cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trypanosoma cruzi adenine nucleoside phosphorylase: Purification and substrate specificity

Abstract An adenine nucleoside phosphorylase has been partially purified from extracts of epimastigotes of the Peru strain of Trypanosoma cruzi , the causative agent of Chagas' disease. The purification procedure separated this enzyme from the three other nucleoside-cleaving enzymes found in extracts. The adenine nucleoside phosphorylase, which efficiently cleaved 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA), had a particle weight of 68,000 and exhibited a broad pH optimum between pH 6 and 8. In addition to MTA, the purified enzyme cleaved and synthesized adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine with high efficiency. This contrasts to the enzyme from S-180 cells which has been reported to cleave adenosine poorly and not to cleave 2'-deoxyadenosine. Several observations suggested that the three substrates, MTA, adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine, use a common catalytic site: (a) all served as alternate-substrate inhibitors exhibiting mutually competitive inhibition with K i values equivalent to their respective K m values, (b) 5'-chlorofonnycin A exhibited a competitive K i , value of 4 μM with each nucleoside substrate, and (c) the K m , value of phosphate derived from initial velocity studies (180 ± 20 μ M) was independent of the nucleoside substrate. Substrate specificity studies in both the synthesis and cleavage direction indicated that the enzyme had a broad specificity for bases and nucleosides. For the synthesis of nucleosides, the enzyme demonstrated a preference for an amino group in the position equivalent to the 6 position of purine. Compounds containing a hydroxyl group in this position were not substrates. Although a hydrogen or methyl group could substitute for a 6-amino group, a marked decrease in substrate efficiency was observed with these compounds. Alterations in the purine ring led to decreases in the maximal velocity values as evidenced by the substrate or non-substrate properties of 1-, 3-, and 7-deazaadenine and 4-anunopyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine. The K m values for 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate, ribose 1-phosphate and 2'-deoxyribose 1-phosphate with adenine serving as acceptor were 21, 150 and 370 μM. For nucleoside cleavage, the T. cruzi enzyme catalyzed the phosphorolysis of a variety of 5'-substituted adenine-containing nucleosides including those possessing 5'-hydrogen-, hydroxyl-, halogeno-, alkylthio-, amino- and azido-moieties. Inclusion of an ionized group in the 5'-position, such as 5'-carboxy-5'-deoxyadenosine or AMP, precluded substrate activity. 3'-Deoxy adenosine, arabinosyladenine and α-adenosine did not serve as substrates. These findings indicate that the adenine nucleoside phosphorylase from T. cruzi differs from its mammalian counterpart and that this enzyme should be considered as a potential target for selective chemotherapeutic attack against this pathogenic protozoan.
A “permissive” effect of dexamethasone on the glucagon induction of amino acid transport in cultured hepatocytes

THE adrenal glucocorticoids have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cyclic AMP activated metabolic processes such as lipolysis1, glycogenolysis2 and gluconeogenesis3. The role of the glucocorticoids in the regulation of these processes has been termed “permissive”4 since it enables the maintenance of the normal responsiveness of cells to hormones which act through cyclic AMP. Glucagon is known to activate the gluconeogenic pathway of mammalian liver at several sites5 including amino acid transport6. We have studied the hormonal regulation of amino acid transport in rat liver parenchymal cells maintained in culture and report here that the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, has a “permissive” effect on the glucagon induction of amino acid transport in hepatocytes.
Major Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Major peripheral nerve injuries in the upper extremities can result in significant morbidity. Understanding the pathophysiology of these injuries aids in the assessment and planning of appropriate treatment. With limited nerve mobilization, tension-free repairs can often be performed using sutures, fibrin glue, or nerve connectors. Acellular allograft and autograft reconstruction are better for bridging any gaps greater than a few millimeters. Adherence to proper principles of nerve repair improves the chances of achieving a favorable result, although in general these injuries portend a guarded prognosis.
Cellular and subcellular localization of PKMζ

In contrast to protein kinases that participate in long-term potentiation (LTP) induction and memory consolidation, the autonomously active atypical protein kinase C isoform, protein kinase Mzeta (PKMζ), functions in the core molecular mechanism of LTP maintenance and long-term memory storage. Here, using multiple complementary techniques for light and electron microscopic immunolocalization, we present the first detailed characterization of the cellular and subcellular distribution of PKMζ in rat hippocampus and neocortex. We find that PKMζ is widely expressed in forebrain with prominent immunostaining in hippocampal and neocortical grey matter, and weak label in white matter. In hippocampal and cortical pyramidal cells, PKMζ expression is predominantly somatodendritic, and electron microscopy highlights the kinase at postsynaptic densities and in clusters within spines. In addition, nuclear label and striking punctate immunopositive structures in a paranuclear and dendritic distribution are seen by confocal microscopy, occasionally at dendritic bifurcations. PKMζ immunoreactive granules are observed by electron microscopy in cell bodies and dendrites, including endoplasmic reticulum. The widespread distribution of PKMζ in nuclei, nucleoli and endoplasmic reticulum suggests potential roles of this kinase in cell-wide mechanisms involving gene expression, biogenesis of ribosomes and new protein synthesis. The localization of PKMζ within postsynaptic densities and spines suggests sites where the kinase stores information during LTP maintenance and long-term memory.
Time-resolved 3D MR angiography with parallel imaging for evaluation of hemodialysis fistulas and grafts: initial experience.

