cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential repair and recombination of psoralen damaged plasmid DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Psoralen photoreaction with DNA produces interstrand crosslinks, which require the activity of excision and recombinational pathways for repair. Yeast replicating plasmids, carrying the HIS3, TRP1, and URA3 genes, were photoreacted with psoralen in vitro and transfected into Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Repair was assayed as the relative transformation efficiency. A recombination-deficient rad52 strain was the least efficient in the repair of psoralen-damaged plasmids; excision repair-deficient rad1 and rad3 strains had repair efficiencies intermediate between those of rad52 and RAD cells. The level of repair also depended on the conditions of transformant selection; repair was more efficient in medium lacking tryptophan than in medium from which either histidine or uracil was omitted. The plasmid repair differential between these selective media was greatest in rad1 cells, and depended on RAD52. Plasmid-chromosome recombination was stimulated by psoralen damage, and required RAD52 function. Chromosome to plasmid gene conversion was seen most frequently at the HIS3 locus. In RAD and rad3 cells, the majority of the conversions were associated with plasmid integration, while in rad1 cells most were non-crossover events. Plasmid to chromosome gene conversion was observed most frequently at the TRP1 locus, and was accompanied by plasmid loss.
Visual Evoked Responses as a Monitor of Intracranial Pressure During Hyperosmolar Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption

Intracarotid mannitol (HBBBD = hyperosmotic BBB disruption) as a method of transiently increasing solute/drug delivery to brain parenchyma has been associated in animals with a 1-2% increase in brain water and an increase in cisternal ICP. To determine whether these changes are clinically significant, we investigated ICP changes associated with HBBBD in 33 patients with malignant brain tumor utilizing flash VERs in which the N2 latency correlates well with ICP (N2 j 80 ms linearly corresponds to ICP j 20 cm H2O). VERs were obtained prior to, 4 and 24 h after 114 HBBBD/ chemotherapy procedures. Additionally, in 10 patients (37 HBBBDs), VER monitoring was performed during the procedure. In 112/150 (75%) HBBBDs, good barrier opening was obtained (radionuclide brain scan). Postoperative mean N2 latencies did not differ significantly from pre-HBBBD values (N2 = 86 ± 3.3 pre, 90 ± 3.0 / 4 h, 87 ± 3.6 / 24 h); there was no significant difference in N2 latencies in those patients with good vs poor BBBD. In the 10 patients monitored during HBBBD, peak N2 latency = 94.9 ± 1.6, however, was significantly above pre- and post-HBBBD values (p < 0.04). We conclude that flash VERs are a useful noninvasive measure of ICP, and that HBBBD is associated with mild transient increase in ICP which is not clinically detrimental.
Wound-Healing Issues Following Rotational Ankle Fracture Surgery: Predictors and Local Management Options.

Background. The incidence and risk factors of wound-healing complications following rotational ankle fracture surgery are well documented in the literature. However, there is a paucity regarding ma...
A Hybrid Algorithm for Electromagnetic Optimization Utilizing Neural Networks

We propose a hybrid algorithm for electromagnetic optimization. The algorithm combines the genetic algorithm and gradient based optimization, leveraging the power of neural networks in both. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated using antenna and microwave filter design examples.
Low thalamostriate venous quantitative susceptibility measurements correlate with higher presenting NIH stroke scale score in emergent large vessel occlusion stroke.

ObjectiveHyperacute stroke affects various patient subgroups who may benefit from different management strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a re...
The Spread of Tropical Storm Tracks in Three Versions of NCEP’s Global Ensemble Model: Focus on Hurricane Edouard (2014)

AbstractSince 2012, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) has undergone two major upgrades. Version 11 was introduced in December 2015, with a n...
Evaluation of the Frequency of "Not Relevant" Responses on the Dermatology Life Quality Index by Sociodemographic Characteristics of Patients With Psoriasis.

