cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surveillance practices and air-sampling strategies to address healthcare-associated invasive mold infections in Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network hospitals-United States, 2020

With this survey, we investigated healthcare-associated invasive mold infection (HA-IMI) surveillance and air sampling practices in US acute-care hospitals. More than half of surveyed facilities performed HA-IMI surveillance and air sampling. HA-IMI surveillance was more commonly performed in academic versus nonacademic facilities. HA-IMI case definitions and sampling strategies varied widely among respondents.
Resistance of plants to insects.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the resistance of plants to insects. Resistance is the ability of a certain variety to produce a larger yield of good quality than other varieties at the same initial level of infestation and under similar environmental conditions. Three basic components or mechanisms are involved in plant resistance. First, plants may be nonpreferred for oviposition, shelter, or food, primarily, because of the lack of or presence of chemical or physical factors. Second, resistant plants may affect the biology of the insect adversely that is called antibiosis. Third, resistant plants may be tolerant, surviving under levels of infestation that would kill or severely injure susceptible plants. Several problems may occur at various stages in the development of any host plant resistance program. Some of these problems include: proper finance, entomological problems, and problems in technique development. Resistance is most often found in off types or exotic wild species, and considerable crossing and selection is required to move the resistant genes into a desirable agronomic background. The greatest use of resistant varieties would undoubtedly be as one component part of pest management system.
Amino acid changes in P3, and not the overlapping pipo‐encoded protein, determine virulence of Soybean mosaic virus on functionally immune Rsv1‐genotype soybean

A small open reading frame, termed 'pipo', is embedded in the P3 cistron of potyviruses. Currently, knowledge on pipo and its role(s) in the life cycle of potyviruses is limited. The P3 and helper-component proteinase (HC-Pro) cistrons of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) harbour determinants affecting virulence on functionally immune Rsv1-genotype soybeans. Interestingly, a key virulence determinant of SMV on Rsv1-genotype soybeans (i.e. soybeans containing the Rsv1 resistance gene) that resides at polyprotein codon 947 overlaps both P3 and a pipo-encoded codon. This raises the question of whether PIPO or P3 is the virulence factor. To answer this question, the corresponding pipo of an avirulent and two virulent strains of SMV were studied by comparative genomics, followed by syntheses and analyses of site-directed mutants. Our data demonstrate that the virulence of SMV on Rsv1-genotype soybeans is affected by P3 and not the overlapping pipo-encoded protein.
Atmospheric Shocks in Mira Variables — MgII Emission

We have undertaken an extensive program to investigate atmospheric shock dynamics in Mira variables through monitoring the MgII emission strengths versus phase. Theoretical calculations of Bowen (1987), which represent the structural variations in the extended atmosphere of a pulsating Mira, are presented in addition to the MgII observations. The model calculations generate density, temperature and velocity structures as determined by stellar parameters and by interactions of the driving amplitude, dust opacity and thermal relaxation processes. The main diagnostic provided by the models is the total emitted shock luminosity versus phase, which can be compared to the observed MgII emission. Models and observations are presented for three Miras: S Car, R Car and T Cep.
Space among us: Some effects of space research on society

A wide range of effects, favorable and unfavorable, resulting from the space program are considered. The social effects, and technology application are discussed.
On anomalous values of Hc3

Abstract The nucleation of superconductivity within small irregularities ( R ∼ ξ) on the surface of bulk samples is suggested as a possible cause of anomalously high values of H c3 . An estimate of the magnitude H c3 and its size and temperature dependence are obtained from the Ginzburg-Landau equation.
Application of the Simplex Method to the Multi-Variable Stability Problem

In this note, the robust stability problem for nominally linear multi-variable systems with nonlinear, time-varying structured perturbations is considered. To find a better or best Lyapunov function and improve the robust stability bounds, the Simplex method is applied to Lyapunov stablity algorithm. Example of multi-variable case (12×12) is presented to illustrate the proposed analysis.
Game Characterizations of Logic Program Properties

A family of simple two-player games will be presented which vary by how play passes between players and by what constraint must be maintained by the players in order to avoid losing. The players are representable as interacting almost independent logic programs. A correspondence between winning strategies, well-founded dependencies, constructive ordinals and hyperarithmetic sets is presented. Complexity results can be obtained for logic program properties in a uniform way. This paper demonstrates the technique as applied to two apparently divers properties, each of a very high degree of undecidability.
The 72-Channel S.A.O. Megacam: Design to PC Boards

Prototyping of the massively parallel 72-channel SAO Megacam has been completed and we are preparing the printed circuit boards for initial deployment.
The Biosynthesis of a Disialylganglioside by Galactosyltransferase from Rat Brain Tissue

