cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propionibacterium acnes osteomyelitis occurring 23 years after craniotomy: case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Propionibacterium acnes is an uncommon pathogen in delayed surgical site infection, and its indolent course can complicate diagnosis and treatment. We report the longest delay between neurosurgery and P acnes infection reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Asymptomatic postoperative P acnes osteomyelitis and tumor recurrence occurring 23 years after initial craniotomy. Initial presentation was of tumor recurrence only, without signs or symptoms of infection. Calvarial osteomyelitis was unexpectedly discovered intraoperatively. Craniectomy and debridement were performed, and there was prolonged antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION The longest delay between neurosurgery and asymptomatic P acnes infection is reported. We review the literature for P acnes infection and discuss biofilm formation and its role in delayed surgical infection.
Pathophysiology of chronic urticaria.

Objective To review the literature on the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (excluding physical urticaria). Data Sources PubMed was searched using the keywords urticaria and either chronic or autoimmune or pathogenesis for articles published from January 1972 to June 2007. All searches were limited to the English language. References from review articles on chronic urticaria were also considered for inclusion in this review. Study Selection The authors selected relevant and current sources for inclusion in this review. Results No concise pathogenic mechanism has been identified for all cases of chronic urticaria, although evidence for a serologic mediator that may be autoimmune in nature has been identified in many cases. The activation of basophils and/or mast cells is a central feature in any theory proposed to explain this troubling disease. Conclusion Further research is needed to better define the mechanism or mechanism(s) responsible for the development of chronic urticaria. Such research will lead to more effective and possibly even curative treatments.
Fermi surface and conventional positron annihilation experiments: Copper as a test case ☆

Abstract Precision measurements of the angular distribution of annihilation radiation from Cu single crystals using conventional long-slit geometry and external sources are reported and compared quantitatively with the cross-sectional areas of the Cu Fermi surface.
ClO and O3 stratospheric profiles - Balloon microwave measurements

Stratospheric ClO and O3 vertical profiles were measured at 32-deg N in May 1985 and October 1986. The ClO profiles and diurnal variation are in general agreement with theory, but have somewhat less midday ClO near 34 km. Measured 35-45 km O3 is larger than theoretical, and no stratospheric O3 diurnal variation was observed, as expected. HNO3 was detected, and an H2O2 upper limit was obtained.
Chance and necessity in cellular response to challenge

Mol Syst Biol. 3: 107 Living cells are enormously elaborate and exquisitely fine‐tuned molecular machines, and the way they respond to changes in the environment is precisely determined by the iron logic of adaptation. Or so we would like to believe should we stick to the traditional adaptationist paradigm of neo‐Darwinism (Dobzhansky 1951; Mayr 1963). Of course, the foundations of neo‐Darwinism have been shaken a long time ago by the demonstration that many, if not most, of the mutations that are fixed in populations are neutral (Kimura 1983; Nei 2005), although these neutral changes provide the raw material for subsequent selection (Wagner 2005). However, what about the actual physiology, specifically, the cellular response to environmental challenge; is it primarily adaptive or is there a substantial neutral component even at this level of biology? In a study currently published in Molecular Systems Biology , Stern et al (2007) offer some of the most compelling evidence so far that the transcriptional response of yeast to a severe challenge is dominated by stochastic noise. In the last few years, an increasing number of studies examined the global transcriptional response of diverse cells to various kinds of perturbations. Although the often considerable and uncertain amount of technical noise in the microarray data muddies the …
Kampf der Geschlechter: Entfremdung und Lustmord in der expressionistischen Dichtung von El Hor/El Ha

