cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A role for NMDA-receptor channels in working memory

The NMDA class of glutamate receptors has a critical role in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a synaptic modification that may encode some forms of long-term memory. However, NMDA-receptor antagonists disrupt a variety of mental processes1,2,3,4,5,6 that are not dependent on long-term memory. For example, they interfere with working memory1,6, a short-lasting form of memory that is maintained by neuronal activity7 rather than by synaptic modification. This suggests that there are unknown functions of the NMDA-receptor channel. One hint is that in addition to producing the calcium entry important for LTP induction, NMDA-receptor channels produce voltage-dependent excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)8. Here, we use a network model to show that such NMDA-receptor-mediated EPSPs could be critical in maintaining working memory. These results provide a mechanistic framework useful in understanding dopamine-NMDA interactions in working memory and the disruption of working memory in schizophrenia.
Web 2.0 and Chronic Illness: New Horizons, New Opportunities

"Web 2.0" heralds a breakthrough opportunity for empowering healthcare consumers of all types, and especially for those suffering from different forms of chronic illness. As the author shows using some data gathered from a popular social networking website--MySpace.com--this opportunity may be greatest for heavily stigmatized chronic health issues, such as obesity and mental illness.
Vitamin E dose-response studies in humans with use of deuterated RRR-alpha-tocopherol

Background: Supplemental vitamin E does not raise plasma α-tocopherol concentrations more than 3-fold. Objective: To elucidate the mechanism for the limitation in plasma α-tocopherol, we undertook human supplementation trials using incrementally increased doses of deuterated vitamin E. Design: Plasma was obtained from 6 healthy, young adults (4 men and 2 women) during 3 sequential supplementation trials with doses of 15, 75, and 150 mg RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate labeled with deuterium (d 3 -RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate). A defined diet was provided on the day of deuterated vitamin E administration, but otherwise subjects ate ad libitum. Results: The areas under the curves calculated from the plasma d 3 -RRR-α-tocopherol concentrations increased linearly with dose-a 10-fold increase in dose resulted in a 10-fold increase in area under the curve. d 3 -RRR-α-Tocopherol absorption and incorporation into plasma did not decrease with increasing dose. At 11 h, the 15-, 75-, and 150-mg doses resulted in 8 ± 4%, 21 ± 10%, and 37 ± 20% labeling, respectively, of plasma vitamin E. Plasma total (labeled plus unlabeled) α-tocopherol concentrations before supplementation were 12 ± 3 μmol/L and over the 96 h after the dose averaged 13.3 ± 2.6, 15.4 ± 3.0, and 16.7 ± 4.9 μmol/L for the 15-, 75-, and 150-mg doses, respectively. Conclusions: d 3 -RRR-α-Tocopherol was incorporated into the plasma in preference to circulating plasma RRR-α-tocopherol, This could occur if the newly absorbed d 3 -RRR-α-tocopherol was preferentially used to replenish circulating vitamin E.
Multiple chronic conditions and labor force outcomes: A population study of U.S. adults.

Background Although 1-in-5 adults have multiple (≥2) chronic conditions, limited attention has been given to the association between multiple chronic conditions and employment. Methods Cross-sectional data (2011 National Health Interview Survey) and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the association among multiple chronic conditions, employment, and labor force outcomes for U.S. adults aged 18–64 years, controlling for covariates. Results Among U.S. adults aged 18–64 years (unweighted, n = 25,458), having multiple chronic conditions reduced employment probability by 11–29%. Some individual chronic conditions decreased employment probability. Among employed adults (unweighted, n = 16,096), having multiple chronic conditions increased the average number of work days missed due to injury/illness in the past year by 3–9 days. Conclusions Multiple chronic conditions are a barrier to employment and increase the number of work days missed, placing affected individuals at a financial disadvantage. Researchers interested in examining consequences of multiple chronic conditions should give consideration to labor force outcomes.Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:943–954, 2015. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Peroxisomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: immunofluorescence analysis and import of catalase A into isolated peroxisomes.

Abstract To isolate peroxisomes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae of a quality sufficient for in vitro import studies, we optimized the conditions for cell growth and for cell fractionation. Stability of the isolated peroxisomes was monitored by catalase latency and sedimentability of marker enzymes. It was improved by (i) using cells that were shifted to oleic acid medium after growth to stationary phase in glucose precultures, (ii) shifting the pH from 7.2 to 6.0 during cell fractionation, and (iii) carrying out equilibrium density centrifugation with Nycodenz containing 0.25 M sucrose throughout the gradient. A concentrated peroxisomal fraction was used for in vitro import of catalase A. After 2 h of incubation, 62% of the catalase was associated with, and 16% was imported into, the organelle in a protease-resistant fashion. We introduced immunofluorescence microscopy for S. cerevisiae peroxisomes, using antibodies against thiolase, which allowed us to identify even the extremely small organelles in glucose-grown cells. Peroxisomes from media containing oleic acid were larger in size, were greater in number, and had a more intense fluorescence signal. The peroxisomes were located, sometimes in clusters, in the cell periphery, often immediately adjacent to the plasma membrane. Systematic immunofluorescence observations of glucose-grown S. cerevisiae demonstrated that all such cells contained at least one and usually several very small peroxisomes despite the glucose repression. This finding fits a central prediction of our model of peroxisome biogenesis: peroxisomes form by division of preexisting peroxisomes; therefore, every cell must have at least one peroxisome if additional organelles are to be induced in that cell.
Expression analysis of human adipose-derived stem cells during in vitro differentiation to an adipocyte lineage

Adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells (ASCs) represent a promising regenerative resource for soft tissue reconstruction. Although autologous grafting of whole fat has long been practiced, a major clinical limitation of this technique is inconsistent long-term graft retention. To understand the changes in cell function during the transition of ASCs into fully mature fat cells, we compared the transcriptome profiles of cultured undifferentiated human primary ASCs under conditions leading to acquisition of a mature adipocyte phenotype. Microarray analysis was performed on total RNA extracted from separate ACS isolates of six human adult females before and after 7 days (7 days: early stage) and 21 days (21 days: late stage) of adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Differential gene expression profiles were determined using Partek Genomics Suite Version 6.4 for analysis of variance (ANOVA) based on time in culture. We also performed unsupervised hierarchical clustering to test for gene expression patterns among the three cell populations. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to determine biologically significant networks and canonical pathways relevant to adipogenesis. Cells at each stage showed remarkable intra-group consistency of expression profiles while abundant differences were detected across stages and groups. More than 14,000 transcripts were significantly altered during differentiation while ~6000 transcripts were affected between 7 days and 21 days cultures. Setting a cutoff of +/-two-fold change, 1350 transcripts were elevated while 2929 genes were significantly decreased by 7 days. Comparison of early and late stage cultures revealed increased expression of 1107 transcripts while 606 genes showed significantly reduced expression. In addition to confirming differential expression of known markers of adipogenesis (e.g., FABP4, ADIPOQ, PLIN4), multiple genes and signaling pathways not previously known to be involved in regulating adipogenesis were identified (e.g. POSTN, PPP1R1A, FGF11) as potential novel mediators of adipogenesis. Quantitative RT-PCR validated the microarray results. ASC maturation into an adipocyte phenotype proceeds from a gene expression program that involves thousands of genes. This is the first study to compare mRNA expression profiles during early and late stage adipogenesis using cultured human primary ASCs from multiple patients.
Convective heat transfer with light winds

A simple expression for sensible heat flux under pure ‘thermal’ convection is developed on the basis of a fortunate observation of the shape and behavior of the indidual convection cells. The cells of rising air were seen to be nearly circular in cross-section, the diameter decreasing upward, and separated from the environment by a sharp boundary in the lower levels. The model developed yields an expression involving only readily measurable parameters: height, mean temperature gradient, and difference of the modes of the instantaneous temperature frequency distribution.
BEHAVIORAL SAMPLING METHODS FOR CETACEANS: A REVIEW AND CRITIQUE

Behavioral scientists have developed methods for sampling behavior in order to reduce observational biases and to facilitate comparisons between studies. A review of 74 cetacean behavioral field studies published from 1989 to 1995 in Marine Mammal Science and The Canadian Journal of Zoology suggests that cetacean researchers have not made optimal use of available methodology. The survey revealed that a large proportion of studies did not use reliable sampling methods. Ad libitum sampling was used most often (59%). When anecdotal studies were excluded, 45% of 53 behavioral studies used ad libitum as the predominant method. Other sampling methods were continuous, onezero, incident, point, sequence, or scan sampling. Recommendations for sampling methods are made, depending on identifiability of animals, group sizes, dive durations, and change in group membership.
Circumstances influencing Otto Loewi's discovery of chemical transmission in the nervous system.

A fortuitous but fortunate series of circumstances involving choice of experimental animal, seasonal variation and circadian rhythms probably facilitated the discovery of chemical transmission in the nervous system more than 50 years ago.
Electron spin relaxation via flexural phonon modes in semiconducting carbon nanotubes

This work considers the $g$-tensor anisotropy induced by the flexural thermal vibrations in one-dimensional structures and its role on electron spin relaxation. In particular, the mechanism of spin-lattice relaxation via flexural modes is theoretically studied for localized and delocalized electronic states in semiconducting carbon nanotubes in the presence of a magnetic field. The calculation of a one-phonon spin-flip process predicts distinctive dependencies of the relaxation rate on temperature, magnetic field, and nanotube diameter. A comparison to the spin relaxation caused by the hyperfine interaction clearly suggests the relative efficiency of the proposed mechanism at sufficiently high temperatures. Specifically, the longitudinal spin relaxation time in the semiconducting carbon nanotubes is estimated to be as short as $30\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\text{s}$ at room temperature.
Reply: The long-term response to imatinib treatment of CML

