cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Approaches to Anterior Skull Base Meningiomas

Objective Anterior skull base meningiomas include olfactory groove, planum sphenoidale, and tuberculum sellae lesions. Traditionally, standard craniotomy approaches have been used to access meningiomas in these locations. More recently, minimally invasive techniques including supraorbital and endonasal endoscopic approaches have gained favor; however there are limited published series comparing the use of these two techniques for these meningiomas. Using our patent database, we identified patients who underwent these two approaches, and conducted a retrospective chart review to compare outcomes between these two techniques. Methods A total of 32 patients who underwent minimally invasive approaches were identified: 20 supraorbital and 11 endoscopic endonasal. Radiographic images, presenting complaints and outcomes, were analyzed retrospectively. The safety of each approach was evaluated. Results The mean extent of resection through a supraorbital approach was significantly greater than that of the endoscopic endonasal approach, 88.1 vs. 57.9%, respectively (p = 0.016). Overall, preoperative visual acuity and anopsia deficits were more frequent in the endonasal group that persisted postoperatively (visual acuity: p = 0.004; anopsia: p = 0.011). No major complications including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks or wound-related complications were identified in the supraorbital craniotomy group, while the endonasal group had two CSF leaks requiring lumbar drain placement. Length of stay was shorter in the supraorbital group (3.4 vs. 6.1 days, p Conclusion Anterior skull base meningiomas can be successfully managed by both supraorbital and endoscopic endonasal approaches. Both approaches provide excellent direct access to tumor in carefully selected patients and are safe and efficient, but patient factors and symptoms should dictate the approach selected.
From Attleboro to EPSA

This Article compares the pattern of fundamental change, legal and regulatory response, and judicial adaptation underlying the electricity sector’s twentieth century beginnings to its current and ongoing rapid transition. This comparison is then used as a basis to examine and contextualize the collaborative federalism jurisdictional framework that the Supreme Court employs when adjudicating modern-day jurisdictional disputes in the sector. The early 1900s saw a period of rapid industry expansion, with the electricity sector progressing from small intrastate utilities to a sprawling interstate grid. The expanding grid rapidly outgrew the state-led regulatory framework that had organically developed. In turn, Congress responded by passing the Federal Power Act to fill what is now known as the Attleboro gap. Courts in turn needed to resolve consequent jurisdictional tensions that arose under the new federal and state balance of authority. The courts employed a bright-line jurisdictional framework that divided authority on the basis of location, adjudicating disputes by determining where the contested action took place. This line-drawing split federal authority on one side of the juridical line—such as wholesale sales and interstate activities—and state authority on the other, such as retail sales and intrastate activities. Just as the interstate expansion of the grid disrupted industry and regulatory structure in the 1900s, modern rapid change is once again creating new benefits and interests through foundational sector disruption. This disruption has similarly placed pressure upon the electricity sector and its regulation. This Article analyzes three foundational changes to the electricity sector that are spurring energy transition and grid modernization: opening the industry to competitive market forces; technological advances making a multidirectional grid possible; and evolving state policy preferences and priorities that seek to combat climate change. The foundational change underway in the electricity sector has spurred a legal and regulatory response in order to create new connections between longstanding statutory mandate and sector change. Congress, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and states have responded with laws and regulations that acknowledge a sector that now resists simple, bright-line jurisdictional division. These responses have invited increasingly frequent court review. In adjudicating disputes in the electricity sector, the courts have turned to and fully embraced a functionalist, ‘collaborative federalism’ jurisdictional framework. This jurisdictional framework considers an issue’s intent, target, and effect rather than an issue’s location. It best enables courts to adjudicate disputes in the context of changes occurring within the modern electricity sector.
Implementation of the diffusion model on dot-probe task performance in children with behavioral inhibition

Attentional bias to threat, the process of preferentially attending to potentially threatening environmental stimuli over neutral stimuli, is positively associated with behavioral inhibition (BI) and trait anxiety. However, the most used measure of attentional bias to threat, the dot-probe task, has been criticized for demonstrating poor reliability. The present study aimed to assess whether utilizing a sequential sampling model to describe performance could detect adequate test–retest reliability for the dot-probe task, demonstrate stronger cueing effects, and improve the association with neural signals of early attention. One hundred and twenty children aged 9–12 years completed the dot-probe task twice. During the second administration, event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained as time-sensitive neural markers of attention. BI was not associated with traditional or diffusion model measures of performance. Traditional and diffusion model measures of performance were also not associated with N1, P2, or N2 ERP amplitude. There were main effects of Visit, in which RTs were faster and standard deviation of RT smaller during the second administration due to an increase in drift rate and a decrease in non-decision time. The traditional RT bias score (r = 0.06) and bias scores formed via diffusion model parameters (all r’s < 0.40) all demonstrated poor reliability. Results confirm recommendations to move away from using the dot-probe task as the primary or sole index of attentional bias.
Beware of the Dragon: A Case Report of a Komodo Dragon Attack:

