cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Housing Finance in Mexico's Vacancy Crisis

In the wake of the housing market crash in the United States in the late 2000s, images of abandoned homes on the urban periphery of American cities dominated international media coverage. This narrative of peri-urban over-extension was used by media documenting the housing crisis in Mexico, despite the profound differences in context, namely the role of the government in housing finance. This paper disentangles the issue of Mexican housing vacancy from surface similarities with the US through an examination of vacancy rates within cities in Mexico, and tests of four hypotheses about their determinants using data from the 2010 Census of Population and Housing. Results confirm that violence related to the drug war, international migration, and housing finance are associated with vacancy. However, more housing finance is strongly related to higher vacancy in the central city but not in the urban periphery. In spite of the existence of vacancy in newly built houses, the expansion of credit for new housing in Mexico has been most significant for the role it has played in hollowing out the central city. The paper concludes with a review of policies to address the vacancy crisis in Mexico and a framework of best practices.
Research directions in oral health promotion for older adults.

Health education and health promotion facilitate voluntary adoption of behaviors and provide educational, organizational, economic, and environmental supports for behaviors conductive to health. Health education and health promotion are complementary and any effort to eliminate oral disease requires both activities. Federal research initiatives in oral health promotion have encouraged more biomedical and behavioral research on oral health and aging through the establishment of research centers. Other initiatives have been established to speed the generation of basic and clinical research. Recent initiatives encourage research on aging and provide opportunities for oral health promotion during the coming decade. These include Healthy People 2000, the nation9s health objectives for the decade; the NIH framework for the development of a strategic plan, and the NIDR Long-Range Research Plan, Broadening the Scope.
Mechanisms of Apoptosis Induction by BH3 Inhibitor ABT-737 in AML.

Bcl2 family proteins are key regulators of apoptosis. Aberrations in Bcl2 levels are known to promote tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Thus, strategies to target Bcl2 will likely provide effective therapies for malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this report, we investigate mechanisms of action of the novel small molecule Bcl2 inhibitor ABT-737 in AML. ABT-737 effectively killed AML patient blast cells and colony-forming cell lines at nanomolar concentrations with no effect on normal hematopoietic cells. Notably, CD34 + 38 − 123 + AML stem cells are highly sensitive to the compound. ABT-737-induced apoptosis is initiated by disruption of Bcl2:Bax dimers and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. ABT-737 works synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents such as ara-C and doxorubicin. To investigate the role of Bcl-2 phosphorylation in the sensitivity to BH3 inhibitor, we used IL-3 dependent NSF.N1/H7 mouse myeloid cells modified by site-directed mutagenesis to produce various Bcl-2 phospho-mutants. NSF.N1/H7 cells stably transfected with phosphomimetic T69E/S70E/S87E (EEE) Bcl-2 mutants were resistant to ABT-737 (IC 50 >500 nM) as compared to cells expressing wt-Bcl-2 or the nonphosphorylatable T69A/S70A/S87A (AAA) Bcl2 mutants (IC 50s of 50 and 25 nM). Consistent with a mechanism whereby increased Bcl2 phosphorylation impedes ABT-737 suppression of Bcl2 dimerization with Bax, ABT-737 potently blocked Bcl2:Bax association in cells expressing exogenous WT Bcl2 and AAA mutant Bcl2 but not in cells expressing exogenous phosphomimetic EEE mutant Bcl2. Since the S70E phosphorylation site of Bcl-2 is a known ERK substrate, we examined combined effects of ABT-737 and MEK inhibitor PD98059 in OCI-AML3 cells resistant to ABT-737 alone. The combined activity of PD98059 and ABT-737, evaluated by isobologram analysis, revealed a striking synergistic interaction between the MEK and BH3 inhibitors, with combination indices (CI) of 0.08±0.003. OCI-AML3 cells exhibit the highest expression of Mcl-1 among the acute leukemia cell lines tested. We propose that loss of Mcl-1 expression as a result of suppression of ERK may also be involved in the ability of PD98059 to enhance ABT-737-induced apoptosis. siRNA to Mcl-1 strikingly sensitized OCI-AML3 cells to ABT-induced apoptosis (14% apoptosis in parental cells at 2.5μM ABT-737, 64% apoptosis in siRNA-transfected cells at 10-fold lower concentration of 0.25μM). We have further demonstrated that ABT-737 reduced leukemia burden and significantly (p=0.0018) prolonged survival of mice in an in vivo mouse model. These findings suggest that: 1) ABT-737 reduces apoptosis through disruption of Bcl2:Bax heterodimers; 2) its activity is limited by Bcl2 phosphorylation and Mcl-1 overexpression; 3) combination with MEK inhibition results in inhibition of Bcl2 phosphorylation, downregulation of Mcl-1 and dramatic enhancement of ABT-737-induced apoptosis in AML.
Heterogeneous silicon/InP semiconductor optical amplifiers with high gain and high saturation power

