cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vesicular Cystitis: A Chronic Cystitis Variant Often Unresponsive to Antibiotics and Electrofulguration.

Objective The aim of the study was to report on the presentation and outcomes of vesicular cystitis (VC), a chronic cystitis exhibiting translucent bladder mucosal vesicles, among women with antibiotic-refractory recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs). Methods An analysis of our Institutional Review Board-approved series on antibiotic-refractory RUTIs was performed, selecting for documented VC lesions on cystoscopy. All patients had RUTIs defined as ≥3 urinary tract infections/year with positive urine culture. All patients were extensively treated with antibiotics with no resolution of RUTIs and were offered electrofulguration (EF) of VC lesions under anesthesia as a last resort. All patients had a 6-month post-EF office cystoscopy documenting persistence or resolution of the lesions, and a clinical outcome assessment based on RUTI frequency. Results Of 482 patients, 18 (3.7%) treated during 2011-2017 met the study criteria. VC was most commonly found over the dome/anterior wall (7/18, 38%) and as pancystitis (7/18, 38%). There was often concomitant cystitis cystica of the trigone (8/18, 44%). At post-EF cystoscopy, persistence of VC was noted in 10/18 (56%) patients; 6/18 (33%) underwent repeat EF and an additional 3/18 (17%) were retreated due to new lesions after initial resolution. Two (11%) patients required simple cystectomy and urinary diversion due to RUTIs refractory to all interventions. Within a median follow-up of 2.8 years after EF, clinical cure was observed in 5/18 (28%), improvement in 10/18 (56%), and failure in 3/18 (17%) patients. Conclusions Among women with antibiotic-refractory RUTIs, VC is an infrequent and persistent form of cystitis with a predilection for non-trigonal bladder surfaces, whose management is challenging.
Many-body wavefunctions for quantum impurities out of equilibrium

We present a method for calculating the time-dependent many-body wavefunction that follows a local quench. We apply the method to the voltage-driven nonequilibrium Kondo model to find the exact time-evolving wavefunction following a quench where the dot is suddenly attached to the leads at $t=0$. The method, which does not use Bethe ansatz, also works in other quantum impurity models (we include results for the interacting resonant level and the Anderson impurity model) and may be of wider applicability. In the particular case of the Kondo model, we show that the long-time limit (with the system size taken to infinity first) of the time-evolving wavefunction is a current-carrying nonequilibrium steady state that satisfies the Lippmann-Schwinger equation. We show that the electric current in the time-evolving wavefunction is given by a series expression that can be expanded either in weak coupling or in strong coupling, converging to all orders in the steady-state limit in either case. The series agrees to leading order with known results in the well-studied regime of weak antiferromagnetic coupling and also reveals another universal regime of strong ferromagnetic coupling, with Kondo temperature ${T}_{K}^{(F)}=D{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}}{8}\ensuremath{\rho}|J|}$ ($Jl0, \ensuremath{\rho}|J|\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$). In this regime, the differential conductance $dI/dV$ reaches the unitarity limit $2{e}^{2}/h$ asymptotically at large voltage or temperature.
Multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation for Functional Movement Disorders: A prospective study with long term follow up.

Abstract Introduction Functional Movement Disorders (FMDs) are challenging to treat. We assessed the effect of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation, involving motor retraining, psychotherapy and psychotropic medication on FMD patient function and maintenance of improvement after one year. Methods FMD patients in a movement disorders clinic were referred for inpatient rehabilitation. Baseline, discharge and one year follow-up measures included: Clinical Global Impression (CGI-severity, CGI-change); Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS); Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); Post-traumatic stress disorder check-list for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Outcomes were analyzed with non-parametric models. Results Seventeen patients completed rehabilitation. Thirteen completed one-year follow-up. Median CGI-severity was “markedly ill.” At discharge, movement disorder improved in 93% (median CGI-change = 2, “much improved”) as assessed by neurologist and patient. Psychiatrist ratings showed improvement among 86.7%; physiatrist and psychologist ratings were 66.7% and 53.3%, respectively. Symptoms improved on DSSS (Wilcoxon Z = −2.914, p ≤ 0.004); GAD-7 (Z = −3.045, p ≤ 0.002); PHQ-9 (Z = −3.415, p ≤ 0.01) but not PCL-5 (Z = −1.506, p = 0.132). At 1 year, 54% maintained at least minimal improvement by neurologist rating and 77% by patient rating (median CGI-change = 3, “minimally improved”). Improvement was not maintained for DSSS (Wilcoxon Z = −0.385. p = 0.701), GAD-7 (Z = −0.943, p = 0.357) or PHQ-9 (Z = −0.55, p = 0.582). Conclusions Multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation improved FMD patient function, depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms. One-year follow-up demonstrated minimal sustained improvement and worsening psychopathology, reflecting chronic debility despite initial rehabilitative success.
Medicinal Plants: A Rich Source of Bioactive Molecules Used in Drug Development

