cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR/SBRT) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver-directed SABR (stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy) is emerging as an effective local therapy option for HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). This review summarizes recent clinical progresses and proposes future directions. SABR is an effective and safe, non-invasive local therapy option for HCC in the primary and salvage treatment settings, as well as a bridge to liver transplantation in selected patients. Randomized trials comparing SABR with other locoregional modalities are currently ongoing. Research efforts are being made toward better predicting normal tissue toxicity and tumor radiosensitivity for a tailored maximal safe treatment in HCC SABR. More recently, potential synergy with immunotherapies is of increasing interest in HCC.
LED based photoacoustic imaging with enhanced sensitivity for human inflammatory arthritis (Conference Presentation)

Our previous research has demonstrated that photoacoustic (PA) imaging is capable of evaluating the pathological condition in human peripheral joints affected by inflammatory arthritis. In this work, we tested the performance of a PA imaging system based on the LED light source and its performance for arthritis imaging. The LED-based PA imaging system not only has less cost but also has smaller footprint and, hence, is more portable and convenient for use in rheumatology clinic. 2D B-scan PA and US images of each metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint were acquired along the sagittal sections. Along the same sections, US Doppler images were also acquired. Images from 12 joints with clinically active arthritis (i.e., positive on Doppler US), 5 joints with subclinically active arthritis (i.e., negative on Doppler US), and 12 joints of normal volunteers were compared. The blood volume in each joint reflecting hyperemia was quantified by counting the density of the color pixels in each pseudo-color PA image. T-tests were conducted to evaluate whether PA imaging can differentiate the three groups. The results from this study suggest that LED-based PA imaging is capable of detecting hyperemia as an important biomarker of joint inflammation. In addition, PA imaging could differentiate the subclinically active arthritis group and the normal group while Doppler US could not, suggesting that PA imaging has higher sensitivity to mildly hyperemia when compared to Doppler US. The imaging technique presented may contribute to rheumatology clinic by providing a new tool for early diagnosis and treatment evaluation of joint inflammation.
Cigarettes at ¢35 a pack, in 2019….

Candy cigarettes are one example of how tobacco products are still marketed to children (figure 1).1 2 While several countries across the world including Canada, New Zealand and Brazil ban the sale of ‘kiddie cigarettes’, in the USA, World Confections continues to manufacture these faux-cigarettes that are packaged like …
Structure Elucidation of Human Lens Proteins by Mass Spectrometry

Development of fast atom bombardment and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry have greatly facilitated investigations of proteins and peptides. The extraordinary accuracy of the molecular weights determined by these techniques permit proteins and their modifications to be identified with much less ambiguity than was possible with previously available techniques. Combining fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry with directly-coupled HPLC and with collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry has further extended the information that can be obtained about the primary structures of proteins. We describe the use of these techniques in investigations into the structure of the proteins present in the human eye lens. Modifications of the lens proteins associated with age are of particular interest because lens proteins do not turnover; i.e., the lens of an old person contains even the proteins that were present in the fetus. It is also an important area of investigation because elucidation of the structure of old lens proteins may lead to an understanding of the mechanisms of cataract formation, the most common cause of blindness, worldwide.
Respiratory Therapist Endotracheal Intubation Practices

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure performed by respiratory therapists (RTs). The purpose of this study was to describe current RT intubation practices in North Carolina through the use of a survey instrument. METHODS: A survey was developed by the authors using REDCap. The survey was sent via email to all licensed RTs in North Carolina. Information collected included respondent demographics, intubation practices (including training and skill maintenance), and attitudes about RT intubation practices. RESULTS: Of the 411 respondents, 68% intubated at their facility, representing 81 unique institutions. RTs who performed intubation were more likely to be from community hospitals and less likely to be from level 1 trauma centers. Respondents reported intubating adult (91%), pediatric (61%), and neonatal (65%) patients. The most common areas in which RTs reported performing intubation were the adult ICU (80%), emergency department (76%), outside the operating room for emergencies (76%), neonatal ICU (43%), the delivery room (45%), and pediatric ICU (25%). The median (interquartile range) number of supervised intubations required to be considered competent was 5 (3–5). The most common numbers of intubations required to be considered competent were 5 (32%), 3 (26%), 10 (16%), 2 (4%), and 0 (3%). The perceived number of intubations to achieve competence was 6 (range 5–10) and did not differ based on years of experience. Most respondents believed their RT intubation program was safe (93%) and effective (91%), and that RTs were well-trained (81%), that their intubation skills were objectively evaluated (66%), and that RTs receive sufficient feedback on performance (68%). CONCLUSIONS: RTs in North Carolina frequently performed intubation and had high confidence in their programs. Further studies are needed to establish standardized training for endotracheal intubation, document success rates for intubations, and evaluate the use of video laryngoscopy by RTs.
Neutral cervical sagittal vertical axis and cervical lordosis vary with T1 tilt

OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a study to determine whether a change in T1 tilt results in a compensatory change in the cervical sagittal vertical axis (SVA) in a cadaveric spine model. METHODS Six fresh-frozen cadavers (occiput [C0]-T1) were cleaned of soft tissue and mounted on a customized test apparatus. A 5-kg mass was applied to simulate head weight. Infrared fiducials were used to track segmental motion. The occiput was constrained to maintain horizontal gaze, and the mounting platform was angled to change T1 tilt. The SVA was altered by translating the upper (occipital) platform in the anterior-posterior plane. Neutral SVA was defined by the lowest flexion-extension moment at T1 and recorded for each T1 tilt. Lordosis was measured at C0-C2, C2-7, and C0-C7. RESULTS Neutral SVA was positively correlated with T1 tilt in all specimens. After increasing T1 tilt by a mean of 8.3° ± 2.2°, neutral SVA increased by 27.3 ± 18.6 mm. When T1 tilt was reduced by 6.7° ± 1.4°, neutral SVA decreased by a mean of 26.1 ± 17.6 mm.When T1 tilt was increased, overall (C0-C7) lordosis at the neutral SVA increased from 23.1° ± 2.6° to 32.2° ± 4.4° (p < 0.01). When the T1 tilt decreased, C0-C7 lordosis at the neutral SVA decreased to 15.6° ± 3.1° (p < 0.01). C0-C2 lordosis increased from 12.9° ± 9.3° to 29.1° ± 5.0° with increased T1 tilt and decreased to -4.3° ± 6.8° with decreased T1 tilt (p = 0.047 and p = 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Neutral SVA is not a fixed property but, rather, is positively correlated with T1 tilt in all specimens. Overall lordosis and C0-C2 lordosis increased when T1 tilt was increased from baseline, and vice versa.
Time and the Figure of the Citizen

This article reflects on the relationship between time and the figure of the citizen, where the citizen is understood in relational terms to the migrant. The article examines a stalled or interrupted flow of time that characterises the experience of certain migrants and citizens alike. This is time experienced as waiting for the fulfillment of citizenship. The article goes on to show how a progressive temporal narrative of citizenship-to-come obscures the effective denial of citizenship. While citizenship remains a key aspiration for those who lack its full or partial protections, it may not represent the ultimate horizon for struggles concerned with questions of border justice. With this proposition in mind, the article speculates on alternative horizons that may be emerging organically within struggles that refuse the citizen/migrant divide as a basis for imagining collective political futures.
Chapter 20 – SEMANTIC CATEGORIES IN ACQUISITION

Both universal and language-specific meanings play a role as children map semantic categories onto linguistic forms in a first language. What sources do they draw from as they do this mapping? To what extent are their semantic categories informed by universal conceptual categories or by the conventions of the language community? In this chapter, I consider some of the contributions of cognitive and social factors in children's construction of semantic categories.
Progress of diagnosis and treatment for protein-energy wasting in children with chronic kidney disease

Protein-energy wasting is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease and also an independent risk factor for poor prognosis.The progress of diagnosis and treatment for protein-energy wasting in children with chronic kidney disease were summarized. Key words: Protein-energy wasting; Chronic kidney disease; Child; Diagnosis; Treatment
Chemically defined human vascular laminins for biologically relevant culture of hiPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells

In recent years, differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into brain-specific microvascular endothelial cells (iBMECs) has frequently been used to model the blood–brain barrier (BBB). However, there are limitations in the use of iBMECs for in vitro studies, such as transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) instability, weak junctional expression of VE-cadherin, and lack of proper fluid shear stress response. In vivo, the basement membrane (BM) composition of the BBB evolves throughout development, and laminins become the dominant component of the mature vascular BM. However, laminin isoforms of the endothelial BM have not been used for culture of differentiated iBMECs. The main goal of this study is to investigate the effect of different laminin isoforms of the endothelial BM on iBMEC functionality and to determine whether better recapitulation of the physiological BM in vitro can address the aforementioned limitations of iBMECs. Using a previously reported method, hiPSCs were differentiated into iBMECs. The influence of main laminins of the endothelial BM, LN 411 and LN 511, on iBMEC functionality was studied and compared to a collagen IV and fibronectin mixture (CN IV-FN). Quantitative RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and TEER measurement were utilized to assess gene and protein expression and barrier properties of iBMECs on different extracellular matrices. Single-channel microfluidic devices were used to study the effect of shear stress on iBMECs. LN 511, but not LN 411, improved iBMEC barrier properties and resulted in more sustained TEER stability. Immunocytochemistry showed improved junctional protein expression compared to iBMECs cultured on CN IV-FN. iBMECs cultured on LN 511 showed a reduction of stress fibers, indicating resting endothelial phenotype, whereas gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of multiple genes involved in endothelial activation in iBMECs on CN IV-FN. Finally, culturing iBMECs on LN 511 enhanced physiological responses to shear stress, including morphological changes and enhanced junctional protein association. LN 511 improves the functionality and long-term barrier stability of iBMECs. Our findings suggest that incorporation of physiologically relevant LN 511 in iBMEC culture would be beneficial for disease modeling applications and BBB-on-a-chip platforms that accommodate fluid flow.
CryoEM structure of the type IVa pilus secretin required for natural competence in Vibrio cholerae