Abstract An enzymatic method for the preparation of ceramide-Glc-Gal(NeuAc)2-GalNAc (Gd2) from ceramide-Glc-Gal-(NeuAc)2-GalNAc-Gal (Gd1b) is described. Gd2, prepared in this manner, is an acceptor of galactose from UDP-Gal when incubated with a particulate subcellular fraction from rat brain to form Gd1b. This reaction was studied and compared with an analogous reaction for the synthesis of ceramide-Glc-Gal(NeuAc)-GalNAc-Gal (Gm1) using ceramide-Glc-Gal(NeuAc)-GalNAc (Gm2) as acceptor of galactose. The results obtained in this comparative study suggest that Gd2 is an intermediate in the pathway of synthesis of Gd1b. Furthermore, the transfer of galactose in the two reactions appears to be catalyzed by the same enzyme.
Role of spectral detail in sound-source localization

Sounds heard over headphones are typically perceived inside the head (internalized), unlike real sound sources which are perceived outside the head (externalized). If the acoustical waveforms from a real sound source are reproduced precisely using headphones, auditory images are appropriately externalized and localized. The filtering (relative boosting, attenuation and delaying of component frequencies) of a sound by the head and outer ear provides information about the location of a sound source by means of the differences in the frequency spectra between the ears as well as the overall spectral shape. This location-dependent filtering is explicitly described by the head-related transfer function (HRTF) from sound source to ear canal. Here we present sounds to subjects through open-canal tube-phones and investigate how accurately the HRTFs must be reproduced to achieve true three-dimensional perception of auditory signals in anechoic space. Listeners attempted to discriminate between 'real' sounds presented from a loudspeaker and 'virtual' sounds presented over tube-phones. Our results show that the HRTFs can be smoothed significantly in frequency without affecting the perceived location of a sound. Listeners cannot distinguish real from virtual sources until the HRTF has lost most of its detailed variation in frequency, at which time the perceived elevation of the image is the reported cue.
Unusual Phase Transition Behavior in Weakly Interacting Magnetic Cluster Substances: Application to Magnetic Cooling.

ABSTRACT The statistical mechanics of a variety of magnetic cluster substances is discussed, with particular reference to the effects of weak inter-cluster interactions. It is shown that in the case of clusters with an energy gap between the singlet ground state and the excited states an unusual high-field transition may occur. The uses of cluster materials of this and related types in antiferromagnetic cooling by adiabatic magnetization are noted. A novel and more powerful method of cooling by adiabatic demagnetization of antiferromagnets is presented.
Evaluation of Small-sample Compromised Randomization: Long-term Effects of Early Childhood Intervention on Health and Addictive Behavior

Barros contribution to the literature of policy evaluation stems from advances in statistical methods applied to rigorous empirical analysis. Another central question of Barros research is the analysis of eficient policies for reducing economic inequality. In the pursue this question, Barros line of work has recently shifted towards the study of early childhood investment as a tool for promoting economic growth and improving the odds of children born in disadvantage families (Barros et al., 2011; Barros and Olinto, 2008). We follow Barros steps by developing a formal statistical evaluation of the Perry pre-school program, the oldest and most cited early childhood experiment in US. Evaluating the Perry program poses three statistical challenges. First, the small sample size cast doubts on standard inference methods that are based on asymptotic assumptions. Second, randomization compromises call into question the validity of the simple statistical procedures often applied to social experiments. Third, the large number of outcome variables gives rise to the danger of selectively reported signi cant estimates. We develop a statistical method that accounts for all these problems and is tailored to the problems we face in the Perry intervention. We focus on long-term impact on health and addictive behavior variables. We use new data at age 40 never analyzed before. We find that treated females have less negative effects of drug/alcohool usage in a range of later-life activities. For males, we find that treated participants use less hard drugs, such as heroine and hashish.
Positron generation using laser-wakefield electron sources

Positron generation, using wakefield-accelerated electrons driven into a converter target, was investigated experimentally and through Monte Carlo simulations. Using experimentally measured initial electron distributions from a 60 fs laser system, modeling shows that a collimated wakefield electron beam of moderate energy (50–200 MeV) produces a large number of positrons (∼107), which are emitted from the rear of a mm-scale, high-Z target with divergence angles between 50 and 150 mrad. The large perpendicular momentum of the positrons was found to be dominated by contributions from multiple small angle Coulomb scattering. Positrons were not observed above background noise for a range of targets where simulations indicate a 5–30× increase in the beam charge was necessary to exceed threshold detection. These results provide new understanding to the fundamental limitations of creating narrow-divergence, high-density positron beams from laser-wakefield platforms for use in future laboratory pair plasma experi...
Corporate Welfare: The Third Stage of Welfare in the United States.

