cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EEG findings in steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Abstract Objective : To analyze the electroencephalogram (EEG) findings of patients with steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune (Hashimoto) thyroiditis. Methods : We reviewed 51 EEGs and the clinical records of 17 patients (5 men and 12 women, 27–84 years old). Results : All patients had mild to severe generalized slowing on the EEG which corresponded to the clinical severity of the underlying encephalopathy. Other findings included triphasic waves, epileptiform abnormalities, photomyogenic response, and photoparoxysmal response. Follow-up EEGs of 13 patients showed slowing in 7 and a return to normal in 6. Myoclonic jerks were recorded during the EEG study of 8 patients but did not have an EEG correlate. The EEG and clinical condition improved after treatment with corticosteroids. When encephalopathy recurred, the EEG showed corresponding abnormalities. Conclusions : EEG findings in steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis consist mainly of slow wave abnormalities that reflect the degree of severity of the underlying encephalopathy. The EEG findings often paralleled the course of the disease, showing improvement with improvement in the clinical condition and worsening with recurrence of symptoms. Significance : The EEG is helpful in evaluating and following patients with steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis in reflecting the degree of central nervous system (CNS) involvement, in determining whether their condition is better or worse, and in ruling out other causes of encephalopathy.
Regulation of stem cell function by protein ubiquitylation

Tissue homeostasis depends largely on the ability to replenish impaired or aged cells. Thus, tissue-resident stem cells need to provide functional progeny throughout the lifetime of an organism. Significant work in the past years has characterized how stem cells integrate signals from their environment to shape regulatory transcriptional networks and chromatin-regulating factors that control stem cell differentiation or maintenance. There is increasing interest in how post-translational modifications, and specifically ubiquitylation, control these crucial decisions. Ubiquitylation modulates the stability and function of important factors that regulate key processes in stem cell behavior. In this review, we analyze the role of ubiquitylation in embryonic stem cells and different adult multipotent stem cell systems and discuss the underlying mechanisms that control the balance between quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation. We also discuss deregulated processes of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation that lead to the development of tumor-initiating cells.
The growth of interactions and dialogs in interactive marketing

As interactive marketing is expanding in scope and reach, an emergingfeature is the growth of interactions and dialogs, not only between the firmand the consumer, but also among consumers, particularly through onlinesocial networks. MySpace.com and Facebook.com are just the prominentexamples of these conversational platforms, but the phenomenon is morepervasive. Firms are “listening in” to these dialogs and are increasinglycustomizing their Web sites and multiple device interfaces to the needs ofthe users and are opening up opportunities to interact across multiplechannels.Acombination of such developments and factors makes this an opportunetime to be doing research work in the field of interactive marketing. TheInternet, wireless devices, large consumer databases, and other technologi-cal advances have made new forms of direct-to-consumer marketing possi-ble. At the same time, companies seek more accountability from their adver-tising. Consequently, allocation of resources to interactive marketing isgrowing rapidly. Demand for interactive marketing is no longer primarilyfrom “direct-marketing” or online marketing companies. Even companiesthat have relied more on “image” advertising in the past are now includ-inginteractive marketing contact points in their mix. New research ques-tions abound in interactive marketing as defined in previous editorials(Deighton & Glazer 1998, Winer & Shankar 2003, Shankar & Malthouse 2006).
Structural remodeling of nucleus ambiguus projections to cardiac ganglia following chronic intermittent hypoxia in C57BL/6J mice.

The baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) is reduced following chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). Since the nucleus ambiguus (NA) plays a key role in baroreflex control of HR, we examined whether CIH remodels vagal efferent projections to cardiac ganglia. C57BL/6J mice (3–4 months of age) were exposed to either room air (RA) or CIH for 3 months. Confocal microscopy was used to examine NA axons and terminals in cardiac ganglia following Fluoro-Gold (FG) injections to label cardiac ganglia, and microinjections of tracer DiI into the left NA to anterogradely label vagal efferents. We found that: 1) Cardiac ganglia were widely distributed on the dorsal surface of the atria. Although the total number of cardiac ganglia did not differ between RA and CIH mice, the size of ganglia and the somatic area of cardiac principal neurons (PNs) were significantly decreased (P 0.10). In CIH mice, however, swollen cardiac axons and terminals without close contacts to PNs were found. Furthermore, varicose endings around PNs appeared swollen and the axonal varicose area around PNs was almost doubled in size (CIH: 163.1 ± 6.4 μm2; RA: 88 ± 3.9 μm2, P < 0.01). Thus, CIH significantly altered the structure of cardiac ganglia and resulted in reorganized vagal efferent projections to cardiac ganglia. Such remodeling of cardiac ganglia and vagal efferent projections provides new insight into the effects of CIH on the brain–heart circuitry of C57BL/6J mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 509:103–117, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reachability Analysis of Stochastic Hybrid Systems: A Biodiesel Production System

