cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species isolated at different lactation stages from dairy cattle in the United States.

Author(s): Jenkins, Stephen N; Okello, Emmanuel; Rossitto, Paul V; Lehenbauer, Terry W; Champagne, John; Penedo, Maria CT; Arruda, Andreia G; Godden, Sandra; Rapnicki, Paul; Gorden, Patrick J; Timms, Leo L; Aly, Sharif S | Abstract: Background:Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species are currently the most prevalent intra-mammary pathogens causing subclinical mastitis and occasional clinical mastitis or persistent infection in lactating dairy cattle. More than 10 CNS species have been identified, but they are generally managed as one group on most dairies in the United States. However, improved management decisions and treatment outcomes may be achieved with better understanding of the prevalent species, pathogenicity and strain diversity within and across dairies. Methodology:A total of 604 CNS isolates were cultured from milk samples collected during a dry-cow treatment clinical trial conducted on 6 dairy herds in 4 states in the US. All the study cows were randomized to receive 1 of the 3 different intra-mammary antimicrobial infusions (Quatermaster, Spectramast DC or ToMorrow Dry Cow) at dry-off. Milk samples were collected at dry-off, calving (0-6 days in milk, DIM), post-calving (7-13 DIM) and at mastitis events within the first 100 DIM. The CNS isolates were identified to species level by partial sequencing of the rpoβ gene, and genetic relatedness within species was investigated by phylogenetic analysis of the pulse-field gel electrophoresis profiles of the isolates. Results:The major CNS species identified were S. chromogenes (48.3%), S. haemolyticus (17.9%), S. simulans and S. epidermidis (each at 6.5%). Other CNS species identified at lower frequencies included S. hominis, S. auricularis, S. sciuri, S. spp KS-SP, S. capitis, S. cohnii, S. warneri, S. pasteuri, S. xylosus, S. hyicus, S. equorum, S. microti, S. rostri, S. gallinarum, S. saprophyticus and S. succinus. Phylogenetic analyses of the major species types demonstrated an association between genetic relatedness and epidemiological distributions of S. chromogenes, S. simulans, S. haemolyticus and S. auricularis. Additionally, identical strains of S. chromogenes and S. simulans were isolated from the same udder quarter of several cows at consecutive sample stages. The rest of the minor species had no deducible genetic-epidemiological link. Discussion:The observed association between genetic and epidemiological distributions indicated animal-adapted nature of four CNS species, suggesting possible host-adapted and environmental transmission of these species. Multi-stage isolation of the same udder quarter strain was evidence for chronic intra-mammary infection. Conclusion:The different CNS species and strains circulating on US dairy herds were genetically diverse. Four species identified were likely udder-adapted pathogens, 2 of which caused persistent infection. Our findings are important in guiding the design of effective mastitis control strategies.
The new narrow “Ds” states – A minireview

The experimental status concerning the two new narrow states with charm-strange content is reviewed. The states have masses of 2317 and 2460 MeV, widths less than 10 MeV, isospin consistent with zero, and spin-parities consistent with being 0+ and 1+, respectively. Although the masses are lower than the conventional expectation, these states appear to be the j=1/2 P-wave levels of the D s system, where j is the light quark angular momentum; there may be mixing with the j=3/2 level for the 1+ state. PACS: 14.40.Lb Charmed mesons – 13.66.Bc Hadron production in e-e+ interactions
Building Shared Environmental Governance for the Future: The Case of a Community COIN

This case illustrates the use of mixed methods for analyzing structure, content, and sentiment of a city council task force appointed to guide the city (note, “the city’s” name remains anonymous as per research agreement) in updating their oil and gas drilling ordinance. The novel method approach integrates linguistic conversation analysis and social network influence to analyze the interactions among stakeholders over time as they occur both inside and outside formal meetings. The case study also represents a practical example of conducting e-Research where a small team of four researchers shared a cloud-based PC as a collaborative space for cost efficiency and data sharing and as an educational tool for team members working across mixed PC and Mac operating systems.
Trump and Us: What He Says and Why People Listen

To be honest, this book tended to make me angry, for its author insists on treating Trump supporters, many of whom want to deny political consideration to others, as worthy of political considerati...
Ten-Year Outcomes of a Systems-Based Approach to Longitudinal Amputation Care in the US Department of Veteran Affairs.