Sir, Despite the initial success of imatinib (Gleevec, STI571) in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) (Druker et al, 1996), only few patients achieve a complete molecular remission, with just 4% displaying consistent PCR-negative status by 30 months in the IRIS trial (Hughes et al, 2003). The source of this residual disease and the question of whether imatinib can deplete leukaemic stem cells have sparked a discussion (Chaudhary et al, 1991; Bedi et al, 1993; Graham et al, 2002; Jiang et al, 2004; Michor et al, 2005; Roeder et al, 2006). Two groups have recently published theoretical models to study the treatment response to imatinib. Roeder et al (2006) investigated stem cell dormancy (Graham et al, 2002) as a mechanism of imatinib insensitivity and suggested that proliferating stem cells are depleted during therapy. In the absence of resistance mutations, their model predicts a continuous decrease in the leukaemic cell burden, and eventually an eradication of the disease (Glauche et al, 2006). Michor et al (2005) proposed that leukaemic stem cells are not depleted by significant amounts during imatinib therapy. This conclusion was drawn from the relapse dynamics in patients who discontinue therapy; their leukaemic cell load increases to levels beyond pretreatment baseline after stop of therapy, suggesting that leukaemic stem cells keep expanding during treatment. We designed the simplest possible model that can reproduce the disease dynamics over the first 12 months of therapy. It was our intent to model CML dynamics over the first year of imatinib therapy only (not over the whole course of disease progression) owing to data availability. The model does not consider competition between wild-type and leukaemic stem cells because there is no evidence for such interactions in the 12 months data. This model predicts an eventual relapse in the leukaemic cell count due to continuously expanding leukaemic stem cells. In a follow-up paper (Dingli and Michor, 2006), we investigated a model including density dependence of wild-type and leukaemic stem cells. In that model, leukaemic stem cells cannot expand indefinitely, but cannot be eradicated either because they are intrinsically insensitive to imatinib. The model reproduces the long-term imatinib response data (Figure 1) and predicts that imatinib cannot cure CML patients. Figure 1 Imatinib treatment dynamics. Based on Dingli and Michor (2006), the system containing stem cells (SC), progenitor cells (PC), differentiated (DC) and terminally differentiated cells (TC) is described by Here φ=1/[1+cx(x0+y0)] ... Our models remain valid given the currently available data. Further experimental and theoretical investigations are needed to increase the understanding of CML stem cell dynamics and to clarify the mechanism of their insensitivity to imatinib.
Heparan preserves intestinal perfusion after hemorrhage and resuscitation.

Abstract Background: Multiple system organ failure (MOF) remains a major source of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. Despite restoration of central hemodynamics, intestinal hypoperfusion can persist. Mucosal ischemia and barrier breakdown are factors in the genesis of MOF. Heparan sulfate is a gycosaminoglycan similar to heparin, but with minimal anticoagulant properties. As an adjunct to resuscitation, it improves immunologic function and restores mucosal oxygenation and function. We hypothesized that resuscitation with heparan following hemorrhage wound prevents intestinal hypoperfusion. Materials and methods:In vivovideomicroscopy was used to study small intestine microcirculation in rats. Animals were hemorrhaged to 50% of baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) and maintained there. Resuscitation was initiated when the return of 10% shed blood was required to keep MAP at 50%. Animals received either heparan (7 mg/kg/1 ml saline) or saline (1 ml) followed by the remaining shed blood and an equal volume of saline. MAP, cardiac output (CO), A1 arteriole diameters, and flow were determined. Results: Resuscitation of the saline control group resulted in normal MAP with elevation of CO to 25–40% above baseline. The heparan group had return of MAP but only a moderate increase in CO (7–15%). Saline resuscitation led to progressive deterioration in A1 diameters and flow. The addition of heparan prevented delayed A1 constriction and significantly improved perfusion. Conclusions: Heparan prior to resuscitation improved intestinal perfusion, despite a relative reduction in CO. Improvement in nutrient blood flow may protect the mucosal barrier, reducing the incidence of MOF, and suggests that heparan may be useful in resuscitation of trauma patients.
Core polarization and the structure of simple metals

Many liquid simple metals (Ga and Sn are prominent examples) have static structure factors $S(k)$ that appear to depart appreciably from the predictions of standard central-force models of liquid structure. The inferred structural anomalies take the form of weak subsidiary maxima on $S(k)$ near the principal diffraction peak, or even asymmetries in the peak itself. They are shown here to be a consequence of corresponding structure introduced into the effective ion-ion interaction by the inclusion of dynamically screened fluctuating dipole interactions between ion cores. The effects are therefore most pronounced in ions that are highly polarizable and in extreme cases actually manifest themselves as nonmonotonic contributions to the pair potential at relatively short range. Less extreme behavior can result merely in a softening of the standard pseudopotential-based pair interaction calculated in the absence of such terms. A calculation of the effective ion-ion potential therefore requires a knowledge of the frequency-dependent ionic and electron gas polarizabilities and the one-electron pseudopotential. Model potentials based on reasonable estimates of all of these are used in conjunction with simulation (Monte Carlo) methods to show that the structural anomalies can indeed be attributed to core-polarization effects.
Effect of fluoride-containing compounds on the skeletal retention of 80Sr and 45Ca in the rat.

