cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stationary Cycling Exercise Improved Manual Dexterity in Older Adults with Down Syndrome

This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of assisted therapy (ACT) on manual dexterity in older adults with Down syndrome (DS). Nine older participants with DS, aged 31–52 years old, completed a 30-min stationary cycling session, three times per week for eight weeks of ACT intervention, pedaling at 35% higher than voluntary speed. Another eight older participants with DS, aged 30–51 years old, participated in the voluntary cycling (VC) intervention, pedaling at voluntary speed, as the comparison group. Manual dexterity measured by the Purdue Pegboard Test, and outcome expectations measured by the Exercise Perception Scale, were tested before and after the interventions. After both exercise interventions, the results showed that the non-dominant hand and bimanual subtests of the Purdue Pegboard were significantly improved. The outcome expectations were elevated at marginally statistical level as well. It is speculated that continuous cycling exercise, VC and ACT, may stimulate peripheral sensory input to the motor areas that led to the improvements in manual dexterity and exercise perception. Even though the exact mechanisms are still unknown, the implication of our results showed that VC and ACT can improve manual dexterity in aging DS population.
Nature at work: The effects of day-to-day nature contact on workers’ stress and psychological well-being

Abstract Objectives Chronic stress and burnout are key health issues for office workers that may contribute to a myriad of poor health outcomes. The presence of natural elements may improve psychological well-being in workers but the number of existing studies is relatively low, and more longitudinal research is specifically needed to assess how characteristics of workers’ day-to-day environments may impact mental health outcomes like affect, depression and stress. This report outlines a multi-study investigation of workers at Amazon, a multinational e-commerce company based in Seattle, Washington, USA, and the mental health benefits associated with exposure to nature. Methods In Study 1, participants (n = 153) responded to a cross-sectional survey that assessed the association of self-reported visitation to an indoor company greenspace with psychological well-being including symptoms of depression, anxiety, positive and negative affect, and stress. In Study 2, a subset of participants from Study 1 (n = 33) completed multiple surveys in a 2-week period that assessed the association of the naturalness of their current environments with their state levels of psychological well-being. Results We found contact with more natural outdoor environments was significantly associated with reduced state anxiety, after adjusting for activity type, location, and participants’ trait levels of nature relatedness. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that nature contact in everyday life is significantly associated with decreased levels of state anxiety. More research is needed to investigate the role of nature contact as a potential intervention in the workplace for improved mental health.
Chapter 2. Pharmacological Intervention in Sleep and Circadian Processes

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the role of major classes of neurotransmitter receptor ligands in sleep and circadian processes. Specific binding at sites on the benzodiazepine/GABA-A receptor/chloride channel complex is thought responsible for the hypnotic effects of barbiturates, alcohol, and the benzodiazepines (BZ). BZs, zolpidem and the GABA-A receptor agonist, muscimol all seem capable of resetting the circadian clock. Transient insomnia induced by an artificial three-hour phase advancement of sleep time has been reversed by zolpidem. In contrast, the sleep-disruptive effects of a seven-hour phase advancement have been effectively reversed by midazolam at bedtime. In contrast to the work on GABAergic agents, relatively little is known of the role of glutamate receptors in sleep or circadian regulation. A role for catecholamines in sleep is supported by the recent observation. The dopamine D-2 receptor has been usually associated more strongly with the waking state, and, in particular, locomotor activity in that state. However, a recent finding suggests that the D-2 receptor may be involved in canine narcolepsy. An influential review has suggested that the strongest functional correlate to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmission is repetitive motor activity in a behaviorally aroused state. The 5-HT pineal metabolite, melatonin, may have mild hypnotic effects, but these are outweighed by its effects on the circadian clock. It is evident from this brief review that all neurotransmitter-like agents that modulate arousal state, with the possible exception of the catecholamines, also have profound phase resetting effects on the circadian clock localized in the suprachiasmatic nucle (SCN). This parallel between sleep-active and clock-active agents may not be accidental but may rather imply considerable cross-talk between the circadian clock and the mechanisms responsible for the ultradian organization of arousal states.
Integrating product life cycle issues in technology selection

Technology selection is one of the most important and strategic decisions made in new product development. Companies need to consider product life cycle issues during the technology selection process. Effective strategies for considering life cycle issues and technology selection together during product development have not been fully explored in the existing literature. In this paper, we review the current literature regarding technology selection and life cycle issues. We also propose a decision-making framework using a mathematical programming method to select the best alternative technology and planning and management of the development project. We do this by considering management control actions, product launch time, budget constraints, and sales volume, as well as demand and market requirements during the product life cycle.
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

This article reviews long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission, currently one of the most widely studied and popular candidate mechanisms for a cellular phenomenon underlying long-term storage of information in the nervous system. This article briefly describes the overall phenomenon and basic attributes of LTP.
A late complication of caged ball mitral valve prosthesis: Left ventricular incorporation of cage: Diagnosis and surgical correction

Abstract An unusual late complication of a mitral ball valve prosthesis 7 years after its insertion is described. The incorporation of the cage apex into the left ventricular endomyocardium resulted in impaired mobility of the ball occluder. Symptomatic, roentgenographic and hemodynamic findings indicating progressive impairment of left atrial emptying were present. Correction was achieved by excision of the caged ball prosthesis and insertion of a disc occluder valve prosthesis.
Secretagogue-induced mobilization of an intracellular Mg2+ pool in rat sublingual mucous acini.

