cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement strategies to account for soil respiration temporal heterogeneity across diverse regions

Abstract Soil respiration (Rs) rates fluctuate daily and seasonally; therefore, the timing of measurements is critical when estimating the daily mean and scaling up to annual Rs rates. Temporal fluctuations also vary with climate and biome, yet the current recommendation for when to measure Rs (e.g., 09:00 to 12:00) has not been evaluated for different climates, biomes, and seasons. To provide more refined recommendations for measuring Rs, we: 1) analyzed the diurnal and seasonal fluctuations of Rs and tested the accuracy of typical measurement practices under different climates and biomes, and 2) identified the measurement frequency necessary for different climates and biomes to achieve certain levels of accuracy in estimating annual Rs. Across biomes, diurnal variation in Rs is considerable in spring and summer, moderate in autumn, and minimal in winter, and closely related with soil temperature. Based on these diurnal patterns, the best measurement time for estimating the daily mean Rs was 10:00 in all climates and biomes, which is within the recommended range of 9:00 and 12:00 previously identified for temperate forests. Measurements made between 20:00 and 23:00 also accurately estimated the daily mean Rs. Regions with high plant coverage over the year have lower seasonal variation and require less measurement frequency. For global scale estimates, Rs needs to be measured once per day to attain an accuracy of ±10% of the Rs population mean with 95% confidence, and once per month to achieve ±30% with a confidence of 80%. Results from this study provide guidelines that reduce measurement frequency while retaining reasonable accuracy for better Rs estimates using manual chamber systems.
Two new species of Megalota from the Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethruetinae).

Two new species of Megalota Diakonoff, 1966 are described and illustrated from the Bahamas: M. bahamana Brown & Matthews, new species, and M. insularis Brown and Matthews, new species. The two are among the 65 or so species of Tortricidae recorded from the Bahamas during an inventory of the Lepidoptera of the archipelago initiated in 2010.
Intraocular Oxygen and Antioxidant Status: New Insights on the Effect of Vitrectomy and Glaucoma Pathogenesis.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate correlations of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in the ocular anterior segment of human eyes and aqueous humor antioxidant levels of ascorbate (AsA) and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) with glaucoma and vitreous status. Methods This prospective, cross-sectional study stratified patients (n = 288 eyes) by lens and vitreous status and the presence of primary open-angle glaucoma for statistical analyses. Intraocular pO2 concentrations were measured using a fiberoptic probe in patients at the beginning of planned glaucoma and/or cataract surgery. Aqueous humor specimens were obtained for antioxidant analysis of AsA and TRAP. Results Following prior pars plana vitrectomy, pO2 levels were significantly higher than in the reference group of cataract surgery in the anterior chamber angle (16.2 ± 5.0 vs. 13.0 ± 3.9 mm Hg; P = .0171) and in the posterior chamber (7.6 ± 3.1 vs. 3.9 ± 2.7 mm Hg; P Conclusions Increased pO2 and antioxidant depletion following vitrectomy suggests an alteration of the intraocular oxidant-antioxidant balance. Our study links physiologic factors such as increased pO2 in the anterior chamber angle and the posterior chamber to decreased antioxidant levels in aqueous humor following vitrectomy. Oxidative stress/damage to the trabecular meshwork in such post-vitrectomy cases may contribute to intraocular pressure elevation and increased risk of glaucoma. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
Assessment of oxygen sequestration on effectiveness of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags in reducing carotenoid degradation during post-harvest storage of two biofortified orange maize genotypes

Abstract Increasing adoption of biofortified orange maize in developing countries requires economical storage methods to manage product quality and carotenoid retention. This study assessed the utility of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags with a specific focus on retention of provitamin A and other carotenoids in two biofortified maize genotypes (OPVI and OPVII). Grain was stored at ambient conditions for eight months in PICS bags with and without an O2 scavenger, (PICS-oxy) and (PICS-noxy), respectively, or in common polypropylene woven bags. After 4 months of storage carotenoid content was significantly higher (p
Understanding Polymorph Selection of Sulfamerazine in Solution

Polymorphism can have a significant impact on important physical and chemical properties of pharmaceutical products. Empirical screening of polymorphs by using different solvent systems is often la...
390. Treatment and Outcome of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Hip and Knee Prosthetic Joint Infection

