cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating the cow skin and teat canal microbiomes of the bovine udder using different sampling and sequencing approaches

There is a need for standardized, efficient, and practical sampling methods to support large population-based studies of the internal and external epithelial microbiomes of the bovine udder. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate different sampling devices for the isolation of microbial DNA originating from the internal and external teat epithelium. Secondary objectives were to survey and compare the microbial diversity of external and teat canal epithelial microbiomes using amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing approaches. To address these objectives, we enrolled a convenience sample of 24 Holstein dairy cows and collected samples from the external epithelium at the base of udder, the external teat barrel epithelium, the external teat apex epithelium, and the teat canal epithelium. Extracted DNA was quantified and subjected to PCR amplification of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). A subset of samples was subjected to a shallow shotgun metagenomic assay on the Illumina HiSeq platform. For samples collected from the external teat epithelium, we found that gauze squares consistently yielded more DNA than swabs, and Simpson's reciprocal index of diversity was higher for gauze than for swabs. The teat canal epithelial samples exhibited significantly lower diversity than the external sampling locations, but there were no significant differences in diversity between teat apex, teat barrel, and base of the udder samples. There were, however, differences in the microbial distribution and abundances of specific bacteria across external epithelial surfaces. The proportion of shotgun sequence reads classified as Bos taurus was highly variable between sampling locations, ranging from 0.33% in teat apex samples to 99.91% in teat canal samples. These results indicate that gauze squares should be considered for studying the microbiome of the external epithelium of the bovine udder, particularly if DNA yield must be maximized. Further, the relative proportion of host to non-host DNA present in samples collected from the internal and external teat epithelium should be considered when designing studies that utilize shotgun metagenomic sequencing.
Phenytoin Toxicity After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS).

Abstract Background Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alters portal blood flow and may impact drug metabolism and bioavailability. However, little evidence has been published to provide guidance on medication alterations after TIPS procedures. Case Report We report a patient who developed phenytoin toxicity requiring a prolonged readmission after a TIPS procedure. It is likely that the TIPS procedure altered phenytoin metabolism and led to toxicity in this patient. Phenytoin is an antiepileptic drug that is primarily eliminated by hepatic metabolism. It is possible that phenytoin toxicity may occur after TIPS, and that decreased dose requirements may be a durable effect of the procedure. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? TIPS is now the most common portal hypertension decompressive procedure performed by interventional radiologists and has become the primary portosystemic shunt (surgical or percutaneous) performed in the United States. Patients with a history of TIPS procedures commonly present to tertiary- and quaternary-care emergency departments with complex clinical presentations. Greater familiarity with the potential effects of TIPS on drug metabolism may help emergency physicians prevent adverse drug effects and optimize clinical outcomes.
Surfactant Protein A, a Novel Regulator for Smooth Muscle Phenotypic Modulation and Vascular Remodeling—Brief Report

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the role of SPA (surfactant protein A) in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation and vascular remodeling. Approach and Result...
TikTok and prostate cancer: misinformation and quality of information using validated questionnaires

TikTok is a social network launched in 2016, which is used to create and share short videos (≤60 seconds). TikTok was the most downloaded app in the U.S. in 2018 and 2019 and is currently available in >55 countries. Similar to other social networks, TikTok users can follow other content creators and view a feed of videos. Users may associate their videos with captions and hashtags, and comment on others' videos. TikTok has 800 million total active users with >1 billion videos viewed daily.[1].
Understanding Civilian Mental Health Providers' Knowledge in Providing Care for Active Duty Service Members: Opportunities for Improvement.

INTRODUCTION: There are a growing number of civilian mental health providers who are treating active duty service members (ADSM) from referrals of local emergency rooms, directly from military installations, or when a military mental health program is unavailable. Civilian providers may be unprepared to address issues that are unique to this population. AIM: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement a survey-based knowledge assessment, in order to assess civilian psychiatric advanced practice nurse's (APN) perceptions, knowledge, and practice of treating ADSMs. METHOD: The investigator developed and validated a survey that was posted on the American Psychiatric Nurses Association All-Purpose Discussion Forum, and the snowball technique was utilized to enhance psychiatric APN colleague recruitment. RESULTS: Seventy-eight participants scored extremely low with average score of 40.4%; however, the psychiatric APNs who received formal training from the Department of Defense on unique mental health issues of ADSMs scored significantly higher (49.6%) than participants without the formal training (38.2%; p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the knowledge gap of psychiatric APNs as it relates to the care of ADSMs will allow educators to recommend available trainings or develop trainings that are tailored to meet their needs.
Comparing two different techniques to repair pediatric anterior tympanic membrane perforations.

