cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Psoriasis in Children: Is There a Role for Antibiotic Therapy and Tonsillectomy?

Numerous studies implicate subclinical or recurrent streptococcal infection as a trigger or maintenance factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis in children. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy of antibiotic therapy and tonsillectomy as treatments for childhood psoriasis. Clinical trials assessing the efficacy of antibiotics or tonsillectomy as treatments for childhood psoriasis were identified with a search of the medical literature and the results were compared. Only one controlled clinical trial was identified and it did not find a significant effect of antibiotic treatment on psoriasis. In other studies, the percentage of psoriasis patients who experienced disease clearance with antibiotic therapy ranged from 0% to 55%, with no patients experiencing disease worsening during treatment. No controlled trials of tonsillectomy for psoriasis were identified. The percentage of patients who experienced disease clearance after tonsillectomy in uncontrolled trials ranged from 32% to 53% and a similar percentage reported significant improvement in their psoriasis, with a maximum of 7% noting worsening of the disease after the operation. The available evidence does not demonstrate the efficacy of either antibiotic therapy or tonsillectomy in the treatment of childhood psoriasis. Because these treatments are relatively benign compared to other treatments for severe psoriasis, the use of antibiotic therapy or tonsillectomy may still be worth considering, especially for those patients with recurrent streptococcal infections that seem to trigger or maintain their skin disease.
Relationship between acoustic measures and judgments of intelligibility in Parkinson's disease: A within-speaker approach

AbstractThis study investigated the acoustic basis of within-speaker, across-utterance variation in sentence intelligibility for 12 speakers with dysarthria secondary to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Acoustic measures were also obtained for 12 healthy controls for comparison to speakers with PD. Speakers read sentences using their typical speech style. Acoustic measures of speech rate, articulatory rate, fundamental frequency, sound pressure level and F2 interquartile range (F2 IQR) were obtained. A group of listeners judged sentence intelligibility using a computerized visual-analog scale. Relationships between judgments of intelligibility and acoustic measures were determined for individual speakers with PD. Relationships among acoustic measures were also quantified. Although considerable variability was noted, articulatory rate, fundamental frequency and F2 IQR were most frequently associated with within-speaker variation in sentence intelligibility. Results suggest that diversity among speakers with PD sh...
A Monte Carlo simulation of the omega phase transformation

Abstract A model of the β to ω phase transformation in Ti, Zr and Hf alloys is proposed whereby the three-dimensional displacive transition is decomposed into one-dimensional and two-dimensional components. The one-dimensional component is postulated to be a linear displacive defect along 〈111〉 closepacked rows of the b.c.c. structure, the two-dimensional component then consists of the cooperative ordering of neighbouring parallel linear defects in the (111) planes normal to the linear component. That the two-dimensional cooperative ordering of displaced row segments can lead to a sharp phase transition has been demonstrated by a two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation involving three types of symbols with nearest-neighbour interactions. Computer simulation exhibits characteristic two-domain ω structures which, along with the linear defect structure, appear to explain, at least qualitatively, observed electron and neutron diffraction patterns. It is tentatively suggested that the postulated linear defects ...
Contribution of non-carbonate anions to total alkalinity and overestimation of p CO 2 in New England and New Brunswick rivers

Abstract. Total alkalinity (TAlk) has long been used to evaluate the buffering capacity of aquatic systems. TAlk has also been used, together with measurements of either pH or dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), to indirectly estimate the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in inland waters, estuaries, and marine systems. These estimates typically assume that carbonate and bicarbonate ions comprise nearly all the species contributing to TAlk; however, other inorganic and organic acids have the potential to contribute significant non-carbonate alkalinity. To evaluate the potential for error in using TAlk to estimate pCO2, we measured pH, TAlk, and DIC in samples of river water. Estimates of pCO2 derived from TAlk and pH measurements were higher than pCO2 estimates derived from DIC and pH by 13–66%. We infer that this overestimate is due to the presence of significant non-carbonate alkalinity (NC-Alk). This study also describes the relative proportions of carbonate- and non-carbonate alkalinity measured in 15 river systems located in northern New England (USA) and New Brunswick (Canada). NC-Alk represents a significant buffering component in these river systems (21–∼100% of TAlk), and failure to account for NC-Alk (which cannot directly contribute to pCO2) leads to the overestimation of carbon dioxide release to the atmosphere.
Mechanical behavior and biochemical composition of canine knee cartilage following periods of joint disuse and disuse with remobilization

