cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fine structure of the synaptic endings on the Mauthner cell of the goldfish

This study has investigated the fine structure of the Mauthner cell of the goldfish. The animals were divided into three groups of three fish and each group was perfused with one of the following fixatives: osmium tetroxide, glutaraldehyde, or formaldehyde. Large myelinated club endings and smallvesicle boutons (SVBs) are found on the distal part of the lateral dendrite. The club endings have the structure of the mixed synapse and contain large, round synaptic vesicles. The SVBs, appearing as small boutons, show structural features of the chemical synapse, and contain small synaptic vesicles, which are round when fixed with osmium tetroxide, but become elongated when fixed with aldehyde fixatives. Small myelinated club endings, SVBs, and large-vesicle boutons (LVBs) are observed on the proximal part of the lateral dendrite, on the ventral dendrite, and on the cell body (excluding the axon hillock region). The LVBs, mostly appearing as large boutons, show the structure of either the mixed or the chemical synapse. They contain large, round vesicles. On the axon hillock and initial axon segment, there exist unmyelinated club endings containing medium-size elongated vesicles and spiral fiber endings containing round medium-size vesicles. An attempt was made to correlate these different types of endings within physiological functions.
Excitation of atomic coherence at XUV transition enhanced by tunneling in an electric field for X-ray generation

We study population transfer in a two-level system interacting with a strong off-resonant electromagnetic field. We show that the effects of tunneling in an electric field enhances the probability of excitation. We discuss the possible applications of results obtained to the generation of XUV radiation.
Using What Matters to Students in Bilingual Mathematics Problems.

In this study, the author represented what matters to bilingual students in their everyday lives—namely bilingualism and everyday experiences—in school-based mathematical problems. Solving problems in pairs, students demonstrated different patterns of organizing and coordinating talk across problem contexts and across languages. Because these patterns bear consequences for how bilinguals experience mathematics learning, the author takes these patterns as the basis to argue that mathematics education for bilingual students should capitalize on bilingualism and experiences as cognitive resources.
Acute, proximal aortic dissection with negative D-Dimer assay and normal portable chest radiograph: a case report.

ABSTRACT Acute aortic dissection is one of the most devastating and time-sensitive diagnosis to consider in young adults with chest pain. Military medicine is represented by a larger proportion of 18- to 50-year-old individuals than is seen in the general medical population. Although uncommon in frequency, younger patients are more likely to suffer from proximal, aortic dissections. Chest radiographs and D-Dimer assays are used frequently as risk stratification tools, but have significant limitations in these more proximal dissections. Because of the frequency and lethality of nonspecific presentations, there exists a need for a sensitive screening tool. This case report presents a 43-year-old male with a concerning history and physical examination for aortic dissection, but a normal portable chest radiograph and a normal D-Dimer assay. It highlights the importance of clinical acumen in developing and maintaining a high clinical index of suspicion based on a Bayesian pretest probability model.
Characterization of up-regulated proteases in an industrial recombinant Escherichia coli fermentation.

Proteolytic degradation of recombinant proteins is an industry-wide challenge in host organisms such as Escherichia coli. These proteases have been linked to stresses, such as the stringent and heat-shock responses. This study reports the dramatic up-regulation of protease activity in an industrial recombinant E. coli fermentation upon induction. The objective of this project was to detect and characterize up-regulated proteases due to recombinant AXOKINE® overexpression upon IPTG induction. AXOKINE® is a 22-kDa protein currently in clinical trials as a therapeutic for obesity associated with diabetes. AXOKINE® was expressed in both the soluble and inclusion body fractions in E. coli. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gelatin–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-GPAGE) was used to analyze the up-regulated protease activity. Western blot analysis showed degraded AXOKINE® in both the soluble and insoluble fractions. Protease inhibitors were used to characterize the proteases. The proteases were ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) sensitive. The protease activity increased in the presence of phenyl-methyl sulfonyl-fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor. The incubation buffer composition was varied with respect to Mg2+ and ATP, and the protease activity was ATP independent and Mg2+ dependent. A two-dimensional electrophoresis technique was used to estimate the pI of the proteases to be between 2.9 and 4.0. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 74–80 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000214
What is the proper use of hemoglobin A1c monitoring in the elderly

