cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reference Librarian and the Pro Se Patron

For a number of reasons including money, distrust of lawyers, and innovations in the law, it appears that increasing numbers of litigants are choosing to represent themselves in court without the benefit of counsel. In most instances, the first place they turn in preparation for their day in court is the law library. Examined in this article are the problems and challenges presented by the pro se patron and some possible alternatives for coping with them. For librarians who have already encountered such patrons, this article may stir anguished or amusing memories of past encounters; while for the novice, it may provide a glimpse of an experience that will inevitable occur.
Soft phonons and ultralow lattice thermal conductivity in the Dirac semimetal Cd 3 As 2

This paper combines first-principles simulation and Raman measurements to reveal the existence of low-frequency optical phonons in the topological semimetal Cd3As2, potentially due to Kohn anomalies associated with the Dirac points. This finding explains the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity and its anomalous temperature dependence in Cd3 As2 and indicates that topological semimetals can be potential candidates for efficient thermoelectric applications.
Differential response to prey quorum signals indicates predatory specialization of myxobacteria and ability to predate Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Multiomic analysis of transcriptional and metabolic responses from the predatory myxobacteria Myxococcus xanthus and Cystobacter ferrugineus exposed to prey signalling molecules of the acylhomoserine lactone and quinolone quorum signalling classes provided insight into predatory specialization. Acylhomoserine lactone quorum signals elicited a general response from both myxobacteria. We suggest that this is likely due to the generalist predator lifestyles of myxobacteria and ubiquity of acylhomoserine lactone signals. We also provide data that indicates the core homoserine lactone moiety included in all acylhomoserine lactone scaffolds to be sufficient to induce this general response. Comparing both myxobacteria, unique transcriptional and metabolic responses were observed from Cystobacter ferrugineus exposed to the quinolone signal 2-heptylquinolin-4(1H)-one (HHQ) natively produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We suggest that this unique response and ability to metabolize quinolone signals contribute to the superior predation of P. aeruginosa observed from C. ferrugineus. These results further demonstrate myxobacterial eavesdropping on prey signalling molecules and provide insight into how responses to exogenous signals might correlate with prey range of myxobacteria.
Lessons from SGLT-2 inhibitors: rethinking endpoints for heart failure studies.

SGLT-2 inhibitors show promise for treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but clinical data are nuanced. Appropriate endpoint selection will be key to deciphering their benefits.
Survival and treatment morbidity with therapeutic lymphadenectomy for regional nodal metastases from melanoma

8571 Background: Therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) is potentially curative therapy for clinically palpable nodal metastatic melanoma. However, TL is associated with significant morbidity and a disma...
Peritoneolysis in the Reconstruction of a Roux-en-Y Loop

The Roux-en-Y loop has been used extensively following resection of the proximal part of the biliary tract or in a proximal esophagogastrectomy, performed because of a primary adenocarcinoma in this area or a soft tissue sarcoma involving these structures. It is also used as a bypass to restore the flow of bile into the gastrointestinal tract if the tumor itself is not resectable, or to drain pancreatic secretions into the GI tract. Sometimes the Roux-en-Y will not reach the desired level without tension. Passing the Roux-en-Y loop through an opening in the transverse mesocolon provides the shortest route to reach the proximal hepatic duct or the esophagus.
Thermodynamics of polyatomic fluid mixtures—II

Abstract The theory described in the previous paper is used to study pure and mixed fluids composed of polar, (HCl, HBr), quadrupolar (CO2, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6) and octopolar (CH4, CF4) molecules. The theory accurately predicts vapour-liquid equilibria for the ten binary and one ternary system studied. Comparisons with experiment are also made for excess volumes, and critical and azeotropic loci, where these are available.
Severe mitral regurgitation: A common occurrence in the aging patient with secundum atrial septal defect

Severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) which necessitated mitral valve replacement was identified in 19 (3.9%) of 498 consecutive patients (age range 1-83 years) with secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). The incidence of severe MR was significantly higher in patients older than age 50 years, 15 of 98 (15%), than in patients either below 21 years, 1 of 213 (0.4%), or between ages 21 to 49 years, 3 of 187 (2%). The higher frequency and severity of MR in the older ASD patient has not previously been appreciated. The morphology of severe MR in the older ASD patient consists of fibrous thickening and deformity of the mitral leaflets with shortening and thickening of the chordae tendineae. Because of the rarity of severe MR in the young patient with ASD, the mitral valve pathology is still poorly defined.
GART: the gesture and activity recognition toolkit

The Gesture and Activity Recognition Toolit (GART) is a user interface toolkit designed to enable the development of gesture-based applications. GART provides an abstraction to machine learning algorithms suitable for modeling and recognizing different types of gestures. The toolkit also provides support for the data collection and the training process. In this paper, we present GART and its machine learning abstractions. Furthermore, we detail the components of the toolkit and present two example gesture recognition applications.
Modeling instructible robots for waste disposal applications

