cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacogenomics of hypertension in chronic kidney disease: the CKD-PGX study

ABSTRACT Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have uncontrolled hypertension despite polypharmacy. Pharmacogenomic drug-gene interactions (DGIs) may impact the metabolism or efficacy of antihypertensive agents. We hypothesized that providing a panel of 11 pharmacogenomic predictors of antihypertensive response would improve hypertension control. Methods A prospective cohort with CKD and hypertension was followed to assess the effect of pharmacogenomic testing on blood pressure control. The analysis population included 382 hypertensive subjects genotyped for cross-sectional assessment of drug-gene interactions and 335 subjects followed for 1 year to assess systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results Most participants (58.2%) with uncontrolled hypertension had a DGI reducing the efficacy of one or more antihypertensive agents. Subjects with a DGI had 1.88-fold (95% CI 1.2-2.8) higher odds of uncontrolled hypertension as compared to those without a DGI, adjusted for race and CKD grade. CYP2C9 reduced metabolism genotypes were associated with losartan response and uncontrolled hypertension (Odds Ratio 5.2, CI 1.9 -14.7). CYP2D6 intermediate or poor metabolizers had less frequent uncontrolled hypertension compared to normal metabolizers taking metoprolol or carvedilol (OR 0.55, CI 0.3-0.95). In 335 subjects completing 1 year follow-up, SBP (−4.0 mmHg, CI 1.6-6.5) and DBP (−3.3 mmHg, CI 2.0-4.6) were improved. The magnitude of reductions in SBP (−14.8 mmHg, CI 10.3-19.3) and DBP (−8.4 mmHg, CI 5.9-10.9) were greatest in the 90 individuals with uncontrolled hypertension and an actionable genotype. Conclusions There is a potential role for the addition of pharmacogenomic testing to optimize antihypertensive regimens in patients with CKD.
Developmental Role of Adenosine Kinase in the Cerebellum.

Adenosine acts as a neuromodulator and metabolic regulator of the brain through receptor dependent and independent mechanisms. In the brain, adenosine is tightly controlled through its metabolic enzyme adenosine kinase, which exists in a cytoplasmic (ADK-S) and nuclear (ADK-L) isoform. We recently discovered that ADK-L contributes to adult hippocampal neurogenesis regulation. Although the cerebellum is a highly plastic brain area with a delayed developmental trajectory, little is known about the role of ADK. Here we investigated the developmental profile of ADK expression in C57BL/6 mice cerebellum and assessed its role in developmental and proliferative processes. We found high levels of ADK-L during cerebellar development, which was maintained into adulthood. This pattern contrasts with that of the cerebrum, in which ADK-L expression is gradually downregulated postnatally and largely restricted to astrocytes in adulthood. Supporting a functional role in cell proliferation, we found that the ADK inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin reduced DNA synthesis of granular neuron precursors in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. In the developing cerebellum, immunohistochemical studies indicated ADK-L is expressed in immature Purkinje cells and granular neuron precursors, whereas in adulthood, ADK is absent from Purkinje cells, but widely expressed in mature granule neurons and their molecular layer processes. Furthermore, ADK-L is expressed in developing and mature Bergmann glia in the Purkinje cell layer, and in astrocytes in major cerebellar cortical layers. Together, our data demonstrate an association between neuronal ADK expression and developmental processes of the cerebellum, which supports a functional role of ADK-L in the plasticity of the cerebellum. Significance statement The role through which adenosine metabolism functions in the developing and adult cerebellum is poorly understood. Here we investigated the expression and possible function of ADK during cerebellum development. We report that ADK-L expression is associated with cerebellar development and linked to neural progenitor cell proliferation in vitro. In contrast to cerebrum, the adult cerebellum maintained high levels of both isoforms of ADK (L and S).
TrollHunter2020: Real-time Detection of Trolling Narratives on Twitter During the 2020 U.S. Elections

This paper presents TrollHunter2020, a real-time detection mechanism we used to hunt for trolling narratives on Twitter during and in the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. elections. Trolling narratives form on Twitter as alternative explanations of polarizing events with the goal of conducting information operations or provoking emotional responses. Detecting trolling narratives thus is an imperative step to preserve constructive discourse on Twitter and remove the influx of misinformation. Using existing techniques, the detection of such content takes time and a wealth of data, which, in a rapidly changing election cycle with high stakes, might not be available. To overcome this limitation, we developed TrollHunter2020 to hunt for trolls in real-time with several dozen trending Twitter topics and hashtags corresponding to the candidates' debates, the election night, and the election aftermath. TrollHunter2020 utilizes a correspondence analysis to detect meaningful relationships between the top nouns and verbs used in constructing trolling narratives while they emerge on Twitter. Our results suggest that the TrollHunter2020 indeed captures the emerging trolling narratives in a very early stage of an unfolding polarizing event. We discuss the utility of TrollHunter2020 for early detection of information operations or trolling and the implications of its use in supporting a constrictive discourse on the platform around polarizing topics.
The Loyal Republic: Traitors, Slaves, and the Remaking of Citizenship in Civil War America: by Erik Mathisen, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2018, Pp. 240, $34.95 (hbk), $24.95 (pbk), $19.99 (e-book), ISBN 9781469636320, ISBN 9781469654591, ISBN 9781469636337

