cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Not just noise: Individual differences in general startle reactivity predict startle response to uncertain and certain threat

General startle reactivity reflects defensive reactivity independent of affective foreground. We examined the relationship between general startle reactivity and startle response to threat in three tasks with distinct manipulations of threat uncertainty. General startle reactivity was a stronger predictor of startle response during threat (vs. no threat) and uncertain (vs. certain threat). These results confirm that including general startle reactivity in our analyses can increase the power and/or precision to test effects of other focal experimental manipulations or grouping variables. Moreover, this suggests that individual differences in defensive reactivity moderate responding to threats of various types in our environment. As such, individual differences in general startle reactivity may index important psychological attributes related to trait affectivity, premorbid vulnerability for psychopathology, and manifest psychopathology.
History of the modern epidemiological concept of confounding

The epidemiological concept of confounding has had a convoluted history. It was first expressed as an issue of group non-comparability, later as an uncontrolled fallacy, then as a controllable fallacy named confounding, and, more recently, as an issue of group non-comparability in the distribution of potential outcome types. This latest development synthesised the apparent disconnect between phases of the history of confounding. Group non-comparability is the essence of confounding, and the statistical fallacy its consequence. This essay discusses how confounding was perceived in the 18th and 19th centuries, reviews how the concept evolved across the 20th century and finally describes the modern definition of confounding.
Cancer immunotherapy by immunosuppression

We have previously suggested that the stimulatory effect of a weak immune reaction on tumor growth may be necessary for the growth of incipient tumors. In the present paper, we enlarge upon and extend that idea by collecting evidence in the literature bearing upon this new hypothesis that a growing cancer, whether in man or mouse, is throughout its lifespan, probably growing and progressing because of continued immune stimulation by a weak immune reaction. We also suggest that prolonged immunosuppression might interfere with progression and thus be an aid to therapy. While most of the considerable evidence that supports the hypothesis comes from observations of experimental mouse tumors, there is suggestive evidence that human tumors may behave in much the same way, and as far as we can ascertain, there is no present evidence that necessarily refutes the hypothesis.
Comparison of impression materials for direct multi-implant impressions

Abstract Statement of problem. Given that meticulous implant prosthodontic procedures are recommended to obtain the best possible intraoral fit, impression materials that are suitable for use with a direct impression technique warrant further investigation. Purpose. This in vitro study compared the amount of torque required to rotate a square impression coping in an impression and evaluated the accuracy of solid implant casts fabricated from different impression materials. Material and methods. Two direct transfer implant impressions were made using 8 impression materials; the torque required to rotate an impression coping in the impressions was calculated. Ten direct transfer implant impressions were made from the master model and poured in a die stone (Resin Rock) for 3 of the 8 initial impression material groups. Linear distances between steel balls placed on each abutment replica were measured with a traveling microscope to determine distortion in the impression procedure for each group. Data were analyzed ( P =.05) with ANOVA and Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch multiple range test for post hoc. Results. With a 1-way ANOVA, average torque values among the material groups differed significantly ( P =.001). Polyether (medium consistency) was found to produce the highest overall torque values, followed by addition silicone (high consistency), and then polysulfide (medium consistency). Statistically significant difference was also found among the 3 material groups' mean absolute cast error using a 1-way ANOVA ( P =.0086). Implant casts made from polyether (medium) or addition silicone (high) impressions were significantly more accurate than casts made from polysulfide medium impressions. Conclusion. On the basis of the results of this study, the use of either polyether (medium) or addition silicone (high) impression is recommended for direct implant impressions. (J Prosthet Dent 2000;83:323-31.)
Stationarity of wideband HF noise after interference excision

An essential element of HF communications systems is the excision of narrowband interference. The interference in the received signal is excised by first performing a discrete Fourier transform (DFT), then identifying and removing narrowband interferers in the frequency domain, and finally transforming the remaining signal back into the time domain via inverse DFT. In the present work the statistical F-test for variance equality was used to determine the stationarity of wideband HF noise and interference after excision. The most obvious result of this test is the systematic failure of the F-test near the DFT boundaries. This failure is due to short but large amplitude glitches present in the signal after excision, and occur at the beginning and end of the DFT interval. It is shown that the glitches are an artifact of the excision operation and are related to Gibb's phenomenon. It is concluded that system designs will have to take account of this observation. >
IL-8/CXCL8 and Growth-Related Oncogene α/CXCL1 Induce Chondrocyte Hypertrophic Differentiation