Corporate involvement in social welfare represents a third stage in the evolution of welfare institutions in the United States, following the voluntary sector and the welfare state. An examination of the largest health and welfare corporations reveals rapid growth and consolidation in all markets--nursing homes, hospital management, health maintenance organizations, child care, and home care. The author considers the implications of continued expansion of corporate welfare for social workers and their clients.
Phase II trial of neoadjuvant docetaxel and gefitinib followed by radical prostatectomy in patients with high-risk, locally advanced prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer trials investigating neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, followed by surgery, have demonstrated that elimination of all tumor cells from the primary site is rare. The authors report a phase 2 trial assessing the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and gefitinib in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer as neoadjuvant therapy before radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with high-risk prostate cancer were treated with docetaxel and gefitinib for 2 months before RP. All patients met the criteria of clinical stage T2b-3 or serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >20 ng/mL, or Gleason score of 8 to 10. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response. Secondary objectives included clinical response. When available, endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) was performed as part of clinical response evaluation. Immunohistochemical staining of epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu was performed on prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy prostate tissue. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 60 years, the median pretreatment PSA level was 7.43 ng/mL, and the median Gleason score was 8. Clinical staging prior to treatment consisted of: T1 in 4 patients, T2 in 17 patients, and T3 in 10 patients. One patient with enlarged pelvic adenopathy and T4 disease did not undergo RP. Thirty patients received all scheduled therapies including RP. Grade 3 toxicities included asymptomatic liver function test elevation in 4 (13%) patients, diarrhea in 1 (3%) patient, and fatigue in 1 (3%) patient. One patient experienced grade 4 toxicity with elevated alanine aminotransferase. RP specimen pathology demonstrated residual carcinoma in all cases. Twenty-nine (94%) patients achieved a clinical partial response, including 35% of patients who demonstrated radiographic improvement on eMRI. CONCLUSIONS: No pathologic complete response was noted in 31 patients treated with docetaxel and gefitinib. This combination was well tolerated, and did not result in increased surgical morbidity. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Four-dimensional (4D) image reconstruction strategies in dynamic PET: beyond conventional independent frame reconstruction.

In this article, the authors review novel techniques in the emerging field of spatiotemporal fourdimensional 4D positron emission tomography PET image reconstruction. The conventional approach to dynamic PET imaging, involving independent reconstruction of individual PET frames, can suffer from limited temporal resolution, high noise especially when higher frame sampling is introduced to better capture fast dynamics, as well as complex reconstructed image noise distributions that can be very difficult and time consuming to model in kinetic parameter estimation tasks. Various approaches that seek to address some or all of these limitations are described, including techniques that utilize a iterative temporal smoothing, b advanced temporal basis functions, c principal components transformation of the dynamic data, d wavelet-based techniques, as well as e direct kinetic parameter estimation methods. Future opportunities and challenges with regards to the adoption of 4D and higher dimensional image reconstruction techniques are also outlined. © 2009 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. DOI: 10.1118/1.3160108
Lifetime's Army Wives, or I Married the Media-Military-Industrial Complex

Lifetime's Army Wives is its most successful serial drama to date, depicting Army families with loved ones deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. I argue that Army Wives uses marriage to produce gendered propaganda and advance banal militarism. The program achieves verisimilitude and profitability through Lifetime's alliances with the military-industrial complex and thus frames militarism to appeal to viewers historically the most resistant to the military: women.
Association of skin color, race/ethnicity, and hearing loss among adults in the USA.

Epidemiologic studies of hearing loss in adults have demonstrated that the odds of hearing loss are substantially lower in black than in white individuals. The basis of this association is unknown. We hypothesized that skin pigmentation as a marker of melanocytic functioning mediates this observed association and that skin pigmentation is associated with hearing loss independent of race/ethnicity. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,258 adults (20–59 years) in the 2003–2004 cycle of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey who had assessment of Fitzpatrick skin type and pure-tone audiometric testing. Audiometric thresholds in the worse hearing ear were used to calculate speech- (0.5–4 kHz) and high-frequency (3–8 kHz) pure-tone averages (PTA). Regression models were stratified by Fitzpatrick skin type or race/ethnicity to examine the association of each factor with hearing loss independent of the other. Models were adjusted for potential confounders (demographic, medical, and noise exposure covariates). Among all participants, race/ethnicity was associated with hearing thresholds (black participants with the best hearing followed by Hispanics and then white individuals), but these associations were not significant in analyses stratified by skin color. In contrast, in race-stratified analyses, darker-skinned Hispanics had better hearing than lighter-skinned Hispanics by an average of −2.5 dB hearing level (HL; 95% CI, −4.8 to −0.2) and −3.1 dB HL (95% CI, −5.3 to −0.8) for speech and high-frequency PTA, respectively. Associations between skin color and hearing loss were not significant in white and black participants. Our results demonstrate that skin pigmentation is independently associated with hearing loss in Hispanics and suggest that skin pigmentation as a marker of melanocytic functioning may mediate the strong association observed between race/ethnicity and hearing loss.
Some histochemical observations on the effects of chorioallantoic grafts on the spleen, bursa, and peripheral blood of chicken embryos.

