cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advanced Geriatrics Evaluation Skills.

Background and objectives Older adults are the fastest growing subset of the population and residency training in the basic concepts of care to the older adult is limited. We created a 1-day interactive training program, Advanced Geriatric Evaluation Skills (AGES), to upskill first-year primary care residents in the care of older adults. Methods An interprofessional faculty team developed and taught the IRB-approved course to a convenience sample of family medicine and internal medicine interns in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Topics addressed common geriatric presentations seen in the outpatient setting. The faculty provided useful tips and hints for successful workup, diagnosis, and treatment. Results Over the 3 years, 56 of the 135 (41%) first-year primary care residents participated. Residents reported that the course was well organized, relevant, and well taught, and they appreciated the dedicated time to focus on caring for older adults. During 2019, residents completed a pre- and posttest with 25 multiple-choice questions. The average score on the pretest was 76% and the average on the posttest was 88%. Ninety percent of the residents improved their score from the pre- to the posttest. Conclusions The development of an AGES program provided a structured geriatric didactic curriculum for primary care residents. The course was well received by the residents, was reported to be relevant and timely, and resulted in increased knowledge in the care of older adults in the outpatient setting.
Synthesis, antimicrobial activity and toxicity of analogs of the scorpion venom BmKn peptides.

Abstract Two analogs of the natural peptide BmKn1 and four of BmKn2 found in the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsh have been synthesized and tested to compare their antimicrobial and hemolytic activity with the natural ones. Modifications of the natural sequence were done on the hydrophobic side of the alpha helix by increasing the size and hydrophobicity of the residues with alanine (BmKn2A1), valine (BmKn2V1) and leucine (BmKn2L1) respectively, and on the hydrophilic side by increasing the charge from +2 to +3 with two lysines (BmKn2K7). In order to study observed peptide aggregation, two peptides with one (BmKn1-6Lys) and two (BmKn1L2K2) positive charges respectively in the hydrophobic side have been also designed. Results show that the valine substituted analog BmKn2V1 and lysine substituted analog BmKn2K7 have in general, the highest antibiotic and hemolytic activity of the group. Introduction of one positive charge on the hydrophobic side shows a significant increase in antibacterial activity compared with the original sequence except for Bacillus and Enterobacter where, unexpectedly, the activity flats-off. In contrast, the analog with two positive charges has minimal antibacterial or hemolytic activity.
The impacts of a warming climate on winter mid-latitude cyclones in the NARCCAP model suite

The North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) represents the next step in investigating the behavior of weather phenomena in current and future climate. Specifically, variations in mid-latitude cyclone tracks attributable to a warming climate have potential socio-economic consequences via the redistribution of precipitation on regional spatial scales. This manuscript assesses the impacts of a warming climate on cyclone tracks in the NARCCAP model suite. Specifically, cyclones are generated from eight 33-year simulations for the twentieth Century (1968–2000) and eight 33-year simulations for the A2 greenhouse scenario (2068–2100). To provide comparison, cyclone tracks are also generated from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) and ERA Interim (ERA_INT) reanalysis datasets from 1979 to 2016. The results support that the NARCCAP model suite is capable of producing a reasonable cyclone frequency and intensity climatology when compared with the reanalysis datasets. Comparison of the ensemble twentieth Century cyclone (20C) tracks with the ensemble A2 cyclone tracks demonstrate a zonally-oriented poleward shift in cyclone track frequency in response to a warming climate. Intensity differences were regionally oriented, with cyclones being more intense in the A2 relative to the twentieth Century scenarios west of the Appalachians, suggesting cyclones acquire greater latent heat from warmer western Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico moisture sources in A2. A sector analysis revealed a higher total frequency of cyclones in both reanalysis datasets relative to either NARCCAP scenario. For intense cyclones, the NARCCAP model simulations produced more frequent cyclones in the Great Lakes and East Coast sectors. In contrast, reanalysis produced a higher frequency of weak cyclones for all sectors except Atlantic Canada. In addition, NARCCAP simulations were found to be capable of reproducing the broadness of intensity distributions in the reanalysis datasets, likely due to the fine spatial gridding in the NARCCAP models. Sector analysis for frequency and intensity affirmed the ensemble results, with individual model simulations showed a reduction in frequency for all sectors except the Canadian Maritimes for A2 relative to 20C. For intensity, cyclones were once again overall more intense for the upper Midwest/Great Lakes sector for A2 relative to 20C. The results of this research demonstrates the ability for regional climate models to be used to assess changes in synoptic-scale phenomena in a warming climate. Future work will focus on assessing cyclone structure including changes in moisture transport, precipitation, and the low-level jet.
A physics-guided neural network framework for elastic plates: Comparison of governing equations-based and energy-based approaches

