cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perineal pain secondary to tethered cord syndrome: retrospective review of single institution experience.

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) encompasses a spectrum of neurological dysfunction related to excessive tension on the distal spinal cord resulting in anatomic deformation and metabolic disturbance. Symptoms typically manifest as back/leg pain, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, constipation, sphincter abnormalities, and scoliosis. To date, among the least well-described symptoms of TCS is pain or hypersensitivity in the perineal region. The authors reviewed their experience with spinal cord detethering to identify and further characterize those who present with perineal pain or hypersensitivity. Cases of spinal cord detethering at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were initially identified by procedural codes. Cases were reviewed for presenting symptoms, specifically perineal pain or hypersensitivity. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings, clinical outcome, and length of follow-up were also noted. Of the 491 patients identified, seven patients (1.4 %) were identified as having preoperative perineal pain or hypersensitivity. All of these patients had complete resolution of perineal pain/hypersensitivity at the time of last follow-up. Furthermore, five (71 %) of these patients experienced resolution of all initial symptoms. Perineal pain or hypersensitivity can be an important symptom of spinal cord tethering. Spinal cord detethering may result in a good outcome and relief of perineal pain or hypersensitivity.
Carbohydrate Transport in Staphylococcus aureus VI. THE NATURE OF THE DERIVATIVES ACCUMULATED

Cells of Staphylococcus aureus have been shown to accumulate maltose, sucrose, α-methylglucoside, lactose, and isopropylthiogalactoside as phosphate derivatives. In the case of lactose, sucrose, and this galactoside there was 1 mole of phosphate per mole of carbohydrate accumulated. Lactose phosphate cannot be taken up into the cells, and in counterflow experiments with lactose, α-methylglucoside, and maltose, the carbohydrate flowing from the cells was nonphosphorylated. The pleiotropic car mutants of Staphylococcus cannot phosphorylate or accumulate carbohydrates. It appears that staphylococci may employ a phosphorylation mechanism to accumulate carbohydrates which is similar to that found in Escherichia coli by Kundig, Ghosh, and Roseman.
On the optimization of the laser ablation process for the deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films

Abstract Pulsed-laser ablation is widely used to produce thin films of the YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor. The technique consists of a number of variables which would be expected to influence film growth, it is therefore important to understand what effect the changing of these parameters will have, in order to optimize the growth process. Variation of some of the laser parameters has been shown to affect the morphology of the deposited films during the early stages of growth. For example, the growth rate was found to affect the microstructure of the film. At high growth-rates (∼ 1.5 nm/s), a mixture of c-axis and a- or b-axis oriented grains were formed, while at lower growth-rates (
Learning appropriate abstractions for planning in formation problems

ABSTRACT Abstraction is a powerful technique that reduces the size of large search spaces encountered during problem solving. Recently, techniques for automatically generating appropriate abstractions have been developed. Current techniques create abstractions by introducing approximations that eliminate details by ignoring conditions or constraints in the domain. In this article we argue that approximation is best suited to derivation problems such as those in the blocks world and robot planning domains. We propose a new technique for introducing appropriate abstractions for solving formation problems that arise in domains such as mechanical design and chess. This technique introduces abstractions by changing the gain size of both the objects in the domain, through aggregation of the existing objects, and the goals in the domain, through the refinement of existing goals. We sketch a hierarchical planner that exploits these abstractions to effectively solve formation problems. We illustrate our approach in the domain of chess.
The Zeros of Nevanlinna Functions

In Theorem 7.3.3 we saw that the zero-variety Z(f) of a function f ∈ N(B) satisfies the Blaschke condition. The Henkin-Skoda theorem asserts the converse: if a zero-variety V in B satisfies the Blaschke condition, then V = Z(f) for some f ∈ N(B). (Actually, both Henkin and Skoda proved this in strictly pseudoconvex domains.)
Collaboration Practices and Affordances in Free/Open Source Software Development

This chapter examines collaborative work practices, development processes, project and community dynamics, and other socio-technical relationships in free and open source software development (FOSSD). It also describes what kinds of collaboration affordances facilitate collaborative work in FOSSD projects. It reviews a set of empirical studies of FOSSD that articulate different levels of analysis. Finally, there is discussion of limitations and constraints in understanding what collaboration practices and affordances arise in FOSSD studies and how they work, and then to emerging opportunities for future FOSSD studies.
Relationship of Caffeine Dosing With Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Levels in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

OBJECTIVE To determine whether patients receiving higher doses of caffeine have increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, as a biomarker for osteopenia. METHODS This descriptive, retrospective study included 152 extremely low-birth-weight infants (ie, 2 weeks. Patients were divided into a low-dose (<7.5 mg/kg/day) and high-dose (≥7.5 mg/kg/day) group based on maximum caffeine dose received. The primary objective was to compare peak ALP levels between groups. Secondary objectives included a comparison of caffeine regimens and risk factors for osteopenia between groups and identification of factors significantly related to increase in ALP. Between-group analysis was performed using the chi-squared or Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney median test or t-tests where appropriate. A linear regression model was used, with peak ALP as the dependent variable. RESULTS A majority of the patients (n=122) were include...
Long-Range Transcriptional Control of the Il2 Gene by an Intergenic Enhancer

