cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statin treatment prevents the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a nonhuman primate model of HIV-associated PAH.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, and right heart failure. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have a higher incidence of PAH than the non-HIV infected population and evidence suggests a role for systemic and pulmonary inflammation in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated PAH. Due to their pleiotropic effects, including immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have been considered for the treatment of PAH, with conflicting results. The effects of statins on HIV-associated PAH have not been specifically evaluated. We have developed a non-human primate (NHP) model of HIV-associated PAH that closely mimics HIV-PAH using simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We determined that treatment of healthy macaques with atorvastatin prior to and throughout SIV infection prevented the development of SIV-associated PAH. Additionally, SIV-infected macaques that initiated atorvastatin treatment during the early chronic disease stage had reduced incidence of PAH compared to untreated animals. Statin treatment reduced inflammatory mediators TGF-β, MIP-1α, and TNF-α and the numbers of CD14dimCD16+ non-classical monocytes, and CD14+CCR7−CD163−CD206+ alveolar macrophages previously shown to be associated with SIV-PAH. These results support the concept that statins reduce inflammatory processes that contribute to PAH and may provide a safe and effective prophylactic strategy for the prevention of PAH in HIV-infected individuals.
Effects of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Wound Dehiscence and Surgical Site Infection Following Instrumented Spinal Fusion Surgery-A Single Surgeon's Experience.

Background Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used in many surgical specialties to prevent postoperative dehiscence and surgical site infections (SSIs). However, little is known about the role of incisional NPWT in spine fusion surgery. Therefore, we sought to report a single surgeon's experience using incisional NPWT and describe its effects on dehiscence and SSIs after instrumented spine surgery. Methods We compared rates of hospital readmission and return to the operating room for dehiscence and SSIs in a consecutive series of patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery with or without NPWT from 2015 to 2018. Results A total of 393 patients without and 76 patients with NPWT were included for analysis. Half way through the data collection period, all patients who underwent anterior lumbar fusion received NPWT. Three of 15 (20.0%) of non-NPWT patients who underwent anterior lumbar fusion had dehiscence or SSI compared with zero of 23 (0.0%) of NPWT patients (P = 0.01). NPWT for posterior surgeries was used on a case-by-case basis using risk factors that contribute to SSIs and dehiscence. NPWT patients had higher rates of spinal neoplasia (0.5% vs. 11.3%, P Conclusions NPWT decreases dehiscence and SSIs in patients undergoing lumbar fusion through an anterior approach. When preferentially used in patients at high risk for postoperative wound complications, NPWT prevents increased rates of dehiscence and SSI.
Engaging Church Leaders in the Reduction of Teen Birth Rate in High-Risk Areas.

Involving faith-based organizations in community health promotion has gained widespread interest and has been a successful approach in addressing various health disparities in vulnerable communitie...
Protective effects of deep sea water against subacute alcoholic liver injury

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effects of two deep sea water( DSW)samples with different ion concentration against sub-acute alcoholic liver injury. METHODS A total of 72 male KM mice( 18-22 g) were randomly assigned into six groups, i. e. the control group, model group, DSW-A1 fold concentration group( A1), DSW-A5 folds concentration group( A5), DSW-A 10 folds concentration group( A10), DSW-B5 fold concentration group( B). The corresponding DSW solution was ingested freely by each DSW group, and deionized water was ingested freely by the other two groups. The total administration duration was 30 consecutive days. Groups were given 50% ethanol solution( 0. 10 m L/10( g·d)) by ig since the 15 th day except the control group. After administration period, detect serum aspartate aminotransferase( AST), alanine aminotransferase( ALT), total bilirubin( T-BIL), total cholesterol( TC), triglyceride( TG) and low density lipoprotein( LDL), liver TC, TG, GSH, malonaldehyde( MDA), glutathione/glutathione oxidized( GSH/GSSG), superoxide dismutase( SOD), glutathione peroxidase( GSH-Px), catalase( CAT), xanthine oxidase( XOD). Livers were also further detected by microscopic examinations. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the model group had serious liver steatosis. The histological score and serum T-BIL were significantly increased( P < 0. 01), serum TC, LDL, AST and liver MDA were significantly increased( P < 0. 05), liver GSH-Px was significantly decreased( P < 0. 01). Compared with the model group, in A1 group, the serum T-BIL was significantly decreased( P < 0. 05), liver GSH-Px( P < 0. 01) and XOD( P < 0. 05) were significantly increased. In A5 group, serum T-BIL, liver MDA and pathologic changes were significantly decreased( P < 0. 01), serum TG and TC were significantly decreased( P <0. 05), liver GSH( P < 0. 01), GSH/GSSG( P < 0. 05), GSH-Px( P < 0. 01) and XOD( P < 0. 01) were significantly increased. In A10 group, serum LDL and AST were significantly decreased( P < 0. 05), serum TG, TC, T-BIL, liver MDA and the pathologic changes were significantly decreased( P < 0. 01), liver GSH/GSSG( P < 0. 05) and GSHPx( P < 0. 01) were significantly increased. In B group, serum TC and liver MDA were significantly decreased( P < 0. 05), serum TG, T-BIL, AST and liver pathologic changes were significantly decreased( P < 0. 01), liver XOD( P < 0. 05) and GSH-Px( P< 0. 01) were significantly increased. CONCLUSION Middle and high concentration DSWA and DSW-B have protective effects against sub-acute alcoholic liver injury by decreasing serum lipid level, and improving the ability of antioxidation.
Induction and Regulation of Endothelial Gene Expression

