cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency department utilisation and critical readmission in patients with Fontan circulation.

Background: We aimed to conduct a multi-centre study characterising emergency department utilisation and critical readmissions experienced by children with Fontan circulation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of children who underwent the Fontan operation at three institutions (i.e., centres A, B, and C) between 2009 and 2014, with follow-up through December 2015. Multi-variable analyses were performed to determine factors associated for emergency department utilisation within 1 year of surgery, emergency department utilisation at any time following surgery, or critical readmission (defined as admission to ICU, operating room, or cardiac catheterisation). Results: We reviewed 297 patients, of which 147 patients (49%) had 607 emergency department encounters. Forty-six patients (15%) required 71 critical readmissions. Multi-variable analyses revealed centre C (p = 0.02) and post-operative hospitalisation ≥ 14 days (p = 0.03) to be significantly associated with emergency department utilisation within 1 year, whereas centre B (p < 0.001), post-operative hospitalisation ≥ 14 days (p = 0.002), and African-American/Black race (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with critical readmission. Conclusions: In this multi-centre study, nearly half of patients with Fontan circulation received emergency department care, often presenting with high disease acuity requiring readmission. Emergency department utilisation and need for critical readmission were independently influenced by the centre at which surgery was performed, prolonged post-operative hospitalisation, and racial background. These data could help guide quality improvement efforts aimed at reducing morbidity in this unique patient population.
Bounced off a truck out of the blue: a case report of a lightning strike during a thunderstorm

Lightning strikes are a relatively uncommon emergency department presentation, and due to the very high energy involved, can present quite dramatically, including cardiac arrest. However, as with many chief complaints, sometimes these patients can be discharged home after a benign emergency department evaluation. We present one such case of a male who was struck to the ground by lightning outside his truck, which subsequently caught on fire. He demonstrated the classic Lichtenberg figures associated with a lightning injury that evolved over time but was otherwise hemodynamically stable. After an unremarkable laboratory evaluation and electrocardiogram, he was safely discharged home.
FDG PET/MRI for Visual Detection of Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Patients With Dementia.

OBJECTIVE. Depressed regional metabolism and cerebellar blood flow may be caused by dysfunction in anatomically separate but functionally related regions, presumably related to disruption of the co...
Right-sided cheek mass in a 10-year-old male

Abstract Background Castleman disease is a lymphoproliferative disorder that can present in multiple locations throughout the body. While considered a benign entity, Castleman disease in the pediatric head and neck can resemble other common childhood malignancies. Methods This report describes a case of Castleman disease in a 10-year-old male who presented with a progressively enlarging facial mass; work-up revealed aggressive histopathological and imaging features concerning for rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient ultimately required surgical resection for definitive diagnosis. Results The facial mass was successfully resected without complication. A diagnosis of unicentric Castleman disease was made based on final histopathological evaluation of the permanent specimen. The mass has not recurred one year postoperatively. Conclusions Castleman disease in the head and neck should be included in the differential diagnosis of a pediatric facial mass. Balancing the appropriate degree of diagnostic intervention and treatment is essential in ensuring the best possible outcome with the least morbidity.
Pembrolizumab Induced-Encephalitis in An Elderly Patient with Nasal Angiosarcoma: A Case Report

Introduction New immunotherapies are increasingly being used as treatment for different types of malignancies. Immunotherapeutic agents such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ex. pembrolizumab) have been associated with various side effects, including encephalitis. Pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody which mechanism of action consists of activity against programmed cell death antigen (PD-1) has been associated with encephalitis. Methods We present the case of a 76-year-old man with past medical history of angiosarcoma of the nose that was treated with radiation, chemotherapy with Taxol. Due to the patient's high tumor mutation burden, he began treatment with pembrolizumab. After six months of treatment with pembrolizumab, he presented to the emergency department with acute changes in mentation. The patient was confused and wanted to go to vote in the middle of the night. He was waking up every 30 minutes and exhibited disorganized thought process and visual hallucinations. Full delirium work-up was done without any major findings. The following tests were in the normal range or negative: thyroid function tests, prolactin, LH, cosytropin stimulation test, ACTH, UA, CBC and CMP. Brain MRI excluded evidence of acute intracranial findings, acute ischemia or brain metastases. Psychiatry was consulted. Pembrolizumab was stopped. Recommendation was made to start aripiprazole 5mg daily. Patient improved after implementing these measures. Results We postulate that the patient developed encephalitis triggered by pembrolizumab in the context of angiosarcoma of the nose. Autoimmune encephalitis is a rare adverse effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors but it may be severe and potentially lethal. The etiology is not known and diagnosis can be challenging. We postulate that the patient developed encephalitis triggered by pembrolizumab in the context of angiosarcoma of the nose. Conclusions This case highlights the need of psychiatrists to understand the behavioral symptoms that could be attributed to immunotherapy agents in patient undergoing cancer treatment. Early identification and treatment of the behavioral symptoms are important in order to evaluate and manage appropriately, especially in the elderly population. It is important to consider autoimmune encephalitis secondary to immunotherapy as a differential for psychiatric disorders. Funding No funding
Hows and Whys of Tumor-Seeking Dyes

