cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Clp protease system; a central component of the chloroplast protease network

Intra-plastid proteases play crucial and diverse roles in the development and maintenance of non-photosynthetic plastids and chloroplasts. Formation and maintenance of a functional thylakoid electron transport chain requires various protease activities, operating in parallel, as well as in series. This review first provides a short, referenced overview of all experimentally identified plastid proteases in Arabidopsis thaliana. We then focus on the Clp protease system which constitutes the most abundant and complex soluble protease system in the plastid, consisting of 15 nuclear-encoded members and one plastid-encoded member in Arabidopsis. Comparisons to the simpler Clp system in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria will be made and the role of Clp proteases in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii will be briefly reviewed. Extensive molecular genetics has shown that the Clp system plays an essential role in Arabidopsis chloroplast development in the embryo as well as in leaves. Molecular characterization of the various Clp mutants has elucidated many of the consequences of loss of Clp activities. We summarize and discuss the structural and functional aspects of the Clp machinery, including progress on substrate identification and recognition. Finally, the Clp system will be evaluated in the context of the chloroplast protease network. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Regulation of Electron Transport in Chloroplasts.
A probabilistic model for Latent Semantic Indexing

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI), when applied to semantic space built on text collections, improves information retrieval, information filtering, and word sense disambiguation. A new dual probability model based on the similarity concepts is introduced to provide deeper understanding of LSI. Semantic associations can be quantitatively characterized by their statistical significance, the likelihood. Semantic dimensions containing redundant and noisy information can be separated out and should be ignored because their negative contribution to the overall statistical significance. LSI is the optimal solution of the model. The peak in the likelihood curve indicates the existence of an intrinsic semantic dimension. The importance of LSI dimensions follows the Zipf-distribution, indicating that LSI dimensions represent latent concepts. Document frequency of words follows the Zipf distribution, and the number of distinct words follows log-normal distribution. Experiments on five standard document collections confirm and illustrate the analysis.
Ribose-enhanced Synthesis of UTP, CTP, and GTP from Parent Nucleosides in Cardiac Myocytes☆

The participation of ribose and its metabolites in some nucleoside salvage reactions is well established. Isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes were used as a model system to determine whether ribose acts as a general stimulant of salvage reactions in cardiac muscle, or whether only certain classes of nucleosides are affected by ribose. Myocytes were incubated with [3H]-adenosine, [3H]-cytidine, [3H]-guanosine, [3H]-thymidine, or [3H]-uridine for 30 or 60 min in the presence or absence of 5 mM ribose. The cells were extracted and the extracts assayed for [3H]-nucleoside and [3H]-nucleotide products. Salvage synthesis of cytosine, guanine and uracil nucleotides from the parent nucleosides was stimulated by ribose. Guanosine and uridine salvage appeared saturated at 50 microM external nucleoside (the dose response of cytidine salvage was not examined). Adenosine salvage was unaffected by ribose addition; the response to increasing external adenosine concentration was non-Michaelis-Menten, showing a peak of activity at 25 microM external nucleoside. Thymidine salvage was also unaffected by ribose, and was saturated at 50 microM external thymidine. These data suggest that adenosine and thymidine are metabolized to their respective nucleotide monophosphates by kinase activity. Cytidine, guanosine, and uridine salvage are stimulated by ribose, and must therefore be metabolized in part by nucleoside phosphorylase and phosphoribosyltransferase activity.
Impedance Anomalies and RF Performance Limitations in AlGaN/GaN HFET's

AlGaN/GaN HFET's have demonstrated excellent RF performance. The use of these devices in WiMAX system is of particular interest due to their inherent broadband capability. However, these devices experience physical phenomena that degrade RF performance and limit the high frequency application of these devices. In particular, these devices often demonstrate Cgs variations with input power drive that are opposite to classical FET behavior. The transconductance also decreases with input RF drive. The behavior affects the frequency performance and linearity of the device. In this work these effects are investigated using the commercial ATLAS simulator. It is demonstrated that these effects result from space-charge limited current transport, and a corresponding increase in gate-source channel resistance. Simulation results are verified by comparison to experimental data, and excellent agreement is obtained. The physical operation of the device, including effects that limit RF performance and frequency response are explained and discussed.
In situ monitoring of GaAs growth at high temperature by spectroscopic ellipsometry and desorption mass spectroscopy

Abstract Spectroscopic ellipsometry and desorption mass spectroscopy were used in situ to monitor Ga desorption rates and growth modes during molecular beam epitaxy of GaAs on AlAs under non-unity sticking conditions (620–710°C). The dependence of the reduction in sticking coefficient of Ga as a function of the substrate temperature and As/Ga flux ratio was modeled by Monte Carlo simulation.
Electrical Stimulation as Treatment for Obesity and Diabetes

