cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein synthesis and RNA turnover in a pyrimidine-deficient bacterium.

Abstract An auxotrophic mutant of E. coli strain 15 has been isolated possessing thymine and uracil requirements. Lack of oxogenous thymine prevents DNA synthesis; lack of oxogenous uracil inhibits net RNA synthesis. Lack of both pyrimidines prevents net nucleic acid synthesis, but does not prevent protein synthesis. The protein synthesized under such conditions may be directed by induction and be a specific enzyme such as xylose isomerase. Despite the absence of net nucleic acid synthesis in pyrimidine deficiency, a fraction of the RNA was found to have a marked turnover in which preformed uracil of RNA was released and reincorporated with newly formed ribose generated in the presence of glucose-14C. The very low isotope content of thymidine under comparable conditions indicates a negligible turnover of DNA. The possible significance of the RNA turnover has been discussed.
Solubilities of gases in high‐boiling hydrocarbon solvents

Low-pressure solubilities of methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, and hydrogen have been measured in n-hexadecane, n-eicosane, squalane, bicyclohexyl, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, diphenylmethane, and 1-methylnaphthalene over the temperature range 25/sup 0/ to 200/sup 0/C. The accuracy of these measurements is better than 1%. The data for the hydrocarbon gases have been correlated with a generalized configurational entropy and a van Laar-type interaction parameter. The entropic component of that parameter is related to the free volume of the solvent as suggested by Flory's equation-of-state theory of fluid mixtures. The accuracy of the correlation is about + 15%. (18 refs.)
Optimal control of molecular motion for δ-target probability density

Abstract A new δ-target approach is presented to solve the problem of steering a molecular system to a desirable geometrical configuration by an electromagnetic field. The δ-target technique is shown to provide good control, and the advantages of the δ-target approach are analyzed. In particular, in the weak field limit the computational difficulties are considerably simplified: the control problem reduces to a task of propagating the δ-target wave function with the Hamiltonian of the molecular system independent of time. This simplification is of principal importance as it permits applications of optimal control theory to chemically interesting larger molecular systems.
Revisiting a challenge in transplantation: Discordant xenografting

It is so very rare that an individual dominates a field in medical research to the extent that Professor Jon van Rood has done. While there are several investigators who have contributed greatly to the development, understanding, and clinical application of HLA, none has contributed so very broadly and integrated the various facets of this area as well. Jon has been able to do so because of his intense intelligence, his absolute intellectual integrity, his interest in any new area of investigation, his great commitment to clinical medicine and thus to the application of HLA, his organizational abilities, and, above all else, his powers to bring concepts and findings obtained in different laboratories, often by different techniques, into a single conceptual framework that others could understand, once Jon made the formulation, and use to forward their own efforts. While so many examples of this could be given, 1 shall give just three: one from his very earliest studies, one from work around the midpoint of definition of HLA, and one very recent one. Jon was among the very first to define antigens of the HLA system. However, his great early contribution was that he applied statistical techniques to "make sense" out of those findings by using 2 × 2 table analysis. This led to the first description of a segregant series of HLA and illuminated the
Identification and localization of K+ channels in the mouse retina.

Voltage-gated potassium channels are differentially expressed in the brain, and recent studies have shown that K + channels show subcellular localization. We characterized the distribution of five different K + channels in the mouse retina. Each channel was distributed in a unique pattern in the retina and was localized to specific subcellular domains within a given retinal neuron. Kv1.4 and Kv4.2 were consistently found in axonal and somatodendritic portions, respectively, consistent with previous studies in brain. In contrast, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, and Kv2.1 showed variable subcellular distribution depending upon cellular context. These results suggest that no one K + channel is distributed over the entire length of the neuron to provide a housekeeping level of membrane potential stabilization. Instead, we propose that each K + channel is associated with a specific subcellular functional module, and each local K + conductance responds uniquely to local voltage and second messenger signals.
Open-field and avoidance performance of rats as a function of prenatal ethanol treatment☆

Abstract Pregnant rats were intubated during days 10–14 of gestation. Groups 6g, 4g, and 2g were intubated with one-half these amounts of ethanol twice each treatment day. Group PF animals were pair fed to group 6g animals and placebo intubated. Group C was not intubated. The treatments did not differentially affect the number or weight of pups delivered. Developmental measures taken prior to weaning were also not affected. Offspring behavior in an open field on days 63 and 64 was a function of maternal treatment with Group 4g showing increased ambulation and rearing. During Y-maze zvoidance testing on days 65–69, Group 6g offspring made more avoidance responses than the other groups which were equivalent. Study 2 included offspring of dams given a 8g, 6g, 4g, or 2g treatment regimen. Treatment effects were observed in latency to move, rearing, and grooming in the open field. Although Group 8g and 6g dams were equivalent with regard to nutrition during gestation. Group 8g offspring made more avoidance responses and more correct discriminations in the Y maze than the other groups. Thus, in both studies, marked treatment-related behavioral effects were found after 60 days in rats that showed no developmental differences.
The chief justices' self assignment of majority opinions in salient cases

