cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of lovastatin therapy on very-low-density lipoprotein triglyceride metabolism in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia: Evidence for reduced assembly and secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

We have previously reported decreased production rates of the major apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins, very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in patients with combined hyperlipidemia (CHL) during treatment with lovastatin. In the present study, we determined the effects of lovastatin therapy on VLDL triglyceride (TG) metabolism. Plasma VLDL turnover was determined in six CHL patients, before and during lovastatin therapy. 3H-triglyceride-glycerol-specific activity data derived from injection of 3H-glycerol were analyzed by compartmental modeling. The effects of lovastatin on VLDL TG metabolism were compared with those previously determined on VLDL apoB metabolism in these subjects. Lovastatin therapy was associated with decreased concentrations of VLDL TG in five of six patients and decreased VLDL apoB concentrations in all six. VLDL TG production rates (PR) decreased in five patients, with the mean for the group decreasing from 14.1 ± 7.1 to 10.3 ± 4.0 mg/kg/h (P < .05). VLDL apoB PR also decreased in five patients, with the mean decreasing from 21.8 ± 20.3 to 12.2 ± 9.0 mg/kg/d (P = .11). Changes in VLDL TG concentrations during lovastatin treatment were correlated with changes in VLDL apoB concentrations (r = .74, P = .09) and in VLDL TG PR (r = .91, P = .01). Changes in VLDL TG PR were also related to changes in VLDL apoB PR (r = .62, P = NS). There were no consistent changes in the fractional catabolic rates of either VLDL TG or VLDL apoB during lovastatin therapy. These findings suggest that, in CHL patients, reductions in VLDL TG concentrations during lovastatin therapy are usually associated with decreased VLDL TG PR, and these effects parallel concomitant reductions in VLDL apoB PR. Taken together with our previous finding of reduced total apoB secretion into plasma during lovastatin treatment, these results support the hypothesis that the overall hypolipidemic effects of lovastatin in patients with CHL are due to decreased assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins.
Evolution of lunar polar ice stability

Abstract The polar regions of the Moon and Mercury both have permanently shadowed environments, potentially capable of harboring ice (cold traps). While cold traps are likely to have been stable for nearly 4 Gyr on Mercury, this has not been the case for the Moon. Roughly 3 ± 1 Gya, when the Moon is believed to have resided at approximately half of its current semimajor axis, lunar obliquities have been calculated to have reached as high as 77°. At this time, lunar polar temperatures were much warmer and cold traps did not exist. Since that era, lunar obliquity has secularly decreased, creating environments over approximately the last 1–2 Gyr where ice could be stable (assuming near current recession rates). We argue that the paucity of ice in the present lunar cold traps is evidence that no cometary impact has occurred in the past billion years that is similar to the one(s) which are thought to have delivered volatiles to Mercury’s poles. However, the present ice distribution may be compatible with a cometary impact if it occurred not in today’s lunar thermal environment, but in a past one. If ice were delivered during a past epoch, the distribution of ground ice would be dictated not by present day temperatures, but rather by these ancient, warmer, temperatures. In this paper, we attempt to recreate the thermal environments for past lunar orbital configurations to characterize the history of lunar environments capable of harboring ice. We will develop models of ice stability and mobility to examine likely fossil remains of past ice delivery (e.g. a comet impact) that could be observed on the present Moon. We attempt to quantify when in the Moon’s outward evolution areas first became stable for ice deposition and when ice mobility would have ceased.
Quantification of dopant concentrations in dilute magnetic semiconductors using ion beam techniques

Abstract It has recently been demonstrated that magnetically doped TiO2 and SnO2 show ferromagnetism at room temperature and Curie temperatures above room temperature. However, accurate knowledge of dopant concentrations is necessary to quantify magnetic moments in these materials. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is one of the powerful techniques to quantify magnetic transition-metal dopant concentrations in these materials. However, in some cases, the interference of RBS signals for different dopants and substrate elements in these materials makes analysis difficult. In this work, we demonstrate that particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) can be successfully used to quantify the magnetic transition-element dopants in several room temperature ferromagnetic materials synthesized using three different synthesis methods: oxygen plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy, ion implantation and wet chemical synthesis.
Subject Analysis of Theses and Dissertations: A Survey

A survey on subject analysis of theses/dissertations in print and electronic formats was sent to 280 academic libraries classified as Doctorate-granting Universities under the 2007 Carnegie Classification. Questions were asked about resources used in subject analysis, use of keywords and social tags, personnel involved in subject analysis, Subject Authority Cooperative Program membership, and problems encountered in subject analysis. A total of 205 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 73%. The survey results indicate that subject analysis was done by a large majority of respondents, with a number of comments expressed about challenges facing current subject-analysis practices.
Top executive compensation: Equity or excess? Implications for regaining American competitiveness

