cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein oxidation involved in Cys-Tyr post-translational modification.

Some post-translationally modified tyrosines can perform reversible redox chemistry similar to metal cofactors. The most studied of these tyrosine modifications is the intramolecular thioether-crosslinked 3'-(S-cysteinyl)-tyrosine (Cys-Tyr) in galactose oxidase. This Cu-mediated tyrosine modification in galactose oxidase involves direct electron transfer (inner-sphere) to the coordinated tyrosine. Mammalian cysteine dioxygenase enzymes also contain a Cys-Tyr that is formed, presumably, through outer-sphere electron transfer from a non-heme iron center ~6A away from the parent residues. An orphan protein (BF4112), amenable to UV spectroscopic characterization, has also been shown to form Cys-Tyr between Tyr 52 and Cys 98 by an adjacent Cu2+ ion-loaded, mononuclear metal ion binding site. Native Cys-Tyr fluorescence under denaturing conditions provides a more robust methodology for Cys-Tyr yield determination. Cys-Tyr specificity, relative to 3,3'-dityrosine, was provided in this fluorescence assay by guanidinium chloride. Replacing Tyr 52 with Phe or the Cu2+ ion with a Zn2+ ion abolished Cys-Tyr formation. The Cys-Tyr fluorescence-based yields were decreased but not completely removed by surface Tyr mutations to Phe (Y4F/Y109F, 50%) and Cys 98 to Ser (25%). The small absorbance and fluorescence emission intensities for C98S BF4112 were surprising until a significantly red-shifted emission was observed. The red-shifted emission spectrum and monomer to dimer shift seen by reducing, denaturing SDS-PAGE demonstrate a surface tyrosyl radical product (dityrosine) when Cys 98 is replaced with Ser. These results demonstrate surface tyrosine oxidation in BF4112 during Cys-Tyr formation and that protein oxidation can be a significant side reaction in forming protein derived cofactors.
Two-Dimensional Problems

The finite element solution of two-dimensional heat transfer problems is considered. After presenting the governing differential equation and all possible boundary conditions, the step-by-step procedure is indicated for finding the nodal temperatures along with an illustrative example. The heat transfer analysis of a square plate using eight linear triangular elements for modeling is presented as a comprehensive example. Finally the solution of two-dimensional unsteady state problems is considered by deriving the matrix corresponding to the unsteady state term.
Thymus homing clonogenic bone marrow cells.

The thymus plays a major role in guiding the maturation, differentiation and specificity of T cells (1–4), In the adult mouse, the thymus receives small numbers of T cell precursors from the bone marrow and exports to the periphery a large variety of cells that differ by their surface antigens and functions. Bone marrow cells homing to the thymus undergo different steps of proliferation, maturation, and selection before they leave the thymus. Each of these steps is characterized by the involvement of various cell types (lymphoid or non-lymphoid) and factors whose sequential participation is still unknown.
Problem Genera and Family Interfaces in the Eupyrenomycetes

Perplexities related to the systematics of Eupyrenomycetes are due to the relatively few taxa that have been studied, and the many fewer taxa that have been investigated in depth. Moreover, the apparent great age of the ascomycetes, the general scarcity of fossil records, and the supposition that early genera have not survived to the present, accentuate problems associated with developing a natural (phylogenetic) classification. Two specific problem areas of eupyrenomycete systematics discussed are: the interfaces among Eupyrenomycetes and Loculoascomycetes; and selected examples of problem interfaces among eupyrenomycete families and genera. In the latter problem area the following topics are considered: generic relationships in Xylariaceae; relationships between Xylariaceae and Diatrypaceae; relationships between Calosphaeriaceae and some other families; the status of Boliniaceae; the status of Coniochaetaceae; Ceratocystis and Ophiostoma; interfaces between Amphisphaeriaceae and Xylariaceae; problems in taxa of Diaporthales; the status of Cainiaceae; and parallel versus convergent evolution among Eupyrenomycetes.
Acute Kidney Injury in the Newborn

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden impairment in kidney function that results in the inability to maintain adequate fluid, electrolyte, and waste product homeostasis. It is increasingly recognized as a common and significant event for newborns cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit, with important implications for treatment decisions and clinical outcomes. Indeed, AKI is associated with mortality in critically ill children [2, 86] and adults [14, 25, 52, 65, 78], even after controlling for medical comorbidities, severity of illness scores, and patient demographics. Emerging data suggest a similar association in the neonatal population as well [32, 47, 48], such that kidney injury can no longer be viewed as an incidental finding but rather an important determinant of patient outcomes.
The Effect of a Powered Lower-Body Exoskeleton on Physical and Cognitive Warfighter Performance:

This study analyzed the performance of twelve military members in a simulated, fatigue-inducing patrol task under three conditions: wearing a powered exoskeleton, wearing an unpowered exoskeleton, ...
Recovery of Fine Cassiterite Particles Using Liquid Packed and Fluidized Beds

