cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
La génération spontanée et le problème de la reproduction des espèces avant et après Descartes

Dans cet article je mets en evidence quelques problemes conceptuels importants poses par le pretendu phenomene de la generation spontanee, en montrant comment ils etaient lies historiquement a la question theorique des origines et de l’ontologie des especes biologiques. Au XVIe et XVIIe siecle tout particulierement, la possibilite que des formes organiques soient generees dans la matiere inorganique supposait la possibilite que le hasard gouverne non seulement l’apparition d’une anguille ou d’une souris, mais qu’il gouverne l’apparition originelle de leurs especes memes. En outre, dans la conception de la reproduction sexuelle que le mecanisme parvient a repandre, toute generation, des etres humains aussi bien que des anguilles, menace de ne plus s’expliquer autrement que par ce que Descartes appelle « les causes mineures ». Ainsi, comme je tenterai de le prouver, les problemes theoriques que la generation spontanee, telle que le debut de la modernite la concevait, posaient a la comprehension de l’ontologie des especes, n’etaient pas essentiellement differents de ceux souleves par l’explication mecaniste de la reproduction sexuelle, et si nous n’accordons pas a ce fait l’attention necessaire, nous perdons de vue, je pense, un facteur important dans le rejet ultime de la generation spontanee.
Reduced acute toxicity associated with the use of volumetric modulated arc therapy for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Abstract Purpose Novel techniques to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have resulted in improved treatment efficiency and dosimetric endpoints. We aimed to compare acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity in patients treated for adenocarcinoma of the prostate (ACP) using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods and Materials A total of 122 (71 IMRT and 51 VMAT) ACP patients treated from 2004 to 2011 with definitive external beam radiation therapy were analyzed. Dose-volume histogram endpoints (V40, V65, V70, and V75 of the bladder and rectum) were collected for each patient. Median follow-up for patients treated with VMAT was 269 days versus IMRT was 1121 days. Acute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) GI and GU toxicity scores, obtained during each weekly treatment check, were compared across cohorts. The univariate (UV) association between the covariates and outcomes was assessed and multivariable (MV) cumulative logit models were fit for each outcome. Results Median patient age was 68 years and median prostate-specific antigen was 8.3. Both bladder and rectal V40, V65, V70, and V75 were all higher in the IMRT group versus the VMAT group ( P P P Conclusions VMAT appears to be independently associated with lower rates of acute GI and GU toxicity when compared with traditional IMRT. Further exploration of toxicity improvements associated with VMAT use in the definitive treatment of ACP is needed.
Steroids as Regulators of the Mammalian Immune Response

The mammalian immune system is multicellular in composition, and its proper function requires careful control over complex developmental pathways and many distinct types of effector responses. Numerous overlapping mechanisms of intercellular communication are needed to accomplish the tasks of proper regulation of the diverse cell types that constitute this essential protective system. One mechanism occurs by direct cell-to-cell contact through the interaction of membrane-associated molecules. Examples of this type of communication include the interaction that takes place between the antigen-specific T-cell receptor and the foreign peptides that are bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules, as well as costimulatory molecule interactions with their specific ligands expressed on antigen-presenting cells (e.g., CD28 and B7-1 or B7-2). A second mechanism occurs through the production, secretion, and activities of soluble mediators, collectively known as the cytokines. The cytokines are represented by a large and diverse group of molecules that are produced by a wide variety of cell types. Unique species of cytokines bind to specific membrane-associated receptors on target cells, inducing the activation of particular signal-transduction pathways. These processes subsequently lead to the diversity of cytokine-linked changes in cellular physiology. Some of the cytokines exert their influences in vivo via endocrine routes, although it is far more common for intercellular communication via cytokines to occur microenviron-mentally via paracrine or autocrine pathways. The object of this review is to provide evidence supporting the concept that one mechanism for upstream regulation of cytokine production by immunocom-petent cell types is controlled by the regulatory activities of various steroid hormones. Strain variation in susceptibility to infectious agents, the condition of immunosenescence, and the processes that control the development of common mucosal immunity are used as examples of immune mechanisms that may be under steroid hormone control. J Invest Dermatol 105:14S-19S, 1995
Proof that certain RNAs shuttle non-randomly between cytoplasm and nucleus.

