cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Function of the Signal Peptide and N- and C-terminal Propeptides in the Leucine Aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica

The leucine aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (also known as Vibrio proteolyticus) (AAP) is a metalloenzyme with broad substrate specificity. The open reading frame (ORF) for AAP encodes a 54 kDa enzyme, however, the extracellular enzyme has a molecular weight of 43 kDa. This form of AAP is further processed to a mature, thermostable 32 kDa form but the exact nature of this process is unknown. Over-expression of different forms of AAP in Escherichia coli (with AAP's native leader sequence, with and without the N- and/or C-terminal propeptides, and as fusion protein) has allowed a model for the processing of wild-type AAP to be proposed. The role of the A. proteolytica signal peptide in protein secretion as well as comparison to other known signal peptides reveals a close resemblance of the A. proteolytica signal peptide to the outer membrane protein (OmpA) signal peptide. Over-expression of the full 54 kDa AAP enzyme provides an enzyme that is significantly less active, due to a cooperative inhibitory interaction between both propeptides. Over-expression of AAP lacking its C-terminal propeptide provided an enzyme with an identical kcat value to wild-type AAP but exhibited a larger Km value, suggesting competitive inhibition of AAP by the N-terminal propeptide (Ki approximately 0.13 nM). The recombinant 32 kDa form of AAP was characterized by kinetic and spectroscopic methods and was shown to be identical to mature, wild-type AAP. Therefore, the ease of purification and processing of rAAP along with the fact that large quantities can be obtained now allow new detailed mechanistic studies to be performed on AAP through site-directed mutagenesis.
Molecular dynamics studies of polyethylene oxide and polyethylene glycol: hydrodynamic radius and shape anisotropy

A revision (C35r) to the CHARMM ether force field is shown to reproduce experimentally observed conformational populations of dimethoxyethane. Molecular dynamics simulations of 9, 18, 27, and 36-mers of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and 27-mers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in water based on C35r yield a persistence length λ = 3.7 A, in quantitative agreement with experimentally obtained values of 3.7 A for PEO and 3.8 A for PEG; agreement with experimental values for hydrodynamic radii of comparably sized PEG is also excellent. The exponent υ relating the radius of gyration and molecular weight () of PEO from the simulations equals 0.515 ± 0.023, consistent with experimental observations that low molecular weight PEG behaves as an ideal chain. The shape anisotropy of hydrated PEO is 2.59:1.44:1.00. The dimension of the middle length for each of the polymers nearly equals the hydrodynamic radius obtained from diffusion measurements in solution. This explains the correspondence of and the pore radius of membrane channels: a polymer such as PEG diffuses with its long axis parallel to the membrane channel, and passes through the channel without substantial distortion.
Studies of phagocytosis in chronic granulomatous disease.

Abnormal phagocyte function in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is associated with decreased bactericidal activity. Ingestion of serum-opsonized organisms is reported to be normal in these patients. We previously showed that in CGD the expression of C3b receptors (CR1) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) is significantly depressed. In this study, we compared the phagocytic activity of the PMNs from normal healthy controls with that of CGD patients and one individual with myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency. The ingestion of sheep erythrocytes (E) by PMNs adherent to a glass surface was examined; the E were coated either with excess IgG (E-IgG) or with C3b plus limited IgG (EAC3b-IgG). The PMNs, both in CGD and in MPO deficiency, ingested E-IgG and EAC3b-IgG at levels markedly above normal. C3b-coated erythrocytes were not phagocytosed. Preincubating the PMNs with sodium azide, which blocks MPO, or catalase, a scavenger of H2O2, caused a marked increase in phagocytosis by normal PMNs. Azide had a variable effect on PMN activity in CGD and no effect on the activity in the subject with MPO deficiency. Even in the presence of azide, the ingestion of EAC3b-IgG by the PMNs from the CGD patients was significantly greater than that seen in paired normals [mean phagocytic index (PI), 2.13 for CGD vs. 1.48 for normals;P < 0.05 by the paired samplet test]. Similar results were obtained with ingestion of E-IgG. Notably, ingestion of serum-opsonizedCandida organisms (relatively nondegradable particles) was markedly above normal with CGD PMNs and, in normal PMNs, azide treatment also evoked an increase. In addition, rosette formation of the adhered PMNs with E-IgG was enhanced with CGD and the azide-treated normal PMNs. We demonstrated that this increased activity was not the result of increased Fc receptor (FcR) number, as determined from the binding of a monoclonal anti-FcR antibody. Both the E-IgG rosette formation and the ingestion by CGD PMNs were abrogated in the presence of an H2O2-generating system. In contrast, the phagocytic activity of MPO-deficient PMNs was not altered by exogenous H2O2. These findings suggest that cellular products generated by the H2O2-MPO-halide system down-regulate the rosette-forming and phagocytic activity of PMNs from normal healthy individuals, but not that from CGD and MPO-deficient patients.
Ratio asymptotics and weak asymptotic measures for orthogonal polynomials on the real line

