cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of body mass index in patients undergoing nephrectomy for localized renal tumors.

Objectives To identify whether the body mass index (BMI) has any adverse effect on the prognosis of patients with established renal cell carcinoma, given the increasing prevalence of obesity and the rising incidence of renal cell carcinoma in the United States. Methods We reviewed the records of patients who underwent nephrectomy for localized disease between 1985 and 1998 at our institution. Patients were grouped according to BMI as normal (less than 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to 30 kg/m2), or obese (more than 30 kg/m2). Cox regression analysis was used to determine the significant predictors of metastasis and survival. Results A total of 400 patients met the inclusion criteria. On univariate analysis, normal BMI (P = 0.018), pathologic stage (P <0.0001), Fuhrman grade (P = 0.007), maximal tumor size (P = 0.005), and time to recurrence (P <0.0001) were significant predictors of disease-specific death. On multivariate regression analysis, the time to metastasis (P <0.0001) was the best predictor of disease-specific death, followed by BMI (normal versus overweight or obese; P = 0.006) and pathologic stage (P = 0.007). Patients with a normal BMI who had pathologic Stage pT3 or greater and developed metastasis within 19 months of surgery had the worst prognosis, with a disease-specific death rate of 52.0%. Conclusions Our findings suggest that overweight and obese patients with renal cell carcinoma have a more favorable prognosis than patients with a normal BMI. If others confirm our finding that a high BMI confers a survival advantage to patients undergoing nephrectomy, BMI may prove to be an important prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma.
Regularizing 3-D data sets with DMO

The combination of DMO and DMO - 1 is used here to change the original acquisition geometry of a 3-D seismic data set into a more convenient form. For example, irregular 3-D surveys can be projected onto a regular midpoint-offset grid with zero source-receiver azimuth and equal increments in offset. The algorithm presented here is based on a new, nonaliased 3-D DMO algorithm in (f, x) domain. It does not require any knowledge of the velocity function for constant or rms velocity variations. The computer program was designed to process and to output very large multifold 3-D data sets. A synthetic example of a point diffractor in 3-D space and a 3-D experiment in a physical modeling tank are used to demonstrate the procedure. In both cases, the results obtained after the data set is regularized are compared with a data set that was acquired initially with the desired configuration. These comparisons show very good agreement. Analysis of the procedure indicates that it may not reconstruct AVO correctly. This is an inherent problem that occurs because the reorganization procedure changes the angle of incidence.
Inhibition of replicon initiation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Abstract To investigate the inhibition of DNA replication by tumor promoters, we incubated HeLa cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 10 −8 to 10 −5 g/ml) and quantified DNA synthesis on alkaline sucrose gradients. TPA was found to selectively inhibit replicon initiation without affecting DNA chain elongation in replicons that had already initiated. No inhibition of DNA synthesis was seen when cells were exposed to the nonpromoting derivative of TPA, 4-α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. Superoxide dismutase did not prevent the TPA-induced inhibition of initiation.
Tailor made liquid crystalline networks exhibiting a chiral smectic C (S C * ) mesophase via living cationic copolymerization

Living cationic copolymerization of (2S, 3S)-(+)-2-chloro-3-methylpentyl 4′-(8-vinyloxyoctyloxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate (15-8) with 2-vinyloxyethyloxy methacrylate (16-2) leads to reactive copolymers poly[(15-8)-co-(16-2)]X/Y (where X/Y is the mol ratio between the two monomers in the copolymer) containing methacryloyl side groups. The thermally crosslinked copolymers with X/Y=5/5 to 9/1 display an enantiotropic chiral smectic C (S C * ) mesophase.
A reaction-diffusion model of CO2 influx into an oocyte.

Abstract We have developed and implemented a novel mathematical model for simulating transients in surface pH (pH S ) and intracellular pH (pH i ) caused by the influx of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into a Xenopus oocyte. These transients are important tools for studying gas channels. We assume that the oocyte is a sphere surrounded by a thin layer of unstirred fluid, the extracellular unconvected fluid (EUF), which is in turn surrounded by the well-stirred bulk extracellular fluid (BECF) that represents an infinite reservoir for all solutes. Here, we assume that the oocyte plasma membrane is permeable only to CO 2 . In both the EUF and intracellular space, solute concentrations can change because of diffusion and reactions. The reactions are the slow equilibration of the CO 2 hydration–dehydration reactions and competing equilibria among carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 )/bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) and a multitude of non-CO 2 /HCO 3 − buffers. Mathematically, the model is described by a coupled system of reaction–diffusion equations that—assuming spherical radial symmetry—we solved using the method of lines with appropriate stiff solvers. In agreement with experimental data [Musa-Aziz et al. 2009, PNAS 106 5406–5411], the model predicts that exposing the cell to extracellular 1.5% CO 2 /10 mM HCO 3 − (pH 7.50) causes pH i to fall and pH S to rise rapidly to a peak and then decay. Moreover, the model provides insights into the competition between diffusion and reaction processes when we change the width of the EUF, membrane permeability to CO 2 , native extra- and intracellular carbonic anhydrase-like activities, the non-CO 2 /HCO 3 − (intrinsic) intracellular buffering power, or mobility of intrinsic intracellular buffers.
Investigation of the grewe codeine method. Attempts to achieve a practical synthesis