A series of three studies was conducted with rats to investigate the influence of various means of fluoride supplementation on radioactive strontium metabolism. The data demonstrated that shortened periods of fluoride exposure of 60 days or less did not alter radioactive strontium metabolism appreciably, but periods of fluoride exposure of four to eight months decreased the skeletal retention of radioactive strontium significantly.
The role of neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the prevention and potentiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN)

The first step in the initiation of organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) is proposed to be the phosphorylation of an enzyme found in the nervous system called neurotoxic esterase (neuropathy target esterase, NTE). It has been known for over twenty years that non-neuropathic inhibitors of NTE exist and can actually prevent OPIDN when given before a neuropathic organophosphate (OP). Within the last three years it has become evident that another outcome is possible following in vivo interaction between neuropathic and nonneuropathic NTE inhibitors. When administered after OP exposure, nonneuropathic inhibitors can intensify or potentiate signs of OPIDN in adult chickens. Additionally, whereas developing chickens are typically resistant to the effects of neuropathic OPs, resistant age groups will develop OPIDN when exposure to a neuropathic OP is followed by the non-neuropathic NTE inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. As in the case of prevention, studies of the potentiation of OPIDN may yield insight into mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of delayed neurotoxicity. A brief review of current knowledge regarding the role of NTE in both the prevention and potentiation of OPIDN is presented.
SB 206553, a putative 5-HT2C inverse agonist, attenuates methamphetamine-seeking in rats.

Background: Methamphetamine (meth) dependence presents a substantial socioeconomic burden. Despite the need, there is no FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for psychostimulant dependence. We consider 5-HT2C receptors as viable therapeutic targets. We recently revealed that the atypical antidepressant, mirtazapine, attenuates meth-seeking in a rodent model of human substance abuse. Mirtazapine historically has been considered to be an antagonist at 5-HT2C receptors, but more recently shown to exhibit inverse agonism at constitutively active 5-HT2C receptors. To help distinguish the roles for antagonism vs. inverse agonism, here we explored the ability of a more selective 5-HT2C inverse agonist, SB 206553 to attenuate meth-seeking behavior, and compared its effects to those obtained with 5-HT2C antagonists, SDZ Ser 082 and SB 242084. To do so, rats were trained to self-administer meth and tested for seeking-like behavior in cue reactivity sessions consisting of contingently presenting meth-associated cues without meth reinforcement. We also explored motor function to determine the influence of SB 206553 and SDZ Ser 082 on motor activity in the presence and absence of meth. Results: Like mirtazapine, pretreatment with SB 206553 (1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg), attenuated meth-seeking. In contrast, the antagonists, SDZ Ser 082 (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg) and SB 242084 (3.0 mg/kg) had no effect on cue reactivity (CR). SB 242084 (3.0 mg/kg) failed to attenuate the effects of 5.0 and 10 mg/kg SB 206553 on CR. Motor function was largely unaltered by the 5-HT2C ligands; however, SB 206553, at the highest dose tested (10.0 mg/kg), attenuated meth-induced rearing behavior. Conclusions: The lack of effect by 5-HT2C antagonists suggests that meth-seeking and meth-evoked motor activity are independent of endogenous 5-HT acting at 5-HT2C receptors. While SB 206553 dramatically impacted meth-evoked behaviors it is unclear whether the observed effects were 5-HT2C receptor mediated. Thus, SB 206553 deserves further attention in the study of psychostimulant abuse disorders.
Evolution of vector magnetic fields and the August 27 1990 X-3 flare

Vector magnetic fields in an active region of the sun are studied by means of continuous observations of magnetic-field evolution emphasizing magnetic shear build-up. The vector magnetograms are shown to measure magnetic fields correctly based on concurrent observations and a comparison of the transverse field with the H alpha fibril structure. The morphology and velocity pattern are examined, and these data and the shear build-up suggest that the active region's two major footprints are separated by a region with flows, new flux emergence, and several neutral lines. The magnetic shear appears to be caused by the collision and shear motion of two poles of opposite polarities. The transverse field is shown to turn from potential to sheared during the process of flux cancellation, and this effect can be incorporated into existing models of magnetic flux cancellation.
Single versus simultaneous species treatment of wood with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Postia placenta for ethanol applications, with observations on interspecific growth inhibition

