cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adrenergic mechanisms in human hypertension and in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. The role of adrenergic neuronal mechanisms in the development of early hypertension in man and the spontaneously hypertensive rat has been explored. 2. In both, a hyperkinetic circulatory state is associated with reduced parasympathetic and increased adrenergic cardiac influences. 3. Spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive control rats were treated with propranolol from conception until 12 weeks. Although heart rate and output remained reduced, there was no difference in growth or elaboration of pressure with respect to their untreated controls. 4. After another series of spontaneously hypertensive and control rats received cardiac autonomic blockade (atropine and timolol), they sequentially received alpha-adrenergic blockade (phenoxybenzamine), ganglionic blockade (trimethaphan) and smooth-muscle vasodilatation (hydralazine). These studies revealed only a small pressure differential between the two groups before hydralazine and still less thereafter; unlike the control rats, pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats fell markedly after ganglionic blockade as a result of reduced output, indicating greater adrenergic control mediated through venoconstriction. 5. These findings indicate: increased cardiovascular adrenergic control in young spontaneously hypertensive rats, the hyperkinetic circulation merely reflecting one aspect of increased total cardiovascular input. Structural alterations seem to participate minimally. 6. These experimental observations closely resemble findings in early hypertensive man, and it is suggested that altered total cardiovascular adrenergic input is responsible for the elaboration, development, and maintenance of essential hypertension in man.
Aurora-C Interactions with Survivin and INCENP Reveal Shared and Distinct Features Compared with Aurora-B Chromosome Passenger Protein Complex

Aurora-C, a member of the Aurora kinase family that can complement Aurora-B function in mitosis is either moderately expressed or repressed in most adult somatic tissues but is active in early embryonic development and expressed at elevated levels in multiple human cancers. Aurora-C overexpression reportedly plays a role in tumorigenic transformation. We performed detailed characterization of Aurora-C interactions with members of the Chromosome Passenger Complex (CPC), Survivin and Inner Centromere Protein (INCENP) in reference to known Aurora-B interactions to understand the functional significance of Aurora-C overexpression in human cancer cells. The results revealed that silencing of Aurora-C or -B individually does not affect localization of the other kinase and the two kinases exist predominantly in independent complexes in vivo. Presence of Aurora-C and -B in molecular complexes of varying as well as overlapping sizes and co-existence in INCENP overexpressing cells indicated oligomerization of ternary complexes under different physiological conditions in vivo. Furthermore, Aurora-C and -B stabilized INCENP through interaction with and phosphorylation of the IN box domain while Aurora-C was activated following Survivin phosphorylation on Serine 20. Phosphorylation of Survivin residue Serine 20 by Aurora-C and –B appears important for proper chromosome segregation. Taken together, our study suggests that Aurora-C, expressed at low levels in somatic cells, functions as a catalytic component of the CPC together with Aurora-B through mitosis. Elevated expression of Aurora-C in cancer cells alters the structural and functional characteristics of the Aurora-B-CPC leading to chromosomal instability.
Predicting the Structure of Solids

One of the oldest fundamental problems in condensed matter physics has been the prediction of the crystal structure of solids from first principles. Given only the atomic number of the constituent atoms as input, what are the possible geometric structures of a solid?
Work and Death in the Global City: Natsuo Kirino’s Out as Neoliberal Noir

Breu examines how Kirino uses the tropes of transnational noir, and the setting of Tokyo as global city, to focus on those who are on the losing end of global neoliberalism. By telling the stories of downwardly mobile women factory workers whose specifically gendered experiences mark the ways in which neoliberalism colludes with structural forms of sexism, misogyny and economic exploitation, Breu shows how Kirino challenges and disrupts the boosterish rhetoric and moral optimism that often accompanies neoliberalism. Instead of celebrating neoliberal “progress” or offering us an affirmative vision of female emancipation, Kirino’s novel, Breu argues, reimagines the forms of affect produced by the transformation of Tokyo as wholly destructive for her female protagonists. As such, Out explores the gendered effects and affects of economic disposability, and the extent to which this results in a culture of violence and death, especially for women, which is an inescapable feature of the contemporary landscape of neoliberal globalization.
Esophageal Injuries and Replacement

Caustic ingestion of strong acid or alkaline substances is the most common cause of esophageal injury in the pediatric population. This injury can result in significant long-term sequelae, limiting patient function and overall well-being. The clinical manifestations of caustic ingestion are dependent on the type and amount of agent ingested as well as the timing of the ingestion. Symptoms do not accurately correlate with the degree of esophageal injury. Timely diagnosis and examination of extent of injury must be performed with esophagoscopy. Although many modalities exist for treatment of esophageal injury, the use of native esophagus is believed to be superior in instances where primary anastomosis may be achieved. In severe and complex cases, esophageal replacement must be pursued. Several options exist for esophageal replacement. These include gastric transposition, gastric tube, colon interposition, and jejunal interposition. Each of these modalities has specific benefits with regard to functional outcome and procedural technical characteristics. However, complications are a concern, including anastomotic strictures, leak, gastroesophageal reflux, and necrosis. With the recent development of tissue-engineered organs and organoids, esophageal replacement with native engineered esophagus might be attainable in the future.
IDENTIFYING NON-HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH ELEVATED NT-PROBNP LEVELS IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING: OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTION

Background: Elevated NTproBNP has been associated with adverse outcomes in the community setting for at risk (Stage A Heart failure [HF]) patients. A recent study (STOP-HF) has implied potential mortality benefits of ACE inhibitors (ACEI)/ARBs or beta blockers (BB) in this population. We
Neutronics feasibility of an MIT Reactor–driven subcritical facility for the Fluoride-salt–cooled High-temperature Reactor

Summary The current study explores an innovative option for demonstrating the Fluoride-salt–cooled High- temperature Reactor (FHR) technologies with a reactor-driven subcritical facility. The FHR uses clean salt coolants, carbon-matrix coated-particle fuel similar to that used in High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactors and can be coupled to a nuclear air-Brayton combined cycle. Recent assessments indicate favorable economics and safety characteristics, but no FHR has been built. The question is what experimental facilities should be constructed to reduce technical uncertainties before a decision to build a test or demonstration reactor? The MIT Reactor design and license would allow the construction and operation of a subcritical facility with 700°C salt circulating through multiple full-width partial-height fuel assemblies operating with a power density up to 60% of a commercial FHR. This option would allow hot systems testing as a major step toward building the test or demonstration reactor. Preliminary system design, power control options, testing capabilities, and key nuclear characteristics of such a reactor-driven subcritical facility are described. A method of deriving subcritical multiplicity using surface source has been proposed and verified in this study. Finally, the neutronic impacts on the driver facility, ie, the MIT Reactor, have been evaluated.
A Second Generation Epistemic Logic and its General Significance

Epistemic logic was practiced already in the middle ages (see (56), (70)). It was thrust to the awareness of contemporary philosophers by von Wright in his An Essay on Modal Logic ((79), see chapter 4). In this paper, I will consider epistemic logic primarily in relation to its epistemological applications. Surely any satisfactory epistemic logic ought to be able to prove its mettle as an epistemo-logic, to coin a phrase. From this perspective, the half-century long career of epistemic logic presents us with something of a paradox. Epistemic logic was created by philosophers for philosophical purposes. It is one of the core areas in what is (misleadingly) known as philosophical logic. Yet its most promising philosophical suggestions were put forward relatively late, and even then they have received but lukewarm attention on the part of philosophers. These potential philosophical applications are in my judgment incomparably more interesting and significant than the technicalities of epistemic logic that routinely receive the lion’s share of attention in books and papers on epistemic logic. In typical surveys of epistemic logic (cf. (72), (74)), little attention is paid to the epistemological perspectives opened by epistemic logic.
Why are there hotspot mutations in the TP53 gene in human cancers

The p53 gene contains homozygous mutations in ~50-60% of human cancers. About 90% of these mutations encode missense mutant proteins that span ~190 different codons localized in the DNA-binding domain of the gene and protein. These mutations produce a protein with a reduced capacity to bind to a specific DNA sequence that regulates the p53 transcriptional pathway. Eight of these mutations are localized in codons that account for ~28% of the total p53 mutations and these alleles appear to be selected for preferentially in human cancers of many tissue types. This article explores the question 'Why are there hotspot mutations in the p53 gene in human cancers?' Four possible reasons for this are considered; (1) the hotspot mutant alleles produce a protein that has a highly altered structure, (2) environmental mutagens produce allele-specific changes in the p53 gene, (3) these mutations arise at selected sites in the gene due to a specific DNA sequence, such as a methylated cytosine residue in a CpG dinucleotide, which has a higher mutation rate changing C to T nucleotides, (4) along with the observed change in mutant p53 proteins, which produce a loss of function (DNA binding and transcription), some mutant proteins have an allele-specific gain of function that promotes cancer. Evidence is presented that demonstrates the first three possibilities all contribute some property to this list of hotspot mutations. The fourth possibility remains to be tested.
A comprehensive metabolomic data set of date palm fruit.

Abstract This article provides detailed information on the phenotypes and the metabolic profiles of 196 date fruits from 123 unique date fruit varieties. These date fruits are extensively diverse in their country of origin, variety and post harvesting conditions. We used a non-targeted mass-spectrometry based metabolomics approach to metabolically characterize date fruits, and measured 427 metabolites from a wide range of metabolic pathways. The metabolomics data for all the date fruit samples are available at the NIH Common Fund's Data Repository and Coordinating Center (supported by NIH grant, U01-DK097430) website, http://www.metabolomicsworkbench.org ), under Metabolomics Workbench StudyID: ST000867. The data are directly accessible at http://www.metabolomicsworkbench.org/data/DRCCMetadata.php?Mode=Study&StudyID=ST000867&StudyType=MS&ResultType=1 .
Essential normality for quotient modules and complex dimensions

Abstract For analytic sets M ˜ introduced in [9] , we show that the corresponding quotient module Q of the Bergman module is p-essentially normal for all p > dim C M ˜ , which verifies the Geometric Arveson–Douglas Conjecture in this case. This result makes it possible to study the Helton–Howe trace invariants on both Q and the corresponding submodule R .
Occipital tip injury with homonymous central scotoma: OCT-NFL and RGC correlation.

