cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recognition of lumbar disc disease with magnetic resonance imaging

Ten normal adult volunteers, 75 patients with low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy, 16 patients following chymopapain treatment, 14 patients with recurrent symptoms following disc surgery, and two patients with distal cord compression were scanned on Fonar 3000 permanent magnet scanner. Of all the patients 98 had additional computed tomography scans (CT) of the lumbar spine and 82 had myelography. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans were both diagnostic in cases of herniated and extruded discs. MRI scan showed more information concerning the degenerative state of the intervertebral discs. It was relatively more accurate in detecting, small bulging and herniated discs without ruptured anulus and the relation of the migrated fragments of extruded discs to both the back of the vertebrae and the thecal sac. Moreover, lumbar MRI matched the clinical response of disc disease to chymopapain treatment more than lumbar CT scan. In addition, the MRI studies differentiated more accurately postoperative epidural fibrotic changes from recurrent herniated and/or extruded disc and detected distal spinal cord abnormalities. CT scan easily detected laterally herniated lumbar discs. Myelography was the diagnostic study in cases of arachnoiditis.
Impact of surface charge density on colloid deposition in unsaturated porous media

Abstract This research investigated the impact of surface charge density on colloid deposition in water unsaturated porous media using column experiments. The same-sized carboxyl functionalized microspheres with variable surface charge densities (0.56–1.95 μC/cm2) were used as the model colloids in this research. Column experiments were conducted under steady-state water flow conditions with effective water saturation ranging from 0.2 to 1.0. Colloid transport was described by the advection-dispersion equation under water saturated conditions and the mobile–immobile two-region transport model under water unsaturated conditions. Under water saturated conditions, no colloids were retained in the porous media. Under water unsaturated conditions, colloid retention was a function of both colloid surface charge density and water saturation, i.e., colloid retention increased with increasing surface charge density; colloid retention decreased with increasing water saturation. In a separate experiment, we conducted bubble column experiments to provide evidence that the colloids used in this research did not attach to the liquid–gas interface. Under steady-state water flow conditions, colloid retention in the porous media was believed to be retained at the liquid–solid–gas three-phase interface, or more precisely the liquid–gas meniscus and the solid interface, where the water film thickness approached the size of the colloidal particles. The repulsive electrostatic interactions between the colloids and the liquid–gas interface aided colloids to overcome the repulsive electrostatic interaction barrier with the sediments, leading the colloids to attachment.
MRC-SPECT: A sub-500 μm resolution MR-compatible SPECT system for simultaneous dual-modality study of small animals

In this paper, we will report the development of an ultrahigh resolution MR-compatible SPECT system that can be operated inside a pre-existing clinical MR scanner for simultaneous dual-modality imaging of small animals. This system is constructed with 40 small-pixel CdTe detector modules assembled in a fully stationary ring SPECT geometry. We have experimentally demonstrated that this system is capable of providing an imaging resolution of <500 μm when operating inside MR scanners. We will report the design, construction of the MRI-compatible SPECT system, including the detector technology, collimator, system development and so on. The first imaging results obtained with this newly constructed SPECT system will also be reported.
Social cognition in adulthood: aging-related changes in knowledge and processing mechanisms

Abstract Recent conceptualizations of social cognition have emphasized the interaction between knowledge structures and processing mechanisms in determining cognitive and behavioral outcomes in social situations. Using current research on aging and social cognition as an example, I propose that a similar conceptualization based on knowledge and processing mechanisms would be useful for understanding the impact of aging on cognition in general. Specifically, it is argued that age-related changes in knowledge systems possessed by the individual influence the representation of social events in memory and the motivation to engage in specific types of cognitive activities. These changes need to be considered in conjunction with normative changes in cognitive processes in order to achieve a fuller understanding of age differences in cognitive performance in complex situations, such as those involving interpersonal interactions.
Using empirical analysis to refine expert system knowledge bases (seek)

This thesis describes a system that provides a unified design framework for building and empirically verifying an expert system knowledge base. SEEK is a system which gives interactive advice about rule refinement during the design of an expert system. The advice takes the form of suggestions for possible experiments in generalizing or specializing rules in a model of reasoning rules produced by an expert. Case experience, in the form of stored cases with known conclusions, is used to interactively guide the expert in refining the rules of a model. This approach is most effective when a model of the expert's knowledge is relatively accurate and small changes in the model may improve performance. The system is interactive; we rely on the expert to focus the system on those experiments that appear to be most consistent with his domain knowledge. The design framework of SEEK consists of a tabular model for expressing expert-derived rules and a general consultation system for applying a model to specific cases. The system has been used in building large-scale expert medical consultation systems, with examples taken from an expert consultation model for the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.
O que é uma vida boa

