cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amphibian chytridiomycosis as an emerging infectious disease of wildlife: what can we learn from the earliest diverging fungi?

Investigation by wildlife biologists into the cause of the decline of amphibian populations has revealed that many factors (e.g., pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species) are likely to be involved. As basal fungi, Chytridiomycetes have presumably retained many of the characteristics of the last common ancestor with other Fungi millions of years ago. Chytridiomycosis is now considered to be an emerging infectious disease afflicting a wide range of frog species. Two goals of population genetic studies are to determine whether the disease has emerged due to recent introduction and to determine where the fungus came from and how has it been dispersed. First, a global sample of 35 isolates revealed only three variable nucleotides among nearly 6,000 surveyed positions. Second, direct sequencing of PCR-amplified gene regions demonstrated multiple sequence types per strain at 4 of the 10 loci examined. The investigation of emerging infectious fungal diseases of wildlife can help elucidate principles shared among all pathogenic fungi. As a model system, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis informs us about general principles of mycoses, such as invasive growth and evasion of host immunity. Chytridiomycosis has the added advantage that both host and parasite are amenable to experimentation. Quarantines are needed to protect wildlife resources and to prevent the spread of future zoonoses. Changes in the environment may trigger emerging infectious disease epidemics. Identification of asexual lineages can be facilitated by detecting fixed heterozygosity as in other parasitic protozoa and oomycetes.
Atrial pacing in coronary heart disease: Effect on hemodynamics, metabolism and coronary circulation

Abstract The effects of increased heart rate upon the physical and metabolic determinants of coronary blood flow in coronary heart disease provide a physiologic basis for the use of this investigative tool in cardiovascular studies. Heart rate increased by electrical pacing has minimal effects upon other hemodynamic indexes and arterial substrate concentrations, thus providing a considerable advantage over exercise and isoproterenol as a relatively uncomplicated myocardial stress. Atrial pacing represents a significant myocardial stress. Pressure-time per minute (PTM) increases with a nearly linear increase in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO 2 ). This probably represents a balance between 2 unmeasured determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption, left ventricular size and contractility. If left ventricular failure supervenes, MVO 2 /PTM may rise rapidly. Although total coronary blood flow increases in a manner adequate to meet oxygen demand even in coronary heart disease, the presence of regional lactate production implies that this vasodilating capacity is exceeded in some areas or depths of the coronary vascular bed.
Measuring H/sub 2//sup +/ vibrational wavepackets with sub-femtosecond precision

Summary form only given. A major effort is underway throughout the world to develop single attosecond optical pulses or trains of attosecond pulses based on the physics of high harmonic generation. During high harmonic generation, an electron is removed from the atom by a strong laser field. The electric field causes it to move a large distance from the atom, only to drive it back when the laser field reverses its direction. High-harmonics are produced during the electron-ion collision that can follow. The duration of the electron-ion collision, usually referred to as "re-collision", largely determines the duration of the attosecond photon pulse. The electron wave packet can also be used to probe the parent ion. Although only one electron can be involved, we adopt the language of electron beams to draw attention to the potential applications of re-collision electrons. We characterize the unusually large current density and the very brief duration seen by the ion with one-femtosecond precision. To do this, we ionize H/sub 2/ molecules, forming simultaneously two wave packets. One is a vibrational wave packet in H/sub 2//sup +/ and the other is the electron wave packet that we wish to study. By forming them together we can use the initial motion of the vibrational wave packet as a very fast clock (1/2-vibrational period /spl sim/ 7.5 fs) against which we measure the electron wave packet motion. We observe the re-collision, and measure the current density, by observing the kinetic energy of the protons released by the fragmentation of H/sub 2//sup +/ upon double ionization or collisional excitation. The kinetic energy resolution determines the time resolution of the "clock" to be /spl sim/ 1 fs.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Permeant ions find the pore.

In the 8 yr since the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was identified by means of positional cloning ([Kerem et al., 1989][1]; [Riordan et al., 1989][2]; [Rommens et al., 1989][3]), the Cl channel function of CFTR has been studied in a wide variety of
A Thermoplastic Acoustical Holography Recording Device

This paper describes the experimental evaluation of a device to record real-time in situ acoustical holograms. The recording concept investigated, as shown in Figure 1, consists of a layer of thermoplastic (TP) spread over the surface of a rigid substrate. This report describes attempts to optimize both substrate and TP. In addition, an effective heating device for the TP is described.
The Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cell Defect in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficient Mice Is Associated with T Cell Hyperactivation during Intestinal Infection.