The storage of high-level radioactive waste in centralized interim storage facilities (CIS) creates a unique and challenging environment for developing and deploying innovative robotic technologies. Limited accessibility and resources as well as difficulties in predicting the behavior of some facility components call for enhanced collaboration between humans and robots and improved capacity for robotic instruction in nearly linguistic terms. We present a neurofuzzy approach for instructing robots operating in such environments and propose a functional architecture for groups of collaborating instructible robots.
2D imaging system with optical tracking for EMI source localization

This research presents a 2D imaging system with optical tracking to localize radiating sources. Optical tracking system is used for localizing the position of the near field measurement probe. Emission source microscopy (ESM) algorithm derived from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technique is used to localize radiating sources.
Tabtoxinine-β-lactam is a “stealth” β-lactam antibiotic that evades β-lactamase-mediated antibiotic resistance

Tabtoxinine-β-lactam (TβL) is a phytotoxin produced by plant pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Unlike the majority of β-lactam antibiotics, TβL does not inhibit transpeptidase enzymes but instead is a potent, time-dependent inactivator of glutamine synthetase, an attractive and underexploited antibiotic target. TβL is produced by P. syringae in the form of a threonine dipeptide prodrug, tabtoxin (TβL-Thr), which enters plant and bacterial cells through dipeptide permeases. The role of β-lactamases in the self-protection of P. syringae from tabtoxin has been proposed, since this organism produces at least three β-lactamases. However, using in vitro and cellular assays and computational docking we have shown that TβL and TβL-Thr evade the action of all major classes of β-lactamase enzymes, thus overcoming the primary mechanism of resistance observed for traditional β-lactam antibiotics. TβL is a “stealth” β-lactam antibiotic and dipeptide prodrugs such as tabtoxin from P. syringae represent a novel antibiotic therapeutic strategy for treating multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens expressing high levels of β-lactamase enzymes.
Clinical Evaluation of a Rectangular Field Collimating Device for Periapical Radiography

The rectangular field collimating device, a paralleling instrument, and the technique for its use were evaluated and compared with other techniques in terms of ease of instruction, performance by students, X-radiation hazard, and quality of radiographs.
State political culture, primary frontloading and democratic voice in presidential nominations: 1972-2000

In light of the notorious “frontloading” phenomenon in U.S. presidential nominating elections, this paper examines the relationship between state political culture and state primary scheduling, for the purpose of understanding how differences in institutionalized community values may have affected the equity with which democratic voice has been distributed in modern presidential nominations. Using stratified event history analyses of nomination campaign schedules from 1972 to 2000, we find that “moralistic” states tend to schedule primary dates earlier in the campaign season than do individualistic or (especially) traditionalistic states, particularly in states with more ideologically liberal elites. Moreover, this tendency toward frontloading among moralistic states becomes more dramatic as racial homogeneity increases relative to other states. These results disturbingly reveal that the democratic voices of racial minorities have often been muffled under the modern institution of presidential nominations.
Transfer of negative muons to gases dissolved in a hydrogen bubble chamber

The transfer reactions (μ-H) + X→ (μ-X) + H, where H = p or d and X = Ne or He, were studied by observing variations in the fractions of μ-undergoing nuclear capture or catalyzing the fusion process p + d →3He. In deuterium-free hydrogen with a neon contamination of (105−25+50). 10-6, half of the muons are transferred to neon. Transfer to neon is 3 times more frequent if the hydrogen contains enough deuterium to saturate the reaction (μ-p)+d →(μ-d)+p. Transfer to helium is at least two orders of magnitude slower than to neon. Stars induced by μand π-were analysed. No transfer of π-was detected. The effect of the transfer reactions on the measurement of μ-capture by hydrogen is discussed. It is shown that the transfer reactions can be used for experiments on μ-capture by separated neon isotopes and possibly by3He.
ELEVATION EFFECTS ON RAINFALL: A STOCHASTIC MODEL

Abstract The variation in point precipitation with elevation is investigated using an event-based stochastic model of thunderstorm rainfall and empirical data. Parameters of the model correspond to the number of events per unit of time and the depth of rainfall per event. An increase in precipitation with elevation may be due to an increase in the number of events, in the amount of rainfall per event or to some combination of both possibilities. The distribution of the number of events per season is assumed to be a Poisson variate while the distribution of point rainfall depths may be taken as geometric. The summation of a random number of random variables is used to represent seasonal point precipitation. Assuming that the two parameters of the model increase linearly with elevation, then total seasonal rainfall increases as a quadratic polynomial with elevation. The use of the model allows one to obtain the return period of storm rainfall of a given magnitude despite a short historical record. An independent set of data was used to verify the procedure.
The relationship of aerobic and anaerobic power to distance running performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of various measures of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism to 10 km run time. Subjects were 14 trained and experienced female distance runners whose mean (±SD) age, mass, percent body fat, and VO2 max were 31.3 ± 2.8 yr, 58.5 ± 6.7 kg, 17.5 ± 3.9 percent, and 48.9 ± 4.9 ml· min−1 · kg−1 respectively. Results indicated that ventilation threshold (VT), velocity at VO2 max (vVO2 max), V02max, 50 m sprint time, and peak knee extension torque at 400 deg· sec−1 were significantly correlated with 10 km run time (p ≤ .05). Stepwise multiple regression indicated that VT was the strongest single predictor explaining 48% of the variance while 50 m sprint time increased the explained variance to 67.2% (SEE = 1.40 min). The regression equation developed was: Y' = 48.65 ‐ .270 (VT ml· min−1 · kg−1 + .90 (50m in sec). The results of this investigation provide evidence that distance running performance may be attributed to individual variables such as VT and anaerobi...
Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2), Transforming Growth Factor-β, Hyaluronan (HA), and Receptor for HA-mediated Motility (RHAMM) Are Required for Surfactant Protein A-stimulated Macrophage Chemotaxis

