cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Seed Treatment Effects in Organic Peanut

ABSTRACT Stand establishment has been a challenge for organic peanut production in the Southeastern United States. Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2009 in research plots certified for organic production to evaluate the potential of genotype selection, shelling procedure, and seed treatment with Bacillus subtilis to improve stand establishment and seedling emergence rates, reduce incidence of Aspergillus crown rot, and increase seedling biomass. Seed of 15 peanut genotypes were mechanically shelled or hand-shelled, and treated with B. subtilis or untreated prior to planting in early June. Percent stand was estimated for each plot 17–21 days after planting (DAP), and percent seedlings affected by Aspergillus crown rot and plant biomass were estimated 21–24 DAP. Seed treatment significantly affected stand establishment for three genotypes each year, Georgia-01R both years, C-99R and Tifguard in 2007, and C34-24-69 and C724-19-25 in 2009. In all of these cases, the hand-shelled plots had signific...
Jaws™ catheter exchange: An alternative method of exchanging coronary interventional devices

This study describes an alternative method of exchanging over-the-wire (OTW) angioplasty catheters over standard length coronary guide wires. Exchange was facilitated with a specially designed catheter stripper, Jaws (Microvena, White Bear Lake, MN). Jaws is a disposable instrument similar to an electrician's wire stripper whose cutting blades automatically center the wire before cutting the catheter shaft. One hundred seventy catheter exchanges were performed in 93 patients. Catheter extraction success was 99% and reinsertion success was 98%. Catheters were extracted by withdrawing the catheter to the proximal end of the wire and transecting the catheter shaft near the hemostatic valve. All catheters were extracted with two to three cuts. After catheters removal, another OTW, sliding rail, directional atherectomy, Cook, or J&J stent could be introduced over the standard 175 cm wire. In those situations where catheter reuse is unanticipated, Jaws exchange affords the operator a full range of catheter choices with the convenience and economy of using a standard length angioplasty guide wire.
Measuring the effectiveness of the Export Enhancement Program for poultry.

This report examines the economic effects of the Export Enhancement Program for poultry meat for 1987. Total exports have increased 79 thousand metric tons due to the program. Model results indicate that every metric ton of poultry meat subsidized has resulted in an additional 0.83 metric ton of poultry meat exports at an average cost of $761/mt. Although US poultry exports have increased, other poultry exporters (including the European Community) have not been significantly affected. US producers have gained marginally, while US consumers have lost an equivalent amount of welfare through higher domestic poultry prices.
Is the immediate reversal of diastolic dysfunction of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation a sign of the metabolic etiology

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy currently is believed to be a multifactorial entity. This communication describes a case of immediate intraoperative recovery of diastolic function following liver transplantation. This suggests that an underlying metabolic inhibition of myocardial metabolism is an important factor in the development of cardiomyopathy in end-stage liver disease. Liver Transpl 15:1417–1419, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.
An examination of cancer epidemiology studies among populations living close to toxic waste sites.

Background Toxic waste sites contain a broad range of suspected or confirmed human carcinogens, and remain a source of concern to many people, particularly those living in the vicinity of a site. Despite years of study, a consensus has not emerged regarding the cancer risk associated with such sites.
Turning things downside up: adsorbate induced water flipping on Pt(111).

We have examined the adsorption of the weakly bound species N2, O2, CO, and Kr on the (37×37)R25.3∘ water monolayer on Pt(111) using a combination of molecular beam dosing, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and temperature programmed desorption. In contrast to multilayer crystalline ice, the adsorbate-free water monolayer is characterized by a lack of dangling OH bonds protruding into the vacuum (H-up). Instead, the non-hydrogen-bonded OH groups are oriented downward (H-down) to maximize their interaction with the underlying Pt(111) substrate. Adsorption of Kr and O2 have little effect on the structure and vibrational spectrum of the “37” water monolayer while adsorption of both N2, and CO are effective in “flipping” H-down water molecules into an H-up configuration. This “flipping” occurs readily upon adsorption at temperatures as low as 20 K and the water monolayer transforms back to the H-down, “37” structure upon adsorbate desorption above 35 K, indicating small energy differences and barri...
Initiation of Statin Therapy: Are There Age Limits?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death, with a higher prevalence in older adults who form an increasing proportion of the population of the United States. Statin treatment reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in middle-aged adults. However, few studies have included older individuals, particularly ages 80 years or older. We review recent publications regarding primary and secondary prevention of CVD with statin therapy in older adults. Risk scores and their limitations in this population are discussed. The association of adverse effects with intensive doses of statin and their interactions with other drugs may be more problematic in older adults. Statin therapy appears cost-effective for individuals with higher CVD risk but this is dependent on the assumptions used. Evidence remains limited regarding the overall benefit of starting statin therapy in adults ages 80 years and older; thus, clinical judgment remains necessary in making this decision.
Herpetic conjunctivitis as an unusual occupational hazard (endoscopists’ eye)

An endoscopist was inoculated in the eye by effluent from the open biopsy port of his esophagoscope. Herpetic esophagitis in the patient became herpetic conjunctivitis for the examiner. The author details this unusual complication that he has dubbed "endoscopist's eye".
Protection of mouse bone marrow by inorganic compounds during freezing and thawing.