The endothelial lining of the arterial wall is uniquely positioned to interact with the cellular and macromolecular components of the blood as well as with the underlying smooth muscle cells and infiltrating leukocytes of the vascular intima and media. In this strategic location the behavior of endothelial cells (EC) can be a critical determinant in pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis (1,2). Alterations in endothelial gene expression may underlie modulations of the EC surface phenotype or the patterns of products secreted by the EC. Such inducible EC surface structures or secretory products may mediate adherence of circulating blood cells, such as lymphocytes and monocytes, which accumulate in the vessel wall in pathologic lesions such as atheromas (3). Some of these alterations in EC gene expression may be mediated by certain soluble immune/inflammatory mediators produced by the activated cellular components of the blood stream. It is our hypothesis that elucidation of the mechanism by which EC’s control the expression of specific soluble products and cell surface components will provide insight into the cellular interactions associated with vessel wall pathophysiology.
True-Time-Delay Arrays for Fast Beam Training in Wideband Millimeter-Wave Systems

The best beam steering directions are estimated through beam training, which is one of the most important and challenging tasks in millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz communications. Novel array architectures and signal processing techniques are required to avoid prohibitive beam training overhead associated with large antenna arrays and narrow beams. In this work, we leverage recent developments in true-time-delay (TTD) arrays with large delay-bandwidth products to accelerate beam training using frequency-dependent probing beams. We propose and study two TTD architecture candidates, including analog and hybrid analog-digital arrays, that can facilitate beam training with only one wideband pilot. We also propose a suitable algorithm that requires a single pilot to achieve high-accuracy estimation of angle of arrival. The proposed array architectures are compared in terms of beam training requirements and performance, robustness to practical hardware impairments, and power consumption. The findings suggest that the analog and hybrid TTD arrays achieve a sub-degree beam alignment precision with 66% and 25% lower power consumption than a fully digital array, respectively. Our results yield important design trade-offs among the basic system parameters, power consumption, and accuracy of angle of arrival estimation in fast TTD beam training.
Alimentos Ciencia e Ingeniería 24-1

La Facultad de Ciencia e Ingenieria en Alimentos de la Universidad Tecnica de Ambato, tiene el agrado de presentar el volumen 24 (1) de la Revista Alimentos, Ciencia e Ingenieria. Al igual que otras disciplinas del conocimiento humano, la ciencia y tecnologia en alimentos tiene un continuo desarrollo, mediante la utilizacion de diferentes materias primas y procesos que permiten la obtencion de nuevos productos, muchos de ellos con claras posibilidades de satisfacer los requerimientos de un mercado consumidor cada vez mas demandante de productos que motiven sus sentidos y contribuyan a mejorar su salud. Los articulos incluidos en este numero presentan un uso innovador para el mucilago de chia y goma guar en la elaboracion de mayonesa, un estudio para determinar el efecto del extracto de manguiferina en la oxidacion de aceites vegetales, se muestra una alternativa para mejorar el tiempo de vida util de fresa mediante el uso de un recubrimiento comestible a base de gelatina y acido citrico, se analiza el efecto de un estabilizante y de la crema de leche en el comportamiento Teologico de mezclas para la produccion de uvilla y la evaluacion de una muestra de yogur tipo II enriquecido con amaranto cocido. Apreciados investigadores, aprovecho este espacio para agradecerles por sus valiosas contribuciones cientificas en este numero, a la vez que deseo motivar a que cada vez mas profesionales continuen enviando los resultados de sus trabajos de investigacion, para que sean publicados en nuestra revista. A este respecto, para beneficio de sus lectores y, especialmente, autores contribuyentes, me complace anunciar la inclusion de la revista en el Catalogo de Latindex, con efecto desde el numero de diciembre de 2014. Quiero felicitar desde aqui a todas las personas que lo han hecho posible, estando segura de que la revista seguira creciendo en madurez y se consolidara como un referente en el espacio cientifico ecuatoriano.
Sleep Problems in Children with ASD and Gene Disrupting Mutations.

Sleep difficulties are pervasive in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet how sleep problems relate to underlying biological mechanisms such as genetic etiology is unclear, despite recent reports of ...
Sean Metzger, The Chinese Atlantic: Seascapes and the Theatricality of Globalization

Analysing dozens of case studies from the Caribbean, England, and South Africa, Metzger explores how circulations of Chineseness in the Atlantic have been imagined through aesthetic objects. The Ch...
Transferability of neural network clinical deidentification systems.

