cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypothesis: Nonspecific polyclonal activation of memory B cells by antigen as a mechanism for the preservation of long term immunologic anamnesis

Abstract Antigen stimulation, while eliciting the production of specific antibodies, also induces a nonspecific polyclonal hyperimmunoglobulinemia which includes antibodies directed at previously experienced antigens. It is postulated that these antibodies play an important role in the physiologic maintenance of long term immunologic memory by providing a continuing source of newly synthesized molecules which recapitulate the individuals immunologic history. The immunoglobulin produced during these responses becomes associated with local macrophages through the Fc receptors; this interaction arms these cells thereby enhancing the likelihood of increasingly avid uptake of subsequent antigenic challenges. By greatly promoting the presentation of antigens within lymph node and spleen to long lived, recirculating T and B antigen recognizing cells, immunologic anemnesia is potentiated. Several predictions which follow from this hypothesis are examined, including the clinical immunodeficiency associated with multiple myeloma.
Epilepsy and synaptic reorganization in a perinatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia.

Summary: Purpose: One of the potential consequences of perinatal hypoxia–ischemia (H-I) is the development of epilepsy, and synaptic reorganization in the hippocampus has been associated with epilepsy after an injury. We tested the hypothesis that perinatal H-I will induce spontaneous motor seizures, hippocampal lesions, and synaptic reorganization in the dentate gyrus. Methods: The right common carotid artery of 7-day-old rats was permanently ligated, and the rats were placed for 120 min into a chamber filled with 8% oxygen (37°C). Animals were directly observed for chronic motor seizures for 7 to 24 months after the H-I insult. Results: Nearly half of the rats (i.e., eight of 20) were seen to have spontaneous motor seizures after the H-I injury. The ipsilateral hippocampi from both the rats with seizures and the rats not seen to have seizures had hippocampal lesions and increased amounts of Timm stain in the inner molecular layer (IML) compared with controls. The contralateral hippocampi from the rats with seizures, but not the hippocampi from the rats not seen to have seizures, had significantly increased amounts of Timm stain in the IML. Conclusions: These results suggest that perinatal H-I can induce epilepsy, ipsilateral hippocampal lesions, and mossy fiber sprouting in the lesioned and contralateral hippocampus.
A comparison of surgical resection and stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of solitary brain metastases.

Abstract Purpose To determine whether neurosurgery (NS) or stereotactic radiosurgery (RS) provided better local tumor control and enhanced patient survival. Methods and materials Retrospective review of all solitary brain metastases (SBM) patients newly diagnosed at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1991 and 1999. Eligible patients satisfied tumor size and SBM site criteria to qualify for both NS and RS. Results There were no significant differences between 74 NS and 23 RS patients in terms of baseline characteristics (age, gender, systemic disease type, systemic disease status, signs/symptoms at SBM presentation) or percent of patients who received whole brain radiotherapy. Median follow-up for alive patients was 20 months (range 0–106 months). There was no significant difference in patient survival (p = 0.15); the 1-year survival rate was 56% for the RS patients and 62% for the NS patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that a significant prognostic factor for survival was a performance score of 0 or 1. There was a significant (p = 0.020) difference in local tumor control between NS and RS for solitary brain metastasis; none of the RS group had local recurrence compared to 19 (58%) of the NS group. Conclusion The need for a Phase III study comparing these two techniques appears to be supported by the data from this study.
Estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor-related receptor α1 compete for binding and coactivator

The human estrogen receptor (ERalpha) and the human estrogen receptor-related receptor (ERRalpha1, NR3B1a) are members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. We previously cloned an isoform of ERRalpha1 cDNA and demonstrated that ERRalpha1 binds to the human lactoferrin gene promoter and enhances estrogen responsiveness during transient transfection experiments. In this study, we show that ERRalpha1 and ERalpha may interfere in each other's transcriptional activity by competition for binding and coactivator. A VP16-ERRalpha1 chimera was constructed and transiently transfected into human endometrial carcinoma HEC-1B cells. This chimera activated reporter constructs containing the human lactoferrin gene estrogen response element (ERE) and the synthetic palindromic 3X-ERE, suggesting that ERRalpha1 binds to these EREs. Therefore, ERRalpha1 can compete with ERalpha for binding to the same EREs. ERRalpha1 is organized into modules which include a N-terminal region that shows repression function, a Zn-finger region that binds DNA and an activation region at the C terminus. The activation function of ERRalpha1 was mapped to the conserved AF2 region in the C-terminus by deletion analysis. The transactivation activity of ERRalpha1 can be enhanced by coactivator (SRC-1a) and suppressed by ERalpha in the presence of estrogen, suggesting that SRC-1a is required by both receptors for their activity. The repression of ERRalpha1 activation function by estrogen bound ERalpha, however, could not be reversed by increasing concentration of SRC-1a in the cells. This finding is consistent with the squelching phenomenon that exists between ERalpha and other steroid receptor family members. The studies demonstrated that ERRalpha1 and ERalpha may potentially regulate the same target gene independently as well as interfere with each other's functional activity by competition for binding and coactivator.
Probing the Recognition Properties of the Antiparallel Coiled Coil Motif from PKN by Protein Grafting