Foci of chondrocyte hypertrophy that commonly develop in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage can promote dysregulated matrix repair and pathologic calcification in OA. The closely related chemokines IL-8/CXCL8 and growth-related oncogene α (GROα)/CXCL1 and their receptors are up-regulated in OA cartilage chondrocytes. Because these chemokines regulate leukocyte activation through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, a pathway implicated in chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation, we tested whether IL-8 and GROα promote chondrocyte hypertrophy. We observed that normal human and bovine primary articular chondrocytes expressed both IL-8Rs (CXCR1, CXCR2). IL-8 and the selective CXCR2 ligand GROα (10 ng/ml) induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression, markers of hypertrophy (type X collagen and MMP-13 expression, alkaline phosphatase activity), as well as matrix calcification. IL-8 and the selective CXCR2 ligand GROα also induced increased transamidation activity of chondrocyte transglutaminases (TGs), enzymes up-regulated in chondrocyte hypertrophy that have the potential to modulate differentiation and calcification. Under these conditions, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway signaling mediated induction of both type X collagen and TG activity. Studies using mouse knee chondrocytes lacking one of the two known articular chondrocyte-expressed TG isoenzymes (TG2) demonstrated that TG2 was essential for murine GROα homologue KC-induced TG activity and critically mediated induction by KC of type X collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-13, alkaline phosphatase, and calcification. In conclusion, IL-8 and GROα induce articular chondrocyte hypertrophy and calcification through p38 and TG2. Our results suggest a novel linkage between inflammation and altered differentiation of articular chondrocytes. Furthermore, CXCR2 and TG2 may be sites for intervention in the pathogenesis of OA.
Efficient knowledge representation systems

Frame systems occupy an important place among formalisms for computer-based knowledge representation. A common concern about frame systems, however, is that they are not efficient enough. We argue that this is not necessarily true of all possible systems, and that the trade-off between generality and efficiency has not been fully explored. While many systems provide generality at the expense of performance, systems closer to the low end of the spectrum have not been investigated nearly as much. Those systems are well suited for applications that need flexible knowledge representation but cannot afford the high performance price.We describe in detail KR, a very efficient frame system that provides mechanisms for knowledge representation including user-defined inheritance and relations, object-oriented programming, and constraint maintenance. The system is simple and compact and does not include some of the more complex functionality, but it is highly optimized and offers excellent performance for a variety of applications.
Liquid penetration length of heptamethylnonane and trimethylpentane under unsteady in-cylinder conditions

While strategies employing early or late direct-injection of fuel can improve emissions, they also can lead to impingement of liquid-phase fuel on the piston and/or cylinder wall due to low in-cylinder temperatures and densities during the injection event. Previous work has shown that liquid-phase fuel films formed in this way can lead to pronounced degradations in efficiency and emissions. To avoid these problems, a quantitative understanding of fuel-property effects on the liquid penetration length is needed, and this understanding must include conditions where in-cylinder thermodynamic conditions and the injection rate vary with time. This work reports liquid penetration lengths measured in an optical engine under such time-varying conditions. Diagnostics included laser light scattering for measurement of the liquid length and conventional pressure-data acquisition for heat-release analysis. Unsteady liquid penetration was characterized for different injection timings, injection pressures, intake-manifold pressures, and fuel volatilities to gain an understanding of the relative importance of these factors. Fuel volatility was studied by using two fuels, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN) and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP), which have very different volatility characteristics. Measured liquid lengths changed as in-cylinder conditions changed, with increasing temperature and density during the compression stroke causing a decrease in liquid length, and decreasing temperature and density during the expansion stroke causing an increase in liquid length. Intake-manifold pressure and fuel volatility were found to be primary factors governing liquid length. Heat loss from the charge gas to the engine and local charge cooling due to fuel vaporization were found to have a secondary influence on liquid length. Injection pressure was found to have little effect.
Comparison of urinary 6‐β‐cortisol and the erythromycin breath test as measures of hepatic P450IIIA (CYP3A) activity

The production of 14CO2 in the breath from an intravenous dose of [14C-N-methyl]-erythromycin (the erythromycin breath test [ERMBT]) and the measurement of the ratio of 6-beta-cortisol to free cortisol (6-beta-F/FF) in the urine have each been proposed as means of measuring hepatic P450IIIA catalytic activity in patients. We found that there was a significant correlation between the results of each test (r = 0.59, p less than 0.001) in 47 patients who were without liver disease and who were not taking medications believed to influence P450IIIA catalytic activity. In the 24 of these patients who were subsequently treated with the P450IIIA substrate cyclosporine, the ERMBT result was highly correlated with the mean trough cyclosporine blood level observed; however, there was no correlation between urinary 6-beta-F/FF and the cyclosporine blood levels. In a separate study of a patient during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation surgery, the ERMBT result decreased by greater than 85%, whereas urinary 6-beta-F/FF decreased by just 50%. We conclude that the ERMBT and urinary 6-beta-F/FF do not always provide similar information about P450IIIA catalytic activity in patients, possibly because of extrahepatic production of 6-beta-F. Of the two tests, the ERMBT appears to provide the most relevant information for cyclosporine administration.
Obesity, diabetes, and survival outcomes in a large cohort of early-stage breast cancer patients