The svnthesis of 1-(2′-bromo-4′-methoxy-5-hydroxybenzyl)-6-keto-Δ4a-5-decahydroisoquinoline (IX) is described. Efforts to cyclize this intermediate or its N-acyl derivatives in acidic media to morphinan products were unsuccessful. The presence of the para-bromine blocking group apparently exerts a deactivating influence on the phenolic ring. 1-(3′,5′-Dihydroxy-4′-methoxybenzyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4,5,8-hexahydroisoquinoline (XVIII) was readily cyclized to 2-hydroxydihydronorthebainone. However, attempts to remove the 2-hydroxy group and subsequent conversion to dihydronorcodeine were unrewarding.
Studies on pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) in cell culture. I. Replication in baby hamster kidney cells and properties of the virus.

Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) has been serially propagated in a line of baby hamster kidney (BHK21) cells. A maximum titer of 6.3 x 106 TCID50 per ml was obtained, and there was little variation in yield on serial passage. PVM grown in BHK21 cells was antigenically similar to virus obtained from the mouse lung, but was somewhat less virulent for the mouse after 10 serial passages in these cells. Virus produced by BHK21 cells agglutinated mouse erythrocytes without prior heating or other treatment. Sedimentation of PVM in the ultracentrifuge or precipitation by ammonium sulfate resulted in a loss in infectivity but an increase in hemagglutinating activity, presumably due to disruption of the virus particle. In a potassium tartrate density gradient, the major portion of infective virus sedimented at a density of approximately 1.15, and noninfective hemagglutinin, at a density of approximately 1.13. Stock virus preparations appear to contain a large amount of noninfective hemagglutinin. The replication of PVM was not inhibited by 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, or 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine. Infected cells contained eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions which showed the acridine orange staining characteristic of single-stranded RNA. Foci of viral antigen were observed in the cytoplasm of infected cells by fluorescent antibody staining. The results suggest that PVM is an RNA virus that replicates in the cytoplasm.
Maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal negative feedback system.

A series of experiments was performed in order to determine the age at which circulating steroids from the ovaries first begin to suppress gonadotropin secretion. Female Sprague- Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized or sham-operated within 24 hr of birth and sacrificed at 5,10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 75 days of age. Uterine weights of castrated animals were significantly less than those of control animals when sacrificed at 10 days of age or older. Additional female rats, unilaterally ovariectomized at birth, exhibited significant compensatory hypertrophy ofthe remaining ovary if sacrificed at 25 days of age or older but not when sacrificed at earlierages. Pituitary FSH content of females bilaterally castrated at birth was significantly less than that of intact controls if sacrificed at 20 days of age; contrarily, at 75 days of agepituitaries from ovariectomized females contained 9–10 times as much FSH as the intact controls. Hypothalamic FSHRF was elevated above that of intact controls in all age grou...
Role of Swirl in Flame Stabilization

This paper first reviews recent ideas that explain why swirl has a strong stabilizing effect on a flame. Then some measurements are discussed that were obtained using a complex gas turbine fuel injector/mixer operated at realistic levels of swirl and multiple recirculation zones. While swirl is known to have several beneficial effects that improve the mixing and flame stabilization within a gas turbine combustor, swirl also can lead to some undesirable effects. A precessing vortex core can be a source that drives a combustion instability. In addition, swirl affects the unsteady anchoring location of a flame, which also can lead to combustion instabilities, as are observed in our experiment. Interactions between the recirculation zones are observed. The observed large scale unsteady motions cause serious problems for CFD simulations, since the measured mean velocities and turbulence levels on the combustor centerline are much larger than the computed values. Reasons for this difference are associated with unsteady motions.
BAR domain competition during directional cellular migration.

While directed cellular migration facilitates the coordinated movement of cells during development and tissue repair, the precise mechanisms regulating the interplay between the extracellular environment, the actin cytoskeleton and the overlying plasma membrane remain inadequately understood. The BAR domain family of lipid binding, actin cytoskeletal regulators are gaining greater appreciation for their role in these critical processes. BAR domain proteins are involved as both positive and negative regulators of endocytosis, membrane plasticity and directional cell migration. This review focuses on the functional relationship between different classes of BAR domain proteins and their role in guiding cell migration through regulation of the endocytic machinery. Competition for key signaling substrates by positive and negative BAR domain endocytic regulators appears to mediate control of directional cell migration, and may have wider applicability to other trafficking functions associated with development and carcinogenesis.
Mutational analysis of hydrogen bonding residues in the BPTI folding pathway.

