cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGAÇÃO DOS PRINCIPAIS MICRO-ORGANISMOS RESPONSÁVEIS POR INFECÇÕES NOSOCOMIAIS EM UTIs NEONATAIS: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

INTRODUCAO: Define-se Infeccao Nosocomial como aquela que ocorre apos a admissao do paciente na unidade hospitalar manifestando-se durante a internacao ou apos a alta. As IN sao uma das principais causas de mortalidade em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). A incidencia de IN varia de acordo com as caracteristicas de cada unidade de tratamento, a infraestrutura e os recursos humanos, bem como dos metodos utilizados para prevencao e diagnosticos disponiveis nessas unidades. Aproximadamente 1/3 de todas as IN sao preveniveis pela adocao de medidas simples de lavagem correta das maos pelos profissionais de saude. OBJETIVOS: Verificar os principais micro-organismos causadores destas infeccoes em hospitais brasileiros no periodo compreendido entre 2000 a 2015, bem como identificar as principais vias de infeccao descritas. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de um estudo de revisao integrativa, por meio de levantamento bibliografico e atraves da analise dos resultados. Os dados foram coletados nas bases eletronicas Biblioteca Virtual de Saude (BVS), SciELO, LILACS e BIREME. A principio foram encontrados 37 estudos, dos quais 10 foram selecionados. Os descritores utilizados foram: Infeccao Nosocomial, Infeccao hospitalar, UTIN, Estudo Epidemiologico, Prevalencia. RESULTADO E DISCUSSAO: Os principais micro-organismos causadores de IN em UTIN foram: Staphylococcus spp 11 (39,3%), Candida 5 (17,9%) e Klebsiella pneumoniae 3 (10,7 %). As vias de IN mais frequentes foram: Cateter venoso central (CVC) 8 (25,8%), Ventilacao mecânica (VM) 5 (16,2%), Intubacao orotraqueal, Cateterismo e Nutricao parenteral (NP) 4 (12,9%). CONCLUSAO: Os indices de infeccao em recem nascidos (RN) sao significativos em relacao morbimortalidade. A conscientizacao e a adocao de medidas preventivas aos profissionais de saude sao de estrema importância para evitar a disseminacao de IN em UTIN.
Theme-Based Book Review: Boundary Spanning

The present political and policy context is beset with boundaries. There is constant work available for those engaged in the demarcation of boundaries, the defense of borders real and figurative, a...
Politics as Exchange in the Byzantine Empire

Buchanan (1987) identifies Politics as Exchange as one of the key pillars of research program. Viewing politics through the lens of exchange focuses attention on what sorts of political bargains individuals and organized groups find both to their advantage and feasible. Politics as Exchange locates differences between policies in the different rules that condition and result from these bargains. This essay contrasts the Politics as Exchange approach with the recent literature on state capacity, which typically embodies a view that we dub Politics as Administration. While these two points of view are not mutually exclusive, we argue that Politics as Exchange may be more effective in explaining important changes in political economic systems. We illustrate the relationship between the two by examining the evolution of the Byzantine Empire during and after the reign of Basil II.
Patient acceptance and comparative value of three different methods of obtaining vaginal smears for the detection of carcinoma of the cervix.

Abstract This project was begun as a pilot study to determine the acceptability of a self-obtained vaginal smear program in patients of a low socioeconomic stratum as well as a comparison of the value of two different self-obtained smears, namely, the applicator smear and the tampon smear. This program was applied to the clinic population of the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn, which is situated on the fringe of a large area almost entirely composed of people in a rather low socioeconomic class and predominantly Negro. Very few of these people would ordinarily seek cancer screening. The applicator used has been presented previously and was suggested by Dr. Oppenheim of the Department of Health of New York City. The tampon, developed by Dr. Nieburgs, also has been presented before; it has a device which has been shown to secure the transfer of about 95 per cent of all cervical cellular material without the necessity of selecting any special area of the tampon.
Evaluating Whether a Module is Preserved in Another Network

In network applications, one is often interested in studying whether modules are preserved across multiple networks. For example, to determine whether a pathway of genes is perturbed in a certain condition, one can study whether its connectivity pattern is no longer preserved. Non-preserved modules can be either biologically uninteresting (e.g., reflecting data outliers) or interesting (e.g., reflecting species-specific modules). An intuitive approach for studying module preservation is to cross-tabulate module membership. But this approach often cannot address questions about the preservation of connectivity patterns between nodes. Thus, cross-tabulation-based approaches often fail to recognize that important aspects of a network module are preserved. Cross-tabulation methods make it difficult to argue that a module is not preserved. The weak statement (“the reference module does not overlap with any of the identified test set modules”) is less relevant in practice than the strong statement (“the module cannot be found in the test network irrespective of the parameter settings of the module detection procedure”). Network concepts allow one to determine whether a module is preserved and reproducible in another network. Module preservation statistics have important applications, e.g., the wiring of apoptosis genes in a human cortical network differs from that in chimpanzees. It is advantageous to aggregate multiple preservation statistics into summary preservation statistics, e.g., Zsummary and medianRank. Our applications show that the correlation structure underlying correlation networks facilitates the definition of particularly powerful module preservation statistics. Evaluating module preservation is in general different from evaluating cluster preservation. However, when modules are defined as clusters, then close relationships exist with cluster preservation statistics. This chapter describes results from a collaboration with Peter Langfelder et al. (Plos Comput Biol 7(1):e1001057, 2011).
Case 4: Fever, Vomiting, and Abdominal Pain in a 23-month-old Girl

