cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections

Enterococci are best known as antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogens that are commonly recovered from patients who have received multiple courses of antibiotics and have been hospitalized for prolonged periods.1–6 These organisms were well established as a cause of endocarditis and urinary tract infections by the early 1900s,3 and members of the species Enterococcus faecalis were known to be a common cause of nosocomial infections by the early 1980s.3,7–9 The emergence of enterococci with resistance to vancomycin, seen predominantly in the species E. faecium, has been followed by an increase in the frequency with which this species is recovered. . . .
Measurement of beam loading at the SNS superconducting linac for a beam with β<1

When a beam passes through superconducting cavities, it excites beam induced fields in the cavities. A systematic study is performed to study the beam loading effects with β<1 beam on the β=0.81 superconducting cavities of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) linac. The analysis indicates that the shunt impedance equation is still valid even for a beam with β well below 1. It is also shown that the induced field level is consistent with the estimation and its effect on the beam dynamics is consistent with the model.
A six-month randomized controlled trial of exercise and pyridostigmine in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Objective A subset of fibromyalgia (FM) patients have a dysfunctional hypothalamic–pituitary–insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, as evidenced by low serum levels of IGF-1 and a reduced growth hormone (GH) response to physiologic stimuli. There is evidence that pyridostigmine (PYD) improves the acute response of GH to exercise in FM patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 6 months of PYD and group exercise on FM symptoms. Methods FM patients were randomized to 1 of the following 4 groups: PYD plus exercise, PYD plus diet recall but no exercise, placebo plus exercise, and placebo plus diet recall but no exercise. The primary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, tender point count, and total myalgic score. Secondary outcome measures were the total score on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and FIQ VAS scores for individual symptoms (fatigue, poor sleep, stiffness, and anxiety), as well as quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness (lower body strength/endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, balance, and time on the treadmill). Results A total of 165 FM patients completed baseline measurements; 154 (93.3%) completed the study. The combination of PYD and exercise did not improve pain scores. PYD groups showed a significant improvement in sleep and anxiety in those who completed the study and in QOL in those who complied with the therapeutic regimen as compared with the placebo groups. Compared with the nonexercise groups, the 2 exercise groups demonstrated improvement in fatigue and fitness. PYD was generally well tolerated. Conclusion Neither the combination of PYD plus supervised exercise nor either treatment alone yielded improvement in most FM symptoms. However, PYD did improve anxiety and sleep, and exercise improved fatigue and fitness. We speculate that PYD may have improved vagal tone, thus benefiting sleep and anxiety; this notion warrants further study.
Pleural effusion in Wilms' tumor

The association of pleural effusion and Wilms' tumor is uncommon. We report three patients who developed pleural effusion as a result of different mechanisms, all of which were related to Wilms' tumor or to its treatment.
Comparing network bandwidth time-series

Today, internet researchers, engineers, and application writers have at their disposal a number of methods for measuring end-to-end internet performance. Additionally, many wide-area applications make heavy use of measurement techniques to optimize their performance. Despite this, there is no widely accepted method for determining if two tools or techniques produce equivalent results, or if feedback from a tool is relevant to the application that employs it. In this paper, we apply current technologies in time series databases and network performance modeling to the problem of comparing network bandwidth time series. Using these techniques, we present a methodology to evaluate the level of similarity between two time series
Disjoining Pressure and Film Tension in Comb−Graft Copolymer-Stabilized Oil Films

Thin, supported decane films stabilized with comb−graft copolymers were studied as models of polymeric surfactant stabilized water-in-oil emulsions. The stabilizing polymeric surfactant (“polysoap”...
High-resolution infrared spectra of carbonyl sulfide solvated with helium atoms

Infrared spectra of HeN–OCS clusters with N up to about 20 have been studied in the 2062 cm−1 region of the O–C stretching vibration using a tunable diode laser spectrometer to probe pulsed supersonic expansions from moderately high-pressure ( −60 °C) jet sources. Resolved rotation-vibration transitions have been assigned for the clusters with N=2–8, and these assignments have been confirmed in detail by observations of the corresponding pure rotational transitions in the microwave region. The vibrational frequencies (band origins) were observed to move to higher frequencies (blueshift) for N=2–5, continuing the shift previously observed for the binary complex, He–OCS. Then, for N=6–8, the vibrational frequency moves back in the direction of lower frequencies (redshift), leading towards the limiting redshift previously observed in larger helium nanodroplets with N≈103–104. These vibrational shifts are consistent with a model in which the first five helium atoms fill a “ring” around the “equator” of the OCS molecule, with the subsequent heliums then taking positions closer to the ends. The cluster rotational constants decrease monotonically (increasing rotational moments of inertia) for N=1–8, falling below the value previously observed for the “free” rotation of OCS in helium nanodroplets. Strong, sharp spectral lines from clusters in the size range N≈9–20 were also observed, but not assigned. This difficulty in extending the analysis for N>8 may be related to the onset of partially free internal rotation of the OCS within the helium cluster, which in turn has interesting implications for the nature of superfluid-type behavior in this finite scale system.
Analyzing harsh words in a sensitive setting: American expatriates in communist China