Intestinal infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii results in the translocation of commensal bacteria to peripheral organs and the development of a T cell response specific to the microbiota. In naive mice, the recently described RORγt+ group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC) population plays a critical role in promoting intestinal barrier function and limiting responses to gut-resident commensal bacteria. Given this role for group 3 ILCs, studies were performed to evaluate whether these cells might influence the immune response to mucosal infection with T. gondii. Phenotypic characterization of RORγt+ ILCs in T. gondii infected mice revealed that this population decreased following challenge but the population that remained expressed costimulatory molecules and IL-22. One factor that influences the maintenance of RORγt+ ILCs is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, and Ahr-/- mice have a marked defect in the lamina propria group 3 ILC population. When Ahr-/- mice were challenged with T. gondii, they lost more weight than wild type controls. This disease course in Ahr-/- animals was associated with increased T cell responses to Toxoplasma antigen and crude commensal antigen preparations. Together, these data suggest that group 3 ILCs have a role in limiting T cell activation during intestinal infection.
A MET Isn't Just a Baseball Player from New York

Most of us hold opinions on contemporary issues in work practice, in all its broad dimensions. "Sounding Board" is a regular feature of this publication, designed to provide a forum for expressing such views, whether mainstream or controversial.The opinions expressed in this section may not necessarily represent the views of the editor, the publisher, or the editorial board but are intended to stimulate discussion or to provoke a response. Readers who wish to comment on the ideas put forth in "Sounding Board" should address their comments to the editor.
Nanoscale dielectric constants: Dipole summations and the dielectric function in nanowires and quantum dots of cubic materials

It is shown that nanowires and quantum dots of cubic material have a dielectric function that obeys the Clausius-Mossotti relation. We discuss the relationship between dipole summations in these materials and the dielectric function.
Software patents are falling down

Author(s): Samuelson, P | Abstract: Implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's new test for patentable subject matter.
Unusual Properties of a Replication-Defective Mutant SV40 Large T Antigen

Abstract The C11A mutant of SV40 large T antigen is unable to support the replication of viral origin containing DNA (ori-DNA) in vivo or in vitro . The mutation within C11A at residue 522 (pro → ser) is located within the presumptive ATPase region of T antigen. While C11A T antigen was previously reported to be defective in ATPase and DNA helicase activities, it was shown to be capable of binding specifically to DNA containing the viral replication origin. As the positions of many conditional mutations of SV40 T antigen are located within the ATPase domain we asked whether C11A might also exhibit temperature-sensitive defects. We found that several activities of C11A T antigen are conditionally defective. C11A T antigen was able to hydrolyze ATP, assemble into hexamers, and display ATP-dependent alterations in DNA binding and ori-DNA structure at 33° but not 41°. Wild-type T antigen did not exhibit temperature-sensitive defects in these activities. C11A T antigen was completely unable to unwind ori-DNA at either temperature. This defect in unwinding was trans-dominant; C11A T antigen inhibited ori-DNA unwinding by wild-type T antigen. These data show that a mutant displaying a nonconditional defective phenotype may contain a subset of relevant properties that are temperature sensitive.
Role of common genetic polymorphisms in the LDL receptor gene in affecting plasma cholesterol levels in the general population.

A large number of rare mutations in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene cause the autosomal dominant disorder familial hypercholesterolemia. In addition, a number of common DNA polymorphisms have been identified in the LDL receptor gene, but their significance in affecting plasma cholesterol levels in the general population has not been studied widely. We investigated the role of two common DNA polymorphisms, Ava II (exon 13) and Nco I (exon 18), at the LDL receptor locus in affecting plasma lipid profiles in normolipidemic Hispanics (n = 385) and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs; n = 543) from the San Luis Valley, Colorado. While the distribution of the Nco I polymorphism was comparable between Hispanics and NHWs, the allele frequencies at the Ava II restriction site differed significantly between the two ethnic groups (P < .001). The Ava II and Nco I polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium (P < .05) in both Hispanics and NHWs. Both polymorphisms revealed a gender-specific effect on total and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) confined to women only in both ethnic groups. The AVA II polymorphism was associated significantly with total cholesterol and LDL-C in NHW women (P = .001 and P = .014) and in Hispanic women (P = .011 and P = .057). The effect of the Nco I polymorphism was significant on total cholesterol and LDL-C (P = .019 and P = .035) in Hispanic women only. Although a similar trend was observed in NHW women, the effect was not significant at the 5% level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adolescents’ Civic Commitments in Stable and Fledgling Democracies: The Role of Family, School, and Community

The authors examined the associations between adolescents’ perceptions of proximal processes in families, schools, and communities and their civic commitments (to the local community, nation, and conventional politics) in stable (Australia, United States) and fledgling (Bulgaria, Hungary) democracies in the mid-1990s. Results of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed that adolescents in the stable democracies reported higher levels of extracurricular participation, family emphasis on social responsibility, and community social capital compared to peers in the fledgling democracies. Using a multiple group regression approach, the authors found that in both types of polities, community social capital was positively associated with all three civic outcomes and a family ethic of social responsibility was positively associated with commitments to the local community and nation. However, whereas in the stable democracies, a democratic school climate was positively associated with commitments to ...
Sum-over-States Calculations of the Polarizabilities of the Ground and First Excited States of the Lithium Atom,

