cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiographic and hemodynamic correlations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with intracavitary systolic pressure gradients.

Abstract To correlate angiographic and hemodynamic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC), 14 patients with HC were investigated using pressure recordings and caudocranial left anterior oblique contrast angiography. Patients were separated into 2 groups on the basis of the presence (group I) or absence (group II) of systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet on caudocranial angiography. In group I (10 patients), the pressure gradient could be recorded with the left ventricular (LV) catheter in the nonobliterated inflow region of the left ventricle. Simultaneous micromanometer tracings and caudocranial angiography revealed that contact between the anterior mitral leaflet and the ventricular septum was an early systolic event (occurring 136 ± 33 ms after the R wave of the electrocardiogram) and was coincident with the onset of the pressure gradient. Cavitary obliteration was present in only 7 of 10 patients in group I, and occurred late in systole well after the peak gradient (292 ± 28 ms after the R wave). In group II (4 patients), the pressure gradients could be recorded only from the obliterated portion of the ventricle distal to the level of the papillary muscles. Total LV cavitary obliteration was present in all group II patients. In 1 patient, simultaneous micromanometer pressure recording and caudocranial angiography revealed that cavitary obliteration preceded the peak gradient by 40 ms. Thus, in group I patients the onset of the pressure gradient is coincident with mitral leaflet-septal contact, while cavitary obliteration is an inconsistent late systolic event. In group II patients (no systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve) the pressure gradient could only be recorded in the LV apex, associated with total LV cavitary obliteration.
Capillary Force-Driven Fluid Flow of a Wetting Liquid on a Surface With Multiple Parallel Open Microchannels

Fluid flow driven by the capillary force is omnipresent in nature and important in many engineering technologies. The focus of this work is capillary force-driven fluid flow of a wetting liquid in open microchannels when a liquid droplet is gently introduced to a metal surface on which multiple parallel microchannels with an open rectangular cross section are formed. It is found that, aided with a high-speed camera, the capillary-force driven fluid behavior consists of uni-directional spreading of the bulk droplet on the microchannel fins and liquid penetration into the microchannels. The kinetics of fluid flow due to the liquid penetration into the microchannels can be divided into three distinct stages: initial stage, transition stage, and Washburn stage; only in the Washburn stage, the flow has a penetration length-time dependence in proportion to square root of time as described by the Washburn’s equation. Comparison with liquid spreading on a plain surface having only one microchannel (the same geometry and size) revealed that the bulk droplet spreading on the microchannel fins, after elapse of the initial stage, has little effect on the fluid flow kinetics in the multiple microchannels. Some analytical results shed more insights into the capillary force-driven fluid flow in open microchannels.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Contribution of circadian physiology and sleep homeostasis to age-related changes in human sleep.

The circadian pacemaker and sleep homeostasis play pivotal roles in vigilance state control. It has been hypothesized that age-related changes in the human circadian pacemaker, as well as sleep hom...
Halogenated benzenes bound within a non-polar cavity in T4 lysozyme provide examples of I...S and I...Se halogen-bonding.

Abstract We showed earlier that the mutation of Leu99 to alanine in bacteriophage T4 lysozyme creates an internal cavity of volume ∼ 150 A3 that binds benzene and a variety of other ligands. As such, this cavity provides an excellent target to study protein-ligand interaction. Here, we use low-temperature crystallography and related techniques to analyze the binding of halogen-incorporated benzenes typified by C6F5X, where X = H, F, Cl, Br or I, and C6H5X, where X = H or I was also studied. Because of the increased electron density of fluorine relative to hydrogen, the geometry of binding of the fluoro compounds can often be determined more precisely than their hydrogen-containing analogs. All of the ligands bind in essentially the same plane but the center of the phenyl ring can translate by up to 1.2 A. In no case does the ligand rotate freely within the cavity. The walls of the cavity consist predominantly of hydrocarbon atoms, and in several cases it appears that van der Waals interactions define the geometry of binding. In comparing the smallest with the largest ligand, the cavity volume increases from 181 A3 to 245 A3. This shows that the protein is flexible and adapts to the size and shape of the ligand. There is a remarkably close contact of 3.0 A between the iodine atom on C6F5I and the sulfur or selenium atom of Met or SeMet102. This interaction is 1.0 A less than the sum of the van der Waals radii and is a clear example of a so-called halogen bond. Notwithstanding this close approach, the increase in binding energy for the halogen bond relative to a van der Waals contact is estimated to be only about 0.5–0.7 kcal/mol.
Crop Insurance Adjusted Panel Data Envelopment Analysis Efficiency Measures

The Swamy-Arora panel data envelopment analysis model is presented to estimate crop insurance adjusted eciency based on an alternative two-way
Lithium and impairment of renal concentrating ability