High gain and high power SOAs on the heterogeneous silicon photonics platform are integrated by varying the waveguide width underneath the gain section. 25.5 dB of gain and 16 dBm output power are achieved.
The Long and the Short of It: Regiospecific Syntheses of Isomers of Dicarbomethoxydibenzo-27-crown-9 and Binding Abilities of Their Pyridyl Cryptands

The two isomers 6 and 9 of cis(4,4′-)-dicarbomethoxydibenzo-27-crown-9 with tri- and tetra-(ethyleneoxy) linkages transposed were synthesized regiospecifically in high yields (94 and 92%, respectively) by the Wang–Pederson–Wessels (WPW) protocol and were converted via the corresponding diols 7 and 10 to the corresponding pyridyl cryptands 3 and 4 by reaction with pyridine-2,6-dicarbonyl chloride. As expected from Corey–Pauling–Koltun (CPK) models, the cryptand with the tri(ethyleneoxy) arm para to the ester linkages, “short-armed” cryptand 3, did display a higher binding constant (Ka = 2.4 × 105 M–1) with paraquats than the analogous dibenzo-30-crown-10-based cryptand previously studied; however, the effect was only twofold. Its binding to diquat was reduced by an order of magnitude (1.5 × 105 M–1), as expected on the basis of its narrower cavity. Also as expected, the cryptand with the tetra(ethyleneoxy) arm para to the ester linkages, “long-armed” cryptand 4, possessed diminished binding with both paraq...
Abstract W P164: Cerebral Microbleeds and Physical performance: The Framingham Heart Study

Objective: To study the association of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) on MRI and physical performance in a community based cohort free of stroke and dementia. Background: Impaired mobility and physical...
Assessing the Construct Validity of Holland, Daiger, and Power's Measure of Vocational Identity.

In order to assess the construct validity of Holland, Daiger, and Power's (1980) measure of Vocational Identity (VI), three personality and four vocational variables were correlated to the VI scale...
Neutrality and feminist perspective : Can they co-exist in family therapy ?

An argument is forwarded for the integration of feminist and systemic perspectives, specifically focusing on neutrality. The position taken is that both feminist principles and systemic practice have indispensable merits when applied to relationship-oriented therapy. Issues of abuse in family therapy are presented by promotion of a view that judgment against the abuser and a neutral investigative process can both be achieved. A neutral stance and circularity contribute to process maps, hypothesis generation, and gaining influence with all family members. Cecchin's updated perspective of neutrality as curiosity about multiple perspectives is emphasized. A case example demonstrates integration of neutrality and a feminist perspective.
Resilient Response to Battering

Spouse abuse remains an important social problem. Recent research has begun to explore resiliency in a variety of areas: Why, despite harsh life circumstances, do some people survive and later thrive after experiencing trauma? What are the processes associated with a successful departure from abuse? The authors worked with a local shelter to identify three groups of women: (a) those currently at the shelter; (b) those who had been away from an abusive relationship for at least one year; and (c) those who were identified by shelter staff as having demonstrated a resilient response to battering, and compared experiences and recommendations between groups and discuss clinical and service implications.
Improving Child Care Quality Through an Infant Caregiver Mentoring Project

An evaluation of a mentoring training program for infant caregivers is described. Fifty-two infant caregivers from 27 childcare center-based programs were involved in a four month long intervention in which they were paired with an experienced early childhood educator. The focus of the mentoring program was to improve the overall quality of the classroom environment, as well as making the caregivers more sensitive to the needs of the infants. The results clearly indicated that the mentoring program was very effective in improving the overall quality of the classroom, as well as making caregivers more sensitive to infants' needs.
Skeletal muscle in the pineal gland of the bat, Rhinopoma microphyllum: an ultrastructural investigation.

Abstract The unusual occurrence of skeletal muscle in the pineal gland of the bat Rhinopoma microphyllum is described. Individual muscle fibres were centrally placed and were incompletely encapsulated by a labyrinthine network of widened spaces filled with electron-dense material. The 2.4 micron long sarcomeres consisted of well developed A, I, H, M, and Z bands. A few myofibrils were oriented transversely within the same fibre. T system components, mitochondria and glycogen appeared normally distributed. Unmyelinated nerve bundles impinged upon the fibre but neuromuscular junctions were not observed. Several possible sources of origin for this tissue in the pineal gland are reviewed.
Tracheostomy for paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To search the international literature (any language) for publications reporting outcomes of tracheostomy performed to treat obstructive sleep apnoea in children. METHOD Data sources included: Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed/Medline. Four authors searched systematically through to 20 January 2018. RESULTS A total of 597 studies were screened; 64 were downloaded and 11 met criteria. A total of 196 patients underwent tracheostomy (mean age, 4.2 years; range, newborn to 18 years); 40 had detailed qualitative data and 6 had detailed quantitative data. Apnoea/hypopnoea index showed a 97 per cent reduction (n = 2) and apnoea index showed a 98 per cent reduction (n = 3). Lowest oxygen saturation showed a 34 oxygen saturation point improvement (n = 3). Several patients demonstrated significant improvement in breathing. All identified patients were syndromic, had significant co-morbidities or had severe obstructive sleep apnoea. CONCLUSION Based on reports of children who have undergone a tracheostomy, for whom there are pre- and post-operative data, tracheostomy appears to be a successful treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. However, additional research is recommended given the small number of patients in the literature.
3‐Deoxy‐β‐d‐ribo‐hexopyranose (3‐deoxy‐β‐d‐glucopyranose)

