cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nef interference with HIV-1-specific CTL antiviral activity is epitope specific.

HIV-1 Nef and HIV-1–specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have important and opposing roles in the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. Nef-mediated down-modulation of HLA class I on infected cells can confer resistance to CTL clearance, but the factors determining the efficiency of this process are unknown. This study examines the impact of Nef on the antiviral activity of several CTL clones recognizing epitopes from early and late HIV-1 proteins, restricted by HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules. CTL-targeting epitopes in early proteins remained susceptible to the effects of Nef, although possibly to a lesser degree than CTL-targeting late protein epitopes, indicating that significant Nef-mediated HLA down-regulation can precede even the presentation of early protein-derived epitopes. However, HLA-C–restricted CTLs were unaffected by Nef, consistent with down-regulation of cell-surface HLA-A and -B but not HLA-C molecules. Thus, CTLs vary dramatically in their susceptibility to Nef interference, suggesting differences in the relative importance of HLA-A– and HLA-B– versus HLA-C–restricted CTLs in vivo. The data thus indicate that HLA-C–restricted CTLs may have an under-appreciated antiviral role in the setting of Nef in vivo and suggest a benefit of promoting HLA-C–restricted CTLs for immunotherapy or vaccine development.
Pharmacists’Opinions Regarding Level of Involvement in Emergency Preparedness and Response

Objective To assess opinions of pharmacist-members of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA–APPM) regarding the appropriate level of pharmacists' involvement in emergency preparedness and response activities and to determine whether opinions differed according to demographic characteristics. Design Cross-sectional, descriptive, Web-based survey. Setting United States Participants Five hundred eighteen APhA–APPMmember–pharmacists. Main Outcome Measures Responses to survey questions. Results Respondents to our survey indicated that pharmacists should have a high level of involvement in emergency preparedness and response activities. Traditional pharmacy practice activities (such as medication preparation and dispensing) and patient education were the most highly supported roles for pharmacists. Newer activities such as surveillance, vaccine administration, and mobilization were also strongly supported. Demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, degree, state of residence, practice setting, and employment setting, did not influence respondents' opinions. The only characteristic that influenced pharmacist opinions was previous participation in local and/or state emergency preparedness and response activities. Compared with other respondents, pharmacists who participated in these activities gave higher ratings to these possible roles for pharmacists: surveillance, triage/evaluation, community planning and preparation, mobilization, and training of others. Conclusion Pharmacist-members of APhA–APPM who responded to this survey believe that participating in public health activities related to emergency preparedness and response is important for members of the pharmacy profession.
Spinal sensory neurons express multiple sodium channel α-subunit mRNAs

The expression of sodium channel alpha-, beta 1- and beta 2-subunit mRNAs was examined in adult rat DRG neurons in dissociated culture at 1 day in vitro and within sections of intact ganglia by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results demonstrate that sodium channel alpha-subunit mRNAs are differentially expressed in small ( 45 microns diam.) cultured DRG neurons at 1 day in vitro (div). Sodium channel mRNA I is expressed at higher levels in large neurons than small DRG neurons, while sodium channel mRNA II is variably expressed, with most cells lacking or exhibiting low levels of detectable signal of these mRNAs and limited numbers of neurons with moderate expression levels. DRG neurons generally exhibit negligible or low levels of hybridization signal for sodium channel mRNA III. Sodium channel mRNAs Na6 and NaG show similar patterns of expression, with most large and many medium DRG neurons exhibiting high levels of expression. The mRNA for the rat cognate of human sodium channel hNE-Na is detected in virtually every DRG neuron; most cells in all size classes exhibit moderate or high levels of hNE-Na expression. Sodium channel SNS mRNA is expressed in all size classes of DRG neurons, but shows greater expression in small and medium DRG neurons than in large neurons. The mRNA for the rat cognate of mouse sodium channel mNa 2.3 is not detected, or is detected at low levels, in most DRG neurons, regardless of size, although moderate expression is detected in some neurons. Sodium channel beta 1- and beta 2-subunit mRNAs exhibit similar expression patterns; they are detected in most DRG neurons, although the level of expression tends to be greater in large neurons than in small neurons. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization of intact adult DRG showed a similar pattern of expression of sodium channel mRNAs to that observed in DRG neurons in vitro. These results demonstrate that adult DRG neurons express multiple sodium channel mRNAs in vitro and in situ and suggest a molecular basis for the biophysical heterogeneity of sodium currents observed in these cells.
Simultaneous tests for finite families of hypotheses

A procedure is proposed whereby R test statistics F=(F1F2…Fr)together with "randomly generated critical points" (C1C2…Cr) may be used to construct a simultaneous test for a family containing R hypotheses. This procedure provides simultaneous tests having an exact prescribed type I error rate; the procedure does not require the distribution of F to be known. The simultaneous test is illustrated for making all pairwise comparisons in a one-way ANOVA model.
Genetic and biochemical dissection of transgenic RNA-mediated virus resistance.