Abstract When a nucleus containing 3 H-RNA is grafted into an unlabeled cell the recipient cell nucleus acquires approx. 10 times the concentration of 3 H-RNA acquired by the cytoplasm, which suggests that some RNA molecules shuttle between cytoplasm and nucleus against a concentration gradient. We report here on three lines of evidence that show that the acquisition of radioactive RNA by the recipient cell nucleus is unlikely to result from the synthesis within the recipient nucleus of new RNA from simple radioactive precursors such as might be produced by the breakdown of 3 H-RNA. 1. 1. The size of the labeled precursor pool seems inadequate to account for the labeling of host nuclear RNA through new transcriptions. 2. 2. The 3 H-RNA destined for one-way passage from nucleus to cytoplasm can be diluted out by sequential passage of a labeled nucleus through unlabeled cytoplasms resulting in a nuclear enrichment of the putative shuttling 3 H-RNA. The result of such an operational sequence is that the last unlabeled recipient cell nucleus acquires 100 or more times the concentration of 3 H-RNA found in the cytoplasm, supporting the view that there has been an enrichment for labeled shuttling RNAs. 3. 3. Electron microscopic radioautography reveals that the 3 H-RNA acquired by a recipient cell nucleus is almost entirely non-nucleolar, whereas the 3 H-RNA in a nucleus directly labeled with simple radioactive precursors is largely within nucleoli. This clearly implies that the labeled material that moves from one nucleus to another via the cytoplasm is something more than a simple transcription precursor.
Statistical Distribution of Irradiance in the Creation of a Hologram

The distribution of irradiance on the hologram plane during the creation of holograms of physical objects (toy trains, etc.) is shown to be described by the noncentral chi-squared distribution. The method of calculation of the irradiance distribution from the ratio of reference-beam to object-beam powers is presented, and irradiance distributions for several different beam ratios are shown. From these distributions, the relation between nonlinearity of recording and holographic efficiency can be deduced, given the response characteristics of the hologram-recording material.
Exploring models of computation with ptolemy II

The Ptolemy project studies modeling, simulation, and design of concurrent, real-time, embedded systems. The focus is on assembly of concurrent components. The key underlying principle in the project is the use of well-defined models of computation that govern the interaction between components. A major problem area being addressed is the use of heterogeneous mixtures of models of computation.Ptolemy II takes a component view of design, in that models are constructed as a set of interacting components. A model of computation governs the semantics of the interaction, and thus imposes an execution-time discipline. Ptolemy II has implementations of many models of computation including Synchronous Data Flow, Kahn Process Networks, Discrete Event, Continuous Time, Synchronous/Reactive and Modal Model.This hands-on tutorial explores how these models of computation are implemented in Ptolemy II and how to create new models of computation such as a "non-dogmatic" Process Networks example and a left-to-right execution policy example.
Beat-to-beat spatiotemporal variability in the T vector is associated with sudden cardiac death in participants without left ventricular hypertrophy: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Background Despite advances in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a clinical challenge. Risk stratification in the general population is needed. Methods and Results Beat‐to‐beat spatiotemporal variability in the T vector was measured as the mean angle between consecutive T‐wave vectors (mean TT′ angle) on standard 12‐lead ECGs in 14 024 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy, atrial arrhythmias, frequent ectopy, ventricular pacing, or QRS duration ≥120 ms were excluded. The mean spatial TT′ angle was 5.21±3.55°. During a median of 14 years of follow‐up, 235 SCDs occurred (1.24 per 1000 person‐years). After adjustment for demographics, coronary heart disease risk factors, and known ECG markers for SCD, mean TT′ angle was independently associated with SCD (hazard ratio 1.089; 95% CI 1.044 to 1.137; P 90th percentile (>9.57°) was associated with a 2‐fold increase in the hazard for SCD (hazard ratio 2.01; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.16; P =0.002). In a subgroup of patients with T‐vector amplitude ≥0.2 mV, the association with SCD was almost twice as strong (hazard ratio 3.92; 95% CI 1.91 to 8.05; P P P interaction =0.009). Conclusions In a large, prospective, community‐based cohort of left ventricular hypertrophy–free participants, increased beat‐to‐beat spatiotemporal variability in the T vector, as assessed by increasing TT′ angle, was associated with SCD.
RNA recombination in turnip crinkle virus: its role in formation of chimeric RNAs, multimers, and in 3′-end repair

Abstract RNA recombination is well documented for an increasing number of viruses and it is thought to have affected viral evolution and adaptation. However, molecular mechanisms mediating crossover events have been studied in only a few viral systems due to difficulties such as the low frequency of the event, and the scattered distribution of junction sites. Therefore, the uniquely high recombination frequency and nonrandom crossover site distribution for recombination among turnip crinkle carmovirus (TCV) RNAs make TCV an excellent model recombination system. Characterization of large numbers of junction sites between two species of TCV satellite RNAs and between the TCV genomic RNA and one of the satellite RNAs revealed for the first time the role of specific sequences and structures in recombination. Also, recombination was found to play a role in formation of novel chimeric RNAs, multimeric forms of satellite RNAs as well in 3′ end repair of mutated satellite RNAs. A replicase-driven template-switching model is presented to explain many common features occurring during recombination in TCV infections.
Southern California Water Politics and U.S.-Mexican Relations: Lining the All-American Canal