1. Brenna Keane, DO* 2. Paul Whalen, MD*,† 1. *Carilion Children’s, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, VA 2. †Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA A previously healthy 23-month-old girl presents to the emergency department with a 1-week history of fever (maximum temperature, 104.6°F [40.3°C]), vomiting, and abdominal pain. Vomiting occurs 3 to 4 times daily, and emesis is described as nonbloody and nonbilious. Her parents report that the patient has also been intermittently crying out in pain, clutching her belly. Associated symptoms include fussiness, decreased oral intake, and decreased urine output. On initial physical examination the girl is sleeping. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37.0°C), heart rate is 137 beats/min, respiratory rate is 30 breaths/min, blood pressure is 104/69 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation is 100% on room air. She has dry lips, a mildly distended abdomen, and obvious facial grimacing (during sleep) with generalized …
Teaching Parallel Computing and Dependence Analysis with Python

Languages with a high level of abstraction, such as Python, are becoming popular among programmers and are being adopted as the primary programming language in pedagogy. A potential drawback of using such languages is that the architectural aspects, such as data layout in memory, get completely hidden. Therefore, the students have difficulty in understanding advanced computer science topics such as Parallel Computing. Computer architectures have evolved to allow multiple levels of parallelism. From mobile devices to supercomputers, a lot of tasks are done in parallel. Parallel Programming models have become ubiquitous and computer science graduates should know how to take advantage of those models. Therefore, it becomes necessary to expose students to the concepts of parallel programming early in the curriculum. This work describes a lesson plan for teaching Parallel Computing, using Data Dependence analysis and Loop transformations, to Python Programming students. We analyze our teaching experience, evaluation of students' understanding and likelihood of using parallel programming in introductory courses in the future.
The oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 flavodiiron proteins

Photosynthetic flavodiiron (Flv) proteins bind flavin and non-heme Fe cofactors and catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) coupled to oxidation of reduced pyridine nucleotides during photosynthetic growth. The activity of Flvs have also been observed to form an important catalytic redox loop with water oxidation necessary for preserving photosynthetic electron transport function in cyanobacteria. To determine how these functions may be related, we investigated the kinetic properties of Flv1 and Flv3 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Under an oxygen atmosphere, Flv1 and Flv3 were found to catalyze ORR with either NADH or NADPH as the electron donor. Reaction velocity curves were sigmoidal and Flv binding of NAD(P)H was cooperative. Based on mass spectrometry generated structural models, each Flv assembles as a homodimer with two oxidoreductase domains capable of binding two molecules of NAD(P)H per subunit, and the flavins are arranged to support electron transfer to the diiron sites for oxygen reduction. Titrations with NAD(P)H resulted in reduction of the diiron site without the accumulation of stable, reduced flavin intermediates. Altogether, the results provide new insights on the properties of Flv1 and Flv3 that enable tight control of reactivity for the complete reduction of oxygen to water, and in this capacity help preserve photosynthetic electron transport function.
Thoracic meningioma: A unique case of early recurrence

Abstract Recurrence of spinal meningiomas have been noted in the literature and risk factors including young age, higher pathologic grade, calcifications, subtotal resection, and ventral location. We present a case report of a 66 year female who developed a profound recurrence despite lacking the above factors. She underwent surgery with an expanded ventrolateral decompression and improved dramatically in her neurological status.
The Impact of Anonymity in Emergency Medicine Morbidity and Mortality Conferences: Findings from a National Survey of Resident Physicians.

