cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision Procedures for the Propositional Cases of Second Order Logic and Z Modal Logic Representations of a First Order L-Predicate Nonmonotonic Logic

Decision procedures for the propositional cases of two different logical representations for an L-Predicate Logic generalizing Autoepistemic Logic to handle quantified variables over modal scopes are described. The first representation is Second Order Logic. The second is Z Modal Logic which extends its S5 modal laws with laws stating what is logically possible. It is suggested that certain problems are more easily solved using one representation whereas other problems are more easily solved using the other.
New mutations in the SLC7A7 gene of two chinese sisters with lysinuric protein intolerance

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an inherited aminoaciduria with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.The first two cases of sisters being diagnosed with LPI in China is contained within this report. In our cases, there were two heterozygous mutations in the SLC7A7 gene of the two sisters: deletion of c.1387: del C and IVS4+1C>T. One patient was treated with inhaled rGM-CSF for 1.5 years at 5 μg/kg two times a day. Her condition is improving with no side effects.
Agency Characteristics and the Use of Executive Orders

Past scholarship has offered varying explanations for why presidents choose to use executive orders. However, to this point, much of what we know of unilateral powers does not adequately address th...
CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION

Coronary involvement in cardiac sarcoidosis is rare. A 50 year-old man suffered cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation while exercising. Defibrillation with an AED was successful. Initial EKG showed ST elevation in the inferolateral leads. Coronary angiography revealed 70% stenosis of the
5′-Methylthioadenosine is the Major Source of Adenine in Human Cells

The thioether nucleoside, 5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA) (Figure 1) is a product of transpropylamine reactions which lead to the synthesis of spermidine and spermine (Figure 2)(1). These polyamines are ubiquitous in mammalian cells (2). Their synthesis, and concomitantly the production of MTA, increases during periods of rapid growth (3). MTA does not accumulate in mammalian cells. Rather, the nucleoside is cleaved by MTA Phosphorylase (5′-methylthiadenosine: orthophosphate methylthioribosyltransferase), to yield adenine and 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate (Figure 2)(4).
Retrovirus Receptor Interactions and Entry

Abstract This chapter describes the functional domains of retroviral envelope proteins, attributes of their host cell receptors, the native and postfusion structures of envelope proteins, virus attachment sites, and basic concepts of membrane fusion. It then uses these fundamental concepts to consider two variations in the conformational changes in the envelope proteins, how they impact the entry mechanisms and fusion triggers used by retroviruses, and the hallmark motifs that identify which mechanism a retrovirus uses. The final sections discuss the contribution of virus–host cell interactions to retroviral pathogenesis, challenges in creating broadly effective vaccines, coevolution of retroviruses and their entry receptors, and the impact of captured retroviral Env on mammalian evolution and development.
Impact of bioconversion on matrix strain response of coal reservoirs: Part 2-Reservoir insights

Abstract Experimental data obtained for the strain response of coal to helium and methane flooding, pre-and post-bioconversion, was used to evaluate the reservoir-scale implications of coal bioconversion. Analysis showed that reservoir parameters, Langmuir-type strain ( ∊ l ) and pressure ( P ∊ ), rebound (Prb) and recovery (Prc) pressures decreased post-bioconversion non-linearly with the volume of biogenic methane produced. Also, the solid-matrix compressibility (CS) increased and shrinkage/swelling (Cm) compressibility decreased post-bioconversion. The effective stress and permeability response of coal to depletion was suppressed after microbial treatment. Finally, bioconversion resulted in softening of the coal matrix as well as ‘excess’ volumetric shrinkage post-methane depletion, enhancing the reservoir permeability. However, the increase was insignificant and was overshadowed by the effect of bioconversion induced swelling, which resulted in a significant reduction in reservoir permeability. The non-linear dependence of Cm to pore pressure resulted in its rebound past an inflection pressure (PI), identifiable for coal treated for longer durations. This was used to define an ideal condition, beyond which there was some improvement in reservoir performance. Effective stress response of coals before and after treatment was then used to rate the suitability of coals to bioconversion from a reservoir perspective.
Designing for Rightful Presence in STEM: The Role of Making Present Practices.

