cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive measures predict voluntary stepping performance in older adults post-hip fracture.

Abstract Background Hip fracture is a debilitating injury, especially in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between Trail-Making test performance and parameters of the choice stepping reaction time test in community-dwelling older adults after hip fracture. Methods Twenty-four older adults post-hip fracture repair participated in an ancillary study for physical therapy interventions. Measures included Trail-Making test (Parts A & B) scores, movement time (time from foot liftoff to touchdown), step speed, reaction time (time from cue to foot liftoff), and total response time (time from step cue to touchdown) in the forward and lateral directions. Paired t-tests and multiple linear regressions were used for analysis. Findings Significant differences were found in movement time, speed and reaction time between limbs in the lateral direction, and in movement and reaction time in the forward direction. Trails A predicted step speed, reaction time and total response time for the fractured limb in the lateral direction, as well as reaction time and total response time in the forward direction. However, Trails A could not predict performance for the non-fractured limb. Trails B predicted stepping performance for both limbs in the forward and lateral directions. Interpretation Trails A correlated with the fractured limb's ability to perform the choice stepping test, but not in the non-fractured limb. Meanwhile, Trails B correlated with stepping performance in both limbs, suggesting those with poorer executive function have a lower protective stepping capability and may be at a higher risk for future falls and injury.
Population trends in achalasia diagnosis and management: a changing paradigm.

The Chicago Classification of esophageal motility disorders improved the differentiation of achalasia subtypes and tailored treatment. Heller myotomy (HM) and pneumatic dilation are two established treatments for achalasia. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become a third definitive option and is on the rise. Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we evaluated patients hospitalized with achalasia and associated surgical and endoscopic interventions from 2013 to 2017 and compared patients undergoing HM versus POEM. The NIS database was queried to include patients with achalasia. Patients who underwent HM, POEM (only 2017 due to lack of distinct procedure code in 2013), pneumatic dilation, or esophagectomy were identified. Adverse events during the hospitalization were also queried using diagnosis codes. From 2013 to 2017, patients hospitalized with achalasia increased from 16 850 to 19 485. There were reductions in the number of esophageal dilations (10.6-5.4%, P 64 (P = 0.004), Charlson comorbidity index (P < 0.001), disease severity (P < 0.001), and likelihood of mortality (P < 0.001). There were no differences in length of stay, mortality, or total costs between the HM and POEM groups. Patients hospitalized with achlasia increased from 2013 to 2017, possibly due to the growth and accessibility of high-resolution esophageal manometry. As expertise in POEM increases, the number of POEM performed is anticipated to rise with possible further reductions in other treatment modalities for achalasia.
Fever From the Lost Forest: Impacts and Management of Health Externalities From Land Use Change in Brazil

Land use change alters the movement of people, pathogens, and vectors, creating novel pathways for disease emergence. A growing body of empirical evidence finds that land use change affects the incidence of vector-borne disease. When management decisions and policy do not consider this relationship, there is potential social welfare loss through health externalities. Herein we develop a dynamic model of optimal land use where both the state and control variable contribute to a negative externality- disease incidence. We compare the net social benefits and path of land conversion under an optimal management regime with scenarios in which the externalities are ignored. Using a two-tiered payment mechanism we demonstrate how the externalities can be internalized by adjusting the payments along the dynamic path of land use. The model is calibrated using malaria incidence and economic data from the Legal Amazon of Brazil. We find that ignoring the health costs of land use change reduces social net benefits of land management and impacts optimal land conversion trajectories. We then simulate the dynamic path of socially optimal management and examine the sensitivity of our predictions by modifying the model assumptions.
Outcomes for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion users in young adults from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objective Diabetes technology is available and its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated; however, there is little evidence as to how this technology is being utilized and its effectiveness in vulnerable populations. This study evaluated differences in outcomes for young adults in the United States (U.S.) from lower socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds with type 1 diabetes (T1D) managed on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) versus multiple daily injections (MDI) or fixed-dose insulin (FDI). Research design methods and participants Utilizing the Optum® de-identified Electronic Health Record data set between 2008 and 2018 to perform a retrospective, cohort study, we identified 805 subjects with T1D aged 18-30 years with Medicaid. We evaluated median difference in HbA1c between CSII and MDI/FDI users for 24 months. Predictors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)-associated hospitalizations by CSII use were evaluated using logistic regression. Results CSII users showed statistically significant lower median HbA1c values at 24 months of follow-up compared to individuals on MDI/FDI. Non-white individuals were at lower odds of receiving treatment with CSII. Subjects on CSII were not more likely to be hospitalized for DKA compared to subjects treated with MDI/FDI. Older subjects were at lower odds of being hospitalized for DKA. Males and subjects followed by Endocrinologists were at higher odds of being hospitalized for DKA. Conclusions Young adults with T1D from lower SES backgrounds show improved glycaemic control when in CSII compared to MDI/FDI without increases in hospitalizations for DKA.
Risk factors for anesthetic-related complications in pediatric patients with a newly diagnosed mediastinal mass.

