cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene Pathways Analysis of the Effects of Suspension Culture on Primary Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells

Drug-induced acute kidney injury causes massive morbidity and mortality at exorbitant cost, yet there is currently no effective method for preclinical in vitro testing for nephrotoxicity. Proximal tubule cells are a key target for nephrotoxins, but heretofore, it has been a challenge to maintain their differentiation in vitro. One promising approach is to culture them in suspension, under physiological levels of shear, so as to induce and maintain structural and functional differentiation. Advances in materials, additive manufacturing, and injection molding have reduced the complexity and cost of suspension cultures hardware by orders of magnitude, making it a viable alternative for high throughput screening. This study defines the global transcriptome responses of human renal proximal tubular cells to suspension culture. GSEA/Cytoscape/ClueGO analysis showed near perfect concurrence with GPS-SIGORA analysis in the areas of mineral absorption and ribosome assembly, and defined the nucleic acid and protein mechanisms underlying the transcriptome response to suspension culture. Proximal tubular cells in suspension culture showed increased growth and viability assayed as reducing potential compared to cells cultured under static conditions. Suspension culture of human renal proximal tubular cells now allows investigations in basic cell biology, toxicology, drug screening, and tissue engineering, free of artificial matrices, feeder layers, fetal gene expression, or the need for complex engineering technologies.
Demo: Towards Non-Newtonian Organic User Interfaces Ferro-Oobleck (Patent Pending)

Throughout the 2010s interest in both organic user interfaces and various tangible haptics systems has grown steadily. Prior art has shown this through transmitting shape as a means of a novel interaction. Oobleck is a mixture of water and cornstarch that exhibits properties of both a solid and liquid depending on whether or not force is applied to it at the time. Prior art mainly employed the use of sound and vibration to activate the oobleck. The results were somewhat effective but really lacked any precise control over the oobleck. However, by embedding magnetic particles and some chemical additives in the oobleck, finer and more dynamic control over the oobleck could be attained. A magnetic matrix was concepted as a user interface to test the oobleck medium. As a proof of concept, 4 solenoid valves with small neodymium attached to them were used. Neodymium were used instead of electro-magnets due to their extremely dense and strong magnetic fields. The interface was designed to communicate fingertip touch between parties. 4 touch sensors were placed on a mouse shaped interface, when triggered, these would deactivate relays that controlled solenoids with small neodymium attached to them, springing upwards to be near a thin receptacle holding the oobleck. A user could then feel the shape of the oobleck change in specific locations to reflect the feeling of the person pressing their fingertips against the sensor area.
The “Eyes” Are Watching You: Social Control in an Introduction to Sociology Classroom:

Students learn more when their minds are engaged, when abstract concepts become constructs they can see and understand in the context of their everyday lives. In this article, we present an activit...
Technology and Adolescent Behavioral Health Care

The interface between adolescence and technology offers both the greatest need for increased clinical caution as well as the greatest opportunity for future exploration. Where else can the seasoned clinician feel like a mere novice compared to the tech-savvy adolescent patient? Where else can the tech savvy adolescent, who in the prime of invincibility and curiosity, find easy access to situations and dangers once only the subject of science fiction? With this, consider the limitless potential of technology-based solutions powered by the ever-connected adolescent. Imagine a world where electronic gadgets can track clinical data points, such as a smart phone that monitors sleep patterns, or can provide real time clinical guidance, such as a guided relaxation module when the patient’s heart rate starts to climb. In this chapter, we review the interface of technology and adolescent behavioral health care with an emphasis on how technology also impacts access to information, parenting, and maintaining patient safety.
The survey on knowledge and behavior among parents of children with hand-foot-mouth disease in Xuzhou

Objective To understand HFMD knowledge and behavior among parents of children with HFMD in Xuzhou,so as to provide scientific basis for effective control measures.Methods 1 125 parents of children with HFMD in Xuzhou children' s hospital from January 2010 to December 2010 were surveyed.Results Among 1 017 parents,90％ parents heard about HFMD and approved visiting a doctor immediately,but only 7.18％ to 41.89％ of them knew about the pathogen and susceptible population of HFMD.57.52％ of the children suck fingers,19.96％ of the children and parents washed hands before meals/after toilet in time,4.03％ of the families disinfected dinnerware and 3.64％ of them disinfected toys,which were all risk behaviors of HFMD infection.Awareness of HFMD among parents aged 25-40 years old(50.32％)was higher than that of parents younger than 25 years old(32.95％)and that of parents elder than 40 years old(23.70％).The difference was statistically significant(x2 =44.881,P ＜ 0.01).Awareness of HFMD was found positively correlated with education level.The difference was statistically significant(x2 =55.661,P ＜0.01).Suburban showed lower awareness(36.38％)than the citizens(57.90％).There was significant difference(x2 =47.179,P ＜ 0.01).61.32％ of the parents had needs for knowledge of HFMD prevention and control,53.75％for knowledge of living habits and 27.19％ for knowledge of HFMD treatment.Conclusions Popular and pertinent propaganda should be carried out among different population,so as to enrich the knowledge of HFMD of the parents. Key words: Hand-foot-mouth disease; Nursing; Data collection; Parents of children patients
Non-signaling proofs with o(√ log n) provers are in PSPACE

