cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary intraocular lens implantation after cataract surgery in children.

Purpose To report results of secondary intraocular lens implantation after cataract surgery in children. Methods We reviewed clinical records for a 5-year period of patients who had cataract surgery in childhood and received a secondary intraocular lens implant. We studied indications for secondary intraocular lens placement; surgical procedures for intraocular lens implantation; preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, refractive error, and binocular status; and complications of the procedure. Results A secondary intraocular lens was placed in 28 eyes of 25 patients who had cataract surgery in childhood. In 20 eyes, the lenses were placed in the ciliary sulcus. The other eight eyes had insufficient capsular support for an intraocular lens; in two, the intraocular lens was placed in the anterior chamber and, in six, in the posterior chamber with suture fixation to the sclera. Twenty of 28 eyes (71%) had measurable improvement in visual acuity; only one eye had a decrease in visual acuity of 2 lines. Fifteen patients (54%) had a final refraction within 1.50 diopters of the fellow eye; 21 (75%) were within 3.00 diopters. During follow-up, two eyes developed glaucoma. One had transient pressure elevation; one required two filtration procedures. Three patients required Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Six patients demonstrated Worth fusion at distance and near; three demonstrated 200 seconds of arc or better stereo visual acuity. Conclusion Secondary placement of an intraocular lens in the posterior chamber appears to be a safe, effective alternative for correction of aphakia in the contact lens- or spectacles-intolerant child or young adult.
The structure of the antigenic O-polysaccharide in the lipopolysaccharide of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O71:H12

The antigenic O-polysaccharide component of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Escherichia coli serotype O71:H12 was analyzed by chemical composition, nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, and Smith-type ...
Computation of fire induced flow and smoke coagulation

Mathematical models for the calculation of the dynamics of smoke and hot gases induced by enclosure fires are presented. The models predict the evolution of the size distribution of smoke aerosol under the influence of coagulation, as well as the large scale fluid motion and temperature fields. The calculations contair three main ingredients: a finite difference solution of a hydrodynamics problem, the computer evaluation of an exact solution to the aerosol coagulation equation, and a Lagrangian particle tracking scheme to imbed the coagulation dynamics in the hydrodynamics. The hydrodynamics model is a time dependent variable density, two dimensional, infinite Grashof number flow driven by a prescribed heat source. No turbulence model is employed; the large scale eddy motion is calculated directly from the equations of motion. The mathematical particles each represent a large ensemble of aerosol particles, distributed initially in size according to the experimentally observed Junge distribution. They are introduced into the spatial grid in a random fashion near the heat source. The subsequent evolution of the size distribution in space and time is calculated deterministically from the solution to the Smoluchowski equation for the size distribution and the Lagrangian equations of motion for the spatial coordinates. Sample results of the hydrodynamic and aerosol properties are presented. Comparisons between calculations and relevant experiments are shown.
Application of the 2013 American Urological Association early detection of prostate cancer guideline: Who will we miss?

The American Urological Association (AUA) published new prostate cancer (CaP) screening guidelines in 2013. We apply the guidelines to a retrospective cohort to compare tumor characteristics of those no longer recommended for screening with those who remain screening candidates. We identified cases of screening detected CaP (stage cT1c) in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database from October 2005 to December 2010. The 2013 AUA Guidelines were retrospectively applied to the cohort. Men were categorized into three groups for comparison based on whether or not they would now be recommended for CaP screening (Unscreened, Young Unscreened, and Screened). We compared clinical and pathological characteristics of CaP across study groups. A total of 142,382 men were identified. Screening would no longer be recommended for 40,160. Those no longer recommended for screening had higher median PSA (6.4 vs. 5.8 ng/mL, p < 0.01), more Gleason 7 and ≥8 CaP on prostate biopsy (36.4 vs. 34.8 %, p < 0.001; 12.4 vs. 9.2 %, p < 0.001, respectively) and slightly more Gleason ≥8 CaP (9.0 vs. 7.5 %, p = 0.03), and T3 tumors (17.3 vs. 16.5 %, p = 0.01) at prostatectomy. Nodal and distant metastasis rates were clinically equivalent among men screened and unscreened. Subgroup analysis of young patients (40–54 years old) no longer recommended for screening identified intermediate or high-risk Gleason scores at prostatectomy 57.6 % of the time. Features of CaP in men no longer recommended for routine screening are largely equivalent to if not worse than those in screened men.
Multidimensional Training System Evaluation using the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy

Many organizations employ training systems to reduce work-related low back disorders. However, the evaluation of training programs is often not satisfactory, mainly due to the complexity of training systems, the high costs involved, heavy reliance on trainee reactions, and little integration of outcomes-based validation. In this work, we used the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy to classify the learning objectives of a training program. These classified objectives were then examined to predict training performance, and were further compared with trainee reactions using multiple regression and correlation analyses accordingly. Results indicated that the classified learning objectives were better predictors of training performance than trainee reactions. Practical implications of the results are discussed.
Probiotics and Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The use of probiotics to prevent and treat a variety of diarrheal diseases has gained favor in recent years. Examples where probiotics have positively impacted gastroenteritis will be highlighted. However, the overall efficacy of these treatments and the mechanisms by which probiotics ameliorate gastrointestinal infections are mostly unknown. We will discuss possible mechanisms by which probiotics could have a beneficial impact by enhancing the prevention or treatment of diarrheal diseases.
N-acetylcysteine therapy for Unverricht–Lundborg disease