The prevalence of obesity is growing, is driving an increase in the prevalence of diabetes, and is creating a major public health crisis in the United States. Lifestyle and behavior therapy rarely give durable weight loss. There are few medications approved for the treatment of obesity. Those that exist are limited in efficacy and using them in combination does not result in greater weight loss. Surgical treatments for obesity are effective and give durable weight loss, but are accompanied by measurable morbidity and mortality. Several pacing approaches are being tried and are an outgrowth of pacing for gastroparesis. The Transcend® pacemaker blocks vagal efferents and delays gastric emptying, giving a 40% loss of excess body weight, if certain screening procedures are employed. The Tantulus™ pacemaker is still in development but increases antral muscular contractions and delays gastric emptying by stimulation during the absolute refractory period. Weight loss has been 30% of excess body weight, and glycohemoglobin decreased 1.6% in a trial of obese type 2 diabetes. Stimulation to the subdiaphragmatic sympathetics, vagal nerve stimulation with or without unilateral vagotomy, and intestinal pacing are other approaches that are still being evaluated preclinically. Clearly a safe, effective, and durable treatment for obesity is desperately needed. Electrical pacing of the gastrointestinal tract is promising therapeutically, and because pacemakers work through different mechanisms, combining pacemaker treatments may be possible. Rapid progress is being made in the field of electrical stimulation as a treatment for obesity and even greater progress can be expected in the foreseeable future.
Ebola protein analyses for the determination of genetic organization

Amino-acid sequencing of the purified major nucleoprotein (NP), VP 35 and VP 40 from purified Ebola virus proved that they are the protein products of the first three genes, and that the open reading frame (ORF) of the NP begins at nucleotide 470. Because of the many unusual features of the ORFs of Ebola virus, we thought that our conclusions should be substantiated. Comparisons of in vitro-translation products to purified viral proteins were used to demonstrate conclusively that the NP, VP 35 and VP 40 were the protein products of genes one, two, and three, respectively. Studies using antibodies to synthetic peptides matching the N- and C-termini of the deduced sequences from these genes confirmed these conclusions and that the ORF for the NP begins at nucleotide 470. Subsequent studies confirmed that VP 30 is encoded by the fifth gene.
Two-photon ionization of the neutral argon atom

The two-photon ionization cross section for the neutral argon atom is calculated. A double perturbation expansion in the Coulomb correlations and the atom-radiation-field interaction is made. Contributions from intermediate states are obtained by direct summation over Hartree-Fock bound and continuum single-particle states. The effects of electron correlations and photon-radiative corrections are investigated. Comparison is made with previous theoretical methods.
In vitro assessment of delayed hypersensitivity in the human. Inhibition of cell migration from agarose microdroplets.

Abstract The in vitro migration inhibition responses of peripheral blood leukocytes from tuberculin skin test positive and negative donors were tested to validate and determine optimal conditions for the agarose droplet method in the human. In vitro migration inhibition was observed in skin test positive donors in the presence of 25 μg PPD/ml of medium using both unfractionated leukocytes and a mixture of immune lymphocytes with allogeneic polymorphonuclear leukocyte indicators. The supernatants of tuberculin positive lymphocytes cultured with PPD also inhibited the migration of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells but did not alter that of murine peritoneal exudate cells. These studies establish that the agarose droplet method is an efficient approach to the in vitro assessment of cell-mediated immunity in the human and define suitable indicator cell populations for assay of human lymphokines.
Active faulting near the Cajon Pass well, southern California; Implications for the stress orientation near the San Andreas Fault

The DOSECC Cajon Pass well is located 4 km NE of the San Andreas fault in a region that includes a diversity of secondary structures. Active faults close to the well are subparallel to the right-lateral San Andreas fault but exhibit left-lateral and normal slip. The stress orientation measured in the well is not consistent with right-lateral slip on the San Andreas fault or the stresses inferred from focal mechanisms of earthquakes within 10 km of the fault, but may drive the E-striking, slightly normal, left-lateral Cleghorn fault, the closest active fault to the well. If the in-situ stress is everywhere consistent with the highly variable styles of active secondary faulting like the Cleghorn, the orientation of stresses along the San Andreas fault may be quite variable.
Composition and origin of Nuevo Laredo Trend eucrites

The new bulk-rock analyses reported for the ALHA81001, Lakangaon and Nuevo Laredo eucritic meteorites indicate that the first of these resembles Ibitira in possessing lower Na concentrations than any other eucrite, while the other two are the lowest-Mg/Fe of all eucrites. The present data and those seen in the literature suggest that most of the ostensible Main Group eucrites actually belong to the Nuevo Laredo Trend, which is characterized by limited variations of incompatible element contents despite considerable variations in Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio and V content.
Effects of reduced caloric intake on leucocyte count of the rat.