We study ratio asymptotics, that is, existence of the limit of Pn+1(z)/Pn(Z) (Pn = monic orthogonal polynomial) and the existence of weak limits of p2ndµ (pn = Pn/||Pn||) as n → ∞ for orthogonal polynomials on the real line. We show existence of ratio asymptotics at a single z0 with Im(z0) ≠ 0 implies dµ is in a Nevai class (i.e., an → a and bn → b where an, bn, are the off-diagonal and diagonal Jacobi parameters). For µ's with bounded support, we prove p2n dµ has a weak limit if and only if lim bn, lim a2n, and lim a2n+1 all exist. In both cases, we write down the limits explicitly.
Does Physical Education Affect Character Development in Students

(1997). Does Physical Education Affect Character Development in Students? Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 68, No. 9, pp. 38-41.
Synthesis of the Two Isomeric Benzo Derivatives of 1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole and Preliminary Studies of Their Effectiveness as Coupling Reagents

Coupling reactions involving carbodiimides involve two or more consecutive reactions, each of which is concentration dependent. It is often useful to add an additive, sometimes referred to as an auxiliary nucleophile, which reacts with these highly reactive intermediates, e.g. the O-acylisourea, symmetric anhydride or oxazolone to give an active ester which itself can take part in peptide bond formation thus reducing the lifetime of such intermediates with consequent reduction in by-product formation. The best results reported to date have been achieved with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu), 3-hydroxy-3, 4-dihydro-1, 2, 3-benzotriazine-4-one (HODhbt) and particulary 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt) [1].
New rapid diamond synthesis technique; using multiplexed pulsed lasers in laboratory ambients

QQC, Inc. has developed a revolutionary diamond deposition technique which does not require a vacuum, or H2, or ”chemical” or physical pre-treatment of surfaces. The process utilizes a combination of various pulsed lasers and is performed at the laboratory p−t conditions: with CO2 and N2 as shrouding gases. Crystalline diamond films and DLC or, more accurately, tetrahedral non-crystalline carbon (TNC) have been formed on various substrates. On WC cutting tools the rate of deposition of crystalline diamond is approximately 1 µm/sec. In the context of fabricating a diamond coating on a substrate, the entire pre-surface treatment and material synthesis process including a coating regime, is performed in one step.
The impact of epidural steroid injections on the outcomes of patients treated for lumbar disc herniation: a subgroup analysis of the SPORT trial.

Background: The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) is a prospective, multicenter study of operative versus nonoperative treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. It has been suggested that epidural steroid injections may help improve patient outcomes and lower the rate of crossover to surgical treatment. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four patients included in the intervertebral disc herniation arm of the SPORT who had received an epidural steroid injection during the first three months of the study and no injection prior to the study (the ESI group) were compared with 453 patients who had not received an injection during the first three months of the study or prior to the study (the No-ESI group). Results: There was a significant difference in the preference for surgery between groups (19% in the ESI group compared with 56% in the No-ESI group, p < 0.001). There was no difference in primary or secondary outcome measures at four years between the groups. A higher percentage of patients changed from surgical to nonsurgical treatment in the ESI group (41% versus 12% in the No-ESI, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with epidural steroid injection had no improvement in short or long-term outcomes compared with patients who were not treated with epidural steroid injection. There was a higher prevalence of crossover to nonsurgical treatment among surgically assigned ESI-group patients, although this was confounded by the increased baseline desire to avoid surgery among patients in the ESI group. Given these data, we concluded that more studies are necessary to establish the value of epidural steroid injection for symptomatic lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Creating collaborative partnerships: building the framework

Purpose – The paper seeks to explore the nature of a collaborative relationship among school and academic librarians in order to enhance the information literacy skills of students as they matriculate to college.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses collaboration among school librarians in Madison County, Illinois and one academic library. The major reasons for creating these partnerships and the critical success factors of the project are also discussed.Findings – The academic library's role in facilitating collaboration may be challenging but building partnerships with local school libraries is mutually beneficial.Originality/value – Extracts the valuable lessons learned which will help others to effectively build similar relationships between school and academic librarians.
Action spectra of the female's response in the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): evidence for an achromatic detection of the bioluminescent optical signal.