In 19 patients on lithium maintenance therapy, impairment of renal concentrating ability was found to correlate with daily lithium dose. The correlation between dose and impaired renal concentrating ability was strongest for patients on regular lithium preparations and not significant for patients on a slow release preparation. In 2 patients with severe polyuria, renal concentrating ability increased markedly with thiazide treatment. No relationship between lithium dosing parameters and other side effects was found. These results emphasize the importance of dose and type of preparation of lithium in the production of renal side effects.
Redefining the Wisc-R: Implications for Professional Practice and Public Policy

The factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (Wechsler, 1974) was examined in the standardization sample using methodological advances in exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Three competing models were evaluated: (a) a one-factor model, (b) an oblique (or correlated) two-factor model, and (c) an oblique three-factor model. Because of high correlations across factors, the discriminant validity of the two- and three-factor models was problematic. The substantial overlap across factors was most parsimoniously represented by a single general factor, consistent with the interpretations of O'Grady (1989). The competing factor models are discussed in relation to treatment utility and alternative assessment practices. Given the widespread use of the scale, the issues are of critical importance to public policy regarding the purposes and outcomes of special education assessments.
Development of a thermostable β‐glucuronidase‐based reporter system for monitoring gene expression in hyperthermophiles

Mesophilic glucuronidases are the most widely used reporters of gene expression in plants, but unsuitable as reporters in (hyper-)thermophiles due their insufficient thermal stability. Here we present the native 66.8 kDa thermostable β-glucuronidase of Sulfolobus solfataricus. The enzyme activity is characterized in a wide temperature range ideal for, but not limited to, in vivo genetic study of hyperthermophiles. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate its use as a reporter of gene expression in Sulfolobus, by monitoring a promoter fusion created with the β-glucuronidase coding gene gusB and a copper-responsive promoter.
Use of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Management of Patients and Practical Applications for Pharmacy Practitioners

OBJECTIVE:To summarize the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and provide practical information for patient management.DATA SOURCES:Literature was retrieved from PubMed (2000-January 2011), using the search terms chronic myeloid leukemia and tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Abstracts presented at the 2008-2010 annual meetings of the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, reference citations from identified publications, as well as the manufacturers' full prescribing information for cited drugs, also were reviewed.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Articles evaluating the efficacy and safety of the TKIs imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib were evaluated. Focus was placed on publications supporting management of patients with CML in the chronic phase. Reports presenting clinical trial information of TKIs in development also were included.DATA SYNTHESIS:The discovery of targeted tyrosine kinase inhibition of ...
Socioeconomic mediation of birth interval duration in a Papua New Guinea population.

A probit analysis of birth intervals and supplementary feeding found that there were significant differences in birth intervals among infants of wage earners and infants of traditional subsistence foragers and small scale farmers (Au) in Papua New Guinea. The median duration of breast feeding was 43.0 +or- 1.8 months among Au and 42.7 +or- 6.2 months among wage earners. The examination of suckling data (289 suckling bouts among 15 Au and 8 wage earning mothers) found that Au infants suckled less often: 1.9 bouts per hour among Au infants and 2.8 bouts per hour among infants of wage earners. Food supplementation was offered among Au infants at 7 months and infants of wage earners at 1 month. The multivariate probit analysis of the determinants of birth interval found that maternal nutritional status had direct and important effects on the resumption of menses. A longer period of time since delivery was found to be related to an increased probability of a return to menses. Higher maternal age and higher parity were related to a lower probability of resumption of menses. Mothers whose infants received additional food supplementation were more likely to have resumed menses. A higher number of maternal skinfolds was found to be significantly related to resumption of menses when controls were included for time since delivery maternal age and parity and infant supplementation. The results suggested that socioeconomic status differences in birth interval as measured by postpartum amenorrhea were related to nutritional status in a non-contracepting population.
Quorum Sensing Controls Exopolysaccharide Production in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a soil bacterium capable of invading and establishing a symbiotic relationship with alfalfa plants. This invasion process requires the synthesis, by S. meliloti, of at least one of the two symbiotically important exopolysaccharides, succinoglycan and EPS II. We have previously shown that the sinRI locus of S. meliloti encodes a quorum-sensing system that plays a role in the symbiotic process. Here we show that the sinRI locus exerts one level of control through regulation of EPS II synthesis. Disruption of the autoinducer synthase gene, sinI, abolished EPS II production as well as the expression of several genes in the exp operon that are responsible for EPS II synthesis. This phenotype was complemented by the addition of acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) extracts from the wild-type strain but not from a sinI mutant, indicating that the sinRI-specified AHLs are required for exp gene expression. This was further confirmed by the observation that synthetic palmitoleyl homoserine lactone (C16:1-HL), one of the previously identified sinRI-specified AHLs, specifically restored exp gene expression. Most importantly, the absence of symbiotically active EPS II in a sinI mutant was confirmed in plant nodulation assays, emphasizing the role of quorum sensing in symbiosis.
Electrical Conductivity, Near-Infrared Absorption, and Thermal Lens Spectroscopic Studies of Percolation of Microemulsions

