cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of In Vitro to In Vivo Translation of a TYK2 Inhibitor That Shows Cross Species Potency Differences.

Translation of modulation of drug target activity to therapeutic effect is a critical aspect for all drug discovery programs. In this work we describe the profiling of a non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase (TYK2) inhibitor which shows a functionally relevant potency shift between human and preclinical species (e.g. murine, dog, macaque) in both biochemical and cellular assays. Comparison of the structure and sequence homology of TYK2 between human and preclinical species within the ATP binding site highlights a single amino acid (I960 → V) responsible for the potency shift. Through TYK2 kinase domain mutants and a TYK2 980I knock-in mouse model, we demonstrate that this single amino acid change drives a functionally relevant potency difference that exists between human and all evaluated preclinical species, for a series of TYK2 inhibitors which target the ATP binding site.
Sparse multi-output Gaussian processes for online medical time series prediction

For real-time monitoring of hospital patients, high-quality inference of patients’ health status using all information available from clinical covariates and lab test results is essential to enable successful medical interventions and improve patient outcomes. Developing a computational framework that can learn from observational large-scale electronic health records (EHRs) and make accurate real-time predictions is a critical step. In this work, we develop and explore a Bayesian nonparametric model based on multi-output Gaussian process (GP) regression for hospital patient monitoring. We propose MedGP, a statistical framework that incorporates 24 clinical covariates and supports a rich reference data set from which relationships between observed covariates may be inferred and exploited for high-quality inference of patient state over time. To do this, we develop a highly structured sparse GP kernel to enable tractable computation over tens of thousands of time points while estimating correlations among clinical covariates, patients, and periodicity in patient observations. MedGP has a number of benefits over current methods, including (i) not requiring an alignment of the time series data, (ii) quantifying confidence regions in the predictions, (iii) exploiting a vast and rich database of patients, and (iv) inferring interpretable relationships among clinical covariates. We evaluate and compare results from MedGP on the task of online prediction for three patient subgroups from two medical data sets across 8,043 patients. We find MedGP improves online prediction over baseline and state-of-the-art methods for nearly all covariates across different disease subgroups and hospitals. The MedGP framework is robust and efficient in estimating the temporal dependencies from sparse and irregularly sampled medical time series data for online prediction. The publicly available code is at https://github.com/bee-hive/MedGP .
Practical Reason, the Importance of Personal Commitments, Plans, and Projects, and the Minimum Content of Morality

This chapter examines the nature of practical reason, the centrality of personal or subjective commitments and purposes to choices about good human lives, and the minimum moral content of good human lives. The version of practical reason presented in this chapter involves a combination of the traditional distinction between reasoning about things subject to change and things not subject to change, a neo-Aristotelian conception of virtues and skills, and an emphasis on the particularistic or subjective character of valuation, both moral and nonmoral.
Increased rate of recurrence and high rate of salvage in patients with human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with adverse features treated with primary surgery without recommended adjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND Some patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) do not receive guideline-recommended postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) following primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS). METHODS Three-hundred and sixty-four patients with treatment-naive, HPV-associated OPSCC were recommended to receive PORT based on clinicopathological features following TORS. Patients were stratified based on if they received PORT. Oncologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS The 3-year locoregional failure (LRF) was 32% in patients who did not receive PORT and 4% in patients who received PORT (P < .001). Despite increased LRF, avoiding PORT was not associated with increased 3-year distant metastasis rates (8% vs 4%, P = .56) or worse 3-year survival (95% vs 98%, P = .34). Recurrences in the surgery alone cohort varied between local and regional sites and were often successfully salvaged. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HPV-associated OPSCC who do not receive indicated PORT have an increased risk of LRF but similar survival due to high salvage rates.
Second Order Moments of Multivariate Hermite Polynomials in Correlated Random Variables

Polynomial chaos methods can be used to estimate solutions of partial differential equations under uncertainty described by random variables. The stochastic solution is represented by a polynomial expansion, whose deterministic coefficient functions are recovered through Galerkin projections. In the presence of multiple uncertainties, the projection step introduces products (second order moments) of the basis polynomials. When the input random variables are correlated Gaussians, calculating the products of the corresponding multivariate basis polynomials is not straightforward and can become computationally expensive. We present a new expression for the products by introducing multiset notation for the polynomial indexing, which allows for simple and efficient evaluation of the second-order moments of correlated multivariate Hermite polynomials.
Clinical Neuropsychological Evaluation in Older Adults With Major Depressive Disorder.

