cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster in reconstituted biotin synthase binds S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

The combination of resonance Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance and Mossbauer spectroscopies has been used to investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) on the spectroscopic properties of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in biotin synthase. The results indicate that SAM interacts directly at a unique iron site of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in BioB and support the hypothesis of a common inner-sphere mechanism for the reductive cleavage of SAM in the radical SAM family of Fe-S enzymes.
Diagnosing anal sphincter injury with transanal ultrasound and manometry

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate how well anorectal manometry and transanal ultrasonography diagnose anal sphincter injury. METHODS: Anorectal manometry and transanal ultrasonography were performed in 20 asymptomatic nulliparous women and 20 asymptomatic parous women, and the results were compared with those obtained in 31 incontinent women who subsequently underwent sphincteroplasty and, thus, had operatively verified anal sphincter injury. By using computerized manometry analysis, mean maximum resting and squeeze pressures, sphincter length, and vector symmetry were determined in all women. All transanal ultrasounds were interpreted blinded as to the patient's history, physical examination, and manometry results. RESULTS: Manometric resting and squeeze pressures were significantly higher in the asymptomatic nulliparous women than in the asymptomatic parous women, and both groups had significantly higher pressures than the incontinent women (P<0.001). Anal sphincter length and vector symmetry index were significantly decreased in incontinent women compared with asymptomatic women (P<0.01). Decreased resting and squeeze pressures suggestive of possible sphincter injury were found in 90 percent of incontinent women with known anal sphincter injury. Decreased anal sphincter length and vector symmetry were found in only 42 percent of women with known anal sphincter injury. Transanal ultrasound was able to identify 100 percent of the known sphincter injuries but also falsely diagnosed injury in 10 percent of the asymptomatic nulliparous women with intact anal sphincters. False identification of sphincter injury increased when transanal ultrasound scanning was performed proximal to the distal 1.5 cm of the anal canal. CONCLUSION: Although nonspecific, decreased resting and squeeze pressures were found in 90 percent of patients with anal sphincter injury. Decreased anal sphincter length or vector symmetry index were present in only 42 percent of patients with known sphincter injury. When limited to the distal 1.5 cm of the anal canal, transanal ultrasound identified all known sphincter injuries but falsely identified injury in 10 percent of women with intact anal sphincters. Transanal ultrasound in combination with decreased anal pressures correctly identified all intact sphincters and 90 percent of known anal sphincter injuries.
Discontinuous parameter estimates with least squares estimators

We discuss weighted least squares estimates of ill-conditioned linear inverse problems where weights are chosen to be inverse error covariance matrices. Least squares estimators are the maximum likelihood estimate for normally distributed data and parameters, but here we do not assume particular probability distributions. Weights for the estimator are found by ensuring its minimum follows a @g^2 distribution. Previous work with this approach has shown that it is competitive with regularization methods such as the L-curve and Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) [20]. In this work we extend the method to find diagonal weighting matrices, rather than a scalar regularization parameter. Diagonal weighting matrices are advantageous because they give piecewise smooth least squares estimates and hence are a mechanism through which least squares can be used to estimate discontinuous parameters. This is explained by viewing least squares estimation as a constrained optimization problem. Results with diagonal weighting matrices are given for a benchmark discontinuous inverse problem from [13]. In addition, the method is used to estimate soil moisture from data collected in the Dry Creek Watershed near Boise, Idaho. Parameter estimates are found that combine two different types of measurements, and weighting matrices are found that incorporate uncertainty due to spatial variation so that the parameters can be used over larger scales than those that were measured.
Chemical cleavage at aspartyl residues for protein identification.

An alternative method to enzymatic digestion for protein identification by mass spectrometry has been developed that is based on chemical cleavage by formic acid. This method was tested on gel-purified apomyoglobin and BSA, as well as unknown proteins that cofractionate with Ty1-virus-like particles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cleavage at aspartyl residues was found to be efficient and specific, and this specificity of cleavage lent itself easily to database searches. Parallel digestions using trypsin were also performed. The formic acid cleavage method generated comparable or better results than tryptic digestion for protein identification.
Effect of bombesin, bradykinin, substance P and CGRP in prostate, bladder body and neck

Lower urinary tract tissues respond heterogeneously to adrenergic and cholinergic agents. However, the action of bioactive peptides on these tissues has not been extensively studied. The contractile and relaxant effects of nine peptides-bradykinin, cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin, substance P, bombesin, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and motilin-have been compared in the rat bladder body, bladder neck, and left ventral prostate in vitro. All three tissues contracted to bombesin and to bradykinin, although the bladder neck was less sensitive to the contractile effects of bradykinin than the other two tissues. Substance P only contracted the bladder body. Of all the peptides tested, relaxation was only observed to calcitonin gene-related peptide, which relaxed the bladder neck and prostate (phenylephrine-contracted) but not the bladder body (carbamylcholine-contracted). Thus lower urinary tract tissues are responsive to certain bioactive peptides in a nonhomogeneous fashion. These studies raise the possibility that selective modulation of peptide function may be an approach to therapy of urogenital disorders.
Designing and Developing Lesson Plans for K–12 Classrooms

