cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polarized Protons from the Elastic Scattering of α -Particles by Hydrogen

The prediction that at certain angles the elastically scattered protons will be highly polarized for incident energies up to at least 10 Mev was checked in detail by examining the dependence of polarization on scattering angle for 10Mev protons on He/sup 4/. A method was devised for obtaining a highly- polarized and well-collimated beam of 10-Mev protons of sufficient intensity for use in elastic and inelastic scattering experiments. (M.H.R.)
The three-dimensional solution structure of the NK-2 homeodomain from Drosophila.

Abstract We describe the NMR determination of the three-dimensional structure of a 77 amino acid residue protein, which consists of the 60 residue NK-2 homeodomain from Drosophila melanogaster and adjacent amino acid residues. The NK-2 homeodomain protein is part of a 723 amino acid residue protein which is expressed early in embryonic development in part of the central nervous system. NK-2 was characterized using both a natural abundance and a uniformly 15 N enriched sample by two-dimensional and three-dimensional NMR experiments. The average root-mean-square deviation for 30 structures for residues 8 to 53 is 0.40 A for the backbone heavy-atoms and 0.72 A for the backbone and side-chain heavy-atoms. These structures were obtained from 986 NOE-derived upper and lower bound restraints. The three-dimensional structure contains three helices which consist of homeodomain amino acid residues 10 to 22, 28 to 38 and 42 to 52, as well as a turn between helix II and III, characteristic of homeodomains. Residues 53 to 60 of the DNA recognition helix are not fully ordered in the absence of DNA. In the free state this segment adopts a flexible but helix-like structure between residues 53 and 56 and is disordered from residues 57 to 60 although, as shown previously, the helix elongates by eight residues upon binding to DNA. The role of variable residues 52, 54 and 56 in determining the structure and flexibility of the recognition helix, as well as the stability of the NK-2 homeodomain as manifested by its thermal denaturation, are discussed. f2
Predicting suicidal behavior in veterans with traumatic brain injury: the utility of the personality assessment inventory.

In this study, we investigated the Personality Assessment Inventory's (PAI; Morey, 1991, 2007) Suicide Potential Index (SPI) and Suicide Ideation scale (SUI) as predictors of suicidal behavior (SB) in military Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI; N = 154). We analyzed electronic medical records were searched for SB in the 2 years post-PAI administration and data via logistic regressions. We obtained statistical support for the SPI and SUI as predictors of SB. Analyses we performed using receiver operating characteristics suggested an optimal SPI cutoff of ≥15 for this sample. Findings suggest that SPI and SUI scores may assist in assessing suicide risk in those with TBI, particularly when population-based cutoffs are considered.
Magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling at Jupiter: Effect of field‐aligned potentials on angular momentum transport

[1] We present a time-independent model of Jupiter's rotation-driven aurora based on angular momentum conservation, including the effects of a field-aligned potential () and an ionospheric conductivity that is modified by precipitating electrons. We argue that arises from a limit to field-aligned current at high latitudes, and hence, we apply a current-voltage relation, which takes into account the low plasma densities at high latitudes. The resulting set of nonlinear equations that govern the behavior of angular momentum transfer is underconstrained and leads to a set of solutions, including those derived in earlier work. We show that solutions with high angular momentum transfer, large radial currents, and small mass transport rates ( ≤ 1000 kg/s) exist. Our set of solutions can reproduce many of the observed characteristics of Jupiter's main auroral oval, including the energy of the precipitating electrons, the energy flux into the ionosphere, the width of the aurora at the ionosphere, and net radial current across the field for a radial mass transport value of ∼500 kg/s.
Making “Sense” of DNA

Polarization-resolved vibrational sum frequency generation spectra of glass surfaces functionalized with single-stranded and duplex DNA oligonucleotides are presented. These spectra yield detailed conformational information of surface-bound oligonucleotides, including the chirality of the stereogenic centers and the chirality of the duplex structure.
Pooled nucleic acid testing to identify antiretroviral treatment failure during HIV infection.

Background Pooling strategies have been used to reduce the costs of polymerase chain reaction-based screening for acute HIV infection in populations in which the prevalence of acute infection is low (less than 1%). Only limited research has been done for conditions in which the prevalence of screening positivity is higher (greater than 1%). Methods and results We present data on a variety of pooling strategies that incorporate the use of polymerase chain reaction-based quantitative measures to monitor for virologic failure among HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. For a prevalence of virologic failure between 1% and 25%, we demonstrate relative efficiency and accuracy of various strategies. These results could be used to choose the best strategy based on the requirements of individual laboratory and clinical settings such as required turnaround time of results and availability of resources. Conclusions Virologic monitoring during antiretroviral therapy is not currently being performed in many resource-constrained settings largely because of costs. The presented pooling strategies may be used to significantly reduce the cost compared with individual testing, make such monitoring feasible, and limit the development and transmission of HIV drug resistance in resource-constrained settings. They may also be used to design efficient pooling strategies for other settings with quantitative screening measures.
Operative procedures for unresectable pancreatic cancer: does operative bypass decrease requirements for postoperative procedures and in-hospital days?