Abstract This study examines the extent to which the chief justices on the United States Supreme Court self-assign the majority opinion in salient cases. The period covered is 1801 until the summer of 1989. I discovered that the chief justices as a group self-assigned 35% of the majority opinions in salient cases. Some chief justices, however, self-assigned at a much higher rate than others. The range extends from Marshall (89%) to Fuller (15). Two senior associate justices— Justice Brennan and the first Justice Harlan—were more advantaged in opinion assignments in salient cases than Chief Justices Rehnquist and Fuller. I also discovered that the chief justices were somewhat more likely to self-assign when the final vote was unanimous.
The solubility of gases in liquids 2. The solubility of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, N2, O2, CO, and CO2 in 2-methyl-1-propanol (1 to 55 °C)

The solubilities of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, N2, O2, CO, and CO2 in isobutanol (2-methyl-1-propanol) were determined at atmospheric pressure in the range 1 to 55°C. The scaled particle theory gave very satisfactory results for the calculation of solubility and thermodynamic functions for the systems studied. The solubilities were related to transport through the cell membrane via the Collander equation which relates permeabilities to partition coefficients.
Coronal magnetic fields inferred from IR wavelength and comparison with EUV observations

Spectropolarimetry using IR wavelength of 1075 nm has been proved to be a powerful tool for directly mapping solar coronal magnetic fields including transverse component directions and line-of-sight component intensities. Solar tomography, or stereoscopy based on EUV observations, can supply 3-D information for some magnetic field lines in bright EUV loops. In a previous paper (Liu and Lin, 2008) the locations of the IR emission sources in the 3-D coordinate system were inferred from the comparison between the polarization data and the potential-field-source-surface (PFSS) model, for one of five west limb regions in the corona (Lin et al., 2004). The paper shows that the region with the loop system in the active region over the photospheric area with strong magnetic field intensity is the region with a dominant contribution to the observed Stokes signals. So, the inversion of the measured Stokes parameters could be done assuming that most of the signals come from a relatively thin layer over the area with a large photospheric magnetic field strength. Here, the five limb coronal regions are studied together in order to study the spatial correlation between the bright EUV loop features and the inferred IR emission sources. It is found that, for the coronal regions above the stronger photospheric magnetic fields, the locations of the IR emission sources are closer to or more consistent with the bright EUV loop locations than those above weaker photospheric fields. This result suggests that the structures of the coronal magnetic fields observed at IR and EUV wavelengths may be different when weak magnetic fields present there.
Analysis of the Berlekamp-Massey linear feedback shift-register synthesis algorithm

An analysis of the Berlekamp-Massey Linear Feedback Shift-Register (LFSR) Synthesis Algorithm is provided which shows that an input string of length n requires O(n2) multiplication/addition operations in the underlying field of definition. We also derive the length distribution for digit strings of length n. Results show that, on the average, the encoded length is no greater than n + 1. Furthermore, we exhibit a connection between step 1 of the Ling-Palermo algorithm and the LFSR Algorithm, and the LFSR Algorithm turns out to be computationally superior.
Lean and zoom: proximity-aware user interface and content magnification

The size and resolution of computer displays has increased dramatically, allowing more information than ever to be rendered on-screen. However, items can now be so small or screens so cluttered that users need to lean forward to properly examine them. This behavior may be detrimental to a user's posture and eyesight. Our Lean and Zoom system detects a user's proximity to the display using a camera and magnifies the on-screen content proportionally. This alleviates dramatic leaning and makes items more readable. Results from a user study indicate people find the technique natural and intuitive. Most participants found on-screen content easier to read, and believed the technique would improve both their performance and comfort.
Viewing single λ site‐specific recombination events from start to finish