Microemulsions of negatively charged (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate, AOT) and positively charged (dodecylmethylbutylammonium bromide and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride) surfactants were studied below and above the percolation thresholds by electrical conductivity, near-infrared absorption, and thermal lens spectrometry. It was found that the AOT microemulsions undergo percolation at a relatively high concentration (about 27% of water (v:v)) and show no variation in the thermal lens effect (θ/AP0) as a function of water concentration. These results seem to indicate that the AOT microemulsions consist of small reversed micelles, and this structure is the same below and above the percolation threshold. Conversely, for microemulsions prepared with positively charged surfactants, the percolation occurs at relatively low concentration (around 10% of water (v:v)), and also it is in this region that the thermal lens effect (i.e., θ/AP0) as a function of water undergoes changes. It seems that th...
Amounts of Artificial Food Colors in Commonly Consumed Beverages and Potential Behavioral Implications for Consumption in Children

Artificial food colors (AFCs) are widely used to color foods and beverages. The amount of AFCs the Food and Drug Administration has certified over the years has increased more than 5-fold since 1950 (12 mg/capita/day) to 2012 (68 mg/capita/day). In the past 38 years, there have been studies of adverse behavioral reactions such as hyperactivity in children to double-blind challenges with AFCs. Studies that used 50 mg or more of AFCs as the challenge showed a greater negative effect on more children than those which used less. The study reported here is the first to quantify the amounts of AFCs in foods (specifically in beverages) commonly consumed by children in the United States. Consumption data for all foods would be helpful in the design of more challenge studies. The data summarized here should help clinicians advise parents about AFCs and beverage consumption.
Attitudes Toward Individuals With Disabilities: The Effects of Age, Gender, and Relationship

Attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are influenced by the amount of contact one has with such individuals. This research investigated if the relationship a person has with individuals with disabilities is associated with positive attitudes more so than mere contact with such individuals. Increased contact with friends with disabilities and activities with individuals with disabilities were associated with more positive altitudes. Contact with relatives and classmates with a disability was not associated with more positive attitudes. Age and gender were found to moderate these relationships. Contact with friends with disabilities increased positive attitudes for younger but not older participants. Contact with classmates with disabilities decreased positive attitudes for males but not females. This research can help us better understand disability-related bias.
Progesterone Binding to the α1-Subunit of the Na/K-ATPase on the Cell Surface: Insights from Computational Modeling

Progesterone triggers the resumption of meiosis in the amphibian oocyte through a signaling system at the plasma membrane. Analysis of [ 3 H]ouabain and [ 3 H]progesterone binding to the plasma membrane of the Rana pipiens oocyte indicates that progesterone competes with ouabain for a low affinity ouabain binding site on a 112 kDa α1-subunit of the membrane Na/K-ATPase. Published amino acid sequences from both low and high affinity ouabain binding α1-subunits are compared, together with published site-directed mutagenesis studies of ouabain binding. We propose that the progesterone binding site is located in the external loop (23 amino acids) between the M1-M2 transmembrane helices. Analysis of loop topology and the countercurrent hydrophobicity/polarity gradients within the M1-M2 loop further suggest that the polar β and hydrophobic α surfaces of the planar progesterone molecule interact with opposite sides of the amino acid loop. The 19-angular methyl group of progesterone is essential for activity; it could bind to the C-terminal region of the M1-M2 loop. Maximum biological activity requires formation of hydrogen-bond networks between the 3-keto group of progesterone and Arg 118 , Asp 129 and possibly Glu 122-124 in the C-terminal region of the loop. The 20-keto group hydrogen may in turn hydrogen bond to Cys 111 near the M1 helix. Peptide flexibility undergoes a maximal transition near the midway point in the M1-M2 loop, suggesting that folding occurs within the loop, which further stabilizes progesterone binding.
How coaching can enhance your brand as a manager

Managers who coach their employees become known as good managers to work for, developers of talent, and achievers of business results. They also become better leaders in the process. The average manager, however, doesn't coach, believing it would take too much time or be a waste of effort. Such barriers, however, are more psychological than real, and represent an expression of the status quo. The fact is that coaching managers behave differently, and that contributes to their brand. The bottom line: Since most managers don't coach, those who do actively help their employees learn and grow have a competitive advantage, one that can enhance their careers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Structure Sensitivity of HxMoO3Precipitation on MoO3(010) during Reactions with Methanol