Reachability analysis of stochastic hybrid systems (SHS) is an important problem because it provides a formal framework to analyze complex systems. Biodiesel production is a realistic biochemical process that can be modeled and analyzed using SHS methods. Analysis of a biodiesel production system is important to understand and analyze because demand for biofuels is growing, and economical, efficient production methods will result in high-quality, lower cost fuel. In this work, we present an SHS biodiesel production model which captures the dynamical behavior of the chemical reactions including the effects of temperature control as well as the glycerol settling process which is used to increase the product quality. We compare simulation results obtained using our model with experimental results collected from an actual biodiesel processor to validate and demonstrate the correctness of the model. We also present an exhaustive verification technique based on dynamic programming, and we use the method to analyze the likelihood of quality biodiesel production. Further, we utilize multilevel splitting and Monte Carlo analysis to compute reachability probabilities for the biodiesel system, and we compare the results with the verification method.
Probing the nature of hydrogen bonds in DNA base pairs

Energy decomposition analyses based on the block-localized wave-function (BLW-ED) method are conducted to explore the nature of the hydrogen bonds in DNA base pairs in terms of deformation, Heitler–London, polarization, electron-transfer and dispersion-energy terms, where the Heitler–London energy term is composed of electrostatic and Pauli-exchange interactions. A modest electron-transfer effect is found in the Watson–Crick adenine–thymine (AT), guanine–cytosine (GC) and Hoogsteen adenine-thymine (H-AT) pairs, confirming the weak covalence in the hydrogen bonds. The electrostatic attraction and polarization effects account for most of the binding energies, particularly in the GC pair. Both theoretical and experimental data show that the GC pair has a binding energy (−25.4 kcal mol−1 at the MP2/6-31G** level) twice that of the AT (−12.4 kcal mol−1) and H-AT (−12.8 kcal mol−1) pairs, compared with three conventional N-H···O(N) hydrogen bonds in the GC pair and two in the AT or H-AT pair. Although the remarkably strong binding between the guanine and cytosine bases benefits from the opposite orientations of the dipole moments in these two bases assisted by the π-electron delocalization from the amine groups to the carbonyl groups, model calculations demonstrate that π-resonance has very limited influence on the covalence of the hydrogen bonds. Thus, the often adopted terminology “resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding (RHAB)” may be replaced with “resonance-assisted binding” which highlights the electrostatic rather than electron-transfer nature of the enhanced stabilization, as hydrogen bonds are usually regarded as weak covalent bonds.
Watching energy transfer in metalloporphyrin heterodimers using stimulated X-ray Raman spectroscopy

Understanding the excitation energy transfer mechanism in multiporphyrin arrays is key for designing artificial light-harvesting devices and other molecular electronics applications. Simulations of the stimulated X-ray Raman spectroscopy signals of a Zn/Ni porphyrin heterodimer induced by attosecond X-ray pulses show that these signals can directly reveal electron–hole pair motions. These dynamics are visualized by a natural orbital decomposition of the valence electron wavepackets.
Reliability and validity of the perioperative opioid-related symptom distress scale

A reduction in opioid use may reduce the incidence and severity of opioid-related side effects. However, no published studies have demonstrated this relationship. In a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of analgesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we validated an opioid-related symptom distress scale (SDS) questionnaire and clinically meaningful events (CMEs). A total of 193 patients completed the SDS questionnaire every 24 h after discharge for 7 days. This analysis was based on data from Day 1 only. The SDS assessed 12 common opioid-related symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and difficulty passing urine, by 3 ordinal measures: frequency, severity, and bothersomeness. Patients with responses of "frequently" to "almost constantly," "moderate" to "very severe," or "quite a bit" to "very much bothered" were considered to have a CME. A detailed postoperative recovery survey of patient functional status and experience of adverse effects was used to validate the SDS. Validation measures in the recovery survey were categorized as nonspecific (e.g., level of normal activities) and specific (e.g., number of times vomited in 24 h, minutes of nausea in 24 h, and ability to void normally). SDS scores and CMEs for nausea, vomiting, and difficulty passing urine were strongly associated with three related validation measures from the recovery survey: minutes of nausea within 24 h, number of times vomited within 24 h, and ability to void normally, respectively (P < 0.0001). There was also a strong association between SDS scores and CMEs for nausea, vomiting, and voiding and general recovery validation measures, although the association was significantly weaker than that for symptom-specific validation measures. CMEs for nausea, vomiting, and voiding showed a high specificity and lower sensitivity with directly assessed responses. The SDS questionnaire and CMEs are valid tools for assessing postoperative opioid-related symptoms after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Symptoms defined as CMEs through the SDS may be more sensitive than those identified by direct assessment.
Libyan Truffles “Terfezia boudieri Chatin:” Chemical Composition and Toxicity