The site-specific recombination pathway by which the bacteriophage λ chromosome is excised from its Escherichia coli host chromosome is a tightly regulated, highly directional, multistep reaction that is executed by a series of multiprotein complexes. Until now, it has been difficult to study the individual steps of such reactions in the context of the entire pathway. Using single-molecule light microscopy, we have examined this process from start to finish. Stable bent-DNA complexes containing integrase and the accessory proteins IHF (integration host factor) and Xis form rapidly on attL and attR recombination partners, and synapsis of partner complexes follows rapidly after their formation. Integrase-mediated DNA cleavage before or immediately after synapsis is required to stabilize the synaptic assemblies. Those complexes that synapsed (∼50% of the total) yield recombinant product with a remarkable ∼100% efficiency. The rate-limiting step of excision occurs after synapsis, but closely precedes or is concomitant with the appearance of a stable Holliday junction. Our kinetic analysis shows that directionality of this recombination reaction is conferred by the irreversibility of multiple reaction steps.
Picornavirus infection leading to immunosuppression

Viruses, such as HIV, hepatitis A, poliovirus, coxsackievirus B3 and foot-and-mouth disease virus, use a variety of mechanisms to suppress the human immune system in order to evade clearance by the host. Therefore, investigating how a few changes in the viral genome of a nonlethal virus can lead to an alteration in disease, from survivable to immunosuppression and death, would provide valuable information into viral pathogenesis. In addition, we propose that gaining a better insight into how these viruses suppress an antiviral immune response could lead to viral-based therapeutics to combat specifc autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.
Current Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Breast Imaging: A Primer for the Primary Care Physician

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used imaging tool. Interest in the applicability of this modality in the realm of breast imaging has been steadily increasing over the past 25 years. The purpose of this article is to explore the use of contrast-enhanced MRI in breast imaging as it relates to the primary care physician. The mechanism, factors affecting image quality, basics of interpretation guidelines, and the uses and contraindications for this technique are explored. In addition, studies exploring the use of MRI in various areas of breast imaging are presented. It is hoped that the reader will become knowledgeable in the current utility of the tool as it relates to breast imaging.
Neuroanatomy of the equine dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle: surgical implications.

Summary Reason for performing study: Studies are required to define more accurately and completely the neuroanatomy of the equine dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle as a prerequisite for developing a neuroprosthesis for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Objective: To describe the anatomy, innervation, fibre types and function of the equine dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle. Methods: Thirty-one larynges were collected at necropsy from horses with no history of upper airway disease and 25 subjected to gross dissection. Thereafter, the following preparations were made on a subset of larynges: histochemical staining (n = 5), Sihler's and acetylcholinesterase staining for motor endplates (n = 2). An additional 6 larynges were collected and used for a muscle stimulation study. Results: Two neuromuscular compartments (NMC), each innervated by a primary nerve branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, were identified in all larynges. Stimulation of the lateral NMC produced more lateral displacement of the arytenoid cartilage than the medial NMC (P<0.05). The medial NMC tended to rotate the arytenoid cartilage dorsally. Motor endplates were identified at the junction of the middle and caudal thirds of each NMC. If fibre type grouping was present it was always present in both NMCs. Conclusions: The equine dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle has 2 distinct muscle NMCs with discrete innervation and lines of action. The lateral NMC appears to have a larger role in increasing cross-sectional area of the rima glottidis. Potential relevance: This information should assist in planning surgical reinnervation procedures and development of a neuroprosthesis for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy.
Nuclear Fuel Management Optimization: A Work in Progress

The focus of this overview for this issue of Nuclear Technology, which contains papers presented at the American Nuclear Society Advances in Nuclear Fuel Management III (ANFM-III) 2004 topical meeting, is to introduce the subject of nuclear fuel management for light water reactors. A total of 23 papers was presented on this topic at ANFM-III. Nuclear fuel management involves making the so-called out-of-core and in-core decisions. Simply put, the out-of-core decisions address the attributes of the new (fresh) fuel that will be fabricated and the partially burnt (shuffled) fuel to reinsert into the core for additional energy production. The in-core decisions address where the fresh and burnt fuel along with burnable poisons should be located in the core. The above applies to batch refueling strategies, e.g., pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors (BWRs). For BWRs, additional in-core decisions enter to address control rod pattern paired with core flow rate as a function of burnup. It is obvious that the out-of-core and in-core decisions are coupled.The objective of nuclear fuel management is to minimize the cost of electrical energy generation subject to operational and safety constraints. Since fuel resides in the core for several cycles, a multicycle assessment is requiredmore » to make nuclear fuel management decisions. For nearly four decades there has been an effort to develop automated computational capability to assist the reload core nuclear design engineer in making nuclear fuel management decisions. This development has ranged from employment of heuristic rules to utilization of mathematical optimization approaches. This overview reviews the development of nuclear fuel management optimization capabilities by first defining the problem, then describing current capabilities, and finally projecting where future capabilities need to be developed to support the needs of reload core nuclear design engineers.« less
Unusual response to ventricular pacing during a long RP tachycardia.