Medicinal plants are a rich repository of various biologically active molecules that have various pharmacological effects in mammals. The majority of the world’s population (around 60–80%) still rely on the traditional medicinal method to treat common illnesses. In addition, finding a plant-derived antioxidant, which scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), has become a central focus of drug development research. The increment in oxidative stress and impaired cellular redox homeostasis due to elevated ROS lead to age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Although drugs of plant extraction origin are available to prevent these age-related disorders, living cells have various defense mechanisms to prevent the harmful effects of ROS generation. Antioxidant enzymes neutralize free radicals and help the cell to overcome stress. Phytomolecules having antioxidative properties can help in stress modulation by scavenging ROS. This book chapter summarizes how bioactive molecules can be utilized as a tool for screening plant extract/bioactive molecules of natural origin and advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms of drug action and diseases.
Psychosis in Alzheimer’s Disease is Associated with Excitatory Neuron Vulnerability and Post-Transcriptional Mechanisms Altering Synaptic Protein Levels

Alzheimer9s disease with psychosis (AD+P) is a phenotypic variant of the disease which is associated with a much more rapid deterioration compared to Alzheimer9s disease without psychosis (AD-P). The neurobiological basis of AD+P is poorly understood. AD is thought to be a disease of the synapse, and our previous studies suggest that those with AD+P have a differentially affected synaptic proteome relative to those with AD-P. We previously demonstrated that multiple neuropathologies only account for approximately 18% of the variance in the occurrence of psychosis in AD. In this study, we utilized RNA-sequencing of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in a cohort of 80 AD cases to evaluate novel transcriptomic signatures that may confer risk of psychosis in AD. We found that AD+P was associated with a 9% reduction in excitatory neuron proportion compared to AD-P [Mean (SD) AD+P 0.295 (0.061); AD-P 0.324 (0.052), p = 0.026]. Network analysis identified altered expression of gene modules from protein ubiquitination, unfolded protein response, eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (EIF2) signaling and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways in AD+P. Including cell type proportions and differentially expressed modules with neuropathology measures explained 67.5% of the variance in psychosis occurrence in our AD cohort.
Plasmon-Mediated Chiroptical Second Harmonic Generation from Seemingly Achiral Gold Nanorods

Throughout nature, simple rules explain complex phenomena, such as the selective interaction of chiral objects with circularly polarized light. Here, we demonstrate chiroptical signals from gold na...
Characterization of Solids—Chemical Composition

In any series of studies, experimental or theoretical, in the chemistry, the physical chemistry, or the chemical physics of solids it is very important that there be reliable, descriptive, analytical information available about the materials used in the studies.(1,2) Such information is obtained through the process called “characterization,” which has been given the following definition by the National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council Committee on Characterization of the Materials Advisory Board:(3) “Characterization describes those features of the composition and structure (including defects) of a material that are significant for a particular preparation, study of properties, or use, and suffice for reproduction of the material.”
TU‐D‐201‐03: Proposed Solutions to End‐Of‐Life Issue

Brachytherapy devices and software are designed to last for a certain period of time. Due to a number of considerations, such as material factors, wear-and-tear, backwards compatibility, and others, they all reach a date when they are no longer supported by the manufacturer. Most of these products have a limited duration for their use, and the information is provided to the user at time of purchase. Because of issues or concerns determined by the manufacturer, certain products are retired sooner than the anticipated date, and the user is immediately notified. In these situations, the institution is facing some difficult choices: remove these products from the clinic or perform tests and continue their usage. Both of these choices come with a financial burden: replacing the product or assuming a potential medicolegal liability. This session will provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to make better decisions when facing these issues. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the meaning of “end-of-life or “life expectancy” for brachytherapy devices and software 2. Review items (devices and software) affected by “end-of-life” restrictions 3. Learn how to effectively formulate “end-of-life” policies at your institution 4. Learn about possible implications of “end-of-life” policy 5. Review other possible approaches to “end-of-life” issue
PALs for Pals: The U.S. and Pakistan

Of all the nuclear arsenals in the world, Pakistan’s faces the most risk. With over forty terrorist organizations active within the country, frequent power fluxes between the military, government and intelligence agencies, and a history of security breaches plaguing its nuclear program, Pakistan makes North Korea seem secure and stable. With all the challenges that face the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, it still lacks one basic security technology, Permissive Action Links (PALs), which are use control devices that make it virtually impossible for any unauthorized person to detonate a nuclear weapon. Over the years, there have been barriers that have prevented Pakistan from integrating PALs into their arsenal, regardless of how much they will improve safety. Most of these reasons have revolved around the legality of a technology transfer; however, these legal obstructions are simply caused by inefficient rules left over from the Cold War. An investigation shows that these barriers are not insurmountable, and that PAL technology could in fact promote a much-needed modernization of international nonproliferation
Reentrant spin glass state induced by structural phase transition in L a 0.4 C e 0.6 C o 2 P 2

