cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of enzymes that degrade crab exoskeleton. II: Two acid proteinase activities

Specific proteins extracted from the membranous layer of the exoskeleton of the Bermuda land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, are degraded at acid pH values by two proteinase activities (AP I and AP II) extracted from integumentary tissues. The pH optimum of AP I was about 5; it does not bind to cation exchange resin and was strongly inhibited by pepstatin A. The pH optimum of AP II was about 4; it binds to a cation exchange resin and was inhibited by cysteine proteinase inhibitors. AP II shared some characteristics with the human lysosomal proteinase cathepsin B. Unlike cathepsin B, which binds to the cysteine proteinase inhibitor E-64 in a 1:1 ratio, AP II was not completely inhibited by E-64, and only at the lower concentrations of inhibitor was there a linear relationship between enzyme activity and amount of inhibitor.
Is there a role for antibiotic cycling in the intensive care unit

Antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens has emerged as one of the most important issues facing critical care practitioners. Resistance of many commonly encountered bacterial species is increasing and has been associated with greater administration of inadequate antimicrobial therapy to patients within intensive care units. This has resulted in greater patient morbidity, higher mortality rates, and increased healthcare costs. Methods to reduce antimicrobial resistance have focused on increasing adherence to infection control practices and improving antibiotic utilization. Antibiotic cycling is a strategy to reduce antimicrobial resistance by withdrawing an antibiotic or antibiotic class from use and subsequently reintroducing it at a later point in time. The main goal of cycling is to allow resistance rates for specific antibiotics to decrease, or at least remain stable, when their use is periodically eliminated from the intensive care unit.
Using Poison Center Data for National Public Health Surveillance for Chemical and Poison Exposure and Associated Illness

The National Poison Data System (NPDS) is a national near-real-time surveillance system that improves situational awareness for chemical and poison exposures, according to data from US poison centers. NPDS is the successor to the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use these data, which are owned and managed by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, to improve public health surveillance for chemical and poison exposures and associated illness, identify early markers of chemical events, and enhance situational awareness during outbreaks. Information recorded in this database is from self-reported calls from the public or health care professionals. In 2009, NPDS detected 22 events of public health significance and CDC used the system to monitor several multistate outbreaks. One of the limitations of the system is that exposures do not necessarily represent a poisoning. Incorporating NPDS data into the public health surveillance network and subsequently using NPDS to rapidly identify chemical and poison exposures exemplifies the importance of the poison centers and NPDS to public health surveillance. This integration provides the opportunity to improve the public health response to chemical and poison exposures, minimizes morbidity and mortality, and serves as an important step forward in surveillance technology and integration.
Theoretical Equations of State

The primary objective of theoretical equation-of-state work in geophysics has been to provide a framework with which the ultrasonic, X-ray compression, and shock data can be used in interpreting the seismic velocity and density profiles in the earth. Each of these experimental techniques falls short of the ultimate experiment of reproducing the temperature-pressure conditions at any depth in the earth and measuring V_p, V_s, and p of mantle-candidate mineral assemblages for direct comparison with the seismic profiles. The ultrasonic data give V_p, V_s, and p as a function of T and P, but the pressure range has been limited to ∼10 kb. This limit necessitates a large extrapolation for discussion of even the upper mantle. The X-ray static compression measurements have a pressure range to 300 kb, but are limited to room temperature and to only the pure compression properties K_T and p. Finally, although the shock-wave techniques can generate pressures comparable to those found throughout the earth's mantle and core, the shock-produced states are characterized by pressure and internal energy. Thus an E(T, P) equation of state is required before the data can effectively be used. Further, like static compression experiments, the shock technique now yields only K and p.
Wetting behavior and remarkable durability of amphiphobic aluminum alloys surfaces in a wide range of environmental conditions

Abstract In this work the amphiphobic behavior and durability of engineered aluminum alloy surfaces are highlighted. Functional, hybrid organic–inorganic coatings were obtained by a classic sol–gel route, followed by a controlled dipping on the substrate in order to achieve surface nanostructuring. The characterization of surfaces revealed outstanding results in terms of static contact angle (higher than 170°) and hysteresis (lower than 5°) with water, as well of contact angle (about 145°) with low-surface tension liquids. In relationship with the latest scientific improvements on this topic, the development of materials coupling favorable static and dynamic repellence against low-surface tension liquids can find applications as corrosion protective components, stain-resistant and self-cleaning materials, de-icing or anti-biofouling paints, and so on. In each area, one of the most important issue to be concerned is the materials’ ability to withstand adverse conditions (i.e. attacks by chemical agents and wearing phenomena), avoiding the quick loss of superhydrophobicity/oleophobicity. In this context, functional coatings developed on aluminum alloy stand out for the excellent capability of keeping unchanged their performances over the time and after simulation of rather severe working environments, matching by this way some of the basic requirements connected with their employment as innovative industrial structural materials and components.
Low band gap poly(thienylene vinylene)/fullerene bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells

Semicrystalline poly(3-hexyl-2,5-thienylene vinylene) (P3HTV) with a low band gap of 1.65 eV has been synthesized by acyclic diene metathesis polymerization and incorporated into bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells. The polymer was thermally characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis and was blended with the electron acceptor methanofullerene [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to make a light-harvesting charge-transfer thin film. The properties of P3HTV/PCBM blends were studied as a function of PCBM composition by wide-angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV−vis absorption spectroscopy, and charge-transport and photovoltaic measurements. The PCBM solubility limit, that is, the phase separation point, was estimated to be 50 wt % PCBM. The phase behavior of the blend was directly correlated with electrical transport behavior in a field-effect transistor testbed. At the phase separation point, charge...
SU‐GG‐T‐484: Dose and Dose Rate Effectiveness Factors (DDREF) for Fractionated Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Estimates of the DDREF are needed to better quantify the risks of second cancers arising from radiation therapy. Biologically motivated models to estimate the DDREF for fractionated radiation therapytreatments are developed and compared to data from the literature and to recommendations from the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) committee. Methods: Trends in cell death and neoplastic transformation are plausibly linked to the formation of small‐ and larger‐scale DNA mutations. A linear‐quadratic (LQ) model for radiation mutagenesis is used to estimate trends in cell transformation and death with dose,dose rate and dose fractionation. We assume that cancer incidence is proportional to the number of mutated or transformed cells, and derive isoeffect formulas to determine the DDREF for single‐ and fractionated doses.Results: The cancer incidence models accurately predict the bell‐shaped dose‐response curve for leukemia incidence in mice after an acute dose of radiation. For fractionated exposures, the dose‐response curve for leukemia in mice becomes broader, giving the appearance of a plateau before decreasing towards zero for very large doses. For a single dose of low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, the maximum DDREF of 2.5 is comparable to the factor of 2 recommended by the BEIR VII committee. For 2 Gy delivered in 35 fractions (57 mGy per fraction), the predicted DDREF is 1.05. For 35 fractions of 1 Gy, the DDREF is about 0.1, which implies that fractionated large doses of radiation are less biologically effective than a small, single dose of radiation.Conclusion:Models that correct for cell death after therapeuticdoses are consistent with leukemia incidence in mice, as well as other published studies in animals and humans. The DDREF for fractionated radiation therapy may be substantially lower than the BEIR VII recommendation of 2 for low doses of low LET radiation.
Vitamin D supplementation efficacy: sleeve gastrectomy versus gastric bypass surgery.

Vitamin D deficiency is common with bariatric surgery, and few prospective studies comparing different surgical procedures have evaluated appropriate vitamin D supplementation levels. Therefore, vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation were evaluated following gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Women consumed 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 and 1,500 mg calcium citrate daily for 3 months following gastric bypass (n = 11) and sleeve gastrectomy (n = 12). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and serum PTH concentrations were measured preoperatively and at 3 months. Wilcoxon signed rank analyses compared body weight parameters, serum 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations, and dietary intakes of vitamin D and calcium preoperatively and at 3 months. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D concentration <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). Vitamin D deficiency decreased from 60.6 % preoperatively to 26.1 % after 3 months (P < 0.005). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations increased an average of 8 ng/mL (P < 0.001), and PTH concentrations decreased an average of 9 ng/L, although reductions were not significant. Overall, the response to supplementation following gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy did not differ. Reduced food intake increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency following bariatric surgery. However, daily supplementation with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1,500 mg calcium citrate significantly increased 25(OH)D concentrations and reduced the percent of women who were vitamin D deficient. Although serum 25(OH)D concentrations did not reach levels associated with detrimental health effects, several women remained vitamin D deficient and more aggressive supplementation may be indicated.
Cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat mammary glands following combinational exposure to bisphenol A and genistein