The debate over compensation packages for top executives is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the decoupling of CEO pay and organizational performance. A contrast is drawn between firms that are owner-controlled and those that are manager-controlled. Owner-controlled firms tend to be more market-driven. In manager-controlled firms, however, ownership can become diluted to the point where decisions may not always be in the best interest of shareholders. The process of determining CEO compensation packages is examined, and special attention is given to the handling of stock options. In order to stem the threat of increased government intervention, suggestions are made for increasing the leverage of compensation committees and of shareholders in general.
The submillimeter-wave spectrum of (O-16)(O-18)

In order to aid in the interstellar identification of molecular oxygen via its (O-16)(O-18) isotopic species, the frequencies of four rotational fine-structure lines of (O-16)(O-18) have been measured at frequencies ranging from 298 to 464 GHz. The line with the highest intensity and consequent best chance of astronomical detection lies at 401739.823 MHz. Its magnetic dipole strength is somewhat more than half that of the previously measured strong line at 233946.179 MHz.
Adjusting survival estimates for premature transmitter failure: a case study from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

In telemetry studies, premature tag failure causes negative bias in fish survival estimates because tag failure is interpreted as fish mortality. We used mark-recapture modeling to adjust estimates of fish survival for a previous study where premature tag failure was documented. High rates of tag failure occurred during the Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan’s (VAMP) 2008 study to estimate survival of fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during migration through the San Joaquin River and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California. Due to a high rate of tag failure, the observed travel time distribution was likely negatively biased, resulting in an underestimate of tag survival probability in this study. Consequently, the bias-adjustment method resulted in only a small increase in estimated fish survival when the observed travel time distribution was used to estimate the probability of tag survival. Since the bias-adjustment failed to remove bias, we used historical travel time data and conducted a sensitivity analysis to examine how fish survival might have varied across a range of tag survival probabilities. Our analysis suggested that fish survival estimates were low (95% confidence bounds range from 0.052 to 0.227) over a wide range of plausible tag survival probabilities (0.48–1.00), and this finding is consistent with other studies in this system. When tags fail at a high rate, available methods to adjust for the bias may perform poorly. Our example highlights the importance of evaluating the tag life assumption during survival studies, and presents a simple framework for evaluating adjusted survival estimates when auxiliary travel time data are available.
Signal Transduction 2:Hyperoxia regulates the degradation of the circadian protein Rev-Erba: Implications for cytoprotection

Peroxiredoxins (Prx) are abundant, multifunctional antioxidant proteins with important roles in protecting against oxidative stress, ageing and cancer. The thioredoxin peroxidase activity of eukaryotic typical 2Cys Prx detoxifies hydrogen peroxide, but, enigmatically, is highly sensitive to inactivation by peroxide-induced hyperoxidation of a catalytic cysteine residue. It has been proposed that hyperoxidation might allow hydrogen peroxide to act as a signal and/or promote an alternative activity of Prx as a chaperone. However, any advantage to be gained by inhibiting the thioredoxin peroxidase activity and preventing Prx from removing peroxides under oxidative stress conditions has remained obscure. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe contains a single 2-Cys Prx, Tpx1, which we have identified as the major substrate for the thioredoxin Trx1. Accordingly, we find Tpx1 competitively inhibits the activity of Trx1 towards other substrates, such as the AP-1-like transcription factor, Pap1, and the methionine sulphoxide reductase, MsrA. Consequently, we demonstrate that the oxidative inactivation of the thioredoxin peroxidase activity of Tpx1 (i) prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidation of thioredoxin, Pap1 and MsrA, (ii) allows repair of oxidative protein damage, and (iii) is important for maintaining cell viability following exposure to toxic levels of hydrogen peroxide. In summary, we propose that an important function for the reversible hyperoxidation of 2-Cys Prx is to regulate the redox status of thioredoxin and thus thioredoxinmediated signalling and repair processes. We will present data to support this conclusion including data revealing the important impact of these mechanisms for the activation of a p38-related MAPK by oxidative stress.
Effects of atrial and ventricular tachycardia on systemic and coronary circulations, and myocardial oxygen consumption in control dogs and in dogs with adrenergic blockade

Atrial or ventricular tachycardia caused markedly greater cardiovascular deteriorations in dogs with adrenergic blockade than in control dogs. This is because the reflex stimulation of the beta adrenergic receptors in the heart plays an important role in the compensatory cardiovascular regulation during tachycardia.
On Models of Commercial Fishing

