cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute Management of Refractory and Unstable Pediatric Supraventricular Tachycardia.

Objective To characterize the management of acute pediatric supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), placing special emphasis on infants, patients refractory to adenosine (refractory SVT), and patients with hypotension, poor perfusion, or altered mental status (unstable SVT). Study design Retrospective cohort study of patients 0-18 years of age without congenital heart disease who presented to our pediatric hospital from January 2003 to December 2012 for the treatment of acute SVT. Multiple logistic regression was applied to identify whether age was a risk factor for different SVT therapies. Model fit and residuals also were examined. Results We identified 179 episodes for SVT. First dose of adenosine was effective in 72 (56%) episodes, and a second dose was effective in 27 of 54 (50%) episodes, leaving 27 (15%) episodes with refractory SVT. The response to the first dose of adenosine increased proportionally with age (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.2). Only 1 of 17 episodes in infants responded to the first dose of adenosine. Refractory SVT was more frequent in infants vs older children (χ2 = 5.9 [1 df], P = .01). Unstable SVT was present in 13 episodes and was treated with adenosine and antiarrhythmics. Synchronized cardioversion was performed on 3 patients, 2 patients with unstable SVT, and 1 with refractory SVT. Conclusion In children with SVT, young age is associated with decreased response to the first dose of adenosine and increased odds of adenosine-refractory SVT. In the treatment of unstable SVT, medical management with various antiarrhythmics before cardioversion may have a role in a subset of patients. Synchronized cardioversion rarely is performed for acute SVT.
Plasmonic large-area photoconductive emitters operating at 1550 nm

We present a novel large-area photoconductive terahertz emitter based on a 2D plasmonic nano-antenna array and compatible with telecommunication optical wavelengths. We experimentally demonstrate a record-high terahertz radiation power level of 300μW over 0.1–5 THz frequency range.
A Fault Tolerant Technique for FPGAs

In this paper we present a fault tolerant (FT) technique for field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that is based on incrementally reconfiguring circuits and applications that have been previously placed and routed. Our technique targets both logic faults and interconnect faults, and our algorithms can be applied to either static or run-time reconfigurable FPGAs. The algorithm for reconfiguring designs in the presence of logic faults uses a matching technique. The matching technique requires no preplaced, spare logic resources and is capable of handling groups of faults. Experimental results indicate there is little or no impact on circuit performance for low numbers of reconfigured logic blocks. For interconnect faults, we present a rip-up and reroute strategy. Our strategy is based on reading back the FPGA configuration memory, so no netlist is required for rerouting around faulty resources. Experimental results indicate high incremental routability for low numbers of interconnect faults. We also lay the foundation for applying our approach to yield enhancement.
Influence of Stratification and Light on Germination of Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC.)

Comparison of stratified and nonstratified seed demonstrated that at 25° C (77° F), as duration of stratification increased from 0 to 60 days, germination percentage also increased. However, an opposite effect occurred for seed exposed to alternating temperatures of 30/20° C or 25/15° C (86/68° For 77/59° F). There were no significant differences observed in the final germination percentage between seed stratified for 30 days and nonstratified seed. Stratification hastened germination and decreased the light required for germination.
Livestock exclusion alters plant species composition in fen meadows

Questions Our study evaluated how species composition and plant traits that indicate functioning condition in fens responded to grazing cessation over time in an arid ecosystem of the western US. The specific questions addressed were: (1) how does livestock exclusion influence species composition in fens; (2) is grazing cessation associated with shifts in species functional traits that indicate fen condition; and (3) what is the pattern of response to livestock exclusion over time? Location Plumas National Forest, CA, US. Methods We studied paired fenced and unfenced study sites in two fens to examine the effects of livestock exclusion. Parallel transects were established at each site, and plant species and ground cover were repeatedly surveyed, once prior to and multiple times following treatment, using 0.01 m2 frequency frames. We used NMDS to analyse species composition, RLQ and fourth-corner analysis to evaluate species functional traits and environmental variables, and linear mixed effects models to examine differences in responses between fenced and unfenced study sites over time. Results After fencing, we observed unexpected shifts in species composition and plant functional traits. Grazed sites were associated with peat-forming obligate wetland, moss and sedge species, while fenced sites were characterized by non-peat-forming facultative upland, and upland forb, grass and early seral species. Species composition also varied between sites and sample years. Conclusions We found that livestock exclusion strongly affects plant species composition in fens, including promoting species with functional traits that indicate a loss of functioning condition, such as ruderal and upland species. Possible explanations for these observed shifts include: (1) biomass accumulation in the absence of herbivory, (2) competitive exclusion in fenced sites, (3) succession, (4) the abiotic conditions of our study sites, particularly hydrology and nutrient status, and (5) interactions among these factors. We conclude that degradation of fen wetlands caused by livestock grazing in the arid western US may not be reversed by excluding livestock alone.
152: Maternal body mass index and cervical length among women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB)

