cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of goal achievement in patients undergoing hysterectomy.

Abstract Objective: The primary objective of our study was to identify predictors of goal achievement in patients undergoing simple hysterectomy for benign indications. We also sought to describe the goals of patients in this population. Study Design: This was a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications performed at a single academic institution. We documented patient-reported goals of treatment prior to undergoing hysterectomy in 57 patients, and assessed goal achievement and other patient-centered outcomes three months after surgery in 47 of the patients (82.5%). We compared patients who met all of their goals to those who did not, and used multivariate regression to identify predictors of goal achievement. We also characterized the general profile of goals for patients undergoing hysterectomy. Results: We identified the primary surgical diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding (OR 6.5, 1.7–30.1, p = 0.006), as well as an increased feeling of being prepared for postoperative discharge (OR 11.9, 2.1–104.4, p = 0.005), to be independent predictors of patient goal achievement. Goal achievement was correlated with other patient-centered outcomes, including a higher sense of satisfaction and greater patient global impression of improvement. Goals related to symptoms were more commonly stated and more commonly achieved than functional goals. Conclusion: Goal achievement in patients undergoing hysterectomy depends on the preoperative diagnosis and the patient’s feeling of preparedness for postoperative discharge. Goal achievement should be considered as a useful patient-centered outcome. Patients undergoing hysterectomy have a unique profile of goals which should be considered and addressed in preoperative counseling.
Minorities and the public service: a future perspective

This paper analyzes the future prospects of blacks and other minorities in the public service. It examines studies on race/role expectations of minority administrators, tokenism and marginality to discern trends in interethnic relations. It also discusses future demographic projections and their implications for majority/minority relations. Finally, the essay explains why public service careers are particularly significant for blacks and other minorities.
Environmental Education Resources: Government Agencies, Research Facilities, And Professional Associations

Author(s): Stoss, Frederick W. | Abstract: Educational materials on current environmental problems
The first 4 years of a warmwater recreational pond management Web site in Arkansas.

A farm pond management Web site in Arkansas was evaluated over the first 4 years of implementation in order to 1) examine usage trends, and 2) characterize clientele visiting the Web site. The Web site tallied over 30,000 visits. April and May were the peak months of activity, and surges in use followed promotional activities. Pond management characteristics of respondents to an online survey and implications to Extension education are presented. Overall, the Web site was effective in communicating to stakeholders and may be a preferred alternative to traditional Extension media.
Polyethylene Wear in Total Knee Replacement: Material and Design Considerations

Polyethylene wear and the subsequent biologic reaction to the particulate debris released to the periarticular tissues is a recognized failure mode for total knee replacements. The wear problem and potential solutions to limit wear can be understood by considering the general design objectives for total knee replacements and the specific design and material factors that influence the stresses to which polyethylene knee components are exposed. Competing design objectives require compromise between kinematic function, load transfer, and wear considerations. Design factors, such as the conformity of the articulating surfaces, significantly influence polyethylene stresses and, therefore, the propensity for wear damage. Material considerations include oxidative degradation, which is influenced by gamma radiation sterilization and which can continue during shelf storage and implantation.
Designing hybrid physics labs: combining simulation and experiment for teaching computational thinking in first-year engineering

This Innovative Practice Full Paper details a design-based research approach for implementing computational learning activities in a first-year engineering physics course. This study contributes to the growing body of research on computation in engineering education by introducing computational concepts and activities during a physics laboratory class. Drawing from Experiential Learning Theory and using an adapted version of the Use-Modify-Create framework for teaching computational thinking, a series of lab activities was designed that combined physical lab experiments with computational modeling using custom-built VPython simulations. Data was collected from the labs in the form of (1) responses to lab activity worksheets, (2) code modified and/or generated by the students during lab activities, (3) in-code comments provided by the students during the activities. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyze students’ learning benefits and any challenges faced during the activities. While results show a number of learning benefits, an observed homogeneity of student responses to the questions on the lab handouts point to a set of potential limitations within the activities themselves that warranted further examination. Insight gained from this analysis process is presented as a set of four design principles that will inform future implementations of the hybrid course design.
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.

Renal involvement in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a rare manifestation. Although most renal involvement is due to monoclonal immune deposits, pathology can also be unrelated to it. Here, we describe a 68-year-old female with a history of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia who presented with generalized edema and nephrotic range proteinuria. A renal biopsy showed findings consistent with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Treatment with oral prednisone leads to the resolution of proteinuria. This case highlights the importance of identifying pathology that might not be directly related to monoclonal gammopathy, which could have implications on the management.
Immunological organ modification during Ex Vivo machine perfusion: The future of organ acceptance

