cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered expression of an L1-specific, O-linked cuticle surface glycoprotein in mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Mouse mAb M38 was used in indirect immunofluorescence experiments to detect a stage-specific antigen on the surface of the first larval stage (L1) of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and to detect alterations in the apparent expression of this antigen in two distinct classes of C. elegans mutants. In previously described srf-2 and srf-3 mutants (Politz S. M., M. T. Philipp, M. Estevez, P.J. O'Brien, and K. J. Chin. 1990. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87:2901-2905), the antigen is not detected on the surface of any stage. Conversely, in srf-(yj43) and other similar mutants, the antigen is expressed on the surface of the first through the fourth (L4) larval stages. To understand the molecular basis of these alterations, the antigen was characterized in gel immunoblotting experiments. After SDS-PAGE separation and transfer to nitrocellulose, M38 detected a protein antigen in extracts of wild-type L1 populations. The antigen was sensitive to digestion by Pronase and O-glycanase (endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase), suggesting that it is an O-linked glycoprotein. This antigen was not detected in corresponding extracts of wild-type L4s or srf-2 or srf-3 L1s, but was detected in extracts of srf-(yj43) L4s. The antigen-defective phenotype of srf-3 was epistatic to the heterochronic mutant phenotype of srf-(yj43) in immunofluorescence tests of the srf-3 srf-(yj43) double mutant, suggesting that srf-(yj43) causes incorrect regulation of a pathway of antigen formation that requires wild-type srf-3 activity.
Slope of the Anterior Mitral Valve Leaflet: A New Measurement of Left Ventricular Unloading for Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Systolic Dysfunction

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-supported patients are evaluated routinely with use of transthoracic echocardiography. Values of left ventricular unloading in this unique patient population are needed to evaluate LVAD function and assist in patient follow-up. We introduce a new M-mode measurement, the slope of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (SLAM), and compare its efficacy with that of other standard echocardiographically evaluated values for left ventricular loading, including E/e' and pulmonary artery systolic pressures. Average SLAM values were determined retrospectively for cohorts of random, non-LVAD patients with moderately to severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<0.35, n=60). In addition, pre- and post-LVAD implantation echocardiographic images of 81 patients were reviewed. The average SLAM in patients with an LVEF <0.35 was 11.6 cm/s (95% confidence interval, 10.4-12.8); SLAM had a moderately strong correlation with E/e' in these patients. Implantation of LVADs significantly increased the SLAM from 7.3 ± 2.44 to 14.7 ± 5.01 cm/s (n=42, P <0.0001). The LVAD-supported patients readmitted for exacerbation of congestive heart failure exhibited decreased SLAM from 12 ± 3.93 to 7.3 ± 3.5 cm/s (n=6, P=0.041). In addition, a cutpoint of 10 cm/s distinguished random patients with LVEF <0.35 from those in end-stage congestive heart failure (pre-LVAD) with an 88% sensitivity and a 55% specificity. Evaluating ventricular unloading in LVAD patients remains challenging. Our novel M-mode value correlates with echocardiographic values of left ventricular filling in patients with moderate-to-severe systolic function and dynamically improves with the ventricular unloading of an LVAD.
Energy Barriers and Helix Plasticity in the Membrane Insertion of pHLIP

The pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) is a 36-aa monomeric peptide which is both soluble in water and able to insert as a transmembrane helix in lipid membranes at low pH. Thus, pHLIP has three major states with characteristic secondary structure: it is unstructured in solution (state I) and when bound to the surface of lipid membranes at neutral pH (state II). However, it forms a transmembrane helix in membranes at acid pH (state III), with a pKa of insertion between states II and III of 6.0. The lipid insertion of pHLIP is mediated by the protonation of at least two Asp residues. Thus, pHLIP has to deal with the translocation of acidic residues through the membrane to insert.Here, we designed several mutant peptides where the number of aspartic residues in the hydrophobic region of pHLIP was modified. Some mutations altered peptide behavior in solution and their interaction with lipid. At the same time, we observed that there was an apparent linear relationship between the number of Asp and both the observed pKa and the cooperativity of the insertion and/or folding in the membrane.In order to study the role of transmembrane helix formation in the lipid insertion of pHLIP, we designed a mutant peptide where the key residue Pro20 had been mutated to Gly. This peptide retained the overall properties of pHLIP, however both the interfacial (II) and the transmembrane (III) states had a higher helical content than wt pHLIP, and the pKa of insertion was also higher.Our data suggest that i) the number of Asp and their location at the water-lipid interface affect the pKa and/or cooperativity of the transition and ii) the formation of the membrane interfacial helix promotes peptide insertion into the membrane.
Fractionation of chondroitin sulfate and determination of molecular weight by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract Ten discrete fractions of chondroitin 4-sulfate were prepared and refined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights were determined based on the molar ratios of the components to the end group xylose. They have the same free electrophoretic mobility and the logarithms of their molecular weights were linearly related to the relative electrophoretic mobilities in the disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using some of the fractions as standards, the polydispersity of the chondroitin sulfate was proven to be mainly due to a continuum of varying chain length.
Cooperative control of tumor suppressor genes by a network of oncogenic microRNAs

