cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An optogenetic approach to control protein localization during embryogenesis of the sea urchin.

Abstract Light inducible protein–protein interactions have been used to manipulate protein localization and function in the cell with utmost spatial and temporal precision. In this technical report, we use a recently developed optogenetic approach to manipulate protein localization in the developing sea urchin embryo. A photosensitive LOV domain from Avena sativa phototropin1 cages a small peptide that binds the engineered PDZ domain (ePDZ) upon blue light irradiation. Using this system, mCherry tagged proteins fused with the LOV domain were recruited to ectopic sub-cellular regions such as the membrane, microtubules, or actin by GFP tagged proteins fused with the ePDZ domain upon blue light irradiation within 1–3 min in the sea urchin embryo. The efficiency and speed of recruitment of each protein to its respective subcellular region appeared to be dependent on the power and duration of laser irradiation, as well as the respective level of affinity to the tagged location. Controlled laser irradiation allowed partial recruitment of the spindle to the membrane, and resulted in cell blebbing. Vasa, a cell cycle and germline factor that localizes on the spindle and enriches in the micromeres at 8–16 cell stage was recruited to ectopic sites, preventing normal enrichment. Continuous blue light activation with a regular blue aquarium light over two days of culture successfully induced LOV-ePDZ binding in the developing embryos, resulting in continued ectopic recruitment of Vasa and failure in gastrulation at Day 2. Although some cytotoxicity was observed with prolonged blue light irradiation, this optogenetic system provides a promising approach to test the sub-cellular activities of developmental factors, as well as to alter protein localization and development during embryogenesis.
Multiple Drug Use

The initial focus is on the conceptual issues essential to the understanding of multiple drug use. This is followed by a discussion of the developmental nature of multiple drug use and the various strategies that have been designed to measure multiple use. The third section of the paper contains a review of the extent of multiple drug use in various segments of society with data from the Monitoring-the-Future surveys of high school seniors, the National Survey on Drug Abuse, and the Treatment Outcome Prospective Study of drug abuse treatment clients. The conclusion is that multiple drug use is pervasive. The next section deals with several consequences associated with multiple drug use: automobile accidents, delinquency, and emergency room visits. The final section outlines some of the prevention and treatment implications of multiple drug use from a public policy perspective.
Management of the orbital floor in silent sinus syndrome.

BackgroundEnophthalmos in a patient with an opacified hypoplastic maxillary sinus, without sinus symptomatology, describes the silent sinus syndrome. A current trend is to perform endoscopic maxill...
Prevention of Health Care-Associated Infections

Health care-associated infections cause approximately 75,000 deaths annually, in addition to increasing morbidity and costs. Over the past decade, a downward trend in health care-associated infections has occurred nationwide. Basic prevention measures include administrative support, educating health care personnel, and hand hygiene and isolation precautions. Prevention of central line- or catheter-associated infections begins with avoidance of unnecessary insertion, adherence to aseptic technique when inserting, and device removal when no longer necessary. Specific recommendations for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections include use of chlorhexidine for skin preparation, as a component of dressings, and for daily bathing of patients in intensive care units. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are the most common device-related health care-associated infection. Maintaining a closed drainage system below the patient reduces the risk of infection. To prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, which is associated with high mortality, mechanically ventilated patients should be placed in the semirecumbent position and receive antiseptic oral care. Prevention of surgical site infections includes hair removal using clippers, glucose control, and preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Reducing transmission of Clostridium difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms in the hospital setting begins with hand hygiene and contact precautions. Institutional efforts to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing are also strongly recommended. Reducing rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection can be achieved through active surveillance cultures and decolonization therapy with mupirocin.
On the estimation of aerodynamic blocking in heat-transfer studies of char-forming ablators

Aerodynamic heating, which is generally recognised as one of the most important aspects of the re-entry technology, plays an important role in the design of re-entry vehicles. Vehicles entering the earth's atmosphere at high velocities are subjected to severe heating. A number of methods are available for protecting the interior of a re-entering vehicle. However, preliminary studies indicate that, in general, utilisation of a charring ablator is one of the most effective thermal protection systems.
Epilepsy in children. An etiological study based on their obstetrical records.