Opportunities to learn in consequential ways are shaped by the historicized injustices students encounter in relation to participation in STEM and schooling. In this article, it is argued that the ...
Extracurricular Involvement, Homesickness, and Depressive Symptoms Among Underrepresented College Students:

The current study investigated the potential of extracurricular involvement during the first year of college to attenuate depressive symptoms via decreases in homesickness among underrepresented (i...
A Clinical Phenotyping Algorithm to Identify Cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Electronic Health Records

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States. Electronic health records provide large-scale healthcare data for clinical research, but have been underutilized in COPD research due to challenges identifying these individuals, especially in the absence of pulmonary function testing data. Objectives: To develop an algorithm to electronically phenotype individuals with COPD at a large tertiary care center. Methods: We identified individuals over 45 years of age at last clinic visit within Vanderbilt University Medical Center electronic health records. We tested phenotyping algorithms using combinations of both structured and unstructured text and examined the clinical characteristics of the resulting case sets. Measurement and Main Results: A simple algorithm consisting of 3 International Classification of Disease codes for COPD achieved a sensitivity of 97.6%, a specificity of 76.0%, a positive predictive value of 57.1%, and a negative predictive value of 99.0%. A more complex algorithm consisting of both billing codes and a mention of oxygen on the problem list that achieved a positive predictive value of 86.5%. However, the association of known risk factors with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was consistent in both algorithm sets, suggesting a simple code-only algorithm may suffice for many research applications. Conclusions: Simple code-only phenotyping algorithms for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can identify case populations with epidemiologic and genetic profiles consistent with published literature. Implementation of this phenotyping algorithm will expand opportunities for clinical research and pragmatic trials for COPD.
Ventilator Weaning and Extubation Strategies for Children with PARDS

This chapter will provide an overview of strategies for achieving the ultimate goal of discontinuing ventilator support in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Topics covered include how clinicians can determine whether children are ready to be assessed for extubation readiness, the indications for ventilator weaning and which ventilator and patient parameters to evaluate, and use of spontaneous awakening and spontaneous breathing trials. A review of ventilator modes commonly used in the process of weaning is provided. In some patients, ventilator liberation is facilitated by a tracheostomy. Use of ventilator weaning and extubation protocols is increasingly common across pediatric intensive care units. Multiple criteria can be used for assessing readiness for extubation in infants and children. Use of noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, and other respiratory supports can optimize extubation success.
X-ray tomography of internal components of the NBS-1 photo-neutron source (Conference Presentation)

The NBS-1 photo-neutron source is the primary standard for neutron calibrations in the United States of America. The source is constructed from 1 g of radium in a RaBr2 salt contained in a Pt-Ir capsule located in the geometric center of a 4 cm beryllium sphere. Since the source was fabricated in 1949, it is desirable to determine the integrity of the capsule and current geometry of the radium salt. Several challenges are presented in inspecting the source such as the high-Z materials used for the capsule which make X-ray tomography challenging with lower keV generators and the radioactive material which creates an intense neutron and gamma radiation fields. The radiation emitted from the source makes it impractical to move the source to a capable imaging facility and makes it difficult to work with as it is not possible to handle directly. To overcome these issues and allow for a feasibility study, a dummy source has been constructed using PbBr2 powder. This talk will provide background on the dummy source and the results of the feasibility study to determine if it possible to relocate a current X-ray system to the neutron calibration facility to inspect the NBS-1 source.
Preparing Teachers and Learners

All credible teaching requires preparation. Initially, the faculty should develop a global curriculum that identifies the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will inform the standards that each student must achieve prior to the granting of a diploma. After school-wide acceptance of the standards, the faculty is then challenged to become consistent in evaluating student performance. Active and integrated learning, as the major pedagogical approach across the curriculum, requires that teachers yield some individual autonomy and control to develop a more collaborative learning environment.
Using Virtual Simulation to Develop Clinical Judgment in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract Background Pediatric clinical facilities have become oversaturated and increasingly restrictive, limiting student exposure to acutely ill children. It is imperative to find alternative methods to provide opportunities for students to work with high-acuity patients, which assist in developing clinical judgment. The sample consisted of participants including 234 students enrolled in child health in a baccalaureate nursing degree program. Methods This repeated measures pilot study used the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric to evaluate the effect of a virtual simulation on students' self-perceived clinical judgment skills. Results Improved clinical judgment was illustrated by students' ability to obtain minimal simulation scores in fewer attempts. Student self-perception of clinical judgment abilities was demonstrated by improved clinical judgment scores. Study results show statistically significant findings in attempts and in student self-perception of their clinical judgment abilities. Conclusion Findings suggest that virtual simulation is beneficial to student learning and the development of clinical judgment skills.
Spatiotemporal regularization for inverse ECG modeling

Advanced sensing such as the wearable sensor network provides an unprecedented opportunity to capture a wealth of information pertinent to space-time electrical activity of the heart, and facilitat...
Time-Optimal Trajectory Generation for Path Following with Bounded Acceleration and Velocity

This paper presents a novel method to generate the time-optimal trajectory that exactly follows a given differentiable joint-space path within given bounds on joint accelerations and velocities. We also present a path preprocessing method to make nondifferentiable paths differentiable by adding circular blends. We introduce improvements to existing work that make the algorithm more robust in the presence of numerical inaccuracies. Furthermore we validate our methods on hundreds of randomly generated test cases on simulated and real 7-DOF robot arms. Finally, we provide open source software that implements our algorithms.
CRISPY-BRED and CRISPY-BRIP: efficient bacteriophage engineering