Natural transformation is the process by which bacteria take up genetic material from their environment and integrate it into their genome by homologous recombination. It represents one mode of horizontal gene transfer and contributes to the spread of traits like antibiotic resistance. In Vibrio cholerae, a type IVa pilus (T4aP) is thought to facilitate natural transformation by extending from the cell surface, binding to exogenous DNA, and retracting to thread this DNA through the outer membrane secretin, PilQ. Here, we use a functional tagged allele of VcPilQ purified from native V. cholerae cells to determine the cryoEM structure of the VcPilQ secretin in amphipol to ~2.7 A. We use bioinformatics to examine the domain architecture and gene neighborhood of T4aP secretins in Proteobacteria in comparison with VcPilQ. This structure highlights differences in the architecture of the T4aP secretin from the type II and type III secretion system secretins. Based on our cryoEM structure, we design a series of mutants to reversibly regulate VcPilQ gate dynamics. These experiments support the idea of VcPilQ as a potential druggable target and provide insight into the channel that DNA likely traverses to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance via horizontal gene transfer by natural transformation.
Object-Centric Representation and Rendering of 3D Scenes

A crucial ability of human intelligence is to build up models of individual 3D objects from partial scene observations. Recent works achieve object-centric generation but without the ability to infer the representation, or achieve 3D scene representation learning but without object-centric compositionality. Therefore, learning to represent and render 3D scenes with object-centric compositionality remains elusive. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic generative model for learning to build modular and compositional 3D object models from partial observations of a multi-object scene. The proposed model can (i) infer the 3D object representations by learning to search and group object areas and also (ii) render from an arbitrary viewpoint not only individual objects but also the full scene by compositing the objects. The entire learning process is unsupervised and end-to-end. In experiments, in addition to generation quality, we also demonstrate that the learned representation permits object-wise manipulation and novel scene generation, and generalizes to various settings. Results can be found on our project website: this https URL
The Law of Evidence: Introduction and First Three Chapters

This post includes the Table of Contents, Introduction, and first three Chapters -- (1) Stipulations and Judicial Notice (2) Relevance (3) Unfair Prejudice -- of an innovative, new, low-cost Evidence casebook intended for use in American law schools.
Charts for Minimum Turning Radius and Minimum Time of Turn

D the last World War attempts were made to predict minimum radius and minimum time of turn, these two items being important features of the maneuverability of a fighting plane. Kann and Salkowski derived simple formulas by assuming that hp.a (horsepower available) at a given altitude is independent of the airplane speed, an assumption which is far from the true situation. Later, Diehl took account of the known variation of hp.a with airplane speed and calculated a number of values of turning radius, or time of turn, for different airplane speeds and then plotted a curve to determine the minimum value. Since Diehl's method is rather laborious, a quick and accurate method for determining minimum radius and minimum time of turn should be of interest to designers of military planes.
CT Enterography: Small Bowel Imaging That Impacts Patient Management

Computed tomography (CT) enterography and CT enteroclysis are widely performed small bowel examinations that are now widely available at many medical institutions. Their routine use and availability has impacted the understanding and management of patients with Crohn’s disease and obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The purpose of this chapter is to review patient preparation and CT acquisition for CT enterography, highlight salient features of imaging interpretation, emphasize the clinical benefit of cross-sectional CT imaging to the care of patients with Crohn’s disease and obscure GI bleeding, and emphasize the complimentary role CT plays with other imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance (MR) enterography and capsule endoscopy, in the care of these patients.
Chapter 17 The economics of population aging

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the ways in which changing the age structure of the population in the macroeconomic models affects variables, such as consumption, wages, government spending, and saving. The chapter also presents the basic data on the ways in which the age structure of the population is evolving over time, considers the effects of population aging on production and consumption in the economy as a whole, and discusses the effects of aging. One of the salient themes of this chapter is that the “costs” of population aging currently in prospect are to a large extent simply the passing of the transitory benefits of reduced fertility. A second theme of this chapter is that although aging will not appreciably change the overall burden of transfers that society makes to dependents, it will greatly change the channels through which these transfers flow. Population aging has a larger effect on individual transfer schemes considered in isolation than on the net flow of transfers taken together. In the case of government transfer schemes to dependents, which focus particularly on the elderly, the average age of providing is younger than the average age of receiving—and thus population aging enlarges the burden of such transfer schemes.
Iodamoeba butschlii in an anal pap test confirmed by iodine stain

