cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Docosahexaenoate-containing phospholipids in sarcoplasmic reticulum and retinal photoreceptors. A proposal for a role in Ca2+-ATPase calcium transport

A critical review of the experimental literature concerning the metabolism of all-cis-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19-docosahexaenoate-containing phospholipids in muscle and retina suggests that it plays an essential role in maximizing the Ca2+/ATP stoichiometry of the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum and retinal photoreceptor disks. Docosahexaenoate-phosphatidylcholine is proposed to participate in oligomerization of Ca2+-ATPase necessary for the establishment of a high Ca2+/ATP coupling ratio of the Ca2+ pump in these tissues. Possible tests of this hypothesis are presented.
The structural behavior of ferric and ferrous iron in aluminosilicate glass near meta-aluminosilicate joins

Abstract Iron-57 resonant absorption Mossbauer spectroscopy was used to describe the redox relations and structural roles of Fe3+ and Fe2+ in meta-aluminosilicate glasses. Melts were formed at 1500 °C in equilibrium with air and quenched to glass in liquid H2O with quenching rates exceeding 200 °C/s. The aluminosilicate compositions were NaAlSi2O6, Ca0.5AlSi2O6, and Mg0.5AlSi2O6. Iron oxide was added in the form of Fe2O3, NaFeO2, CaFe2O4, and MgFe2O4 with total iron oxide content in the range ∼0.9 to ∼5.6 mol% as Fe2O3. The Mossbauer spectra, which were deconvoluted by assuming Gaussian distributions of the hyperfine field, are consistent with one absorption doublet of Fe2+ and one of Fe3+. From the area ratios of the Fe2+ and Fe3+ absorption doublets, with corrections for differences in recoil-fractions of Fe3+ and Fe2+, the Fe3+/ΣFe is positively correlated with increasing total iron content and with decreasing ionization potential of the alkali and alkaline earth cation. There is a distribution of hyperfine parameters from the Mossbauer spectra of these glasses. The maximum in the isomer shift distribution function of Fe3+, δFe3+, ranges from about 0.25 to 0.49 mm/s (at 298 K relative to Fe metal) with the quadrupole splitting maximum, ΔFe3+, ranging from ∼1.2 to ∼1.6 mm/s. Both δFe3+ and δFe2+ are negatively correlated with total iron oxide content and Fe3+/ΣFe. The dominant oxygen coordination number Fe3+ changes from 4 to 6 with decreasing Fe3+/ΣFe. The distortion of the Fe3+–O polyhedra of the quenched melts (glasses) decreases as the Fe3+/ΣFe increases. These polyhedra do, however, coexist with lesser proportions of polyhedra with different oxygen coordination numbers. The δFe2+ and ΔFe2+ distribution maxima at 298 K range from ∼0.95 to 1.15 mm/s and 1.9 to 2.0 mm/s, respectively, and decrease with increasing Fe3+/ΣFe. We suggest that these hyperfine parameter values for the most part are more consistent with Fe2+ in a range of coordination states from 4- to 6-fold. The lower δFe2+-values for the most oxidized melts are consistent with a larger proportion of Fe2+ in 4-fold coordination compared with more reduced glasses and melts.
Sustained savings from a longitudinal cost analysis of an internet-based preapproval antimicrobial stewardship program

Objective. To evaluate an internet-based preapproval antimicrobial stewardship program for sustained reduction in antimicrobial prescribing and resulting cost savings.Design. Retrospective cohort study and cost analysis.Methods. Review of all doses and charges of antimicrobials dispensed to patients over 6 years (July 1, 2005–June 30, 2011) at a tertiary care pediatric hospital.Results. Restricted antimicrobials account for 26% of total doses but 81% of total antimicrobial charges. Winter months (November–February) and the oncology and infant and toddler units were associated with the highest antimicrobial charges. Five restricted drugs accounted for the majority (54%) of charges but only 6% of doses. With an average approval rate of 91.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.1%–91.9%), the preapproval antibiotic stewardship program saved $103,787 (95% CI, $98,583–$109,172) per year, or $14,156 (95% CI, $13,446–$14,890) per 1,000 patient-days.Conclusions. A preapproval antimicrobial stewardship program effec...
Intrinsic dangling-bond density in hydrogenated amorphous silicon.