Older adults with major depressive disorder are particularly vulnerable to MDD-associated adverse cognitive effects including slowed processing speed, decreased attention, and executive dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to describe the approach to a clinical neuropsychological evaluation in older adults with MDD. Specifically, this review compares and contrasts neurocognitive screening and clinical neuropsychological evaluation procedures and details the multiple components of the clinical neuropsychological evaluation. Research has shown that neurocognitive screening serves a useful purpose to provide an acute and rapid assessment of global cognitive function; however, it has limited sensitivity and specificity. The clinical neuropsychological evaluation process is multifaceted and encompasses a review of available medical records, neurobehavioral status and diagnostic interview, comprehensive cognitive and clinical assessment, examination of inclusion and diversity factors as well as symptom and performance validity, and therapeutic feedback. As such, the evaluation provides invaluable information on multiple cognitive functions, establishes brain and behavior relationships, clarifies neuropsychiatric diagnoses, and can inform the etiology of cognitive impairment. Clinical neuropsychological evaluation plays a unique and critical role in integrated healthcare for older adults with MDD. Indeed, the evaluation can serve as a nexus to synthesize information across healthcare providers in order to maximize measurement-based care that can optimize personalized medicine and overall health outcomes.
The mechanical response of additively manufactured IN625 thin-walled structures

Abstract Additive manufacturing offers enhanced design and topological complexity over traditional manufacturing and is well suited to fabricate complex structures. Here, we present a new milli-scale test method to assess the location-specific mechanical response of laser powder-bed printed Inconel 625 thin-walled structures. High-resolution digital image correlation was coupled with ambient temperature milli-scale tests to understand the progression of plastic deformation in T-shaped specimens. Plastic strains were concentrated around the intersection of the horizontal and vertical ligaments, emphasizing their importance in the design process. EBSD scans elucidated the role of geometry in the development of in-plane texture. Isotropic finite element models were unable to fully predict the response of printed specimens, but anisotropic models, motivated by the texture measurements, resulted in much better agreement. This work illustrates the importance of local processing and microstructure on the mechanical response of additively manufactured components.
Virtual psychosocial services for the adult population in a large community oncology practice

283Background: Psychological and social supports are essential to address the emotional impact of cancer. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated emotional distress for patients with cancer and impeded m...
Morphological and functional variability in triangular projectile points in the Piedmont Southeast, 1300–1600 CE

Triangular arrowheads are overwhelmingly the dominant projectile point form across eastern North America from 600 to 1600 CE. Although triangular points have been studied less than earlier technolo...
Synthesis and characterization of Tc2Cl4(dppm)2

Abstract The reaction of Tc2Cl4(PEt3)4 with two equivalents of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) in refluxing benzene results in the formation of Tc2Cl4(dppm)2 (1) in 61% yield. The metal–metal multiply bonded complex 1 has been structurally and spectroscopically characterized.
Ecto-Enzymes of the Guinea Pig Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte II. PROPERTIES AND SUITABILITY AS MARKERS FOR THE PLASMA MEMBRANE

Ecto-ATPase, -AMPase, and -p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activities previously were shown to be present on guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Only small amounts of these activities can be attributed to other cell types present in the leukocyte preparation. Substrate competition studies and various enzyme effectors were now used to demonstrate that these enzymatic activities are due to at least three different proteins. The products of the ecto-enzymes were identified, the Km values were determined, and the substrate specificities were examined. All three were shown to be inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents. The ecto-ATPase was found to be unrelated to the sodium and potassium ion-stimulated ATPase present on the plasma membrane of many mammalian cells. The suitability of the ecto-enzymes as markers for the plasma membrane of the guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocyte was considered. The ecto-AMPase was found to be the only enzyme in these cells capable of hydrolyzing AMP, and is consequently an excellent marker for the plasma membrane of this cell type.
Abstract 17496: Diagnostic Accuracy of a Smartphone based Six-Minute Walk Test

Introduction: Timely and accurate diagnosis of heart failure exacerbation after discharge is an unmet medical need with enormous societal costs. Six-minute walk tests (6MWT) powerfully predict heart failure exacerbation, but require a clinic visit and valuable personnel time. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a 6MWT recorded on a novel smartphone App (6MWTApp), which we aim to integrate into a comprehensive digital heart failure monitoring program within the Health eHeart Study. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that distance calculated using the smartphone measurements would correlate well with physically measured walk distance, at the time of a clinical 6MWT (defined by an r ≥ 0.80). Methods: Six-Minute Walk Tests were conducted on a clinical 6MWT course by participants who wore, on a hip holster and in a front pocket, iPhones that ran the 6MWTApp. Distances traveled were calculated based on a linear regression model that incorporated the smartphone-measured steps and the patient height, and were compared to the physically measured distance walked at the time of the test. Results: The 6MWTApp was tested in 52 participants half of whom had heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. The App demonstrated good correlation with measured distance, r = 0.89 95% CI (0.82-0.95). For those with pHTN or CHF the correlation (r) was 0.75 95% CI (0.54-0.96) and for those with neither pHTN or CHF the correlation (r) was 0.92 95% CI (0.85-0.98). There was no difference between phone placement in the front pocket vs worn in a holster on the hip. Conclusions: Distance walked during a 6MWT is accurately predicted by a 6MWTApp. ![][1] ![][2] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/graphic-2.gif
The Securities Laws and the Mechanics of Legal Change