$\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_{0.4}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{e}}_{0.6}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{o}}_{2}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ represents a borderline case in the range of solid solutions formed in the pseudobinary system $\mathrm{LaC}{\mathrm{o}}_{2}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{CeC}{\mathrm{o}}_{2}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}$. The material undergoes ferromagnetic ordering at \ensuremath{\sim}225 K followed by a structural collapse at \ensuremath{\sim}190 K, which leads to a strong suppression of magnetization. The structural phase transition manifests itself in a gradual decrease in the parameter $c$ and a relatively smaller increase of the parameter $a$ of the tetragonal lattice. Interestingly, a combination of magnetic measurements and nonpolarized and polarized neutron scattering experiments suggests that the structural collapse does not lead to an antiferromagnetically ordered state, observed in samples with the higher Ce content. On the contrary, $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_{0.4}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{e}}_{0.6}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{o}}_{2}{\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ appears to enter a disordered, spin glass state, with gradual dissipation of the ferromagnetic ordering taking place simultaneously with the structural collapse, as evidenced by temperature-dependent measurements of the depolarization factor for a polarized neutron beam passing through the sample. The observed behavior is analogous to that reported for so-called reentrant spin glasses. In the present case, however, the appearance of the reentrant spin glass regime is caused not by tuning the chemical composition but by the structural phase transition. Electronic structure calculations confirm that the loss of magnetic ordering is caused by the subtle change to the density of states at the Fermi level due to the variation of the crystal structure of the material.
[Formula Presented] in the two-Higgs-doublet model

We compute the cross section for e+e- --> nu nu-bar A, where A is the CP-odd scalar, in the general CP-conserving type-II two-Higgs-doublet model. We sum the contributions from the ``t-channel'' e+e- --> nu nu-bar W W --> nu nu-bar A graphs and ``s-channel'' e+e- --> Z A --> nu nu-bar A graphs, including their interference. Higgs-triangle graphs and all box diagrams are included. For many parameter choices, especially those in the decoupling region of parameter space (light h and m_A, m_H, m_H^+ > 2 m_Z), the Higgs-triangle and box diagrams are found to be of minor importance, the main contributing loops being the top and bottom quark triangle diagrams. The predicted cross section is rather small for tan beta > 2 and/or m_A > 2 m_t. However, we also show that if parameters are chosen corresponding to large Higgs self-couplings then the Higgs-triangle graphs can greatly enhance the cross section. We also demonstrate that the SUSY-loop corrections to the b b-bar A coupling could be such as to greatly enhance this coupling, resulting in an enhanced nu nu-bar A cross section. Complete cross section expressions are given in the Appendices.
Effect of cimetidine on intrinsic factor and pepsin secretion in man

The effect of cimetidine on gastric acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor secretion was assessed in normal male subjects. Cimetidine (300 mg) completely inhibited acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor concentration and output stimulated by betazole. In contrast, basal output of pepsin and intrinsic factor was not inhibited. We conclude that H2-receptor antagonists inhibit betazole stimulation of intrinsic factor output in addition to their well-known inhibition of acid secretion.
Oral Torsemide in Patients With Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: Effects on Body Weight, Edema, and Electrolyte Excretion

Study objective To assess the effects of torsemide on the primary end point of change in body weight from baseline, and the following secondary end points: urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride excretion, and urine volume after the first dose of drug. Design Randomized, parallel, double-blind, multicenter study in patients treated with torsemide 5 mg (n = 19), 10 mg (n = 18), or 20 mg (n = 14), or placebo (n = 15) for 7 days. Patients Sixty-six patients with New York Heart Association class II or III congestive heart failure and edema. Results At the end of the study, patients treated with torsemide 10 and 20 mg demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight compared with those receiving placebo (-1.62 and -1.30 kg, respectively), and those treated with torsemide 5 mg did not (-0.60 kg). The severity of edema decreased with increasing torsemide dose. Torsemide caused no greater frequency of adverse effects with increasing dose. Conclusion Orally administered torsemide 5, 10, and 20 mg once/day for 7 days were well tolerated. Doses of 10 and 20 mg were effective in producing weight loss.
Educated Girls, Absent Grooms, and Runaway Brides: Narrating Social Change in Rural Bangladesh

This article explores the folk legend as one articulation of the social control of women in rural Bangladesh. Stories and legends emerged when women were interviewed about the effects of men leaving the village for wage-based jobs in cities and abroad. Interviews were analyzed via immersion, theme generation, and open coding (MARSHALL & ROSSMAN, 2006) with a focus on women's own narratives and meaning-making, which allowed for these stories to be understood as significant components of people's everyday realities (GUBRIUM & HOLSTEIN, 2009). These stories are consistent with GOLDSTEIN's (2004) definition of a legend: they are not personal stories yet they are not completely impersonal (friend-of-a-friend subject), they take on a believe-it-or-not tone, and telling them presents minimal risk to the narrator. Like other folk legends, these stories act as a means to reinforce the social order during a time of social change. As other research has shown (COONTZ, 1999; COOPER, LINSTROTH & CHAITLIN, 2009; GREENE, 1991; MADRIZ, 1997), stories as social control mechanisms focus specifically and uniquely on women during times of social change. Respondents discuss "accidents" and "scandals" that occur when women do not adhere to marriage customs or the traditional dichotomy of public and domestic spheres. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1501189
Welcome to a new kind of tension: translating kinetochore mechanics into a wait-anaphase signal