Approximate moments S(k) of the oscillator strength distribution are calculated by a finite sum over states. Small configuration interaction (CI) wave functions arc constructed in such a manner that the length and velocity formulas for S(−2), the static polarizability, give essentially identical results. The oscillator strengths are used to obtain the frequency dependent polarizability. Both the static and dynamic results for the lithium ground state compare favorably with values obtained with extensive CI wave functions. The method is also applied to the first excited (2P) state of lithium.
Clinical and Personality Correlates of MMO Gaming Anxiety and Absorption in Problematic Internet Use

Massively-multiplayer online games (MMOs) are increasingly popular worldwide. MMO gaming can result in problematic Internet use (PIU; or Internet addiction), which is characterized by dysfunction in areas such as work or relationships. Because PIU in online gaming is increasingly seen in clinical populations, we explored PIU in the context of MMO gaming. Using a cross-sectional design, we sought to identify clinical and personality factors, as well as motivations for gaming, that differentiated between people who scored high or low on a measure of problematic Internet use. Subjects completed all study procedures via an online survey. Participants were 163 MMO users recruited from the community, from gaming websites, and from online forums. Subjects completed a series of demographic, mood, anxiety, and personality questionnaires. The study found that individuals in the high PIU group (n = 79) were more likely to have higher levels of social phobia (p = .000), state (p = .000) and trait (p = .000) anxiety, introversion (p = .000), neuroticism (p = .000) and absorption (p = .019) than individuals in the low-PIU group (n = 84). Different reasons for gaming also characterized the group with more problematic Internet use. Our findings provide support for the idea that high anxiety and absorption may be risk factors for problematic Internet use within the MMO gaming environment and suggest that gamers who endorse problematic Internet use identify different motivations for online gaming than gamers who do not. Language: en
Modeling the ionosphere wind dynamo: a review

This paper reviews the current status of research concerned with modeling the ionospheric wind dynamo. Simulation models have been reasonably successful in reproducing the types of magnetic perturbations that are produced by the dynamo. Ionospheric electric fields are less well simulated, particularly at night. The primary areas of research needed to improve our ability to simulate realistically the ionospheric wind dynamo are in the modeling of nighttime conditions, hemispherical asymmetries of thermospheric tides, and mutual dynamic coupling among winds, conductivities, electric fields, and electric currents.
THE SECOND TIME AROUND: MINIMALISM AND L2 ACQUISITION . Julia Herschensohn . Amsterdam: Benjamins, 2000. Pp. xiii + 287. $65.00 cloth.

The author reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on L1 and L2 acquisition in light of the latest version of generative grammar, and uses the results of these studies to formulate an approach to the acquisition of L2 grammatical competence. A certain background in generative grammar is necessary to follow her exposition.
Accuracy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in differentiating benign and malignant pancreatic disease.

Despite advent of CT and ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains useful in the preoperative evaluation of the pancreas. Using radiographic criteria previously described, ERCP was accurate in 90% of 71 patients in differentiating benign from malignant disease. Diagnostic errors were caused by chronic pancreatitis mimicking carcinoma (N=4) and carcinoma developing in a gland with chronic pancreatitis (N=3) missed on ERCP. Chronic pancreatitis was associated with a normal ERCP in 10% (N=4) of patients.
Co-movement of Government Debt and Economic Growth in the Euro-area: A Bayesian Dynamic Factor Model Analysis

This paper applies a Bayesian dynamic factor model to analyze the co-movement of government debt and economic growth in 12 euro-area countries from 1970–2009. We decompose the variations in output growth and government debt into three distinct factors: (i) a common factor capturing co-movement across the 24 series in all 12 countries; (ii) a country factor common to the two series in each country; and (iii) an idiosyncratic factor specific to each series. We find that the common factor affects output growth positively but government debt negatively. Furthermore, the common factor dominates the country and idiosyncratic factors in accounting for the fluctuations in output growth and government debt, especially in the period 1999–2009 when the common factor became less volatile but more important for macroeconomic fluctuations. Our results suggest some convergence in output growth and government debt in the 12 euro-area countries after the launch of the euro.
Single Vesicle Assay to Study Membrane Tethering and Docking Factors

In vitro vesicle-vesicle fusion assays based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) of lipid or content mixing are widely used to investigate the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion process. However, without FRET signals from lipid or content mixing, these ensemble assays are insensitive to early stages of fusion such as tethering and docking. We have developed a single vesicle assay to study protein factors involved in tethering and docking [1-3]. Through our assay, we have studied proteins inducing membrane aggregation [4] and enhancing SNARE-mediated vesicle docking [5-6].1. Diao, J. et al. Nat. Protoc. 7, 921 (2012).2. Diao, J. et al. Bioessays 35, 658 (2013).3. Kyoung, M. et al. Nat. Protoc. 8, 1 (2013).4. Diao, J. et al. Langmuir 25, 7177 (2009).5. Diao, J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 15274 (2013).6. Lai, L. et al. Elife 3, e03756 (2014).
Hemodynamic residua and sequelae following intraatrial repair of transposition of the great arteries: a review.

