cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphatidylserine receptor BAI1 and apoptotic cells as new promoters of myoblast fusion.

The apoptotic event of phosphatidylserine exposure and its recognition by the receptor BAI1 has an unexpected new role as a signal enhancing mouse myoblast fusion, an insight with relevance to some congenital muscle diseases and muscle injury treatments. Apoptotic cell death occurs throughout development and homeostasis in healthy tissues, including skeletal muscle. This study questions previous assumptions that the resulting dead cells have no beneficial effects. Kodi Ravichandran and colleagues show that during skeletal muscle differentiation in mice, a fraction of precursor muscle cells undergoes apoptosis, and that these cells provide a key signal — phosphatidylserine — that promotes muscle development. The idea that the body may use cell death not only to rid itself of unwanted cells, but also to regulate differentiation adds an intriguing dimension to cell turnover within tissues. Skeletal muscle arises from the fusion of precursor myoblasts into multinucleated myofibres1,2. Although conserved transcription factors and signalling proteins involved in myogenesis have been identified, upstream regulators are less well understood. Here we report an unexpected discovery that the membrane protein BAI1, previously linked to recognition of apoptotic cells by phagocytes3, promotes myoblast fusion. Endogenous BAI1 expression increased during myoblast fusion, and BAI1 overexpression enhanced myoblast fusion by means of signalling through ELMO/Dock180/Rac1 proteins4. During myoblast fusion, a fraction of myoblasts within the population underwent apoptosis and exposed phosphatidylserine, an established ligand for BAI1 (ref. 3). Blocking apoptosis potently impaired myoblast fusion, and adding back apoptotic myoblasts restored fusion. Furthermore, primary human myoblasts could be induced to form myotubes by adding apoptotic myoblasts, even under normal growth conditions. Mechanistically, apoptotic cells did not directly fuse with the healthy myoblasts, rather the apoptotic cells induced a contact-dependent signalling with neighbours to promote fusion among the healthy myoblasts. In vivo, myofibres from Bai1−/− mice are smaller than those from wild-type littermates. Muscle regeneration after injury was also impaired in Bai1−/− mice, highlighting a role for BAI1 in mammalian myogenesis. Collectively, these data identify apoptotic cells as a new type of cue that induces signalling via the phosphatidylserine receptor BAI1 to promote fusion of healthy myoblasts, with important implications for muscle development and repair.
Investigation of the assembly reflow process and PCB design on the reliability of WLCSP

Intensive FEA modeling was applied to the investigation of early solder joint failures of WLCSP mounted on test PCBs. In particular, stress in assembly reflow process was studied with 25 balls; 0.4 mm pitch WLCSP and PCBs with specially placed plated though vias. The 25 ball WLCSP in the study has 5×5 ball array, which corresponds to 16 outmost solder joints and nine inner solder joints, all soldered to the matching copper pads on the test PCB. Three PCB designs were modeled to understand the impact of PCB through via arrangement on stresses in solder joints during assembly reflow process: design #1 has no PCB through vias at all; design #2 has plated through vias under nine inner PCB copper pads; design #3 has plated through vias under all 25 PCB copper pads. The modeling results disclose that PCB design #2 with plated through vias under nine inner PCB copper pads induces the highest solder stress in all three models. Contrary to common sense of higher stress on corner solder joints due to coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch of silicon and PCB, the maximum stresses of design #2 actually occur on the inner solder joints. The simulation results match well with experimental observations. For PCB design #1 and #3, highest solder stress is lower than stress in design #2. In addition, in both cases, the maximum stress locates on the corner solder joints. New PCB design guidelines have since been implemented based on the simulation. Due to the improvement of the design, premature solder joint failure has not been recorded.
Changes in and Generalization of Unrealistic Optimism Following Experiences with Stressful Events: Reactions to the 1989 California Earthquake:

University students who experienced the 1989 California earthquake were asked a few days afterward to estimate the likelihood that they, the typical student at the school, and the average person their age would someday experience each of several negative life events, including being hurt in a natural disaster such as an earthquake. These responses were compared with those of a quasi-experimental control group of students 3 months later Unrealistic optimism about being hurt in a natural disaster, as indicated by the difference between the subjects' perceived vulnerability for themselves and for others, was not apparent immediately after the earthquake. However; unrealistic optimism for this item was found 3 months later Further analysis suggests that the loss of optimism after the earthquake was limited to natural disasters and did not alter perceived vulnerability to other negative events.
Spontaneous reversion of ventricular fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm in a case of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract A 61-year-old white woman presented a history of advanced vascular disease of approximately fifteen years' duration, resulting from hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Following an acute posterolateral myocardial infarction, she went into sudden collapse lasting approximately five minutes. Ventricular fibrillation was actually recorded over a period of 1 minute and 47 seconds and then spontaneously reverted to a normal sinus rhythm. Her convalescence was uneventful and she was discharged without any evidence of cerebral deterioration.
Automatic Load Control for Turbine Generators

