cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cochrane reviews on acupuncture therapy for pain: A snapshot of the current evidence

Cochrane is an international non-profit organization established in 1993 to produce and disseminate high quality and unbiased systematic reviews of evidence on health care interventions. At the forefront of systematic review methodology, Cochrane is generally accepted to be among the most carefully prepared and rigorous sources of systematic review evidence. There are numerous Cochrane reviews on nonpharmacologic interventions for pain and multiple Cochrane reviews evaluating acupuncture therapy in pain conditions. But how complete and up to date are those reviews relative to other rigorous systematic reviews with meta-analyses of acupuncture therapy for pain published in the literature? In this 'snapshot' overview, we found 22 relevant Cochrane reviews, some concluding that acupuncture therapy is probably useful for treating specific pain conditions. However, many of the conditions for which acupuncture is most commonly used are either not represented in Cochrane reviews or the existing Cochrane reviews are seriously outdated and do not reflect current evidence. This creates confusion with the risks of adverse effects and addiction liability associated with pain medications, the prevalence of chronic pain, the ongoing opioid epidemic and the need for evidence-based options for pain as part of comprehensive pain care. Clinicians and patients want clarification on safe and effective options to treat pain. Issues involving reviewed trials' inadequate use of sham comparators, of acupuncture as a complex intervention with interactive components and a shift in research focus from efficacy trials to real-world pragmatic trials are discussed in relation to updating Cochrane reviews of acupuncture therapy for pain.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS AND DEMENTIA: AN ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Research has examined the relationship between neighborhood environments and cognitive decline, yet few have investigated the role of neighborhood characteristics specifically on dementia. This ecologic study examined the geographic distribution of dementia incidence and investigated ecologic associations between census-tract neighborhood characteristics and diagnosed dementia case incidence from 2010-2014 in the South Carolina (SC) Alzheimer’s Disease Registry. Analyses took place on the census-tract level (n=1089) with population ≥1. Neighborhood measures came from the Decennial Census, American Community Survey, Rural Commuting Area Code, and County Health Rankings. To estimate the ecologic association between neighborhood characteristics and dementia incidence, we conducted a zero-inflated, negative binomial mixed-effects model. The overall age-sex standardized dementia incidence rate was 2,885.4 per 100,000 people per census tract from 2010-2014 in SC (95% CI: 2857-2913.7). In an adjusted model, neighborhood characteristics had a significant association with dementia incidence. Rural and small urban census tracts had 62% (IRR=0.38; 95% CI= 0.27-0.54) and 58% (IRR=0.42; 95% CI= 0.29-0.60) lower dementia incidence, respectively, among ≥50 years old compared to urban census tracts while adjusting for neighborhood median-household income, racial composition, commute time, and age structure. The results from this study show a negative relationship between rural neighborhoods and dementia, contrary to previous findings. However, lower access to care in rural neighborhoods can result in lower detection rates and thus could present a reporting bias. Future research should investigate additional census-tract neighborhood characteristics (e.g. green space, pollution rates or psychosocial stress) that contribute to lower dementia rates in rural areas.
Metal mixtures and kidney function: An application of machine learning to NHANES data.

Abstract Background Exposure to heavy metals may increase risk of kidney disease, but most studies have examined individual metals or two-way interactions. There is increasing recognition of the importance of studying exposure to metal mixtures and health outcomes. Objectives We used Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine associations between a mixture of four heavy metals and indicators of kidney function. Methods We used NHANES 2015-16 data on 1435 adults aged 40 and over to study cross-sectional associations between blood levels of four heavy metals (Co, Cr, Hg and Pb) and kidney function. Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and by albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), measured continuously and dichotomized into indicators of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and albuminuria, respectively. BKMR tested for non-linearity in the exposure-specific responses to evaluate dose-response relationships between mixtures and outcomes and possible interaction effects among exposures. Interactions among continuous outcomes were identified using the NLinteraction package in R. Results A higher metals mixture was significantly associated with all four measures of kidney function in dose-response patterns. Pb had the strongest association with eGFR, albuminuria and ACR, and the second strongest association with CKD. We also observed an interaction between Pb and Co for eGFR and an interaction between Pb and Cd for ACR. Conclusions Exposure to a co-occurring heavy metals mixture was associated with indicators of poor kidney function. Within this mixture, Pb, Co and Cd considered singly and jointly made the greatest contributions to the observed effects. Future prospective study is needed to confirm the association between metal mixtures and kidney function.
Resistive-wall wake for nonrelativistic beams revisited

In this paper, we derive the longitudinal and transverse resistive wall impedance for a beam traveling in a round pipe with $vlc$. We argue that from the general formulas for the impedance obtained from the solution of the Maxwell equations one has to subtract the space charge component. After such subtraction, we find that the classical expressions for the impedance derived in the ultrarelativistic limit are also applicable for long bunches even when they are nonrelativistic---in contrast to the conclusion of Zimmermann and Oide [Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 7, 044201 (2004)]. We also calculate the resistive wall Green-function wake for $vlc$ at small distances and show that the jump at the origin in the longitudinal wake and in the derivative of the transverse wake are smeared out and the wake propagates in front of the source charge.
Fuzzy logic and earth science: an overview.

