cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities

Chronic and comorbid conditions can lead to functional decline, an inability to live independently, and the need for residence in a long-term care facility (LTCF). Older individuals have a unique predisposition to developing infections compared to younger adults because of a number of risk factors. First, age-associated impairments in immunity make older persons more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Second, older adults often have a constellation of chronic and comorbid diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that place them at increased risk for common community-acquired infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI). Third, because of the functional limitations associated with advanced age, group living arrangements, and instrumentation of prosthetic, older individuals are at increased risk for aspiration pneumonia, outbreaks of gastroenteritis (e.g., norovirus), recurrent UTI, and prosthetic device infections. It is evident from the growing aging population worldwide, with increased residence in LTCFs, that infections in LTCF residents are an emerging infectious disease entity worldwide. Although rates of resistance to penicillin and cephalosporins appear to be stable, macrolide resistance continues to increase. Fluoroquinolone use predicts an increased risk of infection with fluoroquinolone-resistant pneumococci. Residence in LTCFs is growing with the aging global population. Infections in nursing home residents are prevalent and important causes of morbidity and mortality. Although not classically thought of as emerging infectious diseases, these common infections are increasing in the communal setting of long-term care and need to be considered in this way.
An epigenetic switch of let-7 targeted oncofetal genes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators that fine-tune gene expression. Despite the modest 2-fold repression that miRNA activity generally confers on a target, miRNAs are critical fo...
But Do the Lord Care

The slain rapper Tupac Shakur contributes indispensably to two contemporary theologies centered around the crucified people, the theological aesthetics of liberation presented by Roberto Goizueta and the theology of the lynching tree articulated by James Cone. Placing the pioneering work of Goizueta and Cone in conversation with existing scholarship on the theological importance of Shakur’s music, I argue that Tupac crafts a theological aesthetics of liberation aimed at illuminating the injustice and Christological implications of the hypersegregated ghetto and the black mass prison
The Lawyer and Public Service

In this essay, I will suggest a framework for understanding the evolution of conceptions of lawyers’ obligation to serve the public. Historically, the first way of viewing the lawyer’s role was as a member of America’s governing class. Second came cause lawyering on behalf of a particular issue. Third, and most recently, arose the idea of pro bono lawyering, a less ambitious incarnation of the governing class lawyer who contributes time to helping cause lawyers. These categories are not rigid: for each individual they may overlap to one degree or another. This framework is preliminary and requires further research and development. Nonetheless, it provides a useful tool for explaining how lawyers--and in particular the heroic lawyers described in this symposium--connect to public service and for identifying a basic strategic question the bar must answer in determining how best to encourage lawyers to engage in public service in the future.
Yeast DNA ligase IV mediates non-homologous DNA end joining

The discovery of homologues from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae of the human Ku DNA-end-binding proteins (HDF1 and KU80) has established that this organism is capable of non-homologous double-strand end joining (NHEJ), a form of DNA double-strand break repair (DSBR) active in mammalian V(D)J recombination. Identification of the DNA ligase that mediates NHEJ in yeast will help elucidate the function of the four mammalian DNA ligases in DSBR, V(D)J recombination and other reactions. Here we show that S. cerevisiae has two typical DNA ligases, the known DNA ligase I homologue CDC9 and the previously unknown DNA ligase IV homologue DNL4. dnl4 mutants are deficient in precise and end-processed NHEJ. DNL4 and HDF1 are epistatic in this regard, with the mutation of each having equivalent effects. dnl4 mutants are complemented by overexpression of Dnl4 but not of Cdc9, and deficiency of Dnl4 alone does not impair either cell growth or the Cdc9-mediated responses to ionizing and ultraviolet radiation. Thus, S. cerevisiae has two distinct and separate ligation pathways.
Loss of Water by Excretion and Defaecation in the Tsetse Fly

1. The water content of the blood meal of tsetse flies is reduced from 79 to about 55% within the first 3 hr. after feeding. 2. The water which is abstracted from the gut contents serves to bring the tissues of the fly to full hydration, and any excess is excreted. 3. The degree of dehydration of the gut content depends on the amount of blood taken, relatively more water being retained in partial feeds. 4. The water content of faecal matter is about 75% in flies maintained at high relative humidity throughout the hunger cycle, only 35% in flies maintained in dry air. The difference reflects a saving of more than 30% of the total water reserves of the fly under conditions of desiccation.
Compound-specific δ15N amino acid measurements in littoral mussels in the California upwelling ecosystem: a new approach to generating baseline δ15N Isoscapes for coastal ecosystems.

