cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Carboxyl-Half of the Rotavirus Nonstructural Protein NS53 (NSP1) Is Not Required for Virus Replication

The rotavirus nonstructural protein NS53 (NSVP1), the product of genome segment 5, possesses RNA-binding activity and contains a highly conserved cysteine-rich motif located in the amino-terminal half of the protein. The genome of the bovine rotavirus variant, brvA, lacks a normal segment 5 but includes a novel dsRNA (gene A) of approximately 2600 basepairs (bp) that contains segment 5-specific sequences (F. Hundley, B. Biryahwaho, M. Gow, and U. Desselberger, Virology 143, 88-103, 1985). To gain information about the nature of the rearrangement in gene A and its capacity to encode a protein product, we prepared and sequenced complementary (c)DNA of the gene A RNA. The results showed that gene A is 2693 bp in size and contains a head-to-tail duplication of 1112 bp that originates from the open reading frame (ORF) of gene 5. The duplication begins at nucleotide (nt) 1454, which is 53 nt upstream from the end of the ORF for NS53. Gene A contains a point mutation at nt 808 which results in the presence of a nonsense codon near the middle of the ORF for NS53. Thus the predicted product of gene A is a truncated NS53 of 258 amino acids (aa) (31 kDa), approximately one-half the size of the authentic 491-aa NS53 (58 kDa). Examination of lysates from brvA-infected cells by Western blot assay using an NS53-specific antibody confirmed that the variant encodes only a truncated gene 5 product. Despite the truncation, analysis of the gene A product suggested that it, like full-length NS53, accumulated in association with the cytoskeleton of the infected cell, thus providing evidence that the subcellular localization signal in NS53 resides in the amino terminal half of the protein. Given that brvA is a viable, nondefective mutant, these results demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal 233 aa of NS53 are not required for rotavirus replication in vitro.
Chemical etching of deformation sub-structures in quartz

Chemical etching of dislocations has been studied in natural and synthetic quartz single crystals, in deformed synthetic quartz and in naturally and experimentally deformed quartzites. The ability of different etchants to produce polished or preferentially etched surfaces on quartz is described. Dislocation etching was achieved on all crystal planes examined by using a saturated solution of ammonium bifluoride as the etchant. Appropriate etching times were determined for etching quartzites for grain size, subgrain boundaries, deformation lamellae, dislocations and twins. Growth and polished surfaces of synthetic single crystal quartz were similarly etched and dislocation etch pits, characteristic of various orientations were found. The use of ammonium bifluoride proved to be expecially advantageous for the basal plane, producing a polished surface with etch pits, suitable for dislocation etch pit counting. “Double” etch pits have been found on Dauphine twin boundaries on the basal plane and the first order prism, using this etchant. Slip lines and deformation bands were suitably etched on deformed synthetic crystal surfaces for identification of the slip planes. Other acidic etchants have been explored and their application to the study of deformation structures in quartz crystals is discussed.
Origin of organic matter in early solar system. VI - Catalytic synthesis of nitriles, nitrogen bases and porphyrin-like pigments.

A variety of nitrogen compounds have been synthesized by a static Fischer-Tropsch type reaction from CO, D2 and ND3, with Ni-Fe and Al2O3 catalysts. In this reaction, the gas is heated to 500-700 C for about 0.5 hr, and then cycled through lower temperatures (100-400 C) for 1-14 days. Products were analyzed by mass spectrometry in conjunction with gas chromatography and other chromatographic techniques. Compounds produced include alkyl cyanides, pyrroles, porphyrin-like compounds, guanidines, hydantoin, uracil and its derivatives, thymine, adenine, guanine, xanthine, melamine, as well as alkanes, alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Such reactions may have been involved in the production of interstellar molecules, organic compounds in meteorites, and prebiotic organic matter on planets.
Thirty-year experience with repair of pectus deformities in adults.

Abstract Background A plethora of studies have described repair of pectus deformities in children, but only few reports have described this repair in adults. The purpose of this study was to review our 30-year experience with surgical repair of pectus deformities in adults. Methods A retrospective review of all adult patients (> 16 years old) who underwent repair of congenital pectus deformities from 1971 through 2001. Results There were 77 patients, 64 men and 13 women. Sixty-eight patients underwent surgery for pectus excavatum and 9 for pectus carinatum; median age was 22 years old (range, 16 to 68 years old). Indication for repair was medical concerns in all patients. Preoperative symptoms were dyspnea on exertion in 43 patients, shortness of breath at rest in 22 patients, chest pain in 8 patients, and palpitations in 8 patients. Preoperative electrocardiogram findings included right bundle branch block in 9 patients, sinus bradycardia in 8 patients, left atrial enlargement in 6 patients, and right atrial dilatation in 5 patients. Patterns of the pectus defect were symmetric and localized in 29 patients, symmetric and diffuse in 21, asymmetric and localized in 18, and asymmetric and diffuse in 9 patients. Intraoperative classifications were severe in 38 patients, moderate in 33 patients, and mild in 6 patients. There were no operative deaths. Complications occurred in 11 patients (14.3%). Mean hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2 to 8 days). Mean follow-up was 12 ± 7 years (range, 4 months old to 24 years old); 1 patient (1.3%) required reoperation for recurrent pectus excavatum. Patient satisfaction and relief of medical symptoms was excellent in 70 patients (90.9%), good in 6 patients, and fair in 1 patient. Conclusions Repair of congenital defects of the sternum in adults can be performed safely with low morbidity and no mortality. Long-term results are excellent with requirement for reoperation rare.
Are Anxiety and Depression Just as Stable as Personality During Late Adolescence? Results From a Three-Year Longitudinal Latent Variable Study

