cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roles of Interactions Between Cells and Extracellular Matrices for Cell Migration and Matrix Remodeling

Cells can sense mechanical properties of surrounding environments and also structurally remodel the environments. Interactions between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) play a crucial role in diverse cellular behaviors, including migration, growth, and differentiation. Advances in experimental and computational methods enabled us to better understand the molecular bases and underlying mechanisms of the cell-ECM interactions. This chapter provides a comprehensive review regarding how cells sense and remodel ECMs and why such capabilities are of great importance for cell migration. First, the molecular structure, dynamics, and functions of focal adhesions (FAs) formed between cells and ECM are discussed, followed by a brief review about the significance of interactions between FAs and the actin cytoskeleton occurring in the intracellular space. Then, it is discussed how cells remodel surrounding ECMs mechanically and biochemically. Additionally, various experimental and computational methods designed for studying cell migration facilitated by cell-ECM interactions and ECM remodeling are summarized, and findings obtained using these methods are discussed.
Ideas for Future RFP Experiments

This note discusses the future of the Reversed Field Pinch, RFP, in the USA controlled fusion research program. In the late 1980’s the RFP was a strong alternate approach to the tokamak. Starting at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) with the small ZT-1 experiment, passing through ZT-S, ZT-40, and ZT-40M, the results led to the approval and initiation of the $70M experiment, ZTH. With favorable reports by review committees and support by the reactor Titan-RFP reactor study, the construction of the experiment was well on its way to completion.“Budget”reasons stopped the RFP program at LANL in late 1990. As the RFP remains one of the more developed alternate approaches to controlled fusion research; it deserves serious attention. We propose improvements in the RFP design based on recent analysis of the ZT-40M data.
Design and Characterization of a Five-Chamber Constant-Volume Hydraulic Actuator

This paper describes a new design for a constant-fluid-volume, also known as a symmetrical, hydraulic cylinder. In contrast to the two fluid volume chambers of a typical hydraulic cylinder, the constant-fluid-volume cylinder contains five potential fluid chambers. Relative to three and four chamber designs, both previously described in the engineering literature, the five chamber design enables a minimum-diameter solution with a simpler porting implementation. Following a general description of the five-chamber design and its motivation, a five-chamber cylinder prototype is described and presented. Experimental results are presented comparing some behavioral characteristics of the fivechamber cylinder to a double-rod cylinder, and to two variations of single-rod implementations. Finally, a minimum-diameter five-chamber cylinder variant is described, and its geometric characteristics compared to equivalent doublerod and four-chamber cylinder implementations.
Gait and Balance as Predictors and/or Mediators of Falls in Glaucoma

Purpose To investigate the association between balance and gait measures with fall rates in glaucoma patients. Methods Balance and gait were measured for 239 participants with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. Daily falls were evaluated over 24 months. Annual accelerometer trials captured average daily steps. Multivariable negative binomial models evaluated balance and gait associations with average daily steps and rates of falls per time or step, as well as whether balance and gait parameters mediated the association between integrated visual field (IVF) sensitivity and falls. Results Average age was 70.5 years (SD = 7.6), and 22% of the participants had moderate to severe visual field damage. Over the first 12 months of the follow-up, the cumulative probability of falling one or more times was 44.8%, and the cumulative probability of falling two or more times was 17.7%. Gait deficits were associated with fewer daily steps (P 0.19). Worse balance was associated with a higher rate of falls per year and step (P 0.17). More time in double support and greater swing time variability were associated with higher falls per step, and higher velocity and faster cadence were associated with fewer falls per step (P < 0.05 for all). Neither gait nor balance measures mediated the relationship between visual field damage and fall rates. IVF remained an independent predictor of falls per step (rate ratio = 1.36 to 1.48; P < 0.001 to P < 0.005) in multivariable models including individual balance/gait parameters. Conclusions Although balance and gait measures are associated with fall rates, they do not explain why persons with greater visual field damage fall more frequently, suggesting the importance of other potential factors such as hazard perception.
SuPAR: a potential predictive biomarker for acute kidney injury.

New data suggest that plasma soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) might be a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, many questions remain regarding the potential of suPAR to inform clinical decision making, identify patients for enrolment in clinical trials and add to the understanding of AKI pathogenesis.
Sanctuary Cities and Non-Refoulement

More than two hundred cities in the United States have now declared themselves to be sanctuary cities. This declaration involves a commitment to non-compliance with federal law; the sanctuary city will refuse to use its own juridical power – including, more crucially, its own police powers – to assist the federal government in the deportation of undocumented residents. We will argue that the sanctuary city might be morally defensible, even if deportation is not always wrong, and even if the federal government is legally permitted to demand that states participate in the process of deportation. We defend this conclusion with reference to a simple, but powerful, norm of international law: that of non-refoulement. As we will discuss, this norm articulates the idea that no state may rightly use its coercive power to move a person into a position in which their basic rights are at risk. We take this norm as a morally defensible principle, and ask what could follow from its acceptance. We argue that this norm has implications for a variety of actors – especially when we notice that those who are facing unjust risks of death are, in general, entitled to use defensive violence against their aggressors. This simple fact, we argue, can help offer a novel defense of the sanctuary city.
Thank You for Your Service: From the Sidelines of the Pandemic.