1. A fishery resource, although conceivably exhaustible, is replenishable; that is, it is subject to laws of natural growth which define an environmental biotechnological constraint on the activities of the fishing industry. 2. The resource and the activity of production from it form a stock-flow relationship. The new growth in the population fish mass depends upon the harvest rate relative to natural recruitment to the stock. If the harvest rate exceeds the recruitment rate, the stock declines, and vice versa. 3. The recovery or harvesting process is subject to various possible external effects all of which represent external diseconomies to the firm: (a) Resource stock externalities result if the cost of a fishing vessel's catch decreases as the population of fish increases. (b) Mesh externalities result if the mesh size (or other kinds of gear selectivity variables) affects not only the private costs and revenues of the fisherman but also the growth behavior of the fish population. (c) Crowding externalities occur if the fish population is sufficiently concentrated to cause vessel congestion over the fishing grounds and, thus, increased vessel operating costs for any given catch. All of these various types of externalities arise fundamentally because
Separation of Racemic Mixtures by Electrophoresis in a Strong Centrifugal or Magnetic Field

THE separation of racemic mixtures of optical isomers is still limited, with rare exceptions, to the methods of Pasteur. For this reason the resolution of substances which seem identical in the test-tube but are importantly different in biology usually proves to be difficult and expensive both in research and in the chemical industry.
Significant Motions between GPS Sites in the New Madrid Region: Implications for Seismic Hazard

Position time series from Global Positioning System (GPS) stations in the New Madrid region were differenced to determine the relative motions between sta- tions. Uncertainties in rates were estimated using a three-component noise model con- sisting of white, flicker, and random walk noise, following the methodology of Langbein, 2004. Significant motions of 0:37 0:07 (one standard error) mm/yr were found between sites PTGVand STLE, for which the baseline crosses the inferred deep portion of the Reelfoot fault. Baselines between STLE and three other sites also show significant motion. Site MCTY (adjacent to STLE) also exhibits significant motion with respect to PTGV. These motions are consistent with a model of interseismic slip of about 4 mm=yr on the Reelfoot fault at depths between 12 and 20 km. If constant over time, this rate of slip produces sufficient slip for an M 7.3 earthquake on the shallow portion of the Reelfoot fault, using the geologically derived recurrence time of 500 years. This model assumes that the shallow portion of the fault has been pre- viously loaded by the intraplate stress. A GPS site near Little Rock, Arkansas, shows significant southward motion of 0:3-0:4 mm=yr (0:08 mm=yr) relative to three sites to the north, indicating strain consistent with focal mechanisms of earthquake swarms in northern Arkansas.
Differences between the Wh -Scope-Marking and Wh -Copy Constructions in Passamaquoddy

Several phenomena in Passamaquoddy clearly distinguish wh-scope marking with ‘what’ from an apparently similar wh-copy construction. These facts argue for a theory of wh-scope marking like that in Bruening 2004 (based on Dayal 1994), where the embedded question is the syntactic and semantic restriction on the matrix wh-word ‘what’. The wh-copy construction, in contrast, is best analyzed as spelling out multiple copies of a long-distance movement chain. This copy theory is extended to scope marking with tan and comparatives in Passamaquoddy.
Evidence of white pine (Pinus subgenus Strobus) dominance from the Pliocene Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain.

Abstract Plant fossils from the Citronelle Formation provide a rare window into the Pliocene flora and climate of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain. Many of the taxa recovered to date inhabit the region today. However, analysis of Pinus pollen grains and fascicles indicates that the dominant pines were members of Pinus subgenus Strobus (i.e., “white pines”). The fascicles have a small, bulbous base lacking a sheath, and bear four or five long, slender needles. These features are typical of white pines. Although macrofossils are rare, 77 to 100% of the dispersed Pinus pollen grains from five localities have sacci continuous with the corpus and verrucae on the cappula, which are characteristics of white pines. This is remarkable, as the northeastern Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain today is devoid of white pines, and is instead considered a center of diversity for Pinus subgenus Pinus section Pinus subsection Australes. Today, Pinus strobus is the only white pine in the eastern North America and its southernmost distribution only extends into the mountains of Georgia, about 600 km north of the fossil sites. The historical biogeographic relationships of P. strobus to other North American forms are unclear. For example, its close relative, Pinus chiapensis, is present in northeastern Mexico and Central America. The current disjunction between P. strobus and P. chiapensis is 2400 km and includes an arid barrier to dispersal. P. chiapensis is also associated with several other species showing a similar biogeographic pattern. The fossils described here indicate that white pines were more widespread in North America in the recent geological past than previously thought, and imply possible connections between disjunct species that would not be suspected if only current species' ranges and ecological tolerances were considered.
DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS APPROACH TO MATERIAL DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS

In this paper, a dynamical systems approach to material damage identification is presented. This methodology does not depend on knowledge of the particular damage physics of material fatigue. Instead, it provides experimental means to determine what are practically observable and observed facts of damage accumulation, thus making it possible to develop or experimentally verify appropriate damage evolution laws. The procedure implicitly uses the fact that the system undergoing fatigue damage accumulation possesses time scale separation, where damage accumulation occurs on a much slower time scale than the observable dynamics of a system. Damage tracking is achieved using a two-time-scale modeling strategy based on phase space reconstruction. Fast-time oscillation data is collected and used to estimate a damage tracking function by calculating the short time reference model prediction error. Tracking metrics based on these estimates are used as feature vectors. Damage identification is achieved either by applying proper orthogonal decomposition or optimal tracking methods to these vectors. The method is experimentally validated using an elasto-magnetic system, in which a harmonically forced cantilever beam in a nonlinear magnetic field accumulates fatigue damage. The damage tracking results were virtually identical for both identification schemes. In both cases tracking data showed power-law type monotonic trends. These results were in good agreement with the Paris fatigue crack growth model during the time-period of macroscopic crack growth. In addition, the tracking provides much needed insight into the incipient or early damage accumulation process, where only one scalar damage variable is needed to describe the incipient or early damage accumulation process.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Management of hemodialysis access infections

Management of hemodialysis (HD) access infection is one of the most challenging and most common problems faced by surgeons, interventional radiologists, and nephrologists. The goal to eradicate infection is often at odds with the need to maintain access. Patients on HD are immunocompromised and typically have significant comorbid conditions placing them at high risk for the occurrence of access infection. Infection is most common with central-vein catheter access, followed by prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVG) and is rare with autogenous fistulas. The diagnosis is usually evident on physical exam, but it is not uncommon for these patients to present with atypical symptoms and lack of clinical findings. Although Staphylococcal species are the most common organism to cause infection, early empiric antimicrobial therapy should also include coverage for Gram-negative organisms. Management of central-vein catheter infection includes removal and delayed replacement or, in patients with mild clinical symptoms, catheter exchange over a guide wire. Our management of AVG infection includes total graft excision when patients present with sepsis or the entire graft is bathed in pus, subtotal graft excision when all of the graft is removed except a small oversewn cuff of prosthetic material on an underlying patent artery, and partial graft excision when only a limited infected portion of the graft is removed and a new graft is rerouted in adjacent sterile tissue to maintain patency of the original graft. This strategy has proven to be highly successful in the management of these complicated cases.
Ray-Based Data Level Comparisons of Direct Volume Rendering Algorithms

We present a new method for comparing direct volume rendering (DVR) algorithms. The motivations for this work are: the prevalence of DVR algorithms that produce slightly different images from the same data set and viewing parameters, and the limitations of existing image level comparison methods. In this paper, we describe and demonstrate the effectiveness of several ray-based metrics for data level comparison of direct volume rendering (DVR) algorithms. Unlike other papers on DVR, the focus of this paper is not on speed ups from approximations or implementations with parallel or specialized hardware, but rather on methods for comparison. However, unlike image level comparisons, where the starting point is 2D images, the main distinction of data level comparison is the use of intermediate 3D information to produce the individual pixel values during the rendering process. In addition to identifying the location and extent of differences in DVR images, these data level comparisons allow us to explain why these differences arise from different DVR algorithms. Because of the rich variety of DVR algorithms, finding a common framework for developing data level comparison metrics is one of the main challenges and contribution of this paper. In this paper, we report on how ray tracing can be used as a common framework for comparing a class of DVR algorithms.
Design and Implementation of Network Performance Aware Applications Using SAGA and Cactus

This paper demonstrates the use of appropriate programming abstractions - SAGA and cactus - that facilitate the development of applications for distributed infrastructure. SAGA provides a high-level programming interface to Grid- functionality; Cactus is an extensible, component based framework for scientific applications. We show how SAGA can be integrated with cactus to develop simple, useful and easily extensible applications that can be deployed on a wide variety of distributed infrastructure, independent of the details of the resources. Our model application can gather and analyze network performance data and migrate across heterogeneous resources. We outline the architecture of our application and discuss how it imparts important features required of eScience applications. As a proof-of-concept, we present details of the successful deployment of our application over distinct and heterogeneous Grids and present the network performance data gathered. We also discuss several interesting use cases for such an application - which can be used either as stand-alone network diagnostic agent, or in conjunction with more complex scientific applications.
Stereotactic radiation therapy can safely and durably control sites of extra-central nervous system oligoprogressive disease in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer patients receiving crizotinib.

