IDUs. Development of strategies to promote transition from detoxification to more comprehensive treatments and especially to methadone maintenance treatment is warranted.
Modal analysis of a spreading osteoblast cell in culturing

In bone cell culturing environment, mechanical vibration has been utilized to study the effects of various frequency and amplitude conditions on the cells. In this study, a spreading single cell was modeled as a simple dome to investigate the dynamic properties of a cell in the culturing environment. The finite element modal analysis was applied to evaluate the natural frequency and mode shapes of a spreading bone cell. The variance of cell shapes and mechanical properties such as Young's modulus were utilized. Simulation results show that the range of the natural frequency for a spreading cell of various sizes (135×30, 100×40, 80×50, and 67×60 μm with 10 μm height) is 9.95–211.05 Hz and cell shapes do not affect the modal analysis results. However the natural frequency is increased proportionally to the increase in Young's modulus.
Inorganic polyphosphate in Bacillus cereus: Motility, biofilm formation, and sporulation

Chains of inorganic polyphosphate (poly-P) with hundreds of P(i) residues linked by phosphoanhydride bonds, as in ATP, are found in every bacterial, fungal, plant, and animal cell, in which they perform various functions. In the spore-forming Bacillus cereus, we have identified three principal enzymes and genes involved in the metabolism of poly-P, namely, (i) poly-P kinase (PPK), which synthesizes poly-P reversibly from ATP, (ii) exopolyphosphatase (PPX), which hydrolyzes poly-P to P(i), and (iii) poly-P/AMP phosphotransferase (PAP), which uses poly-P as a donor to convert AMP to ADP, reversibly. In the null mutant of ppk, poly-P levels are reduced to <5% of the WT; in the ppx mutant, the PPK activity is elevated 10-fold, and the accumulation of poly-P is elevated approximately 1,000-fold. All of the null mutants of ppk, ppx, and pap showed defects in motility and biofilm formation, but sporulation efficiency was impaired only in the ppx mutant. These enzymes and genes in B. cereus are nearly identical to those in the very closely related pathogen Bacillus anthracis, and, thus, they may provide attractive targets for the treatment of anthrax.
Bifurcations in cubic crystals under hydrostatic pressure

Post-bifurcation phenomena accompanying the branching of cubic crystals under hydrostatic pressure at instabilities associated with the vanishing of shear moduli are studied analytically and computationally. It is shown that pseudopotential models of the alkali metals exhibit branching from cubic to tetragonal configurations, and furthermore, that is the only branching geometry that may occur homogeneously under a strict hydrostatic environment when the shear modulus μ vanishes.
Molecular Evolution of the Transferrin Receptor/Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II Family

The transferrin receptor family is represented by at least seven different homologous proteins in primates. Transferrin receptor (TfR1) is a type II membrane glycoprotein that, as a cell surface homodimer, binds iron-loaded transferrin as part of the process of iron transfer and uptake. Other family members include transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2), glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP2 or PSMA), N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase-like protein (NLDL), N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase 2 (NAALAD2), and prostate-specific membrane antigen-like protein (PMSAL/GCPIII). We compared 86 different sequences from 24 different species, from mammals to fungi. Through this comparison, we have identified several highly conserved residues specific to each family not previously associated with clinical mutations. The evolutionary history of the TfR/GCP2 family shows repeated episodes of duplications consistent with recent theories that nondispensable, slowly evolving genes are more likely to form multiple gene families.
Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences: A Scientist-Educator Partnership to Prepare the Next Generation of Scientists

Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences (COSIA) is a college course that creates and develops partnerships between science educators in informal science education institutions, such as museums, science centers and aquariums, and ocean scientists in colleges and universities. For the course, a scientist and educator team-teach inquiry- based science pedagogy and communication strategies to graduate and undergraduate students in marine science-related majors. In addition, students participate in practicum experiences in informal science education institutions. COSIA aims to engage the next generation of scientists (college students) in learning to communicate their scientific knowledge with the general public. This paper describes how this course and the resulting partnership address some major issues in scientific literacy, as well as how they benefit all the stakeholders (scientists, science educators, college students, and visitors to informal science institutions). Three central challenges to creating partnerships and how they were addressed are outlined, and several underlying principles for initiating and growing partnerships between individuals and institutions are presented. Through the process of engagement in this effort and the development of partnerships between educators' and scientists' communities of practice, it is argued that a new hybrid community of practice may be emerging.
Epiphyseal growth arrest lines MR findings

We present two cases in which MR exams revealed unusual, low signal intensity lines in the marrow space of epiphyses. These epiphyseal lines were smooth and regular, creating a bone-in-bone appearance. These lines were much more conspicuous on MR than on radiographs, partly because of adjacent alterations in trabecular architecture. A history of prolonged immobilization during childhood in both cases suggests that these lines represent growth arrest lines persisting in the epiphyses.
A Small-Molecule Inducer of the Antioxidant Response Element

