cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxalate-metabolizing microorganisms in sagebrush steppe soil

Oxalate metabolization by soil microorganisms was assessed using a calcium oxalate clearing medium and14CO2 release from [14C]-oxalate. Three saprophytic fungi, two bacteria, and one actinomycete tested produced14CO2 when grown in culture with [14C]-oxalate, yet failed to test positive for oxalate degradation using a calcium-clearing medium. A field plot was then established to determine the effects of oxalate inputs on oxalate metabolism. The amount of [14C]-oxalate metabolized by soil microorganisms and the number of bacteria metabolizing oxalate increased within 24 h after the addition of oxalic acid at a concentration of 11.1 μmol g-1 soil. Oxalate metabolism and bacterial numbers returned to the baseline within 84 days. Soil phosphate concentrations increased significantly above baseline 7 days after the addition of oxalate and did not return to prespike levels. Fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes were able to metabolize oxalate. Therefore, while oxalate can influence P cycles by increasing the amount of available phosphates, that increase is mediated by microbes that metabolize the oxalates.
Evaluation of Sex Differences in Cannabinoid Dependence

Background Chronic recreational marijuana users often report withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit, with some reports suggesting withdrawal may be more pronounced in women. In animal models, female rodents show enhanced sensitivity to acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration, but chronic administration has been studied little.
Sporulation of streptomyces roseosporus in submerged culture

A soil isolate ofStreptomyces roseosporus was found to produce spores in stirred submerged culture. Both biological mass and respiratory activity increased during the sporulation process. Contrary to other reports, the differentiation process was not purposefully initiated by critical manipulation of either nutritional or environmental conditions.
A comparison of two catalase preparations used to examine vascular permeability.

Abstract Beef liver catalase has been used as a tracer in cytochemical studies of vascular permeability. The use of Sigma catalase C-40 and C-100 preparations in capillary permeability studies of the ileojejunum and choriocapillaris was examined. Catalase C-40 is restricted by the fenestrated capillaries of the ileojejunum in contrast to their permeability to C-100. The choriocapillaris restricts both catalase preparations. Sephadex G-200 chromatography of plasma samples incubated with catalase C-40, or from C-40-injected animals, demonstrated an increase in the molecular weight of the tracer. No increase in molecular weight was evident for catalase C-100. The isoelectric point of both preparations was 5.4–5.7. These findings indicate that Sigma catalase C-100 is the preferred preparation for use in vascular permeability studies.
Exact treatment of search statistics

Abstract Exact formulae have been found for the likelihood of any combinations of search statistics to result from successive scans of the same “area”. The formulae apply for similar events which are found with arbitrary efficiencies. One obtains a best estimate of the actual numbers of events present and simultaneously the interval corresponding to any particular level of confidence.
SU-E-T-79: Commissioning of the ArcCHECK Phantom

Purpose: A study was undertaken to investigate the response of the ArcCHECK phantom distributed by Sun Nuclear (SNC) to different treatment modalities including Static, IMRT, Arc and VMAT and to understand patient‐specific QA results. Methods: An ArcCHECK kV‐CT data image was acquired and two digital image sets assigned a uniform CT number of 145 Hounsfield units (HU) and 275 HU were created. Variable field sizes for the treatment modalities and sample treatment plans were calculated in Eclipse V8.9. Measurements on Varian linear accelerators with the ArcCHECK phantom were compared with dose calculations. Treatment plan QA results using our 2D QA device were also compared with ArcCHECK measurements. Results: The average dose measured by ArcCHECK for the standard 10×10 cm2 field was 311.64 +/− 3 cGy. Calculated static, standard arc and VMAT fields measured with ArcCHECK showed passing rate ranges of (51–89)%, (58–96)% and (83–98)% with averages of 64%, 85% and 90%, respectively when using kV‐CT phantom. It was noted that exit points for all modalities lowered passing rates. When using the 275 HU digital phantom, passing rate ranges (80–100) % increased for all cases with the highest average of 97% for VMAT cases. The treatment plan QA passing rates using ArcCHECK differed by −3%, +3% and −0.5% for VMAT, VMAT SBRT and IMRT cases, respectively as compared with our standard QA device. Conclusions: ArcCHECK's response when compared with Eclipse‐generated calculations seemed to depend on whether the kV‐CT data set (average uniform 145 HU) or the 275 HU digital phantoms was utilized, yielding passing rates of 90% and 97%, respectively. It seemed that Eclipse overestimated scattering at the distal points where they failed. The ArcCHECK phantom with its 3D array of1386 diodes would capture exit dose information not measured with 2D QA devices, lowering the passing rate for fields.
A species-specific acoustic cue for selective song learning in the white-crowned sparrow.

