cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How frequent are outbreaks of nosocomial infection in community hospitals

A statistical algorithm was used to identify potentially important clusters among nosocomial infections reported each month by 7 community hospitals. Epidemiologic review and on-site investigations distinguished outbreaks of clinical disease from factitious clusters. In 1 year, 8 outbreaks were confirmed. They involved 82 patients--approximately 2% of patients with nosocomial infections and 0.09% of all discharges. One true outbreak occurred for every 12,000 discharges--at least 1 outbreak per year for the average community hospital. Five (63%) outbreaks were recognized independently by the hospitals' infection control personnel. Four (50%) resolved spontaneously; the hospitals' own control measures were necessary in 2; and 2 resolved only after an outside investigation. Organized surveillance appears necessary to detect some outbreaks, and control measures are needed to stop many. Since, however, outbreaks account for such a small proportion of nosocomial infections, infection control programs should be sufficiently staffed and managed so that most of the effort is directed toward the surveillance and control of endemic infection problems, but with adequate resources remaining to respond to outbreaks when they occur.
Turf, team, and town: a geriatric interprofessional education program.

Objective and participants This program provides an interprofessional course to students, allowing them to learn together with each other and their elder teachers. Goals include refining their professional parameters (turf), learning how to successfully collaborate with other professionals (team), and determining how to effectively design intervention plans for elders within their own communities (town). Various methods of evaluation, such as journals, participation in rounds, and OSCEs, used to assess students' status are described. Results Both students and faculty gained clearer perceptions of other professions through their work with each other and the ability to more effectively communicate with other profession. Both also learned, through their relationships with their elder teachers, more about how their specific professions' contributions can affect elders and how elders perceive and contribute to their own communities. Conclusions This program has been a successful venture. The challenge is now to devise a way to provide similar experiences to a larger group of students.
Paradoxical suppression of small RNA activity at high Hfq concentrations due to random-order binding

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression during bacterial stress and pathogenesis. sRNAs act by forming duplexes with mRNAs to alter their translation and degradation. In some bacteria, duplex formation is mediated by the Hfq protein, which can bind the sRNA and mRNA in each pair in a random order. Here we investigate the consequences of this random-order binding and experimentally demonstrate that it can counterintuitively cause high Hfq concentrations to suppress rather than promote sRNA activity in Escherichia coli. As a result, maximum sRNA activity occurs when the Hfq concentration is neither too low nor too high relative to the sRNA and mRNA concentrations (‘Hfq set-point’). We further show with models and experiments that random-order binding combined with the formation of a dead-end mRNA–Hfq complex causes high concentrations of an mRNA to inhibit its own duplex formation by sequestering Hfq. In such cases, maximum sRNA activity requires an optimal mRNA concentration (‘mRNA set-point’) as well as an optimal Hfq concentration. The Hfq and mRNA set-points generate novel regulatory properties that can be harnessed by native and synthetic gene circuits to provide greater control over sRNA activity, generate non-monotonic responses and enhance the robustness of expression.
The Society for Vascular Surgery's objective performance goals for lower extremity revascularization are not generalizable to many open surgical bypass patients encountered in contemporary surgical practice

Objective In 2009, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) established objective performance goals (OPG) for lower extremity bypass (LEB) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) based on pooled data from previously performed prospective studies in an effort to provide a benchmark and historical control for future trials. However, patients with a prosthetic conduit and end-stage renal disease were excluded from this cohort. In contemporary practice, many patients do not meet the criteria for SVS OPG inclusion, making generalization of the SVS OPG difficult. The goal of this study was to establish safety and efficacy measures for patients who were excluded from the original SVS OPG analysis. Methods All patients who underwent LEB for CLI in the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) from 2003 to 2013 were identified. Patients were stratified into OPG-eligible and non-OPG-eligible cohorts. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse limb events, 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events, 1-year survival, and 1-year freedom from amputation. The SVS OPG methodology was used to create new performance goals for the non-OPG-eligible patients. Results We identified 3609 patients: 2360 OPG (65%) vs 1249 non-OPG (35%), and overall results were stratified as a function of OPG status. The 30-day major adverse limb event rate was 5.0% (5.5% non-OPG vs 4.4% OPG; P = .34), and the 30-day major adverse cardiovascular event rate was 7.3% (9.2% non-OPG vs 6.2% OPG; P = .001). At 1 year, survival was 84% (75.9% non-OPG vs 88.3% OPG; P P Conclusions The SVS OPG were attainable in New England for the population of patients who would have met SVS OPG study cohort inclusion criteria. However, 35% of the patients who underwent LEB for CLI in the last 10 years fell outside of these criteria by having end-stage renal disease or requiring a prosthetic conduit. We therefore suggest new benchmarks for these high-risk populations.
A gene required for RNase P activity in Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata mitochondria codes for a 227-nucleotide RNA with homology to bacterial RNase P RNA.

