cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First-Principles Study of High Temperature CO2 Electrolysis on Transition Metal Electrocatalysts

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 using the electrical energy generated from renewable sources has attracted increasing interest as a potential route for producing high energy molecules from CO2. In this contribution, high temperature electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO on a series of transition metal electrocatalysts is studied using DFT calculations combined with microkinetic modeling under solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) operating conditions. We show that CO2 dissociation via a two-electron transfer process into adsorbed CO and O2– ions in the electrolyte is favorable on most of the metal electrocatalysts considered, with a dependence of the simulated electrolysis current density on the applied potential consistent with experimental observations. A “volcano”-type relation between the calculated electrolysis rates and the binding energies of atomic O is found, suggesting that the binding energy of O might be a good activity descriptor for high temperature CO2 electrolysis on transition metals. ...
Sustainability and Scorecards: Creating Meaningfulness at Work

in organizations. In particular, we explore the positive impacts of sustainability on work meaningfulness while incorporating organizational sustainability measurements. In addition, we propose tha...
Medication burden of treatment using oral cancer medications

National Cancer Institute, an institute of the National Institutes of Health [1R01CA162401-01A1. 2013-2017]
Comparison of Outcomes and Complications of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Women Versus Men (from the National Inpatient Sample)

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a rapidly emerging procedure for the treatment of intermediate and high-surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The impact of gender on in-hospital outcomes has not been studied on a large scale. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in in-hospital outcomes after TAVI. The National Inpatient Sample (2012 to 2014) using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes for TAVI (35.05 and 35.06) were used to form this database. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed and in-hospital outcomes were compared. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina). A total of 41,050 (weighted) patients were included in our study. Women accounted for 47.7% (n = 19,570) in our study and presented with older age (81.7 years vs 80.5 years, p ≤ 0.0001). The population was predominantly white (87.4%). After performing propensity score-matched analysis (1:1), no difference in the primary outcome was noted between men and women. The secondary outcomes including stroke, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and pericardial complications were higher in women. The composite end point of death and stroke occurred more frequently in women than in men. Acute renal failure was higher in men. The post-TAVI length of stay was higher in women (8.3 days vs 7.7 days, p = 0.0007). In conclusion, this large, retrospective registry analysis of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI suggests women may experience higher rates of in-hospital morbidity compared with men.
Investigation of Polyamine Metabolism and Homeostasis in Pancreatic Cancers

Pancreatic cancers are currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and new therapies are desperately needed. The most common pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This report describes the development of therapies, which effectively deplete PDAC cells of their required polyamine growth factors. Of all human tissues, the pancreas has the highest level of the native polyamine spermidine. To sustain their high growth rates, PDACs have altered polyamine metabolism, which is reflected in their high intracellular polyamine levels and their upregulated import of exogenous polyamines. To understand how these cancers respond to interventions that target their specific polyamine pools, L3.6pl human pancreatic cancer cells were challenged with specific inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis. We found that pancreatic cell lines have excess polyamine pools, which they rebalance to address deficiencies induced by inhibitors of specific steps in polyamine biosynthesis (e.g., ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), spermidine synthase (SRM), and spermine synthase (SMS)). We also discovered that combination therapies targeting ODC, SMS, and polyamine import were the most effective in reducing intracellular polyamine pools and reducing PDAC cell growth. A combination therapy containing difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, an ODC inhibitor) and a polyamine transport inhibitor (PTI) were shown to significantly deplete intracellular polyamine pools. The additional presence of an SMS inhibitor as low as 100 nM was sufficient to further potentiate the DFMO + PTI treatment.
Response to the Letter to the Editor by Dunning Hotopp and Klasson.

In [Leung et al. (2017)][1], we provide evidence that Drosophila transposons have been major contributors to the expansion of the Drosophila ananassae fourth chromosome (Muller F element) arms. Dunning Hotopp and Klasson agree with this finding, but they take exception to our second conclusion, that
On Freedom and Complexity in the (Captive) Nation

In Biodun Jeyifo's readings of the Chibok girl's captivity in The Nation magazine (Nigeria), he reveals his desperately optimistic insistence on collective substantive freedoms. Jeyifo's response to the situation is one of doubling complexity, pointing to the systemic violence that not only made the girls vulnerable, but also produces the young male perpetrator/victims who hold the girls captive and that holds the nation captive as well. In this paper, Murphy argues that Jeyifo's complex reading of denied substantive freedoms in (what he might now call) a captive era in Nigerian history also provides a lens for removing the “familiar mask of the righteous judge” represented by the Western iteration of the #BringBackOurGirls movement. The paper interrogates the way in which Boko Haram tapped into the exaggerated post-9/11 fears that Islamic militants were a threat to Western values and freedom and provided evidence for Christian fundamentalist mythologies of a clash of civilizations. The paper suggests that the fervent discourse regarding the Boko Haram kidnappings point to a contest of fundamentalist ideologies, two opposing but tactically similar movements that ignore the structural lack of substantive freedoms that bring members into their fold.
Timeline Drawing and the Online Scrapbook: Two Visual Elicitation Techniques for a Richer Exploration of Illness Journeys

