cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Robotic Hysterectomy Outcomes to Other Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Methods

Study Objective: To compare the outcomes of patients undergoing robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy (RH) to those undergoing other minimally invasive methods of hysterectomy (MIH). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Henry Ford Health System’s community based teaching hospitals. Patients: 228 patients underwent RH or non-robotic MIH for benign indications, at one of two hospitals, between January 2007 andMarch 2010. Intervention: Scheduled RH or MIH, which included total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) or vaginal hysterectomy (VH). Measurements and Main Results: Age, race, body mass index (BMI), procedure duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), peri-operative hemoglobin change, uterine weight, length of hospital stay (LOS), and all immediate and delayed complications were collected from patient electronic medical records. These factors were compared between RH and MIH patients. 121 RH cases and 107 MIH cases (n=20 VH, n=46 LAVH, n=41 TLH) were included. There were no differences in age (median 45 RH, 46 MIH) or race between groups. While not statistically significant,, there was a greater percentage of obese patients (BMI>30) in the RH group (52.6% versus 46.7%). RH patients had significantly larger uteri (p=0.04; percent R500g: RH, 13.9%; MIH, 4%). MIH patients had significantly greater EBL than RH patients (p\0.001) with a 75 ml difference in median EBL (150 ml versus 75 ml). This was confirmed by a significant difference in hemoglobin change (p=0.048) between groups. Although RH patients had longer procedure durations than MIH patients (p=0.004), the difference in medians was only 20 minutes (172 minutes versus 152 minutes). There were no statistically significant differences in LOS (p=0.24), overall (p=0.64), major (p=0.15), or minor (p=0.34) complication rates for RH and MIH procedures. Conclusion: RH has comparable outcomes to other methods of MIH without increased risk. RH may help overcome the usual limiting factors of large uterine size or high BMI without increasing blood loss, length of stay, or complications.
Energy coupling in Salmonella typhimurium nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase: identification of His-219 as site of phosphorylation.

Energy coupling between ATP hydrolysis and other enzyme reactions requires the phosphorylation of substrate-derived intermediates, or the existence of enzyme-derived intermediates capable of storage and transfer of energy. Salmonella typhimurium nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRTase, EC 2.4.2.11) couples net ATP hydrolysis to formation of NAMN and PPi from α-PRPP and nicotinic acid [Vinitsky, A., & Grubmeyer, C. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26004−26010]. In the current work, we have determined that the enzyme reacts with ATP to produce a covalently phosphorylated form of the enzyme (E-P), which is common to both the ATPase and NAMN synthesis functions of NAPRTase. We have isolated E-P and verified its catalytic competence. E-P showed acid lability and base stability, diagnostic of a phosphoramidate linkage. Pyridine and hydroxylamine-catalyzed hydrolysis of E-P gave second-order rate constants consistent with published values for phosphohistidine. Two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography of al...
Opinion dynamics and distributed learning of distributions

A protocol for distributed estimation of discrete distributions is proposed. Each agent begins with a single sample from the distribution, and the goal is to learn the empirical distribution of the samples. The protocol is based on a simple message-passing model motivated by communication in social networks. Agents sample a message randomly from their current estimates of the distribution, resulting in a protocol with quantized messages. Using tools from stochastic approximation, the algorithm is shown to converge almost surely. Simulations demonstrate this convergence and give some insight into the effect of network topology.
Effect of the ecto-ATPase inhibitor, ARL 67156, on the bovine chromaffin cell response to ATP.

Abstract Bovine chromaffin cells contain an ecto-ATPase ( K m =1.57±0.27×10 −4 M) which can hydrolyze ATP present in the culture media. ARL 67156 is a competitive inhibitor of this ATPase ( K i =2.55±1.36×10 −7 M). A small increase in potency (threefold) is seen when ARL 67156 is included during measurement of ATP-stimulated inositol phosphate formation. ARL 67156 also acts on chromaffin cell P2Y receptors to increase inositol phosphate formation (EC 50 =4.9×10 −5 M). It is useful as an ecto-ATPase inhibitor in studies with bovine chromaffin cells since it exhibits a 300-fold selectivity for the ecto-ATPase versus the P2Y receptor.
Quinolinic acid protects rat cerebellar granule cells from glutamate-induced apoptosis

The effects of quinolinic acid (QUIN) on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity were examined in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons. Exposing these neurons to QUIN (< or =2.5 mM) in the presence of glucose and Mg2+ had no effect on their viability. Although pretreating neurons with QUIN (10 microM) for 6 h did not reduce necrotic death induced by glutamate exposure in the absence of glucose and Mg2+, QUIN pretreatment significantly suppressed glutamate-induced apoptosis by 68% (as indicated by DNA fragmentation) in cultures containing glucose and Mg2+. Furthermore, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist AP-5 reversed QUIN-induced neuroprotection, while the non-NMDA antagonist CNQX had no effect. This study demonstrates that pathophysiologically relevant concentrations of QUIN can protect neurons from apoptosis mediated via the NMDA receptor.
New Neutral Gauge Bosons at High Energy e + e - Colliders