Komodo dragon attacks are rare occurrences, especially in the United States. Attacks are believed to be highly infectious and venomous, leading to demise of its prey. We present a case of a 43-year...
Measuring the balance of the world's largest machine

10.1119/10.0005989.1The electrical power grid has been described as the largest machine in the world. Although we customarily assume our electrical outlets provide a steady sinusoidal voltage with a frequency of 60 Hz (in North America), the variations from that ideal are easy to observe using the methods described in this article. These frequency variations are important since, as can be shown with introductory-level physics concepts, they arise when power generation and usage are not balanced on the electrical grid. The challenge of balancing the electrical grid will increase over the coming years as we adopt more sustainable but less predictable energy sources, and this connection to one of our current societal challenges makes this project interesting to students.
Rough-sets based learning systems

Let us now make the final conclusions concerning the learning processes in static and expanding systems. In a static system we are able to approximate a new concept and teach the system only that approximation. The relation between the concept and its approximation is stored as a system rule. In an expanding system we can teach the system the exact concept. Concepts learned by the system are used to approximate concepts which have to be learned. In static systems these approximations are replaced by larger approximations by applying system rules. For this reason the number of examples used by the teacher to teach a concept in static systems is greater than the number of examples needed to teach the same concept in expanding systems.
3D Image Reconstruction

This chapter is focused on 3D tomographic imaging. In 3D, we will consider the parallel line-integral projections, parallel plane-integral projections, and cone-beam line-integral projections, separately. For the 3D parallel lineintegral projections and parallel plane-integral projections, there exist the central slice theorems, from which the image reconstruction algorithms can be derived. However, for the cone-beam projections the situation is different; there is no central slice theorem for cone-beam. We have to somehow establish a relationship between the cone-beam projections and the 3D image itself. Since the cone-beam image reconstruction is an active research area, this chapter spends a significant effort on discussing cone-beam reconstruction algorithms, among which the Katsevich algorithm is the latest and the best one.
Fast Cube Cutting for Interactive Volume Visualization

Visualizing 3D volume datasets has received a great deal of attention in many areas: medical imaging, geoscience, and astrophysics are a few such areas. With improvements of commodity graphics cards, texture-based visualization methods have become popular. Within these methods, intersecting a series of planes with a cube is a common problem. While there are standard methods for approaching this problem, visualizing large data sets in real-time require faster approaches. We present a sweeping algorithm that determines the sequence of topology changes (STC) of the intersection of a cube with a plane as it moves through the cube. We use this algorithm to construct a table of these topological changes that maps view vectors to an STC. With this sequence of topology changes, we generate the polygonal intersections via vector addition. Finally, we use our approach in an octree-based, empty-space culling framework to further reduce the rendering time for large volumes.
Common Diseases of Laboratory Zebrafish

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews various laboratory zebrafish diseases, which include conditions caused by both infectious and noninfectious agents. It summarizes the current literature and actual diagnostic cases evaluated by the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) Pathology Service. The aquatic environment is susceptible to contamination by countless compounds and metabolic waste products. The toxicity of compounds dissolved in the aquatic environment can be affected by numerous interacting factors, including temperature, pH, hardness, alkalinity, other chemicals, and life stage of the fish. Almost all the bacterial pathogens affecting fish are found ubiquitously in the aquatic environment. These opportunistic bacteria are capable of existing and multiplying outside of the fish host. Bacterial pathogenesis in fish involves both the virulence of the invading organism and the susceptibility of the fish host. Aquatic fungi and fungus-like organisms (class Oomycetes) are important pathogens of both fish and eggs. There are multiple genera of water molds found ubiquitously in the aquatic environment where they feed saprophytically on dead and decaying organic matter. Factors that predispose infections include handling trauma, stagnant water, high densities, parasitic infections, and excess decaying feed or organic matter. Till the present time, no natural viral pathogens have been identified in zebrafish. Knowledge of fish viruses in tropical fish species, including zebrafish, is limited because diagnostics and research has traditionally been focused on the more commercially valuable cultured fish species. One important zoonotic disease relevant to laboratory zebrafish is cutaneous infections caused by atypical Mycobacterium spp.
Psychological interventions for people with cystic fibrosis and their families.