Nine BPTI variants with replacements that remove one or more hydrogen bonds from the native protein were constructed, and the folding pathways of these proteins were determined by isolating and identifying the disulfide-bonded intermediates that accumulated during unfolding and refolding. The forward and reverse rate constants for the individual steps in the folding pathways for each protein were measured, providing a detailed description of the energetic effects of the substitutions. The native forms of eight of the nine variants were measurably destabilized, by 1-7 kcal/mol (1 cal=4.184 J), with an average effect of 1.6 kcal/mol per hydrogen bond removed. The folding pathways for the variants were found to be similar to that previously described for the wild-type protein, with the kinetically preferred mechanism involving intramolecular rearrangements of intermediates with two disulfide bonds. Some of the substitutions, however, significantly destabilized the major intermediates and broadened the distribution of species with one or two disulfide bonds, thus identifying residues that play important roles in stabilizing the normal intermediates and defining specificity in the folding process. The kinetic data also suggest that one residue, Asn43, may play a distinctive role in defining the BPTI folding mechanism. Replacement of this residue with either Gly or Ala appeared to stabilize the major transition states for folding and unfolding. In the native protein, the side-chain of Asn43 participates directly in the hydrogen bonding pattern of the central beta-sheet, and the kinetic behavior of the Asn43 variants suggests that the major energy barriers in folding and unfolding may be due in part to the steric constraints imposed by this structural element, together with those imposed by the chemical transition states for thiol-disulfide exchange.
DNA-mediated electrochemistry of disulfides on graphite.

The electrochemistry of disulfides incorporated into the sugar−phosphate backbone of pyrene-modified DNA has been examined on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Two signals, one irreversible, one reversible, are observed at −160 and −290 mV versus normal hydrogen electrode, respectively. The inclusion of a single base mismatch in the DNA duplex below the location of the disulfide leads to a significant attenuation in the electrochemical signal, while the inclusion of a mismatch above the disulfide has little effect on the electrochemistry observed. Thus disulfide reduction in the DNA backbone appears to be DNA-mediated. The redox couples found show a strong pH dependence consistent with formation of a disulfide radical anion or 2e- reduction of the disulfide to the two thiols. These data demonstrate that DNA electrochemistry can be utilized to promote disulfide reduction at a distance mediated by the DNA duplex.
Viscoelastic properties and morphology of sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene) block copolymers (sBCP), and sBCP/[silicate] nanostructured materials

Abstract Self-assembled organic/inorganic hybrid materials were created via domain targeted sol–gel reactions of tetraethylorthosilicate in solution with sulfonated poly(styrene-b-[ethylene-co-butylene]-b-styrene) (sSEBS) copolymers. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) of these hybrid materials suggest that the silicate component preferentially incorporates within the sulfonated polystyrene (PS) domains. An irreversible order–order transition (OOT) for unmodified SEBS, sSEBS, and the organic/inorganic hybrids was identified using DMA in shear mode. The OOT temperature increases with sulfonation as well as by adding a silicate phase by the sol–gel process. The DMA results imply a morphological shift with sulfonation, and reflect modified interactions within and between phases. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated a shift from hexagonally packed cylinders in unmodified SEBS to a lamellar morphology in the sulfonated materials, but silicate incorporation did not affect the morphology or domain dimensions. The latter result is evidence for sol–gel polymerization templating in a self-assembly process. The phase-separated morphology is stable up to the degradation temperature of the polymer and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the degradation temperature is unaffected by silicate incorporation. Small angle X-ray scattering data are in harmony with the structures revealed by AFM in terms of degree of order and scale of features. These results are largely rationalized in terms of chain mobility restrictions due to hydrogen-bonding interactions between different sulfonated PS blocks, an increase in the PS-ethylene/butylene block mixing parameter, increased interfacial surface tension and chain restrictions posed by inserted silicate nanostructures in the case of the hybrid materials.
The nutritive value of three species of water weeds

In a recent paper (2), the possibility of utilizing common fresh-water pest plants as feedstuffs was considered. Based on leaf protein extraction data, chemical analyses of dehydrated samples and standing crop estimations, a number of species appeared to be potential food plants. Further research on the biological value of aquatic plants and the economic feasibility of their utilization was suggested. Three of the most serious aquatic pest plants (6), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Hydrilla sp. were not included in the previous research (2). These plants occur in almost all tropical and subtropical nations (6). All three species produce dense monospecific stands which often cover hundreds of hectares. Therefore, methods for their utilization would develop an important resource in many areas. Several studies (6) have indicated that E. crassipe's can be used as a forage. However, there is a paucity of information on the nutritive value of E. crassipes and almost no data are available for P. stratiotes and Hydrilla sp. The present research is an evaluation of the chemical composition of these species.
Fiber/cement interface tailoring with plasma treatment

