cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cone-beam breast computed tomography using ultra-fast image reconstruction with constrained, total-variation minimization for suppression of artifacts

Compressed sensing based iterative reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography such as adaptive steepest descent-projection on convex sets (ASD-POCS) are attractive due to their applicability in incomplete datasets such as sparse-view data and can reduce radiation dose to the patients while preserving image quality. Although IR algorithms reduce image noise compared to analytical Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm, they may generate artifacts, particularly along the periphery of the object. One popular solution is to use finer image-grid followed by down-sampling. This approach is computationally intensive but may be compensated by reducing the field of view. Our proposed solution is to replace the algebraic reconstruction technique within the original ASD-POCS by ordered subsets-simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (OS-SART) and with initialization using FDK image. We refer to this method as Fast, Iterative, TV-Regularized, Statistical reconstruction Technique (FIRST). In this study, we investigate FIRST for cone-beam dedicated breast CT with large image matrix. The signal-difference to noise ratio (SDNR), the difference of the mean value and the variance of adipose and fibroglandular tissues for both FDK and FIRST reconstructions were determined. With FDK serving as the reference, the root-mean-square error (RMSE), bias, and the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of microcalcifications in two orthogonal directions were also computed. Our results suggest that FIRST is competitive to the finer image-grid method with shorter reconstruction time. Images reconstructed using the FIRST do not exhibit artifacts and outperformed FDK in terms of image noise. This suggests the potential of this approach for radiation dose reduction in cone-beam breast CT.
Ultrasonography of the urogenital system in AIDS patients

Objective To discuss the sonographic features of the urogential system in AIDS patients.Methods The positive sonographic lesions of urogenital systems of 336 AIDS patiens were analyzed retrospectively,with some compared with the results of aspiration biopsy,lab tests and clinical observation and treatment.Results The ultrasonographic features of the pathological changes of the urogenital systems in AIDS patients were relative infectious diseases and relative tumors,which were respectively renal enlargement in 157 cases (46.73％),diffuse renal parenchymal disease in 129 cases (38.39％),urogential single infections in 125 cases (37.20％),and urogential cancer in 17 cases (5.06％).All of the above symptoms often developed in the same patient.Conclusions The ultrasonography of the lesions of the urogenital systems in AIDS patients are valuable documents for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Ultrasonography; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Urologic diseases
Pneumocephalus and Facial Droop on an Airplane: A Case Report

Author(s): Sanjeevan-Cabeza, Irina; Oakland, Morgan | Abstract: Introduction: Pneumocephalus (PNC) is most commonly associated with trauma or intracranial surgery, less commonly secondary to an infectious source, and is rarely caused by barotrauma.Case report: A 32-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with complaint of resolved left-sided facial droop and a lingering paresthesia of her left upper extremity after a cross-country flight. Computed tomography demonstrated several foci of air in the subdural space consistent with PNC.Conclusion: For PNC to occur there must be a persistent negative intracranial pressure gradient, with or without an extracranial pressure change. In this case the pressure change occurred due to cabin pressure.
Monochorionic Triplet Pregnancies With Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion and Acardiac Triplet: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

TRAP pregnancies involving monochorionic triplets are extremely rare, calculated to be 1 in 4.5 million. We report two cases of monochorionic triplet pregnancies with an acardiac triplet. In one ca...
Using telemedicine to facilitate social distancing in otolaryngology: A systematic review.

ObjectivesAs the coronavirus 2019 pandemic puts strains on current models of otolaryngology practice, telemedicine is an attractive way for otolaryngologists to reduce in-person appointments while ...
Burnout and Professional Fulfillment in Early and Early-Mid-Career Breast Surgeons.

Prior work has shown that burnout among breast surgeons is prevalent and highest in those earlier in their clinical practice career. Therefore, we sought to better understand and identify specific contributors to early-career breast surgeon burnout. We analyzed data from our 2017 survey of members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. The 16-items of the Professional Fulfillment Index were used in determining overall burnout and professional fulfillment scores. Multivariable regressions were performed to evaluate factors related to overall burnout and professional fulfillment. The mean overall burnout score was 1.23 (0–4 scale; higher score unfavorable) for surgeons in practice < 5 years, compared with 1.39 for surgeons in practice 5–9 years and 1.22 for those in practice ≥ 10 years. The mean professional fulfillment score was 2.71 (0–4 scale; higher score favorable) for surgeons in practice < 5 years, 2.66 for surgeons in practice 5–9 years, and 2.67 for surgeons in practice ≥ 10 years. Multivariable analysis showed that burnout was positively correlated with ≥ 60 work hours per week in the group practicing for < 5 years, and dedicating less than full time to breast surgery in the group in practice 5–9 years. Professional fulfillment was negatively associated with single relationship status in surgeons practicing < 5 years, and dedicating less than full time to breast surgery for those in practice 5–9 years. Our study suggests that breast surgeons who have been in practice for 5–9 years have particularly high overall burnout rates and additional support focused on this group of breast surgeons may be needed.
Severe metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. A case report, review of the literature and proposed treatment algorithm:

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been increasingly used in the treatment of patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (WD-NENs), but electrolyte abnormalities durin...
Chapter 2 Requirements and Protection within a 48 V Automotive Wiring System

Development of higher-voltage electrical systems in vehicles has been slowly progressing over the past few decades. However, tightening vehicle efficiency and emissions regulations and increasing demand for onboard electrical power means that higher voltages, in the form of supplemental 48 V subsystems, may soon be nearing production as the most cost-effective way to meet regulations. The displacement of high-wattage loads to more efficient 48 V networks is expected to be the next step in the development of a new generation of mild hybrid vehicles. In addition to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, 48 V systems could potentially save costs on new electrical features and help better address the emerging needs of future drivers. Challenges to 48 V system implementation remain, leading to discussions by experts from leading car makers and suppliers on the need for an international 48 V standard. Initial steps toward a proposed standard have already been taken. So the consensus of global forecasts suggests that 48 V mild hybrids will soon come to dominate the market. Compared with 200-600 V full hybrid and battery electric vehicles, the lower-voltage approach avoids the need for high-cost safety features and large battery packs.
Clusters of Injuries From Motorcycle Collisions: Exploratory Factor Analysis of a Single Institution Trauma Registry.

Objective With the goal of guiding acute management of associated injuries motorcycle trauma patients, this study aims to identify patterns of associated injuries after motorcycle collisions using exploratory factor analysis. Methods We conducted a retrospective review at a Level 1 trauma center of all patients who presented after motorcycle collisions resulting in trauma system activations between July 2, 2002 and December 31, 2013. We performed exploratory factor analysis on this dataset to identify sets of injuries that cluster together. Results We identified 1,050 patients who presented for trauma after a motorcycle collision. These patients had 3,101 injuries, including 1,694 fractures. Using exploratory factor analysis, we developed a model with four latent factors that explained approximately half of the variance in injuries. These factors were defined by: head and cervical spine injuries; extremity injuries; abdomen, pelvis and upper extremity injuries; and shoulder girdle and thorax injuries. We also found a novel injury pattern relationship between forearm shaft/wrist and lower extremity injuries. Conclusions Motorcycle trauma results in distinct clusters of associated injuries likely due to common motorcycle collision patterns, most notably a novel relationship between forearm shaft/wrist and lower extremity injuries that merits further exploration, and could play a role during secondary survey.
Growth and reproduction of microorganisms under extremely alkaline conditions

Abstract An aerobic and an anaerobic strain of bacteria were isolated from two extremely alkaline springs. Growth and reproduction of both microorganisms were demonstrated above pH 11.0.
Fire history of the San Francisco East Bay region and implications for landscape patterns

The San Francisco East Bay landscape is a rich mosaic of grasslands, shrublands and woodlands that is experiencing losses of grassland due to colonization by shrubs and succession towards woodland associations. The instability of these grasslands is apparently due to their disturbance-dependent nature coupled with 20th century changes in fire and grazing activity. This study uses fire history records to determine the potential for fire in this region and for evidence of changes in the second half of the 20th century that would account for shrubland expansion. This region has a largely anthropogenic fire regime with no lightning-ignited fires in most years. Fire suppression policy has not excluded fire from this region; however, it has been effective at maintaining roughly similar burning levels in the face of increasing anthropogenic fires, and effective at decreasing the size of fires. Fire frequency parallels increasing population growth until the latter part of the 20th century, when it reached a plateau. Fire does not appear to have been a major factor in the shrub colonization of grasslands, and cessation of grazing is a more likely immediate cause. Because grasslands are not under strong edaphic control, rather their distribution appears to be disturbance-dependent, and natural lightning ignitions are rare in the region, I hypothesize that, before the entrance of people into the region, grasslands were of limited extent. Native Americans played a major role in creation of grasslands through repeated burning and these disturbance-dependent grasslands were maintained by early European settlers through overstocking of these range lands with cattle and sheep. Twentieth century reduction in grazing, coupled with a lack of natural fires and effective suppression of anthropogenic fires, have acted in concert to favor shrubland expansion.
Optimum multibeam satellite downlink power allocation based on traffic demands

For multimedia services over satellite networks, the efficient management of satellite downlink communications will be crucial due to the high cost of satellite transmission to many users with different quality of service (QoS) requirements and limited amount of onboard resources. An optimized design of the agile antenna multibeam pattern can improve the efficiency of transmission and power management. In this paper, we show the advantage of parallel multibeams in terms of spectral efficiency and power gain, and address the issue of multibeam power allocation based on traffic demands over satellite downlinks with power restriction. The analysis indicates that the use of a parallel multibeam scheme with optimized power splits can achieve a substantial power gain and reasonable proportional fairness. We also give a downlink multibeam scheduling solution when the number of beams is smaller than the number of cells, and show that a modest number of parallel beams are sufficient to obtain large power gains without need for many transmitters.
Revising and refining the epilepsy classification system: priorities from a developing world perspective.