The overarching goal of this four-phase, in-service project—Girls Engaged in Mathematics and Science—was to change attitudes, behavior, pedagogy, and curriculum for girls through the provision of a vibrant, engaging, digital portal program with media that extends learning beyond the traditional classroom. Described here, Phases I and II were designed for work with mathematics and science teachers across a southern state to develop 250 lesson plans incorporating technology as well as hands-on activities that could be accessed by other teachers nationwide.
Structuring and analyzing competing hypotheses with Bayesian networks for intelligence analysis

Intelligence analysis often tackles questions shrouded by deep uncertainty, such as those that deal with chemical and biological terrorism or nuclear weapon detection. In dealing with such questions, the task falls on intelligence analysts to assemble collected items of information and determine the consistency of the body of reporting with a set of conflicting hypotheses. One popular procedure within the Intelligence Community for distinguishing a hypothesis that is “least inconsistent” with evidence is analysis of competing hypotheses (ACH). Although ACH aims at reducing confirmation bias, as typically implemented, it can fall short in diagramming the relationships between hypotheses and items of evidence, determining where assumptions fit into the modeling framework, and providing a suitable model for “what-if” sensitivity analysis. This paper describes a facilitated process that uses Bayesian networks to (1) provide a clear probabilistic characterization of the uncertainty associated with competing hypotheses, and (2) prioritize information gathering among the remaining unknowns. We illustrate the process using the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in The Dalles, Oregon, USA.
Immunosuppressive effects of highly chlorinated biphenyls and diphenyl ethers on T-cell dependent and independent antigens in mice

Abstract The dose-dependent effects of 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6-nonachlorobiphenyl (nonaCB), 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,6,6′-nonaCB, 2,2′,3,3′,4,5,5′6,6′-nonaCB and decaCB on the suppression of the splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the T-cell-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and the T-cell-independent antigen, trinitrophenyl-lipopoccharide (TNP-LPS), were determined in genetically inbred mice. In addition, the induction of hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase (EROD) activity was also measured. The highly chlorinated biphenyls suppressed the splenic PFC response to SRBCs in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice and were relatively more active in the former strain. The C57BL/6 mice are more responsive to aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists than DBA/2 mice and these data support a possible role for the Ah receptor in mediating this response. However, previous studies with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) indicate that congeners with 3 or 4 ortho -chloro substituents are inactive as Ah receptor agonists and this was consistent with the minimal induction of hepatic microsomal EROD activity by the highly chlorinated biphenyls in both strains of mice. Thus, the results suggest that the inhibition of the splenic PFC response to SRBCs observed in this study was primarily an Ah receptor-independent response. Some of the highly chlorinated diphyenyl ethers namely decachlorodiphenyl ether and 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,6,6′-nonachlorodiphenyl ether, inhibited the antigenic response to TNP-LPS in C57 BL/6 mice. The results indicate that the suppression of the TNP-LPS-mediated immune response may be a more reliable indicator of the Ah receptor-dependent immunotoxicity of halogenated hydrocarbons.
The Man Who Made Movies: W.K.L. Dickson

The Man Who Made Movies: W.K.L. Dickson PAUL SPEHR Hertsfordshire, John Libbey, 2008 712 pp., illus., bibliography, index, £35.00 (hardback) Paul Spehr has written a masterful study that will unque...
THE KINETICS OF PENETRATION : IX. MODELS OF MATURE CELLS

To imitate cells which have ceased to grow we have made models in which artificial sap is separated from the external solution by a non-aqueous layer (representing the protoplasm). A stream of CO(2) is bubbled through the artificial sap to imitate its production by the living cell. Potassium passes from the external solution through the non-aqueous layer into the artificial sap and there reacts with CO(2) to form KHCO(3): its rate of entrance depends on the supply of CO(2). Hence the increase of volume depends on the supply of CO(2) (as is probably true of the living cell). By regulating the supply of CO(2) and the osmotic pressure we are able to keep the volume and composition of the artificial sap approximately constant while maintaining a higher concentration of potassium than in the external solution. In these respects the model resembles certain mature cells which have ceased to grow.
Radiotherapeutic management of bulky cervical lymphadenopathy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: is postradiotherapy neck dissection necessary?

