cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of Blood Pressure and Diagnosis of Hypertension in Childhood

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics BP — : blood pressure CPG — : Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents Longitudinal tracking studies as well as multiple long-term cohort studies have demonstrated that blood pressure (BP) in childhood tracks into adulthood and that individuals with high BP levels in childhood are more likely to develop intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease by adulthood than those with normal BP.1 What is less well understood is what happens to childhood BP levels over shorter periods of time: weeks, months, or just a few years? This question is relevant to making a diagnosis of hypertension because the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents (CPG) recommends repeat BP measurements over a period of weeks to months (depending on how high the BP category) before making a diagnosis of hypertension.2 This recommendation is based on the known lability of childhood BP over short time periods, a point that was established by Ogborn and Crocker over 30 years ago.3 In their study reported in this issue of Pediatrics , … Address correspondence to Joseph T. Flynn, MD, MS, Division of Nephrology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, M/S OC.9.820, Seattle, WA 98105. E-mail: joseph.flynn{at}seattlechildrens.org
Discovery of Benzyl Tetraphosphonate Derivative as Inhibitor of Human Factor Xia.

The inhibition of factor XIa (FXIa) is a trending paradigm for the development of new generations of anticoagulants without a substantial risk of bleeding. In this report, we present the discovery of a benzyl tetra-phosphonate derivative as a potent and selective inhibitor of human FXIa. Biochemical screening of four phosphonate/phosphate derivatives has led to the identification of the molecule that inhibited human FXIa with an IC50 value of ∼7.4 μM and a submaximal efficacy of ∼68 %. The inhibitor was at least 14-fold more selective to FXIa over thrombin, factor IXa, factor Xa, and factor XIIIa. It also inhibited FXIa-mediated activation of factor IX and prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time of human plasma. In Michaelis-Menten kinetics experiment, inhibitor 1 reduced the VMAX of FXIa hydrolysis of a chromogenic substrate without significantly affecting its KM suggesting an allosteric mechanism of inhibition. The inhibitor also disrupted the formation of FXIa - antithrombin complex and inhibited thrombin-mediated and factor XIIa-mediated formation of FXIa from its zymogen factor XI. Inhibitor 1 has been proposed to bind to or near the heparin/polyphosphate-binding site in the catalytic domain of FXIa. Overall, inhibitor 1 is the first benzyl tetraphosphonate small molecule that allosterically inhibits human FXIa, blocks its physiological function, and prevents its zymogen activation by other clotting factors under in vitro conditions. Thus, we put forward benzyl tetra-phosphonate 1 as a novel lead inhibitor of human FXIa to guide future efforts in the development of allosteric anticoagulants.
Gilda: biomedical entity text normalization with machine-learned disambiguation as a service

SummaryGilda is a software tool and web service which implements a scored string matching algorithm for names and synonyms across entries in biomedical ontologies covering genes, proteins (and their families and complexes), small molecules, biological processes and diseases. Gilda integrates machine-learned disambiguation models to choose between ambiguous strings given relevant surrounding text as context, and supports species-prioritization in case of ambiguity. AvailabilityThe Gilda web service is available at http://grounding.indra.bio with source code, documentation and tutorials are available via https://github.com/indralab/gilda. Contactbenjamin_gyori@hms.harvard.edu
Monetary Versus Fiscal Policy

This chapter presents a comparison between monetary and fiscal policies. Monetary and fiscal policies affect the economy in different ways. Both policies alter aggregate demand but through different means and with different aggregate supply effects. Lags and political factors make economic policy difficult. Expansionary monetary policy increases aggregate demand in the short run and encourages investment spending that boosts aggregate supply in the long run. The three ways of financing government have different economic and political consequences. Tax finance does little to shift aggregate demand. Crowding out reduces fiscal policy's force and complete crowding out might wipe out Congress' actions entirely. Fiscal policies work best in this instance, but may be inflationary. There is no guarantee, either, that the Fed will cooperate. Monetary and fiscal policies are either accommodating or conflicting. Policies work best when both groups aim at the same target. The long-run consequences of conflicting policies are important.
Gay Men's Domestic Violence: Dynamics, Help-Seeking Behaviors, and Correlates

Abstract The purpose of this research is to present empirical evidence regarding the dynamics, help-seeking behaviors, and correlates of gay men's partner abuse. Implementing a nationwide survey using convenience sampling, data were gathered using a 12-page questionnaire. Data from 63 self-identified victims were compared with studies conducted by Renzetti (1992) and Merrill and Wolfe (2000). Partner abuse between gay men occurs in many forms, complies with the cycle of abuse, and often is severe over a long period of time. Help-seeking behaviors are limited and mostly remain with informal sources. The correlates of dependency, jealousy, power imbalance, and substance abuse are modest predictors (R 2 = 21%) of severity of abuse. Empirical evidence confirms the need for intervention directed toward this social problem, and groundwork is laid for future research.
Second Paper: Hydraulic Lock with Single-Land Pistons:

Experiments are described in which the break-out force associated with hydraulic lock on single-land pistons is measured. The test pistons used were of 0.5-in diameter × 1 in long, with diametral clearances in their bores in the range 2-20 × 10-4 in. The pistons were subjected to axial pressure drops in the range 0-5000 lbf/in2. The finish of the pistons and bores was closely controlled as regards surface finish, roundness and parallelism. It was found in all cases that a relatively small inherent lateral force acted on the pistons. The lateral force-pressure profile was found to increase linearly with clearance. Beyond a particular pressure for each clearance used, the lateral force necessary to generate hydraulic lock disappeared.Leakage flow rates were measured and used to help assess the attitude of a test piston in its bore.An hypothesis is given which explains the presence of hydraulic lock with single-land piston configurations. The hypothesis relates the hydraulic couple due to small residual tilt...
Early Childhood Teachers' Misconceptions about Mathematics Education for Young Children in the United States

In this article we discuss nine common misconceptions about learning and teaching mathematics for young children that are widespread among prospective and practicing early childhood teachers in the...
Imaging Molecular Chemistry with Infrared Microscopy

Wetzel and LeVine describe a new analytical tool that uses infrared radiation and a combination of microscopy and spectroscopy to quantify the chemical composition of microscopic samples. They discuss the many applications of FT-IR microspectroscopy in forensics, materials science, art restoration and bi-ology and how future fine-tuning of the methodology will broaden the number of applications.
The early assessment of irradiation therapy in cervical cancer

Abstract 1. 1. The response to radiation therapy was evaluated early in the course of treatment in a series of 87 patients with cervical cancer followed for a period of 1 to 6 years. 2. 2. The cytologic response to irradiation was determined 7 to 10 days after the first radium treatment (IRR), and at the end of therapy (RR). Three to 6 weeks following the conclusion of therapy, the clinical response to therapy (CR) was evaluated. 3. 3. With the use of specific cytologic standards with the local conditions of radiation therapy of this series, it was established that a favorable RR evaluation correlated well with radiocurability. 4. 4. The initial response to irradiation (IRR) correlated with patient survival, with almost equal validity as the conventional RR evaluation. 5. 5. The highest accuracy in predicting the outcome of radiation therapy was obtained in the combined RR and CR assessment. 6. 6. With the extension of these data to a larger and more meaningful series analyzed as a replicate study, it would seem possible to identify probable treatment failures sufficiently early to allow effective surgical intervention. 7. 7. It is apparent that the statistical validity of such prognostic correlations must be established within a given laboratory along with the specific regimen of radiation therapy. It appears to be inadvisable to apply the conclusions found to be valid in one institution to the cytologic evaluation and treatment experience of another clinic.
Choosing Compassionate Strategies to End a Relationship Effects of Compassionate Love for Partner and the Reason for the Breakup

Past research has established that people choose from a variety of different strategies to end relationships. In Study 1, 47 disengagement strategies were rated on degree of compassion toward the partner. In Study 2, we examined people's choice of breakup strategies (in a hypothetical breakup) at varying levels of compassion as a function of compassionate love for their partner and the manipulated reason for the breakup. Compassionate strategies were chosen more frequently when the reason for the breakup was external or dyadic, as compared to partner betrayal. Higher scores on the Compassionate Love Scale (Sprecher & Fehr, 2005) were associated with the greater likelihood of choosing compassionate strategies. An interaction between gender, compassionate love score, and reason for the breakup was also found.
Update on Cardiac CT

The February 2012 issue of Cardiology Clinics is our latest update on cardiac CT. The first was in November of 2003 and the second in November of 2009. Thus, the time between publications has shortened by 50%, which reflects the rapid developments in this field. It is also noteworthy that this issue is truly international, with one guest editor from Europe and one from Asia. Cardiology advances now come from all over the developed world. Being American-centric no longer serves the interests of our readers or those who discover a Clinics article on an Internet search. This issue covers basic technical aspects of CT technology, including radiation exposure, but most of the articles are on clinical uses for this technique. Diagnostic and prognostic uses are discussed. CT can now analyze myocardial perfusion and left ventricular performance, heretofore reserved for radionuclide imaging and MRI. Perhaps more remarkable is that CT is now being used to guide procedures such as coronary and valve interventions. As any clinician knows, CT angiography is used routinely now in emergency departments to diagnose various vascular events with great success. Perhaps we are approaching the triple cardiovascular event rule out test with CT angiography: pulmonary embolus, coronary
Antiretroviral use and pharmacy-based measurement of adherence in postpartum HIV-infected women.

