cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TLR9 signaling mediates adaptive immunity following systemic AAV gene therapy

An ongoing concern of in vivo gene therapy is adaptive immune responses against the protein product of a transgene, particularly for recessive diseases in which antigens are not presented to lymphocytes during central tolerance induction. Here we show that Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling activates T cells against an epitope tagged mitochondria-targeted ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) following the administration of a systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Using a transgenic mouse model system, we demonstrate that TLR9 signaling extrinsic to T cells induces a robust cytotoxic T-cell response against the transgene and results in transgene expression loss. Overall, our results suggest that inflammation mediated by TLR9 signaling and the presence of high affinity transgene-specific T cells is important for the development of adaptive immune responses to transgene products following AAV gene therapy.
Elevated Liver Enzymes as a Manifestation of Haff Disease

Abstract Background Haff disease is a rare syndrome of rhabdomyolysis thought to be caused by a heat-stable toxin associated with the consumption of seafood from fresh or brackish water. Case Report We present the case of a patient with Haff disease who presented to the emergency department with nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and myalgias after a seafood buffet. Initially, he was treated with i.v. fluids and antiemetics for presumed gastroenteritis, but his symptoms did not improve. He was found to have elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, normal point-of-care ultrasound, urinalysis with large blood and no red blood cells, and an elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK). He was admitted to the hospital to receive ongoing fluid resuscitation for rhabdomyolysis presumed to be from fish. Liver enzymes and CPK downtrended, and patient was discharged on hospital day 3. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Undiagnosed Haff disease has important clinical implications, including multi-organ failure and death. Always maintain a high level of suspicion for Haff disease in patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroenteritis, but complicated by minor liver function test elevations and dipstick positivity for heme, without significant numbers of red blood cells per high-power field, in the setting of recent seafood ingestion.
Pituitary-Tumor Endocrinopathies.

Pituitary-Tumor Endocrinopathies Pituitary adenomas account for about 15% of intracranial tumors. Clinical manifestations of disease reflect the oversecretion of the involved hormone, most commonly...
Content analysis of behavior change techniques in maternal and infant health apps

Maternal and infant health (MIH) mobile applications (apps) are increasingly popular and frequently used for health education and decision making. Interventions grounded in theory-based behavior change techniques (BCTs) are shown to be effective in promoting healthy behavior changes. MIH apps have the potential to be useful tools, yet the extent to which they incorporate BCTs is still unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of BCTs in popular MIH apps available in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Twenty-nine popular MIH apps were coded for the presence of 16 BCTs using the mHealth app taxonomy. Popular MIH apps whose purpose was to provide health education or decision-making support to pregnant women or parents/caregivers of infants were included in the final sample. On an average, the reviewed apps included seven BCTs (range 2-16). Techniques such as personalization, review of general or specific goals, macro tailoring, self-monitoring of goals, and health behavior linkages were most frequently present. No differences in the presence of BCTs between paid and free apps were observed. Popular MIH apps typically included only a minority of BCTs found to be useful for health promotion. However, apps developed by healthcare developers incorporated a higher number of BCTs within the app content. Therefore, app developers and policymakers may consider strategies to increase health expert involvement in app design and content delivery.
Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Hyphenated with a Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectrometer To Analyze Diesel—A Three-Dimensional Separation (GC × GC × VUV) Approach

Effective separation of individual components continues to pose the greatest challenge in the characterization of complex hydrocarbon mixtures. Recent research has tackled this problem using severa...
Vulnerability of Face Recognition Systems Against Composite Face Reconstruction Attack

Rounding confidence score is considered trivial but a simple and effective countermeasure to stop gradient descent based image reconstruction attacks. However, its capability in the face of more sophisticated reconstruction attacks is an uninvestigated research area. In this paper, we prove that, the face reconstruction attacks based on composite faces can reveal the inefficiency of rounding policy as countermeasure. We assume that, the attacker takes advantage of face composite parts which helps the attacker to get access to the most important features of the face or decompose it to the independent segments. Afterwards, decomposed segments are exploited as search parameters to create a search path to reconstruct optimal face. Face composition parts enable the attacker to violate the privacy of face recognition models even with a blind search. However, we assume that, the attacker may take advantage of random search to reconstruct the target face faster. The algorithm is started with random composition of face parts as initial face and confidence score is considered as fitness value. Our experiments show that, since the rounding policy as countermeasure can't stop the random search process, current face recognition systems are extremely vulnerable against such sophisticated attacks. To address this problem, we successfully test Face Detection Score Filtering (FDSF) as a countermeasure to protect the privacy of training data against proposed attack.
Mission Innovation is mission critical

The Paris Agreement’s Mission Innovation initiative to accelerate government spending on clean energy research is currently succeeding in its quest to support carbon mitigation. It should be renewed for an additional five years, with increased ambition, and changed to better integrate the private sector.
Commentary on: Influence of the Pectoralis Major Muscle Sling in Chest Wall-Based Flap Suspension After Vertical Mammaplasty: Ten-Year Follow-Up.