According to his new book, Justice for Hedgehogs, Ronald Dworkin establishes a different relation between morality and ethics founding the need to obey these norms through the distinction between good life and living well.
Increased risk of death and de novo chronic kidney disease following reversible acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury increases mortality risk among those with established chronic kidney disease. In this study we used a propensity score-matched cohort method to retrospectively evaluate the risks of death and de novo chronic kidney disease after reversible, hospital-associated acute kidney injury among patients with normal pre-hospitalization kidney function. Of 30,207 discharged patients alive at 90 days, 1610 with reversible acute kidney injury that resolved within the 90 days were successfully matched across multiple parameters with 3652 control patients who had not experienced acute kidney injury. Median follow-up was 3.3 and 3.4 years (injured and control groups, respectively). In Cox proportional hazard models, the risk of death associated with reversible acute kidney injury was significant (hazard ratio 1.50); however, adjustment for the development of chronic kidney injury during follow-up attenuated this risk (hazard ratio 1.18). Reversible acute kidney injury was associated with a significant risk of de novo chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio 1.91). Thus, a resolved episode of hospital-associated acute kidney injury has important implications for the longitudinal surveillance of patients without preexisting, clinically evident kidney disease.
Phase I analysis of BCNU-impregnated biodegradable polymer wafers followed by systemic interferon alfa-2b in adults with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

Introduction Carmustine (BCNU)-impregnated biodegradable polymer wafers have been shown to prolong survival in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Interferon alfa-2b (IFNα2b) has demonstrated antitumor activity against a number of cancers, but its use in glioma has been limited. The use of these agents in combination is appealing because the mode of antitumor activity likely differs. This is a report of a phase I dose-finding study for IFNα2b in combination with surgery and BCNU wafers in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Method Patients with progressive malignant glioma that was confirmed intraoperatively to be glioblastoma were treated with surgical resection and implantation of 8 BCNU wafers. A week later, IFNα2b was initiated three times a week at a dose of 3 MU/m2, which was escalated in increments of 3 MU/m2. The treatment cycle encompassed 8 weeks. Toxicity was monitored by clinical and laboratory testing. Correlative studies of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) expression and gene expression array analysis were carried out. Results Ten patients were enrolled, and 9 patients had evaluable data. Dose-limiting toxicity in the form of fatigue occurred at 9 MU/m2. Two complete imaging responses were observed at the 3 MU/m2 dose. MGMT expression and gene expression arrays did not correlate with toxicity or response. Conclusions Multimodal therapy with surgery, BCNU wafers, and IFNα2b appears to be a feasible and safe treatment strategy. The maximum tolerated dose of IFNα2b was determined to be 6 MU/m2. Analysis of MGMT expression and gene expression was feasible.
Predictors of Infections following Cranioplasty: A Retrospective Review of a Large Single Center Study

Introduction. The variables that predispose to postcranioplasty infections are poorly described in the literature. We formulated a multivariate model that predicts the risk of infection in patients undergoing cranioplasty. Method. Retrospective review of all patients who underwent cranioplasty following craniectomy from January, 2000, to December, 2011. Tested predictors were age, sex, diabetic status, hypertensive status, reason for craniectomy, urgency status of craniectomy, location of cranioplasty, reoperation for hematoma, hydrocephalus postcranioplasty, and material type. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results. Three hundred forty-eight patients met the study criteria. Infection rate was 26.43% (92/348). Of these cases with infection, 56.52% (52/92) were superficial (supragaleal), 43.48% (40/92) were deep (subgaleal), and 31.52% (29/92) were present in both the supragaleal and subgaleal spaces. The predominant pathogen was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (30.43%) followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (22.83%) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (15.22%). Approximately 15.22% of all cultures were polymicrobial. Multivariate analysis revealed convex craniectomy, hemorrhagic stroke, and hydrocephalus to be associated with an increased risk of infection (; , ; , ; , resp.). Conclusion. Many of the risk factors for infection after cranioplasty are modifiable. Recognition and prevention of the risk factors would help decrease the infection’s rate.
Occupational and spatial mobility of temporary Mexican migrants to the U.S.: a comparative analysis.

U.S. job and spatial mobility are compared here for recent returnee migrants from two Mexican areas--Rio Grande Zacatecas in the interior; and Nueva Rosita-Muzquiz Coahuila near the U.S. border. Results suggest that the interior migrants fit a hierarchical migrant model: they move up the urban hierarchy from U.S. rural areas to towns and cities experiencing substantial job mobility at first but little after reaching the urban sector. Border migrants fit a shuttle migrant model: they return to the same job and place year after year experiencing little or no spatial and occupational mobility although they tend to hold somewhat higher status jobs. (EXCERPT)
Metamorphic convergence of the upper and lower plates of the Vincent thrust, San Gabriel Mountains, southern California, USA