In November 1862, mere weeks before the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect, Attorney General Edward Bates issued an opinion on the meaning of citizenship in the United States. Bates querie...
White Matter Survival within and around the Hematoma: Quantification by MRI in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

White matter (WM) injury and survival after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has received insufficient attention. WM disruption surrounding the hematoma has been documented in animal models with histology, but rarely in human ICH with noninvasive means, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A few human MRI studies have investigated changes in long WM tracts after ICH remote from the hematoma, like the corticospinal tract, but have not attempted to obtain an unbiased quantification of WM changes within and around the hematoma over time. This study attempts such quantification from 3 to 30 days post ictus. Thirteen patients with mild to moderate ICH underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) MRI at 3, 14, and 30 days. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were used to calculate the volume of tissue with FA > 0.5, both within the hematoma (lesion) and in the perilesional tissue. At day 3, the percentages of both lesional and perilesional tissue with an FA > 0.5 were significantly less than contralateral, unaffected, anatomically identical tissue. This perilesional contralateral difference persisted at day 14, but there was no significant difference at day 30. The loss of perilesional tissue with FA > 0.5 increased with increasing hematoma size at day 3 and day 14. All patients had some tissue within the lesion with FA > 0.5 at all time points. This did not decrease with duration after ictus, suggesting the persistence of white matter within the hematoma/lesion. These results outline an approach to quantify WM injury, both within and surrounding the hematoma, after mild to moderate ICH using DTI MRI. This may be important for monitoring treatment strategies, such as hematoma evacuation, and assessing efficacy noninvasively.
From diagnosis to action: Understanding youth strengths and hurdles and using decision-making tools to foster youth-inclusive sustainable agriculture intensification

Abstract By 2050, the youth population in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is expected to exceed 60%. To contain the ensuing youth bulge, reduce unemployment and ‘flight’ from rural areas, and increase agricultural productivity, countries seek policies to enhance youth engagement in agriculture. However, orthodox assumptions and locally-inappropriate policies keep youth engagement low. We use qualitative enquiry with focus group discussions and key informant interviews in Ghana and Malawi to examine youth strengths, aspirations, barriers to sustainable agriculture intensification (SAI), and implications for enhancing their inclusion. We further examine the potential of three equity-analysis tools to guide decision making on youth-inclusive SAI. Findings show that youth face limited access to land and capital, limited involvement in decision making and in farmer/development groups, and negative attitudes from community members and officials. Land access was complex, mediated by land-inheritance system, land type, population pressures, culture, and land markets. Land-access problems were acute in matrilineal Malawi, particularly for young men. Decision makers attested to the relevance and usefulness of selected youth-equity analysis tools, and to positive training outcomes on awareness, knowledge, and skills in using them. We contribute context-specific evidence on youth's positive contributions in SAI and the need to recognize them with more targeted and location-differentiated interventions on resources access, including land. Findings also inform the quest for pathways to move the youth-agriculture/SAI debate into tangible actions from below, equipped with youth-analysis tools for decision makers to foster youth-inclusive SAI in Ghana, Malawi, and other countries with similar contexts.
Brain Imaging Studies of Depressive Disorders

During the last decade, our capacity to obtain in vivo measurement of brain structure and function developed rapidly. Indeed, technological advances in brain imaging often have outpaced their application to problems of psychiatry and neurology, leaving scores of issues to be addressed. This chapter provides an overview of what we have learned from initial studies of brain imaging in affective disorders.
Identification of Novel Ligands for Vasopressin V2 Receptor from Positional Scanning Libraries

Vasopressin (arginine vasopressin, AVP) is a nonapeptide hormone released from the posterior pituitary. Its primary function in the body is to regulate extracellular fluid volume by affecting renal handling of water. The vasopressin V2 receptor is part of the G protein-coupled receptor family and activates adenylyl cyclase upon binding to AVP. Cyclic peptide analogs of AVP that are potent and selective V2 agonists have been identified [1], but there is still a need for the development of selective agonists and antagonists for the study of diabetes insipidus and enuresis. Mixture-based synthetic combinatorial libraries have been used in a number of studies for the identification of novel ligands that bind to G protein-coupled receptors, such as the opioid receptors [2]. In this study, two different positional scanning libraries made up of linear tetra- and hexapeptides were screened for the inhibition of AVP binding to the V2 receptor. Two different approaches were carried out in the deconvolution of each library. In the hexapeptide case, dual-defined libraries were used to confirm the positional scanning library results, and several moderately active hexapeptides were identified. In the tetrapeptide case, a sublibrary deconvolution approach yielded tetra-peptides with significantly higher affinities.
Harmonic analysis based modeling of tapping-mode AFM

In this paper we use harmonic balance and averaging techniques to analyze the tapping mode dynamics of the atomic force microscope (AFM). A model for the cantilever sample interaction is developed. Experimental results show that the analysis and the model predict the behavior of the tapping cantilever.
Accountability: An Instructional Model for Secondary Physical Education.

