cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Culture and voluntary informed consent in african health care systems

This paper discusses how to apply a collective decision model of the principle of voluntary informed consent in African communitarian culture, in a culturally sensitive way, in order to protect research candidates from potential exploitations and abuses. Dismissing cultural and ethical skepticism surrounding the global application of the principle of voluntary informed consent, the paper ultimately concludes that international collaboration on diagnostic and therapeutic medical research in Africa, especially HIV vaccine trials, is a moral imperative.
The peritoneovenous shunt in a patient with ascites and renal failure

A diabetic patient with severe diabetic nephropathy and cirrhosis developed medically intractable ascites. A peritoneovenous shunt was inserted and a 4.7-kg diuresis followed, with improvement in ascites, renal function, and ambulatory ability. Prior to shunt placement, Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheterization provided useful assessment of cardiac and renal response to acute volume challenge. Primary renal disease is not an absolute contraindication to peritoneovenous shunt placement.
Management of asymptomatic mild aortic stenosis during coronary artery operations

Background Management of asymptomatic mild aortic stenosis at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains controversial. We have retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) subsequent to CABG and compared their operative morbidity and mortality with that of a group receiving CABG and AVR simultaneously at the first operation. Methods Analysis is drawn from 28 patients who required AVR 8 ± 4 years subsequent to CABG (group A) and 175 patients receiving AVR along with CABG at the primary operation (group B). Groups were similar with respect to age, sex, risk factors for cardiac disease, extent of coronary artery disease, left ventricular function, New York Heart Association class, aortic valve area, number of grafts, and size of prosthesis inserted. Results Patients having AVR subsequent to CABG had a significantly prolonged aortic cross-clamp time and global myocardial ischemic time and incurred a twofold increase in operative mortality. The actuarial survival at 10 years was not significantly different between cohorts. In the 28 patients in group A, the aortic valve area during the period between operations decreased 0.05 mm 2 /y. Conclusions The operative mortality and morbidity of a second operation for AVR is high, but there is no significant difference in survival at 10 years. In at least a portion of patients having mild aortic stenosis at the time of CABG there will be progression of the stenosis necessitating reoperation at a later date.
Rapamycin reduces disease activity and normalizes T cell activation–induced calcium fluxing in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Current treatment options are often ineffective or poorly tolerated. Recent observations have revealed mitochondrial hyperpolarization and enhanced Ca2+ fluxing in T cells from SLE patients. Rapamycin, a lipophilic macrolide antibiotic that regulates mitochondrial transmembrane potential and Ca2+ fluxing, has been used safely and effectively to treat renal transplant rejection since 1999. In addition, rapamycin has been shown to ameliorate T cell function and to prolong survival in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. We therefore undertook the present study to investigate whether rapamycin is beneficial in patients with SLE. Methods Nine patients with clinically active SLE that had been treated unsuccessfully with other immunosuppressive medications began therapy with rapamycin, 2 mg/day orally. Disease activity was assessed with the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) score, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and requirement for prednisone therapy. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential and Ca2+ fluxing were assessed by flow cytometry. Results In patients treated with rapamycin, the BILAG score was reduced by a mean ± SEM of 1.93 ± 0.9 (P = 0.0218), the SLEDAI by 5.3 ± 0.8 (P = 0.00002), and concurrent prednisone use by 26.4 ± 6.7 mg/day (P = 0.0062) compared with pre–rapamycin treatment. While mitochondrial hyperpolarization persisted, pretreatment cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels and T cell activation–induced rapid Ca2+ fluxing were normalized in rapamycin-treated patients. Conclusion Rapamycin appears to be a safe and effective therapy for SLE that has been refractory to traditional medications. Mitochondrial dysfunction and Ca2+ fluxing could serve as biomarkers to guide decisions regarding future therapeutic interventions in SLE.
Functional equivalence in pigeons involving a four-member class

Research suggests that animals are capable of forming functional equivalence relations or stimulus classes of the kind usually demonstrated by humans (e.g., the class defined by an object and the word for that object). In pigeons, such functional equivalences are typically established using many-to-one matching-to-sample in which two samples are associated with one comparison stimulus and two different samples are associated with the other. Evidence for the establishment of functional equivalences between samples associated with the same comparison comes from transfer tests. In Experiment 1, we found that pigeons can form a single class consisting of four members (many-to-one matching) when the alternative class has only one member (one-to-one matching). In Experiment 2, we ruled out the possibility that the pigeons acquired the hybrid one-to-one/many-to-one task by developing a single-code/default coding strategy as earlier research suggested that it might. Thus, pigeons can develop a functional class consisting of as many as four members, with the alternative class consisting of a single member.
Vitamin C twice a day enhances health

