cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature of water heat treatments influences tomato fruit quality following low-temperature storage

Abstract Mature-green tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Sunbeam) were treated in water for 1 h at 27 (ambient), 39, 42, 45, or 48°C, and then either ripened at 20°C (nonchilled) or stored at 2°C (chilled) for 14 days before ripening at 20°C. Treatment at 42°C reduced decay by 60%, whereas the other water temperatures were less effective. Heat treatment had no effect on time required to ripen the fruit, with 11 days required for nonchilled and 27 days required for chilled fruit (including storage time). Ripe, nonchilled tomatoes had higher respiration rates and evolved more ethylene than did chilled fruit. The 48°C treatment increased respiration and ethylene evolution compared with the other treatment temperatures. Red color development was enhanced by heat treatment, and inhibited by chilling. At red ripe, fruit were firmer as a result of storage at the chilling temperature, while heat treatment had no effect on firmness. With the exception of the 45°C treatment, chilled as well as nonchilled fruit previously treated at 39, 42, or 45°C were preferred in terms of taste and texture in informal taste tests over fruit treated at 27 or 48°C. Storage at 2°C led to an increase in electrolyte leakage, particularly in the 48°C treated fruit. Of the 15 flavor volatiles analyzed, the levels of five were decreased and two were increased with increasing temperature of heat treatment. Storage at the chilling temperature reduced the levels of five flavor volatiles. Heat treatments decreased sterols in the steryl ester fraction, several sterols in the free sterol, steryl glycoside, and acylated steryl glycoside fractions. Prestorage heat treatments, with the possible exception of the 48°C temperature, can reduce decay with only minimal adverse effects on tomato fruit quality.
Base excision repair and design of small molecule inhibitors of human DNA polymerase β

Base excision repair (BER) can protect a cell after endogenous or exogenous genotoxic stress, and a deficiency in BER can render a cell hypersensitive to stress-induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death, mutagenesis, and chromosomal rearrangements. However, understanding of the mammalian BER system is not yet complete as it is extraordinarily complex and has many back-up processes that complement a deficiency in any one step. Due of this lack of information, we are unable to make accurate predictions on therapeutic approaches targeting BER. A deeper understanding of BER will eventually allow us to conduct more meaningful clinical interventions. In this review, we will cover historical and recent information on mammalian BER and DNA polymerase β and discuss approaches toward development and use of small molecule inhibitors to manipulate BER. With apologies to others, we will emphasize results obtained in our laboratory and those of our collaborators.
α-Synuclein Expression in the Mouse Cerebellum Is Restricted to VGluT1 Excitatory Terminals and Is Enriched in Unipolar Brush Cells

α-Synuclein has a crucial role in synaptic vesicle release and synaptic membrane recycling. Although its general expression pattern has been described in the cerebellum, the precise cerebellar structures where α-synuclein is localized are poorly understood. To address this question, we used α-synuclein immunohistochemistry in adult mice cerebellar sections. We found that α-synuclein labels glutamatergic but not glycinergic and GABAergic synaptic terminals in the molecular and granule cell layers. α-Synuclein was preferentially expressed in parallel and mossy fiber synaptic terminals that also express vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1), while it was not detected in VGluT2-positive climbing fibers. α-Synuclein was particularly enriched in lobules IX and X, a region known to contain a high density of unipolar brush cells (UBCs). To elucidate whether the α-synuclein-positive mossy fibers belong to UBCs, we double-labeled cerebellar sections with antibodies to α-synuclein and UBC-type-specific markers (calretinin for type I and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGluR1α) for type II UBCs) and took advantage of organotypic cerebellar cultures (in which all mossy fibers are UBC axons) and moonwalker mice (in which almost all UBCs are ablated) and found that both type I and type II UBCs express α-synuclein. In moonwalker mutant cerebella, the α-synuclein/VGluT1 immunolabeling showed a dramatic decrease in the vestibulocerebellum that correlated with the absence of UBC. α-Synuclein appears to be an excellent marker for intrinsic mossy fibers of the VGluT1 subset in conjunction with UBCs of both subtypes.
Temperature Dependence of Orientational Order in a Nematic Liquid Crystal at Constant Molar Volume

Results on the temperature dependence of orientational order at constant molar volume in the nematic liquid crystal $p$-azoxyanisole are reported for the first time. These results clearly indicate the failure of theories of the nematic phase which do not include both energetic and steric intermolecular interactions.
The otolaryngologist's role in management of hearing loss in infancy and childhood.