The regulation of the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) was monitored in rat sublingual mucous acini using dual wavelength microfluorometry of the Mg(2+)-sensitive dye mag-fura-2. Acini attached to coverslips and superfused continuously with a Mg(2+)-containing medium (0.8 mM) have a steady-state [Mg2+]i of 0.35 +/- 0.01 mM. Adjusting the extracellular Mg2+ concentration to 0 and 10 mM or removing extracellular Na+ did not alter the resting [Mg2+]i. Stimulation with the Ca(2+)-mobilizing, muscarinic agonist, carbachol, induced a sustained increase in [Mg2+]i (approximately 50%; t1/2
Natural killer activity in the rat. IV. Distribution of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) following intravenous and intraperitoneal transfer.

Highly enriched populations of rat large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and T lymphocytes were prepared on discontinuous density gradients of Percoll, labeled with either 111In-oxine or 51Cr and injected either intravenously (iv) or intraperitoneally (ip) into normal syngeneic recipients. Following iv inoculation of labeled LGL or T cells into normal recipients, a large proportion of radioactivity (18 to 33%) was recovered within minutes in the lungs. By 2 to 4 hr following transfer, significantly more LGL (13.5%) than T cells (6.4%) remained in the lungs. This difference persisted through 48 hr (5.4 vs 0.8%). Decreasing levels of radioactivity in the lungs were accompanied by corresponding increases in counts in the spleen and liver. At early time points, a significantly higher proportion of T cells was found to distribute to the spleen, while labeled LGL persisted for longer periods in the blood as well as in the lungs. Following ip inoculation into normal recipients, there was a slow clearance of radiolabeled LGL and T cells from the peritoneal cavity, with <20% of the radiolabel found in peripheral organs by 24 hr. These results demonstrate a distribution pattern for LGL and T cells that resembles the previously reported proportions of these cells in various organs. In addition, these studies provide a firm basis for the formulation of further experiments to examine the usefulness of adoptive immunotherapy with LGL or immune T cells.
Quantification of the fetal electrocardiogram through LINC computer processing.

Abstract A procedure is described for obtaining, through real-time computer processing, estimates of the parameters of the fetal electrocardiogram as recorded from the abdomen. Results include quantification of the P-R interval, QRS amplitude and QRS duration, and the trend of each through gestation. QRS morphology is described according to accepted standards of electrocardiography. Examples of tracings of various qualities and of the averages corresponding to these tracings are included.
Use of mesityllithium in the α-alkylation reaction of β-alkyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes

Reaction of a-chloro and a-bromo esters with B-alkyl 9-borabicyclo[3.3.l]nonanes, B-alkyl-9-BBN, in the presence of the bulky carbon base, mesityllithium, was studied. The tnalkylboranes containing primary B-akyl groups reacted readily to give the corresponding esters. However, the reaction of trialkylboranes containing secondary B-alkyl groups was sluggish. The product esters were isolated by a non-oxidative workup. Use of mesityllithium in this a-alkylation reaction permitted trapping of the intermediate boron ester enolate using benzaldehyde. However, the aldol product thus obtained was a mixture of syn and anti isomers
A viewpoint-independent statistical method for fall detection

The goal of a fall detection system is to automatically detect cases where a human falls and may have been injured. We propose a statistical method based on Kinect depth cameras, that makes a decision based on information about how the human moved during the last few frames. Our method proposes novel features to be used for fall detection, and combines those features using a Bayesian framework. Our experiments explicitly evaluate the ability of our method to use training data collected from one viewpoint, in order to recognize falls from a different viewpoint. We obtain promising results, on a challenging dataset, that we have made public, and that contains, in addition to falls, several similar-looking events such as sitting down, picking up objects from under the bed, or tying shoelaces.
Multiple endoglycosidase F activities expressed by Flavobacterium meningosepticum endoglycosidases F2 and F3 : molecular cloning, primary sequence, and enzyme expression