Importance “Not relevant” responses (NRRs) on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) are common among patients with psoriasis and may be associated with an underestimation of disease severity. Objective To evaluate the associations between (1) patient sociodemographic characteristics and the frequency of NRRs on the DLQI and (2) NRR frequency and treatment satisfaction. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study using data from the Dermatology Clinical Effectiveness Research Network from February 2010 to June 2011 assessed the responses on the DLQI of 1733 patients with psoriasis. Main Outcomes and Measures Differences in the frequency of NRRs by sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, income, educational attainment, marital status, and employment status were evaluated using the 2-tailed χ2test. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and having at least 1 NRR. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between having a DLQI score reclassified from 10 or less to more than 10 using the DLQI-Relevant scoring modification and the scores on the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication. Data were analyzed between July 2019 and November 2019. Results Of 1733 patients with psoriasis, 879 (50.7%) were female, and 1470 (84.8%) were non-Hispanic white individuals. The DLQI items 6 (sport, 223 patients [12.9%]), 9 (sexual difficulties, 214 patients [12.3%]), and 7 (work or study, 126 patients [7.3%]) had the greatest frequency of NRRs. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48-0.82) and income of more than $100 000 (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.79) were associated with decreased odds of NRRs. By contrast, single (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.31-2.61) or widowed or divorced (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.80-3.74) marital status and unemployed or disabled employment status (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.35-2.89) were associated with increased odds of NRRs. Having a DLQI score that would be reclassified from 10 or less to more than 10 using the DLQI-Relevant scoring modification was associated with lower global satisfaction scores on the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (coefficient, −9.8; 95% CI, −16.3 to −3.4). Conclusions and Relevance There were sociodemographic differences in the frequency of NRRs on the DLQI among this cohort of patients with psoriasis. These differences may be associated with an underestimation of disease burden and treatment disparities owing to subsequent undertreatment among certain sociodemographic groups. Further study is needed to optimize the quality-of-life assessment among patients with psoriasis or other inflammatory skin diseases in diverse settings.
Ventricular Assist Device Therapy and Fontan: A Story of Supply and Demand

The last 10 years have seen an increase in the number of Fontan patients with heart failure. There has been a coincident rapid evolution in the field of pediatric and congenital heart disease ventricular assist device therapy. Herein, we describe the existing body of literature regarding the use of ventricular assist device therapy in the Fontan circulation as well as the current approach to clinical decision-making and device implantation within the field.
The Newest on the New Deal

This paper is a written version of the keynote speech presented at the Economic and Business History Society conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 26, 2017. I summarize existing research on the distribution and impact of New Deal spending and lending programs and also discuss several new strains of New Deal research.
At-home self-collection of saliva, oropharyngeal swabs and dried blood spots for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and serology: Post-collection acceptability of specimen collection process and patient confidence in specimens.

BACKGROUND: Options to increase the ease of testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection and immune response are needed. Self-collection of diagnostic specimens at home offers an avenue to allow people to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection or immune response without traveling to a clinic or laboratory. Before this study, survey respondents indicated willingness to self-collect specimens for COVID-related tests, but hypothetical willingness can differ from post-collection acceptability after participants collect specimens. METHODS: 153 US adults were enrolled in a study of the willingness and feasibility of patients to self-collect three diagnostic specimens (saliva, oropharyngeal swab (OPS) and dried blood spot (DBS) card) while observed by a clinician through a telehealth session. After the specimens were collected, 148 participants participated in a survey about the acceptability of the collection, packing and shipping process, and their confidence in the samples collected for COVID-related laboratory testing. RESULTS: A large majority of participants (>84%) reported that collecting, packing and shipping of saliva, OPS, and DBS specimens were acceptable. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) reported being confident or very confident that the specimens they collected were sufficient for laboratory analysis.There were no differences in acceptability for any specimen type, packing and shipping, or confidence in samples, by gender, age, race/ethnicity, or educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Self-collection of specimens for SARS-CoV-2 testing, and preparing and shipping specimens for analysis, were acceptable in a diverse group of US adults. Further refinement of materials and instructions to support self-collection of saliva, OPS and DBS specimens for COVID-related testing is needed.
Interbranch Information Sharing: Examining the Statutory Opinion Transmission Project

In 2007, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts revitalized a little-known program to “foster communication” between the judicial and legislative branches, enabling federal appellate judges to send to Congress, without further comment, opinions "that describe possible technical problems in statutes." In our view, such a program is sensible: The Judiciary is uniquely situated to identify problematic statutory text. But this protocol also gives rise to several questions, including, perhaps most prominently: What happened next? Did the appellate courts send any opinions to Congress? And did Congress respond? In this Essay, prepared for a symposium on judicial reform, we analyze and assess this statutory opinion transmission project. We set out the recent statistics for this inter-branch protocol and then describe in detail some of the issues identified and addressed by the courts and Congress. These data and examples suggest that this inter-branch protocol has indeed helped to foster communication between the Judiciary and Congress. But we also suspect that this communications channel is well below its capacity and, indeed, its utility. And so our proposal for reform is simple: We ask judges to send more opinions to Congress. To ground our reform, first, we think the Judiciary should further institutionalize the internal processes that helped to form this inter-branch channel in the first instance. Second, we think the Judiciary should presumptively transmit to Congress any opinion that identifies judicial disagreement over the meaning of statutory text, no matter whether that disagreement is evinced by way of a concurrence, dissent, or circuit conflict. These steps, we hope, will lead both to improved statutory text, as well as to improved inter-branch communication.
Legal Issues When Managing Public Roads Affected by Sea Level Rise: South Carolina