This article reviews the role of the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon-in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in infants and young children. The otolaryngologist is well-versed in the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the auditory system, as well as the craniofacial syndromes that can involve the head and neck in combination with deafness. In this paper, the various causes of congenital hearing loss are described, as well as the steps required for proper diagnosis. Finally, surgeries used by otolaryngologists to treat childhood hearing loss, their indications, and outcomes, are discussed.
Obstruction of Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Because of Lipomatous Hypertrophy of the Interatrial Septum

pulm a s s OMPLICATIONS WITH CORRECT POSITIONING of a pulmonary artery catheter are not uncommon in the erioperative and intensive care settings.1 Common causes f difficult placement include misdirection into the innomnate vein or inferior vena cava, curling of the catheter in the ight ventricle, the obstructing presence of multiple paceaker wires, low-output states, and hypovolemia. In addiion, structural abnormalities may hinder successful catheerization. Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum LHIS) is a common anatomic variant that results from fatty nfiltration of the septum with sparing of the fossa ovalis.2 he authors report a case in which pulmonary artery catheerization was impeded by LHIS. Transesophageal echocariography (TEE) was used to facilitate the passage of the atheter beyond the obstruction.
Status of connecticut's control program for transportation-related particulate emissions

Abstract Material prepared for Connecticut's 1979 State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal indicates that transportation related sources contribute more than half of total suspended particulates (TSP) emissions. The SIP's conclusions are strikingly different from earlier estimates of TSP attributable to the transportation sector. The conclusions mandate additional measurements and analyses to document source contributions. Of greater importance is the development of TSP control measures because Connecticut's ability to maintain an adequate transportation system and to accommodate stationary source, commercial and industrial growth are affected. Possible control measures must consider control of exhaust emissions, a source control program, and control of reentrained road dust having characteristics of a fugitive emissions control program. Current programs are discussed and analyzed where sufficient data exists. Technical methodology and administrative responsibilities are discussed. Insights of future program needs are presented.
Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal “Above and Below” Approach to the Retroinfundibular Area and Interpeduncular Cistern—Cadaveric Study and Case Illustrations

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of reaching the interpeduncular cistern (IC) through an endoscopic endonasal approach that leaves the pituitary gland in place. Methods In a series of 10 injected cadaver heads, the transtuberculum ("above") and transclival ("below") approaches were combined, without pituitary transposition. Using 0-degree, 30-degree, and 45-degree endoscopes, the extent of overlap and if a blind spot occurred were determined. Also, the visualization of the IC was compared with the transposition of the pituitary gland approach. Nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate the results. The approach was implemented in 2 patients. Results For both the "above" and "below" views, there was a statistically significant increase in field of view when comparing the 0-degree endoscope with either the 30-degree endoscope ( P P P > 0.05) in the "below" approach, but there was a difference ( P Conclusions It is possible to work both "above" and "below" the pituitary gland to reach the IC through an endoscopic endonasal approach. The advantages are the maintenance of normal pituitary and parasellar anatomy and the minimization of the size of the skull base defect. There is no blind spot using this approach that would be revealed with a pituitary transposition. The feasibility of this approach has been confirmed in 2 patients.
Response of breeder reactor components and systems to abnormal events

Abstract The paper contains a brief overview of applied mechanics as it is utilized in the safety and design of fast breeder nuclear reactors. It also attempts to consolidate and delineate the objectives of the following 13 specific papers of the same program, appearing in this issue, into an entity describing the present status and the remaining problems of this sector of nuclear technology.
See what you want to see : Motivational influences on visual perception

The world that people know is the one they take in through their senses. This is the world they react to—the one their conscious thoughts, feelings, and actions are predicated on. People act on the presumption that the world they are consciously aware of is a comprehensive and accurate representation of the environment that exactly copies the outside world as it truly is. Decades of research in psychology, however, tend to undermine the assumption that what people see or hear is an exact replica of what is out in the world, in two different ways. First, perception is selective. People are not aware of everything that is going on around them. Consider, for example, recent studies of attentional blindness. Of undergraduates asked to monitor how many times people in a videotape pass a basketball among themselves, 40% failed to see the woman in a gorilla suit saunter into the middle of
Problems associated with the miniaturization of a voltammetric oxygen sensor: Chemical crosstalk among electrodes

Abstract The possible chemical crosstalk between electrodes in microfabricated voltammetric oxygen sensors has been studied with an interdigitated electrode assembly. Experimental results show that significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide can be produced at the Au or Pt cathode and transferred to the surface of nearby counter and reference electrodes. Such chemical crosstalk may not only distort the sensing signal, but also affects the stability of the gold anode and the Ag/AgCl reference electrode.
Startle responsiveness after habituation to different intensities of tone

The likelihood of startle response to different intensities of tone (96, 102, 108, 114, and 120 dB) was evaluated in rats, before and after a series of exposures to either 108- or 120-dB tones. Responsiveness following habituation was less at each test intensity for Ss exposed to 120-, as compared to 108-dB tones. These results were contrasted with other reports which have led to the potentially misleading generalization that habituation is faster or more pronounced, the weaker the stimulus intensity.
Withaferin A inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced damage to islets in culture and following transplantation

