cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A user interface evaluation environment using synchronized video, visualizations and event trace data

This paper presents a simple but very powerful technique to support user interface evaluation along with a prototype open environment — I-Observe, the Interface OBServation, Evaluation, Recording, and Visualization Environment. I-Observe's technique requires recording user interface sessions in multiple modalities, both as a trace of interesting events and through video images. It provides tools to allow the user interface evaluator either to analyze and visualize the event tracer data, or to combine the event trace and video modalities. The analyst using I-Observe can search the event stream for patterns of interesting or important user actions, then use the recorded timestamps associated with these actions to present only the sections of the video recording of interest. This allows the analyst to study, for example, all places where the user invokes a help system or a particular command to be observed, without manually searching the recording or sitting through long sessions of unrelated interactions. By combining the precise recording of automatic event trace capture with the rich contextual information that can be captured in a video and audio recording, this technique allows analyses to be performed that would not be practical with either media alone.
The impact of the OhioLINK network on traditional interlibrary loan

In this article, the authors wish to summarize the effect a network such as OhioLINK has had on the traditional ILL department at Miami University? In an increasingly networked environment, patrons will be offered a growing number of avenues for document access? Traditional interlibrary loan increasingly will occupy merely one niche and will not (necessarily) compete with other niches or document supply mechanismes. They discuss OhioLINK as part of over-all resource sharing at our intisution and to a lesser degreee among the OhioLINK memeber institutions
Microtubule-associated protein-like binding of the kinesin-1 tail to microtubules

The kinesin-1 molecular motor contains an ATP-dependent microtubule-binding site in its N-terminal head domain and an ATP-independent microtubule-binding site in its C-terminal tail domain. Here we demonstrate that a kinesin-1 tail fragment associates with microtubules with submicromolar affinity. Binding is largely electrostatic in nature, and is facilitated by a region of basic amino acids in the tail and the acidic E-hook at the C terminus of tubulin. The tail binds to a site on tubulin that is independent of the head domain-binding site but overlaps with the binding site of the microtubule-associated protein Tau. Surprisingly, the kinesin tail domain stimulates microtubule assembly and stability in a manner similar to Tau. The biological function of this strong kinesin tail-microtubule interaction remains to be seen, but it is likely to play an important role in kinesin regulation due to the close proximity of the microtubule-binding region to the conserved regulatory and cargo-binding domains of the tail.
Tradition and Modernization: The Chinese Case

In recent years there have been numerous meetings and discussions reported in local and national newspapers about the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese culture and traditions. These include the Forum on the Study of Chinese Cultural History held in December 1982, the Seminar on Comparative Studies of Eastern and Western Cultures in 1984, and two additional workshops on the same topics in 1985. In these sessions many cultural experts were invited to air their views and findings.
Released on a WHIM

In this issue of Blood , 2 groups (McDermott et al 1 and Dale et al 2 ) independently report the results of phase 1 clinical trials using the CXCR4-specific chemokine receptor antagonist plerixafor (Mozobil) to target the hyperfunctional CXCR4 signaling axis in patients with the rare immunodeficiency disease WHIM syndrome.
Primary leptomeningeal plasmablastic lymphoma

Lymphomas that develop in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are predominantly aggressive B-cells lymphomas. The most common HIV-associated lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (that often involves the CNS), primary effusion lymphoma, and plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL). Of these, PBL is relatively uncommon and displays a distinct affinity for presentation in the oral cavity. In this manuscript we report a previously undescribed primary leptomeningeal form of PBL in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A 40-year-old HIV positive man presented with acute onset confusion, emesis, and altered mental status. Lumbar puncture showed numerous nucleated cells with atypical plasmocyte predominance. CSF flowcytometry showed kappa restriction with CD8 and CD38 positivity and negative lymphocyte markers, while the MRI showed diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. As the extensive systemic work-up failed to reveal any disease outside the brain, an en bloc diagnostic brain and meningeal biopsy was performed. The biopsy specimen showed sheets of plasmacytoid cells with one or more large nuclei, prominent nuclear chromatin, scattered mitoses, and abundant cytoplasm, highly suggestive of plasmablastic lymphoma. HIV-associated malignancies have protean and often confusing presentations, which pose diagnostic difficulties posed to the practicing neurological-surgeons. Even in cases where an infectious cause is suspected for the meningeal enhancement, neoplastic involvement should be considered, and cytology and flow-cytometry should be routinely ordered on the CSF samples.
Fitting manifold surfaces to three-dimensional point clouds.