Although considerable evidence shows that affective symptoms and personality traits demonstrate moderate to high relative stabilities during adolescence and early adulthood, there has been little work done to examine differential stability among these constructs or to study the manner in which the stability of these constructs is expressed. The present study used a three-year longitudinal design in an adolescent/young adult sample to examine the stability of depression symptoms, social phobia symptoms, specific phobia symptoms, neuroticism, and extraversion. When considering one-, two-, and three-year durations, anxiety and personality stabilities were generally similar and typically greater than the stability of depression. Comparison of various representations of a latent variable trait-state-occasion (TSO) model revealed that whereas the full TSO model was the best representation for depression, a trait stability model was the most parsimonious of the best-fitting models for the anxiety and personality constructs. Over three years, the percentages of variance explained by the trait component for the anxiety and personality constructs (73– 84%) were significantly greater than that explained by the trait component for depression (46%). These findings indicate that symptoms of depression are more episodic in nature, whereas symptoms of anxiety are more similar to personality variables in their expression of stability.
Simulator Study of Primary and Precipitating Factors in Work Zone Crashes

Research with a driving simulator was conducted to determine the impact of various primary and precipitating factors on work zone crashes and associated driver performance. The primary factors included in the study were roadway type (undivided and divided), traffic density (low, moderate, and high), and work zone type (lane closure and shoulder closure). Precipitating factors included elements that caused the driver behavior or the environment to change and initiate the potential for a crash, near crash, or incident. Twelve precipitating factors were investigated; all could be described as involving either a stopped or slow vehicle in the travel lane or an object in the roadway. Forty-five participants were exposed to 24 different work zone configurations for which performance measures of crash frequency, speed, lane deviation, and deceleration data were collected. The performance measures were used to determine the most hazardous work zone configurations. Neither the level of traffic density for mean spe...
Characteristics of Children Eligible for Public Health Insurance but Uninsured: Data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health

To describe the state variation, demographic and family characteristics of children eligible for public health insurance but uninsured. Using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health we selected a subset of children living in households with incomes <200 % of the federal poverty level, who are generally eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. We used multiple logistic regression to examine associations between insurance status among this group of eligible children and certain demographic factors, family characteristics, and state of residence. In adjusted models children aged 6–11 and 12–17 years were more likely to be eligible but uninsured compared to those aged 0–5 years (AOR 1.57; 95 % CI 1.15–2.16 and AOR 1.93; 95 % CI 1.41–2.64). Children who received school lunch (AOR 0.67; 95 % CI 0.52–0.86) and SNAP (AOR 0.33; 95 % CI 0.24–0.46) were less likely to be eligible but uninsured compared to those children not receiving those needs based services; however, a majority (58.7 %) of eligible uninsured children were enrolled in the school lunch program. Five states (Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, New York) accounted for 46 % of the eligible uninsured children. Vermont had the lowest adjusted estimate of eligible uninsured children (3.6 %) and Nevada had the highest adjusted estimate (35.5 %). Using nationally representative data we have identified specific state differences, demographic and household characteristics that could help guide federal and local initiatives to improve public health insurance enrollment for children who are eligible but uninsured.
Crystallization behavior of coal gasification ash

Large-scale commercialization of coal gasification would result in large volumes of ash or slag requiring disposal. Burial of ash or slag raises environmental concerns because of the possible leachability of harmful trace elements into groundwater. In this study, Hygas ash was melted as a means of reducing the volume for disposal. The crystallization behavior of melted ash (slag) and other slags modified to lower the melting temperatures was determined. The principal constituents of Hygas ash were Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, SiO/sub 2/, and Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with low alkali and alkaline earth content and small concentrations of other elements. This material melted at 1400/sup 0/C and recrystallized by rejection of iron oxides from a silicate glass. Increasing the Na/sub 2/O content to 37 wt% resulted in a totally glassy structure and a lowering of the melting temperature to about 850/sub 0/C. Limited leaching tests indicated that the leachability of melted Hygas ash and modified slags increased substantially with increasing Na/sub 2/O content. 8 references, 5 figures, 4 tables.
Quantum wells of InAs between AlSb

