cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capital flight from Latin America as a barometer of political instability

Abstract Profit seeking and risk aversion are characteristics of both domestic and foreign investors. Faced with an unacceptable business risk, domestic capital may flee the country. Therefore, capital flight could be a barometer of political instability. To verify such a hypothesis, the relationship between capital flight, and political instability in 17 Latin American countries was examined. In addition to political instability, many other factors influence capital flight. To isolate the impact of political instability, with the use of a statistical procedure capital flight data were decomposed into the political instability component, and the component related to other factors. The data representing the effect of political instability were regressed on political instability variables. The findings indicate that political disturbances in some Latin American countries are associated with changes in capital flight from these countries. J BUSN RES 1994. 30.187–195
Use of humidity tents and antitranspirants in the acclimatization of tissue-cultured plants to the greenhouse

Abstract Film-type antitranspirants and a humidity tent were tested on tissue-cultured chrysanthemum and carnation plants in order to determine the most effective way to increase the vigor and survival of the plants at the time of transfer to a greenhouse. Phytotoxicity necessitated applying most antitranspirants at concentrations lower than that recommended by the manufacturers. Plants grown in the humidity tent were significantly larger and more vigorous than plants in any other treatment. Although a silicone formulation had the greatest effect in reducing transpiration and water stress in transferred plants, it had the adverse effect of stunting plant growth. All other treatments with antitranspirants were ineffective in improving vigor and survival of plants compared to controls.
Genesis and pathogenesis of the 1918 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus

The source, timing, and geographical origin of the 1918–1920 pandemic influenza A virus have remained tenaciously obscure for nearly a century, as have the reasons for its unusual severity among young adults. Here, we reconstruct the origins of the pandemic virus and the classic swine influenza and (postpandemic) seasonal H1N1 lineages using a host-specific molecular clock approach that is demonstrably more accurate than previous methods. Our results suggest that the 1918 pandemic virus originated shortly before 1918 when a human H1 virus, which we infer emerged before ∼1907, acquired avian N1 neuraminidase and internal protein genes. We find that the resulting pandemic virus jumped directly to swine but was likely displaced in humans by ∼1922 by a reassortant with an antigenically distinct H1 HA. Hence, although the swine lineage was a direct descendent of the pandemic virus, the post-1918 seasonal H1N1 lineage evidently was not, at least for HA. These findings help resolve several seemingly disparate observations from 20th century influenza epidemiology, seroarcheology, and immunology. The phylogenetic results, combined with these other lines of evidence, suggest that the high mortality in 1918 among adults aged ∼20 to ∼40 y may have been due primarily to their childhood exposure to a doubly heterosubtypic putative H3N8 virus, which we estimate circulated from ∼1889–1900. All other age groups (except immunologically naive infants) were likely partially protected by childhood exposure to N1 and/or H1-related antigens. Similar processes may underlie age-specific mortality differences between seasonal H1N1 vs. H3N2 and human H5N1 vs. H7N9 infections.
Expression of freezing tolerance in the interspecific F1 and somatic hybrids of potatoes

The expression of freezing tolerance was examined in interspecific F1 and somatic hybrids of potatoes using 20 species and 34 different combinations between hardy and sensitive species. In the field, the frost tolerance of hybrids resembled either that of the hardy parent, the sensitive parent, or the parental mean, depending on the species combination and the genomic ratio (ratio of the number of sets of chromosomes contributed from each parent). Similar phenomena were observed when the non-acclimated freezing tolerance (NA) and the acclimation capacity (ACC) (two independent genetic components of freezing tolerance) were evaluated separately under controlled environments. In general, the expression level of freezing tolerance was higher in hybrids with more genomes contributed from the hardy parent than from the sensitive parent. In addition, the effectiveness or combining ability of genes conferring freezing tolerance from the hardy species also showed some influence on the expression of freezing tolerance. All three parameters, namely NA, ACC and acclimated freezing tolerance (AA) (NA plus ACC), were significantly correlated to the frost tolerance exhibited in the field. This indicates that the controlled freezing test used in this study could provide a good estimate of field performance. The implications of these results in breeding for freezing tolerance in potatoes are discussed.
Inactivation of chick oviduct progesterone receptors.

Abstract We have studied the effect of sodium fluoride and sodium molybdate on temperature-dependent inactivation of the chick oviduct progesterone receptor. Both fluoride and molybdate stabilize the receptor's hormone-binding capacity in crude cytosol at 25° and 30°C. However, no protective effect is seen when receptors have first been dissociated by KCl treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, or exhaustive dialysis. Furthermore, sucrose gradient analysis reveals that molybdate and fluoride stabilize progesterone receptors in the aggregate form. We conclude that these ions may be acting not on a phosphatase in the cytosol, but directly on the receptor itself.
An extracellular matrix microarray for probing cellular differentiation.

