cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A pictorial essay on radiography of swallowing and esophageal disorders

Numerous abnormalities, both of congenital and acquired causes, can compromise the swallowing process and the ability of the esophagus to transmit the food from the mouth to the stomach in pediatric population. Patients often present a history of aspiration, dysphagia or feeding difficulties. The imaging evaluation typically begins with a fluoroscopic examination of the swallowing process and esophagus (esophagram), using either barium or water soluble contrast medium. This pictorial essay delineates the imaging features of normal anatomy and physiology of the swallowing and the esophagus, as well as the imaging features of common pediatric swallowing dysfunctions and various esophageal abnormalities. It is designed in order to assist radiologists in providing an appropriate diagnosis when confronted with a suspected disease in this anatomic region, and when appropriate, what additional testing to recommend. It is also designed to inform pediatricians about the wealth of diagnostic information that may be collected when performing an esophagram; a relatively simple radiographic examination. Conclusion â€“ Radiographic imaging of swallowing and the esophagus remains the primary imaging modality in patients with a history of aspiration, dysphagia and feeding problems. It offers valuable diagnostic information related to anatomy, morphology and peristalsis.
Quintilian: A classical educator speaks to the writing process

Abstract The impact of state‐mandated writing tests has altered process writing instruction practices in many elementary and middle school classrooms. Ancient Roman educational principles designed to produce the perfect orator and citizen have relevance to modern writing instruction and may cause us to rethink what is meant by “back to basics.” The views of Quintilian provide a new lens for examining the writing process and its components as advocated by Graves, Murray, and others. The Quintilian Progression contains guidelines to support teachers and students as they endeavor to become more effective writers and critical thinkers.
Combating Child Homicide Preventive Policing for the New Millennium

High-profile media coverage of crimes against children has heightened public awareness of critical child safety needs and issues. However, numerous research studies in the area of child homicide have illustrated the importance of the power of science to correct false perceptions and misinformation, improving how to best serve and protect our children. Age-based analyses of childhood crime patterns have vastly improved how law enforcement and social service practitioners identify, investigate, and resolve child victimization cases. Future protective efforts must involve multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration. Law enforcement, social service clinicians, educators, and academicians should jointly develop and implement pragmatic and effective prevention, detection, and resolution programs and policies.
Aluminium and global warming

The aluminium production industry is a serious contributor to the greenhouse effect. Aluminium smelting releases two greenhouse gases CF{sub 4} and C{sub 2}F{sub 6}. Average CF{sub 4} and C{sub 2}F{sub 6} emissions are equivalent to the greenhouse contribution of about 15 to 20 tonnes of CO{sub 2} per tonne of aluminium. Aluminium smelting also results in large greenhouse gas emissions from the production of electricity consumed during smelting and from CO{sub 2} produced during reduction of alumina to aluminium metal. 7 refs.
Self-organized chiral colloidal crystals of Brownian square crosses

We study aqueous Brownian dispersions of microscale, hard, monodisperse platelets, shaped as achiral square crosses, in two dimensions (2D). When slowly concentrated while experiencing thermal excitations, the crosses self-organize into fluctuating 2D colloidal crystals. As the particle area fraction φA is raised, an achiral rhombic crystal phase forms at φA ≈ 0.52. Above φA ≈ 0.56, the rhombic crystal gives way to a square crystal phase that exhibits long-range chiral symmetry breaking (CSB) via a crystal-crystal phase transition; the observed chirality in a particular square crystallite has either a positive or a negative enantiomeric sense. By contrast to triangles and rhombs, which exhibit weak CSB as a result of total entropy maximization, square crosses display robust long-range CSB that is primarily dictated by how they tile space at high densities. We measure the thermal distribution of orientation angles γ of the crosses' arms relative to the diagonal bisector of the local square crystal lattice as a function of φA, and the average measured γ (φA) agrees with a re-scaled model involving efficient packing of rotated cross shapes. Our findings imply that a variety of hard achiral shapes can be designed to form equilibrium chiral phases by considering their tiling at high densities.
Current technical development of magnetic resonance imaging

The impact of MRI continues to grow due to progress in all phases of the development cycle. Since its initial use for human imaging approximately 20 years ago, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed into a widely used clinical imaging modality. Now, at the start of the 21st century, the number of MRI systems worldwide is in excess of 10,800. With an average of over ten patients examined per day per machine, the number of clinical studies per day is well over 100,000. Along with X-ray imaging, ultrasound, computed X-ray tomography, and nuclear medicine, MRI is well recognized as a commonly used medical imaging modality. In spite of this significant growth over the last two decades, technical and application development continues. The purpose of this article is to identify the current development of MRI and to attempt to indicate future trends. In some sense this is an update of a similar technical assessment of MRI made four years ago.
Gibson's affordances.