Quantum wells consisting of a single InAs layer confined between two AlSb layers were made. and they exhibited characteristic two-dimensional electron behavior from magneto-transport measurements. Unexpectedly, the electrons appeared to be predominantly extrinsic in nature. unlike the situation in the InAs-GaSb system.
Neurofibroma-associated growth factors activate a distinct signaling network to alter the function of neurofibromin-deficient endothelial cells

Genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes initiates human cancers. However, interaction of accessory cells with the tumor-initiating cell within the microenvironment is often required for tumor progression. This paradigm is relevant to understanding neurofibroma development in neurofibromatosis type I patients. Somatic inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes neurofibromin, is necessary but not sufficient to initiate neurofibroma development. In contrast, neurofibromas occur with high penetrance in mice in which Nf1 is ablated in Schwann cells in the context of a heterozygous mutant (Nf1+/-) microenvironment. Neurofibromas are highly vascularized, and recent studies suggest that Nf1+/- mice have increased angiogenesis in vivo. However, the function of neurofibromin in human endothelial cells (ECs) and the biochemical mechanism by which neurofibromin regulates neoangiogenesis are not known. Utilizing Nf1+/- mice, primary human ECs and endothelial progenitor cells harvested from NF1 patients, we identified a discrete Ras effector pathway, which alters the proliferation and migration of neurofibromin-deficient ECs in response to neurofibroma-derived growth factors both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these studies identify a unique biochemical pathway in Nf1+/- ECs as a potential therapeutic target in the neurofibroma microenvironment.
Nurse practitioner coding practices in primary care: a retrospective chart review

Purpose To describe the coding and documentation practices of nurse practitioners (NPs) when using evaluation and management (E & M) codes in an academic primary care center. Data Sources A randomized retrospective review of ten charts from a nurse-managed primary care clinic affiliated with a midwestern research-intensive university. Conclusuion The findings demonstrate that the documentation in the chart for six of the ten client encounters did not support the E & M codes assigned by the clinicis NPs. Four of these six client encounters were overcoded; the remaining two encounters were undercoded. Implications for Practice Findings of this study support the need for additional education of NPs in the areas of coding and documentation.
MEMS true-time delay circuit for broadband antennas

A monolithic true-time delay (TTD) circuit based on metal-contact RF MEMS microrelays has been successfully fabricated and characterized. The TTD circuit was designed to produce flat delay time over a DC-to-40 GHz bandwidth with full 360-degree phase control at 22.5-degree intervals at 10.8 GHz. Measurements show a close match to the designed delay times for all sixteen delay states with 2.2 to 2.6 dB of insertion loss at 10 GHz. The worst group delay ripple in the DC-to-30 GHz range was 3 ps, well within the single bit delay time of 5.8 ps.
Controlled microtubules transport on patterned non-fouling surfaces

Described is a lithographic technique used to realize high resolution tracks of the motor protein kinesin inside flow cells. The process consists of patterns of plasma polymerized PEG-like non-fouling coating on a fouling glass substrate. When in contact with a coated surface, proteins adhere exclusively to the fouling areas, thus forming kinesin tracks suited for microtubule guidance. Parallel transport along smooth kinesin track was observed for over 250 /spl mu/m. A method has been developed to seal the substrates with molded silicon flow channels in order to allow convenient control of reagent introduction and immobilization processes. Complete kinesin and BSA immobilization protocols, comprised of initial rinse, protein introduction, immobilization and final rinse have been successfully demonstrated.
Examining the Long-Term Impact of Achievement Loss During the Transition to High School

Research shows that prior academic achievement is a strong predictor of future academic performance. For some students, the transition from one educational environment to another is associated with academic challenges and achievement loss. This study examined the extent to which achievement loss during the transition from middle school to high school later impacted college outcomes. Using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study 1988/2000 (NELS: 88/2000), the results from a logistic regression analysis suggest that high-achieving middle school students who experienced achievement loss were more likely to leave their first college than high-achieving students who did not experience achievement loss.
The Numerical Reliability of Econometric Software

Numerous examples show that some econometric software packages contain serious flaws, and that users cannot safely assume that their software is accurate. A brief survey of the fundamentals of computer arithmetic discusses the sources of numerical error and emphasizes that computer arithmetic is not at all like pencil-and-paper arithmetic. Both users and developers of econometrics software should first pay attention to accuracy, and only later consider user-friendliness. Details are provided for assessing the accuracy of basic estimation routines, statistical distributions, and random number generators. More accuracy benchmarks are needed, especially for specialized econometric procedures.
Circle-Criterion Observers and Their Feedback Applications: An Overview

This chapter gives an overview of the “circle-criterion” design of nonlinear observers, initiated and further developed by the author in a series of papers. It summarizes these results in a concise and unified manner and illustrates them with physically motivated design examples from fuel cell power systems, ship control, and active magnetic bearing systems.
Pricing continuously resettled contingent claims

