cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic treatments for bovine mastitis

Mastitis is the most common disease of dairy cattle, and control of this disease is responsible for the majority of antimicrobials administered to adult dairy cows. Mastitis is detected subsequent to initiation of the immune response based on recognition of inflammation. Thus, most cases present with mild or moderate symptoms, and many cases are culture-negative. Most mastitis is treated by milking technicians without diagnosis of the etiology or review of the medical history of the cow. Obtaining a microbiological diagnosis is essential because some cases may spontaneously cure or respond to short-duration therapy, some cases may require longerduration therapy, some cases are culture-negative, and some cases are caused by pathogens for which there are no effective approved antimicrobials. Practitioners have an opportunity to reduce antimicrobial usage and improve mastitis treatment protocols by targeting treatments based on etiology and cow characteristics. Veterinarians should monitor selected outcomes after treatment and design treatment protocols based on etiological agents specific to individual cases or farms. Milking personnel should be trained to detect abnormal milk and aseptically collect milk samples, but treatment protocols should be performed by animal health managers based on etiology and review of the animal health history. The ability to achieve bacteriological cure is strongly associated with etiology and history of previous cases occurring in the affected cow. The need for antimicrobial therapy and the duration of treatment depend primarily on characteristics of the agent and the ability of the cow to initiate a strong immune response. Bacteria that have the ability to invade secretory tissue, such as Staphylococcus aureus, many environmental streptococci, and many strains of Klebsiella spp typically respond better to extended-duration therapy. In contrast, pathogens that infect superficial mucosal surfaces, such as coagulase-negative staph, Streptococcus agalactiae, and most strains of Escherichia coli) are typically cured with short-duration therapy. Producers should be trained to review the somatic cell count history of the cow and use that data to direct treatment decisions. Cows with a longer duration of subclinical infection prior to the clinical case are more likely to require antimicrobial therapy. The decision to administer antimicrobials should be based on determination of etiology by use of rapid-culture systems used either on-farm or in veterinary clinics. Many mild and moderate clinical cases that are culture-negative and detected in otherwise healthy cows can be successfully managed using a strategy of watchful waiting. Cows that are chronically affected and have frequent recurrences should not be repeatedly dosed with antimicrobials, but should either be culled or have the affected glands therapeutically dried off.
Application of machine learning methods in clinical trials for precision medicine

A key component for precision medicine is a good prediction algorithm for patients9 response to treatments. Machine learning methods have successfully demonstrated their superior prediction performance in many applications, but have not been applied to conduct response-adaptive randomization in clinical trials. In this article, we incorporate nine machine learning methods, such as gradient boosting machine, random forest, and artificial neural network, in clinical trial design. Realizing that no single method may fit all trials well, we also use an ensemble of these nine methods. We evaluate their performance through quantifying the benefits for trial participants, such as the percentage of patients who receive their optimal treatments and individual loss. To avoid the potential bias introduced by the adaptive scheme, we use the inverse probability of treatment weighted method to estimate the average treatment effect and the statistical power. Simulation studies show that the adoption of machine learning methods results in more personalized optimal treatment assignment and higher overall response rates among trial participants. Compared with the nine individual methods of machine learning, the ensemble approach achieves the highest response rate and assigns the largest percentage of patients to their optimal treatments. The proposed methods are applied to a real-world leukemia study.
Jessner’s Solution

Jessner’s solution has been used for over 100 years as a therapeutic agent to treat hyperkeratotic epidermal lesions [1]. This superficial peeling agent constitutes a mixture of salicylic acid, resorcinol, and lactic acid in 95% ethanol. Jessner’s solution causes loss of corneocyte cohesion and induces intercellular and intracellular edema. Jessner’s solution typically induces wounding to the level of the papillary dermis. In the early twentieth century, resorcinol (a key component of Jessner’s peels) was used in concentrations of 10–50%; however, such high concentrations of resorcinol were associated with side effects such as allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and skin discoloration. Subsequently, Jessner’s solution was formulated by Dr. Max Jessner to lower the concentrations of any one agent contained in the mixture and to enhance its overall effects as a keratolytic agent.
Comparison of the Activities of Extracts of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium in Amino Acid Incorporation

We have compared the amino acid incorporating activities of extracts of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium in in vitro protein-synthesizing systems directed by bacterial messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of both species and by the genomes of coliphages Qbeta and f2. E. coli and S. typhimurium extracts translate both homologous and heterologous bacterial mRNAs at comparable rates. S. typhimurium extracts translate phage RNAs only 10 to 15% as fast as E. coli extracts do. The presence of glucose in the growth medium increases the activity of S. typhimurium extracts three- to fourfold in the phage RNA-directed systems. Glucose has a much more limited effect on the activities of E. coli extracts. We show that similar amounts of phage RNA-ribosome complexes are formed in both the E. coli and the S. typhimurium systems, indicating that the different activities observed may be attributed to different rates of peptide elongation or to the formation of complexes at different sites on the RNA strand.
A Two-Semester Undergraduate Sequence in Software Engineering: Architecutre & Experience

A two-semester sequence in Software Engineering has been offered to Computer Science undergraduates at Purdue University since the fall of 1991. An attempt was made to balance the teaching of theory and practice of software engineering and provide the students with an opportunity to apply some of the techniques learned in the classroom to a controlled development project. The project was selected from an industrial setting and the product developed was returned to industry. We describe the architecture of the offering and our experience during the first offering in Fall 1991 and Spring 1992.
The effect of clomid on estrogen secretion and metabolism.