Reduction mammaplasty continues to remain a rewarding procedure with high satisfaction rates among patients of all Body Mass Indes, due to improvement in quality life.1-3 When an inferior pedicle or one of its variations is utilized, loss of upper pole fullness, pseudo-ptosis (bottoming out), and upwards rotation of nipple-areola complex (star gazing deformity) are the most feared concerns. This occurs due to the effect of gravity and lack of lower pole support that lead to downward movement of the breast parenchyma infero-laterally. The authors in this article have demonstrated a technical pearl that can minimize one of the long-term concerns in breast reduction, bottoming out.4 By better supporting the lower pole, one can minimize all other sequale of bottoming out. Even though the number of patients is limited in this study, the design of it is unique and helps the readers understand the descent of the …
Dendritic cells support a proliferative antigen-specific T-cell response in the presence of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)

Biomaterials are known to modulate immune cell functions, which subsequently determine the host inflammatory and immune responses. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) or PLGA, a biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterial, induces a pro-inflammatory, mature phenotype in antigen presentation cells, namely dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. In vivo, PLGA can boost the humoral immune response to a co-delivered model antigen, a phenomenon known as the PLGA-adjuvant effect. This study elucidates the link between PLGA's effect on the DC phenotype in vitro and its adjuvant effect in vivo using the CD11c-DTR mouse model. These mice undergo conditional ablation of DCs upon treatment with diphtheria toxin. To measure immune activation, the mice were first given ovalbumin (OVA)-reactive T cells from OT-II/OT-I mice. Later, the same mice received subcutaneous OVA-loaded PLGA scaffold implants. In response to the scaffold implants, OVA-reactive OT-II CD4+ T cells showed decreased proliferation in the absence of CD11c+ DCs, indicating an attenuation of the PLGA-adjuvant effect. Furthermore, PLGA may also influence the antigen cross-presentation function of DCs, as evident with the lowered OVA-reactive OT-I CD8+ T-cell response. Understanding the immunomodulatory ability of biomaterials in the context of DCs will aid in designing improved DC-based immunotherapies against infectious diseases and cancer.
Promoting Early Literacy Using Digital Devices: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective To determine feasibility and explore effects of literacy promotion using e-books versus board books on the home reading environment, book reading, television use, and child development. Methods Randomized controlled trial comparing digital literacy promotion (DLP) using e-books to standard literacy promotion (SLP) using board books among Medicaid-eligible infants. DLP participants received e-books on home digital devices, while SLP participants received board books at well visits between 6 and 12 months of age. Differences in StimQ Read Subscale (StimQ-Read) scores, parent-reported reading and television use, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd Edition (Bayley-3) scores between groups were assessed using intention-to-treat analysis. Results A total of 104 Medicaid-eligible infants were enrolled and randomized from 3 pediatric practices. There were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics between groups at baseline. Children in the DLP group initially had lower StimQ-Read scores but showed similar increases in StimQ-Read scores over time as children in the SLP group. Parents in the DLP group reported greater use of digital devices to read or engage their child (65% vs 23%, P Conclusions/Discussion Literacy promotion using e-books was feasible and associated with greater e-book usage but no difference in board book reading, television viewing, or home reading environment scores. A potential adverse impact of e-books on language development should be confirmed in future study.
Gridiron gourmet: gender and food at the football tailgate: by Maria J. Veri and Rita Liberti, Fayetteville, University of Arkansas Press, 2019, 200 pp., ISBN 978-1-68226-101-9

The authors of Gridiron Gourmet are both professors of kinesiology, but their research interests have less to do with the study of human body movement, and more with human culture, especially the i...
Assessing the Attitude of Tampa Bay Youth toward HIV Self-Testing Kits.

In adults, data support the utility and acceptance of home HIV testing; however, in youth, particularly in the US, this has not been well studied. In this exploratory study, we surveyed Tampa Bay youth aged 16−27 and attending sexual health clinics between 1 June and 31 June 2018 (n = 133) regarding attitudes and perceptions towards HIV self-testing. While most indicated the clinic over home when asked for preferred testing location, study population and subgroup analysis demonstrated a positive response (agree) to Likert-scale questions regarding the use of home HIV self-testing kits and negative responses (strongly disagree) to “would not use self-testing kit”. There was a significant difference between genders in testing location preference (p = 0.031) for those respondents that specified gender (n = 123), with males more likely to prefer home testing than females. This study suggests an openness of youth towards HIV home testing that could help to expand the number of youth aware of their HIV status.
Fast Neural Models for Symbolic Regression at Scale

