cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient Preference Distribution for Use of Statin Therapy

Importance Thresholds for initiating statin therapy should be informed by patients’ preferences. Objective To define the preference distribution for statin therapy across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk after participants were informed about the benefits and harms of statin therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 13 to June 2, 2020. Participants included 304 individuals aged 40 to 75 years drawn from a nonprobability opt-in panel who had not taken a statin or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor in the past 3 years and knew the results of their total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure measurements. Exposures Personalized 10-year CVD risk with and without statin therapy and potential harms of statins. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was self-reported preference for statin therapy. Results The 304 participants had a mean (SD) age of 54.8 (9.9) years; 152 were women (50.0%), 130 (42.8%) non-White, 50 (16.6%) had a high school degree or less education, and 153 (50.8%) reported never needing help reading health materials. When asked their preference for using statin therapy after reviewing their benefit and risk information, 45% of the participants reported they would definitely or probably choose statin therapy. As the risk increased, the proportion who would choose statin therapy generally increased (from 31.1% for a risk 50%). The minimum risk threshold had to increase to 20% before 75% of respondents in that risk group would want statin therapy. For participants with a risk greater than 10%, the desire to use statin therapy decreased as participants’ health literacy, subjective numeracy, and knowledge scores increased. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, preferences for statin therapy for primary prevention of CVD appeared to vary across the spectrum of 10-year cardiovascular risk, but they were relatively flat at intermediate levels of risk. This preference distribution suggests a broad risk range for shared decision-making.
All Inside Intraepiphyseal ACL Reconstruction Using Flexible Curved Instrumentation and Intraoperative Fluoroscopy in a Skeletally Immature Patient.

Case A 13-year-old skeletally immature female presenting with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture after a noncontact injury was treated with an intraepiphyseal ACL reconstruction. Flexible instrumentation was utilized to drill a femoral tunnel with an anatomic starting point, with a trajectory that curved inferolaterally away from the physis. At three years postoperatively, she had returned to her preinjury functioning and did not display any lower limb length growth abnormalities. Conclusions The novel application of curved guides and flexible instruments, with intraoperative fluoroscopy, facilitated growth plate avoidance and a successful outcome of ACL reconstruction in a skeletally immature patient.
Uncertain Returns in Threshold Public Goods: An Experimental Investigation

For a variety of public goods projects, the exact return from provision is not known. We design an experiment to test the impact of an uncertain return on voluntary contributions. An uncertain return may be caused by either nature (the benefits of building a dyke depend on the frequency and intensity of floods) or third-party action (the effort exerted by the project manager affects the quality of the dyke). We find that the key determinant of contributions is a positive relationship with the expected return. An uncertain return, either caused by nature or third-party action, does not reduce contributions in our setting. We also find that the mechanism of voluntary provision is well suited for high value projects.
Mitochondrial Disruption by Amyloid Beta 42 Identified by Proteomics and Pathway Mapping

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by chronic neurodegeneration associated with the occurrence of plaques containing amyloid β (Aβ) proteins in various parts of the human brain. An increase in several Aβ fragments is well documented in patients with AD and anti-amyloid targeting is an emerging area of therapy. Soluble Aβ can bind to various cell surface and intracellular molecules with the pathogenic Aβ42 fragment leading to neurotoxicity. Here we examined the effect of Aβ42 on network adaptations in the proteome of nerve growth factor (NGF) differentiated PC12 cells using liquid-chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI MS/MS) proteomics. Whole-cell peptide mass fingerprinting was coupled to bioinformatic gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) in order to identify differentially represented proteins and related gene ontology (GO) pathways within Aβ42 treated cells. Our results underscore a role for Aβ42 in disrupting proteome responses for signaling, bioenergetics, and morphology in mitochondria. These findings highlight the specific components of the mitochondrial response during Aβ42 neurotoxicity and suggest several new biomarkers for detection and surveillance of amyloid disease.
Case 62: An Emergency Cesarean Section in Togo

You are stationed in the southern part of Togo, a small country on the West African coast. An emergency Cesarean section is scheduled. The patient is 18 years old (gravida 1, para 0) and her gestation is 37 weeks. She has not been attending the prenatal clinic. Six hours ago she went into spontaneous labor. A decision to deliver the child by Cesarean section was made based on a brow presentation with the cervix 7 cm dilated and fully effaced. The patient refuses a spinal anesthetic and would prefer a general anesthetic.
Adapting Programs for Various Racial and Ethnic Populations