The innate immune system protects the host from bacterial and viral invasion. Surfactant protein A (SPA), a lung-specific collectin, stimulates macrophage chemotaxis. However, the mechanisms regulating this function are unknown. Hyaluronan (HA) and its receptors RHAMM (receptor for HA- mediated motility, CD168) and CD44 also regulate cell migration and inflammation. We therefore examined the role of HA, RHAMM, and CD44 in SPA-stimulated macrophage chemotaxis. Using antibody blockade and murine macrophages, SPA-stimulated macrophage chemotaxis was dependent on TLR2 but not the other SPA receptors examined. Anti-TLR2 blocked SPA-induced production of TGFβ. In turn, TGFβ1-stimulated chemotaxis was inhibited by HA-binding peptide and anti-RHAMM antibody but not anti-TLR2 antibody. Macrophages from TLR2−/− mice failed to migrate in response to SPA but responded normally to TGFβ1 and HA, effects that were blocked by anti-RHAMM antibody. Macrophages from WT and CD44−/− mice had similar responses to SPA, whereas those from RHAMM−/− mice had decreased chemotaxis to SPA, TGFβ1, and HA. In primary macrophages, SPA-stimulated TGFβ production was dependent on TLR2, JNK, and ERK but not p38. Pam3Cys, a specific TLR2 agonist, stimulated phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38, but only JNK and ERK inhibition blocked Pam3Cys-stimulated chemotaxis. We have uncovered a novel pathway for SPA-stimulated macrophage chemotaxis where SPA stimulation via TLR2 drives JNK- and ERK-dependent TGFβ production. TGFβ1, in turn, stimulates macrophage chemotaxis in a RHAMM and HA-dependent manner. These findings are highly relevant to the regulation of innate immune responses by SPA with key roles for specific components of the extracellular matrix.
Investigating magnetic field dose effects in small animals: a Monte Carlo study

Purpose: In MRI-linac treatments, radiation dose distributions are affected by magnetic fields, especially at high-density/low-density interfaces. Radiobiological consequences of magnetic field dose effects are presently unknown and preclinical studies are desirable. This study investigates the optimal combination of beam energy and magnetic field strength needed for preclinical murine studies. Methods : The Monte Carlo code MCNP6 was used to simulate the effects of a magnetic field when irradiating a mouse lung phantom with a 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm photon beam. Magnetic field dose effects were examined using various beam energies (225 kVp, 662 keV [Cs-137], and 1.25MeV [Co-60]) and magnetic field strengths (0.75 T, 1.5 T, and 3 T). The resulting dose distributions were compared to Monte Carlo results for humans with various field sizes and patient geometries using a 6MV/1.5T MRI-linac. Results: In human simulations, the addition of a 1.5 T magnetic field causes an average dose increase of 49% (range: 36% - 60%) to lung at the soft tissue-lung interface and an average dose decrease of 30% (range: 25% - 36%) at the lung-soft tissue interface. In mouse simulations, no magnetic field dose effects were seen with the 225 kVp beam. The dose increase for the Cs-137 beam was 12%, 33%, and 49% for 0.75 T, 1.5 T, and 3.0 T magnetic fields, respectively while the dose decrease was 7%, 23%, and 33%. For the Co-60 beam the dose increase was 14%, 45%, and 41%, and the dose decrease was 18%, 35%, and 35%. Conclusion : The magnetic field dose effects observed in mouse phantoms using a Co-60 beam with 1.5 T or 3 T fields or a Cs-137 beam with a 3T field fall within the range seen in humans treated with an MRI-linac. These irradiator/magnet combinations are therefore suitable for preclinical studies investigating potential biological effects of delivering radiation therapy in the presence of a magnetic field. --------------------------- Cite this article as: Rubinstein A, Guindani M, Hazle JD, Court LE. Investigating magnetic field dose effects in small animals: a Monte Carlo study. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020233. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.33
PHR1 is a vesicle-bound protein abundantly expressed in mature olfactory neurons.

