cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-Dose Aspirin Upregulates Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Increases Dopamine Production in Dopaminergic Neurons: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease

Increasing the function of residual dopaminergic neurons in the nigra of PD patients is an important area of research as it may eventually compensate the loss. Although tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the dopamine (DA) biosynthesis pathway, there are no effective drugs/molecules to upregulate TH and increase the production of DA in nigral dopaminergic neurons. This study underlines the importance of aspirin in stimulating the expression of TH and increasing the level of DA in dopaminergic neurons. At low doses, aspirin increased the expression of TH and the production of DA in mouse MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cells. Accordingly, oral administration of aspirin increased the expression of TH in the nigra and upregulated the level of DA in striatum of normal C57/BL6 mice and aged A53T α-syn transgenic mice. Oral aspirin also improved locomotor activities of normal mice and A53T transgenic mice. While investigating mechanisms, we found the presence of cAMP response element (CRE) in the promoter of TH gene and the rapid induction of cAMP response element binding (CREB) activation by aspirin in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Aspirin treatment also increased the level of phospho-CREB in the nigra of C57/BL6 mice. The abrogation of aspirin-induced expression of TH by siRNA knockdown of CREB and the recruitment of CREB to the TH gene promoter by aspirin suggest that aspirin stimulates the transcription of TH in dopaminergic neurons via CREB. These results highlight a new property of aspirin in stimulating the TH-DA pathway, which may be beneficial in PD patients. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
The Least Mating Pathway: Synthetically Refactoring a Familiar Signaling System for New Applications

Synthetic refactoring makes naturally occurring regulatory systems more amenable to manipulation by removing or recoding their natural genetic complexity. Shaw et al. apply this technique to the yeast mating response pathway, creating a simplified, highly engineerable signaling module that can be used to construct precisely optimized, application-specific GPCR biosensors.
Rural risk environments for hepatitis c among young adults in appalachian kentucky.

Abstract Background Rural Kentucky is an epicenter of hepatitis C(HCV), especially among young adults who inject drugs. While the Risk Environment Framework (REF) has been used widely to study and address socio-ecological determinants of infectious disease among people who inject drugs (PWID), it has been almost exclusively applied to urban environments. Applying REF to rural environments can enhance our understanding of the drivers of HCV epidemics in these hard-hit areas, and inform the creation and implementation of harm reduction interventions in this local context. Methods Participants were recruited between March and August 2017 via community-based outreach methods (e.g., cookouts, flyers) and peer referral. Individuals who met eligibility criteria (aged 18–35, recently used prescription opioids and/or heroin to get high, lived in one of the 5 target counties) participated indepth, semi-structured interviews. The interview guide was informed by the REF, and covered HCV-related risk behaviors and environmental features that shaped vulnerability to engaging in these behaviors. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using constructivist grounded-theory methods. Results Participants (N=19) described multiple intersecting risk environment features that shaped vulnerability to HCV transmission. Economic decline generated intergenerational poverty, dwindling employment prospects, and diminished social enrichment opportunities that collectively contributed to substance misuse and risky injection practices. Geographic isolation, lack of collective knowledge about HCV transmission risks, scarce harm reduction services, familial poverty, and fear of law enforcement interacted to increase the odds of people injecting in "trap houses" (akin to shooting galleries) or secluded areas, spaces in which they rushed to inject and shared injection equipment. Pervasive stigma was a structural barrier to adopting, expanding, and using harm reduction services. Conclusion This exploratory study identified features of rural risk environments that may contribute to significant HCV burdens in Appalachian Kentucky. Findings signal the importance of expanding proven harm reduction strategies and anti-stigma interventions tailored to rural contexts.
Molecular Analysis of the Complete Genome of a Simian Foamy Virus Infecting Hylobates pileatus (pileated gibbon) Reveals Ancient Co-Evolution with Lesser Apes

Foamy viruses (FVs) are complex retroviruses present in many mammals, including nonhuman primates, where they are called simian foamy viruses (SFVs). SFVs can zoonotically infect humans, but very few complete SFV genomes are available, hampering the design of diagnostic assays. Gibbons are lesser apes widespread across Southeast Asia that can be infected with SFV, but only two partial SFV sequences are currently available. We used a metagenomics approach with next-generation sequencing of nucleic acid extracted from the cell culture of a blood specimen from a lesser ape, the pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus), to obtain the complete SFVhpi_SAM106 genome. We used Bayesian analysis to co-infer phylogenetic relationships and divergence dates. SFVhpi_SAM106 is ancestral to other ape SFVs with a divergence date of ~20.6 million years ago, reflecting ancient co-evolution of the host and SFVhpi_SAM106. Analysis of the complete SFVhpi_SAM106 genome shows that it has the same genetic architecture as other SFVs but has the longest recorded genome (13,885-nt) due to a longer long terminal repeat region (2,071 bp). The complete sequence of the SFVhpi_SAM106 genome fills an important knowledge gap in SFV genetics and will facilitate future studies of FV infection, transmission, and evolutionary history.
Surface properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings on Ti-alloy in phosphate–based electrolytes with the addition of sodium metasilicate