Although traditional recommendations for the management of bulky cervical lymphadenopathy (AJCC categories N2-3) with definitive radiotherapy call for postradiotherapy neck dissection regardless of treatment response, recent data suggests that this policy can be modified on the basis of tumor regression rate. In a series of 130 patients with stage III-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck managed with a concomitant boost-accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy schedule, 81 cases had cervical lymphadenopathy at the time of referral. Patients were analyzed with respect to regional control outcomes for those having complete and incomplete clinical responses during the initial 3-month follow-up interval. The general management policy has been close observation of patients demonstrating complete clinical responses to radiation rather than postradiotherapy neck dissection. Failure patterns were examined in the 58 patients classified as complete responders. Failure occurred in the primary site in 16 (28%) of these patients, while isolated neck failure occurred in only 3 (5%). Neck recurrence rates for patients with maximum lymph node size 3 cm were not statistically different at 3-year follow-up (94% vs. 86%). Among the 23 incomplete clinical responders, 18 had incomplete neck responses. Five of these patients underwent salvage neck dissection; 4 remain clinically free of recurrence. The remaining 13 patients who either refused or were not eligible for salvage surgery ultimately succumbed with persistent loco-regional disease. The policy of observation after complete response to the radiotherapy schedule employed here was associated with a very low incidence of isolated neck failures and was safe and appropriate in patients who can be followed reliably. The prognosis for patients who failed to respond in the neck was poor except for those who underwent salvage surgery.
Scattering resonances of an anisotropic hollow plasma column

The scattering of H-polarized plane waves by an infinitely long axially magnetized hollow cylinder of uniform plasma is investigated for the case in which the radius of the plasma column is small in comparison with the wavelength of the incident wave. The total scattering cross section is found to have maxima at two resonant frequencies. The peaks of these resonances are examined in detail, as well as the dependence of their sharpness on the various physical parameters.
Risk, rule and reason: leadership in Africa

Why are most African countries poorly led? This article looks at the question from the perspective of political economy, considering leaders to be individuals who respond rationally to incentives created by their environment. Critical is the level of risk, which can encourage leaders to pursue short-term, economically destructive policies. Using a new database of national leadership transitions in Africa since 1960, the article demonstrates that the risks of office holding are very high in the region. It also finds that African countries where leaders face less risk tend to have more open economic regimes and to have lower levels of perceived political corruption, as predicted by political economy theory. Because it makes the political environment less perilous, democratization in the region holds out some hope for encouraging leaders to govern with an eye to longer-term results. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Particle simulation of plasmas

For plasma with a large number of degrees of freedom, particle simulation using high-speed computers can offer insights and information that supplement those gained by traditional experimental and theoretical approaches. The technique follows the motion of a large assembly of charged particles in their self-consistent electric and magnetic fields. With proper diagnostics, these numerical experiments reveal such details as distribution functions, linear and nonlinear behavior, stochastic and transport phenomena, and approach to steady state. Such information can both guide and verify theoretical modeling of the physical processes underlying complex phenomena. It can also be used in the interpretation of experiments.
A Nonsubstitution Theorem and Switching of Techniques

Introduction, 98. — Samuelson's nonsubstitution theorem, 99. — Switching of techniques, 102.
Chaos and coherent structures in partial differential equations

Abstract This paper addresses the possible connections between chaos, the unpredictable behavior of solutions of finite dimensional systems of ordinary differential and difference equations and turbulence, the unpredictable behavior of solutions of partial differential equations. It is dedicated to Martin Kruskal on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Abnormalities in the mitochondrial permeability transition in diabetic rats.

Abstract Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes led us to examine whether diabetes altered the nature of the mitochondrial permeability transition. Our data reveal three diabetes-associated abnormalities in PT function: consistently delayed induction with calcium-phosphate, a variable delay with calcium-t-butyl-hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), and an enhanced magnitude of response. The consistently delayed induction in calcium and phosphate is correlated with serum glucose levels, and is consistent with known changes in calcium uniporter function in diabetics. These data expand our knowledge of diabetes-associated abnormalities in mitochondrial function, represent the first evidence that the PT is altered by chronic disease, and provide potential partial mechanistic explanations for the previously observed resistance of diabetic tissues to ischemia-reperfusion injury and the altered Ca2+homeostasis in diabetics.
BIPOLAR MOOD DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY

Elderly persons presenting with manic episodes are heterogeneous, 96 at minimum representing two groups: (1) patients experiencing a late-life manic episode of a bipolar disorder with an age at onset in young adult life and (2) patients with no episodes of mania prior to late life. Within this latter group would be patients with no young adult history of mood disorder as well as those with an earlier onset mood disorder, but only with a history of major depressive episodes, never mania. This review is organized around two questions related to this heterogeneity: (1) Is mania modified by age such that manic episodes of young adult-onset bipolar disorder present differently in late life? (2) Do patients with first onset of mania in late life represent a distinct subgroup? The etiologic and pathophysiologic implications of these questions are considered. Pharmacotherapeutic management is discussed briefly from these perspectives.
DOG HAIR SASHES FROM OBELISK CAVE

