cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The epidemiology of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the 1990s

Since the recognition of AIDS in 1981, it has become a global pandemic afflicting more than 6 million people worldwide. To date, more than 22 million people are infected with HIV-1, the cause of AIDS, and more than 40 million people may be infected with HIV by the year 2000. In the United States, AIDS has become the leading cause of death in young men and the fourth leading cause of death in young women. HIV is primarily transmitted sexually, parenterally, and perinatally, with increasing evidence of heterosexual transmission in the United States and worldwide. Factors associated with transmission and susceptibility to HIV are discussed, and the natural history of HIV and means of intervention are detailed in this article.
Study of Adhesive Bonding and Bond Failure Surface Using ISS-SIMS

Frequently it is not easy using visual or even microscopic examination of an adhesive joint to determine after physical testing whether an apparent adhesive failure occurred at the original interface due to improper wetting or at some new interface leaving behind a thin layer of adhesive. Elemental analysis techniques such as ion scattering spectrometry (ISS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are capable of determining the locus of failure in an adhesive joint. The use of ISS and SIMS in combination is shown for investigating adhesive bonding phenomena. The operating parameters as well as advantages and disadvantages of each are summarized. ISS-SIMS data are shown for two adherend surfaces which broke in a lap shear test by apparent cohesive failure in both adhesive and adherend. Data are also shown for failure surfaces from peel test and thin adherend double cantilever beam (wedge test) specimens.
Engaging Families in School-Based Mental Health Treatment

Increasing populations of students are unprepared for learning due to emotional or behavioral problems. Yet, school-based mental health services are fragmented, marginalized, and underutilized. Despite the federal mandate to improve all student achievement and an increased ability to identify students needing mental health services, school-based mental health services are noticeably absent from school reform initiatives. The research clearly shows family involvement in school-based mental health services is effective in improving student academic performance. By understanding barriers to school-based mental health counseling services and strategies for increasing family enrollment and retention, mental health counselors can help increase students' academic readiness and the integration of mental health services into the structure of the nation's schools.
A nojenta prole da rainha Ginga, em parte aos homens semelhante. Bocage e a representaçáo de negros e afro-descendentes no neoclassicismo português

O discurso assumido por alguns poemas de Bocage faz, no final do seculo XVIII, uma representacao bastante marcada de africanos, o que permite indagar qual o sentido que essa representacao pode assumir nos contextos literario e social em que se inseria. Com algumas diferencas, tanto os ataques satiricos ao poeta brasileiro Domingos Caldas Barbosa quanto os personagens criados para os poemas pornograficos constroem uma mesma topica: reducao do sujeito a seu corpo e apagamento dos tracos de humanidade. O que se testemunha e o estabelecimento de um lugar decoroso para os africanos e afro-descendentes que estao gradativamente ocupando lugares de destaque na sociedade portuguesa.
Primary CNS lymphoma initially diagnosed as vasculitis.

Purpose of review A vasculitic pattern of injury seen on brain biopsy can be attributed to a multitude of primary or secondary disorders, leading to diagnostic challenges for clinicians. Recent findings This report describes the clinical presentation and histopathologic findings in 2 patients who initially received a diagnosis of primary CNS vasculitis, but did not show long-term response to treatment. In both cases, a second biopsy was performed, and the final diagnosis was primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). Summary Analyzing diagnostically challenging cases can increase recognition of PCNSL and improve outcomes in this rare condition.
Environmental Justice Activism: A Transformative, Contemporary Nature Religion

Our in-depth study of 12, spiritual but not religious (SBNR), participants arrested to protect nature as sacred presents a case to consider the religious and spiritual meanings of contemporary environmental and ecology movements. Through a lived religious approach to participants’ narratives of environmental justice (ENVJ) activism, this paper identified four themes—reconstructing self and nature, re-envisioning social and moral life, living with vulnerability, and practices of spiritual and cultural work—whose meanings evidenced transformative spiritual effects on participants identity, ethics, coping, and ways of participating in society. Findings present a case to argue that although ENVJ activism resembles a SBNR phenomenon and satisfies criteria of an implicit religion, it most closely aligns with a contemporary nature religion whose substantive essence is an immanent sense of nature as sacred.
Propranolol Relieves L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinsonian Mice.