AbstractWe have investigated effects of the sodium metasilicate addition into phosphate-based electrolytes on the surface properties of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)-coated layers on Ti-6Al-4...
General Multivariate Iyengar Inequalities

Here we give a variety of general multivariate Iyengar type inequalities for not necessarily radial functions defined on the shell and ball.
Experimental assessment of antimony (Sb) in pure uranium for immobilizing fission product lanthanides

Abstract The use of fuel additives is one of the concepts to mitigate fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) for metallic fuel because fission product lanthanides are expected to be immobilized by the additive. Antimony (Sb) has been found to be a good additive candidate for UZr fuel. The present study focuses on the immobilization mechanism in pure uranium. U–4Sb alloy was fabricated to understand the behavior of Sb, while U–4Sb–4Ce was fabricated to simulate the condition when lanthanides are generated. The as-cast alloys were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). U–Sb precipitates are formed in U–4Sb alloy, while U–Sb and Ce–Sb precipitates were found in U–4Sb–4Ce alloy. The alloys that were heated under 650 °C for 500 h were also characterized by SEM/EDS and the results shows that the thermal exposure does not change the morphologies or chemical composition of the Sb-precipitates (U–Sb and Ce–Sb precipitates). In addition, diffusion couple tests between those alloys and cladding materials (Fe or HT9) under 650 °C for 500 h were performed and the samples were then analyzed using SEM/EDS. The reactions between cladding and uranium were found, while there was no reaction between Sb-precipitates and cladding materials.
Structural and functional features of medium spiny neurons in the BACHDΔN17 mouse model of Huntington's Disease.

In the BACHD mouse model of Huntington’s disease (HD), deletion of the N17 domain of the Huntingtin gene (BACHDΔN17, Q97) has been reported to lead to nuclear accumulation of mHTT and exacerbation of motor deficits, neuroinflammation and striatal atrophy (Gu et al., 2015). Here we characterized the effect of N17 deletion on dorsolateral striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in BACHDΔN17 (Q97) and BACWTΔN17 (Q31) mice by comparing them to MSNs in wildtype (WT) mice. Mice were characterized on a series of motor tasks and subsequently whole cell patch clamp recordings with simultaneous biocytin filling of MSNs in in vitro striatal slices from these mice were used to comprehensively assess their physiological and morphological features. Key findings include that: Q97 mice exhibit impaired gait and righting reflexes but normal tail suspension reflexes and normal coats while Q31 mice do not differ from WT; intrinsic membrane and action potential properties are altered -but differentially so- in MSNs from Q97 and from Q31 mice; excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents exhibit higher amplitudes in Q31 but not Q97 MSNs, while excitatory synaptic currents occur at lower frequency in Q97 than in WT and Q31 MSNs; there is a reduced total dendritic length in Q31 -but not Q97- MSNs compared to WT, while spine density and number did not differ in MSNs in the three groups. The findings that Q31 MSNs differed from Q97 and WT neurons with regard to some physiological features and structurally suggest a novel role of the N17 domain in the function of WT Htt. The motor phenotype seen in Q97 mice was less robust than that reported in an earlier study (Gu et al., 2015), and the alterations to MSN physiological properties were largely consistent with changes reported previously in a number of other mouse models of HD. Together this study indicates that N17 plays a role in the modulation of the properties of MSNs in both mHtt and WT-Htt mice, but does not markedly exacerbate HD-like pathogenesis in the BACHD model.
Discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine in older patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicenter retrospective study.