Abstract Objective Compare outcomes between a microscopic and endoscopic technique for anterior tympanic membrane (TM) perforation. Methods Results of microscopic overlay (MT) and endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) for management of anterior TM perforations from a single surgeon. Results There were 28 patients in the MT group and 35 in the ET group. The mean age was 7.1 years and 10.9 years (p Conclusions An anteriorly based ET is a novel technique for management of anterior TM perforations. Results from this pilot study indicate that this ET approach may be an appropriate alternative to MT for difficult to repair anterior perforations. A longer follow-up will be necessary to determine its role in these perforations.
Homogenized modeling approach for effective property prediction of 3D-printed short fibers reinforced polymer matrix composite material

The objective of this paper is to present the modeling approach for homogenizing the 3D-printed composite parts for the accurate prediction of effective mechanical properties. The Mori–Tanaka (MT) approach associated with two-step homogenization is applied to partially oriented short carbon fiber (SCF)-reinforced polycarbonate (SCF/PC)-based composites and compared with the experimental results. Detailed microstructural analysis was performed to investigate the variation in fiber length and bead dimensions that occurred due to change in fiber percentage (3%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% by vol.). A two-step homogenization framework was performed in this research. Change in fiber length was considered in the first-step homogenization and change in bead dimensions was considered in the second step of homogenization approach to find the microscale and mesoscale constitutive properties of SCF/PC 3D-printed composite samples using the MT method respectively. Results of this study revealed that the stiffness of the composite samples increases with the increase in fiber percentage. As we increase the SCF, significant variations were observed in the fiber length and bead dimensions which also significantly affect the mechanical properties of 3D-printed composite parts. Results obtained after considering the fiber length and bead dimensions in mathematical calculation helps in reducing the error gap between the homogenized numerical and experimental results. It was also concluded that the prediction of Young’s modulus using higher fiber percentage has relatively low errors. Eventually, the properties attained from the respective approach help to find out the macro fields (average stress and average strain) in the 3D-printed composite samples.
Moody Agents: Affect and Discourse During Learning in a Serious Game

The current study investigated teacher emotions, student emotions, and discourse features in relation to learning in a serious game. The experiment consisted of 48 subjects participating in a 4-condition within-subjects counter-balanced pretest-interaction-posttest design. Participants interacted with a serious game teaching research methodology with natural language conversations between the human student and two artificial pedagogical agents. The discourse of the artificial pedagogical agents was manipulated to evoke student affective states. Student emotion was measured via affect grids and discourse features were measured with computational linguistics techniques. Results indicated that learner’s arousal levels impacted learning and that language use is correlated with learning.
Parameter optimization for wafer probe using simulation

This paper presents the parameter simulation for wafer probe test by FEA modeling with consideration of different probe over travel (OT) distances, different movements along the contact surface of probe and bond pad, different contact friction coefficients, different shapes of the probe tip and diameters. Our goal is to find an optimized solution for probe test that will minimize the stresses in the structure under the bond pad, and eliminate failures. In the probe test modeling, a non-linear finite element contact model is developed for different probe tip geometry shapes. In addition, comparison between probe test damage and wire bonding failure is made to show how the degree of damage to both probe test and wire bonding on the same bond pad structures.
Brave New World: The Use and Potential Misuse of DNA Technology in Immigration Law

DNA technology revolutionized criminal law, family law and trust and estates practice. It is now revolutionizing immigration law. Currently the Department of Homeland Security does not require DNA tests, but it recommends these tests when primary documentation, such as marriage licenses, birth certificates and adoption papers are not available to prove the relationship between the U.S. citizen petitioner and the beneficiary who is seeking permanent resident status in the United States. DNA tests are attractive to the government as a result of administrative convenience and as a means of countering fraud, but adoption of a wholesale policy of DNA testing poses a host of potential problems. In an area of law where family reunification is described as the primary goal, an increase in the use of DNA sometimes results in separating families and other unintended consequences. By promoting the use of DNA evidence, the social interests that are paramount in a family relationship could become subservient to genetic interests. The beneficiaries could become mere genetic entities, whose biological relationship through their genes is paramount. This promotes the view that shared genes are the principal means of identifying human relationships and that one should be entitled to legal benefits solely on this basis. Quality control in the collection, storage and testing of samples, access of individuals to testing facilities, especially in developing countries, privacy interests and the potential for misuse of the results of these tests, particularly in preventing the admission of aliens on health grounds are among the potential problems identified in this article. Using examples from disciplines where DNA evidence has been adopted—criminal, family and estates and trusts law—this article will present a workable policy for the use of this technology in immigra-
Building brains for rooms: designing distributed software agents