We present a technique for fitting a smooth, locally parameterized surface model (called the manifold surface model) to unevenly scattered data describing an anatomical structure. These data are acquired from medical imaging modalities such as CT scans or MRI. The manifold surface is useful for problems which require analyzable or parametric surfaces fitted to data acquired from surfaces of arbitrary topology (e.g., entire bones). This surface modeling work is part of a larger project to model and analyze skeletal joints, in particular the complex of small bones within the wrist and hand. To demonstrate the suitability of this model we fit to several different bones in the hand, and to the same bone from multiple people.
Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity and Marijuana Use Coping Motives: A Test of the Mediating Role of Non-Judgmental Acceptance within a Trauma-Exposed Community Sample

We examined the role of non-judgmental acceptance in the relation between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and marijuana use coping motives. These relations were examined among 97 (46 women) adults (M age = 21.57 years, SD = 6.32) who met DSM-IV-defined PTSD Criterion A for at least one traumatic event exposure and reported using marijuana in the past 30 days. Consistent with expectation, greater levels of posttraumatic stress symptom severity were associated with greater levels of coping-oriented marijuana use motives, as well as lower levels of non-judgmental acceptance. Furthermore, non-judgmental acceptance was inversely associated with coping-oriented marijuana use motives. Finally, non-judgmental acceptance was found to partially mediate the association between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and marijuana use coping motives. Results are discussed in terms of better understanding the role of non-judgmental acceptance in coping-oriented marijuana use among trauma-exposed populations.
Optical frequency stabilization and optical phase locked loops: Golden threads of precision measurement

Stabilization of lasers through locking to optical cavities, and the transitions of atoms and molecules has revolutionized the field of precision optical measurement since shortly after the invention of the laser. Phase locking of one laser to another, formed the basis for linking stable lasers across the optical spectrum, the resulting frequency chains exhibiting progressively finer precision through the years. Phase locking between the modes within a femtosecond pulsed laser has yielded the optical frequency comb, one of the most elegant and useful instruments of our time. This tutorial paper gives an overview of these topics, from early work through to the latest 1E-17 fractional uncertainty attained for an optical clock, and the ongoing quest for ever finer precision and accuracy.
Understanding groupthink from a self-regulatory perspective

In the years since Janis first identified the group pathology he termed groupthink, researchers have attempted to discover why groupthink occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Although most researchers have worked within Janis’s original framework, the finding of McCauley that there seems to be two different social influence processes at work indicates that there may be a more complicated process at work. This article uses a self-regulatory model of motivation as a unifying framework to show how differing initial motivations on the part of group members combined with other antecedent factors can result in various processes that lead to groupthink. Based on this motivational approach, interventions were suggested.
The strange life of hurricane Gilbert September 11–19, 1988

Abstract Hurricane Gilbert swept across the Caribbean September 11–19 causing damage in Jamica, the Yucatan Peninsula and Texas. The Committee on National Disasters of the National Research Council dispatched a team to gather perishable data and prepare a quick response report to be published later this year. This paper provides a very brief account of two aspects of the study - the characteristics of the storm and assessment of structural performance of buildings sited in the path of Gilbert or subjected to tornadic winds spawned by the hurricane.
Applications of heart cutting from packed to capillary columns

The power of capillary gas chromatography can be enhanced by selective fractionation of the sample. One way of doing this is heart cutting from a packed gas chromatographic column. This paper describes modification of a commercial instrument for such separations. Components of the system include an automated Deans switch and an electrically heated trap. The benefits of this arrangement are illustrated with chromatograms of naphtha, urinary aromatic acids, and wine volatiles.
Vaccinia virus p37 interacts with host proteins associated with LE-derived transport vesicle biogenesis

Proteins associated with the late endosome (LE) appear to play a central role in the envelopment of a number of taxonomically diverse viruses. How viral proteins interact with LE-associated proteins to facilitate envelopment is not well understood. LE-derived transport vesicles form through the interaction of Rab9 GTPase with cargo proteins, and TIP47, a Rab9-specific effector protein. Vaccinia virus (VV) induces a wrapping complex derived from intracellular host membranes to envelope intracellular mature virus particles producing egress-competent forms of virus. We show that VV p37 protein associates with TIP47-, Rab9-, and CI-MPR-containing membranes. Mutation of a di-aromatic motif in p37 blocks association with TIP47 and inhibits plaque formation. ST-246, a specific inhibitor of p37 function, inhibits these interactions and also blocks wrapped virus particle formation. Vaccinia virus expressing p37 variants with reduced ST-246 susceptibility associates with Rab9 and co-localizes with CI-MPR in the presence and absence of compound. These results suggest that p37 localizes to the LE and interacts with proteins associated with LE-derived transport vesicle biogenesis to facilitate assembly of extracellular forms of virus.
Drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, social) and the young adult: use and attitudes.

A study of the total drug use (prescription, over-the-counter, and social) of 600 young adults, 18-21 years of age, demonstrated that 75% had ingested alcohol, 91% caffeine, 41% analgesics, 28% vitamins, and 17% prescription medicines, and 39% had smoked marijuana and 21% ordinary cigarettes during the week prior to interview. Women used more prescriptions, O-T-C, and social drugs than men, with women averaging 5.1 and men 4.5. An inconsistency was found between attitudes toward alcohol and its consumption. The findings suggest that drug education programs need to place more emphasis upon the hazards associated with O-T-C and social drugs.
Safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation for the treatment of hepatic hydrothorax.