I N D u c T I 0 N of ovulation in amenorrheic women with MRL/41, now called clomiphene or Clomid, was first reported in October, 1961, by Greenblatt and associates.’ Clinical trials with this drug for this purpose were instigated by previously reported experimental and clinical observations in women given MER-25, a chemically similar compound distributed by the William S. Merrell Company some years earlier. Kistner and Smith had administered MER25, in 1958, to postmenopausal women with mammary and endometrial cancer because of that compound’s antiestrogenic properties. In 2 of these patients urine specimens were analyzed for estrogens and gonadotropins during control and experimental periods. The findings indicated a decrease in the normal rate of metabolic conversion of estradiol to estrone to estriol as a result of therapy. This was accompanied or immediately followed by a simultaneous increase in the urinary excretion of total estrogens and total gonadotropins, and these responses were shown to be dependent upon the presence of the ovaries. The similarity between these findings and the hormonal situation that characterizes the ovulatory phase of the normal menstrual cycle’, 3 led to clinical trials with MER-25 in anovulatory young women. Four patients in whom the diagnosis was Stein-Leventhal ovaries were selected. All 4 gave evidence of ovulation a4 a result of the therapy, and 2 of the 3 mar-
Cytokine Receptors in the Brain

Abstract Cytokines, once thought to be specialized molecules of the immune system, are now being investigated also for their synaptic and inflammatory action on the central nervous system (CNS). These proteins and their receptors can be synthesized in the brain by glial and neuronal cells and contribute to two main types of action: modulation of neuronal excitability and local inflammatory responses. We present an overview of the distribution, regulation, and function of neuronal cytokine receptors in the CNS, specifically focusing on the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R), tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), and interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R), because their ligands are the most studied pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the brain.
The Hordeum Toolbox: The Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project Genotype and Phenotype Resource

The use of DNA markers in public sector plant breeding is now the norm. Such markers are common across breeding programs and this commonality enables and enhances collaboration. Therefore, large collaborative research projects that measure several phenotypes across multiple environments coupled with the expanding amount of genotype data attainable with current marker technologies are on the rise and these projects demand effi cient data delivery. However, development of computational tools for advanced data integration, visualization, and analysis is still a bottleneck, even though these resources have the greatest potential impact for users who are extracting and developing hypothesis-based solutions. The Hordeum Toolbox (THT) was developed as a data resource for the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) with the novel capability of constructing user-defi ned downloadable sets of phenotype and/or genotype data for downstream analysis. Internal tools in THT enable users to create clusters of a selected group of lines based on genotype data, parse pedigrees, and select germplasm based on haplotype, phenotype, and agronomic properties. The Hordeum Toolbox can be adapted to breeding programs or collaborations to assist researchers in germplasm selection, genotype data visualization, and the integration of complex data sets for statistical analysis. T RADITIONALLY, plant breeders have collected phenotype data from breeding populations and used it to select for superior genotypes. Data access was limited to individual programs via spreadsheets or in-house databases. Th is approach has been successful in developing novel germplasm and varieties. However, with the exception of the few lines being grown in regional nurseries, the only scientists that had access to these extensive datasets were those that were intimately associated with the programs that generated the data. Th erefore, there was little understanding of the relationship of germplasm between programs, and the ability to share germplasm between programs in an intelligent manner was restricted. Webaccessible databases that contain data on all germplasm within a breeding program provide the opportunity
Locomotor recovery in spinal-transected lamprey: role of functional regeneration of descending axons from brainstem locomotor command neurons.