Humans are exposed to an array of both harmful and beneficial hormonally active compounds in the environment and through diet. Two such chemicals are Bisphenol A (BPA), a plasticizer, and genistein, a component of soy. Prepubertal exposure to BPA increased mammary carcinogenesis, while genistein suppressed cancer in a chemically-induced model of rodent mammary cancer. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of combinational exposure to genistein and BPA on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and associated proteins as markers of cancer in mammary glands of rats exposed prepubertally to these environmental chemicals. Prepubertal rats (postpartum days (PND) 2–20) were exposed through lactation via nursing dams treated orally with sesame oil (SO), BPA, genistein, or a combination of BPA and genistein (BPA + Gen). Cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein expressions were investigated for mechanistic studies in mammary glands of rats exposed to these environmental chemicals. Prepubertal exposure to genistein increased cell proliferation in mammary glands of PND21 rats, while BPA increased cell proliferation in adult (PND50) rats. Prepubertal combinational exposure to BPA + Gen increased cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis in PND21 rats, but reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in PND50 rats. The altered mechanisms behind these cellular responses appear to be centered on differential protein expression of caspases, PARP, Bad, p21, Akts, PTEN, ER-β and SRCs 1–3, in the rat mammary gland. Prepubertal BPA exposure resulted in increased cell proliferation in mammary glands of PND50 rats, a process associated with increased risk of cancer development in a chemically-induced mammary cancer. On the other hand, genistein stimulated cell proliferation at PND21, a process that correlates with mammary gland maturation and chemoprevention. In contrast to single chemical exposure, combinational exposure to BPA + Gen performed most similarly to genistein exposure alone. BPA + Gen increased cell proliferation at PND21, suggesting mammary gland maturation, and decreased cell proliferation while increasing apoptosis in PND50 rats, suggesting mammary chemoprevention. Differential expression of proteins involved in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis lend support to these chemicals, both alone and in combination, altering mammary gland cancer susceptibility.
NF-κB p50-deficient mice show reduced anxiety-like behaviors in tests of exploratory drive and anxiety

The ubiquitous transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB plays a prominent role in regulation of inflammatory immune responses and in cell survival. Recently, it has been found to be active in neurons, and mice lacking NF-kappaB subunits p50 or p65 show deficits in specific cognitive tasks. Here we demonstrate a strikingly low level of anxiety-like behavior in the p50(-/-) mouse. In an open field, the mutant mice showed significantly less defecation, more rearing, and more time spent in the center compartment relative to wild type control mice. The p50(-/-) mice also spent more time investigating a novel object placed in the open field. On the elevated plus maze, p50(-/-) mice spent more time on the open arms and had increased numbers of open arm entries relative to wild type. In group housing conditions, they did not establish dominant-subordinate hierarchies, whereas wild type control animals did so, in part, by whisker barbering and conspecific allogrooming. In tests of general health, sensorimotor function, and daily activity on a circadian rhythm, p50(-/-) mice were normal. Thus, absence of the p50 subunit of the NF-kappaB transcription factor, which results in altered NF-kappaB transcriptional activity in cells throughout the body and brain, alters neuronal circuitry underlying manifestation of emotional behavior. The p50 subunit appears to play a role in normal expression of certain forms of anxiety.
Synaptic plasticity with discrete state synapses

Experimental observations on synaptic plasticity at individual glutamatergic synapses from the CA3 Shaffer collateral pathway onto CA1 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus suggest that the transitions in synaptic strength occur among discrete levels at individual synapses [C. C. H. Petersen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 4732 (1998); O'Connor, Wittenberg, and Wang, D. H. O'Connor et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (to be published); J. M. Montgomery and D. V. Madison, Trends Neurosci. 27, 744 (2004)]. This happens for both long term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD) induction protocols. O'Connor, Wittenberg, and Wang have argued that three states would account for their observations on individual synapses in the CA3-CA1 pathway. We develop a quantitative model of this three-state system with transitions among the states determined by a competition between kinases and phosphatases shown by D. H. O'Connor et al., to be determinant of LTP and LTD, respectively. Specific predictions for various plasticity protocols are given by coupling this description of discrete synaptic $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor ligand gated ion channel conductance changes to a model of postsynaptic membrane potential and associated intracellular calcium fluxes to yield the transition rates among the states. We then present various LTP and LTD induction protocols to the model system and report the resulting whole cell changes in AMPA conductance. We also examine the effect of our discrete state synaptic plasticity model on the synchronization of realistic oscillating neurons. We show that one-to-one synchronization is enhanced by the plasticity we discuss here and the presynaptic and postsynaptic oscillations are in phase. Synaptic strength saturates naturally in this model and does not require artificial upper or lower cutoffs, in contrast to earlier models of plasticity.
Ambivalence and Male Religious Experience: An Autobiographical Study

I argue that what are typically identified as “calls from God” to an office of sacred power are filled with various degrees and types of ambivalence. This ambivalence becomes manifest (or not) to the person experiencing a call at various points in their lifespan and it exists for a number of reasons. I seek to unveil the psychodynamics responsible for these feelings of ambivalence. I argue that the awareness of feelings of ambivalence can be correlated with the degree of one’s happiness—specifically in one’s sexual and mental health; this point is marshaled throughout the essay by autobiographical examples of men who experienced some type of divine calling. In addition to psychoanalytic resources, I apply postmodern autobiographical criticism to this autobiographical study; my autobiographical notes are written in italics.
Explaining Senate Election Outcomes

