cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 12447: Impact of 2007 American Heart Association Infective Endocarditis Prevention Guidelines on Endocarditis Related Pediatric Hospital Admissions: A U.S. Population-Based Study

Purpose: The 2007 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis (IE) called for a major change in indications for antibiotic prophylaxis. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the national trends and mortality in IE; its associations with congenital heart disease (CHD); and the impact of 2007 AHA prevention guidelines. Methods: This retrospective study examined inpatient admissions (age Results: Out of 7.56 and 7.37 million total admissions in the years 2006 and 2009, there were 1,515 (95% CI 1,329-1,701) and 1,323 (95% CI 1,157-1,489) hospital admissions for IE, respectively ( P = 0.072). While the incidence of IE-related admissions associated with isolated ASD increased significantly in year 2009 ( P P = 0.020) in those admissions associated with isolated VSD. There was no significant change seen in the distribution of other CHD groups. There was no significant change in overall mortality rate associated with IE-related admissions between the years 2006 and 2009 ( P = 0.440). Non-white race and CHD were significant factors associated with mortality in IE-related admissions. Among CHD associated with IE admissions, isolated PDA, LVOTO, RVOTO were significantly associated with increased mortality on univariate analysis. Conclusion: The 2007 AHA endocarditis prevention guidelines did not have a significant impact on the overall rate of hospital admissions for IE in calendar year 2009 compared to 2006. However, there was a significant decline in IE admissions with associated diagnosis of isolated VSD. The increase noted in the small number of IE admissions with associated isolated ASD is likely a confounding bias. Non-white race and CHD, particularly isolated PDA, LVOTO and RVOTO lesions were significantly associated with increased mortality in IE admissions on univariate analysis.
Chalcogenide Exchange Reaction of [RGa(μ3-Te)]4 with Elemental Sulfur and Selenium: A Density Functional Theory Study

Thermodynamic and mechanistic features of the chalcogen exchange reaction between [RGa(μ 3-Te)]4 and elemental sulfur or selenium have been studied employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the BL3YP basis set and Stuttgart pseudopotentials. For [MeGa(μ 3-E)]4 (E=S, Se, Te) the correlation between the calculated parameters and diffraction data for their isolable analogs is greater than 98%. Each step of the conversion of [MeGa(μ 3-Te)]4 to [MeGa(μ 3-E)]4 via [Me4Ga4(μ 3-Te)4−x (μ 3-E) x ] (E=S, Se) is predicted to occur as a series of isolated reactions. The entropy change for each chalcogen exchange is small in magnitude and corresponds to the degree of cage distortion within the cubane molecules. Calculations performed on [MeGa(μ 3-Te)]4...S8 and [MeGa(μ 3-Te)]4-S suggest that an increase in electrophilicity of the gallium next to a surface bound tellurium may result in nucleophilic cage opening for which intermediate structures are calculated.
The external anal sphincter operates at short sarcomere length in humans.

Background The length at which a muscle/sarcomere operates in vivo (operational length) and the length at which it generates maximal stress (optimal length) can be quite different. In a previous study, we found that the rabbit external anal sphincter (EAS) operates on the ascending limb of the length–tension curve, in other words at lengths shorter than its optimal length (short sarcomere length). In this study, we tested whether the human EAS muscle also operates at a short sarcomere length. Methods The length–tension relationship of the EAS muscle was studied in vivo in 10 healthy nullipara women. EAS muscle length was altered by anal distension using custom-designed probes of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm diameter. Probes were equipped with a sleeve sensor to measure anal canal pressure. The EAS muscle electromyograph (EMG) was recorded using wire electrodes. Ultrasound images of anal canal were obtained to measure EAS muscle thickness and anal canal diameter. EAS muscle stress was calculated from the anal canal pressure, inner radius, and thickness of the EAS muscle. Key Results Rest and squeeze stress of the anal canal increased with the increase in probe size. Similarly, the change in anal canal stress, i.e. the difference between the rest and the squeeze, which represents the active contribution of EAS to the anal canal stress, increased with the increase in probe size. However, increase in probe size was not associated with an increase in the external anal sphincter EMG activity. Conclusions & Inferences Increase in EAS muscle stress with the increase in probe size, in the presence of constant EMG (neural input), demonstrates that the human EAS muscle operates on the ascending limb of the length–tension curve or at low sarcomere lengths. We propose that surgically adjusting EAS sarcomere length may represent a novel strategy to treat fecal incontinence in humans.
Medical Malpractice: Should Courts Force Doctors to Confess Their Own Negligence to Their Patients?