We present an extracellular matrix (ECM) microarray platform for the culture of patterned cells atop combinatorial matrix mixtures. This platform enables the study of differentiation in response to a multitude of microenvironments in parallel. The fabrication process required only access to a standard robotic DNA spotter, off-the-shelf materials and 1,000 times less protein than conventional means of investigating cell-ECM interactions. To demonstrate its utility, we applied this platform to study the effects of 32 different combinations of five extracellular matrix molecules (collagen I, collagen III, collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin) on cellular differentiation in two contexts: maintenance of primary rat hepatocyte phenotype indicated by intracellular albumin staining and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells toward an early hepatic fate, indicated by expression of a β-galactosidase reporter fused to the fetal liver-specific gene, Ankrd17 (also known as gtar). Using this technique, we identified combinations of ECM that synergistically impacted both hepatocyte function and ES cell differentiation. This versatile technique can be easily adapted to other applications, as it is amenable to studying almost any insoluble microenvironmental cue in a combinatorial fashion and is compatible with several cell types.
Age-related differences in synaptic plasticity following muscle unloading

The objective of the present investigation was to determine the effects of muscle unloading—a form of subtotal disuse— on the morphology of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in younger and aged animals. Sixteen aged (22 months) and 16 young adult (8 months) male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to control and hindlimb suspension (HS) conditions (n = 8/group). At the conclusion of the 4 week experimental period, soleus muscles were collected, and immunofluorescent procedures were used to visualize acetylcholine (ACh) vesicles and receptors, nerve terminal branching, as well as NCAM and NT-4 expression. Quantitative analyses revealed that aged controls displayed significant (p young controls). Among the four groups, however, the greatest amount of NCAM content was detected among aged HS muscles, matching the degree of synaptic plasticity exhibited in those muscles. Unlike NCAM, the expression of NT-4 did not appear to differ among the treatment groups. These data suggest that although young adult muscle maintains normal NMJ structure during prolonged exposure to unloading, aged NMJs experience significant adaptation to that stimulus. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 57: 246–256, 2003
The GRO 95577 CR1 chondrite and hydration of the CR parent body

We carried out a petrologic and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whole chondrite compositional study of Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577. GRO 95577 has many petrological similarities to the CR chondrites. Although the INAA data show patterns indicative of terrestrial weathering, some of the elemental abundances are consistent with a relationship to CR chondrites. The oxygen isotopic composition of GRO 95577 plots close to the Renazzo CR chondrite on the three-isotope diagram. However, GRO 95577 is remarkable in that the chondrules are completely hydrated, consisting almost entirely of phyllosilicates, magnetite, and sulfides. Although GRO 95577 is completely hydrated, the initial chondrule textures are perfectly preserved. The chondrules are in sharp contact with the matrix, their fine-grained rims are clearly visible, and the boundaries of the dark inclusions can be easily discerned. Many chondrules in GRO 95577 have textures suggestive of type I chondrules, but the phenocrysts have undergone perfect pseudomorphic replacement by yellow to brownish serpentine-rich phyllosilicate, with sharp original crystal outlines preserved. The chondrule mesostasis is a green aluminous chlorite-rich material, most likely a hydration product of the feldspathic mesostasis commonly found in anhydrous type I chondrules. Some chondrules contain magnetite spheres, most likely formed by oxidation of metal. We propose that GRO 95577 be classified as a CR1 chondrite, making it the first known CR1 chondrite and expanding the range of alteration conditions on the CR parent body.
Impact of a Family History of Colorectal Cancer on the Prevalence of Advanced Adenomas of the Rectosigmoid Colon at Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in 3147 Asymptomatic Patients

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is advised as a screening test for colorectal cancer for persons with a family history of late-onset colorectal cancer. The expected outcome for this approach is not well established. We designed a large, prospective study of an unselected population to assess the impact of a family history of one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer on the prevalence of advanced adenomas at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy. We evaluated 8121 patients referred for flexible sigmoidoscopy between 1997 and 1999 and 3147 patients met the inclusion criteria. The 3147 patients were divided into 210 with a family history of colorectal cancer and 2937 without a family history and analyzed for differences in the prevalence of advanced adenomas. Of the 210 with a family history, 3 had an advanced adenoma of the rectosigmoid colon (1.4%) Of the 2937 without a family history, 52 had an advanced adenoma of the rectosigmoid colon (1.8%), including 2 cancers. These differences were not significant. In conclusion, a family history of colorectal cancer had no impact on the prevalence of advanced adenomas in asymptomatic patients at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy. The prevalence rates for advanced adenomas and carcinomas of the rectosigmoid colon were low.
Constructing multivariate distributions with specific marginal distributions

Abstract A method is presented for constructing multivariate distributions with any specific set of univariate marginal distributions. This construction provides a rich class of distributions for modeling multivariate data as well as a basis for easily simulating correlated observations. The joint cdf and joint density function are expressed as explicit functions of the cdf′s and density functions for the univariate marginal distributions. The inclusion of different association parameters for different subsets of variables allows for many different patterns of associations. General properties of this class of multivariate distributions are reviewed and contour plots of selected bivariate densities are presented to illustrate the variety of possible shapes. An application to multivariate survival analysis is briefly considered.
Deficiency of dopamine in the median eminence of Snell dwarf mice.