Aggregate-level data are used in this analysis to explain the outcomes of Senate elections between 1974 and 1986. Using the individual Senate contest as the unit of analysis permits estimating the relative influence of a wide variety of factors on Senate election results including political characteristics of states, characteristics of the candidates, and national political conditions. Of these factors candidate characteristics had the strongest impact on the outcomes of Senate elections. The importance of candidate characteristics has had two major consequences for Senate elections. First, two-party competition has spread to every region of the country: in Senate elections, no state can be considered safe for either party. Second, money is probably now more important than ever, especially for challengers and candidates for open seats.
F-wave acquisition using low-current stimulation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of utilizing low-current stimulation for F-wave generation, thereby avoiding the discomfort of repetitive supramaximal stimulation. We employed the same technique as is used for generating F waves in the conventional way, except for using a stimulating current that was just strong enough to evoke a motor response on the oscilloscope. This usually required a stimulus of about 10-15 mA at 0.2-ms duration. Both median nerves of 30 subjects were evaluated with this technique and with F waves generated by the conventional technique in the same subjects. Amplitudes were larger when using supramaximal current stimulation. However, there was no statistical difference between F-wave latencies, chronodispersion, and persistence (penetrance) elicited with maximal and low-current stimulation. This procedure should represent a significant improvement for patient comfort during electrodiagnostic procedures involving F-wave studies.
Dopamine release by Ulvaria obscura (Chlorophyta): environmental triggers and impacts on photosynthesis, growth, and survival of the releaser.

In the NE Pacific, Ulvaria obscura is a common component of "green tide" blooms. It is also the only alga known to produce dopamine, which is released into seawater on sunny days when Ulvaria is emersed and then rehydrated. To better understand the mechanisms associated with dopamine release, we experimentally determined whether light quantity and quality, desiccation, temperature, exudates from conspecifics, and dissolved dopamine caused dopamine release. We also examined the effects of desiccation on Ulvaria's ability to photosynthesize, grow, and survive. Desiccation was the only factor that caused significant amounts of dopamine to be lost from U. obscura tissues. The loss of water from Ulvaria tissues was strongly and positively correlated with the loss of dopamine after rehydration. Only 56% of desiccated algae survived for 1 week, compared to 100% of undesiccated control algae. Desiccated algae lost 77% of their pigmented surface area and grew only 15% as much as undesiccated algae, which remained fully pigmented. The oxygen saturation of water containing Ulvaria that was desiccated and then rehydrated was significantly lower than that of seawater containing undesiccated algae. Thus, desiccation, which is coupled with dopamine release, is associated with the deterioration and death of some, but not all, tissues in Ulvaria. Although dopamine released into seawater can reduce the survival or growth of potential competitors, its release is associated with significant physiological stress and tissue mortality. However, the survival and continued growth of some Ulvaria tissues indicates that a net fitness benefit to release dopamine following desiccation cannot be ruled out.
Performance of a Modified Applebaum Adaptive Array

The performance of a modified Applebaum adaptive array is studied. The new array is obtained by removing the desired signal component from the output signal fed back to the correlator of an Applebaum type adaptive array. Various signal scenarios, including single desired signals or multiple simultaneous desired signals are examined. The new array is less sensitive to beam pointing errors and does not cause power inversion of desired signals. In the case of multiple simultaneous desired signals, the new array does not degrade the SNRs of strong desired signals.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE REFERENCE WAVENUMBER IN COMPUTATIONAL OCEAN ACOUSTICS

A class of ocean acoustic propagation problems can be solved efficiently by the Parabolic Equation (PE) approximation method. The application of the PE method for the prediction of wave propagation introduces a new parameter, the reference wavenumber k0. This requires selection of the most appropriate k0, which is related to the reference sound speed c0. The influence on the acoustic field by the choice of c0 is rarely visible under weak range-dependent environments. Even if it is visible, the difference is small and is usually negligible since the present judicious choice of the c0 seems to provide acceptable results. When the environment is not weakly range-dependent, the choice of c0 will likely affect the computation of acoustic results. This paper examines a few different choices of c0 and analyzes how these different choices can influence the acoustic results. An application is given where the farfield wave equation represents a realistic range-dependent environment. Different choices of c0 were made for the computation of the acoustic field; as a consequence, different choices of c0 produce different acoustic results. These numerical results are not in agreement with a known reference exact solution. The differences are not too small and may be considered non-negligible. So, there is a need to make an appropriate choice of c0 in order to produce reasonable results. For the purpose of achieving satisfactory and acceptable acoustic results dealing with a PE-type equation, the requirements of the reference wavenumber will be discussed both mathematically and physically. Then, a number of computational choices of c0 will be examined, especially the k0-formula. An analysis as well as an assessment of the k0-formula will be given.
Thermodynamic study of ligand binding to protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B and its substrate-trapping mutants.

Abstract The binding of several phosphonodifluoromethyl phenylalanine (F2Pmp)-containing peptides to protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and its substrate-trapping mutants (C215S and D181A) has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry. The binding of a high affinity ligand, Ac-Asp-Ala-Asp-Glu-F2Pmp-Leu-NH2, to PTP1B (K d = 0.24 μm) is favored by both enthalpic and entropic contributions. Disruption of ionic interactions between the side chain of Arg-47 and the N-terminal acidic residues reduces the binding affinity primarily through the reduction of the TΔS term. The role of Arg-47 may be to maximize surface contact between PTP1B and the peptide, which contributes to high affinity binding. The active site Cys-215 → Ser mutant PTP1B binds ligands with the same affinity as the wild-type enzyme. However, unlike wild-type PTP1B, peptide binding to C215S is predominately driven by enthalpy change, which likely results from the elimination of the electrostatic repulsion between the thiolate anion and the phosphonate group. The increased enthalpic contribution is offset by reduction in the binding entropy, which may be the result of increased entropy of the unbound protein caused by this mutation. The general acid-deficient mutant D181A binds the peptide 5-fold tighter than the C215S mutant, consistent with the observation that the Asp to Ala mutant is a better “substrate-trapping” reagent than C215S. The increased binding affinity for D181A as compared with the wild-type PTP1B results primarily from an increase in the ΔH of binding in the mutant, which may be related to decreased electrostatic repulsion between the phosphate moiety and PTP1B. These results have important implications for the design of high affinity PTP1B inhibitors.
FA selectivity of lipases in acyl-transfer reactions with acetate esters of polyols in organic media

FA reaction selectivity of Burkholderia cepacia, Rhizomucor miehei, and Candida antarctica fraction B lipases was compared between acyl-transfer and esterification reactions. Multicompetitive reaction mixtures containing a series of n-chain FA (a C4–C18 series; and a C18∶x series, where X=0-3 double bonds) and a single acetate ester co-substrate [triacetin, 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD)diacetate, and 1,3-PD diacetate] were studied in tert-butyl methyl ether at an aw of 0.69. For B. cepacia lipase, FA optima for C8, C16, and C18∶2 were observed in all reactions with 1.0- to 5.9-fold differences in FA selectivity. For R. miehei lipase, an optimum for C8 FA was observed in all reactions with 1.2- to 6.7-fold differences in FA selectivity. For C. antarctica lipase, FA optima for C8/C10 were observed in all reactions with 1.0- to 2.8-fold differences in FA selectivity. FA selectivities were broadly modulated upon changing from free polyol to acetate ester co-substrates for B. cepacia and R miehei lipases, whereas FA selectivity modulations were more specific upon this change in reaction configuration for C. antarctica B lipase. For all lipases, reactivity toward unsaturated C18∶x FA was enhanced in acyl-transfer relative to esterification reactions with these polyol co-substrates.
Litchi and rambutan insect disinfestation: treatments to minimize induced pericarp browning

Abstract Cold storage of litchi fruit at 1 °C for 12 days or hot water treatment (HWT) of litchi and rambutan at 49 °C for 20 min proposed as insect disinfestation treatments result in pericarp damage. Litchi fruit had pericarp browning and there was spintern and skin browning in rambutan fruit. Sulfur dioxide exposure prior to disinfestation treatment resulted in less browning that helped to maintain fruit quality. Various types of modified atmosphere storage of litchi or, alternatively, waxing the fruit were less effective in preventing pericarp browning than the sulfur dioxide treatment.
Development of semi-physically based model to predict erosion rate of kaolinite clay under different moisture content

Understanding the susceptibility of soils to concentrated flow erosion is imperative for predicting sustainability of various engineering structures and assessing environmental integrity. Currently...
Waiting time estimation in a manufacturing system using the number of machine idle periods

Abstract To manage a manufacturing system, it is important to know the product flow time. Often a product's waiting time for machine service is a large portion of its flow time, and many mathematical formulae have been developed to estimate the waiting time. In a manufacturing system, these queueing formulae are important because they show the relationship between product flow time and some important production system control variables. However, most queueing formulae need the variance of inter-arrival time distribution, which is difficult to estimate in the manufacturing industry. This paper presents a new queueing formula which uses variables easier to estimate than the variance. The key variable among these is the number of machine idle periods. The formula can also quantify some modeling assumption errors (such as the Poisson arrival assumption error) and reflect the effect of scheduling on queueing estimation. Accuracy of the estimator is also discussed.
Priapism after tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor use

We present a possible important association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition (TNFa-i) and erectile function in a male patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Long-standing, untreated RA may result in significant physical limitation and disability, however often overlooked is the association between RA and erectile and sexual dysfunction. Ischemic priapism is currently unrecognized as an adverse reaction associated with TNFa-i use and there have been no reported cases with adalimumab. Our patient, a 58-year-old Hispanic man, with sero-positive, erosive RA developed persistent priapism (17 days) despite multiple urologic interventions after initial adalimumab 40 mg administration. TNFa has recently been implicated as a potential factor in erectile dysfunction through its role in vascular reactivity. Excess TNFa, from active RA, may perturb intracavernosal smooth muscle and endothelial cell function; theoretically, TNFa inhibition may then causes excess local nitric oxide production and subsequent priapism. The potential role of TNFa-i in ED and risk for priapism is an important area for future study.
Thermal Analysis of the Contra-Flow Regenerative Heat Exchanger