RNA-mediated virus resistance has been observed in transgenic plants at varying frequencies, suggesting that a nuclear requirement or other pre-condition must be met. This study was undertaken to characterize genetically transgenes that confer a highly resistant state to infection by tobacco etch virus (TEV). Transgenic tobacco line 2RC-6.13, expressing an untranslatable mRNA containing the TEV coat protein open reading frame, had three distinct transgene integration events that segregated as two linkage groups. A genetic series of plants that contained zero, one, two, or all three transgene inserts in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions was produced and examined. Genetic and biochemical data suggested that RNA-mediated virus resistance is a multigenic trait in line 2RC-6.13; three or more transgenes were necessary to establish the highly resistant state. One or two transgene copies resulted in an inducible form of resistance (i.e., recovery). Transcription rates and steady state RNA levels of the transgene-derived transcript present in different members of the genetic series supported a post-transcriptional RNA degradation process as the underlying mechanism for transgene transcript reduction and virus resistance. This degradation process appeared to initiate via cleavage of specific sites within the target RNA sequence, as determined by RNA get blot and primer extension analyses of transgene-derived mRNA from various transgenic plant lines.
Consensus strategies for cooperative control of vehicle formations

Extensions of a consensus algorithm are introduced for systems modelled by second-order dynamics. Variants of those consensus algorithms are applied to tackle formation control problems by appropriately choosing information states on which consensus is reached. Even in the absence of centralised leadership, the consensus-based formation control strategies can guarantee accurate formation maintenance in the general case of arbitrary (directed) information flow between vehicles as long as certain mild conditions are satisfied. It is shown that many existing leader-follower, behavioural and virtual structure/virtual leader formation control approaches can be unified in the general framework of consensus building. A multiple micro air vehicle formation flying example is shown in simulation to illustrate the strategies
Beginning Medical School: Determinants of Male and Female Emotional Reactions1

With the knowledge that medical students experience a variety of academic pressures as well as interpersonal stress during medical school, an assessment was made of emotional reactions among male and female students during the initial months of medical training. Questionnaires were completed at the start of school and 4 months later for the incidence of positive and negative emotions and tension-related symptoms. Students also estimated their midterm grade point average (GPA) and rated the friendliness of their peers and their experience of sex discrimination. By midterm, all students experienced negative emotions and symptoms more frequently and positive emotions less frequently than at the beginning of the school year. Additionally, women students reported more negative affect and physical symptoms at both time points than men. Women also reported a greater decrease in positive emotions and perceived peer friendliness than men. Higher anticipated GPA was associated with more frequent experience of positive emotions and less frequent negative emotions and physical symptoms in both sexes, but this pattern was stronger for women than for men. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Pipeline flaw detection with wavelet packets and GAs

This paper is concerned with the detection of physical flaws on pipe walls in gas pipelines. The sensor technology is EMAT, a non-contact ultrasonic technology. One EMAT is used as a transmitter, exciting an ultrasonic impulse into the pipe wall. Another EMAT located a few inches away from the first is used as a receiving transducer. This paper reports on the identification of flaw signatures in the receiver output. The first step in flaw characterization is to perform wavelet analysis of the signature. Being non-shift-invariant, an array of coefficients of a discrete wavelet transfor of a signal is not directly suitable as a pattern recognition feature. However, comparing composite properties of the signal on different scales is useful, because the more conversion caused by a flaw, changes the composite properties of the signal in wavelet space. For EMAT data, the useful information projects onto five mutually orthogonal wavelet scales. This paper reports onteh use of a robust 17-dimensional feature vector that mutually orthogonal wavelet scales. This paper reports on the use of a robust 17-dimensional featuer vector that consistently distinguishes "flaw" signatures from "no-flaw" signatures in a substantial collection of experimental data.
Consent or Obedience? Power and Authority in Medicine

Dr. Eric Cassell discusses a recent biography of Stanley Milgram that details the "obedience experiments" that made him famous. Milgram's research carries implications for important issues in medicine: the role of inappropriate obedience as a source of abuse in the teaching hospital and the effect of obedience on patients' autonomy and consent.
Effect of plasmapheresis therapy on circulating levels of pemphigus antibodies

We determined the circulating levels of pemphigus antibodies in 11 patients with pemphigus treated with plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs and in 11 patients treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs alone. Three weeks after hospitalization, the average titer of pemphigus antibodies had decreased from admission levels by 83 % in patients treated with plasmapheresis but by only 18% in the other group (p
Multinationals’ response to repatriation restrictions