This paper demonstrates the use of computer-aided text analysis to investigate a sensitive issue in organizations: hostile conflict. The context is American expatriate managers in the People's Republic of China. The text analyzed is from interviews of American expatriate managers describing conflicts with other Americans in the Sino–American joint venture and with their Chinese counterparts in the joint venture. We use interpretive categorization techniques and multidimensional scaling analysis, frequency counts and context ratings of the conflict descriptions to develop and investigate research questions regarding the use of hostile words in a sensitive setting (communist China). We discuss the disparities among the text analysis methods and why some may not be appropriate for examining organizational conflicts in foreign countries. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological studies of the tomato pinworm on tomato in southern California.

Emlogical studies of the tomato pinworm, Keifernia lyco-persicella (Walsingham), were conducted on fresh-market tomatoes in southern California in 1963 and 1964. Larval density, parasitization, and fruit infestation were determined at weekly intervals by collecting infested leaves on a time-search basis and by examining ripe tomatoes during harvest. At Indio in 1963, the larval density increased from 40 per 1-man-hour search on Apr. 19 to 2924 per 1-man-hour on May 31; fruit infestation increased from o to 70% by June 13 and larva parasitization from 2.9 to 69%. At Escondido in 1963 the population reached a peak of 264 larvae per ½-man-hour search in the 2nd consetive tomato planting on Sept. 12, but never exceeded 58 per ½-man-hour in any of the plantings in 1964. Fruit infestation increased to 76% by the end of the growing season in 1963 and to 64% in 1964. In both years, larval parasitization increased to high levels as the season progressed with up to 100% being recorded. Six species of parasites were reared from the tomato pinworm larvae, including the braconids Apanteles scutellaris Muesebeck, Bracon gelechiae Ashmead , and Pamhormius pallidipes (Ashmead); the eulophids Chrylsocharis sp. and Sympiesis stigmatipennis Girault; and the ichneumonid Campoplex sp. A. scutellaris was the most common, followed by P. pallidipes and S. stigmatipennis in that order. An additional braconid, A. dignus Muesebeck, was later reared from larvae collected on tomato at San Juan Capistrano.
Learning mechanism for column formation in the olfactory bulb

Sensory discrimination requires distributed arrays of processing units. In the olfactory bulb, the processing units for odor discrimination are believed to involve dendrodendritic synaptic interactions between mitral and granule cells. There is increasing anatomical evidence that these cells are organized in columns, and that the columns processing a given odor are arranged in widely distributed arrays. Experimental evidence is lacking on the underlying learning mechanisms for how these columns and arrays are formed. To gain insight into these mechanisms, we have used a simplified realistic circuit model to test the hypothesis that distributed connectivity can self-organize through an activity-dependent dendrodendritic synaptic mechanism. The results point to action potentials propagating in the mitral cell lateral dendrites as playing a critical role in this mechanism. The model predicts that columns emerge from the interaction between the local temporal dynamics of the action potentials and the synapses that they activate during dendritic propagation. The results suggest a novel and robust learning mechanism for the development of distributed processing units in a cortical structure.
The Camassa-Holm Hierarchy, N-Dimensional Integrable Systems, and Algebro-Geometric Solution on a Symplectic Submanifold

This paper shows that the Camassa-Holm (CH) spectral problem yields two different integrable hierarchies of nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs), one is of negative order CH hierachy while the other one is of positive order CH hierarchy. The two CH hierarchies possess the zero curvature representations through solving a key matrix equation. We see that the well-known CH equation is included in the negative order CH hierarchy while the Dym type equation is included in the positive order CH hierarchy. Furthermore, under two constraint conditions between the potentials and the eigenfunctions, the CH spectral problem is cast in: 1. a new Neumann-like N-dimensional system when it is restricted into a symplectic submanifold of ℝ2N which is proven to be integrable by using the Dirac-Poisson bracket and the r-matrix process; and 2. a new Bargmann-like N-dimensional system when it is considered in the whole ℝ2N which is proven to be integrable by using the standard Poisson bracket and the r-matrix process.
Efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in managing childhood empyema: a large single-centre study.