This article argues that tort law should be developed to force physicians to confess known failures on their parts to render care to patients that meets the required standards of care of the profession in some material way. Under current legal rules, there is no free-standing duty on physicians to tell their patients that the doctors breached the standard of ordinary care and prudence in treating them. Sometimes treats as knowing concealment refusal of doctors to come forward when their malfeasance causes a patient to suffer palpable harm (1) through loss of the chance to sue for redress of malpractice because the doctor had hidden the fact that she has been wronged until after the statute of limitations has passed, or (2) by foregoing undertaking in a timely way appropriate treatment options to redress mistakes the doctor had made because the the doctor not hidden her problem from her until it was too late to undertake the treatment options. But these rules do not affirmatively punish the doctors for failure to be forthcoming; all they do is take from him - in the few cases in which he gets caught - the ability to profit from his own wrongdoing. The incentive remains to lie, secrete, and obfuscate, and the result is ongoing lay distrust of the profession, heightened willingness to sue, and increasingly punitive verdicts in the cases that are brought.This paper argues that the courts should make the failure to confess known negligence a tort, closely akin to knowing concealment or fraud, even if it does not lead to harm. Doctrinally, imposition of an affirmative duty to come forward is justified because of the fiduciary nature of the doctor-patient relationship. The need to disentangle the failure to disclose from palpable injury arises because the law needs a way to encourage a new tradition in medical practice that will lead to greater openness between doctor and patient. A professional person’s failure to be truthful about treatment errors is not a physical wrong; instead, the wrong goes to the whole process through which medical decisions are made and medical services are rendered.Treating failure to be truthful about one’s own negligence as a free standing tort, breach of which would lead to nominal damages as well as punitive damages, is unlikely to cause an increase in malpractice actions or liability. Since the principal reasons for bringing malpractice actions have to do with issues of trust, not really simply ones of competence, a regime of truth telling would create rather than undermine trust and lessen the likelihood of suits. Even when revelation does occur, the issues will focus on the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injury rather than on the blameworthiness of the doctor. This fact will aid in facilitating settlement of lawsuits, thus cutting down on the time, expense, and intensity of malpractice litigation, and will tend to moderate whatever financial settlements are reached in the cases.
The eigenvalues of the Laplacian for the homology of the Lie algebra corresponding to a poset

In this paper we study the spectral resolution of the LaplacianL of the Koszul complex of the Lie algebras corresponding to a certain class of posets. Given a poset P on the setf1; 2; ... ;ng ,w e def lne the nilpotent Lie algebraLP to be the span of all elementary matrices zx;y, such that x is less than y in P .I n this paper, we make a decisive step toward calculating the Lie algebra homology of LP in the case that the Hasse diagram of P is a rooted tree. We show that the LaplacianL simplifles signiflcantly when the Lie algebra corresponds to a poset whose Hasse diagram is a tree. The main result of this paper determines the spectral resolutions of three commuting linear operators whose sum is the LaplacianL of the Koszul complex of LP in the case that the Hasse diagram is a rooted tree. We show that these eigenvalues are integers, give a combinatorial indexing of these eigenvalues and describe the corresponding eigenspaces in representation-theoretic terms. The homology of LP is represented by the nullspace ofL, so in future work, these results should allow for the homology to be efiectively computed. AMS Classiflcation Number: 17B56 (primary) 05E25 (secondary)
Dyke Award Paper. Kinetics of pathologic blood-brain-barrier permeability in an astrocytic glioma using contrast-enhanced MR.

PURPOSE The feasibility of measuring blood-brain barrier permeability was studied in a 36B-10 brain glioma model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS In stage I of our study, sequential MR images of glioma-implanted rats were obtained following intravenous administration of three contrast agents of different molecular sizes--Gd-DTPA, polylysine-(Gd-DTPA), and albumin-(Gd-DTPA). In a second set of experiments, sequential MR imaging with Gd-DTPA, quantitative measurements of plasma Gd-DTPA concentration, and postmortem tumor Gd-DTPA measurements were used to estimate the blood-to-tissue transport coefficient (Ki) in the rat glioma model at 11 and 15 days postimplantation. RESULTS In stage I, Gd-DTPA caused rapid and greatest tumor enhancement with a significant washout from the tumor during the 120-min experiment. Tumor enhancement using polylysine-(Gd-DTPA) occurred later and was significantly less compared to Gd-DTPA. Tumor signal intensity increased only slowly over time and the peak level of enhancement was least using albumin-(Gd-DTPA). In stage II, the mean (+/- 1 SD) Ki values were 1.1 +/- .24 at 11 days, and 9.3 +/- .8 at 15 days postimplantation. These results correspond well with published data obtained by autoradiography. CONCLUSION We believe that the differential enhancement pattern using contrast agents of different molecular sizes reflects a differential permeability of the pathologic blood-brain barrier, and that our studies demonstrate the feasibility of using frequent sequential images and a graphical approach to Ki calculation to determine the blood-to-tissue transport coefficient using contrast-enhanced MR.
Isolation and characterization of the promoter region of the rat vasopressin V1b receptor gene.