Deep learning owes much of its success to the astonishing expressiveness of neural networks. However, this comes at the cost of complex, black-boxed models that extrapolate poorly beyond the domain of the training dataset, conflicting with goals of finding analytic expressions to describe science, engineering and real world data. Under the hypothesis that the hierarchical modularity of such laws can be captured by training a neural network, we introduce OccamNet, a neural network model that finds interpretable, compact, and sparse solutions for fitting data, a la Occam's razor. Our model defines a probability distribution over a non-differentiable function space. We introduce a two-step optimization method that samples functions and updates the weights with backpropagation based on cross-entropy matching in an evolutionary strategy: we train by biasing the probability mass toward better fitting solutions. OccamNet is able to fit a variety of symbolic laws including simple analytic functions, recursive programs, implicit functions, simple image classification, and can outperform noticeably state-of-the-art symbolic regression methods on real world regression datasets. Our method requires minimal memory footprint, does not require AI accelerators for efficient training, fits complicated functions in minutes of training on a single CPU, and demonstrates significant performance gains when scaled on a GPU. Our implementation, demonstrations and instructions for reproducing the experiments are available at this https URL.
Marketing with Social Media

This is an excellent, well-constructed book that’s a must for any library or librarian looking to find the best social media outlets to market their library and its programming. It’s especially ind...
AN EXPLICIT TEST OF PLEA BARGAINING IN THE “SHADOW OF THE TRIAL”†

Bargaining in the “shadow of the trial,” which hinges on the expectations of trial outcomes, is the primary theory used by noncriminologists to explain variation in the plea discount given to defendants who plead guilty. This study develops a formal mathematical representation of the theory and then presents an empirical test of the theory using an innovative online survey with responses to a hypothetical case from 1,585 prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. The key outcomes are the probability that the defendant will be convicted at trial, the sentence for the defendant if convicted, and the best plea that the respondent would accept or offer. Variation in the outcomes is created through experimental variation in the information presented to the respondents. Structural regression models are estimated to ?t the formal theoretical models, and the instrumental variables method is used to correct for measurement error in the estimate for probability of conviction. The data support the basic shadow model, with minor modi?cations, for only prosecutors and defense attorneys. Controlling for the characteristics of the individual actors and their jurisdictions adds explanatory value to the model, although these control variables did not affect the key co-ef?cients from the shadow model.
HCV infection is associated with lower survival in simultaneous liver kidney transplant recipients in the United States.

Background The frequency of simultaneous liver kidney transplantation (SLKT) has been increasing over the past decade. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Given the rising prevalence of HCV-related SLKT, it is important to understand the impact of HCV in this patient population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry to assess adult patients undergoing SLKT in the United States from 2003 to 2012. Patient survival following SLKT was assessed using Kaplan–Meier methods and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results Patients infected with non-HCV have significantly lower survival following SLKT compared to non-HCV patients at three (three-yr survival: 71.0% vs. 78.9%, p < 0.01) and five yr (five-yr survival: 61.4% vs. 72.5%, p < 0.01). The results of multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that patients infected with HCV had significantly lower survival following SLKT than patients with non-HCV disease (HR 1.41, 95% CI, 1.19–1.67, p < 0.001). In addition, lower post-SLKT survival was noted among patients with diabetes (HR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.13–1.58, p < 0.001) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HR 1.60, 95% CI, 1.17–2.18, p < 0.01). Conclusions Hepatitis C infection is associated with lower patient survival following SLKT.
Arousal and Cognition: The Stimulation-Seeking Motive and Structural Effects in the Comprehension of Film.

The authors present a study of comprehension as a function of the stimulation-seeking motive in relation to the degree of structure involved in information presented in film. While no significant effects were obtained in measuring comprehension of verbal and pictorial stimuli and literal and inferential processing, the stimulation-seeking motive may have had a moderating effect on the relationship among memory or information-processing systems. This would indicate possible differential-encoding or information-processing strategies between individuals high and low in the stimulation-seeking motive.
Deep venous thrombosis following total hip arthroplasty: Effects of prolonged postoperative epidural anesthesia