PURPOSE To evaluate safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for hepatic hydrothorax (HHyd). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one patients underwent TIPS creation for HHyd. A prospective TIPS database and medical records were reviewed. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded as complete (symptom/effusion resolution), partial (improved symptoms/effusion), or none. Data patterns were examined with χ 2 tests and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS Patients included 12 women and nine men, with a mean age of 56 years, all with Child class B ( n = 7) or C( n = 14) disease. The technical success rate was 100%. Mean follow-up was 223 days. Twenty-nine percent (six of 21) died within 30 days of TIPS creation, 10% (two of 21) underwent transplantation within 30 days, and 62% (13 of 21) survived beyond 30 days. Data were incomplete in two patients. Clinical response was classified as complete in 63% (12 of 19), partial in 11% (two of 19), and none in 26% (five of 19). Radiographic response was classified as complete in 30% (six of 20), partial in 50% (10 of 20), and none in 20% (four of 20). Nonresponders had multisystem organ failure, and all but one died within 30 days. However, of the 13 patients surviving longer than 30 days, 10 (77%) had a complete clinical response. CONCLUSION TIPS is a relatively safe and effective method of controlling HHyd. The majority of patients experienced improvement or resolution of clinical symptoms with a variable reduction in the quantity of pleural fluid. There was a tendency among nonresponders to die within 30 days.
The Burkholderia pseudomallei Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase FabI1 Is Essential for In Vivo Growth and Is the Target of a Novel Chemotherapeutic with Efficacy

The bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis pathway is a validated target for the development of novel chemotherapeutics. However, since Burkholderia pseudomallei carries genes that encode both FabI and FabV enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase homologues, the enoyl-ACP reductase that is essential for in vivo growth needs to be defined so that the correct drug target can be chosen for development. Accordingly, ΔfabI1, ΔfabI2, and ΔfabV knockout strains were constructed and tested in a mouse model of infection. Mice infected with a ΔfabI1 strain did not show signs of morbidity, mortality, or dissemination after 30 days of infection compared to the wild-type and ΔfabI2 and ΔfabV mutant strains that had times to mortality of 60 to 84 h. Although signs of morbidity and mortality of ΔfabI2 and ΔfabV strains were not significantly different from those of the wild-type strain, a slight delay was observed. A FabI1-specific inhibitor was used to confirm that inhibition of FabI1 results in reduced bacterial burden and efficacy in an acute B. pseudomallei murine model of infection. This work establishes that FabI1 is required for growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei in vivo and is a potential molecular target for drug development.
Design and construction of a PVDF Fresnel lens

The design, construction, and performance of an experimental broadband polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) Fresnel lens are discussed. The potential application of a lens of this type in medical imaging, particularly for shallow features such as the carotid artery, is addressed. A model for the lens is proposed. A general pressure transfer function which is used to obtain theoretical on-axis and focal plane beam profiles is derived. The construction of a seven-zone, 15-mm PVDF zone plate is discussed, and experimental self-convolution results are presented. >
Brain activity in cigarette smokers performing a working memory task: effect of smoking abstinence.

Background When nicotine-dependent human subjects abstain from cigarette smoking, they exhibit deficits in working memory. An understanding of the neural substrates of such impairments may help to understand how nicotine affects cognition. Our aim, therefore, was to identify abnormalities in the circuitry that mediates working memory in nicotine-dependent subjects after they initiate abstinence from smoking. Methods We used blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study eight smokers while they performed a letter version of the N-Back working memory task under satiety (≤1.5 hours abstinence) and abstinence (≥14 hours abstinence) conditions. Results Task-related activity in the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) showed a significant interaction between test session (satiety, abstinence) and task load (1-back, 2-back, and 3-back). This interaction reflected the fact that task-related activity in the satiety condition was relatively low during performance of the 1-back task but greater at the more difficult task levels, whereas task-related activity in the abstinence condition was relatively high at the 1-back level and did not increase at the more difficult task levels. Conclusions We conclude that neural processing related to working memory in the left DLPFC is less efficient during acute abstinence from smoking than at smoking satiety.
Positive and negative prejudice: Interactions of prejudice with race and social desirability

Summary Two studies were conducted in order to investigate positive prejudice toward Negroes By defining positive prejudice as favoritism toward Negro stimulus persons over white stimulus persons of identical personality descriptions, it was possible to compare patterns of Negro bias on a variety of measures The results of Study I indicated that positive Negro prejudice was more likely when stimulus persons at the positive personality level were compared The results of Study II indicated that dogmatism and rigidity and attitudes associated with authoritarianism are negatively related to positive prejudice Dimensions of formality of relationships and antisubordination of Negroes were useful in understanding positive prejudice. The relevance of the results to the belief theory of prejudice are discussed.
Gold nanostar substrates for SERS-based chemical sensing in the femtomolar regime