Abstract One of the obstacles hindering the scaling-up of the initial successes of machine learning in practical engineering applications is the dependence of the accuracy on the size and quality of the database that “drives” the algorithms. Incorporating the already-known physical laws into the training process can significantly reduce the request for data. In this study, we establish a neural network-based computational framework to characterize the finite deformation of elastic plates, which in classic theories is described by the Foppl–von Karman (FvK) equations with a set of boundary conditions (BCs). A neural network is constructed by taking the spatial coordinates as the input and the displacement field as the output to approximate the exact solution of the FvK equations. The physical information (PDEs, BCs, and potential energy) is then incorporated into the loss function, and a pseudo dataset is sampled without knowing the exact solution to finally train the neural network. The accuracy of the modeling framework is carefully examined by applying it to four different loading cases: in-plane tension with non-uniformly distributed stretching forces, in-plane central-hole tension, out-of-plane deflection, and buckling under compression. Three ways of formulating the loss function are compared: (1) purely data-driven, (2) PDE-based, and (3) energy-based. Through the comparison with the finite element simulations, it is found that all the three approaches can characterize the elastic deformation of plates with a satisfactory accuracy if trained with a proper strategy in terms of sampling size and resolution. Compared with incorporating the PDEs and BCs in the loss, using the total potential energy shows certain advantage in terms of the simplicity of hyperparameter tuning and the computational efficiency.
Cognitive and motor function in adults with spina bifida myelomeningocele: a pilot study

Determine the feasibility and utility of using a battery of tests utilized, so far, to assess neurological-cognitive functions in the typical adult population and identify the spectrum of these functions in adult SBM patients. Prospective study in which 15 participants (mean age = 28.7 ± 8.7 years, range = 19–45 years) completed the targeted battery of tests (n = 5–15/test) previously standardized to the general population. Results were compared with normative data. Statistically significant differences with normative means were noted in the following tests: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), and NIH Toolbox Fine Motor (Dexterity and Grip Strength) tests. Cohort means for NIH Toolbox Fluid, Crystallized, and Cognitive Composite Scores and Timed Up and GO (TUG) were not different from normative means. All tests were successfully completed by cohort. Whereas many aspects of cognition were normal, tests assessing visual-constructural, calculation, motor, and fluency functions did show differences from population means. Numerous tests assessing multiple domains are needed and can be used in future aging studies to appreciate the spectrum of cognitive and motor abilities in adults with SBM.
A Novel Classification Method of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures by Suture Comminution to Better Predict Clinical Outcomes

Purpose: To assess a novel technique for classifying zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures by its ability to predict clinical outcomes and reoperations when compared to a well-established cla...
Comparing Outcomes for Patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type 16 versus Other High-Risk HPV Types in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is related to improved treatment outcomes. What remains unclear is whether all HPV DNA genotypes carry similar prognostic relevance. We aimed to evaluate disease control and survival outcomes by HPV DNA genotype. Patients with primary OPSCC without distant metastases treated with curative intent were retrospectively identified from an IRB-approved institutional database. Patients that underwent HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with available genotype were included and dichotomized by the presence of HPV type 16 (HPV-16) or other high-risk HPV genotype (HPV-non16). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control (LRC) and distant control (DC) were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. In our cohort of 193 patients treated from 2012 to 2018 with HPV DNA PCR, 10% were detected as HPV-non16 high-risk types. Patients with HPV-16 were significantly younger than those with HPV-non16, but no other baseline factors were associated with HPV-non16. With a median follow-up of 42.9 months, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the HPV-16 and HPV-non16 groups for 3-year OS (87.7% v. 73.6%), DFS (82.9% v. 68.7%), LRC (92.8% v. 88.5%) or DC (91% v. 89.2%). There is no statistically significant difference in outcomes between OPSCC with HPV-16 and HPV-non16 high-risk genotypes in our cohort, though trends of overall worse survival and disease-free survival in HPV-non 16 OPSCC were seen. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients with HPV-non 16-associated OPSCC are required to make definitive conclusions regarding the prognostic and clinical significance of HPV type.
A city without a hero: Joker and rethinking hegemony

The relationship between Batman and the Joker is usually presented as one of opposites: good vs. evil, justice vs. crime, order vs. chaos. Batman has been described as a fictional agent of hegemony...
Evaluating sedimentary PAH bioavailability based on equilibrium partitioning and passive sampling at the Dover Gas Light Superfund Site (Dover, Delaware, USA).