This paper argues that complex, embedded software agent systems are best constructed with parallel, layered architectures. These systems resemble Minskian Societies of Mind and Brooksian subsumption controllers for robots, and they demonstrate that complex behaviors can be had via the aggregates of relatively simple interacting agents. We illustrate this principle with a distributed software agent system that controls the behavior of our laboratory's Intelligent Room.
Conditional Payments for Computing Markets

The problem of outsourcing computations in distributed environments has several security challenges. These challenges stem from the lack of trust between the outsourcer and a worker. Previous work has extensively considered one side of the trust problem - the efficient verification of the completion of the outsourced computation. We believe this to be the first work that simultaneously addresses the other side of trust - ensuring valid remuneration for the work. We propose a solution in which the outsourcer embeds a verifiable payment token into the computation to be performed. With high probability, the worker can verify that if it completes the computation it will retrieve the payment, and the outsourcer is convinced that if the worker retrieves the payment then it has completed the computation. We also discuss the robustness of our scheme against two possible attacks that target the desired security properties, and possible extensions to our scheme.
Order of Entry into Foreign Countries by US Multinationals Since 1965: Role of Psychic Distance Over Time and Across Sectors

Observations of internationalising manufacturing firms, in the late 70s, revealed that the order in which firms enter foreign countries is influenced by psychic distance (perceived closeness based on factors such as culture, language and development level). Since then, the world has undergone rapid globalisation and services have replaced manufacturing as the dominant sector of the world economy. To ascertain whether: a) psychic distance is still relevant; b) industry sector impacts the relationship between psychic distance and order of entry, this paper analysed the order of entry into foreign countries by US multinationals in manufacturing and services sectors since 1965. Results indicate that cultural and language differences still play a role and the effect is very similar across sectors.
Candidial vaginitis associated with the use of oral progestational agents.

A clinical study was undertaken to assess the association between the use of oral progestational agents and the incidence of candidial vaginitis. 96 unselected females all in their reproductive years who presented with symptoms of vaginitis at the Gynecology Clinic of the University of Florida Teaching Hospital were used in the study. 24 of the women had used oral progestational agents; the remaining 72 had not. Vaginal microbiological evaluation was carried out on all the women. 22 of the 24 women who had used oral progestagens showed heavy manifestations of Candida albicans. All of these women also showed Lactobacillus species and 50% showed Trichomonas vaginalis as well. Only 16.6% of the other group of women showed Candida albicans. Percentages of women in the nonusage group also exhibiting the other 2 pathogenic organisms were also markedly lower. So far the literature has not noted a high incidence of monilial vaginitis associated with oral progestational use. Results of this study highlight the need for further research.
Multimode Reverse Time VSP Imaging Over Complex Structures At Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada

Structural interpretation of vertical seismic profiles (VSP’s) is always a challenge because conventional plots of the reflected wavefield itself, observed along a borehole, do not bear much resemblance to the reflectors responsible for the reflected events. Wyatt and Wyatt (1981) and Dillon and Thomson (1983) pioneered this problem by mapping or migrating the reflected events from space-time into spacespace domains. A more elaborate migration of an extensive multiple offset VSP was demostrated by Mons, et al (1985).
Luminescence of Micellar Solutions

Abstract Luminescence spectroscopy provides a unique set of tools for the study of micellar systems. Variations in emission and excitation spectra of fluorescent probes may be used to assess the onset of micellization, while fluorescence lifetime, anisotropy, sensitization, and quenching measurements have made it possible to determine important micellar characteristics. Thus, critical micelle concentrations; micellar aggregation numbers; shapes, sizes, and structures of micelles; and micellar microviscosities have been determined. Work has been carried out with both normal and reverse micelles, and the influence of various solution-borne species on these aggregates has been evaluated through fluorescence and phosphorescence measurements. For the analytical chemist, it is of considerable practical importance that many luminescent compounds exhibit enhanced or changed emission characteristics in solutions of detergent micelles. Intensity enhancements in excess of two orders of magnitude may be encountered i...
WOMEN'S PERSISTENCE INTO GRADUATE ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS: THE ROLES OF SUPPORT, INTEREST, AND CAPITAL

This study uses data from qualitative interviews with successful female graduate students in astronomy in order to explore female student success in undergraduate physics departments. The aspects include the role of faculty support through an undergraduate’s education, the provision of engaging introductory courses, the importance of community among students, and more. However, the results
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ODONTOCARYA SECT. SOMPHOXYLON (MENISPERMACEAE) FROM SOUTH AMERICA

Odontocarya monandra Barneby, resembling O. deminuta in glabrous staminate panicle, 3-merous corolla and solitary stamen, but notably different in shape and venation of leaves and larger staminate flowers, is described from Prov. Maynas, northeastern Peru; and O. septemfida Barneby, the only known member of the genus with lobed leaves, from Edo. Falcon, Venezuela.
Renal failure in sick hypertensive premature infants receiving captopril therapy