(1981). Accountability: An Instructional Model for Secondary Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 55-56.
Pfaffian Algorithms for Sampling Routings on Regions with Free Boundary Conditions

Sets of non-intersecting, monotonic lattice paths, or fixed routings, provide a common representation for several combinatorial problems and have been the key element for designing sampling algorithms. Markov chain algorithms based on routings have led to efficient samplers for tilings, Eulerian orientations [8] and triangulations [9], while an algorithm which successively calculates ratios of determinants has led to a very fast method for sampling fixed routings [12]. We extend Wilson’s determinant algorithm [12] to sample free routings where the number of paths, as well as the endpoints, are allowed to vary. The algorithm is based on a technique due to Stembridge for counting free routings by calculating the Pfaffian of a suitable matrix [11] and a method of Colbourn, Myrvold and Neufeld [1] for efficiently calculating ratios of determinants. As an application, we show how to sample tilings on planar lattice regions with free boundary conditions.
Spatial moment analysis of reactive and radioactive solute in river system with layered porous bed

Mass exchange between river stream and riverbed is critical towards remediation of contaminated river system. Spatial moment analysis of reactive and radioactive solute in river channel with underlying porous bed is applied to understand the qualitative description of solute plume in riverbed and river stream. Semi-analytical solutions for zeroth-, first- and second-order spatial moment of reactive and radioactive solute are derived in Laplace domain. The spatial moments of concentration are numerically inverted. Parabolic velocity in river channel and exponentially decaying velocity in porous bed are linked using a slip velocity at the interface. The model is verified against the semi-analytical solution for zeroth moment of conservative solute. The model was applied to understand the relative impact of sorption and decay on the transport of solute plume released in a river system. Sorption was assumed to be limited in the riverbed; hence, the zeroth moment of solute in the river stream remains unchanged for different rates of retardation. The model can be applied to verify numerical models or to predict qualitative description of solute concentration and extent of contamination in a river system.
One Health a strategy for resilience in a changing arctic

The circumpolar north is uniquely vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. While international Arctic collaboration on health has enhanced partnerships and advanced the health of inhabitants, significant challenges lie ahead. One Health is an approach that considers the connections between the environment, plant, animal and human health. Understanding this is increasingly critical in assessing the impact of global climate change on the health of Arctic inhabitants. The effects of climate change are complex and difficult to predict with certainty. Health risks include changes in the distribution of infectious disease, expansion of zoonotic diseases and vectors, changing migration patterns, impacts on food security and changes in water availability and quality, among others. A regional network of diverse stakeholder and transdisciplinary specialists from circumpolar nations and Indigenous groups can advance the understanding of complex climate-driven health risks and provide community-based strategies for early identification, prevention and adaption of health risks in human, animals and environment. We propose a regional One Health approach for assessing interactions at the Arctic human-animal-environment interface to enhance the understanding of, and response to, the complexities of climate change on the health of the Arctic inhabitants.
The perceived rigidity of rotating eight-vertex geometric forms: extracting nonrigid structure from rigid motion

In four experiments, subjects examined four categories of rotating eight-vertex geometric forms in parallel projection. Some of the figures appeared to deform, even though rigid three-dimensional interpretations were possible mathematically. Our results from several deformation-rating tasks indicated that most of the configurations maintained a rigid appearance throughout their rotations, although one category of stimuli appeared to deform more frequently than the others. Configurations from the category that contained a high proportion of stimuli that appeared to deform were also shown to be more difficult to discriminate from stimuli that had no rigid three-dimensional interpretation (measured using a signal detection task). To account for these findings, a theory was formulated based on the use of monocular depth cues in the perception of shape. Static monocular depth cues we define as those which are present in non-moving stimuli and Dynamic monocular depth cues are those that are only present in moving stimuli. We conclude that static cues dominate the perception of shape when humans respond to parallel (and, most likely, polar) projections of rotating objects with rigid three-dimensional interpretations. Further, subjects cannot respond to the motion or acceleration profile of part of such a stimulus without responding to the figure as a whole.
Temporal Bone Fracture Causing Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence

Importance. Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) is a third window lesion of the inner ear causing symptoms of vertigo, autophony, tinnitus, and hearing loss. A “two-hit” hypothesis has traditionally been proposed, whereby thinly developed bone overlying the superior canal is disrupted by a sudden change in intracranial pressure. Although the symptoms of SCD may be precipitated by head injury, no previous reports have described a temporal bone fracture directly causing SCD. Observations. Two patients sustained temporal bone fractures after closed head trauma, and developed unilateral otologic symptoms consistent with SCD. In each instance, computed tomography imaging revealed fractures extending through the bony roof of the superior semicircular canal. Conclusions and Relevance. Temporal bone fractures, which are largely treated nonoperatively, have not previously been reported to cause SCD. As it is a potentially treatable entity, SCD resulting from temporal bone fracture must be recognized as a possibility and diagnosed promptly if present.
Zygotically controlled F-actin establishes cortical compartments to stabilize furrows during Drosophila cellularization

Cortical compartments partition proteins and membrane at the cell surface to define regions of specialized function. Here we ask how cortical compartments arise along the plasma membrane furrows that cellularize the early Drosophila embryo, and investigate the influence that this compartmentalization has on furrow ingression. We find that the zygotic gene product Nullo aids the establishment of discrete cortical compartments, called furrow canals, which form at the tip of incipient furrows. Upon nullo loss-of-function, proteins that are normally restricted to adjacent lateral regions of the furrow, such as Neurotactin and Discs large, spread into the furrow canals. At the same time, cortical components that should concentrate in furrow canals, such as Myosin 2 (Zipper) and Anillin (Scraps), are missing from some furrows. Depletion of these cortical components from the furrow canal compartments precipitates furrow regression. Contrary to previous models, we find that furrow compartmentalization does not require cell-cell junctions that border the furrow canals. Instead, compartmentalization is disrupted by treatments that reduce levels of cortical F-actin. Because the earliest uniform phenotype detected in nullo mutants is reduced levels of F-actin at furrow canals, we propose that Nullo compartmentalizes furrows via its regulation of F-actin, thus stabilizing furrows and insuring their ingression to complete cellularization.
Effective Charge and Coil−Globule Transition of a Polyelectrolyte Chain

Considering the adsorption of counterions on an isolated polyelectrolyte (PE) chain and using a variational theory, phase boundaries and the critical point for the first-order coil−globule transition are calculated. The transition is induced cooperatively by counterion adsorption and chain conformations, and the calculation is done self-consistently. The size of the PE chain is a single-valued function of charge. The discontinuous transition of the coil size is accompanied by a discontinuous transition of the charge. Phase boundaries for the coil−globule transitions induced by both Coulomb strength (inverse temperature or dielectric constant) and ionic strength (salt) show that the PE chain collapses at a substantially lower Coulomb strength in the presence of salt. In the expanded state of the coil, an analytical formula is derived for the effective charge of the chain for conditions where the coupling between chain conformations and counterion adsorption is weak. In general, the dielectric heterogeneity...
Prevention of effects of victorin on oat seed germination

Abstract The germination of dormant oat seeds, sensitive to the pathotoxin victorin, was reduced from 99% for controls exposed only to water to 20% for seeds treated with 5000 units/ml of victorin for 1 h and then washed for 1 h in running tap water. However, when victorin-treated seeds were washed for 16 h or post-treated for 10 min with alkali, germination increased to 90%. The alkali post-treatment was equally effective in reducing lethal effects of victorin when applied to seeds that had been dried and stored for 2 to 3 weeks after treatment with the toxin. These results do not support the conclusion, reached in a previous study, that victorin acts on dormant, resting tissues as well as on those with an active metabolism. Instead they indicate that residual adsorbed victorin, acting only after germination has begun, is chiefly responsible for the lethal effects which have been observed. Seeds with visible signs of damage and those deliberately damaged were much more sensitive to victorin than undamaged seeds. Such damage may account for the failure of post-treatments to nullify completely the effects of victorin and also for apparent discrepancies between these results and those of a previous report.
Dreams of the Collective—Or How to Wake Up?

Reflections on dreaming, recounted dreams, dreams as a means of representation—Walter Benjamin's writings are peppered with hints as to these strange activities that infuse our nights. One-Way Street could be read as an intersection on his long road toward establishing a theoretical framework for writing and reading dreams. The unadorned dream-protocols that punctuate the aphorisms were part of the original conception of the book, and Benjamin's ascetic refusal to provide interpretation or context for these dreams irritated even his contemporaries. But by introducing unmediated dream-narratives into his prose, Benjamin was in fact participating in a particularly vital literary form, the dream book, a form that becomes the representative form in the early twentieth century. Benjamin's dreams were published not only in One-Way Street but at almost the same time in Ignaz Jezower's Buch der Traume. The externalized dreams moving between two venues illuminate the deep mystery governing the very distinction bet...
Effects of Interdigital Spacing, Wrist Position, Forearm Position, Grip Span, and Gender on Static Grip Strength

To analyze the effects of factors which may decrement static grip strength, a study was performed using 20 subjects (10 males and 10 females). Three levels of interdigital spacing were examined: 0, 4, and 8 mm to correspond to bare hand, a thermal/spectra knit layered glove, and a chemical glove. Three wrist positions (neutral, 45 degree extension, and 45 degree flexion) and three forearm positions (neutral, full supination, and full pronation), as well as two levels of grip spacing (6.1 and 7.4 cm on the hand dynamometer) were varied in the study. Thus, each subject performed 54 trials, which were presented in random order.The results indicate that the following were significant main effects: gender, grip span, forearm position, wrist position, and interdigital spacing. As expected, males exerted 63.7% more strength, on average, than females. Also, full pronation had a significantly lower mean grasp strength than either neutral or full supination. The 8 mm spacing differed significantly from both 0 and 4...
The anti-proteolytic behavior of lathyrogens.