We don't get to be the heroes and wear the cape. The calls don't stop, and the day is busy.
Pharmacologic inhibition of ketohexokinase prevents fructose-induced metabolic dysfunction.

Abstract Objective Recent studies suggest that excess dietary fructose contributes to metabolic dysfunction by promoting insulin resistance, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and hepatic steatosis, thereby increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and related comorbidities. Whether this metabolic dysfunction is driven by the excess dietary calories contained in fructose or whether fructose catabolism itself is uniquely pathogenic remains controversial. We sought to test whether a small molecule inhibitor of the primary fructose metabolizing enzyme ketohexokinase (KHK) can ameliorate the metabolic effects of fructose. Methods The KHK inhibitor PF-06835919 was used to block fructose metabolism in primary hepatocytes and Sprague Dawley rats fed either a high-fructose diet (30% fructose kcal/g) or a diet reflecting the average macronutrient dietary content of an American diet (AD) (7.5% fructose kcal/g). The effects of fructose consumption and KHK inhibition on hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia were evaluated, along with the activation of DNL and the enzymes that regulate lipid synthesis. A metabolomic analysis was performed to confirm KHK inhibition and understand metabolite changes in response to fructose metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the effects of administering a single ascending dose of PF-06835919 on fructose metabolism markers in healthy human study participants were assessed in a randomized placebo-controlled phase 1 study. Results Inhibition of KHK in rats prevented hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia from fructose feeding. Supraphysiologic levels of dietary fructose were not necessary to cause metabolic dysfunction as rats fed the American diet developed hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis, which were all reversed by KHK inhibition. Reversal of the metabolic effects of fructose coincided with reductions in DNL and inactivation of the lipogenic transcription factor carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP). We report that administering single oral doses of PF-06835919 was safe and well tolerated in healthy study participants and dose-dependently increased plasma fructose indicative of KHK inhibition. Conclusions Fructose consumption in rats promoted features of metabolic dysfunction seen in metabolic diseases such as T2D and NASH, including insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis, which were reversed by KHK inhibition.
Tear film inflammatory mediators during continuous wear of contact lenses and corneal refractive therapy.

The recently published study by Gonzalez-Perez et al 1 is described as a prospective, case-control study; however, this is incorrect. The study participants were selected based on an exposure of interest, continuous wear of contact lenses, and were matched with controls with respect to age, refractive error and …
Severe Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: Clinical and Echocardiographic Characteristics, Management and Outcomes.

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, management, and outcomes of severe atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) to primary mitral regurgitation (PMR). Background AFMR remains poorly defined clinically. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography at our institution between 2011 and 2018 for severe mitral regurgitation with preserved left ventricular function were screened. We excluded patients with endocarditis, any form of cardiomyopathy, or prior mitral intervention. The absence of leaflet pathology defined AFMR. Outcomes included death and heart failure hospitalizations. Results A total of 283 patients were included (AFMR = 14%, PMR = 86%). Compared to PMR, patients with AFMR had more comorbidities, including hypertension (94.9% vs. 76.2%; p = 0.015), diabetes mellitus (46.2% vs. 18.4%; p Conclusions AFMR constitutes an under-recognized high-risk group, with significant comorbidities, limited therapeutic options, and poor outcomes.
Statistical approaches to identifying lapses in psychometric response data

Psychometric curve fits relate physical stimuli to an observer’s performance. In experiments an observer may “lapse” and respond with a random guess, which may negatively impact (e.g., bias) the psychometric fit parameters. A lapse-rate model has been popularized by Wichmann and Hill, which reduces the impact of lapses on other estimated parameters by adding a parameter to model the lapse rate. Since lapses are discrete events, we developed a discrete lapse theory and tested a “lapse identification” algorithm to identify individual outlier trials (i.e., potential lapses) based upon an approximate statistical criterion and discard these trials. Specifically, we focused on stimuli sampled using an adaptive staircase for a one-interval, direction-recognition task (i.e., psychometric function ranging from 0 to 1 and the spread of the curve corresponds to the threshold, which is often a parameter of interest for many fitted psychometric functions). Through simulations, we found that as the lapse rate increased the threshold became substantially overestimated, consistent with earlier analyses. While the lapse-rate model reduced the overestimation of threshold with many lapses, with lower lapse rates it yielded substantial threshold underestimation, though less so when fitting many (e.g., 1,000) trials. In comparison, the lapse-identification algorithm yielded accurate threshold estimates across a wide range of lapse rates (from 0 to 5%), which is critical since the lapse rate is seldom known. We further demonstrate the performance of the lapse-identification algorithm to be suitable for a variety of experimental conditions and conclude with some considerations of its use. In particular, we suggest using the lapse-identification algorithm unless the experiment has many trials (e.g., >500) or if somehow the lapse rate is known to be high (e.g., ≥5%), for which the lapse-rate model approaches remain preferred.
Spermatic cord hematoma in an adult patient with testicular trauma: Sonological appearances of a rare entity

