cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of the Roles of Trabecular Microarchitecture and Trabecular Type in Determining the Elastic Modulus of Human Trabecular Bone

The roles of microarchitecture and types of trabeculae in determining elastic modulus of trabecular bone have been studied in μCT images of 29 trabecular bone samples by comparing their Young's moduli calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) with different trabecular type-specific reconstructions. The results suggest that trabecular plates play an essential role in determining elastic properties of trabecular bone. Introduction: Osteoporosis is an age-related disease characterized by low bone mass and architectural deterioration. Other than bone volume fraction (BV/TV), microarchitecture of bone is also believed to be important in governing mechanical properties of trabecular bone. We quantitatively examined the role of microarchitecture and relative contribution of trabecular types of individual trabecula in determining the elastic property of trabecular bone. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine human cadaveric trabecular bone samples were scanned at 21-μm resolution using a μCT system. Digital topological analysis (DTA) consisting of skeletonization and classification was combined with a trabecular type-specific reconstruction technique to extract the skeleton and identify topological type of trabeculae of the original trabecular bone image. Four different μCT-based finite element (FE) models were constructed for each specimen: (1) original full voxel; (2) skeletal voxel; (3) rod-reconstructed, preserving rod volume and plate skeleton; and (4) plate-reconstructed, preserving plate volume and rod skeleton. For each model, the elastic moduli were calculated under compression along each of three image-coordinate axis directions. Plate and rod tissue fractions directly measured from DTA-based topological classification were correlated with the elastic moduli computed from full voxel model. Results: The elastic moduli of skeleton models were significantly correlated with those of full voxel models along all three coordinate axes (r2 = 0.38−0.53). The rod-reconstructed model contained 21.3% of original bone mass and restored 1.5% of elastic moduli, whereas the plate-reconstructed model contained 90.3% of bone mass and restored 53.2% of elastic moduli. Plate tissue fraction showed a significantly positive correlation (r2 = 0.49) with elastic modulus by a power law, whereas rod tissue fraction showed a significantly negative correlation (r2 = 0.42). Conclusions: These results quantitatively show that the microarchitecture alone affects elastic moduli of trabecular bone and trabecular plates make a far greater contribution than rods to the bone's elastic behavior.
Conversion from a virtual-bond chain to a complete polypeptide backbone chain.

A method for generating a complete polypeptide backbone structure from a set of Cα coordinates is presented. Initial trial values of ϕ and ψ for a selected residue are chosen (essentially from an identification of the conformational region of the virtual-bond backbone, e.g., and α-helical region), and values of ϕ and ψ for the remaining residues (both towards the N- and C-terminus) are then computed, subject to the constraint that the chain have the same virtual-bond angles and virtual-bond dihedral angles as the given set of Cα coordinates. The conversion from Cα coordinates to full backbone dihedral angles (ϕ,ψ) involves the solution of a set of algebraic equations relating the virtual-bond angles and virtual-bond dihedral angles to standard peptide geometry and backbone dihedral angles. The procedure has been tested successfully on Cα coordinates taken from standard-geometry full-atom structures of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). Some difficulty was encountered with error-sensitive residues, but on the whole the backbone generation was successful. Application of the method to Cα coordinates for BPTI derived from simplified model calculations (involving nonstandard geometry) showed that such coordinates may be inconsistent with the requirement that ϕPro be near −75°. In such a case, i.e., for residues for which the algebraic method failed, a leastsquares minimizer was then used in conjunction with the algebraic method; the mean-square deviation of the calculated Cα coordinates from the given ones was minimized by varying the backbone dihedral angles. Thus, these inconsistencies were circumvented and a full backbone structure whose Cα coordinates had an rms deviation of 0.26 A from the given set of Cα coordinates was obtained.
Abducens nerve palsy after radiofrequency rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia: Case report

Objective and importance Abducens nerve palsy is a rare and reversible complication associated with percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis. Clinical presentation An 86-year-old man developed an abducens nerve palsy immediately after undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis for severe trigeminal neuralgia involving all three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The palsy resolved spontaneously after 2 months. Conclusion This case, in combination with previous reports, suggests that cases of transient sixth nerve palsy associated with percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia are more likely to occur in elderly patients with ophthalmic division involvement.
The core and hip in soccer athletes compared by gender