Genome engineering of bacteriophages provides opportunities for precise genetic dissection and for numerous phage applications including therapy. However, few methods are available for facile construction of unmarked precise deletions, insertions, gene replacements and point mutations in bacteriophages for most bacterial hosts. Here we describe CRISPY-BRED and CRISPY-BRIP, methods for efficient and precise engineering of phages in Mycobacterium species, with applicability to phages of a variety of other hosts. This recombineering approach uses phage-derived recombination proteins and Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR-Cas9.
Multimodal Brain Tumor Segmentation and Survival Prediction Using a 3D Self-ensemble ResUNet

In this paper, we propose a 3D self-ensemble ResUNet (srUNet) deep neural network architecture for brain tumor segmentation and machine learning-based method for overall survival prediction of patients with gliomas. UNet architecture has been using for semantic image segmentation. It also been used for medical imaging segmentation, including brain tumor segmentation. In this work, we utilize the srUNet to differentiate brain tumors, then the segmented tumors are used for survival prediction. We apply the proposed method to the Multimodal Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge (BraTS) 2020 validation dataset for both tumor segmentation and survival prediction. The tumor segmentation result shows dice score coefficient (DSC) of 0.7634, 0.899, and 0.816 for enhancing tumor (ET), whole tumor (WT), and tumor core (TC), respectively. For the survival prediction method, we achieve 56.4% classification accuracy with mean square error (MSE) 101697, and 55.2% accuracy with MSE 56169 for training and validation, respectively. In the testing phase, the proposed method offers the DSC of 0.786, 0.881, and 0.823, for ET, WT, and TC, respectively. It also achieves an accuracy of 0.43 for overall survival prediction.
Insight into resident burnout, mental wellness, and coping mechanisms early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Acute augmentation of stress and disruption of training, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, may impact resident wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: We investigated how residents in various specialties in the United States were impacted by COVID-19 on mental wellbeing and resilience levels, and the methodology for coping with the stress incurred. METHODS: In April 2020, the authors electronically surveyed 200 residency programs of all specialties nationally. The survey utilized two validated questionnaires to assess wellbeing and resilience, while investigating demographics and coping mechanisms. The authors used student t-test and ANOVA to quantitatively analyze the data. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1115 respondents (with an 18% response rate). Male gender & Age >39 years were associated with more favorable average well-being indices (both p<0.01). Regarding resources, institutional support (IS) appeared favorable for resident well-being (IS 2.74, SD1.96 vs NoIS 3.71, SD2.29, p<0.01) & resilience (IS 3.72, SD0.70 vs NoIS 3.53, SD0.73, p = 0.05). The effects of mindfulness practices (MP) were not statistically significant for improvement of wellness (MP 2.87, SD 1.99 vs No MP 2.76, SD 2.15, p = 0.85) or resilience (MP 3.71, SD 0.70 vs No MP 3.72, SD 0.68, p = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the critical importance of resident mental status in cases of augmented stress situations. Institutional support may contribute to promotion of resident wellbeing.
Categorical Framework for Complex Organizational Networks: Understanding the Effects of Types, Size, Layers, Dynamics and Dimensions

Organizational network modeling can exhibit complexity in many forms to embrace the reality of an organization’s processes and capabilities. Networks enable modelers to account for many structural and attributional elements of organizations in ways that can be more powerful than statistical data mining methods or stochastic models. However, the price paid for this increased modeling strength can come in the form of increased complexity, sensitivity and fragility. Traditional network methods and measures can be sensitive to changing, unknown, or inaccurate topology; fragile to dynamic and algorithmic processing; and computationally stressed when incorporating high-dimensional data. Sensitivity and fragility of network models can be managed by setting boundaries around network states, within which specific geometries and topologies can be robustly measured. We propose a categorical framework that identifies such boundaries and develops appropriate modeling methodology and measuring tools for various categories of organizational networks. Categorization of networks along important dimensions such as type, size, layers, dynamics and dimensions provide boundaries of paradigm shifts (from a social scientific perspective) or phase transitions (from physical sciences) – points at which the fundamental properties or dynamics of the networks change. Not adjusting for these categorical issues can lead to poor methodology, flawed analysis, and deficient results. The purpose of our work is to: 1) develop a framework to enable the construction of a network organizational modeling theory, and 2) identify measures, methods and tools that are appropriate for specific categories (and inappropriate for others) within this field of study. We believe that such a framework can help guide underlying theory and serve as a basis for further formalization of network studies.
Distributed Peer-to-Peer Control in Harness

Harness is an adaptable fault-tolerant virtual machine environment for next-generation heterogeneous distributed computing developed as a follow on to PVM. It additionally enables the assembly of applications from plug-ins and provides fault-tolerance. This work describes the distributed control, which manages global state replication to ensure a high-availability of service. Group communication services achieve an agreement on an initial global state and a linear history of global state changes at all members of the distributed virtual machine. This global state is replicated to all members to easily recover from single, multiple and cascaded faults. A peer-to-peer ring network architecture and tunable multi-point failure conditions provide heterogeneity and scalability. Finally, the integration of the distributed control into the multi-threaded kernel architecture of Harness offers a fault-tolerant global state database service for plug-ins and applications.
Hybrid CMOS/molecular Electronic Circuits