OBJECTIVE. We optimized a time-resolved 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography sequence with integrated parallel imaging technique that can provide a large field of view with high temporal and spatial resolution, by which the hemodialysis access and the entire course of the inflow and outflow vessels can be imaged at a single anatomic station. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of this method in the evaluation of patients referred for possible abnormalities in hemodialysis access.CONCLUSION. Time-resolved contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography with parallel imaging has the potential to provide a rapid and comprehensive evaluation for the surveillance and diagnosis of hemodialysis access malfunctions. This technique may function as an important complement to conventional digital subtraction angiography and may be able to help guide medical management. The MR angiography protocol we present is a noninvasive, versatile, and time-efficient technique, without the need of direct graft punctu...
The temple of Jerusalem: past, present, and future

The English term ‘temple’ is derived from the Latin templum, signifying a place set aside for contemplation and augury. In The Temple of Jerusalem, John Lundquist, a long-time writer on temples, se...
The contributions of human resource development research across disciplines: A citation and content analysis

The primary purpose of the current study is to identify how human resource development (HRD) research has contributed to the knowledge base across social science disciplines during the past two decades. We identified the top 20 Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) journal articles that have been most frequently cited in research articles published in journals other than the four AHRD journals. With the use of content analysis of the most-cited articles, three key research themes were identified: (a) training transfer and evaluation, (b) learning in organizations, and (c) knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. The research contributions of HRD within the field of HRD and across disciplines are discussed.
Behavior of suspended particles in a turbulent fluid

Heat and mass transfer and coagulation are considered as related to the mean-square relative velocity between particle and fluid uR2 and eddy diffusion as described by the mean-square particle displacement, Xp2. The mathematical methods used are similar to those employed in the early calculations of the Brownian motion. The mean-square relative velocity is obtained as a function of particle characteristics, intensity of turbulence, and a fluid correlation coefficient. In the limiting case of equal particle and fluid density uR2 = 0, and for very heavy particles uR2 → uF2. A general expression for the eddy diffusivity is obtained is obtained which reduces to the same form as that of the fluid for the stationary state. However, the correlation coefficient to be used in the calculations depends on uR2. As a first approximation, it can be assumed that at a sufficiently long time from the introduction of the particles, fluid and particle diffusivities are equal. For short times after injection, the particle spread may be much less than that of the fluid. An illustrative calculation for the initial spreading of a jet of suspended particles is offered. In all cases an effort is made to organize the available experimental data within the framework of the theory.
The Modern Cult of Efficiency Intermediary Organizations and the New Scientific Management

This article analyzes one intermediary organization. It draws on critical policy studies to frame the agency’s behaviors amid a discourse of managerialism in the public sector, and critical studies of education markets to explain the relationships between its reforms and education policy. Findings illustrate how the intermediary enacted managerial data monitoring systems as the core drivers of its reforms; how it framed leadership and teaching as reductive, managerialist pursuits; and why its reliance on business-inspired logics, roles, and language enabled it to compete in a marketplace and preserve its industry niche. In this way, its behaviors resembled those of the “efficiency experts” during the industrial revolution. The result was an intermediary that erroneously equated data with professional judgment, and that guided decisions based not on a century’s worth of evidence about the limitations of purely managerial reforms, but on an enduring ideological faith in technocratic solutions to complex soc...
Space Station Freedom electrical power system hardware commonality with the United States Polar Platform

Information is presented on how the concept of commonality is being implemented with respect to electric power system hardware for the Space Station Freedom and the US Polar Platform. Included is a historical account of the candidate common items which have the potential to serve the same power system functions on both Freedom and the Polar Platform. The Space Station program and objectives are described, focusing on the test and development responsibilities. The program definition and preliminary design phase and the design and development phase are discussed. The goal of this work is to reduce the program cost. >
A case of popliteal stent fracture with pseudoaneurysm formation

We describe a case of angiographically documented stent fracture and pseudoaneurysm formation in a patient with femoropopliteal disease, which was successfully treated with deployment of an endovascular stent graft. Technical aspects of the procedure are discussed and the experience with stent fractures previously reported in the literature is reviewed.
Equations of state for associating fluids (based on the analytic chain association theory)