This review provides information determining how much vitamin C to take, including analysis of the recent findings, which demonstrate advantages and problems with higher daily doses. The Daily Value for vitamin C was raised to 90 mg for men in 2000, and Upper Limit of 2,000 mg per day was established as being safe. This followed a study of urinary excretion of vitamin C (AA) that demonstrated 500 mg twice a day provides levels sufficient to cause continuous urinary excretion in humans. That is the lowest oral dosage evaluated that significantly saturates blood plasma. A later study endorsed 200 mg from dietary sources for the RDA. Even though plasma concentration of AA is then significantly lower, at 200 mg daily certain white blood cells are saturated with AA. Recently many studies have indicated the benefit of high levels of AA to maintain the brain, bones, and heart, reduce damage from stroke, brain trauma, and cataracts, and lower the risk of cancer metastasis and colds. Pro-oxidant activity has been found only for i.v. adminstration, where high concentrations appear effective destroying tumor cells while not harming normal cells. This review evaluates recent research and finds it consistent with the hypothesis that people, especially older people and soldiers in combat environments, are likely to benefit if they maintain the saturating level of AA by taking 500mg supplements twice a day.
Electrochemical determination of oxygen permeability of isolated stratum corneum membranes

The mammalian stratum corneum is a thin, highly organized polymeric membrane which is relatively impermeable to water but permeable to some gases including oxygen. Isolated stratum corneum membranes from perinatal Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted under electrodes used to determine the rate of diffusion of oxygen through the membrane. These membranes were consistently found to be permeable to oxygen, which could be quantitatively determined at a gold electrode at −0.6 V (vs. a Ag/AgCl electrode). The stratum corneum membrane was found to be anisotropic, with greater oxygen permeability when the gas diffused toward the electrolyte from the side of the membrane which would be oriented toward the exterior of the animal than when it diffused in the opposite direction. There is also evidence of anatomic site heterogeneity in the permeability of the membranes.
Informal Communications Absel News and Notes

ABSEL News and Notes was formed as Simulation and Games became the official journal of ABSEL in 1982. Its purpose has been to give ABSEL members the opportunity to present news and views concerning...
Physical structure of gene-sized chromatin from the protozoan Oxytricha

Oxytricha nova is a hypotrichous ciliate containing a transcriptionally active macronucleus and a transcriptionally inactive micronucleus. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis shows that macronuclei contain a normal complement of inner histones. However, despite extensive efforts, no classical H1-like protein has been detected. Micrococcal nuclease digestion indicates a nucleosome repeat length of approximately 220 bp for macronuclear chromatin. Thermal denaturation profiles of macronuclear chromatin in 0.2 mM EDTA display four transitions at about 46, 57, 64, and 79 degrees C. The lowest of these shifts to higher temperature as the ionic strength is raised to 3-5 mM Na phosphate. These results are consistent with the absence of H1 and a nucleosome repeat of 220-230 bp. Circular dichroism (CD) results agree with these findings. By contrast, micronuclear chromatin displays a much smaller premelt and a more suppressed DNA CD signal at 285 nm, consistent with a micronuclear chromatin repeat of 165-185 bp as determined by micrococcal nuclease digestion.
Colloidal potentials mediated by specific biomolecular interactions

We present a systematic study of receptor–ligand interactions with increasing complexity from interactions in bulk solution, on planar and colloid surfaces, and as part of mediating colloidal pair interactions. We report analytical models that relate receptor–ligand dissociation constants (KD), interactions potentials (U(r)), and adsorbed amounts (θ) for different ligand sizes, concentrations and immobilized receptor coverages. Analytical results are validated for hard core + harmonic well receptor–ligand interactions in bulk and interfacial systems using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, although any biomolecular interaction can be incorporated into the reported analysis via a “B2 device”. Results from analytical models are used to understand potentials of mean force (W(L)) for ligand mediated interactions between receptor decorated colloids. W(L) are generated using MC-umbrella sampling (MC-US) simulations with cluster moves, which provide self-consistent comparisons of net colloid scale interactions with receptor–ligand scale information. Our findings capture how receptor–ligand interactions mediate colloid scale interactions relevant to self-assembly, drug delivery, and biosensing.
Directional Solidification and Convection in Small Diameter Crucibles

Pb-2.2 wt% Sb alloy was directionally solidified in 1, 2, 3 and 7 mm diameter crucibles. Pb-Sb alloy presents a solutally unstable case. Under plane-front conditions, the resulting macrosegregation along the solidified length indicates that convection persists even in the 1 mm diameter crucible. Al-2 wt% Cu alloy was directionally solidified because this alloy was expected to be stable with respect to convection. Nevertheless, the resulting macrosegregation pattern and the microstructure in solidified examples indicated the presence of convection. Simulations performed for both alloys show that convection persists for crucibles as small as 0.6 mm of diameter. For the solutally stable alloy, Al-2 wt% Cu, the simulations indicate that the convection arises from a lateral temperature gradient.
The US-preexposure effect in honeybees