Background With increasing survival estimates for cystic fibrosis (CF) long-term management has become an important focus. Psychological interventions are largely concerned with adherence to treatment, emotional and social adjustments and quality of life. We are unaware of any relevant systematic reviews. Objectives Assess whether psychological interventions for CF provide significant psychosocial and physical benefits in addition to standard care. Search methods Trials were identified from two Cochrane trial registers (CF and Genetic Disorders Group; Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group), Ovid MEDLINE and PsychINFO; unpublished trials were located through professional networks and Listserves. Most recent search: September 2007. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials of a broad range of psychological interventions in children and adults with CF and their immediate family. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently selected relevant trials and assessed their methodological quality. Main results The review includes 13 studies (five new at this update) representing data from 529 participants. Studies mainly assessed behavioural and educational interventions: 1. gene pre-test education counselling for relatives of those with CF; 2. biofeedback, massage and music therapy to assist physiotherapy; 3. behavioural and educational interventions to improve dietary intake and airway clearance; 4. self-administration of medication and education to promote independence, knowledge and quality of life; and 5. systemic interventions promoting psychosocial functioning. A substantial proportion of outcomes were educational or behavioural relating to issues of adherence, change in physical status or other specific treatment concerns during the chronic phase of the disease. Some evidence was found for relative's acceptance of a genetic test for carrier status when using home-based rather than clinic-based information leaflets and testing. There is some evidence that behavioural interventions improve emotional outcomes in people with CF and their carers, and that psychoeducational interventions improve knowledge in the short term. There was no consistent effect on lung function, although one small study showed that biofeedback-assisted breathing re-training helped improve some lung function measurements. Some studies point to educational and behavioural interventions aiding nutrition and growth in people with CF. Currently there is insufficient evidence for interventions aimed at other aspects of the disease process. Authors' conclusions Currently no clear evidence exists on the best psychological interventions to help people with CF and their carers manage the disease. Trials of interventions to improve adherence to treatment are needed. Multicentre approaches, with consequent funding implications, will increase the sample size of trials and enhance the power and precision of their findings.
Intrinsic limitations on performance and reliability of i) Si oxynitride and ii) high-k T-M oxides, and silicate and aluminate alloy gate dielectrics

This paper has addressed intrinsic limitations in the performance of gate stacks for MOSFET devices that employ dielectrics other than SiO/sub 2/ or thermally-nitrided SiO/sub 2/. Since the alternative dielectrics include both i) Si oxynitride alloys and ii) high-k metal, T-M and R-E oxides, and silicate and aluminate alloys, it is necessary to identify the intrinsic similarities and differences between these two groups of materials. This has been done at two different levels, amorphous morphology of the non-crystalline dielectric structure, and the electronic structure. These two groups are significantly different, and in the opinion of the author, a fruitful comparison can be made by comparing Si oxynitride alloys and T-M/R-E silicate and aluminate alloys.
Competition between randomizing impacts and inelastic collisions in granular pattern formation

The flow and mixing of granular materials occur during handling of a wide variety of substances, from pharmaceuticals to cement to cereal grains1,2. The understanding of such flows is, however, considerably more limited than it is for fluids3; even basic processes such as tumbling4,5, simple shear6,7,8 and shaking9,10,11,12 give rise to unexpected results. A case in point is granular pattern formation. A rich variety of patterns, including stripes, squares, hexagons and solitary structures, has been observed in vertically shaken, shallow granular beds13,14. The vertical dynamics responsible for these patterns have been explored15,16,17,18,19, but the role of horizontal motions of the grains is less well understood. Here I present a model of these motions that identifies two aspects as central to pattern formation: the randomization of horizontal velocities20 by shaking, and the inelastic nature of grain collisions. These two elements alone, even without the influence of gravity, are sufficient to produce organized patterns in the horizontal plane — both those observed and others not yet seen experimentally.
Does Parental Involvement Affect Eighth-Grade Student Achievement? Structural Analysis of National Data

Educators and policy makers recently have touted increased parental involvement as one method of improving U.S. student achievement. Despite claims for achievement effects for parental involvement,...
Best management of threatened preterm labour - how to implement the evidence into practice.

Please cite this paper as: Berghella V. Best management of threatened preterm labour – how to implement the evidence into practice. BJOG 2010;117:1313–1315.
An integrated scenario management strategy

Scenarios have proven effective for eliciting, describing and validating software requirements; however, scenario management continues to be a significant challenge to practitioners. One reason for this difficulty is that the number of possible relations among scenarios grows exponentially with the number of scenarios. If these relations are formalized, they can be more easily identified and supported. To provide this support, we extend the benefits of project-wide glossaries with two complementary approaches. The first approach employs shared scenario elements to identify and maintain common episodes among scenarios. The resulting episodes impose consistency across related scenarios and provide a way to visualize their interdependencies. The second approach quantifies similarity between scenarios. The resulting similarity measures serve as heuristics for finding duplicate scenarios, scenarios needing further elaboration, and scenarios which have not yet been identified yielding valuable information about how well the scenarios provide coverage of the requirements. These two approaches, integrated with a scenario database, project glossaries, configuration management, and coverage analysis, form the basis of a useful and effective strategy for scenario management and evolution.
Effects of unilateral laser‐assisted ventriculocordectomy in horses with laryngeal hemiplegia