Hatching eggs from inbred lines of chickens (inbreeding coefficient exceeds 95%) which show various degrees of resistance and susceptibility to Rous sarcoma, were used for experimentation. Adult tissues were grafted onto the chorioallantois on the tenth day of incubation and tissues of host and control embryos were harvested on the twentieth day of incubation. Enzymes were localized in tissues by histochemical procedures. Small pieces of tissue (thymus or bursa), when grafted onto the chorioallantois, increased the size of the spleen in host embryos although splenomegaly did not invariably occur. Two types of reactions were observed in the spleen, i.e., enlarged spleens with cysts or enlarged spleens which from a morphological point of view were normal. Grafts of either thymus or bursa decreased the size of the host embryo's bursa or were without effect. When weight of the bursa of host embryos was significantly less than that of control embryos on the twentieth day of incubation, this size relationship persisted in chicks four weeks post hatching. Intensity of dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase reactions in cysts of enlarged spleens and in the multinucleated giant cells investing them suggests that they consist of groups of degenerating cells. Intensity of enzyme reaction indicates that enlarged spleens of host embryos in which cysts were absent were normal. Enzyme reactions in the bursae of experimental embryos were more intense than those identified in the same tissues of control embryos. Catabolic reactions were the predominant type in grafts ten days subsequent to implantation. Grafts increased the number of erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of host embryos.
Rotordynamic Coefficients for Partially Roughened Pump Annular Seals

The basic equations are derived for incompressible flow in an annular seal with partially roughened surfaces. The flow is assumed to be completely turbulent in the axial and circumferential directions with no separation, and is modeled by Hirs' turbulent lubrication equations. Linearized zeroth and first-order perturbation equations are developed for small motion about a centered position by an expansion in the eccentricity ratio
SHOULDER DYSTOCIA: AN OBSTETRIC EMERGENCY

Impaction of the anterior fetal shoulder behind the maternal pubic symphysis is an obstetric emergency. Despite the timely institution of remedial measures by the accoucheur, catastrophic damage to the neonate and morbidity for the parturient can occur. In addition, these sequelae comprise a common source of medicolegal liability for the obstetrician. Often, the diagnosis occurs unexpectedly when gentle downward traction on the fetal head fails to accomplish prompt delivery of the infant's anterior shoulder. In other cases, shoulder dystocia is anticipated because of extensive molding of the fetal vertex, a prolonged second stage of labor, or retraction of the fetal chin back onto the maternal perineum upon delivery of the head ("turtle sign"). The reported incidence of shoulder dystocia ranges from 0.6% to 2.8% in cephalic vaginal deliveries. 7,9,10,18,19,23 This fairly wide range reflects the difficulty in retrospective retrieval of information from medical records. Incomplete documentation and the failure to adhere to a uniform definition of shoulder dystocia are obstacles in accurately defining the frequency of this complication. During a normal delivery, the fetal bisacromial diameter remains in a slightly oblique plane following external rotation of the head. 29 This oblique position allows the anterior shoulder to slip easily under the maternal pubic symphysis either spontaneously with uterine contraction or aided by entle posterior traction on the fetal head. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the bisacromial diameter occupies the anteroposterior plane and the anterior shoulder becomes wedged above and behind the pubic symphysis (Fig. 1). This article outlines the risk factors for shoulder dystocia and reviews common sequelae. The maneuvers performed to manage this life-threatening complication are described in detail. All obstetricians must be familiar with these maneuvers and have a clear management plan in mind when confronted by this complication. The question of whether shoulder dystocia can be prevented is addressed.
Proteins at Work: A COMBINED SMALL ANGLE X-RAY SCATTERING AND THEORETICAL DETERMINATION OF THE MULTIPLE STRUCTURES INVOLVED ON THE PROTEIN KINASE FUNCTIONAL LANDSCAPE*

C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) phosphorylates and down-regulates the Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs). Crystallographic studies of Csk found an unusual arrangement of the SH2 and SH3 regulatory domains about the kinase core, forming a compact structure. However, recent structural studies of mutant Csk in the presence of an inhibitor indicate that the enzyme accesses an expanded structure. To investigate whether wt-Csk may also access open conformations we applied small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). We find wt-Csk frequently occupies an extended conformation where the regulatory domains are removed from the kinase core. In addition, all-atom structure-based simulations indicate Csk occupies two free energy basins. These basins correspond to ensembles of distinct global conformations of Csk: a compact structure and an extended structure. The transitions between these structures are entropically driven and accessible via thermal fluctuations that break local interactions. We further characterized the ensemble by generating theoretical scattering curves for mixed populations of conformations from both basins and compared the predicted scattering curves to the experimental profile. This population-combination analysis is more consistent with the experimental data than any rigid model. It suggests that Csk adopts a broad ensemble of conformations in solution, populating extended conformations not observed in the crystal structure that may play an important role in the regulation of Csk. The methodology developed here is broadly applicable to biological macromolecules and will provide useful information about what ensembles of conformations are consistent with the experimental data as well as the ubiquitous dynamic reversible assembly processes inherent in biology.
A LAGRANGIAN-EULERIAN METHOD WITH ADAPTIVELY LOCAL ZOOMING APPROACH TO SOLVE THREE-DIMENSIONAL ADVECTION-DIFFUSION TRANSPORT EQUATIONS