Acute scrotal injuries with resultant testicular contusions, testicular torsion, testicular infarction, and testicular rupture have been well documented in the literature. Spermatic cord hematoma has been rarely reported, and this case report describes the sonological appearances of the above-mentioned entity in an 18-year-old male.
Comparison of antimicrobial resistance patterns in dogs with bacterial keratitis presented to a veterinary teaching hospital over two multi-year time periods (1993-2003 and 2013-2019) in the Southeastern United States.

OBJECTIVE To report clinical characteristics of dogs with bacterial keratitis, identify the most common bacterial isolates within this population, characterize the bacterial isolates' antimicrobial resistance patterns, and compare those resistance patterns to previously reported resistance patterns. ANIMAL STUDIED Dogs diagnosed with bacterial keratitis between 2013 and 2019. PROCEDURES Data pertaining to breed; Schirmer tear test I results; use of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or corticosteroids at time of ulcer diagnosis; bacterial genus or species isolated; and resistance to selected antimicrobials as measured by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion were collected. Resistance patterns were compared to those reported by Tolar et al. (2006). RESULTS One hundred seventy bacterial isolates were cultured from 138 eyes from 130 dogs. Of these dogs, 45% were brachycephalic, 62% had STT <15 mm/min, and 28% were receiving a corticosteroid at the time of examination. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (31%), β-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. (28%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%). Compared to the 1993-2003 study period, there were significant increases in resistance to cephalothin and polymyxin B among S. pseudintermedius isolates. β-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa isolates had no significant changes in resistance to the tested antimicrobials. CONCLUSION Isolates of S. pseudintermedius, β-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., and P. aeruginosa had minimal changes in resistance between the two study periods. In this population, monotherapy with ciprofloxacin or combination therapy of tobramycin and a first-generation cephalosporin continue to be appropriate for use in cases of suspected bacterial keratitis while awaiting results of susceptibility testing.
In vitro anti-erosive property of a mint containing bioactive ingredients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the in vitro protective effect of a mint formulation containing (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg-mint) on root dentin exposed to a highly erosive environment in the presence and absence of proteolytic challenge. METHODS Root dentin specimens were subjected to an erosion-remineralization cycling model (6×/day; 5 days) that included 5-minute immersion in 1% citric acid and 60-minute immersion in remineralization solution (RS). At the remineralization half-time, the specimens were treated (n= 20) with EGCg-mint, RS (negative control) or sodium fluoride (1,000 ppm of NaF; positive control). Half of the specimens were kept overnight in RS (pH cycling) and the other half in RS with Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (pH-proteolytic cycling). Erosion depth was measured using optical profilometry and data analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α= 0.05). RESULTS Under pH-cycling, NaF resulted in statistically lower erosion depth compared to EGCg-mint (P= 0.020) and RS (P= 0.005). Under pH-proteolytic cycling, EGCg-mint and NaF significantly decreased the tissue loss (erosion depth, P< 0.001) compared to the RS. The EGCg-mint exhibited an anti-erosion property on root dentin under a proteolytic challenge. NaF presented an anti-erosion property regardless of the erosive cycling model. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The anti-erosive action of an over-the-counter mint, containing active ingredients, including epigallocatechin-3-gallate, is likely by the protective mechanisms of the dentin extracellular matrix.
Differences in Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Quality of Life and Response to Therapy Across Race-Ethnicity

