cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term Outcomes With Planned Multistage Reduced Dose Repeat Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Treatment of Inoperable High-Grade Arteriovenous Malformations: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background There is no consensus regarding the optimal management of inoperable high-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This long-term study of 42 patients with high-grade AVMs reports obliteration and adverse event (AE) rates using planned multistage repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of multistage SRS with treatment of the entire AVM nidus at each treatment session to achieve complete obliteration of high-grade AVMs. Methods Patients with high-grade Spetzler-Martin (S-M) III-V AVMs treated with at least 2 multistage SRS treatments from 1989 to 2013. Clinical outcomes of obliteration rate, minor/major AEs, and treatment characteristics were collected. Results Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria (n = 26, S-M III; n = 13, S-M IV; n = 3, S-M V) with a median follow-up was 9.5 yr after first SRS. Median number of SRS treatment stages was 2, and median interval between stages was 3.5 yr. Twenty-two patients underwent pre-SRS embolization. Complete AVM obliteration rate was 38%, and the median time to obliteration was 9.7 yr. On multivariate analysis, higher S-M grade was significantly associated ( P = .04) failure to achieve obliteration. Twenty-seven post-SRS AEs were observed, and the post-SRS intracranial hemorrhage rate was 0.027 events per patient year. Conclusion Treatment of high-grade AVMs with multistage SRS achieves AVM obliteration in a meaningful proportion of patients with acceptable AE rates. Lower obliteration rates were associated with higher S-M grade and pre-SRS embolization. This approach should be considered with caution, as partial obliteration does not protect from hemorrhage.
Challenges and Strategies for Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Organism Transmission in Nursing Homes.

Purpose of Review Nursing home residents are at high risk for colonization and infection with bacterial pathogens that are multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). We discuss challenges and potential solutions to support implementing effective infection prevention and control practices in nursing homes.
Cell Harvest and Purification Technology — State of the Art and Future Development

Different WBC populations in human blood can be collected for cancer therapy. Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC), originally harvested from bone marrow, are now increasingly collected from blood for autologous and allogeneic transplantations. Umbilical cord blood, discarded until recently, has become a source of HSPC [1–4]. Recently, HSPC have been shown to have the potential to develop into cells of other organ systems [5–21]. In the laboratory, it is possible to grow cells of neural, hepatic cells, and cardiac origins from the bone marrow [20,21]. Clinical protocols are being developed to test the hypothesis of the plasticity of the HSPC.
Validating the Job Satisfaction Survey in voluntary child welfare

Abstract Job satisfaction has been linked to workforce retention in child welfare agencies. One of the most widely used measures on job satisfaction is the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). Although it was validated among workers of public social service agencies, its psychometric properties remain untested in workers of voluntary (private, nonprofit) child welfare agencies. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the JSS in frontline child welfare workers in voluntary agencies. The sample was randomly split into two subsamples for factor analyses. Based on Sample 1 (N = 343), the EFA yields a six-factor structure with 23 items: 1) pay, 2) supervision, 3) promotion, 4) benefits, 5) communication, and 6) nature of work. Using Sample 2 (N = 358), the CFA confirms that the six-factor model fits the data well. Except for the communication subscale, the other five subscales have good internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The five subscales also have good criterion validity in that they are strongly correlated with both intent to stay in child welfare and intent to leave the current agency. These findings suggest a short-form version of the JSS (JSS-SF) with 19 items loading on five subscales, which can be used to measure job satisfaction among voluntary child welfare workers. Directions for future research and implications for voluntary child welfare agencies are discussed.
A patent review of IDO1 inhibitors for cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is overexpressed by cancer cells and the antigen presenting dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Activation of IDO1 depletes tryptophan and produces kynurenine, which induces T cell anergy and suppresses tumor control by the immune system. When combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, IDO1 inhibitors have shown promising anticancer activity in preclinical tumor models as well as in early stage clinical trials.Areas covered: IDO1 inhibitors disclosed in the patent literature from 2013-2017 are categorized, when applicable, according to their structural similarity to the clinical development candidates indoximod and PF-06840003, navoximod, epacadostat, KHK2455 and aryl-1,2-diamines, and BMS-986205 among others, respectively. Representative structures and their IDO1 inhibitory activity are presented to highlight the novelty and activity. Finally, the reported cocrystal structures were analyzed to provide insights for inhibitor-en...
Integrated Assessment Research: Writing-into-Reading.