“Sie gingen einen weiten Weg zusammen und sprachen kein Wort. Als sie an einem Platz ankamen, der dem Mann geeignet war, bis er ihr die Kehle durch.” Mit diesen Worten endet die 1913 im Sammelband Die Schaukel erschienene Prosaskizze “Das Abenteuer” (El Hor/El Ha 25–26). Die unter den Pseudonymen El Hor und El Ha schreibende Autorin schildert darin ein grotesk-surreal anmutendes Aufeinandertreffen eines Mannes und einer Frau in einem Theater und bietet dadurch fesselnde Einblicke in die expressionistische Dichtung aus weiblicher Perspektive. Dieser Artikel untersucht die ungewohnlichen und bislang unbeachteten Beitrage einer Dichterin zu Themen des Expressionismus, insbesondere die (sexuellen) Spannungen zwischen Mann und Frau, Verwirrung der Gefuhle, gegenseitige Anziehung, aber auch die Darstellung von Abstosung, Ekel und Gewalt. So urteilt auch Ottmar Huber: “Der Zwiespalt von Ich und Welt, der die Mythenbildung des Expressionismus ursachlich bestimmt, pragt sich im Verhalten der Geschlechter zueinander mit besonderer Eindringlichkeit aus” (177). Entsprechende Analysen der Darstellungen von Kommunikationsstorungen, Entfremdungen, perversen und zerstorerischen Leidenschaften und Sexualitat in Texten wie Oskar Kokoschkas Morder, Hoffnung der Frauen (1910), Gottfried Benns Morque und andere Gedichte (1912), Franz Jungs Kameraden! (1913), Georg Kaisers Stationenstuck Von morgens bis mitternachts (1916) oder Fritz von Unruhs Ein Geschlecht finden sich in nahezu allen Forschungswerken zum Expressionismus. Die konfliktgeladenen Auseinandersetzungen der Geschlechter als Teilaspekte einer sinnlosen Existenz und einer grundsatzlichen “Menschheitsdammerung,” im Sinne von Kurt Pinthus’ gleichnamiger Anthologie (1920), werden hierbei zumeist abstrahierend dargestellt, indem sich Manner und Frauen, wie etwa in Morder, Hoffnung der Frauen und Ein Geschlecht, als stereotype Figuren nahezu unversohnlich gegenuberstehen. Weiblichkeit wird dabei zumeist mit Passivitat oder mit matriarchalen Urmythen verbunden, wahrend Vitalitat, Geist und Aktivitat uberwiegend mit Mannlichkeit gleichgesetzt werden. Grundlegende Vorstellungen einer “notorische[n] ‘Sprachkrise’” (Anz 70) sind vor allem auf eine korrelative Sprachinkompetenz von Mannern und Frauen projeziert, was zu Verwirrungen und Frustrationen fuhrt, die die (gewalttatigen) Differenzen haufig weiter anfachen.
Immunology of the Maternal-Fetal Interface

The immune cells that reside at the interface between the placenta and uterus are thought to play many important roles in pregnancy. Recent work has revealed that the composition and function of these cells are locally controlled by the specialized uterine stroma (the decidua) that surrounds the implanted conceptus. Here, I discuss how key immune cell types (natural killer cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells) are either enriched or excluded from the decidua, how their function is regulated within the decidua, and how they variously contribute to pregnancy success or failure. The discussion emphasizes the relationship between human and mouse studies. Deeper understanding of the immunology of the maternal-fetal interface promises to yield significant insight into the pathogenesis of many human pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and congenital infection.
Replicative helicases can translocate through abasic site-induced covalent topoisomerase IV-DNA complexes.

Some topoisomerase inhibitors trap covalent topoisomerase–DNA complexes as topoisomerase–drug–DNA ternary complexes. Ternary complex formation results in inhibition of DNA replication and generation of permanent double-strand breaks. Recent demonstrations of the stimulation of covalent topoisomerase–DNA complex formation by DNA lesions suggest that DNA damage may act as an endogenous topoisomerase poison. We have investigated the effects of abasic (AP) sites on topoisomerase IV (Topo IV). AP sites can stimulate the formation of covalent Topo IV–DNA complexes when they are located either within the 4 base overhang generated by DNA scission or immediately 5′ to the point of scission (the –1 position). Thus, the AP site acts as a position-specific, endogenous topoisomerase poison. Both EDTA and salt can reverse covalent Topo IV–DNA complexes induced by AP sites located within the 4 base overhang. Interestingly, an AP site at the –1 position inhibits EDTA-mediated reversal of formation of the covalent Topo IV–DNA complex. Furthermore, we find that, unlike quinolone-induced covalent Topo IV–DNA complexes, AP site-induced covalent Topo IV–DNA complexes do not inhibit the helicase activities of the DnaB and T7 Gene 4 proteins. These results suggest that the AP site-induced poisoning of Topo IV does not arrest replication fork progression.
Electrocardiographic and Cardiovascular Effects of the 5-Hydroxytryptamine3 Receptor Antagonists

OBJECTIVE:To review the electrocardiographic (ECG) and cardiovascular effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists preclinically, in healthy volunteers, and in patients undergoing chemotherapy or surgery.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search was performed of clinical trials and preclinical data published between 1963 and December 2002 assessing the ECG and cardiovascular effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, supplemented with reviews and secondary sources.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All of the articles identified were evaluated and all information deemed relevant was included in this review.DATA SYNTHESIS:There are no clinically relevant differences in efficacy and safety among the available 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. As a class, they have well-defined electrophysiologic activity. Changes in ECG parameters (PR, QRS, QT, QTc, JT intervals) are small, reversible, clinically insignificant, and indepen...
Surveillance of systemic trafficking of macrophages induced by UHMWPE particles in nude mice by noninvasive imaging.