We discuss and contrast search limits for and properties of new Z′ gauge bosons which can be probed at high energy e+e− colliders within the context of several E6 superstring-inspired models. In particular, we discuss the probability of distinguishing these various models from one another and determining the Z′ coupling parameters uniquely. Using the deviations from the standard model predictions for asymmetries and cross sections for various final state fermions, we set discovery limits for new Z′ bosons at and 1 TeV e+e− colliders. We find quite generally that cross section deviations provide the strongest limits on the existence of new Z′ bosons below threshold even when 100% beam polarization is available. The possibility of using Z′ pair production as a sensitive probe of the e+e−Z′ coupling is also examined.
A retrospective analysis of systemic propranolol for the treatment of complicated infantile haemangiomas

Aim A small percentage of complicated infantile haemangiomas need early, safe and effective treatment, and the option of off-label systemic propranolol treatment has been in existence since 2008. The aim of this study was to provide greater insight into the drug's efficacy and side effects. Methods We report our retrospective experiences of 207 paediatric patients treated with systemic propranolol for complicated infantile haemangiomas, which were photographed and analysed with a specific haemangioma score. Results Systemic treatment was successful in 99.5% of the patients. The haemangioma score before treatment was 8.3 ± 3.3 and the score at the end of the treatment was 1.5 ± 1.4. The reduction in the haemangiomas was significant and did not show any differences when distributed according to different localisations or to the patients' ages. Relevant side effects that may have made it necessary to discontinue the treatment were not observed. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in heart rate during the first six in-hospital drug applications. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that systemic propranolol treatment is a highly effective treatment that is nearly always safe. These findings are a milestone for particularly complicated haemangiomas and provide highly valuable information on this drug treatment.
A comparison of cuticle deposition during the pre- and posteclosion stages of the adult weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

Abstract An ultrastructural analysis of cuticle deposition before and after adult eclosion of the cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera : Curculionidae), is made to monitor the intra- and extracellular events that accompany the shift in cuticle architecture. A typical 5-layered epicuticle and a multi-lamellate procuticle are deposited during the pharate adult stage. Secretion of the epicuticle and the procuticle begins about 2 and 4 days after pupation, respectively. Following eclosion, a lattice-like endocuticle is secreted in the form of layers of parallel rod- or beam-shaped macrofibers. Deposition of endocuticle over the first week after emergence, is at a rate of 3 or 4 layers per day. The imaginal endocuticle accounts for the major portion of the cuticle mass as there is about a 14-fold increase in sclerite thickness and an overall 4-fold increase in non KOH-extractable extskeletal mass during the first week after emergence. Extensive cytoskeletal and surface remodeling plus a change in secretory product packaging occurs at the apical region of the epidermal cells upon shifting to deposition of the endocuticle. Intralayer orientation of the macrofibers is under cellular control and is accomplished by the formation of templates consisting of membrane placque-bearing, canal-like depressions on the apical surface extending across cell borders. Comparisons of cuticle sections to simulated plots drawn via computer graphics, show that each successive layer of macrofibers is rotated with respect to the overlying layer by an angle of about 72°. Except for vertical columns of cuticular fibers that support pore canals, microfibril orientation within the procuticle/exocuticle generally follows the Bouligand model for a typical lamellate arthropod cuticle. Direct cellular control over the interlaminar orientation of the microfibrils forming the procuticle could not be discerned in this study.
Synthesis, structures, and photoluminescence properties of lanthanide dicyanoaurates containing dimeric aurophilic interactions

Abstract The synthesis of a series of lanthanide dicyanoaurates containing the ancillary ligand 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy) have been carried out by reaction of Ln 3+ nitrate salts with terpy and potassium dicyanoaurate. The resultant compounds, [ Ln (C 15 H 11 N 3 )(H 2 O)(NO 3 ) 2 Au(CN) 2 ] ( Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), form an isostructural series as established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. These studies reveal the existence of two important non-covalent interactions in these compounds. Dimeric aurophilic interactions and terpyridine π-stacking are both present with distances of ∼3.5 A for each. Photoluminescence measurements illustrate that the Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ compounds display enhanced Ln -based emission due to intramolecular energy transfer from the coordinated terpy ligands. Additionally, a [Au(CN) 2 − ] 2 dimeric excimer produces a broad, green emission band in this class of compounds, albeit reduced in intensity in several of the compounds where a reasonable energy match exists with Ln 3+ excitation bands.
North and south subice gas flow and venting of the seasonal caps of Mars: A major geomorphological agent