Abstract Background To determine the relationship between obesity, diabetes, and survival in a large cohort of breast cancer patients receiving modern chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Patients and methods We identified 6342 patients with stage I–III breast cancer treated between 1996 and 2005. Patients were evaluated according to body mass index (BMI) category and diabetes status. Results In a multivariate model adjusted for body mass index, diabetes, medical comorbidities, patient- and tumor-related variables, and adjuvant therapies, relative to the normal weight, hazard ratios (HRs) for recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) for the overweight were 1.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.36], 1.20 (95% CI 1.00–1.42), and 1.21 (95% CI 0.98–1.48), respectively. HRs for RFS, OS, and BCSS for the obese were 1.13 (95% CI 0.98–1.31), 1.24 (95% CI 1.04–1.48), and 1.23 (95% CI 1.00–1.52), respectively. Subset analyses showed these differences were significant for the ER-positive, but not ER-negative or HER2-positive, groups. Relative to nondiabetics, HRs for diabetics for RFS, OS, and BCSS were 1.21 (95% CI 0.98–1.49), 1.39 (95% CI 1.10–1.77), and 1.04 (95% CI 0.75–1.45), respectively. Conclusions In patients receiving modern adjuvant therapies, obesity has a negative impact on RFS, OS, and BCSS; and diabetes has a negative impact on RFS and OS. Control of both may be important to improving survival in obese and diabetic breast cancer patients.
Moving lithospheric plates and mantle convection

Summary. The coupling between a rigidly moving lithospheric plate and a convecting mantle is investigated using a simple two-dimensional numerical model that incorporates a horizontally moving upper boundary, simulating the effect of a moving plate, over a fluid layer heated from below. The moving boundary strongly controls the horizontal length scale of convection cells when its velocity is greater than the free convective velocity (i.e. the velocity with which the fluid would convect under a stationary boundary). In a box of aspect ratio 4 (width/depth), a transition in flow structure occurs from several equidimensional convection cells under a slowly moving boundary to a single long convection cell under a rapidly moving boundary. The flow structure transition occurs approximately when Pe/RaW3 = 0.04, where the Peclet number, Pe, measures the (prescribed) velocity of the upper boundary, and the Rayleigh number, Ra, measures the heating of the fluid layer. Near the transition, the flow tends to be unsteady; this behaviour can be well understood in terms of the instability of the thermal boundary layers, which can be characterized by a local Rayleigh number. Using conventional estimates of mantle parameters, the mantle is either near or above the transition to single-cell convection, whether upper-mantle or whole-mantle convection is assumed. The net tangential force exerted by the fluid on the upper boundary varies approximately linearly with the boundary velocity above the transition, and it is positive (driving) for boundary velocities ranging from the value at the transition to about three times the transition
Efficacy of a Contact Lens Sensor for Monitoring 24-H Intraocular Pressure Related Patterns

Author(s): Mansouri, Kaweh; Weinreb, Robert N; Liu, John HK | Abstract: PurposeTo study performance of a contact lens sensor (CLS) for 24-hour monitoring of IOP-related short-term patterns and compare with IOP obtained by pneumatonometry.MethodsProspective clinical trial. Thirty-one healthy volunteers and 2 glaucoma patients were housed for 24 hours in a sleep laboratory. One randomly selected eye was fitted with a CLS (Triggerfish, Sensimed, Switzerland), which measures changes in ocular circumference. In the contralateral eye, IOP measurements were taken using a pneumatonometer every two hours with subjects in the habitual body positions. Heart rate (HR) was measured 3 times during the night for periods of 6 minutes separated by 2 hours. Performance of CLS was defined in two ways: 1) recording the known pattern of IOP increase going from awake (sitting position) to sleep (recumbent), defined as the wake/sleep (W/S) slope and 2) accuracy of the ocular pulse frequency (OPF) concurrent to that of the HR interval. Strength of association between overall CLS and pneumatonometer curves was assessed using coefficients of determination (R2).ResultsThe W/S slope was statistically significantly positive in both eyes of each subject (CLS, 57.0 ± 40.5 mVeq/h, pl0.001 and 1.6 ± 0.9 mmHg/h, pl0.05 in the contralateral eye). In all, 87 CLS plots concurrent to the HR interval were evaluated. Graders agreed on evaluability for OPF in 83.9% of CLS plots. Accuracy of the CLS to detect the OPF was 86.5%. Coefficient of correlation between CLS and pneumatonometer for the mean 24-h curve was R2 = 0.914.ConclusionsCLS measurements compare well to the pneumatonometer and may be of practical use for detection of sleep-induced IOP changes. The CLS also is able to detect ocular pulsations with good accuracy in a majority of eyes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01390779.
Toward melodic access and title uniformity in the Chopin Early Editions music digital library

