cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Press Release to Voting Reasons: Tracing the Agenda in a Congressional Campaign

Two questions that have not been clearly addressed in the agenda-setting work are: (1) who sets the agenda for the press, and (2) what are the relationships between press agenda, political-discussi...
Anticancer Activity of Natural and Synthetic Capsaicin Analogs

The nutritional compound capsaicin is the major spicy ingredient of chili peppers. Although traditionally associated with analgesic activity, recent studies have shown that capsaicin has profound antineoplastic effects in several types of human cancers. However, the applications of capsaicin as a clinically viable drug are limited by its unpleasant side effects, such as gastric irritation, stomach cramps, and burning sensation. This has led to extensive research focused on the identification and rational design of second-generation capsaicin analogs, which possess greater bioactivity than capsaicin. A majority of these natural capsaicinoids and synthetic capsaicin analogs have been studied for their pain-relieving activity. Only a few of these capsaicin analogs have been investigated for their anticancer activity in cell culture and animal models. The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the growth-inhibitory activity of natural capsaicinoids and synthetic capsaicin analogs. Future studies that examine the anticancer activity of a greater number of capsaicin analogs represent novel strategies in the treatment of human cancers.
Transport of thyrotropin releasing hormone in rabbit buccal mucosa in vitro.

The transport of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in rabbit buccal mucosa in vitro has been investigated with respect to (a) rate and type of metabolism of TRH on mucosal and serosal sides of buccal mucosa, (b) mechanism of TRH transport including charge effect on its permeability, and (c) pathway and rate-limiting regions of TRH movement. In addition, the integrity of excised buccal mucosa has been evaluated for purposes of in vitro solute diffusion experiments using tissue ATP level data, transmission electron microscopy, and TRH transport kinetic data. The results indicate that excised rabbit buccal mucosa can be used for TRH diffusion studies for approximately 6 hr. In addition, TRH apparently traverses buccal mucosa by simple diffusion with a steady-state permeability of about 10(-7) cm/sec, and this permeability is independent of pH. Moreover, the primary pathway appears to be via the intercellular space in the rate-limiting barrier, i.e., the upper 50 microns of the epithelium. Finally, TRH is degraded predominantly by deamidase activity, which is followed by, to a lesser degree, carboxypeptidase metabolism.
Allostery revealed within lipid binding events to membrane proteins.

Membrane proteins interact with a myriad of lipid species in the biological membrane, leading to a bewildering number of possible protein−lipid assemblies. Despite this inherent complexity, the identification of specific protein−lipid interactions and the crucial role of lipids in the folding, structure, and function of membrane proteins is emerging from an increasing number of reports. Fundamental questions remain, however, regarding the ability of specific lipid binding events to membrane proteins to alter remote binding sites for lipids of a different type, a property referred to as allostery [Monod J, Wyman J, Changeux JP (1965) J Mol Biol 12:88–118]. Here, we use native mass spectrometry to determine the allosteric nature of heterogeneous lipid binding events to membrane proteins. We monitored individual lipid binding events to the ammonia channel (AmtB) from Escherichia coli, enabling determination of their equilibrium binding constants. We found that different lipid pairs display a range of allosteric modulation. In particular, the binding of phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin-like molecules to AmtB exhibited the largest degree of allosteric modulation, inspiring us to determine the cocrystal structure of AmtB in this lipid environment. The 2.45-A resolution structure reveals a cardiolipin-like molecule bound to each subunit of the trimeric complex. Mutation of a single residue in AmtB abolishes the positive allosteric modulation observed for binding phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin-like molecules. Our results demonstrate that specific lipid−protein interactions can act as allosteric modulators for the binding of different lipid types to integral membrane proteins.
Describing Phonological Paraphasias in Three Variants of Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the linguistic environment of phonological paraphasias in 3 variants of primary progressive aphasia (semantic, logopenic, and nonfluent) and to des...
Frequency Stabilization and its Implication in Optical Networks

Stable carrier frequency is taken for granted in wireless networks. With advent of optical frequency comb technology, it is possible not only to mimic established wireless techniques in optical domain but also to introduce new, hybrid processing technology.
Preliminary Results from Simulations of Tomographic Imaging Using Multiple-Pinhole Coded Apertures

The use of multiple-pinhole coded apertures in single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) systems makes possible SPECT geometries that image from multiple directions simultaneously and that have greater photon-collection efficiencies than conventional SPECT systems. However, the multiplexing of data that results from the use of such apertures is not well understood and, therefore, is not always optimally decoded. Presented in this paper are results from a simulation study of multiple-pinhole coded-aperture systems having pinholes that are uniformly spaced and of uniform width. Five apertures representing varying degrees of multiplexing are considered, and the results presented are in the form of pictorial displays that make possible qualitative comparisons of images from the five imaging systems. Shown are representations of the Hoffman brain phantom determined following singular value decompositions of the system matrices and reconstructions of simulated SPECT data using a Monte Carlo algorithm and prior information.
The Peribronchial Lymphocytic Tissue in Germfree, Defined-Flora, Conventional and Chronic Murine Pneumonia-Affected Rats

