cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and outcomes of patients with palpitations

Purpose To determine: (1) the etiologies of palpitations, (2) the usefulness of diagnostic tests in determining the etiologies of palpitations, and (3) the outcomes of patients with palpitations. Patients and methods One hundred and ninety consecutive patients presenting with a complaint of palpitations at a university medical center were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Patients underwent a structured clinical interview and psychiatric screening. The charts were abstracted for results of the physical exam and tests ordered by the primary physician. Assignment of an etiology of palpitations was based on strict adherence to predetermined criteria and achieved by consensus of the two physician investigators. One-year follow-up was obtained in 96% of the patients. Results An etiology of palpitations was determined in 84% of the patients. The etiology of palpitations was cardiac in 43%, psychiatric in 31%, miscellaneous in 10%, and unknown in 16%. Forty percent of the etiologies could be determined with the history and physical examination, an electrocardiogram, and/or laboratory data. The 1-year mortality rate was 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0% to 3.4%) and the 1-year stroke rate was 1.1% (95% CI 0% to 2.6%). Within the first year, 75% of the patients experienced recurrent palpitations. At 1-year follow-up, 89% reported that their health was the same or improved compared to that at enrollment, 19% reported that their work performance was impaired, 12% reported that workdays were missed, and 33% reported accomplishing less than usual work at home. Conclusions The etiology of palpitations can often be diagnosed with a simple initial evaluation. Psychiatric illness accounts for the etiology in nearly one third of all patients. The short-term prognosis of patients with palpitations is excellent with low rates of death and stroke at 1 year, but there is a high rate of recurrence of symptoms and a moderate impact on productivity.
Refractive Indices of Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate and Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate between 2000 A and 1.5 mu: Errata

The refractive indices of ADP and KDP have been measured at 25 wavelengths between 2138 A and 1.529 μ, and at 24.8°C. The measured values have been corrected to give absolute indices. Curves have been fitted to the measured and to the corrected data.The measured and the computed data are given both in air and in vacuum. The accuracy of the data is believed to be ±0.00003 or better.
STUDIES IN SAXIFRAGA II. TERATOLOGICAL PHENOMENA IN CERTAIN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF SAXIFRAGA

A considerable number of the North American species of Saxifraga studied by the writer showed a marked frequency of occurrence of abnormalities of various sorts in the flowers. Most of these species belong in the sections Hydatica, Dermasea, and Micranthes (I, 2, 3), these being the sections containing the most species and the ones of which the most material was available for study. It is likely that other sections of the genus may show similar abnormalities. In the absence of careful field and cytological investigations the causes of these abnormalities are not easy to explain. Hybridity may account for many of them, if not for all, and this may at the same time in a measure explain the instability and polymorphism of the various complex aggregates in which clear-cut specific lines are so difficult to draw; and it is in these puzzling species complexes that so many of these abnormalities appeared, e.g., the Saxifraga saximontana, S. fragosa, and S. nidifica complexes (3). In the herbarium material it was not possible to discover any indication of traumatic origin of any of these abnormalities, although the black condition of many of the aborted stamens might suggest such origin. That ecological factors otherwise may have anything to do with these phenomena seems hardly probable. The most marked abnormalities and the species in which they occur are as follows: Section HYDATICA
Inflammatory cytokine and thrombin regulation of interleukin-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in first trimester human decidua.

Context: Decidual neutrophil infiltration complicates spontaneous abortions associated with inflammation and hemorrhage. Transendothelial neutrophil migration into inflamed tissues involves IL-8mediatedchemoattraction,thenneutrophilattachmenttoendothelial cell-expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Objective: The aim of this study was to assess IL-8 and ICAM-1 regulation in decidual inflammation and hemorrhage; the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF, IL-1 and the hemostatic, proinflammatory cytokine thrombin were measured on IL-8 expression in first trimester decidual cells (DCs), and ICAM-1 immunostaining was compared in normal, inflamed, and hemorrhagic first trimester decidua. Design: Immunohistochemistry of human decidua and in vitro treatment of human decidual cells were performed Setting: The study was conducted at the Academic Medical Center. Intervention:. DCs were passaged until they were leukocyte-free (CD45 free by FACS), then were incubated with estradiol or medroxyprogesterone acetate alone or with TNF or IL-1 or thrombin. Normal, inflamed, and hemorrhagic decidua were immunostained for ICAM-1 and the neutrophil marker CD14. Main Outcome Measure: ICAM-1 immunostaining was performed in decidua. IL-8 levels in DC-conditioned media were assessed by ELISA and immunoblotting; IL-8 mRNA levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Endothelial cell ICAM-1 immunostaining was similar in normal and inflamed or hemorrhagic decidua. In cultured DCs, optimal concentrations of IL-1, TNF, and thrombin elevated secreted IL-8 levels by 1083 261-, 370 77-, and 45 15-fold, respectively (mean SEM; P 0.05; n 8). The effects were dose dependent and were unaffected by medroxyprogesterone acetate. Western blotting confirmed the ELISA results, and corresponding effects on IL-8 mRNA levels were observed. Conclusions: Cytokine/thrombin-enhanced DC IL-8 expression interacts with constitutively expressed ICAM-1 in decidual endothelium to modulate neutrophil trafficking into hemorrhagic and inflamed first trimester decidua. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90: 4710–4715, 2005)
Effect of phosphate buffer on different C18 stationary phases in gradient separations