We report a novel approach for fabricating gold nanostar-functionalized substrates for highly sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based chemical sensing. Gold nanostars immobilized on a gold substrate via a Raman silent organic tether serve as the SERS substrate, and facilitate the chemical sensing of analytes that can either be chemisorbed or physisorbed on the nanostars. Our SERS substrates are capable of detecting chemisorbed 4-mercaptobenzoic acid at a concentration as low as 10 fM with a reproducible SERS enhancement factor of 109, and enable the semi-quantitative multiplexed identification of analytes from mixtures in which they have been dissolved in variable stoichiometry. Most importantly, they afford the detection of physisorbed analytes, such as crystal violet, with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, hence serving as a versatile platform for the chemical identification of in principle any molecular analyte. These characteristics make a strong case for the use of our nanostar-based SERS substrate in practical chemical sensing applications.
The Current State of the Art in the Synthesis of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers

Recent advances in polyphosphazene chemistry and related areas are used as examples of approaches that may be applicable to other inorganic/organometallic polymer systems. Emphasis is placed on the tailored synthesis of macromolecules via ring-opening polymerization and macromolecular substitution to generate properties, such as elasticity, solid ionic conductivity, electronic conductivity, biological compatibility or activity, and liquid crystalline or non-linear optical behavior.
Electroluminescence and space charge distribution in XLPE subjected to ac fields at various frequencies

Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) has been extensively used as an insulating material in underground distribution and transmission class high voltage cables. During service, diagnostic techniques are often employed to determine the operating condition of the insulation. Some techniques use frequencies much lower than the power frequency because the required high voltage power supplies are much smaller and it is assumed that very low frequencies cause less damage to the insulation. In this paper it is shown that at low frequencies more space charge per cycle remains in the insulation. Electroluminescence (EL) and the newly developed Phase-Resolved-Pulsed-EIectro-Acoustic (PR-PEA) techniques are used to determine charge injection and space charge distribution in XLPE subjected to frequencies between 1 Hz and 50 Hz.
Nicotine inhibits palatal fusion and modulates nicotinic receptors and the PI-3 kinase pathway in medial edge epithelia

Structured Abstract Authors – Kang P, Svoboda KKH Objectives – To analyze the effects of nicotine on palatal fusion inhibition in vitro and determine if nicotine modulated transforming growth factor β3 or phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase signaling. A second objective was to determine the localization and regulation of nicotinic receptors in the medial edge epithelia (MEE) during palatal fusion. Design – Palatal shelves from embryonic day (E) 13.5 mice were cultured in serum free media and treated with 0, 0.06, 0.6, or 6 mM nicotine, nicotinic receptor antagonist α-bungarotoxin, or the combination of nicotine and α-bungarotoxin. Tissues harvested at 72 h were analyzed for epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and fusion. MEE samples collected at 20 h were analyzed for phosphorylated Akt-Ser473, phosphorylated Smad2, and nicotinic receptors. Results – Nicotine inhibited palatal fusion in vitro in a dose dependent manner. Activated Akt-Ser473 was greater in control MEE than in nicotine treated tissues; while there was no difference in activated Smad2 between groups. The α7 subunit of nicotinic receptor was expressed in MEE during palate fusion and increased in nicotine treated tissues. Alpha-bungarotoxin did not rescue the nicotine treated palates. Conclusion – Nicotine treatment had no effect on Smad2, but caused a down regulation of the PI-3 kinase pathway that may have contributed to inhibiting palatal fusion in vitro.
The electrostatic potential of an infinite array of rectangular cylinders