Recently proposed models for the recombination-induced creation and thermally activated annealing of dangling bonds in hydrogenated amorphous silicon are discussed. While these models were proposed to explain dangling bonds produced by the recombination of electron-hole pairs created by optical generation or electrical injection, we propose that intrinsic-carrier recombination processes can produce the same effect. The dynamic equilibrium between this generation process and thermal annealing determines an intrinsic dangling-bond density. This intrinsic dangling-bond density is shown to be negligible at room temperature but may be sizable at growth temperatures commonly employed. We show that typical cooling rates after film growth could lead to a ``freeze-in'' of dangling-bond densities in the range ${10}^{15}$--${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$. Furthermore, we show that this process can be used to explain the enhancement in performance observed when solar cells are annealed under reverse bias.
Noninvasive Quantitative Chromium(III) Speciation in Neat Solid Mixtures by Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy

A procedure that uses extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy for quantitative chromium(III) speciation in neat solid mixtures is described. The procedure uses the full, filtered EXAFS, e.g., 4 ≤ k ≤ 12 A-1, rather than the smaller k-range associated with a single coordination sphere. Concentration is determined by a simple correlation of full, filtered EXAFS of standards with full, filtered EXAFS of mixtures. Under optimized conditions, calibration curves for mixtures of Cr2O3 and Cr(NO3)3] · 9H2O have slopes of 1.002, respective intercepts of -0.7% and 0.5%, and correlation coefficients of 0.9991. Fluorescence EXAFS from mixtures must be compared to fluorescence EXAFS from standards, and the matrices and thicknesses of standards and mixtures must be closely matched. Transmission EXAFS of standards must be obtained to correct for self-absorption effects.
Spectral Diameter Estimates for k-Regular Graphs

An undirected graph is called k-regular if exactly k edges meet at each vertex. The eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix of a finite, k-regular graph Γ (assumed to be undirected and connected) satisfy |λi| ≤ k, with k occurring as a simple eigenvalue. Let λ(Γ) denote the maximum of {|λi| : |λi| 6= k}, and let N denote the number of vertices in Γ. The diameter of Γ can be bounded in terms of N and λ(Γ). Chung ([5]) and Sarnak ([7]) have derived the estimate
Endovascular management of cerebral vasospasm

Abstract Cerebral vasospasm remains one of the two leading causes of death and disability caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage. The widespread acceptance of early surgery aimed at the obliteration of an intracranial aneurysm, thereby eliminating the risk of rebleeding, has lead to the search for more effective means to treat vasospasm. Initially the use of hypertensive, hypervolemic, and hemodilution (HHH) therapy had a dramatic effect on improving the outcomes of patients with cerebral vasospasm. Despite the safety and efficacy of HHH therapy, approximately 20% of patients are refractory to this treatment modality and go on to develop permanent ischemic deficits. It is in this group of patients that endovascular techniques have the potential to dramatically impact survival. The main tool of the endovascular surgeon is a compliant balloon. Other agents, such as papaverine, are not a durable treatment for vasospasm, which is a chronic condition. Balloon angioplasty, especially when performed within a limited time period from the onset of ischemic deficits, is both an effective and durable treatment. The introduction of second generation, wire driven balloons, continues to expand the potential vascular territories that can be effectively treated.
Structural changes and pressure-induced amorphization in rare earth titanates Re2Ti2O7 (RE: Gd, Sm) with pyrochlore structure

Abstract Structural changes of pyrochlore titanates, Sm 2 Ti 2 O 7 and Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , at high pressures were studied by in situ Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The Raman experiments revealed that RE 2 Ti 2 O 7 lost pyrochlore structural character at pressures of 40 GPa and 38 GPa for RE = Sm and Gd, respectively. However, XRD results found that they were only partially amorphized up to 51 GPa. The crystalline phase at high pressure is a distorted pyrochlore – the anions have lost long-range order while the rare earth ions still keep some ordering. Both of the pyrochlores became completely amorphous after releasing pressure from 51 GPa.
Fabrication and electrical properties of si nanowires synthesized by Al catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth.

The synthesis of epitaxially oriented Si nanowires at high growth rates (>1 μm/min) was demonstrated on (111) Si substrates using Al as the catalyst. The use of high H2 and SiH4 partial pressures was found to be effective at reducing problems associated with Al oxidation and nanowire nucleation, enabling growth of high aspect ratio structures at temperatures ranging from 500 to 600 °C with minimal tapering of the diameter. Because of the high growth rate observed, the Al catalyst is believed to be in the liquid state during the growth. Four-point resistance measurements and back-gated current−voltage measurements indicate that the wires are p-type with an average resistivity of 0.01 ± 0.004 Ω-cm. These results suggest that Al is incorporated into the Si nanowires under these conditions at concentrations higher than the solubility limit (5−6 × 1018 cm−3) for Al in Si at 550 °C. This work demonstrates that Al can serve as both an effective catalyst and p-type dopant for the growth of Si nanowires.
Evaluation of outcome by race in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

Most studies of outcome by race in cancer have shown that blacks have a shorter survival compared to whites, both overall and within each TNM stage. We endeavored to evaluate the difference in survival by race in US military veterans treated for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This retrospective analysis of overall survival by race, looking at all-cause mortality in a group of consecutively treated veterans with stage I-II NSCLC, was carried out at a 1,000-bed tertiary care Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The study included 143 white and 45 black patients treated with curative intent for stage I-II NSCLC between January 1982 through August 1994. Nineteen patients received radiotherapy alone for their treatment while the remaining 169 underwent a complete surgical resection. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics for important prognostic variables. An overall survival analysis of all-cause mortality found no significant difference between the two groups. With equal access to health care, as is available for eligible patients in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, racial differences in lung cancer treatment outcome may be diminished or eliminated.
MONETARY SYSTEMS FOR THE COMMON MARKET