OBJECTIVE Neural network deidentification studies have focused on individual datasets. These studies assume the availability of a sufficient amount of human-annotated data to train models that can generalize to corresponding test data. In real-world situations, however, researchers often have limited or no in-house training data. Existing systems and external data can help jump-start deidentification on in-house data; however, the most efficient way of utilizing existing systems and external data is unclear. This article investigates the transferability of a state-of-the-art neural clinical deidentification system, NeuroNER, across a variety of datasets, when it is modified architecturally for domain generalization and when it is trained strategically for domain transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a comparative study of the transferability of NeuroNER using 4 clinical note corpora with multiple note types from 2 institutions. We modified NeuroNER architecturally to integrate 2 types of domain generalization approaches. We evaluated each architecture using 3 training strategies. We measured transferability from external sources; transferability across note types; the contribution of external source data when in-domain training data are available; and transferability across institutions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Transferability from a single external source gave inconsistent results. Using additional external sources consistently yielded an F1-score of approximately 80%. Fine-tuning emerged as a dominant transfer strategy, with or without domain generalization. We also found that external sources were useful even in cases where in-domain training data were available. Transferability across institutions differed by note type and annotation label but resulted in improved performance.
Two-phase flow patterns, pressure drop and heat transfer during boiling in minichannel and microchannel flow passages of compact evaporators

The small hydraulic diameters employed during flow boiling in compact evaporator passages are becoming more important as they are employed in diverse applications including electronics cooling and fuel cell evaporators. The high pressure drop characteristics of these passages are particularly important as they alter the flow and heat transfer, especially in parallel multi-channel configuration. The pressure drop oscillations often introduce dryout in some passages while their neighboring passages operate under singlephase mode. This paper presents a comprehensive review of literature on evaporation in small diameter passages along with some results obtained by the author for water evaporating in 1-mm hydraulic diameter multi-channel passages. Critical heat flux is not covered in this paper due to space constraint.
Sex Moderates Associations between Prenatal Glucocorticoid Exposure and Human Fetal Neurological Development.

Maternal cortisol levels (at 15, 19, 25, 31 and 37 weeks' gestation) and fetal movement response to vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS; at 25, 31 and 37 weeks) were assessed in 190 mother-fetus pairs. Fetuses showed a response to the VAS at 25 weeks and there was evidence of increasing maturation in the response at 31 and 37 weeks. Early elevations in cortisol predicted a failure to respond to the VAS at 25 weeks and later elevations in cortisol were associated with a larger response among fetuses when assessed near term. The associations between cortisol and VAS emerged earlier and were more apparent among female fetuses than among the males. The findings provide support for the role of prenatal glucocorticoids in shaping human fetal CNS development.
Cardiac complications of chronic, severe, refractory anemia with hemochromatosis

Summary Twelve cases of children with Cooley's anemia who developed 22 attacks of acute pericarditis between 1950 and 1960 are reported. The average age at the time of their first attack was 12 years. In twenty episodes the pericarditis was a relatively benign, selflimiting condition, usually 2 to 4 weeks in duration, but in 2 patients it was part of the terminal illness. Just as in the condition, acute, benign, “nonspecific” pericarditis which these attacks resembled, the etiology of the pericarditis is unknown. It seemed to be of infectious origin, but bacteriologic studies were unrevealing, and virus studies were not available in most of the attacks. The possible relationship to previous splenectomy and to hemosiderosis is discussed.
On learning task-directed motion plans

Robotic motion planning is a hard problem for robots with more than just a few degrees of freedom. Modern probabilistic planners are able to solve many problems very quickly, but for difficult problems, they are still unacceptably slow for many applications. This thesis concerns the use of previous planning experience to allow the agent to generate motion plans very quickly when faced with new but related problems. We first investigate a technique for learning from previous experience by simply remembering past solutions and applying them where relevant to new problems. We find that this approach is useful in environments with very low variability in obstacle placement and task endpoints, and that it is important to keep the set of stored plans small to improve performance. However, we would like to be able to better generalize our previous experience so we next investigate a technique for learning parameterized motion plans. A parameterized motion plan is a function from planning problem parameters to a motion plan. In our approach, we learn a set of parameterized subpaths, which we can use as suggestions for a probabilistic planner, leading to substantially reduced planning times. We find that this technique is successful in several standard motion planning domains. However, as the domains get more complex, the technique produces less of an advantage. We discover that the learning problem as we have posed it is likely to be intractible, and that the complexity of the problem is due to the redundancy of the robotics platform. We suggest several possible approaches for addressing this problem as future work. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
A study of 6,000 electronic specialty consultations for person-centered care at The Mayo Clinic