This article explores the use of two visual methods to facilitate elicitation of temporal data in a qualitative interview study—specifically, a timeline drawing activity and collaborative viewing o...
Effect of arcus senilis on intraocular lens power calculation with intraoperative aberrometry

We report a case of arcus senilis affecting the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using intraoperative aberrometry. There was a large difference in the predicted IOL power (1.50 diopters) between the IOL power calculation using preoperative optical biometry and intraoperative IOL power calculation using intraoperative aberrometry (Optiwave Refractive Analysis). After the arcus senilis was adjusted for by manually measuring the white-to-white distance intraoperatively and that new value was inputted into the intraoperative aberrometer, the measurement matched the preoperative measurements and confirmed the correct choice of IOL. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of arcus senilis affecting intraoperative IOL power calculation.
Lysis of leukemia and lymphoma cells by autologous and allogeneic interferon-activated blood mononuclear cells

Studies were undertaken to determine whether leukemia and lymphoma cells would be lysed by autologous and allogeneic interferon (IFN) activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC from healthy donors and from patients were cultured with and without 500 U of highly purified human fibroblast IFN/ml for 24 hr, and then their cytotoxic activity was assayed by a 5-hr 51Cr-release test. Of primary tumor cells isolated from patients, the cells of 5 of 15 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), 5 of 9 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 2 of 3 patients with chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 2 of 3 patients with blastic phase CML, 1 patient with hairy cell leukemia, and 6 patients with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were sensitive to IFN-activated PBMC of healthy donors, whereas the cells of 3 of the ANLL patients, 2 of the ALL patients, and 3 of the lymphoma patients were sensitive to unstimulated PBMC. Of the ANLL cells tested, myeloblasts, promyelocytes, and monoblasts were sensitive to either unstimulated or IFN-activated PBMC. Compared with the ANLL cells, the lymphoma cells were statistically significantly sensitive to activated effector cells (p less than 0.025). On the basis of the unlabeled target competition test and the recovery of cytotoxic cells within the fractions enriched in natural killer (NK) cells, NK cells appeared to mediate the above unstimulated and IFN-boosted cytotoxicity. In experiments using autologous effector-target cells from 11 patients, the addition of 500 U of IFN/ml enhanced the lytic activity of PBMC against autologous lymphoma cells in 1 patient, and higher concentrations of IFN, i.e., 2500 or 3500 U/ml, enhanced their cytotoxic activity against autologous leukemia or lymphoma cells in 4 of 8 patients. These data indicate that IFN-activated allogeneic PBMC are able to lyse both myeloid and lymphoid tumor cells, whereas higher concentrations of IFN are required to enhance lytic activity against autologous tumor cells.
Reversal of Common Variable Hypogammaglobulinemia-Associated Suppressor Cell Activity by Specific Carbohydrates

Patients with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia (CVH) often have circulating suppressor cells that profoundly inhibit normal immunoglobulin (Ig) production in vitro. We have examined the nature of signals operating in the interaction between CVH-associated suppressor cells and their targets, and explored the possibility that lectin-like receptor molecules and their specific sugars might contribute to the specificity of these interactions. When D-mannose was added to suppressed cocultures of normal PWM-activated mononuclear cells and patient T cells a significant enhancement of Ig production was observed. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine had a similar enhancing effect when added to suppressed cocultures of normal mononuclear cells and patient non-T cells. Since D-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine did not enhance Ig production by normal cells when cultured alone, these sugars were interfering with the process of suppression. In contrast, a number of other saccharides had no effect on suppression. These results suggest that selected saccharides may represent critical components in the cellular receptors involved in suppressor cell interactions.
What Can America Do in the Far East Situation

This is my proposition: While I fully sympathize with your nationwide desire to keep out of the war, I cannot help thinking that mere negative pacifism without being backed by a constructive peace policy is never sufficient to guarantee to you the peace you so dearly desire. What China expects of America—indeed what the whole civilized world expects of America—is an active and positive leadership for international peace and justice, a leadership to prevent wars, to call a halt to aggressions, to plan and cooperate with the democracies of the world to bring about collective security, and to make this world at least safe for humanity to live in.
Variation among subspecialists in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children with neurogenic bladders.