This paper describes a load-control apparatus recently installed on two 20,000-kw turbines at the power plant of the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company at Fairfield, Ala., to reduce the magnitude of load swings imposed on a tie line by a hot-strip mill in the Tennessee Coal Iron Company plant. The power plant contains three 20,000-kw turbine-driven generators and is tied in with the Alabama Power Company to furnish the steel-mill load. Previous to the installation of the equipment herein described, the three 20,000-kw turbine generators have carried load under control of their speed governors and the variations in strip-mill load which are about 20,000 kw were imposed upon the Alabama Power Company tie line causing objectionable disturbances on the connecting power system. It was desired to develop a means of imposing all or part of the strip-mill load on the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company turbine generators to reduce these disturbances. Several methods were considered, and the one selected was based upon a static watt-measuring circuit, the output of which is an Amplidyne generator. The Amplidyne in turn operates the pilot motor of an hydraulic (oil) relay at the turbine to control the steam admission valves.
Rheumatoid arthritis: a primary care approach.

Purpose To provide primary care providers with guidelines on the evaluation, diagnosis and management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data sources Research-based articles in the medical literature, review articles, and clinical practice guidelines. Conclusion Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects mainly synovial joints. Diagnosis is based primarily on clinical examination. Clinical criteria developed by the American Rheumatism Association can help the primary care provider recognize this potentially devastating disease and facilitate early referral to a rheumatologist for treatment. Implications for Practice: Patients with RA should be treated early and aggressively. Laboratory tests are not essential to confirm the diagnosis of RA. The clinical usefulness of the rheumatoid factor could be increased by restricting the test to patients who have a high probability of RA based on clinical symptoms.
Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions as a Measure of Noise-Induced Threshold Shift

Otoacoustic emissions and behavioral hearing thresholds were measured before and after exposure to a 10-min, 105-dB SPL, half-octave band of noise centered at 1.414 kHz. Along a single recovery fun...
Prime cyclic arithmetic codes and the distribution of power residues

Abstract In this paper we discuss the weight distribution of prime cyclic arithmetic codes. This is equivalent to the following number-theoretic problem: A norm | | dependent on a positive integer r is defined on Z p = {0, 1, …, p − 1} as follows: Let 〈r〉 denote the subgroup of the group of non-zero elements of Z p generated by r. Let |x| be the number of elements of the coset 〈r〉 x which lie in the interval M (p,r)= p r+t + 1 p r+1 + 2, … rp r+1 where the bracket denotes the greatest integer function. In coding theory |x| is called the weight of x. We study the deviation Δ(p,r) of the weight of x in Z p from the average weight of the non-zero elements of Z p. Several bounds are found for Δ(p,r), and using elementary facts concerning quadratic residues some new conditions are found which imply that Δ(p,r) = 0.
Renal transplant failure has a devastating impact requiring greater recognition and support

Commentary on : Gill P, Lowes L. Renal transplant failure and disenfranchised grief: participants’ experiences in the first year post-graft failure—a qualitative longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud 2014;51:1271–80.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Four per cent of US patients who started dialysis in 2007 did so because of a failed transplant.1 Although in many instances loss of graft followed a chronic course, in some cases the process was more subacute, taking place over weeks to months. There is limited research examining how patients with a failed or failing graft cope during a potentially tumultuous transition and the impact of graft loss on dialysis re-entry and psychosocial support. This paper attempts to address some of these research gaps. Sixteen … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DInt%2BJ%2BNurs%2BStud%26rft.volume%253D51%26rft.spage%253D1271%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.ijnurstu.2014.01.012%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24560891%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.01.012&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=24560891&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F18%2F3%2F78.atom
The measurement of perceived opportunity for occupational attainment

Abstract Many writers implicate perceptions of the opportunity structure in the labor market as essential components of the formation, stability, and enactment of socioeconomic achievement attitudes. These perceptions of opportunity are thought to be observed structural constraints and reflective of more than just pure motivation. Previous attempts at measuring “perceived opportunity” have no consistent approach or conceptualization. This study evaluates a 10-item scale of perceived occupational opportunity in an attempt to overcome many of these problems. Using panel data covering the period of career decision making and labor force entry (adolescence to young adulthood), the internal reliability and construct validity of the linear composite are assessed. The scale's external validity is then further explored within the context of a structural equation model linking perceived opportunity to social origins, adolescent career plans, and early socioeconomic attainments.
DNA repair in Dictyostelium