Hemodynamic residua and sequelae of a number of different types have been reported following intraatrial repair of transposition. These include caval and pulmonary venous obstruction, interatrial shunts, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, pulmonary vascular obstructive disease, tricuspid incompetence, and right ventricular dysfunction. This review represents an attempt to determine the current incidence and severity of these complications and to provide some insight into causation and prevention.
Active regulation of altitude as a function of optical texture.

Institute of Aviation, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois Two empirical studies are reported that examine active regulation of altitude as a function of the type of ground texture. Three ground textures were examined: lines perpendicular to the direction of motion, lines parallel to the direction of motion, and the combination (i.e., square or checkerboard texture). Although subjects only controlled altitude, disturbances were: introduced on three axes: vertical, lateral, and fore-aft. The re8ults show a clear advantage for texture parallel to the direction of motion. However, in considering these results in the context of previous research on altitude control, the argument is made that there is no compelling evidence that suggests either parallel (splay) or perpendicular (density) texture is privileged with regard to altitude control. Rather, the most effective display for altitude control will be the one t-hat best isolates the optical activity associated with changing altitude from the optical activity arising from other sources of disturbance (such as forward locomotion). Such a display will make it easier for the observer to distinguish and respond specifically to the disturbances of altitude.
Effect of Acute Polycythemia on Newborn Renal Hemodynamics and Function

The present study investigates the effects of polycythemia on renal hemodynamics and function in 15 anesthetized newborn dogs, 2-10 days of age. Microspheres were used to study renal blood flow. Experimental animals received an exchange transfusion with adult dog packed red blood cells resulting in an increase in hematocrit from 38% +/- 2.1% to 69% +/- 2.1%. Control animals received an exchange transfusion with adult dog whole blood so that there was no change in hematocrit. Polycythemia resulted in a marked increase in blood viscosity, a 40% fall in cardiac output from 251.8 +/- 14 ml/kg/min to 150.7 +/- 9 ml/kg/min and a 98% increase in total vascular resistance from 0.32 +/- 0.02 mmHg/ml/kg/min to 0.63 +/- 0.07 mmHg/ml/kg/min. Nevertheless, renal blood flow was not significantly altered indicating renal vasodilation (1.4 +/- 0.06 ml/g/min initial versus 1.2 +/- 0.09 ml/g/min final). Although renal blood flow was well preserved, renal plasma flow decreased by 63% as the hematocrit increased from 0.86 +/- 0.03 ml/g/min to 0.38 +/- 0.04 ml/g/min, resulting in a 53% fall in glomerular filtration rate from 0.21 +/- 0.02 ml/min/g kidney weight to 0.09 +/- 0.02 ml/min/g kidney weight. There was also a large drop in urine output and Na and K excretion following polycythemia. This was due primarily to the decreased filtered load, because fractional Na reabsorption remained constant. Thus, in spite of well-preserved renal blood flow, polycythemia markedly affected renal function, resulting in water and salt retention.
A NOTE ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AMPHIBIAN OLFACTORY BULB

After horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injections were made in limited sectors of the main olfactory bulb in the adult frog Rana pipiens, the cellular morphology of mitral cells and granule cells impregnated with HRP were examined in uninjected regions of the bulb. Mitral cells were observed to possess glomerular dendrites and prominent secondary dendrites, both of which have smooth shafts. The glomerular dendrites may be multiple, are often branched, and may arise from secondary dendrites, as well as from the cell body. The axon may also arise from a secondary dendrite. Granule cells have simple or branched peripheral dendrites, and these are spiny, where they intermingle with the mitral cell secondary dendrites. The prominence of the secondary dendrites of frog mitral cells contrasts sharply with their reported insignificance in urodeles, as studied in earlier literature. The layers of the main olfactory bulb are not as fully concentric in the frog, as they are in mammals. The implantation cone and glomerular layer occupy a small part of the surface area of the olfactory bulb on its anteroventral aspect, while the perimeters of the subjacent layers extend farther posteriorly and dorsally in successive steps. The granule cell core extends well beyond the perimeter of the mitral cell layer in a posterior direction. Long secondary dendrites of mitral cells also extend posteriorly beyond the perimeter of the mitral cell-external plexiform layer and interlace with granule cell peripheral dendrites in a plexiform layer external to the posterior region of the granule cell core. This layer, the superficial plexiform layer, forms an apron around the posterior segment of the olfactory bulb and contributes to the interbulbar adhesion. It appears likely that it is an extension to the microcircuitry typically confined within the external plexiform layer in mammalian species.
Production of [15O] Water at Low-Energy Proton Cyclotrons

We report a simple system for producing [15O]H2O from nitrogen-15 in a nitrogen/hydrogen gas target with recycling of the target nitrogen, allowing production on low-energy proton-only accelerators with minimal consumption of isotopically enriched nitrogen-15. The radiolabeled water is separated from the target gas and radiolytically produced ammonia by temporary freezing in a small trap at -40 C.
Ab initio QM/MM calculations show an intersystem crossing in the hydrogen abstraction step in dealkylation catalyzed by AlkB.