Summary Background Children with neurogenic bladders who require clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) frequently have bacteriuria. However, there is no consensus on what constitutes at urinary tract infection (UTI) in this population. Multiple subspecialists are often involved in the management of these patients, although they are frequently cared for by hospitalists when admission is required. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the variability in opinion between subspecialists in the diagnosis of a UTI in CIC-dependent children. Study design A scenario-based survey was distributed to physicians in the divisions of urology, nephrology, and hospital medicine at a single free-standing children’s hospital. Respondents rated their degree of confidence on whether a specific scenario represented UTI or colonization on an 11-point Likert Scale. Median responses were compared with the Kruskal–Wallis test with pair-wise comparisons. Results Back/flank pain, abdominal pain, and vomiting were the most common symptoms that were suggestive of a UTI in a non-febrile child. There was no single symptom chosen that was the most suggestive of a UTI in CIC-dependent child. There was significant variability between specialists in the diagnosis of UTI in specific clinical scenarios on the survey. Hospitalists were significantly less confident about the diagnosis of a UTI than urologists in two of the clinical scenarios. Conclusions Standardization and implementation of consensus criteria for UTI in this high-risk population is needed. Download : Download high-res image (261KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Responses to various clinical scenarios in which respondents were asked to rank how confident they were that the scenario represented either colonization or infection. On this scale, 0 = I am confident this is colonization, 5 = Colonization and infection are equally possible, 10 = I am confident this represents an infection.
Delineating Turkic non-finite verb forms by syntactic function

In this paper, we argue against the primary categories of non-finite verb used in the Turkology literature: “participle” (причастие ‹pricastije›) and “converb” (деепричастие ‹dejepricastije›). We argue that both of these terms conflate several discrete phenomena, and that they furthermore are not coherent as umbrella terms for these phenomena. Based on detailed study of the non-finite verb morphology and syntax of a wide range of Turkic languages (presented here are Turkish, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Tuvan, and Sakha), we instead propose delineation of these categories according to their morphological and syntactic properties. Specifically, we propose that more accurate categories are verbal noun, verbal adjective, verbal adverb, and infinitive. This approach has far-reaching implications to the study of syntactic phenomena in Turkic languages, including phenomena ranging from relative clauses to clause chaining.
Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) in Children With Pulmonary Contusion.

Objective:There is paucity of data about prevalence of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) in children with pulmonary contusion (PC). We intend to evaluate PC in children with che...
A dynamic transformation method for modal synthesis.

This paper presents a condensation method for large discrete parameter vibration analysis of complex structures that greatly reduces truncation errors and provides accurate definition of modes in a selected frequency range. A dynamic transformation is obtained from the partitioned equations of motion that relates modes not explicity in the condensed solution to the retained modes at a selected system frequency. The generalized mass and stiffness matrices, obtained with existing modal synthesis methods, are reduced using this transformation and solved. Revised solutions are then obtained using new transformations at the calculated eigenvalues and are also used to assess the accuracy of the results. If all the modes of interest have not been obtained, the results are used to select a new set of retained coordinates and a new transformation frequency, and the procedure is repeated for another group of modes.
Accessing Keys and Data in TPM2

Accessing keys and data in TPM2 requires the use of “names” that uniquely identify a key or piece of data, to ensure that commands operate upon the desired key or data. A TPM2 is a security device, so access to a key or piece of data requires authorisation. TPM2 provides HMAC authorisation sessions (similar to those provided by TPMv1.2) but also provides simpler “password” authorisation (for use when the path to the TPM is trusted) and provides more complex “policy” authorisation sessions (for when multi-factor authorisation, such as use of PCRs, is required).
Is there a role for sarcolipin in avian facultative thermogenesis in extreme cold

Endotherms defend their body temperature in the cold by employing shivering (ST) and/or non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). Although NST is well documented in mammals, its importance to avian heat generation is unclear. Recent work points to a prominent role for the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) in muscular NST. SERCA's involvement in both ST and NST, however, posits a tradeoff between these two heat-generating mechanisms. To explore this tradeoff, we assayed pectoralis gene expression of adult songbirds exposed to chronic temperature acclimations. Counter to mammal models, we found that cold-acclimated birds downregulated the expression of sarcolipin (SLN), a gene coding for a peptide that promotes heat generation by uncoupling SERCA Ca2+ transport from ATP hydrolysis, indicating a reduced potential for muscular NST. We also found differential expression of many genes involved in Ca2+ cycling and muscle contraction and propose that decreased SLN could promote increased pectoralis contractility for ST. Moreover, SLN transcript abundance negatively correlated with peak oxygen consumption under cold exposure (a proxy for ST) across individuals, and higher SLN transcript abundance escalated an individual's risk of hypothermia in acute cold. Our results therefore suggest that SLN-mediated NST may not be an important mechanism of-and could be a hindrance to-avian thermoregulation in extreme cold.
Fathers’ Reflections of their Fathers: The Use of Text Mining to Find Meaning in Narratives