Unverricht–Lundborg disease is an autosomal recessive degenerative disorder (21q22.3)1,2 that begins age 6 to 15 with tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonus, and gradually progresses to include dysarthria, cognitive dysfunction, and ataxia. Most patients live long, disabled adult life spans with the average onset of disability 5 years after diagnosis.3 In response to an earlier case report4 suggesting dramatic improvement in tremor, somatosensory evoked potentials, and overall disability in a sibship with Unverricht–Lundborg disease, we treated a genetically confirmed patient who had moderately advanced disease with N -acetylcysteine (NAC) and were able to replicate similar improvements in ambulation and myoclonus. In this patient, we also documented a significantly reduced generalized seizure frequency and improved verbal output. The benefits have been sustained for 10 months. The patient is now a 40-year-old, left-handed man with a long history of genetically confirmed Unverricht–Lundborg disease. He has no predisposing factors for epilepsy except two second cousins with nonprogressive, …
Genetic predisposition and increasing dietary fructose exposure: the perfect storm for fatty liver disease in Hispanics in the U.S

tion (I148M; rs738409) in the PNPLA3 gene was associated with over 2-fold higher liver fat content in adults, with the strongest effect observed in Hispanics in whom the frequency of the variant was much higher (49%) than Caucasians (23%) or African Americans (17%). Importantly, these associations were not confounded by genetic admixture, lending support for the consistent effects observed across populations [7]. The function of this gene is not entirely known but has been reported to affect triglyceride hydrolysis in the liver. In addition, this variant is associated with severity of steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD [8]. We have recently documented the prevalence and impact of PNPLA3 on variation on liver fat in younger Hispanic children and adolescents [5].
Impacts of offshore liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals on local fish populations in Mass Bay

This study examines the effect of offshore liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals on local fish populations. Two LNG sites and two control sites in Massachusetts Bay were surveyed using hydroacoustics during June 2009. Each LNG site contains an identical subsurface structure, and is at the center of an 800 m radius zone where fishing is prohibited. Control sites do not have any structure or fishing restrictions. Hour long surveys were conducted on each experimental and control site on three different dates (6/8/2009, 6/15/2009 and 6/30/2009). This study investigates three main experimental questions. First we ask whether fish abundance increases with increasing proximity to structure. Then, we ask if there are significantly more fish overall on experimental sites that have structure and no fishing than on control sites where there is no structure, and fishing is allowed. Finally, we ask if trends in vertical distribution of fish occur on all sites and dates. Results indicate that there is no relationship between fish abundance and distance from structure. Overall fish abundance is significantly higher on one of the experimental sites (NEGB), but the other experimental site (NEGA) and the two control sites do not differ from each other. Additionally, significantly more fish were present on the third date of data collection. Finally, there was a distinct trend in vertical distribution of fish regardless of site or date. There were significantly more fish in the bottom 10.3 m of water than in other parts of the water column. Cumulatively, these results indicate that the Massachusetts Bay LNG structures do not have a significant impact on fish abundance or distribution, contrasting with previous reports of fish aggregation around other offshore structures. Instead, environmental factors and site location appear to have greater impacts on fish abundance than the presence of structure.
Hydrologic and land-use factors associated with herbicides and nitrate in near-surface aquifers

Selected herbicides, atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) metabolites, and NO 3 - were examined in near-surface unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers in the midcontinental USA to study the hydrogeologic, spatial, and seasonal distribution of these contaminants. Groundwater samples were collected from 303 wells during the spring and late summer of 1991. At least one herbicide or atrazine metabolite was detected in 24% of the samples collected for herbicide analysis (reporting limit 0.05 μg/L) [...]
Distributed decision making: a research agenda

Beyond the narrow objective of supporting individual problem solving, computerized decision support systems have a potential for more directly supporting decisions distributed across multiple participants. The realization of distributed support system potential depends on a clear understanding of distributed decision making. Here, we introduce the broad outlines of a conceptual, general-purpose framework for describing and studying distributed decision making. It provides a basis for addressing both the structure and dynamics of distributed decision making with respect to the three elements of individual problem solving, communication, and coordination. The framework provides a foundation for comparing, contrasting, designing, and managing distributed decision making systems which are jointly human-computer in nature. We offer a commentary on a variety of research issues that deserve to be investigated within the framework's context.
Subspace video stabilization