A woven sash, previously described as made with dog hair yarn, has been identified as containing a combination of dog hair yarns and cotton yarns. The sash was one of six discovered by Earl Morris in 1931 at Obelisk Cave, a site with a predominantly Basketmaker III period (AD 500–750) occupation. Further investigation into the sashes revealed new insight into the materials used, and indicates a later date in the Pueblo I era.
Abstract 2465: Microenvironmental sugars regulate pancreatic cancer stem cell transcription to promote an invasive phenotype

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease and there are few effective therapies. Increased refined carbohydrate and specifically fructose consumption have been associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk in some studies. We recently demonstrated that fructose-treated pancreatic cancer cells grow in vitro at equivalent rates to glucose and observed that cancer cell metabolism of glucose and fructose are quite different whereby fructose increased nucleic acid synthesis, a feature of a highly aggressive cancer phenotype. A subset of cells within a tumor, termed cancer stem cells (CSC) that highly tumorigenic and resistant to chemotherapy. We recently demonstrated that the metabolism of fructose and glucose in pancreatic cancer is very different with fructose preferentially providing carbons for nucleic acid synthesis. To gain insight into how nutrients such as fructose might differentially regulate cancer cell metabolic pathways to promote an aggressive phenotype, we performed mRNA expression profiling followed by QT-PCR in fructose-treated pancreatic CSCs and compared gene expression to pancreatic CSCs maintained in normal medium. Following fructose-treatment (0.55-5.5mM), we demonstrated increased chemokine receptor4 (CXCR4), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) mRNA expression in comparison to glucose- (0.55-5.5mM) or normal medium (22mM glucose) -treated pancreatic CSCs and in comparison to fructose- or glucose-treated pancreatic cancer non stem cells (NSC), whole Panc-1 cells and normal pancreatic ductal HPDE6 cells. In additional studies we observed that the nutrient sugar fructose selectively activates distinct tumorigenic signaling cascades in pancreatic CSCs including phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3α/β to increase CXCR4 to potentially promote growth, survival and metastases of pancreatic cancer stem cells. We also observed that fructose potently induced pancreatic CSC mRNA expression of the selective fructose transporter GLUT5, providing further insight into fructose-mediated actions in pancreatic CSCs. In summary, we demonstrate that sugars mediate effects beyond that of a simple substrate and that environmental dietary nutrients can alter gene expression to potentially modify the cancer phenotype. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2465. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2465
One Plus One Equals Three: Marasa Consciousness, the Lwa, and Three Stories

This article expands on literary critic Veve A. Clark’s discussion of the marasa concept as a mythical theory of textual relationships based on the Haitian Divine Twins by connecting the concept to its African origins, itself a marasa , and exploring it in relation to three short stories from Haiti Noir (2011), an anthology of noir literature edited by Edwidge Danticat. Even though the narratives are firmly focused on the New World experience, I contend that the marasa ’s origins guide and shape the stories and are explicitly manifest in at least one of them. Thus, the short stories “Which One?” by Evelyne Trouillot, “The Last Department” by Katia D. Ulysse, and “The Finger” by Gary Victor (in my own invocation of marasa twa ) embody the marasa concept in the way that they explore its continued relevance in the Caribbean reality of contemporary large diasporas and international interventions, which is especially true of Haiti, that produce here/there, us/them, home/abroad dichotomies. Moreover, they illustrate the attendant third element/space/moment of resolution or completeness through creativity, the dosu/dosa , which is also integral to the marasa concept.
Response of aquatic and aerial metabolic rates in the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) to acute and prolonged changes in temperature

Abstract The effects of acute and prolonged changes in temperature on aerial and aquatic metabolic rates of Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) were determined. Aquatic metabolic rate increased directly with acute changes in environmental temperature. Aerial metabolic rates exhibited a maximum at intermediate exposure temperature. The response of aerial metabolic rate to temperature indicates that at higher temperatures desiccation may be avoided at the expense of aerobic metabolism in air. Exposure to changes in temperature for ≈28 days resulted in complete acclimation of aerial metabolic rates and partial acclimation of aquatic rates. These results are consistent with the interpretation that partial acclimation of aquatic metabolic rate is due to acclimation of standard metabolic rates while components of metabolism associated with filtration activity did not acclimate.
Nonestrogen-based hormonal therapies for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is becoming increasingly more prevalent worldwide and is a costly, devastating disease. The fact that females are more likely to be diagnosed with AD than men has contributed to the large amount of research and literature on estrogen’s ability to rescue cognitive decline in aging females. However, recent results from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) and the Research into Memory, Brain Function and Estrogen Replacement (REMEMBER) study, in which estrogen-replacement therapy is shown not to be beneficial to cognition in postmenopausal women, especially in women of more advanced ages, have opened the study of hormones and hormone-based therapies beyond that of sex steroids. As such, recent findings, and the focus of this review, indicate that gonadotropins such as luteinizing hormone have a role on cognitive function and AD. It is likely that the interplay of age, and the timing of estrogen and these other less studied hormones will allow us to gain a better underst...
Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with FOLFOX/FOLFIRI on Disease-Free and Overall Survival of Patients with Colorectal Metastases