We present a Lagrangian–Eulerian method with adaptively local ZOOMing and Peak/valley Capturing approach (LEZOOMPC), consisting of advection–diffusion decoupling, backward particle tracking, forward particle tracking, adaptively local zooming, peak/valley capturing, and slave point utilization, to solve three-dimensional advection–diffusion transport equations. This approach and the associated computer code, 3DLEZOOMPC, were developed to circumvent the difficulties associated with the Exact Peak Capturing and Oscillation-Free (EPCOF) scheme, developed earlier by the authors, when it was extended from a one-dimensional space to a three-dimensional space. The accurate results of applying EPCOF to solving two one-dimensional benchmark problems under a variety of conditions have shown the capability of this scheme to eliminate all types of numerical errors associated with the advection term and to keep the maximum computational error to be within the prescribed error tolerance. However, difficulties arose when the EPCOF scheme was extended to a multi-dimensional space mainly due to the geometry. To avoid these geometric difficulties, we modified the EPCOF scheme and named the modified scheme LEZOOMPC. LEZOOMPC uses regularly local zooming for rough elements and peak/valley capturing within subelements to resolve the problems of tetrangulation and boundary source as well as to preserve the shape of concentration distribution. In addition, LEZOOMPC employs the concept of ‘slave points’ to deal with the compatibility problem in the diffusion zooming of the Eulerian step. As a result, not only is the geometrical problem resolved, but also the spirit of EPCOF is retained. Application of 3DLEZOOMPC to solving an advection-decay and a boundary source benchmark problems indicates its capability in solving advection transport problems accurately to within any prescribed error tolerance by using mesh Courant number ranging from 0 to infinity. Demonstration of using 3DLEZOOMPC to solve an advection–diffusion benchmark problem shows how the numerical solution is improved with the increment of the diffusion zooming factors. 3DLEZOOMPC could solve advection–diffusion transport problems accurately by using mesh Peclet numbers ranging from 0 to infinity and very large time-step size. The size of time-step is related to both the diffusion coefficients and mesh sizes. Hence, it is limited only by the diffusion solver. The application of this approach to a two-dimensional space has been demonstrated earlier in the paper entitled ‘A Lagrangian–Eulerian method with adaptively local zooming and peak/valley capturing approach to solve two-dimensional advection–diffusion transport equations’. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multi-isotope approach for understanding sources of water, carbon and sulfur in natural springs of the Central Appalachian region

Natural springs have been reliable sources of domestic water and have allowed for the development of recreational facilities and resorts in the Central Appalachians. The structural history of this area is complex and it is unknown whether these natural springs receive significant recharge from modern precipitation or whether they discharge old water recharged over geological times scales. The main objective of this study was to use stable isotopes of water ( $$\delta^{18} {\text{O}}_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}$$ and $$\delta^{2} {\text{H}}_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}}$$ ), dissolved inorganic carbon ( $$\delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{\text{DIC}}$$ ) and dissolved sulfate ( $$\delta^{34} {\text{S}}_{{{\text{SO}}_{4} }}$$ and $$\delta^{18} {\text{O}}_{{{\text{SO}}_{4} }}$$ ) to delineate sources of water, carbon and sulfur in several natural springs of the region. Our preliminary isotope data indicate that all springs are being recharged by modern precipitation. The oxygen isotope composition indicates that waters in thermal springs did not encounter the high temperatures required for O isotope exchange between the water and silicate/carbonate minerals, and/or the residence time of water in the aquifers was short due to high flow rates. The carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon and sulfur/oxygen isotopic composition of dissolved sulfate provide evidence of low-temperature water–rock interactions and various biogeochemical transformations these waters have undergone along their flow path.
Seeded Supercontinuum Generation in Gases and Condensed Matter

We measure a fourfold increase in femtosecond supercontinuum integrated spectral irradiance using extremely weak seeding (~10^-3) in Kr gas. We present data on the effect of seeding on supercontinuum in other gases, liquids, and solids.
Shy-Drager syndrome: multisystem atrophy with comorbid depression.