Background The optimal surgical management of patients found to have unresectable pancreatic cancer at open exploration remains unknown.
National Trends in Spinal Fusion Surgery For Scheuermann Kyphosis.

Study Design: Analysis of a national database. Objective: To analyze national trends in spinal fusion surgery for Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) and to compare surgical approaches used in treatment. Summary of Background Data: The preferred surgical approach for treating SK is not well established. Recent studies support the use of posterior spinal fusion (PSF) instead of anterior-posterior spinal fusion (APSF). Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we identified 2,796 patients (mean age, 24.9 years; 66% men) from 2000 to 2008 who had spinal fusion surgery for SK. We compared the two approaches with respect to patient demographics, institutional characteristics, in-hospital complications, and hospitalization lengths and costs. Significance was set at a value of p less than .05. Results: The number of spinal fusion surgeries performed in patients with SK increased significantly (p 5 .03). The proportion of patients undergoing surgery as adults also increased significantly (p ! .05). The number of PSF surgeries performed in patients with SK increased 2.9-fold (34% to 78%) (p ! .01); APSF use declined by 7% per year. There was no significant association among surgical approach and patient age, sex, hospital capacity, or teaching status. Compared with patients undergoing PSF, patients undergoing APSF had 2.1-fold more in-hospital complications (p ! .01), 3.8-fold more pulmonary complications (p ! .01), 2.7-fold more renal complications (p ! .01), and significantly longer hospitalizations (mean, 8.5 days vs. 5.9 days, respectively; p ! .01). There was no significant difference in mean total hospital charges: $117,921 for APSF and $119,322 for PSF. Conclusion: There have been significant increases in the number of spinal fusion surgeries for SK, and in the proportion of patients with SK who are choosing surgery as adults. Surgical treatment has shifted predominantly toward an all-posterior approach. PSF is associated with lower complication rates (especially pulmonary complications) and shorter hospitalizations. 2015 Scoliosis Research Society.
The primary oxygen sensor of the cat carotid body is cytochrome a3 of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

Abstract Carbon monoxide was shown to be competitive with O 2 in oxygen sensing by perfused carotid bodies isolated from cats, afferent electrical activity increasing with either decreasing O 2 or increasing CO. The CO-induced increase in afferent activity was fully reversed by bright light. At submaximal light intensities the extent of reversal, after correcting to equal light intensity of light quanta at each wavelength, was maximal for light of 432 ± 2 and 590 ± 2 nm, with a ratio (432/590) of approximately 6. This spectrum is characteristic of the CO compound of mitochondrial cytochrome a 3 . The photo-reversible inhibition of oxygen sensing activity by CO accounts for at least 80% of the oxygen chemosensory activity of the carotid body.
A Psychometric Study of the MPSI Suicidal Thoughts Subscale

ABSTRACT This study investigated the measurement characteristics of the Multi-Problem Screening Inventory (MPSI) suicidal thoughts subscale. A sample of 542 responses to the MPSI was obtained and the responses on the suicidal thoughts subscale were analyzed using classical, Item Response, and Generalizability Theory methods. Results indicated that the MPSI suicidal thoughts subscale produced scores with very desirable measurement properties for use in 1) monitoring a client's change in suicidal ideation across time, and 2) making tentative decisions concerning the clinical significance of a client's suicidal thinking. The measurement error characteristics of the MPSI suicidal thoughts subscale scores reach a minimum very near the clinical cutting point and then remain relatively constant across the range of presumably clinically significant levels of suicidal thinking. The results of this study suggest that the MPSI suicidal thoughts subscale can be used by practitioners in a wide range of practice settin...
Metrology for optoelectronics

This paper discusses measurement technology, standards, and traceability for the optoelectronics industry. Examples include the development of artifact standards, known as standard reference materials, for the calibration of instrumentation, and the calibration of laser and optical fiber power meters and detectors.
Breaking the Rules: A Group Work Perspective on Focus Group Research