Abstract We present a model that explains how repatriation restrictions can increase or decrease a multinational's capital investment in and technology transfer to its subsidiary. Past remittance restrictions influence the multinational's expectation of current and future repatriation policies which affect its operations. We show that the model can capture the flows of United States multinational's capital and technology in response to various forms of Brazilian repatriation restrictions seen in the eighties. By comparing steady state level effects of the restrictions, we show countries should expect an inflow of foreign direct investment with the abolishment of restrictions, not an outflow as some countries fear.
Mass production and storage of Vairimorpha necatrix (protozoa: Microsporida)☆

Abstract Mass production and storage methods were evaluated for maximization of spores of Vairimorpha necatrix, a promising protozoan for microbial control due to its virulence and prolificity in lepidopterous pests. In vivo spore production was at a maximum when 3rd instar Heliothis zea were exposed to 6.6 spores/mm2 of artificial diet surface and reared for 15 days. Approximately 1.67 × 1010 spores/larva were produced, or ca. 1 × 1010 spores/larva after partial purification of the spores by homogenization of the larvae in water, filtration, and centrifugation. The spores were inactivated by relatively short exposures to several chemicals which were tested to counteract contamination of the diet surface by fungi in the spore inoculum. Spores of V. necatrix were stored at refrigerated and freezing temperatures for up to 2 years and bioassayed periodically with 2nd instar H. zea. Spores lost little infectivity after 23 months at 6°C if they were stored in a purified water suspension plus antibiotic, but they were noninfective after 18 months at 6°C if stored in host tissue. Storage at −15°C caused little loss of infectivity whether the spores were stored in water and glycerine, in host tissue, or after lyophilization. The spores withstood lyophilization in host cadavers better than in purified water suspension. Samples of a dry V. necatrix-corn meal formulation, which was prepared for field efficacy tests and stored at −15° and 6°C, were highly infective after 9 months. Large numbers of V. necatrix spores can thus be produced and later made available for microbial control field trials with little loss of infectivity.
An investigation into the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia

A total of 36 previously fit patients aged between 20 and 69 years with community-acquired pneumonia were studied. Of these, 32 completed the trial. Patients were randomised into one of two groups at the outset. Group 1 was the control and comprised 20 patients who did not receive physiotherapy; Group 2 received physiotherapy twice daily until being discharged and comprised 12 patients. Assessments were made initially, after 3 days and after 5–8 weeks. Entry characteristics for both groups were similar. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups with regard to length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, measured to predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) at final assessment, sputum production, subjective breathlessness and general well-being. The mean daily in-patient sputum weights for Groups 1 and 2 were 2.4 and 7.3 gm respectively. At out-patient assessment, 70% of Group 1 and 42% of Group 2 were judged to have normal chest x-rays. There was no difference between th...
Inhibition of PI3K, mTOR and MEK signaling pathways promotes rapid apoptosis in B-lineage ALL in the presence of stromal cell support.

Bone marrow stromal cells are essential for the differentiation, survival and proliferation of normal and leukemic human B-lineage cells. Leukemic cells require stromal cell support for optimal proliferation and apoptotic resistance. Stromal cell contact can promote resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we have made use of small molecular weight inhibitors and an established stromal cell-dependent pre-B-ALL cell line, BLIN-2, to investigate the role of the MAP kinase, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT and mTOR pathways in the promotion of leukemic cell growth in the presence of stromal cell support. Treatment with PI3K+JAK, PI3K+MEK, or MEK+JAK inhibitor combinations resulted in an inhibition of proliferation as measured by DNA synthesis. However, only inhibition of both PI3K and MEK or both mTOR and MEK resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of annexinV+/PI+ apoptotic events within a 24 h period. Our data suggest that stromal cell-mediated apoptotic protection in B-lineage ALL is mediated by PI3K/mTOR and MEK via a synergistic mechanism(s).
Correlates of suicide risk in adolescent inpatients who report a history of childhood abuse.

The study objective was to examine correlates of suicide risk in psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents with a reported history of childhood abuse. Predictors of suicide risk were examined in 74 subjects who reported a history of childhood abuse and 53 depressed subjects who did not report a history of childhood abuse. Subjects completed a battery of psychometrically well-established self-report instruments to assess childhood abuse, suicide risk, and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Correlational analyses showed that higher levels of depression, self-criticism, and hopelessness were significantly associated with suicide risk in both study groups and violence was significantly associated with suicide risk in the childhood abuse group. For the childhood abuse group, multiple regression analyses with seven predictor variables accounted for 54% of the variance in suicide risk; depression and alcohol problems made significant independent contributions, while violence and self-criticism were independent predictors at the trend level. For the depressed/nonabused group, multiple regression analyses with the seven predictor variables accounted for 60% of the variance in suicide risk; depression, hopelessness, and self-criticism were independent predictors. Our findings suggest that both internalizing (i.e., depression or self-criticism) and externalizing (i.e., violence or alcohol) factors predict suicide risk in adolescent inpatients who report childhood abuse. This profile appears different from the more internalizing pattern (i.e., depression, self-criticism, and hopelessness) observed for the depressed adolescent inpatients who reported no history of childhood abuse.
Automated Analysis and Code Generation for Domain-Specific Models

