cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diaphragm muscle atrophy in the mouse after long‐term mechanical ventilation

Introduction Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-saving measure, but full ventilator support causes ventilator-induced diaphragm atrophy (VIDA). Previous studies of VIDA have relied on human biopsies or a rat model. If MV can induce diaphragm atrophy in mice, then mechanistic study of VIDA could be explored via genetic manipulation. Results We show that 18 hours of MV in mice results in a 15% loss of diaphragm weight and a 17% reduction in fiber cross-sectional area. Important catabolic cascades are activated in this mouse model: transcription of the ubiquitin ligases, atrogin and MuRF1, and the apoptotic marker, Bim, are increased; the marker of autophagy, LC3, is induced at the protein level and shows a punctate distribution in diaphragm muscle fibers. Conclusions This mouse model recapitulates the key pathophysiological findings of other models of VIDA, and it will enable the genetic manipulation required to fully explore the mechanisms underlying this important process. Muscle Nerve, 48: 272–278, 2013
Adaptive dwell-time switching in unfalsified control

We examine a data-dependent dwell-time switching algorithm in which the dwell-time is constrained to grow in proportion to the reciprocal of an adaptively-computed hysteresis variable ĥ(t) that converges to zero. This is in contrast to the Morse-Mayne-Goodwin (MMG) hysteresis switching algorithm in which usually a fixed hysteresis constant h > 0 is used. The algorithm is proved to be globally stabilizing assuming feasibility and τ c -cost-detectability. It has the attractive property that the gap between optimal and achieved unfalsified performance levels are at each time bounded above by the current value of the hysteresis variable ĥ(t), thereby ensuring asymptotically optimal performance. A simulation example demonstrating this performance improvement is presented.
Remote neuroimmune signaling: a long-range mechanism of nociceptive network plasticity

Chronic pain secondary to neuronal injury is actively and continuously modulated at multiple locations along the sensory neuraxis. Here, we describe how nociceptive neurons of the spinal cord and thalamus process and communicate nociceptive information in terms of precisely calibrated firing patterns. We then discuss how several cell types with immunogenic properties (e.g. blood cells and glia) cause system-wide interference in nociceptive processing through novel signaling schema, thus contributing to nociceptive network plasticity and chronic pain.
Direct observation of the “special” salt effect in the dynamics of transient ion pairs by time-resolved spectroscopy

Intimate ion pairs [A+,T−] are generated by specific excitation of the charge transfer band of the electron donor—acceptor complex of anthracene and tetranitromethane. Time-resolved spectroscopy in three distinct time regimes (ps, ns and μs) reveals the presence of a second “loose” or solvent-separated ion pair [A+//T−], the dynamic behavior of which is strongly modulated by added salts. The “special” salt effect is quantitatively evaluated, together with all the rate constants involved in ion-pair dynamics.
Analysis of Resistively Loaded, Printed Spiral Antennas

ABSTRACT A method of moments formulation for the current on arbitrarily shaped planar conductors in layered media is utilized to study the characteristics of printed spiral antennas. This algorithm permits the use of distributed and lumped impedance loads on the conductor. Also, it takes advantage of the discrete rotational symmetry exhibited by certain structures, thus reducing the matrix storage requirements. Numerical results are presented for two-arm and four-arm spiral antennas. Resistive loading along the outer portions of the spiral is used to eliminate reflected current contributions. For conductor-backed printed spirals, the presence of the ground plane reduces the amount of mode 1 radiation, allowing for the radiation of higher order spiral modes. Increasing the number of the spiral arms is shown to alleviate this problem by increasing the order of the first contributing higher order mode.
Physical and biological mechanisms of direct plasma interaction with living tissue

Mechanisms of plasma interaction with living tissues and cells can be quite complex, owing to the complexity of both the plasma and the tissue. Thus, unification of all the mechanisms under one umbrella might not be possible. However, the authors are attempting to make first steps in this direction. In this paper, analysis of interaction of floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) with living tissues and cells is presented and biological and physical mechanisms are discussed. In physical mechanisms, charged species are identified as the major contributors to the desired effect and a mechanism of this interaction is proposed. Biological mechanisms are also addressed and a hypothesis of plasma selectivity and its effects is offered.
Analytic derivation of the leading-order gluon distribution function G(x,Q**2) = xg(x,Q**2) from the proton structure function F(2)**p(x,Q**2)