Publisher Summary Most geologists are aware of the trend toward explicit use of the terms “Earth,” “system,” and “science” together in the titles of an increasing number of geology textbooks. This chapter emphasizes that mathematics is clearly at the core of system science. It has been widely appreciated that the most important tool produced by mathematics prior to the 20th century was the calculus. For example, the “diffusion equation” has application in heat flow and nearly all current groundwater-flow modeling involves piecewise finite difference or finite element approximate solutions over a grid of solution points. Newtonian mechanics and statistical mechanics are highly complementary. The differential equations at the heart of Newtonian mechanics excel in modeling systems, involving relatively small numbers of variables that are related to each other in predictable ways. On the other hand, statistical mechanics has the exact opposite characteristics: ability to model large numbers of variables with a high degree of randomness in their interactions. One of the mathematical tools that were initially developed by systems scientists to deal with problems of organized complexity is fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic provides another approach toward modeling complex systems, an approach based on common sense, intuition, and natural language, where precise mathematical formulations of chemical and physical components of a system are replaced by natural, linguistic rules that are based on expert human understanding of the natural system.
Protein S deficiency in men with long-term human immunodeficiency virus infection

Decreases in protein S levels have recently been reported in some human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. To examine predisposing factors, 25 men randomly selected from a long-term study of HIV-infected patients were studied. The minimum mean duration of HIV seropositivity in this group was 106.6 months (range 15 to 143 months). No patients were anticoagulated at the time of the study. Three of the 25 randomly selected patients gave a history of thrombosis, in each instance occurring after the onset of HIV positivity. Two of the 3 patients with thrombosis had more than one episode. Coagulation studies showed that 3 of 3 (100%) of the patients with thrombosis and 16 of 22 (72.7%) of those without previous thrombosis had decreased free protein S. Mean-free and total protein S levels were statistically lower for HIV-infected patients with and without previous thrombosis compared with healthy male controls. C4b-binding protein was not increased in study patients with decreased protein S levels. Decreases in protein S levels did not correlate with CD4+ cell levels, CDC class, p24 antigen positivity, zidovudine (AZT) use, or Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis. The duration of disease statistically correlated with decreases in protein S levels (r = .37, P < .05). A linear correlation existed between increasing IgG anticardiolipin antibody levels and decreasing free protein S antigen (r = .67, P < .005). This study shows that protein S deficiency is common in long-term HIV-infected patients and is caused by a decrease in the free protein, rather than by changes in the bound complex. The data suggest that protein S deficiency is not correlated with HIV disease severity but may predispose patients to thromboembolic complications.
The Importance of Rights to the Argument for the Decriminalization of Drugs.

In “Racial Justice Requires Ending the War on Drugs,” Earp and colleagues argue that the personal use or possession of all currently illicit psychoactive substances should be immediately decriminal...
Visual Perception in Migraine: A Narrative Review

Migraine, the most frequent neurological ailment, affects visual processing during and between attacks. Most visual disturbances associated with migraine can be explained by increased neural hyperexcitability, as suggested by clinical, physiological and neuroimaging evidence. Here, we review how simple (e.g., patterns, color) visual functions can be affected in patients with migraine, describe the different complex manifestations of the so-called Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and discuss how visual stimuli can trigger migraine attacks. We also reinforce the importance of a thorough, proactive examination of visual function in people with migraine.
Abstract 15673: Racial Disparities in Referral for Pre-operative Cardiovascular Evaluation, Surgical Wait Time, and Weight Loss in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Introduction: White patients undergo bariatric surgery more frequently and with fewer complications compared to non-white patients. Yet, racial disparities in referral pattern for preoperative card...
Anisotropic compliance of robot legs improves recovery from swing-phase collisions.

Uneven terrain in natural environments challenges legged locomotion by inducing instability and causing limb collisions. During the swing phase, the limb releases from the ground and arcs forward to target a secure next foothold. In natural environments leg-obstacle collisions may occur during the swing phase which can result in instability, and may require contact sensing and trajectory re-planning if a collision occurs. However, collision detection and response often requires computationally- and temporally-expensive control strategies. Inspired by low stiffness limbs that can pass past obstacles in small insects and running birds, we investigated a passive method for overcoming swing-collisions. We implemented virtual compliance control in a robot leg that allowed us to systematically vary the limb stiffness and ultimately its response to collisions with obstacles in the environment. In addition to applying a standard positional control during swing motion, we developed two virtual compliance methods: 1) an isotropic compliance for which perturbations in the $x$ and $y$ directions generated the same stiffness response, and 2) a vertical anisotropic compliance in which a decrease of the upward $y$ vertical limb stiffness enabled the leg to move upwards more freely. The virtual compliance methods slightly increased variability along the limb's planned pathway, but the anisotropic compliance control improved the successful negotiation of step obstacles by over 70\% compared to isotropic compliance and positional control methods. We confirmed these findings in simulation and using a self-propelling bipedal robot walking along a linear rail over bumpy terrain. While the importance of limb compliance for stance interactions have been known, our results highlight how limb compliance in the swing-phase can enhance walking performance in naturalistic environments.
Energy Usage of Deep Learning in Smart Cities

