cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suction injuries in children leading to acute compartment syndrome of the interosseous muscles of the hand: Case reports

Compartment syndromes of the interosseous musculature in the hands of children is a relatively rare phenomenon and is usually associated with crush injury, severe burn, or ischemic events. Two cases of intrinsic compartment syndrome in children, secondary to suction injuries of the hand, are presented. Two children experienced suction injuries to the upper extremity when their hands were caught in a swimming-pool intake pipe filtration system. The filtration system intake suction developed enough negative pressure to induce an acute compartment syndrome of the interosseous muscles, requiring acute surgical decompression. Early diagnosis, prompt surgical decompression, and early postoperative rehabilitation of this unusual etiology of compartment syndrome of the hand provided a favorable and functional outcome.
Talk and Conceptual Change at Work: Adequate Representation and Epistemic Stance in a Comparative Analysis of Statistical Consulting and Teacher Workgroups

In this article we ask how concepts that organize work in two professional disciplines change during moments of consultation, which represent concerted efforts by participants to work differently now and inthe future. Our analysis compares structures of talk, the adequacy of representations of practice, and epistemic and moral stances deployed when workgroups in clinical health sciences and secondary mathematics teaching seek to improve their work in discussions with colleagues and experts. Our comparative analysis highlights interactional supports for identifying, elaborating, and stabilizing relatively small-scale innovations in joint work that contribute to development at multiple timescales. These supports include comparisons over accounts of practice that borrow and extend method or technique, negotiating adequate representations of practice, use and uptake of epistemic stance toward what can be known about shared work, and surrounding organizational structures that provide for (or inhibit) the circulation of new concepts across workgroups. The comparative study of [peoples’] work learns about doctors by studying plumbers; and about prostitutes by studying psychiatrists. [ ... ] I believe that in the study of work, as in that of other human activities and institutions, progress is apt to be commensurate with our ability to draw a wide range of pertinent cases into view. The wider the range, the more we need a fundamental frame of reference. (Hughes, 1971/2009, p. 316) Following Hughes’s recommendation, we compare two very different forms of work to arrive at a multilevel, developmental theory of workplace learning. We bring together two independent lines of research on learning at work—Hall and colleagues following uses of mathematics in technical and design-oriented work, and Horn and colleagues following how mathematics teachers learn on the job. Here we focus on consultations at work, settings in which leading activities of production are suspended to find ways of working more effectively in the future, inviting advice from specialists in related fields or coworkers. Hall’s studies of statisticians consulting with biological and health science research clients provide one set of grounded theoretical categories Correspondence should be sent to Rogers Hall, Vanderbilt University, Peabody #230, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville,
Review article: the management of pelvic floor disorders

Anorectal disorders, such as faecal incontinence, defecation difficulty and conditions associated with anorectal pain, are commonly encountered in the practices of gastroenterologists, urogynaecologists and colorectal surgeons. The evaluation of these disorders has been very much improved by the development and wider availability of diagnostic tests, such as manometry, endo-anal ultrasound, static and dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography. After briefly reviewing the normal anatomy and physiology of the anorectum, the pathophysiology and diagnostic approaches to faecal incontinence, defecation disorders and functional anorectal pain are discussed. Until recently, the management of these disorders has been largely anecdotal. However, our therapeutic armamentarium has been expanded by pharmacological agents, such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers and botulinum toxin, as well as the development of novel techniques, such as sacral nerve stimulation. These and other pharmacological, behavioural and surgical approaches are reviewed with respect to the robustness of evidence to support their efficacy in patients with these disorders.
Reduction in nosocomial transmission of drug-resistant bacteria after introduction of an alcohol-based handrub.

Objective:To assess quantitatively the clinical impact of using an alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) in the hospital environment, measuring impact as the incidence of new, nosocomial isolates of drug-resistant organisms.Design:An observational survey from 1998 to 2003 comparing the first 3 years of no ABHR use with the 3 years following, when an ABHR was provided for hand hygiene.Setting:An inner-city, tertiary-care medical center.Intervention:At baseline, an antimicrobial soap with 0.3% triclosan was provided for staff hand hygiene. The intervention was placement in all inpatient and all outpatient clinic rooms of wall-mounted dispensers of an ABHR with 62.5% ethyl alcohol. Data were collected on change in the incidence of three drug-resistant bacteria.Results:During the 6 years of the survey, all new, nosocomially acquired isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea were recorded. On comparison of the first 3 years with the final 3 years, there was a 21% decrease in new, nosocomially acquired MRSA (90 to 71 isolates per year; P = .01) and a 41% decrease in VRE (41 to 24 isolates per year; P < .001). The incidence of new isolates of C. difficile was essentially unchanged.Conclusion:In the 3 years following implementation of an ABHR, this hospital experienced the value of reductions in the incidence of nosocomially acquired drug-resistant bacteria. These reductions provide clinical validation of the recent CDC recommendation that ABHRs be the primary choice for hand decontamination. (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2005;26:650-653)
The ErbB receptor family: a therapeutic target for cancer