Song learning in birds is paradoxical. Without tutoring, songbirds do not develop normal songs. Yet despite this inability, birds possess extensive foreknowledge, in a mechanistic sense, about the normal song of their species. When given a choice of tape recordings, young, naive songbirds select sounds of their own species for imitation. We tape-tutored white-crowned sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha, with a set of manipulated songs to investigate whether the introductory whistle universally present in white-crowned sparrow song guides selective song learning in this species. Our results confirm that this whistle serves as a cue for song learning, enabling acquisition of normally rejected sounds of other species, including hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus, notes, which have a sound quality distinct from that of natural white-crowned sparrow phrases. Our results support the conclusion that sensory mechanisms rather than motor constraints are primarily responsible for the selectivity seen in song learning.
The preparation and some reaction of F2PSPF2 and F2PC(CF3)2OPF2, and the synthesis of the bis-borane adduct of F2PSSPF2

Abstract The potentially bidentate fluorophosphine ligand F2PSPF2 can be prepared in 75% yield from the reaction of F2PBr and [(C4H9)3Sn]2S. On the basis of infrared and Raman spectra, the compound has been assigned a bent confirmation of point Cs or C2. Nuclear magnetic resonance data confirm the assigned formula; but, as indicated by Rudolph and Newmark, low rigidity in the P-S-P backbone is probable and several rotamers might be expected. The compound is pyrophoric in air, but decomposes slowly at 25° and low pressure in the absence of air and water. It reacts with HCl and H2O. With an excess of B2H6 at room temperature it gives the bis-borane adduct of the formerly elusive disulfide F2PSSPF2. The free disulfide has not yet been obtained from the adduct. A related fluorophosphine bidentate ligand, F2PC(CF3)2OPF2 was prepared in 80% yield from the reaction of P2F4 and hexafluoroacetone. The compound can be unequivocally characterized from its 19F nmr spectrum alone, although other data are given.
Impact of a guideline-based disease management team on outcomes of hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure.

Background Congestive heart failure is the most common reason for hospitalization in the United States, and guidelines to improve the quality of care for patients with congestive heart failure have been developed. However, adherence is typically low. We hypothesized that a guideline-based care management team would result in greater quality and efficiency of care than guidelines alone. Methods A faculty cardiologist and nurse care manager at an academic medical center reviewed each patient's data and made guideline-based recommendations. Hospital length of stay, total costs, and use of recommended guidelines were compared between 173 patients before team implementation but with available guidelines, 283 care-managed patients, and 126 concurrent non–care-managed patients. Results Care-managed patients achieved higher rates of use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor than baseline or non–care-managed patients (95%, 60%, and 75%, respectively;P Conclusions When compared with dissemination of guidelines alone, an active care management approach was associated with significant improvements in quality and efficiency of care for hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure.
Assessing Urinary Diversion Experience in Urologic Residency Programs—Are We Adequately Training the Next Generation?

Purpose: Operative experience is important in developing surgical skills and technical competency. There is also emerging evidence directly linking increased surgical volume to patient outcomes. Accordingly, resident training should provide the framework for mastery of complex operations. We evaluated the current urological residency experience in performing adult urinary diversion.Materials and Methods: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-Residency Review for Urology Operative Log Reports were reviewed from 2000 to 2004 with an emphasis on urinary diversion experience. Resident logs were analyzed specifically for all procedures that included CPT codes for continent and incontinent diversions. The logs were compared by year of training and type of urinary diversion.Results: Overall, the total number of urinary diversions performed by graduating residents from 4-year programs has increased from 2,259 (2000 to 2001) to 4,017 (2003 to 2004). In addition, the mean and median number of uri...
Effects of butylated hydroxytoluene on Tetrahymena pyriformis

The biological effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) at the molecular level in a eukaryotic system was studied using Tetrahymena pyriformis. BHA at 20 ppm in the medium inhibited cell growth by 50% and the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein also by 50%. Kinetic experiments indicated that inhibition of the synthesis of all three types of macromolecule occurred simultaneously, within 10 min of the addition of the BHA to the media. No effect was observed on other forms of macromolecular synthesis, and the cell membrane did not appear to be affected. Cells exposed to 20 ppm BHA had a normal morphology and size distribution.
Splenic injury in children after blunt trauma: Blood transfusion requirements and length of hospitalization for laparotomy versus observation