Catecholamine levels were measured in the median eminence, the intermedio-posterior lobe of the pituitary, and the hypothalamus of both male and female Snell dwarf mice and compared to the same parameters in normal mice of the same strain. Catecholamine levels were also examined in the striatum of female dwarfs. Dopamine (DA) levels in the median eminence of both male and female dwarf mice were severely deficient. Noradrenaline (NA) levels in this same region of the dwarf mouse brain were not different from normal. With the exception of the intermedio-posterior lobe of the pituitary of female dwarfs, both DA and NA levels in the other brain regions were comparable in dwarf and normal mice. The turnovers of DA and NA in the hypothalamus and telencephalon were not different in male Snell dwarfs vs. normal males. DA in the median eminence was also markedly depleted in the Ames dwarf mice, whose dwarfism is the result of a mutation on a different chromosome. Daily administration of ovine PRL or T4 for 2 weeks...
Identification of two fatty acids in a group determinant ofChlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis releases a hydrophobic, group-reactive antigenic substance that can be isolated from culture media by a new method developed in this laboratory. Octyl-Sepharose binds the free, hydrophobic antigen but not the antigen complexed with specific antibody. Analysis by GLC, of derivatives of samples, demonstrated the presence of C17 and C18∶1 fatty acids and showed they were complexed with specific antibody. TLC analyses demonstrated a glycolipid band unique to preparations of isolated antigen. Neither analyses demonstrated similar material in uninfected media. It is suggested that the lipids may be complexed with a polysaccharide heteropolymer containing a form of the unusual hexose, gulose.
Identification and expression profiles of multiple genes in Nile tilapia in response to bacterial infections.

Abstract To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in response of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) to bacterial infection, suppression subtractive cDNA hybridization technique was used to identify upregulated genes in the posterior kidney of Nile tilapia at 6 h post infection with Aeromonas hydrophila . A total of 31 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified from 192 clones of the subtractive cDNA library. Quantitative PCR revealed that nine of the 31 ESTs were significantly ( p A. hydrophila at an injection dose of 10 5 CFU per fish (∼20% mortality). Of the nine upregulated genes, four were also significantly ( p A. hydrophila at an injection dose of 10 6 CFU per fish (∼60% mortality). Of the four genes induced by A. hydrophila at both injection doses, three were also significantly ( p Streptococcus iniae at doses of 10 6 and at 10 5 CFU per fish (∼70% and ∼30% mortality, respectively). The three genes induced by both bacteria included EST 2A05 (similar to adenylate kinase domain containing protein 1), EST 2G11 (unknown protein, shared similarity with Salmo salar IgH locus B genomic sequence with e value of 0.02), and EST 2H04 (unknown protein). Significant upregulation of these genes in Nile tilapia following bacterial infections suggested that they might play important roles in host response to infections of A. hydrophila and S. iniae .
Incidence and Progression of Nuclear Opacities in the Longitudinal Study of Cataract

Abstract Purpose: To estimate incidence and progression rates of nuclear opacities in the Longitudinal Study of Cataract, an epidemiologic study of the natural history of all types of lens opacities. Methods: The Lens Opacities Classification System III was used to assess longitudinal changes between baseline and follow-up lens photographs for the 764 Longitudinal Study of Cataract participants. Baseline data, collected until December 1988 as part of a case-control study, included color slit, retroillumination, and Scheimpflug photographs. The same data were collected by the Longitudinal Study of Cataract at four subsequent visits at yearly intervals. Results: Among patients free of nuclear opacities at baseline, the incidence of new opacities was 6% after 2 years and 8% after 5 years of follow-up. The progression of pre-existing nuclear opacities was much higher. After 2 years, nuclear opacities had progressed in more than one third of the patients with pre-existing opacities; after 5 years, almost half had progressed. Older age was significantly related to higher incidence of new nuclear opacities, but not to progression of pre-existing opacities. Patients with other opacity types had higher nuclear incidence and progression rates. Conclusions: In this clinic-based, older-patient population, new nuclear opacities developed in less than one tenth of the patients after 5 years of follow-up. In contrast, almost one half of the patients with pre-existing opacities had worsened after 5 years. These estimated rates can be used to plan intervention or other studies of nuclear changes in similar populations.
Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis assemblages among dairy herds in the New York City Watershed