Summary The mechanical behavior and biochemical composition of articular cartilage were studied in an experimental model of joint disuse, in which the canine knee was immobilized in a sling at 90° of flexion. Articular cartilage from the surface zone of the femur was tested in an isometric tensile test and full-thickness cartilage on the tibial plateau was tested in a compressive indentation test. Water, proteoglycan and collagen contents were measured in site-matched samples. Site-specific increases in the tensile moduli (∼88% above control values in distal femoral groove) were observed in cartilage after 8 weeks of joint disuse, and after 3 weeks of remobilization following either 4 (∼140%, distal femoral groove) of joint disuse. In contrast, the compressive properties of cartilage determined in the indentation test exhibited no change from control values with joint disuse or disuse followed by remobilization. Water contents increased at some sites on the tibia after 8 weeks of joint disuse (∼6% of tissue wet weight, posterior site), but not in the surface zone tissue of the femur. Proteoglycan/collagen and cartilage thickness were not found to change with disuse or disuse followed by remobilization. Reduced values for the ratio of proteoglycan:water were observed in the surface zone tissue of the femur (∼23%, distal femoral groove) and in the full-thickness tissue of the tibia (∼21%, anterior and posterior sites) after periods of joint disuse. In this study, the measured material properties suggest that the articular surface remains intact following periods of disuse or disuse with remobilization. This finding suggests one important difference between this model of joint disuse and other experimental models in which cartilage changes are both progressive and degenerative, such as surgically-induced joint instability.
Appropriate use of hormones should alleviate concerns of cardiovascular and breast cancer risk.

Since the publication of several recent randomized trials in the United States, prescriptions for hormonal therapy have dropped precipitously. This has been due, in large part, to the concerns about the increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and breast cancer among the hormone users. This review takes the perspective that the appropriate use of hormones largely alleviates these concerns. The appropriate use of hormones pertains to treating younger, healthy women who have menopausal symptoms as well as using low-doses of hormones. In the randomized trials, suggesting an increased CV risk, the older women were largely asymptomatic and had other CV risk factors. Data are presented to suggest that there is no increased CV risk with hormonal therapy in younger, healthy women within 5 years of menopause. Moreover, a model is presented to attempt to explain the potential of preventing CV disease when estrogen is begun early, and the relative hazard associated with later use. The risk of breast cancer with hormonal therapy is put into perspective with the realization that this risk is related to hormonal dose and duration of use, and that the absolute risk remains small. Use of progestogens, in particular, appears to enhance this risk. The appropriate use of hormones also pertains to using lower-doses. Here data are presented showing efficacy with lower-doses and improved safety. With the use of lower-doses of estrogens, the progestogen dose, as required in women with a uterus, can be minimized. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Trematodes Associated with Mangrove Habitat in Puerto Rican Salt Marshes

Batillaria minima is a common snail in the coastal estuaries of Puerto Rico. This snail is host to a variety of trematodes, the most common being Cercaria caribbea XXXI, a microphallid species that uses crabs as second intermediate hosts. The prevalence of infection was higher (7.1%) near mangroves than on mudflats away from mangroves (1.4%). Similarly, there was a significant positive association between the proportion of a site covered with mangroves and the prevalence of the microphallid. The association between mangroves and higher trematode prevalence is most likely because birds use mangroves as perch sites and this results in local transmission to snails.
Spatial distribution and range trade-offs for frequency-hopped spread spectrum networks using the ratio-threshold test

The authors study spatially distributed packet radio networks that employ frequency-hopping spread spectrum signaling where propagation loss is taken into account. They analyze a slotted ALOHA channel-access protocol, with Reed-Solomon error-control coding. Viterbi's ratio-threshold technique is used to determine which symbols should be erased so that errors-and-erasures decoding can be used. Networks with terminals at random locations and at deterministic locations are considered. It is found that the performance of a generic link can be estimated based on purely geometric arguments, by studying a single statistic as a function of the link distance and the ratio threshold. The amount of computation required for the evaluation of this statistic is orders of magnitude less than that required to compute the actual codeword error probability. Results are presented on codeword error probability as a function of the threshold ratio and the link length, for three modeling assumptions on the receiver's ability to distinguish a useful signal from noise. >
MARD: a new method to detect differential gene expression in treatment-control time courses

Motivation: Characterizing the dynamic regulation of gene expression by time course experiments is becoming more and more important. A common problem is to identify differentially expressed genes between the treatment and control time course. It is often difficult to compare expression patterns of a gene between two time courses for the following reasons: (1) the number of sampling time points may be different or hard to be aligned between the treatment and the control time courses; (2) estimation of the function that describes the expression of a gene in a time course is difficult and error-prone due to the limited number of time points. We propose a novel method to identify the differentially expressed genes between two time courses, which avoids direct comparison of gene expression patterns between the two time courses. Results: Instead of attempting to 'align' and compare the two time courses directly, we first convert the treatment and control time courses into neighborhood systems that reflect the underlying relationships between genes. We then identify the differentially expressed genes by comparing the two gene relationship networks. To verify our method, we apply it to two treatment-control time course datasets. The results are consistent with the previous results and also give some new biologically meaningful findings. Availability: The algorithm in this paper is coded in C++ and is available from http://leili-lab.cmb.usc.edu/yeastaging/projects/MARD/ Contact:[email protected]; [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Timing of Inoculation of the Pouch Makes No Difference in Increased Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis by the InPouch TV Method