A retrospective study of nine sick premature infants with chronic lung disease who received captopril for control of systemic hypertension (systolic blood pressure (BP) greater than 113 mm Hg) was carried out to determine efficacy of therapy and associated complications. All nine infants had markedly elevated peripheral renin values, 134.3 +/- 128.1 ng/mL/hr (mean +/- SD). Five infants had abnormal renal sonographic and perfusion scans with evidence of renal artery thrombosis, parenchymal disease, or both. Captopril therapy (0.3 mg/kg) was instituted at a postnatal age of 123 +/- 108 days. After the initial dose, the systolic BP decreased significantly in all infants, the decrease ranging from 21% to 58% of the pretreatment value. Dosage was subsequently halved in all infants. Seventeen episodes of unpredictable decreases in BP more than 40% from baseline occurred during the reduced maintenance therapy. Four infants had a total of seven episodes during which the BP decreased by 57 +/- 10% from baseline; this decrease persisted for 17 +/- 6 hours and was unresponsive to volume reexpansion and inotropic therapy. All seven episodes were accompanied by oliguria (urine output less than 1 mL/kg/hr) that persisted for 18 +/- 12 hours. These episodes were accompanied by neurologic signs (subtle seizures, lethargy, and/or apnea) within 18 +/- 6 hours after the onset of oliguria. The remaining five infants had a total of 13 episodes of decreased BP of 50 +/- 8% of baseline, which were of significantly shorter duration and responded to volume reexpanders, inotropic therapy, or both and were unaccompanied by oliguria. These data suggest the need for close observation of BP in infants receiving maintenance captopril therapy.
Intergenerational Patterns of Maltreatment in Families at Risk for Foster Care

Few qualitative studies have investigated the process of parental efforts to break intergenerational patterns of maltreatment. A grounded theory approach was used to understand how 24 parents who had been identified by CPS as being at-risk of having their children removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse and/or neglect, perceived and connected their own experiences of childhood abuse in light of their experiences as alleged perpetrators of child maltreatment. Three major categories were identified: patterns, beliefs, and behaviors. A majority of the parents stated that they recognized intergenerational patterns, most expressed that they wanted to be different from their own parents, yet many described parenting actions that were “destructive.” We suggest that it is the interrelationship amongst patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that may offer opportunities for parents and therapists to enact change.
Arable weeds, cover crops, and tillage drive soil microbial community composition in organic cropping systems

Abstract Cover crops have traditionally been used to reduce soil erosion and build soil quality, but more recently cover crops are being used as an effective tool in organic weed management. Many studies have demonstrated microbial community response to individual cover crop species, but the effects of mixed species cover crop communities have received less attention. Moreover, the relationship between arable weeds and soil microbial communities is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the relative influence of cover crop diversity, early-season weed communities, and tillage on soil microbial community structure in an organic cropping system through the extraction of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). A field experiment was conducted between 2009 and 2011 near Mead, NE where spring-sown mixtures of zero (control), two, and eight cover crop species were included in a sunflower–soybean–corn crop rotation. A mixture of four weed species was planted in all experimental units (excluding the no-cover control), and also included as an individual treatment. Cover crops and weeds were planted in late-March, then terminated in late-May using a field disk or sweep plow undercutter, and main crops were planted within one week of termination. Three (2009) or four (2010–11) soil cores were taken to a depth of 20 cm in all experimental units at 45, 32, and 25 days following cover crop termination in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Total FAMEs pooled across 2009 and 2010 were greatest in the two species mixture–undercutter treatment combination (140.8 ± 3.9 nmol g −1 ) followed by the eight species mixture–undercutter treatment combination (132.4 ± 3.9 nmol g −1 ). Abundance of five (2009 and 2010) and seventeen (2011) FAME biomarkers was reduced in the weedy treatment relative to both cover-cropped treatments and the no-cover control. In 2009 and 2010, termination with the undercutter reduced abundance of most actinomycete biomarkers while termination with the field disk reduced abundance of C18:1( cis 11) and iC16:0. Canonical discriminant analysis of the microbial community successfully segregated most cover crop mixture by termination method treatment combinations in 2009 and 2010. Microbial communities were most strongly influenced by the presence and type of early-spring plant communities, as weeds exerted a strong negative influence on abundance of many key microbial biomarkers, including the AMF markers C16:1( cis 11) and C18:1( cis 11). Weeds may alter soil microbial community structure as a means of increasing competitive success in arable soils, but this relationship requires further investigation.
Capacitative Calcium Entry Contributes to Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells Nuclear Translocation and Hypertrophy in Cardiomyocytes