Objectives/Hypothesis. To characterize the role of Phr1, a gene highly expressed in primary sensory neurons where it encodes an integral membrane protein with an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain and a C-terminal transmembrane domain, in the olfactory system. Methods. We studied the immunelocalization of the PHR1 protein in mouse olfactory epithelium both at steady state and during regeneration following methyl bromide (MeBr) exposure using scanning confocal microscopy. Additionally, we examined the electrophysiologic role of Phr1 in olfaction and short-term olfactory adaptation. Results. We found that PHR1 is abundantly and specifically expressed in olfactory neurons. It is widely distributed in punctate, vesiculated organelles throughout the cell bodies, axons, and glomeruli of primary olfactory neurons but is specifically excluded from the olfactory cilia. In the regenerating olfactory epithelium, PHR1 expression appears at 14 days following MeBr ablation coinciding with the onset of olfactory neuron maturity. Despite the abundant and specific expression throughout the olfactory neurons, mice lacking Phr1 did not exhibit differences in the distribution of the components of olfactory signal transduction system, the rate of olfactory regeneration following MeBr exposure, olfactory function, or short-term adaptation to odors. Conclusions. Phr1 is widely and abundantly expressed throughout mature olfactory neurons and other primary sensory neurons, but its absence does not appear to affect olfactory morphology, regeneration, sensory function, or adaptation. The exact function of Phr1 remains to be discovered. Laryngoscope, 2010
Impact of Information About Obesity Genomics on the Stigmatization of Overweight Individuals: An Experimental Study

Advances in genomic technologies are rapidly leading to new understandings of the roles that genetic variations play in obesity. Increasing public dissemination of information regarding the role of genetics in obesity could have beneficial, harmful, or neutral effects on the stigmatization of obese individuals. This study used an online survey and experimental design to examine the impact of genetic versus non-genetic information on obesity stigma among self-perceived non-overweight individuals. Participants (n = 396) were randomly assigned to read either genetic, non-genetic (environment), or gene-environment interaction obesity causal information. A total of 48% of participants were female; mean age was 42.7 years (range = 18-86 years); 75% were white; 45.2% had an annual household income of less than $40,000; mean BMI was 23.4 kg/m(2). Obesity stigma was measured using the Fat Phobia Scale - short form (FPS-S). After reading the experimental information, participants in the genetic and gene-environment conditions were more likely to believe that genetics increase obesity risk than participants in the non-genetic condition (both P < 0.05), but did not differ on obesity stigma. Obesity stigma was higher among whites and Asians than Hispanics and African Americans (P = 0.029), and associated with low self-esteem (P = 0.036). Obesity stigma was also negatively associated with holding 'germ or virus' (P = 0.033) and 'overwork' (P = 0.016) causal beliefs about obesity, and positively associated with 'diet or eating habits' (P = 0.001) and 'lack of exercise' (P = 0.004) causal beliefs. Dissemination of brief information about the role of genetics in obesity may have neither a beneficial nor a harmful impact on obesity stigmatization compared with non-genetic information among self-perceived non-overweight individuals.
Vulnerability and unmet health care needs. The influence of multiple risk factors.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have demonstrated a strong association between minority race, low socioeconomic status (SES), and lack of potential access to care (e.g., no insurance coverage and no regular source of care) and poor receipt of health care services. Most studies have examined the independent effects of these risk factors for poor access, but more practical models are needed to account for the clustering of multiple risks.
A Gradient-Based Method for Team Evasion

We formulate the problem of an autonomous agent team facing the attack of an adversarial agent as a single-pursuer-multiple-evader pursuit-evasion game, with the assumption that the pursuer is faster than all evaders. In this game, the pursuer aims to minimize the capture time of the last surviving evader, while the evaders as a team cooperate to maximize this time. We present a gradient-based approach that quickly computes the controls for the evaders as a team under an open-loop formulation that is conservative towards the evader team by deriving analytical formulas. We demonstrate the advantage of the gradient-based approach by comparing performance both in computation time and in optimality with the iterative open-loop method studied in our previous work. Multiple heuristics have been designed to deal with the inherent intractability of evaluating all possible capture sequences. Extensive simulations have been performed, with results discussed.© 2013 ASME
Knockdown of Leptin A Expression Dramatically Alters Zebrafish Development

Using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (MO) technology, we blocked leptin A or leptin receptor expression in embryonic zebrafish, and analyzed consequences of leptin A knock-down on fish development. Embryos injected with leptin A or leptin receptor MOs (leptin A or leptin receptor morphants) had smaller bodies and eyes, undeveloped inner ear, enlarged pericardial cavity, curved body and/or tail and larger yolk compared to control embryos of the same stages. The defects persisted in 6-9 days old larvae. We found that blocking leptin A function had little effect on the development of early brain (1 day old), but differentiation of both the morphant dorsal brain and retinal cells was severely disrupted in older (2 days old) embryos. Despite the enlarged pericardial cavity, differentiation of cardiac cells appeared to be similar to control embryos. Formation of the morphants' inner ear is also severely disrupted, which corroborates existing reports of leptin receptor expression in inner ear of both zebrafish and mammals. Co-injection of leptin A MO and recombinant leptin results in partial rescue of the wild-type phenotype. Our results suggest that leptin A plays distinct roles in zebrafish development.
Thermodynamische Berechnungen zum Wolframtransport in fluorhaltigen Systemen