In South Carolina, sea level rise and sinking land surface means that the coastal areas of the state will experience a relative sea level rise ranging between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 feet in 2030, 0.75 to 3.2 feet in 2050, and 1.75 and 10.8 feet by 2100. These ranges are based on scenarios that encompass uncertainties about physical processes and about future levels of greenhouse gas emissions. They cover low rates of sea level rise and low greenhouse gas emissions to high rates of sea level rise and high greenhouse gas emissions to convey the future risks for the purpose of long-term decision making. Many communities are already experiencing impacts of recurrent flooding, sometimes called nuisance flooding, associated with “king tides” and meteorological events. For the state and county and local governments, sea level rise and increased flooding pose a significant, costly, and persistent threat to roads and highways. These natural disasters and chronic flood damages will inevitably encourage South Carolinians to reconsider the status quo of road maintenance and repair. Under projected sea level rise, repetitive or severe damages will lead to tough decisions about whether to decrease routine maintenance, transfer control of the roads to different government authorities, or abandon existing roads. Although the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) owns more than 50% of the roads and highways across the state, adaptation efforts related to road maintenance and abandonment can be expected to occur at both the state and local levels. The state, towns, cities, and counties have legal responsibilities to maintain roads, and they all certainly have an interest in ensuring that roads are safe and maintained. This white paper discusses how South Carolina law may impact local governments that are facing the effects of coastal flooding on their public roadways. The paper first outlines the statutory basis for road ownership and the duties that flow from such ownership. It then reviews potential causes of actions resulting from the breach of duties of maintenance and good repair. Finally, it addresses the procedural requirements for formal road abandonment and takings liability from loss of road access.
The association between anxiety and academic performance in children with reading disorder: A longitudinal cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between anxiety and overall academic performance (AP) in children with reading disorder (RD). This two-year longitudinal cohort study included 128 participants (aged 7-14 years) with RD. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the School Anxiety Scale - Teacher Report for the first year and the eight-item Spence Children's Anxiety Scale for the second year. AP was assessed by teacher ratings of progress in academic content areas, including reading, writing and math. Teachers completed evaluations every 3 months. We standardized all scores (to z scores). Multivariate linear regression models (adjusting for age, sex and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms) assessed the association cross-sectionally at each timepoint of survey completion. Repeated measures analysis using mixed models assessed the relationship longitudinally. Results from both univariate and multivariate analyses showed anxiety being significantly negatively associated with AP in children with RD, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Importantly, increased anxiety was significantly associated with reduced AP over time within an individual (adjusted β = -0.22, p = .002). This lends support to screening for anxiety disorders in children with RD. Future research should examine the directionality of this relationship, potential mediators in the pathway and whether interventions to reduce anxiety increase AP.
Prospective evaluation of 68Ga-RM2 PET/MRI and 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer

589 Objectives: Early diagnosis of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (BCR PC) after primary treatments remains a challenge; however, new prostate cancer specific radioligands have been developed and early results are encouraging. Here, we compare the gastrin releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) - targeting 68Ga-RM2 and the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) - targeting 68Ga-PSMA11. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 29 patients, 60 - 83 year-old (mean±Standard Deviation (SD): 71.34±5.73), who had both 68Ga-RM2 PET/MRI and 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT. 68Ga-RM2 imaging started 45.1 - 91 minutes (mean±SD: 55.84±11.01) after injection of 3.7 - 4.2 mCi (mean±SD: 3.98±0.13) using a TOF-enabled, SiPM-based, simultaneous PET/MRI scanner. 68Ga-PSMA11 imaging started at 45 - 107.9 minutes (mean±SD: 67.31±15.10) after injection of 3.5 - 5.4 mCi (mean±SD: 4.03±0.35) using a SiPM-based PET/CT scanner. The standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was collected in each patient in up to 6 lesions with the highest uptake. We compared the semi-quantitative measurements in the detected lesions grouped by location between 68Ga-RM2 and 68Ga-PSMA11. Results: Four patients had negative 68Ga-RM2 and 68Ga-PSMA11. 68Ga-RM2 PET/MRI identified 50 lesions (average SUVmax 11.40) in 21 patients with a mean PSA value of 8.41. Eight patients had negative 68Ga-RM2 PET/MRI; their average PSA value was 2.89. 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT identified 56 lesions (average SUVmax 13.49) in 23 patients with a mean PSA value of 7.97. Six patients had a negative 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT; their average PSA value was 2.72. A total of 48 lesions in 19 patients were detected by both 68Ga-RM2 and 68Ga-PSMA11. SUVmax ranged 2.46 - 77.07 (mean±SD:11.95±13.93) and 1.61 - 58.38 (mean±SD:13.80±12.37) for 68Ga-RM2 and 68Ga-PSMA11, respectively. 68Ga-RM2 PET/MRI detected 3 more lesions in 2 patients compared to 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT (all lymph-nodes); mean PSA value of these patients was 3. 68Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT detected 10 more lesions in 7 patients compared to 68Ga-RM2 (8 lymph-nodes, 1 lung nodule, 1 bone metastasis); mean PSA values of these patients was 3.69. The semi-quantitative measurements comparison is shown in Table 1. CONCUSIONS: 68Ga-RM2 and 68Ga-PSMA11 are useful radiotracers in the evaluation of BCR PC, with different localization of lesions but similar semi-quantitative measurements. In the age of personalized medicine and theragnostics, it is important to identify which patient will benefit from one class of radiopharmaceutical vs the other. Further evaluation in larger cohorts are needed to confirm our data.
Evolution of shade tolerance is associated with attenuation of shade avoidance and reduced phenotypic plasticity in North American milkweeds

