cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Terminal ileitis associated with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in a homosexual man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A 38-yr-old homosexual man developed fever, diarrhea, and weight loss. An upper gastrointestinal examination revealed terminal ileitis, and stains of stool revealed acid-fast bacilli that were subsequently identified as Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare . Antimycobacterial therapy was associated with weight gain and loss of fever and diarrhea. Several months later, cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma was observed. When the patient developed strictures in the terminal ileum, a surgical resection was performed. Numerous granulomas and acid-fast bacilli, later identified as M. avium-intracellulare , were present in the resected terminal ileum. This report demonstrates that infection of the terminal ileum with M. avium-intracellulare in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome can present with a clinical and radiologic picture resembling Crohn's disease. It also demonstrates symptomatic improvement of this infection temporally related to the administration of antimycobacteria1 therapy and the ability of an acquired immune deficiency syndrome patient to tolerate major abdominal surgery.
The Work of Neoliberal Governmentality: Temporality and Ethical Substance in the Tale of Two Dads

This paper considers debates around the neoliberal governmentality, and argues for the need to better theorize the specific ethical practices through which such programs of governmentality are carried out. Arguing that much theoretical and empirical work in this area is prone to a “top down” approach, in which governmentality is reduced to an imposing apparatus through which subjectivities are produced, it argues instead for the need to understand the self-production of subjectivities by considering the ethical practices that make up neoliberal governmentality. Moreover, taking Robert T. Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad/Poor Dad as an illustrative case, the point is made that the work of neoliberal governmentality specifically targets the temporalities of conduct, in an attempt to shape temporal orientations in a more entrepreneurial form. Drawing on Foucault’s lecture courses on liberalism and neoliberalism, and Jacques Donzelot’s work on the social, the case is made that neoliberal governmentality exhorts individuals to act upon the residual social temporalities that persist as a trace in the dispositions of neoliberal subjects. Moreover, the paper concludes with a discussion of the potentials for resistance in this relation, understood as temporal counter-conducts within neoliberalism.
Chemokines/intercrines and central regulation of feeding

Chemokines/intercrines are structurally and functionally related cytokines that induce specific actions on the immune system and are released in response to infection, inflammation, and trauma. These pathological processes are frequently accompanied with food intake suppression. In the present study, the action of chemokines/intercrines on the regulation of feeding was investigated using the intracerebroventricular microinfusion of chemokine/intercrine-alpha subfamily members [interleukin-8 (IL-8); growth-related cytokine/melanoma growth-stimulating activity (GRO-alpha/MGSA); platelet factor-4 (PF-4); beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG); and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10)] and beta-subfamily members [monocyte chemotactic protein-1/monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCP-1/MCAF); regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES); macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha); and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta)]. The doses administered were 1.0, 20, and 100 ng/rat of the chemokine/intercrine. The intracerebroventricular administration of three members of the alpha-subfamily (IL-8, PF-4, and IP-10) and two members of the beta-subfamily (MCP-1/MCAF and RANTES) decreased the short-term (2-h) food intake. These effective chemokines/intercrines, however, were significantly less potent than IL-1 beta in decreasing feeding. The results support the hypothesis that only a subset of immunomodulators released during pathological processes may participate in the regulation of feeding with different potencies.
Polarization-dependent temporal behaviour of second harmonic generation in Si/SiO2 systems

We report incident laser beam polarization-dependent second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements in thin oxide Si(100)/SiO2 systems. For Pin and Sin incident fundamental beams, typically strong temporal variations are observed in Pout SHG signals in these systems. We observed a critical incident polarization angle between Pin and Sin in which no temporal variation exists in the Pout SHG signal. We also observed that the critical angle is independent of dopant type, concentration, oxide thickness, oxide type and internal photoemission induced interface electric field. We characterize these experimental results using the dipole radiation approximation.
Underscoring the importance of mentoring.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Women Physicians in Academic Medicine Lynn Nonnemaker, PhD Background: I conducted a study to determine whether women who graduate from medical schools are more or less likely than their male counterparts to pursue full-time careers in academic medicine and to advance to the senior ranks of medical school faculties. Methods: The rates of advancement to the ranks of assistant, associate, and full professor for all US medical school graduates from 1979 through 1993 and for all members of US medical school faculties from 1979 through 1997 were studied. Cohorts were defined on the basis of the year of graduation from medical school, track (tenure or nontenure), and academic department. Within each cohort, the number of women who advanced to a senior rank was compared with the number that would be expected on the basis of parity between men and women, and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Women were significantly more likely than men to pursue an academic career. During the study period, 634 more women became faculty members than expected. The numbers were higher in the older cohorts than in the younger cohorts. The numbers of women who advanced to the ranks of associate and full professor were significantly lower than the expected numbers. This was true for both tenure and nontenure tracks, even after adjustment for the department. A total of 334 fewer women advanced to associate professor than expected, and 44 fewer women advanced to full professor than expected. Conclusions: Disparities persist in the advancement of men and women on medical school faculties. However, the numbers of women physicians at all levels of academic medicine are increasing. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:399-405.
SKIN TESTS FOR PREGNANCY