THE COMMON-MARKET countries will carry out their first round of tariff reductions on January 1, 1959, and will, according to the treaty, complete tariff removals within fourteen years. The economic interdependence of the member countries will in time be much like that of regions in the United States. One big question applying to such an area is what type of monetary system would best maintain payments equilibrium between its parts. Current prospects appear to be a continuation of EPU with a strengthened harmonization of monetary policy and a possible pooling of some of the members' hard-currency reserves. The ultimate objective favored by some is reportedly a unified monetary system which might be compared with the Federal Reserve.1 It is this ultimate goal and its main alternative, rather than intermediate steps toward it, which are the subject of this paper.
A density functional theory study of oxygen reduction reaction on non-PGM Fe–Nx–C electrocatalysts

First-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the stability of catalytically active sites in Fe–Nx–C electrocatalysts, their ORR activity and ORR mechanism. The results show that the formation of graphitic in-plane Fe–N4 sites in a carbon matrix is energetically favorable over the formation of Fe–N2 sites. Chemisorption of ORR species O2, O, OH, OOH, and H2O and O–O bond breaking in peroxide occur on both Fe–N2 and Fe–N4 sites. In addition to the favorable interaction of ORR species, the computed free energy diagrams show that elementary ORR reaction steps on Fe–Nx sites are downhill. Thus, a complete ORR is predicted to occur via a single site 4e− mechanism on graphitic Fe–Nx (x = 2, 4) sites. Because of their higher stability and working potential for ORR, Fe–N4 sites are predicted to be prime candidate sites for ORR in pyrolyzed Fe–Nx–C electrocatalysts.
Teaching NeuroImages: Median nerve MRI changes over time in neuralgic amyotrophy

A 40-year-old woman presented with 2 weeks of left arm pain followed by hand weakness and numbness. Electrodiagnostic testing revealed an isolated median sensorimotor axonopathy localizing proximal to the pronator teres. The working diagnosis of a forme fruste of neuralgic amyotrophy was made. MRI of the left arm was performed to exclude rare structural causes of proximal median neuropathy. The median nerve showed inflammatory features with a diffusely increased signal on short tau inversion recovery sequences that enhanced with gadolinium (figure, A). Two years after onset, symptoms had resolved. Repeat MRI showed resolution of the abnormal findings (figure, B).
Excited state dynamics of metalloporphyrins in the gas phase

Abstract The role of a condensed phase medium in the ultrafast dynamics of metalloporphyrins is studied with gas phase experiments aimed at probing dissipation of excess vibrational energy from optically excited porphyrins and how excess vibrational energy is manifested in the electronic absorption and emission spectra of these complexes. Preliminary results reveal unexpected effects of the medium on the optical spectra and dynamics.
Changing our Skin: Creating Collective Knowledge in American Classrooms

In this essay, the author explores the notion that the focus of learning in classrooms and schools extends beyond the learning of individuals to create a collective body of knowledge that is larger than what any one person knows. This idea was examined in a collaboration between Project Zero researchers and educators from the municipal preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, around understanding, supporting, and documenting individual and group learning. The author draws on the experiences of classroom teachers in Massachusetts to suggest at least four key components in creating collective knowledge: (a) rethinking the nature of the learning task; (b) fostering a pedagogy of relationships; (c) addressing four kinds of learning; and (d) documenting student and teacher learning.
Structure, Wettability, and Electrochemical Barrier Properties of Self-Assembled Monolayers Prepared from Partially Fluorinated Hexadecanethiols

We report the preparation and characterization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) derived from the adsorption of partially fluorinated hexadecanethiols (CF3(CF2)n-1(CH2)mSH; n = 2, 4, 6, and 8; n + m = 16) onto the surface of gold. The quality of the SAMs, as measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, was found to be sensitive to the solvent used as SAMs prepared in dichloromethane exhibited higher resistances and lower capacitances than those prepared in liquid CO2. The extent of fluorination was observed to influence the wettability, structure, and capacitance of the films without significantly affecting their charge-transfer resistance or their stability against exchange by a competing adsorbate. Reflectance-absorption infrared spectra showed that the fluorocarbon chains were oriented more normal to the surface for n = 8 but more parallel to the surface for n = 2. Advancing contact angles of hexadecane increased sharply with fluorination from n = 0 to 4 but slightly with additional fluorinati...
Reaction engineering of advanced ceramic materials

Abstract Reaction engineering methodology is uniquely suitable to solve many synthesis, analytical and processing problems associated with the fabrication of advanced ceramic materials. This review discusses the advances made and remaining problems in the chemical synthesis and calcination of ceramic powders, self-propagating high temperature synthesis of ceramics, chemical vapor infiltration and ceramic melt infiltration. The problems associated with advanced ceramics fabrication are of practical importance and scientific interest, and more reaction engineers should get involved in their solution.
Transforming Growth Factor e: Amino Acid Analysis and Partial Amino Acid Sequence