Abstract We have mapped a gene in the mitochondrial DNA of Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata and shown that it is required for 5' end maturation of mitochondrial tRNAs. It is located between the tRNAfMet and tRNAPro genes, the same tRNA genes that flank the mitochondrial RNase P RNA gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene is extremely AT rich and codes for AU-rich RNAs that display some sequence homology with the mitochondrial RNase P RNA from S. cerevisiae, including two regions of striking sequence homology between the mitochondrial RNAs and the bacterial RNase P RNAs. RNase P activity that is sensitive to micrococcal nuclease has been detected in mitochondrial extracts of C. glabrata. An RNA of 227 nucleotides that is one of the RNAs encoded by the gene that we mapped cofractionated with this mitochondrial RNase P activity on glycerol gradients. The nuclease sensitivity of the activity, the cofractionation of the RNA with activity, and the homology of the RNA with known RNase P RNAs lead us to propose that the 227-nucleotide RNA is the RNA subunit of the C. glabrata mitochondrial RNase P enzyme.
The General Point of View: Love and Moral Approval in Hume's Ethics

Interrogeant la legitimite de la theorie du point de vue general chez Hume, l'A. souleve le probleme de la production du jugement moral a partir de l'approbation du caractere de la personne, d'une part, et souleve la question du critere normatif de l'amour, d'autre part. Definissant l'approbation morale comme une forme d'amour, l'A. defend l'idee d'un point de vue partage, fonde sur la sympatie au sein du cercle des proches, et sur la concordance des regles generales avec les reponses passionnelles des personnes.
Prenatal nicotinic exposure upregulates pulmonary C-fiber NK1R expression to prolong pulmonary C-fiber-mediated apneic response

Prenatal nicotinic exposure (PNE) prolongs bronchopulmonary C-fiber (PCF)-mediated apneic response to intra-atrial bolus injection of capsaicin in rat pups. The relevant mechanisms remain unclear. Pulmonary substance P and adenosine and their receptors (neurokinin-A receptor, NK1R and ADA1 receptor, ADA1R) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) expressed on PCFs are critical for PCF sensitization and/or activation. Here, we compared substance P and adenosine in BALF and NK1R, ADA1R, and TRPV1 expression in the nodose/jugular (N/J) ganglia (vagal pulmonary C-neurons retrogradely labeled) between Ctrl and PNE pups. We found that PNE failed to change BALF substance P and adenosine content, but significantly upregulated both mRNA and protein TRPV1 and NK1R in the N/J ganglia and only NK1R mRNA in pulmonary C-neurons. To define the role of NK1R in the PNE-induced PCF sensitization, the apneic response to capsaicin (i.v.) without or with pretreatment of SR140333 (a peripheral and selective NK1R antagonist) was compared and the prolonged apnea by PNE significantly shortened by SR140333. To clarify if the PNE-evoked responses depended on action of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly α7nAChR, mecamylamine or methyllycaconitine (a general nAChR or a selective α7nAChR antagonist) was administrated via another mini-pump over the PNE period. Mecamylamine or methyllycaconitine eliminated the PNE-evoked mRNA and protein responses. Our data suggest that PNE is able to elevate PCF NK1R expression via activation of nAChRs, especially α7nAChR, which likely contributes to sensitize PCFs and prolong the PCF-mediated apneic response to capsaicin.
Heart Disease Prevention in Young Women: Sounding an Alarm.

We have come a long way in the past 50 years toward reducing death and disability from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). And yet, as articulated by Wilmot et al in this edition of Circulation ,1 we still have a long way to go, especially for young women and some racial/ethnic groups. These new findings highlight the value of looking “behind the curtain” at health data, in particular, teasing apart age- and sex-related outcomes. Article see p 997 Wilmot et al now build on our understanding of CVD mortality by highlighting recent trends in subpopulations, including young women, and those trends are troubling. These investigators examined mortality data for US men and women ≥25 years between 1979 and 2011 using US National Vital Statistics data that focused on coronary heart disease (CHD).1,2 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes were used to determine the underlying cause of CHD deaths. Analyses of mortality data within 3 age groups ( 65 years) during 3 decades (1979–1989, 1990–1999, and 2000–2011) yielded an initial assessment of mortality trends. Regression modeling then further evaluated trends in the estimated annual percentage change in CHD mortality across the entire time period, permitting calculation of statistically significant differences in estimated annual percentage change from year to year. On one hand, the news is good. The impressive (68%) decline in age-adjusted CHD mortality rate for both men and women across the overall study period is nothing short of remarkable and validates progressive improvements in CVD prevention and treatment. Overall, since 2002, older men and women (>65 years of age) continue to experience large reductions in CHD mortality, which drives this overall mortality decline. Yet, disaggregating the data and recalculating mortality rates by age, sex, race, and …
Using Strategic Goals to Guide the Development of Library Resources, Services, and Web Sites