SummaryThe ability of inorganic compounds to protect mouse bone marrow cells against freezing and thawing damage has been investigated, using a lethally irradiated isologous recipient as a functional assay of viability. NaI, NaBr, NaNO3, NaNO2, Na2SO4, NaSCN, and Na2S2O3 were tested. All showed protective action against freezing and thawing. The effectiveness of different inorganic salts varied greatly. Each compound was effective only at certain concentrations.
Effect of Protein Aggregation on the Binding of Lysozyme to Pyrene-Labeled Polyanions

The binding of lysozyme to pyrene (Py)-labeled homo- and copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate and acrylamide was investigated by a combination of scattering techniques (turbidimetry, quasielastic light scattering, and electrophoretic light scattering), potentiometry, and fluorescence techniques. Lysozyme, a basic protein with a high isoelectric point of 11.5, is known to exist in a dimer form at ∼5 ∼10. Potentiometric titration indicates binding of lysozyme aggregates to Py-labeled polysulfonates in 0.2 M NaCl at pH as high as 12.3. Nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) from tryptophan residues of lysozyme to Py labels commences near pH 10.5 when pH is further decreased. This onset of NRET is accompanied by an onset of solution turbidity, arising from the formation of lysozyme−polymer complexes with diameters 10−100 times larger than those of the individual components. This pH for the onset of NRET and turbidity, which is independent of bot...
Realistic Evaluation of Cooperative Relaying Networks Using Decentralized Distributed Space-Time Block Coding

Information theoretic studies have shown the significant performance improvements of cooperative communications. However, these studies ignore both the overheads incurred in real implementations of the cooperative techniques at the physical layer and their interactions with higher layer protocols in a networking context. In this paper, we study the performance of realistic networking scenarios facilitated by cooperation by taking overheads incurred at the physical, MAC, and network layers into account. In particular, (1) we modify the physical layer model of the QualNet network simulator to incorporate decentralized distributed space-time block coding into all SINR calculations and to combine signals transmitted concurrently from multiple relays, (2) we implement a path-centric MAC protocol to both reserve a multihop path between source and destination nodes and coordination relay nodes, and (3) we modify the DSR protocol to support path reservation at the network layer. Preliminary simulation results demonstrate that significant performance improvement can be achieved by employing cooperation. We also demonstrate the overheads which challenge their effectiveness in real networks.
History of chronic comorbidity and risk of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in cancer patients not receiving G-CSF prophylaxis

ABSTRACT Background Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is a clinically important complication that affects patient outcome by delaying chemotherapy doses or reducing dose intensity. Risk of FN depends on chemotherapy- and patient-level factors. We sought to determine the effects of chronic comorbidities on risk of FN. Design We conducted a cohort study to examine the association between a variety of chronic comorbidities and risk of FN in patients diagnosed with six types of cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast, colorectal, lung, ovary, and gastric cancer) from 2000 to 2009 who were treated with chemotherapy at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, a large managed care organization. We excluded those patients who received primary prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. History of comorbidities and FN events were identified using electronic medical records. Cox models adjusting for propensity score, stratified by cancer type, were used to determine the association between comorbid conditions and FN. Models that additionally adjusted for cancer stage, baseline neutrophil count, chemotherapy regimen, and dose reduction were also evaluated. Results A total of 19 160 patients with mean age of 60 years were included; 963 (5.0%) developed FN in the first chemotherapy cycle. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.30 (1.07–1.57)], congestive heart failure [HR = 1.43 (1.00–1.98)], HIV infection [HR = 3.40 (1.90–5.63)], autoimmune disease [HR = 2.01 (1.10–3.33)], peptic ulcer disease [HR = 1.57 (1.05–2.26)], renal disease [HR = 1.60 (1.21–2.09)], and thyroid disorder [HR = 1.32 (1.06–1.64)] were all associated with a significantly increased FN risk. Conclusions These results provide evidence that history of several chronic comorbidities increases risk of FN, which should be considered when managing patients during chemotherapy.
Ferromagnetic Relaxation by Magnon-Electron Interaction

In the present work, we show that expansion of the fields in the small parameter 4piomegasigma/c2k2 allows one to tackle the magnon-electron interaction in the system. In particular, it can be applied to the problem of magnons generated by four-magnon scattering after a large angle rotation such is common in modern switching experiments and technological applications such as magnetic recording.
AIM: attentionally based interaction model for the interpretation of vascular angiography