Abstract Behavioural action spectra of the threshold of the Photinus pyralis female response to light stimuli simulating the bioluminescent optical signal of the conspecific male firefly were determined in the laboratory. The action spectra ( Fig. 1 ) were narrow and peaked in the yellow region of the spectrum. The females responded only to stimuli of wavelengths longer than 480 nm and not to stimuli in the blue (420–460 nm) part of the spectrum. The shape of the function corresponds with (a) the electroretinographic spectral sensitivity function in the long wavelength (520–660 nm) region of the spectrum, (b) the action spectrum of the female response ( Fig. 1 ), (c) the species yellow bioluminescence emission spectrum and (d) the action spectrum of the intracellular response from single retinular cells ( Fig. 2 ) of the compound eyes in the firefly. Such a correspondence suggests that the narrow yellow receptors of the female mediate the detection and processing of the optical signal of the conspecific male. Since the bioluminescent optical signal is processed exclusively by a single receptor class, signal detection is achromatic.
Concordance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis fluoroquinolone resistance testing: implications for treatment.

Fluoroquinolone susceptibility-testing is an important step in the design of effective treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Here we compare ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin resistance results from 226 multidrug-resistant samples. The low level of concordance observed supports that drug sensitivity tests should be performed for the specific FLQ planned for clinical use. The results also support the new WHO recommendation for testing moxifloxacin at a critical-concentration of 2.0μg/ml.
Confirmation Testing Unwarranted for Children with Blood Lead in the 10-14μg/dl range • 679

Confirmation Testing Unwarranted for Children with Blood Lead in the 10-14μg/dl range • 679
Self-Organizing Spiking Neural Model for Learning Fault-Tolerant Spatio-Motor Transformations

In this paper, we present a spiking neural model that learns spatio-motor transformations. The model is in the form of a multilayered architecture consisting of integrate and fire neurons and synapses that employ spike-timing-dependent plasticity learning rule to enable the learning of such transformations. We developed a simple 2-degree-of-freedom robot-based reaching task which involves the learning of a nonlinear function. Computer simulations demonstrate the capability of such a model for learning the forward and inverse kinematics for such a task and hence to learn spatio-motor transformations. The interesting aspect of the model is its capacity to be tolerant to partial absence of sensory or motor inputs at various stages of learning. We believe that such a model lays the foundation for learning other complex functions and transformations in real-world scenarios.
Magnetic and electrical properties of Ba2MReO6 ordered perovskites

Abstract Crystals of Ba 2 MReO 6 ordered perovskites have been prepared and studied for M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mg and Y. Ferrimagnetism is found when M is Mn, Fe or Ni, and antiferromagnetism is found when M is Co. Ba 2 FeReO 6 is a metallic conductor, and Mossbauer measurements show that the iron is high-spin and essentially trivalent. It is suggested, however, that a Fe +2 Re +6 combination is nearly degenerate with this Fe +3 Re +5 combination. All the other Ba 2 MReO 6 ordered perovskites are semiconductors with low activation energies. Ordinary superexchange rules would predict ferromagnetism for these Ba 2 MReO 6 compounds when M is Mn, Fe, Co or Ni. However, these rules assume σ-type interactions to be stronger than π-type interactions. The ferrimagnetism is rationalized by showing that in these compounds the π-type interactions dominate. Polycrystalline samples of Ba 2 GdReO 6 and Ba 2 ErReO 6 showed no magnetic order down to 4·2°K.
Interactions between mitochondrial lipid oxidation and oxymyoglobin oxidation and the effects of vitamin E.

Off-flavor and discoloration of meat products result from lipid oxidation and myoglobin (Mb) oxidation, respectively, and these two processes appear to be interrelated. The objective of this study was to investigate their potential interaction in mitochondria and the effects of mitochondrial α-tocopherol concentrations on lipid oxidation and metmyoglobin (MetMb) formation in vitro. The addition of ascorbic acid and ferric chloride (AA-Fe3+) increased ovine and bovine mitochondrial lipid oxidation when compared with their controls (p < 0.05); MetMb formation also increased with increased lipid oxidation relative to controls (p < 0.05). Reactions containing Mb and mitochondria with greater α-tocopherol concentrations demonstrated less lipid oxidation and MetMb formation than mitochondria with lower α-tocopherol concentrations. Greater mitochondrial α-tocopherol concentration was also correlated with increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption in vitro and with a more pronounced effect at pH 7.2 than at pH 5....
Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus infection.

During a six-year period five patients withCampylobacter fetus subspecies fetus infections were seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Bacteremia was observed in two patients, one presenting with aortic valve endocarditis and the other with abdominal atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm.C. fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from tibial tissue of a patient with osteomyelitis. Diarrhea was the main complaint of two further patients, and was also mentioned by the patient with the aortic aneurysm. Despite the use of incubation conditions and selective media geared to detect onlyCampylobacter jejuni, C. fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from stool specimens of the two patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The fact that three of fiveC. fetus subsp. fetus infections observed in this study were associated with intestinal symptoms further supports the importance of the gastrointestinal tract in the pathogenesis ofC. fetus subsp. fetus infections.
Parental affect and childrearing beliefs uniquely predict mothers' and fathers' ratings of children's behavior problems