In this work, we report a method for the application of equations of state for associating fluids using the analytic chain association theory (ACAT). ACAT has been extensively used in thermodynamic calculations of properties of associating fluids. However, its utility in the development of analytic equations of state for associating fluids is not well recognized. We have demonstrated that the ACAT can be incorporated in the equations of state without the need for any additional approximations other than what is already in the theory. Using certain mathematical manipulations and simplifications which were not recognized in the past, it is now possible to produce analytic equations of state for associating fluids. The resulting equations are still simple enough to be used for PVT and other property calculations. When this theory is applied to cubic equations of state, the cubic nature of these equations is retained. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the theory, numerical work for density and vapor pressure calculations are performed over wide ranges of temperature and pressure.
Macrophages are required for host survival in experimental urogenital schistosomiasis

Urogenital schistosomiasis, Schistosoma haematobium worm infection, afflicts millions of people with egg-triggered, fibrotic bladder granulomata. Despite the significant global impact of urogenital schistosomiasis, the mechanisms of bladder granulomogenesis and fibrosis are ill defined due to the prior lack of tractable animal models. We combined a mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis with macrophage-depleting liposomal clodronate (LC) to define how macrophages mediate bladder granulomogenesis and fibrosis. Mice were injected with eggs purified from infected hamsters or vehicle prepared from uninfected hamster tissues (xenoantigen and injection trauma control). Empty liposomes were controls for LC: 1) LC treatment resulted in fewer bladder egg granuloma-infiltrating macrophages, eosinophils, and T and B cells, lower bladder and serum levels of eotaxin, and higher bladder concentrations of IL-1α and chemokines (in a time-dependent fashion), confirming that macrophages orchestrate leukocyte infiltratio...
Integrated spectral and spatial information mining in remote sensing imagery

Most existing remote sensing image retrieval systems allow only simple queries based on sensor, location, and date of image capture. This approach does not permit the efficient retrieval of useful hidden information from large image databases. This paper presents an integrated approach to retrieving spectral and spatial patterns from remotely sensed imagery using state-of-the-art data mining and advanced database technologies. Land cover information corresponding to spectral characteristics is identified by supervised classification based on support vector machines with automatic model selection, while textural features characterizing spatial information are extracted using Gabor wavelet coefficients. Within identified land cover categories, textural features are clustered to acquire search-efficient space in an object-oriented database with associated images in an image database. Interesting patterns are then retrieved using a query-by-example approach. The evaluation of the study results using coverage and novelty measures validates the effectiveness of the proposed remote sensing image information mining framework, which is potentially useful for applications such as agricultural and environmental monitoring.
Enhanced convection and fast plumes in the lower mantle induced by the spin transition in ferropericlase

Using a numerical model we explore the consequences of the intrinsic density change (Δρ/ρ ≈ 2–4%) caused by the Fe^(2+) spin transition in ferropericlase on the style and vigor of mantle convection. The effective Clapeyron slope of the transition from high to low spin is strongly positive in pressure-temperature space and broadens with high temperature. This introduces a net spin-state driving density difference for both upwellings and downwellings. In 2-D cylindrical geometry spin-buoyancy dominantly enhances the positive thermal buoyancy of plumes. Although the additional buoyancy does not fundamentally alter large-scale dynamics, the Nusselt number increases by 5–10%, and vertical velocities by 10–40% in the lower mantle. Advective heat transport is more effective and temperatures in the core-mantle boundary region are reduced by up to 12%. Our findings are relevant to the stability of lowermost mantle structures.
Lysostaphin in Treatment of Neonatal Staphylococcus aureus Infection

This study describes lysostaphin's effect against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in suckling rats. Standard techniques determined minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy. The numbers of surviving rats after vancomycin, oxacillin, and lysostaphin treatment were comparable and were different from that of controls (P < 0.00001). Lysostaphin appears effective in the treatment of neonatal S. aureus infection.
Extracellular matrix-related genes in kidney after ischemic injury: potential role for TGF-β in repair

The renal expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is enhanced following induction of ischemic injury in rat. In cultured renal cells, TGF-β stimulates the synthesis of extracellular ma...
Endothelin stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis through both PLC and PLD pathways in mesangial cells

Endothelin (ET) is a recently characterized vasoconstrictor hormone that has potent effects on glomerular function. Many vasoconstrictors, like ET, that stimulate phospholipase C (PLC) hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides also stimulate phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis via both PLC and phospholipase D (PLD) pathways. We have previously reported that ET stimulates a protein kinase C (PKC)-regulated, intracellular calcium-insensitive PLD activity that forms phosphatidic acid (PA) in rat mesangial cells (MC). We now ask whether ET-induced diglyceride (DG) production is also, in part, a result of either PLC- or PLD-induced hydrolysis of PtdCho. ET induced both a time- and dose-dependent stimulation in DG as measured by radioflux and mass assays. ET-stimulated DG production was still elevated even at time points where inositol polyphosphates had returned to basal levels. In addition, using [3H]choline-labeled cells, ET stimulated [3H]phosphocholine accumulation, suggesting a PLC-mediated hydrolysis of Pt...
Effect of e-Cigarette Use on Cough Reflex Sensitivity

