cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation on the Elimination Processes of Carbon Compounds in Hydrolysis Products of Aluminum Alkoxides by Evolved Gas Analysis-Mass Spectrometry

The thermal degradation processes of the remaining substances in the hydrolysis product of aluminum alkoxide were investigated with evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS). Different patterns of the process were obtained from the hydrolysis products with various temperatures which give different products. Concerning boehmite as a 90°C-hydrolysis product, the carbon compounds are eliminated below about 300°C, before dehydration from AlOOH to Al2O3 upon heating. Whereas in the case of a boehmite+bayerite mixture as the hydrolysis product at room temperature, dehydration from Al(OH)3 to Al2O3 takes place almost simultaneously with the elimination of carbon compounds below the temperature of dehydration from AlOOH to Al2O3.
Unmyelinated and small myelinated axons in rat ventral roots

The present study is an analysis of the ventral roots in the rat. The smallest myelinated fibers are found in segments T1-L2 and L6-S1. These fibers are regarded as preganglionic efferents and the L6-S1 outflow is more cranial than the sacral parasympathetic outflow in other animals. Large numbers of unmyelinated axons are seen in segments T1-L2 and L6-S1, the same segments that contain the smallest myelinated fibers. This data will be used as a baseline for determining the functional categories of the unmyelinated axons.
Test system for creation and trapping of low energy H− ions

Abstract An apparatus for in situ production of up to 100000 calibration H− ions per cycle for the cooling and launching region of the LANL g experiment has been developed. Hydrogen ions are detected at high sensitivity in an ICR trap by a marginal oscillator with a synthetic Q of 2000–4000 in the 2–4 MHz range. Differences in ion signal due to induced emf are observed and analyzed. A production and capture program for H− from H+ using a cesiated surface and switched trap potentials is described.
Hijack: Taking Control of COTS Systems for Real-Time User-Level Services

This paper focuses on a technique to empower commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) systems with an execution environment, and corresponding services, to support real-time and embedded applications. By leveraging COTS systems, we are able to reduce the potentially expensive maintenance and development costs of proprietary solutions. We describe a system called "Hijack" that enables user-level services to take control of features such as CPU scheduling, interrupt handling and synchronization. In contrast to other approaches that support real-time tasks within the kernel of commodity systems such as Linux, Hijack provides the basis for predictable thread execution at user-level. No changes to the kernel source code are required to support this approach. Instead, Hijack works by using a combination of kernel module support and an interposed execution environment between traditional process address spaces and the kernel. This technique enables system calls and hardware interrupts to be intercepted with bounded latencies via the kernel module, that passes control to a user-level real-time executive. From within the executive, system-wide services and policies can be deployed to over-ride certain features of the underlying kernel, while still leveraging base kernel services where appropriate. Using this technique, we show how a vanilla Linux system can be hijacked to support predictable service execution using a series of user-defined policies. In particular, we show how to deliver and process asynchronous events with bounded latency, using interposition agents within a Hijack execution environment. Results show that for realtime streaming applications, Hijack is able to receive and process packets with significantly lower loss rates and jitter compared to using alternative application-level processes for the same task
Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/Human T Leukemia Virus Type 1—Associated Myelopathy in HIV Type 1—Coinfected Patients

Background. Tropical spastic paraparesis/human T leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)—associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) is rarely reported in the United States. The causative agents of TSP/HAM are HTLV-1 and, possibly, its cosmopolitan variant, human T leukemia virus type 2 (HTLV-2). Among HTLV-1– or HTLV-2—monoinfected individuals, the estimated lifetime risk for development of TSP/HAM is <2%. However, it has been suggested that HIV/HTLV coinfection may increase the risk for development of TSP/HAM.Methods. A total of 2239 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—infected patients were tested for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection at the New Orleans Outpatient Clinic (Louisiana) during the period 1991–1998. HTLV-1—infected patients with suspected myelopathy were referred for additional evaluation.Results. Four cases of TSP/HAM (9.7%) were identified among 41 individuals with Western blot—confirmed HTLV-1 infection. The diagnosis was confirmed with use of molecular diagnostic assays and viral isolation. No TSP/HAM cases were identified among 65 patients with HIV—HTLV-2 coinfection. An additional patient with HIV—HTLV-1 coinfection also received a diagnosis of TSP/HAM at the New Orleans Veteran's Affairs HIV Outpatient Clinic (Louisiana). All patients had normal CD4 + T cell counts at the time of diagnosis.Conclusions. Given the high rates of HIV-HTLV coinfection in the United States, a heightened suspicion for TSP/HAM should be considered in HIV-infected patients who present with normal CD4 + T cell counts and myelopathy in the absence of other acquired immunodeficiency syndrome—defining conditions.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