Chronic murine pneumonia (CMP) is probably the most serious problem in maintaining healthy rat colonies. It has been estimated6,9 that up to 75% of the rats from established colonies have lesions of this disease. It not only complicates routine experimental work using the rat, but also seriously diminishes the value of the rat for chronic toxicity studies.
Teachers´ perceptions of professional development experiences: an ongoing concern

Teachers’ perceptions of professional development experiences related to process, content, and context were explored to better address leadership preparation needs. Teachers responded to the Professional Development Questionnaire, three demographic variables (teaching experience, Title 1 status, and current grade level) pertaining to the individual, and one open-ended comment field. A total of 327 teachers from a large western school district in the United States responded. The findings indicated that there were no significant differences for the three demographic grouping variables. Overall, results revealed low mean values, indicating that teachers disagreed or strongly disagreed with statements related to their professional development experiences. Teachers also indicated that their own building administrators did not value professional development. Finally, teachers’ perceptions of professional development also suggested that professional development topics were irrelevant, and that they were not provided with enough time to integrate topics into their current practice
3D Printed Micro Check Valve for Biomedical Applications

This paper presents development of a novel three dimensional imprinted micro check valve for biomedical applications. Due to its rapid and cost effective fabrication techniques, micro check valve devices are widely used in several areas of the biomedical industry such as intravenous (I.V.) fluid transfusion. The fabrication method consists of SolidWorks modelling and 3D printing steps for prototyping. The micro check valve is a self-controlled valve that relies on pressure change for operation. In this particular design, a sphere was used to prevent any backward flow allowing the pressure change to only initiate a one-way flow. The tests showed that the check valve design allowed for zero backward flow while also allowing flow through the device in the proper direction at a rate of 98.6 μl/sec.
Abstract 371: Cardiac Endocrinology: Biology of a Heart-derived Hormone That Regulates Body Growth

The endocrine system is crucial for maintaining whole-body homeostasis. Little is known regarding endocrine hormones secreted by the heart other than ANP and BNP discovered over 30 years ago. We re...
International Investment Facilitation: By Whom and for What?

This speech begins with a very brief discussion of the inter-relationship between trade and FDI and the beginning discussions of investment facilitation in the WTO, before focusing on two questions concerning the scope of a possible Investment Facilitation Agreement, namely investment facilitation by whom and investment facilitation for what. Attached is also an op ed based this presentation.
Orthopedic Surgeon Decision-Making Processes for Postsurgical Opioid Prescribing.

Introduction Acute pain and chronic pain are significant burdens in the Department of Defense, compounded by the ongoing opioid crisis. Given the ubiquity of (leftover) opioid prescriptions following orthopedic surgery, it is essential to identify feasible and acceptable avenues of opioid risk mitigation efforts. The present quality improvement project builds on recent studies by evaluating factors related to opioid prescribing decisions in a sample of orthopedic surgery providers. Materials and methods This quality improvement project received a Determination of Not Research and was conducted through a collaboration between the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Providers in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery completed an anonymous online survey assessing opioid prescribing education, factors influencing prescribing practices, opioid-safety practices, and perspectives on potential opioid safety initiatives. Results In total, 39 respondents completed surveys. There was variability in exposure to different types of opioid prescribing education, with some variation between attendings/physician assistants and residents. Patients' acute postsurgical pain, using a standardized amount for most patients, and prescription histories were the three most influential factors. Concern of patients running out and fear of patient dissatisfaction were the least influential factors. Respondents commonly reported engagement in promoting nonpharmacological pain management, as well as coordinating with chronic pain providers when applicable, but did not commonly report educating patients on leftover opioid disposal. Respondents indicated that a barrier to opioid risk mitigation was the difficulty of accessing appropriate electronic health record data to inform decisions. Lastly, they reported openness to proposed opioid safety initiatives. Conclusion The results of this quality improvement project identified several target areas for future initiatives focused on improving opioid prescribing practices. This included a provider training program, improved patient education system, increased awareness and use of opioid tracking databases, and development of a standardized (but adaptable per patient characteristics and history) recommended dose for common orthopedic surgeries. Future projects will target tailored development, implementation, and evaluation of such efforts.
Coordinated Decentralized Protocols for Failure Diagnosisof Discrete Event Systems