Gibson developed an interactionist view of perception and action that focused on information that is available in the environment. He thereby rejected the still-prevalent framing assumption of factoring external-physical and internal-mental processes. The interactionist alternative, which focuses on processes of agent-situation interactions, is taken in ecological psychology as well as in recent research on conversational communication, research on complex, socially organized activity, and philosophical situation theory. The concepts of qffordance and ability are key ideas in an interactionist account. In situation theory, abilities in activity depend on attunements to constraints, and affordances for an agent can be understood as conditions in the environment for constraints to which the agent is attuned. This broad view of affordances includes affordances that are recognized as well as affordances that are perceived directly.
Prolyl-hydroxylase inhibition and HIF activation in osteoblasts promotes an adipocytic phenotype.

Bone is a dynamic environment where cells sense and adapt to changes in nutrient and oxygen availability. Conditions associated with hypoxia in bone are also associated with bone loss. In vitro hypoxia (2% oxygen) alters gene expression in osteoblasts and osteocytes and induces cellular changes including the upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) levels. Our studies show that osteoblasts respond to hypoxia (2% oxygen) by enhancing expression of genes associated with adipocyte/lipogenesis phenotype (C/EBPβ, PPARγ2, and aP2) and by suppressing expression of genes associated with osteoblast differentiation (alkaline phosphatase, AP). Hypoxia increased HIF protein levels, hypoxic response element (HRE) binding, and HRE-reporter activity. We also demonstrate that prolyl-hydroxylases 2 and 3 (PHD2, PHD3), one of the major factors coordinating HIF degradation under normoxic but not hypoxic conditions, are induced in osteoblasts under hypoxic conditions. To further determine the contribution of PHDs and upregulated HIF activity in modulating osteoblast phenotype, we treated osteoblasts with a PHD inhibitor, dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG), and maintained cells under normoxic conditions. Similar to hypoxic conditions, HRE reporter activity was increased and adipogenic gene expression was increased while osteoblastic genes were suppressed. Taken together, our findings indicate a role for PHDs and HIFs in the regulation of osteoblast phenotype. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 762–772, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phase separation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) solutions and gels using a near infrared fiber laser

We used a tunable near infrared fiber laser in the wavelength range of 1533–1573 nm to induce photothermal phase changes in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) aqueous solutions and hydrogels. The laser induces the hydrophilic to hydrophobic transition of the polymer by heating the surrounding water. We report our observations of the phase changes based on using a novel fiber backreflectance method coupled with visual cloud point measurements. At 1533 nm the phase transition was induced at the end of a single mode optical fiber with 9 mW of power at an ambient temperature of 24°C. We found that the power required to reach the lower critical solution temperature was inversely proportional to the absorption spectrum of water. In addition, phase changes in both solutions and gels occurred very rapidly (<1 s) as the laser was turned on and off. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
The generality of free-recall: I. Subjective organization as an ability factor

Using Bousfield’s intertrial repetition measure as a score representing S’s tendency to subjectively organize material in free-recall, a group of S’s were tested on a variety of materials in a multiple trial free-recall paradigm. Evidence obtained did not support a hypothesis of subjective organization being a general individual difference ability factor.
In the wake of Mount St Helens

On May 18, 1980, Mount St Helens, Washington State's most active volcano, erupted violently. Volcanic eruptions in recent geologic history have demonstrated tremendous environmental impact and caused significant loss of human life. Volcanic ash expelled during the eruption was deposited on much of eastern Washington and had a profound effect on local air quality. Although ash is relatively inert, analysis revealed a small but significant amount of free crystalline silica, the causative agent of silicosis. The fine particles of ash were of respirable size, and there was a remarkable increase in the volume of respiratory cases seen in emergency departments during the period of high airborne particulate levels. Numerous cases of injury indirectly related to the fall of ash were also seen. The long-term effect of exposure to this volcanic ash is unknown. A prompt, coordinated community medical response is necessary to protect the general population from the potential hazard of exposure to volcanic ash.
Measuring kinase activity: finding needles in a haystack

New fluorescent peptide–based reporters provide a means for following kinase activity in crude cell extracts.
Eight-Vertex Tetrametallic Structures Derived from Cubanes: A Close Relationship between Bisdisphenoidal Metallaborane and Organometallic Clusters

The metallaborane Cp4Co4B4H4 and the organometallic cluster Cp4Fe4C4H4 (Cp = η5-cyclopentadienyl) not only are isoelectronic but also exhibit completely analogous eight-vertex bisdisphenoidal struc...
Genetic and physiochemical studies on beta-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase in Anopheles albimanus.

