cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Structural and Functional Role of RNA in Icosahedral Virus Assembly

Despite tremendous advances in high-resolution structure determination of virus particles, the organization of encapsidated genomes and their role during assembly are poorly understood. This article summarizes recent insights from structural, biochemical, and genetic analyses of icosahedral viruses that contain single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes. X-ray crystallography of several viruses in this category has provided tantalizing glimpses of portions of the packaged nucleic acid, contributing crucial information on how the genome might be folded within the virion. This information combined with theoretical considerations and data from molecular approaches suggests mechanisms by which coat proteins interact with genomic RNA to shape it into a conformation that is compatible with the geometry of the virion. It appears that RNA, in addition to its function as a repository for genetic information, plays an important structural role during assembly and can on occasion override the ability of the coat protein to form a particle with defined icosahedral symmetry.
Renal Parenchymal Damage in Male Infants with High Grade Vesicoureteral Reflux Diagnosed After the First Urinary Tract Infection

ABSTRACTPurpose: Vesicoureteral reflux during infancy is found mainly in males, and it is of high grade and often bilateral. The higher predominance of male infants is reported in series when the reflux is diagnosed prenatally and when it is detected after urinary tract infection. Renal parenchymal damage may already be present at birth before any episode of urinary tract infection or acquired after a febrile urinary tract infection. We evaluate the incidence of renal damage in a large series of male infants with high grade vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed after the first urinary tract infection.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical and radiological records of 141 consecutive male infants 3 weeks to 1 year old (mean age 5.8 months) who were diagnosed with high grade (III to V) vesicoureteral reflux on voiding cystourethrography during 1984 to 2000 following hospitalization for the first febrile urinary tract infection. A total of 127 (90%) patients underwent 99technetium dimercapto-succinic acid s...
Bunch lengthening due to potential well distortion from cylindrical cavities with beam ports

The effect on bunch shape of potential well distortion arising from the interaction between a bunched beam and cylindrical cavities without beam ports has been computed previously. In addition to the fact that the effect of beam apertures is not taken into account, these computations are subject to the further restriction that both the cavity height (gap length) and the bunch length must be less than one-half the cavity radius. In this paper, the effect on bunch shape of potential well distortion from cavities having beam port apertures and a radius comparable to the gap length is considered.
Two Avirulent, Lentogenic Strains of Newcastle Disease Virus Are Cytotoxic for Some Human Pancreatic Tumor Lines In Vitro

Context Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Highly infectious Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains are known to be very cytotoxic for an array of human tumor cell types in vitro and in vivo but the effects of these and avirulent NDV strains on pancreatic neoplasms are little known. Objective Here, the direct cytolytic effects of the avirulent Hitchner-B1 (B1) and Ulster (U) NDV strains on 7 human pancreatic tumor cell lines and 4 normal human cell lines were studied. Methods Cytotoxicity assays used serially diluted NDV to determine minimum cytotoxic plaque forming unit (PFU) doses. Results For NDV-B1, normal human cells were killed only by relatively high doses (range: 471-3,724 PFU) whereas NDV-U killed these cells at low PFU (range: 0.32-1.60 PFU). Most pancreatic cancer cell types were killed by much lower NDV-B1 doses (range: 0.40-2.60 PFU) while NDV-U killed Capan-1 and SU.86.86 cultures at very low doses (0.00041 PFU and 0.0034 PFU, respectively). Conclusions On average, 1,555 times more NDV-B1 was needed to kill normal cells than most pancreatic tumor cells and 558 times more NDV-U to kill the two most sensitive pancreatic cancer lines. These innately-targeted lentogenic viruses may have meaningful potential in treating pancreatic cancer. Image: Detail of multiwell plate containing PANC-1 cells stained with crystal violet showing Newcastle disease virus Ulster strain (NDV-U) 0.16 PFU.
K+ channels in adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. I. Characterization of distinct channel types

Four distinct types of K+ channels were identified in rat and bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells and characterized using single-channel recording techniques. Inward rectifier channels were ...
AN OBSTRUCTION TO SLICING ITERATED BING DOUBLES

Recent advances in understanding slicing properties of Bing doubles of knots have depended on properties of iterated covering links. We expand and refine this covering link calculus. Our main application here is a simplified proof of the following result of Cha and Kim: If the iterated Bing double of a knot K is slice, then K is algebraically slice. Further applications are included in joint work with Livingston studying 4-genera of Bing doubles. The techniques also appear in the work of Levine studying mixed Bing-Whitehead doubles.
Immunization against a merozoite sheddase promotes multiple invasion of red blood cells and attenuates Plasmodium infection in mice