We address the problem of failure diagnosis in discrete event systems with decentralized information. We propose a coordinated decentralized architecture consisting of local sites communicating with a coordinator that is responsible for diagnosing the failures occurring in the system. We extend the notion of diagnosability, originally introduced in Sampath et al. (1995) for centralized systems, to the proposed coordinated decentralized architecture. We specify three protocols that realize the proposed architecture; each protocol is defined by the diagnostic information generated at the local sites, the communication rules used by the local sites, and the coordinator‘s decision rule. We analyze the diagnostic properties of each protocol. We also state and prove conditions for a language to be diagnosable under each protocol. These conditions are checkable off-line. The on-line diagnostic process is carried out using the diagnosers introduced in Sampath et al. (1995) or a slight variation of these diagnosers. The key features of the proposed protocols are: (i) they achieve, each under a set of assumptions, the same diagnostic performance as the centralized diagnoser; and (ii) they highlight the ’’performance vs. complexity‘‘ tradeoff that arises in coordinated decentralized architectures. The correctness of two of the protocols relies on some stringent global ordering assumptions on message reception at the coordinator‘s site, the relaxation of which is briefly discussed.
Examinations of Change in Inhibitory and Initiatory Self-Control in the Context of Endurance Running

Endurance activities provide a key context for positive development. Using data from a longitudinal study of 398 adolescents and emerging adults participating in a charity marathon event, this stud...
Volcanic controls on seawater sulfate over the past 120 million years

Changes in the geological sulfur cycle are inferred from the sulfur isotopic composition of marine barite. The structure of the 34S/32S record from the Mesozoic to present, which includes ∼50- and 100-Ma stepwise increases, has been interpreted as the result of microbial isotope effects or abrupt changes to tectonics and associated pyrite burial. Untangling the physical processes that govern the marine sulfur cycle and associated isotopic change is critical to understanding how climate, atmospheric oxygenation, and marine ecology have coevolved over geologic time. Here we demonstrate that the sulfur outgassing associated with emplacement of large igneous provinces can produce the apparent stepwise jumps in the isotopic record when coupled to long-term changes in burial efficiency. The record of large igneous provinces map onto the required outgassing events in our model, with the two largest steps in the sulfur isotope record coinciding with the emplacement of large igneous provinces into volatile-rich sedimentary basins. This solution provides a quantitative picture of the last 120 My of change in the ocean’s largest oxidant reservoir.
Abstract 13950: Predicted Heart Mass and BMI: Evaluating Undersized Heart Transplantation in Obese vs. Non-Obese Patients

Introduction: Although guidelines for heart transplant currently recommend against donors weighing ≥ 30% less than the recipient, recent studies have shown that the detriment of under-sizing may no...
Training the Trainer: Faculty From Across Multiple Specialties Show Improved Confidence, Knowledge and Skill in Point of Care Ultrasound After a Short Intervention.

Objectives Lack of faculty skill and confidence in performing and teaching point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) remains a significant barrier to implementation of a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum in undergraduate medical education. Our objective was to assess faculty comfort, knowledge and skill with performing and teaching POCUS before and after a focused workshop. Methods This was a prospective study assessing faculty from multiple specialties. Faculty completed a pre- and post-workshop survey and ultrasound knowledge assessment, and a post-workshop objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to assess ability to perform POCUS. Differences between pre- and post-workshop responses were analyzed using Fisher's Exact and Wilcoxon tests, and statistical significance was accepted for p<0.05. Results We analyzed data on 78 faculty from multiple disciplines. Faculty had a median of 7.5 years of experience with medical student teaching. Sixty-eight percent of faculty had performed <25 prior ultrasound (US) examinations. Comparing pre- to post-workshop responses, we found significant reductions in barriers to using US, and improved confidence with using, obtaining and interpreting POCUS (p<0.01). Faculty felt significantly more comfortable with the idea of teaching medical students POCUS (p<0.01). POCUS knowledge improved from 50% to 86% (p<0.01). On the post-workshop OSCE, 90% of anatomic structures were correctly identified with a median image quality of 4 out of 5. Conclusion After attending a six-hour workshop, faculty across multiple specialties had increased confidence with using and teaching POCUS, showed improved knowledge, and were able to correctly identify pertinent anatomic structures with ultrasound while obtaining good image quality.
Accuracy and Interrater Reliability of CISS Versus Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted VIBE for the Presence of Optic Canal Invasion in Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas.

