cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creating anoxic and microaerobic conditions in sequencing batch reactors treating volatile BTX compounds.

An experimental strategy is introduced for studying the biodegradation of wastewaters containing volatile contaminants using an alternating anoxic/microaerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Benzene, toluene, and the xylene isomers (BTX) served as model volatile contaminants for this study. The reactor was configured to overcome stripping the volatile BTX compounds into the atmosphere to provide opportunities for BTX biodegradation. Oxygen-free anoxic and microaerobic ( m -xylene were amenable to anoxic (denitrifying) metabolism while benzene, o -, and p -xylene were biodegradable under microaerobic conditions. The results demonstrate that establishing microaerobic conditions in full-scale bioreactors may be an appropriate way to encourage the biodegradation of aerobically biodegradable volatile contaminants. Additionally, the laboratory reactor configuration introduced in this paper may be useful in subsequent studies involving microaerobic metabolism.
Plants, Their Pollinating Bees, and the Great American Interchange

The “Great American Interchange” refers to the mixing of North and South American faunas following the emergence of the Panamanian land bridge (Marshall et al., 1982) about 3–3.5 million years ago. The unequivocal paleontological documentation of the exchange of mammals in the post-land bridge period has led to the tacit assumption that the closing of the Panama gap was as important for other groups of organisms as it was for mammals. In the case of plants, such an assumption may not be warranted. However, paleobotanical evidence across the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary is poor compared to that of vertebrates in general, and there is practically no fossil plant material from Central America or from lowland regions of tropical South America. In our assessment of the effects of the closing of the Panama portal on New World plant distributions, we therefore take an ecological approach to show that the formation of a land corridor per se had mixed effects on exchanges of North and South American elements.
Contemporary Considerations in Aortic Valve Surgery

The aortic valve must be viewed as a complex of the aorto-ventricular junction, aortic annulus, valve leaflets, aortic root (sinus of Valsalva segment), and the sinotubular junction (Fig. 1). In so doing, surgery for the aortic valve can be approached in a manner similar to that for the mitral valve complex (1), such that the corrective operation may be individually tailored to the patient’s underlying disease and anatomy. Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart lesion affecting adults in the United States and contributes significantly to the more than 40,000 aortic valve replacements (AVR) performed annually in the United States alone (2, 3). Rheumatic heart disease is the main cause of valvular heart disease worldwide, but fewer than 10% of AS cases in the United States and Western Europe are rheumatic (4). In contrast, senile, calcific disease of the aortic valve is responsible for the vast majority of AS cases (4). Since the incidence of AS increases with age and the US population as a whole is aging, increased numbers of patients presenting with AS are expected in the near future (5). Currently, the incidence of AS is estimated to be 1−2% among those over 65 years of age and 4% among octagenarians (6). The remainder of the non-rheumatic cases of AS are found in the context of congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease. BAV is the most common congenital cardiac defect, present in approximately 1−2% of the population (7). BAV may be associated with AS (75%), aortic regurgitation (AR) (15%), or mixed AS/AR (10%) (8, 9). BAV should be considered the likely diagnosis in patients younger than 65 years of age presenting with aortic valve disease (10). Importantly, with a sensitivity of approximately 80%, transthoracic echocardiography may not accurately identify BAV (11). Nevertheless, it is important to recognize BAV since it is an autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance. Consequently, first-order relatives of affected patients should undergo screening echocardiography (10). Further, preoperative identification of BAV should prompt consideration of CT or MRI scanning of the chest to rule out ascending aortic dilation, which is frequently seen in association with BAV. In fact,
Digital Image Capture for Confocal Microscopy

Good microscopy includes optimizing the information obtainable from your confocal image with the minimum amount of effort and time. A key to achieving this goal is to match, as closely as possible, the parameters of all hardware and software in the image collection train. For reasons outlined later in this chapter, it is particularly important to match the resolution of your digital image to the output resolution from the microscope. In, we discussed the resolution parameters of the digital image. In this chapter, we cover the optical resolution obtainable from fluorescence confocal light microscopes, we review the important parameters of the image acquisition hardware that influence image information, and we illustrate how to match these two parameters to optimize confocal image acquisition.
Quantifying Movement in Preterm Infants Using Photoplethysmography.