We explored δ15N compound-specific amino acid isotope data (CSI-AA) in filter-feeding intertidal mussels (Mytilus californianus) as a new approach to construct integrated isoscapes of coastal primary production. We examined spatial δ15N gradients in the California Upwelling Ecosystem (CUE), determining bulk δ15N values of mussel tissue from 28 sites between Port Orford, Oregon and La Jolla, California, and applying CSI-AA at selected sites to decouple trophic effects from isotopic values at the base of the food web. Bulk δ15N values showed a strong linear trend with latitude, increasing from North to South (from ∼7‰ to ∼12‰, R2 = 0.759). In contrast, CSI-AA trophic position estimates showed no correlation with latitude. The δ15N trend is therefore most consistent with a baseline δ15N gradient, likely due to the mixing of two source waters: low δ15N nitrate from the southward flowing surface California Current, and the northward transport of the California Undercurrent (CUC), with15N-enriched nitrate. This interpretation is strongly supported by a similar linear gradient in δ15N values of phenylalanine (δ15NPhe), the best AA proxy for baseline δ15N values. We hypothesize δ15NPhe values in intertidal mussels can approximate annual integrated δ15N values of coastal phytoplankton primary production. We therefore used δ15NPhe values to generate the first compound-specific nitrogen isoscape for the coastal Northeast Pacific, which indicates a remarkably linear gradient in coastal primary production δ15N values. We propose that δ15NPhe isoscapes derived from filter feeders can directly characterize baseline δ15N values across major biochemical provinces, with potential applications for understanding migratory and feeding patterns of top predators, monitoring effects of climate change, and study of paleo- archives.
Adaptive modeling, adaptive data assimilation and adaptive sampling

Abstract For efficient progress, model properties and measurement needs can adapt to oceanic events and interactions as they occur. The combination of models and data via data assimilation can also be adaptive. These adaptive concepts are discussed and exemplified within the context of comprehensive real-time ocean observing and prediction systems. Novel adaptive modeling approaches based on simplified maximum likelihood principles are developed and applied to physical and physical–biogeochemical dynamics. In the regional examples shown, they allow the joint calibration of parameter values and model structures. Adaptable components of the Error Subspace Statistical Estimation (ESSE) system are reviewed and illustrated. Results indicate that error estimates, ensemble sizes, error subspace ranks, covariance tapering parameters and stochastic error models can be calibrated by such quantitative adaptation. New adaptive sampling approaches and schemes are outlined. Illustrations suggest that these adaptive schemes can be used in real time with the potential for most efficient sampling.
Escoffier curves and inlet stability

Three forms of the hydraulic Escoffier curve relating the cross-sectional area of a tidal inlet to it’s connecting channel velocity are discussed along with assumptions and simplifications. Examples are provided of the methods for the same inlet parameters. These examples show large variability in the inlet stability depending on the method chosen. A recommendation is provided for the optimal methodology along with rationale for the choice.
EFFECT OF RIBAVIRIN ON VIRAL TRANSCRIPTION

We have examined the effect of ribavirin on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) RNA synthesis using a cell-free transcription system. Our prior data indicated that ribavirin had little effect on primary transcription of VSV mRNAs synthesized intracellularly, but that these RNAs were translated inefficiently. Consistent with these data, VSV cell-free transcription was inhibited only mildly (25%) by ribavirin triphosphate at 100 mg/ml. However, ribavirin diphosphate (RDF) and, to a lesser extent, ribavirin monophosphate, were 2-3 times as inhibitory at the same concentration. Transcripts synthesized in the presence of RDP were full lengthed. The inhibition by RDP could be reversed by increasing the concentration of GTP. However, reversal could also be achieved by increasing the concentration of UTP, CTP, and ATP, but not by the addition of GDP. RDP was added to a LaCrosse virus cell-free transcription assay to determine if an inhibitory effect could be established in a viral system more sensitive to ribavirin than VSV; addition of RDP to this reaction led to profound inhibition of RNA synthesis at concentrations as low as 0.1 ug/ml. These data suggest that in some viruses ribavirin may have a major direct effect on initial steps of transcription and that this effect may be mediated by the di- and monophosphorylated forms.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P immunoreactivity in rat trigeminal ganglia and brainstem following adjuvant-induced inflammation of the temporomandibular joint