Background Antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infected women is standard during pregnancy to prevent vertical transmission, but data on postpartum therapy for the mother are lacking. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the impact of provider and patient characteristics on receipt of antiretroviral therapy and pharmacy-based measurement of adherence by postpartum HIV-infected women. Research design This was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects The study included 2,648 New York State Medicaid-enrolled HIV-infected women who delivered from January 1993 through October 1996 and were followed up through September 1997. Measures From Medicaid claims in the first postpartum year, the study examined any prescribed antiretroviral therapy and, among women treated >2 months, adherence, defined as > or =80% days covered by prescribed therapy from first to last antiretroviral prescription. Results Antiretroviral therapy was prescribed for 681 (26%) study women. Of 292 women treated >2 months, 28% were adherent on the basis of the pharmacy-based measure. The proportion of treated women was highest in 1996 (40%), and adherence was best in 1995 (44%) when most women took monotherapy. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of treatment were 1.67 (95% CI, 1.24 to 2.25) for women receiving HIV-focused services and 2.71 (95% CI, 1.99 to 3.69) for women with a provider in an HIV-related specialty. The AORs of adherence were greater for women with HIV-focused services (2.13; 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.30) and for former illicit drug users versus nonusers (2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.50). Conclusions This population-based pharmacy analysis reveals improving antiretroviral use but continuing poor pharmacy-based adherence by postpartum HIV-infected women. Receipt of HIV-focused services appears to be particularly beneficial in increasing the likelihood of treatment and adherence.
Smoothness of the integrated density of states on strips

Smoothness of the integrated density of states, k(E), of random Schrodinger operators, i.i.d. and non-i.i.d. cases, on a discrete strip lattice is investigated. It is proven that k(E) is C∞ if only the potentials on the top surface of the strip have distributions with compactly supported densities in some fractional Sobolev space. The C∞-result for the case of the Anderson model, i.e., all potentials having a distribution with compactly supported density in some Sobolev space, is also recovered.
DNA synthesis as a therapeutic target: the first 65 years.

This article was inspired by my reading of The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, by Siddhartha Mukherjee, M.D. (1) and in particular, by reading two reviews of the book by scientists whom I admire (2, 3). These reviewers were transfixed, as was I, by accounts in the early chapters of Sidney Farber and his use of folic acid analogs, beginning in 1947, in the experimental treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia in desperately ill children. However, both reviewers and I were struck by how little information was presented about mechanisms of action of the early antimetabolites, including the folate analogs used by Farber, and at how many of those early antimetabolites were mentioned only briefly, if at all. Gertrude Elion and George Hitchings at Burroughs-Wellcome rate a page for their synthesis of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and other purine analogs, but Charles Heidelberger, who synthesized 5-fluorouracil (FU) and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), receives no mention at all.
Membrane stabilization by intimate contact between cells reduces their Mg2+ activity and suppresses the neoplastic phenotype

Abstract The mechanism of normalizing transformed cells by contact with normal cells is considered in relation to the mechanism of stimulating the growth of normal contact-inhibited cells. Stimulation is based on perturbation of the plasma membrane throughout the G1 period by growth factors. A primary effect of the membrane perturbation is a long-sustained increase of intracellular free Mg 2+ which increases the initiation frequency of polypeptide synthesis and accelerates the onset of DNA synthesis. Because the plasma membrane of transformed cells is kept in a continuously perturbed state and forms poor intercellular adhesions, it loses control of intracellular Mg 2+ activity. However, maximizing contact between transformed cells at extremely high density stabilizes their plasma membrane, lowers their Mg 2+ content and normalizes their phenotype. Normalization may also be obtained in contact with lower densities of quiescent, confluent normal cells. Evidence against a need for junctional communication supports membrane stabilization with restoration of Mg 2+ regulation as the mechanism of normalization.
Expression Pattern of the Rett Syndrome Gene MeCP2 in Primate Prefrontal Cortex

Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex may contribute to the autistic features and mental retardation of Rett syndrome, a neuropsychiatric condition caused by mutations of the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Because nothing is known about the expression of MeCP2 and other chromatin-associated factors in primate brain, we studied in monkey prefrontal cortex and murine cerebral cortex expression patterns of MeCP2 and of macrohistone H2A (MacroH2A), which like MeCP2 is associated with transcriptionally silent chromatin. In both species, MeCP2 and MacroH2A appeared to be ubiquitously expressed by cortical neurons, including projection neurons and GABAergic interneurons. In the adult monkey, MeCP2 expression was robust throughout all layers of the prefrontal cortex but it was limited in fetal monkeys at embryonic day 110 to the deeper cortical layers and the subplate. These results suggest that MeCP2 may be important for neuronal maintenance in the developing and in the mature primate prefrontal cortex, consistent with the previously reported phenotype of MeCP2-null mutant mice.
On the maximal subgroups of finite simple groups

