cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The chemokine receptor CCR5 plays a role in post-traumatic cartilage loss in mice, but does not affect synovium and bone.

Summary Objective C–C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis and several inflammatory diseases, where its blockade resulted in reduced joint destruction. However, its role in modulating cartilage and bone changes in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) has not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated changes in articular cartilage, synovium and bone in a post-traumatic OA model using CCR5-deficient (CCR5 −/− ) mice. Method Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) was performed on the right knee of 10-week old CCR5 −/− and C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice to induce post-traumatic OA. The contralateral left knee served as sham-operated control. Knee joints were analyzed at 4-, 8- and 12-weeks after surgery to evaluate cartilage degeneration and synovitis by histology, and bone changes via micro-CT. Results Our findings showed that CCR5 −/− mice exhibited significantly less cartilage degeneration than WT mice at 8- and 12-weeks post-surgery. CCR5 −/− mice showed some altered bone parameters 18- and 22-weeks of age, but body size and weight were not affected. The effect of CCR5-ablation was insignificant at all time points post-surgery for synovitis and for bone parameters such as bone volume/total volume, connectivity density index (CDI), structure model index (SMI), subchondral bone plate thickness, and trabecular bone number, thickness and spacing. Conclusion These findings suggest that CCR5 −/− mice developed less cartilage degeneration, which may indicate a potential protective role of CCR5-ablation in cartilage homeostasis. There were no differences in bone or synovial response to surgery suggesting that CCR5 functions primarily in cartilage during the development of post-traumatic OA.
Conway's parallel sorting algorithm

Abstract We analyze a parallel processor composed of (N − 1) finite state machines which is used to sort N keys. In one “cycle”, comparisons and exchanges are made between pairs of adjacent keys. We show that the keys will be sorted after at most (2N − 3) cycles.
Cryptogenic Hepatitis and Bartonellosis

To the Editor, We read with great interest the recent review on cryptogenic hepatitis (CH), Cryptogenic Chronic Hepatitis and Its Changing Guise in Adults, written by Dr. Czaja. Its frequency in the general population can be as high as 5.4% [1]. Dr. Czaja asks for ‘‘insights into CH that require a span of observation or reliance on deductions from a constellation of nonspecific features.’’ From our point of view, CH contains crypta (Latin meaning hidden or secret) etiologies. Alternatively, it could be called idiopathic hepatitis as it is not an independent disease entity. These etiologic factors may be infectious in origin and it is our inability to detect them that hinders our understanding of cryptogenic/idiopathic hepatitis. The best example is the hepatitis C virus. Before the 1990s, this hepatitis was considered cryptogenic and at that time CH had a different expression and outcome compared to current medical practice. As our knowledge and diagnostic capabilities advance, so will the clinical outcome [1]. In his manuscript, the author proposes a diagnostic algorithm based on an extensive literature review and his broad clinical experience working with liver disease patients. Even so, he recognizes that we must continue to look for other possible etiologies. We propose that bacterial hepatitis should be included in the first stage of assessment. Bartonella henselae can cause chronic hepatitis inflammation in adults or in children [2, 3]. These bacteria can be found worldwide. Cats are one of the most important reservoirs though many other mammals and arthropods have been identified as well. Humans can be asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic Bartonella spp. carriers [4–6]. Blood donors can also have Bartonella spp. bacteremia [7, 8]. Bartonella henselae can cause nonspecific liver inflammation as they can cause bacillary angiomatosis in liver, bacillary peliosis hepatis as well as granulomatous hepatitis with or without necrosis [2, 3]. Bartonella spp. infection has been reported in liver transplant recipients [9– 11]. The recipients may have been previously infected or contracted the infection through donor liver [5] or blood transfusion [12]. Bartonella spp. can also co-infect patients with viral hepatitis B and C [13–15] and, perhaps, could be related to recurrences after liver transplantation or de novo hepatitis in these patients. Undiagnosed Bartonella spp. infection may influence the survival rate of this population of transplant recipients, especially those with CH. Coordinated international efforts should be initiated to discover other etiologies to CH. We hypothesize that infection with the bacteria Bartonella spp. is an etiologic agent of CH/idiopathic hepatitis and propose that testing for this pathogen needs to be incorporated into the routine algorithm for liver transplant donors and recipients. P. E. N. F. Velho (&) M. E. Ericson Department of Dermatology/Center for Drug Design, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. S.E., MMC98, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA e-mail: pvelho@unicamp.br; pevelho@umn.edu
Becoming market oriented

Abstract Although the marketing concept has been emphasized in business periodical and academic literature over the past decade, a more transorganizational framework is needed for becoming market oriented. A structural perspective from sociology can be adapted to identify when a firm lacks a market orientation and to offer ways of instilling greater market orientation simultaneously across departmental boundaries.
Caldera Collapse in the Galápagos Islands, 1968 The largest known collapse since 1912 followed a flank eruption and explosive volcanism within the caldera

The summit caldera of Isla Fernandina, a large, uninhabited basaltic shield volcano, was further enlarged by 1 to 2 km 3 in June 1968. A small quake and large vapor cloud on 11 June were followed 4 hours later by a remarkable volcanic ash cloud and, after another hour, by a major explosion recorded at infrasonic stations throughout the hemisphere. Seismic activity increased to a peak on 19 June, when more than 200 events per day were recorded by a seismograph 140 km away. Several hundred quakes were in the magnitude range 4.0 to 5.4 m b , but few such events were recorded after 23 June. Unusual lightning accompanied the major cloud, and, during the evening of 11 June, distant observers reported red glow and flashes from the area. Fine ash fell that night and much of the next day to distances at least 350 km from the volcano.
Stirling Dish Generator Using a Focal Point Internal to the Dish

Green power generation needs to include the manufacturing process as well as the generation itself. For a system to be truly environmentally responsible it should be a renewable system which requires no caustic chemicals or similarly damaging processes while being built. For the proposed system, solar energy can be converted into usable energy without the use of ecologically harmful silicon based manufacturing. To accomplish this, a Stirling cycle-based heat engine with concentrated solar power is proposed. Thermal conversion of power from solar energy creates no harmful emissions. The proposed system will additionally be efficient when compared to a photovoltaic (PV) system with an equal footprint. It will also show a significant improvement in energy return on investment (EROI) when compared to other solar solutions. While solar powered heat engines exist, the proposed system is significantly different from existing systems due to the location of the heat absorber of the Stirling engine.
Renal biopsy in children with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria: survey of pediatric nephrologists

The decision to perform a renal biopsy on children with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria remains a problem for clinicians. To assess the current opinion of 349 pediatric nephrologists on this issue, case summaries of a 9-year-old boy with 20 urinary red blood cells per high power field without proteinuria and a 9-year-old boy with 2+ proteinuria (600 mg/day) without hematuria were distributed to each specialist. Seventy-three percent (n = 256; 3:1, male:female) responded. Five percent would biopsy the child with asymptomatic hematuria. The main reasons were academic interest, parental pressure for a diagnosis/prognosis and concern for future economic impact on the child (i.e., life insurance). The determinations to biopsy for hematuria were not related to age or sex of the nephrologist. In contrast, 38% (n = 96) of the pediatric nephrologists would perform a biopsy on the child with proteinuria. The major reasons for biopsy were academic interest and potential for drug therapy. With a normal history, physical examination and laboratory/radiographic evaluation, the vast majority of pediatric nephrologists in North America support a conservative approach to the child with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria.
Cis‐11‐hexadecenoic acid fromcytophaga hutchinsonii lipids

The principal fatty acid (90+%) of the monoene fraction ofCytophaga hutchinsonii has been identified ascis-11-hexadecenoic acid. This fatty acid, which constitutes 29% of the total lipid fatty acids, is located principally in the phosphatidyl ethanolamine fraction.
Equilibrium configuration of an N2 monolayer adsorbed on graphite

Abstract A nitrogen monolayer adsorbed on graphite is found to be unstable with respect to a registered one sublattice structure. A four sublattice structure, which stabilizes the monolayer, is postulated. Phonon dispersion curves for the four sublattice structure are presented.
Postdischarge follow‐up visits for medical and pharmacy students on an inpatient medicine clerkship

BACKGROUND Teaching medical and pharmacy students to collaborate on discharge planning for chronically ill patients may facilitate their ability to provide quality care. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a discharge curriculum would improve students' attitudes and self-assessed skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and transitional care for chronically ill patients. DESIGN The discharge curriculum of an inpatient medicine clerkship focused on safe patient transitions after hospitalization. Curricular components included an interdisciplinary workshop, follow-up visits with discharged patients, a final group debriefing, and letters to patients' primary care providers. Preassigned medical and pharmacy student partners coordinated discharges and conducted postdischarge visits. The change in students' attitudes and skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and discharge planning was assessed using a 5-point Likert-scaled survey given before and after the curriculum, and students reported their satisfaction using additional Likert-scaled and open-ended questions. RESULTS The program was completed by 97% of students (37 of 39 medical, 22 of 22 pharmacy). The postcurriculum survey response rates were 92% and 86%, respectively; matched response rates were 58% and 59%. The attitudes and self-assessed skills of both medical and pharmacy students significantly improved for most survey items after the curriculum. Students also reported that the curriculum had a favorable impact on their learning about interdisciplinary care (4.3, SD 0.72), humanism (4.3, SD 0.63), and discharge planning (4.4, SD 0.70). Ninety-three percent reported that the curriculum was valuable to their education. CONCLUSIONS A clinically oriented curriculum with postdischarge visits improved students' attitudes and self-assessed skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and transitional care and fostered a patient-centered approach to care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:20–27. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Electron transfer prompted ejection of a tightly bound K(+) from the ethereal cavity of a hexaarylbenzene-based receptor.

Synthesis of a pair of rotamers (9u/9s) of a hexaarylbenzene derivative containing six (cofacially arranged) electroactive 2,5-dimethoxytolyl groups is described. The toroidal electronic stabilization due to the circular arrangement of aryl groups in 9u/9s leads to the observation of multiple (reversible) oxidation waves and lowering of their Eox1 by ∼250 mV relative to model compounds. The binding of K+ to symmetrical rotamer 9s was monitored by an electrochemical method and further confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
In vitro culture of IRC 741 rat leukemia.

SummaryLong-term in vitro culture of IRC 741 rat leukemia has been accomplished. During one and a half years in culture, the cell line has remained notably stable in relation to chromosome constitution, high folic acid requirement, growth kinetics, and rat pathogenicity.
Translation of LINE-1 DNA elements in vitro and in human cells.

Abstract The LINE-1 (L1) family of interspersed DNA sequences found throughout the human genome (L1 Homo sapiens, L1Hs) includes active transposable elements. Current models for the mechanism of transposition involve reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate and utilization of element-encoded proteins. We report that an antiserum against the polypeptide encoded by the L1Hs 5' open reading frame (ORF1) detects, in human cells, an endogenous ORF1 protein as well as the ORF1 product of an appropriate transfecting recombinant vector. The endogenous polypeptide is most abundant in teratocarcinoma and choriocarcinoma cells, among those cell lines tested; it appears to be a single species of approximately 38 kDa. In contrast, RNAs synthesized in vitro from cDNAs representing full-length, polyadenylylated cytoplasmic L1Hs RNA yield, upon in vitro translation, ORF1 products of slightly different sizes. This is consistent with the fact that the various cDNAs are different and represent transcription of different genomic L1Hs elements. In vitro studies additionally suggest that translation of ORF1 is initiated at the first AUG codon. Finally, in no case was an ORF1-ORF2 fusion protein detected.
THE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRITUALITY AMONG STUDENTS

This study investigated the impact of the Christian college educational environment, both academic and nonacademic, on student spirituality. Nine hundred fifty-three self-reported surveys, representing 18 U.S. Christian colleges and universities, were used. The typical respondent was female, Caucasian, and a resident upperclassman. For the purposes of this exploratory study, spirituality was operationally defined as “spiritual formation,” referring to one’s growth towards spiritual maturity, which is reflected in one’s relationships with God, self, and others. Findings reveal interesting trends about factors associated with spirituality on campus, and relate student perceptions of spirituality and the Christian college experience. Results indicate that students perceived many factors of their Christian college experience as positive. In particular, the nonacademic aspects of college life were perceived to be more influential on spiritual formation than the academic. For example, students rated their peer ...
MicroRNAs and glioblastoma; the stem cell connection.

Recent data draw close parallels between cancer, including glial brain tumors, and the biology of stem and progenitor cells. At the same time, it has become clear that one of the major roles that microRNAs play is in the regulation of stem cell biology, differentiation, and cell ‘identity’. For example, microRNAs have been increasingly implicated in the regulation of neural differentiation. Interestingly, initial studies in the incurable brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme strongly suggest that microRNAs involved in neural development play a role in this disease. This encourages the idea that certain miRs allow continued tumor growth through the suppression of differentiation and the maintenance of the stem cell-like properties of tumor cells. These concepts will be explored in this article.
Main and interactive effects of arsenic and selenium on mallard reproduction and duckling growth and survival

Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) occur together in high concentrations in the environment and can accumulate in aquatic plants and invertebrates consumed by waterfowl. Ninety-nine pairs of breeding mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed diets supplemented with As (sodium arsenate) at 0, 25, 100, or 400 μg/g, in combination with Se (seleno-DL-methionine) at 0 or 10 μg/g, in a replicated factorial experiment. Ducklings produced were placed on the same treatment combination as their parents. Arsenic accumulated in adult liver and egg, reduced adult weight gain and liver weight, delayed the onset of egg laying, decreased whole egg weight, and caused eggshell thinning. Arsenic did not affect hatching success and was not teratogenic. In ducklings, As accumulated in the liver and reduced body weight, growth, and liver weight. Arsenic did not increase duckling mortality, but it did decrease overall duckling production. Selenium accumulated in adult liver and egg, was teratogenic, and decreased hatching success. Selenium did not affect adult weight, liver weight, survival, onset of egg laying, egg fertility, egg weight, or eggshell thickness. In ducklings, Se accumulated in the liver and reduced body weight and growth, and increased liver weight. Selenium increased duckling mortality and decreased overall duckling production. Antagonistic interactions between As and Se occurred whereby As reduced Se accumulation in liver and egg, and alleviated the effects of Se on hatching success and embryo deformities. It was demonstrated that As and Se, in the chemical forms and at the dietary levels administered in this study, can adversely affect mallard reproduction and duckling growth and survival, and that As can alleviate toxic effects of Se.
A Thermal Reductive-Elimination Route to Perbutylated Cyclopolystannanes

Thermolysis of dibutyl(2-ethoxyethyl)stannane (4) in heptane at 150 °C quantitatively provides the perbutylated cyclopolystannanes (Bu2Sn)5 (1) and (Bu2Sn)6 (2). Trapping experiments reveal that this formal reductive-elimination process proceeds in a stepwise manner, involving the generation of a trivalent tin intermediate that then undergoes an unprecedented β-elimination reaction.
Latitudinal dependence of solar wind speed

The data of King (1979, 1983) and of Hoeksema et al. (1982, 1983) are used to investigate the solar-cycle evolution of solar wind bulk speed as a function of source magnetic field strength. The effects of solar transient events are removed. The data suggest that the latitudinal gradient in background solar wind speed is steepest at solar minimum and broadest at solar maximum. The lowest and highest background speeds are found to remain fairly constant throughout the solar cycle. A function developed for the background solar wind speed is inserted into the improved kinematic code of Hakamada and Akasofu (1982), and solar wind speed and IMF are simulated for two periods in the solar cycle. The observed parameters for specific coronal hole passage are well reproduced by the analysis.
Perspectives on housing among homeless emerging adults.

Abstract Homeless emerging adults need the safety and stability of housing programs if they are to avoid the elements and victimization of the streets, however, barriers to obtaining housing are numerous. This study identified factors associated with perspectives of housing services among 29 homeless emerging adults (ages 18–23 years) through one-on-one interviews. Data were gathered and analyzed using grounded theory methodology for qualitative information. Major themes of peer support and positive personal and programmatic interactions in the context of emerging adult development were noted as important factors in housing service utilization. These major themes should be taken into consideration for current housing programs, due to homeless emerging adults’ oscillation between their desire for formal support and personal independence. Greater emphasis on services that do not require long term commitments and are more flexible in addressing specific barriers to housing for homeless emerging adults may increase use.
Vertex-labeling algorithms for the Hilbert spacefilling curve

We describe a method, based on vertex-labeling, to generate algorithms for manipulating the Hilbert spacefilling curve. The method leads to algorithms for: computing the image of a point in R1; computing a pre-image of a point in R2; drawing a finite approximation of the curve; finding neighbor cells in a decomposition ordered according to the curve. The method is straightforward and flexible, resulting in short, intuitive procedures that are as efficient as specialized procedures found in the literature. Moreover, the same method can be applied to many other spacefilling curves. We demonstrate vertex-labeling algorithms for the Sierpinski and Peano spacefilling curves, and variations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accelerated Kinetic Study of Aspartame Degradation in the Neutral pH Range

The degradation of aspartame in solution as a function of temperature (70–100°C), buffer concentration (0.01–0.1M phosphate), and pH (6–7) was studied in order to estimate losses during thermal processing and storage of aseptic milk-based drinks. Prior data have been mostly on acid carbonated beverages. First order rate constants were obtained in all the conditions with activation energies in the range 14–20 kcal/ mole. An increase in both pH and buffer concentration caused an increase in rate of loss. These data were used to predict losses that would occur during pasteurization and sterilization conditions. Experiments at 4 and 30°C showed significant losses would occur during 4 and 30°C temperature storage and extrapolation from high temperatures predicted faster degradation rates than those found.
Non-Traditional Machining Using Pulsed Water Drops

This paper discusses water jet machining of selected materials using a non-traditional way of delivering water jets in the form of a series of discrete pulses. The theory of water jet impact has been used to demonstrate the principle of removing material by exploiting the existence of a Rayleigh wave that excites the formation of surface cracks and the lateral outflow of water that extends the cracks and removes material. A mathematical model has been developed that predicts changes in the response characteristics of materials owing to an idealised representation of a finite jet of water impacting a plane surface. The analytical approach used is applicable to the first stages of impact where the compressibility of water in the droplet is significant. The predicted response characteristics are compared with experimental data generated using controlled water jet impacts produced by a specially constructed pulsed water jet machining centre. The predicted response of selected materials compare well with experimental data. The results presented in this paper illustrate the importance of using pulsed water jets as a way of machining materials in a non-traditional manner.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Inversion of the resonance line of Sr+ produced by optically pumping Sr atoms.

A description is presented of an experiment which demonstrates the selective production of excited-state ions by an optical absorption from neutrals. An inversion on the resonance line of Sr(+) was produced by laser excitation of a two-electron transition, followed by ionization of one of the excited electrons by the same laser. A pulsed, mode-locked laser operating at 2680 A was used to excite atoms from the Sr ground level. The same laser then ionized the excited atoms. The 2680-A pump beam was generated by frequency doubling the output of a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser in a KDP crystal. It is pointed out that the reported results are significant for the construction of vacuum-ultraviolet and X-ray lasers. Many of the proposed methods for making such lasers depend on the selective production of excited-state ions.
Decay of mutualistic potential in aphid endosymbionts through silencing of biosynthetic loci: Buchnera of Diuraphis

Buchnera, the primary bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, is known to provision essential amino acids lacking in the hosts' diet of plant sap. The recent discovery of silenced copies of genes for tryptophan biosynthesis (trpEG) in certain Buchnera lineages suggests a decay in symbiotic functions in some aphid species. However, neither the distribution of pseudogenes among lineages nor the impact of this gene silencing on amino-acid availability in hosts has been assessed. In Buchnera of the aphid Diuraphis noxia, tandem repeats of these pseudogenes have persisted in diverse lineages, and thpEG pseudogenes have originated at least twice within this aphid genus. Measures of amino-acid concentrations in Diuraphis species have shown that the presence of the pseudogene is associated with a decreased availability of tryptophan, indicating that gene silencing decreases nutrient provisioning by symbionts. In Buchnera of Diuraphis, rates of nonsynonymous substitutions are elevated in functional trpE copies, supporting the hypothesis that pseudogene origin and persistence reflect a reduced selection for symbiont biosynthetic contributions. The parallel evolution of trpEG pseudogenes in Buchnera of Diuraphis and certain other aphid hosts suggests that either selection at the host level is not effective or that fitness in these aphids is not limited by tryptophan availability.
Correlation of volumetric mismatch and mismatch of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores on CT perfusion maps.

We aimed to determine if volumetric mismatch between tissue at risk and tissue destined to infarct on computed tomography perfusion (CTP) can be described by the mismatch of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Forty patients with nonlacunar middle cerebral artery infarct 6 s and <2.0 mL per 100 g, respectively. Two other raters assigned ASPECTS to the same MTT and CBV maps while blinded to the volumetric data. Volumetric mismatch was deemed present if ≥20%. ASPECTS mismatch (=CBV ASPECTS − MTT ASPECTS) was deemed present if ≥1. Correlation between the two types of mismatches was assessed by Spearman’s coefficient (ρ). ROC curve analyses were performed to determine the optimal ASPECTS mismatch cut point for volumetric mismatch ≥20%, ≥50%, ≥100%, and ≥150%. Median volumetric mismatch was 130% (range 10.9–2,031%) with 31 (77.5%) being ≥20%. Median ASPECTS mismatch was 2 (range 0–6) with 26 (65%) being ≥1. ASPECTS mismatch correlated strongly with volumetric mismatch with ρ = 0.763 [95% CI 0.585–0.870], p < 0.0001. Sensitivity and specificity for volumetric mismatch ≥20% was 83.9% [95% CI 65.5–93.5] and 100% [95% CI 65.9–100], respectively, using ASPECTS mismatch ≥1. Volumetric mismatch ≥50%, ≥100%, and ≥150% were optimally identified using ASPECTS mismatch ≥1, ≥2, and ≥2, respectively. On CTP, ASPECTS mismatch showed strong correlation to volumetric mismatch. ASPECTS mismatch ≥1 was the optimal cut point for volumetric mismatch ≥20%.
Ketamine protects hippocampal neurons from anoxia in vitro

Abstract Ketamine, a dissociative, general anesthetic, blocks the excitation produced by activating one class of excitatory amino acid receptors, the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor in the rat. We have found that ketamine can protect hippocampal neurons in culture and slice from anoxia. When added to cultures immediately prior to anoxic exposure, ketamine prevented the neuronal destruction seen after a day of anoxia. Neurons appeared undamaged and had normal resting and action potentials. Adenosine triphosphate levels in ketamine-protected anoxic cultures were approximately two-thirds of normal controls. Ketamine also prevented the irreversible loss of the population spike seen in hippocampal slices after prolonged perfusion with anoxic buffer. These results suggest that ketamine may have therapeutic potential in preventing anoxic damage from stroke in man.
Elevated levels of endotoxin, oxygen-derived free radicals, and cytokines during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

It has been demonstrated that the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with an increase in the circulating plasma levels of inflammatory mediators. We have expanded the study of these substances to include measurements of complement activation, prostaglandin production, endotoxin appearance, oxygen-derived free radical generation, and cytokine release before, during, and after ECMO. A reproducible second phase of complement activity and prostaglandin synthesis was associated with the appearance of detectable circulating endotoxin (0.04 U/mL pre-ECMO to 0.07 U/mL at 36 hours, P less than .05). Oxygen-derived free radical activity also increased (2 ng/mL to 3 ng/mL at 36 hours, P less than .05), as did plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (40 pg/mL to 70 pg/mL at 36 hours, nonsurvivor group: P less than .05). Interleukin-1 was elevated above normal, but there were no significant variations noted during the time period studied. Small amounts of interleukin-6 were also detected in the occasional patient. None of these mediators differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors. These data indicate that ECMO is associated with a previously undescribed, endotoxin-related, generalized inflammatory state after 36 hours of support. The pulmonary, renal, and cardiac dysfunctions documented with prolonged bypass can all be related to a classic sepsis syndrome.
Social protection and children's rights in developing countries

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in almost any population because of their physical and emotional dependence on adults and social status. Their vulnerability is greater in many developing countries because of the higher incidence of poverty and nascent social protection mechanisms. Social protection can serve as a tool to perpetuate inequities or can be used to promote human rights, equality, and inclusiveness. This paper looks at how social protection evolving in four developing countries, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, affects the realization of children's rights. Each country's social protection efforts are analyzed according to the type of effort and then compared to indicators measuring the realization of children's rights. The analysis indicates that well-coordinated social protection systems with wide coverage that include social assistance, social insurance, as well as human capital and empowerment efforts are more likely to result in the progressive realization of child...
Collaboration and Near-Peer Mentoring as a Platform for Sustainable Science Education Outreach

Decreased funding for middle and high school education has resulted in reduced classroom time, which, when coupled with an increased focus on standardized testing, has decreased the exposure of many middle school students to hands-on science education. To help address these challenges, we developed an integrated outreach program, spanning grades 6–12, designed to engage students by bringing students to the University of Oregon to perform hands-on laboratory experiments. Initially developed to supplement science education lost to state-mandated furlough days, the programmatic design can be applied readily in other contexts including afterschool, weekend, or summer programs. The outreach activities and scaffolding rely heavily on near-peer mentoring, which provides a visible pathway for younger students to envision themselves as future scientists while also providing mentoring and leadership opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. The use of near-peer mentoring is also critically important for the program’s sustainability because it enables a more efficient allocation of graduate student and faculty time. In the first 2.5 years, over 450 middle school students have participated in the program and student feedback shows that students are engaged and excited about the outreach activities.
Age differences in responses to facial trauma

This study examines age differences in causes, characteristics, and outcomes of facial trauma seen in a major trauma hospital. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 615 cases of facial trauma that had occurred during a 5-year period. The greatest proportion of patients were aged 20 to 29; those older than age 60 represented just 6.8% of the total cases. Gender differences were not observed in the oldest age groups. The oldest patients (older than 70 years) were more likely to have had pedestrian accidents and less likely to have been assaulted than other age groups. Older patients had more multiple injuries but fewer treatment procedures than other age groups. Significant differences were found in death rates; the older patients were more likely to die as a result of their injuries. Implications for patient management based on age and treatment needs are discussed.
Comparative expression analysis of resistant and susceptible Populus clones inoculated with Septoria musiva

Septoria musiva is a major pathogen of Populus and can cause leaf spots and stem cankers in susceptible clones. In order to investigate defense mechanisms of Populus in response to S. musiva, differential gene expression in leaf tissues of two resistant (DN34, P. deltoides×nigra; NM6, P. nigra×maximowiczii) and two susceptible clones (DN164, P. deltoides×nigra; NC11505, P. maximowiczii×trichocarpa) was analyzed by RNA-Seq. Of the 511 million reads obtained, 78% and 0.01% were successfully aligned to the genomes of P. trichocarpa and S. musiva, respectively. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes based on comparisons between resistant and susceptible clones revealed that there were significant differences in the expression of genes involved in disease/stress resistance and oxidation-reduction in mock-inoculated leaves. Four days post inoculation with S. musiva, 36 differentially expressed genes were found to be regulated in the same direction in both resistant clones. The 22 up-regulated loci in resistant clones included genes involved in protein fate, cell wall structure, and responsiveness to various biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, Potri.008G187100 locus encodes a putative multi antimicrobial extrusion protein and Potri.006G272600 encodes a family1 glycosyltransferase required for pathogen resistance. The differentially expressed loci with increased expression in the susceptible clones corresponded to NB-ARC domain-containing disease resistance protein, phospholipase A 2A, MutT/nudix family protein, and an elicitor-activated gene 3-1 product. The results from this study indicate that strong defense mechanisms involved in oxidation-reduction, protein fate, secondary metabolism, and accumulation of defense-related gene products may contribute to Septoria resistance in DN34 and NM6, while increased expression of hypersensitive response-loci, particularly those encoding NB-ARC domain-containing disease resistance proteins, may contribute to the susceptibility of DN164 and NC11505 through interaction with pathogen effectors.
The construction and utilization of a simple light‐transparent FTIR spectroelectrochemical cell with thin‐layer chamber

The construction and utilization of a simple light-transparent NaCl thin-layer FTIR spectroelectrochemical cell for transparency measurements is reported. This cell has a 0.25-mm optical pathlength and a three-electrode configuration. The application of this cell for in situ FTIR measurements is demonstrated for the electrooxidation of (OEP)lr(CO)Cl, (TPP)Co(NO), and (TPP)Fe(NO) (where OEP and TPP are the dianions of octaethyl- and tetraphenylporphyrin, respectively) in methylene chloride solutions containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). Under these solution conditions, spectral changes of the investigated compounds can be monitored between 2500 and 800 cm−1. Well-defined thin-layer cyclic voltammograms of these investigated complexes and diagnostic IR absorption peaks for bound CO and NO as well as for porphyrin π cation radicals are obtained in CH2Cl2 solutions containing 0.1 M TBAP. These in situ generated data are compared with literature IR data for chemically oxidized metalloporphyrins in the solid state.
Relationship between ambulation and obesity in older persons with and without low back pain

CONTEXT: For obese older persons, ambulation is both functionally important and a means of weight control. The relationship between weight and ambulation is not known in this population. Also, the extent to which pain interferes with ambulation is not studied. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between obesity and ambulation, and to determine the effect of pain and body mass index (BMI) on ambulation in older persons. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective study of 82 older persons, ages 55-79 y, some with no back pain recruited from the community, others with back pain or spinal stenosis recruited from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner as part of a larger university study of spinal stenosis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, Visual Analog Scales for pain, BMI, patient diagnosis (no pain, mechanical back pain, and spinal stenosis), walking velocity and stride length on a 15-min laboratory ambulation test, and 1-week community ambulation measured with a pedometer (steps, distance, and energy expenditure). RESULTS: BMI had a significant inverse relationship with ambulatory measurements in terms of the distance walked, steps taken, and walking velocity. Pain severity and pain category also had a significant inverse relationship with these measures. A negative correlation was observed between pain and obesity, although the relationship was statistically nonsignificant. DISCUSSION: Obese older people walked less than the nonobese older people. Pain was associated with decreased ambulation. Clinicians who intend to encourage increased ambulation in older obese persons should consider possible barriers posed by musculoskeletal pain.
APPROXIMATE FORMULATION FOR COUPLED CONDUCTION AND RADIATION THROUGH A MEDIUM WITH ARBITRARY OPTICAL THICKNESS

In evaluating the thermal properties of some porous media, such as aerogels, difficulties arise due to the following: (1) The media are transparent in some spectral intervals and opaque over other intervals and cannot therefore be treated as optically thin or as optically thick; (2) the conductive and the radiative heat transfer are coupled. In general, the coupled conduction and radiation transport in a nongray medium with nongray walls is described mathematically by a nonlinear, integrodifferential equation, which is difficult to solve. 9 refs., 1 fig.
Catastropic case management: thoughts from a teacher/consumer/advocate

Former Chairman of the Board: National Head Injury Foundation; Director, Employee Benefits Program, The Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254, USA
A Raman and calorimetric investigation of 3′, 5′ GpG

The Raman spectra of guanylyl (3′-5′) guanosine (GpG) in solution in H2O and D2O at pH 3–7 have been recorded at various temperatures between 0 and 80°C. The results are consistent with the existence in the lower temperature range of stable aggregates formed by the stacking of GpG tetramers. The aggregates melt cooperatively near 60°C, which results in important changes in the spectra. Among these, a large increase in intensity of some of the bands assigned to the guanine residues shows that unstacking of the bases occurs at the melting. Also apparent in the spectra are changes in the intensity and frequency of band attributable to molecular groups involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding between adjacent molecules in the complex. The melting temperature of GpG decreases by approximately 15°C upon lowering the concentration from 5 × 10−2 to 5 × 10−4M, as shown by Raman, calorimetric, CD, and uv measurements. The experimentally determined ΔH and ΔS for the melting transition are 9 Kcal/mol and 28 e.u./mol, respectively. The aggregation of GpG in 1.5 × 10−3M solutions was found to be very slow. The half-time of the process, which roughly follows first-order kinetics, is approximately 3 min at 10°C and 21 min at 35°C. The negative energy of activation associated with this reaction (−143 Kcal) indicated that the process involves intermediates whose concentrations decrease the temperatures raised, thus slowing down the overall process. The rate of disaggregation of GpG upon dilution to very low concentration is also extremely slow, indicating that the GpG aggregates, once formed, are very stable.
Highlights from recently determined structures of membrane proteins: a focus on channels and transporters

After decades of absent or lackluster growth, recent years have at long last witnessed an exponential growth in the number of novel membrane protein structures determined. Every single achievement has had a tremendous impact on the scientific community, providing an unprecedented wealth of information that typically only an atomic resolution structure can contribute to our molecular understanding of how a protein functions. Presented here is a review of some of the most exciting novel structures of channels and transporters determined by X-ray crystallography in the last two years, and a discussion of their analogies, differences and mechanistic implications.
Evaluation of methods to minimize cross talk in surface electromyography

The purposes of this study were to quantify the effectiveness of various methods to minimize cross talk in surface electromyography (EMG) using common recording equipment, and to compare the intra- and interday variabilities of signals recorded with these methods. Comparisons were made for signals recorded with the single differential (SD), double differential (DD) and branched electrode (BE) techniques with large and small electrodes and corresponding interelectrode distances. The amount of cross talk in tibialis anterior EMG signals during maximum voluntary effort (MVE) triceps surae excitation was estimated using a protocol involving electrical stimulation of the triceps surae via the tibial nerve. In SD signals, cross talk averaged 12.2 and 10.2 percent MVE, for the large and small interelectrode distances, respectively. DD and BE signals contained significantly less cross talk (approximately 5 percent MVE for both techniques and interelectrode distances) than SD signals. The intra- and interday variabilities associated with these methods were estimated by recording tibialis anterior EMG signals during maximum voluntary isometric dorsiflexion (3 trials on each of 2 days) and calculating coefficients of variation for average-rectified values and median frequencies. EMG signals recorded with the small interelectrode distance showed greater interday amplitude variability than those recorded with the large interelectrode distance. Intra- and interday amplitude variabilities were similar across SD, DD and BE recording techniques. Intra- and interday frequency variabilities were similar across all experimental conditions. Thus, the DD and BE techniques, in conjunction with the large interelectrode distance (and large electrodes), provide a signal which contains significantly less cross talk than the SD technique without sacrificing intra- and interday amplitude and frequency stability.
Finite element analysis of progressive failure in laminated composite plates

Abstract Acceptance and utilization of composite materials require confidence in their load carrying capacity. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a computational model capable of determining the ultimate strength of laminated composite plates under conditions of complex loading. A new seven degree of freedom finite element model for laminated composite plates is developed. The model utilizes three displacements, two rotations of normals about the plate midplane, and two warps of the normals, to accurately and efficiently determine the laminate stresses. Based on these stresses a failure model for determining first ply failure (FPF) and last ply failure (LPF) by a progressive stiffness reduction technique has been developed. The progressive failure model produces results in good agreement with experimental data. The calculated FPF and LPF results form lower and upper bounds within which the true load carrying capacity lies.
Computed tomography of spinal cord atrophy.

Spinal cord atrophy takes on several different forms which correlate closely with specific clinical features. The majority of them, however, can be categorized into three distinct patterns, diffuse (transverse myelopathy), hemi-(Brown-Sequard syndrome), or anterior (anterior spinal artery syndrome) atrophy. Until recently, the differential diagnosis had been made solely on the neurological examination. We present three cases of spinal cord atrophy, one in each category. Spinal computed tomography with metrizamide appears to be a reliable supporting diagnostic method for spinal cord atrophy.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct: Case report and literature review

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the extrahepatic bile duct is rare, and only 22 cases have been reported. Only two of these were large-cell NEC (LCNEC); the vast majority were small-cell NEC. Here, we report a third case of LCNEC of the extrahepatic bile duct. A 76-year-old male presented to a local hospital with painless jaundice. Imaging studies revealed a tumor at the hepatic hilum. The patient underwent right hepatic lobectomy, bile duct resection, and cholecystectomy. The resection specimen showed a 5.0-cm invasive neoplasm involving the hilar bile ducts and surrounding soft tissue. Histologically, the tumor consisted of nests of medium to large cells with little intervening stroma. The tumor invaded a large portal vein branch. All four excised lymph nodes were positive for metastasis, and metastatic deposits were also present in the gallbladder wall. The tumor was diffusely positive for synaptophysin and focally positive for chromogranin A. Approximately 70%-80% of the tumor cells were positive for Ki-67, indicating strong proliferative activity. A diagnosis of LCNEC was made. A few bile ducts within and adjacent to the invasive tumor showed dysplasia of the intestinal phenotype and were focally positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A, suggesting that the dysplastic intestinal-type epithelium played a precursor role in this case. A postoperative computer tomography scan revealed rapid enlargement of the abdominal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The patient died 21 d after the operation. NEC of the bile duct is an aggressive neoplasm, and its biological characteristics remain to be better defined.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Young Adults Who Present to the Emergency Department with Chest Pain

CV events (2.1%; 95% CI = 0.9% to 3.3%): 8 AMIs (1.5%), 4 deaths (0.8%), 5 PCIs (0.9%), and no CABG. Twenty-five patients had a final diagnosis of ACS (4.7%; 95% CI = 2.9% to 6.5%). The incidence of ACS in the 210 patients without a cardiac history and without cardiac risk factors was 0.5% (95% CI = 0% to 1.4%). At 30 days, none of these 210 patients had AMI, PCI, CABG, or death (0%, 95% CI = 0% to 1.4%). The incidence of ACS in the 312 patients with normal ECGs and a negative cardiac history was 0.3% (95% CI = 0% to 0.9%). At 30 days, there was no AMI, PCI, or CABG in these 312 patients, and one patient with metastatic cancer died (adverse CV event 0.3%, 95% CI = 0% to 0.9%). Conclusions: Although young patients, as a whole, have a 4.7% risk of ACSs and a 2.1% risk of adverse CV events at 30 days, those without known cardiac disease or any cardiac risk factors had a <1% risk of ACSs and were free from adverse CV events over 30 days. Likewise, young patients without a cardiac history and with a normal ECG had a <1% risk of ACSs and adverse CV events at 30 days. It may be reasonable to expedite outpatient management and limit unnecessary