Purpose To analyze the durability and toxicity of radiotherapeutic local ablative therapy (LAT) applied to extra-central nervous system (eCNS) disease progression in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods and Materials Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive NSCLC patients receiving crizotinib and manifesting ≤4 discrete sites of eCNS progression were classified as having oligoprogressive disease (OPD). If subsequent progression met OPD criteria, additional courses of LAT were considered. Crizotinib was continued until eCNS progression was beyond OPD criteria or otherwise not suitable for further LAT. Results Of 38 patients, 33 progressed while taking crizotinib. Of these, 14 had eCNS progression meeting OPD criteria suitable for radiotherapeutic LAT. Patients with eCNS OPD received 1-3 courses of LAT with radiation therapy. The 6- and 12-month actuarial local lesion control rates with radiation therapy were 100% and 86%, respectively. The 12-month local lesion control rate with single-fraction equivalent dose >25 Gy versus ≤25 Gy was 100% versus 60% ( P =.01). No acute or late grade >2 radiation therapy-related toxicities were observed. Median overall time taking crizotinib among those treated with LAT versus those who progressed but were not suitable for LAT was 28 versus 10.1 months, respectively. Patients continuing to take crizotinib for >12 months versus ≤12 months had a 2-year overall survival rate of 72% versus 12%, respectively ( P Conclusions Local ablative therapy safely and durably eradicated sites of individual lesion progression in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive NSCLC patients receiving crizotinib. A dose–response relationship for local lesion control was observed. The suppression of OPD by LAT in patients taking crizotinib allowed an extended duration of exposure to crizotinib, which was associated with longer overall survival.
Simulators of superconductor critical current: Design, characteristics, and applications

The superconductor simulator is an electronic circuit that emulates the extremely nonlinear voltage-current characteristic (the basis of a critical-current measurement) of a superconductor along with its other major electrical properties. Three different types of simulators have been constructed: the passive, active, and hybrid simulator. TTie passive simulator has the fewest circuit components and offers the least amount of versatility, while the active and hybrid simulators offer more versatility and consequently have more components. Design, characteristics, and applications of the superconductor simulator along with a summary of features are presented. These simulators are hi^ precision instruments, and are thus useful for establishing the integrity of part of a superconductor measurement system. They are potentially useful for testing the measurement method and data acquisition and analysis routines. The 50 A simulator provides critical-current precision of 0.1% at a 1 \LV signal. This is significantly higher than the precision of a superconducting standard reference material. The superconductor simulator could significantly benefit superconductor measurement applications that require high-precision quality assurance.
Rapid screening of 35 new psychoactive substances by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QTOF‐MS)

The recent propagation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has led to the development of new techniques for the rapid characterization of controlled substances in this category. A commercial bench-top ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with a (63) Ni ionization source and a direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) were used for the rapid characterization of 35 NPS. The advantages of these techniques are fast response, ease of operation, and minimal sample preparation. The characteristic reduced mobilities of each substance are reported as are the mass spectra of the 35 compounds. The acquired product ion scan mass spectra were also compared to a library database constructed by QTOF with a electrospray ionization (ESI) source and showed a consistent relative abundance for each peak over time. A total of four seized drug samples provided by the local forensic laboratory were analyzed in order to demonstrate the utility of this approach. The results of this study suggest that both IMS and DART-QTOF are promising alternatives for the rapid screening and characterization of these new psychoactive substances.
"Without a Net": CBT Without Medications for an Adult With ADHD

It is currently recognized that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists into adulthood for more than half of affected individuals. ADHD in adulthood is associated with impairments in most adult roles. Medications are considered an effective treatment for the core symptoms of ADHD. Adjunctive psychosocial treatment, primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is efficacious in cases of residual symptoms and impairments. However, a minority of adults with ADHD may not be able to take medications due to medical contraindications, nonresponse, or intolerable side effects. The goal of this article is to discuss the case of an adult with ADHD who is unable to take medications for ADHD due to cardiac risk. The patient sought a course of CBT for adult ADHD to address difficulties he experienced at work and in his home life. His case illustrates the challenges of and opportunities for CBT for adult ADHD without medications.
Is a Powerful CEO Good or Bad for Shareholders

Americans tend to admire powerful leaders. Powerful leaders are seen as exerting influence over their organizations and shaping outcomes around them. CEO power can be exercised across a wide spectrum of decisions, including those regarding corporate strategy, operations, acquisitions, organizational design, culture, and governance.However, it is not clear the extent to which having a powerful CEO is beneficial to an organization. CEO power can be positive or negative, depending how it is manifested and how it is exercised.We examine this topic in greater detail, and ask: Are shareholders better or worse off with a powerful CEO? Where should the board draw the line between giving its CEO discretion and providing appropriate oversight? How much power is too much power?Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Characterization of Human Metapneumovirus F Protein-Promoted Membrane Fusion: Critical Roles for Proteolytic Processing and Low pH