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a potent cytokine with roles in both immunity and tolerance. Genetic studies in humans and mice demonstrate a role for Il2 in autoimmune disease susceptibility, and for decades the proximal Il2 upstream regulatory region has served as a paradigm of tissue-specific, inducible gene regulation. In this study, we have identified a novel long-range enhancer of the Il2 gene located 83 kb upstream of the transcription start site. This element can potently enhance Il2 transcription in recombinant reporter assays in vitro, and the native region undergoes chromatin remodeling, transcribes a bidirectional enhancer RNA, and loops to physically interact with the Il2 gene in vivo in a CD28-dependent manner in CD4(+) T cells. This cis regulatory element is evolutionarily conserved and is situated near a human single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with multiple autoimmune disorders. These results indicate that the regulatory architecture of the Il2 locus is more complex than previously appreciated and suggest a novel molecular basis for the genetic association of Il2 polymorphism with autoimmune disease.
DAVID MITTELBERG, The Israel Connection and American Jews (London and Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1999.) Pp. 209. $55.00 cloth.

The Israel connection whose impact on American Jews David Mittelberg examines is that engendered by a visit to Israel by an American Jew, not that of any special relationship between the nation-state of Israel and of the United States. The book's conclusions, then, are not offered with an eye toward Israeli or American foreign policy. Instead, they are offered as a possible contribution to those “formulating strategies and allocating resources which will have an impact on Jewish education and community survival” (p. 2) in the United States. Mittelberg advises those engaged in such activities that the survival of an American Jewish identity requires not only a religious component, but also an ethnic one based in a Jewish community. Moreover, that community “must choose to exist not mainly for the sake of philanthropic, social welfare, and political activities, but as an end unto itself [whose] boundaries include all of Jewish history and Jewish peoplehood” (p. 133).
Sputter deposition of NiTi thin film shape memory alloy using a heated target

In this paper we present a novel method for depositing NiTi thin film by DC sputtering. The film has transformation temperatures very close to that of the target. The new process involves heating the target and does not require compositional modification of the NiTi target. Results from X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, four-point probe, Rutherford backscattering, and transmission electron microscopy are presented. These results indicate that compositional modification can be produced by varying the target temperature. Films produced from hot targets have compositions similar to the target while films produced from cold targets were Ti deficient. Films that were produced by gradual heating of the target have compositional gradation through the film thickness. The gradated films exhibit the two-way shape memory effect.
A modified method for the collection of human submaxillary and sublingual saliva.

Abstract An improved method is described for the fabrication of an apparatus capable of collecting submaxillary and sublingual salivas with masticatory as well as gustatory stimuli. Evaluation of the functional efficacy indicated that (1) if the peripheral seals surrounding the collection chambers are adequate and (2) if the appliance has proper retention, then, except for naturally occurring anastomosis, there will be minimal intermixing of the submaxillary and sublingual secretions and little or no contamination by parotid saliva.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: pathogenesis and emerging therapies

Peripheral neuropathy is a major dose-limiting side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents. The type and degree of neuropathy depend on the chemotherapy drug, dose-intensity, and cumulative dose. Disabling peripheral neuropathy has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Accordingly, a reliable assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity is necessary, especially if potential neuroprotective agents are to be investigated. Chemoprotectants are agents that have been developed to ameliorate the toxicity associated with cytotoxic drugs. They aim to provide site-specific protection for normal tissues, without compromising antitumor efficacy. Several chemoprotectant compounds have been studied in recent clinical trials. These trials must include sufficient dose-limiting events for study and assessment of both toxicity and antitumor effect. A future avenue of investigation includes the identification of patients at higher risk for the development of peripheral neuropathy based on their genotype. Identification of these higher-risk patients may enable us to devise prevention strategies prior to the onset of this potentially debilitating complication.
Light pollution and space billboards - what to do?

Astronomy is faced with environmental threats to observational research, such as light pollution and space junk. Space billboards are the latest of these potential serious impacts. There are solutions to most of these issues, but we all have to work together to ensure a positive approach. The International Dark-Sky Association, a membership based non-profit organization offers a route for us all to participate. 1 Operated by AURA, Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.
Single tooth-by-tooth crowns over Frialit-2 implants.