The Chopin Early Editions (CEE) music digital library (MDL), housed and created by The University of Chicago Library, is a collection of approximately 400 first and early edition music scores by the composer Frederic Chopin. Published between 1830 and 1880, these scores provide an important resource for studying Chopin's publishing history, and include many examples of works published concurrently in different countries with textual variations. The online collection is generated programmatically from scanned score images (approximately 13,300 images) and human-created descriptive and structural metadata records, encoded as METS objects. The Greenstone Digital Library Software (GSDL) provides the basic organizational and retrieval mechanisms.
The Effects of Instructions on Dual-Task Walking and Cognitive Task Performance in People with Parkinson's Disease

Gait impairments are prevalent among people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Instructions to focus on walking can improve walking in PD, but the use of such a cognitive strategy may be limited under dual-task walking conditions, when walking is performed simultaneously with concurrent cognitive or motor tasks. This study examined how dual-task performance of walking and a concurrent cognitive task was affected by instructions in people with PD compared to healthy young and older individuals. Dual-task walking and cognitive task performance was characterized under two sets of instructions as follows: (1) focus on walking and (2) focus on the cognitive task. People with PD and healthy adults walked faster when instructed to focus on walking. However, when focused on walking, people with PD and young adults demonstrated declines in the cognitive task. This suggests that dual-task performance is flexible and can be modified by instructions in people with PD, but walking improvements may come at a cost to cognitive task performance. The ability to modify dual-task performance in response to instructions or other task and environmental factors is critical to mobility in daily life. Future research should continue to examine factors that influence dual-task performance among people with PD.
When expertise goes awry, and when it proves helpful

Places the political use of expertise into a larger conceptual framework. Argues that there are sharp limits on knowledge of any kind displacing politics as a method of settling value-laden disputes, and that purveyors of expertise ought to see it as an aid or supplement to partisan negotiations among affected interests-never a substitute for it. Argues that the main path for improving expertise is in helping decision makers devise initial precautions, craft flexible policy trials, speed up learning from experience, and otherwise cope with the uncertainty inherent in complex social choices. Suggests that the intelligence of social outcomes ordinarily is enhanced when experts utilize their abilities on behalf of social interests that otherwise would be disadvantaged in political negotiations.
Gender mix in twins and fetal growth, length of gestation and adult cancer risk

This study evaluated the effect of gender mix (the gender combinations of twin pairs) on fetal growth and length of gestation, and reviewed the literature on the long-term effects of this altered fetal milieu on cancer risk. In singletons, it is well established that females weigh less than males at all gestations, averaging 125-135 g less at full term. This gender difference is generally believed to be the result of the effect of androgens on fetal growth. The gender difference in fetal growth is greater before the third trimester and less towards term, with males growing not only more, but also earlier than females. Plurality is a known risk factor for reduced fetal growth and birthweight. Compared with singletons, the mean birthweight percentiles of twins fall substantially (by 10% or more) below the singleton 10th percentile by 28 weeks, below the singleton 50th percentile by 30 weeks, and below the singleton 90th percentile by 34 weeks. In unlike-gender twin pairs, it has been reported that the female prolongs gestation for her brother, resulting in a higher birthweight for the male twin than that of like-gender male twins. Other researchers have demonstrated that females in unlike-gender pairs had higher birthweights than females in like-gender pairs. Analyses from our consortium on 2491 twin pregnancies with known chorionicity showed longer gestations and faster rates of fetal growth in both males and females in unlike-gender pairs compared with like-gender male or female pairs, although these differences were not statistically significant. The post-natal effects for females growing in an androgenic-anabolic environment include increased sensation-seeking behaviour and aggression, lowered visual acuity, more masculine attitudes and masculinising effects of the auditory system and craniofacial growth. In contrast, there is no evidence to suggest that there might be a similar feminising effect on males from unlike-gender pairs. This hormonal exposure in utero may influence adult body size and susceptability to breast cancer.
Strain-promoted catalyst-free click chemistry for the rapid construction of 64Cu-labeled PET imaging probes