In the course of their proof of the solvability of groups of odd order, W. Feit and J. G. Thompson [I] establish many deep properties of the maximal subgroups of a minimal simple group 8 of odd order. Perhaps the most important of these results is the following: if for some prime p, 6 possesses an elementary abelian subgroup of order p3, then there exists a unique maximal subgroup 9X of 6 containing a given Sylow p-subgroup $3 of 6; furthermore if si is any proper subgroup of 8 such that Rn $3 possesses an elementary abelian subgroup of order p3, then R is necessarily a subgroup of 92. In our study of finite groups 6 with dihedral Sylow 2-subgroups, we require the identical result for certain odd primes p dividing the order of the centralizer of an involution in 6. On the basis of this theorem, we can show that the unique maximal subgroup 911 of 6 containing a given Sylow p-subgroup actually contains the entire centralizer of some involution in 6 and has no normal subgroups of index 2. We are then able to apply to both ?JJI and 8 formulas for the order of an arbitrary group with dihedral Sylow 2-subgroup having no normal subgroups of index 2, as developed by means of character
Functional Analysis and Treatment of Joint Dislocation Associated with Hypermobility Syndrome: A Single-Case Analysis

An experimental functional analysis indicated that the joint dislocation of a child diagnosed with autism was maintained by escape from instructional demands and possibly automatic reinforcement. A variety of behavioral treatments was subsequently evaluated, resulting in a treatment package that was successful in eliminating the behavior. The results are discussed in the context of conceptualizing and treating problem behaviors associated with physiological conditions.
Distributions of Concentration Limits for the Source Term in Performance Assessments

Radionuclide concentration limits are important parameters in performance assessments for geologic disposal of nuclear waste, but their statistical distributions are challenging to define. Thermodynamic solubilities provide an attractive theoretical constraint, but solubilities do not provide a basis for distribution functions, and concentration limits can exceed solubilities in irreversible systems. Distributions of natural concentrations are broad and do not correspond to distributions of concentration limits. Interpretations of natural nickel and lead concentrations suggest that they do not represent concentration limit distributions. Interpretation of groundwater data for dissolved calcium indicates a bimodal distribution, which hypothetically corresponds to a solubility-limited population and a population of values below the solubility limits.
High-performance DSP architectures for intelligence and control applications

An overview of digital signal processor (DSP) capabilities is given, and the architectural features that make them applicable to intelligent control are discussed. The impact of parallel features on numeric processing capabilities and efficient program execution is described. Input/output (I/O) and real-time features of DSPs are discussed, and examples of several control applications are given. The role of numerical computations in preprocessing vocal, visual, and written input data in real-time artificial intelligence (AI) systems is examined, and the parallels between neural and DSP computations are illustrated. A node configuration for the intelligent experiment neurocomputer (IX-n) virtual implementation of a neural network, based on a commercially available DSP chip, is proposed. >
Activation of mammalian folylpolyglutamate synthetase by sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract NaHCO 3 activated the folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) from rat liver and the human leukemia cell lines K562 and CCRF-CEM by 1.7- to 2.0-fold. Optimal activation was achieved by 10 m m NaHCO 3 in all cases; NaCl, sodium formate, sodium acetate, NaN 3 , and Na 2 SO 3 at 10 m m did not cause activation. Activation could be masked if assay solutions which had extensively absorbed atmospheric CO 2 were used. Activation of the human CCRF-CEM FPGS was examined in detail. K m and V max values for pteroyl substrates (aminopterin or methotrexate) and l -glutamate increased proportionally in the presence of NaHCO 3 ; there was thus no apparent change in the catalytic efficiency ( V max K m ) of the FPGS reaction with these substrates. However, NaHCO 3 increased the efficiency of the reaction with respect to ATP by decreasing its apparent K m while increasing the V max of the reaction. NaHCO 3 also activated FPGS activity when folic acid, dihydrofolic acid and tetrahydrofolic acid were substrates. The relative distribution of products synthesized from methotrexate or tetrahydrofolate by FPGS was not altered by addition of NaHCO 3 . The potency of 5,8-dideazapteroylornithine, an FPGS-specific inhibitor, was not changed by the presence of NaHCO 3 (IC 50 = 0.4 μ m ). These results suggest that FPGS activity with folates and classical antifolates may be activated at physiological concentrations of NaHCO 3 . In addition, inadvertent contamination of assay solutions with bicarbonate from atmospheric CO 2 may cause artifacts in the determination of activity levels and kinetic constants of FPGS.
Antiferromagnetism, localization, and pairing in a two-dimensional model for CuO2.