Recent approaches to the study of DNA repair in Dictyostelium discoideum are reviewed. Thymidine auxotrophs facilitate the uptake of labeled thymidine into DNA during its replication and repair. The tmpA600 mutation leads to a loss of thymidylate synthase activity, and tdrA600 results in increased transport of thymidine into the cell. In the HPS401 double mutant (tmpA600tdrA600), thymidine is taken up uniformly into the nuclear and mitochondrial DNAs at levels up to 50-fold that in the wild type. tmpA maps on linkage group III. tdrA is on IV or VI, which cosegregate in strains containing this mutation. Alkaline sucrose gradients of nuclei from HPS401 pulsed for 15 min with [3H]thymidine in axenic medium show that the initially labeled single-strand DNA is about 7 x 10(6) daltons, which may be the size of the replicon. This nascent DNA matures in about 45 minutes to 2 x 10(8) daltons. Ultraviolet light (254 nm) decreases the size of the nascent DNA and delays its maturation. In addition to studies of DNA repair utilizing repair-proficient and -deficient mutants of thymidine auxotrophs, we are currently using two approaches for cloning genes involved in repair: 1) genes are sought that can functionally complement repair defects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae following transformation with a D. discoideum DNA library in YEp 24(URA); 4-NQO is used for the selection of RAD transformants; and 2) we have characterized and purified to near-homogeneity two repair enzymes from D. discoideum--uracil-DNA glycosylase and AP-endonuclease. An N-terminal sequence has been determined for the glycosylase, and a synthetic oligonucleotide probe derived from this sequence will be used to screen for this gene. A similar approach is in progress for the AP-endonuclease.
On The Structural Behavior and Material Characteristics of PTFE-Coated Glass-Fiber Fabric:

The behavior of fabric structures and of coated and uncoated fabric material under different loading conditions, prestress, snow and wind loads is described in general terms. The paper tries to explain some of the characteristics of fabric behavior using a triangular truss model that was originally proposed by Mef fert in 1978 for PVC-coated polyester fabric; the model has been modified to include slack-elastic material behavior. The limitations of this model are discussed, and a case is argued for a simple and adequate fabric model. To determine the required fabric parameters from simple tests, a possible strategy is outlined. Some reference is made to the current state of knowledge on the shear stiffness of coated fabrics and the need for more detailed studies is stated.
Divalproex sodium in sex offenders with bipolar disorders and comorbid paraphilias: an open retrospective study.

Abstract Background: This study evaluated divalproex response in sex offenders with a bipolar disorder. Methods: We reviewed the records of all sex offenders who participated in a residential rehabilitative program who received divalproex for treatment of a bipolar disorder. Patients’ mood symptoms and, when present, comorbid paraphilic symptoms, were retrospectively assessed using the CGI severity scale. Results: Sex offenders displayed significant improvement in manic symptoms with divalproex treatment. However, there was no significant improvement in paraphilic symptoms in the subset of patients admitting to these symptoms. Conclusion: Divalproex may be effective for manic symptoms in sex offenders with a bipolar disorder. However, for bipolar sex offenders with comorbid paraphilias, the drug may not be effective for paraphilic symptoms. Limitations: This study was limited by its retrospective, open-label design, lack of systematic means of assessing manic and paraphilic symptoms, and small sample size. Clinical relevance: Divalproex may be a helpful adjunct in the treatment of the subset of sex offenders who have a bipolar disorder.
Auroral source region: Plasma properties of the high-latitude plasma sheet

the values for electron density can range from 0.01 to 0.5 cm � 3 with an average value around 0.1 cm � 3 on the poleward side and 0.3 cm � 3 on the equatorward side. Electron mean energy is found to have an average value near 900 eVon the equatorward side and 400 eVon the poleward side but varies from 100 eV to 4 keV. These values for density and mean energy are similar to those reported for measurements made in the equatorial plasma sheet by several previous spacecraft. The character of the electron distributions has been compared with Maxwellian and k-distributions with the result that the kdistribution with k � 10 yields an acceptable fit to the data twice as often as a Maxwellian distribution. This is similar to results found in the equatorial plasma sheet for both electrons and ions. The variation of electron density and mean energy around their average values have been compared with several solar wind parameters which have been developed to correlate solar wind variation with magnetospheric activity level. Few of these parameters are found to provide significant correlation with high-latitude plasma sheet electron density or temperature with the notable exception of solar wind density and solar wind particle flux which correlate with plasma sheet density. INDEX TERMS: 2764 Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma sheet; 2736 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere/ionosphere interactions; 2704 Magnetospheric Physics: Auroral phenomena (2407); 2784 Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions;
Multiple-valued logic approach for a systolic AB/sup 2/ circuit in Galois field

In public key cryptosystems and error-correcting codes over Galois fields, the AB/sup 2/ operation is an efficient basic operation. The current paper presents the use of multiple-valued logic (MVL) approach to minimize the systolic architecture of AB/sup 2/ algorithm over binary Galois fields. The design is composed of four basic cells connected in a pipelined fashion. The circuit has been simulated using affirma analog circuit design environment tool supplied by Cadence, and it has shown to perform correctly. The quaternary circuit for GF((2/sup 2/)/sup 2/) shows a significant amount of savings in both transistor count and the number of connections compared to the one that uses the binary field GF(2/sup 4/).
Atmospheric-pressure waves near Pasadena