ConspectusActive targeting uses molecular fragments that bind receptors overexpressed on cell surfaces to deliver cargoes, and this selective delivery to diseased over healthy tissue is valuable in diagnostic imaging and therapy. For instance, targeted near-infrared (near-IR) dyes can mark tissue to be excised in surgery, and radiologists can use active targeting to concentrate agents for positron emission tomography (PET) in tumor tissue to monitor tumor metastases. Selective delivery to diseased tissue is also valuable in some treatments wherein therapeutic indexes (toxic/effective doses) are key determinants of efficacy. However, active targeting will only work for cells expressing the pivotal cell surface receptor that is targeted. That is a problem because tumors, even ones derived from the same organ, are not homogeneous, patient-to-patient variability is common, and heterogeneity can occur even in the same patient, so monotherapy with one actively targeted agent is unlikely to be uniformly effective. A particular category of fluorescent heptamethine cyanine-7 (Cy-7) dyes, here called tumor seeking dyes, offer a way to circumvent this problem because they selectively accumulate in any solid tumor. Furthermore, they persist in tumor tissue for several days, sometimes longer than 72 h. Consequently, tumor seeking dyes are near-IR fluorescent targeting agents that, unlike mAbs (monoclonal antibodies), accumulate in any solid lesion, thus overcoming tumor heterogeneity, and persist there for long periods, circumventing the rapid clearance problems that bedevil low molecular mass drugs. Small molecule imaging agents and drugs attached to tumor-seeking dyes have high therapeutic indices and long residence times in cancer cells and tumor tissue. All this sounds too good to be true. We believe most of this is true, but the controversy is associated with how and why these characteristics arise. Prior to our studies, the prevailing hypothesis, often repeated, was that tumor seeking dyes are uptaken by organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) overexpressed on cancer cells. This Account summarizes evidence indicating tumor seeking Cy-7 dyes have exceptional accumulation and persistence properties because they covalently bind to albumin in vivo. That adduct formation provides a convenient way to form albumin-bound pharmaceuticals labeled with near-IR fluorophores which can be tracked in vivo. This understanding may facilitate more rapid developments of generally applicable actively targeted reagents.
Manifold Model for High-Resolution fMRI Joint Reconstruction and Dynamic Quantification

Oscillating Steady-State Imaging (OSSI) is a recent fMRI acquisition method that exploits a large and oscillating signal, and can provide high SNR fMRI. However, the oscillatory nature of the signal leads to an increased number of acquisitions. To improve temporal resolution and accurately model the nonlinearity of OSSI signals, we build the MR physics for OSSI signal generation as a regularizer for the undersampled reconstruction rather than using subspace models that are not well suited for the data. Our proposed physics-based manifold model turns the disadvantages of OSSI acquisition into advantages and enables joint reconstruction and quantification. OSSI manifold model (OSSIMM) outperforms subspace models and reconstructs high-resolution fMRI images with a factor of 12 acceleration and without spatial or temporal resolution smoothing. Furthermore, OSSIMM can dynamically quantify important physics parameters, including $R_2^*$ maps, with a temporal resolution of 150 ms.
Effects of Health Behavior Interventions on Psychosocial Outcomes and Cortisol Regulation Among Chronically Stressed Midlife and Older Adults.

Altered cortisol dynamics have been associated with increased risk for chronic health problems among midlife and older adults (≥ 45 years of age). Yet, studies investigating the impact of health behavior interventions on cortisol activity in this age group are limited. The current study examined whether 48 midlife and older adults (50% family caregivers, 69% women) randomized to one of four telephone-based health behavior interventions (stress management (SM), exercise (EX), nutrition (NUT), or exercise plus nutrition (EX+NUT)) showed improvements in their perceived stress, mood, and cortisol dynamics at 4 months post-intervention. Participants collected four salivary cortisol samples (waking, 30 min after waking, 4 p.m., and bedtime) across two collection days at baseline and at 4 months post-intervention to assess for total cortisol, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and diurnal cortisol slope. Participants in SM showed lower levels of total cortisol and a smaller CAR compared with those in EX, NUT, or EX+NUT from baseline to 4 months post-intervention. Participants in EX showed lower levels of perceived stress, depression, and anxiety compared with those in NUT or SM. Finally, participants in NUT showed a greater diurnal decline in cortisol and lower levels of anxiety compared with those in SM. These findings provide support for the efficacy of telephone-based, health behavior interventions in improving different stress outcomes among chronically stressed midlife and older adults and suggest the need to test the longer-term effects of these interventions for improving health outcomes in this population.
A 130-151 GHz 8-Way Power Amplifier with 16.8-17.5 dBm Psat and 11.7-13.4% PAE Using CMOS 45nm RFSOI