Non-signaling proofs, motivated by quantum computation, have found applications in cryptography and hardness of approximation. An important open problem is characterizing the power of non-signaling proofs. It is known that non-signaling proofs with two provers are characterized by PSPACE and that non-signaling proofs with poly(n)-provers are characterized by EXP. However, the power of k-prover non-signaling proofs, for 2kn) remained an open problem. We show that k-prover non-signaling proofs (with negligible soundness) for k=O(√logn) are contained in PSPACE. We prove this via two different routes that are of independent interest. In both routes we consider a relaxation of non-signaling called sub-non-signaling. Our main technical contribution (which is used in both our proofs) is a reduction showing how to convert any sub-non-signaling strategy with value at least 1−2−Ω(k 2) into a non-signaling one with value at least 2−O(k 2). In the first route, we show that the classical prover reduction method for converting k-prover games into 2-prover games carries over to the non-signaling setting with the following loss in soundness: if a k-prover game has value less than 2−ck 2 (for some constant c>0), then the corresponding 2-prover game has value less than 1 − 2 dk 2 (for some constant d>0). In the second route we show that the value of a sub-non-signaling game can be approximated in space that is polynomial in the communication complexity and exponential in the number of provers.
Comparative efficacy of apalutamide darolutamide and enzalutamide for treatment of non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction: Studies using apalutamide, enzalutamide, or darolutamide have shown improved metastasis free survival (MFS) rates, leaving clinicians with a dilemma of choosing one over the other, for nonmetastatic castration recurrent prostate cancer (nmCRPC). We performed a network meta-analysis to provide an indirect comparison of oncologic outcomes and adverse events (AEs) of these medications. Material and Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases, for studies reporting apalutamide, enzalutamide, or darolutamide until January 25, 2020. Results were input into an EndNote library, and data were extracted into a predefined template. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as radiologic progression or death. Network meta-analysis was done using R and meta-analysis was performed with RevMan v. 5. Surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) value was used to provide rank probabilities. Results: We found 3 studies reporting results for apalutamide, enzalutamide, and darolutamide. MFS was significantly lower in patients receiving darolutamide compared to both apalutamide (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55–0.97) and enzalutamide (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54–0.93). MFS was similar for enzalutamide and apalutamide (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.73–1.28). In PFS, apalutamide showed a slightly higher rate compared to darolutamide (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59–0.99). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) between any of the medications. There was no statistically significant difference in AEs profile of the 3 medications. However, darolutamide had the highest SUCRA value and probability of being the most preferred medication based on AEs profile. Conclusion: Enzalutamide and apalutamide had similar and higher MFS rate in indirect comparison with darolutamide. In cases where AEs are concerning, darolutamide might be the preferred agent.
Pediatric accountable health communities: Insights on needed capabilities and potential solutions.

Abstract Background Pediatric accountable health communities (AHCs) are emerging collaborative models that integrate care across health and social service sectors. We aimed to identify needed capabilities and potential solutions for implementing pediatric AHCs. Methods We conducted a directed content analysis of responses to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation on the Integrated Care for Kids Model (n = 1550 pages from 202 respondents). We then interviewed pediatric health policy stakeholders (n = 18) to further investigate responses from the RFI. All responses were coded using a consensual qualitative research approach in 2019. Results To facilitate service integration, respondents emphasized the need for cross-sector organizational alignment and data sharing. Recommended solutions included designating “Bridge Organizations” to operationalize service integration across sectors and developing integrated data sharing systems. Respondents called for improved validation and collection methods for data relating to school performance, social drivers of health, family well-being, and patient experience. Recommended solutions included aligning health and education data privacy regulations and utilizing metrics with cross-sector relevance. Respondents identified that mechanisms are needed to blend health and social service funding in alternative payment models (APMs). Recommended solutions included guidance on cross-sector care coordination payments, shared savings arrangements, and capitation to maximize spending flexibility. Conclusions Pediatric AHCs could provide more integrated, high-value care for children. Respondents highlighted the need for shared infrastructure and cross-sector alignment of measures and financing. Implications Insights and solutions from this study can inform policymakers planning or implementing innovative, child-centered AHC models. Level of evidence Level V.
Specialty pharmacy services