Marcia B. Cohen is an Associate Professor al the University of New England in the United States where she teaches graduate courses in group work, generalist social work practice and social welfare policy. Her professional interests include recipient-run services and organisations, issues relating to poverty, homelessness and mental health, and diverse aspects of social group work. Kendra J. Garrett is an Assistant Professor at the University of St Thomas in the United States where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in generalist social work practice, group work and research. Her professional interests include social work ethics, school social work, research methodology and social work practice with groups. SUMMARY Focus groups, originally used in fields such as marketing and consumer research, are rapidly gaining popularity as a research methodology in the social sciences. It is interesting to note that most of the scholarly work on focus groups continues to come from business rather than the social sciences. Few researchers have discussed the differing purposes and goals in social science and consumer research (Ospina, 1994; Moore, 19%). Furthermore, the literature on focus group research rarely utilizes social work knowledge of group dynamics or group facilitation skills. Rather, the literature on focus groups tends to give guidelines for leading groups, telling focus group facilitators what to do and what not to do in leading such groups. We believe that these guidelines, while generally helpful, can lead to rigidity on the part of focus group leaders. We suggest that, in social work research, focus group facilitators should use their knowledge of group dynamics and the values of individualization and empathy to modify focus group rules where appropriate. This paper describes part of a qualitative study of client/worker relationships in residential mental health settings. During the course of this research, group work principles came into conflict, at limes, with recommended guidelines for focus group leaders. The paper illustrates how insights gleaned from group work theory and practice can enable a researcher to break focus group rules responsibly, thus bringing greater depth to the data gathered and allowing the researcher to be more sensitive to the needs of focus group participants.
Secondary intention dowel and core.

Abstract A technique has been presented whereby the utilization of the composite resin/ stainless steel dowel and core system provided an economical and practical solution to a common clinical problem. The potential clinical applications of the versatile dowel and composite resin core technique are limited only by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the dentist.
On the Relation between the Speed of Response and the Detectivity of Lead Sulfide Photoconductive Cells

As a starting point attention is called to an empirical relation between the detectivity and the time constant of lead sulfide photoconductive cells. This relation, found by E. D. McAlister, states that the ratio D/τ of the detectivity D in the reference condition C to the time constant τ is approximately constant D/τ=6.7×1010 (watt-second)-1.This relation holds for tests with radiation from a 500°K blackbody, and holds for both cooled and uncooled cells. The relation is based on data concerning the detectivity and time constant of about eighty different cells of domestic and foreign manufacture with time constants in the range from 3 microseconds to 3 milliseconds.It is shown that this relation has a number of important consequences. For cells that accord with McAlister’s relation, one draws the following conclusions: 1. Lead sulfide cells are Class II detectors. 2. The value of the figure of merit M2 may be determined. 3. It is disadvantageous to match the time constant of the cell to the duration of the signal pulse; rather, one should always use a cell with a time constant large compared with the signal duration. 4. Cooling the cell is of no advantage for signal frequencies greater than the crossover frequency; cooling the cell is merely one method of increasing the time constant of the cell. 5. Lead sulfide cells are remarkably versatile detectors.McAlister’s relation is purely empirical, and has no known theoretical basis. It is therefore possible that the relation, and the consequences just described, may be modified in the future. In the meantime, the relation provides a working basis of considerable practical importance.
Regional differences in the sociodemographic determinants of environmental concern

This study assesses the influence of sociodemographic variables on four distinct measures of environmental concern in a sample of 2,984 households in 19 metropolitan areas of the United States. In addition, the potential for regional interactions is investigated. Results of the study indicate that, while geographic region does not appear to have consistent additive effects, it does interact with other sociodemographic variables to influence environmental concern. These regional interactions draw attention to many of the problems involved with comparisons across studies and may shed light on what are often considered to be discrepant findings in the literature on environmental concern.
Offshore outsourcing of customer relationship management: conceptual model and propositions

Customer relationship management (CRM) refers to a firm’s activities for establishing and maintaining relationships with its customers. Outsourcing refers to a firm’s contracting with another firm to perform activities that were erstwhile performed within the firm. The emergence of a low cost, high speed, global communication network and information processing network has enabled an increasing number of firms based in more industrialized market economies to outsource specific elements of their CRM to offshore vendors located in countries with significantly lower labor costs. Building on scholarly insights from multiple literature streams, we present a conceptual model delineating the antecedents and consequences of CRM offshore outsourcing intensity. We also provide a literature overview of the determinants of location choice decision for offshore outsourcing, an issue that is closely linked to the offshore outsourcing decision. The growing trend toward offshore outsourcing of CRM serves to highlight a number of issues that merit careful managerial consideration. In this context, we highlight supply-side versus demand-side effects of CRM offshore outsourcing, the economics of CRM offshore outsourcing versus CRM automation, CRM offshore outsourcing versus CRM offshoring, and the evolution of hierarchical CRM organizations toward market based CRM business systems, and other issues.
The field line topology of a uniform magnetic field superposed on the field of a distributed ring current