This essay, prepared for the Virginia Law Review symposium marking the 75th anniversary of the Securities Exchange Commission, explores the mechanisms through which the Roosevelt Administration secured the Supreme Court's approval of various features of the New Deal's securities law program.
Longitudinal Patterns of Daily Affect and Global Mood During Adolescence

This study examined grade and sex patterns in real-time measures of daily mood using Ecological Momentary Assessments via palmtop computers among 8th (N = 296) and 10th graders (N = 266) for 1 year using a three-wave longitudinal design. Participants responded to five to seven random prompts/day for 7 consecutive days; when prompted, participants rated eight mood adjectives assessing positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). Global depressed mood was also assessed via self-report questionnaire at every wave. Mixed-effects regression analyses indicated that PA modestly but significantly declined across Grade 8 to 11, but NA was relatively stable over time. Sex by time interactions showed that boys experienced greater declines in daily mood over time than did girls. In contrast, global depressed mood did not change over time, and girls reported higher depressed mood than boys. Findings suggest that normative mood declines in adolescence may be driven by deteriorations in PA, rather than increases in NA.
Trauma management therapy: a preliminary evaluation of a multicomponent behavioral treatment for chronic combat-related PTSD.

The development and initial evaluation of a new, comprehensive and multicomponent behavioral treatment (Trauma Management Therapy, or TMT) for chronic combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is described. The program utilizes elements of intensive exposure therapy, programmed practice, and structured social and emotional skills training to target the multiple aspects of chronic combat-related PTSD. The treatment was found to be effective in alleviating a broad spectrum of difficulties in combat veterans with chronic PTSD, most of whom had co-occuring Axis I and/or Axis II disorders. The results are discussed with respect to the implementation of the new treatment and the general need for a comprehensive approach to treating combat-related PTSD. Implications for the potential cost-effectiveness of the treatment program also are discussed.
Why do female Belding's ground squirrels disperse away from food resources?

We examined the effects of food provisioning on the natal dispersal behavior of Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi). We provided extra food to adult and yearling females in their maternal territories during pregnancy and lactation, and to offspring of these females in their natal areas for 6 weeks after weaning. We used unprovisioned young of unprovisioned mothers as controls. Provisioning influenced the probability of dispersal from the natal area by female but not male S. beldingi. All surviving male S.␣beldingi dispersed by 55 weeks of age, regardless of whether they and their mothers received extra food. By contrast, we observed a significant trend, beginning 3 weeks after weaning and continuing through the yearling year, for a greater proportion of provisioned than control female S. beldingi to emigrate from the natal area. Competition for food did not appear to influence natal dispersal of females. However, overall population density, density of females weaning litters, and rates of aggression and vigilance among these females, were higher in provisioned than control areas, suggesting that competition for non-food resources was unusually intense in provisioned areas. We propose that juvenile female, but not juvenile male, S. beldingi may emigrate from the natal site to increase access to areas with low densities of conspecifics. Together with findings of earlier workers, our results suggest that spatial and temporal distributions of environmental resources are important influences on the dispersal behavior of female ground squirrels.
Tibiofemoral Joint Contact During the Loading Response Phase of Gait in Individuals With Concurrent Knee Osteoarthritis and Complaints of Joint Instability

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting older adults and commonly leads to pain and functional limitations. Many individuals with knee OA also report episodes of knee instability, which has been shown to adversely affect their ability to perform weight-bearing functional tasks. [1] Recently it was reported that individuals with knee OA and reports of joint instability demonstrate significant reductions in their sagittal and transverse plane rotational knee joint motion. [2] It is conceivable that the decreased rotational joint motion may represent a compensatory attempt to avoid pain and/or to stabilize an unstable knee joint. However, this movement strategy may be problematic in the long term as it could lead to increased compressive loading and a reduction of shock absorption capabilities. Since abnormal rotation is associated with altered joint contact position [3], and the internal/external rotation axis in the normal knee is located on the medial side [4,5], this patient population may exhibit a decreased contact path length in the lateral compartment during the loading response phase of gait. The combination of a reduced contact path length and cartilage loss could in turn lead to a decreased dynamic joint space [6] and concentration of joint stresses responsible for disease progression. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to 1) compare the tibiofemoral joint contact path length and dynamic joint space in the medial and lateral compartments during the loading response phase of gait in individuals with knee OA and complaints of joint instability to a healthy control group and 2) investigate the relationship between these parameters.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The search for the holy grail: heart rate variability and thought field therapy.

