cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Developments in Complex Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Recent Perspectives from the Pacific Coast of North America

The Pacific coast of North America is ideally suited to the study of long-term developments in complex hunter-gatherer societies. This paper synthesizes current research in California and the Northwest Coast on three related research problems. The first concerns the timing, spatial distribution, and economies of the earliest coastal peoples in the region. The second problem involves the growth and florescence of complex Pacific hunter-gatherer societies. What constitutes archaeological evidence of hunter-gatherer complexity, when and where it occurs, and the interpretations proposed to account for it are reviewed. The final problem addresses how complex hunter-gatherer peoples responded to European exploration and colonization, and how these early encounters affected the Pacific coast societies recorded in early ethnohistoric accounts and later studied by ethnographers.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on Na transport in the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

Abstract 1. 1. Freshwater crayfish lose Na when subjected to hydrostatic pressures of 16–101 ata. 2. 2. Net Na loss is due to pressure inhibition of unidirectional Na influx. 3. 3. Na efflux is independent of pressure within the range tested. 4. 4. The inhibition of active Na influx by pressure is reversible, but requires 1–2 hr for recovery.
Bilateral cholesterol granuloma of the skull base: case report and review of the literature.

A unique case of bilateral cholesterol granuloma of the skull base and its treatment is presented. Cholesteatoma, a pathological entity often confused with cholesterol granuloma, is differentiated from cholesterol granuloma. Cholesterol granuloma is not rare. This tumor seems to derive from an inflammatory process at the skull base that results in bony erosion surrounding a cyst wall of inflammatory tissue. Neurological abnormalities reflect the location of the tumor in relation to the brain stem. Radiographically, the cyst wall enhances with the administration of i.v. contrast agent, and the center of the lesion is isodense with brain on computed tomography, unlike cholesteatoma. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics are currently being defined. At operation, cholesterol granuloma consists primarily of a viscous fluid within a capsule of inflammatory tissue. Treatment requires establishing a pathway for drainage of the granuloma. The advantages of transsphenoidal, transclival drainage of such lesions are outlined.
Mooring-induced damping

Abstract The research reported in this paper is aimed specifically at the determination of the absorption of energy by a mooring system from an offshore platform as a result of its motion. This transfer of energy represents a “mooring-induced damping” and can be important for ship-like platforms in two situations, where the inherent damping from other sources is slight. These are roll motions during operations and surge motions of single-point moored platforms in survival conditions. Results of parametric studies based on a non-linear mooring dynamics simulation are presented for damping induced by horizontal motions (surge, sway and yaw) and vertical motions (heave, roll and pitch). The results include variations in pretension, amplitude, frequency, scope, stiffness, drag coefficient and current.
The abuse of psychotomimetic drugs.

“Clearly, there are periods extensively characterized by anxiety-periods in which the consciousness of many people, and even more so their subconsciousness, is haunted in varying degree by fear and worry, by loneliness and apathy, and by frustration, resentment, and aggression. These are periods in which many see themselves as aliens and exiles trapped in a world from which they want more than anything else to escape, either by destroying the old order and actually creating a new and better world, or by withdrawing into a compensatory inner or transcendental world” (Rosen, 1967)“While scientists may debate the appropriate use of hallucinogens, history records our unceasing urge to cope with dreary reality or dread with the aid of magic, drugs, drama, festival rites, and (with biological regularity) through dreams. The need to transcend limits also finds a voice in Utopian ideologies-be they of the inner world, of this, or the next; the promise of omnipotent mastery is always either implicit or readily inf...
Living donor lobar grafts improve pediatric lung retransplantation survival.

Objective Lung retransplantation is a controversial practice due to increased morbidity and mortality and the scarcity of available donor organs. Living donor lobar lung transplantation increases the number of available donor organs and facilitates a more organized procedure than traditional cadaveric donation for this complex reoperation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with pediatric lung retransplantation and to compare the outcomes of living donor lobar lung transplantation with cadaveric donation. Methods Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database identified 39 children who underwent lung retransplantation from 1991 to 2004. Retransplantation was performed with living donor lobar lung transplantation in 13 patients and cadaveric donation in 26 patients. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results Perioperative mortality was 1/13 (7.7%) in the patients who had living donor lobar lung transplantation versus 11/26 (42.3%) in the cadaveric donation group (P = .03). Five-year survival for living donor lobar lung transplantation and cadaveric donation was 40.4% and 29.7%, respectively (P = .27). Both groups had a significant improvement in their forced expiratory volume in 1 second 6 months after retransplantation (P Conclusions Living donor lobar lung transplantation reduces perioperative mortality and is an independent predictor of improved survival following pediatric lung retransplantation. This strategy offers significant benefit for this high-risk group and preserves the limited supply of donor lungs for other children at risk of dying while waiting for lung transplantation.
Age‐ and sex‐related differences in opioid receptor densities in the songbird vocal control system