We present a robust and efficient approach to video stabilization that achieves high-quality camera motion for a wide range of videos. In this article, we focus on the problem of transforming a set of input 2D motion trajectories so that they are both smooth and resemble visually plausible views of the imaged scene; our key insight is that we can achieve this goal by enforcing subspace constraints on feature trajectories while smoothing them. Our approach assembles tracked features in the video into a trajectory matrix, factors it into two low-rank matrices, and performs filtering or curve fitting in a low-dimensional linear space. In order to process long videos, we propose a moving factorization that is both efficient and streamable. Our experiments confirm that our approach can efficiently provide stabilization results comparable with prior 3D methods in cases where those methods succeed, but also provides smooth camera motions in cases where such approaches often fail, such as videos that lack parallax. The presented approach offers the first method that both achieves high-quality video stabilization and is practical enough for consumer applications.
Interactions of PF3 and PD3 with clean, P-covered and H(D)-covered (100)-oriented W foil

Abstract The interactions of PF3 and PD3 with clean, phosphorus- and hydrogen(deuterium)-covered (100)-oriented W foils have been studied using TPD and AES. At 140 K, both dissociative and molecular adsorption occurs. Desorption and additional decomposition occur when the temperature is increased. Electron-stimulated desorption of F(a) is very rapid. The maximum amount of PD3 and PF3 decomposed is 0.5 and 0.18 respectively. At high coverages, PD3(a) decomposes first to PD(a) with Ed = 17.2 kcal/mol; then PD(a) decomposes to P(a) with Ed = 20.8 kcal/mol. Pre-adsorbed deuterium (hydrogen) does not block the adsorption of PF3 (PD3), but does inhibit slightly their decomposition. Dosing PF3 (PD3) on D/W (H/W) shifts D2 (H2) desorption to lower temperature by about 100 K. This shift is attributed to the decomposition of PF3 and PD3, which increases the crowding of the surface and induces desorption of H2. Surface P(a) blocks the adsorption and inhibits the decomposition of PF3. Each P(a) adatom prevents the decomposition of one PD3 molecule. Both pre-adsorbed P(a) and D(a) (H(a)) alter the TPD spectra of molecular PF3 by direct, weak interactions with the F. Effects of P(a) and D(a) on the π back-donation from W to PF3 may also play a role. Each P(a) adatom blocks four sites for D2 adsorption, but the activation energy for D2 desorption does not change.
STARS/LiBerACE: Segmented silicon and high-purity germanium detector arrays for low-energy nuclear reaction and structure studies

The Silicon Telescope Array for Reaction Studies (STARS) consists of large-area annular double-sided silicon detectors for charged-particle identification. The Livermore Berkeley Array for Collaborative Experiments (LiBerACE) is an array of six Compton-suppressed high-purity germanium Clover detectors for efficient detection of γ-rays. These detector arrays are versatile tools for studies of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections, fission, light neutron-rich nuclei, and other low-energy nuclear physics topics through transfer, fusion, incomplete-fusion, and inelastic-scattering reactions. The STARS and LiBerACE arrays and typical experimental configurations are described in detail.
Mutant forms of bcr-abl deficient in inducing abi degradation show different leukemogenic activity

Abstract Bcr-Abl elicits the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Abl interactor (Abi) proteins, a family of proteins that antagonize the oncogenic potential of Abl. Significantly, expression of the Abi proteins is lost in cell lines and bone marrow cells isolated from patients with aggressive Bcr-Abl-positive leukemias. To determine the role of Abi degradation in Bcr-Abl-induced leukemogenesis, we have mapped the sequences in Bcr-Abl that are required for inducing Abi degradation. The deletion of C-terminal proline-rich sequences (p185 Bcr-AblΔ924-1018 ) severely impairs Bcr-Abl-induced Abi degradation. The double deletions of the SH3 domain and C-terminal proline-rich sequences (p185 Bcr-AblΔ924-1018 ) completely abolish the degradation of Abi proteins. We then compared the leukemogenic activity of these mutant forms of Bcr-Abl to that of the wild type Bcr-Abl in a murine bone marrow transduction/transplantation model. Like wild type P185 Bcr-Abl , both p185 Bcr-AblΔ924-1018 and p185 Bcr-AblΔSH3Δ924-1018 transform mouse bone marrow cells with similar potency, as judged by factor-independent growth in an agar colony assay. The mutant forms of Bcr-Abl, however, showed different leukemogenic activity in mice. Mice reconstituted with wild type P185 Bcr-Abl transduced marrow cells developed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-like disease and died in 5–7 weeks after transplantation. The peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count of these mice was significantly elevated and the mice had enlarged spleens. Mice reconstituted with p185 Bcr-AblΔ918-1018 transduced marrow cells also died in 5–7 weeks. The majority of these mice, however, did not show the elevated WBC count or the spenomegaly, suggesting that they died of a disease other than CML. Furthermore, mice reconstituted with p185 Bcr-AblΔSH3Δ924-1018 transduced marrow cells survived much longer post-transplantation without the elevated WBC count. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Abi degradation is involved in the development of Bcr-Abl positive CML. Studies are now in progress to define the pathology of diseases caused by mutant forms of Bcr-Abl.
A Comparative Analysis of Criminal Investigator Training in the United States and West Germany