Signaled avoidance was studied in individual honeybees that visited the laboratory regularly to take sucrose solution from a target set on the sill of an open window. During feeding, substrate vibration or airstream was used to signal a brief shock that could be avoided by breaking off contact with the food for a few seconds. Aversive conditioning of the context was measured in terms of return time (the time between successive visits). In Experiment 1, experience with unsignaled shock was found to lengthen return time—which experience with signaled shock did not—and to impair performance in subsequent avoidance training with signaled shock (the US-preexposure effect). In Experiment 2, experience with unsignaled shock given after signaled avoidance training lengthened return time but had no effect on response to the signal in a subsequent extinction test. These results closely resemble the results obtained in analogous experiments with vertebrates.
Rotatory properties of molecules containing two peptide groups: experimental and theoretical results.

Optical rotation studies were performed on five compounds containing two peptide groups. Four of the molecules were confined to restricted regions of conformational space by the presence of closed rings. Solvent and temperature were varied, and theoretical calculations were done for each compound covering the appropriate conformational space. The interpretation which results is qualitatively successful over the conformational regions covered by the compounds. Quantitative correlation between theory and experiment will require compounds of high rigidity.
PLATELET ASSOCIATED IgG and IgM IN PAEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) mediates the destruction of thrombocytes during the acute postinfectious thrombocytopenic purpura. Elevated levels of platelet associated IgM (PAIgM) are not uncommon in the course of this illness. In our micro-ELISA system the normal range (x + 3 S.D.) in age matched controls has been 9.6 fg IgG and 4.4 fg IgM/platelet, respectively. Fever in 35 children (median age 6 years) was classified to be of viral origin 17 × ( ↗ PAIgG: 4, ↗ PAIgM: 3, ↗ both: 8), to be due to/bacterial infection 11 × ( ↗ PAIgG: 2, ↗ PAIgM: 3, ↗ both: 5), and to be of unknown aetiology 7 × ( ↗ PAIgG: 1, ↗ PAIgM: 5, ↗ both:1). In no group was any correlation between PAIgG and PAIgM. No child experienced a profound thrombocytopenia. The platelet count was best correlated with PAIgM in the bacterial group (r = -0.53) and with PAIgG in the viral infected children (r = -0.35). We conclude that the thrombocyte is likely to be involved physiologically also in both viral and bacterial infections. It possibly acts as a vehicle to remove bacterial and viral antigens from circulation by means of both IgG and IgM antibodies.
Comparative Assessment of Antimicrobial Activities of Antibiotic-Treated Penile Prostheses

Abstract Background Although infections associated with penile implants are relatively infrequent, they result in serious medical consequences. Because treatment of these infections usually requires removal of the infected penile implant, prevention of infection is crucial. Since bacterial colonization of the implant is a prelude to clinical infection, antimicrobial modification of the devices may inhibit device colonization and subsequent infection. Objective We compared the spectrum and durability, both in vitro and in vivo, of two antibiotic-treated penile prostheses: InhibiZone implants pre-impregnated with minocycline and rifampin (M/R) and Titan implants dipped in vancomycin. Design, setting, and participants 1×1-cm cylinder segments of (1) control untreated, (2) M/R-impregnated, and (3) vancomycin-dipped implants were studied. Baseline zones of inhibition (ZI) were determined against clinical isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Escherichia coli . In addition, ZI against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus were compared both in vitro after being washed in a flow chamber and after subcutaneous implantation in rabbits for 1, 2, 7, and 14 d. Measurements ZI were measured as the diameter of the clear zone around each test device minus the external diameter of the device. Results and limitations Implants pre-impregnated with M/R displayed a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity than vancomycin-dipped implants against both gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The M/R-impregnated devices also yielded significantly larger zones of inhibition against S. aureus than vancomycin-dipped implants, both in vitro ( p p ≤0.03). Conclusions Penile prostheses impregnated with M/R have a broader spectrum in vitro and a more durable antimicrobial activity in vitro and in an animal model than implants dipped in vancomycin. Therefore, along with being a more practical model for incorporating antimicrobials onto the device, the use of implants pre-impregnated with M/R may help reduce the incidence of penile implant infection.
Inhibition of Histoplasma capsulatum by garlic.

The mycelial phase ofHistoplasma capsulatum was inhibited by both the volatile and water soluble components of garlic,Allium sativum L. Garlic extract at a concentration of 254 parts per billion (ppb) was inhibitory, while 8.1 parts per million (ppm) were lethal to pure cultures ofH. capsulatum. The role of garlic as an eradicent is discussed.
Serum concentrations of pepsinogen A in healthy dogs after food deprivation and after feeding.