Ex vivo machine perfusion (EVMP) has gained revitalized interest in recent years due to the increasing use of marginal organs which poorly tolerate the standard preservation method static cold storage (SCS). EVMP improves on SCS in a number of ways, most notably by the potential for reconditioning of the donor organ prior to transplantation without the ethical concerns associated with organ modulation before procurement. Immunomodulatory therapies administered during EVMP can influence innate and adaptive immune responses to reduce production of inflammatory molecules and polarize tissue-resident immune cells to a regulatory phenotype. The targeted inhibition of an inflammatory response can reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury following organ reoxygenation and therefore reduce incidence of graft dysfunction and rejection. Numerous approaches to modulate the inflammatory response have been applied in experimental models, with the ultimate goal of clinical translatability. Strategies to target the innate immune system include inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways, upregulating anti-inflammatory mediators, and decreasing mitochondrial damage while those which target the adaptive immune system include mesenchymal stromal cells. Inhibitory RNA approaches target both the innate and adaptive immune systems with a focus on MHC knock-down. Future studies may address issues of therapeutic agent delivery through use of nanoparticles and explore novel strategies such as targeting co-inhibitory molecules to educate T-cells to a tolerogenic state. In this review, we summarize the cellular and acellular contributors to allograft dysfunction and rejection, discuss the strategies which have been employed pre-clinically during EVMP to modulate the donor organ immune environment, and suggest future directions for immunomodulatory EVMP studies.
Governance and boards of directors in closed-end investment companies

Abstract We analyze whether board structure and director independence in closed-end investment companies are related to shareholder interests in ways that are consistent with boards being effective monitors. We report that funds with relatively low expense ratios, one measure of board effectiveness, have smaller boards, a higher proportion of board members who are legally considered independent, relatively low director compensation, and charter provisions that specify remedial action if discounts become large. Evidence from our analysis of major fund restructuring decisions, including share repurchases, open-ending proposals and right offerings, is largely consistent with the expense ratio analysis. Overall, board characteristics that we identify with effective board independence are associated with lower expense ratios and value-enhancing restructurings.
Capabilities of the NIFFTE FissionTPC

The NIFFTE fission Time Projection Chamber has been used to measure a number of cross section ratios and fission anisotropies over the past several years. Track information from fully reconstructed three-dimensional ionization profiles have allowed for sophisticated cross section analyses that were not previously possible. Initial measurements disregarded the shape of recorded ionization profiles, which should contain particle identification information. The utility of these charge profiles will be discussed, along with future measurements they might enable.
Regulation of platform market access by the U.S. and China: Neo-mercantilism in digital services

A sequential analysis of the rise of barriers to U.S. – China trade in internet and digital platform markets from 2000 – 2021. The analysis includes e-commerce, social media, cloud service and ride-hailing platforms. In addition to documenting the nature and sequence of the barriers, it examines the reasons for them; specifically, whether their primary stated rationale was to achieve trade reciprocity or to protect national security. The evidence shows that policy makers in both countries are going down the path of a divided platform economy. We label this pattern of interaction digital neo-mercantilism. Neo-mercantilism denotes a fusion of economic development in the digital economy with the power and security of the state. In their attempt to gain relative power against its competitor(s), practitioners of digital neo-mercantilism in the U.S. and China try to maintain the gains from trade and resultant economic interdependencies while exploiting those interdependencies to undercut competing systems of political economy.
Concurrent Immunotherapy With Chemoradiation for Definitive Management of Locally Advanced Laryngeal Cancer: A Prospective Trial.

Purpose/Objective(s) Cisplatin-based chemoradiation is an established organ-preserving strategy for locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, but long-term survival remains suboptimal, warranting an improved approach. Immunotherapy has been studied in the metastatic and unresectable recurrent setting, but additional data are needed to assess its role in definitive therapy. The study hypothesis was that the use of immunotherapy in conjunction with chemoradiation would be safe and result in improved laryngectomy-free survival (LFS) compared to standard of care chemoradiation. Materials/Methods This trial was an open-label, single-arm, prospective, multi-institutional study. The study included a Phase I run-in portion to assess safety in the first 6 enrolled patients and a planned subsequent Phase II component. Due to slow accrual, the study was closed after enrollment of 9 patients and the data were allowed to mature. The primary endpoint of the Phase II portion was LFS at 18 months. Study patients had Stage III or IV (T1-3; N0-3; M0) laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and were candidates for larynx preservation. Pembrolizumab was given as a 200 mg flat dose 3 weeks prior to the start of chemoradiation and was then given q21 days until the completion of chemoradiation. Cisplatin was given at a dose of 100 mg/m2 q21 days during radiation with allowed dose modifications for toxicities. Radiation was prescribed to a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 daily fractions using IMRT with an elective nodal dose of 56-63 Gy. Results A total of 9 patients with a median age of 54 were enrolled from 2017 to 2019. The median follow-up time was 30.1 months. None of the enrolled patients required laryngectomy, resulting in 100% LFS at 18 months for evaluable patients. The 18-month overall survival (OS) rate was 66.7%; of the 3 patient deaths, 2 were due to co-morbid conditions (diabetes, peripheral arterial disease) rather than malignancy. The remaining 6 patients were alive at the time of last follow-up and the median duration of OS was not reached. There were 27 Grade 3 toxicities, with 2 attributable to pembrolizumab. Nearly all Grade 4 (n = 4) and Grade 5 (n = 1) toxicities occurred in a single patient with poorly-controlled diabetes; the Grade 5 toxicity was due to diabetic ketoacidosis. One patient had late Grade 4 laryngeal edema requiring tracheostomy 8 months after chemoradiation; the edema has since resolved and the tracheostomy was reversed. Conclusion The use of concurrent pembrolizumab with chemoradiation for locally advanced larynx cancer resulted in high LFS. Most toxicities were attributable to chemoradiation and the majority of Grade 4 and 5 toxicities occurred in a patient with poorly-controlled diabetes. A case of late Grade 4 laryngeal edema could have been related to immunotherapy. Future studies with concurrent immunotherapy with chemoradiation should account for this possibility.
Pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein occlusion in an extended Whipple procedure : comparison with collateral vein pattern in cases of sinistral portal hypertension.

