cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships of senile manifestations and chronic brain syndromes to cerebral circulation and metabolism.

Abstract 1. 1. The generalizability of our findings is limited by the selection process and the size of our samples, as well as by limitations in both methods of diagnosing early senile changes and methods of measuring both local and whole brain circulation and metabolism. Extension of similar studies into other populations is necessary for the further clarification of the relative contributions of cerebral vascular disease and chronological aging to the psychopathology of the aged. 2. 2. Early mild manifestations of mental decline observed in 11 of 48 community-resident aged males appear to relate to the occurence of arteriosclerosis and to reduced cerebral oxygen metabolic rate and blood flow, but not solely to chronological aging, and may represent the prodromal phase of the Chronic Brain Syndrome. Individual case inspection, however, shows that persons exhibiting ‘senile qualities’ may have apparently adequate cerebral metabolism and circulation and no significant arteriosclerosis. Either cerebrovascular disease is localized or is not sufficiently advanced to cause cerebrophysiological changes, or some other pathway or pathways may account for the senile manifestations. 3. 3. In the advanced Chronic Brain Syndrome (10 cases studied), a selective correlation was found between cerebral circulatory and metabolic variables and independently evaluated Chronic Brain Syndrome cases, whose inception and course led to a classification into Paranoid and Confused. The former maintained adequate metabolism and circulation compared to the latter.
The information technology minor: filling a need in the workforce of today

Information technology (IT) is now solidly a vital part of any organization. This creates a need not only for information technology professionals in general but specifically for those individuals who also possess an expertise in the industry for which they will work (i.e. manufacturing, Education, medicine, the arts). Such an individual will understand the intricacies of their unique industry and how to apply information technology to enhance their organizations' processes. Unfortunately university students today have few options to obtain both knowledge sets with any substance in their studies. This gap creates a need for a minor in information technology and/or a minor within another field for those students already majoring in a computing field. This paper will focus on the first of these options, the minor in information technology and the efforts thus far by the authors' university to create one for its students.
Observed Aspects of Reconnection in Solar Eruptions

The observed magnetic field configuration and signatures of reconnection in the large solar magnetic eruptions that make major flares and coronal mass ejections and in the much smaller magnetic eruptions that make X-ray jets are illustrated with cartoons and representative observed eruptions. The main reconnection signatures considered are the imaged bright emission from the heated plasma on reconnected field lines. In any of these eruptions, large or small, the magnetic field that drives the eruption and/or that drives the buildup to the eruption is initially a closed bipolar arcade. From the form and configuration of the magnetic field in and around the driving arcade and from the development of the reconnection signatures in coordination with the eruption, we infer that (1) at the onset of reconnection the reconnection current sheet is small compared to the driving arcade, and (2) the current sheet can grow to the size of the driving arcade only after reconnection starts and the unleashed erupting field dynamically forces the current sheet to grow much larger, building it up faster than the reconnection can tear it down. We conjecture that the fundamental reason the quasi-static pre-eruption field is prohibited from having a large current sheet is that the magnetic pressure is much greater than the plasma pressure in the chromosphere and low corona in eruptive solar magnetic fields.
Software Reliability: Statistical Modeling & Estimation

This paper identifies some essential features of any statistical model for analyzing software failure data. A model for incorporating dependence among the detection times of the errors is proposed and several reliability measures are calculated. The maximum likelihood estimator of the initial number of errors in a software is derived and inherent difficulties in estimating the correlation from standard debugging data are discussed.
Intravenous Home Inotropic Use Is Safe in Pediatric Patients Awaiting Transplantation

Background—Intravenous inotropic therapy can be used to support children awaiting heart transplantation. Although use of this therapy is discouraged in adults because of poor outcomes, its use in children, particularly outpatient, has had limited evaluation. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this practice. Methods and Results—A retrospective analysis of an intent to treat protocol was completed on United Network for Organ Sharing status 1A patients discharged on inotropic therapy from 1999 until 2012. Intravenous inotropic therapy was initiated for cardiac symptoms not amenable to oral therapy. Patients who were not status 1A or required >1 inotrope were excluded. Efficacy was analyzed by time to first event: transplantation; readmission until transplantation; improvement leading to inotrope withdrawal; or death. Safety included analysis of infection rates, line malfunctions, temporary hospitalization, neurological events, and arrhythmias. One hundred six patients met inclusion criteria. The...
Physiologic and cortical response to acute psychosocial stress in left temporal lobe epilepsy — A pilot cross-sectional fMRI study