Although the technical and human resources for epilepsy care and classification are located largely in high income countries, most people with epilepsy reside in developing regions of the world. Advances over the past two decades in the clinical and basic neurosciences have transformed epilepsy care and largely drive the present need for a revised epilepsy classification. These advances have been mirrored by new knowledge about epilepsy in tropical, resource limited settings. A non-hierarchical, multi-dimensional approach to classification that includes dimensions that can be ascertained in, and are relevant to, resource-limited settings is needed. Such a classification system could be designed for relevance at tertiary care settings in developed regions as well as primary healthcare settings in developing regions. Insights from the global use of such a classification approach would also offer opportunities to gain complementary information regarding epilepsy across a broad range of settings could provide new insights into epilepsy and epileptogenesis. Failure to develop a classification inclusive of the developing world would exclude 80% of the epilepsies globally.
Performance evaluation of rating aggregation algorithms in reputation systems

Ratings (also known as recommendations, referrals, and feedbacks) provide an efficient and effective way to build trust relationship amongst peers in open environments. The key to the success of ratings is the rating aggregation algorithm. Several rating aggregation algorithms have been proposed, however, all of them are evaluated in an ad-hoc fashion so that it is difficult to compare the effects of these schemes. In this paper, we argue that what is missing is to evaluate different aggregation schemes in the same context. We first classify all state-of-the-art aggregating algorithms into five categories, and then comprehensively evaluate them in the context of a general decentralized trust inference model with respect to their resistance to different factors, such as dynamic behavior of peers and raters, dishonest ratings, and so on. The simulation results show that complicated algorithms are not always a good choice if we take the implementation cost and resistance to bad raters into consideration
Fast Forward-an adventure in engineering for 7th and 8th grade girls

Fast Forward is an exciting program that has been developed at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to address the problems of the disproportionately high number of girls who lose interest in science during middle school and the low number of women who enroll in college prep science and math courses in high school. Fast Forward is an intensive four day immersion into the world of science and technology. Thirty young women attended the pilot program during the summer of 1994. The program included exciting and educational technical sessions in which the primary pedagogical technique was active learning. There were hands on chemistry and physics experiences and in several sessions the students used computers as a tool to solve problems. The cornerstone of Fast Forward was a project that required the young women to design, construct and test a solar powered vehicle. The student response from the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive. The details of the program, the program content, and the results of the assessment are presented.
Isoproterenol decreases LDL receptor expression in rat adipose cells: activation of cyclic AMP-dependent proteolysis

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor is part of a family of proteins that mediate the uptake of lipoproteins into cells. In this paper we have demonstrated the over-expression in E. coli of a rat LDL receptor fusion protein that contains the region of the receptor sharing homology with the EGF precursor. The fusion protein was utilized to immunize rabbits and successfully generate antibodies that recognize the intact LDL receptor. These anti-LDL receptor/fusion protein antibodies were used to examine the effects of cyclic AMP on the expression of LDL receptors in isolated rat adipocytes. Incubation of adipocytes with isoproterenol caused a dose-dependent diminution in intact LDL receptors in the plasma membrane with the concomitant appearance of smaller immunoreactive proteins. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that isoproterenol rapidly shortened the initial half-life of intact, immunoprecipitable LDL receptors in the plasma membrane. The effects of isoproterenol on LDL receptor expression were mimicked by forskolin, by an analog of cyclic AMP, and by ACTH. In contrast, incubation with propranolol blocked the effects of isoproterenol on LDL receptor expression. While antioxidants and several different protease inhibitors had no effects, N-acetyl-leucine-leucine-methionine (ALLM) was able to prevent the isoproterenol-induced effects on LDL receptors. Thus, it appears that agents acting via cyclic AMP cause a rapid decrease in LDL receptors in the plasma membranes of isolated adipose cells due to the apparent stimulation of an ALLM-sensitive protease that degrades the LDL receptor. These results suggest a novel mechanism for the posttranscriptional regulation of LDL receptor expression in adipocytes.
Cranial Nerves VII To VIII

Cranial nerves VII and VIII are easily visualized within cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in most patients and are the nerves most commonly involved with neurogenic neoplasms. The reasons for performing contrast-enhanced scans are explained in this unit, but revolve around pathologies other than schwannomas of the nerves.
Sediment entrainment by debris flows: In situ measurements from the headwaters of a steep catchment