[1] Dark polygons associated with fans and spots appear during the spring on the southern seasonal cap. The basal sublimation of the translucent cap and the venting of the CO2 gas are responsible for their formation, as previously proposed for the spots and fans. Dark polygons appear when dark material emerges from elongated vents, whereas spots and fans form from point sources. A class of erosive features (etched polygons) is associated with depressions a few meters to tens of meters in diameters connected to a network of radiating troughs (“spiders”). Spiders are shaped by the scouring action of the confined gas converging toward point sources, whereas the etched polygons result from the forced migration of the CO2 gas over longer distances. The minimum age of the spiders is 104 years. They result from one of the most efficient erosive processes on Mars, displacing 2 orders of magnitude more dust per year than a typical dust storm or than all the dust devils during the same time period. In the north, parts of the seasonal cap are translucent between Ls = 355° and Ls = 60° and are associated with spots, fans, dark polygons, and possibly spiders, suggesting that the basal sublimation and venting of the cap triggers a subice gas and dust flow that is modifying the morphology of the surface layer. However, perennial features are extremely uncommon on the north regolith, indicating that the conditions for their formation or conservation are not met. The reduced basal energy budget of the north cap compared to the south and the shorter seasonal life time of the north translucent ice may explain the relative scarcity of features in the north. The polar layered deposits contain the stratigraphic record of climatic changes and catastrophic events. Both polar deposits may have been locally disrupted by the seasonal subice gas flow and the stratigraphic record may have been partially lost.
The effect of phenylpyruvate on oxidative-phosphorylation in brain mitochondria.

— A mitochondrial fraction isolated from the cerebral cortex of immature rats was shown to possess the characteristics of intact, functional mitochondria. Phenylpyruvate, in low concentrations, had an inhibitory effect upon oxygen utilization by this system without uncoupling phosphorylation. The inhibition was specific for the keto acid and to pyruvate as substrate. It was concluded that phenylpyruvate inhibits the oxidation of pyruvate and the implications of this are discussed in relation to phenylpyruvic oligophrenia.
Great Expectations?! Assortment Size, Expectations and Satisfaction

Recent research challenges the idea that greater choice is always desirable, showing that larger assortments can increase choice deferral and switching. The present research demonstrates that even when consumers do make a purchase, the same item may generate lower satisfaction when chosen from a larger as opposed to a smaller assortment. The authors explain this effect in terms of an expectation-disconfirmation mechanism. When assortments are small, consumers have low expectations about their ability to match their preferences. As assortment sizes increase, so do consumers' expectations of the degree of preference match they can achieve. Subsequently, consumers may experience greater negative expectation-disconfirmation or less positive expectation-disconfirmation when a chosen item came from a larger as opposed to a smaller set. Either less positive or more negative disconfirmation leads to lower choice satisfaction. Results from three studies support this expectation-based process and establish this mechanism in addition alternative explanations such as choice overload.
Keynes's Finance Motive: a re-assessment. Credit, liquidity preference and the rate of interest

This paper attempts to reconcile Keynes's post-General Theory writings on the finance motive with the horizontalist approach, as advocated by Moore, Lavoie, Kaldor and many proponents of the Franco-Italian Circuit school. It is argued here that, as Keynes felt himself lsquo;gradually getting into an outside positionrsquo; with respect to the General Theory—which he saw as a transition away from classical theory—he came to adopt many aspects of the horizontalist position as well as that of the circuit approach, including the exogeneity of the rate of interest and the view that rates do not necessarily increase during economic expansions. Keynes's post-General Theory writings therefore reject the theory of liquidity preference of the General Theory. It is suggested that, in their attempt to construct an alternative to orthodox monetary thought, post-Keynesians should abandon the confines of the General Theory, and focus instead on the views Keynes developed after the General Theory.
Methylation of HSV-1 DNA as a mechanism of viral inhibition: Studies of an analogue of methyldeoxycytidine: Trifluoromethyldeoxycytidine (F3mdCyd)

Abstract Although several hypomethylating agents such as 5-azadeoxycytidine and 5-fluorodeoxycytidine have been shown to activate transcription after incorporation into viral or cellular DNA, agents which selectively affect the methylation status of virus-infected cells have not been described. Studies on the antiviral effect of the methyldeoxycytidine (mdCyd) analogue trifluoromethyldeoxycytidine (F 3 mdCyd) showed significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This analogue of both dCyd and dThd is selectively incorporated into the DNA of herpesvirus infected cells due to the unique specificity of the herpesvirus thymidine kinase (TK) because the HSV-1 TK is both a dCyd and dThd kinase. In contrast, the deoxycytidine kinase of uninfected cells preferentially phosphorylates dCyd and has a poor affinity for F 3 mdCyd. F 3 mdCyd hemisubstituted M13 DNA displayed the same properties as mdCyd-substituted M13 DNA with respect to cleavage by restriction enzymes, and acted as an efficient template for eukaryotic DNA methyltransferase ( S- adenosyl- l -methionine DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase: EC 2.1.1.37). Using the persistently infected CEM cell model system, the extent of DNA methylation was shown to increase in a dose-related manner when HSV-1-infected CEM cells were treated with increasing concentrations of F 3 mdCyd. Higher levels of methylation correlated with significant decreases in HSV-1 titers. Isoschizomer analyses followed by Southern blotting and hybridization with genomic HSV-1 DNA showed that DNA from HSV-1-infected, analogue-treated Vero cells was resistant to cleavage by restriction enzymes at a time when productive virus was not present in culture. We infer from these results that the methylation-like properties of the incorporated F 3 mdCyd occur concomitantly with, and appear to be involved in, the mechanisms of the analogue's antiviral effect towards HSV-1.
A Convenient Route to [68Ga]Ga-MAA for Use as a Particulate PET Perfusion Tracer