We derive a second-order linear differential equation for the leading-order gluon distribution function $G(x,{Q}^{2})=xg(x,{Q}^{2})$ which determines $G(x,{Q}^{2})$ directly from the proton structure function ${F}_{2}^{p}(x,{Q}^{2})$. This equation is derived from the leading-order evolution equation for ${F}_{2}^{p}(x,{Q}^{2})$, and does not require knowledge of either the individual quark distributions or the gluon evolution equation. Given an analytic expression that successfully reproduces the known experimental data for ${F}_{2}^{p}(x,{Q}^{2})$ in a domain ${x}_{\mathrm{min}﻿}({Q}^{2})\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}{x}_{\mathrm{max}﻿}({Q}^{2})$, ${Q}_{\mathrm{min}﻿}^{2}\ensuremath{\le}{Q}^{2}\ensuremath{\le}{Q}_{\mathrm{max}﻿}^{2}$ of the Bjorken variable $x$ and the virtuality ${Q}^{2}$ in deep inelastic scattering, $G(x,{Q}^{2})$ is uniquely determined in the same domain. We give the general solution and illustrate the method using the recently proposed Froissart-bound-type parametrization of ${F}_{2}^{p}(x,{Q}^{2})$ of E. L. Berger, M. M. Block and C.-I. Tan [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 242001 (2007)]. Existing leading-order gluon distributions based on power-law descriptions of individual parton distributions agree roughly with the new distributions for $x\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ as they should, but are much larger for $x\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
Quantify Cation-Dependent Forces Between Nucleosomes

Nucleosome-nucleosome interactions play fundamental roles in chromatin assembly and chromosome conformation, and consequently regulate gene expression. The interaction between nucleosomes is in turn modulated by wide varieties of solvent and molecular factors such as ions, post-translational modifications, and histone variants. Here we combine small angle x-ray scattering and theoretical modeling to quantify the inter-nucleosome force in solution as a function of mono- and di-valent cation concentrations. Both natural-source and recombinant mononucleosomes are studied, as well as tail-deletion mutants of interest. Inter-nucleosome forces are found to be much smaller than predicted from the bare or effective charges. Tail-deletion mutations show trends as expected from the total charges carried by each histone tail. We discuss our results on the basis of theories of polyelectrolytes, and attribute the quantitative differences to the non-uniform charge patterns and conformational plasticities of nucleosomes.
Tumor viral escape from inhibited T cells

Functionally active inhibitory receptors that impart negative signals have been found recently on T cells. One such inhibitory receptor, CD94-NKG2A, can induce cytolytic anergy in CTLs specific for polyomavirus.
Dissection of the multiple mechanisms of TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis in liver injury

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis is implicated in a wide range of liver diseases including viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, ischemia/reperfusion liver injury, and fulminant hepatic failure. TNF-alpha exerts a variety of effects that are mediated mainly by TNF-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) in cell death. The activation of TNF-R1 leads to the activation of multiple apoptotic pathways involving the activation of the pro-death Bcl-2 family proteins, reactive oxygen species, C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, cathepsin B, acidic sphingomyelinase and neutral sphingomyelinase. These pathways are closely interlinked and mainly act on mitochondria, which release the apoptogenic factors and other events, resulting in apoptosis. This article reviews the recent progress in the molecular mechanisms of TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes, and discusses how these molecular findings are shaping our understanding of the pathogenesis of liver diseases and our strategy to develop novel therapeutics.
Advances in global MHD mode stabilization research on NSTX

Stabilizing modes that limit plasma beta and reduce their deleterious effect on plasma rotation are key goals for the efficient operation of a fusion reactor. Passive stabilization and active control of global kink/ballooning modes and resistive wall modes (RWMs) have been demonstrated on NSTX and research is now advancing towards understanding the stabilization physics and reliably maintaining the high beta plasma for confident extrapolation to ITER and a fusion component test facility based on the spherical torus. Active n = 1 control experiments with an expanded sensor set, combined with low levels of n = 3 field phased to reduce error fields, reduced resonant field amplification and maintained plasma rotation, exceeded normalized beta = 6 and produced record discharge durations limited by magnet system constraints. Details of the observed RWM dynamics during active control show the mode being converted to a rotating kink that stabilizes or saturates and may lead to tearing modes. Discharges with rotation reduced by n = 3 magnetic braking suffer beta collapse at normalized beta = 4.2 approaching the no-wall limit, while normalized beta greater than 5.5 has been reached in these plasmas with n = 1 active control, in agreement with the single-mode RWM theory. Advanced state-space control algorithms proposed for RWM control in ITER theoretically yield significant stabilization improvements. Values of relative phase between the measured n = 1 mode and the applied correction field that experimentally produce stability/instability agree with RWM control modelling. Experimental mode destabilization occurs over a large range of plasma rotation, challenging the notion of a simple scalar critical rotation speed defining marginal stability. Stability calculations including kinetic modifications to the ideal MHD theory are applied to marginally stable experimental equilibria. Plasma rotation and collisionality variations are examined in the calculations. Intermediate rotation levels are less stable, consistent with experimental observations. Trapped ion resonances play a key role in this result. Recent experiments have demonstrated magnetic braking by non-resonant n = 2 fields. The observed rotation damping profile is broader than found for n = 3 fields. Increased ion temperature in the region of maximum braking torque increases the observed rate of rotation damping, consistent with the theory of neoclassical toroidal viscosity at low collisionality.
An approximate analysis of fluid inertia effects in axisymmetric laminar squeeze film flow at arbitrary Reynolds number