Background E-cigarettes (e-cigs) have attained widespread popularity, yet knowledge of their physiologic effects remains minimal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single exposure to e-cig vapor on cough reflex sensitivity. Methods Thirty healthy nonsmokers underwent cough reflex sensitivity measurement using capsaicin cough challenge at baseline, 15 min, and 24 h after e-cig exposure (30 puffs 30 s apart). The end point of cough challenge is the concentration of capsaicin inducing five or more coughs (C 5 ). The number of coughs induced by each e-cig inhalation was counted. A subgroup of subjects (n = 8) subsequently underwent an identical protocol with a non-nicotine-containing e-cig. Results Cough reflex sensitivity was significantly inhibited (C 5 increased) 15 min after e-cig use (−0.29; 95% CI, −0.43 to −0.15; P 5 returned to baseline (0.24; 95% CI, 0.10-0.38; P = .0002 vs post-15-min value). A subgroup of eight subjects demonstrating the largest degree of cough reflex inhibition had no suppression after exposure to a non-nicotine-containing e-cig ( P = .0078 for comparison of ΔC 5 after nicotine vs non-nicotine device). Furthermore, more coughing was induced by the nicotine-containing vs non-nicotine-containing device ( P = .0156). Conclusions A single session of e-cig use, approximating nicotine exposure of one tobacco cigarette, induces significant inhibition of cough reflex sensitivity. Exploratory analysis of a subgroup of subjects suggests that nicotine is responsible for this observation. Our data, consistent with previous studies of nicotine effect, suggest a dual action of nicotine: an immediate, peripheral protussive effect and a delayed central antitussive effect. Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02203162 ; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Validating a Local Failure Risk Stratification for Use in Prospective Studies of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Bladder Cancer

Purpose To inform prospective trials of adjuvant radiation therapy (adj-RT) for bladder cancer after radical cystectomy, a locoregional failure (LF) risk stratification was proposed. This stratification was developed and validated using surgical databases that may not reflect the outcomes expected in prospective trials. Our purpose was to assess sources of bias that may affect the stratification model's validity or alter the LF risk estimates for each subgroup: time bias due to evolving surgical techniques; trial accrual bias due to inclusion of patients who would be ineligible for adj-RT trials because of early disease progression, death, or loss to follow-up shortly after cystectomy; bias due to different statistical methods to estimate LF; and subgrouping bias due to different definitions of the LF subgroups. Methods and Materials The LF risk stratification was developed using a single-institution cohort (n=442, 1990-2008) and the multi-institutional SWOG 8710 cohort (n=264, 1987-1998) treated with radical cystectomy with or without chemotherapy. We evaluated the sensitivity of the stratification to sources of bias using Fine-Gray regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results Year of radical cystectomy was not associated with LF risk on univariate or multivariate analysis after controlling for risk group. By use of more stringent inclusion criteria, 26 SWOG patients (10%) and 60 patients from the single-institution cohort (14%) were excluded. Analysis of the remaining patients confirmed 3 subgroups with significantly different LF risks with 3-year rates of 7%, 17%, and 36%, respectively ( P Conclusions These sources of bias did not invalidate the LF risk stratification or substantially change the model's LF estimates.
Abstract 17731: Protein Glycan Side-Chains, Rosuvastatin Therapy, and Incident Vascular Events: An Analysis from the JUPITER Trial

Background: GlycA, a novel protein glycan biomarker of N-acetyl side-chains of acute-phase proteins, was recently shown to predict incident CVD in healthy women. The utility of GlycA for predicting future vascular events in the setting of statin therapy in men and women without CVD but with evidence of chronic inflammation is unknown Methods: In JUPITER (NCT00239681), participants with LDL cholesterol Results: 310 first vascular events occurred during maximum follow-up of 5.0 (median, 2.0) years. Rosuvastatin lowered GlycA by 6.8% at 1 year while a 4.7% reduction was observed among those on placebo. Overall, baseline GlycA levels (median, 25th-75th percentile: 404, 364-449 μmol/L) were associated with increased risk of vascular events: multivariable adjusted HR per 1-SD increment in GlycA 1.20 (95% CI 1.08-1.34; p= 0.0006; Table). This association was attenuated but remained significant after additionally adjusting for hsCRP (HR per 1-SD: 1.18, 95% CI 1.04-1.35; p=0.01). On-treatment GlycA levels (median, interquartile range: 379, 341 to 423 μmol/L) were also significantly associated with vascular events; corresponding results were 1.27 (95% CI 1.13-1.42; p 0.20) Conclusion: Among JUPITER participants recruited on the basis of an elevated hsCRP and low LDL cholesterol, elevated levels of GlycA were associated with an increased risk of vascular events independent of traditional clinical risk factors and hsCRP.
Albuterol Use in Children Hospitalized with Human Metapneumovirus Respiratory Infection