Atomic force microscopy has been used to examine the effect of surface morphology on the formation of HxMoO3 during the reaction of MoO3 with methanol. By heating MoO3 crystals in hydrous environments, pits can be formed on the (010) surface. We have found that pit formation is activated by elastic strain from extended defects and because of this, it is possible to exercise some degree of control over the density, crystallography, and size of these features. This phenomenon was exploited to create different and well characterized morphological features on pairs of mated surfaces, cleaved from the same single crystal. The mated pairs were then reacted simultaneously in methanol‐N2 mixtures at temperatures between 300 and 330 ‐ C. Surfaces with pits that expose {h0l} type facets containing undercoordinated Mo sites were observed to intercalate more H than relatively flat surfaces. This result, together with the observation that acicular HxMoO3 precipitates grow from the edges of the pits, suggests that the undercoordinated surface Mo on the {h0l} surfaces are active for the dissociative chemisorption of methanol at temperatures between 300 and 330 ‐ C. c ∞ 1999 Academic
A review of littoral vegetation, fisheries, and wildlife responses to hydrologic variation at Lake Okeechobee

ABSTRACT Variation in hydrologic regimes in subtropical lakes and wetlands strongly influences biodiversity and value to human users. Lake Okeechobee, Florida, has a 450-km2 littoral landscape that supports a diverse assemblage of aquatic vegetation that provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Water level is one of the primary factors affecting the composition of aquatic vegetation and its associated faunal assemblages at Lake Okeechobee. We summarized published literature regarding the effects of water-level variation on subtropical wetland and littoral plants, as well as the fish and other biota supported by those plant communities, with an emphasis on shallow lakes and wetlands occurring at latitudes generally similar to Lake Okeechobee. The objective of this study was to enhance the information base that supports the CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan) hydrologic performance goals for this large lake ecosystem. Our results demonstrate that high water/prolonged flooding at lake st...
SEVERE WEATHER AVOIDANCE USING INFORMED HEURISTIC SEARCH

Flight is a new system of managing air traffic 2 . In this system pilot has greater flexibility and can exercise more control over the route to be taken between two airports. Free flight rules begin after the initial departure restrictions and end at the initiation of the arrival sequencing to the destination airport's terminal space 3 . But an important issue in free flight is the safety of an airplane. Weather avoidance algorithms can ensure the safety of the airplane in free flight to a greater degree, in event of changing weather conditions. Severe weather conditions pose a large threat to the safety of airplanes. For general aviation aircraft, the only permissible action when a thunderstorm is in the flight path is to detour around the thunderstorm. In this paper, an algorithm is developed for general aviation aircraft, which takes a radar image of the thunderstorm as the input, and determines the safest path around with minimum detour. The method used is A * search with modification. A * search is an informed search technique which makes use of an evaluation function that determines the total path cost for any given point. The evaluation function is composed of the actual path cost and a heuristic function to give the estimated cost of the remaining path. In this paper, a heuristic function is formulated which gives a measure of the detour and also addresses the constraints imposed by the desirability of the path. An algorithm for A * search using the heuristic function is developed, and used to determine the flight path in some sample cases. Test cases of stationary and moving thunderstorms show the method to be reliable and fast. In recent years, this area has gathered attention of lots of researchers. The microburst-related accident at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in 1985 prompted the development of guidance strategies in an event of microburst encounter
Assisted reproductive technologies in rhesus macaques

The assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been used in the production of rhesus monkey offspring at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) and that experience is summarized here. Additionally these technologies serve as a source of oocytes/embryos for monozygotic twinning, embryonic stem (ES) cell derivation and cloning. High fertilization efficiencies were realized with conventional insemination or following the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and approximately 50% of the resulting embryos grew in vitro to blastocysts. Both fresh and frozen sperm were employed in fertilization by ICSI and the resulting embryos could be low temperature stored for subsequent thawing and transfer when a synchronized recipient female was available or after shipment to another facility. Following the transfer of up to 3 embryos, an overall pregnancy rate of 30% was achieved with increasing rates dependent upon the number of embryos transferred. Singleton pregnancy outcomes following the transfer of ART produced embryos were similar to those observed in a control group of animals in the timed mated breeding colony at ONPRC. ICSI produced embryos were used in efforts to create monozygotic twins by blastomere separation or blastocyst splitting. While pregnancies were achieved following the transfer of demi-embryos, only one was a twin and it was lost to spontaneous abortion. ICSI produced embryos have also served as the source of blastocysts for the derivation of embryonic stem cells. These pluripotent cells hold potential for cell based therapies and we consider the monkey an important translational model in which to evaluate safety, efficacy and feasibility of regenerative medicine approaches based on the transplantation of stem cell-derived progeny. Finally, efforts to produce genetically-identical monkeys by nuclear transfer have been briefly summarized.
Characterization of amyloid A protein in human secondary amyloidosis: the predominant deposition of serum amyloid A1