BACKGROUND Pediatric patients with a mediastinal mass can experience severe complications while undergoing anesthesia. Nearly, all published reviews involve either patients with an anterior mediastinal mass or patients with an oncologic disease. AIM The identification of risk factors for anesthetic-related complications in pediatric patients with any type of mediastinal mass. METHODS From January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2019, patients with a newly diagnosed mediastinal mass that underwent anesthesia were retrospectively identified. Each patient's medical record was reviewed for presenting symptoms, preprocedure imaging results, the type of anesthetic delivered, and the occurrence of any anesthetic-related complications. A complication was defined as severe hypoxia, severe hypotension, or loss of endtidal carbon dioxide. RESULTS Eighty-six patients presented with a new mediastinal mass. Six of these patients (7%) had a complication. Complications were no more likely in patients with orthopnea than in patients without orthopnea (P = 1.00; relative risk (RR) = 0.95; 95% CI (0.1, 7.5). Complication rates in patients with anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinal masses were similar, as were complication rates in patients with large, medium, and small masses. Six of the 41 patients (15%) who had tracheal compression had a complication, while none of the 45 patients (0%) who did not have tracheal compression had a complication (p = .0096). Six of the 48 patients (13%) that were intubated had a complication, while none of the 38 patients (0%) who were not intubated had a complication (p = .032). Five of 36 patients (14%) who had mainstem bronchus compression had a complication, while one of 50 patients (2%) who did not have mainstem bronchus compression had a complication (p = .078; RR = 6.9l; 95% CI (0.8, 56.9)). CONCLUSIONS Anesthetic-related complications were associated with airway compression and endotracheal intubation. The absence of preprocedure orthopnea did not ensure that the anesthetic would be uncomplicated. Complications occurred in similar frequencies in patients with a mediastinal mass of any location or size.
The Flavor of Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in the Badger State

Review of: "The Flavor of Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in the Badger State" by Harva Hachten and Terese Allen.
Comparison of intranasal methamphetamine and d-amphetamine self-administration by humans.

Aims There are no studies directly comparing self-administration of methamphetamine and d-amphetamine by humans. This study compared intranasal methamphetamine- and d-amphetamine self-administration and characterized the mood, performance and physiological effects produced by the drugs. Design A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Setting An out-patient research unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Participants Male recreational methamphetamine users (n = 13). Measurements Five 2-day blocks of sessions were conducted. On the first day of each block, participants ‘sampled’ a single methamphetamine or d-amphetamine dose (0, 12, 50 mg/70 kg) and a monetary reinforcer ($5 or $20). Amphetamine plasma levels, cardiovascular, mood, and psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and repeatedly thereafter. On the second day of each block, participants chose between the sampled reinforcers (drug or money). Findings There were no significant differences between the drugs on the majority of measures. Under the $5 condition, both amphetamines increased self-administration dose-dependently, with 41% drug choices overall. Under the $20 condition, only 17% drug options were selected. Both drugs increased cardiovascular activity and ‘positive’ mood, although methamphetamine produced more prominent effects on some measures (e.g. heart rate and ratings of ‘high’). Conclusions Methamphetamine and d-amphetamines appear to produce a similar dose-related profile of effects in humans, which supports their equivalence for abuse potential.
Pharmacological applications of baculovirus-mediated protein expression in mammalian cells

The development of cell-based assays for cellular receptors, ion channels, and transporters requires the delivery and expression of transgenes. Viral-mediated gene delivery is a particularly attractive approach for this purpose because of its efficiency and potential to deliver genes to a wide variety of cell types. Recombinant baculoviruses, long used to deliver genes to insect cells for overexpression, also effectively transfer genes to mammalian cells. The only required modification to the virus for this purpose is the addition of transgene expression cassettes controlled by mammalian cell-active promoters. These so-called BacMam viruses are useful for developing mammalian cell-based assays for investigating the function of recombinant proteins and for assessing the action of pharmacological modulators of their function. The use of such viruses is gaining popularity because of the ease of optimizing assay conditions, the ability to deliver multiple gene products, and of their flexibility in terms of host cells and levels of transgene expression. BacMam-mediated assays may be used for studying a wide variety of target proteins and assay technologies. Described in this unit is an example of BacMam-mediated gene delivery to configure a cell-based assay for pharmacological assessment of a G protein-coupled receptor. A protocol is also provided describing the use of a GFP-expressing BacMam to assess the susceptibility of new cell lines to transduction by the virus.
Rabbit Muscle Phosphofructokinase I. ANOMERIC SPECIFICITY; INITIAL VELOCITY KINETICS