Abstract The lathyrogens, β-aminopropionitrile and α-aminoacetonitrile inhibit both the esterolytic and proteolytic activity of trypsin at a concentration of 100 mM. Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrate that inhibition is competitive, with α-aminoacetonitrile being the more potent inhibitor. The enzyme associated with and capable of digesting tropoelastin is inhibited by both lathyrogens when tested against its natural substrate, tropoelastin. Administration of α-aminoacetonitrile-HCl to the diet of young chicks (0.1% w/w) resulted in a 62% increase in the yield of tropoelastin and significant reduction in fatality as compared to β-aminopropionitrile-fumerate.
Symmetrical normal coordinates of a cubic XY8 cluster

Abstract The projection operator and an alternative method are used to derive symmetrical normal coordinates of the XY8 cluster having cubic coordination. The first method uses the fact that the projection operator picks out from an arbitrary displacement the part lying in any particular subspace. The second method makes use of the orbit-lattice interaction based on the point-charge model, V 01 = ∑ t ∂Vc ∂Qt O Q t and the behavior of the spherical harmonics which are involved in Vc)o under the cubic transformation in order to pick out the symmetrical normal coordinates from the orbit-lattice interaction.
A faceted approach to conceptualizing tasks in information seeking

The nature of the task that leads a person to engage in information interaction, as well as of information seeking and searching tasks, have been shown to influence individuals' information behavior. Classifying tasks in a domain has been viewed as a departure point of studies on the relationship between tasks and human information behavior. However, previous task classification schemes either classify tasks with respect to the requirements of specific studies or merely classify a certain category of task. Such approaches do not lead to a holistic picture of task since a task involves different aspects. Therefore, the present study aims to develop a faceted classification of task, which can incorporate work tasks and information search tasks into the same classification scheme and characterize tasks in such a way as to help people make predictions of information behavior. For this purpose, previous task classification schemes and their underlying facets are reviewed and discussed. Analysis identifies essential facets and categorizes them into Generic facets of task and Common attributes of task. Generic facets of task include Source of task, Task doer, Time, Action, Product, and Goal. Common attributes of task includes Task characteristics and User's perception of task. Corresponding sub-facets and values are identified as well. In this fashion, a faceted classification of task is established which could be used to describe users' work tasks and information search tasks. This faceted classification provides a framework to further explore the relationships among work tasks, search tasks, and interactive information retrieval and advance adaptive IR systems design.
Lensless Microscopy and Sensing on a Chip

We review our recent progress on computational lensfree on-chip microscopy and sensing approaches for high-throughput biomedical imaging and screening applications in field settings.
The thermal etching of LiF and its effects on the scattering of atomic beams

Abstract The results of optical and electron micrograph studies of the thermal etching of LiF are reported. The crystals were used in atomic beam scattering studies and the effects of the surface morphology on such scattering are considered.
How Abusive Supervision Affects Workplace Deviance: A Moderated-Mediation Examination of Aggressiveness and Work-Related Negative Affect

This research examines the linking mechanisms and conditional processes underlying the abusive supervision and workplace deviance relationship. Based primarily on Affective Events Theory, it was hypothesized that work-related negative affect would mediate the relationship between abusive supervision and workplace deviance, and that this indirect effect would be moderated by employee-based and organization-based aggressiveness. Two independent studies were conducted, including diverse working samples and multi-wave data, to test these relationships through mediation and moderated-mediation bootstrapping procedures. Both studies suggest that work-related negative affect mediates the abusive supervision and workplace deviance relationship. Mixed findings were found for the moderating effect of employee-based and organization-based aggressiveness. In Study 1 higher levels of employee-based aggressive beliefs and attitudes increased the magnitude of the indirect effect; however, in Study 2 when taking into account organization-based aggressive norms only the facet of social discounting bias increased this relationship. In Study 2 higher levels of organization-based aggressive norms also increased the magnitude of the indirect effect for supervisor-directed deviance. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings suggest a movement toward an emotion-centered process-based theory of workplace deviance. A central question in organizational behavior research revolves around what drives employees to engage in various workplace behaviors. Replicating research that suggests abusive supervision is an important factor in this question, this research helps illuminate the processes underlying this perception-to-behavior link, as well as the boundary conditions of these processes.
Treatment of acute and chronic injuries to the posterolateral and lateral knee

