cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor initiation and allograft vasculopathy progression and outcomes in heart transplant recipients.

AIMS Early studies from the 1990s have shown that statins improve survival and attenuate cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). However, little contemporary data are available on the incremental benefit of statins with the current use of new-generation immunosuppressive agents and the use of coronary intravascular ultrasound for assessment of CAV. We sought to investigate the effect of early statin (ES) as compared with late statin (LS) initiation after heart transplantation (HT) on long-term CAV progression and clinical outcomes in a large contemporary HT cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed a cohort of 409 adult HT recipients. CAV progression was assessed by serial coronary intravascular ultrasound volumetric measurements of the differences between baseline and last follow-up plaque volume (PV) and plaque index (PV/vessel volume ratio). CAV progression and clinical outcomes were compared between the ES ( 2 years after HT) groups. During a median follow-up of 8.2 years, ES resulted in significantly lower change (Δ) of plaque index (+3.8% ± 1.7% vs. +8.2% ± 3.6%; P = 0.0008) and PV (+0.8 ± 0.3 vs. +1.9 ± 1.2; P = 0.045) compared with LS group. In a Cox proportional hazards regression model and after adjustment for baseline characteristics, ES was associated with a 52% decreased risk of CAV-associated events (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.91; P = 0.025) and a 42% decreased risk of the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and CAV-associated events (hazard ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.91; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Early initiation of statin therapy after HT results in attenuated CAV progression as well as in decreased CAV-related events and mortality.
The economic value of bilingualism in the United States

Given that bilingual education has been under assault for most of its modern existence in the United States, many bilingual educators have acquiesced to transitional bilingual education: the use of...
Experiences of Gender Minority Youth With the Intrauterine System.

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the experience of menstruating adolescents identifying as male or gender nonconforming with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) as a method of menstrual suppression and compare to that of cisgender youth (CGY) using the LNG-IUS for noncontraceptive indications. Methods A retrospective chart review of gender minority youth (GMY), aged 12–22 years, who self-selected the 52 mg LNG-IUS for menstrual suppression between June 2014 and January 2018. GMY were then matched for age and time of insertion with CGY. Subjects were contacted by telephone to further explore LNG-IUS experience such as if the device was still in place, method satisfaction, current bleeding patterns, and for GMY improvement in menstrual distress. Results Thirty GMY had the LNG-IUS inserted during the study period, and 20 GMY were matched with CGY for age and time of insertion. GMY were significantly more likely to receive sedation for LNG-IUS insertion (50% vs. 15%, p = .04). Otherwise, the LNG-IUS experience was similar between groups, including mean number of telephone/office visit encounters for an LNG-IUS concern, expulsion and reinsertion rates, and need for additional medications to control bleeding. On average, the mean months of use was 14.5 ± 8.6 months in GMY and 14.6±11.5 in CGY (p = .97). LNG-IUS removal was documented in three (15%) of GMY and five (25%) of CGY. Improvement in menstrual distress was reported by 80% of GMY after the insertion of the LNG-IUS. Conclusions Overall experience with the LNG-IUS was similar for GMY and CGY, and menstrual distress and bleeding pattern improved in the majority of GMY who self-selected this method for menstrual suppression.
Lo que se llevó el Ciclón del 16 en la Cuba ciberpunk Underguater de Erick J. Mota

espanolLa novela Habana Underguater y los cuentos del universo Underguater, publicados por el autor cubano Erick J. Mota en la primera decada del siglo XXI, reflejan una forma diferente de hacer ciencia ficcion en Cuba, y proponen una reapropiacion y modernizacion de los mitos y las culturas transculturadas locales y caribenas, poniendo enfasis en las culturas y etnias de origen afrodescendiente. A traves de un ciberpunk —con “i” latina— (pero no segregado el experimento al estilo ciberpunk), el universo Underguater reflexiona sobre el pasado, el presente y el futuro distopicos de la isla caribena y se pone como ejemplo de las propuestas de muchos otros escritores del fantastico caribeno del siglo XXI. EnglishTogether, the novel Havana Underguater and the short stories of the Underguater universe, published by Cuban author Erick J. Mota in the first decade of the 21 st century, reflect a different way of writing science fiction in Cuba, and propose a re-appropriation and modernization of the—already transcultural —myths in the local and Caribbean societies, with special emphasis on those of African descent origin. Through a cyberpunk written with Latin i (but not limited to it), this Underguater universe reflects on the past, present and future dystopian possibilities on the Caribbean island, and joins the proposals of many other writers of the 21st century Caribbean fantastic.
Association between leukocyte telomere length and hostility in US army service members

Abstract Hostility is a common form of emotionally charged anger which can lead to maladaptive and unhealthy behaviors. Significant association between shortened telomeres and greater levels of hostility has been observed in civilian populations, but has not yet been comprehensively studied in military populations. Our study investigates the relationship between hostility, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in a sample of United States Army Special Operations personnel (n = 474) who deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan as part of combat operations. Hostility was measured with five items from the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). PTSD was determined using the PTSD Checklist (PCL) total score. The LTL was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods and regression analyses were conducted to determine the association of hostility and telomere length. PTSD subjects reported higher hostility scores compared with those without PTSD. Among the participants with PTSD, those with medium or high level of hostility had shorter LTL than those with low level hostility (P
Joseph F. Hair Jr.: My Friend and Coauthor for Fifty Years