Electrostatically charged cylinders are useful in precipitators, filters, transmission lines, and optical devices. Studies of infinite arrays of such cylinders are helpful as the limiting cases of the finite arrays. The method of field matching has been applied with success to square cylinders and is extended in this study to treat cylinders of rectangular cross section. The analysis requires the simultaneous solution of two infinite systems of equations. The potential near the charged cylinders is developed as is the capacitance of the cylinders. A number of experimental and theoretical results from other methods are employed in checking the capacitance from field matching. Some ways of applying the method to other problems are mentioned. >
Discriminative validity of the Scoliosis Research Society 22 questionnaire among five curve-severity subgroups of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract Background context Previous studies of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) 22 discriminative validity have lacked sufficiently matched study groups and were limited to a comparison with three or fewer subgroups of disease severity. Purpose To evaluate the discriminative validity of SRS-22 by assessing the questionnaire's ability to discriminate among five groups of pretreatment adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with increasing curve severity. Study design Retrospective review of prospectively administered surveys. Methods Two hundred eighty-six SRS-22 questionnaires were issued to two AIS pretreatment patient populations: 67 nonoperative and 219 preoperative. Study subjects were separated into five subgroups depending on the major Cobb angle (nonoperative 0°–19° and 20°–40° and preoperative 41°–50°, 51°–60°, and >60°). Each group (n=31) was matched for age (within 1 year) and sex (23 females and 8 males), resulting in a total of 155 study subjects. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistically significant differences (p Results Significant differences between study groups were found within two of the four domains (pain and image) and the total score. Both nonoperative groups (0°–19° and 20°–40°) demonstrated significantly less pain than the preoperative group (41°–50°) and significantly better self-image than all three preoperative groups. Both nonoperative groups' total scores were significantly higher than all three preoperative groups' scores, with the exception of the 20° to 40° subgroup versus the >60° subgroup. No significant differences were found between groups within the same planned treatment category. Conclusions The SRS-22 questionnaire demonstrated good discriminative validity between small nonoperative curves and larger surgical curves within the pain, image, and total domains. However, SRS-22 lacked the ability to differentiate between small intervals of curve magnitude, suggesting a limitation to the questionnaire's discriminative capacity. The discriminative validity of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) 22 has not been clearly defined. Our analysis of 155 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients evaluates the instrument's discriminative validity among five age- and sex-matched curve-severity subgroups. The SRS-22 questionnaire lacked the ability to differentiate between small intervals of curve magnitude, suggesting a limit to the questionnaire's discriminative capacity.
The effects of vigorous exercise on anxiety, heart rate, and alpha activity of runners and nonrunners.

State anxiety, heart rate, and alpha activity of male nonrunners and runners (N=30) during a vigorous run and a quiet reading session were examined. Physical activity was performed at 80–85% age-related maximal exercise heart rate for 20 min; the same subjects participated in a reading condition. Analysis revealed a significant decrease in post-run state anxiety for the runners compared to the nonrunners. No reduction in state anxiety for either group was found after the reading condition. Runners also significantly reduced their heart rate after the run compared to nonrunners. A significant increase in alpha activity for both runners and nonrunners was found after the run compared to the reading condition. These results suggest that post-exercise anxiety and heart rate responses were influenced by level of aerobic conditioning. Furthermore, dissimilar anxiety, heart rate, and alpha responses were found after the reading and exercise conditions.
Visualization of program-execution data for deployed software

Software products are often released with missing functionality, errors, or incompatibilities that may result in failures in the field, inferior performances, or, more generally, user dissatisfaction. In previous work, we presented the GAMMA technology, which facilitates remote analysis and measurement of deployed software and allows for gathering programexecution data from the field. When monitoring a high number of deployed instances of a software product, however, a large amount of data is collected. Such raw data are useless in the absence of a suitable data-mining and visualization technique that supports exploration and understanding of the data. In this paper, we present a new technique for collecting, storing, and visualizing program-execution data gathered from deployed instances of a software product. We also present a prototype toolset, GAMMATELLA, that implements the technique. We show how the visualization capabilities of GAMMATELLA allows for effectively investigating several kinds of execution-related information in an interactive fashion.
Sleep problems predict cortisol reactivity to stress in urban adolescents

This study examined the role of sleep problems and sleep duration on stress-related HPA axis reactivity among urban, low income adolescents. A total of 84 adolescents (M age 13.36 years; 50% male; 95% African American) and their parents provided information on adolescents' sleep problems and sleep quantity. Adolescents completed a standardized social stress test in the laboratory (the Trier Social Stress Test; TSST). Saliva samples collected before and after the TSST yielded measures of cortisol pre-test, 15 min post-test, and 55 min post-test, as well as overall cortisol secretion and its increase (AUCG and AUCI). More sleep problems and longer sleep duration predicted higher cortisol reactivity to the TSST, particularly among females. Self-reports of sleep were more consistently related to stress-related cortisol reactivity than parent reports. Sleep problems and longer sleep duration may place adolescents at risk for HPA axis hyper-reactivity to stress, contributing to academic, behavioral and health problems.
Divergent responses of viral and bacterial communities in the gut microbiome to dietary disturbances in mice

To improve our understanding of the stability of mammalian intestinal communities, we characterized the responses of both bacterial and viral communities in murine fecal samples to dietary changes between high- and low-fat (LF) diets. Targeted DNA extraction methods for bacteria, virus-like particles and induced prophages were used to generate bacterial and viral metagenomes as well as 16S ribosomal RNA amplicons. Gut microbiome communities from two cohorts of C57BL/6 mice were characterized in a 6-week diet perturbation study in response to high fiber, LF and high-refined sugar, milkfat (MF) diets. The resulting metagenomes from induced bacterial prophages and extracellular viruses showed significant overlap, supporting a largely temperate viral lifestyle within these gut microbiomes. The resistance of baseline communities to dietary disturbances was evaluated, and we observed contrasting responses of baseline LF and MF bacterial and viral communities. In contrast to baseline LF viral communities and bacterial communities in both diet treatments, baseline MF viral communities were sensitive to dietary disturbances as reflected in their non-recovery during the washout period. The contrasting responses of bacterial and viral communities suggest that these communities can respond to perturbations independently of each other and highlight the potentially unique role of viruses in gut health.
Aging Biology in the Kidney