The authors studied the use of epidural anesthesia prolonged to 48 hours of epidural analgesia in 120 total hip arthroplasty patients in a case-control fashion. One half of the patients received prolonged epidural anesthesia, while the other matched half received general endotracheal anesthesia. Venograms were obtained after surgery and graded in blind fashion by a single radiologist. The overall incidence of deep venous thrombosis in the epidural versus general anesthetic groups was 23 (14 of 60 patients) versus 40% (24 of 60) (P < .05). There was an identical incidence--8.3% (5 of 60 patients)--of proximal thrombosis in the two groups, and all of the difference in the overall rates of thrombosis occurred in the calf. Fifteen percent (9 of 60 patients) of the epidural patients and 31.6% (19 of 60) of the general anesthetic patients demonstrated this finding (P < .05). Of the 10 proximal clots, 8 (80%) were found in the operative leg, while only 29 (59.2%) of the 49 calf clots were found in the operative leg. Prolonged epidural anesthesia significantly decreases the incidence of deep venous thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty, with its most apparent benefit on calf vein thrombosis secondary to its hyperkinetic effect on lower limb blood flow. The observation that it has no demonstrable effect on the prevention of proximal thrombosis and our finding that the majority of proximal clots are in the operative leg suggest that thrombi in the thigh may be the result of a different primary pathogenic mechanism that is more related to endothelial injury than to changes in viscosity or blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Computing on the restricted LARPBS model

Many algorithms have been designed on models using pipelined optical buses by several research groups. Linear array with a reconfigurable pipelined bus system (LARPBS) is one such model. The results in the literature show that most of the basic operations can be executed in O(1) bus cycles on the LARPBS model. However, since a bus cycle time is proportional to the number of processors attached to it, a bus cycle is not really a constant time when the number of processors is large. In this paper, a more realistic model called restricted-LARPBS (RLARPBS) model is proposed, where a bus cycle can only accommodate a limited number of messages. We use a parameter to characterize this feature. Under the new model, we propose several basic data movement operations. Their time complexities are also analyzed.
Distribution of Chromate-labeled Brucella abortus Endoxin in Tolerant Mice

Endotoxin tolerance as manifested by a lesser degree of hypoferremia was demonstrated in mice when both pretreatment (10 μg per injection) and challenge (100 μg) does of Brucella abortus endotoxin were administered intraperitoneally. Qualitative and quantitative studies on the distribution of chromate-labeled endotoxin in normal mice revealed that the endotoxin localized predominately in the liver and hypoferremia could be related to a high uptake of endotoxin by this organ. In tolerant mice, the labeled endotoxin was found mainly in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) with smaller quantities in the blood, spleen, and liver. Experiments with splenectomized mice provided supporting evidence that the liver was the target organ of the hypoferremic response to endotoxin. High localization of endotoxin in the MLN with lower quantities in the blood, livers, and spleens of tolerant mice indicated that tolerance may be the result of a blockage by the MLN, preventing the endotoxin from reaching the liver. This inference was supported by the finding that hypoferremic tolerance did not occur when the hypoferremia-provoking dosage of endotoxin (100 μg) was given intravenously to mice pretreated intraperitoneally. There was less hypoferremia in normal mice injected with a mixture of antiserum and 100 μg of endotoxin than in mice given the same dosage of endotoxin in saline. Distribution studies on endotoxin treated with specific antiserum revealed that the endotoxin localized principally in the MLN, thus preventing most of the endotoxin from reaching the liver, the target organ of the hypoferremic response.
Multiplexed paper analytical device for quantification of metals using distance-based detection

Exposure to metal-containing aerosols has been linked with adverse health outcomes for almost every organ in the human body. Commercially available techniques for quantifying particulate metals are time-intensive, laborious, and expensive; often sample analysis exceeds $100. We report a simple technique, based upon a distance-based detection motif, for quantifying metal concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Fe in airborne particulate matter using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices. Paper substrates are used to create sensors that are self-contained, self-timing, and require only a drop of sample for operation. Unlike other colorimetric approaches in paper microfluidics that rely on optical instrumentation for analysis, with distance-based detection, analyte is quantified visually based on the distance of a colorimetric reaction, similar to reading temperature on a thermometer. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, Ni, Cu, and Fe were measured individually in single-channel devices; detection limits as low as 0.1, 0.1, and 0.05 μg were reported for Ni, Cu, and Fe. Multiplexed analysis of all three metals was achieved with detection limits of 1, 5, and 1 μg for Ni, Cu, and Fe. We also extended the dynamic range for multi-analyte detection by printing concentration gradients of colorimetric reagents using an off-the-shelf inkjet printer. Analyte selectivity was demonstrated for common interferences. To demonstrate utility of the method, Ni, Cu, and Fe were measured from samples of certified welding fume; levels measured with paper sensors matched known values determined gravimetrically.
Place Matters: the distribution of access to a state flagship university

This article examines the degree to which admission cohorts at a selective public flagship university in the United States reflect the state's broader social and economic diversity. US Census data and University admission data on socio-demographic characteristics, including race, gender, place of residence, family income and education levels, are used in conjunction with geo-spatial mapping to portray the distribution of access to the University for a variety of sub-populations over time. The data reveal persistent patterns of disproportionate representation, with the highest degree of access to the University concentrated predominately among Caucasian students in suburban areas of the state. The authors argue that such disproportionate access to the University has implications for the distribution of the public goods produced by elite public universities.
Inhibition of the Steroid-Induced Synthesis of Δ5-3-Ketosteroid Isomerase in Pseudomonas testosteroni by a New Purine Deoxyribonucleoside Analog: 6-Chloro-8-aza-9-cyclopentylpurine