Objectives: To determine whether race-ethnicity modulates severity of atrial fibrillation (AF) symptoms, quality-of-life (QoL) and response to therapy. Background: Although the severity of AF symptoms is highly variable when selecting a rate or rhythm control approach, it remains unclear if race-ethnicity influences AF symptoms and QoL. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 453 patients with new-onset AF in a clinical-genetic registry. Baseline assessment of patients before treatment initiation included detailed patient history and administration of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire in African-Americans, European-Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. We assessed AFEQT scores at baseline and average of 8 months after starting treatment on maximal doses. Results: Of 415 consecutive patients with AF, 181 (43.6%) were African-American, 139 (33.5%) European-American and 95 (22.9%) Hispanic/Latino with a mean age of 62.0{plus minus}13.1 years. Two-hundred fifteen (51.8%) were treated with rate control versus 200 (48.2%) with rhythm control. Both African-American (53.0%) and Hispanic/Latino (65.3%) patients were more likely to be initiated rate control as compared with European-Americans (41%; P=0.0002) despite lower baseline AFEQT scores (African-American: 73.6{plus minus}23.0; Hispanic/Latino: 74.8{plus minus}21.2; and European-American: 76.9{plus minus}20.6; P=0.05) and poorer QoL. In the rhythm control group, the AFEQT scores and QoL improved in African-Americans (ΔScore: 9.5{plus minus}26.0; P<0.001) and European-Americans (ΔScore: 9.7{plus minus}19.6; P<0.0001) and was associated with improvement in symptoms and activities of daily living. Multivariate predictors of improvement in QoL included rhythm therapy, obesity, coronary artery disease, and private health insurance. Conclusions: Our findings may have important clinical implications for the assessment of symptoms and management of AF in African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos.
Sa1578 Predictors of Surgical Resection in Patients With Pancreatic Cystic Lesions Undergoing Endoscopic Ultrasound With and Without Fine Needle Aspiration

bloody aspiration, n 1; EUS-guided imaging only through meshes of an intestinal stent, n 1); ii) drainage, n 57 (81.4%; metal stent, n 41/57; 71.9%// polyethylene stent, n 16/57; 28.1%) / long-term drainage (clinical success): mean, 8 (range, 2-18) months in malignancy. The spectrum of various approaches to place the drainage (n 57) comprised: i) rendezvous, n 8/14%; ii) antegrade-intrahepatic, n 3/5.3%; iii) retrograde-intrahepatic, n 35/61.4%; iv) antegrade-extrahepatic, n 9/15.8%; v) antegrade-retrograde, n 2/3.5%. Causes for not possible drainage comprised: i) Dilatation problems at the access site, n 5; ii) frustrating rendesvouz technique, n 2; iii) stent dislocation into abdominal cavity (endoscopic removal achieved), n 3; iv) frustrating placement through the meshes of an intestinal stent, n 2; v) blood aspiration, n 1; vi) failure of fluoroscopy, n 1). Complication profile contented cholangitis (n 3), stent dislocation (n 5; n 1 in mid-term run), postinterventional pain (n 2) & hemobilia (n 1). Reintervention became necessary in 3/70 (4.3%). Conclusion: EUCD (favoring rendesvouz technique) is a feasible & safe alternative treatment option with an acceptable periinterventional risk in selected patients preferentially with advanced & metastasized tumor growth, which aims for an improvement of the quality of life under palliative intention avoiding mostly a reintervention, which has to be still considered an experimental clinical procedure to be only performed in centres with great expertise in interventional endoscopy/EUS but i) broadens the therapeutic spectrum & ii) needs further study-based investigation.
Modern Aircraft Flight Management Systems

This chapter describes the components, functions, and uses of flight management systems (FMS) in the present-day air transport, regional and business aircraft. The integrated avionics components and functionality that provide flight crew with the ability to operate an aircraft efficiently and in compliance with the requirements of the air navigation service provider (ANSP) are listed and their integration is described. The FMS functions are defined in an operational context within the airspace system to provide a better level of understanding of system functionality relative to the purpose for which the FMS was designed. Keywords: airline operations; avionics; flight management; flight plan; lateral path; time control; trajectory; vertical path
Cooperative hierarchical resource management for efficient composition of parallel software

There cannot be a thriving software industry in the upcoming manycore era unless programmers can compose arbitrary parallel codes without sacrificing performance. We believe that the efficient composition of parallel codes is best achieved by exposing unvirtualized hardware resources and sharing these cooperatively across parallel codes within an application. This thesis presents Lithe, a user-level framework that enables efficient composition of parallel software components. Lithe provides the basic primitives, standard interface, and thin runtime to enable parallel codes to efficiently use and share processing resources. Lithe can be inserted underneath the runtimes of legacy parallel software environments to provide bolt-on composability – without changing a single line of the original application code. Lithe can also serve as the foundation for building new parallel abstractions and runtime systems that automatically interoperate with one another. We have built and ported a wide range of interoperable scheduling, synchronization, and domain-specific libraries using Lithe. We show that the modifications needed are small and impose no performance penalty when running each library standalone. We also show that Lithe improves the performance of real world applications composed of multiple parallel libraries by simply relinking them with the new library binaries. Moreover, the Lithe version of an application even outperformed a third-party expert-tuned implementation by being more adaptive to different phases of the computation. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
The value of microscopic examination of the stool for extracellular starch in the diagnosis of starch intolerance.