126 Objectives The presence of catalytic amounts of non-radiolabeled copper ions, often required by the azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click chemistry), interferes with 64Cu, making click chemistry unfavorable for the development of 64Cu-labeled PET probes. Herein, we reported a fast, efficient, and catalyst-free method for generating 64Cu-labeled PET probes based on the aza-dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) ligation. Methods Macrocyclic chelating agent 1,8-diamino-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo[6.6.6]-eicosine (DiAmSar)-conjugated DBCO was synthesized and radiolabeled with 64Cu in ammonium acetate buffer. To test the efficacy of aza-DBCO ligation, 64Cu-labeled DBCO was mixed with an azide-terminated RGD peptide. The coupling conditions were systematically explored. The resulting conjugate was subjected to small animal PET and direct tissue sampling biodistribution studies in a U87MG-xenografted mouse tumor model. Results The 64Cu-labeled DBCO was obtained with 90% labeling yield and the identity was confirmed by HPLC co-injection. The conjugation between 64Cu-labeled DBCO and azide-containing RGD peptide was completed (≥ 98%) within 5 minutes of mixing at low micromolar concentrations. The resulting product 64Cu-Sar-DBCO-cRGD can be used for in vivo studies without further purification. For microPET studies, the 64Cu-Sar-DBCO-cRGD peptide demonstrated prominent U87MG tumor uptake with the highest value of 4.25±0.65%ID/g at 2 h pi. The blocking experiment was achieved by co-injection of 64Cu-Sar-DBCO-cRGD with RGDyK (10 mg/kg). The biodistribution results were consistent with the quantitative analysis of microPET imaging. Conclusions A reliable catalyst-free click chemistry approach was developed for 64Cu-labeling of biomolecules. This method is general and can be applied to other 64Cu-labeled probes for PET applications. Research Support This research was supported by American Cancer Society Pilot Project Fund (IRG-58-007-51) and USC Department of Radiology
Identification of Glioblastoma Subpopulations by Flim

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. The tumor is known to be composed of heterogeneous subpopulations of cells, potentially playing a role in therapeutic resistance. Therefore, an understanding of the tumor heterogeneity is essential for the development of effective therapies. To further study the tumor heterogeneity, a culture method was developed to isolate distinct subpopulations from an established glioma cell line. These subpopulations include neural stem-like cells and tumor mass cells.
Use of cultured cells as a control for quantitative immunocytochemical analysis of estrogen receptor in breast cancer. The Quicgel method.

Abstract Variation in tissue fixation, processing, and staining is largely responsible for poor reproducibility of estrogen receptor (ER) immunohistochemistry assays. A frozen, agar-suspended pellet of MCF-7 cells with known ER content was added to each of 55 samples of invasive breast carcinoma (IBC), serving as a control. Image analysis determined percentages of positive area (positive nuclei per total nuclei analyzed) and positive stain (sum of optical density of the positive nuclear area divided by sum of the optical density of all nuclei studied) of MCF-7 cells and IBC. MCF-7 cells had a mean value of 150 fmol/mg of ER by dextran-coated charcoal analysis. Image analysis of MCF-7 cells included with the 55 cases showed a mean positive area of 70.81. Positive staining from the IBC cases ranged from 0 to 98.5. By using the known ER content and the positive area of the MCF-7 cells, a conversion factor was used to translate the positive area of the clinical specimens to a femtomole equivalent, which for the 55 IBCs ranged from 0 to 1,790 (mean, 187). Inclusion of a control with known femtomole quantity of ER provides an internal standard for quality control and ER quantitation.
The molecular mechanisms underlying lens fiber elongation

Lens fiber cells are highly elongated cells with complex membrane morphologies that are critical for the transparency of the ocular lens. Investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying lens fiber cell elongation were first reported in the 1960s, however, our understanding of the process is still poor nearly 50 years later. This review summarizes what is currently hypothesized about the regulation of lens fiber cell elongation along with the available experimental evidence, and how this information relates to what is known about the regulation of cell shape/elongation in other cell types, particularly neurons.
Students' Research Self-Efficacy during Online Doctoral Research Courses.

This study will explore student skill development and research self-efficacy as related to online doctoral students’ first core research course experience. Findings from this study will be used to inform instructors in effective ways to support doctoral students during their early research experiences. This support will ensure that online graduate students will develop well-crafted dissertations and following graduation, continue to conduct research. The original research design was a grounded theory study where both qualitative and quantitative data were to be collected prior to students starting the course and following course completion. It was proposed to collect data through interviews, observations in the form of documented online discussions and correspondences, and the Research Self-Efficacy Scale (RSES). Course grades and final research outline projects were supposed to be examined to determine student mastery of key concepts. A convenience sample was to be drawn but due to a low response rate, the authors decided to apply an exploratory case study method and use this as a pilot to inform a larger study. The final result of the case study analysis will be detailed descriptions of each case with discussion of categories and themes along with the exploration of commonalities and differences.
Clinging and Climbing Ability of Larvae of Eleven Species of Stored-Product Insects on Nine Flexible Packaging Materials and Glass