The focus of this study was to examine the relations between parental characteristics and ratings of children's behavior problems. Although there is a considerable body of research that indicates that parental reports of children's behavior are biased by the characteristics of the parent, a number of limitations of past research have precluded definitive conclusions about the impact of individual characteristics. This study examined the role of parental affect and childrearing beliefs in determining parental ratings of child behavior in a selected sample of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. A series of analyses was specified in which teachers' and co-parents' ratings were controlled to examine the unique associations between parental characteristics and ratings of child behavior. After controlling for the co-parents' and teachers' ratings, both mothers' and fathers' psychological characteristics uniquely contributed to variation in their ratings of children's behavior problems. The specific affective and childrearing belief variables that accounted for variation in parental ratings varied by parent sex and the broadband rating analyzed. These analyses indicate the role that rater-specific characteristics may play in determining parents' assessments of child behavior.
A note on the effect of a solid deflector on mass efflux distribution through a radial packed bed

Abstract Radially packed beds are used in industry for the production of ammonia and styrene. This paper discusses the effect of a solid body deflector on the maldistribution across the bed. The effect of fluid density and packing density is also examined. It is found that convex (or inverted) deflectors and denser packings help in the reduction of maldistribution. A model case is studied and the numerical technique may be applied to a variety of realistic problems.
Orphan Arctic Ocean metasediment clasts: Local derivation from Alpha Ridge or pre-2.6 Ma ice rafting?

Phyllonite and metaquartzite clasts occur in early Pliocene or possibly Miocene sediment at the base of the University of Wisconsin Arctic Ocean core Fl-380. Single-crystal 40 Ar/ 39 Ar laserprobe ages derived from feldspars in sediment enclosing the clasts range from Middle and Late Proterozoic to Paleozoic. The clasts occur in sediment deposited 1–2 m.y. earlier than any previously reported central Arctic Ocean ice-rafted debris, and although an ice-rafted origin may be possible, a local source such as adjacent Alpha Ridge bedrock should also be considered.
Thermochemical Investigations of Nearly Ideal Binary Solvents VII: Monomer and Dimer Models for Solubility of Benzoic Acid in Simple Binary and Ternary Solvents

Solubilities are reported for benzoic acid at 25.0d in binary mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with cyclohexane, n-hexane, or n-heptane and of cyclohexane with n-hexane or n-heptane and in ternary mixtures of carbon tetrachloride-cyclohexane-n-hexane and carbon tetrachloride-cyclohexane-n-heptane. Solubilities also are reported for benzoic acid in some binary solvents at 30.0d and for m-toluic acid in binary mixtures of cyclohexane and n-hexane at 25.0° The results are compared to the predictions of equations developed previously for solubility in systems of purely nonspecific interactions, with the benzoic acids considered as either monomeric or dimeric molecules in solution. The dimer model gave more accurate predictions, with a maximum deviation of 4.4% between observed and predicted solubilities in all systems studied. Solubility maxima were predicted and observed for benzoic and m-toluic acids in cyclohexane-n-hexane and for benzoic acid in cyclohexane-n-heptane. The application of these solubility relationships to liquid-liquid partition coefficients is discussed.
Evidence for ‘Electrogenic’ Active Sodium Transport in an Epithelial Membrane

IN the course of active transport across the skin of a frog and the bladder of a toad, sodium moves against an electrical potential gradient both on entering and leaving the functional epithelial cell layer1,2. Transport in both tissues is dependent on the presence of potassium in the serosal medium3–5.
MO-C-T-6E-05: Early History of Radiation Physics

In 1905, Einstein's annus mirabilis, Dr. Charles Lester Leonard began his presidential address to the American Roentgen Ray Society with, “A review of what has been accomplished in the decade since Roentgen's discovery is a fitting subject for the annual address in this decimal year…. It will form a base from which we can attempt to look into the future.” I wonder if Dr. Leonard would recognize the future if he could be present at this meeting, a century later, and see what it became. In the decade between the discovery of X‐rays by Roentgen in 1895 and Dr. Leonard's address much had happened in the world of radiation physics. Although there were new discoveries, especially that of radioactivity, the overall emphasis was upon the application of “radiation” to clinical problems without fully understanding the nature of the “radiation” or its interaction with matter, especially tissue. When Roentgen discovered X‐rays in November 1895, the news spread rapidly through the continental Europe, Great Britain and the United States and many individuals began generating and using them. This was not surprising since the basic equipment was readily available, Crooks tubes, high voltage generators, induction coils, etc, especially in academic departments and the information in newspaper accounts of Roentgen's work was detailed enough to get started. Physicists were just as likely therefore to be involved as medical doctors. Unfortunately the above equipment, except for the Crook's tube, was also being used for what became called electro‐therapeutics, the treatment of disease by electricity which on the whole was considered “quackery”. In the fall‐out between radiology and electro‐therapeutics the physicists became caught in the middle. This created problems for medical physicist that would take half a century to start addressing. No such problem existed in Great Britain allowing medical physics to develop earlier there than in the United States. Much of the development in the period 1985 to 1905 was in the area of X‐rays, although radium had been discovered by the Curies in 1898 it was very expensive, in 1906 1 gram of radium cost $50,000, and demand far exceeded supply. However the clinical application of radium was clearly recognized and programs for its therapeutic use in the treatment of cancer had started at a number of institutions world‐ wide. The major needs in 1905 were the requirement for the standardization of treatments, accurate measurement of radiation, reliable equipment and steady output, an understanding of the radiobiological effects of radiation, a basic understanding of the physics involved. In the next few years all of these questions would be extensively addressed. Educational Objectives: 1. To appreciate the status of clinical radiation physics in 1905. 2. To realize what was and what was not known about radiation physics in 1905 3. To appreciate the problems that still had to be addressed.
Medicare Part D Research Highlights and Policy Updates, 2013: Impact and Insights