Among 203 casually passed stool specimens obtained from children with no apparent gastrointestinal disease, 43% contained some extracellular starch by microscopic examination. By prematurely emptying the rectum with a small enema, the amount of extracellular starch found microscopically could be increased. If the colon is "sterilized" with neomycin, the content of microscopic extracellular starch of casually-passed stools will likewise be increased. It is concluded that the presence of some microscopic extracellular starch in the stool is normal, and that in diarrheal states not related to starch malabsorption the content of extracellular starch would be increased. It is suggested therefore, that the iodine test for extracellular starch in stools is not a useful tool, and that the diagnosis of starch malabsorption cannot be made on the basis of an "increased" content of extracellular starch demonstrated by this technic.
Hall effect in the mixed state of Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7- delta detwinned single crystals.

We have measured the Hall and longitudinal resistivities of detwinned ${\mathrm{Y}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Pr}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ single crystals with x=0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20. In the mixed state, the samples with x=0.05 and 0.10 exhibit a sign reversal of the Hall resistivity. However, the sign reversal is absent in the samples with x=0.15 and 0.20. The disappearance of the sign reversal in the x=0.15 sample represents a new finding. It indicates that the presence or absence of the sign reversal is not a thermal effect, since this sample has a ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ of 82 K, and many other superconductors with the same ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ exhibit the sign reversal. We have calculated the in-plane Hall conductivity, and find that it can be expressed as the sum of two terms, ${\mathit{C}}_{1}$/H and ${\mathit{C}}_{2}$H. ${\mathit{C}}_{1}$ and ${\mathit{C}}_{2}$ are independent of field, but depend on temperature and Pr concentration. The temperature dependences of ${\mathit{C}}_{1}$ and ${\mathit{C}}_{2}$ weaken with increasing Pr concentration up to the disappearance of the sign reversal, at which point ${\mathit{C}}_{1}$ changes sign and begins to depend more strongly on temperature again. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Oscillations in Solutions to Nonlinear Differential Equations

We shall describe several aspects of a general program dealing with oscillations in solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations. The main problem is to describe the relationship between microscopic oscillations and their macroscopic averages, in terms of both the static structure and the dynamic behavior. One general framework is provided by the following setting.
Absorbable gelatin plug does not prevent iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Objective Despite fetoscopic laser ablation (FLA) having emerged as an effective treatment for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), major postintervention challenges, such as iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes (iPPROM), remain. A chorioamniotic plug (CAP) made of absorbable gelatin sponge has been used to seal the trocar entry site in the chorioamniotic layers to promote healing and prevent iPPROM, yet the results have been equivocal. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that, following FLA for TTTS, iPPROM may be prevented by placement of an absorbable gelatin CAP. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on prospectively collected data from 134 consecutive patients who underwent FLA for TTTS. The decision for CAP placement was at the discretion of the physician. Preoperative, operative and postoperative variables were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of iPPROM, and the secondary outcomes were procedure-to-delivery interval and gestational age at delivery. Comparative statistical analysis was performed as appropriate. Results A CAP was placed in 72 (54%) of 134 patients. Factors significantly associated with CAP placement were higher gravidity (P = 0.03), anterior placentation (P = 0.04), general endotracheal intubation (P = 0.02) and a cannula diameter of 12-Fr (P = 0.003). There were no differences between CAP and no-CAP groups in the rate of iPPROM (39% vs 34%, respectively; P = 0.42) or in the procedure-to-delivery interval (65.3 ± 34.7 days vs 58.2 ± 30.8 days, respectively; P = 0.21). The gestational age at delivery was later in the CAP group compared with the no-CAP group (30.7 ± 4.5 weeks vs 28.9 ± 3.9 weeks, respectively; P = 0.02). Conclusions CAP did not reduce the overall risk for iPPROM and did not increase the procedure-to-delivery interval. Further research is needed to identify other methods to prevent iPPROM and prolong pregnancy after laser therapy. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Genetic Manipulation of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccus and a member of the normal skin flora, as well as that of the nasal passages of humans. However, S. aureus can also gain entry into the host and cause life-threatening infections or persist as disease foci that develop into suppurative abscesses. While genetically tractable, the manipulation of S. aureus remains challenging. This unit describes methods developed in our laboratory for gene disruption by allelic replacement and transposition. We also provide a protocol for bacteriophage-mediated transduction of mutants marked with selectable alleles and describe plasmid utilization for complementation studies.
Upregulation of secretin receptor gene expression in rat cholangiocytes after bile duct ligation.