Summary Reasons for performing study: Recent studies have evaluated surgical techniques aimed at reducing noise and improving airway function in horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). These techniques require general anaesthesia and are invasive. A minimally invasive transnasal surgical technique for treatment of RLN that may be employed in the standing, sedated horse would be advantageous. Objective: To determine whether unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC) improves upper airway function and reduces noise during inhalation in exercising horses with laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Methods: Six Standardbred horses were used; respiratory sound and inspiratory transupper airway pressure (Pui) measured before and after induction of LH, and 60, 90 and 120 days after LVC. Inspiratory sound level (SL) and the sound intensities of formants 1, 2 and 3 (F1, F2 and F3, respectively), were measured using computer-based sound analysis programmes. In addition, upper airway endoscopy was performed at each time interval, at rest and during treadmill exercise. Results: In LH-affected horses, Pui, SL and the sound intensity of F2 and F3 were increased significantly from baseline values. At 60 days after LVC, Pui and SL had returned to baseline, and F2 and F3 values had improved partially compared to LH values. At 90 and 120 days, however, SL increased again to LH levels. Conclusions: LVC decreases LH-associated airway obstruction by 60 days after surgery, and reduces inspiratory noise but not as effectively as bilateral ventriculocordectomy. Potential relevance: LVC may be recommended as a treatment of LH, where reduction of upper airway obstruction and respiratory noise is desired and the owner wishes to avoid risks associated with a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia.
Validation of Growth and Nutrient Uptake Models for Tomato on a Gravelly South Florida Soil Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) has been widely used throughout the world to model crop growth and nutrient uptake in various types of soils. A greenhouse experiment was performed to validate the process equations embedded in SWAT for describing the growth and nutrient uptake of tomatoes in south Florida. The scaled growth curve of greenhouse-grown tomatoes was in close agreement with the theoretical model for field conditions, with the scaling factors being the maximum canopy height and the potential heat units. Similarly, the scaled leaf area index (LAI) growth curve and the scaled root depth curve for greenhouse-grown tomatoes agreed with the SWAT functions, with the scaling factors being the maximum LAI and maximum root depth. The greenhouse experiment confirmed that the growth of biomass is a linear function of the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation. The fractions of nutrients in the plant biomass under greenhouse conditions were found to be on the order of 60% of those fractions observed in the field. Values of the initial P distribution (0.2 mg kg −1 ), initial ratio of mineral stable P to mineral active P (50:1), and initial ratio of humic N to humic P (2.4:1) were determined from soil measurements and can be used for field simulations. The conventional saturation-excess model for soil-water percolation was used to predict the movement of water in the top 10 cm of the greenhouse containers and the results agreed well with measurements.
An Apparatus for the Vaporization-Concentration Method of Spectrochemical Analysis

An apparatus for using the vaporization-concentration method of separation of impurities for spectrochemical analysis of refractory materials is described. The unit is portable and can be used with controlled atmospheres at either positive or negative pressures. A temperature of over 2300°C can be attained in less than one minute. Temperature is read with a disappearing filament optical pyrometer and is controlled by variations of the input voltages by means of two autotransformers. Several other possible applications of the unit are also suggested.
Mechanism of the Enzymatic Phosphorylation of Thiamin

WE have previously demonstrated that thiamin pyrophosphate may be synthesized from the free vitamin by the action of enzymes present in alkaline washed brewer's bottom yeast, provided that hexose-diphosphate and certain factors present in boiled aqueous extracts of animal tissues are present1,3. Synthesis under these conditions was completely inhibited by 0·005 M. sodium iodoacetate, but was relatively unaffected by 0·04 M. sodium fluoride. More recently3, we have demonstrated that cozymase and acetaldehyde may be substituted for the boiled tissue extract with no change in the degree of synthesis or of the iodoacetate inhibition. Phosphoglyceric acid may also be substituted for the boiled tissue extract, but under these conditions iodoacetate fails to affect the synthesis while fluoride causes complete inhibition3. Using specially prepared alkaline washed yeast, we have found that cocarboxylase synthesis with phosphoglyceric acid is considerably diminished. It may be restored, however, by the addition of catalytic quantities of adenylic acid. As a result of these experiments we have proposed the reaction
Ascaris suum: larval returns in rabbits, guinea pigs and mice after low-dose exposure to eggs.