This article focuses on the origins, development, and future of collaborative practice. The article begins with a description of how one attorney decided to change the way he practiced family law in a profound way. The article then describes how collaborative practice grew from one attorney in Minnesota to tens of thousands of attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial experts throughout the world during the course of twenty years. Finally, the article looks at the future of collaborative practice, including the challenges that need to be addressed and the possibilities for great expansion.
Denitrification in Marsh-Pond-Marsh Constructed Wetlands Treating Swine Wastewater at Different Loading Rates

Denitrification in constructed wetlands can be very important in the treatment of swine lagoon effluent when land application areas are limited. The objectives of this investigation were to determine (i) the denitrificationenzymeactivity(DEA)inthemarshsedimentsofmarshpond-marsh (MPM) constructed wetlands, (ii) changes in DEA with additions of carbon and nitrate, and (iii) the response of DEA to different wastewater N loading rates. Swinewastewater was applied to six MPM wetlands located at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, at rates of 4 to 35 kg N ha 21 d 21 . Soil samples were obtained from the top 25 mm of the marsh sections on four dates for determination of DEAvia the acetylene blockage method (blocked at N2O). Headspace N2O was measured via gas chromatography. In the control treatment, they ranged from 0.06 to 1.13 and 0.16 to 0.79 mg N2O-N kg 21 soil hr 21 in the first and second marshes, respectively. In both marshes, the DEA rate was significantly increased with the addition of nitrate but not by glucose,indicating that nitrate was a clear limiting factor for denitrification. The DEA in both the control and the amended treatments increased dramatically with increased wastewater N loading, and the increases were generally more pronounced in the first marsh. The DEA values produced in the absence of acetylene blockage did not increase with wastewater N loading rate. Denitrification enzyme activity levels in the marsh sections of the MPM were generally consistent with a highly denitrifying environment.
Organ cultures of fetal mouse ovaries. I. Light microscopic structure.

Ovaries from 16-day mouse fetuses were cultured as whole organs in a modified Eagle's medium for two through 45 days. In the course of the experiment a single layer of follicular cells resting on a basement membrane surrounded the majority of the surviving oocytes, resulting in unilaminar follicles. A small number lay in multilaminar follicles having two to three layers of follicular cells. No follicles with antra were seen regardless of the length of time in culture. Initiation of zona pellucida formation occurred after three days in culture. In general, the thickness of the zona pellucida was not as great as that around an oocyte of similar size in vivo. Some of the large oocytes attained diameters of 68–73 μ, which is within the normal range for fully grown mouse oocytes in vivo. Only one oocyte in all the cultures examined had a first meiotic metaphase spindle. In many follicles the initial step in degeneration was the migration of macrophages into the follicular epithelium and their attachment to the zona pellucida. The follicular epithelium often was completely replaced by an enclosing layer of macrophages; the oocyte in some such instances still appeared normal. Subsequently, the germinal vesicle became pycnotic and the ooplasm, PAS-positive. At the end of the degenerative process the zona pellucida appeared as an empty shell with macrophages attached to both its external and internal surfaces.
SAGE III capabilities and global change

The science objectives of the satellite-borne SAGE III are presented as they pertain to detecting global change. SAGE III is the proposed follow on and improved version of SAM II, SAGE I and SAGE II which have measured stratospheric and, in some cases, tropospheric species since late 1978. Specifically, SAGE III will measure profiles of aerosols, ozone, water vapor, nitrogen dioxide and trioxide, neutral density, temperature, clouds, and chlorine dioxide using the solar and lunar occultation techniques. These techniques are inherently self-calibrating, provide high vertical resolution, and use well-behaved data retrievals making them ideal for trend detection and global change studies. The potential capabilities of SAGE III are illustrated by using data and results from SAM II, SAGE I and SAGE II.
Suture Cost Savings in the OR

Materials management personnel at a health care facility in Baltimore, Maryland, were stocking too much suture. They stocked suture requested by surgeons or recommended by suture company representatives, and, because the facility is a teaching institution, they stocked suture requested by residents. No master suture database was available to determine what was needed and what was not. As a result, some suture was rarely used, which cost the facility money and took up inventory space. In response, I created a list of the existing inventory and coordinated with the specialty surgical service coordinators to determine which suture was typically used and in what quantities. I used this information to create a master list, with the goal of eliminating the purchase of suture that was not on this list. I gave the staff members and surgeons two months to assess the list and determine whether the suggested suture was sufficient for their needs. I then asked the materials management personnel to order and maintain suture stock based on the master list. This process took approximately four months and shows how health care providers can take a high-volume item, such as suture, and create cost-saving processes that will serve surgeons' and patients' needs while reducing costs and streamlining stock.
Emulation of a quantum spin with a superconducting phase qudit.