Abstract A longitudinal herd-level study was carried out to determine the cumulative incidence of Giardia duodenalis infections in dairy cattle in the New York City Watershed. We also sought to assess the changes in infection pattern of animals diagnosed as shedding Giardia over time, determine risk factors that may be associated with G. duodenalis infections, and identify potentially zoonotic infections. A total of 2109 fecal samples were randomly collected from dairy cattle at 34 farms in the New York City Watershed on a seasonal basis. A total of 504 Giardia -positive samples were identified by zinc sulfate flotation. The overall cumulative incidence of G. duodenalis based on flotation results was 23.9% with 73.8% of all infections occurring in animals under 180 days of age (372/504). The intensity of infection ranged from 2 to 563,200 cysts/gram of feces. Cattle shedding Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were twice as likely to shed G. duodenalis cysts in comparison to the animals that did not shed oocysts (1.81 95% CI 1.26–2.60 p = 0.0012). In the multivariate analysis, only the age of the animal and the presence of dogs on the farm were significantly associated with the likelihood of shedding G. duodenalis . DNA was extracted from positive samples and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the beta-giardin and triosephosphate isomerase genes of Giardia spp. 304 samples were analyzed by PCR of which 131 were sequenced. 22.1% of sequenced samples were identified as assemblage A and 77.9% were identified as assemblage E. Interestingly, 100% of specimens identified as assemblage A were from calves under 84 days of age indicating that younger cattle are important reservoirs for potentially zoonotic assemblages of G. duodenalis.
New evidence on the health hazards and control of metalworking fluids since completion of the OSHA advisory committee report.

Background Metalworking fluids (MWF) are used in the manufacture of engines, transmissions, chassis parts and other products. In 2003, OSHA denied a union petition to promulgate a standard for MWF. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a union lawsuit to compel OSHA to regulate MWF. OSHA relied exclusively on the 1999 Metal Working Fluids Standards Advisory Committee report, therefore, only evidence available before 1999 was quoted supporting the denial. This review was conducted to identify studies published since 1998. Methods Electronic reference sources were queried for the terms for metalworking fluids, machining fluids, cutting fluids, cutting oils, coolants, machining, and machinist. All items returned were reviewed for relevance to MWF regulation. Results The review noted 227 reports in the peer reviewed literature directly relevant to regulation of MWF exposures. Of these, 26 addressed cancer; 58 respiratory effects; 32 skin effects or absorption; 45 microbial contaminants; and 76 exposure measurements and controls. Three major studies identified excess cancer including lung, liver, pancreatic, laryngeal, and leukemia associated with MWF exposures. Reports strengthened associations of asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis with recent exposure to MWF. Conclusions Material new evidence demonstrates significant risks to material impairment of health at prevailing exposure levels and feasibility of lower exposure limits. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:792–801, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potential for Hydrogel Composites Containing Carbon Nanobrushes in Cellular Engineering

The objective of this work is to examine potential uses in cellular engineering for electrically conductive hydro gel composites as a matrix for clinically relevant cell lines. The composite is comprised of carbon nanobrushes embedded in a biocompatible poloxamer gel. This work assesses the ability of such composite gels to support the growth of fibroblasts and myocytes and eventually serve as a matrix to stimulate wound closure. In such a model, fibroblasts and myocytes are seeded on the hydro gel and bathed in culture medium. The experimental model assesses the ability of fibroblasts and myocytes to grow into and adhere to the gel. The work demonstrates that carbon nanobrushes can be dispersed within poloxamer gels, and that fibroblasts and myocytes can proliferate within homogenously dispersed carbon nanobrush-containing poloxamer gels. Future work will examine the effects of design parameters such as carbon nanobrush content and matrix structure on wound healing, as well as the growth of tendons and other cell lines within the hydro gel composites. This work has relevance for tissue and cellular engineering and tissue regeneration in clinical medicine.
Slow flow of a Bingham fluid in a shallow channel of finite width

We present a theory for the three-dimensional flow of a Bingham-plastic fluid in a shallow and wide channel. Focusing attention on slow flows appropriate for gentle slopes, low discharge rates or the final stage of deposition, we ignore inertia and apply the long-wave approximation. For steady flows, the velocity distribution, total discharge, and section-averaged flux are obtained analytically in terms of the fluid property and the geometry of the channel cross-section. Nonlinear stationary waves, which connect a uniform depth upstream to another uniform depth downstream, are then investigated, for both wet and dry beds. A numerical scheme is applied to calculate the transient flow evolution. The final development of the stationary wave due to steady discharge upstream is obtained numerically and the relation between the tongue-like shape of the wave front and the fluid property is discussed. The phase speed of the stationary wave is also derived analytically. Finally, the transient spreading of a finite fluid mass released from a reservoir after a dam break is simulated numerically. The transient development of the front and the final extent of deposition are examined.
Differentiating between Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities in Children Who Failed a Screening Instrument for ASD.

