cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Moho in the northern Basin and Range province, Nevada, along the COCORP 40°N seismic-reflection transect

COCORP seismic-reflection profiles across Nevada at about 40°N image a prominent, essentially continuous band of reflectors at a two-way traveltime of 9 to 11 s. The approximate correspondence of this reflection time with estimates of the two-way traveltime to the Moho in this area provided by seismic-refraction data suggests that the prominent reflections are from the Moho. The relief on these reflectors (the “reflection Moho”) beneath Nevada, across a latitudinal transect of
Inpatient diagnostic assessments: 3. Causes and effects of diagnostic imprecision.

Abstract Preceding studies found that clinicians using the Traditional Diagnostic Assessment (TDA, the standard of clinical practice) often made imprecise diagnoses, compared with gold standards. Those same studies found excellent diagnostic agreement (kappa>0.75) between Computer Assisted Diagnostic Interview (CADI) and gold standards, thus warranting CADI's use as the standard for data collection and diagnosis in this study. When TDA and CADI users independently examined 106 inpatient-subjects, TDA users agreed only 45.3% (48/106) with CADI's primary diagnosis and found only 50.5% as many total diagnoses. This study searched for the causes and effects of those differences. To test the hypothesis that insufficient data collection was the cause , the 106 TDA write-ups were analyzed word-by-word. Only 46.2% (49/106) of the TDA write-ups listed enough symptom criteria (e.g. hallucinations, depression) to meet DSM-IV requirements for diagnosis, a likely cause of TDA's inaccuracy. TDA write-ups evaluated only 52.9% of the 18 Key Criteria necessary to screen for 10 diagnostic groups, a likely cause of TDA's incompleteness. TDA's diagnostic imprecision had effects on (1) length of stay (LOS) for hospitalized patients and (2) associated costs. Patients evaluated with TDA had a mean LOS of 12.5 days versus 7.7 days for CADI patients, a reduction of 4.8 days (12.5–7.7). If CADI replaced TDA, then annual savings of $3 000 000 system-wide could be projected for inpatient care. Remedies for TDA's diagnostic imprecision are proposed.
Biphasic Inhibition of Photosynthesis in Powdery Mildewed Barley

A careful restudy of the photosynthetic process of barley (Hordeum vulgare) infected with powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) is reported. Unlike previous reports, which indicated a stimulation in infected host tissue photosynthesis during early stages of the disease followed by a rapid decline in activity, this study observed no stimulation but instead a biphasic inhibition in infected host photosynthesis under physiological concentrations of CO2. Under high CO2 (1.0%) a stimulation was observed during early stages of infection. The inhibition in low CO2 and stimulation in high CO2 of infected host photosynthesis was shown to occur in healthy host tissue when in the presence of 10−2m α-hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanesulfonic acid. The possible significance of these similar results is discussed.
Colonization of Tubú (Montanoa guatemalensis, Asteraceae) Windbreaks by Woody Species1

Tubu (Montanoa guatemalensis, Asteraceae) is a popular tree used in windbreaks in the San Luis valley near the Monteverde cloud forests of Costa Rica. Seventy-eight woody taxa from 32 families were found in the understory of 19 tubu windbreaks (five 4-yr-old, eight 12-yr-old, and six 20-yr-old). Mean size of tubu increased with stand age, but tubu was neither replacing itself nor spreading from the windbreaks. Density of other trees and shrubs ≥1 m was higher in 4-yr-old plots than in 20-yr-old plots, but density of other trees <1 m tall did not vary with windbreak age. Whereas richness of species ≥1 m was higher for 12- and 20-yr-old plots than for 4-yr-old plots, species richness of trees < 1 m tall did not vary with windbreak stand age. Higher proportions of the woody colonists in 12- and 20-yr-old plots were animal dispersed than in 4-yr-old plots. Tubu windbreaks may undergo major changes in woody species composition, with Daphnopsis americana, Inga punctata, and Trichilia havanensis likely to predominate in the future.
STE6, the yeast a-factor transporter.

Abstract In eukaryotic cells, most extracellular proteins exit the cell via the classical secretory pathway (ER→Golgi→secretory vesicles). A notable exception to this pattern is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating pheromone a-factor, an isoprenylated, methylated, oligopeptide signaling molecule which uses a distinctly non-classical mechanism for secretion. Export of a-factor from the yeast cell is mediated by STE6, a member of the ABC protein superfamily. STE6 is one of the few eukaryotic ABC proteins for which a true physiological substrate is known. The ability to carry out molecular manipulations with ease in yeast, together with the possibility of probing substrate-transporter interactions via genetic analysis, affords an excellent opportunity to rigorously dissect the workings of this ABC family member.
Ubiquitination and its influence in boar sperm physiology and cryopreservation