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health problem for the aging population. Glycemic control is fundamental to the management of diabetes, as glycemic levels are closely linked to development of diabetes-related complications. Measurement of the hemoglobin A1c (A1c) to assess chronic glycemic control is an integral component of diabetes care. Currently, there is no clear evidence that age alters the relationship between A1c and average blood glucose. The Diabetes Control and Complications trial and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study are the 2 main studies that have provided evidence leading to the widespread recommendation of A1c monitoring. The American Diabetes Association recommends achieving an A1c level of 7% or lower. However, older diabetics represent a heterogeneous population ranging from frail nursing home residents to active community-dwelling elderly with variable life expectancies. One needs to look at the individual in order to best balance risk versus benefit associated with tight glycemic control. Benefits of intensive therapy in an effort to lower A1c must always be weighed against the greater risk of disabling and unpredictable hypoglycemia, as the geriatric population is less likely to benefit from reducing the risk of microvascular complications and more likely to suffer serious adverse effects from hypoglycemia.
Expression of the active Notch1 decreases MTC tumor growth in vivo

Background Human medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine (NE) tumor, derived from thyroid C-cells. Besides surgery, there are no curative therapies for MTC. This emphasizes the need for the development of new therapies. In MTC, Notch1 signaling pathway is absent and Notch1 activation in MTC-TT cells has been shown to reduce growth and NE markers in vitro . While the in vitro studies will provide insight into the potential mechanisms by which Notch inhibits growth, only by in vivo model one can recreate the conditions found in patients with MTC and assess effects on metastatic potential and microscopic disease. Materials and Methods Doxycycline inducible TT-NOTCH1 cells were utilized in a murine subcutaneous xenograft model to study tumor development and growth. Doxycycline was used to induce the expression of Notch1 in these tumors. Results Measurements of tumor volume showed that doxycycline treated mice had slower tumor growth than control mice. Western blot analysis of tumor lysates demonstrated activation of Notch1 protein only in doxycycline treated mice suggesting that active Notch1 slowed tumor growth. Furthermore, this activation led to a significant reduction in the levels of achaete-scute complex-like1 and chromogranin A important NE markers. Conclusion Based on these data, activation of Notch signaling pathway could be a therapeutic strategy to treat patients with MTC.
Add coastal vegetation to the climate critical list

Forests are protected, but carbon sinks in mangroves, seagrasses and marshes are ignored. Margareth da Silva Copertino wants Brazil to change that.
High Conversion, Solvent Free, Continuous Synthesis of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids In Spinning Tube-in-Tube Reactors

A spinning tube-in-tube (STT) reactor has been used for the accelerated solvent-free synthesis of a number of 1-methylimidazole-based ionic liquids with excellent conversions (>99%) and high throug...
Analogue-to-digital convertor effects on airborne radar performance

Detection of low cross-section targets in strong and varying clutter requires linear radar signal processing with a wide dynamic range. Analogue-to-digital (A/D) convertor characteristics are critical to achieving this dynamic range. A/D convertors generate internal noise and spurious harmonics due to nonlinearities, in addition to the theoretical quantisation noise. Harmonic distortion restricts the spurious-free dynamic range for signal detection, whereas the internal noise restricts the effective signal-to-noise ratio. To evaluate A/D convertor effects on airborne radar performance, a model has been developed, based on the measured harmonic levels of a 14-bit A/D convertor, and is included in an airborne radar simulation. The paper describes the details of the model and the radar simulation, and compares the performance of the high pulse repetition frequency (PRF) radar system using an ideal A/D convertor with that of the A/D convertor model. The results of this study provide a quantitative understanding of the relationship between A/D convertor parameters and radar performance.
What is Morale? A Case History of a Validity Problem

Our purpose in this paper is to describe how a single community study,1 the Kansas City Study of Adult Life, has gone about trying to fathom the essential meaning of its own dependent variable, namely, "success in aging," or "morale," among a group of Kansas Citians moving from middle to old age. We will trace the development of our thinking and our methodology, as both have been modified during the course of a five-year research program now at mid-point. With the aid of specific case illustrations, we will attempt to document the interplay among our three principal methods: the extensive, relatively structured, interview; the intensive, relatively unstructured, interview; and protocols constructed from six Thematic Apperception Test cards. And we will conclude by assessing just how far we think we have progressed, at this point, in our efforts to solve what we conceive to be a validity problem of central importance to all social scientists operating in the general area of "morale" or "satisfaction." What...
A clinical comparison between xeroradiography and film radiography for the detection of recurrent caries.