β-Hydroxy acid dehydrogenase (β-Had-2) of Anopheles albimanus was assigned to chromosome 3. The apparent sequence of loci on chromosome 3 is hexokinase-1-22-stripe-28-β-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase-2-4-aldehyde oxidase-2-esterase-8-4-esterase-4-?-phosphoglucomutase-?-esterase-6. β-Hydroxy acid dehydrogenase is 25 and 30 map units from phosphoglucomutase and esterase-6, respectively. The one-band electromorph of β-Had-2 in homozygotes and the three-band type in heterozygotes suggest that the enzyme is a dimer. A variety of electrophoretic techniques and spectrophotometric analysis were used to determine if the allozymes of β-Had-2 can be differentiated on a basis other than mobility. No differences were detected among the allozymes on the basis of thermostability, urea denaturation, response to thiol reagents, chelating agents, or changes in coenzyme and substrate concentrations. No heterogeneity within allozymes separated by electrophoresis was detected by using thermostability tests.
The effect of streptozotocin diabetes on the levels of glycolate and lactate excreted in rat urine.

Abstract The concentrations of glycolate (hydroxyacetate) and lactate are significantly elevated above control values in urines from streptozotocin-diabetic rats, regardless of whether data are expressed in terms of μg/ml urine or μg/day. The same levels of oxalate and glyoxylate are excreted in 24 h in the urines from normal and diabetic rats. Lactate levels are elevated above control values in serum from streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The elevation of glycolate levels in diabetic rat urine compared to control values occurs regardless of diet and regardless of whether rats were fed or fasted during the 24 h urine collection period. Rat liver glycolate oxidase may be used to assay glycolate concentrations in the presence of up to 500 μg/ml l -lactate when pH 8.6 Tris-Cl is used as buffer. Results obtained with this assay compare qualitatively with the standard colorimetric assay using 2,7-dihydroxynaphthlene for glycolate determination. Beef liver glycolate oxidase is not effective for use in glycolate assays. The identity of urinary glycolate was confirmed by gas-liquid and by paper chromatography.
A Pragmatic View of Social Justice

Vera and Speight's (2003 [this issue]) use of the current Multicultural Competencies (Sue et al., 1998) to criticize all multicultural cultural social justice interventions may be unfair. The author offers some perspectives on shifting the focus of counseling psychology to marginalized groups but advises that minority status and economic realities may impede the shift.
Implementing an intelligent error back propagation (EBP) relay in PSCAD TM /EMTDC 4.2.1

Power Systems Computer Aided Design (PSCADtrade) is a graphical user interface for the Electromagnetic Transient Direct Current (EMTDC) type program. PSCADtrade/EMTDC is used in this paper to simulate the injection of static single-line-to-ground (SLG) faults located at 120%, 100%, and 80% of the cable length on the ship, and protect the electrical system using the error back propagation (EBP) algorithm-based relay. Sequential and combinational digital logic is used to design and implement the EBP Relay in PSCADTM/EMTDC.
Translational regulation in nutrigenomics.

The emergence of genome-wide analysis to interrogate cellular DNA, RNA, and protein content has revolutionized the study of the control network that mediates cellular homeostasis. Nutrigenomics addresses the effect of nutrients on gene expression, which provides a basis for understanding the biological activity of dietary components. Translation of mRNAs represents the last step of genetic flow and primarily defines the proteome. Translational regulation is thus critical for gene expression, in particular, under nutrient excess or deficiency. Until recently, it was unclear how the global effects of translational control are influenced by nutrient signaling. An emerging concept of translational reprogramming addresses how to maintain the expression of specific proteins during pathophysiological conditions by translation of selective mRNAs. Here we describe recent advances in our understanding of translational control, nutrient signaling, and their dysregulation in aging and cancer. The mechanistic understanding of translational regulation in response to different nutrient conditions may help identify potential dietary and therapeutic targets to improve human health. Adv. Nutr. 2: 511–519, 2011.
On identifying stable ways to configure systems

We consider the often error-prone process of initially building and/or reconfiguring a computer system. We formulate an optimization framework for capturing certain aspects of this system (re)configuration process. We describe offline and online algorithms that could aid operators in making decisions for how best to take actions on their computers so as to maintain the health of their systems.
Frontal and Radar Refractivity Analyses of the Dryline on 11 June 2002 during IHOP

An analysis of a dryline that did not initiate convection during the observational period is presented. The dryline was the weakest kinematic boundary observed during the International H2O Project (IHOP), but was associated with a large moisture gradient. Detailed dual-Doppler wind syntheses from an airborne Doppler radar were combined with radar refractivity measurements providing a rare opportunity to examine both the kinematic and moisture characteristics of this boundary. The radar thin line denotes the approximate kinematic position of the dryline and was quasi-linear on this day. In contrast, the moisture pattern across the dryline was more complex than was suggested by the characteristics of the thin line. Prominent in the horizontal plots was the presence of narrow (few kilometers wide) channels of moisture extending 15‐20 km into the dry air mass. Past studies have suggested that echo thin lines observed in the clear air can be used as a proxy for delineating the moisture contrast across the dryline. In contrast, the ‘‘moisture extrusions’’ were present even though the thin line was quasi-linear and were located in weak-echo regions along the thin line. It is hypothesized that transverse rolls developed at an angle to the boundary layer winds and intersected the dryline. The kinematic airflow associated with these rolls could have protected the moist tongues from the eroding effect of the dry flow west of the dryline. The moisture extrusions appear to diminish with time as they mix with the surrounding dry air.
Efficient data protection for distributed shared memory multiprocessors