Abstract Larval recoveries from the livers and lungs were highest from commercially available guinea pigs, then rabbits and mice after inoculation with 1000 embryonated Ascaris suum eggs and the differences were highly significant. The larval recoveries from the livers and lungs of the mouse indicated that the number of larvae migrating between these organs is less than the number in the rabbit and guinea pig. Studies in mice on factors that may cause variation in numbers of recoverable larvae showed that part of the inoculated egg dose was lost due to passage of feces and this loss involves a greater proportion of a small dose. Mice which had previous infections yielded more larvae than did parasite-free mice after inoculation with 1000 eggs. Infections produced with 1000 embryonated eggs were found to be suitable for quantitative studies on host-parasite relationships employing A. suum . The relating of the magnitude and kinetics of larval migration between mice and animals of the other species is not possible without correction factors.
Uses of History in an Historical Science: Learning from Traditions in Geology

Different academic disciplines are affected by their history and react toward history in various and sometimes changeable ways. Geology is by far the most historical science in its operational approach to problem solving. Religious, cultural, and political overtones undeniably permeated many aspects of unfolding geological thought during the last few centuries. Despite these influences, the sustained success of applied geology as a predictive tool for the location of natural resources has generated a highly tolerant climate for pure geological research within a broad array of societal systems. Thus, the main influence of history on the continuing evolution of the discipline has been supportive in a remarkably steady way. Geologists tend to react to their history conservatively, seeking no realignments. This relationship is underscored by the fact that the discipline of geology entered the academic arena only after proving itself in the practical world. Geologists were once the unchallenged students of the...
Scalable Total Syntheses of (−)-Hapalindole U and (+)-Ambiguine H

The Stigonemataceae family of cyanobacteria produces a class of biogenetically related indole natural products that include hapalindoles and ambiguines. In this full account, a practical route to the tetracyclic hapalindole family is presented by way of an eight-step, enantiospecific, protecting-group-free total synthesis of (−)-hapalindole U that features an oxidative indole–enolate coupling. With gram-scale access to hapalindole U, the first total synthesis of an ambiguine alkaloid, (+)-ambiguine H, was completed via an isonitrile-assisted prenylation of an indole followed by a photofragmentation cascade.
Isopropyl m-Chlorocarbanilate and Its Hydroxylated Metabolites: Their Effects on Cell Suspensions and Cell Divison in Soybean and Carrot

Hydroxylated metabolites of isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate (chlorpropham) are found in intact soybean plants (Glycine max Merr.). The metabolites are isopropyl 2-hydroxy-5-chloro-carbanilate (2OH) and isopropyl 3-chloro-4-hydroxycarbanilate (4OH). The phytotoxicity of these metabolites and chlorpropham was tested in cell suspensions and roots of intact soybean seedlings and cell cultures of carrot (Daucus carota L.). The growth of soybean cell suspensions was inhibited with 50 μM chlorpropham. Ten μM chlorpropham usually slowed initial growth of the cultures while 5 μM and 0.1 μM chlorpropham had no effect. The 2OH and 4OH metabolites had no significant effect on dry weight over the same concentration range. Some metabolism of chlorpropham, 2OH and 4OH occurred during 6 and 48 h of incubation with soybean cells. The results are interpreted to mean that all three analogs penetrated into the cells, were metabolized, and some of the metabolites excreted back into the medium. Mitotic index studies of intact 3-day-old soybean roots showed that 2OH inhibited mitosis to a greater extent than chlorpropham, whereas 4OH produced only a slight and insignificant reduction compared to controls. Chlorpropham, 2OH and 4OH (at 50 μM) all reduced the growth of wild carrot cultures grown in the presence or absence of 2,4-D. Therefore, hydroxylation of chlorpropham at the 2′ or 4′ positions of the 5′ chlorinated benzene ring is not sufficient to render the compound nonphytotoxic in all plant systems.
Global Commodity Chains and the Organizational Grounding of Consumer Cultural Production

This essay brings together ‘commodity chain’ analysis with some of the central concerns motivating studies of consumption and consumer culture. It argues that we can, from the perspective of capita...
Anxiety symptoms among remitted depressed outpatients: prevalence and association with quality of life and psychosocial functioning.

Abstract Background Prior studies of remission from depression have only examined the impact of residual depressive, but not anxiety, symptoms. Given that anxiety comorbidity in currently depressed patients is common and is associated with poorer outcomes, residual anxiety symptoms may play a significant role in remitted patients' well-being and vulnerability to relapse. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we examined the frequency of residual anxiety symptoms among depressed outpatients in remission based on the HAM-D and associations among residual anxiety, psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Methods We interviewed 274 psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with DSM-IV major depressive disorder. Patients completed measures of depression and anxiety symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. Results Nearly three-quarters of remitted depressed patients endorsed at least one residual anxiety symptom, with a majority experiencing more than one symptom. Anxiety severity was associated with reduced functioning and quality of life across all life domains. Controlling for depression severity, anxiety symptoms were independently related to reduced functioning and quality of life in several domains. Limitations We did not assess for specific pre-existing DSM-IV anxiety disorders nor particular treatments patients received, which may have influenced residual anxiety symptoms. Future studies should replicate the results using other measures of remission. Conclusions Anxiety symptoms are common in depressed patients in remission, and independently related to reduced functioning and quality of life. Thus, it is important to consider anxiety symptoms in evaluating the completeness of treatment response of depressed patients.
Aspiration Pneumonia After Stroke: Intervention and Prevention

