cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Ensembles of Ribonucleic Acids From Solvent Accessibility Data: Application to the S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM)-Responsive Riboswitch

Riboswitches are regulatory ribonucleic acid (RNA) elements that act as ligand-dependent conformational switches. In the apo form, the aptamer domain, the region of a riboswitch that binds to its cognate ligand, is dynamic, thus requiring an ensemble-representation of its structure. Analysis of such ensembles can provide molecular insights into the sensing mechanism and capabilities of riboswitches. Here, as a proof-of-concept, we constructed a pair of atomistic ensembles of the well-studied S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-responsive riboswitch in the absence (-SAM) and presence (+SAM) of SAM. To achieve this, we first generated a large conformational pool and then reweighted conformers in the pool using solvent accessible surface area (SASA) data derived from recently reported light-activated structural examination of RNA (LASER) reactivities, measured in the -SAM and +SAM states of the riboswitch. The differences in the resulting -SAM and +SAM ensembles are consistent with a SAM-dependent reshaping of the free landscape of the riboswitch. Interestingly, within the -SAM ensemble, we identified a conformer that harbors a hidden binding pocket, which was discovered using ensemble docking. The method we have applied to the SAM riboswitch is general, and could, therefore, be used to construct atomistic ensembles for other riboswitches, and more broadly, other classes of structured RNAs.
An automated pipeline for the discovery of conspiracy and conspiracy theory narrative frameworks: Bridgegate, Pizzagate and storytelling on the web

Although a great deal of attention has been paid to how conspiracy theories circulate on social media, and the deleterious effect that they, and their factual counterpart conspiracies, have on political institutions, there has been little computational work done on describing their narrative structures. Predicating our work on narrative theory, we present an automated pipeline for the discovery and description of the generative narrative frameworks of conspiracy theories that circulate on social media, and actual conspiracies reported in the news media. We base this work on two separate comprehensive repositories of blog posts and news articles describing the well-known conspiracy theory Pizzagate from 2016, and the New Jersey political conspiracy Bridgegate from 2013. Inspired by the qualitative narrative theory of Greimas, we formulate a graphical generative machine learning model where nodes represent actors/actants, and multi-edges and self-loops among nodes capture context-specific relationships. Posts and news items are viewed as samples of subgraphs of the hidden narrative framework network. The problem of reconstructing the underlying narrative structure is then posed as a latent model estimation problem. To derive the narrative frameworks in our target corpora, we automatically extract and aggregate the actants (people, places, objects) and their relationships from the posts and articles. We capture context specific actants and interactant relationships by developing a system of supernodes and subnodes. We use these to construct an actant-relationship network, which constitutes the underlying generative narrative framework for each of the corpora. We show how the Pizzagate framework relies on the conspiracy theorists' interpretation of "hidden knowledge" to link otherwise unlinked domains of human interaction, and hypothesize that this multi-domain focus is an important feature of conspiracy theories. We contrast this to the single domain focus of an actual conspiracy. While Pizzagate relies on the alignment of multiple domains, Bridgegate remains firmly rooted in the single domain of New Jersey politics. We hypothesize that the narrative framework of a conspiracy theory might stabilize quickly in contrast to the narrative framework of an actual conspiracy, which might develop more slowly as revelations come to light. By highlighting the structural differences between the two narrative frameworks, our approach could be used by private and public analysts to help distinguish between conspiracy theories and conspiracies.
Heterometallic Seed-Mediated Growth of Monodisperse Colloidal Copper Nanorods with Widely Tunable Plasmonic Resonances

We report a heterometallic seed-mediated synthesis method for monodisperse penta-twinned Cu nanorods using Au nanocrystals as seeds. Elemental analyses indicate that resultant nanorods consist predominantly of copper with a gold content typically below 3 atom %. The nanorod aspect ratio can be readily adjusted from 2.8 to 13.1 by varying the molar ratio between Au seeds and Cu precursor, resulting in narrow longitudinal plasmon resonances tunable from 762 to 2201 nm. Studies of reaction intermediates reveal that symmetry-breaking is promoted by rapid nanoscale diffusion in Au-Cu alloys and the formation of a gold-rich surface. The growth pathway features coevolving shape and composition whereby nanocrystals become progressively enriched with Cu concomitant with nanorod growth. The availability of uniform colloidal Cu nanorods with widely tunable aspect ratios opens new avenues toward the synthesis of derivative one-dimensional metal nanostructures, and applications in surface-enhanced spectroscopy, bioimaging, and electrocatalysis, among others.
A UPLC-MRM-MS method for comprehensive profiling of Amadori compound-modified phosphatidylethanolamines in human plasma

Phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) are targets of non-enzymatic glycation, a chemical process that occurs between glucose and primary amine-containing biomolecules. As the early-stage non-enzymatic glycation products of PE, Amadori-PEs are implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, only a few Amadori-PE molecular species have been identified so far; a comprehensive profiling of these glycated PE species is needed to establish their roles in disease pathology. Herein, based on our previous work using liquid chromatography-coupled neutral loss scanning and product ion scanning tandem mass spectrometry (LC-NLS-MS and LC-PIS-MS) in tandem, we extend identification of Amadori-PE to the low-abundance species, which is facilitated by using plasma lipids glycated in vitro. The confidence of identification is improved by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and chromatographic retention time regression. A LC-coupled multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM-MS) assay is further developed for more sensitive quantitation of the Amadori compound-modified lipids. Using synthesized stable isotope-labeled Amadori lipids as internal standards, levels of 142 Amadori-PEs and 33 Amadori-LysoPEs are determined in the NIST human plasma standard reference material. These values may serve as an important reference for future investigations of Amadori-modified lipids in human diseases.
Human Laboratory Models of Cannabis Use: Applications for Clinical and Translational Psychiatry Research

Cannabis is increasingly used by individuals with mental health diagnoses and often purported to treat anxiety and various other psychiatric symptoms. Yet support for using cannabis as a psychiatric treatment is currently limited by a lack of evidence from rigorous placebo-controlled studies. While regulatory hurdles and other barriers make clinical trials of cannabis challenging to conduct, addiction researchers have decades of experience studying cannabis use in human laboratory models. These include methods to control cannabis administration, to delineate clinical and mechanistic aspects of cannabis use, and to evaluate potential treatment applications for cannabis and its constituents. In this paper, we review these human laboratory procedures and describe how each can be applied to study cannabis use in patients with psychiatric disorders. Because anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting American adults, and anxiety relief is also the most commonly-reported reason for medicinal cannabis use, we focus particularly on applying human laboratory models to study cannabis effects in individuals with anxiety and related disorders. Finally, we discuss how these methods can be integrated to study cannabis effects in other psychiatric conditions and guide future research in this area.
Fusing Ambient and Mobile Sensor Features Into a Behaviorome for Predicting Clinical Health Scores

Advances in machine learning and low-cost, ubiquitous sensors offer a practical method for understanding the predictive relationship between behavior and health. In this study, we analyze this relationship by building a behaviorome, or set of digital behavior markers, from a fusion of data collected from ambient and wearable sensors. We then use the behaviorome to predict clinical scores for a sample of n = 21 participants based on continuous data collected from smart homes and smartwatches and automatically labeled with corresponding activity and location types. To further investigate the relationship between domains, including participant demographics, self-report and external observation-based health scores, and behavior markers, we propose a joint inference technique that improves predictive performance for these types of high-dimensional spaces. For our participant sample, we observe correlations ranging from small to large for the clinical scores. We also observe an improvement in predictive performance when multiple sensor modalities are used and when joint inference is employed.
The learning curve of deceased donor liver transplant during fellowship training

Liver transplantation (LT) is a complex operation that most transplant surgeons learn in fellowship. Training varies as there is lack of objective data that can be used to standardize teaching. We performed a retrospective review of our adult LT database with aim of looking at fellow's experience. Using American Society of Transplant Surgery cutoff of, at least 45 LT during fellowship, data for first 45 LT were compared to LT 45-90. Fellow's cases were also clustered in sequential groups of 15 LT and analyzed to estimate the learning curve (LC). Comparison of LT 1-45 with LT 46-90 showed significantly lower total operative times (TOT) (324 vs. 344 min) and warm ischemia times (WIT) (28 vs. 31 min) in the 45-90 group. Rates of biliary complications (23.8% vs. 16.4%) and bile leaks alone (10.3% vs. 5.5%) were significantly higher for first 45 LT. Analysis of fellows experience in sequential clusters of 15 LT showed decreasing TOT, WIT, biliary complications and rates of unplanned return to the OR with progression of fellowship. This study validates the current ASTS requirement of at least 45 LT. LC generated using these data can help individualize training and optimize outcomes through identification of areas in need of improvement.
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and bacterial diversity in the lower respiratory tract of children.

Background Exposure to particulate matter has been shown to increase the adhesion of bacteria to human airway epithelial cells. However, the impact of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the respiratory microbiome is unknown. Methods Forty children were recruited through the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study, a longitudinal cohort followed from birth through early adolescence. Saliva and induced sputum were collected at age 14 years. Exposure to TRAP was characterized from birth through the time of sample collection using a previously validated land-use regression model. Sequencing of the bacterial 16S and ITS fungal rRNA genes was performed on sputum and saliva samples. The relative abundance of bacterial taxa and diversity indices were compared in children with exposure to high and low TRAP. We also used multiple linear regression to assess the effect of TRAP exposure, gender, asthma status, and socioeconomic status on the alpha diversity of bacteria in sputum. Results We observed higher bacterial alpha diversity indices in sputum than in saliva. The diversity indices for bacteria were greater in the high TRAP exposure group than the low exposure group. These differences remained after adjusting for asthma status, gender, and mother's education. No differences were observed in the fungal microbiome between TRAP exposure groups. Conclusion Our findings indicate that exposure to TRAP in early childhood and adolescence may be associated with greater bacterial diversity in the lower respiratory tract. Asthma status does not appear to confound the observed differences in diversity. These results demonstrate that there may be a TRAP-exposure related change in the lower respiratory microbiota that is independent of asthma status.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Pharmacy, nursing, and physician assistant studies student self-report and perceptions regarding classroom etiquette