Abstract Stress is commonly reported as a seizure precipitant in individuals with poorly controlled seizures including temporal lobe epilepsy. The aim of the study was to assess the neural and physiologic correlates of psychosocial stress response during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and their relationship with seizure occurrence in patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE). We enrolled 23 patients with LTLE and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs); all underwent fMRI with control math task (CMT) and stress math task (SMT) and pre-/post-fMRI salivary cortisol analysis (acute stress reactivity calculated as % reduction from post-stress to recovery baseline; dCORT). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were administered. T-tests of performance and cortisol variables were performed. Processing and single-subject modeling of fMRI response to CMT positive feedback and SMT negative feedback, group comparisons, and whole-brain correlation of seizure occurrence and fMRI response in patients with poorly controlled LTLE were performed. Patients with LTLE and healthy controls were similar in demographics, math performance, heart rate, and PSS-10 scores (all p > 0.05). Patients with LTLE exhibited greater dCORT (p = 0.048) and lower BDI-II scores (p = 0.016) compared with HCs. Patients with poorly controlled LTLE showed a positive association between seizure frequency and dCORT (r = 0.73, p = 0.016). Functional MRI activation to feedback was similar between groups, including midfrontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions. Regression analyses revealed no group differences to positive feedback, but, compared with HCs, patients with LTLE showed decreased activation to negative feedback in the left cerebellum/middle occipital/fusiform gyri, left hippocampus/parahippocampus, bilateral medial frontal/cingulate/superior frontal gyri, right postcentral gyrus/inferior parietal lobule, and right insula/postcentral gyrus (p
Acute toxicity of selected herbicides and surfactants to larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius

The acute toxicities of eight commercial herbicides and two surfactants to early fourth instar larvae of the midgeChironomus riparius were determined under static conditions. The formulated herbicides tested were Eradicane® (EPTC), Fargo® (triallate), Lasso® (alachlor), ME4 Brominal® (bromoxynil), Ramrod® (propachlor), Rodeo® (glyphosate), Sencor® (metribuzin), and Sutan (+)® (butylate); the two surfactants were Activator N.F.® and Ortho X-77®. In addition, technical grade alachlor, metribuzin, propachlor, and triallate were tested for comparison with the formulated herbicides. The relative toxicity of the commercial formulations, based on percent active ingredient, varied considerably. The EC50 values ranged from 1.23 mg/L for Fargo® to 5,600 mg/L for Rodeo®. Fargo®, ME4 Brominal®, and Ramrod® were moderately toxic to midge larvae; Lasso®, Sutan (+)®, and Eradicane® were slightly toxic; and Sencor® and Rodeo® were practically non-toxic. The 48-hr EC50 values of the two surfactants were nearly identical and were considered moderately toxic to midges. For two of the herbicides in which the technical grade material was tested, the inert ingredients in the formulations had a significant effect on the toxicity of the active ingredients. Fargo® was twice as toxic as technical grade triallate, whereas Sencor® was considerably less toxic than technical grade metribuzin. A comparison of the slope function values indicated that the toxic action of all the compounds occurred within a relatively narrow range. Published acute toxicity data on these compounds for other freshwater biota were tabulated and compared with our results. In general, the relative order of toxicity toC. riparius was similar to those for other freshwater invertebrates and fish. Maximum concentrations of each herbicide in bulk runoff during a projected “critical” runoff event were calculated as a percentage of the application rate lost in a given volume of runoff. A comparison between estimated maximum herbicide concentrations in runoff and results of acute tests indicated that Ramrod®, ME4 Brominal®, and Lasso® pose the greatest direct risk to midge larvae during a storm event.
Reaction Diffusion in the Au-Cu-Pb-Sn System at Low Temperature

The microstructure of a Cu 3 Au v. Pb-5wt%Sn diffusion couple was examined in the as-dipped and annealed conditions. The as-dipped couple showed no reaction between the solder and the base metal. The couple developed intermediate layers of two intermetallic phases upon annealing for 289 hours at 169°C. These phases were identified as phi and eta’ which are contained in the Au-Cu-Sn ternary system. No phases containing significant amounts of Pb formed, indicating that even at low concentrations in a Pb-Sn solder, Sn is the active chemical specie in the solder for the Au-Cu-Pb-Sn system. The microhardness of the eta’ phase was found to be equal to that of Cu 3 Sn, which forms in the absence of Au in the Cu base metal. However, the the phi phase was harder, and therefore the presence of Au in the base metal may adversely affect the thermal fatigue resistance of the solder joint.
Hiding Spinach in the Brownies: Frame Alignment in Suffrage Community Cookbooks, 1886–1916

Recent studies have examined how the conventions of cultural genres help advance frames. This line of scholarship can be used to study how activists might popularize radical frames that fundamentally challenge widespread beliefs. In this article, I analyze how the gendered character of suffrage community cookbooks aids in frame alignment. I determine how these cookbooks advance ‘femininity frames’ that drew on widespread beliefs about femininity (and thus were more likely to resonate with a broad audience). I also examine how suffrage cookbooks advance ‘republican citizenship frames’ that argued that women should vote because they could embody the masculinized republican ideals of civic virtue and public responsibility. Republican citizenship frames challenged widespread beliefs about femininity (and thus were likely to be viewed as more radical). I find that the embrace of domestic femininity in community cookbooks amplifies femininity frames by intensifying traditional beliefs about women. Furthermore, ...
The Methodological Content of Teacher Education Programs in Learning Disabilities: A Problem of Duplication:

This article features the results of a national survey of the methodological content of the largest teacher education programs in learning disabilities/mild handicaps. The data describe the relativ...
Optimized parameters for continuum solvation calculations with carbohydrates.