Data security in computer systems has recently become an increasing concern, and hardware-based attacks have emerged. As a result, researchers have investigated hardware encryption and authentication mechanisms as a means of addressing this security concern. Unfortunately, no such techniques have been investigated for Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) multiprocessors, and previously proposed techniques for uni-processor and Symmetric Multiprocessor (SMP) systems cannot be directly used for DSMs. This work is the first to examine the issues involved in protecting secrecy and integrity of data in DSM systems. We first derive security requirements for processor-processor communication in DSMs, and find that different types of coherence messages need different protection. Then we propose and evaluate techniques to provide efficient encryption and authentication of the data in DSM systems. Our simulation results using SPLASH-2 benchmarks show that the execution time overhead for our three proposed approaches is small and ranges from 6% to 8% on a 16-processor DSM system, relative to a similar DSM without support for data secrecy and integrity.
Detection of pancreatic carcinomas by imaging lactose-binding protein expression in peritumoral pancreas using [18F]fluoroethyl-deoxylactose PET/CT.

Background Early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma with highly sensitive diagnostic imaging methods could save lives of many thousands of patients, because early detection increases resectability and survival rates. Current non-invasive diagnostic imaging techniques have inadequate resolution and sensitivity for detection of small size (∼2–3 mm) early pancreatic carcinoma lesions. Therefore, we have assessed the efficacy of positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT) imaging with β-O-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4′)-2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoroethyl-D-glucopyranose ([18F]FEDL) for detection of less than 3 mm orthotopic xenografts of L3.6pl pancreatic carcinomas in mice. [18F]FEDL is a novel radioligand of hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas/pancreatitis-associated protein (HIP/PAP), which is overexpressed in peritumoral pancreatic acinar cells.
Between meaning and machine: Learning to represent the knowledge of communities

Representing knowledge in codified forms is transformative of ones orientation to that knowledge. We trace the emergence of a routine for knowledge acquisition and its consequences for participants. Over time, participants in the earth science project GEON, first learned about ontologies and then learned how to create them. We identify three steps in the routine: understanding the problematic of interoperability; learning the practice of knowledge acquisition; and engaging the broader community. As participants traversed the routine they came to articulate, and then represent, the knowledge of their communities. In a process we call reapprehension, traversing the routine also transformed participants' orientation towards their data, knowledge and community, making them more keenly aware of the informational aspects of their fields.
All the Movements Fit to Print: Who, What, When, Where, and Why SMO Families Appeared in the New York Times in the Twentieth Century

Why did some social movement organization (SMO) families receive extensive media coverage? In this article, we elaborate and appraise four core arguments in the literature on movements and their co...
Sub-38 nm resolution microscopy with a tabletop 13 nm wavelength laser

Sub-38 nm spatial resolution imaging was achieved with a tabletop microscope based on zone-plate optics and a high repetition rate tabletop 13 nm wavelength laser.
Introduction: Sociology as a combat sport

This introduction sets out from the unresolved paradox to be found in the writings of Bourdieu, namely the theoretical impossibility of public sociology and his own sustained practical engagement with publics. I appropriate and develop his concept of the ‘field’ to account for his success as a public sociologist. It requires us to understand that public sociology is only possible at the intersection of two distinct fields – the academic field and the political field. Public sociology proves to be a rather precarious pursuit, then; first, because of competing demands internal to the academic field; second, because of the difficulty in operating at the intersection of the academic and political fields; and third, because of the obduracy of common sense that cannot be easily dislodged, the very attempt often arousing open hostility. Difficult though it may be, the development of its public face will be necessary for the survival of sociology as well as an important ingredient in defending human existence fro...
Studies of the interaction between apolipoproteins A and C and triacylglycerol-rich particles