The immunoreactivity of two inflammatory mediators, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P, was measured in the trigeminal ganglia and brainstem to characterize an adjuvant-induced inflammation within the rat temporomandibular joint at various acute (6, 24 and 48 h) and intermediate (10 day) time intervals. Concentrations of adjuvant-related neuropeptides were compared to those in both contralateral vehicle-related tissues and non-injected controls. By 6 h, CGRP immunoreactivity in the trigeminal ganglia was significantly above that in contralateral vehicle-injected tissue. The CGRP had decreased at each of the following time-points, but remained significantly elevated at 10 days. Substance P in the ganglion on the injected side was significantly increased for all four time periods. In brainstem subnucleus caudalis, CGRP was significantly increased for all four time periods. Substance P immunoreactivity in the subnucleus caudalis was significantly increased for the initial three time periods, but by day 10 had been reduced to that of the control. These data show that the pattern of changes in neuropeptides following the induction of inflammation is different between substance P and CGRP. Moreover, the pattern of change varies between the brainstem and the trigeminal ganglion. This suggests that the two neuropeptides may have different roles in the inflammatory process, and that this process may be modulated by different mechanisms at the brainstem and ganglion.
Thermal Neutron Absorption Cross Sections of Boron and Gold

The cross sections of boron and gold, which are widely used as standards for slow neutron measurements, have been determined as functions of wavelength. Total cross sections were measured in the wavelength range 1.5-10A with the Brookhaven slow chopper, the long wavelengths being used to minimize the effects of scattering. The absorption cross section of boron of "normal" isotopic constitution is 749\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 barns at 2200 m/sec (1.80A); the variation of cross section with boron source is expected to be only about 1 percent. The measurement of the gold cross section is complicated by the deviation from $\frac{1}{v}$ resulting from a nearby resonance and by grain orientation effects in the scattering. The 2200-m/sec value, resulting from measurements at long wavelength together with a small correction for the 4.9-ev resonance, is 98.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 barns.
Modeling industry-wide sediment oxygen demand and estimation of the contribution of sediment to total respiration in commercial channel catfish ponds

Abstract Data collected from 45 commercial channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , ponds were used to develop empirical models predicting sediment oxygen demand (SOD). Seven acceptable models were combined with a Monte-Carlo sampling distribution to predict industry-wide sediment oxygen demand (SOD i ). The SOD i values obtained from the best equation were used in simulations to assess the effect of diurnally varying water column dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations on SOD and the effect of pond water depth on the contribution of SOD to overall pond respiration. Estimated SOD i ranged from 62 to 962 mg m −2 h −1 , with a mean of 478 mg m −2 h −1 . There was a 95% probability of mean SOD i being ≥700 mg m −2 h −1 . The effects of diurnal variation in DO concentration in the water column on expression of SOD was modeled by combining maximum SOD i , an empirical relationship between DO and SOD, and simulated pond DO concentrations. At DO concentrations >15 mg l −1 , diel SOD in catfish ponds exceeded 20 g O 2 m −2 day −1 . But when average diel DO was −1 and the range of DO concentration was 6–8 mg l −1 , SOD decreased to 13 g O 2 m −2 day −1 because DO availability limited the full expression of potential SOD. Respiration totals for sediment (average SOD i ), plankton, and fish respiration were calculated for pond water depths ranging from 0.25 to 4 m. Although whole-pond respiration increases as pond depth increases, the proportion of total respiration represented by sediment decreased from 48 to 10% by increasing water depth over this range. The results of these studies show that SOD is a major component of total pond respiration and that certain management practices can affect the impact of SOD on pond oxygen budgets. Mixing ponds during daylight hours, either mechanically or by orienting ponds for maximum wind fetch, will increase oxygen supply to sediments, thereby allowing maximum expression of SOD and maximum mineralization of sediment organic matter. Given a mixed condition caused by wind or other artificial means, the construction of deeper ponds increases the total mass of DO available for all respiration, causing nighttime DO concentrations to decline at a slower rate, reducing the need for supplemental aeration. Because a pond’s water volume decreases over time from sediment accumulation, annual aeration costs will increase with pond age. Constructing ponds with greater initial depth will therefore reduce long-term cost of aeration, allow more flexible management of pond water budget, and reduce the long-term expense associated with pond reconstruction.
Advances in transgenic rat production

Predictable and reproducible production of transgenic rats from a standardized input of egg donors and egg recipients is essential for routine rat model production. In the course of establishing a transgenic rat service, transgenic founders were produced from three transgenes in outbred Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and four transgenes in inbred Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Key parameters that affect transgenesis efficiency were assessed, including superovulation treatments, methods to prepare pseudopregnant recipients, and microinjection technique. Five superovulation regimens were compared and treatment with 20 IU PMSG and 30 IU HCG was selected for routine use. Four methods to prepare pseudopregnant egg recipients were compared and estrus synchronization with LHRHa and mating to vasectomized males was selected as most effective. More than 80% of eggs survived microinjection when modified pronuclear microinjection needles and DNA buffers were used. The efficiencies of transgenic production in rats and C57BL/6J (B6J) mice were compared to provide a context for assessing the difficulty of transgenic rat production. Compared to B6J mice, SD rat transgenesis required fewer egg donors per founder, fewer pseudopregnant egg recipients per founder, and produced more founders per eggs microinjected. Similar numbers of injection days were required to produce founders. These results suggest that SD rat transgenesis can be more efficient than B6J mouse transgenesis with the appropriate technical refinements. Advances in transgenic rat production have the potential to increase access to rat models.
Impact of endurance training on murine spontaneous activity, muscle mitochondrial DNA abundance, gene transcripts, and function