There is a growing research literature examining the father-child relationship. Most of these studies have focused on how fathers influence the lives of their children. However, little research has examined how becoming a father might have a positive impact on men. The book chapter will explore how men perceive becoming a father has affected their lives. More importantly, this chapter will explore how children influence fathers in low-income communities. The chapter introduces text mining as an approach to the study of father narratives in the context of intergenerational fathering. The results of this study will shed light on this life-changing event from the stories of men and their experiences.
Insert sequence length determines transfection efficiency and gene expression levels in bicistronic mammalian expression vectors.

Bicistronic expression vectors have been widely used for co-expression studies since the initial discovery of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) about 25 years ago. IRES sequences allow the 5’ cap-independent initiation of translation of multiple genes on a single messenger RNA strand. Using a commercially available mammalian expression vector containing an IRES sequence with a 3’ green fluorescent protein fluorescent marker, we found that sequence length of the gene of interest expressed 5’ of the IRES site influences both expression of the 3’ fluorescent marker and overall transfection efficiency of the vector construct. Furthermore, we generated a novel construct expressing two distinct fluorescent markers and found that high expression of one gene can lower expression of the other. Observations from this study indicate that caution is warranted in the design of experiments utilizing an IRES system with a short 5’ gene of interest sequence (<300 bp), selection of single cells based on the expression profile of the 3’ optogenetic fluorescent marker, and assumptions made during data analysis.
The Culture of White Space: On The Racialized Production of Meaning:

This article focuses on processes of meaning making in White spaces as the glue that holds their social structures together. Understanding White spaces and how they operate necessitates theoretical...
NLM-Chem, a new resource for chemical entity recognition in PubMed full text literature

Automatically identifying chemical and drug names in scientific publications advances information access for this important class of entities in a variety of biomedical disciplines by enabling improved retrieval and linkage to related concepts. While current methods for tagging chemical entities were developed for the article title and abstract, their performance in the full article text is substantially lower. However, the full text frequently contains more detailed chemical information, such as the properties of chemical compounds, their biological effects and interactions with diseases, genes and other chemicals. We therefore present the NLM-Chem corpus, a full-text resource to support the development and evaluation of automated chemical entity taggers. The NLM-Chem corpus consists of 150 full-text articles, doubly annotated by ten expert NLM indexers, with ~5000 unique chemical name annotations, mapped to ~2000 MeSH identifiers. We also describe a substantially improved chemical entity tagger, with automated annotations for all of PubMed and PMC freely accessible through the PubTator web-based interface and API. The NLM-Chem corpus is freely available.
Updates on Testing Microprocessors Effectively

In recent years, there has been an effort to create a standardized benchmark for radiation testing field-programmable gate arrays and microprocessors. The first version of benchmark was released in 2015. The input vectors and the error checkers have an unknown effect on previous test results gathered by the released benchmark. The checkers in the released benchmarks are efficient, but the variability of the input data that can be used is limited. In this article, a discussion of the changes to both the input vectors and the checkers are presented with test results showing the effect of both on the previous and new algorithms. Results show that the error checking method can increase the software’s cross section by ten times. The results also show that the input vectors can mask errors in the system and in extreme situations mask radiation-induced errors completely.
Influence maximization in social media networks concerning dynamic user behaviors via reinforcement learning

This study examines the influence maximization (IM) problem via information cascades within random graphs, the topology of which dynamically changes due to the uncertainty of user behavior. This study leverages the discrete choice model (DCM) to calculate the probabilities of the existence of the directed arc between any two nodes. In this IM problem, the DCM provides a good description and prediction of user behavior in terms of following or not following a neighboring user. To find the maximal influence at the end of a finite-time horizon, this study models the IM problem by using multistage stochastic programming, which can help a decision-maker to select the optimal seed nodes by which to broadcast messages efficiently. Since computational complexity grows exponentially with network size and time horizon, the original model is not solvable within a reasonable time. This study then uses two different approaches by which to approximate the optimal decision: myopic two-stage stochastic programming and reinforcement learning via the Markov decision process. Computational experiments show that the reinforcement learning method outperforms the myopic two-stage stochastic programming method.
MOF-derived Co@C nanoparticle anchored aramid nanofiber (ANF) aerogel for superior microwave absorption capacity