In a previous paper [see 1 of “References” at end of paper] the authors have described results obtained from records of electromagnetic microbarographs. These experiments have been continued, and special interest has been given to the rather regular waves with periods of usually 2 to 5 seconds, which have been called “microbaroms” in the earlier paper. In January, 1940, a barograph with a larger loudspeaker-element was installed at point 2a, Figure 1, and connected with a galvanometer, constructed by F. Lehner, at the Seismological Laboratory, having a free period of about ½ second. This instrument has recorded regularly on a drum with a speed of one mm per second. The older two instruments were connected with Lehner galvanometers and remained at points 1 and 2a, respectively. Records were taken at irregular intervals with various speeds of recording, up to five cm per second. In December, 1940, a third instrument of this type was added. Figure 2a was taken with the three instruments side by side and shows that their characteristics were alike within small limits. From December 26, 1940, to March 31, 1941, the three instruments were located at the points 1, 2b, and 3 of Figure 1, respectively, and recorded usually twice every day for about one hour with a speed of three mm per second. Figures 2b, 2c, and 2d show examples of the records. The distances are as follows: 1 to 2a, 130 meters (426 feet); 1 to 2b, 320 meters (1,050 feet); 2b to 3 , 290 meters (950 feet); 3 to 1, 264 meters (865 feet). Instruments 1 and 3 are in dense shrubs under high trees; instrument 2b is under small shrubs without trees. In general, the records of instrument 2b were much more frequently disturbed by wind than those of the other two. Besides, during the day and sometimes at night there appear to be more or less regular air-currents up or down the slope near 2b.
Regulation of ROMK1 Channels by Protein-tyrosine Kinase and -tyrosine Phosphatase

We have used the two-electrode voltage clamp technique and the patch clamp technique to investigate the regulation of ROMK1 channels by protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) in oocytes coexpressing ROMK1 and cSrc. Western blot analysis detected the presence of the endogenous PTP-1D isoform in the oocytes. Addition of phenylarsine oxide (PAO), an inhibitor of PTP, reversibly reduced K+ current by 55% in oocytes coinjected with ROMK1 and cSrc. In contrast, PAO had no significant effect on K+ current in oocytes injected with ROMK1 alone. Moreover, application of herbimycin A, an inhibitor of PTK, increased K+ current by 120% and completely abolished the effect of PAO in oocytes coexpressing ROMK1 and cSrc. The effects of herbimycin A and PAO were absent in oocytes expressing the ROMK1 mutant R1Y337A in which the tyrosine residue at position 337 was mutated to alanine. However, addition of exogenous cSrc had no significant effect on the activity of ROMK1 channels in inside-out patches. Moreover, the effect of PAO was completely abolished by treatment of oocytes with 20% sucrose and 250 μg/ml concanavalin A, agents that inhibit the endocytosis of ROMK1 channels. Furthermore, the effect of herbimycin A is absent in the oocytes pretreated with either colchicine, an inhibitor of microtubules, or taxol, an agent that freezes microtubules. We conclude that PTP and PTK play an important role in regulating ROMK1 channels. Inhibiting PTP increases the internalization of ROMK1 channels, whereas blocking PTK stimulates the insertion of ROMK1 channels.
Implementing P3P using database technology

Platform for privacy preferences (P3P) is the most significant effort currently underway to enable Web users to gain control over their private information. P3P provides mechanisms for Web site owners to express their privacy policies in a standard format that a user can programmatically check against her privacy preferences to decide whether to release her data to the Web site. We discuss architectural alternatives for implementing P3P and present a server-centric implementation that reuses database querying technology, as opposed to the prevailing client-centric implementations based on specialized engines. Not only does the proposed implementation have qualitative advantages, our experiments indicate that it performs significantly better than the sole public-domain client-centric implementation and that the latency introduced by preference matching is small enough for real-world deployments of P3P.
Condensation in a contoured-nozzle shock tunnel

Abstract : The onset of condensation in a hypersonic shock tunnel was investigated to determine the limiting temperature to which the gas may be expanded. Previous research indicated some supercooling could be obtained; however, a confident assessment could not be made because of scatter in available experimental results. Static wall pressure and pitot pressure, which vary with condensation, were measured, while reservoir temperature was reduced for constant reservoir pressure. Under these conditions, measurements were made of condensation and supercooling. (Author)
Phalloidin unzips nebulin from thin filaments in skeletal myofibrils