Abstract Purpose To report one case of homonymous paracentral scotoma with corresponding optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in a young woman after injury to the left occipital lobe tip. Observations A young woman with past medical history of Hodgkin's lymphoma and large B-cell lymphoma metastatic to the left occipital lobe status post resection presented to the eye clinic with a chief complaint of a “blind spot” in the right eye since her surgery. Humphrey visual field (HVF) showed a right homonymous paracentral scotoma corresponding to the non-decussating and decussating optic radiation for central vision originating from the left lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). OCT confirmed atrophy of the right nasal hemifovea with fibers originating from the papillomacular bundle and the left temporal hemifovea with fibers originating from the superior temporal segment of the optic nerve. These fibers correspond to the central vision involved with the left posterior occipital lobe tip. Conclusions and Importance We report a case of right homonymous central vision loss as a result of injury to the left posterior occipital lobe tip with certain unique features. Here, a small lesion in the posterior visual pathway led to a relatively large loss of ganglion cell layer.
Quantitative Approximation by a Kantorovich-Shilkret quasi-interpolation neural network operator

In this article we present multivariate basic approximation by a Kantorovich-Shilkret type quasi-interpolation neural network operator with respect to supremum norm. This is done with rates using the multivariate modulus of continuity. We approximate continuous and bounded functions on ℝN, N ∈ ℕ. When they are additionally uniformly continuous we derive pointwise and uniform convergences.
Chapter 2 – Pulse Sequences for Diffusion-Weighted MRI

s MRI data collection is described in terms of pulse sequences (i.e. prescribed temporal applications of radiofrequency and gradient magnetic fields), which are in turn used for signal creation, spatial encoding, and control of image contrast. Additional gradient magnetic fields can be used in a pulse sequence to make the MR image contrast sensitive to thermal motion of water, but the resulting sensitization to cardiac and patient motion must be accounted for in order to obtain high-quality images with meaningful information. The many challenges and strategies for diffusion-weighted pulse sequences are discussed in detail.
Ice − Strains of Pseudomonas Syringae Introduced to Control Ice Nucleation Active Strains on Potato

A common approach used in the biological control of plant diseases has been to introduce a single strain of a biological control agent to antagonize a target population. This “magic bullet” must antagonize all or most members of a target population to be effective in disease control (Spurr and Knudsen, 1985). Such an approach, however, generally assumes that the target microorganisms have similar ecological properties and display similar epidemiological features. For example, all members of a target population might be assumed to be sensitive to an antibiotic produced by a biological control organism or to utilize similar resources for which competition might be oc-curing. Molecular genetic tachniques have now demonstrated, however, that many plant pathogenic taxa are genetically diverse (Denney et al., 1988). While Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of chromosome structure can give an indication of genetic diversity, it does not directly indicate physiological differences between members of a given group. However, the large genetic diversity found in many species of pathogens is suggestive that there will be functional differences in behavior of target microorganisms (Denney, 1988). The study reported here was made in an attempt to define the specificity of interactions of introduced biological control agents with their targets. The specific example to be discussed will be that of bacteria introduced to control epiphytic ice nucleation active (Ice+) bacteria.
Editorial for the Special Issue on "Nucleic Acid Architectures for Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Devices and Materials"

The use of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) offers a unique and multifunctional platform for numerous applications including therapeutics, diagnostics, nanodevices, and materials [...].
The hidden costs of open hepatectomy: A 10-year, single institution series of right-sided hepatectomies.