Abstract We studied the interaction of apolipoproteins A-I, C, and HDL2 with phospholipid-stabilized, triacylglycerol-rich particles to learn more about the molecular mechanisms that underlie the metabolism of chylomicrons. Apolipoproteins A-I, C-I, C-III1 and C-III2 all bound to and destabilized triacylglycerol-rich particles, apparently by removing phospholipids from the particle surface. None of the apolipoprotein C tested, at any concentration, was, however, able to equal the disruptive effect of apolipoprotein A-I. The destabilizing effects of apolipoproteins A-I and C were not additive. Apolipoprotein C-III1 seemed to lessen the disruptive effect of apolipoprotein A-I by binding competitively to triacylglycerol-rich particles. Unexpectedly, previous binding of apolipoprotein A-I to triacylglycerol-rich particles nearly tripled the ability of these particles to bind apolipoprotein C. Destabilization of tricylglycerol-rich particles by apolipoprotein A-I was prevented by HDL2. The protective effect of HDL2 seemed to depend partly on transfer of unesterified cholesterol from HDL2, since the amounts of unesterified cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I bound to the particle surface showed a strong negative correlation.
Real-Time Telehealth for COPD Self-Management Using Skype™

AbstractThe utility of real-time interactive voice and video telehealth for teaching pursed-lips breathing (PLB) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. This was a pilot study to determine its feasibility and efficacy on the key variables of social support and dyspnea. A randomized control study design with repeated measures (baseline, 4 and 12 weeks) was used. All participants in the control and intervention groups received PLB instruction at baseline, but only the intervention group received one weekly PLB reinforcement session for 4 weeks via home computer and Skype™ software. Outcome measures were Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey and dyspnea assessment (visual analogue scales for intensity and distress, modified Borg after six-minute walk distance, and Shortness of Breath Questionnaire for activity-associated dyspnea). A total of 22 participants with COPD (mean FEV1% predicted = 56) were randomized; 16 (9 telehealth, 7 control) completed the protocol. Intent-to-treat an...
Ecological stoichiometry in freshwater benthic ecosystems: an introduction

SUMMARY 1. Ecological stoichiometry is a conceptual framework that considers how the balance of energy and elements affects and is affected by organisms in the environment. This perspective has seen recent development primarily in marine and freshwater pelagic ecosystems but its widescale application to freshwater benthic ecosystems remains limited. 2. This paper briefly introduces the concept of ecological stoichiometry, its potential application to freshwater benthic ecosystems, and it provides an overview of a series of papers that use a stoichiometric approach to illustrate the utility of this concept for studying a range of central questions about benthic ecosystems. 3. Papers in this issue include a detailed description of the elemental composition of stream benthic invertebrates, an analysis of the algal content of and its effects on C : P stoichiometry of periphyton, two reports exploring the stoichiometry of stromatolites and their snail consumers in a stream fed by thermal springs, an examination of the stoichiometric effects on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates of slight nutrient enrichment resulting from treated sewage effluents, a study of nutrient release ratios and their control from crayfish and snails, a paper addressing the stoichiometric effects on fish and plankton that result from benthic food subsidies to fish, a study of the stoichiometry of tree leaves and litter and floodplain arthropods in the riparian zone of the Rio Grande, and a synthesis examining the current state and future potential of benthic stoichiometry. 4. The insights from these and other studies suggest that ecological stoichiometry has great potential to guide scientific thought and resolve long-standing problems in ecology. Increasing use of this stoichiometric perspective should thus lead to a deeper understanding of important ecological processes in freshwater benthic ecosystems.
Microwave structure characterization by a combination of FDTD and system identification methods

Microwave structure is characterized by application of the system identification (SI) technique to the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) algorithm. The parameters of a deterministic autoregressive moving-average model (ARMA) are computed recursively such that the model output matches the FDTD simulation. The ARMA model parameter convergence is rapid, and provides savings in the computation time. >
Prediction of quaternary structure from primary structure

Motivation: The ‘sequence implies conformation’ principle has been the motivation for the construction of numerous systems of secondary and tertiary structure prediction. Computational experiments have shown that this principle can now be extended to quaternary structure prediction. This work appears to be the first effort to predict quaternary structure properties from sequence. Results: The software developed to conduct these experiments was the Quaternary Structure Explorer (QSE). Successful rule-based classifiers have been found that can discriminate between the primary sequences of homodimers and non-homodimers. Availability: The homodimer classifier can be accessed at
Ambient Air Pollution and Preterm Birth in the Environment and Pregnancy Outcomes Study at the University of California, Los Angeles

The authors conducted a case-control survey nested within a birth cohort and collected detailed risk factor information to assess the extent to which residual confounding and exposure misclassification may impact air pollution effect estimates. Using a survey of 2,543 of 6,374 women sampled from a cohort of 58,316 eligible births in 2003 in Los Angeles County, California, the authors estimated with logistic regression and two-phase models the effects of pregnancy period-specific air pollution exposure on the odds of preterm birth. For the first trimester, the odds of preterm birth consistently increased with increasing carbon monoxide exposures and also at high levels of exposure to particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microm in diameter (>21.4 microg/m(3)), regardless of type of data (cohort/sample) or covariate adjustment (carbon monoxide exposures of >1.25 ppm increased the odds by 21-25%). Women exposed to carbon monoxide above 0.91 ppm during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy experienced increased odds of preterm birth. Crude and birth certificate covariate-adjusted results for carbon monoxide differed from each other. However, further adjustment for risk factors assessed in the survey did not change effect estimates for short-term pollutant averages appreciably, except for time-activity patterns, which strengthened the observed associations. These results confirm the importance of reducing exposure misclassification when evaluating the effect of traffic-related pollutants that vary spatially.
El impacto y la respuesta a la sequía entre los pastores turkanas. Implicaciones para la teoría antropológica y la investigación de riesgos