Background: Subtilisin-like protease 2 (SUB2) is a conserved serine protease utilized by Plasmodium parasites as a surface sheddase required for successful merozoite invasion of host red blood cells and has been implicated in ookinete invasion of the mosquito midgut. To determine if SUB2 is a suitable vaccine target to interfere with malaria parasite development, the effects of SUB2-immunization on the Plasmodium life cycle were examined in its vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Methods: Swiss Webster mice were immunized with SUB2 peptides conjugated to Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or KLH alone, and then challenged with Plasmodium berghei. To determine the effects of immunization on parasite development, infected mice were evaluated by blood film and Giemsa staining. In addition, collected immune sera were used to perform passive immunization experiments in non-immunized, P. berghei-infected mice to determine the potential role of SUB2 in parasite development in the mosquito. Results: Following P. berghei challenge, SUB2-immunized mice develop a lower parasitaemia and show improved survival when compared to control immunized mice. Moreover, SUB2 immunization results in an increase in the number of multiply invaded red blood cells, suggesting that SUB2 antibodies interfere with merozoite invasion. Passive immunization experiments imply that SUB2 may not have a major role in ookinete invasion, but this requires further investigation. Conclusion: By interfering with red blood cell invasion, immunization against SUB2 limits malaria parasite development and confers protection from severe malaria. Together, these results provide proof-of-principle evidence for future investigation into the use of SUB2 as a vaccine or drug target to interrupt parasite development in more relevant human malaria models.
High-power compact capacitor charger

We are reporting on a new design for a compact high power Capacitor charger with a power output that far exceeds the peak power of previously reported designs [1]. For this purpose we are evaluating parallel modular designs with separate inverters, transformers, & rectifiers and compare them with designs with a larger module size. For larger power implementations with a single inverter, transformer, & rectifier, the main challenge is the design of the inverter using parallel connected IGBT transistors and their current sharing. We are demonstrating an implementation were we are combining 2 H-Bridge inverters in parallel to feed the primary of a 100 kVA compact step-up transformer. Each H-Bridge is using current mode control to enforce current sharing. The oscillators in the current mode control IC's for each H-Bridge are synchronized for this parallel mode of operation. This topology could be expanded to more H-Bridges. In order to reduce the high-frequency impedance and the windings losses of the step-up transformer [2,3], litz wire is used for both the primary winding and the secondary windings.
Extracts of the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii increase mortality and alter behavior of amphibian larvae

Water-soluble phytochemicals produced by invasive plants may represent novel elements of invaded ecosystems that can precipitate a variety of direct and indirect effects on native organisms. Phenolic compounds in particular are a common plant defense, and these compounds may have disproportionate impacts on amphibians compared to other taxa. We coupled an exploration of invasive plant extract effects on larvae of four amphibian species (the salamander Ambystoma maculatum, the toad Anaxyrus americanus, and the frogs Hyla sp. and Lithobates blairi) with behavioral observations designed to determine whether behavior can ameliorate the negative effects of exposure to invasive plant extracts. Larvae were reared in extracts of the widespread invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), mixed native leaf litter, and a water control. Anaxyrus americanus tadpoles reared in L. maackii extracts were more likely to die than tadpoles reared in native extracts, but differences in mortality following rearing in native and exotic extracts were not significant for the other three species. Anaxyrus americanus and L. blairi tadpoles made more trips to the surface in L. maackii extracts than in native extracts, consistent with the hypothesis that exotic extracts may interfere with respiratory physiology and suggesting that L. blairi can behaviorally ameliorate the negative effects of L. maackii extracts. Our study highlights both a direct and indirect pathway by which invasive plant extracts may alter the ecological dynamics of native fauna.
Spatial scaffolding cues for interactive robot learning

Spatial scaffolding is a naturally occurring human teaching behavior, in which teachers use their bodies to spatially structure the learning environment to direct the attention of the learner. Robotic systems can take advantage of simple, highly reliable spatial scaffolding cues to learn from human teachers. We present an integrated robotic architecture that combines social attention and machine learning components to learn tasks effectively from natural spatial scaffolding interactions with human teachers. We evaluate the performance of this architecture via a human subjects experiment which examines our humanoid robotpsilas ability to learn from live interactions with human teachers in a secret-constraint task domain. This evaluation provides quantitative evidence for the utility of spatial scaffolding cues to systems that learn from natural human teaching behavior.
Tanning salon exposure suppression of DNA repair capacity and mitogen-induced DNA synthesis.