Abstract A magnetic field line topology with nulls, generated by superimposing a uniform magnetic field onto the field from a distributed ring current, is analyzed. This simple model, which is reminiscent of the structures found in laboratory field reversed configurations and detached plasmoids, is amenable to substantial analytical progress and also facilitates the visualization of the three dimensional field geometry. Four nulls are seen to exist and representative field lines and tubes of flux found by numerical integration are presented. An infinite number of topologically distinct flux bundles is found. These are distinguished by the number of times they encircle a circular magnetic field line. A convenient mapping is described which proves very useful in distinguishing between and following the paths of the different tubes of flux as they traverse through the null system. The separatrices that divide these flux bundles are described. The complexities already present in this simple but nontrivial con...
Bending vibration control of composite plate structures through intelligent constrained-layer treatments

This paper applies intelligent constrained layer (ICL) damping treatments to control bending vibration of composite plate structures. The ICL damping treatment consists of a viscoelastic shear layer sandwiched between a piezoelectric constraining cover sheet and the structure to be dampened. According to measured vibration response of the structure, a feedback controller regulates in-plane deformation of the piezoelectric layer to perform active vibration control. In this paper, the equation of motion and boundary conditions governing the bending vibration of a composite plate possessing bending-stretching coupling stiffness with ICL damping treatments are derived. Finally, a numerical example is illustrated on an infinite composite plate consisting of a (45 degree(s)/-45 degree(s)) angle-ply laminate subjected to plane harmonic wave excitations. Compared with existing passive constrained layer treatments, numerical results show that the ICl damping treatment can produce significant damping. In addition, there are certain orientations, determined by the structures of the composite laminate, along which the vibration amplitude can be reduced to a minimum.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Targeting human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase to mitochondria of oligodendrocytes protects against menadione-induced oxidative stress.

Within the central nervous system (CNS), there is a differential susceptibility among cell types to certain pathological conditions believed to involve oxidative stress. Oligodendrocytes are extremely sensitive to oxidative stress, which correlates with a decreased ability to repair damage in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), as we have shown previously. To determine whether there is a causal relationship, studies were carried out to correct the deficit in repair of the oxidative damage in mtDNA in cultured oligodendrocytes. A vector containing a mitochondrial transport sequence (MTS) upstream of the sequence for human 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG) was transfected into the cells. The efficiency of transfection and the localization of recombinant protein were determined by fluorescence microscopy and by Western blot analysis. Subsequent mtDNA repair studies, employing 100 μM menadione to produce reactive oxygen species, showed a significant enhancement in repair of oxidative lesions in mtDNA of MTS-OGG transfected oligodendrocytes compared with cells transfected with vector only. Experiments were also conducted to determine the effect of changing mtDNA repair capacity on menadione-induced apoptosis in oligodendrocytes. These experiments show that targeting the OGG repair enzyme to mitochondria reduces the release of cytochrome c from the intermitochondrial space and the activation of caspase 9 in oligodendrocytes after exposure to menadione. Therefore, targeting of DNA repair enzymes to mitochondria appears to be a viable approach for the protection of cells against some of the deleterious effects of oxidative stress. GLIA 42:370–378, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Direct labeling of RNA with multiple biotins allows sensitive expression profiling of acute leukemia class predictor genes

Direct labeling of RNA is an expedient method for labeling large quantities (e.g. micrograms) of target RNA for microarray analysis. We have developed an efficient labeling system that uses T4 RNA ligase to attach a 3′-biotinylated donor molecule to target RNA. Microarray analyses indicate that directly labeled RNA is uniformly labeled, has higher signal intensity than comparable labeling methods and achieves high transcript detection sensitivity. The labeled donor molecule we have developed allows the attachment of multiple biotins, which increases target signal intensity up to 30%. We have used this direct-labeling method to detect previously discovered class predictor genes for two types of cancer: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In order to test the sensitivity of direct RNA labeling, we analyzed the AML and ALL expression profiles for predictor genes that were previously found to show elevated expression in the disease state. Direct labeling of AML poly(A) RNA detects 90% of the class predictor genes that are detected by the IVT-based target amplification method used to discover the genes. These results indicate that the detection sensitivity, simplicity (single tube reaction) and speed (2 h) of this direct labeling protocol may be ideal for diagnostic applications that do not require target amplification.
A learning controller for the regulation and stabilization of flexible structures