Although hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a mainstay of treatment for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ocular toxicity can result from accumulated exposure. As the longevity of patients with SLE improves, data are needed to balance the risk of ocular toxicity and the risk of disease flare, especially in older patients with quiescent disease. Accordingly, this study was initiated to examine the safety of HCQ withdrawal in older SLE patients. Data were obtained by retrospective chart review at three major lupus centers in New York City. Twenty-six patients who discontinued HCQ and thirty-two patients on HCQ matched for gender, race/ethnicity, and age were included in this study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a lupus flare classified by the revised version of the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National Assessment version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) Flare composite index, within 1 year of HCQ withdrawal or matched time of continuation. Five patients (19.2%) in the HCQ withdrawal group compared to five (15.6%) in the HCQ continuation group experienced a flare of any severity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% CI 0.31, 5.30; p = 0.73). There were no severe flares in either group. The results were similar after adjusting for length of SLE, number of American College of Rheumatology criteria, low complement levels, and SELENA-SLEDAI score, and in a propensity score analysis (OR = 1.18; 95% CI 0.23, 6.16; p = 0.84). The analysis of time to any flare revealed a non-significant earlier time to flare in the HCQ withdrawal group (log-rank p = 0.67). Most flares were in the cutaneous and musculoskeletal systems, but one patient in the continuation group developed pericarditis. The most common reason for HCQ withdrawal was retinal toxicity (42.3%), followed by patient’s preference (34.6%), other confirmed or suspected adverse effects (15.4%), ophthalmologist recommendation for macular degeneration (3.8%), and rheumatologist recommendation for quiescent SLE (3.8%). In this retrospective study of older stable patients with SLE on long-term HCQ, withdrawal did not significantly increase the risk of flares.
Placing a Limiting Principle on Federal Monetary Influence of Tribes

American Indian tribes are strange sovereigns. Though subject to the ultimate sovereignty of the United States in many ways, tribes retain powers that have not been explicitly divested by federal statute or treaty, or implicitly divested by restraints of tribes’ protectorate relationship with the United States. Defining tribal membership is one undivested power, and the federal government, including the Supreme Court, has recognized that particular power’s importance to tribes. Even so, this power, as well as others currently nondivested, appear to be subject to congressional influence should Congress choose to act.
γδ T cells burst malaria's bubble.

New research demonstrates that γδ T cells recognize Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes via interaction of the T cell antigen receptor with the phosphoantigen sensor BTN3A1 and subsequently destroy infected cells through either cytotoxic molecule secretion or antibody-dependent phagocytosis.
Evaluation of an integrated treatment to address smoking cessation and anxiety/depressive symptoms among people living with HIV: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Interventions that target anxiety/depressive symptoms in the context of smoking treatment have shown promise irrespective of psychiatric diagnosis. Yet, these tailored treatments are largely absent for persons who smoke and are living with HIV (SLWH). Objective To evaluate a novel, smoking cessation intervention that addresses anxiety/depression and HIV-related health (QUIT) against a time-matched control (TMC) and a standard of care (SOC) condition. Methods SLWH (N = 180) will be recruited and enrolled from 3 medical clinics in Boston, MA, and Houston, TX. The trial will consist of a baseline assessment, a 10-week intervention/assessment period, and follow-up assessments, accounting for a total study duration of approximately 8 months. All participants will complete a baseline visit and a pre-randomization standardized psychoeducation visit, and will then be randomized to one of three conditions: QUIT, TMC, or SOC. QUIT and TMC will consist of nine 60-min, cognitive behavioral therapy-based, individual weekly counseling sessions using standard smoking cessation counseling; additionally, QUIT will target anxiety and depressive symptoms by addressing underlying mechanisms related to mood and quit difficulty. SOC participants will complete weekly self-report surveys for nine weeks. All participants will be encouraged to quit at Session 7 and will be offered nicotine replacement therapy to help. Conclusions QUIT is designed to improve smoking cessation in SLWH by addressing anxiety and depression and HIV-related health issues. If successful, the QUIT intervention would be ready for implementation and dissemination into “real-world” behavioral health and social service settings consistent with the four objectives outlined in NIDA's Strategic Plan.
The glutathione peroxidase Gpx4 prevents lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis to sustain Treg cell activation and suppression of antitumor immunity.

Summary T regulatory (Treg) cells are crucial to maintain immune tolerance and repress antitumor immunity, but the mechanisms governing their cellular redox homeostasis remain elusive. We report that glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) prevents Treg cells from lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in regulating immune homeostasis and antitumor immunity. Treg-specific deletion of Gpx4 impairs immune homeostasis without substantially affecting survival of Treg cells at steady state. Loss of Gpx4 results in excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides and ferroptosis of Treg cells upon T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 co-stimulation. Neutralization of lipid peroxides and blockade of iron availability rescue ferroptosis of Gpx4-deficient Treg cells. Moreover, Gpx4-deficient Treg cells elevate generation of mitochondrial superoxide and production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) that facilitates T helper 17 (TH17) responses. Furthermore, Treg-specific ablation of Gpx4 represses tumor growth and concomitantly potentiates antitumor immunity. Our studies establish a crucial role for Gpx4 in protecting activated Treg cells from lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis and offer a potential therapeutic strategy to improve cancer treatment.
How Can I Get COVID?: Understanding Differences in American Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Men's Risk Perception.