ABSTRACT In this rapidly changing environment, it has become increasing important for medical libraries, as with many institutions, to meet their strategic missions more effectively. This article briefly reviews the development of the strategic goals for the Arizona campus of A. T. Still University of the Health Sciences, and the redesign of the library Web site to better support the University's mission to use an evidence-based model of clinical practice to train clinicians.
Larval Communication and Group Foraging Dynamics in the Red-Headed Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Diprionidae)

The red-headed pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch), is a gregarious diprionid common in eastern and north-central North America. Larvae of this species have been shown to use trail pheromones to maintain colony structure. Herein we report the results of further studies of group foraging behavior, showing that tactile cues or contact chemoreception also play a role in maintaining colony structure. Video-based activity records reveal a pattern of synchronized, continuous daily feeding punctuated by short periods of quiescence. Y-maze experiments and video examination of group movement revealed that exploring larvae are strongly influenced in the selection of new feeding sites by the presence of conspecifics at those sites. Larvae settled and initiated feeding more quickly at feeding sites at which conspecifics were already present. This was also true when freeze-killed groups of conspecifics were used, suggesting that physical contact and not active signaling plays a role in group cohesion. In the absence of conspecifics, larval site selection is influenced by trail pheromones deposited by earlier-exploring larvae. Our studies suggest red-headed pine sawflies use two-tiered or hierarchical communication cues necessitated by the loose manner in which groups colonize new feeding sites. Trail pheromones may help foraging larvae relocate their colony or its general vicinity, but foragers tend to remain active until they physically contact conspecifics.
Think globally, translate locally: What mitotic spindles and neuronal synapses have in common

Early metazoan development is programmed by maternal mRNAs inherited by the egg at the time of fertilization. These mRNAs are not translated en masse at any one time or at any one place, but instead their expression is regulated both temporally and spatially. Recent evidence has shown that one maternal mRNA, cyclin B1, is concentrated on mitotic spindles in the early Xenopus embryo, where its translation is controlled by CPEB (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein), a sequence-specific RNA binding protein. Disruption of the spindle-associated translation of this mRNA results in a morphologically abnormal mitotic apparatus and inhibited cell division. Mammalian neurons, particularly in the synapto-dendritic compartment, also contain localized mRNAs such as that encoding α-CaMKII. Here, synaptic activation drives local translation, an event that is involved in synaptic plasticity and possibly long-term memory storage. Synaptic translation of α-CaMKII mRNA also appears to be controlled by CPEB, which is enriched in the postsynaptic density. Therefore, CPEB-controlled local translation may influence such seemingly disparate processes as the cell cycle and synaptic plasticity.
Isomerization barriers for the disrotatory and conrotatory isomerizations of 3-aza-benzvalene and 3,4-diaza-benzvalene to pyridine and pyridazine

The isomerizations of 3-aza-benzvalene to pyridine and 3,4-diaza-benzvalene to pyridazine have been studied using ab initio methods with a multiconfigurational wavefunction. Transition states for both the allowed disrotatory and forbidden conrotatory pathways were located. The forbidden pathways proceed through an intermediate consisting of pyridine or pyridazine with a trans double bond in the ring: this trans double bond destroys the aromatic stabilization of the π electrons due to poor orbital overlap between the cis and trans π bonds. Due to the Cs molecular point group, there are two separate allowed and forbidden pathways for 3-aza-benzvalene. The separation of the barrier heights was of particular interest: the difference in activation barriers for the lowest allowed and lowest forbidden pathways in 3-aza-benzvalene was only 1.3 kcal mol−1, and the lowest forbidden pathway actually had a 1.5 kcal mol−1 lower barrier than the highest allowed one. The 3-aza-benzvalene structure allows energy crossing of the allowed and forbidden barriers. For 3,4-diaza-benzvalene, there was only a single allowed and single forbidden pathway, due to the C2v point group, and they were separated by 8.4 kcal mol−1, more in line with the orbital symmetry rules.
Constraints from precariously balanced rocks on preferred rupture directions for large earthquakes on the southern San Andreas Fault

We have compared near-fault ground motions from TeraShake simulations of Mw7.7 earthquake scenarios on the southern San Andreas Fault with precariously balanced rock locations. The TeraShake scenarios with different directions of rupture generate radically different ground motions to the northwest of the Los Angeles Basin, primarily because of directivity effects, and thus provide constraints on the ground motion and rupture direction for the latest (1690) large event on that section of the San Andreas Fault. Due to the large directional near-field ground motions predicted by the simulations, we expect the precariously balanced rocks to be located primarily in the backward rupture direction or near the epicenter. Preliminary results favor persistent nucleation at or slightly northwest of the San Gorgonia Pass fault zone for large earthquakes on the southern San Andreas Fault.
Interaction of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation with gamma rays produced by a jet in active galactic nuclei