Abstract Background/Purpose A randomised controlled trial evaluating the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in childhood empyema reported a failure rate of 16.6%. Our aim is to determine the outcome of VATS in a large series of children managed by 3 paediatric surgeons experienced in endoscopic surgery. Method A retrospective study of all children with empyema admitted under the care of the 3 surgeons between February 2004 and February 2008 was undertaken. Recorded details included demographic data, mode of presentation, preoperative investigations, operative details, antibiotic usage, microbiological data, postoperative course, follow-up data and complications. Results 114 children (69 boys, 45 girls) had VATS for empyema. Their median age was 5 (0.2-15) years. The pleural cavity was drained for a median of 4 (2-13) days. Median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (4-36) days. Median follow-up was 8 (1-24) months. There were 8 (7%) treatment failures: 5 conversions to thoracotomy and 3 recurrent empyemas. There were 7 complications (6%): air leak (n = 6) and lung injury (n = 1). 104 (91%) children had full resolution of symptoms. There were no deaths. Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has a better outcome in childhood empyema than reported in a recent randomised trial and it has an important role in the management of this condition.
Spermatogonial transplantation and reconstitution of donor cell spermatogenesis in recipient mice

Recently, we described a method to transplant testicular cells from a fertile donor mouse to the seminiferous tubules of an infertile recipient male, where the donor cells generate spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa produced by the transplanted cells in the recipient testis will fertilize eggs and transmit the donor haplotype to the resulting animals. In the most successful transplantations, up to 80 per cent of progeny sired by the recipient male arise from donor cell-derived spermatozoa. The cell responsible for generation of spermatogenesis following transplantation clearly is a spermatogonial stem cell, since the repopulation of recipient testes extends for periods exceeding 12 months. In the past year, experiments have shown that rat testicular cells transplanted to the seminiferous tubules of immunodeficient mice will generate rat spermatogenesis and produce normal appearing rat spermatozoa, opening the possibility of xenogeneic testicular cell transplantation for other species. In addition, it has proved possible to cryopreserve spermatogonial stem cells for long periods, following which they will produce normal spermatogenesis when transplanted to a recipient. The ability to cryopreserve testicular stem cells makes individual male germ lines immortal. In current work, we are focusing on techniques to increase the efficiency of spermatogonial transplantation and methods to culture the stem cells.
Insulin from individual isolated mouse islets of Langerhans

Abstract Individual isolated mouse islets of Langerhans produced very small baseline amounts of IRI, usually less than 5 μU/ml, following 0.5 hr incubation without glucose. Greatly increased IRI, 35 ± 3 μU/ml, occurred following incubation with 16.5 m m of glucose for 0.5 hr. IRI did not increase if the second incubation was without glucose. The importance of minimal trauma, isolation of islets at room temperature, avoidance of Ficoll gradient, absence of shaking, prevention of anoxia, and preincubation with glucose are emphasized.
Light microscopic observations on the morphology of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the pigeon, Columba livia

Abstract Experiments were performed in anesthetized, immobilized, artificially respirated pigeons ( Columba livia ). Extracellular recordings from 56 antidromically activated and collided sympathetic preganglionic neurons were obtained. Eleven cells were intracellularly labeled with horseradish peroxidase and reconstructed at the light microscopic level. Electrophysiologically there were no statistical differences between labeled and unlabeled neurons. Four different somatic shapes were observed: fusiform, pyriform, multipolar and stellate. Nine of 11 cells were located within the principal preganglionic cell column (column of Terni), the other two were within nucleus intercalatus spinalis. Principal column neurons exhibited planar, horizontally aligned dendritic arbors with major extensions directed rostrocaudally. Unexpectedly, the majority of these cells also had dendritic branch projections which spanned the entire width of the ipsilateral zona intermedia. Contralateral dendritic terminal arborizations were evident in seven neurons. Intercalatus neurons were multipolar-shaped and exhibited a notably different dendritic arrangement from principal column preganglionic cells. The dendrites of intercalated cells coursed obliquely within the transverse spinal cord axis, giving rise to major dendritic extensions into the base of the dorsal horn, the dorsolateral funiculus and the dorsal aspects of the ventral horn. Irrespective of somatic subnuclear location, the morphology of preganglionic dendrites was similar: (1) Largely primary, secondary and tertiary processes were smooth. (2) Fine caliber proximal and distal elements appeared beaded or “varicose.” (3) Distal processes gave rise to thin-stalked, spine-like appendages. The axons of preganglionic neurons arose from cell bodies as well as primary and secondary dendrites. The axons of two cells branched intraspinally. The present findings provide detailed descriptions of the somatic structures and accompanying dendritic trees of preganglionic neurons within nucleus intercalatus. The observations also include anatomical evidence showing the intraspinal collateralization of sympathetic preganglionic axons. In general, avian sympathetic preganglionic neurons located within the principal cell column appear to be structurally homologous to their mammalian counterparts within the intermediolateral cell column of thoracic spinal cord.
An Option for Homeland Security Preparedness Requirements: Consensus Management System Standards

This article argues that the current federally developed, top-down preparedness framework most evident in the National Preparedness Guidelines should be replaced by nationally and internationally recognized preparedness consensus management system standards. This change would provide many management advantages for government officials and more fully include the private and nongovernmental sectors in the national preparedness framework. However, there are several questions that should be considered in transitioning to a new standards regulatory framework, such as differential requirements for critical organizations and compliance assurance.
Magnetic resonance microscopy: in vivo sectioning of a developing insect.