This article reviews the current state of efforts targeting the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors in cancer therapy. In particular, preliminary results will be discussed of studies of the first generation of therapeutics to enter clinical evaluation in malignant diseases. Results of recently conducted clinical studies with ZD1839 (Iressa), OSI-774 (Tarceva), Cetuximab (IMC-C225) and trastuzumab (Herceptin) and several other compounds are presented. Potential advantages and disadvantages of these different therapeutic modalities, as well as future challenges of evaluating ErbB-targeted agents in the clinic, are presented.
Decomposition, nutrient loss and microarthropod densities in herbicide-treated grass litter in a Georgia piedmont agroecosystem

Abstract A litterbag experiment was made to investigate the influence of the herbicides atrazine, paraquat and glyphosate on several aspects of the decomposition of grass litter in a fallow field. Litter-bags containing dried Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) leaves were dipped in herbicide solutions at recommended and 10 × recommended field application rates, placed in the field, and randomly collected every 3 weeks from July to November 1982. At the highest treatment levels of paraquat and glyphosate, the leaves showed slower weight loss, faster losses of P, Ca and Mg, and higher densities of microfloral-grazing microarthropods than untreated controls. Using a conceptual model of the decomposition subsystem, it is hypothesized that herbicide treatment altered the system by (1) promoting microbial utilization of the herbicide or additive as a carbon source; (2) increasing the importance of microarthropod grazing relative to comminution; (3) eliminating or reducing the importance of the predatory microarthropods; and (4) increasing the rate of nutrient loss from the litter via microbial and microarthropod activity. The system thus became simplified with fewer recycling loops, accelerated soluble nutrient loss, and slower decay of carbon from the leaf tissue.
Oscillation in ergodic theory: Higher dimensional results

In this paper we continue our investigations of square function inequalities. The results in [9] are primarily one dimensional, and here we extend all the results to multi-dimensional averages. Our basic tool is still a comparison of the ergodic averages with various dyadic (reversed) martingales, but the Fourier transform arguments are replaced by more geometric almost orthogonality arguments.
Incorporating real-world data in the classroom: A unique approach to investigating Earth's Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate System

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) views introductory college-level courses to be important avenues for promoting scientific literacy among the public. Additionally, it is from these courses that future teachers often receive their only college-level training in the geosciences. As such, the AMS Education Program considers the development of high-caliber, scientifically-authentic educational materials to be one of its top priorities. In striving to reach that goal, the AMS has produced a suite of introductory college-level courses that engage students by investigating current topics in Earth science making use of the most up-to-date, real-world environmental data.
Prediction of the Geographic Distribution of the Psyllid, Arytinnis hakani (Homoptera: Psyllidae), a Prospective Biological Control Agent of Genista monspessulana, Based on the Effect of Temperature on Development, Fecundity, and Survival

The psyllid, Arytinnis hakani (Loginova), is a prospective biological control agent of Genista monspessulana (French broom), an invasive shrub originating from western Europe. It is a multivoltine species that is not known to diapause. The insect is established in Australia, where it appears to cause heavy defoliation and mortality of the target weed, except at warm sunny sites. This suggests that bright light or high temperatures may hamper the agent. We measured the effect of temperature on development rate, survival, and fecundity of the psyllid to determine its suitable temperature range. Intrinsic rate of increase was highest near 22°C, and there was no population growth at the extremes of 5°C and 26°C. Net reproductive rate was highest at 16.5°C. Fecundity was highest at 22°C, and decreased to half at 16°C and at 27°C. Adult female longevity decreased with increasing temperature over the range studied. Nymphal survivorship was highest at 16°C and dropped to 0% at 5°C and 26°C. Eggs were able to complete development in 83 d at 5°C, but with only 20% survivorship versus 78-95% survivorship at higher temperatures. For populations with a stable age distribution, only 2-3% of the population is in the adult stage. Climate modeling using CLIMEX indicated that the geographic distribution of the psyllid is constrained by high temperature stress in Australia. The psyllid is predicted to be suitable in coastal California but not in the Sierra foothills.
Dicentric chromosomes and the inactivation of the centromere.

