cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Mentoring Does for Mentors: A Cross-Cultural Perspective.

ABSTRACT This study explores the perceptions of mentor teachers about the impact of mentoring on them. This cross-cultural research project included an American and an Israeli teacher education program and collaboration within each country between each teacher education program and its Professional Development Schools. This study explored the following questions: (1) What benefits do mentors gain from working with student teachers? (2) Is the mentoring experience having any effect on the mentor's classroom practice? (3) Is the mentoring experience having any effect on the mentor beyond the classroom? A face-to-face meeting between an Israeli mentor and American mentors provided interesting insights and explanations for the qualitative and quantitative data documented over two years. This study supports the belief and empirical findings that mentors benefit from their mentoring activity when they have access to serious training and opportunities for ongoing support.
Archaeal Community Structures in the Solfataric Acidic Hot Springs with Different Temperatures and Elemental Compositions

Archaeal 16S rRNA gene compositions and environmental factors of four distinct solfataric acidic hot springs in Kirishima, Japan were compared. The four ponds were selected by differences of temperature and total dissolved elemental concentration as follows: (1) Pond-A: 93°C and 1679 mg L−1, (2) Pond-B: 66°C and 2248 mg L−1, (3) Pond-C: 88°C and 198 mg L−1, and (4) Pond-D: 67°C and 340 mg L−1. In total, 431 clones of 16S rRNA gene were classified into 26 phylotypes. In Pond-B, the archaeal diversity was the highest among the four, and the members of the order Sulfolobales were dominant. The Pond-D also showed relatively high diversity, and the most frequent group was uncultured thermoacidic spring clone group. In contrast to Pond-B and Pond-D, much less diverse archaeal clones were detected in Pond-A and Pond-C showing higher temperatures. However, dominant groups in these ponds were also different from each other. The members of the order Sulfolobales shared 89% of total clones in Pond-A, and the uncultured crenarchaeal groups shared 99% of total Pond-C clones. Therefore, species compositions and biodiversity were clearly different among the ponds showing different temperatures and dissolved elemental concentrations.
Tools assessing nurse manager behaviours and RN job satisfaction: a review of the literature

Aim To determine the state of the science in relation to registered nurse (RN) perceptions of nurse manager behaviours that influence registered nurse job satisfaction. Background Nurse managers have been related by research to the job satisfaction of their staff. However, little is known about how nurses perceive the behaviours of nurse managers as influencing their job satisfaction. Methods A literature search was conducted to identify journal articles that included studies involving instruments of nurse manager behaviours and staff nurse job satisfaction levels. Results The literature shows a lack of consistency in the definitions of job satisfaction, instrumentation for measurement and conclusions that identify specific management behaviours effective for high levels of job satisfaction of RNs related to staff nurse perceptions. Conclusion Studies include important aspects of what shapes a healthy work environment for nurses, but no single study identified specific nurse manager behaviours based solely on the perceptions of staff nurses and their job satisfaction. Implications for nursing management The perceptions of staff nurses are important for hospital administrators and nurse managers in order to know how to improve satisfaction and reduce turnover. Instruments developed based on manager beliefs may not provide data needed to influence a change in management behaviours that results in improved job satisfaction.
Inhalant Use: Characteristics and Predictors

Volatile inhalant use has previously been shown to be associated with psychiatric illness and use of other substances. The authors examined the association of history of inhalant use with other drug use, psychiatric disorders, and sociodemographic characteristics in a diverse sample of illicit substance abusers. They found a strong association of inhalant use with antisocial personality disorder, social phobia, alcohol dependence, tobacco dependence, injection drug use, and use of amphetamines, sedatives, opiates, phencyclidine, and hallucinogens. Inhalant use was more common among white than black subjects but not more common among men than women. The implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.
Tests for absence of intraparticle diffusion effects in branched-pore systems

Abstract Tests which have been recommended for detecting the presence or absence of mass transport in continuous-pore systems are considered for their applicability in branched-pore systems. When diffusion effects are absent in the primary pore system, three of the tests—the Weisz—Prater—Bischoff criterion, Hudgins' approach, and the Stewart—Villadsen criteria—can be used to show the presence or absence of these effects in the secondary system. In addition, two upper bounds are derived for the quotient of the secondary system Thiele modulus devided by the primary system modulus. These bounds can also be used for showing the absence of mass transport effects in the secondary pore system whenever the primary pore system is unaffected. Application of this latter development to porous materials suggests that if the primary pore system is unaffected by mass transport, then the secondary system is also unaffected, except under abnormal circumstances.
Assessing Perceived Needs for Japanese Language Training in U.S. Business Education: Perspectives from Students, Business Faculty, and Business Professionals