The genes for Flavobacterium meningosepticum Endo (endoglycosidase) F2 and Endo F3 were cloned, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The deduced amino acid sequences were verified independently to a large extent by direct peptide microsequencing of 66 and 84% of native Endo F2 and Endo F3, respectively. Structurally, the Endo F2 and Endo F3 genes code for a typically long leader sequence of 45 and 39 amino acids, respectively, and, in both cases, a mature protein of 290 amino acids. Comparative structural analysis demonstrated minimum overall homology (15-30%) between Endo F1, Endo F2, and Endo F3, but revealed distinct clusters of identical residues distributed throughout the entire sequence, which represent motifs for binding and hydrolysis of beta 1,4-di-N-acetylchitobiosyl linkages in complex carbohydrates. The mobility of native Endo F2 and Endo F3 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, unlike Endo F1, did not correlate with the molecular weights determined from the coding region of the corresponding genes. Mass spectrometry confirmed that Endo F2 and Endo F3 were heterogeneous and contained approximately 4000 and 1200 daltons of mass not accounted for in the gene structure. We presume that Endo F2 and Endo F3 are variably post-translationally modified during secretion by possible linkage to the hydroxyl of serine.
Hypothalamic control of gonadotropin secretion

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin secretion. The control of gonadotropin secretion is extremely complex as revealed by the research of the past 40 years since the discovery of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), commonly called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This was the second of the hypothalamic-releasing hormones characterized. It stimulates follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release, albeit in smaller amounts than luteinizing hormone (LH). For this reason, it was renamed GnRH. Overwhelming evidence indicates that there is a separate follicle-stimulating hormone releasing hormone (FSHRH) because pulsatile release of LH and FSH can be dissociated. In the castrated male rat, roughly half of the FSH pulses occur in the absence of LH pulses, and only a small fraction of the pulses of both gonadotropins are coincident. The hypothalamic areas controlling LH and FSH are separable. Stimulation in the dorsal medial anterior hypothalamic area causes selective FSH release, whereas lesions in this area selectively suppress the pulses of FSH and not LH. Conversely, stimulations or lesions in the medial preoptic region can augment or suppress LH release respectively without affecting FSH release. The putative FSHRH is synthesized in neurons with perikarya in the dorsal anterior hypothalamic area with axons that project to the mid and caudal median eminence to control FSH release selectively.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Allows for Improved Identification of Persistent Listeria monocytogenes in Food-Associated Environments

While the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can persist in food associated environments, there are no whole-genome sequence (WGS) based methods to differentiate persistent from sporadic strains. Whole-genome sequencing of 188 isolates from a longitudinal study of L. monocytogenes in retail delis was used to (i) apply single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogenetics for subtyping of L. monocytogenes, (ii) use SNP counts to differentiate persistent from repeatedly reintroduced strains, and (iii) identify genetic determinants of L. monocytogenes persistence. WGS analysis revealed three prophage regions that explained differences between three pairs of phylogenetically similar populations with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types that differed by ≤3 bands. WGS-SNP-based phylogenetics found that putatively persistent L. monocytogenes represent SNP patterns (i) unique to a single retail deli, supporting persistence within the deli (11 clades), (ii) unique to a single state, supporting clonal spread within a state (7 clades), or (iii) spanning multiple states (5 clades). Isolates that formed one of 11 deli-specific clades differed by a median of 10 SNPs or fewer. Isolates from 12 putative persistence events had significantly fewer SNPs (median, 2 to 22 SNPs) than between isolates of the same subtype from other delis (median up to 77 SNPs), supporting persistence of the strain. In 13 events, nearly indistinguishable isolates (0 to 1 SNP) were found across multiple delis. No individual genes were enriched among persistent isolates compared to sporadic isolates. Our data show that WGS analysis improves food-borne pathogen subtyping and identification of persistent bacterial pathogens in food associated environments.
Representations of interobject spatial relations in long-term memory

A growing body of evidence has indicated that human spatial memory is organized in terms of a small number of reference directions and that interobject spatial relations are represented in terms of these directions (e.g., McNamara, 2003). The goal of the present experiments was to investigate whether the selection of reference directions also affects the fidelity with which interobject spatial relations are represented in memory. In two experiments, participants memorized a layout of nine objects and then performed judgments of relative direction (e.g., “Imagine you are standing at the clock, facing the book. Point to the phone.”) at a remote location. Imagined heading (e.g., at the clock, facing the book) and allocentric target direction (e.g., the direction from clock to phone in the allocentric frame of reference used to define imagined heading) were manipulated independently. The results of both experiments showed that the same directions that were benefited in imagined headings were also benefited in allocentric target directions. These findings indicate that interobject spatial relations are preferentially represented when they coincide with a reference direction.
Immune response in mice and swine to DNA vaccines derived from the Pasteurella multocida toxin gene.