A 20-year-old woman with a 10-year history of incessant tachycardia underwent an electrophysiologic procedure. Previous attempts at catheter ablation had been unsuccessful. The tachycardia had a narrow QRS complex, a long RP interval, inverted P waves in the inferior leads, and occasionally was interrupted by a sinus beat (Fig. 1). At baseline, the patient had spontaneous, repetitive tachycardia and never had more than one sinus beat in a row. The tachycardia cycle length varied between 580 and 640 ms. During tachycardia, the atrial-His (AH) and His-ventricle (HV) intervals were 65 ms and 40 ms, respectively, and the earliest
A Semi-Analytical Method for the Solution of Helmholtz Equation

This note is concerned with a semi-analytical method for the solution of 2-D Helmholtz equation in unit square. The method uses orthogonal functions to project the problem down to finite dimensional space. After the projection, the problem simplifies to that of obtaining solutions for second order constant coefficient differential equations which can be done analytically. Numerical results indicate that the method is particularly useful for very high wave numbers.
Application-level measurements of performance on the vBNS

We examine the performance of high-bandwidth multimedia applications over high-speed wide-area networks, such as the vBNS (Internet2). We simulate a teleimmersion application that sends 30 Mbps (2,700 datagrams per second) to various sites around the USA, and measure network- and application-level loss and throughput. We found that over the vBNS, performance is affected more by the packet-rate generated by an application than by its bit-rate. We also assess the amount of error recovery and buffering needed in times of congestion to present an effective multimedia stream to the user. Lastly, we compare our application-level measurements with data taken from a constellation of GPS-synchronized network probes (IPPM Surveyors). The comparison suggests that network-level probes will not provide information that a multimedia application can use to adapt its behavior to improve performance.
Powders, Fibers, Platelets, and Composites

There are many methods that are available for the preparation of ceramic powders. They can be divided into just three basic types.
Progress and obstacles in vaccine development for the ehrlichioses

Ehrlichia are tick-borne obligately intracellular bacteria that cause significant diseases in veterinary natural hosts, including livestock and companion animals, and are now considered important zoonotic pathogens in humans. Vaccines are needed for these veterinary and zoonotic human pathogens, but many obstacles exist that have impeded their development. These obstacles include understanding genetic and antigenic variability, influence of the host on the pathogen phenotype and immunogenicity, identification of the ehrlichial antigens that stimulate protective immunity and those that elicit immunopathology, development of animal models that faithfully reflect the immune responses of the hosts and understanding molecular host–pathogen interactions involved in immune evasion or that may be blocked by the host immune response. We review the obstacles and progress in addressing barriers associated with vaccine development to protect livestock, companion animals and humans against these host defense-evasive a...
Indentation probing of human articular cartilage: Effect on chondrocyte viability.

Summary Background Clinical arthroscopic probes based on indentation testing are being developed. However, the biological effects of certain design parameters (i.e., tip geometry and size) and loading protocols (i.e., indentation depth, rate, and repetition) on human articular cartilage are unclear. Objective Determine if indenter design and indentation protocol modulate mechanical injury of probed cartilage samples. Methods The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of indentation testing using clinically applicable tips (0.4mm radius, plane- or sphere-ended) and protocols (indentation depths of 100, 200, or 300μm, applied at a rate of 50 or 500μm/s) on the extent and the pattern of chondrocyte death, should it occur. Grossly normal osteochondral blocks were harvested from human talar dome, indented, stained with live/dead dyes, and imaged en face on a fluorescence microscope. Results The occurrence and the extent of cell death generally increased with indentation depth, being undetected at an indentation depth of 100μm but marked at 300μm. In addition, tip geometry affected the pattern of cell death: ring- and solid circle-shaped areas of cell deaths were apparent when compressed to 300μm using plane- and sphere-ended indenters. Conclusion Indenter design and indentation protocol modulated the extent and the pattern of chondrocyte death. These results have implications for designing indentation probes and protocols, as well as clinicians performing arthroscopic probing.
The role of impaired esophageal and gastric motility in end-stage lung diseases and after lung transplantation

Today, many questions persist regarding the causal relationship of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to promote aspiration and its potential to induce both pulmonary and allograft failure. Current hypotheses, which have identified GERD as a nonimmune risk factor in inducing pulmonary and allograft failure, center on the role of GERD-induced aspiration of gastroduodenal contents. Risk factors of GERD, such as impaired esophageal and gastric motility, may indirectly play a role in the aspiration process. In fact, although impaired esophageal and gastric motility is not independently a cause of lung deterioration or allograft failure, they may cause and or exacerbate GERD. This report seeks to review present research on impaired esophageal and gastric motility in end-stage lung disease to characterize prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology, and current treatment options within this special patient population.
The Equity Premium: Why Is It a Puzzle? (corrected)