Coiled coils have long been recognized as the major constituent of many fibrous proteins and also serve as oligomerization domains in a wide variety of proteins. More recently, it has become clear that the surfaces of two-stranded coiled coils are also involved in macromolecular recognition. Indeed, the helical hairpin or intramolecular antiparallel coiled coil (ACC) can serve as a protein or nucleic acid recognition motif. Protein kinase N (PKN) interacts with the small GTPase RhoA through ACC motifs. The crystal structure of RhoA with the N-terminal ACC motif (PKN-ACC1) is unusual in that these proteins interact through two distinct surfaces. Using the ACC domain of seryl tRNA synthetase (SRS-ACC) as a scaffold for protein grafting experiments, we show that RhoA interacts with only one face of PKN-ACC1. This result highlights the potential of the SRS-ACC scaffold for protein engineering applications and provides insight into the mechanism of RhoA-mediated signal transduction through PKN.
Comparative bioavailability study of single-dose film-coated and sugar-coated ethionamide tablets in healthy volunteers.

Abstract Background Ethionamide sugar-coated tablets have been reformulated to film-coated tablets to improve dissolution and stability. Objective The study objective was to compare the bioavailability of the film-coated (test) and sugar-coated (reference) formulations of ethionamide. Methods After providing informed consent and undergoing screening procedures, 40 healthy subjects were assigned to receive a single dose of ethionamide 250-mg film- or sugar-coated tablets, in randomized order, in the fasted state. Serial blood samples were collected before and from 0.5 to 24 hours after dosing. After a 7-day washout, procedures were repeated for the other formulation. The blood samples were processed to provide plasma samples, which were frozen until assay. Plasma ethionamide concentrations were measured using a validated LC-MS/MS method, with a lower limit of quantitation of 20 ng/mL. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental methods, with subsequent evaluation for bioequivalence. Results All 40 subjects (37 men, 3 women; mean age, 28 years; mean weight, 74 kg) completed the study. Seven subjects reported a total of 10 adverse events (5 with each formulation), all of which were mild and considered possibly related to drug treatment. None of the events resulted in discontinuation from the study. Mean (SD) pharmacokinetic properties observed with the film- and sugar-coated tablets, respectively, were as follows: C max , 2160 (614) and 1484 (636) ng/mL; T max , 1.0 (0.5) and 1.5 (0.9) hours; k e , 0.369 (0.053) and 0.232 (0.114) h –1 ; t ½ , 1.92 (0.27) and 4.06 (2.52) hours; and AUC, 7668 (1688) and 6594 (1764) ng · h/mL. Conclusions Comparing AUC values, the formulations were bioequivalent. The maximum concentrations observed with the film-coated product were higher but were more consistent (%CV, 28%) compared with those of the sugar-coated formulation (%CV, 43%).
REPAIR OF LARGE NASAL SEPTAL PERFORATIONS VIA THE EXTERNAL RHINOPLASTY APPROACH

Septal surgery is the most common cause of septal perforation, but traumatic, iatrogenic, caustic, or inflammatory causes may also lead to perforation. Conversion of the normally laminar flow of air to turbulent flow through the nasal passages generates the sensation of nasal obstruction, facial pain, and pressure. Crusting around the perforation edge, which is often associated with whistling, bleeding, parosmia, and neuralgia, can develop and result in the patient seeking medical care. Local hygiene and conservative care remain the first line of treatment, but when they are unsuccessful at relieving symptoms, closure of the perforation is considered. Repair is made difficult by the limited exposure and the availability of only friable mucosa with impaired vascular supply. The failure rate of attempts to close septal perforations can be as high as 80%. Thorough preoperative management and selection of the appropriate surgical technique are essential to the successful repair of septal perforations. With an external rhinoplasty approach and bilateral, posteriorly based mucosal flaps, perforations up to 3 cm can be reliably closed. Larger perforations (3.0 to 4.5 cm) require a 2-staged technique, with a midfacial degloving approach to transpose posteriorly based, expanded mucosal flaps.
Alternatives to Social Promotion and Retention

Studies indicate that retention negatively impacts students’ behavior, attitude, and attendance, but it is still practiced in schools around the country. Social promotion undermines students’ futures when they fail to develop critical study and job-related skills; however, it too is still practiced in many schools throughout the United States. These practices are ruining public education as we know it, and unless we innovate and find alternative strategies to replace them, the US. K-12 education system will continue to underperform. This article posits that retention and social promotion are equally undesirable choices, and that schools can reduce the need for these either-or options by using alternative approaches. A review of the current literature and practice suggests promising alternatives to social promotion and retention. These alternatives focus on preventing the failure cycle that results in poor performance so that social promotion and retention can segue into an effective, high-performance methods of intervention.
Spaced-Retrieval Effects on Name-Face Recognition in Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer’s Disease