In the interest of developing new approaches to Japanese language instruction that can meet the demands of these career-minded students, this study compares the responses of both business faculty and students of Japanese language to a survey that asked them to assess the career value of Japanese language ability. In order to determine whether the attitudes of business faculty and students are consonant with professional situations outside the academy, this study also surveys executives and directors of international divisions within a number of U.S. corporations about their perceptions of the practical advantages of a background in Japanese language in the contemporary business world. The results of this study show that business faculty, foreign language faculty, and business students have differing ideas about the role of language learning–in this study, the learning of Japanese–in preparing for careers that involve international activity. Students and business professionals outside the university, however, concur in their attitudes about the importance of foreign language proficiency. These findings suggest that business school curricula need to accommodate foreign language study to a greater degree and that the content of foreign language courses must reflect the practical needs of business students. It is critical that Japanese and other foreign language programs and business programs cooperate more fully so that students who are motivated to learn can apply their acquired language ability and cultural knowledge to successful career development.
Hydrocarbon sex pheromone in tiger moths (Arctiidae).

2-Methylheptadecane is a sex pheromone compound in many sibling species of the Holomelina aurantiaca complex, in Holomelina laeta, and in Pyrrharctia isabella, which are all arctiids. Habitat preference, temporal distribution , and differing diurnal cycles help effect reproductive isolation among the species, but secondary sex pheromone chemicals are also suggested by the field studies.
Stability and regeneration of low-Z coatings during elevated temperature irradiation

Abstract The formation and stability of coatings of Ni3Si on the external surfaces of Ni-6 at. % Si specimens has been studied in-situ by infrared pyrometry during irradiation at elevated temperatures. The temperature dependence of the radiation-induced growth of the coatings is shown to be dose rate dependent. The results indicate that radiation-induced segregation can be used to maintain the integrity of appropriate coatings. The design of self-healing coatings appears possible utilizing radiation-induced segregation.
Anatomy of the distal interphalangeal joint of the mature horse: relationships with navicular suspensory ligaments, sensory nerves and neurovascular bundle

The anatomy of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in the adult horse is described in relationship to the suspensory ligaments of the navicular bone, the neurovascular bundle and the sensory nerves to these periarticular regions. Using polymer plastic injections, the synovial cavity of the DIP joint was observed to have a complex relationship to the proximal suspensory or collateral sesamoidean ligament (CSL) of the navicular bone with the cavity forming cranial and caudal compartments around the CSL abaxially. Sensory nerves, as identified by peptide immunocytochemistry and silver/gold chloride axonal impregnation, were present superficially throughout the dorsal and palmar parts of the CSL, the distal sesamoidean impar ligament and in the periarticular connective tissues. These anatomical observations provide support for the idea that a DIP joint injection of local anaesthetic cannot be considered to be selective for only the joint surfaces, but must be considered also to desensitise much of the navicular suspensory apparatus, navicular bone and proximal intramedullary portions of the distal phalanx. However, while a DIP joint injection is not selective for only the joint surfaces, we believe that it is useful in terms of the diagnosis of painful sensations arising from parts of the navicular bone, the suspensory apparatus and proximal positions of the distal phalanx. These anatomical findings are discussed in terms of the potential effects of local anaesthesia injected into the DIP joint with known clinical and necropsy observations of Dyson and Kidd (1993).
Syncope as the initial presentation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Syncope can be the first manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Recently, we have encountered one such case and was able to eradiate this symptom by combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Using Surrogate Constraints in a Lagrangian Relaxation Approach to Set-Covering Problems

Lagrangian relaxations have been used in a variety of IP problem settings. The main thrust of such efforts is to obtain bounding information for use in a branch-and-bound procedure. This paper examines the effect of adding a single surrogate constraint to Lagrangian subproblems in an attempt to improve upon the bounds produced by conventional Lagrangian relaxation. Computational results on some randomly generated set-covering problems are reported.
Identification of a Membrane-Bound Transcriptional Regulator That Links Chitin and Natural Competence in Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae is naturally competent when grown on chitin. It is known that expression of the major regulator of competence, TfoX, is controlled by chitin; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this requirement for chitin have remained unclear. In the present study, we identify and characterize a membrane-bound transcriptional regulator that positively regulates the small RNA (sRNA) TfoR, which posttranscriptionally enhances tfoX translation. We show that this regulation of the tfoR promoter is direct by performing electrophoretic mobility shift assays and by heterologous expression of this system in Escherichia coli. This transcriptional regulator was recently identified independently and was named "TfoS" (S. Yamamoto et al., Mol. Microbiol., in press, doi:10.1111/mmi.12462). Using a constitutively active form of TfoS, we demonstrate that the activity of this regulator is sufficient to promote competence in V. cholerae in the absence of chitin. Also, TfoS contains a large periplasmic domain, which we hypothesized interacts with chitin to regulate TfoS activity. In the heterologous host E. coli, we demonstrate that chitin oligosaccharides are sufficient to activate TfoS activity at the tfoR promoter. Collectively, these data characterize TfoS as a novel chitin-sensing transcriptional regulator that represents the direct link between chitin and natural competence in V. cholerae. IMPORTANCE Naturally competent bacteria can take up exogenous DNA from the environment and integrate it into their genome by homologous recombination. This ability to take up exogenous DNA is shared by diverse bacterial species and serves as a mechanism to acquire new genes to enhance the fitness of the organism. Several members of the family Vibrionaceae become naturally competent when grown on chitin; however, a molecular understanding of how chitin activates competence is lacking. Here, we identify a novel membrane-bound transcriptional regulator that is required for natural transformation in the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae. We demonstrate that this regulator senses chitin oligosaccharides to activate the competence cascade, thus, uncovering the molecular link between chitin and natural competence in this Vibrio species.
Anticonvulsant valproate reduces seizure-susceptibility in mutant Drosophila.