Macrophages constitute a major part of the cell response to wear particles produced at articulating and non-articulating interfaces of joint replacements. This foreign body reaction can result in periprosthetic osteolysis and implant loosening. We demonstrate that ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles induce systemic trafficking of macrophages by non-invasive in vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. The distal femora of nude mice were injected with 60 mg/ml UHMWPE suspension, or saline alone. Reporter RAW264.7 macrophages which stably expressed the bioluminescent reporter gene and the fluorescence reporter gene were injected intravenously. Bioluminescence imaging was performed using an in vivo imaging system immediately after macrophage injection, and at 2-day intervals. Compared to the non-operated contralateral femora, at day 4, 6, and 8, the bioluminescent signal of femora containing UHMWPE suspension increased 1.30 ± 0.09, 2.36 ± 0.92, and 10.32 ± 7.61 fold, respectively. The values at same time points for saline injected control group were 1.08 ± 0.07, 1.14 ± 0.27, and 1.14 ± 0.35 fold, respectively. The relative bioluminescence of the UHMWPE group was higher at all post-injection days and significantly greater than the saline group at day 8 (p < 0.05). Histological analysis confirmed the presence of reporter macrophages within the medullary canal of mice with implanted UHMWPE particles. The presence of UHMWPE particles induced enhanced bone remodeling activity. Clinically relevant UHMWPE particles stimulated the systemic recruitment of macrophages during an early time course using the murine femoral implant model. Interference with systemic macrophage trafficking may potentially mitigate UHMWPE particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis.
Effects of Electrofishing Gear Type on Spatial and Temporal Variability in Fish Community Sampling

Abstract Fish community data collected from 24 major river basins between 1993 and 1998 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program were analyzed to assess multiple-reach (three consecutive reaches) and multiple-year (three consecutive years) variability in samples collected at a site. Variability was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV; SD/mean) of species richness, the Jaccard index (JI), and the percent similarity index (PSI). Data were categorized by three electrofishing sample collection methods: backpack, towed barge, and boat. Overall, multiple-reach CV values were significantly lower than those for multiple years, whereas multiple-reach JI and PSI values were significantly greater than those for multiple years. Multiple-reach and multiple-year CV values did not vary significantly among electrofishing methods, although JI and PSI values were significantly greatest for backpack electrofishing across multiple reaches and multiple years. The absolute d...
A Comparison of Some Multivariate Discrimination Procedures

Abstract A sequence of observations is obtained; each observation is known to be a value on one of two distinct absolutely continuous p-dimensional random variables, X and Y. The problem is to decide whether each observation is on X or Y. Some discrimination procedures are suggested and, using Monte Carlo methods, they are compared with other discrimination procedures to be found in the literature. The overall best performer in the comparisons of this study is one of the suggested procedures, a “nearest neighbor” type procedure based on statistically equivalent blocks.
Volume Relaxation Far from Equilibrium

Narayanaswamy's model of structural relaxation is applied to the data of Hara and Suetoshi on volume relaxation in plate glass. Both the Adam-Gibbs and Arrhenius equations are used to represent the relaxation time. Equally good fits are obtained with both equations, but only the Adam-Gibbs model gives Physically meaningful fitting parameters. The exponent b describing the shape of the relaxation time spectrum decreases at small values of reduced time, as it does for stress relaxation Discrepancies between calculated and measured densities at 350°C are not resolved by allowing for a nonlinear driving force or thermorheological complexity.
Production of myeloid dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with tumor-specific idiotype protein for vaccination of patients with multiple myeloma

Background Immunotherapy of cancer with DC vaccines has produced encouraging results in clinical trials. Antigen (Ag)-pulsed DC have elicited CD4 and CD8 T-cell immunity and tumor regression in humans. However, there is no standard method of DC production. The DC phenotype, number and Ag-loading process used in these studies have varied, making comparisons between trials difficult. Methods In the present report a reproducible method was developed for the production of a DC-based vaccine. Monocytes were enriched by adhesion from healthy donor apheresis products and cultured with growth factors for maturation into DC. The cells were loaded with the tumor Ag idiotype proteins from patients with multiple myeloma. DC culture and Ag loading were performed in an automated and closed system. The DC product was characterized for phenotype by flow cytometry and for function in Ag uptake and Ag presentation. Results These monocyte-derived DC expressed high levels of costimulatory molecules (CD80/86). Ag-pulsed DC functioned to induce allogeneic proliferative lymphocyte responses and Ag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. The DC viability, phenotype and function were well preserved following prolonged frozen storage. Aliquots from the product of a single DC preparation could be used for sequential vaccinations without batch to batch variability.
Nowcasting with numerous candidate predictors