Events which might have a causal significance for epilepsy were collected from the obstetrical case reports of 100 epileptic children who were born in four hospitals in a large town. 100 healthy children of the same age, who had been born in the same hospitals, served as a control group. The differences were worked out by means of the Chi square test and where small numbers were involved the Yates theory was used. It indicated that some possibilities of damage (e.g. higher age of the mother at birth, toxemia of pregnancy, premature birth, heavy weight at birth) are important either with respect to all patients or to the different types of attacks, whereas other factors (e.g. abnormal positions, instrumental delivery, coiling of the umbilical cord) whose roles are likewise never usually doubted, can be neglected. Exogenous reactions were found most frequently in the case of patients with grand mal and focal attacks, although, as was expected, they were missing in patients with absences, whose main genetic nature is known. It is pointed out that only with extreme caution may be various possibilities of damage be found responsible for epilepsy in children in general or for the individual types of attacks.
Ultra-sensitive analysis based on electrochemistry, electrokinetic and magnetic preconcentration of analytes

Abstract Some of the challenges with detection of ultra-low concentrations of analytes are to achieve sufficient sensitivity of the measurement and to direct the analyte species to the sensor (electrode) surface. This review describes various strategies that are available to address these challenges: method of electrocatalytic amplification, electrochemical measurements performed in combination with electrokinetic preconcentration of analytes, ultra-sensitive analysis utilizing increased surface area and also the manipulation by the magnetic force.
Pediatric sternal fractures: A single center retrospective review.

Abstract Purpose We sought to investigate the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of pediatric sternal fractures. Methods We used ICD codes to search our trauma registry and Hound Dog software to search the hospital data warehouse for all cases of radiologically confirmed sternal fracture in patients Results We identified 65 children with sternal fractures. 46/65 (71%) were male, with median age 11 years. 34/65 (52%) presented to our emergency department (ED) and the remainder to outpatient clinics. 41/65 (63%) were diagnosed by chest X-ray, 11/65 (17%) by chest CT, 7/65 (11%) by sternal X-ray, and 5/65 (8%) by MRI. Mechanism of injury varied by age. The majority, 50/65 (77%), were isolated injuries and there were no cardiac injuries, aortic injuries or deaths. 18/33 (45%) of those who presented initially to the ED were admitted, and of these 7/18 (39%) had isolated sternal fractures. Conclusions In this series, most sternal fractures were isolated with low morbidity. Sternal fracture alone should not prompt aggressive workup for intrathoracic injuries and stable patients with isolated sternal fractures can be safely followed without admission. Level of evidence IV.
microRNAs Tune Oxidative Stress in Cancer Therapeutic Tolerance and Resistance.

Relapsed disease following first-line therapy remains one of the central problems in cancer management, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, growth factor receptor-based targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint-based immunotherapy. Cancer cells develop therapeutic resistance through both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms including cellular heterogeneity, drug tolerance, bypassing alternative signaling pathways, as well as the acquisition of new genetic mutations. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are byproducts originated from cellular oxidative metabolism. Recent discoveries have shown that a disabled antioxidant program leads to therapeutic resistance in several types of cancers. ROSs are finely tuned by dysregulated microRNAs, and vice versa. However, mechanisms of a crosstalk between ROSs and microRNAs in regulating therapeutic resistance are not clear. Here, we summarize how the microRNA–ROS network modulates cancer therapeutic tolerance and resistance and direct new vulnerable targets against drug tolerance and resistance for future applications.
Optimization and Evaluation of a Multiplex Quantitative PCR Assay for Detection of Nucleic Acids in Human Blood Samples from Patients with Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis, Typhus Rickettsiosis, Scrub Typhus, Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, and Granulocytic Anaplasmosis.

ABSTRACT Spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR), typhus group rickettsioses (TGR), scrub typhus (caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi), ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis often present as undifferentiated fever but are not treated by agents (penicillins and cephalosporins) typically used for acute febrile illness. Inability to diagnose these infections when the patient is acutely ill leads to excess morbidity and mortality. Failure to confirm these infections retrospectively if a convalescent blood sample is not obtained also impairs epidemiologic and clinical research. We designed a multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detect SFGR, TGR, O. tsutsugamushi, and infections caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis with the ompA, 17-kDa surface antigen gene, tsa56, msp2 (p44), and vlpt gene targets, respectively. Analytical sensitivity was ≥2 copies/μl (linear range, 2 to 2 × 105) and specificity was 100%. Clinical sensitivities for SFGR, TGR, and O. tsutsugamushi were 25%, 20%, and 27%, respectively, and specificities were 98%, 99%, and 100%, respectively. Clinical sensitivities for A. phagocytophilum and E. chaffeensis were 93% and 84%, respectively, and specificities were 99% and 98%, respectively. This multiplex qPCR assay could support early clinical diagnosis and treatment, confirm acute infections in the absence of a convalescent-phase serum sample, and provide the high-throughput testing required to support large clinical and epidemiologic studies. Because replication of SFGR and TGR in endothelial cells results in very low bacteremia, optimal sensitivity of qPCR for these rickettsioses will require use of larger volumes of input DNA, which could be achieved by improved extraction of DNA from blood and/or extraction of DNA from a larger initial volume of blood.
Integration of Machine Tool Accessibility of Support Structures with Topology Optimization for Additive Manufacturing