Long-term recordings of movement in preterm infants might reveal important clinical information. However, measurement of movement is limited because of time-consuming and subjective analysis of video or reluctance to attach additional sensors to the infant. We evaluated whether photoplethysmogram (PPG), routinely used for oximetry in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), can provide reliable long-term measurements of movement. In 18 infants [mean post-conceptional age (PCA) 31.10 weeks, range 29–34.29 weeks], we designed and tested a wavelet-based algorithm that detects movement signals from the PPG. The algorithm’s performance was optimized relative to subjective assessments of movement using video and accelerometers attached to two limbs and force sensors embedded within the mattress (five infants, three raters). We then applied the optimized algorithm to infants receiving routine care in the NICU without additional sensors. The algorithm revealed a decline in brief movements (< 5 s) with increasing PCA (13 infants, r = − 0.87, p < 0.001, PCA range 27.3–33.9 weeks). Our findings suggest that quantitative relationships between motor activity and clinical outcomes in preterm infants can be studied using routine photoplethysmography.
An Unknown Renaissance Portrait of Tagliacozzi (1545-1599), the Founder of Plastic Surgery

This article examines a recently discovered painting of a young scholar holding a reconstructed nose. Experts in ancient paintings have confirmed that the portrait is an authentic painting of the School of Bologna in Italy, from the last quarter of the Renaissance. In the 1580s, Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1545-1599), a young professor in surgery and anatomy at the University of Bologna, Italy, was the only one to carry out reconstructions of the nose and other missing parts of the face. We have looked whether different relevant components of this painting, which is presented for the first time to the medical community, could match with Tagliacozzi's life and achievements. We have also compared the portrait to another portrait of Tagliacozzi painted circa 1597, which belongs to the institute Rizzoli in Bologna, Italy. The latter depicts Tagliacozzi as an older established surgeon. He is seen presenting his illustrated book, De Curtorum Chirurgia per Insitionem (On the surgical restoration of defects), which is the first book devoted to plastic surgery. We have concluded that the young Renaissance scholar is Tagliacozzi. This portrait and the Rizzoli's portrait represent Tagliacozzi at the beginning and at the peak of his professional involvement in the field of plastic surgery. Tagliacozzi is the first medical doctor to practice plastic surgery as well as write about it. He also taught plastic surgery for the first time in a prestigious Renaissance school of medicine. Tagliacozzi's illustrated book of plastic surgery published in 1597, disrupted the contemporary medical community. For all these reasons, Tagliacozzi can be considered as the founder of plastic surgery. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 54, which put a term to the development of this field. Tagliacozzi's work was rediscovered, 2 centuries later, by the English surgeon J.C. Carpue (1764-1846) during the revival of plastic surgery.
Postreperfusion plasma endothelial activation markers are associated with acute kidney injury after lung transplantation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after lung transplantation, but molecular markers remain poorly studied. The endothelial activation markers soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), protein C, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are implicated in kidney microcirculatory injury in animal models of AKI. We tested the association of 6-hour postreperfusion plasma levels of these markers with posttransplant AKI severity in patients enrolled in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group prospective cohort study at the University of Pennsylvania during two eras: 2004-06 (n = 61) and 2013-15 (n = 67). We defined AKI stage through postoperative day 5 using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes creatinine criteria. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to determine the association of each biomarker with AKI, adjusted for primary graft dysfunction and extracorporeal life support. AKI occurred in 57 (45%) patients across both eras: 28 (22%) stage 1, 29 (23%) stage 2-3. Higher sTM and lower protein C plasma levels were associated with AKI stage in each era and remained so in multivariable models utilizing both eras (sTM: OR 1.76 [95% CI 1.19-2.60] per standard deviation, P = .005; protein C: OR 0.54 [1.19-2.60], P = .003). We conclude that 6-hour postreperfusion plasma sTM and protein C levels are associated with early postlung transplant AKI severity.
Facile Sonochemical Synthesis of Highly Luminescent ZnS−Shelled CdSe Quantum Dots

The sonochemically driven synthesis of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and their subsequent sonochemical ZnS shelling is described. By adapting the use of Cd(OAc)2, TOPO, and hexadecylamine to an ultrasound-driven synthesis and by applying a subsequent sonochemical ZnS shelling procedure to CdSe QD cores using Zn-ethylxanthate, highly luminescent QDs with quantum yields of 50% to 60%, narrow emission spectra (fwhm ∼25 nm), and size distributions of ∼10% were obtained. Furthermore, QD synthesis via ultrasound has several attractive features, such as a straightforward process control in the absence of any outside heat source and the ability to achieve nucleation and growth at bulk temperatures notably lower than those required for thermal techniques. The approach presented herein is accessible to laboratories with limited synthetic expertise to create CdSe/ZnS QDs.
Agroforestry for Sustainability of Lower-Input Land-Use Systems

Agriculture and forestry are too often treated separately, yet these two sectors are often interwoven on the landscape and share many common goals. The age-old practice of growing crops and trees t...
Geospatial Approaches to Environmental Determinants of Breast Cancer in the California Teachers Study

With the increasing availability of georeferenced data about people and places there are expanded opportunities to assess risk relationships for disease outcomes associated with living in areas impacted by adverse environmental insults. For the most part, particularly for cancer outcomes, estimates of exposures have been based upon a single address and single point in time, and for which traditional epidemiologic methods such as interview may be impractical for assessing earlier residences in large scale studies. Likewise environmental data are often not available for specific time periods of interest or at an appropriate geographic scale for epidemiologic studies. Using an example from the California Teachers Study (CTS), a large statewide prospective study of women, we sought to develop strategies to assess temporal and spatial changes in participant residences, temporal changes in ambient air pollutants, and the intersection between the two in time and space to form a basis for future risk analyses. Key findings suggest the importance of careful attention to data quality, to assumptions about data gaps, and the influence of modeling decisions. Nonetheless, these efforts show promise for future environmental health research.
The virome of HPV-positive tonsil squamous cell carcinoma and neck metastasis