This paper describes criminal investigator training in the United States and West Germany. The paper includes materials from a survey conducted in December, 1984 of 133 police departments from thro...
Concomitant GRID boost for Gamma Knife radiosurgery

We developed an integrated GRID boost technique for Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The technique generates an array of high dose spots within the target volume via a grid of 4-mm shots. These high dose areas were placed over a conventional Gamma Knife plan where a peripheral dose covers the full target volume. The beam weights of the 4-mm shots were optimized iteratively to maximize the integral dose inside the target volume. To investigate the target volume coverage and the dose to the adjacent normal brain tissue for the technique, we compared the GRID boosted treatment plans with conventional Gamma Knife treatment plans using physical and biological indices such as dose-volume histogram (DVH), DVH-derived indices, equivalent uniform dose (EUD), tumor control probabilities (TCP), and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP). We found significant increase in the target volume indices such as mean dose (5%-34%; average 14%), TCP (4%-45%; average 21%), and EUD (2%-22%; average 11%) for the GRID boost technique. No significant change in the peripheral dose coverage for the target volume was found per RTOG protocol. In addition, the EUD and the NTCP for the normal brain adjacent to the target (i.e., the near region) were decreased for the GRID boost technique. In conclusion, we demonstrated a new technique for Gamma Knife radiosurgery that can escalate the dose to the target while sparing the adjacent normal brain tissue.
The 2013 ACC/AHA cardiovascular prevention guidelines improve alignment of statin therapy with coronary atherosclerosis as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography

The recently released 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines for management of blood cholesterol have substantially increased the number of adults who are eligible for preventive statin therapy. We sought to determine whether eligibility for statin therapy as determined by the 2013 ACC/AHA guideline recommendation is better aligned with the actual presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) as detected by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) when compared to prior guidelines including the 2004 NCEP ATP III and 2011 ESC/EAS guidelines. In this secondary analysis of the prospective observational ROMICAT I (Rule Out Myocardial Infarction with Computer Assisted Tomography) cohort study, we included all men and women aged 40-79 years presenting with acute chest pain but not diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome nor on admission statin. Based on risk factor assessment and lipid data, we determined guideline-based eligibility for statin therapy by the 2013 ACC/AHA, the 2004 NCEP ATP III, and the 2011 ESC/EAS guidelines. We determined the presence and severity of CAD as detected by CCTA. The 2013 ACC/AHA algorithm identified nearly twice as many individuals as eligible for statins (n = 77/189; 41%) as compared to the 2004 ATP III criteria: (n = 41/189; 22%), (p < .0001) In addition, the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines were more sensitive for treatment of CCTA-detected CAD than the 2004 ATP III guidelines [53.4% (42.5-64.1) vs 27.3% (18.3-37.8), p < .001] and the 2011 ESC/EAE guidelines [53.4% (42.5-64.1) vs 34.1% (24.3-45.0), p < .001]. However, the specificity of these guidelines was modestly reduced compared to the 2004 ATP III guidelines [70.3 (60.4-79.0) vs 83.2 (74.4-89.9), p < .001] and the 2011 ESC/EAE guidelines [70.3 (60.4-79.0) vs 86.1 (77.8-92.2), p < .001], suggesting increased treatment of subjects without CCTA-detected CAD. Overall, the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines are more sensitive to identify patients who have CAD detected by CCTA eligible for statin therapy as compared with prior guidelines, with an acceptable trade-off in specificity for recommending statin therapy in those without CAD.
A Map-Based Method for Geolocation in Multipath Environments

A geolocation approach applicable to multipath environments is considered that leverages map data and differential delays from channel impulse responses measured at one or more receiver locations. Measurements are made at one or more receiver sites without requirements for time synchronization. The approach requires knowledge of the receiver locations and plan-view map data that includes 2D outlines of major reflecting structures such as buildings. The approach can accommodate both cooperative and noncooperative sources, contingent on accurate estimation of differential delays contained within the channel impulse response. Simulation examples employing a map with multiple reflecting structures are considered to demonstrate the technique. Results are computed for a case involving the use of multiple simultaneous receivers that surround the source. Ambiguity regions are shown for up to five receiver locations, as well as for the combined results from all receiver ambiguity maps. Since the ambiguity regions with this approach are different than traditional ambiguity patterns, the technique can potentially be fused with other geolocation approaches to improve ambiguity resolution.
Irreversible inhibition of serine proteases by peptidyl derivatives of α-aminoalkylphosphonate diphenyl esters

Abstract Peptidyl α-aminoalkylphosphonate diphenyl esters have been synthesized and shown to be effective inhibitors of serine proteases. Extending the peptide chain from a single α-aminoalkylphosphonate residue ( k obs [I] =2.5−260 M −1 s −1 ) to a tripeptide or tetrapeptide derivative ( k obs [I] =7,000−17,000 M −1 s −1 ) resulted in 65–2800 improvement in inhibitory potency and increased specificity. The rate of inactivation of chymotrypsin by MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-HNCH (CH2Ph) P (O) (OPh)2 was decreased 5 fold in the presence of the substrate Suc-Val-Pro-Phe-NA (0.119 mM). Phosphonylated serine proteases are extremely stable since the half-life for reactivation was >48 hrs for the inhibited elastases and at least 10 hrs for chymotrypsin.
Molecular site assessment and process monitoring in bioremediation and natural attenuation