At the heart of a quantum computer is the device on which information is to be encoded. This is typically done with a qubit, a two-level quantum system analogous to the two-level bit that encodes 0 and 1 in classical computers. However, there need not be just two quantum energy levels. There could be three (a qutrit), or more generally, d -levels (a qudit) in the device. Neeley et al. (p. [722][1]; see the Perspective by [Nori][2] ) demonstrate a five-level quantum device and show that their qudit can be used to emulate the processes involved in manipulating quantum spin. The use of multilevel qudits may also have potential in quantum information processing by simplifying certain computational tasks and simplifying the circuitry required to realize the quantum computer itself. [1]: /lookup/volpage/325/722 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1178828
Identification of a Unique “Stability Control Region” that Controls Protein Stability of Tropomyosin: A Two-Stranded α-Helical Coiled-Coil

Abstract Nine recombinant chicken skeletal α-tropomyosin proteins were prepared, eight C-terminal deletion constructs and the full length protein (1–81, 1–92, 1–99, 1–105, 1–110, 1–119, 1–131, 1–260 and 1-284) and characterized by circular dichroism spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation. We identified for the first time, a stability control region between residues 97 and 118. Fragments of tropomyosin lacking this region (1–81, 1–92, and 1–99) still fold into two-stranded α-helical coiled-coils but are significantly less stable ( T m between 26–28.5 °C) than longer fragments containing this region (1–119, 1–131, 1–260 and 1–284) which show a large increase in their thermal midpoints ( T m 40–43 °C) for a Δ T m of 16–18 °C between 1–99 and 1–119. We further investigated two additional fragments that ended between residues 99 and 119, that is fragments 1–105 and 1–110. These fragments were more stable than 1–99 and less stable than 1–119, and showed that there were three separate sites that synergistically contribute to the large jump in protein stability (electrostatic clusters 97–104 and 112–118, and a hydrophobic interaction from Leu 110). All the residues involved in these stabilizing interactions are located outside the hydrophobic core a and d positions that have been shown to be the major contributor to coiled-coil stability. Our results show clearly that protein stability is more complex than previously thought and unique sites can synergistically control protein stability over long distances.
Acuity-matching resolution degradation through wavelet coefficient scaling

A wavelet-based multiresolution image representation method is developed matching human visual system (HVS) spatial acuity within multiple regions of interest (ROIs). ROIs are maintained at high (original) resolution while peripheral areas are gracefully degraded. Variable resolution images are generated by selectively scaling wavelet (detail) coefficients prior to reconstruction. The technique is equivalent to linear interpolation MIP-mapping which involves smooth subsampling (decomposition) prior to texture mapping (reconstruction). Multiple ROI degradation is achieved through wavelet coefficient scaling following Voronoi partitioning of the image plane.
ExsA and LcrF Recognize Similar Consensus Binding Sites, but Differences in Their Oligomeric State Influence Interactions with Promoter DNA

ABSTRACT ExsA activates type III secretion system (T3SS) gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is a member of the AraC family of transcriptional regulators. AraC proteins contain two helix-turn-helix (HTH) DNA binding motifs. One helix from each HTH motif inserts into the major groove of the DNA to make base-specific contacts with the promoter region. The amino acids that comprise the HTH motifs of ExsA are nearly identical to those in LcrF/VirF, the activators of T3SS gene expression in the pathogenic yersiniae. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ExsA/LcrF/VirF recognize a common nucleotide sequence. We report that Yersinia pestis LcrF binds to and activates transcription of ExsA-dependent promoters in P. aeruginosa and that plasmid-expressed ExsA complements a Y. pestis lcrF mutant for T3SS gene expression. Mutations that disrupt the ExsA consensus binding sites in both P. aeruginosa and Y. pestis T3SS promoters prevent activation by ExsA and LcrF. Our combined data demonstrate that ExsA and LcrF recognize a common nucleotide sequence. Nevertheless, the DNA binding properties of ExsA and LcrF are distinct. Whereas two ExsA monomers are sequentially recruited to the promoter region, LcrF binds to promoter DNA as a preformed dimer and has a higher capacity to bend DNA. An LcrF mutant defective for dimerization bound promoter DNA with properties similar to ExsA. Finally, we demonstrate that the activators of T3SS gene expression from Photorhabdus luminescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are also sensitive to mutations that disrupt the ExsA consensus binding site.
LOW-RESISTANCE JUNCTIONS IN EPITHELIAL OUTGROWTHS FROM NORMAL AND CANCEROUS EPIDERMIS IN VITRO