Gender differences in hip and core strength and range of motion may contribute to the gender based variance in injury risk. This study was designed to test the primary hypothesis that hip and core strength, flexibility and lower extremity dynamic alignment differ in male and female soccer athletes. Ninety-eight collegiate soccer players (54 male, 44 female) participated in this study. Athletes were evaluated for hip range of motion, and hip and abdominal strength. Both male and female soccer players demonstrated limited hip rotation, with less hip internal rotation in males (p<0.0001), and poor abdominal core control, although the males are stronger (p=0.02). Overall hip ROM is shifted towards internal rotation in females compared to males. Female soccer players also have a significant side-to-side disparity in hip abductor strength (p<0.0001), not present in males. The shift in hip ROM towards internal rotation combined with the hip abductor imbalance may be associated with a position of ACL risk with internally rotated hips and valgus knees in female soccer players. Limitations in hip and core strength and range of motion may play a role in the disparity between the male and female rate of ACL injury.
Polygalacturonase Content of Dates and Its Relation to Maturity and Softness

SUMMARY: The changes in polygalacturonase (PG) activity during ripening and the relationship between its activity and the quality of Deglet Noor dates were studied. PG activity, which was virtually absent at the green stage, began to develop as maturity progressed. The greatest part of the development occurred at the late red stage and activity reached its maximum when the fruits commenced softening. Among the four grades of dates used in this study the activity was highest with natural, followed by waxy, number 1 dry and number 2 dry grades. The dates contained 0.9-1.3 units of PG per g of fresh tissue. The results of chemical and physical analyses related to the texture are also reported.
The vibration of a rotating circular string subject to a fixed elastic restraint

Abstract The natural frequencies of a rotating circular string, subject to a fixed elastic restraint, are calculated. This simple system is important because its dynamic behavior has most of the characteristics of more complex rotating systems. The variation of the natural frequencies with change in rotation speed and spring constant is examined. The results show “avoided crossing”, a characteristics of eigenvalue problems where there is coupling between modes. When the string is rotating, the vibration is harmonic, but it does not have a uniform phase at all points in space. At particular rotation speeds, standing waves are formed which have stationary nodal points. The phase within these standing waves is also non-uniform, except when the string is stationary. The critical rotation speed, at which all the natural frequencies degenerate to zero, is independent of spring stiffness.
Biotransformations of Fenoxaprop-ethyl by Fluorescent Pseudomonas Strains

Fenoxaprop-ethyl (FE) transformation by pure cultures of four Pseudomonas strains was studied using 14 C-labeled herbicide, labeled in either the dioxyphenyl (DOP) or the chlorophenyl (CP) ring. Resting cells rapidly hydrolyzed FE to fenoxaprop acid (FA), but cleavage of the ether bond proceeded slowly. Degradation of FE by P. fluorescens strains RA-2 and UA5-40 cultured in tryptic soy broth (TSB) or minimal media with glucose (MMG) or propionate (MMP) was assessed. TSB cultures completely hydrolyzed FE to FA within 5 days. Polar metabolites (predominantly glycylcysteine and cysteine conjugates arising from FE or FA), an unidentified metabolite, and 6-chloro2,3-dihydrobenzoxazol-2-one (CDHB) accumulated in TSB cultures treated with 14 C-CP-labeled FE during an 11-day study, whereas 2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid accumulated in 14 C-DOPlabeled FE-TSB cultures. FE transformation by MMP cultures was limited to ester hydrolysis of FE to FA. Hydrolysis of FE to FA was never detected in RA-2 MMG cultures and was low in UA540 MMG cultures. Cleavage of the benzoxazolyloxyphenyl ether bond occurred in MMG cultures of both strains; that is, 50% of 14 C-CP-labeled FE was recovered as CDHB, and hydroquinone accumulated in MMG 14 C-DOP-labeled FE cultures. No mineralization of FE to CO2 was observed, regardless of the 14 C label or growth media used as substrate. Strains of P. fluorescens can promote significant cometabolic transformations of FE and may contribute to the dissipation of FE in the environment.
Analysis of a non-repudiation authentication protocol for personal communication systems

We analyze a simple non-repudiation protocol for personal communication systems employing a one way function that establishes trust between the mobile unit and visiting location register. The security of the protocol is analyzed and a traffic analysis is performed indicating that the protocol's message overhead during call origination is tolerable to network traffic under various cell densities and traversal velocities ranging from pedestrian to vehicular speeds. The message penalty is under 15% of total control traffic for registration, origination and termination call phases at vehicular speeds with an origination rate of 5.6 calls per handset per hour. The penalty for pedestrian traffic with high origination rate is higher at 23% of total control traffic.
Intrinsic muscle clock is necessary for musculoskeletal health.