Individual microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as oncogenes in experimental cancer models and their expression may affect clinical outcomes. To gain a more comprehensive view of miRNA action in leukemia, we analyzed miRNA expression patters in T-cell leukemia ALL (T-ALL) and cross-referenced the results with an unbiased genetic screen and computational analyses.1 We found that multiple microRNAs contribute to leukmogenesis and act as multi-targeted regulators of several tumor suppressor genes. The oncomirs form a network of overlapping and partially redundant interactions that stabilize the malignant phenotype though coordinate repression of cellular failsafe programs. The emerging network pattern of oncomir action is distinct from the notion of single oncogenic 'driver' mutation. We will discuss experimental, diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this concept of miRNA action in cancer.
Breast cancer in women 65-74 years old: earlier detection by mammographic screening.

Our objective was to investigate the value of screening mammography in 65- to 74-year-old women by determining differences in various prognostic indicators in screened and nonscreened groups.We reviewed 103 malignant breast tumors detected in 102 women 65-74 years old over a period of 73 consecutive months (February 1988-March 1994). A screening interval of less than 18 months was chosen to separate the screened from the nonscreened populations. Mammographic, histologic, and clinical features were reviewed. Statistically significant differences were calculated using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's rank sum test.Thirty-two patients were in the screened population; 70 patients were in the nonscreened population. Ninety-nine percent (102/103) of the carcinomas were apparent mammographically. We found significant differences between the screened and the non-screened groups with respect to the size of lesions revealed by mammography (11 mm versus 21 mm; p = .0002) and the incidence of minimal tumors (20/32 ...
Somatosensory evoked potentials in hysterical paraplegia

Somatosensory evoked potentials were determined in three patients with hysterical neurologic deficits after minor trauma. In each case the patient denied any sensation of the stimulus in the affected extremity; however, normal evoked potentials were recorded. Objective evidence of the hysterical nature of the neurologic deficit was, therefore, provided.
Enhanced isolated lung function after ischemia with antinintercellular adhesion molecule antibody

Abstract The binding of leukocytes to intercellular adhesion molecules expressed on endothelial surfaces during ischemia and subsequent reperfusion initiates leukocyte-mediated reperfusion injury. Interruption of this leukocyte-endothelium interaction may therefore prevent reperfusion injury. In an isolated, ventilated, blood-perfused rabbit lung preparation, we studied the effect of a monoclonal anti–intercellular adhesion molecule antibody on lung function during reperfusion. Lungs were harvested with 50 ml/kg cold Euro-Collins flush and 30 μg prostaglandin E 1 before storage for 18 hours at 4o C. Experimental groups received low-dose (100 μg) or high-dose (200 μg) anti–intercellular adhesion molecule antibody added to the pulmonary flush at harvest and to the initial reperfusate. Eighteen-hour control preparations were preserved for 18 hours and received saline solution vehicle. Immediate control preparations were harvested and immediately reperfused. The oxygen tension in the recirculated pulmonary venous effluent was measured after 30 minutes of reperfusion. Histologic specimens were graded by blinded observers for degree of leukocyte infiltration (0, normal, to 4, severe infiltration). The mean oxygen tensions (±standard error of the mean) were 138.29 ± 6.23, 58.86 ± 9.14, 86.87 ± 11.32, and 139.33 ± 16.15 mm Hg in immediate control preparations, 18-hour control preparations, low-dose antibody group, and high-dose antibody group, respectively ( p = 0.0001). The leukocyte grades (mean ± standard error of the mean) were 1.5 ± 0.723, 3.0 ± 0.955, 1.9 ± 0.899, and 1.2 ± 0.834, respectively ( p = 0.0002). We conclude that anti–intercellular adhesion molecule antibody added to the pulmonary flush and initial reperfusate results in a dose-dependent enhancement of the reperfused lung's ability to oxygenate blood, possibly as a result of decreased leukocyte sequestration. (J THORAC CARDIOVASC SURG 1996;111:941-7)
Transaction fusion: a model for data recovery from information attacks

The escalation of electronic attacks on databases in recent times demands fast and efficient recovery methods. The existing recovery techniques are too time-consuming as they first undo all malicious and affected transactions individually, and then redo all affected transactions, again, individually. In this paper, we propose a method that accelerates the undo and redo phases of the recovery. The method developed involves combining or fusing malicious or affected transactions occurring in groups. These fused transactions are executed during undo and redo phases instead of execution of individual transactions. By fusing relevant transactions into a single transaction, the number of operations such as start, commit, read, and write are minimized. Thus, data items which were required to be accessed multiple times in case of individual transactions are accessed only once in a fused transaction. The amount of log I/O's is reduced. This expedites the recovery procedure in the event of information attacks. A simulation analysis of the proposed model confirmed our claim.
Thrifty tracking: online GPS tracking with low data uplink usage