Continuum solvent models have been shown to be an efficient method for the calculation of the energetics of biomolecules in solution. However, for these methods to produce accurate results, an appropriate set of atomic radii or volumes is needed. While these have been developed for proteins and nucleic acids, the same is not true of carbohydrates. Here, a set of optimized parameters for continuum solvation calculations of carbohydrates in conjunction with the Carbohydrate Solution Force Field are presented. Explicit solvent free-energy perturbation simulations were performed on a set of hexapyranose sugars and used to fit atomic radii for Poisson−Boltzmann and generalized-Born calculations, and to fit atomic volumes for use with the analytical continuum electrostatics model. The solvation energetics computed with the optimized radii and a Poisson−Boltzmann model show remarkable agreement with explicit solvent simulation, with a root-mean-square error of 1.19 kcal/mol over a large test set of sugars in man...
Nonlinear optical properties of a C60 film at wavelengths between 720 and 880 nm

We measure the magnitude and phase of both independent components of the femtosecond (fs) third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor (chi) (3)(-(omega) ;(omega) ,(omega) ,-(omega) ) of a C60 film. We observe only the contribution of mechanisms whose rise and decay times are short compared to our 120 fs microjoule pulses. The value of (chi) 1111 varies between (6.39 +/- 0.35) X 10-13 esu at 745 nm and (19.7 +/- 1.1) X 10-13 esu at 875 nm, relative to fused silica, and rises monotonically with wavelength. Its phase angles lie between 100 and 150 degrees. Our results indicate that neither our, nor any previously published, measurements can be assumed to have approached the low frequency limit in C60.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Morphodynamic evolution of experimental cohesive deltas

[1] Here we describe new techniques for creating river-dominated (birds foot) deltas with strong channelization in the laboratory. The key to achieving strong self-channelization is the addition of a commercially available polymer to the sediment mixture. This polymer enhances the substrate strength increasing the critical erosion stress, an important geomorphic threshold. More importantly it increases the rate of cohesion onset to account for increased rates of morphodynamic evolution in small-scale experiments. A cyclic pattern of delta evolution is observed. The delta “avulsion cycle” begins with channel avulsion, erosion, and channel elongation and ends with channel backfilling and abandonment. This cycle appears to be universal but is subject to a range of controls, including sediment size distribution, sediment concentration, substrate cohesiveness, and Froude number. We propose that the observed depositional cycle is characteristic of an avulsion mechanism that is more complex than current models of fluvial systems, which generally explain avulsion probability as an upstream effect dependent on channel superelevation or levee slope. The experiments suggest that in many distributary channel systems, including deltas, alluvial, and deep water fans, downstream mediated topographic effects or “morphodynamic backwater effects” may dominate over upstream avulsion processes and control the surface mechanics and stratigraphy. The experimental observations are synthesized into a new depositional model for river-dominated deltas which emphasizes the importance of self-organization and feedback in delta surface evolution and stratigraphy.
Location, Management Strategy, and Workers' Pensions

This paper focuses upon the relationships between management strategy, location decisionmaking, and private pension liabilities. Analysis is based upon a recent suit in federal court brought by past employees of Continental Can Corporation against the corporation, alleging that it had deliberately relocated and restructured production at its Pittsburgh plant so as to illegally avoid early-retirement pension obligations. In narrative form I set out the essential details of the case and document in detail how the corporation reallocated production by plant location and the age and seniority of workers. It is suggested that this kind of locational-restructuring strategy is more common than often supposed and it is argued that corporations' pension obligations have fundamental, but little understood, implications for the process of restructuring American industry.
Paternal influences on the timing of prenatal care among Hispanics.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the independent role of paternal influences on the onset of prenatal care among Hispanic women. Methods: A total of 300 pregnant Hispanic women seeking prenatal care on or before their 35th week of gestation were surveyed about their and their partner’s pregnancy intention. Women in this study were recruited from clinics providing services to low income and medically indigent women. Results: Father’s pregnancy intention had a protective effect on the timely onset of prenatal care. Pregnancies that were unintended by the mother but were intended by the father had a lower likelihood of delayed care, as compared to those unintended by both (Odds Ratio [OR] = .54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .28, .99). This trend was stronger among married than non-married couples. Conclusion: Comprehensive efforts are needed to involve male partners in family planning as well as in programs aimed at expanding adequate pre- and postnatal behaviors within Hispanics.
Abrogation of lymphocyte blastogenesis by a feline leukaemia virus protein.