Key points The endogenous molecular clock in skeletal muscle is necessary for maintenance of phenotype and function. Loss of Bmal1 solely from adult skeletal muscle (iMSBmal1−/−) results in reductions in specific tension, increased oxidative fibre type and increased muscle fibrosis with no change in feeding or activity. Disruption of the molecular clock in adult skeletal muscle is sufficient to induce changes in skeletal muscle similar to those seen in the Bmal1 knockout mouse (Bmal1−/−), a model of advanced ageing. iMSBmal1−/− mice develop increased bone calcification and decreased joint collagen, which in combination with the functional changes in skeletal muscle results in altered gait. This study uncovers a fundamental role for the skeletal muscle clock in musculoskeletal homeostasis with potential implications for ageing. Abstract Disruption of circadian rhythms in humans and rodents has implicated a fundamental role for circadian rhythms in ageing and the development of many chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and cancer. The molecular clock mechanism underlies circadian rhythms and is defined by a transcription–translation feedback loop with Bmal1 encoding a core molecular clock transcription factor. Germline Bmal1 knockout (Bmal1 KO) mice have a shortened lifespan, show features of advanced ageing and exhibit significant weakness with decreased maximum specific tension at the whole muscle and single fibre levels. We tested the role of the molecular clock in adult skeletal muscle by generating mice that allow for the inducible skeletal muscle-specific deletion of Bmal1 (iMSBmal1). Here we show that disruption of the molecular clock, specifically in adult skeletal muscle, is associated with a muscle phenotype including reductions in specific tension, increased oxidative fibre type, and increased muscle fibrosis similar to that seen in the Bmal1 KO mouse. Remarkably, the phenotype observed in the iMSBmal1−/− mice was not limited to changes in muscle. Similar to the germline Bmal1 KO mice, we observed significant bone and cartilage changes throughout the body suggesting a role for the skeletal muscle molecular clock in both the skeletal muscle niche and the systemic milieu. This emerging area of circadian rhythms and the molecular clock in skeletal muscle holds the potential to provide significant insight into intrinsic mechanisms of the maintenance of muscle quality and function as well as identifying a novel crosstalk between skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone.
TAP-Independent Presentation of CTL Epitopes by Trojan Antigens

The majority of CTL epitopes are derived from intracellular proteins that are degraded in the cytoplasm by proteasomes into peptides that are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum by the TAP complex. These peptides can be further processed into the optimal size (8–10 residues) for binding with nascent MHC class I molecules, generating complexes that are exported to the cell surface. Proteins or peptides containing CTL epitopes can be introduced into the cytoplasm of APCs by linking them to membrane-translocating Trojan carriers allowing their incorporation into the MHC class I Ag-processing pathway. The present findings suggest that these “Trojan” Ags can be transported into the endoplasmic reticulum in a TAP-independent way where they are processed and trimmed into CTL epitopes. Furthermore, processing of Trojan Ags can also occur in the trans- Golgi compartment, with the participation of the endopeptidase furin and possibly with the additional participation of a carboxypeptidase. We believe that these findings will be of value for the design of CTL-inducing vaccines for the treatment or prevention of infectious and malignant diseases.
A linear-time algorithm for solving the molecular distance geometry problem with exact inter-atomic distances

We describe a linear-time algorithm for solving the molecular distance geometry problem with exact distances between all pairs of atoms. This problem needs to be solved in every iteration of general distance geometry algorithms for protein modeling such as the EMBED algorithm by Crippen and Havel (Distance Geometry and Molecular Conformation, Wiley, 1988). However, previous approaches to the problem rely on decomposing an distance matrix or minimizing an error function and require O(n2) to O(3) floating point operations. The linear-time algorithm will provide a much more efficient approach to the problem, especially in large-scale applications. It exploits the problem structure and hence is able to identify infeasible data more easily as well.
Clinical outcomes following interval laparoscopic transadominal cervico-isthmic cerclage placement: Case series

The purpose of this report is to describe outcomes following laparoscopic transabdominal cervico-isthmic cerclage placement in cases of cervical incompetence not amenable to a conventional transvaginal procedure. We reviewed records of the first 11 patients at an academic teaching hospital who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage placement as an interval procedure, using a technique we previously first described. For all patients, the clinical course, including surgical complications and outcome of all subsequent pregnancies, is briefly described. One case was complicated by a small bowel injury secondary to concomitant extensive enterolysis. Otherwise there were no complications. Mean estimated blood loss was <40 ml. To date, 10 patients have conceived a total of 12 pregnancies following the procedure. Two pregnancies resulted in spontaneous losses at 8 weeks gestation, two in deliveries by Caesarean section at 34.5 weeks, and eight in deliveries by elective Caesarean section at 38 weeks or more. Each delivery resulted in the birth of a healthy infant. In conclusion, patients who require a transabdominal cerclage may undergo a laparoscopic interval procedure and achieve outcomes similar to those following placement via laparotomy during pregnancy.
DXZ4 chromatin adopts an opposing conformation to that of the surrounding chromosome and acquires a novel inactive X-specific role involving CTCF and antisense transcripts