Abstract Initial velocity patterns have been obtained for rabbit muscle phosphofructokinase at pH 7.4, 25°, with six nucleotides as substrates, and also with 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol-6-P and 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol-1,6-P2 as substrate analogs. In the forward (MgNTP, fructose-6-P) direction most of the patterns were parallel or nearly so, but with MgITP and MgCTP there was clear convergence. In the reverse direction all patterns except for MgGDP were clearly intersecting. The mechanism must therefore be sequential. The good activity of the anhydromannitol analog, but the failure of l-sorbose-6-P or 2,5-anhydro-d-glucitol-6-P prepared either chemically or enzymatically to act as a substrate suggests that the enzyme is specific both for the β anomers of fructose-6-P and fructose-P2 and for the d configuration at carbon 5. The activity of fructose-1-P (presumably the β anomer) as a substrate is consistent with this view, as is the failure of l-sorbose-1-P to act either as inhibitor or substrate.
Spinoza's Theory of the Eternity of the Mind

1. La theorie de Spinoza selon laquelle l'esprit est l'idee d'un corps reellement existant ne peut rendre compte de la capacite de l'esprit a avoir une connaissance adequate. Sa theorie de l'eternite de l'esprit peut etre vue comme une solution a ce probleme. 2. Signification de l'eternite selon S., en relation avec Dieu et l'esprit humain. Probleme de la relation entre la part eternelle de l'esprit et la connaissance, apparemment temporelle, et de la relation entre les deux parts de l'esprit, et le corps.
Engineering for the Real World: Diversity, Innovation and Hands-on Learning

Leaders in engineering education reform advocate integrating “real world” expertise into the undergraduate training, but these calls encompass a dizzying array of both skills and methods to develop them. The authors give form to the debate by sketching out the pedagogical value of one specific type of real world experience – practical learning with one’s hands – and situating it within in the longer historical context of the mental/manual divide that characterizes U.S. engineering practice and education. Engineering by Doing (EbD), an initiative at the Colorado School of Mines, exemplifies this kind of learning by bringing together non-traditional students, with practical skills, and traditional engineering students, with solid grounding in mathematics and sciences, to work on projects with a specific practical, hands-on element. Making the background knowledge and experiences of nontraditional students visible and valued within the curriculum has the potential to improve recruitment and retention among low income and first generation students and thereby broaden participation in engineering.
A single gene codes for two forms of rat nucleolar protein B23 mRNA.

Abstract Protein B23 (38 kDa, pI = 5.1) is an abundant RNA-associated nucleolar phosphoprotein and putative ribosome assembly factor. A full length cDNA clone (lambda JH1) encoding a major expressed form of rat protein B23, now designated B23.1, was reported recently (Chang, J. H., Dumbar, T. S., and Olson, M. O. J. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 12824-12837). In this paper the isolation from a rat brain library and sequence of a cDNA clone (lambda JH2) coding for a second form (B23.2) of protein B23 is reported. Isoforms B23.1 and B23.2 are polypeptides of 292 and 257 amino acids, respectively. The 5'-untranslated regions of the two cDNAs and the amino-terminal 255 amino acids of the proteins are identical in the two isoforms. However, the 3'-untranslated regions of the mRNAs are completely different, and the dipeptide Gly-Gly in B23.1 (residues 256 and 257) is replaced by Ala-His in B23.2 indicating that the former is not a precursor of the latter. The finding of AGGT sequences in the 3' regions of lambda JH1 suggest the presence of intron-exon boundaries at the point where the two cDNAs begin to differ. To investigate the origin of the two isoforms, two rat genomic libraries were screened with oligonucleotide probes based on sequences from the unique regions of the two cDNAs. One of the genomic clones isolated (lambda JH125) contained a 6.5-kilobase fragment encoding the 3' end of both cDNAs. lambda JH125 contains four exons designated W, X, Y, and Z in the order indicated. Exons W and X encode 36 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of B23.2, whereas exons W, Y, and Z encode the carboxyl-terminal 71 amino acid residues of B23.1. Exons X and Z each contain distinct 3'-untranslated sequences in which are found polyadenylation signals. These data suggest that two different mRNAs are formed by alternative splicing of separate 3' segments onto a common 5' region.
Large deflection shape sensing of a continuum manipulator for minimally-invasive surgery

Shape sensing techniques utilizing Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays can enable real-time tracking and control of dexterous continuum manipulators (DCM) used in minimally invasive surgeries. For many surgical applications, the DCM may need to operate with much larger curvatures than what current shape sensing methods can detect. This paper proposes a novel shape sensor, which can detect a radius of curvature of 15 mm for a 35 mm long DCM. For this purpose, we used FBG sensors along with nitinol wires as the supporting substrates to form a triangular cross section. For verification, we assembled the sensor inside the wall of the DCM. Experimental results indicate that the proposed sensor can detect the DCM's curvature with an average error of 3.14%.
Windowing versus Scrolling on a Visual Display Terminal