We are all the same in many ways and we are all different in many ways. Seventeen categories of difference between people have been identified including sex, race, color, ethnicity, language, religion/beliefs, features determined by genes, minority membership, birth, disability, age, sexual orientation, and property/poverty (Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union 2000, reported in Bartolo, 2010). Here we are interested in the impact of race and class on mental health, which are strongly interrelated in the United States (Winstead & Sanchez-Hucles, 2008). Race and class interact with all of the other dimensions of diversity to make subgroups and individuals unique and perceived by others as “different.” Unfortunately, minority status and poverty/low income can be barriers to mental health services. Add discrimination, no insurance, lack of childcare, no transportation, and conflicting work schedules to issues associated with poverty, and the unequal access to mental health care is clear. The values and belief systems of subgroups differ and coping strategies differ according to race and culture. There is considerable understanding that differences in how people from a given culture experience health symptoms are due to cultural differences (Bernal & Saez-Santiago, 2006). However, the majority of prevention programs are universal programs based on White, middle-class American values (Corneille, Ashcraft, & Belgrave, 2005).
Recent surface temperature trends in the interior of East Antarctica from borehole firn temperature measurements and geophysical inverse methods

[1] We use measured firn temperatures down to depths of 80 to 90 m at four locations in the interior of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica to derive surface temperature histories spanning the past few decades using two different inverse methods. We find that the mean surface temperatures near the ice divide (the highest-elevation ridge of East Antarctic Ice Sheet) have increased approximately 1 to 1.5 K within the past ∼50 years, although the onset and rate of this warming vary by site. Histories at two locations, NUS07-5 (78.65°S, 35.64°E) and NUS07-7 (82.07°S, 54.89°E), suggest that the majority of this warming took place in the past one or two decades. Slight cooling to no change was indicated at one location, NUS08-5 (82.63°S, 17.87°E), off the divide near the Recovery Lakes region. In the most recent decade, inversion results indicate both cooler and warmer periods at different sites due to high interannual variability and relatively high resolution of the inverted surface temperature histories. The overall results of our analysis fit a pattern of recent climate trends emerging from several sources of the Antarctic temperature reconstructions: there is a contrast in surface temperature trends possibly related to altitude in this part of East Antarctica.
John Grierson: Trailblazer of Documentary Film

Trailblazer is – from the first to the last page – an interesting story about the man who brought Canada the documentary film as well as brought Canada to the world through documentary. Evans never complicates the narrative with global historical context nor bogs it down with communications analysis, but offers a simplified yet very interesting tall tale of a cultural hero.
Glycopeptides from bovine aorta glycoprotein.

Abstract Studies of glycoprotein material from bovine aorta, purified by gel electrophoresis, indicated the presence of two glycopeptide units. The two glycopeptides were isolated after digestion of the glycoprotein with Pronase after removal of sialic acid by mild acid hydrolysis. The glycopeptides were separated by chromatography on columns of Dowex 50W-X2 (H+) and cellulose. One of the glycopeptides occurred in a concentration approximately 3 times greater than the other. Analysis of the NH2 and COOH end groups and studies by repeated Edman degradation of the major glycopeptide indicated the sequence, -Ala-Phe-Gly-Asp-Gly-. The carbohydrate unit of this glycopeptide consisted of N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, mannose, and fucose. A disaccharide consisting of glucosamine and galactose was obtained by mild acid hydrolysis, and further study indicated this to be 4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-d-glucosamine. Periodate oxidation suggested the possibility of branching within the oligosaccharide chain. The glycopeptide unit is similar in many respects to those isolated from glycoproteins from several sources. The other glycopeptide unit which occurred in a lower concentration was unique in that it contained glucose as well as galactose and fucose in the carbohydrate portion. -Gly (Ser, Gly, Phe) Phe- composed the amino acid chain. The site of linkage of the sialic acid to one or both glycopeptides is not known.
Haematological Changes in the Fresh Water Catfish Mystus vittatus Exposed to Sublethal Concentrations of Monocrotophos.

ABSTRACT Effect of sublethal concentrations of Monocrotophos (4.5 ppm, 6.7 ppm and 13.5 ppm) on haematological parameters were studied in fresh water catfish Mystus vittatus. Monocrotophos toxicity resulted in a significant decrease in all the sub lethal concentrations and maximum at 13.5 ppm (RBC (-47), Hemoglobin content (-77), ESR(-75) and PCV % (-68) and a significant increase in WBC count (+55).
Monitoring stable properties in dynamic peer-to-peer distributed systems

Monitoring a distributed system to detect a stable property is an important problem with many applications. The problem is especially challenging for a dynamic distributed system because the set of processes in the system may change with time. In this paper, we present an efficient algorithm to determine whether a stable property has become true in a system in which processes can join and depart the system at any time. Our algorithm is based on maintaining a spanning tree of processes that are currently part of the system. The spanning tree, which is dynamically changing, is used to periodically collect local states of processes such that: (1) all local states in the collection are consistent with each other, and (2) the collection is complete, that is, it contains all local states that are necessary to evaluate the property and derive meaningful inferences about the system state. Unlike existing algorithms for stable property detection in a dynamic environment, our algorithm is general in the sense that it can be used to evaluate any stable property. Further, it does not assume the existence of any permanent process. Processes can join and leave the system while the snapshot algorithm is in progress.
The Necessity of the Alphabetic Principle to Phonemic Awareness Instruction.