Fifteen million strokes occur worldwide each year with 5 million associated deaths and an additional 5 million people left permanently disabled. In the United States, about 780 000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. There were an estimated total 5.8 million stroke survivors as of 2008. Mortality from stroke is the third leading cause of death in America following heart disease and cancer. Chest infection may affect up to as many as one-third of stroke patients. This increases the morbidity and mortality of this patient population. Pneumonia causes the highest attributable mortality of all medical complications following stroke. A comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach is required at the hospital level. This requires active administrative commitment and participation. Implementation of evidence-based management strategies can improve outcomes and reduce costs. We sought to review the problem of post-stroke pneumonia and discuss strategies for prevention and intervention.
Self-consistent generation of tectonic plates in time-dependent, three-dimensional mantle convection simulations

[1] Presented here are self-consistent, three-dimensional simulations of mantle convection, some of which display an approximation of plate tectonic behavior that is continuous in space and time. Plate behavior arises through a reasonable material description of silicate deformation, with a simple yield stress being sufficient to give first-order plate-like behavior; however, the required yield strength or fault frictional coefficient is much less than experimentally determined values. Toroidal:poloidal ratios are within geologically observed limits. The sensitivity of the system to yield strength and the form of strength envelope is systematically investigated. Optimum plate character is obtained in a narrow range of yield strength, below which diffuse boundaries, and above which episodic behavior, and eventually a rigid lid, are observed. Models with mobile lids develop very long wavelength horizontal structure, the longest wavelength possible in the domain. Two-dimensional models display much greater time dependence than three-dimensional models.
Nerve growth factor sensitizes adult sympathetic neurons to the proinflammatory peptide bradykinin.

Levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) are elevated in inflamed tissues. In sensory neurons, increases in NGF augment neuronal sensitivity (sensitization) to noxious stimuli. Here, we hypothesized that NGF also sensitizes sympathetic neurons to proinflammatory stimuli. We cultured superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons from adult male Sprague Dawley rats with or without added NGF and compared their responsiveness to bradykinin, a proinflammatory peptide. The NGF-cultured neurons exhibited significant depolarization, bursts of action potentials, and Ca2+ elevations after bradykinin application, whereas neurons cultured without NGF showed only slight changes in membrane potential and cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels. The NGF effect, which requires trkA receptors, takes hours to develop and days to reverse. We addressed the ionic mechanisms underlying this sensitization. NGF did not alter bradykinin-induced M-current inhibition or phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis. Maxi-K channel-mediated current evoked by depolarizations was reduced by 50% by culturing neurons in NGF. Application of iberiotoxin or paxilline, blockers of Maxi-K channels, mimicked NGF treatment and sensitized neurons to bradykinin application. A calcium channel blocker also mimicked NGF treatment. We found that NGF reduces Maxi-K channel opening by decreasing the activity of nifedipine-sensitive calcium channels. In conclusion, culture in NGF reduces the activity of L-type calcium channels, and secondarily, the calcium-sensitive activity of Maxi-K channels, rendering sympathetic neurons electrically hyper-responsive to bradykinin.
Stereochemistry of alternating polyol chains: 13C NMR analysis of 1,3-diol acetonides

Abstract Acetonides of syn and anti 1,3-diols (4,6-dialkyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxanes) can be easily and unambiguously distinguished by 13C NMR. The stereochemistry of many alternating (1,3,5...) polyol chains can be determined by preparation and 13C NMR analysis of two frame-shifted polyacetonide derivatives.
Reversion of bacteriophage T4rIImutants by high levels of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides

High levels of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides, but not purine deoxyribonucleosides, increase the reversion rate of bacteriophage T4rII mutants to r+. This increased reversion rate is not observed when a thymidine kinase mutation is introduced into the bacteriophage, but the high reversion rate persists when the host, E. coli, harbors a thymidine kinase mutation.
Transmyocardial Revascularization with a Carbon Dioxide Laser in Patients with End-Stage Coronary Artery Disease