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is one of several unusual psychotherapies that have witnessed rapid growth over the past few years, despite the absence of scientific support. Promoters of TFT frequently cite changes in heart rate variability (HRV) as evidence of TFT's effects. Pignotti and Steinberg (2001) present reports of 39 cases in which HRV was assessed prior to and immediately following TFT. Serious methodological shortcomings preclude interpretation of these data with respect to either the efficacy of TFT or the clinical utility of HRV. Ethical concerns are raised about the aggressive promotion of TFT and the misuse of HRV.
From the Cradle to Enteral Autonomy: The Role of Autologous Gastrointestinal Reconstruction

The short bowel state is treatable, with acceptable long-term quality of life. Management during the first 6-12 months of life is critical but, presently, frequently compromises long-term survival and prospects. At first presentation, primary caregivers, working with specialists at designated intestinal failure centers, should develop a structured individual-oriented management plan. Preservation of venous access, "hepatosparing" parenteral nutrition, and avoidance of liver sepsis are crucial to survival. Early surgery should be limited to conservation of autologous bowel, even short bowel lengths having great potential, and to facilitating natural intestinal adaptation. Bowel expansion may be relevant prior to delayed bowel reconstruction with single or combined techniques that include bowel lengthening and/or tailoring, reversed segments, and colon interposition. Bowel transplantation, as yet not recommended for primary management, offers survival and opportunity to those with no prospect of autologous bowel autonomy or following failed autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction. This paper reviews current surgery for the short bowel state and concludes that it is presently appropriate before bowel transplantation to offer autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction, with its prospect of enteral autonomy with quality life. It emphasizes the need for an individual-oriented management plan, developed jointly at the time of first presentation between the primary caregivers and a designated multidisciplinary intestinal failure center, to enhance the prospects for enteral autonomy preferably on autologous bowel. Autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction is in its infancy and requires resources, commitment, and research from dedicated bowel reconstructive surgeons toward a better opportunity for the child and family with short bowel.
Immunomodulating effects in vitro of a hydroxythiazolobenzimidazole in the absence of mitogenicity.

Wy-13, 876, a hydroxythiazolobenzimidazole, enhanced in vitro antibody formation by mouse spleen cells immunized with sheep red blood cells. The optimal dose was 25–50 μg/culture. The compound did not have a mitogenic effect at any dose.
Emissions Performance of the Parker Macrolaminate Premixer Tested Under Simulated Engine Conditions

Single-injector high-pressure rig evaluation of the prototype Parker macrolaminate dual fuel premixer (previously tested at NETL, Mansour et al., 2001) with pressure swirl macrolaminate atomizers was conducted under simulated engine operating conditions running on No. 2 diesel fuel (DF2). Emissions, oscillations and lean blowout (LBO) performance on liquid fuel at high, part and no load operating points (pressures of 160, 100, 120 psig, and inlet temperatures of 690, 570, 590°F, respectively) and various pressure drops (AP/P) and air fuel ratio conditions were investigated. The results indicate that the Parker premixer design has the potential to reduce the DF2 NO X emission to below 15 ppmv, 15% O 2 . At simulated high load conditions with a nominal flame temperature (T PZ ) of 2700°F, the NOX and CO emissions are approximately 10 and 2.5 ppmv at 15% O 2 , respectively. These NO X results have not been corrected for fuel bound nitrogen (FBN). From the studies of Lee (2000), small amounts of FBN in the liquid fuel generally are completely converted over to fuel NO X under lean premixed conditions. The fuel tested has a nominal 60 ppmw of FBN which converts to an estimated fuel NO X of 4 ppmv at 15% O 2 . These results compare extremely favorable to existing commercially available premixer technologies tested under similar rig operating conditions. More importantly, the NO X yield for the Parker Macrolaminate premixer appears to be independent of operating conditions (from high to no load and various pressure drop conditions). Variations in combustor pressure, inlet temperature (T 2 ) and residence time (r) or pressure drop (AP/P) does not seem to have an effect on the formation of NO X . According to Leonard and Stegmaier (1993), insensitivity of NO X formation to operating conditions is a good indication of high degree of premixing. Additionally, the premixer NO X data is only I to 2 ppmv higher than the jet stirred reactor (JSR) results (ran at T 2 =661°F, P CD = 1 atm and T PZ =2762°F with similar DF2) of Lee et al. (2001) further confirming the quality of premixing achieved. Combustion driven oscillations was not investigated by tuning the rig so that oscillations would not be a factor.
Shear localization of nanoscale W in metallic glass composites

High-density tungsten/metallic glass composites were fabricated by warm extrusion of two different powders. The first powder was a physical blend of âˆ’45 I¼m tungsten and Hf-based metallic glass powders and produced a relatively coarse distribution of tungsten particles within a continuous metallic glass matrix. The second powder was synthesized by mechanical milling the âˆ’45 I¼m tungsten and Hf-based metallic glass powders into composite particles composed of 20â€“500-nm layers of tungsten and metallic glass. The amorphous structure of the starting glass powders did not change during milling. Some macroscopic plasticity during compression testing was observed due to the formation of multiple shear bands at the interface between the coarse tungsten particles and the metallic glass matrix in the composite produced from blended powders. In contrast, shear localization without a decrease in strength occurred uniformly throughout the nano-grained tungsten and metallic glass phases in the sample obtained from extruded composite powders.
Assessing Scholarly Multimedia: A Rhetorical Genre Studies Approach