Background The goal of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Amputation System of Care (ASoC) is to enhance the quality and consistency of amputation rehabilitation care for veterans with limb loss. Objective The ASoC provides specialized expertise in amputation rehabilitation incorporating the latest practices in medical management, rehabilitation, and artificial limbs in order to minimize disability and to enable the highest level of social, vocational, and recreational success for veterans with amputation. Discussion The ASoC serves veterans with limb amputation from any etiology. Between 2009 and 2019, the VA experienced a 34% increase in the number of veterans with amputation who received care. During the same 10-year period, the percentage of veterans with major limb amputation seen in an outpatient amputation specialty clinic each year increased from 4.8 to 26%. This article highlights how the mission of the ASoC has been accomplished over the past decade through prioritization and implementation of key strategic initiatives in learning organization creation, trust in VA care, modernization, and development of a high-performance network with enhanced access and customer service. Conclusions This synopsis of the VA amputation care program serves as a model of amputation care that can be utilized outside the federal sector and has the potential to serve as a systems-based example for providing longitudinal care to other populations within the VA.
¿De dónde sos?: (Black) Argentina and the mechanisms of maintaining racial myths

Afrodescendant activists in Argentina challenge the belief that there are no Black Argentines, and therefore an impossibility of anti-black racism in the country. Insufficient data on race, the com...
Seeking Virtue in Finance

Since the Global Financial Crisis, a surge of interest in the use of finance as a tool to address social and economic problems suggests the potential for a generational shift in how the finance industry operates and is perceived. J. C. de Swaan seeks to channel the forces of well-intentioned finance professionals to improve finance from within and help restore its focus on serving society. Drawing from inspiring individuals in the field, de Swaan proposes a framework for pursuing a viable career in finance while benefiting society and upholding humanistic values. In doing so, he challenges traditional concepts of success in the industry. This will also engage readers outside of finance who are concerned about the industry's impact on society.
Midtown splines: An optimal charge assignment for electrostatics calculations

Transferring particle charges to and from a grid plays a central role in the particle-mesh algorithms widely used to evaluate the electrostatic energy in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The computational cost of this transfer process represents a substantial part of the overall time required for simulation and is primarily determined by the size of the support (the set of grid nodes at which the transfer function is evaluated). The accuracy of the resulting approximation depends on the form of the transfer function, of which several have been proposed, as well as the size and shape of its support. Here, we show how to derive the transfer function that yields maximal asymptotic accuracy for a given support in the limit of fine grid resolution, finding that all such functions are splines, and we determine these functions (which we refer to as midtown splines) for a variety of choices of support to find optimally efficient transfer functions at accuracy levels relevant to MD simulations. We describe midtown splines that achieve fourth- and sixth-order accuracy in the grid spacing while requiring a support size of 32 and 88 grid nodes, respectively, compared to the 64 and 216 nodes required by the most widely used transfer functions (B-splines). At accuracy levels typically used in MD simulations, the use of midtown splines thus cuts the time required for charge spreading by roughly a factor of two.
Evaluating survival in subjects with astrocytic brain tumors by dynamic susceptibility-weighted perfusion MR imaging.

Purpose Studies have evaluated the application of perfusion MR for predicting survival in patients with astrocytic brain tumors, but few of them statistically adjust their results to reflect the impact of the variability of treatment administered in the patients. Our aim was to analyze the association between the perfusion values and overall survival time, with adjustment for various clinical factors, including initial treatments and follow-up treatments. Materials and methods This study consisted of 51 patients with astrocytic brain tumors who underwent perfusion-weighted MRI with MultiHance® at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg prior to initial surgery. We measured the mean rCBV, the 5% & 10% maximum rCBV, and the variation of rCBV in the tumors. Comparisons were made between patients with and without 2-year survival using two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for the continuous data, or chi-square and Fisher exact tests for categorical data. The multivariate cox-proportional hazard regression was fit to evaluate the association between rCBV and overall survival time, with adjustment for clinical factors. Results Patients who survived less than 2 years after diagnosis had a higher mean and maximum rCBV and a larger variation of rCBV. After adjusting for clinical factors including therapeutic measures, we found no significant association of overall survival time within 2 years with any of these rCBV values. Conclusions Although patients who survived less than 2 years had a higher mean and maximum rCBV and a larger variation of rCBV, rCBV itself may not be used independently for predicting 2-year survival of patients with astrocytic brain tumors.
Relative risk of pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with the use of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDK4/6i): A systematic review and meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials.

1072Background: All three currently approved cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) such as palbociclib, abemaciclib, and ribociclib are reported to cause significant pulmonary toxicities...
OPTIMUM CHOICE OF DETERMINATE TRUSSES UNDER MULTIPLE LOADS

An algorithm for choosing the least-weight statically determined configuration of a given truss under two loading conditions is presented. The procedure is based on modifying the optimal truss, under the same conditions. This latter truss is, in general, indeterminate statically and can be easily obtained, using a decomposition method briefly reviewed in the paper. At every cycle of the procedure one bar (or more) is eliminated, thus yielding an optimal truss with a lower degree of indeterminacy, until the final solution is reached. The relationship between this method and an interactive fully-stressed design procedure is examined, and an example is given. The topology of the problem is covered in an appendix. Extension to more than two loading conditions is suggested. Besides the merits of statically determinate trusses in certain structures and conditions, the least-weight truss and least-weight determinate truss provide useful bounds on the truss weight and can be used as criteria for efficient design.
Effects of hyperoxia and hypoxia on the physiological traits responsible for obstructive sleep apnoea