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) represents the most common HPV-related malignancy in the United States with increasing incidence. There is heterogeneity between the behavior and response to treatment of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that may be linked to the tumor virome. In this prospective study, a pan-pathogen microarray (PathoChip) was used to determine the virome of early stage, p16-positive OPSCC and neck metastasis treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and neck dissection. The virome findings of primary tumors and neck lymph nodes were correlated with clinical data to determine if specific organisms were associated with clinical outcomes. A total of 114 patients were enrolled in the study. Double-stranded DNA viruses, specifically Papillomaviridae, showed the highest hybridization signal (viral copies) across all viral families in the primary and positive lymph node samples. High hybridization signals were also detected for signatures of Baculoviridae, Reoviridae, Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, and Polydnaviridae in most of the cancer specimens, including the lymph nodes without cancer present. Across all HPV signatures, HPV16 and 18 had the highest average hybridization signal index and prevalence. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has identified the viral signatures of OPSCC tumors. This will serve as a foundation for future research investigating the role of the virome in OPSCC. Further investigation into the OPSCC microbiome and its variations may allow for improved appreciation of the impact of microbial dysbiosis on risk stratification, oncologic outcomes, and treatment response which has been shown in other cancer sites.
E 2 and E 4 Deformations in U 2 3 3 , 2 3 4 , 2 3 5 , 2 3 8

Precise intrinsic quadrupole and hexadecapole moments of $^{233,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}234,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}235,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}238}\mathrm{U}$ have been determined from muonic $K$, $L$, $M$, and $N$ x rays. For $^{233,\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}235}\mathrm{U}$ seven $E2$ matrix elements were independently determined. These $E2$ matrix elements are in good agreement with the adiabatic rotational model; this agreement is further improved if a correction for $\ensuremath{\Delta}K=1$ band mixing is included. The measured hexadecapole moments are in good agreement with shellcorrection calculations and Hartree-Fock calculations.
Politics of interconfessional empathy and Schadenfreude in Lebanon

We analyze the sources of two politically relevant, yet opposing emotions: empathy and Schadenfreude. We propose that group and individual-level political factors affect empathy and Schadenfreude t...
Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Lifesaving Management of a Giant Cervical Teratoma

Background Ex utero intrapartum treatment (‘EXIT’ procedure) is a well described method for maintaining maternal–fetal circulation in the setting of airway obstruction from compressive neck masses. When ex utero intrapartum treatment to airway is not feasible, ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (‘ECMO’) has been described in fetal cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Objective This paper presents the case of a massively compressive midline neck teratoma managed with ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, allowing for neonatal survival, with controlled airway management and subsequent resection. Case report A 34-year-old-female presented with a fetal magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrating a 15 cm compressive midline neck teratoma. Concern for failure of ex utero intrapartum treatment to airway was high. The addition of the ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure provided time for the planned subsequent resection of the mass and tracheostomy. Conclusion Ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures allow for securement of the difficult neonatal airway, while maintaining a supply of oxygenated blood to the newborn. Ex utero intrapartum treatment circulation lasts on average less than 30 minutes. The arrival of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has enabled the survival of neonates with disease processes previously incompatible with life.
Resonant MEMS Accelerometer With CW Laser Excitation

A silicon MEMS resonator which forms an optical cavity with its package is self-excited and interrogated with a CW laser beam at telecom wavelengths delivered to the device through optical fiber. Self-oscillation at 68 kHz occurs with a buckled resonator for laser powers >7 mW. After removal of polarization effects from fiber motion, the resonant frequency is found to vary with acceleration with a scale factor of 0.13 Hz/g even in the absence of an applied internal electric field. This surprising sensitivity is due to spatial variation of the absorbed power within the cavity and is consistent with a simple model of the device. As initially fabricated, self-oscillation occurs over a limited 1.5 °C temperature range but with a SiN antireflection layer on the outer surface, the device can self-oscillate continuously from 0 to 80 °C. A fractional bias instability <10−9 is obtained by minimizing fiber vibration. A second, higher frequency mode can also be self-excited. [2020-0142]
Targeting the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway in airway innate immunity