This article describes what scholarly multimedia (i.e., webtexts) are and how one teacher-editor has students compose these texts as part of an assignment sequence in her writing classes. The article shows how one set of assessment criteria for scholarly multimedia—based on the Institute for Multimedia Literacy's parameters (see Kuhn, Johnson, & Lopez, 2010) for assessing honor students’ multimedia projects—are used to give formative feedback to students’ projects.
Giant lipoma of the breas

Lipomas of the breast are usually small, benign neoplasms which can be treated by simple excision. Diagnosis of these masses, however, can be difficult because of the normal fatty composition of the breast. A number of radiological manoeuvres have been described for diagnosing deep lipomas in the breast, yet the clinical and radiographic identification of these masses remains challenging. We present a case of giant lipoma of the breast which was not appreciated on initial clinical and radiographic evaluation, and which was later found to comprise most of the mass of the breast. Following resection, the deformed breast was reconstructed using folded dermoglandular flaps from the areas expanded by the lipoma with excellent results. This case is an excellent illustration of the difficulties associated with diagnosis of these tumours and the reconstructive options available following excision.
Dynamic modeling and analysis of LM6000 gas-turbine synchronous generator

This paper demonstrates the dynamic performance of synchronous generator in typical LM6000® gas-turbine during sudden changes in input torque and during a short circuit fault at the terminals while it is connected to infinite bus bar based on first engineering principles. The constructed model consists of a set of nonlinear differential equations. The analysis given in this paper is valid for a linear magnetic system where saturation is not considered. In this study, the stator variables are transformed to a reference frame fixed in the rotor. MATLAB® is used for analysis and computer traces to illustrate the dynamic behavior of the synchronous generator.
(1)H, (15)N and (13)C resonance assignments for the three LOTUS RNA binding domains of Tudor domain-containing protein TDRD7.

The LOTUS or OST-HTH domain is a recently discovered motif of about 80 amino acids and is found in several germline-specific proteins including the Tudor domain-containing proteins TDRD5 and TDRD7, which are important for germ cell development. The LOTUS domain is an RNA binding domain but its exact function is unknown. Here, we report the 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments for the three LOTUS domains present in mouse TDRD7. These assignments will allow three-dimensional structure determination of the LOTUS domains and mapping of their interaction with RNA, steps toward deciphering the function of TDRD7.
Secretion of Alpha Subunits of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) by the Anterior Pituitary

Free alpha subunit chains of the glycopeptide pituitary hormones have been found in the sera of normal subjects and postmenopausal women. To ascertain whether the alpha subunit of LH is directly secreted by the pituitary or formed as a result of degradation of intact LH in the periphery, alpha subunits and intact LH were measured by radioimmunoassay in human volunteers after LRF stimulation and purified LH infusion. In 4 subjects a loading dose of 90 IU, followed by the infusion of 22.5 IU of purified human LH over 30 min, produced peak serum LH levels of 41 mIU/ml but no change in alpha subunit levels. A similar bolus of 140 IU followed by the infusion of 35 IU of purified human LH to an additional 4 subjects, produced peak LH levels of 80 mIU/ml, but again, no change in alpha subunits. In the same two groups of subjects 100 μg of LRF produced peak LH levels of 25 mIU/ml and 48 mIU/ml, respectively, with significant alpha subunit elevations at 20 min of 1.7 ng/ml and 2.7 ng/ml, respectively. In separate ...
Delivery of Bcl-XL or its BH4 domain by protein transduction inhibits apoptosis in human islets

Abstract Viability of isolated islets is one of the main obstacles limiting islet transplantation success. It has been reported that overexpression of Bcl-2/Bcl-XL proteins enhances islet viability. To avoid potential complications associated with long-term expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, we investigated the possibility of delivering Bcl-XL or its anti-apoptotic domain BH4 to islets by protein transduction. Bcl-XL and BH4 molecules were fused to TAT/PTD, the 11-aa cell penetrating peptide from HIV-1 transactivating protein, generating TAT-Bcl-XL and TAT-BH4, respectively. Transduction efficiency was assessed by laser scanning confocal microscopy of live islets. Biological activity was tested as the ability to protect NIT-1 insulinoma cell line from death induced by staurosporine or serum deprivation. Spontaneous caspase activation in human islets and cytotoxicity caused by IL-1β were significantly reduced in the presence of TAT-Bcl-XL and TAT-BH4. We conclude that both TAT proteins are biologically active after transduction and could be an asset in the improvement of islet viability.
Ten Years of Experience with Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

In the 10 years since peptide nucleic acid fluorescent in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) was introduced to the clinical microbiology laboratory for the rapid identification of select pathogens in positive blood cultures, a renewed interest in antimicrobial stewardship and an increased desire to decrease hospital costs made the appropriate use of PNA FISH stains a desirable and cost-efficient alternative to slower standard identification methods. This review discusses the merits of using PNA FISH in the microbiology laboratory to effectively and rapidly identify blood culture pathogens, improve patient care, assist with antimicrobial stewardship efforts, and decrease hospital costs. In addition, the principles and the recent literature for the new-generation PNA FISH method, Staphylococcus QuickFISH, is discussed.
Effects of slaughter time post-second injection on carcass cutting yields and bacon characteristics of immunologically castrated male pigs.