A variety of modern biotechnical approaches are available to assist in optimizing and controlling bioremediation processes. These approaches are broad-ranging, and may include genetic engineering to improve biodegradative performance, maintenance of the environment, and process monitoring and control. In addition to direct genetic engineering strategies, molecular diagnostic and monitoring technology using DNA gene probing methods and new quantitative mRNA analytical procedures allows direct analysis of degradative capacity, activity, and response underin situ conditions. Applications of these molecular approaches in process developments for trichloroethylene (TCE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) bio-oxidation in soils, aquifer sediments, and ground-water treatment reactors have been demonstrated. Molecular genetic technologies permit not only the development of new processes for bioremediation, but also new process monitoring, control strategies, and molecular optimization paradigms that take full advantage of vast and diverse abilities of microorganisms to destroy problem chemicals.
Fundamentals of Plasma Polymerization

Abstract The plasma polymerization of ethylene is used as an example through which to discuss the elementary steps involved in forming a polymer in an electric discharge. The relationship of the experimentally controlled variables to the rate of formation of first generation active species is discussed. These species are related, in turn, to the overall rate of polymerization through a simple model. Two asymptotic conditions are discussed which correspond to minimal and total conversion of monomer to polymer. The dependence of polymer deposition rate on monomer flow rate predicted by the model is found to correspond very closely to that observed experimentally. The predicted effect of gas pressure on polymer deposition rate also agrees with that found experimentally.
Dynamical cooling of nuclear spins in double quantum dots

Electrons trapped in quantum dots can exhibit quantum-coherent spin dynamics over long timescales. These timescales are limited by the coupling of electron spins to the disordered nuclear spin background, which is a major source of noise and dephasing in such systems. We propose a scheme for controlling and suppressing fluctuations of nuclear spin polarization in double quantum dots, which uses nuclear spin pumping in the spin-blockade regime. We show that nuclear spin polarization fluctuations can be suppressed when electronic levels in the two dots are properly positioned near resonance. The proposed mechanism is analogous to that of optical Doppler cooling. The Overhauser shift due to fluctuations of nuclear polarization brings electron levels in and out of resonance, creating internal feedback to suppress fluctuations. Estimates indicate that a better than 10-fold reduction of fluctuations is possible.
AIRLINE NETWORK DESIGN AND HUB LOCATION PROBLEMS

Abstract Due to the popularity of hub-and-spoke networks in the airline and telecommunication industries, there has been a growing interest in hub location problems and related routing policies. In this paper, we introduce flow-based models for designing capacitated networks and routing policies. No a priori hub-and-spoke structure is assumed. The resulting networks may suggest the presence of “hubs”, if cost efficient. The network design problem is concerned with the operation of a single airline with a fixed share of the market. We present three basic integer linear programming models, each corresponding to a different service policy. Due to the difficulty of solving (even small) instances of these problems to optimality, we propose heuristic schemes based on mathematical programming. The procedure is applied and analyzed on several test problems consisting of up to 39 U.S. cities. We provide comments and partial recommendations on the use of hubs in the resulting network structures.
On using the cell discretization algorithm for mixed-boundary value problems and domain decomposition

The cell discretization algorithm is used to approximate solutions to self-adjoint elliptic equations with general nonhomogeneous Dirichlet or Neumann or mixed-boundary values. Error estimates are obtained showing general convergence. This provides the framework for a nonoverlapping iterative algorithm for domain decomposition. The domain of a Dirichlet problem is partitioned into two subdomains. Solutions on the two subdomains can be patched together to form a solution to the original problem provided the solutions agree across the common interface of the subdomains and the normal derivatives there have equal absolute values and are opposite in sign. We generate such a solution by alternating between imposing Neumann and Dirichlet conditions on the interface, with boundary data adapted from the results of the previous approximation. A posteriori error estimates show that we have global convergence provided computed interface errors are sufficiently small.
Haematological cancer: a step before the next leap?

The survival of patients with multiple myeloma has improved tremendously over the years. However, patients with disease that has relapsed and is refractory to thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib have poor long-term outcomes. The novel immunomodulatory drug pomalidomide now offers a new therapeutic option for these patients.
Erythromycin inhibits the assembly of the large ribosomal subunit in growing Escherichia coli cells

Erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics have been examined for their effects on ribosome assembly in growing Escherichia coli cells. Formation of the 50S ribosomal subunit was specifically inhibited by erythromycin and azithromycin. Other related compounds tested, including oleandomycin, clarithromycin, spiramycin, and virginiamycin M1, did not influence assembly. Erythromycin did not promote the breakdown of ribosomes formed in the absence of the drug. Two erythromycin-resistant mutants with alterations in ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 were also examined for an effect on assembly. Subunit assembly was affected in the mutant containing the L22 alteration only at erythromycin concentrations fourfold greater than those needed to stop assembly in wild-type cells. Ribosomal subunit assembly was only marginally affected at the highest drug concentration tested in the cells that contained the altered L4 protein. These novel results indicate that erythromycin has two effects on translation, preventing elongation of the polypeptide chain and also inhibiting the formation of the large ribosomal subunit.
Use it or lose it. Focus on: "sequential learning from multiple tutors and serial returning of auditory neurons in a brain area important to birdsong learning".