The regenerative heat exchanger was first proposed and constructed by Dr. Robert Stirling in 1816, in connexion with a regenerative hot-air engine. Since then its use has been mainly confined to furnace air preheaters. With the advent of the gas turbine, however, the need has arisen for a compact heat exchanger of high thermal ratio and low pressure loss. This, of “necessity, tends to the use of gas passages of small hydraulic diameter. In the recuperator, a limit to the size of the gas passages is imposed by the difficulties of producing and supporting in position long thin passages which must perform the dual function of transferring heat from one gas to another and of keeping separate the two gases at different pressures. Small gas passages in a recuperator also tend to become blocked with the deposits from the hot gases of a gas-turbine unit.The renewed interest recently taken in the regenerative heat exchanger is due to the promise which it shows of meeting these objections. The requirement that the ...
New solid electrolytes for sensor applications

Abstract Beta and beta″ alumina remain the most versatile solid electrolytes for cations. They are the only solid electrolytes, with the exception of the closely-related beta and beta″ gallates, which conduct a variety of ions. In general, most ions are more conductive in beta″ alumina than in beta alumina. With the protonic and divalent forms, the differences are dramatic. The protonic beta″ aluminas are high-conductivity solid electrolytes for various protonic species. They are unusually stable and might possibly find applications in sensors functioning in the range of about 0 to 300 °C. The divalent beta″ aluminas have no precedent. Their use in sensors may be restricted by problems of ion specificity. But, since no comparable compounds exist, they may lead to devices which were previously impossible for want of suitable materials.
A ventral uncrossed corticospinal tract in the rat

By studying cross-section autoradiograms of the spinal cord with dark field microscopy we demonstrated a ventral uncrossed corticospinal tract in the rat. Corticospinal fibers were labeled by the slow axoplasmic flow of a minute volume of high specific activity tritiated proline injected directly into the motor sensory cortex. The uncrossed ventral corticospinal tract was small but easily identifiable in the cervical region. More caudally the tract became less distinct and could not be traced below midthoracic levels. Only two corticospinal tracts were identified in this study: the well-known crossed dorsal corticospinal tract and the ventral uncrossed corticospinal tract described in this study. The corticospinal tract in the rat has been described as an easily identified group of fibers situated in the most ventral portion of the dorsal white funiculus of the spinal cord (1, 3, 5). Aside from a single abstract (2), we know of no report of ancillary corticospinal tracts in the rat spinal cord. Other reports indicate that the corticospinal tract in the rat spinal cord is completely crossed at the level of the caudal medulla oblongata and lies in the most ventral portion of the dorsal white columns. In the course of study of transport of tritiated proline by corticospinal axons in the rat (6), we discovered a constant ventral corticospinal tract which was easily identified by dark field illumination of cross-section autoradiographs of the spinal cord.
An AIMD Study of the CPD Repair Mechanism in Water: Reaction Free Energy Surface and Mechanistic Implications

In a series of two papers, we report the detailed mechanism of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer repair in aqueous solvent using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations (AIMD). Umbrella sampling is use...
SIMPLE AND CATALYST-FREE SYNTHESIS OF SILICON OXIDE NANOWIRES AND NANOCOILS

In this paper, a simple method for synthesizing SiOx nanowires and nanocoils is presented. Si substrates with an oxide layer were placed in a tube furnace exposed to temperatures ranging from 900°C to 1200°C for a few hours under a mixture of flowing Ar and H2 gas maintained at ambient pressure. Nanowires were grown from the surface when the furnace temperature was above 1000°C and a high yield could be achieved at 1100°C. SiOx nanocoils have also been observed and the sample treated at 1000°C had the highest concentration of them. TEM images show that the nanowires and the nanocoils have an amorphous structure and analysis of EDX spectra (obtained in the TEM) shows that x varies from 1.2 to 2.0. The mechanism of growth is discussed.
Perception and the awareness of God: the importance of neuronal habituation in the context of the Jewish and Christian faiths.