This chapter focuses on the early days of Joe Hair’s academic career: the working environment, including a description of his student cohort and mentors, and provides insights into the foundation of Joe’s future success. In fact, the expression “necessity is the mother of invention” applies well. Rather than shying away from a problem, we worked together to turn a multivariate lemon into lemonade.
Building Collective Leadership Capacity: Lessons Learned from a University-Community Partnership

Nine deliberative civic engagement forums were convened using a community-driven framework in order to co-emerge what was required to make systemic change. In the context of these forums, we identified the perception community members had when approaching collective work, the dispositions they initially called upon when making-sense of collective action, and barriers that prevent collective work. The article concludes by offering a direction to attend to both individual and collective outcomes when working to deepen capacity of community to advance collective action.
Difficult Discharges to Skilled Nursing Facilities Attributed to Multiple Sclerosis Medications: An Observational Study.

Background:The costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and certain symptomatic treatments (ie, dalfampridine [DFP]) are high. Consolidated billing models require that me...
“Gaming the System”: Platform Paternalism and the Politics of Algorithmic Visibility:

As the logic of data-driven metrification reconfigures various realms of social and economic life, cultural workers—from journalists and musicians to photographers and social media content creators...
Solvothermal synthesis and solid-state characterization of metal-metal bonded tetracarboxylatoditechnetium(II,III) polymers

Abstract Investigations of solvothermal reactions with pertechnetate, [TcO4]−, have produced four new low-valent Tc extended metal atom chain (EMAC) complexes with multiple metal-metal bonds. The thermal reaction of potassium pertechnetate with glacial acetic acid, under in-situ hydrogen production from the decomposition of sodium borohydride, yields purple elongated crystals determined to be tetraacetato ditechnetium (II,III) acetate (1), [Tc2(O2CCH3)4(μ-O2CCH3]n. Compound 1 was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and its magnetic properties recorded between 10 and 300 K. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 indicates the Tc2+5 tetraacetato unit is linked by the carboxylate oxygens of the bridging acetate, similar to known chloride and bromide linkage polymers of composition [Tc2(μ-O2CCH3)4Cl]n, and [Tc2(μ-O2CCH3)4Br]n. Using the same synthetic method three similar compounds have been synthesized from propionic, benzoic and pivalic acid.
Macromolecular Targets of Antiparasitic Germacranolide Sesquiterpenoids: An In Silico Investigation.

BACKGROUND The parasitic protozoal infections leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases that pose serious health risks for much of the world's population. Current treatment options suffer from limitations, but plantderived natural products may provide economically advantageous therapeutic alternatives. Several germacranolide sesquiterpenoids have shown promising antiparasitic activities, but the mechanisms of activity have not been clearly established. OBJECTIVE The objective is to use in silico screening of known antiparasitic germacranolides against recognized protozoal protein targets in order to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of activity of these natural products. METHODS Conformational analyses of the germacranolides were carried out using density functional theory, followed by molecular docking. A total of 88 Leishmania protein structures, 86 T. brucei protein structures, and 50 T. cruzi protein structures were screened against 27 antiparasitic germacranolides. RESULTS The in-silico screening has revealed which of the protein targets of Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi are preferred by the sesquiterpenoid ligands.
DC/L-SIGNs of hope in the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a rapidly evolving pandemic such as COVID‐19, theories which help unify disparate pre‐clinical and clinical observations would be useful. The current pandemic and its pleotropic effects can be explained in part by interaction between SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein S, the ACE2/L‐SIGN/CD209 receptor on the type II alveolar cell of the lung, and the DC‐SIGN receptor on the respiratory dendritic cell (DC) and associated endothelial cells. Infection of the DC by SARS‐CoV‐2 can potentially explain the exuberant distal immunopathology seen in COVID‐19.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Economic values of coastal erosion management: joint estimation of use and existence values with recreation demand and contingent valuation data.

Abstract Revealed and stated preference survey data from North Carolina households are utilized to estimate structural micro-econometric models of recreation demand and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for coastal erosion management among beach visitors and non-visitors. We test for and reject weak complementarity, implying existence values associated with management of North Carolina’s beaches. We find stronger preferences for shoreline retreat (median WTP = $22.20 per household, per year) as a management strategy relative to beach nourishment (WTP = $7.91), and we find substantially weaker preferences for shoreline armoring (WTP = $0.09). Shoreline retreat exhibits much larger estimates of existence values, whereas existence values for shoreline armoring are negative. Our data permit estimates of marginal value of incremental beach width accruing to beach users and non-users (which range from $0.23 and $0.48 per meter).
Sampling Variability Is Not Nonreplication: A Bayesian Reanalysis of Forbes, Wright, Markon, and Krueger.