Objectives: To evaluate whether women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) with a higher body mass index (BMI) have a lower risk of a shortened cervix in a subsequent pregnancy.Study Desig...
When Does Consciousness Matter? Lessons From the Minimally Conscious State

Patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS) fall into an importantly different diagnostic category than patients in the more familiar vegetative states (VS). Not only are MCS patients conscious i...
Prefix-based node numbering for temporal XML

Prefix-based numbering (also called Dewey numbering, Dewey level order, or dynamic level numbering) is a popular method for numbering nodes in an XML data model instance. The nodes are numbered so that spatial relationships (e.g., is a node a descendant of another) can be determined just from the numbers. In a temporal XML data collection the spatial relationships change over time as nodes are edited, deleted, and inserted. In this paper we adapt prefix-based numbering to support the concise representation of items (elements that share the same identity over time) and versions (changes to an item over time). We call our new numbering system time-tunneling dynamic level numbering (TTDLN). We show how to create, store, and update TTDLNs, and how they can be used to efficiently evaluate sequenced and nonsequenced temporal queries.
Perceptions of the limit of viability: neonatologists' attitudes toward extremely preterm infants.

Although recent technologic advances have dramatically improved the survival of preterm infants, little information exists regarding the attitudes of neonatologists toward their smallest patients, infants born at the "limit of viability." In this pilot study we sent a single mailing of a 25-question survey designed to provide information about the medical treatment of extremely preterm infants ( or = 26 weeks' gestational age did most of the neonatologists counsel parents that mortality is or equal 25 weeks' gestation. Neonatologists who responded to this survey in 1992 considered 23 to 24 weeks of gestation the limit of viability and had great concerns regarding medical decision making for these infants.
Some Problems of Circulation and Hydrography of the Japan Sea and the Tsushima Current

Abstract The Tsushima Current is formed through the lateral flow of the Kuroshio due to horizontal Reynolds stresses or by the bottom topography which causes northward movement of a part of the Kuroshio transport as shown by a numerical model. The northward transportby the wind stress in the Korean Strait superposes on either of these two transports. The annual change of the Tsushima Current transport determined either from the Reynolds stresses by use of GEK data or by the geostrophic flow of the numerical model in addition to the wind stress transport agrees with that determined by the geostrophic method. The sea level difference between 30°N and 42°N which was believed as the primary cause of the Tsushima Current is determined from the wind curl over the north Pacific Ocean.It is large in winter and small in summer and opposite in phase to the annual change in the dynamic depth anomaly difference between the East China Sea and the Tsugaru Strait, due to the difference in response of the barotropic and baroclinic mode to the time-varying wind stresses. The Japan Sea shows features of a mini-ocean in circulation and hydrography.A branch of the Tsushima Current in the Japan Sea flows off the Korean coast and turns eastward as the western boundary current separates from the coast because of the southward Ekman transport in the upper layer of a two-layer ocean.The main branch flowing along the Japanese coast turns eastward following the isobaths because of conservation of the potential vorticity in a barotropic sea with topography near an inlet.The change of the maximum salinity in the Tsushima Current can be explained by the advection diffusion equation of salinity. The double oxygen maxima in the same region are caused by southwardflow of the deep water and northward flow of the Tsushima Current water.The former is generated by the meridonally increasing density at the surface and the wind stress in the northern half of the Japan Sea and produces almost uniform water below 400m.
Multispectral Endoscopy With Light Gating for Early Cancer Detection

This paper reports the application of endoscopic light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) with light gating to detect malignancies in the biliary and pancreatic ducts, and also reviews the application of endoscopic LSS for differentiating cystic neoplasms in the pancreas and detecting invisible dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus. Information about tissue structure within the superficial epithelium where malignancy starts is present within the spectra of reflected light. Fortunately this component of the reflected light is not yet randomized. However multiple scattering randomizes the signal from the underlying connective tissue which obscures the desired signal. In order to extract diagnostic information from the reflected signal the multiple scattering component related to connective tissue scattering and absorption must be removed. This is accomplished using described here spatial or polarization gating implemented with endoscopically compatible fiber optic probes.
The Symmetry Groups and Rotation-Vibration Energy Levels of Some Very Nonrigid Molecules

