cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostate brachytherapy seed migration to a coronary artery found during angiography.

Vascular migration of radioactive seeds to the lungs following permanent prostate brachytherapy is a recognized phenomenon. We report a case in which a seed became lodged in a coronary artery. CASE REPORT A 77-year-old man with a long-standing history of coronary artery disease underwent transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy elsewhere in mid 2000 for treatment of early stage prostate cancer. More than 80 103 palladium loose radioactive seeds (TheraSeed Model 200, Theragenics Corp., Buford, Georgia) were implanted in the prostate and periprostatic tissues. Nine months after brachytherapy, the patient experienced increasing intermittent chest pain and underwent coronary angiography at our institution. This study demonstrated multiple vessel coronary artery disease and the presence of a metallic object in the septal perforator branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery. X-ray of the pelvis revealed the presence of multiple brachytherapy seeds in the prostate with radiopaque markers of the same size (approximately 1.1 mm. 0.5 mm.) as that of the metallic object in the coronary artery. Symptoms were deemed unrelated to the presence of the brachytherapy seed in the coronary artery according to the attending cardiologists (J. F. B., B. L. K.). Examination of the cine angiogram and pelvic x-ray by all coauthors confirmed that the metallic object in the coronary artery was a brachytherapy seed that had migrated (see figure). DISCUSSION We report a case of radioactive seed migration to a coronary artery. We previously described a case of seed migration to the right ventricle and noted that the presence of a right to left cardiac shunt might allow seed migration to a coronary artery or other locations.1 Seeds used in transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy are 4.5 mm. in length and 800 m. in diameter and, thus, are small enough to migrate through the venous system to the right ventricle and become lodged in small pulmonary arterioles.2, 3 It is noteworthy that 25% of adults are found to have a probe patent foramen ovale at autopsy and, therefore, may have a right to left shunt. Such shunts are usually clinically insignificant, but they could nevertheless allow passage of a brachytherapy seed from the right to the left ventricle and into a coronary artery without traversing the pulmonary vasculature. Prior reports indicate that the percentage of patients who have at least 1 seed migrate to the chest following transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy varies widely from 0.7% to 55%, whereas the total percentage of seeds that eventually migrate is less than 1%.2, 3 Thus, seed
Using phage and yeast display to select hundreds of monoclonal antibodies: application to antigen 85, a tuberculosis biomarker.

Background Current diagnostic methods for tuberculosis (TB), a major global health challenge that kills nearly two million people annually, are time-consuming and inadequate. During infection a number of bacterial molecules that play a role in the infective process are released and have been proposed as biomarkers for early TB diagnosis. Antigen 85 (Ag85) is the most abundant secreted TB protein, and a potential target for this diagnostic approach. One of the bottlenecks in the direct detection of such bacterial targets is the availability of robust, sensitive, specific antibodies.
Electron irradiation effects on digermane adsorbed on Si(100) surfaces

Abstract The effects of electron-beam irradiation on digermane adsorbed on Si(100) at 120 K have been investigated by temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Digermane adsorbed on clean Si(100) at low exposures exhibits a single H2 TPD peak at 800 K, which originates from the silicon monohydride state on the Si(100) surface. At higher digermane exposures, a new peak appears between 550 and 570 K, and the 800 K peak shifts to lower temperatures. The 570 K peak is believed to originate from surface germanium hydride species. At the highest digermane exposures, a molecular desorption peak appears at approximately 140 K. Electron exposure of Si(100) dosed heavily with digermane causes the molecular TPD peak at 140 K to decrease in intensity and broaden, with a concomitant increase in TPD peak intensity at 570 K, indicating that the electron beam dissociates physisorbed digermane species via deposition of GeHx species onto the Si(100) surface.
Safety and efficacy of a continuous infusion, patient-controlled antiemetic pump for children receiving emetogenic chemotherapy.

Background Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most distressing side effects of moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Diphenhydramine, lorazepam, and dexamethasone have been used individually to treat CINV. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of those drugs administered via a patient controlled pump (BAD pump) to control CINV. Procedure A retrospective chart review was conducted of all pediatric oncology patients who received the BAD pump. Emetic episodes, doses of rescue medications to treat breakthrough nausea or vomiting, and occurrence of adverse events were recorded. Complete response (CR) was defined as no emesis or rescue medications, partial response (PR) as emesis but no rescue medications, and failure (F) as rescue medications required. Results Thirty patients received a total of 141 courses. Adverse events occurred in 4.2% of the courses; confusion (n = 2), depressed mood (n = 1), dysphoria (n = 1), agitation (n = 1), and restlessness (n = 1). All side effects resolved after decreasing the infusion rate, and the pump was not discontinued in any patients. Eighteen patients failed conventional prophylaxis and received BAD pump for identical subsequent chemotherapy cycles; they spent more days in CR with BAD pump than without it, 21 versus 45 days (P = .003) respectively. Patients receiving BAD pump had significantly shorter hospital stay with BAD pump than those not receiving it, 68 days versus 76 (P = .046). Conclusions BAD pump is well tolerated in pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy and may be more effective than conventional prophylaxis in controlling CINV in some patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:330–332. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stiffness from disorder in triangular-lattice Ising thin films.