Eukaryotic cells counteract oxidative and other environmental stress through the activation of Nrf2, the transcription factor that controls the expression of a host of protective enzymes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). The electrophilic molecules that are able to activate Nrf2 and its downstream target genes have demonstrated therapeutic potential in carcinogen-induced tumor models. Using a high-throughput cellular screen, we discovered a class of ARE activator, which we named AI-1, that activates Nrf2 by covalently modifying Keap1, the negative regulator of Nrf2. Biochemical studies indicated that modification of Cys151 of Keap1 by AI-1 disrupted the ability of Keap1 to serve as an adaptor for Cul3-Keap1 ubiquitin ligase complex, thereby causing stabilization and transcriptional activation of Nrf2. AI-1 and its biotinylated derivative are useful pharmacological probes for investigating the molecular details of the cellular antioxidant response.
Novel Thermal-Electrical-Mechanical Model for Simulating Coupled Phenomena in High-Frequency Electronic Devices

We present a fully coupled thermal-electrical-mechanical finite element based model to study material degradation behaviors of high-frequency electronic devices. The mechanisms of degradation and ultimately failure in wide bandgap (WBG) devices are very complex. Under operating conditions, the devices are usually subject to high electric fields, high stress/strain fields, high current densities, high temperatures and high thermal gradients. Moreover, these phenomena are coupled together. The presented finite element model is capable of computing stress, temperature, and electric fields based on an innovative finite element approach for the solution of non-linear coupled thermal-electrical-mechanical problems. The model can be applied to wide bandgap electronic devices to address major issues of performance and lifetime.
Sensitization of muscle to choline and acetylcholine, and the supposed existence of choline acetylase.

NACHMANSOHN and his colleagues1,2 and Feldberg and Mann3 have suggested the enzymatic synthesis of acetylcholine from choline and acetate in the presence of adenosine triphosphate. The alleged enzyme has been named choline acetylase. The authors used the m. rectus abdominis of frogs to test the quantity of synthetized acetylcholine.
Abstract 3162: Assessing the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of human thymidine kinase 1 in leukemia

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Thymidine Kinase 1 (TK1), a salvage pathway enzyme responsible for recycling thymine in cells for use in DNA replication and repair, is normally tightly regulated by the cell cycle; however research studies have shown that it is over-expressed and unregulated in cancer cells. Studies linking TK1 localization to the plasma membrane of lymphoma cells have suggested that this enzyme could also be used as a molecular target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Previous research in our laboratory showed that TK1 located on the plasma membrane of different cancer cell lines had high enzymatic activity. This study was performed to support the eventual possibility of targeting TK1 for cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy in leukemias expressing high levels of TK1 on their plasma membrane. TK1 levels on plasma membrane were analyzed using a BD FACSCanto flow cytometry on lymphoblastoid cells derived from Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji cells), acute T cell leukemia (Jurkat cells), myeloblastic cells derived from promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60 cells), and normal lymphocytes from healthy individuals. Analysis was performed on unpermeabilized cells in exponential growth phase using both a mouse monoclonal anti-TK1 Ab and a rabbit polyclonal anti TK-1 Ab. Cells were incubated with human FcR blocking reagent to eliminate non-specific binding to Fc receptors. Permeabilized cells were excluded using propidium iodide staining. Using an IgG Isotype control we were able to select proper gating (0% binding). TK1 surface expression was compared to expression of sodium potassium ATPase, a common plasma membrane marker, and pan-leukocyte marker CD45. Results confirmed high levels of TK1 expression on cancer cell lines analyzed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that binding of the mouse monoclonal anti-TK1 Ab and rabbit polyclonal anti-TK1 Ab were 93.4% (SEM=1.05, N = 19) and 99.5 % (SEM=0.67, N=19) in Raji cells; 71.1% (SEM=3.41, N=19) and 89.4 % (SEM=2.74, N=19) in HL-60 cells; 63% (SEM=1.23, N=26) and 88.6% (SEM=1.81, N=27) in Jurkat cells. Lymphoblastoid cells showed significantly higher TK1 expression when compared to that of lymphocytes obtained from healthy individuals 9.9% (SEM=2.39, N=7) and 14.9% (SEM=2.43, N=3). When induced with pokeweed mitogen there was no increase in TK1 expression on the plasma membrane of normal dividing lymphocytes 7.9% (SEM=0.54, N=3) and 10.63% (SEM=2.89, N=3). Fluorescence microscopy observations provided more evidence of TK1 association with the plasma membrane of cancer cells. These results suggest that membrane-bound TK1 has potential for both diagnosis and immunotherapy in human leukemia. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3162. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3162
Optimizing care of heart failure after acute MI with an aldosterone receptor antagonist

The presence of heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the setting of acute myocardial infarction is associated with poor prognosis. Aldosterone is an important downstream mediator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that promotes myocardial collagen deposition, myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis, ventricular remodeling, and endothelial dysfunction. It may play an important role in the increased morbidity and mortality and the development and progression of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. Extending the findings from the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study (RALES) in patients with chronic heart failure, the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) demonstrated that the selective aldosterone blocker eplerenone offered a significant survival benefit, attenuation of progression of heart failure, and prevention of sudden cardiac death when used in addition to optimal medical therapy. The current evidence-based guidelines now suggest that aldosterone blockade should be an integral component of heart failure therapy to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.