— Mitogen responsiveness and the capacity to repair genetic damage were measured in lymphocytes collected from young, healthy, adult Caucasians immediately before exposure in commercial tanning salons and again 24 h after exposure. For every individual studied, tanning exposure produced significant inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-induced mitogenesis or of the ability to repair DNA lesions by unscheduled DNA synthesis. The results imply that such exposure could: (1) pose a significant hazard for individuals who are already immunosuppressed (e. g. cancer patients, AIDS patients or carriers of latent HIV) and (2) increase the carcinogenic effects of environmental mutagens.
Critical oxygen levels and metabolic suppression in oceanic oxygen minimum zones

Summary The survival of oceanic organisms in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) depends on their total oxygen demand and the capacities for oxygen extraction and transport, anaerobic ATP production and metabolic suppression. Anaerobic metabolism and metabolic suppression are required for daytime forays into the most extreme OMZs. Critical oxygen partial pressures are, within a range, evolved to match the minimum oxygen level to which a species is exposed. This fact demands that low oxygen habitats be defined by the biological response to low oxygen rather than by some arbitrary oxygen concentration. A broad comparative analysis of oxygen tolerance facilitates the identification of two oxygen thresholds that may prove useful for policy makers as OMZs expand due to climate change. Between these thresholds, specific physiological adaptations to low oxygen are required of virtually all species. The lower threshold represents a limit to evolved oxygen extraction capacity. Climate change that pushes oxygen concentrations below the lower threshold (∼0.8 kPa) will certainly result in a transition from an ecosystem dominated by a diverse midwater fauna to one dominated by diel migrant biota that must return to surface waters at night. Animal physiology and, in particular, the response of animals to expanding hypoxia, is a critical, but understudied, component of biogeochemical cycles and oceanic ecology. Here, I discuss the definition of hypoxia and critical oxygen levels, review adaptations of animals to OMZs and discuss the capacity for, and prevalence of, metabolic suppression as a response to temporary residence in OMZs and the possible consequences of climate change on OMZ ecology.
A visual programming language designed for automatic programming

Four visual programming languages are discussed as examples of the efforts directed at four different areas of interest: command language, algorithmic language, graphical extension, and automatic programming. A new style of programming that captures not only the spirit of visual programming languages, but also the benefits of automating many data processing applications, is discussed. >
MRI evaluation of infectious and non-infectious synovitis: preliminary studies in a rabbit model

Background. Literature on magnetic resonance imaging (MR) evaluation of inflammatory joint effusions is sparse. Objective. To describe an animal model for studying infectious and non-infectious joint effusions with magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and methods. Ten rabbit knees with septic arthritis and four with talc synovitis were imaged with MR. Contralateral knees injected with saline served as controls. Fat saturation T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images were assessed for joint effusion, and periarticular and adjacent intraosseous increased signal or enhancement. Each knee was cultured and underwent pathologic examination. Results. Both Staphylococcus aureus and talc produced effusions in all knees. The degree of periarticular signal and enhancement was greater in infected knees than talc-injected knees. No abnormal enhancement was seen within bone. Pathologic examination showed a greater degree of inflammation and joint destruction in the infected knees, but no evidence of osteomyelitis. Conclusion. A greater degree of abnormal signal and enhancement seen on MR suggests a more vigorous inflammatory process, as seen with septic arthritis. In spite of advanced septic arthritis, no enhancement was evident within bone, suggesting that enhancement within bone is not an expected finding in isolated septic arthritis and should raise concern for osteomyelitis.
Spectral spurs due to quantization in Nyquist ADCs

This paper presents intuitive yet quantitative insights into the harmonics of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) output spectra. It derives the spectral signatures associated with imperfections in practical ADCs. This understanding leads to remedies based on architecture and time-averaging, which are combined to propose a calibration-free pipeline CMOS ADC that simulations show is capable of better than 100-dB spurious-free dynamic range in the presence of real-life imperfections.
Wireless and physical security via embedded sensor networks

Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS) monitor 802.11 wireless frames(Layer-2) in an attempt to detect misuse. What distinguishes a WIDS from a traditional Network IDS is the ability to utilize the broadcast nature of the medium to reconstruct the physical location of the offending party, as opposed to its possibly spoofed (MAC addresses) identity in cyber space. Traditional Wireless Network Security Systems are still heavily anchored in the digital plane of cyber space and hence cannot be used reliably or effectively to derive the physical identity of an intruder in order to prevent further malicious wireless broadcasts, for example by escorting an intruder off the premises based on physical evidence. In this paper, we argue that Embedded Sensor Networks could be used effectively to bridge the gap between digital and physical security planes, and thus could be leveraged to provide reciprocal benefit to surveillance and security tasks on both planes. Toward that end, we present our recent experience integrating wireless networking security services into the SNBENCH (SensorNetwork workBench). The SNBENCH provides an extensible framework that enables the rapid development and automated deployment of Sensor Network applications on a shared, embedded sensing and actuation infrastructure. The SNBENCH's extensible architecture allows an engineer to quickly integrate new sensing and response capabilities into the SNBENCH framework, while high-level languages and compilers allow novice SN programmers to compose SN service logic, unaware of the lower-level implementation details of tools on which their services rely. In this paper we convey the simplicity of the service composition through concrete examples that illustrate the power and potential of Wireless Security Services that span both the physical and digital plane.
Some evidence about the dynamical group SO (4, 2) symmetries of the periodic table of elements