An approximate analytical solution is developed for the squeezing flow of a film of fluid between parallel disks, including fluid inertia effects. Earlier studies have sought either low or high Reynolds number (Re) asymptotic solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations, for various assumed plate motions. The curious fact has evolved that low Reynolds number first perturbation corrections to lubrication theory, strictly valid for Re≪1, are very accurate up to Re≈10. In the present paper, a solution has been developed based on ‘slug flow linearization’ of the convective inertia terms, i.e., an Oseen-type approximation. The approximate solution is thus valid for any Reynolds number in laminar flow although the results are limited to cases where the disk acceleration is small. The present solution also shows the remarkable linearity (with Reynolds number) of the inertia correction factor continuing to very high Re. In fact, the high Reynolds number asymptote is only slightly different than the low. The solution for reverse squeezing (plates separating) exhibits highly anomalous behavior at moderate to high Reynolds number (flow reversals, sign reversals of the load) similar to that obtained by other workers. Some of these conclusions are arguably false due to boundary layer considerations but more theoretical and experimental research is needed.
Importance of international skills for international business

This study examines the antecedents of the perceived importance of international business skills of employees hired for international business positions in US companies. Results show that international business skills are perceived as more important by US managers who: manage companies that employ more foreign nationals than US nationals in their foreign offices; manage companies that see a greater importance in the rest of the world in their future operations; have greater international responsibilities; have a greater international background. Through a post hoc analysis, we also find that the antecedents to the perceived importance of international skills vary depending on the international skill/knowledge that is being taken into consideration. Conclusions and implications of the study are also presented.
Infectious agents, immunity, and rheumatic diseases

It should again be cautioned that these hypotheses are just that--hypotheses, for which there are some suggestive but not conclusive data. I have described these hypotheses using B27 and AS, and DR4 and RA. We are all aware that AS occurs in individuals who are B27 negative, and RA occurs in individuals who lack DR4. Although space does not permit further elaboration here, these hypotheses can be modified to take these additional associations into account. It should also be noted that even if the mechanisms advanced in these hypotheses prove to be true, different mechanisms may apply to different diseases, and several of these mechanisms may act in concert to produce disease. Nevertheless, these hypotheses provide a framework against which future experiments can be designed to further elucidate the relationship among infectious agents, immunity, and rheumatic diseases.
Improved reproducibility in capillary electrophoresis through the use of mobility and migration time ratios

Abstract Fluctuations in solute migration times are an important source of non-reproducibility in the use of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of drugs or biological compounds. This work examined the use of mobility ratios ( M ) and migration time ratios ( R t ) as a means for obtaining a more reliable description of analyte migration in CE. Replicate injections of amino acids or o -nitrophenol gave a typical within-day precision of ±1% for R t and M (range, 0.5 to 1.5%), but a within-day precision of up to 5% (range, 1.0% to 5.5%) for other measures of solute migration, such as migration times and electrophoretic mobilities. Similar results were noted for the day-to-day variations in these parameters. By using R t values to plot or characterize CE data, it was possible to identify analytes that could not be distinguished from one another based on the use of migration times. Altering the voltage, temperature or current of the CE system produced only small, random variations in M and R t (±1.0% or less), but much larger and systematic changes in the more standard measures of migration. Similar results were obtained when the capillary length or diameter was changed and when various buffer additives were used.
Copy number gains in EGFR and copy number losses in PTEN are common events in osteosarcoma tumors.

BACKGROUND. Osteosarcoma cell lines and tumors have been shown to express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and harbor amplifications at the EGFR locus. In this study, the authors further analyzed the genomic features of EGFR in osteosarcoma tumors and investigated whether they correlate with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression and copy number status. METHODS. EGFR and PTEN expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (n = 28), and copy number alterations at the EGFR and PTEN loci were surveyed using Affymetrix (Santa Clara, Calif) 50K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays (n = 31) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (n = 27). The EGFR tyrosine kinase domain was sequenced to survey for activating mutations (n = 34). In addition, EGFRvIII expression was assessed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (n = 24). Results were correlated with available clinical information on 59 patients, with a median age of 14.1 years (range, 5-23years) and median follow-up of 4.4 years. RESULTS. EGFR expression was detected in the majority of osteosarcoma tumors surveyed (23 of 28; 82%). SNP arrays revealed evidence of frequent copy number gains at 7p11.2 and losses at 10q23.21. A sizeable subset (16 of 27 cases; 59%) showed gains at the EGFR locus using FISH (amplification in 4 of 27 [15%] and balanced chromosome 7 polysomy in 12 of 27 [44%]), and 12 cases showed deletions at the PTEN locus (biallelic deletions in 4 of 27 [15%] and monoallelic deletion in 9 of 27 [33%]). No activating mutations in the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain, EGFRvIII expression, or association with clinical findings were detected. CONCLUSIONS. EGFR expression and genomic gains at the EGFR locus are prevalent in osteosarcoma tumors, which also commonly harbor deletions at the PTEN locus. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Regulation of Transglutaminase Type-I Expression in Squamous Differentiating Rabbit Tracheal Epithelial-Cells and Human Epidermal-Keratinocytes - Effects of Retinoic Acid and Phorbol Esters