Background: Parkinsonism is caused by dopamine (DA) insufficiency and results in a hypokinetic movement disorder. Treatment with L-Dopa can restore DA availability and improve motor function, but patients can develop L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), a secondary hyperkinetic movement disorder. The mechanism underlying LID remains unknown, and new treatments are needed. Experiments in mice have shown that DA deficiency promotes an imbalance between striatal acetylcholine (ACh) and DA that contributes to motor dysfunction. While treatment with L-Dopa improves DA availability, it promotes a paradoxical rise in striatal ACh and a further increase in the ACh to DA ratio may promote LID. Methods: We used conditional Slc6a3DTR/+ mice to model progressive DA deficiency and the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist propranolol to limit the activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs). DA-deficient mice were treated with L-Dopa and the dopa decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide. LID and motor performance were assessed by rotarod, balance beam, and open field testing. Electrophysiological experiments characterized the effects of β-AR ligands on striatal ChIs. Results: LID was observed in a subset of DA-deficient mice. Treatment with propranolol relieved LID and motor hyperactivity. Electrophysiological experiments showed that β-ARs can effectively modulate ChI firing. Conclusions: The work suggests that pharmacological modulation of ChIs by β-ARs might provide a therapeutic option for managing LID.
Postdischarge Opioid Use after Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background As America’s third highest opioid prescribers, orthopedic surgeons have contributed to the opioid abuse crisis. This study evaluated opioid use after primary total joint replacement. We hypothesized that patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) use fewer opioids than patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and that both groups use fewer opioids than prescribed. Methods A prospective study of 110 patients undergoing primary THA or TKA by surgeons at an academic center during 2018 was performed. All were prescribed oxycodone 5 mg, 84 tablets, without refills. Demographics, medical history, and operative details were collected. Pain medication consumption and patient-reported outcomes were collected at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Analysis of variance was performed on patient and surgical variables. Results Sixty-one patients scheduled for THA and 49 for TKA were included. THA patients consumed significantly fewer opioids than TKA patients at 2 weeks (28.1 tablets vs 48.4, P = .0003) and 6 weeks (33.1 vs 59.3, P = .0004). Linear regression showed opioid use decreased with age at both time points (P = .0002). A preoperative mental health disorder was associated with higher usage at 2 weeks (58.3 vs 31.4, P Conclusions TKA patients required more pain medication than THA patients, and both groups received more opioids than necessary. In addition, younger patients and those with a preexisting mental health disorder required more pain medication. These data provide guidance on prescribing pain medication to help limit excess opioid distribution.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission is described. For the first six months, an all-sky survey will be carried out covering 90 to 750 A, or essentially the entire extreme ultraviolet (EUV) bandpass. This EUV survey will be made in four bands, or colors: λλ 90-150 A, 170-250 A, 400-600 A, and 550-750 A. A portion of the sky which is free from the normally intense 304 A geocoronal helium background will be surveyed at greater sensitivity; the wavelength coverage of this band is from 90 to 400 A. Following the sky survey portion of the mission, spectroscopy of individual sources will be carried out. Three spectrometers employing novel variable line-space gratings will provide spectra with ~1 A resolution over the band from 70 to 760 A. This spectroscopy will be carried out by guest observers chosen by NASA in a manner roughly analogous to the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE ) guest observer program.
How Pro-Social Purpose Agencies Define Themselves and Their Value: An Emerging Business Model in the Advertising-Agency World

Organizations across sectors are collaborating on social initiatives, taking political action, and using media platforms to speak out on a range of social issues. This study deals with the emerging...
Multilocus sequence data reveal dozens of putative cryptic species in a radiation of endemic Californian mygalomorph spiders (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Nemesiidae)

We use mitochondrial and multi-locus nuclear DNA sequence data to infer both species boundaries and species relationships within California nemesiid spiders. Higher-level phylogenetic data show that the California radiation is monophyletic and distantly related to European members of the genus Brachythele. As such, we consider all California nemesiid taxa to belong to the genus Calisoga Chamberlin, 1937. Rather than find support for one or two taxa as previously hypothesized, genetic data reveal Calisoga to be a species-rich radiation of spiders, including perhaps dozens of species. This conclusion is supported by multiple mitochondrial barcoding analyses, and also independent analyses of nuclear data that reveal general genealogical congruence. We discovered three instances of sympatry, and genetic data indicate reproductive isolation when in sympatry. An examination of female reproductive morphology does not reveal species-specific characters, and observed male morphological differences for a subset of putative species are subtle. Our coalescent species tree analysis of putative species lays the groundwork for future research on the taxonomy and biogeographic history of this remarkable endemic radiation.
Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgery. Mid-term results.