Fluorescent phallotoxins such as rhodamine-phalloidin take hours to bind uniformly to thin filaments of skeletal myofibrils, after fast initial binding to both ends of thin filaments. Observation of this process in skeletal and cardiac myofibrils and of the resulting re-distribution of nebulin using anti-nebulin antibody showed that: (1) rhodamine-phalloidin binds uniformly to actin in cardiac myofibrils within minutes, in contrast to skeletal myofibrils; (2) overnight pre-incubation of skeletal myofibrils with phalloidin results in uniform initial binding of rhodamine-phalloidin and a changed nebulin localization; (3) pre-incubation of skeletal myofibrils with Ca(2+)-calmodulin results in uniform initial binding of rhodamine-phalloidin; (4) the binding of rhodamine-phalloidin to actin in skeletal myofibrils is unidirectional, i.e. the fluorescence of incorporated rhodamine-phalloidin moves from the pointed ends where it is bound initially toward the barbed end at the Z-band; (5) the unidirectional binding of rhodamine-phalloidin results in redistribution of nebulin, i.e. the initial fluorescent bands associated with the epitopes of bound nebulin antibody change to a single band located close to Z-line. These results indicate that nebulin inhibits rhodamine-phalloidin binding to actin and suggests that the unidirectional rhodamine-phalloidin binding may be due to cooperative competitive binding, i.e. phalloidin 'unzips' nebulin starting from the pointed ends of the thin filaments.
Diaper Dermatitis: Clinical Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis

A diverse group of diseases can cause skin conditions in the diaper area including those which are directly caused by diapers or the diaper environment, some which are not directly due to, but are worsened by, the wearing of diapers, and those which are independent of the presence of the diaper or its resulting environment. Many of these conditions are limited to this area of the skin, but others extend to skin outside this area, and some are signs of systemic disease. We review many of the important causes of eruptions in the diaper area and emphasize key points in the differential diagnosis.
Scalable complex graph analysis with the knowledge discovery toolbox

The Knowledge Discovery Toolbox (KDT) enables domain experts to perform complex analyses of huge datasets on supercomputers using a high-level language without grappling with the difficulties of writing parallel code, calling parallel libraries, or becoming a graph expert. KDT delivers competitive performance from a general-purpose, reusable library for graphs on the order of 10 billion edges and greater. We describe our approach for supporting arbirary vertex and edge attributes, in-place graph filtering, and graph traversal using pre-defined access patterns.
Biology, Host Relations, and Epidemiology of Sarcoptes scabiei

Scabies continues to be an important parasitic disease of humans, and other mammals. Suprisingly for a disease that has afflicted humans since antiquity, little is directly known about the basic biology of the parasite, the host-parasite interactions, the host immune response, and host susceptibility. Much more research in these areas is needed if we are to understand fully the occurrence, transmission, and epidemiology of both human and animal scabies.
Observations of the Boundary Current System at 26.5°N in the Subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Five current meter moorings and four horizontal electric field records spanning June 1990–February 1992 are used to describe the mean structure and variability of the vertically averaged velocity field and volume transport extending 425 km east of Abaco, The Bahamas, at 26.5°N. Examination of zonal and meridional velocity sections shows that, while meandering may explain part of the variability, there is substantial evidence for pulsation of the core DWBC velocity in the record. Intermittently strong northward flow is observed 225 km east of Abaco that is significantly coherent and out of phase with the currents closer to the boundary at periods of 50–100 d and longer, suggesting recirculation. This is never observed 315 km offshore. At 380 km offshore and extending east at least 60 km, a strong, dominantly southward flow is observed that is coherent with both that near Abaco (in phase) and in the intervening recirculation zone (out of phase) at long periods. The net mean transport (over 17 month...
Review of Interpreting and Visualizing Regression Models Using Stata by Michael N. Mitchell

In this article, I review Interpreting and Visualizing Regression Models Using Stata, by Michael Mitchell (2012a [Stata Press]).
An autoregulatory feedback loop directs the localized expression of the Drosophila CPEB protein Orb in the developing oocyte

The RRM-type RNA binding protein Orb plays a central role in the establishment of polarity in the Drosophila egg and embryo. In addition to its role in the formation and initial differentiation of the egg chamber, orb is required later in oogenesis for the determination of the dorsoventral (DV) and anteroposterior (AP) axes. In DV axis formation, Orb protein is required to localize and translate gurken mRNA at the dorsoanterior part of the oocyte. In AP axis formation, Orb is required for the translation of oskar mRNA. In each case, Orb protein is already localized at the appropriate sites within the oocyte before the arrival of the mRNAs encoding axis determinants. We present evidence that an autoregulatory mechanism is responsible for directing the on site accumulation of Orb protein in the Drosophila oocyte. This orb autoregulatory activity ensures the accumulation of high levels of Orb protein at sites in the oocyte that contain localized orb message.
Contemporary Native American Prophecy In Historical Perspective

L'A. presente des exemples de propheties indigenes nord-americaines de 1970 jusqu'a aujourd'hui. Apres presque un siecle de silence, les prophetes indigenes americains rendent de nouveau publiques leurs propheties. Ces dernieres restent traditionnelles au niveau des themes abordes: en general, ce sont les problemes qui surviennent dans les relations avec la communaute euro-americaine. Les propheties presentent d'autre part la vision indigene americaine du nouveau monde de la fin du XX e siecle. Elles sont pessimistes, mais temoignent de l'espoir en un monde meilleur
Escalation of marijuana use: application of a general theory of deviant behavior.