This investigation examined the extent to whichcurricular choice and incorporation of phonemicawareness (PA) into the kindergarten curriculumaffects growth in kindergarten literacy skillsand first-grade reading and spelling outcomesin 114 classrooms in 32 Title 1 schools for4,872 children (85% African American). Literacy curricula were described as havingmore or less teacher choice and more or less PAand were implemented with ongoing professionaldevelopment. Observations of curriculumfidelities and ratings of student behavior werealso obtained. Alphabetic instruction withoutPA was not as effective as alphabeticinstruction with PA. However, effectiveinstruction in PA and alphabetic codingappeared to be as much a consequence of ongoingprofessional development as it was a functionof prescribed PA activities. Results providelarge-scale classroom support for findings onPA reported by the National Reading Panel[(2000). Teaching children to read: An evidence-basedassessment of the scientific research literature onreading and its implications for reading instruction.Washington, DC: National Institute of Child Health andHuman Development].
Introduction: Crises of the Republic

The crises of the American republic—from climate change to economic inequality to overextended empire—make the subject of political imagination pressing. What future do we want for ourselves? How do we reconcile that vision with empirical reality? Political imagination concerns the scope and shape of the possible. Democratic theorist Jason Frank makes conflicts over political imagination the center of his scholarship. This symposium focuses on his recent work. That work helps us address two significant challenges in democratic struggles over political imagination. First, how does a democratic people wanting to make a new start, to revolutionize the polity, orient itself to the founding myths of society, especially when those myths—such as that of the American founders—have such a strong hold on public imagination? Second, how can a democratic people recover the transformative power and possibility of the idea of “the people” that authorized the work of the founders, and that may authorize their supersessi...
Safety and neutronics: A comparison of MOX vs UO2 fuel

Abstract One of the issues associated with nuclear energy involves determining what should be done with spent nuclear fuel. In other countries, plutonium is recovered from spent fuel and is burned in reactors. Plutonium is not used currently as a fuel in the United States (US); however, as part of international negotiations, weapons-grade plutonium may soon be burned in US light-water reactors as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. Both neutronic and safety parameters for MOX fuel vary from traditional uranium oxide (UO 2 ) fuel, so it is important to be aware of these variances. Differences between weapons-grade plutonium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel (reactor-grade plutonium) also exist because reactor-grade plutonium contains more 240 Pu and higher actinides. To burn a significant portion of plutonium from spent nuclear fuel using full cores of MOX fuel would be advantageous; however, only one-third cores are being used today worldwide and are proposed for the Materials Disposition program in the US. This paper addresses the neutronic and safety differences between UO 2 and MOX fuel (with both weapons- and reactor-grade plutonium) and between one-third and full cores of MOX fuel.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE SPECTATOR IN KANT'S THINKING: THE EVOLUTION OF THE COPERNICAN REVOLUTION

In this paper I discuss the development of Kant's Critical project in the pre-critical writings. I am particularly focusing upon the problems that Kant encounters in developing the idea of a transcendental subject. This helps us to understand the radical nature of Kant's project in which he does not merely turn around the relationship between subject and object, but also has to redefine the nature of the subject. The development of the subject starts with Kant's idea of an observer who actively determines qualities in the object (instead of passively taking it in). Ultimately the spectator becomes a subject that is constituted a priori, independent of experience. In order to arrive at this idea of a subject, Kant needs to overcome the tradition that in many ways still determines his thinking.
Connection between brueckner ladders and pairing correlations

Abstract A self-consistent treatment of single-particle (sp) and two-particle propagator in the ladder approximation produces all the essential elements of BCS theory (such as a gap equation). The crucial symmetry breaking is not in the convervation of particle number but in the continuity of the sp energy spectrum at the Fermi surface. The expression for the quasiparticle energy E p =(ϵ p 2 +Δ 2 ) 1 2 is coupled to the restriction to zero total momentum pairing. Non-zero total momentum pairing and its relation to gauge invariance is discussed.
Computing devices, mathematics education and mathematics: Sexton’s omnimetre in its time

Abstract Material objects can tell us much about mathematical practice. In 1899, Albert Sexton, a Philadelphia mechanical engineer, received the John Scott Medal of the Franklin Institute for his invention of the omnimetre. This inexpensive circular slide rule was one of a host of computing devices that became common in the United States around 1900. It is inscribed “NUMERI MUNDUM REGUNT”. In part because of instruments such as the omnimetre, numbers increasingly ruled the practical world of the late 19th and early 20th century. This changed not only engineering, but mathematics education and mathematical work.
Surgeons' and nurses' use of e-mail communication with head and neck cancer patients.