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) total hip and knee prosthetic joint infections (PJI) can be highly morbid and difficult to treat. Other clinical factors notwithstanding, explantation is usually recommended, although comparative treatment data are lacking. We sought to compare the success of implant retention to two-stage exchange in MRSA-infected PJI to better understand treatment options in this difficult cohort.
Hypoalbuminemia and Obesity in Orthopaedic Trauma Patients: Body Mass Index a Significant Predictor of Surgical Site Complications.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia and obesity in orthopaedic trauma patients with high-energy injuries and to investigate their impact on the incidence of surgical site complications. Patients 18 years of age and older undergoing intramedullary nail fixation of their femoral shaft fractures at a university-based level-1 trauma centre were assessed. Malnutrition was measured using serum markers (albumin 30 kg/m2). The primary outcome measure was surgical wound complications. A total of 249 patients were included in this study. Ninety-eight patients (39.4%) presented with hypoalbuminaemia and 80 patients (32.1%) were obese. The overall incidence of wound complications in our study population was 9.65% (n = 25/259). A logistic regression model showed that non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m2) were at significantly reduced risk for perioperative wound complications (Odds Ratio 0.400 [95% confidence interval 0.168, 0.954], p = 0.039). This study demonstrated a substantial prevalence of hypoalbuminemia and obesity among orthopaedic trauma patients with high-energy injuries. Obesity may increase the risk of surgical site complications. Future studies are required to further define malnutrition and its correlation with surgical site complications in orthopaedic trauma patients.
Saddle point least squares for the reaction–diffusion problem

Abstract We consider a mixed variational formulation for the reaction–diffusion problem based on a saddle point least square approach with an optimal test norm and nonconforming trial spaces. An Uzawa type iterative process for solving the discrete mixed formulations is proposed and choices for discrete stable spaces are provided. The implementation requires a nodal basis only for the test space, and assembly of a global saddle point system is avoided. For the test space, we use piecewise linear spaces of functions on Shishkin type meshes that provide almost optimal approximation in the standard symmetric elliptic formulation. Our saddle point least squares method has the advantage that the order of approximation of the solution in a balanced norm is improved if compared with the standard variational approach. Numerical results are included to support the proposed method.
Different patterns of remission in acute myelocytic leukemia. A comparison of the effects of methyl-glyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone and 6-mercaptopurine.

Methyl-glyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (methyl GAG) has induced complete hematologic remissions in patients with acute myelocytic leukemia. The hematologic pattern of remission was different from that observed for 6-mercaptopurine. Early lymphocytosis and increase in platelet counts occurred with both drugs. With methyl GAG the early granulation of immature cells and a relative rise in peripheral mature granulocytes developed. This could occur with persistent leukopenia and could precede the recovery of platelets. Repopulation of red cell precursors occurred at a similar rate with both drugs. Abnormal megaloblastoid erythropoiesis was seen in 11 of 14 patients treated with 6-MP; erythropoiesis was normoblastic in all patients treated with methyl GAG. Recognition of the different patterns of remission characteristic of 6-MP and methyl GAG suggests different mechanisms of action for the two drugs. The criteria of impending remission observed with methyl GAG may make possible shortened administration of a toxic drug.
Resolving overlapped signals with automated FitNMR analytical peak modeling.

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a valuable tool for determining the structures of molecules and probing their dynamics. A longstanding problem facing both small-molecule and macromolecular NMR is overlapped signals in crowded spectra. To address this, we have developed a method that extracts peak features by fitting analytically derived models of NMR lineshapes. The approach takes into account the effects of truncation, apodization, and the resulting artifacts, while avoiding systematic errors that have affected other models. Even severely overlapped peaks, beyond the point of coalescence, can be distinguished in both simulated and experimental data. We show that the method can measure unresolved backbone scalar couplings directly from a 2D proton-nitrogen spectrum of a de novo designed mini protein. The algorithm is implemented in the FitNMR open-source R package and can be used to analyze nearly any type of single or multidimensional data from small molecules or biomolecules.
Weight status and associated comorbidities in children and adults with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities

BACKGROUND Little is known about body weight status and the association between body weight and common comorbidities in children and adults with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). METHODS Data were extracted from the University of Kansas Medical Center's Healthcare Enterprise Repository for Ontological Narration clinical integrated data repository. Measures included demographics (sex, age and race), disability diagnosis, comorbid health conditions, height, weight and body mass index percentiles (BMI%ile; <18 years of age) or BMI (≥18 years of age). RESULTS Four hundred and sixty-eight individuals with DS (122 children and 346 adults), 1659 individuals with ASD (1073 children and 585 adults) and 604 individuals with other IDDs (152 children and 452 adults) were identified. A total of 47.0% (DS), 41.9% (ASD) and 33.5% (IDD) of children had overweight/obese (OW/OB), respectively. Children with DS were more likely to have OW/OB compared with children with IDD or ASD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.49, 2.46); OR = 1.43, 95% CI: (1.19, 1.72)], respectively. A total of 81.1% (DS), 62.1% (ASD), and 62.4% (IDD) of adults were OW/OB, respectively. Adults with DS were more likely to have OW/OB compared with those with IDD [OR = 2.56, 95% CI: (2.16, 3.02)]. No significant differences were observed by race. In children with ASD, higher OW/OB was associated with significantly higher (compared with non-OW/OB) occurrence of sleep apnoea [OR = 2.94, 95% CI: (2.22, 3.89)], hypothyroidism [OR = 3.14, 95% CI: (2.17, 4.25)] and hypertension [OR = 4.11, 95% CI: (3.05, 5.54)]. In adults with DS, OW/OB was significantly associated with higher risk of sleep apnoea and type 2 diabetes [OR = 2.93, 95% CI: (2.10, 4.09); OR = 1.76, 95% CI: (1.11, 2.79) respectively]. Similarly, in adults with ASD and IDD, OW/OB was significantly associated with higher risk of sleep apnoea [OR = 3.39, 95% CI: (2.37, 4.85) and OR = 6.69, 95% CI: (4.43, 10.10)], type 2 diabetes [OR = 2.25, 95 % CI: (1.68, 3.01) and OR = 5.49, 95% CI: (3.96, 7.61)] and hypertension [OR = 3.55, 95% CI: (2.76, 4.57) and 3.97, 95% CI: (3.17, 4.97)]. CONCLUSION Findings suggest higher rates of OW/OB in individuals with DS compared with ASD and IDD. Given the increased risk of comorbidities associated with the increased risk of OW/OB, identification of effective interventions for this special population of individuals is critical.
Radiomics methodology for breast cancer diagnosis using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and compare human-engineered radiomics methodologies that use multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to diagnose breast cancer. Approach: The dataset comprises clinical multiparametric MR images of 852 unique lesions from 612 patients. Each MR study included a dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI sequence and a T2-weighted (T2w) MRI sequence, and a subset of 389 lesions were also imaged with a diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence. Lesions were automatically segmented using the fuzzy C-means algorithm. Radiomic features were extracted from each MRI sequence. Two approaches, feature fusion and classifier fusion, to utilizing multiparametric information were investigated. A support vector machine classifier was trained for each method to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate and compare diagnostic performance. Analyses were first performed on the entire dataset and then on the subset that was imaged using the three-sequence protocol. Results: When using the full dataset, the single-parametric classifiers yielded the following AUCs and 95% confidence intervals: AUC DCE = 0.84 [0.82, 0.87], AUC T 2 w = 0.83 [0.80, 0.86], and AUC DWI = 0.69 [0.62, 0.75]. The two multiparametric classifiers both yielded AUCs of 0.87 [0.84, 0.89] and significantly outperformed all single-parametric methods classifiers. When using the three-sequence subset, the mpMRI classifiers' performances significantly decreased. Conclusions: The proposed mpMRI radiomics methods can improve the performance of computer-aided diagnostics for breast cancer and handle missing sequences in the imaging protocol.
Between-day repeatability of sensor-based in-home gait assessment among older adults: assessing the effect of frailty.

While sensor-based daily physical activity (DPA) gait assessment has been demonstrated to be an effective measure of physical frailty and fall-risk, the repeatability of DPA gait parameters between different days of measurement is not clear. To evaluate test–retest reliability (repeatability) of DPA gait performance parameters, representing the quality of walking, and quantitative gait measures (e.g. number of steps) between two separate days of assessment among older adults. DPA was acquired for 48-h from older adults (age ≥ 65 years) using a tri-axial accelerometer. Continuous walking bouts (≥ 60 s) were identified from acceleration data and used to extract gait performance parameters, including time- and frequency-domain gait parameters, representing walking speed, variability, and irregularity. To assess repeatability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated using two-way mixed effects F-test models for day-1 vs. day-2 as the independent random effect. Repeatability tests were performed for all participants and also within frailty groups (non-frail and pre-frail/frail identified using Fried phenotype). Data was analyzed from 63 older adults (29 non-frail and 34 pre-frail/frail). Most of the time- and frequency-domain gait performance parameters showed good to excellent repeatability (ICC ≥ 0.70), while quantitative parameters, including number of steps and walking duration showed poor repeatability (ICC 0.78) compared to non-frail individuals (0.39 < ICC < 0.55). Gait performance parameters, showed higher repeatability compared to quantitative measures. Higher repeatability among pre-frail/frail individuals may be attributed to a reduced functional capacity for performing more intense and variable physical tasks. The clinical trial was retrospectively registered on June 18th, 2013 with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01880229.
Prospective Study of Radial Artery Occlusion Following Transradial Arterial Access during IR Procedures.

PURPOSE To prospectively determine the rate of radial artery occlusion (RAO) in patients undergoing transradial access for intra-arterial interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-seven patients undergoing transradial access from August 2019 to March 2021 for 120 intra-arterial procedures (yttrium-90 mapping [n = 39] and radioembolization [n = 38], uterine artery embolization [n = 19], transarterial chemoembolization [n = 10], active bleed embolization [n = 8], angiomyolipoma embolization [n = 4], and other [n = 2]) were enrolled. The average patient age was 59 years ± 13.1 (range, 30-90 years), and 43 (55.8%) of the 77 patients were men. The patients underwent radial artery (RA) palpation, ultrasound evaluation, the Barbeau test, and the reverse Barbeau test prior to and following the intervention. Verapamil, nitroglycerin, and heparin were administered in a total of 114 (95%) of the 120 procedures prior to starting the procedure. The incidence of RAO and radial artery spasm (RAS) was calculated, and univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the predictors of RAS. RESULTS The preprocedural RA diameter (3.0 mm ± 0.67) was not significantly different from the postprocedural RA diameter (3.0 mm ± 0.65, P = .904). The RAO rate was determined to be 0.8% (1/120), and this artery recanalized within 1 week. Due to the small number of occlusions, statistical analysis of predictors of RAO was not performed. The rate of RAS was 22.7% (27/119). None of the variables tested-including age, sex, RA diameter, initial versus repeat access, operator experience, and artery puncture technique-showed significant prediction for RAS. Patients were seen for follow-up after 111 (92.5%) of the 120 procedures. CONCLUSIONS Transradial access resulted in a <1% rate of RAO.
Classical Radiation Symmetry in Gauge Theories