This paper presents a D-band linear power amplifier (PA) with high gain, high output power and high efficiency using CMOS 45nm RFSOI process. An 8-way (4-way differential) power-combining technique is implemented to increase the power amplifier linearity and output power. To decrease the loss of the output combiner, the first stage output power combiner is designed as part of the power matching network. The PA achieves a small-signal gain of 22.2-24 dB with 1-1.2 V supply at 140 GHz, respectively. The measured P1dB and Psat are 14.2 dBm and 17.5 dBm with 1.2 V supply, at 140 GHz. The maximum PAE is 13.4%. The 140 GHz PA operates from 130 to 150 GHz with an OP1dB > 13 dBm, which is ideal for high-speed wireless communication systems.
Articulation of Parts Explanation in Biology and the Rational Search for Them

With the realization that the grounds upon which an hypothesis comes to be formulated can be considered separately from the grounds upon which it is accepted, it has become popular among some philosophers and scientists to claim that although it may be of psychological interest to understand the genesis of hypotheses, there can be no logic of search or discovery. While it is unclear exactly what is meant by the claim that there can be no logic of search, it is clear that this opinion, coupled with anecdotes of Poincare’s sudden solution of a mathematical problem while stepping on a Madrid streetcar, and Kekule’s vision of a snake biting its tail, have left the aura that the generation of an hypothesis is as mysterious as a Gestalt shift in perception of a figure. Perhaps because Gestalt shifts seem to occur without a processes of reasoning, but in some sense, spontaneously, the use of such perceptual shifts as models of hypothesis formation have lent support to the claim that there can be no logic of search. To a practicing scientist, the image of the startling ‘shift’ and insight might seem overly flattering of the scientist’s genius, and the actual generation of hypotheses seem more reasonable and less mysterious. Some of the ways in which the generation of an hypothesis is a rather reasonable affair will be discussed below in conjunction with an effort to examine some of the features of what I am calling articulation of parts explanations, as they occur in biology.
cysQ, a gene needed for cysteine synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12 only during aerobic growth.

Abstract The initial steps in assimilation of sulfate during cysteine biosynthesis entail sulfate uptake and sulfate activation by formation of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, conversion to 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, and reduction to sulfite. Mutations in a previously uncharacterized Escherichia coli gene, cysQ, which resulted in a requirement for sulfite or cysteine, were obtained by in vivo insertion of transposons Tn5tac1 and Tn5supF and by in vitro insertion of resistance gene cassettes. cysQ is at chromosomal position 95.7 min (kb 4517 to 4518) and is transcribed divergently from the adjacent cpdB gene. A Tn5tac1 insertion just inside the 3' end of cysQ, with its isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible tac promoter pointed toward the cysQ promoter, resulted in auxotrophy only when isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside was present; this conditional phenotype was ascribed to collision between converging RNA polymerases or interaction between complementary antisense and cysQ mRNAs. The auxotrophy caused by cysQ null mutations was leaky in some but not all E. coli strains and could be compensated by mutations in unlinked genes. cysQ mutants were prototrophic during anaerobic growth. Mutations in cysQ did not affect the rate of sulfate uptake or the activities of ATP sulfurylase and its protein activator, which together catalyze adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthesis. Some mutations that compensated for cysQ null alleles resulted in sulfate transport defects. cysQ is identical to a gene called amtA, which had been thought to be needed for ammonium transport. Computer analyses, detailed elsewhere, revealed significant amino acid sequence homology between cysQ and suhB of E. coli and the gene for mammalian inositol monophosphatase. Previous work had suggested that 3'-phosphoadenoside 5'-phosphosulfate is toxic if allowed to accumulate, and we propose that CysQ helps control the pool of 3'-phosphoadenoside 5'-phosphosulfate, or its use in sulfite synthesis.
The association between greater continuity of care and timely measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether greater continuity of care is associated with timely administration of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. METHODS: We studied 11,233 patients continuously enrolled in Group Health Cooperative (GHC) from birth to 15 months. We used a preestablished index to quantify continuity of care based on the number of primary care providers in relation to the number of clinic visits. MMR vaccination status at 15 months was assessed with automated immunization data systems at GHC. RESULTS: In a logistic regression model, both medium continuity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.33) and high continuity (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.52) were associated with increased likelihood of being immunized by 15 months compared with patients in the lowest tercile of continuity of care. CONCLUSION: Greater continuity of care is associated with more timely immunization.
17O NMR spectroscopy of magnetically ordered YBa2Cu3O7-x microcrystals.