PREMISE Mismatches between light conditions and light-capture strategy can reduce plant performance and prevent colonization of novel habitats. Although light-capture strategies tend to be highly conserved among closely related species, evolutionary transitions from shaded to unshaded habitats (and vice versa) occur in numerous plant lineages. METHODS We combined phylogenetic approaches with field and greenhouse experiments to investigate evolutionary constraints on light-capture strategy in North American milkweeds (genus Asclepias) and to determine whether colonization of shaded habitats in this heliophilic clade is associated with reduced plasticity and attenuation of the shade avoidance response. RESULTS Colonization of shaded habitats has occurred at least 10 times in this genus, including at least once in each major North American clade. Evolutionary transitions between habitats exhibit strong directional bias, with shifts from full-sun to shaded habitats occurring at least three times as often as the opposite transition. In field and greenhouse experiments, sun species responded to shade by increasing internode length, height, and specific leaf area, consistent with the shade avoidance response; paired shade species exhibited reduced plasticity overall, and only one trait (specific leaf area) responded to experimental shade. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that milkweeds colonized shaded environments multiple times using a light-capture strategy distinct from the ancestral (putatively shade avoidant) strategy, including a general attenuation of plasticity in response to variable light conditions. This pattern bolsters the notion that shade avoidance and tolerance represent divergent evolutionary strategies for maximizing performance under qualitatively different types of shade.
Tricritical Susceptibility in Ising Model Metamagnets and Some Remarks Concerning Tricritical Point Scaling

There are now several “metamagnetic” materials whose phase diagrams in the magnetic field—temperature (H—T) plane have been studied and are known to exhibit both first- and second-order phase transitions. Examples of such systems are dysprosium aluminum garnet (DAG),1,2 FeCl2 2,3 § and Ni(NO3)2 2H2O,5 with Neel temperatures of 2.53, 23.55, and 4.2°K, respectively. These are basically antiferromagnetic systems with extreme anisotropy so that they may be well represented by an Ising-like model. No spin flopping occurs at low temperatures— rather, the critical field induces an abrupt, discontinuous transition from the low-moment antiferromagnetic phase (where the order parameter is nonzero) to a high-moment paramagnetic phase (where the order parameter is zero).
Policy Making and the New Medicine: Managing a Magnificent Obsession

Scientific issues become - inevitably - political issues because of one principal fact: they put in focus the extent to which the government can restrict private medical research undertakings - either in the name of generational safety, morality or the public good. The multiple and varied concerns of applying the New Medicine, derived as such from the New Biology, conduce - essentially - to a suspicion continued reductionism in the biological analysis of humans will erode the notions of autonomy, dignity and personal integrity that have traditionally justified the constitutional protection of civil liberties. Driven by painful technologies and sciences, the new medicine runs the risk of being seen as no longer patient based. The ideal of philosophical reasoning and meanings for such ethical terms as responsibility, rights, duties, interests, beneficence and justice is mired often in confusion and conjecture. Indeed, many of the ethical questions raised from the development and practice of the new medicine are set within a blurred outline. Perhaps all that can be hoped for is that the Cartesian aspiration of reaching a clear and distinct idea be pursued with objectivity. And, from this may well come acceptance of an informed and educated societal obligation not to achieve all the good that can be achieved, but - rather - to effect all the good that can be done within the limits morality imposes upon the development and use of the technologies of the new medicine.
89 – Temporomandibular Disorders

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain is a common problem in the population. Its prevalence is highest among women of reproductive age. The course of TMD pain is typically chronic or recurrent. These disorders are best categorized as musculoskeletal pain conditions. Almost all persons who seek care for these conditions do so because of pain. Pain may be located in the temporomandibular joint region (arthralgia), in the masticatory muscles (particularly the masseter and temporalis) and associated soft tissues (myofascial pain), or, more frequently, in both muscle and joint structures. In general, the intensity and temporal characteristics of TMD are similar to those of back pain. Although not life threatening, TMD pain can be extremely disabling for some people and is associated with work loss, excessive use of medications and health care, and high levels of psychological distress. Women are more likely than men to experience TMD pain and more likely to become disabled if pain is present.
Noninvasive Diagnostic Techniques in Nephrology