Men are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections compared to women, but their risk perceptions around COVID-19 are persistently lower. Further, men often engage in less health promotion behavior because self-care in this capacity is seen as weak or less masculine. This combination has consequences for mortality; thus, a better understanding of men’s COVID-19 cognitions and individual difference factors is critical. In a web-based survey conducted during the beginning stages of the pandemic in the U.S., we collected risk perceptions of various sexual and non-sexual behaviors from heterosexual (n = 137) and gay/bisexual men (n = 108). There were no significant sexual orientation differences for perceptions of COVID-19 risk from routine activities or in overall risk estimates. However, gay/bisexual men did report engaging in more precautionary behavior while socializing (i.e., masking, social distancing) and reported higher risk perceptions than did heterosexual men for nearly all intimate and sexual activities. A more nuanced understanding of cognitions around COVID-19 is needed to better understand motivation for—and especially motivation against—pursuing vaccinations and continuing precautionary behavior.
Mouse Hepatitis Virus Nucleocapsid Protein as a Translational Effector of Viral mRNAs

The mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) nucleocapsid protein stimulated translation of a chimeric reporter mRNA containing an intact MHV 5’-untranslated region and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) coding region. The nucleocapsid protein binds specifically the tandemly repeated -UCYAA- of the MHV leader. This RNA sequence is the same as the intergenic motif found in the genome RNA.
InAlAs/In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As HIGFETs (x>or=0.53) for E/D FET logic applications

The design of InAlAs/In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As (x>or=0.53) heterostructure insulated-gate FETs with lattice-matched and strained channel designs are investigated. It is shown that DC (g/sub m/,K) and microwave (f/sub T/, f/sub max/) characteristics were enhanced as the In content was increased to 65% in the InGaAs channel: best performance was mu =12890 cm/sup 2//V-s, gm=438 mS/mm, f/sub T/=27 GHz. Orientation effects indicate a V/sub th/ shift up to -0.128 V and a very small g/sub m/ variation. Enhancement- and depletion-mode HIGFET operation was controlled by an additional selective ion implantation in the channel. >
The product r0A versus cut-off wavelength for PbSnTe and HgCdTe photodiodes: Consequences for the optimum temperature resolution of a radiometric system

Abstract The quasibinary semiconductors PbSnTe and HgCdTe both offer the possibility of tailoring the composition to make the cutoff-wavelength of photodiodes anywhere within the 3rd atmospheric window. As a consequence of the strong dependence of detector parameters like D ∗ on composition, it follows that for optimum temperature resolution of a radiometric system the detector should not be designed to cover the full window, but minimum NETD is obtained with some intermediate cut-off wavelength.
Analyzing the Parallel Scalability of an Implicit Unstructured Mesh CFD Code

In this paper, we identify the scalability bottlenecks of an unstructured grid CFD code (PETSc-FUN3D) by studying the impact of several algorithmic and architectural parameters and by examining different programming models. We discuss the basic performance characteristics of this PDE code with the help of simple performance models developed in our earlier work, presenting primarily experimental results. In addition to achievingg ood per-processor performance (which has been addressed in our cited work and without which scalability claims are suspect) we strive to improve the implementation and convergence scalability of PETSc-FUN3D on thousands of processors.
STeP: Deductive-Algorithmic Verification of Reactive and Real-Time Systems

The Stanford Temporal Prover, STeP, combines deductive methods with algorithmic techniques to verify linear-time temporal logic specifications of reactive and real-time systems. STeP uses verification rules, verification diagrams, automatically generated invariants, model checking, and a collection of decision procedures to verify finite- and infinite-state systems.
Talking About Religion in the Language of the Law: Impossible But Necessary

As my title suggests, what has struck me most in these reflections is the simplest and most obvious fact, namely the enormous difficulty of talking about religion in the language of the law. In what follows I shall try to explain what seem to me to be some of the reasons for this, beginning with some that will be highly familiar to you, relating to the history and structure of our Constitution, then going on to some that are more speculative in nature. I will conclude by asking how, in light of these circumstances, courts ought to think about questions of religion, particularly in the context defined by the First Amendment. My aim is not to propose rules of law, but to make some suggestions about the attitudes with which judges might approach these questions.
Narveson on Egoism And the Rights of Animals

(1977). Narveson on Egoism And the Rights of Animals. Canadian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 179-186.
Neutron Imaging Facility Development and Research Trend at NIST

Abstract The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)maintains a sustained focus in the development of advanced neutron imaging facilities and hardware components to enable breakthrough research with vastly improved spatial and temporal resolutions, and to identify and employ research practices important to a wide variety of industrial and scientific applications. NIST's main focus is to enable research with broad appeal and commercial impacts. In this article we will give a brief overview of the NIST facility, select examples of current research, and finally comment on emerging technologies including advance manufacturing where neutron imaging has the potential to play an important role.
X-pinch soft x-ray source for microlithography