Regulation of pituitary vasopressin V1b receptors plays a critical role in regulating pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion during adaptation to stress. The objective of this study was to isolate the promoter regulatory region of the V1b receptor gene to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in V1b receptor regulation. Screening of a rat genomic library using probes directed to the coding region and to the 5′UTR of the rat V1b receptor resulted in the isolation of several clones containing the 5′upstream regions of the V1b receptor cDNA. Sequencing of an 11.2 Kb fragment revealed 8.2 Kb upsteam of the reported cDNA sequence, which contains a putative promoter regulatory region. The 3′ end of the clone contained 1472 base pairs corresponding to the recognized cDNA sequence, followed by 1506 bp of unknown sequence located at the end of the sixth transmembrane domain, probably corresponding to an intron, characteristic of these family of receptors. An additional 161 bp intron was found in the 5′UTR, similar to that described in the rat oxytocin receptor gene. 5′RACE and RNase protection analysis mapped two major putative transcription start points at −830 and −861 bp from the starting methionine. Analysis of the putative promoter region showed no indication of a proximal TATA box, but the presence of a CACA box, a GAGA box, several AP-1 and AP-2 sites and a cluster of Sp1 sites upstream of the AP-2 sites. A luciferase construct containing a 2.1-kb of putative promoter, and part of the 5′UTR including the first intron, showed promoter activity when transfected into COS-7, CHO and PC12 cell lines but not in AtT-20 cells. A similar construct without the intron and distal 5′UTR sequence has no promoter activity in the same cell lines. In summary, the V1b receptor gene contains at least 3 exons and 2 introns. The 5′flanking sequence contains several potential sites for transcriptional regulation, and induced luciferace activity only in constructs containing intron 1, suggesting that the latter is important for receptor gene activation. The data provide bases for future analysis of the regulatory elements controlling V1b receptor transcription.
Fragile X Mental Retardation Syndrome: Structure of the KH1-KH2 Domains of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein

Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation in humans, with an estimated prevalence of about 1 in 4000 males. Although several observations indicate that the absence of functional Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is the underlying basis of Fragile X syndrome, the structure and function of FMRP are currently unknown. Here, we present an X-ray crystal structure of the tandem KH domains of human FMRP, which reveals the relative orientation of the KH1 and KH2 domains and the location of residue Ile304, whose mutation to Asn is associated with a particularly severe incidence of Fragile X syndrome. We show that the Ile304Asn mutation both perturbs the structure and destabilizes the protein.
Local Government and Community-Based Strategies: Evidence from a National Survey of a Social Problem

In this study I examine the use of community-based shared-leadership strategies. I focus on the role of local government in four aspects of community-based planning and implementation: (1) coordina...
The effect of light and darkness on hatching in the pomacentrid Abudefduf saxatilis

Reports that pomacentrid embryos hatch after dusk are confirmed by photic manipulation of sergeant major eggs. Embryos placed in the dark for 20 minutes or longer prior to their normal hatching after sunset hatched, whereas controls held in light did not hatch. Percent of hatched embryos correlated with increasing exposure to darkness up to one hour after which no further improvement in hatching was observed. Embryos maintained in continuous light during their normal twilight hatching period did not hatch. Also, embryos exposed to 60 minutes of darkness, if interrupted by one minute of light every 10 minutes did not hatch. The percent hatch in dark treatments varied significantly between nests and, in some treatments, correlated negatively with the size of the egg clumps (number of eggs per clump) tested. To initiate hatching in the presence of light required intensities of 0.03 lux or less. These low intensities are not reached until about 20 minutes after sunset on the reef where the embryos occur. We conclude that hatching for some embryos occurs about 30 minutes after sunset but for most is not completed until at least one hour after sunset. Hatching therefore takes place at a time long after potential diurnal fish predators have refuged in the reef structure.
A Reinforcement Learning Approach for Dynamic Supplier Selection

Supplier selection is one of the most critical decisions in a supply chain. While good suppliers can contribute to the supply chain's overall performance, incorrect selection can drive the whole supply chain into disarray. In this paper, we focus on the problem of supplier selection in a manufacturing firm. We allow each supplier to compete with each other to be selected by the buyer for procurement. The competition is modeled in an auction framework as a bidding process where a supplier cannot observe immediate actions of other suppliers but has complete knowledge of their previous actions. We allow a supplier to use this knowledge in guessing other suppliers future actions and bid accordingly. Our model enables repeated games, which can be assumed to be more flexible compared to most game theory applications in the supplier selection literature. Reinforcement learning and fictitious play are used in the auction framework to implement repeated games.
SU-E-T-569: Evaluation of VMAT Plans Generated with HD120 and Millennium 120 MLC Between Two Matched Linacs