Abstract Optimizing aesthetics in the anterior maxilla can be a challenge because of tissue contouring problems. Dental implants allow for restoration of edentulous areas, thus improving function. Some compromises may result as a result of the necessity of predicting the stability of the replacement restorations. The Frialit-2 dental implant system with the internal hex design provides excellent stability for single-tooth restorations. Aesthetics are maximized using Procera Allceram crowns. This case study describes in detail the following: diagnosing and treatment planning for a challenging trauma case; surgical preparation and placement of two Frialit-2 dental implants in the maxillary left central and lateral incisor areas; primary impression techniques and fabrication of a temporary prosthesis over ProTect abutments; second-phase opening; final impressions; and fabrication of two single crowns.
Experimental Fluid Dynamic Investigation of a Novel Hyper-Elastic Thin Film for Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment

Wide-neck and giant cerebral aneurysms are difficult to treat with conventional endovascular or surgical means [1]. Recently, stand-alone stent treatment has been explored as a viable treatment option for these aneurysms. Two goals of standalone stent design are to permit flexible conformation of the stent through tortuous vessels and to provide sufficient coverage across the aneurysmal neck [2]. Stents that achieve those goals can facilitate the long-term physiological processes that exclude the aneurysmal sac from circulation. Thrombosis within the sac is an important intermediate step, which may begin with the elimination of aneurysmal inflow [3].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Cancer worry and insomnia complaints among American women.

One-third of women worrying about breast cancer report impaired ability to function daily. It is unclear whether women who worry about breast cancer would experience more sleep problems than those who do not. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of black and white women to investigate the association between breast cancer worry and insomnia complaints. Several questionnaires were administered during face-to-face interviews to elicit health and sociodemographic data. The present analyses focused on black and white women (n = 1,038; age range = 50–70 years) with no cancer antecedents or history. Overall, 62% of the women worried about breast cancer, and 49% reported insomnia complaints. Logistic regression analyses, adjusting for effects of age, ethnicity, family history, and perceived risk of developing breast cancer, yielded an odds ratio for insomnia complaints of 1.52 (95% CI: 1.15–2.02, p < .001) among women reporting breast cancer worry. More than one half of the women worrying about breast...
Three-Wavelength Phase Imaging Digital Holography of MEMS Motion

Three-wavelength digital holography is applied to obtain holographic movies of MEMS motion. Three lasers are used to generate phase movies without the 2π ambiguities while maintaining the noise to that in the single-wavelength profile.
Managing the risk of loan prepayments and the optimal structure of short term lending rates

Loan pricing is an extremely important aspect of bank operations because loans are typically over two-thirds of bank assets. Many researchers have analyzed the theoretical and empirical impact of how different factors should and do affect fixed rate loan rates and loan prepayments. However, a theoretical decision making model for maximizing expected profit in a declining rate environment has not been developed. After describing the conditions for the optimal loan rate, we develop numerical solutions for it under varying conditions. The varying conditions include the trend in interest rates, volatility of interest rates, and loan maturity.
Unsupervised morphological parsing of Bengali

Unsupervised morphological analysis is the task of segmenting words into prefixes, suffixes and stems without prior knowledge of language-specific morphotactics and morpho-phonological rules. This paper introduces a simple, yet highly effective algorithm for unsupervised morphological learning for Bengali, an Indo–Aryan language that is highly inflectional in nature. When evaluated on a set of 4,110 human-segmented Bengali words, our algorithm achieves an F-score of 83%, substantially outperforming Linguistica, one of the most widely-used unsupervised morphological parsers, by about 23%.
Synthesis and iodination of methyl 4-tri-n-butylstannylbenzoate, p-(methoxycarbonyl)phenylmercuric chloride and p-(methoxycarbonyl)phenylboronic acid

Abstract Synthesis of methyl 4-tri-n-butylstannylbenzoate (1) was accomplished by reaction of methyl 4-bromobenzoate with hexabutylditin and palladium catalyst. Transmetallation of 1 with mercuric acetate yielded the corresponding arylmercuric acetate 4 which was readily converted to aryl mercuric halides 2a and 2b. Reaction of arylmercuric bromide 2b with diborane or catecholborane produced arylboronic acid 3 in high yield. Iodinations of 1. 2a and 3 were studied using N-chlorosuccinimide/NaI at the 10% and 100% stoichiometric amounts of NaI with Na125I added to monitor the course of the reaction.
Decision Making in Nosocomial Pneumonia: An Analytic Approach to the Interpretation of Quantitative Bronchoscopic Cultures

Quantitative cultures of specimens obtained at fiberoptic bronchoscopy have been used to diagnose nosocomial pneumonia in research settings, but their clinical role remains controversial. We reviewed the literature comparing these culture techniques with other accepted methods to diagnose pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients and extracted data to describe the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) of quantitative cultures of protected specimen brush (PSB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. Analysis of ROCs reveals that these tests have a discriminating power comparable or superior to that of many widely accepted routinely used tests. Current data do not suggest that either culture technique offers an advantage over the other. Since benefits of antibiotic therapy of pneumonia and risks of treatment of noninfected critically ill patients are not well quantified, universally applicable recommendations for appropriate values to define an abnormal test result cannot logically be made. Multiple decision analytic tools show that values lower than those previously recommended are more appropriate in patients suspected of having pneumonia unless the risk of antibiotic therapy is judged to be extreme. On the basis of these findings, we suggest guidelines for clinicians' interpretation of PSB and BAL quantitative culture results.
Factors which affect the glass transition and damping capability of polymers