Rationale, aims, and objective: To study the utility and outcome of electronic specialty consultations between primary care physicians and specialists at a large, multispecialty academic practice and to determine best practices for this model.Method: Use of a common electronic health platform for the provision of ordering specialty care. A new model was put in place in which an electronic consultation with a specialist could substitute for a face-to-face consultation for certain defined conditions. The financial model for this type of consultation was set up at the Mayo Clinic. All electronic consultations from January 2009 to September 2011 at the Mayo Clinic Rochester were evaluated for appropriate condition ordered, clarity of question, time to completion and time saved for the specialty practices.Results: Thirty-nine specialties participated in this new model of care to define 158 conditions; 6,253 electronic consults were performed with a greater than 98% quality rate for appropriate condition ordered and clarity of question, with 93% completed within 2 business days. These consultations, termed eConsults, were accomplished in roughly one-half to one-third of the time of a face-to-face consultation, saving time for the specialist.Conclusions: The electronic consult is a new modality for a primary care physician to solicit specialists' input. While this model is not appropriate for every circumstance, it can provide significant value beyond that of a traditional face-to-face consultation.
Self-learning fuzzy modeling of semiconductor processing equipment

A qualitative equipment model for a low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) process is presented. The model is based on fuzzy representation of input-output relationships and utilizes self-tuning membership functions. To demonstrate this concept a fuzzy inference system has been built for polysilicon grain size prediction based on deposition and annealing temperatures. After the system is trained with experimental data, it automatically tunes its membership functions to accommodate additional experimental data. >
Microphysical characteristics of MJO convection over the Indian Ocean during DYNAMO

The microphysical characteristics of precipitating convection occurring in various stages of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) over the Indian Ocean are determined from data obtained from the National Center for Atmospheric Research dual-polarimetric Doppler S-band radar, S-PolKa, deployed as part of the Dynamics of the MJO (DYNAMO) field experiment. Active MJO events with increased rainfall occurred in October, November, and December 2011. During each of these active MJO phases, in addition to enhanced rainfall, convection became deeper and ice-phase microphysics played a greater role. S-PolKa consistently showed nonoriented small ice particles dominating the radar echoes at altitudes of 9–10 km, dry aggregates concentrated between 7 and 9 km, and wet aggregates and graupel near the melting level (~5 km). Graupel occurred mainly in actively convective towers, while the wet aggregates occurred almost exclusively in the stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). During each of the three multiweek MJO active phases, the maximum rainfall occurred in short bursts lasting a few days. Each multiday rainy period began with deepening convective elements and a concurrent increase in occurrence of dry aggregates, which maximized just prior to organization into MCSs. The peak rainfall occurrence coincided with the maximum coverage of the radar domain by MCSs, reflecting large stratiform regions that exhibited the most frequent occurrence of wet aggregates. During the December active MJO phase, however, the MCSs were shallower and had a slightly lower tendency for wet aggregates in the stratiform regions and, therefore, generally weaker brightbands.
Irregular recurrence of paleoearthquakes along the central Garlock fault near El Paso Peaks, California

[1] New investigations at the El Paso Peaks paleoseismic site have refined and extended the record of paleoearthquakes for the central Garlock fault. Event evidence, in the form of buried fissures, scarps, folds, and upward terminations, has allowed us to identify six well-resolved earthquakes, designated as events W, U, R, Q, K, and F, within the last ∼7000 years. The exposures that we excavated did not reveal additional evidence for three poorly resolved events reported by McGill and Rockwell [1998]. Evidence for event Y, identified in the previous study, was reexamined and found not to be a paleoearthquake. Radiocarbon dates of detrital charcoal, combined with a method of interpolating the event ages with revised sedimentation rates, provide our preferred constraints on the timing of faulting events. The most recent surface-rupturing earthquake, event W, occurred between A.D. 1450 and 1640. The penultimate event U occurred between A.D. 675 and 950. Event R, which was unrecognized in the previous study, occurred between A.D. 250 and 475. Event Q occurred relatively shortly before event R, between A.D. 25 and 275. Event K occurred between 3340 and 2930 B.C. The oldest identified paleoearthquake, event F, occurred between 5300 and 4670 B.C. The event ages indicate that earthquake recurrence is highly irregular at the El Paso Peaks site, with individual preferred intervals ranging from as little as 215 years to as many as 3300 years. The irregular recurrence of surface-rupturing earthquakes along the central Garlock fault may be related to temporal and spatial clustering of earthquakes proposed for faults in the Eastern California Shear Zone.
SPEAR Trial: Smartphone Pediatric ElectrocARdiogram Trial.