It is a great pleasure to see that this symposium is held in honor of Professor E. U. Condon to whom I owe so much, whom I admire so much, and whom I respect so much. I am Professor Condon's fourth and last student. I do not know of any rule which states that the last should be the least. I am afraid in my case this is inevitable, since the first three are F. Seitz, E. M. McMillan, and G. H. Shortley. The subject of the order of electron shells in neutral atoms (Madelung's rule) and in highly ionized ions (hydrogenic order) is reviewed. The results and the predictions of the central field approximations are surveyed. Since the symmetries of Madelung's rule can be explained by the chain and since there are two irreducible representations of SO (3, 2), one with (n + l) = even and the other with (n + l) = odd, into which the SO (4, 2) representation, whose multiplicity pattern coincides with the structure of periodic table, reduces, when considered along periods the physical properties of normal configurations of atoms or lightly ionized ions are expected to fall on separate smooth curves according to whether (n + l) is even or odd. By using observed and theoretical data it is shown that this is indeed the case. In particular it is also demonstrated that if along the periods three points of the same kind are known, corresponding to the ionization potentials for normal states of atoms, the fourth point can be extrapolated very accurately. For example, by this method the ionization potential for the normal state of francium is determined to be 87(IP)7s = 32060 ± 30 cm-1.
Resistance of Human Cytomegalovirus to Antiviral Drugs

Resistance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) to antiviral agents is a well-recognized phenomenon that has been observed in the laboratory and in the clinical setting. Infections caused by antiviral-resistant CMV have been found exclusively among immunocompromised individuals, including patients with AIDS, bone marrow and solid-organ transplant recipients, and patients with hematologic malignancies, and in individuals with primary immunodeficiencies. The majority of these infections have been described to occur in patients with AIDS receiving prolonged antiviral therapy for CMV end-organ disease. Antiviral agents currently licensed for the treatment of CMV infections include ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir. Resistance of CMV to ganciclovir is related to mutations in the UL97 region of the viral genome and/or mutations in the viral DNA polymerase. Resistance to foscarnet and cidofovir is associated with mutations in the viral DNA polymerase. Antiviral susceptibility of CMV strains containing DNA polymerase mutations is dependent on the region of the DNA polymerase where the mutations are located. Some DNA polymerase mutant viruses are cross-resistant to ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir. The recognition that specific UL97 and UL54 mutations are associated with resistance to antiviral agents has led to the development of molecular methods for detection of mutant viruses. This article reviews the mechanisms of resistance of CMV to antiviral agents, the laboratory methods for detection of resistant CMV, and the clinical aspects of infections caused by antiviral-resistant CMV.
Abstract W MP47: Mitochondrial P53 Inhibition Abolishes Detrimental Effect of Post-Stroke Isolation on Ischemic Injury

Background: Social isolation is an important contributing risk factor for increased stroke injury and delayed functional recovery. Although previous studies strongly suggest that isolation prior to stroke increase injury in experimental models, little is known regarding the effects of SI after injury. Most patients do not seek medical attention until after the injury occurs; the ability to manipulate post-stroke housing environments has translational significance. In this study, we investigated the effects of post-stroke isolation. Methods: C57Bl6 mice were housed as pairs (PH), male with ovariectomized female for 2 weeks, then subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion and then assigned to single housing (SI) or continued PH. The effects of SI on infarct volumes and neurological deficit scores (NDS) at 72h were assessed. Brain lysates from a separate cohort at 6h post-stroke were used for mitochondrial p53, caspase3 and BCl2 protein levels by western blot. Using pifithrin-μ (PFT-μ), a mitochondrial p53inhibitor (2mg/kg given i.p. at 3h & 24h after stroke) we then explored the role of P53 on infarct in SI mice. Results: Post-stroke SI exacerbated infarct size compared to PH mice in males (Cortex: 61.6±4.8 vs 38.4±5.1; p<0.05); (Striatum: 79.2±6.1 vs 60.4±5.7; p<0.05); (Total: 58.1±4.6 vs 34.4±5.1; p<0.05). This effect is more pronounced in females (Cortex: 64.3±5.1 vs 37.1±3.1; p<0.01); (Striatum: 82.1±4.6 vs 56.5±4.6; p<0.01); (Total: 51.4±3.4 vs 30.3±3.8; p<0.01). PH mice displayed improved NDS compared to SI mice. The detrimental effects of SI are observed with an increase in mitochondrial p53 translocation (n=6/grp; p<0.05). Inhibition of mitochondrial p53 abolished the effects of SI and reduced TUNEL positive cells, suggesting that p53 plays a critical role in housing effects. Conclusions: We found that post-stroke SI leads to worse outcome in both males and females, along with increased mitochondrial p53 expression. P53 is a critical stress sensor activated in response to stress and ischemia. Inhibition of mitochondrial P53 by PFT-μ abolished the detrimental effects of SI on stroke volume and reduced apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that mitochondrial P53 inhibition may minimize the detrimental effects of SI in stroke.
Quantitative Paper Chromatography A Simplified Procedure