An investigation of the recovery of finely-divided cassiterite and silica particles has been carried out using packed and fluidized beds. The bed particles used included cassiterite and silica particles ranging from 44 to 210 µm (325 to 70 mesh). Effects of various system parameters on the recovery and selectivity of cassiterite fines were investigated. System parameters included pH of the slurry solution, superficial velocity, slurry concentration, and bed particle sizes. High recoveries of cassiterite fines were obtained at pH 4.0 and slow slurry flow rates. In a packed bed system, recovery of cassiterite fines was greater than 95%, while that of silica fines under the same conditions was about 35%. Although the total recovery per pass is not as good as the packed bed, the fluidized bed system exhibits good recovery in general and an excellent selectivity of cassiterite fines. There is an optimum superficial velocity, v0, for the rate of fine particle uptake and the apparent rate constant has the form of Kv01/2 - K ‘v0, where K and K’ are system constants.
FPGA-based Dynamic Duty Cycle and Frequency Controller for a Class-E 2 DC-DC Converter

This paper presents a controller that achieves zero-voltage and zero-dv/dt switching (ZVS and ZVDS) for a class-E2 dc-dc converter under a wide variation in the input and output voltages. One of the major problems in using the class-E topology for dc-dc conversion is that the increased switching loss significantly degrades the efficiency when the voltage condition deviates from the point which the circuit is designed for. The proposed controller modulates the duty cycle and the frequency of the gate driving signal so that ZVS and ZVDS are always achieved under the voltage variation, while regulating the output voltage by on-off control. We demonstrate an FPGA-based prototype controller in conjunction with a 2 MHz isolated class-E2 dc-dc converter that minimizes the efficiency drop due to the switching loss for the input voltage from 80 V to 200 V and the output voltage from 5 V to 20 V.
Creating futures that matter today: facilitating change through shared vision

Visions are “a product of our imagination, our insight, and our values. They reflect our sense of purpose” [p. 5]. These often include the creative ideas that drove the original mission statements ...
A new automated device for quantifying mechanical nociceptive responses.

Abstract Background Traditional methods to assess pain in rodents depend on measures of nociceptive responses, most commonly from the hind paws. While these measures can quantify nociceptive responses to allow pharmacologic testing, they typically have high inter-experimenter variability and are not time-sensitive enough to correct with neural processes that occur on millisecond scales. New Method We have invented a pain detection device that uses changes in skin conductance to measure nocifensive withdrawal responses. This device automatically records how long it takes for a rodent to withdraw its paw from the onset of peripheral noxious stimulation. Results With this pain device, we can record accurate timing (on the millisecond scale) for nociceptive responses, with high accuracy and consistency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this device can allow us to distinguish the nociceptive response to mechanical noxious stimuli of different intensities. Finally, we demonstrate that this device can be digitally integrated to correlate behavior with neural activities in real-time. Conclusions This study demonstrates a new automated, temporally specific method for quantifying nociceptive responses to facilitate pain studies.
Development of a placement exam to increase student success in a junior level circuits and systems class

In this work, which is intended to be a Full Paper in the Innovative Practice Category, the implementation of an improved placement exam that increased the pass rate in a junior level systems course in the author’s electrical engineering department by 15% is presented. For almost 30 years the author’s EE department has used a face to face exam to place students in a junior level circuits and systems course or into a review workshop. The details of the exam and suggestions about future use in conjunction MyOpenMath analytics to increase student success are also given.
Antiviral ARGONAUTEs Against Turnip Crinkle Virus Revealed by Image-Based Trait Analysis