The utility of magnetic resonance imaging vis-a-vis insect morphology and development was investigated. MRI is a noninvasive technique that distinguishes between tissues based on proton content and proton ‘environment’. At present a resolution of 100 μm is achievable. The technique avoids fixation artifacts and allows the detection of motion within the organism.
Hot-Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition of Organosilicon Thin Films from Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane

A nonplasma technique, hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD), is an alternative method for producing organosilicon films of novel structure. Films are deposited onto room-temperature substrates from the precursors hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D 3 ) and octamethyleyclotetrasiloxane (D 4 ) at high rates (>1 μm/min). Filament temperature can be used to control film structure, and the limited reaction pathways available via thermal decomposition make it possible to elucidate the chemistry of the growth process. During film growth, there appears to be competition between reaction pathways for the incorporation of cyclic and linear siloxane structures. For both D 3 and D 4 HFCVD films, infrared, Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies indicate the incorporation of ring structures consisting of three siloxane units. The concentration of these structures increases as filament temperature is raised and is especially pronounced for films deposited from D 3 In comparison, films grown from D 4 show a greater degree of incorporation of linear, unstrained structures over the range of filament temperatures studied. In contrast to plasma-deposited organosilicon films, cross-linking in HFCVD films occurs predominantly via silicon-silicon bonding and not from siloxane bonds with tertiary or quaternary silicon atoms.
Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of two hypoxia-inducible factor alpha subunits, HIF-1α and HIF-2α, in a hypoxia-tolerant marine teleost, Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Alteration of gene expression is a crucial component of adaptation by animals to hypoxic conditions and is mediated by specific transcription factors, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are composed of α and β subunits. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of two HIF-α subunits, HIF-1α and HIF-2α, and their expression in various tissues of a hypoxia-tolerant marine teleost, Atlantic croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus ). The full-length croaker HIF-1α (2805 bp) and HIF-2α (3205 bp) cDNAs contain open reading frames encoding proteins with 720 and 847 amino acids, respectively, which are highly homologous to the HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins of other non-mammalian species. Croaker HIF-1α shares only 43% sequence identity with the croaker HIF-2α subunit. However, the basic helix–loop–helix/Per–ARNT–Sim regions appear to be relatively well conserved between the two proteins, with identities of 75–83%. The core oxygen-dependent degradation domain regions in croaker HIFs are well conserved, suggesting a similar mechanism of HIF degradation to that in other vertebrate species. Northern blot analysis showed that croaker HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNAs (transcript sizes 3.0–3.8 kb) are highly expressed in the brain, heart, liver, and gonads under hypoxic conditions, whereas muscle tissues show lower levels of expression. Short-term (1.7 mg/L dissolved oxygen, DO for 3 days to 1 week) and long-term (1.7, 2.7 and 3.7 mg/L DO for 3 weeks) hypoxia exposure caused significant increases in HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA expression in croaker ovaries compared to mRNA levels in fish held in normoxic conditions (DO: 6.5 mg/L). However, HIF transcript levels in hypoxia-exposed fish had returned to control values 24 h after the DO in the tanks was restored to normoxic levels. The results suggest that the upregulation of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α subunits at the transcriptional level is an important component of adaptation of croaker to chronic hypoxia and HIF-αs are potentially useful molecular indicators of environmental hypoxia exposure.
Search for the weak non-analog Fermi branch in the Sc-42 ground state beta decay

We have searched for the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay branch from the $^{42}\mathrm{Sc}$ ground state to the 1.837 MeV level in $^{42}\mathrm{Ca}$. Since both states are ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={0}^{+}$, $T=1$, this decay is an example of a non-analog Fermi decay which could occur by reason of some mixing of the analog ground states into the lowest excited ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ state in both $^{42}\mathrm{Sc}$ and $^{42}\mathrm{Ca}$. As a signal for this branch, we looked for a subsequent cascade $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray with a Ge(Li) detector-rabbit arrangement. We found a branching ratio of (2.2 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.7) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ relative to the superallowed ground state to ground state decay. Interpreted as an upper limit, this corresponds to a branching ratio 3.9 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ at the 84% confidence level. This result is at the lower bound of what present theory can predict with a Coulomb force mixing calculation.
FRENCH COLONIALISM AS REFLECTED IN THE MALE-FEMALE INTERACTION IN MOROCCO*