INTRODUCTION (Gilula et al ., 1972) . Studies of cancer cells, where coupling might be expected to be absent or diminished when compared with normal cells, have given conflicting results . Both normal and transformed fibroblasts have been found to be coupled in vitro (Potter et al ., 1966; Furshpan and Potter, 1968 ; Borek et al ., 1969) and it might be concluded that this aspect of cell function per se is not related to those aspects of a fibroblast's behavior that give it a "cancerous" Electrotonic coupling has been demonstrated between normal cells from a variety of tissues (see reviews by Loewenstein, 1966; Furshpan and Potter, 1968; Sheridan, 1970; Cavoto and Flaxman, 1972, Van Heukelom et al ., 1972 b), but the significance of this type of coupling is not yet clear. The passage of charged molecules from cell to cell implies a role in regulating some aspects of behavior, e .g. during metabolic cooperation
On partial protection in groomed optical WDM mesh networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of survivable network design in traffic groomed optical WDM mesh networks with sub-wavelength capacity connections. In typical survivable network designs, individual sessions are provided either full protection or no protection. We consider a quality of protection (QoP) framework where a connection is provided partial protection, i.e. when a link failure occurs on the primary path, the protection bandwidth provided on the backup path is less than or equal to the primary bandwidth. Each connection request specifies the primary bandwidth and a minimum backup bandwidth required. The network will guarantee at least the minimum backup bandwidth and, if capacity is available, higher backup bandwidth up to the primary path's bandwidth. The advantage of such a model is that it can reduce backup capacity requirements based on connection needs leading to lower blocking probability and lower network costs. We consider two scenarios: (i) a network with static traffic and formulate the problem of providing partial protection in groomed networks as an integer linear program (ILP); and (ii) a network with dynamic traffic that is analyzed using discrete-event simulation models. The results quantify the gain in blocking probability for different partial protection scenarios.
Targeted Replacement of Kv1.5 in the Mouse Leads to Loss of the 4-Aminopyridine–Sensitive Component of IK,slow and Resistance to Drug-Induced QT Prolongation

Abstract —The K + channel mKv1.5 is thought to encode a 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)–sensitive component of the current I K,slow in the mouse heart. We used gene targeting to replace mKv1.5 with the 4-AP–insensitive channel rKv1.1 (SWAP mice) and directly test the role of Kv1.5 in the mouse ventricle. Kv1.5 RNA and protein were undetectable, rKv1.1 was expressed, and Kv2.1 protein was upregulated in homozygous SWAP hearts. The density of the K + current I K,slow (depolarizations to +40 mV, pA/pF) was similar in left ventricular myocytes isolated from SWAP homozygotes (17±1, n=27) and littermate controls (16±2, n=19). The densities and properties of I peak , I to,f , I to,s , and I ss were also unchanged. In homozygous SWAP myocytes, the 50-μmol/L 4-AP–sensitive component of IK,slow was absent (n=6), the density of the 20-mmol/L tetraethylammonium-sensitive component of I K,slow was increased (9±1 versus 5±1, P 90 in SWAP myocytes was similar to controls at baseline but did not prolong in response to 30 μmol/L 4-AP. Similarly, QTc (ms) was not prolonged in anesthetized SWAP mice (64±2, homozygotes, n=9; 62±2, controls, n=9), and injection with 4-AP prolonged QTc only in controls (63±1, homozygotes; 72±2, controls; P I K,slow in the mouse ventricle and confers sensitivity to 4-AP–induced prolongation of APD and QTc. Compensatory upregulation of Kv2.1 may explain the phenotypic differences between SWAP mice and the previously described transgenic mice expressing a truncated dominant-negative Kv1.1 construct.
Excitation of the Hydrogen 21-CM Line

The importance of spin temperature for 21-cm line studies is reviewed, and four mechanisms which affect it are studied. Two of the mechanisms, collisions with free electrons and interactions with light, are studied here in detail for the first time. The results are summarized in Table II of Section VI, in the form of certain efficiencies which can be used with (15) to calculate the spin temperature. In Section VI the results are applied to a variety of astronomical situations, and it is shown that in the usual situation collisions with H atoms are very effective in establishing the spin temperature equal to the kinetic temperature. Under conditions of low-density and/or high-radiation intensity, however, important deviations from the usual are noted. The significance of such deviations for absorption studies of radio sources and the galactic halo is discussed. In Section VII the deuterium line at 91.6 cm is considered in like fashion. It is shown that for deuterium also, the spin temperature probably is close to the kinetic temperature.
Novel mechanisms for millimeter range piston actuation of vertical micromirrors and microlenses

Simulations and fabrication of two novel multimorph based in-plane actuator designs are reported. The ∼1mm in-plane displacement capability of the actuators is a two orders of magnitude improvement over existing designs. Possible applications include the piston actuation of vertical micromirrors and microlenses.
Keratin cysts in phalangeal bones. Report of an unusual case.

A patient with an instraphalangeal keratin cyst that became troublesome four and one-half years after removal of an enchondroma at the same site has been described. In addition, keratin cysts in bone reported between August 1923 and April 1967 have been analyzed according to the age and sex of the patient, location of the lesion, history of trauma, roentgen findings, treatment, and histopathological diagnosis. Regrettably, amputation was performed for twenty-seven of the eighty-four cysts recorded. Recommended treatment is excision of the cyst, curettage, and packing with bone chips.
Flood Prediction and Mining Influential Spatial Features on Future Flood with Causal Discovery