Introduction Although the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education mandates structured case review and discussion as a part of residency training, there remains little guidance on how best to structure these conferences to cultivate a culture of safety, promote learning, and ensure that system-based improvements can be made. We hypothesized that anonymous case discussion was associated with a more effective, and less punitive, morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference. Secondarily, we were interested in determining whether this core structural element was correlated with the culture of safety at an institution.
Surgery for pleural mesothelioma, when it is indicated and why: arguments against surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy decortication (PD) are radical operations for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that remain controversial among thoracic surgeons. There is a lack of randomized evidence to support a survival benefit when major surgical resection is included in multi-modality treatment regimens. Current data from retrospective single institution reviews and prospective trials such as the Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART) trial are limited by biased patient selection to include only the healthiest patients with most limited disease burden. This patient population predictably has relatively longer survival times than patients with inoperable advanced disease. The only randomized trial to date that has objectively evaluated the true benefit of surgical resection was the Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery (MARS) trial which actually showed shorter survival times among patients who underwent EPP compared with those treated medically. Critics of the MARS trial cite a high perioperative mortality rate for driving these results, however a similar trial has never been repeated to refute the MARS trial results. Finally, it is relevant to consider the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with major operations when recommending these interventions to MPM patients. There is a growing body of literature that identifies patients who clearly obtain no benefit from surgery including those with sarcomatoid or biphasic histology, nodal disease, elevated CRP, elevated platelets and advanced age. Surgery in MPM has risks and is of questionable benefit with outcomes data biased by patient selection of those who will have longer overall survival times regardless of treatment.
Successful management of sternomanubrial joint septic arthritis with pectoralis muscle flap closure: a case series.

Primary infection of the sternomanubrial joint (SMJ) is extremely rare. We present four consecutive cases who were all treated with SMJ resection (partial sternectomy), bilateral partial 2nd rib resection and immediate placement of temporary wound vacuum therapy followed by pectoralis major muscle flap closure. Average patient age was 35.5 years with male predominance (75%). All patients had intravenous drug use as underlying risk factor along with concomitant viral infections Hep C (75%) and HIV (25%). MSSA was identified in resection cultures in 75% of the patients. Delayed bilateral PMFC was achieved in all patients (average post-resection day 5). Response to treatment was excellent with no recurrent infections, no complications and zero 30-day mortalities. Our experience represents the largest reported case series in adults and would suggest that aggressive surgical resection followed by PMFC would appear to be the preferred treatment for all patients with SMJ infection.
Epidemiological analysis of malaria prevalence in Nanjing City from 2010 to 2015

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Nanjing City, so as to provide the evidence for further formulating and adjusting the malaria prevention and control strategy. Methods The data of malaria situation, malaria cases and epidemiological investigations were collected from the Internet Reporting System in Nanjing City from 2010 to 2015 and analyzed statistically. Results A total of 137 confirmed malaria cases were reported in Nanjing City from 2010 to 2015, including 102 falciparum malaria cases (74.45%), 33 vivax malaria cases (24.09%), one ovale malaria case (0.73%) and one quartan malaria case (0.73%). Among the 137 malaria cases, 126 cases (91.97%) were imported from foreign countries, 2 cases (1.46%) were infected locally, and nine cases (6.57%) were imported from other provinces in China. Among the 126 overseas imported cases, 117 cases were imported from African countries and 9 from Asian countries. These malaria cases were majorly young men working as migrant workers, laborers and technical persons. About 19.30% of the cases went to hospital on onset day, and 55.65% were confirmed by medical institutions as malaria in the same day. The majority of diagnosis institutions were municipal hospitals (74.45%). Conclusions The number of malaria cases in Nanjing City is declining year by year. The local infections are eliminating gradually. However, the situation of imported malaria from overseas is still serious. Therefore, the surveillance work and health education still should be strengthened, so as to reduce the risk of imported malaria.
Why Sociology Matters to Race and Biosocial Science

Recent developments in genetics and neuroscience have led to increasing interest in biosocial approaches to social life. While today's biosocial paradigms seek to examine more fully the inextricabl...
A survival model generalized to regression learning algorithms.

Survival prediction is an important problem that is encountered widely in industry and medicine. Despite the explosion of artificial intelligence technologies, no uniformed method allows the application of any type of regression learning algorithm to a survival prediction problem. Here, we present a statistical modeling method that is generalized to all types of regression learning algorithm, including deep learning. We present its empirical advantage when it is applied to traditional survival problems. We demonstrate its expanded applications in different types of regression learning algorithm, such as gradient boosted trees, convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks. Additionally, we demonstrate its application in clinical informatic data, pathological images and the hardware industry. We expect that this algorithm will be widely applicable for diverse types of survival data, including discrete data types and those suitable for deep learning such as those with time or spatial continuity. A statistical modeling method is proposed to generalize right censored data to a standard regression problem, thus making it possible to apply regression learning algorithms to survival prediction problems.
Post-relapse survival in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia patients experiencing therapy failure following autologous transplantation.