The Vincent thrust of the San Gabriel Mountains, southern California, separates eugeoclinal Pelona Schist from overlying Precambrian to Mesozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks of North American continental affinity. The thrust is generally considered to be synmetamorphic because of similarity in structural orientations and mineral assemblages between the Pelona Schist and mylonites at the base of the upper plate. In this study, compositions of calcic amphibole and plagioclase in the upper plate and structurally high Pelona Schist were compared to further test this interpretation. Amphibole in the schist is mostly actinolite to actinolitic hornblende with high Na/Al ratio, indicating relatively high-P/low-T metamorphism. Individual grains are zoned, with concentrations of both Na and Al decreasing from cores to rims. Premylonitic amphibole in the upper plate is hornblende, tschermakite and pargasite with compositions indicative of low- or medium-P metamorphism. During mylonitization, this amphibole was replaced by actinolite to actinolitic hornblende with a similar range of Na and Al as amphibole rims in the Pelona Schist, but with slightly lower Na/Al ratio. This is consistent with the decrease of Na/Al up-section previously noted within the Pelona Schist of this area, and is considered to be the result of an inverted thermal gradient during thrusting. Convergence of composition between schist and upper plate also occurs for K and Ti contents of amphibole and An content of plagioclase. These features provide strong evidence that mylonitization of the upper plate is closely related in space and time to metamorphism of the Pelona Schist and therefore that the Vincent thrust is a remnant of the primary fault along which the Pelona Schist and correlative units were subducted beneath North America. Nonetheless, very fine-scale differences in amphibole composition between the schist and upper plate may indicate that metamorphic re-equilibration could not quite keep pace with movement on the fault.
Acute and Chronic Alcohol Abuse Modulate Immunity

This article represents the proceedings of the Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting, a satellite workshop held at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology. The meeting was sponsored by the AIRIG and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The presentations were as follows: (1) Effects of Ethanol on Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus by Jack R. Wands, (2) Alcohol and Alveolar Macrophage Dysfunction: The Role of Chronic Oxidant Stress by Lou Ann S. Brown, (3) T Cell Responses to Listeria monocytogenes in Mice on a Chronic Ethanol Exposure Protocol by Robert T. Cook, (4) Mechanisms of Acute and Chronic Alcohol Consumption on Severity of Viral Infections by the Liver and Pancreas by Thomas R. Jerrells, (5) Acute and Chronic Effects on Macrophage Ectodomain Shedding: Implications for Lung Host Defenses by Jay K. Kolls, (6) Increased Susceptibility to Pseudomonas Infection of Burn-Injured Mice Given Alcohol Before Injury by Elizabeth J. Kovacs, (7) Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha Expression in Macrophages by Chronic Ethanol by Laura E. Nagy, and (8) Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Alcohol Use by Gyongyi Szabo. Meeting coorganizers were Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Lou Ann S. Brown, Thomas R. Jerrells, and Robert T. Cook.
Hyperacuity deficits in anisometropic and strabismic amblyopes with known ages of onset.

Abstract In order to evaluate the influence of etiology of amblyopia and of age at onset of amblyopia on the resulting constellation of spatial vision deficits, resolution/vernier and recognition/resolution acuity ratios were measured in groups of children with either strabismic amblyopia or anisometropic amblyopia with known ages of onset. Strabismic amblyopia with infantile onset ( initially presented with anisometropia but later developed strabismus and children who initially presented with esotropia but later developed anisometropia; both subgroups with mixed amblyopia had poor resolution/vernier acuity ratios. Data from moderate amblyopes support the hypothesis that anisometropia and strabismus disrupt visual maturation in fundamentally different ways rather than simply at different stages in visual development.
Chorioamnionitis and bacterial vaginosis

An improved understanding of bacterial vaginosis and of clinical intraamniotic infection and histologic chorioamnionitis has produced data showing strong associations among these conditions. It has recently been shown that the microorganisms in both bacterial vaginosis and clinical intraamniotic infection are similar, of which anaerobes, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Mycoplasma hominis are the predominant organisms in both. Furthermore, in the amniotic fluid of women with intraamniotic infection, strong associations among anaerobes, G. vaginalis, and M. hominis have recently been observed. In two epidemiologic studies (one in a high-risk group of women in labor and another in a lower risk group of antepartum women), the presence of bacterial vaginosis has been associated with the development of intraamniotic infection. Additional recent studies have provided new evidence that histologic inflammation of the placental membranes is associated with both clinical intraamniotic infection and positive cultures of the placenta. Multiple logistic regression analysis has shown a relationship between isolation of organisms from the chorioamnion and bacterial vaginosis.
The star-forming molecular gas in high-redshift Submillimetre Galaxies

We present a model for the CO molecular line emission from high redshift Submillimeter Galaxies (SMGs). By combining hydrodynamic simulations of gas rich galaxy mergers with the polychromatic radiative transfer code, SUNRISE, and the 3D non-LTE molecular line radiative transfer code, TURTLEBEACH, we show that if SMGs are typically a transient phase of major mergers, their observed compact CO spatial extents, broad line widths, and high excitation conditions (CO SED) are naturally explained. In this sense, SMGs can be understood as scaled-up analogs to local ULIRGs. We utilize these models to investigate the usage of CO as an indicator of physical conditions. We find that care must be taken when applying standard techniques. The usage of CO line widths as a dynamical mass estimator from SMGs can possibly overestimate the true enclosed mass by a factor �1.5-2. At the same time, assumptions of line ratios of unity from CO J=3-2 (and higher lying lines) to CO (J=1-0) will oftentimes lead to underestimates of the inferred gas mass. We provide tests for these models by outlining predictions for experiments which are imminently feasible with the current generation of bolometer arrays and radio-wave spectrometers.
Independent influences upon mother–toddler role reversal: infant–mother attachment disorganization and role reversal in mother's childhood