From 1859 to 1948, the Dover Gas Light plant produced combustible gas for industrial, commercial, and residential applications using pine resin, coking coal, oil, and wood, and finally, a coal-gas process. Waste coal tar was discharged into the St. Jones River in Dover, Delaware (USA), via a ditch and culvert and, following plant closure in the 1940s, through groundwater flow from structures buried on the site. By the end of the 20th century, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination of the sediments in the St. Jones River was suspected to have occurred, and state and federal agencies initiated environmental assessments of the newly designated Superfund site. The current study investigated the spatial distributions of total PAHs in St. Jones River sediments adjacent to the site and evaluated their bioavailability. In 2017, 34 sediment cores were collected, sectioned, and analyzed using an on-site fluorometric screening technology indicating total PAH sediment concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 15 000 mg/kg (wet). A subset of cores involving 20 samples of various depths was selected and further analyzed by conventional GC/MS analysis for 16 parent PAHs. In addition, a 34-day in situ deployment of polyethylene passive samplers was performed to measure vertical bioavailability profiles of parent PAHs in sediments at three locations and overlying waters at four stations. Freely dissolved concentrations (C free ) of total PAHs were estimated based on equilibrium partitioning (EqP) of the GC/MS results and the passive sampling findings. C free values were used to calculate acute and chronic toxic units ranging from 1.4 to 56, based on EqP and 1.3 to 15 based on passive sampling. For six samples where comparative data were available, EqP calculations overestimated bioavailability by < 2- to 54-fold. Combining rapid field measurements with more accurate analyses of sediment concentrations and bioavailability in a tiered framework supported a time-efficient and cost-effective site investigation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1215-1228. © Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Texture analysis of deep ultraviolet fluorescence images for intraoperative assessment of breast tumor margins

Deep ultraviolet (DUV) excitation has generated high-resolution fluorescence images of fresh and unfixed breast tissues. We report that texture analysis of DUV images can potentially differentiate malignant samples from normal breast tissues.
Validity Evidence for Assessing Entrustable Professional Activities During Undergraduate Medical Education.

Purpose To explore validity evidence for the use of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) as an assessment framework in medical education. Method Formative assessments on the 13 Core EPAs for entering residency were collected for 4 cohorts of students over a 9- to 12-month longitudinal integrated clerkship as part of the Education in Pediatrics Across the Continuum pilot at the University of Minnesota Medical School. The students requested assessments from clinical supervisors based on direct observation while engaging in patient care together. Based on each observation, the faculty member rated the student on a 9-point scale corresponding to levels of supervision required. Six EPAs were included in the present analyses. Student ratings were depicted as curves describing their performance over time; regression models were employed to fit the curves. The unit of analyses for the learning curves was observations rather than individual students. Results (1) Frequent assessments on EPAs provided a developmental picture of competence consistent with the negative exponential learning curve theory; (2) This finding was true across a variety of EPAs and across students; and (3) The time to attain the threshold level of performance on the EPA for entrustment varied by student and EPA. Conclusions The results provide validity evidence for an EPA-based program of assessment. Students assessed using multiple observations performing the Core EPAs for entering residency demonstrate classic developmental progression toward the desired level of competence resulting in entrustment decisions. Future work with larger data samples will allow further psychometric analyses of assessment of EPAs.
Thermal Response and TC f of GaN/AlN Heterostructure Multimode Micro String Resonators From −10 °C Up to 325 °C

We report on the first experimental characterization and analysis of the thermal response and temperature coefficient of resonance frequency (TC $f$ ) of gallium nitride/aluminum nitride (GaN/AlN) heterostructure micro string resonators, in a wide temperature range from −10 °C up to 325 °C. Thanks to its excellent electrical and mechanical properties and chemical inertness, GaN has recently stimulated growing interests in GaN microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for emerging high-power, high-temperature, and harsh-environment applications. GaN films on Si wafers often require AlN buffer layers, thus the residual tensile stress profile in the GaN epilayers and GaN/AlN hetero-layers can play a key role in affecting the MEMS specifications and performance. Here we design and fabricate GaN/AlN heterostructure micro string resonators with length $L = 100$ , 200 and 300 $\mu \text{m}$ to probe the stress and thermal effects on resonance behavior. All out-of-plane flexural modes show clear string behavior, and the multimode resonance frequencies downshift almost linearly with increasing temperature up to 325 °C. The linear temperature dependence and TC $f$ values of GaN/AlN heterostructure resonators can be directly employed for thermal sensing. Comparison among different devices indicates that higher tensile stress levels contribute to smaller TC $f$ values, suggesting strain engineering may be exploited for intentionally regulating the TC $f$ .
Repeated cocaine administration upregulates CB2 receptor expression in striatal medium-spiny neurons that express dopamine D1 receptors in mice.