Introduction. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus from the same subfamily as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and causes similar acute lower respiratory tract infection. Albuterol in the setting of acute RSV infection is controversial and has not yet been studied in HMPV. We sought to determine the frequency of albuterol use in HMPV infection and the association between albuterol administration and patient outcomes. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study identifying all patients hospitalized in a tertiary care children’s hospital with laboratory-confirmed HMPV infection between January 2010 and December 2010. Results. There were 207 patients included in the study; 57% had a chronic medical condition. The median hospital length of stay was 3 days. Only 31% of patients in the study had a documented wheezing history, while 69% of patients received at least one albuterol treatment. There was no difference in length of stay between patients who received albuterol and those who did not. Conclusion. There is a high frequency of albuterol use in children hospitalized with HMPV infection. As with RSV, evidence may not support routine use of bronchodilators in patients with acute HMPV respiratory infection. Research involving additional patient outcomes and illness severity indicators would be useful in future studies.
Nonrandom chromosome abnormalities in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy

Cytogenetic and pathologic studies were performed on six patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD). All six had diffuse lymphadenopathy; five had fever, four had weight loss, and four had a diffuse erythematous rash. All patients except one had a polyclonal elevation of immunoglobulin. All patients had diagnostic findings in lymph node (LN) and bone marrow (BM) biopsies. Two patients died of progressive AILD; one patient died after transformation of AILC to immunoblastic sarcoma (IBS); one patient died of gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown cause. The remaining two patients, who have achieved complete remission with intensive chemotherapy, are alive 20 and 8 mo after the diagnosis; one of these had AILD and the other, both AILD and IBS. Despite diagnostic BM biopsy findings, none of the patients had chromosome abnormalities in their BM cells. In studying LN cels of 5 patients, however, we found chromosome abnormalities in each; clonal abnormalities were detected in two, both clonal and nonclonal abnormalities in two, and only nonclonal single-cell abnormalities in one. An extra chromosome 3, seen in four patients, was clonal in two and nonclonal in the two others. Cells with +5, +15, +19, +21, +22 were seen in two patients. All patients had 50% or more normal dividing cells in their LN. The mosaicism of unrelated abnormal cells in their LN. The mosaicism of unrelated abnormal karyotypes that was seen in four patients suggests that this malignant tumor is not necessarily monoclonal in its early stages, but that one clone may be selected and predominate in the late stage. Because nonrandom acquired clonal chromosome abnormalities are a consistent feature of malignancies, our data suggest that AILD may be a malignant disease despite its original description as a benign proliferative process. Therefore, it may require aggressive chemotherapy.
Digital aberration correction of fluorescent images with coherent holographic image reconstruction by phase transfer (CHIRPT)

Coherent holographic image reconstruction by phase transfer (CHIRPT) is an imaging method that permits digital holographic propagation of fluorescent light. The image formation process in CHIRPT is based on illuminating the specimen with a precisely controlled spatio-temporally varying intensity pattern. This pattern is formed by focusing a spatially coherent illumination beam to a line focus on a spinning modulation mask, and image relaying the mask plane to the focal plane of an objective lens. Deviations from the designed spatio-temporal illumination pattern due to imperfect mounting of the circular modulation mask onto the rotation motor induce aberrations in the recovered image. Here we show that these aberrations can be measured and removed non-iteratively by measuring the disk aberration phase externally. We also demonstrate measurement and correction of systematic optical aberrations in the CHIRPT microscope.
Persistence of Antibodies One Year after Active Immunization of Human Beings with a Mixed Heat-Killed Vaccine of B. typhosus, Br. abortus and Br. melitensis.

We have previously shown' that the subcutaneous injection at weekly intervals of 3 doses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.0 cc.) of a mixed heat-killed vaccine carrying 1,000 million Bacillus typhosus (58), 1,000 million Brucella abortus (1,259) and 1,000 million Brucella melitensis (2,464) per cc., to 29 normal adults, was generally well borne and that a large percentage of the serums tested 2 weeks after the third dose showed the production of agglutinins and mouse protective antibodies for B. typhosus, Br. abortus and Br. melitensis and of opsonin for Br. abortus.
Stress and Parents of Children with Autism: A Review of Literature