The development of accurate flood prediction model could reduce number of fatalities. In this paper, water level time series, spatio-temporal precipitation and hydrological data are used for flood prediction. Since our data is high dimensional and not all features are correlated to flood, our proposed algorithm is designed to find influential spatial features, or features at locations which are highly correlated to flood. With the idea that true causes, or highly correlated features to flood, should give accurate information about flood, our proposed flood prediction algorithm is based on Bayesian based causal discovery. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we propose a new causal discovery algorithm which is Bayesian-based approach with an optimization function for maximizing mutual information. Secondly, the proposed algorithm is applied to real-world precipitation and hydrological data to find influential spatial features on future flood in North Texas area. Flood prediction models can then be learned from selected features. Experiments on synthetic data confirm that our proposed algorithm is more accurate in finding true causal relationships than two competitors, Group Lasso and Markov2P. Experiments on flood predictions show that our approach has the best accuracy in almost all six lead time predictions. The accuracy and result visualizations also suggest that our proposed algorithm can find influential features to flood.
Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty improves congruence and restores joint space width of the lateral compartment.

Abstract Background Osteoarthritic progression of the lateral compartment remains a leading indication for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) revision. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the alterations of the lateral compartment congruence and joint space width (JSW) following medial UKA. Methods Retrospectively, lateral compartment congruence and JSW were evaluated in 174 knees (74 females, 85 males, mean age 65.5years; SD±10.1) preoperatively and six weeks postoperatively, and compared to 41 healthy knees (26 men, 15 women, mean age 33.7years; SD±6.4). Congruence (CI) was calculated using validated software that evaluates the geometric relationship between surfaces and calculates a congruence index (CI). JSW was measured on three sides (inner, middle, outer) by subdividing the lateral compartment into four quarters. Results The CI of the control group was 0.98 (SD±0.01). The preoperative CI was 0.88 (SD±0.01), which improved significantly to 0.93 (SD±0.03) postoperatively (p Conclusion Our data suggests that a well-conducted medial UKA not only resurfaces the medial compartment but also improves congruence and restores the JSW of the lateral compartment.
John Stuart Mill and Federalism

An examination of Mill and federalism not only fills a gap in the literature on Mill but also serves two additional purposes. First, it shows the interrelationship in Mill's thought of a variety of political ideals-participation, governmental efficiency, accountability, democracy and the role of elites. Secondly, it provides a historical dimension with which to evaluate the renewed interest in federalism
Characterization of the Microstructural and Piezoelectric Properties of PbTiO3 Thin Films Synthesized by Liquid-Phase Deposition

The microstructure and the ferroelectric properties of mirrorlike polycrystalline PbTiO3 thin films were studied as a function of the film thickness. Highly uniform PbTiO3 films were deposited onto LaNiO3-buffered (100) Si substrates by liquid phase deposition at temperatures as low as 45 °C. The as-deposited films are amorphous and can be easily converted into single phase PbTiO3 thin films upon a heat treatment at 750 °C in air for 6 h. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films have shown that they are chemically pure and adopt a tetragonal structure with the value of the lattice volume slightly smaller than that of the bulk material, indicating the presence of a compressive stress. This was furthermore confirmed by Raman spectroscopy by monitoring the variation of the positions of the soft optical phonon modes with the thickness of the films compared to that of those measured from a powdered sample. The E(1TO) and E(2TO) phonon modes undergo an upward shift and this shift decreases with increasing as the...
Making Common Interest Communities Work: The Next Step

A large and growing portion of the housing stock of America is located in common interest communities governed by owner associations. As they have become more prevalent, the legal challenges they present have become more apparent. These challenges begin with ascertaining the legal nature of common interest community associations, which occupy a space that lies somewhere between public governments, on the one hand, and private businesses or private associations on the other. After listing some of the respects in which community associations are like and unlike these well-established legal entities, I conclude that they are different in important respects. Because of these differences, a new body of law - community association law - is developing. After discussing the protections afforded association members against illegal or abusive board conduct, I conclude that more needs to be done because the existing framework requires resort to the courts, which is costly, divisive, and risky due to the loser-pays attorney fees provision found in most CC&Rs. I conclude that states should provide administrative support for community association governance with education, dispute resolution, and enforcement services. Common interest communities have become too important to leave to their own resources and the judicial system. There is much that states can do and there are several models of successful programs. They should take the next step.
An 0bservation on the curative effects of meropenem in the treatment of bacterial meningitis

Objective To observe the clinical effects of meropenem in the treatment of bacterial meningitis. Methods 56 adult patients with bacterial meningitis who were admitted to our hospital from June 2010 to June 2013 were selected and randomLy assigned to two groups, with 28 patients in each group. The control group received intravenous drip of ceftriaxone sodium, while the observation group received intravenous drip of meropenem based on ceftriaxone sodium. The curative effects were compared between the two groups. Results Total effective rate for one week of treatment in the observation group was 67.9%, and 92.9% for two weeks, which were significantly higher than those of 21.4% and 53.6% respectively(P 0.01); bacteria eliminating rate in the observation group was 92.9%, significantly higher than that of 67.2% in the control group(P 0.01). Conclusion A proper use of meropenem treatment based on the results of drug sensitive test in early stages helps improve the curative effects of bacterial meningitis.
Can Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Screening Be Used to Avoid Empiric Vancomycin Use in Intra-Abdominal Infection?