This article takes a critical look at the equity premium puzzle—the inability of standard intertemporal economic models to rationalize the statistics that have characterized U.S. financial markets over the past century. A summary of historical returns for the United States and other industrialized countries and an overview of the economic construct itself are provided. The intuition behind the discrepancy between model prediction and empirical data is explained. After detailing the research efforts to enhance the model's ability to replicate the empirical data, I argue that the proposed resolutions fail along crucial dimensions.
Algal Toxins: General Overview

One of the most serious, widespread, and difficult to control health problems associated with the consumption of foods is that presented by toxins of algal origin in seafoods. This problem is especially difficult to manage because of: (a) the extreme toxicity of the toxins; (b) the difficulty of obtaining the toxins in sufficient quantity for study, and for the development and application of analytical methods; (c) the difficulty inherent in the sampling of seafood; and (d) the fact that the resulting toxicoses are frequently misdiagnosed. Nevertheless, in recent years considerable progress has been made in the study of the seafood toxins and their control.
Chronic Pulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common genetic hemolytic anemia worldwide, affects 250,000 births annually. In the United States, SCD affects approximately 100,000 individuals, most of African descent. Hemoglobin S (HbS) results from a glutamate-to-valine mutation of the sixth codon of the β-hemoglobin allele; the homozygous genotype (HbSS) is associated with the most prevalent and severe form of the disease. Other SCD genotypes include HbSC, composed of one HbS allele and one HbC (glutamate-to-lysine mutation) allele; and HbS-β-thalassemia 0 or HbS-β-thalassemia + , composed of one HbS allele and one β-thalassemia allele with absent or reduced β-chain production, respectively. Despite advances in care, median survival remains in the fifth decade, due in large part to chronic complications of the disease. Chronic pulmonary complications in SCD are major contributors to this early mortality. Although our understanding of these conditions has improved much over the past 10 to 15 years, there remains no specific treatment for pulmonary complications of SCD. It is unclear whether conventional treatment regimens directed at non-SCD populations have equivalent efficacy in patients with SCD. This represents a critical research need. In this review, the authors review the state-of-the-art understanding of the following pulmonary complications of SCD: (1) pulmonary hypertension; (2) venous thromboembolic disease; (3) sleep-disordered breathing; (4) asthma and recurrent wheezing; and (5) pulmonary function abnormalities. This review highlights the advances as well as the knowledge gaps in this field to update clinicians and other health care providers and to garner research interest from the medical community.
Crop Growth and Maintenance Respiration

Since the functional model of respiration is justified on both theoretical and empirical bases, it is possible to sensibly use this model to study, and predict, respiration by crops and crop plants. Because of its mechanistic nature, application of the model to predictions of crop respiration is more appealing than estimates of respiration rate based on simple empirical relationships, often determined under conditions unlike the situation for which an estimate of respiration is desired. The functional model has not been fully refined, however, and further experimental and theoretical efforts are needed to increase the accuracy of its predictions.
Routine Cross-Sectional Head Imaging Before Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Tertiary Center Experience.

Abstract Purpose Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is generally contraindicated in patients with intracranial mass lesions or in the presence of increased intracranial pressure. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of incidental abnormalities on routine cross-sectional head imaging, including CT and MRI, that would preclude subsequent ECT. Methods This retrospective study involved a review of the electronic medical records of 105 patients (totaling 108 imaging studies) between April 27, 2007, and March 20, 2015, referred for cranial CT or MRI with the primary indication of pre-ECT evaluation. The probability of occurrence of imaging findings that would preclude ECT was computed. A cost analysis was also performed on the practice of routine pre-ECT imaging. Results Of the 105 patients who presented with the primary indication of ECT clearance (totaling 108 scans), 1 scan (0.93%) revealed findings that precluded ECT. None of the studies demonstrated findings that indicated increased intracranial pressure. A cost analysis revealed that at least $18,662.70 and 521.97 relative value units must be expended to identify one patient with intracranial pathology precluding ECT. Conclusions The findings of this study demonstrate an extremely low prevalence of findings that preclude ECT on routine cross-sectional head imaging. The costs incurred in identifying a potential contraindication are high. The authors suggest that the performance of pre-ECT neuroimaging be driven by the clinical examination.
Diagnostic Accuracy and Risks of Biopsy in the Diagnosis of a Renal Mass Suspicious for Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review of the Literature.