Abstract Xeroradiographs and conventional film radiographs (D- and E-speed) were compared in a clinical study with the use of one-half complete-mouth radiographs for the detection of recurrent dental caries in 200 teeth. The results indicated that film was the most useful in identification of noncarious restored teeth (91% correct versus 79% correct for xeroradiography); however, xeroradiography was better than film for detection of recurrent caries (67% versus 53%). With ROC analysis, both film and xeroradiography were equally useful, having the same ROC value of 0.78. At rates of 67% and 53% for detection of the presence of recurrent caries, neither imaging system can overcome basic geometric limitations of superimposition of metallic restorations. Thus, there is the continued need for careful clinical assessment of existing restorations for the presence of recurrent caries.
IL-15 and dermal fibroblasts induce proliferation of natural regulatory T cells isolated from human skin.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for the induction and maintenance of self-tolerance and are present in peripheral tissues such as skin and gut under normal, noninflamed conditions. We report isolation and expansion of the Treg population resident in normal human skin. Cutaneous Tregs expressed high levels of CD25, L-selectin, GITR, FOXP3, and intracellular CTLA-4, low levels of CD69, and high levels of the skin-homing addressins CLA, CCR4, and CCR6. Skin Tregs suppressed the proliferation of CD25lo T cells from the same skin sample in response to CD3 and CD28 antibodies. Suppression was dependent on cell contact and not affected by neutralizing antibodies to interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Surprisingly, cutaneous Tregs proliferated in an antigen-independent manner when cultured in contact with dermal fibroblasts and IL-15, conditions similar to those found in chronically inflamed skin. We hypothesize that local proliferation of Tregs may occur within inflamed skin and could serve as a brake for cutaneous inflammation as well as a mechanism for the homeostatic proliferation of natural Tregs that has been observed within intact organisms.
Unsteady flame propagation in a spray with transient droplet vaporization

A finite-difference solution of the problem of unsteady droplet vaporization and spray combustion in an idealized configuration consisting of parallel droplet streams is presented. A simplified flow field of uniform velocity is assumed in order to place particular attention on the mass and energy interactions between the fuel droplets and the gas flow. One-step finite-rate kinetics are employed so that an adequate description of the reaction zones and the mechanism of flame propagation can be obtained. Transient heating and drag acceleration of the droplets are taken into account. The transition from the initial conditions to the formation of the reaction zones is investigated. Individual envelope flames or group combustion can be observed depending on the flow parameters, mainly the separation between droplets. In general, a premixed reaction zone is formed which then acts as the ignition source for the droplets.
Trust Between Family and Health Care Provider

This concept analysis includes the definition, characteristics, boundaries, preconditions, and outcomes of the concept of trust between the family and health care provider. Based on the results of this concept analysis, trust between the family and health care provider is defined as a process, consisting of varying levels, that evolves over time and is based on mutual intention, reciprocity, and expectations. These six characteristics of trust between family and health care provider were identified regardless of patient age, patient condition, health care provider, health care situation, and health care setting. Trust between family and health care provider is important as its development and attainment has significant effects on the family and health care provider relationship, family and health care provider communication, family involvement and support of treatment recommendations, and patient and family benefits. Further research is needed to strengthen our understanding of trust between family and he...
Holidic diets and nutritional requirements for survival and reproduction of the adult walnut husk fly

Abstract An holidic adult diet consisted of 47 pure chemicals allowed the adult walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa to survive and reproduce equally well as when fed an effective meridic control diet consisted of an enzymatic protein yeast hydrolysate, fructose, and water. Adults can survive on a single carbohydrate diet but females to reproduce require an extrinsic source of nitrogen. Preoviposition period varied from 20 to 51 days depending on the diet. Fecundity and egg hatchability was variously affected when groups of vitamins, salts, aminoacids, cholesterol and/or ribonucleic acid were omitted.
Two-dimensional spatial light modulators utilizing HACT-controlled quantum confined Stark effect

The modulation in a multiple quantum well (MQW) element depends on the magnitude of the signal charge transported in the heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) channel adjacent to the MQW layers that host the excitons. The signal charge is introduced in the HACT channel by optical injection, and is proportional to the light intensity. This charge is swept by a SAW beam launched by the transducer located on one side of the HACT channels. This system allow the transformation of electronic data into optical signals via acoustic waves.
Refractory Case of Coronary Artery Spasm with Interesting Findings: A Case Report

This is a case of refractory vasospastic angina with unusual electrocardiographic findings and rare coronary angiographic documentation of diffuse spasm of the left coronary system with a baseline of near normal coronary arteries. A 66-year-old man presented with severe vasospastic angina that eventually progressed to non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). During the episodes of chest pain, the electrocardiogram revealed ST segment depression rather than elevation. Coronary angiography revealed near normal coronary arteries with initial diffuse spasm of the left coronary system. The patient continues to be symptomatic despite treatment with different forms and doses of nitrates and calcium channel blockers.
Use of a wiki as an interactive teaching tool in pathology residency education: Experience with a genomics, research, and informatics in pathology course.