Avian vocal control regions of adult male songbirds contain opioid peptides and receptors, suggesting that opioids play a role in avian vocal behavior control. In a previous study, we found no difference in opioid receptor densities in singing versus nonsinging adult male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), leading us to hypothesize that opioids are not involved in controlling song production. To assess whether opioids may be involved in other aspects of vocal behavior, we used quantitative in vitro autoradiography to compare μ and δ opioid receptor densities in vocal control regions of singing adult males with those of adult females and adolescent (about 3 months old) males and females. We found μ and δ receptors in all vocal control regions measured. Adolescents had significantly higher opioid receptor densities than did adults in area X (δ), robust n. of the archistriatum (δ and μ), and n. intercollicularis (μ), suggesting a developmental role for opioids in the vocal control system. Based on opioid roles in other animal models, we propose that opioids may be involved in song learning, auditory processing, and/or vocal control system development. J. Comp. Neurol. 404:505–514, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The institution of berdache among the North American plains Indians

The institution of berdache in aboriginal North America is a relatively well‐known phenomena among social scientists, yet a thorough, comprehensive investigation of the institution is lacking. In g...
The effect of intracerebral injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and 6-hydroxydopamine on the serotonin-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers in the adult rat hypothalamus.

The effect of intracerebral injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactive (IR) cell bodies 11 and fibers in the adult rat hypothalamus was studied with 5-HT immunocytochemistry. In rats pretreated with pargyline and l-tryptophan, 5-HT-IR cells were seen in the ventromedial part of the dorsomedial nucleus (DMN) and 5-HT-IR fibers in all hypothalamic areas. In the ventrolateral part of the DMN the 5-HT-IR fibers were of a much finer type than those seen in other hypothalamic areas. Five days after unilateral injection of 5,7-DHT into the dorsolateral hypothalamus, the 5-HT-IR cells were absent from the DMN, and there was a decrease in the number of 5-HT-IR fibers throughout the hypothalamus ipsilateral to the injection. Contralateral to the injection there was evidence of selective 5-HT fiber degeneration but the 5-HT-IR cells and the group of fine fibers in the ventrolateral DMN remained. Unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the dorsolateral hypothalamus had no effect on the 5-HT-IR fibers or cell bodies in the hypothalamus. Twelve days after unilateral injection of 5,7-DHT into the rostral midbrain, the majority of 5-HT-IR fibers in the ipsilateral hypothalamus had disappeared. The 5-HT-IR cell bodies in the DMN and the group of fine 5-HT-IR fibers in the ventrolateral DMN remained on both sides of the hypothalamus. These results support our previous finding of a group of 5-HT-IR cell bodies in the ventromedial DMN of the hypothalamus, and suggest that these cells innervate the ventrolateral part of the same nucleus. Evidence that these cells constitute a new 5-HT cell group, B-10, is discussed.
The Road to Recovery: Addressing the Challenges and Resilience of Military Couples in the Scope of Veteran’s Mental Health

As the war in Afghanistan for many United States service members is coming to an end, focus on veteran recovery and mental health maintenance is emerging. Veterans’ mental health problems have been cited as an individual and familial problem (Segrin, 2012). As a result, further examination that includes partners as well as challenges and resilience among military couples is needed to assess a more comprehensive view of the repercussions of mental illness on the veteran. The following literature review seeks to highlight the effects of mental illness on military couples through the explanatory framework of the relational turbulence model (Knobloch & Solomon, 2004). Couple resilience and implications for mental health practitioners are also discussed.
The generation of the superoxide radical by 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine (DMPH4)

Es werden neue Befunde beigebracht, die fur die Bildung von Superoxyd-Radikal durch DMPH4, ein biologisch wichtiges Pterinderivat, sprechen.
Supplements of lactating meat goat does grazing grass/forb pastures

Lactating Boer does grazing grass/forb pastures were used in a 16-wk study starting 22 days after birth. Treatments were no supplementation (CO), access to a 20% crude protein supplement block (SB), and placement in a supplement pasture with mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) trees for 6 h 1 day/wk (1X) or twice weekly for 3 h/day (2X). Available forage dry matter in nonsupplement pastures ranged between 2423 and 3477 kg/ha. Treatment did not affect doe average daily gain (ADG), although kid ADG in the first 12 wk differed (P<0.05) between type of supplement and frequency of supplement pasture access (121, 111, 120, and 134 g for CO, SB, 1X, and 2X, respectively). Lactating Spanish does were used in a 12-wk study starting 66 days after kidding. The same CO and SB treatments were employed, but access to supplement pastures was for 24 h 1 day/wk (1X) or 2 days for 6 h/day (2X). Forage dry matter ranged only from 750 to 1530 kg/ha; thus, 0.6 kg/day (as feed) per doe of grass hay was fed after 4 wk. Kid ADG in wk 1...
Effect of contrast media on in vitro bleeding time: Assessment by a hollow fiber instrument