Abstract Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) is the plasma precursor for amyloid A protein (AA), the subunit protein in amyloid deposits of secondary or reactive amyloidosis. Several forms of acute phase SAA have been identified in human plasma. To elucidate whether one of these forms of SAA predominates in the formation of AA amyloid deposits, the amino acid sequence of the subunit protein in six cases of reactive amyloidosis was investigated. Minimal heterogeneity was present at the N-terminus as all samples started with residue 1, 2, or 3 of SAA. The C-terminus, however, was more heterogeneous with the AA protein in each case terminating at multiple sites from residue 58 to 84 of SAA. Since less than 20% of the AA protein in each case contained sequence past residue 67 of SAA, the sequence and recovery of tryptic peptides containing residues 52, 57, and 60 where human SAA1 and 2 differ was used to determine the relative amounts of SAA1 and 2 present. One sample contained only SAA1 sequence, four contained approx. 11% or less of SAA2 sequence, and the sixth contained 24–33% of SAA2 sequence. Thus, while five of the six AA samples contained both SAA1 and 2, the predominant form in all cases was SAA1. In three of the six cases, the protein defensin was isolated along with the AA protein from the fibrils. This may suggest neutrophil involvement in SAA processing to AA fibrils.
Laboratory Rearing of Common and Endangered Species of North American Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

ABSTRACT North American tiger beetles (Cicindela spp. L.) have been reared in the laboratory for more than a century, and here we summarize the relevant literature to develop a general rearing protocol. We used this protocol to experimentally overwinter adults in the laboratory and observe variation in oviposition and fecundity among several species. Overwintering experiments, involving five North East North American Cicindela species with spring-fall life histories—Cicindela repanda (Dejean), Cicindela hirticollis (Say), Cicindela purpurea (Olivier), Cicindela scutellaris (Say), and Cicindela tranquebarica (Herbst) —demonstrated that both a long cooldown (20 to 4°C by a degree a day) and a short photoperiod (8:16 [L:D] h) maximized survival and minimized overwintering weight loss, which varied between species and sex. Observations of oviposition, larval abundance and larval development involving five Cicindela species with summer life histories revealed that Cicindela punctulata (Olivier) produced more f...
Polyamine Synthesis from Proline in the Developing Porcine Placenta

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are essential for placental growth and angiogenesis. However, little is known about polyamine synthesis in the porcine placenta during conceptus development. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that arginine and proline are the major sources of ornithine for placental polyamine production in pigs. Placentae, amniotic fluid, and allantoic fluid were obtained from gilts on Days 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 90, and 110 of the 114-day gestation (n = 6 per day). Placentae as well as amniotic and allantoic fluids were analyzed for arginase, proline oxidase, ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), proline transport, concentrations of amino acids and polyamines, and polyamine synthesis using established radiochemical and chromatographic methods. Neither arginase activity nor conversion of arginine into polyamines was detected in the porcine placenta. In contrast, both proline and ornithine were converted into putrescine, spermidine, and spermine in placental tissue throughout pregnancy. The activities of proline oxidase, OAT, and ODC as well as proline transport, polyamine synthesis from proline, and polyamine concentrations increased markedly between Days 20 and 40 of gestation, declined between Days 40 and 90 of gestation, and remained at the reduced level through Day 110 of gestation. Proline oxidase and OAT, but not arginase, were present in allantoic and amniotic fluids for the production of ornithine (the immediate substrate for polyamine synthesis). The activities of these two enzymes as well as the concentrations of ornithine and total polyamines in fetal fluids were highest at Day 40 but lowest at Days 20, 90, and 110 of gestation. These results indicate that proline is the major amino acid for polyamine synthesis in the porcine placenta and that the activity of this synthetic pathway is maximal during early pregnancy, when placental growth is most rapid. Our novel findings provide a new base of information for future studies to define the role of proline in fetoplacental growth and development.
Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Self-Motivated Patients: Optimized Diet, Exercise, and Medication for Weight Loss and Cardiometabolic Fitness