Drawing from a variety of perspectives on deviance, we offer a general theory and specific hypotheses for why some people become regular users of marijuana. We estimate a path model that explains escalation of marijuana use using 23 variables modelled in four stages. Subjects (N = 1,229) are young adults who reported using marijuana at least once. The analysis uses data provided at two points in a panel study: in the seventh grade, by self-administered questionnaire, and as young adults (23-25 years old), by household interview. Results of the path analysis provide support for many of our theoretical expectations. Demographic controls have significant effects but do not negate a variety of psychosocial effects. Seventh-grade measures of peer acceptance and avoidant defensive tendencies directly predict escalation of marijuana use, while other seventh-grade measures have indirect effects on escalation of use through age of first trying marijuana and through the circumstances and consequences offirst trying marijuana. Specifically, the later one tries marijuana, the less likely
Low-cost, quantitative assessment of highway bridges through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles

Many envision that in the near future the application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will impact the civil engineering industry. Use of UAVs is currently experiencing tremendous growth, primarily in military and homeland security applications. It is only a matter of time until UAVs will be widely accepted as platforms for implementing monitoring/surveillance and inspection in other fields. Most UAVs already have payloads as well as hardware/software capabilities to incorporate a number of non-contact remote sensors, such as high resolution cameras, multi-spectral imaging systems, and laser ranging systems (LIDARs). Of critical importance to realizing the potential of UAVs within the infrastructure realm is to establish how (and the extent to which) such information may be used to inform preservation and renewal decisions. Achieving this will depend both on our ability to quantify information from images (through, for example, optical metrology techniques) and to fuse data from the array of non-contact sensing systems. Through a series of applications to both laboratory-scale and field implementations on operating infrastructure, this paper will present and evaluate (through comparison with conventional approaches) various image processing and data fusion strategies tailored specifically for the assessment of highway bridges. Example scenarios that guided this study include the assessment of delaminations within reinforced concrete bridge decks, the quantification of the deterioration of steel coatings, assessment of the functionality of movement mechanisms, and the estimation of live load responses (inclusive of both strain and displacement).
170 USE OF BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS IN PRETERM INFANTS.

Background Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone released mainly by the cardiac ventricles in response to ventricular volume and/or pressure overload. BNP has been reported as a useful test in the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature newborns. Objectives To evaluate the usefulness of determination of BNP serum levels in the diagnosis of PDA in a group of premature newborns. Methods This study included 29 premature newborns (mean gestational age (GA): 31.6 ± 2.1 weeks) with PDA. The presence of a PDA was established by echocardiography (echo). Serum for BNP levels was collected at the time of echo. Patients were followed with serial echo until closure of the ductus was documented. Another blood sample for BNP was obtained with the last echo. Patients with heart disease other than PDA were not part of the study. BNP levels were also measured in 19 premature newborns without PDA (control group with a mean GA 32.0 ± 1.8 weeks and mean postnatal age of 2.7 ± 1.4 days). BNP levels were measured using a commercial kit (Triage® BNP Test Biosite Labs, San Diego CA). Results There were 13 males and 16 females. Patients with a PDA had significantly higher mean BNP levels (858.5 ± 945.6 vs 105.9 ± 135.4 pg/mL, p = .002) than the control group at age of PDA diagnosis (2.8 ± 1.5 days vs 2.7 ± 1.4 days). There was no correlation between BNP levels and PDA diameter, pressure gradient across the PDA, left atrium/aorta ratio. The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for detection of PDA was 84% (95% confidence interval: 72%-95%). BNP level cutoff for diagnosis of PDA at 2.8 ± 1.5 days was 155.5 pg/mL (sensitivity: 75.9%, specificity: 83.3%, positive likelihood ratio: 4.5). Conclusions The BNP test showed highly predictive diagnostic values. BNP levels were significantly higher in this group of premature infants with PDA.
Immunocytochemical and functional characterization of Na+ conductance in adult alveolar pneumocytes