This paper examines some of the disruptive effects of French colonialism on the traditional Moroccan society, specifically in terms of the male-female relationship. By challenging the accepted cultural image of the male and undermining his protective functions towards the female, the French contributed to the normative dissonance of the society and exacerbated the existing sexual tensions. Moroccans complain about the inflated bride prices, marital instability, and prostitution, all of which are seen as indeces of the prevalent sexual role ambivalences and contradictions.
Development and application of immunoaffinity column chromatography for atrazine in complex sample media.

Abstract A rabbit antibody immunoaffinity (IA) column procedure was evaluated as a cleanup method for the determination of atrazine in soil, sediment, and food. Four IA columns were prepared by immobilizing a polyclonal rabbit anti-atrazine antibody solution to HiTrap Sepharose columns. Atrazine was bound to the IA columns when the loading solvents were either 100% water, 2% acetonitrile in water, or 10% methanol in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Quantitative removal of atrazine from the IA columns was achieved with elution solvents of either 70% ethanol in water, 70% methanol in water, or 100% methanol. One control column was prepared using nonspecific rabbit IgG antibody. This control column did not retain any applied atrazine indicating atrazine did not bind indiscriminately to protein or the Sepharose support. The four IA columns showed reproducible coupling efficiency for the immobilization of the atrazine antibody and consistent binding and releasing of atrazine. The coupling efficiency (4.25 mg of antibody in 1 mL of resin bed) for the four IA columns ranged from 93 to 97% with an average of 96 ± 2% (2.1%). Recoveries of the 500, 50, and 5 ng mL−1 atrazine standard solutions from the four IA columns were 107 ± 7% (6.5%), 122 ± 14% (12%), and 114 ± 9% (8.0%) respectively, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) data. The maximum loading was approximately 700 ng of atrazine for each IA column (∼0.16 μg of atrazine per mg of antibody). The IA columns could withstand 100% methanol as the elution solvent and could be reused more than 50 times with no change in performance. The IA columns were challenged with soil, sediment, and duplicate-diet food samples and effectively removed interferences from these various matrices for subsequent gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or ELISA analysis. The log-transformed ELISA and GC/MS data were significantly correlated for soil, sediment and food samples although the ELISA values were slightly higher than those obtained by GC/MS. The IA column cleanup procedure coupled with ELISA analysis could be used as an alternative effective analytical method for the determination of atrazine in complex sample media such as soil, sediment, and food samples.
The Presence and Impact of Environmental Lead in Passerine Birds Along an Urban to Rural Land Use Gradient

Contamination of wetlands by lead shot and lead fishing weights has generated a tremendous amount of research into the impact of lead poisoning on wildlife. Less well known are the potential threats to wildlife posed by lead contaminants still prevalent in urban environments. Despite a U.S. federal ban on lead-based paint and gasoline in 1978 and 1986, respectively, lead residue is still prevalent at hazardous levels in urban and suburban environments and may present a health concern for people and wildlife, particularly birds. We quantified soil lead content in residential properties across a rural-to-urban land-use gradient in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and then assessed the impact of lead contamination on body condition in adult and nestling passerine birds at the same sites. Soil lead concentration was significantly higher in urban sites compared to rural sites. Accordingly, adult and nestling birds captured in urban sites had significantly higher blood lead concentrations than their rural counterparts. However, only gray catbird nestlings exhibited lower body condition as a result of lead contamination. Birds continue to breed in urban habitats despite numerous negative attributes to these environments including light, noise, pedestrian and toxic contaminants, such as lead. These sites often contain habitat that appears suitable for roosting, nesting, and foraging and thus may act as an ecological trap for breeding birds because breeding success is often negatively associated with increasing urbanization. Lead contamination is one more feature of urbanization that birds and other wildlife must face in an increasingly developed world.
Atomic Photo-Ionization Cross Sections from a Semiempirical Central Potential

The exact solutions for the Schr\"odinger equation with a central potential of the form $V(r)=\frac{2Z}{r}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Delta}$, $r\ensuremath{\le}{r}_{1}$; $V(r)=\frac{2}{r}$, $r\ensuremath{\ge}{r}_{1}$; ${r}_{1}=\frac{2(Z\ensuremath{-}1)}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$ are developed. $Z$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ are chosen to fit observed term values for various atoms, and the parametrized continuum orbitals are used to calculate the photo ionization cross section of these atoms. For certain transitions the photo-ionization cross-section matrix element can be written as an exact expression. This is done for valence photo-ionization in He and the alkalis, for $4d$-shell photo-ionization in the elements indium to xenon, and for the $3d$ shell in krypton. The relationship between this approach and the Coulomb method of Burgess and Seaton is briefly discussed.
Conjugative stabilization in organosilicon reactive intermediates