[1] Debris flows can dramatically increase their volume, and hence their destructive potential, by entraining sediment. Yet quantitative constraints on rates and mechanics of sediment entrainment by debris flows are limited. Using an in situ sensor network in the headwaters of a natural catchment we measured flow and bed properties during six erosive debris-flow events. Despite similar flow properties and thicknesses of bed sediment entrained across all events, time-averaged entrainment rates were significantly faster for bed sediment that was saturated prior to flow arrival compared with rates for sediment that was dry. Bed sediment was entrained from the sediment-surface downward in a progressive fashion and occurred during passage of dense granular fronts as well as water-rich, inter-surge flow.En massefailure of bed sediment along the sediment-bedrock interface was never observed. Large-magnitude, high-frequency fluctuations in total normal basal stress were dissipated within the upper 5 cm of bed sediment. Within this near surface layer, concomitant fluctuations in Coulomb frictional resistance are expected, irrespective of the influence of pore fluid pressure or fluctuations in shear stress. If the near-surface sediment was wet as it was overridden by a flow, additional large-magnitude, high-frequency pore pressure fluctuations were measured in the near-surface bed sediment. These pore pressure fluctuations propagated to depth at subsonic rates and in a diffusive manner. The depth to which large excess pore pressures propagated was typically less than 10 cm, but scaled as (D/fi)0.5, in which D is the hydraulic diffusivity and fiis the frequency of a particular pore pressure fluctuation. Shallow penetration depths of granular-normal-stress fluctuations and excess pore pressures demonstrate that only near-surface bed sediment experiences the full dynamic range of effective-stress fluctuations, and as a result, can be more easily entrained than deeper sediment. These data provide robust tests for mechanical models of entrainment and demonstrate that a debris flow over wet bed sediment will be larger than the same flow over dry bed sediment.
Self-help interventions for smoking cessation.

Self-help interventions for smoking cessation are an important bridge between the clinical and public health approaches to smoking cessation. The current literature on self-help interventions is encouraging but incomplete. Although their quit rates are lower than those of more intensive programs, self-help interventions could have a large public health impact because of their potential for widespread distribution. Studies comparing self-help to more intensive treatment suggest that long-term cessation rates for self-help programs are potentially as high as rates for face-to-face interventions, with lower quit rates for self-help programs that are likely due to differences in program adherence. Tailored materials and personalized adjuncts (e.g., written feedback or telephone counseling) that promote program adherence may increase cessation rates.
Delayed presentation of traumatic cerebral and dural arteriovenous fistulae after a BB gun accident in a pediatric patient: case report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:: To present a case of traumatic cortical and dural AVF after a BB gun accident. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:: The patient presented with a small left frontal subdural hematoma and small contusions in the left frontal lobe after he was shot with a BB. He had no skull fractures or significant midline shift. The patient, who was neurologically intact, was discharged after 3 days of observation undergoing serial imaging. Five days later, the patient developed lethargy and emesis. CT showed a 5 x 3 x 5 cm intraparenchymal hematoma in the left frontal lobe. Emergency evacuation of the hematoma revealed a cortical arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which was resected. Postoperative angiography showed a dural AVF of the left middle meningeal artery, draining into the superior ophthalmic vein and a dural vein. The dural AVF was embolized with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. The patient was discharged after 3 days with no defecits. CONCLUSION:: The subdural hematoma and contusions were caused by a BB, which are often used in low-velocity and small caliber weapons. Not all BB guns are low velocity, and the consequences can be dramatic. The BB gun used here was pneumatic. The patient had no skull fractures. Several days of stable imaging and normal examinations suggested nothing sinister. His initial bleeds appeared disproportionate to the mechanism. The delayed presentation of the debilitating hematoma in this case stresses the need for vigilance on the part of practitioners and families when patients have a suspicious bleed. Language: en
University expectations for clinical social work doctorates : are they different?

This study reports the findings of a taskforce that queried the university-based doctoral programs in social work which emphasize direct clinical practice. The impetus for this research came from questions about how similar or different doctoral programs concerned with direct practice were from those programs which dealt more exclusively with theory and research. The findings indicate considerable similarity between clinical practice programs and other doctoral programs in regard to structure and requirements. Descriptions of the prototype direct practice doctorate are included. Questions are raised about research and leadership concepts that need further exploration.
Potentiation of 5-Fluorouracil Inhibition of Flexner-Jobling Carcinoma by Glucose

A significant potentiation of the antitumor action of 5-fluorouracil in rats bearing the Flexner-Jobling carcinoma is produced by the intraperitoneal administration of large doses of glucose.
Radiant flash pyrolysis of biomass using a xenon flashtube

Biomass materials, including lignin, redwood, corn cob, Calotropis Procera, Leucaena wood, Kraft paper, newsprint, cow manure, D-glucose, and D-cellobiose, were pyrolyzed in vacuum by the visible radiant flux emitted from a Xenon flashtube. The flux density exceeded 8 kW/cm/sup 2/ during the 1 ms flash. Sirup yields were low (avg 25%), while the gas yield was high (avg 32%). The gaseous products were composed primarily of CO and CO/sub 2/. The high relative yields of CO establish the existence of a high temperature fragmentation pathway active during the flash pyrolysis of all biomass materials. 39 references, 2 figures, 5 tables.
Design and test of hydraulic vacuum breaker check valve for simplified boiling water reactor