Larvae of the lepidopteran species Ephestia cautella (Walker), Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), and Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) clung to and climbed paper, glass, aluminum foil, cellophane, polyethylene (PE). fluorinated ethylenepropylene (FEP), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyester (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP) at the greatest angle of incline (90°). Larvae of 8 coleopteran specices climbed only 1 material (paper) at 90°. Larvae of some species could not climb some materials at a 5° incline. The coleopteran larvae ranked generally from best to worst climbers were Anthrenus flavipes LeConte, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), Cathartus quadricollis (Guerin-Meneville), Trogoderma variabile Ballion, Attagenus megatoma (F.), and Lasioderma serricorne (F.). The test materials ranked generally from easiest to most difficult to climb were paper, ETFE, PET, foil, cellophane, PE, FEP, glass, PVC, and PP. Three coleopteran species, O. mercator, C. quadricollis , and D. maculatus clung to all materials at 90°. The other larvae ranked generally from best to worst clingers, were T. variabile , T. castaneum, A. flavipes, A. megatoma , and L. serricorne . The test materials, ranked generally from easiest to most difficult to cling to, were paper, glass, PET, ETFE, PVC, cellophane, FEP, foil, PE, and PP.
Properties of Adhering and Nonadhering Populations of Mycoplasma genitalium

The interaction between Mycoplasma genitalium and human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) was studied with the use of wild-type and hemadsorption-negative (HA-) mycoplasmas. [35S]-methionine-labeled M. genitalium adhered to HLFs by first-order kinetics, with maximal interaction occurring at approximately 2 hours. Electron microscopy of chemically fixed cells revealed an almost immediate association of mycoplasmas with the HLF plasma membrane that was mediated by the mycoplasma tip and a nap-like layer, which appeared to extend from the tip around much of the mycoplasmal unit membrane. Following cytadherence, M. genitalium appeared capable of invading the intracellular spaces of targeted HLF cells, possibly by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Spontaneously arising HA- variants of M. genitalium strain G37 failed to adhere to HLF cells and were distinguished on the basis of their protein profiles. SDS-PAGE analysis of the class I (lacking the 140-kd protein but containing a polypeptide doublet at approximately 140-kd) and class II (lacking the 140-kd protein and doublet) variants of M. genitalium revealed that class I variants contain a doublet protein in the 140-kd region, which reacted with a monoclonal antibody generated to the adhesin-implicated 140-kd protein (P140) of wild-type M. genitalium. Class II variants completely lacked the 140-kd protein or immunologically related peptides.
Effects of psoralen on the structural integrity of cultured osteoblasts. Phase contrast, immunofluorescent, and electronmicroscopic evaluation.

The 72-h dark interaction of cultured osteoblasts with 0.5–1.0 μg/ml 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) resulted in the accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets (steatosis) in target cells. These methanol-extractable lipid droplets and 8-MOP, however, had no microscopically detectable effect on the organization of α-actin and β-tubulin-containing filaments. On the ultrastructural level, psoralen effects ranged from negligible to unambiguous structural alterations of target cells. The latter consisted of blebbing, segmental deletions of the nuclear envelope, and structural unraveling of nucleoli. Moreover, the dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the decrease in the number of ribosomes, and the extensive vacuolation of cytoplasm constituted yet another hallmark of the 8-MOP effect in the absence of light. Whereas psoralen has induced a number of structural alterations in some, but not in all osteoblasts, more than 95% of the target cells have, nonetheless, remained viable. Taken together, our results suggest that the dark reaction of psoralen with osteoblasts results mainly in transient structural alterations of affected cells.
Differences in culturability, infectivity and pathogenicity of human strains of Endamoeba histolytica.

SummaryInvestigations have been undertaken in an attempt to reconcile some of the many conflicting opinions which have developed regarding the pathogenicity of E. histolytica. The problem undertaken and presented in this communication concerns the culturability, infectivity and pathogenicity of 18 different “strains” of the organism, obtained from persons in New Orleans. The hosts varied in age from 2 to 59 years. All but one were hospital or clinic patients, the majority of whom complained of some type of colitis. In 11 cases stools containing cysts or trophozoites were obtained; in 5 cases proctoscopic material was utilized, in one case a purgative specimen was secured and in one instance the inoculum consisted of material previously cultured in a hospital laboratory.For culture work a solid egg-slant base was employed, with a liquid overlay of physiological salt solution containing 0.5% crude liver extract and special rice starch. Cysts were concentrated and washed before seeding the cultures; trophozo...
A PUFA-rich diet improves fat oxidation following saturated fat-rich meal