There are spin-independent zeros in every tree-approximated radiation amplitude in gauge theories. This theorem1,2 applies to the emission/absorption of any number of massless gauge bosons whose gauge-group symmetry is unbroken. Under certain circumstances the “radiation zeros ” lie in physical regions, and may lead to measurable experimental tests of gauge theories. In any case, they imply constraints on the form of the tree amplitudes, and do lead to a new radiation representation for theoretical analysis.
The Effect of Free-Stream Turbulence on Heat Transfer Rates

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the effects of free-stream turbulence on heat transfer rates. The essential characteristic of a turbulent free stream resides in the fact that the oncoming velocity, U ∞ , is quasi-steady, and that locally, at every point in the stream, the velocity fluctuates in magnitude and direction with respect to time. The effect of the free-stream turbulence on heat transfer rates can also be obtained in terms of the boundary-layer concept. First, a blunt body is considered, specifically an infinite cylinder in cross flow. In the flow regime considered, there exists an important relation between the flow field and the temperature field which may be described as unidirectional coupling. Local measurements on a cylinder in the laminar range near the stagnation point, and local measurements on a turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate with a favorable pressure gradient are also examined. The results of the experiments discussed are summarized in the form of several qualitative statements. Some of them are free-stream turbulence affecting heat (and mass) transfer rates both locally and through an effect on the flow configuration, and the combination of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence may affect the heat transfer rates across laminar boundary layers on plates.
Empathy and Collective Action

This essay introduces a neurologically-informed formal model of collective action that reveals the role for empathy and distress in motivating costly helping behaviors. This model is based on a brain circuit that our lab has recently characterized called HOME (Human Oxytocin Mediated Empathy) System. We review how our studies have identified HOME and use this to draw implications for how collective action can be initiated, sustained, and revived.
ASSERT: A Wireless Networking Testbed

As wireless networks become a critical part of home, business and industrial infrastructure, researchers will meet these demands by providing new networking technologies. However, these technologies must be tested before they can be released for mainstream use. We identify the key design considerations for a wireless networking testbed as a) accuracy b) controllability c) mobility d) repeatability e) cost effectiveness f) data collection g) resource sharing h) multi-nodal capability i) scalability. In this paper we portray how we have used coaxial cables and our custom hardware of RF switches and programmable attenuators to create Advanced wireleSS Environment Research Testbed (assert), addressing the above requirements. assert supports various types of wireless devices, providing researchers in academia and industry with the necessary experimentation tools to validate their designed protocols and devices.
Fusing A Heterogeneous Alert Stream Into Scenarios

An algorithm for fusing the alerts produced by multiple heterogeneous intrusion detection systems is presented. The algorithm runs in real-time, combining the alerts into scenarios; each is composed of a sequence of alerts produced by a single actor or organization. The software is capable of discovering scenarios even if stealthy attack methods, such as forged IP addresses or long attack latencies, are employed. The algorithm generates scenarios by estimating the probability that a new alert belongs to a given scenario. Alerts are then added to the most likely candidate scenario. Two alternative probability estimation techniques are compared to an algorithm that builds scenarios using a set of rules. Both probability estimate approaches make use of training data to learn the appropriate probability measures. Our algorithm can determine the scenario membership of a new alert in time proportional to the number of candidate scenarios.
Expression of mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase induced by lipopolysaccharide: Mediation through both mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways in macrophages

The mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) is selectively expressed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. However, the signaling pathways that lead to the expression of COX-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages are not well understood. LPS activates members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-ϰB transcription factor in macrophages. We have shown that protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors suppress the LPS-induced expression of COX-2 in macrophages (Chanmugam et al, J Biol Chem 270: 5418–5426, 1995). These PTK inhibitors also inhibit LPS-induced activation of MAPKs. Thus, in the present study, we determined whether the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB is necessary for the signaling pathway for the LPS-induced expression of COX-2 in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The findings demonstrated that inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK-1 and -2) by the selective inhibitor PD98059 or inhibition of P38 by the specific inhibitor SB203580 results in partial suppression of COX-2 expression. However, activation of MAPKs by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, H2O2, sorbitol, sodium vanadate, or a combination of these agents failed to induce the expression of COX-2. Inhibitors of NF-ϰB suppressed COX-2 expression without affecting tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs. The PTK inhibitors that suppressed the activation of MAPKs and COX-2 expression also inhibited the degradation of IκB-α. Together, these results indicate that the activation of NF-ϰB is required to induce the expression of COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibition of ERK-1 and 2 or P38 results in partial suppression of COX-2 expression. However, the activation of MAPKs alone is not sufficient to induce the expression of COX-2 in these cells.
A Cascade Visual Front End for Speaker Independent Automatic Speechreading