Rationale and Objectives. We used a global screening device that operates under physiologic flow conditions to monitor the effects of ionic and nonionic contrast media (CM) on hemostasis. Methods. This flow dynamic technique perfuses unanticoagulated whole blood through a hollow fiber. A leak in the fiber is created by a precision needle, and the resulting pressure fluctuations within the fiber are monitored to examine the ability of the hemostatic system to close the leak by forming a stable platelet plug. Results. Both ionic and nonionic CM (25% CM/blood, v/v) were shown to lengthen the mean in vitro bleeding times (IVBTs) compared with normal blood. Ionic CM (ioxaglate and diatrizoate) consistently produced IVBTs longer than 30 min. The nonionic CM iopamidol, iohexol, and ioversol gave mean IVBTs of 16.43, 17.63, and 19.84 min, respectively. Conclusion. Of the three nonionic CM tested, iopamidol had the greatest probability (31%) of producing an IVBT in the normal range, with probabilities of 5% and 7% for iohexol and ioversol, respectively. Thus, iopamidol offered the least anticoagulant effect among the ionic and nonionic CM we studied.
A model of temperature effects on microbial populations from growth to lethality

The propagation/destruction rate constant of microbial populations over the entire temperature range from growth (k(T)>0) to lethality (k(T)<0) can be described by a single mathematical model in the from: k(T)=ln((1+b exp-((T-T m )/a 1 ) 2 ))/(1+exp((T-T c )a 2 ))) where b is a dimensionless constant related to the height of he grow b peak, T m and T c temperatures characteristic of the growth and lethal regimes and a 1 and a 2 constants (temperature units) indicating the span of the growth region and the steepness of k(T) in the lethal temperature region respectively. The fit of the model is demonstrated with published data on the efFect of heat on two bacteria. Since bacterial spores, unless germinated, do not multiply, a reduced version of the model is sufficient to describe their destruction rate at moderate (almost no effect) and high (lethal) temperatures ie k(T)=ln(1/(1+exp((T-T c )/a 2 ))) The fit of this equation is demonstrated with published data on the heat destruction kinetics of two bacilli spores. If the relationship between the model's constants and environmental conditions such as pH, a w , salts concentration, etc can be expressed algebraically the model can be used to describe the combined effect of the various factors within the frame work of a single mathematical equation. Although the model's applicability is only demonstrated with a limited number of microorganisms the concept that a single model can describe both the propagation and lethal regimes can be useful in other types of biological populations, eg insects
HLA class II alleles associated with susceptibility and resistance to Crohn's disease in the jewish population

Previous studies have suggested that susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with the histocompatibility complex (HLA) class II alleles DR1, DQ5, and DR13 in the Caucasian population, DR7 in the French and German populations, and DR4 and DQ4 in the Japanese population. However, little is known about the relationship between HLA class II alleles and CD in the Jewish population since these previous studies included few Jewish individuals. In order to determine whether the HLA associations observed with predominantly non-Jewish populations were also present in the Jewish CD population and whether there were any HLA class II alleles uniquely associated with CD in the Jewish population, 132 CD patients, of which 82 were Ashkenazi Jewish, were HLA-typed using serologic and DNA methods. Ethnically matched controls were similarly typed. No association with DR1 or DR13 was observed in the Jewish CD population although an association with DR13 (OR [odds ratio] = 5.3, p = 0.02) was observed in the non-Jewish CD population. However, an association with DR15 (OR = 2.7, p = 0.03), which is normally associated with ulcerative colitis, was observed in the Jewish, but not non-Jewish, CD group. In addition, a strong negative association was observed with DR3, which was especially striking in the Jewish population (OR = 0.35, p = 0.025); similar negative associations with DR3 have been observed by others using non-Jewish populations. Furthermore, a significant negative association with DR7 (OR = 0.45, p = 0.04) was observed in the Jewish, but not non-Jewish, population. Consistent with this was the negative association with DQ2 (OR = 0.38, p = 0.005), which is in strong linkage disequilibrium with both DR3 and DR7, in the Jewish, but not non-Jewish, population. These studies support previous suggestions that susceptibility to CD in Jewish and non-Jewish populations is determined by distinct genes and provide further support to the hypothesis that a gene on the DR3 haplotype may protect against CD. Furthermore, protection is conferred by the same or another gene found on Jewish, but not non-Jewish, DR7 haplotypes.
The Folding of Single Domain Proteins - have we Reached a Consensus?