Abstract This paper is a study of continuously resettled contingent claims prices in a stochastic economy. As special cases, the relationship between futures and forward prices is analyzed, and a preference-free expression is derived for these prices, as well as the price of a continuously resettled futures option, whose formula differs from Black's futures option pricing formula due to the effects of marking-to-market the changes in the futures option premium.
Autonomic computing: Architectural approach and prototype

The goal of autonomic computing is to reduce the complexity and cost of large-scale computing systems by endowing them with the ability to manage themselves in accordance with high-level objectives specified by humans. This paper presents an architectural approach to autonomic computing that is compatible with service-oriented and agent-oriented architectures, and is based upon interactions among system components that we call self-managing resources. This paper recommends, and in some cases requires, specific behaviors and interfaces for self-managing resources, and discusses how interactions and relationships among them are established. Furthermore, it recommends several design patterns that engender the desired system-level properties of self-configuration, self-optimization, self-healing and self-protection. It explores and validates these architectural principles with a prototype autonomic data center called Unity. In the context of the Unity prototype, the paper demonstrates the efficacy of several design patterns, including a self-optimization design pattern that employs utility functions as a form of high-level objective, a self-configuration design pattern for goal-driven self assembly, and a self-healing design pattern that employs sentinels and a simple cluster re-generation strategy.
The Effect of Televising Legislatures on Elections: The Case of U.S. State Legislatures

The analytical framework in Chapter 3 predicts that televised sessions will not be a blessing to all incumbents. Those from homogeneous constituencies will be the likely beneficiaries, while incumbents from heterogeneous constituencies will suffer from the increased exposure. This chapter takes these implications from the purely theoretical stage and examines them in light of data from actual televised legislatures. The most obvious competing hypothesis is that televised sessions simply provide another barrier to entry into politics. If our prediction is correct, the data should indicate a systematic correlation between constituent diversity, televised sessions, and incumbent victory rates. The alternative hypothesis predicts only that incumbent victory rates will be increased by legislative television.
Extreme adaptive optics using an off-axis subaperture on a ground-based telescope

ABSTRACT The next generation of adaptive optics (AO) systems, often referred to as extreme adaptive optics (ExAO), will use higher numbers of actuators to achieve wavefront correction levels below 100 nm, and so enable a host of new observations such as high-contrast coronagraphy. However, the number of potential coronagraph types is increasing rapidly, and selection of the most advantageous coronagraph is subject to many factors. Here it is pointed out that experiments in the ExAO regime can already be carried out with existing hardware, by using a well-corrected subaperture on an existing telescope. For example, by magnifying a 1.5 m diameter off-axis subaperture onto the AO systems deformable mirror (DM) on the Palomar Hale telescope, we have recently achieved stellar Strehl ratios as high as 92% to 94%, corresponding to wavefront errors of 85 - 100 nm. Using this approach, a wide variety of ExaO experiments can thus be carried out well before next genera tion ExAO systems are deployed on large telescopes. The potential experiments include infrared ExAO imaging and performance optimization, a comparison of coronagraphic approaches in the ExAO regime, visi ble wavelength AO, and predictive AO. Keywords: Extreme adaptive optics
UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework: Atlas based fiber tract analysis with application to a study of nicotine smoking addiction

Purpose: The UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework represents a coherent, open source, atlas fiber tract based DTI analysis framework that addresses the lack of a standardized fiber tract based DTI analysis workflow in the field. Most steps utilize graphical user interfaces (GUI) to simplify interaction and provide an extensive DTI analysis framework for non-technical researchers/investigators. Data: We illustrate the use of our framework on a 54 directional DWI neuroimaging study contrasting 15 Smokers and 14 Controls. Method(s): At the heart of the framework is a set of tools anchored around the multi-purpose image analysis platform 3D-Slicer. Several workflow steps are handled via external modules called from Slicer in order to provide an integrated approach. Our workflow starts with conversion from DICOM, followed by thorough automatic and interactive quality control (QC), which is a must for a good DTI study. Our framework is centered around a DTI atlas that is either provided as a template or computed directly as an unbiased average atlas from the study data via deformable atlas building. Fiber tracts are defined via interactive tractography and clustering on that atlas. DTI fiber profiles are extracted automatically using the atlas mapping information. These tract parameter profiles are then analyzed using our statistics toolbox (FADTTS). The statistical results are then mapped back on to the fiber bundles and visualized with 3D Slicer. Results: This framework provides a coherent set of tools for DTI quality control and analysis. Conclusions: This framework will provide the field with a uniform process for DTI quality control and analysis.
Limits of complete holomorphic vector fields