THYMIC atrophy and suppression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) have been associated with feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in cats1–5. Impairment of CMI by FeLV and other oncogenic retroviruses has been attributed to impaired lymphoid function caused by viral infection of lymphoid tissues5,6. This explanation for FeLV-related immunosuppression is plausible as lymphoid cells are the targets for oncogenesis3,7 and atrophy of the thymus occurs early in the course of FeLV infection1,3,4. However, FeLV-associated immunological impairment is not due simply to viral destruction of the thymus as surgical thymectomy of kittens does not result in demonstrable immunosuppression8. Moreover, several observations indicate that the depressed CMI response of preleukaemic FeLV-infected cats may be due to T-cell unresponsiveness rather than T-cell deficiency: the circulating T-cell population is not decreased during the preleukaemic stage of the FeLV infection2; lymphocytes from FeLV-infected cats are unresponsive to phytomitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis (LBT)2; and inhibition of the LBT response of normal feline lymphocytes can be produced by serum from FeLV-infected cats9. We have found that the unresponsiveness of feline lymphocytes to concanavalin A(Con A) also can be induced with FeLV inactivated by ultraviolet light10. Similar depressed mitogenic responses have been reported for mouse lymphocytes incubated with disrupted murine leukaemia virus11. Here we report that the mediator of FeLV-associated lymphocyte unresponsiveness seems to be the 15,000 molecular weight virion protein (p15) of FeLV.
Psychrophilic anaerobic digestion of animal manure: Proposed design methodology

Abstract A comprehensive literature review was conducted on psychrophilic anaerobic digestion and design of anaerobic digesters for treating animal manures. Anaerobic digestion of caged layer manure was studied in the laboratory at low temperatures (14–23°C). The digesters were operated to determine combinations of temperature and loading rate that gave acceptable methane yield. Acceptable methane yield was obtained for loading rates ranging between 0·15 kg VS/m day and 0·57 kg VS/m 3 day for temperatures of 14°C and 23°C, respectively. The resulting data along with that taken from similar tests documented in the literature was found to approximate the van't Hoff-Arrhenius equation. This equation is then suggested as a technique for determining suitable loading rates for psychrophilic digesters based on data for digesters operated at higher temperatures.
New observations on some poorly known protasterid ophiuroids from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany

Four genera and species of protasterid ophiuroids have been reported from the Lower Devonian Hunsruck Slate:Bundenbachia beneckei, Palaeophiomyxa grandis, Mastigophiura grandis, andPalaeophiura simplex. In addition, the speciesMiospondylus rhenanus has traditionally been recognized as a member of the Lapworthuridae, a group of ophiuroids with paired but unfused ambulacrals. This ambulacral arrangement would make it unique among Hunsruck Slate ophiuroids.Palaeophiura simplex andM. rhenanus were originally based on Single, poorly preserved specimens, and their morphology has remained poorly understood. A restudy of the type material offP. simplex andM. rhenanus and a detailed comparison to other Hunsruck ophiuroids warrants reassignment of these taxa toBundenbachia beneckei.Palaeophiura simplex is a juvenile example of this species andM. rhenanus is a peculiarly preserved adult. A newly prepared, well-preserved specimen ofBundenbachia beneckei expands our knowledge of the morphology of its mouthframe. In addition,Mastigophiura grandis is revised and redescribed based on newly recognized fossil material.
Tympanic membrane perforation repair using AlloDerm.

BACKGROUND: Some patients lack quality autologous tissue for tympanic membrane (TM) grafting. AlloDerm (LifeCell Corp, The Woodlands, TX) is a preserved allograft that has been effective in nonotol...
Polyamine Metabolism and Its Relation to Response of the Aleurone Layers of Barley Seeds to Gibberellic Acid

Polyamine metabolism and its relation to the induction of α-amylase formation in the aleurone layers of barley seeds ( Hordeum vulgare cv Himalaya) in response to gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) has been investigated. A high-performance liquid chromatographic system has been employed for qualitative and quantitative analyses of putrescine (Put), cadaverine (Cad), spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm), and agmatine (Agm). Active polyamine metabolism occurs in the aleurone cells of deembryonate barley half seeds during imbibition. The aleurone layers isolated from fully imbibed half seeds contain about 880 nanomoles of Put, 920 nanomoles of Spd, and 610 nanomoles of Spm as free form per gram tissue dry weight while the levels of Cad and Agm are relatively low. The polyamine levels do not change significantly in the aleurone layers in response to added GA 3 (1.5 micromolar) during the 8-hour lag period of the growth substance-induced formation of α-amylase. Also, the polyamine levels are not altered by the presence of abscisic acid (3 micromolar) which inhibits the enzyme induction by GA 3 . Kinetic studies show that both applied [U- 14 C]ornithine and [U- 14 C]arginine are primarily incorporated into Put during 2 hours of incubation, but the incorporation is not significantly affected by added GA 3 . Additionally, added GA 3 does not affect the uptake and turnover of [1,4- 14 C]Put, nor does it affect the conversion of Put → Spd or Spd → Spm. Treatment of the aleurone layers with GA 3 for 2 hours results in no significant changes in the total activities or the specific activities of ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase. Experiments with polyamine synthesis inhibitors demonstrate that the level of Spd in the aleurone layers could be substantially reduced by the presence of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) during imbibition. MGBG treatment does not affect in vivo incorporation of [8- 14 C] adenosine into ATP. The lower the level of Spd the less α-amylase formation is induced by added GA 3 . The reduction of GA 3 -induced α-amylase formation by MGBG treatment can be either completely or partially overcome by added Spd, depending upon the concentration of MGBG used in the imbibition medium. The results indicate that the early action of GA 3 , with respect to induction of α-amylase formation in barley aleurone layers, appears to be not on polyamine metabolism. However, polyamines, particularly Spd, may be involved in regulation of the growth substance-dependent enzyme induction.
Computer security research: a British perspective