We study the triangular lattice Ising model with a finite number of vertically stacked layers and demonstrate a low temperature reentrance of two Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions, which results in an extended disordered regime down to $T=0$. Numerical results are complemented with the derivation of an effective low-temperature dimer theory. Contrary to order by disorder, we present a new scenario for fluctuation-induced ordering in frustrated spin systems. While short-range spin-spin correlations are enhanced by fluctuations, quasi-long-range ordering is precluded at low enough temperatures by proliferation of topological defects.
Membrane-bound hemoglobin as a marker of oxidative injury in adult and neonatal red blood cells

A comparative study of the effect of hydrogen peroxide on adult and neonatal red blood cell (RBC) membrane protein composition has been carried out. The results indicate that (a) the native neonatal RBC membranes contain higher levels of membrane-bound hemoglobin (MBHb) than the adult RBC membranes. (b) The content of MBHb increases when RBCs are incubated with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), more so in neonatal than in adult RBCs; however, neonatal RBC membrane proteins are less susceptible to H2O2 oxidation than adult ones. This could be attributed to the fact that Hb F, which is more susceptible to oxidation than Hb A, adds to the reduction potential of neonatal RBC (in which it is present in large amounts) and partially protects neonatal membrane proteins against oxidant stress compared to Hb A in adult RBC. (c) In both neonatal and adult RBCs, Spectrin 1 is relatively more susceptible to oxidant stress than spectrin 2, and spectrins in adult RBC are more labile for peroxidation than the spectrins in neonatal RBC. (d) Based on electrophoretic studies with and without reduction of membranes with mercaptoethanol, we have classified two types of MBHb: Type I is adsorbed to membrane by noncovalent interactions and Type II MBHb is chemically crosslinked to membrane components by disulfide bridges; the content of both these types increases when RBCs are incubated with increasing concentrations of H2O2. (e) Band 6 protein is present in higher amounts in neonatal than in adult RBC membranes. (f) Since the total content of MBHb increases linearly with the level of oxidant stress, we suggest that it could be used as a marker for oxygen radical-induced injury to tissues.
A Nonlinear Dynamical Model of the Impact of SDI on the Arms Race

We present numerical results from a nonlinear dynamical model with discrete time that simulates the implications of ballistic missile defense systems (SDI) on the arms race between the two superpowers. As dynamical variables we introduce the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), antiballistic missile systems (ABMs) and anti-ABM systems such as antisatellite weapons (ASAT) of each of the two sides. The time evolution of these systems (arms race) is simulated numerically under various parameter assumptions (scenarios). The a priori unpredictability of human decisions is simulated through random fluctuations of the buildup parameters. The results of our idealized model indicate that for most parameter combinations, the introduction of SDI systems leads to an extension of the offensive arms race rather than a transition to a defense-dominated strategic configuration. A reduction in the number of offensive weapons, that is, an approach to a defense-dominated strategy, was observed if either th...
Consultation-Liaison Research: The Use of Differing Perspectives

Slavney and McHugh have discussed the four perspectives in psychiatry in respect to their strengths and weaknesses. Research in consultation-liaison psychiatry is reviewed by considering the various perspectives that such studies utilize. Early studies utilized the life story methodology and the disease model. The life history approach considers each patient as a unique subject whose developmental vicissitudes have meaningful associations. These studies were often viewed through a psychoanalytic theory. The disease model demands syndromal identification so that etiologic factors, whether biological, psychological or social, may eventually be discovered. More contemporary investigations use the dimensional measurement of intersubject differences that allow better designation of personality. The fourth perspective of motivated behavior offers a method of studying goal-directed activity such as substance abuse, eating pathology, and sleep disorders. Consultation-liaison studies using each framework are reviewed.
Augmentation of rat ovarian weight induced by chorionic hormone.