We propose a model to interpret neurovascular X-ray angiogram (XRA) images interactively. This attentionally based interactive model (AIM) exploits human interaction as part of the solution. AIM posits two channels of interaction: context (what to look for) and focus-of-attention (where to look) as the locus of spatial information exchange between the user and the machine. In an AIM system, the user specifies a context (e.g., a carotid vessel) and directs the attentional spotlight to focus machine processing. AIM involves the user with the computer as integral partners and facilitates varying degrees of human intervention in the process. A hierarchy of context abstractions permits the system to function more autonomously (doing high-level tasks like extracting an arterial vessel) in routine interpretation and to require more user intervention (e.g., locating arterial wall boundaries) as the image complexity increases. This is especially important in medical imaging where the medical professional must have ultimate control and confidence in the system. Such technology can have a significant impact on the design of radiological systems.
Preliminary Report and Conservation Status of the Río Mayo Titi Monkey, Callicebus oenanthe Thomas, 1924, in the Alto Mayo Valley, Northeastern Peru

Abstract From October 2004 to September 2005, I conducted a study on the behavioral ecology of the rare and endangered Rio Mayo titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe) in a fragmented premontane tropical forest of the Alto Mayo, near the town of Moyobamba, in northern Peru. This is the first such field study on this species. The study group consisted of an adult male, an adult female, and two offspring (a male and a female). An infant was born in May 2005. No offspring dispersed during the study. Data were recorded using instantaneous focal animal sampling and it was possible to obtain detailed information on behavior because the individuals could be identified and the group was easily followed at close range. There are pelage differences among the age and sex categories. Pelage coloration differences in individuals of different groups may indicate color morphs or possible subspecies. The conservation status of C. oenanthe is described, with the conservative estimate that it persists in less than 1,800 km2 of f...
The Effects of Top Management Team Pay and Firm Internationalization on MNC Performance

We examine relationships among top management team (TMT) compensation, a firm’s degree of internationalization (DOI), and its subsequent levels of market and accounting performance. Consistent with our contingency view of information-processing theory, we find that non-CEO total pay and the use of long-term incentive pay are positively associated with subsequent performance, whereas the CEO–TMT total pay gap has negative effects on firm performance. CEO pay has no relationship with performance and TMT pay effects are much stronger in MNCs with high DOI.
Controlling a ray bundle with a free-form reflector

The problem of controlling a single ray bundle with a single reflector is not generally solvable, but approximate solutions may often be found that are acceptable for applications. We introduce a new technique for finding such approximations and apply it to the design of a driver-side mirror for an automobile that has no blind spot and minimal distortion.
Intracranial Head and Neck Tumors: Endovascular Considerations, Present and Future

To review the literature on endovascular therapies available to clinicians to aid in the management of head, neck, and intracranial tumors. Hypervascular tumors of the head and neck region, as well as the intracranial region, are associated with large amounts of blood loss intraoperatively. Preoperative embolization of selected hypervascular tumors has been proposed in the literature as a method of reducing blood loss intraoperatively. This technique involves superselective catheterization of the feeding arteries to the tumor bed and then by infusion of embolic particles to saturate the tumor bed in the hopes of inducing necrosis. For less vascular tumors, selective infusion of chemotherapeutic agents has been reported as a method of reducing the systemic toxic effects of these medications. Endovascular therapies for hypervascular and less vascular tumors hold promise, although multicenter randomized controlled trials are required to help identify the patients that will benefit the most.
Alkaline earth lead and tin compounds Ae2Pb, Ae2Sn, Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba, as thermoelectric materials

We present a detailed theoretical study of three alkaline earth compounds Ca2Pb, Sr2Pb and Ba2Pb, which have undergone little previous study, calculating electronic band structures and Boltzmann transport and bulk moduli using density functional theory. We also study the corresponding tin compounds Ca2Sn, Sr2Sn and Ba2Sn. We find that these are all narrow band gap semiconductors with an electronic structure favorable for thermoelectric performance, with substantial thermopowers for the lead compounds at temperature ranges from 300 to 800 K. For the lead compounds, we further find very low calculated bulk moduli—roughly half of the values for the lead chalcogenides, suggestive of soft phonons and hence low lattice thermal conductivity. All these facts indicate that these materials merit experimental investigation as potential high performance thermoelectrics. We find good potential for thermoelectric performance in the environmentally friendly stannide materials, particularly at high temperature.
Classical realism, Freud and human nature in international relations

Classical realism is enjoying a renaissance in the study of international relations. It is well known that the analytical and normative international-political thought of early 20th-century classic...
802GHz integrated horn antennas imaging array