The properties of a model to describe the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes in the high-${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ superconductors are discussed in the strong-coupling limit. On the assumption that doping creates holes on the O rather than the Cu sites, following the recent suggestion of Emery, it is shown that antiferromagnetic ordering of the Cu moments will lead to either localization or pairing of the O holes. The effect of magnetic anisotropy on the pairing interaction is discussed, and it is suggested that it will strongly enhance superconductivity in these systems.
Serum uric acid is associated with high blood pressure in pediatric hemodialysis patients

Serum uric acid (UA) is positively associated with hypertension (HTN). HTN is common in pediatric patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). We assessed the relationship between UA and BP in 63 pediatric dialysis patients by measuring pre-treatment UA levels and BP in HD patients and in-center UA levels and blood pressure (BP) in PD patients. UA levels were similar in both groups [6.8 ± 0.2 (HD) vs. 6.5 ± 0.3 (PD), p = 0.6]. Pre-treatment systolic BP percentile was associated with a high UA level [91.9 ± 2.3 (>6.0 mg/dL) vs. 79.3 ± 5.8 mm Hg (≤6.0 mg/dL), p = 0.01] in HD patients only. There was a negative relationship between UA and dialysis vintage (r = −0.31, p = 0.01). In both groups, there was no relationship between UA and Kt/V. In HD patients, fluid overload was unrelated to UA level [4.2 ± 0.6% (≤6.0 mg/dL) vs. 4.3 ± 0.3% (>6.0 mg/dL), p = 0.9]. Moreover, pre-HD treatment systolic BP percentile correlated with UA (beta 0.36, p = 0.02) independent of volume. UA levels were higher in patients receiving anti-hypertensive medications [6.3 ± 0.2 (No Meds] vs 7.0 ± 0.2 (BP Meds) mg/dL, p= 0.01]. Finally, there was no relationship between serum UA and normalized protein catabolic rate (r = 0.14; p = 0.4). In summary, serum UA impacts BP in pediatric HD patients, independent of volume, nutritional and weight status.
INVARIANT MANIFOLDS AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF COUPLED DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

Synchronization between coupled chaotic systems can be described in terms of invariant manifolds. If such manifolds possess the additional property of normal k-hyperbolicity, it can be deduced that synchronization will persist under perturbations. This suggests a mathematical framework within which the different aspects of synchronization can be discussed and analyzed. Using these techniques, it can be shown that unidirectionally and bidirectionally coupled synchronized systems are locally equivalent. [S0031-9007(98)05621-X]
Perceptions of Disadvantage Versus Conventionality: Political Values and Attitudes Toward the Elderly Versus Blacks

This article examines the role of political ideology in social prejudice. In contrast to a simple bipolar conceptualization of liberalism and conservatism, the authors present a framework stipulating that (a) liberalism is associated with the desire to assist disadvantaged groups but (b) conservatism is associated with respect for conventional, old-fashioned values. Unlike Blacks (who are potentially viewed by White Americans as both unconventional and disadvantaged), the elderly are highly disadvantaged but relatively conventional. On the basis of these differences, the authors predicted that liberalism would be positively correlated with attitudes toward both groups, whereas conservatism would be negatively correlated with attitudes toward Blacks but positively correlated with attitudes toward the elderly. This framework received strong support and, moreover, successfully predicted reactions to other types of groups that varied in terms of their conventionality/disadvantaged status. Implications for res...
A double singlet oxygen oxidation in the formation of α, β‐unsaturated lactones

Systems containing both oxazole and selenide units may be constructed so as to yield α,β -unsaturated triamides in one step on dye-sensitized photooxidation. These products may serve as precursors of α,β -unsaturated lactones
Models find large natural variability in future regional sea level rise

Melting glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater, along with groundwater depletion, have already caused the global ocean to rise at a rate of 1.8 centimeters per decade over the past century. In recent decades the pace has climbed to 3.1 centimeters per decade. As the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration continues to rise, so will the oceans.
Jobs and the Economy: How the Energy Industry is Creating Jobs, Leading the Economy and Impacting Consumers

Energy is the lifeblood of our economy, the backbone of our security and essential to our way of life. It powers American businesses and homes, fuels the flow of goods and services around the world, and generates tens of millions of jobs that support and sustain our communities. Whether we’re referring to energy derived from oil, gas, wind, water or waste — the sun, the moon or deep inside the earth — Americans need it all. And they need it in a form and function that’s stable, affordable, constant and environmentally sound. While the national economy struggles to recover, many Americans remain unaware of the integral role that energy plays in sustaining economic capacity, maintaining productivity and providing opportunities for growth. Understanding the role our current resources play in driving commerce, while we move to diversify and expand our nation’s energy portfolio to improve energy security and create jobs and economic benefits are at the core of some of the country’s most pressing needs. Today’s energy problems remain a critical issue for America’s consumers, businessmen and political leaders, and we must do everything we can now to create economic stability, energy security and stable prices over the nearand long-term. Elected officials, affected stakeholders and consumers must work together to create a national energy policy that fully recognizes the need to invest in
Lipid Motif of a Bacterial Antigen Mediates Immune Responses via TLR2 Signaling