Abstract Recent reports document the potential use of the ubiquitin protein as an indicator of mammalian sperm quality or fertility, based on poor morphology, sperm count, and other cellular qualities. However, its influence on cellular physiologic mechanisms and boar sperm cryopreservation are unknown. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of boar sperm ubiquitination (n = 12 boars) on motility (using CASA), and flow cytometry and fluorescent probes (in parentheses) to evaluate mitochondrial activity (JC-1), plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity (PI and FITC-PNA), membrane fluidity (M540), and chromatin stability (TUNEL) for fresh and frozen–thawed samples. The effects of ubiquitination (determined flow cytometrically) on the ability of frozen–thawed boar sperm to capacitate (FLUO-3AM) and acrosome react (FITC-PNA) were also investigated using flow cytometry. Cryopreservation induced a decrease in the percentage of sperm that were ubiquitinated from 29 to 20% (P
Evolutionary biology: Sex, lies and butterflies

Variation in an evolutionarily conserved sexual-differentiation gene, doublesex, has been found to explain how females of one species of butterfly mimic the colour patterns of several toxic species to avoid predation. See Letter p.229 In some butterfly species one sex — usually the female — mimics the wing pattern of a toxic species. In the 1960s the phenomenon was proposed to be under the control of a 'supergene'. More recently a consensus has emerged that supergenes are likely to be clusters of tightly linked genes, each influencing a different aspect of mimetic wing patterning. Now Marcus Kronforst and colleagues show, surprisingly, that in a classic supergene mimic, the swallowtail butterfly Papilio polytes, the supergene is truly a single gene. And another surprise: that gene is a well-known component in the sex determination pathway called doublesex. Gene expression and DNA sequence variation data suggest that isoform expression differences and protein sequence evolution also contribute to the differences between doublesex mimicry alleles. Thus the P. polytes mimicry supergene can be summed up as a fusion of previous hypotheses: single-gene control but with help from multiple functional mutations.
Evidence that microtubule depolymerization early in the cell cycle is sufficient to initiate DNA synthesis

Microtubule disrupting drugs initiated DNA synthesis in serum-free cultures of nonproliferating fibroblast-like cells. The addition of colchicine to chick, mouse and human fibroblasts in serum-free medium stimulated thymidine incorporation at least twofold, with a half-maximal concentration of 1 X 10(-7) M. This stimulation represented up to 75% of the maximal stimulation by thrombin and was paralleled by an increase in the percentage of labeled nuclei. Other microtubule disrupting drugs showed similar stimulation, whereas lumicolchicine had no effect. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of tubulin showed a correlation between microtubule depolymerization and initiation of DNA synthesis by these drugs. A 2 hr treatment with 10(-6) M colchicine caused complete disruption of the microtubular network and stimulated thymidine incorporation (measured 28 hr later) to an even greater extent than continuous colchicine exposure. A similar 2 hr exposure to 10(-6) M colcemid also stimulated thymidine incorporation and led to a 50% increase in cell number. Taxol, a drug which stabilizes cytoplasmic microtubules, blocks initiation of DNA synthesis by colchicine, indicating that microtubule depolymerization is necessary for this initiation. To determine if microtubule depolymerization is involved in stimulation of DNA synthesis by other growth factors, highly purified human thrombin was added to cells with or without colchicine. In no case did colchicine plus thrombin increase DNA synthesis above that of the maximal stimulation by thrombin alone. Furthermore, pretreatment of cultures with taxol (5 micrograms/ml) inhibited approximately 30% of the stimulation of thymidine incorporation by thrombin. Together, these studies demonstrate that microtubule depolymerization is sufficient to initiate both DNA synthesis and events leading to cell division and suggest that microtubule depolymerization may be a required step in initiation of cell proliferation by growth factors such as highly purified human thrombin.
Interception of two spheres with slip surfaces in linear Stokes flow

The interception of two spherical particles with arbitrary size in an infinite linear ambient Stokes flow is considered. The particle surfaces allow for slip according to the Navier-Maxwell-Basset law relating the shear stress to the tangential velocity. At any instant, the flow is computed in a frame of reference with origin at the centre of one particle using a cylindrical polar coordinate system whose axis of revolution passes through the centre of the second particle. Taking advantage of the axial symmetry of the boundaries of the flow in the particle coordinates, the problem is formulated as a system of integral equations for the zeroth, first, and second Fourier coefficients of the boundary traction with respect to the meridional angle. The force and torque exerted on each particle are determined by the zeroth and first Fourier coefficients, while the stresslet is determined by the zeroth, first, and second Fourier coefficients. The derived integral equations are solved with high accuracy using a boundary element method featuring adaptive element distribution and automatic time step adjustment according to the inter-particle gap. The results strongly suggest the existence of a critical value for the slip coefficient below which the surfaces of two particle collide after a finite interception time. The critical value depends on the relative initial particle positions. The particle stress tensor and coefficients of the linear and quadratic terms in the expansion of the effective viscosity of a dilute suspension in terms of the concentration in simple shear flow are discussed and evaluated. Surface slip significantly reduces the values of both coefficients and the longitudinal particle self-diffusivity.
Lineated valley fill and lobate debris apron stratigraphy in Nilosyrtis Mensae, Mars: Evidence for phases of glacial modification of the dichotomy boundary