The airway innate immune system maintains the first line of defense against respiratory infections. The airway epithelium and associated immune cells protect the respiratory system from inhaled foreign organisms. These cells sense pathogens via activation of receptors like toll-like receptors and taste family 2 receptors (T2Rs) and respond by producing antimicrobials, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Coordinated regulation of fluid secretion and ciliary beating facilitates clearance of pathogens via mucociliary transport. Airway cells also secrete antimicrobial peptides and radicals to directly kill microorganisms and inactivate viruses. The phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt) kinase pathway regulates multiple cellular targets that modulate cell survival and proliferation. Akt also regulates proteins involved in innate immune pathways. Akt phosphorylates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzymes expressed in airway epithelial cells. Activation of eNOS can have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral roles. Moreover, Akt can increase the activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor-2 that protects cells from oxidative stress and may limit inflammation. In this review, we summarize the recent findings of non-cancerous functions of Akt signaling in airway innate host defense mechanisms, including an overview of several known downstream targets of Akt involved in innate immunity.
Correlation Between Central Sensitization and Remote Muscle Performance in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine associations between the degree of central sensitization (CS) and remote muscle performance in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods The 2011 fibromyalgia (FM) criteria and severity scales (2011 FM survey) were used as a surrogate measure of CS to divide the participants into 2 groups: FM-positive CLBP and FM-negative CLBP. Measures related to central sensitization included the 2011 FM survey and pressure pain threshold of the thumbnail. Measures related to muscle performance included neck flexor muscle strength and endurance and plantar flexor muscle strength. Between-groups and correlation analyses were performed. Results Sixty people with CLBP were enrolled (30 FM-positive, 30 FM-negative). There was no significant difference between the subgroups in age, sex, or pain duration (P > .05). The FM-positive CLBP group showed poorer neck flexor muscle endurance (P = .01) and plantar flexor muscle strength (P = .002) than the FM-negative CLBP group, whereas neck flexor muscle strength was not different between the groups (P = .175). Scores for FM and values for pressure pain thresholds of the thumbnail were associated with neck flexor muscle strength (respectively, r = −0.320, P = .013, and r = 0.467, P Conclusion We found associations between the degree of CS and remote muscle strength and endurance, suggesting that poor remote muscle performance is possibly a clinical sign of CS in people with CLBP.
Obesity Status on associations between cancer-related beliefs and health behaviors in cancer survivors: Implications for patient-clinician communication.

Abstract Objective Associations between cancer beliefs and health behavior engagement are largely unexplored in cancer survivors, particularly among those with overweight and obesity. We investigated belief-behavior associations for cancer survivors, and whether obesity altered these associations. Methods Cancer survivors were identified from the National Cancer Institute HINTS Survey 5 data and classified as having had an obesity-related cancer or not. Linear and multiple logistic regression analyses examined whether cancer risk beliefs and self-efficacy predicted dining out behaviors and physical activity (PA). Restricted analyses were conducted in those with overweight or obesity. Results Low self-efficacy to take care of one’s health was associated with longer sitting time in the overall sample (p = 0.04). In cancer survivors with overweight or obesity, engagement in healthier behaviors was associated with 1) feeling less overwhelmed by cancer risk recommendations and 2) believing that PA or obesity influences cancer development (both p Conclusions Obesity altered associations between cancer risk beliefs and health behavior engagement from the overall sample. Practice Implications Weight status may be a useful tailoring factor when delivering health-promoting interventions for cancer survivors.
Automatic isokinetic sampling

An automatic device was constructed for sampling air isokinetically. The automatic feature consists of a motor-operated bypass valve controlled by a Wheatstone bridge. Transducers, sensitive to changes in air velocity, are the sensing elements in the bridge. Experimental results are given in which the controlled sampling velocity was shown to follow changes in wind velocity very accurately.
The recognition of oil spillages on the water surface by methods of fractal geometry

Now all over the world aerospace researches of the Earth are intensified, getting universal character. In this connection the special urgency is got with methods of geomonitoring of a water surface in a context of a contamination their various waste products, that, naturally, the irreparable damage causes to flora and fauna. As show numerous researches in the field of measurements in physics of a radar-location, the majority of natural objects are represented for the further processing, as fractal objects. With a view of impurities recognition of water area (in particular, oil floods, chemical waste products) water surface we shall use methods fractal geometry. Taking into account heterogeneity of a researched zone such as “a water surface an oil spillage” and, knowing standard values of components of this structure, it is possible on the basis of Mandelbrate's law to define multyfractal dimension of researched object. Comparing the received values on geomonitoring data with reference, we can as a first approximation to distinguish the indicator attributes of a zone, “a water table an oil spillage” and its geometrical sizes.
Model management: an embedded languages approach

Abstract Model management is an important component of decision support. Executable modeling languages (EMLs) have been employed quite successfully in designing useful modeling systems. In this paper, we present a technique, called embedded languages, which is a generalization of the EML approach, we believe that this technique can prove extremely useful in implementing desirable features not usually found in existing systems. The approach is discussed with reference to such a system, TEFA, which has been developed, and is being improved, on the basis of this technique.
Cerebral oxygenation monitoring using near infrared spectroscopy during controlled hypotension.