What is the long-term vocal effect of that year spent in France at the impressionable age of 2 yr? Will you be able to order a meal in French when you return to Paris 20 yr later? Yazaki-Sugiyama and Mooney (this issue p. 2771–2788) have looked at the neurophysiological correlates of such early auditory and vocal experiences in a songbird, the zebra finch, that was raised with two successive tutors during the most plastic period of its vocal learning phase. They recorded the neural activity of single neurons in a sensory-motor brain area called lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN) that has been shown to be crucial for song learning (Bottjer et al. 1984; Scharff and Nottebohm 1991). After exposure to the first tutor song, neurons were selective for the sound of the bird’s own immature song and, to a lesser extent, the sound of the tutor song. This selectivity, however, disappeared after the birds were exposed to a second tutor and learned to sing this song exclusively. At that point, the neurons became tuned to the sound of the new song. If the selectivity of these neurons is a neural correlate of the memory of either the vocal program or the sensory tutor experience, these memories seem to be completely erased and replaced by new ones. In other words, on your return trip to Paris, you would have forgotten all the French sentences that you could produce fluently a sa3y rold. Tutor-driven vocal learning is a complex task that involves the interaction of a purely sensory task, the recognition and memorization of the tutor’s vocalization, with a sensory-motor task, the production, perception, and modification of the pupil’s own vocal output. For learning to occur, both the motor program and the sensory template must be stored in the brain. Whether these memories are stored in distinct brain areas and how these templates interact remain a puzzle. If one adds the additional complication of multiple sensory and vocal learning experiences, the problem becomes daunting. Thus, to study how multiple auditory/vocal memories are stored and the extent to which such memories persevere requires particular care both in the experimental design and in the interpretation of the results. The study by Yazaki and Mooney makes a considerable
Plating of a Periarticular Medial Clavicle Fracture

This article describes a case of a 23-year-old man who sustained a far medial fracture dislocation of the medial clavicle. We performed an open reduction and internal fixation of the fragment back to the remaining medial fragment using a small locking plate. This fracture can be problematic and usually requires reduction due to the potential vascular or airway compromise. Because the fracture often occurs at the medial physis, it is difficult to secure in place to prevent displacement. Historically, fixation of this fracture has been problematic with sutures and K-wires. Failure of fixation and migration of K-wires have been reported. In the past, plates have been inadequate or too large for this area to provide fixation. With the development of locking plates, a fixed-angle construct can be created to secure a small periarticular portion of bone as in the distal radius. In our case, the small distal radius locking plate was able to secure the lateral shaft to the medial piece with good stability in the medial clavicle. We were able to get multiple screws in the medial fragment in a low-profile plate. Postoperatively, the patient was permitted to use his arm for most activities but was restricted from pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy objects for 4 weeks. He recovered well and returned to normal activities of daily living with no restriction. Therefore, these plates may have a role in fixation of periarticular fractures.
Low temperature water–gas shift: Differences in oxidation states observed with partially reduced Pt/MnOX and Pt/CeOX catalysts yield differences in OH group reactivity

Abstract The Pt–ceria synergy may be described as the dehydrogenation of formate formed on the surface of the partially reducible oxide (PRO), ceria, by Pt across the interface, with H 2 O participating in the transition state. However, due to the rising costs of rare earth oxides like ceria, replacement by a less expensive partially reducible oxide, like manganese oxide, is desirable. In this contribution, a comparison between Pt/ceria and Pt/manganese oxide catalysts possessing comparable Pt dispersions reveals that there are significant differences and certain similarities in the nature of the two Pt/PRO catalysts. With ceria, partial reduction involves reduction of the oxide surface shell, with Ce 3+ at the surface and Ce 4+ in the bulk. In the case of manganese oxide, partial reduction results in a mixture of Mn 3+ and Mn 2+ , with Mn 2+ located at the surface. With Pt/CeO X , a high density of defect-associated bridging OH groups react with CO to yield a high density of the formate intermediate. With Pt/MnO X , the fraction of reactive OH groups is low and much lower formate band intensities result upon CO adsorption; moreover, there is a greater fraction of OH groups that are essentially unreactive. Thus, much lower CO conversion rates are observed with Pt/MnO X during low temperature water–gas shift. As with ceria, increasing the Pt loading facilitates partial reduction of MnO X to lower temperature, indicating metal–oxide interactions should be taken into account.
Cultivar dependent cultural refinements in potato protoplast regeneration