SummaryThe preliminary administration of various drugs, hormones, and inert substances such as plain oil or water, may result in a slight augmentation of the ovarian weight induced by chorionic hormone. A striking augmentation, however, has been obtained consistently by the injection of neostigmine on the day before giving the chorionic hormone.
The role of metabolic enzymes in insecticide‐resistant colorado potato beetles

Several metabolic enzymes were assayed in susceptible and insecticide-resistant (R-mfo and R-AchE) strains of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say). We compared the activities of esterases, glutathione transferases and mixed function oxidases, and measured in-vivo metabolism of carbofuran to determine the contributions of metabolic factors to the observed resistance. There were no substantial differences between strains in α- or β-naphthylacetate hydrolysis, or in glutathione transferase activity. Compared to the susceptible strain, the R-mfo strain showed 4-fold higher activity in both ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, and pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. The R-AChE strain had a 1.5-fold higher level of ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. Correspondingly, the in-vivo metabolism of carbofuran was highest in the R-mfo strain, and the R-AChE strain was slightly higher than the susceptible strain. These results are discussed in relation to other resistance mechanisms which we have examined in these strains.
Inward, Outward, Upward Prayer: Scale Reliability and Validation

This study provides support for a model that conceptualizes prayers as the means to establish cognitive connections in three directions: inward (self-connection); outward (human-human connection); and upward (human-divine connections). A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates a single general prayer factor divisible into three subfactors that are in turn comprised of eight discrete scales. Measures of general religiosity, the need for structure, religious styles of coping, well-being, life-satisfaction, and belief in the paranormal provide evidence of convergent and divergent validity for the theory of prayer as a mechanism for inward, outward, and upward connections.
Barriers to entry and firm performance: a proposed model and curvilinear relationships

This research examines the relationships among the barriers to market entry: capital requirements; competitive advantage of incumbent firms; business environment; and firm competence, and their relationship to firm performance. Through a mail survey, data were collected on a sample of 190 companies. A hierarchical regression analysis enabled the assessment of the relationships among barriers to entry and firm performance. In addition, the paper examines the quadratic function of second degree among the variables to see the curvilinear relationships between independent and dependent variables. The results indicate the presence of curvilinear relationships between some barriers for market entrants and performance of market entrants. While the examination of linear relationships between barriers and firm performance is important, the analyses of curvilinear relationships shed more light into our understanding of barriers and performance. Therefore this study contributes to the literature by highlighting the ...
Lower crustal reflectivity patterns in wide‐angle seismic recordings

Many features of wide-angle reflection data have been attributed to finely-layered structure in the lower crust. Reflections with similar character, however, can be produced by small-amplitude 2-D random velocity variations. Finite-difference seismograms for a lower crustal model with isotropic random velocity variations match field data recorded at the Black Forest, Germany. At source-receiver offsets beyond about twice the target depth, waves scattered from a random zone produce the appearance of horizontal layering in wide-angle data. Lower crustal reflectivity patterns can thus be explained by models that have lateral and vertical random fluctutations rather than fine-scale layering.
Effects of Flecainide, Encainide, and Clofilium on Ventricular Refractory Period Extension by Transcardiac Shocks

Objective The mechanisms by which pharmacological agents alter electrical defibrillation are not fully understood. It has been proposed that, in addition to directly stimulating tissue, defibrillation may involve refractory period extension (RPE) produced by the shock. Accordingly, pharmacological agents might modulate defibrillation by altering RPE. This study examined the effect of Class I and Class III antiarrhythmic agents on RPE by transcardiac shocks. Methods In four groups of pentobarbital anesthetized dogs, RPE was measured during rapid ventricular pacing before and after administration of either the Class I agents flecainide (n = 7) or encainide (n = 7), the Class III agent clofilium (n = 7), or vehicle (n = 5). Measurements included QRS duration during sinus rhythm and a conduction time, QTC interval and refractory period, and RPE for 4- to 10-V/cm shocks delivered 20-80 ms before the end of the tissue absolute refractory period. For the 6-V/cm shocks, the interval after the shock during which tissue remained refractory (RIAS) was also computed. Results Drugs affected QRS duration, conduction time, QTC, and refractory period ( without shocks) in accordance with their anticipated Class I and Class III actions. Without drugs, significant RPE was observed in all animals for all shocks delivered 40 ms or less before the end of the refractory period. Clofilium, encainide, and flecainide had a tendency to increase RPE but only clofilium produced a significant increase. For 6-V/cm shocks with different timings, the minimum RIAS was found to be approximately 43 ms, and occurred for shocks given 20-30 ms before the end of the refractory period. Conclusions At drug dosages that produced moderate Class III ( approximately equal to 15%) or strong Class I (approximately equal to 35%) effects, only the Class III agent significantly increased RPE and RIAS. Thus, in addition to altering tissue excitability, the effect of antiarrhythmic agents to increase RPE and the minimum RIAS may help explain their influence on defibrillation threshold.
A hybrid twin screw extrusion/electrospinning method to process nanoparticle-incorporated electrospun nanofibres