DNA vaccines were constructed with either a 5 � -truncated or full-length, genetically detoxified toxin gene from Pasteurella multocida and two different DNA vaccine vectors, distinguished by the presence or absence of a secretion signal sequence. Optimal PMT-specific antibody responses and spleen cell secretion of interferon- following immunization of mice were achieved with pMM4, the construct containing a signal sequence and encoding the entire toxin. Antibody responses were also induced in pigs immunized with pMM4 and levels increased significantly following booster injections and experimental infection with P. multocida. Significantly increased expression of interferon- was detected in only a small subset of pMM4-immunized pigs. This report documents, for the first time, the ability of a DNA vaccine to elicit immune responses to the P. multocida toxin in both mice and swine. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Multiplanar and three-dimensional multi-detector row CT of thoracic vessels and airways in the pediatric population

Multi–detector row computed tomography (CT) has changed the approach to imaging of thoracic anatomy and disease in the pediatric population. At the author’s institution, multi–detector row CT with multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction has become an important examination in the evaluation of systemic and pulmonary vasculature and the tracheobronchial tree. In some clinical situations, multi–detector row CT with reformatted images is obviating conventional angiography, which is associated with higher radiation doses and longer sedation times. Although multi–detector row CT with multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction is expanding the applications of CT of the thorax, its role as a diagnostic tool still needs to be better defined. The purposes of this article are to describe how to perform multi–detector row CT with multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction in young patients, to discuss various reconstruction techniques available, and to discuss applications in the evaluation of va...
Detrital zircon provenance and paleogeography of the Pahrump Group and overlying strata, Death Valley, California

Abstract The Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Pahrump Group of Death Valley, California spans ca. 1300–635 Ma and provides a >500 million-year record of geologic events in southwestern Laurentia. The strata analyzed include preserved sequences separated by unconformities recording syn-Rodinia basin development (Crystal Spring Formation); Rodinia stability; regional extension culminating in Neoproterozoic rifting of the Laurentian margin of Rodinia (Horse Thief Springs through Johnnie Formations); and multiple phases of glacial sedimentation and subsequent cap carbonate deposition (Kingston Peak Formation and Noonday Dolomite). U-Pb detrital zircon analyses were conducted on samples from the entire Pahrump Group and the Noonday Dolomite in the southeastern Death Valley region (20 samples, 1945 grains) to further constrain hypotheses for regional basin development during the development of the southwestern Laurentian margin. Our interpretation of provenance data expands upon and clarifies previous models defining a series of tectonostratigraphic units including: (A) the
AAV vectors and tumorigenicity.

Chromosomal integration of rAAV vectors may induce hepatocellular carcinoma in neonatally treated mice.
Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Evaluate Transporter-Enzyme Interplay in Drug Interactions and Pharmacogenetics of Glyburide

The purpose of this study is to characterize the involvement of hepato-biliary transport and cytochrome-P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism in the disposition of glyburide and predict its pharmacokinetic variability due to drug interactions and genetic variations. Comprehensive in vitro studies suggested that glyburide is a highly permeable drug with substrate affinity to multiple efflux pumps and to organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1 and OATP2B1. Active hepatic uptake was found to be significantly higher than the passive uptake clearance (15.8 versus 5.3 μL/min/106-hepatocytes), using the sandwich-cultured hepatocyte model. In vitro, glyburide is metabolized (intrinsic clearance, 52.9 μL/min/mg-microsomal protein) by CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C8 with fraction metabolism of 0.53, 0.36, and 0.11, respectively. Using these in vitro data, physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, assuming rapid-equilibrium between blood and liver compartments or permeability-limited hepatic disposition, were built to describe pharmacokinetics and evaluate drug interactions. Permeability-limited model successfully predicted glyburide interactions with rifampicin and other perpetrator drugs. Conversely, model assuming rapid-equilibrium mispredicted glyburide interactions, overall, suggesting hepatic uptake as the primary rate-determining process in the systemic clearance of glyburide. Further modeling and simulations indicated that the impairment of CYP2C9 function has a minimal effect on the systemic exposure, implying discrepancy in the contribution of CYP2C9 to glyburide clearance.
On the virtual Betti numbers of arithmetic hyperbolic 3-manifolds

We show that closed arithmetic hyperbolic 3-manifolds with virtually positive first Betti number have infinite virtual first Betti number. As a consequence, such manifolds have large fundamental group.
Measurement of the proximity effect in ferromagnetic‐normal metal thin film sandwiches

A spin polarized tunneling measurement shows that ferromagnetism is suppressed in films of Ni thinner than three atomic layers when in contact with Al. In contrast, ferromagnetism was found in Fe, Co, Gd, and Tm films only one atomic layer thick when backed with Al. The present results agree with measurements of Ni, Fe, and Co using the anomalous Hall effect, but do not agree with photoemission results on Ni.
The Superego God

This article is an attempt to describe the structure of imaging God at the superego level At the superego level of religious development, this structure has three interrelated pieces: first, there is an adolescing self; second, there is fettered imaging; and third, there is the God the adolescing self is able to relate to in fettered imaging, and this is the Superego God. The article concludes with a brief look at how the adolescing self hears and speaks about the Superego God.
Quantitative anatomic study of three surgical approaches to the anterior communicating artery complex.