We hypothesized that enhanced skeletal muscle mitochondrial function following aerobic exercise training is related to an increase in mitochondrial transcription factors, DNA abundance [mitochondri...
Side-Effects of Massage Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study of 100 Clients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the amount and type of negative side-effects and positive (unexpected) effects experienced after a massage session. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Massage clinic at a health sciences university. Subjects: Of the 100 new and returning massage therapy clients who agreed to participate, 91 completed all survey questions. Outcome measures: Telephone survey and medical chart review 2–7 days postmassage. Results: Overall, 10% of the massage clients experienced some minor discomfort after the massage session; however, 23% experienced unexpected, nonmusculoskeletal positive side-effects. The majority of negative symptoms started less than 12 hours after the massage and lasted for 36 hours or less. The majority of positive benefits began immediately after massage and lasted more than 48 hours. No major side-effects occurred during this study. Conclusions: This the first known study to define the rate of side-effects after massage therapy treatment. The...
Training of Residents and Medical Students in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dual Diagnosis Patients

Abstract Treatment of dual diagnosis patients requires simultaneous treatment of the addictive and the mental disorders. Available data suggest that this does not happen often. In a survey of several psychiatric services, the unit chiefs reported that dual diagnoses were underreported, no plans were present for combined treatment, families were infrequently involved, and few referrals were made for combined treatment. There is a need for competent, experienced clinician teachers who have had positive experience with the treatment of dual disorders. The training of addiction and mental health professionals must include cooperation, understanding, and respect for each other. Cross-training is needed in chemotherapy, psychotherapy, abstinence from alcohol and other addictive drugs, 12-Step programs, spiritual issues, and milieu therapy. Negative attitudes and ignorance must be overcome for this training to take place. Faculty Fellow training programs have provided a beginning in this direction, but have so f...
Contribution of canonical feed-forward loop motifs on the fault-tolerance and information transport efficiency of transcriptional regulatory networks

Abstract Motifs and degree distribution in transcriptional regulatory networks play an important role towards their fault-tolerance and efficient information transport. In this paper, we designed an innovative in silico canonical feed-forward loop motif knockout experiment in the transcriptional regulatory network of E. coli to assess their impact on the following five topological features: average shortest path, diameter, closeness centrality, global and local clustering coefficients. Additional experiments were conducted to assess the effects of such motif abundance on E. coli ’s resilience to nodal failures and the end-to-end transmission delay. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (i) motivate the design of more accurate transcriptional network growing algorithms that can produce similar degree and motif distributions as observed in real biological networks and (ii) design more efficient bio-inspired wireless sensor network topologies that can inherit the robust information transport properties of biological networks. Specifically, we observed that canonical feed forward loops demonstrate a strong negative correlation with the average shortest path, diameter and closeness centralities while they show a strong positive correlation with the average local clustering coefficient. Moreover, we observed that such motifs seem to be evenly distributed in the transcriptional regulatory network; however, the direct edges of multiple such motifs seem to be stitched together to facilitate shortest path based routing in such networks.
Muslim—Christian relations: questions of a comparative religionist

(1987). Muslim—Christian relations: questions of a comparative religionist. Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Journal: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 18-21.
Pseudolesion of the Chest: A Conglomerate Shadow on the Lateral Radiograph

A pseudolesion encountered in the lateral chest roentgenogram of normal patients is described. This concatenation of shadows can produce an opacity which projects over the distal aortic arch and can simulate a mass or pneumonia. This pseudolesion can be found in 4 to 5 percent of normal lateral chest films and is formed by superimposition of normal upper lobe vascular structures.
State control over private military and security companies in armed conflict

Introduction 1. The private security industry uncovered 2. State obligations and state responsibility 3. The attribution of PMSC conduct to the hiring state 4. Obligations of the host state 5. Obligations of the hiring state 6. Obligations of the home state Conclusion.
Solution of a Relativistic Three-Body Problem

Starting from a relativistic s -wave scattering-length model for the two-particle input we construct an unambiguous, unitary solution of the relativistic three-body problem given only the masses m a , m b , m c ,and the masses of the two-body bound states μ bc ,μ ca ,μ bc .
Zebrafish cancer: the state of the art and the path forward