Abstract Separation of seven different amine and nitro aromatic compounds were achieved on three different octadecylsilane (C18) phase columns. The three C18 stationary phases involved in the investigation were: Lichrosorb, Microspher and Supelcosil. Both buffered and non‐buffered separations have been investigated isocratically. Basically, the same order of separation was obtained under the non‐buffered condition on all three columns with some changes in peak shape and resolution depending on the nature of the column packing. However, under buffered conditions, 3‐nitro benzoic acid interacted differently towards the Supelcosil column. It is more retained by this octadecyl stationary phase, resulting in large tailing and a longer retention time, thus disrupting the order of separation.
Cognition-emotion interactions are modulated by working memory capacity in individuals with schizophrenia.

Prior research provides evidence for aberrant cognition-emotion interactions in schizophrenia. In the current study, we aimed to extend these findings by administering the “distractor devaluation” task to 40 individuals with schizophrenia and 32 demographically matched healthy controls. The task consisted of a simple visual search task for neutral faces, followed by an evaluative response made for one of the search items (or a novel item) to determine whether prior attentional selection results in a devaluation of a previously unattended stimulus. We also manipulated working memory demands by preceding the search array with a memory array that required subjects to hold 0, 1, or 2 items in working memory while performing the search array and devaluation task, to determine whether the normative process by which attentional states influence evaluative response is limited by working memory capacity. Results indicated that individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated the typical distractor devaluation effect at working memory load 0, suggesting intact evaluative response. However, the devaluation effect was absent at working memory loads of 1 and 2, suggesting that normal evaluative responses can be abolished in people with schizophrenia when working memory capacity is exceeded. Thus, findings provide further evidence for normal evaluative response in schizophrenia, but clarify that these normal experiences may not hold when working memory demands are too high.
Virtual Community Attraction: Why People Hang Out Online

Understanding the attraction of virtual communities is crucial to organizations that want to tap into their enormous information potential. Existing literature theorizes that people join virtual communities to exchange information and/or social support. Theories of broader Internet use have indicated both entertainment and searching for friendship as motivational forces. This exploratory study empirically examines the importance of these reasons in assessing why people come to virtual communities by directly asking virtual community members why they joined. The responses to the open-ended question “Why did you join?” were categorized based upon the reasons suggested in the literature. Across 27 communities in 5 different broad types, 569 different reasons from 399 people indicated that most sought either friendship or exchange of information, and a markedly lower percent sought social support or recreation. The reasons were significantly dependent on the grouping of the communities into types. In all the community types information exchange was the most popular reason for joining. Thereafter, however, the reason varied depending on community type. Social support was the second most popular reason for members in communities with health/wellness and professional/occupational topics, but friendship was the second most popular reason among members in communities dealing with personal interests/hobbies, pets, or recreation. These findings suggest that virtual community managers should emphasize not only the content but also encourage the friendship and social support aspects as well if they wish to increase the success of their virtual community.
On the existence and pathwise uniqueness of solutions of stochastic differential equations

An existence and pathwise uniqueness theorem for solutions of stochastic differential equations driven by Brownian motion is presented. The consistency with respect to recent results is shown by means of examples
Isolating the 3-quark component of the proton's wave function

The 3-quark component of the proton's wave function is extracted from deep-inelastic proton and neutron scattering data. We employ theoretical results based upon a theory of the hadronic wave function which is consistent with the interchange theory of fixed-angle and high-transverse-momentum processes.
Nonlinear energy flow in a beam-plasma system

The three-dimensional character of the beam-plasma instability is investigated. The true beam-electron distribution function is resolved with a novel directional energy analyzer. The electron plasma waves are observed to develop a large spread in perpendicular wave numbers and damp in a relatively short distance producing an energetic electron tail on the background distribution. The damping is believed to be due to strong ion fluctuations which produce an anomalous resistivity.
Deserving to a point: Unauthorized immigrants in San Francisco’s universal access healthcare model

Abstract In the “decidedly hostile” federal context toward unauthorized immigrants in American healthcare ( Newton & Adams, 2009 , p. 422), a few subnational governments have implemented strategies seeking to expand their access to and utilization of care. In this article, I draw on interviews conducted with 36 primary care providers working in San Francisco’s public safety net between May and September 2009 to examine how such inclusive local policies work. On one hand, San Francisco’s inclusive local policy climate both encourages and reinforces public safety-net providers’ views of unauthorized immigrants as patients morally deserving of equal care, and helps them to translate their inclusive views into actual behaviors by providing them with increased financial resources. On the other hand, both hidden and formal barriers to care remain in place, which limits public safety-net providers’ abilities to extend equal care to unauthorized immigrants even within this purportedly inclusive local policy context. I discuss the implications of the San Francisco case for policymakers, providers, and immigrants elsewhere.
The subjection of a South African state: Thaba Nchu, 1880–1884