Six older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were trained to recall a name-face association using the spaced-retrieval method. We administered six training sessions over a 2-week period. On each trial, participants selected a target photograph and stated the target name, from eight other photographs, at increasingly longer retention intervals. Results yielded a positive effect of spaced-retrieval training for name-face recognition. All participants were able to select the target photograph and state the target's name for longer periods of time within and across training sessions. A live-person transfer task was administered to determine whether the name-face association, trained by spaced-retrieval, would transfer to a live person. Half of the participants were able to call the live person by the correct name. These data provide initial evidence that spaced-retrieval training can aid older adults with probable AD in recall of a name-face association and in transfer of that association to an actual person.
Imp Associates with Squid and Hrp48 and Contributes to Localized Expression of gurken in the Oocyte

Localization and translational control of Drosophila melanogaster gurken and oskar mRNAs rely on the hnRNP proteins Squid and Hrp48, which are complexed with one another in the ovary. Imp, the Drosophila homolog of proteins acting in localization of mRNAs in other species, is also associated with Squid and Hrp48. Notably, Imp is concentrated at sites of gurken and oskar mRNA localization in the oocyte, and alteration of gurken localization also alters Imp distribution. Imp binds gurken mRNA with high affinity in vitro; thus, the colocalization with gurken mRNA in vivo is likely to be the result of direct binding. Imp mutants support apparently normal regulation of gurken and oskar mRNAs. However, loss of Imp activity partially suppresses a gurken misexpression phenotype, indicating that Imp does act in control of gurken expression but has a largely redundant role that is only revealed when normal gurken expression is perturbed. Overexpression of Imp disrupts localization of gurken mRNA as well as localization and translational regulation of oskar mRNA. The opposing effects of reduced and elevated Imp activity on gurken mRNA expression indicate a role in gurken mRNA regulation.
80 – Research in Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery has changed dramatically over the past 50 years, but the problems facing cardiac surgeons today are just as challenging as those solved by clinician-scientists in the past. This is due to the increasing need to develop and implement therapies to treat the complications that occur after open-heart surgery. The aim is to not only improve survival, but also to enhance the overall quality of life after heart surgery. Research in cardiac surgery, however, is and must continue to be grounded in inquiry at the basic science level. Although cardiac transplantation, replacement of heart valves, performance of complex congenital heart disease operations, and coronary artery bypass grafting represent spectacular accomplishments, fundamentally all these corrective procedures still involve exposing the heart or a region of the heart to a period of ischemia. As a consequence, cardiac operations are completely free of significant complications. Heart transplantation is a good example of a procedure in which post ischemic myocardial dysfunction plays an important role in the outcome.
Mitral Stenosis and Aortic Atresia in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Survival Analysis After Stage I Palliation

Background Mitral stenosis with aortic atresia (MS-AA) has been implicated as a risk factor for decreased survival after stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Conflicting results were reported in the literature evaluating the association of anatomic subtypes and mortality. Our objective was to determine whether MS-AA is associated with increased mortality after stage 1 palliation. Methods Between January 2005 and May 2009 100 consecutive neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent stage 1 palliation. Echocardiograms were reviewed for patency of the mitral and aortic valves as well as presence of ventriculocoronary connections (VCC). Patients were divided into (1) mitral and aortic atresia (MA-AA), (2) MS-AA, and (3) mitral and aortic stenosis groups. Survival analysis was performed, and impact of MS-AA and VCC on early and midterm survival was assessed. Results Of the 100 patients, 31 had MA-AA, 42 had mitral stenosis and aortic stenosis, and 27 had MS-AA (15 with VCC and 12 without). Stage 1 palliation 30-day survival was 90% for the entire cohort and 88.9% for the MS-AA subtype (not significantly different). Six-month survival was 70% overall and 70.4% for MS-AA (not significantly different). When VCC was taken into account, MS-AA with VCC reached 93% survival (versus 50% for MS-AA without VCC; p Conclusions Stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome is associated with satisfactory hospital and midterm survival regardless of anatomic subtype. The variants MS-AA and MA-AA are associated with smaller ascending aorta. Mitral stenosis with aortic atresia or VCC did not adversely influence survival.
Steroids in Allantoic Waste: An Integrated Measure of Steroid Exposure in Ovo

Recent studies examining patterns and consequences of variation in maternally deposited steroids in avian egg yolk have demonstrated that these maternal hormones can have dramatic effects on chick phenotypes. However, maternal steroids are not the only source for avian embryos, which activate endocrine axes relatively early in development and are capable of producing substantial amounts of endogenous steroids. Although organizational effects of steroids have been demonstrated, the interactions between steroids from yolk and endogenous production have not been addressed. Steroids in the yolk are likely to alter development of the embryo's endocrine axes. The ability to assess total steroid exposure in ovo in a nonlethal fashion would improve our understanding of these interactions and help elucidate the mechanisms by which maternal steroids alter chick phenotype. Steroid levels in allantoic waste provide a cumulative measure of steroids excreted in ovo and may prove to be a useful tool. We present data from semiprecocial seabirds, common murres, demonstrating the presence of detectable steroids in allantoic waste and suggesting that some reflect differences in timing of hatching and may provide information about aspects of chick phenotype.
Significance of PELP1 in ER-negative breast cancer metastasis.