Abstract Background Incisional ventral hernias(IVH) are a common complication following open abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to uncover the hidden costs of IVH following right-sided hepatectomy. Methods Outcomes and hospital billing data for patients undergoing open(ORH) and laparoscopic right-sided hepatectomies(LRH) were reviewed from 2008 to 2018. Results Of 327 patients undergoing right-sided hepatectomies, 231 patients were included into two groups: ORH(n = 118) and LRH(n = 113). Median follow-up-times and time-to-hernia were 24.9-months(0.3–128.4 months) and 40.5-months(0.4–81.4 months), respectively. The incidence of hernias at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 6/231(2.6%), 13/231(5.6%), 15(6.5%), and 17/231(7.4%); ORH = 14, LRH = 3, p = 0.003), respectively. In terms of IVH repair(IVHR), total operative costs ($10,719.27vs.$4,441.30,p Conclusion Evaluation of pre-operative hernia risk factors and utilization of a laparoscopic approach to right-sided hepatectomy reduces incisional ventral hernia incidence and cost when repair is needed.
Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Complex Lower Extremity Reconstruction: Outcomes and Costs for Biologically Based, Local Tissue Rearrangement, and Free Flap Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Various surgical techniques exist for lower extremity reconstruction, but limited high-quality data exist to inform treatment strategies. Using multi-institutional data and rigorous matching, the authors evaluated the effectiveness and cost of three common surgical reconstructive modalities. METHODS All adult subjects with lower extremity wounds who received bilayer wound matrix, local tissue rearrangement, or free flap reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed (from 2010 to 2017). Cohorts' comorbidities and wound characteristics were balanced. Graft success at 180 days was the primary outcome; readmissions, reoperations, and costs were secondary outcomes. RESULTS Five hundred one subjects (166 matrix, 190 rearrangement, and 145 free flap patients) were evaluated. Matched subjects (n = 312; 104/group) were analyzed. Reconstruction success at 180 days for matrix, local tissue rearrangement, and free flaps was 69.2 percent, 91.3 percent, and 93.3 percent (p < 0.001), and total costs per subject were $34,877, $35,220, and $53,492 (p < 0.001), respectively. Median length of stay was at least 2 days longer for free flaps (p < 0.0001). Readmissions and reoperations were greater for free flaps. Local tissue rearrangement, if achievable, provided success at low cost. Free flaps were effective with large, traumatic wounds but at higher costs and longer length of stay. Matrices successfully treated older, obese patients without exposed bone. CONCLUSIONS Lower extremity reconstruction can be performed effectively using multiple modalities with varying degrees of success and costs. Local tissue rearrangement and free flaps demonstrate success rates greater than 90 percent. Bilayer wound matrix-based reconstruction effectively treats a distinct patient population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
Growth and Instability of Cluster Bean in Bhilwara District ofRajasthan

Cluster bean (Cyamposis tetragonoloba L.) commonly known as Guar, is a drought and high temperature tolerant deep rooted summer annual legume of high social and economic significance. It is used as animal feed, fodder, green manure and for extraction of gum for industrial uses. India, being largest cluster bean producer, contributes 75-80 per cent to the global cluster bean basket. Rajasthan is major player by contributing 72 per cent of total production. The expansion of uses of cluster bean to new areas has transformed cluster bean in recent years into an important export crop. Looking at the agricultural and industrial importance of this marginalized crop in Rajasthan, particularly realizing the potential in southern parts of the state, the present study attempted to analyse the present scenario of the area, production, productivity & instability analysis of cluster bean crop in Bhilwara district of the state. The area, production and productivity of cluster bean in Bhilwara district registered positive growth rates of 18.68, 29.13 & 8.54 per cent per annum, respectively. The coefficient of variation for area, production and productivity in Bhilwara district were 101.78, 127.74 & 144.36 per cent respectively. The value of CV was high for production and yield, indicating high instability. The instability in area was more in Bhilwara district compared to the state as a whole. Bhilwara district emerged as highest unstable and whole Rajasthan as lowest unstable in production of cluster bean during study period.
Leveraging Balanced Logic Gates as Strong PUFs for Securing IoT Against Malicious Attacks

A wave dynamic differential logic (WDDL)-based advanced encryption standard (AES) cryptographic circuit is explored as a strong physical unclonable function (PUF) primitive by exploiting the random load capacitance mismatches in WDDL gates induced by the fabrication process. As compared to the regular CMOS logic gates, the WDDL gates enhance the entropy of the proposed WDDL-based AES strong PUF significantly against power attacks. Furthermore, a non-linear product function is applied into the WDDL-based AES strong PUF to generate a high degree of the non-linearity between the input challenges and the output responses against machine-learning attacks. As demonstrated in results, the proposed WDDL-based AES strong PUF primitive achieves an approximately 50.7% inter-hamming distance (HD) and 97.7% reliability with a less than 25% loss ratio of input power entropy after power attacks and a large linear matching error (1032%) against machine-learning attacks.
Chronic PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade Does Not Affect Cognition or Promote Tau Clearance in a Tauopathy Mouse Model

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) checkpoint blockade with an antibody has been shown to reduce amyloid-β plaques, associated pathologies and cognitive impairment in mouse models. More recently, this approach has shown effectiveness in a tauopathy mouse model to improve cognition and reduce tau lesions. Follow-up studies by other laboratories did not see similar benefits of this type of therapy in other amyloid-β plaque models. Here, we report a modest increase in locomotor activity but no effect on cognition or tau pathology, in a different more commonly used tauopathy model following a weekly treatment for 12 weeks with the same PD-1 antibody and isotype control as in the original Aβ- and tau-targeting studies. These findings indicate that further research is needed before clinical trials based on PD-1 checkpoint immune blockage are devised for tauopathies.
Locoregional Flap Closure for High-risk Multilevel Spine Surgery.