We propose a three-stage pixel-based visual front end for automatic speechreading (lipreading) that results in significantly improved recognition performance of spoken words or phonemes. The proposed algorithm is a cascade of three transforms applied on a three-dimensional video region-of-interest that contains the speaker's mouth area. The first stage is a typical image compression transform that achieves a high-energy, reduced-dimensionality representation of the video data. The second stage is a linear discriminant analysis-based data projection, which is applied on a concatenation of a small amount of consecutive image transformed video data. The third stage is a data rotation by means of a maximum likelihood linear transform that optimizes the likelihood of the observed data under the assumption of their class-conditional multivariate normal distribution with diagonal covariance. We applied the algorithm to visual-only 52-class phonetic and 27-class visemic classification on a 162-subject, 8-hour long, large vocabulary, continuous speech audio-visual database. We demonstrated significant classification accuracy gains by each added stage of the proposed algorithm which, when combined, can achieve up to 27% improvement. Overall, we achieved a 60% (49%) visual-only frame-level visemic classification accuracy with (without) use of test set viseme boundaries. In addition, we report improved audio-visual phonetic classification over the use of a single-stage image transform visual front end. Finally, we discuss preliminary speech recognition results.
Thin-Profile Transducers for Intraoperative Hemostasis

Our goal has been to develop thin‐profile HIFU applicators for intraoperative hemostasis. The HIFU device consisted of a concave PZT element encased in a spoon‐shaped aluminum housing with the diameter of 4 cm and thickness of 1 cm. The housing front surface had a thickness of 34 ultrasound wavelength in aluminum (0.92 mm) to provide acoustic matching. The device had a resonant frequency of 6.26 MHZ, and efficiency of 42%. The ultrasound field was observed using hydrophone field mapping and radiation force balance. The full‐width half‐maximum (FWHM) dimensions of the focal region were 0.6 mm and 2.2 mm in lateral and axial direction, respectively. The maximal intensity at the focus was 9,500 W/cm2 (in water). The device was tested using BSA‐polyacrylamide gel phantom and rabbit kidney in vivo. HIFU application for 10 s produced lesions in the gel phantom (lesion width of 3 mm), and rabbit kidney in vivo (lesion width of 8 mm). A thin‐profile HIFU applicator has advantages of high efficiency, simple design...
Reisolation of Ehrlichia canis from blood and tissues of dogs after doxycycline treatment.

We present evidence that supports the carrier status of dogs experimentally infected with Ehrlichia canis after treatment with doxycycline. Canine ehrlichiosis was induced in five dogs by intravenous inoculation with E. canis-infected DH82 cells. All animals developed mild clinical signs of transient fever, body weight loss, thrombocytopenia, and increased gamma globulin levels in plasma. An indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFA) revealed that all dogs had seroconverted (titer, 5,120) by day 10 postinoculation (p.i.). E. canis was reisolated from blood samples collected at intervals throughout the 2-month period p.i. Doxycycline was administered orally once daily at 10 mg/kg of body weight per day for 1 week starting at 2 months p.i. Following treatment, gamma globulin levels in plasma were decreased. At necropsy on days 54 to 59 after the start of treatment, spleen, liver, kidney, and lymph nodes were collected for E. canis culture and histopathologic examination. Although the dogs did not show significant clinical signs during or after treatment with the antibiotic, E. canis was reisolated from the blood and tissue samples of three of five dogs. A 16-fold reduction in IFA titer was noted in two dogs which were negative for E. canis reisolation at day 49 after the start of treatment, whereas a zero- to fourfold reduction in IFA titer was seen in the remaining three dogs. Western immunoblot reactions to higher-molecular-size E. canis antigens in the sera of two dogs which were negative for E. canis on blood culture decreased, whereas they remained continuously high or only transiently decreased for the duration of the study for antigens in the sera of three dogs from which E. canis was reisolated. Histopathologically, prominent plasmacytosis in the kidney cortex was present in three dogs from which E. canis was reisolated, whereas the kidney cortices of two dogs had moderate to minor plasmacytosis. These findings pose questions regarding the efficacy, dosage and duration of doxycycline treatment in dogs with E. canis infection. In addition, it was shown that IFA and Western immunoblotting may aid in assessing the efficacy of antibiotic therapy when definitive reisolation procedures are not readily available.
Experimental "colitis" with particular reference to hypersensitivity reactions in the colon.