Since the advent of the Aschheim-Zondek test for pregnancy numerous attempts have been made to simplify it. The various skin tests for pregnancy represent such an attempt. Porges and Pollatschek (1) were the first to suggest the intercutaneous injection of anterior pituitary extract. Erythema was noted in non-pregnant women at the site of injection. Deutsch (2) and Strauss (3) repeated these tests, and concluded that they were neither definite nor reliable. Gilfillen and Gregg (4) suggested that if a pregnant woman had APL substance in her system, she might not be sensitive to its intradermal application, while a non-pregnant woman might give a reaction. For the test, 2 minims of fresh antuitrin-S is injected intradermally in the ventral surface of the forearm. The reaction is read after ½ hour, or after 1 hour if the reaction is slight.
Ventilatory effects of α2-adrenoceptor blockade in awake goats

Abstract We sought to determine the extent to which α 2 -adrenoceptor (α 2 -AR) pathways exert a tonic influence on respiratory rhythm under normal physiological conditions. The ventilatory effects of α 2 -AR blockade with SKF-86466 were examined in awake adult goats. The antagonist effect of SKF-86466 at α 2 -ARs was evident both as a reversal of the ventilatory disturbances produced by the α 2 -AR agonist clonidine (5 μg/kg IV) and as a rightward shift in the potency of the agonist-evoked response after SKF-86466 pretreatment. Systemic administration of SKF-86466 in cumulative doses (25–250 μg/kg) or as a single bolus injection (500 μg/kg) produced dose-dependent increases in breathing in all animals. The excitatory effect was primarily mediated by increases in respiratory frequency that persisted for at least 120 min after injection (500 μg/kg). The time course and magnitude of the ventilatory response to SKF-86466 was similar in carotid body denervated animals. The ventilatory response to isocapnic hypoxia but not normoxic hypercapnia was significantly elevated after SKF-86466 administration (500 μg/kg). SKF-86466 (25–1000 μg/kg) produced dose-dependent increases in heart rate in all animals but did not significantly change mean arterial blood pressure at any dose. The results demonstrate that α 2 -AR pathways exert a tonic inhibitory influence on respiratory rhythm in the awake goat.
Increasing Reading Compliance of Undergraduates: An Evaluation of Compliance Methods

A common source of frustration for college instructors is getting their students to read. Since the 1970s, studies have shown that no more than 30 percent of students complete a reading assignment on any given day. But what can be done? What strategies can instructors use to make certain that their students read? Do pop or announced quizzes work better? Does it help to call on students randomly in class? To date, little systematic evidence exists concerning the relative utility of the many methods instructors use to encourage reading compliance. This study begins to address that lacuna. Specifically, using survey data collected in introductory sociology classes (N = 423), we examine how students evaluate seven commonly used methods ranging from announced quizzes to short writing assignments to being called on randomly in class. We find that students perceive mandatory and/or announced methods to be more effective in motivating them to complete reading assignments than unannounced or optional methods.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk malignant melanoma.

Fifty-nine patients with regional or hematogenous recurrence of malignant melanoma following resection of all the gross tumor were randomized to observation or chemotherapy. The chemotherapy consisted of BCNU 80 mg/M2 I.V. every 4 weeks, actinomycin-D 0.01 mg/kg and vincristine 1.0 mg/M2 I.V. every 2 weeks, for a total of 6 months. The chemotherapy protocol was tolerated well without appreciable objective side effects. At a median follow-up period of 11.5 months, the disease-free survival time for the chemotherapy treated group is significantly longer than for the control group (P = 0.01). The estimated median disease-free survival time is 4 months in the surgical control group and 9 months in the chemotherapy group. At present, the proportion of patients remaining disease-free is 43% for the surgical control and 55% for the chemotherapy treated group. More patients and follow-up are needed, but this preliminary report suggests that nitrosourea-based protocols need to be evaluated further as adjuvant treatment of malignant melanoma.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors May Regulate Adiposity

Overweight and obese are major health concerns owing to the complex co-morbidities that inevitably follow. Diet and exercise are the primary means by which people attempt to lose weight. A recent study in an obese mouse model suggested that angiogenesis inhibitors, which are designed to inhibit tumor growth, are able to reduce adipose tissue mass by cutting off the blood supply. This approach may have application in the prevention and treatment of obesity by using foods with antiangiogenic potential.
Understanding Diet Selection in Temperate Biodiverse Pasture Systems