Oxygen therapy is known to reduce loop gain (LG) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), yet its effects on the other traits responsible for OSA remain unknown. Therefore, we assessed how hyperoxia and hypoxia alter four physiological traits in OSA patients. Eleven OSA subjects underwent a night of polysomnography during which the physiological traits were measured using multiple 3-min 'drops' from therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) levels. LG was defined as the ratio of the ventilatory overshoot to the preceding reduction in ventilation. Pharyngeal collapsibility was quantified as the ventilation at CPAP of 0 cmH2O. Upper airway responsiveness was defined as the ratio of the increase in ventilation to the increase in ventilatory drive across the drop. Arousal threshold was estimated as the level of ventilatory drive associated with arousal. On separate nights, subjects were submitted to hyperoxia (n = 9; FiO2 ∼0.5) or hypoxia (n = 10; FiO2 ∼0.15) and the four traits were reassessed. Hyperoxia lowered LG from a median of 3.4 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.6-4.1] to 2.1 (IQR: 1.3-2.5) (P < 0.01), but did not alter the remaining traits. By contrast, hypoxia increased LG [median: 3.3 (IQR: 2.3-4.0) vs. 6.4 (IQR: 4.5-9.7); P < 0.005]. Hypoxia additionally increased the arousal threshold (mean ± s.d. 10.9 ± 2.1 l min(-1) vs. 13.3 ± 4.3 l min(-1); P < 0.05) and improved pharyngeal collapsibility (mean ± s.d. 3.4 ± 1.4 l min(-1) vs. 4.9 ± 1.3 l min(-1); P < 0.05), but did not alter upper airway responsiveness (P = 0.7). This study demonstrates that the beneficial effect of hyperoxia on the severity of OSA is primarily based on its ability to reduce LG. The effects of hypoxia described above may explain the disappearance of OSA and the emergence of central sleep apnoea in conditions such as high altitude.
Mending a broken heart: A couples approach to cardiac risk reduction

Abstract Long-term maintenance of behavior change to reduce health risk factors is essential to producing a positive effect on medical outcomes. Recently, increased attention has turned toward a patient's spouse, or intimate partner, in understanding response to illness, medically necessary behavioral change, and adherence with medical recommendations. The following article reviews the literature on couples and behavior change. Additionally, a description of an ongoing intervention with cardiac patients and their partners is included as an example of a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the needs of patients, their partners, and their relationships for sustained and meaningful behavioral change.
A Conversation with Brewster Kahle: Creating a library of Alexandria for the digital age

Stu Feldman, Queue board member and vice president of Internet technology for IBM, interviews the chief executive officer of the nonprofit Internet Archive.
Selective accumulation of the complement membrane attack complex in aging choriocapillaris

The complement membrane attack complex (MAC) shows increased abundance in the choriocapillaris during normal aging and is especially prevalent in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While perivascular MAC accumulation occurs in the choroid, it is not well understood whether similar deposition occurs in other aging tissues. In this study we examined the abundance of MAC across multiple human tissues. For studies on fixed tissues, paraffin sections were obtained from six human donor eyes and a commercially available tissue array containing 19 different tissues. Immunohistochemical labeling was performed using antibodies directed against the MAC and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as well as the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I). The choriocapillaris was the only tissue with high levels of the MAC, which was not detected in any of the 38 additional samples from 19 tissues. ICAM-1 was abundantly expressed in the majority of tissues evaluated, and UEA-I labeled the vasculature in all tissues. A second experiment was performed using unfixed frozen sections of RPE-choroid and 7 extraocular tissues, which confirmed the relatively limited localization of the MAC to the choriocapillaris. In comparison to other tissues assessed, the restricted accumulation of MAC in the choriocapillaris may, in part, explain the specificity of AMD to the neural retina, RPE and choroid, and the relative absence of systemic pathology in this disease.
Heterogeneic Autoantibody Against Neurofilament Protein in the Sera of Animals with Experimental Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Natural Scrapie Infection