Objectives Smartphone-enabled ECG devices have the potential to improve patient care by enabling remote ECG assessment of patients with potential and diagnosed arrhythmias. This prospective study aimed to assess the usefulness of pediatric ECG tracings generated by the AliveCor device (Oklahoma City, OK) and to assess user satisfaction. Study Design Enrolled pediatric patients with documented paroxysmal arrhythmia used the AliveCor device over a yearlong study period. Pediatric electrophysiologists reviewed all transmitted ECG tracings. Patient completed surveys were analyzed to assess user satisfaction. Results 35 patients were enrolled with the following diagnoses: supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, 57%), atrial fibrillation (AF, 11%), ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT, 6%), atrial tachycardia (AT, 3%), and ventricular tachycardia (VT, 23%). A total of 238 tracings were received from 20 patients, 96% of which were of diagnostic quality for sinus rhythm, sinus tachycardia, SVT, and AF. 126 patient satisfaction surveys (64% from parents) were completed. 98% of the survey responses indicated that it was easy to obtain tracings, 93% found it easy to transmit the tracings, 98% showed added comfort in managing arrhythmia by having the device, and 93% showed interest in continued use of the device after the study period ended. Conclusions Smartphone-enabled ECG devices can generate tracings of diagnostic quality in children. User satisfaction was extremely positive. Use of the device to manage certain patients with AF and SVT showcases the future role of remote ECGs in the successful outpatient management of arrhythmias in children by potentially reducing Emergency Department visits and healthcare costs.
Alkyl Derivatives of Iminodiacetic Acid: A Novel Class of Compounds Forming Thermotropic Liquid Crystals and Aqueous Micelles

Abstract In the present study the liquid crystalline character of some long chain-alkyl iminodiacetic acid derivatives have been established by optical microscopy and DSC studies. Mesomorphic textures were attributed to the formation of alternating polar and lipophilic lamellar structures. In addition the micellar properties of dipotassium salts of the iminodiacetic acids were investigated by electroconductometry and fluorescence spectroscopy and it was found that the CMC ranges between 0.022 and 0.0012, M aggregation numbers 60–94, and that the micelles have a loose structure that allows considerable water penetration in their palisade region.
Rapid rate sintering of nanocrystalline ZrO2-3 mol% Y2O3

Conventional ramp-and-hold sintering with a wide range of heating rates was conducted on submicrometer and nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2}-3 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder compacts. Although rapid heating rates have been reported to produce high density/fine grain size products for many submicrometer and smaller starting powders, the application of this technique to ZrO{sub 2}-3 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} produced mixed results. In the case of submicrometer ZrO{sub 2}-3 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, neither densification nor grain growth was affected by the heating rate used. In the case of nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2}-3 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, fast heating rates severely retarded densification and had a minimal effect on grain growth. The large adverse effect of fast heating rates on the densification of the nanocrystalline powder was traced to a thermal gradient/differential densification effect. Microstructural evidence suggests that the rate of densification greatly exceeded the rate of heat transfer in this material; consequently, the sample interior was not able to densify before being geometrically constrained by a fully dense shell which formed at the sample exterior. This finding implies that rapid rate sintering will meet severe practical constraints in the manufacture of bulk nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2}-3 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} specimens.
Effect of multiple-feedstock strategy on the economic and environmental performance of thermochemical ethanol production under extreme weather conditions

Current US transportation sector mainly relies on liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and about 60% of the petroleum consumed is from areas where supply may be disturbed by regional instability. This has led to serious concerns on energy security and global warming. To address these issues, numerous alternative energy carriers have been proposed. Among them, second generation biofuel is one of the most promising technologies. Gasification-based thermochemical conversion will bring flexibility to both feedstock and production sides of a plant, thus presents an attractive technical route to address both the energy security and global warming concerns. In this paper, thermochemical ethanol production using multiple-feedstock (corn stover, municipal solid waste, and wood chips) is simulated using Aspen Plus and compared with the single-feedstock scenario, in terms of economic performances, life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and survivability under extreme weather conditions. For a hypothetical facility in southwest Indiana it is found that multiple-feedstock strategy improves the net present value by 18% compared to single-feedstock strategy. This margin is increased to 57% when effects of extreme weather conditions on feedstock supply are considered. Moreover, multiple-feedstock fuel plant has no potential risk of bankruptcy during the payback period, while single-feedstock fuel plant has a 75% chance of bankruptcy. Although the multiple-feedstock strategy has 26% more GHG emission per liter of ethanol produced than the single-feedstock strategy, the trend is reversed if feedstock supply disruption is taken into account. Thus the idea of multiple-feedstock strategy is proposed to the future thermo chemical biofuel plants.
Apoprotein B100, an Inefficiently Translocated Secretory Protein, Is Bound to the Cytosolic Chaperone, Heat Shock Protein 70

Apoprotein B100 (apoB) is a secretory protein that appears to be constitutively translated but inefficiently translocated into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Using several experimental approaches, we found that apoB is bound to the cytosolic chaperone protein, heat shock protein 72/73 (commonly referred to as Hsp70). Similar to other chaperone-protein interactions, this binding was transient and ATP-sensitive. The binding of apoB to Hsp70 in HepG2 cells was decreased by treatment with oleic acid, which increases both translocation and secretion of apoB, and was increased by N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, a protease inhibitor which efficiently protects apoB from cellular degradation without affecting translocation. The N-terminal 16% of apoB, which is efficiently translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, showed minimal, if any, binding to Hsp70. The N-terminal 50% of apoB, which is very poorly translocated in CHO cells, was found to bind significantly to Hsp70. These results suggest that domains of nascent apoB localized on the C-terminal regions of the molecule are transiently exposed to the cytosol during translation and/or translocation, and that Hsp70 functions as a molecular chaperone to maintain apoB in a translocational competent conformation until translocation is completed.
Infective endocarditis in Arkansan children from 1990 through 2002