Deals with the regulation and stabilization of lightly damped flexible structures under plant uncertainty. An intelligent controller consisting of a neural network based front-end together with a modular nonlinear tuning regulator is proposed. The neural network "learns" the essential plant information in order for the nonlinear tuning regulator to maintain closed loop stability and asymptotic regulation. The nonlinear tuning regulator, on the other hand, provides the sustained oscillation necessary for the convergence of the learning process. This combined controller is robust and requires minimal plant information to operate. The overall control objectives are 1) closed loop stability and 2) asymptotic regulation of the amplitude of each resonant mode of the flexible structure. Furthermore, it desired to conserve control bandwidth so as to minimize implementation costs. Since the dynamics of a flexible structure can be decomposed into N resonant subsystems whose energy is mainly distributed in the passband, a frequency translation technique based on the Hilbert transform is first applied to the nominal plant to obtain a low frequency equivalent model. Analysis and design are then carried out in the baseband to obtain the necessary bandwidth-conservative tuning regulator. The neural network front-end is a single layer recurrent-net which separates the plant output back into the N frequency components (modes). The separated modes are then fed to the N structurally identical tuning regulator modules. The tuning gains and the learning rate are derived by the on-line tuning method. No other plant information is required. A synthesis procedure is outlined in this paper to summarize the design steps in a systematic manner. Finally, a numerical example with closely spaced frequency components (within 25%) are provided. Simulation results indicate that the proposed controller maintains satisfactory stabilization/regulation for the nominal plant as well as for the perturbed plants (under both stable and unstable perturbations). >
Use of and familiarity with dietary supplement information references by practicing pharmacists.

Abstract Objective To survey practicing pharmacists regarding their use of and familiarity with six dietary supplement information references. Methods Pharmacists attending a March 2005 continuing education program at the Albany College of Pharmacy on interactions between drugs and dietary supplements were surveyed about their use of and views on dietary supplement information references. Included in the survey were six references: Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Herbal Medicines; Facts and Comparisons: Review of Natural Products; German Commission E Monographs; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (online or textbook format); Micromedex: AltMedDex; and The Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. The survey was repeated by mail 1 year after the program. Results Of the 91 attendees at the program, 58 completed the survey, and 25 individuals returned the 1-year survey. Of those completing the surveys, 80% had more than 10 years in practice, 95% had bachelor's degrees, and most practiced in community or institutional pharmacies. At baseline, fewer than 40% had "heard of" four of the six references. Pharmacists were most familiar with PDR for Herbal Medicines and Facts and Comparisons: Review of Natural Products . Familiarity rates increased at 1 year for five of the six references, though, again, overall rates were low and differences from baseline were not statistically significant for any of the six references. Usage rates increased for two references ( Facts and Comparisons: Review of Natural Products and Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database) at 1 year and declined for the remaining four. Conclusion Experienced pharmacists in both community and institutional settings infrequently use and are unfamiliar with dietary supplement information references, including those found in studies to be of the highest quality. Education on the availability and features of these references could benefit pharmacists and potentially change usage patterns.
Handling exposure time in multi-frame image restoration

The process of reconstructing a high-resolution image from multiple low-resolution images is known as super-resolution reconstruction. One of the assumptions of current super-resolution reconstruction methods is that all images are captured with the same exposure time and aperture size. This is not necessarily true. In reality, cameras have limited dynamic range and a nonlinear response to the quantity of light received; also, camera settings might be adjusted automatically or manually to capture the desired portion of the scene's dynamic range. We propose a super-resolution algorithm based on an imaging model that includes a camera response function, exposure time, sensor noise and quantization error in addition to spatial blurring and sampling. The algorithm is based on Bayesian estimation. Initial experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Molecular Structures of Crossover and Noncrossover Intermediates during Gap Repair in Yeast: Implications for Recombination

The molecular structures of crossover (CO) and noncrossover (NCO) intermediates were determined by sequencing the products formed when a gapped plasmid was repaired using a diverged chromosomal template. Analyses were done in the absence of mismatch repair (MMR) to allow efficient detection of strand-transfer intermediates, and the results reveal striking differences in the extents and locations of heteroduplex DNA (hDNA) in NCO versus CO products. These data indicate that most NCOs are produced by synthesis-dependent strand annealing rather than by a canonical double-strand break repair pathway and that resolution of Holliday junctions formed as part of the latter pathway is highly constrained to generate CO products. We suggest a model in which the length of hDNA formed by the initiating strand invasion event determines susceptibility of the resulting intermediate to antirecombination and ultimately whether a CO- or a NCO-producing pathway is followed.
Bovine embryo development after IVF with spermatozoa having abnormal morphology