In the present study we describe the full length cDNA sequence for rabbit transglutaminase type I as well as the sequence for a 2.9-kilobase (kb) promoter fragment of the gene. Transglutaminase type I mRNA expression was inhibited in squamous differentiating epithelia by retinoic acid (RA) in a dose-dependent (EC50 = 1-2 nM) and transcriptional manner. In human epidermal keratinocytes transglutaminase type I mRNA was induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment, and this induction could be inhibited by bryostatin 1. In contrast, TPA treatment inhibited the expression of c-myc mRNA. Bryostatin 1 but not RA could prevent this decrease in c-myc mRNA expression, indicating that transglutaminase type I mRNA expression was associated with differentiation and not growth arrest. An SP1 element was found within 50 base pairs 5' of the transcription initiation site. A TATA-like element (CATAAAC) was found but was not capable of activating transcription. In addition, putative response elements for C-MYC, Ker1/AP2, 2 AP1 sites, a CK-8-mer, and an AP2 site were present in the 2.9-kb fragment. Transfection of RbTE cells with the 2.9-kb fragment ligated to a promoterless luciferase vector resulted in 2.2-fold more luciferase expression in differentiated vs. undifferentiated cells. Furthermore, luciferase activity was induced 7.4-fold in human epidermal keratinocytes induced to differentiate with TPA. TPA-induced luciferase activity was inhibited by both bryostatin 1 and RA. No known RA response elements were identified in the promoter. These data indicate that response elements mediating differentiation-specific expression, retinoid sensitivity, and phorbol ester responsiveness of transglutaminase type I gene expression are contained within the proximal 2.9 kb of the promoter.
Characterization of the Lung Microbiome in Pediatric Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose Lung transplant is a therapeutic option for end stage lung disease in children. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the leading indication for lung transplant in children. The lung microbiome has been characterized in other lung diseases but not in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in LTRs. The purpose of our study is to characterize the lung microbiome in children who have undergone lung transplantation. In addition, we hypothesize that there will be differences in the lung microbiome between non-transplant and transplant patients. Methods and Materials Ninety-four bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from 21 patients were collected during surveillance bronchoscopies throughout the first year post-transplant. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the V3V5 variable regions of the 16SrRNA gene were amplified using universal barcoded primers. Subsequent 454 sequencing produced an average of 6,000 reads per sample with an average length of 500 bases. Resulting sequences were analyzed by the Genboree Microbiome Workbench. Results Most abundant phylum in LTRs was Proteobacteria followed by Firmicutes. Acinetobacter was the most prevalent genus in LTRs. This in contrast to previous microbiome studies in non-transplanted CF patients where Firmicutes was the predominant phylum. Bacterial diversity increased until 9 months post transplant. However, there was a decrease in bacterial diversity between 9 and 12 months. Longitudinal analysis also showed increased Streptococcus at 3 months post-transplant in LTRs. Results of lung microbiome correlated well with traditional cultures. Conclusions The predominant phylum is Proteobacteria and Acinetobacter is the most prevalent genus in LTRs which differs from the reported microbiome description in other lung diseases. Bacterial diversity initially increases in LTRs but then decreased by 1 year post transplant. The clinical implication of these findings of the lung microbiome on the morbidity and mortality in LTRs requires further investigation.
The Management of Patients with Clinical Stage I Nonseminomatous Testicular Tumors and Persistently Elevated Serologic Markers

AbstractPurpose: We reviewed our experience with patients who had nonseminomatous germ cell tumors clinically limited to the testis and persistently elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels after orchiectomy.Materials and Methods: All patients had clinical stage I disease with persistently elevated tumor markers that were not decreasing in accordance with the expected metabolic decay rate at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.Results: Of 30 patients identified 3 had elevated AFP, 24 had elevated HCG and 3 had elevation of both markers. Of the 6 patients with elevated AFP with or without concurrent HCG elevation 5 (83 percent) had relapse and required chemotherapy, as did 6 of 24 (25 percent) with HCG elevation.Conclusions: Patients with persistently elevated AFP after orchiectomy should be treated initially with chemotherapy. Although the majority of patients with elevated serum HCG were disease-free after surgery alone, a fourth of these patients still had re...
The First Mesozoic Ants