Improving the efficiency of irrigation systems has been repeatedly identified by water policy experts as a yet untapped means to alleviate scarcity. Water conservation, it is argued, is cheaper and less environmentally destructive to still unharnessed rivers. Yet even conservation tampers with the hydrologic cycle and can have unintended or undesirable consequences. As a case in point stands a scarcity relieving endeavor being undertaken along the United States-Mexico border, that has been called timely and innovative, as well as premature and divisive. Driven by increasing demands for water in the South Coast Basin of California, two Southern Californian water districts are moving ahead with plans to recover water seeping through the earthen banks of the All-American Canal, the lifeline of the irrigated farmlands of the Imperial Valley (see Map 1). Demonstrating the cliched truism that natural environments do not recognize political boundaries, conserving the canal's waters will likely draw down and eventually dry up wells used to irrigate crops on the Mexican side of the border. Settling this brewing dispute would require a mediated agreement not only satisfying uncompromisingly thirsty domestic interests, but also transcending the long history of competition and antagonism they have shared over water resources. To clarify this situation, this article discusses the economic, political, and ecological trends that are pushing Southern Californian water agencies towards this conservation project; illuminates the canal's historical role in the binational competition over water resources; describes how antagonistic U.S. interests, as well as Mexico's, have shaped the policy making process; and implies what this project means for the role of transboundary resource management in U.S.-Mexican relations.
The cultural definition of an infantile diarrhea in Tambon Korat and Koongyang, northeast Thailand: community perceptions in diarrhea control.

In Tambon Korat and Koongyang in North-eastern Thailand, 88% (n=60) of the mothers and significant other careproviders interviewed believe in poh, a mild, self-limiting diarrhea in infants which is considered a normal prerequisite in child development. The local definition of poh as to its nature, symptomatology and home management and implications for diarrhea control activities are presented in this paper.
Damping of Quasi-stationary Waves Between Two Miscible Liquids

Two viscous miscible liquids with an initially sharp interface oriented vertically inside a cavity become unstable against oscillatory external forcing due to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The instability causes growth of quasi-stationary (q-s) waves at the interface between the two liquids. We examine computationally the dynamics of a four-mode q-s wave, for a fixed energy input, when one of the components of the external forcing is suddenly ceased. The external forcing consists of a steady and oscillatory component as realizable in a microgravity environment. Results show that when there is a jump discontinuity in the oscillatory excitation that produced the four-mode q-s wave, the interface does not return to its equilibrium position, the structure of the q-s wave remains imbedded between the two fluids over a long time scale. The damping characteristics of the q-s wave from the time history of the velocity field show overdamped and critically damped response; there is no underdamped oscillation as the flow field approaches steady state. Viscous effects serve as a dissipative mechanism to effectively damp the system. The stability of the four-mode q-s wave is dependent on both a geometric length scale as well as the level of background steady acceleration.
Electrostatic Activation of Rat Phenylalanine Hydroxylase

Abstract The conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine is accelerated approximately five fold by phosphorylation of the enzyme which catalyzes this step, phenylalanine hydroxylase. To gain a clearer understanding of the mechanism of this activation, we have applied site-directed mutagenesis to specifically modify a clone of the hydroxylase at the phosphorylation site, the serine at position 16. We converted this serine residue to alanine and to glutamic acid. The wild-type and mutant proteins were purified and the activation states of the enzymes were examined with respect to the single phosphorylation site at position 16. Substitution of Sen16 with a negatively charged Glu residue resulted in activation of the enzyme, whereas substitution with an uncharged Ala residue did not. These results indicate that activation of the native enzyme by phosphorylation is due to the introduction of a negative charge, and suggest involvement of electrostatic interactions.
Critical Influences on Sexual Minority College Males' Meaning-Making of Their Multiple Identities.

This grounded theory study explored the critical influences on college sexual minority males’ meaning-making of their multiple identities. Twenty-six cisgender males attending colleges and universities within the United States and Canada were interviewed and provided journal responses to specific prompts. Four themes emerged, including: involvement in LGBT-affirming spaces, intimate relationships with other males, involvement in student leadership positions, and ongoing exposure to heterosexism and homophobia.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of DNA with Polarizable Force Fields: Convergence of an Ideal B-DNA Structure to the Crystallographic Structure

We have investigated to what extent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can reproduce DNA sequence-specific features, given different electrostatic descriptions and different cell environments. For this purpose, we have carried out multiple unrestrained MD simulations of the DNA duplex d(CCAACGTTGG)2. With respect to the electrostatic descriptions, two different force fields are studied: a traditional description based on atomic point charges and a polarizable force field. With respect to the cell environment, the difference between crystal and solution environments is emphasized, as well as the structural importance of divalent ions. By imposing the correct experimental unit cell environment, an initial configuration with two ideal B-DNA duplexes in the unit cell is shown to converge to the crystallographic structure. This convergence is measured by the appearance of sequence-dependent features that very closely resemble the crystallographic ones as well as by the decay of the all-atom root-mean-squared...
Did an Earthquake Trigger the May 2006 Eruption of the Lusi Mud Volcano