Received May 27, 2004; accepted June 25, 2004. From the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Address reprint requests to Dr. Franco, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., P57, Cleveland, OH 44195; francok@ccf.org (e-mail). Copyright 2005 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. In 1960, Shy and Drager 1 described a progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. Shy-Drager syndrome can involve the central autonomic, cerebellar, basal ganglia, pyramidal, and spinal motor neurons. Criteria for diagnosis include autonomic failure, cerebellar signs, pyramidal signs, and parkinsonian features. One-third of the patients with Shy-Drager syndrome also have respiratory stridor and stimulus-sensitive finger myoclonus and will not improve with levodopa trials. Severe autonomic insufficiency causes wide swings in blood pressure without altering pulse rate. Other symptoms include rigidity, masked facies, bradykinesia, urinary and rectal incontinence, impotence, hypohidrosis, intention tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, snoring, and apnea. Male patients outnumber female patients by a ratio of 2:1. The mean age at onset is 55, with a median survival of 7.5 years. Graham and Oppenheimer 7 introduced the term “multiple system atrophy” to include Shy-Drager syndrome, striatonigral degeneration, and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, with all including parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction, and autonomic dysfunction but varying in course. Early autoimmune symptoms can be misdiagnosed as pure autonomic failure, while extrapyramidal and cerebellar problems developing later resemble Parkinson’s disease. Misdiagnosis is particularly common with Parkinson’s disease if the integration of symptoms and rate of progression are not considered. Diverse risk factors for progression and survival also differentiate multiple system atrophy from Parkinson’s disease. We will present a case demonstrating how diverse symptoms can be mistaken for and treated as isolated disorders, prolonging the period before diagnosis and family education. This report also reviews treatment issues regarding severe comorbid depression. Case Report
The multidisciplinary management of bone and soft tissue sarcoma: an essential organizational framework

The rarity of bone and soft tissue sarcoma, the difficulty in interpretation of imaging and histology, the plethora of treatment modalities, and the complexity and intensity of the treatment contribute to the need for systematic multidisciplinary team management of patients with these diseases. An integrated multidisciplinary clinic and team with a structured sarcoma tumor board facilitate team coordination and communication. This paper reviews the rationale for multidisciplinary management of sarcoma and details the operational structure of the Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Clinic and Sarcoma Tumor Board. The structured Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Tumor Board provides opportunity for improvement in logistics, teaching, quality, and enrollment in clinical trials.
Identification of European starling GnRH-I precursor mRNA and its seasonal regulation.

Abstract Songbirds show dynamic seasonal changes in their reproductive activities during the year. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) is critical for the control of reproduction in vertebrates. The molecular mechanisms controlling reproduction are not well understood in songbirds, largely because the GnRH-I precursor polypeptide gene was unknown until now. Here, we report the complete sequence and seasonal regulation of GnRH-I precursor polypeptide mRNA in a songbird, European starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ). The translated starling GnRH-I precursor polypeptide contained an amino acid sequence that can be processed into chicken GnRH-I peptide (pEHWSYGLQPG-NH 2 ). However, the overall homology of GnRH-I precursor polypeptide (including a 23 amino acid signal peptide, the decapeptide hormone and Gly-Lys-Arg cleavage site followed by 55 amino acid GnRH-associated peptide sequences) between starling and chicken was only 58%. GnRH-I mRNA and GnRH-I peptide were observed to be co-localized in the preoptic area of sexually mature birds using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. GnRH-I mRNA exhibited large variance in photosensitive birds, and converged to a high level in photostimulated birds. Subsequently, GnRH-I mRNA decreased to below detectability in most of the photorefractory birds. Changes were also observed in GnRH-I peptide levels, although changes in GnRH-I peptide were not as marked. Our data indicate that GnRH-I mRNA synthesis commences but is variable in photosensitive birds, stabilizes in photostimulated birds, then ceases when birds become photorefractory. Finer-scale investigation into temporal regulation of GnRH-I precursor polypeptide mRNA will provide insight into its regulation by environmental, social and physiological cues.
Creating bizarre false memories through imagination.

The present study explored memory for familiar or usual actions (e.g., flip the coin) and bizarre or unusual actions (e.g., sit on the dice). In Session l, action statements were presented to 210 participants, who had to either perform or imagine those actions. In Session 2, 24 h later, participants imagined performing various actions, some presented in the first session and others totally new. Finally, in Session 3, 2 weeks later, participants were tested on their memory for the original actions. We found that as the number of imaginings increased in Session 2, so did the proportion ofdid responses to actions that were only imagined or not even presented. This pattern was present for both bizarre and familiar actions. These results demonstrate that bizarre actions may lose the item distinctiveness that is used to make accurate memory decisions after repeated imagination.
Management of Postoperative AcremoniumEndophthalmitis