Summary Background: Controlled hypotension (CH) is used to limit intraoperative blood loss and decrease the need for homologous transfusions. Despite the efficacy of the technique, hypotension has the potential to affect cerebral perfusion and oxygen delivery. There are no data providing a direct measurement of cerebral oxygenation during this technique. Methods: The current study prospectively evaluated cerebral oxygenation during CH using near infrared spectroscopy. Nineteen patients ranging in age from 6 to 18 years were enrolled in the study. CH was provided using a combination of intravenous opioids and sevoflurane supplemented with labetolol as necessary. Results: There were a total of 268 readings obtained from the cerebral oximeter. The baseline cerebral oximeter reading was 81 ± 8% on the right and 82 ± 7% on the left. During CH (mean arterial pressure of 65–69, 60–64, 55–59, and <54 mmHg), the right cerebral oximeter values were 80 ± 9, 78 ± 8, 78 ± 10, and 84 ± 9%, respectively while the left cerebral oximeter values were 79 ± 7, 80 ± 7, 78 ± 8, and 78 ± 8%, respectively. Of the 268 readings, there were 11 points (4%) at which either the left or right cerebral oximeter was 10–19 less than the baseline value and no points at which the reading was 20 or more from the baseline value. Conclusions: Our preliminary data with a measurement of cerebral oxygenation demonstrates the safety of CH within the accepted mean blood pressure recommendations of 55–65 mmHg.
Adaptation of Legacy Software to Grid Services

Adaptation of legacy software to grid services environment is gradually gaining in significance both in academic and commercial settings but presently no comprehensive framework addressing this area is available and the scope of research work covering this field is still unsatisfactory. The main contribution of this paper is the proposal of a versatile architecture designed to facilitate the process of transition to grid services platform. We provide thorough analysis of the presented solution and confront it with fundamental grid requirements. In addition, the results of performance evaluation of a prototype implementation are demonstrated.
Inhibition of KCa3.1 decreases differentiated osteoclast function in RAW264 cells (893.21)

Human intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (KCa3.1) are found in many cell types including colonic and airway epithelia, vasculature smooth muscle and T-lymphocytes. Recent work has ...
Semi-Supervised Classification for Extracting Protein Interaction Sentences using Dependency Parsing

We introduce a relation extraction method to identify the sentences in biomedical text that indicate an interaction among the protein names mentioned. Our approach is based on the analysis of the paths between two protein names in the dependency parse trees of the sentences. Given two dependency trees, we define two separate similarity functions (kernels) based on cosine similarity and edit distance among the paths between the protein names. Using these similarity functions, we investigate the performances of two classes of learning algorithms, Support Vector Machines and k-nearest-neighbor, and the semisupervised counterparts of these algorithms, transductive SVMs and harmonic functions, respectively. Significant improvement over the previous results in the literature is reported as well as a new benchmark dataset is introduced. Semi-supervised algorithms perform better than their supervised version by a wide margin especially when the amount of labeled data is limited.
Brain-targeted chemical delivery of [Leu2, Pip3]-TRH: synthesis and biological evaluation.

Abstract A chemical targeting system for [Leu 2 , Pip 3 ]-TRH (Gln,Leu,Pip) was synthesized in order to allow its specific delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Sequential metabolism of the obtained ‘packaged’ chemical delivery system, (CDS), DHT-Pro-Pro-Gln-Leu-Pip-OCh, should yield a ‘locked-in’ precursor following the oxidative conversion of the dihydrotrigonellyl (DHT) to the trigonellyl (T + ) moiety, followed by removal of the cholesteryl function and cleavage of the T + -Pro-Pro by prolyl endopeptidase. The antagonism of barbiturate-induced sleeping time was used to assess the activity of the CDS. The sleeping time after administration of vehicle and [Leu 2 ]-TRH was 100.5±6.3 min, and 78.2±4.7 min, respectively. The [Leu 2 , Pip 3 ]-TRH-CDS showed a significant decrease in sleeping time (58.2±3.4 min) compared to the vehicle or [Leu 2 ]-TRH. These results indicate successful brain delivery of the precursor construct, and an effective release of the active GlnLeuPip in the brain.
Intracellular survival by Chlamydia.

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens whose entry into mucosal epithelial cells is required for intracellular survival and subsequent growth. After a seemingly stealthy entry, chlamydiae quickly modify their vacuole (i) for exit from the endosomal pathway to the exocytic pathway and (ii) to permit fusion with intercepted endoplasmic reticulum- and Golgi-derived vesicles carrying glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids for chlamydiae-containing vacuole membrane expansion. Chlamydiae possess novel hollow proteinaceous structures, termed projections, which they use to pierce the inclusion membrane, possibly to acquire from the epithelial cytoplasm nutrients they cannot synthesize; whether or not these truncated flagellar-like structures serve a dual exchange function for secretion of molecules to programme host cell signalling is unknown. Despite the accumulation of some 500–1000 progeny in the enormously enlarged inclusion, host cell function is surprisingly little disrupted, and progeny escape can be unobtrusive. This elegant adaptive pathogen strategy, which leads to silent, chronic human infection, is fascinating from a cellular microbiology perspective.
General Theories of Alkaloid Biosynthesis

In spite of the large numbers and great diversity of alkaloid structures, it seems possible now to discern a few general principles that apply to the biosynthesis of many different alkaloids. Some broad theories of alkaloid formation have borne the test of many experimental investigations, some have received no support, some have been refuted, and some newcomers have not yet been tested adequately.
Island method for estimating the statistical significance of profile-profile alignment scores.