Secretion stimulates ductular bile secretion by binding to receptors on intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (i.e., cholangiocytes). In the rat, this choleretic effect increases after bile duct ligation (BDL). Although cholangiocyte proliferation induced by BDL contributes to secretin-induced hypercholeresis, the mechanisms modulating these alterations in secretin-induced ductular bile secretion are obscure. Thus we studied the expression of secretin receptor mRNA (SR-mRNA) in purified liver cells from normal and BDL rats. Northern blot analysis and RNase protection assays with mRNA from purified liver cells demonstrated SR-mRNA only in cholangiocytes; moreover, SR gene expression showed a seven- to ninefold increase in individual cholangiocytes from BDL rats compared with controls. This increase in SR-mRNA expression was related to a similar increase in the rate of transcription of SR-mRNA in cholangiocytes from BDL rats. Thus our studies indicate that 1) SR-mRNA is detected in liver only in cholangiocytes; 2) BDL causes an increase in SR-mRNA in individual cholangiocytes; and 3) the increase in SR-mRNA after BDL is partly related to an increase in the rate of transcription of SR-mRNA by cholangiocytes after BDL. Our data suggest that upregulation of the SR gene may contribute to secretin-induced hypercholeresis.
A method for determining the non-linear time dependence of windowed data gathered from scattered signals

Moments associated with functions that are the Fourier transform or Fourier series of time-domain signals are studied in order to determine what happens to the frequency spread of a transmitted signal after it has been reflected from an object undergoing nonuniform motion. The example of a sinusoidal wave reflected from an object undergoing constant acceleration is considered. It appears that analytic expressions for moments of finite-time signals that are given by well-behaved sums are also applicable to this waveform. >
The genetic control of avascular area in mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy

Purpose: The C57BL/6ByJ and BALB/cByJ inbred strains of mice are, respectively, susceptible and resistant to oxygeninduced retinopathy (OIR). The purpose of this work was to investigate the genetic control of the retinal avascular area in mouse OIR using a mapping cross. Methods: The central retinal avascular area was measured on postnatal day 16 (P16) in C57BL/6ByJ, BALB/cByJ, 101 (C57BL/6ByJ x BALB/cByJ)F2, and 116 (BALB/cByJ x C57BL/6ByJ)F2 mice that had been subjected to the OIR protocol. A genome-wide scan was performed of selected albino and non-albino mice to determine quantitative trait loci associated with weight and avascular area. Results: C57BL/6ByJ mice had significantly larger avascular areas than BALB/cByJ ones. Albino mice of the F2 generation had smaller avascular areas than the non-albino mice. Genotyping was performed at 856 informative single nucleotide polymorphisms approximately evenly distributed across the genome from each of 85 selected F2 mice. Weight, sex, and the paternal grandmother were found to act as additive covariates associated with the avascular area on P16; mapping analyses that used a model incorporating these covariates found a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 7 related to avascular area. Mapping analyses that used a model that did not incorporate covariates found a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 9 related to avascular area. A quantitative trait locus for bodyweight on P16 was mapped to chromosome 5. Conclusions: The retinal avascular area in the mouse OIR model is under genetic control. Revascularization in OIR is related to the weight, strain of paternal grandmother, sex, and albinism. Our data support the existence of a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 5 that influences weight after exposure to hyperoxia, as well as quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 7 and 9 that modify susceptibility to OIR.
CARCINOGENESIS: Chromium(VI) treatment of normal human lung cells results in guanine-specific DNA polymerase arrest, DNA-DNA cross-links and S-phase blockade of cell cycle

Previous studies have shown that in vitro treatment of a synthetic double-stranded DNA template with chromium(III), or chromium(VI) in the presence of ascorbate, resulted in guanine-specific DNA polymerase arrests that correlated strongly with DNA-DNA cross-linking. In vivo chromium(VI) undergoes a more complicated intracellular cascade of reductive metabolism than is achievable in an in vitro model. Moreover, in living cells, DNA is highly packaged in the form of chromatin which may alter the accessibility of DNA to chromium. A repetitive primer-extension assay was employed to determine whether chromium forms polymerase-arresting lesions in vivo. Normal human lung fibroblasts treated with chromium(VI) exhibited adduct levels of 0.13-0.92 mmol Cr/mol DNA-nucleotides in the total genome (0.26-1.84 Cr adducts/Kbp DNA) and DNA interstrand cross-links. Genomic DNA was isolated and alphoid sequences (1-5% of the genome) were used as a substrate for repetitive primer extension using Taq polymerase. The results showed a dose-dependent, guanine-specific, replication termination, even at low doses resulting in greater than 90% survival. The same treatment resulted in dose-dependent suppression of thymidine incorporation into DNA immediately after treatment. Thymidine incorporation increased during the first 6 h after the 2-h exposure, probably related to the repair of the single strand breaks, but then returned to high suppression levels at 24 h. The chromate treatments inhibited cell growth by specific blocking of the progression of cells through S-phase of the cell cycle. The results confirmed our studies in cell-free systems and taken together they strongly indicate that guanine-guanine DNA interstrand cross-links induced by chromate in living cells is the lesion responsible for blocking DNA replication processivity.
Time-dependent density functional theory calculations of X-ray absorption