The x-pinch soft x-ray source is described for application in submicron resolution lithography. Experiments have been performed to characterize the radiation emitted from magnesium wire x-pinch plasmas using an 80 ns, ≤500 kA pulse. Yields of 14.2 J averaged over three independent calibrated diagnostics at 445 kA have been measured in magnesium K-shell radiation (predominantly 8.4 A to 9.4 A or 1.5 keV to 1.3 keV) from a submillimeter source, with as little as 5–10% of the yield below the 6.74 Â silicon absorption edge. A new ≤700 kA, 100 ns puiser being used for x-pinch physics experiments is described. The design of a 40 pulse per second pulsed power system and wire loading mechanism for exposing a resist in 1 second at a distance of 40 cm is presented.
Mean Differences among Subcomponents of Vandenberg's Mental Rotation Test:

The current investigation was designed to answer three questions: is the sex difference on Vandenberg's Mental Rotation Test present in all five subsections, what is the relation with performance, and what are the estimates of split-half reliability. Undergraduate students (55 men and 52 women) enrolled in introductory psychology courses were administered Vandenberg's test and were given 6 min. to complete the test. An over-all significant sex difference indicated men's mean performance was significantly higher than women's "total item score" and "total ratio item score," but only for Section 4(D). This suggests that men were not significantly better at identifying all types of visual spatial items on all parts of Vandenberg's test and that the source of the sex difference may be due, at least in part, to performance factors. Reliability measures for Vandenberg's test were established for the 6-min. completion time. Spearman-Brown reliability coefficient was calculated for the "item score," "ratio item score," and "attempted item" scores (.86, .85, and .93, respectively).
Optimizing the aromatic yield and distribution from catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass over ZSM-5

Abstract The conversion of glucose, furan and maple wood has been investigated over different types of ZSM-5 catalyst in semi-batch and fixed-bed reactors. The aromatic yield from glucose conversion goes through a maximum as a function of the framework silica-to-alumina ratio (SAR) of ZSM-5 with an optimum at SAR = 30. This suggests that the concentration of acid sites inside the zeolite is critical for maximizing aromatic yield. Creating hierarchical mesopores within the zeolite slightly increased of coke formation and decreased the formation of the monocyclic aromatics. Mesoporous ZSM-5 was also observed to favor the production of larger alkylated monoaromatics. The selective removal of external acid sites from the ZSM-5 catalysts only slightly increased the catalyst activity but also decreased the selectivity to the desired aromatic products.
An O(n) algorithm for the linear multiple choice knapsack problem and related problems

Abstract We present an O(n) algorithm for the Linear Multiple Choice Knapsack Problem and its d-dimensional generalization which is based on Megiddo's (1982) algorithm for linear programming. We also consider a certain type of convex programming problems which are common in geometric location models. An application of the linear case is an O(n) algorithm for finding a least distance hyperplane in R d according to the rectilinear norm. The best previously available algorithm for this problem was an O(n log 2 n) algorithm for the two-dimensional case. A simple application of the nonlinear case is an O(n) algorithm for finding the point at which a ‘pursuer’ minimizes its distance from the furthest among n ‘targets’, when the trajectories involved are straight lines in R d .
Creation of multisensor precipitation products from WSI NOWrad reflectivity data

AbstractRadar and multisensor quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) have played a critical role in real-time hydrologic and weather predictions. The utility of this data set for hydrologic model calibration, however, is hampered by the limited data archive and the presence of data gaps. In the research reported in this paper, the use of a composite reflectivity data set is investigated, namely the Weather Services International (WSI) National Operational Weather radar (NOWrad) data set, to create an hourly QPE that would complement the National Weather Service (NWS) Stage III archive by filling in the latter’s gaps and potentially improving the latter’s accuracy. The paper starts from an inventory analysis of Stage III and NOWrad products, and through which it is found that as much as 17% of the Stage III data were missing for some of the regions, and some of these gaps can be filled using the NOWrad data. Then, the paper presents two experimental products, as follows: (1) NOWrad–Raw, based on varia...
Factors affecting choice of community residential care setting

To investigate factors associated with residents’ choice of type of Medicaid-funded community residential care setting in western Washington State. Method: Prospective cohort design including residents new to any of three setting types (264 residents entering 170 different facilities), using data from state and Medicaid databases and in-person interviews. The authors used analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression to examine bivariate associations and estimate effects of resident and facility characteristics on choice of facility type at baseline. Results: Several resident characteristics appear to be associated with choice of community residential care setting, including age, marital status, education, functional status, and reported memory and behavior problems. Facility policies differ significantly among types of facilities and also appear to be associated with choice of setting. Discussion: Selection processes operate in choice of community residential care setting, with residents choos...
Human Capital Accumulation in Premodern Rural Japan