The risks of developing sinistral portal hypertension as a result of occlusion of the splenic vein close to its termination during a Whipple procedure are unclear. Our purpose was to compare the pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein ligation in an extended Whipple procedure with the pattern of collateral development in cases of sinistral portal hypertension. Five patients underwent an extended Whipple procedure in which the splenic vein was divided and not reconstructed. Six to eight months later detailed mapping of venous return from the spleen was determined by contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography or in one case by 3D contrast-enhanced MRI. Spleen size and length of residual patent splenic vein were also measured. The literature on sinistral portal hypertension was evaluated to ascertain whether the venous collateral pattern in cases of left-sided portal hypertension was similar to the pattern that developed when the splenic vein was ligated at its termination in the Whipple procedure. A length of splenic vein remained patent in all five patients, measuring 4.5 to 11.5 cm from the spleen. Splenomegaly did not develop. Blood returned from the spleen by multiple collaterals including collaterals in the omentum and mesocolon. These types of collaterals do not develop in sinistral portal hypertension, nor is residual patent splenic vein seen. Ligation of the splenic vein close to its termination in five patients resulted in a pattern of venous return different from patients that have developed left-sided portal hypertension.
Bile acid transport by the rat liver canalicular bile acid transport/ecto-ATPase protein is dependent on ATP but not on its own ecto-ATPase activity

We have shown that bile acid efflux and ecto-ATPase activities are two distinct properties of a single rat liver hepatocyte canalicular membrane protein (Sippel, C. J., Suchy, F. J., Ananthanarayanan, M., and Perlmutter, D. H. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 2083-2091). Bile acid efflux in COS cells transfected with this rat hepatocyte canalicular bile acid transport/ectoATPase cDNA is stimulated by ATP and inhibited by nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs. In this study, we depleted transfected COS cells of ATP to examine whether bile acid efflux mediated by this transporter was dependent on ATP or just stimulated by ATP. We also used mutagenesis of an ATPase consensus sequence in the ectoplasmic domain to examine the relationship of ATPase activity to bile acid efflux mediated by the same polypeptide. The results indicate that bile acid transport is abrogated by ATP depletion and reconstituted by exogenous ATP in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner. Introduction of mutations at amino acids Gly97 and Arg98 in the ATPase consensus sequence abrogated ATPase activity but did not affect synthesis or cell surface delivery of the transporter and did not affect its bile acid transport activity. Taken together, the data indicate that bile acid efflux mediated by the rat hepatocyte canalicular bile acid transport/ecto-ATPase protein is dependent on ATP but not on its own ATPase activity. The data, therefore, imply that 1) ATP affects its bile acid transport activity through an entirely distinct mechanism; and 2) if there is any functional relationship between the ecto-ATPase and bile acid transport properties, it is mediated indirectly through regulation of net ATP concentrations in the canalicular space by the ecto-ATPase.
Home-style beef jerky: Effect of four preparation methods on consumer acceptability and pathogen inactivation

The safety of homemade jerky continues to be questioned. Producing a safe product that retains acceptable quality attributes is important. Lethality of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes as well as consumer acceptability and sensory attributes of jerky prepared by four methods were examined. Preparation methods were drying marinated strips at 60°C (representing a traditional method), boiling strips in marinade or heating in an oven to 71°C prior to drying, and heating strips in an oven after drying to 71°C. A 60-member consumer panel rated overall acceptability. A 10-member descriptive panel evaluated quality attributes. Samples heated after drying and samples boiled in marinade prior to drying had slightly higher acceptability scores but were not statistically different from traditional samples. Although the four treatments were significantly different in color (P = 0.0001), saltiness (P = 0.0001), and texture (P = 0.0324), only texture appeared to influence overall consumer...
Highly parallel adaptive filter