Abstract A convenient method is described for compounding [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA (MAA=macroaggregated human serum albumin) with the eluate of a commercially available TiO 2 -based 68 Ge/ 68 Ga generator. The final [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA product was obtained with an 81.6±5.3% decay-corrected radiochemical yield and a radiochemical purity of 99.8±0.1% ( n =5). Microscopic examination showed the [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA product to remain within the original particle size range. The entire procedure, from generator elution to delivery of the final [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA suspension, could be completed in 25 min. Only 4.4±0.9% of the total 68 Ge breakthrough remaining associated with the final [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA product. The procedure allows reasonably convenient preparation of [ 68 Ga]Ga-MAA in a fashion that can be readily adapted to sterile product compounding for human use.
Structural and kinematic analysis of the Shagawa Lake shear zone, Superior Province, northern Minnesota: implications for the role of vertical versus horizontal tectonics in the Archean

The steeply dipping Shagawa Lake shear zone, which strikes ENE through the Vermilion District of the Superior Province in northeastern Minnesota, is marked by zone-parallel foliation and a mineral elongation lineation (Le). Le includes (i) a broad population with pitch of 90° ± 60°, and (ii) a less abundant population with pitch of 15° ± 15°. Shallowly plunging Le is rare, and where it occurs, it overprints the pervasive steeply plunging Le. Shear sense indicators occur within the L–S tectonite motion plane, normal to foliation and parallel to Le. Microstructures define both south-side-up and north-side-up displacement domains, but no spatial patterns emerge across the shear zone. L–S tectonites with east-plunging Le indicate either south- or north-side-up shear parallel to Le, whereas L–S tectonites with west-plunging Le indicate predominantly north-side-up shear parallel to Le. Strike-slip L–S tectonites are rare, but consistently record sinistral shear. Overprinting relationships and structural-kinemat...
Lumbar puncture in HIV-infected patients with syphilis and no neurologic symptoms.

Background The decision to perform lumbar puncture in patients with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis is controversial. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend certain criteria that warrant lumbar puncture. Here, we assess the performance of these criteria for detecting asymptomatic neurosyphilis (ANS).
Vibrational circular dichroism of polypeptides. II. Solution amide II and deuteration results.

Vibrational CD (VCD) of amide I and II vibrations of several α-helical polypeptides have been measured in solution. For the amide II as well as the amide I [previously published: Lal, B.B. & Nafie, L.A. (1982) Biopolymers21, 2161] we find the VCD to be characteristic of the polypeptide secondary structure. Amide II bands of right-handed α helices were all found to have negative VCD and to have their maximum rotational strength for the parallel (low-energy) component. However, left-handed α helices formed from L-amino acids gave positive amide II bands at higher frequencies than found for the right-handed helices, indicating that the VCD was sensitive to the stereochemical difference. The amide-I VCD spectra of some deuterated right-handed α-helical polypeptides have a new negative feature to low frequency that does not reflect theoretical predictions but also appears to be stereochemically sensitive. Amide-II and amide-A VCD of a few deuterated polypeptides imply retention of the secondary-structure-dependent characteristics seen in the hydrogenated VCD.
Electrospun soy protein nanofiber scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Electrospun fibers with an average fiber diameter in the nanometer range were prepared from soy protein isolate to develop scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Poly(ethylene oxide) was ad...
A Note on Two Models of Sibling Resemblance

This note compares two structural equation models of educational and occupational resemblance among sibling pairs. Each model decomposes the regression of occupational status on schooling into a between-family regression of common factors and a pair of within-family regressions. In model 1, the within-family regressions are writhin-family factors, and in model 2, the within-family regressions are written in the total educatinal and occupational variables. The two models are equivalent when within-family regressions are the same for each member of the sibling pair. Otherwise, they are not equivalent, and the second model has an undesirable logical implication. Under certain conditions, either model may exhibit symptoms of near-underidentification, or it may be underidentified; this problem may be more likely to occur in model 2 than in model 1.
FIRST DOCUMENTATION OF COMBINATORIAL SONG SYNTAX IN A SUBOSCINE PASSERINE SPECIES

Abstract Birds with songs having two or more acoustically distinct elements can arrange them either rigidly (i.e., in the same sequence) or flexibly. Flexible song syntax can be achieved either by varying the number of repetitions of elements or by combining elements in different ways. Combinatorial syntax has been documented only in the songs of oscine passerines and in one nonpasserine, but not in the suboscine passerines. Dawn and day songs of a tyrant flycatcher, the Flammulated Attila (Attila flammulatus), were recorded in Costa Rica. Flexible syntax was noted in both dawn and day song. Attilas not only varied the number of repetitions of their song elements but also combined elements in various ways. This appears to be the first reported case of combinatorial song syntax in a suboscine species.
Opaque multiphase flows: experiments and modeling