Objective—To develop and validate an ELISA for measurement of serum canine pepsinogen A (cPG A) as a diagnostic marker of gastric disorders in dogs and to measure serum cPG A in healthy dogs after food deprivation and after feeding. Sample Population—Sera from 72 healthy dogs. Procedure—A sandwich ELISA was developed and validated. The reference range for serum concentrations of cPG A was determined in 64 healthy dogs. Postprandial changes in serum concentrations of cPG A were evaluated in 8 healthy dogs. Results—Assay sensitivity was 18 µg/L, and the maximum detectable concentration was 1,080 µg/L. The observed-to-expected ratio (O:E) for 3 serial dilutions of 3 serum samples ranged from 69.3 to 104.1%. The O:E for 3 serum samples spiked with 8 concentrations of cPG A ranged from 58.8 to 120.4%. Coefficients of variation for intra- and interassay variability of 3 serum samples ranged from 7.6 to 11.9% and from 10.1 to 13.1%, respectively. Mean ± SD serum concentration of cPG A in healthy dogs was 63.8 ± ...
Characterization of a Gas-Stabilized Arc Plasma in an ExB Magnetic Field Configuration

A magnetic field of about 200 gauss oriented normal to the electric field in a 9 amp gas-stabilized dc arc is used to control the position of the plasma current channel. The presence of the magnetic field results in a drift motion of plasma electrons in the direction normal to the plane containing the electric and magnetic field vectors. The current channel can be displaced vertically upward or downward depending on the direction of the external magnetic field. With the field strengths used, displacements of several millimeters are observed. Spatially resolved radiation measurements show that radiation from the Ar plasma gas responds differently to the magnetic field than does radiation from the tungsten electrode material. When the magnetic field is generated by a 60-Hz ac current in the electromagnet, the plasma current channel undergoes periodic displacements at the magnetic field oscillation frequency. A phase shift between the field strength and the current channel displacement is observed.
Aminated polystyrene membranes for a fiber optic pH sensor based on reflectance changes accompanying polymer swelling

We have prepared toughened, porous, aminated polystyrene membranes that undergo an increase in reflectance as the pH increases from 6.8 to 8.0. Vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) is copolymerized with divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of a toughening agent, Kraton G1652, a styrene-ethylene, butylene-styrene triblock copolymer, and a porogenic solvent, xylene/ dodecane. The optimum formulation for sensing is 2% DVB (mol DVB/mol VBC), 2% Kraton (g Kraton/g VBC) and 40% (v/v) 2∶1 xylene: dodecane. Benzoyl peroxide is used as the initiator. The components are partially polymerized at 85 °C to a viscosity of 600–800 centipoise. The polymerization is then stopped by reducing the temperature. A drop of the partially polymerized solution is confined between two microscope slides and the polymerization reaction is completed. The resulting membrane is then swollen in 1,4-dioxan and reacted with diethanolamine. These membranes have been incorporated into a pH sensor based on changes in reflected intensity measured through a bifurcated bundle of twenty unbuffered 50/55 core/cladding glass-on-glass optical fibers with numerical apertures of 0.57. The resulting sensor is stable and requires inexpensive optical components, a red-emitting LED as the source and a silicon photodiode as the detector.
Interactions in Neopentyl Polyol Ester—Tricresyl Phosphate—Iron Systems at 500 F

Neopentyl polyol esters, typical of turbine engine lubricant base stocks, are thermally stable at 500 F, unless, as reported by others, ferrous metals are present; in the latter case oil degradation and metal corrosion are severe. Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) stabilizes the metal-ester system by generating a passive oxide film on the active metal surface. In the presence of water, TCP accelerates ester hydrolysis, resulting in acids corrosive to lead. Aliphatic amines which react with TCP acidic impurities or breakdown products reduce the catalyzed hydrolysis of the esters. TCP reacts with free carboxylic acids to generate corrosive phosphoric-type acids. Reaction mechanisms are postulated. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference held in Houston, Texas, October 14–16, 1969
The Structure of Rejection: Implications of Sociometric Theory for Larger Groups

Summary.-Established principles governing acceptance and rejection in dyads and triads are extended to larger groups by analyzing them as made up of such elements. In this larger-group context, a change in any dyad has direct implications for all triads involving that dyad and indirect implications for all triads containing any of the ocher dyads of those triads. Consequently, a change in the relationshp between two individuals can produce effects cascading through the larger group. Analysis based on Monte Carlo simulation indicates that larger groups are more likely to attain sociometric stability when a preponderance of members are rejected, unless structured to encourage mutual acceptance. Members of social systems which encourage or require members to depend upon one another (e.g., socialistic countries, religious orders, extended families, kibbutzim, army units, air crews) tend to like one another, while those placed in systems encouraging the perception of other members as competitors do not. Many perceive such patterns of attraction and rejection as outcomes solely of the personal characteristics of group participants, remaining unaware that they conform to the principles of sociornetry, an area of research pioneered by Moreno (1934). Central to this work has been balance theory (e.g., Osgood & Tannenbaum, 1955; Cartwright & Harary, 1956; Festinger, 1957; Heider, 1958; Newcomb, 1959) emphasizing the sociometry of two- and three-member groups. Such principles are difficult to apply, however, because dyads and triads typically are embedded in and, hence, affected by larger interactional systems. This presents a more daunting problem than might be supposed. Even those aware of the chaotic nature of individuals, much less the simplest social systems (Poincare, 1913), may be unprepared for the complexity added disproportionately as groups grow in size, e.g., an increase in members from 3 to 10 raises the number of potential dyads from 3 to 45, potential triads from 1 to 120, and possible states (assuming each likes or dislikes others) from 64 to an astronomical 445. Questions of major consequence emerge. Do larger and, hence, far more complex groups have attractors resembling the equilibrium states of dyads and triads? If so, what are the sociometric consequences for participants? .
Nonlinear thermoelastic analysis of layered structures