The view that language should be divided into four skills – reading, writing, listening, speaking – has dominated second language (L2) teaching and learning for some time; perspectives have emerged that conceptualize language as holistic or skills as integrated. This construct of language is evident in language assessments, with an increase in ‘integrated skills’ tasks appearing in tests of writing or speaking. Integrated skills assessments have been defined in several ways (Knoch & Sitajalabhorn 2013) such as reading-into-writing performance with the reading content included in the writing or as tasks that use input, textual or visual, as stimulus for writing under the integrated umbrella (Plakans 2013). Even with these multiple interpretations questions arise: ‘Is that all?’ ‘Is there more to integration?’
The Lazarus Project: A Response to Jindra

This essay is a response to Jindra’s review (2017) of Psychology and Spiritual Transformation in a Substance Abuse Program: The Lazarus Project (Williamson and Hood 2016). The book itself is based on the 5-year longitudinal investigation of a Pentecostal-based substance abuse program called the Lazarus Project. After a brief description of the study, the authors of this response address three issues raised by Jindra: (1) the study’s relation to the debate concerning the personal versus social dimensions of spiritual transformation/conversion; (2) the use and purpose of social control in faith-based programs such as the Lazarus Project; and (3) useful methodologies in conversion research. The authors conclude with remarks on the appropriateness of faith-based programs for those seeking help with substance addiction and on the importance of Spirit baptism as a Pentecostal experience that contributes to addiction recovery at the Lazarus Project.
The Lives of a Nightclub: Space, Jazz, and Self in Live at the Village Vanguard

Live at the Village Vanguard is not only the name of many jazz recordings; it is also the title of Max Gordon’s autobiographical memoir. Max Gordon founded the Village Vanguard, a nightclub he mana...
What Does Environmental History Teach

Environmental history studies the mutual relationships of humans and nature through time. Historians and others are active in this field in many parts of the world, the literature is vast and growing, and the subject is taught in schools and universities. Its audiences include students, other scholars, policy makers, and a general public, all interested in environmental issues of great import in the modern world. But what does environmental history have to say to these audiences? What are its lessons?
Progressing towards a Uniform Commercial Code for Electronic Commerce or Racing towards Nonuniformity

The Magaziner Report encourages the development of a consistent commercial law environment against which electronic commerce transactions may take place. The author considers the current legal landscape, noting that while many efforts are underway to codify aspects of electronic commerce, these efforts are piecemeal in nature and may lead to the very lack of uniformity against which the Magaziner Report counsels. The author then briefly considers what lessons may be learned from the drafting history of the original U.C.C. as well as proposed Article 2B (now the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act) governing transactions in computer information. She argues that Article 2B could benefit from some synthesis with efforts by the European Union and that the Clinton Administration should focus on identifying and harmonizing mandatory rules of law as it moves from broad statements of principle to practical implementation of a legal regime for electronic commerce.
The Chemistry of Thiol Oxidation and Detection

The thiol functional group of the amino acid cysteine can undergo a wide array of oxidative modifications and perform a countless number of physiological functions. In addition to forming covalent cross-links that stabilize protein structure and functioning as a powerful nucleophile in many enzyme active sites, cysteine appears to be the principal actor in redox signaling, functioning as a regulatory reversible molecular switch. It is increasingly appreciated that the thiol group of cysteine in subset of proteins undergoes oxidative modification in response to changes in the intracellular redox environment. To understand these complex but critical biological phenomena, the chemistry of the thiol functionality and related oxidation products must also be taken into consideration. Selective methods to monitor and quantify discrete cysteine modifications will be central to understanding their regulatory and pathophysiologic function. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on the chemical feature of thiol oxidation and on selective methods for detecting oxidants and individual cysteine chemotypes.
AS1411 inhibits the stabilization of bcl-2 mRNA by nucleolin in human breast cancer cells

4888 Overexpression of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene in breast cancer cells allows the cells to avoid apoptosis and become resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the mechanism of bcl-2 upregulation in breast cancer cells has not been elucidated. Studies were carried out to determine whether the mRNA-binding protein nucleolin plays a role in the regulation of bcl-2 mRNA stability in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. We have found that cytoplasmic nucleolin is 3.3-fold elevated in MCF-7 cells compared to MCF10A normal mammary epithelial cells. Stable knockdown of nucleolin with a siRNA in MCF-7 cells reduced both nucleolin and bcl-2 protein levels: a 73% decrease was observed for nucleolin protein and an 85% decrease was found for bcl-2 protein relative to cells expressing a scrambled siRNA plasmid. Knockdown of nucleolin with siRNA also decreased the bcl-2 mRNA steady-state levels by 87% and the half-life of bcl-2 mRNA from 10 hr to 5 hr. Further studies were done to evaluate the effect of the nucleolin-targeting aptamer, AS1411, on MCF-7 cells and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. AS1411 at a concentration of 10 µM had no effect on the viability of normal MCF10A cells following exposure times as long as 96 hr. This is consistent with the lower levels of cytoplasmic nucleolin in these cells. In contrast, 10 µM of AS1411 completely inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The half-life of bcl-2 mRNA was reduced from 10 hr in untreated MCF-7 cells to 1.5 hr in MCF-7 cells incubated with 10 µM nucleolin for 72 hr. However, 10 µM AS1411 had no effect on the stability of bcl-2 mRNA in MCF-10A cells or β-actin mRNA in either MCF-7 or MCF-10A cells. Taken together, the data show that nucleolin promotes bcl-2 overexpression in MCF-7 cells by increasing bcl-2 mRNA stability and that AS1411 interferes with the stabilization of bcl-2 mRNA by nucleolin. These findings suggest that nucleolin may be a useful target for breast cancer therapy and that AS1411, which has shown promising initial activity in the clinic in renal cancer, could have potential in this context.
What’s the natural rate of unemployment? Answers from forecasters