High-efficiency, porous and renewable magnetic microwave absorbing (MA) materials have been enthusiastically pursued due to their suitable impedance matching, light weight, strong multiple scattering and the synergy effect of dielectric and magnetic loss. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) Co@C/ANF aerogel, composed of magnetic MOF derivatives embedded in biomass aramid nanofiber (ANF), was prepared for the first time through a directional-freezing method followed by an annealing process. To evaluate their MA attenuation performance, the electromagnetic parameters of Co@C/ANF composites with different component ratios were measured at 2–18 GHz. Profiting from the preserved porous structure of MOF derivatives, the construction of multiple heterogeneous interfaces and suitable electromagnetic parameters, Co@C/ANF 2 : 1 exhibited a good MA performance of RLmin = −64.3 dB (indicating more than 99.99996% microwaves were absorbed) and EABmax = 6.8 GHz. Considering the admirable overall performance, the Co@C/ANF aerogel is deemed to be a promising candidate for the next-generation of lightweight, reproducible, and high-performance MA materials.
2 – Delineation of Genetic Components of Communicative Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews various ways that genes can impact on a genetic disorder and ways of delineating that risk. The presence of a genetic component of a disease can be difficult to identify. Evidence supporting a genetic component includes familial clustering of cases, increased incidence in consanguineous matings, and increased incidence within genetically segregated communities. The various ways that genes can impact on genetic disorders are common environmental exposures, shared in utero exposure, and shared religious and cultural values and exposures, stochastic variations. Identification of the etiology of a disorder in a particular patient carries valuable medical information. Broadly, benefits may accrue in diagnostics, genetic counseling, prognostics, or treatment. Gregor Mendel first delineated the methods by which genetic factors are transmitted. Twin studies have been valuable in identifying genetic predisposition to many complex communicative disorders. Even in the general population, differences in verbal aptitude and phonological decoding ability are highly heritable. Segregation analysis examines statistically the clustering of diseases within families and can be applied only to relatively common disorders. This chapter further stresses on medical significance, identification of genetic components, and genetic inheritance patterns.
The Global Ocean Observing System: design and implementation of the coastal module

Abstract The combined effects of climate change, extreme weather and human alterations of the environment are especially pronounced in the coastal zone where people and ecosystem goods and services are most concentrated and inputs of energy and matter from land, sea and air converge. These realities call for a more integrated and adaptive approach to resource management, environmental protection, coastal zone management, coastal engineering, an approach that considers the effects of both human activities and natural variability change in an ecosystem context. Implementing such an approach requires the capability to routinely and rapidly detect and predict changes in the state of the coastal environment. Developing these capabilities is the purpose of the coastal module of GOOS, which is the subject of this presentation.
Measuring the impact of onychomycosis on patient quality of life.

According to survey research, onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenail or fingernail, affects quality of life including physical and social functioning and emotional health. We developed an onychomycosis disease-specific questionnaire (ODSQ) that sensitively assessed symptom distress, functional impact, and social stigma associated with the disease. Samples of patients enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial were used for the psychometric evaluations. The multi-item scales were internally consistent (α ≥ 0.80) and reproducible (ICC > 0.85). Interscale correlations between the ODSQ and generic scales were moderate and consistent with the hypothesized magnitude and directions. Construct validation, employing known groups analysis, supported the hypothesized impact of onychomycosis on three domains of quality of life: physical functioning, emotional health, and social functioning. Significant differences were found between clinically “cured”, “improved”, or “failed” patients, and between mycologically “eradicated” and “persistent” patients. The ODSQ was responsive to clinical change and more sensitive than derived Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 scales. The ODSQ provides reliable, validated and responsive information about the consequences of onychomycosis and its treatment.
The house mouse (Mus musculus L.) exerts strong differential grain consumption preferences among hard red and white spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties in a single-elimination tournament design.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plays a central role in the health and nutrition of humans. Yet, little is known about possible flavor differences among different varieties. We have developed a model system using the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) to determine feeding preferences as a prelude to extending results to human sensory analysis. Here, we examine the application of a single-elimination tournament design to the analysis of consumption preferences of a set of hard red and hard white spring wheat varieties. A single-elimination tournament design in this case pairs 2 wheat varieties and only 1 of the 2 is advanced to further tests. Preferred varieties were advanced until an overall “winner” was identified; conversely, less desirable varieties were advanced such that an overall “loser” was identified. Hollis and IDO702 were the winner and loser, respectively, for the hard red varieties, and Clear White 515 and WA8123 were the winner and loser, respectively, for the hard white varieties. When using the more powerful protocol of 14 mice and a 4-d trial, differences in mean daily consumption preferences of 2 varieties were separated at P-values as small as 2 × 10−8. The single-elimination tournament design is an efficient means of identifying the most and least desirable varieties among a larger set of samples. One application for identifying the 2 extremes in preference within a group of varieties would be to use them as parents of a population to identify quantitative trait loci for preference. Practical Application A model system for discriminating wheat grain sensory attributes has been developed using the house mouse. Mice exert a strong consumption preference among different wheat varieties. This study used a single-elimination tournament design to identify the most preferred and least preferred wheat varieties. Sensory attributes may relate directly to taste and aroma perceived by humans.
Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetization transfer