Cannabinoid CB2 receptors (CB2R) are importantly involved in drug reward and addiction. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying CB2R action remain unclear. We have previously reported that cocaine self-administration upregulates CB2R expression in midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. In the present study, we investigated whether cocaine or heroin also alters CB2R expression in striatal medium-spiny neurons that express dopamine D1 or D2 receptors (D1-MSNs, D2-MSNs) and microglia. Due to the concern of CB2R antibody specificity, we developed three mouse CB2-specific probes to detect CB2R mRNA using quantitative RT-PCR and RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) assays. We found that a single injection of cocaine failed to alter, while repeated cocaine injections or self-administration dose-dependently upregulated CB2R gene expression in both brain (cortex and striatum) and periphery (spleen). In contrast, repeated administration of heroin produced a dose-dependent reduction in striatal CB2 mRNA expression. RNAscope ISH assays detected CB2R mRNA in striatal D1- and D2-MSNs, not in microglia. We then used transgenic CX3CR1eGFP/+ microglia reporter mice and D1- or D2-Cre-RiboTag mice to purify striatal microglia or ribosome-associated mRNAs from CX3CR1eGFP/+, D1-MSNs, or D2-MSNs, respectively. We found that CB2R upregulation occurred mainly in D1-MSNs, not in D2-MSNs or microglia, in the nucleus accumbens rather than the dorsal striatum. These findings indicate that repeated cocaine exposure may upregulate CB2R expression in both brain and spleen, with regional and cell type-specific profiles. In the striatum, CB2R upregulation occurs mainly in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens. Given the important role of D1-MSNs in brain reward function, the present findings provide new insight into mechanisms by which brain CB2Rs modulate cocaine action.
Studies into the mechanism of MHV transcription.

Coronaviruses are enveloped, plus-polarity RNA viruses which replicate by a unique mode of RNA transcription.1, 2, 3 Previous studies in our laboratory have indicated that RNA recombination occurs at very high frequency during mixed infection with two heterologous strains of MHV4, 5. These data, coupled with the presence of discrete larger leader-containing RNAs which range from 47 to 1000 nucleotides in length in MHV-infected cells,6 suggest that discrete RNA intermediates are synthesized during transcription which may dissociate and reassort between viral RNA templates to generate recombinant viruses by a copy-choice mechanism4. Therefore, the larger leader-containing RNAs in MHV-infected cells may represent functional intermediates of RNA transcription and recombination. In this paper, we have analyzed the origin, structure, and probable mechanism of synthesis of these RNAs. These data provide evidence that MHV RNA transcription pauses at sites corresponding to hairpin loops in the RNA template or product strands and that these RNA intermediates may dissociate and reassociate with the RNA template intermittently during the course of transcription.
Apoptosis Is My Favorite Word by Gretchen Case: A Commentary and Response

This brief commentary approaches Gretchen Case's Apoptosis Is My Favorite Word as a kind of "anti-W;t," (W;t being the critically acclaimed play by Margaret Edson). It discusses how Case's performance piece resists the coherence and causality of the conventional theatrical narrative, subverts the linguistic elements (words, syntax, metaphors) of the familiar cancer story, and challenges the appropriation and objectification of the traditional male gaze.
Blood pressure in the arm and thigh of man: II. Hydrostatic influences

Abstract Placing a cuff around the thigh and inflating it above the level of systolic blood pressure before subjects assumed the standing posture resulted in a significant, but rather transient, lowering of blood pressure in that thigh when the blood pressure was measured during the period of deflation of the cuff. Possible explanations for this observation are suggested. It appears that most of the increase which occurs in the blood pressure in the thigh when one stands is due to the influence of hydrostatic pressure. There is, however, in a few subjects a homeostatic component in such increases; this is variable, and is distinct from that due to hydrostatic pressure. This homeostatic component may be of considerable magnitude. Elevation of the arm or thigh above the horizontal position resulted in a decrease of blood pressure in the limb; this is apparently also largely related to hydrostatic factors. The posture of a limb in which the blood pressure is measured should be stated, particularly when the limb is not in the horizontal position. For obvious reasons, the horizontal position of the limb is the one in which blood pressure should be measured.
A low power bandpass /spl Sigma/ /spl Delta/ modulator injection locked synthesizer

A fully integrated 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS RFIC PLL transmitter for GFSK/GMSK modulation at 2.4-GHz ISM band is presented. A bandpass /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ direct digital frequency synthesized (BPSADDFS) reference oscillator is developed to provide a wideband RF PLL with a frequency modulated signal. The RF PLL-transmitter uses a single-bit bandpass /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulated injection locked oscillator as a reference signal. The measurement results show that the transmitter achieves a 0-dBm output power at 1-Mbit/sec data-rate when using a 0.5BT GFSK modulation. The ring oscillator VCO has a measured phase noise of -104dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset from the RF carrier at 2.4GHz. The digital transmitter complies with Bluetooth Class 3 requirements and occupies 1.73mm/sup 2/ silicon area.
Cholesterol, Lipoproteins, and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a major health problem in the United States, is the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques in the inner lining (intima) of arteries of the body. Advanced plaques are the result of an accumulation of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, live and dead cells, calcium, and other components including collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans. Plaques can be large enough to severely restrict the flow of blood to tissues or can narrow the lumen of arteries to a degree that enhances formation of a thrombus that plugs the artery and leads to a coronary heart attack or to stroke.
Stalinist Genetics: The Constitutional Rhetoric of T. D. Lysenko. Dmitri Stanchevici