Atrial fibrillation is found in an increasing number of patients undergoing open heart surgery. It is associated with higher mortality rates, risk of stroke and left ventricular dysfunction. Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation has evolved from the complex“cut and sew” Maze procedure to less invasive techniques, utilizing alternative energy sources. We present our experience with left atrial radiofrequency ablation during cardiac surgery, outlining the technical aspects of the procedure and postoperative outcomes, with emphasis on mid-term freedom from atrial fibrillation. The study included 93 consecutive patients with history of atrial fibrillation scheduled for cardiac surgery between January 2008 and December 2011. Concomitant left atrial radiofrequency ablation was performed using monopolar (endocardial) or bipolar (epicardial) systems, depending on the type of underlying cardiac pathology. Duration of the atrial fibrillation, re-do surgery, low ejection fraction, advanced age, or giant left atria were not considered as contraindications. Of the included patients, 73.1 % were discharged in stable sinus rhythm. Overall freedom from atrial fibrillation was 69.6 % at late follow-up, which ranged from 12 to 48 months (median, 22 months) and did not differ for the two approaches (epicardial vs. endocardial). The presence of early atrial tachyarrhythmia was a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence (p = 0.026). Age was also associated with higher recurrence rates during hospital stay (p = 0.04), but not for late atrial fibrillation. Concomitant left atrial radiofrequency ablation conveyed satisfactory early and mid-term rhythm control, with acceptable postoperative outcomes, given the risk profile of our patient cohort.
Implementation of Computerized Physician Order Entry Is Associated With Increased Thrombolytic Administration for Emergency Department Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Study objective Electronic health record systems with computerized physician order entry and condition-specific order sets are intended to standardize patient management and minimize errors of omission. However, the effect of these systems on disease-specific process measures and patient outcomes is not well established. We seek to evaluate the effect of computerized physician order entry electronic health record implementation on process measures and short-term health outcomes for patients hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental cohort study of patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke with concurrent controls that took advantage of the staggered implementation of a comprehensive computerized physician order entry electronic health record across 16 medical centers within an integrated health care delivery system from 2007 to 2012. The study population included all patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department (ED) for acute ischemic stroke, with an initial neuroimaging study within 2.5 hours of ED arrival. We evaluated the association between the availability of a computerized physician order entry electronic health record and the rates of ED intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and inhospital and 90-day mortality, using doubly robust estimation models to adjust for demographics, comorbidities, secular trends, and concurrent primary stroke center certification status at each center. Results Of 10,081 eligible patients, 6,686 (66.3%) were treated in centers after the computerized physician order entry electronic health record had been implemented. Computerized physician order entry was associated with significantly higher rates of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration (rate difference 3.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.8% to 6.0%) but not with significant rate differences in pneumonia or mortality. Conclusion For patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke, computerized physician order entry use was associated with increased use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator.
Modeling time-sensitive information diffusion in online social networks

After a piece of information is released in Online Social Networks (OSNs), will it spread to the entire network or reach only a small population of users? In a time window of interest, how many users will forward or comment on this information? Limited effort has been made at this point to develop an effective model to address these issues, as the timesensitive nature of information spreading and the complexity of network structure make it a very challenging task. In this paper, we propose a continuous-time model for information diffusion with time-varying diffusion (infection) rate to address these issues, and provide an interface between our proposed model and the well-studied SI model with constant diffusion rate. We prove that there exists an elegant time-rescaling relationship between these two cases, such that any available result on the standard SI model can readily carry over to our time-varying case. We then show how the shape of the time-dependent infection rate will influence the temporal evolution of the size of infection and the time until the information reaches a given node on a graph. This also explains why some information stops spreading before reaching the entire population. Simulation results on Digg graph validate our findings.
The Transition Through Stages with Arbitrary Length Distributions, and Applications in Epidemics

Life occurs in stages. Human (earthly) life is the stage between conception and death, clearly divided into two separate stages by birth. There are more stages that are less clearly separated: childhood, youth, adulthood, senescence. Invertebrate animals may have more distinctly separated stages, like egg, larva (or instar), pupa, imago. There may be even several larval stages. Infectious diseases take their course through various stages: latent period, infectious period without symptoms (the two together usually form the incubation period), infectious period with symptoms, and often an immunity period. With some diseases, HIV/AIDS e.g., the infectious period can be further subdivided according to the progress of the disease.
Vaginal douching and racial/ethnic disparities in phthalates exposures among reproductive-aged women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2004