Two worker ants preserved in amber of Upper Cretaceous age have been found in New Jersey. They are the first undisputed remains of social insects of Mesozoic age, extending the existence of social life in insects back to approximately 100 million years. They are also the earliest known fossils that can be assigned with certainty to aculeate Hymenoptera. The species, Sphecomyrma freyi, is considered to represent a new subfamily (Sphecomyrminae), more primitive than any previously known ant group. It forms a near-perfect link between certain nonsocial tiphiid wasps and the most primitive myrmecioid ants.
An adaptive algorithm for learning changes in user interests

In this paper, we describe a new scheme to learn dynamic user's interests in an automated information filtering and gathering system running on the Internet. Our scheme is aimed to handle multiple domains of long-term and short-term user's interests simultaneously, which is learned through positive and negative user's relevance feedback. We developed a 3-descriptor approach to represent the user's interest categories. Using a learning algorithm derived for this representation, our scheme adapts quickly to significant changes in user interest, and is also able to learn exceptions to interest categories.
CORRELATIONS OF NARCISSISTIC TRAITS WITH DEFENSIVE STYLE, MACHIAVELLIANISM, AND EMPATHY

Etude de la validite de l'inventaire de la personnalite narcissique de Raskin et Hall (1979) chez 97 etudiants a partir de ses correlations avec des mesures du style defensif, du machiavelisme et de l'empathie
Computational and Experimental Design of Novel High Temperature Alloys

Discovery of new high temperature alloys is a multidimensional problem which encompasses the intrinsic thermodynamic stability and their thermo-chemical and thermo-mechanical response to the combustion environment. Even when considering only the transition metals in combination with stable oxide formers, the number of ternary combinations exceeds 104. Hence, the traditional Edisonian process is not a practical approach to develop new alloy systems. Using formation enthalpy as a guide to compound stability, we propose a hierarchical scheme for identifying potential alloy systems which involves sifting through large regions of phase space with increasingly more accurate analysis. The coarsest sieve is a semi-empirical method based on the Miedema model extended to ternary systems. The next stage is ab initio simulations for a more accurate assessment and the basis for selecting system to investigate experimentally. We describe the implementation of this approach through the discovering of ternary additions that improve the oxidation stability -NiAl alloy.
Government regulations and other influences on the medical use of computers

This paper presents points brought out in a panel discussion held at the 12th Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences, January 1979. The session was attended by approximately two dozen interested parties from various segments of the academic, government, and health care communities. The broad categories covered include the specific problems of government regulations and their impact on specific clinical information systems installed at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, opportunities in a regulated environment, problems in a regulated environment, vendor-related issues in the marketing and manufacture of computer-based information systems, rational approaches to government control, and specific issues related to medical computer science.
Conversational fluency of children who use cochlear implants.

PurposeChildren who have significant hearing loss often experience difficulty in engaging in everyday conversations. They may spend an inordinate amount of time in communication breakdown or in silence. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the oral conversation fluency of young coc
Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorescent Cellulose

Abstract A new cellulose based fluorescent polymer has been successfully synthesized by esterificaction of 1‐pyrenebutyric acid and cellulose. This polymer was characterized by solid state 13C cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultra‐violet‐visible (UV‐VIS) and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Spectroscopic results show that the pyrene chromophores have been covalently linked to cellulose. The quenching of fluorescence of by dinitrotoluene (DNT) follows the Stern–Volmer relationship. This suggests the potential use of this polymer in sensor and other applications. #Dedicated to the memory of Professor Sukant K. Tripathy.
Kinetic considerations of the inhibitory action of an interferon produced in chick cultures infected with Sindbis virus.

Abstract Some problems concerning the mechanism of action of interferon have been approached by kinetic methods. These involved a study of the interrelationships between inhibition of plaque formation, cell infection, and virus production on the one hand, and the dose of challenge virus, dose of interferon, and duration of exposure to interferon on the other. Both intact virus and infectious ribonucleic acid (RNA) were used as challenge agents in chick cultures treated with an interferon from chick cultures infected with Sindbis virus. The results indicate that (1) the viral inhibitory effect of interferon is reversible by large viral inocula; (2) the inhibition of viral synthesis does not occur in an “all or none” fashion; and (3) the inhibition due to interferon is not a first-order reaction with respect to dose and duration of exposure to interferon over an extended period.
Neonatal diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome and its implications

Although Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patients usually first present with neonatal hypotonia and feeding difficulty, they later show hyperphagia, obesity and mental retardation. Since deletions of chromosomes 15q11-q13 are noted in most PWS patients cytogenetic analysis allows one to diagnose infants suspected of PWS with a greater certainty. We report on 5 hypotonic infants clinically suspected of PWS in the first 3 months of life, whose diagnosis was confirmed by cytogenetic studies showing monosomy of 15q11-q13. Early diagnosis of PWS can lead to prevention of obesity, but counseling of parents has been difficult. Although there are significant benefits to the early diagnosis of PWS, the cost-effectiveness and practicality of screening all hypotonic infants using high resolution cytogenetic analysis has been addressed systematically.
Differences in metabolic effects of twice daily versus multiple daily insulin injections in children with type 1 diabetes