Since we … know that there are at large in the modern world many militaristic and economic trends quite like those of Germany under the Hitlerite “science” of genocide, we should at least be admoni...
The role of physiological optima in shaping the geographic distribution of Spanish moss

Aim Ecological niche modelling is being widely applied to help us understand the geographic distributions of species, despite challenges regarding the estimation of fundamental niches that limit model transferability over time and space. Mechanistic models are an alternative,but they can be difficult to implement owing to the detailed knowledge that they require about the organism for full parameterization. In this paper we explore the geographic projection of physiological measurements of optimal temperature,precipitation and relative humidity requirements,as measured under controlled conditions using a climate dataset with high temporal resolution,as a case study for Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides),and compare scaling effects with correlative niche models calibrated in Maxent. Location The Americas. Methods We used climate data with a high temporal resolution to understand how often and where populations of Spanish moss occur under optimal and suboptimal conditions with respect to different environmental variables across their geographic range. We used weather station data for the United States with higher spatial resolution to provide a finer-grained view. We also developed an ecological niche model to show how averaged climate data can present inaccurate views of physiological thresholds for the species. Results Few populations of Spanish moss are located at sites that present suboptimal conditions for more than two environmental parameters. The northern distributional limit of Spanish moss is set by minimum temperature requirements, whereas maximum temperatures are less limiting. However, when the same occurrences are analysed with respect to averaged climate data, 95% of populations appear to fall within the optimal physiological intervals. Main conclusions Our analyses revealed that most populations of Spanish moss do not experience optimal ecophysiological conditions for all environmental variables, even over long time-scales. Physiological data may be of limited utility in delimiting suitable areas for populations of species, but they offer unique perspectives on the causes of range limitation.
Recognizing Human-Object Interactions Using Sparse Subspace Clustering

In this paper, we approach the problem of recognizing human-object interactions from video data. Using only motion trajectories as input, we propose an unsupervised framework for clustering and classifying videos of people interacting with objects. Our method is based on the concept of sparse subspace clustering, which has been recently applied to motion segmentation. Here, we show that human-object interactions can be seen as trajectories lying on a low-dimensional subspace, and which can in turn be recovered by subspace clustering. Experimental results, performed on a publicly available dataset, show that our approach is comparable to the state-of-the-art.
Use of specifically labeled sucrose for comparison of extracellular glucan and fructan metabolism by oral streptococci.

Sucrose labeled in the fructosyl (3H) and glucosyl (14C) moieties was used to quantitate extracellular polysaccharide production and degradation by cariogenic and noncariogenic oral streptococci. All of the strains produced glucan and fructan. Streptococcus salivarius produced primarily fructan, whereas S. mutans and S. sanguis produced more glucan than fructan. The cariogenic streptococci could degrade the fructan produced by noncariogenic strains. Although the soluble glucans from all of the strains were sensitive to dextranase, the insoluble glucan from S. mutans could be distinguished from the S. sanguis insoluble glucan by its greater resistance to this enzyme.
MS7001E/Riyadh 7 Sustained Performance

Power Plant 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is comprised of sixteen MS7001E gas turbines. Rated at 800 MW, it is the worlds largest crude oil fueled gas turbine power plant. During the period May 1981 to August 1982, performance tests to determine output and heat rate were conducted on the gas turbines as part of customer acceptance procedures. The units had all accumulated anywhere from 900 to 5000 fired hours prior to the acceptance tests. This paper reviews the results of the performance tests as well as the equipment and procedures which were used to maintain output and efficiency of the units after extended operation.Copyright © 1984 by ASME
The Augmentor Action of the Sympathetic Cardiac Nerves

An augmentor action of the cardiac sympathetic nerves is demonstrated to elicit profound elevations in systolic blood pressure. Diastolic pressure does not rise in an equivalent amount and significant increase in pulse pressure occurs. This persists for a considerable time after removal of the stimulation. During stimulation of the left cardiac sympathetic, an augmentor action is often not accompanied by acceleration. Stimulation of the right cardiac sympathetic evokes both effects. The elevation of blood pressure is chiefly produced by augmentation of ventricular beats, not by cardiac acceleration.
Mutations in rare ataxia genes are uncommon causes of sporadic cerebellar ataxia.