The shape of the glass transition plays a critical role in the engineering performance of polymers in sound and vibration damping, as well as other applications. The transition may be affected by fillers, plasticizers, blending, IPN formation, etc. A collection of data, both original and literature, is presented which illustrates how the phenomenon works. Emphasis is placed on the role of the area under the linear loss modulus–temperature curve, which may be evaluated in a fashion similar to other spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the loss area can be significantly affected by morphological factors.
How to scale transactional storage systems

Applications of the future will need to support large numbers of clients and will require scalable storage systems that allow state to be shared reliably. Recent research in distributed file systems provides technology that increases the scalability of storage systems. But file systems only support sharing with weak consistency guarantees and can not support applications that require transactional consistency. The challenge is how to provide scalable storage systems that support transactional applications.We are developing technology for scalable transactional storage systems. Our approach combines scalable caching and coherence techniques developed in serverless file systems and DSM systems, with recovery techniques developed in traditional databases. This position paper describes the design rationale for split caching, a new scalable memory management technique for network-based transactional object storage systems, and fragment reconstruction, a new coherence protocol that supports fine-grained sharing.
Effects of post-trial injections of scopolamine and eserine on acquisition of a simultaneous brightness discrimination.

Summasy.--4 groups of rats were given injections of scopolamine, methylscopolamine, eserine or saline immediately following the completion of an acquisition trial on a brightness discrimination in a T-maze. Results indicated that eserine and scopolamine groups displayed little or no reduction in errors over 50 acquisition trials, while Ss treated with methylscopolamine or saline showed a marked reduction in errors over the last 15 trials. While the data can be interpreted in terms of a consolidation model of memory, a progressive increase in failures to eat on rewarded trials by groups receiving the centrally active drugs, indicates that side effects of these drugs probably played a role in learning impairments. A number of investigations have indicated that post-trial injections of anticholinesterase drugs can facilitate learning, presumably by accelerating cholinergic processes involved in memory consolidation. Scratton and Petrinovich (1963) have found that the learning of a Lashley I11 maze was facilitated in maze bright and dull rats by post-trial injections of eserine in doses between .25 mg/kg and .75 mg/kg. Doy and Johnston (1966) found that post-trial injections of .5 mg/kg eserine increased simple avoidance responding and improved discriminative avoidance behavior. While some evidence exlsrs thac post-trial injections of anticholinesterases facilitate learning, evidence 1s sparse as to whether post-trial injections of anticholinergics have retroactive inhibitory effects on learning and retention. Anticholinergics attenuate acerylcholine activity at the cholinergic synapse. Bohdanecky and Jarvik ( 1967) have found that post-trial injections of scopolamine had no effect on retention of a one-trial passive-avoidance task. Squire (1969), however, reported that scopolamine (1 mg/kg) given after the first trial of a spontaneous alternation task disrupted alternation performance, while eserine (.4 mg/kg) facilitated it. Recently, Berger (1969) reported thac both scopolamine and methylscopolamine, each at doses of 1 mg/kg, given immediately after ran made 100 licks at a drinking tube, increased drinking latencies upon retesting 6 days later. Furthermore, increasing the trial-injection interval produced a retrograde amnesic effect
How the cell phone became the most important interactive communication medium in today's China

Abstract China has experienced three developmental stages in the telecommunication industry since 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded. Now China has the largest cell phone user market in the world. This paper discusses how cell phones and text messaging have influenced people's daily life and changed their ways of communication and interaction. Given the continued introduction of new technology, and especially the adoption of new, more technologically advanced cell phones, it is likely that more people will adopt cell phones for mobile email. The prevalence of this technology will in turn have an even greater impact on daily life in China.
Wittgenstein and the discursive analysis of emotion

Abstract This paper explores the implications of Wittgenstein's analysis of language, emotion and expression for contemporary theory and research on emotion. According to Wittgenstein, emotional expressions operate as public manifestations of emotional experience. As a result, it is meaningful to say third-person observers can “know” another's emotional experience. Building upon these ideas, a discursive approach to the analysis of emotional states is proposed. Everyday emotion words specify the public criteria that people use to “read experience off” another's emotional expressions. The identification of emotion proceeds through a dialectical process involving judgment and reflection. Observers (a) use everyday emotion words to make intuitive, pre-reflective classification of another's emotional experience; (b) reflect upon and make explicit the public criteria that mediate their implicit pre-reflective judgments; and (c) continue the judgment–reflection cycle until the meaning of the other's expressions is exhausted. The discursive approach is illustrated through an analysis of expressed emotion within psychotherapeutic dialogue.
Preterm small for gestational age infants are not at higher risk for parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.