In the current design of the simplified boiling water reactor, the vacuum breaker check valve is an important safety component. The vacuum breaker check valve is the only key safety components which is not passive in nature. Failure of this mechanical valve drastically reduces the passive containment cooling system cooling capability and hence containment pressure may exceed the design pressure. To eliminate this problem novel vacuum breaker check valve was developed to replace the mechanical valve. This new design is based on a passive hydraulic head, which is fail-safe and is truly passive in operation. Moreover this new design needs only one additional tank and one set of piping each to the wetwell and drywell. This system is simple in design and hence is easy to maintain and to qualify for operation. The passive vacuum breaker check valve performance was first evaluated using RELAP5. Then the passive vacuum breaker check valve was constructed and implemented in the PUMA integral test facility. Its performance was studied in a large break loss of coolant accident simulation test performed in PUMA facility.
Enhanced graph models in the Web: multi-client, multi-head, multi-tail browsing

One key to the wide and rapid acceptance of the World Wide Web is the simplicity of its model. We see this in its short-lived connections and generally stateless servers, as well as in the relationship between nodes (HTML pages) and embedded links. Though these factors contribute to the Web's success, they also come at a cost: precise control of how documents are presented to the user is beyond this basic model. Richer graph models permit authors to “program” the browsing behavior they want readers to see by turning the hypertext into a hyperprogram with specific semantics. Multiple browsing streams can be started under the author's control and then kept in step through the synchronization mechanisms provided by the graph model. Our current work adds a Semantic Web Graph Layer (SWGL) which allows dynamic interpretation of link and node structures according to graph models. As a motivating example of the utility of the SWGL, we have chosen to implement the graph model for Colored Petri Nets (CPNs). The previous MMM project[6] implemented a limited subset of the Petri net model to give Web authors the ability to control concurrency and synchronization in a single reader's browsing session. CPNs extend this protocol to give control of multiple readers in a like fashion. This paper details the SWGL and its architecture, some sample protocol implementations, and the latest extensions to MHTML[6] that were necessary to support these enhancements.
An Historical Perspective on the Church and the Elderly

Summary Historically, the roles of church and society have changed with respect to the treatment of the elderly. These changes are traced. Beginning with the New Testament times, the shifts are reviewed in the Roman period, the Germanic invasions, the High Middle Ages, and the urbanized industrial times which reach into the present.
Identification of Human VPS37C, a Component of Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport-I Important for Viral Budding

Endosomal sorting complex required for transport-I (ESCRT-I) is one of three defined protein complexes in the class E vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) pathway required for the sorting of ubiquitinated transmembrane proteins into internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies. In yeast, ESCRT-I is composed of three proteins, VSP23, VPS28, and VPS37, whereas in mammals only Tsg101(VPS23) and VPS28 were originally identified as ESCRT-I components. Using yeast two-hybrid screens, we identified one of a family of human proteins (VPS37C) as a Tsg101-binding protein. VPS37C can form a ternary complex with Tsg101 and VPS28 by binding to a domain situated toward the carboxyl terminus of Tsg101 and binds to another class E VPS factor, namely Hrs. In addition, VPS37C is recruited to aberrant endosomes induced by overexpression of Tsg101, Hrs, or dominant negative form of the class E VPS ATPase, VPS4. Enveloped viruses that encode PTAP motifs to facilitate budding exploit ESCRT-I as an interface with the class E VPS pathway, and accordingly, VPS37C is recruited to the plasma membrane along with Tsg101 by human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) Gag. Moreover, direct fusion of VPS37C to HIV-1 Gag obviates the requirement for a PTAP motif to induce virion release. Depletion of VPS37C from cells does not inhibit murine leukemia virus budding, which is not mediated by ESCRT-I, however, if murine leukemia virus budding is engineered to be ESCRT-I-dependent, then it is inhibited by VPS37C depletion, and this inhibition is accentuated if VPS37B is simultaneously depleted. Thus, this study identifies VPS37C as a functional component of mammalian ESCRT-I.
AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF SPERMATIUM FORMATION IN THE RUST FUNGUS GYMNOSPORANGIUM JUNIPERI-VIRGINIANAE'