This study compared behavioral presentation of toddlers with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and toddlers with global developmental delay (DD) or developmental language disorder (DLD) who display some characteristics of ASD using the diagnostic algorithm items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Generic (ADOS), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). To date, 195 children have failed the M-CHAT and have been diagnosed with ASD, DD or DLD. Children with ASD had prominent and consistent impairments in socialization skills, especially joint attention skills and were more impaired in some aspects of communication, play, and sensory processing. Children with ASD and children with DD/DLD shared common features, but certain behavioral markers differentiated the two groups.
Online Faculty Development for Creating E-learning Materials

Background: Faculty who want to develop e-learning materials face pedagogical challenges of transforming instruction for the online environment, especially as many have never experienced online learning themselves. They face technical challenges of learning new software and time challenges of not all being able to be in the same place at the same time to learn these new skills. The objective of the Any Day Any Place Teaching (ADAPT) faculty development program was to create an online experience in which faculty could learn to produce e-learning materials. Methods: The ADAPT curriculum included units on instructional design, copyright principles and peer review, all for the online environment, and units on specific software tools. Participants experienced asynchronous and synchronous methods, including a learning management system, PC-based videoconferencing, online discussions, desktop sharing, an online toolbox and optional face-to-face labs. Project outcomes were e-learning materials developed and participants' evaluations of the experience. Likert scale responses for five instructional units (quantitative) were analyzed for distance from neutral using one-sample t-tests. Interview data (qualitative) were analyzed with assurance of data trustworthiness and thematic analysis techniques. Results: Participants were 27 interprofessional faculty. They evaluated the program instruction as easy to access, engaging and logically presented. They reported increased confidence in new skills and increased awareness of copyright issues, yet continued to have time management challenges and remained uncomfortable about peer review. They produced 22 new instructional materials. Discussion: Online faculty development methods are helpful for faculty learning to create e-learning materials. Recommendations are made to increase the success of such a faculty development program.
Propagation properties of a superconductive stripline

The propagation properties of a superconductive stripline are analyzed by a rigorous method. The superconductor is treated as a general dielectric material with the real part of the dielectric constant being negative. The frequency-dependent propagation constant and loss factor of the line are obtained by solving nonlinear dispersion relations. Compared with normal metal lines, superconductor lines offer low loss and low dispersion and are suitable for high-speed integrated-circuit interconnections. The simulation results for both low-T/sub c/ and high-T/sub c/-transmission lines were compared with those obtained by a perturbation approach to assess the validity of the perturbation method. Some other issues, such as penetration depth, are also discussed. The analysis method is applicable to general superconductor boundary value problems. >
Mechanix: A natural sketch interface tool for teaching truss analysis and free-body diagrams

Massive open online courses, online tutoring systems, and other computer homework systems are rapidly changing engineering education by providing increased student feedback and capitalizing upon online systems' scalability. While online homework systems provide great benefits, a growing concern among engineering educators is that students are losing both the critical art of sketching and the ability to take a real system and reduce it to an accurate but simplified free-body diagram (FBD). For example, some online systems allow the drag and drop of forces onto FBDs, but they do not allow the user to sketch the FBDs, which is a vital part of the learning process. In this paper, we discuss Mechanix, a sketch recognition tool that provides an efficient means for engineering students to learn how to draw truss FBDs and solve truss problems. The system allows students to sketch FBDs into a tablet computer or by using a mouse and a standard computer monitor. Using artificial intelligence, Mechanix can determine not only the component shapes and features of the diagram but also the relationships between those shapes and features. Because Mechanix is domain specific, it can use those relationships to determine not only whether a student's work is correct but also why it is incorrect. Mechanix is then able to provide immediate, constructive feedback to students without providing final answers. Within this manuscript, we document the inner workings of Mechanix, including the artificial intelligence behind the scenes, and present studies of the effects on student learning. The evaluations have shown that Mechanix is as effective as paper-and-pencil-based homework for teaching method of joints truss analysis; focus groups with students who used the program have revealed that they believe Mechanix enhances their learning and that they are highly engaged while using it.
Iodixanol and ioxaglate in adult aortography and peripheral arteriography: a phase III clinical trial.