In nonexcitable cells, depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores leads to activation of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, a process termed capacitative Ca2+ entry. Here, we demonstrate that this pathway functions in cells that also contain voltage-gated Ca2+channels, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores elicited a prolonged increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Inhibitors of store-operated channels but not L-type channels diminished this response. The importance of this pathway to cardiac hypertrophy, which often is dependent on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent transcription factors, was also assessed in this model. Hypertrophy and atrial natriuretic factor expression induced by angiotensin II or phenylephrine was more effectively attenuated by inhibitors of capacitative entry than of L-type channels. Additionally, cardiomyocytes were transfected with a construct encoding a fluorescent nuclear factor of activated T-cells chimeric protein to follow nuclear localization in response to thapsigargin, angiotensin II, and phenylephrine. This translocation was completely prevented by inhibitors of capacitative Ca2+ entry and only partially abrogated by inhibitors of L-type channels. In contrast, a hypertrophic response induced by overexpression of the transcription factor MEK1 was unaffected by inhibitors of capacitative entry. Together, these data suggest a role for CCE in cardiomyocyte physiology and, in particular, in Ca2+-mediated cardiac hypertrophy.
Metabolism of [14C]cymoxanil in grapes, potatoes and tomatoes

Foliar-applied [14]cymoxanil, 1-(2-cyano-2-methoxyimino-[2-14C]acetyl)-3-ethylurea was rapidly metabolised in grapes, tomatoes and potatoes, Furthermore, the metabolism of this fungicide was unusual in that the metabolites were found to be naturally occurring compounds, with glycine as the major metabolite. Significant levels of radioactivity were found in other amino-acids, sugars, starch, fatty acids and lignin, indicating incorporation of carbon-14 via the various metabolic pathways.
Finding a lost coronary stent months later with use of multimethod imaging.

A 64-year-old man with refractory angina and a history of revascularization was referred after a failed attempt at revascularization. His medical regimen included maximal β-blocker, calcium channel blocker, and nitrate therapy. Cineangiograms before contrast injection suggested asymmetric calcification of the proximal left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) and showed previously implanted stents in the distal vessel (Fig. 1A). A cineangiogram after contrast injection revealed a severe lesion in the ostium of the first obtuse marginal branch (OM) and patent stents (Fig. 1B). Our initial attempts to advance a stent to the OM were impeded by an area of possible calcification in the proximal LCx. We used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to better understand the anatomy. We noted a circular density in the proximal LCx (Fig. 2). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified the circular structure as an undeployed stent, presumably lost during attempted revascularization months earlier (Fig. 3). We crushed the lost stent against the wall of the proximal LCx with use of a compliant balloon, then deployed a 2.5 × 15-mm everolimuseluting Xience® stent (Abbott Vascular, part of Abbott Laboratories; Redwood City, Calif) to the OM. Fig. 1. A) Cineangiogram before the injection of contrast material shows an area of possible calcification near the catheter tip, as well as stents deployed earlier in the distal anatomy. B) Cineangiogram after the injection of contrast material identifies the ... Fig. 2. Intravascular ultrasonographic image shows a circular structure. Fig. 3. Optical coherence tomogram identifies the circular structure as an undeployed stent.
π* Orbital System of Alternating Phenyl and Ethynyl Groups: Measurements and Calculations

The temporary anion states of a series of alternating phenyl−ethynyl compounds are studied by means of electron transmission spectroscopy. Calculations of the virtual orbital energies of these compounds are computed with ab initio HF methods as well as DFT, and excellent correlations with the experimental vertical attachment energies are obtained. Scaled orbital energies for long-chain molecules are used to predict the vertical attachment energies of these compounds. In the absence of scaling, HOMO-LUMO gaps computed by DFT are found to be in substantial disagreement with gas-phase data. Such discrepancies may cause significant errors in theoretical studies of molecular conductance.
Profile of the Billings Ovulation Method acceptors and use-effectiveness of the method in Korea.