ABSTRACTFor its panel survey of professional macroeconomic forecasters, the US Federal Reserve asks panelists whether they use the ‘natural rate of unemployment’ (NRU) or ‘non-accelerating inflatio...
Signed Under Protest: A Database of Presidential Signing Statements, 2001-2006

The authors have compiled a data set that chronicles the Bush Administration's unique signing statement campaign. With regard to laws enacted between 2001 and 2006, President Bush objected to 1047 provisions embodied in 118 statutes. Objections to a number of these provisions were stated on multiple grounds. If one counts as an objection each precise ground on which the President registered concern about a provision of law, then the 1047 or so provisions at issue elicited 1430 objections. To help in the analysis of the President's objections, they classify the objections according to 23 general bases upon which they were stated. Although these are plainly overlapping, especially with regard to objections based on the unitary executive, Article II, and the separation of powers, the authors have tried to reflect as many distinct grounds for objection as appear in the signing statements themselves.
Hedgehog Signaling in Development and Cancer

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, first identified in Drosophila, is a conserved signaling pathway that plays critically important roles in the development of a variety of structures in the growing embryo. Recently, Hh signaling has been implicated as an important growth stimulus in cancers of several organs, including the prostate, where Hh signaling plays an important role in during embryonic development. In this chapter, we review the role of Hh signaling in prostate development and emerging data on its role in prostate cancer growth and progression. The studies to date show a broad consensus that Hh pathway activation can significantly accelerate tumor growth. Work with established tumor cell lines and xenograft tumors clearly shows that tumor growth can be accelerated by both paracrine and signaling mechanisms. Striking inhibition of xenograft tumor growth by chemical inhibition of Hh signaling suggests that prostate cancer may be one of several tumor types (including pancreatic cancer, small cell lung cancer, medulloblastoma, and basal cell carcinoma) in which inhibitors of Hh signaling may offer a new and potentially potent treatment opportunity.
Evaluating WHO-Recommended Interventions for Preterm Birth: A Mathematical Model of the Potential Reduction of Preterm Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background Preterm birth, a leading cause of neonatal mortality, has the highest burden in low-income countries. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) published recommendations for interventions to improve preterm outcomes. Our analysis uses the Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology (MANDATE) model to evaluate the potential effects that WHO-recommended interventions could have had on preterm mortality in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015. Methods We modeled preterm birth subconditions causing mortality (respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, birth asphyxia, and low birth weight). For each subcondition, models were populated with estimates of WHO-recommended intervention prevalence, case fatality, coverage, and efficacy. Various scenarios modeled improved coverage of single and combined interventions compared with baseline. Results In 2015, approximately 500,000 neonatal deaths due to preterm birth occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Single interventions with the greatest impact on preterm mortality included oxygen/continuous positive airway pressure (44,000 lives saved), cord care (38,500 lives saved), and breastfeeding (30,200 lives saved). Combined with improved diagnosis/transfer to a hospital, the impact of interventions showed greater reductions in mortality (oxygen/continuous positive airway pressure, 134,100 lives saved; antibiotics, 28,600 lives saved). Combined interventions had the greatest impact. Together, hospital delivery with comprehensive care for respiratory distress syndrome saved 190,600 lives, and comprehensive thermal care, breastfeeding, and prevention/treatment for sepsis saved 94,400 lives. Conclusion In 2015, WHO-recommended interventions could have saved the lives of nearly 300,000 infants born preterm in sub-Saharan Africa. Combined interventions are necessary to maximize impact. Mathematical models such as MANDATE can estimate effects on health outcomes to allow health officials to prioritize implementation strategies.
Hydrangea ofeliae nom. nov. (Hydrangeaceae) from the Philippines

The most recent study on the molecular systematics of the Family Hydrangeaceae has shown that the genera Decumaria Linnaeus (1753: 397), Dichroa Loureiro (1790: 301), Broussaisia Gaudichaud (1830: 479), Schizophragma Siebold & Zuccarini in Siebold (1838: 58), Platycrater Siebold & Zuccarini in Siebold (1838: 62), Cardiandra Siebold & Zuccarini in Siebold (1839: 119), Pileostegia Hook.f. & Thomson (1857: 57) and Deinanthe Maximowicz (1867: 2) are congeneric with Hydrangea Linnaeus (1753: 397), so that the latter can be treated as monophyletic (De Smet et al. 2015). Following the results of this study, several new combinations were made including the species which can also be found in the Philippines, Dichroa febrifuga Loureiro (1790: 301) into Hydrangea febrifuga (Loureiro) Y.De Smet & Granados (2015: 750).
Basins, beaver ponds, and the storage and redistribution of trace elements in an industrially impacted coastal plain stream on the Savannah River Site, SC, USA.