[1] The Nilosyrtis Mensae region is important among dichotomy boundary fretted terrain outcrops, as it provides evidence of overprinting of ancient landscapes by a suite of glacial features, providing a composite view of the variety of midlatitude glacial modification processes that can occur during recent Martian ice ages. On the basis of a series of criteria developed for the identification of a glacial origin for lineated valley fill and lobate debris aprons, we interpret stratigraphic, topographic, and textural relationships between lineated valley fill and lobate debris apron morphological units as evidence of local and regional glacial overprinting of the landscape during the recent Amazonian. We document (1) stratigraphic relationships between lineated valley fill subunits, including the presence of apparently superposed and small-scale lobate features, (2) the regional integration and flow of lineated valley fill material, (3) lineated valley fill degradation, and (4) the nature and stratigraphic position of lobate debris aprons. These observations suggest multiple phases or episodes of midlatitude valley glacier activity. These observations, together with those of surface units elsewhere in northern Arabia Terra interpreted as glacially modified landforms, suggest the possibility of midlatitude glacial deposits extending over broad portions of the Martian dichotomy boundary within the past several hundred million years.
Challenges for a Universal Staphylococcus aureus Vaccine

This review considers the reasons why the staphylococcal vaccine trials may have failed, based on new information about protective immunity against Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical trials and future vaccine candidate antigens are reviewed. Challenges facing the development of a universal S. aureus vaccine are also considered. The lack of a biomarker that is able to predict protection is a major stumbling block in the development of a staphylococcal vaccine. The major new information involves the role of cell-mediated immunity, specifically T-helper 17 cells and interleukin 17, as well as the lack of protection afforded by specific antibodies. This has major implications for future vaccine development and planning of clinical trials.
Metabolic activities of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of sodium propionate, acetate, lactate and citrate

The effects of sodium propionate, acetate, lactate and citrate on cell proliferation, glucose and oxygen consumption, and ATP production in Listeria monocytogenes were investigated in growing and resting cells. Media pH was 6.7-6.8. Growth inhibition increased while glucose consumption continued in the presence of ≥ 1% propionate, ≥ 3% acetate and ≥ 5% lactate in broth during incubation at 35°C, indicating that glucose consumption was uncoupled from cell proliferation. Acetate and propionate were the most effective antilisterials, whereas citrate (5%) was only slightly inhibitory. Of the four salts, only lactate supported growth, oxygen consumption and ATP production. While concentrations of 1 and 5% propionate, acetate and citrate did not have an effect on oxygen consumption, they inhibited ATP production. ATP production in the presence of the four salts was consistently lower at pH 6.0 than at neutral pH. Lactate served as an alternative energy source for L. monocytogenes in the absence of glucose but became toxic to the organism in the presence of the carbohydrate.
Expanding the Scope of Risk Assessment: Methods of Studying Differential Vulnerability and Susceptibility

Several methodological issues have been identified in analysis of epidemiological data to better assess the distributional effects of exposures and hypotheses about effect modification. We discuss the hierarchical mixed model and some more complex methods. Methods of capturing inequality are a second dimension of risk assessment, and simulation studies are important because plausible choices for air pollution effects and effect modifiers could result in extremely high risks in a small subset of the population. Future epidemiological studies should explore contextual and individual-level factors that might modify these relationships. The Environmental Protection Agency should make this a standard part of their risk assessments whenever the necessary information is available.
Thin-film interference effect in scattering loss of high-index-contrast planar waveguides

We show by theoretical analysis and experiments on submicrometer silicon-on-insulator channel waveguides that the optical scattering loss of high-index-contrast planar waveguides is modified significantly by a thin-film interference effect, caused by boundary reflections.
Two Documents Concerning Elementary Education in Thirteenth-Century Genoa

THE thirteenth century has left a large deposit of records dealing with higher education centering on the Universities. How the little urban day or boarding schools operated, what their business arrangements were, and what they tried to teach the boys of the bourgeoisie is less well known. But these schools, along with the much older monastic schools prepared the thousands of students who entered the Universities year after year. I have never explored the field of mediaeval elementary education and cannot hope to use the two documents transcribed here from the cartulary of a thirteenth-century Genoese notary. Running through these notarial registers with an eye out for material dealing with merchandise and business methods, however, I could not but be impressed with the thoroughly business-like tone of these contracts dealing with two merchandisable commodities learning and the income from a boys' school. The settlement of a quarrel over management and funds is in the best legal form for the settlement of other business disputes between partners. The other document, in which the school teacher contracts to teach a banker's two sons to read, on a cash-on-delivery basis, has word for word the forms of any other contract to manufacture and deliver, even to the provision for arbitral judgment of competent masters of the guild (here the schoolmasters) on the acceptability of the product. It is interesting to note that other sources are confirmed; the texts were the Psalter and the Donat, in that order.' Also note that one of the teachers, in fact the 'entrepreneur' entitled Magister, is only seventeen years old. There is a hint that unpaid tuition fees were known to masters of boys' schools by 1248!
M cell-targeted delivery of vaccines and therapeutics.