Forbes, Wright, Markon, and Krueger claim that psychopathology network characteristics have “limited” or “poor” replicability, supporting their argument primarily with data from two waves of an obs...
Estimating Linear Dynamical Networks of Cyclostationary Processes.

Topology learning is an important problem in dynamical systems with implications to security and optimal control. The majority of prior work in consistent topology estimation relies on dynamical systems excited by temporally uncorrelated processes. In this article, we present a novel algorithm for guaranteed topology learning, in networks that are excited by temporally colored, cyclostationary processes. Furthermore, unlike prior work, the framework applies to linear dynamic system with complex valued dependencies. In the second part of the article, we analyze conditions for consistent topology learning for bidirected radial networks when a subset of the network is unobserved. Here, few agents are unobserved and the full topology along with unobserved nodes are recovered from observed agents data alone. Our theoretical contributions are validated on test networks.
Mohawk is a transcription factor that promotes meniscus cell phenotype and tissue repair and reduces osteoarthritis severity

Meniscus tears are common knee injuries and a major osteoarthritis (OA) risk factor. Knowledge gaps that limit the development of therapies for meniscus injury and degeneration concern transcription factors that control the meniscus cell phenotype. Analysis of RNA sequencing data from 37 human tissues in the Genotype-Tissue Expression database and RNA sequencing data from meniscus and articular cartilage showed that transcription factor Mohawk (MKX) is highly enriched in meniscus. In human meniscus cells, MKX regulates the expression of meniscus marker genes, OA-related genes, and other transcription factors, including Scleraxis (SCX), SRY Box 5 (SOX5), and Runt domain-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). In mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the combination of adenoviral MKX (Ad-MKX) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) induced a meniscus cell phenotype. When Ad-MKX-transduced MSCs were seeded on TGF-β3-conjugated decellularized meniscus scaffold (DMS) and inserted into experimental tears in meniscus explants, they increased glycosaminoglycan content, extracellular matrix interconnectivity, cell infiltration into the DMS, and improved biomechanical properties. Ad-MKX injection into mouse knee joints with experimental OA induced by surgical destabilization of the meniscus suppressed meniscus and cartilage damage, reducing OA severity. Ad-MKX injection into human OA meniscus tissue explants corrected pathogenic gene expression. These results identify MKX as a previously unidentified key transcription factor that regulates the meniscus cell phenotype. The combination of Ad-MKX with TGF-β3 is effective for differentiation of MSCs to a meniscus cell phenotype and useful for meniscus repair. MKX is a promising therapeutic target for meniscus tissue engineering, repair, and prevention of OA.
Galaxy surface brightness and size evolution to z∼4

Using HST WFPC2 data, we estimate half-light radii, morphological classifications and rest-frame, blue-band absolute magnitudes for 270 galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts from z∼0 to z=3.43, and 77 thought from their colours to be at 2.0≤z≤4.5. The mean blue-band surface brightness decreases by ∼2 mag along the Hubble sequence from ellipticals to irregulars, but peculiar galaxies (forming ∼21 per cent of the sample) tend to have blue colours but a high surface brightness. The mean rest-frame, blue-band surface brightness increases by 0.95±0.22 mag between zmean≃0.2 and zmean≃0.9 redshift intervals, with similar evolution for all the morphological types. We estimate that galaxies at 2<z<3.5 show 2.79±0.31 mag of surface brightness evolution relative to those at z<0.35, which is significantly greater than the luminosity evolution over this redshift range. This can be explained by a size and luminosity evolution (SLE) model, in which the outer regions of spiral galaxies form later and with a longer time-scale than the centres, causing the half-light radius to increase with time. The blue-band luminosity density increases by a factor of ∼2.5 from z∼0 to z∼2.85, but falls back to approximately its zero-redshift value at z∼4. Galaxies at z∼4 appear to be similar in surface brightness to those at z∼3, but smaller in size and lower in luminosity. The angular size distributions of 22 1.5. A small sample of galaxies with I−K>3.8 (passively evolving galaxies at z>1) appeared to be no smaller than the PLE prediction, suggesting that it is primarily star-forming galaxies that evolve in size.
Valley Health (a)

Dr. Felton Wayne, the chief medical officer for North Carolina operations at Valley Health (VH), had been working incredibly hard for the past nine months trying to motivate and empower his medical staff, who had become disillusioned by VH's management practices. But he had little to show for his efforts. He felt unappreciated and ineffective in his role. After a tense meeting with his director, during which Wayne was called a “cowboy,” he wondered whether he should just go back to doing what he was good at—taking care of patients. This A case is accompanied by a B case (UVA-OB-1075). Excerpt UVA-OB-1074 May 28, 2015 Valley Health (A) “We see you as a cowboy, Dr. Wayne,” explained Dr. John Richmond, Felton Wayne's corporate director from South Carolina. “You seem to be up there in North Carolina doing your own thing and getting people at corporate upset.” These words really stung 12 months into Wayne's tenure as the chief medical officer (CMO) for North Carolina operations at Valley Health (VH). He knew there was a component of truth to Richmond's statement, but was it necessarily a bad thing to be seen as a cowboy? Was he the problem, or was it corporate? Maybe it was both. Franklin Memorial Hospital and Valley Health Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) was founded by a physician in 1905. Over the years, it had grown into a strong community hospital with a well-respected medical staff. But times were changing in health care, and the days of the independent community hospital were coming to an end. The hospital was still operating in the same location as the original building built in 1919, and there was no room to grow. . . .
Operative management of symptomatic, metachronous carotid body tumors involving the skull base and its neurological sequelae.