I will discuss fundamental topics in protein folding where disagreement remains and where adequate experimental data is lacking. These topics include properties of the denatured state, the nature of the fundamental steps and barriers and the extent of pathway heterogeneity.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Esophageal perforation during double-contrast esophagram

A 69-year-old man with a 15-year history of heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, and intermittent dysphagia for solid foods was referred for a double-contrast esophagram. The routine examination was performed with the rapid sequential ingestion ofone packet of E-Z Gas granules, 15 ml of water containing 1 .2 cm of simethicone, and about 60 crn ’ of high-density barium (E-Z HD). Immediately after ingestion of the effervescent granules and water, and during the swallowing of barium, the patient cornplained of diffuse chest pain radiating to the neck. Fluoroscopy and spot films demonstrated streaks of gas density along the esophagus and pharynx (fig. 1). No extravasation of barium occurred. The patient’s primary physicians were alerted because of the patient’s chest pain. The patient became progressively asymptomatic, and the examination was completed. A 2-mm-diam distal esophageal stenosis was found just above a hiatal hernia. The esophageal mucosa proximal to the stenosis was irregular, edematous, and had multiple ulcerations (fig. 2). A chest radiograph obtained at the end of the procedure showed only a minimal amount of gas along the left cardiac margin. During subsequent questioning, the patient’s family reported a more severe history of dysphagia with inability to ingest solid food for several months. The patient was discharged from the radiology department after complete clearing of pain and was followed as an outpatient without further symptoms or complications. One week after the esophagram he underwent esophagoscopy, which demonstrated severe reflux esophagitis with monilial overgrowth and a distal esophageal stenosis that impeded passage of the endoscope. No focal site of esophageal injury was identified. Biopsies were negative for neoplasm, and subsequent dilatation and clinical course supported the diagnosis of inflammatory stenosis due to reflux esophagitis.
The NMDA receptor participates in respiration-related mitral cell synchrony

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor participates in the excitation of olfactory bulb mitral cells and is important in granule-cell-mediated feedback-inhibition. In the present study, extracellular unit recordings were made in vivo to demonstrate that the firing rates of mitral cells are not affected by peripheral administration of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. However, while over 50% of odor-driven mitral cell activity is normally correlated with the respiratory cycle, only about 10% of mitral cell activity is correlated with the respiratory cycle 30 min after MK-801 administration. Thus, the NMDA receptor is a participant in normal respiration-related mitral cell activity and may have an important role in the formation of bulb oscillations that encode olfactory information. Furthermore, the NMDA receptor is in a position to mediate activity-dependent changes in the bulb that rely on synchronous activity.
On Some Aspects of the Soviet‐type Development

Attempts to find answers to such theoretical questions as the character of Soviet‐type societies and the major tendency of their development. Argues that, as long as the analysis is conducted in convenient and extreme terms of “either capitalism or socialism or communism”: as long as the yardstick for the comparison remains capitalism of laissez‐faire; and as long as the general trend and the particular forms of the world economic development are ignored ‐no satisfactory answer to the nature and fate of such societies can be found. If, however, one looks at Soviet‐type systems as socio‐economic and political structures destined to solve the problem of the industrial revolution and modernization of backward and peasant nations under the conditions of the twentieth century, then the enigma disappears. Soviet‐type societies become what they are in reality: a variety of capitalism that, having fulfilled the “archaic” act of industrialization, is moving into its post‐industrial era.
The morphology and spatial arrangement of astrocytes in the optic nerve head of the mouse

We evaluated the shapes, numbers, and spatial distribution of astrocytes within the glial lamina, an astrocyte-rich region at the junction of the retina and optic nerve. A primary aim was to determine how the population of astrocytes, collectively, partitions the axonal space in this region. Astrocyte processes labeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) compartmentalize ganglion cell axons into bundles, forming "glial tubes," and giving the glial architecture of the optic nerve head in transverse section a honeycomb appearance. The shapes of individual astrocytes were studied by using transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein in isolated astrocytes (hGFAPpr-EGFP). Within the glial lamina the astrocytes were transverse in orientation, with thick, smooth primary processes emanating from a cytoplasmic expansion of the soma. Spaces between the processes of neighboring astrocytes were spatially aligned, to form the apertures through which the bundles of optic axons pass. The processes of individual astrocytes were far-reaching-they could span most of the width of the nerve-and overlapped the anatomical domains of other near and distant astrocytes. Thus, astrocytes in the glial lamina do not tile: each astrocyte participates in ensheathing approximately one-quarter of all of the axon bundles in the nerve, and each glial tube contains the processes of about nine astrocytes. This raises the mechanistic question of how, in glaucoma or other cases of nerve damage, the glial response can be confined to a circumscribed region where damage to axons has occurred.
EFFECTS OF IMPLANTABLE BIOMATERIALS ON RADIATION DOSIMETRY