A new hybrid methodology that fully integrates the processing capabilities of the twin screw extrusion process (conveying solids, melting, dispersive and distributive mixing, pressurization, temperature profiling, devolatilization) with electrospinning is described. The hybrid process is especially suited to the dispersion of nanoparticles into polymeric binders and the generation of nanoparticle-incorporated fibres and nanofibres. The new technology base is demonstrated with the dispersion of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) nanoparticles into poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) to generate biodegradable non-woven meshes that can be targeted as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The new hybrid method yielded fibre diameters in the range of 200-2000 nm for both PCL and β-TCP/PCL (35% by weight) composite scaffolds. The degree of crystallinity of polycaprolactone meshes could be manipulated in the 35.1-41% range, using the voltage strength as a parameter. The electrospinning process, integrated with dispersive kneading disc elements, facilitated the decrease of the cluster sizes and allowed the continuous compounding of the nanoparticles into the biodegradable polymer prior to electrospinning. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the non-woven meshes validated the continuous incorporation of 35 ± 1.5% (by weight) β-TCP nanoparticles for a targeted concentration of 35%. Uniaxial tensile testing of the meshes with and without the nanoparticles indicated that the ultimate tensile strength at break of the meshes increased from 0.47 ± 0.04 to 0.79 ± 0.08 MPa upon the incorporation of the β-TCP nanoparticles. This demonstration study suggests that the new technology base is particularly suitable for the concomitant dispersion and electrospinning of nanoparticles in the generation of myriad types of functional nanofibres.
Decreases in brain protein synthesis elicited by moderate increases in plasma phenylalanine.

Abstract Large increases in plasma phenylalanine concentration (> 1 mM) adversely affect brain function and inhibit cerebral protein synthesis. The threshold hypothesis predicts that moderate increases in plasma phenylalanine concentrations below a 1 mM threshold have no adverse effects on brain function or protein synthesis. Using a new in situ internal carotid artery perfusion technique and measurement of the amino acyl-tRNA specific activities by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) derivatized amino acids, the present studies demonstrate a linear decrease in cerebral protein synthesis in vivo in proportion to moderate increases in plasma phenylalanine. A 50% inhibition of brain protein synthesis in vivo is observed at a plasma phenylalanine concentration of approximately 0.40 mM. Since moderate increases in plasma phenylalanine concentrations may be achieved in humans with ingestion of phenylalanine, the present findings should be considered in evaluating the safety of liberal and selective increases in dietary phenylalanine.
Pressure and shear sensing based on microstrip antennas

A foot ulcer is the initiating factor in 85% of all diabetic amputations. Ulcer formation is believed to be contributed by both pressure and shear forces. There are commercially available instruments that can measure plantar pressure. However, instruments for plantar shear measurement are limited. In this paper, we investigate the application of antenna sensors for shear and pressure measurement. The principle of operation of both antenna sensors will be discussed first, followed by detailed descriptions on the antenna designs, sensor fabrication, experimental setup, procedure and results. Because the antenna sensors are small in size, can be wirelessly interrogated, and are frequency multiplexable, we plan to embed them in shoes for simultaneous mapping of plantar shear and pressure distributions in the future.
SU-DD-A2-04: Direct Measurement of Pediatric CT Radiation Dose with a New Solid State Detector System

Purpose: Because of potential risks, the determination of CT radiation doses is important for young children. Direct patient measurements are usually not practical. Many CT scanners provide a calculation of the CTDIvolume. A unique, tiny solid state dosimeter system (which has recently been developed) permits the instantaneous measurement of cumulative patient entrance radiation doses during clinical CT procedures. This study compared the calculated CTDIvolume to direct measurements with this new detector in pediatric patients. Method and Materials: The new dosimeter system utilizes three tiny silicon detector chips 1cm × 0.5cm in size coupled to a small readout with thin cables. The system digitally displays the total accumulated dose. The energy response is +/−10% between 60 and 120 kVp. Radiation dose measurements during routine clinical head and body CT scans with a GE CT/i scanner were gathered for pediatric patients from newborns upto 18 years old. Results: Head and body data were separated and plotted in mGy per 100 mAs. The CT scanner calculated data showed no variation with patient size or anatomical location. The measured data, however, indicated radiation doses that were 2–3 times greater in small children and matched the calculated data for larger sizes. At the lower mAs values utilized for pediatric body scans, the measured radiation doses ranged from 2 to 5 mGy per procedure. At the higher mAs values for pediatric head CT scans, the radiation doses were 5–10 times greater than the body doses. Conclusion: This solid state integrating detector system provides a new tool for the accurate and instantaneous measurement of CT radiation dose that was previously unavailable. Moreover, the data demonstrate that the scanner calculated CT radiation doses can be in error by a factor of 2 to 3 times due to patient size variations and non‐homogeneity of patient anatomy.
Split-plot designs for robust product experimentation