Recent observations by the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory give evidence for the existence of a type of blazar with strong gamma-ray emission. Data obtained by EGRET for the quasar 3C 279 show a spectrum between 100 MeV and 10 GeV. Photons of such energies should interact with the X-rays and produce positron/electron pairs. If the optical depth against pair production for the gamma rays is large (tau(gamma gamma) greater than 1), the gamma-ray spectrum should be affected. The importance of this process has been pointed out by, e.g., Maraschi, Ghisellini, & Celotti (1992). Several works (e.g., Dermer 1993; Zbyszewska 1993; Sikora, Begelman, & Rees 1993) concerning gamma-ray radiation from quasar 3C 279 have proposed a model in which the gamma rays are produced via interaction between a moving cloud of relativistic electrons and external soft photons. The presence of gamma rays in active galactic nuclei spectra gives constraints on the localization and the luminosity of the medium which produces ultraviolet/X-ray photons. We investigate what conditions should be fulfilled in the above model to avoid the absorption of the gamma rays due to pair production.
Prefrontal cortex D1 modulation of the reinforcing properties of cocaine

Abstract The involvement of the dopaminergic pathway from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in the reinforcing properties of many drugs of abuse is well established. Though the prefrontal cortex (PFC) exhibits significant influence over activity in this pathway, its role in drug abuse is less defined. The present experiment investigated the impact of PFC D1 activity on cocaine self-administration (0.25, 0.75 mg/kg/inj) under progressive (PR) and fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement by assessing immediate and delayed effects of bilateral intra-PFC infusions of a D1 agonist (SKF 38393; 0.23 μg/side) and antagonist (SCH 23390; 0.25 μg/side). Immediately following infusion of dopaminergic agents or vehicle, no significant changes in self-administration occurred under any tested condition. However, 24 h after intra-PFC antagonist treatment, significantly lower PR breakpoints were observed for low (0.25 mg/kg), but not moderate (0.75 mg/kg) unit doses of self-administered cocaine. Locomotor activity levels during these assessments were unaffected by intra-PFC treatments. On an FR-3 schedule of reinforcement, the 0.25 cocaine unit dose elicited higher total cocaine intake and hyperlocomotor activation during a shorter session, but intra-PFC treatment had no significant effects on the number of reinforced responses or behavioral activity. The observation of decreased cocaine breakpoints after intra-PFC DA antagonist treatment reflects decrements in cocaine reinforcement efficacy. This finding corresponds temporally with previous work showing increased NAcc DA levels after similar treatment. Current findings demonstrate that transient changes in PFC DA neurotransmission can specifically influence reinforced behaviors without affecting overall behavioral activation.
The utility of plain radiographs in the initial evaluation of knee pain amongst sports medicine patients

To evaluate whether screening radiographs as part of the initial workup of knee pain impacts clinical decision-making in a sports medicine practice. A questionnaire was completed by the attending orthopaedic surgeon following the initial office visit for 499 consecutive patients presenting to the sports medicine centre with a chief complaint of knee pain. The questionnaire documented patient age, duration of symptoms, location of knee pain, associated mechanical symptoms, history of trauma within the past 2 weeks, positive findings on plain radiographs, whether magnetic resonance imaging was ordered, and whether plain radiographs impacted the management decisions for the patient. Patients were excluded if they had prior X-rays, history of malignancy, ongoing pregnancy, constitutional symptoms as well as those patients with prior knee surgery or intra-articular infections. Statistical analyses were then performed to determine which factors were more likely do correspond with diagnostic radiographs. Overall, initial screening radiographs did not change management in 72 % of the patients assessed in the office. The mean age of patients in whom radiographs did change management was 57.9 years compared to 37.1 years in those patients where plain radiograph did not change management (p < 0.0001). Plain radiographs had no impact on clinical management in 97.3 % of patients younger than 40. In patients whom radiographs did change management, radiographs were more likely to influence management if patients were over age forty, had pain for over 6 months, had medial or diffuse pain, or had mechanical symptoms. A basic cost analysis revealed that the cost of a clinically useful radiographic series in a patient under 40 years of age was $7,600, in contrast to $413 for a useful series in patients above the age of 40. Data from the current study support the hypothesis that for the younger patient population, routine radiographic imaging as a screening tool may be of little clinical benefit. Factors supporting obtaining screening radiographs include age greater than 40, knee pain for greater than 6 months, the presence of medial or diffuse knee pain, and the presence of mechanical symptoms. II.
Voyager 2 Neptune targeting strategy

The success of the Voyager 2 flybys of Neptune and Triton depends upon the ability to correct the spacecraft's trajectory. Accurate spacecraft delivery to the desired encounter conditions will promote the maximum science return. However, Neptune's great distance causes large a priori uncertainties in Neptune and Triton ephemerides and planetary system parameters. Consequently, the 'ideal' trajectory is unknown beforehand. The targeting challenge is to utilize the gradually improving knowledge as the spacecraft approaches Neptune to meet the science objectives, but with an overriding concern for spacecraft safety and a desire to limit propellant expenditure. A unique targeting strategy has been developed in response to this challenge. Through the use of a Monte Carlo simulation, candidate strategies are evaluated by the degree to which they meet these objectives and are compared against each other in determining the targeting strategy to be adopted.
Almost) Optimal parallel block access for range queries