Durch eine thermodynamische Analyse der Systeme W(s)–F, W(s)–F–O, W(s)–F–Br, W(s)–F–Br–O, W(s)–Si–F, W(s)–B–F, W(s)–Si–F–Br und W(s)–B–F–Br werden Aussagen zum Transportverhalten von Wolfram in fluorhaltigen Systemen erhalten und mit experimentellen Befunden verglichen. Der Einflus von Brom, Sauerstoff, Silizium und Bor auf den Wolframtransport wird untersucht. Die Nichtschwarzungsbedingung (dλW/dT < 0) ist in fluor- und bromhaltigen Systemen erfullt. Thermodynamic Calculations on the Transport of Tungsten in Systems Containing Fluorine Compounds Information on the transport behaviour of tungsten in systems containing fluorine is obtained by a thermodynamic analysis of the systems W(s)–F, W(s)–F–O, W(s)–F–Br, W(s)–F–Br–O, W(s)–Si–F, W(s)–B–F, W(s)–Si–F–Br, and W(s)–B–F–Br. The results are compared with experimental findings. The influence of bromine, oxygen, silicon, and boron on the transport of tungsten is investigated. The nonblackening condition (dλW/dT < 0) is fulfilled in systems containing fluorine as well as bromine.
At Sixes and Sevens with Lezama Lima: Salvaging Intertextual Citations in a Translation of Eduardo Chirinos's “Desencuentros con Lezama”

Acknowledging recent trends in translation studies away from a focus on correlation between source and target texts, the essay explores the possibility of a source-language intertext being recognized in a translation. Here, the references are to Jose Lezama Lima's works in Eduardo Chirinos's “Desencuentros con Lezama.” Using George Steiner's comments on archaism and Jacques Derrida's insights into dual-language source texts as analogies, the essay cites practical strategies for intertextual translation, with none guaranteeing transparent accessibility to the originals. More important to the English-language translation of “Desencuentros con Lezama” than Goethe's ideal of “perfect identity” between source text and translation is Chirinos's mirroring of Lezama Lima's freeing of linguistic signs from their referential functions. The resulting blurred delineation between the literal and the figurative that may have been a “product of delirium in illness” allows Chirinos's speaker to evade physical decline by ...
Mechanisms of penetration enhancement for transbuccal delivery of salicylic acid

Abstract The process of in vitro permeation across rabbit buccal mucosa was examined using salicylic acid as a model compound. The promoting action of penetration enhancers on salicylic acid flux was studied using differential scanning calorimetry, flux, electrophysiology, and microscopy techniques. The enhancers, sodium deoxycholate and sodium lauryl sulfate, decrease the electrical resistance and increase the permeability of salicylic acid across rabbit buccal mucosa. The results of these techniques appear to support the premise that the superficial layers and protein domain of the epithelium may be responsible for maintaining the barrier function of the buccal mucosa. This work provides additional insight in identification of the permeability barrier and the mechanism of enhancer activity.
Coronary artery bypass grafting after pneumonectomy

Coronary artery bypass grafting was carried out in a 61-year-old man 42 years after he had undergone right pneumonectomy. At the time of operation, the heart was displaced into the right hemithorax, which required modification of the operative techniques. Despite poor pulmonary function tests results preoperatively, the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. The success in this patient may be attributed to careful preoperative preparation, flexibility in the choice of techniques for establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass and coronary artery bypass grafting, and careful attention to perioperative fluid management.
Magnetic moments of the baryons: An experimental review

Measurements of baryon magnetic moments have provided important insights into the composition of baryons as well as important constraints for model builders. These measurements show that a simple quark model describes most of the salient features. However, the significant discrepancies have raised fundamental questions about baryon structure and produced a steady stream of theoretical papers. I would like to briefly review the technology for making these measurements, the current state of the measurements, and the near term prospects for improvements.
Octave generalization and tune recognition.

An experiment was performed to investigate whether or not we are able to use octave generalization in recognizing tunes. The firat half of the tune “Yankee Doodle” wu chosen as the test sequence. This was universally recognized when played in any one of three octaves. However, when the sequence was played in identical fashion. except that each note was chosen randomly from one of the same three octaves, the percentage correct recognition was not significantly different from that obtained when the sequence was played as a series of clicks with the pitch information omitted but the rhythmic information retained. It is concluded that tune recognition takes place along a channel which is independent from that which gives rise to octave generalization. The relevance of this finding to the theory of music recognition proposed by Deutsch (1969) is discussed.
A cohort study investigating patient expectations and satisfaction outcomes in men undergoing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy

Introduction Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is gaining widespread acceptance for the management of localized prostate cancer. However, data regarding patient expectations and satisfaction outcomes after RARP are scarce.
Uncovering MitobkCa Channel Mitochondrial Translocation Mechanisms