Purpose: Clinical practice varies widely on the diagnostic role of biopsy for clinically localized renal masses suspicious for renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of the available literature to quantify the accuracy and rate of adverse events of renal mass biopsy.Materials and Methods: MEDLINE®, Embase® and the Cochrane databases were searched (January 1997 to May 2015) for relevant studies. The systematic review process established by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was followed. Nondiagnostic biopsies were excluded from diagnostic accuracy calculations.Results: A total of 20 studies with 2,979 patients and 3,113 biopsies were included in the study. The overall nondiagnostic rate was 14.1% with 90.4% of those undergoing surgery found to have malignancy. Repeat biopsy led to diagnosis in 80% of patients. The false-positive rate was low (4.0%), histological and renal cell carcinoma subtype concordance was substantial, and Fuhrman upgrading notable (16%) from low...
Amyloidoses of the Kidney, the Lower Urinary and Genital Tracts (Male and Female), and the Breast

While most systemic amyloidoses can affect the genitourinary system, apart from renal, adrenal, and testicular amyloid deposits, other sites are usually silent or clinically less prominent. Systemic amyloidosis, presenting with lower urinary symptoms, is exceedingly rare, but it has been reported. Clinically, however, small fiber neuropathy and endocrine involvement are increasingly recognized. The former, which typically occurs in ATTR, but also in AL, may be responsible for lower genitourinary dysfunction, including dysuria, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. The latter may be associated with functional impairment of the testes and adrenal glands. In general, patients presenting with urinary tract symptoms (painless hematuria, flank pain, hydronephrosis, mass, irritative bladder symptoms), if diagnosed with amyloidosis, are affected by localized amyloid deposits, which are present in the urinary tract in the absence of visceral involvement. Testicular involvement is not uncommon in systemic amyloidoses, in particular in AA, AL, AApoAI, ATTR, and dialysis-associated amyloidosis. In systemic AA and AApoAI amyloidosis, in particular, testicular involvement is frequently seen and, since it may affect young adults, its clinical relevance is increasingly recognized. Sub/infertility may be seen in both male and female patients affected by amyloidosis. It is most likely multifactorial and consequent to either actual gonad and/or endocrine gland involvement by amyloidosis or a side effect of treatment. Breast amyloidosis, and its increasingly recognized association with lymphoproliferative disorders, in particular extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), is also briefly discussed.
Investigating peer review as a systemic pedagogy for developing the design knowledge, skills, and dispositions of novice instructional design students

This research investigated peer review as a contemporary instructional pedagogy for fostering the design knowledge, skills, and dispositions of novice Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) professionals. Participants were graduate students enrolled in an introductory instructional design (ID) course. Survey, artifact, and observation data were used to understand the impact of peer review on student ID knowledge, skill, and disposition development and student-generated designs as well as the usefulness of the peer review processes employed. The primary data source, participant perception data from a Web-based survey, was triangulated with student ID artifacts and instructor observations. Findings indicate that peer review supports improved IDs and an authentic experience of ID as both a collaborative and problem-oriented process but, less so, as a creative one. Additionally, findings illuminate practical strategies for improving a systemic peer review pedagogy in a professional learning environment. A minor degree of caution and resistance toward peer review as a learning approach by a small number of participants suggests that instructionally designed support for strategy adoption and use is important. A discussion of findings presents scholarly and practical implications of peer review for students and mentors of design.
A 45-Year-Old Woman With 3 Weeks of Cough and Night Sweats

A 45-year-old woman who received a renal transplant 7 years prior presented with a 3-week history of low-grade fever, night sweats, and a dry cough with scant sputum production. Additionally, she reported generalized weakness and increased fatigability. She denied hemoptysis or weight loss, and there had been no change in medication or foreign travel. She had no history of latent tuberculosis or sick contacts. She had recently relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was sexually active with her boyfriend who worked as a prison guard. She also reported that she was briefly incarcerated 7 years ago shortly after her renal transplantation. Her immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone.
Adhesion of Explosives

It is of increasing importance to understand how explosive particles adhere to surfaces in order to understand how to remove them for detection in airport or other security settings. In this study, adhesion forces between royal demolition explosive (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) (RDX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and trinitrotoluene (TNT) in their crystalline forms and aluminum coupons with three finishes, acrylic melamine (clear coating), polyester acrylic melamine (white coating) automotive finishes, and a green military-grade finish, were measured and modeled. The force measurements were performed using the atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based colloidal probe microscopy (CPM) method. Explosive particles were mounted on AFM cantilevers and repeatedly brought in and out of contact with the surfaces of interest while the required force needed to pull out of contact was recorded. An existing Matlab-based simulator was used to describe the observed adhesion force distributions, with excellent agreement. In these simulations, the measured topographies of the interacting surfaces were considered, although the geometries were approximated. The simulations were performed using a van der Waals force-based adhesion model and a composite effective Hamaker constant. It was determined that certain combinations of roughness on the interacting surfaces led to preferred particle-substrate orientations that produced extreme adhesion forces.
Comparison of Polypeptide Chains of γG-Globulin from Bursectomized and Normal Chickens.