Computer security is critical to software quality. With the emphasis in applications shifting from calculation to communication, the archiving, analysis, security, and privacy of information have become increasingly important. Most computer security research has focused on cryptography and network protocols. Today's security problems, however, include authenticity, digital signatures, data integrity, access control, electronic copyrights, and digital watermarking, which prevents unauthorized duplication and distribution of images and documents. The author presents a British perspective on computer security research.
Management of intraoperative hemorrhage during NOTES: a prospective, randomized comparison.

The optimal strategy to manage intraoperative hemorrhage during NOTES® is unknown. A randomized comparison of three instruments for hemorrhage control was performed [prototype endoscopic bipolar hemostasis forceps (BELA) vs. prototype endoscopic clip (E-CLIP) applier versus laparoscopic clip (L-CLIP) applier]. A hybrid transvaginal NOTES model in swine was used, with hemorrhage induced in either the gastroepiploic (GE) arteriovenous bundle (vessel diameter ~3 mm) or in distal mesenteric vessels (vessel diameter ~1–2 mm). Hemostasis was attempted three times per vessel using each instrument in a randomized order. Full laparoscopic salvage was performed if hemorrhage persisted beyond 10 min. Outcomes included primary success rate (PS), primary hemostasis time (PHT), number of device applications (DA), and overall hemostasis time (OHT, including salvage). Seventy hemostasis attempts were made in 12 swine. PS was 42–67 % for the GE vessels, with no difference between instruments. PHT and OHT also were similar between instruments, with the BELA and L-CLIP having a higher number of DA. PS was (80–100 %) in mesenteric vessels, with the BELA and L-CLIP resulting in a shorter mean PHT compared with the E-CLIP. All three instruments had similar effectiveness in achieving primary hemostasis during hybrid NOTES. Management of small vessel bleeding (1–2 mm) in a porcine model is effective using all three instruments but may be most efficient with the BELA or L-CLIP. Large vessel bleeding (≥3 mm) may be best managed by adding laparoscopic ports for assistance while maintaining a low threshold for conversion to full laparoscopy.
Rules for identifying potentially reactive or promiscuous compounds.

This article describes a set of 275 rules, developed over an 18-year period, used to identify compounds that may interfere with biological assays, allowing their removal from screening sets. Reasons for rejection include reactivity (e.g., acyl halides), interference with assay measurements (fluorescence, absorbance, quenching), activities that damage proteins (oxidizers, detergents), instability (e.g., latent aldehydes), and lack of druggability (e.g., compounds lacking both oxygen and nitrogen). The structural queries were profiled for frequency of occurrence in druglike and nondruglike compound sets and were extensively reviewed by a panel of experienced medicinal chemists. As a means of profiling the rules and as a filter in its own right, an index of biological promiscuity was developed. The 584 gene targets with screening data at Lilly were assigned to 17 subfamilies, and the number of subfamilies at which a compound was active was used as a promiscuity index. For certain compounds, promiscuous activ...
Impact of Pneumococcal Vaccination on the Incidence of Pneumonia by HIV Infection Status among Patients Enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort 5-Site Study

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequently documented cause of bacterial pneumonia [1]. In the developed and the developing world, the rate of pneumonia due to all causes and the rate of invasive pneumococcal disease is several-fold higher among HIV-infected persons than among the general population [2]. The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease among HIV-infected patients has decreased since the introduction of HAART [3–5], but it continues to be substantially higher than that observed among HIV-uninfected matched control subjects [2, 6–8]. Black HIV-infected patients represent a group with one of the highest incidences of disease [8]. Vaccination with 23-valent pneumococcal polysac charide vaccine (PPV) is the main strategy pursued in the United States to prevent morbidity and mortality related to pneumococcal infections [9, 10], and PPV vaccination is indicated for adults with risk factors for pneumococcal disease. In the population at highest risk, PPV vaccination offers protection against bacteremia, but protection against pneumonia has not been clearly established [11, 12]. Among HIV-infected persons, the current recommendations for vaccination with PPV are largely based on expert opinion [13]. The only prospective study evaluating the efficacy of vaccination among HIV-infected persons was performed in Uganda and revealed a significantly increased rate of pneumococcal disease during the first 6 months after vaccination [14]. In contrast, retrospective studies from North America have shown that PPV protects against pneumococcal disease among certain groups of HIV-infected patients, specifically among those vaccinated while their CD4 cell count was ≥500 cells/mm3 [15] or >200 cells/mm3 [16] or while they were receiving HAART [4, 15]. These studies have not controlled for the presence of other medical comorbidities in their cohorts. The Veterans Aging Cohort 5-Site Study (VACS 5) is an ongoing prospective study consisting of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients. The VACS 5 HIV-infected group is composed of older participants, compared with other HIV-infected cohorts [17]; the group consists of a high proportion of black individuals, has a high rate of smoking, and has a high prevalence of comorbidities. As such, this cohort is well suited to evaluate the protective effect of PPV vaccination among HIV-infected persons, while controlling for other factors that can increase this group’s risk of pneumonia and pneumococcal disease. With this objective, we evaluated the incidence of pneumonia and pneumococcal disease following vaccination with PPV among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants in VACS 5.
Partitioning, diffusivity and clearance of skin permeants in mammalian dermis