The origin and behavior of human dicentric chromosomes are reviewed. Most dicentrics between two nonhomologous or two homologous chromosomes (isodicentrics), which are permanent members of a chromosome complement, probably originate from segregation of an adjacent quadriradial; such configurations are the result of a chromatid translocation between two nonhomologous chromosomes, or they represent an adjacent counterpart of a mitotic chiasma. The segregation of such a quadriradial may also give rise to a cell line monosomic for the chromosome concerned (e.g., a 45, X line). Contrary to the generally held opinion, isodicentrics rarely result from an isolocal break in two chromatids followed by rejoining of sister chromatids. In this case the daughter centromeres go to opposite poles in the next anaphase, and the resulting bridge breaks at a random point. This mechanism, therefore, leads to the formation of an isodicentric chromosome only if the two centromeres are close together, or if one centromere is immediately inactivated. Observations on the origin of dicentrics in Bloom syndrome support these conclusions. One centromere is permanently inactivated in most dicentric chromosomes, and even when the dicentric breaks into two chromosomes, the centromere is not reactivated. The appearance and behavior of the "acentric" X chromosomes show that their centromeres are similarly inactivated and not prematurely divided. Two Bloom syndrome lymphocytes, one with an extra chromosome 2 and the other with an extra chromosome 7, each having an inactivated centromere, show that this can also happen in monocentric autosomes.
Cluster Approach to Simulating Hopping in Random Media

A simple cluster method for simulating hopping transport in dilute three-dimensional random systems has been developed to examine dispersive charge transport in glasses and energy transfer in isotopically mixed crystals. To determine the concentration and time dependence of the diffusion, we compare our results to the well-known problem of heat conduction in a sphere with the surface held at zero degrees. Our results indicate that dispersive transport can occur in dilute random systems because some of the hopping particles may not be able to avoid paths which include hard hops. For the parameters used in these simulations, at least 20% of the diffusing particles are responsible for the long dispersive tail. We have applied our cluster method to the problem of triplet migration in benzene-deuterate-benzene crystals. From these simulations we obtain very good agreement with the experimental results on threshold and shape of the concentration dependence of the energy-transfer efficiency.
Polysulfide speciation and reactivity in chromate-contaminated soil.

Calcium polysulfide (CPS) has been observed to maintain a reducing capacity for prolonged time periods when used to treat Cr(VI)-contaminated soils. This study utilized bulk and micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to investigate sulfur speciation in soil samples treated with CPS in batch and column studies and to determine the source of the reducing potential. Bulk XANES spectra indicated the presence of two dominant sulfur species: elemental sulfur, which is the product of the sulfide-chromate redox reaction, and thiosulfate (S2O32−). Micro-XANES analyses confirmed these findings and showed that elemental sulfur precipitated as large particles, while thiosulfate was diffused within the soil grains and thus available to react with chromate that leached from slowly dissolving PbCrO4. Micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) analyses indicated a close association of Pb and thiosulfate, so that PbS2O3 is a likely sink for thiosulfate, accounting for up to 20% of the total S added. Sorption of thiosulfate on iron oxides below pH 8 is a second retention mechanism for thiosulfate in the solid. Given that thiosulfate cannot reduce chromate but can reduce solid-bound Fe(III) under neutral pH conditions, it is hypothesized that ferrous iron production is an additional mechanism to maintain reductive conditions in CPS-treated soils.
Needle Infiltration of Arteriovenous Fistulae in Hemodialysis: Risk Factors and Consequences

Background: Needle infiltration of arteriovenous fistulae is a common problem in US hemodialysis units. This study evaluated the frequency of fistula infiltration, its risk factors, and clinical consequences of this complication. Methods: Using a prospective computerized vascular access database, we identified all patients with a major fistula infiltration sufficiently severe to prolong catheter dependence for dialysis. These patients were compared with a control group without fistula infiltration. We also quantified subsequent access outcomes in patients with infiltrations. Results: During a 5-year period, 47 patients had a major fistula infiltration, representing a 5.2% annual rate. On multiple variable logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of fistula infiltration was associated strongly with patient age (odds ratio, 1.039/1-year increment; 95% confidence interval, 1.016 to 1.062; P = 0.0007). Fistula infiltration was not associated with sex, race, diabetic status, peripheral vascular disease, body mass index, or fistula location. New fistulas (
Use of Bidirectional Blots in Differential Display Analysis

Abstract We have used bidirectional transfer methods in concert with SMART total cDNA complex probes to sequentially screen differential display arrays. In this report we show the utility of this methodology in examining a manganese superoxide dismutase cDNA fragment which we detected while evaluating the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1-β, TNF-α, and IL6 on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) gene expression. By using parallel hybridization of the bidirectional blots with SMART total cDNA 32P probes derived from untreated or cytokine-treated HUVECs, differential expression between cell treatments can be clearly evaluated. Subsequent screening using this bidirectional blot method results in detection of modulated cDNA clones. Northern and total cDNA blot hybridization with the cDNA clonal fragment confirmed both modulated expression and the efficacy of this screening method. These procedures allow one to use bidirectional blots to evaluate band modulation on agarose gels which are initially run to evaluate the reamplification of display fragments or to confirm cloned cDNA fragments. Thus, bidirectional blot analysis using SMART total cDNA probes allows direct evaluation of differential display bands from the initial reamplification through plasmid insert cloning, increasing the investigator's ability to eliminate false-positive bands during each step of analysis.
Mapping protein-protein interactions with a library of tethered cutting reagents: the binding site of sigma 70 on Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