Abstract Heterogeneic autoantibodies against axonal neurofilament proteins of mature mouse neurons grown in vitro were detected by the indirect immunofluorescence technique in 12.7% (9 of 71) of the sera from nonhuman primates infected with kuru, in 14.5% (17 of 117) and 4% (1 of 25), respectively, of the sera from nonhuman primates and laboratory rodents infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and in 35% (7 of 20) of the sera from sheep naturally infected with scrapie. Autoantibody titers ranged from 1:16 to 1:512 in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease-infected animals, 1:32 to 1:512 in kuru-infected animals, and 1:64 to 1:1,024 in sheep with natural scrapie. The sera from 11 monkeys and 17 hamsters infected with scrapie and from 19 chimpanzees inoculated with brain tissues from humans with other neurological diseases did not contain autoantibodies. Of the 41 chimpanzees with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, 6 had autoantibodies against neurofilament proteins before experimental inoculation, whereas 6 others developed autoantibodies after inoculation, 4 developed autoantibodies during the asymptomatic phase, and 2 developed autoantibodies during the terminal clinical phase. Of the 48 chimpanzees with kuru, 2 had autoantibodies before inoculation, 6 developed autoantibodies after inoculation, 3 developed autoantibodies during the asymptomatic phase, and 3 developed autoantibodies during the terminal clinical phase. Among the normal nonhuman primate controls, 4.6% (9 of 195) had autoantibodies. In contrast, no autoantibodies were detected in 49 control rodents and 13 control sheep. The increased incidence of autoantibodies against neurofilament proteins in animals with kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and scrapie constitutes the first evidence of an immunological reaction in this group of atypical infections caused by unconventional viruses and suggests that neurofilaments may be involved in pathogenesis.
Introduction of Temperature-Sensitive Elastin-Based Switches to Stabilize Globular Proteins

Elastin and elastin-based peptides display a temperature-dependent conformational transition from a less to a more ordered state upon increasing temperature [1], This inverse temperature behavior has been attributed to hydrophobic collapse and expulsion of water molecules associated with the non-polar side-chains of the polymer by both experimental [1] and simulation [2] studies. In addition, studies by Reiersen et al. [3] of various elastin monomers (VPGVG) suggest that short elastin-based peptides exhibit the same behavior as elastin. Also, an engineered protein A mini-domain containing an elastin turn exhibits reversible temperature-controlled IgG binding [4]. Following along these lines, we now ask whether an elastin-based turn can serve as a temperature-sensitive switch when engineered into a globular protein such that its conformational behavior and stability can be controlled. We investigated this possibility using molecular dynamic simulations. These simulations suggest that it is possible to introduce an “inverse temperature transition” and/or stabilize a globular protein at higher temperature, by replacing a turn in the target protein with an elastin-like turn (VPGVG).
Life in Riverfront: A Middle‐Western Town Seen through Japanese Eyes

Life in Riverfront:. Middle-Western Town Seen through Japanese Eyes. Mariko Fujita Sano and Toshiyuki Sano. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt College Publishers, 2001. 164 pp.
Vehicle classification using GPS data

Vehicle classification information is crucial to transportation planning, facility design, and operations. Traditional vehicle classification methods are either too expensive to be deployed for large areas or subject to errors under specific situations. In this paper, we propose methods to classify vehicles using GPS data extracted from mobile traffic sensors, which is considered to be low-cost especially for large areas of urban arterials. It is found that features related to the variations of accelerations and decelerations (e.g., the proportions of accelerations and decelerations larger than 1 meter per square second, and the standard deviations of accelerations and decelerations) are the most effective in terms of vehicle classification using GPS data. By classifying general trucks from passenger cars, the average misclassification rate is about 1.6% for the training data, and 4.2% for the testing data.
Clathrin interactions with C-terminal regions of the yeast AP-1 beta and gamma subunits are important for AP-1 association with clathrin coats.

Heterotetrameric adaptor (AP) complexes are thought to coordinate cargo recruitment and clathrin assembly during clathrin-coated vesicle biogenesis. We have identified, and characterized the physiological significance of clathrin-binding activities in the two large subunits of the AP-1 complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using GST-fusion chromatography, two clathrin-binding sites were defined in the β1 subunit that match consensus clathrin-binding sequences in other mammalian and yeast clathrin-binding proteins. Clathrin interactions were also identified with the C-terminal region of the γ subunit. When introduced into chromosomal genes, point mutations in the β1 clathrin-binding motifs, or deletion of the γ C-terminal region, reduced association of AP-1 with clathrin in coimmunoprecipitation assays. The β1 mutations or the γ truncation individually produced minor effects on AP-1 distribution by subcellular fractionation. However, when β1 and γ mutations were combined, severe defects were observed in AP-1 association with membranes and incorporation into clathrin-coated vesicles. The combination of subunit mutations accentuated growth and α-factor pheromone maturation defects in chc1-ts cells, though not to the extent caused by complete loss of AP-1 activity. Our results suggest that both the β1 and γ subunits contribute interactions with clathrin that are important for stable assembly of AP-1 complexes into clathrin coats in vivo.
Effect of the Lattice on Dielectric Properties of an Electron Gas

A system of $N$ electrons in the presence of a rigid periodic background of positive charge is considered. Following Martin and Schwinger, an inverse dielectric operator, ${\mathcal{K}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, is introduced. An approximate equation which takes into account the long-range nature of the Coulomb field is derived for ${\mathcal{K}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. A representation is used where ${\mathcal{K}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is a matrix with rows and columns labeled by vectors of the reciprocal lattice. Poles and zeros in the dielectric operator are found to be manifestations of Bragg's law. Assuming these to be the major effect of the lattice, the equation for ${\mathcal{K}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is solved. The result is examined in the weak-binding limit and seen here, except at the Bragg reflections, to agree with that of Nozi\`eres and Pines. Finally the ground-state energy of the system is exhibited.
Functional significance of the Kunitz-type inhibitory domains of lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor

Blood coagulation can be initiated when factor VII or VIIa, a plasma protease, binds to its essential cofactor, tissue factor (TF), and proteolytically activates factors IX and X, triggering a cascade of events which eventually leads to the formation of thrombin and a fibrin clot. Plasma contains a lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI) which inhibits activated factor X (Xa) directly and, in a Xa-dependent way, inhibits VII(a)/TF activity, presumably by forming a quaternary Xa/LACI/VII(a)/TF complex. Sequence analysis of complementary DNA clones has shown that LACI contains three tandemly repeated Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitory domains. To investigate the relationship between these Kunitz structures and LACI function, we have used site-directed mutagenesis to produce altered forms of LACI in which the residue at the active-site cleft of each Kunitz domain has been individually changed. The second Kunitz domain is required for efficient binding and inhibition of Xa, and both Kunitz domains 1 and 2 are required for the inhibition of VIIa/TF activity; but alteration of the active-site residue of the third Kunitz domain has no significant effect on either function. We propose that in the putative inhibitory complex, Kunitz domain 1 is bound to the active site of VII(a)/TF and that Kunitz domain 2 is bound to Xa's active site.
Influence of recall on an anticholinesterase induced retrograde amnesia

Abstract Injection of the anticholinesterase drug physostigmine produced a retrograde amnesia in rats of a passive avoidance response trained 7 days prior to injection. Similar treatment had no effect on 3-day old memories of the same task. A recall trial conducted 30 minutes prior to injection prevented the normally observed amnesia of a 7-day old memory. Experience with stimuli closely associated with the original training produced the same effect as a recall trial. The ability of a recall trial to influence a subsequent amnesia was dependent upon adequate memory retrieval at the time of the recall experience. Related results on the influence of recall on electroconvulsive shock induced amnesia are discussed.
High-resolution thermal-conductivity measurements near the lambda point of helium.

Measurements of the thermal conductivity of helium in the region from 6 x 10 to the -8th to 6 x 10 to the -4th K above the lambda point at the vapor pressure are reported. Within 5 x 10 to the -6th K of the transition conductivity values are found significantly lower than expected on the basis of theoretical extrapolations from previous experiments. When the parameter Rk is calculated, a maximum about 2 x 10 to the -6th K above the transition is found, in disagreement with the predictions of the two-loop dynamic renormalization-group theory. The uncertainties in the results in this region are discussed in detail.
The optic neuritis treatment trial: A definitive answer and profound impact with unexpected results

T HE OPTIC NEURITIS TREATMENT TRIAL (ONTT)hashadahighly significant impact on thepracticesofophthalmologyandneurology. The impact can be attributed to its systematic collection and analysis of enormousamountsofdata,adherencetosoundclinicaltrialmethodology, as well as important unanticipated findings. For lack of a more precise definition, optic neuritis is an acute, noninfectious inflammatory optic neuropathy that predominantly affects young people. By the end of the 19th century, the clinical profile of this disorder and its relationship to multiple sclerosis (MS) were well characterized. In the subsequent 100 years, numerous reports identifying erroneous etiologies and seemingly successful
Palliation of Massive Bronchorrhea

1988;94;1313-1314 Chest Steven M. Krawtz, Atul C. Mehta, Srinivasan Vijayakumar and James K. Stoller Palliation of Massive Bronchorrhea http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/94/6/1313.2.citation can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights of been published monthly since 1935. Copyright1988by the American College is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It has Chest
A Double-Inactivated Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Vaccine Provides Incomplete Protection in Mice and Induces Increased Eosinophilic Proinflammatory Pulmonary Response upon Challenge

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is an important emerging virus that is highly pathogenic in aged populations and is maintained with great diversity in zoonotic reservoirs. While a variety of vaccine platforms have shown efficacy in young-animal models and against homologous viral strains, vaccine efficacy has not been thoroughly evaluated using highly pathogenic variants that replicate the acute end stage lung disease phenotypes seen during the human epidemic. Using an adjuvanted and an unadjuvanted double-inactivated SARS-CoV (DIV) vaccine, we demonstrate an eosinophilic immunopathology in aged mice comparable to that seen in mice immunized with the SARS nucleocapsid protein, and poor protection against a nonlethal heterologous challenge. In young and 1-year-old animals, we demonstrate that adjuvanted DIV vaccine provides protection against lethal disease in young animals following homologous and heterologous challenge, although enhanced immune pathology and eosinophilia are evident following heterologous challenge. In the absence of alum, DIV vaccine performed poorly in young animals challenged with lethal homologous or heterologous strains. In contrast, DIV vaccines (both adjuvanted and unadjuvanted) performed poorly in aged-animal models. Importantly, aged animals displayed increased eosinophilic immune pathology in the lungs and were not protected against significant virus replication. These data raise significant concerns regarding DIV vaccine safety and highlight the need for additional studies of the molecular mechanisms governing DIV-induced eosinophilia and vaccine failure, especially in the more vulnerable aged-animal models of human disease.
Hetero-sexy self/body work and basketball: The invisible sporting women of British Pakistani Muslim heritage

