cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rare case of metastatic small cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx to the pancreas

We present a 49-year-old woman with a history of an unresectable nasopharyngeal small cell carcinoma (SCC) who was treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. On surveillance positron emission tomography scan 14 months after diagnosis, her primary tumour appeared stable, but there was fludeoxyglucose uptake in the pancreas. A CT scan demonstrated a 3.4×2.1 cm ill-defined soft tissue mass at the tail of the pancreas, which was concerning for adenocarcinoma. However, further workup including endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration confirmed the mass to be a metastasis from her nasopharyngeal SCC. Because there have been no previously reported cases of a metastatic small cell carcinoma to the pancreas, there are no data about prognosis. Thus treatment options were tailored to the patient. Distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. The patient recovered from surgery without complication.
A Case Report on Endovascular Aortic Repair Rupture.

Endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a widely accepted alternative to open surgical AAA repair. A ruptured AAA is among the emergency surgeries with the highest risk of death, with an overall mortality rate close to90%. However, the classic symptom triad for ruptured AAAs of hypotension, a pulsatile mass, and abdominal/back pain is seen in only in 25% to 50% of affected patients. Thus, many present with symptoms and signs that suggest adifferent diagnosis. Recognizing uncommon presentations and limitations of imaging and interpretation, in addition to clinical gestalt, can save many lives. This report discusses an unusual case involving a previously repaired AAA presenting with acute rupture at the endograft site.
Analysis of Energy Consumption at Public Charging Stations, a Nebraska Case Study

Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging stations can have a significant influence on the electric grid and its reliability. In order to evaluate the influence of rapid penetration of PEVs and their charging infrastructure on the electric grid, and assess their potential benefits to the future micro-grid, statistical analysis of PEV charging behavior is essential for planning as well as running public charging stations in different areas. In this paper, 27,481 charging sessions from public charging stations in the state of Nebraska are analyzed to determine the relationship between energy consumption, time, and location of charging. A multinomial logistic regression model is presented to aid utility companies in anticipating the charging demand of PEV users, as well as the impact on the electric grid at increasing PEV penetration rates.
Combining DL-Methionine and Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis : Prospects for a Mosquito Larvicide

Mosquito larvicides can reduce mosquito populations at the source, potentially decreasing biting rates and pathogen transmission. However, there is a growing need for mosquito larvicides that are environmentally sustainable. Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (BTI) is a naturally occurring bacterium commonly used as a larvicide to manage mosquito populations. Methionine is an essential amino acid that has demonstrated toxic properties against larval mosquitoes in laboratory experiments, while having minimal effects on non-target organisms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential for a novel combination larvicide by testing for compatibility between these two active ingredients. We began by determining the lethal concentration values (LCs) of BTI and DL-methionine against Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. These bioassays were conducted in glass jars and mortality was observed 48 h post-treatment. We found that while DL-methionine was more toxic to An. quadrimaculatus than Ae. aegypti, the opposite was true for BTI. Then, we used these LCs to conduct bioassays with a combination of BTI and DL-methionine to determine the relationship between the two active ingredients when used against An. quadrimaculatus and Ae. aegypti larvae. The findings of this study demonstrate that BTI and DL-methionine have the potential to be complementary due to their additive properties at higher concentrations and effect levels when tested against An. quadrimaculatus. However, an antagonistic relationship was detected at the concentrations tested with Ae. aegypti. These results are encouraging and imply that a DL-methionine or BTI/DL-methionine combination larvicide could be used in management of Anopheles species.
A randomized study of lyric analysis on recognition, taking steps, and commitment to sobriety in adults on a detoxification unit

Background: Motivation represents a core concept in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment while commitment constitutes a compelling construct lacking empirical investigation. Although music therap...
Eating disorder severity and psychological morbidity in adolescents with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa and premorbid overweight/obesity.

A significant proportion of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) or atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) experience premorbid overweight/obesity, yet distinct characteristics among this subset of patients remain unclear. This study examined eating disorder (ED) symptom severity, psychological morbidity, and weight stigma in patients with premorbid overweight/obesity as compared to patients with premorbid normal weights. Participants included adolescents with AN or AAN (aged 12–18) who received multidisciplinary treatment at a pediatric medical center in the United States. ED symptoms, anxiety, and depression were compared among patients with premorbid overweight/obesity (n = 43) and premorbid normal weights (n = 63). Associations between weight stigma, ED severity, and psychological morbidity were also examined. Patients with premorbid overweight/obesity reported greater ED severity (p = 0.04), anxiety (p < 0.003), depression (p = 0.02), and a higher frequency of weight-based teasing by peers (p = 0.003) and parent weight talk about their own weights (p < 0.001). Weight-based teasing was positively associated with ED symptoms, anxiety, and depression for all patients, regardless of premorbid weight status. Adolescents with AN or AAN and a history of overweight/obesity may present with greater ED symptom severity and psychological morbidity than patients with normal weight histories. Distinct prevention and treatment interventions for adolescents with AN or AAN and premorbid overweight/obesity may be warranted. Level III, case–control analytic study.
Un vuelco narrativo

Lo que estaba latente en la decada de los sesenta era el desplazamiento producido en el documental clasico respecto a su relacion con la ficcion dominante. La division ficcion-documental aparece prematuramente en el cine mudo. La division se produce como reaccion de un grupo de cineastas que rechazaban la hegemonia de la ficcion sobre la produccion mundial del cine.
Do Founders Need a Second-in-Command?

To compensate for their professional limitations, founders that hold the CEO position in large firms are often encouraged to hire a “second-in-command” (i.e., a COO or President). Surprisingly, how...
Total artificial hearts: past, present, and future

A practical artificial heart has been sought for >50 years. An increasing number of people succumb to heart disease each year, but the number of hearts available for transplantation remains small. Early total artificial hearts mimicked the pumping action of the native heart. These positive-displacement pumps could provide adequate haemodynamic support and maintain the human circulation for short periods, but large size and limited durability adversely affected recipients' quality of life. Subsequent research into left ventricular assist devices led to the use of continuous-flow blood pumps with rotating impellers. Researchers have attempted to integrate this technology into modern total artificial hearts with moderate clinical success. The importance of pulsatile circulation remains unclear. Future research is, therefore, needed into positive-displacement and rotary total artificial hearts.
RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF HIGH-UTILIZATION RAILWAY CARS

Mathematical models for failures in high–utilization railway cars manufactured in 1965 and 1966 have shown that the failure rate and reliability can be adequately described using a Weibull distribution. The reliability of Trailer Train high–utilization cars after ten years of operation exceeds 0.99. In other words, after ten years service, 990 of every 1000 cars purchased would be operating without failure. In the first five years, the reliability is only slightly decreased from one: fewer than two cars per thousand will have failed after only five years of operation. It has been clearly demonstrated in this study that failures can be reduced through proper inspection and maintenance. If a standard reliability or car failure rate were specified by federal standards, it would be a simple matter to establish a matching inspection interval. Unfortunately, these do not exist in the Federal Car Safety Standards.
Odontoid Screw Fixation

Anterior odontoid screw fixation is ideal for fixation of unstable odontoid fractures and is superior to posterior C1–2 arthrodesis as it preserves C1–2 rotational movement and obviates the need for autograft bone harvest. This method has become increasingly popular since the time it was introduced by Bohler (J Bone Joint Surg Am 64:18–27, 1982), and it is now widely used to treat unstable type II and shallow type III odontoid fractures. The goals of odontoid screw fixation are immediate stabilization of type II odontoid fractures or shallow type III odontoid fractures with no need for external orthosis.
Three generations of poverty: A note on the life of an unskilled worker's family

(1974). Three generations of poverty: A note on the life of an unskilled worker's family. Labor History: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 78-85.
Intermediate filament organization, reorganization, and function in the clawed frog Xenopus.

Publisher Summary Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) are arguably the most enigmatic component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. IF subunit proteins (IFPs) are a highly conserved common feature of vertebrate cells, where, they often form a substantial and largely insoluble network. The disruption of IF organization in cultured cells has little, if any, effect on cellular morphology or behavior. Even in the context of the intact organism, the absence of normally abundant IF networks have been seen to produce surprisingly subtle effects. It is also clear that IFs play critical roles in the maintenance of epidermal integrity, neuronal axon diameter, and muscle-extracellular matrix attachment sites. This chapter chose the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis for the studies of IF organization and function based on its economy (particularly when compared to mice) and the fact that Xenopus has been the focus of many recent studies on the cell biology of axis formation and cellular differentiation during embryogenesis. Xenopus offers unique experimental opportunities to study; (1) the cellular control of IF organization, (2) the processes of IF assembly/disassembly during the cell cycle, and (3) the role of IFs and associated structures in complex cellular functions.
Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: a new light on an old subject.

The role of bilirubin as a cause of central nervous system morbidity in the newborn infant has been well recognized for several decades. The specific serum concentration that leads to cellular injury, as well as the precise mechanism of damage, are as yet unclear but general principles of therapy have been established. Early detection of hyperbilirubinemia is based on the clinical assessment of dermal icterus followed by appropriate serum tests to determine the degree of serum bilirubin elevation. The relationship of dermal icterus and serum bilirubin concentration has intrigued clinicians for more than a century.1 In an attempt to utilize skin color as an index of hyperbilirubinemia many techniques have been investigated.
Adapting a diet from sugar to meat: double‐dealing genes of Streptococcus pyogenes

Summary Intuitively, paralogues created by gene duplication should retain related functions. However, a study of the two lactose metabolic operons of Streptococcus pyogenes, reported in this issue of Molecular Microbiology, indicates that paralogues might evolve very different functions, in this case changing from a metabolic enzyme to a regulator of virulence. Divergence of paralogues could be a newly recognized theme in the metamorphosis of a bacteria from innocuous to pathogenic.
Efficacy of Error for the Correction of Initially Incorrect Assumptions and of Feedback for the Affirmation of Correct Responding: Learning in the Classroom

Participants completed 5 classroom examinations during which the timing of knowledge of results (no feedback: Scantron form; delayed feedback: end-of-test, 24 hour delay; immediate feedback: educator, response form) and iterative responding (1 response, up to 4 responses) were manipulated. At the end of the semester, each participant completed a 100-item final examination which included 10 items randomly selected from each classroom examination, plus 50 entirely new items. Neither the source of feedback nor the number of responses permitted influenced performance on classroom examinations but both factors interacted significantly to enhance the final examination performance of participants provided with immediate feedback and iterative responding. The correction of initially inaccurate strategies by combining immediate feedback with iterative responding was not differentially effective as a function of information source: educator or the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF AT) form. For these participants, response identification accuracy, confidence ratings, and retention were higher and inaccurate perseverative responding was lower. Performance on the final examination permits the preliminary quantification of how immediate feedback coupled with iterative responding, when used during classroom examinations that contain items that will be repeated on a cumulative final examination, not only assesses student knowledge but also teaches in a manner that promotes the retention of course materials.
Evaluating the feasibility of utilizing the small molecule phenamil as a novel biofactor for bone regenerative engineering

Osteoblast cell adhesion and differentiation on biomaterials are important achievements necessary for implants to be useful in bone regenerative engineering. Recombinant bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been shown to be important for these processes; however, there are many challenges associated with the widespread use of these proteins. A recent report demonstrated that the small molecule phenamil, a diuretic derivative, was able to induce osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in vitro via the canonical BMP signalling cascade (Park et al., 2009). In this study, the feasibility of using phenamil as a novel biofactor in conjunction with a biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide acid) (PLAGA) polymeric scaffold for engineering bone tissue was evaluated. The in vitro cellular behaviour of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on PLAGA scaffolds in the presence of phenamil at 10 μM were characterized with regard to initial cell adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and matrix mineralization. The results demonstrate that phenamil supported cell proliferation, promoted ALP activity and facilitated matrix mineralization of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, in this study, we found that phenamil promoted integrin-mediated cell adhesion on PLAGA scaffolds. It was also shown that phenamil encapsulated within porous, microsphere PLAGA scaffolds retained its osteogenic activity upon release. Based on these findings, the small molecule phenamil has the potential to serve as a novel biofactor for the repair and regeneration of bone tissues. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Describing, Resampling, Validating, and Simplifying the Model

Before addressing issues related to describing and interpreting the model and its coefficients, one can never apply too much caution in attempting to interpret results in a causal manner. Regression models are excellent tools for estimating and inferring associations between an X and Y given that the “right” variables are in the model. Any ability of a model to provide causal inference rests entirely on the faith of the analyst in the experimental design, completeness of the set of variables that are thought to measure confounding and are used for adjustment when the experiment is not randomized, lack of important measurement error, and lastly the goodness of fit of the model.
Psychotherapy with Infants and Young Children: Repairing the Effects of Stress and Trauma on Early Attachment

When Development Falters: Putting Relationships First. Coping with Danger: The Stress-Trauma Continuum. Practicing Child-parent Psychotherapy: Treatment Targets and Strategies. The Assessment Process. "Not Quite Good Enough": Perturbations in Early Relationships. Ghosts and Angels in the Nursery: Treating Disturbances and Disorders. Variations in Child-parent Psychotherapy. Lapses in Attunement: Failures in the Therapeutic Relationship. Integrating Child-parent Psychotherapy with Other Service Systems. Closing Thoughts: Taking Perspective.
Analysis of One-to-One Autoparametric Resonances in Cables — Discretization vs. Direct Treatment

We discuss solution methods for nonlinear vibrations of cables having small initial sag-to-span ratios. One-to-one internal resonances between the in-plane and out-of-plane modes as well as primary resonances of the in-plane mode are considered. Approximate solutions are obtained by two different approaches. In the first approach, the method of multiple scales is applied directly to the governing partial-differential equations and boundary conditions. In the second approach, the equations are first discretized, and then the method of multiple scales is applied to the resulting ordinary-differential equations. It is shown that treatment of the discretized system is inaccurate compared to direct treatment of the partial-differential system. Discrepancies between the two solutions appear even at the first level of approximation. Stability analyses of the amplitude and phase modulation equations for both methods are also performed.
Transition Probabilities for Symmetric Jump Processes

We consider symmetric Markov chains on the integer lattice in d dimensions, where a ∈ (0, 2) and the conductance between x and y is comparable to |x-y| -(d+α) . We establish upper and lower bounds for the transition probabilities that are sharp up to constants.
Bayes classification based on minimum bounding spheres

The minimum bounding sphere of a set of data, defined as the smallest sphere enclosing the data, was first used by Scholkopf et al. to estimate the VC-dimension of support vector classifiers and later applied by Tax and Duin to data domain description. Given a set of data, the minimum bounding sphere of each class can be computed by solving a quadratic programming problem. Since the spheres are constructed for each class separately, they can be used to deal with the multi-class classification problem easily, as proposed by Zhu et al. In this paper, we show that the decision rule proposed by Zhu et al. is generally insufficient to achieve the state-of-the-art classification performance. We, therefore, propose a new decision rule based on the Bayes decision theory. This new decision rule significantly improves the performance of the resulting sphere-based classifier. In addition to its low computational complexity and easy expandability to multi-class problems, the new classifier achieves comparable performance to the standard support vector machines on most of the real-world data sets being tested.
Liquid-based cytologic specimen studies to screen for cervical dysplasia in rural El Salvador

Abstract Objective: To evaluate an alternative tool (ThinPrep; Cytye Corporation, Boxborough, Mass, USA) for cervical cancer screening in rural El Salvador. Methods: Cervical samples were obtained from 471 women attending health fairs in rural El Salvador. The samples were read by American and Salvadoran pathologists after a 1-week training course in liquid-based cytologic studies in the United States. Results: The system evaluated detected a significantly higher number of high-grade and above lesions than conventional cytologic studies (P = 0.01). There were 0.4% and 1.7% of high-grade lesions and above detected with conventionally prepared slides in the United States and El Salvador, respectively, and 3.2% and 3.8% of such lesions detected with liquid-based samples in the United States and El Salvador. Intra-observer agreement among the pathologists reading the samples was substantial for the ThinPrep system, with a κ value of 0.6. Conclusion: A short workshop is effective in training pathologists to use ThinPrep. In the studied population, liquid-based studies appear to offer significant advantages over conventional cytologic studies for detecting high-grade lesions.
STUDIES IN SAXIFRAGA. III. SAXIFRAGA. SECTION MICRANTHES

Perennis caudice breve fibroso caule florifero scapiforme 24-30 cm. alto tota longitudine pilis glanduliferis brevibus dense obsita, folia basalia ascendentia tenua plana 3-1O cm. longa lamina elliptica vel oblonga vel ovatooblonga plus minusve remote dentata vel denticulata in petiolum longum sensim contracta, juvenculis infra obscure pubescentibus et margine ciliolatis adultis infra glabris vel subglabris, inflorescentiae rami pauci graciles adscendentes superne abbreviati prophyllis parvis linearibus instructis, flores pauci parvi sepala oblonga vel ovato-oblonga vel triangularia obtusa circa I.5-3 mm. longa viridia I-3-nervia in anthesi valde reflexa sparse glanduloso-ciliolata et ebscure et irregulariter denticulata, petala alba parva sepalis subaequilonga vel longiora circa 2-3 mm. longa obtusa retusa late unguiculata uninervia nervo medio i-2-ramoso, stamina filamenta clavata sepalis petalisque subaequilonga antherae rubiginosae, carpidia dua distincta circa 4-5 mm. longa ovariis hypanthio ad medium longitudinis adnatiis disco valde lobato instructiis in stilos crassos divergentes subito contractis stigmatibus discoideis. Fructum non vidi. Plants perennial from a short fibrous oblique caudex; flowering stems 24-30 cm. high, densely glandular pubescent with short hairs throughout its entire length, branching above into an open, rather few-flowered cymose paniculate inflorescence of a very few slender spreading ascending branches which are much shortened upwards, -are subtended by small linear bracts. and terminate in small, loose, mostly 2-3-flowered, glomerules. Leaves basal, ascending-spreading up to io cm. long, flat and mostly very thin, the blades elliptic to oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse, mostly remotely and shallowly dentate to serrate-dentate, or denticulate, when young glandular ciliolate and obscurely glandular pubescent beneath but becoming glabrous or nearly so with age, all tapering more or less gradually into a long thin flat, basally sheathing, petiole. Flowers small; sepals broadly to narrowly oblong-ovate or oblong, more or less obscurely denticulate, and very sparsely or scatteringly minutely glandular ciliolate, green and strongly reflexed at anthesis; petals small, up to 3 mm., white, about equalling or sometimes exceeding the sepals, but frequently varying considerably in size in the same flower, long, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, more or less rounded and notched at the apex and tapering abruptly into a broad claw at the base, the solitary midrib frequently with one or two short ascending lateral branches from the middle region; stamens Io, slightly exceeding the sepals at anthesis but elongating with age, the anthers deep to pale rose-red, becoming whitish with age, introrse, the filaments clavate but appearing subulate with age; carpels 2, distinct, up to 5 mm. in length; ovaries deeply adnate to the turbinate receptacle and expanded into a rather strongly but irregularly lobed gland immediately above the insertion of the stamens, and strongly contracted upwards into rather
Analog and Digital Communication Systems

Signal Analysis. Linear Systems. Probability and Random Analysis. Baseband Transmission. Amplitude Modulation. Angle Modulation. Source Encoding. Channel Encoding. Baseband Digital Communication. Digital Modulation. Design Consideration. Appendices: References Fourier Transforms Pairs Error Function Q Function.
Service Orientation, Bus–Rail Service Integration, and Transit Performance: Examination of 45 U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Service orientation is one of the most important decisions that a transit manager makes. A manager can concentrate service on the central business district (CBD) or disperse service to connect multiple destinations. Conventional wisdom suggests that transit managers should focus on serving the CBD, because that—such wisdom suggests—is where riders wish to travel. In some places, the service orientation decision is complicated by the need to define the specific role to be played by rail service. Some managers may view rail transit as part of an integrated network structure. Other managers may view it simply as the functional equivalent of a high-capacity bus route. This research examines the relationship between service orientation, bus-rail service integration, and transit performance in U.S. metropolitan areas with between 1 million and 5 million people. Metropolitan areas that have integrated their rail transit into a decentralized network structure are found to enjoy higher riding habit, higher service...
Professional caring: Homecare workers as fictive kin

Abstract In this article, the collaboration of both the care recipient and the caregivers to negotiate the social expectations of the appropriateness of family with the economic and situational realities of formal assistance are explored. The data for this project are drawn from intensive interviews (N=39) that were conducted as part of a larger evaluation study of a midwestern state's SRS Income Eligible and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) programs. The introduction of professional strangers (homecare workers), into a sphere of intimacy is sometimes accomplished by constructing a familial relationship with the client. Thus the familial-type tasks provided by the stranger-caretaker can be reconstructed as appropriate and the realm of privacy and intimacy can be maintained. By “adopting” their homecare workers as fictive kin, the elder is able to maintain a sense of the cultural ideal of family caregiving. This also enables the elder to place kin expectation levels on the homecare worker, which can go well beyond the “assigned” duties of a respite employee. Additionally, the fictive kin relationship appears to provide the homecare worker with a positive feeling and a sense of meaning in her work.
Anecdotes [Difference Engine]

This paper describes Charles Babbage's early thoughts on table creation and the use of finite differences, the origins of the Analytical Engine, and the 1991 reconstruction of the Difference Engine at the Science Museum in London in time for Babbage's 200th birthday anniversary.
Propagation of RML Prions in Mice Expressing PrP Devoid of GPI Anchor Leads to Formation of a Novel, Stable Prion Strain

PrP(C), a host protein which in prion-infected animals is converted to PrP(Sc), is linked to the cell membrane by a GPI anchor. Mice expressing PrP(C) without GPI anchor (tgGPI⁻ mice), are susceptible to prion infection but accumulate anchorless PrP(Sc) extra-, rather than intracellularly. We investigated whether tgGPI⁻ mice could faithfully propagate prion strains despite the deviant structure and location of anchorless PrP(Sc). We found that RML and ME7, but not 22L prions propagated in tgGPI⁻ brain developed novel cell tropisms, as determined by the Cell Panel Assay (CPA). Surprisingly, the levels of proteinase K-resistant PrP(Sc) (PrP(res)) in RML- or ME7-infected tgGPI⁻ brain were 25-50 times higher than in wild-type brain. When returned to wild-type brain, ME7 prions recovered their original properties, however RML prions had given rise to a novel prion strain, designated SFL, which remained unchanged even after three passages in wild-type mice. Because both RML PrP(Sc) and SFL PrP(Sc) are stably propagated in wild-type mice we propose that the two conformations are separated by a high activation energy barrier which is abrogated in tgGPI⁻ mice.
Use of Speech by Children From Total Communication Programs Who Wear Cochlear Implants

This study examined whether children who are deaf acquire usable speech or continue to rely primarily on manual communication when they are enrolled in a total communication setting following recei...
Protein Export by the Mycobacterial SecA2 System is Determined by the Preprotein Mature Domain

At the core of the bacterial general secretion (Sec) pathway is the SecA ATPase, which powers translocation of unfolded preproteins containing Sec signal sequences through the SecYEG membrane channel. Mycobacteria have two nonredundant SecA homologs: SecA1 and SecA2. While the essential SecA1 handles “housekeeping” export, the nonessential SecA2 exports a subset of proteins and is required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence. Currently, it is not understood how SecA2 contributes to Sec export in mycobacteria. In this study, we focused on identifying the features of two SecA2 substrates that target them to SecA2 for export, the Ms1704 and Ms1712 lipoproteins of the model organism Mycobacterium smegmatis. We found that the mature domains of Ms1704 and Ms1712, not the N-terminal signal sequences, confer SecA2-dependent export. We also demonstrated that the lipid modification and the extreme N terminus of the mature protein do not impart the requirement for SecA2 in export. We further showed that the Ms1704 mature domain can be efficiently exported by the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway. Because the Tat system exports only folded proteins, this result implies that SecA2 substrates can fold in the cytoplasm and suggests a putative role of SecA2 in enabling export of such proteins. Thus, the mycobacterial SecA2 system may represent another way that bacteria solve the problem of exporting proteins that can fold in the cytoplasm.
A Basin to Channel-Scale Unstructured Grid Hurricane Storm Surge Model Applied to Southern Louisiana

Abstract Southern Louisiana is characterized by low-lying topography and an extensive network of sounds, bays, marshes, lakes, rivers, and inlets that permit widespread inundation during hurricanes. A basin- to channel-scale implementation of the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) unstructured grid hydrodynamic model has been developed that accurately simulates hurricane storm surge, tides, and river flow in this complex region. This is accomplished by defining a domain and computational resolution appropriate for the relevant processes, specifying realistic boundary conditions, and implementing accurate, robust, and highly parallel unstructured grid numerical algorithms. The model domain incorporates the western North Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea so that interactions between basins and the shelf are explicitly modeled and the boundary condition specification of tidal and hurricane processes can be readily defined at the deep water open boundary. The unstructured grid enables highly refi...
A CapG gain-of-function mutant reveals critical structural and functional determinants for actin filament severing.

CapG is the only member of the gelsolin family unable to sever actin filaments. Changing amino acids 84–91 (severing domain) and 124–137 (WH2-containing segment) simultaneously to the sequences of gelsolin results in a mutant, CapG-sev, capable of severing actin filaments. The gain of severing function does not alter actin filament capping, but is accompanied by a higher affinity for monomeric actin, and the capacity to bind and sequester two actin monomers. Analysis of CapG-sev crystal structure suggests a more loosely folded inactive conformation than gelsolin, with a shorter S1–S2 latch. Calcium binding to S1 opens this latch and S1 becomes separated from a closely interfaced S2–S3 complex by an extended arm consisting of amino acids 118–137. Modeling with F-actin predicts that the length of this WH2-containing arm is critical for severing function, and the addition of a single amino acid (alanine or histidine) eliminates CapG-sev severing activity, confirming this prediction. We conclude that efficient severing utilizes two actin monomer-binding sites, and that the length of the WH2-containing segment is a critical functional determinant for severing.
The role of interfaces in fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composites

Abstract The dominant influence of fiber coatings on the mechanical performance of brittle matrix composites is addressed. These effects are described in terms of two independent mechanical parameters, the debond energy, Γ i , and the sliding resistance along the debond, τ. Complications associated with mode mixity, roughness and coating microstructure are emphasized. A mechanics of composite behavior based on these parameters is described, together with measurement approaches that allow Γ i and τ to be evaluated either in situ or in model composites. Key problems associated with fiber coatings are identified and discussed.
Detection of telomerase-positive circulating epithelial cells in ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract The aim of this study is the detection of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients. We applied immunomagnetic beads coated with an epithelial or leukocyte-specific antibody to isolate epithelial cells from peripheral blood and we measured their telomerase activity. Both enrichment methods showed high sensitivity and specificity to isolate ovarian tumor cells from peripheral blood. Our data also suggested that disseminated ovarian tumor cells isolated from ascites consistently express telomerase enzyme. We have tested epithelial cell enriched blood samples from 20 stage III patients, 8 stage IV patients and 30 healthy volunteers for telomerase activity. Telomerase activity was detectable in the blood samples of all stage IV patients (100%) and seven stage III patients (35%), but none of the healthy donors. Our results showed that CA-125 level, an established diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer, is significantly higher in telomerase-positive patients than telomerase-negative patients. In summary, our data demonstrated that this non-invasive blood test is sensitive and specific for detecting disseminated ovarian epithelial cells and telomerase is a potential marker for the detection of circulating ovarian tumor cells.
Is there any significance in the different types of columnar mucosa in Barrett's esophagus?

Is there any significance in the different types of columnar mucosa in Barrett's esophagus?
Buoyancy-drag mix model obtained by multifluid interpenetration equations.

In this paper, a buoyancy drag equation for describing the motion of the edges of a mixing zone driven by Rayleigh-Taylor or Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities is derived from the multifluid interpenetration mix model equations of Scannapieco and Cheng [Phys. Letters A 299, 49 (2002)]. This derivation provides a physics foundation for a large class of phenomenological buoyancy-drag mix models and also establishes a physical connection between the microscopic collision frequency and the macroscopic fluid drag coefficient. The predicted values for model parameter ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{s{s}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ in the multifluid interpenetration mix model, from the Rocket-Rig experiments, is in the range of 0.043--0.125 depending upon the Atwood number. The results are also in good agreement with inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions.
Helix geometry and hydration in an A-DNA tetramer: IC-C-G-G.

Abstract The DNA oligomer of sequence I C-C-G-G has been synthesized, and its X-ray crystal structure solved at a resolution of 2.0 A, using anomalous scattering from iodines in phase analysis: 48 cycles of Jack-Levitt restrained least-squares refinement resulted in a residual error of 19.9% over all data, or 16.5% for two-sigma data. Two double-helical tetramers stack in the crystal to form a continuous octamer, except for the two missing phosphate connections across the center. The octamer has a mean helix rotation of 33.7 ° (10.7 base-pairs per turn), rise of 2.87 A, mean inclination angle of base-pairs of 14 °, and mean base-pair propeller twist of +16.3 °. Local variations in both helix rotation and base plane roll angles, including those across the center of the octamer, are as predicted from base sequence by sum functions Σ 1 and Σ 2 . The three known DNA octamers: I C-C-G-G/ I C-C-G-G, G-G-T-A-T-A-C-C and G-G-C-C-G-G-C-C, make up a graded series in this order, with monotonically changing structural parameters. An exhaustive comparison of torsion angle correlations among the known A helices confirms some structural expectations and reveals some new features. 86 water molecules have been located per double-helical I C-C-G-G tetramer (the asymmetric unit), of which 45 1 2 per tetramer lie within a first hydrogen-bonded shell of hydration. No ordered water structure is observed comparable to the minor groove spine of hydration in B -DNA.
Feasibility of audit and feedback to reduce postoperative urinary catheter duration.

BACKGROUND: Indwelling urinary catheter duration is an important risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). OBJECTIVE: To audit patient-level postoperative catheter duration and measure the impact of its feedback to nursing staff on postoperative catheter duration and CAUTI rates. DESIGN: Preobservational and postobservational study. SETTING: Two surgical units at an urban academic medical center. PATIENTS: Postoperative patients with indwelling urinary catheters. INTERVENTION: Audit and feedback of postoperative urinary catheter duration to nurses during an educational session. MEASUREMENTS: Patient-level postoperative catheter duration obtained from electronic clinical documentation. Mean catheter duration and proportion of patients with postoperative catheter duration <3 days were determined. RESULTS: Following the intervention, the mean postoperative catheter duration decreased (1.7-1.4 days [P = 0.01] on orthopedic surgery, and 2.6 to 2.2 days [P = 0.01] on general surgery). The proportion of patients with catheter duration <3 days increased significantly on orthopedic surgery (86-92% [P = 0.04]), and nonsignificantly on general surgery (56-63% [P = 0.14]). When adjusted for length of stay differences, the odds of catheter duration <3 days on general surgery increased from 1.38 (P = 0.14) to 1.69 (P = 0.02). The CAUTI rates did not significantly decrease. The rate on orthopedic surgery dropped from 8.9 infections per 1000 device-days to 0 (confidence interval [CI], −1.1 to 18.3); on general surgery the rate was constant at 7 infections per 1000 device-days (CI, −12.1 to 10.8). CONCLUSIONS: Audit and feedback of aggregated patient-level urinary catheter duration determined from electronic documentation may prove effective in improving urinary catheter management for surgical patients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Incorporated Flow Patterns Into a Model of Two-Phase Heterogeneous Mixture Flow in Microchannels

In the two-phase or multiphase flow of such heterogeneous mixture like gas-liquid many more independent parameters are involved, thereby making this process more complicated and less transparent for understanding, mathematical modeling and simulating or calculating of such parameter like the length pressure gradient. In two-phase flow, there is a very complicated and random phenomenon of flow patterns, which needs to be quantitatively and accurately incorporated. Unfortunately, nowadays, a method of how to measure flow patterns is not available. And, also there is a need for mathematical models with quantitatively incorporated flow patterns in full range of flow. It is understandable that in all such cases any reasonable attempt to define and incorporate quantitatively this phenomenon in mathematical model will be beneficial. Recognizing these challenges this paper will present an approach to incorporate flow pattern phenomenon into the two-phase flow model by (1) developing a mathematical model for pressure losses in two-phase flow based on in-situ parameters, (2) developing and defining a flow pattern coefficient, which incorporates the flow pattern phenomena, and (3) present the developed mathematical model with the incorporation of flow patterns, which demonstrated significant increase of accuracy of calculations based on conducted experimental research on air-water twophase mixture flow in a horizontal square microchannel.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effect of clearance and material property on contact pressure in two-dimensional conforming cylinders

Abstract A numerical procedure is presented for solving the two-dimensional closely conforming elastic body contact problems. The line influence function is introduced in conjunction with the discretization of the integral equation. The ill-condition of a large scale linear system can be avoided by using an automatic mesh generation scheme to redefine the pressure area boundary. Numerical results have been verified by comparison with the analytical solution of Persson's. The effect of clearance and material properties on the contact pressure distribution are examined. Use of Hertz's theory will underestimate the peak pressure and overestimate the subtended angle. The results of the analysis has application in the design of certain mechanical joint elements and aligned journal bearings.
Multiblock sulfonated–fluorinated poly(arylene ether)s for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

New proton exchange membranes were prepared and evaluated as polymer electrolytes for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Sulfonated–fluorinated poly(arylene ether) multiblocks (MBs) were synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of highly activated fluorine terminated telechelics made from decafluorobiphenyl with 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol and hydroxyl-terminated telechelics made from 4,4′-biphenol and 3,3′-disulfonated-4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone. Membranes with various sulfonation levels were successfully cast from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. An increase sulfonated block size in the copolymer resulted in enhanced membrane ion exchange capacity and proton conductivity. The morphological structure of MB copolymers was investigated by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) and compared with those of Nafion® and sulfonated poly(arylene ether) random copolymers. AFM images of MBs revealed a very well defined phase separation, which may explain their higher proton conductivities compared to the random copolymers. The results are of particular interest for hydrogen/air fuel cells where conductivity at high temperature and low relative humidity is a critical issue.
Fluid dynamic studies to M equals 41 in helium.

Viscous and bluntness induced pressures for flat plates, wedges, cylinders and cones at Mach 41
Sequences required for induction of neurotensin receptor gene expression during neuronal differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells.

The promoter region of the mouse high affinity neurotensin receptor (Ntr-1) gene was characterized, and sequences required for expression in neuroblastoma cell lines that express high affinity NT-binding sites were characterized. Me2SO-induced neuronal differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells increased both the expression of the endogenousNtr-1 gene and reporter genes driven by NTR-1 promoter sequences by 3–4-fold. Deletion analysis revealed that an 83-base pair promoter region containing the transcriptional start site is required for Me2SO activation. Detailed mutational analysis of this region revealed that a CACCC box and the central region of a large GC-rich palindrome are the crucial cis-regulatory elements required for Me2SO induction. The CACCC box is bound by at least one factor that is induced upon Me2SO treatment of N1E-115 cells. The Me2SO effect was found to be both selective and cell type-restricted. Basal expression in the neuroblastoma cell lines required a distinct set of sequences, including an Sp1-like sequence, and a sequence resembling an NGFI-A-binding site; however, a more distal 5′ sequence was found to repress basal activity in N1E-115 cells. These results provide evidence that Ntr-1 gene regulation involves both positive and negative regulatory elements located in the 5′-flanking region and thatNtr-1 gene activation involves the coordinate activation or induction of several factors, including a CACCC box binding complex.
Supercooled Sulfuric Acid Droplets: Perturbed Stratospheric Chemistry in Early Winter

During the onset of polar winter in the stratosphere, before the formation of nitric acid ice clouds (referred to as polar stratospheric clouds, or PSCs), sulfate aerosol particles may catalyze heterogeneous chemical reactions that redistribute chlorine from reservoir species to more active forms. This activated chlorine can lead to ozone destruction in the fall and early winter, prior to the formation of PSCs, at middle and high latitudes over the winter half-year in both hemispheres. During periods of slow cooling, a significant fraction of ambient chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) may be processed into active chlorine through its reactions with water and HCl at the surfaces of dilute supercooled sulfuric acid droplets. This mechanism for chlorine activation may explain the occurrence of widespread regions of reduced ozone abundance in the Northern Hemisphere at high- and middle-latitudes outside of the polar vortex. Following major volcanic eruptions, a large increase in the surface area of sulfate particles could lead to significant repartitioning of chlorine species via the reaction of ClONO2 with H2O, even under midlatitude conditions, which may explain in part the detection of ozone reductions in volcanic clouds. Chemical transformation of other compounds may also be accelerated by the presence of dilute supercooled sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere, including the reaction of HOCl with HCl, and the hydrolysis of COF2 to HF; however, neither of these latter processes appear to have first-order significance for the chemistry of the stratosphere.
National and international strategies to control drug abuse.

Since drug problems continue to produce health problems in our society, it is important to understand world-wide issues favoring the continued existence of drug abuse. National decisions to attack the problem at the production end outside the U.S. have been viewed as being more efficient, more effective, less disruptive and less expensive than approaches to reduce consumption within our own boundaries. This review aims at clarifying the issues involved in national versus international strategies against drugs.