Abstract Despite the frequency of seizure disorders in the human population, the genetic basis for these defects remains largely unclear. Currently, only a fraction of the epilepsies can be linked conclusively to a genetic determinant. In addition, a significant number of epileptics do not respond to the current anticonvulsant therapies. We have turned to Drosophila as a model to address these problems and have identified genetic mutants that are more sensitive to seizures, bang-sensitive (BS) mutants, such as slamdance (sda), bangsenseless (bss) and easily shocked (eas), as well as mutants that are resistant to seizures, such as paralytic, maleless napts , shaking-B 2 and Shaker. Here, we have developed a new method for evaluating compounds with anticonvulsant activity. The methodology uses Drosophila BS mutants to assay the ability of compounds to suppress the seizure susceptible phenotype normally seen in the BS mutants. To test the effectiveness of this method, two BS mutant strains were administered the anticonvulsant valproate and in both cases the drug was able to suppress seizures. The Drosophila system provides a potentially powerful way of developing and testing new drugs with anticonvulsant properties.
Molecular Variants in the P450c11AS Gene as Determinants of Aldosterone Synthase Activity in the Dahl Rat Model of Hypertension

Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rats are widely used to study genetic determinants of salt-sensitive hypertension. Differences in blood pressure under a high sodium diet in these two strains may be due to differences in the synthesis of 18-OH-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH DOC). This difference in 18-OH-DOC synthesis is due to mutations in the Dahl R rat's gene for P450c11β (11β-hydroxylase), an adrenal enzyme involved in the synthesis of both corticosterone and 18-OH DOC from 11-deoxycorticosterone. Aldosterone/renin ratios in plasma and in the adrenals are greater in Dahl S than R rats, suggesting an altered physiologic relationship between the renin-angiotensin and aldosterone systems between these strains. We demonstrate that the mRNA for P450c11AS, (aldosterone synthase), an enzyme required for aldosterone synthesis, is identical in the Dahl S rat and in normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats, but that P450c11AS mRNA from the Dahl R rat contains 7 mutations that result in two amino acid substitutions. These two changes result in a form of P450c11AS that has a greater apparent Vmax and lower apparent Km, resulting in an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone at a greater rate in Dahl R rats than the P450c11AS in Dahl S rats or Sprague-Dawley rats. Although plasma and adrenal renin are lower in Dahl S versus R rats, the regulation of P450c11AS mRNA expression in rats fed a low and high salt diet are identical in these strains. The current findings may explain both the reduced aldosterone concentrations and increased aldosterone/renin ratios previously reported in the Dahl S versus Dahl R rat.
Pentamethyldisilylmethyl derivatives of the transition metals, LMCH2SiMe2SiMe3 [LM = (η5-C5R5)M(CO)nn−, M = Fe, W, R = H, Me, n = 2, 3; (η5-C9H7)Fe(CO)2−; (η5-C5 H5)2MCl−, M = Ti, Zr, Hf] ☆

Abstract Pentamethyldisilylmethyl derivatives of the transition metals have been synthesized, LMCH2SiMe2SiMe3 [LM = (η5-C5R5) M(CO)n−, M = Fe, W, R = H, Me, n = 2, 3; (η5-C9H7)Fe(CO)2−; (η5-C5H5) 2MCl−, M = Ti,Zr,Hf]. The cyclopentadienylcarbonyl complexes are photochemically labile with respect to rearrangement to LM-SiMe2 CH2SiMe3 and are also subject to base-induced migration to the cyclopentadienyl ring to form (η5-Me3SiCH2SiMe2C5H4) derivatives. The titanium, zirconium and hafnium complexes exhibit neither property; the only compound isolated from the photochemical treatment of these complexes being Me3SiSiMe3. Structural analyses of (η5-C5H5)W(CO)3 CH2SiMe2SiMe3 and its phosphine-substituted rearrangement product, (η5-C5H5)W(CO)2 (PPh3)SiMe2CH2SiMe3, are presented.
Neutron diffraction study of the zeolite thomsonite