This paper examines the reasons why the small African state of Thaba Nchu was annexed by the Orange Free State after more than a decade of nominal independence within Free State borders. For some years before 1884 Thaba Nchu had existed in a situation not unlike that of a modern ‘Bantustan’; this was disrupted when a coup was staged against the ruler, Tshipinare, who had relied on Free State support. Fearing instability if the new ruler, Samuel Moroka, became firmly established, Free State forces invaded Thaba Nchu, captured Samuel Moroka, and incorporated the land in the Free State.
On the Role of the Solar Corona and Transition Region in the Excitation of the Spectrum of Neutral Helium

We investigate the formation of the spectrum of neutral helium in the solar atmosphere by solving the corresponding non-LTE problem in an extended grid of model atmospheres. From the results we infer several general properties and scaling laws that can be used to discriminate the different proposed formation mechanisms. Some of the scaling laws have also been tested in a comparison with previous calculations made with different assumptions. In our models, the excitation of the spectrum by direct photoionization by EUV radiation shortward of 504 A followed by recombinations (PR mechanism), seems to be capable of influencing significantly the resonance continuum and the subordinate lines, even in the presence of other (collisional) excitation mechanisms. While this influence is almost unavoidable in most atmospheric features, it is hardly justifiable as the only possible contribution. Moreover, the resonance lines seem inclined to respond much more effectively to the conditions of the lower transition region, even in the presence of a significant coronal EUV illumination. With the help of the detailed non-LTE calculations and of the derived scaling laws, we explore the interplay of the possible formation mechanisms and their effect on the individual spectral features.
Presentation of an exogenous antigen by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generally recognize peptides derived from endogenously expressed proteins in association with nascent major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. In contrast, peptides derived from exogenous proteins associate with MHC class II following endocytosis to an endosomal compartment. However, we have recently demonstrated that exogenous fusion proteins consisting of the binding and translocating domains of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) fused with CTL epitopes derived from either influenza matrix protein (PEMa) or nucleoprotein are internalized, processed, targeted to and presented by MHC class I (Donnelly et al. 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1993. 90: 3530). PE is known to be internalized, processed in endosomes, and translocated to the cytosol during intoxication of cells. However, our present studies demonstrate that, unlike PE, PEMa does not require translocation to the cytosol to exert its effect. First, two inhibitors of PE toxicity that exert their effects at steps subsequent to endosomal processing had no effect on the sensitization of target cells for CTL-mediated lysis by PEMa. NH4Cl, which inhibits PE by raising endosomal pH, and brefeldin A, which inhibits PE by disrupting the Golgi complex, did not inhibit sensitization of targets cells by PEMa. Second, PEMa was capable of sensitizing for lysis T2 mutant cells, which are defective in transport of peptides from the cytosol to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for presentation by MHC class I. These results suggest that PEMa is proteolytically processed in endosomes, and association with MHC class I does not require nascent MHC molecules. Such a process may involve internalized MHC class I, and subsequent expression of the peptide-MHC complexes on the cell surface would then lead to recognition by CTL.
Antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection in primate leukocytes

DENGUE viruses, types 1–4, are arthropod-borne flaviviruses which cause dengue shock syndrome (DSS) in humans possessing pre-infection antibody, passively acquired or derived from heterotypic infection1. Although the immuno-pathological mechanism of DSS is not fully understood, experimental studies suggest that dengue virus production is immunologically regulated. Monkeys with monotypic immunity to dengue types 1, 3 or 4 viruses, when challenged with dengue 2, had significantly higher levels of circulating virus than did similarly infected susceptible animals2. This may be attributable to the replication of virus in leukocytes. In infected monkeys, virus was frequently recovered from buffy coat cells and from lymphatic tissues3. The role of leukocytes in enhanced infection is further supported by the observation that dengue replicates readily in cultures of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) prepared from immune simian or human donors, but poorly or not at all in leukocytes from non-immune hosts4–6. Studies on the immunological specificity of this phenomenon have been hindered by the requirement either for expensive experimental hosts (monkeys) or for human donors with chronologically defined dengue infections. Here we describe the in vitro enhancement of dengue infection in PBL by antibody. This system provides a provisional model for DSS in young infants during primary dengue infections7,8.
Slow Magnetic Relaxation Induced by a Large Transverse Zero-Field Splitting in a MnIIReIV(CN)2 Single-Chain Magnet