Representative samples of wild truffles–Terfezia boudieri Chatin – obtained from a local market in Libya were analyzed. The analyses showed that tubers coulld be considered nutritionally a good source for protein, iron, potassium, calcium and sodium. The results indicated that protein was of high quality, since it contained nine essential amino acids which represented about 6% of the dry weight. Toxic compounds of the following groups were found to be absent: anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, cathartic resin, and cyanogenetic glucosides.
Common Sense In Optical Specifications

In designing optical systems, most designers at some point are con-fronted with the problem of specifying optical components that lie outside their area of expertise. The common practice in these circumstances has been to specify the "best" (i.e. most expensive) component. This attitude often leads to consid-erable waste of time, effort and money. We illustrate our point of view by considering in detail many of the common examples of unduely stringent and often inconsistent specifications for optical components. Some of the examples are: Specification of 1/200th wave flat mirrors for Fabry-Perot interferometers without consideration to other limiting deformities caused by coating, mounting, etc. Specifications calling for bulky prism systems (usually made of high quality quartz) when inexpensive mirrors could do the same job. Specification of interferometric quality glass for optical windows with quarter-wave flatness and parallelism, when selected float - glass could be used at much reduced cost. Specification of an expensive laser collimator and spatial filter for use in holography, when $50 worth of surplus optics plus a pinhole would do as well. Specification of a high degree of mechanical parallelism between faces of optical components without consideration of optical parallelism (as in large discs of laser glass). The discussion presented also includes a number of techniques in design and specification of optical components which can ultimately result in improved cost effectiveness.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spontaneous Resolution of Mediastinal Pancreatic Pseudocyst

We report the findings in a 39-year-old man with alcoholic pancreatitis and a lower posterior mediastinal mass. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatographic and ultrasonographic studies permitted an unequivocal diagnosis of mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst. The pseudocyst resolved spontaneously five weeks after diagnosis, without specific therapy.
Mössbauer Spectroscopy Indicates That Iron in an Aluminosilicate Glass Phase Is the Source of the Bioavailable Iron from Coal Fly Ash

Iron speciation by Mossbauer spectroscopy indicates that ferric iron in an aluminosilicate glass phase is the source of the bioavailable iron in coal fly ash and that this iron species is associated with combustion particles, but not with crustal dust derived from soil minerals. Urban particulate has been shown to be a source of bioavailable iron and has been shown to be able to induce the formation of reactive species in cell culture experiments. Crustal dust and laboratory-generated coal fly ash have been studied as surrogates for two sources of metal-bearing particles in ambient air. As much as a 60-fold difference in the amount of iron mobilized by the chelator citrate was observed between fly ash and crustal dust samples with similar total iron contents. The extent of iron mobilization by citrate in vitro has been shown to correlate with indirect measures of excess iron in cultured cells and with assays for reactive oxygen species generation in vitro. Mossbauer spectroscopy of coal fly ash, before and after treatment with the chelator desferrioxamine B, showed that the iron in an aluminosilicate glass phase was preferentially removed. The removal of the glass-phase iron greatly reduced the amount of iron that could be mobilized by citrate and prevented the particles from inducing interleukin-8 in cultured human lung epithelial (A549) cells. Ferric iron in aluminosilicate glass is associated with particles formed at high temperatures followed by rapid cooling. The observation that ferric iron in aluminosilicate glass is the source of bioavailable iron in coal fly ash suggests that particles from ambient sources and other specific combustion sources should be examined for the presence of this potential source of bioavailable iron.
VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES IN PROCESS AND OUTCOMES IN A LOW‐CONFLICT NEGOTIATION

This paper considers whether negotiation outcomes and processes of groups of males and females differ. Previous research examining such differences has had mixed results, in part because of “cueing” effects contained in typical, high‐conflict negotiation cases. Low‐conflict negotiation cases, such as the one used in this study, provide an opportunity to observe a wider range of negotiation behaviors than are commonly revealed in negotiation research. Fifty advanced undergraduate students negotiated funding in a low‐conflict, public policy negotiation case. Analysis of the negotiated outcomes revealed that females allocated less than males. Content coding of audio transcripts revealed very different negotiation processes and styles underlying these different outcomes. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
β‐Amyloid Neurotoxicity In Vitro: Evidence of Oxidative Stress but Not Protection by Antioxidants