Macrosatellite DNA is composed of large repeat units, arranged in tandem over hundreds of kilobases. The macrosatellite repeat DXZ4, localized at Xq23-24, consists of 50-100 copies of a CpG-rich 3-kb monomer. Here I report that on the active X chromosome (Xa), DXZ4 is organized into constitutive heterochromatin characterized by a highly organized pattern of H3K9me3. DXZ4 is expressed from both strands and generates an antisense transcript that is processed into small RNAs that directly correlate with H3K9me3 nucleosomes. In contrast, on the inactive X chromosome (Xi) a proportion of DXZ4 is packaged into euchromatin characterized by H3K4me2 and H3K9Ac. The Xi copy of DXZ4 is bound by the chromatin insulator, CTCF, within a sequence that unidirectionally blocks enhancer-promoter communication. Immediately adjacent to the CTCF-binding site is a bidirectional promoter that, like the sequence flanking the CTCF-binding region, is completely devoid of CpG methylation on the Xi. As on the Xa, both strands are expressed, but longer antisense transcripts can be detected in addition to the processed small RNAs. The euchromatic organization of DXZ4 on the otherwise heterochromatic Xi, its binding of CTCF, and its function as a unidirectional insulator suggest that this macrosatellite has acquired a novel function unique to the process of X chromosome inactivation.
Decoupling Plant-Growth From Land-Use Legacies in Soil Microbial Communities

Differences in soil microbial communities between ex-arable and undisturbed soils are often assumed to reflect long-term legacies of agricultural practices. Ex-arable soils, however, are commonly dominated by different plant species than undisturbed soils making it difficult to separate the importance of land-use and plant-growth legacies. In a system where non-native plants dominate ex-arable soils, we decoupled land-use (ex-arable, undisturbed) and plant-growth (native, non-native) effects on soil microbial communities using a factorial sampling design. Soils were removed from 14 sites that formed a 52-year chronosequence of agricultural abandonment. Microbial abundance and composition were measured using whole-soil phospholipid fatty acid analyses and microbial activity was measured in a subset of samples using sole-carbon-source utilization analyses. We found that both non-native-cultivated and ex-arable soils were independently associated with lower microbial abundance and diversity than native and undisturbed soils. We also found a correlation between microbial abundance and age-since-agricultural abandonment in ex-arable/non-native-cultivated soils suggesting that non-native plant effects accumulate over time. Microbial activity was consistent with microbial abundance; microbial communities in non-native-cultivated, ex-arable soils were slow to respire most carbon sources. Our data suggests that agricultural practices create soil conditions that favor non-native plant growth and non-native plants maintain these conditions. Potential mechanisms explaining how non-natives create soils with small microbial communities and how small microbial communities may benefit non-natives are discussed.
Diagnosis of isolated cyclovertical muscle overaction using a modification of the Parks' Three-Step Test.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and test criteria for diagnosis of an ‘overacting’ cyclovertical muscle using a modification of Parks’ Three-Step Test. Background: The Parks' Three-Step Test has become invaluable for isolation of a weak muscle in those strabismus cases in which there is a known paralysis. This test can yield confusing results in cases of non-paralytic vertical strabismus. The utricular induced ocular counter-rolling response combined with the premise that vertical strabismus is, in part, secondary to imbalances in vertical forces, are the physiologic bases for this test and the described modification. Methods: A modification of the first step of the Parks' Three-Step Test was designed which isolates an ‘overacting’ cyclovertical muscle in the same manner as a ‘paretic’ muscle. Possible ‘overacting’ muscles are isolated in primary position, lateral gaze and right and left head tilt. Fifty patients from the author's practice with non-paralytic vertical strabismus examined f...
Chemotaxis Is Required for Virulence and Competitive Fitness of the Bacterial Wilt Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum

Ralstonia solanacearum, a soilborne plant pathogen of considerable economic importance, invades host plant roots from the soil. Qualitative and quantitative chemotaxis assays revealed that this bacterium is specifically attracted to diverse amino acids and organic acids, and especially to root exudates from the host plant tomato. Exudates from rice, a nonhost plant, were less attractive. Eight different strains from this heterogeneous species complex varied significantly in their attraction to a panel of carbohydrate stimuli, raising the possibility that chemotactic responses may be differentially selected traits that confer adaptation to various hosts or ecological conditions. Previous studies found that an aflagellate mutant lacking swimming motility is significantly reduced in virulence, but the role of directed motility mediated by the chemotaxis system was not known. Two site-directed R. solanacearum mutants lacking either CheA or CheW, which are core chemotaxis signal transduction proteins, were completely nonchemotactic but retained normal swimming motility. In biologically realistic soil soak virulence assays on tomato plants, both nonchemotactic mutants had significantly reduced virulence indistinguishable from that of a nonmotile mutant, demonstrating that directed motility, not simply random motion, is required for full virulence. In contrast, nontactic strains were as virulent as the wild-type strain was when bacteria were introduced directly into the plant stem through a cut petiole, indicating that taxis makes its contribution to virulence in the early stages of host invasion and colonization. When inoculated individually by soaking the soil, both nontactic mutants reached the same population sizes as the wild type did in the stems of tomato plants just beginning to wilt. However, when tomato plants were coinoculated with a 1:1 mixture of a nontactic mutant and its wild-type parent, the wild-type strain outcompeted both nontactic mutants by 100-fold. Together, these results indicate that chemotaxis is an important trait for virulence and pathogenic fitness in this plant pathogen.
Nurse staffing and patient outcomes in critical care: a concise review.