Background It is generally known that radiation dose is enhanced in front of and reduced behind metallic plates. This study evaluates metallic, ceramic, and bioabsorbable facial reconstruction materials for their differential effects on radiation dosimetry. Methods Commercially pure titanium (cpt), stainless steel (steel), titanium alloy (tia), hydroxyapatite (HA), and poly-L-lactide (PLA, a bioabsorbable polymer) were obtained for this study. The radiation doses distal (behind) and proximal (in front of) to the test material were measured with an ionization chamber placed at several distances from the test material. Therefore, transmission (proximal to plate) and backscattering (distal to plate) factors were generated at several distances for each material. Results Poly-L-lactide transmitted nearly 100% of the incident radiation beam. The metals had the greatest effect on transmission with steel, followed by cpt, tia, and HA showing the greatest reduction of incident beam. Poly-L-lactide revealed minimal backscattering. Greater backscatter of the incident radiation beam was seen from steel, followed by cpt and HA. Poly-L-lactide also behaved similar to water in transmission and backscatters properties during electron irradiation. Conclusions Poly-L-lactide has a minimal effect on the radiation-dose distribution and may be beneficial as a reconstructive device for patients undergoing head and neck cancer radiotherapy. Hydroxyapatite showed a relatively minor effect, whereas the metals (steel, followed by cpt and tia) revealed the greatest detrimental effect on the radiation-dose distribution. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck19: 384–390, 1997.
Persistent infection of baboons and rhesus monkeys with different strains of HIV-2.

Abstract HIV-2 infection of eight rhesus macaques and two baboons was studied. Most animals were preselected for HIV-2 inoculation by testing their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for susceptibility to virus isolates from the Ivory Coast. The virus strains used (HIV-2 uc2 , HIV-2 UC3 , and HIV-2 UC7 , ) were also chosen by in vitro screening in PBMC for high replicating ability and cytopathicity. All the animals seroconverted within 2–4 weeks of infection and remained sero-positive throughout the duration of the study. One macaque was sacrificed after 2 years, suffering from diarrhea and weight loss, and one baboon died of non-HIV-related causes. The remaining animals are asymptomatic, with normal CD4/CD8 ratios. Virus has been recovered from most animals, and persistent HIV-2 replication has been noted in three macaques and a baboon. Host range studies in T, B, and monocyte cell lines showed little or no differences between isolates obtained after inoculation and the original virus inoculum. However, isolates from the macaque that showed clinical symptoms were more cytopathic as reflected by plaque formation in MT-4 cells. The HIV-2-infected macaque or baboon could be useful as an animal model for elucidating the mechanisms of HIV pathogenesis and for evaluating potential antiviral therapies and vaccines.
Urban drainage models

The International Symposium on Comparison of Urban Drainage Models with Real Catchment Data (UDM 1986) was held April 8–11, 1986, at Dubrovnik, the famous Yugoslav medieval city at the Adriatic coast. The symposium was organized by C. Maksimovic and M. Radojkovic of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering of the Univeristy of Belgrade and was sponsored by the Joint Committee on Urban Storm Drainage of the International Association for Hydraulic Research (IAHR) and International Association for Water Pollution Research and Control (IAWPRC), as well as by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Yugoslav Association for Hydraulic Research, and Iskra Delta of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. Many of the presentations made at the symposium were of interest to members of the AGU Hydrology Section.
LAND DEVELOPMENT TIMING: EFFECTS OF UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME AND TAX POLICY

This paper investigates several sources of uncertainty and their effects on the optimal timing of land development. The method of Meyer and Ormiston (1983, 1985) for strong increases in risk and their comparative statics, is applied. There are three basic results. First, a strong increase in risk in the pre-development income stream speeds the development process, regardless of whether the random effect is incorporated in an additive or multiplicative form in the model. Second, strong increases in risk in pre-development property tax rates delay development. Finally, a strong increase in risk in the post-development income stream results in a slower development process.
Defective interfering Tacaribe virus and persistently infected cells.

Abstract Persistently infected (PI) BHK 21 and Vero cell lines were established by infection with wild-type (wt) Tacaribe virus and passage of surviving cells. These cells release defective interfering (DI) Tacaribe virus particles, which caused complete inhibition of plaque formation by wt Tacaribe virions. This interference activity was reduced when the DI virus was previously uv inactivated or treated with antiviral serum, and no interferon-like activity was detected. Cells pretreated with DI virus were only partially resistant to challenge with heterotypic arenaviruses, and no interference was detected with plaque formation by vesicular stomatitis virus. PI-BHK and PI-Vero cells contained Tacaribe virus-specific polypeptides as demonstrated by immunofluorescence, and by immunoprecipitation and analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; the major virus-specific polypeptide observed was related to the N protein. PI-Vero cells were resistant to homologous superinfection and slightly resistant to superinfection by heterotypic arenaviruses, but supported normal plaque formation by vesicular stomatitis virus. Purified DI virus had a polypeptide profile similar to wt Tacaribe virions, although the DI virus released from PI-BHK cells had a nucleoprotein which migrated slower than the nucleoprotein of wt virions. The L and S segments of standard virions were not detected in DI particles from PI-BHK cells; but five discrete smaller RNA species were observed (MW ∼ 1.1−0.2 × 106).
The Ras/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and virulence in Candida albicans