Abstract A 44-year-old morbidly obese woman with a history of right carotid body tumor (CBT) resection presented with a symptomatic, nonfunctional, left Shamblin-III CBT. Abutment of the skull base precluded distal internal carotid artery control for arterial reconstruction, favoring parent vessel sacrifice after an asymptomatic provocative test. She underwent CBT resection with anticipated sacrifice of cranial nerves X and XII and the common carotid artery and its branches, developing baroreceptor failure syndrome and sequelae of cranial nerve sacrifice. When facing a symptomatic, metachronous CBT abutting the skull base, upfront operative intervention with adjuvant radiation for residual tumor optimizes curative resection.
Radiation dose estimation for pencil beam X-ray luminescence computed tomography imaging.

Author(s): Romero, Ignacio O; Li, Changqing | Abstract: BackgroundPencil beam X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) imaging provides superior spatial resolution than other imaging geometries like sheet beam and cone beam geometries. However, the pencil beam geometry suffers from long scan times, resulting in concerns overdose which discourages the use of pencil beam XLCT.ObjectiveThe dose deposited in pencil beam XLCT imaging was investigated to estimate the dose from one angular projection scan with three different X-ray sources. The dose deposited in a typical small animal XLCT imaging was investigated.MethodsA Monte Carlo simulation platform, GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission) was used to estimate the dose from one angular projection scan of a mouse leg model with three different X-ray sources. Dose estimations from a six angular projection scan by three different X-ray source energies were performed in GATE on a mouse trunk model composed of muscle, spine bone, and a tumor.ResultsWith the Sigray source, the bone marrow of mouse leg was estimated to have a radiation dose of 44 mGy for a typical XLCT imaging with six angular projections, a scan step size of 100 micrometers, and 106 X-ray photons per linear scan. With the Sigray X-ray source and the typical XLCT scanning parameters, we estimated the dose of spine bone, muscle tissues, and tumor structures of the mouse trunk were 38.49 mGy, 15.07 mGy, and 16.87 mGy, respectively.ConclusionOur results indicate that an X-ray benchtop source (like the X-ray source from Sigray Inc.) with high brilliance and quasi-monochromatic properties can reduce dose concerns with the pencil beam geometry. Findings of this work can be applicable to other imaging modalities like X-ray fluorescence computed tomography if the imaging protocol consists of the pencil beam geometry.
Bispecific antibodies targeting distinct regions of the spike protein potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern threatens the efficacy of existing vaccines and therapeutic antibodies and underscores the need for...
A Convenient Procedure for Sonogashira Reactions Using Propyne

A modified Sonogashira coupling of aryl iodides and propyne was achieved using only two equivalents of propyne in THF from -78°C to room temperature.
TRANSPORTATION AND IOWA'S ECONOMIC FUTURE

This is a study of how transportation policy can be fashioned to improve Iowa's long-term economic prospects. The research focuses on the state level and covers pricing, resource allocation, investment, and other issues that directly affect the performance of public facilities that support transportation of goods and people to and from points in Iowa. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 begins with an assessment of how Iowa's economy is changing, both functionally and spatially. Commuting patterns and methods of goods movement are then discussed. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a context for the exploration of transportation policy issues in subsequent chapters. In Chapter 3 a framework is established for evaluating changes in transportation policies. A working definition of economic development is given and the role of government policies in making an area more attractive to economic activity is considered. Chapter 4 analyzes public policy options for Iowa's roads and highways. These policy options are intended to help the state compete for economic activity. Chapter 5 assesses alternative investment strategies for major navigational facilities on the upper Mississippi River. Chapter 6 examines major transportation policy issues in Iowa's agricultural sector. The current magnitude of agricultural shipments and the roles of several modes are presented. After focusing on issues related to railroad competitiveness, the analysis turns to how Iowa's rural roads should be financed. The need for joint investment and pricing decisions affecting waterways, railroads, and rural roads is stressed. Chapter 7 examines the current status of freight transportation in Iowa. An assessment is made of issues related to trucking and of intermodal transportation and its potential for cost-effective shipping to and from businesses in Iowa. Chapter 8 summarizes the key findings of this study, offering ten recommendations. These recommendations relate to transportation as a means of facilitating economic development.
Review of: Human Factors in Traffic Safety