The goal of nowcasting, or "predicting the present," is to estimate up-to-date values for a time series whose actual observations are available only with a delay. Methods for this task leverage observations of correlated time series to estimate values of the target series. This paper introduces a nowcasting technique called FDR (false discovery reduction) that combines tractable variable selection with a time series model trained using a Kalman filter. The FDR method guarantees that all variables selected have statistically significant predictive power. We apply the method to sales figures provided by the United States census bureau, and to a consumer sentiment index. As side data, the experiments use time series from Google Trends of the volumes of search queries. In total, there are 39,059 potential correlated time series. We compare results from the FDR method to those from several baseline methods. The new method outperforms the baselines and achieves comparable performance to a state-of-the-art nowcasting technique on the consumer sentiment time series, while allowing variable selection from over 250 times as many side data series.
Combined forced and free convection flow past a horizontal flat plate

The problem of simultaneous forced and free convection flow of a Newtonian fluid past a hot or cold horizontal flat plate is investigated by means of numerical solutions of the full equations of motion and thermal energy subject only to the Boussinesq approximation. These solutions span the parameter ranges 10 ≤ Re ≤ 100, 0.1 ≤ Pr ≤ 10, and –2.215 ≤ Gr/Re5/2 ≤ 2.215 where Re, Pr, and Gr are based on the ambient free stream fluid properties and the overall plate length l. When Gr > 0, the boundary flow near the plate surface is accelerated relative to the corresponding forced convection flow, with a resulting increase in both the local skin friction and heat transfer coefficients. When Gr < 0, the boundary flow is decelerated, the local skin friction and heat transfer are decreased, and the flow actually separates for Gr/Re5/2 < –0.8 when Pr = 0.7. In the latter circumstance, an increasing degree of upstream influence is observed as Gr/Re5/2 is further decreased.
Expression of the gene cluster associated with the Escherichia coli pilus adhesin K99

The biogenesis of the pilus adhesin K99 is dependent on the expression of eight contiguous genes, fanA to fanH. Transposon mutants were prepared by using TnlacZ and TnphoA, and selected transposon mutants were used to measure expression of each K99 gene. Expression of the K99 genes is likely controlled at the transcription level, since in general, there were no differences between the results obtained with the two transposons. fanC was the most highly expressed, and fanD was expressed at very low levels. The expression of TnlacZ fusions in fanA and fanB fusions was high. Deletion of fanA, fanB, and part of fanC abolished the expression of fanD but had no effect on the distal genes fanE to fanH. To locate the DNA regions required for expression of fanE to fanH, deletion mutations were prepared and the effects on expression of fanE to fanH were determined. The deletion of a segment between fanD and fanE abolished fanE and fanF expression but did not affect fanG and fanH. The deletion of a portion of fanF (approximately 1 kb proximal to fanG) abolished the expression of fanG and fanH. These results indicate the presence of regulatory elements proximal to fanE and to fanG. Putative promoters were identified in these regions by DNA homology and by primer extension. A stem-loop structure that may act as a transcriptional attenuator of fanF was also found at the beginning of fanF. These data confirm our previous model of K99 transcriptional organization.
Epitaxial growth of anisotropically shaped, single-crystal particles of cubic SrTiO3

A novel method for synthesizing anisotropically shaped particles of materials having cubic symmetry is reported. Anisotropically shaped single-crystal particles of cubic SrTiO3 were obtained by epitaxial growth on tabular tetragonal Sr3Ti2O7. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the shape and the size of the single-crystal particles was regulated by selecting a precursor material that can act as a reaction site in molten KCl and has an epitaxial relation with SrTiO3. The [001] and [110] directions of tabular SrTiO3 are parallel to the [001] and [110] directions of the Sr3Ti2O7 host particle, respectively. Tabular SrTiO3 particles with rectangular faces having an edge length of 10–20 μm and a thickness of ˜2 μm were obtained by reacting TiO2 and tabular Sr3Ti2O7 particles of the same edge length in molten KCl.
The impact of guaranteed tuition policies on postsecondary tuition levels: A difference-in-difference approach

Abstract This study considers the impact of state-level guaranteed tuition programs on postsecondary tuition levels. The analytic framework argues that state-level laws requiring flat tuition rates for four years contain inflationary risk, which encourages institutions to set tuition higher than they otherwise would with annual adjustments. To empirically test this idea, this study uses a national panel dataset and a quasi-experimental difference-in-difference methodological approach, with Illinois’ Truth-in-Tuition law serving as the treatment condition. On average, institutions subject to this law increased annual tuition by approximately 26–30% and aggregate four-year tuition by approximately 6–7% in excess of the amount predicted by the trend for institutions not subject to the law. These findings are robust to multiple alternative specifications and support the idea that state-level guaranteed tuition programs encourage large institutional tuition increases. Implications of these findings for state policymakers, higher education institutional leaders, and college-age students and their families are also discussed.
Event completion: Event based inferences distort memory in a matter of seconds