SummaryReduced and alkylated γG-globulin from bursectomized and normal chickens had the same elution pattern from Sephadex G-200 columns when either propionic acid or formic acid was used for elution. The phe-nograms obtained from column-separated polypeptide chains were compared, and no difference was found in either the L chain or H chain banding patterns of γG-globulin from bursectomized and normal chickens. These results indicate that the subunit of γG-globulin is the same for bursectomized and normal chickens.
Olfactory Detection of Gypsy Moth Pheromone and Egg Masses by Domestic Canines

Three ♂ German shepherds were trained to located disparlure treated objects and egg masses of gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.). Field detection of egg masses on stones, wood and bark were made by utilizing the dogs in different searching patterns. Egg mass detection up to 2 m away by domestic canines was achieved which suggests that this technique might be used for quarantine inspection of vehicles or to detect suspect infestations of P. dispar . There was a direct correlation between actual egg mass density in 0.01 ha plots and the number of masses found by the dog in 10 min directed searches. These results indicate that canines can be employed to estimate egg mass density by relating the number found in a prescribed search period to actual field density. This study is the 1st recorded use of dogs for detectmg an insect.
Absorption of Light in a Single-Nanowire Silicon Solar Cell Decorated with an Octahedral Silver Nanocrystal

In recent photovoltaic research, nanomaterials have offered two new approaches for trapping light within solar cells to increase their absorption: nanostructuring the absorbing semiconductor and using metallic nanostructures to couple light into the absorbing layer. This work combines these two approaches by decorating a single-nanowire silicon solar cell with an octahedral silver nanocrystal. Wavelength-dependent photocurrent measurements and finite-difference time domain simulations show that increases in photocurrent arise at wavelengths corresponding to the nanocrystal’s surface plasmon resonances, while decreases occur at wavelengths corresponding to optical resonances of the nanowire. Scanning photocurrent mapping with submicrometer spatial resolution experimentally confirms that changes in the device’s photocurrent come from the silver nanocrystal. These results demonstrate that understanding the interactions between nanoscale absorbers and plasmonic nanostructures is essential to optimizing the ef...
The thermal condition analysis of stage separation for a multistage solid rocket before the nozzle exit cone extend

The thermal condition of stage separation for a multistage solid rocket with extendible nozzle was analyzed by means of flow computation softwave FLUENT and the turbulent flow model RNG κ-e. The results indicate that characteristics of the wake flow in the extendible nozzle change significantly when the wake flow is blocked by the adapter cylinder, the foward dome and the exit cone, especially when a backflow comes into being due to effect of the foward dome of the first stage motor and a shock wave forms in the nozzle. The thermal condition parameters calculated can provide references to the thermal-protection design of the solid motor.
Molecular and Growth-Based Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex for Ethambutol Resistance in the United States

Ethambutol (EMB) is used as a part of drug regimens for treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates to EMB can be discerned by DNA sequencing to detect mutations in the embB gene associated with resistance. US Public Health Laboratories (PHL) primarily use growth-based drug susceptibility test (DST) methods to determine EMB resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a service for molecular detection of drug resistance (MDDR) by DNA sequencing and concurrent growth-based DST using agar proportion. PHL and CDC test results were compared for 211 MTBC samples submitted to CDC from September 2009 through February 2011. Concordance between growth-based DST results from PHL and CDC was 88.2%. A growth-based comparison of 39 samples, where an embB mutation associated with EMB resistance was detected, revealed a higher percentage of EMB resistance by CDC (84.6%) than by PHL (59.0%) which was significant ( value = 0.002). Discordance between all growth-based test results from PHL and CDC was also significant ( value = 0.003). Most discordance was linked to false susceptibility using the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 (MGIT) growth-based system. Our analysis supports coalescing growth-based and molecular results for an informed interpretation of potential EMB resistance.
DRGs and PPS—Their Effect on Hospitals

This is the first in a series of four continuing education articles on management. This article is designed to present the technologist with a clear understanding of new government regulations, reimbursement changes, and the effect on hospitals. Upon completion of this article the technologist should understand 1) changes in regulations that affect hospital revenue in general; 2) how these changes will effect patient service departments, radiology, and nuclear medicine; and 3) future trends and how they will affect health care.
Ontogeny of Electroreceptors and Their Neural Circuitry