The notion that kidney function declines with age in the general population is well known in the Nephrology community and the average loss of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) about 1ml per year in most longitudinal studies. There is much debate within the community about whether this represents "normal aging" or whether this constitutes a form of renal disease. However this debate turns out, the real question is whether this decline is preventable - can it be modified or slowed? Efforts to find drivers of this decline are still in the very earliest stages, but have shown some promise at elucidating some of the pathologies involved. This article will address both the wider issue of the biology of aging as well as the specific pathologies of the aging kidney.
The 2006 National Technology Leadership Summit

As many of you may know, Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE Journal) is a collaborative effort of five teacher educator associations representing the core content areas and educational technology. These include science education (ASTE), mathematics education (AMTE), English education (NCTE / CEE), and social studies education (NCSS / CUFA), in addition to educational technology (SITE). The sponsoring associations are listed on the opening page of the CITE Journal Web site with links to the home pages of each.
Copper complexes: a physiological approach to the treatment of ‘inflammatory diseases’

Abstract Plasma concentrations of low molecular weight copper-containing components are known to increase in response to arthritis, epilepsy, and cancer. Each of these diseases are recognized as having inflammatory components. Evidence is provided to show that administration of low molecular weight copper complexes produce antiinflammatory effects in animal models of inflammation, anticonvulsant effects in animal models of seizure, and anticancer effects in animal models of cancer. These data are reviewed in support of the hypothesis that the elevation of plasma copper-containing components represents a physiologic response which may lead to remission. Promotion of this physiologic response would appear to be a valid approach to the treatment of arthritis, epilepsy, cancer, and other diseases with inflammatory components.
Commercial mythmaking at the Holy Land Experience

Commercial mythmaking, where firms create, appropriate, and cultivate myths, plays an important role in creating and disseminating ideologies that help consumers manage tensions in the marketplace. Commercial mythmaking remains under-researched. In response we explore commercial mythmaking at the nexus of consumption, markets, and religion, where firms create myths that negotiate between market and religious logics. Some evangelical Christians hold beliefs that create tension with consumer culture, which they perceive to be secular and amoral. A religious theme park in the United States that appeals to this sub-segment serves as the empirical context. We identify three prominent politico-religious themes re-cast at the park as commercial myths. They are: redemption, authentic connection to the sacred, and American exceptionalism. These commercial myths aid consumers in resolving ideological tensions by infusing a politically conservative religious ideology into the brand's basic value proposition.
Complexities of Müllerian Anatomy in 46XX Cloacal Exstrophy Patients

Abstract Study Objective To characterize Mullerian anatomy in 46,XX cloacal exstrophy patients. Design Retrospective review of prospectively maintained, institutionally approved exstrophy-epispadias-cloacal exstrophy database. Setting Tertiary care, high-volume exstrophy center (Division of Pediatric Urology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland). Participants We included 31 patients who were genetically female with cloacal exstrophy for whom records included detailed evaluation of Mullerian anatomy. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Mullerian structures, method of evaluation, management, and sexual activity. Results Of our patients, 12.9% (3/31) had no identified abnormalities. Vaginal anatomy was described for 30 patients; 3/30 had vaginal agenesis, 14/30 had a single vagina, and 13/30 had vaginal duplication. Of 14 patients with 1 vagina, 5 had atresia/hypoplasia, and 1 had a lateral displacement. One patient with 2 vaginas also had distal atresia. Of the cervices evaluated, 9/14 were duplicated (2/9 with a solitary vagina), and 19/27 of the uteri were duplicated (6/22 with 1 vagina, 1/22 with no vagina). Five patients required imaging to fully characterize their anatomy, and 7 patients had studies that failed to identify Mullerian structures seen in the operating room or on physical examination. Common reconstructive surgeries included vaginoplasties, incisions of vaginal septa, colporrhaphies, and hysterectomies. Sexual activity was confirmed for 3 patients, 2 of whom had conceived. Conclusion Most female cloacal exstrophy patients exhibit abnormalities of the Mullerian system. Axial imaging and ultrasound are helpful diagnostic adjuncts but do not replace careful physical examination and assessment in the operating room. Further studies of sexual activity and fertility are warranted.
Comparative Absorption and Lymphatic Transport of (ω-3) Eicosapentaenoic Acid, (ω-6) Arachidonic Acid, and (ω-9) Oleic Acid