Background: Sporadic-onset ataxia is common in a tertiary care setting but a significant percentage remains unidentified despite extensive evaluation. Rare genetic ataxias, reported only in specific populations or families, may contribute to a percentage of sporadic ataxia. Methods: Patients with adult-onset sporadic ataxia, who tested negative for common genetic ataxias (SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and/or Friedreich ataxia), were evaluated using a stratified screening approach for variants in 7 rare ataxia genes. Results: We screened patients for published mutations in SYNE1 (n = 80) and TGM6 (n = 118), copy number variations in LMNB1 (n = 40) and SETX (n = 11), sequence variants in SACS (n = 39) and PDYN (n = 119), and the pentanucleotide insertion of spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (n = 101). Overall, we identified 1 patient with a LMNB1 duplication, 1 patient with a PDYN variant, and 1 compound SACS heterozygote, including a novel variant. Conclusions: The rare genetic ataxias examined here do not significantly contribute to sporadic cerebellar ataxia in our tertiary care population. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
A protein assembly-disassembly pathway in vitro that may correspond to sequential steps of synaptic vesicle docking, activation, and fusion

The SNARE hypothesis holds that a transport vesicle chooses its target for fusion when a soluble NSF attachment protein (SNAP) receptor on the vesicle (v-SNARE) pairs with its cognate t-SNARE at the target membrane. Three synaptosomal membrane proteins have previously been identified: syntaxin, SNAP-25 (t-SNAREs), and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) (v-SNARE); all assemble with SNAPs and NSF into 20S fusion particles. We now report that in the absence of SNAP and NSF, these three SNAREs form a stable complex that can also bind synaptotagmin. Synaptotagmin is displaced by alpha-SNAP, suggesting that these two proteins share binding sites on the SNARE complex and implying that synaptotagmin operates as a "clamp" to prevent fusion from proceeding in the absence of a signal. The alpha-SNAP-SNARE complex can bind NSF, and NSF-dependent hydrolysis of ATP dissociates the complex, separating syntaxin, SNAP-25, and VAMP. ATP hydrolysis by NSF may provide motion to initiate bilayer fusion.
Comparison and testing of least-squares time domain inverse solutions in electrocardiography.

Abstract The use of several mathematical methods for estimating epicardial ECG potentials from arrays of body surface potentials has been reported in the literature; most of these methods are based on least-squares reconstruction principles and operate in the time-space domain. In this paper we introduce a general Bayesian maximum a posteriori (MAP) framework for time domain inverse solutions in the presence of noise. The two most popular previously applied least-squares methods, constrained (regularized) least-squares and low-rank approximation through the singular value decomposition, are placed in this framework, each of them requiring the a priori knowledge of a ‘regularization parameter’, which defines the degree of smoothing to be applied to the inversion. Results of simulations using these two methods are presented; they compare the ability of each method to reconstruct epicardial potentials. We used the geometric configuration of the torso and internal organs of an individual subject as reconstructed from CT scans. The accuracy of each method at each epicardial location was tested as a function of measurement noise, the size and shape of the subarray of torso sensors, and the regularization parameter. We paid particular attention to an assessment of the potential of these methods for clinical use by testing the effect of using compact, small-size subarrays of torso potentials while maintaining a high degree of resolution on the epicardium.
Corticosteroids and Increased Risk of Readmission After Acute Chest Syndrome in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Background Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a frequent cause of hospitalization and mortality in children with sickle cell disease. Transfusion is often required to prevent respiratory failure and treatment with dexamethasone may reduce the length of admission and the need for transfusions. We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate risk factors for readmission and prolonged hospitalization after different treatments for ACS.
Formation of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts by microsomal enzymes: comparison of maternal and fetal liver, fetal hematopoietic cells and placenta.

Abstract The formation of benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-DNA adducts was studied in vitro in the presence of microsomes prepared from the isolated labyrinth zone of the rat placenta, the hematopoietic erythroblast cells of the fetal liver, the fetal liver, as well as the maternal liver. Pregnant rats received β-naphthoflavone (βNF; 15 mg/kg, i.p.) on day 17 gestation. One day later, placentae, fetal and maternal livers were obtained and hematopoietic erythroblast cells were separated from hepatocytes in the fetal livers. The respective microsomal fractions were incubated in the presence of calf thymus DNA, NADPH-regenerating system and [3H]BP (300 μCi) at 37°C for 30 min. Following βNF pretreatment, the levels of covalent binding (pmol/mg DNA/mg microsomal protein) for maternal liver, fetal liver, placenta and erythroblast cells were: 28.4, 2.4, 0.31 and 3.9, respectively, with the hematopoietic erythroblast cells being the most active among fetal tissue preparations. The extent of transplacental induction compared to control was greatest in the hematopoietic cells (18-fold) followed by fetal liver (16-fold) and labyrinth zone (5-fold). Further experiments characterized the BP-DNA adducts formed by induced microsomes. DNA was isolated, purified and digested sequentially with DNase I, snake venom phosphodiesterase type II and alkaline phosphatase type III. The deoxynucleoside-BP adducts were purified on a Sephadex LH-20 column and then separated on HPLC and the adducts were quantitated radiometrically. Seven distinct adducts were separated on HPLC and named A-G in order of elution. Adduct B was prominent in all preparations (22–55% total radioactivity). The adduct profile and retention time for peak B is similar to that reported for the adduct formed by microsomal activation of 9-hydroxy BP. Peak D constituted a major fraction (19%) in maternal liver profiles in comparison with the three fetal tissue preparations (8%). In subsequent experiments, peak D was shown to be derived from reaction of (±)7β,8α-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) with DNA. Peak C was unique to erythroblast cell and labyrinth profiles, while peak G was specific for maternal liver and fetal liver profiles. These results demonstrate that fetal liver and its hematopoietic cells are significant sites of BP bioactivation which may contribute to the fetal toxicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
Evaluation of 3D Television: Impact on Depth Perception