Recent high-resolution studies of kinetochore structure have transformed the way researchers think about this crucial macro-molecular complex, which is essential for ensuring chromosome segregation occurs faithfully during cell division. Kinetochores mediate the interaction between chromosomes and the plus-ends of dynamic spindle microtubules and control the timing of anaphase onset by regulating the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). There is much debate in the SAC research community as to whether mitotic cells sense only microtubule attachment at the kinetochore, or both attachment and tension, before committing to anaphase. In this Commentary, we present a brief history of the tension-versus-attachment debate, summarize recent advances in our understanding of kinetochore structure and focus on the implications of a phenomenon known as intrakinetochore stretch for SAC regulation. We also hypothesize how intrakinetochore stretch might impact SAC function by regulating both microtubule attachment stability and the localization and activity of checkpoint components at the kinetochore.
Hygroscopic and hydrolytic effects in dental polymer networks.

Summary Objectives The objective of this manuscript is to outline the factors associated with hygroscopic and hydrolytic effects in dental polymer networks, and to review the literature generated over the past thirty years or more in this area. Methods Information was gathered from nearly 90 published articles or abstracts appearing in the dental and polymer literature. Studies were predominantly identified through a search of the PubMED database. Results Studies were included that provided direct evidence for the uptake of solvent by a polymer network and its subsequent physical or chemical effect, or the loss of molecular species into solvents. An attempt was made to select articles that spanned the timeframe from approximately 1970 to today to ensure that most of the classic literature as well as the latest information was included. Conclusions Dental polymer networks have been shown to be susceptible to hygroscopic and hydrolytic effects to varying extents dependent upon their chemistry and structure. The importance of these effects on the clinical performance of polymer restoratives is largely unknown, though numerous investigators have alluded to the potential for reduced service lives. Significance While the physical and mechanical properties of these materials may be significantly altered by the effects of solvent uptake and component elution, what may constitute the greatest concern is the short-term release of unreacted components and the long-term elution of degradation products in the oral cavity, both of which should be strongly considered during restorative material development.
UMFE: a user modelling front-end subsystem

Abstract The paper argues that user models are an essential component of any system which attempts to be “user friendly”, and that expert systems should tailor explanations to their users, be they super-experts or novices. In particular, this paper discusses a data-driven user modelling front-end subsystem, UMFE, which assumes that the user has asked a question of the main system (e.g. an expert system, intelligent tutoring system etc.), and that the system provides a response which is passed to UMFE. UMFE determines the user's level of sophistication by asking as few questions as possible, and then presents a response in terms of concepts which UMFE believes the user understands. Investigator-defined inference rules are then used to suggest additional concepts the user may/may not know, given the concepts the user indicated he or she knew in earlier questioning. Several techniques are discussed for detecting and removing inconsistencies in the user model. Additionally, UMFE modifies its inference rules for individual users when it detects certain types of inconsistencies. UMFE is a portable domain-independent implementation of a system which infers overlay models for users. UMFE has been used in conjunction with NEOMYCIN; and the paper contains several protocols which demonstrate its principal features. The paper concludes with a critique of UMFE and suggestions for enhancing the current system.
Adaptive event horizon tracking and critical phenomena in binary black hole coalescence

This work establishes critical phenomena in the topological transition of black hole coalescence. We describe and validate a computational front tracking event horizon solver, developed for generic studies of the black hole coalescence problem. We then apply this to the Kastor-Traschen axisymmetric analytic solution of the extremal Maxwell-Einstein black hole merger with a cosmological constant. The surprising result of this computational analysis is a power law scaling of the minimal throat proportional to time. The minimal throat connecting the two holes obeys this power law during a short time immediately at the beginning of merger. We also confirm the behavior analytically. Thus, at least in one axisymmetric situation a critical phenomenon exists. We give arguments for a broader universality class than the restricted requirements of the Kastor-Traschen solution.
Short Root Densities and Surface Phosphatase Activities of Ectomycorrhizal Morphotypes in a Slash Pine Plantation

Abstract Mineralization is the dominant process controlling soil-solution P in the Spodosols of the southeastern United States. Pine trees growing in these soils are typically colonized by ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi that are known to produce phosphatases. Little, however, is known of the dynamics of EM short roots or phosphatase activity in tree plantations. To address this question, short root densities, EM morphotypes, and associated surface acid phosphomonoesterase in a 12-year-old Pinus elliottii plantation in northern Florida were evaluated. The density of total (living and dead) short roots changed little from February through June, with a mean of 7.6 cm3 soil. The majority of the short roots, however, were inactive or dead with only 14 to 38% appearing viable upon visual inspection. The majority of the viable short roots were mycorrhizal. The most abundant morphotypes were formed by Cenococcum and Thelephora but these had low phosphatase activity. In contrast, less frequently observed morphotypes h...
Delicacy in Hume's Theory of Taste