To determine if neoadjuvant FOLFOX/FOLFIRI is associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) in patients with colorectal metastases (CRM) to the liver. Ninety-nine patients (from 457 eligible) with CRM that underwent hepatic resection during 2000 to 2005 were included. Group 1 (n = 44) patients received neoadjuvant FOLFOX/FOLFIRI, and Group 2 (n = 55) did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. There were 58% men. The median age for Group 1 was 58 and Group 2, 64 (p = 0.03). OS for Group 1 at 1, 3, and 5 years was 93%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, with a median OS of 5.8 years. In Group 2 survival at 1l, 3, and 5 years was 90%, 63%, and 45%, respectively, with a median OS of 3.7 years (HR 1.06, p = 0.87). The DFS for Group 1 at 1, 3, and 5 years was 51%, 20%, and 20%, with a median DFS of 1.1 years and Group 2 at 1, 3, and 5 years was 58%, 32%, and 32% (median DFS—1.2 years; HR = 1.24, p = 0.45). Neoadjuvant FOLFOX/FOLFIRI was employed more frequently in younger patients with CRM; however, neoadjuvant chemotherapy for CRM was not significantly associated with an increase in OS or DFS, despite additional adjuvant therapy.
A light controlled cavitand wall regulates guest binding

Here we report a cavitand with a photochemical switch as one of the container walls. The azo-arene switch undergoes photoisomerization when subjected to UV light producing a self-fulfilled cavitand. This process is thermally and photochemically reversible. The reported cavitand binds small molecules and these guests can be ejected from the cavitand through this photochemical process.
A cloacal catheter for accurate collection of urine in turtles

Abstract 1. 1. The anatomical arrangement of the urogenital system involving a cloaca makes urine collection difficult in the turtle. 2. 2. Many procedures used to determine renal function such as creatinine clearance and electrolyte determination require accurate collection of urine. 3. 3. A surgically implanted cloacal catheter was developed to accurately collect newly made urine from the kidneys in turtles.
Cytomegalovirus infection and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in renal transplant recipients: Results of the U.S. multicenter FK506 kidney transplant study group

Background. The recent U.S. multicenter randomized trial of FK506 versus cyclosporine (CsA) demonstrated equivalent patient and graft survival in patients treated with FK506 and statistically fewer rejection episodes in the first year posttransplant. Methods. To determine if more effective posttransplant immunosuppression was associated with an increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), we examined the incidence of these two opportunistic infections during 3 years of follow-up. Results. CMV infection occurred in 40 (19.5%) FK506 and 40 (19.3%) CsA-treated patients. The incidence of CMV disease was 9.3% in FK506 and 6.8% in CsA-treated recipients; the most common site of CMV disease was the gastrointestinal tract. A multivariate analysis of several risk factors demonstrated that a CMV− recipient of a CMV+ donor was at greatest risk for CMV infection. The incidence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease was equal in the two treatment arms: six CsA- and five FK506-treated recipients. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that the superior efficacy of FK506 in the prevention of acute rejection was not associated with an increased risk of CMV or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease compared with CsA.
Maximized split-half reliabilities and distributional characteristics for Harris-Lingoes subscales with few items : a reevaluation for the MMPI-2

100 MMPI-2 protocols were obtained from the files of an outpatient clinic. Distributions of all possible split-half combinations were computed for selected Harris-Lingoes subscales with few items. As expected, max r reliability estimates were significantly greater than alpha estimates and distributions of correlations were negatively skewed. Inspection of the distributions suggested that the Amorality scale contains an ambiguous item which does not appear to belong in this grouping. Serious problems were noted with the Hy5 subscale. Alpha reliabilities were comparable to previously reported estimates, and max r reliability estimates closely resembled reported test-retest estimates.
Individuals' Perspectives Regarding Hospital Based Self-Care Instruction and Its Effect on Ability to Perform Self-Care at Home

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews explored seven individuals' perspectives of their hospital self-care instruction and their ability to do self-care at home. The secondary themes that emerged from the study include: individuals' self-care experiences in the hospital, their ability to perform self-care at home and the role of motivation in their ability to perform self-care. These were directly related and supported the primary theme, which was individuals' loss of their place in life following hospitalization. The findings provide needed insight regarding whether the manner in which self-care is taught in the hospital generalizes and affects individuals' ability to perform self-care at home.
Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Aorto–Right Ventricular Fistulas