The purpose of this review is twofold. The first is to synthesize factors that impact parents' experiences of caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); the second is to identify factors that impact parental stress and parental decision-making to use autism services or not. Parents of children with ASD score higher on levels of stress than other groups of parents. The daily challenges of caring for the child are endless and effect all aspects of the child's care as well as the parent's mental health and ability to manage the needs of the child and family. Understanding more about the challenges parents face will provide direction for research, intervention development, and practice. Accordingly, a search was conducted using CINAHL and Medline. Inclusion criteria included articles available in full text, published in English, and focused on children with ASD distinct from other diagnoses, as well as parental experiences of caring for a child with ASD. Articles (N = 132) that met the inclusion criteria were summarized. Challenging aspects of the child's diagnosis and care are discussed, as well as the factors that impact parental stress and decision-making to use autism services. Recommendations for research and practice include interventional development related to early diagnosis, disparity, access to care, parental decision-making to use autism services, and parental stress management.
Clinical Factors Associated with Long-Term Complete Remission versus Poor Response to Chemotherapy in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents with Kaposi Sarcoma Receiving Bleomycin and Vincristine: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most common HIV-associated malignancy in children and adolescents in Africa. Pediatric KS is distinct from adult disease. We evaluated the clinical characteristics associated with long-term outcomes. We performed a retrospective observational analysis of 70 HIV-infected children and adolescents with KS less than 18 years of age diagnosed between 8/2010 and 6/2013 in Lilongwe, Malawi. Local first-line treatment included bleomycin and vincristine plus nevirapine-based highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Median age was 8.6 years (range 1.7–17.9); there were 35 females (50%). Most common sites of presentation were: lymph node (74%), skin (59%), subcutaneous nodules (33%), oral (27%), woody edema (24%), and visceral (16%). Eighteen (26%) presented with lymphadenopathy only. Severe CD4 suppression occurred in 28%. At time of KS diagnosis, 49% were already on HAART. Overall, 28% presented with a platelet count < 100 x 109/L and 37% with hemoglobin < 8 g/dL. The 2-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 46% and 58% respectively (median follow-up 29 months, range 15–50). Multivariable analysis of risk of death and failure to achieve EFS demonstrated that visceral disease (odds ratios [OR] 19.08 and 11.61, 95% CI 2.22–163.90 and 1.60–83.95 respectively) and presenting with more than 20 skin/oral lesions (OR 9.57 and 22.90, 95% CI 1.01–90.99 and 1.00–524.13 respectively) were independent risk factors for both. Woody edema was associated with failure to achieve EFS (OR 7.80, 95% CI 1.84–33.08) but not death. Univariable analysis revealed that lymph node involvement was favorable for EFS (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.99), while T1 TIS staging criteria, presence of cytopenias, and severe immune suppression were not associated with increased mortality. Long-term complete remission is achievable in pediatric KS, however outcomes vary according to clinical presentation. Based on clinical heterogeneity, treatment according to risk-stratification is necessary to improve overall outcomes.
New adaptive Lee image enhancement algorithm

In order to overcome shortcoming of Lee's image enhancement algorithm and its improving algorithm based on the LIP model.A new image enhancement algorithm is proposed in the paper.Through quoting non-linear transform,the application range of the old Lee method is extended.Through fuzzy partition of the image histogram,achieve the aim of the adaptive image enhancement.The experimentation results show that the new algorithm not only can increase the application range of old Lee method,but also can effectively improve the overall contrast of an image and increase image visual effect.
Advance on Analysis and Research of POPs in Water Environment

Adequate supply of fresh and clean drinking water is a basic need for all human beings.Drinking water is contaminated by persistent organic pollutant(POPs) in recent years because of human activities.As a result of long-term exposure,POPs in water can lead to serious harm to human health even in minimal concentrations.It is a focus of studying in scientific society and management agencies of government in many countries.POPs usually is composed of mixture of isomers and it bears the character of relatively low concentrations,so it is difficult to analyze in water monitoring.This paper reviewed chemical analysis,immunologic and biological methods that attracted attention in recent years.
Simulation of the response of the Marina District Basin, San Francisco, California, to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

Abstract In an attempt to estimate the intensity of ground motion that the Marina District, San Francisco, California, experienced during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, we investigate the 3D seismic response of a 2D model (referred to in the present article as “2.5D model”) of a SW-NE trending cross section of the Marina Basin. As a first step in this endeavor, the simulated elastic response characteristics of the model are compared with recorded aftershock data. The comparison, in terms of peak amplitudes, duration, and frequency content of the time response, is favorable. In simulating the response of the Marina Basin to the Loma Prieta mainshock excitation, we account for the effect of soil nonlinearities by an iterative procedure, referred to as the “equivalent linear approach” according to which the values of soil damping and stiffness are selected to be consistent with the level of strain. Our results show that accelerations and velocities may have reached values as high as 0.23 g and 34 cm/sec, respectively; strains induced by wave propagation were of the order of 10 −4 , while spectral acceleration S a for damping ratio 5% reached values as high as 0.8 g for periods in the range of 0.8≦ T ≦1.2 sec, which contains the fundamental frequencies of the most heavily damaged structures in the Marina District. The simulations confirm the conjecture made by Hanks and Brady (1991) that the motion recorded at Treasure Island is the most likely strong-motion surrogate for the filled areas of the Marina District. Based on the results of the simulations, it may be stated that for strong-motion (i.e., large strain) excitation, 3D focusing and lateral interferences, while still present, are not as prominent as in the weak-motion (i.e., small-strain) excitation case. The above conclusion suggests that, in general, the damping characteristics of soil deposits (particularly of poorly consolidated soft-soil deposits, i.e., mean shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m of deposits, less than 200 m/sec), selected to be consistent with the level of strain induced by the seismic excitation, are a key factor in controlling the nature of the overall response of a sedimentary basin. Finally, in computing empirical amplification ratios based on recorded motions, selection of an appropriate “free-field” motion, representative of the incident excitation, is very crucial.
Conquering Big Data Through the Usage of the Wrangler Supercomputer