Purpose: To evaluate VMAT treatment plans generated with HD120 MLC and Millennium 120 MLC between two matched linacs and to determine if one can back up the other. Methods: The 6x photon beams are matched for our Varian TrueBeam STx and Trilogy linacs, which are equipped with HD120 MLC and Millennium 120 MLC, respectively. Three prostate and three brain VMAT plans were used for the evaluation. Five plans (three prostate and two brain plans) were originally generated with the TrueBeam STx and re-computed with the Trilogy. One brain plan was evaluated the other way around. For each plan, the PTV coverage of V95 was made the same between two linacs. The dosimetric differences associated with the plans were compared using: 1) Percentage mean dose differences to the PTV, 2) Homogeneity index, HI = (Dmax − Dmin)/Dmean for the PTV. For prostate plans, the mean dose differences to the rectum were evaluated. While for brain plans, the percentage max dose differences to the lenses (left and right lens) were evaluated. Results: For three prostate plans, the average of the percentage mean dose differences to the PTV was 0.5 ± 0.1% and the HI was 0.1 ± 0.0%. The average of themore » percentage mean dose difference to the rectum was 3.5 ± 0.5%. For three brain plans, the average of the percentage mean dose differences to the PTV was 0.2 ± 1.1% and the HI was 0.2 ± 0.1%. The average of the percentage max dose differences to the lenses was 22.9 ± 4.0%. Conclusion: For prostate VMAT plans, changing the treatment from the TrueBeam STx to the Trilogy does not necessarily need re-optimization. But for brain plans, in order to minimize dose to the lenses, it is recommended to re-optimize the plan if changing the treatment between these two linacs.« less
JUDGING THE JUDGES: EVALUATING CHALLENGES TO PROPER AUTHORITY IN JUST WAR THEORY

Abstract The article criticizes the trend of reformulating the traditional just-war criterion of Proper Authority, which was designed to de-legitimize force by non-state actors, into a requirement that decisions to resort to force be multilateral. The article illustrates several shortcomings of the judgment processes of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, the World Court, and states’ populations, and argues among other things that reformulating Proper Authority would render other criteria meaningless, especially Just Cause. Finally, the article rebuts the strongest objection to a system in which states judge their own causes for war: the problem of invincible ignorance.
Role of ZBP-89 in human globin gene regulation and erythroid differentiation

The molecular mechanisms underlying erythroid-specific gene regulation remain incompletely understood. Closely spaced binding sites for GATA, NF-E2/maf, and CACCC interacting transcription factors play functionally important roles in globin and other erythroid-specific gene expression. We and others recently identified the CACCC-binding transcription factor ZBP-89 as a novel GATA-1 and NF-E2/mafK interacting partner. Here, we examined the role of ZBP-89 in human globin gene regulation and erythroid maturation using a primary CD34+ cell ex vivo differentiation system. We show that ZBP-89 protein levels rise dramatically during human erythroid differentiation and that ZBP-89 occupies key cis-regulatory elements within the globin and other erythroid gene loci. ZBP-89 binding correlates strongly with RNA Pol II occupancy, active histone marks, and high-level gene expression. ZBP-89 physically associates with the histone acetyltransferases p300 and Gcn5/Trrap, and occupies common sites with Gcn5 within the human globin loci. Lentiviral short hairpin RNAs knockdown of ZBP-89 results in reduced Gcn5 occupancy, decreased acetylated histone 3 levels, lower globin and erythroid-specific gene expression, and impaired erythroid maturation. Addition of the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid partially reverses the reduced globin gene expression. These findings reveal an activating role for ZBP-89 in human globin gene regulation and erythroid differentiation.
Split-FP Conjugated Metal Nanoparticle Raman Nanoprobes for Ultra-Sensitive Molecular Detection

The recent convergence of biotechnology and nanotechnology now provides unique means to develop hybrid nanomaterials for advanced biosensing applications. In particular, the controlled assembly of metal gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles using bio-inspired scaffolds is a promising approach for the design of novel Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) nanoprobes capable of single molecule detection sensitivity. Here, we propose a new design for colloidal Raman nanoprobes based on split-FP/metal nanoparticle hybrid composites. We use split fluorescence proteins (split-FPs) as both activatable Raman reporters and molecular glue to assemble Au or Ag nanoparticles into photonically-active SERS nanoclusters. We expressed recombinant split-FPs (sGFP, sYFP, sCFP) with metal binding domains and engineered their complementary peptide fragments for oriented and controlled grafting at the surface of Au and Ag nanoparticles. These split-FPs fragments were respectively coated on various size of metal nanoparticles (5-50nm diameter), and were characterized by electrophoresis, HPLC, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and immunoblotting. In vitro, complementary metal nanoparticles functionalized with split-FP fragments can self-assemble and form nanoclusters as confirmed by electrophoresis and TEM measurements. To improve the complementation kinetics of split-FP/peptide pairs on nanoparticles, various point mutations were introduced in split-FPs. We further show that SERS signals from split-FPs are specifically detected upon biomolecular interactions of split-FP fragments and that the unique Raman signature of the FP chromophores is easily distinguished over other protein modes when bound to plasmonic nanomaterials. These results demonstrate the potential for highly selective and sensitive SERS detection based on split-FP/metal nanoparticle hybrid probes.
Design of Sustainable Multifunctional Nanocoatings: A Goal-driven Multiscale Systems Approach *