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the fundamentals of magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging to motivate a discussion of a technique aimed at probing interactions between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible water protons and protons of larger molecules of physiologic interest. The underlying assumption for this technique is that a magnetization state may be transferred between such protons, and thus it is referred to as magnetization transfer (MT). Contrast obtained via this mechanism is called “magnetization transfer contrast” (MTC) and imaging that reflects MTC is known as “magnetization transfer imaging” (MTI). Applications of MTI are discussed in the chapter, together with analysis techniques being developed to exploit the MT phenomenon. Although the fundamental phenomena of magnetic resonance are described by quantum mechanics, the observations that are essential to the arguments can be explained with classical arguments, and this is nearly always the case for the purpose of application to medical imaging and diagnosis.
In Vitro Assay of the Effects of Psoralens Plus Ultraviolet Radiation on Human Lymphoid Cells

An in vitro assay system that mimics some of the features of in vivo oral methoxsalen photochemotherapy (PUVA) in relation to human lymphoid cells was developed. In this assay, suspension cultures of human lymphoid cells were subjected to therapeutic concentrations of 8-MOP and to a UVA radiation spectrum modified to approximate the dermal exposure. The assay permitted correlation and quantitation of multiple 8-MOP plus UVA-induced biological and physical alterations in the same assay system. Thus were demonstrated inhibition of DNA synthesis, reduction of cell survival, production of DNA cross-links, and loss of mixed leukocyte reactivity induced by combinations of 8-MOP and UVA in or near the presumed therapeutic range. This assay may be useful for predicting lymphoid cellular toxicity of other photoactive agents as well as for examining the molecular effects of these agents.
Latent dimensions of posttraumatic stress disorder and their relations with alcohol use disorder

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to further our understanding of the substantial comorbidity between these two disorders. CFA was used to examine which factors of PTSD’s dysphoria model were most related to AUD in a military sample. Ohio National Guard soldiers with a history of overseas deployment participated in the survey (n = 1215). Participants completed the PTSD Checklist and a 12-item survey from the National Survey on Drug Use used to diagnosis AUD. The results of the CFA indicated that a combined model of PTSD’s four factors and a single AUD factor fit the data very well. Correlations between PTSD’s factors and a latent AUD factor ranged from correlation coefficients of 0.258–0.285, with PTSD’s dysphoria factor demonstrating the strongest correlation. However, Wald tests of parameter constraints revealed that AUD was not more correlated with PTSD’s dysphoria than other PTSD factors. All four factors of PTSD’s dysphoria model demonstrate comparable correlations with AUD. The role of dysphoria to the construct of PTSD is discussed.
Dynamic opening of DNA during the enzymatic search for a damaged base.

Uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) removes uracil from U·A or U·G base pairs in genomic DNA by extruding the aberrant uracil from the DNA base stack. A question in enzymatic DNA repair is whether UDG and related glycosylases also use an extrahelical recognition mechanism to inspect the integrity of undamaged base pairs. Using NMR imino proton exchange measurements we find that UDG substantially increases the equilibrium constant for opening of T-A base pairs by almost two orders of magnitude relative to free B-DNA. This increase is brought about by enzymatic stabilization of an open state of the base pair without increasing the rate constant for spontaneous base pair opening. These findings indicate a passive search mechanism in which UDG uses the spontaneous opening dynamics of DNA to inspect normal base pairs in a rapid genome-wide search for uracil in DNA.
SELECTIVE BLOCKADE OF A2B ADENOSINE RECEPTOR REDUCES CARDIAC REMODELING FOLLOWING ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE MOUSE

Adenosine (Ado) is released in response to tissue injury and promotes hyperemia and inflammation. The proinflammatory effects of Ado, which are mediated by the A2B Ado receptor (AdoR), cause further tissue damage. We hypothesized that selective blockade of the A2B AdoR during acute myocardial
Measurements of Gamma-Ray Absorption Coefficients