Rationale and Objectives. This study compared the safety and efficacy of iodixanol with those of ioxaglate in adult patients undergoing aortography or peripheral arteriography. Methods. Forty-six patients were enrolled in this controlled, randomized, double-blind, two-center study. The patients were monitored for adverse events, injection-related discomfort, and trends in laboratory data or vital signs. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed by the quality of contrast enhancement. Results. All procedures were diagnostic, with no significant difference in quality of visualization (p = .205). No significant difference was seen in the number of patients experiencing mild or moderate adverse effects (p = .106). Patients receiving ioxaglate reported a significantly greater incidence of injection-related pain (p = .025). Conclusion. The results of this study support the conclusion that iodixanol at 320 mg I/kg is safe and effective for adult aortography and peripheral arteriography and causes significantly less injection-related pain than ioxaglate.
The Effect of Time Postexposure and Sex on the Horizontal Transmission of Metarhizium brunneum Conidia Between Asian Longhorned Beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Mates

A study using Metarhizium brunneum Petch fungal bands designed to improve delivery of conidia to adult Asian longhorned beetles, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), was conducted to determine how a time delay between exposure to infective conidia and pairing of male and female beetles would affect the ability to successfully transfer lethal doses of conidia to a mate. We measured conidial load at the time of mate pairing (0, 4, 24, 48 h postexposure) and assessed its effect on beetle mortality. Conidial load per beetle decreased across the four sampling times, and there was no effect of beetle sex on conidial load. At all time periods postexposure, beetles that climbed across fungal bands carried enough conidia that at least some of their indirectly exposed mates died of mycosis. For indirectly exposed beetles, mortality decreased significantly as the time delay increased from 0 to 48 h, and this was independent of beetle sex. Median survival time was only 11.5 d for females indirectly exposed immediately after their mate had been exposed, but >3 wk when there was a 48-h delay before pairing. Generally, beetles exposed directly to fungal bands died faster than their indirectly exposed mates. In contrast to the pattern seen for indirectly exposed beetles, beetles exposed directly to fungal bands showed no change in survival times with a delay between exposure and pairing. Median survival times of exposed females and males were generally similar, at 10.5-12.5 d.
A critical review of the evidence for the use of zygapophysial injections and radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of low back pain.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar zygapophysial joints are currently believed to be a cause of axial low back pain. Once this diagnosis is made, decisions about when to institute a particular intervention and which treatment to offer is regionally and specialty dependent. PURPOSE: To perform a critical review of prior published studies assessing the use of interventional treatment options for the treatment of lumbar zygapophysial joint syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Evidence-based medicine analysis of current literature. METHODS: A database search of Medline (PubMed, Ovid and MDConsult), Embase and the Cochrane database was conducted. The keywords used were low back pain, lumbar zygapophysial joint, lumbar facet joint, radiofrequency denervation, medial branch block, and intraarticular injection. After identifying all relevant literature, each article was reviewed. Data from the following categories were compiled: inclusion criteria, randomization of subjects, total number of subjects involved at enrollment and at final analysis. statistical analysis used, intervention performed, outcome measures, follow-up intervals and results. Guidelines described by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research were then applied to these data. RESULTS: This review determined that the evidence for the treatment of lumbar zygapophysial joint syndrome with intraarticular injections should be rated as level III (moderate) to IV (limited) evidence, whereas that for radiofrequency denervation is at a level III. CONCLUSIONS: Current studies fail to give more than sparse evidence to support the use of interventional techniques in the treatment of lumbar zygapophysial joint–mediated low back pain. This review emphasizes the need for larger, prospective, randomized controlled trials with uniform inclusion and exclusion criteria, standardized treatment, uniform outcome measures and an adequate duration of follow-up period so that definitive recommendations for the treatment of lumbar zygapophysial joint–mediated pain can be made.
Glass-fiber disks provide suitable medium to study polyol production and gene expression in Eurotium rubrum

Eurotium species often dominate the fungal population in stored grain and are responsible for spoilage. In this study we tested the usefulness of glass fiber disks to aid the analysis of growth, polyol content and gene expression in E. rubrum in response to various water activities. Growth measurements based on ergosterol content and conidial production indicated that E. rubrum grew as well at 0.86 aw as 0.98 aw. The rate of growth was considerably reduced at 0.83 aw and 0.78 aw. In contrast, under our conditions, Aspergillus flavus and A. nidulans were able to grow only in the highest water activity (0.98 aw). Mannitol was the predominant polyol in all three fungal species grown at 0.98 aw. When E. rubrum was grown at 0.86 aw or lower, glycerol comprised greater than 90% of the total polyols. After a shift from 0.86 aw to 0.98 aw, mannitol levels in E. rubrum increased to 89% of the total polyols within 24 h. Of six genes whose expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, three were affected by water activity. Expression of putative hydrophobin and mannitol dehydrogenase genes was higher at 0.98 aw than at 0.86 aw. A putative triacylglycerol lipase gene was expressed at higher levels in 0.86 aw.. The results of this study indicate that the disk method is suitable to study the effects of water activity on growth, polyol biosynthesis and gene expression in E. rubrum. The results also indicate the potential competitiveness of E. rubrum over A. flavus and A. nidulans in low water environments associated with stored grain.
Assessment of the Prognostic Value of Two Common Variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes in Ovarian Cancer Patients Treated with Cisplatin and Paclitaxel: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