Abstract The nonlinear thermoelastic behavior of orthotropic layered slabs and cylinders including radiation boundaries, temperature-dependent material properties, and stress-dependent layer interface conditions is investigated. A one-dimensional finite element formulation employing quadratic layer and linear interface elements is used to perform the analyses. The transient heat conduction portion of the program is temporally discretized via an implicit linear time interpolation algorithm which includes Crank-Nicolson, Galerkin, and Euler backward differencing. The nonlinear heat conduction equations are iteratively evaluated using a modified Newton-Raphson scheme. Direct iteration between heat conduction and stress analysis is employed when stress-dependent interface thermal resistance coefficients are utilized. Verification problems are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the finite element code.
P-A interval: lack of clinical, electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic correlations.

P-A interval Is measured from the onset of the P wave to the onset of the low right atrial electrogram during His bundle recording. The significance of this interval was evaluated in 214 patients with intact A-V conduction and bundle branch block. One hundred fifty-eight patients had normal P-A (NPA) 27 ± 9, mean ± SD, and 56 had prolonged P-A (PPA). The NPA and PPA patients were similar (P > .10) in regard to sex, age, cardiac functional class, and P-R. PPA patients had significantly (P
Regulation of gene expression in osteoblasts

In recent years, much progress has been made in understanding the factors that regulate the gene expression program that underlies the induction, proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of osteoblasts. A large and growing number of transcription factors make important contributions to the precise control of osteoblast formation and function. It has become increasingly clear that these diverse transcription factors and the signals that regulate their activity cannot be viewed as discrete, separate signaling pathways. Rather, they form a highly interconnected, cooperative network that permits gene expression to be closely regulated. There has also been a substantial increase in our understanding of the mechanistic control of gene expression by cofactors such as acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent progress in understanding the major transcription factors and epigenetic coregulators, including histone deacetylases and microRNAs, involved in osteoblastogenesis and the mechanisms that determine their functions as regulators of gene expression.
Chromosomes of mouse oocytes in maturation: differential trypsin sensitivity and amino acid incorporation.

Abstract In the period of maturation in vivo , the chromosomes of mouse oocytes display a spectrum of unique configurations that is postulated to be related to a sequence of turnover of chromosomal proteins. Evidence on behalf of that hypothesis is provided by the following cytologic observations: The chromosomes of the diakinesis-metaphase I complement are resistant to disruption by mild treatment with trypsin. Following metaphase I, the chromosomes become exceedingly compact and display correlated increased resistance to trypsin. At telophase I, when the complements of the secondary oocyte and the first polar body have each coalesced into a “chromatin mass,” the chromosomes are greatly sensitive to trypsin. Following separation from the mass, the definitive oocyte chromosomes decompact into a “relaxed coil” conformation and display moderate trypsin sensitivity comparable to that of mitotic metaphase chromosomes. Autoradiography of [ 3 H]-arginine and [ 3 H]tryptophan incorporation show that while both amino acids are incorporated into the ooplasm, arginine, but not tryptophan, is incorporated into the chromosomal material. Analysis of the data indicates that incorporation takes place as two separate events, one in late dictyotene and the other post-telophase I and that the arginine-containing proteins incorporated into the dictyate chromosomes are transient and are not retained on the metaphase II chromosomes.
An alternative method for the genetic transformation of sweet orange.