Our previous studies have demonstrated that transforming growth factor e (TGFe) acts as a mitogen for epithelial and fibroblastic cells in both monolayer and soft agar. We have also identified TGFe in both normal and neoplastic tissues of mostly epithelial origin, and in body fluids. In this study we report on the purification of TGFe to homogeneity from bovine kidney using a multistep purification protocol which utilizes high performance electrophoresis chromatography in the final step. Amino acid analysis of TGFe revealed high content of proline, aspartate and glutamate. Examination of partial amino acid sequence indicated no similarity to other, already characterized, growth factors.
Implementations of smart pixels for optoelectronic processors and interconnection systems. II. SEED-based technology and comparison with optoelectronic gates

For part I see ibid., vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 1659-1669 (Oct. 1993). In part I, the authors discussed the optoelectronic approach to the implementation of smart pixels for optical interconnection and optical computing systems. In this second paper, a similar analysis is done for SEED-based technologies. The technologies investigated include the symmetric SEED (S-SEED), asymmetric Fabry-Perot (ASFP) SEED, shallow quantum well SEED, and FET-SEED. Of these technologies, it is found that FET-SEED (whose structure is closely similar to optoelectronic logic gates) has the highest sensitivity and operates at the highest bandwidth. The advantages and limitations of the two approaches are compared, considering such system performance issues as the maximum information flux density, temperature sensitivity, and optical coupling efficiency. It is concluded that the optoelectronic approach is useful in applications which require high bandwidth (>1 GHz), complex logic functions, and moderate pixel density, while the SEED-based approach is more suitable to high-density interconnections used at moderate bandwidths ( >
The Politics and Economics of the New City Debt

his paper contrasts nonguaranteed city debt with taxation and general obligation debt. Drawing upon Bureau of the Census, Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) and Municipal Year Book data, the analysis shows that both per capita tax revenue and outstanding general obligation debt are best explained by background factors such as total population, functional scope, and region, while fiscal strain plays a secondary role. Political structures, in the shape of legal constraints on taxation and debt and of form of government, do not account for patterns of these traditional revenue sources. By contrast, nonguaranteed debt is best explained by a model in which fiscal strain has a paramount role, but with both legal constraints on taxing and regional differentiation contributing significantly to the explanation, at least for data collected prior to 1978. The findings suggest a two-tiered model of the revenue side of fiscal decision making, with historical accommodations to powerful economic and demographic factors dominating taxing and general obligation debt, while nonguaranteed debt serves as a flexible instrument of shorter-term strategy.
Mechanisms, measurement, and significance of lung macrophage function.

Macrophages exist throughout the body. They have critical roles in the peritoneal cavity, bone marrow, skin, spleen, liver, and elsewhere. Their migratory patterns, phagocytic behavior, immunologic...
Parenting Stress among Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review

Objective To critically review, analyze, and synthesize the literature on parenting stress among caregivers of children with asthma, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and/or sickle cell disease. Method PsychInfo, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched according to inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of 13 studies and qualitative analysis of 96 studies was conducted. Results Caregivers of children with chronic illness reported significantly greater general parenting stress than caregivers of healthy children (d ¼ .40; p ¼� .0001). Qualitative analysis revealed that greater general parenting stress was associated with greater parental responsibility for treatment management and was unrelated to illness duration and severity across illness populations. Greater parenting stress was associated with poorer psychological adjustment in caregivers and children with chronic illness. Conclusion Parenting stress is an important target for future intervention. General and illness-specific measures of parenting stress should be used in future studies.
Rate of Convergence of the Discrete Pólya-1 Algorithm

The rate of convergence of the discrete Polya-1 algorithm is studied. Examples are given to show that the rates derived are sharp.
Contralesional paired associative stimulation increases paretic lower limb motor excitability post-stroke.