Two experiments were conducted to determine the optimum mode of operation of the "scroll" keys on a visual display terminal. One mode involved "moving the data"; that is, pressing the "scroll up" key moved the data up, thus displaying data toward the end of the file. The other mode involved "moving the window"; pressing the "window up" key moved the window up, thus displaying data toward the beginning of the file. A total of 281 novice subjects were tested under a variety of experimental conditions. Results showed that in most cases, subjects in the window groups performed significantly faster and with significantly fewer moves than did subjects in the scroll groups. When allowed to "self-define" the system, a significant majority of the subjects defined the system to window. Explaining and demonstrating the appropriate concept had no significant effect on performance, nor did the use of key top graphic "scroll" figures.
Sex Education Justice: A Call for Comprehensive Sex Education and the Inclusion of Latino Early Adolescent Boys.

Many sex education programs do not conceptualize adolescent sexuality as a normative process of development, thus sexuality is not part of a holistic picture of health education.The current project examines the multiple determinants of adolescent boys’ sexual behaviors in the context of developing sex education. Limited research has examined the simultaneous influence of individual, peer, partner, and parent factors on adolescent’s sexual behaviors. Results suggest that adolescents’ substance use and self-efficacy were strong predictors of boys’ sexual behaviors. Moreover, while parental and peer communication were not significant predictors, partner communication significantly influenced the number of sexual behaviors. Overall, the results of the study suggest that comprehensive sex education programming could benefit from having multiple outcome goals that address the dual influence of substance use and risky sex, while including partners in fostering positive adolescent sexual health.
Use of human menopausal gonadotropin for the induction of ovulation

Abstract Experience with the use of human menopausal gonadotropins for the induction of ovulation is reported in 62 patients. Twenty-six pregnancies were achieved. Twenty-one pregnancies occurred during the first 3 months of treatment, suggesting that the chances for successful therapy decline significantly after this initial period. While the over-all beneficial effect to specific patients is undeniable, selection of this treatment requires a careful consideration of pretreatment diagnosis, risks involved, and also a natural history in terms of spontaneous remission of the functional anomalies to be treated.
Process of Infection with Bacteriophage φX174 XXXIV. Kinetics of the Attachment and Eclipse Steps of the Infection

The products of {varphi}X cistrons II, III, and VII are demonstrated to affect the attachment of the phage to its host Escherichia coli C; therefore, by inference, these cistrons influence, directly or indirectly, the structure of proteins in the virus particle. Two of the mutations which alter attachment kinetics, ts79 in cistron III and h in cistron VII, also affect the electrophoretic mobility of the virus and emphasize the role of charge in the attachment interaction with the host. The kinetics for attached phage to go into "eclipse" are first-order and biphasic; about 85% of the phage eclipse at one rate (ke = 0.86 min^–1) and the remainder do so at a distinctly lower rate (ke = 0.21 min^–1). No {varphi}X cistrons yet identified affect the eclipse process. The lowest temperature at which eclipse is detected is 19 C. The Arrhenius activation energy for phage eclipse has the high value of 36.6 kcal/mole, indicating the cooperative nature of the event.
Genes regulating touch cell development in Caenorhabditis elegans.

To identify genes regulating the development of the six touch receptor neurons, we screened the F(2) progeny of mutated animals expressing an integrated mec-2::gfp transgene that is expressed mainly in these touch cells. From 2638 mutated haploid genomes, we obtained 11 mutations representing 11 genes that affected the production, migration, or outgrowth of the touch cells. Eight of these mutations were in known genes, and 2 defined new genes (mig-21 and vab-15). The mig-21 mutation is the first known to affect the asymmetry of the migrations of Q neuroblasts, the cells that give rise to two of the six touch cells. vab-15 is a msh-like homeobox gene that appears to be needed for the proper production of touch cell precursors, since vab-15 animals lacked the four more posterior touch cells. The remaining touch cells (the ALM cells) were present but mispositioned. A similar touch cell phenotype is produced by mutations in lin-32. A more severe phenotype; i.e., animals often lacked ALM cells, was seen in lin-32 vab-15 double mutants, suggesting that these genes acted redundantly in ALM differentiation. In addition to the touch cell abnormalities, vab-15 animals variably exhibit embryonic or larval lethality, cell degenerations, malformation of the posterior body, uncoordinated movement, and defective egg laying.
Expression of PKC substrate proteins, GAP-43 and neurogranin, is downregulated by cAMP signaling and alterations in synaptic activity

Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and neurogranin are protein kinase C substrate proteins that are thought to play an important role in synaptic plasticity, but little is currently known about the mechanisms that may regulate their function at the synapse. In this study, we show that long-term elevation of intracellular cAMP levels in rat primary cortical cultures results in a persistent downregulation of GAP-43 and neurogranin, most likely at the transcriptional level. This effect may be at least partially mediated by protein kinase A, but is independent of protein kinase C activation. Moreover, it is mimicked and occluded by manipulations that alter the levels of spontaneous synaptic activity in primary cultures, such as bicuculline and tetrodotoxin. These data suggest that levels of GAP-43 and neurogranin are regulated by factors known to modulate synaptic strength, thus providing a potential mechanism by which protein kinase C signaling pathways and their substrates might contribute to synaptic function and/or plasticity.
Evaluation of an integrated GPS/INS system for shallow-water AUV navigation (SANS)