Abstract A specialty pharmacy manages rare, chronic, and often complex medical conditions that require an increased level of patient management. Typically, specialty pharmacies dispense high-cost, limited distribution medications for which patients may require financial assistance, specific dosing guidance, and counseling. Specialty pharmacies often seek professional accreditations in order to increase access to limited distribution medications, insurance payors, and to build trust from prescribers. Specialty pharmacies have a variety of practice models and services, with an emphasis on coordinated care and integrated care. Specialty pharmacy practice has grown exponentially and has greatly impacted patients, the health-care community, and various stakeholders and continues to manifest key trends in the health-care industry and technology. It is crucial for organization and accrediting bodies to oversee specialty pharmacies and develop key curriculums and trainings for pharmacists.
Case Study: Seabrook Station Unit 1 ASR Problem

In this chapter, we examine a particularly complex case-study, one that brings together multiple issues separately addressed in this book and is thus a fitting last chapter.
Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement in Rehabilitation Among Stroke Survivors: An Integrative Review.

Background Approximately 795,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke every year, and it remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Patient engagement in rehabilitation and physical activity has been associated with improvements in functional outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation. There is limited knowledge of the barriers and facilitators to patients' engagement in stroke rehabilitation. Methods An integrative review with a systematic approach was conducted to explore the current available literature on barriers and facilitators to patient engagement in stroke inpatient rehabilitation. Results Twenty-five studies were included in the final review. Four major themes described the identified barriers and facilitators: (1) stroke impact, (2) self-efficacy, (3) therapeutic relationship, and (4) motivating factors. Individualized patient-centered goal setting was a commonly studied intervention found to successfully increase engagement. Conclusion Engagement in stroke rehabilitation is associated with improved patient outcomes. Using the identified themes from this review, nurses can develop focused interventions aimed at reducing barriers and increasing stroke patient engagement.
Viscosity changes and gel formation during storage of liquid micellar casein concentrates.

ABSTRACT Our objective was to determine the effects of temperature and protein concentration on viscosity increase and gelation of liquid micellar casein concentrate (MCC) at protein concentrations from 6 to 20% during refrigerated storage. Skim milk (~350 kg) was pasteurized (72°C for 16 s) and filtered through a ceramic microfiltration system to make MCC and replicated 3 times. The liquid MCC was immediately concentrated via a plate ultrafiltration system to 18% protein (wt/wt). The MCC was then diluted to various protein concentrations (6–18%, wt/wt). The highest protein concentrations of MCC formed gels almost immediately on cooling to 4°C, whereas lower concentrations of MCC were viscous liquids. Apparent viscosity (AV) determination using a rotational viscometer, gel strength using a compression test, and protein analysis of supernatants from ultracentrifugation by the Kjeldahl method were performed. The AV data were collected from MCC (6.54, 8.75, 10.66, and 13.21% protein) at 4, 20, and 37°C, and compression force test data were collected for MCC (15.6, 17.9, and 20.3% protein) over a period of 2-wk storage at 4°C. The maximum compressive load was compared at each time point to determine the changes in gel strength over time. Supernatants from MCC of 6.96 and 11.61% protein were collected after ultracentrifugation (100,605 × g for 2 h at 4, 20, and 37°C) and the nitrogen distributions (total, noncasein, casein, and nonprotein nitrogen) were determined. The protein and casein as a percent of true protein concentration in the liquid phase around casein micelles in MCC increased with increasing total MCC protein concentration and with decreasing temperature. Casein as a percent of true protein at 4°C in the liquid phase around casein micelles increased from about 16% for skim milk to about 78% for an MCC containing 11.6% protein. This increase was larger than expected, and this may promote increased viscosity. The AV of MCC solutions in the range of 6 to 13% casein increased with increasing casein concentration and decreasing temperature. We observed a temperature by protein concentration interaction, with AV increasing more rapidly with decreasing temperature at high protein concentration. The increase in AV with decreasing temperature may be due to the increase in protein concentration in the aqueous phase around the casein micelles. The MCC containing about 16 and 18% casein gelled upon cooling to form a gel that was likely a particle jamming gel. These gels increased in strength over 10 d of storage at 4°C, likely due either to the migration of casein (CN) out of the micelles and interaction of the nonmicellar CN to form a network that further strengthened the random loose jamming gel structure or to a gradual increase in voluminosity of the casein micelles during storage at 4°C.
treedata.table: a wrapper for data.table that enables fast manipulation of large phylogenetic trees matched to data

This package was partially developed during the “Nantucket phylogeny developeR workshop”, organized by Liam J. Revell (NSF DBI-1759940). April Wright was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P2O GM103424-18. Josef Uyeda was funded on NSF DEB-1208912 to Luke Harmon in creating treeplyr, which served as a precursor for this project and code. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Interpretation of Surface Wave Signals following Multiple Specular Reflections in an Acoustic Microscope