Abstract Accumulation of eleven trace elements in sediment was evaluated throughout an industrially disturbed headwater stream on the Savannah River Site, SC, USA. Sampling began at upstream sedimentation basins at the margins of industrial areas, continued longitudinally downstream to a beaver pond representing a potential sink in the mid-reaches, and ended in downstream reaches. Additionally, sediment from beaver impacted areas in another industrially disturbed stream and a reference stream were analyzed to assess the natural tendency of these depositional features to settle out trace elements. We further compared trace element accumulation in sediment and biota from downstream reaches before and after an extreme rainy period to evaluate the potential redistribution of trace elements from sink areas. Trace elements accumulated in the headwater basins from which elements were redistributed to downstream reaches. The mid-reach beaver affected area sediments accumulated elevated concentrations of most analyzed elements compared to the free-flowing stream. The elevated accumulation of organic matter in these sink areas illustrated the effectiveness of reduced water velocity areas to settle out materials. The natural tendency of beaver ponds to accumulate trace elements and organic matter was further illustrated by sediments from the reference beaver pond accumulating higher concentrations of several elements than sediments from the free flowing section the stream impacted by industrial activity. However, concentrations in sediment from sedimentation basins and the beaver impacted area of the disturbed stream were highest. Trace elements and organic matter appeared to be redistributed from the sinks after the record rainy period resulting in increased trace element concentrations in both sediment and biota. These data suggest that assessments of contaminants in stream systems should include such slow-water, extreme depositional zones such as beaver impacted areas or basins to verify what contaminants may be pulsing through the stream.
Ketogenic Diet: from the Historical Records to Use in Elite Athletes.

To review the available literature/evidence on low carbohydrate/high fat (LCHF) and low carbohydrate ketogenic (LCKD) diets’ effects on human athletic performance and to provide a brief review of the physiology and history of energy systems of exercise. Multiple studies have been conducted in an attempt to answer this question, many within the last 3–5 years. Studies are heterogenous in design, intervention, and outcome measures. Current available data show that LCHF and LCKD do not significantly enhance or impair performance in endurance or strength activities. However, there is a trend towards improved body composition (greater percent lean body mass) across multiple studies. While this may not translate to enhanced performance in the primarily laboratory conditions in the reviewed studies, there could be a benefit in sports in which an athlete’s strength-to-weight ratio is a significant determinant of outcome.
Narcolepsy and concomitant obstructive sleep apnea: a case report

A case of concomitant narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea evaluated in a sleep disorder center is reported. Tracheostomy decreased the frequency of the apneas but the clinical and polysomnography features of narcolepsy remained on 3 and 6 months post-surgical follow-ups. These findings support the need for systematic use of all-night polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy and concomitant obstructive sleep apnea: a case report
Predictors of immunotherapy (IO) response and subsequent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

e16642Background: Despite advances in understanding the molecular pathways of HCC, therapeutic options are limited and patient survival is dismal. IO is a promising HCC treatment and predicted to b...
Effect of lock boxes and education on safe storage of medications

Safe medication storage is a proven barrier to ingestions in the pediatric population, but caregivers are often unaware of the importance of safe storage practices or do not have a safe place to store medications. Caregivers may also not be fully aware that the patterns of opioid use and misuse have recently reached crisis levels. The objectives of this study were to define medication storage practices and knowledge of the opioid crisis of participants and to assess the effectiveness of an emergency department intervention on safe medication storage. This was a prospective interventional study of caregivers in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) on safe medication storage and the opioid crisis. Questions assessed the caregivers’ current perceptions and practices related to medication storage and disposal, and opioid crisis awareness. The intervention included verbal instruction about recommended safe storage methods and the opioid crisis, provision of a medication safety handout, and distribution of a medication lock box. A follow-up phone survey conducted 2 weeks later asked participants about use of and satisfaction with the lock box. Frequencies of safe storage behaviors were calculated, and the chi-square statistic was used to compare storage behavior after the intervention. Fifty caregivers of 112 children were enrolled. Only 4% reported they currently stored medications in a locked or latched place. Thirty-eight percent reported their main barrier to storing medications safely was that they did not have a locked or latched storage location. Fifty percent were unaware of the opioid crisis. Ninety-two percent reported they would use a lock box if given one. Twenty-eight participants (56%) responded to the follow-up phone call survey 2 weeks later. At follow up 90% (25/28) reported they placed their medications within the provided lock box (p < 0.00001). Ninety-two percent reported being “very satisfied” with the lock box and how it works. Despite widespread reporting on this issue, many caregivers remain unaware of safe medication storage practices and the opioid crisis. Providing medication lock boxes removes a commonly reported barrier to safely storing medications and improved reported practices.
Toxins of Vibrio cholerae