RNA-based silencing functions as an important antiviral immunity mechanism in plants. Plant viruses evolved to encode viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) that interfere with the function of key components in the silencing pathway. As effectors in the RNA silencing pathway, ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins are targeted by some VSRs, such as that encoded by Turnip crinkle virus (TCV). A VSR-deficient TCV mutant was used to identify AGO proteins with antiviral activities during infection. A quantitative phenotyping protocol using an image-based color trait analysis pipeline on the PlantCV platform, with temporal red, green, and blue imaging and a computational segmentation algorithm, was used to measure plant disease after TCV inoculation. This process captured and analyzed growth and leaf color of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants in response to virus infection over time. By combining this quantitative phenotypic data with molecular assays to detect local and systemic virus accumulation, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO7 were shown to play antiviral roles during TCV infection. In leaves, AGO2 and AGO7 functioned as prominent nonadditive, anti-TCV effectors, whereas AGO3 played a minor role. Other AGOs were required to protect inflorescence tissues against TCV. Overall, these results indicate that distinct AGO proteins have specialized, modular roles in antiviral defense across different tissues, and demonstrate the effectiveness of image-based phenotyping to quantify disease progression.
Elective neck dissection for salvage laryngectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective Elective neck dissection (END) for salvage laryngectomy remains controversial due to variability in reported occult nodal metastasis rates and postoperative complications. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the role of END for treatment of the clinically N0 (cN0) neck in the salvage setting. Methods A PubMed search, without limit on years searched, was conducted for English language articles. Additional sources were found by reviewing bibliographies of pertinent articles. Studies had to include END data for salvage laryngectomy for locally recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx with clinically negative regional metastasis. For patients who underwent END, pathological node status had to be reported. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Results Nineteen studies were included in the analysis. Within the END group, 31% were supraglottic, 61% were glottic, 6% were transglottic, and 1% were subglottic. The pooled rate of occult nodal metastasis was 14% (95% CI = 0.11–0.17) for all subsites. In subsite-specific analyses, occult nodal metastasis rates were 24% for supraglottic, 9% for glottic, and 17% for transglottic recurrences. Occult nodal metastasis was higher in recurrent T3/4 tumors (21%) compared to recurrent T1/2 tumors (9%) (relative risk (RR) = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.23–3.63, p = 0.003). The RR of postoperative complications with END compared to observation was 1.72 (95% CI = 0.96–3.10, p = 0.07). Conclusions The highest rates of occult nodal metastasis are associated with supraglottic recurrence and recurrent T3/T4 tumors. These data should be considered when deciding whether to perform END for salvage laryngectomy.
Bayesian entropy network for fusion of different types of information

Abstract A hybrid method for information fusion combining the maximum entropy (ME) method with the classical Bayesian network is proposed as the Bayesian-Entropy Network (BEN) in this paper. The key benefit of the proposed method is the capability to handle various types of information for classification and updating, such as classical point data, abstracted statistical information, and range data. The detailed derivation of the proposed is given and special focus is on the formulation of different types of information as constraints embedded in the entropy part. The Bayesian part is used to handle classical point observation data. Next, an adaptive algorithm is proposed to mitigate the impact of wrong information constraints on the final posterior distribution estimation. Following this, several examples are used to demonstrate the proposed methodology and application to engineering problems. It is shown that the proposed method is a generalized form of classical Bayesian method, and can take advantage of the extra information. This advantage is preferable in many engineering applications especially when the number of point observations is limited. Conclusions and future work are drawn based on the current study.
Characteristics of coexisting localized scleroderma and inflammatory arthritis.

Objective Localized scleroderma (LS), including morphea and linear scleroderma, is an autoimmune disease where excessive subcutaneous collagen deposits lead to thickening, scarring, and fibrosis of the tissues. LS coexisting with inflammatory arthritis is less well-described but has been reported in as many as 20% of 53 LS patients in a recent cohort. Herein, we describe a cohort of 8 children with both LS and inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of inflammatory arthritis in children with LS and their response to treatment regimens. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was completed on patients less than 19 years of age who were diagnosed with either morphea or linear scleroderma at the Children of Alabama center from 2004-2018. Patients were identified using ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Records were reviewed for additional diagnostic codes, exams, and laboratory findings confirming coexisting inflammatory arthritis and LS. Results A total of 87 patients with a diagnosis of either morphea or linear scleroderma were identified. Eight (9%) had coexisting inflammatory arthritis according to the diagnostic codes with documented active arthritis. Median age of initial rheumatic disease diagnosis was 7.5 years. A majority of patients with both LS and inflammatory arthritis were female (62.5%). Half of the patients (n=4, 50%) had LS lesions over arthritic joints. All of the identified patients were diagnosed with a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The JIA diagnoses varied widely in 3 (37.5%) patients with rheumatoid factor (RF) negative polyarticular JIA, 2 (25%) with oligoarticular JIA, 2 (25%) with psoriatic JIA, and 1 (12.5%) with enthesitis-related JIA. The timing of onset of LS and inflammatory arthritis varied widely. Three (37.5%) patients had LS lesions preceding clinical arthritis, and three (37.5%) had arthritis before the appearance of LS. Two (25%) patients had both LS and arthritis at the time of diagnosis. All patients received methotrexate (MTX) during their disease course with only 3 (37.5%) receiving systemic steroids during treatment. All 8 patients showed resolution of LS lesions. However, 6 of the 8 patients demonstrated active arthritis on combination MTX and TNFi therapy. Conclusion In this cohort of pediatric LS, 9% of patients had coexisting inflammatory arthritis. The characteristics of this cohort varied widely. All patients received MTX initially and showed a resolution of LS lesions. However, in the majority of patients, the arthritis failed to respond to MTX and TNFi combination therapy. These results suggest that inflammatory arthritis coexisting with LS may be less likely to respond to traditional inflammatory arthritis or JIA therapies.
Chapter 4 – Processes and Operating Systems

This chapter covers multiple-process systems. It compares scheduling algorithms, including the interaction between language design and scheduling mechanisms. It evaluates operating system architectures and the overhead incurred by the operating system and also considers methods for verifying the behavior of multiple process systems.
Barriers to career advancement in the nursing profession: Perceptions of Black nurses in the United States.