Many possible autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) missions require a high degree of navigational accuracy. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is capable of providing this accuracy. However, intermittent reception caused by either wave action or deliberate submergence will cause the loss of GPS position fix information for periods extending from several seconds to minutes. The SANS system is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of using a low-cost strapped-down inertial measurement unit to navigate between GPS fixes. It is anticipated that navigational accuracy comparable to GPS is possible between fixes.
Epigenetic mechanisms in tumorigenesis

There is convincing evidence that tumorigenesis results from mutations in DNA that lead to critical changes in cell metabolism and are inherited as a cell divides itself. However, the process of tumorigenesis can also be strongly influenced by epigenetic factors. Epigenetic inheritance is defined as inheritance that does not follow normal Mendelian patterns and may involve nuclear mcb.200300157s in addition to DNA. We now have significant information about the molecular mechanisms that influence epigenetic inheritance. Most of these mechanisms include direct modifications of either DNA itself or the collection of proteins, called histones, which intimately associate with DNA. Unlike DNA mutations, epigenetic events are often reversible, making them exciting new targets for therapy. This understanding is leading to the development of specific drugs that target epigenetic events and thus may complement existing cancer treatments. Keywords: Epigenetics: epi- Gr.; Histones; Nucleosome; Euchromatin; Heterochromatin; Loss of Heterozygosity
The acute inflammatory reaction

A major theme in current developments in this field has been the realization that the target tissue, in particular the endothelium, has an active role in initiating and participating in inflammatory reactions and is not a passive target, as was previously thought. Attempts to delineate the mechanisms involved have benefited immeasurably from the application of the modern techniques of molecular and cellular biology, and will continue to do so. It is axiomatic that a fuller understanding of these mechanisms will result in the development of new strategies designed to block the acute inflammatory response more specifically and effectively.
Exploring potential electric vehicle utilization: A computer simulation

Abstract This study describes a computer simulation of electric vehicle (EV) usage based on conventional vehicle usage data and battery performance characteristics. A Monte Carlo technique was used to simulate the EV daily travel for the duration of the battery life. The vehicle usage data employed in this study refer to the least driven conventional vehicle in households owning two or more vehicles and include information on number of vehicle tours per day, tour distance, tour duration and the time between tours. (A vehicle tour is defined as a sequence of trips starting and ending at home.) The data reflect variations in vehicle use among different days of the week and different households. The specific set of battery performance parameters used as input to the simulation are (1) battery life is limited to 600 deep-discharge cycles; (2) maximum range of EV is 80 miles when the battery is new, and it decreases to 48 miles at the end of battery lifetime and (3) one hour of battery charging provides 10 miles of travel. Relative to the ability of the EV to meet the travel requirements of the “least used vehicle” in multiple vehicle households, simulations indicate that the EV could satisfy almost all (92 to 96%) of the tours but only 66 to 74% of the annual miles traveled.
Markov-based redistribution policy model for future urban mobility networks

In this paper we present a Markov-based urban transportation model that captures the operation of a fleet of taxis in response to incident customer arrivals throughout the city. We consider three different evaluation criteria: (1) minimizing the number of transportation resources for urban planning; (2) minimizing fuel consumption for the drivers; and (3) minimizing customer waiting time increase the overall quality of service. We present a practical policy and evaluate it by comparing against the actual observed redistribution of taxi drivers in Singapore. We show through simulation that our proposed policy is stable and improves substantially upon the default unmanaged redistribution of taxi drivers in Singapore with respect to the three evaluation criteria.
Anthracycline cardiotoxicity in long-term survivors of childhood cancer

Anthracycline chemotherapy is a widely-used and effective treatment for a wide spectrum of childhood cancers. Its use is limited by associated progressive and clinically significant cardiotoxic effects. Onset can be acute, early, or late. While acute onset is rare, long-term survivors have significantly elevated rates of cardiac morbidity and mortality. Major complications include cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis. Means of prevention and treatment continue to be explored including limiting cumulative anthracycline dose, controlling the rate of administration, and using liposomal preparations and novel anthracycline analogues. Dexrazoxane prior to anthracycline chemotherapy has been shown to significantly lower rates of elevated serum cardiac troponin levels, a marker of myocyte injury, indicating a cardioprotective effect. Pilot studies indicate that exercise interventions may also be beneficial in long-term survivors with cardiac damage. Support and study of this population to decrease the morbidity and morality associated with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is indicated in a time sensitive fashion.
Multiple pathways of deletion formation in Escherichia coli.