Abstract Background Since its implementation in 2006, Medicare Part D has evolved from a program that offered basic access to covered drugs for beneficiaries to one that has the potential to affect patient outcomes. Objectives The purpose of this article was to highlight key research findings on Medicare Part D published in 2012 and major public policy initiatives for Part D for 2013. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE was searched for research studies on Part D published in 2012 in biomedical/scientific, peer-reviewed, English-language journals. For policy updates, sources included the Federal Register, the 2013 Final Call Letter, guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and 2012 publications on Part D policy identified in PubMed. Results Part D has been associated with higher medication use and lower out-of-pocket (OOP) costs of many long-term medications; however, differences within subgroups of beneficiaries have been observed. Studies on health outcomes have been inconclusive. Part D policy changes in 2013 have addressed problems with the benefit, namely coverage of benzodiazepines and barbiturates; reducing coinsurance in the coverage gap; reducing fraud, waste, and abuse; medication therapy management program standardization; and an expanded appeals process. Conclusions Research continues to suggest that Part D is effective in increasing medication utilization and lowering OOP costs. Further work is needed to clarify the effects of Part D on nondrug health care service utilization and health outcomes. Policy changes for 2013 addressed specific improvements in the Medicare Part D benefit while potentially generating cost-savings for Medicare and Medicaid. Future challenges include alleviating access burden to medications during the phase-out of the coverage gap, minimizing disparities among Part D beneficiaries, and coordinating the Part D benefit with Medicare parts A and B via Medicare Accountable Care Organizations. A more integrated and coordinated Medicare benefit among all of its components would benefit overall health outcomes and increase cost-savings.
Hippocampal injections of KCl and shock-induced bradycardia in the rat

Rats given hippocampal injections of 25% solution of KCl 24 h after tone-shock pairings do not show bradycardia when presented subsequently with the tone alone. Animals given the same training but with saline injections do show cardiac deceleration. KCl injections themselves have no effect on heart-rate response to a tone. The results are discussed in terms of previous research indicating that KCl injections also produce a retention deficit in a CER paradigm, the suggestion being that the deficit in the CER paradigm is mediated by a failure to retain fear conditioning.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Arthroscopic Surgery

Because the incidence of infection in arthroscopic surgery is very low, one can argue both for and against the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Administering antibiotics adds expense and introduces the potential for both exposure to allergic reactions and selection of resistant organisms. Antibiotics are given to prevent deep infection; such treatment may require further surgery, prolonged use of intravenous antibiotics, high costs, and outcomes that may be less than satisfactory. An answer to this controversial issue would require a study that includes large numbers of patients to make it adequately statistically powered because the incidence of infection is so low. No such research has yet been performed, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has not produced an advisory statement addressing this issue. It is the opinion of this author that antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated for arthroscopic surgery. Despite surgical team best practices, mistakes can occur. This has led the AAOS to issue an advisory statement to prevent wrong-site surgery. Similarly, complacency with repetition may produce breaks in sterility that may occasionally go undetected. Antibiotic usage may help to reduce infection in such circumstances. Arthroscopic procedures are not always performed in healthy patients. The risk of infection in "high-risk" patients, such as those with diabetes, immune problems, and skin disorders, may be reduced by prophylactic antibiotics. How one defines a case as arthroscopic can be debated. If small incisions are made, or if the scope is used for only a portion of the procedure, many would still consider the case to be arthroscopic. Surgeries are becoming more complex, which adds to their duration. Some cases also involve the use of implants such as interference screws and suture anchors. It is my opinion that antibiotics should be used in these situations. The potential exists for litigation in cases of infection. Medicolegally, it is easier to argue that all measures were taken to prevent infection if prophylactic antibiotics were given, although patient care issues supersede defensive medicine. Risk of infection in arthroscopic surgery is multifactorial, and antibiotic prophylaxis is only one facet of the issue. Although it is my opinion that antibiotics are recommended, others could be justified in supporting the opposite opinion, pending appropriately designed and adequately powered future investigations.
Process Learning and the Implementation of Medicaid Reform

As the implementation of health care reform proceeds in the face of ongoing political conflict, variations in state decisions are shaping important aspects of its pace and scope. This article investigates five potential explanations for state implementation of the Medicaid expansion-state party control, economic affluence, the trajectory of established policy, state administrative capacity, and the process of learning from intergovernmental bargaining. Our analysis of fifty states finds, not surprisingly, that party control of government influences state decisions. We also find, however, several additional and striking influences on states-namely, the trajectory of established policy for vulnerable populations and, of particular importance, state learning about the process of intergovernmental bargaining.
The synthesis of 7α-amidocarbacephems

Abstract Study of compounds related to the first clinically-investigated 7β-amidocarbacephem, loracarbef (1), led to the preparation of key 7α-amidocarbacephem derivatives. The synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of these compounds are reported.
Platypnea Syndrome After Left Pneumonectomy

Contrast two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) was used to demonstrate right-to-left shunting at the atrial level in a 49-year-old man with platypnea and orthostatic cyanosis which developed after a left pneumonectomy. This patient's systemic arterial saturation decreased with phlebotomy and increased with volume administration. This syndrome disappeared after repair of a previously unrecognized atrial septal defect. Right-to-left shunting in atrial septal defect is usually explained by a change in the relationship of right and left ventricular compliance with the right ventricle becoming less compliant (ie, stiffer) than the left. Pneumonectomy can affect atrial emptying either directly by mechanical means or indirectly by changing relationships in ventricular compliance. Contrast 2DE played a key role in initially establishing the etiology of cyanosis in this complicated case.
Synthese und Kristallstruktur des Bis(allyl)-Calciumkomplexes [Ca{C3(SiMe3)2H3}2(thf)2]

Zweiη3-Allylliganden in anti-Konfiguration weist die Titelverbindung auf (Struktur im Kristall siehe Bild). Zwar haben die Ca-C-Bindungen etwa die Lange, die man fur Cyclopentadienylkomplexe erwartet, doch ahneln die H-Atom-Positionen im Bis(trimethylsilyl)allyl-Anion eher denen anderer Hauptgruppen- und Ubergangsmetall-π-Allyl-Komplexe.
Appayya Dīkṣita and the Lineage of Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita

In the last few years, several scholars have attempted to analyze the historical circumstances of Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita and the development of his specific stances in the area of Pāṇinian grammar. This paper seeks to broaden that investigation by exploring Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita’s relationship to Appayya Dīkṣita. Appayya Dīkṣita’s works, such as the Madhvatantramukhamardana, were the direct source of inspiration not only for the critique of the Mādhva Vedānta that appears in Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita’s Tantrādhikārinirṇaya and Tattvakaustubha. They may also be seen as the ideological source for Bhaṭṭoji Dīkṣita’s grammatical fundamentalism, in rejecting any views that are not strictly in agreement with the views of the three founding sages of Sanskrit grammar, namely Pāṇini, Kātyāyana and Patanjali.
Extragonadal actions of chorionic gonadotropin

The primary embryonic signal in primates is chorionic gonadotropin (CG, designated hCG in humans), that is classically associated with corpus luteum rescue and progesterone production. However, research over the past decade has revealed the presence of the hCG receptor in a variety of extragonadal tissues. Additionally, discoveries of the multiple variants of hCG, namely, native hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG (hyp-hCG) and the β- subunit of the hyperglycosylated hCG (hCG-free β) has established a role for extragonadal actions of hCG. For the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy, hCG mediates multiple placental, uterine and fetal functions. Some of these include development of syncytiotrophoblast cells, mitotic growth and differentiation of the endometrium, localized suppression of the maternal immune system, modulation of uterine morphology and gene expression and coordination of intricate signal transduction between the endometrium. Recurrent pregnancy loss, pre-eclampsia and endometriosis are associated with altered responses of hCG, all of which have a detrimental effect on pregnancy. A role for hyp-hCG in mediating the development of both trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic tumors has also been suggested. Other significant non-gonadal applications of hCG include predicting preeclampsia, determining the risk of Down’s syndrome and gestational trophoblastic disease, along with relaxing myometrial contractility and preventing recurrent miscarriages. Presence of hCG free-β in serum of cancer patients enables its usage as a diagnostic tumor marker. Thus, the extragonadal functions of hCG encompasses a wide spectrum of applications and is an open area for continued investigation.
Partial purification and some properties of biopterin synthase and dihydropterin oxidase from Drosophila melanogaster