Following stroke, an abnormally high interhemispheric inhibitory drive from the contralesional to the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1) is evident during voluntary movement. Down-regulating motor excitability of the contralesional M1 using inhibitory neuromodulatory protocols has demonstrated a correlation between balanced interhemispheric interactions and increased motor recovery. In 2005, our laboratory first reported bidirectional modulation of healthy subjects’ tibialis anterior (TA) motor excitability during walking, using a stimulation paradigm known as paired associative stimulation (PAS). Suprathreshold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the lower limb M1 paired with electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve produced a persistent modulation of TA corticomotor excitability. The present study tested the hypothesis that the excitability of the ipsilesional lower limb motor cortex during walking is increased when inhibitory PAS is applied to the contralesional motor cortex in chronic stroke survivors. We applied inhibitory PAS (120 pairs at 0.5 Hz) to the quiescent paretic TA of ten chronic stroke patients and the right TA of ten age-matched healthy subjects. Post intervention excitability measures were taken immediately following PAS, and again 5, 10 and 15 min later. When inhibitory PAS was applied to the non-paretic TA of chronic stroke subjects, the non-paretic TA motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude decreased to 91% and paretic TA MEP amplitude increased to 130% (of pre-PAS values) during post-PAS walking. In healthy subjects, MEPs in response to TMS revealed that mean MEP amplitude from the stimulated TA decreased to 87% and the mean MEP amplitude from the non-stimulated TA increased to 126%. This is the first study to demonstrate that inhibitory PAS applied to the contralesional lower limb motor system of stroke survivors increases motor excitability of the paretic lower limb assessed during walking. This finding suggests that inhibitory PAS may be a useful tool to study how the human lower limb motor cortex recovers after neural injury, and that PAS may be a candidate adjuvant therapy for patients with neurological walking impairments.
An 11-year follow-up of motor speech abilities in elderly adults

An 11-year follow-up study of a group of elderly adults suggested a speed-accuracy trade-off for labial and lingual movements associated with syllable repetition tasks. Pre-post repetition data from one subject, apparently healthy in 1980 but diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984–85, were analysed separately from the rest of the group. Rate/timing variability relationships for this subject differed significantly from ‘normally ageing’ peers. As perturbation measures have been shown to be relevant indicators of laryngeal behaviour, rate/timing control measures may also prove to be useful, age-sensitive indices of supralaryngeal speech motor control.
Antiinfective therapy for pregnant or lactating patients in the emergency department

Purpose Special considerations in pharmacotherapy for infectious diseases in pregnant and lactating women in the emergency department (ED) setting are reviewed. Summary With many women turning to the ED as a source of primary care, it is essential for pharmacists involved in providing ED services to guide the selection of appropriate antiinfective agents during pregnancy and lactation; this area of practice is complicated by the very limited body of published data on the safety and efficacy of maternal antimicrobial use and potential fetal or neonatal adverse effects. Infectious diseases commonly encountered in the ED include sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. Recommended first-line therapies for pregnant or lactating women may differ from those recommended for other patient populations. Although some widely used antiinfective classes and agents are generally considered safe for use in pregnant women, others (e.g., clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones) have been linked to birth defects and neonatal adverse effects. In addition to guiding ED practitioners in the appropriate use of antiinfective agents in pregnant women and nursing mothers, pharmacists can reinforce the importance of appropriate follow-up care (including specialist referral or culture testing in some cases) and ongoing preventive health measures such as vaccine administration. Conclusion The use of antiinfective agents in pregnant or lactating women requires consideration not only of the drugs’ effectiveness but also their possible effects on the fetus or newborn and the nature of follow-up care. References are available to help clinicians make treatment decisions.
Analysis Problems for Graphical Dynamical Systems: A Unified Approach Through Graph Predicates

We present a unified approach for studying the complexity of analysis problems for Synchronous Dynamical Systems (SyDSs), a class of graphical models for networked multiagent systems. Our approach uses predicates based on graph embeddings to capture many phase space properties of SyDSs studied in the literature and additional properties which have not been considered previously. Using this formalism, we develop general results to show that many analysis problems for SyDSs are computationally intractable. However, when the underlying graph of the given SyDS is treewidth bounded and the local functions are r-symmetric (for any fixed r), we show that even counting versions of analysis problems can be solved efficiently.
Beyond the bits: cooperative packet recovery using physical layer information

Users increasingly depend on WLAN for business and entertainment. However, they occasionally experience dead spots and high loss rates. We show that these problems can be addressed by exposing information readily available at the physical layer. We make the physical layer convey its confidence that a particular bit is "0" or "1" to the higher layers. Access points that hear the same transmission communicate their confidence values over the wired Ethernet and combine their information to correct faulty bits in a corrupted packet. A single receiver may also combine the confidence estimates from multiple faulty retransmissions to obtain a correct packet. We implement our design and evaluate it using GNU software radios. The results show that our approach reduces loss rate by up to 10x in comparison with the current approach, and significantly outperforms prior packet combining proposals.
The Newtonian limit at intermediate energies

We study the metric solutions for the gravitational equations in Modified Gravity Models (MGMs). In models with negative powers of the scalar curvature, we show that the Newtonian Limit (NL) is well defined as a limit at intermediate energies, in contrast with the usual low energy interpretation. Indeed, we show that the gravitational interaction is modified at low densities or low curvatures.
Association of Blood Pressure Indices and Stroke Mortality in Isolated Systolic Hypertension

