cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of emergency department overcrowding on resident education.

Abstract Background Few studies have evaluated the effect of Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding on resident education. Objectives To determine the impact of ED overcrowding on Emergency Medicine (EM) resident education. Materials and Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was performed from March to May 2009. Second- and third-year EM residents, blinded to the research objective, completed a questionnaire at the end of each shift. Residents were asked to evaluate the educational quality of each shift using a 10-point Likert scale. Number of patients seen and procedures completed were recorded. Responses were divided into ED overcrowding (group O) and non-ED overcrowding (group N) groups. ED overcrowding was defined as >2 h of ambulance diversion per shift. Questionnaire responses were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests. Number of patients and procedures were compared using unpaired T-tests. Results During the study period, 125 questionnaires were completed; 54 in group O and 71 in group N. For group O, the median educational value score was 8 (interquartile range [IQR] 7–10), compared to 8 (IQR 8–10) for group N ( p = 0.24). Mean number of patients seen in group O was 12.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4–13.2), compared to 13.9 (95% CI 12.7–15) in group N ( p = 0.034). In group O, mean number of procedures was 0.9 (95% CI 0.6–1.2), compared to 1.3 (95% CI 1–1.6) in group N ( p = 0.047). Conclusions During overcrowding, EM residents saw fewer patients and performed fewer procedures. However, there was no significant difference in resident perception of educational value during times of overcrowding vs. non-overcrowding.
Synthesis and nonenzymatic template-directed polymerization of 2'-amino-2'-deoxythreose nucleotides.

Threose nucleic acid (TNA) is a potential alternative genetic material that may have played a role in the early evolution of life. We have developed a novel synthesis of 2′-amino modified TNA nucleosides (2′-NH2-TNA) based on a cycloaddition reaction between a glycal and an azodicarboxylate, followed by direct nucleosidation of the cycloadduct. Using this route, we synthesized the thymine and guanine 2′-NH2-TNA nucleosides in seven steps with 24% and 12% overall yield, respectively. We then phosphorylated the guanine nucleoside on the 3′-hydroxyl, activated the phosphate as the 2-methylimidazolide, and tested the ability of the activated nucleotide to copy C4 RNA, DNA, and TNA templates by nonenzymatic primer extension. We measured pseudo-first-order rate constants for the first nucleotide addition step of 1.5, 0.97, and 0.57 h–1 on RNA, DNA, and TNA templates, respectively, at pH 7.5 and 4 °C with 150 mM NaCl, 100 mM N-(hydroxylethyl)imidazole catalyst, and 5 mM activated nucleotide. The activated nucleo...
Proton nuclear Overhauser effect study of the heme active site structure of Coprinus macrorhizus peroxidase.

Proton nuclear Overhauser effect and paramagnetic relaxation measurements have been used to define more extensively the heme active site structure of Coprinus macrorhizus peroxidase, CMP (previously known as Coprinus cinereus peroxidase), as the ferric low-spin cyanide ligated complex. The results are compared with other well-characterized peroxidase enzymes. The NMR spectrum of CMPCN shows changes in the paramagnetically shifted resonances as a function of time, suggesting a significant heme disorder for CMP. The presence of proximal and distal histidine amino acid residues are common to the heme environments of both CMPCN and HRPCN. However, the upfield distal arginine signals of HRPCN are not evident in the 1 H-NMR spectra of CMPCN.
Macrocyclic Inhibitors of Penicillopepsin. 2. X-ray Crystallographic Analyses of Penicillopepsin Complexed with a P3−P1 Macrocyclic Peptidyl Inhibitor and with Its Two Acyclic Analogues

Macrocyclic inhibitor 1 {methyl [cyclo-7[(2R)-((N-valyl) amino)-2-(hydroxyl-(1S)-1-methyoxycarbonyl-2-phenylethoxy)phosphinyloxyethyl]-1-naphthaleneacetamide] sodium salt} was designed according to the conformation of the acyclic analogue Iva-l-Val-l-Val-l-LeuP-(O)Phe-OMe [LeuP = the phosphinic acid and analogue of l-leucine; (O)Phe = l-3-phenyllactic acid; OMe = methyl ester] (4) bound to penicillopepsin, by linking the P1 and P3 side chains of the penicillopepsin inhibitor. This compound and its two acyclic derivatives, {methyl (2S)-[1-(((N-Formyl)-l-valyl)amino-2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl)hydroxyphosphinyloxy]-3-phenylpropanoate, sodium salt} (2) and {methyl (2S)-[1-(((N-(1-naphthaleneacetyl))-l-valyl)aminomethyl)hydroxyphosphinyloxy]-3-phenylpropanoate, sodium salt} (3), have been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of penicillopepsin. Their binding affinity to the enzyme was found to be inversely related to the predicted degree of conformational flexibility across the series: 3 (Ki = 110 μM), 2 (Ki = 7....
Heart rate variability measurement and clinical depression in acute coronary syndrome patients: narrative review of recent literature

Aim We aimed to explore links between heart rate variability (HRV) and clinical depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), through a review of recent clinical research literature.
Calculation of fluctuations and photoemission properties in a tetrahedral-cluster model for an intermediate-valence system

An exact solution of a four-site tetrahedral-crystal model, the smallest face-centered-cubic crystal, is presented in the case of an intermediate-valence system. The model consists of the following: (a) one extended orbital and one localized orbital per atom, (b) an interatomic transfer term between extended orbitals, (c) an interatomic hybridization between the localized and extended orbitals, (d) strong intra-atomic Coulomb repulsion between opposite-spin localized states, and (e) intermediate-strength intra-atomic Coulomb repulsion between the localized and extended states. These competing effects are examined as they manifest themselves in the intermediate-valence, photoemission, inverse-photoemission, and thermodynamic properties.
Pinching forces sustained during lens polishing operations

Abstract A typical spectacle lens-polishing operation was simulated in the laboratory. Forearm flexor, smoothed-rectified EMG signals were used to estimate pinching forces used in the operation. Levels of forces produced were very large, near maximum, reaching values of up to 108 N. Largest forces were obtained at the neutral wrist position. Varying various conditions of the task, indicated that using a straight arm, subjectively low pressure and a zig-zag polishing method significantly reduced the pinching force levels. In addition, wetting the lens and providing visual feedback to the subject also tended to reduce pinching force levels.
A virtual environment for training overhead crane operators : real-time implementation

In a manufacturing enterprise, virtual environments can improve productivity by allowing employees to train without taking production equipment out of service. As a demonstration of this capability, we have developed a virtual environment to simulate overhead crane operation. This virtual environment was developed by combining 3-D factory drawings with 3-D simulation models of crane and load motion. The crane simulator allows an operator to maneuver a crane and load in three dimensions. Implemented on a PC with an update rate of 14.3 Hz, the simulator runs in real-time interaction that approximates live machinery.
Comment on a recent sensitivity analysis of radial base function and multi-layer feed-forward neural network models

Abstract Radial base function (RBF) and multi-layered feed-forward (MLF) networks are two popular types of neural network models. They have recently been compared with respect to their sensitivity to random errors in the input space using Monte Carlo simulations. In this paper it is shown that the major conclusion drawn from the comparison is invalid, i.e. the MLF network is not more sensitive to random errors than the RBF network for the modeling of the relation between the physical structure and mechanical properties of poly (ethylene terephtalate) yarns. This is a useful result, since the MLF network has the additional advantage of being computationally less expensive. Furthermore, it is shown that theoretical error propagation offers a promising route to the development of prediction intervals for the particular modeling application of interest.
Comparison of social ranks based on worm-running and aggressive behaviour in young domestic fowl.

Worm-running is behaviour in which a chick runs carrying a worm-like object while flock mates follow and attempt to grab the object from its beak. We hypothesised that social ranks based on worm-running frequency are stable over time and are positively correlated with social ranks based on success in aggressive interactions when older. At 8-12 days of age, we scored worm-running in 17 groups of 12 female White Leghorn chicks during three 10-min tests. Based on instantaneous scans at 5-s intervals, the bird carrying the 'worm' most often was placed in rank one and so on down the rank order. These tests were repeated at 68-70 days of age. An aggression index for each bird was calculated as the number of aggressive acts given, divided by the number given and received, during three 1-h observation periods when the birds were 68-70 days. Ranks obtained in worm-running tests were positively correlated over the two age periods (P 0.05). Our results indicate that worm-running ranks are not predictive of success in aggressive interactions. Instead, worm-running fits some criteria for play.
Sequential transposition of Tn916 among Staphylococcus aureus protoplasts

Transposition of the Streptococcus faecalis conjugal tetracycline-resistance transposon Tn916 between S. aureus strains occurred when protoplasts of donor and recipient strains were regenerated together without prior fusion. Under these conditions, only Tn916 was transferred; spontaneous fusion of parental protoplasts is therefore unlikely to be responsible for Tn916 transfer. While the exact nature of this transfer remains unclear, it appears to resemble Tn916 conjugal transposition reported in S. faecalis. Evidence for sequential transpositions of Tn916 was obtained by 3-factorial transformation analyses and confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridizations. The ability of Tn916 to transpose within S. aureus and occupy diverse chromosomal sites demonstrates the value of this transposon in genetic studies of S. aureus.
Unavoidable minors of graphs of large type

In this paper, we study one measure of complexity of a graph, namely its type. The type of a graph G is defined to be the minimum number n such that there is a sequence of graphs G = G0, G1,..., Gn, where Gi is obtained by contracting one edge in or deleting one edge from each block of Gi-1, and where Gn is edgeless. We show that a 3-connected graph has large type if and only if it has a minor isomorphic to a large fan. Furthermore, we show that if a graph has large type, then it has a minor isomorphic to a large fan or to a large member of one of two specified families of graphs.
Use of MOS transistor as a tunable distributed RC filter element

The use of the MOS transistor as a tunable distributed RC transmission line is suggested. It is demonstrated that the structure is satisfactorily tunable through its gate voltage, even in the presence of worst-case fabrication processing and temperature variations.
Primary systemic amyloidosis.

Patients with unexplained heart failure, hepatomegaly, nephrotic syndrome, or peripheral neuropathy should be evaluated for primary systemic (amyloid lightchain, or AL) amyloidosis by first seeking evidence of a clonal plasma cell disorder with serum and urine immunofixation studies, as well as a bone marrow biopsy. Immunostaining of the marrow biopsy for lambda and kappa isotypes will usually demonstrate a dominant clonal population of plasma cells if immunofixation studies are negative (less than 10% of cases). Tissue diagnosis of amyloidosis should be sought by biopsy of the abdominal fat or an involved organ. In addition, patients with stable myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance who develop such conditions or become progressively ill should be evaluated for amyloidosis. We recommend that newly diagnosed patients with AL amyloidosis, who meet criteria for autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation, be considered for highdose melphalan with stem cell support. Criteria usually include adequate cardiac, pulmonary, and hepatic function. AL amyloidosis patients treated with autologous transplantation frequently achieve durable complete remissions of the plasma cell disease and marked improvement in amyloid-related organ dysfunction. AL amyloidosis patients with dominant cardiac amyloid, who are without symptomatic pleural effusions and have no history of cardiac syncope or symptomatic arrhythmias, may be considered for autologous transplantation but are at increased risk of peritransplant mortality. Autologous transplantation should not routinely be offered to patients with dominant cardiac amyloid with recurrent effusions or histories of syncope or arrhythmias or to patients older than 50 years of age with more than two major organ systems involved (eg, heart, kidneys, liver, and peripheral nerves). We recommend that AL patients with isolated advanced cardiac or hepatic amyloidosis be considered for solid organ replacement followed by autologous transplantation. Otherwise, AL patients who are elderly or ineligible for autologous transplantation may be treated with oral melphalan (Alkeran, GlaxoWellcome, Middlesex, UK) and prednisone; however, because the response rate is only about 25% and the prognosis poor, such patients might also be enrolled on clinical trials of emerging therapies.
A Viable Therapeutic Option: Mechanical Circulatory Support of the Failing Fontan Physiology

A blood pump specifically designed to augment flow from the great veins through the lungs would ameliorate the poor physiology of the failing univentricular circulation and result in a paradigm shift in the treatment strategy for Fontan patients. This study is the first to examine mechanical cavopulmonary assistance with a blood pump in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic blood flow. Five numerical models of mechanical cavopulmonary assistance were investigated using a three-dimensional, reconstructed, patient-specific Fontan circulation from magnetic resonance imaging data. Pressure flow characteristics of the axial blood pump, energy augmentation calculations for the cavopulmonary circulation with and without pump support, and hemolysis estimations were determined. In all of the pump-supported scenarios, a pressure increase of 7–9.5 mm Hg was achieved. The fluid power of the cavopulmonary circulation was also positive over the range of flow rates. No retrograde flow from the IVC into the hepatic circulation was evident during support cases. Vessel suction risk, however, was found for greater operating rotational speeds. Fluid shear stresses and hemolysis predictions remained at acceptable levels with normalized index of hemolysis estimations at 0.0001 g/100L. The findings of this study support the continued design and development of this blood pump technology for Fontan patients with progressive cardiovascular insufficiency. Validation of these flow and performance predictions will be completed in the next round of experimental testing with blood bag evaluation.
Dynamin-related protein 1 heterozygote knockout mice do not have synaptic and mitochondrial deficiencies

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of partial reduction of the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) on mitochondrial activity and synaptic viability. Recent knockout studies of Drp1 revealed that homozygote Drp1 knockout mice are embryonic lethal due to reduced mitochondrial fission, and that this reduced fission leads to developmental defects in the brain. In contrast, heterozygote Drp1 knockout mice appear to be normal in terms of lifespan, fertility, and viability, and phenotypically these animals are not different from wild-type mice. However, the effects of partial Drp1 reduction on mitochondrial function and synaptic activity are not well understood. In the present study, we sought to characterize synaptic, dendritic and mitochondrial proteins, and mitochondrial function and GTPase enzymatic activity, in Drp1 heterozygote knockout mice. Interestingly, we found no significant changes in synaptic, dendritic, and mitochondrial proteins in the Drp1 heterozygote knockout mice compared to the wild-type mice. Further, mitochondrial function and GTPase enzymatic activity appeared to be normal. However, H(2)O(2) and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced in the Drp1 heterozygote knockout mice compared to the wild-type mice. These findings suggest that partial Drp1 reduction does not affect mitochondrial and synaptic viability and may have therapeutic use in treating patients with Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.
Radiative decay engineering with hyperbolic metamaterials

We demonstrate the decrease in the spontaneous emission lifetime of dye molecules due to the enhanced photonic density of states (PDOS) of a hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM), opening the route to PDOS engineered HMM devices.
Recovery from neutropenia can be predicted by the immature reticulocyte fraction several days before neutrophil recovery in autologous stem cell transplant recipients.

The duration of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ⩽100/μl) identifies cancer patients at risk for infection. A test that precedes ANC⩾100/μl would be of clinical value. The immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) reflects erythroid engraftment and hence a recovering marrow. We evaluated the IRF as predictor of marrow recovery among 90 myeloma patients undergoing their first and second (75 patients) melphalan-based autologous stem cell transplantation (Mel-ASCT). The time to IRF doubling (IRF-D) preceded ANC⩾100/μl in 99% of patients after the first Mel-ASCT by (mean±s.d.) 4.23±1.96 days and in 97% of the patients after the second Mel-ASCT by 4.11±1.95 days. We validated these findings in a group of 117 myeloma patients and 99 patients with various disorders undergoing ASCT with different conditioning regimens. We also compared the time to hypophosphatemia and to absolute monocyte count⩾100/μl to the time to ANC⩾100/μl. These markers were reached prior to this ANC end point in 55 and 25% of patients but were almost always preceded by IRF-D. We conclude that the IRF-D is a simple, inexpensive and widely available test that can predict marrow recovery several days before ANC⩾100/μl.
Rapid technology projection for high-level synthesis

High-level synthesis (HLS) tools often use parameterized RT component generators during component selection and allocation. Rapid and accurate technology-specific estimates are therefore crucial for performing effective design space exploration. We describe a fast (on-line) method for estimating the area and delay of regular-structured generic RT components tuned to a particular technology library. The estimation models are generated using a least-square approximation on a set of sample technology data points from selected component implementations. We tested these models against real data points on combinational and sequential components and observed an average error of within 10%. The estimators are integrated with a HLS system to provide on-line technology projection of RT components. >
Survival of pattern vision after removal of striate cortex in the adult cat.

Behavioral, anatomical and electrophysiological data are presented for three cats. One had complete removal of area 17 as evidenced by gross and histological examination of the remaining cortex and by the degeneration in the lateral geniculate body. Dorsal portions of areas 18 and 19 were essentially intact and much of the central and medial interlaminar nuclei of the lateral geniculate body survived. This cat had excellent pattern vision. So too did a cat in which all of the posterior suprasylvian gyrus, dorsal surface of the middle suprasylvian gyrus and much of anterior marginal gyrus had been extirpated. In contrast, an animal lacking area 18 and most of area 19 in addition to area 17, and thus having near “total” degeneration of the lateral geniculate body, was incapable of pattern discrimination. Photically evoked potentials could nevertheless be demonstrated throughout an extensive suprasylvian field in the latter animal. It is concluded that area 17 is not essential for pattern vision in the cat, but that in its absence, even in the case of ablations performed neonatally, cortex receiving major projection from the central and medial interlaminar nuclei, i.e., areas 18 and 19, is required.
Microglial activation varies in different models of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Progressive changes in host mRNA expression can illuminate crucial pathogenetic pathways in infectious disease. We examined general and specific approaches to mRNA expression in three rodent models of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Each of these models displays distinctive neuropathology. Although mRNAs for the chemokine receptor CCR5, the lysosomal protease cathepsin S, and the pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) were progressively upregulated in rodent CJD, the temporal patterns and peak magnitudes of each of these transcripts varied substantially among models. Cathepsin S and TGF-beta1 were elevated more than 15-fold in mice and rats infected with two different CJD strains, but not in CJD-infected hamsters. In rats, an early activation of microglial transcripts preceded obvious deposits of prion protein (PrP) amyloid. However, in each of the three CJD models, the upregulation of CCR5, cathepsin S, and TGF-beta1 was variable with respect to the onset of PrP pathology. These results show glial cell involvement varies as a consequence of the agent strain and species infected. Although neurons are generally assumed to be the primary sites for agent replication and abnormal PrP formation, microglia may be targeted by some agent strains. In such instances, microglia can both process PrP to become amyloid and can enhance neuronal destruction. Because microglia can participate in agent clearance, they may also act as chronic reservoirs of infectivity. Finally, the results here strongly suggest that TGF-beta1 can be an essential signal for amyloid deposition.
Structuring the Content of the First Course in Transportation Engineering: Perspectives of Engineers and Educators

The views of practicing transportation engineers and those of instructors teaching the first/introductory course in transportation engineering can serve as vital inputs in development, or redevelopment, of this course. The priorities of practitioners and educators regarding possible course topics are discussed in this paper. The ranked topic priorities of practitioners and educators compared with one another and the current practitioner priorities are also compared with an older survey. A high degree of correlation was found in both cases. Although general trends are fairly consistent, some observations about specific topics can be made; for example, the importance of including topics addressing alternatives to private vehicle travel is notably higher in the most recent practitioner survey than in the older survey. Although the information derived from these surveys merits consideration in structuring the first course in transportation engineering, many other factors should also be considered. The role of the course in the greater civil engineering curriculum, the setting of the institution, the needs of its stakeholders, and preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination are all factors that should be considered as well.
Rupture Status Discrimination in Intracranial Aneurysms Using the Centroid–Radii Model

Intracranial aneurysms are localized, abnormal arterial dilatations with a variable risk of rupture, leading to medical conditions associated with high morbidity and mortality. Predicting their risk of rupture, especially for incidental asymptomatic aneurysms, is a challenging task. The size of the aneurysm sac is traditionally used to assess the risk, but shape analysis has emerged as a promising differentiator of rupture likelihood. The centroid-radii model (CRM) is introduced here to describe both the size and the shape of the aneurysms, and determine rupture status. The entropy of CRM is proposed as an aneurysm descriptor which is easy to compute, robust to noise and segmentation, and accurate in rupture status discrimination. Analysis is performed on 154 patient-derived saccular aneurysms. The aneurysms are further classified as sidewall and bifurcation, and the shape analysis is performed separately on the two subtypes. Using the entropy of CRM resulted in 80.3% and 70.5% classification accuracy of status rupture in sidewall and bifurcation aneurysms, respectively. When compared to the accuracy of some commonly used size and shape indexes, the entropy of the CRM proved to be a more accurate single index associated with rupture in intracranial aneurysms, for both sidewall and bifurcation subtypes.
Roles of the Snf1-activating kinases during nitrogen limitation and pseudohyphal differentiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Snf1 protein kinase is important for growth on carbon sources that are less preferred than glucose. When glucose becomes limiting, Snf1 undergoes catalytic activation, which requires phosphorylation of its T-loop threonine (Thr210). Thr210 phosphorylation can be performed by any of three Snf1-activating kinases: Sak1, Tos3, and Elm1. These kinases are redundant in that all three must be eliminated to confer snf1Δ-like growth defects on nonpreferred carbon sources. We previously showed that in addition to glucose signaling, Snf1 also participates in nitrogen signaling and is required for diploid pseudohyphal differentiation, a filamentous-growth response to nitrogen limitation. Here, we addressed the roles of the Snf1-activating kinases in this process. Loss of Sak1 caused a defect in pseudohyphal differentiation, whereas Tos3 and Elm1 were dispensable. Sak1 was also required for increased Thr210 phosphorylation of Snf1 under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Expression of a catalytically hyperactive version of Snf1 restored pseudohyphal differentiation in the sak1Δ/sak1Δ mutant. Thus, while the Snf1-activating kinases exhibit redundancy for growth on nonpreferred carbon sources, the loss of Sak1 alone produced a significant defect in a nitrogen-regulated phenotype, and this defect resulted from deficient Snf1 activation rather than from disruption of another pathway. Our results suggest that Sak1 is involved in nitrogen signaling upstream of Snf1.
3-D motion and depth estimation from sea-floor images for mosaic-based station-keeping and navigation of ROVs/AUVs and high-resolution sea-floor mapping

A vision system has been developed in order to support the autonomous operation or operated-assisted missions of AUV and ROV near the ocean bottom. The sea-floor images, acquired by a down-look camera installed on the vehicle, are processed by the vision system in order to detect and estimate its motion in real time. This information is utilized to realize a number of capabilities, including automatic station keeping, navigation and trajectory following, and the construction of a composite (mosaic) image of the sea floor. We describe the system and provide sample results from various experiments for evaluating performance. We also provide examples from ongoing work, planned for implementation on the real-time vision system.
The future of Biomedical Digital Libraries

Our colleague Charles J. Greenberg founded Biomedical Digital Libraries (BDL) in 2004, with the support of an outstanding team of editors and advisors [1]. He envisioned the journal as a "legitimate alternative to traditional specialty journals in the field, which have subscription fees and assumption of copyright by the publisher" [2]. Charlie has now decided to pursue other worthy endeavors, and remains on our editorial board. As the new editors-in-chief of BDL, we share his belief in the power of open access and in the potential of this journal. BDL has covered a broad terrain. We have published resource reviews and commentaries, and documented innovative uses of technology that further scientific discovery and inform collection development. Readers are welcome to peruse all articles published thus far [3]. One strength of BDL is the variety of article types, including hypotheses, which are, "short articles presenting an untested original hypothesis backed solely by previously published results rather than new evidence" Hypotheses "should outline significant progress in thinking that would also be testable" [4]. We hope to publish the first hypothesis in BDL soon. Print-only articles are not the only form of scholarly communication in the online era. BDL stands ready to publish multimedia works, including podcasts. Ramsey's "Multimedia Bootcamp" paper is the first BDL piece to feature movies [5], and we expect that many more will follow. Regardless of the presentation format, our dedicated team of peer reviewers will critique submissions fairly and rigorously. After a healthy internal discussion BDL recently adopted an open peer review process, in which the authors and reviewers are all known to each other. Despite legitimate concerns that non-anonymity will cause reviewers to be less candid, we believe that transparency will lead to more thorough reviews overall. BioMed Central, BDL's publisher, has endorsed the concept of open peer review as well [6]. New presentation formats, new reviewing protocols - All of this causes us to think we are looking at a new type of journal. In an era of rapidly disseminated pre-print articles and frequently cited web log postings, the concept of the formal journal must evolve in order to remain vibrant. We believe that BDL is up to this challenge, and cordially invite the insights of our editors, advisors, authors and readers as we begin the journey.
Periodontal Referral Patterns of General Dentists: Lessons for Dental Education

The objectives of this study were to investigate periodontal treatment and referral patterns and the considerations used in the process of dentists who make no periodontal referrals, relatively few referrals, or more referrals. Specifically, the role of disease characteristics, patient- and provider-related factors, attitudes towards periodontal referrals, and perceptions of dental education were explored. The relationships between the perceived quality of dental education concerning periodontal diagnosis and treatment and the considerations used in this process were evaluated as well. Data were collected from 160 members of the Michigan Dental Association using a mailed questionnaire. The respondents were predominantly male (77 percent) and white (96 percent) and had practiced for an average of twenty-three years (SD=10.7). While 13 percent of the respondents had not made any periodontal referrals during the past month, 69 percent had referred between one and five patients, and 18 percent more than five patients. Dentists who referred more than three patients per month considered the patients' oral hygiene as more important, had fewer patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and more patients with private insurance, and felt less well prepared by their dental education compared to general dentists who referred fewer than three patients per month to a periodontist. The more positively dentists evaluated their dental education in periodontics, the more conservative they were when considering percentage of bone loss as a basis for referral (r=.228; p=.014), the more frequently they used systemic antibiotics in their treatment of periodontal disease (r=.180; p=.036), and the more they considered whether their patients would return after the periodontal treatment (r=.185; p=.028) as a factor in their referral decisions. General dentists' perceptions of the quality of their dental school education in periodontics decreased their willingness to refer patients and increased their desire to treat these patients in their own practices. Future research should analyze the ways in which dental school curricula could prepare students to make timely and necessary periodontal referrals.
Molecular skins: a new concept for quantitative shape matching of a protein with its small molecule mimics.

A novel analytical method for comparing molecular shapes by optimizing the intersection of molecular "SKINS" has been developed. This method provides a quantitative measure of the shape similarity by maximizing the intersection volume of molecular surfaces with a finite thickness; a molecular skin. We report shape matching of a small tripeptide inhibitor (DFKi) of elastase class proteins with the 56 residue turkey ovomucoid inhibitor (TOMI). To match a large elastase inhibitor such as TOMI with a small inhibitor or drug, we found that it is necessary to use a skin match rather than molecular volume. Skin based comparisons of TOMI protein with DFKi successfully found the alignment expected from comparison of their respective crystallographic complexes with elastase (i.e. HLE/TOMI complex and PPE/tripeptide complex). In the skin comparison of the tripeptide with the TOMI protein, blind searching for skin matches involved optimization of the skin intersection from 172 starting positions randomly selected from a set of 500 points on the TOMI van der Waals surface [within 9.5 A of the Leu-18 on the TOMI binding loop (1 point/A2)]. The tripeptide center of mass was placed at these points and its orientation was randomized before optimization was initiated. The best skin intersection, 86.4 A3, was found three times and corresponds to the experimental alignment. The next best skin intersection was 78.1 A3 giving a discrimination factor in this case of 10%. Searches over the entire surface of the TOMI protein did not identify any new matches with skin intersection greater than 78.1 A3. Matching the DFKi with a TOMI structure relaxed from its crystal conformation by molecular dynamics gives similar results.
Enhanced multisensory integration in older adults

Information from the different senses is seamlessly integrated by the brain in order to modify our behaviors and enrich our perceptions. It is only through the appropriate binding and integration of information from the different senses that a meaningful and accurate perceptual gestalt can be generated. Although a great deal is known about how such cross-modal interactions influence behavior and perception in the adult, there is little knowledge as to the impact of aging on these multisensory processes. In the current study, we examined the speed of discrimination responses of aged and young individuals to the presentation of visual, auditory or combined visual–auditory stimuli. Although the presentation of multisensory stimuli speeded response times in both groups, the performance gain was significantly greater in the aged. Most strikingly, multisensory stimuli restored response times in the aged to those seen in young subjects to the faster of the two unisensory stimuli (i.e., visual). The current results suggest that despite the decline in sensory processing that accompanies aging, the use of multiple sensory channels may represent an effective compensatory strategy to overcome these unisensory deficits.
Radiation Dose Reduction in Renal Colic Protocol CT: Are We Doing Enough to Ensure Adoption of Best Practices?

While few would doubt that American radiologists are more aware and informed about radiation protection than they were a decade ago, Lukasiewicz et al have highlighted the need for uniform translation of dose reduction principles to clinical practice.
Physical Mapping and Refinement of the Painted Turtle Genome (Chrysemys picta) Inform Amniote Genome Evolution and Challenge Turtle-Bird Chromosomal Conservation

Comparative genomics continues illuminating amniote genome evolution, but for many lineages our understanding remains incomplete. Here, we refine the assembly (CPI 3.0.3 NCBI {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AHGY00000000.2","term_id":"591771112","term_text":"AHGY00000000.2"}}AHGY00000000.2) and develop a cytogenetic map of the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta—CPI) genome, the first in turtles and in vertebrates with temperature-dependent sex determination. A comparison of turtle genomes with those of chicken, selected nonavian reptiles, and human revealed shared and novel genomic features, such as numerous chromosomal rearrangements. The largest conserved syntenic blocks between birds and turtles exist in four macrochromosomes, whereas rearrangements were evident in these and other chromosomes, disproving that turtles and birds retain fully conserved macrochromosomes for greater than 300 Myr. C-banding revealed large heterochromatic blocks in the centromeric region of only few chromosomes. The nucleolar-organizing region (NOR) mapped to a single CPI microchromosome, whereas in some turtles and lizards the NOR maps to nonhomologous sex-chromosomes, thus revealing independent translocations of the NOR in various reptilian lineages. There was no evidence for recent chromosomal fusions as interstitial telomeric-DNA was absent. Some repeat elements (CR1-like, Gypsy) were enriched in the centromeres of five chromosomes, whereas others were widespread in the CPI genome. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones were hybridized to 18 of the 25 CPI chromosomes and anchored to a G-banded ideogram. Several CPI sex-determining genes mapped to five chromosomes, and homology was detected between yet other CPI autosomes and the globally nonhomologous sex chromosomes of chicken, other turtles, and squamates, underscoring the independent evolution of vertebrate sex-determining mechanisms.
A Simple Ileal Substitute Bladder After Radical Cystectomy: Experience with a Modification of the Studer Pouch

Bladder substitution using pouches designed from detubularized bowel is gaining widespread acceptance among urologists and their patients. However, few clinical reports have described the effectiveness of the orthotopic neobladder fashioned from ileum in the manner described by Studer. Since 1988, we have used the Studer technique with minor modifications in 20 men who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Early morbidity from the procedure was minimal, although 2 patients later had anastomotic strictures. Significant late complications included low vitamin B12 levels in 4 patients and persistent hyperchloremia in 1. A total of 18 patients achieved diurnal continence but 9 of these had enuresis. Neobladder compliance and emptying were satisfactory in the 12 patients evaluated urodynamically. Upper tracts remained stable in all patients at a median followup of 24 months (range 9 to 60). Isolated episodes of bacteriuria occurred in 11 patients but followup urine cultures have remained sterile in all continent patients. The Studer ileal neobladder is a simple, effective alternative for urine storage, upper tract preservation and efficient voiding.
Murder Incorporated: Market Orientation and Coverage of the Annie Le Investigation

Research shows that market orientation affects news content. However, very little research examines how market orientation affects the coverage of a particular story. This is the first to examine n...
Roots of Marketing and Consumer Research at the University of Chicago1

The marketing and consumer research fields began to flourish in the late 1940s after World War II. Social Research, Inc. was founded in 1946 by members of the University of Chicago's faculty. Students at the University's interdisciplinary Committee on Human Development and the Departments of Sociology, Anthropology, and Psychology worked at Social Research, Inc., pioneering the application of behavioral methods of research to problems of business and other organizations. This paper traces the transmission of knowledge from the academic setting to the business environment. It notes especially the influence of members of the university faculty and their theories of human behavior on the emerging fields devoted to the study of consumption and culture.
Case Report of Two Children with Pseudohypoaldosteronism

Two black male siblings with pseudohypoaldosteronism are reported. They became ill in infancy with failure to thrive, renal salt wasting, and marked elevation of plasma aldosterone. These two patients illustrate many features of this uncommon disorder, as well as a severe metabolic acidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pseudohypoaldosteronism in a black family.
Characterizing Thermal Augmentation of Convection-Enhanced Drug Delivery with the Fiberoptic Microneedle Device

ABSTRACT Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is a promising technique leveraging pressure-driven flow to increase penetration of infused drugs into interstitial spaces. We have developed a fiberoptic microneedle device for inducing local sub-lethal hyperthermia to further improve CED drug distribution volumes, and this study seeks to quantitatively characterize this approach in agarose tissue phantoms. Infusions of dye were conducted in 0.6% (w/w) agarose tissue phantoms with isothermal conditions at 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C. Infusion metrics were quantified using a custom shadowgraphy setup and image-processing algorithm. These data were used to build an empirical predictive temporal model of distribution volume as a function of phantom temperature. A second set of proof-of-concept experiments was conducted to evaluate a novel fiberoptic device capable of generating local photothermal heating during fluid infusion. The isothermal infusions showed a positive correlation between temperature and distribution volume, with the volume at 30 °C showing a 7-fold increase at 100 min over the 15 °C isothermal case. Infusions during photothermal heating (1064 nm at 500 mW) showed a similar effect with a 3.5-fold increase at 4 h over the control (0 mW). These results and analyses serve to provide insight into and characterization of heat-mediated enhancement of volumetric dispersal.
A low molecular weight glycoprotein associated with isolated myelin: distinction from myelin proteolipid protein

Abstract— A low molecular weight glycoprotein has been demonstrated in myelin isolated from immature rat brains. Both short term and long term fucose incorporation studies have identified this protein in the proteolipid protein region of a sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyacrylamide gel. A 1.7-2.1 fold increase in radioactive fucose in this glycoprotein relative to the major myelin glycoprotein was seen after long term fucose incorporation (21 days) compared to short term incorporation (18–22 h). The demonstration that this fucose-labelled protein is distinguishable from that of proteolipid protein was achieved by a variety of independent techniques. One technique involved a comparison of ether-ethanol extracted, freshly isolated, myelin with myelin extracted with chloroform-methanol. Treatment of isolated myelin with chloroform-methanol results in the solubilization of the proteolopid protein and its subsequent absence on gel electrophoresis while, in contrast, an enhancement of fucose label was observed in the same region of the polyacrylamide gel. Another procedure involved the electrophoretic separation of the radioactive fucose peak from that of proteolipid protein by employing a continuous, phosphate buffered, gel system. Finally carbohydrate analysis by gas-liquid chromatography of a partially purified proteolipid protein fraction did not reveal significant amounts of carbohydrates which are characteristic of glycoproteins. The identification of this minor glycoprotein comigrating with proteolipid protein indicates, therefore, a greater complexity associated with the purified myelin membrane than has been previously demonstrated.
IMPACT OF HARMONIA AXYRIDIS (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) ON NATIVE ARTHROPOD PREDATORS IN PECAN AND CRAPE MYRTLE

Abstract Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) was first detected in north Florida in 1993 feeding on crape myrtle aphids, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) on crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica L. This lady beetle spread rapidly and was instrumental in reducing populations of the yellow pecan aphid complex, Monellia caryella (Fitch) and Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell, in pecan as well as crapemyrtle aphids. Prior to the arrival of H. axyridis to north Florida, the population dynamics of the yellow pecan aphid complex were compared to those of the crapemyrtle aphid and their common arthropod predators. The current study, conducted 8 and 9 years after the arrival of H. axyridis, sampled the same locations and some of the same trees reported previously. This research compares the current aphid and arthropod predator populations with the earlier results to determine the impact of H. axyridis. Prior to the addition of H. axyridis, aphid populations achieved high numbers and the lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens (Gue...
Modification of Older Automated Samplers

The Instrumentation Specialties Company (ISCO) model 1392 automated sampler has been widely used in a variety of water sampling applications because of its rugged construction and reliability of operation. However, several shortcomings of this sampler have been noted by many users. The Instrumentation Specialties Company, manufacturer of this sampler, has brought out a new model which is a great improvement over the 1392 model. However, there are many older samplers still in operation, and this paper presents our efforts to modify the model 1392 sampler to overcome limitations.
Multidisciplinary Treatment of Antley-Bixler Syndrome:

Antley-Bixler syndrome is a rare form of craniosynostosis characterized by unique clinical features that present particular challenges to long-term treatment. Typical craniofacial features include midface hypoplasia, trapezoidocephaly, frontal bossing, ocular proptosis, low-set protrusive ears, and choanal atresia. A staged surgical approach including fronto-orbital and midface advancements is required for intracranial pressure reduction, globe protection, airway patency, and malocclusion. In this case report, the combined, longitudinal surgical and orthodontic treatment strategies employed to correct severe facial deformity in a long-term 21-year survivor of Antley-Bixler syndrome are reviewed.
Delayed Neutron Data for Actinides Obtained from Global Level Measurements

If weapons-grade plutonium is burned as fuel in LWRs, it may be necessary, for licensing purposes, to predict the behavior of full core loadings of such fuel during postulated accident transients. Operation with full core loadings of plutonium fuel will put increased emphasis on accurate knowledge of the “six group” delayed neutron parameters for plutonium and actinide isotopes. Comparisons of the six group delayed neutron data sets available in the literature for thermal neutron induced fission of Pu-239 indicate differences in the predicted reactor period for positive reactivity insertions of from 5 to 15 percent. It is desirable for reactor design and licensing analyses to decrease the range of uncertainty in the predicted reactor period. Therefore, improvements in the delayed neutron emission data for actinide isotopes is being sought. This paper summarizes some results based on recent measurements of delayed neutron emission from actinide isotopes conducted at Texas A&M University (TAMU).