Domain-specific languages (DSLs) concisely express the essential features of system designs. However, using a DSL for automated analysis and code generation requires developing specialized tools. We describe how to create model analysis and code generation tools that can be applied to a large family of DSLs, and show how we created the LIGHT platform, a suite of such tools for the family of software architecture-based DSLs. These tools can be easily reused off-the-shelf with new DSLs, freeing engineers from having to custom-develop them. The key innovation underlying our strategy is to enhance DSL metamodels with additional semantics, and then automatically synthesize configurations and plug-ins for flexible analysis and code generation frameworks. Our evaluation shows that, for a DSL of typical size, using our strategy relieves software engineers of developing approximately 17,500 lines of code, which amounts to several person-months of programming work.
Influence of chemisorbed carbon monoxide on the oxidation of molecular hydrogen at smooth platinum in sulfuric acid solution

Abstract Potentiostatic current—potential curves of hydrogen oxidation were measured at 0.5 mV s −1 on two smooth platinum electrodes of different shape in the presence of various coverages with chemisorbed carbon monoxide in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , stirred with molecular hydrogen at 1 cm 3 s −1 . Carbon monoxide coverages up to 0.6 have a small influence. The hydrogen oxidation remains controlled by convective diffusion of molecular hydrogen. Above coverages of 0.6, a kinetic step becomes increasingly predominant. The effect of chemisorbed carbon monoxide on the H 2 oxidation is similar to that on hydrogen adsorption, studied previously. The correlation between the rate of the kinetic step and the free energy of hydrogen adsorption in the Temkin model of the surface is established and discussed.
Measuring the Experience-Productivity Relationship: The Case of Major League Baseball

This article develops and estimates a model of the typical major league baseball player's lifetime batting average profile. The batting average profile can be thought of as an experience-productivity relationship. The estimation techniques are those suggested by MaCurdy (1981 a, b) for estimating model parameters when using panel data, including the parameters of the error structure. The method could be used to estimate the relationship between experience and productivity in any situation where a measure of individual output is available. The results include estimates of the peak of a baseball player's career and the rate at which batting averages change with age.
Late preterm gestation: physiology of labor and implications for delivery.

The gestational ages known as near-term or late preterm represent about 75% of preterm births [1]. These infants range in gestational age from 34.0 to 36.6 weeks and are at greater risk of morbidity than term infants. The increasing rate of preterm deliveries in the United States is a growing concern. The rate has increased from 9.4% of live births in 2005 to nearly 13% today, and much of this increase is because of deliveries of 32- to 36-week fetuses. This group of neonates has an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
Comparison of responses to pollen extract in subjects with allergic asthma and nonasthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis

Abstract We compared pulmonary responses with inhaled pollen-antigen extract in eight subjects with allergic asthma and eight nonasthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis. Lower respiratory tract sensitivity to antigen was determined from dose-response curves using SGaw and FEV 1 measurements to quantitate responses. We found no difference in antigen sensitivity in terms of SGaw between the two groups (p > 0.05). Hay fever subjects required almost eight times more antigen to produce a 20% fall in FEV 1 , although there was considerable overlap between the two groups. After antigen challenge there were significant increases in lung volumes in asthmatic subjects (RV, +78.6%; FRC, +33.6%; TLC, +12.6%) which were not significantly different from rhinitis subjects (RV, +98.3%; FRC, +39.1%; TLC, +10.3%). Six rhinitis and five asthmatic subjects were rechallenged after pretreatment with atropine (2.5 mg aerosol). Atropine caused an initial increase in SGaw and FEV 1 but failed to alter sensitivity or volume responses in both groups. The effects of a maximum inspiration on physiologic responses to antigen were different in the two groups. Deep inspiration transiently improved SGaw and FRC toward prechallenge values in rhinitis subjects but the same maneuver had little effect in asthma subjects. Although only asthma subjects experience lower respiratory tract symptoms during periods of environmental pollen exposure, these two groups of subjects were indistinguishable on the basis of their immediate responses to inhaled antigen. This suggests that asthmatic symptoms during the pollen season are unrelated to the immediate effects of allergic reactions to pollen. This also suggests that these bronchial challenge responses represent a localized anaphylactic reaction, whereas naturally occurring asthma during the pollen season may represent a syndrome of increased airways reactivity which is perhaps related to antigen exposure.
Brain Abnormalities in Bipolar Disorder Detected by Quantitative T1ρ Mapping