Background and Purpose— Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥160 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) <90 mm Hg, is associated with stroke; however, the correlation between specific BP indices and stroke mortality in ISH is not defined. Methods— In a pooled analysis of 9 epidemiological studies, we examined whether pulse pressure (PP) was more predictive of stroke mortality than systolic BP (SBP), DBP, or mean BP (MAP) in persons with ISH. Subjects (n=682; 29% male; 77% white; mean age 63.6 years) with ISH, free of cardiovascular disease, and not on antihypertensive drug therapy at baseline were followed a mean of 13.0±7.3 years, and 54 stroke deaths occurred. The relative importance of each BP index was compared by the decrease in the −2 log likelihood (a measure of model agreement with data) because of the addition of 1 or a combination of BP indices to a Cox regression model. Hazards ratios (HRs) for fatal stroke for a 1-SD in BP index were determined. Results— PP was the best pr...
Pilot Study on Real-Time Calculation of Arrival Type for Assessment of Arterial Performance

The Highway Capacity Manual uses the arrival type (AT) as a mechanism to account for the quality of traffic signal coordination in the calculation of delay at a signalized intersection. Although there is much discussion in the literature regarding the accuracy and precision of this approach, the AT parameter provides a simple mechanism for grading the performance of traffic signal coordination. This paper describes data collection limitations of current traffic signal controllers and proposes a procedure where the AT parameter can be calculated by traffic signal controllers in real time. Given that the nation received a score of 61 out of a possible 100 points for coordinated systems on the National Traffic Signal Report Card, this method is particularly timely as it provides an easily obtainable quantitative measure of traffic signal coordination. Data from a coordinated system in Noblesville, Ind., is analyzed and presented in a format that can be used to assess arterial performance. Results from the te...
The New Public Selection? Anti-Corruption, Psychometric Selection and the New Public Management in Nepal

This article uses a case study of public recruitment in Nepal as the vehicle for a discussion of the value of three current public management models: an anticorruption model, a psychometric selection model and the new public management (NPM) model. The political context of Nepal and the role and functions of the Public Service Commission (PSC) are described. The article argues that, in contrast to current NPM doctrine, preserving the current remit of the PSC as a central agency responsible for recruitment is necessary to preserve the integrity of recruitment, which is an important element in an anticorruption strategy. The article also reviews the case for selective introduction of psychometric methods of selection. The article implies an increased importance for public recruitment in development thinking, and argues for the vital role of Service Commissions in limiting corruption. While recognizing the reality of the problems which the NPM model was developed to tackle, the article provides evidence for ...
Hemicellulosic polymers from the cell walls of beeswing wheat bran: Part I, polymers solubilised by alkali at 2°

Abstract Cell-wall material from beeswing wheat bran was sequentially extracted with 0.05 m NaOH at 2°, m KOH at 2° and 20°, and 4 m KOH at 20° followed by delignification and further extraction with m and 4 m KOH at 20°, to leave the α-cellulose residue which contained a significant amount of arabinoxylan. The hemicellulosic polymers solubilised by m KOH at 2°, which represented ∼20% of the dry weight of the cell walls, were fractionated by graded precipitation with alcohol prior to anion-exchange chromatography and then subjected to methylation analysis. The major polymers were closely related, highly branched arabinoxylans, slightly branched arabinoxylans, and arabinoxylans in close association with xylogucans (arabinoxylan-xyloglucan complexes); the arabinoxylans were acidic and were associated with various amounts of phenolics. The various polymers exhibit heterogeneity, and phenolic ester and phenolic ether cross-links play a major role in the architecture of the cell walls.
Chronic pain in Noonan syndrome: A previously unreported but common symptom

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a multiple malformation syndrome characterized by pulmonic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, short stature, lymphatic dysplasia, craniofacial anomalies, cryptorchidism, clotting disorders, and learning disabilities. Eight genes in the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway are implicated in NS. Chronic pain is an uncommon feature. To investigate the prevalence of pain in NS, we distributed a two-part questionnaire about pain among NS individuals at the Third International Meeting on Genetic Syndromes of the Ras/MAPK Pathway. The first part of the questionnaire queried demographic information among all NS participants. The second part was completed by individuals with chronic pain. Questions included musculoskeletal problems and clinical features of pain. Forty-five questionnaires were analyzed; 53% of subjects were female. Mean age was 17 (2-48) years; 47% had a PTPN11 mutation. Sixty-two percent (28/45) of individuals with NS experienced chronic pain. There was a significant relationship between prevalence of pain and residing in a cold climate (P = 0.004). Pain occurred commonly in extremities/joints and head/trunk, but more commonly in extremities/joints (P = 0.066). Subjects with hypermobile joints were more likely to have pain (P = 0.052). Human growth hormone treatment was not statistically significant among subjects without chronic pain (P = 0.607). We conclude that pain is a frequent and under-recognized clinical feature of NS. Chronic pain may be associated with joint hypermobility and aggravated by colder climate. Our study is a preliminary investigation that should raise awareness about pain as a common symptom in children and adults with NS.
DES abstractions for the supervisory control of hybrid systems