Background The magnetic resonance imaging sequence used to assess optic canal invasion by tuberculum sella meningiomas (TSMs) has not been standardized. Both constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted volume-interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequences are frequently used. The aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy and interrater reliability of these sequences in predicting optic canal invasion by TSMs. Methods In the present retrospective study of 27 patients (54 optic canals) who had undergone endoscopic transtuberculum transplanum resection of TSMs, images from preoperative CISS and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted VIBE sequences were assessed by 5 neuroradiologists who were unaware of the operative findings. The readers evaluated the optic canal in 4 quadrants at 2 locations (the posterior tip of the anterior clinoid process and the optic strut). A quadrant was considered positive for tumor invasion if invasion was present at either of these 2 locations. The reference standard was intraoperative observation of gross optic canal invasion. Results The interrater agreement was good for the presence or absence of tumor involvement in a particular quadrant (CISS, 0.635; VIBE, 0.643; 95% confidence interval for the difference, −0.086 to 0.010). The mean sensitivity and specificity for optic nerve invasion were 0.643 and 0.438 with CISS and 0.643 and 0.454 with VIBE, respectively. No significant differences were seen between the sequences in terms of reader accuracy when the intraoperative findings were used as the reference standard. Conclusion CISS and VIBE sequences both have good accuracy in predicting for optic canal tumor invasion by TMEs.
Use of the T-1470 LiteTouch™ Laser in the En Bloc Resection of an Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer.

Background Endoscopic laser-ablative therapy of upper tract urothelial carcinoma offers kidney-sparing treatment for well-selected low-risk tumors. The traditional technique consists of tumor biopsy with flexible forceps or nitinol basket for pathologic assessment of stage and grade, followed by laser ablation of the tumor. In this case, we present the use of the new T-1470 LiteTouch™ laser for intraoperative tumor en bloc resection, affording both tissue acquisition and tumor ablation. Case Presentation. An 81-year-old female with a past medical history significant for stage 4 chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and gout was diagnosed with a 2 cm left upper tract high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma confirmed by cytology with cell block preparation. Using a novel approach, the tumor was resected, en bloc, using the T-1470 LiteTouch™ laser which allowed for sufficient tissue resection for pathologic examination and strong hemostasis. This new technique is the first recorded example of tumor en bloc resection using the T-1470 LiteTouch™ laser of an upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Conclusion The use of the T-1470 LiteTouch™ laser offers promise for its use as a novel laser for the endoscopic treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. It shows potential for advantages over current techniques through its ability to achieve en bloc resection and superior hemostasis.
Making a bat: The developmental basis of bat evolution

Bats are incredibly diverse, both morphologically and taxonomically. Bats are the only mammalian group to have achieved powered flight, an adaptation that is hypothesized to have allowed them to colonize various and diverse ecological niches. However, the lack of fossils capturing the transition from terrestrial mammal to volant chiropteran has obscured much of our understanding of bat evolution. Over the last 20 years, the emergence of evo-devo in non-model species has started to fill this gap by uncovering some developmental mechanisms at the origin of bat diversification. In this review, we highlight key aspects of studies that have used bats as a model for morphological adaptations, diversification during adaptive radiations, and morphological novelty. To do so, we review current and ongoing studies on bat evolution. We first investigate morphological specialization by reviewing current knowledge about wing and face evolution. Then, we explore the mechanisms behind adaptive diversification in various ecological contexts using vision and dentition. Finally, we highlight the emerging work into morphological novelties using bat wing membranes.
National Institute on Aging Workshop: Repurposing Drugs or Dietary Supplements for Their Senolytic or Senomorphic Effects: Considerations for Clinical Trials.

Background Cell senescence is implicated in numerous age-related conditions. Drugs and nutritional supplements developed for a variety of purposes kill senescent cells (senolytics) or suppress their secretions (senomorphics). There is interest in repurposing such drugs to treat or prevent age-related diseases. To date, only small-scale preliminary trials have been conducted. Method At a workshop convened by the National Institute on Aging in August 2019, academic, industry, and government scientists reviewed issues for phase II trials of potentially repurposable drugs, or dietary supplements, to assess benefits and risks of their senolytic (killing senescent cells) or senomorphic (altering senescent cells' phenotypes) effects in treating or preventing age-related conditions. Results Participants reviewed mechanisms and effects of cellular senescence, senolytics, and senomorphics of several classes and their potential role in treating or preventing disease, modulators of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, needs for senescence markers, data and specimen resources, infrastructure for planning trials, and potential effects on outcomes in older patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. Conclusions Participants noted the importance of considering potential effects of candidate drugs on multiple aging outcomes. It is important to assess drugs' specificity for killing senescent cells and the balance between senolytic and cytotoxic effects. Markers of specific senescent cell types are needed to assess intervention responses. There are potential interactions with coexisting diseases and their treatments in older persons. Standardized measures could enhance comparisons and pooling of data. Additional characterization of human cell senescent phenotypes is needed for developing better and more specific senolytics and senomorphics.
Client characteristics associated with desire for additional services at syringe exchange programs

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between client characteristics and desired services offered at syringe exchange program (SEP) sites among women who inject drugs (WWID). ...
The protective effects of perceived cohesion on the mental health of first responders.