The beta-pyranose form, (III), of 3-deoxy-D-ribo-hexose (3-deoxy-D-glucose), C(6)H(12)O(5), crystallizes from water at 298 K in a slightly distorted (4)C(1) chair conformation. Structural analyses of (III), beta-D-glucopyranose, (IV), and 2-deoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranose (2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose), (V), show significantly different C-O bond torsions involving the anomeric carbon, with the H-C-O-H torsion angle approaching an eclipsed conformation in (III) (-10.9 degrees ) compared with 32.8 and 32.5 degrees in (IV) and (V), respectively. Ring carbon deoxygenation significantly affects the endo- and exocyclic C-C and C-O bond lengths throughout the pyranose ring, with longer bonds generally observed in the monodeoxygenated species (III) and (V) compared with (IV). These structural changes are attributed to differences in exocyclic C-O bond conformations and/or hydrogen-bonding patterns superimposed on the direct (intrinsic) effect of monodeoxygenation. The exocyclic hydroxymethyl conformation in (III) (gt) differs from that observed in (IV) and (V) (gg).
Impella-Induced Incessant Ventricular Tachycardia

Background: The Impella 2.5 and Impella Cardiac Power (CP) devices (ABIOMED) are used to provide mechanical circulatory support for high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions or cardiogenic shock as a bridge to recovery or destination therapy. The Impella device has shown both efficacy and safety in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. Performing clinical and hemodynamic assessments of patients presenting with cardiogenic shock is an important step to determine if mechanical circulatory support with an Impella device is indicated. Case Report: A 62-year-old male presented with cardiogenic shock requiring Impella device support. Two days later, the patient developed incessant ventricular tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography showed that the Impella device had migrated out of the ventricular cavity. Once the position of the Impella device was adjusted, ventricular tachycardia immediately resolved. Conclusion: Our case emphasizes the importance of using imaging modalities such as transthoracic echocardiography to ensure correct positioning of an Impella device in the left ventricle to avoid complications.
Slow Recurrences

For positive integers $\alpha$ and $\beta$, we define an $(\alpha,\beta)$-walk to be any sequence of positive integers satisfying $w_{k+2}=\alpha w_{k+1}+\beta w_k$. We say that an $(\alpha,\beta)$-walk is $n$-slow if $w_s=n$ with $s$ as large as possible. Slow $(1,1)$-walks have been investigated by several authors. In this paper we consider $(\alpha,\beta)$-walks for arbitrary positive $\alpha,\beta$. We derive a characterization theorem for these walks, and with this we prove several results concerning the total number of $n$-slow walks for a given $n$. In addition to this, we study the slowest $n$-slow walk for a given $n$ amongst all possible $\alpha,\beta$.
Intersections of Gender and Disability for Women in Early Medieval England: A Preliminary Investigation

This article considers how disability affects women in early medieval England through an examination of the word, “unhaelu,” a term that means unhealthy, but could refer to many different maladies t...
44 – Autonomous Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the concept of autonomous equations applicable to ordinary differential equations of the form F(y(n), y(n –l)…, y“, y', y) = 0. It yields an ordinary differential equation of lower order. An autonomous equation is one left invariant under the transformation x → x+ a, any ordinary differential equation in which the independent variable does not appear explicitly is an autonomous equation. Given the n-th order autonomous equation F(y(n), y(n –l)…, y“, y', y) = 0, dependent variable is changed from y(x) to u(y) = y'(x). The resulting ordinary differential equation for u(y) will be of lower order. After the ordinary differential equation of lower order has been solved for u(y), y(x) can be determined from integrating u(y) = y(x). The chapter also highlights that autonomous systems of ordinary differential equations can have center manifolds, which are a classification of the solution surface.
The sulfate metabolite of 3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) impairs Cyp1a activity and increases hepatic neutral lipids in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio).