We report the finding of Iodamoeba butschlii amebic cysts on a liquid-based anal Pap smear from an HIV-positive male. Iodine staining of the smear confirmed the diagnosis. It is important to distinguish I. butschlii from pathogenic ameobae and other organisms seen on anal Pap smears.
Wrinkled Alfalfa Seeds Harbor More Aerobic Bacteria and Are More Difficult To Sanitize than Smooth Seeds

At least 14 separate outbreaks of food poisoning attributed to either Salmonella enterica or Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been traced to sprouts in the past decade. Seeds contaminated with human pathogens caused most of these outbreaks, thus many sprout growers are now treating alfalfa seeds with the sanitizing agent, calcium hypochlorite (Ca[OCl] 2 ), prior to sprouting. The efficacy of alfalfa seed sanitation varies between seed lots and between seeds within each lot. Alfalfa seeds from different seed lots were sorted by type in an effort to determine if certain seed types carry more aerobic bacteria than other seed types. Seeds with a wrinkled type, characteristic of lygus bug damage, had significantly higher levels of culturable aerobic bacteria and were more difficult to sanitize than smooth, healthy seeds. After sanitation, wrinkled alfalfa seeds that had been inoculated with S. enterica ser. Newport carried significantly higher levels of Salmonella Newport than smooth seeds. If S. enterica is present on wrinkled seeds in naturally contaminated seed lots, it may be difficult to chemically sanitize the seed lot. Removal of the wrinkled alfalfa seeds from the seed lots, perhaps by adapting color sorting equipment similar to that used to sort rice grains and other seeds, should reduce the level of aerobic bacteria in seed lots and may result in lower levels of human pathogens on contaminated alfalfa seeds. Au moins 14 manifestations d'empoisonnement alimentaire attribuees soit a S. enterica soit a E. coli 0157:H7 ont ete reliees aux graines germees depuis 10 ans. C'est pourquoi de nombreux cultivateurs traitent les graines de luzerne avec de l'hypochlorite de calcium avant la germination. L'efficacite de ce traitement varie entre les lots de graines et entre les graines de chaque lot. Cette etude montre que les graines ridees ont un taux plus eleve de bacteries aerobies cultivables et qu'il est plus difficile de les assainir que les graines lisses, saines. Retirer les graines ridees des lots de graines, en adaptant un equipement de tri par couleur pourrait reduire le taux de contamination dans les lots.
Strain-Rate and Grain‒Size Effects in Ice

This paper presents and discusses the results of constant deformation-rate tests on laboratory-prepared polycrystalline ice. Strain-rates ranged from 10−7 to 10−1s−1, grain–size ranged from 1.5 to 5.8 mm, and the test temperature was −5°C. At strain-rates between 10−7 and 10−3 s−1, the stress-strain-rate relationship followed a power law with an exponent of n = 4.3 calculated without regard to grain-size. However, a reversal in the grain-size effect was observed: below a transition point near 4 × 10−6 s−1 the peak stress increased with increasing grain-size, while above the transition point the peak stress decreased with increasing grain-size. This latter trend persisted to the highest strain-rates observed. At strain-rates above 10−3 s−1 the peak stress became independent of strain-rate. The unusual trends exhibited at the lower strain-rates are attributed to the influence of the grain-size on the balance of the operative deformation mechanisms. Dynamic recrystallization appears to intervene in the case of the finer-grained material and serves to lower the peak stress. At comparable strain-rates, however, the large-grained material still experiences internal micro-fracturing, and thin sections reveal extensive deformation in the grain-boundary regions that is quite unlike the appearance of the strain-induced boundary migration characteristic of the fine-grained material.
Cooperating with Unknown Teammates in Robot Soccer

Many scenarios require that robots work together as a team in order to effectively accomplish their tasks. However, pre-coordinating these teams may not always be possible given the growing number of companies and research labs creating these robots. Therefore, it is desirable for robots to be able to reason about ad hoc teamwork and adapt to new teammates on the fly. This paper adopts an approach of learning policies to cooperate with past teammates and reusing these policies to quickly adapt to the new teammates. This approach is applied to the complex domain of robot soccer in the form of half field offense in the RoboCup simulated 2D league. This paper represents a preliminary investigation into this domain and presents a promising approach for tackling this problem.
PC programs for circuit and system design and analysis