SummaryTwo methods are described which permit the estimation of colored substances on one-dimensional and two-dimensional paper chromatograms with a minimum expenditure of time and material.
A night at the museum

At midnight I survey the scene. On the far end of the room, a levitating train makes circles by a whale exhibit, demonstrating exciting applications of superconductors. As it passes, nearby spectators in dinosaur pajamas learn about water bears. To my right, several adults giggle as they practice using hula hoops to demonstrate hypothesis-driven science. To my left, on the other end of the room, a woman in jeans holds a knife over a human brain, preparing to make a slice through the hippocampus. Throughout the room, speakers in red shirts are enthusiastically demonstrating science. ![Figure][1] Stefano Bonetti pours liquid nitrogen to cool a superconductor for a levitating train experiment. PHOTO: LUQIA HOU Science often requires lab work long after sunset, but tonight we've left the lab and our ivory tower behind and brought our most exciting research with us. Since 2011, the California Academy of Sciences has held Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover for grown-ups, an annual event in which the regular museum exhibits are open to the public overnight. This year, it became a public venue for science after sunset as I, along with Mary Cavanagh, invited 40 Stanford postdocs to don red shirts and bring interactive demonstrations of their current research to share ([ 1 ][2], [ 2 ][3]). Our visitors seemed tentative at first, looking at the myriad exhibits but reluctant to approach us. We broke the ice by starting conversations, and suddenly everyone was visibly engaged in the cutting-edge science taking place right around the corner. Some people were interested in brain function and peppered Viola Caretti with questions. Others wanted to know more about magnetism and superconductivity from Stefano Bonetti. A bar provided guests with drinks under the projection of artistic science images curated by Ermelinda Porpiglia, and late at night guests could find a unique place to sleep next to live penguins or by the light of glowing jellyfish. At first light, the crowd dispersed and the postdocs packed up their materials and went home. In the months since that night, Stanford postdocs have continued to perform their science at museum events, satisfied in knowing they can make science come alive. 1. [↵][4]1. M. Cavanagh , Penguins, pyjamas and postdocs ([www.neuwritewest.org/blog/4931][5]). 2. [↵][6]1. E. Seigneur , NeuroTalk S2E3 Penguins & Pajamas ([www.neuwritewest.org/blog/4791][7]). [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [5]: http://www.neuwritewest.org/blog/4931 [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [7]: http://www.neuwritewest.org/blog/4791
Reliability Assessment of Corrosion Pipeline

The commonly used assessment method of residual strength and the prediction method of remaining life for corrosion pipeline are present. The interference model of maximum safe pressure and working pressure as well as the interference model of critical corrosion depth and actual corrosion depth are established through reliability theory. This theory is rather reliable,so that it can reduce the investment cost of pipeline construction to a maximum extent and provide scientific basis for pipeline maintenance and safety management.
A planning and design method for microgrid based on two-stage optimization

Planning and design for microgrid is one of the key technology.Comprehensive optimization(including combination optimization and capacity optimization) and dispatch optimization for distributed generations(DG) are studied.Based on the characteristics of DGs,a two-stage optimal planning and design model for microgrid is presented,which can apply to both stand-alone microgrid and grid-connected microgrid.For the first stage,multi-objective genetic algorithm based on non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II(NSGA-II) is used to calculate the optimal system configuration,while the mixed integer linear programming(MILP) is used to deal with the dispatch optimization in the second stage.Using the presented model,a case study is made for stand-alone microgrid and grid-connected microgrid respectively,and the validity of the method is verified.
The aging kidney.

The aging kidney suffers reduction both in mass and in glomerular filtration rate. These changes may be totally or partially due to atherosclerosis and hypertension, which reduce renal blood flow. Superimposed on these processes, and perhaps responsible for primary loss of renal mass irrespective of renal vascular disease, is glomerular damage and involution that is a consequence of adaptive increases in glomerular perfusion pressure that occurs as the number of nephrons decline with age. The data available at this time do not allow us to distinguish between these two potential mechanisms of renal senescence. The decline in GFR is in turn responsible for reduced renal acidification and the reduced renal clearance of drugs that are normally removed by the kidney. Certain renal functions, however, are depressed to a greater extent than is GFR. Both the ability to maximally dilute the urine and to maximally concentrate it are controlled by serum ADH concentrations and by the action of that hormone on the collecting duct. Aged rats do not maximally secrete ADH under conditions of dehydration and the effect of ADH on the kidney is also attenuated. Elderly humans also cannot maximally suppress ADH secretion when serum osmolality is reduced. Likewise, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis is poorly responsive to volume depletion in aging subjects. As a result, elderly individuals cannot maximally retain sodium under conditions of plasma volume contraction out of proportion to reduction in GFR. The kidney is the site of vitamin D1 hydroxylation. Hydroxylation of vitamin D is reduced out of proportion to any reduction in GFR in the rat. There are no data as yet available on the effect of aging and the production of erythropoietin, a principal regulator of red blood cell mass. Neither are there data available on changes that might occur with advancing age in the ability of the aging kidney to metabolize various hormones, such as parathyroid hormone, glucagon, and insulin. The mechanisms and the full biochemical and physiologic consequences of renal senescence remain to be fully elucidated.
pH Sensing with Silicon Nanoribbon Devices Modified with Carbon Nanotube Porins