Abstract In order to examine the potential efficacy of simultaneous dual-species fungal treatment of wood for lignocellulosic ethanol production, whole organism fungal biopulping methods utilizing white rot (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora) and brown rot (Postia placenta) fungi alone or in co-culture were compared for effect on wood microstructure, chemical composition, and enzymatic sugar solubilization. Liriodendron tulipifera wood chips exposed for 30 days to C. subvermispora and/or P. placenta fungi alone or in co-culture exhibited qualitative differences in wood microstructure, but did not significantly differ in final percent composition of holocellulose, α-cellulose, or lignin content compared to controls. All fungal treatments increased the soluble reducing sugar yield of enzymatic hydrolysis by ca. 28–30% over sterile controls. The co-culture fungal treatment did not significantly differ in reducing sugar yield compared to monoculture treatments, suggesting an unexpected lack of additive or other synergistic species effects on wood degradation using these fungi in co-culture. Paired interaction agar plate assays demonstrated that C. subvermispora and P. placenta exhibited mutual distance-mediated growth inhibition that was independent of substrate type or availability, suggesting an explanation for the observed lack of degradative synergy between these taxa. This study is the first to report the effects of simultaneous co-treatment with white and brown rot fungi, highlights the need for further optimization of methods to account for specialized fungal degradative mechanisms, and examines the potential influence of competitive interactions in whole-organism biopulping treatments utilizing different taxa.
Rethinking Scarcity: Neoclassicism, NeoMalthusianism, and NeoManrsm:

Neoclassical economic theory holds that scarcity is the inevitable and central economic problem, to which our present "free market economy" provides the optimal solution. Recently, this claim has b...
Single and double dip peeling of potatoes with potassium hydroxide

Comparison of single dip versus double dip peeling with KOH was examined. Good peeling was obtained with a single dip in 20% KOH at 68 C (155 F) and an immersion time of 5 min 15 sec. Good peeling was also obtained using double dip methods with a first dip in 40% KOH at 107 C (225 F) for 15 seconds followed by a second dip for 1 min in 20% KOH at 68 C (155 F). Thus, a large decrease in dip time can be obtained using the two dip peeling method.
Maintenance float policy estimation with imperfect information

Abstract This paper investigates the initial estimation of maintenance float policy (MFP) for large systems. Recent research on the MFP estimation process based on reliability analysis has generated results which can provide decision support to operations and maintenance managers. That is, even if the only available information consists of the subjective estimates of experts. Both the performance of these models and the validity of their structure are systematically assessed via experimental analysis. The MFP estimation process is improved by shifting the analysis of physical performance of inputs to an effective MFP with a minimum cost architecture. Illustrative examples show how the approach can be adopted to reduce the dimensionality and combinatorial problems associated with large maintenance float systems.
Developmental outcome of minority infants : a process-oriented look into our beginnings

This article reviews the literature on the development of children of minority status from birth to 3 years of age (infants). 5 major sources of influence on the developmental outcome of minority infants are proposed: cultural beliefs and caregiving practices, health status and health care practices, family structure and characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and biological factors. It is suggested that differences exist between minority and Anglo families in their developmental goals and interactions during the infancy period. The health status of some minority groups places these infants in an at-risk category for neurodevelopmental problems. The family context is characterized by younger mothers, a higher percentage of single heads of households, but also large, extended families. Socioeconomic factors have a pervasive influence on both infants and parents, and the contribution of biological factors is suggested but poorly understood. It is concluded that these factors act synergistically to place these infants in alternative (not necessarily deviant) developmental pathways, or in "at-risk" categories for neurodevelopmental problems, while canalization processes are operating to insure that major developmental milestones are achieved.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Positively Regulates Collagen Type I Production via a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-independent Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a multifunctional protein involved in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The goal of this study was to determine the role of mTOR in type I collagen regulation. The pharmacological inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, LY294002, significantly inhibited collagen type I protein and mRNA levels. The effects of LY294002 were more pronounced on the collagen α1(I) chain, which was inhibited at the transcriptional and mRNA stability levels versus collagen α2(I) chain, which was inhibited through a decrease in mRNA stability. In contrast, addition of the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, did not alter type I collagen steady-state mRNA levels. This observation and further experiments using an inactive LY294002 analogue suggested that collagen mRNA levels are inhibited independent of PI 3-kinase. Additional experiments have established that mTOR positively regulates collagen type I synthesis in human fibroblasts. These conclusions are based on results demonstrating that inhibition of mTOR activity using a specific inhibitor, rapamycin, reduced collagen mRNA levels. Furthermore, decreasing mTOR expression by about 50% by using small interfering RNA resulted in a significant decrease of collagen mRNA (75% COL1A1 decrease and 28% COL1A2 decrease) and protein levels. Thus, mTOR plays an essential role in regulating basal expression of collagen type I gene in dermal fibroblasts. Together, our data suggest that the classical PI 3-kinase pathway, which places mTOR downstream of PI 3-kinase, is not involved in mTOR-dependent regulation of type I collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts. Because collagen overproduction is a main feature of fibrosis, identification of mTOR as a critical mediator of its regulation may provide a suitable target for drug or gene therapy.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children Attending a Cardiology Clinic

Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of suspicion or confirmation of heart disease on the physical and psychosocial health of children. We utilized the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ PF-50). Children ages 5 to 18 years attending a general cardiology clinic were eligible. Those with primary noncardiac diagnoses unrelated to heart disease were excluded. Children with similar conditions were grouped together for analysis. Group and subgroup means were compared to a U.S. population normative sample using the two-sample t test. The CHQ was administered to 321 patients (median age, 10.6 years). Overall, parents reported mean Physical and Psychosocial Summary Scores comparable to those for the normative sample (mean, 51.5 vs 53.0, p = 0.04; mean, 52.3 vs 51.2, p = 0.10). There was a trend toward worse physical health in most subgroups, especially those with cardiomyopathy (CM) (46.5; p = 0.01), and a comparable trend toward better psychosocial health except in those requiring major interventions. In subscale analyses, most subgroups reported worse Physical Functioning than the normative sample, especially CM (85.1 vs 96.1; p = 0.02). Parents of children with CM (53.2 vs 73.0; p = 0.002) and the intervention subgroups (except minor) reported worse General Health Perceptions. Parents experienced increased Parental Impact—Emotional, especially parents of children undergoing evaluations for chest pain (62.5 vs 80.3; p = 0.007). Most parents reported comparable or better health for the Family Cohesion and Bodily Pain subscales. Generally, parents of children attending a cardiology clinic report physical and psychosocial health comparable to that for the general U.S. population. However, diagnosis or confirmation of heart disease resulted in worse physical functioning and health perceptions and a significant negative emotional impact on parents.
Resolution of recalcitrant hand warts in an HIV-infected patient treated with potent antiretroviral therapy

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-related cutaneous manifestations occur with increased frequency and severity among HIV-infected persons. In this report, we describe an HIV-infected man with persistent, severe cutaneous hand warts that did not respond to multiple therapies, including liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, topical dinitrochlorobenzene, topical podophyllin, and intralesional interferon-alfa injections. Approximately 1 year after starting a potent protease inhibitor-containing antiretroviral regimen, the patient's recalcitrant cutaneous warts markedly diminished in size, even though the patient did not receive any specific therapy for the warts after starting aggressive antiretroviral therapy. The patient continued on a potent protease inhibitor-containing antiretroviral regimen and, approximately 2 years later, the warts completely resolved. Our patient's dramatic clinical improvement of cutaneous HPV infection that followed protease inhibitor-containing antiretroviral therapy provides a clear-cut example that protease inhibitor-containing combination antiretroviral therapy can produce significant clinical benefit.
Design and analysis of a diffractive optical filter for use in an optoelectronic error-diffusion neural network.

The design, fabrication, experimental characterization, and system-performance analysis of a diffractive optical implementation of an error-diffusion filter for use in digital image halftoning is reported. A diffractive optical filter was fabricated as an eight-level phase element that diffuses the quantization error nonuniformly in both the weighting and the spatial dimensions, according to a prescribed algorithm. Ten identical diffractive elements were fabricated on ten different wafers and subsequently characterized experimentally. A detailed error analysis including both fabrication and instrumentation errors was carried out to quantify the performance of the fabrication process as well as the expected system performance of the filters. Halftone system performance was evaluated by use of the experimental filter’s performance and both quantitative and qualitative performance metrics. The results of this analysis demonstrate that multiple identical copies of a diffractive optical filter can be produced with sufficient accuracy that no loss in the halftoning system performance results.
Study of liquid spray (water) in a non-condensable environment (air)

Abstract A model to describe the behavior of a water spray in an air environment is proposed. For modeling purposes, the spray is divided into two regimes—sheet portion and droplet portion. The sheet portion is important in determining the spray angle. A relation between sheet length and Weber number is obtained. The computed trajectory of droplets is substantiated qualitatively by measurements using an oil bath to capture the droplets.
Towards the Next Generation of Recommender Systems

The field of recommender systems has reached an important milestone in Fall 2009 when the $1,000,000 Netflix Prize Competition has successfully completed its course. Since then, there has been an attempt made in the recommender systems community to access what has been accomplished and identify new promising research directions that the field can pursue after passing that milestone. In this talk, I will provide my personal perspective on what I think new important and promising research directions in the field are. I will also describe some of my projects pertaining to these directions, including context-aware, flexible and aggregation-based recommender systems.
Dual Modes of Endoplasmic Reticulum-to-Golgi Transport in Dendrites Revealed by Live-Cell Imaging