AlkB is a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the dealkylation of alkylated DNA bases. The rate-limiting step is known to be the abstraction of an H atom from the alkyl group on the damaged base by a FeIV-oxo species in the active site. We have used hybrid ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methods to study this step in AlkB. Instead of forming an FeIII-oxyl radical from FeIV-oxo near the C–H activation transition state, the reactant is found to be an FeIII-oxyl with an intermediate-spin Fe (S = 3/2) ferromagnetically coupled to the oxyl radical, which we explore in detail using molecular orbital and quantum topological analyses. The minimum energy pathway remains on the quintet surface, but there is a transition between ISFeIII-oxyl and the state with a high-spin Fe (S = 5/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to the oxyl radical. These findings provide clarity for the evolution of the well-known π and σ channels on the quintet surface in the enzyme environment. Additionally, an energy decompositio...
Chagas Cardiomyopathy is Associated With Higher Incidence of Stroke: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract Background Chagas disease (CD) has been associated with an elevated risk of stroke, but current data are conflicting and prospective controlled studies are lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association between stroke and CD. Methods Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Latin American database, and unpublished data were searched with the use of the following terms: (“Chagas” OR “American trypanosomiasis”) AND (“dilated” OR “ischemic” OR “idiopathic” OR “nonChagasic” OR “stroke” OR “cerebrovascular”). We included studies that reported prevalence or incidence of stroke in a CD group compared with a non-CD control group. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with the use of a random-effects model. Results A total of 8 studies and 4,158 patients were included, of whom 1,528 (36.7%) had CD. Risk of stroke was elevated in the group of patients with CD (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.17–3.78). Similar results were observed in a subanalysis of cardiomyopathy patients (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.02–3.00) and in sensitivity analysis with removal of each individual study. Furthermore, exclusion of studies at higher risk for bias also yielded consistent results (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.06–2.71). Subanalysis restricted to studies that included patients with the indeterminate form found no significant difference in the stroke prevalence between CD and non-CD patients (OR 3.10, 95% CI 0.89–10.77). Conclusions CD is significantly associated with cerebrovascular events, particularly among patients with cardiomyopathy. These findings underline the need for prospective controlled studies in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy to ascertain the prognostic significance of cerebrovascular events and to evaluate the role of therapeutic anticoagulation in primary prevention.
Tyrosine kinase oncogenes in normal hematopoiesis and hematological disease.

Tyrosine kinase oncogenes are formed as a result of mutations that induce constitutive kinase activity. Many of these tyrosine kinase oncogenes that are derived from genes, such as c-Abl, c-Fes, Flt3, c-Fms, c-Kit and PDGFRβ, that are normally involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis or hematopoietic cell function. Despite differences in structure, normal function, and subcellular location, many of the tyrosine kinase oncogenes signal through the same pathways, and typically enhance proliferation and prolong viability. They represent excellent potential drug targets, and it is likely that additional mutations will be identified in other kinases, their immediate downstream targets, or in proteins regulating their function.
Modeling assembly systems with repetitive operations

Abstract Two methods are presented to model assembly systems where repetitive operations are integrated in one single machine following strictly planned sequences. The first method introduces an aggregate machine to approximate the original repetitive assembly machine so that the aggregate machine and the original machine have equivalent behaviors on processing time, machine reliability and maintainability. The second method transforms the repetitive assembly operations into a series of synchronized assembly/disassembly models so that the traditional assembly model can be applied to analyze such repetitive assembly machines. We systematically compare the accuracy of those two new models with that of a simulation model.
Better the Devil You Know Than the Saint You Don't? Risk Propensity and Vote Choice in Mexico

This paper argues that personal attitudes toward risk influence vote choice in Mexico. Great uncertainty over the political stances and capabilities of the opposition parties makes risk propensity a key determinant of vote choice. Not all voters who are disenchanted with the status quo take a chance on the less known opposition; risk acceptant voters gamble on these parties, whereas risk averse individuals stick with the "devil they know." Using data from a 1997 national survey and multinomial probit analysis, we show that attitudes toward risk influence voting behavior in Mexico in two ways. First, risk has a direct impact on vote choice. Risk acceptant individuals are more likely, in general, to support the opposition. Second, risk affects vote choice indirectly by conditioning the importance of economic assessments. Risk acceptant individuals are willing to punish negative economic performance, whereas similar, but risk averse, individuals are not.
Protecting patients from an unsafe system