An alternative method for transforming sweet organe [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] has been developed. Plasmid DNA encoding the non-destructive selectable marker enhanced green fluorescent protein gene was introduced using polyethylene glycol into protoplasts of ‘Itaborai’ sweet organe isolated from an embryogenic nucellar-derived suspension culture. Following protoplast culture in liquid medium and transfer to solid medium, transformed calluses were identified via expression of the green fluorescent protein, physically separated from non-transformed tissue, and cultured on somatic embryogenesis induction medium. Transgenic plantlets were recovered from germinating somatic embryos and by in vitro rooting of shoots. To expedite transgenic plant recovery, regenerated shoots were also micrografted onto sour orange seedling rootstocks. Presence of the transgene in calluses and regenerated sweet organe plants was verified by gene amplification and Southern analyses. Potential advantages of this transformation system over the commonly used Agrobacterium methods for citrus are discussed.
Influence of hypothermia or hyperthermia alone or in combination with pentobarbital or phenytoin on survival time in hypoxic mice

The effect of temperature, either along or in combination with pentobarbital or phenytoin, on survival time in the hypoxic (Flo2 = 0.05) mouse was examined. With hypothermia alone only a mild level (35 C) was needed to increase survival time significantly (63%). Between 29 and 40 C, hypothermia alone increased hypoxic survival time and hyperthermia decreased it. When mild hypothermia was combined with moderate doses of pentobarbital or phenytoin, survival time was generally further increased, whereas at lower temperatures or increased drug doses the effect on survival time of combined treatments was unpredictable. In addition, the magnitude of the effect of hypothermia was quite different following injection of pentobarbital and following injection of phenytoin. The practical corollary of these results is that to obtain reproducible results with this model, the temperature of the mice should not vary more than +/- 0.2 to 0.3 C.
Health beliefs as predictors of HIV-preventive behavior and ethnic differences in prediction

The incidence of a variety of safer-sex behaviors was predicted, using five measures from the Health Belief Model (Janz & Becker, 1984): perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self-efficacy, social support, and perceived barriers. The participants, 424 U.S. undergraduates at six schools, completed a written questionnaire. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and social support predicted many safer-sex behaviors. Although the Health Belief Model predicted more safer-sex behaviors for Euro-American students than for Hispanic American, African American, and Asian American students, the present data indicated few differences among these ethnic groups regarding the level of safer-sex behaviors.
Object-based selection within and beyond the focus of spatial attention

In a series of experiments, we examined the effect of perceptual objects on visual attentional processing in the presence of spatially cued attentional selection. Subjects made speeded judgments about two visual elements that were either both on the same object or on two different objects. Judgments were faster when the elements were on the same object than when they were on different objects, revealing an object advantage. Importantly, the object advantage remained even when either exogenous or endogenous spatial cues were used to direct the subjects’ attention to a part of the display, contrary to earlier findings of other researchers. The object advantage, however, did disappear when the stimulus duration was shortened substantially. The results show that object-based selection is pervasive and is not diminished by the act of selective attention. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the mechanisms that underlie attentional selection.
Do electroencephalographic sleep studies predict recurrence in depressed patients successfully treated with psychotherapy

Electroencephalographic sleep studies were recorded in 31 depressed outpatients before and after successful treatment with interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) alone. All patients were followed clinically for 1 year following remission or until recurrence of depression. Compared to those who remained well, patients who suffered a recurrence had greater night-to-night variability in wakefulness and REM latency in the post-treatment sleep studies. Sleep variables, including night-to-night variability, may help to predict acute treatment response and recurrence in patients treated with psychotherapy. Depression 2:105–108 (1994). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acer craibianum (Aceraceae), A new name for a maple of Southeast Asia

Acer craibianum T. Delendick is substituted forA. isolobum Kurz (1872, nonA. isolobum Massalongo, 1859). Close affinity withA. osmastonii, currently regarded as a hybrid, is rejected. Murray’s combination of the taxon with the ChineseA. wilsonii is considered not to have a sufficient basis.
Electromechanical Responses of Strong Acid Polymer Gels in DC Electric Fields

The electromechanical behavior of two cross-linked strong acid hydrogels (1) 50% sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) (S-SEBS) and (2) 69% sulfonated polystyrene (S-PS)-were studied in 0.005-0.1 M solutions of Na 2 SO 4 , Cs 2 SO 4 , (CH 3 ) 4 NHSO 4 , and (C 4 H 9 ) 4 NHSO 4 (TBA) in a 1.6 V/cm dc electric field. Both gels bent toward the cathode when they were preequilibrated in the corresponding salt solutions. The bending angle increased linearly with time at the start and then more slowly toward a steady-state bending angle, θ ss . The time needed to reach θ ss depended on the mobility of the cations, the electric field, and the thickness of each gel, but not on the salt concentration. Both θ ss and the initial speed of bending reached a maximum at the same intermediate salt concentration, C*, that changed little with type of salt or gel. θ ss decreased while the initial bending speed increased with the mobility of the cation. When the S-PS gel was preequilibrated in distilled water before the bending measurements, the gel first bent toward the anode before reversing toward the cathode in 0.065-0.08 M TBA solutions. The S-PS gel did this in none of the other salt solutions, and the S-SEBS did not reverse its bending behavior at all. The reasons for some of these results are discussed.
Treatment of acute Graves orbitopathy.