Analogs of 29-deoxyadenosine (29-AdR) were used to determine the structural requirements for inhibition of the steroid-induced synthesis of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase in Pseudomonas testosteroni. Compounds more active than 29-AdR included 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-29-deoxyribonucleoside and 6-chloro-9-cyclopentylpurine. The data obtained with many compounds indicate that: (a) substitution of the amino group of adenine with chlorine enhances activity, (b) replacement of C with N in position 8 of the purine ring increases activity, (c) replacement of deoxyribose in position 9 of 29-AdR with substituents containing a 29-hydroxyl (as in adenosine, 39-AdR, and 9-(29-hydroxy-cyclopentyl)adenine) causes a loss of activity, while nonhydroxyl-containing substituents (as in 29,39,59-trideoxyadenosine and 9-cyclopentyladenine) retain activity (thus, direct phosphorylation of the analogs is not prerequisite to inhibitory activity), and (d) unnatural derivatives of 29-AdR containing either L-deoxyribose in β-configuration or D-deoxyribose in α-configuration are inactive. These findings were used to guide the design and synthesis of 6-chloro-8-aza-9-cyclopentylpurine (689). This compound, which cannot be phosphorylated directly, markedly inhibited the synthesis of induced enzymes in P. testosteroni at a concentration (0.3 mM) that was significantly less inhibitory to the synthesis of total protein and to the incorporation into protein of L-leucine-1-14C. The inhibition of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase activity was not attributable either to prevention of uptake of the inducer or to direct inhibition of enzyme activity. These data suggest that 689 inhibits relatively selectively a process critically involved in the inductive synthesis in P.testosteroni of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase.
Computer simulation of blood flow in the human arm

This paper considers a finite element method to characterize blood flow in the human arm arteries. A set of different pressure waveforms, which represent normal and diseased heart pulses, is used for the proximal boundary conditions, and a modified Windkessel model is used for the distal arterial boundary conditions. A comparison of the distal pressure and flow waveforms, for each different proximal pressure, is made to determine whether such waveforms are significantly altered from normal waveforms. The results show that the distal pressure and/or flow waveforms in certain cases are sufficiently different to be possibly used as a diagnostic indicator of an abnormal heart condition. Also considered is the effect of stenosis, change of compliance, and dilatation of the distal beds on the pressure and flow waveforms. A stenosis which has an area reduction of greater than approximately 75% is found to significantly alter both the distal pressure and flow waveforms. Changes in arterial compliance, however, do not strongly influence the waveforms. Dilatation of distal vascular beds is simulated by reducing the lumped resistance of these beds, and this reduction increases mean flow and decreases mean distal pressure, but has little effect on the basic shape of either the pressure or flow waveform.
Quimby, Iowa, scientific drill hole: Definition of Precambrian crustal features in northwestern Iowa

Geophysical data and sparse subsurface samples suggest that the Spirit Lake trend (SLT) in the aeromagnetic fabric of northwest Iowa is the southern boundary of the Archean Superior craton. Several small-diameter, positive aeromagnetic anomalies south of the SLT have been interpreted as Middle Proterozoic anorogenic, magnetite-bearing granites that intruded juvenile Early Proterozoic crust. A scientific drill hole 609 m deep was drilled into a 1200 gamma aeromagnetic anomaly near Quimby, Iowa, to test these interpretations. Precambrian basement was reached at a depth of 510 m, and 99 m of undeformed, megacrystic, magnetite-bearing granite core was collected. Petrographic and chemical data are consistent with derivation of the granite magma by melting of preexisting tonalitic continental crust. A U-Pb zircon age of 1433 ±4 Ma shows that this granite is part of the older anorogenic granite-rhyolite suite of the United States. Sm-Nd data yield a depleted-mantle separation age of 1860 Ma, which confirms that the source for the pluton magma was Early Proterozoic crust. All data are consistent with the hypothesis that the aeromagnetic anomalies are caused by Middle Proterozoic anorogenic plutons and with interpretation of the SLT as an Archean/Early Proterozoic crustal boundary.
Anharmonic force constants of helical molecules

Central to our anharmonic potential–effective charge method of computing relative Raman intensities of large helical molecules, such as DNA, are the anharmonic force constants of such molecules. We have thus been led to derive explicit expressions of them and to study their properties. These properties prove to be indispensable in carrying out the computational steps leading to the final Raman intensity expressions for helical molecules. A general expression of cubic force constants of a helical molecule is presented and its properties discussed. Explicit expressions are listed for the cases of stretch and anglebend contributions. Other uses of the anharmonic force constants are also discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identification of barbiturates in urine