Abstract Accessibility by machine tools for the removability of support structures is a very important aspect to consider when deciding the part design and build orientation of a part in a metal-additive manufacturing process. In this paper, machine tool accessibility of the support structures is considered in a compliance minimization topology optimization model. This was achieved by including a new support accessibility filter in addition to a previously existing support structure optimization filter within a classic density-based compliance minimization model. The design of the part is optimized so that the support structures built for the part are completely accessible in a pre-defined direction mimicking a ram-type EDM tool for support-structure removal. To date, the application of support accessibility has not been addressed in previous publications related to the inclusion of design for additive manufacturing constraints within topology optimization. With this new addition, we were able to achieve high stiffness part designs with fully accessible support structures.
An Artificial Neural Network Processor With a Custom Instruction Set Architecture for Embedded Applications

This article presents the design and implementation of an embedded programmable processor with a custom instruction set architecture for efficient realization of artificial neural networks (ANNs). The ANN processor architecture is scalable, supporting an arbitrary number of layers and number of artificial neurons (ANs) per layer. Moreover, the processor supports ANNs with arbitrary interconnect structures among ANs to realize both feed-forward and dynamic recurrent networks. The processor architecture is customizable in which the numerical representation of inputs, outputs, and signals among ANs can be parameterized to an arbitrary fixed-point format. An ASIC implementation of the designed programmable ANN processor for networks with up to 512 ANs and 262,000 interconnects is presented and is estimated to occupy 2.23 mm2 of silicon area and consume 1.25 mW of power from a 1.6 V supply while operating at 74 MHz in a standard 32-nm CMOS technology. In order to assess and compare the efficiency of the designed ANN processor, we have designed and implemented a dedicated reconfigurable hardware architecture for the direct realization of ANNs. Characteristics and implementation results of the designed programmable ANN processor and the dedicated ANN hardware on a Xilinx Artix-7 field-programmable gate array (FPGA) are presented and compared using two benchmarks, the MNIST benchmark using a feed-forward ANN and a movie review sentiment analysis benchmark using a recurrent neural network.
Lacrimal sac adenocarcinoma managed with androgen deprivation.

Abstract Purpose To describe a case of primary lacrimal sac adenocarcinoma treated primarily with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with good clinic response. Observations An 82-year-old male presented with a painless right orbital mass. Pathology following partial resection was consistent with primary lacrimal sac adenocarcinoma positive for androgen receptors (AR). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed an orbital mass with extension into the nasolacrimal apparatus and intraconally between the medial and inferior recti. Staging positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) showed one hypermetabolic right sided lymph node in addition to the known orbital mass. Orbital exenteration and external beam radiation therapy were offered as the primary treatment modality however the patient refused. He subsequently received four years of androgen deprivation monotherapy, before stopping due to sexual side effects, with no progression of local or metastatic disease and some local regression documented on MRI at 5 years. Conclusions and Importance Lacrimal sac adenocarcinoma is commonly found to be AR positive on pathology. Our case shows that ADT can serve as an effective treatment modality for those patients that defer primary surgical management.
Health-Related Social Needs and Increased Readmission Rates: Findings from the Nationwide Readmissions Database

While health-related social needs (HRSN) are known to compromise health, work to date has not clearly demonstrated the relationship between clinically acknowledged social needs, via ICD-10 Z-codes, and readmission. Assess the rate of 30-, 60-, and 90-day readmission by the level of ICD-10-identified social need. In addition, we examined the associations between demographics, social need, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities on 30-day readmission. Retrospective study using the 2017 Nationwide Readmission Database We identified 5 domains of HRSN from ICD-10 diagnosis codes including employment, family, housing, psychosocial, and socioeconomic status (SES) and identified how many and which an individual was coded with during the year. The proportion of patients with 30-, 60-, and 90-day readmission stratified by the number of HRSN domains with a multivariable logistic regression to examine the relationship between the number/type of and readmission adjusting for sex, age, payer, hospital characteristics, functional limitations, and comorbidities. From 13,217,506 patients, only 2.4% had at least one HRSN diagnosis. Among patients without HRSN, 11.5% had a 30-day readmission, compared to 27.0% of those with 1 domain, increasing to 63.5% for patients with codes in 5 domains. Similar trends were observed for 60- and 90-day readmission; 78.7% of patients with documented HRSN in all 5 domains were hospitalized again within 90 days. The adjusted odds ratio for readmission for individuals with all 5 domains was 12.55 (95% CI: 9.04, 17.43). Housing and employment emerged as two of the most commonly documented HRSN, as well as having the largest adjusted odds ratio. There is a dose-response relationship between the number of HRSN diagnoses and hospital readmission. This work calls attention to the need to develop interventions to reduce readmissions for those at social risk and demonstrates the significance of ICD-10 Z-codes in health outcomes studies.
Posterior occipital gunshot wound causing orbital roof blow-in fracture with encephalocele.