The first decade of the 21st century has been dominated by unprecedented environmental challenges. These challenges are associated with intense public awareness and interest in constructive environmental solutions. There is increasing interest by both consumers and producers of agricultural products in the development of a more sustainable agriculture system, with less dependence on external finite resources. Biodiverse pasture systems have the potential to serve agriculture in this regard. Thus, a symposium addressing contemporary, interdisciplinary research on plant–herbivore interactions, animal responses, and grazing management in temperate biodiverse pasture systems was sponsored by the American Society of Animal Science at the annual meetings of the society in July 2007. The resulting articles appear in this Special Feature of Rangeland Ecology & Management .
Determinants of Voter Participation in Neighborhood Council Elections

Neighborhood governance has emerged as an important arena for voluntary civic engagement, but little is known about how election participation varies across neighborhoods. We examined the election ...
Alterations in inorganic phosphate in mouse hindlimb muscles during limb disuse

Muscle disuse induces a wide array of structural, biochemical, and neural adaptations in skeletal muscle, which can affect its function. We recently demonstrated in patients with an orthopedic injury that cast immobilization alters the resting P(i) content of skeletal muscle, which may contribute to loss of specific force. The goal of this study was to determine the direct effect of disuse on the basal phosphate content in skeletal muscle in an animal model, avoiding the confounding effects of injury/surgery. (31)P and (1)H MRS data were acquired from the gastrocnemius muscle of young adult mice (C57BL6 female, n = 8), at rest and during a reversible ischemia experiment, before and after 2 weeks of cast immobilization. Cast immobilization resulted in an increase in resting P(i) content (75%; p < 0.001) and the P(i) to phosphocreatine (PCr) ratio (P(i)/PCr; 80%, p < 0.001). The resting concentrations of ATP, PCr and total creatine (PCr + creatine) and the intracellular pH were not significantly different after immobilization. During ischemia (30 min), PCr concentrations decreased to 54 +/- 2% and 52 +/- 6% of the resting values in pre-immobilized and immobilized muscles, respectively, but there were no detectable differences in the rates of P(i) increase or PCr depletion (0.55 +/- 0.01 mM min(-1) and 0.52 +/- 0.03 mM min(-1) before and after immobilization, respectively; p = 0.78). At the end of ischemia, immobilized muscles had a twofold higher phosphorylation potential ([ADP][P(i)]/[ATP]) and intracellular buffering capacity (3.38 +/- 0.54 slykes vs 6.18 +/- 0.57 slykes). However, the rate of PCr resynthesis (k(PCr)) after ischemia, a measure of in vivo mitochondrial function, was significantly lower in the immobilized muscles (0.31 +/- 0.04 min(-1)) than in pre-immobilized muscles (0.43 +/- 0.04 min(-1)). In conclusion, our findings indicate that 2 weeks of cast immobilization, independent of injury-related alterations, leads to a significant increase in the resting P(i) content of mouse skeletal muscle. The increase in P(i) with muscle disuse has a significant effect on the cytosolic phosphorylation potential during transient ischemia and increases the intracellular buffering capacity of skeletal muscle.
Protecting a vulnerable margin: towards an analysis of how the mouth came to be separated from the body

Abstract The mouth and teeth became the focus of a new body of knowledge in the mid-nineteenth century. Existing approaches to the emergence of the profession of dentistry have assumed that it occurred as a response to dental disease and have offered empirical/pluralistic accounts. This paper argues that such explanations are inadequate, and drawing on Foucault's concept of power/knowledge suggests an alternative explanation. An examination of the contagion beliefs at the turn of the century reveals how the mouth became a vulnerable boundary of particular significance; it became the orifice through which disease could enter and consequently it had to be rigorously guarded. The policing of the mouth produced a knowledge of it.
Using Item Response Theory to Improve Measurement in Strategic Management: An Application to CSR

We introduce item response theory (IRT) to management and strategy research. IRT explicitly models firms’ and individuals’ observable actions in order to measure unobserved, latent characteristics....
A strain-gradient theory for prestrained laminates

Abstract A simple strain-gradient theory is developed for prestrained laminated materials consisting of thin, stiff reinforcing sheets embedded between thick, soft layers of a matrix material. The theory is used to investigate three types of instability that may occur in massive bodies: global, edge and internal buckling. The predictions for internal buckling are compared with experimental results obtained from a specially constructed model of a laminated body.
Six orders of magnitude dynamic range in capillary electrophoresis with ultrasensitive laser-induced fluorescence detection

An ultrasensitive laser-induced fluorescence detector was used with capillary electrophoresis for the study of 5-carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine. The raw signal from the detector provided roughly three orders of magnitude dynamic range. The signal saturated at high analyte concentrations due to the dead time associated with the single-photon counting avalanche photodiode employed in the detector. The signal can be corrected for the detector dead time, providing an additional order of magnitude dynamic range. To further increase dynamic range, two fiber-optic beam-splitters were cascaded to generate a primary signal and two attenuated signals, each monitored by a single-photon counting avalanche photodiode. The combined signals from the three photodiodes are reasonably linear from the concentration detection limit of 3 pM to 10 μM, the maximum concentration investigated, a range of 3,000,000. Mass detection limits were 150 yoctomoles injected onto the capillary.
Rapid Simultaneous Diagnosis of Infections with Respiratory Syncytial Viruses A and B, Influenza Viruses A and B, and Human Parainfluenza Virus Types 1, 2, and 3 by Multiplex Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction-Enzyme Hybridization Assay (Hexaplex)