Abstract The environmental contaminant 3,3′-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) is widely detected in environmental samples, and this parent compound along with its metabolites 4-OH-PCB-11 and 4-PCB-11-Sulfate are detected in human serum. Our previous research in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos shows exposure to 20 μM PCB-11 inhibits Cyp1a enzyme activity and perturbs lipid metabolism pathways. In this study, wildtype AB embryos underwent acute exposures from 1 to 4 days post fertilization (dpf) to 0.002–20 μM 4-OH-PCB-11 or 0.2–20 μM 4-PCB-11-Sulfate, with and without co-exposures to 100 μg/L benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or 5 nM 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), and were assessed for in vivo EROD activity and morphometrics. Chronic exposures from 1 to 15 dpf to assess lipid accumulation using Oil-Red-O staining were also conducted with 0.2 μM parent or metabolite compounds, alongside a co-exposure experiment of 0.002–0.2 μM 4-PCB-11-Sulfate and 10 μg/L B[a]P. For acute experiments, 2 and 20 μM 4-OH-PCB-11 was lethal but no Cyp1a or morphological effects were observed at lower concentrations; 20 μM 4-PCB-11-Sulfate significantly lowered the Cyp1a activity of B[a]P and PCB-126 but did not alter morphological development. For chronic experiments, 0.2 μM 4-PCB-11-Sulfate significantly increased lipid accumulation 30% in single exposures and 44% in co-exposures with B[a]P. Further long-term studies would better elucidate the effects of this contaminant, particularly in the context of environmentally-relevant mixtures.
A War of Narratives

This chapter recounts how the U.S. effort to counter violent extremism in the War on Terror unfolded in the arena of the Afghan War and the rise of ISIS. The war is framed as a conflict between competing narratives, as the U.S. military sought to enlist local populations in the fight against extremism by “winning hearts and minds” away from the violent extremists’ narrative of the U.S. as a foreign oppressor. This chapter establishes narrative as the crux of the War on Terror, as the war’s resolution depends on the adoption of a reconciliatory narrative that integrates American and Muslim interests. If reconciliatory narrative is the key to resolving the war, then Islamophobic narratives directly exacerbate and perpetuate the war. The chapter concludes by describing the current peace process, which hinges on a resolution of the animosity fomented by Islamophobia.
Does a brief functional assessment in the emergency department predict outcomes of patients admitted with heart failure? The FASTER-HF study.

Summary Background Evaluation of patients with acute decompensated heart failure includes symptom review, biomarker measurement and comorbidity assessment. Early objective evaluation of functional status is generally not performed. Aim To investigate whether a simple low-impact functional assessment and measurement of sarcopenia would be safe, feasible and predictive of hospital length of stay and all-cause 30-day hospital readmission. Methods We administered 3-minute bicycle ergometry and hand grip strength tests at admission and discharge to patients for whom a decision to admit for heart failure management was made in the emergency department. Associations were examined between test results and length of stay and 30-day readmission. Exclusion criteria included acute coronary syndrome, hypoxia, end-stage renal disease, dementia/delirium and inability to sit at bedside. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the visual analogue scale for dyspnoea were administered at admission, the visual analogue scale at discharge and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 at 30 days. Results Fifty patients were enrolled: 58% were female; the mean age was 66.2 ± 12.5 years; 24% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Bicycle ergometry variables did not correlate with outcomes. Change in handgrip strength correlated with readmission, but not after adjustment (rpartial = 0.14; P = 0.35). Total diuretic dose correlated with length of stay; only discharge visual analogue scale and baseline lung disease had significant adjusted correlations with readmission. Conclusions Functional assessment in the emergency department of patients admitted for heart failure did not predict outcomes. However, the prognostic value of these assessments for decision-making about disposition (admission or discharge) may still be warranted.
Data trustworthiness signatures for nuclear reactor dynamics simulation

Abstract With the increased reliance on digitization in industrial control systems, the need for effective monitoring techniques has risen dramatically. Specifically, there is now a growing concern about the so-called false data injection (FDI) attacks. These attacks aim to alter the raw sensors’ data to cause malicious outcomes. Any serious FDI algorithm is based on an intimate knowledge of the system and its associated physics models, which renders conventional outlier/anomaly detection techniques almost obsolete in the face of such attacks. Thus, a critical need has emerged to develop a new class of defense methods that are capable of detecting FDI attacks under the assumption that the attacker has a strong familiarity with the system and its physics modeling. This class of defense methods are denoted by model-based defenses which are premised on the assumption that the attacker, while having a good understanding of the system, does not have full privileged access to all proprietary data and historical records of operation. However, (s)he is assumed to be capable of learning system behavior using self-learning techniques during an initial lie-in-wait period. To defend against this scenario, we propose a new model-based randomized window algorithm that searches time-series data for signatures that can serve as classifiers between normal and FDI scenarios. The classifiers are based on the correlations between the dominant degrees of freedom (DOFs) and the less-dominant DOFs (expected to be very sensitive to the system details that are unknown to the attacker). For demonstration, RELAP5 models are employed to calculate representative nuclear reactor behavior during a number of transient scenarios. Falsified data are injected into the RELAP5-simulated behavior, and the proposed signature-identification algorithm is employed to detect the injected data.
Post-Moore: prospects for novel patterning of low volume ICs

The end of Moore’s law scaling represents a major paradigm change for the semiconductor industry. Value-add will no longer defined simply by technology but by custom design and architecture solutions for specific applications. This represents a shift in business model to a larger number of more custom designs fabricated in lower volumes. This shift will be discussed together with potential new applications for such low volume chips.
Barriers and coping mechanisms to accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional survey among patients with chronic diseases in rural Rwanda.