Diagnostic procedures in nephrology and urology attempt to assess the functional and/or anatomic integrity of the kidney or the urinary tract. Most direct diagnostic procedures, e.g., biopsy, arteriography, or retrograde pyelography, are uncomfortably invasive. Such procedures, although revealing specific and often unique information, are neither universally applicable nor commonly required. Investigation of the renal system for most clinical purposes is usually indirect and noninvasive. Noninvasive assessment requires interpretation of data from serum samples, analysis of urine, isotope studies, and various imaging procedures, e.g., scintigraphy, sonography, and radiography. This review will concentrate on recent reports pertaining to examination of the urine, use of isotopes, and developments in various imaging techniques.
Probability of Attack by Southern Pine Beetle in Relation to Distance from an Attractive Host Tree

The pattern of southern pine beetle (SPB) attack was examined in two infestations in East Texas to determine the probability of host tree attack (PA) as a function of distance (X) from a recently attacked tree (pheromone source). In an infestation having a low rate of newly attacked trees per day and only a few pheromone sources occurring simultaneously, distance was a critical factor in determining^ PA. The probability decreased as In X, and was described by the regression model, P/t= 0.06757- 0.2583 In X. Distance, however, was less critical in a larger infestation which had multiple pheromone sources occurring simultaneously and a high rate of new trees attacked each day. Implications for pheromone control strategies utilizing SPB attractants are discussed. FOREST SCL 24:574-580.
Current and Future Challenges of Geospatial Semantic Web

Geospatial Semantic Web has the potential to improve the intelligence, flexibility, and usability of geospatial applications. In this chapter, we reviewed several applications of geospatial semantic web that we developed recently, which include a natural language interface for geospatial data query, a volunteered geospatial information system, a geospatial interface for transit network, and a spatial decision support system. The protocols, workflows, and algorithms used in the prototypes are covered in previous chapters, so this chapter focuses on the software libraries and the programming aspects of the implementations. The applications demonstrate the effectiveness of Geospatial Semantic Web in integrating data with heterogeneous semantics. Ontology constructs such as classes and properties can be used to map the definitions of the existing data sets to the domain and application ontologies in order to bridge the semantic gap between data sets.
The Historical Roots of Organizational Behavior Management in the Private Sector: The 1950s-1980s

Abstract Applications of behavior analysis in the private sector became visible in the late 1960s and early 1970s. By the 1980s, the field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) was a well established discipline. This article chronicles the people, events and publications that contributed to the formation of the field, beginning with the precursors in the 1950s and ending in the early 1980s. The contributions of individuals who have been honored by the OBM Network are detailed and emphasized. Although some historical accounts attribute the development of OBM to influences from traditional management fields, the present account, through documentation of the formative events, argues that the field developed in relative isolation from such influences, emanating primarily from Skinner's development of programmed instruction and the advent of behavioral applications in other settings. While application of psychology to the work place predated behavioral involvement, the primary force for the development a...
Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid Wastage in Resting and Growing Lymphocytes

Abstract The synthesis of 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA in human lymphocytes was investigated under resting conditions and at various times during cell growth induced by phytohemagglutinin. The currently accepted model for ribosomal RNA production in animal cells holds that both 28 S and 18 S subtypes are synthesized as part of a single 45 S precursor, thus predicting their synthesis in 1:1 molar ratio. Deviations from this ratio are taken to indicate rapid degradation, after synthesis, of one species in excess of the other. With the use of methionine-methyl-3H as a means of labeling newly synthesized rRNA, the following observations were made: 1. In resting lymphocytes about one half of the newly synthesized 18 S rRNA was immediately degraded, confirming a previous report. 2. Upon addition of the growth stimulant, phytohemagglutinin, the degree of rRNA wastage began to diminish almost immediately. The least degradation was observed after 6 to 7 hours of stimulation. 3. After 20 hours of incubation with PHA, rRNA wastage was still low, but had risen to a level significantly above that found at 6 to 7 hours. After 40 hours, at a time when maximal cell growth was in progress, rRNA wastage was almost as high as that in resting cells. 4. Addition of excess phytohemagglutinin during maximal growth did not reverse the wastage of rRNA. However, when the cells were permitted to incubate for 9 days, at which time growth activity was reduced to nearly resting levels, rRNA wastage was again promptly reduced by readdition of phytohemagglutinin. It is concluded that reduction of rRNA wastage is an early event in stimulation of lymphocyte growth, but that rRNA wastage is not incompatible with cell growth under conditions of elevated rRNA synthesis.
Application, network and link layer measurements of streaming video over a wireless campus network

The growth of wireless LANs has brought the expectation for high-bitrate streaming video to wireless PCs. However, it remains unknown how to best adapt video to wireless channel characteristics as they degrade. This paper presents results from experiments that stream commercial video over a wireless campus network and analyze performance across application, network and wireless link layers. Some of the key findings include: 1) Wireless LANs make it difficult for streaming video to gracefully degrade as network performance decreases; 2) Video streams with multiple encoding levels can more readily adapt to degraded wireless network conditions than can clips with a single encoding level; 3) Under degraded wireless network conditions, TCP streaming can provide higher video frame rates than can UDP streaming, but TCP streaming will often result in significantly longer playout durations than will UDP streaming; 4) Current techniques used by streaming media systems to determine effective capacity over wireless LAN are inadequate, resulting in streaming target bitrates significantly higher than can be effectively supported by the wireless network.
Rapid, Accurate Technique for Determination of Carbon Monoxide in Blood