A multiplex quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-enzyme hybridization assay (Hexaplex; Prodesse, Milwaukee) was developed and used to rapidly detect and quantitate RNA of respiratory syncytial viruses A and B, influenza viruses A and B, and human parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3 in nasal wash specimens in a single test. Primers and probes originated from highly conserved regions of each viral genome. Six and a half primer pairs were mixed for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of RNA from seven different respiratory viruses. We tested 109 clinical samples with this assay. Twenty-nine virus culture-positive samples were all positive by Hexaplex. Samples from 40 symptomatic patients were negative by virus culture, but eight of these were positive by Hexaplex. Forty samples from asymptomatic children were negative by both virus culture and Hexaplex. No cross-reactions were noted among 17 different respiratory viruses with use of this assay. Hexaplex was 100% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-1.0) and 98% specific (95% CI, 0.97-0.99). All eight "false-positive" Hexaplex results (in comparison with negative viral culture results) were for symptomatic patients with low numbers of virus RNA copies. This finding suggests that Hexaplex may be more sensitive than virus culture. Our data demonstrate that Hexaplex is a rapid, sensitive, and specific quantitative test for the diagnosis of infections with these seven common respiratory viruses.
Spectral resolution of molecular ensembles under ambient conditions using surface plasmon coupled fluorescence emission

We report the ability to spectrally resolve excited-state ensembles of pyranine (Py) utilizing nanometer-thick metal films as a low-cost analytical tool. Surface plasmon coupling allows to mitigate the effect of spectral broadening that is responsible for blurring the emission spectrum at room temperature, a situation common in conventional fluorescence spectroscopy. The approach is especially useful in the case when several excited-state species are present. Fluorescence emission from closely located protonated, deprotonated, and excimer species of Py couple into surface plasmons and are easily separated and observed with 11-14 fold intensity enhancements. Furthermore, the ultranarrowband photon-sorting of emission from microenvironments in a multispecies system is performed in this study using instruments that are readily available in most laboratories without employing any deconvolution procedure and/or additional dispersive optics.
Modelling of Transport Phenomena in 3D GMAW of Thick Metals with V Groove

This paper analyses the dynamic process of groove filling and the resulting weld pool fluid flow in gas metal arc welding of thick metals with V groove. Filler droplets carrying mass, momentum, thermal energy and sulfur species are periodically impinged onto the workpiece. The complex transport phenomena in the weld pool, caused by the combined effect of droplet impingement, gravity, electromagnetic force, surface tension and plasma arc pressure, were investigated to determine the transient weld pool shape and distributions of velocity, temperature and sulfur species in the weld pool. It was found that the groove provides a channel which can smooth the flow in the weld pool, leading to poor mixing between the filler metal and the base metal.
Minimum aberration blocking schemes for two- and three-level fractional factorial designs

The concept of minimum aberration has been extended to choose blocked fractional factorial designs (FFDs). The minimum aberration criterion ranks blocked FFDs according to their treatment and block wordlength patterns, which are often ob- tained by counting words in the treatment defining contrast subgroups and alias sets. When the number of factors is large, there are a huge number of words to be counted, causing some diculties in computation. Based on coding theory, the concept of min- imum moment aberration, proposed by Xu (2003) for unblocked FFDs, is extended to blocked FFDs. A method is then proposed for constructing minimum aberration blocked FFDs without using defining contrast subgroups and alias sets. Minimum aberration blocked FFDs for all 32 runs, 64 runs up to 32 factors, and all 81 runs are given with respect to three combined wordlength patterns. MSC: primary 62K15; secondary 62K10; 62K05
Escherichia coli cell division

Recent progress in the molecular analysis of bacterial septation and chromosome partitioning suggests that these processes may involve cytoskeletal elements previously thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells. The continued biochemical and genetic analysis of key proteins, such as the tubulin-like FtsZ, should lead to further unravelling of the regulation and mechanism of bacterial cell division.
Massively distributed computing and factoring large integers