As a result of ab initio calculation, or as a result of spectral investigation, many molecules are known that undergo large amplitude deformations across low potential barriers. These ‘very nonrigid molecules’ require special treatment when it comes to calculating the rotation-vibration energy levels. The symmetry labelling of these energy levels also poses special problems, and nuclear permutation-inversion groups (called Molecular Symmetry Groups) must be used. The close interaction of ab initio calculation and spectral analysis in studies of such molecules are reviewed. The internal rotation molecule dimethylacetylene H3CCCCH3, the protonated acetylene molecule C2H3 +, the cluster molecule ArH3 +, and the van der Waals dimers (HF)2, (HC1)2, and (CO)2 are used as examples.
Small molecule cores demonstrate non-competitive inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has recently garnered attention as an attractive target for cancer therapies, owing to the enzyme's critical role in cellular metabolism. Current inhibition strategies, employing substrate or cofactor analogues, are insufficiently specific for use as pharmaceutical agents. The possibility of allosteric inhibition of LDH was postulated on the basis of theoretical docking studies of a small molecule inhibitor to LDH. The present study examined structural analogues of this proposed inhibitor to gauge its potency and attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanism of action. These analogues display encouraging in vitro inhibition of porcine heart LDH, including micromolar Ki values and a maximum inhibition of up to 50% in the steady state. Furthermore, Michaelis-Menten kinetics and fluorescence data both suggest the simple, acetaminophen derivatives are non-competitive in binding to the enzyme. Kinetic comparisons of a panel of increasingly decorated structural analogues imply that the binding is specific, and the small molecule core provides a privileged scaffold for further pharmaceutical development of a novel, allosteric drug.
Adolescent Vaping and Nicotine Use in 2017-2018 - U.S. National Estimates.

Adolescent Vaping and Nicotine Use in 2017–2018 A national survey revealed a large increase in nicotine vaping among high school students; more than 20% of 12th-graders reported that they vaped nic...
Developing reflection analytics for health professions education: A multi-dimensional framework to align critical concepts with data features

Abstract Reflection is a key activity in self-regulated learning (SRL) and a critical part of health professions education that supports the development of effective lifelong-learning health professionals. Despite widespread use and plentiful theoretical models, empirical understanding of and support for reflection in health professions education remains limited due to simple manual assessment and rare feedback to students. Recent moves to digital reflection practices offer opportunities to computationally study and support reflection as a part of SRL. The critical task in such an endeavor, and the goal of this paper, is to align high-level reflection qualities that are valued conceptually with low-level features in the data that are possible to extract computationally. This paper approaches this goal by (a) developing a unified framework for conceptualizing reflection analytics in health professions education and (b) empirically examining potential data features through which these elements can be assessed. Synthesizing the prior literature yields a conceptual framework for health professions reflection comprised of six elements: Description, Analysis, Feelings, Perspective, Evaluation, and Outcome. These elements then serve as the conceptual grounding for the computational analysis in which 27 dental students’ reflections (in six reflective statement types) over the course of 4 years were examined using selected LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) indices. Variation in elements of reflection across students, years, and reflection-types supports use of the multi-dimensional analysis framework to (a) increase precision of research claims; (b) evaluate whether reflection activities are engaged in as intended; and (c) diagnose aspects of reflection in which specific students need support. Implications for the development of health professions reflection analytics that can contribute to SRL and promising areas for future research are discussed.
Determination for the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, Residential Buildings – Technical Support Document

Provides a technical analysis showing that the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code contains improvements in energy efficiency compared to its predecessor, the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code. DOE is required by law to issue "determinations" of whether or not new editions of the IECC improve energy efficiency.
On the role of spatially correlated heterogeneity in determining mudrock sealing capacity for CO2 sequestration

Abstract Storing CO2 in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs is a common practice world-wide. Mudrocks often serve as seals above these reservoirs due to their small pore throats and low permeability, but they can fail if the buoyant pressure of the trapped fluid overcomes the threshold pressure of the seal. Mudrocks are primarily made of silt-sized and clay-sized particles, and sufficiently high silt concentrations can create situations where the silt grains create a connected stress chain through the rock matrix, which preserves the large pore throats under compaction. This phenomenon, termed silt bridging, can reduce the threshold pressure of the mudrock, causing seal failure. We used grain-scale modeling to create computer-generated grain packs with and without the effect of gravity to understand the effects of deposition and compaction on the petrophysical properties like capillary pressure, tortuosity, permeability, capillary drainage curves, and spatial correlation of heterogeneities. We found that, when the fraction of silt-sized grains exceeded 40%, the percolation length (the length of the first path of the non-wetting fluid through a medium) and the tortuosity suddenly decreased. This was supported by the results from the throat size variograms, where the same type of correlations between throats were observed at greater lag distances, signifying increased intergranular distances. Our work provides an insight into the role of different grain sizes, concentrations and spatial distributions on the flow properties and sealing capacity of mudrocks.
Household air pollution-related lung disease: protecting the children.