The InPouch TV is a method which combines a wet preparation and a culture method to detect Trichomonas vaginalis. The top portion of the InPouch TV essentially functions as a slide to be examined under the microscope. If the initial examination is negative, the specimen is pushed down into the bottom pouch, which serves as a broth for cultivation. The issue of timing has not been specifically addressed for optimal processing. To assess the effect of timing on the inoculation of the bottom pouch, we conducted a study designed to determine which procedure had better sensitivity, that of delaying inoculation of the bottom pouch until the initial examination on the top pouch is performed (method A) or that of immediately inoculating the bottom pouch (method B). In addition, we compared the sensitivity of the InPouch TV to that of the traditional wet mount. Fifty of 498 specimens were positive. Methods A and B had identical results: 31 specimens were initially positive regardless of transit time, and incubation yielded another 19 positives. The wet preparation detected 36 positive specimens. The sensitivities of the methods were 100% for the InPouch TV (including examination on receipt and after incubation) and 72% for the traditional wet mount. In conclusion, the InPouch TV method is more sensitive than the traditional method and no detectable differences were observed with timing of the inoculation of the top or bottom pouch.
Survey of cannabis use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cannabis (marijuana) has been proposed as treatment for a widening spectrum of medical conditions and has many properties that may be applicable to the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study is the first, anonymous survey of persons with ALS regarding the use of cannabis. There were 131 respondents, 13 of whom reported using cannabis in the last 12 months. Although the small number of people with ALS that reported using cannabis limits the interpretation of the survey findings, the results indicate that cannabis may be moderately effective at reducing symptoms of appetite loss, depression, pain, spasticity, and drooling. Cannabis was reported ineffective in reducing difficulties with speech and swallowing, and sexual dysfunction. The longest relief was reported for depression (approximately two to three hours).
Effect of High Altitude on Copper and Zinc Content of Beef

Copper and zinc content of longissimus (LD) and semimembranosus (SM) muscle from concentrate-fed steers raised at 549 or 2145m above sea level were compared. Data on younger range-grazed steers raised at 2145m were also obtained. Copper and zinc content of muscles did not differ by altitude but copper and zinc in muscles from concentrate-fed steers was greater than that from younger range-grazed steers (P<0.05).
Modeling of stratigraphic architectural patterns in extensional settings-towards a conceptual model

Our earlier studies on active continental extensional basins revealed that high-frequency changes in sea/lake-level, spatially heterogeneous subsidence/uplift and multiple sources of sediment supply with varying rates and directions are the main factors that influence the formation of stratigraphic architectural patterns. Thus, the evolving stratal geometry results from the sea/lake-level--[time], subsidence [time, space] and sediment supply--[time, space, direction, composition] functions. The stratigraphic simulation results presented here demonstrate that Type 1 and 2 unconformities and conformities may develop in segments of an extensional basin during a sea/lake-level fall depending on the local subsidence rates. These different surfaces can be time-equivalent along the basin margin. A sea/ lake-level rise can either form a highstand systems tract (HST) or a transgressive and an overlying highstand systems tract (HST), depending on the sediment supply. A decrease and a subsequent increase in sediment supply during a stable base level stand can produce the same architectural patterns (backstepping of transgressive systems tract (TST) and aggradational or progradational patterns of HST) as a rise in the base level at constant sediment supply. Stratigraphic architectures built from multiple sediment sources show a variety of patterns as responses to spatial and temporal changes in intensities of individual sediment supply sources. Some of the possible end members of these interfingering architectural patterns have been simulated and classified. Changes in direction of sediment supply may lead to the formation of onlap-surfaces similar to unconformities.
Instructional Consequences in Mainstreamed Middle School Classes: Reinforcement and Corrections

Twenty-six middle school social studies teachers were observed throughout the school year to assess their use of reinforcement and corrections with (a) mainstreamed, (b) low ability, and (c) mixed ability students. Time-of-year effects showed a midyear deceleration of corrections in all groups, followed by an end-of-year increase. A midyear drop in reinforcement also was seen, with no year-end increase on this variable. Across all points in time, both mainstreamed and low ability students received the greatest amounts of instructional consequences. The results are discussed in terms of the growing body of literature on effective teaching practices and their applicability for mildly handicapped students in mainstreamed classes.
A new episodic ataxia syndrome with linkage to chromosome 19q13.