Organelles of the neuronal secretory pathway are critical for the addition of membrane that accompanies neuronal development, as well as for the proper localization of plasma membrane proteins necessary for polarity, synaptic transmission, and plasticity. Here, we demonstrate that two organizations of the secretory pathway exist in neurons: one requiring processing of membrane and lipids in the Golgi complex of the cell body and one in which endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi trafficking is localized to dendrites. Using time-lapse imaging of green fluorescent protein-tagged cargo proteins and compartment markers, we show that organelles of the secretory pathway, including ER, ER exit sites, and Golgi, are present and engage in trafficking in neuronal dendrites. We find that ER-to-Golgi trafficking involves highly mobile vesicular carriers that traffic in both the anterograde and retrograde directions throughout the dendritic arbor. Dendritic Golgi outposts, which appear developmentally during the phase of process outgrowth, are involved in the trafficking of both integral membrane proteins and the secreted neuronal growth factor BDNF. This distributed dendritic Golgi represents an organization of the secretory pathway unique among mammalian cells.
Selective Mitochondrial Autophagy, or Mitophagy, as a Targeted Defense Against Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Aging

In autophagy, portions of cytoplasm are sequestered into autophagosomes and delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Long assumed to be a random process, increasing evidence suggests that autophagy of mitochondria, peroxisomes, and possibly other organelles is selective. A recent paper (Kissova et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2004;279:39068-39074) shows in yeast that a specific outer membrane protein, Uth1p, is required for efficient mitochondrial autophagy. For this selective autophagy of mitochondria, we propose the term "mitophagy" to emphasize the non-random nature of the process. Mitophagy may play a key role in retarding accumulation of somatic mutations of mtDNA with aging.
Perception and Internalization of Adoption Stigma among Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Adoptive Parents

Using data from 30 gay male, 45 lesbian, and 51 heterosexual couples who had recently adopted a child, the current study sought to (1) create and validate a measure that differentiated between perception of societal stigma about adoption and internalization of adoption stigma; (2) examine whether gender, sexual orientation, preferential adoption status, and transracial adoption status were associated with perception and internalization of adoption stigma; and (3) examine the association between adoption stigma and depression. Results indicated that the Feelings About Adoption Scale (FAAS) is a valid measure of perceived and internalized adoption stigma. Women perceived higher levels of stigma than men, and heterosexual in-racial adopters reported higher levels of internalized stigma than heterosexual transracial adopters, gay/lesbian transracial adopters, and gay/lesbian in-racial adopters. Participants who reported high levels of internalized stigma were more depressed. More research is needed to further...
Sur la régularité des solutions des équations de Navier–Stokes dans un domaine périodique de faible épaisseur

Resume Dans cette Note, nous etudions la regularite globale des solutions des equations de Navier–Stokes dans un domaine de faible epaisseur Ω = [ 0 , L 1 ] × [ 0 , L 2 ] × [ 0 , ϵ ] avec des conditions aux limites periodiques. Nous montrons que si ‖ ∇ u 0 ‖ L 2 ( Ω ) ⩽ C ( L 1 , L 2 , δ ) / ϵ 1 / 2 − δ , ou u 0 est la donnee initiale et δ > 0 est arbitraire, alors il existe une solution reguliere globale avec la donnee initiale u 0 . Cette condition ameliore les resultats existants, en particulier la moyenne de la vitesse initiale dans la direction de l'epaisseur faible n'est pas supposee petite quand l'epaisseur est petite. Pour citer cet article : I. Kukavica, M. Ziane, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 344 (2007).
Laser Ablation-ICP-MS Analysis of Dissected Tissue: A Conservation-Minded Approach to Assessing Contaminant Exposure

Minimally invasive sampling techniques are an essential ecotoxicological tool for continuous assessment of contaminant exposure and in instances where it is not desirable or practical to sacrifice the animal. In this paper, we report on the application of laser ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) for sampling of minute (approximately 1 mg, 2-3 mm) tail clips of the banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata, as a means to assess contaminant exposure. The snakes were split into three treatments (n = 8) and were fed three increasing levels (control, medium, and high) of fish contaminated with As, Se, and Sr for 24 months. LA-ICP-MS concentrations of tail clips for all three elements were significantly correlated with the remaining whole tail concentration determined by homogenization, acid digestion, and ICP-MS analysis. Additionally, LA-ICP-MS concentrations for As and Se in the tail clip were similar to the acid digestion solution analysis values for the whole tail, which suggests that these elements are homogeneously distributed. Strontium concentrations were underestimated by LA-ICP-MS when compared to whole tail concentrations. Statistical analysis showed that LA-ICP-MS tail clip concentrations differed significantly according to dietary treatment. Posterior probability error rates from nonparametric discriminant function analysis indicated that LA-ICP-MS analysis of tail clips was useful for predicting exposure to Se with only a 4% probability of misclassification among treatments. Errors associated with misclassification of As were greater (17%) but this was, in part, related to the low concentrations of As in the tail (<1 ppm for the highest treatment). Taken together, the findings from this study suggest that LA-ICP-MS of microdissected tissue shows promise as a nondestructive technique for conservation-minded ecotoxicological studies.
Basic Fuchsin as an Indicator in Endo's Medium