A typical online GPS tracking system uses a cellular uplink to report the location of a device to a central server, and in a study based on 1.6 billion location updates we find at least 90% are sent with a fixed 1--300 second period. Through experiments with the cost of cellular data transmission we also find that every packet sent incurs significant overhead. With these observations in mind, we describe a thrifty tracking system that allows the specification of a target error or budget-bound, while it optimizes the other. In our experiments, thrifty tracking outperforms the status quo by up to 20X while providing improved guarantees and flexibility.
Solving tridiagonal systems on a GPU

We implement a parallel tridiagonal solver based on cyclic reduction (CR) for a graphics processing unit (GPU). The bane of such solvers is a low computation to communication ratio. With this our main consideration we focus our effort on lowering communication costs. In so doing we accelerate system solving. Further, in the diagonally dominant case computation is decoupled into independent partitions allowing for efficient processing of larger systems.
Modeling and design analysis of a workstation LAN server

Describes the development of a trace-driven performance model for a PS/2 token-ring file server. The target system consists of a token ring network, a PS/2 file server, and several requesters. The authors have derived a high level behavioral model for the server hard disk and disk cache, which enable one to study the server performance and request response times under different patterns of network traffic and configurations. The model simulation results have been used for analyzing the design trade-off of network components and for the capacity planning and performance tuning of a LAN server. >
AN AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER TO A QUESTION ON NOETHERIAN RINGS

It is shown that a ring R is right noetherian if and only if every cyclic right R-module is a direct sum of a projective module and a module Q, where Q is either injective or noetherian. This provides an affirmative answer to a question raised by P. F. Smith.
The Antidepressant Sertraline Targets Intracellular Vesiculogenic Membranes in Yeast

Numerous studies have shown that the clinical antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft) is biologically active in model systems, including fungi, which do not express its putative protein target, the serotonin/5-HT transporter, thus demonstrating the existence of one or more secondary targets. Here we show that in the absence of its putative protein target, sertraline targets phospholipid membranes that comprise the acidic organelles of the intracellular vesicle transport system by a mechanism consistent with the bilayer couple hypothesis. On the basis of a combination of drug-resistance selection and chemical-genomic screening, we hypothesize that loss of vacuolar ATPase activity reduces uptake of sertraline into cells, whereas dysregulation of clathrin function reduces the affinity of membranes for sertraline. Remarkably, sublethal doses of sertraline stimulate growth of mutants with impaired clathrin function. Ultrastructural studies of sertraline-treated cells revealed a phenotype that resembles phospholipidosis induced by cationic amphiphilic drugs in mammalian cells. Using reconstituted enzyme assays, we also demonstrated that sertraline inhibits phospholipase A1 and phospholipase D, exhibits mixed effects on phospholipase C, and activates phospholipase A2. Overall, our study identifies two evolutionarily conserved membrane-active processes—vacuolar acidification and clathrin-coat formation—as modulators of sertraline's action at membranes.
QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF SELECTIVE TESTS FOR DETECTION OF NEOSPORA HUGHESI ANTIBODIES IN SERUM AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED HORSES

Neospora hughesi is a newly recognized protozoan pathogen in horses that causes a myeloencephalitis similar to Sarcocystis neurona. There are no validated serologic tests using the gold standard sera that are currently available to detect specific N. hughesi antibodies and, thus, no tests available to detect antemortem exposure or estimate seroprevalence in the horse. The objectives of the present study were to establish a bank of gold standard equine sera through experimental infections with N. hughesi and to assess several serologic tests for the detection of related protozoan antibodies. Seven horses were inoculated with N. hughesi tachyzoites, and 7 horses received uninfected cell culture material. The horses were monitored, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid were collected repeatedly over a 4-mo period. With the sera, 4 different serologic techniques were evaluated, including a whole-parasite lysate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a recombinant protein ELISA, a modified direct agglutination test, and an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the results showed that the N. hughesi indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) consistently discriminated between experimentally infected and noninfected horses, using a cutoff of 1:640. Sera from 3 naturally infected horses had titers >1:640. Cerebrospinal fluid in all but 1 infected horse had very low N. hughesi IFAT titers (<1:160), starting at postinoculation day 30.
Origin, Evolution, and Finescale Structure of the St. Valentine’s Day Mesoscale Gravity Wave Observed during STORM-FEST. Part I: Origin and Evolution

Abstract On 14–15 February 1992 a long-lived mesoscale gravity wave was observed over the Storm-scale Operational and Research Meteorology-Fronts Experiment Systems Test observational network. A precipitation band formed and intensified as the wave moved across Kansas and Missouri. The disturbance was tracked for 14 h. Surface, dual-Doppler radar, and wind profiler analyses, as well as isentropic analyses derived from a special rawinsonde network, are used to examine the origin and evolution of this wave. The wave originated at the leading edge of a dry air mass associated with downslope flow in the lee of the Rockies. The earliest surface pressure signatures of wave motion began as a dry air mass, associated with the downslope flow, ascended a warm front east of a lee cyclone. A weak rainband developed simultaneously with the wave at the leading edge of the dry air mass. The mesoscale gravity wave, and convection, remained tied to the leading edge of the advancing dry air mass during the first 8–10 h of ...
Hyperoxemia - too much of a good thing?