Candidiasis is the most common cause of fungal infections, and the majority of these are caused by Candida albicans. The protean pathogenic potential of C. albicans includes the capacity to infect diverse mucosal and epidermal surfaces as well as to disseminate via the bloodstream to internal organs, potentially causing system failure in cases of severe immunosuppression. Many environmental niches in the host may be invaded by C. albicans through modulation of gene expression patterns while changing morphology between yeast and hyphal growth forms. The Ras/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway has attracted particular attention for its role in promoting hyphal growth and because of its importance in virulence. Here, we present an overview of the components of the pathway and their functions, how the pathway may be activated in human hosts and recent updates regarding the role of Ras/cAMP/PKA signaling in virulence.
The Healthy Skin Project: Changing Nursing Practice to Prevent and Treat Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers

Background Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are serious clinical complications that can lead to increased length of stay, pain, infection, and, potentially, death. The surgical progressive care unit at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, San Diego, California, developed the multidisciplinary Healthy Skin Project to decrease the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. Methods The previous treatment plan was reviewed and modified according to current evidence-based practice. The project consisted of 3 components: creation of a position for a unit-based wound liaison nurse, staff education, and involvement of the nursing assistants. The wound liaison nurse developed and conducted bimonthly skin audits, which revealed inconsistencies in clinical practice and documentation. Education for the staff was accomplished via a self-learning module, case presentations, and 1-on-1 training. In addition, a pressure ulcer algorithm tool was developed to demonstrate step-by-step wound management and documentation. Results From Spring 2003 through Summer 2006, the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers ranged from 0.0% to 18.92%, with a mean of 4.85%. After implementation of the project, the prevalence decreased to 0.0% for 17 of 20 quarters, through 2011. Conclusion Prevention and a multidisciplinary approach are effective in reducing the occurrence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
Assessing Quality of Life in Mexican-American Children With Asthma: Impact-on-Family and Functional Status

Objective: To assess the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of two questionnaires, the Impact on Family (IOF) and the Functional Status II (R) (FSIIR), in a Mexican-American population of children with asthma. Methods: We interviewed 115 Hispanic parents of children with asthma and compared the IOF and FSIIR scores and reliability coefficients for the following subgroups: English or Spanish language and high or low educational level. We assessed the construct validity of the IOF Total score and FSIIR Illness score by examining the relationship between these scores and other health status variables. Results: The IOF Total score and FSIIR Illness score demonstrated acceptable construct validity and reliability for language and education subgroups, although several of the IOF subscales had low reliability. Conclusions: IOF Total score and FSIIR Illness score can be recommended for use by Spanish- and Englishspeaking Mexican-American respondents.
Decision Analysis Applications in the Operations Research Literature, 1970-1989

In order to provide a guide to source material for practitioners interested in applying decision analysis methods, this paper surveys applications of decision analysis published from 1970 through 1989. In addition, it presents references for useful decision analysis methods that are often omitted from introductory textbooks. As used in this article, the term decision analysis refers to a set of quantitative methods for analyzing decisions which use expected utility as the criterion for identifying the preferred decision alternative. To be included in this survey, an application had to explicitly analyze alternatives for a decision problem using judgmental probabilities and/or subjectively assessed utility functions. The paper classifies the applications into five areas: energy, manufacturing and services, medical, public policy, and general. It further subclassifies energy applications into bidding, product and project selection, regulation, site selection, and technology choice. Those in manufacturing and services are subclassified into budget allocation, product planning, strategy, and miscellaneous. Applications in public policy are subclassified into standard-setting and miscellaneous. The paper notes articles that present significant detail about methodological and implementation issues, including problem structure/formulation, decision trees, probability and utility assessment, communication/facilitation, and group decision making.
Culture and the Development of Everyday Social Explanation

The impact of cultural meaning systems on the development of everyday social explanation is explored in a cross-cultural investigation undertaken among Indian and American adults and children (ages 8, 11, and 15 year). It is demonstrated that at older ages Americans make greater reference to general dispositions and less reference to contextual factors in explanation than do Hindus . References to general dispositions also undergo a much greater developmental increase among Americans than among Hindus , whereas references to contextual factors show the opposite pattern of developmental change. Evidence suggests that these cross-cultural and developmental differences result from contrasting cultural conceptions of the person acquired over development in the two cultures rather than from cognitive., experiential, or informational differences between attributors . Discussion focuses on theoretical implications of such a demonstration for understanding: (a) the importance of integrating semantic with structural considerations in theories of social attribution, (b) the need to develop nonteleological frameworks for interpreting age and cultural diversity in conceptualization, and (c) the role of cultural communication in the acquisition of everyday social knowledge.
Walk on the bright side: Physical activity and affect in major depressive disorder.