Background:Studies over the past several decades have shown an association between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. Most of those studies were generated from general acute care units. Critically ill patients demand increased nurse staffing resources and nurses who have specialized knowledge and
Biodehalogenation: The metabolism of vinyl chloride by Methylosinus trichosporium OB‐3b. A sequential oxidative and reductive pathway through chloroethylene oxide

Resting cell suspensions of the soil methylotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB-3b rapidly metabolize vinyl chloride The half-life of the reaction, based on Cl release at pH 7 4, 0 1 in phosphate buffer with a cell density of 0 1 g/ml, is 0 61 h The path of metabolism is complicated but proceeds through the intermediacy of chloroethylene oxide Independent studies of the hydrolysis of this oxirane in water set its chemical half life at 3 9 min The products of its reaction with water are chloroacetaldehyde and hydroxyacetaldehyde They are produced in a ratio of 2 1, as judged by Cl release and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis Incubations with vinyl chloride 1,2-13C and vinyl chloride 1,2 14C establish that the dominant metabolic pathway entails a quick reduction of chloroethylene oxide to ethylene oxide Ethylene oxide is then converted in sequence to ethylene glycol, hydroxyacetaldehyde, glycolic acid, and CO2 This process is competitive with the chemical hydrolysis of chloroethylene oxide Similarly, chloroacetaldehyde is con verted to chloroacetic acid The latter is only slowly metabolized by this organism, and it accumulates throughout incubation to a final yield of 10% It is concluded that the organism participates in the hydrolysis of both chloroethylene oxide and ethylene oxide
Identification and characterization of CbeI, a novel thermostable restriction enzyme from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii DSM 6725 and a member of a new subfamily of HaeIII-like enzymes.

Potent HaeIII-like DNA restriction activity was detected in cell-free extracts of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii DSM 6725 using plasmid DNA isolated from Escherichia coli as substrate. Incubation of the plasmid DNA in vitro with HaeIII methyltransferase protected it from cleavage by HaeIII nuclease as well as cell-free extracts of C. bescii. The gene encoding the putative restriction enzyme was cloned and expressed in E. coli with a His-tag at the C-terminus. The purified protein was 38 kDa as predicted by the 981-bp nucleic acid sequence, was optimally active at temperatures between 75°C and 85°C, and was stable for more than 1 week when stored at 35°C. The cleavage sequence was determined to be 5′-GG/CC-3′, indicating that CbeI is an isoschizomer of HaeIII. A search of the C. bescii genome sequence revealed the presence of both a HaeIII-like restriction endonuclease (Athe 2438) and DNA methyltransferase (Athe 2437). Preliminary analysis of other Caldicellulosiruptor species suggested that this restriction/modification activity is widespread in this genus. A phylogenetic analysis based on sequence alignment and conserved motif searches identified features of CbeI distinct from other members of this group and classified CbeI as a member of a novel subfamily of HaeIII-like enzymes.
Residency Education in Every Town: Is It Just So Simple?

Kornelia Kulig, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FAAOMPT(Hon), is a physical therapist, educator, and scholar whose work focuses on exploring the mechanisms behind the causes and presentations of and interventions for recurrent pain of seemingly musculoskeletal origin such as low back pain and tendinopathies. Currently Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Dr Kulig also serves as Co-Director of the Division's Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory. Previous posts include Associate Professor at Oakland University and Director of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Dr Kulig earned a PhD in Biomechanics and an MS in Physical Therapy and Physical Education from the Academy of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland; a BS in Physical Therapy from Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan; and was a postdoctoral fellow in Biomechanics at the Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Dr Kulig's research explores tissue morphology, biomechanics, physiology, and pathology in relation to degenerative processes in connective tissues and accompanying muscle activation and movement strategies, signs, symptoms, and loss of function. A sought-after lecturer, she has presented at the Annual International Conference on Foot Biomechanics and Orthotic Therapy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Annual Conference of PTAROC (Taiwan), Nordic OMT Conference, University of Potsdam, and the American Physical Therapy Association, among many others. Dr Kulig is an active and contributing member of the American Physical Therapy Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors of the Orthopaedic Section. In addition, she is a member of the American and International Societies of Biomechanics and the American College of Sports Medicine, as well as a Founding Member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Thank you, Mr Maley, for introducing me (Fig. 1). Each year, with this lecture, we honor your father's life, and it is a privilege for me to do …
Improved sensitivity spontaneous raman scattering multi-gas sensor

We report a backward-wave spontaneous-Raman multi-gas sensor employing a hollow-core photonic-bandgap-fiber to contain gasses and increase interaction length. Silica Raman noise and detection speed are reduced using a digital spatial filter and a cladding seal.
Estimation of the hydrophobic effect in an antigen-antibody protein-protein interface.