David Hume's celebrated essay ‘Of the Standard of Taste’ is the central text for understanding Hume's aesthetic theory, yet an important claim in that essay has received inadequate attention in the literature. Although it is understood that Hume stresses the importance of delicacy of taste, it is less well understood that this delicacy is a delicacy of imagination, which is distinct from a delicacy of perception. Using both the essay and other texts to elucidate this thesis, it appears that Hume's account of taste faces unresolved difficulties in defending a standard of taste.
Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of N-Acetyl Dihydrotetrafibricin Methyl Ester

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of N-acetyl dihydrotetrafibricin methyl ester (34) is described. The synthesis features three enantioselective double allylboration reactions and an intramolecular hydrosilylation/Fleming-Tamao oxidation sequence to establish seven of the hydroxy-bearing stereocenters of 34. Especially noteworthy is the fragment-assembly double allyboration reaction of 2 and 7 using reagent 3, which provides the advanced intermediate 6 with >20:1 diastereoselectivity.
Alterations in G1/S Cell‐Cycle Control Contributing to Carcinogenesis

Mutations involving the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor gene (RB-1) have been described in a variety of human neoplasms. In addition, many tumors that retain a wild-type RB-1 allele harbor mutations that indirectly impair the function of the RB-1 gene product (pRB). pRB is a nuclear protein that regulates cell-cycle progression and, in at least certain tissues, differentiation. The former has been linked to its ability to form complexes with members of the E2F transcription factor family. E2F DNA-binding sites have been identified in the regulatory regions of a number of genes involved in cell-cycle progression. pRB-E2F complexes actively repress transcription when bound to these sites. All tumor-derived pRB mutants have lost the ability to bind to E2F. Conversely, activation of E2F-responsive genes is sufficient to overcome a pRB-induced cell-cycle block and, in certain cell types, can lead to transformation. Thus, E2F appears to be a physiologically relevant target of pRB action, and deregulation of E2F-responsive genes is a common, and possibly universal, step in human carcinogenesis.
Electron-acoustic phonon interaction in semiconductor nanostructures: Role of deformation variation of electron effective mass

We demonstrate that the phonon-induced variation of electron effective mass gives a substantial contribution to the electron‐acoustic-phonon interaction in semiconductor nanostructures. Calculations are carried out for electrons in a quantum well ~QW! and a quantum wire ~QWR! of III-V heterostructure materials. This mechanism gives rise to an interference effect in electron scattering with longitudinal acoustic phonons via the deformation potential and allows the electrons to interact with transverse acoustic phonons. Due to these peculiarities, the additional channel of scattering can either increase or decrease the total scattering rate. For a given semiconductor, the modified scattering constant has been shown to depend on the dimensionality of the electron gas, the size and the shape of the nanostructure, and on the temperature. The scattering constants for intrasubband transitions in QW’s and QWR’s are different for the electron energy and momentum relaxation. For narrow QW’s or flattened QWR’s, modification of the commonly used bulk deformation potential interaction at low temperatures originates mainly due to interaction with transverse acoustic phonons. For GaAs QW of 50 A width, the ratio of the total relaxation rate of the electron energy to that from the bulk deformation potential coupling is about 0.65 for the temperature 4 K and 1.7 for 20 K.
In awe of subcellular complexity: 50 years of trespassing boundaries within the cell.