Body weights of finishing pigs can be variable within a finishing barn near the time of slaughter; therefore, it is common to market pigs over a period of time. This allows lighter pigs more time to gain BW and approach a desired end point. Use of immunological castration late in life to control boar taint, as an alternative to physical castration early in life, increases cutting yields of finishing male pigs compared with physical castrates. Because of common marketing strategies, it is important for advantages in cutting yields to span a broad spectrum of slaughter ages and BW. The primary objectives in this study were to evaluate carcass cutting yields, pork quality, belly quality, and bacon processing characteristics of immunologically castrated (IC) male pigs fed a moderate level of distillers dried grains with solubles and slaughtered at either 4 wk (early slaughter group) or 6 wk (late slaughter group) post-second injection. A total of 156 male pigs (physical castrates or IC males) were selected from a population of 1,200 finishing pigs. Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS as a split-split plot design. Body weights of IC males were 3.60 kg heavier (P = 0.03) than physical castrates when slaughtered at 4 wk post-second injection and 7.52 kg heavier (P 0.05) between sex and time of slaughter post-second injection, some response variables were pooled. Hot carcass weights were not different (P = 0.57) between physical castrates (91.98 kg) and IC males (92.52 kg). There was a 2.77 percentage unit decrease (P < 0.001) in dressing percentage of IC males (71.78%) compared with physical castrates (74.55%). Lean cutting yields of IC males were 2.62 percentage units greater (P < 0.0001) than physical castrates and carcass cutting yields were 2.27 percentage units greater (P < 0.0001) for IC males when compared with physical castrates. There were no differences between IC males and physical castrates for shear force (P = 0.09), ultimate pH (P = 0.57), objective color (P ≥ 0.31), subjective color score (P = 0.64), or drip loss (P = 0.30). Bellies from IC males were thinner (P = 0.01) and had narrower belly flops (P < 0.0001) than bellies from physical castrates. There were no differences (P = 0.74) in cured belly cooked yield between IC males and physical castrates. Overall, immunological castration improved cutting yields, did not affect pork quality, made fresh bellies thinner, and did not affect cured belly characteristics when pigs were fed a moderate level of distillers dried grains with solubles during the finishing phase of production.
The Effect of Acceptance/Rejection Status, Status Notification, and Organizational Obligation Fulfillment on Applicant Intentions

Reactions to receiving or failing to receive rejection/acceptance letters were examined from the perspective of psychological contracts. In Study 1, a laboratory experiment, organizational obligation fulfillment was predicted by status (rejection/acceptance) and notification (no notification; notification only; notification plus explanation) such that those rejected without notification reported the lowest level of organizational obligation fulfillment. In Study 2, a field survey, applicants who were rejected with no rejection communication were more likely to believe that the organization failed to fulfill its obligations, and reported more negative intentions toward the organization compared to those who received a rejection communication. In both studies, organizational obligation fulfillment accounted for incremental variance in applicant intentions, beyond that of applicant status and type of rejection notification.
Removal of surface charge-charge interactions from ubiquitin leaves the protein folded and very stable.

The contribution of solvent-exposed charged residues to protein stability was evaluated using ubiquitin as a model protein. We combined site-directed mutagenesis and specific chemical modifications to first replace all Arg residues with Lys, followed by carbomylation of Lys-amino groups. Under the conditions in which all carboxylic groups are protonated (at pH 2), the chemically modified protein is folded and very stable (ΔG = 18 kJ/mol). These results indicate that surface charge–charge interactions are not an essential fundamental force for protein folding and stability.
Influence of cations of lysozyme-induced germination of coatless spores of Clostridium perfringens 8-6

Abstract Bacterial endosphere germination is powefully influenced by inorganic salts, cations having especially important effects. Spores of Clostridium perfringens 8-6 are unusual in lacking a spore coat; these spores germinate only in the presence of lysozyme, which readily digests the exposed cortex. Lysozyme-induced germination showed the same response to ionic strength and valence of cations as does lysozyme hydrolysis of peptidoglycan, and close parallels are evident in the influence of inorganic cations on germination of normal spores. La 3+ and transition element cations inhibited lysozyme-induced germination at low concentration, again demonstrating parallels with their action on lysozyme digestion of peptidoglycan and on the germination of normal spores. The polycations poly( L -lysine) and Ruthenium Red inhibited at extremelylow concentrations. Mn 2+ and Co 2+ , at appropriately low concentrations, stimulated lysozyme germination of 8-6 spores and also lysis of Micrococcus lysodeiktocus .
Optimal parallel algorithms for quadtree problems