We present novel evidence that implicit causal inferences distort memory for events only seconds after viewing. Adults watched videos of someone launching (or throwing) an object. However, the videos omitted the moment of contact (or release). Subjects falsely reported seeing the moment of contact when it was implied by subsequent footage but did not do so when the contact was not implied. Causal implications were disrupted either by replacing the resulting flight of the ball with irrelevant video or by scrambling event segments. Subjects in the different causal implication conditions did not differ on false alarms for other moments of the event, nor did they differ in general recognition accuracy. These results suggest that as people perceive events, they generate rapid conceptual interpretations that can have a powerful effect on how events are remembered.
Organic Phosphorus Compounds. 55. The direct synthesis of hydroxymethylphosphonic acid, bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphinic acid, and methyl(hydroxymethyl)phosphinic acid

The interaction of white phosphorus and formaldehyde in water/methanol in the presence of a base is described. A mechanism accounting for the formation of HOCH2PO3H2, (HOCH2)2PO2H and CH3(HOCH2)PO2H is proposed. Chlorination of these products to give ClCH2P(O)Cl2, (ClCH2)2P(O)Cl, and CH3(ClCH2)P(O)Cl is also reported.
A Blueprint for the Oceans: Implications of Two National Commission Reports for Conservation Practitioners

In the first comprehensive reviews since 1969, two high-level reports on the status of U.S. marine ecosystems and resources have been released: that of the nongovernmental Pew Oceans Commission in 2003 and that of the congressionally mandated U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy in 2004. Although the two com- missions differed in the breadth and depth of their mandates, their findings on the state of our oceans and need for new management approaches are similar, and their major recommendations for science, governance, management and conservation, and education echo and reinforce each other. The history behind the two commissions and the structure and objectives of each remind us of the crucial roles conservation practition- ers and scientists must play in the implementation of report recommendations. The reports suggest priorities for conservation practitioners to improve science, management, conservation, governance, and education to better manage and protect ocean resources and ecosystems. To redirect activities affecting the state of global marine resources, integrated research; education and outreach by terrestrial, aquatic, and marine conserva- tion practitioners; and a clear definition of their roles in the implementation of recommendations is essential. Marine ecosystems provide a test case of society's ability to manage complexity in human and natural systems in an integrated manner, with extensive opportunities for participation by conservation practitioners from all disciplines.
Assessing Insulin Delivery Device Satisfaction in Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract Over the past several decades, insulin treatment has changed drastically, not only with the development of further insulin analogs but also with the introduction of novel insulin delivery devices such as pumps and pens. In addition, adjunct devices such as continuous glucose monitors and sensor-augmented pumps have become increasingly used in clinical care, increasing the volume of information available to patients and providers. However, with the development of new devices it has become clear that along with the many benefits of these advances, the use of these devices can also present a burden to people with diabetes. For example, some patients report being overwhelmed by too much data when using continuous glucose monitors. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the accuracy of some of these new devices, particularly for glucose monitoring. As a result, some patients may choose not to use available devices, despite the recognized benefits. Therefore, it is critical to understand how the var...
Alcohol Abuse: Critical Pathophysiological Processes and Contribution to Disease Burden

Alcohol abuse; the most common and costly form of drug abuse, is a major contributing factor to many disease categories. The alcohol-attributable disease burden is closely related to the average volume of alcohol consumption, with dose-dependent relationships between amount and duration of alcohol consumption and the incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pneumonia. The frequent occurrence of alcohol use disorders in the adult population and the significant and widespread detrimental organ system effects highlight the importance of recognizing and further investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced tissue and organ injury.
A new canonical form for fast boolean matching in logic synthesis and verification

An efficient and compact canonical form is proposed for the Boolean matching problem under permutation and complementation of variables. In addition, an efficient algorithm for computing the proposed canonical form is provided. The efficiency of the algorithm allows it to be applicable to large complex Boolean functions with no limitation on the number of input variables as apposed to previous approaches, which are not capable of handling functions with more than seven inputs. Generalized signatures are used to define and compute the canonical form while symmetry of variables is used to minimize the computational complexity of the algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed canonical form.
Unintentional Dural Puncture in a Patient with Severe Preeclampsia

A case of an unintentional dural puncture during epidural placement in a woman with severe preeclampsia is presented. Following the dural puncture an intrathecal catheter was placed and was used for surgical anesthesia during cesarean section. The patient did not develop a postdural puncture headache, but her hospital course was complicated by persistent CSF leakage from the catheter site requiring a subcutaneous suture by neurosurgery to stop the leakage. The diagnostic criteria for mild and severe preeclampsia are defined. Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with preeclampsia as well as the need for intravascular volume loading prior to inducing neuraxial anesthesia is discussed. Lastly the anesthetic management following an unintentional dural puncture and long-term implications are described.
Large ranches as conservation tools in the Venezuelan llanos