A parallel algorithm for digital adaptive filters is introduced. The algorithm is a look-ahead realization of a transversal filter, which uses a forgetting factor to diminish the effect of the past errors in the performance index. The authors illustrate how such an algorithm can be implemented in a regular and modular structure suitable for VLSI implementation. The maximum sampling rate is limited by the time it takes to add two binary inputs. If the input signal has a sampling rate lower than the maximum sampling rate, then the architecture can be tailored to minimize the hardware costs. >
Patterns and Predictors of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Importance Although congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may be associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), to our knowledge, no studies have yet identified the pattern of this hearing loss or definitive independent risk factors that may place this population at higher risk. Objective To characterize the type and degree or SNHL in CDH survivors and better characterize perinatal risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective cohort study of CDH survivors who had a pure-tone audiogram available for review followed at a multidisciplinary clinic. Interventions Treatment for CDH at birth. Main Outcomes and Measures Audiograms were used to calculate pure-tone average (PTA) for the most severely affected side and classify SNHL as normal ( 40-59 dB), severe (≥60 dB), or profound (≥80 dB). Clinically significant SNHL was defined as a PTA of at least 40 dB. Perinatal data evaluated included demographics, characteristics of CDH and neonatal respiratory course, peak total and direct bilirubin levels, exposure to ototoxic drugs, need for supplemental oxygen at discharge, and results of newborn hearing screen. Univariate analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between these variables and (1) any SNHL or (2) significant SNHL. Results Fifty patients were included. Audiograms were performed at age 2.7 ± 2.3 years (range, 0.5-10.7 years). Of the 50 patients, 28 (56%) had any SNHL and 9 of the 28 (32%) had significant SNHL (PTA ≥ 40 dB). Any SNHL was not significantly different ( P = .42) by newborn hearing screen results: 5 of 7 children (71%) who failed the screening were classified as having any SNHL, and 20 of 40 children (50%) who passed were classified as having any SNHL. While no variables were significantly associated with any SNHL, multiple significant associations were found with significant SNHL: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support ( P = .02), nonprimary CDH repair ( P = .01), prolonged ventilation (≥14 days) ( P = .001), and high neonatal furosemide exposure ( P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance Sensorineural hearing loss is prevalent among children with CDH. As would be expected, significant SNHL (PTA ≥ 40 dB) in this cohort was associated with markers of more severe CDH with a more complicated neonatal hospital course. Overall close follow-up for hearing and speech development, including routine audiology testing, is indicated in children with CDH.
Pediatric heart transplantation—indications and outcomes in the current era

Pediatric heart transplantation (HTx) remains an important treatment option in the care of children with end-stage heart disease, whether it is secondary to cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease (CHD). As surgical outcomes for CHD have improved, the indications for pediatric HTx have had to be dynamic, not only for children with CHD but also for the growing population of adults with CHD. As the field of pediatric HTx has evolved, the outcomes for children undergoing HTx have improved. This is undoubtedly due to the continued research efforts of both single-center studies, as well as research collaboratives such as the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) and the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) group. Research collaboratives are increasingly important in pediatric HTx as single center studies for a limited patient population may not elicit strong enough evidence for practice evolution. Similarly, complications that limit the long term graft survival may occur in a minority of patients thus pooled experience is essential. This review focuses on the indications and outcomes for pediatric HTx, with a special emphasis on studies generated by these research collaboratives.
Ester Cleavages via SN2‐Type Dealkylation

The cleavage of esters to furnish carboxylic acids is a common organic transformation that is usually carried out in a routine manner by acidic or basic hydrolysis. It often happens, however, particularly in the synthesis of natural products, that the substrate ester is sensitive to hydrolytic conditions. For such sensitive materials a number of mild, neutral methods of ester cleavage have been devised. Those methods that occur with displacement of carboxylate by SN2 dealkylation are the subject of this chapter. Keywords: ester cleavages; SN2-type dealkylation; ester; nucleophile; halides; thiolates; potassium t-butoxide; cyanide; amines; thiocyanate; experimental conditions
Histologic and immunohistochemical characterization of thymic epithelial tumours in the dog