First responders are repeatedly exposed to traumatic and stressful situations. Perceived cohesion can mitigate the potentially harmful psychological impact of these stressors. While the positive effects of cohesion have been established in other trauma-exposed populations such as the military, these effects have not been examined in first responders. Furthermore, prior studies have not ruled out the possibility that perceived cohesion may be acting as a proxy for another well-established protective factor, social support. We therefore examined how perceived cohesion among first responder organizations impacts psychological health and resilience, even after accounting for the effects of social support. First responders (N = 182) completed measures of perceived cohesion, social support, psychological symptoms (including depression, stress, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, secondary traumatic stress symptoms, and burnout), and psychological resilience. Even after controlling for social support, perceived cohesion was associated with lower levels of psychological symptoms (β = -.18 to -.33; p < .05; for secondary traumatic stress, posttraumatic stress, depression, and each facet of burnout) and higher levels of resilience (β = .37; p < .05). These results suggest that perceived cohesion promotes psychological health among first responders, even after controlling for social support. Thus, perceived cohesion does not seem to be acting as a mere proxy for social support. Further examination of how perceived cohesion benefits first responders could lay the groundwork for interventions to improve their mental health and psychological resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Hippo pathway and Bonus control developmental cell fate decisions in the Drosophila eye

The Hippo pathway controls organ growth, however its role in cell fate determination and the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we uncover the function of the Hippo pathway in developmental cell fate decisions in the Drosophila eye, exerted through the interaction of Yorkie (Yki) with a transcriptional regulator Bonus (Bon). Activation of either Bon or Yki is sufficient to promote epidermal fate at the expense of eye fate through the recruitment of multiple transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators. Transcriptome analysis reveals that Bon and Yki jointly upregulate epidermal differentiation genes and downregulate Notch target genes that modulate the eye-to-epidermal fate switch. The Hippo pathway and Bon also control the early eye-antennal specification, with activated Yki and Bon suppressing eye fate and promoting antennal fate. Our work has revealed that the Hippo pathway and Bon control cell fate decisions during Drosophila eye development at multiple levels.
Evaluation of Esophageal Pressures in Mechanically Ventilated Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND Patients who are obese are at risk for developing high pleural pressure, which leads to alveolar collapse. Esophageal pressure (Pes) can be used as a surrogate for pleural pressure and can be used to guide PEEP titration. Although recent clinical data on Pes-guided PEEP has shown no benefit, its utility in the subgroup of patients who are obese has not been studied. METHODS The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III critical care database was queried to gather data on Pes in subjects on mechanical ventilation. Pes in obese and non-obese groups were compared, and a subgroup analysis was performed in subjects with class III obesity. Thereafter, empirical and Pes-guided PEEP protocols of a recently published trial were theoretically applied to the obese group and ventilator outcomes were compared. RESULTS A total of 105 subjects were included in the study. The average end-expiratory Pes in the obese group was 18.8 ± 5 cm H2O compared with 16.8 ± 4.8 cm H2O in the non-obese group (P < .05). If Pes-guided PEEP protocol was to be applied to those in the obese group, then the PEEP setting would be significantly higher than empirical PEEP setting. These findings were accentuated in the subgroup of subjects with class III obesity. CONCLUSIONS Individualization of PEEP with Pes guidance may have a role in patients who are obese.
Pegloticase for chronic gout.

Background Pegloticase is a potential new treatment option for patients with chronic gout intolerant to other urate-lowering therapies. Objectives To assess safety (adverse events, death) and efficacy (pain, function, frequency of flares, quality of life, uric acid level, radiographic damage) of pegloticase in various doses or as compared to placebo or other interventions for treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with chronic gout. Search methods We searched six databases: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), via The Cochrane Library, OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL (via EBSCOHost), OVID SPORTdiscus, EMBASE and the Science Citation Index (Web of Science). Selection criteria All published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials that compared various doses of pegloticase alone or pegloticase alone or in combination with other urate-lowering or anti-inflammatory medications to placebo alone or placebo in combination with these medications, in patients with gout. Data collection and analysis Two review authors (AA, JS) independently extracted data from the included trials, including trial and population characteristics, primary and secondary outcomes. For dichotomous and continuous outcomes, we calculated the risk ratio and mean difference, respectively with 95% confidence interval. Major outcomes were: (a) Efficacy: frequency of gout flares and change in serum uric acid; and (b) safety: adverse events, serious adverse events, withdrawals and death. Minor/secondary outcomes were pain, patient/physician global assessment, tophus burden, health related quality of life, function and radiographic progression. Main results Only one open-label, phase-II RCT (n=41) met the selection criteria that compared various doses of pegloticase without comparison to placebo or another treatment. Patients were randomized to one of the four doses of pegloticase for 12 to 14 weeks - 4mg every 2 weeks, 8mg every 2 weeks, 8mg every 4 weeks and 12mg every 4 weeks. Percent responders (uric acid below 6 mg/dl 80% or more time) in the four dose groups were 56%, 88%, 52% and 62%. Percent time without hyperuricemia (uric acid below 6 mg/dl) was 78%, 92%, 76% and 76% respectively. No between dose differences were noted. Most common adverse events (10% or more patients) included nephrolithiasis, arthralgia, anemia, dyspnea, headache, muscle spasms, nausea and pyrexia. 89% reported one or more gout flares during the study. Pain, patient/physician global, function, quality of life, tophus size/regression and radiographic progression were not reported in this study. Authors' conclusions There are no published double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs of pegloticase. More evidence is needed to assess risks/benefits of pegloticase in patients with chronic gout.
Commodity taxation and imperfect competition: A note on the effects of entry