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) are industrial chemicals found in consumer products that may increase risk of adverse health effects. Although use of personal care/beauty products is known to contribute to phthalate exposure, no prior study has examined feminine hygiene products as a potential phthalate source. In this study, we evaluate whether vaginal douching and other feminine hygiene products increase exposure to phthalates among US reproductive-aged women. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 739 women (aged 20–49) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2004 to examine the association between self-reported use of feminine hygiene products (tampons, sanitary napkins, vaginal douches, feminine spray, feminine powder, and feminine wipes/towelettes) with urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), metabolites of DEP and DnBP, respectively. A greater proportion of black women than white and Mexican American women reported use of vaginal douches, feminine spray, feminine powder, and wipes/towelettes in the past month whereas white women were more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to report use of tampons (p < 0.05). Douching in the past month was associated with higher concentrations of MEP but not MnBP. No other feminine hygiene product was significantly associated with either MEP or MnBP. We observed a dose–response relationship between douching frequency and MEP concentrations (ptrend < 0.0001); frequent users (≥2 times/month) had 152.2 % (95 % confidence intervals (CI): (68.2 %, 278.3 %)) higher MEP concentrations than non-users. We also examined whether vaginal douching mediates the relationship between race/ethnicity and phthalates exposures. Black women had 48.4 % (95 % CI: 16.8 %, 88.6 %; p = 0.0002) higher MEP levels than white women. Adjustment for douching attenuated this difference to 26.4 % (95 % CI:−0.9 %, 61.2 %; p = 0.06). Mediation effects of douching were statistically significant for black-white differences (z = 3.71, p < 0.001) but not for differences between Mexican Americans and whites (z = 1.80, p = 0.07). Vaginal douching may increase exposure to DEP and contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in DEP exposure. The presence of environmental chemicals in vaginal douches warrants further examination.
Complex mixer system modifications

Modifications of the complex mixer system to increase bandwidth and number of channels were made. Three modified complex mixers were installed at DSS 14 and were used to process planetary radar signals in March and April of 1977.
A Large Neighborhood Search Heuristic for Graph Coloring

We propose a new local search heuristic for graph coloring that searches very large neighborhoods. The heuristic is based on solving a MAX-CUT problem at each step. While the MAX-CUT problem is formally hard, fast heuristics that give "good" cuts are available to solve this. We provide computational results on benchmark instances. The proposed approach is based on similar heuristics used in computer vision.
Liquid Crystalline Samples: Carbon‐13 NMR

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Anisotropic 13C Chemical Shifts in Liquid Crystals 3 MAS and VAS 4 The Effect of the Local Dipolar Field 5 Study of 13C–1H Dipolar Couplings with VAS 6 Applications Combining Measurements of Chemical Shifts and Dipolar Couplings 7 Relaxation 8 Conclusions 9 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
The integral homology and cohomology rings of SO(n) and Spin(n)

Abstract We give explicit generators and relations for the ring structure of the integral rings in the title. These results are new, at least for large n, and they complete the program of computing these rings for the classical groups.
Can semi-supervised learning explain incorrect beliefs about categories?

Three experiments with 88 college-aged participants explored how unlabeled experiences—learning episodes in which people encounter objects without information about their category membership—influence beliefs about category structure. Participants performed a simple one-dimensional categorization task in a brief supervised learning phase, then made a large number of unsupervised categorization decisions about new items. In all three experiments, the unsupervised experience altered participants’ implicit and explicit mental category boundaries, their explicit beliefs about the most representative members of each category, and even their memory for the items encountered during the supervised learning phase. These changes were influenced by both the range and frequency distribution of the unlabeled stimuli: mental category boundaries shifted toward the middle of the range and toward the trough of the bimodal distribution of unlabeled items, whereas beliefs about the most representative category members shifted toward the modes of the unlabeled distribution. One consequence of this shift in representations is a false-consensus effect (Experiment 3) where participants, despite receiving very disparate training experiences, show strong agreement in judgments about representativeness and boundary location following unsupervised category judgments.
Linkage map construction in allotetraploid creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.)

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is one of the most adapted bentgrass species for use on golf course fairways and putting greens because of its high tolerance to low mowing height. It is a highly outcrossing allotetraploid species (2n=4x=28, A2 and A3 subgenomes). The first linkage map in this species is reported herein, and it was constructed based on a population derived from a cross between two heterozygous clones using 169 RAPD, 180 AFLP, and 39 heterologous cereal and 36 homologous bentgrass cDNA RFLP markers. The linkage map consists of 424 mapped loci covering 1,110 cM in 14 linkage groups, of which seven pairs of homoeologous chromosomes were identified based on duplicated loci. The numbering of all seven linkage groups in the bentgrass map was assigned according to common markers mapped on syntenous chromosomes of ryegrass and wheat. The number of markers linked in coupling and repulsion phase was in a 1:1 ratio, indicating disomic inheritance. This supports a strict allotetraploid inheritance in creeping bentgrass, as suggested by previous work based on chromosomal pairing and isozymes. This linkage map will assist in the tagging and eventually in marker-assisted breeding of economically important quantitative traits like disease resistance to dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett) and brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn).
The effect of mechanical polishing on hydrogen permeation in iron single crystal