Abstract Isolated orbital roof fractures are rare fractures that usually occur in conjunction with other facial bone fractures during high velocity trauma. This report concerns a patient with an isolated orbital roof fracture with encephalocele, including its diagnosis, surgical management, and clinical follow-up. This case required a multidisciplinary approach to safely repair the fracture, reduce the encephalocele, restore the orbital volume, and restore the patient’s form and function.
Online Fast Detection and Diagnosis of Power Grid Security Attacks Using State Checksums

State information transmitted across communication links of distributed power grids can be compromised by security attacks on these links causing power fluctuations and outage. Encryption of transmitted data is a first line of defense against such attacks but the entire network can be compromised if the keys are broken such as through side-channel attacks on encryption hardware. We propose the use of low cost state checksums as a critical second line of defense against such attacks. It is seen that stealth and replay attacks that can defeat prior residual filter based attack detection methods, can be detected using state checksums. Further, the proposed attack detection approach is highly resilient to adversarial counterattacks. A key benefit is low latency diagnosis of compromised communication links (and thereby sub-networks) not possible through use of encryption techniques alone. Diagnosis is driven by a dynamic binary search driven partitioning of system states into compromised vs. nominal subsets. We demonstrate through simulation of IEEE benchmark systems and two high-voltage power grids that our proposed scheme significantly reduces the latency of attack mitigation with lower complexity in comparison to prior research.
Porosity of bimodal and trimodal sediment mixtures

Abstract This study focuses on the prediction of the porosity of nonuniform sediment mixtures, considering the effects of particle packing. A random particle packing model has been developed for the porosity of bimodal mixtures by extending the existing random particle filling theory. Coefficients in the developed model are calibrated by fitting the model to measured data for a variety of bimodal mixtures, including spherical glass particles, rounded quarry grains, and natural sediments. The model coefficients are found to be functions of the diameter ratio of coarse and fine particles, separately for spherical glass particles and natural sediments due to differences in particle shapes. The bimodal mixture model is then extended to trimodal particle mixtures in three approaches: two based on serial packing and one based on random packing. These models are tested against experimental data of six trimodal mixtures with spherical glass beads. The results show that the random packing model and the fine–medium–coarse particle serial packing model predict well the observed trimodal mixture porosities.
The Role of Screening for Asymptomatic Ocular Inflammation in Sarcoidosis.

Purpose To determine the utility of routine screening ophthalmic exam in patients with systemic sarcoidosis and no history of uveitis. Methods Prospective, single-center, observational study conducted at Northwestern University from October 11, 2012 to October 1, 2020 of new patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis and no history of uveitis, referred by medical subspecialists for screening ophthalmic exam. Results Forty-nine patients, with mean age of 51 ± 8.7 years, 59% female, 47% African American, 43% Caucasian, were enrolled. The majority (55%) had no ocular symptoms. The most common location of ocular involvement was the adnexa, in the form of conjunctival nodules (62%) and aqueous tear deficiency (23%). Intraocular inflammation was detected in 6 patients (13%); only 2 had active disease requiring treatment (4%). No asymptomatic patient had ocular involvement necessitating treatment. Conclusion Screening exams are indicated in sarcoidosis patients with ocular symptoms. No benefit of screening was demonstrated in asymptomatic patients.
Borderland in the Middle: The Delaware Colony on the Atlantic Coast

In the battle over the origins of the United States, scholars and publics have claimed primacy for the Middle Atlantic region as a central place in the mythology of the United States as a nation whose exceptionalism and greatness were destined due to the dynamic energy and creativity inherent in cross-cultural exchange. Spatially middling, the region, and in particular Delaware, was simultaneously a contested borderland with a unique, often misunderstood colonial history. So too was Sweden both the middle of Scandinavia and the northern borderland of Europe. In the early seventeenth century, Sweden’s imperialism brought the European cultural centre to the margins. This chapter explores the implications of these spatial imaginaries. The materialities of seventeenth-century imperial–colonial Sweden were both crafted in the dynamic, liminal, tweenness of borderlands in the middle.
ATAC-seq: A Method for Assaying Chromatin Accessibility Genome-Wide

This unit describes Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq), a method for mapping chromatin accessibility genome-wide. This method probes DNA accessibility with hyperactive Tn5 transposase, which inserts sequencing adapters into accessible regions of chromatin. Sequencing reads can then be used to infer regions of increased accessibility, as well as to map regions of transcription-factor binding and nucleosome position. The method is a fast and sensitive alternative to DNase-seq for assaying chromatin accessibility genome-wide, or to MNase-seq for assaying nucleosome positions in accessible regions of the genome.
22 Activation of innate immune receptors by bacterial products