Large scale physical distancing measures and movement restrictions imposed to contain COVID-19, often referred to as ‘lockdowns’, abruptly and ubiquitously restricted access to routine healthcare services. This study describes reported barriers and coping mechanisms to accessing healthcare among chronic care patients during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in Rwanda. This cross-sectional study was conducted among chronic care patients enrolled in pediatric development, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and oncology programs at 3 rural Rwandan districts. Active patients with an appointment scheduled between March–June 2020 and a phone number recorded in the electronic medical record system were eligible. Data were collected by telephone interviews between 23rd April and 11th May 2020, with proxy reporting by caregivers for children and critically ill-patients. Fisher’s exact tests were used to measure associations. Logistic regression analysis was also used to assess factors associated with reporting at least one barrier to accessing healthcare during the lockdown. Of 220 patient respondents, 44% reported at least one barrier to accessing healthcare. Barriers included lack of access to emergency care (n = 50; 22.7%), lack of access to medication (n = 44; 20.0%) and skipping clinical appointments (n = 37; 16.8%). Experiencing barriers was associated with the clinical program (p < 0.001), with oncology patients being highly affected (64.5%), and with increasing distance from home to the health facility (p = 0.031). In the adjusted logistic regression model, reporting at least one barrier to accessing healthcare was associated with the patient's clinical program and district of residence. Forty (18.2%) patients identified positive coping mechanisms to ensure continuation of care, such as walking long distances during suspension of public transport (n = 21; 9.6%), contacting clinicians via telephone for guidance or rescheduling appointments (n = 15; 6.8%), and delegating someone else for medication pick-up (n = 6; 2.7%). Of 124 patients who reported no barriers to accessing healthcare, 9% used positive coping mechanisms. A large proportion of chronic care patients experienced barriers to accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, many patients also independently identified positive coping mechanisms to ensure continuation of care - strategies that could be formally adopted by healthcare systems in Rwanda and similar settings to mitigate effects of future lockdowns on patients.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Programming Strategies.

Abstract Objectives The objective was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) cine and strain imaging before and after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for assessment of response and the optimal resynchronization pacing strategy. Background CMR with cardiac implantable electronic devices can safely provide high-quality right ventricular/left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (RVEF/LVEF) assessments and strain. Methods CMR with cine imaging, displacement encoding with stimulated echoes for the circumferential uniformity ratio estimate with singular value decomposition (CURE-SVD) dyssynchrony parameter, and scar assessment was performed before and after CRT. Whereas the pre-CRT scan constituted a single “imaging set” with complete volumetric, strain, and scar imaging, multiple imaging sets with complete strain and volumetric data were obtained during the post-CRT scan for biventricular pacing (BIVP), LV pacing (LVP), and asynchronous atrial pacing modes by reprogramming the device outside the scanner between imaging sets. Results 100 CMRs with a total of 162 imaging sets were performed in 50 patients (median age 70 years [IQR: 50 years-86 years]; 48% female). Reduction in LV end-diastolic volumes (P = 0.002) independent of CRT pacing were more prominent than corresponding reductions in right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (P = 0.16). A clear dependence of the optimal CRT pacing mode (BIVP vs LVP) on the PR interval (P = 0.0006) was demonstrated. The LVEF and RVEF improved more with BIVP than LVP with PR intervals ≥240 milliseconds (P = 0.025 and P = 0.002, respectively); the optimal mode (BIVP vs LVP) was variable with PR intervals Conclusions CMR evaluation with assessment of multiple pacing modes during a single scan after CRT is feasible and provides useful information for patient care with respect to response and the optimal pacing strategy.
TASK-1 regulates mitochondrial function under hypoxia.

Abstract TASK-1, TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel 1, is a member of the two-pore- domain potassium channel family. It is constitutively active at resting potentials and strongly expressed in the heart. However, little is known about the role of TASK-1 channels in hypoxia. A cellular model of hypoxia and reoxygenation from rat heart-derived H9c2 cells or TASK-1 deficient HEK293T cells was employed to explore the role of TASK-1 channels in cytoprotection against hypoxia. The cell viability assay revealed that TASK-1 expression increased the number of viable cells subjected to 2 h of hypoxia followed by 2 h of reoxygenation (H/R). To dissect the protective role of TASK-1 on mitochondrial function, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by tetramethylrhodamine fluorescence. It was demonstrated that MMP was significantly decreased by H/R, but it was maintained by TASK-1 expression or pretreatment with cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). The effect of cyclosporin A on MMP was not further altered by TASK-1 expression. Moreover, TASK-1 expression significantly blocked cytochrome c release induced by H/R. While a small fraction of endogenous TASK-1 was found to colocalize with the mitochondrial marker MitoTracker in H9c2 cells, H/R did not alter the extent of colocalization of TASK-1 with MitoTracker. The total TASK-1 protein level was not significantly affected by H/R. In summary, we provided the evidence that TASK-1 channels confer cytoprotection against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, possibly by their capacity of maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential via inhibiting MPTP opening.
Identification of IAA-regulated genes in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000.

The auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a plant hormone that not only regulates plant growth and development but also plays important roles in plant-microbe interactions. We previously reported that IAA alters expression of several virulence-related genes in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 (PtoDC3000). To learn more about the impact of IAA on regulation of PtoDC3000 gene expression we performed a global transcriptomic analysis of bacteria grown in culture, in the presence or absence of exogenous IAA. We observed that IAA repressed expression of genes involved in the Type III secretion (T3S) system and motility and promoted expression of several known and putative transcriptional regulators. Several of these regulators are orthologs of factors known to regulate stress responses and accordingly expression of several stress response-related genes was also upregulated by IAA. Similar trends in expression for several genes were also observed by RT-qPCR. Using an Arabidopsis thaliana auxin receptor mutant that accumulates elevated auxin, we found that many of the P. syringae genes regulated by IAA in vitro were also regulated by auxin in planta. Collectively the data indicate that IAA modulates many aspects of PtoDC3000 biology, presumably to promote both virulence and survival under stressful conditions, including those encountered in or on plant leaves. IMPORTANCE Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a form of the plant hormone auxin, is used by many plant-associated bacteria as a cue to sense the plant environment. Previously, we showed that IAA can promote disease in interactions between the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae strain PtoDC000 and one of its hosts, Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the mechanisms by which IAA impacts the biology of PtoDC3000 and promotes disease are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that IAA is a signal molecule that regulates gene expression in PtoDC3000. The presence of exogenous IAA affects expression of over 700 genes in the bacteria, including genes involved in Type III secretion and genes involved in stress response. This work offers insight into the roles of auxin promoting pathogenesis.
Anatomic variant of the inferior lateral cutaneous branch of the radial nerve during the posterior approach to the humerus: a case report

Iatrogenic injury during the posterior approach to the humerus during operative fixation is not an uncommon occurrence. A comprehensive understanding of the normal anatomy and its variants is of paramount importance in order to avoid such injury. Typically, the inferior lateral cutaneous branch of the radial nerve originates towards the distal end of the humerus at the inferior portion of the spiral groove. Here, we report an important variant of this nerve, which originated significantly more proximal than expected, further emphasizing the importance of identification, dissection and protection of the radial nerve and its major branches.
Childbirth education classes: sociodemographic disparities in attendance and the association of attendance with breastfeeding initiation.

Objectives: To examine sociodemographic disparities in attendance at childbirth classes, and to evaluate the association of attendance with breastfeeding initiation. Methods: Parents of a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of 2068 children ages 4–35 months were surveyed by telephone. The responses of 1540 mothers were included in the analysis. They were asked whether they had attended a childbirth class before giving birth. Disparities in attendance at childbirth classes and the association between attendance and breastfeeding initiation were examined using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Two thirds (66%) of the children's mothers had ever attended a childbirth class. White mothers were twice as likely (OR 2.15, CI 1.39, 3.31) as African American mothers to have ever attended. Attendance also varied by education, household income, and marital status. Attendance at childbirth classes was associated with a 75% increase in the odds that a child will be breastfed (OR 1.75, CI 1.18, 2.60). Conclusions: Significant sociodemographic disparities exist in attendance at childbirth classes. Further research is needed to determine whether improving utilization of childbirth education classes reduces sociodemographic disparities in breastfeeding initiation.
A satellite perspective on cloud water to rain water conversion rates and relationships with environmental conditions

[1] A two-year satellite remote sensing data set from the NASA A-Train is used to examine conversion rates of cloud water to rain water for warm maritime clouds with different ranges of mean cloud-layer radar reflectivity and rain rate. Recent work has demonstrated the utility of a novel procedure that relies on the differing sensitivities of passive MODIS measurements and active CloudSat radar measurements to estimate warm cloud conversion rates and associated time scales. That work is extended here to examine regional differences in conversion rates, including sensitivity to environmental parameters such as atmospheric stability and the presence of different aerosol types defined based on values of aerosol optical depth, fine mode fraction, and Angstrom Exponent. Among eight subregions examined, the tropical Pacific Ocean is characterized by the highest average conversion rate while subtropical stratocumulus cloud regions (far northeastern Pacific Ocean, far southeastern Pacific Ocean, Western Africa coastal region) exhibit the lowest rates. Conversion rates are generally higher at reduced values of lower tropospheric static stability (LTSS). When examining data in two selected ranges for LTSS, higher conversion rates are coincident with higher LWP and factors covarying or rooted in the presence of aerosol types exhibiting lower aerosol index values.
A voyage to Mars: Space radiation, aging, and nutrition