The permeation of hydrogen through a metal such as iron or steel which contains saturable traps has been analyzed in several ways. Using an arrangement of specimen and electrolyte one can measure the time of transit of the hydrogen through the specimen after charging began. This is the ''break-through time.'' It is known that the apparent hydrogen diffusivity is reduced by structural defects such as a dislocation, a microvoid, a grain-boundary, and an interface of nonmetallic inclusions, etc.. Changes of dislocation density in the surface layer were monitored b, positron annihilation. Agreement between hydrogen traps and positron traps was established. Using positron annihilation, they have shown that the effect of mechanically polishing a single crystal of iron is to produce a layer about 25 ..mu..m thick which contains dislocation traps. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the effect of a thin layer of such traps on the diffusion of hydrogen through the specimens which are several hundred ..mu..m thick, and to determine the trap concentration profile in the sub-surface layers of and to determine the trap concentration profile in the sub-surface layers of it.
Particle Structures of Encapsulated Milkfat Powders

Abstract Emulsions of milkfat (cream or anhydrous butteroil), carbohydrate (sucrose, modified starch or all-purpose flour), nonfat dry milk and mono- and di-glycerides as emulsifying agents were prepared and spray dried, yielding free-flowing powders containing 400, 500 or 600 g/kg milkfat. Structural features of the powders were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Powder particles were generally spherical in shape, with particle size distributions ranging from 20 to 120 μm; surface morphology of the particles could be related to the encapsulant used. Butteroil was more readily encapsulated than cream in all cases; butteroil-containing powders contained less extractable fat than did those made with heavy cream. Milkfat was distributed in the walls of the powder particles when modified starch was the encapsulant; these particles contained occluded air in their cores, which could be detrimental to long-term storage. Powders with all-purpose flour as the encapsulant showed loose matrices enclosing large fat droplets, demonstrating structural weakness. Fat droplets were enclosed without central voids within the capsules when sucrose was the encapsulant; with less than 6 g/100g extractable fat, sucrose encapsulated milkfat powders were structurally stable, suggesting good resistance to air/oxygen diffusion during storage.
Computing equilibria in the general equilibrium model with incomplete asset markets

Abstract We present an intuitive homotopy algorithm for the computation of equilibria in the general equilibrium model with incomplete asset markets. The central concept is the introduction of utility maximization problems for all but one agent with penalties for transactions on the asset markets. We compute equilibria with homotopy path-following techniques using the first-order conditions of the agents’ optimization problems and gradually lifting the penalty restriction as the algorithm proceeds. Finally, we present computational results from an implementation of the algorithm, showing convincingly that the algorithm is very reliable in general and suitable for large-scale computations.
Vapor conductance of wounded potato tuber tissue

An understanding of wound healing in potato tubers is important for reducing shipping and storage losses. Because excised tissue cores are often used in studies of the wound responses of tubers, we compared the healing of cores to that of cuts and bruises on whole tubers. To do this, we measured water loss from cores by weighing and the vapor transfer from both cut areas and bruises on tubers using a commercial leaf porometer (stomatal meter). Vapor loss from cut surfaces on whole tubers decreased more rapidly than that from cores of tissue. Variability of conductance measurements among individual tubers with cut surfaces was less than that among cores measured on a given day after excision. The rate at which either cores or the cuts on tubers healed did not change significantly as time in storage varied from 2 to 27 weeks before injury. Bruises made on whole tubers usually healed more slowly than cut surfaces on tubers. Severity of the bruise made by a pendulum striker depended on the turgor pressure of the tuber tissue. Tubers cells had high turgor pressure (nearly 0.4 MPa) early in the storage season and the striker created shatter bruises. With a decline in turgor to < 0.2 MPa with storage time, little or no shatter bruising occurred. Wound healing differed among tissue cores, cut surfaces on whole tubers and bruises on whole tubers, raising concern over the suitability of cores as a model for studying tuber response to injuries. The porometer was a reliable and relatively convenient method of assessing wound healing of both cuts and bruises on whole tubers.
Localization of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin Subunits during Intoxication of Live Cells

The cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt), produced by some clinically important Gram-negative bacterial species, is related to the family of AB-type toxins. Three heterologous proteins (CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC) and a genotoxin mode of action distinguish the Cdt from others in this toxin class. Crystal structures of several species-specific Cdts have provided a basis for predicting subunit interactions and functions. In addition, empirical studies have yielded significant insights into the in vivo interactions of the Cdt subunits. However, there are still critical gaps in information about the intoxication process. In this study, a novel protein tagging technology was used to localize the subunits in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). A tetracysteine motif was engineered in each subunit, and in subunits with mutations in predicted functional domains, to permit detection with the fluorescein arsenical hairpin binding (FlAsH) dye Lumio green. Live-cell imaging, in conjunction with confocal microscopy, was used to capture the locations of the individual subunits in cells intoxicated, under various conditions, with hybrid heterotrimers. Using this approach, we observed the following. (i) The CdtA subunit remains on the cell surface of CHO cells in association with cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-depleted membrane. (ii) The CdtB subunit is exclusively in the cytosol and, after longer exposure times, localizes to the nucleus. (iii) The CdtC subunit is present on the cell surface and, to a greater extent, in the cytosol. These observations suggest that CdtC, but not CdtA, functions as a chaperone for CdtB entry into cells.
Usefulness of Various Plasma Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Heart Failure in Children With Single Ventricle Physiology

Children with single ventricle physiology have increased ventricular work and are at greater risk of developing heart failure than other children with congenital heart disease. However, the diagnosis of heart failure is difficult because few objective measures have been validated for this cohort. Plasma proteins have been identified as biomarkers of heart failure in adults with structurally normal hearts. However, whether these correlate similarly with heart failure in children with single ventricle physiology is unknown, because the etiology of adult heart failure is typically ischemic heart disease, but heart failure in these children is presumed to be due to primary myocardial dysfunction. We conducted a single-site, cross-sectional observational study of young, single-ventricle patients. Clinical heart failure was defined as a Ross score >2. The association of several candidate biomarkers with heart failure was assessed using logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. Of the 29 included children, 9 (31%) were in clinical heart failure. A doubling of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was associated with an odds ratio for heart failure of 2.17. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 80.3%. A threshold value of ≥30 pg/ml showed both sensitivity and specificity for heart failure. Three other candidate biomarkers were not associated with clinical heart failure in this sample. In conclusion, plasma B-type natriuretic peptide is a sensitive biomarker for clinical heart failure in young children with single-ventricle heart disease. The use of this plasma biomarker might facilitate detection of heart failure in these complex patients.
Synthesis of the 3- and 4-methyl, 3,4-dimethyl, and 3,4,6-trimethyl ethers of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-mannopyranoside☆

Abstract The methyl ethers of 2-amino-2-deoxy- D -mannose are reference compounds in studies, by the methylation procedure, of the chemical structure of polysaccharides containing 2-amino-2-deoxy- D -mannose and 2-amino-2-deoxy- D -mannuronic acid residues. Methylation of methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- D -mannopyranoside ( 1 ) gave the 3,4,6-trimethyl ether. Methylation of the 6-trityl ether of 1, followed by detritylation, gave the 3,4-dimethyl ether of 1 . Methylation of the 4,6- O -benzylidene derivative ( 6 ) of 1 , followed by removal of the benzylidene group, gave the 3-methyl ether of 1 . Benzoylation of 6 , followed by removal of the benzylidene group and monobenzoylation, gave the 3,6-dibenzoate of 1 , which was methylated, and the product saponified, to give the 4-methyl ether of 1 ; the latter compound was also obtained by a similar route via the 3- O -acetyl-6- O -benzoyl derivative.
Physical urticaria/angioedema: An experimental model of mast cell activation in humans

Urticaria and angioedema may occur in skin and mucus membranes when mast cells are activated by various physical stimuli, including trauma, pressure, vibration, light, cold, heat, and (in rare cases) water. Experimental challenge of patients with cold-induced and cholinergic urticaria/angioedema in particular provides an in vivo model of mast cell activation in humans. This model synthesizes observations of the evolution of clinical manifestations, histologic analysis of tissue alterations, measurement of mediators released into the circulation, and assessment of leukocyte motility. The model in turn allows a characterization of mediators that exist preformed in mast cell granules or that are generated through interactions with other cell types. Release of these mediators produces a variety of biologic effects, including elaboration of certain enzymes and alterations in venular permeability, smooth muscle contraction, leukocyte motility, and the release of substances from other cell types.
Simultaneous estimation of poisson means under exchangeable and independence models

Consider two problems: (1) the simultaneous estimation of a number of Poisson parameters when the parameters are believed a priori to be exchangeable and (2) the simultaneous estimation of Poisson parameters in a two-way contingency table where the classification variables are believed independent. By the use of hierarchical prior distributions, simple new point and interval estimates are proposed for the parameters of interest. The methods are applied on home run data of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio.
Spectrophotometer linearity testing using the double-aperture method.