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various techniques and reagents that are available to study toll-like receptors (TLR). The chapter explores the way in which they are activated by microbial ligands from a wide range of microbial pathogens. The chapter also addresses the molecular regulation of target genes downstream of TLR activation. This is a future direction of TLR biology and hope this will give insight into the role of TLR signal transduction and downstream gene regulation in determining the influence of these receptors on innate immune responses to infection. Cells of the innate immune system, such as the macrophage, play a fundamental role in host defense and rely on ancient mechanisms of responding to infectious micro-organisms, such as phagocytosis, anti-microbial responses and inflammation. In addition to their role in the innate immune response, these “antigen presenting cells” (APC) provide the link to the adaptive immune response through antigen presentation and cytokine production. The assays described here review the approaches taken by researchers recently in the study of TLR function. Stimulation of TLR by microbial ligands can lead to the activation of a variety of host defense mechanisms that reflect the arsenal used by the innate immune system to fight infection.
Function and Teleology

The biological concept of function appears teleological, implying goal directedness or purpose. Ever since the scientific revolution, however, teleology has appeared inconsistent with fundamental scientific principles. Philosophers of biology have attempted to explicate the concept of function so as to make it simultaneously teleological and scientifically acceptable. Keywords: function; goal; purpose; teleology
Mobile Technologies in Support of Young Children's Learning

This chapter provides an overview of several Sesame Workshop mobile technology research projects, which have the goal of providing learning activities for young children to use either alone or with a parent. Educational media and technology have been found to promote literacy learning in both formal (e.g., school) and informal (home) environments when effective teaching techniques (such as those focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension) are applied. Sesame Street content in particular has been shown to increase children's literacy skills on a variety of measures, including phonemic awareness, knowledge of the alphabet and reading conventions, and motivation to read and write. The mission of Sesame Workshop is to create innovative, engaging content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help children reach their highest potential. Mobile technologies leverage a convergence of several strategies that Sesame Workshop uses to help realize that mission: adapting existing marketplace technologies for use by young children in learning activities, reaching children wherever they are, and actively involving busy parents in their young children's learning. In the PBS Ready to Learn Cell Phone Study: Learning Letters with Elmo , researchers designed and implemented a mobile learning experience using Sesame Street content intended to encourage parents to engage their preschool children in literacy learning during the course of their everyday routines. This mobile literacy project delivered Sesame Street educational materials focusing on learning letters via mobile phone to parents and preschool children from lower- and middle-income families. This study demonstrated that if multimedia literacy content for parents and children is delivered via mobile phone, it will be accessed regularly, and both parents and children will use it.
Survey of modular ontology techniques and their applications in the biomedical domain

In the past several years, various ontologies and terminologies such as the Gene Ontology have been developed to enable interoperability across multiple diverse medical information systems. They provide a standard way of representing terms and concepts thereby supporting easy transmission and interpretation of data for various applications. However, with their growing utilization, not only has the number of available ontologies increased considerably, but they are also becoming larger and more complex to manage. Toward this end, a growing body of work is emerging in the area of modular ontologies where the emphasis is on either extracting and managing "modules" of an ontology relevant to a particular application scenario (ontology decomposition) or developing them independently and integrating into a larger ontology (ontology composition). In this paper, we investigate state-of-the-art approaches in modular ontologies focusing on techniques that are based on rigorous logical formalisms as well as well-studied graph theories. We analyze and compare how such approaches can be leveraged in developing tools and applications in the biomedical domain. We conclude by highlighting some of the limitations of the modular ontology formalisms and put forward additional requirements to steer their future development.
Course of symptoms and quality of life measurement in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a pilot survey.

Abstract Few data have been published regarding the natural history, course of symptoms, and quality of life in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). To obtain preliminary data regarding these important issues in CRPS, a set of patient self-report questionnaires were mailed to patients with the diagnosis of CRPS who had been assessed and/or treated at a tertiary university-based pain center in the United States. Self-reports of demographic information, symptoms, the Neuropathic Pain Scale, and a modified Brief Pain Inventory (mBPI) were received from 31 CRPS patients. Approximately 75% of patients reported initial symptoms of pain, swelling, coldness, and color changes. An additional 71% had weakness and inability to move the extremity as initial symptoms. Weakness at some time during their course of CRPS was described by 97%. A majority reported no overall improvement or worsening of symptoms over time (mean 3.3 years). The pain descriptors with the highest mean values were "deep" (6.4/10), "unpleasant" (6.4), "sensitive" (5.7), "surface" (5.4), and "dull" (5.3) pains. Significant sleep disturbance was reported by 80%. CRPS had a severe impact on quality of life, with substantial interference reported in 9 of 10 mBPI activity items by a majority of these patients. These findings should be viewed with caution and should not be generalized to the entire CRPS population because the cohort was small and select. A large multicenter prospective study needs to be performed to validate these preliminary findings.
Toll-like receptors in the induction of the innate immune response