The cross-talk between the innate and the adaptive immune system is facilitated by the initial interaction of antigen with dendritic cells. As DCs express a large array of TLRs, evidence has accumulated that engagement of these molecules contributes to the activation of adaptive immunity. We have evaluated the immunostimulatory role of the highly-conserved outer membrane lipoprotein P6 from non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) to determine whether the presence of the lipid motif plays a critical role on its immunogenicity. We undertook a systematic analysis of the role that the lipid motif plays in the activation of DCs and the subsequent stimulation of antigen-specific T and B cells. To facilitate our studies, recombinant P6 protein that lacked the lipid motif was generated. Mice immunized with non-lipidated rP6 were unable to elicit high titers of anti-P6 Ig. Expression of the lipid motif on P6 was also required for proliferation and cytokine secretion by antigen-specific T cells. Upregulation of T cell costimulatory molecules was abrogated in DCs exposed to non-lipidated rP6 and in TLR2−/− DCs exposed to native P6, thereby resulting in diminished adaptive immune responses. Absence of either the lipid motif on the antigen or TLR2 expression resulted in diminished cytokine production from stimulated DCs. Collectively; our data suggest that the lipid motif of the lipoprotein antigen is essential for triggering TLR2 signaling and effective stimulation of APCs. Our studies establish the pivotal role of a bacterial lipid motif on activating both innate and adaptive immune responses to an otherwise poorly immunogenic protein antigen.
Validation of the Activities of Community Transportation model for individuals with cognitive impairments

Purpose. To develop a theoretical, functional model of community navigation for individuals with cognitive impairments: the Activities of Community Transportation (ACTs).Methods. Iterative design using qualitative methods (i.e. document review, focus groups and observations). Four agencies providing travel training to adults with cognitive impairments in the USA participated in the validation study.Results. A thorough document review and series of focus groups led to the development of a comprehensive model (ACTs Wheels) delineating the requisite steps and skills for community navigation. The model was validated and updated based on observations of 395 actual trips by travellers with navigational challenges from the four participating agencies. Results revealed that the ‘ACTs Wheel’ models were complete and comprehensive.Conclusions. The ‘ACTs Wheels’ represent a comprehensive model of the steps needed to navigate to destinations using paratransit and fixed-route public transportation systems for travelle...
Prognostic value of sonography in childhood nephrotic syndrome.

This retrospective case review of 43 children with primary nephrotic syndrome was designed to evaluate the relationship among renal ultrasound findings at presentation, subsequent corticosteroid responsiveness and histological diagnoses. Fifty-one percent of patients had abnormal sonograms; nephromegaly was present in 42% and increased renal echogenicity in 35%. There was no relationship between nephromegaly and either response to corticosteroids or specific glomerular lesions causing nephrosis. Although the presence of echogenic kidneys did not denote a particular type of renal disease, it was significantly more frequent in corticosteroid-resistant than in corticosteroid-responsive patients (62% vs. 18%,P<0.05). We conclude that increased renal echogenicity at time of presentation is a possible indicator of corticosteroid resistance in children with primary nephrotic syndrome.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation: effects of age and acute exercise on human skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the activation (phosphorylation) and total protein content of MAPK signalling cascade proteins (ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, eIF4E, p38 MAPK, JNK/SAPK, MKP 1) at rest and following exercise, in sedentary young and old men. Eight young (22 ± 1 years; YM) and eight old (79 ± 3 years; OM) men underwent a resting muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis; they then performed a knee extensor resistance exercise session (29 contractions at ∼70 % of max), followed by a post-exercise biopsy. Western immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the OM had higher resting phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK proteins versus YM (P < 0.05). The resistance exercise bout caused an increase in phosphorylation of the ERK 1/2, p90RSK and Mnk 1 proteins (P < 0.05) in the YM. Conversely, the OM had a decrease in ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation (P < 0.05) after the exercise bout. Neither group showed a change in eIF4E phosphorylation. The total amount of protein expression of the MAPK signalling proteins was not different between the YM and OM, except that there was a higher (P < 0.05) MKP 1 protein content in the OM. This investigation is the first to provide evidence that MAPK proteins are differentially activated at rest and in response to a bout of resistance exercise in skeletal muscle of young and old men. These findings may have implications for other processes (e.g. transcription and translation) involved in skeletal muscle type and growth, when examining the changes occurring with ageing muscle before and after resistance exercise/training.
Quasi-random hypergraphs revisited†

The quasi-random theory for graphs mainly focuses on a large equivalent class of graph properties each of which can be used as a certificate for randomness. For k -graphs (i.e., k -uniform hypergraphs), an analogous quasi-random class contains various equivalent graph properties including the k -discrepancy property (bounding the number of edges in the generalized induced subgraph determined by any given (k - 1) -graph on the same vertex set) as well as the k -deviation property (bounding the occurrences of “octahedron”, a generalization of 4 -cycle). In a 1990 paper (Chung, Random Struct Algorithms 1 (1990) 363-382), a weaker notion of l -discrepancy properties for k -graphs was introduced for forming a nested chain of quasi-random classes, but the proof for showing the equivalence of l -discrepancy and l -deviation, for 2 ≤ l < k, contains an error. An additional parameter is needed in the definition of discrepancy, because of the rich and complex structure in hypergraphs. In this note, we introduce the notion of (l,s) -discrepancy for k -graphs and prove that the equivalence of the (k,s) -discrepancy and the s -deviation for 1 ≤ s ≤ k. We remark that this refined notion of discrepancy seems to point to a lattice structure in relating various quasi-random classes for hypergraphs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2011
Error Categorization and Analysis in Man-Computer Communication Systems