The model compounds (NBu4)2[ReCl4(CN)2] (1), (DMF)4ZnReCl4(CN)2 (2), and [(PY5Me2)2Mn2ReCl4(CN)2](PF6)2 (3) have been synthesized to probe the origin of the magnetic anisotropy barrier in the one-dimensional coordination solid (DMF)4MnReCl4(CN)2 (4). High-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals the presence of an easy-plane anisotropy (D > 0) with a significant transverse component, E, in compounds 1–3. These findings indicate that the onset of one-dimensional spin correlations within the chain compound 4 leads to a suppression of quantum tunneling of the magnetization within the easy plane, resulting in magnetic bistability and slow relaxation behavior. Within this picture, it is the transverse E term associated with the ReIV centers that determines the easy axis and the anisotropy energy scale associated with the relaxation barrier. The results demonstrate for the first time that slow magnetic relaxation can be achieved through optimization of the transverse anisotropy associated with...
Atomic-oxygen durability of impact-damaged solar reflectors

Silver mirror samples with protective coatings were subjected to a stream of 27-^im alumina particles to induce pinhole defects. The protective coating consisted of a layer of aluminum oxide over silver, followed by a layer of silicon dioxide over the alumina. Samples were prepared on both graphite-epoxy composite and fused quartz substrates. After exposure to the hard particle stream, the samples were exposed to an oxygen plasma environment in a laboratory plasma asher. The effects of both the hard particles and the oxygen plasma were documented by reflectance measurements and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that oxidative damage to the silver reflecting layer continues beyond that of the erosively exposed silver. Oxidative undercutting of the silver layer and graphite-epoxy substrate continues in undamaged areas through adjacent, particledamaged defect sites. This may have implications for the use of such mirrors in a Space Station solar dynamic power system.
A simulation study comparing GT vs. job shop manufacturing systems

Abstract Two discrete simulation models were developed, one representing a typical job shop (JS) manufacturing system (process layout) and the other representing group technology (GT) manufacturing system (cellular layout). Hypothetical data generated by FORTRAN program and MICRO-CRAFT layout package were used to validate the two models. Simulations were performed using SLAM II. The two layouts were compared with one another under controlled experimental conditions using various combinations of four operating variables: batch size, demand rate, ratio of setup time to process time, and transporter speed. Six indicators of systems performance were used in the study. These were: average time in system, products completed, jobs in process, average machine utilization, average queue length, and average waiting time. The study found that for environment as set for the models, GT system outperformed JS system as expected. However, using large batch size (more than 75) in Experiment 1 (changing batch size) allowed JS system to perform as well as GT system. Certain specific changes in batch size also allowed to establish optimum results in both systems. No individual change of demand rate (Experiment 2), ratio of setup time to process time (Experiment 3), or transporter speed (Experiment 4) allowed JS system to outperform GT system.
Renal Disease in Prosimians

At the San Diego Zoo, renal lesions occurred spontaneously in 22 of 113 prosimian primates, 17 of them in the family Lorisidae (14 in galagos), three in Lemuridae, and one each in Indriidae and Tupaiidae. Of the Galugo cases, six were in G. senegalensis and eight in G. crussicuudatus punguniensis. Lesions included focal and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, and pye- lonephritis. Renal disease in prosimians has not been reported extensively. In earlier studies, membranous and proliferative glomerular lesions were found in 22 of 33 galagos ( 1, 21. This glomerulonephritis was thought to be associated with a "hypersensitivity" mechanism, a hereditary factor, or both ( 11. Necropsy reports of 113 prosimians that died at the San Diego Zoo between 1965 and 1977 show that 22 had renal disease. Most of these cases seemed to be spontaneous, although some animals had received experimental chemicals directed at other organs. This paper reports the results of a retrospective study of these 22 animals, which represented the families Lorisidae, Lemuridae, Indriidae and Tu- paiidae.
Rapid synthesis of carbon nanotubes by bulk and localized inductive heating

In this work, we report a rapid yet simple methodology for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a room temperature environment using an inductive heating system with either a) bulk synthesis on silicon chips, or b) local synthesis on suspended MEMS structures. This setup enables growth and integration of CNTs with MEMS structures in a matter of 1-2 minutes. For bulk synthesis, high growth rates of up to 200 mum/min were obtained, resulting in growth of vertically aligned CNTs with an average diameter of 6.8nm. Integration from bulk- grown CNTs on MEMS structures resulted in lower resistances from larger diameter CNTs. Localized synthesis and integration was also obtained on suspended copper microstructures, illustrating an ohmic CNT response with a resistance of 110 kOmega. The breadth of synthesis and integration capabilities enabled by inductive heating illustrates a new class of rapid synthesis for vapor-liquid-solid-grown nanostructures.
Expressing noncomprehension in a US graduate seminar

Abstract This study shows that the expression of noncomprehension is a complex action dealt with skillfully and delicately by students in a graduate seminar. There is a noticeable orientation toward the delay of explicit admission. There is also a clear orientation toward offering an account of attempted understanding. Operating in concert with the delay and account is the appeal for group assistance. Based on such delay, account, and appeal, I argue for a dispreference for expressing noncomprehension in a graduate seminar. I also contend that instantiated in the conversation practices mobilized to accomplish the expression of noncomprehension are the speakers’ novice status in an institution of higher learning, their transitional identity as independent practitioners in the making, as well as their role as individual achievers within a collaborative context.
Enhanced ethanol fermentation of brewery wastewater using the genetically modified strain E. coli KO11.