Data-intensive computing brings a new set of challenges that do not completely overlap with those met by the more typical and even state-of-the-art High Performance Computing (HPC) systems. Working with ‘big data’ can involve analyzing thousands of files that need to be rapidly opened, examined and cross-correlated—tasks that classic HPC systems might not be designed to do. Such tasks can be efficiently conducted on a data-intensive supercomputer like the Wrangler supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). Wrangler allows scientists to share and analyze the massive collections of data being produced in nearly every field of research today in a user-friendly manner. It was designed to work closely with the Stampede supercomputer, which is ranked as the number ten most powerful in the world by TOP500, and is the HPC flagship of TACC. Wrangler was designed to keep much of what was successful with systems like Stampede, but also to introduce new features such as a very large flash storage system, a very large distributed spinning disk storage system, and high speed network access. This allows a new way for users to access HPC resources with data analysis needs that weren’t being fulfilled by traditional HPC systems like Stampede. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the Wrangler data-intensive HPC system along with some of the big data use-cases that it enables.
Using group model building to develop a culturally grounded model of breastfeeding for low-income African American women in the USA.

Aims and Objectives To identify barriers and supporting factors for breastfeeding, and the dynamic interactions between them, as identified by low-income African American women and lactation peer helpers. Background Stark breastfeeding disparities exist between African American mothers and their White counterparts in the USA. This pattern is often replicated across the globe, with marginalised populations demonstrating decreased breastfeeding rates. While breastfeeding research focused on sociocultural factors for different populations has been conducted, a more dynamic model of the factors impacting breastfeeding may help identify effective leverage points for change. Design Group model building was used as a grounded theoretical approach, to build and validate a model representing factors impacting breastfeeding and the relationships between them. Methods Low-income African American women (n = 21) and lactation peer helpers (n = 3) were engaged in model building sessions to identify factors impacting breastfeeding. A two-cycle process was used for analysis, in vivo and axial coding. The final factors and model were validated with a subgroup of participants. Results The participants generated 82 factors that make breastfeeding easier, and 86 factors that make breastfeeding more challenging. These were grouped into 10 and 14 themes, respectively. A final model was constructed identifying three domains impacting breastfeeding: a mother's return to work or school, her knowledge, support and persistence, and the social acceptance of breastfeeding. Conclusions This study documented the sociocultural context within which low-income African American women are situated by identifying factors impacting breastfeeding, and the dynamic interactions between them. The model also provided various leverage points from which breastfeeding women can be supported. Relevance to Clinical Practice Postpartum nurses are critical in supporting breastfeeding practices. To be most effective, they must be aware of the factors impacting breastfeeding, some of which may be unique to women based on their culture.
Letter by Irfan Regarding Article, "Assessment of the European Society of Cardiology 0-Hour/1-Hour Algorithm to Rule-Out and Rule-In Acute Myocardial Infarction".

I agree with the editorial1 on the Pickering et al2 article that troponin-based rule-in should be termed “rule-in myocardial injury.” However, these algorithms should more appropriately be termed “rule in/out acute myocardial damage as detected by troponin,” and they need to perform better. First, even when “ruled-out” for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by the proposed criteria, there might be patients with elevated baseline troponins, which signify myocardial injury. Because these troponin levels are not acutely changing, the criteria rule out acute myocardial injury (including AMI) but not chronic myocardial injury. The criteria should ideally distinguish between ruled-out patients with AMI and those with elevated but stable troponin levels, who are at higher risk than those with undetectable troponin levels.3 Until …
Bone and Connective Tissue Disorders

A boy with achondroplasia is scheduled for leg lengthening; the relevant anesthetic implications of bone growth abnormalities are considered including specific concerns about the spine. Additional questions review osteogenesis imperfecta, the various radial dysplasias, and their associated syndromes, rickets, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and perioperative morbidity with regard to the degree of spinal curvature.
Tracing environmental narratives: a web-based tool for the analysis and visualization of georeferenced narratives