Acoustic microscopes are powerful tools in determining the velocity of a leaky surface or Rayleigh wave. In the most common implementation, the velocity is inferred from a narrow band measurement of the variation of signal with lift-off [1]. However we are concerned with a time-domain implementation [2], in which the velocity is found from the time difference between the front surface reflection and the trailing leaky Rayleigh wave signal. This signal is created by a complex wave path involving propagation of a longitudinal wave through the coupling fluid, conversion to a Rayleigh wave, and reradiation back to the transducer. However, when the velocity of the Rayleigh wave is too low, or the aperture of the lens is too small, this second signal is not observed because of the absence of energy at the incident critical angle [3]. Nevertheless, in this case, a trailing signal is sometimes seen after the second or third specular reflection. In this paper, we describe a series of experiments in which such signals are seen. Based on a combination of theory and experiment, we establish the origins of these signals and identify situations in which they extend the capability of a given lens.
Principled Opinions: Response to Brickman

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by The Fordham Law School Institutional Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion inFordham Law Review by an authorized administrator of The Fordham Law School Institutional Repository. For more information, please contactmelnick@law.fordham.edu.
Modeling the millimeter-wave beam joining of ceramic tubes

Summary form only given. The high power beams that can be generated by CW gyrotrons represent a promising energy source for high-temperature processing of materials. To effectively use these sources, modeling of the beam interaction with candidate materials, e.g., ceramics, can give significant insight into the field and power distribution within the material. From these field assessments, heat generation with the material can be determined and coupled with thermal transfer analysis, heating and heat flow can be assessed. In this paper, a method of evaluating the time-dependent temperature profile of ceramic cylinders was discussed. Both solid cylinders and tubes have been analyzed. For the tubes, the region is treated as a composite system comprised of cylinders of dielectric material having different dielectric and thermal properties. Theoretical results was compared to qualitative results from current research into the joining of ceramic cylinders that use the 83 GHz gyrotron based material processing system at NRL.
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) regulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) action in mammary glands in vivo

5173 In vitro studies suggest that there is functional crosstalk between ERα and the IGF-1 signaling cascade, which includes potentiation of IGF-1 responses by ERα, and stimulation of ERα activity by IGF-1. To study the role of ERα in the effects of IGF-1 in vivo, we used the BK5.IGF-1 transgenic (Tg) mouse model in which human IGF-1 is expressed by keratin 5-positive mammary myoepithelial cells, and acts in a paracrine manner on the adjacent ductal epithelium. Previously, we found that mammary tumor incidence was significantly increased in Tg animals compared to wild-types (WT). To evaluate the mechanism by which paracrine IGF-1 affects susceptibility to carcinogenesis, mammary glands from WT and Tg pre-pubertal (4-5 wks old) and post-pubertal (8-13 wks old) mice were analyzed. In pre-pubertal glands, overexpression of IGF-1 induced a significant increase in phosphorylation of IGF-1R, IRS-1, Akt and mTOR, but not MAPK. Since the PI3K/Akt pathway is known to primarily phosphorylate serine 167 of ERα while the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway phosphorylates serine 118, we then evaluated ERα phosphorylation using site-specific antibodies. Phosphorylation of serine 167, but not 118, was found to be elevated in pre-pubertal Tg glands, further indicating activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Cyclin D1 expression was also significantly higher in Tg pre-pubertal glands compared to glands from age-matched WTs. Conversely, in post-pubertal mice, IGF-1 overexpression resulted in increased phosphorylation of IGF-1R, MAPK, and mTOR, but not IRS-1 or Akt. Cyclin D1 expression was not increased in Tg post-pubertal glands either. These data indicate that IGF-1 stimulates signaling predominantly via the PI3K/Akt pathway in pre-pubertal mice, and the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway in post-pubertal mice. Meanwhile, ERα expression level was comparable in glands from Tg and WT pre-pubertal mice, but significantly reduced in Tg post-pubertal glands compared to WTs. To further clarify whether ERα plays a role in the ′signaling pathway switch,′ protein extracts from glands from both age groups were immunoprecipitated with IRS-1 antibody, and then immunoblotted with ERα antibody. Results showed that ERα coprecipitated with IRS-1 in extracts from Tg pre-pubertal but not post-pubertal glands. In summary, our data showed that in pre-pubertal Tg mice, where ERα levels were high, IGF-1 induced the formation of the IRS-1/ERα complex, and stimulated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway; while in post-pubertal Tg mice, where ERα levels were significantly reduced, the IRS-1/ERα complex was not formed, and IGF-1 signaling proceeded predominantly through the MAPK pathway. Therefore, these findings indicate that the level of ERα expression determines the signal transduction pathway activated by IGF-1, which in turn affects cyclin D1 expression and the proliferation response.
The kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus: a model for viral oncogenesis