A B ST R A C T Spermatium formation in G. juniperi-virginianae is phialidic. The spermatia are blown out of the tips of spermatiophores which possess a thickened neck region and a distinct, flared collarette. Each spermatium initial is surrounded by a thin wall which is attached to the inner surface of the spermatiophore wall just below the thickened neck region. A spermatium is delimited by a centripetally developing septum and then pushed into the spermogonial cavity by the next spermatium initial. Mature spermatia are ellipsoid with tapered ends and are surrounded by a thin wall. Each contains a single nucleus, many ribosomes, a few small vacuoles, and a number of lipid bodies and mitochondria. A SPERMATIUM (Alexopoulos, 1962) is a nonmotile, uninucleate, spore-like male structure that empties its contents into a receptive female structure during plasmogomy. The formation of these structures in the genus Gymnosporangium (Uredinales) has been studied with light microscopy by both Blackman (1904) and Olive (1944). Largely on the basis of Olive's (1944) description of the process in G. clavipes (Cke. & Pk.) Cke. & Pk., Hughes (1970) has expressed the opinion that the sporogenous cells or spermatiophores in Gymnosporangium are phialides and suggested that perhaps spermatium formation in the rust fungi as a whole was phialidic. This has been recently questioned by Rijkenberg and Truter (1974) who have reported that spermatium formation in Puccinia sorghi Schw. is annellophoric. They suggest that Blackman's (1904) description of spermatium formation in G. clavariiforme Rees
Reduction of Low-Thrust Continuous Controls for Trajectory Dynamics

A novel method to evaluate the trajectory dynamics of low-thrust spacecraft is developed. The thrust vector components are represented as Fourier series in eccentric anomaly, and Gauss's variational equations are averaged over one orbit to define a set of secular equations. These secular equations are a function of only 14 of the thrust Fourier coefficients, regardless of the order of the original Fourier series, and are sufficient to accurately determine a low-thrust spiral trajectory with significantly reduced computational requirements as compared with integration of the full Newtonian problem. This method has applications to low-thrust spacecraft targeting and optimal control problems.
Student ability to apply the concepts of work and energy to extended systems

We report results from an investigation of student ability to apply the concepts of work and energy to situations in which the internal structure of a system cannot be ignored, that is, the system cannot be treated as a particle. Students in introductory calculus-based physics courses were asked written and online questions after relevant instruction by lectures, textbook, and laboratory. Several difficulties were identified. Some related to student ability to calculate the work done on a system. Failure to associate work with the change in energy of a system was also widespread. The results have implications for instruction that aims for a rigorous treatment of energy concepts that is consistent with the first law of thermodynamics. The findings are guiding the development of two tutorials to supplement instruction.
Huntington's disease: A generalized membrane defect

Abstract Huntington's disease, a progressively degenerative neurological disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, results in selective neuronal loss in the basal ganglia and other areas of the brain. Based on research in our laboratory employing electron spin resonance, analytical, enzymatic, biochemical and morphological techniques to study erythrocyte membranes, which are completely outside the central nervous system, we have suggested that Huntington's disease is associated with a generalized membrane defect involving a protein and probably manifested at the external membrane surface. Other workers have subsequently obtained biophysical, biochemical, and morphological results on extraneural tissue in Huntington's disease including erythrocytes, lymphocytes, platelets,and cultured skin fibroblasts that supports this hypothesis. This review will summarize and evaluate the current knowledge of the involvement of a membrane defect in the etiology and pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.
Parathyroid hormone stimulates calcium transport in perfused duodena from normal chicks: comparison with the rapid (transcaltachic) effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Both 130 pM 1,25(OH)2D3 and 130 pM bPTH 1–34 were found to stimulate calcium transport in perfused, isolated duodenal loops from normal, vitamin D-replete birds. Within 2 min of vascular perfusion with the seco-steroid, 45Ca transport increased to 153% of controls (P<0.01), whereas significant stimulation by the peptide hormone was not observed until after 12 min of exposure (142% of controls, P<0.05). The inactive peptide analogue, bPTH 3–34, failed to alter calcium transport rates from those observed in vehicle controls. The final magnitude of the effect observed for either 1,25(OH)2D3 or bPTH 1–34 was similar in that each hormone enhanced the appearance of 45Ca In the venous effluent to greater than 200% of controls. This work is the first to report a direct effect Of PTH on calcium transport in the intestine, as well as a greater rapidity in the response of perfused duodena to 1,25(OH)2D3 than previously observed. On the basis of these findings we propose the term transcaltachia to denote the rapid st...
Synthesis of a silene from 1,1-dilithiosilole and 2-adamantanone.

Reaction of 1,1-dilithio-1-sila-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsilole with 2-adamantanone produces a 5-silafulvene. This represents a new method for synthesis of silenes, leading to the first example of a sila...
Development of peptide-based reversing agents for P-glycoprotein-mediated resistance to carfilzomib

Carfilzomib is a novel class of peptidyl epoxyketone proteasome inhibitor and has demonstrated promising activity in multiple clinical trials to treat patients with multiple myeloma and other types of cancers. Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance to carfilzomib and a potential strategy to restore cellular sensitivity to carfilzomib. H23 and DLD-1 cells (human lung and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines) with acquired resistance to carfilzomib displayed marked cross-resistance to YU-101, a closely related proteasome inhibitor, and paclitaxel, a known substrate of Pgp. However, carfilzomib-resistant cells remained sensitive to bortezomib, a clinically used dipeptide with boronic acid pharmacophore. In accordance with these observations, carfilzomib-resistant H23 and DLD-1 cells showed marked upregulation of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) as compared to their parental controls, and coincubation with verapamil, a Pgp inhibitor, led to an almost complete restoration of cellular sensitiv...
Closed treatment of hand fractures.