Abstract A comprehensive study on the optimal conditions of plasma treatment of polyethylene fibers on their interfacial property with cement matrix is reported in this paper. Single fiber pullout tests were performed for bond property evaluation. With the optimal treatment conditions, a sixfold increase in bond strength or sevenfold increase in interfacial toughness can be achieved separately. Furthermore, a distinct interfacial chemical bond, compared to common frictional bond was observed for the first time in the polyethylene/cement systems. On the matrix side, matrix modifiers such as high alumina cement and PVA powder were also studied to examine their additional influence on the interface properties. Some preliminary results of the stability of plasma treatment are also reported in this paper.
Attending to simple auditory and visual signals

Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 Is the quality of information obtained from simple auditory and visual signals diminished when both modalities must be attended to simultaneously? This question was investigated in an experiment in which subjects made forced-choice judgments of the location of simple light and tone signals presented in focused- and divided-attention conditions. The data are compared with the predictions of a model that describes the largest performance decrement to be expected in the divided-attention condition on the basis of nonattentional factors. The results of this comparison suggest that the difference in performance between focused- and dividedattention conditions is attributable solely to the increased opportunity to confuse signal with noise as the number of modalities is increased. Thus, there appears to be no evidence that dividing attention between modalities affects the quality of the stimulus representations of individual light and tone signals.
High Levels of Folate From Supplements and Fortification Are Not Associated With Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Background & Aims Folate intake has been inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk in several prospective epidemiologic studies. However, no study fully assessed the influence of the high levels of folate that are frequently consumed in the United States as a result of mandatory folate fortification, which was fully implemented in 1998, and the recent increase in use of folate-containing supplements. There is evidence that consumption of high levels of folic acid, the form of folate used for fortification and in supplements, has different effects on biochemical pathways than natural folates and might promote carcinogenesis. Methods We investigated the association between folate intake and colorectal cancer among 43,512 men and 56,011 women in the Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II) Nutrition Cohort; 1023 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1999 and 2007, a period entirely after folate fortification began. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate multivariate hazards ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Intake of high levels of natural folate (RR Q5vsQ1 = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.70–1.06; P trend=.12) or folic acid (RR Q5vsQ1 = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.68–1.03; P trend=.06) were not significantly associated with risk of colorectal cancer. Total folate intake was significantly associated with lower risk (RR Q5vsQ1 = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66–0.99; P trend=.047). Conclusions Intake of high levels of total folate reduces risk of colorectal cancer; there is no evidence that dietary fortification or supplementation with this vitamin increases colorectal cancer risk.
Germination, viability, and protein changes during cold stratification of giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida l.) seed

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of cold stratification on giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) seed germination and protein changes occurring during stratification. Giant ragweed seeds were dry afterripened at 4, 8 and 20°C and cool-moist stratified at 4 and 8°C. Germination observations were recorded following 0, 30, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120d of afterripening or stratification. Viability was determined using tetrazolium staining. Phenol-extractable proteins were separated in two dimensions using isoelectric focusing (IEF) and sodium dodecyl sulfate Polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis. No germination was observed following dry afterripening at 4, 8, and 20°C and stratification at 8°C. The 4°C stratification treatment gave 33 and 58 percent germination at 60 and 90d, respectively. Seed viability was 82 to 86 percent in both afterripened and stratified treatments. Three silver-stained polypeptides were observed in the axis and cotyledons of dry afterripened and 30 d 4°C stratified seeds. These polypeptides were not found in 60 d 4°C stratified seeds. The absence of these polypeptides was associated with stratification treatments that removed giant ragweed seed dormancy.
Prognosis in node-negative breast cancer.

In a selected group of 207 breast cancer patients with tumor-free axillary nodes, clinical and pathological features were evaluated as to their relationship to long-term disease-free survival. No clinical feature was found to be prognostically useful. Of pathologic features studied, four appear to have significance. These are (1) the volume of the primary mass, (2) the histologic or nuclear grade, (3) the presence of invasive lobular carcinoma in the primary mass, and possibly (4) the presence of neoplastic cells in intramammary lymphatic vessels. When two or more of these four features are present, prognosis is less favorable than when there is only one, but the influences are not arithmetically additive.
Preprocedural Planning with Prospectively Triggered Multidetector Row CT Angiography Prior to Bronchial Artery Embolization in Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Massive Hemoptysis