Abstract This brief review deals with the characterization of multiphase flows needed in reaction engineering and describes the techniques and methods available to accomplish it. It emphasizes the fact that most multiphase systems of industrial interest (e.g. stirred tanks, slurry bubble columns, gas–solid or liquid–solid risers and fluidized beds, pneumatic transport reactors, etc.) operate in churn turbulent flow at large volume fraction of the dispersed phase and are opaque. This inevitably leads to the use of the Euler–Euler, interpenetrating fluid model in describing their fluid dynamics, which raises issues of closure for the interfacial momentum terms and turbulence. Hence, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models based on the Euler–Euler approach with selected closures require experimental validation. Due to the non-transparency of the systems involved, non-conventional experimental techniques are required. The paper briefly describes two such techniques which have been successfully implemented at the Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory for characterization of opaque, multiphase flows. One is the gamma ray computed tomography (CT), the other is the computer automated radioactive particle tracking (CARPT). Their use in characterizing diverse systems such as liquid–solid risers and bubble columns is illustrated as well as the utility of CARPT-CT data in validation of the Euler–Euler CFD models. The goal is to enable the reader to grasp the advantages and limitations of the described experimental techniques and computational fluid dynamic models.
Deep submicron defect detection with the energy consumption ratio

Advances in technology and increasing integration are expected to degrade the effectiveness of I/sub ddq/ test. Total leakage currents per IC are expected to be very large, making it difficult to detect the impact of a single defect (T.W. Williams et al., 1996; M. Sachdev, 1997). Test methods which detect faults by monitoring the dynamic supply current have been suggested as one alternative. Almost all the dynamic current techniques proposed in the literature are adversely affected by the impact of process variations. Many are also susceptible to timing and magnitude errors in measurement. The energy consumption ratio (ECR) is a new dynamic current-based test metric (B. Vinnakota et al., 1998), that addresses some of these problems. ECR-based test offers several advantages over other dynamic test methods and the I/sub ddq/ test such as tolerance to process variations, reduced test process complexity and a proven ability to detect faults that escape other techniques. The ECR has been validated through extensive simulation and through application to a 50K gate sub-micron biomedical IC (W. Jiang and B. Vinnakota, 1999). Our contributions are directed towards further validating the real quality of the ECR.
Science to Practice: Opening the Blood-Brain Barrier with Focused Ultrasound—A Potential Treatment for Alzheimer Disease?

Burgess et al ( 1 ) present intriguing results of repetitive transient opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a transgenic mouse model of advanced Alzheimer disease (AD). The results underscore the potential of using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided focused ultrasound and microbubble ultrasonography (US) contrast agents for the disruption of the BBB as a potential long-term therapy to reduce amyloid plaque burden and improve cognitive performance. This daring conclusion that is based on an experimental animal model should now be confirmed in humans. Considering that the technology is commercially available and given the immense clinical need, clinical trials in this AD treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
p38α Signaling Induces Anoikis and Lumen Formation During Mammary Morphogenesis

The stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) p38 can induce apoptosis, and its inhibition facilitates mammary tumorigenesis. We found that during mammary acinar morphogenesis in MCF-10A cells grown in three-dimensional culture, detachment of luminal cells from the basement membrane stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases 3 and 6 (MKK3/6) and p38α signaling to promote anoikis. p38α signaling increased transcription of the death-promoting protein BimEL by phosphorylating the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and increasing c-Jun protein abundance, leading to cell death by anoikis and acinar lumen formation. Inhibition of p38α or ATF-2 caused luminal filling reminiscent of that observed in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The mammary glands of MKK3/6 knockout mice (MKK3(-/-)/MKK6(+/- )) showed accelerated branching morphogenesis relative to those of wild-type mice, as well as ductal lumen occlusion due to reduced anoikis. This phenotype was recapitulated by systemic pharmacological inhibition of p38α and β (p38α/β) in wild-type mice. Moreover, the development of DCIS-like lesions showing marked ductal occlusion was accelerated in MMTV-Neu transgenic mice treated with inhibitors of p38α and p38β. We conclude that p38α is crucial for the development of hollow ducts during mammary gland development, a function that may be crucial to its ability to suppress breast cancer.
Protein secondary structure prediction using rule induction from coverings