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a recently described human pathogen of the pneumovirus subfamily within the paramyxovirus family. HMPV infection is prevalent worldwide and is associated with severe respiratory disease, particularly in infants. The HMPV fusion protein (F) amino acid sequence contains features characteristic of other paramyxovirus F proteins, including a putative cleavage site and potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Propagation of HMPV in cell culture requires exogenous trypsin, which cleaves the F protein, and HMPV, like several other pneumoviruses, is infectious in the absence of its attachment protein (G). However, little is known about HMPV F-promoted fusion, since the HMPV glycoproteins have yet to be analyzed separately from the virus. Using syncytium and luciferase reporter gene fusion assays, we determined the basic requirements for HMPV F protein-promoted fusion in transiently transfected cells. Our data indicate that proteolytic cleavage of the F protein is a stringent requirement for fusion and that the HMPV G protein does not significantly enhance fusion. Unexpectedly, we also found that fusion can be detected only when transfected cells are treated with trypsin and exposed to low pH, indicating that this viral fusion protein may function in a manner unique among the paramyxoviruses. We also analyzed the F protein cleavage site and three potential N-linked glycosylation sites by mutagenesis. Mutations in the cleavage site designed to facilitate endogenous cleavage did so with low efficiency, and our data suggest that all three N-glycosylation sites are utilized and that each affects cleavage and fusion to various degrees.
Online Identity Construction and Expectation of Future Interaction

While the growing popularity of social network sites (SNSs) reflects a desire for individuals to move their offline networks to an online space, there are a number of organizational and social settings in which online interactions precede offline meetings. When this happens, interactants may only have limited information about their partners on which to make judgments. Avatars can provide important cues to a person's identity, such as likes, appearance, or personality. The present study tests whether the type of anticipated future interaction (i.e., online or face-to-face) moderates the avatar creation process. Findings from an experiment indicate that any expectation of future interaction impacts attractiveness and similarity ratings of an avatar in comparison to the self, while text- based avatar descriptions vary according to the modality of expected future interaction. Results are discussed as they apply to hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication [3].
Versatile non-contact micro-manipulation method using rotational flows locally induced by magnetic microrobots

We present a versatile non-contact micromanipulation approach using the rotational flows locally induced by rotation of spherical magnetic microrobots in liquid environments. Micro-scale objects in close vicinity to the rotating microrobot are trapped inside the induced rotational flows and carried along with the robot as it translates on a planar surface by rotational motion. The proposed approach can handle a wide range of object sizes, and manipulate objects larger than the robot and significantly denser than water. Trapping and transport of individual human myeloid leukemia cells and swimming flagellated bacteria using this method has also been demonstrated. The proposed approach requires no special surface pattern or spatial structure, and hence is directly compatible with existing microfluidic devices.
Immunohistochemical analysis using a BRAF V600E mutation specific antibody is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is usually diagnosed by morphology and flow cytometry studies. However, it is challenging sometimes to distinguish HCL from its mimics. Recently, the BRAF V600E mutation has been described as a disease-defining molecular marker for HCL which is present in nearly all cases of HCL but virtually absent in mimics of HCL. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using immunohistochemical detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein to differentiate HCL from its mimics. A total of twenty-eight FFPE tissue specimens were studied, including HCL (n=12), HCL variant (HCL-v, n=3), splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL, n=6), and other marginal zone lymphomas (MZL, n=7). Immunohistochemical studies were performed using a mouse monoclonal antibody (clone VE1, Spring Bioscience, CA) specific for BRAF V600E mutation. Molecularly confirmed BRAF V600E mutation positive and negative cases were used as the positive and negative controls respectively. All 12 cases of HCL showed cytoplasmic BRAF V600E protein expression in leukemia cells by immunohistochemical study regardless of tumor burden, whereas all cases of HCL mimics including HCL-v, SMZL, and MZL were negative for BRAF V600E protein. Using this BRAF V600E mutation specific antibody, this immunohistochemical study has 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnosis of HCL in our cohort. In conclusion, immunohistochemical detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of HCL. Compared to PCR or sequencing-based methodologies, immunohistochemistry is a relatively rapid and inexpensive alternative for the differential diagnosis between HCL and its mimics.
Expression, functional analysis, and in situ hybridization of a cloned rat kidney collecting duct water channel