We report a chromatographic technique in which a vortex method of gas extraction and a thermal conductivity detector are used to measure carbon monoxide in blood. This method has the advantages of a small sample volume (100 µl), a rapid analysis time (3 min), ease of operation, and a high correlation with results of the standard gasometric method over the entire possible range ( r = 0.999). The accuracy of this method (coefficient of variation) for measuring CO in human blood samples was 1.7%. With it, dissolved CO can be accurately measured, as demonstrated by the Bunsen solubility coefficient for plasma CO by this method of 22.0 ml of CO per liter of water per atm. (101 kN/m2) at 24 °C (theoretical value: 21.8).
Tissue penetration of amphotericin B in Candida endocarditis.

Treatment of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis with amphotericin B failed to sterilize blood cultures despite serum levels which were twofold greater than the in vitro minimal inhibitory concentration. Valve tissue excised at operation continued to yield positive cultures despite prolonged immersion in high concentrations of amphotericin. These findings suggest poor penetration of amphotericin B into the vegetations of fungal endocarditis.
Multichannel evoked potentials as voltage space trajectories

Multichannel brain evoked potentials can be represented as trajectories V(t) in n-dimensional voltage space, analogous to three-channel Lissajous trajectories (3-CLT). Equations of motion are developed based on an arbitrary number of dipole generators at arbitrary locations within the brain, and the properties of 3-CLT are generalized to the higher dimensional case. The trajectory is shown to be limited to k < n dimensions, and k channels are found to be sufficient for predicting the potential difference between any two points on the head, provided that an empirically determined set of linear functionals is known. A method for choosing the “best” m-channel montage (m ≤ k) is described, by associating with each montage an alternating m-tensor on Rk. Planar analysis of the voltage trajectories is generalized to the k-dimensional case, in which m-planes are compared using a mapping between the Grassman manifold and real projective space.
Soil aeration and growth of forest trees (review article)

Many forest trees exhibit reduced growth or are killed when the soil is low in oxygen. Anaerobic soil conditions are associated with flooding or compaction of soil but also occur commonly in soils of heavy texture. Reductions in height growth, leaf growth, cambial growth and reproductive growth of trees growing on poorly aerated soils are well documented. The amount of growth reduction varies widely among species and duration of anaerobic soil conditions during the growing season. Inhibition of growth is preceded by changes in physiological processes, including food, water, hormone, and mineral relations. Some species can adapt to soil anaerobiosis by (1) producing hypertrophied lenticels which assist in aeration of the stem and release of toxic compounds, and (2) growing new roots to replace loss of original roots under anaerobic conditions. The replacement roots assist in absorption of water and mineral nutrients and in oxidizing the rhizosphere and detoxifying soil toxins. Ethylene, together with other...
Pattern recognition and blind assay techniques applied to forensic separation of whiskies

Abstract One problem in forensic science is the detection of counterfeit whisky (specifically, replacement of the contents of a bottle). A simple, inexpensive forensic method is required which would reliably distinguish between samples of Chivas Regal, as an example, and samples of less expensive whiskies. Pattern recognition techniques were applied to the results of gas Chromatographic analysis according to the blind assay method. When the amounts of isoamyl alcohol and acetaldehyde present (as revealed in the chromatograms) were used perfect separation of the two classes of samples was possible.
Communication Wellness Check‐Up©: Age‐related changes in communicative abilities

Background: Subtle changes in communicative function may be an early sign of an underlying neurological condition. Although early detection is encouraged to prevent illness, decrease morbidity, and reduce disability, early detection does not typically include periodic cognitive‐communicative assessment. Aim: The goal of this research was to determine whether subtle linguistic markers in discourse production would differentiate groups of participants with and without cognitive impairment. Additionally, the relationships among participant variables, performance on standardised cognitive and linguistic measures, and performance on an experimental discourse production task were examined. Methods & Procedures: A total of 30 neurologically healthy younger adults, 22 neurologically healthy older adults, 10 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 10 persons with neurological damage (PWND) participated in the study. A discourse production task, “Trip to New York”, and several standardised measures includi...
ADRENOCORTICAL TUMORS (ACT) IN CHILDREN: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISEASE STAGE AND OUTCOME