A growing number of studies have used standalone GPS or smartphones to track where people move and the environment to which they expose. In the same time, questionnaire, survey, and travel diaries have been used to capture people’s perception, emotions, and interactions with the nearby environment. The growing volume of qualitative data together with locational information calls for new ways to conveniently, intuitively, and visually convey georeferenced narratives. In this study, we developed a web-based tool that automatically processes GPS trajectories and narratives, displays information regarding travel routes and georeferenced environmental perception. Our georeferenced word-cloud approach provides an innovative way to visualize qualitative information. The developed platform can be widely used in community engagement and participatory planning processes to empower the local communities.
Understanding the Implications of a LINAC’s Microstructure on Devices and Photocurrent Models

The effect of a linear accelerator’s (LINAC’s) microstructure (i.e., train of narrow pulses) on devices and the associated transient photocurrent models are investigated. The data indicate that the photocurrent response of Si-based RF bipolar junction transistors and RF p-i-n diodes is considerably higher when taking into account the microstructure effects. Similarly, the response of diamond, SiO2, and GaAs photoconductive detectors (standard radiation diagnostics) is higher when taking into account the microstructure. This has obvious hardness assurance implications when assessing the transient response of devices because the measured photocurrent and dose rate levels could be underestimated if microstructure effects are not captured. Indeed, the rate the energy is deposited in a material during the microstructure peaks is much higher than the filtered rate which is traditionally measured. In addition, photocurrent models developed with filtered LINAC data may be inherently inaccurate if a device is able to respond to the microstructure.
The Pair Correlation Function in Liquid 4He.

The pair correlation function obtained from the neutron diffraction data of Mozer, De Graaf, and Le Neindre, is given for liquid 4He at several thermodynamic states above and below the superfluid transition. A method for smoothly and accurately extrapolating the pair function into the limit of zero internuclear separation is considered. The pair function is computed from an approximation integral equation for the ground state wave function and compared to the experimental results.
FAST FOURIER TRANSFORM TECHNIQUES IN NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF INTENSE PULSE - MOLECULE INTERACTIONS

The interaction of an atomic or molecular system with incident light is a principal means by which that system can be probed and physical processes involving the system investigated. With lasers, particularly high intensity tunable ones, the incident light can be used to modify the system as well so as to induce a specific process. Our particular interest is in collision systems in which the incident radiation might be used to control the outcome of a collision event; this is clearly related to the long standing goal of chemists to control chemical reactions by external means.
Massive and Evolved Stars with the ngVLA

The Next Generation Very Large Array will have excellent sensitivity for detecting the thermal emission from massive stars and from red giants. This will allow direct imaging of the winds for a large number of hot massive stars. It will also allow using the radio emission for the massive stars as a way to detect stars to allow high resolution measurements can be made, even with large extinction. A few examples of the utility of the high resolution measurements are given: dynamics of globular clusters with red giants, detection of intermediate mass stripped stars in binaries, and measurement of masses of stars in massive binaries.
Distributional learning for speech reflects cumulative exposure to a talker’s phonetic distributions

Efficient speech perception requires listeners to maintain an exquisite tension between stability of the language architecture and flexibility to accommodate variation in the input, such as that associated with individual talker differences in speech production. Achieving this tension can be guided by top-down learning mechanisms, wherein lexical information constrains interpretation of speech input, and by bottom-up learning mechanisms, in which distributional information in the speech signal is used to optimize the mapping to speech sound categories. An open question for theories of perceptual learning concerns the nature of the representations that are built for individual talkers: do these representations reflect long-term, global exposure to a talker or rather only short-term, local exposure? Recent research suggests that when lexical knowledge is used to resolve a talker's ambiguous productions, listeners disregard previous experience with a talker and instead rely on only recent experience, a finding that is contrary to predictions of Bayesian belief-updating accounts of perceptual adaptation. Here we use a distributional learning paradigm in which lexical information is not explicitly required to resolve ambiguous input to provide an additional test of global versus local exposure accounts. Listeners completed two blocks of phonetic categorization for stimuli that differed in voice-onset-time, a probabilistic cue to the voicing contrast in English stop consonants. In each block, two distributions were presented, one specifying /g/ and one specifying /k/. Across the two blocks, variance of the distributions was manipulated to be either narrow or wide. The critical manipulation was order of the two blocks; half of the listeners were first exposed to the narrow distributions followed by the wide distributions, with the order reversed for the other half of the listeners. The results showed that for earlier trials, the identification slope was steeper for the narrow-wide group compared to the wide-narrow group, but this difference was attenuated for later trials. The between-group convergence was driven by an asymmetry in learning between the two orders such that only those in the narrow-wide group showed slope movement during exposure, a pattern that was mirrored by computational simulations in which the distributional statistics of the present talker were integrated with prior experience with English. This pattern of results suggests that listeners did not disregard all prior experience with the talker, and instead used cumulative exposure to guide phonetic decisions, which raises the possibility that accommodating a talker's phonetic signature entails maintaining representations that reflect global experience.