Abstract In this paper we describe optimal processor-time parallel algorithms for set operations such as union, intersection, comparison on quadtrees. The algorithms presented in this paper run in O (log N ) time using N /log N processors on a shared memory model of computation that allows concurrent reads or writes. Consequently they allow us to achieve optimal speedups using any number of processors up to N /log N . The approach can also be used to derive optimal processor-time parallel algorithms for weaker models of parallel computation.
Market structure and ad valorem taxes: cross-country evidence from the magazine industry

Using data describing the magazine industries of 23 countries it is shown that specific ad valorem taxes on magazines reduce the number of magazines published in a country. This result is consistent with previously developed theories about the impact of ad valorem taxes on market structure. However, limitations on magazine ownership seem to have little impact on the number of magazines published, perhaps indicating that reduced limitations on cross-media ownership may not have the deleterious effects many predict.
Problem-solving interdependence in technological innovation: an examination of interorganisational interaction in semiconductor component development

Organisations are often dependent on each other for knowledge and problem-solving skills in technological innovation. Integration of problem-solving efforts across organisational boundaries is an essential managerial task in such collaborative activity. Knowledge and problem-solvers required in the development of semiconductor components are found to be distributed across the customersupplier interface. A field study examined problem-solving interaction in this context. Data from 12 projects and 52 embedded cases of design iteration were used to explore the relationship between project definition, problem-solving interaction and managerial response to interaction needs. Projects defined closer to the frontier of knowledge in product concepts and manufacturing technologies were found to require more interaction between problem-solvers engaged in interlinked design tasks. An overlap in participation in design stages between collaborating organisations and co-location of problem-solvers were found to be the managerial response to higher interaction requirements. Hypotheses are developed and implications for research and practice are explored.
Motorische Anfallsschablonen:Eine vergleichende Analyse tonischer, psychomotorischer und psychogener Anfälle

The motor patterns are self-regulating standardized movement models under normal and pathological conditions. Once learned and then automatized, they form the elements of the voluntary motor activity. Accordingly even the motor phenomena of epileptic seizures are defined as models or patterns. This paper is concerned with the question whether the epileptic patterns are to be associated to the neurophysiological regulatory processes of voluntary motoricity or whether these are pathological processes without relation to the physiological movement patterns. At the outset a short introduction to the neurophysiological basis of the voluntary motoricity is presented, which is built up according to the medullary organization of the cortex and taking into consideration the movement control through "feed forward" and "feed back". To the motor patterns of generalized tonic seizures connections to ontogenetic and phylogenetic old movement patterns and their activation through the epileptic excitation are denied. The tonic seizures are considered as pathological epileptic patterns, which are caused as a result of epileptic excitation, following their own dynamics. They represent a clear marking of maximum discharges of the cerebral structures, which control all other neuronal processes as well. The motor phenomena concerning the psychomotor seizures are described as specific patterns in respect of patients and types of seizures. To be differentiated are the elementary patterns of the first stage of seizures and the patterns of psychomotor twilight states. They represent denatured fragments of physiological motoricity and biological behavioural patterns. They would be brought in motion by the epileptic excitation, which in turn could lead to extensive motor phenomena.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Maternal serum progesterone, 17β-Estradiol and estriol are increased in pregnancies which follow treatment with human menopausal gonadotropins: Effects of multiple gestation and maternal endocrine status

A high incidence of premature labor, incompetent cervix and fetal wastage occurs in multiple gestations which follow treatment with human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG). In order to determine the effect of treatment with HMG on hormone secretion in human pregnancy, progesterone (PROG), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were determined by radio-immunoassay in 341 serum specimens from 229 normal singleton pregnancies and in 79 serum specimens from 20 pregnancies following induction of ovulation with HMG in women with either hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) or the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). Fitting equations were found for the log transformed normal values and the residuals were obtained by subtraction of the predicted normal values from the log transformed values observed in the HMG pregnancies. In pregnancies which followed treatment with HMG, PROG and E2 were initially elevated above normal. As pregnancy progressed, the deviation from normal became proportionately less. PROG (P < 0.025) was lower and E2 (P < 0.025) and E3 (P < 0.05) were higher in PCO pregnancies than in HA pregnancies. Multiple gestation produced increases in PROG (P < 0.005), E2 (P < 0.005) and E3 (P < 0.001) in comparison to singleton pregnancies.
General Dynamical Equations for Free Particles and Their Galilean Invariance