A staging system (SS) for childhood ACT has not been described previously. Based on tumor (tu) resectability and size which have been correlated with outcome, we devised a SS for ACT. Stage I: Tu totally excised and volume (vol) 200 cm, or tu spillage during surgery, Stage III: Gross residual tu; and Stage IV: Distant metastasis. To the relationship between SS and outcome, 58 consecutive cases of ACT treated at DP, between 1967 and 1991 were studied. The median age of the 17 boys and 41 girls was 3.6yr. To date, 30 (51%) pts are living disease-free; 24 died from ACT and 4 were lost to follow-up. Univariate analysis which included several relevant clinical and laboratory features disclosed that SS, virilization or mixed clinical types, histology and tu vol were each associated with outcome; also (by Cox regression analysts) that only SS (p = 0,0001) and mixed type (p=0.01) were independently associated with outcome. We conelude the SS as used in this study is highly correlated with outcome.
The Relationship between HRM Practices and Organizational Performance in the Public Sector: Focusing on Mediating Roles of Work Attitudes

Using the 2011 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), this study analyzes HRM practices based on high-performance work systems (HPWS) in federal-level public sector organizations, and the effects on employees' work attitudes and organizational performance. The authors argue that HRM practices contribute to increased organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior, and job involvement, and that these work attitudes are positively related to organizational performance. Evidence is presented to suggest that work attitudes mediate relationships between HRM practices and organizational performance, with certain HRM practices being associated with improved work attitudes. Implications for future research are also discussed.
A blackboard architecture for learning

Abstract A subclass of knowledge intensive problems is identified wherein the problems are transient in nature but still benefit from the application of expertise. The authors denote these problmes as Episodic Classification Problems and detail the evolution of a blackboard-based approach, first as an architecture and then as a prototype application, used to solve this class of problems. They note that, while some system changes are required to accomodate the nature of the application being addressed, similarities over the problems lend themselves to a generalized solutions.
Systemic mastocytosis associated with t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia.

Although KIT mutations are present in 20–25% of cases of t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), concurrent development of systemic mastocytosis (SM) is exceedingly rare. We examined the clinicopathologic features of SM associated with t(8;21)(q22;q22) AML in ten patients (six from our institutions and four from published literature) with t(8;21) AML and SM. In the majority of these cases, a definitive diagnosis of SM was made after chemotherapy, when the mast cell infiltrates were prominent. Deletion 9q was an additional cytogenetic abnormality in four cases. Four of the ten patients failed to achieve remission after standard chemotherapy and seven of the ten patients have died of AML. In the two patients who achieved durable remission after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, recipient-derived neoplastic bone marrow mast cells persisted despite leukemic remission. SM associated with t(8;21) AML carries a dismal prognosis; therefore, detection of concurrent SM at diagnosis of t(8;21) AML has important prognostic implications.
Pathology of Taenia taeniaeformis infection in the rat: gastrointestinal changes.

Abstract The development of morphological changes in the stomach and small intestine of rats was observed for 75 days post infection (DPI) after oral infection with 1000 or 2000 eggs of Taenia taeniaeformis. Increases in size of both organs, due to mucosal hyperplasia, occurred earlier and tended to be more extreme in rats with the heaviest hepatic metacestode infections, although this was not always the case. Stomach weight increased up to 20-fold. Irregular proliferation of mucous epithelium and stroma of the lamina propria produced dramatic papillary and cystic thickening of the gastric mucosa with excessive mucus production. Weight and mucosal thickness of the small intestine doubled with little change in architecture or villus-crypt ratio of 2:1. Intestinal mast cell numbers increased throughout the observation period and were highest in the duodenum of heavily infected rats. In contrast, intestinal eosinophil numbers reached a peak between 30 and 40 DPI and then declined, in parallel with peripheral blood eosinophil counts. The implications of these gastrointestinal changes caused by a hepatic metacestode are discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms whereby they are produced and their significance in the host-parasite relationship.
A response to the expert committee's recommendations on the assessment, prevention, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity.

In 2007, the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity released guidelines1 to help physicians prevent and treat childhood obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other members of the Expert Committee should be commended for recognizing the gravity of the childhood obesity epidemic and for devoting resources in an attempt to address this problem. The guidelines are concrete, clear, and specific; provide quantifiable and measurable criteria by which they should be applied; and differentiate between the needs of normal weight, overweight, and obese children. In addition, the Expert Committee should be applauded for explicitly advocating for the regular and routine assessment of dietary patterns and physical activity levels of all children and not just those who are identified as being overweight or obese. Despite these strengths, the recommendations are insufficient in several ways. First, some of the recommendations may be too vague for physicians to apply in their practices. For instance, the recommendation that “all physicians should address weight management and lifestyle issues with all patients”1 should be accompanied or supplemented by specific examples of how weight management … Address correspondence to: Jennifer J. Bowdoin, MS, 85 Edgewood Avenue, Cranston, RI 02905. E-mail: jbowdoin{at}schoolph.umass.edu
Relationality in Kohut's psychology of the self