There is a rapidly expanding literature on the dietary and metabolic effects of the ω-3 class of fatty acids, which include, among others, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids (Goodnight et al, 1982; Holman, 1982; Willis, 1981). Interest in this area has been heightened by the finding that population groups consuming greater quantities of fish and other marine animals, which are richer in (ω-3 fatty acids, have a low incidence of ischemie heart disease. These include Greenland Eskimos (Bang and Dyerberg, 1980), coastal-dwelling Turks (Yotakis, 1981), and Japanese residing in fishing villages (Hirai et al., 1980). In general, these populations have lower levels of fasting very-low-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Bang and Dyerberg, 1972), and a prolonged bleeding time (Dyerberg and Bang, 1979; Goodnight et al., 1981). These effects are largely attributed to the intake of marine fats, which contain, in addition to “common” fatty acids, higher levels of ω-3 fatty acids than are found in Western-type diets (Bang et al., 1976).
Numerical Model for the Hydraulic Performance of Perforated Pipe Underdrains Surrounded by Loose Aggregate

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model study of the hydraulics of groundwater flow and porous pipe underdrains. The study was conducted using a three-dimensional CFD model built in ANSYS Fluent. The model was validated by replicating previous experimental results of saturated subsurface flow (water surface level above the aggregate) for a 10.2-cm perforated pipe shrouded in loose laid aggregate. The CFD model consistently overpredicted the flow rate for a given head and aggregate depth by an average of 11%. After considering the effect of pipe perforation blockage due to aggregate, the average overprediction decreased to only 6%. The discharge coefficient for the perforated pipe computed using the CFD model was 0.54 compared with 0.49 from experiments. It was also found that the discharge was quite small at the upstream end of the pipe, with the bulk of the water entering the pipe in the vicinity of the outlet. Finally, the computational results showed that, ...
Mutually exclusive expression patterns of Bcl-2 and Par-4 in human prostate tumors consistent with down-regulation of Bcl-2 by Par-4

Par-4 is a widely expressed protein that sensitizes both prostatic and non-prostatic cells to apoptosis. Constitutive- or regulated- overexpression of Par-4 caused a reduction in the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Replenishment of Bcl-2 levels abrogated susceptibility to Par-4-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that Par-4-mediated apoptosis requires downmodulation of Bcl-2 levels. The inverse correlation between Par-4 and Bcl-2 expression was recapitulated in human prostate tumors. Par-4 but not Bcl-2 was detected in the secretory epithelium of benign prostatic tumors and in primary and metastatic prostate cancers that are apt to undergo apoptosis. Moreover, xenografts of human, androgen-dependent CWR22 tumors showed Par-4 but not Bcl-2 expression. By contrast, androgen-independent CWR22R tumors derived from the CWR22 xenografts showed mutually exclusive expression patterns of Par-4 and Bcl-2. These findings suggest a mechanism by which Par-4 may sensitize prostate tumor cells to apoptosis.
Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 of Dongguan City

Objective To study the prevalence status and transmission patterns of different subtypes of HIV-1 in Dongguan city. Methods Peripheral mononucleated cells were prepared from 24 HIV carriers confirmed by Western Blotting. The provirus DNA was extracted and amplified by nested-PCR, after which the HIV-1 membrane protein gene (env) C2-V3 region was sequenced and its subtype was analyzed. Analyses of the consensus sequence, gene divergence and clustering of virus strains were conducted with Winsconson GCG software. Results Among 24 anti-HIV-1 antibody positive samples, 13 HIV-1 env gene fragments were amplified and analyzed. Subtypes B and E of HIV-1 virus strains were found in Dongguan city. Conclusion Subtype B and E of HIV-1 are probably main epidemiological strains in Dongguan.
Drug resistance in myeloma: mechanisms and approaches to circumvention.

Multiple myeloma is generally considered a drug-responsive disease. Unfortunately, the development of drug resistance is common and no cure is yet available. This article examines mechanisms of resistance for individual drugs used in the treatment of myeloma. Means of preventing or circumventing drug resistance are discussed.
Agents and electronic commerce: mechanisms and protocols

Design mechanisms; analyze protocols. In research on agents and electronic commerce, how one applies terminology is perhaps the best way to describe one's perspective on fundamental technical issues. The following is adapted from an online glossary created for the "Michigan Adaptive Resource eXchange" (MARX) project.
Understanding the dynamics of labor income inequality in Latin America