This is a new book on human factors related to traffic safety and is divided into four major parts, with chapters as follows: Part 1: The Driver consists of eight chapters: Perception and Information Processing; Driver Perception-Response Time; Where Do Drivers Look While Driving (and for How Long?); Individual Differences; Fatigue and Driving; Alcohol and Drugs; Age Differences-Drivers Old and Young; Neuropsychological, Medical and Psychiatric Disorders Affecting Motor Vehicle Operations. Part 2: The Vehicle consists of two chapters: Vehicle Design; Visibility with Motor Vehicle Headlights. Part 3: The Roadway Environment consists of four chapters: Roadway Design; Traffic Control Devices, Visibility under Roadway Lighting; Environmental Factors. Part 4: Accident Causation and Remediation consists of seven chapters: Railroad Grade Crossing Accidents, Highway Work Zones, Pedestrians and Bicyclists, Left Turn and Gap Acceptance Crashes, Single-Vehicle Accidents; Why Witnesses to Accidents Make Mistakes-The Cognitive Psychology of Human Memory; Human Factors in Traffic Accident Litigation.
Variational estimates of point-kinetics parameters

Variational estimates of the effect of flux shifts on the integral reactivity parameter of the point-kinetics equations and on regional power fractions were calculated for a variety of localized pe...
Dendritic remodeling and growth of motoneurons during metamorphosis of Drosophila melanogaster.

Insect motoneurons display dramatic dendritic plasticity during metamorphosis. Many larval motoneurons survive to adulthood but undergo dendritic regression and outgrowth as they are incorporated into developing circuits. This study explores the dendritic remodeling and development of Drosophila motoneurons MN1–MN5, which innervate indirect flight muscles of the adult. MN1–MN5 are persistent larval neurons exhibiting two distinct metamorphic histories. MN1–MN4 are born in the embryo, innervate larval muscles, and undergo dendritic regression and regrowth during metamorphosis. MN5, which was identified through a combination of intracellular dye injection and retrograde staining at all stages, is also born embryonically but remains developmentally arrested until the onset of metamorphosis. In the larva, MN5 lacks dendrites, and its axon stops in the mesothoracic nerve without innervating a target muscle. It is dye coupled to the peripherally synapsing interneuron, which will become part of the giant fiber escape circuit of the adult fly. During pupal development, MN5 undergoes de novo dendritic growth and extension of its axon to innervate the developing target muscle. Its unique developmental history and identifiability make MN5 well suited for the study of dendritic growth using genetic and neurophysiological approaches.
Using Arrested Solid — Solid Multiphase Reactions in Geological Materials to Deduce the Rate of Crustal Uplift

The history geological terrains experience can be traced as a series of temperature and pressure changes. Each change drives the system toward a new state of thermodynamic equilibrium. The resultant overprinted rock fabrics, textures and chemical heterogeneities can be difficult to interpret. However, if carefully chosen, features from the scale of kilometers to nanometers can be used to reconstruct the history of mountain systems. Uplift of the Sri Lankan Central Highlands was rapid enough to preserve well-developed symplectite textures, some of which represent arrested solid-state diffusion-controlled reactions of garnet + O2 to form orthopyroxene + plagioclase + magnetite, as the rocks were exhumed from over 30 km in the earth’s crust. Our objective has been to determine the reaction mechanisms responsible for symplectite development, and to establish the time interval over which these reactions occurred, to constrain the rate of mountain uplift. Considering that the most rapid mechanism is solid st te grain-boundary diffusion of oxygen, the reaction time can be constrained by bounding the rate of oxygen supply to the reaction site. The solid state grain boundary diffusion rate of oxygen has been inferred to be ca. 10−14 m2-sec (Farver and Yund, 1991), but is sensitive to inferred grain boundary width. The range of rates thus determined allows the distinction between rapid uplift similar to that of the Himalayan Mountains, and the slow and progressive erosion of a less dramatic terrain. Further constraints on diffusion control and energetic relationships are determined from crystallographic relationships between the reactant and product phases, and submicron scale microstructures.
Regulation of MOR-1 variants during chronic morphine exposure in differentiated and undifferentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (803.9)

Morphine and other analgesic drugs play a crucial role in pain modulation therapy. Morphine is an effective analgesic that functions by binding to the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Chronic administrati...
Cardioprotection in ischaemia-reperfusion injury: Novel mechanisms and clinical translation

In recent decades, robust successes have been achieved in conquering the acutely lethal manifestations of heart disease. Nevertheless, the prevalence of heart disease, especially heart failure, continues to rise. Among the precipitating aetiologies, ischaemic disease is a leading cause of heart failure. In the context of ischaemia, the myocardium is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which elicits a cascade of events that provokes cell death. This ischaemic insult is typically coupled with reperfusion, either spontaneous or therapeutically imposed, wherein blood supply is restored to the previously ischaemic tissue. While this intervention limits ischaemic injury, it triggers a new cascade of events that is also harmful, viz. reperfusion injury. In recent years, novel insights have emerged regarding mechanisms of ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and some hold promise as targets of therapeutic relevance. Here, we review a select number of these pathways, focusing on recent discoveries and highlighting prospects for therapeutic manipulation for clinical benefit.
DEFICIENCY AND DUPLICATIONS FOR THE GENE BOBBED IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Page 183, line 10, for " bb def / y bb /" read " bb def / y bb /." Page 185, line 14, for " y sl2 bbdef/bb " read " y sl2 bbdef/y bb ." Page 185, lines 14, 15, and 16, for " y sl2 bbdef/bb/ " read " y sl2 bbdef/y bb
Synthesis and Characterization of Pentacene− and Anthradithiophene−Fluorene Conjugated Copolymers Synthesized by Suzuki Reactions