Background In the last decade, a significant improvement in detecting remote similarity between protein sequences has been made by utilizing alignment profiles in place of amino-acid strings. Unfortunately, no analytical theory is available for estimating the significance of a gapped alignment of two profiles. Many experiments suggest that the distribution of local profile-profile alignment scores is of the Gumbel form. However, estimating distribution parameters by random simulations turns out to be computationally very expensive.
Using qualitative studies to improve the usability of an EMR

The adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) and user satisfaction are closely associated with the system's usability. To improve the usability of a results management module of a widely deployed web-based EMR, we conducted two qualitative studies that included multiple focus group and field study sessions. Qualitative research can help focus attention on user tasks and goals and identify patterns of care that can be visualized through task modeling exercises. Findings from both studies raised issues with the amount and organization of information in the display, interference with workflow patterns of primary care physicians, and the availability of visual cues and feedback. We used the findings of these studies to recommend design changes to the user interface of the results management module.
Perceptions of garment proportions by female observers.

Summary.-One hundred seventy-two undergraduate women responded to twelve sets of stimuli consisting of a constant jacket silhouette varying proportionally in components of lapel, yoke, and pocket details. Using a 9-point scale in Likert format, the subjects were asked to respond to questions comparing the jacket stimuli of each set in terms of sameldifferent, unattractivelattractive, unwearable/wearable, unfashionable/ fashionable, not acceptable/acceptable, and dislikellike. This jacket was varied in its component parts to correspond to proportions currently available in Petite and Misses size apparel. Analysis indicated that subjects detected differences in proportions of garment details within the context of a petite jacket silhouette and preferred proportions adjusted to the smaller size. An individual develops perceptions of the world within a frame of reference based on past experiences, expectations, and feelings (Arnheim, 1974; Gombrich, 1979). Objects often behave as wholes in our visual field given their obvious function as a unit and consequently are processed holistically (Nelson, 1989). Gibbins and Schneider (1980) examined respondents' perceptions of clothing ensembles and found that the whole carried different information than the component parts. What is perceived, in particular, depends on the relationships of parts and their function in the context of the visual unit, that is, the proportion of pockets to other garment details and the whole garment. Visual priorities (parts that attract attention first) are influenced by the discrete nature of the garment and the past experience~ of the observer (DeLong, 1987). The desire on the part of the female consumer to present herself according to current societal ideals of body type, size, and proportion is confounded by availability of clothing proportioned to size (Griffin, 1985). Although clothing manufacturers have expanded the availability of garments sized for a variety of body types, little consideration has been given to the resulting visual proportion, that is, the part-to-whole relationships. For example, smaller garments (for example, for a petite consumer) are often just a shorter version of a standard (i.e., Misses) larger-sized garment for an individual of greater height, with no change in the proportion of garment details such as pockets, lapels, and yokes. Thus the petite-sized consumer often faces a garment that looks subtly different in proportion of component parts to whole than the
Negative Regulation of FcεRI-mediated Degranulation by CD81

Signaling through the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (FceRI) results in the coordinate activation of tyrosine kinases before calcium mobilization. Receptors capable of interfering with the signaling of antigen receptors, such as FceRI, recruit tyrosine and inositol phosphatases that results in diminished calcium mobilization. Here, we show that antibodies recognizing CD81 inhibit FceRI-mediated mast cell degranulation but, surprisingly, without affecting aggregation-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation, calcium mobilization, or leukotriene synthesis. Furthermore, CD81 antibodies also inhibit mast cell degranulation in vivo as measured by reduced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis responses. These results reveal an unsuspected calcium-independent pathway of antigen receptor regulation, which is accessible to engagement by membrane proteins and on which novel therapeutic approaches to allergic diseases could be based.
Prenatal stress alters morphine- and stress-induced analgesia in male and female rats.