Abstract Background: Vancomycin is used widely as empiric therapy for gram-positive organisms in patients with an intra-abdominal infection (IAI), even in those with no history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or colonization. Potential adverse effects of vancomycin include nephrotoxicity, increased cost, and bacterial resistance. We hypothesized that MRSA nasal screening could be used to predict patients with a MRSA IAI and used to avoid unnecessary empiric vancomycin use. Methods: A surgical infections database collected prospectively from a single institution was reviewed for all IAIs between January 1, 2000–December 31, 2011. Patients with and without MRSA obtained from abdominal cultures as either a monomicrobial or polymicrobial isolate were compared by univariate analysis. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of MRSA IAI. Results: Of 2,591 patients with an IAI, 240 patients had a nasal MRSA screen within 30 d prior to in...
Interpersonal Attraction as a Basis of Informal Organization: Comment and Review

The article discusses research on the formation of informal groups based on attraction in response to the article “Interpersonal Attraction as a Basis of Informal Organization,” featured in a previ...
The Effects of Channel Experiences and Direct Marketing on Customer Retention in Multichannel Settings

Abstract In customer relationship management (CRM), it is critical for managers to understand how and when customers terminate their relationships with the company in order to make more accurate predictions for CLV. However, in many non-contractual settings, customer churn is not easily observed, which presents difficulty for estimating customer retention. In this research, we present a framework for estimating multichannel customer relationship dynamics in a non-contractual setting that flexibly allows for relationship revival and investigates the effects of different channel experiences and marketing communication on retention and profitability. We use a multi-segment, multivariate hidden Markov modeling framework to model three managerially relevant customer behaviors: purchase amount, purchase incidence, and channel choice. Using data from a multichannel clothing retailer, we uncover two latent relationship states that customers migrate to and from — an active state and an inactive state characterized by different levels of purchase frequency, responsiveness to marketing, and profitability. We find that an offline (retail-store) channel can be used to migrate customers from an inactive state to an active state, effectively serving the purpose of “education” or “revival,” whereas an online channel is most effective in keeping the existing active customers active, thus serving the purpose of “retention”. Using counterfactual analysis, we highlight an opportunity for the multichannel firm to optimize marketing strategies to dynamically manage and increase the retention and hence also the value of its customer base.
Detection of Bacterial Pathogens in Different Matrices: Current Practices and Challenges

Successful pathogen detection depends on analyst’s understanding of the nature of the matrix and the properties of the targeted microorganism. The matrix could be simple (e.g., drinking water) and easy to analyze for pathogens, or complex (e.g., fermented meat products or fecal samples) and requires an elaborate method to isolate the targeted microorganism. Some pathogens are recovered easily on common laboratory media but others may need time-consuming resuscitation on specialized media with incubation under strictly controlled conditions. Currently used methods for detecting pathogens rely on culture, immunological, genetic, and other techniques. These methods often include a preliminary step to amplify the pathogen’s population or a signal representing this microorganism. Enrichment is the most commonly used, but highly unpopular, technique to accomplish the amplification just described. In culture-based detection methods, the targeted pathogen is isolated from the enrichment using selective and differential media, then identified on the basis of multiple biochemical properties. Alternatively, the identification is accomplished by immunological or genetic techniques. Identification as commonly done does not prove the pathogenicity of the targeted organism, a deficiency that needs to be rectified in future detection methods. Rapid detection of pathogens in real time by means that are not destructive to the matrix is an idealistic goal that may materialize in near future.
Psychological Stress as a Determinant of Skin Barrier Function: Immunological Pathways and Therapeutic Opportunities

Psychological stress is proposed to be an evolutionary adaptation to the flight or fight response. Physiological changes occur in a number of systems during psychological stress, including the immune response. Classically, acute psychological stress leads to activation of the immune response and chronic psychological stress leads to suppression of the immune response. Skin is the outer most barrier of the body and possesses both innate and adaptive immune responses. Because many dermatological diseases have an immune system component (e.g., atopic dermatitis) we will assess the impact of psychological stress on the skin immune responses herein. Psychological stress has been reported to affect both the innate and adaptive immune responses in experimental systems and in skin disease states. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain how psychological stress exerts its impact on the skin immune response including redistribution of the lymphocytes, modulation of immune cell functions and differential expression of cytokines. Although rare, psychtropic drugs can also cause unwanted skin pathologies. The finding that adverse reactions of psychotropic drugs are related to major histocompatability haplotype may suggest an immune mechanism of action. On the other hand, some drugs used to treat skin diseases can results in psychiatric disorders. Finally, a number of psychological methods have been used to successfully treat or reduce the symptoms of skin diseases including hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and biofeedback.
Positive Pelvic Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer Harbor Immune Suppressor Cells To Impair Tumor-reactive T Cells