We have synthesized new types of pentacene− and anthradithiophene−dialkylfluorene conjugated copolymer via Suzuki cross-coupling polymerization. The polymer chemical structures and molecular weights were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Fundamental properties, such as electrochemical and optical behavior, were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV−vis absorption (UV−vis) to estimate the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels as well as their optical bandgaps. Both polymers exhibit relatively low bandgaps and their high solubility in common halogenated organic solvents. They were successfully incorporated into photovoltaic cells, giving a power efficiency up to 0.68%. This is the first acene-containing conjugated polymer solar cell.
An enhanced SMA phenomenological model: II. The experimental study

In an earlier study, using an SMA-actuated robotic arm, the authors showed that the existing phenomenological models are not able to predict the behavior of the material under certain conditions. There, it was shown that such cases most often occur when the temperature and stress of the SMA wire change simultaneously. In this part, the existing model discrepancies are further studied experimentally using a dead weight, which is actuated by an SMA wire. Subsequently, an enhanced phenomenological model is developed. The enhanced model is able to predict the behavior of SMAs under complex thermomechanical loadings.
Polymerization of acrylates by atom transfer radical polymerization. Homopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate

The application of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to the homopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, a functional monomer, is reported. The polymerizations exhibit first-order kinetics, and molecular weights increase linearly with conversion. Polydispersities remain low throughout the polymerization (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.2). Reactions were conducted in bulk and in 1 : 1 (by volume) aqueous solution; the latter demonstrates the resilience of ATRP to protic media. Analysis of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) by MALDI-MS and 1H-NMR shows Mn,exp to be much closer to Mn,th than those observed by SEC using polystyrene standards. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1417–1424, 1998
Darwin and The Origin of Species: The Rhetorical Ancestry of an Idea.

(1970). Darwin and the origin of species: The rhetorical ancestry of an idea. Speech Monographs: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 1-14.
Is there a role for clinical prognostic factors in staging patients with colorectal cancer

The clinician treating colorectal cancer (CRC) should be able to predict which patients will live and which will die from their tumor. Many prognostic variables, significant in retrospective analyses, are never formally used in staging. The resultant imperfection of clinical predictions of survival are probably directly related to the relative inaccuracy of the staging system, a system inevitably dependent entirely on pathologic criteria. Potentially valuable clinical variables, sometimes associated with better or worse outcome despite the pathologic stage of disease, could improve the accuracy of prediction. Evolution to better clinico-pathologic staging systems would also help to better stratify patients in prospective randomized trials of new adjuvant therapeutic modalities.
An eigenvalue study of a viscous flow separated by mass addition

Eigenvalue problem methods, developed for boundary-layer flow are used to consider the spatial stability of the viscous flow past a flat plate which has been separated by mass addition at the surface. A study is made of the rate of approach of a slightly disturbed initial profile to the interaction similarity solution found by Kassoy [1] and Klemp and Acrivos [2]. It is shown that eigenfunctions generated in the separated viscous layer (free shear layer) propagate into the inviscid rotational layer adjacent to the wall. Thus by the inherent interaction process involved, these disturbances affect the external flow as well. The results indicate a relatively slow rate of decay when compared to an attached boundary-layer flow on an impermeable surface.
A framework for the analysis of mitigation in courts: Toward a theory of mitigation

Abstract Mitigation plays an important role in various social activities. It involves emotional, strategic, and pragmatic processing. This paper presents an activity-based framework for empirical discourse analysis of mitigation in public environments such as Swedish and Bulgarian courtroom examinations. Mitigation is defined as a pragmatic, cognitive, and linguistic behavior whose main purpose is to reduce vulnerability. The suggested framework consists of defense processes , which involve mitigating argumentation lines, discourse moves , and communication acts . Mitigation functions are described in terms of the participants’ actions and goals separately from politeness strategies. The study finds recognizable repetitive mitigation patterns of moves and acts across languages and legal systems, which realize, e.g. admissions as prolepses, denials as corrective counter-attacks, volunteered utterances as indications of witness rehearsals, etc. The witnesses’ tendency to volunteer information even on behalf of their own credibility indicates that they favor pro-party testimonies. Despite the objective judicial role of the prosecutor or judge and/or despite the examiners accommodating style, the verbal behavior of the witnesses exhibits constant anticipation of danger. Thus, mitigation in court functions as a strategy for coping with disagreement and conflict by facing it, anticipating it, and/or accepting it. Mitigation modifies not only illocutionary force but also discourse plans, mental models, social contexts, and (in courts) even personal fates.
Recent time trends in the epidemiology of stage IV prostate cancer in the United States: analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