In role reversal a child takes an inappropriate parental, spousal, or peer role with the caregiver. The study assessed attachment disorganization with mother in infancy in the Strange Situation (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978) and role reversal at 2 years old in videotaped mother-child interactions. By closely observing role reversal at this early age, results fill in the picture concerning the link between disorganized infant-mother attachment and controlling role reversal at 6 years old (Main & Cassidy, 1988; Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985). As hypothesized, infant-mother disorganization significantly predicted mother-toddler role reversal. The study also deepened research that predicted role reversal from parent Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) role reversal assessed before the child was born (Macfie, McElwain, Houts, & Cox, 2005). As hypothesized, mother AAI role reversal with her mother in childhood significantly predicted mother-toddler role reversal over and above infant-mother disorganization. Results are discussed within a developmental psychopathology framework including opportunities for developmentally sensitive interventions.
Evaluation of the PROMIS physical function computer adaptive test in the upper extremity.

Purpose To compare psychometric and responder burden characteristics between the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (PF CAT) and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) instruments in a tertiary hand and upper extremity practice. Methods Adult patients who presented to the clinic of 2 hand and upper extremity surgeons in a university-based tertiary care center were enrolled in this study. Participants received the DASH and PF CAT administered via tablet computer. Time to completion was recorded for both the DASH and PF CAT. We conducted statistical analyses to calculate Pearson correlation coefficients between the 2 instruments and performed a Rasch item response theory analysis to determine dimensionality, reliability, ceiling and floor effects, and item bias for each instrument. Results A total of 134 patients were included. Time to completion for the DASH was 262 seconds, and for the PF CAT 57 seconds. The instruments had strong correlation (r = 0.726). The item and Pearson reliability were 0.97 and 0.94, respectively, for the DASH and 0.99 and 0.96 for the PF CAT. The DASH and PF CAT had 5% and 5% of unexplained variance, respectively. The DASH exhibited 5% of ceiling effect and 1% floor effect whereas the PF CAT had no ceiling or floor effects. Conclusions The psychometric characteristics of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System PF CAT instrument compared favorably with the DASH in a tertiary upper extremity practice. Patient time burden was significantly reduced with the PF CAT compared with the DASH. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic III.
Age of exposure-dependent effects of amphetamine on behavioral flexibility

Drug use typically begins during adolescence, which is a period of ongoing neurobiological development that may confer heightened vulnerability to develop drug dependence. Previously, our lab has shown that amphetamine (AMPH)-induced deficits in a medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-sensitive working memory task are greater in rats exposed to the drug during adolescence compared to adulthood. Here, we examine potential age-dependent effects of AMPH exposure on behavioral flexibility tasks that are sensitive to disruptions in mPFC and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected (i.p.) with saline or 3 mg/kg AMPH every other day between postnatal days (PNDs) 27–45 and PNDs 85–103. Starting around PND 125, rats were tested in an attentional set-shifting task and a subset of those was then tested in an operant strategy shifting task. Following completion of the operant task, rats were challenged with 3 mg/kg AMPH and monitored in open field chambers. Our results demonstrate that AMPH-exposed rats were faster to acquire simple and compound discriminations, but were impaired during the first stimulus-reward reversal when compared to controls. In the operant strategy shifting task, adolescent-exposed rats shifted more rapidly between strategies and completed reversals faster than adult-exposed and control rats, respectively. The final AMPH challenge revealed evidence for sensitization in drug pre-exposed rats, with adult-exposed animals exhibiting the most significant effects. Together, these results suggest that AMPH induces long-lasting changes in behavioral flexibility that are at least partially dependent on age of exposure and may be due to adaptations in OFC function.
Novel NAD(P)H oxidases in the cardiovascular system