With the increase of data from genome sequencing projects comes the need for reliable and efficient methods for the analysis and classification of protein motifs and domains. Experimental methods currently used to determine protein structure are accurate, yet expensive both in terms of time and equipment. Therefore, various computational approaches to solving the problem have been attempted, although their accuracy has rarely exceeded 75%. In this paper, a rule-based method to predict protein secondary structure is presented. This method uses a newly developed data-mining algorithm called RT-RICO (Relaxed Threshold Rule Induction from Coverings), which identifies dependencies between amino acids in a protein sequence, and generates rules that can be used to predict secondary structures. The average prediction accuracy on sample data sets, or Q 3 score, using RT-RICO was 80.3%, an improvement over comparable computational methods
Personal Space Boundaries: Clinical Applications in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

topic. Theory of personal space boundaries (PSB) and its application to clinical psychiatric nursing. purpose. To provide a nursing perspective of interventions that incorporate the interactive effects of cognition, affect, behavior, and spirituality on human experience and behavior. source. Theory of PSB developed by the author. conclusion. Understanding PSB allows for more effective nursing interventions.
Functional connectivity and infant spatial working memory: a frequency band analysis

The limited research on the functional meaning of infant EEG frequency bands has used measures of EEG power. The purpose of this study was to examine task-related changes in frontal EEG coherence measures for three infant EEG frequency bands (2–5 Hz, 6–9 Hz, 10–13 Hz) during a spatial working memory task. Eight-month-olds exhibited baseline-to-task changes in frontal EEG coherence for all infant frequency bands. Both the 2–5 Hz and the 10–13 Hz bands differentiated frontal functional connectivity during the distinct processing stages, but each band provided unique information. The 10–13 Hz band, however, was the only frequency band to distinguish frontal EEG coherence values during correct and incorrect responses. These data reveal valuable information concerning frontal functional connectivity and the functional meaning of three different infant EEG frequency bands during working memory processing. Descriptors: Working memory, Frontal lobe, EEG coherence, Functional connectivity, Infants
Mutational Analysis of Differences in Thermostability between Histones from Mesophilic and Hyperthermophilic Archaea

Amino acid residues responsible for the large difference in thermostability between HMfB and HFoB, archaeal histones from the hyperthermophile Methanothermus fervidus and the mesophile Methanobacterium formicicum, respectively, have been identified by site-specific mutagenesis. The thermal denaturation of ∼70 archaeal histone variants has been monitored by circular dichroism, and the data generated were fit to a two-state unfolding model (dimer→two random coil monomers) to obtain a standard-state (1M) melting temperature for each variant dimer. The results of single-, double-, and triple-residue substitutions reveal that the much higher stability of rHMfB dimers, relative to rHFoB dimers, is conferred predominantly by improved intermolecular hydrophobic interactions near the center of the histone dimer core and by additional favorable ion pairs on the dimer surface.
Balloon Dilation and Stent Placement for Coarctation

Since its initial description in the early 1980s, balloon dilation (with or without stenting) as a treatment for coarctation of the aorta has become increasingly common, particularly outside of the neonatal period. Catheter intervention is generally recognized as the preferred method of treating recurrent coarctation. For native coarcation most centers will consider treatment of the older child or adult with primary catheter therapy, whereas balloon dilation of native coarctation in infancy is rare. Obviously, there are many diverse situations in which arch obstruction can occur, ranging from isolated coarctation with an otherwise normal heart to complex postsurgical arch obstruction following single ventricle palliation. The approach to each patient will be individualized, but there are common elements to these cases which are outlined below.
MQCC: Maximum Queue Congestion Control for Multipath Networks with Blockage

This paper presents a transport layer protocol for multi-path networks with blockage. Using urban SATCOM as an example, we see from data taken from a 2006 measurement campaign that these blockages are generally on the order of 1 -- 5seconds in length and the links are blocked approximately 33%of the time. To compensate for this type of impairment, we have developed a multipath IP overlay routing algorithm, a random linear coding reliability scheme, and a maximum-queue-based (MQCC) congestion control algorithm. MQCC uses average buffer occupancy as a measure of the congestion in a network (as opposed to packet loss or round trip time (RTT)) and updates the transmission rate of each source to avoid network congestion. This allows us to design a congestion control algorithm that is independent of the channel conditions and can be made resilient to channel losses. The reliability scheme uses selective negative acknowledgments (Snacks) to guarantee packet delivery to the destination. We show through simulation that we can approach the optimal benchmark in realistic loss blockage channels.
Spin-Stabilized Membrane Antenna Structures

This paper explores the possibility of using spin-stabilized membrane structures for large phased array microwave antennas (typically L-Band or S-Band from 1 GHz to 4 GHz). The biggest challenge is to be able to sufficiently stabilize the system in order to limit its sensitivity to space disturbances (maneuvering, reaction wheels, and other imposed forces) and manufacturing imperfections. First, a flatness requirement for microwave antennas is derived. Then a frequency analysis of orthotropic flat structures spinning at different angular velocities and with different bending stiffnesses is carried out. These analyses, together with finite element simulations, are used to derive scaling laws to study the behavior of structures spinning in space. A test case, based on a spinning structure perturbed at the hub, is considered. An analytical solution of the free vibration of this test case is compared to the results of finite-element method simulations with Abaqus/Standard. Finally a test setup to study the dynamics of scaled spinning membranes in the laboratory is presented. Gravity effects in such an experiment are expected to be small.
How people learn in an asynchronous online learning environment: The relationships between graduate students’ learning strategies and learning satisfaction | Comment apprennent les gens dans un environnement d’apprentissage en ligne asynchrone