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancy. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) is considered in a subset of WM patients with relapsed disease. While registry data has shown a benefit for auto-HCT in relapsed WM, there is a paucity of data on outcomes of patients relapsing after auto-HCT. Eligibility criteria included adult patients with relapsed/refractory WM who underwent auto-HCT between 2007 and 2017. The primary endpoint was post-relapse overall survival (PR-OS). Secondary endpoints were to identify factors prognostic of PR-OS. Of the 48 patients with WM who underwent auto-HCT, 22 (46%) experienced relapse following auto-HCT. Median PR-OS of relapsed WM patients after auto-HCT (n = 22) was not reached (NR) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5 months-NR). Among patients who relapsed <1 year versus ≥1 year from auto-HCT, the median PR-OS was 18.4 months (95%CI: 0.8-NR) months and NR (95%CI: 17.5-NR), respectively (P=0.06). Of note, disease status at the time of transplant, CR/VGPR versus PR did not appear to impact PR-OS. The median PR-OS was significantly longer in patients who received ibrutinib in the post-transplant setting compared to those who did not (NR vs 18.4 months, 95%CI: 9.1-NR, P=0.02). On univariable analysis, the presence of complex karyotype (RR=4.87, 95% CI=1.22-19.53) and a higher number of prior lines of therapy (RR=1.81, 95% CI=1.23-2.67) were associated with a significantly higher risk of relapse. This is the only study to date that evaluated outcomes of WM patients who relapsed following auto-HCT and provides a benchmark for future trials evaluating survival following auto-HCT relapse. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Transcriptional induction of pim-1 protein kinase gene expression by interferon gamma and posttranscriptional effects on costimulation with steel factor

Steel factor (SLF) synergizes with interferon gamma (IFN gamma) to stimulate proliferation of the human factor-dependent cell line MO7e. We examined the effects of IFN gamma and SLF treatment, alone or in combination, on the expression of a 33-kD cytoplasmic protein serine/threonine kinase designated pim-1 whose expression has been closely associated with proliferation induced by related myeloid cytokines. IFN gamma alone, but not SLF, stimulated expression of pim-1 RNA and protein in MO7e cells; compared with IFN gamma alone, costimulation with IFN gamma and SLF resulted in a twofold to threefold increase in pim-1 message and protein expression, correlating with synergistic effects on cell proliferation. Both IFN gamma and IFN gamma/SLF induced pim-1 mRNA in the absence of de novo protein synthesis. Nuclear run-on assays showed that, although IFN gamma alone increased the rate of pim-1 gene transcription, costimulation with IFN gamma and SLF did not further potentiate this effect; however, the stability of pim-1 message was significantly enhanced in the presence of both cytokines. An IFN gamma-responsive element within the 5' flanking region of the pim-1 gene that could confer IFN gamma responsiveness on a heterologous promoter was identified. This sequence, designated PMGAS, formed a specific complex with Stat (signal transducers and activators of transcription) 1 alpha (the p91 subunit of the transcription factor ISGF3 [interferon-stimulated gene factor 3]) in IFN gamma-treated cell extracts, suggesting that the transcriptional effects of IFN gamma on pim-1 expression may be mediated by Stat 1 alpha.
Classification of Epilepsy

A 20-year-old, right-handed, white female had drug-resistant epilepsy. She had failed several AEDs as single agents due to tolerability issues and had been maintained on Phenytoin for years. She was born via an uncomplicated delivery and was without any known risk factors for epilepsy. Seizure onset began at 9 years of age, manifesting as “petit mal” seizures. These occurred weekly and were worse after menarche. She was initially given Ethosuximide after an EEG demonstrated “petit mal seizure discharges,” though she had incomplete improvement in her episodic staring spells. Subsequently, “grand mal” seizures developed within the year following puberty, and she was changed to valproate. She continued with intermittent “petit mal” seizures on a weekly basis. Trials of AEDs included VPA, Dilantin, and Ethosuximide were ineffective. TPM and LEV lead to side-effects of “memory problems” and severe anxiety. When she was seen for another opinion regarding pregnancy and driving, she was taking PHT 400 mg PO qHS which had provided her the best control thus far. Her neurological examination was normal. A CT of the brain was normal. A high resolution brain MRI with an epilepsy protocol was performed (Fig. 17.1). A computer-assisted ambulatory EEG demonstrated a staring spells associated with 2 Hz generalized spike-and-waves with normal background electrocerebral activity.
Economic Development: Strategic Considerations on Project Portfolios

Universities have the potential to be a positive factor in economic development, and small business development centers have been established in many US universities to capitalize on the potential that may exist in this area. A model is introduced that permits strategic analysis of development portfolios in such centers. The issue of portfolio balance is discussed from an experiential base. Particular attention is paid to platform projects, which exist between derivative and breakthrough projects, and the potential they have for economic development. Although the treatment apparently presumes an existing portfolio, similar considerations would exist for establishing an initial strategic portfolio.
The nature of moral education in the contemporary world