Abstract Nonoperative management (observation) of blunt injury to the spleen under the appropriate conditions has been shown to be successful and safe. However, concern has been raised that this approach may lead to longer hospitalizations and more frequent and greater volumes of blood transfusion and, therefore, increased risk of blood-borne infection when compared with laparotomy for blunt splenic injury. At the University of California, Davis Medical Center, two separate management teams provide trauma care to patients under 16 years of age, one of which is more oriented to nonoperative care. This provided the opportunity for a retrospective review in which length of hospitalization and blood transfusion requirements were compared for patients undergoing laparotomy and those being observed. From July 1988 to January 1992, 36 patients under the age of 16 were evaluated after blunt trauma and found to have an injury to the spleen. Eleven children were managed nonoperatively. The mechanisms of injury were similar in the operative and nonoperative groups. The average age and hematocrit for the operative and nonoperative groups (respectively) were 9.1 years, 30.6 g%, and 6.9 years, 34.4 g%. Comparing the operative and laparotomy groups, the length of hospital stay (9.9 v 8.4 days) and intensive care unit stay (5.1 v 4.3 days) were similar. The average blood transfusion volume for the observed group was 0.5 U compared with 5.3 U for the laparotomy group. A subgroup of patients (n = 9) who were stable but underwent abdominal exploration received an average of 1.4 U. There was a statistically significant decrease in blood transfusion volumes when comparing the observed and operated group ( P
Code division multiple access communications systems for CubeSats at Lunar Lagrangian L1

Interplanetary Cubesats would enable low-cost missions for high-quality scientific and exploration programs. In particular cubeSats in formation have been proposed to operate in the vicinity of the Lunar Lagrangian L1 to collect lunar scientific data and to perform surface observation. In this paper we present a low complexity CDMA system for CubeSats (M small spacecraft) for communications between the Lunar L1 and Earth station. It is well known that the complexity of a CDMA transmitter is much lower than the complexity of the CDMA receiver. Moreover, the complexity of a channel encoder is always much lower than the complexity of the channel decoder. So for downlink communications it makes sense to use encoders for modern codes such as Turbo and LDPC followed by a spread spectrum transmitter for CDMA systems for CubeSats. Here we used an LDPC coded CDMA with BPSK modulation with rectangular and half-sine pulse shaping. Except for the PN generator seed numbers, the communication structure of all CubeSats would be identical and operating at one single RF frequency. For the uplink we may choose an uncoded CDMA system since the uplink transmit power is expected to be high enough to support the use of uncoded CDMA system. In addition since there would be no multipath for the uplink (broadcast channel) the use of orthogonal spreading codes such as Walsh codes is appropriate. The choice of orthogonal codes would reduce the multiuser interference. However due to some limitation (bandwidth, data rates, and M) we may be forced to use nonorthogonal PN codes. In addition, one of the spreading codes will not carry any data, which acts as an unmodulated pilot to reduce the complexity of synchronization. The proposed uncoded CDMA yields receivers for CubeSats that have low complexity implementation. Each component of CubeSats could easily extract its own received data with almost no interference from other users in case of orthogonal spreading codes. For the downlink, depending on the available bandwidth, and the data rates, a large processing gain could be obtained if the N is not large. Thus the multiuser interference degradation due to the other CubeSats could be made small at the Earth station. If N is large, and the bandwidth and data rates do not allow large processing gains then the multiuser interference could be high. In such cases we could use a simple parallel interference cancellation method with two stages that dramatically improves the system performance for the downlink. In this paper we accurately analyzed and simulated the proposed CDMA system for a concept Constellation of 20 CubeSats (M=20). All system simulations are done using Simulink platform.
The relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction.

Abstract Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction using Kanter's theory as adapted by Laschinger and others. Research Question Is there a positive relationship between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction? Method A descriptive correlational design was used. Instruments used were the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II, which measures nurse empowerment, and the Press Ganey Associates Patient Satisfaction Surveys, which measures patient satisfaction. Results/Conclusions Significant relationships were found between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and access to information, opportunity, support, and resources. A significant positive correlation was found between nurses' perceptions of empowerment and patient satisfaction ( r = .052; p
Assessing GRASP utilization through instrumentation

The idea that representing something visually can help us understand it has long been promoted in common practice and in the literature [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Indeed, "a picture is worth a thousand words" has become a standard cliche in our culture. In the case of software, however, one must take great care that it is the correct thousand words that are being conveyed [5]. Nonetheless, appropriate visualizations of software can be quite beneficial to programmers, especially when faced with program comprehension tasks. Such tasks exist throughout the software life cycle (e.g., formal technical reviews, debugging, verification, reverse engineering) and in the classroom (e.g., students reading examples from the text or examples from the professor).The GRASP (Graphical Representations of Algorithms, Structures, and Processes) research project at Auburn University seeks to develop tools and techniques for the effective use of graphical representations and visualizations of software. The overall goal of this research is to increase the efficiency of programmer comprehension and understanding of source code, and thereby decrease overall software cost. As an integral part of the research project, the GRASP software engineering tool has been developed as a continuously evolving prototype. The emphasis of the tool to this point has been on visualizing program structure and complexity via the automatic generation of Control Structure Diagrams (CSDs) and Complexity Profile Graphs (CPGs) from Ada source code [7]. The current release of GRASP provides generation of CSDs and CPGs together with other program comprehension aids such as syntax coloring, typographical enhancements, and source code folding [8]. When coupled with an appropriate compilation system such as GNAT, GRASP becomes an integrated graphical development environment for Ada 95, allowing users to edit, visualize, pretty-print, compile, link, execute and debug Ada software.The GRASP prototype for Ada was first made available to the public in January 1996. Since that time, thousands of copies of GRASP have been downloaded via anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) and the World Wide Web (WWW) from educational, government, military and commercial sites, both in the United States and abroad. When it was released to the public, GRASP was also made available to users of the Auburn University College of Engineering computer network. GRASP is now used extensively throughout the computer science and engineering curriculum at Auburn University, in approximately three to five courses per quarter.
Population Based Model of Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC) Differentiation during Endoderm Induction