Over the last 15 years the increased availability of computers and the introduction of the RSA cryptosystem has led to a number of new and remarkable algorithms for finding the prime factors of large integers. Factoring numbers is an arithmetic problem so simple to understand that school children are asked to do it. While multiplying or adding two very large numbers is simple and can be done quite quickly, the age-old problem of trying to find a number that divides another number still has no simple solution. Computer science has reached a point where it is starting to custom tailor the design of computers toward solving specific problems. This pracnique will discuss some of the more recent algorithms for factoring large numbers and how networks of computers can be used to run these algorithms quickly. Since this is a general exposition, we do not give detailed mathematical descriptions of the algorithms. We also allow ourselves to be somewhat casual with mathematical notation in places and hope that the mathematically sophisticated will forgive the looseness.
Calculation of the spectral momentum density for electrons in a topologically disordered model of amorphous graphite

Abstract The spectral momentum density (SMD) has been computed for electrons in a two-dimensional topologically disordered continuous random network (CRN) model of amorphous graphite, where odd-membered rings have destroyed all remnants of a crystalline lattice. The basis of this approach is an operator, referred to as the network momentum operator (NMO), constructed from the structural relationships of the CRN model: each atom is three-fold coordinated and is a member of only five-, six- or seven-membered rings. This operator generates a relationship between energy and momentum in an analogous way to that in which the translation operator does in crystalline materials. In particular, any Hamiltonian, H, for the disordered system can be separated into a conservative Hamiltonian, H0, which commutes with the NMO, and a potential, V, which only mixes states from different irreducible representations of the NMO. The potential V has been shown to be exponentially localized to the odd-membered rings in the CRN model, and therefore the NMO can be thought of as a mapping from topological to substitutional disorder. The SMD is computed using the conservative or effective medium Hamiltonian H0. The result is similar to a spherical average of the crystalline band structure for energy states close to the Δ point in the Brillouin zone of the crystalline material, but is qualitatively different for states closer to the Brillouin zone boundaries. The computed SMD is discussed in relation to results from inelastic electron scattering experiments on samples of evaporated and ion-sputtered amorphous carbon.
Issues and considerations in requesting an anatomical gift

Abstract There are certain inherent problems, such as the factor of public attitudes and the vital time element, related to the requesting of anatomical gifts for transplantation purposes. In addition, there is little in medical education to aid the physician regarding the nonmedical aspects of dying, the dead and the survivors of the deceased. Some guidelines for the physician in dealing with these factors and their ramifications as they relate to the requesting of anatomical gifts are discussed.
The Effects of the Ability to Choose the Type of Human Resources System on Perceptions of Invasion of Privacy and System Satisfaction

Using data from employed participants in two separate studies, we examined the effects of (a) the ability to choose the type of human resource system, and (b) the type of information disclosed on perceptions of invasion of privacy and satisfaction with the human resource system. Results of both studies revealed that individuals were more satisfied with human resource services and less likely to perceive that the disclosure of data was invasive of privacy when (a) they had the ability to choose the type of system through which data were disclosed, and (b) the information disclosed was non-medical as opposed to medical in nature. The results have important implications for safeguarding employee privacy, developing privacy policies in organizations, and enhancing employee satisfaction with human resource services. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Embryonic stem cell trials for macular degeneration: a preliminary report

Summary Background It has been 13 years since the discovery of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Our report provides the first description of hESC-derived cells transplanted into human patients. Methods We started two prospective clinical studies to establish the safety and tolerability of subretinal transplantation of hESC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in patients with Stargardt's macular dystrophy and dry age-related macular degeneration—the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Preoperative and postoperative ophthalmic examinations included visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and visual field testing. These studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT01345006 and NCT01344993. Findings Controlled hESC differentiation resulted in greater than 99% pure RPE. The cells displayed typical RPE behaviour and integrated into the host RPE layer forming mature quiescent monolayers after transplantation in animals. The stage of differentiation substantially affected attachment and survival of the cells in vitro after clinical formulation. Lightly pigmented cells attached and spread in a substantially greater proportion (>90%) than more darkly pigmented cells after culture. After surgery, structural evidence confirmed cells had attached and continued to persist during our study. We did not identify signs of hyperproliferation, abnormal growth, or immune mediated transplant rejection in either patient during the first 4 months. Although there is little agreement between investigators on visual endpoints in patients with low vision, it is encouraging that during the observation period neither patient lost vision. Best corrected visual acuity improved from hand motions to 20/800 (and improved from 0 to 5 letters on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] visual acuity chart) in the study eye of the patient with Stargardt's macular dystrophy, and vision also seemed to improve in the patient with dry age-related macular degeneration (from 21 ETDRS letters to 28). Interpretation The hESC-derived RPE cells showed no signs of hyperproliferation, tumorigenicity, ectopic tissue formation, or apparent rejection after 4 months. The future therapeutic goal will be to treat patients earlier in the disease processes, potentially increasing the likelihood of photoreceptor and central visual rescue. Funding Advanced Cell Technology.
Transition Dipole Moment of Na 2 and Its Variation with Internuclear Distance