Acidity of the local microenvironments is an important parameter for detection of pathological conditions and understanding of cellular mechanisms. Silicon nanoribbon field effect transistor (FET) has been proved to be a high-throughput and sensitive platform for pH sensing. However, the efficiency of these sensors is limited by the biocompatibility of silicon material and its tendency for bio-fouling. Recent studies have demonstrated sub-2nm diameter carbon nanotube (CNT) porins embedded in lipid bilayers are fast and efficient proton conductors. In this research, we focus on a bioelectronic approach toward designing pH-sensing devices. We will describe an organic/inorganic hybrid device that combines nanoribbon FET with self-assembled CNT/lipid bilayer for pH sensing in physiological conditions. Finally, we will also discuss its potential application in nanometer spatial resolution intracellular biosensing.
Evaluating the Cost Containment Potential of Clinical Guidelines

New expensive biotechnology products create financial as well as clinical dilemmas for hospitals. Clinical guidelines that govern the use of these new products are often viewed as the best response to these dilemmas. This article describes a prospective analysis of the impact of one new drug and the guidelines developed to control its use. A simple model of clinical decision making is used to evaluate alternative scenarios. The analysis illustrates the importance of evaluating the cost containment potential of clinical guidelines before they are implemented.
Impaired cortical plasticity in drug abuse

Drug addiction is currently understood as a disorder of maladaptive brain plasticity in response to repeated administration of rewarding substances. In human drug addicts, this is seen in the form of altered brain responses to drug-predicting cues, whereas in experimental animals there is direct
Baboon speciation versus human specialization

The chimpanzee is our closest nonhuman relative and, on the whole, is probably the best animal model of human individual behavior. A society of chimpanzees, however, is not necessarily the best model of human society. Strictly in terms of group behavior , humans may bear – perhaps uncomfortably – a closer resemblance to a society of baboons. In fact, of all the animals that live in groups, only the baboons provide a model of group formation (known as the fusion-fission system , after Kummer, 1997) that defines the very concept of a group in a sense applicable to human society. Ironically, the baboon is a quadruped dog-snouted primate that on a phylogenetic scale occupies a place nowhere as nearly related to humans or chimpanzees as both are related to each other. Darwin was keenly aware of this fact but, nonetheless, made nearly twice as many separate references to baboons than to chimpanzees in the Descent of Man (see Box 7.1). Almost a century later the importance of the baboon's ecology and society to the study of human evolution (especially in its Australopithecine stage) was recognized in the literature following an influential paper by DeVore and Washburn (1963). The present discussion further follows the evolution of the baboons in an attempt to better understand some conceivable early indications for the existence of human exchange. On this issue and a few others (e.g., sex-roles and warfare) I have found the insights gained from the natural history and social structures of the baboon to be more helpful than comparable insights gained from the chimpanzee or other apes. Perhaps we have something in common with a monkey that we do not share with an ape.
Using Propensity Scores to Examine the Association Between Behavioral Inhibition/Activation and Nonsuicidal and Suicidal Self-Injury

Abstract. Background: Self-injurious behavior (e.g., nonsuicidal self-injury, suicide attempts) is a serious public health concern. One potentially important but understudied predictor of nonsuicidal and suicidal self-injury involves the behavioral inhibition and activation system (BIS/BAS). Aims: The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between nonsuicidal and suicidal self-injury and BIS/BAS, and to consider the influence of related variables in the relationship. Examination through this framework allowed us to consider BIS and BAS as potential unique risk factors of self-injury. Method: After examining the relationship between nonsuicidal and suicidal self-injury and BIS/BAS among 1,912 participants, we used propensity scores to match participants' propensity for nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempts based on demographic variables (e.g., gender, age) and related risk factors (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptomology, impulsivity, and substance use problems). Results: Participa...
Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile Infection in a Large Population of Hospitalized US Military Veterans