Objective To compare the angles of approach and area of exposure to the anterior communicating artery (AComA) complex associated with pterional (PT), orbitopterional (OPT), and orbitozygomatic (OZ) craniotomies before and after gyrus rectus resection. Methods PT, OPT, and OZ craniotomies were performed on both sides of four heads, and the angles of approach and area of exposure to the AComA complex were measured before and after resection of the gyrus rectus. Results The vertical angle of approach increased significantly among the PT and OPT (P = 0.001), PT and OZ (P = 0.001), and OPT and OZ approaches (P = 0.005). The horizontal angle of approach was significantly larger between the PT to OPT (P = 0.001) and PT to OZ (P = 0.001) approaches but not between the OPT and OZ approaches (P = 0.757). After gyrus rectus resection, the vertical and horizontal angles of approach increased significantly for the PT approach but not for the OPT and OZ approaches. The area of exposure to the AComA complex increased progressively from the PT to OPT to OZ approach but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.124). Resection of the gyrus rectus resulted in significant relative gains in the area of exposure for the PT (P = 0.01) and OPT (P = 0.04) approaches but not for the OZ approach (P = 0.88). Conclusion The vertical and horizontal angles of approach to the AComA complex are significantly larger for the OPT and OZ approaches compared with the PT approach. Use of the OZ approach may decrease the need for frontal lobe retraction and resection of the gyrus rectus.
Measurement of aortic root size by biplane angiography before cardiac valve replacement

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the patient with a small aortic root demands special consideration because the hemodynamic function of artificial valves with a small external diameter is often poor. In this study, the internal diameter of the aortic root was measured from biplane ventriculography. This measured root diameter was then used to predict the external diameter of the artificial valve. Twelve patients underwent biplane ventriculography followed by AVR with Carpentier-Edwards bioprostheses. The artificial valve diameter was predicted with a correlation coefficient of 0.93, a standard error of estimate of 0.89 mm, and an average absolute difference between preoperative measurement and valve diameter of 0.69 mm. Therefore, the aortic root diameter can be accurately measured from the ventriculogram, thus detecting the patient with a small aortic root before surgery.
Multiple species of estrogen binding sites in the nuclear fraction of the rat prostate.

Abstract Specific estrogen-binding sites have been demonstrated in purified nuclear fractions of prostates from intact rats. Saturation analysis of nuclei over a wide range of [ 3 H]-estradiol concentrations (0.15 to 90 nM) has shown two different types of binding sites: a) one with high affinity (Kd of 0.5–0.8 nM) and low capacity for estradiol (approximately 162 fmole/mg DNA); b) a second with a lower affinity (Kd of 30–40 nM), which shows a higher capacity (approximately 860 fmole/mg DNA), and displays a saturation curve that is sigmoidal and that appears to be similar to those for Type II estrogen-binding sites in rat uterus. These results suggest that the actions of estradiol in the prostate are mediated by specific nuclear binding sites.
Heliospheric “FALTS”: Favored Acceleration Locations at the Termination Shock

[1] The standard explanation for Anomalous Cosmic Rays requires strong energization at the heliospheric termination shock. However, the tightly wrapped magnetic spiral in the outer heliosphere produces a quasi-perpendicular shock where it is difficult to accelerate low energy particles. We show that motion of footpoints between regions of fast and slow solar wind at the Sun, create non-spiral configurations and large radial components of the magnetic field. These regions preferentially inject low energy particles into diffusive shock acceleration. Further, footpoints that move from slow to fast source regions, generate field lines with local polarity inversions that connect to the termination shock at multiple locations. As these regions convect out, they trap particles between what are effectively two converging shocks, producing additional first-order Fermi acceleration. Heliospheric “FALTS” - Favored Acceleration Locations at the Termination Shock - should play an important role in particle acceleration in the outer heliosphere.
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ferritic Steels: Deformation and Failure Mechanisms and Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of steels continues to be an area of interest for the oil and gas (O&G) industry. Despite significant research, the mechanism(s) governing failure in the presence of hydrogen remains to be fully resolved. This article attempts to highlight key features of one recently proposed mechanism, with emphasis on the evolution of hydrogen induced damage leading to failure. It also discusses areas for future research in HE. Finally, an attempt is made to highlight the challenges posed by HE in the O&G industry service.
851. Molecular Determination of High-Capacity Helper Dependent Adenoviral Vector Genomes In Vitro and In Vivo