Background: M (microfold or membranous) cells are specialised epithelial cells responsible for antigen sampling at the interface of mucosal surfaces and the environment. Their high transcytotic ability make M cells an attractive target for mucosally delivered vaccines and therapeutics. Objective: This brief review discusses the current state of M cell-targeted mucosal delivery systems and the potential of such delivery systems for the development of new vaccines and therapeutics against mucosal infectious and inflammatory diseases. Scope: A variety of synthetic microparticles/nanoparticles have been developed and tested as vehicles for M cell-targeted mucosal drug and vaccine delivery. β1 integrins, pathogen recognition receptors, specific carbohydrate residues and other M cell surface antigens have been exploited as potential targets for the delivery of mucosal vaccines and therapeutics. Conclusion: Despite a considerable body of literature, much work still needs to be done before an effective M cell-tar...
Caesarean Delivery Complicated by Unintentional Subdural Block and Conversion Disorder

Combined spinal epidural (CSE) can provide excellent labor analgesia. Subdural block is also a potential but rare complication of attempted epidural placement during a CSE procedure, which may present as a block that is usually patchy in nature, with a component of sensory and/or motor deficit and a variable duration of action. In addition, a conversion disorder or a functional neurological disorder has been described with epidural and spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients. In this clinical report, we describe a 33-year-old G4P3 at 40 weeks gestation that received an unintentional subdural block as part of her labor analgesia and after an uneventful caesarean delivery presented with a conversion disorder. The rarity of the association between a subdural block and a conversion disorder complicated by the fact that the neurological deficit produced by the subdural block and that produced by a conversion disorder are similar in distribution made the clinical presentation and diagnosis a challenge for the obstetric anesthesia team. A functional neurological disorder of this nature complicating a subdural block in an obstetric anesthesia clinical practice has not been described so far.
Beauty and hope: a moral beauty intervention

Pedagogical intervention regarding engagement with natural, artistic and moral beauty can lead to an increase in trait hope. In a quasi‐experimental design with college students the intervention group showed significantly higher gain scores on trait hope than did the comparison group; the effect size was moderate. The experimental group also experienced significantly larger increases with engagement with moral beauty; the effect size was large. The discussion section focuses on integrating understanding beauty with moral education pedagogy, using a key element in philosophical definitions of beauty: unity‐in‐diversity. It is hypothesized that such pedagogy will increase engagement with natural, artistic and moral beauty and thus raise trait hope.
A new detector for keV neutrons

Abstract A neutron detector has been built and tested for use between 1 keV and 1 MeV which possesses the following properties: 1) useful neutron efficiency over the full energy range, 2) fast time response, 3) low sensitivity to gamma rays and gamma flash, and 4) good background rejection capability. It consists of a 1.25 cm thick by 25 cm diameter disk of 235 U positioned inside a cylindrical shell of plastic scintillator which has been divided into quarters. The axes of the disk and the cylinder are colinear. Neutron induced fission events in the 235 U are detected in the plastic scintillator by requiring a triple coincidence between prompt γ-rays and/or neutrons.
The Whiptail Lizard Reconsidered

Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch's introductory text, The Golem: What Everyone Should Know About Science (1993), includes a controversy about the significance of pseudosexual behavior in the parthenogenetic whiptail lizard. Collins and Pinch, basing their account on the work of Greg Myers (1990), claim that “in this area of biology, experiments are seldom possible” and that the debate has “battled to an honorable draw.” I argue that a closer look at the publications of the scientists involved shows that, at least by the late 1980s, it was widely accepted that pseudosexual behavior is important for reproduction in these lizards. Moreover, a variety of experiments, as well as laboratory and field observations, proved decisive in this acceptance.
Functional Polymers with Biologically Active Groups

Abstract Synthetic polymers with functional groups, especially where the functional group is a biologically active group, are receiving considerable attention, since such polymeric drugs represent novel drug delivery systems. In this paper methods for the preparation of typical classes of polymers with biologically active groups were explored. As an example of a condensation polymer, primaquine was incorporated in a polymer chain by an allophanate linkage. Primaquine was also substituted on a polyoxyethylene polymer chain as was the N, N-dimethylamino-benzoate group. Oligo(oxyethylene) glycols were endcapped with salicylate or N, N'-dimethylaminobenzoate groups. These functional groups are reversibly linked to polymers and can be removed, for example, by hydrolysis, providing slow and sustained release of the drug. As nondegradable polymers with functional groups, polymers and copolymers of 4-vinylsalicylic acid and 5-vinylsalicylic acid derivatives have been prepared. It was shown clearly that high polym...
Haptic exploration of spheres: Anatomical regions used for perception