The Patient Treatment File (PTF) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comprises the computerized records of all inpatients treated at all VA hospitals throughout the United States. The database was utilized to study the clinical epidemiology and impact of C. difficile colitis on health care among hospitalized US military veterans. The computerized medical records of 15,091 cases with C. difficile colitis and 61,931 controls without the diagnosis were extracted from the annual files between 1993 and 1998. Of all patients admitted to the hospital, 1% were diagnosed with C. difficile colitis, in 16% of whom it was listed as the primary discharge diagnosis. C. difficile colitis was more likely to occur in elderly white patients with multiple comorbid conditions. Compared with a control population of hospitalized patients without C. difficile colitis, the case population was subjected to more medical and surgical procedures and experienced longer hospital stays. The diagnosis of C. difficile colitis was associated with more frequent admissions to the intensive care unit and higher hospital-related and subsequent mortality. Eleven percent of the cases were admitted to hospital a second time after a mean of 202 days, 2.5% were readmitted a third time after an additional 182 days, and 0.8% were readmitted a fourth time after an additional 194 days. In conclusion, as old age, multiple comorbid conditions, a high number of medical and surgical intervention, and long hospitalization constitute the main risk factors for the development of C. difficile colitis, efforts at prevention should be directed primarily towards patients who present with these characteristics.
Startup failure in clusters: Investigating adverse selection and performance premiums

Startup firms typically locate within dense spatial concentrations of industrial activity, known as geographic clusters. While geographic clustering is typically associated with favorable outcomes ...
Multiport Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection

Despite advances in surgical techniques allowing for the preservation of the sphincter complex in the majority of patients with rectal cancer, en bloc resection of the rectum and anus using a combined abdominal and perineal approach is still required in some circumstances. Abdominoperineal resection (APR) can be performed through an open or laparoscopic approach, though the laparoscopic approach is associated with less blood loss, decreased postoperative pain and narcotic use, and shorter hospital stay. Multiport laparoscopic APR is performed in much the same manner as laparoscopic lower anterior resection for rectal cancer, adhering to the oncologic principles of high ligation on the inferior mesenteric artery and total mesorectal excision (TME). Key differences include the omission of splenic flexure mobilization and the conscious avoidance of distal mesorectal dissection off of the levator ani muscles to preserve the cylindrical nature of the specimen and avoid “wasting” at the proximal anal canal. Performance of the perineal dissection in lithotomy allows for excellent visualization in most circumstances, without the need for prone positioning. Postoperative recovery is managed according to established enhanced recovery pathways.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulator generator migration: INSPIRE device reimplantation with parallels to cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Abstract Implantation rates of hypoglossal nerve stimulators, such as INSPIRE, are increasing. The device is still in its early stages of complication reporting, which to date includes implant related infection requiring device removal, and stimulation lead cuff dislodgement requiring replacement. Here we present a 48-year-old female who experienced generator migration and stimulator lead tension requiring an additional operation in order to resecure the generator device. This proved unsuccessful and a second surgery was performed with complete relocation of the device generator to inhibit device migration. This is the first documented case of INSPIRE migration to date, though the implant generator has comparable likeness to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) where migration risk factors are better studied. Given our patient's case, we identify obesity and abundant breast tissue as potential risk factors for device migration. We believe such factors can be identified prior to initial device implantation to avoid migration and the need for surgical revision. Superior positioning of the generator proved successful, and can be a solution in those with similar body habitus as TYRX pouching and additional security sutures were ineffective. Also, for revisions requiring tunneling of the stimulation lead as in this case we recommend the use of zero degree endoscope for ease of adhesion lysis.
A Simple Algorithm of Mixing Technique of Digital Eddy Current Signals for Steam Generator Tubes

For PWR power plants, the steam generator (SG) provides a dynamic link between the reactor and the turbine generator. A steam generator typically consists of Inconel tubes anchored at intervals with stainless steel support plates. The primary coolant from the nuclear reactor circulates through these tubes. Heat, transferred to the secondary coolant by conduction through the tube wall, generating steam which is used for running the turbine.
Immunogenicity and MuMTV-like antigenicity of human breast cancer tissues.

In 1936 Bittner reported that a transmissible factor in murine milk was related to the development of mammary tumors. Since that time, Bittner’s milk factor has been shown to be a specific type of RNA virus, and the relationship between this RNA virus and murine mammary carcinogenesis has been extensively documented by biological, ultrastructural, immunological, and biochemical techniques (Moore and Charney, 1975). Despite such compelling observations regarding the viral etiology of murine mammary tumors, parallel studies of human mammary cancers have, until recently, yielded essentially negative data. Viral particles are rarely demonstrable in human mammary tissues, benign or malignant. Nor do temporal or geographic variations in incidence rates of human breast cancer correlate with nursing habits (MacMahon et al., 1970). Nevertheless, within the past several years there have been a number of reports indicating that some human breast tissues may harbor particles and/or RNA components which resemble murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) (Spiegelman et al., 1972; Schlom et al., 1972, 1973; Seman and Dmochowski, 1973; Muller and Grossmann, 1972; Muller et al., 1972, 1973; Moore, 1974). While such findings are of interest, it remains to be shown that they are specifically related to the development and/or behavior of human breast cancers.
Liposomes as formulation excipients for protein pharmaceuticals: a model protein study.