On 29 May 2006, a mud volcano, unofficially named ‘Lusi,’ erupted in the Indonesian city of Sidoarjo, in eastern Java, covering an area of several square kilometers with mud [Davies et al., 2007] and displacing more than 24,000 people [Cyranoski, 2007]. Two days earlier, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred approximately 250 kilometers to the southeast. A 2800-meter-deep exploratory gas well, located about 200 meters from the mud eruption, experienced control problems within 5–7 hours of the earthquake (R.J. Davies, personal communication, 2007) indicating changes in fluid pressures soon after this earthquake. This earthquake is coincident with changes in eruptive behavior at nearby magmatic volcanoes [Harris and Ripepe, 2007; Walter et al., 2007]. Did the earthquake trigger the eruption of the Lusi mud volcano?
Tidal Volumes Used to Initiate Ventilation Change Surfactant Treatment Responses in Preterm Lambs. † 1097

Tidal Volumes Used to Initiate Ventilation Change Surfactant Treatment Responses in Preterm Lambs. † 1097
The reversal of renal cortical ischemia during aortic occlusion by mannitol

Abstract A radioactive inert gas washout technique was used to study the renal circulation in dogs during infrarenal aortic occlusion. A deleterious redistribution of blood flow occurred, leading to renal cortical ischemia which began with the occlusion and was progressive with time. Large doses of mannitol infused during the occlusion eliminated the alterations and were remarkably well tolerated. This represents substantial evidence supporting the use of mannitol as a preventive measure in the clinical setting where infrarenal aortic occlusion must be employed. To be fully effective, mannitol administration will be necessary in advance of the occlusion, as well as in the postocclusion recovery period.
Detailed analysis of 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings during ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes

Although the terminal cardiac rhythm is often well documented in many cases of sudden cardiac death, the antecedent or premonitory arrhythmias are usually not retrievable. The ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings of 12 patients who sustained ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes while wearing a long-term electrocardiographic monitor were analyzed in detail. A printout of the entire electrocardiographic recording was made and hand counts of ventricular arrhythmias were correlated with heart rate, QTc interval, RR interval preceding ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes and (RR')/QT initiating ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes. Common ambulatory electrocardiographic features in these 12 patients experiencing ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes included: 1) a period of high density of increasingly frequent or complex ventricular arrhythmias, or both, preceding ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes (11 patients); 2) R on T beats frequently initiating ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes (9 patients); and 3) repolarization abnormalities present for several hours before ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes (7 patients). No consistent relation between the RR and RR' interval initiating ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes was found; no consistent alteration in heart rate occurred before ventricular fibrillation or torsade de pointes. Thus, ventricular arrhythmias leading to sudden death in an ambulatory population do not occur in isolation but are preceded by a period of increased ventricular ectopic activity. Future guidelines for assessment of antiarrhythmic drug efficacy should include an evaluation of a drug's impact not only on ectopic beat frequency but also on arrhythmia density.
Adult Experience With Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine derivative with anticonvulsant properties that initially was tested in adults with partial seizures. Pharmacokinetics in adults includes a volume of distribution of 1.0 to 1.3 L/kg. Plasma protein binding is 55% and none of the metabolites are active as anticonvulsants. The placebo-controlled studies evaluated the responder rate as the percent of patients with 50% or greater seizure reduction when compared to baseline assessment. The responder rate for 300 mg per day was 20% and 36% for 500 mg per day dosages. Adverse events were infrequent but the occurrence of rash appeared to correlate with rapid ascension dosing and comedication with valproic acid. Slow titration is required when initiating treatment with lamotrigine. Accumulating experience in adults suggests that lamotrigine has a broad spectrum of effect; data from further controlled trials should suggest other clinically important forms of epilepsy that respond to lamotrigine.
Dare we know the nation? Considering the nexus of discursive leveraging and identity

The public history museum holds an inherent pedagogical purpose to define the nation through a history considered collectively supported by its citizenry. Widely acknowledged criticism often accompanies such exhibits and prompts calls for a more critical examination of the narratives advanced through the affirmed educational intent held by museums. How scholars are engaging the question of how – and even whether – history can succeed in interrogating the strategies utilized by the public history museum means reconsidering what role social education holds in advancing a critical sensibility about how nation is defined. This article offers a theoretical analysis that reviews the inherent nationalist purpose advanced by the public museum, and the tensions educators could face when seeking to better understand how it affirms a particular understanding of history and of the nation. This article suggests that social education needs to address its role to engage critically the complicity the public history museu...
Values, Susceptibility to Normative Influence, and Attribute Importance Weights: A Nomological Analysis