Deep learning has increasingly become an essential component of many Smart City functions including smart city lightings, emergency rescues, smart drainage, and smart parking. These functions operate continuously in real-time throughout the day. Thus, excessive energy usage of deep learning computation can negatively impact economic benefits and efficiency of smart cities. The situation can escalate when dealing with resource-constrained large-scale smart cities of huge Internet-of-Things and networks with large numbers and varieties of sensors. To effectively sustain, manage and protect smart cities from failures due to energy overload, the awareness of energy consumption by deep learning computation is unavoidably necessary. Most recent research in smart cities focuses on using deep learning to perform certain tasks but does not address energy issues. This paper presents a formal approach to estimating energy consumption of deep learning and illustrates its use in smart cities. In particular, we develop a fine-grained mathematical model that extends an existing model to include the quantification of MAC (multiply-and-accumulate) operations as well as data access from a memory hierarchy. This paper focuses on deep and convolutional neural networks. We describe the proposed approach and validate the results obtained from our model by comparing them against those of existing work. The proposed approach is applied to three (deep) neural systems in smart cities, namely smart drainage, smart transportation and smart parking systems, all of which yield promising results.
Preprint Highlight: ER-lysosome lipid transfer protein VPS13C/PARK23 prevents aberrant mtDNA- dependent STING signaling.

Loss-of-function mutations in VPS13C cause familial Parkinson's disease (PD) and increase the risk to develop the sporadic form of the disease. However, the underlying disease mechanisms remain unclear. It has been previously established that VPS13C tethers lysosomes with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and promotes lipid interchange between both organelles. This study provides a cellular role of VPS13C, specifically regulating the cGAS/STING pathway and contributing to the innate immune response. The authors generate VPS13C knockout HeLa cells and use confocal microscopy and biochemical approaches to show loss of VPS13C leads to altered lysosome lipid composition and mitochondrial DNA leakage. Understanding how VPS13C preserves cellular homeostasis is an exciting discovery for scientists working on neurodegeneration and for cell biologists interested in lysosome-to-mitochondria cross-talk.
Targeted treatments of AL and ATTR amyloidosis

The therapeutic landscape for cardiac amyloidosis is rapidly evolving. In the last decade, our focus has shifted from dealing with the inevitable complications of continued extracellular infiltration of amyloid fibrils to earlier identification of these patients with prompt initiation of targeted therapy to prevent further deposition. Although much of the focus on novel targeted therapies is within the realm of transthyretin amyloidosis, light chain amyloidosis has benefited due to an overlap particularly in the final common pathway of fibrillogenesis and extraction of amyloid fibrils from the heart. Here, we review the targeted therapeutics for transthyretin and light chain amyloidosis. For transthyretin amyloidosis, the list of current and future therapeutics continues to evolve; and therefore, it is crucial to become familiar with the underlying mechanistic pathways of the disease. Although targeted therapeutic choices in AL amyloidosis are largely driven by the hematology team, the cardiac adverse effect profiles of these therapies, particularly in those with advanced amyloidosis, provide an opportunity for early recognition to prevent decompensation and can help inform recommendations regarding therapy changes when required.
Standardized Evaluation of Cord Gases in Neonates at Risk for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND Umbilical-cord acidemia may indicate perinatal asphyxia and places a neonate at increased risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Our specific aim was to develop a standardized clinical care pathway, ensuring timely identification and evaluation of neonates with umbilical-cord acidemia at risk for HIE. METHODS A standardized clinical care pathway to screen inborn neonates ≥36 weeks with abnormal cord blood gases (a pH of ≤7.0 or base deficit of ≥10) for HIE was implemented in January 2016. Abnormal cord blood gases resulted in a direct notification from the laboratory to an on-call physician. Evaluation included a modified Sarnat examination, postnatal blood gas, and standardized documentation. The percentage of neonates in which physician notification, documented Sarnat examination, and postnatal blood gas occurred was examined for 6 months before and 35 months after implementation. RESULTS Of 203 neonates with abnormal cord gases in the post-quality improvement (QI) period, physician notification occurred in 92%. In the post-QI period, 94% had a documented Sarnat examination, and 94% had postnatal blood gas, compared with 16% and 11%, respectively, of 87 neonates in the pre-QI period. In the post-QI period, of those evaluated, >96% were documented within 4 hours of birth. In the post-QI period, 15 (7.4%) neonates were cooled; 13 were in the NICU at time of identification, but 2 were identified in the newborn nursery and redirected to the NICU for cooling. CONCLUSIONS A standardized screening pathway in neonates with umbilical-cord acidemia led to timely identification and evaluation of neonates at risk for HIE.
Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Case Approach