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and nursing students’ self-report regarding their classroom etiquette and perceptions regarding classroom etiquette. Methods: A survey regarding classroom etiquette was administered to first year pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and nursing students. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences among various student behaviours and perceptions, and among students of the three academic programmes. Results: Most students (>84%) indicated that arriving late to class, leaving the classroom during lecture without returning, initiating a conversation with a peer during lecture, and conducting non-class-related activities with electronic devices during lecture are unprofessional. Students self-reported that tardiness and leaving and returning to the classroom during lecture are not rare. Most students (52%) indicated that it is acceptable to have a conversation with a peer while the professor is teaching if the conversation is directly related to the lecture material. Some students (27%) indicated that the non-class-related activities that they conduct during lecture using their laptop or tablet device affected their academic performance. More students reported their academic performance is adversely affected by non-academic use of laptop or tablet device compared to the use of cell phones. Conclusion: This study suggests there are opportunities to improve student classroom etiquette in various academic settings. Moreover, it may bring a greater awareness to the issue of classroom etiquette, and thereby encourage faculty and administration to evaluate, and/or better enforce policies related to classroom etiquette.
The Truth about Nature: Environmentalism in the Era of Post-truth Politics and Platform Capitalism: By Bram Büscher Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 2021, 254 pp., $85.00 (hardcover), ISBN: 9780520371446; $29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 9780520371453

The world is facing twin crises of ecological decline and post-truth politics. Hence, on social media, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), activists, and scientists are increasingly compelled to...
Retrohepatic Mass: A Case of Human Herpesvirus-8 Negative Multicentric Castleman's Disease.

Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with aggressive systemic presentation and poor prognosis. Here, we present a case of MCD in a 37-year-old Asian American woman with a past medical history of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), iron deficiency, and vitamin B12 deficiency-related anemia. The patient underwent surgical resection with good recovery. Hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) normalized after surgical resection. Although the influence of risk factors such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infections on MCD relapse are not well understood, patient education on MCD risk factors is important, as they may place the patient at greater risk for recurrence. MCD should be considered in patients with chronic inflammation and a mass on imaging.
The Failed Rotator Cuff: Diagnosis and Management—Rotator Cuff Anatomy/Blood Supply

Rotator cuff tears are some of the most common injuries in the field of orthopedics, with over 4.5 million patient visits per year and $3 to $5 billion annual economic burden in the United States (Baumer et al., Orthop J Sports Med. 4:2325967116666506, 2016). With a large increase in the number of physically active aging individuals, rotator cuff disease is quickly becoming a major medical complication (Seida et al. AHRQ Comp Eff Rev, 2010). The unpredictability of cuff tear progression, the possibility that a reparable tear will become irreparable, and the time and cost of unsuccessful nonoperative management add complexity to the treatment strategy. As a result, knowledge of basic rotator cuff tendon anatomy is helpful in understanding its injury patterns and provides a good starting point to begin thinking about repair or reconstruction (Blevins et al., Orthop Clin North Am. 28:1–16, 1997).
The Galactic Superstars

Strange and wonderful nebulae haunt the Milky Way ranging from nurseries of star birth, to the death throes of stars as well as nebulae surrounding black holes.
Nestmate Recognition in Eusocial Insects: The Honeybee as a Model System

This review summarizes and evaluates the available information on honeybee nestmate recognition. Nestmate recognition is the ability of members of a colony to discriminate members of their own colony from others, particularly conspecifics, trying to enter the nest. Honeybee nestmate recognition is mediated by chemical cues that bees gain after emergence as adults. The comb wax in the nest is an important intermediary for transfer of cues among bees in the colony, resulting in a relatively uniform recognition profile which is carried by workers in the colony. Alkenes and free fatty acids are the primary chemical cues in the recognition profile. The ability of honeybees to discriminate nestmates from non-nestmates has raised the question of whether recognition mechanisms might exist to support nepotism within colonies. A variety of experimental approaches have failed to generate support for preferential behavior among highly related subgroups of bees in honeybee colonies. Other questions addressed in this review include queen recognition, response thresholds for expression of recognition, and sensory and information gathering aspects of the recognition system of honeybees. Nestmate recognition in honeybees is a valuable model system for the study of social recognition in animals.
Integrating Object-Oriented Software Engineering in the Computer Science Curriculum