The mechanisms by which human embryonic stem cells (hESC) differentiate to endodermal lineage have not been extensively studied. Mathematical models can aid in the identification of mechanistic information. In this work we use a population-based modeling approach to understand the mechanism of endoderm induction in hESC, performed experimentally with exposure to Activin A and Activin A supplemented with growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)). The differentiating cell population is analyzed daily for cellular growth, cell death, and expression of the endoderm proteins Sox17 and CXCR4. The stochastic model starts with a population of undifferentiated cells, wherefrom it evolves in time by assigning each cell a propensity to proliferate, die and differentiate using certain user defined rules. Twelve alternate mechanisms which might describe the observed dynamics were simulated, and an ensemble parameter estimation was performed on each mechanism. A comparison of the quality of agreement of experimental data with simulations for several competing mechanisms led to the identification of one which adequately describes the observed dynamics under both induction conditions. The results indicate that hESC commitment to endoderm occurs through an intermediate mesendoderm germ layer which further differentiates into mesoderm and endoderm, and that during induction proliferation of the endoderm germ layer is promoted. Furthermore, our model suggests that CXCR4 is expressed in mesendoderm and endoderm, but is not expressed in mesoderm. Comparison between the two induction conditions indicates that supplementing FGF2 and BMP4 to Activin A enhances the kinetics of differentiation than Activin A alone. This mechanistic information can aid in the derivation of functional, mature cells from their progenitors. While applied to initial endoderm commitment of hESC, the model is general enough to be applicable either to a system of adult stem cells or later stages of ESC differentiation.
Drift-resilient cell-state metric for multilevel phase-change memory

A new cell-state metric is proposed for multilevel phase-change memory (PCM) that is more representative of the fundamental programmed entity, i.e., the amorphous/crystalline phase configuration in the PCM cell. This metric exhibits improved performance in terms of drift and better sensing resolution of cell states with a large amorphous-phase fraction when compared to the conventional low-field resistance metric. Experimental results using PCM test devices of mushroom type demonstrate the efficacy of the new metric.
Fluorescence-topographic NSOM directly visualizes peak-valley polarities of GM1/GM3 rafts in cell membrane fluctuations

Simultaneous fluorescence-topographic nanoscale imaging of cell-surface molecules in the context of membrane ultra-structures has not been reported. Here, near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM)-based direct fluorescence-topographic imaging indicated that GM3 rafts/nanodomains (190.0 ± 49.8 nm ranging 84.5–365.0 nm) were localized predominantly on the peaks of microvillus-like protrusions in the apical membrane of GM3 + Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, whereas GM1 rafts/nanodomains (159.5 ± 63.8 nm ranging 42–360 nm) were distributed mainly on the slops of protrusions or the valleys between protrusions in the plasma membranes of GM1 + MDCK cells. The data demonstrated that gangliosides polarized not only in a well-known apical-basolateral manner but also in the more microscopic peak-valley manner, implicating unique distribution of GM1 or GM3 in cell-surface fluctuations on the apical membrane of polarized cells. The peak-valley polarities of gangliosides also implicated their different functions relevant to lipid rafts, microvilli, or cellular processes. Importantly, our study demonstrated for the first time that the NSOM-based direct fluorescence-topographic imaging is unique and powerful for elucidating nanoscale distribution of specific cell-surface molecules in membrane fluctuations.
Peripheral patterns of calcitonin-gene-related peptide general somatic sensory innervation: Cutaneous and deep terminations