In spinal-transected lampreys, locomotor function is restored within a few weeks, and a number of mechanisms could potentially contribute to behavioral recovery. The present study examines the contribution of functional regeneration of descending axons from brainstem locomotor “command” centers to behavioral recovery using both whole animal and in vitro preparations. Under in vitro conditions activation of brainstem locomotor centers could elicit locomotor patterns below a healed transection of the rostral spinal cord. Additional experiments indicated that spinal locomotor networks below a spinal transection could be directly activated by descending axons arising from brainstem neurons. In contrast, mechanosensory inputs and regenerated spinal neurons did not contribute significantly to the initiation of locomotor activity below a spinal lesion. Regenerated descending axons from large reticulospinal Muller neurons did not contribute significantly to the recovery of locomotor function. These results suggest that functional regeneration of descending axons from neurons in brainstem locomotor command centers contribute significantly to the recovery of locomotion following spinal cord transection. This is the first demonstration in a vertebrate of functional regeneration of descending command axons which can initiate locomotion.
Depression-Like Responses Induced by Daytime Light Deficiency in the Diurnal Grass Rat (Arvicanthis niloticus)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common mood disorders with depressive symptoms recurring in winter when there is less sunlight. The fact that light is the most salient factor entraining circadian rhythms leads to the phase-shifting hypothesis, which suggests that the depressive episodes of SAD are caused by misalignments between the circadian rhythms and the habitual sleep times. However, how changes in environmental lighting conditions lead to the fluctuations in mood is largely unknown. The objective of this study is to develop an animal model for some of the features/symptoms of SAD using the diurnal grass rats Arvichantis niloticus and to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the light associated mood changes. Animals were housed in either a 12∶12 hr bright light∶dark (1000lux, BLD) or dim light∶dark (50lux, DLD) condition. The depression-like behaviors were assessed by sweet-taste Saccharin solution preference (SSP) and forced swimming test (FST). Animals in the DLD group showed higher levels of depression-like behaviors compared to those in BLD. The anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in open field and light/dark box test, however no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The involvement of the circadian system on depression-like behaviors was investigated as well. Analysis of locomotor activity revealed no major differences in daily rhythms that could possibly contribute to the depression-like behaviors. To explore the neural substrates associated with the depression-like behaviors, the brain tissues from these animals were analyzed using immunocytochemistry. Attenuated indices of 5-HT signaling were observed in DLD compared to the BLD group. The results lay the groundwork for establishing a novel animal model and a novel experimental paradigm for SAD. The results also provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying light-dependent mood changes.
Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA diversity within six species ofPhytophthora

Abstract The extent of intraspecific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity was investigated in isolates of Phytophthora capsici , P. citricola, P. citrophthora, P. megakarya, P. palmivora , and P. parasitica that represented a wide range of host plants and geographic origins. Phenograms were constructed following the analysis of restriction fragment patterns that were generated by several endonucleases. The six species showed different degrees of mtDNA diversity. Restriction fragment patterns in P. palmivora and P. parasitica were very uniform. Distinct subgroups could be distinguished in P. megakarya and P. citrophthora that correlated with the geographic origin or the host plant, respectively. These subgroups did not seem to be closely related to each other. High degrees of diversity were also evident in P. citricola and P. capsici . Although some isolates of P. capsici had identical mtDNA patterns, no distinct subgroups were found that could be correlated with either a specific host plant or geographic origin. In P. capsici and P. parasitica variation in nuclear DNA was much more pronounced as compared to mtDNA. In P. capsici both types of analysis correlated well. Because of very limited variation of mtDNA in P. parasitica a comparison between the two phenograms was difficult.
Improvements and important considerations of an ex vivo assay to study Candida albicans-splenic tissue interactions.

Improvements were made on an ex vivo assay to study adherence properties of Candida albicans to host internal organs. The assay is applicable to understanding mechanisms of C. albicans dissemination following a fungemia. Binding patterns of yeast forms to splenic tissue are intriguing and we found the following modifications to be especially relevant. Mice serving as spleen donors for the assay should be injected with 0.1 ml i.v. of a 10% concentration of luconyl blue, 5 min before killing. After collecting splenic sections on a glass slide, 100 microliters of a 1-2 x 10(8)/ml suspension of stationary yeast cells should be applied to the sections. The assay does not require a carbonate buffering system or serum supplements. Attachment of yeasts to host tissue occurs best if the interaction is allowed to proceed without agitation by rotation. Assessment of binding is facilitated by staining the slides with crystal violet and computer image analysis can be used for quantification of binding.
Universal approximation by phase series and fixed-weight networks

In this note we show that weak (specified energy bound) universal approximation by neural networks is possible if variable synaptic weights are brought in as network inputs rather than being embedded in a network. We illustrate this idea with a Fourier series network that we transform into what we call a phase series network. The transformation only increases the number of neurons by a factor of two.
Two-Dimensional Target Decoy Strategy for Shotgun Proteomics

The target-decoy approach to estimating and controlling false discovery rate (FDR) has become a de facto standard in shotgun proteomics, and it has been applied at both the peptide-to-spectrum match (PSM) and protein levels. Current bioinformatics methods control either the PSM- or the protein-level FDR, but not both. In order to obtain the most reliable information from their data, users must employ one method when the number of tandem mass spectra exceeds the number of proteins in the database and another method when the reverse is true. Here we propose a simple variation of the standard target-decoy strategy that estimates and controls PSM and protein FDRs simultaneously, regardless of the relative numbers of spectra and proteins. We demonstrate that even if the final goal is a list of PSMs with a fixed low FDR and not a list of protein identifications, the proposed two-dimensional strategy offers advantages over a pure PSM-level strategy.
Fine Structure of the Scattered Radiation from Graphite