We have obtained $^{17}\mathrm{O}$ nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectra of powder samples of $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$ and $\mathrm{Eu}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$, as well as magnetically ordered $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$. Two major features are observed in $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$: a sharp resonance at \ensuremath{\simeq}1800 ppm (from external ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{17}$O, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry $\ensuremath{\delta}$ scale) and a broader series of features centered at \ensuremath{\simeq}400 ppm. The 1800-ppm feature undergoes a diamagnetic shift of \ensuremath{\simeq}800 ppm on cooling to 77 K, and a similar magnitude shift on Eu substitution, suggesting assignment to the plane oxygens, O(2,3). Measurements on magnetically ordered samples at 8.45 and 11.7 T give the magnitude of the diagonal terms of the electric-field-gradient tensor, which are 2.3, 3.5, and 5.8 MHz. For the column oxygen, O(1), we find $\frac{{e}^{2}\mathrm{qQ}}{h}=7.7$ MHz, with a chemical shift anisotropy of \ensuremath{\simeq}660 ppm.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE: PAPERS FROM THE CONFERENCE “RECENT ADVANCES IN THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA”

This special issue of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association presents some of the results of a small conference entitled “Recent Advances in the Archaeology of East and Southeast Asia.” The event was held in Madison, Wisconsin, and brought together a collection of scholars from the US and abroad. Organized by Nam Kim and Alison Carter, the conference was hosted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (March 15-16, 2013), and was jointly sponsored by the Department of Anthropology, the Center for East Asian Studies, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
Self, Identity, and Social Inequality

A unique feature of human social structures is that they emerge from symbolic interaction. For this reason, self and identity processes are foundational to the study of social inequality. This chapter reviews research that demonstrates support for the relationship between identity and inequality at three levels of analysis: person, interaction, and culture. At each of these levels, identity meanings associated with value and power demonstrate particular influence. Forms of inequality linked to identity include poor physical and psychological health, asymmetrical patterns of engagement in face-to-face encounters, and patterns of unequal resource distribution defined by status hierarchies. There is also evidence to suggest that the self may function as a mechanism in converting social interaction into higher order patterns of equality and inequality. While this research may help explain processes associated with reproduction and resistance at separate levels of analysis, theory and research linking self and identity to social inequality is not well integrated. Understanding how self and identity processes operate at different levels of analysis may facilitate a more comprehensive explanation of social inequality.
Deletion of repeats in the alpha C protein enhances the pathogenicity of group B streptococci in immune mice.

The alpha C protein is a protective surface-associated antigen of group B streptococci (GBS). The prototype alpha C protein of GBS (strain A909) contains nine identical tandem repeats, each comprising 82 amino acids, flanked by N- and C-terminal domains. Clinical isolates of GBS show variable numbers of repeats with a normal distribution and a median of 9 to 10 repeats. Here, we show that escape mutants of GBS expressing one-repeat alpha C protein were 100-fold more pathogenic than GBS expressing wild-type nine-repeat alpha C protein in neonatal mice whose dams were immunized with antiserum elicited to nine-repeat alpha C protein (50% lethal doses of 1.6 × 10 3 and 1.8 × 10 5 , respectively; P = 0.0073). There was no difference in pathogenicity in nonimmune mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition showed that nine-repeat but not one-repeat alpha C protein is readily available for antibody binding on the surface of intact GBS. Immune electron microscopy studies with antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and to the alpha C protein demonstrated localization of the nine-repeat alpha C protein and the CPS at similar distances from the cell wall. The one-repeat alpha C protein was visualized poorly and only in close proximity to the cell wall, thus suggesting that antibody binding to the protein was hindered by CPS or other cell surface components. We concluded that deletion in the repeat region of the alpha C protein enhanced the pathogenicity of GBS in immune mice by (i) loss of a protective (conformational) epitope(s) and (ii) loss of antibody binding to the alpha C protein due to a decrease in antigen size relative to cell wall components and/or CPS.
Observation of prismatic dislocation loops in graphite by scanning tunneling microscope

Non-basal dislocation loops, both vacancy and interstitial types, are observed in graphite samples using a scanning tunneling microscope. Both types of dislocation loops have a variety of shapes, including circular, elliptic, and linear (short lines). No evidence is found for the dissociation of dislocations, supporting the view that the energy difference between dissociated and non-dissociated dislocation loops is very small.
Actuator Array Dynamics Incorporating Actuator Inertia

Actuator arrays are planar distributed manipulation systems that use multiple two degree-of-freedom actuators to manipulate objects with three degrees of freedom (x, y, and θ). Prior work has discussed actuator array dynamics while neglecting the inertia of the actuators; this paper extends prior work to the case of non-negligible actuator inertia. The dynamics are presented using a standard friction model incorporating stiction. Simulation results are presented that show object motion under previously derived control laws.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Factor friction: protective and pathogenic roles for complement factors in immune complex glomerulonephritis

The classical pathway of complement is activated in patients with immune complex glomerulonephritis. However, Alexander et al. demonstrate that factor H, an alternative pathway regulator, is critical for protecting mice from immune-complex-mediated glomerular injury. In mice that lack factor H, signaling through the C5a receptor is necessary for the development of injury. These results suggest that factor H may be critical for limiting injury in a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory renal diseases.
ARBITRAGE AND INFORMATION IN A SEQUENTIAL ECONOMY WITH MANY CREDIT AGENCIES