Background There is a paucity of Black and minority ethnic group nurse leaders and faculty in the nursing profession, even though the overall number of nurses within this demographic has increased. This study aimed to examine Black nurses' perceptions of the barriers to career advancement in nursing profession in the United States. Procedure Participants included 30 Black nurses aged 25 to 65 from health care settings across five US states recruited through purposive sampling. The study used a focused ethnographic design with semi-structured interviews to elicit responses about participants perceptions and experiences of seeking leadership and faculty positions. Results Thematic analysis revealed seven main themes: maintaining white comfort, distrust, no one like me, paving the way, worthy of representation, leadership role not expected of Black nurses, and an advanced degree does not equal advanced opportunities. Conclusion The findings suggest that Black nurses face significant challenges in entering leadership or faculty positions. They face racial discrimination and lack access to mentorship and support which discourages sufficiently qualified and experienced nurses from applying for high-level positions. Ensuring all nurses are afforded equal opportunity for career advancement is essential for the nursing profession's continued growth.
Increased temperature and lower resource quality exacerbate chloride toxicity to larval Lithobates sylvaticus (wood frog)

Abstract A chemical contaminant of growing concern to freshwater aquatic organisms, including many amphibians, is chloride ion. The salinization of freshwater ecosystems is likely caused, in part, by the application of massive amounts of road de-icing salts to roadways during winter months. The issue of freshwater salinization has become the subject of many toxicity studies and is often investigated in conjunction with other chemical stressors. However, few published studies attempt to investigate the interactions of elevated chloride concentration and increased temperature. Further, no studies have investigated the gap between the recommended feeding conditions typically used in standard toxicity tests and those that may exist in natural amphibian habitats. This study addressed the critical issues of elevated chloride, increased temperature, and variation in food quality. We conducted a 96-h acute toxicity test to investigate acute chloride toxicity as impacted by different diets, as well as a chronic toxicity test to investigate the impacts of chloride, temperature, and resource quality on the survival and development of larval Lithobates sylvaticus (wood frogs). Chloride LC50s ± 1 SE were 3769.22 ± 589.05, 2133.00 ± 185.95, and 2644.69 ± 209.73 mg Cl−/L were for non-fed, low-protein diet, and high-protein diet, respectively. For the chronic toxicity study, elevated chloride decreased tadpole survival. Increased temperature, and lower resource quality, were found negatively impacted survival of tadpoles and altered time-to-metamorphosis. This study shows that environmentally relevant concentrations of chloride, temperatures, and the protein content of the diet all exert critical effects on larval wood frogs.
Work as a social determinant of health; a landscape assessment of employers in two historically disinvested urban communities.

BACKGROUND Work is considered a structural determinant of health, yet specific determinants that could be targeted at the community level have not been elaborated. The aim of this research is to develop a methodology for incorporating employers and employment into community health assessment. METHODS As part of a community based participatory research (CBPR) collaboration, we inventoried and characterized businesses in two neighborhoods using multiple data sources and walk-around surveys. Community and academic researchers planned, executed, discussed, and debated the methodology, the findings, and the potential for incorporating "work" in community health considerations. RESULTS In two contiguous communities with a total population of roughly 100,000, we identified 1,127 employers: 85% were small employers; almost 70% of businesses were in retail, service, financial/business services, and food/accommodations sectors. Cash economy, hidden employment, and phantom businesses were uncovered. CONCLUSION We developed a CBPR approach to incorporating local businesses and employment sectors into community health assessment in economically and socially disadvantaged communities. Knowing about "work" in a community will form the basis for including business owners into CBPR partnerships and incorporating work-related health and economic factors into community health improvement and quality of life plans.
Donor-derived cell-free DNA is associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND The role of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in screening for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is unknown. We hypothesized that dd-cfDNA correlates with CAV, markers of inflammation, and angiogenesis in stable heart transplant (HT) recipients. METHODS Sixty-five HT recipients ≥2 years post-transplant, without recent rejection, were stratified by high (≥0.12%) versus low levels (<0.12%) of dd-cfDNA. A targeted amplification, next-generation sequencing assay (AlloSure® ; CareDx, Inc.) was used to detect dd-cfDNA. Peripheral blood inflammatory and angiogenesis markers were assessed using a multiplex immunoassay system (Bioplex® ). RESULTS Of 65 patients, 58 patients had a known CAV status and were included. Thirty had high levels of dd-cfDNA (≥0.12%), and 28 had low levels (<0.12%). CAV was present in 63% of patients with high dd-cfDNA vs. 35% with low dd-cfDNA (p = .047). Donor-specific antibodies were present in 25% of patients with high dd-cfDNA vs. 3.8% in those with low dd-cfDNA (p = .03). There were no differences in rejection episodes, inflammatory, or angiogenesis markers. Importantly, dd-cfDNA levels were not different when stratified by time post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS Higher dd-cfDNA levels were associated with CAV in stable chronic HT recipients. Further studies are warranted to investigate a possible association between dd-cfDNA levels and CAV severity and whether dd-cfDNA can predict CAV progression.
Intraplacental Hepatic Heterotopia.