The double-aperture method has been used to determine the nonlinearity correction for a new spectrophotometer having a precision of ±4 × 10−5 transmittance units. The random and systematic errors of the method are discussed, and techniques are described that yield the additive nonlinearity correction to the high level of precision required for this spectrophotometer. The correction was found to be independent of source polarization, free from interference errors, but slightly dependent on wavelength.
Consumer demand for local honey

How to best target and attract niche market consumers is an important marketing problem for producers of specialty agricultural products. It is particularly an issue in the honey market where consumers increasingly face media messages regarding threats to honey bee health, honey adulteration and health benefits of locally produced honey. Using auction experiments, this research evaluates consumer behaviour related to informational messages about honey that is produced locally, domestically and internationally. Results from 115 adult consumers show that consumers’ demand for honey varies significantly based on the geographic location of the honey’s production, product packaging and the information they have about the product. Consumers demonstrate greater demand for locally produced honey, especially when provided information about negative aspects of internationally produced honey that include adulteration. This shows that such negative media attention on specialty products offers small producers an oppor...
Fluoride ion conductivity - composition relationships in the fluorite phase region of the KF-BiF3 system

Abstract We have studied the KBiF 4 -BiF 3 system in terms of its compositional relationships and ionic conductivity. The extent of the fluorite phase has been determined and lattice parameters and densities have been measured on compositions having the fluorite phase. Ionic conductivities on single crystals have been measured from 25 to 450°C. A maximum in the conductivity as a function of bismuth concentration and a composition independent conductivity at approximately 375°C have been observed.
The CXC Chemokine Receptor 4 Ligands Ubiquitin and Stromal Cell-derived Factor-1α Function through Distinct Receptor Interactions

Recently, we identified extracellular ubiquitin as an endogenous CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 agonist. However, the receptor selectivity and molecular basis of the CXCR4 agonist activity of ubiquitin are unknown, and functional consequences of CXCR4 activation with ubiquitin are poorly defined. Here, we provide evidence that ubiquitin and the cognate CXCR4 ligand stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α do not share CXCR7 as a receptor. We further demonstrate that ubiquitin does not utilize the typical two-site binding mechanism of chemokine-receptor interactions, in which the receptor N terminus is important for ligand binding. CXCR4 activation with ubiquitin and SDF-1α lead to similar Gαi-responses and to a comparable magnitude of phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-l and Akt, although phosphorylations occur more transiently after activation with ubiquitin. Despite the similarity of signal transduction events after activation of CXCR4 with both ligands, ubiquitin possesses weaker chemotactic activity than SDF-lα in cell migration assays and does not interfere with productive entry of HIV-1 into P4.R5 multinuclear activation of galactosidase indicator cells. Unlike SDF-1α, ubiquitin lacks interactions with an N-terminal CXCR4 peptide in NMR spectroscopy experiments. Binding and signaling studies in the presence of antibodies against the N terminus and extracellular loops 2/3 of CXCR4 confirm that the ubiquitin CXCR4 interaction is independent of the N-terminal receptor domain, whereas blockade of extracellular loops 2/3 prevents receptor binding and activation. Our findings define ubiquitin as a CXCR4 agonist, which does not interfere with productive cellular entry of HIV-1, and provide new mechanistic insights into interactions between CXCR4 and its natural ligands.
Composition of Oat Bran and Flour Prepared by Three Different Mechanisms of Dry Milling

ABSTRACT Three mechanisms of oat milling were tested for laboratory-scale oat bran production. Oat bran consistent with AACC definition and commercially obtained product was generated with either roller-milling or impact-milling of groats, followed by sieving to retain larger particles. These bran preparations were enriched ≈1.7-fold in β-glucan and ash, 1.4-fold in protein, and 1.1-fold in lipid. Bran finishing made further enrichments in protein, β-glucan, and ash. Tempering oat (to 12% moisture for 20 min) improved bran yield from roller-milling nearly two-fold but had little effect on bran composition. Bran yield from the impact-type mill was significantly affected by grinding screen size. Oat bran obtained from a pearling mill was only slightly enriched in β-glucan and protein, but it was more heavily enriched in ash and oil than brans from roller or impact mills. The pearling mill isolated the outer layers of the groat directly, but because of its low β-glucan composition it did not meet the AACC de...
Transfusion associated cytomegalovirus infections in seropositive cardiac surgery patients

To determine whether reinfection with an exogenous strain of cytomegalovirus (CMV) or reactivation of endogenous CMV is responsible for post-transfusion CMV infections in patients previously infected with the virus, seropositive patients were randomised preoperatively to receive red blood-cells (RBCs) from CMV seronegative donors (group A) or from random donors (group B). Each group B patient received at least one seropositive unit. 5 of 46 group A patients and 7 of 48 group B patients had a four-fold or greater increase of IgG antibody to CMV eight to twelve weeks postoperatively. IgG antibody titre did not increase in a third group (group C) of 57 seropositive patients who received no RBCs. 10 of the 12 patients with increased IgG titres also had CMV-specific IgM antibody after transfusion. These results indicate that reactivation accounts for most post-transfusion CMV infections in seropositive adults.
Revisiting the temperature dependence of the coagulation of renneted bovine casein micelles