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the nature of morality and moral education today, examining some of the contemporary world problems that give urgency to issues surrounding moral education. Moral beliefs range across the entire scope of human activity; they guide people in relationship to members of their family, to their employer, to their neighbor, to their government, to strangers, and even to animals. People are guided by panoply of rules arising from the culture, ranging from the trivial to the serious. A person may believe that he should arrive at meetings on time, tip his hat to a woman, stand in a crowded subway and offer his seat to an older person, wear a jacket to dinner, and avoid loud conversation in a movie theatre. Moral beliefs act as internal governors; they tell people how they ought to behave when there are no parties or forces external to them watching their performance. For moral beliefs to function in this manner, they must be held beyond a superficial level.
The Political Protest in an Islamic Language

Throughout history, the magical language of Islam and its sacred vocabulary have been employed by many rulers (either Muslim or non-Muslim) and politically or religiously motivated opposition movements in order to legitimise their attitudes before public opinion, criticise existing orders or mobilise individuals and institutions. This language is a flexible instrument by which governments excommunicate opposition leaders and opposition leaders launch Holy War against governments. Recently, this magical and highly influential language has reappeared in the political arenas of many Muslim countries. Both legal and illegal opposition movements have increasingly employed the political language of Islam to gain popular support and overcome corrupt and discredited regimes. Therefore, in this paper our main purpose is to elucidate various and complex dimensions of the issue. In the rest of this study, we will make an attempt to find appropriate answers to the following questions: Is there such a thing as a "language of Islam"? ; why did Islam become the language of political opposition? ; and why did no other ideology become the language of political opposition?
Adequate Funding of Education in Georgia: What Does It Mean, What Might It Cost, How Could It Be Implemented?

Adequate education expenditures are what are required to achieve specified educational objectives, such as a specified pass rate on some exam. While defining adequacy is relatively easy, measuring it is another thing. Several methods have been used to estimate the cost of providing an adequate education, but none of them is without its flaws. Based on adequacy studies for other states, we selected a per student expenditure of $7,500 (for FY 2004) as a reasonable estimate of the cost of providing an adequate education in Georgia. To achieve a minimum per student expenditure of $7,500 for all school districts, would have required an increase of 11.8 percent in total state and local spending on education. This increase is before any adjustment for inflation and enrollment growth. This would be a challenge, but not a huge one. To ensure that all school systems in the State have $7,500 per student, the State would either have to require a sizable increase in local property taxes, 5 mills on average, or increase its expenditures on education by up to 82.4 percent, which would allow a substantial reduction in property tax, or some combination of the two. No one knows when or how the Georgia Supreme Court will ultimately rule on the compliant brought by the Consortium of Adequate School Funding in Georgia. But given that most states have lost adequacy suits, the likelihood that Georgia will lose its case is high. The State has several options, but choosing among these options is not easy. The State can assume that it will win the case as it did in 1981, and thus not do anything until the Court rules. (Simply ignoring the issue is tantamount to assuming the State will win.) If the Court does rule in the State’s favor, the State will have no legal requirement to make any changes in the education funding level. However, if the Court rules against the State, the State will be directed to implement changes in education funding, and perhaps major changes. At that point the State can either follow the Court’s ruling or resist the Court, as many other states have done. Alternatively, the State might assume that the Court will rule against it. In this case, the State could choose to begin to address the issue by slowly moving toward an adequate funding of education. But if the Court then rules in favor of the State, the State will have increased education spending to a level that may not have been necessary. Deciding how to proceed is a very difficult decision since there is no one correct decision. It is also a very important decision since the expenditures at issue are very substantial.
Clinical Utility of Testing for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies

Autoantibodies against various “self” intra- or extracellular, cell surface-bound or soluble antigens are frequently present in the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases. Regardless of their precise role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, testing for autoantibodies constitutes an
Micromechanical foundations of pulmonary elasticity

Article de synthese sur la mecanique de l'elasticite pulmonaire chez les mammiferes. Micromecanique de l'expansion uniforme et de la distortion du poumon. Contribution des structures parenchymateuses et non parenchymateuses. Modele d'etude de la stabilite pulmonaire
Preconditions of predication: From qualia to quantum mechanics

Although in every inductive inference, an act of invention is requisite, the act soon slips out of notice. Although we bind together facts by superinducing upon them a new Conception, this Conception, once introduced and applied, is looked upon as inseparably connected with the facts, and necessarily implied in them. Having once had the phenomena bound together in their minds in virtue of the Conception men can no longer easily restore them back to the detached and incoherent condition in which they were before they were thus combined. The pearls once strung, they seem to form a chain by their nature. Induction has given them unity which it is so far from costing us an effort to preserve, that it requires an effort to imagine it dissolved — William Whewell, 1858. (Quoted from Butts (ed.), 1989, p. 143)
Specificity of an anti-capsid antibody associated with Hepatitis B Virus-related acute liver failure.