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis probably involves more than one cause. Investigation of each possible mechanism, clinical and experimental, therefore, should help to clarify the nature of the disease. The development of an experimental technique for producing colitis in animals would be of particular value in the study of this mysterious illness. Careful search of the literature indicates relatively few successful attempts to reproduce ulcerative colitis experimentally. Abnormalities in the colon have been described in monkeys subjected to deficiences of vitamin A, folic acid, pyridoxine; in the dog and rabbit after the intravenous administration of staphylococcus toxin; after lymphatic obstruction of the ileocecal region in dogs; after application of Shiga toxin to colon explants in dogs; and after the intraperitoneal injection of adrenalin in cats and rabbits. Necrotic lesions of the rectum have followed the local injection of collagenase in dogs, and a colitis has been described after the oral or intra-arterial administration of lysozyme. None of these experimental reactions resembles human ulcerative colitis, and their significance in relation to the clinical problem remains in doubt. The "colitis" observed after prolonged administration of histamine or the histamine-releaser, compound 48/80, in dogs, is of interest in relation to the concept emphasizing the role of histamine or some other factor in increasing capillary permeability in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. A "colitis" apparently has been induced in dogs by the injection of mucosa from the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis; however, this finding has not been
A Madison for Outcasts: Dance and Critical Displacements in Jean-Luc Godard’s Band of Outsiders

In light of Timothy Corrigan’s discussion of the cult film as “adopted child,” Godard’s Band of Outsiders (Bande a part) can be viewed as a film which has transcended its original destiny and opened doors to diverse critical and spectatorial receptions. Drawing upon pulp fiction and the “B movie” genre, Godard’s original intent was to make a mainstream film. But it was precisely the film’s homage to the American mainstream that soon led to its cult status in non-mainstream cinema. Based on a pulp fiction novel by Delores Hitchens, Band of Outsiders celebrates dance and movement from American popular culture and, in particular, American jazz dance as popularized in Europe in the early 1960s. In one sequence, the protagonists break into the Madison, a line dance that quickly moved from the African-American community to the white mainstream through such television shows as American Bandstand and to Europe through the work of such performers/teachers as Harold Nicholas. The freedom of movement within a structured environment, which defines the Madison, recalls the director’s own approach to filmmaking as well as his high regard for the physical dexterity of his actors. Inasmuch as each dancer dances the Madison “solo,” the dance allows individual characters to articulate through movement their mental and emotional states. At the same time, it permits the three protagonists to function as a synchronized group, a “band of outsiders.” The Madison sequence, moreover, presents a microcosm of many of the ideological and aesthetic premises of the Nouvelle Vague and is particularly reflective of Godard’s love of Americana. This dance, itself synonymous with the film, is the sequence that generates the most intricate intertextual references as well as the most divergent critical response. The Madison has thus become the vehicle through which Band of Outsiders has come to stand in for non-mainstream cinema at large.
Staging and response assessment in lymphomas: the new Lugano classification.

Staging and response criteria were initially developed for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) over 60 years ago, but not until 1999 were response criteria published for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Revisions to these criteria for both NHL and HL were published in 2007 by an international working group, incorporating PET for response assessment, and were widely adopted. After years of experience with these criteria, a workshop including representatives of most major international lymphoma cooperative groups and cancer centers was held at the 11th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) in June, 2011 to determine what changes were needed. An Imaging Task Force was created to update the relevance of existing imaging for staging, reassess the role of interim PET-CT, standardize PET-CT reporting, and to evaluate the potential prognostic value of quantitative analyses using PET and CT. A clinical task force was charged with assessing the potential of PET-CT to modify initial staging. A subsequent workshop was help at ICML-12, June 2013. Conclusions included: PET-CT should now be used to stage FDG-avid lymphomas; for others, CT will define stage. Whereas Ann Arbor classification will still be used for disease localization, patients should be treated as limited disease [I (E), II (E)], or extensive disease [III-IV (E)], directed by prognostic and risk factors. Since symptom designation A and B are frequently neither recorded nor accurate, and are not prognostic in most widely used prognostic indices for HL or the various types of NHL, these designations need only be applied to the limited clinical situations where they impact treatment decisions (e.g., stage II HL). PET-CT can replace the bone marrow biopsy (BMBx) for HL. A positive PET of bone or bone marrow is adequate to designate advanced stage in DLBCL. However, BMBx can be considered in DLBCL with no PET evidence of BM involvement, if identification of discordant histology is relevant for patient management, or if the results would alter treatment. BMBx remains recommended for staging of other histologies, primarily if it will impact therapy. PET-CT will be used to assess response in FDG-avid histologies using the 5-point scale, and included in new PET-based response criteria, but CT should be used in non-avid histologies. The definition of PD can be based on a single node, but must consider the potential for flare reactions seen early in treatment with newer targeted agents which can mimic disease progression. Routine surveillance scans are strongly discouraged, and the number of scans should be minimized in practice and in clinical trials, when not a direct study question. Hopefully, these recommendations will improve the conduct of clinical trials and patient management.
Online scheduling of malleable parallel jobs