Abstract Polymer nanocomposites have a great potential to be a dominant coating material in a wide range of applications in the automotive, aerospace, ship-making, construction, and pharmaceutical industries. However, how to realize design sustainability of this type of nanostructured materials and how to ensure the true optimality of the product quality and process performance in coating manufacturing remain as a mountaintop area. The major challenges arise from the intrinsic multiscale nature of the material-process-product system and the need to manipulate the high levels of complexity and uncertainty in design and manufacturing processes. In this work, the challenging objectives of sustainable design and manufacturing are simultaneously accomplished by resorting to multiscale systems theory and engineering sustainability principles. The principal idea is to achieve exceptional system performance through concurrent characterization and optimization of materials, product and associated manufacturing processes covering a wide range of length and time scales. Multiscale modeling and simulation techniques ranging from microscopic molecular modeling to classical continuum modeling are seamlessly coupled. The integration of different methods and theories at individual scales allows the quantitative prediction of macroscopic system performance from the fundamental molecular behavior. Furthermore, mathematically rigorous and methodologically viable approaches are pursued to achieve sustainability-goal-oriented design of material-process-product systems. The introduced methodology can greatly facilitate experimentalists in novel material invention and new knowledge discovery. At the same time, it can provide scientific guidance and reveal various new opportunities and effective strategies for achieving sustainable manufacturing. The methodological attractiveness will be fully demonstrated by a detailed case study on the design of thermoset nanocomposite coatings.
Reduced severity in a mouse model of colitis with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition

Background. Both human ulcerative colitis (UC) and an established mouse model of colitis (oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)) show ulcerative lesions attributable to epithelial cell (EC) apoptosis. ECs are known to express high levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Recent studies indicate that administering ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) decreases apoptosis in diverse epithelial tissues. Also, we have found that ACE-I suppress basal levels of EC apoptosis in the small intestine. We hypothesized that ACE-I may exert a similar anti-apoptotic effect in the colon and thus reduce the severity of colitis. Methods. Male C57BL/6 mice drank 2.5% DSS in water for either 3 or 7 days plus 1 day of plain water. Mice received daily enalaprilat (0.015 mg/day, intraperitoneal) injection (n = 6 at each time point, ACE-I) or saline injection (n = 6 at each time point, Saline). Body weight and clinical severity of colitis were recorded. After the specified number of days, mice were euthanized and colonic epithelium was harvested. Blinded histologic grading of colitis used standard scores. Reverse transcriptase real-time PCR assessed mRNA levels of ACE. Epithelial apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry with Annexin V/Propidium Iodide. Data are mean ± SD (t-test). Results. ACE-I reduced body weight loss (16.6 ± 2.7%) versus Saline (23.7 ± 4.2%, P < 0.01) after a week of DSS, and delayed onset of heme-positive stools (4.8 ± 0.8 days versus 3.7 ± 1.0 days, P < 0.05). ACE-I mice also showed significantly improved histologic colitis scores versus Saline after 1 week (11.8 ± 1.5 versus 14.7 ± 1.4, P < 0.01), at which time point mucosal ACE mRNA levels were reduced in ACE-I versus Saline mice (expressed relative to beta-actin, 0.08 ± 0.1 versus 4.1 ± 4.7, P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed a trend at 3 days toward decreased apoptosis in ACE-I colons (Saline, 15.9 ± 12.7% apoptotic versus ACE-I, 5.3 ± 5.1%, p = ns). Conclusions. ACE inhibition improved DSS-induced mouse colitis clinically and histologically. Enalaprilat reduced colonic tissue ACE expression after 1 week. It appears ACE-I may reduce colonic epithelial ulcers through a reduction in apoptosis, but we were unable to prove this point. This study suggests that ACE-I therapy may have a future potential benefit for inflammatory bowel disease.
Stability of a positive column in the presence of an axial magnetic field

Self-consistent infinitesimal perturbations of electron density and electric field are used to analyse the stability of the plasma. The axisymmetric perturbations are stable for any magnetic and electric field strengths. The non-axisymmetric perturbations with azimuthal modes m ≥ 1 and less than a certain integer are unstable for certain ranges of magnetic and electric fields. The mode m = 2 can be more unstable than the mode m = 1. Previous analysis by other authors was confined to the case m = 1 and the perturbations were not self-consistent. Our results differ significantly from the earlier results.
Satellite ballistic coefficients and the lower thermosphere

[1] Observed variations in the estimated ballistic coefficients (B′) for satellites in the lower thermosphere during 2001, have been used to study its implications for atmospheric densities with respect to changes in the solar and geomagnetic activities. It is shown that the steady state density models predict the true densities within 10% as a function of solar activity, except during strong geomagnetic storms, when true densities are underestimated by about 15%. The variations in B′ with days point to a semiannual variation (SAV) in the scaling factor required to correctly predict SAV in the true densities from steady state models. The calculations also show that changes in density ratios during some major geomagnetic storms can not be explained by steady state models. The Ncar-Tigcm models may be used to see if these bring B′ closer to true ballistic coefficients than the steady state models.
Mutations in the COL3A1 Gene Result in the Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Type IV and Alterations in the Size and Distribution of the Major Collagen Fibrils of the Dermis