Abstract Posterolateral instability of the knee is a complex problem in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Isolated injury to the posterolateral corner is uncommon and is usually associated with an injury to the anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments. It is difficult to isolate the effect of a posterolateral injury on instability of the knee when these combined instability patterns are present. Accurate diagnosis of posterolateral instability depends on the clinical history, a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the posterolateral corner, and a complete knee examination. Because the instability is easily missed in the acute stage of the injury, chronic posterolateral instability develops. In the setting of combined ligamentous injury, all components of instability should be surgically addressed to achieve the best opportunity for success. In our experience, early diagnosis and reconstruction of posterolateral knee injuries are more successful than late reconstruction.
Demonstration of high-energy 2 ω (526.5 nm) operation on the National Ignition Facility Laser System

A single beamline of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has been operated at a wavelength of 526.5 nm (2ω) by frequency converting the fundamental 1053 nm (1ω) wavelength with an 18.2 mm thick type-I potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) second-harmonic generator (SHG) crystal. Second-harmonic energies of up to 17.9 kJ were measured at the final optics focal plane with a conversion efficiency of 82%. For a similarly configured 192-beam NIF, this scales to a total 2ω energy of 3.4 MJ full NIF equivalent (FNE).
Adipocytes as immune regulatory cells.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state and adipocytes are capable of contributing to this inflammation by their production of inflammatory mediators. The present study used fibroblast-derived adipocytes and normal spleen cells as a model to determine if adipocytes can also serve as immune regulatory cells by modulating the functions of conventional immune cells. Media conditioned by the adipocytes stimulated release of the Th1-type cytokines IL-2, IFN-γ and GM-CSF from cultures of normal spleen cells. The adipocytes also stimulated spleen cell release of inhibitory cytokines, although to varying degrees. This included IL-10, IL-13 and, to a lesser extent, IL-4. Spleen cell production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-9 was stimulated by adipocytes, although production of the Th17-derived cytokine, IL-17, was not stimulated. The adipocyte-conditioned medium did not stimulate production of predominantly monocytes-derived chemokines CXCL9, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, but stimulated production of the predominantly T-cell-derived chemokine CCL5. In all cases where cytokine/chemokine production from spleen cells was stimulated by adipocytes, it was to a far greater level than was produced by the adipocytes themselves. Studies initiated to determine the identity of the adipocyte-derived mediators showed that the spleen cell modulation could not be attributed to solely adiponectin or leptin. Studies to determine the source of some of the cytokines whose production was stimulated by adipocytes showed that expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was not increased in either CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell. When the splenic T-cells were examined for IFN-γ, the adipocyte stimulation of IFN-γ was within CD8+ T-cells, not CD4+ T-cells. These studies show that adipocytes may be able to serve as immune regulatory cells to stimulate conventional immune cells to release a spectrum of immune mediators.
Separation of carbohydrates by electrophoresis on glass filter paper.

IN recent studies on the paper electrophoresis of carbohydrate compounds, we have found that replacing the cellulose filter paper by paper made from glass fibres1 greatly facilitates the identification of sugars and their derivatives, especially those which are difficult or impossible to detect on cellulose paper.
Polyakov construction of the N=2 super-W3 algebra

Abstract Using Polyakov's “soldering” procedure, applied to the supergroup SL(n|n−1), we show how one may obtain an N=2 supersymmetrisation of the Wn extended conformal algebras, at the classical level. These algebras differ from previously-constructed superextensions in that there are no restrictions on the value of the central charge. The generators comprise one with conformal spin 1, one with conformal spin n, and two for each integer and half-integer spin between 3 2 and n− 1 2 inclusively. We give the explicit results for the n=3 case. These N=2 superalgebras can be “twisted”, and we give explicit results for n=3.
Posterior fossa decompression for life-threatening tonsillar herniation in patients with gliomatosis cerebri: report of three cases.

Objective and importance Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a rare type of primary brain tumor that diffusely infiltrates more than two lobes of the brain while the normal cerebral architecture is maintained. To the best of our knowledge, the association between an acquired tonsillar herniation and GC has never been reported. In this article, we describe three patients with progressive gliomatosis of the cerebellar hemispheres who subsequently showed signs and symptoms secondary to tonsillar herniation. Early recognition of this potentially life-threatening complication allowed us to recommend prompt surgical intervention. Clinical presentation One patient with primary, or Type I, GC presented with suboccipital headaches, and two patients with secondary, or Type II, GC presented with the signs and symptoms of progressive myelopathy. Serial imaging studies demonstrated progressive involvement of the cerebellum, descent of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum, and cervicomedullary spinal cord compression. Intervention Once the tonsillar herniation was recognized, all three patients underwent posterior fossa decompression, a cervical laminectomy to the lowest level of the tonsillar herniation, and duraplasty. All three patients experienced immediate improvement in their conditions. Conclusion Early recognition of tonsillar herniation, a possibly overlooked cause of death in patients with GC, allows for early surgical intervention as a potentially lifesaving procedure and significant improvement in the patient's condition.
Phases of silicon at high pressure