Genichi Taguchi has emphasized the use of designed experiments in several novel and important applications. In this paper we focus on the use of statistical experimental designs in designingproducts to be robust to environmental conditions. The engineering concept of robust product design is very important because it is frequently impossible or prohibitively expensive to control or eliminate variation resulting from environmental conditions. Robust product design enablesthe experimenter to discover how to modify the design of the product to minimize the effect dueto variation from environmental sources. In experiments of this kind, Taguchi's total experimental arrangement consists of a cross-product of two experimental designs:an inner array containing the design factors and an outer array containing the environmental factors. Except in situations where both these arrays are small, this arrangement may involve a prohibitively large amount of experimental work. One of the objectives of this paper is to sho...
Parallel programming in Split-C

The authors introduce the Split-C language, a parallel extension of C intended for high performance programming on distributed memory multiprocessors, and demonstrate the use of the language in optimizing parallel programs. Split-C provides a global address space with a clear concept of locality and unusual assignment operators. These are used as tools to reduce the frequency and cost of remote access. The language allows a mixture of shared memory, message passing, and data parallel programming styles while providing efficient access to the underlying machine. The authors demonstrate the basic language concepts using regular and irregular parallel programs and give performance results for various stages of program optimization.
Estimating the Impact of Free-Play Coupon Value on Players’ Slot Gaming Volumes

This study reports the results of a field experiment that assessed the relationship between free-play coupon value and a player’s slot gaming volume. Selected players in the customer database of a ...
Autofocus in multistatic passive SAR imaging

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging suffers from image focus degradation in the presence of phase errors in the received signals due to unknown platform or target motion. We study automatic focusing (autofocus) under a multistatic passive scenario, where the illumination is provided by a set of stationary UHF transmitters and the goal is to image a moving aircraft. We employ heuristic iterative estimation algorithms that maximize a sharpness metric of the image. A similar method has been studied for the case of mono-static radar, where only one antenna is used for both transmitting and receiving. We present simulation results to help assess the effectiveness of the proposed autofocus approach.
Marital Conflict, Ineffective Parenting, and Children's and Adolescents' Maladjustment

Data from the 1988 National Survey on Families and Households were analyzed to examine the associations among marital conflict, ineffective parenting, and children's and adolescents' maladjustment. Parents' use of harsh discipline and low parental involvement helped explain the connection between marital conflict and children's maladjustment in children aged 2 through 11. Parent-child conflict was measured only in families with a target teenager and also was a significant mediator. Although ineffective parenting explained part of the association between marital conflict and children's maladjustment, independent effects of marital conflict remained in families with target children aged 2 through 11 (but not for families with a teenager). With a few exceptions, this pattern of findings was consistent for mothers' and fathers' reports, for daughters and sons, for families with various ethnic backgrounds, and for families living in and out of poverty.
Coupled flow-polymer dynamics via statistical field theory: Modeling and computation

Field-theoretic models, which replace interactions between polymers with interactions between polymers and one or more conjugate fields, offer a systematic framework for coarse-graining of complex fluids systems. While this approach has been used successfully to investigate a wide range of polymer formulations at equilibrium, field-theoretic models often fail to accurately capture the non-equilibrium behavior of polymers, especially in the early stages of phase separation. Here the ''two-fluid'' approach serves as a useful alternative, treating the motions of fluid components separately in order to incorporate asymmetries between polymer molecules. In this work we focus on the connection of these two theories, drawing upon the strengths of each of the approaches in order to couple polymer microstructure with the dynamics of the flow in a systematic way. For illustrative purposes we work with an inhomogeneous melt of elastic dumbbell polymers, though our methodology will apply more generally to a wide variety of inhomogeneous systems. First we derive the model, incorporating thermodynamic forces into a two-fluid model for the flow through the introduction of conjugate chemical potential and elastic strain fields for the polymer density and stress. The resulting equations are composed of a system of fourth order PDEs coupled with a non-linear, non-local optimization problem to determine the conjugate fields. The coupled system is severely stiff and with a high degree of computational complexity. Next, we overcome the formidable numerical challenges posed by the model by designing a robust semi-implicit method based on linear asymptotic behavior of the leading order terms at small scales, by exploiting the exponential structure of global (integral) operators, and by parallelizing the non-linear optimization problem. The semi-implicit method effectively removes the fourth order stability constraint associated with explicit methods and we observe only a first order time-step restriction. The algorithm for solving the non-linear optimization problem, which takes advantage of the form of the operators being optimized, reduces the overall simulation time by several orders of magnitude. We illustrate the methodology with several examples of phase separation in an initially quiescent flow.
Fostering an Ethic of Care in Leadership: A Conversation with Five African American Women

This article is a qualitative, exploratory, multicase study that examines the leadership of five educational administrators and teachers serving students of various levels. This study addresses the...
Toxicological Evaluation of Lung Responses After Intratracheal Exposure to Non-Dispersed Titanium Dioxide Nanorods