Recent data from several groups suggest that the primary mechanism of beta-amyloid neurotoxicity may be mediated by reactive oxygen species. To evaluate this hypothesis, we first compared the efficacy of antioxidant agents in preventing toxicity caused by oxidative insults (iron, hydrogen peroxide, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide) and beta-amyloid peptides in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Tested antioxidants (propyl gallate, Trolox, probucol, and promethazine) generally provided significant protection against oxidative insults but not beta-amyloid peptides. Next, we examined whether beta-amyloid causes oxidative stress, by comparing levels of lipid peroxidation after exposure to either iron or beta-amyloid. In a cell-free system, iron but not beta-amyloid generated lipid peroxidation. In culture, both insults caused rapid increases in lipid peroxidation, with iron inducing higher levels at later time points. Pretreatment with the antioxidant probucol significantly reduced lipid peroxidation caused by both insults but only attenuated iron toxicity, suggesting that lipid peroxidation does not contribute directly to cell death induced by beta-amyloid. Finally, we observed that increasing basal levels of oxidative stress by pretreating cultures with subtoxic doses of iron significantly increased neuronal vulnerability to beta-amyloid. The ability of beta-amyloid to induce oxidative stress and the demonstration that oxidative stress potentiates beta-amyloid toxicity support the clinical use of antioxidants for AD. However, these data do not support the theory that the primary mechanism of beta-amyloid toxicity involves oxidative pathways, indicating a continued need to identify additional cellular responses to beta-amyloid that underlie its neurodegenerative actions.
Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported vaccination rates among US adults at high risk of vaccine-preventable hepatitis.

ABSTRACTBackground: Despite a routine vaccination for preventing HAV and HBV in young age groups during the past decade, adults at high risk of hepatitis are not reached effectively by vaccination programs. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of adults at higher risk of vaccinepreventable hepatitis (hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)) in the US and their vaccination rates. Also, the association between vaccination rates and selected demographic, socioeconomic characteristics and comorbidities was investigated.Methods: Four years, 1999–2002, of publicly available National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were utilized. Survey participants aged 20–59 years were selected. A survey participant was considered at higher risk when their situation and/or behavior placed them at a greater risk of contracting hepatitis as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All prevalence estimates were weighted to represent the total US population using 4-yea...
FEES AND REBATES ON NEW VEHICLES: IMPACTS ON FUEL EFFICIENCY, CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS, AND CONSUMER SURPLUS

Abstract Several incentive systems are examined that provide rebates on vehicles with higher-than-average fuel efficiency and levy fees on vehicles with less efficiency. The rebates and fees are applied to new vehicles at the time of purchase, and the rates are set such that the total outlay for rebates equals the revenues from fees. We find that moderately-sized rebates and fees result in a substantial increase in average fuel efficiency. Most of the effect is due to manufacturers' incorporating more fuel-efficiency technologies into the vehicles that they offer, since the rebates and fees effectively lower the price to manufacturers of these technologies. Consumer surplus is found to rise, and the profits of domestic manufacturers are estimated to drop only slightly under most systems and actually to rise under one system.
Simulation of dual one-way ranging measurements

One of the main error sources for the microwave ranging method is the frequency instability of the oscillator that generates the carrier phase signal. A dual one-way ranging method is used to minimize the oscillator noiseeffect by combining two one-way ranging measurements. This study analyzed the dual one-way ranging system by simulation of the phase measurements with comprehensive error models. This simulation analysis was applied to the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment mission, which is a dedicated spaceborne mission with the objective of mapping the gravity field. The simulation results demonstrate that a high level of accuracy can be achieved by use of the dual one-way ranging system.
Histologic patterns and molecular characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma associated with clinical outcome

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma is histologically heterogeneous and has 5 distinct histologic growth patterns: lepidic, acinar, papillary, micropapillary, and solid. To date, there is no consensus regarding the clinical utility of these patterns. METHODS: The authors performed a detailed semiquantitative assessment of histologic patterns of 240 lung adenocarcinomas and determined the association with patients' clinicopathologic features, including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. In a subset of tumors, expression levels of 2 prognostic molecular markers were evaluated: thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) (n = 218) and a panel of 5 proteins (referred as the FILM signature index) (n = 185). RESULTS: Four mutually exclusive tumor histology pattern groups were identified: 1) any solid (38%), 2) any papillary but no solid (14%), 3) lepidic and acinar but no solid or papillary (30%), and 4) acinar only (18%). Patients in group 3 had a higher RFS rate than patients in group 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.4510; P = .0165) and group 2 (HR, 0.4253; P = .0425). Solid pattern tumors (group 1) were associated with a lower OS rate than nonsolid pattern tumors (all stages: HR; 1.665; P = .0144; stages I and II: HR, 2.157; P = .008). In the patients who had tumors with a nonsolid pattern, high TTF-1 expression was associated significantly with higher RFS (HR, 0.994; P = .0017) and OS (HR, 0.996; P = .0276) rates in all stages, and a high FILM signature index score was associated with lower RFS and OS rates in all stages (RFS: HR, 1.343; P = .0192; OS: HR, 1.371; P = .0156) and in stages I and II (RFS: HR, 1.419; P = .0095; OS: HR, 1.315; P = .0422). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a solid histologic pattern was identified as a marker of unfavorable prognosis in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma. High TTF-1 expression and low FILM signature index scores were associated with a better prognosis for patients who had tumors with a nonsolid pattern. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of various WISC-R summary scores for a psychiatric sample.