Abstract We are investigating the mechanisms for deletion formation through the use of mutants which alter deletion frequency together with well characterized systems for deletion detection. We report here on three mutations which were isolated for their ability to stimulate deletions in plasmid pMC874 ( dli mutations). The mutation rec -2251 (formerly known as dli1 ) is a new allele of recBCD , a group of genes coding for the polypeptide components of the major recombination enzyme complex in E. coli ; the second one, dli2 may be a new allele of uvrD , which codes for DNA helicase II; and the third one, dli3 , has the phenotype of a mismatch repair mutation. Here we compare the effects of mutations in SOS-repair genes to those of the dli mutations on three different deletion events: (a) the deletion of short (60–100-bp) palindromic and non-palindromic inserts in derivatives of plasmid pBR325; (b) larger (600–800-bp) deletions in plasmid pMC874; and (c) the excision of the Tn10 transposon from chromosomal sites. Our results indicate that some form of SOS processing stimulates the loss of palindromes but not non-palindromes in plasmid pBR325 derivatives, and that RecA is necessary for UV-induced excision of Tn10 but this event is inhibited by UmuCD or its homolog MucAB. Each of the dli mutations showed unique effects on different classes of deletions. Mutation rec-2251 stimulated specifically deletions in pMC874 but had no effect on the deletion of non-palindromes in pBR325, and reduced the incidence of the other deletion events tested including loss of palindromic inserts in pBR325 as well as Tn10 excision. Mutation dli2 , on the other hand, stimulated all deletions tested to varying extents, while dli3 did not affect markedly deletion formation in pBR325 plasmids but had a large stimulatory effect on both deletions in plasmid pMC874 and Tn10 excision. These results reveal that (a) some SOS-repair functions participate in deletion formation, (b) mutations selected for altering the incidence of one class of deletions may have totally different effects on other deletion events, and (c) the differences in mutant behavior may result in part from the ability of some pathways to discriminate among different deletion intermediates such as hairpins or cruciforms formed by palindromic sequences vs. transient seconday structures stabilized by direct repeats flanking non-palindromic sequences.
Custom-made perforated cyst decompression stents

A method of facilitating cyst decompression has been presented. By using available materials and equipment, perforated silicone stents can be made to specific dimensions in a relatively short time period for this purpose.
Dietary Shifts among Songbirds from a Diflubenzuron-Treated Forest

Effects of diflubenzuron (a chitin-synthesis inhibiting insecticide) application on diets of forest birds were evaluated in eastern West Virginia in 1986. Nine species of songbirds were collected from May through July from treated and untreated plots. Gut contents from each specimen were removed and 10 arthropod taxa were identified. The percentage biomass comprised by each food taxon and total gut biomass was determined for each specimen. The diets of five species were significantly different between treated and untreated plots. In general, biomass of Lepidoptera larvae was reduced and biomass of other orders (Homoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, etc.) was greater at treated sites. In addition, two species displayed reduced total gut biomass at treated sites. These data show that while diflubenzuron is not directly toxic to vertebrates, birds are affected indirectly through reduced availability of Lepidoptera larvae. Birds possessed differing capabilities to compensate for these diflubenzuron-induced food reductions. Most birds adjusted by switching prey, while others consumed less food. Resident species experienced less impact than did migrants.
Trending Now: Digital Leadership Education Using Social Media and the Social Change Model

The current article examines social media applications as a tool for positive social change. The number of users on applications from Facebook to Twitter and Instagram continues to increase in all demographics. These tools are being integrated into our daily activities and challenging boundaries, roles, and even possibilities globally. Currently, there exists a gap in developing competent leaders capable of leading change using social media. Education leaders and leadership education programs can adapt the values of the Social Change Model to reflect and apply digital competencies to their practice. Digital leadership requires reflection on online self-awareness and congruence, grappling with the controversy that comes with cyber civility and how to be a digital citizen prepared to inspire positive social change.
Characterization of the Bacterial Communities of Life Stages of Free Living Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum)