Purpose: BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutations appear to enhance the platinum-sensitivity, but little is known about the prognostic relevance of polymorphisms in BRCA1/BRCA2 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study evaluated whether common variants of BRCA1/BRCA2 are associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced stage sporadic EOC. Experimental Design: The allelic frequency of BRCA1 (2612C>T, P871L-rs799917) and BRCA2 (114A>C, N372H-rs144848) were determined in normal blood DNA from women in Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol #172 phase III trial with optimally-resected stage III EOC treated with intraperitoneal or intravenous cisplatin and paclitaxel (C+P). Associations between polymorphisms and PFS or OS were assessed. Results: 232 women were included for analyses. African Americans (AA) had different distributions for the two polymorphisms from Caucasians and others. For non-AA patients, the genotype for BRCA1 P871L was distributed as 38% for CC, 49% for CT and 13% for TT. Median PFS was estimated to be 31, 21 and 21 months, respectively. After adjusting for cell type, residual disease and chemotherapy regimen, CT/TT genotypes were associated with a 1.40-fold increased risk of disease progression (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.95, p=0.049). After removing 7 patients with known BRCA1 germline mutations, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.36 (95% CI=0.97-1.91, p=0.073). The association between BRCA1 P871L and OS was not significant (HR =1.25, 95% CI=0.88-1.76, p=0.212). Genotype distribution of BRCA2 N372H among non-AA patients was 50%, 44% and 6% for AA, AC and CC, respectively and there is no evidence that this BRCA2 polymorphism was related to PFS or OS. Conclusion: Polymorphisms in BRCA1 P871L or in BRCA2 N372H were not associated with either PFS or OS in women with optimally-resected, stage III EOC treated with cisplatin and paclitaxel.
Message Passing for Hybrid Bayesian Networks: Representation, Propagation, and Integration

The traditional message passing algorithm was originally developed by Pearl in the 1980s for computing exact inference solutions for discrete polytree Bayesian networks (BN). When a loop is present in the network, propagating messages are not exact, but the loopy algorithm usually converges and provides good approximate solutions. However, in general hybrid BNs, the message representation and manipulation for arbitrary continuous variable and message propagation between different types of variables are still open problems. The novelty of the work presented here is to propose a framework to compute, propagate, and integrate the messages for hybrid models. First, we combine unscented transformation and Pearl's message passing algorithm to deal with the arbitrary functional relationships between continuous variables in the network. For the general hybrid model, we partition the network into separate parts by introducing the concept of interface node. We then apply different algorithms for each subnetwork. Finally we integrate the information through the channel of interface nodes and then estimate the posterior distributions for all hidden variables. The numerical experiments show that the algorithm works well for nonlinear hybrid BNs.
Prevention of Self-Licking on Mammary Gland Development in Pregnant Rats

SummaryA rubber collar was placed around the neck of rats on day 1 or 12 of pregnancy to restrain the animal from self-licking its mammary glands. Content of mammary gland DNA and RNA in rats sacrificed on day 12 was not statistically different between collared and control groups. However, nucleic acid contents of mammary glands of rats collared from days 1 to 20 and days 12 to 20 and autopsied on day 20 of pregnancy were significantly less (p < .05) than the controls. Body, uteri, placenta, and fetus weights and fetus numbers were not altered by collaring. Adrenal weights were increased as a result of the treatment however (p < .05). It is postulated that direct stimulation by self-licking enhances the action of endocrines for optimal mammary growth in rats.
Stachylysin May Be a Cause of Hemorrhaging in Humans Exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum

Stachybotrys chartarum is a toxigenic fungus that has been associated with human health concerns such as nasal bleeding in adults and pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH) in infants. Seven of eight strains of S. chartarum isolated from homes of infants with PH in Cleveland, Ohio, and the strain from the lung of an infant with PH in Texas produced stachylysin in tryptic soy broth (TSB), whereas only one out of eight strains isolated from control homes produced stachylysin. However, all strains produced stachylysin when grown on TSB with 0.7% sheep's blood. When stachylysin was injected into Lumbricus terrestis, the erythrocruorin hemoglobin (absorbance peaks at 280 and 415 nm) was released, resulting in a lethal effect. These results support the hypothesis that stachylysin may be one agent responsible for hemorrhaging in humans.
Turf irrigation in Hawaii using R-1 effluent: Microbial and chemical effects

Abstract Secondary‐treated, filtered, and chlorinated effluent (R‐l quality) blended with potable water was used for turf grass irrigation at the Hawaii Kai Golf Course on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Blending was required because of the salinity level in the R‐l effluent. For control, only potable water was used for irrigation. Irrigation amounts varied with time based upon rainfall. Suction lysimeters were installed at 25‐cm and 40‐cm depths to collect soil‐water samples. In addition, water samples from potable water and blended water storage impoundments were collected for analysis. All water samples were analyzed for nitrate, chemical oxygen demand, pH, conductivity, and fecal coliform bacteria density. Grass samples and soil samples were analyzed for fecal bacteria. Results indicated that fertilization of the turf affected the nitrate content of certain suction lysimeter samples. Conductivity of the leachate samples decreased with time, indicating possible dilution with rainwater. The most significant...
A distributed database simulation language