This analysis of the "undisplaced" scattered radiation was made with double x-ray spectrometer previously described. (Davis and Purks, Proc. Nat. Acad. Vol. 13, No. 6, June 1927, Vol. 14, No. 2, Feb. 1928.) A special double target (Mo) x-ray tube was used with a block of graphite between the targets as the scattering element. The crystals were placed for reflection at first order. Four lines were observed: (a) an undisplaced line at position of Mo $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$; (b) a line displaced 80\ensuremath{''} (0.0012A) from $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ position; (c) a line displaced 140\ensuremath{''} (0.002A) from $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$; (d) a line displaced 780\ensuremath{''} (0.0113A) from $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$. These are all on the long wave-length side of Mo $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$. The undisplaced line (a) is scattered from whole atom. The line displaced (0.0113A) closely agrees with $h{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=h\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{-}Ve$, where $\mathrm{Ve}$ is the energy level (287 volts) of the carbon atom. The line (b) is displaced (0.0012A). This is equivalent to 29 volts which does not agree with the ${L}_{111}$ level of carbon (11.2 volts). The line (c) is displaced (0.002A). This is equivalent to 50 volts, and does not agree with the ${L}_{1}$ level of carbon which is 34 volts. In the case of these two lines the relation $h{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=h\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{-}Ve$ does not hold. A search was made for scattered radiation on the short wave-length side of the Mo $K{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ position, corresponding to the relation $h{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=h\ensuremath{\nu}+Ve$. No positive results were obtained.
A curricular framework for critical infrastructure protection education for engineering, technology and computing majors

The 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the US Department of Homeland Security employ many engineering, technology and computing graduates who increasingly face critical infrastructure protection (CIP) issues. However, most undergraduate curricula in these disciplines do not incorporate CIP in any meaningful way. This paper proposes a flexible curricular framework for integrating CIP into undergraduate education via self-contained inter-disciplinary CIP course modules; a course module is a distinct curricular unit such as a lab or teaching component for use by an instructor in existing courses without requiring any course or program modifications. The proposed course modules cover physical, human, and cyber aspects of CIP. The framework is designed for use in multiple disciplines, and the modules are designed for presentation at different levels of the undergraduate experience, with subsequent modules building on those presented earlier. This approach is intended to prepare students for careers solving problems in design, implementation, and maintenance of robust, sustainable infrastructure assets.
Recruitment of African Americans into prostate cancer screening.

PURPOSE: Both incidence and mortality rates for prostate cancer are significantly higher in African American men than in white men. This report identifies community sites for the optimal recruitment of African American men into prostate cancer screening. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: A descriptive study was conducted, providing an educational program to 1369 African American men, 1264 of whom completed a survey on demographic data, prostate cancer knowledge, and prostate cancer screening history. The programs were offered at six different types of community sites, including various work sites, churches, housing projects, National Association for Advancement of Colored Persons (NAACP) sites, barber shops, and a state fairground. Free prostate cancer screening was offered to all participants. RESULTS: The advertised mass screening site (state fairground), the most common method used nationally to recruit African American men for cancer screening, was the least effective site, with only 16 men completing the survey. Of the 1264 men completing the survey at all community sites, 597 men (47%) did so at work sites and 438 (35%) did so at churches. Per site, the largest percentage of men who had never been screened was at work sites (n = 276, 46%) and NAACP sites (n = 22, 33.8%). The highest percentage of men who obtained free screening were at the state fairground (14 of 16), churches (256 of 438), and work sites (336 of 597). The most prostate cancers were detected at the housing projects, where 3 of 38 (7.9%) men who were screened received diagnoses of prostate cancer. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: To reduce prostate mortality rates in African American men, healthcare providers need to make a concerted effort to increase prostate cancer education and screening in this population. To be effective, recruitment of African American men must move from a provider/health site orientation to a consumer/community orientation. These findings indicate that recruitment strategies are more successful if efforts are based in the community or where a large number of African American men live and/or work. Because a history of screening has been shown to be a predictor for current participation, programs need to target men who have not had previous screening ever or within the last year. In addition, the large percentage of men recruited at work sites who had not been screened previously indicates an opportunity for collaboration with healthcare professionals in employee health programs. Efforts to increase participation in prostate cancer screening will be enhanced significantly by eliciting the active involvement of community leaders.
Effects of the mixed-action κ/μ opioid agonist 8-carboxamidocyclazocine on cocaine- and food-maintained responding in rhesus monkeys

Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of 8-carboxamidocyclazocine (8-CAC), a novel mixed-action κ/μ agonist with a long duration of action, on food- and cocaine-maintained responding in rhesus monkeys to assess the potential utility of 8-CAC as a medication for the treatment of cocaine dependence. The effects of acute and chronic (10 days) 8-CAC were examined in rhesus monkeys responding under a multiple schedule for both cocaine and food reinforcement. Acute 8-CAC (0.032–0.56 mg/kg, i.m.) dose-dependently eliminated cocaine-maintained responding in all three monkeys. However, doses of 8-CAC that decreased cocaine self-administration typically also decreased food-maintained responding, and 8-CAC-induced decreases in cocaine self-administration diminished during chronic 8-CAC treatment. These results confirm that 8-CAC acutely decreases cocaine self-administration. However, non-selective effects of 8-CAC on food-maintained responding and tolerance to 8-CAC effects on cocaine self-administration may limit its potential for the treatment of cocaine dependence.
Curvature characteristics and congruence of the thumb carpometacarpal joint: Differences between female and male joints

Three-dimensional geometric models of the articular surfaces of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint were constructed using precise data obtained from stereophotogrammetry (SPG). It was demonstrated that by using a least-squares surface-fitting technique, the SPG data on the surface can accurately be described by a single parametric biquintic spline function. From this mathematical description, curvature maps of the surfaces were calculated for 13 CMC joints (eight females, average 64 yr old, five males, average 70 yr old). The surface geometry of each joint was analyzed, comparisons were made between trapezial and metacarpal surfaces of the joint and differences determined between males and females. With regard to joint surface areas, the female trapezium is significantly smaller than that of the metacarpal. The shape of the female trapezial surface is also fundamentally different from that of males. No gender-related difference exists regarding the shape of the metacarpal surface. Congruence of the two opposing articular surfaces was defined by their relative principal curvatures. From these definitions, congruence in the radioulnar and dorsovolar anatomic directions, as well as the global congruence of the joint, were calculated. Most CMC joints were found to be more congruent along the radioulnar direction than the dorsovolar direction and, globally, female joints were found to be less congruent than male joints. The concept of joint congruence has played a central role in a number of hypotheses relating to the etiology of CMC joint osteoarthritis (OA), although conflicting hypotheses do exist. The precise quantitative findings of this study may lead to an improved understanding of CMC joint OA, and perhaps explain its prevalence in the female population over 55.
Stability and equation of state of the post‐perovskite phase in MgGeO3 to 2 Mbar

[1] The stability and equation of state of the post-perovskite phase in MgGeO3 were investigated to 2 Mbar by in situ x-ray diffraction experiments using the laser-heated diamond cell as well as by theoretical calculations using density functional theory. The stability of the phase was demonstrated at 92-201 GPa during laser heating. By using the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, we obtained a zero-pressure volume (V0) of 179.2 ± 0.7 A3, bulk modulus (K0) of 207 ± 5 GPa with a pressure derivative (K′0) of 4.4 from experiments at room temperatures, and V0 = 178.02 A3, K0 = 201.9 GPa, K′0 = 4.34 from theoretical calculations at 0 K. The relative axial compressibilities of the silicate and germanate post-perovskite phases are similar although MgSiO3 is more anisotropic than MgGeO3.
Resistance of Wild Norway Rats in North Carolina to Warfarin Rodenticide

Reports concerning the ineffectiveness of warfarin rodenticide, used at farms and stores in a rural area about 8 kilometers in diameter near Raleigh, North Carolina, prompted subsequent laboratory testing. All of the 25 Norway rats trapped from the area survived 6 days of no-choice feeding of bait containing 0.025 percent (by weight) warfarin.
Nonrecursive and recursive stack filters and their filtering behavior

It is shown that stack filters that are based on symmetric threshold functions and preserve median-filter roots make all inputs converge to roots or to cycles of period two. This is an important result, since these filters have useful roots (the median-filter roots), and they are time symmetric, i.e. time reversal of an input sequence of such a filter is equivalent to time reversal of the output sequence of the filter. In order to construct stack filters without cycles, the recursive stack filter, which is an extension of the recursive median filter, is introduced. It is shown that a recursive stack filter has the same roots as the corresponding nonrecursive stack filter; also, given a nonrecursive filter from the class mentioned above, the corresponding recursive filter will make every input signal of finite converge to a root in a finite number of passes. >
Inhibition of skin 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in vivo potentiates the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids

Synthetic forms of glucocorticoids (GCs) with high potency are widely used to treat a number of dermatological conditions having an inflammatory or autoimmune etiology. While GCs are generally effective in their ability to suppress inflammatory processes, their chronic use can lead to detrimental systemic side effects. In this report, we describe a method by which the localized antiinflammatory potential of the natural GC cortisol can be significantly augmented without increasing the risk of negative systemic effects. 11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) is a naturally occurring enzyme in the skin. 11Beta-HSD functionally converts biologically active 11-hydroxy GCs to their biologically inactive 11-keto metabolites, thereby limiting the ability of GCs to mediate antiinflammatory activities. By topically applying specific inhibitors of 11beta-HSD in conjunction with low doses of GCs, the antiinflammatory properties of cortisol can be significantly potentiated. It was observed that the generation of the effector phase of contact hypersensitivity (CH) responses could be suppressed by this combined treatment under conditions where the 11beta-HSD inhibitor alone, or cortisol alone were only minimally effective. Only the combined treatment was effective at inhibiting the progression of an ongoing CH response.
The MJO and Air–Sea Interaction in TOGA COARE and DYNAMO

AbstractDynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) and Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) observations and reanalysis-based surface flux products are used to test theories of atmosphere–ocean interaction that explain the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Negative intraseasonal outgoing longwave radiation, indicating deep convective clouds, is in phase with increased surface wind stress, decreased solar heating, and increased surface turbulent heat flux—mostly evaporation—from the ocean to the atmosphere. Net heat flux cools the upper ocean in the convective phase. Sea surface temperature (SST) warms during the suppressed phase, reaching a maximum before the onset of MJO convection. The timing of convection, surface flux, and SST is consistent from the central Indian Ocean (70°E) to the western Pacific Ocean (160°E).Mean surface evaporation observed in TOGA COARE and DYNAMO (110 W m−2) accounts for about half of the moisture supply for the ...
Continuous Inhalation of Nitric Oxide From Birth Preserves the Pulmonary Vasoconstrictor Response to Hypoxia in Chronically Ventilated Preterm Lambs• 1614

Chronic lung injury from prolonged mechanical ventilation of preterm lambs inhibits the normal postnatal decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and blunts the vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia (Bland et al, Pediatr Res 39:327A, 1996). These abnormalities of lung vascular tone and reactivity may contribute to impaired respiratory gas exchange that often exists in infants with chronic lung disease (CLD). We previously reported that nitric oxide (NO) inhalation for 1 h reduced PVR in preterm lambs with evolving CLD. To see if continuous NO inhalation from birth might inhibit the pulmonary vascular dysfunction that occurs in this model of CLD, we studied 4 preterm lambs (124± 3 d gestation; term = 147 d) that were mechanically ventilated for 3-4 wks at a respirator rate of 20 breaths/min, tidal volume 10-15 ml/kg, with 5-15 ppm NO and sufficient O2 to keep the PaO2 ≅ 50-90 mmHg. All lambs received surfactant at birth and had surgery for ductus arteriosus ligation and catheter placement to allow weekly assessment of PVR from measurements of pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures and pulmonary blood flow before and during steady-state hypoxia. Results of these studies were compared with those of similar studies done with 10 lambs of the same gestation that were mechanically ventilated the same way but without NO. After 3 wks of mechanical ventilation, baseline PVR was not significantly different in the 4 lambs that received NO compared with the 10 lambs that did not receive NO (PVR = 44.8 ± 5.4 vs 53.9 ± 21.2 mmHg/(L/sec)/kg, respectively). However, in response to hypoxia (baseline FiO2.28±.09, PaO2 73 ± 3; hypoxia FiO2.17 ±.03, PaO2 35 ± 1), PVR consistently increased from 48.3 ± 2.3 to 74.0 ± 20.0 mmHg/(L/sec)/kg at the end of wk 3 in lambs that received NO from birth, whereas PVR did not increase significantly at the end of wk 3 in chronically ventilated lambs that did not receive NO. When inhaled NO was discontinued for 2-4 h after 3 wks of mechanical ventilation in the 4 NO-treated lambs, PVR increased on average from 50.5 ± 11.7 to 64.5± 18.7 mmHg/(L/sec)/kg. Subsequent hypoxia (FiO2.17 ±.03, PaO2 35 ± 4 mmHg), without inhaled NO, further increased PVR to 87.8 ± 27.2 mmHg/(L/sec)/kg. Thus, continuous nitric oxide inhalation from birth may help to preserve the normal pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia and thereby facilitate ventilation-perfusion matching and respiratory gas exchange in chronically ventilated preterm lambs.
An evaluation of the fit of a computer support system for CMI and CAT

The OIR-Teaching Center at the University of Florida has undergone several design/redesign cycles of computer support for the management of instruction and testing for special admissions students. Each of these cycles has been implemented under considerable time pressure, and consequently, neither a careful theoretical definition nor a needs assessment have ever been made.The author contents that a post-hoc evaluation of the fit of the existing system into a theoretically "ideal" model may be performed. The criteria for such a fit, including the comparative costs, are being developed. It is expected that the step-by-step procedure for the analysis should prove useful in other settings, and it may help avoid costly system revisions which may not be necessary.This analysis is proposed by:1. Defining the educational goals of instruction for the academically disadvantaged students who utilize the Center;2. Determining the needs of administrators, instructors, and students in the special admissions program;3. Theoretically developing a computer-managed instructional system and a computer-assisted testing system to support the determined needs;4. Comparing the "ideal" system with the existing system in terms of needs met and cost; and5. Recommending a continuation, modification, or replacement of the existing system.
Xerogel-Supported Lipid Bilayers: Effect of Surface Curvature and Surface Chemistry on Bilayer Properties