Muslim women's personal relationship with the body beneath and beyond the veil has received little attention, especially in the sporting literature. Instead, talk of sporting Muslim women has been more frequently animated around a monolithic Orientalist narrative that sensationalises the veil, and asserts the oppression of Islamic thinking on gender equality and female sexuality. Similarly, discussions of South Asian Muslim women's participation in sport have been more routinely informed by ethnocentric stereotypes about the ‘passive Asian woman’. In this paper I engage postcolonial feminist thinking to move beyond uncritical dichotomous re/presentations that have systematically denied diverse sporting Muslim women an identity or bodily presence outside of the discursive identity of the veil. I focus on British Muslim Pakistani women who play basketball, and explore the multifarious, dynamic ways in which these women negotiate and perform various discourses pertaining to idealised yet dramaturgical notion...
A review of the literature on how important water is to the world's elderly population.

Aim: This article reviews the literature on how important water is to the world's elderly population. Background: Water is a finite resource, so we must preserve the water that we have. Physiological aspects and what water requirements our bodies maintain sum up this essential nutrient for life. Dehydration is a concern in the elderly. Conclusions: Five strategies related to water intake can promote health: (1) assess for symptoms which may indicate dehydration, (2) encourage ingestion of fluids and foods to maintain an optimal fluid level, (3) be alert to physical and clinical conditions affecting hydration in the elderly, (4) consider environmental factors which may affect body fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance, and (5) encourage methods to increase fluid consumption.
Sensory nerve conduction and somatosensory evoked potentials of the trigeminal nerve in horses with idiopathic headshaking.

Background Idiopathic headshaking (HSK) in horses is a distressing disorder in which the etiology and pathophysiology are unknown. Hypothesis Differences in sensory function of the trigeminal nerve exist between healthy and affected horses. Animals Six healthy mature geldings and 6 mature geldings with idiopathic HSK. Methods Prospective study. Sensory nerve action and somatosensory evoked potentials studies were performed. The stimulus site comprised the gingival mucosa dorsal to the maxillary canine. A pair of recording electrodes was placed along the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex at the infraorbital nerve (R1), maxillary nerve (R2), spinal tract of trigeminal (R3), and somatosensory cortex (R4). Sensory nerve action potential latency (ms), amplitude (μV), duration (ms), area under the curve (μVms), and conduction velocity (m/s) were calculated. Results Threshold for activation of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve was significantly different between 5 affected (≤5 mA) and 6 control horses (≥10 mA). After initiation of an action potential, there were no differences in all parameters measured and no differences between left and right sides. A horse with seasonal HSK tested during a time of no clinical manifestations showed a threshold for activation similar to control horses. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This study confirms involvement of the trigeminal nerve hyperexcitability in the pathophysiology of disease. Further, results might support a functional rather than a structural alteration in the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex that can be seasonal. The horse could serve as a natural animal model for humans with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
Pre-eruptive effects of Mo, B, Sr and F on dental caries in the rat

Abstract Pre-eruptive effects of trace elements on dental caries have not been extensively evaluated. To investigate the effect of Sr, Mo or B alone or in combinations with F, male rat pups were intubated oesophageally daily from 4 to 17 days of age. The rats were fed a high sucrose, caries-promoting diet from 18 to 35 days of age, killed and the first and second mandibular molars evaluated for carious lesions. Fluoride ( 100 μg 10 g body wt/day) reduced buccal enamel lesions by 50 per cent but did not reduce sulcal caries. Strontium and Mo at 500 and B at 150 μg 10 g body wt/day increased buccal dentine-enamel (Ds) lesions by 80, 85, and 43 per cent, respectively, and increased sulcal caries slightly. Strontium. Mo, or B, given in combination with F, increased buccal (Ds) caries by 63, 56 and 145 per cent, and increased sulcal (Ds) lesions by 27, 43 and 48 per cent, respectively, as compared to control values. The results demonstrate that administration of Sr, Mo or B, at these levels throughout the pre-eruptive period only, causes an increase in dental caries. Concomitant administration of F was ineffective in reversing the effect of Sr, Mo or B. In fact, sulcal lesions were augmented by each of the combinations and deep buccal caries was greatly enhanced when both B and F were given together. These data have important implications concerning pre-eruptive systemic exposure of teeth to F in the presence of other elements.
Effect of carrier gas on the deposition of titanium carbo-nitride coatings by a novel organo-metallic plasma immersion ion processing technique