Background: The need for informatics and genomics training in pathology is critical, yet limited resources for such training are available. In this study we sought to critically test the hypothesis that the incorporation of a wiki (a collaborative writing and publication tool with roots in Web 2.0) in a combined informatics and genomics course could both (1) serve as an interactive, collaborative educational resource and reference and (2) actively engage trainees by requiring the creation and sharing of educational materials. Materials and Methods: A 2-week full-time course at our institution covering genomics, research, and pathology informatics (GRIP) was taught by 36 faculty to 18 second- and third-year pathology residents. The course content included didactic lectures and hands-on demonstrations of technology (e.g., whole-slide scanning, telepathology, and statistics software). Attendees were given pre- and posttests. Residents were trained to use wiki technology (MediaWiki) and requested to construct a wiki about the GRIP course by writing comprehensive online review articles on assigned lectures. To gauge effectiveness, pretest and posttest scores for our course were compared with scores from the previous 7 years from the predecessor course (limited to informatics) given at our institution that did not utilize wikis. Results: Residents constructed 59 peer-reviewed collaborative wiki articles. This group showed a 25% improvement (standard deviation 12%) in test scores, which was greater than the 16% delta recorded in the prior 7 years of our predecessor course (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Our use of wiki technology provided a wiki containing high-quality content that will form the basis of future pathology informatics and genomics courses and proved to be an effective teaching tool, as evidenced by the significant rise in our resident posttest scores. Data from this project provide support for the notion that active participation in content creation is an effective mechanism for mastery of content. Future residents taking this course will continue to build on this wiki, keeping content current, and thereby benefit from this collaborative teaching tool.
Canstatin inhibits Akt activation and induces Fas-dependent apoptosis in endothelial cells.

Canstatin, a 24-kDa peptide derived from the C-terminal globular non-collagenous (NC1) domain of the α2 chain of type IV collagen, was previously shown to induce apoptosis in cultured endothelial cells and to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In this report, we demonstrate that canstatin inhibits the phosphorylation of Akt, focal adhesion kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, eukaryotic initiation factor-4E-binding protein-1, and ribosomal S6 kinase in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. It also induces Fas ligand expression, activates procaspases 8 and 9 cleavage, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, and increases cell death (as determined by propidium iodide staining). Canstatin-induced activation of procaspases 8 and 9 as well as the induced reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and cell viability were attenuated by the forced expression of FLICE-inhibitory protein. Canstatin-induced procaspase 8 activation and cell death were also inhibited by a neutralizing anti-Fas antibody. Collectively, these data indicate that canstatin-induced apoptosis is associated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt inhibition and is dependent upon signaling events transduced through membrane death receptors.
Isotope effect studies of the chemical mechanism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide malic enzyme from Crassula

The /sup 13/C primary kinetic isotope effect on the decarboxylation of malate by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide malic enzyme from Crassula argentea is 1.0199 +/- 0.0006 with proteo L-malate-2-H and 1.0162 +/- 0.0003 with malate-2-d. The primary deuterium isotope effect is 1.45 +/- 0.10 on V/K and 1.93 +/- 0.13 on V/sub max/. This indicates a stepwise conversion of malate to pyruvate and CO/sub 2/ with hydride transfer preceding decarboxylation, thereby suggesting a discrete oxaloacetate intermediate. This is in agreement with the stepwise nature of the chemical mechanism of other malic enzymes despite the Crassula enzyme's inability to reduce or decarboxylate oxaloacetate. Differences in morphology and allosteric regulation between enzymes suggest specialization of the Crassula malic enzyme for the physiology of crassulacean and acid metabolism while maintaining the catalytic events founds in malic enzymes from animal sources.
The ERIC database: a comparison of four versions

Today’s librarians are faced with the need to constantly reevaluate database purchases in order to find the most cost‐effective means of supplying these resources to users. When a database is available from more than one provider, it may be necessary to make a detailed comparison of features and search engines to determine the best version for a particular library. This article compares 48 features of four versions of the ERIC database (SilverPlatter, FirstSearch, AskERIC, and SearchERIC.org), and discusses the relative merits of some of the more important features. Also included is an overview of the results of a survey given to Education majors which provides information on user preferences for versions of the ERIC database.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV: A Single Base Substitution of the Last Nucleotide of Exon 34 in COL3A1 Leads to Exon Skipping

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has been classified into nine phenotypic presentations. Type IV is a variant of particular importance because people affected with this genodermatosis are at great risk of spontaneous hemorrhage from vascular rupture or bowel perforation. Recent molecular advances have identified mutations in the gene for type III procollagen as responsible for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. We report a case of a 14-year-old male with a typical presentation of the type IV variant who was found to have markedly dilated fibroblast cisternae and varying collagen fibril diameter on ultrastructural study. A novel genetic defect was noted by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing of genetic material isolated from skin fibroblast cultures. Analysis of the gene for type III procollagen revealed a single base mutation in the last nucleotide of exon 34. The mutation led to abnormal RNA splicing and skipping of exon 34 on the mRNA level.
Rapid Screening of Fluids for Chemical Stability in Organic Rankine Cycle Applications