Abstract A neutron study of a single crystal of thomsonite (Na(Ca,Sr) 2 Al 5 Si 5 O 20 .6H 2 O at 293K; a 13.088(2) b 13.052(2) c 13.229(2) A; Pncn) yielded a final agreement factor of R ( F 2 ) = 0.048 for conventional anisotropic refinement using 4626 diffraction intensities from the Brookhaven National Laboratory high-flux beam reactor. The SiO and AlO distances correlate inversely with SiOAl angle as in scolecite and edingtonite, and the scattering lengths for the tetrahedral nodes are consistent with alternation of Si and Al. Both sites for extra-framework cations are associated with elliptical 8-rings. The Na,Ca site contains 0.5 Na and 0.5 Ca, and is surrounded by a square antiprism containing 4 water-oxygens in one square (2.45, 2.50, 2.59, 2.60 A). Each square of water-oxygens is shared with an adjacent antiprism and one edge between framework-oxygens is shared with a second antiprism to give an infinite chain parallel to c. There is no evidence for long-range alternations of Na and Ca atoms. The Ca site is split into two positions displaced 0.28 A from the centroid of 6 framework-oxygens and 2 water-oxygens, and is coordinated to two framework-oxygens (2.44, 2.46 A) and two water-oxygens (2.34, 2.35 A) in a square and to two framework-oxygens (2.61, 2.65 A) on one side of the square. Some Sr may substitute in the Ca site. There is no evidence for ordered occupancy of Ca sites. All protons are in positions corresponding to electrostatic equilibrium. Those associated with Na,Ca lie close to the shared square, while those associated with Ca are almost coplanar with the cation and the water-oxygen. The distances from the proton to the water- and framework-oxygens are negatively correlated for edingtonite and thomsonite.
Aspirin and clopidogrel resistance: an emerging clinical entity

We read with interest the recent article which reviewed the issue of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance.1 The authors review the aspirin and clopidogrel clinical trial data and conclude that both therapies have emerged as efficacious in both the primary and secondary prevention settings. The referenced data for a beneficial effect of clopidogrel on the primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease events is not quoted. In fact, the recent results from the CHARISMA trial suggest that the long-term addition of clopidogrel …
Inhibitors of DNA Polymerase III as Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Gram-Positive Eubacteria

6-Anilinouracils are selective inhibitors of DNA polymerase III, the enzyme required for the replication of chromosomal DNA in gram-positive bacteria (N. C. Brown, L. W. Dudycz, and G. E. Wright, Drugs Exp. Clin. Res. 12:555-564, 1986). A new class of 6-anilinouracils based on N-3 alkyl substitution of the uracil ring was synthesized and analyzed for activity as inhibitors of the gram-positive bacterial DNA polymerase III and the growth of gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Favorable in vitro properties of N-3-alkyl derivatives prompted the synthesis of derivatives in which the R group at N-3 was replaced with more-hydrophilic methoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups. These hydroxyalkyl and methoxyalkyl derivatives displayed K(i) values in the range from 0.4 to 2.8 microM against relevant gram-positive bacterial DNA polymerase IIIs and antimicrobial activity with MICs in the range from 0.5 to 15 microg/ml against a broad spectrum of gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Two of these hydrophilic derivatives displayed protective activity in a simple mouse model of lethal staphylococcal infection.
Molecular spectroscopic identification of the water compartments in bone

Matrix bound water is a correlate of bone's fracture resistance and assessment of bound water is emerging as a novel measure of bone's mechanical integrity. Raman spectroscopy is one of the few nondestructive modalities to assess the hydration status in bone; however, it has not been used to study the OH-band in bone. A sequential dehydration protocol was developed to replace unbound (heat drying) and bound (ethanol or deuterium) water in bone. Raman spectra were collected serially to track the OH-band during dehydration. Spectra of synthetic hydroxyapatite, demineralized bone and bulk water were collected to identify mineral and collagen contributions to the OH-band. Band assignments were supported by computational simulations of the molecular vibrations of Gly-Pro-Hyp amino acid sequence. Experimentally and theoretically obtained spectra were interpreted for band-assignments. Water loss was measured gravimetrically and correlated to Raman intensities. Four peaks were identified to be sensitive to dehydration: 3220cm(-1) (water), 3325cm(-1) (NH and water), 3453cm(-1) (hydroxyproline and water), and 3584cm(-1) (mineral and water). These peaks were differentially sensitive to deuterium treatment such that some water peaks were replaced with deuterium oxide faster than the rest. Specifically, the peaks at 3325 and 3584cm(-1) were more tightly bound to the matrix than the remaining bands. Comparison of dehydration in mineralized and demineralized bone revealed a volume of water that may be locked in the matrix by mineral crystals. The OH-range of bone was dominated by collagen and the water since the spectral profile of dehydrated demineralized bone was similar to that of the mineralized bone. Furthermore, water associates to bone mainly by collagen as findings of experimentally and theoretically spectra. The current work is among the first thorough analysis of the Raman OH stretch band in bone and such spectral information may be used to understand the involvement of water in the fragility of aging and in diseased bone.
Outcomes and Questions About Discrete Subaortic Stenosis

Discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS) is a well-described cause of isolated left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in children.1 The lesion is of obvious hemodynamic significance, but in addition, it is recognized to be the result of a dynamic process that continues and has consequences into adulthood. Consequently, there are questions (including the mechanism of formation, the surgical approaches, the implications for the aortic and mitral valves, and its natural history, as well as the likelihood of recurrence) the answers to which are important to the understanding and treatment of DSS. Despite the many reports on DSS, none of these related questions have been answered completely. The report on surgical outcome of discrete subaortic stenosis in adults by van der Linde et al2 in the March 19, 2013, issue of Circulation , however, adds useful information on the latter questions. This report and others in the literature indicate DSS, even after an apparently successful surgical resection, is a lesion that does not go away easily. DSS in its discrete form, without a tubular obstruction of the LVOT, is fairly uniform in appearance.3 For the surgeon, the resection of a DSS is both a “nice case” and one that may prove to be dismaying in the future. DSS is often an essentially circular fibromuscular rim of tissue, with a fibrous inner ring of varying width. The location will vary from just beneath the aortic valve, where occasionally it will be fused with the dependent portion of a cusp, to a position lower down the LVOT with attachments to the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. This location means that not only will it place a load on the left ventricle (LV), but the resulting turbulence will also affect the aortic valve downstream. The mechanism for DSS formation has been …
Missing data in alcohol clinical trials: a comparison of methods.

BACKGROUND: The rate of participant attrition in alcohol clinical trials is often substantial and can cause significant issues with regard to the handling of missing data in statistical analyses of treatment effects. It is common for researchers to assume that missing data is indicative of participant relapse, and under that assumption, many researchers have relied on setting all missing values to the worst-case scenario for the outcome (e.g., missing = heavy drinking). This sort of single-imputation method has been criticized for producing biased results in other areas of clinical research, but has not been evaluated within the context of alcohol clinical trials, and many alcohol researchers continue to use the missing = heavy drinking assumption. METHODS: Data from the COMBINE study, a multisite randomized clinical trial, were used to generate simulated situations of missing data under a variety of conditions and assumptions. We manipulated the sample size (n = 200, 500, and 1,000) and dropout rate (5, 10, 25, 30%) under 3 missing data assumptions (missing completely at random, missing at random, and missing not at random). We then examined the association between receiving naltrexone and heavy drinking during the first 10 weeks following treatment using 5 methods for treating missing data (complete case analysis [CCA], last observation carried forward [LOCF], missing = heavy drinking, multiple imputation [MI], and full information maximum likelihood [FIML]). RESULTS: CCA, LOCF, and missing = heavy drinking produced the most biased naltrexone effect estimates and standard errors under conditions that are likely to exist in randomized clinical trials. MI and FIML produced the least biased naltrexone effect estimates and standard errors. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming that missing = heavy drinking produces biased results of the treatment effect and should not be used to evaluate treatment effects in alcohol clinical trials. Language: en
Doppler and Cinematic Phased Array Imaging Via Depth-Focusing

One of the areas of interest in diagnostic medicine echo imaging is to obtain quantitative as well as qualitative information regarding the condition of the cardiovascular system using ultrasonic sources. There are two well-known ultrasonic imaging methods for viewing moving targets in echocardiography: Doppler-ultrasound, and cinematic-ultrasound. The conventional Doppler-ultrasound systems illuminate the target region repetitively with the focused beam of an aperture [l]-[6]. Motion information is deduced via analyzing the Doppler shift and spreading of the resultant echoed signals, or some form of range correlation processing of the echoes. These motion estimation methods are based on the approximation that the radiated beam is focused on a moving target with a constant velocity distribution in the spatial domain. However, these approximation-based focusing methods are not accurate. As a result, the echoed signal may contain echoes from the the surrounding stationary medium and other moving targets (which may have different velocities) as well as the desired moving target. In the conventional cinematic-ultrasound systems, it is assumed that the heart is frozen (motionless) during data acquisition for a single sweep of the heart [7]-[10]. As a result, the user is forced to utilize larger sample spacing in the beam-steer domain which reduces the signal-to-clutter power ratio.
An investigation of Aspergillus cardiac surgical site infections in 3 pediatric patients.