Molecular orbital theory is used to study the effects of conformation and geometry on the stabilities of β-SiR3, (R=CH3, H) substituted-ethyl cations, radicals and carbanions. Both the radical and cation slightly favor a three-centered cyclic form over a highly distorted, bisected open form (C-C-Si < = 75°), while the anion prefers the open form. The distortion is due to strong interaction between the carbon-pz and the d-orbitals on silicon (p-d homoconjugation). A separation of conjugative effects based upon conformational dependence of hyperconjugation suggests that both hyperconjugative and homoconjugative stabilization are of major importance in stabilizing the cation, whereas the latter appears more important in the radical and anion. Specific-site solvation of the cation by water shows a large steric effect at silicon and generally responds to charge density at other centers.
Ultrafast stimulated emission and structural dynamics in nickel porphyrins.

The excited-state structural dynamics of nickel(II)tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphyrin (NiTMP) and nickel(II)tetrakis(tridec-7-yl)porphyrin (NiSWTP) in a toluene solution were investigated via ultrafast transient optical absorption spectroscopy. An ultrashort stimulated emission between 620 and 670 nm from the S1 state was observed in both nickel porphyrins only when this state was directly generated via Q-band excitation, whereas such a stimulated emission was absent under B (Soret)-band excitation. Because the stimulated emission in the spectral region occurs only from the S1 state, this photoexcitation-wavelength-dependent behavior of Ni(II) porphyrins is attributed to a faster intersystem crossing from the S2 state than the internal conversion S2 → S1. The dynamics of the excited-state pathways involving the (π, π*) and (d, d) states varies with the meso-substituted peripheral groups, which is attributed to the nickel porphyrin macrocycle distortion from a planar configuration. Evidence for intra...
A Theory of Illusory Lightness and Transparency in Monocular and Binocular Images: The Role of Contour Junctions

A theory of illusory transparency and lightness is described for monocular and binocular images containing X-, T- and I-contour junctions. This theory asserts that the geometric and luminance relationships of contour junctions induce illusory transparency and lightness percepts by causing a phenomenal scission of a homogenous luminance into multiple contributions. Specifically, it is argued that a discontinuous change in contrast along aligned contours that preserve contrast polarity induces a scission of the lower contrast region into a near-transparent surface or an illumination change, and a more distant surface that continues behind this near layer. This scission is assumed to cause changes in perceived lightness and/or surface opacity. Discontinuous changes in contrast along contours also are assumed to induce end-cut illusory contours that run roughly perpendicular to the inducing orientation of the contour, both monocularly and binocularly. Binocular illusory contours are shown to be caused by the ...
Sojourner rocking and rolling through Pathfinder's extended mission

ARES VALLIS, MARS—With temperatures around −9°C in the mid-afternoon and down to −75°C at night, northern summer at the Mars Pathfinder landing site is nearing its close. Autumn will begin in about 2 weeks, right about the same time that Pathfinder's orbiting companion, Mars Global Surveyor, will reach the Red Planet. As autumn approaches, the average daily temperatures will continue to decrease, and there is some potential for the winds to pick up. In the 1970s, dust storm season was seen to extend from northern autumn right through winter. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Viking 1 lander (which is located about 800 km from Pathfinder) detected changes in atmospheric opacity (that is, how much dust is suspended in the atmosphere) from about the start of autumn and on into the winter. Will Pathfinder see the same? Will strong winds blow through the site and rub out the tire tracks left by the 62-cm long rover, Sojourner?
Metallic quantum dots

Abstract This paper provides a review of the status of experimental and theoretical research on metallic auantum dots by tunnel spectroscopy. The level of the presentation is kept as simple as possible, to make the paper accessible to non-specialists. Topics covered include sample preparation, evaluation of parameters, discrete level spectra in both normal and superconducting grains, and effects of interelectronic and spin-orbit interactions.
Otitis media in infants aged 0-8 weeks: frequency of associated serious bacterial disease.