Aims/hypothesis Beta cell death triggered by pro-inflammatory cytokines plays a central role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and loss of transplanted islets. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway is a key regulator of beta cell stress response, survival and apoptosis. Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone derived from Withania somnifera, has been demonstrated to be a potent, safe, anti-inflammatory molecule that can inhibit NF-κB signalling. Therefore, we evaluated the ability of WA to protect mouse and human islets from the damaging effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and following intraportal transplantation.
Effects of Statins on Hospital Length of Stay and All-Cause Readmissions Among Hospitalized Patients With a Primary Diagnosis of Sepsis

Background: There is little information on the impact of statins on hospital length of stay (LOS) or readmission among patients with sepsis. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between statin use and LOS and all-cause readmissions among sepsis patients hospitalized in the medical unit. Methods: The design was a retrospective propensity score–matched study of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of sepsis from 2007 to 2013. Information was extracted from the electronic health record. Sepsis patients were identified using ICD-9CM codes. Propensity scores estimated the probability that a patient would be on statins, and patients who were on statins were then matched with those who were not, within ±0.05. Additional greedy matching criteria were organ dysfunction (yes/no) and all patient refined diagnosis-related group (APR-DRG) medical/surgical. The primary outcome was LOS, and the secondary outcomes were all-cause readmission at 30, 60, and 90 days, adjusted for age, sex...
The Warren Court and American Politics

Preface 1. The Supreme Court, 1935 -1953 I. Beginnings: The 1953 -1956 Terms Prologue: Brown before Warren 2. Brown 3. Implementation 4. Domestic Security 5. Glimpses of the Future II. Stalemate: The 1957 -1961 Terms Prologue: "Dangerously, Shockingly Close" 6. Domestic Security after Red Monday 7. Little Rock and Civil Rights 8. The Transition III. History's Warren Court: The 1962 -1968 Terms Prologue: The Fifth Vote 9. To the Civil Rights Act 10. Revamping the Democratic Process 11. After the Civil Rights Act 12. Freedom of Expression 13. The End of Obscenity? 14. Church and State in a Pluralist Society 15. Policing the Police 16. Policing the Criminal Justice System 17. Wealth and Poverty IV. The Era Ends Prologue: Retirement 18. The Last Year 19. What Was the Warren Court? Chronology Notes Bibliography Index of Cases General Index
Camera Calibration from Two Shadow Trajectories

We introduce an efficient method for recovering the camera parameters automatically from the cast shadows of two 3D points observed over time. Compared to previous related work, our method has less restrictions in the sense that object-to-shadow correspondences do not have to be available in the image. We demonstrate how the horizon line may be recovered from only shadow points, and how the camera intrinsic and extrinsic parameters are determined using the pole-polar relationship and minimizing the algebraic distance of the principal point. The approach is fully validated on both synthetic and real data, and tested against various sources of error. We finally present an application to metrology from shadows only - i.e. when the object is not visible in the image.
Charge trapping at high doses in an active matrix flat panel dosimeter

Active matrix flat panel dosimeters (AMFPDs) have a high density of charge trapping centers (/spl sim/3/spl times/10/sup 15//cm/sup 3/) which lead to both lag and ghosting in reconstructed dose measurements. Lag is due to charge release within the detector and is a function of the lifetime of the trapping centers within the detector. Ghosting, defined as excess charge not produced by charge release, is a phenomenon believed to be caused by reduced charge trapping probability due to the trapped charge population density being greater after exposure to a radiation field than previous to the exposure. This paper examines the characteristics of a large AMFPD (26 cm /spl times/ 26 cm) detector for long exposure times (up to 1 minute) and high doses (up to 3 Gy). This detector was operated in a direct detection mode. Nonlinear response functions were mapped as a function of exposure time and dose for an X-ray beam where the accelerating potential of the electrons was 6 megavolts (MV). Additionally, the impulse response functions (IRFs) were measured at 6 MV for the same set of exposure times and doses used for the measurement of the nonlinear mapping. These IRFs are shown to be functions of both exposure time and dose delivered to the detector. The reproducibility of dose measurements using procedures derived from this paper is discussed. The temporal transfer function (TTF), defined as the absolute value of the Fourier transform of the IRF, is introduced and several examples of the TTFs are shown and discussed.
Chronology of Neuron Development: Animal Studies and their Clinical Implications

Because different parts of the central nervous system form at different stages of development, there is not one critical period but many critical periods. Some neurons are formed around the time of closure of the neural tube: these include the motor horn cells of the spinal cord and some motor nuclei of the brain stem. Other neurons, most notably the granule cells of the cerebellum, olfactory bulb and hippocampus, are produced in great numbers after birth. This review focuses on the mouse, the species for which the most data on neurogenesis are available, and draws parallels with other species. The clinical significance of the chronology of neuron formation is discussed in the context of recent studies of experimentally-induced congenital brain damage.
Functional polymers and sequential copolymers by phase transfer catalysis. 24. The influence of molecular weight on the thermotropic properties of a random copolyether based on 1,5‐dibromopentane, 1,7‐dibromoheptane, and 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene

The influence of molecular weight on thermal transitions and on their thermodynamic parameters is discussed for a random thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyether based on the reaction of a 1:1 molar mixture of 1,5-dibromopentane and 1,7-dibromoheptane with 4,4′-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene. Optimum phase transfer catalyzed polyetherification reaction conditions were established for the synthesis of polymers containing bromoalkane chain ends only over a wide variety of molecular weights. All these copolyethers present a crystalline and an enantiotropic nematic mesophase over the entire range of molecular weights studied. Both the thermal transitions and their thermodynamic parameters are strongly molecular weight-dependent up to Mn = 10,000–12,000, after which they remain constant. The enthalpies and entropies of isotropization of the copolyethers are higher than those of melting. This is in contrast to the same thermodynamic parameters of the corresponding homopolyethers. The enthalpies and entropies of isotropization of both homopolymers and copolymers present similar values, suggesting that copolymerization does decrease the degree of order in the crystalline phase but does not significantly change the alignment degree of the mesogenic units in the nematic mesophase.
Mechanistic explanation without the ontic conception

The ontic conception of scientific explanation has been constructed and motivated on the basis of a putative lexical ambiguity in the term explanation. I raise a puzzle for this ambiguity claim, and then give a deflationary solution under which all ontically-rendered talk of explanation is merely elliptical; what it is elliptical for is a view of scientific explanation that altogether avoids the ontic conception. This result has revisionary consequences for New Mechanists and other philosophers of science, many of whom have assimilated their conception of explanation to the ontic conception.
Apoptosis and growth inhibition of head and neck tumor cell line induced by epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Abstract Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, a hallmark of aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), correlates with aggressive tumor behavior. There is evidence that SCCHN cells auto-activate their EGF receptors. The receptor has therefore attracted interest as a potential therapeutic target. We tested the in vitro therapeutic efficacy of PD153035—a potent, specific inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase intrinsic to the EGF receptor—by employing a well-characterized cell line derived from human gingival SCCHN. DNA-synthesis and cell number were assayed for growth–inhibitory effects, phosphorylation of the EGF receptor was quantitated by immunoblot, and cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxytransferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) in situ assay. PD153035, at nanomolar concentrations, inhibited autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor induced by EGF stimulation and the inhibition occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Under the same conditions, PD153035 inhibited cell growth, and induced apoptosis of SCCHN cells in vitro. We conclude that selective inhibition of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase completely abolishes EGF receptor phosphorylation resulting from receptor stimulation, and results in growth inhibition and apoptosis of SCCHN cells in vitro. By inducing cytostasis and apoptosis, this new class of inhibitors may be of therapeutic value against SCCHN.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung (Typical and Atypical Carcinoid): Current Status and Future Considerations

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the lung represent approximately 25% of all primary lung tumors and can be classified as low grade (typical carcinoids), intermediate grade (atypical carcinoids), or high grade (large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma or small cell lung carcinoma). Low- and intermediate-grade lung NET are increasingly recognized as biologically distinct from high-grade lung NET based on clinical behavior and underlying molecular abnormalities. This review summarizes current knowledge and challenges in the diagnosis and management of low- and intermediate-grade lung NET. Accurate histopathologic classification of lung NET is critical to determining appropriate treatment options but can be challenging even for experts. For low- and intermediate-grade lung NET, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for localized disease. Although no standard systemic therapy has been established for the treatment of advanced, unresectable disease, a number of promising treatment options are emerging, including somatostatin analogs, temozolomide-based chemotherapy, targeted therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Given the difficulty in accurately diagnosing these tumors, and the paucity of data supporting establishment of standard systemic therapy options, management of patients within the setting of a multidisciplinary team, including specialists with expertise in NET, is recommended. Ongoing and future clinical trials hopefully will provide stronger evidence to support treatment recommendations for low- and intermediate-grade lung NET.
Human Herpesvirus 8 Open Reading Frame 21 Is a Thymidine and Thymidylate Kinase of Narrow Substrate Specificity That Efficiently Phosphorylates Zidovudine but Not Ganciclovir