Background Postoperative wound complications pose a challenge to patients undergoing complex spine surgery. Long-term sequelae can be devastating including decreased quality of life, meningitis, prolonged hospital stay, and need for reoperation. Among high-risk patients, postoperative wound complications have been shown to approach 40% in the literature. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for postoperative complications following soft-tissue reconstruction after high-risk spine surgery with the hypothesis that it would result in significantly fewer postoperative wound complications. Methods A retrospective review of 67 consecutive spine operations at an academic, tertiary care center was performed, evaluating outcomes with a single plastic surgeon in conjunction with the spine surgery team. Data regarding patient demographics, perioperative risk variables, flap type, location of defect, and postoperative outcomes were obtained through retrospective chart review. Complications included soft-tissue complications and a number of reoperations. A bivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of postoperative complication. These data were compared to literature-reported averages. Results A total of 67 consecutive spinal reconstructive operations were included with a mean follow-up of 11.8 months. Thirty-seven patients (55.2%) underwent immediate reconstruction at the time of the index operation, and 30 (44.8%) underwent delayed reconstruction for secondary wound healing problems following the index operation (in which plastic surgery was not involved). The majority of both immediate (95%, n = 35) and delayed (100%, n = 30) patients was defined as high risk based on literature standards. Patients in this series demonstrated a 7.5% complication rate, compared to 18.7% complication rate in the literature. We did not find a difference between major wound complications in the immediate (8.1%) or delayed (6.7%) reconstructive setting (P > 0.99). There were no specific variables identified that predicted postoperative complications. Conclusion This study illustrates a postoperative complication rate of 7.5% among patients undergoing paraspinous or locoregional muscle flap closure by plastic surgery, which is significantly lower than that reported in contemporary literature for these high-risk patients.
Neighborhood and the Built Environment

Emergency department patients' neighborhoods and their built environments shape a substantial portion of their health outcomes. A neighborhood’s built environment includes access to both community and health care resources as well as exposure to various types of risk. Understanding variability in these patterns of access and risk are important goals in social emergency medicine. Emergency providers and systems that explore these patterns within a community can arrive at targeted interventions and prevention efforts to improve individual and population health. On a broader scale, the built environment lays bare some of the most glaring disparities within our society; understanding and responding to how patients and communities interact with their built environment is a key step to addressing health equity. A patient’s built environment involves the social, political, and health resources in their community, and this chapter focuses on how this environment shapes -- and responds to -- patients’ clinical presentations to the emergency department.
Comparison of FIO2 Delivery With Low Flow vs High Flow Cannulas: A Simulation Study

Background: We have observed that clinicians believe there is a difference in oxygen delivery between a standard low-flow nasal cannula (LFNC) and one labeled for high-flow use (HFNC), independent of the oxygen flow setting. In particular, for cannulas made by Westmed, the LFNC is recommended (depending on distributor) for flows of 1–5 L/min, while the HFNC is recommended for flows of 6–15 L/min. Hence, clinicians have come to believe that you need to use different cannulas depending on the desired oxygen flow. The purpose of this study was to test this assumption by comparing FIO2 delivery for LFNC and HFNC over the range of 1–15 L/min. Methods: An adult mannequin head (Michigan Instruments) was attached to a breathing simulator (IngMar ASL 5000) which is capable of measuring lung FIO2. The simulator was set to closed-loop volume control mode with VT = 490 mL, C = 50 mL/cm H2O, R = 4 cm H2O/L/s, f = 15, increase = 25%, hold = 0%, release = 30%. LFNC (Westmed 0556) and HFNC (Westmed 0549) were attached to the nares of the mannequin (mouth opening blocked) and run at 5, 10, and 15 L/min (verified with a Citrix H4 flow meter). The experiment was repeated once. Results: The difference in FIO2 (%) between LFNC and HFNC was clinically unimportant (see Table). Conclusions: This study shows that the assumption of needing different types of cannulas depending on flow is false. FIO2 depends only on source oxygen flow, not cannula design for this manufacturer.
Differentiable Functions of Complex Variables

This chapter contains an introduction to the theory of functions of one and of several complex variables. The effort once more is to develop the theory from a minimum number of hypotheses and by general methods which apply to complex-valued, as well as real-valued, functions.
Trends in Alternate Measures of Vehicle Fuel Economy

This paper develops and discusses the 1978-85 time trends in alternative measures of vehicle fuel economy. Nine alternative measures are presented ranging from ton-miles per gallon to menu-weighted performance adjusted miles per gallon. For each alternative measure, trends for important groups of manufacturers are presented. All of the trends in alternative measures are compared to the percent improvement implied by the original 1978 and 1985 passenger car average fuel economy standards (AFES).
Temperature-sensitive SV40 immortalized rat proximal tubule cell line has functional renin-angiotensin system

Immortalized rat proximal tubule cell (IRPTC) lines should be useful for investigation of proximal tubule (PT) regulation and function but previously have been unavailable. We now report the establ...
Rotational excitation of CH+ by electron impact

The cross sections for the rotational excitation of polar diatomic molecular ions by electron impact are formulated within the Coulomb-Born approximation. The cross sections are finite at threshold. Explicit calculations are reported for the excitation of C${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$.
The response of human sulcular leucocytes to a chemotactic challenge. A new in vivo assay.