Previously, the livers of patients suffering from acute liver failure (ALF), a potentially fatal syndrome arising from infection by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), were found to contain massive amounts of an antibody specific for the core antigen (HBcAg) capsid. We have used cryo-electron microscopy and molecular modeling to define its epitope. HBV capsids are icosahedral shells with 25A-long dimeric spikes, each a 4-helix bundle, protruding from the contiguous "floor". Of the anti-HBcAg antibodies previously characterized, most bind around the spike tip while one binds to the floor. The ALF-associated antibody binds tangentially to a novel site on the side of the spike. This epitope is conformational. The Fab binds with high affinity to its principal determinants but has lower affinities for quasi-equivalent variants. The highest occupancy site is on one side of a spike, with no detectable binding to the corresponding site on the other side. Binding of one Fab per dimer was also observed by analytical ultracentrifugation. The Fab did not bind to the e-antigen dimer, a non-assembling variant of capsid protein. These findings support the propositions that antibodies with particular specificities may correlate with different clinical expressions of HBV infection and that antibodies directed to particular HBcAg epitopes may be involved in ALF pathogenesis.
Quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid in tissues by gas-liquid chromatography.

Abstract A GLC method for the quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid in tissues is described. It measures only the reduced form of the compound and has a high degree of specificity. It has been found to be convenient and reliable and produces results comparable to those obtained by the dinitrophenylhydrazine method. Since the method requires little manipulation of samples and is reasonably sensitive it can be readily adapted for microanalysis. Studies of post mortem changes and the effects of different sampling techniques on ascorbic acid levels are also presented.
Comprehensive comparison of health-related quality of life after radical prostatectomy, high- dose intensity modulated radiotherapy and intraoperative conformal brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer

Purpose/Objective: Health-related quality of life measures are currently being used to compare outcomes of various therapies for localized prostate cancer. While the outcomes of such studies depend upon multiple factors, one of the most critical variables may be the treatment technique and sophistication of therapy used. We report the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes of patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), high-dose 3D-CRT/IMRT, and conformal brachytherapy using an intraoperative-inverse planning approach (3D-BRT)all performed at one institution and evaluated with a comprehensive validated tool.
Multilayer enhanced SERS active materials: fabrication, characterization, and application to trace chemical detection

A multilayer surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate geometry providing significantly greater SERS enhancements, longer active lifetimes, better reproducibility, and lower detection limits for trace chemical analysis than traditional SERS substrates has been developed. We have fabricated and characterized this novel class of multilayered metal film-based SERS substrates, which are capable of enhancing SERS signals over an order of magnitude relative to conventional metal film over nanostructure substrates. These multilayer enhanced metal film substrates are fabricated by repeated vapor deposition of metal films over nanometer sized structures. Different sizes of nanostructures were evaluated in order to obtain the optimal SERS enhancements. Meanwhile, different dielectric coatings were fabricated between silver layers, and SERS enhancements were evaluated for each type. Additionally, different metals, such as gold, were used to further optimize the stability and reproducibility of these novel substrates. Silver oxide layers produced at elevated temperatures were also investigated to accelerate the fabrication rate of these multilayer substrates. Finally, this paper also discusses the application of these novel multilayer substrates for trace detection of chemical agents and simulants.
Questioning standardization in science

Some scientists suggest that environmental standardization may lead to spurious findings. The implication from this hypothesis will likely be controversial.
Opsin structure probed by raman spectroscopy of photoreceptor membranes

The first nonresonance Raman spectra of photoreceptor membranes are presented. Information about the membrane protein, opsin, and the membrane phospholipids can be deduced. Opsin appears to contain alpha-helical structure but little beta structure. The tyrosine residues are predominantly hydrogen bonded, and disulfide bonds, if they are present, are not in the normal gauche-gauche configuration.
A method for showing progress

Charmed by the ease with which [vdS95] shows that its program makes progress, I state a theorem that allows for showing progress of a UNITY-like program in an easy way. I also give a proof of that theorem.
Experimental study on the effect of SO2 on PCDD/F emissions : Determination of the importance of gas-phase versus solid-phase reactions in PCDD/F formation

Cofiring coal in municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) has previously been reported to reduce polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) emissions due to increasing the flu...
Effects of parent management training programs on disruptive behavior for children with a developmental disability: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis determined the effects of parent management training (PMT) on disruptive behaviors in children with a developmental disability. Parent management training programs, based on behavioral theories of psychology, are commonly used in addressing disruptive behavior in children. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria with a total of 540 participants, with 275 in experimental groups and 265 in control groups. The effect of PMT on the disruptive behavior in children with a developmental disability was significant (g=0.39). The moderator effects of type of PMT, delivery type and setting, and administrator level of education were also significant. The moderator effects of child age, and session number and duration were not significant in this meta-analysis.
Limiting the Risk of Bayes and Empirical Bayes Estimators—Part II: The Empirical Bayes Case