In this paper, we study a parallel job scheduling model which takes into account both computation time and the overhead from communication between processors. Assuming that a job Jj has a processing requirement pj and is assigned to kj processors for parallel execution, then the execution time will be modeled by tj = pj / kj + (kj - 1) · c, where c is the constant overhead cost associated with each processor other than the master processor. In this model, (kj - 1) · c represents the cost for communication and coordination among the processors. This model attempts to accurately portray the actual execution time for jobs running in parallel on multiple processors. Using this model, we will study the online algorithm Earliest Completion Time (ECT) and show a lower bound for the competitive ratio of ECT for m ≥ 2 processors. For m ≤ 4, we show the matching upper bound to complete the competitive analysis for m = 2, 3, 4. For large m, we conjecture that the ratio approaches 30/13 a 2.30769.
Application of holographic interferometric microscopy to the study of diffusion in the polyvinylpyrrolidone–iodine system

Interferometric studies of the diffusion of molecular iodine into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are described. The diffusion process is observed by means of a holographic microscope which, with a camera, permits holograms to be recorded during the polymer–iodine interaction. The holograms are subsequently used to produce interferograms that monitor the diffusion process as a function of time. Measurements taken from the interferograms indicate that the diffusion mechanism is not purely Fickian and that the diffusing boundary of iodine is characteristic of case II diffusion. The interferograms yield values for average diffusion coefficients as a function of sample thicknesses that range from 2.32 to 9.53 × 10−10 cm2/sec.
Evolutionary Migration of a Post-Translationally Modified Active-Site Residue in the Proton-Pumping Heme-Copper Oxygen Reductases†

In the respiratory chains of aerobic organisms, oxygen reductase members of the heme-copper superfamily couple the reduction of O2 to proton pumping, generating an electrochemical gradient. There are three distinct families of heme-copper oxygen reductases: A, B, and C types. The A- and B-type oxygen reductases have an active-site tyrosine that forms a unique cross-linked histidine−tyrosine cofactor. In the C-type oxygen reductases (also called cbb3 oxidases), an analogous active-site tyrosine has recently been predicted by molecular modeling to be located within a different transmembrane helix in comparison to the A- and B-type oxygen reductases. In this work, Fourier-transform mass spectrometry is used to show that the predicted tyrosine forms a histidine−tyrosine cross-linked cofactor in the active site of the C-type oxygen reductases. This is the first known example of the evolutionary migration of a post-translationally modified active-site residue. It also verifies the presence of a unique cofactor...
Neuropsychological performance of monozygotic twins discordant for bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background: A paradigm that involves cognitive assessment of monozygotic (MZ) twins discordant for a neuropsychiatric disorder (here bipolar illness) allows for the examination of both disease-specific impairments (in the comparison of affected to unaffected twins) and risk factors (in the comparison of unaffected twins to normal twins). Methods: Neuropsychological functions were evaluated in seven MZ twin pairs discordant for bipolar illness and seven pairs of normal MZ twins in an attempt to highlight cognitive abilities associated with manifestations of disease and genetic risk factors. At the time of testing, 3 of the affected twins were euthymic, 2 had depressive symptoms, and 2 had manic symptoms; all were receiving medication. All twins receive neuropsychological tests to evaluate intelligence, attention, visuospatial skills, language, learning and memory, and problem solving. Results: Statistical analyses revealed that the affected twins were significantly impaired as compared to the unaffected (and normal) twins on some measures of visuospatial functioning and some verbal memory measures. In contrast to a sample of MZ twins discordant for schizophrenia studied previously, the cognitive impairments we observed in bipolar twins were mild in nature and fairly circumscribed. The unaffected twins performed significantly worse than normal controls on a Brown–Petersen memory task, verbal list learning, and overall Wechsler Memory Quotient. Conclusions: These data suggest that while some visuospatial deficits and verbal memory deficits may be features of bipolar disorder related to disease parameters, mild attenuations in overall memory or retrieval function may be related to genetic factors associated with the illness.
Dynamics Explorer now operational

The two Dynamics Explorer satellites, launched from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California into separate polar orbits, are now fully operational (see EOS, 86, p. 633, August 25). Although the spacecraft did not achieve the planned orbit because of a short burn of the second stage in the Delta launch vehicle, the scientific instruments aboard both satellites are operating. NASA expects that all major scientific objectives of the mission will be achieved. The lower orbiting DE-2 obtained science data for 12 days after its instruments became operational in late August. Science operations were resumed September 4 after the spacecraft had been repositioned 180° to permit proper instrument cooling. This maneuver must be performed every 6 months, owing to the spacecraft's attitudinal relationship to the sun.
Cotunneling Model for Current-Induced Events in Molecular Wires