Background Multiple episodic ataxia phenotypes and genotypes have been described. Objective To describe a new episodic ataxia syndrome. Design Genomewide linkage analysis with dense single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Setting University clinic. Patients Family with lifelong episodes of ataxia and normal interictal examination results. Results Suggestive linkage (logarithm of odds score, 3.27) to a 10-centimorgan region on chromosome 19q13. Conclusion A new dominantly inherited episodic ataxia syndrome is linked to chromosome 19q.
Stress on the Farm: A Test of the life‐Events Perspective Among Iowa Farm Operators

: Although a great deal is known about the nature and severity of the recent financial crisis in agriculture, there has been little systematic study of the social and psychological effects of this crisis upon farm operators and their families. Using data from a statewide sample of Iowa farmers, this study tests some hypotheses about correlates of psychological stress. The findings suggest that many farm operators find their situations to be stressful and that such stress is related to the severity of their financial problems. In addition, the life-events perspective is examined in its utility to explain how adverse economic changes impact psychological well-being.
Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor based therapy: a new strategy in chronic hepatitis C therapy

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health issue. All oral therapies are quickly replacing peg-interferon-based treatment regimens. Developing effective, well tolerated, treatments accessible for difficult to treat populations remains an unmet need. Ritonavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, has pharmacokinetic properties that enhance the activity of concomitantly administered direct acting antivirals against HCV. Ritonavir inhibits Cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A4, diminishing first pass effect and hepatic metabolism, changing the pharmacokinetic parameters of Cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A4 substrates. When combined with the HCV protease inhibitor paritaprevir, ritonavir increases mean area under the curve, allowing once daily dosing. While Phase II and III clinical trials with ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir demonstrated high efficacy in those with HCV infection, drug-drug interactions warrant cautious use of ritonavir in specific patient populations. Consideration of the patients' full medication list is imperative due to the ubiquitous nature of the Cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A4 system.
Homicide by intravenous injection of naphtha.

A case of homicide by the intravenous injection of Energine, a petroleum distillate spot remover, is presented. This case is the only known homicide committed with naphtha. This elderly man had severe natural disease in addition to chest trauma sustained in the assault leading to death; however, the rapid injection of approximately 25 mL of Energine was the overwhelming cause of death. Language: en
Remarks on the HRT Conjecture

Motivated by a conjecture about time-frequency translations of functions, several properties of the Bargmann–Fock space \(\mathcal{H}\) and the Segal–Bargmann transform \(\mathcal{S}\) are investigated in this note. In particular, a characterization is given of those square integrable functions \(\varphi\) on \(\mathbb{R}\) such that \(z \in \mathbb{C}\longmapsto \mathcal{S}\varphi (z+\zeta ) \in \mathbb{C}\) is in \(\mathcal{H}\) for all \(\zeta \in \mathbb{C}\).
A molecular dynamics study of classical vibrational spectra in hydrostatically compressed crystalline nitromethane.

The effects of pressure on the vibrational spectra of crystalline nitromethane have been studied by computing normal-mode frequencies and eigenvectors and classical power spectra at several hydrostatic pressures between 0 and 27.3 GPa using the full-dimensional Sorescu−Rice−Thompson (J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 8406) (SRT) valence force field. The purpose of the study was to determine the limits within which the SRT force field, and classical mechanics more generally, captures the qualitative pressure effects observed experimentally. The current results exhibit good overall agreement between the calculated normal-mode frequencies (and especially their pressure-dependent shifts) and those obtained in published experimental and theoretical studies. Comparisons of the pressure dependencies near room temperature of classical power spectra to experimental pressure-dependent infrared (IR) spectra for particular vibrational modes yield, in the case of the CN stretch, a CH3 deformation, and the NO2 asymmetric str...
Giant Magneto-Resistance in Epitaxial (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)0.5: (ZnO)0.5 Nanocomposites