We aimed to compare children started on twice daily injections (BD) versus multiple daily injections (MDI) from diagnosis, using HbA1c and weight gain as outcome measures. In our unit, newly diagnosed children were started on BD insulin until 2005 when we changed to MDI. Those on BD were offered a change-over to MDI. We collected data on HbA1c and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) between 2003 and 2009 at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and those who changed from BD to MDI and after 12 months. Eighty-eight (45 female) children were started on BD insulin (group 1), 29 (10 female) were started on MDI (group 2), and 36 (20 female) children were started on BD and then changed to MDI (group 3). The mean HbA1c at baseline and 12 months was: group 1 – 11.4%, 9.1% (p<0.001); group 2 – 11.5%, 7.9% (p<0.001); and group 3 – 8.9%, 9.2% (p=NS). The mean improvement at 12 months in HbA1c was better in group 2 compared to group 1 (3.6% vs 2.3% [p<0.001]). Mean BMI SDSs at baseline and 12 months were: group 1 – 0.41, 0.90 (p<0.001); group 2 – 0.28, 0.56 (p=0.04); and group 3 – 0.8, 0.8 (p=NS). The difference in BMI SDS at 12 months between group 1 and group 2 (0.34) was not statistically significant. It was concluded that MDI from diagnosis results in better glycaemic control and a trend towards less weight gain at 12 months than BD. Children who start on BD and then switch to MDI after 12 months do not show the same benefit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.
HCMV infection: modulating the cell cycle and cell death

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family and is recognized as a significant pathogen to certain subgroups of the human population. It has become apparent that HCMV manipulation of the host cell cycle as well as the immune response promotes the replication and propagation of the virus. The ability of HCMV to modulate components of the host immune system and the response to infection most likely contributes to the pathology associated with this virus. This review will address the mechanisms HCMV has adapted to modulate the cell cycle to promote viral replication as well as the different ways it can prevent the "death" of an infected cell.
DIONYSIUS IN HANS URS VON BALTHASAR AND JEAN‐LUC MARION

This article evaluates Jean-Luc Marion's retrieval of Dionysius against the backdrop of the debate in recent continental philosophy over the identity and meaning of “negative theology”. Marion's interpretation and use of Dionysius draws heavily on that of Hans Urs von Balthasar, both in his manner of approaching Dionysius and with the central elements of the Corpus Dionysiacum upon which he focuses. Through this comparison, it is clear that different polemical and apologetic interests shape their similar but distinct retrievals. Marion, like Balthasar before him, is translating Dionysius for a new audience. With this translation, I argue that Marion provides a richer and more complex confrontation with Dionysius than has previously been offered within the contemporary discussions of “negative theology”.
Compensating for alcohol-induced impairment of control: effects on inhibition and activation of behavior.

Rationale Studies have shown that expectations of alcohol-induced impairment can produce adaptive responses to alcohol that reduce the degree of behavioral impairment displayed. However, compensatory effects have been variable for cognitive and psychomotor tasks.
A statistical approach to the configuration interaction problem

Abstract A new statistical approach to the configuration interaction problem is proposed. It will potentially reduce the size of CI vectors significantly and thus alleviate one of the main hindrances to doing very large CI calculations. This method will also provide us with statistical confidence limits on lower and upper bounds. These confidence bounds are qualitative different from mathematically more rigorous lower bounds discussed elsewhere. The approach is discussed and possible algorithms presented.
Medicinal Chemistry of Selective Neurokinin-1 Antagonists

The study of tachykinin NK1 (substance P) receptor antagonists has emerged as a field of great promise due to accumulating evidence that NK1 antagonists offer possible new treatment options in therapeutic areas ranging from pain, emesis, and pulmonary disorders to depression and anxiety. It is hoped that the unique mechanism of action of these agents, which involves modulation of effects mediated by the interaction of the neuropeptide substance P with it's G-protein coupled receptor, will provide improvements over existing therapies. For this reason many pharmaceutical companies are engaged in intense research programs with the goal of bringing safe and effective new drugs to the market. To date a wealth of diverse NK1 antagonists have been discovered, several of which have been evaluated in clinical trials. Despite rich structural diversity in this area of medicinal chemistry a number of structural features are commonly shared amongst otherwise unrelated antagonists. This theme and others are covered with the aim of conveying recent successful approaches to the discovery of potent and selective nonpeptide NK1 antagonists. This review focuses mainly on reports appearing in the year 2001 and the first half of 2002.
International Medical Education: Common Elements in Divergent Systems