To determine substrate oxidation responses to saturated fatty acid (SFA)-rich meals before and after a 7-day polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich diet versus control diet. Twenty-six, normal-weight, adults were randomly assigned to either PUFA or control diet. Following a 3-day lead-in diet, participants completed the pre-diet visit where anthropometrics and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured, and two SFA-rich HF meals (breakfast and lunch) were consumed. Indirect calorimetry was used to determine fat oxidation (Fox) and energy expenditure (EE) for 4 h after each meal. Participants then consumed a PUFA-rich diet (50 % carbohydrate, 15 % protein, 35 % fat, of which 21 % of total energy was PUFA) or control diet (50 % carbohydrate, 15 % protein, 35 % fat, of which 7 % of total energy was PUFA) for the next 7 days. Following the 7-day diet, participants completed the post-diet visit. From pre- to post-PUFA-rich diet, there was no change in RMR (16.3 ± 0.8 vs. 16.4 ± 0.8 kcal/20 min) or in incremental area under the curve for EE (118.9 ± 20.6–126.9 ± 14.1 kcal/8h, ns). Fasting respiratory exchange ratio increased from pre- to post-PUFA-rich diet only (0.83 ± 0.1–0.86 ± 0.1, p < 0.05). The postprandial change in Fox increased from pre- to post-visit in PUFA-rich diet (0.03 ± 0.1–0.23 ± 0.1 g/15 min for cumulative Fox; p < 0.05), whereas controls showed no change. Adopting a PUFA-rich diet initiates greater fat oxidation after eating occasional high SFA meals compared to a control diet, an effect achieved in 7 days.
Teleconsultation in the Care of Patients with IBD

Teleconsultations are the traditional live interactive video clinics that created the foundation of telemedicine as we know it today. These live video clinics are typically conducted by a specialist (typically), urban physician to a remote rural hospital or other location with a nurse that is in the same room as a patient. The nurse is pivotal as they help to examine the patient and utilize medical peripherals so that the urban physician has a complete understanding of the patient and their current situation. Urban physicians are able to interact with the patient and the family to provide holistic longitudinal care based on appropriate data. Many of the traditional limitations of telemedicine, such as state licensing and reimbursement are self-resolving, and therefore the potential to utilize teleconsultations for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is rapidly expanding. Access to care, coordination of care, and longitudinal care may be best served by utilizing a combination of teleconsultations and face-to-face encounters. The most effective construct of IBD medical home will certainly rely upon teleconsultations to bring together the necessary components. The greatest beneficiary of teleconsultations is certain the patient with the ability to access care and access of specialists without the barrier of travel. The evolution of remote monitoring and more sophisticated technologies will only further augment the current ability of teleconsultations in the management of IBD patients.
Mechanisms of rapid desensitization to arginine vasopressin in vascular smooth muscle cells

This study characterized the rapid desensitization induced by arginine vasopressin (AVP) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture. The Ca2+ mobilization response and, in some experiments, the intracellular pH changes were used as a probe for the desensitization phenomenon. In VSMC, AVP desensitization was homologous, concentration dependent, and occurred in less than 30 s. The desensitization was complete with 10(-7) M AVP. Receptor occupancy was a critical factor in the maintenance of desensitization, since complete hormone washing by acid glycine buffer produced an earlier (less than 5 min) recovery of the cell response, whereas partial hormone washing with saline (pH 7.4) required 15 min to produce any significant recovery. Protein kinase C activation was a significant mechanism in AVP desensitization, because protein kinase C downregulation inhibited the desensitization phenomenon. Receptor internalization was, however, not important for the desensitization phenomenon, since it still occurred at 4 degrees C. Treatment with pertussis toxin did not affect the Ca2+ mobilization response but decreased the AVP-mediated intracellular alkalinization, therefore suggesting that a Gi or Go protein may be involved in some but not all the aspects of the AVP signal transduction and the desensitization phenomena.
An Idealized Numerical Simulation Investigation of the Effects of Surface Drag on the Development of Near-Surface Vertical Vorticity in Supercell Thunderstorms

AbstractIdealized simulations are used to investigate the contributions of frictionally generated horizontal vorticity to the development of near-surface vertical vorticity in supercell storms. Of interest is the relative importance of barotropic vorticity (vorticity present in the prestorm environment), baroclinic vorticity (vorticity that is principally generated by horizontal buoyancy gradients), and viscous vorticity (vorticity that originates from the subgrid-scale turbulence parameterization, wherein the effects of surface drag reside), all of which can be advected, tilted, and stretched. Equations for the three partial vorticities are integrated in parallel with the model. The partial vorticity calculations are complemented by analyses of circulation following material circuits, which are often able to be carried out further in time because they are less susceptible to explosive error growth.Near-surface mesocyclones that develop prior to cold-pool formation (this only happens when the environmenta...
Evaluating Exercise Prescription and Instructional Methods Used in Tai Chi Studies Aimed at Improving Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES: To develop an evaluation instrument to determine to what extent Tai Chi interventions aimed at improving the balance of older adults disclosed their exercise prescription (Ex Rx ) and instructional methods and met best-practice exercise recommendations for balance improvement. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched from their inception until August 22, 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 60 and older without debilitating disease. MEASUREMENTS: Three electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Tai Chi interventions aimed at improving balance in older adults without severe debilitating diseases. Three Ex Rx (frequency, time, intervention length) and 10 instructional (e.g., style, number of forms) methods of the included RCTs were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven interventions were identified from 26 RCTs. On average, Tai Chi was performed for a mean 56.5 ± 14.4 minutes per session for 2.8 ± 1.4 sessions per week for 19.7 ± 12.7 weeks. Most interventions reported all three Ex Rx methods items, with a mean reporting rate of 92.6 ± 19.2%. For the 10 instructional methods items, the mean reporting rate was 41.1 ± 18.0%, significantly lower than for the Ex Rx methods items (P CONCLUSION: Most Tai Chi interventions disclosed their Ex Rx methods yet routinely failed to report instructional methods. To increase the effectiveness of Tai Chi to improve balance in older adults, future RCTs should disclose their Ex Rx and instructional methods, especially methods that target balance.© 2016, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2016, The American Geriatrics Society. Language: en
Food insecurity and cardiovascular health: Findings from a statewide population health survey in Wisconsin.