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) open reading frame (ORF) 21 is predicted to encode a protein similar to the thymidine kinase (TK) enzyme of other herpesviruses. Expressed in mammalian cells, ORF 21 was found to have low TK activity, based on poor growth in media containing hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) and low incorporation of [(3)H]thymidine into high-molecular-weight DNA. Kinetic analysis using HHV8 TK as a purified glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein showed that the enzyme has a comparatively high K(m) for thymidine (dThd) of approximately 33.2 microM. Nearly 50% of the phosphorylated product of the reaction with dThd was thymidylate. This monophosphate kinase activity was more pronounced with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), in which 78% of the reaction product was AZT diphosphate. Thymidine analogs competitively inhibited dThd phosphorylation by HHV8 TK, while 2'-deoxyguanosine, 2'-deoxyadenosine, 2'-deoxycytidine, and corresponding analogs did not. Further competition experiments revealed that the nucleoside analog ganciclovir (GCV), at up to 1,000-fold molar excess, could not significantly inhibit dThd phosphorylation by the enzyme. In support of these data, 143B TK(-) cells expressing HHV8 TK phosphorylated GCV very poorly and were not susceptible to GCV toxicity compared to parental cells. Phosphorylation of [(3)H]GCV by a purified GST-HHV8 TK fusion protein was not detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis. Structural features of HHV8 TK substrate recognition were investigated. Therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed.
Effects of aggregate and individual antibiotic exposure on vancomycin MICs for Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from pediatric patients.

ABSTRACT We evaluated the evolution of vancomycin MICs for Staphylococcus aureus and their relationship with vancomycin use among hospitalized children. S. aureus isolates recovered from sterile sites were prospectively tested for vancomycin susceptibility using the Etest between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2008. Vancomycin MICs were grouped into three categories: ≤1, 1.5, and 2 μg/ml. The association between vancomycin MICs and aggregate vancomycin use and individual patient vancomycin exposure 6 months prior to the documented infection was assessed. The geometric mean values for vancomycin MICs for S. aureus fluctuated over time without a significant trend ( P = 0.146). Of the 436 patients included in the study, 363 (83%) had methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 73 (17%) had methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections. The rate of isolates with a vancomycin MIC of 2 μg/ml increased from 4% (2 of 46) in 2000 to 2001 to 24% (11 of 46) in 2007 to 2008, despite a decrease in vancomycin use ( r = −0.11; P = 0.825). The percentage of isolates with a vancomycin MIC of 2 μg/ml was higher for MRSA (15%; 11 of 73) than for MSSA strains (5.2%; 19 of 363) (χ 2 = 9.2; P = 0.01). Individual patient vancomycin exposure was not associated with a higher vancomycin MIC. In the unadjusted model, in which we compared patients with S. aureus infections with MICs of ≤1 μg/ml, the odds ratios of exposure rates for patients with isolates with MICs of 1.5 μg/ml and 2 μg/ml were 1.02 ( P = 0.929) and 1.13 ( P = 0.767), respectively. In our experience, the geometric means of vancomycin MICs from S. aureus isolates recovered from hospitalized children oscillated over time and were not associated with previous individual patient vancomycin exposure or aggregate vancomycin use.
The Ethics of Intertemporal Distribution in a Warming Planet

This paper evaluates, from the ethical viewpoint, current work by economists on intergenerational resource allocation in the presence of global warming. We begin by attempting to elucidate the debate that has recently occurred on the appropriate choice of the discountrate.Weofferthreejustificationsformaximizingthediscountedsumofgenerational utilities, and find only one of these to be a satisfactory justification of that practice: the pos- sibility that the human species may become extinct. This implies that a very small discount rate (large discount factor) should be used. We argue that the justification for discounting, inherent in the approaches taken by many economists, is that of 'the present generation of hegemon,' which is unacceptable. The role of the Ramsey equation in deducing the discount rate in these theories is explained. As an alternative to discounted utilitarianism, we propose a principle of sustainability; we describe optimal paths that have been calculated for the sus- tainabilitiarian(Rawlsian)objectivefunction,andpathsthatwillsustaingrowthinwelfare,at a positive rate. We report results concerning optimal paths when the uncertainty of existence of future generations is taken into account. In sharp contrast to the utilitarian model, it turns out that under some conditions, the 'sustainabilitarian' can ignore the uncertainty regarding thedateatwhichhumansbecomeextinct.Thereisastrikingdifferencebetweenthesolutions of the discounted utilitarian program and the sustainabilitarian program under uncertainty.
Caloric restriction favorably impacts metabolic and immune/inflammatory profiles in obese mice but curcumin/piperine consumption adds no further benefit