In this review I describe the several stages of my research career, all of which were driven by a desire to understand the basic mechanisms responsible for the complex and beautiful organization of the eukaryotic cell. I was originally trained as an electron microscopist in Argentina, and my first major contribution was the introduction of glutaraldehyde as a fixative that preserved the fine structure of cells, which opened the way for cytochemical studies at the EM level. My subsequent work on membrane-bound ribosomes illuminated the process of cotranslational translocation of polypeptides across the ER membrane and led to the formulation, with Gunter Blobel, of the signal hypothesis. My later studies with many talented colleagues contributed to an understanding of ER structure and function and aspects of the mechanisms that generate and maintain the polarity of epithelial cells. For this work my laboratory introduced the now widely adopted Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line, and demonstrated the...
Ophthalmic Involvement in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Forty patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were examined for ocular abnormalities. Twenty of these patients died and the eyes were obtained for culture and histopathologic examination. These patients have multiple opportunistic infections and neoplasms as the result of a severe depression of cellular immunity. Fifty percent of all patients with AIDS and 75% of the autopsy group have ocular signs attributable to AIDS. Ocular findings were confined to four major categories: cytomegalovirus retinitis (10 patients), retinal cotton wool spots (11 patients), conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma (2 patients) and neuro-ophthalmic motility abnormalities (3 patients). Cytomegalovirus retinitis was a significant cause of visual loss. Seven of 40 autopsy eyes had hand motion or worse visual acuity prior to the patients' death because of CMV retinitis. This necrotic retinitis showed minimal inflammation and progressed to involve the entire retina in three to six months, resulting in a gliotic retinal membrane. Therapy with antiviral agents was not effective. Recognizing the ocular signs of AIDS may facilitate the diagnosis. The ophthalmologist also has a major role in the observation of progression or regression of these ocular manifestations, and can assist in the evaluation of therapy in patients with AIDS.
Recent Insights Into the Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are complex, multifactorial disorders that comprise Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Genome-wide association studies have identified approximately 100 loci that are significantly associated with IBD. These loci implicate a diverse array of genes and pathophysiologic mechanisms, including microbe recognition, lymphocyte activation, cytokine signaling, and intestinal epithelial defense. Consistent with epidemiologic predictions, many IBD-associated loci demonstrate genome-wide significant associations to both CD and UC, notably, genes whose products function in the interleukin-23 pathway, and transcription factors, including NK2 transcription factor related, locus 3 (NKX2-3), SMAD3, STAT3, ZMIZ1, and c-REL. Although CD and UC are both associated with genomic regions that implicate products of genes involved in leukocyte trafficking, there is evidence for association patterns that are distinct between CD and UC. CD-predominant associations include NOD2 and genes that regulate autophagy. In UC, the predominant association signal is on chromosome 6p21, in the major histocompatibility complex region, near HLA class II genes. UC-predominant loci have also implicated genes mediating epithelial defense function. There is a striking overlap of loci between diseases, which could provide comparative insight into mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Genes that encode factors that function in the interleukin-23 pathway have been associated with a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, notably psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Distinct genetic associations indicate that the colitis associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis is pathophysiologically distinct from UC that is not associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis. As many as 14 susceptibility loci are shared between IBD and celiac disease, indicating significant overlap in pathophysiology. Future genetic studies will be directed toward identifying uncommon variations with potentially greater statistical effects, defining population differences, and more completely accounting for familial transmission of disease.
Lipoamide dehydrogenase immobilized on porous glass

Abstract Lipoamide dehydrogenase (NADH:lipoamide oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.4.3) isolated from pig heart and Escherichia coli was covalently coupled by both diazonium and amide bonds to controlled pore glass beads (96% silica). When the enzyme was immobilized in the presence of NAD+, the enzyme no longer exhibited its normal requirement for NAD+ for full activity. If the immobilized enzyme was then treated with NADase, the requirement for NAD+ was restored. Enzyme immobilized in the absence of NAD+ exhibited normal NAD+ dependence both prior to an after NADase treatment. These results are discussed in terms of co-immobilization of NAD+ at or near the allosteric site of the enzyme.
INTERLEUKIN-1 (IL-1) CHEMOTACTIC ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)

IL-1 may be released by activated alveolar macrophages in diseases characterized by pulmonary inflammation. We therefore investigated whether IL-1 is a chemotactic factor for peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in CF, as PMN and their products appear to contribute to CF lung injury. Heparinized blood was obtained from 9 CF children and 8 normal subjects. PMN were isolated using dextran sedimentation. Using a 48 well microchemotaxis chamber, IL-1 chemotactic activity for PMN was evaluated. A wide range of purified human IL-1 (Collaborative Res.) concentrations from 10−12M to 10−8M was used and compared to the powerful chemotactic factor FMLP at 10−8M. RPMI medium was employed as a negative control. IL-1 was chemotactic for PMN from both normals and CF with a peak activity at 10−8M. The CF PMN showed significantly increased migration compared to normal at 5X10−9M (266 SD 236 vs. 80 SD 70) and 1X10−8M (483 SD 398 vs. 180 SD 155 cells per 10 oil immersion fields) (p<0.1 by Mann Whitney U test). A further experiment with CF PMN showed that IL-1 chemotactic activity peaked at 2X10−8M. CF PMN chemotaxis to FMLP at 10−8M was not significantly different from normal. Further studies are needed to assess the local activity of IL-1 and its ability to attract inflammatory cells to the lungs in CF.
Influence of Large-Scale Pressure Changes on Preconditioned Solutions at Low Speeds

The effects of large-scale pressure changes on the convergence of preconditioned algorithms for steady-state solutions are addressed with emphasis on sensitivity to initial conditions. A multiple-time procedure that uses an outer time for artificial dissipation control, an intermediate time for robustness and nonlinearity control, and an inner time for convergence acceleration is developed as a means for alleviating this sensitivity
Pleural and Pericardial Effusions in a 50-Year-Old Woman