Chapter 1 Theory Is a Good Thing Chapter 2 Psychoanalysis Chapter 3 Neoanalytic Approaches Chapter 4 Individual Psychology Chapter 5 Person-Centered Therapy Chapter 6 Existential Psychotherapy Chapter 7 Gestalt Therapy Chapter 8 Behavior Therapy Chapter 9 Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Chapter 10 Cognitive Therapy Chapter 11 Reality Therapy Chapter 12 Feminist Therapy Chapter 13 Family Systems Theory Chapter 14 Solution-Focused Therapy Chapter 15 Narrative Therapy Chapter 16 Conclusion
Interaction between cisplatin and the copper transporter ATP7B in human ovarian carcinoma cells analyzed by confocal microscope.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2023 Some cisplatin (DDP)-resistant cells over-express the copper export transporter ATP7B, and cells molecularly engineered to over-express ATP7B are resistant to DDP. The interaction of Cu with ATP7B normally triggers its relocalization from the perinuclear region to more peripheral vesicles. To investigate the interaction of DDP with ATP7B, we examined the effect of DDP on the subcellular localization of ATP7B using human ovarian carcinoma cell expressing a cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP)-tagged ATP7B (2008/ECFP-ATP7B). As a control, 2008 cells were engineered to express just ECFP (2008/ECFP). ATP7B expression was confirmed in 2008/ECFP-ATP7B cells by Western blotting, and its functionality was documented by showing that it rendered the cells 1.9-fold resistant to CuSO4 and 4.1-fold resistant to DDP, and reduced the accumulation of both drugs. Confocal digital microscopy revealed that ATP7B localized in the perinuclear region in absence of drug exposure and that both Cu and DDP triggered relocalization to more peripheral vesicular structures. A fluorescein-labeled form of DDP (F-DDP) that retained cytotoxicity and was subject to the same mechanisms of resistance as DDP co-localized with ECFP-ATP7B in the 2008/ECFP-ATP7B cells whereas the same fluorochrome lacking the DDP moiety, CHF, did not. The images showed that when the 2008/ECFP cells were exposed to 2 μM CHF for 1 hour, the pattern of CHF fluorescence was the same in both cell types, that there was little co-localization of CHF with either ECFP or ECFP-ATP7B, and that the ECFP-ATP7B remained in the perinuclear region in treated cells. This indicates that the expression of a functional ATP7B did not influence the intracellular localization of CHF, and that CHF did not trigger the relocalization of ECFP-ATP7B (mean distance of vesicles furthest from nucleus 0.574 ± 0.017 (SEM), p = 0.099). In contrast, the distribution of F-DDP was different in the 2008/ECFP and 2008/ECFP-ATP7B cells, indicating that expression of a functional ATP7B altered the localization of F-DDP. F-DDP 2 μM also altered the localization of ECFP-ATP7B (mean distance 1.897 ± 0.124 (SEM), p = 3.25 x 10-6). This concentration of F-DDP had no effect on the distribution of ECFP in the 2008/ECFP cells. There was a substantial degree of co-localization between F-DDP and ECFP-ATP7B that was not seen with ECFP. This demonstrates that, like native DDP, the Pt-containing moiety in F-DDP remains functional with respect to its ability to induce a change in ATP7B distribution. These results further document the ability of ATP7B to regulate sensitivity to DDP in ovarian carcinoma cells. They also provide evidence that DDP directly interacts with ATP7B, and suggest that ATP7B concentrates DDP into vesicles of the secretory pathway. Supported by grant CA95298.
Subnational Electoral Contexts and Corruption in Mexico

Scholars of the world’s most recent democratization processes have tended to focus on how national-level institutions have developed and how citizens have interpreted and responded to those developments. In this paper, we argue that the distinct subnational political environments that emerge from uneven national regime transitions are important determinants of how people view their political world. Specifically, we argue that citizens’ experiences with and attitudes towards corruption are particularly influenced by the subnational political context in which those citizens live. We use survey data from across Mexico to test our theoretical expectations that a multi-party electoral context will heighten citizens’ awareness of corruption as a governance issue, even as their chances of being victimized by corrupt behavior is reduced. Conversely, we posit that one-party electoral environments should facilitate a “business as usual” attitude toward corruption among government officials and citizens. As efforts to deepen democracy and improve governance continue across the developing world, our findings highlight the need to incorporate subnational political processes into efforts to under-stand and address such critical issues as corruption and its consequences.
Patient and family perceptions of physical therapy in the medical intensive care unit