A great deal of research has been carried out in oxide material systems. Among them, ZnO and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) are of particular interest due to their superb optical properties and colossal magneto-resistive effect. Here, we report our recent results of magneto-transport studies in self-assembled, epitaxial (ZnO)0.5:(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)0.5 nanocomposite films.
Early Detection of New Melanomas by Patients With Melanoma and Their Partners Using a Structured Skin Self-examination Skills Training Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance More than 1 million patients with melanoma in the United States are at risk to develop a second primary melanoma. Early detection of melanoma improves survival. Patients with melanoma may be able to self-manage care with their skin-check partners (“partners”) and alert the physician when a concerning lesion is identified, thus providing an important adjunct to yearly skin examinations by a physician. Objective To evaluate the effect of a structured skin self-examination (SSE) intervention for patients with melanoma and their partners (“dyads”) on SSE performance and the detection of new melanomas by the dyad or the physician. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized clinical trial with 24-month follow-up assessments. Patients with stage 0 to IIB melanoma and their skin-check partners participated from June 6, 2011, to April 24, 2015. Interventions Dyads of patients and their partners were randomly assigned to receive the skills training intervention or customary care (control group). Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was frequency of SSE performance. The secondary outcome was detection of a new or recurrent melanoma by the dyad or physician. The tertiary outcome was the number of unscheduled physician appointments for concerning lesions. Results The study cohort comprised 494 participants. The patient population was 51.2% (253 of 494) female and had a mean (SD) age of 55 (10) years. Patients in the intervention arms had significantly increased SSEs with their partners at 4, 12, and 24 months ( P 2 1 = 28.77, P 2 1 = 6.43, P Conclusions and Relevance Patients with melanoma and their partners reliably performed SSE after participating in a structured skills training program lasting approximately 30 minutes, with reinforcement every 4 months by the study dermatologist. Accurate SSE by those at risk to develop melanoma may enhance early detection and relieve some of the burden on health services to provide continuing follow-up to a growing population of eligible patients. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01432860
Chronic foreign body aspiration in a Saudi Child - An occult cause of chronic pulmonary disease: Case report and literature review

This case report describes an 8-year-old female, who presented with repeated chest infections. She was screened for acid fast bacilli, immune deficiency syndrome, and cystic fibrosis. The computed tomography scan revealed collapsed left upper lobe with multiple cystic lesions in the lingula. Bronchoscopy was performed, and a foreign body was removed. This diagnosis is still considered a missed and an overlooked (forgotten) diagnosis.
Designing Spillway Crests for High-Head Operation

A standard-shaped spillway, when operating at greater than design head, experiences a subatmospheric crest pressure. Quantitative data obtained from laboratory measurements of minimum pressure and discharge occurring during flow over spillways are presented in dimensionless form. Minimum crest pressures as well as discharge coefficients are shown to be functions of the spillway design-head-to-height and head-to-design-head ratios. A dimensionless parameter involving discharge and minimum pressure, but not head, is formulated and evaluated. The results are used in a numerical design example to proportion a standard-shaped spillway to pass a particular discharge with a predetermined pressure occurring on the crest. The resulting design is compared with an actual design for the same spillway.
The effects of economic and sociocultural stressors on the well-being of children of Latino immigrants living in poverty.

OBJECTIVE This article explored whether preschoolers' physical (body mass index [BMI] and salivary cortisol levels) and psychological (internalizing/externalizing behaviors) well-being were predicted by economic hardship, as has been previously documented, and further, whether parental immigration-related stress and/or acculturation level moderated this relationship in low-income Latino families. METHOD The sample for the current study included 71 children of Latino immigrants (M = 4.46 years, SD = .62). Parents completed questionnaires assessing immigration-related stress, acculturation level, economic hardship, and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Child's BMI was also calculated from height and weight. Salivary cortisol samples were collected midmorning and midafternoon at home on non-child-care days. Salivary cortisol values were averaged and log transformed. RESULTS Children's salivary cortisol was predicted by an interaction between economic hardship and acculturation, with lower cortisol values except when children were protected by both lower acculturation and lower economic hardship. Both internalizing and externalizing behaviors were predicted by an interaction between economic hardship and immigration-related stress, with highest behaviors among children whose parents reported high levels of both economic hardship and immigration-related stress. CONCLUSIONS The effects of economic hardship on the well-being of young children of Latino immigrants may depend on concurrent experiences of sociocultural stress, with detrimental effects emerging for these outcomes only when economic hardship and sociocultural stressors are high. (PsycINFO Database Record
A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Evaluation and Management of Male Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract We recently established a multidisciplinary center for the evaluation and treatment of male sexual dysfunction. The patients are seen in a single day by the endocrinologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, neurophysiologist and urologist. Laboratory studies include chemical and hormonal profiles, pudendal nerve latency testing and determination of the penile blood pressure. Nocturnal penile tumescence studies are done in selected cases. A diagnosis was made in 95 of 106 patients (90 per cent). The problem was psychogenic in 42 per cent of the patients, vascular and neurologic in 34 per cent, hormonal in 15 per cent, urologic in 7 per cent and medication-related in 2 per cent. The interdisciplinary approach to this problem allows for a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation, while providing a convenient service to the patient.
Underrepresentation of Hispanics and Other Minorities in Clinical Trials: Recruiters’ Perspectives

Clinical trials and research studies often fail to recruit participants from the minorities, hampering the generalizability of results. In order to mitigate this problem, the present study investigated how race/ethnicity affects the process of recruiting people from racial and ethnic minority groups, by conducting 11 focus groups with professional recruiters. Several themes emerged, such as how to adapt to potential participants' language competency and literacy levels, the importance to engage in culturally appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication, and to establish a sense of homophily between recruiters and patients. In addition, recruiters pointed out possible solutions to accommodate socioeconomic concerns, to adapt to contextual factors-including immigration status-and ultimately to respond to potential participants' mistrust of medical research. These findings are discussed, and future recommendations are provided.
A Historical Overview