This chapter reviews new information about cholera enterotoxin (CT) and about recently discovered toxins produced by Vibrio cholerae. The single tryptophan residue (Trp-88) in each subunit is essential for binding, as shown by chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis studies. The majority of the experiments described in the chapter have been performed in vivo, and the results often differ from those obtained in in vitro experiments examining the role of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Several additional toxins produced by V. cholerae are discussed, such as hemolysin-cytolysin, zonula occludens toxin (Zot), accessory cholera enterotoxin and miscellaneous toxins. Stable enterotoxin (ST) and thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH), have well-established mechanisms of enterotoxicity but are rarely produced by V. cholerae. Two of the toxins, the sodium channel inhibitor and the "new cholera toxin" (NCT) of Sanyal and coworkers, are insufficiently characterized to access their potential roles in disease. The three non-CT V. cholerae toxins that are the best characterized are the hemolysin-cytolysin, Zot, and Ace. The study of CT has produced profound insights into the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of cholera. Furthermore, it has yielded knowledge on basic cellular functions and structures such as intracellular messengers and neurological pathways. The study of V. cholerae toxins other than CT has demonstrated new potential mechanisms of diarrhea and may also produce new insights into basic cellular functions such as the assembly and regulation of tight junctions.
Patient Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Symptomatic Catheter-Related Arterial Thrombosis in Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and adverse events of treatment for symptomatic infant catheter-related arterial thrombosis. Study design Single-center retrospective medical record review of 99 infants (age Results Thromboses were secondary to indwelling arterial catheter placement in 51 (51.5%) and cardiac catheterization in 48 (48.5%). The median age at diagnosis of catheter-related arterial thrombosis was 52 days. All patients received therapeutic anticoagulation with either unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin for a maximum of 28 days. Progression of catheter-related arterial thrombosis occurred in 8 (8.1%) patients. One (1%) major and 3 (3%) minor bleeding events occurred within the cohort. Complete thrombus resolution was observed in 60 (60.6%), partial resolution in 33 (33.3%), and no resolution in 6 (6.1%) following the treatment period. Factors associated with complete thrombus resolution included time from intervention to catheter-related arterial thrombosis diagnosis (median of 1 day vs 5 days in those who experienced thrombus resolution vs those who did not, P = .035), and iliac and/or femoral artery involvement (P = .015). Conclusions Our treatment approach to infant catheter-related arterial thrombosis is safe and effective. Limitations of the study are its retrospective nature with a limited number of patients from a single institution. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment approach to catheter-related arterial thrombosis in infants.
Balancing Hydraulic Control and Phosphorus Removal in Bioretention Media Amended with Drinking Water Treatment Residuals

Green stormwater infrastructure such as bioretention can reduce stormwater runoff volumes and trap sediments and pollutants. However, bioretention soil media can have limited capacity to retain pho...
Expression of recombinant multi-protein complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a versatile system for expression of recombinant eukaryotic proteins. This system is simple to use and does not require extraordinary expertise nor tissue culture facilities. Proteins expressed in the yeast system provide eukaryotic post-translational modifications, making it superior to bacterial expression for factors that require post-translational modification. In addition, it is quite simple to co-express multiple genes at the same time, for recombinant production of large multi-protein complexes. In this chapter, we provide protocols for inducible expression of recombinant genes from episomal plasmid vectors, and protocols for integration of the recombinant genes into the chromosomes of yeast, which enables simple rapid growth of expression cells and induction of recombinant protein complexes in non-selectable rich media.
Psychosocial Interventions for HIV-Seropositive Persons

Asymptomatic but HIV-seropositive persons are the largest group of individuals affected by AIDS. Some HIV-infected persons may live for the rest of their lives without developing physical symptoms but remain capable of transmitting the virus. Some will develop physical symptoms and future health compromises, while others will progress to frank AIDS. Without doubt, knowledge of one’s own seropositivity precipitates a host of questions, uncertainties, and health anxieties for which there are few reassurances. Several million Americans are already infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and, despite the well-documented and detrimental psychological consequences of HIV infection, little clinical research has yet appeared to guide the mental health professionals who will soon be seeing the growing number of HIV-exposed persons.
Efficient exact and approximate algorithms for the complement of maximal strip recovery