The recent ACM/IEEE Computing Curricula '91 report identifies important and recurring concepts that pervade computer science. These include complexity of large programs, the concept of binding, abstract data types, evolution of requirements, levels of abstraction, and the importance of software reuse. We present an improved curriculum for the software oriented courses that better addresses these concepts. The major objective of the proposed curriculum is the introduction of the concept of components as building blocks for creating solutions to software design problems. Component-based software engineering is currently best facilitated by the object-oriented approach through reuse of available class libraries and application frameworks. Based on our experience in the use of the object-oriented approach for the introductory programming courses as compared to past instruction using a predominantly procedural-oriented point of view, we feel that our approach can be successfully integrated into the computer science curriculum with proper planning and availability of resources.
Catecholaminergic connectivity to the inner ear, central auditory, and vocal motor circuitry in the plainfin midshipman fish porichthys notatus

Although the neuroanatomical distribution of catecholaminergic (CA) neurons has been well documented across all vertebrate classes, few studies have examined CA connectivity to physiologically and anatomically identified neural circuitry that controls behavior. The goal of this study was to characterize CA distribution in the brain and inner ear of the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) with particular emphasis on their relationship with anatomically labeled circuitry that both produces and encodes social acoustic signals in this species. Neurobiotin labeling of the main auditory end organ, the saccule, combined with tyrosine hydroxylase immunofluorescence (TH-ir) revealed a strong CA innervation of both the peripheral and central auditory system. Diencephalic TH-ir neurons in the periventricular posterior tuberculum, known to be dopaminergic, send ascending projections to the ventral telencephalon and prominent descending projections to vocal-acoustic integration sites, notably the hindbrain octavolateralis efferent nucleus, as well as onto the base of hair cells in the saccule via nerve VIII. Neurobiotin backfills of the vocal nerve in combination with TH-ir revealed CA terminals on all components of the vocal pattern generator, which appears to largely originate from local TH-ir neurons but may include input from diencephalic projections as well. This study provides strong neuroanatomical evidence that catecholamines are important modulators of both auditory and vocal circuitry and acoustic-driven social behavior in midshipman fish. This demonstration of TH-ir terminals in the main end organ of hearing in a nonmammalian vertebrate suggests a conserved and important anatomical and functional role for dopamine in normal audition.
Parallel Algorithms for Shortest Paths and Related Problems on Trapezoid Graphs

In this paper, we consider parallel algorithms for shortest paths and related problems on trapezoid graphs under the CREW PRAM model. Given a trapezoid graph with its corresponding trapezoid diagram, we present parallel algorithms solving the following problems: For the single-source shortest path problem, the algorithm runs in O(log n) time using O(n) processors and space. For the all-pair shortest path query problem, after spending O(log n) preprocessing time using O(n log n) space and O(n) processors, the algorithm can answer the query in O(log δ) time using one processor. Here δ denotes the distance between two queried vertices. For the minimum cardinality Steiner set problem, the algorithm runs in O(log n) time using O(n) processors and space. We also extend our results to the generalized trapezoid graphs. The single-source shortest path problem and the minimum cardinality Steiner set problem on d-trapezoid graphs and circular d-trapezoid graphs can both be solved in O(log n log d) time using O(nd) space and O(d2n= log d) processors. The all-pair shortest path query problem on d-trapezoid graphs and circular d-trapezoid graphs can be answered in O(d log δ) time using one processor after spending O(log n log d) preprocessing time using O(nd log n) space and O(d2n= log d) processors.
Preparative chromatographic purification of cyclosporine metabolites.

Polar and primary metabolites of cyclosporin A (CsA) have successfully been isolated by a novel separation protocol. An efficient, easy-to-scale-up chromatographic adsorption/desorption operation recovers polar and primary CsA metabolite pools from large volumes of urine; purified CsA metabolites are subsequently obtained by high-resolution preparative elution chromatography of the semipurified metabolite pools. Separations performed on a semipreparative scale [with a 250 x 9.4 mm (i.d.) reversed-phase HPLC column] yielded microgram quantities of CsA metabolites at > 97% purity, as determined by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. These separations also yielded two previously unreported CsA metabolites, similar to AM1A but with an additional hydroxylation. The yield of metabolites was increased to several milligrams by performing the separations with a preparative-scale [250 x 21.2 mm (i.d.)] reversed-phase column. The production rate of purified primary CsA metabolites was greatly increased by performing the separation with the preparative-scale column under conditions of severe mass overloading. In a single chromatographic run, we successfully isolated 11.0 and 5.0 mg of AM1 and AM1c, respectively, at a purity of > 97%. As expected, this increase in the yield of purified metabolites was accompanied by a decrease in the overall recovery. This separation scheme enables the rapid processing of large volumes of urine for isolation of the milligram quantities of CsA metabolites necessary to assess their biological activity. The procedure is applicable to small- or large-scale metabolite isolation and provides a ready source of purified metabolites for in vitro and whole-animal studies.
Systemic Effects of Hemodialysis Access