In the past 10 years, an enormous amount of research has focused on the role of NAD(P)H oxidases in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. Initially, investigators characterised these enzyme activities biochemically and functionally, but more recently, the molecular identification of a family of Nox (NADPH oxidase) proteins related to the respiratory burst NAD(P)H oxidase of neutrophils has led to an explosion of information about expression patterns, regulation, and functional significance of these enzyme complexes. Nox enzymes have been found to be involved in the regulation of vascular tone, smooth muscle growth, inflammatory responses, and matrix metalloproteinase activity. They have been implicated in hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetic vascular disease, and restenosis. In this article, the current status of the molecular basis for and the functional consequences of activation of these novel enzymes will be discussed. The first Nox enzyme to be cloned and characterised was termed gp91phox (or Nox2), because it is the catalytic unit of the phagocytic respiratory burst oxidase, which is important for non-specific host defence against invading microbes. This protein exists in a macromolecular complex with p22phox, another membrane subunit that stabilises gp91phox and interacts with the cytosolic regulatory factor p47phox. p47phox has two tandem SH3 groups that interact with auto-inhibitory domains to maintain the protein in an inactive state. Upon phosphorylation of p47phox by protein kinase C, this interaction is lost, and the SH3 groups and proline-rich tail are exposed and bind to the membrane subunits and a second regulatory cytosolic subunit, p67phox. p67phox, in turn, serves as a binding site for the small molecular weight G protein Rac, which modulates enzyme activity.1 Originally, gp91phox was thought to be restricted to phagocytic cells. Recent work, however, indicates that gp91phox is expressed at low, but functionally important levels in many tissues. More importantly, in …
Dermal Thymus: A Light Microscopic and Immunohistochemical Study

• Two rare cases of distinctive thymic remnants occurring in the skin are described. The lesions were present at birth, and involved the side of the neck. One child had a complete cleft lip and palate. The other had multiple congenital anomalies consistent with a rare syndrome entitledbranchio-oculo-facialsyndrome. Microscopically, lobular foci were present in the dermis and consistent with both prethymic and thymic remnants. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies to T cells and B cells showed a distribution similar to that seen in normal thymus. Dermal thymus appears to be a distinct entity and may be associated with other faciobranchial defects. (Arch Dermatol. 1989;125:1681-1684)
Infrared Rocket Astronomy

The extension of astronomy in the wavelength region of 1 μ to 1 mm has in the past been limited by lack of detectors of high sensitivity and by the obscuration of the Earth’s atmosphere. Ground-based near infrared astronomy could be carried out within certain partial windows: i.e. from 2.1 μ to 2.4 μ, 3.5 μ to 4.0 μ, 4.6 μ to 4.7 μ, 8–13 μ, and 20–25 μ. The region from 25 μ to 2 mm is completely opaque and measurements have to be carried out from above the atmosphere using aircraft, balloons, or rocket experiments.
A Mass Spectrometric Approach for Probing the Stability of Bioorganic Radicals

Glycyl radicals are important bioorganic radical species involved in enzymatic catalysis. Herein, we demonstrate that the stability of glycyl-type radicals (X-.CH-Y) can be tuned on a molecular level by varying the X and Y substituents and experimentally probed by mass spectrometry. This approach is based on the gas-phase dissociation of cysteine sulfinyl radical (X-Cys SO .-Y) ions through homolysis of a CαCβ bond. This fragmentation produces a glycyl-type radical upon losing CH2SO, and the degree of this loss is closely tied to the stability of the as-formed radical. Theoretical calculations indicate that the energy of the CαCβ bond homolysis is predominantly affected by the stability of the glycyl radical product through the captodative effect, rather than that of the parent sulfinyl radical. This finding suggests a novel experimental method to probe the stability of bioorganic radicals, which can potentially broaden our understanding of these important reactive intermediates.
Alpha-chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of some carbonate esters.

The kinetics of the α -chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of several carbonate diesters, ROCOOR', can be described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. p -Acetamido-phenyltrichloroethyl carbonate shows a sigmoid pH-rate curve with a kinetic dependence on an enzyme function of pKa 7.2. The limiting values of the catalytic rate constant at high pH are, for p -acetamidophenyltrichloroethyl carbonate, 8.0 × 10 −2 sec. −1 ; for p -nitrophenyltrichloroethyl carbonate, 8.2 × 10 −2 sec. −1 ; for p -nitrophenylethyl carbonate, 0.2 × 10 −2 sec. −1 . The evidence is consistent with the intermediate formation of an alkyl enzyme carbonate, the hydrolysis of which is rate controlling.
Characterization of hgpA, a gene encoding a haemoglobin/haemoglobin-haptoglobin-binding protein of Haemophilus influenzae.

Summary: Haemophilus influenzae binds haemoglobin and the haemoglobin-haptoglobin complex and utilizes either as a sole source of haem. Previously, a DNA fragment was cloned from H. influenzae that encodes an approximately 120 kDa protein (HgpA) expressing haemoglobin-binding activity in Escherichia coli. Partial sequence analysis revealed significant homology of HgpA with other bacterial haem- and iron-utilization proteins, and a length of CCAA repeating units immediately following the nucleotide sequence encoding the putative leader peptide. In the present study, the complete nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA fragment was determined and the sequence was analysed. In addition to homology with other haem- and iron-utilization proteins, seven regions typical of TonB-dependent proteins were identified. The transcript of hgpA was determined to be monocistronic by RT-PCR. PCR performed with different colonies of a single H. influenzae strain at one CCAA-repeat-containing locus indicated varying lengths of CCAA repeats, suggesting that haemoglobin and haemoglobin-haptoglobin binding in H. influenzae is regulated by strand slippage across CCAA repeats, as well as by haem repression. E. coli containing cloned hgpA bound both haemoglobin and the haemoglobin-haptoglobin complex. A deletion/insertion mutation of hgpA was constructed in H. influenzae strain HI689. Mutation of hgpA did not affect the ability of H. influenzae either to bind or to utilize haemoglobin or haemoglobin-haptoglobin following growth in haem-deplete media. Affinity purification of haemoglobin-binding proteins from the mutant strain revealed loss of the 120 kDa protein and an increased amount of a 115 kDa protein, suggesting that at least one additional haemoglobin-binding protein exists.
Insurance Status, an Important Predictor of Oral Cancer Surgery Outcomes