Humans can perceive differences in sphericity or how spherical an object is, of objects in the hand within a certain error margin. The part of the hand used to distinguish a perfect sphere from a distorted one is examined in this paper. Using geometry, texture, and other physical cues, subjects detect differences in sphericity. In this experiment subjects were asked to discern a perfect steel ball bearing from a distorted one without visual cues. During the final discrimination task, subjects were given a pair of spheres coated in ink, staining their hands where they touched the ball bearings. Photographs were taken of the ink-stained hands and analyzed with a grid based on anatomical features. The sections of the hand most commonly used among all subjects were the thumb and the area between the index and middle finger. These regions had an average ink coverage of between 81 and 100 percent, much higher values than the rest of the hand.
Birth weight and cognitive development in adolescence: causal relationship or social selection?

Abstract Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health), I investigate the relationship between birth weight and cognitive development among adolescents aged 12–17. Initial OLS regression models reveal a significant, positive relationship between low birth weight and verbal ability. Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and other adolescent characteristics modifies, but does not eliminate, this relationship. Additional models that stratify the sample by parental education illustrate the greater importance of other family and adolescent characteristics for cognitive development in adolescence, and a diminished role of birth weight. In the final section of the paper, fixed effects models of non‐twin full siblings indicate no significant association between birth weight and verbal ability, suggesting that traditional cross‐sectional models overstate the influence of birth weight for cognitive development in adolescence.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is a False‐Negative Cause of Flow Velocity Paradoxus in Pericardial Effusion: Case Report

We report on a patient with obstructive sleep apnea in whom percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization was complicated by hemopericardium. Absence of phasic variation in the transmitral and transtricuspid Doppler inflow velocities during apneic episodes and marked variation during spontaneous respiration were identified with a respirometer, and helped us identify a novel false-negative cause of flow velocity paradoxus.
EFFECT OF PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS ON SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE MITRAL STENOSIS: RESULTS FROM A COHORT OF 1004 PATIENTS

Little is known about the biological behavior of degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS). We investigated the effect of common cardiac medications on survival in a large cohort of patients with DMS. We searched our echocardiographic database for patients with DMS defined as severe mitral annular
Graphically determining sounding rocket vehicle attitudes

Graphical method for determining sounding rocket attitudes from optical sensor and flux gate magnetometer data
Simultaneous Chromosome 7 and 17 Gain and Sex Chromosome Loss Provide Evidence that Renal Metanephric Adenoma is Related to Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractPurpose: Metanephric adenoma has recently been recognized as a unique renal tumor characterized by an unusual degree of cellular differentiation and maturation. We recently studied metanephric adenoma using metaphase analysis and observed concomitant chromosome Y loss and chromosome 7 and 17 gain. To determine if these chromosomal anomalies are consistently present in renal metanephric adenoma, we studied all 11 tumors in the pathology tissue registry at our institution using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Materials and Methods: FISH, using deoxyribonucleic acid probes for chromosomes 1, 7, 8, 17, × and Y, was performed in isolated nuclei from 11 paraffin embedded renal metanephric adenoma specimens.Results: Of the 11 tumors (73%) 8 demonstrated chromosome 7 and 17 gain by FISH, and the remaining 3 were found to have an apparently normal chromosomal content. Of the 8 tumors (75%) from men showed 6 chromosome 7 and 17 gain with Y chromosome loss. Of the 3 tumors (33%) from women 1 had ch...
Particle coagulation and the memory of initial conditions

Particle coagulation is mathematically described by an infinite set of coupled nonlinear differential equations. A solution to these equations is derived for the case in which all particle clusters possess the same reactivity (i.e. a constant kernel) and where the initial conditions are bimodal, consisting of monomers and any sized J-mers. Properties of the solution are explored and it is shown that the scaling theory developed by Swift and Friedlander (1964 J. Colloid. Sci. 19 621) and extended by van Dongen and Ernst (1984 54 1396) applies to all cluster sizes only in the limit , as reported previously by Kreer and Penrose (1994 J. Stat. Phys. 75 389). At finite times we find distinctly different scaling properties for the small and large ends of the size spectrum. Furthermore, at all times the shape of the small end of the size spectrum retains a memory of the initial conditions. These results may apply to other modes of coagulation so long as interactions between small clusters, and between small and large clusters, are as weak as the constant kernel employed here.
Numerical study of electromagnetic waves interacting with negative index materials