There has been dramatic progress in recent years both in calculations and in the interpretation of X-ray absorption spectra (XAS). Often an independent-electron approximation with final state potentials is adequate. However, for soft X-rays (i.e., energies less than about 1 keV) local field effects can be important. Such local fields arise from the dynamic screening of both the external X-ray field and the coupling to the core hole created in the absorption process. These effects require a theory that goes beyond the independent-electron approximation. We developed an efficient approach for treating such effects in molecules and solids based on a generalization of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), with a local approximation for the screening response. The approach has been implemented in our self-consistent, real-space Green's function code FEFF8 in terms of screened dipole transition matrix elements. Typical results are discussed for the XAS of the N4,5 edges of solid Xe and for the L2,3 edges of 3d transition metals. Our approach accounts for the deviations of the L3/L2 intensity branching ratio from the 2:1 value of the independent electron approximation. For the N4,5 edges of Xe, the approach also accounts for the observed fine structure. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003
Arterial coupling for microvascular free tissue transfer

Objective The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of arterial coupling. Study Design Retrospective data were collected in a consecutive series of 124 patients undergoing surgical resection of head and neck tumors followed by free tissue transfer (FTT). Methods and Measures The Unilink coupling device was used to perform arterial and venous anastomosis. Flap survival and thrombosis of the arterial anastomoses were determined. Results A total of 124 consecutive patients underwent a total of 127 microvascular FTTs. Reconstruction included 90 radial forearm, 26 fibula, 9 rectus abdominis, and 2 iliac crest myocutaneous free flaps. There were four (3.2%) complications related to arterial insufficiency in our series, three of which were salvageable. There were three (2.4%) flap failures, resulting in an overall free flap survival rate of 97.6 percent. Conclusion The flap survival with the Unilink Microvascular Anastomotic System is similar to that of standard suture techniques. Use of a coupler device is the preferred method in performing microvascular FTT at our institution.
Developmental changes in the cellular composition of a brain nucleus involved with song learning in zebra finches

Using a double-labeling technique to characterize projection neurons and androgen target cells, we examined ontogenetic changes in the cellular composition of IMAN, a forebrain nucleus that plays an important role in song learning during a restricted period of male zebra finch development. This nucleus undergoes a massive loss of neurons during the time of song acquisition. We report that during the period of cell loss in IMAN, neither the property of projecting to an efferent target nor the ability to concentrate androgens is able to spare neurons from ontogenetic cell death. Furthermore, we report that, at the time when IMAN ceases to influence song production, a large proportion of androgen-sensitive cells that do not make an efferent projection lose the ability to accumulate androgens.
Evaluation of a Carbon Tetrachloride Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model Using Real-Time Breath-Analysis Monitoring of the Rat

AbstractA methodology has been developed to monitor the exhalation of volatile compounds in rats in a real-time manner. The exhalation data is collected using an innovative breath-analysis system that links the exhaled breath from the rat directly with a mass spectrometer. Because the breath-analysis system generates a new data point approximately every second, this methodology can aid in describing the rapid exponential emptying of the blood compartment that occurs immediately following peak exposure. Furthermore, coupling the real-time collection of biokinetic data with a physiologically descriptive toxico-kinetic model should be useful in elucidating complex in situ chemical-mediated biological reactions, particularly for rapidly occurring processes. The utility of this new methodology is illustrated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as a demonstration compound. An existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was taken from the literature and modified to simulate an intravenous route of ...
Determinants of Education Achievement.

Abstract The determinants of education achievement for a sample of peasants on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico are examined by means of three general factors: (1) family background, (2) personal characteristics, and (3) years of schooling actually available. The final model clarifies the interactions among these factors, and explains a large proportion of the variance in educational achievement.
Co-dimension-Two Grazing Bifurcations in Single-Degree-of-Freedom Impact Oscillators

Grazing bifurcations in impact oscillators characterize the transition in asymptotic dynamics between impacting and nonimpacting motions. Several different grazing bifurcation scenarios under variations of a single system parameter have been previously documented in the literature. In the present paper, the transition between two characteristically different co-dimension-one grazing bifurcation scenarios is found to be associated with the presence of certain co-dimension-two grazing bifurcation points and their unfolding in parameter space. The analysis investigates the distribution of such degenerate bifurcation points along the grazing bifurcation manifold in examples of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators. Unfoldings obtained with the discontinuity-mapping technique are used to explore the possible influence on the global dynamics of the smooth co-dimension-one bifurcations of the impacting dynamics that emanate from such co-dimension-two points. It is shown that attracting impacting motion may result from parameter variations through a co-dimension-two grazing bifurcation of an initially unstable limit cycle in a nonlinear micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) oscillator.
Which heavy drinking college students benefit from a brief motivational intervention