We have used liquid waste obtained from a beer brewery process to produce ethanol. To increase the productivity, genetically modified organism, Escherichiacoli KO11, was used for ethanol fermentation. Yeast was also used to produce ethanol from the same feed stock, and the ethanol production rates and resulting concentrations of sugars and ethanol were compared with those of KO11. In the experiments, first the raw wastewater was directly fermented using two strains with no saccharification enzymes added. Then, commercial enzymes, α-amylase, pectinase, or a combination of both, were used for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, and the results were compared with those of the no-enzyme experiments for KO11 and yeast. Under the given conditions with or without the enzymes, yeast produced ethanol more rapidly than E. coli KO11, but the final ethanol concentrations were almost the same. For both yeast and KO11, the enzymes were observed to enhance the ethanol yields by 61–84% as compared to the fermentation without enzymes. The combination of the two enzymes increased ethanol production the most for the both strains. The advantages of using KO11 were not demonstrated clearly as compared to the yeast fermentation results.
The Impact of Mutual Fund Ownership on Corporate Investment: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Mutual fund holdings data reveal a significant impact of mutual funds on the capital expenditures ("CapEx'') of their portfolio companies. Following the shock to mutual fund ownership caused by the 2003 scandal, during which 25 fund families experienced significant outflows of capital, firms held by distressed funds decreased capital expenditures on average. CapEx changes mirrored the types of funds: it decreased more (increased) in firms held by funds whose past ownership was associated with increases (significant decreases) in CapEx. Consistent with governance by the threat of exit, firms that drive the effects have higher wealth-performance sensitivity, liquid stock, bigger changes in ownership and the types of funds, larger number of distressed funds, and funds with bigger outflow.
Numerical method for accessing the universal scaling function for a multiparticle discrete time asymmetric exclusion process

In the universality class of the one-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) surface growth, Derrida and Lebowitz conjectured the universality of not only the scaling exponents, but of an entire scaling function. Since and Derrida and Lebowitz's original publication [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 209 (1998)] this universality has been verified for a variety of continuous-time, periodic-boundary systems in the KPZ universality class. Here, we present a numerical method for directly examining the entire particle flux of the asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP), thus providing an alternative to more difficult cumulant ratios studies. Using this method, we find that the Derrida-Lebowitz scaling function (DLSF) properly characterizes the large-system-size limit $(N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty})$ of a single-particle discrete time system, even in the case of very small system sizes $(N\ensuremath{\leqslant}22)$. This fact allows us to not only verify that the DLSF properly characterizes multiple-particle discrete-time asymmetric exclusion processes, but also provides a way to numerically solve for quantities of interest, such as the particle hopping flux. This method can thus serve to further increase the ease and accessibility of studies involving even more challenging dynamics, such as the open-boundary ASEP.
Recognition and management of complications of new recreational drug use.

Summary Use of illicit drugs in clubs and large dance parties (so-called raves) is a burgeoning cultural trend. Such recreational drug use is associated with several medical complications, both acute and longlasting. Although few, if any, of the drugs currently used in recreational venues are truly new, their patterns and context of use have changed (a great deal in some instances). For some of these substances, this cultural repackaging of the drug experience has resulted in various medical disorders that have previously gone undocumented. This review aims to help treating physicians recognise and manage complications associated with the use of new drugs in clubs, including methylenedioxymethamfetamine, ephedrine, γ-hydroxybutyrate; γ-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol, flunitrazepam, ketamine, and nitrites. We also alert researchers to specific toxic effects of club-drugs on which more basic information is needed.
Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides induce inflammatory responses via TLR2 and TLR4-MD-2

CPS are major virulence factors in infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis and form the basis for meningococcal serogroup designation and protective meningococcal vaccines. CPS polymers are anchored in the meningococcal outer membrane through a 1,2-diacylglycerol moiety, but the innate immunostimulatory activity of CPS is largely unexplored. Well-established human and murine macrophage cell lines and HEK/TLR stably transfected cells were stimulated with CPS, purified from an endotoxin-deficient meningococcal serogroup B NMB-lpxA mutant. CPS induced inflammatory responses via TLR2- and TLR4-MD-2. Meningococcal CPS induced a dose-dependent release of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL10) and NO from human and murine macrophages, respectively. CPS induced IL-8 release from HEK cells stably transfected with TLR2/6, TLR2, TLR2/CD14, and TLR4/MD-2/CD14 but not HEK cells alone. mAb to TLR2 but not an isotype control antibody blocked CPS-induced IL-8 release from HEK-TLR2/6-transfected cells. A significant reduction in TNF-α and IL-8 release was seen when THP-1- and HEK-TLR4/MD-2-CD14- but not HEK-TLR2- or HEK-TLR2/6-transfected cells were stimulated with CPS in the presence of Eritoran (E5564), a lipid A antagonist that binds to MD-2, and a similar reduction in NO and TNF-α release was also seen in RAW 264.7 cells in the presence of Eritoran. CD14 and LBP enhanced CPS bioactivity, and NF-κB was, as anticipated, the major signaling pathway. Thus, these data suggest that innate immune recognition of meningococcal CPS by macrophages can occur via TLR2- and TLR4-MD-2 pathways.
Growth and Differentiation of Rat Hepatocytes: Changes in Transcription Factors HNF-3, HNF-4, STAT-3, and STAT-5