Fine- and coarse-sized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles are considered to be relatively inert when inhaled. The goal of this study was to assess potential lung toxicity associated with well-characterized, non-dispersed rutile TiO₂ nanorods (10 × 40 nm). In vitro bioreactivity of TiO₂ nanorods was determined by electron spin resonance (ESR) to measure free radical production. To assess pulmonary effects in vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were intratracheally instilled with saline, silica, or TiO₂ nanorods (10 μg, 100 μg, or 1 mg/rat). On d 1, 3, and 6 posttreatment, left lungs were preserved for microscopy and histopathology, and lung lavage was performed on right lungs. Additional rats were treated with saline or TiO₂ nanorods (100 μg or 1 mg/rat) on d 0, intratracheally inoculated with 5 × 10(5) Listeria monocytogenes on d 3, and bacterial clearance was assessed. ESR showed a significant concentration-dependent generation of hydroxyl radicals by TiO₂ nanorods in the presence and absence of macrophages; however, the hydroxyl radical signals from TiO₂ samples were low compared to silica. Rats exposed to 1 mg of TiO₂ nanorods had significantly elevated levels of lung injury, inflammation, and lavage fluid monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 on d 1 and 3 that subsided by d 6, unlike the silica response that persisted. Immune cytokine secretion in the lung and bacterial clearance were not affected by preexposure to TiO₂ nanorods. To summarize, non-dispersed TiO₂ nanorods were found to induce radical formation and cellular oxidant production, and to generate transient and reversible pneumotoxic effects, and to not markedly alter pulmonary immune function.
Spatial patterns of natural Pinus strobus L. regeneration in a Pinus resinosa Ait. stand1

Abstract Understanding the regeneration niche of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) is necessary to promote the restoration of this formerly widespread species. We tested several hypotheses drawn from the literature relating to four features of the regeneration niche for P. strobus: distance to seed source, overstory influence, segregation into spatial neighborhoods, and deer browsing. All hypotheses were tested in a 0.36-ha stem-mapped Pinus resinosa Ait. stand with abundant naturally regenerating P. strobus. Few regenerating P. strobus were found in the immediate vicinity of the seed source tree or other overstory trees and the distribution of distances away from the seed tree differed for very young (< 5 yr) and older regeneration. The spatial arrangement of older regeneration was less associated with the overstory than that of young regeneration, although growth rates were lower in areas of higher overstory influence. Evidence was found for the segregation of regeneration on the basis of size and age class...
Challenges and changes in the endovascular treatment of very small intracranial aneurysms.

he coiling of very small intracranial aneurysms, that is, those with diameters of 3 mm or less, is associated with T specific pitfalls and risks. The confined space of these aneurysms greatly limits the ability of the surgeon to achieve stable positioning of the microcatheter within the small sac. Furthermore, the size of the aneurysm increases the friction encountered during coil deployment, and this is action thought to increase the risk of intraprocedural rupture (1, 2, 5, 7). Because of these specific pitfalls, the subset of very small aneurysms was excluded from large studies such as the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial and Guglielmi Detachable Coil registry study (4, 8). In the recent Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial, the small size of aneurysms was the most common anatomical reason for crossover from endovascular to surgical treatment (3). Even though very small aneurysms pose specific technical challenges to endovascular surgeons, increasing operator experience as well as the ongoing development and refinement of endovascular devices has led the very small aneurysm size to become less and less of a relative contraindication to endovascular treatment.
A scalable, commodity data center network architecture

Today's data centers may contain tens of thousands of computers with significant aggregate bandwidth requirements. The network architecture typically consists of a tree of routing and switching elements with progressively more specialized and expensive equipment moving up the network hierarchy. Unfortunately, even when deploying the highest-end IP switches/routers, resulting topologies may only support 50% of the aggregate bandwidth available at the edge of the network, while still incurring tremendous cost. Non-uniform bandwidth among data center nodes complicates application design and limits overall system performance.In this paper, we show how to leverage largely commodity Ethernet switches to support the full aggregate bandwidth of clusters consisting of tens of thousands of elements. Similar to how clusters of commodity computers have largely replaced more specialized SMPs and MPPs, we argue that appropriately architected and interconnected commodity switches may deliver more performance at less cost than available from today's higher-end solutions. Our approach requires no modifications to the end host network interface, operating system, or applications; critically, it is fully backward compatible with Ethernet, IP, and TCP.
Social Capital and Self-Rated Health Among Older Korean Immigrants

Purpose of the Study:The objective of this article is to investigate determinants of self-rated health and describe their association with social capital and socioeconomic characteristics among older Korean immigrants.Method:A cross-sectional study of 205 older Korean immigrants (aged 60 years and older) was conducted in Los Angeles county. Independent variables included age, gender, marital status, income of the older Koreans, and social capital included social norms, trust, partnership with the community, information sharing, and political participation. Self-rated health was the dependent variable.Results:Descriptive analyses were done to show group differences in self-rated health and logistic regression analyses to identify determinants of self-rated health. Gender (male), high income, and high levels of information sharing were significant determinants of high self-rated health status among older Korean immigrants.Implications:This population-based study provides empirical evidence that gender, inco...
Pillow-talk: seamless interface for dream priming, recalling and playback