One of the most significant existential dilemmas for the religious person is the discrepancy between the assertion that God is everywhere and eternally present, and the inability to become aware of His presence. In this paper, we discuss how developments in our understanding of the brain’s mechanisms for perception may resolve this apparent contradiction. We submit that if God is eternally present and unchangeable, then by the process of neuronal habituation, an individual can be “unaware” of the presence of God. We also discuss the limits of human perception and illustrate the biblical questions concerning the awareness of God.
Chronic Daily Bilateral Headache Responsive to Indomethacin

Indomethacin is known to be specifically effective for chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, episodic paroxysmal hemicrania, and hemicrania continua. Different forms of idiopathic stabbing headaches have also been responsive to indomethacin, but less consistently than the others. Two cases of indomethacin-responsive headache are reported. One patient presented with what appeared to be new-onset, chronic, daily, bilateral headache aggravated by coughing. Both the chronic daily headache and the exacerbations induced by coughing were suppressed with indomethacin therapy. The second patient experienced hemicrania continua responsive to indomethacin, and the response persisted even when the headache evolved into bilateral continuous pain. There may be other idiopathic primary headache disorders that are peculiarly responsive to indomethacin. When any primary headache disorder does not respond to standard therapy, a brief therapeutic trial of indomethacin is warranted.
Third cervical nerve root and ganglion compression: clinical syndrome, surgical anatomy, and pathological findings.

Objective The aim of this study is to determine whether C3 nerve root and ganglion compression occurs and, if so, to provide a preliminary description of the associated clinical syndrome and surgical pathological findings. Methods The normal anatomy of the C2-C3 foramen was studied bilaterally in five fresh cadaver dissections and on 10 normal vertebral angiograms. Six patients were selected whose C3 dermatome sensory deficits resolved after C2-C3 facetectomy for C3 nerve root and ganglion decompression. Results Patients with C3 nerve root and ganglion compression presented with radiating pain, dysesthesias, and numbness referred to the C3 pain dermatome: the scalp area behind and over the ear, the pinna, and the angle of the mandible. At physical examination, the presence of analgesia/dense hypalgesia in the C3 pain dermatome established the diagnosis. Imaging studies were suggestive but inconclusive. Surgical pathological findings showed the C3 nerve root and medial portion of the ganglion flattened by C2-C3 facet and uncovertebral joint spurs and the lateral part of the ganglion stretched and flattened by C2-C3 arthrosis and the C2-C3 vertebral loop. Decompression was obtained by a complete facetectomy. Complications required four operations: recurrence, contralateral C3 root decompression, bilateral C2 nerve root decompression, and C2-C3 fusion. Conclusion C3 nerve root and ganglion compression, although uncommon, does occur. It presents with radiating pain, dysesthesias, numbness, and a C3 dermatome sensory deficit. The associated clinical syndrome resolves after facetectomy and C3 root and ganglion decompression.
Computer Techniques for Solving Electric Circuits for Fault Isolation

We are concerned in this paper with use of a digital computer for automatic checkout and fault isolation of electrical networks. The work reported here represents a refinement and extension of work done in a previous paper. Section 2 to follow gives a discussion of our circuit test philosophy and some of its immediate implications. Section 3 contains a review of previous work giving the required manipulations in compact matrix form. A new program for extended implementation of this procedure is given in section 4. Some results obtained by this program are presented in section 5. Section 6 presents a method whereby all analysis required for electric networks can be performed automatically working only from basic schematic diagram information. Conclusions and some future research plans are outlined in section 7.
The contribution of product quality to competitive advantage: impacts on systematic variance and unexplained variance in returns

In our study, we argue that product quality may enhance competitive advantage, leading to increased returns but a reduction in variance in returns. More specifically, based on our analyses of strategy-related theories, we propose a model in which a positive relationship is predicted between relative product quality and relative market share and between relative product quality and returns. An inverse association is predicted between quality and both systematic variance and unexplained variance in returns. Finally, relative product quality is expected to indirectly lower the variance in returns but enhance returns through the link between product quality, market share, and direct costs. Our findings are generally supportive of the model’s stipulations. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding Early Contextual and Parental Risk Factors for the Development of Limited Prosocial Emotions

A growing body of evidence suggests that parenting influences the development of youth callous unemotional (CU) behavior. However, less is known about the effects of parenting or contextual risk factors on 'limited prosocial emotions' (LPE), a recent conceptualization of CU behavior added to the DSM-5. We focused on LPE at ages 10-12 and age 20 among low income, urban males (N = 310), and examined potential developmental precursors, including contextual risk factors assessed during infancy and observed maternal warmth during the toddler period. We found unique direct associations between maternal warmth, maternal aggression, and low empathetic awareness on LPE at ages 10-12, controlling for concurrent self-reported antisocial behavior. Further, there were indirect effects of maternal aggression, low empathetic awareness, and difficult infant temperament assessed in infancy on LPE at ages 10-12 via their influence on maternal warmth at age 2. Finally, there were lasting indirect effects of parental warmth on LPE at age 20, via LPE at ages 10-12. We discuss the implications of these findings for ecological models of antisocial behavior and LPE development, and preventative interventions that target the broader early parenting environment.
Development of small-molecule endotoxin sequestering agents.