The mitochondrial large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (mitoBKCa) of adult cardiomyocytes is encoded by the Kcnma1 gene and contains a C-terminal 50 amino acid insert (DEC) essential for mitoBKCa targeting. We tested the hypothesis that DEC may bind to the mitochondrial protein import system. To this end, we used recombinant GST-DEC and GST as baits to immunoprecipitate proteins using mitochondrial lysates from ventriculocytes (8 rats/experiment, n=3). Mitochondrial proteins bound to GST-DEC and GST (control) were analyzed using 1-D in gel electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. After subtracting GST-bound proteins from those binding to GST-DEC, we found that DEC peptide interacts with more than 200 different mitochondrial proteins with scores >21. These include components of the outer membrane TOM complex, TOM70 (2 peptides, n=1), TOM22 (1 peptide, n=2), and TOM40 (2 peptides, n=1); of the inner membrane TIM23-PAM complex, GrpE (4 peptides, n=1); and matrix proteins involved in folding, Hsp60 (6 peptides, n=1) and "import signal" cleavage, MPP (mitochondria processing peptidase) subunits A (6 peptides, n=1) and B (6 peptides, n=1). Interestingly, DEC also interacted with SAM50 (10 peptides, n=2), a component of the outer membrane insertion machinery. The results suggest that BKCa-DEC may use a novel import pathway as DEC associated with TOM70 and TIM23-PAM, which differs from the established TOM70→TIM22 and TOM20→TIM23-PAM pathways. In the new TOM70→TIM23-PAM pathway, BKCa-DEC would be translocated across the outer and inner membranes reaching the matrix where BKCa-DEC would be processed by MMP and correctly folded by Hsp60 for its final insertion to the inner membrane. Since MMP is known to be a cleavage signal peptidase, the results also indicate that DEC might serve as a cleavable C-terminal targeting signal. The unexpected finding of SAM50 association with DEC, suggests that BKCa-DEC could also be targeted to the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Mature religious behavior: A psychological perspective and its implications.

As Yinger has noted, the real research question for the scientific investigation of religious behavior is not whether a person is religious but rather how he or she is religious.1 Underlying this shift from simplistic quantification of be havior is a concern with motivation. For the religious leader or educator, there is the further concern about the psychological well-being of the practitioner. For example, is the religious ardor of a given member of the church an expres sion of a true religious commitment or is it an escape from responsibility toward self? Is this religious behavior allowing for or promoting growth in this student of religion, or does it represent a symptom of a neurotic condition?
Identification of Inhibitors of a Bacterial Sigma Factor Using a New High-Throughput Screening Assay

Gram-negative bacteria are formidable pathogens because their cell envelope presents an adaptable barrier to environmental and host-mediated challenges. The stress response pathway controlled by the alternative sigma factor σ(E) is critical for maintenance of the cell envelope. Because σ(E) is required for the virulence or viability of several Gram-negative pathogens, it might be a useful target for antibiotic development. To determine if small molecules can inhibit the σ(E) pathway, and to permit high-throughput screening for antibiotic lead compounds, a σ(E) activity assay that is compatible with high-throughput screening was developed and validated. The screen employs a biological assay with positive readout. An Escherichia coli strain was engineered to express yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) under negative regulation by the σ(E) pathway, such that inhibitors of the pathway increase the production of YFP. To validate the screen, the reporter strain was used to identify σ(E) pathway inhibitors from a library of cyclic peptides. Biochemical characterization of one of the inhibitory cyclic peptides showed that it binds σ(E), inhibits RNA polymerase holoenzyme formation, and inhibits σ(E)-dependent transcription in vitro. These results demonstrate that alternative sigma factors can be inhibited by small molecules and enable high-throughput screening for inhibitors of the σ(E) pathway.
Magnesium cardioplegia reduces cytosolic and nuclear calcium and DNA fragmentation in the senescent myocardium

Previous reports have indicated that the senescent myocardium is less tolerant to surgically induced ischemia and that diminished functional recovery is associated with alterations in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) accumulation. Recently, increased [Ca2+]i has been suggested to alter nuclear calcium ([Ca2+]n) accumulation. To investigate the relation between [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]n, we subjected mature and aged rabbit hearts to normothermic global ischemia, either without treatment or after treatment with potassium cardioplegia, magnesium cardioplegia, or a combination of potassium and magnesium cardioplegia. The relation between altered [Ca2+]n and DNA fragmentation was also investigated. Our results indicate that [Ca2+]i was increased during 30 minutes of normothermic global ischemia without treatment in both the mature and aged hearts (p < 0.05). Accumulation of [Ca2+]i during global ischemia was reduced with the use of potassium, magnesium, and a combination of potassium and magnesium cardioplegia (p < 0.05 versus untreated ischemia) in both the mature and aged hearts. Levels of [Ca2+]n were unaffected by global ischemia or cardioplegia in the mature myocardium; however, in the aged myocardium, [Ca2+]n was increased during global ischemia and with potassium cardioplegia and was associated with increased nuclear DNA fragmentation (p < 0.05). The use of magnesium and a combination of potassium and magnesium cardioplegia attenuated [Ca2+]n accumulation and nuclear DNA fragmentation (p < 0.05). Control of [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]n was associated with enhanced functional recovery during reperfusion. These results indicate that during normothermic ischemia, there is increased [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]n in the aged myocardium, and increased [Ca2+]n is associated with increased nuclear DNA fragmentation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Radio metric orbit determination for the Giotto mission to Comet Halley