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease are at a high risk of cardiovascular events. Patients with end-stage renal disease have a particularly high morbidity and mortality, in part attributed to the complications and dysfunction related to vascular access in this population. Creation of an arteriovenous access for HD is considered standard of care for most patients and has distinct advantages including less likelihood of infections, less need for intervention, and positive impact on survival as compared with usage of a catheter. However, creation of an arteriovenous shunt incites a series of events that significantly impacts cardiovascular and neurohormonal health in both positive and negative ways. This article will review the short- and long-term effects of dialysis access on cardiovascular, neurohormonal, and pulmonary systems as well as a brief review of their effect on survival on HD. Presence of other comorbidities in a patient with dialysis access can amplify these effects, and these considerations are of paramount importance in individualizing the approach to not only the choice of vascular access but also the modality of kidney replacement therapy.
Comparison of 2-Year Outcomes of Extended Criteria Cardiac Transplantation Versus Destination Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy Using Continuous Flow.

Alternatives have emerged for patients ineligible for cardiac transplantation under standard criteria. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes in patients ineligible for cardiac transplantation under standard criteria, treated either with extended criteria cardiac transplantation (ECCT) or a continuous flow destination therapy left ventricular assist device (CF DT-LVAD). From 2005 to 2012, patients treated with either ECCT or CF DT-LVAD at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. In the overall unmatched cohort, we examined mortality and other outcomes, including index hospitalization length of stay, renal function, stroke, and readmission rates. After propensity score (PS) matching, outcomes were compared between ECCT and CF DT-LVAD recipients. Overall, 62 patients underwent ECCT, and 146 patients were treated with CF DT-LVAD. The 2-year mortality estimate for ECCT recipients was 27.3% (95% confidence interval 15.5% to 39.1%) and for CF DT-LVAD recipients was 11.2% (95% confidence interval 4.8% to 17.6%). After PS matching of 39 patients from each treatment group, there was no significant difference in overall survival after 2 years (p = 0.346). In both unmatched and PS-matched analyses, CF DT-LVAD patients compared with ECCT had a significantly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 year but also had significantly higher hospital readmission rates. Stroke also more commonly occurred after CF DT-LVAD compared with ECCT (17 vs 5, unmatched; and 2 vs 1, PS matched). However, there was no significant difference between PS-matched groups in 2-year stroke-free survival (p = 0.371). In conclusion, ECCT and CF DT-LVAD in select patients are comparable therapies with respect to 2-year survival.
A comparison of isotropic and anisotropic diffuse models in determining optical properties of fibrous tissue

We compared the isotropic and anisotropic diffuse models in retrieving the optical properties in fibrous samples from time-resolved reflectance measurements. A Monte Carlo model was used to simulate light propagation in a fibrous tissue consisting of aligned cylinders and spherical particles. Using the anisotropic diffuse model, the reduced scattering coefficients for both cylinder and background can be derived from a single time-resolved reflectance measured perpendicularly to the fiber direction. Using isotropic diffuse solution, these parameters can be derived from two measurements both parallel and perpendicular to the fiber direction. The simulation results also indicate that the derived optical properties are correct only for fibrous samples with small fiber diameter. For large fiber diameters, the reduced scattering coefficient of fibers needs to be corrected by fiber-size dependent factor. Overall, the isotropic diffuse model produced better results than the anisotropic model.
Justice, Sanctioning, and the Justice Model

The justice model has emerged as an alternative to the discredited rehabilitative ideal as a basis for sanctioning policy. Retributivism or just deserts is offered as the primary justification for the criminal sanction in this model, although sometimes in combination with incapacitation and deterrence as companion rationales for sanctioning. Desert is, additionally, an integral component of a sense of justice that is presented as an attribute of the justice model. Desert, both as a rationale for sanctions and as the basis for justice, is drawn from the philosophical models of Immanuel Kant and John Rawis. However, these models have some rather disturbing implications that have not been addressed by proponents of the justice model. A critical examination of them and their implications for criminology is therefore in order. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Criminology, 1984. Copyright © 1984 by the American Society of Criminology) Correctional Decision Making Criminal Justice System Offender Sentencing Offender Rehabilitation Offender Treatment Offender Punishment Justice System Model Adult Crime Adult Offender 12-04
Optical spectrum of crystalline anthracene: comparison between theory and experiment

Abstract We calculate te optical spectra of crystalline antracene using a cluster dynamical coherent approximation. We model the bare exciton density as a combination of a one- and a three-dimensional type of density of states. Quantitative agreement with experiment is obtained for the b -polarized first vibronic singlet state (range 25000–27000 cm -1 ).
Testing an intervention to reduce assaults on nursing assistants in nursing homes: a pilot study.