The distribution of calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity (IR) was studied in peripheral tissues of rats. The ganglionic origin, somatosensory nature, and anatomic relations of this thin-axon population were evaluated with particular emphasis on possible nociceptive roles. In animals untreated with colchicine, CGRP-IR is found in a vast proportion of small- and medium-diameter sensory ganglion cells that give rise to numerous thinly myelinated and unmyelinated axons that display CGRP-IR throughout the body. The integumentary innervation consists, in part, of an extensive subpapillary network largely traced to dermal blood vessels, sweat glands, and “free” nerve endings, some of which are found within regions containing only mast cells, fibroblasts, and collagen. Dermal papillae contain CGRP-IR axons surrounding each vascular loop; other papillary axons end freely or occasionally surround Meissner corpuscles. Intraepithelial axons enter glabrous epidermal pegs, branching and exhibiting terminals throughout the stratum spinosum. A similar pattern is found in hairy skin with additional innervation entering the base and surrounding the lower third of each hair follicle, but apparently not supplying sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscle. Axons innervating nonkeratinized oral epithelium are similar or greater in number and distribution compared to epidermis, often with more extensive branching. The high density of intraepithelial CGRP-IR innervation does not appear to correlate with the sensitive mechanoreceptor-based increase in spatial sensory discriminative capacities in the distal portions of the limb. In deep somatic tissues, CGRP-IR is principally related to vasculature and motor end plates of striated muscle, but there is an extensive network of thin axons within bone, principally in the periosteum, and focally in joint capsules, but not in relation to muscle spindles or tendon organs. These findings, together with the distribution in cranial tissues described in an accompanying paper (Silverman and Kruger: J. Comp. Neurol. 280:303–330, '89), are considered in the context of a “noceffector” concept incorporating the efferent role of these sensory axons in various tissues. It is suggested that involvement in tissue maintenance and renewal during normal function, as well as following injury, may predominate over the relatively infrequent nociceptive role of this peptidergic sensory system.
Stable lithium electrodeposition in salt-reinforced electrolytes

Abstract Development of high-energy lithium-based batteries that are safe remains a challenge due to the non-uniform lithium electrodeposition during repeated charge and discharge cycles. We report on the effectiveness of lithium bromide (LiBr) salt additives in a common liquid electrolyte (i.e. propylene carbonate (PC)) on the stability of lithium electrodeposition. From galvanostatic cycling measurements, we find that the presence of LiBr in PC provides more than 20-fold enhancement in cell lifetime over the control LiTFSI/PC electrolyte. Batteries containing 30 mol% LiBr additive in the electrolytes are able to cycle stably for at least 1.8 months with no observations of cell failure. From galvanostatic polarization measurements, an electrolyte containing 30 mol% LiBr shows a maximum improvement in lifetime. The formation of uneven lithium electrodeposits is significantly suppressed by the Br-containing SEI layers, evidenced by impedance spectra, post-mortem SEM and XPS analyses. The study also concludes that good solubility of halogenated salts is not necessary for achieving the observed improvements in cell lifetime.
Multiple-channel conductance states and voltage regulation of embryonic chick cardiac gap junctions.

We used the double whole-cell voltage-clamp technique on ventricle cell pairs isolated from 7-day chick heart to measure the conductance of their gap junctions (Gj) and junctional channels (γj) with a steady-state voltage difference (Vj) applied across the junction. Currents were recorded from single gap junction channels (ij) as symmetrical rectangular signals of equal size and opposite sign in the two cells, and γj was measured from ij/Vj. We observed channel openings at six reproducible conductance levels with means of 42.6, 80.7, 119.6, 157.7, 200.4 and 240.3 pS. More than half of all openings were to the 80-and 160-pS conductance levels. The probability that a high conductance event (e.g., 160 or 240 pS) results from the random simultaneous opening of several 40-pS channels is small, based on their frequency of occurrence and on the prevalence of shifts between small and large conductance states with no intervening 40-pS steps. Our results are consistent with three models of embryonic cardiac gap junction channel configuration: a homogeneous population of 40-pS channels that can open cooperatively in groups of up to six; a single population of large channels with a maximal conductance near 240 pS and five smaller substates; or several different channel types, each with its own conductance.
Benthic microalgal biomass and irradiance at the sea floor on the continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight: Spatial and temporal variability and storm effects

Abstract Variables relating to the potential for benthic microalgal primary production on the continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) were characterized over a depth range of 14–40 m off Georgia and 20–40 m off northeastern Florida. The areal concentration of chlorophyll a in the surface 0.5 cm of the sand sediments generally exceeded the depth-integrated chlorophyll in the entire overlying water column, often by a factor of 4–6. Visible irradiance at the sediment surface was often 4–8% of surface levels over much of the region, and exceeded 10% of surface levels on occasion (mid-summer at 14–30 m depth). HPLC pigment analyses and qualitative microscopy indicate that sediment chlorophyll is associated with a distinct benthic microflora dominated by diatoms. Relatively high concentrations of diatom pigments extend to at least 2–3 cm in the sediments, apparently associated with intact cells. At small spatial scales, variability in benthic microalgal biomass may be related to bioturbation and grazing by benthic fauna. Intense storms can strongly affect the potential for benthic primary production on the shelf by physical disturbance of sediments and by resuspension of fine particles, which limits light penetration to the sediment surface.
Retinal toxicity of commercial intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator solution in cat eyes.