Compared two sets of summary scores for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). The traditional scores used to summarize information about WISC-R performance (i.e., Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ) and discrepancy between VIQ and PIQ) were compared to scores based on the three factors identified by Kaufman (1975) (i.e., Verbal Comprehension (VC), Perceptual Organization (PO) and Freedom from Distractibility (FD). Ss were 260 psychiatric outpatients who were administered the WISC-R during a 4-year period. The independent variables were sex and DSM II diagnosis. There were significant main effects for diagnosis for the VC and FD scales. There was a significant interaction for VIQ and nonsignificant results for the VIQ-PIQ discrepancy score. The groups did not differ in perceptual organization skills as assessed by PO and PIQ. Delinquents performed particularly poorly on the VC scale; hyperactive children had the highest VC score and relatively low scores on the FD factor; learning disabled children had low VC and FD scores. These findings suggest that the scores based on Kaufman's factors provided important clinical summary information that was not available from the traditional scores.
The relationship of male-male mounting to mate choice and sexual performance in male dairy goats

Abstract Rearing of male farm animals in unisexual groups has been implicated as a factor contributing to the failure of many males to breed as adults. The present study examines the relationship of male-male mounting in yearling dairy goats to subsequent mate preferences and sexual performance. Twenty-four sexually inexperienced male dairy goats, representing the Alpine, LaMancha, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds, were observed for male-male mounting in their home enclosure and then tested for mate choice and sexual performance when exposed to male and female (estrous and diestrous) stimulus animals. Their sexual behavior was compared with 7 adult goats with previous breeding experience. In the mate choice-sexual performance tests, 4 sexually inexperienced goats (17%) were sexually inactive, 6 (25%) mounted both male and female stimulus animals and 14 (58%) mounted only the female stimuli. Mate choice and sexual performance of the 20 sexually active males was not related to the number of male-male mounts initiated or the number of different males mounted in their home enclosure. However, the goats that received the greatest number of mounts in their home pen tended to be bisexual (would mount both male and female stimulus animals) in the mate choice tests. Males that were sexually inactive in mate choice-sexual performance tests repeatedly mounted the same male during home pen observations. Except for ejaculation frequency, the sexual performance of the sexually naive and experienced goats was similar. Goats of the Saanen breed were favored recipients of mounts from other males. There was no relationship between the number of male-male mounts performed and received. It was hypothesized that the reproductive failure of many male farm animals reared in all-male groups may be more closely related to the formation of specific sexual attachments to other males rather than the frequency with which they exhibit homosexual behaviors.
Measurement of the translational energy dependence of the cross section for the reaction of Sr+CH3I→SrI+CH3 from 0.1-1.0 eV

Abstract The collisional energy dependence of relative cross section for the Sr+CH 3 I→SrI+CH 3 reaction has been measured in the range of 0.1 – 1.0 eV using the crossed molecular beam technique. An effusive Sr beam was crossed at a right angle with a pulsed CH 3 I beam. The SrI product was detected in the scattering zone using time-of-flight mass spectrometry after laser single-photon ionization at 193 nm. The cross section (σ R ) of this reaction decreases sharply with increasing E T until reaching a distinct minimum near 0.35 eV. After this minimum, the σ R gradually increases with increasing E T . In contrast to the K + CH 3 I reaction (M.E. Gersh and R.B. Bernstein, J. Chem. Phys. 55 (1971) 4661; 56 (1972) 6131), no clear maximum is observed for this reaction. If such a maximum exists, it must occur below 0.1 eV.
Structural materials for fusion reactor blanket systems

The blanket is one of the largest and most complex systems in a fusion power reactor. In a D-T fueled reactor the blanket system recovers the energy produced by the fusion reaction and provides for breeding and recovery of tritium for the fuel cycle. The blanket must operate in a severe neutron-radiation, thermal, chemical, mechanical, and electromagnetic environment. Consideration of the required functions of the blanket and the general chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of candidate tritium breeding materials, coolants, structural materials, and so forth, leads to acceptable or compatible combinations of materials. The presently favored candidate structural materials are the austenitic stainless steels, martensitic steels, and vanadium alloys. The characteristics of these alloy systems which limit their application and potential performance, as well as approaches to alloy development aimed at improving performance (temperature capability and lifetime), will be described. Progress toward understanding and improving the performance of structural materials has been substantial. It is possible to develop materials with acceptable properties for fusion applications.
The three-dimensional structure of the cytoplasmic domains of EpsF from the type 2 secretion system of Vibrio cholerae