We monitored the in vivo response of human and rat crevicular leucocytes (CL) and fluid (CF) to a chemical challenge in an attempt to develop an in vivo chemotaxis assay. The mesial crevices of #21 and #22 of male dental students (mean GI = 0; crevice depth = 2.3 mm) were washed and air dried. The baseline values for CL (#num;21) and CF (#22) were recorded. CL were collected in 10 μI washes of the crevice and an aliquot immediately counted in a hemacytometer. CF was collected on filter paper strips and measured with a fluid meter. Casein, a nutrient and a standard in vitro chemo-attractant was applied with a calibrated wire loop into each crevice. CL and CF were monitored 15 min later and at 5 min intervals up to 45 min. CL and CF peaked approximately 30 min after the casein challenge; both parameters returned to baseline rapidly thereafter. In rats, a dose-response was obtained when concentrations of 0.01–4.0 mg casein/ml were applied to the gingival crevice. The maximum response of CL and CF occurred at 2.0 mg/ml. The application of buffer alone or Fab protein, which lacks chemotactic activity, produced no rise in CL and CF. We suggest that this crevicular technique can be used to monitor the in vivo response of subjects with defects in leucocyte chemotaxis.
Examination of Guinea Pig Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Gene Reveals a Unique Decapeptide and Existence of Two Transcripts in the Brain

We sequenced the complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding guinea pig LHRH from an expression library derived from the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus. Data from in situ hybridization and RNase protection assays verified that the cloned cDNA was complementary to guinea pig LHRH messenger RNA. The architecture of the deduced precursor resembles that of LHRH precursors identified in other species. In contrast, the predicted sequence of the decapeptide differs from mammalian LHRH by two amino acid substitutions in positions 2 and 7. This is a novel finding, because the amino acid sequence that comprises LHRH decapeptide is identical in all mammals studied to date. Moreover, the predicted substitution in amino acid position 2 is unique among vertebrates. A second observation of potential significance is the existence of two subspecies of LHRH messenger RNA differing only in the length of their 3′ untranslated regions. These two transcripts were verified by sequence analysis of positive clones from the cDNA librar...
REACTION KINETICS OF POLYSTYRENE-BASED PHOSPHINIC ACID ION EXCHANGE/REDOX RESINS WITH METAL IONS

ABSTRACT The ion exchange/redox kinetics displayed by the phosphinic acid polymer with aqueous solutions of silver and mercury is presented as a function of reaction temperature (6° to 45° C) and solution pH (0 to 5). The network variables studied include the crosslink level and macroporosity. At each pH, increasing the temperature leads to a more rapid approach to equilibrium. The amount complexed at equilibrium is lowest at pH Q relative to the higher pH solutions due to increased H+ competition for ligating sites. Metal ion reduction, rather than ion exchange, is the dominant component at equilibrium. Matrix rigidity and macroporosity do not affect Ag(I) kinetics. The rate of Hg(II) sorption is much faster than for Ag(I). Macroporosity is an important variable with mercury: macroporous resins complex more than twice the amount found with gels at 15 minutes contact. It is proposed that Ag kinetics are limited by a slow redox reaction while the Hg kinetics are diffusion-limited due to a fast redox reacti...
Tall Fescue Response to Clipping and Competition with No‐Till Seeded Alfalfa as Affected by Fungal Endophyte

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is generally less productive, persistent, and competitive under stress after removal of its fungal endophyte, Neolyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones & W. Gams) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin (syn. Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones & W. Gams). Our objectives were to compare endophyte-infected (E + ) and endophyte-free (E - ) tall fescue for (i) forage yield and tiller response at different cutting frequencies and heights and (ii) competition with no-till seeded alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Factorialized combinations of 3-wk and hay-stage harvest intervals with clipping heights of 3.8 cm (low) and 7.6 cm (high) were used with E + and E - tall fescue in a 4-yr study. 'Alfagraze' alfalfa was no-till seeded into E + and E - 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue, E - 'AU Triumph' tall fescue, orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in each of 3 yr. Forage yield of E + and E - Kentucky 31 was similar (P > 0.05) within a cutting treatment. When cut at 3-wk intervals, a low as compared with a high clipping height had no effect (P > 0.05) on total forage yield of E + Kentucky 31 tall fescue, but forage yield of E - Kentucky 31 and E - AU Triumph were reduced by 23 and 28%, respectively, in the fourth year. Both E + and E - tall fescue cut every 3 wk during a dry, hot summer at a low clipping height had autumn forage yields only 20 to 25% of that at a high clipping height. Tiller populations declined more on AU Triumph than E-Kentucky 31 in response to cutting. Cutting height had a minor effect on yield with hay-stage harvest. Endophyte infection had no effect on stands or forage yield of no-till seeded alfalfa. Alfalfa forage yields were lower with tall fescue than with the other grass species. AU Triumph, a winter-productive tall fescue, was the grass most competitive with alfalfa.
Continuous retinoic acid induces the differentiation of mature regulatory monocytes but fails to induce regulatory dendritic cells