Abstract Background The social and economic environment has become a major area of interest regarding the determinants of cardiovascular health. Among markers of economic distress, food insecurity has been found associated with metabolic disorders, dyslipidemia, and obesity, but no previous studies have examined its association with overall cardiovascular health. Methods and results We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 2935 participants in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), a statewide population-based representative sample. The presence of food insecurity was determined by an affirmative answer to the question “In the last 12 months, have you been concerned about having enough food for you or your family?” Cardiovascular health (CVH) was defined based on the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 criteria and classified as “poor,” “intermediate,” or “ideal” using previously published criteria. “Good” CVH was defined as having no poor in any of the seven criteria (any amount of intermediate or ideal). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of good CVH according to presence of food insecurity were calculated using logistic regression models. Overall, food insecurity was associated with a decreased likelihood of good CVH (OR 0.53; 95% Confidence Interval 0.31 to 0.92; p = 0.02). This association persisted in models controlling for age, gender, race, and urbanization. Conclusions Participants who were food insecure were significantly less likely to have good CVH compared to participants who were food secure. Even though this study cannot confirm causality, these results suggest that food insecurity might be one of several socio-economic barriers contributing to poor CVH.
Solvent- and catalyst-free, quantitative protection of hydroxyl, thiol, carboxylic acid, amide and heterocyclic amino functional groups

A truly green, solventless and catalyst-free method has been developed for the quantitative protection of various functional groups using 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) under its own pressure at 125 °C. Advantages of this new technique are numerous: (a) no work-up or laborious purification steps are required; (b) no additional chemicals are employed; (c) no waste products are generated; (d) the protected intermediate can be used in the next synthesis step in the same flask in which the protection was carried out; (e) as there are no losses during the protection step, the overall yield is maximized; (f) the robust tetrahydropyranyl protecting group allows substrate derivatization under a variety of reaction conditions, yet can conveniently be removed by mild acidic hydrolysis. The influence of substrate acidity, miscibility of substrate and DHP, amount of DHP employed, nucleophilicity of the atom to be protected, steric hindrance, reaction time and reaction temperature on the efficiency of the protection reaction is discussed.
Equations of Motion of the Vortices in Bose–Einstein Condensates: Influence of Rotation and The Inhomogeneity of Density

We deduce equations of motion of quantized vortices in rotating Bose–Einstein condensates in two cases, namely, for a homogeneous condensate in a rigid rotating cylinder and for an inhomogeneous condensate in a rotating magnetic trap in the Thomas–Fermi approximation. The Schrodinger equations for both media are reduced to a convenient dimensionless form. By the method of expansion in a small parameter, we obtain two asymptotic solutions in different space scales. The comparison of the principal terms of these solutions yields the required equations. The equations of motion of the vortices in the homogeneous condensate are reduced to the well-known equations of vortices in the ideal liquid. The inhomogeneity of the medium results in the appearance of additional terms. We deduce the equations of motion of the vortices in the most general case: for any number of vortices, for vessels of different shapes, and both in the presence and in the absence of rotation. It is shown that, in the partial case of motion of a single vortex, the corresponding equations are reduced to the well-known equations of precession of the vortex. We present the plots of motion of several vortices for various initial data.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF VITAMIN K-DEPENDENT PROTEINS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which are a group of extracellular weak calcium-binding proteins characterized by the presence of a number of γ-carboxyglutamyl (Gla) residues. Speculations on the molecular action of vitamin K originally centered around two possibilities that the vitamin was a cofactor utilized to labilize the hydrogen on γ-position of the glutamyl residue to allow CO 2 attack at this position or that it was involved as a CO 2 carrier. Any detailed mechanism of how an oxygenated form of vitamin K could be used to drive the carboxylation reaction is at the present time speculative. Inspection of the amino acid sequences of the vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins does not reveal any unique sequences that might serve as a signal for the carboxylation of Glu residues in few hepatic secretory proteins. Direct protein sequencing of the vitamin K-dependent bone Gla protein intracellular precursor has shown that its propeptide contains 26 residues.