The type 2 secretion system (T2SS), a multi-protein machinery that spans both the inner and the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, is used for the secretion of several critically important proteins across the outer membrane. Here we report the crystal structure of the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of EpsF, an inner membrane spanning T2SS protein from Vibrio cholerae. This domain consists of a bundle of six anti-parallel helices and adopts a fold that has not been described before. The long C-terminal helix α6 protrudes from the body of the domain and most likely continues as the first transmembrane helix of EpsF. Two N-terminal EpsF domains form a tight dimer with a conserved interface, suggesting that the observed dimer occurs in the T2SS of many bacteria. Two calcium binding sites are present in the dimer interface with ligands provided for each site by both subunits. Based on this new structure, sequence comparisons of EpsF homologs and localization studies of GFP fused with EpsF, we propose that the second cytoplasmic domain of EpsF adopts a similar fold as the first cytoplasmic domain and that full-length EpsF, and its T2SS homologs, have a three-transmembrane helix topology.
Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Prevention

Hypoglycemia is uncommon in the general, nondiabetic population but occurs frequently in persons with diabetes treated with insulin or insulin secretagogues. Thus, iatrogenic hypoglycemia explains the majority of cases among persons with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Since T1DM is characterized by absolute insulin dependence, the current imperfections in insulin replacement therapies often lead to a mismatch between caloric supply and circulating insulin levels, thus increasing the risk for glycemic fluctuations. Hypoglycemia is the limiting factor to excellent glycemic control in insulin-treated subjects. Intensification of glycemic control was associated with a 300 % increase in the rate of hypoglycemia in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Recent measurements using continuous glucose monitoring reveal an alarming rate of daytime and nocturnal episodes of hypoglycemia in patients with T1DM. Etiological factors underlying hypoglycemia in T1DM include predictable triggers (skipped meals, exercise, insulin over dosage) as well as defective counterregulation, a component of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure.
Inventory decisions for substitutable products with stock-dependent demand

Abstract We study a retailer’s inventory policy for two products. The products are substitutable and have inventory dependent demand, so a higher inventory level of a product increases its sales. We model the joint effect of demand stimulation and product substitution on inventory decisions by considering a single-period, stochastic demand setting. We provide the first order optimality conditions for the profit maximizing order quantities and interpret them using marginal analysis. We also consider two heuristic solutions that separately account for either demand stimulation or product substitution. Our numerical analysis reveals that the optimal policy by appropriately using sales information that quantifies substitution and demand stimulation can produce significantly higher profits. The profit benefits are lessened under certain circumstances, such as when the two products have similar critical fractile values, suggesting that in such instances the heuristics may be used effectively.
Frucht’s Theorem for the Digraph Factorial

To every graph (or digraph) A, there is an associated automorphism group Aut(A). Frucht’s theorem asserts the converse association; that for any finite group G there is a graph (or digraph) A for which Aut(A) ∼ G. A new operation on digraphs was introduced recently as an aid in solving certain questions regarding cancellation over the direct product of digraphs. Given a digraph A, its factorial A! is certain digraph whose vertex set is the permutations of V (A). The arc set E(A!) forms a group, and the loops form a subgroup that is isomorphic to Aut(A). (So E(A!) can be regarded as an extension of Aut(A).) This note proves an analogue of Frucht’s theorem in which Aut(A) is replaced by the group E(A!). Given any finite group G, we show that there is a graph A for which E(A!) ∼ G.
Cardiac computed tomography compared to transthoracic echocardiography in the management of congenital heart disease

Objectives: To compare cardiac CT and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as diagnostic utilities in congenital heart disease (CHD) and to determine their advantages and limitations. Background:TTE is widely used in the evaluation of CHD. Recent reports suggested an increasing role of CT. However, there are few quantitative data on its diagnostic accuracy. Methods:We investigated a total of 162 patients (51.24% male; mean age: 16.06 ±± 17.92) with congenital heart defects, who underwent electron beam CT (EBCT) and TTE between March 2002 and June 2005. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 667 findings, stratified for age and anatomic categories. Results: EBCT and TTE findings are concordant in patients below 1 year of age (85.43% agreement). EBCT had poor sensitivity and specificity in detecting anomalies of cardiac chambers (0.68, 0.58), but was useful for great arteries (0.91, 0.85). Furthermore, sensitivity and specificity were remarkably different in systemic venous return (0.93, 0.3) and coronary vessels (0.8, 0.33) because of “false positive” findings, which were later found to be most likely real findings not detectable by reference standard. The opposite was true for cardiac valves (0.66, 0.89) and septa (0.76, 0.91). Conclusions: EBCT delineates findings related to systemic venous return and coronary vessels well due to simultaneous visualization of complex anatomy. This advantage does not seem to apply in patients below 1 year of age with better acoustic windows. TTE was found more suitable for cardiac valves and septal defects because of the availability of flow imaging. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tuning of the electronic levels in vertically stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dots using crystal growth kinetics