This paper augments the theoretical foundations of organized commodity futures markets and uncovers singular facts about arbitrage and the role of information. Using the term “credit agency” to embrace organized futures markets such as the Chicago Board of Trade as well as independent brokerage houses, we extend the extant theory of temporary equilibrium for an economy with a single credit agency to economies with many credit agencies. In the process, we find that arbitrage with no risk of bankruptcy and with perfect interagency trade information can be incompatible with equilibrium (exact or approximate). On the other hand, the usual regularity assumptions are sufficient for the existence of at least an approximate equilibrium, provided that interagency trade information is imperfect (or risky). However, such imperfect information limits arbitrage so different agencies can have different prices.
Bactericidal activity of cefotaxime, desacetylcefotaxime, rifampin, and various combinations tested at cerebrospinal fluid levels against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Abstract Penicillin resistance is increasingly prevalent amongst clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Recently, isolates resistant to the extended-spectrum cephalosporins have also begun to emerge, and combination therapy may be necessary for infection with such organisms. We have studied the activity of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, rifampin, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin against 10 S. pneumoniae strains with penicillin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.03–8 μg/ml. The bactericidal activity of cefotaxime, desacetylcefotaxime, rifampin, and combinations of these agents (cerebrospinal fluid levels) against these isolates was determined. Elevated MICs to penicillin were associated with generally twofold lower cefotaxime MICs. All strains remained susceptible to vancomycin and rifampin. The bactericidal activity of cefotaxime with or without desacetylcefotaxime was reduced by the addition of rifampin. Pneumococcal isolates with penicillin MICs of ⩽1 μg/ml were slowly killed by cefotaxime alone or with desacetycefotaxime. At present, there is little evidence to support the addition of rifampin to cefotaxime for therapy of meningitis.
The Development and Evolution of U.S. Army Field Rations

Armed conflicts create large masses of personnel that need to be fed nutritious foods in less than favorable conditions. The United States military, private industry, and academia continue to work together to develop rations that meet the needs of military personnel who find themselves in varying climates, conditions, and geography.
SR-A ligand and M-CSF dynamically regulate SR-A expression and function in primary macrophages via p38 MAPK activation

Inflammation is characterized by dynamic changes in the expression of cytokines, such as M-CSF, and modifications of lipids and proteins that result in the formation of ligands for Class A Scavenger Receptors (SR-A). These changes are associated with altered SR-A expression in macrophages; however, the intracellular signal pathways involved and the extent to which SR-A ligands regulate SR-A expression are not well defined. To address these questions, SR-A expression and function were examined in resident mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated with M-CSF or the selective SR-A ligand acetylated-LDL (AcLDL). M-CSF increased SR-A expression and function, and required the specific activation of p38 MAPK, but not ERK1/2 or JNK. Increased SR-A expression and function returned to basal levels 72 hours after removing M-CSF. We next determined whether prolonged incubation of macrophages with SR-A ligand alters SR-A expression. In contrast to most receptors, which are down-regulated by chronic exposure to ligand, SR-A expression was reversibly increased by incubating macrophages with AcLDL. AcLDL activated p38 in wild-type macrophages but not in SR-A-/- macrophages, and p38 activation was specifically required for AcLDL-induced SR-A expression. These results demonstrate that in resident macrophages SR-A expression and function can be dynamically regulated by changes in the macrophage microenvironment that are typical of inflammatory processes. In particular, our results indicate a previously unrecognized role for ligand binding to SR-A in up-regulating SR-A expression and activating p38 MAPK. In this way, SR-A may modulate inflammatory responses by enhancing macrophage uptake of modified protein/lipid, bacteria, and cell debris; and by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and proteolytic enzymes.
The synthesis and characterization of iron cyanide building blocks: [K]2[CpFe(CN)3] and its pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) analog

Abstract The synthesis of [K]2[CpFe(CN)3] (1) and its pentamethylcyclopentadienyl analog (2) has been described via the photolysis of the corresponding [K][CpFe(CO)(CN)2] salts in methanol in the presence of KCN. The structure of complex 1 has been characterized by means of X-ray crystallography, where the potassium ions are interacting with the N atoms of the cyanide ligands. As expected, the average νCN stretching frequency in the CpFe ( CN ) 3 - anion is 16 cm−1 higher than that in the more electron-donating pentamethylcyclopentadienyl derivative.
Betaine status in wheat in relation to nitrogen stress and to transient salinity stress

Glycine betaine is readily accumulated in wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Inia) shoots during periods of salinity stress. The ability of the plant to utilize betaine as a source of nitrogen remains unresolved. We, therefore, conducted solution culture experiments in a greenhouse to test the hypothesis that betaine is degraded in wheat shoots under conditions of severe nitrogen deficiency. Betaine concentrations increased in continuously salt stressed plants for only 17 days after salinity was imposed. After this period, concentrations (dry weight basis) decreased steadily until plants died 32 days later. Decreases in betaine concentration were also observed in treatments where salinity stress was removed. The rate of decrease in concentration was greatest in the N-free treatment. These decreases in betaine concentration were the result of dilution by plant growth. Betaine contents (μmol shoot−1) remained unchanged after removal of substrate nitrate. Therefore our results support the hypothesis that betaine is a stable end product of metabolism.
Endoscopic diagnosis of biliary Pneumocystis carinii.