Abstract This paper looks at the effects of allowing the number of firms to vary in Seade's model of oligopoly and taxation. We show that the normative and positive consequences of a specific commodity tax are affected by entry in significant ways.
Regulatory Reform in the States: Lessons From New Jersey

While numerous examinations of the rule-making process have occurred at the federal level, there are fewer studies about the effects of the proceduralization of the rule-making process on state regulations. Our examination focuses on regulations promulgated in New Jersey, both before and after major procedural changes enacted in the state in 2001. We collected data on 1,707 regulations on a wide array of variables from the type of rule-making, rule length, degree of public comment and agency response to comments. We also examined aggregate data on all final rules issued from 1998 to 2007. On the whole, we found that agencies are largely immune to the procedural requirements of the state’s regulatory process. Agencies march on, writing regulations regardless of their political or procedural environment.
Molecular Cloning of MIS, a Myeloid Inhibitory Siglec, That Binds Protein-tyrosine Phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2

We describe the molecular cloning and characterization of a novel myeloid inhibitory siglec, MIS, that belongs to the family of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins. A full-length MIS cDNA was obtained from murine bone marrow cells. MIS is predicted to contain an extracellular region comprising three immunoglobulin-like domains (V-set amino-terminal domain followed by two C-set domains), a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail with two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-like sequences. The closest relative of MIS in the siglec family is human siglec 8. Extracellular regions of these two siglecs share 47% identity at the amino acid level. Southern blot analysis suggests the presence of one MIS gene. MIS is expressed in the spleen, liver, heart, kidney, lung and testis tissues. Several isoforms of MIS protein exist due to the alternative splicing. In a human promonocyte cell line, MIS was able to bind Src homology 2-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatases, SHP-1 and SHP-2. This binding was mediated by the membrane-proximal ITIM of MIS. Moreover, MIS exerted an inhibitory effect on FcγRI receptor-induced calcium mobilization. These data suggest that MIS can play an inhibitory role through its ITIM sequences.
Brown-Skinned Outlaws: An Ideographic Analysis of “Illegal(s)”

Situated within a contemporary context of U.S. immigration politics, this essay seeks to track the term illegal as utilized in public discourse to understand how the public has codified and employed it; more specifically, the essay investigates the social implications of the grammatical shift of the term illegal from an adjective to a noun. I track the plural use of the word in public discourse before, during, and after the 2006 protests and argue that a clear and solidified ideograph of has emerged in the public discourse fraught with negative associations and maintain that the grammatical shift from an adjective to a noun further demeans and dehumanizes undocumented immigrants.
Vehicle System Modeling for Computer-Aided Chassis Control Development

As the complexity of automotive chassis control systems increases with the introduction of technologies such as yaw and roll stability systems, processes for model-based development of chassis control systems becomes an essential part of ensuring overall vehicle safety, quality, and reliability. To facilitate such a model-based development process, a vehicle modeling framework intended for chassis control development has been created. This paper presents a design methodology centered on this modeling framework which has been applied to real world driving events and has demonstrated its capability to capture vehicle dynamic behavior for chassis control development applications.
Stop-loss order for forage fish fisheries

Recent literature has highlighted the exceptional importance of forage fish, which include some of the largest fisheries in the world and produce a sizeable share of the global wild marine fish catch (1). Forage species play an essential and valuable supporting role within marine ecosystems by serving as prey for larger species (2, 3). These findings underscore the importance of (i) furthering understanding of the determinants of forage fish collapses, and (ii) of devising exploitation strategies that will maintain their crucial ecological and economic roles. Essington et al. (4) significantly advance understanding on both counts, applying novel methods to uncover fishing’s fingerprint in regulating population fluctuations and demonstrating the effectiveness of a simple remedy to prevent collapses.
Search and Retrieval of Compressed Text