Background Within a 3-month period, 3 pediatric patients at our hospital developed Aspergillus surgical site infections after undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods A multidisciplinary team conducted an epidemiologic review of the 3 patients and their infections, operative and postoperative patient care delivery, and routine maintenance of hospital equipment and air-filtration systems and investigated potential environmental exposures within the hospital that may have contributed to the development of these infections. Results Review of the patients and their infections, operative and postoperative patient care delivery, and routine maintenance did not reveal a source for infection. Inspection of operating room (OR) facilities identified several areas in need of repair. Of the 58 samples of air and equipment exhaust in the ORs and patient care areas, 11 revealed 2 to 4 colony-forming units of various Aspergillus species per cubic meter of air, and the remaining 47 samples were negative for Aspergillus . Eighty-three samples of surfaces and equipment water reservoirs were obtained from the OR and patient care areas. One culture of a soiled liquid nitrogen tank housed between the 2 cardiac ORs revealed 13 colony-forming units of Aspergillus . Conclusion No definitive source was identified, although a soiled liquid nitrogen tank contaminated with Aspergillus and kept near the OR was found and could have been a possible source.
Mary Wollstonecraft's Nurturing Liberalism: Between an Ethic of Justice and Care

Contemporary feminist scholars have devoted much attention to analyzing the relationship between justice and care theories but little to the ideas of early feminist authors. I bring the political philosophy of the Mary Wollstonecraft to bear on contemporary justice/care debates in order to highlight her unique contribution. Although usually interpreted as a classical liberal or republican thinker, Wollstonecraft is better understood as a feminist care theorist. She aimed at a revolutionary transformation of liberal society by emphasizing the importance of care-giving duties. Unlike some recent feminist scholars, however, she still recognized an important role for justice. She argued that before personal care-giving activities could transform the political, political justice had first to be extended to personal caring relationships. Wollstonecraft's political philosophy thus provides a feminist model for synthesizing justice and care theories and represents an innovative reformulation of classical liberal and republican ideas that incorporates the care perspective.
Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic onlay versus conventional inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Background To compare laparoscopic onlay hernia repair with conventional surgery, 61 patients were randomized to either open or laparoscopic surgery. Methods Traditional repairs were done according to the surgeons' preference. Laparoscopic repairs utilized a modified onlay technique with a meshed prototype prosthesis. Results Mean operative time was 62.5 minutes for the laparoscopic group and 80.9 minutes for the open group. Each group had five complications. There were two conversions from laparoscopic to open surgery. Individuals undergoing laparoscopic surgery reported a mean intake of 5 doses of an oral narcotic analgesic versus 16 doses in the open group. Return to normal activity (nonstrenuous) was 7.5 days in the laparoscopic group and 18.5 days in the open group. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (range 1 to 14), there have been two recurrences in the open group and one in the laparoscopic group. Conclusion Laparoscopic onlay inguinal herniorrhaphy is a viable alternative for those who prefer a minimally invasive treatment for this disease.
Iterative joint sequence and channel estimation for fast time-varying intersymbol interference channels

We propose an iterative algorithm which iterates between a maximum-likelihood channel estimator and a maximum-likelihood sequence estimator (Viterbi algorithm) to jointly estimate channel impulse response and detect transmitted data. The algorithm is designed so that the data sequences are detected on a block-by-block basis. For each received block of data, the channel impulse response is assumed to be unknown and must be estimated each time. Because each block of data is treated separately and detected independently, this approach could be useful for fast time-varying intersymbol interference channels. Simulation results show the symbol error probability of the algorithm follows closely the performance of a maximum-likelihood sequence estimation receiver that knows the channel impulse response.
Thorny issues in the ethics of AIDS vaccine trials.

At this week’s US National Institutes of Health AIDS vaccine meeting and the upcoming 13th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa the need for vaccine trials in high-incidence developing countries and associated ethical concerns is high on the agenda. (excerpt)
Effect of moisture content on thermal properties of cowpea flours

The effects of moisture content on thermal properties of cowpea flour were investigated on a range of 3.81% to 28.31% wet basis at 5% intervals, totaling six moisture levels, using a KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyzer. The considered thermal properties were thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat. As the moisture content increased from 3.81% to 28.31 %, the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat increased from 0.109 to 0.213 W m -1 K -1 , 0.099 to 0.136 mm 2 s -1 , and 1.092 to 1.573 MJ m -3 K -1 , respectively. The data are necessary for design of equipment for handling, transportation, processing, and storage of cowpea flour. Keywords: cowpea, Vigna unguiculata , flour, thermal properties, KD2 Pro, moisture content
An analysis of elastographic contrast-to-noise ratio