Three dimensional (3D) television (TV) is an emerging technology that has not yet been evaluated for its effects on depth perception. Further, due to its importance in physical performance as well ...
Combined XPS and SIMS study of amino acid overlayers

Abstract Factors influencing the SIMS fragmentation patterns are studied for three simple amino acids-glycine, α-alanine, and serine-deposited onto Ag substrates from aqueous solution. Secondary ion emissions are measured for 1 keV Ar + ions incident at 70° from sample normal as a function of substrate preparation and solution concentration. Studies by XPS and X-ray induced AES prior to SIMS analysis show that the amino acids adsorb in a film on the Ag surface and that the film thickness increases with solution concentration. In addition, considerable amounts of amino acid can be deposited on the surface from a water film retained during extraction from a concentrated solution. On acid etched samples, positive ion fragments of mass AgM, Ag(M − 45), Ag, M + 1, and M − 45 are observed, where M is the molecular, weight of the parent amino acid. With the exception of the (M + 1) + fragment, these peak intensities behaved similarly for the different surface concentrations. When the adsorbed film grows too thick, the positive molecular ion emissions drop considerably; this substantiates the need for proximity between the Ag substrate and the amino acid molecule.
A new twist in myeloma treatment

Comment on Arimura et al, page [661][1] Renal failure in multiple myeloma complicates treatment and shortens life span. Arimura and colleagues introduce the concept that a member of the vasoactive intestinal peptide family might serve a potential renoprotective role in cast nephropathy. One of
Seasonality and growth patterns using isotope sclerochronology in shells of the Pliocene scallop Chesapecten madisonius

Growth lines and variation in oxygen and carbon isotope ratios (δ18O and δ13C) in shells of the Pliocene scallop Chesapecten madisonius preserve seasonal chronologies of biological and environmental change. This study evaluated whether (1) prominent growth lines were formed annually, and (2) growth rates estimated using isotope sclerochronology were comparable to rates estimated using visual inspection (measuring the width between external growth lines). We compared both techniques for estimating growth rates and age on three late to mid-Pliocene C. madisonius shells. The first approach located prominent growth lines on the δ18O time series, and differentiated between annual and non-annual (disturbance) growth lines. The second approach assumed all prominent lines were annual. This comparison showed that visual inspection underestimated growth rates and overestimated age. Seasonal timing of annual growth line formation using isotope sclerochronology provided unexpected results. Because this region fell within the warm-temperate paleobiogeographic province, we predicted annual lines formed during summers (most negative δ18O values). Instead, annual growth lines coincided with the most positive δ18O values (winter), typical of bivalves from cold-temperate regions. Moreover, shells recorded seasonal temperatures ranging from 3.2–20.8°C, a range lower than the thermal regime defined for warm-temperate environments (8–25°C). Possibly, the Sea Slope Gyre, which mixed eddies and cold filaments of the Labrador Current and warm waters of the Gulf Stream, penetrated the warm-temperate environment in this region. Alternatively, warm-water fauna from the zoogeographic Carolinian subprovince migrated northward and endured by virtue of warm summer temperatures. Regardless of the explanation, our findings provide a glimpse of mid-latitude seasonal temperature range for a warm climate episode during the mid-Pliocene.
Time to task failure differs with load type when old adults perform a submaximal fatiguing contraction.

Young adults exhibit a longer time to task failure when performing a submaximal isometric contraction by pushing against a force transducer (force task) than when supporting an equivalent inertial load (position task). The purpose of this study was to compare the time to failure for old adults when they performed a force task and a position task with the elbow flexor muscles. Eighteen old adults (72 ± 4 years) performed the force and position tasks at 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force until task failure. The time to task failure was briefer for the position task (10.6 ± 6.1 min) than the force task (22.8 ± 9.1 min, P < 0.05). The rate of increase in electromyographic (EMG) bursting activity, ratings of perceived exertion, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and fluctuations in motor output during the fatiguing contraction were greater for the position task. However, the increase in averaged EMG for the elbow flexor muscles was greater at termination of the force task. The difference in time to failure for the two tasks was due to a higher level of central neural activity during the position task and was similar to that observed for young adults. These findings indicate that the type of load supported influences the mechanisms and time to task failure for sustained contractions in old adults, and have implications for the design of tasks for rehabilitation and for tasks that minimize fatigue. Muscle Nerve, 2005
Terbutaline increases open channel density of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in distal lung