Premodern human capital accumulation helps to explain the exceptional growth performance of the Japanese economy in the last hundred years. Prior to this century informal institutions were more important for human capital formation than were the more formal ones familiar today. This paper examines a few seminal changes—national market formation, population control, and the involvement of farmers in rural administration—that were primarily responsible for the emergence of economically responsive, more productive individuals in rural Japan.
Substrate Dependent Water Splitting with Ultrathin α-Fe2O3 Electrodes

Thin films of hematite (α-Fe2O3) were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the effects of metal oxide underlayers on the photocatalytic water oxidation performance were investigated. It was found that a Ga2O3 underlayer dramatically enhances the water oxidation performance of the thinnest hematite films. The performance enhancement is attributed to the increased crystallinity of the ultrathin films induced by the oxide underlayers. The degree of crystallinity was examined by Raman line shape analysis of the characteristic hematite phonon modes. It was found that multiple metal oxide underlayers, including Nb2O5, ITO, and WO3, increase the film crystallinity compared to hematite deposited on bare FTO. The increased crystallite size was also clearly evident from the high resolution SEM images. The degree of crystallinity was found to correlate with absorbance and the photocatalytic water oxidation performance. These findings shed light on the origin of the dead layer at the interface of the FTO s...
Trends in Acute Otitis Media-Related Health Care Utilization by Privately Insured Young Children in the United States, 1997–2004

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to estimate the population effect of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on rates of acute otitis media-related ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions for 500 000 person-years of observations for children <2 years of age. Trends in rates of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-coded ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions attributable to acute otitis media were evaluated, and the national direct medical expenditures for these outcomes were estimated. RESULTS. In a comparison of 2004 with 1997-1999 (baseline period), rates of ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions attributable to acute otitis media decreased from 2173 to 1244 visits per 1000 person-years (42.7% reduction) and from 1244 to 722 prescriptions per 1000 person-years (41.9% reduction), respectively. Total, estimated, national direct medical expenditures for acute otitis media-related ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions for children <2 years of age decreased from an average of $1.41 billion during 1997 to 1999 to $0.95 billion in 2004 (32.3% reduction). CONCLUSIONS. Acute otitis media-related health care utilization and associated antibiotic prescriptions for privately insured young children decreased more than expected (on the basis of efficacy estimates in prelicensure clinical trials) after the introduction of routine 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization. Although other factors, such as clinical practice guidelines to reduce antibiotic use, might have contributed to the observed trend, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may play an important role in reducing the burden of acute otitis media, resulting in substantial savings in medical care costs.
Synthesis and characterization of thermally robust electro-optic polymers

Recently, substantial progress has been made in molecular design of nonlinear optical chromophores toward the goal of large nonlinearities while retaining thermal stability. Modifications of donor groups, delocalized (pi) -systems, and acceptor groups have all been made, and examples of each are described. The utility of each modification for preparation of electro-optic polymers is discussed. Resistance to thermal decomposition is not sufficient for practical applications; NLO polymers must also be resistant to thermal depoling and to sublimation of chromophores out of the polymers. It is therefore concluded that chemical tethering is required. Synthetic strategies for tethering our better chromophores to thermally stable polyimides are described, and the results of materials prepared to date are given.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
MORPHOLOGICAL INDICES OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS IN THE PARR-SMOLT COHO SALMON, ONCORHYNCHUS KISUTCH

Abstract By common usage rather than by strict definition a parr is understood to be a young salmonid with vertical dark stripes, and a smolt is a slightly older and larger fish in which the dark stripes are obscured by a deposition of guanine in the scales and the skin, giving a silvery color. Although parr and smolt remain satisfactory terms for general usage, they are not sufficiently precise to describe the normal genetically based developmental variants in salmon, and certainly they cannot specify or describe the non-synchronous development of young salmon subjected to experimentally altered environments (e.g., special diets, hormonal manipulation, photoperiod, temperature, salinity). To aid in more detailed description of developmental variants in the parr-smolt transformation a study was made of externally measurable features that change significantly during this period. In addition to pigmentation and length, the following items proved to be useful indices of differentiation: emergence and growth of teeth on the maxilla, mandible and tongue; growth and changes in shape of integumentary folds adjacent to the cloacal opening; growth and change in shape of the auxillary appendage of the pelvic fin; and growth in the scales with respect to radius and number of circuli. These additional features appear to reflect chronological age more faithfully than does integumentary pigmentation. In further studies of experimentally altered parr and smolt, and in normal genetic variants, these features, when related (or not) to differentiating physiological and biochemical properties, should greatly amplify and improve the precision of descriptions of developing salmonids.
Tightly coupled policy in loosely coupled systems: institutional capacity and organizational change