Traditionally, wildlife conservation efforts have concentrated on the establishment of national parks and reserves. Additional strategies are needed if we are to conserve more than a small proportion of the world's natural habitats and their wildlife. One such strategy is the application of wildlife conservation regulations by private land owners on their properties. This paper uses examples of ranches in the seasonally flooded llanos of Venezuela to evaluate if effective wildlife conservation can coexist with sustainable wildlife use and cattle production. Income estimates derived from cattle production data varied among ranches from $US7.1 to $US26.4 per ha, while estimates of potential additional income through regulated capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris and caiman Caiman crocodilus exploitation ranged up to $US7.7 per ha. The economic benefits of capybara and caiman harvests can be realized only by protecting wildlife habitat. Thus, it is suggested that large ranches in the llanos can play a major role in wildlife conservation as well as provide economic gains for those involved. Common denominators for success are: personal involvement of owners, effective patrolling systems, co-operation of neighbouring ranchers in patrolling activities, and ranches being located far from densely populated areas. For the programmes to succeed in the long term, government and conservation agencies will need to give more support to landowners .
Ionic Transport in Water and Mixed Aqueous Solvents

The mechanism of ionic transport was one of the earliest problems to interest the physical chemist. This early interest resulted not only from the intrinsic importance of the problem but also from a number of important developments before the turn of the last century. The Arrhenius theory(26) established the dissociated nature of electrolytic solutions and precise methods for the measurement of both conductances(456) and transference numbers(378) were developed quite early. The introduction of transference data was the most significant contribution since they permitted an unambiguous split into ionic conductances to be made and thereby allowed comparisons between anions and cations and between all ions at different temperatures and pressures. Until very recently ionic mobilities were the only ionic property that could be obtained independent of any arbitrary split.†
The Iconic Child Molester: What We Believe and Why We Believe It

Survey research shows that Americans have a deep fear of child molestation. They are more concerned about child molest then terrorism, and they believe that child molesters can never be rehabilitated. Yet research contradicts these beliefs. This paper seeks to understand why perception of child molesters is so far off from reality. The hypothesis is that availability of stories in the media in conjunction with people's deep seated outrage about child molestation distorts people's perceptions. This hypothesis is tested by comparing the number of stories published from 2000-2005 with the incidence of different crimes. An analysis is also done of bias in reporting of sex crimes and sex offenders.
A modified Verhoeff's elastin histochemical stain to enable pulmonary arterial hypertension model characterization.

Optimal histochemical staining is critical to ensure excellent quality stained sections to enable light microscopic and histomorphometric image analysis. Verhoeff-van Gieson is the most widely used histochemical stain for the visualization of vascular elastic fibers. However, it is notoriously difficult to differentiate fine elastic fibers of small vasculature to enable histomorphometric image analysis, especially in organs such as the lung. A tissue fixation procedure of 10% neutral buffered formalin with subsequent fixation in 70% ethanol further compounds the problem of small vessel staining and identification. Therefore, a modified Verhoeff’s elastin stain was developed as a reliable method to optimally highlight the internal and external elastic laminae of small arteries (50-100 µm external diameter) and intra-acinar vessels (10-50 µm external diameter) in 3 µm thick lung tissue sections from models of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This modified Verhoeff’s elastin stain demonstrated well-defined staining of fine elastic fibers of pulmonary blood vessels enabling subsequent histomorphometric image analysis of vessel wall thickness in small arteries and intra-acinar vessels. In conclusion, modification of the standard Verhoeff-van Gieson histochemical stain is needed to visualize small caliber vessels’ elastic fibers especially in tissues fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin followed by additional fixation in 70% ethanol.
Complexity Induced Lifshitz Ordering with Multifractal Antiscreening/Screening (CILOMAS)

Abstract We demonstrate that renormalization-group effects of scale-running propagator-coupling constants due to classical fluctuations can induce antiscreening/screening and multifractal symmetry breakings among various helical and other ordered states of generalized Lifshitz character leading to novel phase-transition associated complexities in condensed matter physics and gravitational evolution. Such phenomenon can exhibit the sporadic and localized appearance of virtual particles and in the context of cosmological evolution, the coarse-grained scale-running of the gravitational constant G due to classical fluctuations may provide a partial explanation to the dark matter mystery.
Effect of ECS on Passive Avoidance Learning with High and Low Intensity Foot Shock: Supplementary Report

A previous study showed that electroconvulsive shock (ECS) does not interact with foot shock intensity; however, ECS-produced retrograde amnesia was not evident on the first test trial following training. The present study decreased the learning trial-ECS interval to 2 sec. and retrograde amnesia was observed but ECS, again, did not interact with foot shock intensity (0.5 and 3.0 ma.).
Effect of Ca2+ Binding by EGTA on Renin Release in the Isolated Perfused Rabbit Kidney