The zebrafish has emerged as an important model system with which to investigate cancer, particularly for validating genomics data and for undertaking screens for oncogenes and drivers of tumour progression and metastasis. This Review outlines what we have learned and could still learn from cancer research using the zebrafish.
Relation of Colonic Transit to Functional Bowel Disease in Older People: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology underlying chronic constipation in older people is poorly understood. Our objective was to determine if functional bowel disease (particularly constipation) in this population is associated with risk factors (age, immobility, low dietary fiber intake, and medication use) or directly with slow colonic transit. METHODS: A previously validated questionnaire was administered to a random sample of older residents (age range 65–104 years, n = 1609) of Olmsted County, MN. A random subset who met standard diagnostic criteria for functional constipation (n = 52) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (n = 55) and a group without gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 93) were selected for further study. Each subject underwent structured interview and physical examination. Total caloric and fiber intake were assessed by dietitian interview, a food frequency questionnaire, and a food diary. Physical activity was assessed using a previously validated instrument. Medication use was determined by self-report, physician interview, and review of medical records. Total and segmental colonic transit was assessed radiographically using radio-opaque markers. RESULTS: Total colonic transit times were prolonged in subjects with functional constipation (median 50.4 hours) but not in subjects with IBS (median 34.2 hours) or in healthy controls (median 28.8 hours); however, only rectosigmoid transit was delayed significantly. Age, gender, physical activity, and dietary fiber intake were not associated with total transit times, nor could they discriminate among the three patient groups. Laxative use was associated with prolonged total transit times independent of patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Older subjects can be classified by abdominal pain and bowel symptoms, which reflect colonic transit times. Older subjects with constipation symptoms generally have prolonged rectosigmoid transit. Other potential risk factors do not distinguish symptom subgroups, nor are they associated with altered colonic transit although older people who use laxatives regularly have prolonged colonic transit.
Power calculations for survival analyses via Monte Carlo estimation.

Background Power calculations can be a useful step in the design of epidemiologic studies. For occupational and environmental cohort studies, however, the calculation of statistical power has been difficult because researchers are often interested in situations where exposure assignment is time-dependent, and in research questions that pertain to cumulative exposure-mortality trends evaluated with statistical methods for survival analysis. These conditions are not easily accommodated by available software or published formulas for power calculation. Methods Monte Carlo methods can be used to estimate statistical power for survival analyses. Simple computer programs are presented to illustrate this approach. Results We show that, for the simple case of a randomized clinical trial involving a dichotomous exposure, the results of power calculations derived via this Monte Carlo approach conform to values derived using a previously published formula. We then illustrate how the Monte Carlo approach may be extended to obtain estimates of statistical power for analyses of cumulative exposure-mortality trends under conditions more typical of occupational cohort studies. Conclusions The Monte Carlo approach provides a way to perform power calculations for a wide range of study conditions. The approach illustrated in this study should simplify the task of calculating power for survival analyses, particularly in epidemiologic research on occupational cohorts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:532–539, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Characterization of Saturated Aliphatic Esters in the 15–40 Micron Region

Saturated aliphatic esters have very characteristic spectra in the 15–40 μ region. Acyl and alkyl components can be identified separately. A correlation chart has been prepared showing characteristic bands for formates, acetates, propionates, butyrates, isobutyrates, valerates, isovalerates, hexanoates, heptanoates, methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, isopropyl esters, n-butyl, isobutyl, secondary butyl and tertiary butyl esters, and neopentyl esters. Band assignments in this region are discussed for some simple esters.
West African Industry and the Debt Crisis

Focused on six West African countries, this paper examines the specific ways in which the foreign exchange and debt crises of the past decade have been linked to the structure and performance of the manufacturing sectors. Informed by the correlation between commercial disruption and Third-World industrialization in the past, it suggests that the current crisis, too, may stimulate industrial development – at least in some cases, and in the longer run. Tendencies to deindustrialization still prevail in some of the weaker economies of the region. In others, however, and particularly Nigeria, local sourcing and exports may be major avenues of structural change as well as growth.
Service Coordination in Children's Mental Health: An Empirical Study from the Caregiver's Perspective

Service coordination from the perspective of parents and other caregivers whose children have serious emotional disabilities was examined in this study. Service coordination was assessed with a self-report instrument administered to 266 caregivers. Analyses focused on the relationship of service coordination to child and family characteristics, service system complexity, family participation, overall satisfaction with services, and comprehensiveness of needs met. Although complexity of services was not related to service coordination, the severity of children's problems was inversely related and family participation was positively related to service coordination. In addition, service coordination significantly predicted satisfaction with services and comprehensiveness. The findings illustrate the utility of including the family perspective in the assessment of systems of care.
Local and reversible blood–brain barrier disruption by noninvasive focused ultrasound at frequencies suitable for trans-skull sonications