An international fleet of five spacecraft will fly past Comet Halley as it travels through the inner solar system in early 1986. This paper discusses orbit determination problems associated with the Giotto spacecraft, sponsored by the European Space Agency. The large number of spin axis precession maneuvers required to maintain the desired spacecraft attitude creates a new kind of radio metric orbit determination problem for this mission. This paper investigates the accuracy with which the Giotto spacecraft orbit can be determined relative to the earth or the sun, and establishes the sensitivity of this accuracy to the selection of the parameters to be estimated, the form of estimator used, the number of tracking stations employed, the length of the data arc, the selection of data types processed, and the levels of various error sources.
“Parenting & Professing: Balancing Family Work With an Academic Career,” by R. H. Bassett (Ed.)

Rachel Hile Bassett compiled a diverse group of 24 first-person narratives about the balance between work and family among women with careers in the academy in the volume, Parenting & Professing: B...
Ultrasound Enhanced Adsorption and Desorption of Phenol on Activated Carbon and Polymeric Resin

The effects of ultrasound on the adsorption and desorption of phenol using activated carbon and polymeric resin was investigated. For adsorption in a batch adsorber, ultrasound was found to act like a mixer, improving the mass-transfer coefficient through cavitation and acoustic streaming. The mass-transfer coefficient was controlling for these systems. For desorption ultrasound was found to enhance the surface diffusivity. The surface diffusivity was controlling for these systems. The activation energy for surface diffusion was decreased by ultrasound. The intense localized heating and high-pressure shock waves caused by cavitation were found to be the major cause of the decrease. Effects on all parameters were found to be dependent on ultrasonic power. While ultrasound enhanced surface diffusion, its effect on equilibrium adsorption isotherms was found to be negligible for the systems studied.
Compression techniques for improved algorithm computational performance

Analysis of thermal data requires the processing of large amounts of temporal image data. The processing of the data for quantitative information can be time intensive especially out in the field where large areas are inspected resulting in numerous data sets. By applying a temporal compression technique, improved algorithm performance can be obtained. In this study, analysis techniques are applied to compressed and non-compressed thermal data. A comparison is made based on computational speed and defect signal to noise.
Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease characterized by progressive degeneration of upper motor neurons (UMN) and lower motor neurons (LMN). While LMN dysfunction can be confirmed by electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy, UMN involvement is more difficult to detect, particularly in the early phase. Objective and sensitive measures of UMN dysfunction are needed for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as diffusion, perfusion, magnetization transfer imaging, functional MRI, and MR spectroscopy, provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of ALS and may have a role in the identification and monitoring of UMN pathology. This article provides an overview of these neuroimaging techniques and their potential roles in ALS.
Quantitative analysis of magnetic resonance images and neurological outcome in encephalopathic neonates treated with whole-body hypothermia

To evaluate whether quantitative measures from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in hypothermia-treated encephalopathic newborns can differentiate patients with unfavorable neurological outcome. Retrospective analysis of clinical data and MRI studies was performed in 47 full-term infants treated with whole-body hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and T1 and T2 intensity ratios were measured in the basal ganglia and thalamus on axial MRI images. Unfavorable outcome was defined as (1) death or severe neurological deficits at discharge and (2) death or cerebral palsy/severe motor deficit at follow-up through age 9 months. Differences between groups with favorable versus unfavorable neurological outcome at each time point were compared. Optimal cutoff values for significant MR variables were determined with receiver operating curve analyses. Sensitivity and specificity of these cutoff values for predicting unfavorable outcome were calculated and results were compared with qualitative MRI interpretation. Infants presented with a median pH of 6.86, base deficit of 20 and Apgar scores of 1, 3 and 4 at 1, 5 and 10 min, respectively. Severe encephalopathy was present in 38%. Unfavorable outcome was present in 9 patients at discharge and in 13 of 26 patients with available follow-up data through 9 months. ADC values and T1 ratios were not significantly different between groups at either time point. T2 ratios in both the basal ganglia and thalamus were significantly higher in patients with unfavorable outcome, both at discharge and in follow-up. T2 intensity ratio in the basal ganglia and thalamus remained significantly associated with death or severe neurological deficit at discharge, after controlling for covariates in logistic regression analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of T2 intensity ratio for predicting unfavorable outcome at discharge were comparable to qualitative grading of injury in the basal ganglia and thalamus by a neuroradiologist. Increased T2 signal intensity in the basal ganglia or thalamus in patients with hypothermia-treated neonatal encephalopathy is associated with unfavorable neurological outcome at discharge and later with motor deficit/cerebral palsy. Quantitative methods to assess MRI evidence of brain injury are important for providing objective measures to predict outcome in this high-risk population.
LXR/RXR ligand activation enhances basolateral efflux of β-sitosterol in CaCo-2 cells