Introduction Surgical teams must deal regularly with unanticipated events in the operating room (OR). We sought to understand the etiology and resolution of these events using a qualitative assessment. Methods To increase the likelihood of capturing an event, we video-recorded and transcribed 8 complex, high-acuity operations, representing 36 hours of patient care. Deviations, defined as episodes of decreased patient safety and/or delays, were identified by majority consensus of a multidisciplinary team. Factors that contributed to each event and/or mitigated its impact were determined and attributed to the system, team or individual provider. Results 24 deviations (14 safety-compromising, 5 delays, 5 both) occurred, at a rate of approximately once every 1.5 hours. All except one were compensated such that patient harm was averted. These deviations were often multifactorial (mean 2.2 factors each). As shown in the Table, problems with communication, coordination, and organizational structure (e.g. inopportunely timed hand-offs) appeared repeatedly at the root of both types of deviations. Mediation of safety compromises was most frequently accomplished with leadership and/or vigilance, while delays tended to be resolved with improved teamwork.Frequency of Appearance of the Most Common Contributing and Compensating FactorsContributing Factors% of DeviationsMitigating Factors% of DeviationsIndividual Provider(Lack of) Knowledge/Training25Monitoring/Vigilance63(Lack of) Leadership17Knowledge/Training17Decision-Making17Leadership38Team(Mis)Communication33Communication50(Mis)Coordination46Coordination33Cooperation33SystemEquipment (Failure)17--Organizational Structure29 Conclusions Unanticipated events are common in the OR. Contrary to popular belief, these events do not reflect human fallibility mitigated by a well-designed system. Rather, deviations result from poor system design and sub-optimal team dynamics, with caregivers then compensating to avoid patient harm. Such resilience has been recognized in other high-risk work environments. These results underscore the need for system redesign and improved team training to improve patient safety.
Mercury emissions from background and altered geologic units throughout Nevada

To date there have only been a few studies that measured mercury emissions from background substrate worldwide, and only a small amount of mercury flux data, from background substrate, exists for the Western United States. Because of this, the database of mercury emissions from background units < 0.1 mg kg-1 mercury) is incomplete. This study focused on the collection of in-situ mercury flux data from representative lithologic units in Nevada. Measured mercury fluxes from substrate with background mercury concentration throughout Nevada were low (mean 2.0 ± 4.1 ng m-2 hr-1), and ranged from –3.7 to 9.3 ng m-2 hr-1. The mean measured mercury flux is slightly higher than those measured from background substrate from various locations throughout the world. The mean mercury flux from in-situ mercury measurements from substrate located near altered geologic units across Nevada was 15.5 ± 24.2 ng m-2 hr-1. These mercury fluxes are higher than the values applied in published global models for naturally enriched geologic units.
Quality Characteristics of Restructured Beef Steaks Manufactured by Various Techniques

Beef (9–11% fat) was restructured with each of six mechanical treatments including chunking, fiberizing, slicing, chunking + slicing, slicing + water, and tenderizing each in combination with addition of 0.5% sodium chloride (salt)/0.5% phosphate, 0.5% Na-alginate/0.5% Ca-lactate, 0.5% Na-pectate/0.5% Ca-lactate, or no additives (control). Beef steaks restructured with salt/phosphate had lower (P 0.05) purge loss, cooking loss, binding force or sensory properties. Chunked meat or mixtures of chunked and sliced meats in combination with salt/phosphate or Na-alginateica-lactate resulted in steaks with acceptable bind and textural properties.
Contrasting effects of inflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoids on the production of activin A in human marrow stromal cells and their implications

Human marrow stromal cells were analysed with immunocytochemical staining, Northern blot, and functional bioassay for production of activin A. Although Northern blot and immunocytochemical staining did not detect the alpha subunit of inhibin in human marrow stromal cells, RT-PCR analyses confirmed its presence, along with the expected activin beta A PCR products. Present studies showed that human marrow fibroblastoid cells were reactive with anti-activin A antibodies and that the production of beta A RNA was upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines/regulators like interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). IL-1 alpha or TNF-alpha stimulated-marrow stromal cells accumulated beta A RNA after 2 h of incubation, reaching a peak stimulation at approximately 8 h. Biologically active activin A molecules were detected in the conditioned media by a bioassay, and their activity was specifically inhibited by a blocking antibody or an activin-binding protein, follistatin. Accumulation of bioactive activin A in conditioned medium of human marrow stromal cells increased after incubation with IL-1 alpha or TNF-alpha. Nuclear run-off assays with TNF-alpha stimulated marrow stromal cells showed that the enhanced expression of activin A was related to an increase in its rate of transcription. In contrast to the stimulatory effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone at 1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-6) M inhibited both the constitutive and the cytokine-stimulated expression of activin beta A RNA, and also the production of bioactive activin A protein. The upregulation of activin A production by cytokines and its suppression by glucocorticoids imply that activin A may also act as a moderator in diverse functions including host defences.
Dynamical Monte Carlo studies of molecular beam epitaxial growth models: interfacial scaling and morphology