A description is given of the development of PC programs which can be used in circuit and system design and analysis. The approach used is a general one which can be readily applied to many electrical engineering areas. Examples of the programs are included. >
Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Surface-soil structural condition in perennial pastures is expected to be modified by how forage is (a) harvested through haying or grazing and (b) stimulated through source of nutrients applied, as well as by compactive forces, e.g., grazing cattle or hay harvest machinery. Changes in surface-soil condition can affect hydrologic processes that have important implications for plant growth, greenhouse gas emissions and off-site water quality. We determined the effects of harvest management and nutrient source on the rate of ponded water infiltration and penetration resistance in a bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]/tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb. S.J. Darbyshire) pasture on a Typic Kanhapludult in Georgia. During a period when soil was wet (61% water-filled pore space), the rate of water infiltration was 2.8 ± 1.5 times greater when forage was left unharvested as when hayed or grazed (mean ± standard deviation among nine nutrient source × harvest management comparisons). During a subsequent period, when soil was dry (28% water-filled pore space), the rate of water infiltration followed the same treatment pattern, but was not statistically different among harvest-management practices (1.5 ± 0.4 times greater between unharvested and other systems). Penetration resistance of the surface at 10 cm depth followed the order: unharvested (62 J) < hayed (100 J) < low grazing pressure (119 J) < high grazing pressure (137 J). Water infiltration during the wet period was negatively related (P ⩽ 0.01) to soil-water content (r = − 0.57), penetration resistance at 0–10 cm depth (r = − 0.50) and bulk density at 3–6 cm depth (r = − 0.53), but was positively related to surface residue C (r = 0.47) and soil organic C concentration at 12–20 cm depth (r = 0.42). These results suggest that complex soil physical (i.e., aggregation, penetration resistance and infiltration) and biological (i.e., plant growth, surface residues and soil organic matter) interactions occur in pastures. We conclude that well-managed grazing systems with excellent ground cover should have adequate hydrologic condition to promote pasture productivity and limit environmental contamination from runoff. Further work is needed to understand the linkages between field- and watershed-scale hydrology in perennial pastures and their implications on water quality.
Influence of preparative procedure on the oxidative activity of honeybee flight muscle sarcosomes

Abstract A comparative study of the respiratory activity of honeybee ( Apis mellifera L.) flight muscle sarcosomes was made under various conditions of isolation and incubation of the sarcosomes. Values of oxygen consumption and phosphate esterification by sarcosomes isolated in sucrose-EDTA media of differing tonicities were obtained. Sarcosomes prepared and assayed in the manner described required the inclusion of bovine serum albumin in the reaction mixture for efficient oxidation and phosphorylation. The addition of cytochrome c to the reaction mixture resulted in an approximate two to threefold enhancement of succinate and α-GP oxidations. On the other hand, pyruvate oxidation was not stimulated by added cytochrome c . Other factors that exerted a pronounced effect on the respiratory activity of the sarcosomes were the nature of the trapping system employed and the concentration of sarcosomal protein in the reaction mixture. Only under specialized conditions of incubation was it possible to demonstrate respiratory control by ADP concentration when succinate, α-GP or pyruvate served as substrate. Moreover, in all instances where ADP addition resulted in a stimulation of oxidation, the degree of stimulation was of low magnitude. Under some conditions of incubation sarcosomes exhibited a decrease in respiration after ADP addition to the reaction mixture.
Complexes in Ternary Cholesterol-Phospholipid Mixtures

Recent work by Veatch and Keller has described micron-scale liquid-liquid immiscibility in giant unilamellar vesicles composed of ternary mixtures of cholesterol, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), and dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC). Significantly, they do not observe micron-scale immiscibility in any of the three corresponding binary mixtures under the same conditions. It is shown here that this unexpected result can be accounted for by the formation of a complex between cholesterol and DPPC. The complex is miscible with DPPC and cholesterol, and immiscible with DOPC. A simple, idealized thermodynamic treatment of this model leads to theoretical ternary phase diagrams that are similar to the experimental diagram reported by Veatch and Keller. The model also accounts for significant qualitative features of the deuterium NMR spectra of these mixtures in bilayers.
The mechanical response of a 6061-T6 A1/A12O3 metal matrix composite at high rates of deformation

Abstract The mechanical properties of a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy reinforced with a 20 vol.% fraction of alumina particles and of an unreinforced 6061-T6 alloy are studied over a range of strain rates (10-4to 6 x 105s-1) using quasistatic compression, compression and torsion Kolsky Bars, and high strain rate pressure-shear plate impact. At a given strain rate the composite displays increased strength but essentially the same strain hardening as the matrix. However, the composite displays a stronger rate-sensitivity than does the unreinforced alloy at high rates of deformation (>103s-1). The rate-sensitivity of the unreinforced alloy is shown to be largely the result of the imposed strain rate rather than of the rate history. For quasistatic deformations, a model proposed by Bao et al. (1991) describes the behavior of the composite fairly accurately given the behavior of the unreinforced alloy. This paper presents an extension of the model that is able to predict the dynamic behavior of the composite given the dynamic response of the monolithic alloy.
Plasma Penicillin Levels from Oral Penicillins V and G and Intramuscular Penicillin G.