Abstract Nursing home staffs frequently encounter physical and emotional violence directed toward them by residents. This article addresses the problem from an occupational health perspective and describes a pilot study focused an educational intervention to reduce resident assaults on certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in nursing homes. After a 4-hour education intervention, the study CNAs reported fewer physical assaults by residents and increased levels of knowledge and confidence in their ability to manage residents' aggressive behavior compared with a similar CNA group. Limitations include a small convenience sample who works only the day shift. Results support education and training as effective in reducing resident physical assaults and enhancing nursing home safety. Further research should investigate assaultive resident behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent, reduce, and manage violence in nursing homes. (Geriatr Nurs 2002;23:18-23)
Effects of Nicotine and Mecamylamine Microinjections into the Nucleus Accumbens on Ethanol and Sucrose Self‐Administration

Nicotine (NIC) and ethanol (ETOH) are both drugs of abuse that can affect similar pathways in the central nervous system. However, the role of nicotinic processes in ETOH's reinforcing actions is unclear. Although the mesolimbic dopamine systems are known to be involved in the reinforcing effects of ETOH, the role of nicotinic receptors within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in ETOH reinforcement has not been studied. To address this issue, adult male Long-Evans rats were initiated to self-administer ETOH (10% v/v, n = 14) using the sucrose-substitution procedure or sucrose (5% w/v, n = 8) in a 30-min operant session. They were then surgically implanted with bilateral stainless-steel guide cannulae to allow for microinjection into the core of the NAc. After recovery from surgery, presession microinjections of NIC (0.3, 3.3, 10, 30, and 60 microg/1 microl/brain) or the antagonist mecamylamine (MEC) (1, 3, 10, 30, and 60 microg/1 microl/brain) were performed prior to an ETOH or sucrose self-administration session. NIC (3.3 and 60 microg/microl) and MEC (30 microg/microl) both reduced ETOH self-administration behavior, without affecting sucrose-reinforced behavior. A reduction in the total duration of ETOH responding (termination) was also observed after either 60 microg/microl of NIC and 30 microg/microl of MEC. The lack of a clear dose-response relationship for the agonist and the antagonist indicates that the interaction between the NAc nicotinic system and ETOH self-administration is complex.
Correlations between phospholipid methylation and neuronal catecholamine transport

Abstract A change in the fluidity of biological membranes can be produced by methylation reactions which sequentially transfer methyl groups from phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine. Since the physical properties of membranes may affect the function of membrane-localized transport proteins. the accumulation of norepinephrine (NE) by rat cortical synaptosomes was examined in the presence of S -adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) which inhibits the methylation of phospholipids. A concentration-related decrease in the uptake of [ 3 H]NE was produced by AdoHcy with coincident decreases in the S -adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent transmethylation of phospholipids in neuronal membranes. A kinetic analysis for the effects of AdoHcy on the neuronal uptake of NE revealed a significant decrease in both the apparent K m and V max . Treatment of synaptosomes with adenosine, L -homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), and erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA) which leads to the synthesis of intracellular AdoHcy resulted in a decrease in the V max with no significant change in the K m . Adenosine or EHNA alone had no effect on NE uptake, but HTL alone significantly inhibited NE uptake. The data suggest that the processes of enzymatic methylation of membrane phospholipids and the transport of norepinephrine may be associated within neuronal membranes. Inhibiting phospholipid methylation reactions can reduce the efficiency of neurotransmitter removal and perhaps indirectly alter synaptic function.
Debye-Waller Factors and the PbTe Band-Gap Temperature Dependence

Measurements of the temperature variation of x-ray diffraction peak intensities have been used to show that the mean-square thermal displacement of Pb in PbTe is approximately twice that of Te. This phenomenon is explained, using a calculation of the mean-square displacements from vibrational eigenvalues and eigenvectors, in terms of the heavy thermal weighting of the acoustic modes relative to the optical. The Pb motion dominates in the acoustic modes, whereas the Te motion dominates in the optic modes. Debye-Waller factors obtained from the calculated mean-square displacements have been associated with a modified Lin-Kleinman pseudopotential to obtain a theoretical estimate of the temperature dependence of the band gap. The modifications are necessary because of errors associated with their treatment of spin-orbit interaction. The calculated band-gap increase of 0.008 Ry between 100 and 300 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is in fair agreement with an experimental estimate of the explicit increase. It is shown that the magnitude of the shift is quite sensitive to adjustable parameters in the gap calculation as well as to the Debye-Waller factors. The sign of the shift is dependent on the relative ordering of levels and the relative mean-square displacements of the ions but not, otherwise, on the details of the calculation.
No perfect two-state cellular automata for density classification exists.

Recently there have been many attempts to evolve one-dimensional two-state cellular automata which classify binary strings according to their densities of 1's and 0's. The current best-known approaches involve particle-based systems of information transfer. A proof is given that there does not exist a two-state cellular automata which performs the task perfectly. This is true even in multiple dimensions.
Receptor proteins for androgen in hamster sebaceous glands.