Abstract The impact of prostate cancer (PCa) metastases on pelvic lymph nodes in local antitumor immunity remains unknown. We prospectively enrolled ten hormone therapy–naive men undergoing salvage pelvic lymph node dissection (sPLND) and analyzed their peripheral blood (PB) and positive pelvic lymph nodes (PPLNs) with PCa metastases for tumor-reactive CD8 + T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) using flow cytometry. MDSCs were stratified into CD14 + monocytic and CD14 − granulocytic types. PD-L1/2 expression was also analyzed for MDSCs. Relative to PB, tumor-reactive CD8 + T cells accumulated in PPLNs ( p p + monocytic and CD14 − granulocytic MDSCs were found in PPLNs, but there was an increase in the proportion of CD8 + T cells in PPLNs compared to PB ( p + T-cells in PPLNs and exhibit high expression of immune checkpoint molecules in PCa nodal metastases. The data suggest a relative immunosuppressive state in PPLNs. This provides a biologic rationale for sPLND beyond just tumor debulking, and calls for further investigation of immune checkpoint blockade. Patient summary Prostate cancer metastases to lymph nodes may involve immunosuppressive cells that evade antitumor T-cells and create a relatively immunosuppressed state. This provides a rationale for treatment of such lymph nodes and/or for potential immunotherapy.
Added Diagnostic Confidence of FDG PET Imaging in Patients with Multiple Myeloma assessed by PET/MRI, PET/CT and Whole Body MRI

607 Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic confidence of different imaging modalities to (i) diagnose the presence of multiple myeloma (MM) lesions and (ii) distinguish active from treated disease. Methods 18 patients with biopsy proven multiple myeloma, matched by age, gender and Durie/Salmon stage, were equally divided in 3 groups to undergo a simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI, a 18F-FDG PET/CT, or a whole-body MRI study. Approximately 60 minutes following the iv. administration of 370 MBq of 18F-FDG, whole-body vertex to toes PET images were acquired, either after an iv. contrast enhanced CT (PET/CT group), or with and without Gadolinium administration, including multiple TSE and STIR sequences (PET/MRI group). For the whole-body MRI group the same image protocol was followed. Two radiologists blinded to any clinical data assessed all studies to 1) evaluate the presence or absence of MM lesions and, 2) to characterize those lesions. A three-point scoring confidence was created: (1) high level (2) medium level (3) low level of confidence. The same radiologists reassessed all cases 2 weeks later and intra and inter reader reproducibility was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Confidence scores for the presence or absence of MM lesions were highest in the 18F-FDG PET/MRI group (2.83±0.41), when compared to the whole-body MRI (2.67±0.51) and to 18F-FDG PET/CT (2.5±0.55) respectively. Total confidence scores to identify active disease were again highest in the PET/MRI group (2.80±0.42), when compared to two other groups: 2.60±0.70 and 2.1±0.87 for the 18F-FDG PET/CT and the whole-body MRI groups, respectively. ICCs for both inter and intra-reader reproducibility was above 75%. Conclusions This pilot study suggests that 18F-FDG PET increases the diagnostic confidence to detect MM lesions, especially when combined with MRI imaging, making the combination of these two techniques a valid vehicle to image patients with this process.
Time-variant wavelet extraction with a local-attribute-based time-frequency decomposition for seismic inversion

AbstractSeismic impedance inversion has been widely used to estimate subsurface properties. Conventional inversion assumes that seismic data are the convolution result of seismic wavelet and reflectivity, implying that seismic data are stationary when a constant wavelet is considered. However, seismic data are nonstationary because of noise contamination and attenuation during wave propagation, which means that the frequency spectrum of the seismic signal changes from shallow to deep formations. We have developed a time-variant wavelet extraction method by using a local-attribute-based spectral decomposition technique. Time-variant wavelets are generated according to the local frequency spectrum, which can be used to construct a time-variant wavelet kernel matrix. By using this time-variant kernel matrix, we can obtain a better correlation between synthetic and extracted seismograms than by using constant wavelet on a field data example. Using this example, we have also compared the time-variant and const...
Water Law and Climate Disasters

Climate and water supply have always been intimately connected. As a result, a given society’s water law generally reflects climatic realities, including its most common climate disasters. In the future, however, water-related climate disasters are likely to increase in frequency and perhaps even change in kind, because some of the most-predicted consequences of climate change are impacts on water supply, although those impacts will vary from region to region. This chapter examines the roles of water law in addressing three different forms of water-related climate disasters: drought, flooding, and coastal inundation. Each discussion begins with a closer examination of the relevant water-related climate predictions. From a legal perspective, however, the subject of water law and climate disasters is made more complex by the fact that water law systems themselves vary considerably. As such, two issues regarding the role of water law in climate disasters are likely to emerge as most critical: the extent to which a given water law system provides for flexibility in how water supplies are allocated; and the extent to which a given water law system both can adapt existing water supplies to changing ecological realities and can increase the short-term and long-term resilience of the overall water supply to the impacts of climate disasters.
Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography angiography for morphometric analysis of choriocapillaris [Invited].