While the Carnot cycle is the basic idealized thermodynamic cycle for energy transfer, it is generally impractical and uneconomical to implement. Although less thermodynamically efficient than the Carnot cycle, the Rankine cycle (and heat engines based upon it) is practical and adaptable. Typically, water is used as the working fluid in this cycle. A difficulty that arises with the use of water is the need to superheat the water to prevent turbine blade erosion. Organic working fluids, on the other hand, can be used at lower temperatures and do not require superheating. This results in a practical increase in efficiency over the use of the cycle with water as the working fluid. In these organic Rankine cycle (ORC) applications, the choice of working fluid is critical since the fluid must have not only thermophysical properties that match the application but also adequate chemical stability at the desired working temperature. In this paper, we present the application of simple and relatively rapid ampule t...
Admixture of ancient mitochondrial lineages in three‐spined stickleback populations from the North Pacific

Aim We test the hypothesis that the North Pacific coastline from British Columbia to the Kuril Islands forms a broad region of admixture between two divergent mitochondrial-genome (mtDNA) lineages in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): the Euro-North American (ENA) and Trans-North-Pacific (TNP or Japanese) clades. We test whether distance is the primary determinant of geographical patterns of haplotype distributions and whether deep-water trenches in the Aleutian and Kuril archipelagos impede gene flow. Location Coastal marine and freshwater sites from the Kuril Islands (north-western Pacific Ocean) to Oregon (north-eastern Pacific Ocean). Methods We determined the mtDNA clade for 1327 individuals from 67 locations across 8000 km of the North Pacific using restriction fragment length polymorphism assays of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene. We supplemented this with published clade designations from coastal Pacific populations and applied generalized linear modelling and Mantel tests. We used analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) to test for significant partitioning of genetic variation by deep-water trenches. Results The western boundary of the ENA clade was Simushir (Kuril Islands) and the eastern boundary of the TNP clade was British Columbia. Coastline distance from Japan was a significant predictor of TNP abundance. Clade composition variance was high at small geographical scales, in apparent discordance with the broader-scale pattern of admixture. Deep-water trenches were not found to significantly partition genetic variation in the Aleutian and Kuril island chains. Main conclusions The North Pacific coastline forms a broad region of secondary contact between divergent mitochondrial lineages, but with clear western and eastern boundaries. Patterns of clade abundance in the Kuril and Aleutian islands are similar to those observed in other taxa, suggesting shared biogeographical histories and common barriers shaping species distributions along the North Pacific coast. Overall patterns of clade distributions are likely to be driven by a combination of factors, including geomorphological impediments to migration, ecology, asymmetrical dispersal patterns and differences in timing of population expansions.
Localizing Linkages for Food and Tourism: Culinary Tourism as a Community Development Strategy

The local food movement is taking a variety of forms—including farm-to-school programs, farmers markets, community supported agriculture, and direct marketing. An emerging component of this movement is culinary tourism. Culinary tourism offers new opportunities for communities to integrate tourism and local food systems in order to promote economic development, respond to the demand for quality food and dining experiences, and build on the cultural heritage of the region. This paper examines culinary tourism through a case study of the Kingdom So Delicious program in Door County, Wisconsin. This analysis is based on intensive interviews with owners/managers of four restaurants and surveys of 30 retailers and 40 farmers in the region. Retail establishments relied heavily on local produce, largely due to a commitment to help local producers. Farmers frequently combined marketing fresh food to local retail establishments with sales to wholesalers. The most frequently cited concerns with producing for local e...
Transjugular biopsy of an atypical focal nodular hyperplasia in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation

The following is a report on one case of successful biopsy of a hepatic focal lesion incidentally found in an emergency computed tomography scan performed in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation. The presence of peri-hepatic ascites and severe coagulopathy contraindicated the percutaneous biopsy. The transjugular approach was used to perform a random liver biopsy to assess the amount of hepatic necrosis and to perform the focal lesion biopsy orienting the needle with sonography guidance. The specimen acquired was satisfactory to exclude the presence of malignant cells in the lesion; the diagnosis of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia was performed. The patient underwent successful liver transplantation the day after.
Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infectious process in the pediatric age group. Unlike the typical and relatively benign course of UTI in the adult, there may be long-term sequelae of serious UTI in children, especially if there are coincidental urological anatomic abnormalities; potential hypertension and chronic renal insuffi ciency may be related to childhood renal involvement secondary to UTI. For this reason, it is important for clinicians to be cognizant of the risk factors, pathogenesis, and management of UTI in children. In addition, the pediatric urologist or surgeon needs to recognize how UTI may be a marker of serious urologic congenital and functional anomalies, which may be amendable by operative correction and cure.
Pain thresholds and factors which modify them.