Breast cancer metastasis is a major clinical problem. The molecular basis of breast cancer progression to metastasis remains poorly understood. PELP1 is an estrogen receptor (ER) coregulator that has been implicated as a proto-oncogene whose expression is deregulated in metastatic breast tumors and whose expression is retained in ER-negative tumors. We examined the mechanism and significance of PELP1-mediated signaling in ER-negative breast cancer progression using two ER-negative model cells (MDA-MB231 and 4T1 cells) that stably express PELP1-shRNA. These model cells had reduced PELP1 expression (75% of endogenous levels) and exhibited less propensity to proliferate in growth assays in vitro. PELP1 down regulation substantially affected migration of ER-negative cells in Boyden chamber and invasion assays. Using mechanistic studies, we found that PELP1 modulated expression of several genes involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition EMT including MMPs, Snail1, Twist, and ZEB. In addition, PELP1 knockdown reduced the in vivo metastatic potential of ER-negative breast cancer cells and significantly reduced lung metastatic nodules in a xenograft assay. These results implicate PELP1 as having a role in ER-negative breast cancer metastasis, reveal novel mechanism of coregulator regulation of metastasis via promoting cell motility / EMT by modulating expression of genes, and suggest PELP1 may be a potential therapeutic target for metastatic ER-negative breast cancer.
Control of insulating properties using flexible soft seals

This work analyzes and discusses analytically a method of controling the insulating properties of an assembly. It establishes the feasibility of utilizing gas layers within the insulating assembly separated by flexible soft seals. The volumetric thermal expansion of the main gas layers within the insulating assembly are determined taking into consideration the variation in the gas pressure due to the elastic behavior of the supporting flexible soft seals. It was found that the volumetric thermal expansion of the main gas approaches its isobaric condition value as the main gas layer thickness decreases. Also, it is found that insulating properties are enhanced when the main gas has a minimum thermal conductivity and when relatively high temperatures are experienced. However, insulating properties deteriorate at large temperatures when the main gas has a relatively large thermal conductivity. Finally, advanced insulating assemblies with maximized insulating properties are proposed. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chipless RFID SAW sensor system-level simulator

Chipless RFID SAW technology has been identified as a possible solution for NASA's long term needs for ground, space-flight, and space-exploration sensor requirements. SAW has many unique advantages over possible competing technologies, which include the following properties: passive, radiation hard, operable over wide temperature ranges, small, rugged, inexpensive, and identifiable. The purpose of this paper is to define a system simulation environment for SAW sensors; not on any particular sensor. For remote sensing, it is beneficial to be able to simulate effectively the sensor environment prior to fabrication. This paper will use previously presented orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) sensor tags. The parameters of interest are the transmitter, channel characteristics, target, and the receiver output. The simulations utilize a SAW device coupling of modes (COM) model and combined with the RF system parameters. This provides an accurate simulation tool for the overall system when performing analysis on important parameters, such as signal to noise ratio (SNR), SAW coding type, and range effects. Theoretical system performance of a multi-frequency SAW RFID sensor system utilizing multiple targets will be discussed.
PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IN GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: RELATIONAL INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS CHANGE

Building relationships among participants has become a strategic lynchpin of many community organizing initiatives. Although the relational work of organizing is often mentioned in studies on community change, it has not been studied as a process or model for community intervention. This article positions the development of a specific type of relationships—public relationships—as a transactional intervention aimed at both individual and systems change. Interpersonal relationship development through semistructured, one-to-one conversations is highlighted as a key to effecting change at both the individual and the systems level, through broadening individuals’ networks of relationships, developing new understandings of the social world, and strengthening commitments to civic involvement. This model for transactional, relational intervention provides insights into the development of grassroots infrastructure for increasing sense of community and capacity to engage in civic life. Strengths and limitations of relationship building as an approach to community intervention are discussed. C 2010 Wiley
The divide-and-conquer neural network: its architecture and training

An efficient method of constructing mapping neural networks based on the divide-and-conquer principle is presented. The network thus constructed is referred to here as the divide-and-conquer neural network (DCNN). Instead of solving the whole difficult problem in one step, it is divided into much simpler subproblems, each of which can be learned locally by any kind of learning methods (in this paper, the method to solve linear equations has been used). Since the subproblems are easier, it could achieve less errors, better approximations, and better generalizations with reasonably small network size. Moreover, the number of hidden units and layers are determined as part of its operation and there is no concept about learning rates. Therefore, it will not suffer from trial and error like BP (backpropagation). Since any learning method can be used to learn the subproblems, it leads to extensive varieties of new construction algorithms in the future.
Assessment of the integrity of compounds stored in assay-ready plates using a kinase sentinel assay.