To examine whether intestinal ABCA1 was responsible for the differences observed between cholesterol and β-sitosterol absorption, ABCA1-facilitated β-sitosterol efflux was investigated in CaCo-2 cells following liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) activation. Both the LXR agonist T0901317 and the natural RXR/LXR agonists 22-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis retinoic acid enhanced the basolateral efflux of β-sitosterol without altering apical efflux. LXR-mediated enhanced β-sitosterol efflux occurred between 6 h and 12 h after activation, suggesting that transcription, protein synthesis, and trafficking was likely necessary prior to facilitating efflux. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D prevented the increase in β-sitosterol efflux by T0901317. Glybenclamide, an inhibitor of ABCA1 activity, and arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that interferes with LXR activation, also prevented β-sitosterol efflux in response to the LXR ligand activation. Influx of β-sitosterol mass did not alter the basolateral or apical efflux of the plant sterol, nor did it alter ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG5, or ABCG8 gene expression or ABCA1 mass. Similar to results observed with intestinal ABCA1-facilitated cholesterol efflux, LXR/RXR ligand activation enhanced the basolateral efflux of β-sitosterol without affecting apical efflux. The results suggest that ABCA1 does not differentiate between cholesterol and β-sitosterol and thus is not responsible for the selectivity of sterol absorption by the intestine. ABCA1, however, may play a role in β-sitosterol absorption.
Calculating protein structures directly from anisotropic spin interaction constraints.

Protein structure determination by solid-state NMR of aligned samples relies on the fundamental characteristics of the anisotropic nuclear spin interactions present in isotopically labeled proteins. Progress in the implementation of algorithms that calculate protein structures from the orientational constraints in the chemical shift and heteronuclear dipolar coupling interactions is described using both simulated and experimental data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective Effects of High-Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) in Human Lung Endothelial Cell Barrier Regulation: Role of Actin Cytoskeletal Rearrangement

Acute lung injury represents the result of multiple pathways initiated by local or systemic insults and is characterized by profound vascular permeability, pulmonary edema, and life-threatening respiratory failure. Permeability-reducing therapies are of potential clinical utility but are currently unavailable. We hypothesized that polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds, inert and non-toxic polymers that serve as a surrogate mucin lining in intestinal epithelium, may attenuate agonist-mediated lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction. High molecular weight PEG (PEG15-20) produced rapid, dose-dependent increases in transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) in human lung endothelium cultured on gold microelectrodes, reflecting increased paracellular integrity. The maximal effective concentration of 8% PEG induced a sustained 125% increase in TER (40 h), results similar to barrier-enhancing agonists such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (40% increase in TER). Maximal PEG barrier enhancement was achieved at 45-60 min and PEG effectively reversed both thrombin- and LPS-induced EC barrier dysfunction. Consistent with the increase in TER, immunofluorescent studies demonstrated that PEG produced significant cytoskeletal rearrangement with formation of well-defined cortical actin rings and lamellipodia containing the actin-binding proteins, cortactin and MLCK, known participants in cell-matrix and cell-cell junctional adhesion. Finally, PEG challenge induced rapid alterations in levels of MAP kinase and MLC phosphorylation. In summary, PEG joins a number of EC barrier-regulatory agents which rapidly activate barrier-enhancing signal transduction pathways which target the cytoskeleton and provides a potential therapeutic strategy in inflammatory lung injury.
Ensemble-based data assimilation and targeted observation of a chemical tracer in a sea breeze model

Abstract We study the use of ensemble-based Kalman filtering of chemical observations for constraining forecast uncertainties and for selecting targeted observations. Using a coupled model of two-dimensional sea breeze dynamics and chemical tracer transport, we perform three numerical experiments. First, we investigate the chemical tracer forecast uncertainties associated with meteorological initial condition and forcing error. We find that the ensemble variance and error builds during the transition between land and sea breeze phases of the circulation. Second, we investigate the effects on the forecast variance and error of assimilating tracer concentration observations extracted from a truth simulation for a network of surface locations. We find that assimilation reduces the variance and error in both the observed variable (chemical tracer concentrations) and unobserved meteorological variables (vorticity and buoyancy). Finally, we investigate the potential value to the forecast of targeted observations. We calculate an observation impact factor that maximizes the total decrease in model uncertainty summed over all state variables. We find that locations of optimal targeted observations remain similar before and after assimilation of regular network observations.
Opportunistic relaying in multipath and slow fading channel: Relay selection and optimal relay selection period

In this paper we present opportunistic relay communication strategies of decode and forward relaying. The channel that we are considering includes pathloss, shadowing, and fast fading effects. We find a simple outage probability formula for opportunistic relaying in the channel, and validate the results by comparing it with the exact outage probability. Also, we suggest a new relay selection algorithm that incorporates shadowing. We consider a protocol of broadcasting the channel gain of the previously selected relay. This saves resources in slow fading channel by reducing collisions in relay selection. We further investigate the optimal relay selection period to maximize the throughput while avoiding selection overhead.