The innate immune response is the first line of defence against infectious disease. The principal challenge for the host is to detect the pathogen and mount a rapid defensive response. A group of proteins that comprise the Toll or Toll-like family of receptors perform this role in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. This reflects a remarkable conservation of function and it is therefore not surprising that studies of the mechanism by which they act has revealed new and important insights into host defence.
The hazards of defibrillation through nitroglycerin patches

A case is presented in which defibrillation produced a small explosion in a nitroglycerin patch over which a paddle had been placed. Arcing of the electrical current from the aluminum backing on the patches was the likely cause, but arcing has also occurred with nitroglycerin ointment and electrode gel. All patches and ointments should be removed from the chest of patients about to undergo defibrillation.
La Victoria: Women, Community And Contestation In Santiago, Chile

Abstract: This article highlights the critical action and reflection of women activists in La Victoria, a poblacion of Santiago, Chile. Women's contributions to community building, from the founding of the poblacion in a 1957 land seizure, through the years of military rule to present day, are addressed. This article illustrates ways in which women talk back to the powerful political, social, and economic forces that shape and constrain their lives. The account is drawn from a larger collaborative project documenting women's community building from the Andes to the Rockies.
Compensatory hypertrophy in the heart after myocardial infarction in the rat

Hypertrophy after myocardial infarction would be a very important process for compensation of damaged myocardium and preservation of cardiac function. Fifty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied 5 weeks after randomization to infarct operation, sham operation and control groups. At sacrifice, anteroapical infarcts ranging from 1 to 51% of left ventricle were present in the infarct operated group. When classified according to infarct size, groups with the largest infarcts (>15 to 30% and >30%) had significant (p We suggest that hypertrophy accompanies large infarction in the rat and is a compensation for preserving tissue volume lost by infarction. This compensatory response appears to have limitations, such that when very large amounts of myocardium become necrotic, there is not enough hypertrophy to return myocardial volume to normal.
Plant-Canopy Irradiance Specified by the Duntley Equations

Near IR radiation diurnal variations in corn canopy accounted for by Duntley equations for unidirectionally incident light propagation through diffusing medium
Comments on J. Williamson: “A worldwide system of reference rates”

“A worldwide system of reference rates” is a fascinating article. It provides a bold proposal for reorganizing the international monetary system on the basis of globally agreed upon exchange rate “reference” parities, supported by central bank interventions. As Williamson emphasizes, this proposal runs counter the widespread consensus that the major industrial countries should utilize a combination of inflation targeting and floating exchange rates. According to this majority view, central banks would be better off without a commitment to defend any particular exchange rate, for interventions do not work or at least, commitment to an exchange rate target only heightens the likelihood of a speculative attack. With this in mind, central banks should not risk their reputation on a foreign exchange target, and concentrate instead on domestic targets, such as the inflation rate where they can achieve better results and build a track record. The exchange rate will have to take care of itself. Such a view, Williamson forcefully argues, is irresponsible at best. Putting the burden of adjustment in the hands of the market ignores the deep flaws that are known to plague its operation. This includes the persistent mis-adjustments that have been observed since generalized float prevailed in the 1970s, as well as the problem of excess volatility. Day-to-day changes in the exchange rate between leading currencies are out of line with changes in underlying fundamentals. Economists have discussed extensively these problems in the abundant literature documenting the extreme inefficiency that characterizes floating exchange rates (see MacDonald 1988 for an early survey). They are encapsulated in the famous results by Meese and Rogoff (1984) according to which no popular model of exchange rate determination achieve better results than a mindless random walk model. Currency traders have a name of their own for the erratic movements in the foreign exchange market: the exchange rate is for them a “lost cause”. IEEP (2006) 3:353–357 DOI 10.1007/s10368-006-0067-z
Cross-correlation of point series using a new method

Traditional methods of cross-correlation of two time series do not apply to point time series. Here, a new method, devised specifically for point series, utilizes a correlation measure that is based in the rms difference (or, alternatively, the median absolute difference) between nearest neightbors in overlapped segments of the two series. Error estimates for the observed locations of the points, as well as a systematic shift of one series with respect to the other to accommodate a constant, but unknown, lead or lag, are easily incorporated into the analysis using Monte Carlo techniques. A methodological restriction adopted here is that one series be treated as a template series against which the other, called the target series, is cross-correlated. To estimate a significance level for the correlation measure, the adopted alternative (null) hypothesis is that the target series arises from a homogeneous Poisson process. The new method is applied to cross-correlating the times of the greatest geomagnetic storms with the times of maximum in the undecennial solar activity cycle.
The role of narrative in public relations ethics pedagogy