7. McElfresh EC, Dobyns JH. Intra-articular metacarpal head fractures. J HAND SURG [Am] 1983;8A:383-93. 8. Lee MLH. Intra-articular and peri-articular fractures of the phalanges. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1963;45:103-9. 9. Crawford GP. The molded polythene splint for mallet finger deformities. J HAND SURG [Am] 1984;9A:231-7. 10. Wehbe MA, Schneider LH. Mallet fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1964;46:658-69. 11. Barton NJ. Irma-articular fractures and fracture-dislocations. In: Bowers WH, ed. The interphalangeal joints. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1987. 12. Barton NJ. Operative treatment of fractures of the hand. In: Birch R, Brooks D, eds. Operative surgery-the hand. 4th ed. London: Buttenvorths. 1984. 13. McElfresh EC, Dobyns JH, O’Brien ET. Management of fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joints by extension block splinting. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1972;54:170511. 14. Strong ML. A new method of extension-block splinting for the proximal intetphalangeal joint-preliminary report. J HAND SURG [Am] 1980;5A:606-7. 15. London PS. Sprains and fractures including the interphalangeal joints. Hand 1971;3:155-8. 16. McCue FC, Honner R, Johnson MC, Greek JH. Athletic injuries of the proximal intetphalangeal joint requiring surgical treatment. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1970;52:937-56. 17. Steel WM. In: Barton NJ, ed. Fractures of the hand and wrist. Churchill Livingstone (in press).
Effect of Kinetin on Bacteria

SINCE the discovery of kinetin by Miller et al.1 and its remarkable ability to stimulate the growth of plant tissue, much literature has accumulated on this subject and has been reviewed recently2. The effect of kinetin has been tested on micro-organisms, especially protozoa3–7. While some investigators have reported that kinetin exerted no effect on bacteria8–10, it is known to promote changes in population in some bacteria9 and to stimulate the growth of Escherichia coli7 as well as some yeasts10.
Is thioredoxin the physiological vitamin K epoxide reducing agent

Abstract E. coli thioredoxin plus thioredoxin reductase have previously been shown to replace dithiothreitol as the electron donor for mammalian liver microsomal vitamin K epoxide reduction in vitro. Such activity is dependent on detergent disruption of the microsomal membrane integrity. A previously characterized salicylate-inhibitable pathway for electron transfer from endogenous cylosolic reducing agents to the microsomal epoxide reducing warfarin-inhibitable enzyme is not inhibited by known alternate substrates and inhibitors of the thioredoxin system nor by antibodies against thioredoxin.
Paradoxic Decrease in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation With Papillary Muscle Dysfunction Insights From Three-Dimensional and Contrast Echocardiography With Strain Rate Measurement

Background Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) was first ascribed to papillary muscle (PM) contractile dysfunction. Current theories include apical leaflet tethering caused by left ventricular (LV) distortion, but PM dysfunction is still postulated and commonly diagnosed. PM contraction, however, parallels apical tethering, suggesting the hypothesis that PM contractile dysfunction can actually diminish MR due to ischemic distortion of the inferior base alone. Methods and Results We therefore occluded the proximal circumflex circulation in 7 sheep while maintaining PM perfusion, confirmed by contrast echocardiography. By 3D echocardiography, we measured the tethering distance between the ischemic medial PM tip and anterior annulus and LV ejection volume to give MR (by subtracting flowmeter LV outflow). In 6 sheep without initial MR, inferior ischemia alone produced PM tip retraction with restricted leaflet closure and mild-to-moderate MR (regurgitant fraction, 25.2±2.8%). Adding PM ischemia consistently dec...
Ablative light sources.

Electrical and optical properties of ablative light sources are discussed. For the range of parameters studied, the energy balance shows that it is possible to obtain approximately one-third of the energy delivered to the lamp as radiative energy (in the 0.35–1.1-μ band); two-thirds are used in the buildup processes of the discharge. The over-all characteristics of ablative sources should permit useful technical applications.
Oxygenation of fluorinated tyrosines by mushroom tyrosinase releases fluoride ion.

Abstract The reactions of 2-fluoro- and 3-fluoro- l -tyrosine with mushroom tyrosinase have been investigated. Both fluorinated tyrosines are good substrates for tyrosinase, with V max and V max K m values similar to those for l -tyrosine. Oxygenation of 3-fluorotyrosine produces 5-fluorodopa, as expected. Oxygenation of 2-fluorotyrosine is regioselective, and only 6-fluorodopa was detected by HPLC in reaction mixtures. Oxygenation of both isomers of monofluorotyrosine results in fluoride ion production in the absence of ascorbic acid; however, 2-fluorotyrosine also produces fluoride in the presence of ascorbic acid. These results are consistent with previous studies demonstrating rapid intramolecular cyclization of nascent 6-fluorodopaquinone ( M. E. Rice, B. Moghaddan, C. R. Creveling, and K. L. Kirk, 1987, Anal. Chem. 59, 1534–1538 ), which is competitive with reduction by ascorbate, resulting in elimination of the aromatic fluorine as fluoride ion.
Approximately finite-dimensional Banach spaces