Nearly 3 billion people worldwide cook and heat their homes using biomass fuels, primarily in low and middle-income countries.1 Smoke from biomass fuel combustion contains a combination of gases, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds that is particularly harmful to the developing lungs of children.2 Over time, chronic exposure to household air pollution results in mucus hypersecretion, emphysema and bronchiolar fibrosis,3 and exposure to household air pollution is a well-described risk factor for both acute and chronic respiratory disease.4–6 The settings in which biomass smoke exposure is most common are also settings in which there is a high prevalence of reduced lung function.7 8 A recent study of 2000 primarily non-smokers in urban Malawi found a >40% rate of abnormal lung function (primarily reduced forced vital capacity (FVC)),9 and the largest published spirometry study in Uganda reported that 16% of adults over age 30 years had spirometry-confirmed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).10 There is increasing evidence that reduced lung function begins early in life11–15; therefore, efforts to understand and prevent chronic respiratory disease must focus on modifiable risk factors that affect lung development in infancy and early childhood.16 17 Several studies have previously measured lung function among children in sub-Saharan Africa,18–21 but no prior study has reported the effect of a cookstove intervention on lung function in African children. Despite a number of cookstove intervention trials, there remains a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the benefit of cookstove interventions on lung health.22 In this issue of Thorax , Rylance et al report the results of …
Emotions matter: The role of emotional approach coping in chronic pain.

Background Emotional approach coping (EAC) is a potentially adaptive emotion-focused coping style that involves understanding or processing one's emotions and expressing them appropriately. Although EAC has been studied in various populations, little is known about this construct among people with chronic pain, including potential mediators such as negative affect, which might link EAC to pain-related variables, and moderators of these relationships. Methods Participants (N = 670; 76% women; 30% older adults-age 60 or over) with chronic pain completed online the Emotional Approach Coping Scale and measures of pain severity, pain interference and negative affect. Analyses correlated EAC to pain severity and interference and tested whether gender and age group (older adults versus young/middle-age adults) moderated the mediated relationships of EAC with pain-related variables through negative affect. Results Findings reveal that higher EAC was associated with lower pain intensity through lower negative affect in the young/middle-age portion of the sample, but not older adults. Also, higher EAC was associated with lower pain interference through lower negative affect among women in the sample, but not men. The associations of EAC to pain intensity and interference are small in magnitude, however, and should be considered preliminary. Conclusion EAC is associated with lower pain intensity in young/middle-age adults and lower pain interference in women, and lower negative affect mediates these relationships. These results suggest the potential value of assessing and bolstering emotional approach coping processes in some people with chronic pain.
Risk Factors for Peri-Intubation Cardiac Arrest in Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives Endotracheal intubation is associated with hemodynamic adverse events, including cardiac arrest, especially in patients with cardiac disease. There are only a few studies that have evaluated the rate of and risk factors for endotracheal intubation hemodynamic complications in critically ill pediatric patients. Although some of these studies have assessed hemodynamic complications during intubation in pediatric cardiac patients, the frequency of and risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest have not been adequately described in high acuity cardiac patients. This study aims to describe the frequency of and risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest in critically ill pediatric cardiac patients admitted to specialized cardiac ICUs. Design Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Setting Three pediatric cardiac ICUs in the United States. Patients Critically ill pediatric patients with congenital or acquired heart disease requiring endotracheal intubation. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Endotracheal intubations performed in three cardiac ICUs between January 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed. Clinical variables-including data on patients, clinical providers, and procedure-were evaluated for their association with peri-intubation cardiac arrest. There was a total of 186 intubation events studied, occurring in 151 individual (index) patients. The rates of peri-intubation cardiac arrest and peri-intubation mortality in this cohort were 7% and 1.6%, respectively. Among those patients with moderate or severe systolic dysfunction of the systemic ventricle, peri-intubation cardiac arrest rate was 20.7%. Statistically significant risk factors for peri-intubation cardiac arrest included: significant systolic dysfunction of the systemic ventricle, pre-intubation hypotension, pre-intubation lactate elevation, lower pre-intubation pH, and documented oxygen desaturations (> 10%) during intubation procedure. Conclusions Our most significant finding was a peri-intubation cardiac arrest rate which was much higher than previously published rates for both cardiac and noncardiac children who underwent endotracheal intubation in ICUs. Peri-intubation mortality was also high in our cohort. Regarding risk factors for peri-intubation arrest, significant systolic dysfunction of the systemic ventricle was strongly associated with cardiac arrest in this cohort.
Synthesis and Completion of Facades from Satellite Imagery

Automatic satellite-based reconstruction enables large and widespread creation of urban areas. However, satellite imagery is often noisy and incomplete, and is not suitable for reconstructing detailed building facades. We present a machine learning-based inverse procedural modeling method to automatically create synthetic facades from satellite imagery. Our key observation is that building facades exhibit regular, grid-like structures. Hence, we can overcome the low-resolution, noisy, and partial building data obtained from satellite imagery by synthesizing the underlying facade layout. Our method infers regular facade details from satellite-based image-fragments of a building, and applies them to occluded or under-sampled parts of the building, resulting in plausible, crisp facades. Using urban areas from six cities, we compare our approach to several state-of-the-art image completion/in-filling methods and our approach consistently creates better facade images.
HERMENEUTICS of COMPARATIVE RELIGION