Objectives To describe recent epidemiologic trends in stage IV prostate cancer. Although advances in screening and diagnostic techniques have led to earlier detection of prostate cancer, a portion of patients still present with late-stage disease. Methods Population-based cancer registry data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (cases from 1988 to 2003, follow-up through 2005) were used to calculate annual age-adjusted incidence rates of stage IV prostate cancer (overall and for the subset presenting with distant metastases) and to assess time trends in patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and survival. Results From 1988 to 2003, the age-adjusted incidence of stage IV prostate cancer significantly declined by 6.4% each year. The proportion of men diagnosed at younger ages, with poorly differentiated tumors, or who underwent a radical prostatectomy significantly increased over time. Five-year relative survival improved across the study period (from 41.6% to 62.3%), particularly in those diagnosed at younger ages or with moderately to well-differentiated tumors. Later years of diagnosis were independently associated with a decreased risk of death (from all causes and from prostate cancer specifically) after controlling for important patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Tumor grade and receipt of radical prostatectomy appeared to be the strongest independent prognostic indicators. Temporal trends were similar in the subset presenting with distant metastases, except that no significant improvement in survival was observed. Conclusions As younger men may expect to live longer with advanced prostate cancer, there remains a need to widen the range of therapeutic and supportive care options.
Prolonged analgesic response of cornea to topical resiniferatoxin, a potent TRPV1 agonist

Analgesics currently available for the treatment of pain following ophthalmic surgery or injury are limited by transient effectiveness and undesirable or adverse side effects. The cornea is primarily innervated by small-diameter C-fiber sensory neurons expressing TRPV1 (transient receptor potential channel, subfamily V, member 1), a sodium/calcium cation channel expressed abundantly by nociceptive neurons and consequently a target for pain control. Resiniferatoxin (RTX), a potent TRPV1 agonist, produces transient analgesia when injected peripherally by inactivating TRPV1-expressing nerve terminals through excessive calcium influx. The aim of the present study was to evaluate topical RTX as a corneal analgesic. In rat cornea, a single application of RTX dose dependently eliminated or reduced the capsaicin eye wipe response for 3-5 days, with normal nociceptive responses returning by 5-7 days. RTX alone produced a brief but intense noxious response, similar to capsaicin, necessitating pretreatment of the cornea with a local anesthetic. Topical lidocaine, applied prior to RTX, blocks acute nociceptive responses to RTX without impairing the subsequent analgesic effect. Importantly, RTX analgesia (a) did not impair epithelial wound healing, (b) left the blink reflex intact and (c) occurred without detectable histological damage to the cornea. Immunohistochemistry showed that loss of CGRP immunoreactivity, a surrogate marker for TRPV1-expressing fibers, extended at least to the corneal-scleral boundary and displayed a progressive return, coincident with the return of capsaicin sensitivity. These data suggest that RTX may be a safe and effective treatment for post-operative or post-injury ophthalmic pain.
[2,6-Mes2C6H3]2Ga+Li[Al{OCH(CF3)2}4]2- (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2): A Compound Containing a Linear Unsolvated Two-Coordinate Gallium Cation

The title compound [2,6-Mes2C2H3]2Ga+Li[Al{OCH(CF3)2}4]2-, 1, containing a linear two-coordinate gallium cation, has been obtained by metathesis reaction of [2,6-Mes2C2H3]2GaCl with 2 equiv of Li[Al{OCH(CF3)2}4] in C6H5Cl solution at room temperature. Compound 1 has been characterized by 1H, 13C(1H}, 19F, and 27Al NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 consists of isolated [2,6-Mes2C6H3]2Ga+ cations and Li[Al{OCH(CF3)2}4]2- anions. The C−Ga−C angle is 175.69(7)°, and the Ga−C distances are 1.9130(14) and 1.9145(16) A. The title compound is remarkably stable, is only a weak Lewis acid, and polymerizes cyclohexene oxide.
A generalization of the Goldman equation, including the effect of electrogenic pumps

Abstract An equation similar to the Goldman equation is derived for the steady-state diffusion of univalent ions across a membrane with arbitrary potential profile and in the presence of electrogenic pumps. The presence of electrogenic pumps adds a term proportional to the net pump flux to both numerator and denominator in the Goldman equation. For arbitrary potential profiles the permeabilities of the positive ions are all divided by one potential-dependent factor and the permeabilities of the negative ions are divided by another such factor. Both factors are determined by the potential function and tend to vary inversely. If the symmetric part of the potential function is zero, both factors are equal to 1.0. Hence in the general form of the Goldman equation the relative contributions of the positive and negative ions are weighted by factors that are easily calculated if the potential function is known.
Modern Management of Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract There is a rising incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States. Numerous clinical prognostic scoring systems have been developed, including the BISAP score. Vigorous fluid resuscitation remains a cornerstone of early management of acute pancreatitis. Cross-sectional imaging in the early phase of evaluation has not been associated with improvement of outcomes. There is no role for prophylactic antibiotics in early management. However, there is growing emphasis on the identification and treatment of extrapancreatic infections. Enteral nutrition in severe acute pancreatitis has reduced mortality, systemic infection, and multiorgan dysfunction compared to parenteral nutrition. Conservative management consisting of percutaneous drainage and delayed surgical intervention is now favored for local complications, such as infected necrosis. These developments have contributed to improved outcomes for patients with acute pancreatitis.
Neuropeptide Y Enhances ATP-Induced Formation of Inositol Phosphates in Chromaffin Cells