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between learners’ learning strategies and learning satisfaction in an asynchronous online learning environment, in an attempt to shed some light on how people learn in an online learning environment. One hundred and sixteen graduate students who were taking online learning courses participated in this study. The result revealed that ‘metacognitive strategy’ and ‘time and study environment’ had positive correlations with learners’ satisfaction, while ‘help seeking’ had a negative correlation. The findings of a multiple regression analysis showed that ‘metacognitive strategy’ and ‘peer learning’ led to learners’ satisfaction in an online learning environment. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of how successful learning occurs in an online learning environment, and provide recommendations on designing an effective online learning. L’objet de cette etude etait d’examiner les relations entre les strategies d’apprentissage des apprenants et la satisfaction liee a l’apprentissage dans un environnement asynchrone d’apprentissage en ligne, dans le but de faire la lumiere sur les facons dont les gens apprennent dans un environnement d’apprentissage en ligne. Cent seize etudiants aux cycles superieurs qui suivaient des cours en ligne ont pris part a cette etude. Les resultats ont revele que la « strategie metacognitive » et « le moment et l’environnement pour l’etude » avaient des correlations positives avec la satisfaction des apprenants, alors que « demander de l’aide » avait une correlation negative. Les conclusions d’une analyse de regression multiple ont demontre que la « strategie metacognitive » et « l’apprentissage entre pairs » avaient des correlations positives avec la satisfaction des apprenants dans un environnement d’apprentissage en ligne. Les conclusions de cette etude contribuent a une meilleure comprehension des facons dont un apprentissage reussi se produit dans un environnement d’apprentissage en ligne et fournissent des recommandations sur la conception d’un apprentissage en ligne efficace.
The Impact of Depression on Discharge to Hospitals and Other Outcomes in Medicare Home Health Care Patients

The aim of this study was to determine the association of active depressive symptoms in older home health care (home care) patients and discharge to the hospital. This study was based on a cross-se...
Study on the Circuit of Driving Loop Control for Micromachined Vibratory Gyroscope

Based on the mechanical model of the MEMS vibratory gyroscope,the relationships between the driving signal and the gyro sensitivity are derived. It shows that in order to obtain a high sensitivity and low drift, the gyroscope must be working in resonance condition, and the amplitude of driving signal must be constant. For these considerations, a driving circuit with phase locked loop and constant amplitude loop is described. In resonance condition, the driving signal and the driving mode displacement signal are in phase-quadrature. Using this characteristic this paper adopts phase locked loop to adjust the frequency of the driving signal in accordance with the difference of the natural frequency in the driving mode. The constant amplitude loop utilizes half-wave rectification circuit and DC voltage adjustment circuit to keep the driving signal constant. The experiment shows that, with the phase locked loop and constant amplitude control, the driving circuit reduces the output noise, improves the gyro sensitivity and the stability of scale factor.
19 STROMELYSIN-1 5A/6A AND eNOS T-786C POLYMORPHISMS, MTHFR C677T AND A1298C MUTATIONS, AND CIGARETTE-CANNABIS SMOKING: A PILOT STUDY OF GENE-ENVIRONMENT PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS WITH BUERGER'S DISEASE.

Buerger9s disease (BD) etiologies are poorly understood. Beyond smoking cessation, medical-surgical treatments have limited success. We hypothesized that mutations associated with arterial vasospasm (stromelysin-1 5A/6A, eNOS T-786C) and C677T-A1298C methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) interacted with cigarette-cannabis smoking, reducing vasodilatory nitric oxide (NO), promoting arterial spasm-thrombosis. Of 19 smoking BD patients (13 men [2 siblings], ± women, 18 Caucasian, 1 African American), compared to 200 healthy Caucasian controls, BD patients were more likely to have 6A6A stromelysin-1 homozygosity (7/19 [37%] vs 46/200 [23%]) and to have eNOS T-786C homozygosity (3/19 [16%] vs 22/200 [11%]), but these patient-control differences were not significant, p = .4, 0.5. C677T MTHFR homozygosity or compound C677T-A1298C heterozygosity did not differ in patients vs controls (6/19 [32%] vs 70/200 [35%]), p = .8. In 9 patients who stopped and 1 who continued smoking, all stromelysin-1 5A/6A and/or eNOS heterozygotes-homozygotes, lower limb gangrenous ulcers, and intractable ischemic rest pain with arterial occlusion progressed despite conventional medical therapy, threatening amputation. In these 10 patients, to increase vasodilatory NO via endothelial NO synthase, L-arginine (15 g/day) was given, along with folic acid 5 mg, vitamin B6 (100 mg), and B12 (2,000 μg/day) to optimize homocysteine metabolism and reduce asymmetric dimethylarginine, a NO synthase inhibitor. Unexpectedly quickly and strikingly, within 8 weeks to 8 months on L-arginine-folic acid, all 10 treated patients improved with uniform pain reduction, ulcer healing, and in 5, full recovery of previously absent peripheral pulses. In smokers homo-heterozygous for stromelysin-1 5A/6A, eNOS T-786C, and C677T-A1298C MTHFR mutations, we speculate that the development and severity of BD are related to a gene-environment vasospastic interaction with reduced NO-mediated vasodilatation. Increasing NO production by L-arginine while optimizing homocysteine metabolism by folic acid-B6-B12 may have therapeutic benefit. Further blinded, placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine whether our observations can be generalized to larger BD cohorts.
Failure of an epinephrine test dose to elicit tachycardia after intravascular epidural catheter placement.