Given two genomic maps G and H represented by a sequence of n gene markers, a strip (syntenic block) is a sequence of distinct markers of length at least two which appear as subsequences in the input maps, either directly or in reversed and negated form. The problem Maximal Strip Recovery (MSR) is to find two subsequences G′ and H′ of G and H, respectively, such that the total length of disjoint strips in G′ and H′ is maximized (i.e., conversely, the complement of the problem CMSR is to minimize the number of markers deleted to have a feasible solution). Recently, both MSR and its complement are shown to be NP-complete. A factor-4 approximation is known for the MSR problem and an FPT algorithm is known for the CMSR problem which runs in O(23.61kn+n2) time (where k is the minimum number of markers deleted). We show in this paper that there is a factor-3 asymptotic approximation for CMSR and there is an FPT algorithm which runs in O(3kn+n2) time for CMSR, significantly improving the previous bound.
A Direct Comparison of Three Clinically Relevant Treatments in a Rat Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Recent preclinical studies have identified three treatments that are especially promising for reducing acute lesion expansion following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI): riluzole, systemic hypothermia, and glibenclamide. Each has demonstrated efficacy in multiple studies with independent replication, but there is no way to compare them in terms of efficacy or safety, since different models were used, different laboratories were involved, and different outcomes were evaluated. Here, using a model of lower cervical hemicord contusion, we compared safety and efficacy for the three treatments, administered beginning 4 h after trauma. Treatment-associated mortality was 30% (3/10), 30% (3/10), 12.5% (1/8), and 0% (0/7) in the control, riluzole, hypothermia, and glibenclamide groups, respectively. For survivors, all three treatments showed overall favorable efficacy, compared with controls. On open-field locomotor scores (modified Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores), hypothermia- and glibenclamide-t...
Biosynthesis of monoterpenes: Stereochemical implications of acyclic and monocyclic olefin formation by (+)- and (−)-pinene cyclases from sage *

(+)-Pinene cyclase from sage (Salvia officinalis) catalyzes the isomerization and cyclization of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-alpha-pinene and (+)-camphene, and to lesser amounts of (+)-limonene, myrcene, and terpinolene, whereas (-)-pinene cyclase from this tissue catalyzes the conversion of the acyclic precursor to (-)-alpha-pinene, (-)-beta-pinene, and (-)-camphene, and to lesser quantities of (-)-limonene, myrcene, and terpinolene. The bicyclic products of these enzymes (pinene and camphene) are derived via the cyclization of the cisoid, anti-endo-conformers of the bound, tertiary allylic intermediates (3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate [+)-pinene cyclase) and (3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate [-)-pinene cyclase). When challenged with either enantiomer of linalyl pyrophosphate or with neryl pyrophosphate (cis-isomer of geranyl pyrophosphate) as substrate, both pinene cyclases synthesize disproportionately high levels of acyclic olefins (myrcene and ocimene) and monocyclic olefins (limonene and terpinolene), compared with the product mixtures generated from the natural geranyl precursor. Resolution of the limonene derived from linalyl pyrophosphate and neryl pyrophosphate demonstrated that this monocyclic olefin was formed via conformational foldings in addition to the cisoid,anti-endo-pattern. These results indicate that the alternate substrates are ionized by the cyclases prior to their achieving the optimum orientation for bicyclization. In the case of geranyl pyrophosphate, a preassociation mechanism is suggested in which optimum folding of the terpenyl chain precedes the initial ionization step.
From cameras to camtasia : Streaming media without the stress

SUMMARY Librarians are always looking for new and innovative ways of delivering content to their users. Camtasia Studio, a screen capture program, offers a simple, low-cost alternative to live video when it comes to creating streaming audio and video content. Following up on a 2001 article in Computers in Libraries, the author compares his experiences using Camtasia Studio to his original experience using live video. He determines that Camtasia offers similar functionality with less equipment and lower cost than the traditional method.
Radiating Abdominal Pain and Hypertension

teriorly. These findings were most consistent with an adrenal mass with cystic components and old blood. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without gadolinium also showed a large septated cystic mass arising from the adrenal gland and containing both bright and low T2 signal material (Figure 2). In fact, MRI revealed that in addition to the cystic areas, the mass had multiple sections of solid tumor with a considerable amount of solid tissue located inferiorly in a small loculated region. A complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and creatinine level were all normal; serum glucose was 155 mg/dL. Further biochemical testing showed a random serum cortisol of 13 g/dL (normal, 7-23 g/dL), serum aldosterone of 4 ng/dL (normal, 2-12 ng/dL), and plasma renin activity of 0.9 ng/mL/hr (normal, 0.9-4.0 ng/mL/hr). The fractionated
Fluctuations of extensive functions of quenched random couplings

An extensive quantity is a family of functionsΨv of random parameters, indexed by the finite regionsV (subsets of ℤd) over whichΨv are additive up to corrections satisfying the boundary estimate stated below. It is shown that unless the randomness is nonessential, in the sense that limΨv/|V| has a unique value in the absolute (i.e., not just probabilistic) sense, the variance of such a quantity grows as the volume ofV. Of particular interest is the free energy of a system with random couplings; for suchΨv bounds are derived also for the generating functionE(etΨ). In a separate application, variance bounds are used for an inequality concerning the characteristic exponents of directed polymers in a random environment.
Extracellular Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Activates STAT3 in Human Monocytes/Macrophages/Dendritic Cells via an IL-6 Autocrine Pathway