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that burst ultrasound in the presence of an ultrasound contrast agent can disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with acoustic parameters suitable for completely noninvasive exposure through the skull. The 10-ms exposures were targeted in the brains of 22 rabbits with a frequency of 690 kHz, a repetition frequency of 1 Hz, and peak rarefactional pressure amplitudes up to 3.1 MPa. The total exposure (sonication) time was 20 s. Prior to each sonication, a bolus of ultrasound contrast agent was injected intravenously. Contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained after the sonications to detect localized BBB disruption via local enhancement in the brain. Brain sections were stained with HE at 0.8 MPa, 90%; and at 1.4 MPa, 100% of the sonicated locations showed enhancement. The histology findings following 4 h survival indicated that brain tissue necrosis was induced in approximately 70-80% of the sonicated locations at a pressure amplitude level of 2.3 MPa or higher. At lower pressure amplitudes, however, small areas of erythrocyte extravasation were seen. The electron microscopy findings demonstrated HRP passage through vessel walls via both transendothelial and paraendothelial routes. These results demonstrate that completely noninvasive focal disruption of the BBB is possible.
The Role of Microscopic Hematuria in the Evaluation of Urologic Malignancy in Renal Transplant Recipients

Urologic malignancy is a relatively uncommon but serious complication following kidney transplantation. The reported prevalence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of the native kidneys is 4.4% and of bladder malignancy is 2.6%. However, presently there are no universal guidelines for prospective screening of urologic malignancies after kidney transplantation. We routinely monitored all renal transplant recipients for microscopic hematuria and persistent hematuria (>3 separate occasions) results in imaging studies (ultrasound or computed tomography scan) of both native kidneys and the allograft. Cystoscopy is performed if imaging studies are negative. This retrospective study identified a total of 18 urologic malignancies among the study cohort, which consisted of 539 patients with an incidence of 3.3% (12 cases of RCC of native kidneys [10/12 had hematuria], and six cases of bladder and ureteral malignancies [6/6 had hematuria]). There were no significant differences between cyclosporine- and tacrolimus-based immunosuppression (IS). Among RCC recipients, two lost the allograft from chronic allograft nephropathy and one patient died unrelated to malignancy. Among patients with bladder and ureteral malignancies, two lost the graft possibly from IS reduction and one had BK virus nephropathy prior to diagnosis of bladder carcinoma. In conclusion, screening transplant recipients routinely for persistent microscopic hematuria may identify urologic malignancies in renal transplant recipients.
Systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a rare association

Association of celiac disease with systemic lupus erythematosus is rare, even though HLA B8 and DR3 are commonly associated with these diseases. We read with great interest a similar case reported by Hrycek and Siekiera in this journal and wish to highlight another case of ours, which had celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, an association which has never been described before.
Holocene climatic change in the northern Midwest: Pollen-derived estimates

Mapping of Holocene pollen data in the midwestern United States has revealed several broadscale vegetational changes that can be interpreted in climatic terms. These changes include (1) the early Holocene northward movement of the spruce-dominated forest and its later southward movement after 3000 yr B.P. and (2) the eastward movement of the prairie/forest border into southwestern Wisconsin by 8000 yr B.P. and its subsequent westward retreat after 6000 yr B.P. When certain basic assumptions are met, multiple regression models can be derived from modern pollen and climate data and used to transform the pollen record of these vegetational changes into quantitative estimates of temperature or precipitation. To maximize the reliability of the regression equations, we followed a sequence of procedures that minimize violations of the assumptions that underlie regression analysis. Reconstructions of precipitation during the Holocene indicated that from 9000 to 6000 yr B.P. precipitation decreased by 10 to 25% over much of the Midwest, while mean July temperature increased by 0.5° to 2.0°C. At 6000 yr B.P. precipitation was less than 80% of its modern values over parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota. After 6000 yr B.P. precipitation generally increased, while mean July temperature decreased in the north, and increased in the south. The time of the maximum temperature varies within the Midwest and is earlier in the north and later in the south.
A longitudinal analysis of psychological adaptation among survivors of cancer

This longitudinal study examined the psychological adaptation of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Findings showed a decline in patient's mental health status over time. Initial psychological status and other psychosocial factors, and not illness-related factors, were predictive of subsequent adaptation. Two psychologically vulnerable patient groups were identified: those who remained distressed over time and those whose mental health status declined over time.
Effects of casein, soy, and whey proteins and amino acid supplementation on cholesterol metabolism in rats