Recently Buzzard and Fornaess answered the question, raised in [8], as to whether there exist holomorphic vector fields on C for n ≥ 2 which can not be approximated by complete holomorphic vector fields. They showed for instance that the quadratic vector field on C, V (z, w) = z(z−1) ∂ ∂z −w ∂ ∂w , is not a limit of complete holomorphic fields; the same is true for the field z ∂ ∂z on C 2 (private communication, January 1995). Their method proves that the set of complete holomorphic vector fields is nowhere dense in the set of all entire vector fields on C, in the topology of uniform convergence on compact sets. It was clear from the results of [8] that most Hamiltonian holomorphic vector fields can not be approximated by complete Hamiltonian fields. This phenomenon is in strong contrast with the situation for smooth vector fields which can always be made complete by a modification supported outside a given compact set in M . In this article we obtain qualitative information on the fundamental domain in complex time of those holomorphic vector fields V on a Stein manifold M which are limits of complete fields (Theorem 1.1). We apply this to show that several specific types of vector fields on C are not limits of complete fields (uniformly on compacts).
Social cognition in members of conflict groups: behavioural and neural responses in Arabs, Israelis and South Americans to each other's misfortunes

In contexts of cultural conflict, people delegitimize the other group's perspective and lose compassion for the other group's suffering. These psychological biases have been empirically characterized in intergroup settings, but rarely in groups involved in active conflict. Similarly, the basic brain networks involved in recognizing others' narratives and misfortunes have been identified, but how these brain networks are modulated by intergroup conflict is largely untested. In the present study, we examined behavioural and neural responses in Arab, Israeli and South American participants while they considered the pain and suffering of individuals from each group. Arabs and Israelis reported feeling significantly less compassion for each other's pain and suffering (the ‘conflict outgroup’), but did not show an ingroup bias relative to South Americans (the ‘distant outgroup’). In contrast, the brain regions that respond to others' tragedies showed an ingroup bias relative to the distant outgroup but not the conflict outgroup, particularly for descriptions of emotional suffering. Over all, neural responses to conflict group members were qualitatively different from neural responses to distant group members. This is the first neuroimaging study to examine brain responses to others' suffering across both distant and conflict groups, and provides a first step towards building a foundation for the biological basis of conflict.
Short-term dynamics of an acacia ant community in Laikipia, Kenya.

In monospecific stands of Acacia drepanolobium in Laikipia, Kenya, virtually all but the smallest trees are occupied by one of four species of ants. Although trees are a limiting resource, all four ant species are main- tained in this system. Three separate lines of evidence confirm a linear dominance hierarchy among these four ants: (1) experimentally staged conflicts, (2) natural tran- sitions among 1773 tagged trees over a 6-month period, and (3) the average sizes of trees occupied by ants of dif- ferent species. Short-term dynamics during a drying peri- od reveal that many smaller trees ( 1 m), changes in ant occupation congruent with the dominance hierarchy (i.e., transitions from more sub- ordinate ant species to more dominant ant species) occurred on trees that grew faster than average. In con- trast, the (less frequent) changes in ant occupation "against" the direction of the dominance hierarchy occurred on trees that grew more slowly than average. Observed correlations between tree vigor and takeover direction suggest that colony growth of dominant ant species is either favored in more productive microhabi- tats, or that such colonies differentially seek out healthier trees for conquest. Colonies of dominant species may differentially abandon more slowly growing trees during (dry) periods of retrenchment, or suffer higher mortality on these trees. Subordinate ant species appear to move onto these abandoned trees and, to a lesser extent, colo- nize new recruits in the sapling class. These data reveal that within a simple linear dominance hierarchy, short- term variations exist that may reveal underlying mecha- nisms associated with coexistence.
Larval Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Mortality After Topical Application of Antibiotics and Dusts

Beekeepers apply various dusts to honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies to dislodge parasitic mites and control bacterial brood diseases. Anecdotal reports by beekeepers indicate that the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) can be toxic when applied in powdered sugar to cells containing immature bee brood, but it was not known whether the purported toxicity is caused by the antibiotic or the sugar carrier. Additionally, the toxicity of various dusts, proposed for parasitic mite control, is poorly known. In the current studies, we tested OTC and two other antibiotics (tylosin and lincomycin, candidate compounds for use in honey bee colonies) in a powdered sugar carrier for larval toxicity. We also tested for larval toxicity, several dusts that have been proposed for mite control. OTC caused significant brood mortality of ≈80% at the concentrations used in the hive (200 mg in 20 g sugar). In contrast, tylosin and lincomycin at the 200 mg dose were both similar to untreated controls, and only five times that concentration (1000 mg) caused significant brood mortality of ≈65%. The addition of dusts, wheat flour, talc, and a commercially available protein supplement, BeePro, resulted in mortality levels between 65 and 80%, similar to that seen with OTC. The common antibiotic carrier, powered confectioners sugar, was nontoxic. The use of 100 unsealed brood cells was demonstrated to be a reliable means of assessing potential adverse affects of dry compounds on larval honey bees. Two new candidate antibiotics for use in honey bee colonies were less toxic to larval bees than the currently labeled antibiotic, OTC.
Topology in Biology: From DNA Mechanics to Enzymology