Abstract Background . Traumatic aorto–right ventricular (Ao-RV) fistulas are rare lesions that result in congestive heart failure if left untreated. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are required to avoid the natural outcome of cardiac decompensation. Methods . All cases of traumatic Ao-RV fistula described in the English literature since 1958 were reviewed. The clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, and treatment strategies were assessed to determine the pathophysiology, natural history, and outcome of surgical intervention. Results . Forty cases of traumatic Ao-RV fistulas were described in the English literature. There were 39 men and 1 woman, with a mean age of 28.3 years (range, 15 to 50 years). Twenty-two (55%) patients had isolated Ao-RV fistulas. Fourteen (35%) had Ao-RV fistulas with aortic insufficiency. Definitive surgical repair was performed in 38 patients. The associated aortic valve injuries were managed with repair techniques or replacement with prosthetic devices. The surgical outcomes in all patients were satisfactory. Conclusions . The pathophysiology and natural history of Ao-RV fistulas involves the development of congestive heart failure. Traumatic aortic insufficiency frequently is associated with this disorder. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to avoid the natural outcome of cardiac decompensation. Definitive repair should be performed with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass during the same hospitalization.
Mediators of a Preservice Teacher’s Use of the Inquiry-Application Instructional Model

This paper reports on one preservice teacher’s use of the Inquiry-Application Instructional Model (I-AIM) to plan and teach an instructional sequence on photosynthesis to 5th-grade students. Analysis of the preservice teacher’s planned and enacted instructional sequences and interviews shows that the preservice teacher was successful in leveraging the conceptual change but not the inquiry aspects of the I-AIM. The mediators of this preservice teacher’s use of the I-AIM included her approach to teaching science, the curriculum materials she had available, and the meanings she made of the underlying frameworks. Understanding the mediators of preservice teachers’ uses of instructional models can inform teacher educators’ approaches to supporting preservice teachers in using instructional models for organizing science instructional sequences.
First-Trimester Needle Embryofetoscopy and Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of first-trimester needle embryofetoscopy (or embryoscopy) for prenatal diagnosis in a continuing pregnancy. Study design:
Role of pendant proton relays and proton-coupled electron transfer on the hydrogen evolution reaction by nickel hangman porphyrins.

The hangman motif provides mechanistic insights into the role of pendant proton relays in governing proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) involved in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We now show improved HER activity of Ni compared with Co hangman porphyrins. Cyclic voltammogram data and simulations, together with computational studies using density functional theory, implicate a shift in electrokinetic zone between Co and Ni hangman porphyrins due to a change in the PCET mechanism. Unlike the Co hangman porphyrin, the Ni hangman porphyrin does not require reduction to the formally metal(0) species before protonation by weak acids in acetonitrile. We conclude that protonation likely occurs at the Ni(I) state followed by reduction, in a stepwise proton transfer–electron transfer pathway. Spectroelectrochemical and computational studies reveal that upon reduction of the Ni(II) compound, the first electron is transferred to a metal-based orbital, whereas the second electron is transferred to a molecular orbital on the porphyrin ring.
Salt stabilization of a 5 S RNA—protein complex from an extreme halophile, Halobacterium Cutirubrum

We have recently isolated and characterized a 5 S RNA-protein complex (RNP) from the ribosomes of an extreme halophile Halobacterium cu tirubrum [l] . This complex contains two proteins, HL-13 and HL-19, which have been shown to be equivalent to Escherichia coli proteins EL1 8 and ELS, respectively [l] . The organism has a high internal salt concentration [2] , and accordingly the complex is, as expected, optimally stable in high salt concentrations (greater than 3 M KCl). However, the complex is not stable in salt concentrations less than about 1 M. We shall show here that the breakdown of the complex that is observed as the salt concentration is lowered is correlated with a loss of secondary structure in the binding proteins, rather than a simple charge repulsion between the nucleic acid phosphates and carboxylates of these highly acidic proteins.
Immunotherapy for Tauopathies

Pathological tau protein is found in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. The protein is hyperphosphorylated and/or mutated which leads to aggregation and neurotoxicity. Because cognitive functions correlate well with the degree of tau pathology, clearing these aggregates is a promising therapeutic approach. Studies pioneered by our laboratory and confirmed by others have shown that both active and passive immunizations targeting disease-related tau epitopes successfully reduce tau aggregates in vivo and slow or prevent behavioral impairments in mouse models of tauopathy. Here, we summarize recent advances in this new field.
Theory of optical properties of quantum wires in porous silicon.