The partition coefficients (K(de)) and diffusivities (D(de)) of compounds in mammalian dermis were examined through an analysis of in vitro permeation data obtained from the literature combined with experimental results with the test permeant, (3)H-testosterone. The literature data involved 26 compounds ranging in molecular weight from 18 to 476 Da and four species-human, guinea pig, rat and mouse. Testosterone was studied by permeation and desorption measurements employing excised human dermis in the presence and absence of external serum albumin. Mathematical models for both K(de) and D(de) were developed. The K(de) model involved ionization, binding to extravascular serum proteins and partitioning into a small lipid compartment. The D(de) model employed a free diffusivity with a liquid-like size dependence multiplied by a binding factor derived from K(de). An additional analysis considered in vivo dermal concentration profiles of topically applied permeants. Literature data for 5 of 6 permeants were shown to be well described by a previously published model for capillary clearance in the dermis, which leads to an exponential decay of concentration with depth. Computed decay lengths (1/e values) ranged from 210 to 920 microm, and the corresponding clearance rate constants k(de) ranged from 0.9 x 10(-4) to 14 x 10(-4)s(-1) (n=8). Departures from the exponential decay profile are discussed in terms of non-uniform capillary clearance and incomplete attainment of a steady-state.
Morphology and the sperm penetration assay

Abstract Objective To assess the ability of Kruger morphology to predict the outcome of the sperm penetration assay (SPA). Design A retrospective review using univariate and multivariate analysis, t tests, and logistic regression was performed to examine the correlation between Kruger morphology and the optimized zona-free hamster egg sperm penetration assay (O-HESPA). Setting University hospital. Patient(s) One hundred fifteen private-practice patients who underwent semen analysis, including Kruger morphology and O-HESPA, as part of an infertility evaluation between 1997–2000 were retrospectively reviewed. Intervention(s) Retrospective analysis of the sperm penetration assay. Main outcome measure(s) Univariate and multivariate analysis, Student’s t test, and logistic regression were performed to analyze Kruger morphology, count, and viability and their relationship to SCI result. Result(s) Univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between SCI and sperm count, viability, and Kruger morphology. Multivariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant correlations between SCI and count and viability. There was no correlation between Kruger morphology and SCI. Logistic regression was performed on the SCI results, using count, Kruger morphology, and viability. Sperm count was found to be the only variable that was statistically significant with respect to SCI results. Conclusion(s) This study demonstrated that Kruger morphology assessment cannot be used to predict the results of SCI or replace it in the management of the infertile couple.
Family Functioning, Coping, and Distress in Families With Serious Mental Illness

It is well documented that mental illness impacts not only the person diagnosed but also the family; however, not much is known about family functioning, coping, and distress in the family of the p...
Structural analysis of the Sil1–Bip complex reveals the mechanism for Sil1 to function as a nucleotide-exchange factor

Sil1 functions as a NEF (nucleotide-exchange factor) for the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) Hsp70 (heat-shock protein of 70 kDa) Bip in eukaryotic cells. Sil1 may catalyse the ADP release from Bip by interacting directly with the ATPase domain of Bip. In the present study we show the complex crystal structure of the yeast Bip and the NEF Sil1 at the resolution of 2.3 A (1 A=0.1 nm). In the Sil1–Bip complex structure, the Sil1 molecule acts as a ‘clamp’ which binds lobe IIb of the Bip ATPase domain. The binding of Sil1 causes the rotation of lobe IIb ~ 13.5° away from the ADP-binding pocket. The complex formation also induces lobe Ib to swing in the opposite direction by ~ 3.7°. These conformational changes open up the nucleotide-binding pocket in the Bip ATPase domain and disrupt the hydrogen bonds between Bip and bound ADP, which may catalyse ADP release. Mutation of the Sil1 residues involved in binding the Bip ATPase domain compromise the binding affinity of Sil1 to Bip, and these Sil1 mutants also abolish the ability to stimulate the ATPase activity of Bip.
Ecological Costs Internalization in Ultimate Pit Optimization

The tradition way of open pit mine design just takes the operating and capital costs into account while the ecological costs of mining to ecological environment is not a concern at all. For this concept, based on the mine ecological footprint and eco-cost models which have been built by author, the ecological cost allocation models which take mining, stripping and ore dressing as incentive are built. It contains allocation models of unit mining ecological costs, stripping ecological costs and ore processing ecological costs. Moving cone elimination algorithm and iteration method is used for a open pit metal mine to optimize ultimate pit. The studies show that the pit optimization which contains ecological costs has a great impact on the ultimate pit. Compared to the pit optimization with an end treatment, ecological costs are contained in the pit design is better for either economy or environment.
Dosimetry of cylindrical fibers in photodynamic therapy