Objective To assess if being small for gestational age impacts parenteral nutrition–associated cholestasis (PNAC) development. Study design We reviewed all the very low–birth weight infants exposed to parenteral nutrition for >14 days from 1996 to 2006, comparing auxological and clinical data, as well as nutritional history, during the first 4 weeks of life of infants with cholestasis and control subjects. Results Of 445 very low–birth weight infants, 55 had development of PNAC. Infants with cholestasis had lower birth weight and gestational age but similar birth weight z-score compared with infants without cholestasis, and they received a lower amount of enteral feeds (25.8 ± 20.7 vs 67.9 ± 33.0mL/kg, P P P P P P P = .030) were identified as the best independent predictors of PNAC. Conclusions Enteral feeding remains the main factor for the prevention of PNAC, whereas small for gestational age infants do not have a higher risk of PNAC.
Livestock Acquisitions Dynamics in Nomadic Pastoralist Herd Demography: A Case Study Among Ngisonyoka Herders of South Turkana, Kenya

Despite the attention given to social relations in the pastoral literature, the role of livestock acquisitions—additions of livestock to herds through bridewealth, exchanges, gifts, payments, and begging (requests)—in herd build up has usually been assumed to be relatively minor compared to births and relevant mostly when the need for rebuilding arises after major losses. This study is based on an unusual set of data—the reproductive histories of the female cattle, camels, and goats and sheep of 13 Ngisonyoka Turkana nomadic herders in northwestern Kenya, collected in 1987. The article reports on the means by which mothers were added to the herd and how these changed through time. The results suggest that for this population in the late 1970s and 1980s, acquisitions were not merely relevant when disaster struck, but instead were a continuously important component of herd management. The results demonstrate the crucial role of social networks in the survival of Ngisonyoka pastoralists in their non-equilibrial ecosystem. Social exchanges, such as bridewealth, provide a resource security well suited to the challenges of coping with such unpredictable environments. Researchers and policymakers are urged to make efforts to support such indigenous networks if they want nomadic pastoralists to continue their effective use of arid, marginal lands.
A computerized database system for medical diagnostic studies (DIASTU)

A computerized database system (DIASTU) has been developed for the storage and selective retrieval of the results of medical diagnostic studies. The system is being used to analyze the disease process and the efficacy and yield of selected diagnostic studies. The system runs on a DEC PDP-11/60 computer. It consists of three FORTRAN IV programs linked to a general-purpose assembly language database handler. One program, DSENT, interactively modifies the information in the database. The second, DSLIST, prints all or portions of the database. The third program, DSTAT, interactively assembles the parameters for selective searches of the database and executes them. A query language is used that allows the use of time and size specifications and Boolean operators in nested loops.
Glucose clamp investigations : the ups and downs

With the results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) now known (1), health-care providers are faced with the task of implementing more strict glucose control in diabetic patients. Yet, the methodology on the safest way to complete this change in health-care delivery is far from crystallized. Epidemiological data from the DCCT strongly suggest that hypoglycemia begets hypoglycemia (2). Over half of the severe hypoglycemie episodes occurred without warning signs. The importance of understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms behind this disturbing excess of morbidity is clear.
The role of sulfur assimilation and sulfur-containing compounds in trace element homeostasis in plants

Sulfur assimilation and production of sulfur-containing compounds are essential biological activities that play critical roles in many biological processes, including the role of sulfur containing compounds such as glutathione and phytochelatin in trace element homeostasis in plants. This review will discuss the role of sulfur assimilation and the biosynthesis of sulfur containing compounds in both mechanisms of trace element hyperaccumulation and heavy metal stress responses in plants.
Solvent-dependent permeability in asymmetric ceramic membranes with tortuous or non-tortuous mesopores

Abstract Solvent-dependent transport and the role of surface interactions were examined in commercial mesoporous ceramic membranes using permeability and thermoporometry measurements. The membranes chosen were titania (TiO 2 ) with tortuous interconnected pores (1, 5, and 50 kDa, corresponding to pore diameters of ca. 8.2, 18.3, and 33.2 nm, respectively) and alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) with non-tortuous 20 nm cylindrical pores. A pre-water/solvent/post-water permeability cycle was employed to account for structural differences between membranes and to gauge the effect of residual solvent on water permeability at different temperatures. Our results suggest that in both types of membranes, restricted permeability of 1-butanol and cyclohexane was due to a combination of surface sorption and an increase in disjoining pressure due to solvation forces. Sorption and solvation forces were prevalent as their length scales were on the same order of magnitude as the pore radii. For 1-butanol, chemisorption changed the surfaces from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, and led to a significant decrease in post-water permeability. While Darcy's law could not describe 1-butanol and cyclohexane permeability, it did apply to water and 1,4-dioxane in the 20 nm alumina membranes. Thermoporometry, coupled with permeability, was further used to evaluate surface wetting within the mesopores.
Globalizing the history of disease, medicine, and public health in Latin America.