Abstract The therapeutic options for the treatment of acute Graves orbitopathy include high-dose oral corticosteroids, surgical decompression, and radiotherapy. The former two treatments are associated with significant morbidity. Although there have been a number of reports of the efficacy of radiotherapy, its role in the management of this disease is still questioned. The authors reviewed 84 cases of acute Graves orbitopathy treated with either high-dose systemic corticosteroids or radiotherapy (2000 rad to each involved orbit). Radiotherapy resulted in significant improvement in subjective and objective signs of orbital congestion and was more effective than high-dose corticosteroids in relieving compressive optic neuropathy. Of the patients with compressive optic neuropathy, only 1 of 29 treated with radiotherapy required surgical decompression, whereas, 6 of 16 treated with corticosteroids required surgery. This study suggests that radiotherapy has greater efficacy and fewer complications than highdose systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute Graves orbitopathy.
An Organogel Formed by the Addition of Selected Dihydroxynaphthalenes to AOT Inverse Micelles

A clear organogel is formed upon the addition of small quantities of 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene (2,6-DHN) to sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) inverse micelles in isooctane. The phenomenon of organogel formation appears to be generally applicable for dihydroxynaphthalenes with hydroxyl groups at opposite ends of the molecule. The gel forms at concentrations of 2,6-DHN as low as 0.002 M and AOT/2,6-DHN molar ratios in the range of 50−70. The gel displays the photoluminescence characteristics of the dopant aromatic species. NMR characterizations of the gel structure reveal significant restrictions on the motion of 2,6-DHN on the NMR time scale. FTIR reveals the presence of hydrogen-bonding interactions between 2,6-DHN and AOT that may play a significant role in gel formation. A microstructure for the gel is proposed wherein 2,6-DHN bridging between micelles leads to rigidification and the formation of a novel partially frozen micellar structure.
SNIPPV vs NIPPV: does synchronization matter?

:To compare clinical outcomes of premature infants on synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (SNIPPV) vs nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the neonatal intensive care unit. Use of NIPPV in the neonatal intensive care unit has shown promise with better clinical outcomes in premature neonates. It is not known if synchronization makes a significant clinical impact when using this technique. Retrospective data were obtained (1/04 to 12/09) of infants who received NIPPV anytime during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. SNIPPV (Infant Star with StarSync) was utilized from 2004 to 2006, whereas NIPPV (Bear Cub) was used from 2007 to 2009. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was defined using the NIH consensus definition. Unadjusted associations between potential risk factors and BPD/death were assessed using the χ2 or Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Adjusted analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models, taking into account correlation among infants of multiple gestation. There was no significant difference in the mean gestational age and birth weight in the two groups: SNIPPV (n=172; 27.0w; 1016 g) and NIPPV (n=238; 27.7w; 1117 g). There were no significant differences in maternal demographics, use of antenatal steroids, gender, multiple births, small for gestational age or Apgar scores in the two groups. More infants in the NIPPV group were given resuscitation in the delivery room (SNIPPV vs NIPPV: 44.2 vs 63%, P<0.001). Use of surfactant (84.4 vs 70.2%; P<0.001) was significantly higher in the SNIPPV group. There were no differences in the rate of patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis in the two groups. After adjusting for the significant variables, use of NIPPV vs SNIPPV (odds ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval: 0.42, 1.30) was not associated with BPD/death. These data suggest that use of SNIPPV vs NIPPV is not significantly associated with a differential impact on clinical outcomes.
Stereotactic brain surgery: instrumentation, automation, and image guidance

In the 1960s stereotactic surgery was done merely by taking two projective images, using hand calculations to determine the numerical values, and deriving a set of specific measurements that guided a needle through an eloquent part of the brain. This type of surgery developed through the years, taking advantage of the new technologies in imaging modalities, networking, advanced video systems, high speed computer workstations, to the most sophisticated technology currently available, digitizing systems using infrared sensing technology.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
THE CURRENT STATE OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR USE IN DAIRY HERD MANAGEMENT

Abstract The current state of three human-computer interface areas was reviewed, and potential dairy herd management applications were proposed. Alternative input devices (e.g., touch-sensitive screens and speech recognition) can provide more intuitive communication with computers. Several user interface designs have been developed that narrow the dichotomy between ease of use and ease of learning. Information technologies can provide dairy herd managers with more complete and immediate access to management information for decision making: 1) natural language interfaces, which allow users to query a structured database to retrieve information; 2) full text retrieval systems, which retrieve pertinent passages from a collection of documents; and 3) hypertext, which is a means of linking related passages of text so that they can be browsed in a logical, nonlinear fashion. The third area of human-computer interface concerns methods of integrating decision support systems into a management workstation that could contain independent systems, systems integrated through a user interface manager, or systems integrated through an intelligent dialogue manager. Advances in human-computer interfaces, if incorporated into dairy management software, should significantly increase the use of computers for dairy management and improve the decisions made by dairy herd managers.
Embolization of spontaneous portosystemic shunt for treatment of refractory hepatic encephalopathy