Surface-exposed lysine amino groups and other reactive nucleophiles of the σ70 protein were conjugated with the cutting reagent iron (S)-1-[p-(bromoacetamido)benzyl]ethylenediaminetetraacetate (FeBABE) via 2-iminothiolane (2IT) with low efficiency. The result is a library of σ70 conjugates, with an average of 1−2 cutting reagents tethered to any of a variety of sites (lysine, cysteine, etc.) on the surface of the protein. Model calculations indicate that the conjugates in this library should be capable of cutting nearby sites on the backbone of almost any protein or nucleic acid to which σ70 binds. Since cutting occurs only when the protein is bound, the cleaved sites indicate proximity; since only proximal sites are cleaved, interpretation of the results is straightforward. We used this library to map the periphery of the binding site on the core enzyme (α2ββ‘) of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The β subunit was cut primarily within its conserved regions C, D, Rif I, and G; additional sites were also c...
Full-Length L1 Elements Have Arisen Recently in the Same 1-kb Region of the Gorilla and Human Genomes

New copies of the mammalian retrotransposon L1 arise in the germline at an undetermined rate. Each new L1 copy appears at a specific evolutionary time point that can be estimated by phylogenetic analysis. In humans, the active L1 sequence L1.2 resides at the genomic locus LRE1. Here we analyzed the region surrounding the LRE1 locus in humans and gorillas to determine the evolutionary history of the region and to estimate the age of L1.2. We found that the region was composed of an ancient L1, L1Hs-Lrg, which was significantly divergent from all other L1 sequences available in the databases. We also determined that L1.2 was absent from the gorilla genome and arose in humans after the divergence of gorilla and human lineages. In the gorilla LRE1 region, we discovered a different full-length L1 element, L1Gg-1, which was allelic and present at a high gene frequency in gorillas but absent from other primates. We determined the nucleotide sequence of L1Gg-1 and found that it was 98% identical to L1.2, suggesting a close relationship between active L1s in gorillas and humans.
Visualizing Chromatographic Separation of Metal Ions on a Surface-Enhanced Raman Active Medium

Metal ion carboxylato complexes possess ion-specific carboxylate Raman bands. Using this attribute we follow the chromatographic separation of a microliter aliquot of an initially equimolar solution of Pb2+ and Hg2+ using the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy spectra of their carboxylato complexes as unique identifiers. A glass capillary whose interior is lined with a dense layer of gold nanoparticles treated with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid simultaneously acts as a separation medium and an efficient SERS reporter of the step-by-step separation process. The observed adsorption−desorption equilibrium along the capillary is shown to conform with theory. Although Hg2+ complexes with COO− much more strongly than Pb2+, it is the Pb2+ that survives the separation process as the sole surface species. We show that this is because so much mercury is taken out of solution during early separation steps that the surface equilibrium is ultimately driven toward adsorbed Pb2+.
Prophylactic treatment of postperfusion bleeding using EACA.

To determine the effects of prophylactic treatment with EACA for blood loss after cardipulmonary bypass surgery, 350 consecutive patients undergoing open-heart surgery were studied. One hundred seventy patients received an initial dose of 5 g of EACA prior to skin incision, followed by intravenous administration of 1 g/h for the next 6 to 8 h. The control group received saline solution in the same fashion. The EACA-treated group had decreased chest tube blood loss 24 h postoperatively. In addition, EACA-treated patients had fewer myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular accidents or reoperations for bleeding. Treated patients needed fewer units of blood transfusions than the non-treated group. There was no incidence of hyperthrombotic state or other side effects in the EACA-treated group. We concluded that prophylactic treatment with EACA for open-heart surgery requiring extracorporeal circulation may reduce the total blood loss and the number of blood transfusions in a safe and tolerable manner. (Chest 1989; 96:27-30)
Autoimmune diseases and reproductive aging

As the population ages, more individuals with autoimmune diseases are experiencing reproductive senescence. Understanding the impact of menopause and age-related androgen decline on disease onset and course, as well as the potential for hormonal interventions, is critically important. In men, lupus erythematosis (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with lower androgen levels. However, the impact of age-related declines in testosterone, as well as of testosterone replacement, on disease course remains underexplored. In women, the course of all three diseases with onset after the age of menopause differs from that with onset before menopause. Early age at menopause is associated with increased disease risk, and after menopause, disease course changes in SLE and RA. Less is known about MS. This article summarizes what is known about the relationship between reproductive aging and autoimmune diseases in men and women, and highlights areas for further investigation.
Stabilization of polynomially parametrized families of linear systems. The single-input case