Abstract Purpose: Four patients presented after cataract surgery with delayed-onset endophthalmitis caused by Acremonium kiliense with in vitro sensitivity to amphotericin B. In all patients, ocular infection was recalcitrant to single-dose intravitreous amphotericin B injection. The authors reviewed the management of endophthalmitis caused by A. kiliense and presented treatment recommendations. Methods: The authors retrospectively evaluated a cluster of four patients with delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. All patients underwent vitreous sampling, intravitreous injection of amphotericin B, and systemic administration of fluconazole. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in all patients for management of either primary (1 eye) or persistent infection (3 eyes). Two patients with persistent infection also underwent surgical explanation of their posterior chamber intraocular lens. Results: Worsening infection developed in three of three eyes that underwent vitreous aspiration with intravitreous injection of 5 μg amphotericin B. These patients subsequently responded to vitrectomy followed by additional intravitreous amphotericin B injection. One eye underwent primary vitrectomy and intravitreous injection of 7.5 μg amphotericin B. Although treatment of the initial infection was successful, fungal keratitis developed in this patient 3 months after presentation. Visual outcome was variable, ranging from visual acuity of 20/25 to no light perception with follow-up of 2 years. Epidemiologic investigation suggested a common environmental source for the A. kiliense organisms. Conclusions: Single-dose administration of intravitreous amphotericin B was inadequate treatment for fungal endophthalmitis caused by A. kiliense . Vitrectomy with repeated intravitreous administration of amphotericin B may be necessary to eradicate intraocular infection caused by this organism.
Reduced Incidence of Retinal Detachment Post-YAG Capsulotomy with High A-constant IOLs

Objective: To determine if an intraocular lens (IOL) with a high A constant reduced the incidence of retinal detachment following YAG laser capsulotomy. Study Design: Patients had to have a minimum of 1 year follow-up following a YAG capsulotomy. This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 254 YAG lasers. Setting: An out-patient clinical practice. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of retinal detachment and A constant of the IOLs used for the primary cataract surgery. Results: Zero percent incidence of retinal detachment in patients with IOLs having an A constant of 118.5 or greater (103 patients) and 4.8% incidence of retinal detachment of patients having an IOL of less than 118.5 (42 patients) ( P = 0.08%). Conclusions: This study shows a definite trend towards a reduced rate of retinal detachment with high A-constant IOLs. In order to achieve a 90% confidence level it is necessary to have 450 patients in each group in order to compare the data. A multi-centre study is underway to achieve this.
INDICES OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN VIVO: STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Oxidant stress has been widely implicated as a mechanism of disease, yet clinical trials of antioxidants have not included a biochemical basis for dose selection or patient inclusion. Many of the indices traditionally employed to assess lipid peroxidation have relied on measurements performed in ex vivo systems of questionable relevance to events in vivo. Commonly employed in vivo indices of lipid peroxidation are constrained by such issues as the nonspecificity or instability of the target anylate, contamination of the anylate by events ex vivo, and nonspecificity of analytical methodology. More recently, specific methodology based on mass spectrometry has been applied to both 4-hydroxynonenal and a variety of isoprostanes in human biological fluids. Measurement of these compounds in urine reflects lipid peroxidation in vivo and offers a noninvasive approach that may be readily applied to clinical trials.
EXCIMER PUMPED DYE MIXTURES FOR THE WAVELENGTH REGION 340-380 nm

Two binary mixtures of ultraviolet laser dyes in p-dioxane solution are described. The tuning curve of each mixture spans more than 30 nm of useful tuning range in the 340–380 nm wavelength region. Both mixtures are robust with half-lives comparable to, or in excess of, associated single dye values. These mixtures degrade symmetrically with dye laser operation, making them useful throughout the entire life of the mixture. A simple model for the mixture lasing, based on independent fluorescences of the component dyes, is able to semi-quantitatively match the tuning curves of the dye mixtures. The results presented should be easily extendable to other dye mixtures.
Oxidative stress and autonomic dysregulation contribute to the acute time-dependent myocardial depressant effect of ethanol in conscious female rats

Background The molecular mechanisms of the acute hypotensive and indirectly assessed cardiac depressant effect of ethanol (EtOH)-evoked myocardial depression and hypotension in female rats are not known. We tested the hypothesis that a time-dependent myocardial depression caused by EtOH is initiated by its direct and indirect (cardiac vagal dominance) effects and is exacerbated by gradual development of oxidative stress. Methods In conscious female rats, we directly measured left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), the maximal rise of ventricular pressure over time (dP/dtmax), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and sympathovagal activity following intragastric EtOH (1 g/kg) or water over 90 minutes. Catalytic activity of acetaldehyde (ACA)-generating (alcohol dehydrogenase [ADH] and catalase) and eliminating aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH2] enzymes along with mediators of oxidative stress were measured in myocardial tissues collected at 30, 60, or 90 minutes after EtOH or water. Results EtOH reduced myocardial function (LVDP and dP/dtmax) within 5 to 10 minutes before the steady fall in BP in conscious proestrus rats. Further, EtOH shifted the sympathovagal balance, analyzed by spectral analysis of high frequency and low frequency of interbeat intervals, toward vagal dominance. Prior vagal blockade (atropine) or antioxidant (tempol) treatment attenuated EtOH-evoked myocardial depression and hypotension. Ex vivo studies revealed time-dependent: (i) enhancement of ADH, but not ALDH2 activity (indicative of elevated ACA levels), (ii) increases in phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2, NADPH-oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-modified proteins. These molecular responses along with reduced myocardial catalase activity were most evident at 90 minutes post-EtOH when the reductions in cardiac function and BP reached their nadir. Conclusions Vagal dominance and time-dependent myocardial oxidative stress along with the accumulation of cardiotoxic aldehydes mediate EtOH-evoked myocardial dysfunction and hypotension in conscious proestrus female rats.
Metal-induced neurodegeneration in C. elegans