Abstract Calli raised from mesophyll protoplasts (p-calli) of three successful potato (Solanum tuberosum L. tuberosum) cultivars were constrasted with those of ‘Russet Burbank’ relative to their morphogenic capacity in vitro. Differential responses were recorded between the respective p-calli when they were cultured on standard Medium-C and Medium-D. For ‘Superior’, shoot morphogenesis was less inhibited by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) than for p-calli of ‘Russet Burbank’, and it took place on either Medium-C or Medium-D. Minor medium modification,viz. an increase in the amount of NAA, improved growth for p-calli of ‘Katahdin’ and ‘Bison’. With ‘Katahdin’, shoots developed on Medium-C containing elevated auxin and cytokinin concentrations but not on the standard medium. Reductions in the sucrose concentration of Medium-C prevented the detrimental expression of red pigmentation in p-calli of ‘Bison’ and generally improved their basic pattern of development. However, for this latter cultivar, shoot morphogenesis has not yet been observed.
An experimental study of hydrogen adsorption on simple metals: Al and Na

Abstract The interaction of atomic and molecular hydrogen with surfaces of Al and Na has been investigated with electron energy loss spectroscopy, thermal desorption, and work function measurements. After exposing these surfaces at T⩾ 100 K to H 2 , no evidence was found for adsorption of either molecular or atomic hydrogen; however, after exposure to atomic hydrogen, adsorbed H was observed. The adsorption sites, work function changes and desorption behavior are discussed in relation to existing theories using jellium and modified jellium substrates.
Broadband Redux: 2013

Abstract As the first major federal intervention in improving high speed access to a resource increasingly identified as necessary to contemporary life, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds devoted to broadband represented a new chapter in building infrastructure in the country and in moving toward a next generation of network connectivity. Though intended to understand what the stimulus funding accomplished as part of this special issue, we realized that it would take several more years to complete the funded projects and to assess their impacts. This special issue explores aspects of the ARRA investments in broadband, and offers some comparisons with earlier assessments collected in special issues in Government Information Quarterly (GIQ, 2003; 2006).
Influence of environmental stresses on stability of O/W emulsions containing cationic droplets stabilized by SDS-fish gelatin membranes.

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions containing small oil droplets (d32 ≈ 0.22 μm) stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)−fish gelatin (FG) membranes were produced by an electrostatic deposition technique. A primary emulsion containing anionic SDS-coated droplets (ζ ≈ −40 mV) was prepared by homogenizing oil and emulsifier solution using a high-pressure valve homogenizer (20 wt % corn oil, 0.46 wt % SDS, 100 mM acetic acid, pH 3.0). A secondary emulsion containing cationic SDS−FG-coated droplets (ζ ≈ +30 mV) was formed by diluting the primary emulsion with an aqueous fish gelatin solution (10 wt % corn oil, 0.23 wt % SDS, 100 mM acetic acid, 2.00 wt % fish gelatin, pH 3.0). The stabilities of primary and secondary emulsions with the same oil concentration to thermal processing, ionic strength, and pH were assessed by measuring particle size distribution, ζ potential, microstructure, destabilized oil, and creaming stability. The droplets in secondary emulsions had good stability to droplet aggregation at holdi...
A comparison of two area measures for detecting differential item functioning

The area between two item response functions is often used as a measure of differential item functioning under item response theory. This area can be measured over either an open interval (i.e., ex...
Duality of virtualization: simplification and complexity

In recent years, virtualization has gained much in visibility and importance in the information technology (IT) industry. Many analyst reports, including IDC [1] and EMA [2], indicated ever increasing number of companies deployed virtualization to their production environments. There is also tremendous momentum from industrial vendors in creating new virtualization enablers along with their management functions. Some vendors engage in activities of standardizing common abstractions for various virtual entities at different virtualization layers.
Cloning of the Human Skeletal Muscle α1 Subunit of the Dihydropyridine-Sensitive L-Type Calcium Channel (CACNL1A3)

Skeletal muscle contraction is initiated by release of calcium stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in response to membrane depolarization transduced by the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) present in the transverse tubule. The L-type VDCC purified from rabbit skeletal muscle transverse tubules is a pentamer composed of {alpha}{sub 1}, {alpha}{sub 2}, {Beta},{delta}, and {gamma} subunits. Here, we report the sequence of the human {alpha}{sub 1} subunit. 8 refs., 1 fig.
Activities of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against rapidly growing mycobacteria with demonstration of acquired resistance following single-drug therapy.