Abstract Cholesterol metabolism was studied in male rats fed high-fat, cholesterol-enriched diets containing casein, soy, or whey protein. Liver weight, total lipids, and cholesterol were higher for rats fed casein and whey than for those fed soy. Serum total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol were not significantly altered by the protein fed. VLDL cholesterol was lower for rats fed soy than for those fed casein, but there were no significant differences between whey-fed rats and the other two groups. During week 1, fecal output was highest for the soy-fed group, but during week 7, it was highest for the whey-fed group. During week 1, fecal cholesterol, coprostanol, and total steroids for the soy-fed group were higher than for the other two groups. During week 7, the soy-fed group was still excreting the most coprostanol, but the least cholesterol. Addition of amino acids had little impact on liver total lipids or cholesterol, except they decreased with addition of methionine to soy and whey diets. Serum total and LDL cholesterol were not altered by amino acid supplementation. Addition of cystine to casein decreased VLDL cholesterol. Addition of methionine to soy and whey increased HDL cholesterol. Little effect of amino acid supplementation was found on fecal steroids.
INHIBITION OF FORMYLGLYCINAMIDE RIBONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS IN NEOPLASTIC CELLS BY PURINES AND ANALOGS.

Abstract 1. The formation of formylglycinamide ribonucleotide (FGAR), which accumulated in azaserine-treated cells, was strongly inhibited by adenine, hypoxanthine, 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine in sensitive murine and human neoplasms in cell culture and in murine leukemia cells in vivo . 2. Hypoxanthine, guanine and their analogs were inactive as inhibitors of FGAR formation in thiopurine-resistant cells lacking IMP pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.8) and GMP pyrophosphorylase activities and therefore incapable of converting these bases to ribonucleotides. 3. 6-Mercaptopurine did not inhibit the incorporation of 4-aminoimidazole-5-carboxamide into purine nucleotides in sensitive cells at concentrations that strongly inhibited FGAR formation. 6-Mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine and several other purine analogs inhibit an early step on the purine biosynthetic pathway, which is probably the site of end-product inhibition by purine ribonucleotides.
“Guys in suits with charts”: Audience research in U.S. public radio

During the 1980s audience research became accepted as an essential management (unction in U.S. public radio. The use and application of audience research had previously been resisted by some public radio managers as representing the ascendance of market considerations over the industry's social and cultural imperatives. This paper describes the evolution of public radio's engagement with audience research, and relates it to public radio's changing conception of localism.
Performance Testing of Inspectors to Improve the Quality of Nondestructive Testing

This paper describes the results of performance testing conducted to improve the quality of nondestructive testing (NDT) used to evaluate the structural integrity of welded-steel bridge components. Common NDT technologies, such as magnetic particle testing (MT) and ultrasonic testing (UT), rely on trained inspectors to implement the proper procedures and interpret the responses to identify and assess indications. High variability in test results can occur between qualified inspectors, who may implement the same procedures with differing levels of thoroughness and care and may interpret responses differently. As a result, the reliability of the implementation of the technology cannot be assumed. Performance testing assesses inspectors, who demonstrate their capability to implement procedures through their detection and analysis of known defects. Such performance testing can improve the quality of NDT inspections by ensuring that inspector capability is adequate. This paper describes the results of performa...
Interaction Ritual Chains and the Mobilization of Conscientious Consumers

Markets for “socially responsible” products are comprised of activists who lead protests, organize boycotts, and promote the consumption of these goods. However, the ultimate success of these movements is dependent upon the support of a large number of consumers whose self-professed values often contradict with their own purchasing patterns. Consumer support of socially responsible products cannot be explained by consumer culture theories, which privilege identity, attitudes, and behavior, or mass consumption theories, which emphasize location and advertising’s influence on consumption patterns. These perspectives are informative but unable to explain why some consumers will only buy socially responsible products while others with similar value systems possess much more contradictory consumption patterns. I extend Collin’s theory of “Interaction Ritual chains” to show that rituals and emotions—more than identity or coercive advertising—explain how ethical consumers are mobilized. I show how face-to-face interactions between consumers and producers produce solidarity and motivate support for the Fair Trade movement. This paper employs a micro-sociological approach to contribute to studies of ethical consumption in three notable ways: 1) it emphasizes the importance of “contexts” and is able to explain contradictions in consumer behavior; 2), it contributes to our understanding of “brand communities” by describing the micro-sociological processes that both help to build these communities and create value within the products that organize these groups; and 3) it offers the potential to develop a predictive model for the purchasing patterns of consumers.
Tukknife: A Jackknife Supplement to Canned Statistical Packages:

This program performs jackknife computations on matrices of coefficients derived from multivariate analytic procedures. It accepts as input the matrices of coefficients (such as factor loadings) fr...
Kinetics of Aqueous Leaching and Carbonization of Steelmaking Slag