The aim of this study was to determine if electrocardiographically synchronized, prospectively triggered multidetector row computed tomography (ECG-MDR-CT) angiography of the aorta can accurately predict the location of ectopic bronchial arteries in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with massive hemoptysis prior to bronchial artery embolization (BAE). The study was a prospective, observational study from September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011, conducted at a university hospital with an adult CF center. The study included adult CF patients with massive hemoptysis. A total of four adult patients (mean [± SD] age = 31.5 ± 7.9 years) with CF and massive hemoptysis underwent ECG-MDR-CT angiography. The location of the bleeding source was predicted in each case based on lung pathology observed on ECG-MDR-CT angiography. All four patients eventually required BAE without the need for conventional aortograms since the locations of the bronchial arteries were determined prior to the procedure. Review of lung pathology and arterial networks from the ECG-MDR-CT angiography data limited the number of selective catheterizations necessary to complete the procedures. BAE resulted in complete resolution of hemoptysis in three patients and successful mitigation of the bleeding in the fourth patient until lung transplantation was performed 1 week later. ECG-MDR-CT angiography accurately depicted bronchial artery anatomy in CF patients with massive hemoptysis and provided excellent preprocedural planning for BAE. The information provided by ECG-MDR-CT angiography of the aorta prior to conventional angiography decreased the BAE radiation dose and contrast volume and likely reduced table time.
Promoting end-of-life content in cardiology and other textbooks.

Formal and informal recommendations for professional standards on end-of-life care have been made by several specialty boards and organizations, including the American College of Cardiology [(1–3)][1]. The problem of inadequate care at the end of life is an important and complex one. However, one
Endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in patients with normal contralateral kidneys.

OBJECTIVES We report our experience using ureteroscopic or percutaneous management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in elective situations. METHODS Between 1983 and 2004 we identified 83 patients who underwent endoscopic management of upper tract TCC in the setting of a normal contralateral kidney. We performed a retrospective chart review and conducted outcome analyses. RESULTS Median age at diagnosis was 71 years (range, 37 to 90 years) and median tumor size was 0.8 cm (range, 0.2 to 3.0 cm). Grade 3 tumors were present in 8 patients (10%), whereas the remaining 75 (90%) patients were grade 1 or 2 or diagnosed as visual low grade. Tumor stage was Ta or visual Ta in 78 patients (94%). Median follow-up was 4.6 years (range, 0.4 to 17 years) during which 46 patients (55%) developed 76 upper tract recurrences and 37 patients (45%) developed a recurrence in the bladder. At last follow-up, 27 patients (33%) required a nephroureterectomy and 9 patients (11%) died from TCC. Patients with high-grade (risk ratio, 9.8; P = 0.001) and non-Ta stage tumors (risk ratio, 5.7; P = 0.003) were at significant risk of death from disease. Among 43 patients with a diagnosis based on visual inspection only, 9 (21%) developed grade 3 TCC during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our results underscore the need for strict surveillance after endoscopic management of upper tract TCC. Recurrence is common and nearly one-third of patients in this cohort eventually required nephroureterectomy. Patients with a visual diagnosis, without adequate tissue for pathologic analysis, can experience recurrence of high-grade invasive TCC.
A Tradeoff Between Accuracy and Flexibility in a Working Memory Circuit Endowed with Slow Feedback Mechanisms

Recent studies have shown that reverberation underlying mnemonic persistent activity must be slow, to ensure the stability of a working memory system and to give rise to long neural transients capable of accumulation of information over time. Is the slower the underlying process, the better? To address this question, we investigated 3 slow biophysical mechanisms that are activity-dependent and prominently present in the prefrontal cortex: Depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI), calcium-dependent nonspecific cationic current (ICAN), and short-term facilitation. Using a spiking network model for spatial working memory, we found that these processes enhance the memory accuracy by counteracting noise-induced drifts, heterogeneity-induced biases, and distractors. Furthermore, the incorporation of DSI and ICAN enlarges the range of network's parameter values required for working memory function. However, when a progressively slower process dominates the network, it becomes increasingly more difficult to erase a memory trace. We demonstrate this accuracy-flexibility tradeoff quantitatively and interpret it using a state-space analysis. Our results supports the scenario where N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent recurrent excitation is the workhorse for the maintenance of persistent activity, whereas slow synaptic or cellular processes contribute to the robustness of mnemonic function in a tradeoff that potentially can be adjusted according to behavioral demands.
Tenofovir treatment at 30 mg/kg/day can inhibit cortical bone mineralization in growing rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract The acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analog, 9-[2-(R)-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine (PMPA; Tenofovir; Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA), has been shown to effectively inhibit simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication in rhesus macaques by blocking reverse transcription. However, chronic long-term tenofovir treatment at 30 mg/kg/day, intended to reduce viral replication and illness, has been shown to result in bone deformities and spontaneous fractures in rhesus monkeys. Based on these findings, we studied the effects of tenofovir treatment and pathogenic SIV infection on cortical bone remodeling in rhesus monkeys. Tibiae from tenofovir-treated or untreated, SIV-infected or uninfected, rhesus macaques were evaluated for bone microdamage and remodeling. We found that tenofovir treatment had a significant effect on osteoid (unmineralized bone) seam width in tibial cross-sections. Regardless of SIV infection status, half of the tenofovir-treated animals had significantly increased osteoid seam widths in tibial cortical bone resulting in an osteomalacia-like condition. Pathogenic SIV infection significantly increased tibial resorption cavity density, and this increase was normalized by tenofovir treatment. These results suggest that tenofovir treatment at 30 mg/kg/day inhibits mineralization of newly formed bone. SIV infection results in increased tibial resorption cavity density, while tenofovir treatment tends to minimize this increase. Both defective mineralization of newly formed bone and increased resorption cavity density may result in greater bone fragility.
Evaluation of performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory attributes of beef from finishing steers fed field peas