Myeloid cells (MC) have potent immunoregulatory abilities that can be therapeutically useful to treat inflammatory disease. However, the factors which promote regulatory myeloid cell differentiation remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that estriol (E3) induces mature regulatory dendritic cells in vivo. To determine whether additional steroid hormones could induce mature regulatory myeloid cells, we investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on MCs. Retinoic acid is a steroid hormone important in regulating mucosal immunity in the gut and promoting myeloid differentiation. We hypothesized that the presence of RA during differentiation would promote the formation of mature regulatory myeloid cells (MCregs). To determine RA’s ability to induce regulatory myeloid cells, we differentiated bone marrow progenitor cells with granulocytic-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) under the influence of RA. We found that day 7 MCs differentiated in the presence of RA had an increase in the percent positive and relative expression levels of both maturation (CD80, CD86, and MHCII) and inhibitory (PD-L1 and PD-L2) markers compared to control cells. Functionally, these day 7 RA MCs expressed increased intracellular IL-10, induced regulatory T cells in vitro compared to controls and suppressed the proliferation of responder immune cells even after inflammatory challenge with LPS. RA induced mature regulatory myeloid cells that were suppressive and had a CD11b+ CD11c-Ly6C low/intermediate monocyte phenotype. Surprisingly, RA CD11c+ dendritic cells were not suppressive and could contribute to enhanced proliferation. These results suggest that continuous RA has unique effects on different myeloid populations during monopoeisis and dendropoiesis and promotes a population of regulatory monocytes.
New boundary constraints for elliptic systems used in grid generation problems

New boundary constraints for elliptic partial differential equations as used in grid generation problems in generalized curvilinear coordinate systems are proposed in this paper. These constraints, based on the principle of local conservation of thermal energy in the vicinity of the boundaries, are derived using the Green's Theorem. They uniquely determine the so called decay parameters in the inhomogeneous terms of these elliptic systems. These constraints are designed for boundary clustered grids where large gradients in physical quantities need to be resolved adequately. It is observed that the present formulation also works satisfactorily for mild clustering. Therefore, a closure for the decay parameter specification for elliptic grid generation problems has been provided resulting in a fully automated elliptic grid generation technique. Thus, there is no need for a parametric study of these decay parameters since the new constraints fix them uniquely. It is also shown that for Neumann type boundary conditions, these boundary constraints uniquely determine the solution to the internal elliptic problem thus eliminating the nonuniqueness of the solution of an internal boundary value grid generation problem with Neumann boundary conditions.
The effects of texture and extension twinning on the low-cycle fatigue behavior of a rolled magnesium alloy, AZ31B

Abstract The effect of texture on the low-cycle fatigue behavior of a rolled magnesium alloy, AZ31B, was studied at room temperature. It is shown that the Coffin–Manson and Basquin relationships can be used to describe the fatigue resistance of the alloy. The alloy loaded along the rolling direction exhibits only slightly better low-cycle fatigue resistance than that loaded along the transverse direction, due to the in-plane texture symmetry. The in-plane cases exhibit better fatigue behavior than the through-thickness loading. Neutron diffraction and synchrotron diffraction were employed to assist in making mechanistic understandings for the findings. The fundamental difference in the low-cycle fatigue behaviors between the in-plane and through-thickness loadings is attributed to the different activation sequences of twinning and detwinning mechanisms involved and, particularly, the greater requirement for c-axis compression of the grains during the through-thickness tests. The different activation sequences are essentially determined by the initial crystallographic texture, such that the inverted hysteresis-loop shapes are observed.
Youth leadership development in virtual worlds: A case study

This paper discusses the impact of 'The Dream It. Do It Initiative' (D.I.D.I.), an informal learning program implemented in Teen Second Life (TSL), on leadership development. We found support for using TSL as a venue for leadership exploration. Specifically, we found that venturers became aware of the community issues in these worlds; they gained leadership skills such as teamwork, determination, and responsibility; and they learned how to use their mistakes to improve their projects. We conclude that virtual worlds, as "places for engagement", can indeed be used to help youth explore their leadership potential with support from parents and educators.
Submerged aquatic vegetation and bulrush in Lake Okeechobee as indicators of greater Everglades ecosystem restoration