The use of the photosensitizer Photofrin' (dihematoporphyrin ether, DHE)' in the photodynarnic treatment of human disease is becoming well known and widely used. While a number of photosensitizers may be used for photodynamic therapy (PDT), the porphyrins, in particular Photofrin', have received the most attention. This is specifically true for human trials.25 Clinical studies in photodynamic therapy (PDT) have utilized lasers to take advantage of coupling efficiencies to optical fibers allowing light to be delivered to many areas of the body. This is particularly true in endoscopic PDT. Both interstitial and superficial delivery techniques can be applied using one of a variety of delivery fibers available. A fiber with an optically flat end with a lens to produce a spot with a homogeneous intensity is used for superficial applications. Diffusers of various lengths, at the tip of a fiber, produce a cylindrical isotropic pattern and are suited for either intraluminal or interstitial illuminations, Previous studies have measured space irradiance produced by cylindrical fibers to determine the extent to which conditions of use would affect light distribution.6 Further, those studies attempted to assess the impact of variations in light distribution on the therapeutic effect. The therapeutic effect, however, was based upon the use of the cylindrical fiber as an interstitial implant and conclusions, therefore, were made in that context. The manner in which energy is distributed in air by fiberoptics can be described in terms of those surfaces through which the energy flux (energy per unit area per unit time) is everywhere constant. Since the therapeutic light dose has units of energy per unit area, these surfaces are properly called 'isodose-rate' surfaces. A field of treatment that conforms to an isodose-rate surface receives an incidental uniform light dose in a time interval (sec) given by the numerical ratio of the light dose (Joules/cni2) to the dose rate (watts/cm2). The isodose-rate surfaces in the air of the microlens and the sphere diffuser are simple surfaces, namely planes perpendicular to the light beam and spheres centered on the light source, respectively. The isodose-rate surfaces of the cylinder diffuser do not have a simple cycometry. In the following, these surfaces are presented for a line source which is a good approximation of the cylinder diffuser.
Adherence of prosthetic skin.

Recently, a new successful prosthetic skin was reported from this laboratory. Utilizing the burned rat model, this prosthesis, controlled burn wound sepsis, prevented insensible water vapor loss and remained indefinitely. A prime factor necessary for the success of this prosthesis is its ability to adhere early to the recipient site. Thus, in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms of adherence and to be able to evaluate more closely different types of prosthetic skin, materials, and designs, a quantitative technique was developed using a modified Keil tester. The force (dynes/cm2) necessary to tear the prosthesis free was recorded on a direct writing apparatus. Tensile strength measurements of the prosthetic skin revealed a gradully increasing adherence of the tissue to the prosthesis. Initial values, days 2 through 5 post-application, were low as recorded in dynes/cm2. The graft when removed on these days showed little or no gross fascial adherence, however, edge adherence steadily increased. After a few days the successful prosthesis could not be peeled without removing some tissue. Histologic studies show that by day 9 the prosthesis is an integral part of the subcutaneous tissue with foreign body giant cell reaction, ingrowth of of fibroblasts and collagen, and few inflammatory cells or bacteria. The adhesion values reveal that as the day post-application increased the mean value in dynes/cm2 increased from an initial 2.137 on day 2 to 8.019 on day 50.
Fatal Cardiogenic Shock and Liver Failure Induced by Verapamil in a Thyrotoxic Patient

Verapamil is widely used for slowing the heart rate, especially for rapid atrial fibrillation.[1] However, severe bradycardia is a dangerous adverse effect of this drug, and has been reported to cause severe cardiogenic shock in a patient with liver failure even after a single 80mg dose.[2] Thyroid crisis has also been reported to be complicated with acute hepatic failure.[3,4] We report a case of a 37year-old male with thyrotoxicosis who developed fatal cardiogenic shock and liver failure after receiving verapamil 80mg three times a day in order to slow his heart rate.
Envelope Type and Response Rates in a Survey of Health Professionals

Surveys are an important tool for assessing physician and nursing professionals’ practice patterns and guideline adherence. Obtaining quality survey data consisting of low item and unit nonresponse remains a persistent challenge in these populations. We tested the relative impact of two envelope types (padded vs. priority mail) on unit and item nonresponse in a survey of Minnesota health care workers. Respondents were randomized to receive a survey in one of two envelope types: a padded 8.5′′ × 11′′ envelope or a similarly sized priority mail envelope. After the first mailing, the response rate was 53.9% and did not differ across envelope conditions. Females and RNs were more likely to respond to the priority envelope than the padded envelope, but this finding did not hold in multivariate analysis. There was no difference in item nonresponse across the two envelope conditions. It may be that our two approaches were not enough to permeate the semi-porous membrane of gatekeeping that has been posited as a d...
Condensation of Aldoses and Their Aldehydo Derivatives with Compounds of the Type 1,3-Cyclohexanedione: Synthesis of 2,2-Aldosylidene-bis-[5-(p-hydroxypheny1)-4,6-dicarbet hoxy-1,3 -cyclohexanedione] and 2,2-Aldosylidene-bis-[5,5-dimet hyl-l,3-cyclohexanedione] and Derivatives