Cosmology is the study of the origin, nature and evolution of our universe. Its practitioners strive to describe cosmic history in quantitative detail, using the language of modern physics and abstract mathematics.
Bacterial Overexpression and Site-directed Mutagenesis of the PS2 Manganese Stabilizing Protein: Progress in Elucidation of Structure and Function

Manganese Stabilizing Protein (MSP) was discovered and purified by Kuwabara and Murata (1), and has since proven to be an essential extrinsic component of PS2 (reviewed in 2,3). Extraction of MSP modifies the tetranuclear Mn cluster of the O2-evolving complex; 2 Mn are released as Mn2+, the S2 and S3 states are abnormally stable, and the S3 → S4 → S0 step is slowed by a factor of 3–5. The isolated spinach protein is comprised of 247 amino acids with a molecular mass of 26,535 and a pi of 5.2. Analyses of secondary structure by CD shows that the protein in solution is comprised of α-helix (10%), β-sheet (33–38%) and about 50% turns and random coil (4,5). The technique of site-directed mutagenesis is a useful tool for probing protein structure and function. For MSP, two approaches have been applied. In the first, mutagenesis in vivo has been utilized in cyanobacteria (6). In the second, a method first used by Seidler and Michel (7) for overexpression and processing of precursor eukaryotic proteins in E. coli has provided a means for mutagenesis of MSP that is facilitated by the ease with which the overexpressed protein can be rebound to MSP-depleted PS2 samples. We have modified this method so that MSP inclusion bodies can be harvested from E. coil purified, and used to reconstitute high levels of activity (8). Here, we report on the use of recombinant wildtype and mutant forms of MSP in experiments designed to characterize the structure and function of this important PS2 protein.
Predicting individual pixel error in remote sensing soft classification

Abstract Accuracy assessment of remote sensing soft (sub-pixel) classifications is a challenging topic. Previous efforts have focused on constructing a soft classification error matrix and producing summary measures to describe overall and per-class map accuracy. However, these summary assessments do not provide information on the spatial distribution of the soft classification error as distributed at the individual pixel level. This is important because the map error of a given class may vary considerably over different regions. Spatial interpolation has been previously used for predicting soft classification error at the pixel level. Here, we propose two alternative domains for soft classification error interpolation, the spectral and mapped class proportion domains. In the spectral domain we interpolate errors in the classification feature space, whereas in the mapped class proportion domain interpolation takes place in a space with dimensions defined by the mapped class proportions (i.e., the output of the soft classification). The two newly proposed prediction methods (spectral domain and mapped class proportion domain), spatial interpolation, and a summary measure method were evaluated using 23 test regions, each 10 km × 10 km, distributed throughout the United States. These 10 km × 10 km blocks had complete coverage reference data (where the reference classification was determined by manual interpretation) and the predicted error maps were then evaluated by comparing them to these complete coverage reference error maps. Mean absolute error was used to quantify the agreement of the predicted error maps to the reference error maps. The spectral and mapped class proportion methods generally outperformed the spatial interpolation and the summary measure methods both in terms of smaller mean absolute error and visual similarity of predicted error maps to the reference error maps. The superiority of the new methods over spatial interpolation is an important result because spatial interpolation is a familiar method analysts would commonly consider for modeling spatial variation of classification error. The predicted soft classification error maps provide a straightforward visual assessment of the spatial patterns of error that can accompany the original classification products to enhance their value in subsequent analysis and modeling tasks. Furthermore, from the standpoint of implementation, our methods do not require additional datasets; the same test dataset currently used for confusion/error matrix construction can be used for our error interpolation methods.
Low-Temperature Steam Annealing of Metal Oxide Thin Films from Aqueous Precursors: Enhanced Counterion Removal, Resistance to Water Absorption, and Dielectric Constant

Aqueous solution deposition has emerged as a potentially scalable, high-throughput route to functional metal oxide thin films. Aqueous routes, however, generally require elevated processing temperatures to produce fully condensed films that are resistant to water absorption. Herein, we report a low-processing-temperature method for preparing more fully condensed, stable metal oxide films from aqueous precursors. We show that a steam anneal at ≤200 °C reduces residual nitrates in zinc oxide, yttrium aluminum oxide, and lanthanum zirconium oxide (LZO) films. An in-depth study on LZO dielectric films reveals steam annealing also reduces residual chloride content, increases resistance to post-anneal water absorption, eliminates void formation, and enhances the dielectric constant. This investigation demonstrates that steam annealing directly affects the decomposition temperatures and chemical evolution of aqueous precursors, suggesting a general means for producing high-quality films at low processing tempera...
Thermoregulation and Heart Rate Variability