Objective: To determine the frequency of serious bacterial infection in well appearing infants aged 0-8 weeks with isolated otitis media (OM). Methods: Infants with confirmed OM underwent tympanocentesis with middle ear fluid (MEF) culture and complete sepsis evaluation. Enrolled infants were admitted to the hospital for parenteral antibiotics until blood, urine, and CSF cultures were negative for 48 hours. Results: Forty non-toxic appearing infants were enrolled between January 1994 and April 1995, of whom 15 (38%) had a documented rectal temperature ≥38°C. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from MEF cultures in 25 (62.5%) infants. All afebrile infants had negative blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid cultures (upper limit (UL) 95% CI 0.11). Only two febrile infants had positive cultures from sites other than the MEF (UL 95% CI 0.36). Conclusion: In our study population, previously healthy, non-toxic appearing afebrile infants aged 2-8 weeks and having isolated OM infrequently have an associated serious bacterial infection, suggesting that outpatient treatment with oral antibiotics and close follow-up may be an option. Further studies with large numbers of infants are necessary to confirm this conclusion.
Etiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Evaluation of: Burri A, Corina G, Myriam L, Timothy S, Qazi R. A multivariate twin study of female sexual dysfunction. J. Sex. Med. 9, 2671-2681 (2012). This study highlights the complicated nature of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), demonstrating both genetic and environmental factors involved in its etiology. The authors gathered the Female Sexual Function Index scores in a twin population, and examined which dimensions of FSD may be genetically determined or environmentally shared. The results indicate that approximately one-third of the covariance between FSD dimensions was genetic, with one identified loci influencing all phases of the sexual response cycle, whereas the other loci influenced only arousal and orgasm function. They also show that specific types of sexual problems may be related more to nonshared environmental factors. Overall, the results suggest FSD is multifactorial.
Sustaining the effort for cancer prevention

The Cancer Research Foundation of America has played a key role in "fueling the engine" of cancer prevention progress through a national research grant and education program. It is one of the nation's leading cancer prevention organizations, and has helped move prevention science from the fringes to the mainstream. Since its inception in 1985, it has provided more than $42.1 million in funding for cancer prevention research and education. It has supported pioneering research and translated it into practical information to educate men, women, and children about how to reduce their cancer risk. As more and more research results in practical interventions to prevent cancer, the Foundation will continue to act in an anticipatory way to help smooth the way for rapid translation of information from scientific study to consumer information through education and awareness initiatives. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, the Cancer Research Foundation of America has recommitted itself to its role as a catalyst for change. It hopes to help the nation move toward a future in which harsh and often toxic treatment for cancer is replaced with a sane policy of cost-effective early intervention-healthy lifestyle education, detection of premalignant conditions, and therapies that spare healthy tissue. The Foundation believes there is a groundswell of support for making cancer prevention and early detection a national priority.
The Quality of Written Expression of Third-Grade Children Under Differing Time Limits.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences in the quality of the written ex pression of third-grade children would occur under differing time conditions. Three groups of third-grade child ren wrote compositions on topics of their own choosing once every 2 weeks for a total of five experimental sessions. One group wrote for 20 minutes; and one for any amount of time from zero to 225. The 225-minute group rated significantly higher than the other two groups in all five trials; the 90-minute group significantly higher than the 20-minute group in all but Trial 2.
Abstract 1974: Ovulatory wound: the site of origin for ovarian serous carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background: New clinical and molecular studies suggest that HGSOC originates from the neighboring fallopian tubes, rather than the surface epithelial layer of the ovary. However, very little is known about the process of tubal malignant cells migrating and implanting into ovary. Our research focuses on understanding how the extraovarian malignant cells implant into the ovary and how ovulation affects the process of their migration and implantation. Method: Tumor initiating cells (TICs) isolated from human HGSOC were labeled by red fluorescent protein (RFP)-expressing lentivirus and subcutaneously or intrauterine injected to immunocompromised mice. Hormones (PMS and HCG) were interperitoneally injected to induce superovulation in mice. In the in vitro models, TICs were cultured with the granulosa cell conditional medium and the extra cellular matrix (ECM) extracted from ovarian stroma cells to evaluate their effects on the migration and attachment of TICs Result: Superovulation increased the ovarian tumor-forming rate from 38% (15/39 in control group) to 100% (24/24 in supervolation group). The increased frequency of ovulation enhances the formation of ovarian tumors in mouse models. In the intrauterine injection model, we were able to trace the migration of TICs towards ovaries and capture the early implantation of TICs inside ovaries in 5-10 days after the injection. We detected stage I ovarian tumors in mice. The tumors are encapsulated in the ovary and covered by the intact surface epithelial layer. These tumor cells closely interacted with the stroma of ovary, particularly the structure of corpus luteum. The granulosa cells secreted stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12). SDF-1 attracts TICs that express CXCR4 (the receptor of SDF-1) to ovulatory wounds. Upon ovulation the ovulatory wounds expose the stroma of ovary, which provides a collagen enriched ECM for TICs to attach. Conclusion: The unique ovulatory wound microenvironment attracts the malignant cells to migrate towards the ovary and creates access for the malignant cells to implant in the collagen-enriched ECM in the stroma of ovary. The new mechanisms revealed by our data may explain why increased ovulation is associated with epithelial ovarian cancer. Our findings support the “extra-ovarian origin” theory and will help us better understand the initiation and progression of HGSOC. Citation Format: Yang Yang-Hartwich, Marta Gurrea, Natalia Sumi, Jennie Holmberg, Vinicius Craveiro, Ayesha Alvero, Gil Mor. Ovulatory wound: the site of origin for ovarian serous carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1974. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1974
Rabbit 19S Antibodies with Allotypic Specificities of the a-Locus Group