Ontogenetic studies provide a key to understanding the organization of different classes of sensory receptors, their distribution on the body, and their innervation. This is particularly true for the lateral line system of fishes and amphibians, as one class of sensory receptors, electroreceptors, was lost and then regained at a later time in two groups of teleost fishes. There are extensive descriptive and experimental studies documenting that primitive electroreceptors, that is, nonteleost ampullary organs, arise from lateral line placodes that generate one or more lines of neuromasts and the lateral line nerve that innervates these receptors. Ampullary organ and neuromast primordia arise from lateral and central zones, respectively, of sensory ridges, which form by the elongation of the lateral line placodes. In contrast to primitive electroreceptors, the embryonic origin of the reevolved ampullary organs and the newly evolved tuberous electroreceptors in teleosts is uncertain. It has been claimed that ampullary organs in catfishes develop from lateral line placodes, whereas ampullary and tuberous organs in gymnotids are claimed to develop from general ectoderm. Clearly, experimental studies are needed to resolve these different interpretations.
Pain Control in Infant Circumcision

Anyone who has performed circumcisions, medical or ritual, knows that newborn babies respond appropriately to painful stimuli, i.e., they respond to actions that would cause pain like clamping or cutting foreskin. To claim otherwise is disingenuous at best. Furthermore, simple and evidenced based observations have put to rest any notion that newborn circumcision is not significantly painful. Thus, it is incumbent of all medical practitioners who perform circumcisions to do so only after producing appropriate anesthesia.
Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development

Nanomaterials provide great opportunities in the field of agriculture because of their unique physicochemical properties. The interaction of nanoparticles with plants results in several physiological, morphological, and genotoxic changes, and their understanding is important for the effective use of nanotechnology in agriculture. Researchers suggested both positive and negative responses of nanoparticles on plant growth and development depending upon the properties of nanomaterials, mode of application as well as plant species. Studies on the uptake, translocation and biotransformation, and risks of application of nanomaterials on agriculturally important crops are recent research focus for understanding the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of plants in relation to nanoparticles.
Aging, society, and the life course (5th ed.), By Leslie A. Morgan and Suzanne R. Kunkel

It’s usually a sign that a book is useful to its intended audience and, therefore, successful when it is published over time in multiple editions. Now in its fifth edition, Aging, society, and the ...
Explorando fenómenos culturales a través de entrevistas en profundidad: ¿de qué sirve preguntar a las personas acerca de lo que piensan, de lo que quieren decir y de lo que hacen?

In 2010, American sociologist John Levi Martin asserted that in-depth interviews are inadequate for the study of culture. This sparked a debate in the discipline over the legitimacy of interview methods for researchers of culture and others. Here, we contextualize and contribute to this debate. We review the ideas of Martin and argue that in-depth interviews are in fact valid, well-supported in the field, and useful for investigating cultural phenomena. We build this counter-argument on three angles: epistemological, theoretical and methodological. Given this defense, we also explore how social scientists are implementing innovative ways to complement in-depth interview approaches, such as through social network analysis.
Synchronous Separation, Seaming, Sealing and Sterilization (S4) using Brazing for Sample Containerization and Planetary Protection

The potential return of samples back to Earth in a future NASA mission would require protection of our planet from the risk of bringing uncontrolled biological materials back with the samples. In order to ensure this does not happen, it would be necessary to “break the chain of contact (BTC)”, where any material reaching Earth would have to be inside a container that is sealed with extremely high confidence. Therefore, it would be necessary to contain the acquired samples and destroy any potential biological materials that may contaminate the external surface of their container while protecting the sample itself for further analysis. A novel synchronous separation, seaming, sealing and sterilization (S4) process for sample containerization and planetary protection has been conceived and demonstrated. A prototype double wall container with inner and outer shells and Earth clean interstitial space was used for this demonstration. In a potential future mission, the double wall container would be split into two halves and prepared on Earth, while the potential on-orbit execution would consist of inserting the sample into one of the halves and then mating to the other half and brazing. The use of brazing material that melts at temperatures higher than 500°C would assure sterilization of the exposed areas since all carbon bonds are broken at this temperature. The process would be executed in two-steps, Step-1: the double wall container halves would be fabricated and brazed on Earth; and Step-2: the containerization and sterilization process would be executed on-orbit. To prevent potential jamming during the process of mating the two halves of the double wall container and the extraction of the brazed inner container, a cone-within-cone approach has been conceived and demonstrated. The results of this study will be described and discussed.