Abnormal metabolism has been reported in bipolar disorder, however, these studies have been limited to specific regions of the brain. To investigate whole-brain changes potentially associated with these processes, we applied a magnetic resonance imaging technique novel to psychiatric research, quantitative mapping of T1 relaxation in the rotating frame (T1ρ). This method is sensitive to proton chemical exchange, which is affected by pH, metabolite concentrations and cellular density with high spatial resolution relative to alternative techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography. Study participants included 15 patients with bipolar I disorder in the euthymic state and 25 normal controls balanced for age and gender. T1ρ maps were generated and compared between the bipolar and control groups using voxel-wise and regional analyses. T1ρ values were found to be elevated in the cerebral white matter and cerebellum in the bipolar group. However, volumes of these areas were normal as measured by high-resolution T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Interestingly, the cerebellar T1ρ abnormalities were normalized in participants receiving lithium treatment. These findings are consistent with metabolic or microstructural abnormalities in bipolar disorder and draw attention to roles of the cerebral white matter and cerebellum. This study highlights the potential utility of high-resolution T1ρ mapping in psychiatric research.
Endogenous and cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a plasma membrane protein of RL-PR-C cloned rat hepatocytes☆

Cholera toxin catalyzed the ADP-ribosylation of a single plasma membrane protein (Mr 55 000) of both RL-PR-C rat hepatocytes and purified rat liver plasma membranes. Labeling of this protein from nicotinamide [2,8-3H]adenine dinucleotide was competitively inhibited by free arginine, but by no other amino acid tested, including lysine. The same protein was ADP-ribosylated from NAD+ endogenously, i.e., in the absence of toxin. This process was, however, not competitively inhibited by added arginine nor by any other amino acid tested, including lysine. Free ADP-ribose, even in 50-fold molar excess over the nicotinamide [2,8-3H]adenine dinucleotide substrate, did not reduce (by isotope dilution) the endogenous or cholera toxin-catalyzed labeling of the 55 000 dalton membrane protein. It is likely, therefore, that hepatocyte plasma membranes contain an ADP-ribosyltransferase, with a mechanism similar to that of the A subunit of cholera toxin, in that both transfer ADP-ribose to the same membrane protein and in that neither apparently produce free ADP-ribose as an intermediate. It is also clear that the acceptor residue in the 55 000 dalton protein is different for each process. Cholera toxin-catalyzed and endogenous transfer of ADP-ribose to the hepatocyte plasma membrane protein, in contrast to a pigeon erythrocyte system, required no cytosolic factors. The results indicate that ADP-ribosylation in cloned differentiated rat hepatocytes differs from that in pigeon erythrocytes in that the acceptor protein is larger (55 000 compared to 42 000 daltons), cytosolic factors are not required, and transfer of ADP-ribose to the acceptor protein occurs endogenously.
Theoretical invstigations of the electronic states of porphyrins. I. Basis set development and predicted spectrum of pyrrole

A new minimum basis set was developed for use in computing excitation energies of large molecules. It is particularly suited to calculating ionization potentials and Rydberg transitions. Pyrrole excitation energies and oscillator strengths calculated with this basis set are compared to larger basis set ab initio and semiempirical results. The 6-eV band in the experimental spectrum is predicted to be the result of three Rydberg absorptions, with no underlying (π, π*) absorption. The calculations also provide an explanation for the observed NH stretch in the 6-eV region.
Describing a craniofacial anomaly: Finite elements and the biometrics of landmark locations

An intergroup comparison of cephalometric landmark configurations by the finite-element method elegantly depicts the algebra of some of the size and shape change measures that one may define by reference to those landmarks. In studies of mean differences between groups, the statistical analysis of these finite elements is equivalent to competent statistical analysis of the same data using any other geometric metaphor, such as properly standardized vector descriptions of landmark "movement" or scalar measures, size and shape variables, taken in sufficient variety. In applications to landmark data, the reality of finite-element depictions is purely statistical rather than phenomenological. In the absence of additional evidence, they should not be held either more or less biologically meaningful than other descriptions of the same landmark changes to which they lead. These propositions are exemplified using landmark data from 13 cases of Apert syndrome.
Hierarchical structure in assemblies of enantiopure ruthenium trisdiimine complexes: A biomimetic approach utilizing primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structural elements