ABSTRACTThe history of Latin America, the history of disease, medicine, and public health, and global history are deeply intertwined, but the intersection of these three fields has not yet attracted sustained attention from historians. Recent developments in the historiography of disease, medicine, and public health in Latin America suggest, however, that a distinctive, global approach to the topic is beginning to emerge. This essay identifies the distinguishing characteristic of this approach as an attentiveness to transfers of contagions, cures, and medical knowledge from Latin America to the rest of the world and then summarizes a few episodes that demonstrate its promise. While national as well as colonial and neocolonial histories of Latin America have made important contributions to our understanding, works taking the global approach have the potential to contribute more directly to the decentering of the global history of disease, medicine, and public health.
American English from Central Texas

The following transcription of ‘The North Wind and the Sun’ was made from a tape recording of the speech of Dr. Charlotte Laughlin (Mrs. Billy Lee), who teaches at Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas. Dr. Laughlin is 26 years old and was born in Brownwood, Brown County, at the approximate geographical center of the state. She lived in Brownwood until she was 18, when she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. At 24, she moved back to Brownwood and has remained there since, save for foreign trips.
The interaction of penicillinase with penicillins. IV. Structural aspects of catalytic and non-catalytic interactions.

Summary The interaction of penicillinase (penicillin amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6) with substrates and with their analogs produces a conformational change in the active site of the enzyme, which is manifested in changed reactivity towards iodine and p -chloromercuribenzoate ( p -hydroxymercuribenzoate) and in modified stability to heat, photo-oxidation, -and proteolysis. The analogs studied were (a) derivatives of 6-aminopenicillanic acid, which differ from the substrates in the structure of the side-chain, and (b) derivatives of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, which differ in the structure of the nucleus. The effect of an analog is dependent on the structure of both the nucleus and the side-chain. The nuclei studied exert a stabilizing effect which is enhanced by some side-chains. Other side-chains antagonize the effect of the nucleus and cause labiliza-tion of the active site. The susceptibility of substrate derivatives to hydrolysis has been correlated with their effects on the conformation of penicillinase. The interaction can be “catalytic” or “non-catalytic” according to the conformational change induced by the derivative. Studies of non-catalytic interactions may provide information bearing on the spatial structure and flexibility of the active site.
A selective irreversible inhibitor targeting a PDZ protein interaction domain.

Irreversible inhibitors of proteases have proven themselves useful tools for determining which proteases are active under given conditions in tissues or cells and for studying the functional role that a protease plays in physiological processes. The application of such techniques to the study of the activity and function of protein−protein interactions has been hindered by the lack of guiding principles for the mechanistic design of irreversible inhibitors targeting the “active site” of a protein interaction. We report herein the first example of a mechanism-based irreversible inhibitor of a protein interaction that has been specifically targeted to one member of the PDZ family of protein interaction domains: the second PDZ domain of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase MAGI3. This inhibitor was designed using rationally directed computational evaluation to take advantage of a conserved histidine in the PDZ domain by introducing an ionizable group that will be held in close proximity to that nucleoph...
Incorporation of fluorescent molecules and proteins into calcium oxalate monohydrate single crystals

A central question to understanding biomineralization is determining how biomolecules are integrated within inorganic host lattices, thereby changing material properties yet retaining single crystal structure of the biomineral. We have addressed guest incorporation within single biomineral crystals by investigating face specificity, anisotropy and the role of charges in fluorescent calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals nucleated from solutions containing eosin Y, fluoresceins and rhodamines. Additionally, we have examined the specificity of incorporation of Protein G wild-type (G-wt) and its mutant (G-Δ6, in which four aspartic acids and two glutamic acids have been replaced by the corresponding asparagine or glutamine), where G-wt promotes and G-Δ6 inhibits COM crystal growth. We found that (1) the negatively charged fluorophores, as well as the fluorophore-labeled proteins, G-wt and G-Δ6, were successfully incorporated during growth into the same {1 1 0} growth sectors in preference to all others; (2) the positively charged TRITC (tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate) was not incorporated as free fluorophore, but it became incorporated if conjugated to G-wt and G-Δ6; (3) once the fluorophores are incorporated, the polarization measurements of adsorption and emission were similar irrespectively whether taken from COM containing the free fluorophores, or the protein conjugates. The anisotropy was similar for rhodamines and fluoresceins.
Various interactions in chocolate flavor