While avoiding hypoxemia has long been a goal of critical care practitioners, less attention has been paid to the potential for excessive oxygenation. Interest has mounted recently in understanding the clinical effects of hyperoxemia during critical illness, in particular its impact following cardiac arrest. In this issue of Critical Care, Dell’Anna and colleagues review available animal and human data evaluating the impact of hyperoxemia after cardiac arrest. They conclude that while hyperoxemia during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is probably desirable, it should probably be avoided during post-resuscitation care. These conclusions are in line with two broader themes in contemporary critical care: that less may be more; and that it is time to look beyond simply preventing short-term mortality towards longer-term outcomes.
Reduplication in Slavic and Baltic: loss and renewal

The exposition comprises three parts. Part 1 surveys the Indo-European reduplication patterns (RPs) that have been lost in Slavic and Baltic: the languages show little or no evidence of inherited RPs in present and perfect formations, and in intensive verbs (Sect. 2.1), but some vestiges of reduplication in nouns can be identified (Sect. 2.2). Part 2 describes innovated RPs in the Slavic verb; they can be posited on the basis of scanty evidence that has survived the Late Common Slavic loss of coda obstruents. Part 3 describes Baltic innovations reflected in Lithuanian: reduplicative root formations (Sect. 4.1), several minor lexicalized RPs (Sect. 4.2.), and the para-lexical part of speech called eventives (Sect. 4.3). Their content categories, types of expression, patterns of iconicity, and grammatical function are analysed and exemplified in some detail. It is suggested that formations such as these may form the natural background for the creation of new patterns of morphological expression including patterns of reduplication.
A cap ‘n’ collar protein isoform contains a selective Hox repressor function

We have characterized a protein isoform (CncB) from the Drosophila cap ‘n’ collar locus that selectively represses cisregulatory elements that are activated by the Hox protein Deformed. Of the three Cnc protein isoforms, CncB is expressed in a localized pattern in mandibular and labral cells of the head during mid-stages of embryogenesis. When CncB protein is absent or reduced, mandibular cells are homeotically transformed toward maxillary identities. This transformation is associated with persistent Deformed expression in anterior mandibular cells, since the Deformed autoactivation circuit is normally antagonized by CncB function in these cells. Heat-shock-induced ectopic expression of CncB in mid-stages of embryogenesis is sufficient to attenuate the activity of Dfd response elements in maxillary epidermal cells, but appears to have no effect in trunk epidermal cells on either the function or the response elements of other Hox proteins. CncB provides a mechanism to modulate the specificity of Hox morphogenetic outcomes, which results in an increase in the segmental diversity in the Drosophila head. SUMMARY
‘Peace and Security’ (1 Thess 5.3): Prophetic Warning or Political Propaganda?

The phrase ‘Peace and security’ in 1 Thess 5.3 has traditionally been understood as an echo of the OT prophetic warnings (Jer 6.14; Ezek 13.10; Mic 3.5) against false claims of peace. Stronger evidence exists, however, that the apostle is making use of a popular theme of the imperial Roman propaganda machine. The Romans vigorously promoted themselves through various public media as those who provided not only ‘peace’ but also ‘security’, thereby providing a closer parallel to Paul's statement in 5.3 than any OT text. This essay reviews four kinds of evidence—numismatic, monumental, inscriptional and literary—in order to demonstrate in a decisive fashion that the phrase ‘peace and security’ involves an allusion not to prophetic warning but to Roman political propaganda.
Nitrogen fertilization and cropping systems effects on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen pools under chisel-plow tillage in Illinois

Abstract Agricultural soils can be a major sink for atmospheric carbon (C) with adoption of recommended management practices (RMPs). Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization and cropping systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N (TN) concentrations and pools. Replicated soil samples were collected in May 2004 to 90 cm depth from a 23-year-old experiment at the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Monmouth, IL. The SOC and TN concentrations and pools, soil bulk density ( ρ b ) and soil C:N ratio were measured for five N rates [0 (N 0 ), 70 (N 1 ), 140 (N 2 ), 210 (N 3 ) and 280 (N 4 ) kg N ha −1 ] and two cropping systems [continuous corn ( Zea mays L.) (CC), and corn–soybean ( Glycine max (L . ) Merr.) rotation (CS)]. Long-term N fertilization and cropping systems significantly influenced SOC concentrations and pools to 30 cm depth. The SOC pool in 0–30 cm depth ranged from 68.4 Mg ha −1 for N 0 to 75.8 Mg ha −1 for N 4 . Across all N treatments, the SOC pool in 0–30 cm depth for CC was 4.7 Mg ha −1 greater than for CS. Similarly, TN concentrations and pools were also significantly affected by N rates. The TN pool for 0–30 cm depth ranged from 5.36 Mg ha −1 for N 0 to 6.14 Mg ha −1 for N 4 . In relation to cropping systems, the TN pool for 0–20 cm depth for CC was 0.4 Mg ha −1 greater than for CS. The increase in SOC and TN pools with higher N rates is attributed to the increased amount of biomass production in CC and CS systems. Increasing N rates significantly decreased ρ b for 0–30 cm and decreased the soil C:N ratio for 0–10 cm soil depth. However, none of the measured soil properties were significantly correlated with N rates and cropping systems below 30 cm soil depth. We conclude that in the context of developing productive and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems on a site and soil specific basis, the results from this study is helpful to strengthening the database of management effects on SOC storage in the Mollisols of Midwestern U.S.
Association of DRD4 polymorphism with severity of oppositional defiant disorder, separation anxiety disorder and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder.