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of scrotal insulation on semen samples collected from bulls on embryonic development after IVF. Semen samples were obtained and cryopreserved from four Holstein bulls before and after a scrotal insulation period of 48 h (Day 0). Three types of samples were used for IVF: (1) semen from the test bulls collected 5 d prior to scrotal insulation (pre-insult); (2) semen from Day 13 (2-week post-insult; 2-week PI); and (3) semen from Day 20 (3-week PI). After 18 h of sperm-oocyte co-incubation, the zygotes were cultured for 8 d when a developmental score (0=degenerate, 1=2-cell embryo through 5=blastocyst) was assigned to each embryo. The post-thaw morphological evaluation of sperm samples revealed a decrease (P<0.01) in the percentages of normal spermatozoa in the 3-week PI samples in comparison with the pre-insult samples for Bulls I and III (74-22.3% and 67.7-0.5 %, respectively). The percentage of vacuolated spermatozoa increased significantly for Bull II. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates and embryo development scores were affected (P<0.01) by the interaction of bull by sample collection time. For Bulls I and III (severe responders) the scrotal insulation effects persisted from the time of cleavage through blastocyst formation. In contrast, the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates for Bulls II and IV were unaffected, despite high percentages of vacuolated spermatozoa present in the post-insult samples for Bull II. In conclusion, the use of scrotal insulation to elevate scrotal temperature was an effective method to obtain semen samples with high percentages of abnormal spermatozoa. The decrease in embryonic development after IVF when using spermatozoa with morphological abnormalities seemed to be multifaceted and related to changes in head morphology.
The Lunda-Ndembu: Style, Change, and Social Transformation in South Central Africa.

The Lunda-Ndembu: Style, Change, and Social Transformation in South Central Africa. James A. Pritchett. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2001. 377 pp.
Comparative Effectiveness and Toxicity of Statins Among HIV-Infected Patients

Alabama Background. Dyslipidemia is common and is often treated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins). Little is known about the comparative effectiveness of statins among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients. This study compared the effectiveness and toxicity of statins among HIV-infected patients in clinical care. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients starting their initial statin medications at 2 large HIV clinics (N 5 700). The primary observation was change in lipid levels during statin therapy. Secondary observations included whether individualized National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) goals for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non‐high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels were reached, and toxicity rates. We used linear regression to examine change in lipid levels, controlling for baseline lipid values and demographic and clinical characteristics. We conducted secondary analyses using propensity scores to address confounding by indication. Results. The most commonly prescribed statins were atorvastatin (N 5 303), pravastatin (N 5 280), and rosuvastatin (N 5 95). One year after starting a statin therapy, patients who received atorvastatin or rosuvastatin had significantly greater decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C than patients on pravastatin. The likelihood of reaching NCEP goals for LDL-C levels was higher with the use of rosuvastatin (OR 2.1; P 5 .03) and atorvastatin (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; P 5 .001) compared with that of pravastatin. The likelihood of reaching NCEP goals for non-HDL-C levels was higher for rosuvastatin (OR 2.3; P 5 .045) but not atorvastatin (OR, 1.5; P 5 .1) compared with pravastatin. Toxicity rates were similar for all 3 statins: 7.3% for atorvastatin, 6.1% for pravastatin, and 5.3% for rosuvastatin. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are preferable to pravastatin for treatment of HIV-infected patients with dyslipidemia, due to greater declines in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C, with similar lower toxicity rates.
‘A finite universe?’ Riemannian geometry and the Modernist theology of Ernest William Barnes

As one of the most tireless advocates of Modernism in the Church of England, Ernest William Barnes (1874–1953) was the subject of both veneration and scorn. The position Barnes adopted on evolution during the inter-war years, the period during which he was installed as the Bishop of Birmingham, has been the focus of recent scholarship. In particular, his spiritual agenda departed from those of most Modernists in that it encouraged the faithful to accept the precepts of evolution and Mendelism while it repudiated Lamarckian progressivism. Indeed, his unadulterated appreciation of neo-evolutionary theories makes it easier to understand his willingness to promote eugenic principles.Another unusual aspect of Barnes's Modernist theology, however, remains to be examined in any detail – namely its mathematical underpinnings. Before rising to his bishopric, Barnes was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on the strength of his mathematical research. Further, his reputation as one knowledgeable in both modern mathematical and biological investigations provided an authoritative legitimacy that was meant to enhance his efforts at reconciliation, including his Gifford Lectures of 1927 to 1929. This paper examines Barnes's promotion of Riemannian geometry, especially as it relates to the consolation he found in the concept of a finite universe. Ultimately it asserts that mathematics made essential contributions to a cosmological perspective integral to his Modernism.
Effect of low doses of methamphetamine on rat limbic-related neurotensin systems.