Purpose. The advent of recombinant DNA technology has madepossible the pharmaceutical use of a wide range of proteins and peptides.However, the complex structure of proteins renders them susceptibleto physical instabilities such as denaturation, aggregation andprecipitation. We tested the hypothesis that partial unfolding and exposure ofhydrophobic domains leads to physical instability, and investigatedapproaches to stabilize protein formulations.
Steady-state space-charge-limited current analysis of mobility with negative electric field dependence

We revisit the theory of steady-state space-charge-limited current (SS-SCLC) enhanced by Frenkel emission originally addressed by Murgatroyd using analytical rather than numerical integration to obtain an exact solution. For the first time, the analysis is also extended to the case of mobility exhibiting negative field dependence, generally observed in disordered materials at lower electric field. For the case of positive electric field dependence, we confirm that Murgatroyd's original solution is close to the exact solution for low and moderately high electric fields. At a very high field, the exact solution is consistent with the analytical solution given by Barbe. For the case of negative electric field dependence, the fit expression retains the same functional form as Murgatroyd's solution, however with a different exponential factor of −0.801. The development of SS-SCLC theory for the case of negative field dependence is an important step in the generalization of this analysis technique to the investigation of complex materials such as disordered organic semiconductors.We revisit the theory of steady-state space-charge-limited current (SS-SCLC) enhanced by Frenkel emission originally addressed by Murgatroyd using analytical rather than numerical integration to obtain an exact solution. For the first time, the analysis is also extended to the case of mobility exhibiting negative field dependence, generally observed in disordered materials at lower electric field. For the case of positive electric field dependence, we confirm that Murgatroyd's original solution is close to the exact solution for low and moderately high electric fields. At a very high field, the exact solution is consistent with the analytical solution given by Barbe. For the case of negative electric field dependence, the fit expression retains the same functional form as Murgatroyd's solution, however with a different exponential factor of −0.801. The development of SS-SCLC theory for the case of negative field dependence is an important step in the generalization of this analysis technique to the invest...
Introduction to Comparative Clinical Pathology

Abstract Clinical pathology focuses on the diagnosis and study of disease through laboratory methods. In addition to formulating interpretations for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes, standardized principles of clinical pathology help to evaluate and support the accuracy of laboratory data. Clinical pathology samples are commonly, but not exclusively, nonarchitectural tissue samples including body fluids and tissue cells that are collected through noninvasive procedures in the live animal or as a valuable adjunct diagnostic tool during necropsy examinations. While some features of clinical pathology are variable across species, most basic principles are universal, and an understanding of both fundamental tenets and unique features is important to best arrive at evidence-based conclusions. This chapter aims to introduce both fundamental aspects of clinical pathology data acquisition and interpretation, and to highlight key features that uniquely influence clinical pathology in different species.
Projection-Based Constrained Fusion Performance with Link Loss and Measurement Bias

Sensor networks have been deployed in many real-world applications for tracking and monitoring of dynamic targets over large geographical areas. We consider a scenario where a number of ground and/or airborne sensors are used to jointly track a ground target with certain constraints on its motion dynamics, such as those defined by roadways. The state estimates from these sensors are sent over a lossy communications network to a remote fusion center for fusion. We propose both centralized and distributed projection-based methods to incorporate known constraints into the estimation and fusion process. In addition to presenting simple closed-form projected fusion solutions, we also show how to utilize knowledge of the constraints into the fusion process by two distance-based weighting methods. We also explore the effect of link loss and sensor measurement bias on tracking accuracy performance of constrained fusion using illustrative tracking examples. Performance evaluation results demonstrate the potential of adopting weighted average fusers in improving the overall tracking performance in the presence of link loss and measurement bias.
Simulating the NaK Eutectic Alloy with Monte Carlo and Machine Learning.

Combining atomistic simulations and machine learning techniques can expedite significantly the materials discovery process. We present an application of such methodological combination for the prediction of the melting transition and amorphous-solid behavior of the NaK alloy at the eutectic concentration. We show that efficient prediction of these properties is possible via machine learning methods trained on the topological local structural properties. The configurations resulting from Monte Carlo annealing of the NaK eutectic alloy are analyzed with topological attributes based on the Voronoi tessellation and using expectation-maximization clustering and Random Forest classification. We show that the Voronoi topological fingerprints make an accurate and fast prediction of the alloy thermal behavior by cataloguing the atomic configurations into three distinct phases: liquid, amorphous solid, and crystalline solid. Melting is found at 230 K by the sharp split of configurations classified as crystalline solid and as liquid. With the proposed metrics, an arrest-motion temperature is identified at 130–140 K through a top down clustering of the atomic configurations catalogued as amorphous solid. This statistical learning paradigm is not restricted to eutectic alloys or thermodynamics, extends the utility of topological attributes in a significant way, and harnesses the discovery of new material properties.