Abstract We discuss compromises between Stein's estimator and the MLE which limit the risk to individual components of the estimation problem while sacrificing only a small fraction of the savings in total squared error loss given by Stein's rule. The compromise estimators “limit translation” away from the MLE. The calculations are pursued in an empirical Bayesian manner by considering their performance against an entire family of prior distributions on the unknown parameters.
Relationship: The bridge to the delinquent child

We have attempted to isolate a crucial component in work with juvenile delinquents and their families. This component, defined as relationship, is felt to be the link between the disorganized, infantile, self-destructive world of the delinquent child, and the organized, productive world of society.
Serum bicarbonate and anion gap cannot reliably predict elevated serum lactate levels

Study objectives: New treatment strategies for severe sepsis and septic shock have made it important to rapidly identify patients with serum lactate levels greater than 4.0 mmol/L. The measurement of serum electrolyte levels is generally considered routine for patients with significant medical illness; the measurement of lactate levels is not as universal. We ask how well a reduced serum bicarbonate level ( 3 -Cl >20) predict a lactate level of 4.0 mmol/L or greater. Methods: This was a retrospective medical record review at a university hospital. Laboratory results were reviewed for patients 18 years of age or older who, during a 2-month period, had time-matched determinations of serum lactate and electrolyte levels. The correlation of lactate with both bicarbonate and anion gap was determined, and the test properties of each as a screening test for a lactate greater than 4.0 mmol/L were determined. Results: One hundred twenty-five patients (58% female patients, age range 2 months to 97 years) had lactate and electrolyte levels measured concurrently during the study period. Lactate level was greater than 4.0 mmol/L in 17% of patients. The sensitivity and specificity of a reduced bicarbonate were 38% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18% to 62%) and 78% (95% CI 69% to 85%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of an elevated anion gap were 38% (95% CI 18% to 62%) and 89% (95% CI 82% to 95%), respectively. There was only minimal correlation between bicarbonate or anion gap and lactate level ( r =0.06 and 0.11, respectively). Conclusion: A lactate level greater than 4.0 mmol/L cannot be predicted from either reduced bicarbonate or an elevated anion gap. Measuring bicarbonate or calculating the anion gap cannot be considered appropriate screens when attempting to identify patients who may benefit from aggressive sepsis management.
Identification of the Internal Axial Ligand of HO2−Cobalt(III)−Bleomycin: 1H{15N} HSQC NMR Investigation of Bleomycin, Deglycobleomycin, and Their Hydroperoxide−Cobalt(III) Complexes†

The identity of the axial ligand contributed by the drug in hydroperoxide−Co(III)−bleomycin and hydroperoxide−Co(III)−deglycobleomycin has been in doubt. With each structure, a combination of 1H{15N} HSQC and HMBC and 1H COSY and NOESY NMR spectroscopy was used to observe and completely assign the nonaromatic 15N chemical shifts of natural abundance bleomycin in the two hydroperoxide−Co(III) structures. Together with the 15N assignments from a published 1D 15N spectrum, the results permitted the assignment of the primary amine nitrogen to an axial ligand position in both structures.
Faith, law and empire in the Ottoman ‘age of confessionalization’ (fifteenth–seventeenth centuries): the case of ‘renewal of faith’ 1

The article explores the understudied theological-legal concept and practice of renewal of faith, an Ottoman innovation dating from the fifteenth century. It situates this practice within the context of the Ottoman and, more broadly, Mediterranean ‘age of confessionalization’, an age in which rulers and dynasts across the Mediterranean infused ‘religious rhetoric into the processes of state and social formation’. This study focuses on the legal aspects of the Ottoman confessionalization project. It reconstructs the debate between various jurists concerning the practice of renewal of faith, and argues that this debate illustrates the multiple sites within the empire in which notions such as faith, ‘orthodoxy’, and unbelief were negotiated and articulated.
Ultrasonographic modalities to assess vascular anatomy and disease.

Medical ultrasound (US) encompasses a family of imaging techniques linked by the use of high-frequency sound waves, typically 2.5–10 million cycles per second (MHz), to interrogate tissue. Although similar, each imaging technique has relatively distinct features and may provide unique information. This review is designed to provide vascular and interventional radiologists with an in-depth understanding of each US imaging technique and relevant physics principles to assist in optimizing the US examination so that the specific vascular anatomy and disease states in question can be comprehensively understood. This review will be limited to principles of transcutaneous US and will not include specific techniques for assessment of individual vessels (except for illustrative purposes) or methods to optimize US scan parameters.
Ocular complications of systemic cancer chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy has changed rapidly in recent years. New agents are constantly being developed. Established agents are being used with increased frequency, in new combinations, at higher dosages, and via new routes of administration. Enhanced survival, as well as increased drug toxicity, has resulted. Ocular toxicity is not uncommon and can greatly impact on quality of life. Practitioners in all fields are increasingly caring for patients who are receiving cancer chemotherapy. The recognition of eye disease resulting from chemotherapy is essential to appropriate patient management. We provide a review of the rapidly growing body of literature on the ocular toxicity of systemic cancer chemotherapy with particular attention to context, clinical course, mechanism, prevention and treatment.
Body versus surface forces in continuum mechanics: Is the Maxwell stress tensor a physically objective Cauchy stress?