Abstract Given a continuous-time family of finite-dimensional single-input linear systems, parametrized polynomially, such that each of the systems in the family is controllable, there exists a polynomially parametrized control law making each of the systems in the family stable.
A single sorbent for tetracycline enrichment and subsequent solid-matrix time-resolved luminescence

Abstract The aim of this study was to search for a sorbent that could act as an extraction phase and as a support for solid-matrix time-resolved luminescence (SMTRL). Four potential sorbents were investigated for this purpose using tetracycline (TC) as a model analyte. Sorbents prepared from C18 silica gel or calcium cross-linked pectin gel were able to extract TC from dilute solutions. Europium(III)–TC complex adsorbed on the surface of C18 generated the most intense TRL signal when measured at λ ex = 388 nm and λ em = 615 nm. This method achieved a 1 ng/ml limit of detection (LOD) with a 100 μl sample solution in a repeated spotting mode. Hyphenation of sorbent extraction and SMTRL was demonstrated using C18. This method is suitable for screening of TC in foods or aqueous solutions and can be extended to other luminescent lanthanide-chelating analytes in physiological or environmental samples.
Nanocomposite containing amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles for caries inhibition

Objectives The main challenges facing composite restorations are secondary caries and bulk fracture. The objectives of this study were to synthesize novel nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), develop NACP nanocomposite with calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO4) ion release to combat caries, and investigate the effects of NACP filler level and glass co-filler reinforcement on composite properties.
Polymer-directed assembly of colloidal nanoparticle heterojunctions

The ability to assemble multiple nanobuilding blocks into organized heterostructures is critical for the fabrication of functional nanomaterials and devices. Here we demonstrate the co-assembly of a binary mixture of polymer-grafted metal nanoparticles with different sizes, shapes, and compositions. Our method takes advantage of nanoparticles that possess different diffusion rates within polymer matrices to produce chains of heterogeneous nanoparticles with controlled morphologies that can be tuned by controlling ratios of nanoparticle loading densities, relative nanoparticle sizes, and polymer graft miscibility.
THE IMPACT OF WORSENING RENAL DYSFUNCTION ON THE COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF BIVALIRUDIN AND PLATELET GLYCOPROTEIN IIBIIIA INHIBITORS: INSIGHTS FROM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN CARDIOVASCULAR CONSORTIUM (BMC2)

To evaluate the impact of worsening renal function on the comparative bleeding risk associated with use of bivalirudin versus GP IIbIIIa inhibitors (GPI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Use of bivalirudin has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of
Assessing Multicultural Initiatives in Higher Education Institutions.

As educational institutions engage in promoting multiculturalism on campuses, it becomes essential to assess the quality and success of those initiatives. In this paper, the plan being implemented at Northern Illinois University to assess multicultural initiatives is described. The plan is to ensure that faculty, staff, and students participate and benefit from multicultural curricular and related program, courses and curricula continue to be multiculturally transformed, multicultural curricular transformation and support program needs are being met, students obtain and demonstrate the necessary multicultural competencies, and the campus is supportive of multicultural initiatives at all levels of the university. The paper describes the range of multicultural initiatives pursued in higher education institutions and the considerations necessary in assessing such initiatives. The plan described in this paper makes use of existing assessment mechanisms and as well as a few new ones designed and implemented in...
Acute treatment with the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT and chronic environmental enrichment confer neurobehavioral benefit after experimental brain trauma

Acute treatment with the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) or chronic environmental enrichment (EE) hasten behavioral recovery after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to determine if combining these interventions would confer additional benefit. Anesthetized adult male rats received either a cortical impact or sham injury followed 15min later by a single intraperitoneal injection of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5mg/kg) or saline vehicle (1.0mL/kg) and then randomly assigned to either enriched or standard (STD) housing. Behavioral assessments were conducted utilizing established motor and cognitive tests on post-injury days 1-5 and 14-18, respectively. Hippocampal CA(1)/CA(3) neurons were quantified at 3 weeks. Both 8-OH-DPAT and EE attenuated CA(3) cell loss. 8-OH-DPAT enhanced spatial learning in a Morris water maze (MWM) as revealed by differences between the TBI+8-OH-DPAT+STD and TBI+VEHICLE+STD groups (P=0.0014). EE improved motor function as demonstrated by reduced time to traverse an elevated narrow beam in both the TBI+8-OH-DPAT+EE and TBI+VEHICLE+EE groups versus the TBI+VEHICLE+STD group (P=0.0007 and 0.0016, respectively). EE also facilitated MWM learning as evidenced by both the TBI+8-OH-DPAT+EE and TBI+VEHICLE+EE groups locating the escape platform quicker than the TBI+VEHICLE+STD group (P's<0.0001). MWM differences were also observed between the TBI+8-OH-DPAT+EE and TBI+8-OH-DPAT+STD groups (P=0.0004) suggesting that EE enhanced the effect of 8-OH-DPAT. However, there was no difference between the TBI+8-OH-DPAT+EE and TBI+VEHICLE+EE groups. These data replicate previous results from our laboratory showing that both a single systemic administration of 8-OH-DPAT and EE improve recovery after TBI and extend those findings by elucidating that the combination of treatments in this particular paradigm did not confer additional benefit. One explanation for the lack of an additive effect is that EE is a very effective treatment and thus there is very little room for 8-OH-DPAT to confer additional statistically significant improvement.
Sediment losses and gains across a gradient of livestock grazing and plant invasion in a cool, semi-arid grassland, Colorado Plateau, USA