Background: We previously reported retinal toxic reactions in rabbit eyes receiving intravitreal injections of commercial tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in concentrations greater than or equal to 50 µg/0.1 mL, and recent clinical experience suggests that intravitreal tPA solution may produce toxic effects in human eyes. We therefore investigated the dose-dependent retinal toxicity of intravitreal commercial recombinant tPA solution in cat eyes, which have a vascularized inner retina and vitreous volume similar to that of human eyes. Methods: Commercial tPA in L-arginine solution was injected into the mid vitreous cavity of normal cat eyes in doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 µg/0.1 mL and 200 µg/0.2 mL. Control (fellow) eyes received an equal volume of sterile saline solution. After injection, eyes were evaluated by ophthalmoscopy and electroretinography for 14 days and then enucleated for histopathological evaluation. Results: Fundus pigmentary alterations were observed in eyes receiving doses greater than or equal to 50 µg/0.1 mL. Changes were centered in the area around the injection site, and the area’s size increased in proportion to the dosage. Mean electroretinography B-wave amplitude measured at 14 days was significantly reduced in eyes receiving greater than or equal to 50 µg of tPA in a dose-dependent fashion. Light microscopy of the involved areas showed loss of photoreceptor elements with necrosis and proliferation of the retinal pigment epithelium. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of commercial tPA solution results in dose-dependent retinal toxicity in cat eyes. Clinical Relevance: Because cat eyes are similar to human eyes regarding retinal vascularity and vitreous volume, intravitreal injections of commercial tPA (with L-arginine vehicle) in concentrations greater than 25 µg/0.1 mL are potentially unsafe in human eyes. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:659-663
On Extremal Functions for John Constants

On developpe une approche variationnelle du probleme de la constante de John. On etudie l'existence des fonctions extremales
Preoperative infliximab therapy does not increase morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic resection for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background The impact of infliximab on the postoperative course of patients with IBD is under debate. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of infliximab on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection for IBD. Design This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, institutional review board-approved database. SETTING, PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection on preoperative infliximab (infliximab group) were compared with patients who did not receive infliximab (noninfliximab group). Main outcome measures The short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality rates were assessed. Results Elective laparoscopic resection for IBD was performed on 518 patients from January 2004 through June 2011; 142 patients were treated with infliximab preoperatively. Both groups had similar demographics, type and severity of IBD, comorbidities, and type of surgery. A significantly higher number of patients in the infliximab group had been on aggressive medical therapy to control symptoms of IBD during the month preceding surgery, including steroids (73.9 vs 58.8%, p = 0.002) and immunosuppressors (32.4 vs 20.5%, p = 0.006). Operative time and blood loss were similar (p = 0.50 and p = 0.34). Intraoperative complication rate was 2.1% in both groups. No significant differences were observed in terms of the conversion rate to laparotomy (6.3% vs 9.3%, p = 0.36), overall 30-day postoperative morbidity (p = 0.93), or mortality (p = 0.61). The rates of anastomotic leak (2.1% vs 1.3%, p = 0.81), infections (12% vs 11.2%, p = 0.92), and thrombotic complications (3.5% vs 5.6%, p = 0.46) were similar. Subgroup analyses confirmed similar rates of overall, infectious, and thrombotic complications regardless of whether patients had ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Limitations This study is subject to the limitations of a retrospective design. Conclusions Infliximab is not associated with increased rates of postoperative complications after laparoscopic resection.
Training system impact assessment: a review, reconceptualisation, and extension

This research focuses on reviewing and extending the current literature on impact assessment of training systems. This research contributes a model of training system assessment that considers organisational aspects of the training system, the life cycle of training systems, and the different stakeholders of training systems. This investigation is based on the definition of training systems as socio-technical human resource development initiatives. The intent of the training system assessment model is to help organisations providing and receiving training, as well as organisations managing the research and development of training systems with the ability to evaluate the performance of a training system through its life cycle from the identification of programme needs to selecting and conducting R&D to implementation to defining and measuring results. As proof of this concept, new views of training system impact assessment were developed and applied in the Next-generation Expeditionary Warfare Intelligent Training (NEW-IT).
Immunization with SARS Coronavirus Vaccines Leads to Pulmonary Immunopathology on Challenge with the SARS Virus