It is argued that the construct of individual susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) needs to be put into a wider nomological framework, with antecedents and consequences. Based on prior literature, a causal sequence is hypothesized in which values are antecedent to SNI, which itself shapes the importance placed by the individual on different attributes. It is further suggested that the relation between values and SNI is strongest for “external” values, and that high SNI leads to greater importance for attributes that provide “socially visible” benefits. Data from a national field survey (N= 663) on consumer preferences are analyzed to test these hypotheses, using confirmatory factor analysis via LISREL 8.30 (Joreskog & Sorbom, 1993). The analysis finds support for most of the hypothesized structural relations.
A name service for evolving heterogeneous systems

A prototype implementation has been built as part of the Heterogeneous Computer Systems project at the University of Washington. This service supports RPC binding and other applications in our heterogeneous environment. Measurements of the performance of this prototype show that it is close to that of the underlying name services, due largely to the use of specialized caching techniques.
Dental art in prosthodontics

Abstract Dental art does not occur automatically. It must be purposely and carefully incorporated into the treatment plan by the dentist (Fig. 7). This artistry strives to soften the marks imposed upon the face by time and enables people to face their world with renewed enthusiasm and confidence. Prosthodontics in this area truly involves much more than mechanics. Bone resorption of the residual alveolar processes, for example, holds special interest for our specialty since the ever-changing ridges provide support for dentures. Very little is known about it, except that it does occur. Studies concerning the repair of alveoli after tooth extraction fail to examine area after bony repair is considered to be complete. We do not know how the resorptive process takes place in the endentulous ridge or how soon it is initiated after tooth loss. Perioral wrinkling and creasing of the angles of the mouth are of major concern to some of our endentulous patients. Plastic surgery will not solve these problems for us, as we may have thought in the past. We do know that it is not necessary, or even desirable, to erase these facial lines completely through prosthodontic therapy, for then the lower third of the face would be in complete disharmony with the rest of the face. The anatomy and neurophysiology of the maxillofacial complex identify the face of each person as an individual human being. We must develop a better understanding in order to continue to serve the needs of our edentulous patients. Dental art, unfortunately, has a limited life-span. It is extremely important that both the dentist and the patient understand this concept because the background of living tissue which provides the framework for dentures is constantly changing. Dental art can provide a natural appearance to the orofacial regions and can harmonize the appearance of the lower third of the face with the total facial appearance. This is accomplished with appropriate tooth forms positioned in natural compositions. The importance of dental art lies in the meaning of this statement: "My physician keeps me alive but my dentist makes my life worth living."
CAPITAL BUDGETING TECHNIQUES USED BY SMALL BUSINESS FIRMS IN THE 1990S

ABSTRACT In recent times, small business firms have created 80 percent of the new jobs in the United States. Thus, their methodology for capital investment decisions is very important, though it continues to be somewhat different from that used by larger business firms. A questionnaire survey with 232 small business respondents indicates that the payback method is still the preferred approach by 42.7 percent of the firms. Unlike many larger firms, their time horizon is often the period over which a financial institution will extend them funding. In any event, the “average” minimal payback period in the survey averaged 2.81 years, a time period far shorter than the useful life of the asset and one that would indicate a required return far higher than most firms anticipate. Somewhat encouraging was the increased use of discounted cash flow methods (27.6 percent), which is a higher rate of utilization than that indicated in other surveys of smaller firms over the last few decades.
Propagation effects on radio range and noise in earth-space telecommunications

Attention is given to the propagation effects on radio range and noise in earth-space telecommunications. The use of higher frequencies minimizes ionospheric effects on propagation, but tropospheric effects often increase or dominate. For paths of geostationary satellites, and beyond, the excess range delay caused by the ionosphere and plasmasphere is proportional to the total electron content along the path and inversely proportional to frequency squared. The delay due to dry air is usually of the order of a few meters while the delay due to water vapor (a few tens of centimeters) is responsible for most of the temporal variation in the range delay for clean air. For systems such as that of the Voyager spacecraft, and for attenuation values up to about 10 dB, increased sky noise degrades the received signal-to-noise ratio more than does the reduction in signal level due to attenuation.
Collision- and stochastic-fluctuation-induced Hanle resonances in four-wave light mixing in samarium

A broadband multimode dye laser, detuned from the lambda -- 570.68 nm resonance line of Sm atoms, was used to provide three incident beams in the standard phase-conjugate four-wave-mixing geometry. The phase-conjugate output intensity was measured as a function of polarization and external magnetic field configurations, and of the pressure of several buffer gases. We have confirmed the theoretical prediction that correlated stochastic fluctuations in the incident light field make a contribution to the four-wave-mixing signal. Collisional cross sections for reorientation among the m sublevels in the J -- 1 ground state of Sm have been obtained for He, Ar, and Xe. Differences in polarization characteristics between the collision-induced Hanle resonances in Na and Sm are pointed out.
SU-E-I-01: A Fast, Analytical Pencil Beam Based Method for First Order X-Ray Scatter Estimation of Kilovoltage Cone Beam X-Rays