Sentinel assays are a convenient adjunct to LC-MS purity assessment to monitor the integrity of compounds in pharmaceutical screening collections over time. To assess the stability of compounds stored both at room temperature and at -20°C in assay-ready plates that were either vacuum pack-sealed using a convenient industrial vacuum sealing method or individually sealed using conventional foil seals, a diverse collection of ~ 5,000 compounds was assayed using a robust biochemical kinase assay at intervals over a one year period. Assay results at each time point were compared to those of initial assay using a series of correlations of compound Percent of Control (POC) values as well as IC 50 values of a subset of compounds in 200 nL or 500 nL plates. The fraction of hits in common between initial assays and assays at later time points ranged from 82% to 95% over one year and remained relatively constant over time with all storage temperatures or sealing methods tested. A majority of the hits that exhibited a consistent gradual trend to lower potency over one year storage were shifted to lower potency upon the rapid removal of DMSO solvent. Compound precipitation rather than compound decomposition is the likely reason for trends to lower potency for most such compounds over the storage period. Plates stored at room temperature featured a significantly higher fraction of hits that exhibited a trend to lower apparent potency than those stored at -20°C suggesting that this lower temperature is preferable for longer-term storage.
Comparative assessments of fossil fuel power plants with CO2 capture and storage

Studies of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) costs necessarily employ a host of technical and economic assumptions regarding the particular technology or system of interest, including details regarding the capture technology design, the power plant or gas stream treated, and the methods of CO2 transport and storage. Because the specific assumptions employed can dramatically affect the results of an analysis, published studies are often of limited value to researchers, analysts and industry personnel seeking results for alternative assumptions or plant characteristics. In the present paper, we use a generalized modeling tool to estimate and compare the emissions, efficiency, resource requirements and costs of PC, IGCC and NGCC power plants on a systematic basis. This plant-level analysis explores a broader range of key assumptions than found in recent studies we reviewed. In particular, the effects on cost comparisons of higher natural gas prices and differential plant utilization rates are highlighted, along with implications of financing and operating assumptions for IGCC plants. The impacts of CCS energy requirements on plant-level resource requirements and multi-media emissions also are quantified. While some CCS technologies offer ancillary benefits via the co-capture of certain criteria air pollutants, the increases in specific fuel consumption, reagent use, solid wastes and other air pollutants associated with current CCS systems are found to be significant. To properly characterize such impacts, an alternative definition of the “energy penalty” is proposed in lieu of the prevailing use of this term.
Embedded system design: UCR's undergraduate three-course sequence

We describe a three-course upper-division undergraduate sequence at the University of California, Riverside that teaches both the principles and the practice of embedded system design. While many courses teach embedded systems programming, typically at the assembly language level, few teach the principles of the field-especially with respect to hardware and software codesign. The courses have been under development since 1994 and have been quite stable for several years. The courses are based on a new textbook that emphasizes a unified views of hardware and software. All three courses include both lectures and an extensive lab component. Feedback from students who have graduated and work in the embedded systems field has been excellent.
Observation of the nearly diurnal resonance of the earth using a laser strainmeter

We have used two years of strain tide data to study the response of the Earth to the diurnal and semidiurnal tidal excitations. Our results show that there is significant structure in the response of the earth to tidal excitations near one cycle/sidereal day. This structure agrees with the resonance behavior predicted from the calculations of the forced elastic-gravitational response of an elliptical, rotating earth with a liquid outer core. The data can also be used to test for possible preferred frames and spatial anisotropics. We find that upper bounds on the parameterized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameters which characterize these effects are α2< 0.007 and < 0.005.
Morphology of the Turbellaria at the ultrastructural level

