cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gut Dysbiosis Increases Gut Barrier Damage during Anti-Leukemia Chemotherapy: Implications for Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

We recently reported an association between low pre-conditioning serum citrulline, reflecting unresolved gut barrier injury from prior chemotherapy, and higher incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Citrulline is an amino acid exclusively synthesized by enterocytes and its serum level is a marker of total functional intestinal mass. We hypothesized that gut microbiota changes during prior anti-leukemia chemotherapy determine the extent of gut barrier damage. We performed 16S rRNA gene profiling of 207 stool samples collected thrice weekly from 20 acute leukemia patients (16 AML, 4 ALL; 13 first induction, 7 re-induction or salvage chemotherapy; 9 men, 11 women; median [range] age: 53 [22-74] years) between admission and day 28 of chemotherapy. The only inclusion criterion was receiving intensive chemotherapy with planned 1-month inpatient hospitalization. Patients received prophylactic levofloxacin with the initiation of chemotherapy and cefepime upon neutropenic fever. Serum samples, concurrent with stool samples, were analyzed by ELISA for citrulline. The lower level of quantification in this assay was 0.04 ng/mL. We classified patients to 2 groups based on detectability of citrulline at its nadir. We compared the two groups for Shannon's diversity index and taxa relative abundance (5 most abundant phyla and 10 most abundant genera) with a false discovery rate-based q value of Antibiotic exposure was intense, with 43 anti-bacterial antibiotic doses per 30 patient-days (for antibiotics given >1 dose/day, only 1 dose/day was considered). During their inpatient stay, 18 (90%), 5 (25%), and 4 (20%) patients developed neutropenic fever, bloodstream infection, and C. difficile diarrhea, respectively, and 5 (25%) received total parenteral nutrition. Serum citrulline declined, reached undetectable levels in 13 patients, and partially recovered by day 28 in 7 (Fig. 1A). The group with consistently detectable citrulline had a significantly higher diversity (q=0.03; Fig. 1B) and relative abundance of Actinobacteria (q=0.005; Fig. 1C). Other taxonomic comparisons were not significant. Members of the phylum Actinobacteria have key roles in gut barrier homeostasis. Our findings in patients receiving highly mucotoxic chemotherapy suggest that patients who experience more severe contraction of Actinobacteria also develop more severe gut barrier damage. This may result in higher levels of residual gut barrier damage in patients proceeding to allo-HCT. Our results support novel microbiota protection/restoration approaches during/after intensive chemotherapy to augment the gut barrier and potentially limit future risks of aGVHD.
The Language of ScienceOpen image in new window

Mathematics is a way of keeping track of things and organizing information. It took thousands of years for systems of easily manipulated numbers to be developed.
And God Said, “Let There Be Ritual. . . .”:

All human cultures are inclined toward ritualization. This article argues that Genesis 1–3 reveals God as the first cause of that inclination, establishing ritual behavior as a path for humans to s...
Study of Surfactant–Polymer Flooding in High-Temperature and High-Salinity Carbonate Rocks

Secondary waterflood processes have low oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs as a result of their oil-wetness and heterogeneity. Surfactants in combination with polymer solutions can improve the oil recovery significantly from these reservoirs through ultralow interfacial tension (IFT), mobility control, and wettability alteration. However, application of surfactant–polymer (SP) flooding in high-salinity and high-temperature carbonate reservoirs is constrained by the thermal stability of polymers at elevated temperatures, compatibility of surfactants with a high concentration of divalent cations present in formation brines, and geochemical interactions with carbonate minerals. This research is focused on understanding surfactant and polymer interactions with formation brines containing high concentrations of divalent cations and thermal stability and transport of polymers in carbonate rocks at a high temperature (80 °C). Surfactant phase behavior experiments (with and without polymer) were performed to id...
Minimally Invasive Repair of Tegmen Defects Through Keyhole Middle Fossa Approach to Reduce Hospitalization.

Objective The middle fossa craniotomy for tegmen defect repair provides wide access. This approach often requires temporal lobe manipulation, lumbar drain placement, and longer recovery. We describe a keyhole middle fossa approach with a simple titanium skull base repair that allows for wide access with no temporal lobe manipulation and does not require lumbar drain placement, which results in a dramatic reduction in hospital length of stay. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 14 consecutive patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea. Each patient underwent a keyhole middle fossa approach followed by multilayer dural repair with titanium mesh “gull wing” skull base reconstruction. Postoperative measures included operative time, length of hospital stay, CSF leak recurrence, and surgical complications (seizures, hemorrhage, aphasia, infection). Results The average age of the patients was 60.7 ± 12.7 years old, and average body mass index was 32.8 ± 7.9 kg/m2. Nine of the patients were female. The average operative time was 103 ± 32.8 minutes. The average hospital length of stay was 1.4 days. There were no cases of postoperative CSF otorrhea, meningitis, aphasia, or seizures. There were no recurrences over a mean follow-up of 20.3 months (range: 5–48 months). Conclusions A minimally invasive keyhole middle fossa approach with a multilayer dural reconstruction including titanium mesh “gull wing” skull base repair provides a quick, effective treatment for a broad spectrum of tegmen defects and meningoencephaloceles. This exposure and reconstruction technique do not require the use of a lumbar drain and result in minimal hospitalization.
Conservative treatment of Achilles tendon partial tear in a futsal player: A case report

Background and purpose: Achilles tendon is the most commonly injured part in the lower limb, especially in athletes. Treatment options for Achilles tendinopathy and total rupture are well described; however, there is a lack of information regarding treatment protocols for partial tears. Thus, the purpose of this case report was to describe the examination, intervention and outcomes of patient who suffered an acute Achilles tendon partial tear. Case description: A case is described here, in which the diagnosis of Achilles tendon partial tear was based on both magnetic resonance imaging and physical evaluation. Both the patient and the physical therapy team opted for non-surgical treatment. A 12-week course of conservative treatment including exercise, tendon loading, electrical stimulation, and photobiomodulation is described. Outcomes: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and hop tests. Discussion: This case report demonstrated that non-surgical treatment for Achilles tendon partial tear was effective for this patient and enabled the athlete to return to pre-injury levels of activity 6 months following the injury.
Cyber Security Meets Big Knowledge: Towards a Secure HACE Theorem

The HACE Theorem has emerged as a way to characterize big data. Over the years it has become fundamental to big data characterization as the Newton’s Laws are to Physics. Associated with the HACE theorem is the Big Data Processing Framework for storing, managing, analyzing and sharing massive amounts of heterogenous, autonomous and distributed data with complex and evolving relationships. This paper examines the security and privacy aspects for the HACE theorem. It argues that what is needed is a Policy-Aware Big Data Processing Framework for the collection, storage, management, mining, and sharing of the massive amounts of data. It also examines knowledge graphs to represent the big data and determines ways to reason about the graphs and yet maintain security and privacy.
Pyrolyzed biosolid surface features promote a highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) catalysts were synthesized from biosolids by simple pyrolysis at 950 °C. Their surface features were modified by changing pyrolysis conditions (ramp and holding time). The obtained materials, after an extensive surface characterization, were tested as ORR catalysts in an alkaline medium. They exhibited a high catalytic activity with the number of electron transfer close to 4 (3.99) and a kinetic current density of 8 mA cm−2. Their excellent performance was linked to the hierarchical porosity, high integrity of the carbon phase of an enhanced graphitization degree, and to the presence of catalytic centers. The samples prepared at a long pyrolysis time were very active in the ORR due to the developed micropores and the high graphitization degree of the carbon phase. Mild acid washing decreased the number of electron transfer by removing metal-based catalytic centers and by negatively affecting the integrity of the carbon phase covering the pore walls.
Transient flow modeling in fractured media using graphs.

We describe a method to simulate transient fluid flows in fractured media using an approach based on graph theory. Our approach builds on past work where the graph-based approach was successfully used to simulate steady-state fluid flows in fractured media. We find a mean computational speedup of the order of 1400 from an ensemble of a 100 discrete fracture networks in contrast to the $O({10}^{4})$ speedup that was obtained for steady-state flows earlier. However, the transient flows considered here involve an additional degree of complexity that was not present in the steady-state flows considered previously with a graph-based approach, that of time marching and solution of the flow equations within a time-stepping scheme. We verify our method with an analytical test case and demonstrate its use on a practical problem related to fluid flows in hydraulically fractured reservoirs. By enabling the study of transient flows, we create an opportunity for a wide set of possibilities where a steady-state approximation is not sufficient, such as the example motivated by hydraulic fracturing that we present here. This work validates the concept that graphs are able to reliably capture the topological properties of the fracture network and serve as effective surrogates in an uncertainty-quantification framework.
Working hard to make a good impression: the relational consequences of effortful self-presentation

This manuscript seeks to discover when a more conscious self-presentation in everyday social interactions results in positive feelings and connection to others. Communicate bond belong (CBB) theory...
Making Responsible AI the Norm rather than the Exception.

This report prepared by the Montreal AI Ethics Institute provides recommendations in response to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) Key Considerations for Responsible Development and Fielding of Artificial Intelligence document. The report centres on the idea that Responsible AI should be made the Norm rather than an Exception. It does so by utilizing the guiding principles of: (1) alleviating friction in existing workflows, (2) empowering stakeholders to get buy-in, and (3) conducting an effective translation of abstract standards into actionable engineering practices. After providing some overarching comments on the document from the NSCAI, the report dives into the primary contribution of an actionable framework to help operationalize the ideas presented in the document from the NSCAI. The framework consists of: (1) a learning, knowledge, and information exchange (LKIE), (2) the Three Ways of Responsible AI, (3) an empirically-driven risk-prioritization matrix, and (4) achieving the right level of complexity. All components reinforce each other to move from principles to practice in service of making Responsible AI the norm rather than the exception.
Apologies as identification management: A theoretical model

Abstract Apology research within public relations tends to focus on how to craft effective apologies. Research in psychology and other disciplines offers explanations for how changes in people’s state of mind lead them to forgive their offenders. This study uses rhetorical theory to bridge the gap between how apologies are constructed and how they produce psychological changes in recipients. We posit that identification, the concept of aligning oneself with the values, goals, or beliefs of another, explains this phenomenon. Effective apologies communicate to key stakeholders that offenders agree with their values and are committed to upholding those values in the future, thus establishing identification. We use three examples to illustrate our theoretical model: Donald Sterling’s ban from the NBA, United Airlines’ mistreatment of a passenger, and Urban Meyer’s mishandling of an employee involved in domestic violence.
Faith and Money: What We Know about Congregational Finances:

Scholars and religious leaders know too little about congregational finances, yet they are central to the vitality of faith communities in how they receive, manage, and spend resources. With new co...
Allegory, Modernity, Learning to See: Cytoarchitectonics in Rainer Maria Rilke’s The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge

In this chapter, the first of two final chapters devoted to modernist texts, demonstrates how the conflict between competing views of the human psyche informs Rainer Maria Rilke’s The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. Specifically, an allegory central to Rilke’s novel serves rhetorically to convey a deeper connection between his textual practice and the medico-scientific practice of brain ablation. Under scrutiny here are the terrors of electroshock therapy, the biopolitical mismanagement of corpses, and the practice of human autopsy, which were all part of a move to “scientize” the field of neuroanatomy in the course of the nineteenth century.
Left Atrial Enlargement and Reduced Ejection Fraction are Independently Associated with Cardiomebolic Stroke (1118)

Objective: To evaluate the association between left atrial enlargement (LAE) and reduced ejection fraction (EF) with cardioembolic stroke Background: Current guidelines for secondary stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib) include anticoagulation; however, studies have failed to prove the benefit of anticoagulantion over antiplatelets in patients with heart failure without evidence of Afib. Studies have shown that heart failure and LAE are independent risk factors for stroke. This would raise the question whether patients with reduced EF and LAE would benefit from anticoagulation. Design/Methods: Four hundred fifty-three patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the University of California, Irvine between 2016–2017 were included based on the following criteria: age >18 and availability of echocardiogram. Stroke was subdivided into cardioembolic and non-cardioembolic based on MRI findings. Ejection fraction was categorized into normal: 52–72% (male), 54–74% (female), mildly abnormal: 41–51%(male), 41–53% (female), moderately abnormal: 30–40% (same in both genders), and severely abnormal: Results: Two hundred eighteen patients had cardiomebmolic stroke and two hundred thirty-five with non-cardioembolic stroke. Among patients with cardiomebmolic stroke, 49 (22.4%) and 142 (65%) had reduced EF and LAE, respectively, as compared to 19 (8.1%) and 65 (27.7%) in patients with non-cardioembolic stroke. The odds of cardioembolic stroke were 8.8 times higher in patients with severely reduced EF compared to normal EF and 2.4 times higher in patients with LAE compared to normal left atrial size. The number of patients with reduced EF and LAE were higher in patients with cardioembolic stroke (P Conclusions: Our results showed an independent association between LAE and severely reduced EF with cardioembolic stroke warranting further studies to determine the appropriate treatment for secondary stroke prevention. Disclosure: Dr. Hosseini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Milani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shafie has nothing to disclose.
Cognitive Neuroscience of Social Sensibility

The perception of beliefs and desires to others is a piece of cognitive and personal adaptation and a bodily event.1 We explore the world, replete with intentional cognition2 through bodily sensibility anchored to an external world of well-established practices.3 As Merleau-Ponty stated, “our body is not in space like things, it inhabits or haunts space. It applies itself to space like a hand to an instrument...”4 Moreover, in the everyday world of sensibility, cognition is not necessarily an alienating event. Theories pervade our interactions thereby facilitating interpersonal exchange.5 But the mind is only one part of the story; the other is the pervasive social structure. Both function in the context of the perception of each other.6
Extracellular matrix components modulate radiosensitization of transformed keratinocytes by EGFR inhibition

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2777 Inhibition of the EGFR has been reported to sensitize malignant epithelial cells including squamous cell carcinoma of the skin to the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation. In this study we ask the question whether interaction with components of the extracellular matrix affects radiosensitization of transformed keratinocytes by EGFR blockade. To this end, we used HaCaT cells seeded in the presence and absence of the EGFR inhibitor IRESSA (ZD1839) onto 96-well plates coated with either 0.9% agarose for forced suspension culture or various extracellular matrix components including collagen I, IV, fibronectin, laminin I and Poly-D-Lysine for 2h prior to exposure of various doses of ionizing radiation (0-10 Gy). Effects of these treatments on cellular metabolism were determined 3 days after radiation using MTT assays. Consistent with previous reports, we observed that ZD1839 inhibited MTT conversion in HaCaT cells either alone or in combination with radiation. All types of extracellular matrices tested supported high levels of cellular metabolism in comparison with forced suspension culture. Furthermore, attachment to either collagen I, IV or fibronectin markedly alleviated the reduction in cellular metabolism by EGFR blockade and radiation. By contrast, cells seeded on laminin I, poly-D-lysine or tissue culture-treated plastic surface did not protect against radiosensitization by EGFR blockade. In the same experimental setting, we also found that attachment to collagen I, IV, fibronectin and laminin I demonstrated elevated levels of constitutive and EGF-induced MEK/MAPK activation and insulin-induced PI3K/AKT activation as compared to tissue culture-treated plastic surface and poly-D-lysine. Additional signaling pathways jointly controlled by EGFR activation and matrix engagement and instrumental in radioprotection are currently under investigation. Collectively, these observations suggest that the extracellular matrix surrounding tumor cells in vivo may offer protection against EGFR blockade and ionizing radiation.
Effective eradication of established murine tumors with IL-12 gene therapy using a polycistronic retroviral vector.

Our recent studies using IL-12 protein or fibroblasts genetically engineered to secrete IL-12 have demonstrated profound antitumor effects of IL-12 in murine models. The antitumor effects of local, high level IL-12 expression were examined using a retroviral vector, which can express both IL-12 subunits (p35 and p40) and the neomycin phosphotransferase (Neo)-marker gene from a polycistronic message utilizing internal ribosome entry site sequences. All animals intradermally (i.d.) receiving MCA207 murine sarcoma cell line nontransfected or Neo-transfected had progressively growing tumor, whereas all animals injected with MCA207 transfected with IL-12 were tumor free and were subsequently determined to be immune to a rechallenge of nontransfected MCA207 i.d. Similar results were obtained in experiments using the poorly immunogenic MCA102 murine sarcoma cell line. The inoculation of live MCA207-IL-12 tumor cells also caused the regression of contralateral nontransfected MCA207 inoculated either at the same time (80% protection) or up to 3 days before (33% protection) to the therapeutic tumor inoculation. In vivo depletion studies suggest that NK cells and IFN-gamma play important roles in the development of the early phase of the antitumor response, but that T cells (both CD4+ and CD8+) play the major role in the subsequent events, leading to long-term immunity. The potent antitumor effects observed for paracrine gene-delivered administration of IL-12 have thus been confirmed for multiple tumor cell types and in multiple murine strains. We believe that these results support the feasibility of IL-12 gene therapy for the treatment of human cancer.
Microprocessor platform impedance characterization using VTT tools

This paper presents a method to extract the impedance profile of Intel processor platforms in frequency domain using custom, high di/dt electronic loads referred as VTT tools. Although currently followed time domain characterization yields the voltage response of the motherboard (MBD) to the current profile generated by the VTT tool, it does not directly provide the MBD impedance as a function of frequency. Without knowledge of the impedance profile it is difficult to fully understand the impact motherboard layout and decoupling capacitor filter configurations have on the overall power delivery system performance. Theory of the method, VTT tool modifications and platform waveform results discussed. Internally developed computer scripts that process the ratio of the measured voltage and current FFT's as the platform impedance over frequency are described. Correlation of simulation models is provided. Steps towards generalization of the method for maximum industry adoption are identified
Towards a Health Experience Formulation for Person-centered Integrative Diagnosis

As diagnosis is a crucial element of sound clinical care, a Person-centered Integrative Diagnosis (PID) model is being developed to facilitate the implementation of person-centered medicine. The conceptual bases and structural model of the PID call for an evaluation of the experience of illness and health as one of three key domain levels. A major aspect of this level involves a broad concept of culture with an emphasis on its experiential base. In line with this, a significant operational precedent would be the Cultural Formulation proposed for and then included in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). This Formulation was considered one of the few significant innovations in DSM-IV, but was published there in a marginal and very schematic fashion. A few years ago, a more elaborate guide was published to assist in the preparation of Cultural Formulations. Elements of this guide are presented here to provide a rounded outline of this procedure on which prospectively to build a Health Experience Formulation. New elements needed for the new Formulation are identified and discussed, including the experiential cultural framework of positive health and the patient’s values, needs, concerns and expectations. Also discussed is a semi-structured narrative approach as suitable for the new Formulation and its strategic development through a broad global engagement with the support of the International College of Person-centered Medicine. Of special significance is that through the Health Experience Formulation the patient’s experience, culture and values would be brought for the first time into the core of clinical diagnosis.
A syndrome of tricuspid atresia in mice with a targeted mutation of the gene encoding Fog-2

Tricuspid atresia (TA) is a common form of congenital heart disease, accounting for 1-3% of congenital cardiac disorders. TA is characterized by the congenital agenesis of the tricuspid valve connecting the right atrium to the right ventricle and both an atrial septal defect (ASD) and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Some patients also have pulmonic stenosis, persistence of a left-sided superior vena cava or transposition of the great arteries. Most cases of TA are sporadic, but familial occurrences with disease in multiple siblings have been reported. Gata4 is a zinc-finger transcription factor with a role in early cardiac development. Gata4-deficient mice fail to form a ventral heart tube and die of circulatory failure at embryonic day (E) 8.5 (refs 6,7). Zfpm2 (also known as Fog-2) is a multi-zinc-finger protein that is co-expressed with Gata4 in the developing heart beginning at E8.5 (refs 8-10). Zfpm2 interacts specifically with the N-terminal zinc finger of Gata4 and represses Gata4-dependent transcription. Here we use targeted mutagenesis to explore the role of Zfpm2 in normal cardiac development. Zfpm2-deficient mice died of congestive heart failure at E13 with a syndrome of tricuspid atresia that includes an absent tricuspid valve, a large ASD, a VSD, an elongated left ventricular outflow tract, rightward displacement of the aortic valve and pulmonic stenosis. These mice also display hypoplasia of the compact zone of the left ventricle. Our findings indicate the importance of Zfpm2 in the normal looping and septation of the heart and suggest a genetic basis for the syndrome of tricuspid atresia.
Conditional Rewriting in Focus

We discuss the conditional rewriting aspects of the Focus program transformation/synthesis system. The term-rewriting induction principle, presented earlier for unconditional rewrite systems, is generalized for conditional systems. We also present a novel deduction method for first-order clauses called contextual deduction which may be considered to be the first-order analogue of the rewriting operation. Like rewriting, contextual deduction uses pattern matching instead of unification and has the property of finite termination. We identify a sufficient condition for clausal theories, called saturation, under which contextual deduction is complete for refuting ground goal clauses.
Protease digestion of hepatitis A virus: disparate effects on capsid proteins, antigenicity, and infectivity.

Abstract High concentrations of either trypsin or chymotrypsin caused nearly complete cleavage of capsid protein VP2 of hepatitis A virus but did not significantly reduce the infectivity, thermostability, or antigenicity of the virus. Chymotrypsin also had a lesser effect on VP1. These findings indicate the presence of a protease-accessible VP2 surface site which neither contributes significantly to the dominant antigenic site nor plays a role in the attachment of the virus to putative cell receptors.
Database technologies for electronic commerce

Publisher Summary Electronic commerce applications have posed new challenges for database systems. Electronic commerce applications such as portals, marketplaces, and online stores (Amazon.com, eBay.com), are often faced with the problem of quickly integrating new catalogs from different sources into their existing catalog (the “master” catalog). Electronic commerce applications have made it imperative for databases to support direct querying of database content from the web. However, the most popular Web interface is the Google-style search box, and queries submitted from such an interface may include neither attribute names nor units.
Interactions between medial prefrontal cortex and meso-limbic components of brain reward circuitry.

Publisher Summary Recent evidence reopens the possibility that the medial prefrontal cortex ( mPFC) and mesolimbic reward circuitries share common elements. Whatever the complexity of the mPFC interaction with the mesolimbic dopamine system, it is clear that this circuitry is important for much more than simple reward function and that its behavioral functions involve more than signature transmitters. In this regard, it is important to note that co-localize cholecystokinin is not only a co-transmitter in the mPFC projection to the striatum; it is also a co-transmitter in a sub-population of dopamine projections to the same region. With respect to behavioral and cognitive functions, nucleus accumbens septi dopamine seems implicated broadly in drive, attention, and incentive motivational phenomena. Nucleus accumbens seems most conservatively characterized as a part of some sort of arousal mechanism, playing a role that is important for the energizing of approach behaviors, as well as for the stamping in or reinforcing of Pavlovian and instrumental learning.
Collateral circulation in subclavian stenosis or atresia: Angiographic demonstration of retrograde vertebral-subclavian flow in two cases with right aortic arch☆

Abstract Angiographic evidence of retrograde vertebrosubclavian flow in 2 children is presented. Both have identical congenital anomalies, namely, right aortic arch, aortic diverticulum, left subclavian atresia in one and severe stenosis of the same artery in the other. Although one of these children has what might be the onset of claudication in the arm, symptoms of cerebral ischemia, i.e., “subclavian steal” are absent. Additional blood flow to the affected arm from the cervical collateral vessels and the absence of cerebral atherosclerosis may be factors responsible for the absence of symptoms in these children. It is suggested that in some adults with the “subclavian steal” the arterial stenosis is of congenital origin. The importance of inequality of the radial pulses and blood pressures, a sign found in both adults and children, is emphasized. Clinical differentiation of the sign, also present in coarctation of the aorta with stenosis of the left subclavian artery and the supravalvular aortic stenosis syndrome, is discussed. The anomalies associated with a right aortic arch can be predicted from plain chest roentgenograms with barium swallow by noting the side (right or left) on which the arch and the first part of the aorta descend and the size and shape of the esophageal impressions in the posteroanterior and left anterior oblique views.
Icy Satellites of Uranus

Recent work on the satellites of Uranus has revealed many of their basic physical properties. Radiometric measurements have shown that the Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon have diameters which range from 1630 to 1110 km and albedos which range from 0,30 to 0.18. Spectrophotometry observations of Miranda suggest that it may have the highest albedo of the known Uranian satellites and a diameter of about 500 km. Near-infrared measurements show that Ariel, Titania and Oberon have the largest known opposition surges. All five known satellites of Uranus have surfaces which are composed of water ice contaminated with small amounts of dark material. The dark material on the surfaces of Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon is spectrally bland and has spectral similarities to carbon black, charcoal, carbonaceous chondritic material and other dark, spectrally neutral materials. Recent density determinations suggest that there may be large density differences among Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon, with density increasing with distance from Uranus.
Fast rotation of metal-poor stars

An interpretation of the observed decrease in rotational velocity with increasing metal abundance is presented in terms of a more vigorous coronal mass loss in metal-rich stars. Quantitative agreement with observations is achieved with simple assumptions.
Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke Missed by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

We present two cases of hyperacute ischemic stroke that were initially missed by diffusion-weighted imaging; abnormalities in locations corresponding to focal neurologic deficits were discovered by MR angiography and perfusion-weighted imaging. Within hours, follow-up diffusion-weighted scans revealed partial conversion of the hypoperfused regions to complete stroke. These cases illustrate the potential for a nonresolving stroke-in-evolution to go undetected by diffusion-weighted imaging at hyperacute timepoints.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Human Experimental Infection Model: Provenance, Production, and Sequence of Low-Passaged Memphis-37 Challenge Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children and is responsible for as many as 199,000 childhood deaths annually worldwide. To support the development of viral therapeutics and vaccines for RSV, a human adult experimental infection model has been established. In this report, we describe the provenance and sequence of RSV Memphis-37, the low-passage clinical isolate used for the model's reproducible, safe, experimental infections of healthy, adult volunteers. The predicted amino acid sequences for major proteins of Memphis-37 are compared to nine other RSV A and B amino acid sequences to examine sites of vaccine, therapeutic, and pathophysiologic interest. Human T- cell epitope sequences previously defined by in vitro studies were observed to be closely matched between Memphis-37 and the laboratory strain RSV A2. Memphis-37 sequences provide baseline data with which to assess: (i) virus heterogeneity that may be evident following virus infection/transmission, (ii) the efficacy of candidate RSV vaccines and therapeutics in the experimental infection model, and (iii) the potential emergence of escape mutants as a consequence of experimental drug treatments. Memphis-37 is a valuable tool for pre-clinical research, and to expedite the clinical development of vaccines, therapeutic immunomodulatory agents, and other antiviral drug strategies for the protection of vulnerable populations against RSV disease.
In vivo formation and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts measured at the gene and nucleotide level in Escherichia coli

In vivo formation and repair of the major UV-induced DNA photoproducts, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4 PPs), have been examined at the gene and nucleotide level in Escherichia coli. Each type of DNA photoproduct has individually been studied using photoreactivation and two newly developed assays; the multiplex QPCR assay for damage detection at the gene level and the reiterative primer extension (PE) assay for damage detection at the nucleotide level. In the E. coli lacI and lacZ genes, CPDs and 6-4 PPs form in a 2:1 ratio, respectively, during UV irradiation. Repair of 6-4 PPs is more efficient than repair of CPDs since, on the average, 42% of 6-4 PPs are repaired in both genes in the first 40 min following 200 J/m(2) UV irradiation, while 1% of CPDs are repaired. The location, relative frequency of formation, and efficiency of repair of each type of photoproduct was examined in the first 52 codons of the E. coli lacI gene at the nucleotide level. Hotspots of formation were found for each type of lesion. Most photoproducts are at sites where both CPDs and 6-4 PPs are formed. Allowing 40 min of recovery following 200 J/m(2) shows that in vivo repair of 6-4 PPs is about fourfold more efficient than the repair of CPDs. Comparison of the lesion-specific photoproduct distribution of the lacI gene with a UV-induced mutation spectrum from wild-type cells shows that most mutational hotspots are correlated with sites of a majority of CPD formation. However, 6-4 PPs are also formed at some of these sites with relatively high frequency. This information, taken together with the observation that 6-4 PPs are repaired faster than CPDs, suggest that the cause of mutagenic hotspots in wild-type E. coli is inefficient repair of CPDs.
Computational models, programming languages and algorithms for sensor networks: towards a paradigm shift in computer science

Physical devices are increasingly regulated by embedded computers rather than analog controllers. Embedded computers are essentially computational engines capable of sensing the environment, actuating physical devices, carrying out data analysis and planning actions. Embedded computers can thus enable machines to become intelligent and autonomous. The next technological revolution will follow from the ability of intelligent machines to network with other intelligent machines and with humans. As cyberspace permeates physical space, networks of autonomous machines will serve human needs proactively, not merely re-actively. The key technology which will facilitate the development of such systems is sensor networks, software agents, and adaptive middleware. The paper discusses the nature of algorithms required for sensor networks, a computational model and programming language for building and reasoning applications on such networks, and argues the utility of a programming model based on agents.
Kinematics and kinetics of unanticipated misstep conditions: Femoral fracture implications in the elderly

Most hip fractures are thought to occur after falling during everyday activities. We speculated that hip fractures might also occur because of excessive loading of the hip joint during an unexpected misstep consequently leading to a fall. The aims of this study were to explore the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity joints during missteps as compared with regular stepping, as well as to compare the magnitude of forces acting upon the hip joint with the threshold forces expected to fracture the hip. Fourteen healthy adults performed two forward steps on a 17.8 cm high platform under the following four conditions: forward with and without vision, as well as a misstep (the box for the final step unexpectedly removed without participant awareness), and regular stepping down with eyes open. The results revealed no differences between stepping forward with and without vision. When compared with both stepping forward and regular stepping down, the misstep revealed altered joint positions accompanied by increased forces and moments acting upon the hip joint. For example, the peak vertical proximal thigh segment force was 3.05+/-0.55 BW vs. 1.23+/-0.14 BW and 0.91+/-0.09 BW (p<.001; misstep vs. regular stepping down and stepping forward, respectively), while the proximal thigh segment moment in frontal plane was 1.39+/-0.70 Nm/kg vs. 0.18+/-0.32 Nm/kg of adduction and 0.16+/-0.19 Nm/kg of abduction (p<.001). When compared with the literature data, the forces during misstep were within the range of those forces that could result in hip fractures in the elderly. Therefore, it may be possible for the elderly to experience hip/proximal femur fractures during missteps prior to falling.
Ischemic placental disease: Maternal versus fetal clinical presentations by gestational age

Objective. Preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA), and abruption are considered ischemic placental diseases (IPD), and are major contributors to both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although the placenta is considered a fetal organ, these conditions can present clinically with either maternal or fetal manifestations, but their relationship to preterm births is largely unexplored.Methods. We designed a population-based study to assess the origins of IPD. IPD was classified as maternal (preeclampsia only), fetal (SGA only), or both (abruption only, preeclampsia with either SGA or abruption, or all 3). The study was based on 90,500 women that delivered singleton live births at 22–44 weeks gestation.Results. Among 77,275 term births with IPD, 23.2% presented as maternal disease only, 68.9% as fetal disease, and 7.9% as both. In contrast, among 12,906 preterm births with IPD, the proportions were roughly equal (maternal 32.9%, fetal 36.5%, and both 30.6%). Among spontaneous preterm births wi...
Binding of collagen I to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and inhibition by carrageenans

Abstract Research at USDA attempts to eliminate or reduce Escherichia coli contamination in meat and poultry foods by understanding the attachment mechanisms. This study utilizes a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor to determine the interactions of the immobilized E. coli O157:H7 surface with collagen I and selected polysaccharides. The binding and dissociation kinetics of collagen I with E. coli surface molecules had a mean affinity constant (K) of 3×108 (M−1) while the dissociation rate was 4.4×10−5 (s−1). Using the SPR biosensor, carrageenan, sodium alginate and pectin were evaluated for their interactions with collagen I and the E. coli surface. Results showed 89% to 100% inhibition by carrageenans and about 50% by sodium alginate and less than 10% by pectin. The biosensor binding studies were augmented by the scanning electron microscopy studies, which also showed the attachment of E. coli to the collagen fibrils of the bovine tissues. These studies serve as the basis for developing new strategies to block bacterial attachment or detach pathogens from animal carcasses.
Modern intraocular lens implants in children with new age limitations.

Abstract Seventy-three children received modern designs of posterior and flexible anterior chamber intraocular lenses. Twenty-eight (38%) had anterior chamber and 45 (62%) had posterior chamber lenses implanted. Postoperative implant complications occurred in 38 (54%) eyes, the most frequent was secondary membrane formation. Six eyes (22%) with anterior chamber lenses and 25 eyes (58%) with posterior chamber lenses required posterior capsulotomies. Seventy percent of the posterior chamber lens recipients less than six years of age developed secondary membranes. All of these eyes had a discission except one Nd:YAG laser patient. Forty-eight percent of the patients with posterior chamber lenses over six years of age required posterior capsulotornles: 55% had Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies and 45% had discissions. Based upon these observations, we now recommend primary implantation of flexible anterior chamber lenses in three- to six-year old children who have tissue-free visual axes and for all secondary implantations. Primary posterior chamber lenses are recommended for children six years of age and older and for younger children who will tolerate a Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy.
New Approach to Modeling Large-Scale Transitions to Alternative Fuels and Vehicles

A large-scale transition to alternative fuels and vehicles is challenging. New modeling approaches are necessary to supplement existing models, such as MARKAL. One promising approach is simulation gaming. Simulation gaming has been used extensively in many fields, most conspicuously in military applications, to provide insights into the dynamics of uncertain processes. A large-scale game to simulate transitions to alternative fuels and vehicles was developed to explore the potential of this approach. Preliminary results of the game play suggest a possible counterintuitive dynamic: high energy prices can discourage the wide-scale adoption of alternative fuel vehicles because increased fuel costs reduce consumers' ability to pay for more costly alternative vehicle technologies.
Catalytic combustion of hydrogen I—Its role in hydrogen utilization system and screening of catalyst materials

The role which low-temperature catalytic combustion should play in the future hydrogen energy system is discussed in comparison with those of conventional flame-type combustion and fuel cells. A hybrid of catalytic and flame combustion is also referred to in the comparison. Screening of catalyst materials proved that several inexpensive oxides of the 3d transition metals were active at intermediate temperatures around 150°C. A volcano-like relation was observed between the catalytic activity and the heat of formation of metal oxides per gram-atom of oxygen. Platinum-group metals supported on a carrier were active enough to initiate hydrogen combustion even at temperatures below 0°C. The effect of hydrogen concentration and space velocity on combustion rate was also investigated.
CDK4 gene amplification in osteosarcoma: Reciprocal relationship with INK4A gene alterations and mapping of 12q13 amplicons

The INK4A gene, localized to human chromosome 9p21, encodes p16INK4A, a tumor suppressor that functions at least in part through the inhibition of CDK4, a cyclin-dependent kinase encoded by a gene at 12q13. To examine INK4A gene alterations in uncultured samples of osteosarcoma and the relationship between INK4A and CDK4 alterations, we analyzed the INK4A and CDK4 genes in 87 specimens from 79 patients. INK4A deletion and CDK4 gene amplification were determined by quantitative Southern blot analysis. INK4A exon 2 was screened for mutation by polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis. Methylation at the CpG island in INK4A, associated with loss of p16INK4A expression, was assessed by Southern blot analysis using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes. INK4A deletion (4/55) or rearrangement (1/55) was found in 5 of 55 cases. No INK4A exon 2 point mutations and methylation were detected. CDK4 gene amplification was found in 6 of 67 samples, but not in tumors with INK4A alteration. Amplification analysis of other genes at 12q13 (GLI, CHOP, HMGI-C and MDM2) in these 6 cases supports the view that CDK4 and MDM2 are independent targets for amplification, with variable amplification of the intervening region containing HMGI-C. Of 46 patients studied for both INK4A alterations and CDK4 amplification, the tumors in 22% contained one or the other. The prevalence of these alterations, in conjunction with the reported inactivation of RB in up to 80% of cases, suggests that genetic lesions deregulating the G1 to S cell cycle checkpoint may be an almost constant feature in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. Int. J. Cancer 80:199–204, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A spectroscopic study of the bromination of the endocrine disruptor ethynylestradiol

Bromination of ethynylestradiol (EE2) was studied using fluorescence and conventional and stopped-flow absorbance spectroscopy. EE2 transformations in the presence of bromine were determined to proceed through sequential reactions. The first step is very rapid and results in the formation of a brominated cyclohexadienone that is susceptible to reduction but in oxidative conditions it undergoes a transformation into monobromo-EE2 in a first-order OH- -accelerated reaction. The transformation from monobromo-EE2 to dibromo-EE2 follows a similar mechanism. The rates of reactions of bromine-substituted EE2 species are orders of magnitude lower than that of the parent compound indicating that these species can persist in conditions typical for water treatment operations.
Synthesis of spiro[3H-indole-3,2′-tetrahydro-1,3-thiazine]-2,4′(1H)-diones

The title compounds have been prepared by the cyclocondensation of 3-mercaptopropanoic acid with isat-in-3-imines. The 1-benzyl derivatives have been synthesized by simultaneously reacting 1-benzylisatin, substituted anilines and 3-mercaptopropanoic acid. Mannich condensation of the spiro thiazanones with secondary amines gave the corresponding 1-aminomethyl derivatives.
Childhood Behavioral Problems and Dropping Out of School

This paper examines the relationship between early childhood behaviors and dropping out of high school. The results indicate that boys exhibiting externalizing behaviors are more likely to drop out of school. No relationship between externalizing behaviors and high school graduation is found for girls. In addition, we examine the relationship between externalizing behavior and adolescent behaviors and outcomes often associated with an increased risk of dropping out. A relationship exists for boys between externalizing behaviors and outcomes such as alcohol and drug use, but the association is weaker for girls.
Reduction of the genus Parardisia (Myrsinaceae)

The genus Parardisia is shown to be synonymous with the large pantropical genus Ardisia. The species on which Parardisia was based, A. involucrata, should therefore retain that original name. The only other species assigned to Parardisia, P. gamblei, is reduced to synonymy with Ardisia moultonii; both were described (and still known only) from Sarawak. The first species retains its position in Ardisia subgenus Tinus, while the latter belongs in subgenus Tinopsis.