Purpose Spontaneous portosystemic shunt (PSS) can cause significant hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver disease. Medical treatment alone may have limited success and compliance. We investigated a subset of patients with HE that underwent shunt embolotherapy to determine the clinical effect and safety of embolization as a complement or cure to their current clinical management and encephalopathy. Materials and Methods The medical records of 33 patients with PSS who underwent shunt embolization from 2006 to 2012 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 9 patients with non-GI bleeding recalcitrant HE who had undergone maximal medical therapy were identified. All patients underwent preprocedure MRI or CT in order to evaluate PSS. Embolization of the shunt was performed with coils, occlusion devices, and liquid agents via transhepatic, systemic, and recanalized paraumbilical venous routes. Results Follow-up data were available in 8 patients (6 women, 2 men; age range, 40 - 66 y; mean age, 55.5 y ± 10.1) who underwent 9 embolization procedures after medical treatment with one or more of lactulose, rifaximin, and neomycin. Etiology of liver cirrhosis was as follows: hepatitis-C, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cryptogenic, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Prior to embolization, 4 patients had liver transplants and none had ascites. The shunts were accessed successfully from the common femoral vein (n = 3), internal jugular vein (n = 1), and transhepatic approach (n = 3). In one patient, two embolizations were necessary and entrance was through a recanalized paraumbilical vein. Follow-up range was 3 - 28 months (mean duration, 15.5 m ± 9.9). Following the embolization, 7 patients were determined to be improved clinically (88%). Three patients were able to discontinue encephalopathy medications altogether and the remainder (n = 4) reduced the quantity of medications. There were no procedure-related complications or worsening portal hypertension. Conclusion Spontaneous PSS embolization is a feasible and safe procedure that serves as a complementary or curative treatment method for HE patients who are refractory to medical management.
Effects of propionic acid on propionibacteria fermentation

Various amounts of propionic acid were added to the fermentation medium of Propionibacterium thoenii strain P20 to examine the effects of propionic acid on cell growth, product formation, and substrate consumption and yield. The fermentation kinetics obtained from the cell-immobilized reactor were free of mass transfer limitations. Such inherent kinetics were described by exponential models in terms of specific propionic acid productivity and the glucose consumption rate. As the propionic acid concentration in the fermenter increased from 2.77 to 30.41 g/l−1, cell growth declined by two-thirds, specific propionic acid productivity and the glucose consumption rate also decreased from 0.059 to 0.015 g propionic acid g−1 cell · h−1, and 0.11 to 0.04 g glucose g−1 cell · h−1, respectively. The excess of propionic acid also altered the bacterial metabolism to produce more by-products such as acetic, lactic and succinic acids which resulted in the decrease of substrate yield on propionic acid from 0.52 to 0.41 g propionic acid g−1 glucose. To overcome such effects, it is desirable to maintain the acid concentration as low as possible which can be achieved by extractive fermentation. At propionic acid concentrations below 3 g l−1, a propionic acid volumetric productivity of 3.9 g l−1 · h−1 can be attained with 40% (wv) bead load.
Coupling Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Solvers for Multidisciplinary Simulations

The feasibility of multidisciplinary simulations for realistic geometries involving detailed physical models is demonstrated. Specifically, a three-dimensional chemically reacting fluid flow solver is coupled with a solid-phase heat transfer solver that includes cooling channels. Both fluid- and solid-phase models employ the integral, conservative form of the governing equations and are discretized by means of two finite volume numerical schemes. To keep the heat flux consistent, a special algorithm is developed at the interface between the solid and fluid regions. Physical and thermal properties of the solid materials can be temperature dependent, and different materials can be used in different parts of the domains due to a multiblock gridding strategy. The cooling channel model is developed by using conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy, taking into account the effects of heat transfer and friction. The coupling of the models (solid and fluid, solid and cooling channels) is detailed. A hot-air nozzle test case is examined
COMPARISON OF THE RESISTIVE INDEX TO CLINICAL PARAMETERS IN DOGS WITH RENAL DISEASE

The resistive index (RI) is a measurement of arteriole vascular resistance and is obtained by pulsed-wave Doppler interrogation. The diagnostic potential of the renal resistive index (RI) was retrospectively investigated in 142 kidneys from 81 dogs. The resistive index of each kidney was compared to clinical laboratory parameters, clinical diagnoses, and sonographic findings. The mean renal resistive index (RI) for 22 normal kidneys was 0.61 (standard deviation = 0.06). An elevation in the mean renal RI (>0.70) was found for the clinical diagnoses of acute renal failure and congenital dysplasia. When a RI of greater than 0.70 was considered abnormal, the sensitivity and specificity of the RI in determining normal vs, abnormal kidneys were 38% and 96% respectively.