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (EDS type IV) results from heterozygosity for mutations in the COL3A1 gene that encodes the chains of type III procollagen. By using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy, we examined skin biopsies from 22 individuals with EDS type IV in whom the COL3A1 mutations had been identified. The most striking changes in EDS type IV were correlated with point mutations that substituted a residue for a glycine near the carboxyl-terminal end of the triple-helical domain of pro alpha1(III). In three cases with the mutation G1012R, G1018V, or G1021E, cells in the dermis had extremely dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), the dermis was thin, and there was a reduced proportion of collagen although the proportion of elastic fibers appeared increased. In these tissues, collagen fibrils were small (65-80 nm) compared to normal (95-110 nm). Fibrils 80-90 nm in diameter and moderately dilated RER were found with mutations G769R, G373R, and G061E and with exon-skipping mutations of exons 34 and 45. With mutations G034R and G016C and exon-skipping mutations that deleted the sequences of exons 7, 8, 14, 18, 24, and 27, fibrils were more variable in size (85-120 nm). The composite collagen fibrils characteristic of EDS types I and II were not found in EDS type IV. These findings indicate that mutations in the COL3A1 gene have effects on secretion, fibrillogenesis, and skin architecture that reflect the position and nature of the mutation.
A ribosome-specialized translation initiation pathway is required for cap-dependent translation of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNAs.

Initiation is the primary target of translational control for all organisms. Regulation of eukaryotic translation is traditionally thought to occur through initiation factors and RNA structures. Here, we characterize a transcript-specific translation initiation mechanism that is mediated by the ribosome. By studying vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), we identify the large ribosomal subunit protein rpL40 as requisite for VSV cap-dependent translation but not bulk cellular or internal ribosome entry site–driven translation. This requirement is conserved among members of the order Mononegavirales, including measles virus and rabies virus. Polysome analyses and in vitro reconstitution of initiation demonstrate that rpL40 is required for 80S formation on VSV mRNAs through a cis-regulatory element. Using deep sequencing, we further uncover a subset of cellular transcripts that are selectively sensitive to rpL40 depletion, suggesting VSV may have usurped an endogenous translation pathway. Together, these findings demonstrate that the ribosome acts as a translational regulator outside of its catalytic role during protein synthesis.
The role of physical appearance in managerial decisions

This study was designed to examine stereotypical beliefs about the physical appearance of employees and the effects of these beliefs on decision-making. Current stereotypes about obese and very thin people were assessed, and the effect of beliefs about obese and very thin people on subjects' evaluations of employee performance was measured. The findings indicated that subjects used information about employees' weight and body build differently, depending on whether they were responding to questions about discipline, the likelihood of recurrence of behavior, or their desire to work with certain employees. Overall, the results suggest that subjects exclude nondiagnostic aspects of employees (e.g., weight and body build) in some types of work decisions.
Engaging LIS students in reference work through online answer boards

In 2007, public librarian Dave Pardue launched Slam the Boards!, a monthly call for librarians to enter online answer boards such as Yahoo! Answers and answer questions, announcing to the public that they are librarians. Graduate library and information students participated in this required assignment in a basic reference class. Students reported that this experience caused them to reflect on guiding reference documents and their own career plans as they gained confidence in engaging in remote reference service. Recommendations for future involvement calls for in-class demonstration of answer boards, rehearsal, and monitoring of answer boards.
AsymptoticSU3 symmetry breaking and strong superconvergence

Several sum rules for the spectral functions are obtained on the basis of the asymptoticSU 3 symmetry breaking, the strong super-convergence of certain invariant amplitudes and the asymptoticSU 2×SU 2 symmetry. Using these sum rules, we obtain the ratioF K/F π=1.24, the Kl3 form factors ζ=−0.92, λ−=0.024 and the decay widths of the vector mesons. The results are in good agreement with experiment.
A Population Investment Sex Ratio for the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.)

Data from two honey bee population brood-rearing studies suggest that a stable populational colony investment sex ratio exists for the honey bee. As a consequence of the fissioning mode of colony reproduction, this investment ratio is best expressed in terms of the average population production of reproductive male (drone) biomass and the biomass of sterile workers. A tentative model for a populational investment sex ratio based on Fisher's (1930) sex ratio hypothesis is presented in terms of colony seasonal drone and worker brood production and suggests a ratio for both populations tending toward 1:1. Colonies that produced no reproductive females during an annual season produced an average of 18,969 ± 7,267 (± SD, n = 7 colonies) males per colony for the first study and 22,560 ± 8,280 (n = 13 colonies) for the other. Three colonies from the second study did produce reproductive females and underwent colony fission. These colonies produced an average of 20,856 ± 4,241 males before fissioning occurred. On...
Modeling energetic and theoretical costs of thermoregulatory strategy

Poikilothermic ectotherms have evolved behaviours that help them maintain or regulate their body temperature (T b) around a preferred or ‘set point’ temperature (T set). Thermoregulatory behaviors may range from body positioning to optimize heat gain to shuttling among preferred microhabitats to find appropriate environmental temperatures. We have modelled movement patterns between an active and non-active shuttling behaviour within a habitat (as a biased random walk) to investigate the potential cost of two thermoregulatory strategies. Generally, small-bodied ectotherms actively thermoregulate while large-bodied ectotherms may passively thermoconform to their environment. We were interested in the potential energetic cost for a large-bodied ectotherm if it were forced to actively thermoregulate rather than thermoconform. We therefore modelled movements and the resulting and comparative energetic costs in precisely maintaining a T set for a small-bodied versus large-bodied ectotherm to study and evaluate ...
The LMP1 oncogene of EBV activates PERK and the unfolded protein response to drive its own synthesis.

The oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) without a ligand drives proliferation of EBV-infected B cells. Its levels vary in cells of clonal populations by more than 100-fold, which leads to multiple distinct activities of the oncogene. At intermediate levels it drives proliferation, and at high levels it inhibits general protein synthesis by inducing phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). We have found that LMP1 activates PERK to induce phosphorylation of eIF2α, which upregulates activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) expression. ATF4, in turn, transactivates LMP1's own promoter. LMP1 activates not only PERK but also inositol requiring kinase 1 (IRE1) and ATF6, 3 pathways of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Increasing expression levels of LMP1 induced a dose-dependent increase in IRE1 activity, as measured by its “splicing” of XBP-1. These infected B cells secrete immunoglobins independent of the levels of LMP1, indicating that only a threshold level of XBP-1 is required for the secretion. These findings indicate that LMP1's activation of the UPR is a normal event in a continuum of LMP1's expression that leads both to stimulatory and inhibitory functions and regulates the physiology of EBV-infected B cells in multiple, unexpected modes.
The charged milieu: a major player in fertilization reactions.

In previous studies, we have found that negatively charged, but not uncharged, amino acids and sugars block sea urchin fertilization. These studies were developed from modeling work in non-living systems using derivatized agarose beads that suggested that charge–charge bonding may control at least some adhesive interactions. In the present study, the effects of positively charged, negatively charged and uncharged molecules were examined in the sea urchin sperm–egg system in over 300 individual trials. The results indicate that depending on the specific molecules utilized, both sperm and egg are exquisitely sensitive to charged but not uncharged molecules and to pH changes in sea water caused by some of the charged molecules. It is shown that egg activation, as well as sperm motility and sperm–egg interactions, can be affected by charged molecules. One compound, fructose-1-phosphate blocked fertilization in S. purpuratus sea urchins but not in Lytechinus pictus sea urchins. These findings indicate that charge alone cannot explain all the results. In this case, the presence of a ketone instead of an aldehyde group indicates that species-specific components may control fertilization reactions. The present study is a comprehensive survey of the effects of charge, pH and molecular structure on the fertilization–activation continuum in a model system of sea urchins.
Explaining differences in access to home computers and the Internet: A comparison of Latino groups to other ethnic and racial groups

A report by the U.S. Department of Commerce notes that Internet use among African-Americans and Latinos is growing at a substantially faster rate than Internet use among whites or Asians suggesting that the so-called "Digital Divide" may be disappearing. Using data from the Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the October 2003 Current Population Survey (CPS), I explore this hypothesis. I find large disparities in home computer and Internet access across major racial and detailed Latino groups that do not appear as though they will disappear soon. I also find that ethnic and racial disparities in home computer and Internet access rates are larger for children than for adults. The results are mixed for other measurable dimensions of the digital divide. Using regression models and special decomposition techniques, I find that differences in income and education explain part, but not all, of the ethnic and racial disparities in home computer and Internet access. Language is also found to be an important determinant of home computer and Internet access even after controlling for education, family income and immigrant status. Spanish-speaking Latinos have strikingly low rates of computer ownership and home Internet access. In contrast, concerns over privacy on the Internet do not appear to contribute substantially to racial disparities in home Internet access.
Osteomyelitis of the wrist in a patient with Hodgkin's disease

Osteomyelitis of the carpal bones is extremely uncommon. We here report a case of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis involving the wrist in a patient with Hodgkin's disease, and review the existing literature on this subject. The case illustrates the importance of considering pertinent clinical evidence in a patient with disseminated malignancy.
Kinetics of graphitization of a petroleum coke.

Crystal structure, activation energy and heat treatment temperatures for petroleum coke and a pyrolytic carbon, showing lack of temperature dependence to degree of graphitization
Gonadal hormone levels in injection drug users

Abstract Levels of serum sex hormones, particularly testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, have been shown to change in various disease states. Hypogonadism has been well-documented in patients with HIV infection. As HIV infection and injection drug use are closely linked, we examined whether injection drug users (IDU's) exhibit hormone abnormalities. We evaluated men participating in the ALIVE study (AIDS Linked to Intravenous Experiences), a large cohort study conducted in Baltimore, MD. We found that 20% of 40 IDU subjects (20 HIV+, 20 HIV−) with a mean age 41.5±0.9, had low serum total testosterone concentration. We were unable to detect a direct correlation between drug use and hormone levels. Further study is needed on the hormonal milieu of the IDU patient.
Dual detection approach to a more accurate measure of relative purity in high-throughput characterization of compound collections.