More than 300 volatile compounds have been identified in roasted cocoa beans and its products, making chocolate one of the most complicated natural flavors. Most beans, after harvesting, are subjected to a fermentation that is an important step in the formation of flavor precursors. Roasting is essential to the development of chocolate flavor both with respect to the loss of undesirable volatiles and the generating of key aroma compounds. Flavor is modified to meet demand using blends of beans and through variation in roasting conditions and the mechanical treatments employed to process beans into chocolate liquor and coating. The effect of fermentation and roasting on certain chemical properties related to flavor in chocolate is reviewed. Particular attention is given to monocarbonyls, headspace volatiles, pyrrole aldehydes and alkylpyrazines.
Lactation Responses to Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids from Feather Meal or Rumen-Protected Methionine

The objectives of this experiment were to determine: 1) if Cys in hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) can contribute to the supply of sulfur amino acids for meeting requirements of dairy cows; 2) if the feeding value of meat and bone meal (MBM) can be enhanced by HFM or ruminally protected Met (rpMet); and 3) the value of HFM sulfur amino acids relative to rpMet. Fifteen multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design with 21-d periods. The control (CTRL) diet was designed to contain feeds that were low in RUP and Met and consisted of 50% alfalfa silage and 50% corn-based concentrate. Additional treatments were modifications of CTRL in which MBM (4% of DM), MBM + rpMet (Smartamine M) (4 and 0.08% of DM), MBM + HFM (4 and 2% of DM), and MBM + rpMet + HFM (4, 0.04, and 1% of DM) replaced corn grain. Feeding MBM depressed milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yields. Adding rpMet to MBM enhanced dry matter intake, milk and 3.5% FCM yields, and milk crude protein percentage. Milk fat percentage and 3.5% FCM yield were increased when HFM and rpMet were added to MBM. Supplementing HFM to a diet containing MBM could not duplicate the response of adding rpMet to MBM. Results of this study indicate that feeding HFM may not alleviate Met deficiency in lactating dairy cows.
Effect of food acclimation on assimilation efficiency of Calanus pacificus

A technique, based on quantitative conversion of chlorophyll a to pheophorbide during digestion, is described for determination of assimilation efficiencies of particle-feeding zooplankton. Calanus pacificus had assimilation efficiencies ranging from 68.5 to 85.4% for carbon and 73.9 to 92.5% for nitrogen. Assimilation efficiencies for copepods first acclimated to different food concentrations of Thalassiosira weissflogii and then fed at the same food level varied systematically, with animals acclimated to low food having higher efficiencies than animals acclimated to high food.
NONLINEAR VISCOELASTICITY OF CHEESE

Cheese viscoelasticity is commonly measured using steady uniaxial compression, steady uniaxial extension, shear and compressive creep, and stress relaxation in shear and compression. Viscoelastic properties for many cheeses have also been studied using small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS). However, there is little on the measurement of nonlinear viscoelastic properties. The large deformation test usually conducted on cheese to study nonlinear viscoelasticity is uniaxial compression, but this test hardly departs from linear behavior. In this work, the nonlinear viscoelasticity of four cheese varieties was studied using large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS). A sliding plate rheometer incorporating a shear stress transducer was used. The data were evaluated using spectral analysis, and results are presented mainly in the form of shear stress versus shear rate loops.
A factor analytic study of attitudinal structure and its impact on rural landowners' access policies

Previous research has shown that rural landowners' hunter access policies are determined in large part by their attitudes towards hunters, legal liability, conservation, and economic incentives. The results of this study support this research and indicate that East Texas, USA, landowners' decisions to allow or restrict access are based, in part, on attitudes toward hunter behavior, hunting as a social activity, leasing as a management practice, and a perceived obligation toward wildlife stewardship. Attitude-based profiles of landowners who adopted one of four access policies are compared.
Waste from Biodiesel Manufacturing as an Inexpensive Carbon Source for Bioreactors Treating Acid Mine Drainage

Alcohol-fed, semi-passive bioreactors have been used to support the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) for treatment of acid drainage from mine sites. An alcohol source not previously examined for use in these reactors is the glycerol-methanol waste remaining after the production of biodiesel fuel. In the laboratory, rock-filled columns were used to investigate biodiesel waste (BDW) as a carbon source for SRB. Columns were provided with water containing 900 mg/L sulfate, and fed reagent-grade glycerol or BDW in sufficient quantity to reduce 50% of the sulfate. Addition of 246 mg/L of reagent-grade glycerol resulted in 50% sulfate reduction and production of up to 59 mg/L of soluble sulfide, while the equivalent of 246 mg/L of glycerol provided as BDW resulted in 55% sulfate reduction and the production of up to 92 mg/L of soluble sulfide. During the initial stages of acclimation, propionic, acetic, formic, and lactic acids were observed. Acid concentrations were reduced over time in the effluent, and organic carbon in the BDW was nearly completely converted to carbon dioxide.
Total synthesis and stereochemistry of pinnatoxins B and C.