Pillow-Talk is the first of a series of objects designed to aid creative endeavors through the unobtrusive acquisition of unconscious self-generated content to permit reflexive self-knowledge. Composed of a seamless recording device embedded in a pillow and a playback and visualization system in a jar, Pillow-Talk crystallizes that which we normally forget. This allows users to capture their dreams in a less mediated way, aiding recollection by priming the experience and providing no distraction for recall and capture through embodied interaction.
Graphitic Electrical Contacts to Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Pt Electrodes

We investigate electronic devices consisting of individual, metallic, single-walled carbon nanotubes contacted by Pt electrodes in a field effect transistor configuration, focusing on improvements to the metal-nanotube contact resistance as the devices are annealed in inert environments including ultrahigh vacuum. At moderate temperatures (T 880 K) achieve nearly transparent contacts. In the latter case, analytical surface measurements reveal the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons into graphene layers on the Pt surface, suggesting that improved electronic behavior is primarily due to the formation of an all-carbon nanotube-graphite interface rather than to the improvement of the nanotube-Pt one.
In vitro transcription of a Drosophila U1 small nuclear RNA gene requires TATA box-binding protein and two proximal cis-acting elements with stringent spacing requirements.

Abstract Transcription of a Drosophila U1 small nuclear RNA gene was functionally analyzed in cell extracts derived from 0- to 12-h embryos. Two promoter elements essential for efficient initiation of transcription in vitro by RNA polymerase II were identified. The first, termed PSEA, is located between positions -41 and -61 relative to the transcription start site, is crucial for promoter activity, and is the dominant element for specifying the transcription initiation site. PSEA thus appears to be functionally homologous to the proximal sequence element of vertebrate small nuclear RNA genes. The second element, termed PSEB, is located at positions -25 to -32 and is required for an efficient level of transcription initiation because mutation of PSEB, or alteration of the spacing between PSEA and PSEB, severely reduced transcriptional activity relative to that of the wild-type promoter. Although the PSEB sequence does not have any obvious sequence similarity to a TATA box, conversion of PSEB to the canonical TATA sequence dramatically increased the efficiency of the U1 promoter and simultaneously relieved the requirement for the upstream PSEA. Despite these effects, introduction of the TATA sequence into the U1 promoter had no effect on the choice of start site or on the RNA polymerase II specificity of the promoter. Finally, evidence is presented that the TATA box-binding protein is required for transcription from the wild-type U1 promoter as well as from the TATA-containing U1 promoter.
Acute Systolic Heart Failure Associated with Complement-Mediated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Complement-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (otherwise known as atypical HUS) is a rare disorder of uncontrolled complement activation that may be associated with heart failure. We report the case of a 49-year-old female with no history of heart disease who presented with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Given her normal ADAMSTS13 activity, evidence of increased complement activation, and renal biopsy showing evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy, she was diagnosed with complement-mediated HUS. She subsequently developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed evidence of a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%, though ischemic cardiomyopathy could not be ruled out. Treatment was initiated with eculizumab. After several failed attempts at extubation, she eventually underwent tracheotomy. She also required hemodialysis to improve her uremia and hypervolemia. After seven weeks of hospitalization and five doses of eculizumab, her renal function and respiratory status improved, and she was discharged in stable condition on room air and independent of hemodialysis. Our case illustrates a rare association between acute systolic heart failure and complement-mediated HUS and highlights the potential of eculizumab in stabilizing even the most critically-ill patients with complement-mediated disease.
Schizosacchromyces pombe Dpb2 binds to origin DNA early in S phase and is required for chromosomal DNA replication.

Genetic evidence suggests that DNA polymerase epsilon (Pol e) has a noncatalytic essential role during the early stages of DNA replication initiation. Herein, we report the cloning and characterization of the second largest subunit of Pol e in fission yeast, called Dpb2. We demonstrate that Dpb2 is essential for cell viability and that a temperature-sensitive mutant of dpb2 arrests with a 1C DNA content, suggesting that Dpb2 is required for initiation of DNA replication. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we show that Dpb2, binds preferentially to origin DNA at the beginning of S phase. We also show that the C terminus of Pol e associates with origin DNA at the same time as Dpb2. We conclude that Dpb2 is an essential protein required for an early step in DNA replication. We propose that the primary function of Dpb2 is to facilitate assembly of the replicative complex at the start of S phase. These conclusions are based on the novel cell cycle arrest phenotype of the dpb2 mutant, on the previously uncharacterized binding of Dpb2 to replication origins, and on the observation that the essential function of Pol e is not dependent on its DNA synthesis activity.
LOCAL SCARCITY OF ADULT MEN PREDICTS YOUTH ASSAULT RATES