This article comprises three parts: (1) an introduction situating some of the problems, (IT) a central part concentrating on a specific point, and (III) a conclusion, where, I sum up and restate my views in a different perspective.
A Systematic Review of Listeria Species and Listeria monocytogenes Prevalence, Persistence, and Diversity throughout the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Listeria monocytogenes is an increasing food safety concern throughout the produce supply chain as it has been linked to produce associated outbreaks and recalls. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review to investigate Listeria species and L. monocytogenes prevalence, persistence, and diversity at each stage along the supply chain. This review identified 64 articles of 4863 candidate articles obtained from four Boolean search queries in six databases. Included studies examined naturally detected/isolated Listeria species and L. monocytogenes in fresh produce-related environments, and/or from past fresh produce associated outbreaks or from produce directly. Listeria species and L. monocytogenes were detected in each stage of the fresh produce supply chain. The greatest prevalence of Listeria species was observed in natural environments and outdoor production, with prevalence generally decreasing with each progression of the supply chain (e.g., packinghouse to distribution to retail). L. monocytogenes prevalence ranged from 61.1% to not detected (0.00%) across the entire supply chain for included studies. Listeria persistence and diversity were also investigated more in natural, production, and processing environments, compared to other supply chain environments (e.g., retail). Data gaps were identified for future produce safety research, for example, in the transportation and distribution center environment.
Investigations of Intensity Correlations of Scattered Light from Laser-Cooled Atoms

For a polarized light wave from a chaotic sample g (2)(τ) = 1 + S|g (1)(τ)|2, where g (2)(τ) ≡ 〈I*(t)I(t + τ)〉/〈I(t)〉2 is the degree of second order coherence [1]. S depends on the spatial coherence of the light-detection system, and is independent of τ. The degree of first-order coherence g (1)(τ) is simply the Fourier transform of the frequency spectrum I(ω). Thus g (2)(τ),the normalized intensity correlation function, gives spectral information about the light produced from the sample.
Finite Homogeneous Rings of Odd Characteristic

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the finite homogeneous rings of odd characteristic. The classification of finite homogeneous rings of odd characteristic is based on the work of Berline and Cherlin. R denotes a QE ring of characteristic p n where p is an odd prime and n ≥ 1 and J denotes its Jacobson radical. A countable ring R is homogeneous if every isomorphism between finitely generated subrings of R extends to an automorphism of R. The classification of all quantifier-eliminable (QE) rings is reduced to the classification of the Jacobson radicals of such rings. By assuming finiteness (QE is equivalent to homogeneous), all possible radicals for the characteristic p 2 case are listed, p an odd prime.
Renal disease with elements of the nephrotic syndrome associated with sickle cell anemia

Summary The case histories of 2 children with severe and long-standing sickle cell anemia who developed a clinical picture which, with the exception of hypercholesterolemia, resembled the nephrotic syndrome are presented. Both children had findings piior to the onset of the reported illness which suggested involvement of the kidneys by sickle cell disease. Renal tissue obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy in both children revealed changes by light microscopy considered typical of renal involvement associated with sickle cell disease. In addition, each biopsy specimen revealed moderate thickening of the basement membrane of the glomerular capillary, a common finding in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. Both children had diuresis during a course of Prednisolone therapy. In one patient, diuresis, whether spontaneous or medically induced, was consistently associated with development of a severe sickle cell crisis. At the present time, both children are edema free and are not receiving steroids. Both continue to show the stigmas of renal involvement associated with sickle cell disease in that they are unable to form a concentrated urine in the presence of water deprivation and both continue to excrete modest amounts of protein in the urine.
Site Selection for Aquaculture

Selection of a suitable site for an aquaculture venture determines facility construction costs and strongly influences the ultimate success of the resulting aquaculture enterprise. A number of factors must be considered when selecting a site. These factors should be included in a comprehensive site analysis. Kovari (1984) groups site selection factors into three broad categories: (1) ecological; (2) biological; and (3) economic and social. These and a fourth category, legal matters, are discussed in this chapter.
Integrated four dimensional registration and segmentation of dynamic renal MR images

In this paper a novel approach for the registration and segmentation of dynamic contrast enhanced renal MR images is presented. This integrated method is motivated by the observation of the reciprocity between registration and segmentation in 4D time-series images. Fully automated Fourier-based registration with sub-voxel accuracy and semi-automated time-series segmen-tation were intertwined to improve the accuracy in a multi-step fashion. We have tested our algorithm on several real patient data sets. Clinical validation showed remarkable and consistent agreement between the proposed method and manual segmentation by experts.
Competition between the Elongation Factors 1 and 2, and Phenylalanyl Transfer Ribonucleic Acid for the Ribosomal Binding Sites in a Polypeptide-synthesizing System from Brain