This paper briefly examines traditional approaches to human reliability and presents a technique which permits the system designer to derive a mutually exclusive and exhaustive set of operator error categories in a man-computer system. These error categories are defined in terms of process failures and provide the system designer with a qualitative index suitable for determining error causes and consequences. The technique is demonstrated, and the utility of the resulting error categories is evaluated in the context of two studies on a military information processing system. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of detectable and non-detectable errors and a suggestion for determining the impact of errors on ultimate system goals.
Relative localization in the human fovea: radial-tangential anisotropy.

A distinction is drawn between two intrinsic directions within a simple spatial configuration. The line joining two elements is the radial direction and orthogonal to it is the tangential direction. Separation and bisection discrimination and just–detectable differences in line length are examples of radial thresholds. Vernier and alignment detection are tangential thresholds. Neural processing along these two intrinsic directions differs. There is a strong 9oblique effect9 for tangential thresholds and virtually none for radial thresholds. Flank interaction impairs tangential but not radial thresholds.
Quantitation of collagen in human myocardium.

The collagen concentrations of the four cardiac chambers of normal hearts were determined chemically. Right ventricles and atria contained significantly higher collagen concentrations than did left ventricles and atria. The atria contained twice the collagen concentration of the ventricles. Severe atherosclerosis, hypertrophy and coronary occlusion did not necessarily increase the concentration of collagen in the left ventricle of diseased hearts.
Delayed open conversion following endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair: partial (or complete) endograft preservation as a useful adjunct.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to review our experience with delayed open conversion (>30 days) following endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair (EVAR) and to introduce the concept and advantages of endograft retention in this setting. Methods From January 1992 to January 2003, a total of 386 EVARs using a variety of endografts were successfully deployed. Eleven (2.8%) patients required delayed conversion to open repair at an average of 30 months (range, 10-64). Data from all patients undergoing both EVAR and open conversion were prospectively collected. Results EVARs were performed using grafts made by Talent (4), Vanguard (2,) AneuRx (1), and Surgeon (4). Conversion to open repair (9 transabdominal, 1 retroperitoneal, 1 transabdominal plus thoracotomy) was performed for aneurysm rupture in 7 patients (4 type 1 endoleak, 2 type 2 endoleak, 1 aortoenteric fistula) and aneurysm enlargement in 4 patients (1 type 1 endoleak, 1 type 2 endoleak, 1 type 3 endoleak, 1 endotension). Patients with aneurysm rupture were treated on an emergent basis. Complete removal of the endograft with supraceliac cross-clamping was performed in two cases. One patient (rupture) did not survive the operation, and one patient (aortoenteric fistula) died 2 weeks postoperatively. In the remaining nine cases, the endograft was either completely (1) or partially (6) removed, or left in situ (2). Supraceliac balloon control (2), supraceliac clamping (1), suprarenal clamping (1), or infrarenal clamping (5) was used in these cases. All nine of these patients survived the operation. In one procedure in which the endograft was left intact (endotension), repair was accomplished by exposing the endograft and by placing a standard tube graft over it as a sleeve. In the second procedure in which the graft was left in situ (rupture), the graft was well incorporated, and bleeding lumbar arteries were oversewn and the sac was closed tightly over the endograft. In the remaining 7 cases, the endograft was transected and the proximal portion only (6) or the proximal and distal portions (1) were excised. All surviving patients continue to do well and remain without complications associated with the endograft remnant at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 3-56) from the time of open conversion and 46 months (range, 10-73) from the time of original EVAR. Conclusions Open repair in the setting of a long-standing endograft offers several unique technical challenges but can be successfully accomplished in most patients. Preservation of all or part of the endograft is possible in many patients. This technique simplifies the operative approach and is preferred over complete endograft removal if possible.
Carbon nanotubes: Captured on camera.