The cloning and expression of an apical membrane water channel from rat kidney collecting duct (WCH-CD) homologous to a 28-kDa integral membrane protein (CHIP28) was reported recently (K. Fushimi, S. Uchida, Y. Hara, Y. Hirata, F. Marumo, and S. Sasaki. Nature Lond. 361: 549-552, 1993). We obtained an approximately 1.8-kilobase clone from a rat kidney lambda gt10 cDNA library by a polymerase chain reaction cloning method; whereas the coding sequence (814 base pairs, predicted protein size 29 kDa) was identical to that reported, we identified an in-frame ATG codon at base pair -123 predicting a protein size of 33 kDa. On Northern blots probed by cDNAs corresponding to the WCH-CD coding sequence (base pairs +1 to +814) or 5'-untranslated sequence (-403 to -16), a single band at 1.9 kilobases was observed in kidney medulla greater than in cortex but not in other tissues; mRNA expression was increased strongly by dehydration. Translation and oocyte expression studies were performed to identify the translation start site. The short (base pairs +1 to +814) and long (base pairs -123 to +814) cDNAs were subcloned in vector pSP64 containing the 5'-untranslated Xenopus globin sequence upstream to the ATGs; a 30-base pair c-myc sequence was engineered at the COOH- terminal for antibody recognition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Academic Productivity of Interventional Pulmonology Training Programs

Rationale: The Hirsch index (h-index) has been validated as a measure of academic productivity and may be an appropriate tool to assess the scholarly activity of interventional pulmonology (IP).Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the factors associated with increasing h-index scores among IP training programs.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of IP training programs across the United States and Canada. Data, including their respective h-index, number of publications, academic rank, geographic location, and possession of an advanced degree, were collected on IP faculty and fellows from 23 teaching institutions.Measurements and Main Results: Ninety-three IP physicians (48 faculty, 45 fellows) in all were included in the study from 23 institutions with a total of 101 data points. The faculty h-index mean was 3.88. The proportion of faculty with an h-index greater than the mean value was increased significantly with higher academic rank (P < 0.0001). In addition, physicians holding an advan...
A comparative study of measurement-based Thevenin equivalents identification methods

With the development of phasor measurement units (PMU), real-time voltage stability monitoring techniques using phasor measurements have been widely discussed in the past decade. For various measurement-based techniques, the fundamental idea behind them is to identify the Thevenin equivalents (TE) of the outer system seen from the nodes/areas of interests, and then assess the voltage stability margin based on the equivalent circuits. Therefore, fast and accurate identification of the TE is crucial for such online monitoring applications. Though several identification methods have been proposed claiming to achieve good performance, they have not been explicitly compared with each other. This work presents an analogous comparative study of four different methods. After a brief introduction, the four methods are compared in the aspects of time complexity and measurement needed by using an algorithm analysis. Then they are tested on the measurements generated from time domain simulations of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) 140-bus system. Following the case study, a detailed performance analysis is given, and the results can serve as a general guidance on choosing the TE identification methods and the corresponding parameters. Keywords—adaptive (AD) method, coupled single-port circuit (CP), least squares (LS) method, phasor measurement unit (PMU), Tellegen’s theorem (TT), Thevenin equivalent identification, voltage stability assessment
Virtue and the Altruistic Personality

This paper applies the concept of virtue to an analysis of theory and research pertaining to the altruistic personality. Five primary virtues are considered: temperance, fortitude, justice, charity, prudence. The virtues are presented as the personality structure underlying altruistic motivation and behavior. Available evidence indicating a possible relationship between each of the virtues and altruistic behavior is reviewed. Sorokin's scheme of five dimensions of love is used to analyze the relationship between each of the virtues and altruistic behavior in different social situations. The advantages of viewing the altruistic personality from the perspective of the virtues is discussed.
Maze Performance, Emotionality, Audiogenic Seizure Susceptibility in Rats and Mice Treated with 2-Dimethylaminoethanol

SummaryRats and mice when given 0.1% and 1.0% solutions of 2-dimethylamino-ethanol (DMAE) to drink for prolonged periods showed either a decrement or no improvement in maze performance. They exhibited increased emotionality as measured by the Stone and Anderson tests. Rats given 160 mg/day were subject to frequent spontaneous epileptiform seizures. Inbred (A-strain) mice when tested for susceptibility to audiogenic seizures showed more intense attacks with shorter latent periods while on DMAE. The decremental effect of DMAE upon maze performance was interpreted as a secondary effect of increased emotionality and/or epileptiform seizures. The facilitatory effect upon audiogenic seizure susceptibility is interpreted as due probably to stimulation of the brain stem reticular formation.
The finding analysis of TB/HIV double infection patients after China Global Fund end in Henan provience