The focus of this contribution is on biological applications of topology to the study of DNA structure and to understanding protein–DNA interactions that involve alterations of DNA topology. We review basic aspects of DNA structure and the tertiary organization of circular DNA by supercoiling, knotting, and catenation (linking). This is followed by a review of our current understanding of the topology of chromosomal DNA. Finally, we discuss some topological and structural aspects of DNA site-specific recombination by the yeast enzyme FLP.
Abstract WMP36: The Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Mediates Cerebrolysin-Improved Neurological Functions after Stroke

Cerebrolysin, a mixture of neurotrophic peptides, enhances neurogenesis in experimental neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway stimulates neurogenesis after s...
Psychotic disorders cause the greatest mortality disparity among mental disorders, though more deaths are attributable overall to mood and anxiety disorders

ABSTRACT FROM: Walker ER, McGee RE, Druss BG. Mortality in mental disorders and global disease burden implications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2015;72:334–41. It is of great concern to clinicians, patients and policymakers internationally that individuals with mental disorders experiencing worse overall health and earlier death than those without these disorders. The difference in populations studied and methods used has produced substantial variability in estimates of mortality ratios and years of life lost in those with mental disorders. For example, one study1 in the USA estimates years of life lost at about 30 years in people with mental disorders compared to those without these problems, while other studies2 have indicated smaller differences. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined mortality risk among people with psychiatric conditions and differences in risk by cause of death, diagnosis and study characteristics. Data sources included EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO …
Responses of Essential Fatty Acid-Deficient Rats to Fasting-Refeeding and Partial Hepatectomy

SummaryEssential fatty acid-deficient rats were subjected to fasting-refeeding or partial hepatectomy to stimulate liver phos-pholipid and membrane formation under conditions of limited essential fatty acid (EFA) supply. Refeeding after fasting decreased the proportion of arachidonate in liver phospholipid fatty acids only slightly, i.e., from 6.8% in nonfasted rats to 5.3% after 3 or 7 days of refeeding, whereas ei-cosatrienoate decreased from 19.8% in nonfasted rats to 13.0% after 3 days of refeeding, with a return to nonfasted levels after 7 days. Activities of liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthetase in fasted-refed EFA-deficient rats did not differ significantly from values in deficient rats fed ad libitum. Considerable increase in liver weight (ca. 3-8 g or at least 50% of the estimated preoperative weight) occurred after partial hepatectomy of EFA-deficient rats. The proportion of arachidon-ate in phospholipid fatty acids was slightly lower after hepatectomy than before.The...
Higher Order Accurate Procedures to Compare Two Normal Populations

A classical statistical problem is the comparison of two normal samples with an emphasis on inference about the difference of their means. When both variances are unknown, this is the notorious Behrens–Fisher problem; however in some applications one sample’s variance can be considered as given. Closed-form confidence intervals for the difference between two means are derived in both cases. These easily computable procedures are based on modern higher-order asymptotic statistical methods and are quite accurate.
All-fiber mode multiplexers

We discuss the development of all-fiber photonic lantern mode multiplexers for space division multiplexing. Fiber mode multiplexers offer great potential for high capacity transmission systems thanks to their low-loss, broad bandwidth and superb mode scalability.
Failure to engraft after bone marrow transplantation: bone marrow morphologic findings.

Few studies have explored bone marrow findings in patients with graft failure or delayed engraftment after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The authors retrospectively identified 4 patients of 165 transplant recipients who underwent bone marrow examination after BMT because peripheral blood counts had not recovered to expected levels. All patients were women who were 21- to 49-years old (mean 37 years). Three patients underwent autologous BMT; the fourth received peripheral stem cell infusion. Transplants were performed for treatment of Hodgkin’s disease, breast carcinoma, and follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma. Three patients received GM-CSF after marrow infusion. The time between transplant and biopsy ranged from 19 to 40 days (mean 22 days). White cell counts ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 × 109/L, hematocrits from .25 to .41, and platelet counts from 10 × 109/L to 39 × 109/L. Aspirate smears were markedly hypocellular in all cases, and contained primarily stromal cells. Clot sections and core biopsies were markedly hypocellular, and all contained histiocytes with foamy eosinophilic cytoplasm diffusely throughout the biopsy. Acid-fast and Gomori’s methenamine-silver (GMS) stains were negative. Serous fat atrophy and marrow fibrosis were not seen. Delayed engraftment after BMT may be associated with a profuse histiocytic proliferation similar to that seen in immunodeficiency, some hematologic disorders, and storage diseases.
Ethnographic History of Oromo Folklore Study Cushitic Oromo Nation: Ethiopia, Northeast Africa (Part I)