Abstract Purpose Patient and family member perceptions of physical therapy (PT) in the intensive care unit and the factors that influence their degree of satisfaction have not been described. Methods A panel of experts developed a questionnaire that assessed patient and family perceptions of PT. Critically ill patients and their family members were asked to complete the survey. Patient and family member scores were compared and stratified by age, sex, and mechanical ventilation for greater than 14 days compared to 14 days or less. Results A total of 55 patients and 49 family members completed the survey. Patients and family members reported that PT was necessary and beneficial to recovery, despite associating PT with difficulty, exertion, and discomfort. Patient perceptions were similar regardless of age or sex. Family members underestimated a patient's enjoyment of PT ( P = .03). For individuals who required prolonged mechanical ventilation (>14 days), patients reported that PT was more difficult ( P = .03) and less enjoyable ( P = .049), and family members reported PT as causing greater discomfort ( P = .005). In addition, family members of patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation felt that PT was less beneficial ( P = .01). Conclusions Physical therapy is perceived as necessary and beneficial to recovery by critically ill patients and family members.
In situ Spectroscopy on Intact Leptospirillum ferrooxidans Reveals that Reduced Cytochrome 579 is an Obligatory Intermediate in the Aerobic Iron Respiratory Chain.

Electron transfer reactions among colored biomolecules in intact bacterial cells were monitored using an integrating cavity absorption meter that permitted the acquisition of accurate absorbance data in suspensions of cells that scatter light. The aerobic iron respiratory chain of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans was dominated by the redox status of an abundant cellular cytochrome that had an absorbance peak at 579 nanometers in the reduced state. Intracellular cytochrome 579 was reduced within the time that it took to mix a suspension of the bacteria with soluble ferrous iron at pH 1.7. Steady state turnover experiments were conducted where the initial concentrations of ferrous iron were less than or equal to that of the oxygen concentration. Under these conditions, the initial absorbance spectrum of the oxidized bacterium was always regenerated from that of the iron-reduced bacterium. The kinetics of aerobic respiration on soluble iron by intact L. ferrooxidans conformed to the Michaelis-Menten formalism, where the reduced intracellular cytochrome 579 represented the Michaelis complex whose subsequent oxidation appeared to be the rate-limiting step in the overall aerobic respiratory process. The velocity of formation of ferric iron at any time point was directly proportional to the concentration of the reduced cytochrome 579. Further, the integral over time of the concentraton of the reduced cytochrome was directly proportional to the total concentration of ferrous iron in each reaction mixture. These kinetic data obtained using whole cells were consistent with the hypothesis that reduced cytochrome 579 is an obligatory steady state intermediate in the iron respiratory chain of this bacterium. The capability of conducting visible spectroscopy in suspensions of intact cells comprises a powerful post-reductionist means to study cellular respiration in situ under physiological conditions for the organism.
Neither Strategic nor Selfish: Individualistic Negotiators and Their Behavior Over Time

Individualistically-oriented negotiators do worse than cooperatively-oriented negotiators, even when they are engaging in similar behaviors. This paper proposes and test hypotheses about negotiators' motivations and their behaviors in a repeated measures design. Individualistic negotiators appear to be neither selfish nor strategic: they do not consistently use distributive behaviors oriented only towards their own goals nor do they begin at the same level of distributive behavior use as cooperative negotiators and increase at the end as they attempt to claim value. In this study we find that individualistic negotiators, instead, engage in more distributive behaviors at the beginning of the negotiation and reduce their reliance on distributive behavior as the negotiation progresses. At the same time, individualistic negotiators increase their use of behaviors targeted at creating value, ultimately even surpassing cooperative negotiators.
Communication schemata within the family: multiple perspectives on family interaction

Analyses from a random sample of 169 families established a dear relationship between schemata for marital and parent-child communication. Hypotheses were derived by theoretically relating the Relational Dimensions Inventory and the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument. In families headed by Traditional, Separate, and Separate/Traditional couples, all three family members saw the family interaction as high on conformity orientation. In families headed by Independent and Traditional couples, all three family members saw the family interaction as high on conversational orientation. In general, couple types dovetail with the various family types. For example, Traditional couples have Consensual family interaction patterns in that they value conformity and conversation. Families who share the same family communication schemata appear to agree on a number of other dimensions of family life. A new scale, Family Communication Environment, which may be used to tap into family communication schemata, is presented.
(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2N,N′)(dichromato-κO)copper(II)