Background.Recent medical and surgical advances have increased the potential risk of endocarditis. Epidemiology, pathogens, morbidity and/or mortality may have evolved in the past decade in pediatric patients diagnosed with endocarditis.Methods.Retrospective reviews of medical records from Arkansas
The Severity and Cost of Child Abuse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The objective of this study was to describe the severity of illness, costs, and outcomes of child abuse (CA) patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to assess the importance of CA ...
Fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy of an isolated micro-droplet

Abstract Fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy experiments are carried out on individual microdroplets (μ-drops) isolated within an electrodynamic levitator-trap (Paul type) at atmospheric pressure. Imaging experiments on spatially homogeneous donor and acceptor dyes within particles of radius a ~ 10 μm reveal a ‘global’ transfer mechanism with a yield exceeding conventional dipole-dipole transfer (Forster transfer) by ~ 1000 × between molecules at a particular radial distance r > 0.93 (S. Arnold. S. Holler, S.D. Druger, J. Chem. Phys. 104 (1996) 7741), but is consistent with the quantum theory of enhanced energy transfer through morphology dependent resonances (MDRs) of the sphere (P.T. Leung, K. Young, J. Chem. Phys. 89 (1988) 2894). To gain a better understanding for the primary step in this process, we investigate fluorescence from a particle with a dilute layer of surface active molecules. These surfactant molecules have a fixed orientation relative to the surface as revealed both qualitatively from a heuristic interpretation of polarization analyzed images (S. Arnold, L.M. Folan, Proc. SPIE 1862 (1993) 218), and quantitatively through the preferential cavity enhanced selection of various polarized modes in emission spectroscopy. The spectra are adequately described through semi-classical theory (S.D. Druger, S. Arnold, L.M. Folan, J. Chem. Phys. 87 (1987) 2649). This theory has also been applied to the description of reported ‘anomalous’ fluorescence lifetime measurements (M.D. Barnes, C.-Y. Kung, W.B. Whitten, J.M. Ramsey, S. Arnold, S. Holler, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76 (1996) 3931) from a dilute surface layer. Although sum rules based on density of states of high Q whispering gallery modes fail to describe the data at particle sizes for which the homogeneous linewidth is larger than the free spectral range (M.D. Barnes, C.-Y. Kung, W.B. Whitten, J.M. Ramsey, S. Arnold, S. Holler, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76 (1996) 3931), semi-classical theory, including all modes, is in considerably better agreement with the data
A Description of Age, Growth, and Reproductive Life History Traits of Scamps from the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract We present the first comprehensive description of the age, growth, and reproductive life history traits of scamps Mycteroperca phenax from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Scamps were collected from commercial and recreational vessels along the northern Gulf of Mexico in 1972–2002. Scamp age was determined using thin transverse sections of sagittal otoliths; growth increments were difficult to interpret, and age was estimated for only 85% of the 5,383 otolith sections we examined. Scamps sampled from the commercial and recreational fisheries ranged from 109 to 890 mm fork length (FL) and from 1 to 31 years of age. We fitted annual ages and observed FLs to two different von Bertalanffy growth models (standard and size-modified models). The size-modified model considered the effect of the size limit but resulted in growth parameters similar to those of the standard model (asymptotic length L∞ = 772 mm FL; growth rate k = 0.09 mm/year). Histology confirmed that scamps are protogynous hermaphrodites; go...
Fatty acid binding protein-hormone sensitive lipase interaction; fatty acid dependence on binding

Abstract Adipose lipolysis is mediated, in part, via interaction of fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) with hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Mice with reduced FABP content in fat (adipocyte FABP null) exhibit diminished fat cell lipolysis, whereas transgenic mice with increased FABP content in fat (epithelial FABP transgenic) exhibit enhanced lipolysis. To examine the relationship between the binding of FABP to HSL and activation of catalytic activity, isothermal titration microcalorimetry as well as kinetic analysis using a variety of FABP isoforms have been employed. In the absence of fatty acids, no FABP-HSL association could be demonstrated for any FABP form. However, in the presence of 10 μm oleate, A-FABP and E-FABP each bound to HSL with high affinity (Kd of 0.5 and 3 nm, respectively) in a ∼1:1 molar stoichiometry, whereas liver FABP and intestinal FABP did not exhibit any association. To compare binding to catalysis, each FABP isoform was incubated with HSL in vitro, and enzymatic activity was assessed. Importantly, each FABP form stimulated HSL activity ∼2-fold using cholesteryl oleate as substrate but exhibited no activation using p-nitrophenyl butyrate. The activation by A-FABP was dependent upon its fatty acid binding properties because a non-fatty acid binding mutant, R126Q, failed to activate HSL. These results suggest that binding and activation of HSL by FABPs are separate and distinct functions and that HSL contains a site for fatty acid binding that allows for FABP association.
Seasonal differences in the physiology and morphology of crayfish motor terminals.