CMOS silicon technologies are likely to run out of steam in the next 10-15 years despite revolutionary advances in the past few decades. Molecular and other nano-scale technologies show significant promise but it is unlikely that they will completely replace CMOS, at least in the near term. This paper explores hybrid CMOS/molecular alternatives with an emphasis on better explaining the geometrical aspects of “angled” interfacing schemes between the CMOS substrate and the molecular layers on top.
Delayed recurrence of sinonasal rhinosporidiosis

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease endemic to Sri Lanka, the Indian subcontinent and certain areas in Africa. Isolated cases have also been reported worldwide, but a number of these are felt to represent host migration from an endemic country. Infectionmost commonly affectsmucusmembranes of the nasal cavity, conjunctiva, nasopharynx, oral cavity, and external genitalia. Reports have also described cutaneous and upper airway involvement. Laryngotracheal involvement ismore likely due to direct spillage of spores from the nasopharynx into the larynx during episodes of bleeding or surgical manipulation. Systemic involvement has been reported, but appears to be extremely rare [1,2]. The life cycle and taxonomy of the causative agent, Rhinosporidium seeberi, remain incompletely understood and controversial [3]. This is largely due to limitations in growing the organism in culturemedia.Medical therapy options have also been largely unsuccessful to date and the primary treatment modality involves surgical excision withmedical therapy used selectively as anadjunct to surgery.Anatomicandsurgical relatedconsiderations are largely based on the location and extent of the lesion. The primary goal of surgery is to clear all involvedmucosal surfaces. A number of clinical challenges exist in the diagnosis and management of this disorder including the potential for delayed presentation, disease recurrence and local tissue destruction.Wepresent a caseof apatientwhohadbothadelayed initial presentationanda subsequent delayed recurrence. The implications of the current case on treatment and surveillance for this lesion are discussed.
The forest fragment classic

Twenty years ago a unique ecological experiment was set up, to monitor the effects of a rapid influx of people into one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world — the Amazon. Scientists have now met in Manau, Brazil, to discuss the results of this experiment. They conclude that of the two questions that caused controversy back in 1978, only one — that of forest edge effects — is still relevant.
Ultrastructural and biochemical properties of the 120-kDa form of chick kinectin

Kinectin, an integral membrane protein (160 kDa), was identified as a kinesin-binding protein. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of kinectin cDNA indicated an alpha-helical coiled-coil structure from amino acid 320 to 1310. A 120-kDa kinectin has been observed consistently, and N-terminal sequencing showed that 232 amino acids were missing from the N terminus of full-length kinectin. 120-kDa kinectin was distributed in the supernatant and a low density fraction of vesicles, whereas both forms were in the high density fraction of vesicles. In the electron microscope, the 120-kDa form appeared as a linear molecule of 133 nm in length. In hydrodynamic studies, the cytosolic 120-kDa kinectin was a dimer. Monoclonal antibody molecules (anti-kinectin KR160.9) bound asymmetrically to kinectin often with two antibodies/kinectin, indicative of a parallel coiled-coil. Metabolic labeling with [3H]myristic acid showed that both the 120- and 160-kDa kinectin are myristoylated in chick embryo fibroblasts. The myristoylation of 120-kDa kinectin may provide a mechanism for linking it to a low density fraction of vesicles. Immunoprecipitation with a 160-kDa kinectin-specific antibody brought down the 120-kDa kinectin. Thus, we suggest that kinectin is an extended parallel coiled-coil dimer, often a heterodimer.
Creating a framework for diagnosing the benign gastric biopsy

This article summarizes an approach to the interpretation of benign gastric biopsies. The entities discussed are divided according to their dominant histological features. Not all entities are discussed, but the ones chosen are illustrative of major gastric pathologies. Thus they are grouped according to the nature of the inflammation present, or the lack thereof. They are representative of the major types of acquired benign gastric pathologies that will be encountered in gastric biopsies and include examples of gastritis, gastropathies, ulcerating diseases, giant fold disease, polypoid lesions and vascular disorders.
Ventricular systolic and diastolic impairment during pacing-induced myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease: Simultaneous hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and radionuclide angiographic evaluation