Purpose: To analytically estimate first-order x-ray scatter for kV cone beam x-ray imaging with high computational efficiency. Methods: In calculating first-order scatter using the Klein-Nishina formula, we found that by integrating the point-to-point scatter along an interaction line, a “pencil-beam” scatter kernel (BSK) can be approximated to a quartic expression when the imaging field is small. This BSK model for monoenergetic, 100keV x-rays has been verified on homogeneous cube and cylinder water phantoms by comparing with the exact implementation of KN formula. For heterogeneous medium, the water-equivalent length of a BSK was acquired with an improved Siddon's ray-tracing algorithm, which was also used in calculating pre- and post- scattering attenuation. To include the electron binding effect for scattering of low-kV photons, the mean corresponding scattering angle is determined from the effective point of scattered photons of a BSK. The behavior of polyenergetic x-rays was also investigated for 120kV x-rays incident to a sandwiched infinite heterogeneous slab phantom, with the electron binding effect incorporated. Exact computation and Monte Carlo simulations were performed for comparisons, using the EGSnrc code package. Results: By reducing the 3D volumetric target (o(n3)) to 2D pencil-beams (o(n2)), the computation expense can be generally lowered by n times, which our experience verifies. The scatter distribution on a flat detector shows high agreement between the analytic BSK model and exact calculations. The pixel-to-pixel differences are within (-2%, 2%) for the homogeneous cube and cylinder phantoms and within (0, 6%) for the heterogeneous slab phantom. However, the Monte Carlo simulation shows increased deviation of the BSK model toward detector periphery. Conclusion: The proposed BSK model, accommodating polyenergetic x-rays and electron binding effect at low kV, shows great potential in efficiently estimating the first-order scatter from small imaging fields. We are investigating more thoroughly to improve performance and explore applications.
Secondarily infected wounds and dermatoses: a diagnosis and treatment guide

Secondary bacterial skin infections are common complications of primary dermatoses, primary nonbacterial skin infections, traumatic lesions, ulcers, cutaneous infestations, and other miscellaneous skin diseases. Most diagnoses are based on information obtained by patient history and physical examination. Secondary bacterial skin infections may be polymicrobial, commonly include the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and require proper antibiotic treatment. The use of topical antibiotics avoids the risk of systemic allergic reactions or generalized side effects, and provides a high antibiotic concentration at the site of infection. Therefore, topical antibiotics should be considered as potential primary therapy in the emergency department. When systemic therapy is indicated, most commonly used agents for secondary skin infections are the penicillinase-resistant semi-synthetic penicillins; the first-generation cephalosporins, the macrolides; and combination antibacterials, such as amoxicillin/ clavulanate potassium and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Effect of composting and number of flocks on poultry litter extract BOD and toxicity.

Changes in poultry litter's (aqueous extract) biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and toxicity, to photobacterium phosphoreum, calculated as EC50 values, with the time of composting and the number of flocks raised, before cleaning the house, were studied. The BOD of the extract (5 g L−1) is comparable to that of raw sewage and it increased with the time of composting, following a first order kinetics. The extract showed a toxicity higher than the toxicity of a solution of 25 ppm phenol. Increasing the number of flocks raised (from 2 to 15), before cleaning the house, reduced both the litter's BOD (22%) and toxicity (66%).
“TIMED voiding”—A useful tool in the treatment of urinary incontinence

Female patients need more privacy for micturition and are, therefore, more prone to suppress the normal micturition reflex. Due to postponed micturition, their bladders are usually full and during stress conditions urinary incontinence does occur. In 20 patients who had functional stress incontinence, the urologic and urodynamic evaluation was performed. When no major structural deformities were found, the timed voiding was taught to the patients. In 79 per cent of patients the urinary incontinence was cured by timed voiding only. Some of the patients who had positive urinary cultures became sterile following the new voiding patterns. The possible neurophysiologic mechanisms of timed voiding are discussed.
Ion back-scattering analysis of interdiffusion in Cu-Au thin films

Abstract Helium ion back-scattering has been used to examine the interdiffusion behavior of the thin film copper-gold system. Techniques for distinguishing bulk diffusion and grain boundary diffusion using back-scattering are presented. At temperatures in the range 200°–500°C, the grain boundary diffusion mechanism is shown to predominate in Cu-Au thin films. The back-scattering results suggest a model in which interdiffusion takes place by very rapid saturation of the grain boundaries in the gold film by copper and a slower filling of the copper grain boundaries by gold. The atoms in the grain boundaries then diffuse into the grains by bulk diffusion. In the parent gold film, we suggest that the amount of Cu Au 3 formed near the grain boundaries is uniform in depth. In the parent copper film, more Cu 3 Au forms near the original Cu-Au interface than further into the copper film. No evidence was found to suggest the formation of a pure layer of CuAu 3 or Cu 3 Au. The interdiffusion and compound formation process is found to be characterized by an activation energy of 1.35-1.5 eV.
Induction of Metallothionein mRNA in HeLa Cells by Dexamethasone and by Heavy Metals