Data from a survey of 200 Billings Ovulation Method acceptors in Korea were used to describe a profile of these natural family planning acceptors, and to calculate use effectiveness rates for twelve months of use among women using the method for avoiding an unplanned pregnancy. The majority of acceptors were women of proven fertility who wanted to limit their family size, and many of them (79%) had previously used a family planning method. Fifty-six percent were Catholics, and those study subjects were above middle income group by Korean annual household income estimates. The mean number of living children the NFP acceptors had was 2.3 +/- 1.4 and the number of children they desired to have was 2.4 +/- 1.4. The cumulative life table rate for unplanned pregnancies at the end of 12 months of use was 7 (+/- 2.5 S.E.) per 100 women, and women ever attending the learning sessions as couples experienced relatively less unplanned pregnancies compared to those women attending the sessions alone.
Disciplining and Disinfecting Working-Class Readers in the Victorian Public Library

In an uncharacteristic burst of rhetoric and emotion, the 1849 Select Committee on Public Libraries implored:Shall we therefore abandon the people to the influence of a low, enfeebling, and often pestilential literature, instead of enabling them to breathe a more pure, elevated, and congenial atmosphere? (viii)The means of bringing about such a literate atmosphere was the funding of a system of public libraries, institutions freely open to all, but especially aimed at working-class readers. These institutions would provide access to books unavailable to the working-class reading public. In providing such access, the libraries were also to ensure that books would be free of the “pestilential” influences of the “low” kinds of texts commonly available to the working class. The public library was thus to purify, elevate, and disinfect working-class reading.
Jamal m. Bullocks, m.d.

I wish to thank the authors for taking time away from busy schedules to write their articles and Dr. Jamal M. Bullocks for serving as guest editor of this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on the topic of “Cosmetic Surgery in the Ethnic Population: Special Considerations and Procedures.” Dr. Bullocks graduated with honors from Georgetown University and earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He also obtained extensive research experience in breast oncology and head and neck oncology while a fellow at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University. After completing an internship in general surgery and a residency in plastic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Bullocks chose to remain at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is an assistant professor in the Plastic Surgery Division of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and specializes in aesthetic facial rejuvenation, aesthetic breast and body contouring, reconstructive breast surgery, and reconstructive facial procedures. Dr. Bullocks also has a special interest in plastic surgery for ethnic groups, working with patients with different skin textures, pigmentation, and facial features to improve their appearance while retaining their unique characteristics. He is a frequent presenter on cosmetic and reconstructive techniques and is a highly regarded educator, recognized frequently for his outstanding teaching skills. This is noted as he is the director of the Residents' Aesthetic Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Bullocks has authored several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and has recently published a new book titled Plastic Surgery Emergencies: Principles and Techniques.
Antihypertensives as novel antineoplastics: angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial proangiogenic component in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), and its high expression levels have been correlated with poor prognosis and early postoperative recurrence. Angiotensin II (AngII), which has been shown to increase VEGF production in a variety of cancers, is actively generated in the pancreas. We hypothesized that AngII plays a crucial role in PDA-associated angiogenesis. Study Design We analyzed the expression and localization of AngI converting enzyme (ACE) and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R) in relation to VEGF in matched invasive human PDA (n=25) and surrounding nonmalignant tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. VEGF levels in conditioned media of HS766T and PK9 PDA cells treated with or without AngII (10 −7 mol/L) were measured by ELISA. The effects of an AT1R blocker (losartan) and an ACE inhibitor (captopril) on VEGF production and cellular proliferation were also examined. Results ACE and AT1R mRNA and protein levels were significantly upregulated in 19 of the 25 neoplastic tissues examined (∼75%), when compared with matching controls. VEGF expression was significantly higher in tissues that expressed high levels of AT1R and ACE (n=19), compared with low levels (n=4) or negative (n=2) cases. ACE protein collocalized with AT1R and VEGF in the malignant ducts and in the stromal cells. Addition of AngII significantly enhanced VEGF mRNA production and protein secretion, an effect that was prevented when cells were preincubated with captopril or losartan. Blocking endogenous AngII by captopril or losartan significantly suppressed cell proliferation. Conclusions Both ACE and AT1R are functionally expressed in PDA and may be involved in tumor angiogenesis. Because AT1R blockers and ACE inhibitors are already widely used clinically, they may represent a potential novel and promising strategy for controlling angiogenesis, prevention of metastasis, and prolongation of survival in patients with primary or metastatic PDA.
A Comparative Analysis of the Affective and Behavioral Symptomology of Traumatized and Nontraumatized Children

Abstract The selected sample (N=80) consisted of three groups of Lebanese children (x age=7.6 years). The first group (n=22) presented with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the second (n=25) group presented with simple phobia (i.e., test phobia), and the third group (n=33) consisted of nonclinical controls. The subjects marked the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and their conduct was rated according to the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) criteria by their teachers. A MANOVA was performed on the group data and a significant main effect was observed. MANOVAs were also performed to test for Gender and Gender X Group effects and no significant variations were apparent. Univariate F tests and Scheffe comparisons revealed that the RCMAS, CDI, and CTRS scores of the PTSD cases significantly exceeded the scores of the test phobia and control groups. Although the CDI scores of the phobia group were significantly greater than the CDI scores of the controls, no significant differences were apparent between the RCMAS and CTRS scores of the two groups.
Structural basis for Zn2+-dependent intercellular adhesion in staphylococcal biofilms