Dynamical equations describing evolution of state functions in space-time of a given metric are important components of physical theories of particles. A method based on a group of the metric is used to obtain an infinite set of general dynamical equations for a scalar and analytical function representing free and spinless particles. It is shown that this set of equations is the same for any group of the metric that consists of an invariant Abelian subgroup of translations in time and space. For Galilean space-time, such group is the extended Galilei group. Using this group, it is proved that the infinite set of equations has only one subset of Galilean invariant dynamical equations, and that the equations of this subset are Schrodinger-like equations.
Gaussian reciprocal diffusions and positive definite sturm-liouville operators

This paper examines the connection between Gaussian reciprocal diffusions (GRDs) on a finite interval [0, T] and positive definite Sturm-Liouville boundary values problems (BVPs) on the same interval. We show that there exists a bijection between the set of GRDs on [0, T] and the set of positive definite Sturm-Liouville BVPs on [0, T]. The bijection occurs through the identification of GRD covariances with Sturm-Liouville Green's functions. Furthermore, every GRD x(t) can be formulated as a weak solution of its corresponding Sturm-Liouville BVP, where the interior forcing terms and the boundary forcing terms form a stochastic object whose covariance structure is determined by that of x(t). This formulation differs from the one presented in [20] in that it represents x(t) as the solution of its matching positive definite Sturm-Liouville BVP, as opposed to a Dirichlet BVP. Finally, for GRDs with a negative stress tensor [11], it is shown that the Sturm-Liouville BVP they satisfy can be reformulated as a fir...
Early On–Cardiopulmonary Bypass Hypotension and Other Factors Associated With Vasoplegic Syndrome

Background— Vasoplegic syndrome is a form of vasodilatory shock that can occur after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We hypothesized that the severity and duration of the decline in mean arterial pressure immediately after CPB is begun can be used as a predictor of patients will develop vasoplegia in the immediate post-CPB period and of poor clinical outcome. We quantified the decline in mean arterial pressure by calculating an area above the mean arterial blood pressure curve. Methods and Results— We retrospectively analyzed 2823 adult cardiac surgery cases performed between July 2002 and December 2006. Of these 2823, 577 (20.4%) were vasoplegic after separation from CPB. We found that 1645 patients (58.3%) had a clinically significant decline in mean arterial pressure after starting CPB (area above the mean arterial blood pressure curve >0) and were significantly more likely to become vasoplegic (23.0% versus 16.9%; odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.43; P<0.001). These patients were als...
WHEN SORT OF RIGHT IS NOT ENOUGH : A STUDY OF MEDICAL INTERPRETATION FOR MONOLINGUAL SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

In the last two decades, South Carolina's Latino population has more than quadrupled, from less than 31,000 individuals in 1990 to over 139,000 in 2005 (U.S. Census Bureau). This increased Latino presence in South Carolina has made the need for services to Spanish speakers more noticeable and significant to policy makers, academics, and the general population. The quote in the title comes from a clinic worker who explained that getting it "sort of right" with Spanish-speaking patients can cause harm. In recognition of this rising Latino presence, and the need to "get it right" in South Carolina, the state government formed the Hispanic/Latino Ad Hoc Committee to determine, and better respond to, the need for services in new Latino immigrant communities. Education, health, public safety, human rights, and transportation were among the vital services identified by this committee.
Fin dihedral effects on wing-body carryover for supersonic noncircular missiles

The aerodynamic effects of fin dihedral, Mach number, and fuselage cross section shape on wing-body carryover are investigated for supersonic, wing-body missiles at low angles of attack. A steady, three-dimensional, Euler code was used to numerically determine the normal force and center of pressure (CP) on infinitely thin delta wings in the presence of the missile body. The wing normal force is presented in terms of the component buildup parameter Kw(B)> a measure of the wing-body interference due to body up wash. KW(B) was found to be sensitive to dihedral, Mach number, and body cross-sectional shape. Fin dihedral influenced the wing CP for the inverted-triangular and triangular fuselage cross sections, but it did not appreciably affect the CP for circular, square, and diamond cross sections. For all fuselage cross sections, increasing Mach number moved the fin CP inboard. Changing the fuselage cross section from a circle to a diamond or triangle generally moved the fin CP outboard. Nomenclature a = shape factor (Appendix) M. = aspect ratio of wing formed by joining two fins CN]V(B) = fin normal force coefficient in presence of body (CNU)W = fin-alone normal force curve slope, deg"1 (CNU ) W(B) = fin normal force curve slope in presence of body, deg-1 KW(B) = fin-body interference factor due to upwash KQ = fin-fin interference factor due to sideslip
Perturbative treatment of collective particle-hole states in 40Ca and 48Ca☆

Abstract The effects of ground state correlations and core polarization have been included in the effective particle-hole interaction and transition moments by second order perturbation theory. Energy levels and transition probabilities of 3 − collective state in 40 Ca and 48 Ca were calculated in Tamm-Dancoff approximation and compared with the results obtained by using the random phase approximation.