Large sediment fluxes can have significant impacts on ecosystems. We measured incoming and outgoing sediment across a gradient of soil disturbance (livestock grazing, plowing) and annual plant invasion for 9 years. Our sites included two currently ungrazed sites: one never grazed by livestock and dominated by perennial grasses/well-developed biocrusts and one not grazed since 1974 and dominated by annual weeds with little biocrusts. We used two currently grazed sites: one dominated by annual weeds and the other dominated by perennial plants, both with little biocrusts. Precipitation was highly variable, with years of average, above-average, and extremely low precipitation. During years with average and above-average precipitation, the disturbed sites consistently produced 2.8 times more sediment than the currently undisturbed sites. The never grazed site always produced the least sediment of all the sites. During the drought years, we observed a 5600-fold increase in sediment production from the most disturbed site (dominated by annual grasses, plowed about 50 years previously and currently grazed by livestock) relative to the never grazed site dominated by perennial grasses and well-developed biocrusts, indicating a non-linear, synergistic response to increasing disturbance types and levels. Comparing sediment losses among the sites, biocrusts were most important in predicting site stability, followed by perennial plant cover. Incoming sediment was similar among the sites, and while inputs were up to 9-fold higher at the most heavily disturbed site during drought years compared to average years, the change during the drought conditions was small relative to the large change seen in the sediment outputs.
Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: A Global Threat

The increase in the incidence of avian influenza worldwide in both poultry and humans introduces the potential for another influenza A pandemic that could pose a significant threat to both human health and the global economy. The impact of the next influenza pandemic will be influenced, in part, by how well the medical, government, business, and lay communities are prepared. Despite the additional tools and resources that have become available since prior epidemics, there are limits to the quantity of antiviral drugs that can be manufactured and concerns over the current vaccine production systems. Despite these challenges, there is an opportunity to take action before the emergence of a pandemic influenza strain and, possibly, to prevent its spread or at least mitigate its impact on the world. In February 2006, a group of representatives from federal, state, and local governments; professional bodies; academia; and the pharmaceutical industry met to review the current state of preparedness in the United States for a potential influenza pandemic and its relationship to seasonal influenza. The goal of the meeting was to examine the recently revised US Department of Health and Human Services plan for preparedness and response to an influenza pandemic and to make recommendations to actualize this plan at the state and local levels.
Islanding detection using synchronized measurement in smart microgrids

This paper presents the issues involved in the detection of islanding via traditional methods as well as the implementation of 3-phase synchronized measurements. A proposed technique for better islanding recognition in microgrids using multiple PMUs was developed. A new method which uses 3 phase synchronized measurements was introduced for the detection of unbalanced or partial islanding of microgrids. This occurs when the microgrid loose only one phase of its link to the main grid. In addition to simulation of the proposed method in MATLAB/Simulink, experimental results are also obtained. A small scaled 3-phase power system at the laboratory scale was developed and used to compare the traditional and new techniques. The comparisons of experimental and simulation results show that the proposed technique was successfully verified.
Reinforcement learning for energy-efficient wireless transmission

We consider the problem of energy-efficient point-to-point transmission of delay-sensitive data (e.g. multimedia data) over a fading channel. We propose a rigorous and unified framework for simultaneously utilizing both physical-layer centric and system-level techniques to minimize energy consumption, under delay constraints, in the presence of stochastic and unknown traffic and channel conditions. We formulate the problem as a Markov decision process and solve it online using reinforcement learning. The advantages of the proposed online method are that it exploits partial information about the system and it obviates the need for action exploration. Consequently, it significantly outperforms existing reinforcement learning solutions.
Rectifier Fault Currents

CURRENTS in excess of normal, or fault currents, flow in rectifier circuits under conditions of arc-back or d-c short circuit. In normal service, faults are imposed on rectifiers by both the arc-backs that occur in the rectifier itself and the short circuits that occur in the external d-c system. Rectifier units must, therefore, include suitable protective switchgear to limit the magnitude and duration of the fault currents in order to 1. Prevent damage to the rectifier, transformer, and other parts. 2. Limit the disturbance on the a-c and d-c systems.
The Mre11p/Rad50p/Xrs2p Complex and the Tel1p Function in a Single Pathway for Telomere Maintenance in Yeast