The purpose of this study was to document the existence, assess the spatial localization, and characterize some of the transport properties of proteins antigenically related to epithelial Na+ channels in freshly isolated rabbit and rat alveolar type II (ATII) cells. ATII cells, isolated by elastase digestion of lung tissue and purified by density-gradient centrifugation, were incubated with polyclonal antibodies raised against Na+ channel protein purified from beef kidney papilla (NaAb), followed by a secondary antibody (goat antirabbit immunoglobulin G conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate). Rat ATII cells exhibited specific staining with NaAb at the level of the plasma membrane, which, in most cells, colocalized with that of the lectin Maclura pomiferra agglutinin, an apical surface marker. In Western blots, NaAb specifically recognized a 135 +/- 10-kDa protein in rat ATII membrane vesicles. When patch clamped in the whole cell mode using symmetrical solutions (150 mM Na+ glutamate), ATII cells exhibited outwardly rectified Na+ currents that were diminished by amiloride (10-100 microM) instilled into the bath solution. Ion substitution studies showed that the conductive pathways were three times more permeable to Na+ than K+. Amiloride, benzamil, and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-2',4'-amiloride were equally effective in diminishing 22Na+ flux into rabbit and rat ATII cells (45% inhibition at 100 microM, with IC50 of approximately 1 microM for all inhibitors). Tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM) or BaCl2 (2 mM), well-known K+ channel blockers, had no effect on 22Na+ uptake. These results indicate that ATII cells express an amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance, probably a channel, with a lower affinity for amiloride and its structural analogues than the well-established amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels found in bovine renal papila and cultured amphibian A6 kidney cells.
N-Demethylchlordimeform : A Potent Partial Agonist of Octopamine-Sensitive Adenylate Cyclase

Physiological studies suggest that the formamidine pesticides, chlordimeform (CDM) and N-demethylchlordimeform (DCDM), may affect octopaminergic neurotransmission. To elucidate the possible mechanism of this interaction, the present study examined in detail the biochemical effects of these compounds on a very active octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase present in washed particulate preparations of the firefly light organ. DCDM was a partial agonist (70% of octopamine Vmax) and was 6-fold more potent (Ka = 2.2 x 10-6 M) than octopamine (Ka = 1.4 x 10-5 M) in activating enzyme activity. At high concentrations (IC50 = 3 x 10-4 M), DCDM caused a 30% inhibition of octopamine stimulation. Activation by DCDM was reversible, nonadditive to that caused by octopamine, and could be competitively inhibited by several receptor antagonists, including cyproheptadine (Ki = 2 x 10-6 M), clozapine (Ki = 4 x 10-6 M), fluphenazine (Ki = 6 x 10-6 M), phentolamine (Ki = 1.8 x 10-5 M), and propranolol (Ki = 4.7 x 10-5 M). These inhibitory constants correlated well with those for inhibiting octopamine stimulation. The agonist activity of DCDM was specific for tissue containing an octopamine-activated adenylate cyclase; enzyme activity in the rat caudate nucleus (activated by dopamine) and in the heart and liver (activated by isoproterenol) was little affected by DCDM. In contrast to DCDM, CDM was a weak octopamine agonist (Ka = 3 x 10-5 M; 9% of octopamine Vmax) in the light organ. At higher concentrations (IC50 = 3 to 10 x 10-4 M), CDM was an octopamine antagonist, causing nearly complete inhibition of octopamine stimulation at 1 to 3 x 10-3 M. This inhibitory effect of CDM was reversible, pH-dependent, and noncompetitive with octopamine. It was also nonselective, since CDM inhibited dopamine-sensitive, beta-adrenergic-sensitive, and non-hormone-dependent adenylate cyclases in mammalian brain and liver. The above results indicate that, at low concentrations, DCDM can bind specifically and reversibly to octopamine receptors with a resultant activation of adenylate cyclase. CDM, on the other hand, has little direct effect on the octopamine receptor; its octopamimetic actions in vivo are a probable result of its conversion to DCDM. At high, nonpharmacological doses, CDM exerts noncompetitive and non-receptor-specific inhibitory effects on adenylate cyclase. These data have relevance to understanding the structural requirements necessary for interaction with octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase.
Abnormal white matter tracts resembling pencil fibers involving prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 47) in autism: a case report

Autism is not correlated with any neuropathological hallmark as the brain of autistic individuals lack defined lesions. However, previous investigations have reported cortical heterotopias and local distortion of the cytoarchitecture of the neocortex in some cases of autism. Our patient was a 40-year-old white woman diagnosed at an early age with autism and mental retardation. Pencil fibers were present within the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 47) and its composition resembled that of the underlying white matter region. Pencil fibers encompassed most of the extent of the cortical grey matter and were populated by oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglial cells, but not by neurons. Here we report a new cytoarchitectural abnormality that has not been previously described in autism. Future pathological examinations should keep in mind the potential presence of pencil fibers within the prefrontal cortex of cases with autism.
Autocrine Type I IFN Signaling in Dendritic Cells Stimulated with Fungal β-Glucans or Lipopolysaccharide Promotes CD8 T Cell Activation