Abstract X-ray diffraction studies are reported on silicon at pressures up to 250 kbar (25 GPa). A transition to the β-Sn structure (II) initiates at 112 ± 2 kbar and two phases (I + II) coexist to 125 ± 2 kbar. At 132 ± 2 kbar a new phase (V) initiates, and the transition is complete at 164 ± 5 kbar. This phase persists to 250 kbar. Its structure is tentatively assigned as primitive hexagonal with c / a = 0.941 ± 0.002 at 250 kbar. On release of pressure, the sequence is V → (V + II) (145 - 110 kbar) → II → (II + III) (108 - 85 kbar) → III, the last phase persisting to room pressure.
Linearity of Response of Ultrafast Photoconductive Switches: Critical Dependence Upon Ion-implantation and Fabrication Conditions

We have measured the responsivity of photoconductive switches as a function of electrical bias and optical intensity. The switches were fabricated using standard 50 z microstrip transmission line technology on silicon-on-sapphire wafers. Picosecond photoconductive response was produced by self-implanting the silicon to reduce the carrier lifetime. Although all of the switches tested possessed ultrafast response, the linearity of response with electrical bias and optical intensity was dependent on the order of the metallization and ion-implantation processing steps during the fabrication procedure. Switches fabricated using processes reported in the literature to yield switches with linear response (Ohmic contacts) instead yielded switches with nonlinear response (Schottky contacts). Furthermore switches fabricated using processes reported in the literature to yield switches with nonlinear response (Schottky contacts) instead yielded switches with linear response (Ohmic contacts). We discuss the effects of...
Sexist Discrimination as Distancing Behavior: I. A Laboratory Demonstration

Attitudes toward and beliefs about women have been studied but investigations of behavior directed toward women in simple interpersonal situations have been relatively infrequent, in this study, ten previously unacquainted pairs of men, ten pairs of women, and twenty mixed–gender pairs were observed during a 10-minute task in which each pair constructed a domino structure for a contest. Under these laboratory conditions in which sexual arousal and nurturance cues were minimal it was predicted that men would behave differently toward women partners than toward men partners by manifesting avoidance or distancing behavior more frequently, but that women's responses to other–gender and same–gender partners would not be reliably different. Dependent measures were obtained by self–report and by ratings of observers who watched the dyadic interaction behind a one–way vision screen. As predicted, women in mixed–gender pairs did not differ significantly from those in same–gender pairs on any measure, but men were found to distance themselves from a woman partner (as compared to a man) by turning their faces or bodies away and making negative comments, by not following advice, and by placing dominoes closer to themselves.
Cadmium effects on transcriptional expression of rhlB/rhlC genes and congener distribution of monorhamnolipid and dirhamnolipid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa IGB83

While variable production of the biosurfactant, rhamnolipid, by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to be dependent on growth conditions, no research has evaluated potential relationships between rhamnolipid production and the presence of heavy metals. The current investigation evaluates the influence of Cd(2+) on rhamnolipid synthesis. Cultures grown in the presence of 0.45 and 0.89 mM Cd(2+) were monitored for rhlB/rhlC expression, rhamnolipid yield, and the ratio of monorhamnolipid (RL1) and dirhamnolipid (RL2) produced. Results show a Cd-induced enhancement of rhlB expression in mid-stationary phase (53 h). In addition, sustained production of rhamnolipid through late stationary growth phase (96 h) was observed for Cd-amended cultures, unlike Cd-free control cultures that ceased rhamnolipid production by mid-stationary growth phase. Most significant was an observed increase in the ratio of RL2 to RL1 congeners produced by cultures grown in the presence of Cd(2+). Previous results have shown that the complexation constant for RL2-Cd is several orders of magnitude larger than that of RL1-Cd thus the preferential production of RL2 in the presence of Cd(2+) impacts its bioavailability and toxicity both for the cell and in the surrounding environment.
Lack of evidence of blood pressure-independent protection by renin-angiotensin system blockade after renal ablation.

Lack of evidence of blood pressure-independent protection by renin-angiotensin system blockade after renal ablation. Background The superiority of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade in providing renoprotection has been attributed to class-specific blood pressure "(BP)-independent" mechanisms. However, the conventional BP measurement methodology on which such conclusions are based is inherently limited for an accurate assessment of the fluctuating ambient BP profiles. The present studies were undertaken to rigorously examine the relationship of renoprotection to the antihypertensive effects of RAS blockade using chronic BP radiotelemetry in the 5/6 renal ablation model. Methods Rats with 5/6 renal ablation received either no treatment, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril at a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg/L; or the angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan at a dose of 50, 120, and 180 mg/L of drinking H 2 O; and were followed for seven weeks. Results Glomerulosclerosis (GS) at sacrifice (approximately 7 weeks) demonstrated a close correlation with the average systolic BP in untreated ( r = 0.76, N = 20), benazepril-treated ( r = 0.80, N = 33), losartan-treated ( r = 0.83, N = 32), or all animals combined ( r = 0.81, N = 85, P Conclusions These data demonstrate that RAS blockade provides renoprotection in the rat remnant kidney model of progressive GS, primarily through "BP-dependent" and not "BP-independent" mechanisms.
Role of Chelation in the Treatment of Lead Poisoning: Discussion of the Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children Trial (TLC)

Lead exposure in children is one component leading to cognitive impairment. The Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children Trial (1994–2004) studied the effect of succimer in treating low levels of lead exposure (20–44 mcg/dL) in children 12 to 33 months old. While succimer was effective in reducing blood lead concentrations in the short term, treatment of blood lead levels did not result in any detectable improvement in a wide variety of measurements of cognitive or behavioral function. Furthermore, blood lead concentrations were not distinguishable between chelated and non-chelated individuals at 1 year. The most important treatment strategy is identification and termination of major sources of lead exposure.
Efficiency of block designs for simultaneous comparison of two test treatments with a control

Abstract In an experiment for comparing two test treatments with a control treatment, simultaneous confidence bounds for the amount by which each test treatment differs from the control is generally required. When the experiment is arranged as a block design, the optimal allocation of experimental units within the blocks to the individual test treatments and to the control needs to be determined. The optimality criterion of interest is the minimization of the expected average allowance (EAA) or the expected maximum allowance (EMA), where an allowance represents the “plus and/or minus” attached to point estimates and is the product of a standard error and the critical value. Lower bounds for the EAA and EMA values are provided for both one-sided and two-sided confidence intervals. A search algorithm for obtaining efficient designs is described.
Longevity of Bentonite as Buffer Material in a Nuclear-Waste Repository

Abstract Longevity of bentonite as a nuclear waste barrier depends on mineralogical stability of the smectite component of the clay as well as on its ability to perform as a buffer in the repository for long periods of time. Processes affecting the stability of smectites under the geochemical and thermal conditions in a high-level nuclear waste repository can be construed by examining the geological analogues and the results of the hydrothermal experiments. The physical and chemical properties of bentonite seem to be related to the nature of smectites in them. Smectites represent a range of expandable layer silicates of Al, Mg, Fe and other transition metals. Their thermal, hydrothermal, or solution stabilities vary from one smectite species to another. This is also true to a certain extent for the physical properties of bentonites, i.e. swelling, permeability, plasticity and adsorption. Swelling ability and permeability of naturally altered (metabentonites) and steam-treated bentonites are badly damaged. Temperature distribution in a clay barrier that was simulated in situ under the repository conditions showed a sharp drop from 175°C at the clay/canister contact to 81°C at a distance 65 mm away. Microstructures of bentonites were noticeably altered after hydrothermal treatment at 200°C.
Altered characteristics of striatal [3H]ADTN binding following substantia nigra lesions

Abstract The present experiments examined some characteristics of the enhanced striatal [ 3 H]ADTN binding which occurs following substantia nigra lesion. The amount of binding of a fixed concentration of [ 3 H]ADTN was greatly increased. The amount of guanine nucleotide sensitivity inreased to an even greater extent than total [ 3 H]ADTN binding. Saturation experiments showed one component of [ 3 H]ADTN binding (K D 7 nM) in intact striata whereas there were two components of binding (K D 9 nM and K D 1 nM) in substantia nigra-lesioned striata. Most of the enhanced binding in substantia nigra-lesioned striata was the higher affinity component. Kainic acid lesion of substantia nigra-lesioned striata caused loss of the enhanced [ 3 H]ADTN binding and the high affinity component of [ 3 H]ADTN binding. These results indicate that following dopaminergic denervation, either the binding characteristics of a single type of dopamine receptor are altered or there is a specific increase in a distinct subtype of dopamine receptor with high agonist affinity and sensitivity to guanine nucleotides.
Introducing programming concepts through video game creation

This paper presents adaptable materials that teach programming fundamentals via game programming with Greenfoot, a free Java based game development platform. The materials consist of five independent modules, each of which focuses on a group of related computing fundamentals. Each module includes the shell of a game, lessons that teach programming fundamentals, hands-on exercises that apply the fundamentals to add functionality to the game, and questionnaires and content-based quizzes that can be used to assess the effectiveness of the lessons. An instructor's guide is also included. These materials were used to teach computing concepts to high school students in two different venues in summer 2011 and 2012. Formal assessments found that the students experienced a significant increase in knowledge in computing and an increased interest in computing and likelihood of taking computing courses in the future. The paper describes the motivation for this work, how it relates to other works, the teaching and assessment materials, the key concepts covered in each module, the venues in which the materials were tested, and the results. It also discusses how the instructional materials can be used in other venues and provides a link to the materials so that others may use them.