Sequestration of carbon dioxide by steelmaking slag was studied in an atmospheric three-phase system containing industrial slag particles, water, and CO2 gas. Batch-type reactors were used to measure the rate of aqueous alkaline leaching and slag particle carbonization independently. Four sizes of slag particles were tested for the Ca leaching rate in deionized water at a constant 7.5 pH in an argon atmosphere and for carbonate conversion with CO2 bubbled through an aqueous suspension. Conversion data (fraction of Ca leached or converted to carbonate) were evaluated to determine the rate-limiting step based on the shrinking core model. For Ca leaching, the chemical reaction is the controlling mechanism during the initial period of time, which then switches to diffusion through the developed porous layer as the rate-limiting step. Carbonate conversion proceeded much slower than leaching conversion and was found to be limited by diffusion through the product calcium carbonate layer. The calculated value of diffusivity was found to be 5 × 10−9 cm2/s, which decreased by an order of magnitude with increasing carbonization conversion as a result of changing density of the product layer. The experimental data fit the shrinking core model well after correction for the particle specific surface area.
Infant development and developmental risk: a review of the past 10 years

ABSTRACT Objective To review critically the research on infant developmental risk published in the past 10 years. Method A brief framework on development in the first 3 years is provided. This is followed by a review of pertinent studies of developmental risk, chosen to illustrate major risk conditions and the protective factors known to affect infant development. Illustrative risk conditions include prematurity and serious medical illness and infant temperament, infant-caregiver attachment, parental psychopathology, marital quality and interactions, poverty and social class, adolescent parenthood, and family violence. Results Risk and protective factors interact complexly. There are few examples of specific or linear links between risk conditions and outcomes during or beyond the first 3 years of life. Infant development is best appreciated within the context of caregiving relationships, which mediate the effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic risk conditions. Conclusions Complex and evolving interrelationships among risk factors are beginning to be elucidated. Linear models of cause and effect are of little use in understanding the development of psychopathology. Refining our markers of risk and demonstrating effective preventive interventions are the next important challenges.
Hyperlink extraction improves state of Illinois website identification

This material is based upon work supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the National Leadership Grant Capturing Electronic Publications of Public Documents', number LG-02030120, and by the Library of Congress under the grant Exploring Collaborations to Harness Objects in a Digital Environment for Preservation', award number A6075, and by the Illinois State Library under the grant Illinois State Library Electronic Documents', number E&A 06-0304. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the awarding agencies, or the University of Illinois. In state government web archiving, new websites of required by statute to be archived are continually discovered. Largely manual techniques used to date to locate new state websites are here supplemented with automated hyperlink extraction. The rate of discovering new state websites quadrupled, at the cost of having to analyze thousands of hyperlinks. Newly discovered websites tended to be smaller, and often concerned adjunct efforts of agencies for which some other website(s) were already known. Beginning the website discovery process using a combination of what is known, or easily discovered manually, followed by the more thorough analysis of hyperlinks seems likely to discover the largest percentage of state government websites most economically.
Relationship Between Provider Volume and Mortality for Carotid Endarterectomies in New York State

Background and Purpose—The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between each of 2 provider volume measures for carotid endarterectomies (CEs) (annual hospital volume and annual surgeon volume) and in-hospital mortality. New York’s Statewide Planning and Research (SPARCS) administrative database was used to identify all 28 207 patients for whom carotid endarterectomy was the principal procedure performed in New York State hospitals between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1995. Methods—A statistical model was developed to predict in-hospital mortality using age, admission status, and several conditions found to be associated with higher-than-average mortality. This model was then used to calculate risk-adjusted mortality rates for various intersections of hospital and surgeon volume ranges. Results—Risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality ranged from 1.96% (95%confidence interval, 1.47 to 2.57) for patients having surgeons with annual CE volumes of <5 in hospitals with annual CE volumes of ≤1...
A Comparison on the Performance of Heuristic Methods of Search for Parameter Characterization of the Bouc/Wen Model of Mechanical Hysteresis

The Bouc/Wen model of mechanical hysteresis may be stated as a system of coupled parametric nonlinear differential equations of third order. This model is based on the equation of motion with damping for a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) system, which is able to reproduce the dynamics of a wide variety of hysteresis shapes, depending on the values of the seven parameters present in the equations. The characterization of the parameters that describe the specific shapes of hysteresis loops is not an easy task, due to the complexity of the model and the great amount of local minima in the search space. Accordingly, heuristic methods of search (optimization) must be carried out in order to curve-fit the model to the trial data sets, in order to extract damping information. Previous works on this topic deal with optimization using Genetic Algorithms (GA). This paper presents a new approach, using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The performances of both methods are then compared when used for artificial and experimental hysteresis loops obtained for sandwich composite materials under test. Some damping measurement techniques often used by researchers are also explained.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A rapid and simple method for the fabrication of arrays of recording electrodes.

Flexible printed circuitry electrode arrays fabrication for surface cortical potentials recording in animals