The model species, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), has been used to probe for mechanisms underlying numerous neurodegenerative diseases. C. elegans are particularly amenable to the study of neurodegeneration as the entire genome has been mapped and consists of 302 neurons, and ~5,000 synapses. Neuronal subtypes can be fluorescently labeled allowing for in vivo imaging. The ease of genetic manipulation in this model system is also particularly alluring. Notably, C. elegans share ~ 60-80% homology with human genes and contain genes involved in metal homeostasis and transport, allowing for the study of metal-induced degeneration in the nematode. This review will discuss the C. elegans model with emphasis on metal-induced neurodegeneration and a focus on mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative and neuroprotective processes within the context of gene x environment interactions.
Improved functional recovery of ischemic rat hearts due to singlet oxygen scavengers histidine and carnosine.

Abstract There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to post-ischemic reperfusion injury, but determination of the specific ROS involved has proven elusive. In the present study electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used in vitro to measure the relative quenching of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) by histidine and carnosine ( β -alanyl- l -histidine) utilizing the hindered secondary amine 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone HCl (4-oxo-TEMP). The relative effect of histidine and carnosine on functional recovery of isolated perfused rat hearts was also studied. Functional recovery was measured by left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/d t ), heart rate (HR) and coronary flow (CF). EPR measurements and Stern–Volmer plots showed that 400 μ m carnosine quenched 1 O 2 twice as effectively as equimolar histidine in vitro . Moreover, 10 m m histidine improved functional recovery of isolated rat hearts significantly more than 1 m m histidine. Furthermore, 1 m m carnosine improved functional recovery significantly more than equimolar histidine and as effectively as 10 m m histidine. Experiments with 1 m m mannitol, a known hydroxyl radical scavenger, did not show an improvement in functional recovery relative to control hearts, thereby decreasing the likelihood that hydroxyl radicals are the major damaging species. On the other hand, the correlation between improved functional recovery of isolated rat hearts with histidine and carnosine and their relative 1 O 2 quenching effectiveness in vitro provides indirect evidence for 1 O 2 as ROS participating in reperfusion injury.
Gang characteristics: an empirical survey.

SUMMARY This research report is concerned with the organization of delinquent gangs, the stains of individuals within the gang, junior groups associated with the dominant gang and the activities of the members themselves. It suggests that a broadly based approach to the various theoretical models of delinquent subcultures is essential as no single model explains the wide variety of delinquent groupings which can exist in a large urban area.
The coupled effects of plastic strain gradient and thermal softening on the dynamic growth of voids

This paper examines the combined effects of temperature, strain gradient and inertia on the growth of voids in ductile fracture. A dislocation-based gradient plasticity theory [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 47 (1999) 1239, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 99] is applied, and temperature effects are incorporated. Since a strong size-dependence is introduced into the dynamic growth of voids through gradient plasticity, a cut-off size is then set by the stress level of the applied loading. Only those voids that are initially larger than the cut-off size can grow rapidly. At the early stages of void growth, the effects of strain gradients greatly increase the stress level. Therefore, thermal softening has a strong effect in lowering the threshold stress for the unstable growth of voids. Once the voids start rapid growth, however, the influence of strain gradients will decrease, and the rate of dynamic void growth predicted by strain gradient plasticity approaches that predicted by classical plasticity theories.
Use of a Pleural Catheter for the Management of Simple Pneumothorax

Study objective We assessed the use of a pleural catheter (Thoracic Vent) to determine its effectiveness in treating simple pneumothorax (PTX) and in preventing recurrent PTX. Design A retrospective review was conducted of 84 patients treated with a pleural catheter for iatrogenic (52) and spontaneous (11 primary, 21 secondary) PTX between 1989 and 1994. Patients There were 45 men and 39 women with a mean age of 50.4 years (range, 18 to 85 years). Results Mean time to lung reexpansion was 0.5±0.1 days. Forty-five (57%) patients manifested an air leak after catheter placement for 2.0±0.2 days. The duration of time to catheter removal was 3.3 ±0.2 days. Seventy-one (85%) patients had resolution of PTX with this therapy alone. Thirteen patients (15%) failed to resolve their PTXs and required subsequent tube thoracostomy alone (6) or surgical therapy (7). Four of 11 patients who required tube thoracostomy also failed to respond to this therapy. Treatment failure was more common among patients with spontaneous PTX than with iatrogenic PTX (34% vs 4%; p Conclusion This pleural catheter is effective in the management of simple iatrogenic and spontaneous PTX.