The accurate determination of compound purity is crucial for characterizing library purity, monitoring the stability of storage compounds, and obtaining meaningful high-throughput screening results. However, current high-throughput techniques for the determination of compound purity are inadequate. We evaluated on-line chromatography detectors, including UVTWC, UV214, and ELSD detectors, in a series of studies of 233 compound mixtures prepared with known compositions. Results indicate that both UVTWC and UV214 overestimate the minor component in a mixture whereas ELSD underestimates the minor component. An average of UVTWC and ELSD purities gives a more accurate measure of the relative purity for a wide range of compounds in various purity ranges. This technique was applied to 959 compounds from our compound collection to more accurately determine their relative purity.
Effects of monaural and binaural sound deprivation on cell development in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of rats.

Abstract The sizes of large spherical and fusiform cells of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus were studied in rats reared after unilateral middle ear ossicle removal on postnatal days 10 or 16, or after bilateral removal on postnatal day 16. In animals deprived monaurally from 10 days after birth, large spherical cell areas of the deprived side were reduced by 21% compared to the nondeprived side; the deprived cells were 17% smaller than cells of control animals. Large spherical cells contralateral to the deprived ear were slightly larger than those of controls. Large spherical cells monaurally deprived from the 16th day showed effects similar to those deprived from the onset of hearing, although cell reduction on the deprived side was only 10% relative to controls. In contrast to the consequences of monaural sound deprivation, binaural deprivation from the 16th day resulted in no reduction in size of large spherical cells. Fusiform cells of animals in monaurally and binaurally deprived groups were not significantly smaller than the fusiform cells of controls. Ear histologies confirmed that each cochlea and spiral ganglion was normal in experimental and control animals. Because large spherical cells receive unilateral input directly from the acoustic nerve and are known to project bilaterally to the medial superior olive, the bilateral differences observed in large spherical cell area following rearing under monaural deprivation conditions may reflect a form of imbalanced binaural interactions between axon terminals of spherical cells.
The Impact of Social Ties on Coalition Strength and Effectiveness: The Case of the Battered Women's Movement in St Louis

Although a number of researchers have studied social movement coalitions, we still need to develop better ways to analyze why some initiatives succeed and others fail. In this study, I compare three different coalitions in which battered women's movement activists participated to determine the factors that made some coalitions stronger and more effective than others. Using qualitative data from a 16-year longitudinal study, I found that an important variable affecting a coalition's strength is the quality of the social relationships among its members. In particular, close personal ties encourage a degree of trust, the sharing of detailed knowledge, and collective problem-solving mechanisms that enable coalition members to anticipate one another's preferences and behavior and overcome conflicts as they arise. The greater coordination capacity that results can make it possible for a social movement to exert increased political power and position it to take advantage of new political opportunities when they ...
A person-centered intervention in an international peace conference

Abstract Social scientists are exploring macro applications of human behavior theory to peace interventions. An overview is provided of an international intervention conducted by Carl R. Rogers and his colleagues.
The link between vitamin D metabolism and sleep medicine

summary Vitamin D is a hormone that interacts with intranuclear receptors to effect transcriptional changes in many cell types including those in gut, bone, breast, prostate, brain, skeletal muscle, and the immune system. Inadequacy of vitamin D is widely prevalent, and leads to the classic diseases of bone demineralization as well as to more recently recognized problems such as nonspecific pain and noninflammatory skeletal myopathy, which may disrupt sleep and directly cause daytime impairment. Emerging lines of evidence suggest that low vitamin D levels increase the risk for autoimmune disease, chronic rhinitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These conditions are mediated by altered immunomodulation, increased propensity to infection, and increased levels of inflammatory substances, including those that regulate sleep, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- a), interleukin (IL)-1, and prostaglandin D2 (PD2). Together, the recent reports suggest a role for inadequate vitamin D in the development of symptoms of wake impairment commonly associated with sleep disorders. Persistent inadequacy of vitamin D may also increase the risk for obstructive sleep apnea via promotion of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, airway muscle myopathy, and/or chronic rhinitis. Much remains to be learned concerning the complex relationship between chronically low levels of vitamin D, normal sleep, sleep disruption, and daytime neurocognitive impairment.
D2P Real-Time Simulation of Energy Management Strategy for Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle

For investigating the feasibility of control strategy used in parallel hybrid electric vehicle, a D2P real-time simulation is introduced. A new multi-mode rule-based control strategy is proposed. The strategy is based on splitting the torque from the motor and engine so that these power sources can be operated at high efficiency. A real-time simulation platform is built based on D2P system. Real driver inputs and controller are applied while controlled objects are simulated using the model of parallel hybrid electric system computed in D2P module. Strategy is validated by D2P real-time simulation, which results show that the presented strategy is feasible and effective.