Pattern measurements at 802GHz of a single element in 256-element integrated horn imaging array are presented. The integrated-horn antenna consists of a dipole-antenna suspended on a 1-micron dielectric membrane inside a pyramidal cavity etched in silicon. The theoretical far-field patterns, calculated using reciprocity and Floquet-modes representation of the free-space field, agree well with the measured far-field patterns at 802GHz. The associated directivity for a 1.40 lambda horn aperture, calculated from the measured E and H-plane patterns is 12.3dB + or - 0.2dB. This work demonstrates that high-efficiency integrated-horn antennas are easily scalable to terahertz frequencies and could be used for radio-astronomical and plasma-diagnostic applications.
Combination acetabular radiofrequency ablation and cementoplasty using a navigational radiofrequency ablation device and ultrahigh viscosity cement: technical note.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and cementoplasty is an alternative palliative therapy for painful metastases involving axial load-bearing bones. This technical report describes the use of a navigational radiofrequency probe to ablate acetabular metastases from an anterior approach followed by instillation of ultrahigh viscosity cement under CT-fluoroscopic guidance. The tumor ablation databases of two institutions were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent combination acetabular radiofrequency ablation and cementoplasty using the STAR Tumor Ablation and StabiliT Vertebral Augmentation Systems (DFINE; San Jose, CA). Pre-procedure acetabular tumor volume was measured on cross-sectional imaging. Pre- and post-procedure pain scores were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (10-point scale) and compared. Partial pain improvement was categorically defined as ≥ 2-point pain score reduction. Patients were evaluated for evidence of immediate complications. Electronic medical records were reviewed for evidence of delayed complications. During the study period, 12 patients with acetabular metastases were treated. The median tumor volume was 54.3 mL (range, 28.3–109.8 mL). Pre- and post-procedure pain scores were obtained from 92 % (11/12) of the cohort. The median pre-procedure pain score was 8 (range, 3–10). Post-procedure pain scores were obtained 7 days (82 %; 9/11), 11 days (9.1 %; 1/11) or 21 days (9.1 %; 1/11) after treatment. The median post-treatment pain score was 3 (range, 1–8), a statistically significant difference compared with pre-treatment (P = 0.002). Categorically, 73 % (8/11) of patients reported partial pain relief after treatment. No immediate symptomatic complications occurred. Three patients (25 %; 3/12) were discharged to hospice within 1 week of treatment. No delayed complications occurred in the remaining 75 % (9/12) of patients during median clinical follow-up of 62 days (range, 14–178 days). Palliative percutaneous acetabular radiofrequency ablation and cementoplasty can be feasibly performed from an anterior approach using a navigational ablation probe and ultrahigh viscosity cement instilled under CT-fluoroscopic guidance.
Accelerating robotic assembly parameter optimization through the generation of internal models

As time progresses, it is likely that the demand for the ability of robotic assembly solutions to self-tune will steadily grow, and companies will invest more in automation technologies for manufacturing. In this study we present a method that employs computational learning to generate internal models for online optimization acceleration of a Genetic Algorithms approach of exploring a parameter space for process optimization. By randomly sampling the “gene pool” parameter space, it is possible to successfully generate a mapping of high-dimensional input parameters to their respective resulting performances in the presence of noise, and then use this same map to improve the performance of the learning process by acting as a predictive filter for selectively choosing the child gene sequences most likely to produce improved assembly results. Results are given that demonstrate the advantages of internal model building as it relates to both virtual and physical trials.
The effect of a surfactant monolayer on the temperature field of a water surface undergoing evaporation

The surface temperature field of a body of water undergoing evaporation was measured using infrared imaging techniques, demonstrating for the first time the effect of surfactant monolayers on the spatial structure of this field. Measurements were obtained from a water surface which was covered with a monolayer of the surfactant oleyl alcohol, and also from a surface which was free of surfactants. The oleyl alcohol and surfactant-free experiments were compared at equivalent heat fluxes. The presence of surfactants increased the characteristic length scale of the surface temperature field. This conclusion is supported by both visual observation of the infrared imagery and spatial Fourier transforms of the temperature fields. The presence of the surfactant monolayer had a small effect on the root mean square of the temperature field but significantly affected the skewness, creating a more positively skewed probability density function for the surfactant covered field. These observations were found to hold when comparison between the clean and surfactant case was made at heat fluxes varying by a factor of ∼11.
Linkage of Crohn’s disease to the major histocompatibility complex region is detected by multiple non-parametric analyses