Although prescribed exercise has been found to improve affect and reduce levels of depression, we do not know how self-initiated everyday physical activity influences levels of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in depressed persons. Fifty-three individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and 53 never-depressed controls participated in a seven-day experience sampling study. Participants were prompted randomly eight times per day and answered questions about their physical activity and affective state. Over the week, the two groups of participants did not differ in average level of physical activity. As expected, participants with MDD reported lower average PA and higher average NA than did never-depressed controls. Both participants with MDD and controls reported higher levels of PA at prompts after physical activity than at prompts after inactive periods; moreover, for both groups of participants, PA increased from a prompt after an inactive period to a subsequent prompt at which activity was reported. Depressed participants in particular showed a dose-response effect of physical activity on affect: longer duration and/or higher intensity of physical activity increased their PA significantly more than did short duration and/or lower intensity physical activity. Physical activity did not influence NA in either group. In contrast to previous treatment studies that examined the effects of prescribed structured exercise, this investigation showed that self-initiated physical activity influences PA. These findings also underscore the importance of distinguishing between PA and NA to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of physical activity on affect in MDD.
Efficient processing of distributed top- k queries

Ranking-aware queries, or top-k queries, have received much attention recently in various contexts such as web, multimedia retrieval, relational databases, and distributed systems. Top-k queries play a critical role in many decision-making related activities such as, identifying interesting objects, network monitoring, load balancing, etc. In this paper, we study the ranking aggregation problem in distributed systems. Prior research addressing this problem did not take data distributions into account, simply assuming the uniform data distribution among nodes, which is not realistic for real data sets and is, in general, inefficient. In this paper, we propose three efficient algorithms that consider data distributions in different ways. Our extensive experiments demonstrate the advantages of our approaches in terms of bandwidth consumption.
Towards Personalized Speech Synthesis for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Text-to-speech options on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are limited. Often, several individuals in a group setting use the same synthetic voice. This lack of customization may limit technology adoption and social integration. This paper describes our efforts to generate personalized synthesis for users with profoundly limited speech motor control. Existing voice banking and voice conversion techniques rely on recordings of clearly articulated speech from the target talker, which cannot be obtained from this population. Our VocaliD approach extracts prosodic properties from the target talker's source function and applies these features to a surrogate talker's database, generating a synthetic voice with the vocal identity of the target talker and the clarity of the surrogate talker. Promising intelligibility results suggest areas of further development for improved personalization.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A comparison of HIV-positive and -negative women

Although considerable information has accumulated in the last decade regarding rates of both vaginal colonization and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in HIV-positive women, gaps in our knowledge remain, particularly with regard to pathophysiology of clinical disease. Unfortunately, early and possibly premature conclusions were reached in the late 1980s which resulted in the widespread dissemination of information indicating that recurrent VVC (RVVC) was a manifestation of HIV infection and that women with RVVC should be tested for HIV. Unfortunately, subsequent data from cohort studies involving HIV-positive women failed to determine attack rates of symptomatic Candida vaginitis requiring therapy. Recent studies indicate that Candida vaginitis, even if more frequent in HIV infected women, is clinically similar to that experienced in HIV-negative women and does not appear to be of increased clinical severity. VVC in HIV-positive women can be treated by conventional methods including the use of maintenance suppressive antifungal therapy and most importantly RVVC in women is not in itself a sentinel of HIV infection. Ongoing concerns include vaginal acquisition of non-albicans Candida species and the development of antimycotic drug resistance in C. albicans vaginal isolates.
UPTAKE AND RELEASE OF 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE BY ENTERIC 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINERGIC NEURONES: EFFECTS OF FLUOXETINE (LILLY 110140) AND CHLORIMIPRAMINE

The effect of fluoxetine on uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by enteric 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones has been analyzed in order to compare further these neurones with 5-HT neurones of the CNS. In addition, the effects of fluoxetine and chlorimipramine on efflux of [3H]-5-HT from the myenteric plexus were also evaluated. Fluoxetine was found to be a competitive inhibitor of 5-HT uptake by the myenteric plexus and was a more potent inhibitor of 5-HT uptake than was chlorimipramine. However, chlorimipramine enhanced the efflux of [3H]-5-HT more than could be explained by inhibition of 5-HT uptake and, therefore, appears to have the additional action of releasing the amine. These observations, similar to those of others studying central neurones, support the view that enteric 5-HT neurones resemble those of the CNS and are a useful model for the evaluation of drugs.
A spatial regularization framework of orientation diffusion functions using total variation and wavelet

We introduce a variational framework and a numerical method for simultaneous reconstruction and regularization of orientation distribution functions (ODF). The regularization is performed both angularly and spatially. The spatial regularization is based on the sparsity of MR images in finite difference domain and wavelet domain. The angular regularization is performed using Laplace-Beltrami operator on the unit sphere. The modified primal-dual hybrid gradient scheme is applied to solve the model efficiently. We apply the framework on two ODF reconstruction models. The experimental results indicate that with spatial and angular regularization in the process of reconstruction, we can get better directional structures of reconstructed ODFs.
Ordered Solutions for Dynamic Programs