This article considers the impact and response to drought among the Turkana pastoral people of northwestern Kenya and argues that in the desert regions of East Africa drought should be considered a part of the normal climatic pattern, instead of an unusual event.The author uses case studies to demonstrate the importance of understanding the social relevance of drought. Mobility is a key adaptive strategy to mitigate the effects of droughts. However, in a severe drought, shepherds may loose most of their livestock and it is only through a system of social relations that livestock is redistributed to those who are most in need.Thus, the social organization of the Turkana is impossible to understand without appreciating how they respond and recover from droughts.
CD18 integrin and CD54-dependent neutrophil adhesion to cytokine-stimulated human hepatocytes

We investigated the hypothesis that CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) expressed on hepatocytes will support beta2-integrin (CD18)-dependent adhesion of neutrophils. An in vitro model using C3A cells (a human hepatoblastoma cell line exhibiting many characteristics of normal hepatocytes) and human neutrophils was utilized. C3A cells were stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for 24 h to induce expression of CD54, and adhesion of neutrophils was found to be markedly increased. Detailed studies with IFN-gamma-stimulated (100 U/ml) C3A cells revealed that this adhesion involved CD11a/CD18 [lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)] and CD54 and was dependent on low levels of IL-8 produced by the stimulated hepatocytes. Addition of higher concentrations of chemotactic factor (e.g., IL-8) further augmented adhesion and recruited contributions of CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1). In contrast to LFA-1, Mac-1 appeared to recognize a CD54-independent ligand constitutively expressed on the hepatocytes. Such close apposition of neutrophils to hepatocytes may increase the potential for parenchymal cell injury by providing a short distance through which cytotoxic factors such as reactive oxygen or proteolytic enzymes could act.
Modeling and experimental evaluation of a small-scale fresnel solar concentrator system

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of a small-scale, low cost, versatile solar concentrator suitable for the needs of single individuals. The system consisted of a spot-type fresnel lens, and a solar absorber sized for moderate temperature range (80–250 °C) applications. Simple and inexpensive materials were chosen for the construction of the tracking system, frame, and absorbers. The thermodynamic properties of the system were determined from theoretical and experimental estimates of temperature and pressure. Efficiencies as high as 50 % were estimated form irradiance and heat losses measurements. The study proved the feasibility and cost effectiveness of the small-scale solar concentrator prototype for varied applications such as boiling water, solar cooking, and autoclaves.
Global and disease-specific health-related quality of life after complete endoscopic resection of anterior skull base neoplasms.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive surgery for neoplasms of the anterior skull base has revolutionized the treatment of these diseases. The relative effect of endoscopic procedures, however, has not been described in terms of disease-specific and global health-related quality of life (QoL). METHODS A single-center longitudinal study was performed of patients undergoing complete endoscopic resection of anterior skull base neoplasms. Patients presenting between October 2009 and September 2010 were enrolled. QoL assessments were based on the 22-question Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22), Health Utilities Index Mark II (HUI-2), and Short-Form 12 (SF-12) and were completed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Comparisons over time were made within subjects. RESULTS Fourteen patients were enrolled; 11 completed preoperative and postoperative assessments (79%). Our cohort consisted of five men and six women; mean age was 55 years. Six patients had malignant tumors; four required adjuvant therapy. SNOT-22 scores were stable or improved in 10 cases (91%), with a significant difference for the cohort (mean, -33 points; p < 0.01). Ten (91%) patients had stable or improved HUI-2 scores (mean utility change, +0.13). SF-12 scores were stable for both mental (p = 0.17) and physical (p = 0.26) components. Mean quality-adjusted life year gain over the study period was 0.07. CONCLUSION Complete endoscopic resection of anterior skull base neoplasms is oncologically sound with anecdotal QoL improvements relative to open craniofacial resection. We show positive, quantifiable QoL results with validated global and disease-specific instruments. Additional work will help to improve outcomes in this population and will be used in formal cost-effectiveness analysis.
A Study of Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus Flavus Growing on Wallboard

The potential for exposure to mycotoxins in indoor environments is of increasing concern. In order to evaluate the potential for mycotoxin production by toxigenic fungi growing on water-damaged bui...
Study of ω → π + π − in K − p → Λ ω from 1.2 to 2.7 GeV/ c