This article examines the loosely coupled nature of the US educational system and explores recent systemic reform initiatives designed to improve education through more tightly coupled education policy and practice. The utility and limitations of loose coupling as an organizational construct are examined and critiqued. A number of significant forces are exerting ever‐greater pressure on policymakers to more tightly couple US education, including environmental pressures, the emergence of powerful new institutional actors, an emergent institutional capacity, and institutional isomorphism. After reviewing the effectiveness of systemic reform initiatives in several states, the article concludes that education in the USA is moving toward a system of fragmented centralization in which policymakers have greater opportunity to craft more coherent, systemic education policy amidst competing demands for limited resources.
Resilience in parentally bereaved children and adolescents seeking preventive services

This study examined environmental stress, family, and child variables that differentiate resilient children and adolescents from those with mental health problems following the death of a primary caregiver. The community-based sample included 179 bereaved children ages 8 to 16 years and their surviving caregivers who completed a test battery of measures before participating in a prevention program. Forty-four percent of bereaved children were classified as resilient and 56% as affected based on the absence of clinically significant mental health problems on at least 1 measure as reported by either the child, surviving caregiver, or teacher on standardized measures of mental health problems. Results of multivariate analyses indicated that bereaved resilient versus affected status was a function of both family and child variables. Higher levels of caregiver warmth and discipline and lower levels of caregiver mental health problems were family-level variables that significantly differentiated resilient children from affected children. Bereaved children's perceptions of less threat in response to negative events and greater personal efficacy in coping with stress were child-level variables that differentiated resilient from affected status. Family and child variables were entered into a discriminant function analysis that correctly classified 72% of the sample. The findings are consistent with a model of resilience in which multilevel variables account for children's positive adaptation following exposure to adversity.
Technique for Impaction Bone Grafting of Large Bone Defects in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Impaction bone grafting is an important tool in managing the irregularly sized and shaped bone defects observed in revision total knees. The technique is described in detail and includes tightly packing cancellous bone chips about an intramedullary stem and into the periprosthetic bone defects, then fully cementing a component in place. If needed, wire mesh can be used to contain bone defects. Results to date in 42 patients with 2 to 7 years of follow up are reported. They show the average flexion was 111°; the final Knee Society score was 89 points, and there were no mechanical failures. There were 2 infections and 2 late periprosthetic fractures. The results have been encouraging, and this technique remains our procedure of choice for managing large bone defects in revision knee surgery.
Study of buried archaeological sites using vegetation indices

The identification of buried archaeological structures, using remote sensing technologies is based on the principle that any buried ruins, either of human or natural origin, affects over time, soil surface characteristics creating anomalies. These anomalies are due to different factors, such as soil physical and chemical features, and vegetation cover status. The above factors are strictly connected and are responsible of surface spectral responses. Several images processing are applied and their results compared in order to define the one that fits better the various archaeological research goals. Among them, Vegetation Indices revealed to be very useful archaeological study. Spectral Vegetation Indices are important products in observing spatial and temporal variations of vegetation biophysical properties and photosynthetic activities, by which is possible to analyse the effects of buried ruins presence on vegetation cover status. The aim of this work is to assess the usefulness of vegetation indices in order to identify archaeological traces and verify the quantitative estimates of presence of buried archaeological structures in every type of elaboration (RVI, VIN, NDVI and SAVI). Statistical analysis were conducted on several Italian archaeological test sites processing by hyperspectral MIVIS (Multispectral Infrared and Visible Imaging Spectrometer) various typologies of vegetation cover. The study of these anomalies on MIVIS hyperspectral data is the main goal of a research project that the CNR-IIA has carried ahead since 1994 over some archaeological sites: Selinunte, Lilybaeum, Sipontum and Arpi. The Arpi area could be considered as the wider Pre-roman settlement in Italy.
Excitatory Amino Acid Receptor Potency and Subclass Specificity of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids

The sulfur-containing amino acids, L- and D-cysteate, L-cysteine, L- and D-cysteine sulfinate, L- and D-cysteine-S-sulfate, L-cystine, L- and D-homocysteate, L- and D-homocysteine sulfinate, L-homocysteine, L-serine-O-sulfate, and taurine were tested in two excitatory amino acid receptor functional assays and in receptor binding assays designed to label specifically the AA1/N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), AA2/quisqualate, and AA3/kainate receptor recognition sites, as well as a CaCl2-dependent L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate site, and a putative glutamate uptake site. Agonist efficacies were determined by chick retinal excitotoxicity and stimulated sodium efflux from rat brain slices. D-Homocysteine sulfinate, L-homocysteate, and L-serine-O-sulfate had affinities most selective for the NMDA binding site, whereas the binding affinities of D-cysteate, D-cysteine sulfinate, D-homocysteate, and L-homocysteine sulfinate were less selective. However, the correlation of agonist activity sensitive to blockade by D-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate or D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate in the functional assays with affinity in the NMDA binding assay (r = 0.87, p less than 0.005 and r = 0.98, p less than 0.005 for excitotoxicity and sodium efflux, respectively) allows characterization of these sulfur-containing amino acids as acting at NMDA subclass receptors. L-Homocysteate, which has been found in the brain, and L-serine-O-sulfate are selective agonists and could serve as endogenous neurotransmitters at the NMDA receptor.
CSF eosinophilia and chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitisvirus meningitis