1. Heart rate variability is modulated by multiple control systems, including autonomic and hormonal systems. Long-term variability, i.e. the very low-frequency band of the power spectra, has been postulated to reflect thermoregulatory vasomotor control, based upon thermal entrainment experiments. However, the relationship between thermoregulatory responses (vasoconstriction and shivering) and heart rate variability has not been studied. 2. We performed two distinct protocols in a series of human subjects. In the first protocol, core temperature was reduced by intravenous infusion of cold saline, while skin temperature was unchanged. The second protocol involved skin-surface warming and cooling until shivering developed. Power spectral analysis was performed using a fast Fourier transformation, and the area in three distinct band-widths was determined. 3. Very low-frequency power (0.0039-0.04 Hz) increased significantly in response to core cooling, peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering, while both very low- and low- (0.04-0.15 Hz) frequency power increased in response to skin-surface cooling. Heart rate decreased during core cooling-induced vasoconstriction, suggesting a direct thermal response, and increased in relation to the metabolic demands associated with shivering. 4. Our results suggest that very low-frequency power is modulated by thermal stimuli which result in core hypothermia and thermoregulatory activity, while skin-surface cooling without core hypothermia does not selectively modulate this frequency band.
A Parallel Sectionalized Restoration Scheme for Resilient Smart Grid Systems

A parallel automated resilience-based restoration methodology is presented in the power system to minimize impact due to emergency power outages. In this power restoration process, a black start unit is assigned to a small region (i.e., a section) on an as-needed basis. A mixed integer nonlinear programming model is developed in order to optimally sectionalize the region of interest all the while maximizing the resiliency in terms of load shedding, restoration time, and network connectivity. For solving this large scale optimization model, a bi-level programming approach is proposed. This approach consists of two optimization levels. The sectionalization problem (upper level) is a mixed integer programming model and finds the optimal section set. The restoration problem (lower level) is a linear model and determines the dc optimal power flow and restoration time for the optimal section set identified in the upper level. We use the pre-emptive method of goal programming to deal with multiple conflicting objectives in the model. Our proposed solution approach outperformed mathematical programming with equilibrium constraints and found near optimal solutions. Numerical results and sensitivity analysis from two case studies (6- and 118-bus IEEE test systems) are further discussed to demonstrate the efficiency of the solution approach.
A 2-Year-Old Child with Bilateral Ectopis Lentis and a Novel FBN1 Gene Variant Cys129Ser.

Marfan syndrome and dominant ectopia lentis are part of type 1 fibrillinopathies that are caused by FBN1 pathogenic variants. Making a diagnosis could be challenging due to the clinical overlap between these disorders. The revised Ghent criteria used for Marfan syndrome diagnosis helped in resolving some of the confusion, especially in younger children. We report on a case of bilateral ectopia lentis in a 2-year-old child with a normal echocardiogram. FBN1 sequencing revealed a novel likely pathogenic variant described as c.385T > A (p.Cys129Ser). The patient's father also has a history of bilateral ectopia lentis and his genetic analysis detected the same FBN1 variant as the proband.
Queueing for Single-Stage Packet Networks

In chapter 2, we described the application of FCFS queueing for sharing network resources. This queueing mechanism differentiates packet switching from circuit switching, for which transmission resources are more rigidly scheduled. Packet switching facilitates flexible resource sharing with less scheduling complexity, at the expense of introducing random delay.
Are Public-Sector Employees 'Overpaid' Relative to Private Sector Employees? An Overview of the Studies

The laws eliminating or severely restricting the collective bargaining rights of public-sector unions passed since 2011 are one of the most important developments in both workplace law and politics in recent memory. Among other things, public-sector workers now comprise more than half of all union members in the U.S., and such unions are a major constituency of the Democractic Party. Proponents of these new laws often justify them at least in part by claiming that public employees are overpaid relative to private sector employees. This paper focuses on a large and representative selection of studies comparing the compensation of public- and private-sector employees. It reviews their findings and methodology, noting the assumptions and data-sets used. It also draws some conclusions as to the policy implications of the works discussed herein. In sum, a majority of studies have found that public workers on the whole are paid somewhat less than comparable private sector employees, but there are significant dissenting voices. A consensus has formed around a few findings. Studies almost all find that at the very bottom of the pay scale, public workers enjoy slightly higher compensation than their private-sector analogs, while at the upper end of the scales (lawyers and other professionals, e.g.), public workers are paid less than comparable private-sector employees. Most of the disagreements, therefore, are about employees in the middle of the pay scale. Second, almost all studies agree public workers receive less “take home” pay than private-sector workers, but they generally receive more generous health and pension benefits. When combining pay and benefits, a majority of studies still find a “public-sector penalty,” but others do not. Important methodological differences include how to calculate the value (and current cost) of future benefits, how to compare certain types or ranges of jobs across sectors, and whether to assign value to “job security” for government employees. For example, some public-sector jobs have direct private-sector analogs (janitors and lawyers), and some do not (police and firefighters). Furthermore, even jobs with the same title may not involve the same work. Also, controlling for employer size seems to matter: Studies that do not use such controls are more likely to find a public-sector premium than studies that do.
Signaling mechanisms of endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors derived from type IV collagen.