Background: Placental hepatic heterotopia is a benign lesion with unclear histogenesis hypothesized to be of hepatocytic differentiation of yolk sac elements. Of the 14 hepatic heterotopia cases pr...
The Competitive Impact of Disclosure Requirements in the Credit Card Industry

Theoretical studies have questioned the efficacy of mandatory disclosure requirements under various conditions, but empirical studies of disclosure requirements have been rare. This paper tests the impact of the Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act of 1988, enacted specifically to increase the degree of competition in the credit card industry in the face of suspected consumer search costs. The findings suggest that the Act failed to achieve its intended purpose.
Recombination Rates in Drosophila

Recombination occurs during meiosis to produce new allelic combinations in natural populations, making it important for studying evolution. The model system Drosophila has been crucial for understanding the mechanics underlying recombination and assessing the association between recombination rate and several evolutionary parameters. Drosophila was the first system in which genetic maps were developed using recombination frequencies between genes. Linkage maps have been subsequently developed in many biological systems, including humans. Fungal systems have been helpful in highlighting the mechanics of recombination and identifying particular enzymes that perform various steps in the process; however, similar proteins have been identified in Drosophila. Further, Drosophila has been used to determine genetic and environmental conditions that cause variation in recombination rate. Finally, Drosophila has been instrumental in elucidating associations between local recombination rate and nucleotide diversity, divergence and codon bias, as well as helping determine the causes of these associations. Key Concepts Recombination refers to either independent assortment or crossing over, both of which are responsible for introducing genetic variation during meiosis. Drosophila has been crucial in the development of genetic mapping techniques, which have been extended to other organismal systems including humans. Fungal systems have been critical to the discovery of the underlying mechanics of crossing over. Several key environmental conditions that cause recombination rate variation have been identified primarily in Drosophila. Recombination rate variation within a genome is in part due to ‘hotspots’ that concentrate double-strand breaks to particular regions of the genome. The demonstrated relationship between nucleotide diversity and recombination rate in Drosophila has been repeated in many organismal systems. The relationship between recombination rate and genetic divergence has been less repeatable between different organismal systems, due to either mechanical or evolutionary processes. Keywords: recombination; crossover rates; Drosophila; linkage maps; gene conversion
Innate humoral immunity to fungi.

The humoral innate immune system has three key elements: the complement system; pattern recognition by the collectin protein, mannan-binding lectin (MBL); and naturally occurring antibodies that are reactive with carbohydrate antigens found in the fungal cell wall. This chapter considers each of the three systems of innate humoral immunity in turn, with an emphasis on recognition, amplification cascades, interaction between the systems, and the similarities and differences between fungi in their interactions with these systems. Normal human serum contains antibodies that are reactive with the C. albicans cell wall. Binding of these antibodies is followed by activation of the classical pathway with subsequent covalent binding of C3 fragments to the cell surface. Complement activation and the biological consequences of complement activation have been examined for most of the pathogenic fungi. It is likely that MBL is one of several redundant systems that provide host resistance to pathogenic fungi. There are several potential mechanisms by which pathogenic fungi might evade surveillance by innate humoral immunity. The candidal integrin-like protein probably has several properties that might contribute to virulence including molecular mimicry to avoid phagocytosis and adhesion to host tissues. The alternative pathway, MBL, and natural antibodies probably have redundant functions. As a consequence, it is possible that the host could lose one of these activities without loss of innate resistance.
Consciousness and Actuality in Whiteheadian Ontology

If cognitive science is the science of cognition, what is cognition? Whitehead’s answer is drawn directly from his fundamental ontology: cognition is a special form of what he calls ‘prehension,’ taking more particular forms in conscious perception, thought, imagination and other psychological processes.
Scavenger receptor-BI inhibits ATP-binding cassette transporter 1- mediated cholesterol efflux in macrophages.

Scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) facilitates the efflux of cellular cholesterol to plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL). Recently, the ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABC1) was identified as a key mediator of cholesterol efflux to apolipoproteins and HDL. The goal of the present study was to determine a possible interaction between the SR-BI and ABC1 cholesterol efflux pathways in macrophages. Free cholesterol efflux to HDL was increased (∼2.2-fold) in SR-BI transfected RAW macrophages in association with increased SR-BI protein levels. Treatment of macrophages with 8-bromo-cAMP (cAMP) resulted in a 4.1-fold increase in ABC1 mRNA level and also increased cholesterol efflux to HDL (2.2-fold) and apoA-I (5.5-fold). However, in SR-BI transfected RAW cells, cAMP treatment produced a much smaller increment in cholesterol efflux to HDL (1.1-fold) or apoA-I (3.3-fold) compared with control cells. In macrophages loaded with cholesterol by acetyl-LDL treatment, SR-BI overexpression did not increase cholesterol efflux to HDL but did inhibit cAMP-mediated cholesterol efflux to apoA-I or HDL. SR-BI neutralizing antibody led to a dose- and time-dependent increase of cAMP-mediated cholesterol efflux in both SR-BI transfected and control cells, indicating that SR-BI inhibits ABC1-mediated cholesterol efflux even at low SR-BI expression level. Transfection of a murine ABC1 cDNA into 293 cells led to a 2.3-fold increase of cholesterol efflux to apoA-I, whereas co-transfection of SR-BI with ABC1 blocked this increase in cholesterol efflux. SR-BI and ABC1 appear to have distinct and competing roles in mediating cholesterol flux between HDL and macrophages. In nonpolarized cells, SR-BI promotes the reuptake of cholesterol actively effluxed by ABC1, creating a futile cycle.
Condorcet efficiency with adaptive parties in a spatial model

Several recent articles analyze the decision rules that politicians use to adjust their policy strategies in response to past election results and to rival candidates/parties' strategies. Findings presented in these articles shed light on the expediency of using alternative voting systems from the viewpoint of their potential to produce an election winner preferable in a particular sense or according to a particular criterion. We consider one such criterion, the Condorcet criterion, which evaluates the ability of the candidates to defeat all others in a series of pair-wise votes. We assume that voters choose the candidate (party) based on the candidates' announced policies, and we report results of a computer simulation of adaptive politicians competing in a multi-dimensional issue space. Our simulation findings suggest that voting systems' Condorcet efficiencies vary significantly with the decision rules that the competing politicians employ to adjust their policy strategies. Our findings also suggest that, consistent with conclusions reported in earlier research by Merrill, voting systems' Condorcet efficiencies depend on the degree of spatial dispersion between the parties or candidates contesting the election.
Using Physical Activity for Emotional Recovery After a Natural Disaster

After traumatic events, such as a natural disaster, children who are directly or indirectly affected by the event often have a number of intense emotional reactions. It is important for educators to understand common emotional and psychological responses to disastrous events and to try to help. This article describes a physical activity program for elementary school students who were affected by a natural disaster. The program aimed to reduce students' stress and anxiety levels, provide students with developmentally appropriate physical activity, offer students a platform for shared experiences, and provide students with ways to cope with traumatic events. The program included somatic and psychological stress-reduction techniques, art therapy, and group sharing sessions, all integrated within developmentally appropriate physical activity.
Synthesis of trans-[13,14-14C2]-retinoic acid

Trans-[13,14-14C2]-Retinoic acid has been synthesized by condensation of β-ionylideneacetaldehyde and 14C-labeled methyl senecioate in the presence of potassium amide in ether. A convenient synthesis of the key intermediate, methyl (diethoxyphosphinyl)-[2-14C]acetate, is also described.
Information literacy on Facebook: an analysis

Purpose – This analysis, being part one of a two‐part study, aims to illustrate the attitudes and patterns users are being habituated to through the functionality of Facebook, relate them to information literate practices and behaviors, and speculate their application to information literacy instruction within an academic context. It also aims to lay the groundwork for part two, which is to be reported on in a later issue of this journal.Design/methodology/approach – For this first part of the study, the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education have been aligned with common behaviors on Facebook, examining each standard, performance indicator, and outcome for possible parallels in common Facebook tools and behaviors. These behaviors have then been connected to the process of conducting research in an academic context.Findings – Three Facebook functions – Feeds, Share, and Comment – emerged as the primary means by which information li...
Behavioral weight loss and physical activity intervention in obese adults with asthma. A randomized trial.

Rationale: The effect of weight loss on asthma in obese adults warrants rigorous investigation.Objectives: To examine an evidence-based, practical, and comprehensive lifestyle intervention targeting modest weight loss and increased physical activity for asthma control.Methods: The trial randomized 330 obese adults with uncontrolled asthma to receive usual care enhanced with a pedometer, a weight scale, information about existing weight management services at the participating clinics, and an asthma education DVD, or with these tools plus the 12-month intervention.Measurements and Main Results: The primary outcome was change in Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) scores from baseline to 12 months. Participants (mean [SD] age, 47.6 [12.4] yr) were 70.6% women, 20.0% non-Hispanic black, 20.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.2% Asian/Pacific Islander. At baseline, they were obese (mean [SD] body mass index, 37.5 [5.9] kg/m2) and had uncontrolled asthma (Asthma Control Test score, 15.1 [3.8]). Compared with control subj...
Orbital and Adnexal Involvement in Sarcoidosis: Analysis of Clinical Features and Systemic Disease In 30 Cases