First generation (RAd) and high capacity (HC-Ad) adenoviral vectors are efficient delivery vehicles for transferring therapeutic transgenes in vivo into tissues/organs. The initial successes reported using adenoviral vectors in preclinical trials have been limited by immune related adverse side effects. This has been, in part, attributed to the use of poorly characterized preparations of adenoviral vectors and also to the untoward immune adverse side effects elicited when high doses of these vectors were used. HC-Ads have several advantages over RAds, including the lack of viral coding sequences, which after infection and uncoating, makes them invisible to the host's immune system. Another advantage is their large cloning capacity (up to |[sim]|35Kb). However, accurate characterization of HC- Ad vectors, and contaminating replication competent adenovirus (RCA) or helper virus is necessary before these preparations can be used safely in clinical trials. Consequently, the development of accurate, simple and reproducible methods to standardize and validate adenoviral preparations for the presence of contaminant genomes is required. Using a molecular method that allows accurate, reproducible and simultaneous determination of HC-Ad, contaminating helper virus and RCA genome copy numbers based on real time quantitative PCR (qPCR), we demonstrate accurate detection of these three genomic entities, within CsCl purified vector stocks, total DNA isolated from cells transduced in vitro, and from brain tissue infected in vivo. This approach will allow accurate assessment of the levels and biodistribution of HC-Ad and improve the safety and efficacy of clinical trials.
The natural history of vertebral osteoporosis. Is low bone mass an epiphenomenon

Osteoporotic bone fragility is due not only to decreased bone mass but to inadequate repair of fatigue damage and to trabecular disconnection. The precise roles and relative contributions of these three factors are not known for osteoporosis in general, and certainly not in any individual case. However, it is known that reduced physical activity causes bone loss. It is a virtual certainty, therefore, that, to the extent that the fracture produces disability, osteoporotics lose bone after they first experience a fracture, whatever its antecedent causes. In that sense, some of the bone loss we find in our patients is indeed an epiphenomenon. However, this is not to suggest that reduced bone mass is unimportant. Quite the contrary: prospective studies have clearly established that reduction in bone mass does increase risk of fracture, and hence, when it is consequent upon a fracture, it aggravates the patient's condition. In this way a vicious circle may develop: the pain and fear that follow fracture lead to decreased activity, which leads to bone loss, which can only increase the fragility, and hence predispose to further fracturing, even in cases in which the initial fragility may not have been due to low bone mass. But low bone mass, with its proper fragility, may not be inevitable. That is why pain control and a comprehensive programme of rehabilitation are critically important in the early management of patients with symptomatic vertebral fractures.
Light-induced charge separation across the photosynthetic membrane: a proposed structure for the photosystem I reaction center

Abstract The photosystem I reaction center is reviewed from the standpoint of electron acceptors, polypeptide composition, and structural organization. Experimental difficulties in the current model are highlighted, and current results on the polypeptide location of each acceptor are reviewed. The amount of iron and labile sulfide, the types of iron-sulfur clusters, and the number of ∼ 64-kDa polypeptides are considered in light of a model for the reaction center. In particular, the presence of [2Fe-2S] clusters in photosystem I has significance in the structure and organization of F x on the reaction center. Since four cysteinyl ligands are assumed to hold an iron-sulfur cluster, a photosystem I subunit may consist of two ∼ 64-kDa polypeptides bridged by a [2Fe-2S] cluster. The reaction center would consist of a symmetrical pair of these subunits positioned so that two [2Fe-2S] clusters are in magnetic interaction, thereby constituting F x . The reaction center core would therefore incorporate four ∼ 64-kDa polypeptides and have a molecular weight in excess of 250 kDa
Vegetation classification using seasonal variations of σ 0

Scatterometers were originally designed and employed based on their proven ability to measure near-surface winds over the ocean. However, they are also providing useful in global and regional studies of vegetation and soil moisture. In this paper we examine the C-band and Ku-band radar signatures of vegetation over South America using data for the ERS-1/2 and NSCAT scatterometers. We compare the seasonal response of various types of vegetation based on both Matthew's classification and the University of Maryland AVHRR-based classification and use the seasonal response in a simple vegetation classification experiment. A time-series of enhanced resolution (sigma) degree images are generated for both sensors. The classifier is used to classify the vegetation coverage of each pixel in the image frame into broad classes of vegetation type. Considering the accuracy and resolution limitations of the reference vegetation maps, the classifications result exhibit a high degree of accuracy and consistency with the primary confusion observed between related vegetation classes of similar vegetation canopy density.
Nylon Wool Column Separation of Chicken Thymic-Derived (T) and Bursal-Derived (B) Lymphocytes

Since the original work of Julius et al. (1973), the nylon wool technique has become a standard laboratory procedure for separating cell populations and obtaining relatively pure populations of T and B cells. While this technique has been applied to a number of different animal systems, it had, to our knowledge, neither been qualitated nor quantitated in the chicken. One passage of chicken splenic lymphocytes through a nylon wool column yields an enriched T cell population in the effluent fraction and an enriched B cell population in the column fraction. As in the murine system, we found fractionation of chicken splenic cells by nylon wool to be a rapid method for enrichment of both T and B cell populations. It is emphasized, however, that each passage should be monitored to check the relative purity of the two cell populations.
Updated strategies to treat acute arterial complications associated with total knee and hip arthroplasty.