An enzyme which has been named “biopterin synthase” has been discovered in Drosophila melanogaster. This enzyme, which has been purified 200-fold from extracts of Drosophila, catalyzes the conversion of sepiapterin to dihydrobiopterin, or oxidized sepiapterin to biopterin. The K m values for the two substrates are 63 µm for sepiapterin and 10 µm for oxidized sepiapterin. NADPH is required in this enzymatic reaction. An analysis of enzyme activity during development in Drosophila indicates a correlation between enzyme activity and biopterin content at various development stages. Another enzyme, called “dihydropterin oxidase,” was also discovered and partially purified. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of dihydropterin compounds to the corresponding pterin compounds. For example, sepiapterin (a dihydropterin) is oxidized to oxidized sepiapterin in the presence of this enzyme. The only dihydropterin that has been tested that is not a substrate for this enzyme is dihydroneopterin triphosphate, the compound thought to be a precursor for all naturally occurring pterins and dihydropterins. Since the action of dihydropterin oxidase is reduced significantly when the concentration of oxygen is very low, it is likely that this enzyme uses molecular oxygen as the oxidizing agent during the oxidation of dihydropterins. Neither NAD+ or NADP+ is required. In the presence of the two enzymes dihydropterin oxidase and biopterin synthase, sepiapterin is converted to biopterin. However, in the presence of biopterin synthase alone, sepiapterin is converted to dihydrobiopterin.
Detailed characteristics of a pulsed H 2 +F 2 laser. 1: Experiment

An experimental investigation of a pulsed, flash photolytically initiated HF laser pumped by the H2 + F2 chain reaction is presented. Measurements of time-resolved spectroscopy, small signal gain, and total pulse energy are reported for two compositions (He:O2:F2:H2 = 20.8:1.0:4.6:1.2 and He:O2:F2:H2 = 22.0:1.0:2.7:1.0) and three mixture pressures (36, 102, and 331 Torr). Time-resolved spectroscopy results show individual pulse durations decrease with pressure and fluorine concentration while peak intensities increase with pressure and fluorine concentration. Small signal gain results show that increasing pressure or fluorine concentration increases individual peak gains and decreases gain durations. Total pulse energy is consistent with previous studies.
Social telepresence bakeoff: Skype group video calling, google+ hangouts, and microsoft avatar kinect

This panel compares across recently released products that enable groups of people to socialize online using rich media (video, avatars). Each tool takes a different approach toward online socializing. The panelists will compare and contrast the design features and rationale of each system, review what has been learned from studying their usage so far, and elicit stories of how people in the audience have been using these tools. This discussion will help us learn how these tools are being used and identify design implications for future work in developing new ways to support socializing.
Nonintersecting string model and graphical approach: Equivalence with a Potts model

Using a graphical method we establish the exact equivalence of the partition function of aq-state nonintersecting string (NIS) model on an arbitrary planar, even-valenced, lattice with that of a q2-state Potts model on a related lattice. The NIS model considered in this paper is one in which the vertex weights are expressible as sums of those of basic vertex types, and the resulting Potts model generally has multispin interactions. For the square and Kagome lattices this leads to the equivalence of a staggered NIS model with Potts models with anisotropic pair interactions, indicating that these NIS models have a first-order transition forq > 2. For the triangular lattice the NIS model turns out to be the five-vertex model of Wu and Lin and it relates to a Potts model with two- and three-site interactions. The most general model we discuss is an oriented NIS model which contains the six-vertex model and the NIS models of Stroganov and Schultz as special cases.
Fluorescent cell-counting assay of yellow fever virus.

Abstract : A quantitative assay of infective yellow fever virus particles was developed that is based on the enumeration of cells containing fluorescent viral antigen 24 hours after infection of coverslip McCoy cell cultures. The rapidity and efficiency of virus adsorption onto cell monolayers was markedly enhanced by centrifugation of virus inoculum. By this procedure, 95% of virus was adsorbed within 15 minutes and a proportionality was demonstrated between the number of fluorescent cells and the volume of inoculum. The incubation period of 24 hours was established from observations on the sequential development of viral antigen within cells and fluorescent cell counts. The relationship between virus concentration and cell-infecting units of virus was linear; the distribution of fluorescent cells in cell monolayers was random. The sensitivity of the fluorescent cell-counting assay was comparable to that of the method of intracerebral inoculation of mice. A quantitative linear relationship was demonstrated between the quantity of virus neutralized and dilutions of antiserum.
Facies Control of Cementation and Porosity, Pennsylvanian Fan-Delta Sandstones, Texas Panhandle: ABSTRACT