Chromatographic and ultracentrifugal techniques demonstrate that receptor proteins in hamster sebaceous glands play important biologic roles such as recognition, transfer, retention, and protection of the tissue-active androgen dihydrotestosterone. Since this is the first step of androgen action, any interference of the binding causes a loss of subsequent biologic sequellae, such as the stimulation of energy metabolism. Both the synthesis and degradation of the receptor proteins are highly dependent on dihydrotestosterone levels. The short half lives of the receptor proteins and of the messenger RNA for the receptors further contribute to the essential role of androgen receptors in controlling the dynamic actions of androgen in hamster sebaceous glands.
Automated quantification of myocardial perfusion SPECT using simplified normal limits

Background. To simplify development of normal limits for myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS), we implemented a quantification scheme in which normal limits are derived without visual scoring of abnormal scans or optimization of regional thresholds. Methods and Results. Normal limits were derived from same-day TI-201 rest/Tc-99m-sestamibi stress scans of male (n = 40) and female (n = 40) low-likelihood patients. Defect extent, total perfusion deficit (TPD), and regional perfusion extents were derived by comparison to normal limits in polar-map coordinates. MPS scans from 256 consecutive patients without known coronary artery disease, who underwent coronary angiography, were analyzed. The new method of quantification (TPD) was compared with our previously developed quantification system and visual scoring. The receiver operator characteristic area under the curve for detection of 50% or greater stenoses by TPD (0.88 ± 0.02) was higher than by visual scoring (0.83 ± 0.03) (P = .039) or standard quantification (0.82 ± 0.03) (P = .004). For detection of 70% or greater stenoses, it was higher for TPD (0.89 ± 0.02) than for standard quantification (0.85 ± 0.02) (P = .014). Sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 79%, respectively, for TPD; 81% and 85%, respectively, for visual scoring; and 80% and 73%, respectively, for standard quantification. The use of stress mode-specific normal limits did not improve performance. Conclusion. Simplified quantification achieves performance better than or equivalent to visual scoring or quantification based on per-segment visual optimization of abnormality thresholds. (J Nucl Cardiol 2005;12:66-77.)
Time-domain finite-element modeling of electrically and magnetically dispersive medium via recursive FFT

A numerical scheme is described for the modeling of a general electrically and magnetically dispersive medium in the time-domain finite-element analysis of electromagnetic problems. This approach employs the recursive fast Fourier transform to evaluate the time convolutions induced by dispersion. Its implementation needs only the values of the susceptibility functions instead of their pole expansions as required by previous approaches based on recursive convolution. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1837–1841, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23488
Current challenges in lower respiratory infections in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Lower respiratory infections threaten the health of children worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common bacterial cause of lower respiratory infection in children, whereas viral pathogens dominate as a more common cause of lower respiratory infection illness in infants and children overall. The diagnosis and clinical management of lower respiratory infections pose challenges to pediatric health providers as new technology is developed and new pathogens emerge in the spectrum of clinical disease. RECENT FINDINGS Human metapneumovirus is now recognized as a cause of lower respiratory infection disease in children, and coronavirus has been linked to epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Respiratory syncytial virus continues to be a major source of viral lower respiratory infection illness in children and can lead to childhood asthma. Treatment for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis depends largely on the severity of disease and the course of clinical symptoms. The diagnosis of bacterial lower respiratory infection disease remains a clinical challenge, but new methods to detect S. pneumoniae, or Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae may facilitate the clinical management of these illnesses. As immunization against S. pneumoniae becomes more widely used, the complications of bacterial lower respiratory infections will diminish markedly. SUMMARY Future progress in the clinical management of lower respiratory infection diseases will entail improved methods of early diagnosis, broader options for treatment, and better defined clinical parameters for triage and follow-up of children with lower respiratory infections.
The role of solitons in the first Bu excited state of polyene chains: From short polyenes to polyacetylene

We present calculations on the geometry of the first 1Bu excited state in polyene chains ranging in length from 5 to 29 double bonds. Calculations are performed in the framework of a Huckel Hamiltonian with bond-length-dependent transfer integrals and with σ-bond compressibility and use the parameters originally chosen for polyacetylene. Our results indicate that there is a smooth evolution of the 1Bu excited state geometry relaxation on going from short to long chains. In all cases, we find that the 1Bu excited state geometry tends to relax in such a way as to produce a pair of soliton defects. The implications of our results for the nonlinear optical properties of polyenes are discussed.
Sedimentation studies on aminoacyl-sRNA synthetase and activation of aminoacyl-sRNA transfer factor