SummaryOral penicillin V gave higher and better sustained levels of penicillin activity in the plasma than oral buffered potassium penicillin G at each of 3 dosage levels, viz. 200000, 400000 and 1 million units. Intramuscular penicillin G yielded higher and better sustained levels than oral penicillin V in equivalent doses given at levels of 400000 or 1 million units. An i. m. dose of 200000 units of penicillin G produced higher peak levels and these occurred earlier but they were less well sustained than with this amount of oral penicillin V; the total amount of penicillin absorbed from this amount of penicillin was not significantly different for these 2 dosage forms. Persons over 60 years of age attained peak levels later; in general they had higher and better sustained levels of penicillin in the plasma from any given dose than did younger individuals.
Acute Myelopathy With Normal Imaging

A 17-year-old girl presented with rapidly progressive quadriparesis and ventilatory failure. The clinical findings indicated a spinal level, but the diagnosis of myelopathy was not supported by her initial spinal imaging and cerebrospinal fluid studies. She had completed treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome before a follow-up spinal imaging study showed interval expansion and enhancement of the cervical cord.
Survival analysis of click logs

Click logs from search engines provide a rich opportunity to acquire implicit feedback from users. Patterns derived from the time between a posted query and a click provide information on the ranking quality, reflecting the perceived relevance of a retrieved URL. This paper applies the Kaplan-Meier estimator to study click patterns. The visualization of click curves demonstrates the interaction between the relevance and the rank position of URLs. The observed results demonstrate the potential of using click curves to predict the quality of the top-ranked results.
Free iron clusters react readily with O2 and H2S but are inert toward methane

Donnees de resultats representant les reactivites reelles a basse temperature des agregats de fer libre, avec addition moleculaire d'O 2 (par exemple, Fe x O 2 pour 2≤x≤15) et formation de sulfures deshydrogenes (Fe x S) en tant que processus chimique primaire. Dans le cas du metane, on n'observe pas de reactions
Intestinal location of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with congenital heart disease

Intestinal location of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with congenital heart disease
Fidelity and superconductivity in two-dimensional t − J models

We compute the ground-state fidelity and various correlations to gauge the competition between different orders in two-dimensional $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$-type models. Using exact numerical diagonalization techniques, these quantities are examined for (i) the plain $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ and $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}{t}^{\ensuremath{'}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ models, (ii) for the $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ model perturbed by infinite-range $d$-wave or extended-$s$-wave superconductivity inducing terms, and (iii) the $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ model, plain and with a $d$-wave perturbation, in the presence of nonmagnetic quenched disorder. Various properties at low hole doping are contrasted with those at low electron filling. In the clean case, our results are consistent with previous work that concluded that the plain $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ model supports $d$-wave superconductivity. As a consequence of the strong correlations present in the low hole doping regime, we find that the magnitude of the $d$-wave condensate occupation is small even in the presence of large $d$-wave superconductivity inducing terms. In the dirty case, we show the robustness of the ground state in the strongly correlated regime against disorder.
Chemical effects in X-ray Kα and Kβ emission spectra of sulfur in organic compounds

Abstract A systematic investigation of the chemical effects in the sulfur X-ray K emission spectra of many organic compounds was carried out using a two-crystal X-ray spectrometer. The well-known rule that the sulfur Kα emission peak shifts to higher energies with increasing sulfur oxidation state was fully confirmed in the chemical shifts of the Kα1 and Kα4 satellite peaks. Some attempts were also made to reveal possible regularities regarding changes in the high resolution Kβ spectra with the chemical bonding of sulfur. The types of sulfur-oxygen bonds are characterized by the chemical shift of the main Kβ1 line and the intensity ratio Kβ′/Kβ1. The chemical bonding form of divalent sulfur can be estimated roughly from the positions of the Kβx and Kβ1 lines and the intensity ratio Kβx/Kβ1.
Bilateral Spigelian hernia treated by two-layered prolene mesh

Spigelian hernia is an uncommon variety of abdominal hernias. It has been traditionally treated by tension-free mesh hernioplasty. We report a rare case of a bilateral Spigelian hernia in an elderly male that was treated by bilateral two-layeyed prolene mesh hernia system. Rare ventral hernia such as Spigelian hernia with weak abdominal wall can be safely treated by tension-free mesh repair using bilayered prolene mesh system.
Neurochemical mediation of reward: a significant role for dopamine?