BACKGROUND—There is evidence for genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease, and a tentative association with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and HLA class II alleles. AIMS—To examine the potential of genetic linkage between Crohn's disease and the MHC region on chromosome 6p. METHODS—TNF microsatellite markers and, for some families, additional HLA antigens were typed for 323 individuals from 49Crohn's disease multiplex families to generate informative haplotypes. Non-parametric linkage analysis methods, including sib pair and affected relative pair methods, were used. RESULTS—Increased sharing of haplotypes was observed in affected sib pairs: 92% (48/52) shared one or two haplotypes versus an expected 75% if linkage did not exist (p=0.004). After other affected relative pairs were included, the significance level reached 0.001. The mean proportion of haplotype sharing was increased for both concordant affected (π=0.60, p=0.002) and unaffected sib pairs (π=0.58, p=0.031) compared with the expected value (π=0.5). In contrast, sharing in discordant sib pairs was significantly decreased (π=0.42, p=0.007). Linear regression analysis using all three types of sib pairs yielded a slope of −0.38 at p=0.00003. It seemed that the HLA effect was stronger in non-Jewish families than in Jewish families. CONCLUSIONS—All available analytical methods support linkage of Crohn's disease to the MHC region in these Crohn's disease families. This region is estimated to contribute approximately 10-33% of the total genetic risk to Crohn's disease. Keywords: Crohn's disease; HLA; linkage; inflammatory bowel disease; tumour necrosis factor; genetics
Orbital Disease: Examination and Diagnostic Evaluation

Abstract To properly treat orbital disease, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis and to understand the biologic characteristics of the disorder. A systematic method of evaluating patients with exophthalmos and other orbital abnormalities is presented. The most common orbital lesions among adults and children are listed. Abnormalities which mimic exophthalmos and cause pseudoexophthalmos are described. Important features of the history and physical examination of patients with orbital diseases are given. A comprehensive outline is described for the evaluation of patients who may have ophthalmic Graves' disease. A logical sequence is presented in which initial orbital studies (roentgenograms, ultrasonography, and computed tomography) and secondary orbital studies (radionuclide scans, venography, and arteriography) should be performed. Examples are given of three-dimensional computed tomography, using both axial and coronal scans. Finally, special diagnostic studies that can be performed upon excised tissue (electron microscopy, cell surface immunology, hormone receptor assay, and tissue culture) are discussed.
Staphylococcus aureus Cap5O Has UDP-ManNAc Dehydrogenase Activity and Is Essential for Capsule Expression

The Staphylococcus aureus serotype 5 capsular polysaccharide (CP5) has a repeating unit composed of (→4)-3-O-acetyl-β-d-ManNAcA-(1→4)-α-l-FucNAc (1→3)-β-d-FucNAc-(1→)n. Sixteen chromosomal genes (cap5A through cap5P) are involved in the synthesis of CP5. We recently demonstrated that Cap5P, a 2-epimerase, catalyzes the conversion of UDP–N-acetyl glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) to UDP–N-acetylmannosamine (UDP-ManNAc). In this study, we show that UDP-ManNAc is oxidized to UDP–N-acetylmannosaminuronic acid (UDP-ManNAcA) by a UDP-ManNAc dehydrogenase encoded by S. aureus cap5O. We expressed Cap5O in Escherichia coli and purified the recombinant protein. The UDP-ManNAc dehydrogenase activity of purified Cap5O was assessed by incubating Cap5P and UDP-GlcNAc (to produce UDP-ManNAc), together with Cap5O, NAD+, and a reducing agent. Enzymatic activity was quantitated indirectly by measuring the increase in absorbance at 340 nm resulting from NADH formation. The product of the reaction was confirmed as UDP-ManNAcA by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. A cap5O mutation, created by deletion of 727 bp in the 5′ end of the gene, was introduced by allelic replacement into S. aureus Reynolds, rendering it CP5 negative. Mice inoculated intravenously or subcutaneously with the wild-type strain Reynolds had greater numbers of S. aureus recovered from their kidneys (P = 0.019) or their subcutaneous abscesses (P = 0.0018), respectively, than did animals inoculated with the cap5O mutant. The results of this study indicate that S. aureus cap5O is essential for capsule production and that capsule promotes staphylococcal virulence in mouse models of abscess formation.
Software component specification: a study in perspective of component selection and reuse

In component-based software engineering research, much effort has gone into developing specification techniques for software components. There exist many software component specification techniques, from interface description language (IDL), to design-by-contract based, to formal methods. However, much of the focus of the research literature is aimed at component specification for the development of components, not their use. The current best practices for component specification ignore information that is vital in determining if an available, ready to use component contains precisely the functional and extra-functional properties required and if that component can be used in the target environment. These specification techniques do not sufficiently support selection and reuse of software components. This paper evaluates some of the current component specification techniques with respect to the needs of component selection and reuse. From this evaluation, some recommendations made as to advancing the development of component specifications to include the purposes of component selection and reuse.
Sonography of fat necrosis involving the extremity and torso with magnetic resonance imaging and histologic correlation.