Abstract 80 S ribosomes and elongation factors 1 and 2 (EF-1 and EF-2), isolated from freeze-dried porcine brain of the hypothalamic region, were used to study the interrelation between the ribosomal binding of the two factors and of phenylalanyltRNA and N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA. Complexing of ribosomes with EF-2 + β, γ-methylene-guanosine 5'-triphosphate or EF-2 + GTP + fusidic acid prevented or inhibited EF-1-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA as well as EF-1-independent binding at 20 mm Mg2+. On the other hand, when ribosomes were preincubated with EF-1, GTP, and phenylalanyl-tRNA, EF-2-dependent GDP binding became inhibited. Furthermore, ribosomes nonenzymatically charged with phenylalanyl-tRNA or N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA, presumably in the acceptor position, likewise did not accept EF-2 and GDP. These results indicate that EF-1 and EF-2 have an overlapping region on 80 S ribosomes that includes the acceptor site for nonenzymatic binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA or N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA.
Detection of Coronavirus 229E Antibody by Indirect Hemagglutination

Tannic-acid treated sheep erythrocytes (fresh or glutaraldehyde preserved) were sensitized with 229E antigens from human embryonic lung (RU-1) cell cultures. Indirect hemagglutination (IHA) antigen titers in 229E-infected cell cultures paralleled virus infectivity and complement fixation (CF) antigen titers. The identity of the IHA antigen was confirmed by testing extracts from inoculated and control cell cultures for ability to inhibit IHA. Also, significant increases in IHA antibody were demonstrated with acute and convalescent serum pairs from patients with proven 229E infections. A comparison of IHA, neutralization and CF titers for 229E antibodies was made on human sera drawn from different populations. The IHA and neutralization results were in agreement on 93% of the 129 sera found to be positive by at least one of three tests. The number of antibody titers detected by the CF test was insufficient to permit comparison. Hyperimmune sera from animals immunized with OC 43 did not react with 229E by IHA. Also no increase in IHA antibody was demonstrated with acute and convalescent serum pairs from patients with seroconversions to OC 43. These findings suggest that the IHA test provides (i) a rapid and sensitive method for serodiagnosis of 229E infections and (ii) a simple and inexpensive method for seroepidemiological studies.
Biochemical effects of the vinca alkaloids. 3. The synthesis of ribonucleic acid and the incorporation of amino acids in Ehrlich ascites cells in vitro.

Abstract The incorporation of [ 3 H]uridine into RNA by Ehrlich ascites cells in vitro , was inhibited by colchicine, vinblastine and vincristine, the percentage reductions for a drug level of 0.2 μmole/ml being 20, 58 and 26, respectively. Addition of glutamic acid at 1–8 μmoles/ml reduced or prevented this depression; lesser antagonistic effects were observed with aspartic or α-ketoglutaric acids, while arginine and glutamine were inactive at comparable levels. The incorporation of [ 14 C]glutamic acid, but not of [ 14 C]glycine, into the acid-soluble fraction was markedly reduced (40 % at 0.2 μmole/ml) by vinblastine and vincristine, but only slightly depressed by colchicine. Cells harvested from mice treated 2–13 h before sacrifice with vinblastine (2 mg/kg) exhibited a reduced rate of uptake of [ 14 C]glutamic acid into the acid-soluble fraction. Some reduction in the amount of [ 14 C]glutamic acid entering cellular proteins was also observed after treatment with vinblastine both in vivo and in vitro . Development of resistance to vinblastine was accompanied by elevation in the baseline rate of uptake of [ 3 H]uridine into RNA, and a profound reduction in the rate of entry of [ 14 C]glutamic acid into the acid-soluble fraction; both these parameters were less sensitive to vinblastine treatment in vitro .
Reframing the Mind of the Banker

Managerial issues are becoming critical in the US banking industry. The capability of those in leadership positions is continually identified as the most important single factor that will separate high‐ and low‐performing banks. Discusses the impact of increased competitive intensity on the skill set and skill mix of bank managers and recommends ten skills to reframe the mind of the banker.
Estimating the risk of ovarian cancer.

Every year, 25,000 women in the United States (about one in 3,000 women older than 40 years) receive ovarian cancer diagnoses, and 14,000 die of the disease. Risk factors for ovarian cancer include family history of ovarian cancer, personal history of breast cancer, obesity, not breastfeeding, infertility, or giving birth to no or few children. Tubal ligation, oral contraceptive use, and hysterectomy are associated with lower risk.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Mild Heart Failure/ REVERSE, MADIT-CRT & RAFT studies & Meta-analyses / Expanding CRT-D Indications to Lower Risk Patients