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) emerged in China in 2002 and spread to other countries before brought under control. Because of a concern for reemergence or a deliberate release of the SARS coronavirus, vaccine development was initiated. Evaluations of an inactivated whole virus vaccine in ferrets and nonhuman primates and a virus-like-particle vaccine in mice induced protection against infection but challenged animals exhibited an immunopathologic-type lung disease.
Horizontal portion of arcuate fasciculus fibers track to pars opercularis, not pars triangularis, in right and left hemispheres: A DTI study

article i nfo Article history: The arcuate fasciculus (AF) is a white matter pathway traditionally considered to connect left Broca's area with posterior language zones. We utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in eight healthy subjects (5 M) to track pathways in the horizontal mid-portion of the AF (hAF) to subregions of Broca's area — pars triangularis (PTr) and pars opercularis (POp); and to ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) in the right and left hemispheres (RH, LH). These pathways have previously been studied in the LH, but not in the RH. Only 1/8 subjects showed fiber tracts between PTr and hAF in the RH (also, only 1/8 in the LH). In contrast to PTr, 5/8 subjects showed fiber tracts between POp and hAF in the RH (8/8 in the LH). Fiber tracts for vPMC were similar to those of POp, where 7/8 subjects showed fiber tracts between vPMC and hAF in the RH (8/8 in the LH). Our designated hAF could have included some of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) III, because it is difficult to separate the two fiber bundles. The SLF III has been previously reported to connect supramarginal gyrus with POp and vPMC in the LH. Thus, although the present DTI study showed almost no pathways between PTr and hAF in the RH (and in the LH), robust pathways were observed between POp and/or vPMC with hAF in the RH (and in LH). These results replicate previous studies for the LH, but are new, for the RH. They could contribute to better understanding of recovery in aphasia.
The Elements of the Structures of International Systems

Structural international theory has become largely a matter of elaborating “the effects of anarchy.” Simple hunter-gatherer band societies, however, perfectly fit the Waltzian model of anarchic orders but do not experience security dilemmas or warfare, pursue relative gains, or practice self-help balancing. They thus demonstrate that “the effects of anarchy,” where they exist, are not effects of anarchy—undermining mainstream structural international theory as it has been practiced for the past three decades. Starting over, I ask what one needs to differentiate how actors are arranged in three simple anarchic orders: forager band societies, Hobbesian states of nature, and great power states systems. The answer turns out to look nothing like the dominant tripartite (ordering principle, functional differentiation, distribution of capabilities) conception. Based on these cases, I present a multidimensional framework of the elements of social and political structures that dispenses with anarchy, is truly structural (in contrast to the independent-variable agent-centric models of Waltz and Wendt), and highlights complexity, diversity, and regular change in the structures of international systems.
Health care reform in South Africa: Comparisons with the United States

This article compares the health care systems of the United States and South Africa in an effort to judge the relevance of policy. Both countries have relatively poor measures of health status for their levels of economic development and both have large and advanced private sectors. These similarities are associated with rapidly rising costs and large, underserved populations. It is also important to recognise the significant differences between the United States and South Africa, and especially the fact that South Africa is less developed and has fewer resources. This article provides a descriptive comparison of the health systems of the two countries, emphasising the role of managed care in the private sector. South Africa's large private sector is poised to absorb management technology pioneered in the United States.
On the significance of synchroneity in emergent systems

The goal of this paper is to explore the effects of synchronization on distributed decision making processes. In particular, we examine the dynamics of a spatially distributed multiagent system where agents use local information to make role assignments. By investigating several role assignment procedures for this problem, we find that, in general, system stability increases as the number of agents that make a decision at any particular time decreases. This result is promising, because in a physical, distributed system the time at which agents make their decisions would most likely not be synchronized. Although the two decision making procedures examined in this paper are similar, their dynamics with respect to synchronization are very different. One shows a linear relationship between synchronization and system behavior, whereas a non-linear relationship is seen with the second method. We demonstrate the significance of synchroneity on the dynamics of these complex systems and argue that it should be taken into account when studying the behaviors of multi-agent systems that utilize emergent coordination.
ON THE OPTIMAL CONSISTENT APPROXIMATION TO PAIRWISE COMPARISON MATRICES

Abstract Consistency retrieval from a biased relative preference table is an imperative task in decision theory. This paper considers the least squares approximation of a pairwise comparison matrix by consistent matrices. It is observed that the highly nonlinear manifold of consistent matrices can be changed into a linear subspace by the componentwise logarithmic transformation. A first order optimality condition therefore can be described in terms of coordinates in the linear subspace. This approach facilitates the otherwise much more complicated optimality condition if working with the variables in the original manifold. Fast nonlinear equation solvers can be employed to solve the problem efficiently.
Nonlinear Flux-Observer-Based Control of Induction Motors

We present a new scheme for speed control of induction motors, which does not require flux measurement. Under the assumption of known motor parameters, we give a proof of closed-loop stability and provide an estimate of the region of attraction. We also present simulation results comparing the new scheme with an input-output decoupling and linearization scheme, which requires flux measurements.
The Serâbît Inscriptions: II. The Decipherment and Significance of the Inscriptions

Beginning with Flinders Petrie scholars have been struck by the similarity between the script of these inscriptions and the Egyptian hieroglyphs. As the inscriptions were found in the neighborhood of numerous Egyptian monuments, an attempt was naturally made to read them as in the Egyptian language; but this proved unsuccessful, and it was evident that although the signs show close relationship with hieroglyphs, the language is not Egyptian. On Sinai, it was natural to think of a Semitic language. Further, the Egyptian phonetic value of the signs does not yield Semitic words, so that it appears that not only the language but the phonetic value of the signs is Semitic, not Egyptian.
Leucine, glutamine, and tyrosine reciprocally modulate the translation initiation factors eIF4F and eIF2B in perfused rat liver.