Abstract We investigate tuning of the ground state energy levels in a pair of strain coupled quantum dot layers by changing the growth conditions for each layer. The shapes of the islands are analyzed before capping using atomic force microscopy. We study the effects of strain fields and In segregation on island nucleation, and find that the island shape in the second quantum dot layer is highly dependent on the dot density. Photoluminescence (PL) and micro-PL measurements are used to find growth conditions that provide for near matching of the ground transition energies of a quantum dot pair. We find that even if a large ensemble of vertically stacked quantum dot pairs yields a single PL peak, we are unable to obtain single pairs with identical ground state energies in the micro-PL spectra. Under optimal conditions the two dots differ by ≈10 meV for a distance of 120 A between the quantum dot layers.
Infrared Transmitting Germanate Glasses

AbstractThe infrared cut -off of glasses is primarily determined by the frequency of vibration ofthe cation -anion bonds. In order to extend infrared transmittance to longer wavelengthscations and anions of larger sizes and lower field strengths should be used; however, physi-cal and chemical properties become poorer. For silicate glasses, this cut -off is about 5 pm. If germanium is used as the glass network former instead of silicon, the cut -oftmoves out to about 6 pm. Of all types of glasses, the germanates provide the optimum com-bination of transmission, physical, and chemical properties. While the size of glass form-ing areas for germanates is smaller than that for silicates, properties can be varied some-what to fit a particular application. Expansion coefficients (25 °- 300 °C) can vary fromabout 50 x 10- / /°C to over 100 x 10 -/ /"C with mechanical hardness, Young's modulus, andchemical durability generally decreasing with increasing expansion. While the cut -off isdue to the germanium- oxygen bond vibration, the shape of the transmission curve approachingzero transmission from about 4.5 pm to 6 pm can be significantly affected by the quantityand type and modifying oxides. An optimum glass with respect to infrared transmission, lowthermal expansion, meltability, formability, and cost was selected and designated Code 9/54.Originally, this glass was melted in crucibles and pressed into domes of rather poor quality.However, more recently a process has been devised to melt Code 9754 glass in an optical tankand then press into various shapes with standard first grade optical quality (i.e., glasscontains no visible striae), a total bubble cross section of 50.1O mm2 per 100 cm3, and nocracks or checks. The glass has a thermal expansion (25 °C- 300 °C) of 63.6 x 10-7 /"C, aYoung's modulus of 8.58 x 103 kg/mm2, and a refractive index (ND) of 1.660. The minimumuncoated transmission of a 1.35 mm thick sample is 73% at 5 pm and 35;o from 4.2 pm downthrough the visible.Comparison of germanates with other IR- transmitting oxide glassesThe infrared cut -off of glasses is determined by the frequency of vibration of cation -anion bonds. This frequency is dependent on the mass and structural arrangement of constit-uent atoms and the interatomic forces within the structure. Larger cations and anions withlower field strengths will move the infrared transmittance to longer wavelengths, however,physical properties and chemical durability become poorer. As can be seen in Figure 1, theinfrared cut -off tor silicate glasses is about 5 micrometers. As cations of lower fieldstrength are used as glass network formers, the cut -oft moves out to 6 micrometers forgermanates and calcium aluminates, 6.5micrometers for tellurites, and 8.75 microm-eters for the lead bismuthates. Table 1
Effects of a task-irrelevant stimulus dimension on asymptotic response probability in children

The effects of the distribution (3: 1 or 1: 3) of the task-irrelevant stimulus dimension (color or form) on asymptotic choice proportions of the 75% task-relevant stimulus in a noncontingent two-choice probability learning situation were investigated. Children of two age groups (3 and 11 years old) served as subjects. The results in predicting the more frequent alternative (75%) indicated that: (1) The 3-year-old children showed little evidence of change across trials and did not reach the matching value; (2) the 11-year-old children showed increasing choice proportions until stabilizing at the matching level; (3) reinforcement was not effective in raising response proportions for either age group; (4) both ages showed higher response proportions when the color rather than the form stimulus was task relevant; and (5) no evidence was obtained for differential effects of the dimension or the probability distribution of the task-irrelevant stimulus.
Efficient Threshold Architectures with Bounded Fan-Ins for Exclusive-ORs