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic appearance of pathologically proven isolated fat necrosis involving the extremities or torso with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlation. Methods A query of the Department of Pathology database at our institution for the diagnosis of fat necrosis resulted in 1539 cases. Review of the cases and medical records excluded cases without sonographic imaging, those involving the breast, and those within or adjacent to a primary process, including masses or prior surgery, which resulted in a total of 5 cases of primary fat necrosis, 2 of which were evaluated with MRI. Sonograms were reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists and characterized with regard to location, echogenicity, shadowing, posterior through-transmission, a hypoechoic rim or halo, definition of borders, homogeneity, a mass effect, and vascularity. The patient medical records, histologic results, and MRI findings were also reviewed. Results Of the 5 cases of isolated fat necrosis, 2 involved the torso and 3 the lower extremities. On sonography, all were located in the subcutaneous fat; 2 were isoechoic; 3 were hyperechoic; 2 had a hypoechoic halo; none showed shadowing or posterior through-transmission; 2 were well defined; 3 were masslike; 4 were heterogeneous; and 2 showed increased flow on color or power Doppler imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intermediate signal and either diffuse or ring enhancement. Conclusions Isolated fat necrosis of the extremities and torso had 2 sonographic appearances, which included a well-defined isoechoic mass with a hypoechoic halo and a poorly defined hyperechoic region in the subcutaneous fat.
Detection of anthrax toxin in the serum of animals infected with Bacillus anthracis by using engineered immunoassays

Several strategies that target anthrax toxin are being developed as therapies for infection by Bacillus anthracis. Although the action of the tripartite anthrax toxin has been extensively studied in vitro, relatively little is known about the presence of toxins during an infection in vivo. We developed a series of sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detection of both the protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF) components of the anthrax exotoxin in serum. The assays utilize as capture agents an engineered high-affinity antibody to PA, a soluble form of the extracellular domain of the anthrax toxin receptor (ANTXR2/CMG2), or PA itself. Sandwich immunoassays were used to detect and quantify PA and LF in animals infected with the Ames or Vollum strains of anthrax spores. PA and LF were detected before and after signs of toxemia were observed, with increasing levels reported in the late stages of the infection. These results represent the detection of free PA and LF by ELISA in the systemic circulation of two animal models exposed to either of the two fully virulent strains of anthrax. Simple anthrax toxin detection ELISAs could prove useful in the evaluation of potential therapies and possibly as a clinical diagnostic to complement other strategies for the rapid identification of B. anthracis infection.
Atom microscopy beyond diffraction limit by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy

We proposed an atom microcopy scheme measuring distance between two identical atoms placed in a standing wave laser field by measuring fluorescence spectrum or g2 functionpsilas spectrum. It has fractional-wavelength precision from about lambda/550 to lambda/2 .
Efficient communication algorithms for pipeline multicomputers

In this paper, we study the various communication algorithms on the pipeline multicomputer. We show how the three important communication functions (data distribution, data collection, and data broadcast) can be improved by reducing the propagation delay and using the right message size.
Medical use of opioids: what drives the debate? A brief commentary

Medical advances have not obviated the need for opioids to relieve pain and suffering. There are no better analgesics. Pain and suffering have not abated. Scientific endeavor has helped unravel some of the mechanisms of pain and addiction; yet the compelling and addictive properties of opioids continue to plague their use. This article explores the factors that drive the current debate about the use of opioids to relieve the suffering of patients with chronic intractable pain.
The Coronary Microcirculation in STEMI: The Next Frontier?

This editorial refers to ‘How does coronary stent implantation impact on the status of the microcirculation during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction?’, by G.L. De Maria et al ., doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehv353. There have been significant reductions in the mortality associated with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) over the last several decades. On the background of declining coronary heart disease mortality in the USA and Western Europe, the use of prompt reperfusion strategies and adjunctive pharmacotherapy, mortality in STEMI patients has continued to improve. The 30-day mortality from four French registries over 15 years decreased from 11.3 to 4.4% between 1995 and 2010.1 Data from the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR) reveal a risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality of 5.5% among STEMI patients in 2009.2 A large registry of STEMI patients in Sweden demonstrated a reduction in 30-day and 1-year mortality from 15.0 to 8.6% ( P < 0.001) and 21.0 to 13.3% ( P < 0.001), respectively.3 The reperfusion era was ushered in during the 1980s with mortality reductions obtained using thrombolytic therapy.4 This was followed by the use of mechanical reperfusion with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Subsequent meta-analyses of randomized trials comparing thrombolytic therapy and PCI documented PCI as the preferred strategy leading to reductions in mortality, stroke and re-infarction. In longer-term (>1 year) follow-up, PCI for STEMI patients was found to lower mortality and re-infarction rates.5 This has led to PCI as the preferred strategy in patients presenting with STEMI and is endorsed by guidelines internationally.6 Despite prompt restoration of epicardial coronary flow, however, normalization of flow at the myocardial or microcirculatory level …
Microbiomes, metagenomics, and primate conservation: New strategies, tools, and applications

UIUC Keck Center, J. Craig Ventner Institute, the University of Illinois, the J.S. Guggenheim Foundation, the C.R Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, the University of Colorado, NSF BCS 0935374, NSF BCS 0820709, and NSF BCS 1441409
Advances in distributed branch and bound