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public health problem with significant lifetime health care costs. The majority of Americans do not achieve minimal targets for exercise, and individuals with T2DM typically engage in less exercise than the general adult population. However, those patients with T2DM who are sufficiently self-motivated to manage their condition have the potential to reverse diabetes and prevent its complications through behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. Marked improvements are possible through increased awareness and selection of healthy eating options, a willingness to incorporate vigorous exercise into their lifestyle, and the use of newer medications that essentially eliminate the risk of hypoglycemia while facilitating weight loss and the achievement of ideal glucose targets. For self-motivated patients, daily aerobic activity of 45 to 60 minutes per day may be a suitable target. For those who have cardiovascular clearance, high-intensity interval training accomplishes high levels of cardiometabolic fitness with shorter training periods by alternating moderate and intense exertion. Suitable medications that have a low risk of hypoglycemia during exercise include metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, and sodium-glucose linked transporter-2 inhibitors. Specific daily caloric goals and incorporation of a mainly plant-based diet should be considered as a primary target for diabetes management. Self-management is important to achieving diabetes treatment goals, and mobile applications can be useful tools to support lifestyle changes in patients with T2DM.
Synthesis and screening of conformationally restricted and conformationally free N-(tertiary aminoalkyl)dithiocarbamic acids and esters as inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Abstract N-(Tertiary aminoalkyl)dithiocarbamic acids and esters were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Preliminary results show these compounds are able to act at the binding site for l -arginine and the conformationally restricted esters may have a second site of activity involving the cofactor (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- l -biopterin.
Developing model-eliciting activities for undergraduate students based on advanced engineering content

Are you interested in creating open-ended, client-driven, realistic engineering tasks for undergraduate students that will introduce them to the world of engineering early in their academic careers? With the support of the National Science Foundation, model-eliciting activities (MEAs) were created and implemented with first-year engineering students at Purdue University. These tasks are open-ended modeling problems that introduce advanced engineering content yet are suitable for undergraduate engineering students. In this paper, we will give a personal account of the research and development of the nano roughness MEA. We will focus on the attainment of the six principles that guide the development of an MEA and the main development challenges: identifying aspects of an advanced engineering topic suitable for undergraduate students, making the task realistic, creating the need for team interaction, making the model reusable in similar situations, and preparing for task implementation in the classroom.
Importance of Salt in Rations

Referring to the importance of salt in the ration, our eminent investigator, Professor Henry, in his book, "Feeds and Feeding," states: "Though little is known from investigations in this subject, it is evident from the extreme fondness of dairy cows for salt that this article should be regularly and abundantly supplied them." Stockmen, dairymen, farmers recognize the importance of a salt supply; the addition of salt to the feed is a common practice. However, very few feeders give this problem its due consideration, especially as to the amounts of salt, the modifications under different circumstances, the form of supply, etc. The idea of this paper is an attempt to review the literature on this subject, to bring forth the modern views; and, if possible, to draw some practical conclusions. At first we shall look into the history of the subject; then dwell on the physiological functions produced by the intake of salt; take a glance into the experimental data available and finally draw conclusions. It is unquestionable that at the time our domesticated herbivora grazed the virgin lands in Asia and Europe, they were provided by nature with salt either in proper grasses or from salt beds. It is a known fact that wild ruminants and hoofed animals seek out salt rocks and pools, and places where salt effloresces, to lick the salt. Hunters take advantage of this in tracing their booty. Just when the domesticated animals began to receive salt as such can only be conjectured; we shall not be out of the way, if we assume that the introduction of salt to man marks also the time of its introduction to animals. The habitual use of salt by man is intimately connected with the advance from nomadic state to agricultural. The reason for this will be clear after we look into the physiological side of the question of salt consumption. The rational application of common salt to the feed of animals runs parallel to the development of rational
Short-term paleoclimatic fluctuations expressed in lower Mississippian ramp-slope deposits, southwestern Montana

Lower Mississippian ramp-slope deposits (Paine Member) of southwestern Montana are composed of thin, rhythmically interbedded limestone and argillaceous limestone (argillite). Millimeter-thick graded layers typical of limestone beds represent distal storm deposits, whereas argillite layers containing abundant whole, delicate fossils represent quiet-water deposition during times of little or no storm activity. Spectral analyses of the fluctuating insoluble-residue content (quartz, muscovite-illite, organic matter) indicate a dominant periodicity of 0.6-2.85 ka in the ramp-slope deposits; no spectral peaks corresponding to typical Milankovitch-type periods ({approximately}20-100 ka) were observed. Similar {approximately}2.5 ka paleoclimatic periodicities are recorded in Quaternary continental and alpine glaciers, Quaternary deep-sea sediments, C variations in Holocene tree rings, and Permian deep-water evaporite varves. These short-term paleoclimatic fluctuations may represent one of several harmonics of the precessional (19-23 ka) or obliquity (41 ka) orbital cycles or may be related to variations in solar activity.
The Remote Perception Problem

Previous research (e.g., Casper, 2002; Darken, Kempster, & Peterson, 2001) has shown that observers demonstrate poor spatial awareness based on video provided from remote environments. Such a resul...
THE OPINION POLLS AND THE 1970 BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION

A FTER EACH British General Election the London Times publishes in book form its authoritative Guide to the House of Commons. Over the years the contents have been constant -the votes given to each candidate in the 630 constituencies, regionally aggregated figures of votes for the parties, a section on successful women candidates, occupational and educational background of the new House of Commons, etc., and a brief, straightforward, "for the record" account of how the parties conducted the three weeks of campaigning that precedes the voting. The 1970 volume, however, has one break with tradition. Its section on the election campaign opens with a boisterous and obviously delighted account of the "failure" of the opinion polls (The Times itself had commissioned and prominently published and publicized its own Marplan Poll, which indicated a massive Labor victory). According to the opening words of the Times Guide:
Bovine pancreatic duct cells express cAMP- and Ca(2+)-activated apical membrane Cl- conductances.

Secretion of salt and water by the epithelial cells that line pancreatic ducts depends on activation of apical membrane Cl- conductance. In the present study, we characterized two types of Cl- cond...
e-Mental Health Improves Access to Care, Facilitates Early Intervention, and Provides Evidence-Based Treatments at a Distance

Our current healthcare system in the United States is characterized by problems with access to timely and evidence-based care, particularly for mental disorders. e-Mental Health (eMH) improves access to care regardless of the point-of-service or barriers involved. Its effectiveness across age, population, and disorders is as good as in-person care, though adjustments for some populations in the approach are necessary. Early intervention is an example of “Cadillac” care or a best evidence-based approach that is easier to distribute via telemedicine. Cadillac care delivered via eMH has the potential to bring evidence-based early-intervention modalities to very young children and their families. However, early access to care is also critical for all populations, particularly those with cultural or medical disadvantages. It appears that eMH may be preferable or better than in-person care in some instances.
Nonenzymatic methods for the preferential and selective cleavage and modification of proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that there is a growing conviction among organic chemists that the scientific frontier of organic chemistry has moved from small molecules to the large entities that are involved in the process of the formation and preservation of the living cell. Consequently, the skills of the organic chemist, wisely, are applied to the design of the special methods for the analysis, degradation, and synthesis of large molecules. All the reactions utilized for the selective cleavage of the proteins are conceptually not new, and in retrospect, surprisingly simple. In principle, all selective cleavages are variations of a key theme— namely, intramolecular acceleration of displacement or elimination reactions to the point where they occur under extremely mild conditions. The formulation and recognition of this principle, very fruitful for protein chemistry, may stimulate and influence the search for the better methods in neighboring fields. The chapter highlights that the rate of reaction of the oxidant with the reactive products and their utilization for further displacement and elimination reactions are the variables which, when properly manipulated, makes for useful cleavage methods applicable to all three kinds of macromolecules.
Optimizing selection of large animals for antibody production by screening immune response to standard vaccines.

Abstract Antibodies made in large animals are integral to many biomedical research endeavors. Domesticated herd animals like goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and camelids all offer distinct advantages in antibody production. However, their cost of use is often prohibitive, especially where poor antigen response is commonplace; choosing a non-responsive animal can set a research program back or even prevent experiments from moving forward entirely. Over the course of production of antibodies from llamas, we found that some animals consistently produced a higher humoral antibody response than others, even to highly divergent antigens, as well as to their standard vaccines. Based on our initial data, we propose that these “high level responders” could be pre-selected by checking antibody titers against common vaccines given to domestic farm animals. Thus, time and money can be saved by reducing the chances of getting poor responding animals and minimizing the use of superfluous animals.
Magnetic nanocubes for selective capture of circulating tumor cells in NSCLC

Motivation: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is its predominant histological subtype. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been significantly associated with LUAD risk in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, because most GWAS SNPs reside in non-coding regions and are co-inherited with hundreds of SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (LD), which SNPs play a causal role in disease development remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that some of these SNPs affect oncogenic transcriptional programs by modulating the activity of gene enhancers in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), the purported cells of origin for LUAD. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we overlaid epigenomic features of primary human AECs over the locations of index LUAD risk SNPs and associated high LD SNPs. Luciferase assays for enhancer activity were performed for candidate SNPs that were predicted to disrupt transcription factor (TF) binding sites in loci marked by features of active enhancers. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was also performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and the online Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Portal to identify potential target genes of each SNP-enhancer pair. Results: Thirty-three LUAD risk-associated SNPs mapped to putative AEC enhancer regions. TF binding site prediction suggests that numerous SNPs might alter the binding affinity of TFs implicated in lung cancer, including RXRA and NKX2-1. Luciferase assays indicate that two of the SNPs significantly affect enhancer activity in lung cancer cell lines. eQTL analyses link each of the putative enhancers to candidate target genes, including both known oncogenes and genes not previously associated with lung cancer. Conclusions: Taken together, our analyses provide new mechanistic insight into long-known associations between non-coding SNPs and LUAD outcomes, and may ultimately yield more effective and personalized strategies for lung cancer risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. Magnetic nanocubes for selective capture of circulating tumor cells in NSCLC
Aborigine Constituencies in the Taiwanese