An assortment of medical education systems currently operate throughout the world, reflecting variations in populations, histories, societal and cultural traditions, political systems, and stages of economic development. Despite their many differences, common elements can be identified in many of these systems. A geographic maldistribution of physicians, insufficient funding for education, an imbalance between specialization and general practice, and inadequate mechanisms to evaluate medical competence are serious concerns in many countries today. On the positive side, there is a shared focus on community-based educational initiatives, provision of education through ambulatory care settings, and a trend toward integrated, problem-based educational strategies. To gain more comprehensive information about current approaches to medical education, the American Medical Association conducted the 1990 International Survey of Medical Education. SURVEY METHOD AND PURPOSE The survey, which consisted of 31 multiple-part questions, was designed to identify similarities and differences among the numerous medical education systems. It was mailed
Pervenous Pacing of the Specialized Conducting System in Man His Bundle and A-V Nodal Stimulation

His bundle electrograms were recorded and A-V junction pacing was achieved in 30 patients by a pervenous electrode catheter technic. His bundle pacing was achieved in 26, and A-V node pacing in five patients. Conduction time from atrium to the His bundle (A-H time) and His bundle to ventricular activation (H-V time) were measured. During His bundle pacing, the pacing impulse to ventricular activation time (PI-R) was the same as the H-V time during normal sinus rhythm and remained constant at different pacing rates. With A-V node pacing, the PI-R interval was shorter than the conduction time from atrium to the ventricle (sum of the A-H and the H-V time) but longer than the H-V time, and there was progressive lengthening of PI-R interval, with increase in pacing rates. The QRS complex remained unchanged in all ECG leads with BH and A-V node pacing from that during normal sinus rhythm. During BH pacing, the retrograde Wenckebach phenomenon was demonstrated. Bundle of His pacing was used to establish a His bundle rhythm in a patient with complete heart block localized within the His bundle. BH pacing is of value for validation of His bundle electrograms and differentiation from that of right bundle branch. Clinically, this technic has proved extremely useful in definitive diagnosis of bilateral bundle-branch block in patients with right bundle-branch block and left axis deviation and infarction.
Fibrillized peptide microgels for cell encapsulation and 3D cell culture

One of the advantages of materials produced by self-assembly is that in principle they can be formed in any given container to produce materials of predetermined shapes and sizes. Here, we developed a method for triggering peptide self-assembly within the aqueous phase of water-in-oil emulsions to produce spherical microgels composed of fibrillized peptides. Size control over the microgels was achieved by specification of blade type, speed, and additional shear steps in the emulsion process. Microgels constructed in this way could then be embedded within other self-assembled peptide matrices by mixing pre-formed microgels with un-assembled peptides and inducing gelation of the entire composite, offering a route towards multi-peptide materials with micron-scale domains of different peptide formulations. The gels themselves were cytocompatible, as was the microgel fabrication procedure, enabling the encapsulation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and C3H10T-1/2 mouse pluripotent stem cells with good viability.
Structure of oriented gels of calcium polyuronates.

Abstract Oriented calcium alginate and calcium pectate gels were made by permitting calcium ions to diffuse into a streaming sol of the sodium polyuronate. These showed a more or less selective uniplanar and a uniaxial orientation according to the evidence of X-ray diffraction patterns in the three major axes. Crystallinity was enhanced by freezing, by acidification, or by re-calcification after acid treatment. In all gels there was a rodlet type of form birefringence in each of the three orthogonal axes, the intrinsic birefringence of the pectate substance being negative and that of the alginate substance positive. Deviations from these results—primarily due to adsorption birefringence—are described and discussed. Microscopic sections showed a tangentially laminate structure in the fresh gel and an aggregation of the gel substance into anastomosing tangential plates upon freezing. The gel gave up water readilt and re-absorbed it poorly. Both polyuronate gels are interpreted as having relatively strong polyuronate-polyuronate bonds in the radial direction. These can readily supplant the weaker polyuronate-water bonds. The differing signs of intrinsic birefringence between alginate and pectate are discussed and a new explanation of structure suggested. A 2-fold screw axis with the I 7 configuration of the glucosidic bond to the “plane” of the pyranose ring is proposed for both gel molecules here.
Structure and Function of Steroid Receptor RNA Activator Protein, the Proposed Partner of SRA Noncoding RNA

Abstract In a widely accepted model, the steroid receptor RNA activator protein (SRA protein; SRAP) modulates the transcriptional regulatory activity of SRA RNA by binding a specific stem–loop of SRA. We first confirmed that SRAP is present in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, where it is expressed at the level of about 105 molecules per cell. However, our SRAP–RNA binding experiments, both in vitro with recombinant protein and in cultured cells with plasmid-expressed protein and RNA, did not reveal a specific interaction between SRAP and SRA. We determined the crystal structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of human SRAP and found that it does not have the postulated RRM (RNA recognition motif). The structure is a five-helix bundle that is distinct from known RNA-binding motifs and instead is similar to the carboxy-terminal domain of the yeast spliceosome protein PRP18, which stabilizes specific protein–protein interactions within a multisubunit mRNA splicing complex. SRA binding experiments with this domain gave negative results. Transcriptional regulation by SRA/SRAP was examined with siRNA knockdown. Effects on both specific estrogen-responsive genes and genes identified by RNA-seq as candidates for regulation were examined in MCF-7 cells. Only a small effect (~ 20% change) on one gene resulting from depletion of SRA/SRAP could be confirmed. We conclude that the current model for SRAP function must be reevaluated; we suggest that SRAP may function in a different context to stabilize specific intermolecular interactions in the nucleus.
Increased variability in spiral drawing in patients with functional (psychogenic) tremor