Range queries are an important class of queries for several applications can be achieved by tiling the multi-dimensional data and distributing it among multiple disks or nodes. It has been established that schemes that achieve optimal parallel block access exist only for a few special cases. Though several schemes for the allocation of tiles to disks have been developed, no scheme with non-trivial worst-case bound is known. We establish that any range query on a 2q × 2q-block grid of blocks can be performed using k = 2t disks (t ≤ q), in at most ⌈m/k⌉ + O(logk) parallel block accesses. We achieve this result by judiciously distributing the blocks among the k nodes or disks. Experimental data show that the algorithm achieves very close to ⌈m/k⌉ performance (on average less than 0.5 away from ⌈m/k⌉, with a worst-case of 3). Although several declustering schemes for range queries have been developed, prior to our work no additive non-trivial performance bounds were known. Our scheme guarantees performance within a (small) additive deviation from ⌈m/k⌉. Subsequent to this work, Bhatia et al. [Hierarchical declustering schemes for range queries, in: Proceedings of International Conference on Extending Database Technology, Konstanz, Germany, March 2000, p. 525] have proved that such a performance bound is essentially optimal for this kind of scheme, and have also extended our results to the case where the number of disks is a product of the form k1 * k2 * ... * kt where the kis need not all be 2.
Regulation of cell cycle proteins by TNF-α and TGF-β in cells of oligodendroglial lineage

Abstract Proliferation and apoptosis are two dynamic, interrelated processes that are regulated by growth factors and cytokines. We investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle proteins in OLG lineage cells. We found that: (1) both cytokines enhanced apoptosis in neonatal pre-OLGs but only TNFα-mediated apoptosis persisted in the presence of a mitogen, fibroblast growth factor (FGF); (2) cell cycle proteins such as p21 waf1/cip1 , p27 kip1 , cyclin D1 and PCNA were differentially regulated by TNF-α and TGF-β. We conclude that differential modulation of cell cycle proteins by TNF-α and TGF-β contributes to the diversity of their biological effects in OLG lineage cells.
Small Farm Clusters and Pathways to Rural Community Sustainability

Industry “clusters” are groups of businesses that are part of the same industry, share a common characteristic, coordinate some parts of their business activities but are competitive in others, and are geographically located near each other. Recent research has recognized the importance of industry clusters to regional development, competitiveness, and innovation. In particular, clusters are promoted as innovative models for rural communities in the face of globalization. Our research takes several lessons from industrial cluster research and applies them to clusters of small farms in the Northeast United States. As part of an on-going research and extension project, we are investigating the processes by which agricultural clusters form and the methods by which cluster members communicate, share and create knowledge, innovate in management, and relate to their surrounding communities. In this article we examine the ways in which agricultural clusters lead to more viable farms and sustainable rural communi...
Coordinating patient care within radiology and across the enterprise.

For the practice of radiology, the transition to filmless imaging operations has resulted in a fundamental transition to more efficient clinical operations. In addition, the electronic delivery of diagnostic studies to the bedside has had a great impact on the care process throughout the health care enterprise. The radiology information system (RIS) has been at the core of the transition to filmless patient care. In a similar manner, the electronic medical record (EMR) is fundamentally and rapidly transforming the clinical enterprise into paperless/digital coordination of care. The widespread availability of EMR systems can be predicted to continue to increase the level of coordination of clinical care within the EMR framework. For the radiologist, readily available clinical information at the point of interpretation will continue to drive the evolution of the interpretation process, leading to improved patient outcomes. Regardless of practice size, efficient workflow processes are required to best leverage the functionality of IT systems. The radiologist should be aware of the scope of the RIS capabilities that allow for maximizing clinical benefit, and of the EMR system capabilities for improving=clinical imaging practice and care coordination across the enterprise. Radiology departments should be actively involved in forming practice patterns that allow efficient EMR-based clinical practice. This summary article is intended to assist radiologists in becoming active participants in the evolving role of both the RIS and EMR systems in coordinating efficient and effective delivery across the clinical enterprise.
The generalized hu-meyer formula for random kernels

A theory of Hilbert-space-valued traces and multiple integration is developed for kernels inL2([0, 1]p × Θ). The multiple Ogawa and the multiple Stratonovich integrals for such kernels are introduced and sufficient conditions for their existence are obtained. The derivation of the Hu-Meyer formula connecting the multiple Ogawa and the multiple Stratonovich integrals requires the introduction of traces of random kernels. Such a derivation is obtained under appropriate conditions.
Interactive image enhancement of CR and DR images.