The electronic transition dipole moment was determined for the transition $X^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}\ensuremath{\leftarrow}B^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\mathrm{u}}$ of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ and was found to be $6.8+0.5\mathcal{r}$ D over a range of internuclear distance $\mathcal{r}$ of 2.6-5.0 \AA{}. Our results agree with earlier lifetime measurements and are in qualitative agreement with semiquantitative theoretical calculations, but they strongly disagree with the recent work of Callender, Gersten, Leigh, and Yang.
Anomalous Isostructural Transformation in Ice VIII

The recently reported isostructural phase transformation in ice VIII has been examined using first-principles calculations. This novel transformation has been reproduced in detail, and the theory provides insight into the exact nature of this transformation. The calculation shows that (1) the hydrogen-bonded component of the oxygen network relaxes differently than the non-hydrogen-bonded oxygen part of the lattice, and (2) the internal geometry of water molecules is influenced by the structural transformation. This transformation does not conform to the conventional thermodynamic definition for structural phase changes but can be interpreted as a structural relaxation.
Distinguishing between types of errors and adjustments.

How the brain detects and reacts to errors has become a central question in cognitive neuroscience research ([Gehring et al., 2012][1]). As such, many studies using event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have focused on the underlying neural mechanisms
Modulations of the Phase Speed of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves by the ITCZ

AbstractA number of studies suggest a two-way feedback between convectively coupled Kelvin waves (CCKWs) and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Viewed here as a proxy for deep convection, analysis of brightness temperature data reveals several aspects of these interdependencies. A wavenumber–frequency spectral analysis is applied to the satellite data in order to filter CCKWs. The ITCZ is characterized by a region of low brightness temperature and a proxy for both the ITCZ location and width are defined. The phase speed of CCKW data is determined using the Radon transform method. Linear regression techniques and probability density analysis are consistent with previous theoretical predictions and observational results. In particular, the fastest waves are found when the ITCZ is the farthest from the equator and the narrowest. Conversely, the slowest waves coincide with broad ITCZs that are located near the equator.
Combining panchromatic and multispectral imagery dual resolution satellite instruments

A procedure is developed for combining high spatial resolution panchromatic data with lower resolution multispectral data in order to produce high spatial resolution digital data in multispectral form. Data simulating the French SPOT satellite were processed to resemble high altitude aerial photography, but image artifacts can hamper photointerpretative methods.
Rubella Immunity Levels in the United States Population: Has the Threshold of Viral Elimination Been Reached?

After the 1989-1991 rubella resurgence, rubella vaccination efforts targeted children and women of childbearing age. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected during 1988-1994 and 1999-2004, we assessed whether US levels of rubella seropositivity are consistent with rubella elimination and whether changes are consistent with immunization efforts. Serum samples with rubella antibody levels > or =10 IU tested by rubella immunoglobulin G enzyme immunoassay were considered to be positive. In 1999-2004, the overall age-adjusted rubella seropositivity level was 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.5%-92.1%), a significant increase from 88.1% (95% CI, 86.9%-89.1%) in 1988-1994 (P<.001). Among children, seropositivity was highest in children 6-11 years of age (96.2%), followed by adolescents 12-19 years of age (93.7%). Both groups showed significant increases in immunity levels, in comparison with those in 1988-1994 (P<.001). Among adults, seropositivity among women increased (from 88.9% to 91.5%; P=.015), and there was no change among men (from 87.8% to 88.0%; P=.84). In 1999-2004, population rubella immunity levels were at or above the modeled threshold for elimination of rubella virus transmission. Increases in immunity levels are consistent with vaccination efforts.
The Effects of Oat Fiber on the Properties of Light Bologna and Fat-free Frankfurters

Two varieties of oat fiber, each at 3 levels, were studied to determine effects of the oat fiber on quality characteristics of light bologna and fat-free frankfurters. Seven treatments were formulated for each meat product: Control (0% oat fiber), 1% bleached oat fiber (BL), 2% BL, 3% BL, 1% high-absorption oat fiber (HA), 2% HA, and 3% HA. Results indicated that addition of both types of oat fiber produced greater yields, and lighter, less red color. Purge was reduced with oat fiber at 3%. Product hardness increased for bologna with both fiber types. The extent of product change, however, was different for the 2 oat fiber varieties. Cette etude evalue si l'addition de 2 nouvelles versions de fibres d'avoine a des saucisses de Francfort sans matiere grasse et a une mortadelle allegee peut ameliorer le gout, la texture, la capacite de retention d'eau et les rendements en cuisson des produits. L'addition des 2 types de fibre augmente les rendements et reduisent la coloration rouge du produit. Les fibres d'avoine augmentent la durete du produit (sauf pour un type de fibre dans les saucisses).
Heart and gut chiralities are controlled independently from initial heart position in the developing zebrafish.