Background The construction of subendocardial channels to perfuse ischemic areas of the myocardium has been investigated since the 1950s. We assessed the safety and efficacy of transmyocardial revascularization with a carbon dioxide laser in patients with refractory angina and left ventricular free-wall ischemia that was not amenable to direct coronary revascularization. Methods In a prospective, controlled, multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 91 patients to undergo transmyocardial revascularization and 101 patients to receive continued medical treatment. The severity of angina (according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS] classification), quality of life, and cardiac perfusion (as assessed by thallium-201 scanning) were evaluated at base line and 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. Results At 12 months, angina had improved by at least two CCS classes in 72 percent of the patients assigned to transmyocardial revascularization, as compared with 13 percent of the patients assigned to medi...
Listening in on difficult conversations: an observational, multi-center investigation of real-time conversations in medical oncology

The quality of communication in medical care has been shown to influence health outcomes. Cancer patients, a highly diverse population, communicate with their clinical care team in diverse ways over the course of their care trajectory. Whether that communication happens and how effective it is may relate to a variety of factors including the type of cancer and the patient’s position on the cancer care continuum. Yet, many of the routine needs of cancer patients after initial cancer treatment are often not addressed adequately. Our goal is to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in cancer communication by investigating real-time cancer consultations in a cross section of patient-clinician interactions at diverse study sites. In this paper we describe the rationale and approach for an ongoing observational study involving three institutions that will utilize quantitative and qualitative methods and employ a short-term longitudinal, prospective follow-up component to investigate decision-making, key topics, and clinician-patient-companion communication dynamics in clinical oncology. Through a comprehensive, real-time approach, we hope to provide the fundamental groundwork from which to promote improved patient-centered communication in cancer care.
Cell Adhesion Regulates Ubiquitin-mediated Degradation of the Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor β

Cross-talk between integrin-mediated adhesion and growth factors has been described in many recent studies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We report here that detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix induced a decrease in both the autophosphorylation and protein levels of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGF-R β), which was completely reversed upon replating cells on fibronectin. The effect occurred in all cells examined but to a greater extent in primary fibroblasts compared with established cell lines. Decreased PDGF-R levels in suspended cells correlated with ubiquitination of the PDGF-R and was blocked by treatment with inhibitors of the proteasome pathway. Unlike PDGF-induced down-regulation, detachment-induced degradation did not require receptor autophosphorylation, internalization, or tyrosine kinase activity. We conclude that cell detachment results in cellular desensitization to PDGF that is mediated by degradation of the PDGF-R via a novel ubiquitin-dependent pathway.
BPH in 2012: Novel agents in treatment of BPH

2012 in BPH has been characterized by studies investigating treatment options for BPH-associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Onabotulinumtoxin A and saw palmetto have both been shown to be no more effective than placebo. However, in a positive move, tadalafil received FDA approval for LUTS treatment.
Effectiveness of etoposide chemomobilization in lymphoma patients undergoing auto-SCT

The effectiveness of stem cell mobilization with G-CSF in lymphoma patients is suboptimal. We reviewed our institutional experience using chemomobilization with etoposide (VP-16; 375 mg/m2 on days +1 and +2) and G-CSF (5 μg/kg twice daily from day +3 through the final day of collection) in 159 patients with lymphoma. This approach resulted in successful mobilization (>2 × 106 CD34+ cells collected) in 94% of patients (83% within 4 apheresis sessions). Fifty-seven percent of patients yielded at least 5 × 106 cells in ⩽2 days and were defined as good mobilizers. The regimen was safe with a low rate of rehospitalization. Average costs were $14 923 for good mobilizers and $27 044 for poor mobilizers (P<0.05). Using our data, we performed a ‘break-even’ analysis that demonstrated that adding two doses of Plerixafor to predicted poor mobilizers at the time of first CD34+ cell count would achieve cost neutrality if the frequency of good mobilizers were to increase by 21%, while the frequency of good mobilizers would need to increase by 25% if three doses of Plerixafor were used. We conclude that chemomobilization with etoposide and G-CSF in patients with lymphoma is effective, with future opportunities for cost-neutral improvement using novel agents.
Metabolic consequences of DNA damage: DNA damage induces alterations in glucose metabolism by activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

Abstract In this communication we show that activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase by DNA damage can produce drastic alterations in carbohydrate metabolism. We examined alterations in NAD + , NADP + , ATP and glucose-6-phosphate in L1210 murine leukemia cells, following exposure to different concentrations of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Treatment of cells with 20 μg/ml MNNG produced rapid depletion of NAD + and ATP. The G-6-P pool showed a biphasic change: first the pool size decreased, then increased to a level greater than that present in control cells. Nicotinamide treatment prevented the total depletion of NAD + and this in turn helped preserve the ATP pools and prevented the biphasic alteration in G-6-P pool sizes.
A Simple Proposal That Can Explain the Inactivity of Metal-Substituted Superoxide Dismutases