SummaryIn the isolated, perfused rabbit kidney, binding of ionized calcium by EGTA did not affect the increased renin release secondary to two well-known stimuli, theophylline and isoproterenol. These results indicate that Ca2+ is not a major factor in the intrarenal regulation of renin secretion.
Studies in char gasification—III: The combustion zone

Abstract The fluidized bed steam-oxygen-char gasifier is modelled by treating the bed as one in which the solids are well mixed and the gases are in plug flow. This model permits a detailed analysis of the combustion zone. The entire reactor is assumed to be at a uniform temperature. From the results of the model calculations, it was concluded that the assumption of negligible combustion zone thickness made in the earlier two papers is acceptable This model predicts higher total carbon conversion and methane mole fraction in the product gas than the lumped model analysed in an earlier paper.
Mortality salience influences attitudes and information-seeking behavior related to organ donation

AbstractOrgan donation rates in the United States are not nearly high enough to cover the needs of people on the transplant waiting lists. Thus, it is important to understand the barriers for potential organ donors, and find contexts when persuasive efforts can be most successful. Using terror management theory as a framework, the present study employed an experimental design in which participants read narratives in which a character died or experienced pain as a manipulation of mortality salience. Mortality salience predicted death thought accessibility, and that was associated with more positive attitudes toward organ donation and more information-seeking behavior regarding organ donation. Results also suggest that organ donation may be one avenue to deal with death-related anxiety, as a form of worldview defense. Our findings have implications for health campaigns and indicate that narrative-based messages that remind people of their mortality may be effective in persuading people to become organ donors.
Topical Fumagillin in The Treatment of Microsporidial Keratoconjunctivitis in Aids

OBJECTIVE To report microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a patient infected with HIV who was treated with topical fumagillin. CASE SUMMARY A 37-year-old white man who was experiencing redness, pain, irritation, decreased vision, and a foreign body sensation occurring in both eyes was referred to the ophthalmology clinic. The patient had a medical history significant for AIDS, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and Cytomegalovirus retinitis. Conjunctival smears were taken and stained positive for the presence of Microsporidia. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis and fumagillin therapy was initiated. After 5 days of therapy, the patient reported significant improvements characterized by a decrease in blurred vision with only slight blurring in the left eye, decrease in headache, and decreased foreign body sensation. The patient continued topical fumagillin therapy for more than 14 months, with only slight blurring in the left eye and no apparent ocular toxicity as a result of fumagillin therapy. DISCUSSION Although rare in occurrence, increasing numbers of documented microsporidial infections are being reported in the medical literature, particularly in individuals who are seropositive for HIV. Clinicians need to be cognizant of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis as another opportunistic infection in this patient population. CONCLUSIONS Although a curative agent has yet to be discovered, fumagillin represents a safe, effective, low-cost, topical agent for the treatment of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis.
Autologous stem cell transplantation in dialysis-dependent myeloma patients.

8601 Background: The incidence of renal insufficiency at presentation is approximately 30% in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). 5% of these patients are dialysis dependent. Presence of renal dysfunction is associated with increased treatment related toxicity and poor survival. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our transplant database from July 2000 to June 2012 to identify myeloma patients who received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) while they were dialysis dependent. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to assess the association between survival and covariates of interest. Kaplan Meier curve was used to estimate progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 2,091 patients underwent autoHCT during this interval. 24 (1.1%) were dialysis dependent (21 on hemodialysis and 3 on peritoneal dialysis). Median age was 53 (29-70) years. 63% were male. ISS stage at diagnosis was I & II in 4%, III in 54%, and unknown in 38%. Median dur...
Evaluating surveillance imaging for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma

Up to 50% of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma will relapse, requiring additional therapy. Although surveillance imaging is commonly performed in clinical practice, its ability to identify asymptomatic relapses and improve survival for patients is not well defined. We evaluated the surveillance imaging role in relapse detection and reviewed its impact on survival for relapsed patients, and found that current imaging approaches do not detect most relapses prior to clinical signs and symptoms or improve survival.
Article 38 [Relationship of the Committee with Other Bodies]

In order to endorse the implementation of the CRPD and promote the international cooperation in the field of disability, Article 38 stimulates an interaction between the CRPD Committee and other organs, including other bodies of the UN system, specialized agencies, and other treaty bodies.
A genosonic analysis of ISIL and US counter-extremism video messages

Analyses of extremist video messages typically focus on their discursive content. Using the case of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), this study instead draws upon the emerging subfield of genosonic analysis to understand the allure of extremist videos, as well as the ineffectiveness of US video messages designed to ‘counter violent extremism’ (CVE). Through a genosonic analysis of three high-profile ISIL videos and five popular US State Department CVE videos, the study advances two concepts – sonorous communality and sonic unmaking – to help explain ISIL’s appeal. The lack of equivalent dimensions in US CVE videos renders them sonically sterile in comparison to those of ISIL. The implications of this analysis for scholarship and practice conducted at the intersection of media, war and conflict are discussed.
Assessment of lossy images with visual detection and saccadic eye movements