Objeetive To evealuate the influence situation to Henan provience TB/HIV prevention and cure after Global Fund Item(GF) end.Methods TB/HIV data collected through China Information System for Disease Control TB Information System between 2012 and 2013,were analyzed with Chi-square test for finding the difference in finding rates between the GF counties and key counties.Results The finding rate of TB/HIV patients is on obvious difference in 2012 and 2013(x2=0.33,P0.05).The finding rate of TB/HIV patients is on obvious difference between the GF counties and key counties(x2=2.37,P0.05).The finding rate of TB/HIV patients is obvious difference between the no-GF counties and no-key counties(x2=4.12,P0.05).Conclusions After GF item end,the work of The finding rate of TB/HIV patients is not decline for GF item have been generalized in Henan provience.and the work of The finding rate of TB/HIV patients have been strengthen in no-key counties.
Instrumental Perforations of the Esophagus

Esophageal perforations occurred in 33 (0.4 percent) of 8,038 patients who underwent peroral gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures at the Mayo Clinic from 1961 through 1967. Esophagoscopy was the procedure most often responsible. Perforations of the cervical portion of the esophagus were more common, but less serious than perforations of the thoraco-abdominal portion. Cervical perforations resulted from technical problems related to the endoscopic procedure or from unfavorable physical characteristics of the patient. Thoraco-abdominal perforations occurred at the site of benign or malignant esophageal strictures and were caused by excessive dilation, dilation without a satisfactory guide, or bougienage or biopsy beyond visual range. The most helpful diagnostic tests were roentgenographic examinations of the neck or thorax, including contrast studies of the esophagus. Results were best when treatment was initiated promptly and pursued aggressively, with use of antibiotics, surgical drainage, and elimination of esophageal obstruction.
The Floor and Voting

When the gavel fell late in the afternoon of Sunday, March 21, 2010, the House had passed the Senate version of a comprehensive health care reform bill with a final tally of 219 yeas and 212 nays. Democrats and their supporters celebrated while Republicans pledged to try to repeal or prevent implementation of the law. The vote marked the end of a months-long legislative and political struggle as House and Senate Democrats attempted to find a way to enact one of President Obama's signature issues from the 2008 campaign. The bill's provisions promised to drastically remake the country's health care system, providing a means of coverage for uninsured Americans and requiring all Americans to carry health insurance. The final bill was the result of numerous compromises and many hours of delicate negotiations as the Democratic Party leadership sought to find a way to enact the bill over unified Republican opposition and the electoral fears of many Democrats. The debate and the details of the bill took many twists and turns throughout 2009 and early 2010. The final votes needed to pass the bill were not secured until President Obama promised to issue an executive order stating that the legislation would not undo existing restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortions, which gained the votes of Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) and several other pro-life Democrats. Democrats celebrated the victory as a major expansion of rights for all Americans, while Republicans decried it as an expensive and likely ineffective government intervention into the health care marketplace. Although the House vote described here was dramatic, there was little real doubt as to the outcome of the vote once the bill was brought to the floor. All the deals had been struck and the votes had been counted and re-counted. The proceedings were carefully choreographed with specific votes on specific amendments allowed while others were prohibited. This is not unusual, as both the House and Senate have developed elaborate committee and party systems that can take much of the policy-making process, deliberation, and compromises off the chamber floors and into more private settings.
Effects of doxorubicin on cardiac muscle subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic used in the treatment of a broad spectrum of malignancies. However, clinical use of DOX is highly limited by cumulative and irreversible cardiomyopathy that occurs following DOX treatment. The pathogenesis of DOX-induced cardiac muscle dysfunction is complex. However, it has been proposed that the etiology of this myopathy is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, as a result of the dose-dependent increase in the mitochondrial accumulation of DOX. In this regard, cardiac muscle possesses two morphologically distinct populations of mitochondria. Subsarcolemmal (SS) mitochondria are localized just below the sarcolemma, whereas intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondria are found between myofibrils. Mitochondria in both regions exhibit subtle differences in biochemical properties, giving rise to differences in respiration, lipid composition, enzyme activities and protein synthesis rates. Based on the heterogeneity of SS and IMF mitochondria, we hypothesized that acute DOX administration would have distinct effects on each cardiac mitochondrial subfraction. Therefore, we isolated SS and IMF mitochondria from the hearts of female Sprague-Dawley rats 48h after administration of DOX. Our results demonstrate that while SS mitochondria appear to accumulate greater amounts of DOX, IMF mitochondria demonstrate a greater apoptotic and autophagic response to DOX exposure. Thus, the divergent protein composition and function of the SS and IMF cardiac mitochondria result in differential responses to DOX, with IMF mitochondria appearing more susceptible to damage after DOX treatment.