An examination of the literature results on timed and untimed discrete event system (DES) models reveals clearly that the supervisory control problem is more tractable on untimed models. Thus it is...
Exome sequencing identifies a DNAJB6 mutation in a family with dominantly-inherited limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Abstract Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy primarily affects the muscles of the hips and shoulders (the "limb-girdle" muscles), although it is a heterogeneous disorder that can present with varying symptoms. There is currently no cure. We sought to identify the genetic basis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1 in an American family of Northern European descent using exome sequencing. Exome sequencing was performed on DNA samples from two affected siblings and one unaffected sibling and resulted in the identification of eleven candidate mutations that co-segregated with the disease. Notably, this list included a previously reported mutation in DNAJB6 , p.Phe89Ile, which was recently identified as a cause of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1D. Additional family members were Sanger sequenced and the mutation in DNAJB6 was only found in affected individuals. Subsequent haplotype analysis indicated that this DNAJB6 p.Phe89Ile mutation likely arose independently of the previously reported mutation. Since other published mutations are located close by in the G/F domain of DNAJB6 , this suggests that the area may represent a mutational hotspot. Exome sequencing provided an unbiased and effective method for identifying the genetic etiology of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1 in a previously genetically uncharacterized family. This work further confirms the causative role of DNAJB6 mutations in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1D.
Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 Stimulates the Innate Immune Response through Toll-Like Receptor 9 in Caco-2 Cells and Increases Intestinal Crypt Paneth Cell Number in BioBreeding Diabetes-Prone Rats

Lactobacillus johnsonii (Ljo) N6.2 has been shown to mitigate the development of type 1 diabetes when administered to diabetes-prone rats. The specific mechanisms underlying this observed response remain under investigation. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Ljo N6.2 on mucosal inflammatory response using differentiated Caco-2 monolayers. The mRNA expression levels of CCL20, CXCL8, and CXCL10 chemokines were determined by qRT-PCR. Ljo at 10 11 CFU/L induced a strong response in all chemokines examined. To assess the specific host-signaling pathways involved, we performed RT-PCR amplification of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domainlike receptors. TLR7 and TLR9 expression levels were induced 4.2- and 9-fold, respectively, whereas other TLR and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors were not modified. A similar effect was observed in Caco-2 monolayers treated with Ljo cell-free extract or purified nucleic acids (NA). Increased levels of IFN type 1 and IFN regulators Stat1 and IRF7 followed the upregulation of TLR9. Activation of TLR9 was also evidenced by increased Frizzled 5 expression in Ljo-treated Caco-2 cells and an increase in the number of Paneth cells in Ljo‐fed, diabetes-prone rats. These results are in agreement with the polarizing-tolerizing mechanism recently described in which the apical stimulation of TLR9 in intestinal epithelial cells leads to a higher state of immunologic alertness. Furthermore, these results suggest that live probiotics could be, in the future, replaced with select cellular components. J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.135517.
On the roles of deformation, tension, and wall stress as critical stimuli eliciting myointimal/medial hyperplasia.

In the January issue of the JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY, Schwartz et al.1 describe studies performed to identify the mechanical variables associated with myointimal thickening. The authors studied 35 New Zealand White rabbits assigned to seven experimental groups. In each group autogenous venous segments were implanted as grafts or arteriovenous fistulas, with a variety of outflow resistances. These experiments were designed to alter pressure and flow through the grafts. Morphometric analysis was performed to measure luminal and myointimal area. These experiments are innovative and appear to be carefully performed. However, several issues pertaining to the interpretation of the data should be considered. First, an important aspect of this study is that "no attempt was made to separate intima from media because there is no continuous internal elastic lamina." This study addressed the subject of total smooth muscle cell cross-sectional area and did not discriminate between intimal and medial thickening. This is an important point because it has been demonstrated that treating monkeys with platelet-inhibiting agents after venous grafting markedly attenuates intimal hyperplasia in the graft, with less reduction in medial thickening. 2 In a similar manner treating dogs with platelet-inhibiting drugs after venous grafting attenuates intimal thickening but does not reduce medial thickening, s Thus it seems that the responses of the two tissue layers, or the stimuli acting on them, may be different. Schwartz et al. concluded that arterial pressure deforms the vein grafts, increases wall tension, and that it is this deformation and/or wall tension that are
Irradiance-Dependent Changes in the Size and Composition of the Chlorophyll a-b Light-Harvesting Complex in the Green Alga Dunaliella salina