Leucine, glutamine, and tyrosine, three amino acids playing key modulatory roles in hepatic proteolysis, were evaluated for activation of signaling pathways involved in regulation of liver protein synthesis. Furthermore, because leucine signals to effectors that lie distal to the mammalian target of rapamycin, these downstream factors were selected for study as candidate mediators of amino acid signaling. Using the perfused rat liver as a model system, we observed a 25% stimulation of protein synthesis in response to balanced hyperaminoacidemia, whereas amino acid imbalance due to elevated concentrations of leucine, glutamine, and tyrosine resulted in a protein synthetic depression of roughly 50% compared with normoaminoacidemic controls. The reduction in protein synthesis accompanying amino acid imbalance became manifest at high physiologic concentrations and was dictated by the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of translation initiation factor eIF2B. Paradoxically, this phenomenon occurred concomitantly with assembly of the mRNA cap recognition complex, eIF4F as well as activation of the 70-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase, p70S6k. Dual and reciprocal modulation of eIF4F and eIF2B was leucine-specific because isoleucine, a structural analog, was ineffective in these regards. Thus, we conclude that amino acid imbalance, heralded by leucine, initiates a liver-specific translational failsafe mechanism that deters protein synthesis under unfavorable circumstances despite promotion of the eIF4F complex.
Effect of ultrasonic waves on the stability of selected surface-active agents. sulfonamides, and p-aminobenzoic acid.

Data are presented showing the effect of ultrasonic waves on the stability of certain surface-active agents, sulfonamides, and p -aminobenzoic acid. Under the experimental conditions employed, the surface-active agents were stable and the breakdown of the sulfonamides and p -aminobenzoic acid was greater than could be accounted for on the basis of peroxide formation.
The Spinor Representation of Minimal Surfaces

The spinor representation is developed and used to investigate minimal surfaces in ${\bfR}^3$ with embedded planar ends. The moduli spaces of planar-ended minimal spheres and real projective planes are determined, and new families of minimal tori and Klein bottles are given. These surfaces compactify in $S^3$ to yield surfaces critical for the Mobius invariant squared mean curvature functional $W$. On the other hand, all $W\!$-critical spheres and real projective planes arise this way. Thus we determine at the same time the moduli spaces of $W\!$-critical spheres and real projective planes via the spinor representation.
RMI: A Framework for Modeling and Evaluating the Resiliency Maturity of IT Service Organizations

With increasing globalization and outsourcing, IT service providers need a way to assess the resilience of their operations (and of their vendors) to understand the impact that various failures can have on their output, and to guide their decisions on where to best invest for remediation. In this paper, we present the resiliency maturity index (RMI), a framework for characterizing and evaluating the resiliency of an IT services organization. The framework consists of (a) a model for capturing the hierarchical component structure of the organization and the relationships among (sub)components, and (b) a method to determine a quantitative score that indicates the overall resiliency maturity of the organization. We describe a case study of the application of RMI to a hypothetical IT service provider organization, based on our experience of applying it to actual real-world delivery centers. We also demonstrate the utility of the RMI framework through various realistic scenarios such as making investment decisions, .assessing the impact of organizational expansion, and outsourcing decisions.
Modelling blended solutions for higher education: teaching, learning and assessment in the network and mobile technology era

The article addresses the role of network and mobile technologies in enhancing blended solutions with a view to (a) enriching the teaching/learning processes, (b) exploiting the opportunities it offers for their observability, and hence for their monitoring and formative/summative assessment. It will also discuss how such potential can only be captured by solidly integrating the process of instructional design with that of monitoring and assessment. First, the article presents the proposed conception of blended solutions, giving examples. In the second part, the article discusses a possible breakdown of blended solutions into its various components and how these can enrich both the teaching/learning and the assessment processes. Finally, it addresses the question of how to combine and/or use singly the various components of blended solutions. To conclude, implications for the implementation of blended solutions are discussed, also in relation to emerging contexts such as Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs).
Chaos, Reports, and Quests: Narrative Agency and Co-Workers in Stories of Workplace Bullying

This study examined narratives targets of workplace bullying told about their difficult work experiences along with how co-workers were framed in these narratives. Three different narrative types emerged from their accounts: chaos, report, and quest narratives. Co-worker responses of support or lack thereof were related to the construction of various narrative forms and the level of narrative agency evident in target accounts. The study has important implications for the difference co-workers can make in a target’s ability to withstand bullying and narrate his or her experience.