Purpose Patients without insurance, or using Medicaid, generally have a lower socioeconomic status. They have less access to screening and regular medical care, resulting in later diagnosis of oral cancer. This study examined the association between insurance status and the likelihood of complications after head and neck cancer surgery. Materials and Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was implemented to determine whether patients' insurance status is associated with increased complications and length of stay after oral cancer surgery. Patients were grouped into 4 cohorts: 1) private insurance, 2) Medicare, 3) Medicaid, and 4) uninsured. Patients were stratified further to consider age, gender, initial staging, pre-existing comorbidities, and social history. Data were analyzed with χ2 test, 1-way analysis of variance, odds ratios, and binary logistic regression. Results This study consisted of 89 surgically treated patients. The uninsured and Medicaid groups had the highest incidence of postoperative complications. Uninsured patients, followed by the Medicare cohort, were the most likely to have an extended length of stay. Conclusion Uninsured and Medicaid patients are at increased probability for major and minor complications after head and neck cancer surgery. Uninsured patients also showed the greatest tendency for a prolonged length of hospital stay. This could reflect their lack of preventive care, increased use of tobacco and alcohol, presentation with more advanced disease, and delays in initiating treatment.
Parallel implementations of a branch-and-bound algorithm for the optimization of distributed database computer networks

The arrival of parallel processing architectures has generated considerable interest in mapping conventional sequential jobs onto the new machines (multiprocessor arrays). The problem is in finding and exploiting the parallelism in a given task. The authors outline some important findings on a branch-and-bound algorithm and how it was modified to run on a multiprocessor network of Transputers. >
Stochastic behavioral modeling of analog/mixed-signal circuits by maximizing entropy

Maximum entropy (MAXENT) is a powerful and flexible method for estimating the arbitrary probabilistic distribution of a stochastic variable with moment constraints. However, modeling the stochastic behavior of analog/mixed-signal (AMS) circuits using MAXENT is still unknown. In this paper, we present a MAXENT based approach to efficiently model the arbitrary behavioral distribution of AMS circuits with high accuracy. The exact behavioral distribution can be approximated by a product of exponential functions with different Lagrangian multipliers. The closest approximation can be obtained by maximizing Shannon's information entropy subject to moment constraints, leading to a nonlinear system. Classic Newton's method is used to solve the nonlinear system for the Lagrangian multipliers, which can further recover the arbitrary behavioral distribution of AMS circuits. Extensive experiments on different circuits demonstrate that the proposed MAXENT based approach offers better stability and improves the accuracy up to 110% when compared to previous AWE-based moment matching approaches, and offers up to 592x speedup when compared to Monte Carlo method.
The Effect of Exposure on Syntactic Parsing in Spanish-English Bilinguals.

An eye tracking experiment examined how exposure to a second language (L2) influences sentence parsing in the first language. Forty-four monolingual Spanish speakers, 24 proficient Spanish–English bilinguals with limited immersion experience in the L2 environment and 20 proficient Spanish–English bilinguals with extensive L2 immersion experience read temporarily ambiguous constructions. The ambiguity concerned whether a relative clause (RC) that appeared after a complex noun phrase (NP) was interpreted as modifying the first or the second noun in the complex NP (El policia arresto a la hermana del criado que estaba enferma desde hacia tiempo). The results showed that whereas the Spanish monolingual speakers and the Spanish–English bilinguals with limited exposure reliably attached the relative clause to the first noun, the Spanish–English bilingual with extensive exposure attached the relative to the second noun. Results are discussed in terms of models of sentence parsing most consistent with the findings.
Plasma diagnostics to study cathodes used to drive long-pulse magnetrons

Conventional long-pulse magnetrons use a heated cathode for thermionic emission of electrons, but short cathode lifespan and the necessity of providing a power supply to provide this heat are undesirable aspects of these devices. There is ongoing research to develop field emission cathodes with performance comparable to that of thermionic cathodes. One concern with these field emission cathodes is the possible evolution of surface plasmas over the fairly large surface areas of 10–100cm2. This presentation describes a plasma diagnostics capability we have assembled to apply to this research. A visible and UV spectrum fast CCD camera and a McPhereson 2M spectrometer capable of 2×10−3nm resolution is used to determine the temporal and spatial evolution of both anode and cathode plasma regions of a square patch of material. Specifically, the electron energy distribution, sub-eV ion temperature (through Doppler broadening), plasma composition, and impurity abundance are determined. Plasma evolution similar to that achieved by the thermionic cathode must be demonstrated in order to avoid premature plasma closure and shorting of the magnetron resonant cavity used to produce microwaves. MAGIC PIC code simulations are also used to extrapolate the capability of novel field emission cathodes to provide near space-charge-limited current flow and optimize future cathode design using the spectroscopic data obtained.
Bridge Experience With Long-term Implantable Left Ventricular Assist Devices Are They an Alternative to Transplantation?