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly efficient in the establishment of persistent infection, which leads to the development of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Impaired T cell responses with reduced IFN-γ production have been reported to be associated with persistent HCV infection. Extracellular HCV core is a viral factor known to cause HCV-induced T cell impairment via its suppressive effect on the activation and induction of pro-inflammatory responses by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The activation of STAT proteins has been reported to regulate the inflammatory responses and differentiation of APCs. To further characterize the molecular basis for the regulation of APC function by extracellular HCV core, we examined the ability of extracellular HCV core to activate STAT family members (STAT1, -2, -3, -5, and -6). In this study, we report the activation of STAT3 on human monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells following treatment with extracellular HCV core as well as treatment with a gC1qR agonistic monoclonal antibody. Importantly, HCV core-induced STAT3 activation is dependent on the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, the production of multifunctional cytokine IL-6 is essential for HCV core-induced STAT3 activation. These results suggest that HCV core-induced STAT3 activation plays a critical role in the alteration of inflammatory responses by APCs, leading to impaired anti-viral T cell responses during HCV infection.
Vapour-phase C–C coupling reactions of biomass-derived oxygenates over Pd/CeZrOx catalysts

Abstract Studies of aldol condensation/hydrogenation reactions of 2-hexanone were carried out over Pd/CeZrO x and CeZrO x catalysts at temperatures between 573 and 673 K, and pressures of 5–26 bar. These studies were formulated to address the catalytic upgrading to transportation fuels of the mono-functional oxygenated compounds (consisting primarily of C 4 –C 6 ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids and heterocyclics) formed by the catalytic conversion of polyols over a Pt–Re/C catalyst. Characterization by XRD, TPR and NH 3 /CO 2 –TPD showed that Pd/CeZrO x catalyst consists of a partially reducible solid solution of cerium and zirconium oxides, and possesses both acidic and basic functionalities. Reaction kinetics studies show that in addition to the expected C 12 condensation product (7-methyl-5-undecanone), the CeZrO x -based catalysts produce C 18 and C 9 secondary species, along with light alkanes (⩽C 7 ). Low loadings of Pd (e.g., 0.25 wt%) lead to optimal activity and selectivity for the production of C 12 species. The high apparent activation energy of the formation of C 9 (140 kJ/mol) compared to the formation of C 12 and C 18 species (15 and 28 kJ/mol, respectively) indicates that these species may be formed as a result of the decomposition of heavier condensation products. The self-coupling of 2-hexanone was found to be positive order in both 2-hexanone and hydrogen. The addition of primary alcohols and carboxylic acids as well as water and CO 2 to the feed was found to reversibly inhibit the self-coupling activity of 2-hexanone. This inhibition is strongest in the presence of CO 2 , and TPSR studies indicate that CO 2 is removed from the surface by conversion to CO in the presence of reduced ceria species.
An educational-therapeutic group for drug and alcohol abusing combat veterans

Vietnam veterans have had a high incidence of substance abuse, resulting from attempts to control posttraumatic symptoms. Their recovery from drug and alcohol dependency has meant involvement in treatment for resolution of posttraumatic symptoms. The author found that the addition of a short-term educational-therapeutic group experience, focusing on the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, was helpful for the participants. They “worked-through” important war-related experiences via the following phases: (1) Breaking through detachment and establishing control over disruptive symptoms, (2) Revealing experiences of death and dehumanization (3) Describing the internal “death of self” experience, and (4) Beginning the grief response.
Foreign borrowing and macroeconomic adjustment to external shocks

Abstract This paper analyzes the impact of anticipated and unanticipated external shocks on the evolution of macroeconomic variables, particularly foreign borrowing, and on steady-state stocks of capital and debt. We find that the desired mode of adjustment to a shock is highly sensitive to its nature. Intertemporal substitution effects often dominate the pure wealth loss effect. External disturbances will typically be intertemporally correlated in the real world; the paper analyses the resulting implications for the dynamic smoothing of adjustment.
Inter-Rater Reliability for Function and Strength Measurements in the Acute Care Hospital after Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Objective. To determine the inter-rater reliability of function and strength measurements in patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty in an acute care setting. Method. Forty-four patients underwent either total hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients were rated by 4 occupational therapists and 7 physical therapists on their performance of 5 functional tasks: lower extremity dressing, toilet transfer, supine-to-sit transfer, sit-to-stand transfer, and ambulation to 100 feet. Strength measurements of the quadriceps femoris muscle were measured quantitatively with a Microfet hand-held dynamometer. Data were analyzed to determine the inter-rater reliability using the Kappa statistic (K) for the functional tasks and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for the strength measurements. Results. A high level of inter-rater reliability was achieved for lower extremity dressing, toilet transfer, supine-to-sit transfer, sit-to-stand transfer, and ambulation to 100 feet, as evidenced by K values between 0.75 and 0.99. Reliability was also excellent for quantitative strength measurements using the dynamometer, with an ICC of 0.94. Conclusion. This study demonstrated excellent interrater reliability with measurements of function and strength post-operatively after elective hip and knee arthroplasty. The practical implication is that by using a standardized measurement tool in the acute care setting, the treatment team can more reliably assess patients'progress, which may aid clinical decision making.
Sensorless fault diagnosis of induction motors