In this essay, I will posit that Kohut's psychology of the self portrays relationality and that its relationality can be categorized into the explicit aspects. I will also put forth the six aspects of relationality contained in Kohut's psychology of the self as relational, dynamic, wholistic, unilateral, mutual, and doxological and they can be summarized as following: (1) Relational: Narcissism is not self-love but is a particular kind of object relationship; (2) Dynamic: The most central self is dynamic or agentic and not defined in substantival attributes; (3) Wholistic: The whole of the self is important; (4) Unilateral: In order for one's self to develop, one is in need of and at the receptive end of another's empathy; (5) Mutual: Others’ empathy is needed in maintaining the health of the developed selves; and (6) Doxological: Joy and thanksgiving are natural expression of developed selves.
Interleukin-8 Suppresses the Toxicity and Antitumor Effect of Interleukin-2

The clinical application of interleukin-2 (IL-2) for the treatment of certain human malignancies has shown promise. However, the use of IL-2 in immunotherapeutic protocols has been limited due to its associated toxicities. The administration of therapeutic doses of IL-2 results in a vascular leak syndrome with associated multiple system organ edema, hypotension, and respiratory, renal, and hepatic dysfunction. Previous studies suggest that the mechanism of these toxicities involves the activation of both immune effector cells and the microvascular endothelium with resultant leukocyte-vessel wall interaction, endothelial cell injury, and subsequent invasion of normal tissues by activated leukocytes. Recently it has been demonstrated that interleukin-8 (IL-8) will inhibit leukocyte adherence to an activated endothelium. Thus, we hypothesized that IL-8 would ameliorate IL-2-evoked detrimental effects. We also investigated the influence of IL-8 on IL-2-induced antitumor efficacy. Four groups of nontumored, female, C57BL/6 mice and four groups of C57BL/6 mice with pulmonary metastases from a 3-methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (MCA-105) were treated every 6 hr for 4 days by intraperitoneal injections of IL-2 alone, IL-2 and IL-8, IL-8 alone, or an equal volume of saline which served as our control. Upon completion of therapy, we found that IL-8 suppressed many of the IL-2-induced effects including multiple organ edema, hepatic dysfunction, leukopenia, and lymphocytic infiltration of normal organs. When the number of pulmonary metastases were counted 20 days after the cessation of therapy. IL-8 was also found to significantly ablate the IL-2-elicited antitumor efficacy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The relationship of tension‐free vaginal tape insertion and the vascular anatomy

Abstract Objective To describe the proximity of the major vessels in the retropubic space and anterior abdominal wall to the tension-free vaginal tape needle. Methods Tension-free vaginal tape needles were inserted bilaterally in ten cadavers. Dissection of the superficial epigastric, inferior epigastric, external iliac, and obturator vessels was performed. Measurements from the lateral aspect of the needle to the medial edge of the vessels were recorded. In an additional cadaver, three planes were created by placing a string from the midlabia to the shoulder, mid–biceps brachii muscle, and 6 cm lateral to the mid–biceps brachii muscle of the cadaver’s extended, ipsilateral arm. An operator, blinded to the retropubic space anatomy, passed the needle in these planes bilaterally. The distances from the needle to the external iliac and obturator vessels were measured. Results All vessels measured were lateral to the tension-free vaginal tape needle. The mean distance from the tension-free vaginal tape needle to the obturator vessels was the closest: 3.2 cm (range 1.6–4.3 cm). The mean distance from the tension-free vaginal tape needle to the superficial epigastric vessels was 3.9 cm (range 0.9–6.7); to the inferior epigastric vessels, 3.9 cm (range 1.9–6.6 cm); and to the external iliac vessels, 4.9 cm (range 2.9–6.2 cm). When the needle was directed 6 cm lateral to the mid–biceps brachii muscle, the external iliac vein was punctured. Conclusion The major vessels in the retropubic space and anterior abdominal wall lie 0.9–6.7 cm lateral to the tension-free vaginal tape needles. If the tension-free vaginal tape needle is laterally aimed or rotated, major vascular injury can occur.
Larval Period and Metamorphosis of the Three-lined Salamander, Eurycea guttolineata (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), in the Chattooga River Watershed

Abstract The larval period of the three-lined salamander was studied over an elevational gradient in the Chattooga River watershed of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Hatching, in late winter and early spring, occurred earlier at lower elevations of the watershed. Most larvae in populations at lower elevations metamorphosed in the first year, 5–6 mo after hatching, whereas those in higher elevation populations overwintered and metamorphosed early in their second year after a 14–15 mo larval period. Contrary to expectation, we found no definitive evidence that this difference stemmed from variation in first-year larval growth. Moreover, the larval habitats (bogs, pools along sluggish streams) showed no variation in temperature associated with elevation. However, mid to late summer drying occurred in both lower elevation habitats, but not in either higher site. We propose that the observed variation in larval period reflected the norm of reaction of Eurycea guttolineata to the degree of permanenc...