SummaryA significant reduction in total granulocytes was observed in female rats fed a synthetic ration at reduced caloric intake. Such reduction was not observed in animals fed a similar ration ad lib or yeast in place of the synthetic B vitamins. The low granulocyte counts were corrected by treatment with folic acid.
Log-logistic flood frequency analysis

Abstract The log-logistic (LLG) distribution is evaluated for flood frequency analysis. Some of its properties and methods of parameter estimation are given, including a new method based on generalised least squares (GLS). The performance of the log-logistic distribution is compared with those of the generalised extreme value (GEV), three parameter log-normal (LN3) and three parameter Pearson (P3) distributions. The results are reported in terms of empirical distribution function (EDF) tests of goodness of fit, on both individual and regional flood series through the application of these distributions to a set of reasonably long annual maximum series for part of Scotland. Some reproductive properties of the LLG and GEV are also compared. In terms of four key properties the LLG performs better than the GEV, LN3 and P3 distributions and is thus commended for further analysis.
Heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine conjugated to outer membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup b and nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) is an important bacterial pathogen in children. Nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization of S. pneumoniae is necessary for person-to-person transmission and often precedes invasive disease. Methods: NP carriage of Sp was studied in 49 infants following administration of a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) conjugated to the outer membrane protein of serogroup b Neisseria meningitidis (vaccine serotypes: 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F). The vaccine was administered at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age and carriage rates were compared to a concurrent group of 32 infants not given PCV and evaluated over the first 15 months of life. Results: Overall, Sp was isolated in 86/367 (23%) of NP cultures and 49% of infants. Serotype 23F was significantly less prevalent in the PCV group (1.9%) than the control group (16.1%) (P<0.05). Analysis of the proportion of children with prevalent carriage or acquisition of carriage did not differ between groups when evaluated by age or serotype. We noted, however, decreased acquisition and carriage in the vaccine group 1 month following the 12 month dose of PCV for vaccine serotypes (76 and 52% reduction, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance (P=0.3). Adjustment for age, daycare and antibiotic use by multivariate modeling revealed no difference in carriage of vaccine containing serotypes or non-vaccine serotypes between groups. Conclusion: We did not show a significant effect of this heptavalent PCV on NP carriage. Further study of this issue, including a larger population size, is needed.
COATED-PARTICLE FUELS IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE REACTORS: A SUMMARY OF CURRENT APPLICATIONS.

AbstractCoated-particle fuels have been adopted for all of the current and proposed high-temperature gas-cooled thermal reactors: the General Atomic High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR), the OECD DRAGON Reactor Experiment, the German pebble-bed reactors (AVR and THTR), and the Ultra-High-Temperature Reactor Experiment (UHTREX) of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In addition, coated-particle fuel is being considered for the British Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) in order to achieve higher fuel-surface temperatures.The design and operational characteristics of these reactors are summarized, and detailed descriptions and illustrations of their fuel elements, fuel compacts, and coated-particle fuel are presented. A comprehensive list of references is given for each reactor and its fuel.
Geostatistical Mapping with Continuous Moving Neighborhood

An issue that often arises in such GIS applications as digital elevation modeling (DEM) is how to create a continuous surface using a limited number of point observations. In hydrological applications, such as estimating drainage areas, direction of water flow is easier to detect from a smooth DEM than from a grid created using standard interpolation programs. Another reason for continuous mapping is esthetic; like a picture, a map should be visually appealing, and for some GIS users this is more important than map accuracy. There are many methods for local smoothing. Spline algorithms are usually used to create a continuous map, because they minimize curvature of the surface. Geostatistical models are commonly used approaches to spatial prediction and mapping in many scientific disciplines, but classical kriging models produce noncontinuous surfaces when local neighborhood is used. This motivated us to develop a continuous version of kriging. We propose a modification of kriging that produces continuous prediction and prediction standard error surfaces. The idea is to modify kriging systems so that data outside a specified distance from the prediction location have zero weights. We discuss simple kriging and conditional geostatistical simulation, models that essentially use information about mean value or trend surface. We also discuss how to modify ordinary and universal kriging models to produce continuous predictions, and limitations using the proposed models.
The mechanism of immunoresistance of H(z1) mice to C57BL/6 tumors.