The objective was to examine whether a common polymorphism in the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) might be a potential biomarker for behavioral variation within the autism spectrum disorder clinical phenotype. Children (N = 66) were evaluated with a validated mother- and teacher-completed DSM-IV-referenced rating scale. Partial eta-squared (ηp 2 ) was used to gauge the magnitude of group differences: 0.01―0.06 = small, 0.06―0.14 = moderate and > 0.14 = large. Children who were 7-repeat allele carriers had more severe oppositional defiant disorder behaviors according to mothers' (ηp 2 = 0.10) and teachers' (ηp 2 = 0.06) ratings than noncarriers, but the latter was marginally significant (P = 0.07). Children who were 7-repeat allele carriers also obtained more severe maternal ratings of tics (ηp 2 = 0.07) and obsessions―compulsions (ηp 2 = 0.08). Findings for maternal ratings of separation anxiety were marginally significant (P = 0.08, ηp 2 = 0.05). Analyses of combined DRD4 and dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) genotypes approached significance (P = 0.05) for teachers' ratings of oppositional behavior and mothers' ratings of tics. DRD4 allelic variation may be a prognostic biomarker for challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder, but these exploratory findings remain tentative pending replication with larger independent samples.
Thermochemistry of Hf-Zirconolite, CaHf Ti2O7

The formation enthalpy, - 3752.3 ± 4.7 kJ·mol−1, of Hf-zirconolite, CaHfTi2O7, was obtained using high temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry. Combined with heat capacity data obtained using low temperature adiabatic calorimetry we report the heat capacity (Cp) and the standard molar formation energetics (ΔH°f. elements, Δ S°T, and ΔG°f. elements)for Hf-zirconolite from T = 298.15 K to T = 1500 K. Comparison of Hf-zirconolite with Zr-zirconolite is made.
Education level as a correlate of attitudes toward television

How do people of differing educational levels perceive not only television, but the television‐viewing behavior of people with different levels of educational attainment? This study is based on Keith Mielke's doctoral dissertation, completed under the direction of Dr. Verling C. Troldahl at Michigan State University. Dr. Mielke is currently assistant professor in the Radio‐TV Department and the Mass Communications Program at Indiana University.
Phenotypic spectrum of mutations in cardiolaminopathies

Phenotypic plasticity of mutations in LMNA, which encodes Lamin A/C, is unsurpassed by any other gene. Mutations in LMNA are responsible for least a dozen distinct phenotype sthat affect various mesenchymal organs and are collectively referred to as lamino - pathies or less frequently envelopathies. Cardiolaminopathies are a subset of lamino - pathies wherein involvement of the heart is the most prominent feature. The typical phenotype of cardiolaminopathies encompasses dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and conduction defects. LMNA is probably the most common causal gene for human DCM, being responsible up to 8% of all familial DCM. Several hundred mutations in the LMNA gene have already been described. The p.R644C mutation is the most commonly reported mutation in cardiolaminopathies. The phenotype in cardiolaminopathies is notable for a rapid progression of cardiac failure, conduction defects and arrhythmias, often necessitating implantation of a pacemaker and/or a defibrillator. The molecular pathogenesis of cardiolamino - pathies is poorly understood. Studies in animal models and cultured cells suggest involvement of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and transforming growth factor –β1 pathways. Comprehensive molecular genetics studies complemented with mechanistic studies are needed to delineate the mechanistic underpinnings of cardiolaminopathies, prerequisite for the ultimate cure of these potentially deadly disorders.
Temporal and Spatial Trends of Perfluorinated Compounds in Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) along the East Coast of the United States

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are globally distributed persistent environmental contaminants. This study provides temporal trends as well as large-scale spatial trends of PFC concentrations in threatened juvenile loggerhead sea turtles near or from Florida Bay (FL Bay), Cape Canaveral (FL), Charleston (SC), Core Sound (NC), and Chesapeake Bay (MD). PFCs were extracted from 163 plasma and serum samples using solid-phase extraction and quantified with LC-MS/MS. Concentrations of six compounds significantly varied by site, with MD or FL Bay turtles having the highest concentrations. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant PFC at all sites (range: 0.31 ng/g to 39.0 ng/g). FL Bay turtles, compared to other sites, accumulated a unique PFC pattern with a higher proportion of perfluorocarboxylates compared to PFOS. Furthermore, this study was the first to statistically correlate wildlife PFC concentrations with human population, used as a proxy for urbanization and sources of PFCs to the environmen...
Tests of sequential data assimilation for retrieving profile soil moisture and temperature from observed L-band radiobrightness