Administration of methamphetamine (METH) alters limbic-related (LR) neurotensin (NT) systems. Thus, through a D1-receptor mechanism, noncontingent high doses (5–15 mg/kg), and likely self-administration, of METH appears to reduce NT release causing its accumulation and an elevation of NT-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) in limbic-related NT pathways. For comparison, we tested the effect of low doses of METH, that are more like those used in therapy, on NTLI in the core and shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc and NAs), prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), the lateral habenula (Hb) and basolateral amygdala (Amyg). METH at the dose of 0.25 mg/kg in particular, but not 1.00 mg/kg, decreased NTLI concentration in all of the LR structures studied, except for the prefrontal cortex; however, these effects were rapid and brief being observed at 5 h but not at 24 h after treatment. In all of the LR areas where NTLI levels were reduced after the low dose of METH, the effect was blocked by pretreatment with either a D1 or a D2 antagonist. Thus, opposite to high doses like those associated with abuse, the therapeutic-like low-dose METH treatment induced reduction in NT tissue levels likely reflected an increase in NT release and a short-term depletion of the levels of this neuropeptide in LR structures, manifesting features comparable to the response of basal ganglia NT systems to similar low doses of METH.
Control of the Properties of Glazes by the Aid of Eutectics

The alkaline earth-boric oxide-silica systems are especially important in the compounding of ceramic glazes and bodies because they enable the introduction of B2O3 in an insoluble form. Published equilibrium eutectics and other low-temperature invariant points were investigated regarding temperatures and rates of deformation. Most of these compositions were found to be soluble in acid, alkaline, and phosphate solutions; tests in distilled water at 195°F. for 5 days therefore were chosen as the means of selecting the compositions which would be practical for use in the development of ceramic glazes. The systems BaO-B2O3-SiO2, CaO-B2O3-SiO2, and SrO-B2O3-SiO2 were studied first separately; the insoluble composition highest in B2O3 in each system was chosen for the triaxial study of the system alkaline earth-boric oxide-silica as a source of B2O3 in glazes and perhaps as a B2O3-bearing frit in ceramic bodies. Each of these insoluble glasses was also studied for the effect of limited change in composition on softening temperature and rate of deformation.
Constrained conditional models for information fusion

Probabilistic modeling has been a dominant approach in Machine Learning research. As the field evolves, the problems of interest become increasingly challenging and complex. Making complex decisions in real world problems often involves assigning values to sets of interdependent variables where the expressive dependency structure can influence, or even dictate, what assignments are possible. This paper surveys Constrained Conditional Models (CCMs), a framework that augments probabilistic models with declarative constraints as a way to support decisions in an expressive output space while maintaining modularity and tractability of training. We show how CCMs are a very natural choice for modeling an information fusion system which aims to coherently predict multiple output variables with very little information. We also present and discuss an information fusion scenario in detail and show how CCMs can be applied to this scenario. We also delineate several interesting connections which information fusion establishes between machine learning, sensor networks, and sampling theory.
Neural-Network-Based Adaptive Fault Estimation for a Class of Interconnected Nonlinear System with Triangular Forms

In this paper, a novel fault estimation methodology is proposed for a class of interconnected nonlinear continues-time systems with triangular forms. In the distributed fault estimation architecture, a fault detector is utilized to generate a residual between the subsystem and its detector or observer. Moreover, a threshold for distributed fault detection and estimation in each subsystem is designed. Due to the universal approximation capabilities of the radial basis function neural networks, it is used to estimate the unknown fault dynamics. The time-to-failure is determined by solving the adaptive law from the current time instant to a failure threshold. Finally, the proposed methods are verified in the simulation.
Pedagogy of third space: A multidimensional early childhood curriculum

This paper will illustrate how philosophical and pedagogical boundaries that are defined by diverse cultures and ideologies might be navigated in the practical implementation of an early childhood ...
Management of perioperative tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE Tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFis) are widely used in RA patients who undergo surgery, and optimal perioperative management must balance the risk of infection with the risk of post-operative flare. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of TNFi exposure on surgical site infections (SSIs) in RA patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis were performed using PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, through May 2014. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and analysed selected papers in detail. Included studies assessed RA patients with or without TNFi exposure prior to orthopaedic surgery, and described post-operative infections. Study quality was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Meta-analyses of the individual study odds ratios (ORs) were conducted, and each pooled OR was calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS Eight observational studies and three case control studies met inclusion criteria; risk of bias was low in eight studies and moderate in three. Publication bias was not apparent. These studies represent 3681 patients with recent exposure to TNFis (TNFi+) and 4310 with no recent exposure to TNFis (TNFi-) at the time of surgery. The TNFi+ group had higher risk of developing SSI compared with patients in the TNFi- group (random effects model: OR 2.47 (95% CI 1.66, 3.68); P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Data from the available literature suggest that there is an increased risk of SSIs in RA patients who use or have recently used TNFis at the time of elective orthopaedic surgery. Prospective studies to confirm these findings and establish the optimal withhold and restart time of TNFis, in the context of other risk factors for infection in RA patients such as higher disease activity, corticosteroid use, smoking and diabetes, are needed.
Low Temperature Biomass Deconstruction by Zeolite-encapsulated Enzyme Mimics