In this report we have investigated the cellular immune responses of the congenic strains C57Bl/6J and H(z1) against syngeneic tumors. H(z1) showed resistance to EL4, a Bl/6 lymphoma, and thus presented an exceptional case among the H(z1) and C57Bl host-tumor combinations we studied. B16, a C57Bl/6J melanoma, was found to be a weaker immunogen than EL4 in H(z1) mice, since resistance to B16 could be induced in H(z1) mice only if they had been preimmunized to EL4. Bl/6J mice were found to have no detectable resistance to any of three H(z1) MCA-induced fibrosarcomas. The lack of resistance to each other's tumors indicates less stringent requirements for host-tumor susceptibility than for skin graft compatibility between H(z1) and C57Bl/6J. The in vitro secondary cell-mediated cytolytic response of H(z1) to EL4 was specific and of similar magnitude to the Balb/c secondary in vitro cytolytic response to EL4. This supports the conclusion that cellular immunity, as assayed in vitro , need not correlate with humoral antibody production. H(z1) PEC immune to EL4 were capable of inhibiting EL4 growth in vivo in F 1 [H(z1) × C57Bl] mice, which normally have no resistance to EL4. H(z1) PEC immune to EL4 were shown to be capable of in vitro cytolysis of normal Bl/6J cells, indicating the presence of common antigens on Bl/6J and EL4 to which H(z1) responds. In the in vitro cytolysis of EL4 by Balb/c PEC immune to EL4, Bl/6J LNC's but not H(z1) LNC's were able to competitively inhibit EL4 lysis, thus providing an additional means of cellular distinction between H(z1) and C57Bl/6J normal cells.
Arendt and the social: ‘Reflections on Little Rock’

Material from Hannah Arendt’s The human condition, and commentary by Peter Baehr, is used to support the contention that her position in her classic ‘Reflections on Little Rock’ essay is inconsistent and untenable. It is argued that Arendt’s crucial use of terms such as ‘public’, ‘social’ and ‘political’ militates against the notion that school desegregation should not be imposed on the population as a whole.
Nitrogen-Doped Holey Graphene as an Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries with High Volumetric Energy Density and Long Cycle Life

Nitrogen-doped holey graphene (N-hG) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries has delivered a maximum volumetric capacity of 384 mAh cm(-3) with an excellent long-term cycling life up to 6000 cycles, and as an electrochemical capacitor has delivered a maximum volumetric energy density of 171.2 Wh L(-1) and a volumetric capacitance of 201.6 F cm(-3) .
Genome-wide association study of opioid dependence: multiple associations mapped to calcium and potassium pathways.

Background We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of two populations, African-American and European-American (AA, EA) for opioid dependence (OD) in three sets of subjects, to identify pathways, genes, and alleles important in OD risk. Methods The design employed three phases (on the basis of separate sample collections). Phase 1 included our discovery GWAS dataset consisting of 5697 subjects (58% AA) diagnosed with opioid and/or other substance dependence and control subjects. Subjects were genotyped with the Illumina OmniQuad microarray, yielding 890,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) suitable for analysis. Additional genotypes were imputed with the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Top-ranked findings were further evaluated in Phase 2 by incorporating information from the publicly available Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment dataset, with GWAS data from 4063 subjects (32% AA). In Phase 3, the most significant SNPs from Phase 2 were genotyped in 2549 independent subjects (32% AA). Analyses were performed with case-control and ordinal trait designs. Results Most significant results emerged from the AA subgroup. Genome-wide-significant associations ( p −8 ) were observed with SNPs from multiple loci– KCNG2* rs62103177 was most significant after combining results from datasets in every phase of the study. The most compelling results were obtained with genes involved in potassium signaling pathways (e.g., KCNC1 and KCNG2 ). Pathway analysis also implicated genes involved in calcium signaling and long-term potentiation. Conclusions This is the first study to identify risk variants for OD with GWAS. Our results strongly implicate risk pathways and provide insights into novel therapeutic and prevention strategies and might biologically bridge OD and other non–substance dependence psychiatric traits where similar pathways have been implicated.
The value of second opinion in gastrointestinal and liver pathology.

Abstract Objective.—The value of routine second opinion review of liver and gastrointestinal pathologic material was evaluated to determine whether there were discrepancies in diagnoses and if these discrepancies had an impact on treatment or prognosis. Materials and Methods.—All gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary histopathology referral diagnoses made during a 1-year period for patients being treated at Ohio State University Medical Center were compared with the outside pathologic diagnosis. All major discrepant diagnoses were reviewed by at least 2 pathologists. Diagnoses were classified as no diagnostic disagreement, diagnostic disagreement, or no diagnostic disagreement but pertinent information missing or terminology unclear. Discrepant cases were also classified according to the clinical significance of the discrepancy. Results.—Pathology reports from 194 hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal cases were reviewed. Of the hepatobiliary cases, 57 (64.8%) of 88 cases showed no discrepancies. Discrepancies ...
Renal Cyst Development in Mice with Conditional Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor

Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor, pVHL, is associated with both hereditary and sporadic renal cysts and renal cell carcinoma, which are commonly thought to arise from the renal proximal tubule. pVHL regulates the protein stability of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-alpha subunits and loss of pVHL function leads to HIF stabilization. The role of HIF in the development of VHL-associated renal lesions remains to be determined. To investigate the functional consequences of pVHL inactivation and the role of HIF signaling in renal epithelial cells, we used the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) promoter to generate transgenic mice in which Cre-recombinase is expressed in the renal proximal tubule and in hepatocytes. We found that conditional inactivation of VHL in PEPCK-Cre mutants resulted in renal cyst development that was associated with increased erythropoietin levels and polycythemia. Increased expression of the HIF target gene erythropoietin was limited to the liver, whereas expression of carbonic anhydrase 9 and multidrug resistance gene 1 was up-regulated in the renal cortex of mutant mice. Inactivation of the HIF-alpha binding partner, arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt), but not Hif-1alpha, suppressed the development of renal cysts. Here, we present the first mouse model of VHL-associated renal disease that will provide a basis for further genetic studies to define the molecular events that are required for the progression of VHL-associated renal cysts to clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
dChipSNP: significance curve and clustering of SNP-array-based loss-of-heterozygosity data

Motivation: Oligonucleotide microarrays allow genotyping of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in parallel. Recently, this technology has been applied to loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of paired normal and tumor samples. However, methods and software for analyzing such data are not fully developed. Result: Here, we report automated methods for pooling SNP array replicates to make LOH calls, visualizing SNP and LOH data along chromosomes in the context of genes and cytobands, making statistical inference to identify shared LOH regions, clustering samples based on LOH profiles and correlating the clustering results to clinical variables. Application of these methods to prostate and breast cancer datasets generates biologically important results. Availability: The software module dChipSNP implementing these methods is available at http://biosun1.harvard.edu/complab/dchip/snp/ Supplementary information: The breast cancer data are provided by Andrea L. Richardson, Zhigang C. Wang and James D. Iglehart.
Accurate calculation of the density of proteins.

On the basis of theoretical calculations, Andersson & Hovmoller have recently suggested that the long-established value of 1.35 g cm−3 for the mean density of proteins should be revised to 1.22 g cm−3 [Andersson & Hovmoller (2000), Acta Cryst. D56, 789–790]. To substantiate their assertion, these authors used the Voronoi algorithm to calculate the mean atomic volume for 30 representative protein structures. The Voronoi procedure requires that atoms of interest be bounded on all sides by other atoms. Volume calculations for surface atoms that are not surrounded or are only sparsely surrounded by other atoms either are not possible or may be unreliable. In an attempt to circumvent this problem, Andersson & Hovmoller rejected atoms with calculated volumes that were indeterminate or were greater than 50 A3. In the present study, it is shown that this criterion is not sufficiently restrictive to ensure accurate volume determinations. When only strictly buried atoms are included in the volume calculations using the Voronoi algorithm, the mean density is found to be 1.47 ± 0.05 g cm−3. In addition, an alternate procedure based on the Connolly algorithm that permits all protein atoms to be included in volume calculations gives 1.43 ± 0.03 g cm−3 for the mean density of the same set of proteins. The latter two calculated values are mutually consistent and are in better agreement with the experimental value.
Optimum step‐stress accelerated life test plans for log‐location‐scale distributions

This article presents new tools and methods for finding optimum step-stress accelerated life test plans. First, we present an approach to calculate the large-sample approximate variance of the maximum likelihood estimator of a quantile of the failure time distribution at use conditions from a step-stress accelerated life test. The approach allows for multistep stress changes and censoring for general log-location-scale distributions based on a cumulative exposure model. As an application of this approach, the optimum variance is studied as a function of shape parameter for both Weibull and lognormal distributions. Graphical comparisons among test plans using step-up, step-down, and constant-stress patterns are also presented. The results show that depending on the values of the model parameters and quantile of interest, each of the three test plans can be preferable in terms of optimum variance. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008
Neurology goes global: Opportunities in international health

In recent years, the need for additional neurologists and neurologic expertise in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has become more apparent. Many organizations are committed to this unmet need, but the scope of the problem remains mostly underappreciated. Neurologists may be skeptical about their value in resource-limited settings, yet we are critically needed and can have a marked effect. International experiences, however, must be carried out in ethical, informed, and sustainable ways in tandem with local health care providers when possible. We present a brief overview of critical issues in global neurology, the importance of focusing on benefits to the LMIC, and options for volunteer opportunities in clinical service, education, research, and disaster relief. Finally, we offer practical pointers and resources for planning these experiences.
Processing and characterization of epoxy nanocomposites with Mwcnt's/Cnf's using thinky and 3-roll shear mixing techniques

In this work, thinky mixing method was used to disperse multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT's) and carbon nanofibers (CNF's) in SC-1 epoxy either in isolation or in combination with 3-roll shear mixing. To achieve better dispersion, MWCNT mixing with SC-1 resin directly or pre-mixed with a solvent and then mixed with SC-1 resin after evaporating the solvent. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), flexural tests, electrical conductivity tests and micrographic analysis were performed on neat, 0.2 and 0.4wt% MWCNT/CNF infused SC-1 epoxy to observe the loading effect on thermo-mechanical properties of composites. DMA results indicated improvement on storage modulus and glass transition temperature, Tg, while flexural results exhibited enhanced flexural strength and modulus with up to 0.4wt% MWCNT/CNF infused epoxy resin over neat. TGA results revealed improved residue content but almost constant decomposition temperature for nanophased resin compared to neat. However, these enhancements were observed only up to 0.2 wt. % loading after which the properties were seen to either reduce or not significantly improve. These results indicate that the methods used for dispersion is suitable for low weight percent loading only.
Preventing provider errors: online total parenteral nutrition calculator.