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and impaired immune response. Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to inhibit inflammatory response and enhance cell-mediated immune function. Curcumin, the bioactive phenolic component of turmeric spice, is proposed to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammation properties while piperine, another bioactive phenolic compound present in pepper spice, can enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of curcumin. This study sought to determine if curcumin could potentiate CR’s beneficial effect on immune and inflammatory responses in obesity developed in mice by feeding high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were fed a HFD for 22 wk and then randomized into 5 groups: one group remained on HFD ad libitum and the remaining 4 groups were fed a 10% CR (reduced intake of HFD by 10% but maintaining the same levels of micronutrients) in the presence or absence of curcumin and/or piperine for 5 wk, after which CR was increased to 20% for an additional 33 wk. At the end of the study, mice were sacrificed, and spleen cells were isolated. Cells were stimulated with T cell mitogens, anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, or lipopolysaccharide to determine T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and CD4+ T cell subpopulations. Compared to HFD control group, all CR mice, regardless of the presence of curcumin and/or piperine, had lower body weight and fat mass, lower levels of blood glucose and insulin, and fewer total spleen cells but a higher percentage of CD4+ T cells. Additionally, they demonstrated lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, a trend toward lower IL-6, and lower production of PGE2, a lipid molecule with pro-inflammatory and T cell-suppressive properties. Mice with CR alone had higher splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production, but this effect of CR was diminished by spice supplementation. CR alone or in combination with spice supplementation had no effect on production of cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-17, or the proportion of different CD4+ T cell subsets. CR on an HFD favorably impacts both metabolic and immune/inflammatory profiles; however, the presence of curcumin and/or piperine does not amplify CR’s beneficial effects.
Intrahaemocoelic infection of Trichoplusia ni with the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus does not induce tracheal cell basal lamina remodelling.

Infection of the lepidopteran insect Trichoplusia ni with the baculovirus Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) by the oral route stimulates activation of host matrix metalloproteases (MMP) and effector caspases, a process dependent on expression of the viral fibroblast growth factor (vFGF). This pathway leads to tracheal cell basal lamina remodelling, enabling virus escape from the primary site of infection, the midgut epithelium, and establishment of efficient systemic infection. In this study, we asked whether the MMP–caspase pathway was also activated following infection by intrahaemocoelic injection. We found that intrahaemocoelic infection did not lead to any observable tracheal cell or midgut epithelium basal lamina remodelling. MMP and caspase activities were not significantly stimulated. We conclude that the main role of the AcMNPV vFGF is in facilitating virus midgut escape.
Performance advantages of 3-D digital integrated circuits in a mixed SOI and bulk CMOS design space

Three-dimensional (3-D) integrated circuits (ICs), with multiple stacked device layers, offer a unique design opportunity to use both bulk and partially depleted (PD) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS devices in a single circuit design. Such 3-D designs can, for example, minimize the body effect common in bulk designs and reduce adverse floating-body effects (FBE) common in PD SOI designs. Sequential 3-D technology such as exfoliation-based single-crystal silicon layer transfer allows a low-temperature approach to 3-D integration with high-density interconnectivity. Using the characteristics of this technology, we present the mixed SOI bulk (MSB) design approach that effectively re-maps conventional VLSI designs to the 3-D design space. Tradeoffs in delay, noise margin, power, and circuit footprint are analyzed and demonstrated through analyzes of static, dynamic, pass-transistor, and SRAM circuits.
Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Most patients with thoracic outlet syndrome can be treated conservatively without surgery in a successful fashion. In general, patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome should be given physiotherapy when the diagnosis is made. Proper physiotherapy includes heat massages, active neck exercises, stretching of the scalenus muscles, strengthening of the upper trapezius muscle, and posture instruction. Because sagging of the shoulder girdle, which is common among middle-aged people, is a major cause in this syndrome, many patients with less severe cases are improved by strengthening the shoulder girdle and by improving posture. Most patients with thoracic outlet syndrome who have ulnar nerve conduction velocities (UNCVs) of more than 60 meters per second (mps) improve with conservative management. 2 If the conduction velocity is below that level, most patients, despite physiotherapy, may remain symptomatic, and surgical resectionofthefirstribandcorrectionofotherbonyabnormalities may be needed to provide relief of symptoms. If symptoms of neurovascular compression continue after physiotherapy, and the conduction velocity shows slight or no improvement or regression, surgical resection of the first rib and cervical rib, when present, should be considered. The transaxillary route is an expedient approach for complete removal of the first rib with decompression of the seventhandeighthcervicalandfirstthoracicnerverootsandthe lower trunks of the brachial plexus. First rib resection can be performed without the need for major muscle division, the needforretractionofthebrachialplexus,andthedifficultyof removing the posterior segment of the rib. In addition, first rib resection shortens the postoperative disability and provides better cosmetic results than the anterior and posterior approaches, particularly because 80% of patients are female.
An Exploratory Study of Program Metrics as Predictors of Reachability Analysis Performance

This paper presents the results of an exploratory experiment investigating the use of program metrics to predict reachability graph size, reachability graph generation time, and deadlock check times for concurrent Ada programs. In general, reachability analysis is intractable, so it is important to be able to predict whether or not this analysis technique is feasible given a specific program to be analyzed. We briefly introduce the program representations used to perform the deadlock reachability analysis and describe a set of metrics on those representations. We present empirical results that quantify the value of each metric as a predictor of the reachability graph size and the practicality of deadlock reachability analysis.
Interfacing methods for fluidically-assembled microcomponents