Synthesis of metallothionein, a cysteine-rich heavy metal binding protein, is induced in cultured HeLa cells both by the heavy metals Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, and by the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone. The accumulation of [35S]cysteine-labeled metallothionein and the amount of translatable metallothionein mRNA show identical concentration dependences, in response to dexamethasone treatment and in response to zinc exposure. Induction of translatable metallothionein mRNA is rapid in response to both the metal and glucocorticoid inducers. Increased synthesis and accumulation of metallothionein in response to either metal or glucocorticoid exposure is regulated by the level of translatable metallothionein mRNA in HeLa cells.
Immunosuppressive nano-therapeutic micelles downregulate endothelial cell inflammation and immunogenicity

In this study, we developed a stable, nontoxic novel micelle nanoparticle to attenuate responses of endothelial cell (EC) inflammation when subjected to oxidative stress, such as observed in organ transplantation. Targeted Rapamycin Micelles (TRaM) were synthesized using PEG–PE-amine and N-palmitoyl homocysteine (PHC) with further tailoring of the micelle using targeting peptides (cRGD) and labeling with far-red fluorescent dye for tracking during cellular uptake studies. Our results revealed that the TRaM was approximately 10 nm in diameter and underwent successful internalization in Human Umbilical Vein EC (HUVEC) lines. The uptake efficiency of TRaM nanoparticles was improved with the addition of a targeting moiety. In addition, our TRaM therapy was able to downregulate both mouse cardiac EC (MCEC) and HUVEC production and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in normal oxygen tension and hypoxic conditions. We were also able to demonstrate a dose-dependent uptake of TRaM therapy into biological tissues ex vivo. Taken together, these data demonstrate the feasibility of targeted drug delivery in transplantation, which has the potential for conferring local immunosuppressive effects without systemic consequences while also dampening endothelial cell injury responses.
Improving full text search performance through textual analysis

Abstract The increased availability of full text databases has given rise to a number of retrieval problems, resulting from the ambiguities in natural language. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of text analysis as a tool in full text search and design improvement. A trial analysis was performed in a selected domain, family history literature, and search and design recommendations were then developed from the findings. The findings included information specific to name searching, along with article length and graphical data. Surprisingly, life event terms (e.g., birth year or marriage state), which are commonly used terms in name searches, occurred in the trial text relevant to less than a third of the sampled persons. This suggests that the higher frequency personal name terms (e.g., the subject's name or father's name) should be searched instead. Differences in male versus female search term patterns also occurred, suggesting gender-specific search strategies. There was a low incidence of pedigree charts in the literature, a finding of potential use in design. All of the findings offered insights into possible gains and losses in using one search or design strategy versus another, with strong evidence provided as to the potential of text analysis in full text search and design improvement.
Yeast Community Persistence in a Spatially Structured Environment

Community persistence was investigated in the yeast assemblage inhabiting patches of necrotic stem tissue of the columnar cactus Stenocereus gummosus (pitaya agria). Two surveys, conducted in 1981 and 1996, were compared. The variation in species occurrence in a spatial hierarchy within neuroses, among plants within a location, and among locations, was persistent across the 15-yr time span. The core species had a community similarity coefficient of 0.75, and the rank of their variability was significantly correlated for the two surveys. The physiological potential of the yeasts was distributed in the same manner in 1996 and 1981. Likewise, the rank order of physiological potentials both within plant and between plants was significantly correlated. These results indicate a microbial community that persists regionally, even though individual necroses routinely experience extinction and colonization. The role of an insect vector, Drosophila mojavensis, in community persistence is discussed.
The effects of loading changes on intraoperative doppler assessment of mitral regurgitation

Anesthetic agents may significantly alter the patient's blood pressure, and thus affect the intraoperative assessment of mitral regurgitation. This study examined the impact of an increase in afterload on a variety of parameters thought to reflect the severity of mitral regurgitation, and related them to changes in hemodynamic parameters. Twenty-four patients with mitral regurgitation undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. Following the induction of anesthesia, colorflow mapping of the entire left atrium was performed, and pulmonary vein flow was then measured. Phenylephrine was administered to increase the patients' blood pressures to their preoperative values, and the assessment was repeated. Regurgitant jet area increased 56% (482 ± 405 v 750 ± 440 mm2P < 0.001), and there were significant reductions in systolic pulmonary venous velocity (0.33 ± 0.17 v 0.18 ± .31 m/s P < .01) with increases in diastolic flow (0.43 ± 12 v 0.58 ± 0.18 m/s P < .001). These changes in pulmonary venous flow were not related to the changes in the driving force across the incompetent mitral valve. Also, an additional six patients developed systolic flow reversal after phenylephrine administration. Intraoperative hemodynamic variations can significantly alter the apparent severity of mitral regurgitation, and this factor must be considered during decision making.
Latex hypersensitivity in Department of Veterans Affairs health care workers: glove use, symptoms, and sensitization.