The paper reviews the following systems: body wall, nervous system, protonephridia, parenchyma, digestive system, reproductive system, and includes a summary of the literature. New information is presented for the catenulid and neoophoran body wall-construction, the kalyptorhynch proboscis, the catenulid and haplopharyngid protonephridial construction, and the prolecithophoran spermatozoon and female germ cell. Examples of new features, as well as examples of how electron microscopy has clarified the relative position of structures and their substructures are given from the subcellular level to the organization of whole organs. Fine structural features linking different turbellarian orders are summarized. They apparently support Karling’s (1974) latest assessment of the affinities between the turbellarian orders which is based primarily on light histological data, they add the recognition of a special link between the Macrostomida and Haplopharyngida and they suggest the existence of three main evolutionary lines within the Turbellaria.
Quantification of serum and urinary S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine by stable-isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Background: We have developed an assay that uses stable-isotope-dilution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry to assess S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S -adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in body fluids to investigate the relationship of these metabolites to hyperhomocysteinemia. Methods: Commercially obtained SAM (D3 methyl) and 13C5-SAH uniformly labeled in the adenosyl moiety, which was synthesized using S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, were added to samples followed by perchloric acid protein precipitation, C18 chromatography, and analysis by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry with quantification by comparison of the areas of internal standard and endogenous peaks. Results: Estimates of intraassay imprecision (CV) were 5% and 17% for SAM and SAH, respectively (n = 10). SAM decreased and SAH increased in serum and plasma samples at both 4 °C and room temperature over 80 h. SAM and SAH were unstable in samples stored longer than 2 years at −20 °C. In 48 volunteers, the estimated reference intervals [from mean (2 SD) of log-transformed data] for serum SAM and SAH were 71–168 and 8–26 nmol/L, respectively. Fractional excretion of SAM was higher than that of SAH, and the urinary SAM:SAH ratio was much higher than the serum or erythrocyte SAM:SAH ratios. Conclusions: Stable-isotope-dilution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry can be used to quantify SAM and SAH in biological fluids and tissues. Sample handling and storage must be stringently controlled for any epidemiologic or clinical use of such assays.
On the Skilled Aspect of Employee Engagement

MICHAEL J. BURKETulane UniversityA central thesis of Macey and Schneider’s(2008) article is that behavioral engagementfollows from state engagement (primarilycharacterized by positive affect) and that itis mainly defined as adaptive, extra-rolebehavior. This framework ignores the prom-inent role of knowledge and skill as antece-dents to behavior at work and fails toconsider the importance of adaptive behav-ior as ordinary, role-based behavior.Contrary to their assertion that the con-cept of employee engagement is a relativelynew, practitioner-driven phenomenon withvirtually no empirical research, notions ofemployee engagement have long-standingtheoretical traditions in ﬁelds as diverse aspsychology, education, management, andpublic health (e.g., Cunliffe, 2002; Gorsky& Caspi, 2005; Hacker, 2003; Holman,2000;Shotter,1995;WallersteinBHolman,Pavlica,& Thorpe, 1997).Interventions based on dialogical andaction-oriented theories, examined viaquantitative and qualitative study designs,have been found to increase individual andteam knowledge and performance relatedto a variety of occupations and types ofwork (e.g., Jones & Cookson, 2001; Luskin,Somers, Wooding, & Levenstein, 1992;Merrill, 1994; Mulec & Roth, 2005). In fact,meta-analytic research grounded withindialogue-based approaches to skill devel-opment has found that as the level ofengagement of training increases, workerknowledge acquisition increases threefoldandnegativeconsequencessuchasaccidentsaresubstantiallyreduced(Burkeetal.,2006).From a practice perspective, empiricalresearch conﬁrming expectations derivedfromdialogicalandaction-orientedtheoriesof learning and behavior affords importantadvice for designing interventions aimed atdeveloping anticipatory thinking and struc-turing work environments, including workclimates to enhance adaptive behavior atwork (e.g., Baird, Holland, & Deacon,1999; Burke, Holman, & Birdi, 2006). Suchpractice recommendations are especiallyrelevant for workforce preparation in criti-cal skills occupations such as emergencyresponse and protective services and occu-pations and industrial sectors involving sig-nificant worker injuries (e.g., construction,mining, and nursing) in which workers rou-tinely engage in anticipatory thinking and
Critical role of lipid raft redox signaling platforms in endostatin-induced coronary endothelial dysfunction.

Objective— Endostatin (EST) was found to initiate a redox signaling cascade associated with activation of NADPH oxidase in endothelial cells (ECs). The present study tested whether EST stimulates clustering of ceramide-enriched lipid rafts (LRs), which assembles and activates NADPH oxidase to form redox signaling platforms. Methods and Results— Using confocal microscopy, we first demonstrated a colocalization of LR clusters with NADPH oxidase subunits, gp91 phox and p47 phox in the ECs membrane on EST stimulation. Immunoblot analysis of floated detergent-resistant membrane fractions found that in LR fractions NADPH oxidase subunits gp91 phox and p47 phox are enriched and that the activity of this enzyme increased dramatically, as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. This EST-increased LR platform formation was shown to be attenuated by inhibition or RNA interference of acid sphingomyelinase (A-SMase). Functionally, EST pretreatment significantly impaired bradykinin or A23187-induced vasodilation in isolated small coronary arteries, which could be partially reversed by LR disruptors. Conclusions— The early injury effect of EST on the vascular endothelium is associated with the formation of redox signaling platforms via lipid raft clustering.
Event-centric simulation of crosstalk pulse faults in sequential circuits