We describe a distributed version of an advanced branch and bound algorithm over graphical models. The crucial issue of load balancing is addressed by estimating subproblem complexity through learning, yielding impressive speedups on various hard problems using hundreds of parallel CPUs.
Clinical pharmacists' contribution to patient care on a gynecological unit

A retrospective study of the contributions of clinical pharmacists on a gynecological unit was undertaken, based on an examination of the clinical pharmacists' interventions in and recommendations for drug therapy. Intervention or recommendations were classified as to type and as to probable result had the pharmacist not intervened or made recommendations. Over an eight-month period, the clinical pharmacist intervened in or made recommendation in 227 instances (0.8% of all medication orders). It was considered that two of the orders would probably have caused death had they been carried out, six could have caused toxicity and possible death, and 39 could have led to serious toxicity. The quality of patient care seemed to have been positively affected by having the clinical pharmacist in the patient care area.
Verification of an Electrochemical Model for Aqueous Corrosion of Mild Steel for H2S Partial Pressures up to 0.1 MPa

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) corrosion of mild steel is a serious concern in the oil and gas industry. However, H2S corrosion mechanisms, specifically at high partial pressures of H2S (pH2S), have not be...
Immunomagnetic separation of tumor initiating cells by screening two surface markers

Isolating tumor initiating cells (TICs) often requires screening of multiple surface markers, sometimes with opposite preferences. This creates a challenge for using bead-based immunomagnetic separation (IMS) that typically enriches cells based on one abundant marker. Here, we propose a new strategy that allows isolation of CD44+/CD24− TICs by IMS involving both magnetic beads coated by anti-CD44 antibody and nonmagnetic beads coated by anti-CD24 antibody (referred to as two-bead IMS). Cells enriched with our approach showed significant enhancement in TIC marker expression (examined by flow cytometry) and improved tumorsphere formation efficiency. Our method will extend the application of IMS to cell subsets characterized by multiple markers.
The Farm Mortgage Credit Situation in the United States

For fourteen years farming in most parts of the United States has been in a continuous state of absolute or relative depression. Following the general slump in 1921, farming failed to participate equally with industry in the rising tide of prosperity of the 1920's. Beginning at a point in 1921, near the prewar level, agriculture was slowly regaining a condition of equality with other lines and by 1930 had nearly reached par as far as price levels were concerned. During this period, however, farming costs were rising on account of the competition of industry for labor and the increasing tax and general overhead burden imposed by a prosperous industry. During this period not much progress had been made in reducing the load of debt or in adjusting it to a more reasonable basis for service. During this period the steadily shrinking value of farm real estate narrowed the margin of equity which farmers had in their farms. The year 1930 found farming in most parts of the United States, and particularly in the Mississippi Valley, exhausted by years of depression, with depleted reserves and poorly prepared to withstand the reversal which started then and culminated in the farm credit crisis of 1933. The long depression developed the conditions which made possible and intensified the crisis of 1933. The causes of the depression lie deep in fundamental maladjustments in our economic life, but the agricultural crisis was primarily a crisis of credit. Farming, because of its increased commercialization in recent years, contributed more to the financial crisis of 1933 than to any previous crisis in our national history. In this paper it is the plan to discuss the development of the agricultural credit crisis of 1933 and to consider briefly developments in connection with it during 1933 and 1934, the relation of the credit crisis in farming to the financial panic of 1933, the progress that has been made in relieving the crisis and the outlook for the farm mortgage problem for 1935 and for following years. Ever since 1921 farm foreclosures have been mounting in the
The Synthesis of Non-planar, Helically Coiled Graphene Nanoribbons.

Twisted system: A photochemical cyclodehydrochlorination (CDHC) reaction is a relatively mild and efficient way to access highly contorted, helically coiled graphene nanoribbons. The material is characterized by a number of techniques and boasts a relatively large optical band gap of 2.15 eV.
Algorithm to Control Power Production from Solar Panels

With the cost of renewable energy sources like photo-voltaic solar progressively declining, it is expected that contribution from these sources in overall power generation will increase. However, these newer sources have their own set of drawbacks. First and foremost is the variability in generation, then, controlling the power output from solar is also not trivial. Furthermore, there is a mismatch between the demand profile from the consumer and the supply profile of renewable generation. This increased penetration of renewable sources may lead to grid related problems such as over voltage, power back flow and instability. In this paper we propose a curtailment based solution to ameliorate the problem of over production. We provide an algorithm which controls the power output from solar panels. When demand is less than the maximum production capacity of the panels, the algorithm curtails the output to match the demand. And when demand is more, the algorithm does a best effort to produce maximum possible power.
Virtual Environments for Visualizing Structural Health Monitoring Sensor Networks, Data, and Metadata