Abstract Rigid, diastereomerically-pure and enantiomerically-pure polynuclear and dendritic assemblies of ruthenium(II)trisphenanthroline complexes show a structural complexity that mimics some of the structural hierarchy found in biological systems. Hexanuclear ( Ru 6 ) and decanuclear ( Ru 10 ) assemblies show a discernable and tunable primary, secondary and tertiary structure. Solution electric birefringence studies of colloids formed from various stereoisomers Ru 6 or Ru 10 show dramatic and distinctive differences between isomers with differing tertiary structure; indicating, in effect, that different quaternary structures (colloidal structures) are formed as a function of tertiary structure. New synthetic approaches to tune the Ru to Ru distance, to change the geometry of the core (new structural motifs) and to develop a convergent approach to even higher nuclearity dendrimers are presented.
Cylinder sizing: less is more

In penile prosthesis implantation traditional cylinder-sizing techniques frequently result in penile cylinders that are too long for the corpora cavernosa. This can result in premature cylinder wear leading to cylinder aneurysm or fluid loss. Additionally, in the case of the length expanding Ultrex penile prosthesis, cylinders that are too long can result in an S-shaped cylinder deformity. We describe a cylinder measurement technique that avoids the problem of oversizing.
X-ray Tomography Generates 3-D Reconstructions of the Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, at 60-nm Resolution

We examined the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using X-ray tomography and demonstrate unique views of the internal structural organization of these cells at 60-nm resolution. Cryo X-ray tomography is a new imaging technique that generates three-dimensional (3-D) information of whole cells. In the energy range of X-rays used to examine cells, organic material absorbs approximately an order of magnitude more strongly than water. This produces a quantifiable natural contrast in fully hydrated cells and eliminates the need for chemical fixatives or contrast enhancement reagents to visualize cellular structures. Because proteins can be localized in the X-ray microscope using immunogold labeling protocols (Meyer-Ilse et al., 2001. J. Microsc. 201, 395-403), tomography enables 3-D molecular localization. The time required to collect the data for each cell shown here was <15 min and has recently been reduced to 3 min, making it possible to examine numerous yeast and to collect statistically significant high-resolution data. In this video essay, we show examples of 3-D tomographic reconstructions of whole yeast and demonstrate the power of this technology to obtain quantifiable information from whole, hydrated cells.
Effects of Insufficient Air Quality Data on Regulatory Policy in Animal Agriculture

SUMMARY Public concerns related to air quality effects of intensive dairy and poultry operations have grown considerably in recent years. Pollutants of concern include particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, and odors. Although public pressure translates into legislative and regulatory action, there are insufficient data on character, amount, dispersion, and mitigation of air pollutants to establish appropriate and effective regulations. By using California case studies, the present paper shows livestock and poultry producers as well as regulatory agencies how the lack of science in air emission estimates and mitigation can lead to dramatic effects on animal agriculture without improving air quality.
Enhancing Privacy of Released Database

With advanced information techniques, organizations want to make their database public for different purposes. It is important to do some data transformations that prevent private information to be revealed before publishing the database. In this paper, we introduce a combined approach to enhance the privacy of the databases to be released. The combination of two existing techniques, k-anonymity and randomization, provides better privacy protection than only applying one of two approaches and still reserves certain data utility. The experiments on real-world dataset show that our privacy breach prevention algorithm enhances the privacy with small cost increase compared to the k-anonymity approach.
Novel solid state air pump for forced convection electronics cooling

Increasing functional densities and clock frequencies continue to drive electronic device power dissipation densities upwards. At the same time, reducing electronic package size has diminished the ability to incorporate traditional heat dissipation devices by virtue of their physical size. As a result, there is a need to develop new compact methods for heat dissipation, complementary to modern packaging developments. The paper details the design, evaluation, and application of a 35 mum3 valve-less diaphragm micro-pump (Staley, T. et al., 2007) for forced convection within a small volume. The prototype device provides reliable and cost effective heat dissipation with time averaged air velocities in excess of 2.5 m/s. Demonstrations show strong potential for drastically reducing the thermal resistance of semiconductor packages. The device consists of a solid state back to back diffuser assembly driven by piezoelectric crystals. The focus of the paper is on the experimental study of the design, fabrication and test of the prototype diffuser based piezoelectric diaphragm pump for semiconductor spot cooling applications. Test data details the volumetric flow rates and time averaged air velocities generated by the device. In addition, a full performance simulation by computational fluid dynamics is presented to complement the experimental performance data. Prototype problems are identified, with solutions and continuing development directions proposed.
Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma Associated with a Splenic Vein Tumor Thrombus

A unique case is reported of a left adrenal cortical carcinoma with a splenic vein tumor thrombus. En bloc radical nephroadrenalectomy, distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy and splenic vein tumor thrombectomy were performed. Reconstruction of the proximal portal vein was required, incorporating a segment of the left renal vein (harvested from the surgical specimen) as a free interposition graft, bridging the defect between the superior mesenteric vein and portal vein. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an adrenal cortical carcinoma associated with a splenic vein tumor thrombus. In addition, the described technique used to reconstruct the proximal portion of the portal vein has not been previously reported.
Probing Europa's interior with natural sound sources