Objective. To describe the development of a pragmatic low-cost medical information system that reduces errors in the ordering of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the newborn intensive care unit at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Methods. We designed an online total parenteral nutrition order entry system (TPNCalculator) using Internet technologies. Utilization, impact on medical errors, and user satisfaction were evaluated prior to and immediately after introduction of TPNCalculator (intervention 1) and after 2 years (intervention 2). Results. Total software development time was 3 weeks. The number of orders was similar during the 3 periods: 0.39 orders per patient per day ( N = 557) were received compared with 0.35 and 0.43 orders per patient per day ( N = 471 and N = 656) in 2 intervention periods. During the control period, an average of 10.8 errors were detected per 100 TPN orders compared with 4.2 per 100 orders in the first intervention period (61% reduction of error rate) and 1.2 per 100 orders after 2 years and some redesign of TPNCalculator (89% reduction of error rate). We found a reduction in the following types of problems (intervention 1; intervention 2): calculation errors (100%; 100%), osmolality outside the allowed range (88%; 91%), and other knowledge problems (84%; 100%). There was a 35% increase in the number of incomplete forms in the first intervention period and a 100% reduction in the second. Rapid cycle development was used in the development of this application. Users of the system were enthusiastic and supportive and compared it favorably to the previous paper-based system. Conclusion. Low-cost, pragmatic approaches using Internet technology in the design of medical information systems can reduce medical errors and might pose a viable option for the prevention of adverse drug events.
NAD(P)H Oxidases and TGF-β–Induced Cardiac Fibroblast Differentiation Nox-4 Gets Smad

See related article, pages 900–907 Under normal conditions, cardiac fibroblasts play a pivotal role in the maintenance of the structural integrity of the myocardium by regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) production. In response to myocardial infarction and pressure overload, paracrine and autocrine signals in the interstitial milieu stimulate fibroblast proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts. The phenotype of these cells is characterized by an upregulation of smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin), collagen gel contraction in vitro, increased proliferation, decreased secretion of matrix degrading enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases), and enhanced production of extracellular matrix proteins, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteineases. Thus, fibroblast transformation into myofibroblasts is associated with enhanced matrix production and decreased matrix turnover, resulting in interstitial fibrosis. This adverse ECM structural remodeling facilitates abnormalities of both systolic and diastolic cardiac function, because fibrosis leads to increase in chamber stiffness.1 The renin–angiotensin system and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) play a critical role in the development of cardiac fibrosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II)–dependent upregulation of TGF-β1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts is absolutely required for Ang II–induced fibrosis.2 TGF-β1 induces the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts, their phenotypic conversion to myofibroblasts, deposition of ECM proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and proteoglycans, and hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes, thereby mediating Ang II–induced structural remodeling of the ventricular wall in an autocrine/paracrine manner.2 The profibrotic effects of TGF-β1 are primarily attributable to the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, because acute exposure (<24 hours) of primary rat cardiac fibroblasts fails to increase collagen production.3 On the other hand, chronic exposure to TGF-β1 caused maximal collagen production that was accompanied by an increase in SM α-actin and the phenotypic conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. The signaling cascades that control cardiac fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts have …
NGAL is an early predictive biomarker of contrast-induced nephropathy in children.

We hypothesized that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early predictive biomarker of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). We prospectively enrolled 91 children (age 0–18 years) with congenital heart disease undergoing elective cardiac catheterization and angiography with contrast administration (CC; Ioversol). Serial urine and plasma samples were analyzed in a double-blind fashion by NGAL enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CIN, defined as a 50% increase in serum creatinine from baseline, was found in 11 subjects (12%), but detection using increase in serum creatinine was only possible 6–24 h after CC. In contrast, significant elevation of NGAL concentrations in urine (135 ± 32 vs. 11.6 ± 2 ng/ml without CIN, p < 0.001) and plasma (151 ± 34 vs. 36 ± 4 without CIN, p < 0.001) were noted within 2 h after CC in those subjects. Using a cutoff value of 100 ng/ml, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for prediction of CIN were excellent for the 2-h urine NGAL (73%, 100%, and 0.92, respectively) and 2-h plasma NGAL (73%, 100%, and 0.91, respectively). By multivariate analysis, the 2-h NGAL concentrations in the urine (R2 = 0.52, p < 0.0001) and plasma (R2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001) were found to be powerful independent predictors of CIN. Patient demographics and contrast volume were not predictive of CIN.
Abnormal plasma lipoproteins and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency in alcoholic liver disease.