Abstract We have modeled molecular beam epitaxial growth by d = 2 + 1 solid-on-solid models using dynamical Monte Carlo simulations. The chosen parameters are representative values of those derived from experimental molecular beam epitaxial growth of GaAs(100), and simulations were carried out over the experimentally relevant range of independent variables. We discuss the effects of growth temperature, transient mobility of incoming particles and Schwoebel barriers on the evolution of surface morphology and interfacial roughness. The interfacial properties are measured by the interfacial width, kink density, and reflection high-energy electron diffraction intensity at the out-of-phase condition. The temporal effective growth exponent, βeff, calculated as a function of temperature, shows a crossover from growth by random deposition at low temperature (βeff = 0.5) to Edwards-Wilkinson growth at high temperature (βeff = 0). A small plateau is observed at intermediate temperatures, at which βeff ≈ 0.22. Increasing the transient mobility of a precursor state (“hot” precursor) at low temperature also leads to a crossover from growth by random deposition to Edwards-Wilkinson growth, and βeff as a function of transient migration probability may show a plateau around βeff ≈ 0.25. However, increasing the Schwoebel barrier leads to a crossover from layer-by-layer growth to three-dimensional growth with βeff = 0.5 at high surface temperature. We also discuss these results qualitatively within the context of a coarse-grained description.
Detection of gene pathways with predictive power for breast cancer prognosis

Prognosis is of critical interest in breast cancer research. Biomedical studies suggest that genomic measurements may have independent predictive power for prognosis. Gene profiling studies have been conducted to search for predictive genomic measurements. Genes have the inherent pathway structure, where pathways are composed of multiple genes with coordinated functions. The goal of this study is to identify gene pathways with predictive power for breast cancer prognosis. Since our goal is fundamentally different from that of existing studies, a new pathway analysis method is proposed. The new method advances beyond existing alternatives along the following aspects. First, it can assess the predictive power of gene pathways, whereas existing methods tend to focus on model fitting accuracy only. Second, it can account for the joint effects of multiple genes in a pathway, whereas existing methods tend to focus on the marginal effects of genes. Third, it can accommodate multiple heterogeneous datasets, whereas existing methods analyze a single dataset only. We analyze four breast cancer prognosis studies and identify 97 pathways with significant predictive power for prognosis. Important pathways missed by alternative methods are identified. The proposed method provides a useful alternative to existing pathway analysis methods. Identified pathways can provide further insights into breast cancer prognosis.
Electrophysiological Consequences of Dyssynchronous Heart Failure and Its Restoration by Resynchronization Therapy

Background— Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is widely applied in patients with heart failure and dyssynchronous contraction (DHF), but the electrophysiological consequences of CRT in heart failure remain largely unexplored. Methods and Results— Adult dogs underwent left bundle-branch ablation and either right atrial pacing (190 to 200 bpm) for 6 weeks (DHF) or 3 weeks of right atrial pacing followed by 3 weeks of resynchronization by biventricular pacing at the same pacing rate (CRT). Isolated left ventricular anterior and lateral myocytes from nonfailing (control), DHF, and CRT dogs were studied with the whole-cell patch clamp. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to measure steady state mRNA and protein levels. DHF significantly reduced the inward rectifier K+ current (IK1), delayed rectifier K+ current (IK), and transient outward K+ current (Ito) in both anterior and lateral cells. CRT partially restored the DHF-induced reduction of IK1 and IK but not Ito, con...
Elliptic flow arising from ridges due to semi-hard scattering

Abstract Azimuthal anisotropy in heavy-ion collisions is studied by taking into account the ridges generated by semi-hard scattering of intermediate-momentum partons, which can be sensitive to the initial spatial configuration of the medium in non-central collisions. In a simple treatment of the problem where the recombination of only thermal partons is considered, analytical formulas can be derived that yield results in accord with the data on v 2 for p T 1 – 2 GeV / c . Centrality dependence is described by a geometrical factor. Ridge phenomenology is used to determine the initial slopes of v 2 at low p T for both pion and proton. For higher p T , shower partons from high- p T jets must be included, but they are not considered here.
Outer Membrane Vesicles of a Human Commensal Mediate Immune Regulation and Disease Protection

Commensal bacteria impact host health and immunity through various mechanisms, including the production of immunomodulatory molecules. Bacteroides fragilis produces a capsular polysaccharide (PSA), which induces regulatory T cells and mucosal tolerance. However, unlike pathogens, which employ secretion systems, the mechanisms by which commensal bacteria deliver molecules to the host remain unknown. We reveal that Bacteroides fragilis releases PSA in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that induce immunomodulatory effects and prevent experimental colitis. Dendritic cells (DCs) sense OMV-associated PSA through TLR2, resulting in enhanced regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. OMV-induced signaling in DCs requires growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein (Gadd45α). DCs treated with PSA-containing OMVs prevent experimental colitis, whereas Gadd45α^(−/−) DCs are unable to promote regulatory T cell responses or suppress proinflammatory cytokine production and host pathology. These findings demonstrate that OMV-mediated delivery of a commensal molecule prevents disease, uncovering a mechanism of interkingdom communication between the microbiota and mammals.
Beryllium-7 atmospheric deposition and sediment inventories in the Neponset River estuary, Massachusetts, USA