Abstract Neonatal and adult vertebrate respiration is facilitated by alveolar fluid and sodium (Na+) absorption driven by apical sodium channels (ENaC). ENaC are characterized in Xenopus laevis lung (XLL) epithelia using voltage clamping and fluctuation analysis to non-invasively examine macroscopic transepithelial current and resistance (ISC, RT), single channel current (iNa) and total channel density (NT) responses to a β adrenergic agonist (Terbutaline). Terbutaline addition to the basolateral bath of XLL increased Na entry to >200% of control reflecting a doubling of open channel density (No). These data are consistent with the notion that XLL can serve as a useful model for investigation of distal lung ENaC response to agents of physiological interest.
Peer Pressure among Teachers: Enemy of Educational Excellence?

(1993). Peer Pressure among Teachers: Enemy of Educational Excellence? Kappa Delta Pi Record: Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 68-72.
MicroRNAs and their diverse functions in plants

microRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive class of newly identified small RNAs, which regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by mRNA cleavage or translation inhibition. Currently, there are 3,070 miRNAs deposited in the public available miRNA database; these miRNAs were obtained from 43 plant species using both computational (comparative genomics) and experimental (direct cloning and deep sequencing) approaches. Like other signaling molecules, plant miRNAs can also be moved from one tissue to another through the vascular system. These mobile miRNAs may play an important role in plant nutrient homeostasis and response to environmental biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, miRNAs also control a wide range of biological and metabolic processes, including developmental timing, tissue-specific development, and stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Currently, a majority of plant miRNA-related researches are purely descriptive, and provide no further detailed mechanistic insight into miRNA-mediated gene regulation and other functions. To better understand the function and regulatory mechanisms of plant miRNAs, more strategies need to be employed to investigate the functions of miRNAs and their associated signaling pathways and gene networks. Elucidating the evolutionary mechanism of miRNAs is also important. It is possible to develop a novel miRNA-based biotechnology for improving plant yield, quality and tolerance to environmental biotic and abiotic stresses besides focusing on basic genetic studies.
Acylated flavonols from delphinium carolinianum

Abstract Three new benzoylated quercetin glycosides were isolated from Delphinium carolinianum . Quercetin (3′″-benzoyl-2″-glucosyl)-3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside was identified and two related glycosides were partially characterized.
CIAP2 inhibits anigen receptor signaling by targeting Bcl10 for degredation.

The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (cIAP2) is a RING-containing protein ubiquitin ligase. In a high percentage of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, cIAP2 is fused to MALT1/para...
Kinetic analysis based on the excluded‐volume effect for radical polymerization

When the potential of average force based on the excluded volume affects the relative motions of the polymer radicals, the specific rate for bimolecular reaction between them can be approximated as kt = const. (ns)−a, where a = 0.153(2b − 1), b being a constant in the Mark-Houwink equation, and n and s being degrees of polymerization. Introduction of such a rate into kinetic equation yields a relative molecular weight distribution: G(n) = (n/m)2–2a exp {ph(m1–a − n1–a)}, where m = (2/ph)1/(1–a) is a degree of polymerization for the maximum in G(n) and ph is a parameter denoting kinetic character. Further, the relationship between polymerization rate Rp, monomer concentration [M], and initiator concentration [e] is found to be: where σ is a parameter denoting primary radical termination and η and η⊖ are viscosities for an arbitrary solvent and ⊖-solvent, respectively. These relationships are sufficiently applicable to the data obtained in the polymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate.
Torsional effects in the baeyer-villiger oxidation

Abstract The regioselectivity in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of tetracyclic ketones 1A–C have been interpreted in terms of torsional effects.
Beads Mill-Assisted Synthesis of Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA)-TiO2 Nanoparticle Composites

A newly developed beads mill was used to create well-dispersed suspensions of TiO2 (titania) nanoparticles in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and TiO2−PMMA nanocomposites were synthesized by subsequent polymerization of the TiO2−MMA suspension. Beads milling successfully broke up titania nanoparticle agglomerates with the addition of the coupling agent (3-acryloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMOS) to the titania−MMA suspension. Agglomerated particles were broken up into primary particles as small as 10 nm in suspensions with nanoparticle mass fractions as high as 0.05. Well-dispersed suspensions of titania nanoparticles had reduced UV transmission but visible light transmittance similar to pure MMA. TEM images showed that the milled nanoparticles remained well dispersed in titania−PMMA nanocomposites, and the addition of titania nanoparticles to PMMA increased the PMMA thermal stability. Spin-coated titania−PMMA films had higher refractive indices than pure PMMA films, with film of higher titania weight percent ...