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is the most common tumor arising in HIV-infected patients and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among the AIDS population in the developing world. The recent discovery of the etiologic agent of KS, the Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), has invigorated new awareness of this unique neoplasm. Indeed, examination of the KSHV genome has revealed numerous genes that may contribute to the development of the spindle cell, the dominant cell in KS lesions.
Influence of river conditions during seaward migration and ocean conditions on survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead

Petrosky CE, Schaller HA. Influence of river conditions during seaward migration and ocean conditions on survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 520–536. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Improved understanding of the relative influence of ocean and freshwater factors on survival of at-risk anadromous fish populations is critical to success of conservation and recovery efforts. Abundance and smolt to adult survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead decreased dramatically coincident with construction of hydropower dams in the 1970s. However, separating the influence of ocean and freshwater conditions is difficult because of possible confounding factors. We used long time-series of smolt to adult survival rates for Chinook salmon and steelhead to estimate first year ocean survival rates. We constructed multiple regression models that explained the survival rate patterns using environmental indices for ocean conditions and in-river conditions experienced during seaward migration. Survival rates during the smolt to adult and first year ocean life stages for both species were associated with both ocean and river conditions. Best-fit, simplest models indicate that lower survival rates for Chinook salmon are associated with warmer ocean conditions, reduced upwelling in the spring, and with slower river velocity during the smolt migration or multiple passages through powerhouses at dams. Similarly, lower survival rates for steelhead are associated with warmer ocean conditions, reduced upwelling in the spring, and with slower river velocity and warmer river temperatures. Given projections for warming ocean conditions, a precautionary management approach should focus on improving in-river migration conditions by increasing water velocity, relying on increased spill, or other actions that reduce delay of smolts through the river corridor during their seaward migration.
Hemispheric processing of idioms: The influence of familiarity and ambiguity

Abstract Recent findings suggest that the right hemisphere plays a key role when readers comprehend figurative language. However, it is currently unclear how specific types of figurative language, such as idioms (e.g., “to bury the hatchet”), are processed in the right and left cerebral hemispheres. Prior research suggests that a reader's previous exposure to an idiomatic phrase (i.e., the level of familiarity) and the plausibility of an idiom (i.e., the level of ambiguity) influence how idioms are processed. To investigate how familiarity influences the hemispheric processing of idioms (Experiment 1), participants read texts containing familiar or less familiar idioms and made lexical decisions to related target words presented to the left visual field-right hemisphere or to the right visual field-left hemisphere. To investigate how ambiguity influences the hemispheric processing of idioms (Experiment 2), participants read texts containing high or low ambiguity idioms and completed a lexical decision task to related target words presented to each visual field-hemisphere. For both familiar and less familiar idioms, greater facilitation was evident in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere. Additionally, greater facilitation was evident in the left hemisphere for low ambiguity idioms than for high ambiguity idioms, and greater facilitation was evident in the right hemisphere for high ambiguity idioms than for low ambiguity idioms. These findings suggest that the right hemisphere has an advantage when readers process ambiguous idioms, whereas the left hemisphere has an advantage when readers process low ambiguity idioms, and both familiar and less familiar idioms.
Finite element simulation of PSB macroband nucleation and propagation in single crystal nickel cycled at low plastic strain amplitudes

Substructure models for vein matrix and persistent slip band (PSB) structures are extracted from a uniaxial mixtures model that was developed to simulate cyclic loading experiments on nickel single crystals oriented for single slip. Reverse magnetostriction is included as well. These substructure models are implanted in a single crystal plasticity framework with fully anisotropic elasticity. The resulting constitutive models are incorporated in finite element models to simulate the process of PSB macroband formation and propagation. Perturbation elements (PEs), elements assigned with PSB properties, are used as the loci for PSB macroband nucleation. Transition of elements with vein matrix properties to elements with PSB properties is triggered at integration points by a shear stress criterion applied on slip systems. The resulting finite element models successfully demonstrate the process of PSB formation and propagation, and plastic strain amplitude partitioning between vein matrix and PSB macrobands. The effect of model boundary constraints, strain increment dependence, mesh sensitivity, PE distribution, specimen axis misorientation, and PSB volume fraction generated is examined.
Proteolytic Degradation of Human Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 by Bacillus anthracis May Contribute to Virulence

In this paper we report on the susceptibilities of a range of Bacillus species to the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37. B. subtilis showed a low level of resistance to killing by LL-37 (50% growth-inhibitory concentration [GI 50 ], 1 μg/ml). B. cereus and B. thuringiensis showed intermediate levels of resistance to killing (GI 50 s, 33 μg/ml and 37 μg/ml, respectively). B. anthracis showed the highest level of resistance (GI 50 s, 40 to 66 μg/ml). The degradation of LL-37 by B. anthracis culture supernatant was blocked by the metalloprotease inhibitors EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, and the gene encoding the protease responsible for LL-37 degradation was not plasmid borne. Our findings suggest that alongside the classical plasmid-based virulence determinants, extracellular metalloproteases of B. anthracis may play a role in survival in the host.
A web-based interface for communication of data between the clinical and research environments without revealing identifying information.