Abstract Measured monthly atmospheric depositional fluxes of cosmogenically produced 7 Be ranged from 1 to 67 mBq/cm 2 in Boston, Massachusetts between September 2000 and August 2007. These fluxes exhibited seasonality and supported a decay-corrected 7 Be atmospheric depositional running inventory that ranged from 36 to 144 mBq/cm 2 . Annual 7 Be deposition exhibited an increasing trend that may reflect a general decrease in solar activity and a general increase in precipitation over the 7-year sampling period. To investigate short-term sediment dynamics and accumulation patterns in the Neponset River estuary, we collected six sediment cores in July 2006 and measured 7 Be sediment inventories ranging from 48 to 546 mBq/cm 2 Comparisons of these sediment inventories with the 7 Be running inventory from atmospheric deposition (101 mBq/cm 2 ) at the time of core collection indicated a large degree of spatial heterogeneity in sediment accumulation patterns and its potential use as a tool for assessing the impacts of environmental restoration activities in estuarine environments.
Functional states of the genome-scale Escherichia coli transcriptional regulatory system.

A transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) constitutes the collection of regulatory rules that link environmental cues to the transcription state of a cell's genome. We recently proposed a matrix formalism that quantitatively represents a system of such rules (a transcriptional regulatory system [TRS]) and allows systemic characterization of TRS properties. The matrix formalism not only allows the computation of the transcription state of the genome but also the fundamental characterization of the input-output mapping that it represents. Furthermore, a key advantage of this “pseudo-stoichiometric” matrix formalism is its ability to easily integrate with existing stoichiometric matrix representations of signaling and metabolic networks. Here we demonstrate for the first time how this matrix formalism is extendable to large-scale systems by applying it to the genome-scale Escherichia coli TRS. We analyze the fundamental subspaces of the regulatory network matrix (R) to describe intrinsic properties of the TRS. We further use Monte Carlo sampling to evaluate the E. coli transcription state across a subset of all possible environments, comparing our results to published gene expression data as validation. Finally, we present novel in silico findings for the E. coli TRS, including (1) a gene expression correlation matrix delineating functional motifs; (2) sets of gene ontologies for which regulatory rules governing gene transcription are poorly understood and which may direct further experimental characterization; and (3) the appearance of a distributed TRN structure, which is in stark contrast to the more hierarchical organization of metabolic networks.
Potential of Milk Yield in Short Segments of Early Lactation as Covariates in Feeding Experiments

Abstract Milk yields in early segments of lactation were investigated as covariates for increasing sensitivity in measurement of response of lactation yield to experimental treatments imposed in early lactation. These segments were 3 through 6, 3 through 10, 7 through 10, 3 through 14, 7 through 14, and 11 through 14 days postpartum. Correlations between milk yields of early short segments and 305-day milk yields were computed for first, second, and third or later lactations. Partial correlations pooled over lactation-season subclasses also were computed. Covariances of 3 05-day milk yields (variance for season of freshening and lactation number removed) with milk yields of various short segments were analyzed. Correlations were relatively low for cows in first lactation but increased for each succeeding lactation. The 11 through 14 day yields were correlated more highly with total lactation yield than other early segments. The coefficient of variation of 305-day milk yield was reduced from 19.3% with no covariate adjustment to 16.6% with adjustment for 11 through 14 day yields, and cows needed per treatment to detect 20% differences in milk yield were reduced from 16 to 12. The 3 through 14 and 7 through 14 day segments gave similar improvements but were slightly less effective in reducing variance than the 11 through 14 day segment.
The synthesis of 1-substituted 6-amino-1H-pyrrolo-[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-ones

The synthesis of 1-methyl- (1a) and 1-benzyl-6-amino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one (1b) from the appropriate N-alkylaminoacetaldehyde is described. These provide examples of a synthetic procedure that can be used to prepare 1-substituted 6-amino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-ones wherein the N-1 substituent is regiospecifically placed.
Does a maximum dose of oxytocin affect risk for uterine rupture in candidates for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the maximum dose of oxytocin impacts the risk of uterine rupture in women who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC). Study Design We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of women with a history of cesarean delivery. We compared uterine rupture rates between VBAC candidates that did and did not receive oxytocin, analyzing the association between maximum dose of oxytocin and uterine rupture. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Of the 13,523 patients who elected a VBAC trial, 128 women experienced a uterine rupture; 80 of these ruptures were in women who received oxytocin (62.5%). There was evidence of "dose response" for maximum oxytocin amount and uterine rupture, with a uterine rupture rate of 2.07 % (adjusted odds ratio, 2.98; 95% CI 1.51-5.90) at the highest dosages. Conclusion In VBAC attempts, a dose-response relationship of maximum oxytocin and uterine rupture exists. These results provide evidence for vigilance when higher doses of oxytocin are given to patients who attempt VBAC.