The physiology and morphology of identified crayfish motor terminals were compared at different seasons. We examined initial excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitudes, synaptic fatigue, and the frequency of synaptic varicosities along the motor terminals of an identified phasic motoneuron in animals collected over a period of 5 years. The physiology and morphology of identified crayfish motor terminals are different for animals collected in summer and winter. In winter animals, phasic axon motor terminals in the claw closer muscle produce large EPSPs initially, but show dramatic synaptic fatigue during repetitive stimulation. In summer animals, these terminals produce smaller initial EPSPs, but are more fatigue resistant. Due to their greater fatigue resistance, synaptic terminals have a greater overall capacity for transmitter release in summer animals than do those of winter animals. Morphologically, terminals in summer animals have more synaptic varicosities, this result supports earlier studies that have shown that fatigue-resistant motor terminals have more synaptic varicosities. Experiments in which the electrical activity of the motoneuron was experimentally altered suggest that these differences in motor terminals may be due to seasonal differences in activity.
Innovating with organizational wikis: factors facilitating adoption and diffusion of an effective collaborative knowledge management system

Knowledge Management is a key concern of organizations striving for sustained competitive advantage. Knowledge management must continually strive to overcome problems of ineffective knowledge sharing and transfer, ineffective knowledge management systems, and knowledge acquisition bottlenecks. Wiki technology is an emerging collaborative knowledge management system featuring the unique characteristics of open editing and an environment of social computing and sharing of collective wisdom. Wiki technology can provide benefits of improved work processes, improved communication and collaboration, and improved knowledge sharing. With organized and usable knowledge being a key ingredient to organizational success, ensuring productive creation and sharing of knowledge can be deemed advantageous for organizations. This study will advance the research encompassing Wiki technology by investigating the underlying circumstances fostering adoption, as well as increased wiki usage.
Effects of vestibular and cerebellar deficits on gaze and torso stability during ambulation.

Abstract We measured gaze, head, and torso stability during ambulation to determine how vestibulo-ocular reflex dysfunction caused by unilateral vestibulopathy, bilateral vestibulopathy, and cerebellar dysfunction might affect image stabilization on the retina. Subjects were tested during standing, walking, and running on a treadmill. Gaze velocity, vestibulo-ocular reflex gain, and head velocities were calculated from angular positions of the eye and head, as well as linear positions of the head and trunk. Mean gaze velocity with a visible, distant target was below 4°/second for all measurement conditions in control and vestibulopathic subjects. The performance of unilaterally vestibulopathic subjects was indistinguishable from that of control subjects except that the former had less vertical translation during walking. Bilaterally vestibulopathic subjects demonstrated less head translation than control subjects but had higher gaze velocity. In subjects with cerebellar dysfunction, gaze velocity was elevated by pathologic nystagmus, but head movements were similar to those of control subjects. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:22-9.)
Group therapy for bulimia: clinical experience and practical recommendations

The authors identify and describe three major types of group therapy for patients with bulimia. Psychodynamic treatment, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and self-help group treatment are techniques with different theoretical bases. Implications for group membership, time frame, leadership, contract, content, and goals are discussed for each type of group treatment. Outcome studies are reviewed, and recommendations are offered for a rational approach to the group treatment of patients with bulimia.
A luminescent cadmium itaconate coordination polymer with rare 658 layer topology from in situ hydrothermal decarboxylation of trans-aconitic acid

Abstract The luminescent coordination polymer {[Cd(ita)(bpfp)(H2O)]•4H2O}n (1, ita = itaconate, bpfp = bis(4-pyridylformyl)piperazine) was synthesized via in situ hydrothermal decarboxylation of trans-aconitic acid. [Cd(ita)(H2O)]n undulating chains with gauche conformation ita ligands are connected into a very rare 4-connected 658 layered topology by long-spanning bpfp tethering ligands.
The nucleus as a central structure in defining the mechanical properties of stem cells

Manipulation of stem cells is one of the highest goals within biological sciences for the development of devices for the regeneration of injured tissues. In general, the mechanical properties of cells are nowadays recognized to play a role in many cellular phenotypes, including mobility though tissues, survival to mechanical loading and differentiation. Here we present a study where the mechanics of bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) is investigated through micropipette aspiration. The objective was to address the role of the nucleus as a central mechanoactive structure in stem cells. Stem cell nuclei occupy most of the cell volume and present different properties from what is known for somatic cells. Mechanics revealed to be highly dependent on the nucleus, where CD34+ cells revealed to be stiffer than BMSCs for short times under loading assuming elastic behavior and highly viscoelastic for longer times under loading, which present a higher nuclear volume per cell volume ratio. Mechanics was also evaluated for agglomerates of stem cells by aspirating spheres of neural progenitor cells (NSC-Ss). Relatively to single cells, NSC-Ss presented higher deformability, which seems to be more dependent on intracellular connectivity than on cell mechanics. The general character of the reported conclusions is being investigated with other types of stem cells.
Carbon monoxide inhibits ω-oxidation of leukotriene B4 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: Evidence that catabolism of leukotriene B4 is mediated by a cytochrome P-450 enzyme