The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is an abundant and aggressive biter of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife in the southeastern-central USA and an important vector of several known and suspected zoonotic bacterial pathogens. However, the biological drivers of bacterial community variation in this tick are still poorly defined. Knowing the community context in which tick-borne bacterial pathogens exist and evolve is required to fully understand the ecology and immunobiology of the ticks and to design effective public health and veterinary interventions. We performed a metagenomic survey of the bacterial communities of questing A. americanum and tested 131 individuals (66 nymphs, 24 males, and 41 females) from five sites in three states. Pyrosequencing was performed with barcoded eubacterial primers targeting variable 16S rRNA gene regions 5–3. The bacterial communities were dominated by Rickettsia (likely R. amblyommii) and an obligate Coxiella symbiont, together accounting for 6.7–100% of sequences per tick. DNAs from Midichloria, Borrelia, Wolbachia, Ehrlichia, Pseudomonas, or unidentified Bacillales, Enterobacteriaceae, or Rhizobiales groups were also detected frequently. Wolbachia and Midichloria significantly co-occurred in Georgia (p<0.00001), but not in other states. The significance of the Midichloria-Wolbachia co-occurrence is unknown. Among ticks collected in Georgia, nymphs differed from adults in both the composition (p = 0.002) and structure (p = 0.002) of their bacterial communities. Adults differed only in their community structure (p = 0.002) with males containing more Rickettsia and females containing more Coxiella. Comparisons among adult ticks collected in New York and North Carolina supported the findings from the Georgia collection despite differences in geography, collection date, and sample handling, implying that the differences detected are consistent attributes. The data also suggest that some members of the bacterial community change during the tick life cycle and that some sex-specific attributes may be detectable in nymphs.
Kinetics of hepatic cytochrome P-450 reduction: correlation with spin state of the ferric heme

The reduction kinetics of cytochrome P-450 are known to be biphasic, with a rapid initial phase and a slower subsequent phase, both of which appear linear in semilogarithmic plots. The present report demonstrates that these biphasic reduction kinetics can be described in terms of a preequilibrium between high- and low-spin ferric states. Computer simulations are used which express the rate and extent of the fast phase or burst as being due to the initial proportion of high-spin cytochrome P-450. According to this simplified sequential model, the slow phase of reduction is controlled by the rate of formation of high-spin cytochrome P-450. The substrate-induced alterations in the reduction kinetics are likewise consistent with the model, which indicates that type I compounds exert their effect by virtue of a decrease in the rate constant controlling the shift from high-spin to low-spin ferric cytochrome. The model is further supported by the influence of temperature on the spin equilibrium and reduction kinetics. Potential influences of other intermediate steps in the reduction and assumptions in the hypothesis are described.
The Handling of the Poor Risk Patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Antimicrobial Therapy, Cardio-Pulmonary Function and Surgery*

tion. The so-called “salvage” case is a challenge to the profession both in the evaluation and the employment of refined methods of treatment. Today, we are reluctant to settle for the so-called “good chronic” with quiescent disease. Instead, we are constantly striving for the inactive state.’
Relations between twins' similarity of appearance and behavioral similarity: Testing an assumption

Questionnaires rating twins' physical similarity and similarity of dress were obtained from the parents of 121 identical and 70 same-sex fraternal twin pairs. Within-pair difference scores on several behavioral measures (two intelligence tests, two perceptual tests, one reading test, one test of speech articulation, and one personality inventory) were correlated with the twins' scores for physical similarity and similarity of dress. The correlations revealed no systematic relation between the similarity of appearance and the similarity of behaviors for either the identical twin pairs or the same-sex fraternal twin pairs. The assumption that twins' behaviors are more alike because they are more similar in appearance does not seem warranted.
On Vortex Tube Stretching and Instabilities in an Inviscid Fluid

We study instabilities that are present in two models that retain some of the dynamics of vortex tube stretching in the motion of a fluid in 3 dimensions. Both models are governed by a 2-dimensional PDE and are hence more tractable than the full 3-dimensional Euler equations. The first model is the so called surface quasi-geostrophic equation. The second model is a class of 3-dimensional flows that are invariant with respect to one spatial coordinate. Both models appear in the context of a rapidly rotating fluid. Instabilities due to an effect analogous to vortex tube stretching are detected: these instabilities are in the linearised equations in the first model and in the nonlinear equations in the second model. Such instabilities are absent, or weaker, in strictly 2-dimensional fluid motion.
Static analysis of parallel robots with compliant joints for in-hand manipulation

Many robotic hands use compliant joints because they provide several advantages when interacting with objects in unknown environments, but they also modify the relation between external and internal forces and vary the reachable workspace. This work proposes a detailed study of how compliant joints modify the statics of hands, from the point of view of parallel manipulators. The chosen mathematical framework clarifies the role of joint compliance and its effect on the manipulator performance. This framework is then used in an example application to quantify the reduction/increase of torque exerted by the active joints due to the influence of the passive compliant ones for a three fingered hand.
Distance Learning on the Internet: An Exploratory Study

The Internet and Web-based technologies have become a popular platform for the development and delivery of distance learning (DL) programs in an online class setting. While these programs have proven popular with both students and faculty, few research studies have been done to determine the impact of these virtual courses on student learning and/or satisfaction. This article presents the development of a Web-based course model and the results from an exploratory study conducted to determine the effectiveness of this model on student satisfaction. Results from the survey reveal that the students had a positive experience with this Web-based course model. Students were generally satisfied with the online learning environment, appreciated the flexibility of being able to access course material any time and any place, and were satisfied with quality and course content.
Semaphorin3a inhibits ureteric bud branching morphogenesis