Many phenomena in molecular transport junctions involve transitions between electronic states of the molecular wire, and, therefore, cannot be described adequately using the Landauer picture. We present a model for cotunneling processes in molecular wires. These are coherent second-order processes that can be observed at low temperatures. As an example, we consider the STM-induced dissociation of acetylene. The large voltage threshold for dissociation observed experimentally is naturally accounted for within the cotunneling model.
Numerical investigation of the unsteady heat transfer from a single sphere

Abstract A numerical simulation of the unsteady heat transfer from a metal sphere subjected to forced convection in a laminar unbounded fluid medium has been made. The energy equation is solved using the implicit alternating-direction method (ADI). The parameters considered are in the range of 10 ≤ Pe ≤ 300, 0 ≤ ϱ c 21 ≤ 2, and 0 ≤ Re ≤ 20. The results obtained compare favorably with the previously published numerical and experimental results.
GMS: preserving multiple expert voices in scientific knowledge management

Computer archives of scientific and engineering knowledge must insure the accuracy, completeness, and validity of their contents. Unfortunately, designers of these sites often overlook the social and cognitive context of scientific activity in favor of highly distilled collections of theoretical findings and technical data, divorcing scientific information from its human origins.Contextual aspects of knowledge seldom find their way into journals and other scientific forums, yet they often reveal the broader strategies behind the development and application of that knowledge. In implementing a GMS (Glass-Metal Seals) knowledge-management system, we found such contextual aspects as the structure of expert communities, the patterns of communication across disciplines, and the informal representations, sketches, and stories experts use in casual discussion to be essential to our efforts. Preserving these iextra-technicali features in the systemis content and organization gives users an implicit experience of the subtle interpretations, viewpoints, and strategies that define engineering expertise.
Immunobiology of left ventricular assist devices

The increasing use of implanted biomaterial devices has made it evident that no material is biologically inert. As a result of direct contact with elements of the blood circulation, such as during hemodialysis or after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, significant changes in systemic immunologic and thrombostatic functions occur. The clinical success of LVAD implantation has, nevertheless, been accompanied by complications arising from an aberrant state of monocyte and T-cell activation, leading to heightened susceptibility of circulating CD4 T cells to undergo activation-induced cell death; this results in progressive defects in cellular immunity and an increased risk of serious infection. Because of the increased state of T-cell activation and the selective loss of Th1 cytokine producing CD4 T cells, LVAD recipients also develop B-cell hyperreactivity and dysregulated immunoglobulin syntheses by unopposed production of Th2 cytokines and increased CD40 Ligand-CD40 interactions. LVADs are currently being evaluated as a permanent therapy for end-stage heart failure. Because these immune dysfunctions appear to be related to the effects of excessive biomaterial associated T-cell activation, future efforts will need to be directed at either altering the physical properties of the materials interacting with the host circulation or pharmacological intervention aimed at inhibiting T-cell activation.
Prevention of preterm birth by ambulatory assessment of uterine activity: A randomized study

Abstract Tocodynamometry, used on an ambulatory basis, has been shown to detect uterine activity. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ambulatory tocodynamometry in the early identification of preterm labor. In this investigation 67 women at risk for preterm labor were randomly divided into two groups: 34 received a uterine activity monitor while 33 patients used palpation. Approximately two thirds of the study sample developed preterm labor. Upon diagnosis of preterm labor, parturients in the control group had cervical dilatation of 50% more often than the monitored group (p
Variation in the content of bioactive flavonoids in different brands of orange and grapefruit juices

Abstract Citrus flavonoids have been shown to possess biological activities such as anti-inflammatory properties, cholesterol lowering and immune system modulation. In this study, 12 made-from-concentrate (MFC) and 14 not-from-concentrate (NFC) orange juices, and five NFC grapefruit juices available in the US market were analyzed for their flavonoid content by reverse phase HPLC. Individual and total flavonoid content was determined for all of the brands. The correlation between flavonoid content (mg) and price (US dollar) per unit volume of orange and grapefruit juices were also evaluated. Significant differences ( P ⩽ 0.05 ) among the brands and within the brand were observed for all of the prominent flavanone glucosides. Within the brand, juice types containing added antioxidant vitamins C and E were not superior in flavonoid content compared to orange juice types devoid of added antioxidant vitamins. Total flavonoid content of MFC orange juices (53 mg/100 mL; n = 12 ) was significantly ( P ⩽ 0.05 ) higher than NFC orange juices (36.5 mg/100 mL; n = 14 ). Hesperidin was found to be the major flavonoid followed by narirutin and didymin in orange juice. Naringin, narirutin, and poncirin were the major flavonoids in all brands of grapefruit juices. The concentration of didymin was considerably higher in NFC orange juices compared to MFC orange juices. Interestingly, no correlation was observed between price and the total flavonoid content of MFC orange juices and NFC grapefruit juices. However, a significant negative correlation ( r = - 0.49 ; P = 0.001 ) was observed for NFC orange juices. This study provides valuable information on flavonoid composition of orange and grapefruit juices commonly available in the US market.