Antigen−antibody complexes provide useful models for analyzing the thermodynamics of protein−protein association reactions. We have employed site-directed mutagenesis, X-ray crystallography, and is...
Polypharmacy Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in the United States: 1988–2010

Older adults have a high prevalence of multiple chronic health conditions for which multiple medications are typically recommended as treatment (1,2). Consequently multiple medication use, often referred to as polypharmacy, is common in this population (1). Polypharmacy may be problematic for a number of reasons. For example it may increase the risk of using potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) (3,4), which have been associated with negative effects on long-term physical and cognitive functioning (5). Polypharmacy also results in medication nonadherence (1,6), increased risk of drug duplication, drug–drug interactions (1) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (1,6,7), and higher health care costs (6,8,9). Research has also found that medication use may be associated with poor functional status (6), and decreased cognitive capacity (10). Given the rapidly aging population and the potential negative effects of multiple medication use, it is of interest to characterize trends and correlates of polypharmacy in older adults. A recent National Center for Health Statistics investigation reported that approximately a third of persons over age 60 were on ≥5 prescription medications in 2007–2008 (9). Although other research has examined national trends in polypharmacy among noninstitutionalized U.S. elders, the majority of studies have not included contemporary data (11–13). Additionally, many studies consider older adults as a single group over age 60 or 65, or rely on patient self-report of medication use (9,11). Recent nationally representative estimates of PIM use among community-dwelling older adults are currently unavailable. National rates of PIM prescribing during ambulatory care visits in 1995 and 2000 were estimated at 7.8% (3) but relied on provider report, thus measuring prescribing rather than medication use. Given the association of polypharmacy and PIM use with poor clinical outcomes, more detailed estimates of multiple medication and PIM use are needed. The present study uses data from the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1988 and 2010 to examine nationally representative time trends in polypharmacy among noninstitutionalized older adults. Trends across age, sex, and select medication classes including PIMs are investigated. To better understand the current needs of this rapidly growing population, we also describe characteristics of prescription medication users in 2009–2010.
Evolution and Ecology of Species Range Limits

Species range limits involve many aspects of evolution and ecology, from species distribution and abundance to the evolution of niches. Theory suggests myriad processes by which range limits arise, including competitive exclusion, Allee effects, and gene swamping; however, most models remain empirically untested. Range limits are correlated with a number of abiotic and biotic factors, but further experimentation is needed to understand underlying mechanisms. Range edges are characterized by increased genetic isolation, genetic differentiation, and variability in individual and population performance, but evidence for decreased abundance and fitness is lacking. Evolution of range limits is understudied in natural systems; in particular, the role of gene flow in shaping range limits is unknown. Biological invasions and rapid distribution shifts caused by climate change represent large-scale experiments on the underlying dynamics of range limits. A better fusion of experimentation and theory will advance our understanding of the causes of range limits.
In Vivo Targeting of Inflammation-Associated Myeloid-Related Protein 8/14 Via Gadolinium Immunonanoparticles

Objective—Myeloid-related protein (Mrp) 8/14 complex (is a highly expressed extracellularly secreted protein, implicated in atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of targeting Mrp in vivo through synthetic immuno-nanoprobes. Methods and Results—Anti-Mrp–14 and nonspecific IgG-conjugated gadolinium nanoprobes (aMrp-) were synthesized and characterized. Pharmacokinetics and vascular targeting via MRI of the formulations were assessed in vivo in high fat-fed apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−), ApoE−/−/Mrp14−/− (double knockout) and chow-fed wild-type (C57BL/6) mice. Bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitor cells were isolated from both ApoE−/− and double knockout mice, differentiated to macrophages, and were treated with LPS, with or without Mrp8, Mrp14, or Mrp8/14; conditioned media was used for in vitro studies. Mrp-activated cells secreted significant amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, which was abolished by pretreatment with aMrp-NP. We show in vitro that aMrp-NP binds endothelia...
Synthetic cohorts from panel surveys. An approach to studying rare events.