Suppose X indexes a collection of optimization problems in Rn and δ*x is an optimal program for the problem indexed by x ∈ X. Sufficient conditions are presented for two other families of optimization problems to possess optimal programs δ0x and δ0x for the respective problems when x ∈ X such that δ0x ≤ δ*x ≤ δ0x for all x ∈ X. This result is then applied to obtain bounds on an optimal policy in the class of dynamic programs which are bounded, monotone contractions.
Electroanalytic effects of ultrasound on a hydrogen evolution reaction in KOH

Due to the sun's intermittent nature, there must be energy storage on a large scale in order for solar energy to provide society's energy needs. One way to store this energy would be producing hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction. It has long been known that ultrasonic irradiation has positive effects in electrochemistry. However, the exact mechanisms that produce these effects are unknown. Much of the literature on the subject focuses on measuring product amounts after a number of minutes or hours. The following work uses linear scan voltammetry and chronoamperometry to analyze a hydrogen evolution reaction in KOH. The results indicate a strong, positive effect due to ultrasonic irradiation. Other processes that convert light directly into hydrogen, such as photoelectrochemical cells, can also benefit from this research.
Direct computation of critical clearing time using trajectory sensitivities

The transient energy function (TEE) and single machine equivalent (SIME) techniques have been used successfully over the years to compute the critical clearing time for faults in the system. Sensitivity of the energy margin has also been used to find critical generators for rescheduling of generation. This procedure involves using trajectory sensitivities explicitly and the computation of the critical energy V/sub cr/ depends on the system parameters. The need to compute V/sub cr/ makes it computationally intensive. In this paper, the authors compute the sensitivity of the energy function to the fault clearing time t/sub cl/ directly. By computing this sensitivity for two values of t/sub cl/, the results can be extrapolated to obtain a good estimate of t/sub cl/. The method is illustrated for a structure-preserving model of a 3-machine, 9-bus power system with nonlinear voltage dependent loads.
Preservation solution supplemented with biliverdin prevents lung cold ischaemia/reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVES: Biliverdin (BV), one of the byproducts of heme catalysis through the heme oxygenase system, is a known scavenger of the reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that adding BV to the perfusate and cold storage solution could protect rat lung grafts from oxidative injuries via its antioxidant efficacies. METHODS: Orthotopic left lung transplantation was performed in a syngenic Lewis-to-Lewis rat combination under 100% oxygen. Grafts were preserved in low-potassium dextran (LPD; Perfadex) at 4°C for 6 h with or without supplementation of 1 or 10 μ Mo f BV into LPD. RESULTS: Prolonged cold storage and reperfusion resulted in a considerable deterioration of graft functions associated with massive apoptosis in the grafts after reperfusion. The untreated grafts exhibited the early up-regulations of mRNA for inflammatory mediators and an increase in a marker of lipid peroxidation, showing oxidative injuries. Although BV supplementation of LPD at a lower concentration (1 μM) did not improve the graft gas exchange, the grafts treated with BV (10 μM) showed a significant improvement of oxygenation and less inflammatory responses as well as reduced lipid peroxidation and apoptosis. Although the rapid activations of mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs) were seen 30 min after reperfusion in the grafts stored in control LPD, BV treatment significantly reduced phosphorylated-MAPK protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the exposure of the lung grafts to BV during cold storage can impart potent cytoprotective effects to lung cold ischaemia/reperfusion injury and significantly improve the lung graft function following extended cold preservation and transplantation by the mechanism of a reduction in oxidative injury and following inflammatory events.
Effect of monochloramine on isolated fulvic acid

Abstract Monochloramine is interesting both as a selective oxidant of fulvic acid and as a drinking water disinfectant. In this study, the controlled reaction of aquatic fulvic acid with monochloramine did not result in products detectable by ether extraction-gas chromatography-flame ionization detection techniques. Evidence of a reaction was shown by bleaching of the fulvic acid solution (decreased absorbance at 465 nm) and chlorine substitution. Chlorine-containing products were quantified by the total carbon adsorbable organic halide (TOX) parameter. Bleaching and organic chlorine formation were much less extensive than in the reaction of free chlorine with fulvic acid. Monochloramine was shown to produce an organic chlorine fraction more hydrophilic and with higher molecular size than that produced by chlorine and fulvic acid. Results suggest that monochloramine may be useful tool for the investigation of certain humic functionalities because it reacts rather selectively and to a small extent with aquatic fulvic acid.
Liquid-like tribology of gold studied by in situ TEM

Abstract Sliding and indentation between a single asperity tungsten probe and Au (1 1 0) film is studied via in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) nanomanipulation. A number of mechanisms relevant to the understanding of the tribological behavior of metal–metal interfaces are directly observed, including liquid-like (lubricious) behavior at moderate temperatures (166 °C), gouging and ploughing wear. An in situ method for fabricating atomic-sized Au probes is also presented.