Vascular basement membrane (VBM) derived molecules are regulators of certain biological activities such as cell growth, differentiation and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is regulated by a systematic controlled balance between VBM derived antiangiogenic factors and proangiogenic growth factors. In the normal physiological state, equilibrium is maintained between the antiangiogenic and proangiogenic factors. The antiangiogenic factors (molecules), which are generated by the proteolytic cleavage of the VBM, include; α1 chain non-collagenous (NC1) domain of type XVIII collagen (endostatin) and the NC1 domains from the alpha chains of Type IV collagen considered as endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors. These collagen derived NC1 domains have a pivotal role in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis, thus making them attractive alternate candidates for cancer therapies. In this review we illustrate a comprehensive overview of the knowledge gained from the signaling mechanisms of Type IV collagen derived endogenous inhibitors in angiogenesis.
Generation of Reversible C++ Code for Optimistic Parallel Discrete Event Simulation

The reversible execution of C/C++ code has been a target of research and engineering for more than a decade as reversible computation has become a central notion in large-scale parallel discrete event simulation (PDES). The simulation models that are implemented for PDES are of increasing complexity and size and require various language features to support abstraction, encapsulation, and composition when building a simulation model. In this paper, we focus on parallel simulation models that are written with user-defined C++ abstractions and abstractions of the C++ Standard Library. We present an approach based on incremental state saving for establishing reversibility of C++ and an evaluation for a kinetic Monte-Carlo simulation implemented in C++. Although a significant runtime overhead is introduced with our technique, it is an enormous win that it allows using the entire C++ language, and has that code automatically transformed into reversible code to enable parallel execution with the Rensselaer’s optimistic simulation system (ROSS).
Using role theory to understand the experiences of physical education teachers: toward role socialization theory

While the purposes and goals are broad and vary significantly across contexts, generally, physical education (PE) seeks to develop the physical, mental, and emotional health of children by helping them to value and participate in regular physical activity across the lifespan (Chen & Ennis, 2004; Corbin, 2002). In the US, these goals are reflected in the National Standards for Physical Education (Society of Health and Physical Educators America, 2014), and mirrored in most state-level benchmarks. While admirable, they are unlikely to be accomplished without attention to the inservice professionals who teach physical education in K-12 schools. This sentiment is captured by Day et al. (2007) when they noted that “teachers matter. They matter to the education and achievement of their students and, more and more, to their personal and social wellbeing” (p. 1).
Use of cell phone type cameras to enhance focusing and magnification in optical microscopes

Cameras with auto-focusing and zoom capability, such as those in cell phones, can simplify focusing a microscope and at the same time provide a wide range of magnification.
Abstract 1242: Examining the role of heme and respiratory proteins in the progression of KRAS/LKB1 mutant subtype

Currently there are few successful targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeting mutations in EGFR, BRAF, ALK etc. provide treatment options only for a defined subset of adenocarcinoma patients leaving majority of adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma patients without any options. Activating KRAS mutations are found in 15-30% of all NSCLC patients; however, existing treatment options for KRAS-mutant cancer are not effective in the subset with concomitant loss of LKB1 (kinase that phosphorylates AMPK). Several studies demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in lung tumorigenesis. Components of OXPHOS complexes and markers of mitochondrial biogenesis are highly predictive of reduced overall survival in NSCLC patients. A study using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) for lung cancer (KrasLSLG12D/+Trp53-/- and KrasLSL-G12D/+Lkb1-/-) showed that along with glucose, lactate contributes to the TCA cycle. This highlights the importance of OXPHOS in these models. Also, heme is a prosthetic group for several of these OXPHOS proteins and is involved in oxygen transport and utilization. Hence, we aim to investigate unique therapeutic targets by examining the role of heme and respiratory proteins in the progression of KRAS/LKB1 mutant subtype. We used LSL-KrasG12D LKB1-/- (LSL-KRASG12D; LKBloxP/loxP; LSL-Luciferase (KLLuc)) GEMM model for our study. Briefly, the mice were infected with AdenoCre virus, and sacrificed at different intervals in the progression of the tumors. For histological and immunohistochemical analysis, lung tissues were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and sectioned (5µm thick). HE 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1242.