Rationale and Objectives Recent health care policies and regulations have affected the manner in which patient data—especially protected health information (PHI)—are handled in both the clinical and research settings. Specifically, it is now more challenging to obtain de-identified PHI from the clinic for use in research while adhering to the requirements of this new environment. Materials and Methods To meet this challenge, we have devised a novel web-based interface that facilitates the communication of data (eg, biopsy results) between the clinic and research environments without revealing PHI to the research team or associated research identifiers to the clinical collaborators. At the heart of the scheme is a web application that coordinates message passing between the researchers (in general, the requesters of de-identified PHI) and clinical collaborators (who have access to PHI) by use of a protocol that protects confidentiality. Results We describe the design requirements of this communication scheme and present implementation details of the web application and its associated database. Conclusions We conclude that this scheme provides a useful communication mechanism that facilitates clinical research while maintaining confidentiality of patient data.
Cocaine use in elder patients presenting to an inner-city emergency department.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cocaine use in a population of elder patients presenting to an inner-city academic emergency department (ED). Methods:This was a prospective, blinded observational study of patients aged 60 years or older who presented to a large urban ED over a six-month period. A urine drug screen was performed on patients who had a sample obtained during treatment for routine analysis. Patients' demographic data were collected and compared. Results: A total of 5,677 visits met the inclusion criteria. Urine samples were obtained in 911 (16%) of these visits with 852 unique individuals. There were 18 cocaine-positive results among the 911 visits, for a rate of 2.0%. The rate of positive subjects was also 2.0% (17/852). The cocaine users were younger (66.4 ± 7.2 vs. 76.0 ± 8.7 years), predominantly male (88.9% vs. 46.6%), and more likely to be diagnosed with drug or alcohol abuse as compared with the cocaine-negative patients. However, there were no significant differences in disposition between the cocaine-positive and cocaine-negative groups. Conclusions: Elder patients may have a higher prevalence of cocaine use than previously estimated by national registries.
Population structure and evolutionary progress

Wright's shifting-balance theory is discussed as an example of a process that can cause species to evolve combinations of characters that could not evolve under natural selection alone. A review of the existing theory of peak shifts indicates that the conditions of extreme isolation that are necessary to permit genetic drift to alter the outcome of natural selection in local populations would make gene flow too weak to spread a new combination of genes to other populations in a reasonable time. Instead, it seems likely that major demographic changes must occur in a species for the shifting-balance process to work. A discussion of direct and indirect studies of gene flow in natural populations suggests that the current genetic structure of many species is likely to reflect past demographic events rather than ongoing gene flow. It is possible then that demographic processes could be responsible for spreading new traits in a species, but that would be true whether those new traits evolved only owing to natural selection or owing in addition to genetic drift and other forces.
A stratified sampling approach to compensating for non-random sedimentation of phytoplankton cells in inverted microscope settling chambers

A pronounced “edge effect” resulting in non-random cell sedimentation is documented for standard-design inverted microscope counting chambers. Comparison of mean cell densities of two green algae from random fields in central and peripheral regions of chambers substantiate a marked peripheral settling bias. The non-random settling pattern is independent of phytoplankton cell size and population density over the ranges encountered in this analysis. If this problem is not compensated for, the magnitude of the bias is such that large errors in estimates of mean cell density/chamber can result. A stratified sampling approach is developed to minimize the error resulting from non-random settling without increasing the amount of time spent enumerating cells. Counting of random fields rather than patterned transects is strongly recommended as the standard procedure in phytoplankton studies.
Connections between the two Dirac equations

The usual Dirac equation is linked to the new equation in the Dirac algebra. This assists in connecting the Lorentz properties as well, for these two, spin-1/2 equations.
MODELING OF THE SLEWING CONTROL OF A FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE

This paper presents a formulation for the modeling of a single-link flexible beam that is undergoing slewing motion at an actively controlled pinned end, where the other end of the beam is free. This pinned end, or slewing axis, is of fixed orientation such that the beam rotates in the horizontal plane. A geared dc electric motor is connected to the beam at the slewing axis. A position and a velocity sensor are placed at this hinged location, and their proportional feedback provides a position control system about the slewing axis. The motor characteristics, gear ratio, and the position feedback constant determine an equivalent rotational spring constant, often called the servo stiffness. This paper generalizes the structure's boundary conditions at the slewing axis to include the effects of the servo system. It is shown that the clamped-free beam assumption for the dynamics of the structure is a valid assumption if the ratio of the servo stiffness to beam flexibility is high. However, for moderate or low values of this ratio, the clamped-free beam leads to erroneous system models so that it becomes necessary to consider the effects of the driving servo on the dynamics of the flexible beam.
2007 survey of radiologists: practice characteristics, ownership, and affiliation with imaging centers.