Abstract Using a novel organo-metallic chemical vapor deposition plasma immersion ion processing technique, titanium carbo-nitride (Ti–C–N) coatings were deposited from an organo-metallic CVD precursor, tetrakis-dimethylamino titanium. Different carrier gases (acetylene, ammonia, argon and nitrogen) were made to flow through the precursor reservoir at 20 sccm so that the coating composition could be modified. Deposited coatings had thickness in the range of 300–1000 nm as determined by surface profilometry. Titanium concentrations in the coatings ranged from 10.8 to 15.1 at%. Hardness values of these coatings ranged from ≈8–14 GPa while residual stresses were in the range from −440 to −100 MPa, as determined by nanoindentation and wafer curvature techniques, respectively. Coefficient of friction values ranged from 0.2 to 0.45, and were lowest for coatings with low titanium content. Hardness, coefficient of friction and residual stress increased with increasing titanium content. Wear resistance was determined by a pin-on-disk technique and wear coefficients ranged from 0.005×10 −6 to 2×10 −6 mm 3 /N m, increasing with increasing hardness indicating an abrasive wear mechanism.
A New Efficient Stereoselective Debromination Reaction with Trialkylgermanium Hydrides Useful in the Design of Short Synthetic Routes to β-Lactamase Inhibitor Prodrugs

Prodrugs derived from the β-lactamase inhibitor 6-β-hydroxymethylsulbactam can be synthesized efficiently in a three-step process by making use of the highly stereoselective radical debromination utilizing tri-n-butylgermanium hydride. This reagent is capable of abstracting bromine from the C-6 position of pairs of epimers 6-hydroxymethyl-6-bromo-penicillate-1,1-dioxide esters and functionalized esters suitable for prodrug use in high yields. The bromine abstraction usually results in favoured formation of the 6-β-hydroxymethyl epimer relative to the 6-α-hydroxymethyl epimer in ratios that exceed 97:3. Reaction of pure 6-α-hydroxymethyl-6-β-bromo-penicillate-1,1-dioxide ester results in almost exclusive formation of 6-β-hydroxymethylsulbactam ester. This methodology conserves the C−C bond formation at C-6 by making use of both epimers resulting from formylation, which is difficult and nonstereoselective in the β-hydroxymethylsulbactam prodrug synthesis.
Decentralized governance and environmental change: Local institutional moderation of deforestation in Bolivia

Dozens of countries have decentralized at least part of their natural resource policies over the last two decades. Despite the length of time that these policy experiments have been in force, there is little agreement about their effectiveness. We argue that part of this ambivalence stems from three limitations of extant studies, suggesting that future studies of decentralized natural resource governance should consider a combination of 1) variation in the local institutional context, 2) the fit between the reform and other public policies, and 3) more adequate outcome measures for decentralized resource governance. After developing such an approach, we posit that varying forest conditions depend on the moderating effects that local institutions have on the socioeconomic and biophysical drivers of environmental change. Analyzing data from interviews and remotely sensed images from 30 municipalities in the Bolivian lowlands, we find that the local institutional performance affects unauthorized deforestation directly and indirectly, but detect no effects on either permitted or total deforestation. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Scheduling synchronous dataflow graphs for efficient looping

Synchronous dataflow (SDF) has been used to synthesize code for programmable DSPs to implement multirate and block oriented signal processing systems. However, with large block sizes, or significant sample rate changes, program memory consumption becomes a critical problem. This article develops a compile-time algorithm for scheduling SDF graphs to exploit opportunities for looping--the successive reoccurrence of identical firing patterns. Because SDF graphs allow actors to produce or consume an arbitrary number of tokens on each input or output, complicated control flow may result. Yet in static scheduling, it is desirable to execute sections of the target code within loop constructs, such as "do-while," to reduce program-memory requirements. To do this, the SDF graph is hierarchically clustered, carefully avoiding deadlock while exposing looping opportunities. Results of applying these loop-extraction algorithms show orders of magnitude of compaction for target program code space on programmable DSPs compared to in-line code.
The effect of head/disk design parameters on the transition from sliding to flying of Winchester-type sliders

The contact behavior and stability of a typical Winchester-type slider are investigated during its transition from sliding to flying using numerical simulation. Regions of stable and unstable flying behavior are determined as functions of the initial disturbance velocities of the slider and head/disk design parameters, such as surface roughness, coefficient of friction, and slider rail width. Factors that produce large negative pitch motions tend to increase the region for which unstable contact behavior occurs. Configurations that tend to decrease the possibility of contact tend to decrease the region of instability. The results can be used to establish qualitative criteria to guide the design of improved slider bearings with less vulnerability to a head crash during in-contact start/stop. >
Effect of the shape of the endothelial graft on the refractive results after Descemet's stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty

Abstract Objective: To investigate the magnitude and the possible causes of the refractive changes after Descemets stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). In this article we describe the changes in corneal power after DSAEK and correlate them with the shape, diameter, and thickness of the endothelial graft obtained. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Participants: 17 consecutive patients who underwent DSAEK at the Rand Eye Institute in 2007. Methods: The preoperative and post-DSAEK corneal power was determined using Gaussian optics and correlated with the DSAEK graft diameter and central, paracentral (P1), and peripheral (P2) graft thickness using images obtained from the Pentacam Scheimpflug. Results: During DSAEK there is addition of corneal tissue in the posterior layers of the cornea, which reduces the radius of curvature of the posterior layer of the cornea and also the total corneal power. The mean anterioposterior corneal radius of curvature ratio after DSAEK is 72.3% (SD 4.63%). In consequence, the keratometry values calculated after DSAEK using the Gaussian optics method are less than those measured by manual keratometry after surgery. A strong correlation was observed between the postoperative Gaussian keratometric power and the ratio of the central corneal DSAEK graft thickness (C) to the mean P2 measured at 7 mm optical zone (C:P2) (r 2 = 0.63, p Conclusions: DSAEK induced a mean hyperopic shift of 1.05 (SD 0.76) D. The mean anterioposterior corneal radius of curvature ratio decreased to 72.3%. Despite a great variability, the ratio between the central DSAEK graft thickness and the graft thickness at the 7 mm optical zone (C:P2 ratio) was correlated with the magnitude of the change in corneal power and induced hyperopia, which produces a steeper posterior corneal surface. No correlation between the DSAEK graft diameter and change in corneal power was noted. Customization in the shape of the donor graft lenticle might reduce the hyperopic shift noted after DSAEK.
A comparative analysis of the equilibrium dynamics of a designed protein inferred from NMR, X-ray, and computations

A detailed analysis of high-resolution structural data and computationally predicted dynamics was carried out for a designed sugar-binding protein. The mean-square deviations in the positions of residues derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) models and those inferred from X-ray crystallographic B-factors for two different crystal forms were compared with the predictions based on the Gaussian Network Model (GNM) and the results from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. GNM systematically yielded a higher correlation than MD, with experimental data, suggesting that the lack of atomistic details in the coarse-grained GNM is more than compensated for by the mathematically exact evaluation of fluctuations using the native contacts topology. Evidence is provided that particular loop motions are curtailed by intermolecular contacts in the crystal environment causing a discrepancy between theory and experiments. Interestingly, the information conveyed by X-ray crystallography becomes more consistent with NMR models and computational predictions when ensembles of X-ray models are considered. Less precise (broadly distributed) ensembles indeed appear to describe the accessible conformational space under native state conditions better than B-factors. Our results highlight the importance of using multiple conformations obtained by alternative experimental methods, and analyzing results from both coarse-grained models and atomic simulations, for accurate assessment of motions accessible to proteins under native state conditions.
TADSim: Discrete Event-Based Performance Prediction for Temperature-Accelerated Dynamics

Next-generation high-performance computing will require more scalable and flexible performance prediction tools to evaluate software--hardware co-design choices relevant to scientific applications and hardware architectures. We present a new class of tools called application simulators—parameterized fast-running proxies of large-scale scientific applications using parallel discrete event simulation. Parameterized choices for the algorithmic method and hardware options provide a rich space for design exploration and allow us to quickly find well-performing software--hardware combinations. We demonstrate our approach with a TADSim simulator that models the temperature-accelerated dynamics (TAD) method, an algorithmically complex and parameter-rich member of the accelerated molecular dynamics (AMD) family of molecular dynamics methods. The essence of the TAD application is captured without the computational expense and resource usage of the full code. We accomplish this by identifying the time-intensive elements, quantifying algorithm steps in terms of those elements, abstracting them out, and replacing them by the passage of time. We use TADSim to quickly characterize the runtime performance and algorithmic behavior for the otherwise long-running simulation code. We extend TADSim to model algorithm extensions, such as speculative spawning of the compute-bound stages, and predict performance improvements without having to implement such a method. Validation against the actual TAD code shows close agreement for the evolution of an example physical system, a silver surface. Focused parameter scans have allowed us to study algorithm parameter choices over far more scenarios than would be possible with the actual simulation. This has led to interesting performance-related insights and suggested extensions.
Physiological markers in early infancy Stability of 1- to 6-month vagal tone

Abstract Twenty-six full-term infants were evaluated at 1-, 3-, and 6-months postpartum to explore the stability of Porges' (1985a) cardiac vagal tone index. One-month vagal tone (V) was not found to be associated with either 3- or 6-month measures of cardiac vagal tone, however, 3-month cardiac vagal tone was found to be predictive of 6-month cardiac vagal tone. Interestingly, 1-month heart period range was predictive of 6-month heart period range. These findings both replicate and extend previous research examining early patterns of development in cardiac indices.