We present theoretical studies of the electronic and optical properties of free-standing Si quantum wires which exist in porous Si. We use a second-neighbor empirical tight-binding model which includes d orbitals and spin-orbit interaction. The excitonic effects are included within the effective-mass approximation. We found that for narrow quantum wires with widths around 8 A\r{}, the averaged exciton oscillator strength is comparable to that of bulk GaAs. However, the average exciton oscillator strength decreases dramatically (faster than 1/${\mathit{L}}^{5}$) as the quantum-wire width L increases. The radiative lifetimes of excitons in quantum wires are estimated and we find that the lifetime of the shortest-lived exciton ranges from 57 ns to 170 \ensuremath{\mu}s for wire widths from 7.7 to 31 A\r{}. We have also calculated the absorption spectra and found strong polarization dependence.
Severe upper extremity injuries in frontal automobile crashes: the effects of depowered airbags

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of depowered frontal airbags on the incidence of severe upper extremity injuries. Methods The National Automotive Sampling System database files from 1993 to 2000 were examined in a study that included 2,413,347 occupants who were exposed to an airbag deployment in the United States. Results Occupants exposed to a depowered airbag deployment were significantly more likely to sustain a severe upper extremity injury (3.9%) than those occupants exposed to a full-powered airbag deployment (2.5%) ( P = .01). Full-powered systems resulted in an injury distribution of 89.2% fractures and 7.9% dislocations compared with depowered systems with 55.3% fractures and 44.3% dislocations. Conclusions Although depowered airbags were designed to reduce the risk of injuries, they appear to have increased the overall incidence of severe upper extremity injuries through a shift from long bone fractures to joint dislocations.
On the problem of k-coverage in mission-oriented mobile wireless sensor networks

The problem of sensor deployment to achieve k-coverage of a field, where every point is covered by at least k sensors, is very critical in the design of energy-efficient wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It becomes more challenging in mission-oriented WSNs, where sensors have to move in order to k-cover a region of interest in the field. In this type of network, there are multiple missions (or monitoring tasks) to be accomplished, each of which has different requirements, particularly, in terms of coverage. In this paper, we consider the problem of k-coverage in mission-oriented mobile WSNs which we divide into two sub-problems, namely sensor placement and sensor selection. The sensor placement problem is to identify a subset of sensors and their locations in a region of interest so it is k-covered with a small number of sensors. The sensor selection problem is to determine which sensors should move to the above-computed locations in the region while minimizing the total energy consumption due to sensor mobility and communication. Specifically, we propose centralized and distributed approaches to solve the k-coverage problem in mission-oriented mobile WSNs. Our solution to the sensor placement problem is based on Helly's Theorem and the geometric analysis of the Reuleaux triangle. First, we consider a deterministic (or disk) sensing model, where the sensing range is modeled as a disk. Then, based on the above analysis, we address the k-coverage problem using a more realistic sensing model, known as probabilistic sensing model. The latter reflects the stochastic nature of the characteristics of the sensors, namely sensing and communication ranges. Our centralized and distributed protocols enable the sensors to move toward a region of interest and k-cover it with a small number of sensors. Our experiments show a good match between simulation and analytical results. In particular, simulation results show that our solution to the k-coverage problem in mission-oriented mobile WSNs outperforms an existing one in terms of the number of sensors needed to k-cover a region of interest in the field and their total energy consumption due to communication, sensing, and mobility for the correct operation of the protocol.
Regulation of Pulmonary Capillary Blood Volume by Pulmonary Arterial and Left Atrial Pressures

We used single-breath CO diffusing capacity to study the effect of changes in pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures on pulmonary capillary blood volume in 15 supine dogs whose lungs were perfused with a nonpulsatile pump. Effect of pulmonary arterial pressure: When left atrial pressure measured relative to the bottom of the lungs ≤ alveolar pressure, increasing pulmonary arterial pressure increased diffusing capacity markedly (mean, 0.71 ml/min x mm Hg per mm Hg change in pulmonary arterial pressure). When left atrial pressure ≥ alveolar pressure plus the height of the lungs, increasing pulmonary arterial pressure had less effect on diffusing capacity, although blood flow was increased through a wide range (mean, 0.22 ml/min x mm Hg CO per mm Hg increase in pulmonary arterial pressure). Effect of left atrial pressure: At zero flow, increasing left atrial pressure increased diffusing capacity markedly; when pulmonary arterial pressure was high, increasing left atrial pressure had no significant effect on diffusing capacity. Increasing bronchial arterial pressure from 0 to 150 mm Hg or inhaling 10.5% CO 2 had no effect on diffusing capacity. Injection into the pulmonary artery of glass microspheres decreased diffusing capacity only when left atrial pressure was low; their effect was exaggerated when pulmonary arterial pressure was high in the control state.
Lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens: prediction of adverse pathologic features and biochemical progression.