Abstract Staphylococcal bacteria, including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, cause chronic biofilm-related infections. The homologous proteins Aap and SasG mediate biofilm formation in S. epidermidis and S. aureus, respectively. The self-association of these proteins in the presence of Zn2+ leads to the formation of extensive adhesive contacts between cells. This study reports the crystal structure of a Zn2+-bound construct from the self-associating region of Aap. Several unusual structural features include elongated β-sheets that are solvent-exposed on both faces and the lack of a canonical hydrophobic core. Zn2+-dependent dimers are observed in three distinct crystal forms, formed via pleomorphic coordination of Zn2+ in trans across the dimer interface. These structures illustrate how a long, flexible surface protein is able to form tight intercellular adhesion sites under adverse environmental conditions.
Theoretical effective reflectivities, absorptivities, and transmissivities of draperies as a function of geometric configuration

S OLAE heat gain is a quantity of great importance in architectural design and in the evaluation of heating and air-conditioning requirements. In its determination it is necessary to know the physical properties of the transparent portions or fenestration. For the calculation of the heat transmitted by a window, constructed of one or more layers of ordinary or special glasses and Venetian blinds or draperies, information must be available on the individual layers. A method will be presented by which the apparent reflectivities, absorptivities, and transmissivities of draperies can be determined theoretically from the corresponding properties of the flat material. This information is usually available from the manufacturer. The theoretically obtained values are, in many cases, considered better than the experimental results, which varied somewhat according to the method employed. The theoretical values were close to the average value of a great number of readings over the hanging drapery.
The respiratory quotient in diabetes

Oxidation of protein in the body really consists in the destruction of a great variety of amino-acids. When glucose arises from protein in diabetes the oxidation is different from the normal. When the D : N ratio is 3.65 the respiratory quotient for protein falls from 0.801 to 0.634. From Osborne's analyses of meat protein, recalculated on the basis of Osborne's own determination of the deficiency of the analytical methods employed, it may be calculated that the six sugar-forming amino-acids, glycocoll, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline and arginine, are present to the amount of 64.5 grams in 100 grams of meat protein. From the work of Ringer and Lusk and of Dakin and Dudley, it may be estimated that 44.4 grams of glucose arise from the several quantities of these amino-acids contained in 100 grams of meat. This would indicate a D : N of 2.75 and would explain the origin of 76 per cent. of the maximal sugar production from protein.The estimated quantity of 64.5 grams of sugar-forming amino-ac...
The intellectual functioning of eating disorder patients.

Abstract This study investigated the intellectual functioning of a large group of eating disorder patients to examine two previously reported findings: (1) this population exhibits above-average general intellectual skills; and (2) a specific pattern of strength in verbal abilities. Standard intellectual testing of 100 consecutive inpatient females with eating disorder diagnoses was performed. Results indicate intellectual performance conforming to a normal distribution with no specific pattern of strengths or weaknesses.
A mixture of feature experts approach for protein-protein interaction prediction.

Background High-throughput methods can directly detect the set of interacting proteins in model species but the results are often incomplete and exhibit high false positive and false negative rates. A number of researchers have recently presented methods for integrating direct and indirect data for predicting interactions. These methods utilize a common classifier for all pairs. However, due to missing data and high redundancy among the features used, different protein pairs may benefit from different features based on the set of attributes available. In addition, in many cases it is hard to directly determine which of the data sources contributed to a prediction. This information is important for biologists using these predications in the design of new experiments.
A class of low voltage, elastomer–metal ‘wet’ actuators for use in high-density microfluidics

We report a class of ‘wet’ MEMS elastomer–metal electrostatic actuators which can actuate in air, oil or water environments with no external fluidic connections, has actuation voltages lower than 15 V and is compatible with widespread PDMS microfluidics.
The translational and rotational motions of an n -dimensional hypersphere through a viscous fluid at small Reynolds numbers

Expressions are derived for the n-dimensional Stokes velocity and pressure fields (and stream function) corresponding, respectively, to the translation and rotation of a hypersphere in a viscous fluid at rest at infinity. These are utilized to calculate the force and first antisymmetric stress moment (‘torque’) on the n-dimensional hypersphere. They are also utilized to derive the generalizations of Faxen's laws for the force and stress moment corresponding to arbitrarily prescribed velocity fields on the hypersphere surface and at infinity.
Gastric leiomyosarcoma: Clinical and pathological review of fifty patients