Abstract Prenatal stress affects the expression of many opioid-regulated behaviors in adulthood, e.g., aggressive, maternal, regulatory, and sexual. In the present report we examined two forms of analgesia, morphine-induced (opioid receptor-mediated), and stress-induced [cold-water swim (CWS), nonopioid] analgesia in adult prenatally-stressed (P-S) male and female rats to determine whether and to what extent these analgesic responses might be altered. Timed-mated Sprague-Dawley females were exposed to heat and restraint stress (three daily 1 2 hour sessions, 0830, 1230, and 1630 hr) from days 15–22 of gestation. Control animals remained undisturbed throughout pregnancy. Between 120–150 days of age, baseline pain sensitivities were determined using a tail-flick monitor. P-S and Control animals were then exposed to 3.5 min cold-water swims (2°C) and pain thresholds were again determined at 30 min intervals for 120 min. P-S females exhibited significantly lower pain thresholds than Control females at the 30 and 60 min marks, whereas P-S and Control males did not differ. Six to eight days later, analgesia was measured for 180 min following morphine (5.0 mg/kg) administration. P-S females exhibited significantly greater analgesia at each time-point after morphine treatment than Controls. Conversely, P-S males were significantly less analgesic than Control males from 60 to 180 min. These data suggest that prenatal stress alters the status of endogenous opiate systems. Such prenatal stress-induced alterations in opiate function may help account for some of the behavioral effects reported in P-S animals.
Phenotypic analysis of 1-B-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine deamination in patients treated with high doses and correlation with response.

Two phenotypes for 1-B-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) deamination corresponding to a ratio of distribution for “slow” (ratio, ≤14) vs “fast” (ratio, >14) deaminators of 70%∶30%, have been determined on the basis of studies on plasma ratios of 1-B-d-arabinofuranosyluracil/ara-C (ara-U/ara-C) in 56 subjects treated with high-dose ara-C (3 g/m2 infused i.v. over 3 h). A positive correlation of age with the concentration of ara-U was observed. In a subgroup of 36 patients with leukemia, the ara-U/ara-C pattern was similar to that observed for all 56 subjects. In these leukemic patients, who were treated with combinations of ara-C plus other conventional agents, a tendency toward a positive response (complete response +partial response) was found for those showing low ara-U/ara-C ratios (slow deaminators). The phenotypic effect of deamination in acute leukemia needs to be evaluated prospectively.
The KIDS + 3 Chart:

The KIDS + 3 chart with graph format similar to the KIDS chart (Kansas Infant Development Screen) is a new developmental screen for preschool children, 2 to 5 years of age. Selection of items, preliminary field testing of 186 children from 18 to 69 months of age to confirm normal values, and subsequent arrangement of 61 developmental items into 6 age groupings are discussed. Concurrent criterion-related validity was established by testing 70 additional preschoolers. Interobserver reliability was conducted with 29 children and scores of 110 children were used for reliability in the form of internal consistency of the KIDS + 3 chart. This new chart provides physicians, other health care workers and preschool teachers with a convenient developmental screen both simple to use and to interpret to parents.
Preliminary clinical trial of an ex vivo arterial blood gas monitor

Abstract Purpose : The purpose of this study was to test the analytical performance of a new ex vivo arterial blood gas (ABG) monitor based on fiberoptic sensor technology (SensiCath; Optical Sensors, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) when operated by critical care practitioners in intensive care environments. Materials and Methods : Arterial blood analyses using a new ex vivo ABG monitor and standard clinical laboratory bench top analyzers were compared according to an institutionally approved protocol. The subjects were adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients (n = 20) with an arterial cannula for pressure monitoring, expectation of ICU stay >72 hours, need for ≥2 ABG analyses per day, and written informed consent. The clinical setting was two ICUs, a shock trauma ICU, and a neurological ICU in a metropolitan area trauma center. Results : One hundred seventy-five paired ABG analyses were obtained over 1,146 hours of monitor use (52 ± 20 hours per patient). Comparison of ABG monitor and laboratory analyses of blood samples obtained at the time of measurement by the monitor provided the following results: For pH, the range of laboratory measurements was 7.197 – 7.512, accuracy (mean difference between the monitor and laboratory measurement) was +0.010, precision (standard deviation of the difference between monitor and laboratory measurements) was ±0.027, and the correlation coefficient (r) = 0.913. For P CO 2, the range of laboratory measurements was 24.5–61.5 mm Hg, accuracy was +1.4 mm Hg, precision was ±3.3 mm Hg, and r = 0.942. For P O 2, the range of laboratory measurements was 47.3 – 163.3 mm Hg, accuracy was +4.0 mm Hg, precision was ±7.9 mm Hg, and r = 0.970. No adverse events occurred associated with the monitor. Conclusion : A practical ex vivo ABG monitor has been developed that offers accurate data and potential advantages to the critical care practitioner and the critically ill patient over other ABG analysis systems: one 10-minute calibration procedure; 1-minute analysis time; no permanent blood removal from the patient; and a closed arterial monitoring system. Precision performance is comparable to standard laboratory ABG analysis. The ABG monitor offers reliability and ease of use, and the ability of the critical care practitioner (nurse, respiratory therapist, or physician) to obtain accurate ABG analyses as needed at bedside.
Publication productivity in selected school psychology journals: a reconsideration based on institutional mission