Background. “Telephone tag” for questions about postoperative symptoms and other concerns often engenders dissatisfaction. E-mail use may improve communication between patients and clinicians. This study aimed to describe surgeons' and nurses' use of E-mail with patients and their caregivers after head and neck cancer surgery. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional national survey of head and neck nurses and surgeons. Results. Ninety-six percent of surgeon and 87% of nurse respondents used E-mail, but only 40% and 25%, respectively, used it with patients. More than 50% of both clinician groups that used E-mail with patients have done so for 2 to 5 years and began this practice at the request of patients. Surgeons not using E-mail with patients were twice as likely as nurses to cite privacy and liability issues, as well as time management and miscommunication concerns. Conclusions. Some clinicians use E-mail with patients, most often by patient request. Medicolegal and clinical ramifications require further study. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: 108–113, 2004
Protein measurement and energetic considerations: Comparisons of biochemical and stoichiometric methods using bovine serum albumin and protein isolated from sea anemones

Use of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as standard resulted in consistent underestimates of protein in tissues of cnidarians when either microbiuret or Bradford (Coomassie blue) analytical procedures were used. Slopes of the linear plots of absorbance vs. quantity of protein isolated from the sea anemones Anthopleura elegantissima and Aiptasia sp. were lower than the ones for BSA. Crude protein from sea anemones is not soluble in water, but dissolves in 10% NaOH—a solvent that interferes with the Lowry method, probably the most commonly used method of protein quantification among researchers studying cnidarians. Therefore choice of an appropriate solvent complicates the use of the Lowry procedure, since total protein may be underestimated if deionized water or a weaker base is used as solvent in either extraction or quantification. Values for the biochemical composition of tissues of A. elegantissima as determined by routine biochemical methods and CHN stoichiometric analysis are in agreement, but only after correction for the presence of substantial amounts of glycoprotein in total anemone protein. Glycoprotein components of total tissue protein may lead to similar errors in spectrophotometric quantification of protein in other marine invertebrates.
STAT3, Cten, and lung cancer: Simultaneous excitement and caution

The report in this issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery by Bennett and colleagues highlights both the promises and the potential pitfalls of genetic data generated from molecular cancer research. The finding that activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) likely contributes to epidermal growth factor– mediated C-terminal tensinlike protein (Cten) expression and lung cancer invasion and metastasis creates the natural expectation that pharmacologic inhibitors of this pathway will obviously lead to significant improvements in outcomes from lung cancer therapy. Ostensible confirmation of this is provided by Bennett and colleagues through a series of experiments showing STAT3 inhibition with the specific inhibitor S3i-201, which significantly reduced the epidermal growth factor–induced, STAT3-mediated Cten expression in 3 of the 4 human lung cancer cell lines studied. Although the evidence from this study seems compelling and suitable to motivate the pharmaceutical industry to pursue STAT3 inhibitors, there remain some cautionary points.
One Year Later: Using Role Theory to Evaluate a New Delivery System

This is the second part of a two-part article that presents findings from a staff nurse survey one year after the implementation of primary nursing on four medical and surgical pilot units in a tertiary teaching hospital. The introduction of primary nursing was one phase of a project to develop theory-based nursing practice within the institution. The researchers hoped that obtaining the staff nurse perspective on the change to primary nursing would provide evaluative information and suggestions to provide additional support in the project. Role theory (Hardy, 1978) provides the theoretical framework for this study. While the previous article discussed issues related to the change process, this article focuses on evaluation of role transitions.
A glutamate antagonist blocks perforant path stimulation-induced reduction of dynorphin peptide and prodynorphin mRNA levels in rat hippocampus.

Stimulation of the perforant path elicites a behavioral response, wet dog shakes (WDS), and reduction in hippocampal dynorphin A(1–8) immunoreactivity (DYN-IR) and prodynorphin mRNA (DYN mRNA) in rats. This study examined whether glutamate, the proposed endogenous transmitter released by perforant fibers, mediated the above responses. A glutamate antagonist, γ-d-glutamylglycine (DGG, 25 μg/0.5 μl), or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF, 0.5 μl) was injected into the ventral hippocampus 10–20 min prior to acute or daily stimulation of the left perforant path in rats. In acuted stimulation experiments, 4 consecutive stimulation trials elicited a total of73 ± 4WDS at an average threshold intensity of0.46 ± 0.03mA in ACSF-treated rats. The hippocampal DYN-IR in these animals decreased by more than 40% in both dorsal and ventral hippocampus relative to sham-stimulated rats. DGG injections significantly elevated the threshold for WDS (0.78 ± 0.05mA, P < 0.01), reduced the number of WDS (45 ± 6, P < 0.01), and partially antagonized stimulation-induced reduction of DYN-IR in the ventral, but not dorsal, hippocampus. In daily stimulation experiments, rats received a single trial of stimulation once per day for 6 days. Daily DGG pretreatment almost completely abolished WDS at control threshold intensities, and significantly inhibited stimulation-induced decrease of DYN-IR in both dorsal and ventral hippocampus. In situ hybridization using a35S-labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe demonstrated a clear depletion of DYN mRNA signal in the dentate granule cell layer of ACSF-treated animals. This depletion was completely prevented in DGG-treated rats. These data suggests that glutamate as the endogenous transmitter at perforant synapses regulates the release and biosynthesis of dynorphine peptides in dentate granule cells.
Design of multistage interconnection networks