VOLUME 56, NO. 6, 2002 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY 937 Current affiliations: Wright State University, Wright State University VA Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio. Reprint requests: Muhanad Mustafa, MD, 3048 Bright Bounty Ln., West Carrollton, OH 45449. Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 0016-5107/2002/$35.00 + 0 37/54/129588 doi:10.1067/mge.2002.129588 Endoscopic diagnosis of biliary Pneumocystis carinii
Biochemical Mechanism for Regulation of Sucrose Accumulation in Leaves during Photosynthesis

It is not known why some species accumulate high concentrations of sucrose in leaves during photosynthesis while others do not. To determine the possible basis, we have studied 10 species, known to differ in the accumulation of sucrose, in terms of activities of sucrose hydrolyzing enzymes. In general, acid invertase activity decreased as leaves expanded; however, activities remaining in mature, fully expanded leaves ranged from low ( 100 micromoles per gram fresh weight per hour). In contrast, sucrose synthase activities were low and relatively similar among the species (4-10 micromoles per gram fresh weight per hour). Importantly, leaf sucrose concentration, measured at midafternoon, was negatively correlated with acid invertase activity. We propose that sucrose accumulation in vacuoles of species such as soybean and tobacco is prevented by acid invertase-mediated hydrolysis. Initial attempts were made to characterize the relatively high activity of acid invertase from mature soybean leaves. Two apparent forms of the enzyme were resolved by Mono Q chromatography. The two forms had similar affinity for substrate (apparent Km [sucrose] = 3 millimolar) and did not interconvert upon rechromatography. It appeared that the loss of whole leaf invertase activity during expansion was largely the result of changes in one of the enzyme forms. Overall, the results provide a mechanism to explain why some species do not accumulate sucrose in their leaves. Some futile cycling between sucrose and hexose sugars is postulated to occur in these species, and thus, the energy cost of sucrose production may be higher than is generally thought.
Monoclonal antibody analysis of diphtheria toxin—II. Inhibition of ADP-ribosyltransferase activity☆

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies directed against the enzymatically active A-fragment of diphtheria toxin were used to investigate further the structure-function relationships within fragment A. Of 16 such antibodies, all but two were directed against epitopes located within the carboxy-terminal 30–40 amino acids of fragment A. Interestingly, the antibodies recognize several epitopes in this small region and varied considerably in their effects on toxin functions. With regard to their effects on the enzymatic activity of fragment A, three types of antibodies were found: (1) antibodies which bind fragment A but fail to inhibit its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, (2) antibodies which completely inhibit enzyme activity, and (3) antibodies which interact with fragment A to yield antigen-antibody complexes of diminished activity. The results are consistent with location of the catalytic center of fragment A within its carboxy-terminal ca 4000 dalton region.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Traumatized Children

The use of psychopharmacologic interventions for children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions is becoming increasingly widespread despite little empirical evidence that supports this trend. This article reviews the current research concerning the efficacy of psychotropic medications for childhood PTSD and discusses the clinical, research, and policy implications of this literature.
Survey and Forecast on Scheduling of Networked Control System

The emergence background of networked control system (NCS) is introduced. The basic problems and research status in NCS are surveyed. The current research status of NCS scheduling is analyzed emphatically. Finally the future development directions of control net-worked scheduling research are predicted.
Poly-l-aspartic acid protects cultured human proximal tubule cells against aminoglycoside-induced electrophysiological alterations

Abstract Cultured human proximal tubule cell monolayers maintained on permeable supports were treated simultaneously with the aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin, and poly- l -aspartic acid (PAA), an inhibitor of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity. Following 4 days of exposure, cell monolayers were placed into Ussing chambers to allow monitoring of transepithelial electrical properties. For each of the three cell isolatation examined, aminoglycoside-induced alterations in electrogenic transport, reflected by changes in short-circuit current (Isc), as well as alterations in paracellular properties, indicated by changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (RT), were diminished in the presence of PAA. Alterations resulting from selective basolateral exposure to gentamicin were unchanged in the case of apically applied PAA and attenuated only when PAA acid was added basolaterally. This is the first demonstration of PAA inhibition of aminoglycoside-induced cellular alterations involving human cells.
Spin-trapping studies of the oxidation-reduction reactions of iron bleomycin in the presence of thiols and buffer.