There is continual pressure on the radiology department to increase its productivity. Two important links to productivity in the computed/digital radiography (CR/DR) workflow chain are the postprocessing step by technologists and the primary diagnosis step by radiologists, who may apply additional image enhancements to aid them in diagnosis. With the large matrix size of CR and DR images and the computational complexity of these algorithms, it has been challenging to provide interactive image enhancement, particularly on full-resolution images. We have used a new programmable processor as the main computing engine of enhancement algorithms for CR or DR images. We have mapped these algorithms to the processor, maximally utilizing its architecture. On a 12-bit 2688 × 2688 image, we have achieved the execution time of 465Â ms for adaptive unsharp masking, window/level, image rotate, and lookup table operations using a single processor, which represents at least an order of magnitude improvement compared to the response time of current systems. This kind of performance facilitates rapid computation with preset parameter values and/or enables truly interactive QA processing on radiographs by technologists. The fast response time of these algorithms would be especially useful in a real-time radiology setting, where the radiologist’s waiting time in performing image enhancements before making diagnosis can be greatly reduced. We believe that the use of these processors for fast CR/DR image computing coupled with the seamless flow of images and patient data will enable the radiology department to achieve higher productivity.
Litterfall in the hardwood forest of a minor alluvial-floodplain

Abstract Within mature deciduous forests, annual development of foliar biomass is a major component of aboveground net primary production and nutrient demand. As litterfall, this same foliage becomes a dominant annual transfer of biomass and nutrients to the detritus pathway. We report litterfall transfers of a mature bottomland hardwood forest in a minor alluvial-floodplain within the middle Coastal Plain physiographic province of central Louisiana, USA. Climate is humid subtropical. Floodplain forests of minor alluvial-streams may account for nearly half the remaining acreage of bottomland forests in the Southeastern USA and differ markedly from those of major alluvial-rivers and deep-water swamps. For a 3-year period, litterfall magnitude, components, leaf species, and timing were monitored by monthly collection of materials from litterfall collectors. Variations in litterfall transfers across 10 study-plots and their relationships to forest parameters are evaluated. Mean transfers of total litterfall, leaf fall, reproductive structures, fine wood, and other litterfall were 816, 512, 130, 98, and 76 g m −2 year −1 , respectively. Quercus pagoda Raf., Q. nigra L., and Liquidambar styraciflua L. accounted for an average of 49% of annual leaf fall, with 11 tree species and canopy vines accounting for 94% of total annual leaf fall. A total of 38 species and genera contributed to total leaf fall. Variation in total litterfall and leaf fall transfers across the alluvial bottom were related to size of overstory trees and their species composition. Higher and more consistent mass transfers of reproductive structures were observed than previously reported for upland hardwood stands.
Validation of the procalcitonin (PCT) assay: Experience in a pediatric hospital

Abstract Objectives Procalcitonin (PCT) is a potential early biomarker used to differentiate sepsis from systemic inflammation. Serial PCT measurement is useful in reducing the duration of antibiotic exposure without increasing treatment failure. Our aim was to establish and evaluate an automated quantitative PCT assay at Texas Children's Hospital. Methods We validated the analytical and clinical performance of the automated miniVIDAS B.R.A.H.M.S PCT® assay (BioMerieux®, France) at Texas Children's Hospital. Analytical performance parameters included precision, linearity, accuracy, correlation, and effect of different common interferents (free Hb, bilirubin, triglyceride and rheumatoid factor). Also, the interference of high calcitonin (CT) on PCT assay was tested. We performed clinical correlation of PCT to blood culture, WBC counts and CRP in sepsis patients. Results The PCT assay showed good precision with %CV of 0.9). No significant effects on PCT levels were seen with common interferents however, calcitonin concentrations of 1000 ng/L or more showed cross-reactivity with PCT values. Fourteen (78%) out of the total eighteen patients with positive blood culture, showed median PCT concentrations greater than the cut-off values of 0.15 μg/L. Conclusion The miniVIDAS PCT assay can be used for diagnostic purposes in clinical laboratories. We envision that serial PCT monitoring along with clinical correlation will be beneficial in critically ill patients.
Lateral Hypothalamic Stimulation: Inhibition of Aversive Effects by Feeding, Drinking, and Gnawing

The opportunity to engage in feeding, drinking, and gnawing behavior facilitated by localized hypothalamic stimulation can delay the onset of the aversive effects of the stimulation and may completely suppress them. This suggests that the aversive effects of the stimulation are due to the excessive of the stimulation are due to the exessive arousal of a drive.
Lensfree imaging of dense samples using holograms recorded at multiple heights

Multi-height phase recovery and pixel super-resolution enable lensfree on-chip holographic imaging of dense and confluent Papanicolaou smears over a large field-of-view (24–30 mm2) with sub-micron resolution.
The Brown-Peterson [2k]-series revisited

Abstract Each coefficient ak, s of the [2k]-series for Brown-Peterson homology has a distinguished shortest monomial which is determined by the dyadic expansion of s + 1.
Development of a synthetic PCB mixture resembling the average polychlorinated biphenyl profile in Chicago air.