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), effected via biventricular pacing, has been shown to improve symptoms and left ventricular (LV) systolic function and to reduce mortality and hospitalizations among patients with moderate to severe heart failure symptoms (class III and IV), reduced LV ejection fraction (EF), and a wide QRS complex on electrocardiogram, usually in the form of left bundle branch block. Recent evidence from randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses demonstrate that the beneficial effects of CRT on LV remodeling, heart failure symptoms, hospitalizations, and mortality also extend to patients with milder heart failure symptoms (class II). These data support the expansion of indications for CRT to less symptomatic patients with heart failure who have LVEF <0.35 and wide QRS duration in sinus rhythm. Accordingly the guidelines for CRT therapy by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American heart Association (AHA) have been updated to expand CRT indications to patients with milder heart failure symptoms.
Methanol production from carbon monoxide and hydrogen on thorium dioxide

Abstract High-surface-area ThO 2 catalysts (~120 m 2 /g) were prepared by a precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies (XPS and AES, respectively). Thoria precipitated from Na 2 CO 3 (as Na ThO 2 ) and (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 (as NH 4 ThO 2 ) were crystalline with particle size 2 precipitated with K 2 CO 3 formed large shards with a glassy appearance and a very small surface area (1.7 m 2 /g); this catalyst was inactive for methanol production. Both X-ray diffraction and XPS measurements showed that NaThO 2 and NH 4 ThO 2 catalysts were ThO 2 after calcination in air at 520 K. XPS and AES measurements disclosed that the NaThO 2 catalyst contained ~10 at.% ionic sodium present as Na 2 O. This catalyst showed a higher activity for isobutyl alcohol synthesis than the sodium-free thoria, while producing comparatively less isobutane. Synthesis experiments were carried out in a copper-lined tubular reactor as a function of gas-mixture composition (H 2 : CO = 2:1, 1:1), pressure (2.0 to 6.5 MPa), and temperature (570 to 635 K) at an STP gas flow rate of 1.8 m 3 /kg cat.-h, which corresponded to a space velocity of 5000 h −1 . Changing the flow rate between 5000 and 10,000 h −1 had little effect on the synthesis reaction. Both Na ThO 2 and NH 4 ThO 2 produced ~1 mole% methanol in the effluent gas under optimum conditions ( 2H 2 CO at 5.4 MPa, 600 K, 5000 h −1 ); this corresponds to ~3% carbon conversion (0.08 kg CH 3 OH/1 cat.-h). Both catalysts showed little tendency for gaseous hydrocarbon production and their selectivity varied between 85 and 95%. The effect of reactant pressure on the rate of methanol formation was tested by the Natta model for ZnO Cr 2 O 3 and CuO/ZnO/Cr 2 O 3 , and hydrogen was found to be more strongly adsorbed than carbon monoxide.
Activation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Is Required for Hyperdopamine and D2 Receptor-Mediated Inhibition of Synaptic NMDA Receptor Function in the Rat Prefrontal Cortex

The interactions between dopamine and glutamate systems play an essential role in normal brain functions and neuropsychiatric disorders. The mechanism of NMDA receptor regulation through high concentrations of dopamine, however, remains unclear. Here, we show the signaling pathways involved in hyperdopaminergic regulation of NMDA receptor functions in the prefrontal cortex by incubating cortical slices with high concentration of dopamine or administering dopamine reuptake inhibitor 1-(2-[bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)- 4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR12909) in vivo . We found that, under both conditions, the synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated currents were significantly attenuated by excessive dopamine stimulation through activation of D 2 receptors. Furthermore, high dose of dopamine failed to affect NMDA receptor-mediated currents after blockade of NR2B subunits but triggered a dynamin-dependent endocytosis of NMDA receptors. The high-dose dopamine/D 2 receptor-mediated suppression of NMDA receptors was involved in the increase of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity, which in turn phosphorylates β-catenin and disrupts β-catenin–NR2B interaction, but was dependent on neither Gq11 nor PLC (phospholipase C). Moreover, the hyperdopamine induced by GBR12909 significantly decreased the expression of both surface and intracellular NR2B proteins, as well as NR2B mRNA levels, suggesting an inhibition of protein synthesis. These effects were, however, completely reversed by administration of either GSK-3β inhibitor or D 2 receptor antagonist. These results therefore suggest that GSK-3β is required for the hyperdopamine/D 2 receptor-mediated inhibition of NMDA receptors in the prefrontal neurons and these actions may underlie D 2 receptor-mediated psychostimulant effects and hyperdopamine-dependent behaviors in the brain.
Maximum photon antibunching in generalized coherent states

Abstract If when light falls on a photoelectron emitter the random number of photoelectrons counted in a time interval is m , the quantity [Var m - E ( m )]/[ E ( m )] 2 is called the bunching ratio. It is zero for light coherent to all orders and positive for thermal light, but may be negative for other kinds of light. Here it is shown that when the incident light is in a generalized coherent state, the most negative value of this ratio is of the order of - N -1 T where N T is the total number of incident photons.
Relativistic simultaneously coupled multiparticle states