Abstract The reaction of ferrous bleomycin with dioxygen is reexamined to clarify whether radical species derived from molecular oxygen are generated. Detection of low levels of spin-trapped oxyradicals confirm the production of oH during this reaction when bleomycin is present excess, but not when iron and drug concentrations are equal. In phosphate buffer, hydroxyl radicals continue to be spin trapped for at least 15 min after Fe(II)bleomycin has been oxidized to Fe(III)bleomycin. In HEPES buffer, detection of a HEPES radical in the absence of spin trap over the same period indepedently supports the conclusion that reactive radicals are present after the initial oxidation of Fe(II)bleomycin is complete. When glutathione is included in the aerobic reaction mixture, thiyl radical species are spin trapped. The reaction of Fe(III)bleomycin with cysteine produces thiyl radical without spin-trapped hydroxyl radical.
Sparse matrix partitioning for parallel eigenanalysis of large static and dynamic graphs

Numerous applications focus on the analysis of entities and the connections between them, and such data are naturally represented as graphs. In particular, the detection of a small subset of vertices with anomalous coordinated connectivity is of broad interest, for problems such as detecting strange traffic in a computer network or unknown communities in a social network. These problems become more difficult as the background graph grows larger and noisier and the coordination patterns become more subtle. In this paper, we discuss the computational challenges of a statistical framework designed to address this cross-mission challenge. The statistical framework is based on spectral analysis of the graph data, and three partitioning methods are evaluated for computing the principal eigenvector of the graph's residuals matrix. While a standard one-dimensional partitioning technique enables this computation for up to four billion vertices, the communication overhead prevents this method from being used for even larger graphs. Recent two-dimensional partitioning methods are shown to have much more favorable scaling properties. A data-dependent partitioning method, which has the best scaling performance, is also shown to improve computation time even as a graph changes over time, allowing amortization of the upfront cost.
A comparison of expected flight times for intercept and pure pursuit missiles

The relative merits of intercept and pure pursuit homing are investigated by comparing the expected flight times to a nonmaneuvering target. The analysis is performed for the initial target heading angle uniformly distributed with arbitrary mean and variance. Two specific examples illustrate that intercept homing holds little statistical advantage over pure pursuit homing except when the speed advantage of the missile is very small.
Role of the C-terminal Residue of the DNA Polymerase of Bacteriophage T7

The crystal structure of the DNA polymerase encoded by gene 5 of bacteriophage T7, in a complex with its processivity factor, Escherichia coli thioredoxin, a primer-template, and an incoming deoxynucleoside triphosphate reveals a putative hydrogen bond between the C-terminal residue, histidine 704 of gene 5 protein, and an oxygen atom on the penultimate phosphate diester of the primer strand. Elimination of this electrostatic interaction by replacing His(704) with alanine renders the phage nonviable, and no DNA synthesis is observed in vivo. Polymerase activity of the genetically altered enzyme on primed M13 DNA is only 12% of the wild-type enzyme, and its processivity is drastically reduced. Kinetic parameters for binding a primer-template (K(D)(app)), nucleotide binding (K(m)), and k(off) for dissociation of the altered polymerase from a primer-template are not significantly different from that of wild-type T7 DNA polymerase. However, the decrease in polymerase activity is concomitant with increased hydrolytic activity, judging from the turnover of nucleoside triphosphate into the corresponding nucleoside monophosphate (percentage of turnover, 65%) during DNA synthesis. Biochemical data along with structural observations imply that the terminal amino acid residue of T7 DNA polymerase plays a critical role in partitioning DNA between the polymerase and exonuclease sites.
Occurrence of inhibitory compounds in spent growth media that interfere with acid-tolerance mechanisms of enteric pathogens.

Understanding the acid-tolerance ability of enteric human pathogens is critical in determining microbial food safety and the associated risk. We have discovered naturally occurring compounds in the spent growth media, which inhibit the acid-tolerance ability of several enteric human pathogens when challenged at pH 3.0 for 2 h at 37 °C. The compounds were detected in the spent growth media obtained from Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio cholera, but not from Shigella flexneri. The compounds were effective in reducing pathogen survival by 5-logs during acid-challenge assay. The low molecular weight (<300 Da) and heat resistant nature (121 °C, 15 min, at 15 psi) of the compounds make them excellent candidates to explore their suitability as food additives that would increase microbial food safety.
A protective mechanism for the tongue: Suppression of genioglossal activity induced by stimulation of trigeminal proprioceptive afferents

Die Reflexaktivitat des Protrudors der Zunge (M. genioglossus) wurde durch die Aktivierung propriozeptischer afferenter Fasern im N. trigeminus bedeutend herabgesetzt. Polysynaptische Reflexe zum M. genioglossus wurden entweder durch Reizung des N. lingualis oder des N. glossopharyngicus ausgelost. Bedingende elektrische Reizung der Nerven verschiedener Kaumuskeln induzierte eine bis zu 500 msec andauernde Hemmung dieser Reflexe.
Hamiltonian structure for Alfvén wave turbulence equations