The essence of existing methods to simulate crosstalk pulse faults in sequential circuits is the use of logic waveform on each line in the circuit. Explicitly keeping track of timing information is costly in terms of memory usage and computational effort. We propose and develop a novel approach to the simulation of crosstalk pulse faults due to coupling between aggressor lines and victim (flip-flop) clock lines. Our algorithm extends existing ideas fundamental to logic event-driven simulation to crosstalk faults excitation and fault grouping. In addition, our simulator treats issues related to timing in a more precise manner. Experimental results on ISCAS '89 benchmark circuits show extraordinary improvement on all fronts, including CPU time, fault coverage, and memory usage.
Infestation of Bent Grass by a New Seed Pest, Chirothrips manicatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Oregon

the Willamette Valley in western Oregon. In each field, 17 to 50 panicles were col-lected at random along each of four tran-sects in a diamond pattern. Panicles were examined under a stereo microscope and the number of thrips recorded (Table 1). Seeds from each panicle were threshed by hand to avoid seed loss. Caryopses were separated from the lemma and palea using a scarifier (Model PSS1000, Mater Interna-tional, Inc., Corvallis, OR) and debris was removed with an air column (Alderman
Recognizing infants and toddlers using fingerprints: Increasing the vaccination coverage

One of the major goals of most national, international and non-governmental health organizations is to eradicate the occurrence of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases (e.g., polio). Without a high vaccination coverage in a country or a geographical region, these deadly diseases take a heavy toll on children. Therefore, it is important for an effective immunization program to keep track of children who have been immunized and those who have received the required booster shots during the first 4 years of life to improve the vaccinationcoverage. Given that children,as well as the adults, in low income countries typically do not have any form of identification documents which can be used for this purpose, we address the following question: can fingerprints be effectively used to recognize children from birth to 4 years? We have collected 1,600 fingerprint images (500 ppi) of 20 infants and toddlers captured over a 30-day period in East Lansing, Michigan and 420 fingerprints of 70 infants and toddlers at two different health clinics in Benin, West Africa. We devised the following strategies to improve the fingerprint recognition accuracy when comparing the acquired fingerprints against an extended gallery database of 32,768 infant fingerprints collected by VaxTrac in Benin: (i) upsample the acquired fingerprint image to facilitate minutiae extraction, (ii) match the query print against templates created from each enrollment impression and fuse the match scores, (iii) fuse the match scores of the thumb and index finger, and (iv) update the gallery with fingerprints acquired over multiple sessions. A rank-1 (rank-10) identification accuracy of 83.8% (89.6%) on the East Lansing data, and 40.00% (48.57%) on the Benin data is obtained after incorporating these strategies when matching infant and toddler fingerprints using a commercial fingerprint SDK. This is an improvement of about 38% and 20%, respectively, on the two datasets without using the proposed strategies. A state-of-the-art latent fingerprint SDK achieves an even higher rank-1 (rank-10) identification accuracy of 98.97% (99.39%) and 67.14% (71.43%) on the two datasets, respectively, using these strategies; an improvement of about 23% and 24%, respectively, on the two datasets without using the proposed strategies.
The Challenge of Translation in Social Neuroscience: A Review of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Affiliative Behavior

Social neuroscience is rapidly exploring the complex territory between perception and action where recognition, value, and meaning are instantiated. This review follows the trail of research on oxytocin and vasopressin as an exemplar of one path for exploring the "dark matter" of social neuroscience. Studies across vertebrate species suggest that these neuropeptides are important for social cognition, with gender- and steroid-dependent effects. Comparative research in voles yields a model based on interspecies and intraspecies variation of the geography of oxytocin receptors and vasopressin V1a receptors in the forebrain. Highly affiliative species have receptors in brain circuits related to reward or reinforcement. The neuroanatomical distribution of these receptors may be guided by variations in the regulatory regions of their respective genes. This review describes the promises and problems of extrapolating these findings to human social cognition, with specific reference to the social deficits of autism.
Virological response and haematological toxicity of telaprevir and boceprevir-containing regimens: The New York State correctional system experience

s / Journal of Clinical Virology 69 (2015) 247–250 249 Interpretation: The findings demonstrate that hepatitis A and hepatitis E remain significant public-health problems in India and result in regular outbreaks. As the surveillance system does not routinely test for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, it provides little data on these diseases. The findings from this report could help inform viral hepatitis control policies in India. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2015.06.074
Landscape-level Analyses of Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) Abundance in Reclaimed Coal Mine Grasslands

Abstract Henslow's sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) abundance, measured as average number of males at point counts, varied within and among reclaimed mine grasslands of southwestern Indiana. The 19 mine grasslands studied range from about 100 to 3200 ha and vary in landscape structure and composition both within the mines and in relation to the surrounding area. Nevertheless, few landscape-level attributes of mine grasslands were related to Henslow's sparrow abundance. Landscape composition (e.g., percent forest or grassland cover), in particular, had a negligible effect on Henslow's sparrow abundance. Neither habitat patch size nor shape had a significant effect on Henslow's sparrow abundance, but these birds tended to avoid habitat edges. Variation in Henslow's sparrow abundance was, however, influenced by the composition and structure of local vegetation. The relative “landscape insensitivity” of Henslow's sparrows probably reflects the large area of mine grasslands rather than a true lack of landscape-s...
Energy Intensity: A Decomposition and Counterfactual Exercise for Latin American Countries

Abstract This paper investigates trends in energy intensity over the last 40 years. Based on a sample of 75 countries, it applies the Fisher Ideal Index to decompose the energy intensity into the relative contributions of energy efficiency and economic structure. Then, the determinants of these energy indexes are examined through panel data regression techniques. Special attention is lent to Latin American countries (LAC) by comparing its performance to that of a similar set of countries chosen through the synthetic control method. When analyzed by income level, energy intensity has decreased in a range between 40 and 54% in low and medium income countries respectively. Efficiency improvements drive these changes, while the structural effect does not represent a clear source of change. The regression analysis shows that per capita income, petroleum prices, fuel-energy mix, and GDP growth are main determinants of energy intensity and efficiency, while there are no clear correlations with the activity component. In the case of LAC the energy intensity decreased around 20% which could be interpreted as an under-performance. However, the counterfactual exercise suggests that LAC has closed the gap with respect to its synthetic control.
Economy, modernity, Islam, and English in Egypt

After the January 2011 Egyptian revolution led to the fall of the pro-western dictator Hosni Mubarak and popular elections that brought Islamist parties to the political forefront, the international community speculated about the country's future. Discussion about Egypt's future involved diverse issues, among them globalization, the English language, and how Islam and modernity interact. In this paper, the authors examine the story of English and its widespread use in Egypt to illustrate how modernization and Islamization have contributed to the spread of the once colonial, now global language—English—in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Unraveling the dynamics and structure of functionalized self-assembled monolayers on gold using 2D IR spectroscopy and MD simulations

Functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are the focus of ongoing investigations because they can be chemically tuned to control their structure and dynamics for a wide variety of applications, including electrochemistry, catalysis, and as models of biological interfaces. Here we combine reflection 2D infrared vibrational echo spectroscopy (R-2D IR) and molecular dynamics simulations to determine the relationship between the structures of functionalized alkanethiol SAMs on gold surfaces and their underlying molecular motions on timescales of tens to hundreds of picoseconds. We find that at higher head group density, the monolayers have more disorder in the alkyl chain packing and faster dynamics. The dynamics of alkanethiol SAMs on gold are much slower than the dynamics of alkylsiloxane SAMs on silica. Using the simulations, we assess how the different molecular motions of the alkyl chain monolayers give rise to the dynamics observed in the experiments.
SYNTHESIS OF GEOMETRIC TOLERANCES OF A GEARBOX USING A DEVIATION- BASED TOLERANCE SYNTHESIS SCHEME

In this paper a step-by-step procedure for carrying out synthesis of geometric tolerances of a planetary gearbox using a deviation-based tolerance synthesis (TS) scheme has been presented. The TS scheme uses an optimization for minimizing total cost of manufacturing, subject to constraints for assemblability of parts and constraints for functional requirements. The TS work is carried out in several stages. First the gearbox with its nominal dimensions is converted into a model that could serve as input to the synthesis module. Cost functions and constraints equations are then generated using deviation parameters of features. The optimization is carried out using these equations in standard non-linear minimization tools (Matlab) and the optimal deviation parameters are subsequently mapped into suitable tolerance specifications or tolerance zones as per ANSI Y14.5 tolerancing standards.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Effect of aldosterone antagonist on in vitro production of aldosterone and corticosterone in rats.

SummaryMale and female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with the spirolactone, SC-8109, known to be an aldosterone antagonist. After 12 weeks of treatment the animals were sacrificed. Adrenal glands were incubated in vitro and total alpha-ketolic, as well as individual, steroids were determined. Male and female adrenal incubates from SC-8109-treated rats contained significantly more aldosterone and less corticosterone than incubates from those injected with the sesame oil vehicle. Male rats treated with SC-8109 showed particularly striking increase in aldosterone production.
Internal Medicine Interns Have a Poor Knowledge of Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common and carries an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The level of knowledge among incoming medical trainees about PAD is unknown. During orientation to a single internal medicine residency program, incoming medical interns were given a 19-question multiple-choice questionnaire. The questions fell into 1 of 4 categories about PAD: (1) prevalence, (2) screening, (3) treatment, and (4) outcome. Sixty-two incoming interns were queried. The percentage of questions answered correctly overall was 41.7% (10.5%-73.7%). The percentage of questions answered correctly in the prevalence, screening, treatment, and outcome groups were 48.9% (0 to 100%), 33.8% (0 to 80%), 45.0% (0 to 87.5%), and 42.5% (0 to 100%), respectively. Internal medicine interns have poor knowledge about PAD including its prevalence, screening, treatment, and outcomes. Increased education during medical school is encouraged.