Abstract A TLC method was developed which employs a resin column for the extraction and identification of barbiturates in urine. The method is sensitive to less than 1 meg./ml. for all of the barbiturates tested. Certain tranquilizers and sedatives appear on the chromatogram with the barbiturates, but they do not interfere with barbiturate detection. The efficacy of this method was demonstrated using urine samples obtained from both inpatients and outpatients under supervised conditions.
Targeting Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Signaling by Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor (TIR) Domain-containing Adapter Protein/MyD88 Adapter-like (TIRAP/Mal)-derived Decoy Peptides

Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing adapter protein/MyD88 adapter-like (TIRAP/Mal) is an adapter protein that facilitates recruitment of MyD88 to TLR4 and TLR2 signaling complexes. We previously generated a library of cell-permeating TLR4 TIR-derived decoy peptides fused to the translocating segment of the Drosophila Antennapedia homeodomain and examined each peptide for the ability to inhibit TLR4 signaling (Toshchakov, V. Y., Szmacinski, H., Couture, L. A., Lakowicz, J. R., and Vogel, S. N. (2011) J. Immunol. 186, 4819–4827). We have now expanded this study to test TIRAP decoy peptides. Five TIRAP peptides, TR3 (for TIRAP region 3), TR5, TR6, TR9, and TR11, inhibited LPS-induced cytokine mRNA expression and MAPK activation. Inhibition was confirmed at the protein level; select peptides abolished the LPS-induced cytokine production measured in cell culture 24 h after a single treatment. Two of the TLR4 inhibitory peptides, TR3 and TR6, also inhibited cytokine production induced by a TLR2/TLR1 agonist, S-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2R,2S)-propyl)-N-palmitoyl-(R)-Cys-Ser-Lys4-OH; however, a higher peptide concentration was required to achieve comparable inhibition of TLR2 versus TLR4 signaling. Two TLR4 inhibitory peptides, TR5 and TR6, were examined for the ability to inhibit TLR4-driven cytokine induction in mice. Pretreatment with either peptide significantly reduced circulating TNF-α and IL-6 in mice following LPS injection. This study has identified novel TLR inhibitory peptides that block cellular signaling at low micromolar concentrations in vitro and in vivo. Comparison of TLR4 inhibition by TLR4 and TIRAP TIR-derived peptides supports the view that structurally diverse regions mediate functional interactions of TIR domains.
Distributed sensor data fusion with binary decision trees

A distributed sensor object recognition scheme that uses object features collected by several sensors is presented. Recognition is performed by a binary decision tree generated from a training set. The scheme does not assume the availability of any probability density functions, thus it is practical for nonparametric object recognition. Simulations have been performed for Gaussian feature objects, and some of the results are presented. >
Nondestructive inspection of bonded composite doublers for aircraft

One major thrust in FAA`s National Aging Aircraft Research Program is to foster new technologies in civil aircraft maintenance. Recent DOD and other government developments in using bonded composite doublers on metal structures support the need for validation of such doubler applications on US certificated airplanes. In this study, a specific composite application was chosen on an L-1011 aircraft. Primary inspection requirements for these doublers include identifying disbonds between composite laminate and aluminum parent material, and delaminations in the composite laminate. Surveillance of cracks or corrosion in the parent aluminum material beneath the double is also a concern. No single NDI method can inspect for every flaw type, therefore we need to know NDI capabilities and limitations. This paper reports on a series of NDI tests conducted on laboratory test structures and on a fuselage section from a retired L-1011. Application of ultrasonics, x-ray, and eddy current to composite doublers and results from test specimens loaded to provide a changing flaw profile, are presented in this paper. Development of appropriate inspection calibration standards are also discussed.
Imaging and Imagining the Cosmos: A Creative Ideal and Meme Defined by Form, Feeling, and Function:

This article explores Africana philosophy and praxis, more specifically the African creative ideal and production. It mines earlier discussions on ancient African creative production for themes, memes, and essential principles, categorizing them for usefulness to discuss Africana creative production. Its overarching purpose is to discuss an Afrocentric framework that calls attention to how the ancients imaged and imagined the cosmos using aspects of Nefetari’s house of eternity as a case example. Specifically, it uses Makunefer (Ma-ku-nefer), a concept inspired by the ancient African language and cultural ideas of Egypt (Kemet), to provide an Afrocentric perspective and assumptions for framing a discussion on Africans’ creative production. Makunefer literally translates to the truly beautiful and effective. The article concludes that Ancient African creations served the people in a practical way by conforming to an ideal aspect of the world surrounding them—an ideal still useful today.
PERFORATION OF A GASTRIC ULCER IN A PREMATURE INFANT EXPOSED TO COLD.