We study numerically the electromagnetic scattering properties of structures with negative indices of refraction. To perform this analysis, we utilize a commercial finite-element based electromagnetic solver (HFSS, Ansoft), in which a negative index material can be formed from mesh elements whose permittivity and permeability are both negative. In particular, we investigate the expected transmission characteristics of a finite beam incident on negative index prisms and lenses. We also confirm numerically the predicted superlens effect of an image formed by a planar slab with index n=-1, using two subwavelength (e/20) slits as objects.
Experimental and Probabilistic Finite Element Analysis of Distal Femoral Fractures: A Comparison of Locking Plate Versus Intramedullary Nail Fixation

In the treatment of unstable, distal, metaphyseal femoral fractures, surgeons have multiple implant options for fixation. Biomechanical studies of intramedullary nailing systems and locking plates have shown that both systems achieve stable fixation of the fracture to allow healing.1–3 These systems are indicated for comminuted fractures, non-unions, and osteoporotic bone where distal femur fractures are associated with a 20% mortality rate in elderly individuals.4 Though capable of achieving stable fixation, both locking and non-locking plates have been associated with periprosthetic fractures in osteoporotic and normal bone.4–6 A recent clinical study reported a 2.6% incidence of periprosthetic fractures at the locking plate end.7Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Research Progress in Foaming and Molding Process of Polypropylene

The green and environmental polypropylene(PP) foam material receives extensive interests at home and abroad because of its outstanding physical,chemical and mechanical properties as well as the environmental-friendly feature such as easy reused and decomposed and so on.The development of foaming and molding processes for fabricating PP foam materials and the effect factors of PP foamed effect,physical and mechanical properties are also summarized.The research orientation of the field in the future is also suggested.
Current Murine Models of Sepsis.

Scientific investigators cannot reach consensus in methods and results between sepsis experiments in mice, and it seems unrealistic to expect great leaps in translational human trials based upon these animal data. This is not to say that animal studies are not worth undertaking but rather serve as a call to standardize model protocols in the literature so that results can be more readily compared between different laboratories. In addition, a systematic multiple-model approach in testing potential therapies should also be developed and standardized. Testing can begin in fast, easy-to-use models and proceed through greater levels of complexity as the research progresses [6,10,21]. One only needs to appreciate the failure of anti-TNF antibody trials to see the logic behind this suggestion [26]. Despite the increased time and monetary cost of more complex animal models, they are still generally easier to perform than full-scale human clinical trials, even when multiple animal models are employed. In addition to improvements in standardization and incremental increases in complexity, animal models should strive to replicate the conditions of human trials. For example, testing of novel therapeutic agents in sepsis should also include antibiotics and adequate fluid resuscitation in the model, as they represent the standards of patient care [6,21]. It is difficult to assess the value of new treatment agents if they are not tested in a context relevant to this standard. Others advocate for the use of “humanized” mice that have been transplanted with human cells lines to better replicate the human response to disease [16]. Finally, the stratification of experimental animal responses to septic insult ensures that we are not testing therapies in mice that have gone past the point of salvage or in animals that have not developed a clinically substantial response to the infection [21,46,87]. As more sophisticated methods are constantly being developed, the search will continue for the ideal pre-clinical therapeutic testing platform.
Unplanned reattendances at the paediatric emergency department within 72 hours: a one-year experience in KKH.

INTRODUCTION Unscheduled reattendances at the paediatric emergency department may contribute to overcrowding, which may increase financial burdens. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of reattendances and characterise factors influencing these reattendances and hospital admission during the return visits. METHODS Medical records of all patients who attended the emergency department at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. We collected data on patient demographics, attendance data and clinical characteristics. Planned reattendances, recalled cases, reattendances for unrelated complaints and patients who left without being seen were excluded. A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the odds ratio of variables associated with hospital admission for reattendances. RESULTS Of 162,566 children, 6,968 (4.3%) returned within 72 hours, and 2,925 (42.0% of reattendance group) were admitted on their return visits. Children more likely to reattend were under three years of age, Chinese, triaged as Priority 2 at the first visit, and were initially diagnosed with respiratory or gastrointestinal conditions. However, children more likely to be admitted on their return visits were over 12 years of age, Malay, had a higher triage acuity or were uptriaged, had the presence of a comorbidity, and were diagnosed with gastrointestinal conditions. CONCLUSION We identified certain subgroups in the population who were more likely to be admitted if they reattended. These findings would help in implementing further research and directing strategies to reduce potentially avoidable reattendances and admissions.
The Impact of Functional Status on the Outcomes of Endovascular Lower Extremity Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia in the Elderly

Background Functional status is an important predictor of outcomes after infrainguinal bypass surgery. There are little data on the effect of functional status on the outcomes of endovascular lower extremity interventions, especially in the elderly frail population. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program files for the years 2011–2013 to assess the impact of functional status on outcome after endovascular intervention for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Elderly patients (age ≥70) undergoing revascularization for CLI were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on functional status prior to surgery: independent (IND) or dependent (DEP), which included partially dependent as well as totally dependent patients. The 2 groups were compared with respect to demographics, comorbidities, complications, length of stay, limb loss, and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Results There were 1,055 patients (DEP = 253, 24%). There was no difference in gender or race but DEP patients were older than IND (P = 0.008). DEP patients were significantly more likely to have history of congestive heart failure (P = 0.003), hypertension (P = 0.042), and diabetes (P Conclusions Functional status should be carefully assessed when considering endovascular revascularization in the elderly as DEP has significantly higher morbidity and mortality.
snRNA 3' End Processing by a CPSF73-Containing Complex Essential for Development in Arabidopsis.