On exploratory class missions, such as a voyage to Mars, astronauts will be exposed to doses and types of radiation that are not experienced in low earth orbit where the space shuttle and International Space Station operate. Astronauts who participate in exploratory class missions outside the magnetic field of the earth will be exposed to galactic cosmic rays which are composed of alpha particles, protons and particles of high energy and charge. Exposure to cosmic rays produces changes in neuronal and behavioral functioning which are characteristic of aged organisms. As has been observed with aging, maintaining rats on antioxidant berry diets can prevent/ameliorate the radiation-induced changes in neural and behavioral function. As such, these diets have the potential to provide protection to astronauts from the deleterious effects of exposure to space radiation.
The Use of Public-Key Cryptography for Signing Checks

We want to build a secure system in which customers of a bank can make transactions and be able to keep a proof of each transaction. We also want the system to satisfy (as far as possible) the following constraints (our ultimate purpose is to remove all physical money): the customers are able to make transactions over the phone (just by exchanging messages), no communication with the bank is required for a transaction, no directory of customers is available.
CASE REPORTS: The platysma muscle in neck dissection

Although the platysma muscle is usually preserved during neck dissection, removal of this muscle is generally considered inconsequential. The present case report shows that sacrifice of the cervical branch of the facial nerve innervating this muscle and removal of the platysma's upper portion impairs the caudal retraction and eversion of the ipsilateral half of the lower lip in grinning or laughing.
Pregnancy outcomes of women with failure to retain rubella immunity

AbstractObjective: We sought to explore the clinical variables associated with the loss of rubella immunity during pregnancy and to determine if these changes are linked to obstetrical complications.Methods: This is a case-control study in which women were identified whose rubella antibody titers were equivocal or non-immune and compared to those who had retained immunity. Two hundred and eighty-five cases were identified and compared to the same number of controls using Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U-test or Fisher’s exact test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were employed.Results: Subjects with diminished immunity were more likely to have public insurance and higher gravidity with a trend toward increased tobacco use. Diminished rubella immunity was not associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes, including preterm birth and pre-eclampsia and is likely not a risk factor for these pregnancy outcomes.Conclusion: While no adverse pregnancy outcomes were associated with a loss of rubell...
Mortality after aortic valve replacement: results from a nationally representative database.

Abstract Background . Nationally representative estimates of in-hospital mortality after aortic valve replacement are needed to evaluate whether results from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database are applicable to other institutions in the United States performing these procedures. Methods . Data from the 1994 Nationwide Inpatient Sample were used to estimate the patient characteristics and in-hospital mortality rates associated with aortic valve replacements performed in nonfederal hospitals in the United States. Procedural and hospital characteristics were examined for possible associations with in-hospital mortality. Results . An estimated 46,397 aortic valve replacements were performed. In-hospital mortality occurred in 4.3% of first-time isolated aortic valve replacements and 6.4% overall. The highest quartile of procedure-specific hospital volume, compared with the lowest quartile, was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 0.81). Conclusions . The in-hospital mortality rates observed in this study are very similar to those reported from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. These data provide substantial evidence that results from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database are representative of those achieved at other institutions. However, procedure-specific hospital volume must be considered in applying these results to individual institutions.
Phase transitions in random-anisotropy magnets.

Recursion relations for m-component random-anisotropy magnets on hierarchical lattices are calculated to third order in 1/p, where p is the number of parallel links at each level of the lattice. Setting m=1 gives the Ising spin glass, for which we find the usual ferromagnetic, spin-glass, and ferromagnet\char21{}spin-glass fixed points. The results for p=4 suggest that in three dimensions the ferromagnetic critical point is unstable for m=2, resulting in either a first-order transition or an infinite-susceptibility phase. For m=3 ferromagnetism may disappear altogether, at least in the strong anisotropy limit. The spin-glass critical exponents are functions of p, but independent of m.
Gastric emptying of liquids and solids in the portal hypertensive rat

The effects of portal hypertension on gastric motor function were investigated using the rat staged portal vein ligation model. Gastric emptying of liquids and solids was studied separately following meals labeled with51Cror99Tcby whole stomach scintillation counting. Portal hypertension was consistently established in experimental rats (splenic pulp pressure: mean±SEM, portal hypertension versus control, 16.8 ±0.7 vs 11.8 ±0.7 mm Hg, P <0.0001). Although liquids were emptied in an exponential manner and solids in a linear fashion, gastric emptying of both meals was more rapid in the experimental rats. Ten minutes after the liquid meal, more than 50% of the meal had emptied from the stomachs of portal hypertensive rats while only one third of the meal had cleared in the control group (P<0.02). Gastric emptying of the solid meal was significantly accelerated in experimental rats at 60 and 120 min (percent meal remaining: portal hypertension versus control, 41.9±4.0 vs 55.4±3.5 and21.5±4.9 vs 32.6±4.3, P<0.05). Stomachs of portal hypertensive animals were heavier (P<0.009) and histologic examination revealed submucosal edema. Thus, a possible mechanism of the disrupted gastric motor function in portal hypertension is decreased gastric wall compliance secondary to edema.
Electron cloud simulations of a proton storage ring using cold proton bunches