Studies of the determinants and effects of life events such as widowhood and retirement suffer from the fact that the events, despite their common occurrence in the lives of individuals are, from the researcher's perspective, relatively rare. As a result, research designs require inevitable compromises. Many of these compromises lead to biases of one kind or another. One possible means of avoiding at least some of the biases is to form synthetic cohorts of individuals who have experienced events by pooling observations from panel surveys. This approach yields a multiwave data set centered on the event of interest with fixed amounts of pre- and postevent data. The data can be analyzed using a variety of techniques and the results can be interpreted in light of the interrupted times series design.
Clinical gait analysis

Technologies and techniques that have evolved to aid in the assessment of human locomotion and some of the difficulties associated with the clinical application of quantitative gait analysis are examined. The parameters used for the clinical description of gait are outlined, and examples of application of clinical gait analysis are listed. Problems encountered in measuring and assessing gait patterns are discussed. Some commercially available motion measurement systems are described. Future research directions are suggested. >
Control of PWM voltage source inverter in the pulse dropping region to reduce reflected wave motor over-voltage

PWM AC drives generate high line-line motor voltage, up to twice DC bus voltage, due to the reflected wave phenomenon. Under certain conditions, motor voltage greater than twice DC bus voltage can occur, resulting in winding insulation failure. It is well known that by suitably adjusting the PWM pulse pattern, the occurrence of voltages greater than twice DC bus voltage can be avoided, up to a certain maximum cable length, beyond which output filters are typically used to limit peak motor voltage. It will be shown in this paper that when the inverter operates in the pulse dropping region, voltages greater than twice DC bus voltage will occur, with existing methods for pulse pattern compensation. A method to adjust the PWM pulse pattern in the pulse dropping region to ensure the same reflected wave performance as the linear PWM region is presented in this paper. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The genomic determinants of alcohol preference in mice

Searches for the identity of genes that influence the levels of alcohol consumption by humans and other animals have often been driven by presupposition of the importance of particular gene products in determining positively or negatively reinforcing effects of ethanol. We have taken an unbiased approach and performed a meta-analysis across three types of mouse populations to correlate brain gene expression with levels of alcohol intake. Our studies, using filtering procedures based on QTL analysis, produced a list of eight candidate genes with highly heritable expression, which could explain a significant amount of the variance in alcohol preference in mice. Using the Allen Brain Atlas for gene expression, we noted that the candidate genes’ expression was localized to the olfactory and limbic areas as well as to the orbitofrontal cortex. Informatics techniques and pathway analysis illustrated the role of the candidate genes in neuronal migration, differentiation, and synaptic remodeling. The importance of olfactory cues, learning and memory formation (Pavlovian conditioning), and cortical executive function, for regulating alcohol intake by animals (including humans), is discussed.
A concept analysis inspired greedy algorithm for test suite minimization

Software testing and retesting occurs continuously during the software development lifecycle to detect errors as early as possible and to ensure that changes to existing software do not break the software. Test suites once developed are reused and updated frequently as the software evolves. As a result, some test cases in the test suite may become redundant as the software is modified over time since the requirements covered by them are also covered by other test cases. Due to the resource and time constraints for re-executing large test suites, it is important to develop techniques to minimize available test suites by removing redundant test cases. In general, the test suite minimization problem is NP complete. In this paper, we present a new greedy heuristic algorithm for selecting a minimal subset of a test suite T that covers all the requirements covered by T. We show how our algorithm was inspired by the concept analysis framework. We conducted experiments to measure the extent of test suite reduction obtained by our algorithm and prior heuristics for test suite minimization. In our experiments, our algorithm always selected same size or smaller size test suite than that selected by prior heuristics and had comparable time performance.
Discordance of prenatal and neonatal brain development in twins.

Background Discordance of birth weight has been observed in twin pairs, though little is known about prenatal and early neonatal discordance of head and brain size, and the role that zygosity and chorionicity play in discordances of early brain development in twins.
On the Clearing of Cumulus Clouds Downwind from Lakes

Abstract In this note the forcing of cumulus cloud clearing over and downwind from lakes during the warm season is evaluated conceptually by modeling and observational approaches. It is suggested that drying by dynamically induced subsidence and suppression of the CBL over the lake mutually contribute to the cloud clearing. The effect of background flow speed and the extent of potential clearing area is illustrated. Various implications of the cloud clearing are discussed.
Suicide in the elderly.