bladder: bacteriologic studies in 654 infants and children, Pediatrics 43:1018, 1969. 4. Aronson AS, Gustafson B, and Svenningsen NW: Combined suprapubic aspiration and dean-voided urine examination in infants and children, Acta Paediatr Scand 62:396, 1973. 5. Rockoff AS: Hemorrhage after suprapubic bladder aspiration, J P~OIAXR 89:327, 1976. 6. Carlson KP, and Pullon DHH: Bladder hemorrhage following transcutaneous bladder aspiration, Pediatrics 60:765, 1977. 7. Polnay L, Fraser AM, and Lewis JM: Complication of suprapubic bladder aspiration, Arch Dis Child 50:80, 1975. 8. Weathers WE, and Wenzl JF: Suprapubic aspiration of the bladder, Am J Dis Child 117:590, 1969. 9. Stamey TA, Govan DE, and Palmer JH: The localization and treatment of urinary tract infections: .The role Of bactericidal urine levels as opposed to serum levels. Medicine, 44:1, 1965. 10 Chow AW, Leake RD, Yamauchi T, Bascom, FA, and Guze LB: The significance of anaerobes in neonatal bacteremia: Analysis of 23 cases and review of the literature, Pediatrics 54:736, t974.
Envy-free and efficient allocations in large public good economies

Abstract In an economy with private and public goods and a continuum of agents, we show that every envy-free and efficient allocation is generated by a public competitive equilibrium from equal endowments (not a Lindahl equilibrium from equal endowments).
A Repair “Kit” for the Infarcted Heart

Transplanted, c-kit expressing marrow-derived progenitors can enhance the function of an infarcted heart, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Loffredo et al. (2011) provide evidence that hematopoietic precursors do not differentiate into new cardiomyocytes but, rather, stimulate production of new cardiomyocytes from endogenous progenitors.
Proteasome inhibition alters neural mitochondrial homeostasis and mitochondria turnover

Inhibition of proteasome activity occurs in normal aging and in a wide variety of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Although each of these conditions is also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction potentially mediated by proteasome inhibition, the relationship between proteasome inhibition and the loss of mitochondrial homeostasis in each of these conditions has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted experimentation in order to begin to develop a more complete understanding of the effects proteasome inhibition has on neural mitochondrial homeostasis. Mitochondria within neural SH-SY5Y cells exposed to low level proteasome inhibition possessed similar morphological features and similar rates of electron transport chain activity under basal conditions as compared with untreated neural cultures of equal passage number. Despite such similarities, maximal complex I and complex II activities were dramatically reduced in neural cells subject to proteasome inhibition. Proteasome inhibition also increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, reduced intramitochondrial protein translation, and increased cellular dependence on glycolysis. Finally, whereas proteasome inhibition generated cells that consistently possessed mitochondria located in close proximity to lysosomes with mitochondria present in the cellular debris located within autophagosomes, increased levels of lipofuscin suggest that impairments in mitochondrial turnover may occur following proteasome inhibition. Taken together, these data demonstrate that proteasome inhibition dramatically alters specific aspects of neural mitochondrial homeostasis and alters lysosomal-mediated degradation of mitochondria with both of these alterations potentially contributing to aging and age-related disease in the nervous system.
President’s page: “The Great End Of Life Is Not Knowledge But Action.”—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)

Caring for patients requires wisdom and creativity founded on an organized body of information that is always evolving. Continuing medical education and the formulation and dissemination of formal clinical practice guidelines help keep practitioners informed about new developments in the diagnosis
Photon correlations in a multiple coherent and overlapping chaotic radiation field

We propose a study of the second-order coherence properties of radiation, such as inelastically scattered laser light, by performing an excess photon coincidence rate experiment a la Hanbury Brown-Twiss. The calculation evaluates the second-order correlation function of the electromagnetic field for an arbitrary number of coherent modes overlapped in phase space by a chaotic radiation field. We discuss the application of the general result to a specific case, namely the case of a single mode laser, and the Stokes radiation produced in a Brillouin-active medium, and a suitable part of the spectrum produced by causing dielectric breakdown in air.