Background If long-term use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as bridges to transplantation is successful, the issue of permanent device implantation in lieu of transplantation could be addressed through the creation of appropriately designed trials. Our medium-term experience with both pneumatically and electrically powered ThermoCardiosystems LVADs is presented to outline the benefits and limitations of device support in lieu of transplantation. Methods and Results Detailed records were kept prospectively for all patients undergoing LVAD insertion. Fifty-eight LVADs were inserted over 5 years, with a survival rate of 74%. Mean patient age was 50 years, and duration of support averaged 98 days. Although common, both preexisting infection and infection during LVAD support were not associated with increased mortality or decreased rate of successful transplantation. Thromboembolic complications were rare, occurring in only three patients (5%) despite the absence of anticoagulation. Ventricular arrh...
Evaluation of Practice Patterns for the Care of Open-angle Glaucoma Compared with Claims Data: The Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study

Objective To perform a chart review to measure the validity of large claims databases in estimating patient cooperation with eyedrop therapy and to assess physician adherence with guidelines for a preferred practice pattern (PPP) using a new metric. Design Claims database analysis, chart review, and telephone survey. Participants From 10 260 persons who were recently prescribed a prostaglandin eyedrop for open-angle glaucoma (OAG), a sample of 300 charts (3650 visits) was selected for detailed abstraction. Methods Database review of pharmacy refill, diagnostic testing, and visit information, with chart review of a sample of patients from the database and interviews with an overlapping sample of patients and physicians. Main Outcome Measures The individual patient medication possession ratio (MPR), an index estimating the proportion of time that patients have prescribed drug available for use, frequency of examination findings present in charts, and associations between MPR and physician adherence to a PPP. Results Chart data confirm that the claims database accurately identified the specific glaucoma eyedrop prescribed, but often identified long-term OAG patients as being new to treatment. Physicians frequently used billing codes for OAG in patients with normal visual field tests. Physicians varied dramatically in their adherence to the PPP, performing intraocular pressure measurements, disc evaluations and imaging, and visual field tests on 90% of OAG patients, but carrying out gonioscopy, central corneal thickness measurement, and setting of target intraocular pressure (IOP) on half of patients. Conclusions Large claims databases permit conclusions regarding patient cooperation with glaucoma eyedrop therapy, but they should be used cautiously in imputing severity of disease and prior treatment history. Physician adherence to practice guidelines varied substantially; thus, scoring systems for physician behavior have promise in measuring outcome improvements related to better care.
Genetic map of the powdery mildew resistance gene in soybean PI 243540

Powdery mildew (caused by Microsphaera diffusa Cooke & Peck) is a common disease of soybean in many soybean-growing regions of the world and under greenhouse conditions. The previously reported Rmd...
Developmental changes in open‐field behavior in the kitten

Seventy-eight kittens from 3 to 7 weeks of age were studied in an open-field arena. Three major age-dependent changes were noted: (1) the number of floor squares entered was markedly higher for 5- and 6-week-olds than for younger animals, and slightly lower for 7-week-olds than for 5- and 6-week-olds; (2) the tendency to backtrack from 1 square to a just-vacated square decreased with age, the largest change occurring between 4 and 5 weeks of age; (3) the within-session decrement in locomotion was largest for 3-week-old kittens but was smallest for 4-week-olds and increased monotonically with age thereafter. The results suggest a possible role of hippocampal maturation.
Mitochondrial DNA damage triggers mitochondrial-superoxide generation and apoptosis

Recently, it has become apparent that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage can rapidly initiate apoptosis independent of mutations, although the mechanism involved remains unclear. To elucidate this mechanism, angiotensin II-mediated apoptosis was studied in cells that were transduced with a lentiviral vector to overexpress the DNA repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine glycosylase or were treated with inhibitors known to block angiotensin II-induced mtDNA damage. Cells exhibiting angiotensin II-induced mtDNA damage showed two phases of superoxide generation, the first derived from NAD(P)H oxidase and the second of mitochondrial origin, whereas cells prevented from experiencing mtDNA damage importantly exhibited only the first phase. Furthermore, cells with mtDNA damage demonstrated impairments in mitochondrial protein expression, cellular respiration, and complex 1 activity before the onset of the second phase of oxidation. After the second phase, the mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed, cytochrome c was released, and the cells underwent apoptosis, all of which were prevented by disrupting mtDNA damage. Collectively, these data reveal a novel mechanism of apoptosis that is initiated when mtDNA damage triggers mitochondrial superoxide generation and ultimately the activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition. This novel mechanism may play an important pathological role.
Silk fibroin biosensor based on imprinted periodic nanostructures