Uridine-rich small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are the basal components of the spliceosome and play essential roles in splicing. The biogenesis of the majority of snRNAs involves 3′ end endonucleolytic cleavage of the nascent transcript from the elongating DNA-dependent RNA ploymerase II. However, the protein factors responsible for this process remain elusive in plants. Here, we show that DEFECTIVE in snRNA PROCESSING 1 (DSP1) is an essential protein for snRNA 3′ end maturation in Arabidopsis. A hypomorphic dsp1-1 mutation causes pleiotropic developmental defects, impairs the 3′ end processing of snRNAs, increases the levels of snRNA primary transcripts (pre-snRNAs), and alters the occupancy of Pol II at snRNA loci. In addition, DSP1 binds snRNA loci and interacts with Pol-II in a DNA/RNA-dependent manner. We further show that DSP1 forms a conserved complex, which contains at least four additional proteins, to catalyze snRNA 3′ end maturation in Arabidopsis. The catalytic component of this complex is likely the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 73 kDa-I (CSPF73-I), which is the nuclease cleaving the pre-mRNA 3′ end. However, the DSP1 complex does not affect pre-mRNA 3′ end cleavage, suggesting that plants may use different CPSF73-I-containing complexes to process snRNAs and pre-mRNAs. This study identifies a complex responsible for the snRNA 3′ end maturation in plants and uncovers a previously unknown function of CPSF73 in snRNA maturation.
Surgical Management of Macular Edema Associated with Uveitis

Uveitis is a significant cause of vision loss in the working-age population in the developed world. The most common cause of vision loss in uveitis patients is macular edema (ME). In some cases, maximum-tolerated medical therapy may be inadequate, and compliance with medical regimens may also be an issue. Surgical approaches may provide an alternative or adjunctive means of controlling uveitis and uveitic ME.
Association of Clinical Factors With a Major Pathologic Response Following Preoperative Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Importance We previously demonstrated that a major pathologic response to preoperative therapy, defined histopathologically by the presence of less than 5% viable cancer cells in the surgical specimen, is an important prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, to our knowledge, the patients most likely to experience a significant response to therapy are undefined. Objective To identify clinical factors associated with major pathologic response in a large cohort of patients who underwent preoperative therapy and pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study included 583 patients with histopathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who received preoperative therapy prior to pancreatectomy between 1990 and 2015. Exposures Preoperative therapy consisted of systemic chemotherapy alone (n = 38; 6.5%), chemoradiation alone (n = 261; 44.8%), or both (n = 284; 48.7%) prior to pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 514; 88.2%), distal pancreatectomy (n = 62; 10.6%), or total pancreatectomy (n = 7; 1.2%). Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical variables associated with a major pathologic response (pathologic complete response or Results Among all patients, the mean (SD) age was 63.7 (9.2) years, and 53.0% were men. A major pathologic response was seen in 77 patients (13.2%) including 23 (3.9%) who had a complete pathologic response. The median overall survival duration was significantly longer for patients who had a major response than for those who did not (73.4 months vs 32.2 months,P Conclusions and Relevance Although a major pathologic response occurs infrequently following preoperative therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, it is associated with a significantly improved prognosis. Of the patient- and treatment-related factors we analyzed, only young age, low baseline cancer antigen 19-9, and gemcitabine as a radiosensitizer were associated with a major pathologic response. Given its association with long-term survival, better predictors of response and more effective preoperative regimens should be aggressively sought.
Transferability of antimicrobial resistance from multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from cattle in the USA to E. coli and Salmonella Newport recipients.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate conjugative transfer of cephalosporin resistance among 100 strains of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDRE) to Salmonella enterica serotype Newport and E. coli DH5α recipients. Methods Phenotypic and genotypic profiles were determined for MDRE as well as for Salmonella Newport (trSN) and E. coli DH5α (trDH) transconjugants. Results Of 95 MDRE donor isolates, 26 (27%) and 27 (28%) transferred resistance to trSN and trDH recipients, respectively. A total of 27 MDRE (27%) were confirmed as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producers based on the double-disk synergy assay and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). WGS was performed on 25 of the ESBL-producing isolates, showing that 2 isolates carried blaCTX-M-6, 22 possessed blaCTX-M-32 and 1 was negative for blaCTX-M genes. Fourteen of the ESBLs sequenced were qnrB19. Differential transfer of IncA/C and IncN from MDRE32 was observed between trSN32 and trDH32. IncN-positive trDH32 displayed an ESBL phenotype, whereas IncA/C-positive trSN32 displayed an AmpC phenotype. The rate of ESBL transfer to trSN and trDH recipients was 11% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions Twenty-seven MDRE were phenotypically identified as ESBL-producers. WGS of 25 MDRE revealed that 2 and 22 isolates carried blaCTX-M-6 and blaCTX-M-32, respectively. One multidrug-resistant isolate exhibited conversion from an AmpC phenotype to an ESBL phenotype with the transfer of only the IncN plasmid. The rate of resistance transfer to Salmonella or E. coli recipients was nearly identical. However, the ESBL phenotype was transferred with significantly greater prevalence to E. coli compared with Salmonella Newport (96% and 11%, respectively).
Family Stressors and Resources: Relationships with Depressive Symptoms in Military Couples During Pre-Deployment

Objective To evaluate family-related stressors and resources associated with the depressive symptoms of military members and their spouses. Background Most deployment-related research has focused on deployment and reintegration, but there is a dearth of information about military families during the pre-deployment phase. Family stress theory provided a valuable lens from which to view family-related risk and protective factors associated with adaptation during times of stressful transition. Method Data were gathered using an online survey from 151 U.S. Army National Guard members and their spouses preparing for a scheduled deployment. Hierarchical regression was utilized to examine associations between the independent variables (e.g., stress pileup, informal and formal resources, deployment preparation) and participants' depressive symptoms. Results Results revealed that aspects of stress pileup were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Informal resources and deployment preparation, but not formal resources, had statistically significant negative associations with individuals' depressive symptoms. Findings were similar for military members and spouses. Conclusion Results indicated that logistical and instrumental preparation, in addition to informal resources such as effective family functioning and social support, are important for positive adaptation in times of stressful transition. Implications Family service professionals may want to assist families with identifying and strengthening their family support and improving family functioning, as well as guide families in a process of identifying the instrumental and logistical tasks that are necessary or helpful for an impending transition.
Indirect effects of supportive communication during conversations about coping with relational transgressions

Researchers investigating relational transgressions have minimally explored the role of third-party personal network members in the coping process. It is argued that supportive messages during conversations about coping with relational transgressions are associated with transgressed individuals' perceived stress and feelings about the transgression. Results from a study involving conversations between 50 pairs of personal network members suggest that participants' perceptions of stress and negative emotions decreased from pre- to postinteraction. By testing an indirect effects model, it was found that emotion support had a negative indirect association with participants' perceptions of stress, anger, and dejection related to the transgression because of quality of support. The theoretical implications of the findings are discussed, and directions for extending research on communicative coping are provided.
Thoracic Aortic Dilatation, Aneurysm and Dissection

The thoracic aorta is an extremely sophisticated structure which allows for the smooth conversion of pulsatile ventricular output to continuous arterial perfusion. Its sophistication is determined by an increasingly well described network of interacting genes. When these genetic pathways are abnormal, the aorta is pre-disposed to dilation, aneurysm formation and associated risk of dissection. We here review the major genetic pathways involved through discussion of key clinical cases, and highlight areas of uncertainty where rapid advances are being made.
Predictive modeling of dynamic fracture growth in brittle materials with machine learning

Abstract We use simulation data from a high fidelity Finite-Discrete Element Model to build an efficient Machine Learning (ML) approach to predict fracture growth and coalescence. Our goal is for the ML approach to be used as an emulator in place of the computationally intensive high fidelity models in an uncertainty quantification framework where thousands of forward runs are required. The failure of materials with various fracture configurations (size, orientation and the number of initial cracks) are explored and used as data to train our ML model. This novel approach has shown promise in predicting spatial (path to failure) and temporal (time to failure) aspects of brittle material failure. Predictions of where dominant fracture paths formed within a material were ∼85% accurate and the time of material failure deviated from the actual failure time by an average of ∼16%. Additionally, the ML model achieves a reduction in computational cost by multiple orders of magnitude.
“Running down the Oars”: Gilbert Highet’s Reading of Vergil, Aen. 10.290

The phrase per remos alii (Aen. 10.290) has baffled Vergil scholars for centuries, in which regard they have all just guessed at its meaning without citing any evidence to justify their views. During the 1960s, Gilbert Highet proposed a solution to the problem after seeing a scene in a Hollywood film in which a famous actor “ran down the oars” (i. e., ran over or along or across the oars)-a solution Highet would mention in his Vergil classes but never researched for publication. This article attempts to justify Highet’s suggestion by considering, beyond the cinematic and related contemporary evidence, a variety of classical, medieval, and archaeological sources of information.