Objective Traditional treatment of acute arterial complications associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) has generally included arteriography followed by open surgery. The purpose of this study was to describe our evolution from open surgery to preferential endovascular treatment for acute arterial complications of TKA and THA. Methods We analyzed our computerized database registry and patient charts for vascular interventions associated with TKA and THA at a hospital with a large volume of orthopedic surgery to determine changing trends in endovascular intervention for these complications. Results Between 1989 and 2012, 39,196 TKA (26,374 total: 23,205 primary; 3169 revisions) and THA (12,822 total: 10,293 primary; 2529 revisions) were performed. Vascular surgery consultation was provided for the treatment of acute ischemia, hemorrhage, ischemia with hemorrhage, and pseudoaneurysm formation. All interventions were performed within 30 days of joint replacement. A total of 49 (0.13%) acute arterial complications occurred over the 23-year period: 37 (76%) associated with TKA and 12 (24%) with THA. Arterial injury was detected on the same day as the orthopedic procedure in 28 patients, between postoperative days 1 and 5 in 18 patients, and between postoperative days 5 and 30 in three patients. The arterial complications caused ischemia in 28 patients (58%), hemorrhage in six (12%), ischemia with hemorrhage in six (12%), and pseudoaneurysm in nine (18%). Treatment included solely endovascular intervention in 12 (25%), failed endovascular treatment converted to open surgery in one (2%), and open surgery alone in 36 (73%) patients. Before 2002, only 6% (2/32; 2 TKA) of patients were successfully treated with endovascular intervention compared with 59% (10/17; 9 TKA, 1 THA) after June 2002 ( P = .0004). There was no mortality, and limb salvage was achieved in all patients. Conclusions Although the majority of acute arterial complications after TKA and THA are diagnosed on the day of surgery, a high clinical awareness for acute arterial injury should also be present in the postoperative period. Although not always feasible, endovascular management is now our preferred treatment for injuries associated with TKA or THA. This offers substantially shorter time to vascular restoration, with less morbidity than open repair, and equivalent satisfactory outcomes.
Outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of a multi-component alcohol use preventive intervention for urban youth: project northland Chicago.

Aims The goal of this group-randomized trial was to test the effectiveness of an adapted alcohol use preventive intervention for urban, low-income and multi-ethnic settings. Design and setting Sixty-one public schools in Chicago were recruited to participate, were grouped into neighborhood study units and assigned randomly to intervention or ‘delayed program’ control condition. Participants The study sample (n = 5812 students) was primarily African American, Hispanic and low-income. Intervention Students, beginning in sixth grade (age 12 years), received 3 years of intervention strategies (curricula, family interventions, youth-led community service projects, community organizing). Measurements Students participated in yearly classroom-based surveys to measure their alcohol use and related risk and protective factors. Additional evaluation components included a parent survey, a community leader survey and alcohol purchase attempts. Findings Overall, the intervention, compared with a control condition receiving ‘prevention as usual’, was not effective in reducing alcohol use, drug use or any hypothesized mediating variables (i.e. related risk and protective factors). There was a non-significant trend (P = 0.066) that suggested the ability to purchase alcohol by young-appearing buyers was reduced in the intervention communities compared to the control communities, but this could be due to chance. Secondary outcome analyses to assess the effects of each intervention component indicated that the home-based programs were associated with reduced alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use combined (P = 0.01), with alcohol use alone approaching statistical significance (P = 0.06). Conclusions Study results indicate the importance of conducting evaluations of previously validated programs in contexts that differ from the original study sample. Also, the findings highlight the need for further research with urban, low-income adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds to identify effective methods to prevent and reduce alcohol use.
Mechanisms of climate anomalies in the equatorial Indian Ocean

[1] Building on earlier work on the interannual variability of the boreal autumn equatorial westerlies (UEQ) over the Indian Ocean and concomitant rainfall anomalies at the coast of East Africa and in Indonesia, the inherent circulation mechanisms are here explored further from long-term surface and upper air data. Fast UEQ and deficient East African rainfall come with positive sea level pressure (P) and negative sea surface temperature (T) departures in a domain (W) at the northwestern extremity and opposite departures in a domain (E) at the southeastern extremity of the equatorial Indian Ocean. However, there is no seesaw between W and E in either P or T and no indication of local forcing of T on P. The large-scale pressure field, in particular the zonal pressure gradient along the equator and the South Indian Ocean pressure and southern tradewinds, control the evolution of UEQ. Fast UEQ steepens the zonal temperature gradient, thus tightening the inverse relationships between the zonal gradients of pressure and temperature. The rainfall anomalies associated with the interannual variability of UEQ, surface manifestation of a zonal circulation cell along the Indian Ocean equator, are favored by the kinematic and thermodynamic conditions in W and E. Thus, with fast UEQ the domain W features departure lower tropospheric divergence and subsidence and, favored by the cold T and subsidence, reduced precipitable water, all conducive to deficient precipitation. By contrast, E has departure lower tropospheric convergence and ascending motion and, favored by the warm T and ascending motion, enhanced precipitable water, in conjunction conducive to abundant rainfall. The interannual variability of the boreal autumn equatorial westerlies, dominated as it is by the large-scale pressure field, is crucial in the climate dynamics of the equatorial Indian Ocean region. This leads to the question: What controls the pressure pattern over the Indian Ocean basin?
Cellular Prion Protein Mediates the Toxicity of β-Amyloid Oligomers: Implications for Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related dementia, affecting more than 25 million people worldwide. The accumulation of insoluble beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques in the brain has long been considered central to the pathogenesis of AD. However, recent evidence suggests that soluble oligomeric assemblies of Abeta may be of greater importance. beta-Amyloid oligomers have been found to be potent synaptotoxins, but the mechanism by which they exert their action has remained elusive. Herein, we review the recently published finding that cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) is a high-affinity receptor for Abeta oligomers, mediating their toxic effects on synaptic plasticity. We further discuss the relationship between AD and PrP(c) and the potential clinical implications. Cellular prion protein may provide a novel target for therapeutic intervention in AD.
The Ethical Group Psychotherapist