Thymic epithelial tumour (TET) histologic subclassification has not been well described in the veterinary literature as it has in humans. The objective of this study was to identify and describe TET subtypes in dogs and to determine the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in differentiating these subtypes. Samples were reviewed and classified according to a modified World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for human tumours of thymic origin. Signallment, presenting signs, treatment and survival data was collected from medical records. Histologic review confirmed the same subtypes as described in humans. Presence of high stage disease, pleomorphism, mitotic figures and capsular invasion was more common in atypical thymomas and thymic carcinomas than in thymomas. IHC was performed for GLUT-1, CD5, CD117 and CK8/18; however, this was not useful in classifying the tumours.
Open Abdomen Management With Human Acellular Dermal Matrix in Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract Background Abdominal wall closure after liver transplantation is not always feasible and may result in increased intra-abdominal pressure along with associated complications. Various temporary closure techniques as well as open wound management have been used to address this complex problem. The aim of this series was to describe an approach to definitive wound closure of the open abdomen in liver transplant patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all liver transplant patients at our institution from September 2005 to November 2007. The management of the open abdomen in 10 liver transplant patients was reviewed, and a novel approach described to manage these defects. Results Ten patients with open wounds were closed during the study period using human acellular dermal matrix (HADM). There were 7 men and 3 women of median age 55 years. Average size of HADM was 235 cm 2 . The median follow-up is 10 months with no incidence of evisceration or hernia. In 1 patient, the graft failed along the lateral side due to infection; it dislodged during vacuum-assisted closure dressing change in another patient at 5 months after closure. Fascial closure was not possible due to organ edema ( n = 3), a large liver ( n = 4) or wound infection with dehiscence ( n = 3). Conclusions HADM can be used for primary wound closure in both clean and contaminated wounds as an alternative to an open abdomen post-liver transplantation.
The Ndutu cranium and the origin ofHomo sapiens

The reconstruction and anatomy of a crushed hominid cranium excavated from an Acheulean horizon at Lake Ndutu, Tanzania, is here described. It is assigned to archaicHomo sapiens on the basis of its expanded parietal and occipital regions of the brain. ArchaicH. sapiens apparently evolved from an African species usually classified asHomo erectus but here argued to be a separate species,Homo leakeyi. It is further argued thatHomo leakeyi evolved fromHomo habilis about 1·5 million years ago and continued the Acheulean handaxe tradition that began withH. habilis. It is suggested thatHomo erectus was a species that originated in Asia east of Bangladesh, possibly from aHomo habilis population isolated in that part of the world. Indications are thatH. erectus was confined to that region, was not cognisant with Acheulean handaxe technology, and was not ancestral to modern man.
Host range mutants of Minute Virus of Mice with a single VP2 amino acid change require additional silent mutations that regulate NS2 accumulation

Two host range switch mutants of the immunosuppressive strain of parvovirus Minute Virus of Mice (MVMi) were isolated from plaques on A9 fibroblasts. Both carried a single coding mutation at residue D399 in VP2, to alanine and glycine in hr105 and hr107, respectively, and a second, non-coding, guanine-to-adenine change at nucleotide 1970 in hr105 and 1967 in hr107. These mutations were recreated in a wild type MVMi infectious plasmid clone, both alone and as pairs, in either the original or switched combinations. All single mutants failed to replicate productively in fibroblasts, but the two pairs of changes were functionally equivalent. Single D399 mutations allowed the viruses to initiate infection in fibroblasts, but NS2 expression was severely restricted and correlated with poor accumulation and release of progeny virus. Mutations at 1967 or 1970 enhanced NS2 accumulation, and allowed efficient progeny production and release. Conversely, the D399 mutations destroyed the viruses' ability to infect EL4 lymphocytes. In all productive EL4 infections, NS2 was expressed at high ratios even in the absence of upstream mutations, and progeny accumulation was efficient. However, EL4 cells lack a mechanism for early progeny release, potentially explaining why virus amplification in these cells is slow.
Lid-triggered Synkineses

In contrast to the Marcus Gunn or jaw-winking syndrome, in which voluntary jaw movement produces lid retraction, we report two singular patients having "lid-triggered synkineses" wherein voluntary lid closure initiates involuntary bodily, oral, or ocular movements. Because these associated movements occur beyond the distribution of the facial nerve, we suggest a supranuclear, innervational anomaly as an explanation for these complex phenomena.
Water Soluble Acyloxy Nitroso Compounds: HNO Release and Reactions with Heme and Thiol Containing Proteins

Nitroxyl (HNO) has gained interest as a potential treatment of congestive heart failure through the ability of the HNO donor, Angeli's salt (AS), to evoke positive inotropic effects in canine cardiac muscle. The release of nitrite during decomposition limits the use of AS requiring other HNO sources. Acyloxy nitroso compounds liberate HNO and small amounts of nitrite upon hydrolysis and the synthesis of the water-soluble 4-nitrosotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate and pivalate allows for pig liver esterase (PLE)-catalysis increasing the rate of decomposition and HNO release. The pivalate derivative does not release HNO, but the addition of PLE catalyzes hydrolysis (t(1/2)=39 min) and HNO formation (65% after 30 min). In the presence of PLE, this compound converts metmyoglobin (MetMb) to iron nitrosyl Mb and oxyMb to metMb indicating that these compounds only react with heme proteins as HNO donors. The pivalate in the presence and the absence of PLE inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) with IC(50) values of 3.5 and 3.3 μM, respectively, in a time-dependent manner. Reversibility assays reveal reversible inhibition of ALDH in the absence of PLE and partially irreversible inhibition with PLE. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) reveals formation of a disulfide upon incubation of an ALDH peptide without PLE and a mixture of disulfide and sulfinamide in the presence of PLE. A dehydroalanine residue forms upon incubation of this peptide with excess AS. These results identify acyloxy nitroso compounds as unique HNO donors capable of thiol modification through direct electrophilic reaction or HNO release.
A comparative evaluation on high fiber muffins