Using the ORBIT code we study the sensitivity of electron cloud properties with respect to different proton beam profiles, the secondary electron yield (SEY) parameter, and the proton loss rate. Our model uses a cold proton bunch to generate primary electrons and electromagnetic field for electron cloud dynamics. We study the dependence of the prompt and swept electron signals vs the bunch charge and the recovery of electron clouds after sweeping on the beam loss rate and the SEY. The simulation results are compared with the experimental data measured at the proton storage ring at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Our simulations indicate that the fractional proton loss rate in the field-free straight section may be an exponential function of proton beam charge and may also be lower than the averaged fractional proton loss rate over the whole ring.
The Relationship Between Family Resilience and Aging Successfully

Aging families encounter non-normative and age-related challenges that often cause stress on the family system. The concept of family resilience provides a relevant strength-based perspective for recognizing the multigenerational transitions and challenges encountered by families as they age. Based on the existing family resilience and successful aging literature we outline and provide potential clinical direction for three key constructs (flexibility, social support, and spirituality/religiosity) which have the largest supportive body of evidence in the aging and resilience literature. Recognizing the characteristics that contribute to aging well through a family resilience lens lays the foundation for strength-based intervention with aging families.
Designing CMOS/molecular memories while considering device parameter variations

In recent years, many advances have been made in the development of molecular scale devices. Experimental data shows that these devices have potential for use in both memory and logic. This article describes the challenges faced in building crossbar array-based molecular memory and develops a methodology to optimize molecular scale architectures based on experimental device data taken at room temperature. In particular, issues in reading and writing such as memory using CMOS are discussed, and a solution is introduced for easily reading device conductivity states (typically characterized by very small currents). Additionally, a metric is derived to determine the voltages for writing to the crossbar array. The proposed memory design is also simulated with consideration to device parameter variations. Thus, the results presented here shed light on important design choices to be made at multiple abstraction levels, from devices to architectures. Simulation results, incorporating experimental device data, are presented using Cadence Spectre.
HYPERCALCEMIA IN HYPERTHYROIDISM: PATTERNS OF SERUM CALCIUM, PARATHYROID HORMONE, AND 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D3 LEVELS DURING MANAGEMENT OF THYROTOXICOSIS

Objective To present two cases of hypercalcemia associated with thyrotoxicosis and to describe serial biochemical findings during the course of treatment of hyperthyroidism. Methods We report two cases, illustrate the changes in serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels during management of thyrotoxicosis, and compare our findings with those in previous studies. Results Hypercalcemia attributable to thyrotoxicosis is well documented, but the mechanism for the hypercalcemia is incompletely understood. Our first patient had a complicated medical history and several potential causes of hypercalcemia, including recurrent hyperparathyroidism, metastatic breast cancer, and relapse of previously treated thyrotoxicosis. A suppressed parathyroid hormone level and negative bone and computed tomographic scans excluded the first two factors. After thyroid ablation with 131I, the serum calcium and thyroxine levels decreased, and the parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels normalized. Our second patient, who was referred to our institution with a preliminary diagnosis of hypercalcemia associated with malignant disease and who had no symptoms of hyperthyroidism, was found to have a high free thyroxine level, diffuse enlargement of the thyroid, and high uptake (58%) of 123I on a thyroid scan. After thyroid ablation, the serum calcium, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and intact parathyroid hormone levels normalized, and the free thyroxine level declined. The probable pathogenesis of hypercalcemia in thyrotoxicosis is reviewed with respect to thyroid hormone and its effect on bone turnover. Conclusion Physicians should consider thyrotoxicosis in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia.
Effects of chemical inhibitors and apyrase enzyme further document a role for apyrases and extracellular ATP in the opening and closing of stomates in arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis leaves there is a bi-phasic dose-response to applied nucleotides; i.e., lower concentrations induce stomatal opening, while higher concentrations induce closure. Two mammalian purinoceptor antagonists, PPADS and RB2, block both nucleotide-induced stomatal opening and closing. These antagonists also partially block ABA-induced stomatal closure and light-induced stomatal opening. There are two closely related Arabidopsis apyrases, AtAPY1 and AtAPY2, which are both expressed in guard cells. Here we report that low levels of apyrase chemical inhibitors can induce stomatal opening in the dark, while apyrase enzyme blocks ABA-induced stomatal closure. We also demonstrate that high concentrations of ATP induce stomatal closure in the light. Application of ATPγS and chemical apyrase inhibitors at concentrations that have no effect on stomatal closure can lower the threshold for ABA-induced closure. The closure induced by ATPγS was not observed in gpa1-3 loss-of-function mutants. These results furth...