Abstract Competence in ethical decision making is one of the most important issues in the industry and practice of public relations, yet professionals entering the discipline overestimate their knowledge and skills related to ethical principles. This article features a pedagogical approach to strengthen ethics education in public relations through the use of collaborative student-professional ethics narratives. This technique attempts to move beyond a traditional case study approach and transcend traditional classroom boundaries through the development of narratives featuring real ethics situations experienced by public relations professionals. The project involved the development, implementation and assessment of the pedagogical approach that required students to interview local communication professionals (mostly in public relations) and to craft narratives that explore ethical dilemmas these professionals faced. Pre- and post-test surveys and group feedback helped explore the impact of narrative inquiry in helping students internalize ethical lessons.
The ubiquitin signal: assembly, recognition and termination

The Ubiquitin and Signaling Meeting was a Keystone Symposium organized by T. Hunter, C. Joazeiro and M. Hochstrasser and was held in Taos, New Mexico, between 22 and 27 February 2005. ![][1] The 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to I. Rose, A. Ciechanover and A. Hershko for their groundbreaking discovery of ubiquitin‐dependent proteolysis in the late 1970s (Wilkinson, 2004). In the subsequent 25 years, we have become aware that the ubiquitin (Ub) domain acts as a targeting signal for numerous events in the cell. The addition of a single Ub to target proteins is involved in histone structure and transcriptional control, as well as receptor internalization and endosomal sorting. The addition of multiple Ub molecules, usually as a polyubiquitin chain, is involved in degradation by the proteasome, DNA repair, ribosomal function, signal transduction, and other less well understood processes. Besides Ub‐mediated protein modification, the cell uses similar enzymatic machinery to conjugate several Ub‐like proteins (Ubl) to target proteins (Schwartz & Hochstrasser, 2003). Like monoubiquitylation, most conjugation of Ubl to substrates seems to be associated with non‐proteolytic functions. Examples include: Nedd8 (neuronally expressed during development 8), a Ubl that is conjugated to the cullin component of Ub ligases and regulates assembly of the active ligase complex; SUMO (small Ub‐related modifier), a distant relative of Ub involved in modulating protein activity and nuclear localization; and ISG15 (interferon stimulated gene product 15), a 15 kDa protein containing two Ub domains that is conjugated to cellular proteins in response to interferon, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other inflammatory signals. Figure 1 summarizes the functions that have been ascribed to Ub‐mediated protein modification. Figure 1. Assembly and fates of various forms of the ubiquitin domain. The E1 activating enzyme adenylates the carboxyl terminus of ubiquitin (Ub) and then forms a thiolester with the E2 conjugating enzymes that act … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Mechanical strength and thermal stability of catalyst coatings for treatment of waste gases

The results from studies of the strength properties of catalyst coatings based on commercial iron/chromium oxide and copper/chromium/barium oxide catalysts, and also the platinized alumina catalyst AP-64 are summarized and correlated. A 30% solution of polymethylphenylsiloxane resin in toluene was used as an adhesive. The results obtained in tests of mechanical strength of catalyst coatings applied to steel plates and then calcined are presented. A correlation between the mechanical strength and the content of oxygen in the catalyst has been found. These catalyst coatings can be used in plate-type reactors for treating waste gases to remove organic substances.
Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Spinal Cord Contusion Injury: Cell Elimination Combined with Microsurgical Intervention

Background No cure is available for human spinal cord injury. Cell elimination by localized radiation therapy that is timed within 2–3 weeks postinjury can facilitate repair of structure and function in transected rat spinal cord. In pilot studies in contusion spinal cord injury, a model similar to crush/fracture injury in human, we did not observe the expected beneficial effects of radiation therapy. Long forgotten data show that in contusion/crush injury, fluid accumulation from hemorrhage is critical. Alfred Reginald Allen observed that the most devastating sequelae in contusive injury are secondary to fluid accumulation which could be alleviated by surgical intervention, midline slits (myelotomy) at the lesion site. Methods and Findings Here, we tested whether release of fluid buildup by microsurgery (partial myelotomy) would affect the structural outcome of radiation therapy in the severely contused rat spinal cord. Surgical intervention alone significantly enhanced tissue and functional preservation in the contused cord, thus confirming Allen's observations. Combining partial myelotomy with radiation therapy that is specifically timed postinjury elicited substantial beneficial therapeutic outcome; it led to significant increase in tissue repair/preservation compared with the group that received surgical intervention only, as determined by histology and in vivo MRI. Altogether, the combined treatments led to a 1.8 fold increase in tissue repair/preservation as compared with the contused group. Conclusions The data suggest that a clinical protocol could be developed to treat acute human spinal cord injury through conventional clinical procedures, a combination of microsurgical manipulation and radiation therapy. These also suggest it is imperative to first prevent the secondary damage caused by fluid accumulation for a cure to be possible.
Immunity in cryptococcosis: an overview.