A previously healthy 50-year-old Chinese woman presented with a low-grade fever, a generalized headache, and chest pain of 2 to 3 weeks’ duration. She described intermittent sharp chest pain over the precordium that intensified when she lay down and shortness of breath after minimal exertion. Despite having lost her appetite, she had gained ≈10 pounds during the past month and had noticed ankle swelling. She denied having had arthralgia or skin rash and had not experienced any nocturnal dyspnea, wheezing, cough, expectoration, or hemoptysis. She had visited her relatives in the Middle East 6 months earlier, but her past medical history was uneventful. She had taken acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets and a Chinese herbal preparation, but her symptoms continued. On physical examination, she appeared weak and ill. Her temperature was 36.7°C (98.0°F), and her pulse was 110 beats per minute, regular, and had normal volume and character. Her blood pressure was 115/70 mm Hg, which decreased to 90/70 mm Hg on inspiration; her respiratory rate was 22 breaths per minute. Carotid pulsations were normal. Jugular veins were distended to the angle of the mandible when the patient sat upright, but no further venous engorgement was noted on inspiration. There was mild mucosal pallor, but the oropharynx was otherwise normal. The first and second heart sounds were normal, and there were no clicks or gallops. A superficial scratchy systolic sound was heard intermittently over the left lower sternal region. Dullness to percussion, scattered inspiratory crackles, and diminished air entry were evident over both lung bases. Abdominal examination demonstrated a soft, tender liver palpable 2 cm below the right costal margin. Her pelvis and rectum showed no abnormality. A stool guaiac test was negative. Neurological examination was normal. There was moderate pitting edema below the level of the knees. Results of the initial …
DNA sequence and comparative analyses of the equine herpesvirus type 1 immediate early gene.

Abstract The immediate early (IE) proteins of herpesviruses are important regulatory factors which control the expression of genes the transcriptional level. We report the DNA sequence of the immediate arly gene of the alphaherpesvirus equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). This sequence is shown to be extremely rich in guanine and cytosine, resulting in a highly biased codon usage. The IE gene region possesses 38 open reading frames (ORFs) greater than 300 by in length, 11 of which have coding regions of at least 100 amino acids (aa) following potential translation initiator codons. The largest ORF consists of 1487 codons (4461 bp) starting with the first ATG and would encode a protein of MW 155,000. TATA and CCAAT sequences as well as several potential cis-acting elements lie upstream to the major ORF. The deduced amino acid sequence for the 155,000 protein has a high degree of homology to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ICP4 protein and its varicella-zoster virus (VZV) homolog. The regions of the EHV-1 IE protein that are homologous with these proteins correspond to the previously determined pattern of homology between the HSV and VZVIE polypeptides. However, there are are a number of differences within these broadly defined regions. It is therefore expected that this comparative study will facilitate the identification of functionally important residues within the amino acid sequence of IE proteins.
Further Remarks on the Second Law of Thermodynamics in General Relativity.

In a previous article(1) I have attempted an extension of thermodynamics to general relativity, and in following articles(2) have discussed certain applications of this extension. The postulate that was taken in this work as the analogue of the ordinary first law of thermodynamics was the same as the modified principle of the conservation of energy given by Einstein(3) as applying in the case of general relativity considerations.
A GENERAL UPPER BOUND ON THE VARIANCE OF THE WILCOXON-MANN-WHITNEY U-STATISTIC FOR SYMMETRIC DISTRIBUTIONS WITH SHIFT ALTERNATIVES

Using Johnson's (1975) sharp upper bound on the variance of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-statistic for the case of continuous symmetric distributions and shift alternatives, an upper bound depending only on the sample sizes is obtained for this case. The new bound is smaller than the corresponding bound given by van Dantzig (1951) for a more general model. The decrease is smallest for equal sample sizes, in which case it ranges from 16 to 29 percent as the sample sizes increase.
Coherent single-photon generation and trapping with practical cavity QED systems

We show how to coherently trap or generate a single photon in a practical cavity QED system that could operate well within the weak-coupling regime, and in the presence of realistic imperfections.
Effect of Gibberellin Biosynthesis Inhibitors on Native Gibberellin Content, Growth and Floral Initiation in Sorghum bicolor

CCC, uniconazol, ancymidol, prohexadione-calcium (BX-112), and CGA 163′935, which represent three groups of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis inhibitors, were applied as a soil drench to Sorghum bicolor cultivars 58M (phyB-1, phytochrome B-deficient mutant) and 90M (phyB-2, equivalent phenotypically to wild type, PHYB, except for small differences in flowering dates). The inhibitors that block steps before GA12 (CCC, uniconazol, and ancymidol) lowered the concentrations of all endogenous early-C13α-hydroxylation pathway GAs found in sorghum: GA12, GA53, GA44, GA19, GA20, GA1, and GA8. In contrast, the inhibitors that block the conversion of GA20→ GA1, (CGA 163′935 and BX-112) drastically reduced GA1 and GA8 levels, but they either did not change or caused accumulation of intermediates from GA12 to GA20. Combinations of pre-GA12 inhibitors and GA3 plus GA1 strongly reduced GAs other than GA1 and GA3. Each of these compounds inhibited shoot growth in both cultivars and delayed floral initiation in 90M. Floral initiation of 58M was also delayed by CCC, uniconazol, and ancymidol but not by CGA 163`935 and BX-112. This separation of shoot elongation from floral initiation in sorghum is novel. Both inhibition of shoot growth and delayed floral initiation were almost completely relieved by a mixture of GA3 and GA1 in both 58M and 90M. This observation, plus the much lower levels of endogenous GA3 than of GA1 observed in these experiments, implies that GA1 is the major endogenous GA active in shoot elongation. CGA 163′935 and BX-112 also failed to promote tillering in 58M, whereas inhibitors active before GA12 did so. The possibility that the GA20→ GA1 inhibitors fail to block flowering and promote tillering in 58M because biosynthetic intermediates between GA12 and GA20 accumulate and/or because 58M is altered in GA metabolism in this same region of the biosynthetic pathway is discussed.
The Japanese Beetle in 1929