Abstract Carbon monoxide significantly inhibits ω-oxidation of exogenous leukotriene B 4 to 20-OH-leukotriene B 4 and 20-COOH-leukotriene B 4 by unstimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes as well as ω-oxidation of leukotriene B 4 that is generated when cells are stimulated with the calcium ionophore, A23187. Inhibition of ω-oxidation by carbon monoxide is concentration-dependent, completely reversible, and specific. Carbon monoxide does not affect synthesis of leukotriene B 4 by stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes or other cell functions (i.e., degranulation, superoxide anion generation). These findings suggest that a cytochrome P-450 enzyme in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes is responsible for catabolizing leukotriene B 4 by ω-oxidation.
Evidence for the fractional quantum hall state at nu =(1/7.

We report the magnetotransport measurements of a low-density, very low-disorder two-dimensional electron system realized in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction. The diagonal magnetoresistance displays a structure near the filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{1}{7}$ which is interpreted as evidence for a developing fractional quantum Hall state. We therefore conclude, contrary to recent theoretical and experimental work, that the Wigner crystallization does not occur in this system for $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\ge}\frac{1}{7}$.
Supervision and the Rhetoric of Empowerment: Silence or Collision?.

(1988). Supervision and the Rhetoric of Empowerment: Silence or Collision? Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 10, The Changing Role of Supervision in Teacher Education, pp. 11-15.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in cerebrovascular smooth muscle and neutrophils after traumatic brain injury in immature rats.

The inflammatory response after traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes cytokine production, leukocyte infiltration, and microglial activation. Production of nitric oxide by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) occurs during acute inflammation outside of the CNS and in models of cerebral ischemia, and therefore may contribute to the inflammatory response after TBI. The purpose of this study was to localize and define the time course of iNOS expression after TBI in the immature rat. Immature Wistar rats (age 3.5-4.5 wk) were anesthetized and subjected to percussive trauma to the right parietal cortex. Nontraumatized rats were used as controls (n = 7). At 2, 24, 48, or 168 h (n = 3/group) posttrauma rats were killed by perfusion fixation. Brains were removed, frozen, sectioned, immunostained with antibodies against iNOS and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker specific for astrocytes), and imaged using fluorescent detection systems. There was no detectable expression of iNOS in control brains. At 2 h, minimal cerebrovascular iNOS expression was seen in the peritrauma area. At 24 and 48 h, there was marked peritrauma cerebrovascular iNOS expression that appeared to be restricted to vascular smooth muscle cells and infiltrated leukocytes. Further dual-immunolabeling showed that the leukocytes expressing iNOS were predominantly neutrophils. At 168 h, iNOS expression was no longer detectable. iNOS was not detectable in GFAP-positive cells. The prominent expression of iNOS protein after TBI in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells and infiltrated neutrophils suggests that iNOS may play a role in cerebrovascular disturbances and secondary brain injury after trauma.
The role of mannosylphosphorylpolyisoprenol in glycoprotein biosynthesis in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

A particulate enzyme preparation of Mycobacterium smegmatis catalyzes the transfer of labeled mannose from GDP-[1 4C] mannose into several endogenous acceptors. In one of these transfer reactions, the radioactivity is incorporated into an insoluble polymeric product that is present at the interphase after extraction of reaction mixture with chloroform-methanol. Solubilization of this product was achieved by digestion with proteolytic enzymes or treatment with 0.1 M NaOH indicating that the material was glycoprotein in nature. The solubilized material obtained after proteolytic digestion followed by treatment with alkali (representing 80–93% of the total interphase product) was shown to consist of a series of small molecular weight [1 4C] mannose containing oligosaccharides and glycopeptides by Bio-Gel column chromatography. A kinetic study of the enzymatic transfer of [1 4C] mannose from GDP-[1 4C] mannose into the glycoprotein suggested that the mannosylphosphorylpolyisoprenols are the obligatory mannosyl donor.
Observations of Mars, Uranus, Neptune, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto at a wavelength of 2.66 mm

An accurate thermal model of Mars is presently used as a calibrator for 2.66-mm brightness temperature observations of Uranus, Neptune, and the Galilean satellites. While the measurements for Io, Europa, and Callisto, are consistent with thermal models of the lunar type, Ganymede is found to be anomalous. It appears that the near surface of Ganymede differs from that of the other satellites in some unknown fashion, perhaps by scattering more strongly at short wavelengths.