Class 3 semaphorins are guidance proteins involved in axon pathfinding, vascular patterning and lung branching morphogenesis in the developing mouse embryo. Semaphorin3a (Sema3a) is expressed in renal epithelia throughout kidney development, including podocytes and ureteric bud cells. However, the role of Sema3a in ureteric bud branching is unknown. Here we demonstrate that Sema3a plays a role in patterning the ureteric bud tree in both metanephric organ cultures and Sema3a mutant mice. In vitro ureteric bud injection with Sema3a antisense morpholino resulted in increased branching, whereas recombinant SEMA3A inhibited ureteric bud branching and decreased the number of developing glomeruli. Additional studies revealed that SEMA3A effects on ureteric bud branching involve downregulation of glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling, competition with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and decreased activity of Akt survival pathways. Deletion of Sema3a in mice is associated with increased ureteric bud branching, confirming its inhibitory role in vivo. Collectively, these data suggest that Sema3a is an endogenous antagonist of ureteric bud branching and hence, plays a role in patterning the renal collecting system as a negative regulator.
Perestroyka 2.0: Toward Non-Revolutionary Regime Transformation in Russia?

A political scientist examines the Medvedev presidency, asking whether a significant liberalization occurred between 2008 and spring 2012, the advent of Putin's return to the Kremlin. Drawing on the media and the academic literature, the article explores the proposition that that liberalization sparked many of the processes associated in the political science literature with both revolutionary and more transitional modes of regime transformation, including some initial regime transition pact-making. This pact-making and the maturity that both regime and opposition have so far exhibited are analyzed in terms of prospects for a peaceful mode of regime transformation that produces a democratic outcome.
“Nonlabeled” Family Interaction: Preliminary Report on a Prospective Study†

This paper is a preliminary report on the first year of a two-year exploratory, prospective study of psychiatrically "nonlabeled" families. The project studies families from a nonpathology-oriented point of view. It focuses primarily on whole-family interaction as it progresses through time. Because of limited funds, only two families are being studied in this exploratory phase. Nevertheless, the work touches on many issues of a general nature that may be of interest of other researchers. Each family has been interviewed once a month for the past year. The paper outlines: procedural matters, including selection criteria and recruitment; data collection, including interviews, rating scales, and "clinical" discussions; processing of data; preliminary findings, including quantitative and qualitative aspects; and problem areas, including methodological and ethical aspects. Language: en
An ecosystem approach to combat desertification on the Colorado Plateau.

Desertification of shrub and grassland into pinyon-juniper woodland is occurring over much of the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States. As trees invade, they out-compete shrubs and grasses, increasing erosion rates and reducing infiltration of moisture into the soil. This has caused habitat problems for wildlife, and reduced forage for livestock. These impacts also affect the human communities that rely on ranching and tourism related to hunting. Past land use and management practices including heavy livestock grazing, fire suppression and introduction of exotic annual plants are believed to have led to current conditions. The Montrose office of the Bureau of Land Management has implemented an ecosystem-based program to reverse the desertification process on public land. The program is centered on detailed landscape objectives describing the desired vegetation mosaic on 360 000 ha of public land. The objectives outline proportions of plant seral stages and arrays of patch sizes for each planning unit. These objectives are based on priority management issues and the need to replicate a natural vegetation mosaic. Where the existing mosaic does not meet objectives, mechanical vegetation treatments and prescribed fire are used to create early and mid-seral patches on the ground. This restored vegetation pattern and type should be sustained over time through a natural fire regime and improved livestock management. Because many uncertainties exist, an adaptive management process is being used that allows mosaic objectives to be changed or processes modified where monitoring or scientific research indicate a need.
Fine Roots, Net Primary Production, and Soil Nitrogen Availability: A New Hypothesis

The relationships between above- and belowground net primary production and soil nitrogen availability were studied at nine temperate forest sites. Annual allocations of nitrogen (N) and net primary production to leaf litter, perennial tissues (wood + bark), and aboveground biomass all increased significantly (P < .01) in relation to apparent N uptake by vegetation (NJ) as calculated using field measures of net N mineralization (Nj) and other major N fluxes to and from available N pools. Mean annual N content and biomass of fine roots (:<3.0 mm diameter) were both negatively correlated with NU (r= -0.71, P < .05; r -0.63, P < .10, respectively). However, only -50% of Nm at each site could be accounted for by allocation to aboveground litter and perennial tissues. Assuming that mineralized N not accounted for by allocation to these components was taken up by vegetation and allocated to fine roots, annual N allocation to fine roots (Nfr) was a constant fraction of N uptake. Therefore, Nfr increased in absolute terms with both Nm and apparent N uptake. Fine-root N turnover rates (or Nfl/fine-root N content) also increased as Nm and NU increased. Provided that fine-root biomass and N turnover rates were similar within individual sites, allocation of production to belowground biomass also increased relative to increases in soil N availability.Furthermore, the proportion of total net primary production allocated to belowground biomass did not decrease with increased N avail- ability.