Group psychotherapists in their everyday practice confront a series of ethical problems, some of which rise to the level of ethical dilemmas. This two-part special series will address how the group psychotherapist can address these problems and dilemmas in a way that leads to an ethical course of conduct. This article introduces the series by examining ethical principles and decision-making processes that are relevant to the wide range of issues that confront the group psychotherapist. The article also considers the person of the group psychotherapist him or herself and notes that certain personal qualities might create a foundation for ethical thinking and behavior.
Scaling of the bursting frequency in turbulent boundary layers

The bursting frequency in turbulent boundary layers has been measured over the Reynolds-number range 103 < U∞/ν < 104. When scaled with the variables appropriate for the wall region, the non-dimensional frequency was constant independent of Reynolds number. A strong effect of the sensor size was noted on the measured bursting frequency. Only sensors having a spatial scale less than twenty viscous lengthscales were free from spatial-averaging effects and yielded consistent results. The spatial-resolution problem was apparently the reason for erroneous results reported in the past.
Nematic to smectic-A phase transition under shear flow: A nonequilibrium synchrotron x-ray study.

We report on x-ray scattering studies of the nematic to smectic-A transition in 4-cyano-4'-octylbiphenyl under nonequilibrium shear-flow conditions. As the transition is approached, the interplay between the viscous frictional and the flow-induced-fluctuation forces on the nematic director leads to a series of regimes whose occurrence results from the divergence in one of the viscosities due to the critical slowing down of the smectic-A order-parameter fluctuations. The experiments demonstrate that, under flow, synchrotron x-ray-diffraction techniques provide a powerful structural probe of steady-state dynamical behavior.
Post‐quake decision analysis using dynamic programming

We introduce a general decision analysis procedure based on stochastic dynamic programming in the post-quake aftershock environment. The damage sustained by the building due to the mainsheet, the time-varying aftershock rates and the potential for further damage progression in the post-quake environment are all factors taken into consideration in the proposed methodology. This procedure enables the optimal decision after the mainshock to be selected based on the minimization of expected financial losses, subject to a constraint on a minimal level of individual life-safety, using a consistent probabilistic framework to explicitly quantify the uncertainties in the variables. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Idiopathic AIDS Enteropathy and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Opportunistic Pathogens

Diarrhea in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has proven to be both a diagnostic and treatment challenge since the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virus more than 30 years ago. Among the main etiologies of diarrhea in this group of patients are infectious agents that span the array of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasites, and fungal organisms. In many instances, highly active antiretroviral therapy remains the cornerstone of therapy for both AIDS and AIDS-related diarrhea, but other targeted therapies have been developed as new pathogens are identified; however, some infections remain treatment challenges. Once identifiable infections as well as other causes of diarrhea are investigated and excluded, a unique entity known as AIDS enteropathy can be diagnosed. Known as an idiopathic, pathogen-negative diarrhea, this disease has been investigated extensively. Atypical viral pathogens, including HIV itself, as well as inflammatory and immunologic responses are potential leading causes of it. Although AIDS enteropathy can pose a diagnostic challenge so too does the treatment of it. Highly active antiretroviral therapy, nutritional supplementation, electrolyte replacements, targeted therapy for infection if indicated, and medications for symptom control all are key elements in the treatment regimen. Importantly, a multidisciplinary approach among the gastroenterologist, infectious disease physician, HIV specialists, oncology, and surgery is necessary for many patients.
Bias in indirectly adjusted comparisons due to taking the total study population as the reference group

It is well known that comparisons of indirectly adjusted statistics, such as standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs), can be biased when the joint effect of the study exposure and thecovariates is not multiplicative. This paper describes a related bias in SMR comparisons, one that can arise if the total study population is used as the referent. This bias can occur even if the exposure-covariate effects are multiplicative.