Studies of environmental and toxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ideally performed with PCB mixtures reflecting the composition of environmental PCB profiles to mimic actual effects and to account for complex interactions among individual PCB congeners. Unfortunately, only a few laboratory studies employing synthetic PCB mixtures have been reported, in part because of the challenges associated with the preparation of complex PCB mixtures containing many individual PCB congeners. The objective of this study was to develop a PCB mixture that resembles the average PCB profile recorded from 1996 to 2002 at a satellite station of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network located at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, Illinois, using commercial PCB mixtures. Initial simulations, using published Aroclor profiles, showed that a mixture containing 65% Aroclor 1242 and 35% Aroclor 1254 was a good approximation of the target profile. A synthetic Chicago air mixture (CAM) was prepared by mixing the respective Aroclor's in this ratio, followed by GC/MS/MS analysis. Comparison of the PCB profile of the synthetic mixture with the target profile suggests that the synthetic PCB mixture is a good approximation of the average IIT Chicago air profiles (similarity coefficient cos θ = 0.82; average relative percent difference = 84%). The synthetic CAM was also a reasonable approximation of the average of 184 PCB profiles analyzed in 2007 at 37 sites throughout Chicago as part of the University of Iowa Superfund Basic Research Program (isbrp), with a cos θ of 0.70 and an average relative percent difference of 118%. While the CAM and the two Chicago air profiles contained primarily di- to pentachlorobiphenyls, higher chlorinated congeners, including congeners with seven or eight chlorine atoms, were underrepresented in the synthetic CAM. The calculated TCDD toxic equivalency quotients of the synthetic CAM (2.7 ng/mg PCB) and the IIT Chicago air profile (1.6 ng/mg PCB) were comparable, but lower by two orders of magnitude than the isbrp Chicago air profile (865 ng/mg PCB) due to surprisingly high PCB 126 levels in Chicago air. In contrast, the calculated neurotoxic equivalency quotients of the CAM (0.33 mg/mg PCB) and the two Chicago air profiles (0.44 and 0.30 mg/mg PCB, respectively) were similar. This study demonstrates the challenges and methods of creating and characterizing synthetic, environmental mixtures of PCBs.
Effects of Continuance, Affective, and Moral Commitment on the Withdrawal Process: an Evaluation of Eight Structural Equation Models

Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the effects of three forms of attitudinal commitment on employee turnover. We used a traditional dichotomous measure of organizational departure but applied the PRELIS technique to resolve statistical problems. A test of eight competing versions of a turnover model using data collected from employees in an aerospace firm indicated that the forms of commitment affected turnover indirectly through a latent variable measuring withdrawal tendencies. The model including this variable resembles cognitive psychologists' descriptions of human mental processes that emphasize actors' general orientations and a lack of distinction making in everyday life.
Screening for carcinoma of the prostate: efficacy of available screening tests.

Despite the high prevalence and mortality from carcinoma of the prostate, very few prospective, controlled, population-based studies are available to assess the impact of early diagnosis programs. Three screening modalities have been suggested for this tumor : rectal examination, serum tumor markers, and transrectal ultrasound. Prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen have proven to be insensitive and nonspecific in large trials and generally, when elevated, allow diagnosis of metastatic disease. Transrectal ultrasound also suffers from poor specificity. Rectal examination, although insensitive to small tumors (less than 1 ml in volume), has the advantage of possibly detecting tumors of a higher biologic activity. An improved survival has been demonstrated in populations undergoing routine rectal examinations. Further prospective, population-based trials comparing early detection techniques are necessary before mass screening for carcinoma of the prostate can be recommended.
Ca2+ antagonists effect an antidepressant-like adaptation of the NMDA receptor complex

Chronic, but not acute treatment of mice with nimodipine and diltiazem produce significant increases in the IC50 of glycine to inhibit [3H]5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid binding in cerebral cortex. Such adaptive changes in the ligand binding properties of the NMDA receptor complex are also manifested following chronic treatment with antidepressants from every principal therapeutic class. These findings indicate voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonists would be strong candidates for rigorous clinical trials in depressive disorders.
Vibrotactile communication of information about consonants: Vowels mask consonants

The perception of consonants in consonant-initial [consonant-vowel (CV)] syllables was measured using a vibrotactile spectral display. The display coded acoustic frequency and intensity on the 24 × 6 vibrotactile matrix of an Optacon transducer. In the first experiment, we found that for consonants spoken in the context of/_a/, subjects could correctly identify eight consonants only about 60% of the time. The second experiment revealed similarly poor performance when subjects tried to identify a set of CV syllables in which the consonants differed only in their places of articulation. The final experiment showed that place of articulation could be distinguished much more reliably when the vowel following the consonant was shortened, thereby reducing backward masking. Display modifications that might improve the tactile perception of consonants by reducing temporal masking are discussed.
Regional and circadian differences in cerebral cortical serotonin concentrations

Abstract Differential extraction and fluorometry of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) of three areas of cerebral cortex of adult male rats killed at eleven times of the 24-hour, day-night cycle showed: (1) similar daily rhythms in the three areas (area 10 - dorsal frontopolar, areas 1–4 - somesthetic and motor, area 17 - primary visual cortex) with maxima about eight hours after the start of light and a 27 to 28% fall to nocturnal minima; and (2) 5-HT concentration in area 10 about twice as great as that in the more posterior areas sampled. The relevancies of these findings to rhythms in 5-HT levels in pineal and brain regions, and to the postulated neurohumoral role of cerebral 5-TH are discussed.
Capacity-limited Gut Wall Metabolism of 5-aminosalicylic acid, a Therapeutically Active Metabolite of Sulfasalazine, in Rats