Type I IFNs are key mediators of immune defense against viruses and bacteria. Type I IFNs were also previously implicated in protection against fungal infection, but their roles in antifungal immunity have not been thoroughly investigated. A recent study demonstrated that bacterial and fungal β-glucans stimulate IFN-β production by dendritic cells (DCs) following detection by the Dectin-1 receptor, but the effects of β-glucan–induced type I IFNs have not been defined. We investigated whether type I IFNs regulate CD8 T cell activation by fungal β-glucan particle–stimulated DCs. We demonstrate that β-glucan–stimulated DCs induce CD8 T cell proliferation, activation marker (CD44 and CD69) expression, and production of IFN-γ, IL-2, and granzyme B. Moreover, we show that type I IFNs support robust CD8 T cell activation (proliferation and IFN-γ and granzyme B production) by β-glucan–stimulated DCs in vitro and in vivo due to autocrine effects on the DCs. Specifically, type I IFNs promote Ag presentation on MHC I molecules, CD86 and CD40 expression, and the production of IL-12 p70, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α by β-glucan–stimulated DCs. We also demonstrate a role for autocrine type I IFN signaling in bacterial LPS-induced DC maturation, although, in the context of LPS stimulation, this mechanism is not so critical for CD8 T cell activation (promotes IFN-γ production but not proliferation or granzyme B production). This study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying CD8 T cell activation during infection, which may be useful in the rational design of vaccines directed against pathogens and tumors.
Themo-optic oscillation dynamics in a high-Q lithium niobate microresonator

We report intriguing thermo-optic oscillation dynamics, for the first time in a high-Q LiNbO 3 microresonator that results from combined effects of thermal refraction, thermal expansion, and photo-refraction.
Nano-patterned aluminum surface with oil-impregnation for improved antibacterial performance

Abstract Extensive research has been reported to improve the performance of existing antibacterial surfaces by reducing the extent of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. This study aimed to validate oil-impregnated slippery nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) layers for the prevention of bacterial attachment on aluminum substrate. The oil-impregnation into the nanoporous structures of Teflon-coated hydrophobic AAO enhanced the repellency to the water with a low sliding angle as low as 2°, showing the omniphobicity, which is effective to reduce the contact of bacterial culture medium onto the surface of AAO. Bacterial attachment tests using Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella Typhimurium were conducted to evaluate the effect of antibacterial performance on the developed surfaces. Teflon-coated large pore AAO with oil-impregnation showed the highest bacterial reductions for both E. coli K-12 and S . Typhimurium among the treated samples. These results can lead to further optimization of nano-patterned AAO surfaces for antibacterial attachment.
Gender-specific differences in the molecular signatures of adult Eosinophilic Oesophagitis.

The influence of gender on the prevalence, presentation and pathogenesis of allergic diseases is being increasingly recognized [1]. Eosinophilic Eosophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus, seen in both children and adults, and is 3-4 times more common in males than females [2]. Diagnosis of EoE has relied on quantification of eosophageal eosinophils by biopsy and patient-reported symptoms but recent studies have supported the use of tissue-based molecular biomarker assessment, based on gene expression signatures [3], aiding patient diagnosis [4]. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
0279 Occupational exposure to dust components and alterations in immune/inflammation markers among taconite workers in minnesota

Background Occupational exposure to airborne silica, dust containing silica (total dust), and dust without silica (mostly iron oxide) have been known to cause cardio-respiratory disease. However, with dust exposure in general, disease detection usually occurs in advanced stages of the disease process, in part due to the lack of sensitivity of current diagnostic tools that would allow for earlier detection of the disease. Methods Using a multiplexed bead-based assay, we measured plasma levels of 11 immune/inflammation markers in a cross-sectional study of 134 current workers employed in various operations in mining and processing of taconite (a low grade iron ore). These are markers previously demonstrated to be related to silica exposure and/or restrictive/obstructive lung disease in other settings. We used linear regression models to examine the associations between quartiles of silica, total dust, and dust without silica with levels of markers adjusting for age, BMI, gender, and smoking. Results In adjusted models, of the 11 markers selected, C-reactive protein (CRP) had the strongest association and showed a graded response across quartiles of silica. Total dust and dust without silica had little association with these markers. Conclusions This study suggests that exposure to silica, total dust, and dust without silica may be associated with alterations in CRP. Total dust and dust containing iron oxide, in general, do not demonstrate associations with other markers in our study. Further research is needed to understand the potential utility of CRP as a marker linking occupational exposures and health outcomes in taconite workers.
Abstract WP126: Transcranial Doppler and Microemboli Detection. Relationships to Symptomatic Status and Histopathology Findings

Introduction: Microemboli, as detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD), are hypothesized to be associated with carotid plaque instability and symptomatic subject status associated with motor, sensory...
Postoperative mortality and morbidity following non-cardiac surgery in a healthy patient population

Purpose Perioperative mortality ranges from 0.4% to as high as nearly 12%. Currently, there are no large-scale studies looking specifically at the healthy surgical population alone. The primary objective of this study was to report 30-day mortality and morbidity in healthy patients and define any risk factors.