Research on fiber is extensive, yet no study has been done to determine consumer acceptability of physical and sensory characteristics in high fiber muffins. Insoluble fiber improves bowel function and soluble fiber slows carbohydrate digestion and reduces blood cholesterol. Six muffin variations were studied, three with 30% and three with 15% bran fiber. Wheat, combined wheat and oat bran, and oat bran were studied. Moisture content, water holding capacity, fat absorption, density, and hydrated density were studied in the brans. Density, moisture, water holding capacity, and sensory tests were done on the muffins. Wheat bran had a higher moisture content, fat absorption, and lower density than oat bran. Muffins containing 15% wheat flour, 7.5% wheat bran and 7.5% oat bran, and 15% wheat bran and 15% oat bran were acceptable by consumers.
Treatment of anaerobic infections with lincomycin and clindamycin.

Abstract The efficacy of lincomycin and clindamycin against anaerobic bacteria was evaluated by in vitro sensitivity studies and clinical observations. Ninety-six per cent of 219 stock strains of various anaerobes were sensitive to 3.1 μg per milliliter of clindamycin, including 96 per cent of 123 strains of Bacteroides fragilis. All but two strains (both Fusobacterium varium) were inhibited by 6.2 μg per milliliter, a clinically achievable level. Most species tested were also sensitive, although less so, to lincomycin. Resistant organisms included most B. fragilis and many Clostridium perfringens strains. The patients treated had infections due to a variety of anaerobes, including B. fragilis. Response was favorable in 10 of 11 patients who were treated with lincomycin and in each of 14 patients treated with clindamycin. The data suggest that these agents, particularly clindamycin, are useful in the therapy of anaerobic infections.
Sickle hemoglobin aggregation: a new class of inhibitors

A number of tri- and tetrapeptides have been found to inhibit aggregation and gelation of deoxygenated sickle cell hemoglobin. These inhibitors have hydrophobic phenylalanine residues at one end and hydrogen bonding lysine or arginine side chains at the other end. The backbone is not very specific. The inhibitors do not modify the oxygen carrying properties of hemoglobin. When the inhibitor and sickle hemoglobin are put inside reconstituted cells, the erythrocytes do not sickle upon deoxygenation. Compounds of this type may develop useful agents in the therapy of sickle cell anemia.
On the amino‐acid‐sequence distribution in benzylglutamate‐methionine copolymers prepared from N‐carboxyanhydrides

The amino-acid-sequence distribution in poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate, L-methionine) prepared by polymerization of the respective N-carboxyanhydrides has been investigated. This copolymer was converted first to poly(L-glutamic acid, L-methionine), which was subsequently cleaved by treatment with cyanogen bromide. The resulting material was fractionated into oligomers of (glutamic acid)n-homoserine whose relative molar amounts were determined quantitatively. The results have been compared with those for a random incorporation of the methionine in a γ-benzylglutamate host polymer. Fairly close agreement has been found.
Performance of the Gibbs, Hit-and-Run, and Metropolis Samplers

Abstract We consider the performance of three Monte Carlo Markov-chain samplers—the Gibbs sampler, which cycles through coordinate directions; the Hit-and-Run (HR and the Metropolis sampler, which moves with a probability that is a ratio of likelihoods. We obtain several analytical results. We provide a sufficient condition of the geometric convergence on a bounded region S for the H&R sampler. For a general region S, we review the Schervish and Carlin sufficient geometric convergence condition for the Gibbs sampler. We show that for a multivariate normal distribution this Gibbs sufficient condition holds and for a bivariate normal distribution the Gibbs marginal sample paths are each an AR(1) process, and we obtain the standard errors of sample means and sample variances, which we later use to verify empirical Monte Carlo results. We empirically compare the Gibbs and H&R samplers on bivariate normal examples. For zero correlation, the Gibbs sampler provid...
Collective excitations in a doped antiferromagnet.