This study examined the impairment in systolic and diastolic performance of both ventricles during pacing-induced myocardial ischemia in 12 men with coronary artery disease. Simultaneous hemodynamic, ECG, and radionuclide angiographic assessments were made: pre pacing (pre-P); intermediate pacing (P-1); maximum pacing (P-2); and immediately after pacing (post pacing (P-P). The prepacing measurements were made with the patient in the supine position and during leg elevation. Pacing produced a leftward and upward shift in the diastolic pressure-volume relation, a progressive decrease in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (p < 0.003) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (p < 0.01), concomitant with an increase in the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (p < 0.004) and the right atrial pressure (p < 0.04). The shift in the LV pressure-volume relation was associated with an initial increase (P-1), followed by a decrease (P-2) in the peak filling rate (p < 0.001). Pacing also resulted in systolic dysfunction: abnormal LV ejection fraction responses in eight patients, LV regional wall motion abnormalities in eight patients, and abnormal RV ejection fraction responses in seven patients. Leg elevation resulted in a 7% increase in cardiac output, a 20% increase in RV end-diastolic volume, a 28% increase in right atrial pressure, a 29% increase in pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and a 10% increase in LV end-diastolic volume (p < 0.05). Thus, the ischemic response to pacing results in systolic and diastolic LV and RV dysfunction, with the diastolic impairment being more frequent than the systolic impairment.
Topological Links between Duplex DNA and a Circular DNA Single Strand.

DNA nanostructures of building blocks topologically linked at a precise position can be assembled from DNA duplexes and circularized oligonucleotides with the aid of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). Shown schematically is a linked catenane yielding an earring topological DNA label.
Sulfur/carbon ratios and extractable organic matter of the middle proterozoic nonesuch formation, north american midcontinent rift

Abstract The Nonesuch Formation (ca. 1.1 Ga), host to the White Pine copper deposit, is a generally organic-rich unit of relatively wide extent. Selected strata, away from mineralization, were analyzed for their organic carbon and total sulfur contents and for the amount and composition of extractable organic matter. Sulfur to carbon ratios are covariant, but the ratios of total sulfur to organic carbon are generally higher than those found for marine Phanerozoic black shales deposited under oxic bottom water conditions. The sulfur to carbon ratios and the intimate association fo framboidal pyrite and organic matter are suggested to be the result of bacterial sulfate reduction in the Nonesuch sediments. Activity of sulfate reducing bacteria requires a supply of sulfate in the water column and implies that the depositional environment was not a low-sulfate aqueous environment. A marine embayment dominated more by sea water than riverine input is suggested as the environment of deposition based on the correlation of total sulfur and organic carbon, the relatively high total sulfur content, and on the absence of sedimentologic and geochemical criteria for saline lacustrine environments. Deposition of highly reactive organic matter in low concentrations coupled with high concentrations of reactive iron and the absence of bioturbation resulted in unusually efficient pyrite formation. Extractable organic matter in unmineralized Nonesuch strata is interpreted to be autochthonous in origin. Homologous series of n-alkanes and cyclohexyl alkanes, regular isoprenoids and monomethyl-branched alkanes were identified by gas chromatography. Ratios of pristane/phytane, pristane/n-C17 and phytane/n-C18 suggest relatively low thermal maturity for the overall unit with a slight increase in the level of thermal maturity from Michigan westward to Wisconsin. The aliphatic character and high extractability of organic matter indicate that the petroleum potential of the Nonesuch Formation will be good to excellent if the organic-rich facies thicken down-dip under Lake Superior or into the southern extension of the rift.
A link prediction based unsupervised rank aggregation algorithm for informative gene selection

Informative Gene Selection is the process of identifying relevant genes that are significantly and differentially expressed in biological procedures. The microarray experiments conducted for this purpose usually implement only less than a hundred of samples to rank the relevance of over thousands of genes. Many irrelevant genes thus may gain statistical importance due to the randomness caused by the small sample problem, while relevant genes may lose focus in the same way. Overcoming such a problem goes beyond what a single microarray dataset can offer and stresses the use of multiple experiment results, which is defined as rank aggregation. In this paper, we propose a novel link prediction based rank aggregation algorithm for the purpose of informative gene selection. Each rank is transferred into a fully connected and weighted network, in which the nodes represent genes and the weights of links stand for priorities between connected nodes (genes). The integration of multiple gene ranks is then formulated as an optimization problem of link prediction on multiple networks, with criterion function favoring the maximization of weighted consensus among each network. We solve the problem through iterative estimation of weights and maximization of consensus among them. In the experimental evaluation, we demonstrate our method on the Prostate Cancer Dataset and compare it with other baseline methods. The results show that our link prediction based rank aggregation method remarkably outperforms all the compared methods, which proves the effectiveness of our framework in finding informative genes from multiple microarray experimental results.
Effect of ammonia on GABA uptake and release in cultured astrocytes.