Abstract Increased variability is a characteristic clinical and physiologic feature of functional (psychogenic) tremor. In this study, we use computerized spiral analysis to show that the variability of a motor task is a quantifiable characteristic of functional tremor. We compare functional tremor patients to phenomenologically similar dystonic tremor patients and to normal controls. We used the spiral severity score, a measure that does not incorporate spiral tightness, as a marker of spiral drawing performance, and inter-spiral tightness variability (based on the 25–75%ile range in tightness across ten spirals) to evaluate the effects of functional tremor on drawing spirals. The spirals of 74 participants: 22 functional tremor, 21 dystonic tremor, and 31 normal controls were analyzed. Spiral severity was higher in both tremor groups compared to controls, but did not differentiate them. Inter-spiral variability, however, was higher in the functional tremor group compared to both other groups. Thus, spiral analysis captures variability of a motor task and may be used as an objective test for functional tremor. The effect of functional tremor in other motor tasks should be investigated.
Solar radiation-enhanced dissolution (photodissolution) of particulate organic matter in Texas estuaries

Solar radiation-enhanced dissolution (photodissolution) of particulate organic matter (POM) has the potential to provide a substantial pool of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to surrounding waters in a variety of aquatic systems. This study focused on the magnitude of photodissolution in south Texas estuaries and the influence of environmental factors such as sediment desiccation and water chemistry on the production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) via photodissolution. Substantial photoproduction of DOM from POM was observed during 24-h irradiations, with the potential to augment DOC and TDN loads in Texas estuarine waters by as much as 85 and 75 %, respectively. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence analysis revealed that fluorescent DOM (FDOM) produced during photodissolution is primarily humic-like. Experimental evidence suggested that photochemical degradation of POM was a major pathway for DOM photoproduction, at least a strong supplement to microbial-mediated degradation and/or stimulation of benthic primary production by benthic phytoplankton or algae. Sediment dry-wet cycles strongly influenced photodissolution as sediment desiccation augmented the photoproduction of DOC and TDN in organic-poor water. The organic content of ambient water by itself did not significantly affect the magnitude of DOM photoproduction, but the combined influence of water organic content and sediment desiccation played a substantial role in controlling the extent of photodissolution. Thus, photodissolution is likely an important source of DOC and TDN to shallow Texas estuarine waters especially for habitats where organic-rich sediments undergo dry-wet cycles.
Renal prostaglandin production is increased during abdominal sepsis in the rat and unaffected by the infusion of different amino acid formulations.

Renal prostaglandin (PG) production was studied in 32 laparotomized (control) and 33 septic rats (cecal ligation and puncture). Control and septic rats were infused for 18 hr with 5% glucose or 5% glucose and one of three amino acid formulations containing 22, 35, or 45% branched chain amino acids. When comparing renal PG production from endogenous precursors in septic versus control rats, significant increases (P < 0.01) could be detected for PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1α, and TxB2. The infusion of either 5% glucose alone or 5% glucose with 4.25% of any of the three amino acid formulations tested did not change renal PG production in either control or septic rats.
Ultramafic and Mafic Rock Distributions in Central Alaska and Implications for CO 2 Sequestration

Understanding the distribution of mafic and ultramafic rocks in Interior Alaska provides important constraints on potential economic uses of these igneous rocks, such as future sites for CO2 sequestration. However, poor surface exposure limits understanding of the subsurface geometry and extent of these rocks. In this study, regional aeromagnetic and gravity surveys, geologic maps, drill hole data, physical rock properties, and magnetic data from surface samples were used to build an integrated potential field model that provides a model of the distribution and volume of two of the most significant of these bodies, the mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Tozitna and Livengood Terranes. Although solutions to theoretically calculated geophysical models are non-unique and consequently subject to unquantified uncertainties, our highly integrated model provides a first-order approximation of the distribution of these rocks. Modeling results indicate that mafic and ultramafic rocks in both Terranes are sheet-like, probably thrust-bounded, and continue to significant depths. First approximation volume estimates suggest that there is up to 3,300 billion m3 of mafic and ultramafic rocks between the surface and 3,000 m depth within 10 km of the existing transportation corridor. The maximum carbonation potential of Mg-bearing minerals via a combination of surface and subsurface CO2 injection techniques in these two Terranes is 722 gigatons of CO2. Assuming an actual CO2 uptake capacity of these rocks of only 1 %, this study indicates there is a sufficient quantity of mafic and ultramafic rocks adjacent to existing transportation corridors to meet foreseeable CO2 sequestration needs in Interior Alaska.