Developpement d'une procedure systematique d'etude d'un antiferromagnetique dope, dans le regime de couplage intermediaire. A partir de la solution Hartree-Fock du modele de Hubbard dans le cas de la bande a moitie pleine, on obtient le spectre d'onde de spin, et on trouve qu'a la limite du couplage fort, le mode d'onde de spin est identique a celui obtenu a partir du modele du spin 1/2 d'Heisenberg correspondant. On evalue de facon autocoherente, la correction a une boucle de l'aimantation du sous reseau due aux excitations d'ondes de spin. Etude de l'evolution de l'aimantation du sous-reseau en fonction de U/t
Protein Sliding and Hopping Kinetics on DNA

DNA-binding proteins' alternating diffusion kinetics on and off nonspecific DNA (also called sliding and hopping respectively) are important for quantifying their target binding mechanisms. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, we deconvolved the sliding and hopping kinetics of GFP-LacI proteins on elongated DNA from their experimentally observed seconds-long diffusion trajectories. Our simulation results suggest the following: (1) In each diffusion trajectory, a protein makes on average hundreds of alternating slides and hops with a mean sliding time of several tens of ms; (2) sliding dominates the root mean square displacement of fast diffusion trajectories, whereas hopping dominates slow ones; (3) flow and variations in salt concentration have limited effects on hopping kinetics, while in vivo DNA configuration is not expected to influence sliding kinetics; furthermore, (4) the rate of occurrence for hops longer than 200 nm agrees with experimental data for EcoRV proteins. Experimental investigations of sliding proteins on DNA using SIMA [1] measurements on the timescale of milliseconds will be presented.[1]. DeCenzo, S. H., M. C. DeSantis, and Y. M. Wang. 2010 Optics Express 18(16):16628-39.
Differentiating Between Physical and Viable Penetrations When Challenging Respirator Filters with Bioaerosols

The feasibility of a novel testing protocol that allows differentiating between the physical (total) and viable bioaerosol penetrations through respirator filters was investigated. Three respirator models - two conventional N95 filtering-facepiece respirators (FFR) used as controls and one P95 iodinated polymer FFR with antimicrobial properties - were challenged with aerosolized MS2 bacteriophage virus. Physical [Physical) and viable (P viable ) filter penetrations were simultaneously measured with the FFR sealed on a manikin at a constant inhalation flow rate of 85 L/min. Separate testing was performed on specially-manufactured P95 filter swatches with (i) no iodinated resin additive and (ii) "high" amount of the additive to determine whether it influenced filtration behavior of the P95 respirator. Bioaerosol collection on the N95 FFR filters fell in the range consistent with previous studies featuring about 2% penetration for MS2 and a peak around -5%. The P95 iodinated polymer respirator was found to be highly efficient, attributed in part to the iodinated resin powder which in separate swatch tests was found to increase the filter collection efficiency. No statistically significant differences were observed between penetration values obtained for total and culturable viruses for the two control respirators. Similarly, no difference was observed for the iodinated respirator, which suggested that the microbial inactivation effect was of insufficient magnitude to be detected or was not present for viral particles that penetrated the filter. Possible "long-term" inactivation effect of the iodine-based additive on the viable viruses, which were captured on the filter over time, was beyond the scope of this study. The novel testing protocol appears to be an adequate tool for evaluating respirators designed to protect against bioaerosol particles. Further improvement may be considered with respect to the aerosolization method for viable microorganisms.
Quantum Monte Carlo Calculations of Pion Scattering from Li

We show that the neutron and proton transition densities predicted by recent quantum Monte Carlo calculations for A=6,7 nuclei are consistent with pion scattering from {sup 6}Li and {sup 7}Li at energies near the {Delta} resonance. This has provided a microscopic understanding of the enhancement factors for quadrupole excitations, which were needed to describe pion inelastic scattering within the nuclear shell model of Cohen and Kurath.
A New Perspective on Constrained Motion

The explicit general equations of motion for constrained discrete dynamical systems are obtained. These new equations lead to a simple and new fundamental view of lagrangian mechanics.
Performance of a quasi-steady model for hovering hummingbirds

Abstract A quasi-steady model describing aerodynamics of hovering Ruby-throated hummingbirds is presented to study extent of the low-order model in representing the flow physics of the bird and also to separately quantify the forces from the translational, rotational, and acceleration effects. Realistic wing kinematics are adopted and the model is calibrated against computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a corresponding revolving-wing model. The results show that the quasi-steady model is able to predict overall lift production reasonably well but fails to capture detailed force oscillations. The downstroke–upstroke asymmetry is consistent with that in the previous CFD study. Further analysis shows that significant rotational force is produced during mid-stroke rather than wing reversal.
Security of airborne network dynamics and algorithms: a graph-theoretic perspective

A comprehensive framework for analyzing the security and robustness of airborne networks is envisioned, that acknowledges both their physical dynamics and cyber- functions. The framework is developed in three aspects, first by developing models for meshed physical- and cyber- dynamics, then envisioning possible adversarial conduct, and finally defining security and robustness formally. After introducing the framework, we overview promising tools for characterizing/designing security and robustness; these tools critically expose the role of the network's sensing/communication topology in its threat response.
Impaired active avoidance responding in rats selectively bred for increased cholinergic function.