A summary of the present distribution, the feeding habits and injuries, life history, control measures and the results of parasite introductions.
Waveform Optimization for Transmit Beamforming With MIMO Radar Antenna Arrays

For coherent MIMO radar the optimal target signal processing can be achieved for any transmitted waveforms or radiation beam pattern, making transmit beamforming through waveform design possible without degrading target detection performance. In this work, an innovative waveform optimization approach termed phase-only variable metric method (POVMM) is proposed for coherent MIMO radar waveform design to form a desired transmit beam pattern such as one with radiation nulls in certain directions. The waveform design is carried out by minimizing the radiation powers of the MIMO radar antenna in the selected directions with optimization variables constrained to the waveform phases only. The gradient function of the cost function with regard to waveform phases is analytically derived for the optimization and the POVMM is developed based on the variable metric methods with a flexible search step sizing strategy for improving optimization efficiency. The proposed approach is validated with various designs and simulations.
Effects of Monitoring Condition and Frequency-Altered Feedback on Stuttering Frequency

The purpose of the study was to examine stuttering frequency during speaking conditions that are believed to mitigate stuttering frequency both with normal nonaltered auditory feedback (NAF) and a ...
Behavioral, biological, and chemical perspectives on targeting CRF1 receptor antagonists to treat alcoholism

Background Alcohol use disorders are chronic disabling conditions for which existing pharmacotherapies have only modest efficacy. In the present review, derived from the 2012 Behavior, Biology and Chemistry “Translational Research in Addiction” symposium, we summarize the anti-relapse potential of corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 (CRF1) receptor antagonists to reduce negative emotional symptoms of acute and protracted alcohol withdrawal and stress-induced relapse to alcohol seeking.
Relationship of nucleic acid metabolism to brassinolide induced responses in beans

Summary The relationship of nucleic acid metabolism to the brassinolide-induced responses of cell elongation and cell division in beans was examined. Excised sections from two intact plant systems, the pinto bean second internodes and mung bean epicotyls, were chosen for this study. In pinto beans, excised swollen and split internodes were compared with the excised internodes of the untreated controls. In mung beans, hypocotyls and epicotyls from brassinolide-treated and untreated seedlings were compared. This study showed that brassinolide treatment enhanced the activities of RNA and DNA polymerases as well as the levels of RNA, DNA, and protein, suggesting that brassinolide responses are dependent on nucleic acid and protein synthesis.
Hypoglycemia-associated mortality is not drug-associated but linked to comorbidities.

Abstract Objective Although tight glucose control is used widely in hospitalized patients, there is concern that medication-induced hypoglycemia may worsen patient outcomes. We sought to determine if the mortality risk associated with hypoglycemia in hospitalized noncritically ill patients is linked to glucose-lowering medications (drug-associated hypoglycemia) or merely an association mediated by comorbidities (spontaneous hypoglycemia). Methods A retrospective cohort of patients admitted to the general wards of an academic center during 2007 was studied. The in-hospital mortality risk of a hypoglycemic group (at least 1 blood glucose≤70 mg/dL) was compared with that of a normoglycemic group using survival analysis. Stratification by subgroups of patients with spontaneous and drug-associated hypoglycemia was performed. Results Among 31,970 patients, 3349 (10.5%) had at least 1 episode of hypoglycemia. Patients with hypoglycemia were older, had more comorbidities, and received more antidiabetic agents. Hypoglycemia was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-2.09; P 001). However, this greater risk was limited to patients with spontaneous hypoglycemia (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.97-3.47; P 001) and not to patients with drug-associated hypoglycemia (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.74-1.52; P=. 749). After adjustment for patient comorbidities, the association between spontaneous hypoglycemia and mortality was eliminated (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.76-1.64; P=. 582). Conclusion Drug-associated hypoglycemia was not associated with increased mortality risk in patients admitted to the general wards. The association between spontaneous hypoglycemia and mortality was eliminated after adjustment for comorbidities, suggesting that hypoglycemia may be a marker of disease burden rather than a direct cause of death.
On an Identity of Ramanujan Based on The Hypergeometric Series2F1(13, 23; 12;x)

Abstract Recently, B. C. Berndt, S. Bhargava and F. Garvan provided the first proof to an identity of Ramanujan. Their proof, which is based on various modular identities, is quite difficult and complicated. In this paper, we give a much simpler proof of this identity by converting it into an identity involving the classical elliptic functions and establishing the identity by comparing their Laurent series expansions at a pole.