This paper presents a label free colorometric sensor fabricated by rapidly imprinting silk fibroin thin films with periodic nanoholes. The fabricated sensor is sensitive to index variations of Δn = 0.007.
Preoperative radiation therapy and its effects on outcomes in microsurgical head and neck reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative radiation therapy is considered a significant factor in head and neck reconstruction.STUDY AND DESIGN AND SETTING: In our consecutive series of 114 patients, 44 patients had prior head and neck irradiation. The 2 groups were compared on the basis of age, ischemic time, and flap size and were found not to be statistically different. The average ischemic time for the irradiated group was 94.1 minutes, and the average was 102.8 minutes for the nonirradiated group. The average flap size for the irradiated group was 69.5 cm2, and was 72.0 cm2, for the nonirradiated group.RESULTS: Using a single-factor analysis of variance, the 2 groups did not differ statistically. The overall major flap complication rate for both irradiated and nonirradiated groups was approximately 10%.CONCLUSION: Microvascular reconstruction was accomplished in both irradiated and nonirradiated head and neck patients, with a 99% total flap survival rate and a 10% major flap complication rate.
Evaluation of Systemic Insecticides as a Treatment Option in Integrated Pest Management of the Elm Leaf Beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

This study evaluates the efficacy of two systemic insecticides (imidacloprid and abamectin) in an operational setting and their suitability to be incorporated into an integrated pest management program. Elm leaf beetle abundance and leaf damage were compared between treated trees and untreated control trees from 1995 through 1999. Laboratory bioassays using first-instar larvae were also used to measure the toxicity of leaves collected from treated trees at varying times after treatment. Trunk injections of abamectin and imidacloprid reduced the defoliation caused by elm leaf beetle when applied after monitoring at the peak density of elm leaf beetle eggs. Treatment in the first generation appeared to provide protection against damage in that generation as well as the second and third beetle generations. Both of these materials become active within the tree canopy very quickly and are therefore compatible with a management program that determines the need for treatment based on monitoring for egg clusters at peak density of eggs. Laboratory bioassays showed no toxicity of leaves in the year following treatment.
A simplified assay method for galactosyl ceramide β-galactosidase

In a previously described method for determining the activity of cerebroside galactosidase, the enzyme preparation was incubated with an emulsion of cerebroside which had been labeled in the galactose moiety. The liberated galactose was separated from the emulsion by liquid–liquid partitioning, but the presence of detergent necessitated the use of careful agitation and a backwash in order to reduce the contamination of the aqueous layer with excess emulsified substrate. This problem is eliminated by adding a large amount of lipid to reduce the emulsifying power of the detergent. It may be that other lipid hydrolase assays, based on the same principle, would benefit by this approach. Some additional improvements in the assay system are described.
ARSRP Reconn Results and Bissm Modeling of Direct Path Backscatter

Modeling support designed to aid in mapping, interpreting, and analyzing direct-path bottom reverberation was developed during the ARSRP Reconnaissance Cruise of July and August, 1991. The Bistatic Scattering Strength Model (BISSM) provided scattering strength estimates and a simple ray model provided propagation loss and other parameters required to calculate reverberation. This model successfully predicts scattering from bottom features known deterministically to 0.5nm and statistically to 0.1nm. The BISSM model and its ability to explain the reconn data are discussed. (This work was supported by ONR and CNOC.)
Professing Literature: An Institutional History

Widely considered the standard history of the profession of literary studies, "Professing Literature" unearths the long-forgotten ideas and debates that created the literature department as we know it today. In a readable and often-amusing narrative, Gerald Graff shows that the heated conflicts of our recent culture wars echo - and often recycle - controversies over how literature should be taught that began more than a century ago. Updated with a new preface by the author that addresses many of the provocative arguments raised by its initial publication, "Professing Literature" remains an essential history of literary pedagogy and a critical classic.
Religious Beliefs and Public Support for Prisoner Reentry

The sustainability of the modern prisoner reentry movement may rest heavily upon public support. Although little is known about how public opinion toward reentry is shaped, religion is potentially a key contributor. Several studies indicate that religious perspectives affect public attitudes toward punishment and rehabilitation. The current study aims to determine whether religious beliefs contribute to support for or opposition against three distinct approaches to prisoner reentry. Using survey data obtained from a randomly selected sample of a nationally representative Midwestern state, multivariate regression models were used to examine whether feelings of religious forgiveness and belief in a punitive God affected attitudes toward transitional programming, transitional housing, and assisting post-release offenders through housing agencies. Respondents who felt greater religious forgiveness and had less belief in a punitive God more strongly supported transitional programming and transitional housing a...
Notes on the Maudgalyāyana Legend in East Asia

(1986). Notes on the Maudgalyāyana Legend in East Asia. Monumenta Serica: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 83-93.