Europa's interior structure may be determined by relatively simple and robust seismo-acoustic echo sounding techniques. The strategy is to use ice cracking events or impacts that are hypothesized to occur regularly on Europa's surface as sources of opportunity. A single passive geophone on Europa's surface may then be used to estimate the thickness of its ice shell and the depth of its ocean by measuring the travel time of seismo-acoustic reflections from the corresponding internal strata. Quantitative analysis is presented with full-field seismo-acoustic modeling of the Europan environment. This includes models for Europan ambient noise and conditions on signal-to-noise ratio necessary for the proposed technique to be feasible. The possibility of determining Europa's ice layer thickness by surface wave and modal analysis with a single geophone is also investigated.
Castration-resistant prostate cancer: latest evidence and therapeutic implications

Medical oncologists who treat men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have seen an abundance of new agents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in the last decade for a disease that was previously difficult to treat after becoming resistant to androgen-deprivation therapy. Advances in understanding of the mechanisms of castration-resistance and prostate cancer progression have highlighted several pathways and targets that appear promising to better treat CRPC. As the majority of CRPC appears to continue to rely on the androgen receptor for growth and progression, several of these agents directly or indirectly target the androgen receptor. A novel microtubule-targeted agent, cabazitaxel, has demonstrated an overall survival benefit following progression on docetaxel. Other agents target tumor immunogenicity and immune checkpoint pathways to attempt to harness the host immune system. The recently approved radiopharmaceutical, radium-223 dichloride, has demonstrated impressive results in patients with extensive bony metastases with minimal toxicity. Lastly, further understanding of the pathways underlying CRPC progression has led to late-phase clinical trials with the novel agents: custirsen, tasquinimod and cabozantinib. This article reviews the approved therapies for CRPC, the agents currently in late-phase clinical trials, and notable early-phase trials of novel therapies and their combinations, with particular attention to trials incorporating novel biomarkers and intermediate endpoints to better identify those men who may or may not benefit from specific therapies.
Stability of Cyclophosphamide in Extemporaneous Oral Suspensions

Background:Cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, is widely used for the treatment of many adult and pediatric malignancies. The stability of cyclophosphamide in aqueous- and methylcellulose-based oral suspending vehicles is currently unknown.Objective:To develop and validate a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to measure cyclophosphamide concentrations in simple syrup and Ora-Plus, and assess the 56-day chemical stability and physical appearance of cyclophosphamide in these suspensions at both room temperature (22 °C) and 4 °C.Methods:The intravenous formulation of cyclophosphamide was diluted to 20 mg/mL in NaCI 0.9%, compounded 1:1 with either suspending vehicle, and stored in the dark in 3-mL amber polypropylene oral syringes at 4 °C and 22 °C. Aliquots from each syringe were obtained on days 0.3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 and assayed using the validated stability-indicating HPLC-UV method. A C18 analytical column was used to separate cyclophosphamide fr...
Retrosternal abscess after trigger point injections in a pregnant woman: a case report

Although retrosternal abscess is a well known complication of sternotomy and intravenous drug abuse, to date it has not been described as a consequence of trigger point injections. There are reported cases of serious complications as a result of this procedure including epidural abscess, necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis and gas gangrene. A 37-year-old African-American woman, who was 20 weeks pregnant, presented to our emergency room with complaints of progressively worsening chest pain and shortness of breath over the course of the last two months. She was undergoing trigger point injections at multiple different sites including the sternoclavicular joint for chest pain and dystonia. Two years previously she had developed a left-sided pneumothorax as a result of this procedure, requiring chest tube placement and subsequent pleurodesis. Her vital signs in our emergency room were normal except for resting tachycardia, with a pulse of 100 beats per minute. A physical examination revealed swelling and tenderness of the sternal notch with tenderness to palpation over the left sternoclavicular joint. Laboratory data was significant for a white blood count of 13.3 × 109/L with 82% granulocytes. A chest radiograph revealed left basilar scarring with blunting of the left costophrenic angle. A computed tomography angiogram showed a 4.7 cm abscess in the retrosternal region behind the manubrium with associated sclerosis and cortical irregularity of the manubrium and left clavicle. Trigger point injection is generally considered very safe. However, there are reported cases of serious complications as a result of this procedure. A computed tomography scan of the chest should strongly be considered in the evaluation of chest pain and shortness of breath of unclear etiology in patients with even a remote history of trigger point injections.
Ontography: Investigating the production of things, deflating ontology:

In this postscript to the special issue of Social Studies of Science on the ‘turn to ontology’ in science and technology studies, I discuss a tension that runs through many of the articles in the i...
Lorcaserin Hcl for the treatment of obesity.