Suicide is more common among the elderly than any other age group. Elderly white males constitute the group at highest risk for suicide in the United States. Older persons typically choose means of high lethality in suicide attempts. Previous suicide attempts, bereavement, alcohol abuse, depression, psychosis, physical illness, and social isolation are all risk factors for suicide in the elderly. Clinicians who treat this patient group should have a high index of suspicion for suicidal ideation. Language: en
A Test of the HUD Guideline for Borrower Selection of a 30-Year, Fixed-Rate Mortgage

The authors present a relatively simple rule of thumb that can be used for choosing among alternative 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages, or for estimating the effective cost of such mortgages. This rule is shown to be substantially more effective as a guide to selection and a significantly better estimator of effective cost than a rule presented in a HUD booklet given to prospective homebuyers. Based on an extensive simulation utilizing the most likely parameters, this rule improved the percentage of correct choices (lower effective cost) of mortgages from HUD's 71% to 94%. Eliminating close comparisons of 10 basis points or less and modifying the coefficients further improved this rule's correct choices of mortgages to over 99.9%.
Symposium Dialogue: Keynote Speaker Senator Barbara Mikulski

The following is an adaptation of the Dialogue that took place on the campus of the University of Baltimore School of Law during the 2012 Applied Feminism and Democracy: 2012 Feminist Legal Theory Conference, on March 2, 2012.Prof. Johnson introduces Senator Mikulski, and proceeds with a question and answer session regarding the Senator's role in the U.S. Senate, beginning with her background, and how it led to her current role in politics. In the dialogue, particular attention is paid to her role as a woman in what traditionally was a political career dominated by men, how she learned the ropes, those who helped her along the way, and the challenges she faced.
Characterization of Structural Response to Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition

The inherent relationship between boundary-layer stability, aerodynamic heating, and surface conditions makes the potential for interaction between the structural response and boundary-layer transition an important and challenging area of study in high-speed flows. This paper phenomenologically explores this interaction using a fundamental two-dimensional aerothermoelastic model under the assumption of an aluminum panel with simple supports. Specifically, an existing model is extended to examine the impact of transition onset location, transition length, and transitional overshoot in heat flux and fluctuating pressure on the structural response of surface panels. Transitional flow conditions are found to yield significantly increased thermal gradients, and they can result in higher maximum panel temperatures compared to turbulent flow. Results indicate that overshoot in heat flux and fluctuating pressure reduces the flutter onset time and increases the strain energy accumulated in the panel. Furthermore, ...
Iron kinetics effects of 88 millirads. Partial-versus-total body X-irradiation.

Rats were irradiated with one tibia shielded (95% marrow exposure), total body exposed (TBI, 100%), and only one tibia exposed (5%), or they were sham irradiated (SI, 0%). Plasma Fe-59 clearance time (T 1/2) and Fe-59 content ratio in the right and left tibia (RT/LT) were assayed to determine the erythroid activity of the overall marrow of the animals and the relative marrow activity in the exposed and shielded tibias, respectively. When a major fraction of the overall marrow was shielded or irradiated, the overall erythroid activity levels were identical to those of the SI and TBI animals, respectively. Interestingly, enhanced normoblastosis was observed in the marrow of the exposed tibia of individual animals exhibiting normal erythroid activity in 95% of the marrow. Conversely, localized marrow with normal erythroid activity was found in a shielded tibia of individual rats, demonstrating an enhanced erythroid activity in a major fraction of the total body. It was concluded that 88 mrad can alter marrow functions in a small isolated skeletal region as effectively as in the whole body, and tandem assays of the Fe-59T 1/2 and Fe-59 RT/LT can facilitate ultra-low-dose X-ray studies involved with partial body exposures.
Measures for drug patent protection in the view of company

The pharmaceutical industry is a high technology industry,and its core technical element is patent,which is not only a technical protection measure but also a strong competitive mean.How to protect the research fruit will be an important method of the patent strategy to the pharmaceutical industry.In this article,we stated the methods of patent protection in the view of company in order to give some references to the drug patent protection.
Cryptococcal prostatic abscess associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AbstractA case of cryptococcal prostatic abscess in a 28-year old man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is presented. This is a unique presentation of a cryptococcal prostatic infection and of a prostatic abscess. The diagnosis and management are discussed, and the literature is reviewed.
Risk factors for dural tears: a study of elective spine surgery.

AbstractObjective: This study moves beyond previous cohort studies and benchmark data by studying a population of elective spine surgery from a multicenter registry in an effort to validate, disprove, and/or identify novel risk factors for dural tears.Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis queried a multicenter registry for patients with degenerative spinal diagnoses undergoing elective spinal surgery from 2010–2014. Multivariable logistic regression analysis interrogated for independent risk factors of dural tears.Results: Of 104,930 patients, a dural tear requiring repair occurred in 0.6% of cases. On adjusted analysis, the following factors were independently associated with increased likelihood of a dural tear: ankylosing spondylitis vs. intervertebral disc disorders, greater than two levels, combined surgical approach and posterior approach vs. anterior approach, decompression only vs. fusion and decompression, age groups 85+, 75–84 and 65–74 vs. <65, obesity (BMI ≥30), corticosteroid use and preop...