Purpose To evaluate clinical features, management, and prognosis of biopsy-proven orbital and adnexal sarcoidosis. Design Observational, retrospective case series. Methods Clinical features and treatment methods were evaluated retrospectively in 30 consecutive patients managed in 1 center. Data from 11 patients without systemic disease at presentation were analyzed for their impact on occurrence of systemic sarcoidosis using univariate and multivariate regression models. Results Orbital and adnexal involvement included the lacrimal gland in 63% (19/30), the eyelid in 17% (5/30), the orbit in 13% (4/30), and the lacrimal sac in 7% (2/30). Thirty-seven percent (11/30) had known systemic disease. Of 63% (19/30) of cases with only orbital disease, systemic disease initially was found in 27% (8/30), subsequently in 7% (2/30), and never in 30% (9/30). On computed tomography scans, the lesions were well circumscribed in 85% (25/30) and diffuse in 15% (5/30). Management included systemic steroids in 50% (15/30) of cases with symptomatic disease, followed by excision in 27% (8/30) of cases and observation in 23% (7/30) of cases with asymptomatic disease. After a mean follow-up of 44 months, all cases showed regression or remained stable, but 7% (1/30) of cases treated with systemic steroids demonstrated recurrence. Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, systemic sarcoidosis developed in 8% at 5 years. In univariate or multivariate analysis, no clinical feature was found to be significantly predictive of systemic sarcoidosis. Conclusions In our series, in patients with orbital and adnexal sarcoidosis alone, systemic disease developed in 8% by 5 years. Systemic steroids were effective for patients with symptomatic disease.
On the estimation of multi-dimensional integrals with strongly oscillating integrands

The estimation of integrals with rapidly oscillating integrands is difficult, as positive and negative contributions will cancel nearly completely. The effect becomes more pronounced as the number of dimensions of the region of integration is increased. The article shows how an integral over ann-dimensional region can be reduced to integrals over itsn−1 dimensional surfaces in such a manner that the oscillating character of the integrand is taken into account. The method can be interpreted as the repeated application of integration by parts along lines normal to the wave fronts which are determined by the integrand. The remaining integral is estimated by the second mean value theorem of integral calculus. The integrations by parts appear only indirectly in the form of an application of Gauss' integral theorem to a vector field which is determined by the integrand.
A Comparison of Physician and Patient Time Trade-Offs for Postoperative Hip Outcomes

Abstract Objective To elicit infected hip arthroplasty preferences from outpatients and surgeons using time trade-off method based on a paper-based survey. Methods Outpatients were included if they were 20 to 80 years of age, did not have a history of hip pain or surgery, and did not have a diagnosis of dementia. Orthopedic surgeons were high-volume joint replacement specialists or who performed ≥50 joint replacements per year. Preference measures were elicited using trade-offs between impaired health versus full health with shortened life, and between two temporary health states. Results Patient preference scores were in some cases higher than surgeon preference scores. The difference was most pronounced for the health state constant severe pain . Outpatients revealed much higher preferences for staying in short-term major medical complication as compared with surgeons. Conclusions Preference measures derived in this study can be used in decision-making for complications related to hip surgeries.
An improved non-radioisotopic method for measuring ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux from erythrocytes.

Ouabain-sensitive Nat efflux (Na+, KC ATPase activity) from erythrocytes is most commonly measured by monitoring the efflux of radioactive sodium from previously loaded cells [l-3), a technique which requires considerable in vitro manipulation of the erythrocytes and the handling of radioisotopes. Cumberbatch and Morgan [4] have proposed a method based on the assumption that the sodium fluxes of red cells in whole blood are in equilibrium. In their method, which does not require the use of labeled sodium, ouabain is added to the whole blood to block the ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux. Na+ influx is not blocked; therefore, the intracellular Na+ continues to increase. Cumberbatch and Morgan reason that the rate of increase in intra~llular Na+ is equal. to the ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux, an assumption that is valid only if other Na+ efflux pathways are insignificant. We describe a simple method for measuring ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux which does not use radioactivity and which does not rely on assumptions about other Na+ transport mechanisms. Sodium efflux via the Naf pump is determined from the difference in efflux of intracellular Na+ into two media, one containing Kf to maximize pump activity, the other containing ouabain to inhibit pump activity.
The epistemic value of good sense

Abstract This paper examines competing interpretations of Pierre Duhem’s theory of good sense recently defended by David Stump and Milena Ivanova and defends a hybrid reading that accommodates the intuitions of both readings. At issue between Stump and Ivanova is whether Duhemian good sense is a virtue theoretic concept. I approach the issue from the broader perspective of determining the epistemic value of good sense per se , and argue for a mitigated virtue theoretic reading that identifies an essential role for good sense in theory choice. I also show that many important issues in both philosophy of science and ‘mainstream’ value driven epistemology are illuminated by the debate over the epistemic value of good sense. In particular, philosophical work on the nature of cognitive character, rule governed rationality and the prospects of epistemic value t-monism are illuminated by virtue theoretic readings of Duhemian good sense.
Tasking in standard PL/I