Activity of bacteriophage T4 neutralizing antiserums obtained 8 days after a primary immunization of rabbits with purified phage T4 is due to antibodies of the 19S (IgM) type. This neutralizing activity could be partially inhibited by treatment with excess antiserum directed against the a-locus group allotypic specificity carried by the whole rabbit serum.
Preventing Death Among the Recently Incarcerated: An Argument for Naloxone Prescription Before Release

Death from opiate overdose is a tremendous source of mortality, with a heightened risk in the weeks following incarceration. The goal of this study is to assess overdose experience and response among long-term opiate users involved in the criminal justice system. One hundred thirty-seven subjects from a project linking opiate-dependent individuals being released from prison with methadone maintenance programs were asked 73 questions regarding overdose. Most had experienced and witnessed multiple overdoses; 911 was often not called. The majority of personal overdoses occurred within 1 month of having been institutionalized. Nearly all participants expressed an interest in being trained in overdose prevention with Naloxone. The risk of death from overdose is greatly increased in the weeks following release from prison. A pre-release program of overdose prevention education, including Naloxone prescription, for inmates with a history of opiate addiction would likely prevent many overdose deaths.
Is it time to rethink our management of dialysis patients undergoing elective ventral hernia repair? Analysis of the ACS NSQIP database

The number of patients on chronic dialysis is steadily increasing each year. There is little data that describes the outcomes in dialysis patients following elective ventral hernia repair, one of the most common general surgery procedures. Our objective was to compare the mortality and morbidity rates in dialysis versus nondialysis patients following elective ventral hernia repair. We analysed the ACS NSQIP database to identify patients that underwent elective ventral hernia repair from 2005 to 2010. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression was performed on all patients included. The main outcome variables were mortality and morbidity, length of hospital stay, and return to the operating room. Following elective ventral hernia repair, dialysis patients were more likely to die within 30 days or experience at least one morbidity. Dialysis patients were more likely to experience an infectious, pulmonary or vascular complication. Patients on dialysis also had a 2-fold greater risk of returning to the operating room within 30 days and stayed in the hospital an average of 1.3 days longer than nondialysis patients. Similar results were found after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities using multivariable logistic regression. This is one of the largest studies demonstrating the outcomes of a specific general surgery procedure in dialysis patients. Chronic dialysis prior to elective ventral hernia repair is associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality, morbidity, and return to the operating room. Dialysis patients are susceptible to infectious, pulmonary, and vascular post-operative complications.
Coproduction of oil and electric power from Colorado oil shale

Abstract An oil-shale-fueled process for coproduction of oil and electricity is analyzed. The oil product constitutes 62% of fuel input energy, electricity 8% and losses (mostly steam turbine reject heat) 30% of input energy. A conceptual plant producing 8,000 barrels/day of shale oil and 65 MW e electricity from 11,000 ton/day mined oil shale is designed with respect to major process units. The economic analysis of the plant is based on published cost data for similar processes. The coproduction concept leads to a relatively simple plant resembling a circulating fluidized bed boiler (with the addition of a pyrolyzer for oil generation from the oil shale feed). Process advantages include conversion of the gaseous fuel by-product to electricity thus eliminating expensive gas treatment facilities, and upgrading of the primary oil by particulate removal and partial coking in the pyrolyzer eliminating the need for on-site hydrotreating. The produced shale oil costs $30/barrel with an assumed 15% interest charge on the investment. If electric power yielded more than the $0.05/kWh assumed, the oil would be less expensive.
Contraceptive options for women living with HIV

Women living with HIV are often of reproductive age, and many desire effective contraceptive options to delay or prevent pregnancy. We review the safety of various hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods for women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Additionally, we discuss drug interactions between contraceptive methods and antiretrovirals and the safety of methods with respect to onward transmission to HIV-negative partners for women in sero-discordant partnerships. In general, most methods are safe for most women living with HIV. An understanding of the reproductive goals of each individual patient, as well as her medical condition and medication, should be taken into account when counselling women on their contraceptive options. Further research is needed to understand drug interactions between contraceptives and antiretrovirals better and how to fulfil the contraceptive needs of HIV-positive women.