Sequential data assimilation (Kalman filter optimal estimation) techniques are applied to the problem of retrieving near-surface soil moisture and temperature state from periodic terrestrial radiobrightness observations that update soil heat and moisture diffusion models. The retrieval procedure uses a time-explicit numerical model to continuously propagate the soil state profile, its error of estimation, and its interdepth covariances through time. The model's coupled soil moisture and heat fluxes are constrained by micrometeorology boundary conditions drawn from observations or atmospheric modeling. When radiometer data are available, the Kalman filter updates the state profile estimate by weighing the propagated state, error, and covariance estimates against an a priori estimate of radiometric measurement error. The Kalman filter compares predicted and observed radiobrightnesses directly, so no inverse algorithm relating brightness to physical parameters is required. The authors demonstrate Kalman filter model effectiveness using field observations and a simulation study. An observed 1 m soil state profile is recovered over an eight-day period from daily L-band observations following an intentionally poor initial state estimate. In a four-month simulation study, they gauge the longer term behavior of the soil state retrieval and Kalman gain through multiple rain events, soil dry-downs, and updates from radiobrightnesses.
Effect of Oxygen Transmission Rate of Packaging Films on Color Stability of Vacuum Packaged Chicken Bologna

Abstract Chicken bologna slices were vacuum packaged in five packaging films with oxygen transmission rates of 2 to 55 cc O2 /m2 /24 hr. Samples were evaluated for changes in color during an 8-week storage period at 3 ± 1 C and 180 to 200 ft-c of continuous lighting. No significant (P>.05) color loss or fading of bologna redness was apparent from homogenate evaluations after 8 weeks of lighted display. A decrease in nitroso-heme pigment content of the total sample homogenate occurred, but this decrease was not related to color changes (Judd-Hunter L, a, b values). Surface lightness (L) of bologna slices was least affected by light exposure. Surface redness (+a) and the redness index (a/b ratio) significantly (P
Simulation Prototyping of an Experimental Solar House

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative analysis between an energy simulation model and an actual solar home. The case study used was the Team Missouri’s 2009 Solar Decathlon entry. The home was evaluated using the predicted data developed with the use of Energy-10 Version 1.8. The software simulates the energy use performance of building strategies ranging from building envelope and system efficiency options. The performance data used was collected during the 2009 Solar Decathlon competition. Results comparing energy efficient strategies, consumption and generation are explored with future implications discussed. Keywords: simulation and monitoring; energy analysis; solar decathlon; simulation-based control 1. Introduction The use of energy simulation software has increased significantly in the past ten years as consumers, engineers, and architects become more interested in applying energy conservation and efficiency techniques [1]. With the advances in energy simulation programs numerous research studies have been looking at ways to better predict building energy performance through the use of computer generated models [2–5]. Many different software packages exist such as Energy-10, EnergyPlus and Ecotect to perform this task, several of which have been developed within the Department of Energy [6].
Typology in Optimality Theory

The mechanism of constraint re-ranking basis makes Optimality Theory (OT) a typologically oriented theory of phonology. Permuting the prioritization of constraints on a language-specific basis generates a factorial typology of phonological patterns. Patterns generated by an optimality-theoretic account can be compared with the set of attested patterns found in languages of the world to determine how well the analysis fits the observed typology. The typological predictions of OT are constrained to a large extent by the grounding of markedness constraints in independent facts about speech articulation, perception, and processing. Nevertheless, comprehensive typological analyses within OT commonly overpredict the existence of apparently unattested patterns. These cases of overgeneration may stem from several sources: they may be pathologic, may reflect accidental gaps due to the paucity of a given phenomenon, or may be grounded in diachronic biases in speech perception or production. The phonetic underpinnings and factorial typology of three phenomena are discussed in this article: syllable structure, the distribution of contour tones, and the loci of laryngeal neutralization.
Epidemiology and Public Health Consequences of Methamphetamine Use in California's Central Valley

Methamphetamine use is an increasingly serious public health problem in California and other parts of the country. Despite sensationalistic media attention, however, very little is known about users of this clandestinely consumed drug. Employing methods known as Rapid Assessment and Response, the authors describe the epidemiology and public health implications of methamphetamine use in California's Central Valley, with a focus on Sacramento, which many social indicators suggest has been more severely affected by methamphetamine than any city in the nation. Data sources for this report include interviews with drug users, statistical reports, epidemiologic studies, and local informed expert opinion. In their social demography, methamphetamine users in the Central Valley are in marked contrast to those of coastal cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, being largely heterosexual, and of mixed racial/ethnic heritage. Three-quarters or more initiate their use of the drug while still in their teens, with more than a quarter beginning use before the age of 15. Many of these rapidly gravitate to regular use, and continue using well into their thirties. Methamphetamine users are at much higher risk of infection with HIV than opiate users, particularly if they inject. Partly because methamphetamine enhances libido, users of the drug typically also have many more sexual partners. Not surprisingly, data indicate that methamphetamine users are more likely than heroin users to be HIV-infected. Methamphetamine appears to be less of a street drug than heroin, complicating efforts at street outreach. However, because it is typically used in social settings, a social or diffusion approach to HIV prevention might be particularly promising.
Joint Design and Test for the SCH