The aim of this study is to explore the ethnographic history of the study of Oromo folklore based mainly on secondary sources from early Oromo ethnology, philology, folklore collection, and travel writings. Thus, this study has two objectives: first, to reconsider the historical background of Oromo folklore research and ethnographic undertakings so as to offer a critical history of Oromo folklore study; and second, using a historical and literary approach, to analyze individual (and group) folklore research endeavors in Northeast Africa in order to connect those early developments with the current trend of Oromo folklore scholarship. I will do this in two parts. Examination of the history of Oromo folklore scholarship shows that initially the preoccupation was with collection and documentation: The archival collections in Sandra Shell’s PhD research project on Oromo Diaspora Narratives at Lovedale are useful sources of a broader study of the history of Oromo folklore scholarship. Alice Werner did substantial folklore collection and ethnology of the Oromo of East Africa (1913-1915), and the Italian scholar, Enrico Cerulli, published the first large-scale Oromo folklore study in 1922. The Oromo folklore collection and documentation begun in the nineteenth century at Munkullo, Eritrea, also play a pivotal role in the intellectual history of Oromo folklore scholarship. The study concludes that those early collections and documentations set ground not only for understanding the intellectual history of Oromo folklore study but also history of Oromo lexicography, (bible) translation, and literary history.
Effect of Neonatal Seizures on Cognitive Outcome of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

The independent effect of clinical neonatal seizures and their treatment on longterm neurodevelopmental outcome in 77 term newborns at risk for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was determined in a study at University of California San Francisco.
Kinesio taping for chronic low back pain: A systematic review.

Summary Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent issue that engenders enormous social and economic burdens. Recently, kinesio taping (KT) has become of interest in the management of chronic pain. Accordingly, this is the first systematic review to explicitly report the effects of KT on CLBP. Objective The aim of this review was to summarize the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of KT on CLBP. Methods A search was performed on the electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORT Discus and Science Direct, up to June 17, 2015, using the following keywords: Kinesiology taping, kinesio taping, chronic low back pain. Results In total, five studies involving 306 subjects met the inclusion criteria and corresponded to the aim of this review. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was good, with a mean score of 6.6 on the 10-point PEDro Scale. Moderate evidence suggests KT, as a sole treatment or in conjunction with another treatment, is no more effective than conventional physical therapy and exercise with respect to improving pain and disability outcomes. There is insufficient evidence suggesting that KT is superior to sham taping in improving pain and disability. Limited evidence suggests that KT is more effective than sham taping in improving range of motion (ROM) and global perceived effect (GPE) in the short term. Very limited evidence indicates that KT is more effective than conventional physical therapy in improving anticipatory postural control of the transversus abdominus muscles and improved cerebral cortex potential. Conclusion Kinesio taping is not a substitute for traditional physical therapy or exercise. Rather, KT may be most effective when used as an adjunctive therapy, perhaps by improving ROM, muscular endurance and motor control. More high quality studies that consider the multiple factors that mediate CLBP, in the short, intermediate and long term, are needed to strengthen the evidence of the effectiveness of KT on CLBP. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42015023837
"Immunization mobile" brings protection to children in southeastern Idaho.

The problem that needs to be addressed is the 58 percent immunity level among 2-year-olds in southeastern Idaho, a level created by the indifference or fear of parents. Southeastern Idaho has the highest birth rate of any region in the State, and this situation has created a large group of children susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. The mobile unit, which consists of a specially equipped motor home, allows easy access to immunizations for groups of children and their parents. A search of the computerized record system installed in the mobile unit can provide data on past immunizations for each registered child. The target audience for the mobile unit's visits is church groups because of the particular cultural demographics of this region. In 1987, the District Seven Health Department, a State- and county-funded agency, expects to increase the number of doses of vaccine given by 3,000 over the 19,953 given in 1986. The "Shots for Tots" program is unique in the State of Idaho. Its expansion may be anticipated as the unit becomes better known in the region. The alternative to using aggressive, innovative techniques to motivate people to become immunized is disease.
Usage of Smartphone Applications: A Descriptive Study of Top 100 U.S. Retailers