The metabolic fate of 5-aminosalicylic acid (reported to be the active therapeutic moiety of sulfasalazine) was assessed in fasting rats as a function of dose (25 200 mg/kg) and administration route (oral, intraperitoneal, and intravenous). 5-Aminosalicylic acid is subject to both capacity-limited presystemic (apparently during first passage through the intestinal epithelium) and systemic acetylation. The possibility exists that 5-aminosalicylic acid also is acetylated presystemically after oral sulfasalazine administration to patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Any alteration in the absorption rate of this active metabolite from the colon could affect the time course of local anti-inflammatory activity if N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid is inactive or less active than 5-aminosalicylic acid.
Isothermal and cyclic oxidation resistance of boron-modified and germanium-doped silicide coatings for titanium alloys

Since titanium alloys with an adequate balance of mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation resistance have not been developed, protective coatings are required. In our previous paper, B-modified and Ge-doped silicide diffusion coatings grown on CP Ti, Ti−24Al−11Nb, Ti−22Al−27Nb, and Ti−20Al−22Nb by the halide-activated, pack-cementation method were described. In this study, isothermal and cyclic oxidation were used to evaluate the oxidation performance of these coatings in comparison to uncoated substrates. The rate-controlling mechanism for isothermal oxidation at high temperature was solid-state diffusion through a SiO2 scale, while the mechanism for low-temperature oxidation involved grain-boundary diffusion through TiO2. Both isothermal and cyclic oxidation rates for the B-modified and Ge-doped silicide coatings were much slower than for pure TiSi2. Oxygen contamination was not detected by microhardness measurements in the coated substrates after 200 oxidation cycles at 500–1000°C for the Ti−Al−Nb alloys, or at 500–875°C for CP Ti. The excellent oxidation resistance for the optimum coating compositions is discussed.
Studies with puromycin on the mechanism of negative feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion by glucocorticoids.

A model is proposed to explain the delay in effective negative feedback of a large dose of glucocorticoid on stress-induced ACTH secretion: A high level of glucocorticoid in the hypothalamus may inhibit the formation of an enzyme which is activated by various “stresses” to release CRF into the hypophysial portal system. The delay in the negative feedback effect of the glucocorticoids is accounted for by the slow degradation of preformed enzyme. Puromycin did not mimic the negative feedback effects of dexamethasone, nor did it prevent the inhibition of stress-induced ACTH release caused by dexamethasone administration. The experimental data presented herein thus suggest this model is incorrect. (Endocrinology 81: 1415, 1967)
Distributed hierarchical control of multi-area power systems with improved primary frequency regulation

The conventional distributed hierarchical control architecture for multi-area power systems is revisited. In this paper, a new distributed hierarchical control architecture is proposed. In the proposed architecture, pilot generators are selected in each area to be equipped with decentralized robust control as a supplementary to the conventional droop speed control. With the improved primary frequency control, the system frequency can be restored to the nominal value without the help of secondary frequency control, which reduces the burden of the automatic generation control for frequency restoration. Moreover, the low frequency inter-area electromechanical oscillations can also be effectively damped. The effectiveness of the proposed distributed hierarchical control architecture is validated through detailed simulations.
Newton-like methods under mild differentiability conditions with error analysis

Resolution des equations a operateur non lineaire sous de faibles conditions de differentiabilite avec analyse d'erreur
Hydrogen bonds and C-H...O interactions in the enol tautomer of 4-(phenylsulfonyl)spiro[cyclopentane-1,9'-[9H]fluorene]-2,3-dione.

The title compound, 2-hydroxy-1-(phenyl­sulfonyl)­spiro­[cyclo­pentene-4,9′-[9H]­fluoren]-3-one, C23H16O4S, crystallized in the centrosymmetric space group P21/n with one mol­ecule as the asymmetric unit. The hydroxyl-H atom is ordered and participates in a single intramolecular hydrogen bond and in a single intermolecular hydrogen bond, in which the OD—H distance is 0.90 (2), H⋯OA is 2.34 (3), OD⋯OA is 2.987 (2) A and OD—H⋯OA is 129 (2)°. The intermolecular hydrogen bond forms an R{_2^2}(12) cyclic dimer about a center of symmetry. There are six leading C—H⋯O interactions. Taken together, these interactions form a three-dimensional network. Structural comparisons are made with tetrabenzodi­spiro­[4.0.4.3]­tridecatetraene.
Instructor-Mediated Journals: Raising Critical Thinking and Discourse Levels.

(1994). Instructor-Mediated Journals: Raising Critical Thinking and Discourse Levels. College Teaching: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 7-11.