Abstract It was found that the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) of rat, selectively bred for increased cholinergic function, performed poorly in a tone-cued two-way active avoidance task in comparison with the control Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) of rat. These findings are consistent with the suggestion that the FSL rats may be a genetic animal model of depression.
A 54-Year-Old Woman With a Single Coronary Artery and Watershed Ischemia Treated With Nitrates

A 54-year-old woman with a medical history notable for obesity and hypertension was referred to our institution after a positive nuclear stress test. She had reported several weeks of gradually worsening chest pressure and exertional dyspnea with recent difficulty performing even activities of daily
Glacial epochs related to solar core

A recent report by the Los Alamos National Laboratory states to the effect that terrestrial climatic changes during the past millennium, including the glacial epochs, may be related, even caused, by variations in the sun (Los Alamos Science, Summer 1982). G. Cowan and W. Haxton at Los Alamos theorize that on the basis of sunspot activity and carbon-14 production, such a causal relation exists. Observers of the solar neutrino flux have formed experiments in deep mines to test the hypothesis. The abundances of technetium-97 and -98 related to the flux are determined in a deeply buried molybdenite deposit, thus providing a geochemical record. This record, in conjunction with measurements of the solar neutrino flux (being made underground at the Homestake gold mine in South Dakota by geophysicist R. Davis of the Brookhaven National Laboratory), should provide an unequivocal test of the relationship of variations in the central temperature of the sun, or solar core, with the timing of the Pleistocene period.
Pseudospin symmetry and quantized alignment in nuclei.

Nine superdeformed bands in several nuclei of the mass-190 region all have transitions of the same or equivalent energies to within an average of about 1 keV--almost identical. Furthermore, it is found that transitions of the same energy do not always connect levels of the same spin, indicating noncollective angular momentum alignments that are all very nearly integers (0, 1\ensuremath{\Elzxh}, or 2\ensuremath{\Elzxh}). Possible explanations involving pseudospin are discussed.
Relationship between C-reactive protein, albumin, and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease

● Background: C-Reactive protein (CRP) level is elevated in kidney failure and may be related to malnutrition and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data are limited regarding relationships between CRP levels and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), nutritional indices, and CVD in patients with earlier stages of kidney disease. Methods: CRP was assayed from samples from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study (n 801). CRP distributions were compared between the MDRD Study and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999 to 2000). Associations between CRP level and GFR, nutritional indices, serum albumin levels, and CVD risk factors were examined in the MDRD Study. Results: Geometric means of CRP, adjusted for age and sex, were similar in NHANES (0.23 mg/dL) and the MDRD Study (0.22 mg/dL). In the MDRD Study, CRP level was related directly to measures of body fat and CVD risk factors, inversely with serum albumin level and energy intake, and unrelated to GFR. In multivariable analysis adjusting for other determinants of serum albumin level, high CRP level (>0.6 mg/dL) was associated with a 0.07-g/dL (0.7-g/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03 to 0.12) lower mean serum albumin level. After adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, the odds of CVD were 1.73 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.78) times greater in subjects with a high CRP level. Conclusion: GFR level does not appear to influence CRP level in the earlier stages of chronic kidney disease. CRP levels are independently associated with serum albumin level and CVD prevalence. Inflammation may be involved in the pathophysiological state of malnutrition and CVD in the earlier stages of predominantly nondiabetic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis 42:44-52. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Effects of Price Promotions on Variety-Seeking and Reinforcement Behavior

A stochastic model is proposed to examine how changes in frequency of price discounts affect brand choice decisions of consumers who exhibit variety-seeking and reinforcement behavior. It is shown that the effect on choice depends on whether the brand offering discounts is a major or minor brand in the product category. This model extends the existing literature on stochastic models of variety-seeking behavior by explicitly incorporating switching due to promotions along with intrinsic switching due to variety-seeking. The model yields testable hypotheses which are supported in a laboratory experiment and on analyses of the IRI cracker data.
The Effect of Various Levels of Dietary EDTA on the Mineral Contents of Some Tissues of Coturnix Coturnix Japonica

Abstract THE effect of high levels of dietary EDTA on the tissue composition of turkey poults has been reported already (Vohra et al., 1968). The results of a preliminary study on the effect of various levels of dietary EDTA on the growth, mortality, egg production, and hatchability of coturnix indicated an improvement in the hatchability of eggs when the coturnix diets contained either 0.38 or .76% EDTA but a level of 1.52% EDTA was deleterious (Craig et al., 1968). This has led to a detailed investigation on the effect of dietary EDTA on the mineral contents of some tissues of Coturnix coturnix Japonica. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS The composition of the basal diet is given in Table 1. Without any adjustments in the composition of this diet, necessary amounts of disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (Na2 C10 H14 C8 N2-2H2 O) (to be referred to as EDTA) were added to get the experimental diets. In general, the following. . .
Improvements to the helium-jet coupled on-line mass separator RAMA

Abstract Some general improvements to the on-line mass separator RAMA have yielded a factor of five increase in yield for most elements. By placing the ion-source region at the full accelerating potential of 20 kV, the effective skimmer-plasma distance has been reduced from 12 to