Glycoaldehyde, glyoxal, dl -glyceraldehyde, D-arabinose, D-glucose, and D-mannose react with compounds of the 1,3-cyclohexanedione type to form 2,2-aldosylidene-bis-1,3-cyclohexanedione derivatives.
REPLY TO WOODWARD

I thank Dr. Woodward for his illuminating review of my book Causality, for explicating so clearly the basic contributions of the book, and for giving me the opportunity to further clarify some aspects of the do-calculus, specifically those that pertain to the notion of intervention.
Early decortication after thoracic trauma.

• Twenty-three patients who sustained either blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma underwent early decortication after failure of chest tube drainage. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) ten with isolated chest injuries were compared with (2) 13 with chest trauma and other associated major injuries. Group 1 patients had earlier decortication (10.3 days), rapid recovery (home in 6.1 days), and little morbidity. Group 2 patients had later decortications (19.3 days), higher incidence of infected clot, yet were home in 9.8 days after thoracotomy. Early decortication is advocated as a safe and expedient means of dealing with the complications of traumatic pneumothorax and hemothorax. ( Arch Surg 113:440-445, 1978)
Scatter Spectroscopic Imaging Distinguishes between Breast Pathologies in Tissues Relevant to Surgical Margin Assessment

Purpose: A new approach to spectroscopic imaging was developed to detect and discriminate microscopic pathologies in resected breast tissues; diagnostic performance of the prototype system was tested in 27 tissues procured during breast conservative surgery. Experimental Design: A custom-built, scanning in situ spectroscopy platform sampled broadband reflectance from a 150-μm-diameter spot over a 1 × 1 cm 2 field using a dark field geometry and telecentric lens; the system was designed to balance sensitivity to cellular morphology and imaging the inherent diversity within tissue subtypes. Nearly 300,000 broadband spectra were parameterized using light scattering models and spatially dependent spectral signatures were interpreted using a cooccurrence matrix representation of image texture. Results: Local scattering changes distinguished benign from malignant pathologies with 94% accuracy, 93% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 93% positive and 95% negative predictive values using a threshold-based classifier. Texture and shape features were important to optimally discriminate benign from malignant tissues, including pixel-to-pixel correlation, contrast and homogeneity, and the shape features of fractal dimension and Euler number. Analysis of the region-based diagnostic performance showed that spectroscopic image features from 1 × 1 mm 2 areas were diagnostically discriminant and enabled quantification of within-class tissue heterogeneities. Conclusions: Localized scatter-imaging signatures detected by the scanning spectroscopy platform readily distinguished benign from malignant pathologies in surgical tissues and showed new spectral-spatial signatures of clinical breast pathologies. Clin Cancer Res; 18(22); 6315–25. ©2012 AACR .
Controlling Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus growth and aflatoxin production in poultry feed using carvacrol and trans-cinnamaldehyde

Abstract Aflatoxins (AF) are toxic metabolites primarily produced by molds, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Contamination of poultry feed with AF is a major concern to the poultry industry due to severe economic losses stemming from poor performance, reduced egg production, and diminished egg hatchability. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of 2 generally regarded as safe (GRAS), natural plant compounds, namely carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), on A. flavus and A. parasiticus growth and AF production in potato dextrose broth (PDB) and in poultry feed. In broth culture, PDB supplemented with CR (0%, 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.08%) or TC (0%, 0.005%, 0.01% and 0.02%) was inoculated with A. flavus or A. parasiticus (6 log CFU/mL), and mold counts and AF production were determined on days 0, 1, 3, and 5. Similarly, 200 g portions of poultry feed supplemented with CR or TC (0%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) were inoculated with each mold, and their counts and AF concentrations in the feed were determined at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of storage. Moreover, the effect of CR and TC on the expression of AF synthesis genes in A. flavus and A. parasiticus (aflC, nor1, norA, and ver1) was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). All experiments had duplicate samples and were replicated 3 times. Results indicated that CR and TC reduced A. flavus and A. parasiticus growth and AF production in broth culture and chicken feed (P
Zombie fire ant workers: behavior controlled by decapitating fly parasitoids

Laboratory observations were conducted on four separate red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, colonies that contained workers parasitized by the decapitating fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis. Parasitized S. invicta workers remained inside the nest during parasitoid larval development and left the nest approximately 8 – 10 hours before decapitation by the parasitoid. When parasitized ants left the nest, they were highly mobile, were responsive to tactile stimuli, and showed minimal defensive behavior. Ants ultimately entered into a grass thatch layer, where they were decapitated and the fly maggots pupariated. This study reveals that parasitized ants exhibit behaviors that are consistent with host manipulation to benefit survival of the parasitoid.