Serial studies of plasma lipids and lipoproteins were performed in 4 patients with acute alcoholic liver disease characterized by a massive fatty liver and laboratory evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis. There were striking alterations in the plasma lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns characterized by the absence of α- and pre-β-lipoprotein bands and the presence of a single band of abnormal mobility. These changes were associated with an extreme decrease in plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity, resulting in greatly reduced levels of plasma cholesteryl esters and increased levels of unesterified cholesterol. In 2 patients hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were present, the latter because of an increase in unesterified cholesterol. Lipoproteins were isolated from the plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation at the densities used for separation of normal very low density, low density, and high density lipoproteins; however, the patients' lipoproteins were different from normal in lipid composition and ultrastructure. All of the lipoprotein fractions were decreased in cholesteryl esters and the major lipoprotein was a triglyceride-rich low density lipoprotein. Electron microscopic studies of the low and high density lipoprotein fractions revealed the presence of bilamellar vesicles and stacked discs. All of the changes in lipoprotein composition and ultrastructure gradually returned to normal with clinical improvement. These observations indicate that alcoholic liver injury is associated with profound alterations in lipoprotein composition and metabolism which may be related in part to lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency.
DNA-damage-induced nuclear export of precursor microRNAs is regulated by the ATM-AKT pathway

Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) involves transcription of miRNA genes and maturation of the primary transcripts. Recent studies have shown that posttranscriptional processing of primary and precursor miRNAs is induced after DNA damage through regulatory RNA-binding proteins in the Drosha and Dicer complexes, such as DDX5 and KSRP. However, little is known about the regulation of nuclear export of pre-miRNAs in the DNA-damage response, a critical step in miRNA maturation. Here, we show that nuclear export of pre-miRNAs is accelerated after DNA damage in an ATM-dependent manner. The ATM-activated AKT kinase phosphorylates Nup153, a key component of the nucleopore, leading to enhanced interaction between Nup153 and Exportin-5 (XPO5) and increased nuclear export of pre-miRNAs. These findings define an important role of DNA-damage signaling in miRNA transport and maturation.
Effects of VEGF165 and VEGF121 on vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in cultured embryonic quail hearts

It has been documented that hypoxia enhances coronary vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in cultured embryonic quail hearts via the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this s...
Presence of Inulin and Oligofructose in the Diets of Americans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals was used to estimate the intake of naturally occurring inulin and oligofructose by the U.S. population. Two nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls from >15,000 Americans of all ages were conducted, and a special database of inulin and oligofructose was developed specifically for the analyses. American diets provided on average 2.6 g of inulin and 2.5 g of oligofructose. Intakes varied by gender and age, ranging from 1.3 g for young children to 3.5 g for teenage boys and adult males. When standardized for amount of food consumed, the intakes showed little difference across gender and age. Significant differences in intake of these components were seen between categories within region of the country, season, income, and race and origin; however, the actual differences were relatively small. Major food sources of naturally occurring inulin and oligofructose in American diets were wheat, which provided about 70% of these components, and onions, which provided about 25% of these components. The estimation of the presence of inulin and oligofructose in the diets of Americans has not been published to date.
Social Work and Managed Care Measuring Competence, Burnout, and Role Stress of Workers Providing Mental Health Services in a Managed Care Era

• Summary: This article presents findings of a quantitative study that illuminates the `sense of competence' of American social workers practicing in a new financial reimbursement and treatment health care system called `managed care'. Questionnaires completed by 140 social workers provided data about the relationships between self-perceived competence and outcome variables including burnout and role stress.• Findings: A central finding was that social workers who felt competent in their abilities to practice in a managed care environment also reported lower levels of role stress and burnout. Other findings included that those working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness reported lower levels of sense of competence and higher levels of role stress and burnout symptoms.• Applications : Potential implications for research, education, and practice with the focus of increasing workers' knowledge and skills when providing services in a managed care environment are addressed. Future research i...
Random Multiresolution Representations for Arbitrary Sensor Network Graphs

We propose a distributed multiresolution representation of sensor network data so that large-scale summaries are readily available by querying a small fraction of sensor nodes, anywhere in the network, and small-scale details are available by querying a larger number of sensors, locally in the region of interest. A global querier (such as a mobile collector or unmanned aerial vehicle) can obtain a lossy to lossless representation of the network data, according to the desired resolution. A local querier (such as a sensor node) can also obtain either large-scale trends or local details, by querying its immediate neighborhood. We want the encoding to be robust to arbitrary, even time-varying, wireless communication connectivity graphs. Thus we want to avoid cluster heads or deterministic hierarchies that are not robust to single points of failure. We propose a randomized encoding which enables both robustness, and distributed computation that does not require long distance coordination or awareness of network connectivity at individual sensors. Our distributed encoding algorithm operates on local neighborhoods of the communication graph.
Effects of post-sampling conditions on ambient carbon aerosol filter measurements