A general phenomenological method for studying a two-pion mass spectrum is developed; it is shown that, without assumptions about the production mechanism of the two-pion system, no significant upper limit on the $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ branching ratio can be set with present-day experiments. In general, a lower limit may be set if a significant effect is seen. This method is applied to data containing more than $8000\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ events. The lower-momentum half of the sample, which shows a significant $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ signal, was published previously but is here reanalyzed to set a lower limit on the $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ branching ratio. The new data at higher momenta show no significant $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ signal. The results from the various momenta are shown to be consistent.
Serum Bilirubin Species: Analysis and Clinical Utility

Bilirubin has been classically fractionated into two chemically reactive forms—direct reacting and indirect reacting—by the diazo reaction. Although this has been useful in differentiating prehepatic from hepatic jaundice, the amounts of direct-reacting and total bilirubin measured are dependent on methodology. Recently, several chromatographic techniques have been introduced that can separate the mono- and diglucuronide conjugates of bilirubin, the unconjugated bilirubin, and an albumin-bound form of bilirubin. The clinical utility of these “new” fractions of bilirubin has yet to be fully established.
Tissue Fabrication: Reconstitution and Remodeling in Vitro

Two approaches to the reconstitution of tissues and organs are reviewed. The first consists of imitating the architecture of actual tissues and organs by combining cultured specialized cells with extracellular matrix components to produce a connective tissue substrate on or in which epithelial, mesothelial or endothelial cells can be plated or seeded and subsequently differentiate into mono or multilayered tissues and other structures. The second consists of providing an acellular framework of extracellular matrix constituents that can be occupied by adjacent host tissues after implantation in vivo and be remodeled by them to resemble the host tissues it is designed to replace. A paradigm for events in vivo, designed to study the process of remodeling of acellular matrices in vitro has been developed. The living skin equivalent (LSE), an example of a product fabricated using the first approach to tissue engineering, has been adapted to study events of extracellular matrix remodeling, relevent to the second approach to tissue engineering. After creating a disc shaped wound bed in an LSE, the wound is filled with a collagen matrix with or without added supplements and the process of epidermal wound closure and associated events in the dermis are followed. It is shown that fibroblast conditioned medium or a simple molecule such as ascorbic acid, added with no additional growth factors to the collagen matrix used to fill the wound bed, strongly stimulates the process of repair. Dermal fibroblasts from the adjacent tissue invade the collagen lattice that forms in the wound bed, and keratinocytes recruited from the wound edge overgrow the new dermal tissue. The applicability of the paradigm to the repair of vascular and other tissues will be discussed and approaches to optimizing the composition of acellular constructs considered.
Single-stage management of sternal wound infections.

Deep median sternotomy wound infection is a significant source of morbidity after cardiac operations. Accepted approaches in treating this complication include debridement with either sternal closure over an irrigation system or open dressings and closure by secondary intention. Muscle flaps are often used in subsequent procedures for wound closure. A single-stage procedure was developed to eliminate irrigation, open wound management, or reoperation for muscle flap closure. This approach consists of debridement and immediate closure with a pectoral musculocutaneous flap. The following report describes 31 patients treated by such a method. Compared with results of previous techniques in treating sternal wound infections, hospital study is decreased, fewer reoperations are needed, and patient management is simplified.
Milan Randic, Marjana Novic, and Dejan Plavsic: Solved and Unsolved Problems of Structural Chemistry

problems may not appear gripping, some even ignorable or esoteric, but it is not hard work to follow the general thread of an argument. In that regard, it provides some traction for the ideas that keep theoreticians awake at night while rarely disturbing the sleep of experimental chemists. Since the topic of this book is a relatively new field (at least in terms of applications), the current book is comprehensive concerning the ideas in play in that field. The authors hope to excite the general scientific community into engaging and applying chemical graph theory in a broader sense to chemical theory. They feel that in the past, they have lacked the support of traditional theoretical chemists and devote a significant space to reputing these opinions. Unless soap operas are of particular interest, those further removed from the discipline, and would suggest that the waring fractions get over it and move on. To me, this was the least worthwhile aspect of the book, but obviously a sensitive issue for the authors. Unless you are particularly interested in theoretical chemistry, it is difficult to see how this book (or probably any other) will attract you into the fold. Fortunately, science is made up of many specialties and allows scientists with different interests to participate in its evolution. The authors may succeed in persuading some of a like mind that discrete mathematics and graph theory represent a new insight into chemical structural problems, but outside this group, converts are likely to be hard to find. For those with a strong interest in the topic of the book, there are some positive attributes to justify purchase. The book is foremost readable, copiously and suitably illustrated, and set out in a logical manner. I found the index to be well prepared, and for most of my needs had no difficulty navigating through the material using the table of contents. Seminal work is adequately cited. The 23 appendices help to keep the general text from getting too dense This book explores the development of discrete mathematics, quantum physics, and chemical graph theory to problems related to quantitative structure–property relationships and graphical bioinformatics. Structural chemistry in this case is the representation of chemical structures by a mathematical description validated by the ability to quantitatively describe some chemical property or feature. It is a book mainly about theory but written in an interesting way. It covers the history and context in which graph theory (largely) was developed, and the challenge in gaining acceptance from theoretical physical chemists. There are remarkably a few equations for a book of this type, and the authors attempt to make their case through the media of text and figures. Since most general readers will find the problems alluded to in the title focused on the abstract side of chemistry, the text is remarkably readable in a story book style. Unless you are a true physical chemist, these
Ophthalmic Complications Related to Chemotherapy in Medically Complex Patients.