Abstract Sucrose density gradient centrifugation analysis of aminoacyl-sRNA transfer factor and aminoacyl-sRNA synthetase revealed that aminoacyl-sRNA transfer factor for various amino acids sedimented similarly, and the sedimentation coefficient was approximately 4 S. While most of the aminoacyl-sRNA synthetases had a sedimentation coefficient of about 8 S, phenylalanyl-sRNA synthetase sedimented differently from other aminoacyl-sRNA synthetases, and it was distributed throughout the density gradient. With this method, phenylalanyl-sRNA synthetase was obtained free from aminoacyl-sRNA transfer factor. An approximately 10-fold activation of aminoacyl-sRNA transfer factor prepared by this method was observed by incubation of the factor with β-mercaptoethanol and bovine serum albumin.
Letters of a Lowell Mill girl and friends: 1845–1846

(1976). Letters of a Lowell Mill girl and friends: 1845–1846. Labor History: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 96-102.
A comparison of multiple injections versus continuous infusion of nicotine for producing up-regulation of neuronal [3H]-epibatidine binding sites

Chronic nicotine exposure in the rat produces a characteristic increase in neuronal nicotinic binding sites in many brain regions. The conventional method for inducing such increases utilizes twice daily subcutaneous injections of a near maximal, sub-convulsive dose of nicotine. Alternatively, nicotine may be chronically infused via an osmotic mini-pump. However, little is known about how administration of nicotine by chronic infusion compares to multiple injections in producing nicotinic receptor upregulation. This study used [3H]-epibatidine, a high potency neuronal nicotinic agonist radioligand, to compare the increases in receptor levels in rat brain, spinal cord and trigeminal ganglion tissues following chronic nicotine administration via either twice daily injections (2 mg/kg s.c.) or an osmotic mini-pump (1 mg/kg/hr) for 10 days. All central and peripheral nervous system tissues examined demonstrated significant neuronal nicotinic receptor up-regulation following chronic infusion of nicotine. Only the cerebral cortex and hippocampus displayed significant up-regulation following nicotine administration by injections. Moreover, in all tissues studied, the receptor levels measured were significantly higher in the animals that received nicotine by chronic infusion compared with multiple injections. These data indicate that chronic infusion of nicotine is a convenient and efficacious alternative to multiple injections for producing neuronal nicotinic receptor up-regulation in both central and peripheral nervous tissues.
Sulfur Amino Acid Stability. Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment of Casein, Egg White, and Soy Isolate

Egg white solids (EWS), soy protein isolate (SPI), and casein were treated with differing levels of H2O2 at both 40 and 90°C. Total and reactive cysteine/cystine (Cys), total methionine, methionine sulfoxide and sulfone contents were determined for all samples. At 40°C methionine in all samples was readily converted to its sulfoxide, with little sulfone or cysteic acid being formed. At 90°C Cys was rapidly converted to the stable cysteic acid and methionine to its stable sulfone form. The production of the less stable methionine sulfoxide at 90°C was minimal. Of the three proteins studied, the methionine and Cys residues in EWS were least stable under oxidizing conditions, whereas those present in SPI and casein were more stable.
The equine herpesvirus 1 EICP27 protein enhances gene expression via an interaction with TATA box-binding protein.

Abstract The mechanism(s) by which the early EICP27 gene product cooperates with other equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) regulatory proteins to achieve maximal promoter activity remains unknown. Transient transfection assays revealed that deletion of residues 93–140 of the 470-aa EICP27 protein substantially diminished its activation of the immediate-early ( IE ) promoter, whereas deletion of residues 140–470 that contain a zinc-finger motif abolished this activity. Fluorescence microscopy of cells expressing the full-length EICP27 protein or portions of this protein revealed that an arginine-rich sequence spanning residues 178–185 mediates nuclear entry. Experiments employing the mammalian Gal4 two-plasmid system revealed that the EICP27 protein does not possess an independent trans -activation domain (TAD). Protein–protein interaction assays using purified proteins revealed that residues 124–220 of the EICP27 protein mediate its direct interaction with TATA box-binding protein (TBP). Partial deletion of this TBP-binding domain attenuated the ability of the EICP27 protein to stimulate the IE and early EICP0 promoters by 68% and 71%, respectively, indicating the importance of this protein–protein interaction.
Examining Error Pathways: An Analysis of Contributing Factors Using HFACS in Non-Aviation Industries

This study investigated human error in non-aviation industries utilizing the Human Factors Classification and Analysis System (HFACS). The purpose of this study was to identify associations between active errors and latent conditions beyond the aviation industry using a taxonomy that systemically identifies both active errors and latent conditions at all levels of an organization. Doing so could potentially allow for the shifting of intervention target areas from active errors to latent conditions. Seven data sources representing five different non-aviation industry types were analyzed using HFACS methodology and causal category associations were identified. Among the various significant causal factor associations, violations were determined be associated with certain causal categories at the unsafe supervision tier. Additionally, crew resource management causal factors were found to be associated with both skill-based and decision errors. Associations among the HFACS causal categories yield useful inform...