To carry out calculations dealing with relativistic multiparticle systems requires making a choice of variables that describe the system. Simultaneously coupled states, wherein n single-particle states are coupled together simultaneously rather than in a stepwise fashion, are defined and the resulting variables compared with stepwise variables. Generalized Racah coefficients that connect stepwise coupled states with simultaneously coupled states are derived for three-particle systems and used to calculate properties of resonances in isobar models. Invariants of simultaneously coupled states include orbital and spin angular momentum variables. It is shown how these variables can be coupled together in exactly the same way as is done nonrelativistically.
Characterizing the Effect of 319 Aluminum Microstructure on Machinability: Part 2 — Model Validation

In Part 1 of this paper, a machining force model was developed based on an enhanced version of Zheng’s Continuum Mechanics model that incorporates microstructural effects. Machining experiments identified Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS) as a significant microstructure feature of 319 aluminum in terms of machinability. A new material constitutive relationship that incorporates SDAS microstructure effects on the flow stress was proposed. In this part of the paper, disk turning tests are performed to simulate the orthogonal cutting process. The cutting forces obtained from some of these tests are used in concert with an inverse form of the continuum mechanics machining model to estimate the parameters in the material constitutive equation. The enhanced continuum mechanics orthogonal cutting model is then applied to predict cutting forces when machining Al319. Comparison of the model predicted and experimentally acquired cutting forces is demonstrated to show good agreement.© 2005 ASME
Software management and cost estimating error

Abstract Software cost estimating is an important concern for software managers and other software professionals. The hypothesized model in this research suggests that an organization's use of an estimate influences its estimating practices which influence both the basis of the estimating process and the accuracy of the estimate. The model also suggests that the estimating basis directly influences the accuracy of the estimate. A study of business information systems managers and professionals at 112 different organizations refined the model. The refined model shows that no managerial practice in this study discourages the use of intuition, guessing, and personal memory in cost estimating. Although user commitment and accountability appear to foster algorithm-based estimating, such an algorithmic basis does not portend greater accuracy. Only one managerial practice – the use of the estimate in performance evaluations of software managers and professionals – presages greater accuracy. By implication, the research suggests somewhat ironically that the most effective approach to improve estimating accuracy may be to make estimators, developers, and managers more accountable for the estimate even though it may be impossible to direct them explicitly on how to produce a more accurate one.
Renal abscesses: Classification and review of 40 cases

Renal abscesses are misdiagnosed often and, consequently, mistreated or treated too late. Forty cases of renal abscesses divided into anatomic categories--perinephric, renal cortical, and corticomedullary--are reviewed. Various conditions seem to predispose to renal abscesses: urinary tract infections, vesicoureteral reflux, calculi, or other medical problems. This retrospective study discloses that a high correlation exists between organisms found in the patients' urine cultures and those organisms cultured from all 3 categories of abscesses. Accurate and complete urine bacteriologic study is therefore an essential tool for diagnosis.
Conformational relaxation following hydride transfer plays a limiting role in dihydrofolate reductase catalysis

The catalytic cycle of an enzyme is frequently associated with conformational changes that may limit maximum catalytic throughput. In Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase, release of the tetrahydrofolate (THF) product is the rate-determining step under physiological conditions and is associated with an “occluded” to “closed” conformational change. In this study, we demonstrate that in dihydrofolate reductase the closed to occluded conformational change in the product ternary complex (E·THF·NADP+) also gates progression through the catalytic cycle. Using NMR relaxation dispersion, we have measured the temperature and pH dependence of microsecond to millisecond time scale backbone dynamics of the occluded E·THF·NADP+ complex. Our studies indicate the presence of three independent dynamic regions, associated with the active-site loops, the cofactor binding cleft, and the C-terminus and an adjacent loop, which fluctuate into discrete conformational substates with different kinetic and thermodynamic parame...
Life History and Bionomics of Two American Species of Fowl Ticks (Ixodoidea, Argasidae, Argas) of the Subgenus Persicargas

The life cycles of Argas ( Persicargas ) radiatus Railliet and A. (P.) sanchezi Duges are about equal in length, requiring about 2 months, with a minimum of 6 weeks. Temperature sensitivity limits sanchezi to 2–3 generations per year because reproduction is inhibited at 25°C or lower. In south Texas, radiatus could have an many as 5 generations per year. The characteristic of Persicargas spp. to have an additional nymphal stage (N3) is discussed. The ability of females of each species to produce up to 6 clutches of viable eggs following 1 insemination by the male is demonstrated. The maximum number of egg clutches was 8, and 1 female radiatus produced 1185 eggs during her reproductive life. Under laboratory conditions, 1 female radiatus survived unfed for 39 months and 1 field-collected female allowed to engorge several times survived for at least 40 months. Attempted crossings of the 2 species with each other and each with A. (P.) persicus (Oken) indicate all 3 species are biologically distinct.