For its entire democratic history, Taiwan has reserved a significant percentage of the seats in its national legislature for its indigenous population, the yuanzhumin. Although officially recognized “aborigines” make up only about two percent of Taiwan’s total population, over five percent of seats in the current legislature (six of 113) are elected from aborigine-only constituencies. There is very little English-language scholarship on the historic origins of these seats, nor is there much research on why and how these seats have survived multiple institutional reforms during Taiwan’s political evolution, the role they play in the national party system, or the degree to which they have provided effective representation for the interests of the aborigine communities on the island. In this paper, I attempt to address this deficit, drawing primarily on Chinese-language materials. The first section provides a historical examination of the origins and evolution of these seats, considering how issues of apportionment and voter eligibility were decided and how this changed as Taiwan gradually transformed from a repressive dictatorship under martial law to a vibrant, open democracy. The second examines the role that representatives from these districts played in national politics, considering in particular why aborigine constituencies have long been strongholds of the formerly dominant ruling party, the Kuomintang. The third section explores the effects these reserved seats have had on aborigine communities themselves, and the effectiveness of representation of aborigine interests in national politics.
Clostridium difficile ileitis in a patient, after total colectomy.

This is a case of a 63-year-old, post total colectomy patient, who presented to the hospital with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and fevers. On admission, the patient was haemodynamically stable and febrile. Clostridium difficile PCR was sent and tested positive. CT of the abdomen revealed diffuse thickening of the distal small bowel to the level of the anastomosis and mesenteric oedema consistent with infectious enteritis. The patient was started on vancomycin orally as well as flagyl intravenously. Because of an ileus, he initially was treated with bowel rest and a NG tube. Surgical consult was obtained early with no intervention. The patient9s symptoms progressively resolved over the next 7 days of hospitalisation, and he was discharged home.
The Relation Between a Compact Linear Operator and its Conjugate

(1959). The Relation Between a Compact Linear Operator and its Conjugate. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 66, No. 9, pp. 764-769.
A method for preserving and counterstaining vitally-stained cells.∗

Recently, in the course of some experiments on the viability of monocytes,1 it became necessary to preserve, for further study, cells which had been vitally stained with neutral red. The cells consisted of various types of white blood cells present in the peritoneal exudate of the guinea pig. These cells had been under observation in hanging drop preparations such as are commonly used in tissue culture work,2 and since the usual methods of preservation seriously affected or entirely removed the vital stain, it was necessary to apply a new method. The one finally devised, as described below, not only retains the vital dye but permits other staining methods, such as Wright's method for differentiating blood cells, to be superimposed upon the vitally-stained cells.In brief, the method consists in taking the cover glass from a hanging drop preparation in which the cells have been well stained vitally, either by direct contact with neutral red on the cover slip,3 or by exposure to a dye bath consisting of a fe...
Abstract B43: Dose and context-dependent roles for Arid1a in liver tumorigenesis

Frequent Arid1a loss-of-function mutations suggest tumor suppressive roles, but the functional impact of Arid1a and SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling aberrations in human cancer are not clear. Liver-specific Arid1a knockout mice do not develop cancer after 15 months and surprisingly, homozygous mice are potently protected from diethylnitrosamine (DEN) + carbon tetrachloride induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is likely due to the fact that Arid1a deficient livers are resistant to chemical damage in a Cytochrome P450 dependent fashion. To determine if genetic drivers of cancer might reveal additional roles for Arid1a, we showed that Arid1a loss results in increased survival in a MYC driven liver cancer model. Given the physical interactions between MYC and Arid1a and a global reduction in mRNA levels, we hypothesize that MYC9s transcriptional activities are constrained by the lack of normal SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling. Interestingly, in vivo anti-Arid1a siRNA delivery to mice overexpressing MYC also prolonged survival, demonstrating that mutation timing does not explain the lack of tumor suppressor activity. Our models build the case that Arid1a is not a bona fide tumor suppressor gene in many important contexts. Citation Format: Xuxu Sun, Sam Wang, Liem Nguyen, Hao Zhu. Dose and context-dependent roles for Arid1a in liver tumorigenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Sep 24-27, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B43.
Use of the Monarch Room as an Alternative to Suspension in Addressing School Discipline Issues Among Court-Involved Youth

Suspension is commonly used in schools, yet these practices can adversely affect students’ education well-being and do not improve student behavior. This study assesses the use of the Monarch Room ...