The ACR conducts periodic surveys to assess the status of radiologists and their practices. The most recent survey was in 2007. One purpose of the survey was to obtain up-to-date data on top-line parameters on radiologists and their practices. That is the focus of this article, the first of two JACR articles highlighting the survey's findings. The 2007 survey was a stratified random-sample telephone quota survey of ACR radiologist members and practice leaders conducted in May and June 2007. In total, 601 responses were received from currently practicing radiologists. The response rate was 20%, and the margin of error was ±4.3% at the 95% confidence level. Survey results presented in this article fall into 3 areas, which include characteristics of radiologists and their practices, ownership of imaging equipment, and the affiliation of radiologists with nonhospital imaging centers. Some highlights are as follows: interventional radiology and neuroradiology were the most frequently reported subspecialties; the mean practice size was 20 full-time radiologists; radiologists worked an average of 50 hours per week, took 8 weeks of vacation per year, and performed 14,000 imaging studies annually; slightly more than half of radiologists owned imaging equipment, with magnetic resonance and computed tomographic scanners being the most likely equipment to be owned; nearly one-half said that they had equity interest in centers, 36% provided services to centers under contract, fewer than 5% were employees of centers, and the remaining nearly one-third reported no affiliation of any kind.
Cyclone Uppercut, a boxing game for an immersive environment

Cyclone Uppercut is a Virtual Reality (VR) boxing game designed to run in a six sided CAVE-like projection system such as the C6 at Iowa State University. In this game, the player assumes the role of a young boxer fighting in the final match to be the Japanese Rookie Boxer Champion. In the C6's immersive environment, the player uses his/her body to interface with the game. The game play requires the player to dodge enemy's attacks, and to execute various punches to win the game. In this paper we discuss the challenges of creating interfaces to simulate a sport like boxing for an immersive space. We also discuss the philosophy that influences the game play, and followed by the detail of implementation. We argue that the unique design of the game make it an experience that can only be experienced in a fully immersive environment like the C6.
Benevolently bowing out: the influence of self-construals and leadership performance on the willful relinquishing of power

Abstract Sometimes a group's best interest is served when powerful people relinquish power, but little theory or empirical research has investigated when and by whom power is willingly given-up. Using a simulated, online team competition, two studies demonstrated that people who were dispositionally high in interdependent self-construals were more likely to relinquish their position of leadership within a group when they perceived that their leadership performance on the task was unambiguously poor versus good. However, when given the ability to attribute performance to others rather than the self, leader's level of interdependent self-construal did not significantly influence their decisions to relinquish power. Overall, these findings suggest that factors such as perceived leadership performance, interdependent self-construals, and ability to defer blame all converge when making decisions in regards to how much power should be relinquished.
Dual consequence of mutation in the dihydrofolate reductase gene of Diplococcus pneumoniae

Abstract Ten mutations have been identified at four genetically linked sites on the D. pneumoniae chromosome which determine an increase in the amount of dihydrofolate reductase and severely alter the structure as well. Mutant enzyme levels are increased as much as 60-fold over the wild-type. The mutant enzymes are markedly altered in the ability to bind the antifolate, amethopterin, and in respect to their thermostability properties. These findings may be pertinent to the question of the role of the structural gene itself in setting limits of synthesis of the gene product.
Chemosensory adaptation in paramecium involves changes in both repellent binding and the consequent receptor potentials

Abstract Two different chemorepellents, GTP and lysozyme, both produce transient depolarizing somatic receptor potentials and backward swimming (at micromolar concentrations) in Parameium. Behavioral adaptation occurs after 10 min in either repellent and the cells regain normal forward swimming. This is very specific for each repellent. Cells that have behaviorally adapted to 0.1 μM lysozyme (for 10 min) show forward swimming in lysozyme, a decreased amplitude of lysozyme-induced depolarizations and a 10-fold decrease in the estimated number of surface binding sites for 3H-lysozyme (by Scatchard analysis). All of these changes are reversible after 10 min in the absence of lysozyme. The lysozyme-adapted cells have normal responses to other depolarizing stimuli such as 8 mM Ba++, 40 mM K+, 10 mM Na+ and 10.0 μM GTP and to the hyperpolarizing chemoattractant, 5 mM acetate. Their surface binding of 32P-GTP was also unaffected. GTP-adapted cells show dramatic decreases in 32P-GTP surface binding sites and in the frequency of GTP-induced depolarizations but no changes in 3H-lysozyme binding or lysozyme-induced backward swimming. These results suggest that lysozyme and GTP have separate high affinity surface receptors on the somatic membrane that are specifically down-regulated during chemosensory adaptation.
Metabolic aspects of the toxicology of mixtures of parathion, toxaphene and/or 2,4-D in mice.