In recent times, we have witnessed an unprecedented growth of textual information via the Internet, digital libraries and archival text in many applications. To be able to store, manage, organize and transport the data efficiently, text compression is necessary. We also need efficient search engines to speedily find the information from this huge mass of data, especially when it is compressed. In this chapter, we present a review of text compression algorithms, with particular emphasis on the LZ family algorithms, and present our current research on the family of Star compression algorithms. We discuss ways to search the information from its compressed format and introduce some recent work on compressed domain pattern matching, with a focus on a new two-pass compression algorithm based on LZW algorithm. We present the architecture of a compressed domain search and retrieval system for archival information and indicate its suitability for implementation in a parallel and distributed environment using random access property of the two-pass LZW algorithm.
Outcomes of pancreas transplants for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Background: The objective of this study was to examine how effectively pancreas transplants provide long-term glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We used guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to appropriately classify recipients with type 2 DM (vs. type 1 DM). Results: From 1994 through 2002, a total of 17 patients with type 2 DM underwent a pancreas transplant at our center. Mean recipient age was 52.5 yr. The mean age at diabetes onset was 35.7 yr; mean duration, 16.8 yr. Most recipients had one or more secondary complications related to their diabetes: retinopathy (94%), neuropathy (76%), or nephropathy (65%). At the time of their transplant, three (18%) were on oral hypoglycemic agents alone and 14 (82%) were on insulin therapy. Of the 17 transplants, seven (41%) were a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK); four (24%), pancreas after kidney transplant (PAK); and six (35%), pancreas transplant alone (PTA). One recipient died during the perioperative period because of aspiration. The other 16 recipients became euglycemic post-transplant and had a functional graft at 1 yr post-transplant (patient and graft survival rates, 94%). Now, with a mean follow-up of 4.3 yr post-transplant, the patient survival rate is 71%. The four additional deaths were because of sepsis (n = 2), suicide (n = 1), and unknown cause (n = 1). All four of these recipients were insulin-independent at the time of death, although one was on an oral hypoglycemic agent. Of the 12 recipients currently alive, 11 remain euglycemic without requiring insulin therapy or oral hypoglycemic agents; one began insulin therapy 1.2 yr post-transplant (current daily dose, 60 units). Conclusion: These findings suggest that pancreas transplants can provide excellent glucose control in recipients with type 2 DM. All 16 (94%) of our recipients whose transplant was technically successful were rendered euglycemic. Long-term results were comparable with those seen in transplant recipients with type 1 DM.
Big versus small: Does Bythotrephes longimanus predation regulate spatial distribution of another invasive predatory cladoceran, Cercopagis pengoi?

Abstract Offshore–onshore spatial distribution and abundance of Cercopagis pengoi , a small non-indigenous predatory cercopagid, in Lake Michigan have been hypothesized to be regulated by the larger non-indigenous predatory cercopagid, Bythotrephes longimanus , through predation and/or competition. However, temperature and prey abundance are other factors that could be affecting Cercopagis . First, we examined all these factors on Cercopagis population abundance, life history traits and spatio-temporal distribution. In addition, we examined vertical spatial overlap between these species and determined predation rate of Bythotrephes on Cercopagis . Linear mixed effects analysis of spatial–temporal data showed that biomass of B. longimanus had the strongest effect, which was significantly negative on biomass, proportion of fecund females and mean clutch size of Cercopagis . Fecundity increased significantly with density of potential prey zooplankton, whereas Cercopagis total biomass increased significantly with the mean epilimnion temperature. Cercopagis and Bythotrephes overlapped vertically in the epi- and metalimnion, and neither of them showed any appreciable diel vertical migration. In predation experiments, Bythotrephe s consumed Cercopagis at the same rate as Daphnia mendotae , a known preferred prey, when offered at equal concentrations. Overall, this observation, together with vertical overlap of Cercopagis with Bythotrephes implies that Bythotrephes predation has a strong influence on Cercopagis distribution; however, prey availability, temperature, and competition may be important secondary factors. These results imply that invasion success of Cercopagis may be limited by prior invasion by Bythotrephes .
Frequency dependent polarization dynamics in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers with electrical injection

We report on the polarization dynamics in VCSELs with a small frequency modulation. The polarization state of a VCSEL is shown to be controlled by only changing the frequency of the modulation to electrical injection.
Medicare at the Crossroads

The 107th Congress will be faced with the task of Medicare reform. It may only take the form of a limited prescription drug benefit or it may involve comprehensive structural reform. For nearly 36 years, the Medicare program and its structural components, entitlement status, financing methodology, and basic benefit package have remained fairly stable. The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act, passed in the late 1980s and repealed a year later, would have achieved substantial reform, especially in the area of prescription drug coverage. Concern about the solvency of the Medicare trust fund after the year 2030 provides an even more urgent call for reform.
Mechanism of aromatic nitro group reduction in the soluble fraction of human placenta.