Abstract A fundamental problem in developmental biology is how left–right (LR) asymmetry is generated, both on the whole organism level and at the level of an individual organ or structure. To investigate the relationship of organ sidedness to organ chirality, we examined 12 zebrafish mutants for initial heart tube position and later heart looping direction (chirality). Anomalous initial heart position was found in seven mutants, which also demonstrated loss of normal LR asymmetry in lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) antivin / lefty-1 and Pitx2 expression. Those with a relatively normal notochord ( cyc b16 , din, and spt ) displayed a predictive correlation between initial heart position and heart chirality, whereas initial heart position and heart chirality were independently randomized in those with a defective notochord ( flh, boz, ntl, and mom ). The predictability of heart chirality in spt, din, and b16 embryos, even in the absence of normal antivin / lefty-1 and Pitx2 expression, strongly suggests that heart chirality is controlled by a process distinct from that which controls appropriate left-sided LPM expression of antivin–Pitx2 signaling pathway molecules. In addition, there was correlation of initial heart position with gut chirality (and also between heart chirality and gut chirality) in the first class of mutants with normal notochord, but not in the second class, which appears to model human heterotaxy syndrome.
Robotic NOTES (Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery) in reconstructive urology: initial laboratory experience.

OBJECTIVES To present an initial experience with robotic natural orifice translumenal surgery (R-NOTES) in reconstructive urology using the da Vinci surgical system. METHODS In 10 female farm pigs (mean weight, 34.5 kg), 10 pyeloplasties (right 5, left 5), 10 partial nephrectomies (right 5, left 5), and 10 radical nephrectomies (right 5, left 5) were performed. The robot telescope and the first robotic arm were placed through a single 2-cm umbilical incision, and the second robotic arm was placed through the vagina. RESULTS All 30 R-NOTES procedures were performed successfully without any addition of laparoscopic port or open conversion. Mean length of the umbilical incision was 2.6 cm. Mean operative time was 154 minutes, and mean estimated total blood loss was 72 mL. Mean warm ischemia time in the partial nephrectomy group was 25.4 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. There were no robotic system failures during the entire experiment. We did not find any significant difference when comparing right-side and left-side procedures. When analyzing the learning curve, only robot preparation time reached a statistically significant inverse correlation with increasing number of cases (r = -0.72, P = .018). CONCLUSIONS Robotic NOTES pyeloplasty, partial nephrectomy, and radical nephrectomy are feasible and safe in the porcine model. This approach has the potential for a less morbid and scarless outcome. Intracorporeal suturing is significantly enhanced using the robot, especially through the challenging translumenal natural orifice approach. Further development of robots adaptive to NOTES would boost efforts toward clinical NOTES applications.
Factors affecting attachment of Enterobacter cloacae to germinating cotton seed

Attachment of Enterobacter cloacae EcCT-50,—a biological seed protectant used to control the seed-rotting fungi, Pythium ultimum—to cotton seed was examined using conventional fluorescent microscopy (CFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and laser scanning microscopy (LSM). In sand microcosms, E. cloacae quickly attached to the seed coat, with maximum attachment, 3 to 5 h after inoculation at 24°C. In contrast, initial attachment of non-bacterized seed by Pythium ultimum was not observed until 6 h (and not until 8 h on bacterized seeds). Comparison of the movement of E. cloacae and P. ultimum in seed exudate gradient semi-soft agar showed faster movement by the bacterium within the first 6 h, and reduction of P. ultimum hyphal and germ tube growth in the presence of the bacterium. Microscopic observation of the seed coat revealed an early, intimate association, mediated, in part, by fimbriae, and confirmed a loose association of E. cloacae with the seed coat previously reported. Spatially, the attached E. cloacae cells were distributed over the entire surface of the seed coat, but were especially abundant in the groves and near cracks where water imbibition and seed exudate release may occur. As the seed germinated and exposed various seed tissues, the bacterium rapidly attached to these tissues. Attachment of the bacterium to the surface of intact germinating seeds, excised seed coat, polystyrene, and glass was 300, 110, 51, and <1 cell field−1 3 h−1, respectively, suggesting that attachment is enhanced by seed germination. Attachment of E. cloacae to the seed coat was optimum in sands with high water concentrations, at temperatures of 18 to 30°C, and at times that corresponded with optimum water imbibition during germination. Using several assays, attachment was shown to be enhanced by seed exudate, and compounds such as methanol, fructose, and calcium. The results suggest that the release of certain nutrients and water imbibition during germination may play a role in the rapid attachment to the seed by E. cloacae. The ability of E. cloacae to rapidly move and attach to the seed coat may be related to its ability to function as a biocontrol agent.
Statistics of phase difference and product magnitude of multi-look processed Gaussian signals

The phase difference and the product of two complex Gaussian signals are important parameters in the study of interferometry and polarimetry. To reduce statistical variations, polarimetric and inte...
A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 1: Content analysis and future priorities