Abstract We present a theoretical formalism and simulation results that allow the incorporation of the elastic contrast properties of tissues with simple geometries into the elastographic noise models developed previously. This analysis results in the computation of the elastographic contrast-to–noise ratio ( CNR e ). The CNR e in elastography is an important quantity that is related to the detectability of a lesion or inhomogeneity. In this paper, the upper bound on the elastographic CNR e is derived for both a one-dimensional (1-D) and 2-D analytic plane-strain tissue model. The CNR e in the elastogram depends on the contrast-transfer efficiency (CTE) for both the 1-D and 2-D geometries discussed in this paper. The 1-D model is used to characterize layered structures and the 2-D model is derived for circular inclusion within a background of uniform elasticity. A previously derived classical analytic solution of the elasticity equations, for a circular inclusion embedded in an infinite medium and subjected to a uniaxial compression, is used to compute the upper bound of the CNR e . Monte Carlo simulations illustrate the close correspondence between the theoretical and simulation results.
The mechanisms of the ocular autonomic dysfunction during the intracarotid amytal suppression test.

Abstract We report the eye findings during selective injections of amytal to the internal carotid artery and to trunk and branches of the middle cerebral artery in three patients. This report comes a propos of our previous observation that fairly dense visual obscuration (probably secondary retinal suppression by the amytal), pupillary dilatation (mydriasis) and impairment of visual accommodation (cycloplegia) are not uncommon during the intracarotid amytal suppression test (AST). Selective injections in these three cases offered additional insight into the mechanisms of the autonomic dysfunction observed in the eye ipsilateral to injection of amytal (EII). Injection of amytal into the trunk and branches of the middle cerebral artery, above the origin of the ophthalmic artery, did not produce ocular autonomic changes in any of the three patients. Injection of amytal in the internal carotid, below the origin of the ophthalmic artery, resulted in pupillary dilatation in the EII in two of the three patients. Based on the anatomy of the vasculature and autonomic innervation of the eye, we postulate that the pupillary dilatation and deficit of visual accommodation observed after intracarotid amytal injection are secondary to parasympathetic suppression in the ciliary ganglion. Amytal reaches the ciliary ganglion via the posterior ciliary arteries, branches of the ophthalmic artery. In summary, injection of amytal in the internal carotid artery below the origin of the ophthalmic artery, but not above it, can impair visual acuity and, in some cases, entirel suppress the vision in the EII secondary to retinal suppression. Dilatation of the pupil due to parasympathetic dysfunction is also common and is likely secondary to suppression of the ciliary ganglion in the orbit.
Attributions to Discrimination and Self-Esteem: The Role of Group Identification and Appraisals

This study tested the hypothesis that appraisals of discrimination (i.e. its perceived severity, global aspects, stability, and uncontrollability) mediate the relationship between attributions to discrimination and personal self-esteem. It also tested three models of how ethnic group identification is related to discrimination attributions, discrimination appraisals, and personal self-esteem. In a cross-sectional study of 160 Latino-American students, group identification was positively related to attributing ambiguous negative events to discrimination. Discrimination attributions were related to appraising discrimination as more global and severe. These latter appraisals, in turn, were related to lower self-esteem. No direct relationships were observed between self-esteem and either group identification or discrimination attributions. Results illustrate the importance of appraisals in understanding the relationship between perceived discrimination and self-esteem.
The effects of stigma age on receptivity in Silene alba (Caryophyllaceae)

Silene alba, a perennial, dioecious plant, produces flowers that open in the evening and can remain open and receptive to pollination for up to 5 d, though in hot and dry conditions the flowers will wilt during the day only to reopen night after night. In the field, it is visited by two different kinds of pollinators with differential success: moths visit the flowers at night, and their movements result in broad pollen dispersal and large seed production, whereas bees, wasps, and flies visit the flowers in the mornings and have decreased pollination effectiveness. However, this differential success may be due to a decrease in stigmatic receptivity soon after the flowers open. We performed controlled pollinations to determine the effect of stigma age on pollen germination and seed set. We pollinated flowers at 12-h intervals up to 120 h and divided these into two sets: from one set, we removed stigmas 24 h after pollination to examine percentage of pollen germination. The second set of flowers was allowed to produce fruits, and the seeds were counted and weighed. Pollen germination declined significantly with stigma age, but there was no significant effect of stigma age at pollination on the number or mass of resulting seeds. Thus, the decreased pollination success of bees is not due to a decrease in stigmatic receptivity but is most likely a result of pollinator inefficiency.
The Effects of Scenario Planning on Participant Perceptions of Learning Organization Characteristics

Scenario planning is often used by organizations to think about future uncertainties. However, what it does in terms of changing perceptions is diffi cult to assess and quantify. To address this need, this article builds on previous studies documenting the effectiveness of scenario planning. Specifi cally, this article contributes to the data on perceptions of learning organization characteristics. This study compiles quantitative data gathered from 133 individuals working in 10 United States companies who participated in scenario planning. The Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) instrument was used in a pre- and post-test research design and differences were analyzed using a t-test. Results show a positive relationship between scenario planning and improved perceptions of learning organization characteristics for six of the seven dimensions of the DLOQ. Interpretation of the results suggests that scenario planning can change participants’ views of their organizations’ adaptive learning characteristics.
Structural Insight into Fungal Cell Wall Recognition by a CVNH Protein with a Single LysM Domain.