The liver enriched transcription factors HNF-3 and HNF-4 are known to play major roles in development and differentiation of hepatocytes. STAT-3 and STAT-5 are signaling peptides activated by a variety of cytokines and growth factors including HGF and EGF. Their role in hepatocyte growth and differentiation is yet to be determined. We examined protein expression and DNA binding activities of these transcription factors in a hepatocyte culture system in which the hepatocytes first de-differentiate and proliferate. Overlaying proliferating hepatocytes with EHS-matrix led to an increase in HNF-4 protein and DNA-binding activity. STAT-5 DNA binding activity was only slightly effected by EHS-matrix. HNF-3 and STAT-3 DNA-binding activities were reduced in the presence of EHS-matrix. This is consistent with the role of HNF-3 as the major initiating transcription factor involved in embryonic liver development and suggests, that STAT-3 might also play a role in growth and differentiation of hepatocytes.
Self‐association of thiols. The baggy fit problem in weak complexes

The PMR technique has been used to obtain thermodynamic data for hydrogen bonding of alkanethiols (RSH) in 1:1 dimers in carbon tetrachloride. At ca. 303°K these are (R, 104K(M−1), −ΔH°(kcal/mole), −ΔS°(eu)): n-C3H7, 51 ± 5, 0.9 ± 0.15, 13 ± 1; i-C3H7, 50 ± 10, 0.8 ± 0.3, 13 ± 1; n-C4H9, 35 ± 2, 0.8 ± 0.15, 14 ± 1; t-C4H9, 14 ± 4, 1.1 ± 0.7, 16 ± 2; C6H11, 1.3 ± 2, 0.7 ± 0.3, 15 ± 1. Alkanethiol self-association is weak, and although an exact expression [Eqn. (5)] reproduces spectral data precisely, the fit is sufficiently ‘loose’ or ‘baggy’ so that values of K, ΔH° and ΔS° are uncertain. The methodology of the treatment of self-association data and their errors is examined and Deranleau's useful approach is extended. The impossibility of obtaining reliable data for very weak ( 90 %) associations by techniques equivalent to ours is emphasized. The possibility of cyclic thiol dimers is discussed. It is suggested that the PMR method cannot give trustworthy self-association data for aryl or arylalkylthiols because of the relatively large anisotropy effects introduced into the dilution shift.
Sensor-Based Automation of Irrigation on Bermudagrass during Dry Weather Conditions

Overirrigation of lawns with limited resources of potable water has increasingly become an issue for the state of Florida. A previous study showed that soil moisture sensors systems SMSs could lead to irrigation water savings during relatively wet/normal weather conditions. This research, as a follow-up comparison, was conducted under dry weather conditions. The first objective was to statistically evaluate the water savings potential of different commercially available SMSs during the first half of 2006. In the second half, the objectives were to quantify irrigation water use and to evaluate turfgrass quality differences among: 1 a time-based irrigation schedule system with and without a rain sensor; 2 time-based schedules compared to SMS-based systems; and 3 SMS-based systems under different irrigation frequencies. The experimental area was located in Gainesville, Fla. and consisted of common bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. plots. Four commercially available SMSs brands Acclima, Rain Bird, Irrometer, and Water Watcher were used to bypass scheduled irrigation cycles when the soil water content at the 7- to 10-cm depth was above field capacity. Time-based treatments with and without rain sensor feedback were set up as comparisons for irrigation depth applied, and a nonirrigated treatment for turf quality comparison purposes was implemented. Due to the dry weather conditions and/or infrequent rain events during the experi- ment, the nonirrigated plots as well as a broken SMS treatment resulted in turfgrass quality below the minimum acceptable level. The rest of the treatments had at least minimum acceptable turf quality. The treatment with rain sensor resulted in 13 to 24% less water applied than without the rain sensor treatment. Most SMS-based treatments resulted in significant irrigation water savings compared to the treatment without rain sensor, which ranged from 16 to 54% in the first half, and from 28 to 83% in the second half of 2006, for three of four SMS brands tested.
Concurrent palatal implants and uvulopalatal flap: Safe and effective office-based procedure for selected patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome†‡