Here we present the design and implementation of electrical and mechanical interfaces for fluidically-assembled planar MEMS. We discuss the design and fabrication of systems of passive mechanical latches to bond microcomponents together and of electrical layers capable of establishing electrical connections with each other. We evaluate the ability of components with these interfaces to bond together within a microfluidic channel and to establish electrical circuits when assembled. This work supports the development of a novel microassembly strategy that bridges the gap between bottom-up self-assembly and top-down direct-manipulation technique. The ultimate goal of this research is the development of MEMS devices capable of the on-demand self-assembly, repair, and reconfiguration.
Leadership Styles of Nursing Home Administrators and Their Association With Staff Turnover

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between nursing home administrator (NHA) leadership style and staff turnover. Design and Methods: We analyzed primary data from a survey of 2,900 NHAs conducted in 2005. The Online Survey Certifi cation and Reporting database and the Area Resource File were utilized to extract organizational and local economic characteristics of the facilities. A general linear model (GLM) was used to estimate the effects of NHA leadership style, organizational characteristics, and local economic characteristics on nursing home staff turnover for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and nurse ’ s aides (NAs). Results: The complete model estimates indicate that NHAs who are consensus managers (leaders who solicit, and act upon, the most input from their staff) are associated with the lowest turnover levels, 7% for RNs, 3% for LPNs, and 44% for NAs. Shareholder managers (leaders who neither solicit input when making a decision nor provide their staffs with relevant information for making decisions on their own) are associated with the highest turnover levels, 32% for RNs, 56% for LPNs, and 168% for NAs. Implications: The fi ndings indicate that NHA leadership style is associated with staff turnover, even when the effects of organizational and local economic conditions are held constant. Because leadership strategies are amenable to change, the fi ndings of this study may be used to develop policies for lowering staff turnover.
Liver transplantation for cystic fibrosis in adults.

To expand our knowledge on liver transplantation for cirrhosis associated with cystic fibrosis in adults. Five patients who underwent a liver transplantation due to cystic fibrosis were reviewed. The outcome of the patients in terms of age, immunosuppression regimen, patient and graft survival, and pre- and post-transplant complications were investigated. Five adult liver transplant patients had cystic fibrosis (0.2%). These included 4 men and 1 woman with a mean age of 31 ± 10, ranging from 22 to 52 years old at the time of transplantation. All patients had lung problems. Four patients had exocrine and two had endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Two are currently alive with a follow-up of 5.8 years and 4 months after transplantation, respectively. There were three deaths from pulmonary embolism at 4.5 years, myocardial infarction with cyclosporine nephrotoxicity at 10.7 years, and lymphoproliferative disorder at 5 months after transplantation. No deaths occurred from lung infection. Only one patient had postoperative pulmonary infectious complications, which were successfully treated with antibiotics and did not result in mortality. Adult liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis offers encouraging results with a rapid general improvement after surgery and it is now considered to be a safe and acceptable treatment for this disease population.
The cytoplasmic tail slows the folding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env from a late prebundle configuration into the six-helix bundle.

Effects of the cytoplasmic tail (CT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env on the process of membrane fusion were investigated. Full-length Env (wild type [WT]) and Env with its CT truncated (ΔCT) were expressed on cell surfaces, these cells were fused to target cells, and the inhibition of fusion by peptides that prevent Env from folding into a six-helix bundle conformation was measured. For both X4-tropic and R5-tropic Env proteins, ΔCT induced faster fusion kinetics than did the WT, and peptides were less effective at inhibiting ΔCT-induced fusion. We tested the hypothesis that the inhibitory peptides were less effective at inhibiting ΔCT-induced fusion because ΔCT folds more quickly into a six-helix bundle. Early and late intermediates of WT- and ΔCT-induced fusion were captured, and the ability of peptides to block fusion when added at the intermediate stages was quantified. When added at the early intermediate, the peptides were still less effective at inhibiting ΔCT-induced fusion but they were equally effective at preventing WT- and ΔCT-induced fusion when added at the late intermediate. We conclude that for both X4-tropic and R5-tropic Env proteins, the CT facilitates conformational changes that allow the trimeric coiled coil of prebundles to become optimally exposed. But once Env does favorably expose its coiled coil to inhibitory peptides, the CT hinders subsequent folding into a six-helix bundle. Because of this facilitation of maximal exposure and hindrance of bundle formation, the coiled coil is optimally exposed for a longer time for WT than for ΔCT. This accounts for the greater peptide inhibition of WT-induced fusion.
Synthesis and characterization of betaine-like diacyl lipids: zwitterionic lipids with the cationic amine at the bilayer interface