MGG_03307 is a lectin isolated from Magnaporte oryzae, a fungus that causes devastating rice blast disease. Its function is associated with protecting M. oryzae from the host immune response in plants. To provide the structural basis of how MGG_03307 protects the fungus, crystal structures of its CVNH-LysM module were determined in the absence and presence of GlcNAc-containing cell wall chitin constituents, which can act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Our structures revealed that glycan binding is accompanied by a notable conformational change in the LysM domain and that GlcNAc3 and GlcNAc4 are accommodated similarly. GlcNAc5 and GlcNAc6 interact with the LysM domain in multiple conformations, as evidenced by solution nuclear magnetic resonance studies. No dimerization of MoCVNH3 via its LysM domain was observed upon binding to GlcNAc6, unlike in multiple LysM domain-containing proteins. Importantly, we define a specific consensus binding mode for the recognition of GlcNAc oligomers by single LysM domains.
5F-4 Acoustic Crosstalk Reduction Method for CMUT Arrays

This paper reports on the finite element analysis (FEA) of crosstalk in capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays. Finite element calculations using a commercial package (LS-DYNA) were performed for an immersed 1D CMUT array operating in the conventional and collapsed modes. LS-DYNA was used to model the crosstalk in CMUT arrays under specific voltage bias and excitation conditions, and such a modeling is well worth the effort for special-purpose CMUT arrays for ultrasound applications such as medical imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. Compared to the existing finite element analysis (FEA) in literature, our FEA is distinguished by having all 5 main features together: First, the explicit, time domain solver of LS-DYNA enables the modeling of the actual CMUT array in detail, i.e. all 41 array elements are modeled. Second, user-defined subroutines provide an efficient electrostatic-structural coupling method. Third, the robust contact capability offers the CMUT modeling in collapsed operation. Fourth, a fast method to bias the CMUT array in conventional and collapsed modes is implemented. Fifth, the FEA results are verified with interferometer measurements. Our finite element calculations show that the main crosstalk mechanism is the dispersive guided modes propagating in the fluid-solid interface. Conventional operation has a crosstalk level of -23 dB and the guided modes are not present above the cut-off frequency of 4 MHz. Most importantly, the crosstalk wave has a center frequency of 2.3 MHz with a narrow bandwidth although the transmitter element has a center frequency of 5.8 MHz with more than 130% fractional bandwidth. Crosstalk level is improved to -39 dB in collapsed operation, and the cut-off frequency becomes 10 MHz because of the contact between the membrane and the substrate. The Lamb wave modes have a crosstalk level around -43 dB in both operation modes. These finite element results show excellent agreement with the interferometer measurements of the fabricated CMUT array. Using our verified FEA, we implemented a powerful method for the first time to reduce the crosstalk by impeding the propagation of the guided interface waves. This method is based on the acoustic band gap resulting from the periodic CMUT membranes on the fluid-solid interface. The crosstalk was effectively reduced by 10 dB down to -33 dB in the conventional operation without loss of acoustic pressure of the transmitter element. This method can be easily introduced into the fabrication of 1D and 2D CMUT arrays to achieve superior crosstalk
Cultural Values, Self-Disclosure, and Conflict Tactics as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction Among Singaporean Husbands and Wives:

In the present study, we examined the relationship between marital satisfaction and cultural value orientations (e.g., collectivism–individualism), self-disclosure, and conflict tactics (e.g., exit and loyalty) among Singaporean couples. A total of 160 individuals (80 husbands and 80 wives) participated in this study. The results indicated that self-disclosure and exit conflict tactics were strong predictors of couples’ marital satisfaction. Collectivism which has a significant association with loyalty conflict tactics impacts husbands’ satisfaction. In contrast, neither collectivism nor individualism was related to wives’ satisfaction. Implications for future study and clinical practice were discussed.
Enriching information retrieval

Most information retrieval systems and tasks are now embedded in a rich context. Documents no longer exist on their own; they are connected to other documents, they are associated with users and their position in a social network, and they can be mapped onto a variety of ontologies. Similarly, retrieval tasks have become more interactive and are solidly embedded in a user’s geospatial, social, and historical context. We conjecture that new breakthroughs in information retrieval will not come from smarter algorithms that better exploit existing information sources, but from new retrieval algorithms that can intelligently use and combine new sources of contextual metadata. The goal of the Enriching Information Retrieval workshop at SIGIR 2011 was to explore how new and emerging sources of contextual metadata can be used for improving information retrieval, including ranking, personalization, diversification, and faceted search. In particular, we focused the workshop on three themes: