cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm Formation by Aggregation Substance Expression in an Ex Vivo Model of Cardiac Valve Colonization

Infectious endocarditis involves formation of a microbial biofilm in vivo. Enterococcus faecalis Aggregation Substance (Asc10) protein enhances the severity of experimental endocarditis, where it has been implicated in formation of large vegetations and in microbial persistence during infection. In the current study, we developed an ex vivo porcine heart valve adherence model to study the initial interactions between Asc10+ and Asc10− E. faecalis and valve tissue, and to examine formation of E. faecalis biofilms on a relevant tissue surface. Scanning electron microscopy of the infected valve tissue provided evidence for biofilm formation, including growing masses of bacterial cells and the increasing presence of exopolymeric matrix over time; accumulation of adherent biofilm populations on the cardiac valve surfaces during the first 2–4 h of incubation was over 10-fold higher than was observed on abiotic membranes incubated in the same culture medium. Asc10 expression accelerated biofilm formation via aggregation between E. faecalis cells; the results also suggested that in vivo adherence to host tissue and biofilm development by E. faecalis can proceed by Asc10-dependent or Asc10-independent pathways. Mutations in either of two Asc10 subdomains previously implicated in endocarditis virulence reduced levels of adherent bacterial populations in the ex vivo system. Interference with the molecular interactions involved in adherence and initiation of biofilm development in vivo with specific inhibitory compounds could lead to more effective treatment of infectious endocarditis.
The pharmacotherapy of the behavioral manifestations of the ICU syndrome

T HE OCCURRENCE of psychopathologic behavior has long been recognized to occur in critically ill patients and is commonly referred to as the ICU syndrome. First introduced during the 1960s following reports of a high incidence of delirium (38% to 70%) after open heart surgery,lM3 the term ICU syndrome currently refers to an acute state of delirium. It is important for the physician to be aware of the neuropsychiatric problems that may arise in the ICU setting since they can contribute significantly to the patient’s morbidity and mortality.4 The incidence of psychiatric complications in the ICU ranges from 7s4 to 57K2 Studies indicate that the incidence may approach the higher value because in many cases mental disturbances are undetected by the staff. The incidence may be underestimated because patients who appear psychologically normal after major surgery or trauma may conceal severe, but temporary, hallucinations, confusion, delusion, and disorientation.’
Multiple myeloma: 2013 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management.

Disease overview Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. Diagnosis The diagnosis requires 10% or more clonal plasma cells on bone marrow examination or a biopsy proven plasmacytoma plus evidence of associated end-organ damage. In addition, the presence of 60% or more clonal plasma cells in the marrow is also considered as myeloma regardless of the presence or absence of end-organ damage. Risk stratification In the absence of concurrent trisomies, patients with 17p deletion, t(14;16), and t(14;20) are considered to have high-risk myeloma. Patients with t(4;14) translocation are considered intermediate-risk. All others are considered as standard-risk. Risk-adapted initial therapy Standard-risk patients can be treated with lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd), or a bortezomib-containing triplet such as bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone (VCD). Intermediate-risk and high-risk patients require a bortezomib-based triplet regimen. In eligible patients, initial therapy is given for approximately 4 months followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Standard-risk patients can opt for delayed ASCT if stem cells can be cryopreserved. In patients are not candidates for transplant, initial therapy is given for approximately 12–18 months. Maintenance therapy After initial therapy, lenalidomide maintenance is considered for standard-risk patients who are not in very good partial response or better, while maintenance with a bortezomib-based regimen should be considered in pateints with intermediate or high-risk myeloma. Management of refractory disease Patients with indolent relapse can be treated first with two-drug or three-drug combinations. Patients with more aggressive relapse often require therapy with a combination of multiple active agents. Am. J. Hematol. 88:225–235, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectroscopic factors from /d, p/ reactions.

Spectroscopic factor dependence of revised model for deuteron stripping in /d, p/ reactions, noting scattering cross section role
Communication between older patients and their physicians

This article provides an overview of communication between older patients and their physicians. The authors discuss distinctive features of geriatric medical visits and empirical investigations of communication between physicians and older patients in real life clinical encounters highlighting the content, interactional processes, and outcomes of care. They also discuss strategies for improving communication between physicians and older patients using new and innovative technologies. The authors conclude that healing in its broadest sense can occur only through a humanistic approach to geriatric care.
A System for Programming and Controlling Sensor-Based Robot Manipulators

This paper describes an approach to programming and controlling robot manipulators which facilitates the use of sensory information. Robot actions are specified by declaring software servo processes which control the robot's various degrees of freedom. These servo processes can involve position, orientation, force, and torque information from the robot itself, or data from external sensors. Robot tasks are programmed by dynamically modifying the servo processes or by changing set points to these processes. Condition monitors, which have access to program and sensory information, detect the completion of program steps.
Pathological gambling and substance misuse.

This paper first discusses the ways in which pathological gambling (a disorder of impulse control) and substance misuse are similar. It then examines research focusing on substance misuse among pathological gambles, and research on pathological gambling among substance misusers, focusing on a study examining gambling among 462 methadone patients from New York City. That study found that 21% of the sample were probable pathological gamblers, while an additional 9% were problem gamblers, i.e., they had some problem related to their gambling. The treatment implications of these findings and future research directions are also discussed.
3He neutron detector design for active detection of cargo containers

We report on the design of a neutron detector using industry standard 3 He tubes to count delayed neutrons during the interrogation of cargo containers for the presence of Special Nuclear Material (SNM). Simulations of the detector design were run for delayed neutron spectra for a variety of cargos containing SNM using the Monte Carlo computer code COG. The simulations identified parameters crucial to optimize the detector design. These choices include moderating material type and thickness, tube spacing, tube pressure and number of tubes. An experimental prototype was also constructed based on the simulated design specifications. This paper discusses the parameters that lead up to the optimized detector design. It also compares the performance of the Monte Carlo simulated design and the experimental detector when exposed to a 239 Pu-Be source.
Nonlinear Flutter of Composite Panels Under Yawed Supersonic Flow Using Finite Elements

A finite element formulation is presented for the effects of arbitrary flow direction on the large-amplitude supersonic flutter of composite panels. The von Karman large-deflection plate theory is used to account for large-amplitude limit-cyde oscillations, quasisteady first-order piston theory aerodynamics is employed for aerodynamic loading, and first-order shear deformation theory is used for laminated composite panels. An efficient solution procedure is presented by using the modal transformation to reduce the number of nonlinear panel flutter equations and then applying the linearized updated mode with nonlinear time function approximation to the reduced nonlinear panel flutter modal equations. A modal participation is defined and the minimum number of linear modes for accurate and converged limit-cycle response can be ensured. Examples are given for isotropic and composite panels at yawed supersonic flow.
Comparative Analyses of Functional Reaches of Older Mexican American Adults

Older Mexican American adults have greater difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADL) compared to other older adult groups. Differences in functional upper extremity anthropometry measures may help explain higher incidences of ADL difficulties among older Mexican American adults. Hence, as a first step, the objectives of this study were to compare baseline limiting outer fingertip and grip reaches of older Mexican Americans with published and available functional anthropometry data from other older adult groups. Older Mexican American females and males, aged 60–85+, recruited from Senior Centers in the City of El Paso, participated in the study. Stature, vertical fingertip and grip reaches, and horizontal fingertip and grip reaches, among other dimensions, were measured. Summary statistics, percentiles, and correlations between dimensions were generated for elderly Mexican American females and males. For overall comparison of Mexican American older adult anthropometry with other older adult...
Fast-scanning two-photon fluorescence imaging based on a microelectromechanical systems two-dimensional scanning mirror

Towards overcoming the size limitations of conventional two-photon fluorescence microscopy, we introduce two-photon imaging based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanners. Single crystalline silicon scanning mirrors that are 0.75 mm x 0.75 mm in size and driven in two dimensions by microfabricated vertical comb electrostatic actuators can provide optical deflection angles through a range of approximately16 degrees . Using such scanners we demonstrated two-photon microscopy and microendoscopy with fast-axis acquisition rates up to 3.52 kHz.
Organizational perspectives on the formation and disintegration of terrorist groups

Abstract This article treats terrorist organizations as political interest groups. Starting from the assumption that terrorists are rational political actors, it follows that organizational considerations will play a role in the formation and decline of terrorist groups, just as is the case in other political organizations. The effects of several factors, including recruitment, ability to provide selective and purposive incentives, the need for entrepreneurial political leadership, competition from other organizations, the ability to attract outside support, and the ability to form coalitions with other groups, are considered.
"Judgable" people: personality, behavior, and competing explanations.

"Judgability" discriminates people who are open and knowable from those who are closed and enigmatic. The current study investigated this individual difference characteristic and its personality and behavioral correlates. Subjects (N = 164) were videotaped interacting with a partner of the opposite sex. They completed several personality measures, and each subject was described by 2 friends. Three indices--subject-peer agreement, peer-peer agreement, and peer-behavior agreement--formed a reliable composite index of judgability. The correlates of judgability included extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and, more generally, psychological adjustment.
Physical constraints in design of a lowest-phase noise SiGe VCO

Low phase noise oscillators are critical to signal recognition and separation in poor reception conditions. Typically the choice is between a large, high performance hybrid oscillator or a lower performance integrated solution. It is possible to use integrated circuit components to construct a high performance oscillator, but only with great attention to detail. Every IC component has to be optimized in parallel to balance the constraints of spiral inductors, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors, somewhat lossy varactors, and active devices with breakdown limitations. Physical implementation is critical; some locations are insensitive to trace resistance, other areas are sensitive to even tiedown placement. This paper is intended to discuss, and demonstrate the last mile of integrated circuit VCO design for robust systems, which is less discussed, but maybe just as important as innovative circuit approaches.
Environmental stress crack growth in low-density polyethylene

Abstract Stages of environmental stress cracking in low-density polyethylene were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Environmental stress cracking was induced in a surfactant bath using two well established methods. It was found that both crazes and shear bands appear on specimen surfaces during the early stage of stress cracking. Elliptical cracks subsequently grow out of the shear bands and ultimately connect to form macroscopic cracks. In addition to the appearance of the elliptical cracks, subsurface cracks formed in specimens subjected to bending. Fracture initiates when the subsurface cracks ultimately join with the surface cracks generated from shear bands. The formation of crazes and shear bands is explained by adsorption of the polar surfactant and subsequent plasticization in locally stressed regions in the polyethylene. The growth of elliptical cracks from shear bands is consistent with a model first proposed by Isaken, Newman and Clark in 1963 for the environmental stress cracking of high density polyethylene.
Heart rate as a predictor of future blood pressure in schoolchildren.

Heart rate (HR) has been shown to predict future blood pressures (BP) in studies in adults. We explored the relation of HR to future BP levels in a cohort of 344 black and 456 white schoolchildren ages 5 to 19 years, to examine the hypothesis that HR predicts subsequent BP even very early in life. After making baseline measurements, BP was assessed longitudinally 1 to 24 additional times (mean = 8.25) after the baseline period, at intervals of approximately 6 months. We found that HR was significantly related to future diastolic BP in the black boys (P = .016) after adjusting for baseline diastolic BP, age, and body mass index, but not in the black girls or in the white children. Because HR is reflective of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity that in turn can be related to the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), we also explored the relation of HR to the RAS by studying relationships to variants in the angiotensinogen gene and the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. We found a significantly positive relationship of HR to the presence of the deletion allele of the ACE gene (P = .0015), but, again, only in the black boys. Because blacks in general appear to retain additional sodium when compared with whites, the SNS, as reflected in the HR, may influence BP more when individuals have increased sodium retention. In summary, baseline HR predicted future diastolic BP in the black boys but not in the black girls or in the white children.
Constant volume specific heat at constant volume and at zero pressure volume

Abstract Using an Improved Self-Consistent Phonon calculation including three phonon processes, the difference between the constant volume specific heat at constant volume ( C υ ( T, V O )) and at zero pressure volume ( C υ ( T, V ( T ))) is shown for the inert gas solids.
A novel hemidesmosomal plaque component: tissue distribution and incorporation into assembling hemidesmosomes in an in vitro model.

Abstract The hemidesmosome and its associated structures, such as anchoring fibrils, form a complex structure, the polypeptide composition of which has only recently begun to be elucidated. We describe the characterization of a monoclonal antibody, mAb6A5, directed against a 200-kDa polypeptide found in the cytoplasmic-most area of the hemidesmosomal plaque. This 200-kDa polypeptide is immunologically distinct from the 180- and 230-kDa hemidesmosomal plaque components recognized by bullous pemphigoid (BP) autoantibodies. mAb6A5 recognizes hemidesmosomes of stratified squamous epithelia in a number of species, including human tissue. mAb6A5 also recognizes pseudo-stratifled epithelium, but not simple or transitional epithelia. During de novo hemidesmosome assembly in an in vitro model of epithelial wound healing, the 200-kDa polypeptide is in most instances deposited at the epithelialstromal interface after plaque components recognized by BP autoantibodies, but before the collagen type VII component of anchoring fibrils. We discuss possible mechanisms of hemidesmosomal plaque assembly.
Towards Single Molecule Infrared Vibrational Spectroscopy and Dynamics

We demonstrate ultrafast infrared vibrational free-induction decay probing in scattering-scanning near-field microscopy. We observe long-lived few picosecond vibrational coherences, far in excess of the far-field ensemble response.
Understanding the factors influencing the performance of software development groups: An exploratory group-level analysis

Abstract The increasing complexity and size of software systems makes the performance and productivity of the software development activity a critical issue. Most studies of software development performance to date have focused on individual software developers. However, software development, especially for large-scale software projects, is a group effort in which the characteristics of the group itself play an important role. The paper examines the variation in the performance of software development groups as a function of the characteristics of the group itself. Using data from 31 software development groups, we examined the influence of the group's cohesiveness, total experience in software development and capability on the group's performance level. The influence of cohesiveness and capability was found to be strong and significant while the influence of experience was the weakest. The results from this exploratory research provide interesting insights into the issue of software development performance and offer important implications for development teams working on software projects.
Concept for a laser guide beacon Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor with dynamically steered subapertures.

We describe an innovative implementation of the Shack–Hartmann wave-front sensor that is designed to correct the perspective elongation of a laser guide beacon in adaptive optics. Subapertures are defined by the segments of a deformable mirror rather than by a conventional lenslet array. A bias tilt on each segment separates the beacon images on the sensor’s detector. One removes the perspective elongation by dynamically driving each segment with a predetermined open-loop signal that would, in the absence of atmospheric wave-front aberration, keep the corresponding beacon image centered on the subaperture’s optical axis.
The nasolabial fold: a photogrammetric analysis

The nasolabial fold was analyzed by studying changes with aging in the nasolabial fold and adjacent soft-tissue features. Chronologic photographs were obtained from 19 older subjects, taken approximately every 10 years, from age 20 to their present age. In a separate phase of the study, facial portraits in repose and smiling were taken of young and old adult subjects with a mechanical frame used for setting an objective point of reference. Facial landmarks were identified and depth measurements were made in the anteroposterior direction. Relative lengths of selected points also were determined in the other dimensions (in the coronal plane) from photographs; these distances were normalized by using lower face length (distance from medial canthus to menton) for the vertical orientation and interpupillary distance to normalize horizontal dimensions. It was found that with aging there is anterior, lateral, and inferior displacement of the cheek mass with a resultant deepening of the nasolabial fold, while relationships between the upper lip and the fold itself remain constant. Also with age, the lateral commissure was found to move laterally, while the apparent angle of the nasolabial fold was decreased; this latter dimension was reflected by a decrease in the horizontal component of the fold length. These results support the theory that nasolabial fold deepening with age is caused by changes in the cheek mass and its support.
Statistical learning of API mappings for language migration

The process of migrating software between languages is called language migration or code migration. To reduce manual effort in defining the rules of API mappings for code migration, we propose StaMiner, a data-driven model that statistically learns the mappings between API usages from the corpus of the corresponding methods in the client code of the APIs in two languages.
Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) Control Charts for Monitoring an Analytical Process

The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is very effective in detecting small shifts in process mean or variance, but so far has not been well presented in the field of analytical chemistry. The main difference from the Shewhart chart is that the EWMA chart combines current data with historical observations by essentially taking a weighted average with weighting factor w of the most current sample observations and historical observations. We show that the EWMA chart with 0.05 < w < 0.20 is more effective in detecting small shifts in mean and variance than the Shewhart chart. In addition, the EWMA chart can also be used to forecast the observation in the next period, which can help analysts take preventive actions before process departures to the out-of-control state. Another advantage of using the EWMA chart is its good performance for observations that are not normally distributed or are autocorrelated.
Structural Analysis of Hybrid Titania-Based Mesostructured Composites

High-optical-quality titania-based mesostructured films with cubic or 2D-hexagonal symmetry were fabricated by combining trifluoroacetate (TFA)-modified titanium precursors with amphiphilic triblock poly(ethylene oxide)−poly(propylene oxide)−poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO−PPO−PEO) copolymers. The distribution, dynamics, and local environments of the TFA-modified titania, PEO, and PPO components of the hybrid were investigated. IR/Raman spectroscopy, in situ small-angle X-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that TFA coordinates the titanium center and forms a stable complex that is subsequently organized by the block copolymer species into ordered mesostructures. Solid-state NMR 19F→1H cross-polarization, 13C{1H} two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation, and 1H relaxation techniques were used to determine that PEO is predominantly incorporated within the TFA-modified titania, and that PPO environments encompass both microphase separated regions and interfacial regions composed...
The bargaining relationship between foreign mnes and host governments in latin america

The relationship between international firms and national governments can usefully be understood in terms of bargaining theory. This article develops an explicit model of the bargaining relationshi...
Restoration of universality for the rod-to-coil transition scaling in the infinite-dimensionality limit: Exact results for directed walks

We derive scaling forms for the thermodynamic and correlation quantities for the turn-weighted fully and partially directed self-avoiding walks on the hypercubic lattices ind⩾2. In the grand canonical (fixed fugacity per step) ensemble, the conformational rod-to-coil transition sets up in the regimew¯N=O(1), wherew is the weight of each 90° turn and¯N is the (fugacity-dependent) average number of steps. Contrary to the conventional critical phenomena wisdom, the scaling functions for the two different walk models, directed and partially directed, become universal only in the limitd→∞.
Intrinsic Electronic Transport Properties of High-Quality Monolayer and Bilayer MoS2

We report electronic transport measurements of devices based on monolayers and bilayers of the transition-metal dichalcogenide MoS2. Through a combination of in situ vacuum annealing and electrostatic gating we obtained ohmic contact to the MoS2 down to 4 K at high carrier densities. At lower carrier densities, low-temperature four probe transport measurements show a metal–insulator transition in both monolayer and bilayer samples. In the metallic regime, the high-temperature behavior of the mobility showed strong temperature dependence consistent with phonon-dominated transport. At low temperature, intrinsic field-effect mobilities approaching 1000 cm2/(V·s) were observed for both monolayer and bilayer devices. Mobilities extracted from Hall effect measurements were several times lower and showed a strong dependence on density, likely caused by screening of charged impurity scattering at higher densities.
Variation in the Hatteras Front density and velocity structure Part 2: Historical setting

Abstract On the continental shelf near Cape Hatteras, cool fresh Mid-Atlantic Bight and warm salty South Atlantic Bight shelf waters converge alongshelf 90% of the time, causing strong alongshelf gradients in temperature and salinity known as the ‘Hatteras Front’. The resulting density gradient supports strong shoreward velocities in the cross-shelf oriented ‘nose’, of the Front in wintertime. To investigate further, the Frontal Interactions near Cape Hatteras (FINCH) project used shipboard ADCP and a towed undulating CTD to examine Hatteras Front property, density and velocity fields in August 2004, January 2005, and July 2005. Strong property gradients were encountered across the nose of the Hatteras Front in all cases, but the density gradient, dynamic height gradient, and observed along-front cross-shelf velocities evolved in time. FINCH along-Front velocities were strong and shoreward in fall and winter, and weakly mixed shoreward and seaward in July. Several archived data sets were examined, and demonstrate that the density evolution and wind forcing seen in FINCH are characteristic of other years. Evidence suggests the width of the Hatteras Front does not vary dramatically in time, so that consistently large fall and winter density contrast across the Front implies consistently large shoreward velocities along it in winter. Weak density contrasts across the Hatteras Front in spring suggest the magnitude and sign of springtime density gradients and along-Front velocities could vary interannually. Recruitment success of commercially important stocks on the shelf that depend on cross-shelf transport may thus be affected year to year.
Evidence shows concentration polarization and its propagation can be key factors determining electroosmotic pump performance

Abstract Porous structures with submicron pore diameters and low ionic strength electrolytes yield more efficient electroosmotic (EO) pumps. For these conditions, however, electric double layers may carry a substantial portion of ionic current, creating an imbalance between current carried by anions versus cations. This leads to the formation of net neutral regions of ion depletion and enrichment on opposite sides of the pump. We visualize ionic concentration enrichment and depletion using a custom visualization setup with an embedded porous glass EO pump. Visualizations and conductance measurements indicate that concentration polarization (CP) zones are formed and propagate in EO pump systems with order 100–1000 μM ionic strength. To date, no EO pump model has taken CP into account and yet CP has a significant effect on pumping rate and power consumption. We propose pore-volume-to-surface-area ratio as a new Duhkin number length scale for predicting CP regimes in EO pumps. CP and its propagation can have profound and long-range effects on ionic conductivity and electric fields in EO pumps.
"Pete the Great": A Biography of Peter Doyle

Offers a biography of Peter Doyle that "fills in some of the missing pieces about this enigmatic figure"; begins with Doyle's boyhood in Ireland and his passage to America, and provides the most in-depth exploration thusfar of Doyle, illuminating his relationship with Whitman.
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) Regulates the Recruitment of Early Stromal Progenitors into Colony Formation

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) Regulates the Recruitment of Early Stromal Progenitors into Colony Formation
Treatment of hypertension in children

This review summarizes the current approach to antihypertensive therapy in children. It focuses on newer drugs, taking into account changes in clinical practice that have occurred since publication of the second Task Force report. Non-pharmacological therapy, including weight reduction, exercise, and dietary intervention, has great potential for the effective reduction of blood pressure. It should be introduced not only in patients with “significant” hypertension, but also in the care of patients with high normal blood pressure and to complement drug therapy for patients with “severe” hypertension. The goal of antihypertensive drug therapy is reduction of blood pressure to a level below the 95th percentile for age and sex. Attempts to rapidly achieve normal blood pressure immediately after starting therapy are contraindicated. The objective of emergency treatment is prevention of hypertension-related adverse events, and this usually requires only a modest reduction in blood pressure. Nifedipine has become the most commonly used drug for emergency treatment of asymptomatic children. Exceptionally severe elevations of blood pressure or the presence of symptoms should be treated with more potent intravenous drugs. The converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers currently are the primary agents for chronic treatment of hypertension in children. Diuretics are usually reserved for hypertensive patients with renal disease. β-Adrenergic blocking drugs also are effective but have a number of potential adverse effects. Prazosin generally is used as a second-line agent, if the above-noted drugs are ineffective. Although minoxidil is still one of the most effective antihypertensive agents, its associated adverse effects have limited its usefulness.
Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies: A “Tier 1” Approach to Promoting English Learners' Response to Intervention

This study determined the effectiveness of Kindergarten Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (K—PALS) for English Learners (ELs). We compared 20 K—PALS ELs to 20 Control ELs and to 20 K—PALS non-ELs on early reading skill acquisition, using a pretest—posttest control group design with matched samples. We also compared proportions of ELs unresponsive to K—PALS to ELs unresponsive to traditional instruction. Teachers implemented K—PALS 4 times per week for 18 weeks. Following intervention, analyses of covariance on posttest measures indicated that K—PALS ELs performed reliably higher than Control ELs on measures of phonemic awareness and letter sound recognition, and they performed similarly to K—PALS non-ELs. Findings are discussed in terms of K—PALS efficacy for ELs in a response-to-intervention framework.
Surgery for emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic debilitating disease with limited therapeutic options. The rejuvenation and promulgation of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in the mid-1990s provided a potential surgical treatment and new promise for selected emphysema patients. Early widespread application of LVRS and the glowing publications reporting overwhelmingly positive results brought this issue to the attention of the entire thoracic surgery community. Debates occurred at both medical and surgical meetings regarding patient selection, surgical techniques, and the true value of the procedure. However, it was in the regulatory, judicial, and legislative arenas where the most strident controversy occurred. A Medicare review of claims revealed significantly higher morbidity and mortality following LVRS than had been publicly acknowledged or reported. In addition, the lack of a randomized clinical trial demonstrating the benefit of the procedure led to the refusal by Medicare to reimburse for LVRS. It was one of the few times in memory that thoracic surgeons were administratively prohibited from providing a treatment to their patients that most considered to be of significant clinical benefit. As such, it helped bring to realization that in the future, the introduction of innovative new tools and procedures will require surgeons to be engaged not only in the operating room but in the regulatory arena as well. In the future, the thoracic surgery community may well look back on the introduction of LVRS as a watershed event that profoundly changed the nature and process of surgical innovation in this country. The recent publication of the results of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial has helped answer many of the lingering questions regarding LVRS. This issue of the Chest Surgery Clinics of North America deals with the surgical and medical management of end-stage emphysema and thus seems particularly timely Guest Editor
Does chemisorbed carbon monoxide dissociate on rhodium

Abstract Isotopic exchange measurements have shown that at surface temperatures below 800 K, the upper limit on the probability of dissociation/recombination of CO on Rh(111) is approximately 10 −3 . Related Auger spectroscopic measurements, monitoring the accumulation of atomic carbon on the surface, have shown that the maximum probability of dissociation of CO per collision with the Rh surface in a temperature range between 300 and 870 K is 10 −4 . Hence, it has been demonstrated that the probability of dissociation of CO on Rh(111) is negligible compared to the probability of molecular desorption, in contrast to recent reports in the literature concerning both polycrystalline Rh and stepped surfaces of Rh.
Digital contract approach for consistent and predictable multimedia information delivery in electronic commerce

ABSTRACT A pure "technological" solution to network quality problems is incomplete since any benefits from new technologiesare offset by the demand from exponentially growing electronic commerce (e.g., multimedia services) and data-intensive applications. Since an economic paradigm is implicit in electronic commerce, we propose a "market-system" approach to improve quality of service. Quality of service for digital products takes on a different meaningsince users view quality of service (e.g., price, delay, correctness, completeness) differently and value informationdifferently. We propose a framework for electronic commerce that is based on an economic paradigm and mass-customization, and works as a wide-area distributed management system. In our framework, surrogate-servers act asintermediaries between information providers and end-users, and arrange for consistent and predictable informationdelivery through "digital contracts." These contracts are negotiated and priced based on economic principles.Surrogate servers pre-fetch, through replication, information from many different servers and consolidate based ondemand expectations. In order to recognize users' requirements and process requests accordingly, real-timedatabases are central to our framework. We also propose that multimedia information be separated into slowlychanging and rapidly changing data streams to improve response time requirements. Surrogate-servers perform thetasks of integration ofthese data streams that is transparent to end-users.Keywords: Economic paradigm, Electronic Commerce, Multimedia, Real-time databases, Digital Contracts
Gestational weight gain within recommended ranges in consecutive pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Objective to examine whether, among parous women, adherence to gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations in the most recent previous pregnancy is associated with adherence to GWG recommendations in the current pregnancy. Design retrospective cohort study. Setting review of labour and delivery records from a Massachusetts tertiary-care centre. Participants 1,325 women who delivered two consecutive singletons from April 2006 to March 2010. Measurements pre-pregnancy weight status and adherence to GWG recommendations were categorised using 1990 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. Analyses were stratified by weight status before the second pregnancy. Findings 56% and 46% of women gained more than 1990 IOM recommendations during the first and second of consecutive pregnancies; 57% gained within the same adherence category in both pregnancies. Excessive GWG during the first pregnancy was strongly associated with excessive gain during the second pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.4 [95% CI: 1.7–16.4] for underweight, 3.7 [95% CI: 2.4–5.5] for normal weight, 3.0 [95% CI: 1.2–7.6] for overweight, and 5.3 [95% CI: 2.4–11.7] for obese women). Inadequate gain in the first of consecutive pregnancies was strongly associated with subsequent inadequate GWG for underweight women (AOR=13.7; 95% CI: 3.9–48.0), normal weight women (AOR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.7–5.1), and obese women (AOR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.4–9.3). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses using IOM 2009 guidelines. Key conclusions adherence to GWG recommendations in consecutive pregnancies is highly concordant. Implications for practice consideration of GWG during previous pregnancies may facilitate discussions about GWG during prenatal care.
Xylem: An Operating System for the Cedar Multiprocessor

Based on version 4.2 of Unix, this system is being implemented in an extended version of C and features systems calls to support multiprocessing within individual programs.
Effect of ethanol on cholecystokinin-induced enzyme secretion from isolated rat pancreatic acini

Abstract Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK 8 )-stimulated amylase release in isolated rat pancreatic acini was inhibited over 30% by 600 mM ethanol. The configuration of the dose-response curve for CCK 8 , however, in the presence of ethanol was similar to that of the control. Amylase release elicited by maximal concentrations of CCK 8 (300 pM) was inhibited by increasing concentrations of ethanol (0.3 to 1.3 M), and this inhibition was concentration dependent. In addition, the binding of [ 125 I]CCK 33 to specific membrane receptors on acini was inhibited by ethanol in a dose-dependent manner. A positive correlation between the inhibitory effects of ethanol on CCK binding and CCK-induced amylase release was observed. Furthermore, these inhibitory effects of ethanol were reversible. Basal amylase release, however, was increased 20–50% by ethanol between the concentrations of 0.3 and 1.3M; higher concentrations caused a leakage of amylase from the acini both in the absence and presence of 300 pMCCK 8 . This is confirmed by 51 Cr release from prelabeled acini which revealed no significant damage to acinar cell membrane between 0.3 and 1.6 M ethanol, but significant damage to acini at higher concentrations. These data suggest that the 600 mM ethanol-induced inhibition of CCK action in acini is due to reversible perturbation of the acinar cell membrane.
An engineering analysis of plastic wave propagation in the Taylor test

A new one-dimensional analysis of the Taylor impact test is presented. This analysis differs from any previously presented in that the wave mechanics are separated from the calculation of dynamic stress. The new results utilize post test measurements to estimate key parameters in the plastic wave propagation. However, these measurements are incorporated into the analysis in a very unconventional way. A comparison with continuum code calculations shows very good agreement has been achieved.
Ophthalmic vehicles: the effect of methylcellulose on the penetration of homatropine hydrobromide through the cornea.

Abstract The therapeutic effectiveness of a drug may be profoundly influenced by the vehicle in which it is administered. This is especially true of ophthalmic medication. Three formulations were investigated on nine individuals, aged 15-30, to determine their effectiveness as aqueous ophthalmic vehicles for homatropine hydrobromide. They were identical in electrolyte content, preservative content, and pH, but differed in methylcellulose content. They contained 1 per cent methylcellulose, 0.1 per cent methylcellulose, or no methylcellulose. Homatropine hydrobromide administered in 1 per cent methylcellulose induced greater cydoplegia and mydriasis at almost all doses. It is believed that the greater effectiveness is probably a result of increased viscosity rather than a lowering of surface tension caused by the methylcellulose. The methylcellulose reduced reflex lachrymation and caused no eye irritation or damage. The technique used provides a simple efficient method for further development and testing of new ophthalmic vehicles.
Quantitative interpretation of three- dimensional weakly refractive phase objects using holographic interferometry

Quantitative interpretation of three dimensional weakly refractive phase objects using holographic interferometry, determining index of refraction
Linking Macro and Micro Levels: Bringing the Workers Back into the Sociology of Work

Simpson describes the evolution of industrial sociology from a field devoted to the study of work groups within organizations in the 1930s-1950s to one focused on a diverse set of macrostructural forces in the 1970s-1980s. Accompanying this transformation are a shift away from a view of workers as actors and less attention being paid to the ways that structures affect workers. Nevertheless recent studies of the labor process labor markets and earnings determination have increasingly focused on workers actions and on links between macro and micro levels. (authors)
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Protein Antigenic Structure

Recent advances in the preparation of synthetic peptide vaccines and the use of synthetic peptides as probes of antigenic structure and function have led to renewed interest in the prediction of antigenic sites recognized by antibodies and T cells. This review focuses on antibodies. Features intrinsic to the antigen, such as hydrophilicity and mobility, may be useful in the selection of amino acid sequences of the native protein that will elicit antibodies cross-reacting with peptides, or sequences which, as peptides, will be more likely to elicit antibodies cross-reactive with the native protein. Structural mobility may also contribute to protein-protein interactions in general. However, the entire accessible surface of a protein is likely to be detectable by a large enough panel of antibodies. Which of these antibodies are made in any individual depends on factors extrinsic to the antigen molecule, host factors such as self-tolerance, immune response genes, idiotype networks, and the immunoglobulin structural gene repertoire.
Chronic ethanol feeding alters miRNA expression dynamics during liver regeneration.

Background Adaptation to chronic ethanol (EtOH) treatment of rats results in a changed functional state of the liver and greatly inhibits its regenerative ability, which may contribute to the progression of alcoholic liver disease. Methods In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic EtOH intake on hepatic microRNA (miRNA) expression in male Sprague–Dawley rats during the initial 24 hours of liver regeneration following 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) using miRNA microarrays. miRNA expression during adaptation to EtOH was investigated using RT-qPCR. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) binding at target miRNA promoters was investigated with chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results Unsupervised clustering of miRNA expression profiles suggested that miRNA expression was more affected by chronic EtOH feeding than by the acute challenge of liver regeneration after PHx. Several miRNAs that were significantly altered by chronic EtOH feeding, including miR-34a, miR-103, miR-107, and miR-122 have been reported to play a role in regulating hepatic metabolism and the onset of these miRNA changes occurred gradually during the time course of EtOH feeding. Chronic EtOH feeding also altered the dynamic miRNA profile during liver regeneration. Promoter analysis predicted a role for NFκB in the immediate-early miRNA response to PHx. NFκB binding at target miRNA promoters in the chronic EtOH-fed group was significantly altered and these changes directly correlated with the observed expression dynamics of the target miRNA. Conclusions Chronic EtOH consumption alters the hepatic miRNA expression profile such that the response of the metabolism-associated miRNAs occurs during long-term adaptation to EtOH rather than as an acute transient response to EtOH metabolism. Additionally, the dynamic miRNA program during liver regeneration in response to PHx is altered in the chronically EtOH-fed liver and these differences reflect, in part, differences in miRNA expression between the EtOH-adapted and control livers at the baseline state prior to PHx.
Sustained efforts should promote statistics literacy in physiology. Commentary on "Guidelines for reporting statistics in journals published by the American Physiological Society: the sequel".

douglas curran-everett, dale benos, and the editors of the American Physiological Society journals are to be commended for their efforts to raise the standards of statistics reporting in physiology journals. I read with interest the followup (in this issue) to the 2004 guidelines ([2][1]), and I am
Spontaneous circulation return after termination of resuscitation efforts for cardiac arrest following embolization of a ruptured common hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm

Abstract Return of spontaneous circulation after termination of resuscitation attempts for cardiac arrest is an extremely rare event. Here we describe an unusual case of a 50-year-old man with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a ruptured common hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm who survived after termination of resuscitation attempts for cardiac arrest during coil embolization. One month earlier, he had undergone total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy secondary to Stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma. Immediately after the deployment of a Nester coil in the common hepatic artery at the site of a pseudoaneurysm, he sustained cardiopulmonary arrest. After 30 minutes of resuscitation attempts, he died. Approximately 2 minutes after he was pronounced dead, his spontaneous cardiopulmonary circulation resumed. After placement of additional coils in the common hepatic artery, he fully recovered without neurologic disability.
Increased bisecting N-acetylglucosamine and decreased branched chain glycans of N-linked glycoproteins in expressed prostatic secretions associated with prostate cancer progression.

Purpose Using prostatic fluids rich in glycoproteins like prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) , the goal of this study was to identify the structural types and relative abundance of glycans associated with prostate cancer status for subsequent use in emerging mass spectrometry-based glycopeptide analysis platforms.