This paper discusses the relationship between institutional mission and publication productivity in school psychology, categorizes the top 50 institutions identified by Webster, Hall, and Bolen (1993) by university mission, and presents publication productivity rankings by category of institution. As expected, analysis suggests that doctoral institutions have higher productivity ratings than comprehensive universities. Results are compared with those presented by Webster et al., and implications of considering publication productivity in light of institutional mission are discussed.
Stopping Rules in Balanced Allocation Problems: Exact and Asymptotic Distributions

Abstract The properties of balanced randomization procedures for several treatments under a general (nonuniform) allocation are reviewed. Under one of such schemes, the truncated multinomial randomization design, the initial assignment probabilities are employed until a treatment fulfills its quota of subjects, after which these probabilities become these of the conditional distribution for the remaining available treatments, and so on. Another design, the random allocation rule, chooses at random one of possible balanced assignments of the given number of subjects per treatment. These two schemes turn out to be quite different: the target fulfillment instants for the truncated multinomial randomization design occur much earlier than for the random allocation rule. Under the truncated multinomial randomization design, the limiting behavior of these instants is determined by normal order statistics with different variances; for the random allocation rule this role is played by the sums of independent but h...
A simple model for mutual coupling effects on patterns of unequally spaced arrays

The effects of mutual coupling on the patterns of unequally spaced arrays are not generally negligible. A simple method for approximating the effect of coupling for the purpose of checking the sensitivity of an array design is presented and justified. Attempts to include the approximation in a synthesis technique have not been successful.
Morphological and biochemical abnormalities in hearts of cardiac mutant salamanders (Ambystoma mexicanum).

The effect of homozygosity for recessive gene c in Ambystoma mexicanum is the absence of a heartbeat even though initially heart development appears normal. Mutant embryos (c/c) are first distinguishable from their normal siblings (+/+; +/c) at stage 34 (7 days after fertilization) when the normals develop contracting hearts. The mutant hearts at this stage, upon gross examination, appear structurally normal but fail to beat. Nevertheless, the mutants survive through stage 41, which is about 20 days beyond the heartbeat stage, and they exhibit normal swimming movements, indicating that gene c does not affect skeletal muscle. Electron microscopic studies of normal hearts show some myofibrils to be present at stage 34; by stage 41, the normal myocardial cells have become highly differentiated muscle cells. Although some mutant heart cells contain a few thin 60 A and thick 150 A filaments, organized myofibrils are absent. Instead, amorphous proteinaceous collections are prominent. Heavy meromyosin (HMM) binding experiments were performed on mutant hearts to determine whether the myocardial cells contain actin. Mutant myocardial cells that are glycerinated but not treated with HMM contain intact amorphous bodies. After incubation in HMM, the amorphous collections are no longer present and large numbers of decorated actin filaments appear. The results suggest that the amorphous proteinaceous collections contain actin in a nonfilamentous form, and the addition of HMM induces this actin to polymerize into filaments. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of mutant heart tissue supports this conclusion by showing a prominent 43,000 dalton band suggestive of actin. The electrophoresis experiments also demonstrate a significant reduction of myosin heavy chain (200,000 daltons) in mutant hearts when compared to normal, and this latter observation is confirmed by radioimmunoassay experiments. Muscle tropomyosin (34,000 daltons), prominent in normal hearts, is virtually nonexistent in mutants. Thus, it appears that this single gene mutation affects the accumulation and organization of several different muscle proteins, including actin, myosin, and tropomyosin.
Épreuves fonctionnelles respiratoires de l’enfant de 3 à 5 ans : quel matériel, quelles mesures ?

Resume L’exploration fonctionnelle respiratoire (EFR) de l’enfant âge de 3 a 5 ans est possible sous reserve de connaitre le fonctionnement du materiel utilisant les techniques adaptees a cette tranche d’âge. Les techniques utilisees dependent tout autant des capacites de l’enfant que des habitudes du personnel a utiliser ces techniques. Cet article revoit les techniques disponibles a cet âge en pratique courante en laboratoire de ville ou a l’hopital.
Highly repeated DNA sequences in birds: the structure and evolution of an abundant, tandemly repeated 190-bp DNA fragment in parrots.

Up to 6.8% of the parrot (Psittaciformes) genome consists of a tandemly repeated, 190-bp sequence (P1) located in the centromere of many if not all chromosomes. Monomer repeats from 10 different psittacine species representing four subfamilies were isolated and cloned. The intraspecific sequence variation ranged from 1.5 to 7%. The interspecific sequence variation ranged from less than 3% between two species of cockatoos to approximately 45% between cockatoos and other parrots. The monomer sequences of all 10 parrot species contained several conserved (>90%) sequence elements at identical locations within the repeat. A comparison with tandemly repeated DNA sequences in other avian species showed that several of these conserved elements were also present at similar locations within the 184-bp repeat of the Chilean flamingo ( Phoenicopterus chilensis ), suggesting a great antiquity of the repeat. One of the elements was also found in the tandemly repeated sequences of the crane (Gruidae) and falcon (Falconidae) families. The data were used for the construction of a partial most parsimonious relationship that supports a regional subdivision of the Psittaciformes.