The absorption of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays in Al, Cu, Sn, Ta, and Pb was measured using $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays from ${\mathrm{I}}^{131}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{64}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Co}}^{60}$, ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{65}$, and ${\mathrm{Na}}^{24}$. Tests showed that scattering from nearby objects and from the absorber were negligible. Tests of the absorption of radium $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays in Pb showed good agreement with other workers and with theory. The absorption curves of ${\mathrm{I}}^{131}$ showed the presence of a 0.65-Mev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray about 15 percent as abundant as the 0.367-Mev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray. Absorption coefficients measured with the other sources showed agreement within 0.5 percent to 2 percent with theory. An anomalous absorption coefficient (5 percent less than expected) with tantalum absorber ($Z=73$) and ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{65}$ and ${\mathrm{Co}}^{60}$ sources ($h\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\sim}1.2$ Mev) needs reinvestigation.
Coping with Uncertainty in Space Science Planning

Political gridlock is spreading a miasma of uncertainty over the space sciences in the United States. Neither those who give science advice nor those who receive it have a clear grasp of what the future holds, a reality for the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that was underscored in NASA's Strategic Direction and the Need for a National Consensus ( 1 ). This report concluded that “There is no national consensus on strategic goals and objectives for NASA. Absent such a consensus, NASA cannot reasonably be expected to develop enduring strategic priorities for the purpose of resource allocation and planning.”
Application of the matrix methods to the optimum synthesis of multivariable systems subject to constraints

Matrix methods are used to extend well-known concepts in single-variable systems to the case of systems with several inputs and outputs. The analysis of such multivariable systems, when subjected to deterministic and/or random inputs, is considered in the time and frequency domains.
A remark on a class of double inequalities of Batir

Abstract We prove a class of double inequalities for the gamma function which were conjectured by Batir [On some properties of the gamma function, Expo. Math. 26 (2008) 187–196].
Residential Development Patterns and Neighborhood Satisfaction: Impacts of Density and Nearby Nature

Alternative patterns of residential development, going by names such as cluster housing and conservation subdivisions, opt to preserve large areas of shared outdoor space by increasing housing density on portions of the parcel. These alternative approaches arguably help preserve environmental quality, but how do they affect the people who live there? This study explored the impacts of residential density and nature areas on residents' satisfaction with their neighborhood. Survey results from 361 participants in nine different residential subdivisions showed that density and proximity to shared nature areas did not have a large impact on neighborhood satisfaction. More important were opportunities to visit nearby shared space and having views of nature from the home.
Synaptic vesicle activity in stimulated and unstimulated photoreceptor axons in the housefly. A freeze-fracture study.

Light-stimulated and unstimulated photoreceptor (retinular) axon terminals in the lamina ganglionaris (first optic neuropil) of the housefly are examined using freeze-fracture replication. The presence of numerous, cross-fractured capitate projections permits unmistakable identification of the retinular axon terminal membrane. Regardless of the conditions of illumination, the protoplasmic face (P-face) of the terminal membrane contains numerous bowtie-shaped particle clusters (active zones) which resemble theen face form and disposition of the presynaptic ribbon found in thin sections. Estimates from freeze-fractured material indicate that each retinular axon possesses at least 175 such active zones. In eyes fixed during illumination, active zones are surrounded by many membrane dimples indicative of vesicle fusion sites. Such synaptic vesicle sites are seldom encountered in terminals which are dark-adapted and fixed in the dark. Results from light-adapted eyes placed in the dark following the onset of fixation suggest that endocytosis may occur in the extrasynaptic regions of this inhibitory synapse. P-face particles are uniformly distributed throughout the extrasynaptic regions of unstimulated terminals. Particle density increases in areas peripheral to the active zones in stimulated eyes, particularly within the regions presumed to be undergoing active endocytosis. These structural findings are discussed in the context of the Heuser-Reese model of vesicle exocytosis and recycling.
Trends in HIV seropositivity in publicly funded HIV counseling and testing programs: implications for prevention policy

Abstract Introduction: We describe trends in seropositivity among clients attending publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites across the United States and discuss implications for prevention policy. Methods: The present analysis used client-level data from 1990 through 1994 for 26 of 65 state, territorial, and local health departments receiving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds. Logistic regression was used to predict the proportion of HIV tests that were positive. Curves were created representing adjusted HIV seropositivity trends for 1990 through 1994. Results: HIV seropositivity rates were higher before 1992. Throughout, rates were higher among men, most racial/ethnic minorities tested, and persons 30 years or older. Although rates for men remained higher than those for women, the gap has narrowed in recent years. For both men and women, rates remained low for those reporting heterosexual activity as their only potential risk for HIV. Over time, more high-risk seronegatives are being repeatedly tested. Conclusions: Lower, stabilized seropositivity rates after 1992 reflect large increases in testing volume, increasing frequency of repeat testing, and fewer asymptomatic-infected persons entering this public system. Various program innovations including enhanced outreach, improved access, rapid testing, and client-centered counseling should be considered as strategies to increase the number of infected persons who learn their serostatus early and enter into medical care.
Isolator and other neonatal piglet models in developmental immunology and identification of virulence factors.