Sepsis, otherwise referred to as “blood poisoning” is a serious clinical problem, the incidence of which continues to rise in the US and worldwide despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy. The primary trigger in Gram-negative sepsis is endotoxin, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) constituent of the outer membrane of all Gram-negative bacteria. The structurally highly conserved glycolipid called lipid A is the active moiety of LPS. Lipid A is composed of a hydrophilic, bis-phosphorylated di-glucosamine backbone, and a hydrophobic polyacyl domain. The bis-anionic, amphiphilic nature of lipid A enables it to interact with a variety of cationic hydrophobic ligands, including polymyxin B, a toxic peptide antibiotic which binds to lipid A and neutralizes endotoxicity. Having determined the structural basis of the interaction of polymyxin B with lipid A, our long-term goal has been to rationally design non-peptidic, nontoxic, small-molecule LPS-sequestrants. Our efforts began with defining the central pharmacophore that determined LPS-recognition and -neutralization properties in small molecules, which led to the discovery of a novel lipopolyamine lead, DS-96. DS-96 is an effective LPS-neutralizer, rivaling polymyxin B in a panel of vitro assays, as well as in protecting animals against endotoxicosis. Structure-activity relationships in our effort to rationally design endotoxin sequestering agents, preclinical assessment of hits and leads, and approaches to overcoming issues with toxicity are described in this chapter.
Activation of type II adenylate cyclase by D2 and D4 but not D3 dopamine receptors

The D2-like dopamine receptors couple to a variety of signal transduction pathways, including inhibition of adenylate cyclase, mitogenesis, and activation of potassium channels. Although these effects are mediated via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, G(i/o), it is likely that some of these effects are influenced by the release of G protein betagamma subunits. Type II adenylate cyclase (ACII) is highly regulated by multiple biochemical stimuli, including protein kinase C, forskolin, G protein alpha subunits, and G protein betagamma subunits. The ability of betagamma subunits to activate this enzyme in the presence of activated alpha(s) has been particularly well characterized. Although stimulation by betagamma subunits has been described as conditional on the presence of activated alpha(s), betagamma subunits also potentiate ACII activity after activation of protein kinase C. We created stable cell lines expressing ACII and the D2L receptor, the D3 receptor, or the D4.4 receptor. Activation of D2L or D4.4 receptors, but not D3 receptors, potentiated beta-adrenergic receptor/Gs-stimulated activity of ACII, as measured by the intracellular accumulation of cAMP. Similarly, stimulation of D2L or D4.4 receptors potentiated phorbol ester-stimulated ACII activity in the absence of activated alpha(s), whereas stimulation of D3 receptors did not. The effect of D2-like receptor stimulation was blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin and by inhibition of protein kinase C. We propose that activation of both D2L and D4.4 dopamine receptors potentiated phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-stimulated ACII activity through the release of betagamma subunits from pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. In contrast, the lack of D3 receptor-mediated effects suggests that stimulation of D3 receptors does not result in an appreciable release of betagamma subunits.
Can Selectional Preferences Help Automatic Semantic Role Labeling

We describe a topic model based approach for selectional preference. Using the topic features generated by an LDA model on the extracted predicate-arguments over the Chinese Gigaword corpus, we show improvement to our state-of-the-art Chinese SRL system by 2.34 F1 points on arguments of nominal predicates, 0.40 F1 point on arguments of verb predicates, and 0.66 F1 point overall. More over, similar gains were achieved on out-ofgenre test data, as well as on English SRL using the same technique.
A Geminivirus Replication Protein Interacts with a Protein Kinase and a Motor Protein That Display Different Expression Patterns during Plant Development and Infection

The geminivirus protein AL1 initiates viral DNA replication, regulates its own expression, and induces plant gene transcription. To better understand how AL1 interacts with host proteins during these processes, we used yeast two-hybrid library screening and a baculovirus protein interaction system to identify plant proteins that interact with AL1. These studies identified a Ser/Thr kinase, a kinesin, and histone H3 as AL1 partners. The kinase is autophosphorylated and can phosphorylate common kinase substrates in vitro. The kinesin is phosphorylated in insect cells by a cyclin-dependent kinase. Immunostaining of Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis showed that kinase protein levels and subcellular location are regulated during plant development and geminivirus infection. By contrast, the kinesin is ubiquitous even though it is associated with the spindle apparatus in mitotic cells. Together, our results establish that AL1 interacts with host proteins involved in plant cell division and development. Possible functions of these host factors in healthy and geminivirus-infected plants are discussed.
Interactive MR-guided percutaneous nephrostomy

Open-configuration MRI systems have been recently introduced and hold promise to allow the performance of a variety of minimally invasive procedures. Experience with MR-guided catheter-based luminal interventions is experimental to date. This is the first case of a successful percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement in a patient in an interventional MR system. The procedure was performed completely under MR guidance, and technical aspects are reviewed and compared with other, established techniques for percutaneous nephrostomy placement.