Abstract A Banach space is said to be approximately finite-dimensional if it has a nonstandard hull linearly isometric to a hyperfinite-dimensional Banach space or, equivalently, if an ultrapower is linearly isometric to an ultraproduct of finite-dimensional spaces. It is shown that the space C(K) of continuous functions on a compact Hausdorff space K is approximately finite-dimensional if and only if K is totally disconnected and contains a dense subset of isolated points.
Correlative mRNA and protein expression of middle and inner ear inflammatory cytokines during mouse acute otitis media

Abstract Although the inner ear has long been reported to be susceptible to middle ear disease, little is known of the inflammatory mechanisms that might cause permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Recent studies have shown inner ear tissues are capable of expressing inflammatory cytokines during otitis media. However, little quantitative information is available concerning cytokine gene expression in the inner ear and the protein products that result. Therefore, this study was conducted of mouse middle and inner ear during acute otitis media to measure the relationship between inflammatory cytokine genes and their protein products with quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Balb/c mice were inoculated transtympanically with heat-killed Haemophilus influenzae and middle and inner ear tissues collected for either quantitative RT-PCR microarrays or ELISA multiplex arrays. mRNA for several cytokine genes was significantly increased in both the middle and inner ear at 6 h. In the inner ear, these included MIP-2 (448 fold), IL-6 (126 fold), IL-1β (7.8 fold), IL-10 (10.7 fold), TNFα (1.8 fold), and IL-1α (1.5 fold). The 24 h samples showed a similar pattern of gene expression, although generally at lower levels. In parallel, the ELISA showed the related cytokines were present in the inner ear at concentrations higher by 2–122 fold higher at 18 h, declining slightly from there at 24 h. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies to a number of these cytokines demonstrated they occurred in greater amounts in the inner ear tissues. These findings demonstrate considerable inflammatory gene expression and gene products in the inner ear following acute otitis media. These higher cytokine levels suggest one potential mechanism for the permanent hearing loss seen in some cases of acute and chronic otitis media.
Basal skull fractures involving the sella turcica.

Summary The radiographic findings and some clinical features are presented in five patients having basal skull fractures involving the sella turcica. Detection of these injuries may aid in the prompt recognition and treatment of acute or delayed hypopituitarism.
Local food hubs for alternative food systems: A case study from Santa Barbara County, California

The mainstream food system in the industrialized world is dominated by large, private corporations, and is highly concentrated spatially and structurally, resulting in high levels of production, but also many negative environmental and social externalities. There is growing interest in alternative food systems as a way to reduce these externalities and increase food system sustainability. Localization has become a favoured strategy of advocates for alternatives, and ranges from incremental changes from within the mainstream system to challenging that system by creating grassroots alternatives that prioritize social and environmental goals over economic ones. A major obstacle to localization is the lack of economic, organizational and physical structures of the appropriate scale for local aggregation and distribution of food. Local food hubs are emerging as an important tool for overcoming that obstacle by pooling food products from a number of smaller farms and delivering them to grocery stores, schools, hospitals and restaurants. The fundamental challenge of local hubs as grassroots alternatives to the mainstream is how to be economically viable within a system dominated by the goal of economic profit, while working for social and environmental goals that the mainstream doesn't value, or even works against. We first provide an overview of how hubs have been theorized, in terms of 'mainstream' vs. 'alternative' and large- vs. small-scale, and how in practice they are often hybrids. Our case study of the creation of a successful local food hub in Santa Barbara County, California, USA, includes the perspectives of key food service staff in a large institutional buyer (The University of California, Santa Barbara's Residential Dining Services) that played a key role in the growth of the hub, the owners of the local hub, and some of the small-scale farmers the hub purchased from. We conclude that keys for success included scaling up from direct marketing rather than scaling down from mainstream distribution, and the actors motivations to prioritize social and environmental over economic goals.
13C and 15N chemical shift assignments and secondary structure of the B3 immunoglobulin-binding domain of streptococcal protein G by magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Complete 13C and 15N assignments of the B3 IgG-binding domain of protein G (GB3) in the microcrystalline solid phase, obtained using 2D and 3D MAS NMR, are presented. The chemical shifts are used to predict the protein backbone conformation and compared with solution-state shifts.
Potential Energy Surfaces for the Bis-Silylation of Ethylene

The reaction mechanism for the addition of disilanes to the π bond of ethylene was studied by ab initio molecular orbital methods. Optimized structures were predicted using restricted Hartree−Fock wave functions and a triple ζ plus polarization basis set. The reaction barrier was found to be about 50 kcal/mol using both second- and fourth-order perturbation theory with the same basis set.