We propose that the apparent catalytic inactivity of Mn- and Fe-substituted superoxide dismutases (SODs) reflects E°s that are either lower (Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD) or higher (Mn-sub-(Fe)SOD) than those of native Fe- or Mn-SODs. In support, we show that the E° of Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD (Fe substituted into Mn-SOD protein) is −240 mV vs NHE, almost 0.5 V lower than our E° of 220 mV for Fe-SOD. The E° of Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD is lower than that of O2/O2•- and therefore is sufficient to explain Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD's inactivity. Indeed, Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD is shown to be unable to oxidize O2•-. Alternate causes of inactivity are ruled out by our demonstration that Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD retains the ability to reduce O2•-. Thus, the active site remains active with respect to substrate binding and proton and electron transfer. Finally, we show that Fe-sub-(Mn)SOD's inactivity with respect to O2•- oxidation cannot be solely due to competitive inhibition by OH-. Thus, our proposal provides a simple chemical basis for the observed catalytic inactivity of...
Index of parabolic and seaweed subalgebras of son

Abstract The index of a Lie algebra r is defined as min w∈ r ∗ dim r w , where r w is the stabilizer of w under the coadjoint action of r on r ∗ . In this paper we derive simple formulas for the index of parabolic subalgebras of the even orthogonal algebra g = so (2n, k ) . We use these formulas to prove the conjecture that ind q for any parabolic subalgebra or seaweed subalgebra (intersection of two weakly opposite parabolics) q of so (2n, k ) . Some partial results for subalgebras of g = so (2n+1, k ) are also obtained.
Synthesis of a somatostatin-like peptide by Plasmodium falciparum.

The intracellular parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, was found to synthesize a peptide similar to mammalian somatostatin. High performance liquid chromatography of acetic acid extracts of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes revealed a metabolically labeled peptide that co-eluted with rat somatostatin14 and that was reactive with antibody against rat somatostatin. Bioassay of partially purified Plasmodium peptide demonstrated somatostatin activity. Acetic acid extracts from non-synchronized infected cultures were shown by radioimmunoassay to contain the equivalent of 150 molecules of somatostatin per parasite. Somatostatin was not detectable in erythrocytes of non-infected cultures.
Ionization of His 55 at the dimer interface of dynein light-chain LC8 is coupled to dimer dissociation.

LC8 is a highly conserved light-chain subunit of cytoplasmic dynein that interacts with a wide variety of cellular proteins and is presumed to play a fundamental role in dynein assembly and cargo recruitment and in the assembly of protein complexes unrelated to dynein. LC8 is a dimer at physiological pH but dissociates to a folded monomer at pH < 4.8. We have suggested that acid-induced dimer dissociation is due to protonation of His 55, which is stacked against His 55‘ and completely buried in the dimer interface. In this work, we show that the pH-induced dissociation is reversible and indeed governed by the ionization state of His 55. Mutagenesis of His 55 to Lys results in a monomer in the pH range of 3−8, while the mutation to Ala results in a dimer in the same pH range. Mutations that disrupt intermolecular hydrogen bonds between Tyr 65 and Lys 44‘ and His 55 and Thr 67‘ do not change the association state of the dimer. Titration curves for His 55 and the two other histidines, His 72 and 68, were det...
Baseline uncertainties in biomass burning emission models resulting from spatial error in satellite active fire location data

[1] Global and regional-scale estimates of biomass burning emissions rely on satellite data products with varying spatial resolution. In heterogeneous landscapes, moderate-resolution fire location data may not capture fine-scale variation in fuel type, leading to both random and systematic error in emissions. Using 120-meter land cover data for the Amazon basin, we estimate the probability of accurate classification of individual fires at 88% for MODIS and 74% for GOES. Classification error limits the ability of emission models to reproduce patterns of emissions, and can only be reduced by innovative use of current satellite data or ancillary data. Emissions biases caused by spatial error vary with regional distribution of fire types. For regional-scale studies in the Amazon Basin, we estimate emissions biases of +3% to +19% for MODIS and +6% to +39% for GOES. The difference between these two systems is an important consideration for multi-sensor fire applications.
On the occurrence of various species of yeast in nature

A number of yeasts were isolated from various natural sources such as slime fluxes of trees, insects and insect frass, flowers and similar substrata. Several of the isolates represented species described in recent years. The additional isolations reported here contributed additional knowledge regarding the natural habitat of some of the species. Conclusions are offered regarding the ecology ofSaccharomyces kluyveri, S. phaselosporus, S. rosei, S. veronae, S. wickerhamii, Hansenula californica, H. mirakii, H. minuta, Pichia kluyveri, P. pastori, P. rhodanensis, P. silvestris, P. vanriji, Candida albicans, C. claussenii, Torulopsis glabrata, T. candida, Cryptococcus albidus, Cr. diffluens, Cr. laurentii, Rhodotorula graminis, Rh. texensis, andAscocybe grovesii. Various other species are listed in tabular form and by isolation source.