BackgroundSystemic cancer therapies cause a variety of ophthalmic complications. Mitigating harmful adverse events involves screening patients at risk for ocular injury and vision loss.MethodsA rev...
Electron propagators based on generalised density operators

ABSTRACTElectron binding energies and Dyson orbitals may be obtained from the poles and residues of the electron propagator. The Dyson quasiparticle equation provides a convenient route to computing this information. Systematic approximations to the latter equation's self-energy, wherein electron correlation and final-state orbital relaxation are described, may be expressed in terms of the elements of the superoperator Hamiltonian matrix. Perturbative methods of electron propagator theory in wide use are based on a reference determinant constructed with canonical, Hartree–Fock orbitals. Generalised matrix elements of the superoperator Hamiltonian that accommodate non-integer occupation numbers associated with general, orthogonal spin orbitals are presented for the first time. Non-Hermitian terms may be systematically eliminated with perturbative corrections to generalised reference density operators. The structure of self-energy approximations that are complete through second, third, fourth or fifth order...
Usability Evaluation of a Pediatric Virtual Patient Creation Tool

Virtual patients are computer simulations that behave in the same way that an actual patient would in a medical context. Since these characters are simulated, they can provide realistic yet repetitive practice in patient interaction since they can represent a wide range of patients and each scenario can be practiced until the student achieves competency. However, the development costs for virtual patients are high, since creation of a single scenario may take up to nine months. In this work, we present a virtual patient platform that reduces development costs. The SIDNIE (Scaffolded Interviews Developed by Nurses in Education) system can adapt a single scenario to multiple levels of learners and supports the selection of multiple learning goals. Previously, we worked with nurse educators in a participatory design process to create a scenario builder tool for SIDNIE [paper in submission]. In this work we detail a usability evaluation of the scenario creation tool. We found that nurse educators were able to use our tool to create a virtual patient scenario in less than two hours.
Introductory Learning of Inclusive Sexual History Taking: An E-Lecture, Standardized Patient Case, and Facilitated Debrief.

Abstract Introduction This student-driven curriculum intervention, implemented with first-year medical students, was guided by the Association of American Medical Colleges’ standards for medical ed...
Selection and stabilization of endocytic sites by Ede1, a yeast functional homologue of human Eps15

During clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), endocytic-site maturation can be divided into two stages corresponding to the arrival of the early and late proteins at the plasma membrane. The early proteins are required to capture cargo and position the late machinery, which includes proteins involved in actin assembly and membrane scission. However, the mechanism by which early-arriving proteins select and stabilize endocytic sites is not known. Ede1, one of the earliest proteins recruited to endocytic sites, facilitates site initiation and stabilization. Deletion of EDE1 results in fewer CME initiations and defects in the timing of vesicle maturation. Here we made truncation mutants of Ede1 to better understand how different domains contribute to its recruitment to CME sites, site selection, and site maturation. We found that the minimal domains required for efficient Ede1 localization at CME sites are the third EH domain, the proline-rich region, and the coiled-coil region. We also found that many strains expressing ede1 truncations could support a normal rate of site initiation but still had defects in site-maturation timing, indicating separation of Ede1 functions. When expressed in yeast, human Eps15 localized to the plasma membrane, where it recruited late-phase CME proteins and supported productive endocytosis, identifying it as an Ede1 functional homologue.
Optimization of the Angular Orientation for a Fast Ion Loss Detector in a Tokamak

A scintillator-type fast ion loss detector (FILD) measures the gyroradius and pitch angle distribution of superthermal ions escaping from a magnetically confined fusion plasma at a single location. Described here is a technique for optimizing the angular orientation of such a detector in an axisymmetric tokamak geometry in order to intercept losses over useful and interesting ranges of pitch angle. The method consists of evaluating the detector acceptance as a function of the fast ion constants of motion, i.e., energy, canonical toroidal momentum, and magnetic moment. The detector acceptance can then be plotted in a plane of constant energy and compared with the relevant orbit class boundaries and fast ion source distributions. Knowledge of expected or interesting mechanisms of loss can further guide selection of the detector orientation. The example of a FILD for the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) is considered.