Interconnection networks have extensive applications in switching and reconfigurable multiprocessor systems. A number of multistage networks which can achieve a limited number of permutations have been discussed in the literature [1]. On the other hand, rearrangeable networks [6] have the property that any idle input/output pair can be connected. In most parallel-processing applications, a specified set of input/output connection patterns are required. Often these patterns cannot be achieved by networks like shuffle exchange, cube, Omega and baseline. The chief objective of the paper is to present a methodology for multistage interconnection network design. This design generally requires less switching elements than the rearrangeable network. The paper relies on the formulation of a transmittance matrix for the network. The properties of this matrix are studied with particular focus on rearrangeable networks. A control algorithm which determines the switch states required to achieve a particular permutation is established. The switching algebraic approach is particularly well suited to address the network design problem, because the switch states are explicitly exhibited in the transmittance matrix.
Infrared vibrational spectra of rf-sputtered hydrogenated amorphous silicon

We report the vibrational absorption spectra between 200 and 4000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of a series of amorphous sputtered ${\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$ alloys prepared under different conditions of substrate temperature, and hydrogen, oxygen, and argon partial pressures. The spectra show stretching and wagging vibrational modes of the Si-H bond, and bending modes attributable to Si-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ configurations. Multiple features in the stretching vibrational spectrum are interpreted in terms of two different configurations of a single H atom. The integrated stretching vibrational absorption is correlated with the H content estimated from experiments on gas evolution upon heating. Finally, it is shown that different preparation conditions can lead to the same total H content but different vibrational spectra.
Laser-cooled Cs frequency standard and a measurement of the frequency shift due to ultracold collisions.

We demonstate a laser-cooled Cs fountain which can be used as a frequency standard. The fountain has been used to measure the frequency shift due to ultracold Cs-Cs collisions at temperatures below 2.8 \ensuremath{\mu}K. The measured shift is -12.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7 mHz for a density of (2.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ beginning with an even distribution (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10%) among the F=3, ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{F}}$ states. For a fountain with 95% of the atoms in the ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{F}}$=0 states, we measure a frequency shift of -5.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 mHz at a density of (3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.0)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$.
Induction of osteoarthritis and metabolic inflammation by a very high‐fat diet in mice: Effects of short‐term exercise

Objective To test the hypotheses that obesity due to a very high-fat diet induces knee osteoarthritis (OA), and that short-term wheel-running exercise protects against obesity-induced knee OA by reducing systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a control diet (13.5% kcal from fat) or a very high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat) from age 12 weeks to age 24 weeks. From 20 to 24 weeks of age, half of the mice were housed with running wheels. The severity of knee OA was determined by assessing histopathologic features, and serum cytokines were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Body composition was quantified by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and insulin resistance was assessed by glucose tolerance testing. Results Feeding mice with a very high-fat diet increased knee OA scores and levels of serum leptin, adiponectin, KC (mouse analog of interleukin-8 [IL-8]), monokine induced by interferon-γ (CXCL9), and IL-1 receptor antagonist to an extent in proportion to the gain in body fat (3-fold increase in percent body fat compared to controls). Wheel-running exercise reduced progression of OA in the medial femur of obese mice. In addition, exercise disrupted the clustering of cytokine expression and improved glucose tolerance, without reducing body fat or cytokine levels. Conclusion Obesity induced by a very high-fat diet in mice causes OA and systemic inflammation in proportion to body fat. Increased joint loading is not sufficient to explain the increased incidence of knee OA with obesity, as wheel running is protective rather than damaging. Exercise improves glucose tolerance and disrupts the coexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting that increased aerobic exercise may act independently of weight loss in promoting joint health.
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against legumin from pea (Pisum sativum)

Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against intact and degraded legumin, the 11S storage protein from pea. The antibodies were characterized by direct and competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and by immunoblotting procedures. Two of the antibodies appeared to recognize epitopes present on the surface of legumin and were specific for pea protein in the competitive ELISA. Two other antibodies appeared to recognize epitopes on the basic polypeptides, normally buried. One of these antibodies showed evidence of cultivar specificity. The use of this panel of antibodies as structural and functional probes for legume storage proteins is discussed.
The Components of xRNA: Synthesis and Fluorescence of a Full Genetic Set of Size-Expanded Ribonucleosides

The synthesis and properties of a full set of four benzo-expanded ribonucleosides (xRNA), analogous to A, G, C, and U RNA monomers, are described. The nucleosides are efficient fluorophores with emission maxima of 369−411 nm. The compounds are expected to be useful as RNA pathway probes and as components of an unnatural ribopolymer.
Coupled cluster calculation of electron affinities of LiF

Abstract The three lowest states of LiF − have been studied using a combination of numerical Hartree-Fock orbitals and Slatertype orbitals as a basis set for coupled cluster calculations. The ground state electron affinity is 0.31 eV, while in the first excited state of the ion the extra electron is bound by 0.38 × 10 −2 eV and in the next state by 0.43 × 10 −4 eV. The last value differs from Garrett's non-adiabatic estimate of 0.12 × 10 −4 eV, suggesting a breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation.
Automatic extraction of morphological information from botanical collections

Specific morphological information is often used by users to search botanical collections. However, traditional systems based on statistical models are often not effective for such search. This study automatically extracts morphological information from botanical collections using an adapted and enhanced information extraction system. Experimental results indicate this approach is promising. This study also indicates that this approach is generalizable to similar collections in the same domain and even to different domains with adaptation of the pattern recognition and knowledge base in the new domain.
Predicting Temporal Intention in Resource Sharing

When users post links to web pages in Twitter there is a time delta between when the post was shared (t tweet ) and when it was read (t click ). Ideally, when this time delta is small there is often no change in the page's state. However upon reading shared content in the past and due to the dynamic nature of the web, the page's state could change and the intention of the author need to be inferred. In this work, we enhance a prior temporal intention model and tackle its shortcomings by incorporating extended linguistic feature analysis, replacing the prior textual similarity measure with semantic similarity one based on latent topic detection trained on Wikipedia English corpus, and finally by enriching and balancing the training dataset. We uncovered three different intention behaviors in respect to time: Stable Intention, Changing Intention from current to past, and Undefined intention. Using these classes and only the information available at posting time from the tweet and the current state of the resource, we correctly predict the temporal intention classification and strength with 77% accuracy.
Minimum thickness for ductile RC structural walls

An important issue in seismic design of concrete buildings concerns the stability of structural walls when subjected to intense earthquake ground motions. Large tensile strains, developed as a result of significant yielding in the wall, are a cause for concern since the stability of the wall depends on the magnitude of the tensile strain imposed on the wall. A critical condition exists where excessive out-of-plane displacement may occur upon load reversal prior to crack closure causing the wall to buckle. The potential for instability can be mitigated by requiring a minimum wall thickness to ensure that the in-plane lateral strength can be fully developed in the reversed direction. A methodology for assessing the minimum wall thickness is outlined in this paper and results are presented for a number of parameters including the ground motion intensity, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, floor weight, wall-to-floor area ratio and number of stories. The minimum wall thickness is compared with recommendations in current building codes.
The effect of size on the looseness of wear fragments

Abstract Whether a fragment transferred during sliding comes off as a loose wear particle is shown to depend on whether its elastic energy exceeds the surface energy at its point of attachment. Calculations show that, for an equiaxed fragment, there is a critical size, such that smaller fragments remain adherent while larger fragments come off in loose form. Experimental support for this critical size concept is cited. The material parameters involved are such that smaller fragments are formed with hard metals than with soft metals, thus explaining the better surface finish during sliding observed with the former.
An extreme ultraviolet spectrometer

A concept and preliminary design of an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer is presented. The spectrometer is based on a gas ionization chamber and an advanced eight-electrode electron focusing system to form a narrow electron beam on a photodiode aperture. The design is modeled with the SIMulation of IONs (SIMION) tools and shows the ability to scan through the spectral range of 20.0 - 40.6 nm by changing the potential on a single control electrode between about 200 and 1100 V. The spectral resolution is about 0.25 nm in the middle of the band. The set of the focusing potentials may be changed to allow detection of solar EUV radiation in a wider spectral band, e.g. 5.0 - 50.0 nm. The potentials may be also optimized to improve the spectral resolution in a required spectral window.
Endoscopic Endonasal Transclival Approach to the Jugular Tubercle