The sixth newborn and second premature infant to have survived perforation of a gastric ulcer has been reported.
Verbal recall and recognition abilities in patients with Wilson's disease.

Tests of memory and verbal fluency were administered to 19 neurologically impaired Wilson's patients, 12 non-neurologically impaired Wilson's patients and 15 normal control subjects. Wilson's patients with neurologic disease recalled significantly fewer words on the delayed recall version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test than control subjects (p less than .05) but they showed no impairment on the recognition version of this test. On a verbal fluency test (FAS) requiring the subject to retrieve items from different categories, Wilson's patients with neurologic disease generated significantly fewer words than control subjects (p less than .01). Results suggest that retrieval memory is mildly impaired in the neurologic WD group but rate of learning and rate of forgetting is normal.
Local Government Fragmentation & the Local Public Sector: A Panel Data Analysis

This study analyzes the influence of multiple fragmentation and concentration variables on per capita expenditures for all counties in the United States from 1982 to 2002. Fragmentation and concentration variables are grouped along total, horizontal and vertical lines as identi ed in the literature. The results of this analyses suggest that increases in overall fragmentation leads to higher per capita expenditures; however, supplemental analyses demonstrate this result is being driven by the proliferation of single purpose governments. The analyses also shows that concentration of spending in school districts leads to lower per capita expenditures on average. Results are somewhat sensitive to disaggregation into MSA and non-MSA components. This analyses demonstrates that time is an important consideration and the relationship between fragmentation and the size of the local public sector is not straightforward.
Field statistical effects on Autler-Townes spectroscopy of molecules using phase-diffusion lasers

Abstract Laser-field correlation effects on the Autler-Townes spectroscopy of the D 1Πu(ν′= 2, J′ = 2)-E,F 1Σg+ (ν = 6, J= 1) transition in H2 are examined theoretically using the phase-diffusion model for the laser-field fluctuations. Increase in effective laser band-width due to correlation effects in the two-photon E,F(ν = 6, J= 1)-X(ν″ = 0, J= 1) excitation step reduces some spectral contrast of the Autler-Townes doublet, but it does not modify the doublet peak separation in the strong saturated regime. The peak separation may be used as the main optimization condition in the fitting procedure to deduce transition moments.
Looking for GABA in All the Wrong Places: The Relevance of Extrasynaptic GABAA Receptors to Epilepsy

It comes as no surprise that a high concentration of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors exists across the synapse from presynaptic terminals that contain GABA. Oddly, though, many GABAA receptors also are far away from synapses. These extrasynaptic GABAA receptors are tonically activated by the low levels of GABA normally present in the extracellular space. Many of these extrasynaptic GABAA receptors contain the δ subunit. This subunit confers molecular properties on GABAA receptors that are well suited for a function in tonic inhibition, with a high affinity for GABA and little desensitization to continuous activation. Recent data linked a genetic variant of the δ subunit to epilepsy, providing a missing link between tonic inhibition and control of brain excitability.
On the sign pattern of network matrices

Abstract Any synthesis process based on a node-pair or mesh matrix must take cognizance of the sign pattern of the matrix. It is proved in general terms in this paper that: (1) the only subgraph of a connected graph G which need be of concern in studying the sign pattern of the node-pair (mesh) matrix is the tree (cotree), (2) there is a one-to-one correspondence between changing the orientation of a branch of any tree of G and a row and column sign change of the corresponding node-pair matrix for diagonal element admittance matrix, and (3) there is a one-to-one correspondence between changing the orientation of an element of any cotree of G and a row and column sign change of the corresponding mesh matrix for diagonal element impedance matrix.
Metabolic and nutritional aspects of the atherogenic atypical lipoproteins: Lipoprotein(a), remnant lipoproteins, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein

The classical lipoproteins have been extensively studied for their effects on the development of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis in general. Although low-density and high-density lipoproteins are emphasized in determining risk and in devising treatment strategies, other less common lipoprotein classes have been identified that promote atherogenesis, predominantly by bypassing normal metabolic pathways that serve to limit vascular intracellular lipid deposition. This review discusses three such classes, which represent variants of the classical lipoprotein fractions: remnant lipoproteins, which are degraded chylomicron and very low-density lipoprotein particles; and two fractions that are associated with a low-density lipoprotein type core, oxidized LDL and lipoprotein(a). Current understanding of the metabolism of these atherogenic lipoproteins, of the factors that affect synthesis and degradation, and of their response to dietary and nutritional factors is still limited.
Enabling Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Governments and non-governmental grant-making organizations that seek to advance local competitiveness have turned increasingly to entrepreneurship-focused interventions. Based on their experience with such interventions, numerous informed practitioners are advocating for approaches that deemphasize direct financial support for entrepreneurs in favor of more broad based strategies of engagement that are aimed at enabling “entrepreneurial ecosystems” on the city or sub-national regional scale. In this chapter, I seriously engage with the idea of the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” to consider what sort of guidance researchers and policy-makers may get by making direct comparisons with the substantial literature on ecosystems in the fields of evolutionary biology and ecology.
Bifunctional nanoarrays for probing the immune response at the single-molecule level