Pinnatoxins B and C were synthesized from diols (34R)-3b and (34S)-3a, respectively, in a stereochemically controlled manner. Through extensive analysis of the 1H NMR spectra of synthetic PnTXs B and C, the diagnostic NMR signals were first identified to differentiate (34S)- and (34R)-diastereomers and then used to establish the C34 configuration of natural PnTXs B and C as 34S and 34R, respectively.
Freezing points of H2SO4 aqueous solutions and formation of stratospheric ice clouds

The freezing temperature of H 2 SO 4 aqueous solutions as a function of concentration was experimentally measured in an investigation of the ice nucleation of natural H 2 SO 4 mixed aerosols. Based on these measurements, it is suggested that the formation of ice crystals in cirrus and polar stratospheric clouds is the result of the condensation of water vapor and subsequent freezing of natural H 2 SO 4 aerosols. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1993.t01-1-00006.x
Round Turbulent Puffs and Buoyant Thermals in Uniform Crossflows

The properties of round nonbuoyant turbulent puffs, and buoyant turbulent thermals in uniform crossflows were studied both experimentally and theoretically, motivated by applications to interrupted gas and liquid releases caused by process upsets, explosions and unwanted fires, among others. Emphasis was placed on self-preserving conditions far from the source where extraneous source disturbances have been lost, where flow properties are largely controlled by the conserved properties of the flow, and where properly scaled flow properties become independent of both distance from the source and time. The experiments involved injecting dye-containing turbulent round water puffs and thermals into a uniform crossflow produced by a 610 x 610 mm crosssection water tunnel facility and observing the flow with CCD cameras. Near-source properties varied significantly with source properties but the flows became turbulent and then self-preserving within 5 and 30-40 source diameters in the vertical direction (aligned with the source puff/thermal) from the source, respectively. Within the self-preserving region, the vertical penetration distance generally varied as a function of time in accord with self-preserving predictions. Flow in the self-preserving region, also satisfied the assumption of no slip crosstream convection at the mean crosstream velocity, yielding a simple and convenient way of predicting flow trajectories. Radial penetration distances of the flows also satisfied the general scaling relationships for puffs and thermals in still fluids but with the added complication that the flow was no longer axisymmetric
Single Molecule Detection of DNA Looping by NgoMIV Restriction Endonuclease

Single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy were used to investigate DNA looping by NgoMIV restriction endonuclease. Using a linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule labeled with a fluorescence donor molecule, Cy3, and fluorescence acceptor molecule, Cy5, and by varying the concentration of NgoMIV endonuclease from 0 to 3 x 10(-6) M, it was possible to detect and determine diffusion properties of looped DNA/protein complexes. FRET efficiency distributions revealed a subpopulation of complexes with an energy transfer efficiency of 30%, which appeared upon addition of enzyme in the picomolar to nanomolar concentration range (using 10(-11) M dsDNA). The concentration dependence, fluorescence burst size analysis, and fluorescence correlation analysis were all consistent with this subpopulation arising from a sequence specific interaction between an individual enzyme and a DNA molecule. A 30% FRET efficiency corresponds to a distance of approximately 65 A, which correlates well with the distance between the ends of the dsDNA molecule when bound to NgoMIV according to the crystal structure of this complex. Formation of the looped complexes was also evident in measurements of the diffusion times of freely diffusing DNA molecules with and without NgoMIV. At very high protein concentrations compared to the DNA concentration, FRET and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy results revealed the formation of larger DNA/protein complexes.
Neuroinvasive Nocardia asteroides GUH-2 Induces Apoptosis in the Substantia Nigra in Vivo and Dopaminergic Cells in Vitro

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease are increasingly prevalent in the aging population worldwide. The causes of these disorders are unknown, but many studies have suggested that the etiology is likely multifactorial and may involve exposure to something in the environment combined with the normal aging process. Nocardia asteroides are bacteria commonly found in the soil, and neuroinvasive strains of nocardiae have been described. N. asteroides strain GUH-2 invades the brains of experimentally infected animals and selectively affects dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), causing an L-DOPA-responsive movement disorder resembling parkinsonism. Furthermore, dopaminergic neurons undergo morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis following nocardial infection. Apoptosis has been implicated in dopaminergic neuronal dropout in Parkinson's patients as well as other parkinsonian models. Thus, in this study, in vivo and in vitro models were utilized to measure the ability of GUH-2 to induce the apoptotic death of dopaminergic cells. Following infection with GUH-2, dopaminergic apoptotic cells were identified in the SN of animals by in situ end labeling, which detects DNA fragmentation, combined with fluorescent immunolabeling of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells. In addition, apoptosis was observed in PC12 cell cultures incubated with GUH-2 by both in situ end labeling and the annexin V assay, which detects externalization of phosphatidylserine of the plasma membrane, indicating apoptotic death. Based on the results of these studies, it appears that experimental infection with N. asteroides provides a general model for studying apoptosis in parkinsonian disorders.