Whole field peas were fed at 0, 10, 20, and 30% of DM to 139 yearling steers (British cross; 409 ± 31 kg of initial BW) for a 119-d finishing period. Carcass data and Choice grade strip loins (n = 98) were collected from a commercial abattoir in Lexington, Nebraska. Consumer sensory and Warner-Bratzler shear force analyses were performed on 2.5-cm strip steaks. No differences (P ≥ 0.17) were observed in final BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F of steers. Likewise, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) were observed for HCW, LM area, fat thickness at the 12th rib, yield grade, and marbling scores. However, KPH responded quadratically to increasing dietary amount of field peas (P = 0.02). Regarding the sensorial analysis, feeding peas linearly increased subjective tenderness (P < 0.01) and led to a quadratic response of overall like ratings (P = 0.01) and flavor like ratings (P = 0.12). Feeding peas did not alter (P ≥ 0.64) juiciness, but decreased shear force values linearly when quantities were increased (P = 0.02). These data suggest that feeding peas does not affect steer performance or carcass characteristics differently from dry-rolled corn, but does improve objective and subjective tenderness, overall desirability, and flavor of beef. Field peas could be fed to cattle and give positive attributes to the quality of the meat up to 30% inclusion in the diet.
Accuracy of Rapid Urine Screening Tests Among Incontinent Nursing Home Residents with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of rapid urine screening tests in detecting bacteriuria among incontinent nursing home residents. SETTING: Six nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: 214 chronically incontinent, but otherwise asymptomatic, nursing home residents who were enrolled in a clinical intervention trial for urinary incontinence. MEASUREMENTS: 684 urine specimens were collected, the majority (76%) by a clean catch technique and the remainder by in-and-out catheterization. Each specimen underwent dipstick testing for nitrite and leukocyte esterase, a rapid, enzyme-based screening test for bacteriuria, and a quantitative urine culture using standard laboratory techniques. RESULTS: No one screening test or combination of tests had adequate sensitivity and specificity for clinical purposes. However, using all three tests, the sensitivity increases to 97% in females and 92% in males when any one of the tests is positive, and the specificity increases to 95% in females and 97% in males when all three tests are negative. Among nursing home residents suspected of having a symptomatic urinary tract infection, the prevalence of bacteriuria is probably higher than in our study population (e.g., 60–70%, compared with 32%). At these prevalence rates, the positive predictive value of any of the three tests being positive is 93% and higher, and the negative predictive value of all three tests being negative is 80 to 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data must be interpreted cautiously because of the specimen collection methods, the definitions we used, and the fact that we studied a population who did not have symptoms of an acute urinary tract infection. In addition, we did not examine the absolute accuracy of the screening tests, but their accuracy as a clinician might use them in a nursing home. Despite these caveats, our data suggest that a combination of these screening tests could be useful in the initial assessment of nursing home residents for bacteriuria, and result in considerable cost savings. Studies are needed to replicate our findings among nursing home residents with symptomatic urinary tract infections.
Performance of mixed layer models in simulating SST in the equatorial Pacific Ocean

[1] This paper examines the ability of three ocean mixed layer submodels to depict inter-annual variations of sea surface temperature (SST) in a global configuration of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). The mixed layer submodels are (1) the K-Profile Parameterization (KPP), (2) the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) turbulence closure, and (3) the Mellor-Yamada Level 2.5 (MY) turbulence closure. Accuracy of SSTs from the submodels is investigated during 1996–2001, which includes the onset of the strong 1998 La Nina event, when a record cold SST anomaly in the eastern equatorial Pacific occurred. The model simulations (with no ocean data assimilation or relaxation to SST climatology) reveal that all three submodels generally capture the westward extent of the SST cooling within the eastern equatorial Pacific during the transition period from the 1997 El Nino to the 1998 La Nina, one of the largest short term events ever observed (7°C change in SST from May to June 1998). During the six-month period after the transition, the daily SST from the submodels is ≈ 2°C warmer than the buoy SSTs obtained from the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array. Some of these biases are due to deficiencies in the net shortwave radiation and near-surface air temperature used for the simulations. Finally, comparisons with 166 yearlong daily SST time series from many buoys over various regions of the global ocean, including mostly equatorial Pacific, give median RMS differences of 0.65°, 0.70°, and 0.78°C for KPP, GISS, and MY, respectively, during 1996–2001.
Beam analysis of angle-ply laminate DCB specimens