This paper presents a software modeling environment for estimating the performance of distributed database systerns. This tool supports a simulation language, HGPSS, which comprises various simulation primitives, contains a collection of network modules, and allows for the collection of statistics. This provides an overview of the HGPSS environment emphasizing its applicability to the modeling of distributed databases.
Dynamic Modeling and Control of a Piezo-Electric Dual-Stage Tape Servo Actuator

We have implemented the design of a dual-stage actuator tape head for enhanced reduction of lateral tape motion (LTM) disturbance. Our design consists of a conventional voice coil motor (VCM) and a micro-actuator for coarse and fine positioning, respectively. The micro-actuator, which is mounted on the VCM, uses a piezo crystal and allows following LTM up to the kHz regime, while the VCM follows low frequency LTM. Using step response measurements and a realization algorithm, we have created a multi-input discrete-time model of the dual-stage actuator. Based on the model, we designed and implemented a dual-stage controller, using a dual-input single-output approach based on a PQ method. The dual-stage controller controls the position of both actuators and enables an increased track-following bandwidth along with a control signal that is smaller in magnitude than that for a conventional single-stage tape head.© 2008 ASME
Electronic Tracking and Recording System for Behavioral Observations, with Application to Toxicology and Pheromone Assay

An Apple II microcomputer, in conjunction with a video camera, a digitizer, and a digital clock, provides a system that records the path of an animal and stores the information as a time series of X and Y coordinates on a magnetic disk. The method has general application for recording the movements of individual animals on high contrast backgrounds.
Prolonged Cerebellar Syndrome After Legionnaire’s Disease (P5.396)

Objective: Present rare case of ataxia and tremor one year following Legionella infection with CNS involvement Background: Transient, acute neurological syndromes may occur in patients with Legionella pneumonia, usually with full resolution. Cases with tremor or prolonged course of ataxia are rarely described and not well documented. Methods: Case report and literature review Results: A 46-year-old man was referred with a working diagnosis of psychogenic movement disorder. He was hospitalized one year previous, after developing fevers, confusion, and malaise for 5 days. Diagnosis of Legionnaire’s Disease was made by chest CT and positive urine antigen test. He was documented to be lethargic, dysarthric, and ataxic. MRI was read as unremarkable, and LP was not performed. Despite full antibiotic treatment, after discharge he was disabled due to residual gait ataxia, tremors, hip pain, and cognitive and sensory complaints, rendering him unable to return to work as a truck driver or perform many activities of daily living. Old records noted hyponatremia, elevated liver function tests, and, despite previous normal report, a reversible diffusion-weighted imaging positive T2/FLAIR splenium hyperintensity was noted, consistent with previous reports of CNS involvement in Legionella infection. Examination showed hypermetric saccades, dysarthric and slow speech, right more than left 1-3Hz tremor with cerebellar and dystonic features, dysmetria in all limbs, broad-based gait, and positive Romberg. Workup for alternative causes was negative. Review of similar cases in recent literature was remarkable for lack of description of tremor and rarity of prolonged ataxia beyond the acute recovery period. Neurologic symptoms occur in 40-50[percnt], the most common being encephalopathy, dysarthria and ataxia, rarely with focal symptoms. Pathophysiology is unclear. Conclusions: CNS involvement is common with Legionella pneumonia, and rarely patients can have prolonged effects. Better recognition of this syndrome can lead to more rapid diagnosis and possible identification of treatments. Disclosure: Dr. Barton has nothing to disclose.
Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty After Solid Organ Transplant: Survivorship and Complications

Abstract Background Clinical outcomes remain largely unknown beyond perioperative and short-term follow-up of solid organ transplant (SOT) patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Patient mortality, implant survivorship, and complications of 96 TKAs (76 patients) after SOT were retrospectively reviewed through an internal joint registry. Mean age at index arthroplasty was 66 years, and mean follow-up was 4 years. Results Overall mortality rates at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years from TKA were 2.6%, 7.9%, and 13.2%, respectively, and combined SOT patient survivorship was 92% at 2 years and 82% at 5 years. Implant survivorship free of any component revision or implant removal was 98% at 2 years and 93% at 5 years. There was a high rate of perioperative complications (12.5%), including periprosthetic fractures (5.2%) and deep periprosthetic infection (3.2%). Conclusion TKA does not appear to have any effect on SOT patient survivorship following the procedure. However, SOT patients may have a higher risk of perioperative complications and a lower implant survivorship than the general population of TKA patients at midterm follow-up.