Abstract While the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is unclear, there is evidence of enhanced GABAergic neurotransmission in this condition. Ammonia is believed to play a major pathogenetic role in HE. To determine whether ammonia might contribute to abnormalities in GABAergic neurotransmission, its effects on GABA uptake and release were studied in cultured astrocytes, cells that appear to be targets of ammonia neurotoxicity. Acutely, ammonium chloride (5 mM) inhibited GABA uptake by 30%, and by 50–60% after 4-day treatment. GABA uptake inhibition was associated with a predominant decrease in Vmax; the Km was also decreased. Ammonia also enhanced GABA release after 4-day treatment, although such release was initially inhibited. These effects of ammonia (inhibition of GABA uptake and enhanced GABA release) may elevate extracellular levels of GABA and contribute to a dysfunction of GABAergic neurotransmission in HE and other hyperammonemic states.
Direct Mechanochemical Formation of Metal Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes

Silver nanoparticles of small average diameter (<5 nm) and rather narrow size distribution rapidly formed on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes in a simple mechanochemical process in which silver acetate was ball-milled with the nanotubes for only a few minutes. The outcome was achieved in the absence of any solvent, any additional reducing agents, or applied electrical current. This simple method was found to be readily applicable to not only carbon nanotubes of various diameters, but also other carbon and noncarbon substrates that are thermally conductive. Different organic metal salts (e.g., gold and palladium acetates and platinum acetylacetonate) were also successfully applied in similar procedures to obtain the corresponding metal−nanotube nanohybrids. The reported mechanochemical process for the preparation of metal nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes is rapid, versatile, and potentially scalable, making it useful for further exploitation in a variety of applications.
ACTIN DYNAMICS IN VIVO

Actin dynamics in lamellipodia are driven by continuous cycles of actin polymerization, retrograde flow, and depolymerization. In the past year, advances have been made in identifying signaling pathways that regulate actin-filament uncapping and polymerization, in determining the role of myosin motor proteins in retrograde flow, and in evaluating the role of severing proteins in actin depolymerization. Both Listeria monocytogenes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have emerged as powerful model organisms for studying actin dynamics in cells.
The Effect of Unions and Organized Civil Society on Social Policy: Pension and Health Reforms in Argentina and Brazil, 1988–2008

This article shows how modified European power resources theories can be applied to Latin America to explain differences in the depth of policy reforms. It innovates on previous work on Latin American social policy by particularly examining the effect of unions and other civil society groups on the process of structural reforms (or lack thereof) in the health and pension sectors in Argentina and Brazil. Through a most similar system design, this analysis shows that the strength and support (or opposition) of organized civil society groups is a crucial condition to account for the enactment (or failure) of a given broad policy reform.
The Structure of Mesophases of Cholesteryl Esters

Abstract The mesophases and the isotropic melt phase of several cholesteryl esters of saturated aliphatic acids have been studied by X-ray diffraction. The data are presented and briefly analyzed in terms of the angular position of the diffraction lines, their intensity, their integral width, and their shape. Both the cholesteric and the smectic phases are characterized by layerstructures with the long molecular axes perpendicular to the layers. Within the layers of the mesophases, the molecules are arranged anti-parallel to each other; the lateral order is nearly random. The isotropic phase is also characterized by groups of parallel molecules. Just above the temperature of transition into this phase, the molecules are still in their extended form.
Characterization Of A Submicron Image Reversal Process

The complete characterization of a resist imaging process is critical to it's success in a production environment. AZ-5214 resist in image reversal mode offers a single layer process that appears to be viable for submicron processing. It does, however exhibit some unique problems that had to be solved during process development. These are: 1) an extreme sensitivity to processing delays, 2) undercut profiles on reflective metal surfaces and 3) different dry etch characteristics. In this development effort the key advantages of image reversal were: reduced proximity effects, higher resolution, vertical resist profiles, as well as greater exposure latitude. AZ-5214 used in image reversal mode is very sensitive to any change in delay time during the processing sequence. In each case increased delay time causes growth in linewidth. This change in dimension is most significant right after the exposure and bake steps. The problem can be minimized by employing a stabilization time after softbake and exposure. Integrating the reversal bake, flood expose, and develop sequence in a single track is also necessary for consistent dimensional control. Negative tone processing of AZ-5214 resist exhibits undercut profiles at the resist metal interface. Metals with different reflectivity such as aluminum, moly, and Ti/W all demonstrate this problem. The use of anti-reflection layers provide vertical profiles at the expense of increased process complexity. Layers that have shown good results are PE/CVD nitride and PE/CVD oxide. The process characterization data includes: exposure and focus latitude for a range of feature sizes, proximity effect data for dense and isolated features, linewidth uniformity after etch, and dwell time latitude. Also included are the results of daily particle counts over a four month period.
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of allyl, phenyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl germatranes with aryl iodides

The potential of using organogermatranes in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryl iodides has been investigated. We have found that organogermatranes are less reactive in this analogue of Stille coupling than trialkylorganostannanes; nevertheless activation by fluoride promotes the reaction. The hypervalent germanium species produced from the germatranes provide a more efficient and more easily handled reagent than trialkoxygermanium analogues.
Inhibition of actin filament movement by monoclonal antibodies against the motor domain of myosin