Aerogels are a special class of interconnected nanoscale colloidal-like particles or polymeric chains derived from highly cross-linked inorganic or organic gels that are dried under specific conditions to preserve the tenuous solid network. Aerogels have been used or considered for use in various technical applications such as laser experiments, sensors, thermal insulation, optics, electronic devices, catalysts, cosmic dust collection and X-ray laser research. Xerogels are similar to aerogels but are dried by solvent evaporation at ambient conditions which results in a decreased porosity. Here, we demonstrate a different use of xerogels, as a scaffolding material to support lipid bilayers. We prepared various xerogel structures including silica, titania, alumina, iron oxide, phloroglucinol-formaldehyde (PF), resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) and cellulose acetate, characterized the surfaces and confirmed lipid mobility by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Subsequently, we studied DOPC/DSPC phase-separated lipid bilayers supported on silica xerogels vs. smooth mica. It was concluded, using atomic force microscopy and FRAP, that the bilayers on silica xerogel follow the surface curvature rather than being smoothly suspended on the silica interconnected colloidal particles. We used the nanometer-scale corrugations induced in the bilayer to observe the effect of curvature on the phase-separation of ternary mixtures (DOPC/DSPC/Cholesterol). It was observed that the cholesterol concentration of miscibility was significantly greater for silica xerogel-supported ternary bilayers (> 60 mol% chol) compared to smooth mica-supported ternary bilayers (∼40 mol% as expected for free bilayers). This is explained as curvature-induced movement of cholesterol from the bilayer to the fusion vesicles in the medium. In summary, this study illustrates the use of xerogel structures as supports for lipid bilayers and is promising in terms of enlightening the details of curvature and surface chemistry on the behavior of the biomembranes.
The American Registry of Professional Entomologists

Today I would like to review the history of the American Registry of Professional Entomologists and its activities during the past year and give those of you who are not members some reasons why you might wish to join.
Scaling Approach for the Kinetics of Recombination Processes

A scaling theory is developed to describe the time evolution of the irreversible diffusive recombination process $A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{inert}$. Fluctuations are shown to alter radically the decay laws predicted from the rate-equation approach. For unequal initial densities, the minority species is predicted to decay as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ for short times, crossing over to an $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}A{t}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}})$ decay for long times, with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=\frac{d}{4}$ and $\ensuremath{\alpha}=\frac{(d+1)}{4}$ for unbiased and biased diffusion, respectively.
Wheelchair impact response to ISO test pendulum and ISO standard curb

If a product is to be certified by a national or international organization, it must undergo and pass a series of standardized tests. Standards are required to establish minimum performance and durability criteria for wheelchairs. Standards benefit consumers, manufacturers, and third party providers. Testers have expressed concern over the difficulty of properly conducting the current impact test for wheelchair casters and footrests. An alternative method for impact testing of the casters and footrests may incorporate use of the handrim impact test pendulum. This paper derives the center of percussion and provides an accurate description of the pendulum, and presents experimental results of impact accelerations measured using a curb and pendulum. Linear regression analysis was used to develop equations relating impact resultant acceleration to pendulum angle for each test case (i.e., caster impact, front footrest impact, side footrest impact). ANOVA was also used to examine differences in impact resultant accelerations among the wheelchairs. Pendulum impact angle was significantly correlated with impact resultant acceleration for caster impact (r=0.58, p=0.0001), for front footrest impact (r=0.58, p=0.0004), and for footrest side impact (r=0.42, p=0.0114), The curb impact test yielded a mean for all the wheelchairs' maximum resultant impact accelerations of 7.4/spl plusmn/2.09 g for caster contact, and 16.2/spl plusmn/5.68 g for footrest contact. The mean equivalent pendulum release angle (i.e., the approximate pendulum angle equivalent to the curb impact accelerations) mere 24.4/spl plusmn/1.95 degrees for castor contact, 33.8/spl plusmn/4.80 degrees for frontal footrest contact, and 39.3/spl plusmn/3.05 degrees for side footrest contact. The authors' results indicate that the standard deviation in maximal resultant acceleration is about 25% between trials for each wheelchair using the curb impact method, whereas the standard deviation is about 10% using the pendulum method. This indicates that the pendulum method may be more repeatable. Differences in impact strength between wheelchairs can be detected by the pendulum impact tests, which is an indication that these tests may be useful in evaluating wheelchair quality. >
Natural Infections of Tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides Species in Deer Mice, Peromyscus maniculatus , from New Mexico

Abstract At Southern Methodist University campus about 6 miles south of Taos, New Mexico,, we recovered tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides in five Peromyscus maniculatus in the summers of 2008 (3 of 129, 0.023%), 2009 (0 of 98, 0%), 2010 (1 of 112, 0.008%), 2011 (0 of 88, 0%), and 2012 (1 of 86, 0.011%). Tetrathyridia from the body cavity of one of the five infected mice were injected into the peritoneal cavity of laboratory white mice, Mus musculus. Our later examination of the laboratory mice revealed heavy infections of tetrathyridia continuing to reproduce asexually. Here we provide important new information on the prevalence of asexuality among tetrathyridia and underscore the need for further study of this variation among metacestodes of this cosmopolitan genus.
STUDIES ON INDIFFERENT STREPTOCOCCI II. OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF INDIFFERENT STREPTOCOCCI IN THE THROATS OF RHEUMATIC AND NON-RHEUMATIC INDIVIDUALS.