The NHMFL Series Connected Hybrid (SCH) magnet will provide an energy-efficient 36 T to the DC user facility by employing a 20 kA superconducting outsert coil in series with a resistive insert. The magnet outsert consists of three concentric layer-wound sub-coils using three different grades of Nb3Sn Cable-in-Conduit Conductors (CICC). The electrical joints in the superconducting outsert require low DC resistance to minimize the refrigeration requirement at the operational 4.5 K temperatures and low AC losses to ensure good stability against ramping operation required by the users. There are four internal splice joints in the outsert, which are Nb3Sn to Nb3Sn joints with the same design configuration. There are another two terminal joints between the Nb3Sn outsert and the two NbTi buslines, which connect the outsert terminals to the two current leads. The two Nb3Sn to NbTi terminal joints are of identical configurations. All of the joints will be praying-hands configuration with an operation current of 20 kA. The R&D for the joins has been carried out at the NHMFL. The joints design and test results are discussed in this article.
Improving follow-up in hospitalised children

Objective To improve the clinic follow-up rate of paediatric inpatients in a tertiary care hospital. Patients and methods Inpatients who received pulmonary consultations from July 2007 to June 2008 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center were eligible for this quality-improvement project. Multiple interventions were introduced to improve follow-up in our subspecialty clinic. A χ2 test for association was used to assess the dependence between the clinic follow-up rate and the type of care coordination intervention. We hypothesised that generalisable care coordination interventions would result in improvements. Results Two hundred and eleven patients were included. Two interventions were independently associated with improvements in the hospital follow-up rate. When a reminder to follow-up in the pulmonary clinic was inserted into the hospital discharge summary (partial intervention), the clinic follow-up rate improved from 27% to 55%. When the follow-up appointments were made for the families, with the appointments' noted in the discharge summaries, and automated appointment reminder phone calls were provided (full intervention), the follow-up rate improved further from 55% to 80%. The full intervention, when compared with no intervention, improved the clinic follow-up rate from 27% to 80%. Conclusion Establishing clinic appointments for patients and providing appointment reminders increases the hospital follow-up rate for hospitalised children in outpatient clinics.
The Role of Organosulfur Compounds Derived From Allium Vegetables in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are a group of small molecules commonly present in Allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions chives, and shallots that have garnered scientific interest for their noted health benefits. OSCs have been evaluated for their potential to prevent or treat major diseases including cancer. Epidemiological evidence of inverse association between increased intake of Allium vegetables and cancer risk is now substantiated by animal studies wherein true causal relationships between OSCs and cancer prevention have been found. This chapter summarizes the chemistry, metabolism, and bioavailability of commonly studied OSCs and the latest developments regarding their anticarcinogenic effects in cell culture and animal models. Data pertinent to clinical trials assessing safety and anticancer efficacy of OSCs are also discussed.
How to Define Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

Hypertension is an important risk factor for myocardial infarction and for cerebrovascular disease in adults.1 In adults, there is evidence linking specific levels of blood pressure with adverse cardiovascular outcomes leading to the definition of 140/90 mm Hg as the almost universally accepted cut point to determine blood pressure elevation. Using that definition, >70 million adults in the United States and >1 billion adults worldwide have hypertension.2 It has also been clearly demonstrated that lowering blood pressure leads to reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease, as well as heart failure and chronic renal disease,3 and although the goal blood pressure for those adults who are treated has been controversial, the most recent Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) results suggest that reduction of systolic blood pressure to <120 mm Hg is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality compared with a systolic blood pressure goal of 140 mm Hg.4 Article see p 398 It appears that the level of blood pressure is also important for children and adolescents. It has been shown that blood pressure levels tend to track over time, meaning that a child or adolescent who has high blood pressure relative to their peers at one age is likely to also have higher blood pressure compared with peers at older ages.5 It has also been shown that adolescents with high blood pressure already have evidence of early target organ disease, including left ventricular hypertrophy and …
A Brief Treatise on the Area Under the Curve

This chapter briefly discusses the pharmacologic parameter, commonly referred to as the Area Under the Curve, that describes the distribution and elimination of drugs from the body.
Influence of Manatees' Diving on Their Risk of Collision with Watercraft.