Fifty patients with gastric leiomyosarcoma seen at M.D. Anderson Hospital between 1957 and 1978 were reviewed. Symptoms included weakness, gastrointestinal bleeding, and epigastric pain. An upper abdominal mass or tenderness was the most frequent physical finding. Laparotomy was performed in all patients, with gastric resection in 86%, and resection for cure in 68%. Survival after distal subtotal gastric resection (mean: 62 months) was longer than after proximal subtotal (30 months) or wedge resection (46 months). The five-year survival was 19% for all patients, and 32% for those operated on for cure. A favorable prognosis was predicted by mild atypia or few mitoses (grade 1). No differences in survival were demonstrated between patients with tumors of different cell types (epithelioid, spindle, or pleomorphic). No lymph node in any patient contained metastatic tumor, suggesting a lymph node dissection need not be performed. Commonly, tumor spread was to liver or lungs or by direct invasion of contiguous tissue or organ. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are of limited value in treating unresectable disease. If possible, both the primary lesion and recurrent tumor should be widely resected.
The signal averaged surface electrocardiogram and the identification of late potentials.

V ENTRICULAR TACHYARRHYTHMIAS are a major cause of sudden cardiac death, especially in patients after myocardial infarction.‘** Accurate detection of those prone to malignant ventricular arrhythmias is essential to the prevention of sudden death. Many parameters, including clinical findings, and results from exercise testing, holter monitoring, and cardiac catheterization have been used to identify patients at high risk of sudden death.3-8 More recently, electrophysiologic stimulation testing in the cardiac catheterization laboratory has been used as a method of evaluating these patients.g*‘O The cost and invasive nature of this procedure, however, makes it impractical for use as a screening test for large numbers of patients. Tests designed to evaluate large populations at risk should be noninvasive, relatively inexpensive, and easily performed. The signal averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) may be such a screening test. This noninvasive, inexpensive procedure incorporates high gain amplification and signal averaging techniques to detect from ECG recordings on the body surface low amplitude, high frequency signals in or near the terminal portion of the QRS complex (Fig 1). There are many synonyms for these signals including delayed depolarization, arrhythmogenic ventricular activity (AVA), delayed wave-form activity (D wave), and ventricular late potentials (VLPs). These signals, called late potentials or LPs in this review (Fig 2) are rarely identified on routine ECG. Late potentials are thought to represent slow or delayed conduction through the myocardium. Within the last 10 years, numerous studies have provided convincing evidence that delayed conduction plays an important role in the genesis of ventricular arrhythmias.“-” Additional studies have corroborated the capacity of the highly amplified signal averaged ECG to detect such delayed activity.“-*’ Many investigators have used direct epicardial and endocardial mapping techniques to record delayed, fragmented electrical activity in patients and animals with ventricular arrhythmias.‘1-20,26-30 Several investigators have used both the body surface signal averaged ECG and endocardial catheter techniques to record delayed potentials in man and animals with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. They have found a close temporal correlation between the delayed potentials recorded by the two methods.‘g*20~30 While many studies lend theoretical support to the use of signal averaging techniques in identifying patients at risk of developing dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, the clinical role of this technique has not been defined. The intention of this review is to summarize the methodology and principles of signal averaged electrocardiography and to analyze critically many of the published reports to better define its current status.
Backbone 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments of the extracellular domain of tissue factor

Backbone 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments are presented for the extracellular domain of tissue factor. Tissue factor is the integral membrane protein that initiates blood coagulation through the formation an enzymatic complex with the plasma serine protease, factor VIIa.
Community level effects of Nereocystis luetkeana in southeastern Alaska

Abstract A multispecies approach was used to examine the role of the canopy forming kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana , in structuring kelp communities near Juneau, Alaska (58°22′53 N, 134°38′45 W). Large-scale (1500 m 2 ) manipulations were used to test direct and indirect effects of Nereocystis on faunal assemblages. Fish and invertebrate abundances were quantified in relation to canopy (canopy, no canopy), depth (bottom, surface), and season (summer, winter) using Standard Monitoring Units for Recruitment of Fish (SMURFs), light traps, and visual surveys. Lacuna vincta directly utilized the canopy of Nereocystis with greatest abundances at canopy sites during the summer. In contrast, a direct negative effect of Nereocystis was observed for schooling Gadidae fishes; six times more fish were observed at sites without canopy kelp. The abundance of juvenile benthic fishes was twice as high at the bottom of sites containing Nereocystis as compared to no canopy sites, providing strong evidence for an indirect effect of canopy presence on community structure. Other invertebrate abundances (i.e., amphipods, copepods) were greater within the bottom strata (sub-canopy) of all sites, regardless of canopy or season. Our results illustrate the importance of a multispecies approach and present novel information for a little-studied, high-latitude kelp system.