Since the early 2000s, after a long period of wide and persistent gaps, Latin America has experienced a steady decline in income inequality. This paper presents evidence of a trend reversal in labor income inequality, which is considered the main factor behind such a decline in income inequality across the region. The analysis shows that, while labor income inequality increased during the 1990s, with heterogeneous experiences across countries, it fell in a synchronized way across countries beginning in the early 2000s. This systematic decline was supported by an expansion in real hourly earnings among the bottom of the wage distribution and, to a lesser extent, the middle part of the earnings distribution, thus reducing upper and lower tail inequality. This trend reversal is explained by a lower dispersion of earnings among workers with observable different attributes and by a much less extensive dispersion of residual labor inequality. Regarding the earnings differentials among workers with observable different attributes, the analysis concludes that the decline in labor inequality in Latin America has been closely associated with a reduction in the college/primary education premium and in the urban-rural earnings gap, coupled with a steady drop in the high school/primary education premium, which accelerated markedly since the 2000s, as well as a reduction in the experience premium across all age groups.
Psychotropic Medication Use among Medicare Beneficiaries Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives To characterize psychotropic medication use before and after traumatic brain injury (TBI) hospitalization among older adults. A secondary objective is to determine how receipt of indicated pharmacologic treatment for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) differs following TBI. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting United States. Participants Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years hospitalized with TBI between 2006 and 2010 with continuous drug coverage for 12 months before and after TBI (N = 60,276). Measurements We obtained monthly psychotropic medication use by drug class and specific drugs from Medicare Part D drug event files.ICD-9 codes were used to define anxiety (300.0x) and PTSD (309.81). Results Average monthly prevalence of psychotropic medication use among all patients hospitalized for TBI was 44.8%; antidepressants constituted 73%. Prevalence of psychotropic medication use increased from 2006 to 2010. Following TBI, psychotropic medication use increased slightly (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.06.) Tricyclic antidepressant use decreased post-TBI (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.79) whereas use of the sedating antidepressants mirtazapine (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.37) and trazadone (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.17) increased. Antipsychotic (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.19) use also increased post-TBI. Beneficiaries newly diagnosed with anxiety (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.48) and/or PTSD (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.84) post-TBI were less likely to receive indicated pharmacologic treatment. Conclusions Older adults hospitalized with TBI have a high prevalence of psychotropic medication use yet are less likely to receive indicated pharmacological treatment for newly diagnosed anxiety and PTSD following TBI.
Noninfective Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Thrombosis: A Rare Cause of Post-Implantation Pulmonary Valve Obstruction.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) replacement has emerged as an effective therapy for treatment of right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit dysfunction [(1)][1]. Stent fracture and infective endocarditis account for most post-implantation TPV dysfunction. Noninfective TPV thrombosis has
Parkinson's disease prevalence in Fabry disease: A survey study

Recent research has suggested a possible link between Parkinson's disease (PD) and Fabry disease. To test this relationship, we administered a self-report and family history questionnaire to determine the prevalence of PD in Fabry disease patients and family members with likely pathogenic alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) mutations. A total of 90 Fabry patients (77 from the online survey and 13 from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS)) were included in the analysis. Two of the Fabry disease patients who completed the online survey were diagnosed with PD (2/90, 2.2%). Among probands older than 60, 8.3% (2/24) were diagnosed with PD. Using Kaplan Meier survival analysis, the age-specific risk of PD by age 70 was 11.1%. Family history was available on 72 Fabry families from the online study and 9 Fabry families from ISMMS. Among these 81 families, 6 (7.4%) had one first degree relative who fit the criteria for a conservative diagnosis of PD. The results of this study suggest that there may be an increased risk of developing PD in individuals with GLA mutations, but these findings should be interpreted with caution given the limitations of the study design.
A death in the family: a community's embodiment of tragedy

This manuscript explores how a tightknit music fan community responds to the suicide of one of its members. During the grieving process the music and music scene of the band Rust Forever are relied...
A 3-Dimensional–Printed Short-Segment Template Prototype for Mandibular Fracture Repair

ImportanceAfter reduction of complex mandibular fractures, contouring of the fracture plates to fixate the reduced mandibular segments can be time-consuming. ObjectiveTo explore the potential appli...
Assessment of Assay Performance

Whatever analytical technique is used, a good laboratory will make an assessment of the performance of that technique and, as a consequence, of the workers using the assay. This assessment should be such that both immediate and longer-term problems are seen. Some of what follows is specific to immunoassays and some is more general.
School Science Stories and a Strategy of Action for Cultural Transformation

This methodology is underpinned by the notion of culture as a weave of practice and symbol systems in which users of culture share a semiotic field. You might assume that a shared understanding of symbol systems would result in a thickly coherent culture. Although actors understand the symbol systems that help constitute a culture, they do not use these systems in the same way and what emerges is thin cultural coherence and contested boundaries (Sewell, 1999). ‘What are taken as the certainties or truths of texts or discourse are in fact disputable and unstable’, (Sewell, 1999, p. 50). Inconsistencies and contradictions must be a factor within the culture when interaction between symbol systems and practices is not causal. Therefore within cultures such as science and school science, different texts can be represented. These texts can serve to constitute resources. Resources frame cultural structures upon which practices are enacted and which enact practices.