Abstract The concept of pain has evolved from the day when it was considered to be the result of intense stimulation of any sensory equipment to the contemporary theory of pain as a special sensation. Methods of pain stimulation have been developed which allow expression of pain thresholds in standard physical units. These methods have greatly aided in assay of the effectiveness of various analgesic and sedative drugs under varying situations, as well as making significant contributions to present knowledge concerning the pain sensation threshold and the total pain experience. Pain sensation is a relatively uniform phenomenon in the same person when extraneous factors, such as mood, lethargy, suggestion, and distraction, are obviated. Pain sensation is only one part of the total pain experience and is of relatively minor significance to the sufferer. On the other hand, the pain experience, which includes the pain sensation plus all associated sensations and reactions, is of primary importance to the patient. This dichotomy of pain must be recognized for the proper study of the problem. The reaction to pain is a function of cultural and racial background, the psychological make-up, and the relative emotional security of the patient. Distraction, attention, attitudes, beliefs, moods, and suggestion all play an important part in the patient's reaction to any pain or anticipated pain and thus to his pain experience. The practitioner can utilize his knowledge of the factors influencing the pain experience in his treatment of the patient. He can exploit the proved effectiveness of positive suggestion and distraction in treatment, inspire confidence by his voice and bearing, allay anxiety by reassurance, and mitigate hostility and pessimism by a genuine interest in the patient's pain problem. Recognition of the importance of the factors influencing the pain experience will result in more effective treatment of one of man's oldest experiences.
Identification of zona binding proteins of rabbit, pig, human, and mouse spermatozoa on nitrocellulose blots

Mammalian fertilization is a multi-step process with different requirements for specificity at each step. In the present report we have examined the binding of spermatozoa to homologous and heterologous zonae pellucidae. The homologous zona binding proteins (ZBP) of ejaculated rabbit, pig and human spermatozoa and epididymal mouse spermatozoa have been identified. The rabbit's ZBPs have relative molecular weights (MW) of 32K, 18K, 16K and 14K; the pig's major ZBP is 16K while human spermatozoa bind human zona protein at 17K and 18K. Mouse sperm ZBPs are 19K, 18K and 16K.
Mapping the long slow progression of neurodegeneration leading to Alzheimer’s disease

Evaluation of: Bateman RJ, Xiong C, Benzinger TLS et al. Clinical and biomarker changes in dominantly inherited Alzheimer’s disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 367, 795–804 (2012). The prevailing model of neurodegeneration leading to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is thought to begin with amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation, followed by tau-mediated neuronal injury, metabolic and structural brain changes, and culminating with cognitive and functional impairments. The findings reported by Bateman et al. support this ordered progression, although a number of other recent studies have begun to show that change in sensitive memory measures precede change in biomarkers, including hippocampal volumes, imaging measures of brain metabolism or amyloid burden, and cerebrospinal fluid markers of Aβ and tau. Bateman et al. also incidentally found Aβ deposition to be particularly dense in the neostriatum. One of the most important goals of the coming decade will be to identify the earliest and most reliable markers of this neurodegen...
Dominating sets with small clique covering number

Motivated by earlier work on dominating cliques, we show that if a graph G is connected and contains no induced subgraph isomorphic to P6 or Ht (the graph obtained by subdividing each edge of K1,t, t ≥ 3, by exactly one vertex), then G has a dominating set which induces a connected graph with clique covering number at most t − 1. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 25: 101–105, 1997
The delivery of emergency care in northwestern Pennsylvania

A survey of 102 ambulance companies in Northwestern Pennsylvania was designed to rate them against minimal national standards for provision of effective emergency care. An Overall Capability Factor (OCF) was devised by assigning points for meeting standards in five component areas: 1) company organization and policy, 2) communications network, 3) attendant training for patient care, 4) vehicles, and 5) vehicle equipment and supplies. Of the 102 companies surveyed, 79 called themselves non-profit; 56 were supported by Fire Departments; 27 by funeral homes (including some listed as non-profit), and 58 had volunteers manning the service. In the survey, a perfect score of 181 meant the company met minimum national standards for the effective delivery of emergency care — not one of the 102 companies studied met this standard, in fact the highest score attained was an OCF of .78. The lowest score was .19 (34 of 181 points). The mean OCF was .47. Only seven companies had a .67 rating or higher and 18 rated .33 or less. Of the five survey components studied, the lowest ratings were scored in Attendant Training for Patient Care, the pivotal factor in effective emergency care.
Heart rate variability and sudden death secondary to coronary artery disease during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring

Abstract Data are analyzed from 5 patients who died suddenly during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. Three of the patients were also assessed in terms of 2 recently developed indexes of heart rate (HR) variability. One of these, the standard deviation of RR intervals during successive 5-minute segments averaged over 24 hours, has been reported to be a putative index of vagal tone. Comparisons were made with HR variability findings in 20 normal volunteers. Sudden death was due to ventricular tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation in all cases. Both early (3 patients) and late cycle (2 patients) ventricular premature complexes initiated the terminal dysrhythmia. An increased density of ventricular ectopic activity was noted in the hour before onset of ventricular fibrillation. HR variability as measured by the standard deviation was significantly (p
John Adams: A Life

John Ferling has nearly forty years of experience as a historian of early America. The author of acclaimed histories such as A Leap into the Dark and Almost a Miracle, he has appeared on many TV and film documentaries on this pivotal period of our history. In John Adams: A Life, Ferling offers a compelling portrait of one of the giants of the Revolutionary era. Drawing on extensive research, Ferling depicts a reluctant revolutionary, a leader who was deeply troubled by the warfare that he helped to make, and a fiercely independent statesman. The book brings to life an exciting time, an age in which Adams played an important political and intellectual role. Indeed, few were more instrumental in making American independence a reality. He performed yeoman's service in the Continental Congress during the revolution and was a key figure in negotiating the treaty that brought peace following the long War of Independence. He held the highest office in the land and as president he courageously chose to pursue a course that he thought best for the nation, though it was fraught with personal political dangers. Adams emerges here a man full of contradictions. He could be petty and jealous, but also meditative, insightful, and provocative. In private and with friends he could be engagingly witty. He was terribly self-centered, but in his relationship with his wife and children his shortcomings were tempered by a deep, abiding love. John Ferling's masterful John Adams: A Life is a singular biography of the man who succeeded George Washington in the presidency and shepherded the fragile new nation through the most dangerous of times.
Thermodynamics of mixed‐gas adsorption

A simple technique is described for calculating the adsorption equilibria for components in a gaseous mixture, using only data for the pure-component adsorption equilibria at the same temperature and on the same adsorbent. The proposed technique is based on the concept of an ideal adsorbed solution and, using classical surface thermodynamics, an expression analogous to Raoult's law is obtained. The essential idea of the calculation lies in the recognition that in an ideal solution the partial pressure of an adsorbed component is given by the product of its mole fraction in the adsorbed phase and the pressure which it would exert as a pure adsorbed component at the same temperature and spreading pressure as those of the mixture. Predicted isotherms give excellent agreement with experimental data for methane-ethane and ethylene-carbon dioxide on activated carbon and for carbon monoxide-oxygen and propane-propylene on silica gel. The simplicity of the calculation, which requires no data for the mixture, makes it especially useful for engineering applications.
A fate map of Tbx1 expressing cells reveals heterogeneity in the second cardiac field

Tbx1 is required for the expansion of second heart field (SHF) cardiac progenitors destined to the outflow tract of the heart. Loss of Tbx1 causes heart defects in humans and mice. We report a novel Tbx1(Cre) knock-in allele that we use to fate map Tbx1-expressing cells during development in conjunction with a reporter and 3D image reconstruction. Tbx1 descendants constitute a mesodermal cell population that surrounds the primitive pharynx and approaches the arterial pole of the heart from lateral and posterior, but not anterior directions. These cells populate most of the outflow tract with the exception of the anterior portion, thus identifying a population of the SHF of distinct origin. Both myocardial and underlying endocardial layers were labeled, suggesting a common origin of these cell types. Finally, we show that Tbx1(Cre)-positive and Tbx1(Cre)-negative cell descendants occupy discrete domains in the outflow tract throughout development.
A modification for “smileless” polyacrylamide gels in nucleic acid sequencing

The interpretation of nucleic acid sequences on polyacrylamide gels is often made difficult due to “smiles”. We have devised a simple modification for commonly used electrophoresis systems to eliminate this problem.
Environmental Monitoring at Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku is considered to be the most highly valued archaeological site in Bolivia, and one of the most significant in the New World. The aggressive environment at Tiwanaku is thought to have damaging effects on the stability of its stone architecture and monuments. In an effort to determine the nature of this impact, The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) collaborated with the Bolivian National Institute of Archaeology (INAR) to establish a body of environmental data on the conditions found on site. The objective of this data collection was to provide INAR with substantive information that would be of assistance as they proceed with plans to conserve and protect the monuments of Tiwanaku for the future. An environmental monitoring station was installed at the Tiwanaku site by the GCI and the INAR to collect information for two years about the climatological effects with the highest potential for damaging the monuments: solar radiation, wind, air temperature, relative humidity, ground soil temperature, stone temperature, and precipitation. This report presents the basis for and results of the data collection for aiding conservators at Tiwanaku.
Cyclic peptides: Past, present, and future