The effects of mixtures of parathion (PA; 5 mg kg−1), toxaphene (TOX; 50 mg kg−1) and/or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 50 mg kg−1) on the hepatic mixed-function oxygenase (MFO) system were studied in ICR male mice (21–24 g) by oral intubation daily for 7 days. In general, TOX and TOX-containing mixtures were found to induce the metabolism of amidopyrine (21–52%), aniline (58–72%), phenacetin (239–307%), pentobarbital (104–148%) and benzo[a]pyrene (143–304%) in the 9000 g liver supernatants and to increase the hepatic cytochrome P-450 contents (57–80%). Furthermore, the TOX pretreatemnt was effective in enhancing the biotransformation of PA or paraoxon (PO) in the supernatants. This enhancement was not altered significantly by 5 mM EDTA. Although TOX increased the aliesterase activity in the serum and liver homogenates and supernatants by 31–158%, the activity of paraoxonase was not affected in these preparations. The TOX-induced increase in the metabolism of PA or PO was, at least in part, associated with the MFO system, and paraoxonase did not have significant involvement in the increase. These findings suggest that the toxicity of the PA + TOX mixture would be lower than that of PA, as TOX has the ability to increase the biotransformation of PA, as well as of PO, and the levels of aliesterase, thereby providing a pool of non-critical enzymes for the binding of PO. Because of these properties of TOX, it is anticipated that the toxicity of the PA + TOX + 2,4-D mixture also would be lower than that of PA.
Surface imaging of inelastic Friedel oscillations

Impurities that are present on the surface of a metal often have internal degrees of freedom. Inelastic scattering due to impurities can be revealed by observing local features seen in the tunneling current with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). We consider localized vibrational modes coupled to the electronic structure of a surface. We argue that vibrational modes of impurities produce Fermi momentum ${k}_{F}$ oscillations in second derivative of current with respect to voltage ${\ensuremath{\partial}}^{2}I(\mathbf{r},V)∕\ensuremath{\partial}{V}^{2}$. These oscillations are similar to the well-known Friedel oscillations of screening charge on the surface. We propose to measure inelastic scattering generated by the presence of the vibrational modes with STM by imaging the ${\ensuremath{\partial}}^{2}I∕\ensuremath{\partial}{V}^{2}$ oscillations on the metal surface.
Acute nephrotoxicity induced by N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-3-hydroxysuccinamic acid in Fischer 344 rats.

N-(3.5-Dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) induces nephrotoxicity via one or more metabolites which arise from oxidation of the succinimide ring. The purpose of this study was to examine the nephrotoxic potential of N-(3.5-dichlorophenyl)-3-hydroxysuccinamic acid (3-NDHSA), a potential metabolite of NDPS and a positional isomer of N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxysuccinamic acid (2-NDHSA), a known nephrotoxic metabolite of NDPS. Male Fischer 344 rats were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of 3-NDHSA (0.2 or 0.4 mmol/kg) or sesame oil (2.5 mmol/kg), and renal function was monitored at 24 and 48 h. Both doses of 3-NDHSA induced diuresis, increased proteinuria, glucosuria and hematuria, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations and kidney weights, decreased organic ion accumulation by renal cortical slices, and induced proximal tubular necrosis. The characteristics of 3-NDHSA-induced nephrotoxicity were identical to NDPS-induced nephropathy, but were evident at lower doses with 3-NDHSA. These results demonstrate that 3-NDHSA is a nephrotoxicant which might contribute to NDPS-induced nephropathy.
Development and applications of the relative spacing model for loblolly pine plantations

The development through time of relative spacing was modeled for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations across the Lower Coastal Plain (LCP) and Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain (PUCP) regions of the southern United States, using data from two culture/density studies. The lower asymptotic limit of relative spacing decreases exponentially with increasing planting density in both the LCP and PUCP regions. It is also correlated with site index in the LCP region, but not in the PUCP region. In the PUCP region, loblolly pine plantations with the intensive management regime approach a higher value of minimum relative spacing than those with the operational management regime. In the LCP region, however, for a given planting density and site index loblolly pine plantations approach the same limit of relative spacing, regardless of management regime. Site index, planting density, and management intensity also affected other model parameters. How the resulting relative spacing models are used to determine thinning schedules and indirectly derive the survival patterns over time for young loblolly pine plantations were explored and outlined.