Abstract A hamiltonian formulation using a noncanonical Poisson bracket is presented for a nonlinear fluid system that includes reduced magnetohydrodynamics and the Hasegawa-Mima equation as limiting cases. Nonlinear integral invariants for the system are found to be in the kernel of the noncanonical Poisson bracket. This Poisson bracket is given a Lie algebraic interpretation.
The Role of Advanced Lipid Testing in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease

Advanced lipid testing has been suggested by some experts to identify patients with substantial residual risk for more aggressive targeting of lifestyle and pharmacologic therapies. It measures the subpopulation of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, which include lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein B, and measures of lipoprotein particle composition such as LDL particle (LPL-P) and HDL particle (HDL-P) number and size. Obesity is associated with smaller LDL-P and HDL-P sizes. Moderate weight loss via fasting/calorie restriction is associated with LDL-P size increase, whereas moderate weight loss via endurance exercise is associated with HDL-P size increase. Diets high in carbohydrates are associated with a more atherogenic advanced lipoprotein profile characterized by smaller LDL-P and HDL-P sizes. In summary, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and dietary modification correlate with improvement in the profile of advanced lipoproteins. Regrettably, therapies targeting HDL and HDL composition have been disappointing to date.
Fragmentation of forest communities in the eastern United States.

Abstract Forest fragmentation threatens the sustainability of forest communities in the eastern United States. Forest communities exhibiting either a low total area or low percentage of intact forest are subject to relatively higher risk of shifts in stand composition towards edge-adapted and invasive species. Such changes in stand composition could result in local extirpation of communities, homogenization of forest communities at broader spatial scales, and a consequential reduction of the biodiversity values of forestland. To evaluate current conditions, we combined forest inventory data with land cover data to compare 70 forest communities in terms of the amount and ownership of intact (i.e., not fragmented) forest, and the proximate causes (i.e., adjacent land cover) of fragmentation. Only 45% of total forestland area was intact in 4.41-ha neighborhoods, but that varied from 13% to 78% among forest communities. Among 10 community groups, the proximate causes of fragmentation reflected their typical geographic context, and the relative importance of fragmentation by development was higher in mostly-forested neighborhoods than in less-forested neighborhoods. Fragmentation was also higher on privately owned forestland than on public forestland. Because of the regional dominance of only a few forest communities and private land ownership, the total regional area of intact forest was driven more by the total area of those strata than by their fragmentation characteristics. The results provide insight for targeting land management strategies to maintain the diversity and regional distributions of intact forest communities.
Change of milk yield with clinical diseases for a high producing dairy herd.

Abstract Changes in milk production associated with occurrence of clinical diseases (dystocia, stillbirth, twin births, milk fever, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, limping due to foot lesions, metritis, ketosis, and mastitis) were investigated. Data were collected daily on 388 lactation. Stepwise least squares regression was used to evaluate existence of associations between diseases and six yield measures that characterized milk production in the first 119 d postpartum. Logistic regression was used to investigate whether milk yield 1 to 5 d in milk might be of use to detect cows with early postpartum metritis (
Three new species of plumatellid bryozoans (Ectoprocta:Phylactolaemata) defined by statoblast nodules

AbstractThree new species of plumatellid (Phylactolaemata) bryozoans are distinguished largely by the presence of tiny, rash-like nodules on the floatoblast surface. Nodules are integral parts of the sclerotized floatoblast envelope, and they persist through generations of laboratory rearing. These minute structures are best detected by scanning electron microscopy. In Plumatella bushnelli, n. sp., nodules are densely distributed on the floatoblast annulus. Notable in this species are floatoblast dimensions: the dorsal fenestra measures >½ the overall length of 400 μm. The species is known only from single sites in North Carolina and New Zealand. Plumatella nodulosa, n. sp., bears nodules over the entire floatoblast surface, not just the annulus; otherwise, the species most resembles the widespread P. rugosa (Wood, Wood, Geimer, Massard, 1998). Plumatella nodulosa is reported from 5 lentic sites in Illinois, Ohio, and western New York. In Plumatella similirepens, n. sp., the floatoblast has a paved annulu...
Correlates of dominance in intraspecific and interspecific interactions of song sparrows and white-throated sparrows

Abstract Behavioural dominance interactions were observed in captive, wintering song sparrows, Melospiza melodia and white-throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis , to determine the correlates of dominance status in interactions within and between these two species. In intraspecific interactions males were dominant to females in both species. Adults were dominant to immatures among white-throated sparrows but not among song sparrows. Interspecific trials showed that song sparrows were generally dominant to larger white-throated sparrows and sex was an important correlate of dominance in interactions between individuals of these two species. Dominance status was negatively correlated with weight loss in both the intraspecific and interspecific trials. These results support the view that behavioural dominance may effectively mediate competition within and between species.