Abstract Intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in only a temporary decrement of self-stimulation. Treatment with the alpha-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, phentolamine, had virtually no effect on self-stimulation in either 6-hydroxydopamine treated or normal rats; whereas haloperidol, a dopamine receptor blocking agent, markedly reduced self-stimulation in normal rats. Treatment with FLA-63, a potent inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, had no effect on self-stimulation but very significantly reduced eating. These results imply that dopamine may be importantly involved in the mediation of positive reinforcement and/or that the role of norepinephrine may be a minor one.
Post-LASIK Tear Dysfunction and Dysesthesia

Symptoms of tear dysfunction after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) occur in nearly all patients and resolve in the vast majority. Although dry eye complaints are a leading cause of patient discomfort and dissatisfaction after LASIK, the symptoms are not uniform, and the disease is not a single entity. Post-LASIK tear dysfunction syndrome or dry eye is a term used to describe a spectrum of disease encompassing transient or persistent post-operative neurotrophic disease, tear instability, true aqueous tear deficiency, and neuropathic pain states. Neural changes in the cornea and neuropathic causes of ocular surface discomfort may play a separate or synergistic role in the development of symptoms in some patients. Most cases of early post-operative dry eye symptoms resolve with appropriate management, which includes optimizing ocular surface health before and after surgery. Severe symptoms or symptoms persisting after 9 months rarely respond satisfactorily to traditional treatment modalities and require aggressive management. This review covers current theories of post-LASIK dry eye disease, pathophysiology, risk factors, and management options for this disease spectrum of post-LASIK tear dysfunction and neuropathic pain.
Klein–Gordon equation and reflection of Alfvén waves in nonuniform media

A new analytical approach is presented for assessing the reflection of linear Alfven waves in smoothly nonuniform media. The general one-dimensional case in Cartesian coordinates is treated. It is shown that the wave equations, upon transformation into the form of the Klein-Gordon equation, display a local critical frequency for reflection. At any location in the medium, reflection becomes strong as the wave frequency descends past this characteristic frequency set by the local nonuniformity of the medium. This critical frequecy is given by the transformation as an explicit function of the Alfven velocity and its first and second derivatives, and hence as an explicit spatial function. The transformation thus directly yields, without solution of the wave equations, the location in the medium at which an Alfven wave of any given frequency becomes strongly reflected and has its propagation practically cut off.
Syndecan-4 Proteoglycan Regulates the Distribution and Activity of Protein Kinase C

During cell-matrix adhesion, both tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are activated. Integrin ligation correlates with tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas the later stages of spreading and focal adhesion and stress fiber formation in primary fibroblasts requires interactions of cell surface proteoglycan with heparin-binding moieties. This correlates with protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and PKCalpha can become localized to focal adhesions in normal, but not transformed, cells. PKC activation has been thought to be downstream of initial receptor-ligand interactions. We now show, however, that syndecan-4 transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan and PKC co-immunoprecipitate and co-patch in vivo. The core protein of syndecan-4 can directly bind the catalytic domain of PKCalpha and potentiate its activation by phospholipid mediators. It can also directly activate PKCalpha in the absence of other mediators. This activity resides in the sequence LGKKPIYKK in the center of the short cytoplasmic domain, and other syndecans lack this sequence and PKC regulatory properties. Syndecan-4 is a focal adhesion component, and this interaction may both localize PKC and amplify its activity at sites of forming adhesions. This represents the first report of direct transmembrane signaling through cell surface proteoglycans.
Clinical Impact of Capsule Endoscopy on Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background & Aims: The impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) findings on patient management is unknown. We assessed the impact of CE findings on patient management, and whether physicians use these to alter management plans. Methods: Physicians requesting CE were contacted before the examination and asked what their management recommendations would be if CE were not available. These responses were compared with management recommendations by the same requesting physician after the CE. The responses were recorded on a data form. The physicians reading the CE were blinded to the pre-CE responses. The end points assessed were change in overall management and specific change in diagnostic and treatment strategy. Results: Responses were obtained from physicians before and after CE in 98 patients. Requesting physicians (n = 40) were composed of gastroenterologists (92%), internists (3%), and other specialties (5%). Physicians changed post-CE overall management plans in 67% of patients. Of these physicians, 74% did so as a result of CE findings (P = .001). Specifically, physicians changed post-CE diagnostic strategy in 61% of patients; the diagnostic strategy was changed to less complex or decreased risk associated in 43% of patients. Of those requesting physicians who changed their diagnostic strategy, 75% did so as a result of CE (P = .004). When treatment strategy was evaluated before and after CE, there was a change in 31% of patients. Conclusions: Physicians requesting CE alter management in the majority of patients on the basis of CE findings. Diagnostic strategy is changed in the majority of patients, and often a less complex approach is pursued.
Educating Coaches About Concussion in Sports: Evaluation of the CDC's "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" Initiative