The postnatal period is a ‘critical window’, a time when innate and passive immunity protect the newborn mammal while its own adaptive immune system is developing. Neonatal piglets, especially those reared in isolators, provide valuable tools for studying immunological development during this period, since environmental factors that cause ambiguity in studies with conventional animals are controlled by the experimenter. However, these models have limited value unless the swine immune system is first characterized and the necessary immunological reagents developed. Characterization has revealed numerous features of the swine immune system that did not fit mouse paradigms but may be more generally true for most mammals. These include fetal class switch recombination that is uncoupled from somatic hypermutation, the relative importance of the molecular mechanisms used to develop the antibody repertoire, the role of gut lymphoid tissue in that process, and the limited heavy chain repertoire but diverse IgG subclass repertoire. Knowledge gained from studies of adaptive immunity in isolator-reared neonatal pigs suggests that isolator piglets can be valuable in identification of virulence factors that are often masked in studies using conventional animals.
National databases and rheumatology research. I: Longitudinal databases in Scandinavia

Nationwide population-based longitudinal databases provide excellent resources for medical research in Scandinavia. These include the Population Registry, the Cancer Registry, the Cause of Death Registry, the Hospital Discharge Registry, and other registers, and are linkable to each other by the personal identification code. The registers have long historical backgrounds, and are regulated strictly by law. This article describes features of the national databases and provides some examples of rheumatology research that use these databases.
Expression and purification of recombinant vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 using PC12 cells and High Five insect cells

In synaptic vesicles, the estimated concentration of the excitatory amino acid glutamate is 100-150 mM. It was recently discovered that VGLUT1, previously characterized as an inorganic phosphate transporter (BNPI) with 9-11 predicted transmembrane spanning domains, is capable of transporting glutamate. The expression and His-tag based purification of recombinant VGLUT1 from PC12 cells and High Five insect cells is described. Significantly better virus and protein expression was obtained using High Five rather than Sf9 insect cells. PC12 cell expressed VGLUT1 is functional but not the Baculovirus expressed protein. The lack of functionality of the Baculovirus expressed VGLUT1 is discussed. The data indicate that VGLUT1 readily oligomerizes/dimerizes. The data are discussed in the context of developing this system further in order to reconstitute vesicular glutamate uptake in vitro using lipid-detergent vesicles.
Generation of QSAR sets with a self-organizing map

A Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM) is used to classify a data set consisting of dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors with the help of an external set of Dragon descriptors. The resultant classification is used to generate training, cross-validation (CV) and prediction sets for QSAR modeling using the ADAPT methodology. The results are compared to those of QSAR models generated using sets created by activity binning and a sphere exclusion method. The results indicate that the SOM is able to generate QSAR sets that are representative of the composition of the overall data set in terms of similarity. The resulting QSAR models are half the size of those published and have comparable RMS errors. Furthermore, the RMS errors of the QSAR sets are consistent, indicating good predictive capabilities as well as generalizability.
Infliximab to treat chronic noninfectious uveitis in children: retrospective case series with long-term follow-up.

Purpose To assess a response to infliximab therapy in childhood uveitis. Design Retrospective case series. Methods We reviewed the course of 16 children with noninfectious uveitis treated with infliximab at an academic medical center. Outcome measures included incidence of uveitis recurrences, proportion of patients achieving zero or two-step decline in ocular inflammation, visual acuity, and proportion discontinuing topical glucocorticoids at zero, three, six, nine, and 12 months of therapy. Results Of sixteen children (29 affected eyes) with median age 11 years, six had associated extraocular inflammatory conditions. Fifteen of 16 were treated with concomitant methotrexate. Median follow-up was 26 months and median maintenance infliximab dose was 8.2 mg/kg. The median interval between infliximab infusions was 5.6 weeks. At one year, 64% achieved zero ocular inflammation, and 79% had zero inflammation or a two-step decline in inflammation. Topical glucocorticoids were discontinued in 69%, and 58% remained free of uveitis recurrence at one year. Visual acuity remained stable. Infliximab was discontinued in two children, one because of inefficacy and the other because of parental concern about potential side effects. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions Sixteen children with chronic, noninfectious uveitis tolerated chronic methotrexate and infliximab therapy. Visual acuity remained stable, control of ocular inflammation improved, and reliance on topical glucocorticoids decreased. High infliximab doses and frequent dosing intervals were necessary to control uveitis.