Cryptococcosis is an often fatal opportunistic fungal infection. Despite efforts to elucidate the role of immunity in host defense against the disease, much remains to be learned. The purpose of this brief review is to provide the reader with an overview of the history of research concerned with host immunity in cryptococcosis. Both humoral and cell-mediated studies are included. An effort has been made to present the reader with a comprehensive list of references in the hope of encouraging additional reading and research in this important area.
On the location of an absorbed hydrogen atom in aluminium metal

Abstract Extended Huckel molecular orbital calculations indicate that a hydrogen atom absorbed in aluminum metal is bound in an off-center tetrahedral interstitial site adjacent to a vacancy, thus confirming previous jellium-based theoretical predictions and results of nuclear channelling experiments. Our work further indicates that these are the only stable internal sites for hydrogen atoms in an aluminum lattice.
Global magmatic episodes: New evidence and implications for the steady-state mid-oceanic ridge

Increasing evidence for globally synchronized magmatic episodes, affecting both hot spots and subduction zones, may be of major significance for understanding climatic and other phenomena not accounted for by present plate tectonic models. The dramatic Pliocene-Pleistocene increase in volcanic activity–and coeval climatic deterioration–casts doubt on the uniformitarian view of the Mid-Atlantic rift valley as a wholly steady-state feature. It seems not unlikely that the mid-oceanic ridge–the most impressive volcanic feature on this planet–has also recorded these episodes in some manner, even far from hot-spot influence.
Is the peculiar spatial nonlocality of the “standard” arrival-time distribution an artifact of using a nonrelativistic approach?

Abstract Using the relativistic arrival-time distribution of Kijowski it is argued that the peculiar form of the spatial nonlocality—but not the nonlocality itself—of the “standard” distribution is an artifact of the nonrelativistic approximation. Also spatially nonlocal is the related local momentum density based on the symmetrization p ˆ ( X ) = p ˆ 1 / 2 | X 〉 〈 X | p ˆ 1 / 2 .
Irrational beliefs and anxiety

Samples of 451 (205 male and 246 female) and 189 (78 male and 111 female) introductory psychology students completed measures of irrational beliefs, trait anxiety, test anxiety, speech anxiety, fear of negative social evaluation, and social avoidance and distress. Simultaneous regressions on full and extreme group distributions showed no sex and sex ×belief interaction effects in the prediction of anxieties, suggesting that results were applicable to both sexes. Stepwise regressions of irrational beliefs on both full and extreme group distributions showed that (a) regression equations in the two samples were substantially replicated, (b) beliefs predictive of the full distribution were generally the same as those for the extreme groups, (c) the amount of variance accounted for in the extreme groups was greater than in the full distributions, (d) the amount of variance accounted for by irrational beliefs varied from one type of anxiety to another type of anxiety, and (e) different beliefs tended to be predictive of the different anxieties. Implications for the understanding and treatment of anxities were discussed.
Melting Down and Scaling Up: Stabilizing Climate Change by Promoting Private Sector Technology Development

This paper examines the role the private sector plays in researching, developing, and deploying technology that has the potential to deter or decrease the impacts of global warming. It will explore the degree to which the private sector can have an impact on global warming by focusing on 4 specific technologies: aircraft engines, wind turbines, solar energy, and clean coal technologies. The authors compare the environmental impact of these technologies with the business case for pursuing each, specifically related to profitability and market maturity. It is concluded that the business case alone is not sufficiently compelling to stimulate meaningful industry investment in these areas. Consequently, specific government involvement is needed for CO2 reduction. This analysis will shed light on the role that government must play in order to more effectively engage potential private sector players in the global warming challenge.
Acrylamine-induced autoimmune phenomena

The objective of this study is to document a series of cases of occupationally derived autoimmune disease. Individuals with occupational exposure to acrylamides were evaluated clinically and biochemically/immunologically for evidence of autoimmune disease. Symptoms and signs and immuno-reactivity were monitored during exposure-free and re-exposure as part of the individuals' clinical evaluation. Six individuals with occupational acrylamide exposure had clinical and laboratory alterations characteristic of drug-induced autoimmune disease, specifically lupus, anti-phospholipid syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, and polymyositis. The similarity of the full spectrum of disease in the reported patients to that found with procainamide strongly suggests the effects of occupational exposure. This uncontrolled study suggests the need for a full epidemiologic analysis of all individuals working with such occupational exposure, including full clinical and immunological examination.