Oxidation catalysis is a reaction necessary for the production of plastics and other materials that seem now essential to our everyday lives. Unfortunately, most oxidation processes suffer from poor selectivity or yields, creating unwanted byproducts and waste. In nature, oxidative enzymes like methane monooxygenase and the family of cytochromes provide a more selective method for oxidation of organic compounds. Of particular interest is the low temperature, selective oxidation of cellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels or other useful replacements for materials currently derived from petroleum feedstocks. An enzymatic approach could replace the high temperature pyrolysis technology in use today. A series of inorganic mimics of some oxidative enzymes, using transition metal – amino acid complexes encapsulated in large pore zeolites have been synthesized and examined as oxidation catalysts under benign conditions. Several of these demonstrate turnovers comparable to native enzymes in the reaction of model compounds for the oxidation of lignin and cellulose.
Surgical treatment of aortic aneurysms.

Formerly, aortic aneurysms either were left untreated or were treated with only palliative procedures. In recent years, curative surgical measures have been developed, Data are presented from 134 surgically treated cases in which the over-all results were good. The author found that mortality is low when abdominal aneurysms below the renal arteries are treated prior to rupture. Previous myocardial infarction increases mortality, and the risk is much greater if rupture has occurred. Operative mortality in thoracic aortic aneurysms remains high.
Spatially located visual CS effects on conditioned shuttlebox avoidance in goldfish (Carassius auratus): Further analysis

The present study investigates shuttlebox avoidance acquisition in goldfish as a function of type of stimulus change (onset of offset of light) and CS location (CS occurring on the same, opposite, or both sides relative to the fish). For the onset conditions, the CS-same produced superior acquisition to the CS-both location, which in turn was superior to the CS-opposite condition. For the offset conditions, the three CS locations yielded comparable avoidance rates. These data indicate that, in addition to activation by the stimulus change, when the CS is the onset of a localized light, aversive properties are conditioned to the CS which facilitate acquisition for the CS-same location and depress acquisition for the CS-opposite location. The offset data indicate that these directional properties are not conditioned to a localized area of darkness.
Characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus Sortase Transpeptidase: A Novel Target for the Development of Chemotherapeutics Against Gram-Positive Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance is becoming an ever more pressing problem as vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections are becoming common in hospital acquired infections. To combat these resistant microbes, novel targets that provide new routes to treatment will be necessary. One avenue of therapy would involve preventing bacterial colonization by removing the ability of bacteria to become adherent to endothelial tissue. The S. aureus Sortase enzyme (SrtA) is a membrane-associated cell wall transpeptidase that covalently anchors protein virulence factors to the outer surface of the bacterial peptidoglycan. Cell wall-anchored virulence proteins are involved in a myriad of functions such as: (1) capture and presentation of immunoglobulins for evasion of host immune defenses (e.g. Protein A) (2) modulation of adhesion to endothelial tissue (e.g. fibronectin-binding protein) (3) adherence to plastics found in intercranial shunts and indwelling catheters. Common to these virulence factors is a highly conserved C-terrninal LPXTG sequence, the recognition site for Sortase. In S. aureus, Sortase cleaves the Thr-Gly peptide bond within LPXTG and creates a new peptide bond with the amino terminus of a peptidoglycan Gly5 pentapeptide bridging sequence [1]. Genetic deletion of Sortase in both S. aureus [2] and Streptococcus gordonii [3] results in bacteria with markedly reduced capacity for colonization. Here we report results from the in vitro characterization of Sortase activity and inhibition.
US States’ Childhood Obesity Surveillance Practices and Recommendations for Improving Them, 2014–2015

Introduction Routine collection, analysis, and reporting of data on child height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), particularly at the state and local levels, are needed to monitor the childhood obesity epidemic, plan intervention strategies, and evaluate the impact of interventions. Child BMI surveillance systems operated by the US government do not provide state or local data on children across a range of ages. The objective of this study was to describe the extent to which state governments conduct child BMI surveillance.
Hospitals as interpretation systems.

Abstract In this study of 162 hospitals, it was found that the chief executive officer's (CEO's) interpretation of strategic issues is related to the existing hospital strategy and the hospital's information processing structure. Strategy was related to interpretation in terms of the extent to which a given strategic issue was perceived as controllable or uncontrollable. Structure was related to the extent to which an issue was defined as positive or negative, was labeled as controllable or uncontrollable, and was perceived as leading to a gain or a loss. Together, strategy and structure accounted for a significant part of the variance in CEO interpretations of strategic events. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.