Abstract Using concepts outlined in the landmark text “Colloids in Food”, we have re-examined and extended the analysis of the temperature dependence of the kinetics of aggregation of fully-renneted bovine casein micelles (Dalgleish, Journal of Dairy Research, 50 , 331–340 (1983)). We have extracted an activation energy for the aggregation which increases non-linearly as temperature or calcium ion content is lowered. Postulating temperature dependent contributions from both hydrophobic attraction and electrostatic repulsion, we demonstrate that, although hydrophobic attraction is substantial, its relative decrease with temperature is slight and cannot be the main reason for the inhibition of the aggregation with decreasing temperature. Instead, using published calcium binding isotherms to the caseins, we identify a linear decrease with temperature in the number of calcium ions bound to the micelle and quantify the consequent increase in electrostatic repulsion as the major contribution to the increase in activation energy. The decrease in rate of aggregation with increasing ionic strength is also revealed to be a consequence of the influence of ionic strength on calcium binding, again computing binding from published isotherms.
Cheilitis glandularis apostematosa

Abstract 1. 1. Cases of three patients suffering from cheilitis glandularis apostematosa are presented. 2. 2. This chronic condition consists of a syndrome of (a) a disfiguring enlargement and ectropion of the lower lip, with certain changes in both the epithelium and the lamina propria of the mucosa of the vermilion zone; (b) a hyperplasia of the labial mucous glands; and (c) an enlargement and inflammation of the excretory ducts of these glands. 3. 3. Case histories and clinical and histologic examinations seem to indicate that this anomaly is due primarily to chronic chapping, scarring, and subsequent eversion of the lower lip. The ectropion, in turn, is followed by irritation of the exposed vestibular lip mucosa from the drying effect of the air, from actinic rays, air-borne chemicals, and, probably, the repeated contact of this tissue with saliva saturated with tobacco juice. 4. 4. Roentgen therapy and excision of the lesion have been advocated in the treatment of this condition,8 but no consistently successful therapy is known.13 In view of the absence of any complaint on the part of our patients, we recommended to them the use of a good lip pomade and asked them to stop using tobacco.
The polymerase chain reaction and its application to filamentous fungi

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid and sensitive procedure for the in vitro amplification of specific segments of DNA. The ability to perform primer-directed amplification of specific sequences of DNA has had an effect on research similar to that of the discovery of restriction enzymes and Southern hybridization. Since the introduction of PCR in 1986, an ever increasing number of scientific applications have been reported, including the direct cloning, mutagenesis, sequencing and exact engineering of specific genes or gene sequences directly from genomic DNA or complementary DNA (cDNA). PCR is also being used increasingly for a variety of genetic and forensic analysis, as well as for several diagnostic procedures useful in screening for genetic diseases or disease agents. The success of PCR in generating and detecting specific DNA fragments has accelerated the use of molecular biology in many biological systems. The focus of this review is to offer examples of how PCR techniques may be used to study the molecular genetics, life cycles, ecology and phylogeny of filamentous fungi.
The Orbit of the Binary X-Ray Pulsar 4U 1538–52 from Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer Observations

Improved orbital parameters of the high-mass binary X-ray pulsar 4U 1538-52 have been derived from high count rate data obtained from the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer. Pulse-timing analysis yields an eccentricity of 0.174 ± 0.015, a periastron at 64° ± 9°, and evidence of orbital decay with orb/Porb = (-2.9 ± 2.1) × 10-6 yr-1.
Preparation of magnetic nanocomposite beads and optimizing the conditions for effective removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions

Magnetic ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) were prepared by precipitate polymerization and leached with HCl to remove uranium. Their ability to remove hexavalent uranium from wastewater effluents was studied. Batch adsorption studies to determine the optimum conditions of U(VI) removal were conducted at different levels of sample pH, sorbent amount, agitation time, and initial uranium concentration. It was observed that, under optimum conditions (i.e. pH 4, adsorbent amount of 50 mg, 45 min agitation time, and initial U(VI) concentration of 2 mg L−1), the maximum removal of U(VI) cations was >98% and 80% for the magnetic IIP and the corresponding magnetic non-imprinted polymers (NIP), respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption of U(VI) onto magnetic IIP and NIP. The adsorption capacity of U(VI) was determined to be 1.06 and 0.85 mg g−1 for the two isotherms, respectively. The order of selectivity was found to be U(VI) > Fe(III) > Pb(II). For six cycles of regeneration...