Conformational transitions in defined regions of the motor domain of skeletal muscle myosin involved in ATP hydrolysis, actin binding and motility were probed with monoclonal antibodies. Competition binding assays demonstrate that three different monoclonal antibodies react with spatially related sites on the myosin heavy chain. One recognizes a sequential epitope between residues 65 and 80 and has no effect on actin filament movement in an in vitro motility assay despite tight binding to myosin and acto-S1. The other two monoclonal antibodies react with sequential epitopes between residues 29 and 60 and both inhibit actin filament movement. A fourth monoclonal antibody reacts with the N-terminus of the heavy chain (residues 1–12) at a spatially distinct site on the myosin head and also inhibits actin filament movement. These four monoclonal antibodies have been mapped by immunoelectron microscopy to the large, actin binding region of the myosin head; however, the antibody binding sites remain accessible on rigor complexes of acto-S1. Thus, this group of monoclonal antibodies identify sequential epitopes in a mobile segment of the myosin heavy chain. In addition, two conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies are described that are affected by ATP and actin binding to myosin S1, and display distinct and marked inhibitory effects on actin filament movement. In contrast, an anti-light chain monoclonal antibody that binds near the myosin head-rod junction has little effect on the number and velocity of moving actin filaments. These results identify mobile regions on the myosin head that are perturbed by antibody binding and that may be linked to force production and motion.
Endpoint temperature, internal cooked color, and expressible juice color relationships in ground beef patties

Ground beef patties from A- and E-maturity carcasses and imported trimmings were cooked to 55 to 77 o C. Internal patty color became less red as endpoint temperature increased. However, some patties cooked to lower temperatures turned brown prematurely. Visual evaluation of internal patty color was not an accurate indicator of patty doneness. Raw material source had little effect on internal patty color. Expressible juices from imported trimmings were less red than those from A-and E-maturity carcasses. Expressible juice became less red and more yellow with increasing endpoint temperature; however, expressible juice never «ran clear.» A more appropriate guideline would be «cook until juices lack redness»
Young children's companion animal bonding and adults' pet attitudes: a retrospective study.

Adults' attitudes toward pets were related to their ages when they had their first pets and the bonds they formed with their most important pets. Contemporary pet attitudes were more strongly related to childhood bonding scores than contemporary bonding scores. Adults' contemporary attitudes toward pets were positively correlated with their retrospective childhood Companion Animal Bonding scores. The Companion Animal Semantic Differential pet attitude measures were also most positive for those who had a first pet when they were younger than 6 yr. and least positive for those who had a first pet when they were over 10 yr. old. The childhood bonding scores were more predictive of contemporary pet attitudes than contemporary bonding scores. No significant differences were found between pet owners and nonowners.
Antihistaminic agents in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Abstract Antihistaminic therapy failed to cure recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The peripheral blood eosinophile count in recurrent aphthous stomatitis remained within normal limits.
How to Defeat Opposition to Moore

What modal relation must a fact bear to a belief in order for this belief to constitute knowledge of that fact? Externalists have proposed various answers, including some that combine externalism with contextualism. We shall find that various forms of externalism share a modal conception of "sensitivity" open to serious objections. Fortunately, the undeniable intuitive attractiveness of this conception can be explained through an easily confused but far preferable notion of "safety." The denouement of our reflections, finally, will be to show how replacing sensitivity with safety makes it possible to defend plain Moorean common sense against the spurious advantages over it claimed by skeptical, tracking, relevant-alternative, and contextualist accounts.
Synthesis of Ascorbic Acid by the Normal Fat-Body of the Cockroach, Leucophaea maderae (F.), and by its Symbionts