Histological studies have shown that morphometric changes at the microscopic level of choriocapillaris (CC) occur with aging and disease onset, and therefore may be sensitive biomarkers of outer retinal health. However, visualizing CC at this level in the living human eye is challenging because its microvascular is tightly interconnected and weakly reflecting. In this study, we address these challenges by developing and validating a method based on adaptive optics optical coherence tomography with angiography (AO-OCTA) that provides the necessary 3D resolution and image contrast to visualize and quantify these microscopic details. The complex network of anastomotic CC capillaries was successfully imaged in nine healthy subjects (26 to 68 years of age) and at seven retinal eccentricities across the macula. Using these images, four fundamental morphometric parameters of CC were characterized: retinal pigment epithelium-to-CC depth separation (17.5 ± 2.1 µm), capillary diameter (17.4 ± 2.3 µm), normalized capillary density (0.53 ± 0.08), and capillary length per unit area (50.4 ± 9.5 mm−1). AO-OCTA results were consistent with histologic studies and, unlike OCTA, showed clear delineation of CC capillaries, a requirement for measuring three of the four morphometric parameters. Success in younger and older eyes establishes a path for testing aging and disease effects in larger populations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative morphometry of choriocapillaris at the level of individual capillaries in the living human retina.
Abstract 552: Aldosterone Enhances Connecting Tubule Glomerular Feedback (CTGF)

Increasing Na delivery to the connecting tubule (CNT) stimulates epithelial Na channels (ENaC) and dilates the afferent arteriole (Af-Art), a process we call connecting tubule glomerular feedback (CTGF). We hypothesize that aldosterone (aldo) enhances CTGF via a nongenomic mechanism that stimulates CNT ENaC via GPR30 and/or mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). Rabbit Af-Arts and their adherent CNTs were microdissected and simultaneously perfused. Two consecutive CTGF curves were elicited by increasing luminal NaCl in the CNT. Addition of aldo 10 -8 M to the CNT potentiated CTGF, seen as a left-shift in the concentration of NaCl that elicited a half-maximal response (EC 50 ), see Figure. The MR blocker eplerenone (10 -5 M) prevented the enhancement of CTGF by aldo (control EC 50 = 32.4 ± 2.3 mM; aldo + eplerenone EC 50 = 35.4 ± 1.7 mM; n = 7). Neither the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D (5x10 -6 M) nor the translation inhibitor cycloheximide (10 -5 M) prevented the effect of aldo (control EC 50 = 33.0 ± 2.0 mM; aldo + actinomycin D EC 50 = 15.4 ± 1.5 mM; n = 6; P 50 = 33.2 ± 2.4 mM; aldo + cycloheximide EC 50 = 11.2 ± 1.3 mM; n = 6; P via a nongenomic effect possibly involving MR and/or GPR30 receptors. Enhanced CTGF induced by aldosterone may contribute to renal damage by causing increases in Af-Art dilation and glomerular capillary pressure (glomerular barotrauma). Figure. Control CTGF (○) seen as dilation of norepinephrine-preconstricted Af-Arts induced by increasing NaCl in the CNT. Aldo 10 -8 M (•) enhanced CTGF (n = 6; * P P P vs . control). Vertical dashed lines indicate EC 50 .
Effect of cilostazol in treating diabetes-associated microvascular complications.

Purpose Cilostazol (Pletal), a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, was approved in the United States in 1999 to reduce symptoms of intermittent claudication. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels increase from inhibition of phosphodiesterase resulting in anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes endothelial and platelet dysfunction leading to both microvascular and macrovascular complications. This mini-review highlights the emerging evidence suggesting benefits of using cilostazol in treating microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus.
Translation as a Rhetoric of Meaning

From early romanticism to more recent post-structuralist and post-colonial studies, all the possibilities and impossibilities that are inherent in translation have fueled debate about authorship, intent, readership, functional equivalence, world view, the building of national literatures, power differentials, ethics, and gender issues—among many others. And, of course, about the nature of “meaning,” as the alleged sole legal tender of “all things translation.” Translation has less often been scrutinized as a form of rhetorical transaction: fundamentally, all translations are attempts, in and of themselves, to persuade their readership about some degree of correspondence with their source. However, the relationship between Translation and Rhetoric surpasses this ontological threshold of persuasion and metatextual transcendence in a far more sophisticated way, exceeding also the sheer plane of textual mechanics. This paper seeks to demonstrate how a systematic inclusion of rhetoric-centered approaches in Translation Studies, and vice versa, would cross-fertilize not just those two fields, but how it also would help to shed light on some areas where a monolingual focus has all too often imposed significant limitations to progress. It will also provide a quick overview of what I define as a “Rhetoric of Meaning in Translation Studies,” and will also explore how the study of rhetorical correspondence at the micro level in source and target languages and texts may be substantially hindered by significant structural disparities at the macro level that may have not been systematically or successfully incorporated in the wider theoretical framework of Translation Studies.