The Maxwell stress tensor (MST) T(M) plays an important role in the dynamics of continua interacting with external fields, as in the commercially and scientifically important case of "ferrofluids." As a conceptual entity in quasistatic systems, the MST derives from the definition f(M)def=inverted Delta x T(M), where f(M)(x) is a physically objective volumetric external body-force density field at a point x of a continuum, derived from the solution of the pertinent governing equations. Beginning with the fact that T(M) is not uniquely defined via the preceding relationship from knowledge of f(M), we point out in this paper that the interpretation of T(M) as being a physical stress is not only conceptually incorrect, but that in commonly occuring situations this interpretation will result in incorrect predictions of the physical response of the system. In short, by elementary examples, this paper emphasizes the need to maintain the classical physical distinction between the notions of body forces f and stresses T. These examples include calculations of the torque on bodies, the work required to deform a fluid continuum, and the rate of interchange of energy between mechanical and other modes.
Why Are Attributions to Discrimination Interpersonally Costly? A Test of System- and Group-Justifying Motivations

In two studies, Whites’ endorsement of system-justifying beliefs predicted increased negativity toward Blacks who blamed negative events on discrimination. Whites’ system-justifying beliefs were not associated with negativity toward Blacks who blamed negative events on other internal causes, external causes, or nondiscriminatory unfairness. These negative reactions toward discrimination claimants were mediated by perceptions that the claimant held dissimilar values and failed to take personal responsibility for outcomes. In both studies, participants’ White Identification did not moderate the relationship between the Black target’s attribution for failure and subsequent negative perceptions of that individual, thus providing evidence against a group-justification explanation of these findings.
Reduce, reuse, reprogram.

Mouse lines with inducible reprogramming factors expressed from a single genomic locus will allow reprogramming studies in multiple cell types and defined genetic backgrounds.
Neuropsychological evaluation in an adolescent with cerebellar hypoplasia diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome

There is a growing body of literature describing cases of cognitive impairment associated with both acquired and developmental damage to the cerebellum. The current case study describes such a case involving a 17-year-old male with cerebellar hypoplasia, having incomplete formation of the vermis and atrophy of the interior cerebellar hemispheres. He had previously been diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome. A full neuropsychological evaluation was performed, including effort testing. This is followed by a comparison of the current results to previously reported cases, with a discussion of the heterogeneity of deficits associated with developmental cerebellum malformation.
Big Data And New Knowledge In Medicine: The Thinking, Training, And Tools Needed For A Learning Health System

Big data in medicine—massive quantities of health care data accumulating from patients and populations and the advanced analytics that can give those data meaning—hold the prospect of becoming an engine for the knowledge generation that is necessary to address the extensive unmet information needs of patients, clinicians, administrators, researchers, and health policy makers. This article explores the ways in which big data can be harnessed to advance prediction, performance, discovery, and comparative effectiveness research to address the complexity of patients, populations, and organizations. Incorporating big data and next-generation analytics into clinical and population health research and practice will require not only new data sources but also new thinking, training, and tools. Adequately utilized, these reservoirs of data can be a practically inexhaustible source of knowledge to fuel a learning health care system.
Apolipoprotein E-Dependent Differences in Innate Immune Responses of Maturing Human Neuroepithelial Progenitor Cells Exposed to HIV-1

HIV enters the brain early during infection and induces a chronic inflammatory state that can result in neurological abnormalities in a subset of infected individuals. To investigate the effects of HIV exposure on neurogenesis and neuronal survival in the brain, we have used a model system consisting of human neuroepithelial progenitor (NEP) cells that undergo directed differentiation into astrocytes and neurons in vitro. Changes in gene expression in NEP cultures as a result of HIV exposure were investigated using gene expression microarrays with the Illumina HT-12 V4_0_R1 platform array. Through this approach, we identified a group of genes specifically upregulated by exposure to virus that are strongly related to interferon induced responses and antigen presentation. When the data were stratified by their apolipoprotein genotype, this innate immune response was more robust in the apolipoprotein E3/E3 genotype cultures than in the apolipoprotein E3/E4 counterparts. Biological processes as defined by the gene ontology (GO) program were also differently affected upon virus exposure in cultures of the two genotypes, particularly those related to antigen presentation and the actions of interferons. Differences occurred in both in numbers of genes affected and their significance in the GO processes in which they participate, with apoE3/E3 > apoE3/E4. These data suggest that maturing NEP cultures recognize HIV and respond to it by mounting an innate immune response with a vigor that is influenced by the apolipoprotein E genotype of the cells.