Abstract We synthesized and characterized a series of zwitterionic, acetate-terminated, quaternized amine diacyl lipids (AQ). These lipids have an inverted headgroup orientation as compared to naturally occurring phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids; the cationic group is anchored at the membrane interface, while the anionic group extends into the aqueous phase. AQ lipids preferentially interact with highly polarizable anions (ClO4−) over less polarizable ions (Cl−), in accord with the Hofmeister series, as measured by the change in zeta potential of AQ liposomes. Conversely, AQ lipids have a weaker association with calcium than do PC lipids. The transition temperatures (Tm) of the AQ lipids are similar to the Tm observed with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids of the same chain length. AQ lipids form large lipid sheets after heating and sonication; however, in the presence of cholesterol (Chol), these lipids form stable liposomes that encapsulate carboxyfluorescein. The AQ:Chol liposomes retain their contents in the presence of serum at 37 °C, and when injected intravenously into mice, their organ biodistribution is similar to that observed with PC:Chol liposomes. AQ lipids demonstrate that modulating the headgroup charge orientation significantly alters the biophysical properties of liposomes. For the drug carrier field, these new materials provide a non-phosphate containing zwitterlipid for the production of lipid vesicles.
Uncertainty Quantification and Model Validation under Epistemic Uncertainty due to Sparse and Imprecise Data

This paper develops a methodology for uncertainty quantification and model validation in the presence of epistemic uncertainty due to sparse and imprecise data. Three types of epistemic uncertainty regarding input random variables – interval data, sparse point data, and probability distributions with parameter uncertainty – are considered. When the model inputs are described using sparse point data and/or interval data, a likelihood-based methodology is used to represent these variables as probability distributions. Two approaches - a parametric approach and a non-parametric approach - are pursued for this purpose. The probabilistic model predictions are compared against experimental observations which may again be point data or interval data. A generalized likelihood function is constructed for both point data and interval data, and the extent of which the data supports the model is directly quantified. The Bayes factor metric is extended to assess the validity of the model under both aleatory and epistemic uncertainty and to estimate the confidence in the model prediction. The proposed method is illustrated using numerical examples from the Sandia Epistemic Uncertainty Workshop and a heat conduction problem.
Long-term vemurafenib treatment drives inhibitor resistance through a spontaneous KRAS G12D mutation in a BRAF V600E papillary thyroid carcinoma model

// Brian P. Danysh 1 , Erin Y. Rieger 1 , Deepankar K. Sinha 1 , Caitlin V. Evers 2 , Gilbert J. Cote 1 , Maria E. Cabanillas 1 , Marie-Claude Hofmann 1 1 Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 2 Diagnostic Genetics Program, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA Correspondence to: Marie-Claude Hofmann, email: mhofmann@mdanderson.org Keywords: BRAF V600E, kinase inhibitor, resistance, KRAS G12D, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) Received: December 03, 2015 Accepted: March 31, 2016 Published: April 26, 2016 ABSTRACT The BRAF V600E mutation is commonly observed in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and predominantly activates the MAPK pathway. Presence of BRAF V600E predicts increasing risk of recurrence and higher mortality rate, and treatment options for such patients are limited. Vemurafenib, a BRAF V600E inhibitor, is initially effective, but cells inevitably develop alternative mechanisms of pathway activation. Mechanisms of primary resistance have been described in short-term cultures of PTC cells; however, mechanisms of acquired resistance have not. In the present study, we investigated possible adaptive mechanisms of BRAF V600E inhibitor resistance in KTC1 thyroid cancer cells following long-term vemurafenib exposure. We found that a subpopulation of KTC1 cells acquired resistance to vemurafenib following 5 months of treatment with the inhibitor. Resistance coincided with the spontaneous acquisition of a KRAS G12D activating mutation. Increases in activated AKT, ERK1/2, and EGFR were observed in these cells. In addition, the resistant cells were less sensitive to combinations of vemurafenib and MEK1 inhibitor or AKT inhibitor. These results support the KRAS G12D mutation as a genetic mechanism of spontaneously acquired secondary BRAF inhibitor resistance in BRAF V600E thyroid cancer cells.
Analysis of Irrational Drug Use in Outpatient Prescriptions

Objective To know the common irrational drug use of outpatient prescriptions of our hospital and propose an improved measures to promote the prescription quality.Methods We randomly selected 1000 outpatient prescriptions of our hospital each month from Jan.2009 to June 2009,a total of 6000,accounting for 6.28% of the total prescriptions,and the statistics analysis was made by using the related regulations of Prescription Management and Guiding principles for clinical use of antibiotics issued by the Ministry of Health.Results The irrational drug prescription rate from Jan.2009 to June 2009 was 5.23%,mainly including irrational drug selection,unreasonable drug usage and dosage,unreasonable compatibility or drug combination,repeat medication,large prescriptions,unreasonable solvents,etc.Conclusion We should strengthen the studies of the pharmacokinetics,Pharmacodynamics and drug interactions,and improve the medication system to make safe,effective,rational and economical use of drugs.