BACKGROUND: Concussions remain a serious public health concern. It is important that persons involved in youth sports, particularly coaches, be made aware and educated on the signs and symptoms of concussion. This study assessed the perceptions of youth sport coaches who have received the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" materials in preventing, recognizing, and responding to concussions. METHODS: A 22-item survey was developed with questions pertaining to demographics, awareness of sports-related concussion, and the usefulness of the CDC's "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" initiative and materials. A total of 340 youth sport coaches completed the survey, for a response rate of 34.0%. RESULTS: All youth sport coaches reported having the "Heads Up" materials for approximately 6 months before completing the survey. Seventy-seven percent of youth sports coaches reported being better able to identify athletes who may have a concussion, with 50% reported having learned something new about concussion after reviewing the materials. Sixty-three percent of youth sport coaches viewed concussions as being more serious, while 72% of coaches reporting that they are now educating others on concussion. CONCLUSION: The "Heads Up" materials demonstrated that youth sports coaches' were able to appropriately prevent, recognize, and respond to sports-related concussions after reviewing the materials. Future studies should concentrate on evaluating the impact of concussion policies, laws and media coverage on coaches' awareness and prevention, recognition, and response to concussions using a rigorous design including a control group. Language: en
Modeling and simulation of net energy gain by dark fermentation

Abstract For dark fermentation (DF) to be accepted as a sustainable process for biohydrogen production, the net energy gain should be positive and as high as possible. A theoretical approach is proposed in this study to evaluate the net energy gain possible from hydrogen generated by the DF process as well as from the end products of DF via anaerobic digestion (AD) and microbial fuel cells (MFC). Experimental data on hydrogen evolution and aqueous end products formation from sucrose and from sucrose/dairy manure blends were used to validate the proposed approach for estimating net energy gain via DF, DF + AD, DF + MFC. Good agreement was found between the experimental and predicted net energy gain values, with overall correlation coefficient of 0.998. Based on the results of this study, DF + MFC is recommended as the best combination to maximize net energy gain.
Resident attitudes to tourism in North Wales

Abstract This article investigates residents' attitudes to tourism in North Wales, using factor analysis. The most important concerns are found to be a negative social impact, economic input, stereo-typing of visitors, purchasing of second homes by foreigners, cultural exchange, and the ecological impact of tourism. Lifelong residents and Welsh language speakers tend to be more sensitive to the impact of tourism on their culture and residents in high density tourist areas tend to appreciate the benefits and importance of tourism more than those who have less contact with tourists.
Strategic Project Planning: Optimal Contracting and Resource Allocation

Abstract In this work, we describe the development of a robust optimization model aimed at determining an optimal strategy for contracting and allocating resources within the context of development and implementation of capital projects. The proposed model selects a set of activity execution modes – which differ from each other in terms of related costs and expected durations – and risk-mitigation measures – associated with uncertainties due to incomplete knowledge of the activities’ exact scope – so as to balance the trade-off between incurred costs and the project's completion date. Computational results are provided to illustrate the proposed approach.
Immunological comparisons of higher plant nitrate reductases

Abstract Monospecific antiserum raised against barley nitrate reductase was used to investigate the immunological relationship of barley nitrate reductase to nitrate reductases from nine higher plant species (hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid wheat, rye, oat, maize, tobacco, soybean and pea). Rocket immunoelectrophoresis and antiserum titration were used to estimate antigenicity. The nitrate reductase from the monocotyledonous species appeared to be antigenically similar to the barley nitrate reductase. The wheat nitrate reductase could not be distinguished from the barley nitrate reductase by rocket immunoelectrophoresis or antiserum titration. The rye nitrate reductase was slightly different, while the oat and maize nitrate reductases were easily differentiated from the barley nitrate reductase. Nitrate reductases of the dicotyledonous species were different from the barley nitrate reductase as indicated by their inability to form rockets with the barley nitrate reductase antiserum. Nitrate reductases from all species were inactivated by the barley nitrate reductase antiserum, but required different amounts of the antiserum. The nitrate reductase from the monocotyledonous species required 1–1.5-fold more antiserum for 50% inactivation than required for 50% inactivation of equivalent amount of barley nitrate reductase. In contrast, the nitrate reductase from tobacco, soybean, and pea required 2-, 7-, and 10-fold more antiserum than barley for 50% inactivation, respectively. Thus, structural differences had occurred among these higher plant nitrate reductases but the active site appears to be highly conserved.
Invisible Guide: How Our Understanding of Life Has Been Shaped by E. coli

Review of: Microcosm: E. coli and the New Science of Life ; Carl Zimmer; (2008). Pantheon Books, New York. 243 pages.
EVALUATING PROGRAMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A CONCEPTUAL PROCESS

A conceptual process of evaluating on‐going programs in higher education to provide a substantial informational base for decision making is presented. The paradigmatic model encompasses the component functions of collecting, analysing, interpreting, and decision making with delineation of each function. Six instruments were developed or adapted for assessing satisfactions/dissatisfactions of constituent groups involved in a program in higher education. A critique of the evaluation process following its application is included.