Abstract Lake Okeechobee, Florida, located in the middle of the larger Kissimmee River-Lake Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, serves a variety of ecosystem and water management functions including fish and wildlife habitat, flood control, water supply, and source water for environmental restoration. As a result, the ecological status of Lake Okeechobee plays a significant role in defining the overall success of the greater Everglades ecosystem restoration initiative. One of the major ecological indicators of Lake Okeechobee condition focuses on the near-shore and littoral zone regions as characterized by the distribution and abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and giant bulrush (Scirpus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Steud.). The objective of this study is to present a stoplight restoration report card communication system, common to all 11 indicators noted in this special journal issue, as a means to convey the status of SAV and bulrush in Lake Okeechobee. The report card could be used by managers, policy makers, scientists and the public to effectively evaluate and distill information about the ecological status in South Florida. Our assessment of the areal distribution of SAV in Lake Okeechobee is based on a combination of empirical SAV monitoring and output from a SAV habitat suitability model. Bulrush status in the lake is related to a suitability index linked to adult survival and seedling establishment metrics. Overall, presentation of these performance metrics in a stoplight format enables an evaluation of how the status of two major components of Lake Okeechobee relates to the South Florida restoration program, and how the status of the lake influences restoration efforts in South Florida.
Sources of Sahel Precipitation for Simulated Drought and Rainy Seasons

Abstract The sources of sub-Saharan precipitation are studied using diagnostic procedures integrated into the code of the GISS climate model. Water vapor evaporating from defined source region is “tagged,” allowing the determination of the relative contributions of each evaporative source to the simulated July rainfall in the Sahel. Two June–July simulations are studied to compare the moisture sources, moisture convergence patterns and the spatial variations of precipitation for rainy and drought conditions. Results for this eau study indicate that patterns of moisture convergence and divergence over northern Africa had a stronger influence on model rainfall over the sub-Sahara than did evaporation rates over the adjacent oceans or moisture advection from ocean to continent. While local continental evaporation contributed significant amounts of water to sahelian precipitation in the “rainy” simulation, moisture from the Indian Ocean did not precipitate over the Sahel in either case.
Effects of Flexitime on Employee Attendance and Performance: A Field Experiment

The effects of a flexitime program in a county welfare agency are assessed. The analysis of covariance on the employees’ attendance and performance revealed that (1) the flexitime program appears t...
Integrated signaling in developing lymphocytes: The role of DNA damage responses

Lymphocyte development occurs in a stepwise progression through distinct developmental stages. This ordered maturation ensures that cells express a single, non-autoreactive antigen receptor, which is the cornerstone of a diverse adaptive immune response. Expression of a mature antigen receptor requires assembly of the antigen receptor genes by the process of V(D)J recombination, a reaction that joins distant gene segments through DNA double-strand break (DSB) intermediates. These physiologic DSBs are generated by the recombinase-activating gene (RAG) -1 and -2 proteins, and their generation is regulated by lymphocyte and developmental stage-specific signals from cytokine receptors and antigen receptor chains. Collectively, these signals ensure that V(D)J recombination of specific antigen receptor genes occurs at discrete developmental stages. Once generated, RAG-induced DSBs activate the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase to orchestrate a multifaceted DNA damage response that ensures proper DSB re...
Detained Without Cause Muslims’ Stories of Detention and Deportation in America After 9/11

Having arrived in the U.S. in 1994, Anser managed the trucking company he had founded in New Jersey while his wife, Uzma, cared for their three adolescent children and one infant in 2001. Although ...
Comment (ne pas) perdre une décennie

La reprise au sortir de la Grande Recession a ete semee d’embuches. Cette reprise economique differe des reprises cycliques precedentes. La raison en est simple : nous sommes en pleine crise de la dette. Ces crises presentent des particularites economiques et politiques. Sur le plan politique, elles entrainent des conflits sur la repartition du fardeau de l’ajustement, qui peuvent retarder sensiblement l’adoption des mesures necessaires pour attenuer leurs effets – ce qui aggrave les problemes de tout le monde. La theorie et l’histoire mettent en evidence divers facteurs qui favorisent ce type de conflit contre-productif et ces retards ; elles proposent egalement des moyens pour limiter ces conflits et leurs couts sociaux.
Efficient method for vsualization and isolation of proteins resolved in polyacrylamide gels

Abstract Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a popular method used to purify proteins for reconstitution experiments, amino acid composition and sequence determination. In this report we describe methods that will be of general use in the isolation and characterization of proteins and the benefits of substituting boric acid for glycine in the electrophoresis tray buffers. We also described how proteins resolved in a variety of gel systems (including those containing sodium dodecyl sulfate) may be rapidly visuallized with 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid and efficiently transferred to a second gel for two-dimensional gel analysis, or isolated by electroelution for subsequent characterization.
Viscoelastic Properties of Spine Ligament Collagen Fascicles

Connective tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, are comprised of varying amounts of collagen, elastin, and ground substance. It is conceivable to develop a microstructural material model based on the volume fraction and orientation of each constituent, and their interactions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Transseptal catheterization in the catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in a patient with cor triatriatum sinister

A 66-year-old man with cor triatriatum sinister underwent pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) twice because of AF recurrence. Different transseptal approaches into the anterior chamber receiving the left atrial appendage and posterior chamber receiving the PVs, were achieved in two sessions. PVI of the left PVs and right superior PV was challenging via the anterior chamber, whereas PVI of the right inferior PV was challenging via the posterior chamber because of the disturbance of the membrane. Therefore, an intentional transseptal catheterization into the more appropriate chamber may be necessary for PVI in a cor triatriatum sinister.