Abstract Analysis and experiments on quasi-unidirectional and angle-ply laminate DCB fracture specimens are presented. The analysis treats the DCB specimen as two Bernoulli–Euler-type laminate beams joined at the mid-plane by a Winkler-type elastic foundation to accomodate transverse elasticity of the uncracked region of the specimen. An experimental study was conducted on glass/polyester quasi-unidirectional and angle-ply laminate DCB specimens. Specifically, [0] 6 , [±30] 5 and [±45] 5 laminates with mid-plane delaminations were considered. Compliance values predicted by the elastic-foundation model were in good agreement with experimental data. The initiation fracture toughness was largest for the unidirectional composite and decreased with increased angle in the angle-ply laminates. The fracture toughness, G c , increased with increased crack length and became steady-state after some crack propagation for the angle-ply laminates. The R-curve behavior is attributed to the work associated with debonding of transversely oriented fiber bundles and fracture of fibers that bridged the crack surfaces. The angle-ply laminates displayed more yarn debonding and bridging, and steep resistance curves. For all laminates it was observed that the crack propagated in a nonuniform manner across the width of the specimen as explained by elastic coupling effects of the laminate beams.
DISN advanced wireless mobile services (DAWMS) in global net-centric environment for the warfighter

The defense information system network (DISN) in the global information grid (GIG) is the premier DoD global information transport backbone network. It consists of NIPRNET, SIPRNET, DSN, and DRSN, which are the major networks to provide long haul imagery, voice, video, and data transport networking services. The terrestrial-based DISN has been working with teleport and global broadcast services (GBS) to deliver classified and unclassified video, imagery, and other information products in support of e-collaboration among DISN, teleport, and GBS worldwide joint military operations. This has greatly enhanced the mobility theater-deployed warfighters and significantly contributed to the successful execution of various contingency operations. Despite these advances, important challenges remain to extend DISN broadband communications capabilities and real-time IP-based services to the disadvantaged deployed mobile end users who are on the forefront in very constrained environment. The proposed architecture framework presented in this paper, bridges the communication capacity gaps and provides critical transport capabilities that will transform future battlefield communications. A comprehensive test and assessment effort is underway to ensure the seamless, end-to-end integration of wireless services with the GIG assets for delivering C4ISR information to the edge. When deployed, the WSDN will be able to extend DISN services to fixed and/or mobile installations in theater. It will provide additional interoperable capability to joint tactical radio system (JTRS) and enhanced mobility for the warfighter information network-tactical (WIN-T) users
Just the beginning

Abstract mRNA Metabolism and Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation edited by Joe B. Harford and David R. Morris, Wiley Liss, 1997. £80.00 (354 pages) ISBN 0 471 14206 9
Genomic comparison of 93 Bacillus phages reveals 12 clusters, 14 singletons and remarkable diversity.

The Bacillus genus of Firmicutes bacteria is ubiquitous in nature and includes one of the best characterized model organisms, B. subtilis, as well as medically significant human pathogens, the most notorious being B. anthracis and B. cereus. As the most abundant living entities on the planet, bacteriophages are known to heavily influence the ecology and evolution of their hosts, including providing virulence factors. Thus, the identification and analysis of Bacillus phages is critical to understanding the evolution of Bacillus species, including pathogenic strains. Whole genome nucleotide and proteome comparison of the 83 extant, fully sequenced Bacillus phages revealed 10 distinct clusters, 24 subclusters and 15 singleton phages. Host analysis of these clusters supports host boundaries at the subcluster level and suggests phages as vectors for genetic transfer within the Bacillus cereus group, with B. anthracis as a distant member. Analysis of the proteins conserved among these phages reveals enormous diversity and the uncharacterized nature of these phages, with a total of 4,442 protein families (phams) of which only 894 (20%) had a predicted function. In addition, 2,583 (58%) of phams were orphams (phams containing a single member). The most populated phams were those encoding proteins involved in DNA metabolism, virion structure and assembly, cell lysis, or host function. These included several genes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of Bacillus strains. This analysis provides a basis for understanding and characterizing Bacillus and other related phages as well as their contributions to the evolution and pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus group bacteria. The presence of sparsely populated clusters, the high ratio of singletons to clusters, and the large number of uncharacterized, conserved proteins confirms the need for more Bacillus phage isolation in order to understand the full extent of their diversity as well as their impact on host evolution.
Measured foliations and handlebodies

We consider the action of the subgroup of the mapping class group consisting of homeomorphisms that extend to the handlebody on Thurston's sphere of measured foliations. Properties of the limit set and domain of discontinuity are described and for genus two it is shown the limit set has measure zero.
Clinical outcomes after successful percutaneous coronary angioplasty of saphenous vein graft disease and the importance of long-term assessment