Abstract Ambient carbonaceous material collected on quartz filters is prone to measurement artifacts due to material gained or lost during post-sampling field latency, shipping, and storage. In seventeen sampling events over a one year period, ambient PM2.5 aerosols were collected on quartz filters (without denuders) and subjected to various filter treatments to assess the potential for and extent of artifacts. The filter treatments simulated post-sampling environments that filters may be exposed to and included: storage at 40 °C for up to 96 h, storage at −16 °C for 48 h, and storage at room temperature (∼21 °C) for 48 h. Carbon mass on the filters was measured using a thermal-optical method. The total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC) and total elemental carbon (TEC) as well as carbon thermal fraction masses were obtained. Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences in carbon fraction concentrations between filters analyzed immediately after sampling and after being subjected to treatment. TOC and TC concentrations decreased by on average 15 ± 5% and 10 ± 4%, respectively, for filters maintained at 40 °C for 96 h but did not change for filters stored at room temperature or frozen for 48 h. TEC did not change for any of the filter treatments. The mass concentration for the organic carbon thermal fraction that evolves at the lowest temperature step (OC1) decreased with increasing storage time at 40 °C with average losses of 70 ± 7% after 96 h. Therefore, OC1 is not a stable measurement due to post-sampling conditions that may be encountered. This work demonstrates that TOC and TC can have substantial measurement artifacts on filters subjected to field latency and other non-temperature controlled post-sampling handling, compared to the carbon loadings on the filter at the end of the sampling period.
Interaction of Carbon Dioxide Laser Radiation with Enamel and Dentin

Extracted human teeth were exposed to continuous CO2 laser radiation at 10.6μ. Ground sections showed disrupted enamel rods and incineration of odontoblastic processes in dentin. Microradiographs of enamel confirmed the changes observed, which were probably due to high temperature elevation at the site of interaction together with heat flow from this region.
Consumer ratings of edible flower quality, mix, and color

Two identical surveys were conducted with separate samples to determine consumer perceptions of the quality of five edible flower species. Participants were either members of a class that reviewed the history and uses of edible flowers at an annual, 1-day event (Garden Days) or Michigan Master Gardeners who attended a similar class. Participants were shown a randomized series of projected photographic slides of five edible flower species and asked to indicate whether they found the flower quality acceptable. The slides depicted a range of ratings of mechanical damage, insect damage, or flower senescence on a Likert reference scale (1 through 5) developed by the researchers. A flower rated 5 was flawless, while a flower rated 1 had substantial damage. Nearly one-half of all participants had eaten edible flowers before the study, and 57% to 59% had grown them for their own consumption, indicating many individuals had previous experience. Both samples rated flower quality equally and found pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana ‘Accord Banner Clear Mixture’), tuberous begonia (Begonia ×tuberhybrida ‘Ornament Pink’), and viola (Viola tricolor ‘Helen Mount’) acceptable from stage 5 to 3. Both groups found the nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus ‘Jewel Mix’) flowers acceptable at only rating 5. Garden Days participants rated borage (Borago officinalis) acceptable from ratings 5 to 3, while the Master Gardeners rated their acceptability from only 5 to 4. Participants also rated flower color (yellow, orange, and blue) as equally acceptable.
Consistent delay of reward vs consistent nonreward in the alley

Albino rats were given training in a runway with either consistent delay or consistent nonreward. The results indicated no performance differences between the two conditions; however, a pretraining effect was evident resulting in superior initial performance for the delay group relative to the nonreward group. This result was interpreted in terms of the Capaldian sequential hypothesis.
Inhibition of phosphoinositol 3 kinase contributes to nanoparticle-mediated exaggeration of endotoxin-induced leukocyte procoagulant activity

Aim: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is an increasing concern for certain types of engineered nanomaterials. Recent studies have shed some light on the nanoparticle physicochemical properties contributing to this toxicity; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. Leukocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) is a key factor contributing to the initiation of this toxicity. We have previously reported on the exaggeration of endotoxin-induced PCA by cationic dendrimers. Herein, we report an effort to discern the mechanism. Materials & methods: Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers with various sizes and surface functionalities were studied in vitro by the recalcification test, flow cytometry and other relevant assays. Results & conclusion: Cationic dendrimers exaggerated endotoxin-induced PCA, but their anionic or neutral counterparts did not; the cationic charge prompts this phenomenon, but different cationic surface chemistries do not influence it. Cationic dendrimers and endotoxin differentially affect the PCA...