Background: Since its introduction in 2009, the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme has been implemented widely throughout Africa, as well as in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. Objective: We compiled results from local, national and global studies to provide a broad view of the programme and identify directions for the future. The review consists of two companion papers; this paper focuses on content analysis, examining various thematic components of the SLMTA programme and future priorities. Methods: A systematic literature search identified 28 published articles about implementing the SLMTA programme. Results for various components of the SLMTA programme were reviewed and summarised. Results: Local and national studies provide substantial information on previous experiences with quality management systems; variations on SLMTA implementation; building human resource capacity for trainers, mentors and auditors; the benefits and effectiveness of various types of mentorship; the importance of management buy-in to ensure country ownership; the need to instill a culture of quality in the laboratory; success factors and challenges; and future directions for the programme. Conclusions: Local, national and global results suggest that the SLMTA programme has been overwhelmingly successful in transforming laboratory quality management. There is an urgent need to move forward in four strategic directions: progression (continued improvement in SLMTA laboratories), saturation (additional laboratories within countries that have implemented SLMTA), expansion (implementation in additional countries), and extension (adapting SLMTA for implementation beyond the laboratory), to lead to transformation of overall health systems and patient care.
Bone morphogenesis in implants of residues of radioisotope labelled bone matrix.

Bone matrix demineralized in 0.6 N HCl at 2° for 24 h and implanted in muscle in allogeneic rats possesses consistently reproducible bone morphogenetic activity. Experiments on implants of matrix, obtained from donors injected with3H-tyrosine or3H-tryptophan, or Na35SO4, suggest that bone morphogenetic property is a protein or apart of a protein that is (1) insoluble in buffer solutions, pH 3.6 and 5.0; (2) degraded in buffer solutions at pH 7.4 by an endogenous sulfhydryl-group neutral proteinase; (3) digested by trypsin at 15° within 8 h without solubilization of the helical regions, possibly even without degradation of the nonhelical ends of the bone collagen molecule, and without any loss of the periodic ultrastructure of the collagen fibrils; (4) degraded or removed by 0.1 N NaOH at 2° within 24 h without solubilization of collagen; (5) biologically active even after nitration of tyrosyl groups with tetranitromethane. The release of only one-third of the radioactivity with loss of nearly all yield of new bone by limited tryptic digestion of3H-borohydride-reduced matrix indicates that the bone morphogenetic response is the function of a non-collagenous component. Autoradiographs of implants of matrix with non-collagenous proteins labelled with3H-tryptophan,3H-tyrosine, or both3H-tyrosine and3H-phenyl-alanine demonstrate random dissemination of the radioactive constituents and no evidence of local transfer of labelled proteins or soluble protein derivatives. Hypothetically, the bone morphogenetic response is controlled by an insoluble acidic bone morphogenetic protein or polypeptide (BMP) and a soluble neutral proteinase (BMP-ase) resembling trypsin in activity except functionally more specific for BMP. Firmly bound but separable from bone collagen, BMP is one of many short-lived morphogenetic substances appearing and disappearing throughout embryonic development and persisting in postfetal life. Where the BMP receptor resides and how it activates cell mechanisms of differential repression and derepression of such genes as code for osteogenesis is unknown.
Factors associated with institutional delivery in Ghana: The role of decision-making autonomy and community norms

In Ghana, the site of this study, the maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality rate remain high indicating the need to focus on maternal and child health programming. Ghana has high use of antenatal care (95%) but sub-optimum levels of institutional delivery (about 57%). Numerous barriers to institutional delivery exist including financial, physical, cognitive, organizational, and psychological and social. This study examines the psychological and social barriers to institutional delivery, namely women’s decision-making autonomy and their perceptions about social support for institutional delivery in their community. This study uses cross-sectional data collected for the evaluation of the Maternal and Newborn Referrals Project of Project Fives Alive in Northern and Central districts of Ghana. In 2012 and 2013, a total of 2,527 women aged 15 to 49 were surveyed at baseline and midterm (half in 2012 and half in 2013). The analysis sample of 1,606 includes all women who had a birth three years prior to the survey date and who had no missing data. To determine the relationship between institutional delivery and the two key social barriers—women’s decision-making autonomy and community perceptions of institutional delivery—we used multi-level logistic regression models, including cross-level interactions between community-level attitudes and individual-level autonomy. All analyses control for the clustered survey design by including robust standard errors in Stata 13 statistical software. The findings show that women who are more autonomous and who perceive positive attitudes toward facility delivery (among women, men and mothers-in-law) were more likely to deliver in a facility. Moreover, the interactions between autonomy and community-level perceptions of institutional delivery among men and mothers-in-law were significant, such that the effect of decision-making autonomy is more important for women who live in communities that are less supportive of institutional delivery compared to communities that are more supportive. This study builds upon prior work by using indicators that provide a more direct assessment of perceived community norms and women’s decision-making autonomy. The findings lead to programmatic recommendations that go beyond individuals and engaging the broader network of people (husbands and mothers-in-law) that influence delivery behaviors.