Images of individual carbon nanotubes with their respective optical spectra for chirality characterization are acquired directly on devices and growth substrates using a reflective polarized light microscopy set-up.
Osteopontin expression is associated with improved survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted protein of the extracellular matrix. It has been used as a marker for tumor aggressiveness and correlated with clinical outcomes in several solid tumors, such as liver, lung, and breast. We determined the OPN expression and its influence on survival in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Good Clinical Response in a Rare Aggressive Hematopoietic Neoplasm: Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Leukemia with No Cutaneous Lesions Responding to 4 Donor Lymphocyte Infusions Following Transplant

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that usually presents with diffuse cutaneous lesions. While a favorable response to therapy occurs in a majority of cases, a sustained long-term response is uncommon. Most patients subsequently relapse within a year. In the following report, we present the case of a 41-year-old woman who has not displayed many of the clinical features traditionally associated with BPDCN. The patient received sporadic chemotherapy treatment over the course of 2 years, before undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Although she ultimately relapsed following her transplant, her disease has repeatedly returned into remission after donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). Currently, the patient is in remission following her fourth DLI. We believe that allogeneic transplantation should be considered as front-line therapy for the treatment of this rare malignancy.
How should we advise patients about the contraceptive patch, given the FDA warning?

Director,Women’s Health Center at The Gault Women’s Health and BreastPavilion, Department of General Internal Medicine, Department ofObstetrics and Gynecology,The Cleveland Clinic Foundation;AssociateProfessor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case-Western Reserve University
Decision with Dempster--Shafer belief functions: Decision under ignorance and sequential consistency

This paper examines proposals for decision making with Dempster-Shafer belief functions from the perspectives of requirements for rational decision under ignorance and sequential consistency. The focus is on the proposals by Jaffray & Wakker and Giang & Shenoy applied for partially consonant belief functions. We formalize the concept of sequential consistency of an evaluation model and prove results about sequential consistency of Jaffray-Wakker's model and Giang-Shenoy's model under various conditions. We demonstrate that the often neglected assumption about two-stage resolution of uncertainty used in Jaffray-Wakker's model actually disambiguates the foci of a belief function, and therefore, makes it a partially consonant on the extended state space.
Magnetoexciton ground state in a quantum well: A variational and perturbation approach

The magnetoexciton ground state in a quantum well is calculated by a novel variational and perturbation approach which converts the problem to a two-dimensional (2D) equivalent with an additional parameter. Three different trial wave functions, a 2D hydrogenic function, a harmonic-oscillator function, and a combination of both, are used in the calculation. These results are evaluated and compared to each other. The comparison of this calculation with our magneto-optical experimental data provides a new method for obtaining an effective transverse hole mass in a quantum-well plane.
A trans-lentiviral packaging cell line for high-titer conditional self-inactivating HIV-1 vectors

Lentiviral vector safety has been the impetus underlying the progress in packaging cell line development. The prospects of generating replication-competent lentiviruses (RCLs) and the potential for vector mobilization continue to be the driving force for the advancement of packaging cell lines. We have exploited the trans-lentiviral packaging system to develop the SODk3 packaging cell line for the generation of conditional self-inactivating (cSIN) vectors. Separating the gag-pol genome into two distinct expression cassettes (gag-pro and vpr-RT-IN) may reduce the potential for RCL formation, while concurrently employing cSIN vectors supports retention of the SIN phenotype in target cells and alleviates technical constraints associated with generating producer cell lines. Through development of the SODk3 packaging cell line we determined that the ratio of Gag/Pol in vector particles may be used as an indicator for packaging cell clones that yield high vector titers. Conditional SIN vector titers (1 x 10(7) TU/ml) were augmented through clonal selection. Distinct producer cell clones revealed a parallel between vector titer and transgene expression levels. We exploited this observation to demonstrate that incorporation of an internal ribosome entry site between the GFP marker and a relevant transgene affords efficient selection of high-titer producer cell lines. Furthermore, cSIN vectors generated from SODk3 packaging cells imparted efficient transduction of primary human fibroblasts, an indication of the future applicability of the SODk3 packaging cell line.
Use of ciprofloxacin in cystic fibrosis patients

In order to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral ciprofloxacin in the treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis and trace the possible development of resistance over time, three trials were conducted. In an open-label, uncontrolled trial, 25 courses of ciprofloxacin were administered to 16 patients. Efficacy and safety were assessed based on changes in short-term clinical scores, white blood cell counts, Pseudomonas aeruginosa counts in sputum, pulmonary function tests, and standard serum chemistries and urinalysis that were performed before therapy, weekly during therapy, at the end of therapy, and at a seven-day follow-up visit after therapy. In an open-label, randomized, controlled study, the efficacy and tolerance of oral ciprofloxacin were compared with those of intravenous tobramycin and azlocillin. In another study, the rate of susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis patients during more than two years of clinical use was determined. In the uncontrolled trial, ciprofloxacin therapy was associated with clinical improvement in most cases with changes in short-term clinical score and forced expiratory volume in one second being statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Twenty-five patients were entered in the controlled trial with 12 patients in each treatment group being evaluable. The groups were comparable based on admitting demographic and disease characteristics, and no differences in therapeutic response or side effects were noted between the two treatments (p greater than 0.5). Bacterial susceptibility to ciprofloxacin has remained relatively stable over time. Based on these results as well as those from similar evaluations, ciprofloxacin appears to be efficacious in the treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis, producing responses similar to those observed with standard intravenous antibiotic therapy.