Early detection and diagnosis of incipient faults is desirable for online condition assessment, product quality assurance, and improved operational efficiency of induction motors. In this paper, a speed-sensorless fault diagnosis system is developed for induction motors, using recurrent dynamic neural networks and multiresolution or Fourier-based signal processing for transient or quasi-steady-state operation, respectively. In addition to nameplate information required for the initial system setup, the proposed fault diagnosis system uses only motor terminal voltages and currents. The effectiveness of the proposed diagnosis system in detecting the most widely encountered motor electrical and mechanical faults is demonstrated through extensive staged faults. The developed system is scalable to different power ratings and it has been successfully demonstrated with data from 2.2, 373 and 597 kW induction motors.
Direct tropospheric ion sampling and mass identification

Abstract An apparatus capable of directly sampling ions in the troposphere has been developed. This device can mass analyze and detect ions at concentrations as low as 10 2 –10 3 ion cm −3 at atmospheric pressures (760 Torr) and makes use of a flow-opposed drift tube (FODT) to concentrate and extract the ions to be sampled. High-pressure ion optics are used to keep the ion density constant while increasing the ion drift velocity. The high ion drift velocity is used to push the ions through an inert buffer gas and an exit aperture into a high-speed differentially-pumped high-vacuum region where they are focused, mass-analyzed, and detected. This type of apparatus can contribute considerably to both our understanding of ion chemistry and to our knowledge of certain trace neutral concentrations in the troposphere.
Urodynamic dysfunction in infants with vesicoureteral reflux

Patients and Methods: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) may result from inadequate length of the intravesical ureteric tunnel and from urodynamic dysfunction. VUR and symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) are both more common in male infants and may be related to urodynamic dysfunction and functional intravesical obstruction. We therefore conducted urodynamic studies in 75 infants with primary VUR and retrospectively evaluated their voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) for evidence of inadequate sphincteric relaxation. Results: High voiding detrusor pressure (>70 cm H20), increased postvoid residual (>2 mL/kg body weight), or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergy were observed in 79% of infants with primary VUR without significant differences between male and female infants or in infants with or without UTI. Infants with bilateral grade IV-V VUR showed a higher prevalence of detrusor hyper-reflexia and higher voiding detrusor pressure than infants with lower grades of VUR or unilateral grade IV-V VUR. On VCUG, inadequate external urethral sphincter relaxation during voiding was noted in 10 of 47 male infants. Conclusions: The findings suggest that high intravesical pressures contribute to the development and severity of VUR, and that high voiding detrusor pressure in some infants with primary VUR may be related to inadequate relaxation of the external urethral sphincter.
The relationship between receiving phishing attempt and identity theft victimization in South Korea

Abstract In this research, the authors employ the framework of Routine Activities Theory (RAT) to examine how receiving phishing attempts is associated with identity theft victimization. In addition, the study assesses whether receiving phishing attempts mediates the relationships between other indicators, including routine online activities, fear of victimization, and sociodemographic characteristics and identity theft victimization. Data from the Korea Crime Victim Survey (KCVS) 2008 is analyzed and the results suggest that the respondents who have received phishing attempts are more likely to be victimized by identity theft. Moreover, education level, routine online activities and fear of identity theft victimization are positively related with identity theft victimization.
Identification of radiosensitive volume with nucleic acid volume.

ON the basis of inactivation data for nearly two dozen plant, animal and bacterial viruses, Lea1 pointed out that the radiosensitive or target diameter was within a factor of 2 of the physical diameter of nearly all the viruses studied, the agreement becoming poorer with increase in diameter. From this agreement Lea concluded that the small viruses must be composed almost exclusively of radiosensitive material which he identified with nucleoprotein. The very large viruses were stated to be more like ordinary cells in that they seemed to have an appreciable amount of relatively insensitive ‘cytoplasmic’ material. Other workers (for example, refs. 2 and 3) have given experimental reasons for believing that the nucleoprotein material is the radiosensitive portion of a cell.
Adaptive input-power processing for mitigation of PAPR in OFDM

The high peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) greatly limits the high power amplifier (HPA) power efficiency. Different from other approaches to PAPR mitigation, the approach in this paper presents a simple new scheme which employs adaptive input power processing to reduce the instantaneous power fluctuation of OFDM signals. Specifically, at the transmitter side, the segments of the OFDM signal with high power are pushed down and the ones with low power are pulled up by adaptive adjustment of input power. As a consequence, the PAPR is greatly mitigated. These results are confirmed by computer simulations.