Interbedded fan-delta sandstones and limestones were deposited on a shallow carbonate shelf in the southern Anadarko basin during Missourian time. Hydrocarbon production from the fan-delta sandstones at Mobeetie field, Wheeler County, is controlled both by structure and facies-determined porosity distribution. Distal margins of some fan-delta lobes were reworked by marine processes, and carbonate fossil fragments and oolites were mixed with terrigenous clastics. Diagenetic history of the distal, marine-reworked sandstones was strikingly different from that of the more proximal, non-reworked sandstones. The first cement to precipitate in the reworked sandstones was a thin, isopachous rim of Mg-calcite cement that probably precipitated in the submarine environment soon after deposition. Next, establishment of a freshwater, phreatic environment in the sediments resulted in extensive calcite cementation in the calcareous sandstones. Dissolution of aragonitic oolites and fossils provided the source of the calcite that occluded primary porosity. In contrast, the non-reworked sandstones were not cemented because they lacked a calcite source, and so they retained high porosity. Rims of authigenic chlorite, which reduced porosity by only a few percent, were the earliest cements to precipitate in the non-reworked facies. With increasing burial, porosity in both the reworked and non-reworked fan-delta sandstones was reduced by precipitation of authigenic quartz, feldspar, kaolinite, Fe-calcite, and ankerite. These cements are generally minor in volume and do not influence porosity distribution. Generation of secondary porosity by dissolution of feldspars and rock fragments occurred in all sandstones but was more extensive in non-reworked facies. However, the main control of present porosity distribution is the presence or absence of early, freshwater calcite cement. End_of_Article - Last_Page 565------------
Nonverbal and Relational Communication Associated with Reticence

Two experiments examined nonverbal behavior patterns and relational communication perceptions associated with communication reticence. In the first, pairs of friends (N = 90) and pairs of strangers (N = 90) engaged in 9-minute discussions. Ratings by partners and trained observers showed that as level of communication reticence increased, subjects nodded less, showed less facial pleasantness and animation, displayed more anxiety and tension, leaned away more, and communicated greater disinterest. Strangers rated reticents'relational messages as expressing less intimacy/similarity, more detachment, more submissive-ness, and more emotional negativity, and rated reticents as less credible. Friends gave reticents mixed but frequently more positive ratings. In the second experiment, 55 subjects interacted with a male or female confederate interviewer who alternately asked innocuous or highly personal questions. The same patterns of nonverbal behavior emerged as in Study One, with increases in stress (due to privacy-invading questioning) eliciting more pronounced responses. Results are discussed in terms of the cross-situational consistency of reticence syndromes in eliciting dysfunctional communication patterns.
WireVis: Visualization of Categorical, Time-Varying Data From Financial Transactions

Large financial institutions such as Bank of America handle hundreds of thousands of wire transactions per day. Although most transactions are legitimate, these institutions have legal and financial obligations in discovering those that are suspicious. With the methods of fraudulent activities ever changing, searching on predefined patterns is often insufficient in detecting previously undiscovered methods. In this paper, we present a set of coordinated visualizations based on identifying specific keywords within the wire transactions. The different views used in our system depict relationships among keywords and accounts over time. Furthermore, we introduce a search-by-example technique which extracts accounts that show similar transaction patterns. In collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering division at Bank of America, we demonstrate that using our tool, investigators are able to detect accounts and transactions that exhibit suspicious behaviors.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current in Three Dimensions

A simple theory is developed for the large-scale three-dimensional structure of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the upper cell of its overturning circulation. The model is based on a perturbation expansion about the zonal-average residual-mean model developed previously by Marshall and Radko. The problem is solved using the method of characteristics for idealized patterns of wind and buoyancy forcing constructed from observations. The equilibrium solutions found represent a balance between the Eulerian meridional overturning, eddy-induced circulation, and downstream advection by the mean flow. Depth and stratification of the model thermocline increase in the Atlantic–Indian Oceans sector where the mean wind stress is large. Residual circulation in the model is characterized by intensification of the overturning circulation in the Atlantic–Indian sector and reduction in strength in the Pacific Ocean region. Predicted three-dimensional patterns of stratification and residual circulation in the interior of the ACC are compared with observations.
ADAPTATION AND CONSTRAINT IN THE EVOLUTION OF SPECIALIZATION OF BAHAMIAN ANOLIS LIZARDS

Interspecific interactions affect habitat use and subsequent morphological adaptation in Anolis lizards. We examined populations of two species of Anolis lizards that evolved in the species-rich communities of Cuba and are now widespread in the Bahamas. Because the species occupy islands in the Bahamas that vary in the number of lizard species present and other characteristics, we predicted that directional selection should have led to morphological differentiation. In particular, we expected that populations on one-species islands should have evolved toward a generalist morphology because of the lack of competitors. Divergence in both species has been adaptive; populations that use wider perches have longer legs. Nonetheless, these differences are relatively minor, and none of the populations appears to have differentiated from its ancestral "ecomorph" type toward a more generalized morphology. This stasis mirrors a trend observed in the radiation of Caribbean anoles, which exhibits repeated instances of evolutionary specialization, but few or no cases of reversion to a more generalized condition. The explanation for this directionality of evolution is not obvious but probably involves the tendency of specialized species to continue using and further adapting the niches for which they are specialized even as conditions change.