Objectives/Hypothesis: An outpatient surgical procedure for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) should not only stiffen the soft palate, but also widen the opening of retropalatal space. This study presents a concurrent palatal implants (PI) and uvulopalatal flap (UPF) in the outpatient setting under local anesthesia for OSAS patients. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Patients with snoring and more than or an equivalent of 5 events hourly but less than 20 hourly on the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) were enrolled. Three office-based procedures were performed, that is, PI, UPF, and PI concurrent with UPF (PI-UPF). Postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Before surgery and after surgery, subjective outcomes were assessed using the snoring scale, and objective outcomes were assessed using overnight polysomnography. Results: Sixty-three patients underwent office-based procedures for OSAS. Among them, 21 underwent PI, 20 underwent UPF, and 22 underwent PI-UPF. PI attained the lowest postoperative pain scores. At 6 months after surgery, the mean snoring scale in PI, UPF, and PI-UPF group were 3.7 6 0.7, 3.2 6 0.8, and 1.8 6 0.6, respectively (P < .05). The mean AHI scores in group PI, UPF, and PI-UPF were 9.0 6 4.6, 8.8 6 4.0, and 6.1 6 2.5 events per hour, respectively (P < .05). The mean snoring index in group PI, UPF, and PI-UPF were 120.6 6 79.5, 115.7 6 86.3, and 71.8 6 41.7 events per hour, respectively (P < .05). Conclusions: Concurrent PI and UPF is a safe and effective office-based procedure for selected patients with OSAS and snoring.
Armies of Pestilence: CNS Infections as Potential Weapons of Mass Destruction

Infectious agents have been investigated, developed, and used by both governments and terrorist groups as weapons of mass destruction. CNS infections, though traditionally considered less often than respiratory diseases in this scenario, may be very important. Viruses responsible for encephalitides can be highly infectious in aerosol form. CNS involvement in anthrax is ominous but should change treatment. Brucellosis, plague, Q fever, and other bacteria can uncommonly manifest with meningoencephalitis and other findings. Emerging diseases may also pose threats. We review infectious agents of particular concern for purposes of biowarfare with respect to CNS manifestations and imaging features.
Multiple uncontrolled conditions and blood pressure medication intensification: an observational study

Background Multiple uncontrolled medical conditions may act as competing demands for clinical decision making. We hypothesized that multiple uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors would decrease blood pressure (BP) medication intensification among uncontrolled hypertensive patients.
Mouse models of oxidative phosphorylation defects: Powerful tools to study the pathobiology of mitochondrial diseases

Defects in the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) are responsible for a group of extremely heterogeneous and pleiotropic pathologies commonly known as mitochondrial diseases. Although many mutations have been found to be responsible for OXPHOS defects, their pathogenetic mechanisms are still poorly understood. An important contribution to investigate the in vivo function of several mitochondrial proteins and their role in mitochondrial dysfunction, has been provided by mouse models. Thanks to their genetic and physiologic similarity to humans, mouse models represent a powerful tool to investigate the impact of pathological mutations on metabolic pathways. In this review we discuss the main mouse models of mitochondrial disease developed, focusing on the ones that directly affect the OXPHOS system.
Expression of Foreign Proteins by Poliovirus Polyprotein Fusion: Analysis of Genetic Stability Reveals Rapid Deletions and Formation of Cardioviruslike Open Reading Frames

Using a strategy developed by R. Andino, D. Silvera, S. D. Suggett, P. I. Achacoso, C. J. Miller, D. Baltimore, and M. B. Feinberg (Science 265:1448–1451, 1994), we constructed recombinant polioviruses by fusing the open reading frame (ORF) of the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) of Aequorea victoria or the gag gene (encoding p17-p24) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to the N terminus of the poliovirus polyprotein. All poliovirus expression vectors constructed by us and those obtained from Andino et al. were found to be severely impaired in viral replication and genetically unstable. Upon replication, inserted sequences were rapidly deleted as early as the first growth cycle in HeLa cells. However, the vector viruses did not readily revert to the wild-type sequence but rather retained some of the insert plus the artificial 3Cpro/3CDpro cleavage site, engineered between the heterologous sequence and the poliovirus polyprotein, to give rise to genotypes reminiscent of cardioviruses. These virus variants that carry a small leader polypeptide were now relatively stable, and they grew better than their progenitor strains. Reverse transcription followed by PCR and sequence analysis of the genomic RNAs reproducibly revealed a few preferred genotypes among the isolated deletion variants. The remaining truncated inserts were retained through subsequent passages. In the immediate vicinity of the deletion borders, we observed short direct sequence repeats that we propose are involved in aligning RNA strands for illegitimate (nonhomologous) RNA recombination during minus-strand synthesis. On the basis of our results, which are at variance with published data, the utility of poliovirus vectors to express proteins >10 kDa in size through fusion with the polyprotein needs to be reevaluated.
A comparison of the aversiveness of denatonium saccharide and quinine in humans

One hundred and twenty undergraduate college students (60 males, 60 females) sampled and rated two bitters, denatonium saccharide and quinine. For each of three chemical concentrations (1/1,000,1/5,000, and 1/10,000), denatonium saccharide was rated as significantly more unpleasant than quinine by both males and females. These results, unlike those obtained with rat subjects, suggest the efficacy of adding denatonium saccharide to various toxic chemicals to deter human consumption.
Chemokine receptors and neurotrophic factors: Potential therapy against aids dementia?