This study investigated a novel method of evaluating visually lossy images based on saccadic eye movements. In each trial, participants with normal vision were asked to indicate any visible changes in the image while their gaze positions were being monitored. The original image was replaced with compressed or blurred versions of the same image 150ms after the onset of each eye fixation, and the parameters of the immediately following saccades were assessed. These outcomes were compared to those with a constant rate of image switch (5 Hz flicker) and without switch (control). The resultant rate of visual detection was higher with blurred and constant flickering images than compressed images. Changes in fixation duration, saccade amplitude and peak saccade velocity suggest disrupted visuomotor processes associated with image switch. These disruptions occurred with or without conscious detection. The use of flickering images likely overestimates the probability of detecting lossy image. Analysis of eye movements might be more useful in discerning lossy images in situations where various form factors and visuomotor contexts need to be evaluated.
Neuroendocrine aspects of adaptation.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the interplay among glucocorticoids and the important neuromodulatory peptide, vasopressin, and the involvement of these neuroactive substances in the process of adaptation. Neural plasticity is characterized by adaptation of neurochemical, neuroanatomical, and behavior systems. Adaptations to environmental stimuli are alterations in the responses of individual and complex ensembles of neurons, which lead to long lasting changes in their functional capabilities. The endocrine system plays an important role in this type of adaptation by acting as a signaling network that triggers both chemical and morphological changes in select populations of neurons and glial cells. The hippocampus responds to glucocorticoids both during the diurnal cycle and in response to stress. Among other effects, results of glucocorticoid actions during the diurnal cycle modify synaptic efficacy within a hippocampal system that is involved in learning and memory and is also influenced by the neuropeptide, vasopressin. A common site of vasopressin and glucocorticoid action is the noradrenaline-stimulation of cyclic AMP formation.
Refocusing Phase Contrast Microscopy Images

Phase contrast microscopy is a very popular non-invasive technique for monitoring live cells. However, its images can be blurred if optics are imperfectly aligned and the visualization on specimen details can be affected by noisy background. We propose an effective algorithm to refocus phase contrast microscopy images from two perspectives: optics and specimens. First, given a defocused image caused by misaligned optics, we estimate the blur kernel based on the sparse prior of dark channel, and non-blindly refocus the image with the hyper-Laplacian prior of image gradients. Then, we further refocus the image contents on specimens by removing the artifacts from the background, which provides a sharp visualization on fine specimen details. The proposed algorithm is both qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated on a dataset of 500 phase contrast microscopy images, showing its superior performance for visualizing specimens and facilitating microscopy image analysis.
Informational Videos About Alcohol Use: Feasibility and Acceptability.

Background: An estimated 15.1 million adults ages 18 years and older are classified with an alcohol use disorder, which includes 9.8 million men and 5.3 million women. A brief intervention is indicated for those identified to be at risk because of alcohol use. Objective: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of informational videos about alcohol use. Design: This feasibility study provided participants with the opportunity to choose one of two videos, Alcohol and the Brain or Rethinking Drinking. An online survey was administered to all study participants to identify alcohol-related risk, readiness to decrease use, and knowledge pertaining to alcohol use. Results: The two videos provided in this study were feasibly delivered in an on-line format to 129 adults, including 115 males and 5 females identified to be at risk. Knowledge scores increased only slightly. There were mixed results for the readiness scores. Conclusions: Future research should examine the efficacy of these two alcohol brief int...
Novel Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function Undergoing Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

We sought to study the incremental prognostic impact of baseline valvuloarterial impedance (Zva) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) treated with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). We included 961 consecutive patients (68 ± 13 years; 63% men) with severe aortic stenosis (indexed aortic valve area 50% who underwent surgical AVR at our institution between January 2007 and December 2008. The analysis is based on derivation (n = 637) and validation (n = 324) subgroups. Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was calculated. Zva (systolic arterial pressure + mean aortic valve gradient)/left ventricular stroke volume index and LV-GLS (measured offline using Velocity Vector Imaging; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, California) were calculated. The primary outcome was death. Median Zva and LV-GLS were 4.5 mm Hg × ml−1 × m2 and −14.5%, respectively. AVR was performed at a median of 34 days from initial evaluation (isolated AVR in 46%, bioprosthetic AVR in 93%). At 7.5 ± 3 years, 320 patients died (33%; 30 days/in-hospital death in 0.5%). In the derivation subgroup, on multivariate Cox survival analysis, higher STS score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06), higher Zva (HR 1.13), and worse LV-GLS (HR 1.07) were independently associated with long-term survival (all p