The Mre11p/Rad50p/Xrs2p complex is involved in the repair of double-strand DNA breaks, nonhomologous end joining, and telomere length regulation. TEL1 is primarily involved in telomere length regulation. By an epistasis analysis, we conclude that Tel1p and the Mre11p/Rad50p/Xrs2p complex function in a single pathway of telomere length regulation.
Advancing the functional utility of PAR-CLIP by quantifying background binding to mRNAs and lncRNAs

Sequence specific RNA binding proteins are important regulators of gene expression. Several related crosslinking-based, high-throughput sequencing methods, including PAR-CLIP, have recently been developed to determine direct binding sites of global protein-RNA interactions. However, no studies have quantitatively addressed the contribution of background binding to datasets produced by these methods. We measured non-specific RNA background in PAR-CLIP data, demonstrating that covalently crosslinked background binding is common, reproducible and apparently universal among laboratories. We show that quantitative determination of background is essential for identifying targets of most RNA-binding proteins and can substantially improve motif analysis. We also demonstrate that by applying background correction to an RNA binding protein of unknown binding specificity, Caprin1, we can identify a previously unrecognized RNA recognition element not otherwise apparent in a PAR-CLIP study. Empirical background measurements of global RNA-protein crosslinking are a necessary addendum to other experimental controls, such as performing replicates, because covalently crosslinked background signals are reproducible and otherwise unavoidable. Recognizing and quantifying the contribution of background extends the utility of PAR-CLIP and can improve mechanistic understanding of protein-RNA specificity, protein-RNA affinity and protein-RNA association dynamics.
Subject to Colonialism: African Self‐Fashioning and the Colonial Library

Subject to Colonialism: African Self-Fashioning and the Colonial Library. Gaurav Desai. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2001. 216 pp. On the Postcolony. Achille Mbembe. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. 274 pp.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Opioid-Induced Sedation in Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVE:To review the literature for pharmacologic management of opioid-induced sedation (OIS) in patients with chronic pain.DATA SOURCES:A search of MEDLINE (1966–October 2004) for English-language literature and selected bibliographies was completed. Search terms included pain, opioid, sedation, psychostimulants, amphetamines, modafinil, and donepezil.DATA SYNTHESIS:Amphetamines and amphetamine-like agents, caffeine, donepezil, and modafinil have been evaluated for OIS. Available literature is limited by numbers of subjects, duration, and trial design; however, there is limited support for the use of methylphenidate, donepezil, and modafinil.CONCLUSIONS:Pharmacologic treatment of OIS should be utilized selectively, given the available literature. Methylphenidate, donepezil, and modafinil may be considered in appropriate patients.
A Genome-wide siRNA Screen Identifies Proteasome Addiction as a Vulnerability of Basal-like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Basal-like triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have poor prognosis. To identify basal-like TNBC dependencies, a genome-wide siRNA lethality screen compared two human breast epithelial cell lines transformed with the same genes: basal-like BPLER and myoepithelial HMLER. Expression of the screen's 154 BPLER dependency genes correlated with poor prognosis in breast, but not lung or colon, cancer. Proteasome genes were overrepresented hits. Basal-like TNBC lines were selectively sensitive to proteasome inhibitor drugs relative to normal epithelial, luminal, and mesenchymal TNBC lines. Proteasome inhibition reduced growth of established basal-like TNBC tumors in mice and blocked tumor-initiating cell function and macrometastasis. Proteasome addiction in basal-like TNBCs was mediated by NOXA and linked to MCL-1 dependence.
O-022 Perfusion-based selection leads to improved outcomes compared with time-based selection for endovascular reperfusion therapy in acute ischaemic stroke

Background Controversy exists on the role of perfusion imaging-based selection of patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) for endovascular reperfusion therapy (ERT). Our hypothesis was that perfusion imaging based selection would improve functional outcomes at 3 months compared to time based selection alone. Methods We reviewed data from consecutive AIS patients treated with ERT at 4 centres between 2006 and 2011. We excluded patients with initial NIHSS score Results One-hundred eighty-five patients (mean age 66.7 years; median NIHSS score 19; MCA occlusion 73% and ICA occlusion 27%) were included. TICI 2b or 3 reperfusion grade was achieved in 49.7% while symptomatic haemorrhage (PH1, PH2, or perforation) occurred in 10.8%. Good outcome at 3 months was seen in 41.7%. Perfusion imaging was used in 69 (37.3%) patients (45 CT and 24 MRI) and was associated with increased onset-to-groin puncture time (359 vs 298 minutes, P=0.019). Patients who underwent perfusion imaging were also older (73 vs 63 years, P Conclusions In this multi-centre study, AIS patients who underwent perfusion imaging were over 2-fold more likely to have good outcome following ERT despite a delay in time to treatment and age imbalance between groups. Further studies should continue to address the optimal perfusion imaging thresholds for patient selection for ERT. Disclosures M. Soltanolkotabi: None. S. Prabhakaran: None. A. Shaibani: None. M. Hurley: None. Y. Curran: None. J. Conners: None. V. Lee: None. S. Ansari: None.
Incorporation of Nonnatural Amino Acids Into Proteins