After a brief review of the genesis of cyclic peptide research, some current areas of interest in this field are examined. The final section of this manuscript considers some possible future directions of research with cyclic peptides.
The Association between Asthma and Absenteeism among Working Adults in the United States: Results from the 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between asthma status and the occurrence and length of work absences among the US working adults. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Employed respondents between ages 18 and 55 years were included. The association between asthma status (whether respondents have asthma or not) and occurrence of absences and the length of time per absence was evaluated using a two-part model. A multivariate logistic regression as the first part of the model was to estimate the probability of being absent from work at least once during the observation period as a function of asthma status. A multivariate negative binomial regression as the second part of the model was used to assess whether the length of each absence from work was associated with asthma status among respondents who reported at least one absence from work. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, employment-related, health status, a...
Differences in the Prevalence of Obesity, Smoking and Alcohol in the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background The lack of adequate and standardized recording of leading risk factors for morbidity and mortality in medical records have downstream effects on research based on administrative databases. The measurement of healthcare is increasingly based on risk-adjusted outcomes derived from coded comorbidities in these databases. However inaccurate or haphazard assessment of risk factors for morbidity and mortality in medical record codes can have tremendous implications for quality improvement and healthcare reform. Objective We aimed to compare the prevalence of obesity, overweight, tobacco use and alcohol abuse of a large administrative database with a direct data collection survey. Materials and Methods We used the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for four leading risk factors in the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to compare them with a direct survey in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2011. After confirming normality of the risk factors, we calculated the national and state estimates and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for obesity, overweight, tobacco use and alcohol abuse between NIS and BRFSS. Results Compared with direct participant questioning in BRFSS, NIS reported substantially lower prevalence of obesity (p<0.01), overweight (p<0.01), and alcohol abuse (p<0.01), but not tobacco use (p = 0.18). The correlation between NIS and BRFSS was 0.27 for obesity (p = 0.06), 0.09 for overweight (p = 0.55), 0.62 for tobacco use (p<0.01) and 0.40 for alcohol abuse (p<0.01). Conclusions The prevalence of obesity, overweight, tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse based on codes is not consistent with prevalence based on direct questioning. The accuracy of these important measures of health and morbidity in databases is critical for healthcare reform policies.
Force-Field Development from Electronic Structure Calculations with Periodic Boundary Conditions: Applications to Gaseous Adsorption and Transport in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

We present a systematic and efficient methodology to derive accurate (nonpolarizable) force fields from periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations for use in classical molecular simulations. The methodology requires reduced computation cost compared with other conventional ways. Moreover, the whole process is performed self-consistently in a fully periodic system. The force fields derived by using this methodology nicely predict the CO2 and H2O adsorption isotherms inside Mg-MOF-74, and is transferable to Zn-MOF-74; by replacing the Mg-CO2 interactions with the corresponding Zn-CO2 interactions, we obtain an accurate prediction of the corresponding isotherm. We have applied this methodology to address the effect of water on the separation of flue gases in these materials. In general, the mixture isotherms of CO2 and H2O calculated with these derived force fields show a significant reduction in CO2 uptake with the existence of trace amounts of water vapor. The effect of water, however, is found ...
Altered bone marrow dendritic cell cytokine production to toll-like receptor and CD40 ligation during chronic feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Impaired dendritic cell (DC) function is thought to be central to human immunodeficiency virus-associated immunodeficiency. In this study, we examined the effect of chronic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection on DC cytokine production in response to microbial and T-cell stimulation. Cytokine production after either Toll-like receptor (TLR) or CD40 ligation in bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) was measured in naive and chronically FIV-infected cats. The BM-DCs were stimulated with ligands to TLR-2, -3, -4, -7 and -9 or cocultured with 3T3 cells expressing feline CD40 ligand. Ligation of TLR-4 and TLR-9 in BM-DCs from infected cats resulted in a significant decrease in the ratio of interleukin-12 (IL-12) to IL-10. Conversely, TLR-7 ligation produced a significant increase in the IL-12 : IL-10 ratio in BM-DCs from infected cats. No difference was noted for TLR-3 ligation. RNA expression levels of TLR-2, -3, -4, -7 and -9 were not significantly altered by FIV infection. CD40 ligation significantly elevated both IL-10 and IL-12 messenger RNA production but did not alter the IL-12 : IL-10 ratio. Chronic FIV infection alters the ratio of immunoregulatory cytokines produced by BM-DCs in response to certain pathogen-derived signals, which is probably relevant to the increased risk of opportunistic infections seen in lentiviral infection.