Filosa1, Cordero2 and Rousell3 found that homogenates of the normal fat-body of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, can synthesize ascorbic acid with D-mannose as the substrate. Similar results were obtained by Lisa4 with the fat body of the normal cockroach, Leucophaea maderae. Since the fat-body of these insects contains intra-cellular symbionts, it was suspected that the synthesis of this vitamin may be due to the presence of these micro-organisms. Hence, the present experiments were performed with the aposymbiotic fat-body and the symbionts of Leucophaea maderae to determine whether or not this is the case.
Nine new species of Dichogaster (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Nine species belonging to two distinct groups within the genus Dichogaster Beddard, 1888 are described from material collected on the volcanic section of the island of Guadeloupe. The species Dichogaster arborea, D. caesitifusca, D. callaina, D. girija and D. basseterrensis all inhabit the leaf tanks of bromeliads and share the following anatomical characteristics: spermathecal pores on the trailing edges of segments, spermathecal axis differentiated into ampulla, internally fluted central chamber and duct, penial setae long and slender, testes and funnels free, prostomium undivided or divided by two grooves, simple single typhlosole and a pair of dorsal caeca on the mid-intestine. Dichogaster athena also inhabits bromeliads, but lacks the above characteristics and male reproductive organs, and is more similar to the remaining species. The three remaining species, D. guadeloupensis, D. matoubensis and D. musciphila, with lateral typhlosoles, no intestinal caeca, simpler spermathecal structure, prostomiums divided by a single groove and short penial setae, all inhabit soils of montane forests. The division of Dichogaster based on muscularity of the proventriculus wall is shown to be unsupportable, since thickness of the wall is size-related.
The relationship of fatigue and meaning in life in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine relationships among (a) cancer-related fatigue and meaning in life, (b) overall symptom distress and meaning in life, (c) fatigue and performance, and (d) overall symptom distress and performance in breast cancer survivors. DESIGN Cross-sectional and correlational. SETTING Community-based setting in eastern Pennsylvania. SAMPLE 34 women who had completed their last treatment for breast cancer within the prior 16 months. METHODS Data were collected using the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R), Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF), and Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 36 (SF-36). MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Fatigue and meaning in life. FINDINGS One moderate negative correlation was found between the PFS sensory subscale and the choice or responsibleness dimension of the LAP-R. Significant moderate to strong negative correlations were found between the MSAS-SF total score and two subscale scores and the existential transcendence dimension of the LAP-R. Significant moderate to strong negative correlations were found between four subscales of the SF-36 representing performance and the MSAS-SF total score. CONCLUSIONS Meaning in life may influence fatigue and overall symptoms in breast cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Assessment of meaning in life may be important in the management of fatigue and overall symptoms in women after treatment for breast cancer.
Platelet DNA polymerase levels in CML: implications for oncogenesis.

Abstract Partially purified platelet DNA polymerase (PDP) was able to synthesize DNA transcripts of platelet polyadenylated RNA. PDP was elevated in the earliest stages of CML and PV. In PV, successful chemotherapy resulted in rapid return of PDP to normal levels while in CML this was not the case. An hypothesis is presented proposing that PDP contributes to oncogenesis by regulating the expression of oncogenes.
Cytokeratin15-Positive Basal Epithelial Cells Targeted in Graft-Versus-Host Disease Express a Constitutive Antiapoptotic Phenotype

The normal gene expression profile of rete-tip keratinocytes targeted in human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains unexplored. Murine lingual epithelium, unlike murine skin, consists of a basal layer that resembles human cutaneous rete ridges and harbors rete tip-associated cells that express cytokeratin 15 (K15), a marker for epithelial stem cells. Target cell apoptosis in murine GVHD preferentially involves subpopulations of basal cells that (1) reside at tips of lingual rete ridge-like prominences (RLPs), (2) constitutively express K15 protein, (3) express the proapoptotic protein Bax early in disease progression, and (4) coincide spatially with putative epithelial stem cells. Here, we show by real-time reverse transcription-PCR that immunohistochemistry-guided laser-captured K15-positive (K15+) murine basal cells constitutively express quantitatively higher mRNA levels for K15 but lower mRNA levels of Bax than do K15- basal cells, consistent with the presumed stem cell nature of K15+ basal cells. Moreover, apoptosis gene array screening of K15+ microdissected basal cells demonstrated a dominant trend toward the preferential expression of genes associated with protection from apoptosis. Accordingly, genes that regulate apoptotic vulnerability are differentially expressed in basal layer subpopulations distinguishable by K15 expression.
Shorter pulse generator longevity and more frequent stimulator adjustments with pallidal DBS for dystonia versus other movement disorders.

Abstract Background Deep brain stimulation has become a routine therapy for movement disorders, but it is relatively invasive and costly. Although stimulation intensity relates to battery longevity, less is known about how diagnosis and stimulation target contribute to this clinical outcome. Here we evaluate battery longevity in movement disorders patients who were treated at a tertiary referral center. Objective To compare single channel pulse generator longevity in patients with movement disorders. Methods With Institutional Review Board approval, we evaluated 470 consecutive Soletra implants for routine care. Battery longevity was estimated with Kaplan–Meier analyses, and group comparisons were performed with the log rank mean test. The frequency of clinic encounters for ongoing care was evaluated across diagnoses with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The mean pulse generator longevity was 44.9 ± 1.4 months. Pallidal DBS for dystonia was associated with shorter battery longevity than subthalamic and thalamic DBS for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor (28.1 ± 2.1 versus 47.1 ± 1.8 and 47.8 ± 2.6 months, respectively, mean ± standard error, P F = 6.0, P = 0.003). Pallidal DBS for Parkinson's disease and thalamic DBS for cerebellar outflow tremor were associated with shorter battery longevity, as well (35.3 ± 4.6 and 26.4 ± 4.3 months, respectively). Conclusions Pallidal DBS for dystonia was associated with shorter battery longevity and more frequent stimulator adjustments versus DBS for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. Characteristics of the stimulation target and disease pathophysiology both likely contribute to battery longevity in patients with movement disorders.