Heavy drinking among college students is common and is often harmful. A previously reported randomized trial revealed that a brief motivational intervention (BMI) reduced the alcohol consumption of heavy drinking college students (K. B. Carey, M. P. Carey, S. A. Maisto, & J. M. Henson, 2006). For this study, the researchers conducted supplemental analyses of hypothesized predictors of change using the same sample (N = 495). Greater readiness to change, higher levels of self-regulation, and less engagement in social comparison all independently predicted reductions in drinking outcomes. Furthermore, self-regulation, social comparison, and future time perspective interacted with BMI and predicted drinks per week. As expected, greater self-regulation skills enhanced response to the BMI; the remaining interaction effects were unexpected. Overall, these findings suggest that BMIs produce relatively robust effects. Language: en
Health Status, Perceptions and Needs of Hispanics in Rural Shelbyville, Kentucky

This cross-sectional study was completed to characterize the health status, perceptions and needs of Hispanics in Shelbyville, KY, USA. Community Health Workers interviewed 668 Hispanic residents in Shelbyville, KY, USA. Data were collected from 2009 to 2010 and analyzed from 2011 until present. Hispanic immigrants from Mexico and other Central American countries completed the survey. The most common self-reported diseases were allergies, asthma, diabetes, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure and diabetes were the two most common diagnoses among insured, older females. Health education, disease prevention and nutrition were the top health concerns among participants. Deficits in health care infrastructure for this largely transient community may compromise their ability to meet health care needs and concerns. Similar issues may be faced by other disadvantaged Hispanic communities in the continental US and likely to be influenced by anticipated provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Verbal feedback in therapeutic communities: pull-ups and reciprocated pull-ups as predictors of graduation

The most important proximal outcomes for residents of therapeutic communities (TCs) are retention and successful completion of the program. At this point there has been no quantitative analysis of the relationship between the exchange of corrective reminders, or pull-ups, between peers in TCs and graduation. This study draws on a database of pull-ups exchanged between 5464 residents of three midwestern TCs. Residents who send more pull-ups to peers and who reciprocate pull-ups with a larger percentage of peers are more likely to graduate. Residents who receive more pull-ups from peers and staff and a larger percentage of whose peers reciprocate pull-ups that they send are less likely to graduate. Implications of these findings for program theory and program improvement are discussed.
Who’s Whispering in Your Ear? The Influence of Third Parties Over State Agency Decisions

This article expands our understanding regarding the level of influence and the strategies used by third parties on the decisions and policies of state agencies. In particular, we seek to explain the ability of three actors—governors, legislators, and interest groups—to shape policy outputs in state agencies. We highlight one of the most straightforward and largely overlooked strategies for third party influence—the use of routine, informal interactions such as phone calls and face-to-face meetings. Using data from the American State Administrators Project (ASAP), we create a new, pooled cross-sectional dataset from 1978 to 1998 to examine third party influence on state agency heads. We confirm that as the interactions between state agencies and third parties increase, so too does the influence of these parties over agency policies and decisions.
Global Education Inc.: new policy networks and the neo-liberal imaginary/Consuming schools: commercialism and the end of politics/Follow the money: how foundation dollars change public school politics

Private sector participation in education has both changed and intensified in recent years, engendering dramatic shifts in policies and schooling practices. These shifts have garnered the attention...
Measurement of the liquid-structure factor of supercooled gallium and mercury

¹The structure factor of supercooled liquid gallium and mercury has been measured as a function of temperature with Cu-Ea x radiation. The use of samples consisting of a planar array of a large number of small droplets of about 10-](fm diameter allowed supercooling down to 70'C and 40 C below the melting points of gallium and mercury, respectively. The experimental data are analyzed and discussed in view of recent theories of the liquid-solid transition.
Sampling strategy for stable carbon isotope analysis of tree rings in pine

Stable carbon isotope measurements in tree rings have been explored as potential indicators of past climate1,2, and as proxy data for reconstructions of the history of 13C/12C variations of atmospheric carbon dioxide as related to the global carbon cycle3–6. Results of these studies are often conflicting, perhaps partly due to the limited style of sampling natural systems with large inherent spatial variability. We have examined stable carbon isotopic trends in tree rings among several radii of the same tree (Pinus edulis Engelm.) and among several trees from the same site, to determine the extent of this variability. The circumferential range in δ13C values of cellulose is ∼1–1.5‰, whereas among individuals it is ∼2–3‰. Tests to determine how well various combinations of cores fit the trend of an individual tree or of the site as a whole indicate that pooling four cores from four trees accurately represent site δ13C trends and absolute values.
Warm Rain, Giant Nuclei and Chemical Balance--A Numerical Model.

Abstract The role of giant nuclei in initiating warm rain was studied in a one-dimensional, time-dependent cylindrical model. Drop growth from cloud nuclei to raindrops through condensation and collection was calculated by keeping track of the salt mass in drops and by including scavenging of particles by drops. Drop distribution and salt content in rainwater were in reasonably good agreement with observations. It appears that while giant nuclei are important for chemical balance during cloud development, they are not important for warm rain initiation. Instead, cloud droplet concentration seems to be a more critical factor in initiating warm rain.