Abstract Investigations were carried out with soluble fractions of human placental tissue to determine components of a catalytic system responsible for the reduction of p- nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA) to p- aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Partial purification revealed that hemoglobin and/or methemoglobin were the principal catalytic factors present in the placental 104,000 g supernatant. Utilizing tissue-free model systems, it was found that several purified heme-containing compounds would catalyze the reduction of PNBA at rates comparable to those observed in placental soluble fractions. Methemoglobin, metmyglobin, hematin, and dialyzed, lyophilized placental soluble fractions all displayed biphasic effects with variations in concentration. Maximal catalytic activity varied among these heme catalysts but optimal concentrations, when expressed as total monomer heme, were fairly uniform. Carbon monoxide markedly inhibited both the placental tissue catalysis and heme-model system nitroreductase reactions.
A surface equation of state for globular proteins at the air-water interface

A surface equation of state for globular proteins at the air-water interface accounting for the structure of the protein molecule, its degree of unfolding, and segment-segment, segment-solvent, and electrostatic interactions is proposed. The proposed lattice model employs the simplifying assumption that all the adsorbed segments are present in the form of trains. Results obtained by fitting the equation of state to the experimental data indicate that the average degree of unfolding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) is greater than that of lysozyme. The number of segments adsorbed per molecule of BSA is found to vary linearly with the surface concentration, whereas the segments of lysozyme adsorbed at the interface are fairly independent of surface concentration. The segment-solvent interactions of the adsorbed segments of BSA and lysozyme are found to be unfavorable (χ > 0.5) due to the exposure of hydrophobic functional groups resulting from unfolding. The maximum surface pressure and surface concentration for monolayer coverage are highest at pI and their predicted variation with pH is in good agreement with the experimental data.
The role of nitrogen in chromophoric and fluorescent dissolved organic matter formation

Abstract Microbial and photochemical processes affect chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) dynamics in the ocean. Some evidence suggests that dissolved nitrogen plays a role in CDOM formation, although this has received little systematic attention in marine ecosystems. Coastal seawater incubations were carried out in the presence of model dissolved organic nitrogen (DON: amino sugars and amino acids) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) compounds to assess their role in biological and photochemical production of CDOM. For several of the dissolved N compounds, microbial processing resulted in a pulse of CDOM that was mainly labile, appearing and disappearing within 7 days. In contrast, a net loss of CDOM occurred when no N was added to the microbial incubations. The greatest net biological CDOM formation was found upon addition of amino sugars (formation of fluorescent, mostly labile CDOM) and tryptophan (formation of non-fluorescent, refractory CDOM). Photochemical formation of CDOM was only found with tryptophan, the one aromatic compound tested. This CDOM was highly fluorescent, with excitation–emission matrices (EEMs) resembling those of terrestrial, humic-like fluorophores. The heterogeneity in CDOM formation from this collection of labile N-containing compounds was surprising. These compounds are common components of biopolymers and humic substances in natural waters and likely to contribute to microbially- and photochemically-produced CDOM in coastal seawater.
Longevity of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner in the rumen

Abstract Vegetative cell counts of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner decreased by 90 percent within 4 hours when bacterial suspensions were introduced into the rumens of cattle. A commercial spore preparation did not decrease significantly in viable count for a period of 24 hours.
Correlated changes in steady-state levels of Balbiani ring mRNAs and secretory polypeptides in salivary glands of Chironomus tentans

Balbiani rings (BRs) on polytenized chromosomes in Chironomid salivary glands contain members of a homologous multigene family that encodes a family (the sp-I family) of high Mr secretory polypeptides. Each of these BR genes is comprised largely of tandemly duplicated core repeat sequences consisting of related constant (C) regions and intergenically divergent subrepeat (SR) regions. A set of oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes were synthesized that correspond to the transcribed strand of the SR region of BR1, BR2α, BR2/β, and BR6 core repeats. Under a defined set of conditions, it was possible to show that each oligonucleotide probe hybridized exclusively to its cognate repeat type without hybridization to other repeat types in cloned DNA templates. These BR probes were then used in dotblot hybridization experiments to simultaneously follow alterations in the steady-state level of BR mRNAs in response to prolonged exposure of larvae to galactose. The results indicated that the relative amounts of these four BR mRNAs may change in a noncoordinate manner. These BR probes were also used in experiments to compare simultaneously the salivary gland content of sp-I components and specific BR mRNAs in larvae that exhibited naturally occurring or induced alterations in BR gene expression. A correlation was found which suggested that sp-Ia is encoded in a gene comprised of BR1 repeats, sp-Ib is encoded by BR2β repeats, sp-Ic is encoded by BR6 repeats and sp-Id is encoded by BR2α repeats.