The title compound, [Cu(Cr(2)O(7))(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)], a new mixed-metal molecular compound, contains isolated molecular units, each comprised of one Cu(II) atom coordinated to two 2,2'-bipyridine ligands and also to an oxygen vertex of a dichromate anion. The Cu(II) atom has an approximate trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, which is consistent with previous studies. Both enantiomers of the chiral complex molecule are present and are related by inversion centers. In a reported pyridine analogue, achiral [Cu(Cr(2)O(7))(pyridine)(4)] chains pack in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pna2(1). Differences in the organic ligands influence the chirality and dimensionality of the Cu-Cr(2)O(7) bonding.
Salmonella Screening Procedure with Tests for β-Galactosidase and Flagellar Antigens

Differentiation of Salmonella from other gram-negative bacilli requires several biochemical and serological tests. A simplified 24-hr screening procedure has been devised which allows discarding of large numbers of isolates (picked from selective plating media) before they are subjected to this extensive testing. Cultures of gram-negative organisms isolated to triple sugar-iron slants during routine examination of products for Salmonella were tested for the presence of beta-galactosidase and Salmonella flagellar antigens. beta-Galactosidase-positive cultures which did not agglutinate in polyvalent flagellar antiserum were considered to be nonsalmonellae. Of 1,103 Salmonella cultures tested, none of the 61 different serotypes was missed by this procedure, whereas 673 (82.3%) of 818 nonsalmonellae were excluded from further testing. This screening procedure eliminates most nonsalmonellae and augments the proportion of cultures undergoing further biochemical and serological testing which will be confirmed as Salmonella.
The Effects of Nuclear Forces on the Maximum Mass Limit of Neutron Stars

The original models of neutron stars must be improved by including effects of nuclear interaction. This paper compares the models reached by various groups, and presents an improved model by the Kyoto group. The maximum mass varies between 0.2 M ⊙ and 3 M ⊙ in the various models. The V γ model is recommended for use in the absence of further information on the equation of state at high densities.
Short-term memory: A brief commentary

Over the years, a metatheoretical view ofshort-term memory has developed. This view, closely related to the "modal" model from the 1960s, is supported by an increasing base ofneurophysio­ logical data, and a wide variety of empirical findings. It treats short-term memory as (1) the tem­ porary, above threshold, activation of neural structures (related in not-too-well-specified ways to various recency effects); (2) a work space for carrying out virtually all cognitive operations involved in human cognition; and (3) the source of capacity limitations, accounting for certain memory limitations and most attentional limitations, The main problem with this view is the fact that it encompasses virtually everything that we are concerned with in human cognition-a successful model would almost be a general model of cognition, something the field has not yet approached. This situation is not grounds for despair. Progress is being made on many fronts, notwithstanding the fact that the most successful models are focused on specific task domains. Recent advances include an increasing awareness of the necessity for detailed models of short­ term retrieval, a theme reflected in a number of articles in the present collection. As a commentator on the presentations in the Psycho­ nomic Society symposium, from which the present col­ lection of articles grew, I have decided to limit my re­ marks to some very general themes: I will attempt to place the present state of research and theory concerning short­ term memory in some larger perspective (specifically ex­ cluding attacks upon and defenses of particular models and approaches).
Empirical Evaluation of Diagrams of the Run-time Structure for Coding Tasks

With object-oriented design, it is at least as important -- possibly more important -- to understand the run-time structure, in terms of objects and their relations, as to understand the code structure dealing with source files, classes and packages. Today, many tools and diagrams help developers understand the code structure. Diagrams of the run-time structure, however, are much less mature. One diagram of the run-time structure is a statically extracted, global, hierarchical Ownership Object Graph (OOG). The OOG conveys architectural abstraction by ownership hierarchy by showing architecturally significant objects near the top of the hierarchy and data structures further down. In an OOG, objects are also organized into named, conceptual groups called domains. We evaluate, in a controlled experiment, whether an OOG, as a diagram of the run-time structure, improves comprehension by giving developers the ability to distinguish the role that an object plays, not only by type, but also by named groups (domains) or by position in the run-time structure (ownership). We observed 10 participants, for 3 hours each, perform three feature implementation tasks on a framework application. Our results indicate that, on average, the OOG had a positive effect of varying extents on comprehension that reduced the time spent by 22%-60% and irrelevant code explored by 10%-60%. The difference was significant (p
Endodermal sinus tumor. The stanford experience and the first reported case arising in the vulva

A review of the histology, clinical findings and results of therapy in 9 females with endodermal sinus tumor (EST) is presented. Five patients had histologically pure EST; 4 had EST mixed with other germ cell components. The site of primary tumor was the ovary in 8 of the 9 females; the remaining patient with an extraovarian primary represents the first reported case of EST arising in the vulva. The addition of combination chemotherapy has prolonged survival over historical controls treated with surgery or surgery plus irradiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy appears warranted as treatment for occult metastatic disease; postoperative radiation therapy appears useful in providing local control of primary disease. There is a suggestion of increased sensitivity of EST to combination chemotherapy as compared to other germ cell histologies with which it is commonly admixed.
Quantitative modeling of the “convection surge” mechanism of ion acceleration