Visualization of sensor networks, data, and metadata is becoming one of the most pivotal aspects of the structural health monitoring (SHM) process. Without the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively between disparate groups working on a project, an SHM system can be underused, misunderstood, or even abandoned. For this reason, this work seeks to evaluate visualization techniques in the field, identify flaws in current practices, and devise a new method for visualizing and accessing SHM data and metadata in 3D. More precisely, the work presented here reflects a method and digital workflow for integrating SHM sensor networks, data, and metadata into a virtual reality environment by combining spherical imaging and informational modeling. Both intuitive and interactive, this method fosters communication on a project enabling diverse practitioners of SHM to efficiently consult and use the sensor networks, data, and metadata. The method is presented through its implementation on a case study, Streicker Bridge at Princeton University campus. To illustrate the efficiency of the new method, the time and data file size were compared to other potential methods used for visualizing and accessing SHM sensor networks, data, and metadata in 3D. Additionally, feedback from civil engineering students familiar with SHM is used for validation. Recommendations on how different groups working together on an SHM project can create SHM virtual environment and convey data to proper audiences, are also included.
Effects of Oligosaccharides Isolated From Pinewood Hot Water Pre-hydrolyzates on Recombinant Cellulases

Loblolly pine residues have enormous potential to be the raw material for advanced biofuel production due to extensive sources and high cellulose content. Hot water (HW) pretreatment, while being a relatively economical and clean technology for the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass, could also inhibit the ensuing enzymatic hydrolysis process because of the production of inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the effect of oligosaccharide fractions purified from HW pre-hydrolyzate of pinewood using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) on three recombinant cellulolytic enzymes (E1, CBHI and CBHII), which were expressed in the transgenic corn grain system. The efficiency of recombinant enzymes was measured using either a 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-cellobioside (MUC) or a cellulose-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assay system. The results showed that HW pre-hydrolyzate CPC fractions contain phenolics, furans, and monomeric and oligomeric sugars. Among CPC fractions, oligomers composed of xylan, galactan, and mannan were inhibitory to the three recombinant enzymes and to the commercial cellulase cocktail, reducing the enzymatic efficiency to as low as 10%.
Chapter 2: Degradation of Gap Junctions and Connexins

Publisher Summary Turnover and degradation of gap junctions and their constituent connexins may play an important role in the regulation of intercellular communication. Gap junction degradation is quite dynamic and can alter intercellular communication and produce distinct physiological or pathological consequences. Degradation of connexins and gap junctions must be a complicated process because gap junctions are complex structures. Gap junctions are plasma membrane structures identifiable by electron microscopy that can occupy areas as large as several square micrometers. They contain many intercellular channels that may be packed in ordered or loose arrays. A single gap junction channel consists of two hemichannels integrated into appositional plasma membranes; each hemichannel is a hexamer of subunits that are called connexins. Degradation of gap junction plaques is a complex topological problem. It is not clear a priori which proteolytic organelles would degrade the connexins. Major domains of the connexins are in the cytoplasm and would therefore be accessible to the proteasome, but their smaller extracellular domains are in a compartment that should be inaccessible to the proteasome. The extracellular domains of a connexin would be in the lumen of the lysosome after endocytosis, but interactions with the hemichannel associated with the apposed membrane might make endocytosis difficult. Whereas all connexins are similar topologically, it remains to be seen whether they are degraded by the same mechanism.
PSA Isoforms: [−2]proPSA Significant Adjunct to Free PSA

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a widely used serum marker to aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and monitor its treatment. PSA by itself has limited specificity, and cannot distinguish between early stage prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), resulting in many unnecessary biopsies. The specificity of PSA for prostate cancer was improved when it was discovered that complex and free forms of PSA existed in serum and the ratio of free to complexed PSA (%free PSA) correlated to prostate cancer. It is now known that the free form of PSA is actually composed of several proenzyme forms and enzymatically nicked PSA. The major nicked form is common to benign hyperplasia and is referred to as Benign PSA (BPSA). The proenzyme forms of PSA are collectively called proPSA and are associated with prostate cancer. There are three recognized proPSA isoforms ([−5/−7]proPSA, [−4]proPSA, and [−2]proPSA) that increase the utility of PSA in prostate cancer diagnosis.
Experiments with Branching using General Disjunctions

Branching is an important component of the branch-and-cut algorithm for solving mixed integer linear programs. Most solvers branch by imposing a disjunction of the form“\({x}_{i} \leq k \vee {x}_{i} \geq k + 1\)” for some integer k and some integer-constrained variable x i . A generalization of this branching scheme is to branch by imposing a more general disjunction of the form “\(\pi x \leq {\pi }_{0} \vee \pi x \geq {\pi }_{0} + 1\).” In this paper, we discuss the formulation of two optimization models for selecting such a branching disjunction and then describe methods of solution using a standard MILP solver. We report on computational experiments carried out to study the effects of branching on such disjunctions.