Abstract Objectives Patients and referring physicians often ask about the significance of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on pathology reports from radical prostatectomy specimens. However, limited data are available concerning the relationship between LVI and preoperative screening characteristics, pathologic tumor features, and patient prognosis. Methods LVI was evaluated for its ability to predict elevated prostate-specific antigen velocity, adverse pathologic features, and biochemical progression in 1709 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease. Results LVI was present in 118 (7%) of the 1709 men. On univariate analysis, LVI was significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor volume, and other adverse pathologic features. Prostate-specific antigen velocity was not significantly associated with the presence of LVI. Biochemical progression occurred in 34% of those with LVI compared with 10% of those without LVI ( P Conclusions LVI is a relatively uncommon finding in radical prostatectomy specimens for clinically localized disease. Although LVI was seen primarily in large-volume, high-grade tumors, it was not an independent predictor of progression in the multivariate model.
Defending Desire: Scanlon's Anti‐Humeanism

In the opening chapter of What We Owe To Each Other, Tim Scanlon produces a sustained critique of a Humean conception of practical reason. Scanlon claims he will argue that unless having a desire just is to see something as a reason, desires play (almost) no role in the explanation or justification of action. Yet his specific arguments against Humeanism all employ a very austere understanding of desire (which he calls the “standard model”), and attempt to show that desires so understood are not up to any explanatory or justificatory task. Since the standard model represents only one understanding of desire (distinct from the “recognition of reasons”) his specific arguments cannot establish his stated general thesis. I show how a more robust conception of desire will leave the Humean account safe from Scanlon's specific arguments.
Image-guided diffuse optical fluorescence tomography implemented with Laplacian-type regularization.

A promising method to incorporate tissue structural information into the reconstruction of diffusion-based fluorescence imaging is introduced. The method regularizes the inversion problem with a Laplacian-type matrix, which inherently smoothes pre-defined tissue, but allows discontinuities between adjacent regions. The technique is most appropriately used when fluorescence tomography is combined with structural imaging systems. Phantom and simulation studies were used to illustrate significant improvements in quantitative imaging and linearity of response with the new algorithm. Images of an inclusion containing the fluorophore Lutetium Texaphyrin (Lutex) embedded in a cylindrical phantom are more accurate than in situations where no structural information is available, and edge artifacts which are normally prevalent were almost entirely suppressed. Most importantly, spatial priors provided a higher degree of sensitivity and accuracy to fluorophore concentration, though both techniques suffer from image bias caused by excitation signal leakage. The use of spatial priors becomes essential for accurate recovery of fluorophore distributions in complex tissue volumes. Simulation studies revealed an inability of the “no-priors” imaging algorithm to recover Lutex fluorescence yield in domains derived from T1 weighted images of a human breast. The same domains were reconstructed accurately to within 75% of the true values using prior knowledge of the internal tissue structure. This algorithmic approach will be implemented in an MR-coupled fluorescence spectroscopic tomography system, using the MR images for the structural template and the fluorescence data for region quantification.
Developing local to near-regional explosion and earthquake discriminants

Abstract We develop local to near-regional (0–200 km) amplitude discriminants using earthquakes, single-fired explosions, and delayed-fired explosions. We use the Source Phenomenology Experiment (SPE) broadband data, collected across the Colorado Plateau during the summer of 2003, which recorded explosions in hard- and soft-rock mines. We optimized a local surface wave magnitude scale derived from a stable regional surface wave magnitude (Russell, 2006) for the sources. However, the magnitude of the source and the distance to the station limit the surface wave energy, which can cause instability in the surface wave magnitudes. Magnitude scales for the local phases ( Pg , Lg / Sg , and Rg ) were also tested and compared. When an azimuthal station correction was applied to each magnitude scale, there was an average reduction of standard deviation by 16%–58%. Regional and teleseismic discrimination techniques were optimized for local distance, and our results show that lithology of the source is a critical component in discriminating events at local distances. We also found that magnitude and amplitude ratios are effectively used to discriminate between small earthquakes and explosions at local distances, with each performing the best in the hard-rock lithology. Furthermore, the ratio techniques perform equally in both lithologies if multiple stations are used to establish the ratio values; we find that an average of four or five stations will generally have a 90% or better correct identification for both types of ratios. Finally, we find that the source lithology, local site effects, and large-scale geologic features control most of the variability in the amplitude measurements.
COLLAPSING THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE: PAN-SACRAMENTAL & PANENTHEISTIC POSSIBILITIES IN AQUINAS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR SPIRITUALITY

The study of spirituality examines ‘lived religious experience’ in the cosmos. Drawing on Aquinas' Christology, the following article presents the cosmos as panentheistic and pan-sacramental. Taking a cue from Thomas Merton's anthropology and Bede Griffiths' spirituality, various implications and challenges are examined.