Chemokine receptors, in particular, CXCR4 and CCR5, mediate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of immunocompetent cells and the apoptosis of these cells. However, the virus does not infect neurons. Yet through a variety of mechanisms, HIV promotes glial cell activation, synaptodendritic alterations, and neuronal loss that ultimately lead to motor and cognitive impairment. Chemokines and chemokine receptors are abundant in the adult central nervous system and play a role in neuronal apoptosis evoked by HIV proteins. Thus, reducing the availability of chemokine receptors may prevent the neuronal degeneration seen in HIV-positive patients. In this article, we present and discuss a recent experimental approach aimed at testing effective neuroprotective therapies against HIV-mediated neuronal degeneration.
Leptin Resistance Is Associated With Hypothalamic Leptin Receptor mRNA and Protein Downregulation

It is well known that leptin plays a predominant role in body weight regulation. Leptin receptors are especially abundant in the hypothalamus, where the majority of leptin's biologic activity occurs. In instances where leptin has no or limited activity, it is easy to implicate leptin resistance and speculate as to the multiple levels where resistance may occur. We hypothesize that leptin resistance is associated with hypothalamic leptin receptor downregulation. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or low- or high-dose leptin continually over a 28-day period. Body weight and food intake were measured daily. Long-term leptin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in body weight for the duration of the study. It also resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in food intake, but only for the first half of the study. A test of leptin resistance was performed at week 3 demonstrating the development of resistance to the anorectic effects of leptin in both treatment groups. The results of the resistance test together with the food intake data suggest that resistance to the appetite-regulating effects of leptin developed during the final 2 weeks of the study. In addition, we show a downregulation of leptin receptor mRNA and protein in the hypothalamus, which may be one of the mechanisms by which the food-intake effects of leptin were lost.
Cross Section Measurements for Various Reactions Occurring in CF 4 and CHF 3 Discharges

In an attempt to expand the somewhat limited database for collisional processes relevant to plasma chemistry and its modeling, absolute cross sections have been measured for positive and negative ion-molecule reactions for species typically found in discharges which contain CF4and CHF3. the reactions investigated include electron detachment, collision induced dissociation (CID), and dissociative electron transfer resulting from collisions of CF3+, F+, and F with the targets CF4 and CHF3. Impact energies range from near threshold to ≳ 200 eV. in general, the cross sections for all inelastic processes studied here reach maximum values and are constant for E ≳ 40 eV. the importance and implications of these measurements to discharge modeling will be discussed.
Book Review: Pictorial Atlas of Botulinum Toxin Injection

Wolfgang Jost, MD Pictorial Atlas of Botulinum Toxin Injection: Dosage, Localization, Application. Hanover Park, IL: Quintessence Publishing Co; 2008. ISBN-10: 1850971757 ISBN-13: 978-1850971757 ![][1] With his Pictorial Atlas of Botulinum Toxin Injection: Dosage, Localization, Application , Dr. Jost has compiled a detailed atlas of neurotoxin injection techniques. This is a complete volume covering injection locations for treating specific muscles, as well as the requisite injection technique for each area. It features a variety of superbly illustrated anatomical images, models, and demonstrations. The first 180 pages deal largely with injection techniques applicable to physiatrists and physical medicine practitioners treating musculoskeletal disorders with neuromodulators; the remainder of the text addresses injection techniques applicable for cosmetic medicine. From page 188 onward, there are excellent diagrams and images of injection techniques for … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
When behavior change fails: evidence for building WASH strategies on existing motivations

Despite increased efforts, an estimated 30–40% of rural drinking water initiatives in developing countries fail to provide sustainable solutions. The Sustainable Development Goal for water (SDG 6) challenges us to solve this problem to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In this paper, we explore one possible barrier to success: a potential misalignment between local and outside motivations. We address this problem by analyzing how strategies used to successfully ( n = 148) and unsuccessfully ( n = 70) deliver drinking water to rural areas align with known motivations of local stakeholders. As one tool and starting point, we use definitions in Maslow9s theory of motivation to learn and share how to more consistently and successfully build comprehensive motivations into solutions. The results reveal that successful strategies rarely focus on physiological needs (2/148) and often focus on higher-level needs, including self-esteem (75/148), love and belonging (46/148), and safety (69/148). Successful strategies also typically address multiple needs and are designed to meet the actualization (fulfill potential) of both communities and donors. Unsuccessful strategies focus on needs of outside stakeholders above local stakeholders (46/70), fail to address higher-level or multiple needs, and/or unsuccessfully address existing needs.