Irradiance-dependent adjustments in the size and composition of the Chi a-b light-harvesting protein complex (LHC-II) were investigated in the green alga Dunaliella salina. Cells grown under low irradiance (100 fanol photons m~ 2 s" 1 ) had a low Chi a/Chl b ratio, and an abundance of cellular Chi and LHC-II apoproteins compared to cells grown under high light intensity (2,200 fanol photons m~ 2 s" 1 ). In low-light grown cells, four apoproteins of the LHC-II migrating to 32, 31, 30 and 28.5 kDa were termed according to their apparent molecular mass as LHC-II-1, LHC-II-2, LHC-n-3 and LHC-II-4, respectively. In thylakoid membranes from high-light grown cells, LHC-II-1 was practically missing and LHC-II-2 was greatly depleted. On a cell basis, the steady-state amount of total LHC-II apoprotein in high-light grown cells, measured either from the intensity of protein staining by Coomassie brilliant blue or from Western blotting, was 5-7% of that in low-light. In vivo rates of apoprotein biosynthesis were measured from the time course of [ 3S S]sulfate incorporation into LHC-II. On a cell basis, the rate of biosynthesis in highlight grown cells was about 20% of that in low-light grown cells. Thus, in high-light grown cells, the rate of LHC-II apoprotein biosynthesis was ~3 times greater than the steady-state amounts of LHC-II present in thylakoids. The results suggest discrete irradiance-dependent transcriptional and posttranslational regulation steps that define the amount and composition of the LHC-II in chloroplasts.
Mechanical Unweighting Effects on Treadmill Exercise and Pain in Elderly People With Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Background and Purpose. People with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who have pain generally exhibit decreased activity and physical deconditioning. This study investigated the effects of mechanical unweighting on knee pain and exercise responses in people with OA of the knee who have pain. Subjects. Four men and 23 women, with a mean age of 67.9 years (SD=11.3, range=50–88) and having a 12-year average duration of knee OA, participated. Methods. A mechanical unloading device enabled subjects to perform a modified Naughton treadmill exercise test at 0%, 20%, and 40% of body weight support (BWS). Oxygen consumption (Vo2), heart rate (HR), and perceived pain were measured during the last minute of each exercise stage. Results. Mechanical unweighting at 20% and 40% BWS decreased the Vo2 and HR responses to treadmill exercise but did not decrease knee pain during walking in this sample. Conclusion and Discussion. These findings indicate that treadmill exercise accompanied by BWS permits recommended training intensities to be obtained in elderly people with OA, but may not provide pain relief in this group.
Roles of Mutation and Epimutation in the Development of Lung Disease

The diseases of the lung reflect a spectrum of pathologies and mechanisms of pathogenesis spanning genetic, infectious, inflammatory, obstructive, and neoplastic processes. Gene mutations and other genetic alterations play a significant role in many lung diseases. Likewise, nongenetic alterations affecting the expression of key genes (epimutations) may also contribute to the genesis of lung disease. In this chapter, the molecular bases of the major lung diseases are reviewed. This review is not intended to be comprehensive. Rather, the current state of understanding related to the genes and molecular mechanisms (genetic and epigenetic) that contribute to major forms of lung disease (such as lung cancer) is discussed. For the interested reader, more complete reviews of specific topics are cited in the text.
Reliability modelling of service oriented Internet of Things

With the predominance of mobile and wireless connectivity and ubiquity of access, the field of Internet-of-Things (IoT) is gaining widespread prominence. Most modern day large scale systems are being designed in a IoT fashioned manner. Thus, reliability modeling and analysis of such services become essential. In this paper, we propose a novel reliability modeling scheme for a service-oriented IoT setup, wherein each device provides its functionalities as a service and also acts a router that can forward data to the other devices. In this paper, the service oriented IoT is modeled as a Centralized, Heterogeneous, IoT Service System (CHISS). The modeling efficiency of the proposed model has been demonstrated using the case study of a fire alarm system in a smart home/ office setup.
To Loose the Bonds: The Deceptive Promise of Freedom from Pre-Trial Immigration Detention

Each year, the United States government detains more than 60,000 migrants who are eligible for release during immigration court proceedings that will determine their right to stay in the United States. Detention or release should be adjudicated through custody determination, or bond, proceedings focused on the question of whether a migrant poses a flight risk or danger to the community. Yet, because the proceedings skip the critical inquiry into the need for detention before setting monetary bond requirements for release that are difficult to fulfill, freedom remains elusive.Custody determination proceedings are a cornerstone in the U.S. immigration detention edifice but have received scarce attention. Furthermore, the public debate on mass incarceration, which could meaningfully inform the discussion, generally ignores the reality of expansive immigration detention, including for pre-trial detainees who might be released. This Article takes up the task of critiquing the role and functioning of immigration custody determination proceedings, in part by joining together the conversations taking place in the immigration and criminal pre-trial realms. In this Article, I assert that immigration custody determination proceedings fail to preserve and protect the constitutional presumption of liberty applicable to all persons facing detention without a criminal conviction. The proceedings result in automatic detention without meaningful individualized consideration or review. Furthermore, they adopt elements from the criminal pre-trial system that are ill-suited to the immigration setting while failing to incorporate lessons learned in the criminal justice setting. Important considerations in the criminal justice context, such as the inadvisability of emphasizing monetary bond, do not make their way into immigration custody determination proceedings, with negative results for liberty. Given these realities, the Article both proposes normative changes to immigration custody determination proceedings and calls for additional research in order to rationalize the process. These reforms would realign the system with the limited purposes of immigration detention in order to protect liberty and avoid the significant human and societal costs associated with detaining individuals who might safely be released.