Indifferent streptococci occur in comparatively the same abundance in the throats of patients suffering from rheumatic fever or early in convalescence from the disease as they do in those who have recovered from the disease, or in those of patients suffering from other diseases. There is a slightly increased incidence of these microorganisms in the throats of hospital patients as compared with those of normal individuals. Type I occurs with comparatively equal frequency and abundance in the throats of all four classes of individuals studied.
Societal Influences on Children

(1987). Societal Influences on Children. Childhood Education: Vol. 63, Balancing Priorities for Children, pp. 341-348.
Anemia: An approach to evaluation, 2014

Anemia is very commonly encountered in general clinical practice among all age groups. The more commonly used way to classify anemia has been to categorize it as being microcytic (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] 100 fL), which in turn allows for a more practical way to attempt to come up with a cause for any decrease in hemoglobin. Microcytic anemias are usually due to iron deficiency (in turn, a result of a number of different etiologies ranging from decreased intake, malabsorption, or blood loss), hemoglobinopathies (thalassemic syndromes), and some cases of severe anemia resulting from chronic disease. Normocytic anemia is often a result of anemia of chronic disease, hemolysis, or secondary to bone marrow failure. Macrocytic anemias are frequently caused by deficiencies of folic acid and/or Vitamin B12, exposure to toxic agents like drugs that interfere with DNA metabolism and alcohol, as also bone marrow failure states, such as from myelodysplastic syndrome. A comprehensive history, physical examination, and directed laboratory evaluation will help to identify a specific cause for anemia.
Robotic-assisted aortic surgery with and without minilaparotomy for complicated occlusive disease and aneurysm.

Objective Published reports of robotic-assisted aortic surgery involve a combination of laparoscopy for aortic dissection and a robotic system for vascular reconstruction. The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and advantage of a total robotic-assisted aortic dissection and vascular reconstruction vs robotic-assisted aortic procedures for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods From February 2006 to August 2010, 21 patients were selected for robotic-assisted aortic procedures: aortobifemoral bypass in 12, AAA repair in 6, iliac aneurysm repair in 1, and ligation of type II endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair in 2. Inclusion criteria included AAA >5 cm, iliac aneurysm >3 cm, and AIOD TransAtlantic InterSociety Classification (TASC) C or D lesions. The da Vinci S Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif) was used for the abdominal aortic dissection in all cases and for the aortic anastomosis in three cases. Results The 21 patients (6 women, 15 men) were an average age of 65.7 years (range, 44-86 years), had a body mass index (BMI) of 27.23 kg/m 2 , and 90.4% were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4. Robotic dissection of the abdominal aorta was successful in 20 patients (95.2%). One patient required full conversion to open AAA repair due to trocar injury. Of the remaining 20 patients, the average robotic dissection time of the infrarenal aorta was 113.1 minutes, and the average aortic clamp time was 86 minutes. The procedure in 15 patients was performed with a minilaparotomy using an average abdominal incision of 13 cm to implant the Dacron or polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Five patients underwent a total robotic-assisted procedure with robotic aortic reconstruction or ligation of a type II endoleak. The 30-day survival rate was 100%. Median length of stay was 7.5 days. All grafts were patent at a median follow-up of 32.0 months. Conclusions For aortic procedures completed total robotically without an abdominal incision, the estimated blood loss was significantly less than in robotic-assisted procedures with a minilaparotomy. In these selected patients, robotic-assisted technology may be part of the armamentarium for the vascular surgeon as another less invasive method for the treatment of complicated occlusive disease or aneurysm.
Social IEP Objectives, Teacher Talk, and Peer Interaction in Inclusive and Segregated Preschool Settings

The purpose of this study was to examine: (a) the role of teacher talk in promoting peer interaction, (b) the adequacy of social IEP objectives to reflect chil- dren's social functioning and guide provision of teacher talk, and (c) differences in children's peer interaction and teacher talk in inclusive and segregated settings. Thirty children with disabilities and their teachers participated. Overall, we observed low rates of teacher talk thought to support peer interaction; however, when teachers verbally facilitated peer interaction, children were observed inter- acting more frequently with peers. Children's social IEPs accurately reflected their current level of social function- ing. However, the social IEPs appeared to fail to influence teacher intervention. Finally, children with disabilities in inclusive settings interacted with peers more than children in segregated settings, even though there was no significant difference in amount of teacher talk in the two settings.