Background This report of the prevalence of latex glove allergy in 3 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers was a collaboration of the VA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Objectives To enroll and evaluate personnel from across the entire hospital workforce for latex hypersensitivity and to determine the type and extent of latex glove use. Methods A questionnaire was administered that covered demographics, job category, latex glove use, and current latex glove allergic symptoms. Skin testing to aeroallergens was performed to evaluate the presence of atopy. Blood was drawn for analyses of serum antilatex IgE antibody by CAP assay. Results Of 1,959 subjects, 158 (8.1%) had latex glove-allergic symptoms, a positive latex CAP assay result, or both. In 1,003 subjects who reported latex glove use, 915 (91.4%) used nonpowdered gloves. A total of 133 subjects reported latex glove allergic symptoms, and 36 subjects had positive CAP assay results. Latex sensitization was correlated with atopy, race, and latex glove exposure. Latex symptoms were correlated with atopy, a positive CAP assay result, and latex glove exposure. Of the 133 subjects with latex glove allergic symptoms, only 11 had positive CAP assay results, giving a prevalence of confirmed latex glove allergy of 0.6%. Conclusions Symptoms attributed to latex gloves and/or latex sensitization occurred in 8.1% of the employee population, with exposure, race, and atopy being the major risk factors. Few symptomatic individuals were sensitized to latex (0.6%). This low rate of confirmed latex glove allergy may have been related to nonpowdered glove use.
The Legitimation Problems of New Democracies: Postcommunist Dilemmas in Czechoslovakia and Hungary

After 1989 the countries of Eastern Europe embarked upon new directions away from central economies and one-party systems towards market economies and democratic systems. The courses of these political and economic transformations largely depended upon the ability of the emerging regimes to create legitimacy. In particular, those regimes which suffered from greater political divisiveness and significant economic problems were more likely to be confronted with a crisis of legitimacy. In this paper, the legitimation crisis theory is examined for post-communist Czechoslovakia and Hungary. It is found that the developments in Czechoslovakia and Hungary during this early transition period support the hypothesis, and, in addition, they hold implications for the survival of other transitional regimes as well as those in the West which have increasingly been confronted with questions of legitimacy.
Novel Carbon Nanotubes Based on Disk-Rod Assemblies of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals

ABSTRACT We have fabricated carbon nanofibers and nanotubes using disk-rod assemblies of lyotropic liquid crystals in which the orientation of graphene layers can be manipulated using surface anchoring techniques common to liquid crystal displays. The bulk material properties of the carbon can be engineered by the spatial arrangement of the graphene layers due to their anisotropic nature. We have also demonstrated a method to pattern arrays of nanotubes using an automated printing technique.
Long-term effects of seeding after wildfire on vegetation in Great Basin shrubland ecosystems

Summary 1. Invasive annual grasses alter fire regimes in shrubland ecosystems of the western USA, threatening ecosystem function and fragmenting habitats necessary for shrub-obligate species such as greater sage-grouse. Post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation treatments have been administered to stabilize soils, reduce invasive species spread and restore or establish sustainable ecosystems in which native species are well represented. Long-term effectiveness of these treatments has rarely been evaluated. 2. We studied vegetation at 88 sites where aerial or drill seeding was implemented following fires between 1990 and 2003 in Great Basin (USA) shrublands. We examined sites on loamy soils that burned only once since 1970 to eliminate confounding effects of recurrent fire and to assess soils most conducive to establishment of seeded species. We evaluated whether seeding provided greater cover of perennial seeded species than burned–unseeded and unburned– unseeded sites, while also accounting for environmental variation. 3. Post-fire seeding of native perennial grasses generally did not increase cover relative to burned–unseeded areas. Native perennial grass cover did, however, increase after drill seeding when competitive non-natives were not included in mixes. Seeding non-native perennial grasses and the shrub Bassia prostrata resulted in more vegetative cover in aerial and drill seeding, with non-native perennial grass cover increasing with annual precipitation. Seeding native shrubs, particularly Artemisia tridentata, did not increase shrub cover or density in burned areas. Cover of undesirable, non-native annual grasses was lower in drill seeded relative to unseeded areas, but only at higher elevations. 4. Synthesis and applications. Management objectives are more likely to be met in highelevation or precipitation locations where establishment of perennial grasses occurred. On lower and drier sites, management objectives are unlikely to be met with seeding alone. Intensive restoration methods such as invasive plant control and/or repeated sowings after establishment failures due to weather may be required in subsequent years. Managers might consider using native-only seed mixtures when establishment of native perennial grasses is the goal. Post-fire rehabilitation provides a land treatment example where long-term monitoring can inform adaptive management decisions to meet future objectives, particularly in arid landscapes where recovery is slow.