The study investigated how top 100 U.S. retailers use their smartphone applications. Based on the literature, the study found five major functions of smartphone applications: content delivery, transaction, promotion, location service, and entertainment. Descriptive and frequency analyses revealed actual usage of the five functions among the top 100 U.S. retailers. Detailed implications for marketers were discussed based on the findings.
In vivo transcranial cavitation detection during ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been shown capable being opened noninvasively through the combined application of focused ultrasound (FUS) and microbubbles. In order to better identify the underlying mechanism responsible for BBB opening as well as associated safety, the in vivo noninvasive and transcranial cavitation detection associated with FUS-induced BBB opening was studied. A cylindrically focused hydrophone, confocal with the FUS transducer, was used as a passive cavitation detector (PCD) to identify the threshold of inertial cavitation (IC) in the presence of Definity® microbubbles. After Definity® were injected intravenously, pulsed FUS was applied (frequency: 1.525 and 1.5 MHz, peak-negative pressure: 0.15–0.60 MPa, duty cycle: 20%, PRF: 10 Hz, duration: 1 min with 30s interval) on the right hippocampus in twenty-six mice in vivo through their intact scalp and skull. T1-weighted MRI was used to verify the BBB opening. A spectrogram was generated at each pressure in order to detect the inertial cavitation onset and duration. The bubble behavior was shown detectable in vivo through the intact scalp and skull. We demonstrated that: 1) the inertial cavitation response could be detected transcranially during BBB opening; 2) the inertial cavitation pressure threshold lied at 0.45 MPa but the BBB was opened at 0.30 MPa so the BBB can be opened without requiring inertial cavitation; 3) the BBB could be opened without any cellular damage.
Consequences of Convexity

In this chapter, we wish to explore the geometric aspects of the Hahn–Banach Theorem. The crucial property, it turns out, is local convexity. We will first recall some notions from general topology and then introduce the concept of a topological vector space. These spaces, which include Banach spaces, are sufficiently complex that we can say something interesting about their structure. Banach spaces are topological vector spaces where the topology is determined by a complete norm, and in this chapter we will get some idea of how they fit into a more general topological framework.
Blocking Adhesion of Sickle Erythrocytes to Endothelial αVβ3 Using RNA Aptamer.

Abstract Vaso-occlusive crises are a major clinical feature of sickle cell disease (SCD), and the adhesion of sickle erythrocytes (SS-RBC) to vascular endothelium is crucial to the generation of vaso-occlusion. The αvβ3 integrin is a major endothelial ligand for SS-RBC. Soluble thrombospondin has been thought to serve as a bridging molecule between erythrocyte CD36 and endothelial αvβ3, and high-molecular-weight multimers of von Willebrand factor also promote SS-RBC adhesion to endothelial αvβ3. Our group recently identified SS-RBC adhesion to endothelium via ICAM-4 (LW, CD242)-αvβ3 interactions (Blood , 104, 3774, 2004), suggesting that αvβ3 is a critical target against which to develop reagents to prevent or treat vaso-occlusive crises in SCD. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that bind to molecular targets in a manner conceptually similar to antibodies and have been identified against a wide range of therapeutic targets. RNA aptamers that bind to human integrin αIIbβ3/αvβ3 and inhibit integrin binding to the ligands vitronectin and fibrinogen have previously been identified (Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 338, 956, 2005). We have now tested one of these high-affinity αvβ3 aptamers (clone 17.16: UUCAACGCUGUGAAGGGCUUAUACGAGCGGAUUACCC) for its ability to prevent adhesion of SS-RBC to endothelial cells. Aptamer clone 17.16 bound αIIbβ3 with a Kd of 7–10nM, and the binding was blocked by both Abciximab, a monoclonal antibody against human integrin αIIbβ3/αvβ3 via a common binding motif RGD (arginine-glycine-aspardic acid), and Eptifibatide, a small molecule that binds to the RGD moiety, suggesting the sharing of the binding site at the RGD moiety. To measure its anti-adhesion activity, an in vitro flow chamber assay was adopted. We first induced enhanced expression of αvβ3 on the immortalized HUVEC cell line EC-RF24, using each of the following: TNF-α (10ng/mL for 18.5 hrs at 37°C), thrombin (1nM for 5 min at 37°C), or histamine (25mM for 12 min at RT), and αvβ3 expression by treated and nontreated cells was measured by flow cytometry. The anti-adhesion activity of aptamer clone 17.16 was then confirmed using HUVECs treated with thrombin (1nM for 5mins at 37°C) using a flow chamber assay. Aptamer clone 17.16 (30nM) had anti-adhesion activity similar to LM609, an inhibitory antibody to αvβ3, whereas human complement 8 aptamer (Blood , 106, 57a, 2005, negative control, 30nM) did not have anti-adhesion activity. The anti-adhesion activity of aptamer clone 17.16 (30nM) was enhanced by a dose escalation to 60nM and 120nM. At 2 dynes/cm2, maximal inhibition of adhesion was 57%. In conclusion, we observed significant anti-adhesion activity of αvβ3 aptamer clone 17.16, and it has currently reached a stage suitable for modification to enhance stability and bioavailability. In addition, in vivo experiments in mice will employ intravital microscopy to measure anti-adhesion activity in vivo. Download : Download high-res image (93KB) Download : Download full-size image
Performance and Ratings Based Measures of Executive Function in School-Aged Children with Down Syndrome

We examined performance-based laboratory tasks and ratings-based assessments of executive function (EF) in school-aged children with Down syndrome and mental-age matched peers along with adaptive f...