This paper describes the treatment of asynchronous processing in “Standard PL/I” and how it is related to the “old language”. By “Standard PL/I” we mean the language being developed by American National Standards Institute Committee X3J1 and European Computer Manufacturers Association Committee TC10. Currently this language is scheduled for publication as a proposed standard in December 1973. By the “old language” we mean that subset of IBM's PL/I which the standards committees took as the starting point for their work. In the area of asynchronous processing, the development from old language to Standard PL/I was carried out by X3J12, the language development subcommittee of X3J1.
The programmatic turnaround of communist successor parties in East Central Europe, 1989-1998

Abstract The communist parties’ adaptation to democracy is one of the more remarkable developments of post-1989 politics in East Central Europe. Ironically, unresponsive and incompetent ruling communist parties have in some cases spawned successors that have been able to respond to democratic electoral cleavages and convince large portions of the electorate of their ability to govern democratically and competently. This paper argues that the main factor underlying this ability has been organizational transformation of the communist parties: specifically, the extent to which these parties centralized and streamlined their organizations, while breaking with a discrediting past. This transformation is itself a function of elite skills developed under communism.
Increasing Employee Hand Hygiene Compliance: A Patient Safety Goal

ISSUE: In 2003 healthcare worker hand hygiene became a patient safety goal. In October 2003 the Greenwich Hospital/Yale New Haven Health System Quality Management selected employee compliance with hand hygiene as a quality core measure. Employee compliance with the hand hygiene guidelines was 58% at the start of the initiative . Employees were inconsistent with their hand hygiene practices, had unrealistic perceptions of hand hygiene compliance, failed to recognize the risk to the patient, and were unaware of the hand hygiene policy. In addition a number of barriers to hand hygiene were identified, including sinks blocked by furniture and patient possessions, staff too busy to wash their hands, and the unavailablity of sinks. PROJECT: A Process Improvement Team was formed to address the issues identified, and to improve employee hand hygiene compliance. Improvement strategies included, in-service education with the staff, the distribution of the patient safety goals and the hand hygiene policy and procedure, signage and flyers that emphasized hand hygiene, a newsletter article on hand hygiene, placement of alcohol sanitizer dispensers in areas where sinks were unavailable, as well as in all clinical departments; in all nursing stations, on medication carts, isolation carts, every patient room, and throughout the hospital. Pocket-sized bottles of sanitizer were also available for staff and physicians. A team of hand hygiene monitors trained on observations, documentation and the hand hygiene policy observed employees for compliance with the policy. A compliance scorecard by department and profession was provided to the managers, department heads and the chief of the medical staff. In addition the non-compliant employees received a memo reiterating the hospitals committment to patient safety and the potential consequences of their behavior. RESULTS: In December 2003 the employee hand hygiene compliance was 58% (baseline data). Employee hand hygiene compliance increased from 59% in the 1st Q of fiscal year 2004 to 86% in the 1st Q of fiscal 2005. LESSONS LEARNED: The two most significant factors for increasing hand hygiene compliance among staff was the regular feedback to the individual employee about their hand hygiene practices and the department and nursing unit specific scorecard.
Neutrinos: precursors of new physics

Abstract Since neutrinos are the only elementary particles that interact only weakly, the study of their properties, albeit experimentally difficult, reflects the true nature of the Weak Interactions. We begin with a historical review, emphasizing the central role of neutrinos in the formulation of the Standard Model. We review the generalizations of the Standard Model needed to accommodate both Dirac and Majorana neutrino masses. The recent experimental findings which demonstrate that neutrinos have tiny masses are discussed. We argue that small neutrino masses as well as the unexpected mixing patterns between the three neutrino flavors give us a glimpse, through the Seesaw mechanism, of physics at or near the Planck scale. To cite this article: P. Ramond, C. R. Physique 6 (2005).
How the other half lives: Tenure differences and trends in rental gated communities

Abstract The current literature on gated communities characterizes residents as fearful, wealthy, white homeowners. Thus, researchers using recent American Housing Survey (AHS) data were surprised to find that many residents of gated communities live in apartments and that residents of walled or fenced communities were actually more likely to be renters than owners. This article uses the AHS to explore the characteristics of residents of rental gated communities (the other half). Factors leading to the growth of gated communities in general and gated apartments in particular are considered. Owned and rental gated communities are compared as a first step in defining the differences between these kinds of tenure, and existing research on subsidized gated housing is updated using descriptive and trend data. The housing opportunities and restraints that rental gated communities create for minorities are analyzed, and policy implications for the growth of rental gated communities are discussed.