As process technologies scale into nanometer region, new opportunities as well as challenges arise. Some emerging nanotechnology devices that are promising candidates to replace the CMOS technology are particularly suitable for threshold logic implementations. While most conventional Boolean gates, including AND, OR, NOT, NAND, and NOR, can be implemented by a single threshold gate, exclusive-OR (XOR) is an important exception. This represents a significant obstacle, since XORs are essential building blocks for all finite field arithmetic operations over GF(2^m), which in turn are used in various applications. In this paper, we propose efficient architectures with finite fan-ins for XORs based on threshold gates, and our architectures greatly outperform architectures obtained by first expressing an XOR based on other Boolean gates and then using their threshold logic implementations. Our work in this paper is novel in two aspects. First, in addition to two-input XORs, we also investigate multi-input XORs, because they are suitable for threshold logic implementation and are very instrumental in finite field arithmetic operations. Second, our architectures differ from previous implementations of XORs based on threshold logic in that our architectures assume bounded fan-in, which is critical to the reliability to nanotechnology devices.
Disclosure, sex and moral agency: A response to Groves, Maman and Moodley

In their recent article, Groves et al. (2012) describe the complexity of six HIV-positive women's relationships with their male partners and the barriers to HIV disclosure to these partners that th...
Safety and tolerability of fixed antihypertensive combinations in blood pressure control: focus on olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine combination

Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide and remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although public awareness and control of hypertension have improved over the last decade, only one-third of hypertensive patients achieve the rather conservative blood pressure (BP) goal of <140/90 mmHg. Most hypertensive patients require more than one drug for optimum BP control. Expert panels recommend use of combination therapy with two or more medications for Stage 2 and higher hypertension and in high-risk patients. However, the use of multiple drugs reduces patient compliance. Fixed-dose combination therapy helps improve patient compliance and thus achieve the target BP. Dose titration of the individual constituent drugs is recommended before switching to an equivalent fixed-dose combination. Randomized, controlled trials have shown that the fixed-dose combination of amlodipine–olmesartan medoxomil is more effective in lowering BP than monotherapy with either of these agents, with a similar side effect profile.
Characterization of sol–gel transitions of food hydrocolloids with near infra-red spectroscopy

Abstract Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIR, 600–1100 nm) was used to characterize sol–gel transitions of food hydrocolloids including whey protein (WP), high acyl (HA) and low acyl (LA) gellan gums. Whey protein (20% w/w), LA and HA gellan (1% w/v) aqueous solutions with selected calcium concentrations (0–40 mM) were used. Principal components analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR) were performed to analyze spectral data of gel dispersions at a series of controlled temperatures (20–95 °C). Gelling temperatures of gellan dispersions were determined directly based upon the PCA results without requiring for reference values. The gelling temperatures determined with the NIR method were similar to those obtained by dynamic rheological tests and dielectric property test. The PCR models showed a good predictability for temperatures of gellan dispersions with selected calcium concentrations during cooling or heating process. This study indicates that the NIR method has a great potential to detect structural change, and to monitor time and temperature dependant behaviour of food hydrocolloids during sol–gel transition period.
Biases in pigeon working memory

The psychophysics and short-term retention of pigeons’ responses to rate of stimulus change were assessed in two experiments, using a symbolic delayed matching-to-sample procedure. In Experiment 1, the birds discriminated between steady and flickering lights. Psychophysical assessments of the discrimination suggested a mix of analogical and categorical strategies. Retention tests revealed a consistent bias to respond to the choice associated with theflickering sample. In Experiment 2, the birds discriminated between different rates of stimulus change (slow vs.fast). Retention tests indicated a bias to respond to the alternative associated with theslow sample. Transfer tests to new stimulus values revealed that the birds processed the stimuli in an absolute, rather than a relational fashion. These findings are related to recent work on biased forgetting in animal working memory experiments.
The q-Gamma and q-Beta Functions†

F. H. Jackson defined q-analogue of the gamma function which extends the q-factorial . This function is examined and analogues of many of the classical facts about the gamma function are obtained. These include an analogue of the Bohr-Mollerup theorem, an asymptotic formula for large x, the duplication formula, and two connections with sums that approximate beta function integrals. The behavior of this function as q changes is also considered
Cross-Study Projections of Genomic Biomarkers: An Evaluation in Cancer Genomics

Human disease studies using DNA microarrays in both clinical/observational and experimental/controlled studies are having increasing impact on our understanding of the complexity of human diseases. A fundamental concept is the use of gene expression as a “common currency” that links the results of in vitro controlled experiments to in vivo observational human studies. Many studies – in cancer and other diseases – have shown promise in using in vitro cell manipulations to improve understanding of in vivo biology, but experiments often simply fail to reflect the enormous phenotypic variation seen in human diseases. We address this with a framework and methods to dissect, enhance and extend the in vivo utility of in vitro derived gene expression signatures. From an experimentally defined gene expression signature we use statistical factor analysis to generate multiple quantitative factors in human cancer gene expression data. These factors retain their relationship to the original, one-dimensional in vitro signature but better describe the diversity of in vivo biology. In a breast cancer analysis, we show that factors can reflect fundamentally different biological processes linked to molecular and clinical features of human cancers, and that in combination they can improve prediction of clinical outcomes.