Abstract We examined the short- and long-term outcome of 327 patients at Mayo Clinic who had undergone coronary angioplasty of saphenous vein graft stenoses to determine whether the traditional 6-month assessment of clinical end points after coronary angioplasty is as useful as it is for patients who have had angioplasty of native vessel disease. Follow-up over 3.3±2.7 years was performed. At 6 months, 96±1% of the patients were alive, whereas at the 1- and 5-year end points, survival had deteriorated to 92±2 and 67±3%, respectively. Only 80±2% were free of severe angina at 6 months and 62±3 and 36±3% after 1 and 5 years. Combined event-free rate for death, Q-wave myocardial infarction or repeat coronary artery bypass surgery was 86±2% at 6 months, 78±2% at 1 year, and 45±4% at 5 years. Independent predictors of mortality included advancing age, diabetes mellitus, target vein grafts >5 years old and left ventricular ejection fraction
Supercapacitors using carbon nanotubes films by electrophoretic deposition

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) thin films have been fabricated by electrophoretic deposition technique in this study. The supercapacitors built from such thin film electrodes have exhibited near-ideal rectangular cyclic voltammograms even at a scan rate as high as 1000 mV s −1 and a high specific power density over 20 kW kg −1 . More importantly, the supercapacitors showed superior frequency response, with a frequency ‘knee’ at about 7560 Hz, which is more than 70 times higher than the highest ‘knee’ frequency (100 Hz) so far reported for such supercapacitors. Our study also demonstrated that these carbon nanotube thin films can serve as a coating layer over ordinary current collectors to drastically enhance the electrode performance, indicating the huge potential in supercapacitor and battery manufacturing. Finally, it is clear that electrophoretic deposition is a promising technique for massive fabrication of carbon nanotube electrodes for various electronic devices. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Pregnancy gingivitis and pregnancy tumour.

J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2012;34(6):509 A 25-year-old African American woman presented for evaluation of enlarged, hemorrhagic gingival tissues. She was at 32 weeks’ gestation and reported no prior history of this condition. Clinical examination revealed generalized maxillary and mandibular gingival swelling with areas of edema, erythema, and hemorrhage (Figure 1). In addition, an erythematous sessile lesion was observed on the mandibular gingiva (Figure 2, arrow). The clinical presentation was consistent with pregnancy gingivitis and pregnancy tumour.
Composing complex behavior from simple visual descriptions

An often-mentioned advantage of rule-based programming languages is that a program can be extended simply by adding a few more rules. In practice however the rules tend to be dependent on each other and instead of just adding rules, existing rules need to be changed. The unique rules in Cartoonist, a rule-based visual programming environment to build simulations, provides a solution to this problem. Cartoonist's rules can be used in a more modular way supporting an iterative mode of programming. Libraries of visual descriptions can be built and reused to compose complex behavior from these descriptions. This makes exploring the space of possible descriptions of simulations easier, which is valuable for intended educational use of Cartoonist. Another advantage of Cartoonist is that its programs tend to have fewer and simpler rules than programs written for comparable systems.
Sequential versus simultaneous viewing of an environment: Effects of focal attention to individual object locations on visual spatial learning

We investigated memories of room-sized spatial layouts learned by sequentially or simultaneously viewing objects from a stationary position. In three experiments, sequential viewing (one or two objects at a time) yielded subsequent memory performance that was equivalent or superior to simultaneous viewing of all objects, even though sequential viewing lacked direct access to the entire layout. This finding was replicated by replacing sequential viewing with directed viewing in which all objects were presented simultaneously and participants’ attention was externally focused on each object sequentially, indicating that the advantage of sequential viewing over simultaneous viewing may have originated from focal attention to individual object locations. These results suggest that memory representation of object-to-object relations can be constructed efficiently by encoding each object location separately, when those locations are defined within a single spatial reference system. These findings highlight the importance of considering object presentation procedures when studying spatial learning mechanisms. An important characteristic of spatial learning is that space can be learned in a variety of ways. When memorizing the layout of a room, for example, the whole layout may be seen from a single viewpoint. Alternatively, only a portion of the environment may be visible at any given time (e.g., full view may be blocked by obstacles) and objects in the room must be viewed sequentially. In addition, information about the spatial layout is available in multiple modalities. For instance, one can see where windows are located (vision), localize sounds coming from a TV (audition), register direction and distance between a door and a couch through body movement
Meanings, motives and action

Reed’s Interpretation and Social Knowledge is a valuable resource for ethnographers whose work is characterized by explicit engagement with the sense-making environments that produce social reality. In this essay, I highlight interpretivism’s strengths as a ‘theory of method’, and then discuss its limitations. Namely, I take issue with the central roles that the social actor and motivated action play in Interpretation and Social Knowledge. I draw on my ethnographic work to demonstrate an approach to explanation that, although interpretivist, does not adhere to Reed’s assertion that uncovering subjective motivations is always necessary in interpretive work. When the ongoing everyday-ness of social life is the focus of research, action may be better understood not as doing but instead as being in context. Therefore, Ethnography’s working epistemics must allow for the decentering of the subjective and, by extension, the individual, motivated subject.