Background The jugular tubercle is a rounded bony prominence that arises from the inferolateral margin of the clivus. In a previous publication, we described the surgical anatomy of the expanded endonasal approach to the jugular tubercle. Objective To illustrate the translation of laboratory work to the operating room describing the anatomic and technical nuances of the endonasal approach to the jugular tubercle. Methods We review the relevant surgical anatomy needed to perform an endonasal approach to the jugular tubercle, and we select 4 different lesions to illustrate the application of our laboratory findings. Results In the first case, exposure and partial drilling of the jugular tubercle was critical to gain an adequate corridor to the meningioma, particularly to its inferolateral margin. This allowed for early devascularization, safe extracapsular dissection, and preservation of surrounding neurovascular structures. In addition, the jugular tubercle was hyperostotic and its resection, along with generous dural removal, provided a grade I Simpson tumor resection. In the second (chondrosarcoma) and third (chordoma) cases, the jugular tubercle was infiltrated by tumor, and consequently its complete resection was essential to achieve total tumor removal. In the last case, an unusual adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenoma recurrence at the jugular tubercle region, the technical modification of the transclival approach presented here was successfully applied to achieve complete resection and Cushing disease remission. Conclusion The transjugular tubercle variant of the expanded endonasal transclival approach allows for direct access to ventrolateral lesions in the inferior clival/petroclival region with no cerebral or cerebellar retraction, or cranial nerve manipulation during the approach.
Signal Fluctuations Induced by non-T1-related Confounds in Variable TR fMRI Experiments

Purpose To assess and model signal fluctuations induced by non-T1-related confounds in variable repetition time fMRI and to develop a compensation procedure to correct for the non-T1- related artifacts.
Review of organic Rankine cycles for internal combustion engine exhaust waste heat recovery

Escalating fuel prices and future carbon dioxide emission limits are creating a renewed interest in methods to increase the thermal efficiency of engines beyond the limit of in-cylinder techniques. One promising mechanism that accomplishes both objectives is the conversion of engine waste heat to a more useful form of energy, either mechanical or electrical. This paper reviews the history of internal combustion engine exhaust waste heat recovery focusing on Organic Rankine Cycles since this thermodynamic cycle works well with the medium-grade energy of the exhaust. Selection of the cycle expander and working fluid are the primary focus of the review, since they are regarded as having the largest impact on system performance. Results demonstrate a potential fuel economy improvement around 10% with modern refrigerants and advancements in expander technology.
Evidence for the presence of regional differences in the calcium antagonist receptors in lower urinary tract smooth muscle.

(+)-[3HPN 200-110 (a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist) was utilized to characterize calcium channel binding sites in rabbit bladder dome, bladder base, and urethra. Specific binding of (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 to membrane particulates was saturable, reversible, linear to protein concentration, and of high affinity. The density of (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 binding sites (Bmax values in fmol/mg of protein) and the affinity constants for (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 (KD value in pM) in urethra, bladder dome and bladder base were 64.1 ± 7.8 and 179±31; 21.9±3.0 and 213±36; and 18.8±4.2 and 140±28, respectively. Agonists and antagonists inhibited (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 binding with Ki values in the following rank order: nitrendipine < nifedipine < niguldipine ≪ Bay K 8644 ≪ verapamil. Although carbachol-induced contractile responses were 20–30 times smaller in muscle strips from urethra than from bladder base or bladder dome, KCl-induced contractions were only 3–4 times smaller in urethra than in bladder tissues. Nifedipine inhibited carbachol-induced contractions in urethra, bladder dome, and bladder base by 76%, 64%, and 60%, respectively, and completely inhibited KCl-induced contractions in all three tissues. IC50 values for nifedipine inhibition of both carbachol- and KCl-induced contractions were significantly smaller in urethra than in bladder base or bladder dome. Nitrendipine, niguldipine and verapamil inhibited urethral contractions induced by carbachol and KCl to the same degree as did nifedipine. The IC50 values, obtaines from functional studies, for calcium channel antagonists were in good agreement with Ki values obtained from binding studies. BAY K 8644, a calcium channel agonist, increased both KCl- and carbachol-induced contractions and potentiated CaCl2-induced contractions in K+-depolarizing media in urethra but not in bladder dome or bladder base. Our data indicate that the density of (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 binding sites is higher in the urethra than in the bladder dome or bladder base and that the urethra is functionally more sensitive to dihydropyridine agonists and antagonists than is either the bladder dome or bladder base.
Change, Contradiction, and Overconfidence: Chinese Philosophy and Cognitive Peculiarities of Asians

This article discusses philosophical influence, especially the influence made by Confucianism and Daoism, on the way Asian people see and understand the world. Recently, Richard Nisbett drew a connection between Chinese philosophy (Confucianism and Daoism) and the cognitive profiles of the people who live in Asian countries where Confucianism and Daoism are strong social and cultural traditions. He argues that there is a peculiar way that Asians think and perceive things and this cognitive pattern is influenced by a group of principles derived from Chinese philosophy. This article critically analyzes Nisbett’s explanation, his emphasis on the principle of change in particular, and provides an alternative explanation of the connection between Chinese philosophy and cognitive peculiarities of Asians. Asians combine and integrate opposite viewpoints not because they believe that things change in all unexpected directions, but because they see the world as a big system with interrelated and mutually influencing components.
Review Paper: Chitosan Derivatives as Promising Materials for Controlled Drug Delivery:

Chitosan, a natural based-polymer obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin, is nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. These properties make chitosan a good candidate for the development of conventional and novel drug delivery systems. Chitosan has been found to be used as a support material for gene delivery, cell culture, and tissue engineering. However, practical use of chitosan has been mainly confined to the unmodified forms. For a breakthrough in utilization, especially in the field of controlled drug delivery, graft copolymerization onto chitosan will be a key point, which will introduce desired properties and enlarge the field of the potential applications of chitosan by choosing various types of side chains. Chemical modification of chitosan is useful for the association of bioactive molecules to polymer and controlling the drug release profile. This paper reviews the various methods of preparation of chitosan derivatives intended for controlled drug delivery. From the studies reviewed it is concluded that chitosan derivatives are promising materials for controlled drug and nonviral gene delivery.
From force distribution to average coordination number in frictional granular matter

Abstract We study the joint probability distribution of normal and tangential frictional forces in jammed granular media, P μ ( f t , f n ) , for various values of the friction coefficient μ , especially when μ = ∞ . A universal scaling law is found to collapse the data for μ = 0 to ∞ , demonstrating a link between the force distribution P μ ( f t , f n ) and the average coordination number, z c μ . The results determine z c μ for a finite friction coefficient, extending the constraint-counting argument of isostatic granular packing to finite frictional packings.
Geographic variation in change in income inequality among US states, 1970–1990

Income inequality in the United States has increased greatly over the last 25 years. This paper examines geographic variation across the states in income inequality from 1970 to 1990 for family and for non-family households. Richer and larger metropolitan states, which had less inequality in 1970, became far more unequal, while many less metropolitan, poorer states in 1970, changed less. Associated with greater inequality or increase in inequality were economic restructuring (low wage versus high end services), surplus labor (babyboom entry, immigration), deregulation and tax changes, spatial polarization within metropolitan areas, family instability and higher shares of proprietary income; and with lesser inequality (or less change) manufacturing growth, higher (female) labor force participation and metro-politan growth (as in the South and the Plains).
Measures on periodic orbits for continuous transformations on the interval

Let be a continuous transformation which is eventually onto, i.e., for any interval I in [o,l] there exists- n such that . Let μ be a [ILM0003]-ergodic measure. Then there exists a sequence of periodic orbits
An analysis of the generation of subharmonics in aeroengine ducts and methods of their prevention

When the fans of aero-engine ducts go supersonic they often produce radiation at the subharmonics of blade passage frequency known as Multiple Pure Tones. It has been shown that the conventional explanation that these MPTs are created by the shock waves is inadequate. An alternative mechanism based on the concept of 'strong interaction' between the harmonics during resonance is proposed. Expression for the governing equation for such an interaction is derived. The results show an improved agreement with observed data. The analysis has also led to several practical suggestions for the suppression of noise.
Molecular characterization of redox mechanisms in allergic asthma

Abstract Objective To investigate the molecular redox mechanisms in allergic asthma and to examine current studies of the disease to provide a basis for further investigation of oxidative stress in allergic asthma and the signaling cascades involved in its pathogenesis. Data Sources Through the use of PubMed, a broad biomedical literature review was conducted in the following areas related to the physiology and pathobiology of asthma: redox therapy, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, allergic asthma, and antioxidants. Study Selections Studies pertaining to oxidative stress and redox signaling in the molecular pathways of inflammation and hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma were reviewed. Results Allergic asthma is associated with an increase in endogenous ROS formation, leading to oxidative stress–induced damage to the respiratory system and mitigated antioxidant defenses. Exposure to environmental antigens has been shown to stimulate overproduction of ROS, resulting in abnormal physiologic function of DNA, proteins, and lipids that clinically can augment bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Through the use of animal and human studies, oxidative stress has been determined to be important in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Thus, recent research suggests that the assessment of oxidative stress byproducts represents a novel method by which disease severity can be monitored. In addition, the use of redox-based therapy to attenuate levels of ROS presents a potential strategy to alleviate oxidative stress–induced airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Conclusion Redox mechanisms of oxidative stress in allergic asthma appear to play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease and represent a promising therapeutic target.
When vaccine injury claims go to court.

In February, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program released decisions for the first three test cases heard under the program's Omnibus Autism Proceeding. Alexandra Stewart writes that those decisions will have a substantial effect on vaccine policy and practice in the United States and will influence the analysis of more than 5300 pending claims.