Father involvement reduces risky youth behavior at the individual level. We examine the association between the scarcity of adult men and youth violence at the Census Tract level across a small midwestern city experiencing decades of economic adversity and high rates of violence. We calculated the ratio of men to women aged 25–64 years and indicators of concentrated disadvantage across residential Census Tracts with 2000 U.S. Decennial Census data and the average monthly assault rates for those aged 10–24 years between June 2006 and December 2008 with data from the local police department. Adult male scarcity and the proportion of individuals aged 25 years or older who had less than a high school degree were the two unique predictors of youth assault rates, together explaining 69% of the variance. Interventions promoting effective social, material, and protective support from fathers and other adult male role models may ameliorate risk for youth violence. C
How understanding multidimensional diversity can benefit global public relations education

Abstract This essay offers a novice way to look at diversity as a multidimensional concept. Such approach may help to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of one another and can contribute to a more fruitful pursuit of global public relations education among undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, the essay shows how a multidimensional diversity approach can help students to uncover the complexity of their own identities they may not have been articulating in the past. Addressing multidimensional diversity in the classroom can encourage discussions about the importance of diversity in public relations practice and in the globalized society.
Obese or overweight children do not have a higher risk of dental caries.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Caries status and overweight in 2- to 18-year-old US children: findings from national surveys. Kopycka-Kedzierawski DT, Auinger P, Billings RJ, Weitzman M. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2008;36(2):157-67. Reviewer Woosung Sohn, DDS, PhD, DrPH Purpose/Question The authors analyzed nationally representative samples of children (2 to 18 years old) to investigate the relationship between obesity/overweight and dental caries status. Source of Funding None Type of Study/Design (Sequential) Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Script, Counterscript, and Underlife in the Classroom: James Brown versus Brown v. Board of Education

In this article, Kris Gutierrez, Betsy Rymes, and Joanne Larson demonstrate how power is constructed between the teacher and students. The authors identify the teacher's monologic script, one that potentially stifles dialogue and interaction and that reflects dominant cultural values, and the students' counterscripts, formed by those who do not comply with the teacher's view of appropriate participation. The authors then offer the possibility of a "third space" — a place where the two scripts intersect, creating the potential for authentic interaction to occur. Using an analysis of a specific classroom discourse, the authors demonstrate how, when such potential arises, the teacher and students quickly retreat to more comfortable scripted places. The authors encourage the join construction of a new sociocultural terrain, creating space for shifts in what counts as knowledge and knowledge representation.
Beclin 1 regulates neuronal transforming growth factor-β signaling by mediating recycling of the type I receptor ALK5

Beclin 1 is a key regulator of multiple trafficking pathways, including autophagy and receptor recycling in yeast and microglia. Decreased beclin 1 levels in the CNS result in neurodegeneration, an effect attributed to impaired autophagy. However, neurons also rely heavily on trophic factors, and signaling through these pathways requires the proper trafficking of trophic factor receptors. We discovered that beclin 1 regulates signaling through the neuroprotective TGF-β pathway. Beclin 1 is required for recycling of the type I TGF-β receptor ALK5. We show that beclin 1 recruits the retromer to ALK5 and facilitates its localization to Rab11+ endosomes. Decreased levels of beclin 1, or its binding partners VPS34 and UVRAG, impair TGF-β signaling. These findings identify beclin 1 as a positive regulator of a trophic signaling pathway via receptor recycling, and suggest that neuronal death induced by decreased beclin 1 levels may also be due to impaired trophic factor signaling.
2μ plasmid in Saccharomyces species and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We determined that extrachromosomal 2μ plasmid was present in 67 of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 100-genome strains; in addition to variation in the size and copy number of 2μ, we identified three distinct classes of 2μ. We identified 2μ presence/absence and class associations with populations, clinical origin and nuclear genotypes. We also screened genome sequences of S. paradoxus, S. kudriavzevii, S. uvarum, S. eubayanus, S. mikatae, S. arboricolus and S. bayanus strains for both integrated and extrachromosomal 2μ. Similar to S. cerevisiae, we found no integrated 2μ sequences in any S. paradoxus strains. However, we identified part of 2μ integrated into the genomes of some S. uvarum, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae and S. bayanus strains, which were distinct from each other and from all extrachromosomal 2μ. We identified extrachromosomal 2μ in one S. paradoxus, one S. eubayanus, two S. bayanus and 13 S. uvarum strains. The extrachromosomal 2μ in S. paradoxus, S. eubayanus and S. cerevisiae were distinct from each other. In contrast, the extrachromosomal 2μ in S. bayanus and S. uvarum strains were identical with each other and with one of the three classes of S. cerevisiae 2μ, consistent with interspecific transfer.