The writer has made an investigation of various samples of basic fuchsin for use in the Endo medium for differentiating the bacteria of the colon-typhoid group. Various different concentrations of the fuchsin samples have been used in making the media. The conclusions are as follows:American made fuchsins differ markedly in their alcohol solubility properties. They contain materials which are very readily soluble in 95% alcohol, but which are precipitated by sodium sulphite.This precipitation may be prevented by increasing the dilution of the fuchsin in alcohol.In order to secure more dependable results in the use of decolorized basic fuchsin as an indicator in Endo Agar, it is advisable to test the fuchsin in different dilutions in alcohol in order to secure a completely decolorized solution. It is also advisable to carefully test those fuchsins which decolorize only in high dilutions with a known organism in Endo agar before relying on it as a satisfactory indicator for the presence of sewage organisms.
Mechanics of ventilation in the pilot whale

Abstract Pulmonary mechanics were measured in a pilot whale (using blowhole-esophageal pressure for transpulmonary pressure and ventilation at the blowhole for changes of lung volume). Absolute lung volumes were obtained by dilution of helium; alveolar gas concentrations were obtained from end-expired samples of gases. Conductance and compliance (as functions of lung volume) and maximal lung volume (as a function of body weight) have the same magnitudes in this whale as in man. In contrast to man this whale renews as much as 88% of lung air with a single breath and appears to have a more effective defense against aspiration of water. In response to an alveolar CO 2 of 303 mm Hg and to inhaled carbachol, average pulmonary resistance increased 20% and 24% respectively (both changes not statistically significant).
Advances in Parallelization for Large Scale Oct-Tree Mesh Generation

Despite great advancements in the parallelization of numerical simulation codes over the last 20 years, it is still common to perform grid generation in serial. Generating large scale grids in serial often requires using special "grid generation" compute machines that can have more than ten times the memory of average machines. While some parallel mesh generation techniques have been proposed, generating very large meshes for LES or aeroacoustic simulations is still a challenging problem. An automated method for the parallel generation of very large scale off-body hierarchical meshes is presented here. This work enables large scale parallel generation of off-body meshes by using a novel combination of parallel grid generation techniques and a hybrid "top down" and "bottom up" oct-tree method. Meshes are generated using hardware commonly found in parallel compute clusters. The capability to generate very large meshes is demonstrated by the generation of off-body meshes surrounding complex aerospace geometries. Results are shown including a one billion cell mesh generated around a Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle geometry, which was generated on 64 processors in under 45 minutes.
Genetically engineered models relevant to neurodegenerative disorders: their value for understanding disease mechanisms and designing/testing experimental therapeutics.

Significant progress in the identification of disease-specific genes for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases have provided opportunities to understand molecular mechanisms and to test experimental therapeutic for these disorders. Recent works on clarifying the selective vulnerability of neurons and pathogenic mechanisms using genetically engineered mouse models of familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease and motor neuron disease will be reviewed.
Opiates as potential cofactors in progression of HIV-1 infections to AIDS.

Abstract Because of the widely documented association of AIDS with opiate abuse, there is considerable interest in knowing whether opiates alter progression of HIV-1 infections to AIDS. The main reason for this interest is that opiates and opiate-abuse have been shown to have broad influence on immune processes as well as in vitro expressions of HIV-1. This article reviews literature defining the connection between opiate use and AIDS. Basic understanding of the effects of opiates on immune process and HIV-1 infection, especially as derived from study of a monkey model of AIDS, are discussed as well as epidemiological data regarding the connection between chronic injected drug abuse and AIDS, in the context of current knowledge about the HIV-1 infectious process and AIDS pathogenesis. Theoretically, there is ample reason to suspect that opiates are involved in progression of HIV-1 infections to AIDS. To date, however, epidemiological approaches have been unable to link decline in CD4 T-cell counts, as a marker of AIDS progression, with opiate use—although other indices of AIDS progression have yet to be thoroughly evaluated in this regard. Also, the impact of opiate use and abuse on opportunistic infections occurring prior to or concurrent with HIV-1 infection has not been closely scrutinized. Interestingly, despite considerable evidence delineating the potential of opiates to exacerbate HIV-1 infections, there is suggestive evidence from both clinical observations and basic studies that homeostatically balancing conditions of chronic, consistent opiate exposure have the potential to protect the host from progression of HIV-1 infections—a situation that may well differ from when opiate-naive subjects first experience exposure to opiates and when opiate dependency is not maintained in a consistent fashion. Taken together, therefore, information from basic studies, including most particularly studies with monkeys, and epidemiological studies, indicates that effects of opiates on progression to AIDS may be conditionally variable. There are many aspects of the drug abuse culture that have potentially offsetting consequences in terms of their potential to up- or down-regulate both HIV-1 expression and host protective responses thereto that could be relevant in this regard. In conclusion, many ambiguities are yet to be considered, and basic and epidemiological studies to be pursued before the opiate-AIDS connection is fully understood.