The genetic code is established by the aminoacylation of transfer RNA, reactions in which each amino acid is linked to its cognate tRNA that, in turn, harbors the nucleotide triplet (anticodon) specific to the amino acid. The accuracy of aminoacylation is essential for building and maintaining the universal tree of life. The ability to manipulate and expand the code holds promise for the development of new methods to create novel proteins and to understand the origins of life. Recent efforts to manipulate the genetic code have fulfilled much of this potential. These efforts have led to incorporation of nonnatural amino acids into proteins for a variety of applications and have demonstrated the plausibility of specific proposals for early evolution of the code.
Novel High Nitrogen Propellant Use in Solid Fuel Micropropulsion

The use of two novel materials, 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-s-tetrazine (BTATz) and mixed N-oxides of 3,3'-azo-bis(6-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) (DAATO3.5, where the 3.5 indicates the average oxide content), as solid fuels in micropropulsion systems is investigated. These materials were selected due to their ease of ignition, relatively good safety characteristics, long-term storage capability, low combustion temperature, noncorrosive combustion products, and reasonable projected material cost. Material safety data including impact, friction, differential scanning calorimetry, and electrostatic sensitivity are reported and compared to the previously implemented micropropulsion fuels, lead styphnate, glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dioxide. Burn rate data are also reported for both materials. Whereas BTATz and DAATO3.5 have very high burn rates, DAATO3.5 is believed to have the highest burn rate of any known stable organic solid. Additionally, DAATO3.5 has a very desirable pressure exponent of 0.28. Test stand results using a quartz microthruster are reported for these materials. Estimated chamber pressures reached 18 atm with peak thrust levels around 0.1 N. Measured specific impulses of approximately 14% of the theoretical specific impulse (218 s for BTATz and 228 s for DAATO3.5) were obtained. This level of inefficiency is believed to be acceptable for micropropulsion systems and is comparable to other, independent work.
Utility analysis of parallel simulation

Parallel computers are used to execute discrete-event simulations in contexts where a serial computer is unable to provide answers fast enough, and/or is unable to hold the simulation state in memory. Traditional research in parallel simulation has focused on the degree to which a parallel simulator provides speedup. This paper takes a different view and asks how a parallel simulator provides increased user defined utility as a result of being able to simulatelarger problem sizes. We develop a model where the utility of simulating a particular simulation is an increasing function of the problem size, and ask whether overall utility accrues faster on a parallel computer if one uses it to simulate one large problem in parallel, several smaller problem instancesconcurrently and each in parallel, or concurrently many small problem instances on single processors. We show that under our model assumptions, utility is accrued faster either by running one large problem instance in parallel using all the available processors, or by running one small problem instance per processor, concurrently. When we consider how to optimize the utility per unit cost we find that one either runs a large problem using all available processors, multiple small problems with one per processor, or a small problem using exactly one processor. Determination of the optimal configuration dependson the user's assessment of how rapidly utility grows with the problem size. Our main contribution is to show the linkage between the effectiveness of parallel simulationand a user's perception of the value of larger problem sizes. We show that if that utility grows less than linearly in the problem size, then use of parallelism is sub-optimal. Wegive precise relationships between our model parameters that govern when parallelism optimizes utility, and when it optimizes price-performance. We see that when model parameters are in a "normal" range, a user's perception of utility must grow significantly-e.g. proportional to problem size raised to the 1.5th power-for parallel processing to optimize cost performance.
GIS-BASED NICHE MODELING FOR MAPPING SPECIES' HABITAT

Ecological ''niche modeling'' using presence-only locality data and large-scale environmental variables provides a powerful tool for identifying and mapping suitable habitat for species over large spatial extents. We describe a niche modeling approach that identifies a minimum (rather than an optimum) set of basic habitat requirements for a species, based on the assumption that constant environmental relationships in a species' distribution (i.e., variables that maintain a consistent value where the species occurs) are most likely to be associated with limiting factors. Environmental variables that take on a wide range of values where a species occurs are less informative because they do not limit a species' distribution, at least over the range of variation sampled. This approach is operationalized by partitioning Mahalanobis D 2 (standardized difference between values of a set of environmental variables for any point and mean values for those same variables calculated from all points at which a species was detected) into independent components. The smallest of these components represents the linear combination of variables with minimum variance; increasingly larger components represent larger variances and are increasingly less limiting. We illustrate this approach using the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica Brewster) and provide SAS code to implement it.
Full C * -Crossed product duality

Takai duality for full C*-crossed products holds for twisted actions in the sense of Green and fails for coactions.