The susceptibility to ciprofloxacin of 548 clinical isolates of rapidly growing mycobacteria belonging to eight subgroups or species was determined. The 170 isolates of Mycobacterium fortuitum biovar.fortuitum were most susceptible; the MIC for 90% of the organisms was 0.125 micrograms/ml. The other biovariants of M. fortuitum, M. smegmatis, and the M. chelonae-like organisms were less susceptible; the modal MIC was 0.5 micrograms/ml, and the MIC for 90% of organisms was 1.0 micrograms/ml. The two subspecies of M. chelonae were generally resistant, with only 8% of 206 isolates falling in the moderately susceptible category (MIC, 2 micrograms/ml) and only 2% falling in the susceptible category (MIC, less than or equal to 1 micrograms/ml). MICs of ofloxacin averaged 1 to 2 dilutions higher than those of ciprofloxacin for all subgroups tested. Three patients with M. fortuitum cutaneous disease relapsed after an initial response to therapy with ciprofloxacin, and their isolate was shown to have acquired drug resistance. Mutational frequencies for M. fortuitum with ciprofloxacin were relatively high (10(-5) to 10(-7), and MICs for single-step mutants were similar to those for the clinically resistant strains. Thus, despite the excellent activity of ciprofloxacin against rapidly growing mycobacterial groups other than M. chelonae, single-drug therapy should be used with caution because of the risk of development of mutational resistance.
Modeling and imaging with the scalar generalized‐screen algorithms in isotropic media

The phase‐screen and the split‐step Fourier methods, which allow modeling and migration in laterally heterogeneous media, are generalized here so as to increase their accuracies for media with large and rapid lateral variations. The medium is defined in terms of a background medium and a perturbation. Such a contrast formulation induces a series expansion of the vertical slowness in which we recognize the first term as the split‐step Fourier approximation and the addition of higher‐order terms of the expansion increases the accuracy. Employing this expansion in the one‐way scalar propagator yields the scalar one‐way generalized‐screen propagator. We also introduce a generalized‐screen representation of the reflection operator. The interaction between the upgoing and downgoing fields is taken into account by a Bremmer series. These results are then cast into numerical algorithms. We analyze the accuracy of the generalized‐screen method in complex structures using synthetic models that exhibit significant m...
Victory at Pomona College: Union Strategy and Immigrant Labor

Despite the firing of 17 purported undocumented workers and bitter conflicts on campus, Pomona College’s dining hall staff overwhelmingly voted for UNITE HERE Local 11 in spring 2013 and approved a...
Fuchsian subgroups of lattices acting on hermitian symmetric spaces

We thank Michael Kapovich for pointing out that §3 of the preprint of this title posted on May 5, 2011 contains an error, where we state that certain self-intersections are trivial. As a result, the proofs given for the main results (Theorems 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3) in that preprint are not correct. As in the May 5 preprint, let G be either the group SL2(R) × SL2(R) or the group SU(2, 1). Suppose Γ is an irreducible co-compact arithmetic lattice in G and that Γ contains a Fuchsian subgroup Σ. In a later version of this preprint, we will study sufficient criteria for particular sets of Fuchsian groups of Γ to generate a subgroup of finite index. When G = SL2(R)× SL2(R) and Γ and Σ are as above, it is well known that a finite set of conjugates of Σ suffices to generate a subgroup of finite index in Γ. Indeed, Margulis’s Normal Subgroup Theorem [1, Theorem A, Chapter VIII] applies, since G has real rank two, and implies that the normal closure of a Fuchsian subgroup of a lattice is again a lattice. Since lattices are finitely generated, a finite number of these conjugates suffices to generate a lattice inside Γ. We do not now know, however, whether a finite set of conjugates of Σ generates a subgroup of finite index in Γ when G = SU(2, 1).
Investigation of Solution and Vapor Phase Mediated Phase Transformation in Thiamine Hydrochloride

ABSTRACT Thiamine hydrochloride (THCl) can exist as an anhydrate (AH), a hemihydrate (HH) and as a nonstoichiometric hydrate (NSH) where the water content can range between 0 and ~1 mole of water per mole of THCl. We have investigated the NSH → HH phase transformation, in the presence of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), following (i) wet massing, (ii) fluid- bed granulation, and (iii) exposure to water vapor (40°C/75% RH). Based on Raman spectroscopy (40°C), wet massing of NSH alone caused near complete transformation to HH in
Compositional Analysis and Electrical Property Measurements of CW Laser-Annealed InSb

Characteristics of CW Ar-ion laser annealed InSb has been studied; properties include stoichiometric composition analysis and electrical C-V measurements. The stoichiometry compositions of laser-annealed samples at different power levels and scan speeds have been studied using an electron microprobe technique. Results were compared with electrical C-V measurements using MOS structures.
Lattice and trellis quantization with lattice- and trellis-bounded codebooks-High-rate theory for memoryless sources

High-rate lattice and trellis quantizers for nonuniform sources are introduced and analyzed. The performance of these quantizers is determined by two separable quantities, the granular gain and the boundary gain, which are determined by the shapes of the granular cells and of the support region, respectively. The granular gain and boundary gain are the duals of shaping and coding gain in data transmission applications. Using this duality, it is shown for Gaussian sources that the ultimate achievable boundary gain with high-rate lattice-bounded lattice codebooks is the same as the ultimate gain that can be obtained from variable-rate entropy coding. It is observed that if lattice codebooks can achieve the ultimate granular gain of 0.255 b per dimension, then lattice-bounded lattice codebooks can approach the rate-distortion limit. The performance of lattice quantizers is compared to that of optimum vector quantizers. >