Introduction: Obesity is a major health priority necessitating safe and effective strategies to address the obesity epidemic. Lorcaserin is a serotonergic agonist specific to the 5HT­ 2C receptor a...
Using Modelling and Simulation for Policy Decision Support in Identity Management

The process of making IT (security) policy decisions, within organizations, is complex: it involves reaching consensus between a set of stakeholders (key decision makers, e.g. CISOs/CIOs, domain experts, etc.) who might have different views, opinions and biased perceptions of how policies need to be shaped. This involves multiple negotiations and interactions between stakeholders. This suggests two roles for policy decision support tools and methods: firstly to help an individual stakeholder test and refine their understanding of the situation and, secondly, to support the formation of consensus by helping stakeholders to share their assumptions and conclusions. We argue that an approach based on modeling and simulation can help with both these aspects, moreover we show that it is possible to integrate the assumptions made so that they can be directly contrasted and discussed. We consider, as a significant example, an Identity and Access Management (IAM) scenario: we focus on the provisioning process of user accounts on enterprise applications and services, a key IAM feature that has an impact on security, compliance and business outcomes. Whilst security and compliance experts might worry that ineffective policies for provisioning could fuel security and legal threats, business experts might be against policies that dictate overly strong or bureaucratic processes as they could have a negative impact on productivity. We explore the associated policy decision making process from these different perspectives and show how our systems modeling approach can provide consistent or comparable data, explanations, "what-if" predictions and analysis at different levels of abstractions. We discuss the implications that this has on the actual IT (security) policy decision making process.
Topological electron density analysis of phosphines, phosphaalkenes and phosphaalkynes

A general survey of the topological properties of various phospines, phosphaalkenes, and phosphaalkynes is presented. Fifteen compounds containing carbon-phosphorus single, aromatic, double, and triple bonds were optimized at the Hartree-Fock-self-consistent field (HF-SCF) level using the 3-21G, 3-21G(*) and 6-31G* basis sets. Inclusion of d-orbitals was necessary to obtain reasonable structures. The electron densities of these compounds were analyzed using the topological method of Bader, revealing a number of trends. The value of the electron density at the PC bond critical point correlates strongly with the bond distance and bond order. Integrated electron populations correlate with coordination number. The integrated charge indicates a strongly polarized CP bond in all compounds. Comparisons with five CN compounds are made.
Erythrocytes of humans with cystic fibrosis fail to stimulate nitric oxide synthesis in isolated rabbit lungs

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) of either rabbits or healthy humans are required to demonstrate the participation of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance in the isola...
User engagement and system support in the search process: user dominated, system dominated and balanced search tactics

Both user engagement and system support play important roles in applying search tactics. To apply search tactics in the information retrieval (IR) processes, users engage intellectually with the system, while the system assists them by providing different system features. By analyzing 63 subjects' information searching diaries and questionnaires, the authors identified various types of user engagement and system support, and classified search tactics into three groups: user dominated, system dominated, and balanced tactics. The authors further explored types of user engagement and types of system support in applying user dominated tactics (e.g. evaluating tactic), system dominated tactics (e.g. accessing tactic) and balanced tactics (e.g. learning tactic). The findings show that users and systems play major roles in applying user dominated and system dominated tactics respectively. While applying balanced tactics, users and systems have to be equally engaged.
Role of sensory deficits in motor impairments after injury to primary motor cortex

After a focal ischemic lesion in the hand representation of the primary motor cortex in squirrel monkeys, manual skill was mildly and transiently impaired on a reach-and-retrieval task. Performance was significantly poorer during weeks 1 and 3 post-lesion, but was normal by week 4. An unusual behavioral event was also observed after the lesion. Monkeys reached for pellets, but visually inspected the hand for the presence of the pellets, even when none were actually retrieved. This behavior, possibly indicative of a sensory deficit, was rarely observed prior to the lesion, but was observed at significantly higher levels during week one post-lesion. These results suggest that the primary motor cortex plays a significant role in somatosensory processing during the execution of motor tasks. Motor deficits heretofore identified as purely motor, may be at least partially due to a sensory deficit, or sensory-motor disconnection.
Community Adult Education: A Conceptual Analysis.

This paper attempts to clarify what is at present semantic chaos. The author discusses the concepts of community most appropriate to adult education and integrates theoretical perspectives drawn from the literature of community adult education in the United States, Canada, and Britain. A conceptual typology is presented in which three dimensions of the community practice of adult education are identified: adult education for the community, adult education in the community, and adult education of the community. The paper concludes with a discussion of the covert value judgments and hidden assumptions implicit in definitions of community adult education.