Abstract Bovine chromaffin cells contain high affinity NPY binding sites coupled through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein to inhibition of cAMP accumulation. NPY alone does not alter [ 3 H]inositol phosphate formation from [ 3 H]phosphoinositides in these cells. Increasing NPY concentrations, in the presence of ATP (300 μM), produced a dose-dependent enhancement in [ 3 H]inositol phosphate formation, EC 50 = 3.2 nM. Inclusion of the selective NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist BW1229 (1 μM) produced a marked decrease in NPY potency (EC 50 = 3.3 μM). The Y1 receptor agonist, [Leu 31 , Pro 34 ]NPY, was equally effective with NPY, whereas NPY18-36, a Y2 receptor agonist, was much less effective. Inclusion of NPY with ATP also produced an enhancement in the release of intracellular Ca 2+ . The ability of NPY to enhance both [ 3 H]inositol phosphate formation and the release of intracellular Ca 2+ was pertussis toxin-insensitive. NPY action on bovine chromaffin cell receptor(s) appears to facilitated by different G proteins: one which can inhibit cAMP accumulation via a pertussis toxin-sensitive process and another which can enhance ATP activation of the inositol phosphate signaling pathway by a pertussis toxin-insensitive process.
Choice in Context: Tradeoff Contrast and Extremeness Aversion:

Consumer choice is often influenced by the context, defined by the set of alternatives under consideration. Two hypotheses about the effect of context on choice are proposed. The first hypothesis, ...
Sideband Patterns in Dynamic-Angle-Spinning NMR

Abstract It is known that dynamic-angle-spinning (DAS) NMR can be accomplished using a variety of complementary angles (θ 1 , θ 2 ) characterizing the two orientations of the spinner axis with respect to the magnetic field. In cases where the evolution period of the two-dimensional DAS experiment is divided into unequal parts, for example, by RF pulses or spinner reorientation, a complex sideband pattern emerges. We describe a simple theory of the sideband pattern and provide illustrative experimental results of spectra over a range of DAS angles. The DAS experiment with the angle pair (0°, 63.43°) has sidebands at integer multiples of 0.83Ω R and should be particularly useful for DAS cross-polarization experiments involving central transitions of quadrupolar nuclei. Our considerations are relevant to other NMR experiments in which an evolution time is composed of periods separated by a perturbation and/or characterized by different effective Hamiltonians.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Overcrowding as a Mechanism of β-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes

This study suggests a molecular mechanism that explains the accumulation of denaturated proinsulin in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of β-cells. Such states were frequently observed in β-cells experiencing increased demand for insulin production and were shown to lead to secretory dysfunction and diabetes. Here, a self-consistent kinetic model is used to investigate changes in protein translation due to ER overloading. The model is based on a molecular theory that relates the molecular composition and level of molecular crowding in the ER to the kinetic rates of protein folding/misfolding and transit to the Golgi apparatus (GA). This study suggests that molecular crowding forces can increase protein misfolding and impair the transport to the GA, thus overwhelming the quality control mechanism in the ER. A continual accumulation of toxic residues in the ER enhances even further the molecular crowding, accelerating protein denaturation. This article shows that molecular crowding affects differently the transit of various proteins through the ER. Apparently, the molecular crowding level that can inhibit the transport of native proinsulin to the GA influences to a lesser extent the transit of proamylin, a much smaller peptide cosynthesized with proinsulin in the ER. Smaller-volume misfolded proinsulin species may also win the passage competition through the ER and move on the secretory track. However, misfolded proinsulin fails the conversion to active insulin. This study can help us to decipher circumstances leading to the alteration of the secretory function in susceptible β-cells and the onset of diabetes.
Computing Topological Entropy in a Space of Quartic Polynomials

This paper adds a computational approach to a previous theoretical result illustrating how the complexity of a simple dynamical system evolves under deformations. The algorithm targets topological entropy in the 2-dimensional family P Q of compositions of two logistic maps. Estimation of the topological entropy is made possible by the correspondence between P Q and a subfamily of sawtooth maps P T , and is based on the well-known fact that the kneading-data of a map determines its entropy. A complex search for kneading-data in P T turns out to be computationally fast and reliable, delivering good entropy estimates. Finally, the algorithm is used to produce a picture of the entropy level-sets in P Q , as illustration to theoretical results such as Hu (Ph.D. thesis, CUNY, 1995) and Radulescu (Discrete Cont. Dyn. Syst. 19(1):139–175, 2007).