A 58-year-old woman who was not taking β-adrenergic block medication had a lumbar epidural catheter placed intravascular unintentionally. Epinephrine 15 μg in 3 ml saline or 2% lidocaine caused an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate. Observation of the patient for other signs of intravascular injection besides an increase in heart rate is discussed.
My Experience of Working with Walter

In the spring of 1969, I was still at Brown University applying for postdoctoral positions when I got a call from Walter Kohn to meet him at the New York March meeting to talk about my application. So I eagerly went down to New York and met Walter for the first time. In those days, Kondo effect was the hottest topic around in condensed matter theory and it seemed like almost any self respecting theorist would want to work on it. So when Walter asked me what I plan to do as a postdoc, I naturally blurted out that one of the topics I want to look at is Kondo effect. It was then that I met the slight head shake and the disapproving wry smile that I would see many times again later. Walter told me that in his opinion, there were too many theorists working on this fashionable problem already while there were still many interesting problems lying around unexplored. So even before I went to work with Walter, I was already taught a valuable lesson. Fortunately, Walter understood the folly of a young budding physicist and decided to offer me the job. Even though I ended up getting a few faculty job offers that year, I eventually decided to accept Walter’s offer because I sensed that there was a lot I can learn from him and I was not quite ready to strike out on my own. I have never regretted that decision since.
REDISTRIBUTION OF REGIONAL BLOOD FLOW IN HYPOTHERMIA

SUMMARY 1. Blood flow to the splanchnic region, the kidneys, and to the area supplied by the aorta below the renal arteries has been measured in normothermia and during progressive hypothermia with an electromagnetic flowmeter. 2. As hypothermia progresses, there is a shift of blood flow away from the kidneys toward the splanchnic region. 3. The splanchnic flow is 40 per cent of normothermic at 20° C. 4. The renal flow is 8 per cent of normothermic at 20° C. 5. Abdominal inflow and flow in the aorta below the renal arteries are both around 26 per cent of normothermic at 20° C.
Unliganded EphA3 dimerization promoted by the SAM domain.

The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A3 (EphA3) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) regulates morphogenesis during development and is overexpressed and mutated in a variety of cancers. EphA3 activation is believed to follow a ‘seeding mechanism’ model, in which ligand binding to the monomeric receptor acts as a trigger for signal-productive receptor clustering. We study EphA3 lateral interactions on the surface of live cells and we demonstrate that EphA3 forms dimers in the absence of ligand binding. We further show that these dimers are stabilized by interactions involving the EphA3 sterile α-motif (SAM) domain. The discovery of unliganded EphA3 dimers challenges the current understanding of the chain of EphA3 activation events and suggests that EphA3 may follow the ‘pre-formed dimer’ model of activation known to be relevant for other receptor tyrosine kinases. The present work also establishes a new role for the SAM domain in promoting Eph receptor lateral interactions and signalling on the cell surface.
The influence of Southern Ocean surface buoyancy forcing on glacial‐interglacial changes in the global deep ocean stratification

Previous studies have suggested that the global ocean density stratification below ∼3000m is approximately set by its direct connection to the Southern Ocean surface density, which in turn is constrained by the atmosphere. Here the role of Southern Ocean surface forcing in glacial-interglacial stratification changes is investigated using a comprehensive climate model and an idealized conceptual model. Southern Ocean surface forcing is found to control the global deep ocean stratification up to ∼2000m, which is much shallower than previously thought and contrary to the expectation that the North Atlantic surface forcing should strongly influence the ocean at intermediate depths. We show that this is due to the approximately fixed surface freshwater fluxes, rather than a fixed surface density distribution in the Southern Ocean as was previously assumed. These results suggest that Southern Ocean surface freshwater forcing controls glacial-interglacial stratification changes in much of the deep ocean.
Identity and social exclusion: an experiment with Hispanic immigrants in the U.S.

In this study we conduct a lab-in-the-field experiment with low-income Hispanics in three neighborhoods in a large city in the U.S. to investigate how identity and social exclusion influences individual contributions to fund local public goods. We find that while the strength of identity has a significant and positive impact on individual contributions to local public goods, the perception of social exclusion significantly decreases contributions. Our findings thus suggest factors that may impede full civic participation, and shed important light on potential policies to increase integration of immigrants and ethnic minorities into mainstream society.