Watercraft pose a threat to endangered Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Mortality from watercraft collisions has adversely impacted the manatee population’s growth rate, therefore reducing this threat is an important management goal. To assess factors that contribute to the risk of watercraft strikes to manatees, we studied the diving behavior of nine manatees carrying GPS tags and time–depth recorders in Tampa Bay, Florida, during winters 2002–2006. We applied a Bayesian formulation of generalized linear mixed models to depth data to model the probability (Pt) that manatees would be no deeper than 1.25 m from the water’s surface as a function of behavioral and habitat covariates. Manatees above this threshold were considered to be within striking depth of a watercraft. Seventy-eight percent of depth records (individual range 62–86%) were within striking depth (mean = 1.09 m, max = 16.20 m), illustrating how vulnerable manatees are to strikes. In some circumstances manatees made consecutive dives to the bottom while traveling, even in areas >14 m, possibly to conserve energy. This is the first documentation of potential cost-efficient diving behavior in manatees. Manatees were at higher risk of being within striking depth in shallow water (<0.91 m), over seagrass, at night, and while stationary or moving slowly; they were less likely to be within striking depth when ≤50 m from a charted waterway. In shallow water the probability of a manatee being within striking depth was 0.96 (CI = 0.93–0.98) and decreased as water depth increased. The probability was greater over seagrass (Pt = 0.96, CI = 0.93–0.98) than over other substrates (Pt = 0.73, CI = 0.58–0.84). Quantitative approaches to assessing risk can improve the effectiveness of manatee conservation measures by helping identify areas for protection.
Theodore Roosevelt Chloroforming Uncle Sam “In the Hopeless Ward”

In March of 1905 in Judge magazine, Louis Dalrymple published his political cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt chloroforming "Uncle Sam." Having sampled a host of Democratic remedies, the 125-year-old Sam can expect that Roosevelt's chloroform will either cure him with major Republican surgery or kill him with Osler-linked euthanasia.
Factors Associated With Emergency Department Visits: A Multistate Analysis of Adult Fee-for-Service Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the association of patient- and county-level factors with the emergency department (ED) visits among adult fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid benefi...
Adenosine A2-receptor activation inhibits neutrophil-mediated injury to coronary endothelium.

Adenosine (ADO) attenuates polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-mediated damage, partly by inhibiting superoxide anion (O 2 -. ) generation and PMN adherence to the coronary artery endothelium. This study tests the hypothesis that the antineutrophil effects of ADO are mediated by A 2 -receptor activation. Isolated canine PMN were activated by 100 nM platelet-activating factor (PAF). Compared with untreated activated PMN (100%), ADO attenuated O 2 - . production (46 ± 9% of activated PMN), which was mimicked by the A 2 agonist CGS-21680 (50 ± 6% of activated PMN), unaltered by A 1 -selective antagonism with KW-3902 in the presence of ADO (40 ± 7%), but blocked by combined A 1 -A 2 blockade with 8-p-sulfophenyl theophylline (8-SPT, 94 ± 14%). ADO reduced adherence of fluorescent PMN to endothelial surfaces of isolated canine coronary artery segments from 174 ± 12 to 29 ± 9/mm 2 (P < 0.01), which was unaltered by A 1 antagonism (35 ± 7/mm 2 ) but was reversed by 8-SPT (150 ± 11/mm 2 ). CGS-21680 inhibited adherence (48 ± 8/mm 2 ), comparable to that of ADO. Canine coronary artery rings were incubated with activated PMN to induce injury to the endothelium. The concentration of drug required to elicit 50% of maximal relaxation (-log M) derived from dose-relaxation responses to acetylcholine in PMN-damaged rings was significantly (P < 0.05) less in ADO-treated (6.88 ± 0.08) and CGS-21680-treated (7.12 ± 0.09) rings than untreated rings (6.54 ± 0.10). This protection with ADO was reversed by inclusion of 8-SPT (6.49 ± 0.12) but not KW-3902 (6.96 ± 0.07). We conclude that ADO reduces PMN-induced coronary endothelial injury by A 2 -receptor-mediated inhibition of O 2 -. generation and adherence.
Supplementation of ammoniated wheat straw: performance and forage utilization characteristics in beef cattle receiving energy and protein supplements.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate performance and forage utilization characteristics of beef cattle fed ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) unsupplemented except for minerals or supplemented with energy and protein. In Exp. 1, 194 crossbred beef cows (BW = 472 kg) in late gestation were allotted by weight, breed type, and age during two consecutive winters to 12 drylot pens (three pens/treatment) for a 60-d feeding trial. The AWS (3% NH3 wt/wt) was tubground through a 7.6-cm screen, and cows were allowed ad libitum access to the AWS. In Exp. 2, 16 ruminally fistulated Angus x Hereford steers (BW = 300 kg) were blocked by weight and randomized to treatments in a 35-d intake-digestion trial. Daily supplementation treatments in both experiments were Control, no supplemental energy or protein; LSG, 1.36 kg of sorghum grain (SG); HSG, 2.72 kg of SG; and SG + SBM, 1.02 kg of SG + .34 kg of soybean meal (SBM). All animals received .23 kg of mineral mixture formulated to meet a pregnant cow's mineral requirements. Supplements LSG and SG + SBM were fed to provide the same daily ME, and HSG and SG + SBM were fed to provide the same daily CP. Cows were managed as one group during and after calving. In Exp. 1, all supplements increased gain (P less than .01) vs Control, and cows fed SG + SBM had higher (P = .05) gains than those fed LSG. The SG + SBM supplement increased (P less than .01) change in cow body condition score compared with LSG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)