To explore the properties of the 'convection surge' mechanism postulated by Quinn and Southwood (1982), a quantitative computer model of the mechanism is constructed. The model incorporates the dipolarization of the field line shapes as well as the results of recent transient electric field measurements by the AST-6 satellite. The computer model numerically integrates the equations of motion of ensembles of ions populating a single flux tube that goes through the convection surge or 'dipolarization' transformation. The numerical results confirm that the mechanism easily generates the bounce-phase-bunched ion distributions in question, and show that the convection surge can generate dramatically field-aligned ion distributions. It is hypothesized that the convection surge mechanism is fundamentally associated with the processes responsible for transporting tail ion populations to the geosynchronous regions of the earth's magnetosphere.
Rectal and bladder deformation and displacement during preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: Are current margin guidelines adequate for conformal therapy?

Abstract Purpose To evaluate rectal motion and estimate an appropriate target volume for preoperative radiotherapy (RT) for rectal cancer. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2009, 17 rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative RT underwent 39 cone-beam computed tomographic scans (CBCTs). CBCTs were fused to treatment planning CT scans by bony anatomy. The rectum and bladder were contoured on each scan. Margins of 2, 5, 10, and 15 mm were added to the rectum, and the volume and percent rectum on CBCT outside each of these margins were determined. The clinical target volume (CTV) was examined to determine the necessary margin beyond the posterior bladder edge to ensure coverage of the mesorectum at all time points. Results Median percentage rectum on CBCT outside the planning rectum was 7.77% (range, 0.19%-42.91%). Two patients had 1 or more CBCT with 1% or greater rectum outside a 1.5 cm margin. Five patients had 1 or more CBCT with 1% or greater rectum outside a 1.0 cm margin. A CTV extending 1 cm into the posterior bladder edge (CTV 1.0 ) was adequate at all time points for 79% of evaluable patients, and a CTV with a 1.5 cm anterior margin was adequate for 93% of patients. For 2 patients, the rectum extended outside the CTV 1.0 on CBCT. Conclusions With a limited number of CBCT scans, we found that the rectum tended to remain within 1.5 cm of the initial location on treatment planning CT. However, an anterior margin of 1.5 cm beyond the posterior bladder edge provides better coverage of the mesorectum than 1 cm for the initial CTV.
Seismoelectric numerical modeling on a grid

Our finite-difference algorithm provides a new method for simulating how seismic waves in arbitrarily heterogeneous porous media generate electric fields through an electrokinetic mechanism called seismoelectric coupling. As the first step in our simulations, we calculate relative pore-fluid/grain-matrix displacement by using existing poroelastic theory. We then calculate the electric current resulting from the grain/fluid displacement by using seismoelectric coupling theory. This electrofiltration current acts as a source term in Poisson’s equation, which then allows us to calculate the electric potential distribution. We can safely neglect induction effects in our simulations because the model area is within the electrostatic near field for the depth of investigation (tens to hundreds of meters) and the frequency ranges ( 10 Hz to 1 kHz ) of interest for shallow seismoelectric surveys.We can independently calculate the electric-potential distribution for each time step in the poroelastic simulation with...
Inhibition of protein kinase C function by injection of intracellular receptors for the enzyme.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that the translocation and function of protein kinase C (PKC) requires the binding of PKC to its intracellular receptors (RACKs), using insulin-induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes. We show that after exposure of oocytes to insulin, PKC translocated from the cytosol to the particulate fraction. PKC is also required for insulin-induced oocyte maturation: microinjection of a PKC inhibitory peptide delayed maturation. To determine whether translocation of PKC was a result of the binding of PKC to the RACKS in the particulate fraction, we microinjected purified rat brain RACKS into oocytes before insulin exposure. Microinjection of RACKS, but not inactive phosphorylated RACKS, inhibited PKC translocation and delayed oocyte maturation. These results suggest an in vivo role for RACKS in a function mediated by PKC.
Nephrotoxicity in Patients with Vancomycin Trough Concentrations of 15–20 μg/ml in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Study Objectives To determine if a higher serum vancomycin (Vt) target trough concentration of 15–20 μg/ml or greater is associated with an increased rate of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to determine risk factors for developing vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A PICU within a freestanding tertiary care pediatric hospital. Patients A total of 113 patients received vancomycin for at least 48 hours The high–trough cohort (H group [57 patients]) received vancomycin therapy between November 2008 and June 2009 for pneumonia, bacteremia, or meningitis that was managed by a clinical pharmacist who directed dosage adjustments driven by a novel algorithm to attain a target Vt concentration of 15–20 μg/ml or greater; the control group (C group [56 patients]) received vancomycin therapy during the preceding 10 months (between January and October 2008) for pneumonia or meningitis using standard dosing guidelines with lower target Vt concentrations of 5–15 μg/ml. Measurements and Main Results The highest grade of renal dysfunction according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria, v.4.0, was recorded. The mean ± SD Vt was 17.8 ± 3.1 and 8.4 ± 3.1 in the H and C groups, respectively (p<0.001). The rate of grade 1 nephrotoxicity was not significantly different between groups (8.8% in the H group vs 5.4% in the C group; p=0.72). No patient in either group developed a higher grade of renal dysfunction. In the univariable analysis, duration of vancomycin therapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.02, p=0.003), use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.75, p=0.003), and vasopressor use (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.37, p<0.001) were associated with nephrotoxicity. In the multivariable analysis, vasopressor use (OR 11.1, 95% CI 1.4–85, p=0.021) and duration of therapy were associated with nephrotoxicity (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.37, p=0.011). Conclusion Our observations suggest that maintaining Vt concentrations 15 µg/ml or greater is not associated with an increased rate of nephrotoxicity in a PICU population.
The undergraduate curriculum in the electrical and computer engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin

The undergraduate program in electrical engineering at The University of Texas provides background in engineering fundamentals, with an emphasis on the development of analytical and creative ability that affords the graduate the opportunity to achieve success in an advancing technological community. Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering pursue one of two curricula: electrical engineering or computer engineering, both of which are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Each curriculum includes a required core of courses in mathematics, basic science, English composition, fine arts or humanities, social science, and electrical engineering. The computer engineering curriculum supplements the electrical engineering core with several additional computer engineering courses. The electrical engineering curriculum allows the student to choose an optional area from ten selective areas including Integrated Electronics, Electronic Materials and Devices, Communication and Control Engineering, Telecommunications and Signal Processing, Biomedical Engineering, Power Systems and Software Engineering.
Laser-ablation profiles in graphite - Application of the heat-balance integral method

Application de la methode integrale de bilan thermique au probleme de la description et de l'interpretation de la formation de crateres dans un graphite polycristallin irradie par laser
Modulated error diffusion CGHs for neural nets

New modulated error diffusion CGHs (computer generated holograms) for optical computing are considered. Specific attention is given to their use in optical matrix-vector, associative processor, neural net and optical interconnection architectures. We consider lensless CGH systems (many CGHs use an external Fourier transform (FT) lens), the Fresnel sampling requirements, the effects of finite CGH apertures (sample and hold inputs), dot size correction (for laser recorders), and new applications for this novel encoding method (that devotes attention to quantization noise effects).
Evolutionary patterns in the antR-Cor gene in the dwarf dogwood complex (Cornus, Cornaceae)

The evolutionary pattern of the myc-like anthocyanin regulatory gene antR-Cor was examined in the dwarf dogwood species complex (Cornus Subgenus Arctocrania) that contains two diploid species (C. canadensis and C. suecica), their putative hybrids with intermediate phenotypes, and a tetraploid derivative (C. unalaschkensis). Full-length sequences of this gene (∼4 kb) were sequenced and characterized for 47 dwarf dogwood samples representing all taxa categories from 43 sites in the Pacific Northwest. Analysis of nucleotide diversity indicated departures from neutral evolution, due most likely to local population structure. Neighbor-joining and haplotype network analyses show that sequences from the tetraploid and diploid intermediates are much more strongly diverged from C. suecica than from C. canadensis, and that the intermediate phenotypes may represent an ancestral group to C. canadensis rather than interspecific hybrids. Seven amino acid mutations that are potentially linked to myc-like anthocyanin regulatory gene function correlate with petal colors differences that characterize the divergence between two diploid species and the tetraploid species in this complex. The evidence provides a working hypothesis for testing the role of the gene in speciation and its link to the petal coloration. Sequencing and analysis of additional nuclear genes will be necessary to resolve questions about the evolution of the dwarf dogwood complex.
In vivo studies of the regulation of neuropeptide stores in structures of the rat brain

In order to evaluate the regulation of neuropeptide stores in structures of the rat brain, the content of the specific messenger ribonucleic acid for the peptide precursor, of the precursor and of its biologically active peptide fragment, resulting from the precursor processing was measured. Enkephalin stores of the striatum, but not that of other structures, were upregulated by repeated daily doses of dopaminergic receptor antagonists of the D-1 type. Morphine tolerance failed to change stores of enkephalin in brain but produced a down-regulation of the synthesis of pro-opiomelanocortin in the hypothalamus. The regulation of diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), the precursor of a family of putative endogenous ligands of the benzodiazepine recognition site, was studied during tolerance to benzodiazepines. Tolerance to diazepam increased the dynamic state of an octadecaneuropeptide (ODN), derived from DBI, in the cerebellum and cortex. The steady state or dynamic state of ODN were not changed in other structures of the brain of the rat, tolerant to diazepam.