Bifunctional nanoarrays were created to simulate the immunological synapse and probe the T-cell immune response at the single-molecule level. Sub-5 nm AuPd nanodot arrays were fabricated using both e-beam and nanoimprint lithography. The nanoarrays were then functionalized by two costimulatory molecules: antibody UCHT1 Fab, which binds to the T-cell receptor (TCR) and activates the immune response, bound to metallic nanodots; and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, which enhances cell adhesion, on the surrounding area. Initial T-cell experiments show successful attachment and activation on the bifunctional nanoarrays. This nanoscale platform for single-molecule control of TCR in living T-cells provides a new approach to explore how its geometric arrangement affects T-cell activation and behavior, with potential applications in immunotherapy. This platform also serves as a general model for single-molecule nanoarrays where more than one molecular species is required.
Taking advantage of Google's Web-based applications and services.

Google is a company that is constantly expanding and growing its services and products. While most librarians possess a “love/hate” relationship with Google, there are a number of reasons you should consider exploring some of the tools Google has created and made freely available. Applications and services such as Google Docs, Slides, and Google+ are functional and dynamic without the cost of comparable products. This column will address some of the issues users should be aware of before signing up to use Google's tools, and a description of some of Google's web applications and services, plus how they can be useful to librarians in health care.
Innervation of the complexus (“hatching”) muscle of the chick

The complexus muscle of avians, also known as the "hatching" muscle, is notable for the dramatic, transient pseudohypertrophy which it undergoes around the time of hatching. The muscle is believed to be involved in specific dorsal and lateral head movements used for hatching. Innervation of the complexus muscle was studied in the hatchling chick by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP injections of the muscle showed that motor innervation arose, as expected, from the cervical motor column (C1-C6). However, additional innervation was also discovered; the spinal accessory nucleus (column of von Lenhossek), the nucleus supraspinalis, and the dorsal and ventral facial motor nuclei all contributed efferents to the hatching muscle. This observation constitutes the first description of dual innervation of a neck muscle by nuclei in both the brain and spinal cord. In addition, transganglionic transport of HRP revealed labelled primary afferent fibers from the hatching muscle ascending in the dorsal columns and terminating extensively within the vestibular complex, especially on the principal cells of the tangential nucleus. The tangential nucleus itself undergoes synaptic changes at the time of hatching. Possible functional relations between the tangential nucleus and the hatching muscle are discussed.
Investigation of HCCI combustion of diethyl ether and ethanol mixtures using carbon 14 tracing and numerical simulations

Despite the rapid combustion typically experienced in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), components in fuel mixtures do not ignite in unison or burn equally. In our experiments and modeling of blends of diethyl ether (DEE) and ethanol (EtOH), the DEE led combustion and proceeded further toward completion, as indicated by {sup 14}C isotope tracing. A numerical model of HCCI combustion of DEE and EtOH mixtures supports the isotopic findings. Although both approaches lacked information on incompletely combusted intermediates plentiful in HCCI emissions, the numerical model and {sup 14}C tracing data agreed within the limitations of the single zone model. Despite the fact that DEE is more reactive than EtOH in HCCI engines, they are sufficiently similar that we did not observe a large elongation of energy release or significant reduction in inlet temperature required for light-off, both desired effects for the combustion event. This finding suggests that, in general, HCCI combustion of fuel blends may have preferential combustion of some of the blend components.
Generation of the amyloid-beta peptide N terminus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing human Alzheimer's amyloid-beta precursor protein.

Abstract The Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein (βAPP) is a type 1 membrane-spanning protein from which the Alzheimer's disease amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is proteolytically derived. To date, attempts to identify the enzymes responsible for Aβ generation have failed. Here we report the accumulation of Aβ-immunoreactive peptides in yeast expressing human βAPP. Characterization of these peptides by metabolic labeling, immunoprecipitation with Aβ-specific antibodies, and N-terminal radiosequencing indicates that these peptides include the Aβ peptide at their N termini. The Aβ-like peptides generated in yeast were recovered predominantly as 8- and 12–14-kDa species. A 4-kDa species was recovered either when a protease-deficient strain was used to prevent breakdown or when the 8- and 12–14-kDa species were treated with disaggregating agents. The likely existence in yeast of enzymes generating the Aβ N terminus indicates that the molecular identification of yeast β-secretase-like enzymes may be accomplished using genetic screens or empirical approaches based upon the sequenced genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.