cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracheostomy Following Liver Transplantation.

Abstract Background With increased demand for liver transplantation, sicker patients are being transplanted frequently. These patients are at a higher risk of significant postoperative morbidity, including respiratory failure. This study evaluated the phenotype that characterizes liver transplant candidates who may benefit from early tracheostomy. Methods A single center retrospective review of all liver transplant candidates between January 2012 and December 2017. Patients who eventually required tracheostomies were identified and compared to their counterparts. Results Of the 130 liver transplants performed during the study period, 11 patients required tracheostomy. Although patients in the tracheostomized population (TP) did not have significantly worse preoperative functional status ( Conclusions Based on our findings, patients with a high MELD score (>30), net postoperative fluid balance >6 L, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤300 who fail to wean off mechanical ventilation after 72 hours may benefit from tracheostomy during the postoperative period.
“The Psychology of the Rich: Pausanias”—Commentary on Session IV

After briefly highlighting Lacan’s formulation of the metaphor of love, this chapter offers a close reading of Lacan’s comments on Pausanius’ encomium on love. When it comes to matters of love, Lacan criticizes this register of value—one based in the imaginary or the symbolic. Lacan provides us with the parable of the rich Calvinist in order to make his point that giving what you have does not achieve the signification of love. Next, in solving the key riddle of why Aristophanes had the hiccoughs, Lacan shows that Plato—as well as numerous of the Symposium attendees—found Pausanius’ ideas about love to be laughable.
Imperfect Recollisions in Solid-State High-Harmonic Generation

The process of imperfect recollisions in solid-state high-harmonic generation is theoretically characterized: an electron and a hole recombine even when are spatially separated, leading to increased recollision energies of the interband harmonics.
1H/13C/15N triple-resonance experiments for structure determinaton of membrane proteins by oriented-sample NMR.

Abstract The benefits of triple-resonance experiments for structure determination of macroscopically oriented membrane proteins by solid-state NMR are discussed. While double-resonance 1H/15N experiments are effective for structure elucidation of alpha-helical domains, extension of the method of oriented samples to more complex topologies and assessing side-chain conformations necessitates further development of triple-resonance (1H/13C/15N) NMR pulse sequences. Incorporating additional spectroscopic dimensions involving 13C spin-bearing nuclei, however, introduces essential complications arising from the wide frequency range of the 1H-13C dipolar couplings and 13C CSA (>20 ​kHz), and the presence of the 13C-13C homonuclear dipole-dipole interactions. The recently reported ROULETTE–CAHA pulse sequence, in combination with the selective z-filtering, can be used to evolve the structurally informative 1H-13C dipolar coupling arising from the aliphatic carbons while suppressing the signals from the carbonyl and methyl regions. Proton-mediated magnetization transfer under mismatched Hartman-Hahn conditions (MMHH) can be used to correlate 13C and 15N nuclei in such triple-resonance experiments for the subsequent 15N detection. The recently developed pulse sequences are illustrated for n-acetyl Leucine (NAL) single crystal and doubly labeled Pf1 coat protein reconstituted in magnetically aligned bicelles. An interesting observation is that in the case of 15N-labeled NAL measured at 13C natural abundance, the triple (1H/13C/15N) MMHH scheme predominantly gives rise to long-range intermolecular magnetization transfers from 13C to 15N spins; whereas direct Hartmann-Hahn 13C/15N transfer is entirely intramolecular. The presented developments advance NMR of oriented samples for structure determination of membrane proteins and liquid crystals.
Relationship between autism and mind perception of selves, others, and toy objects

Autism is found to be associated with mind perception, in particular reduced perception of human agency. Prior work has shown that more autistic individuals in the general population tend to view others as less capable of doing and thinking. Autism is, by contrast, not meaningfully associated with the mind attribution to other types of entities examined in past work, including children, nonhuman animals, supernatural agents, and so forth. In this paper, more types of entities—toy objects and selves—were investigated. Across two normal adult samples and a meta-analysis, autism was found to be associated with decreased perception of both experiential and agentic mental capacity in other adult humans, as well as in oneself. More autistic individuals tend to consider others and themselves less capable of both doing and feeling. Autism was also associated with increased mind perception of toy objects, such that more autistic individuals tend to consider toy objects more capable of doing and feeling. These findings partially replicated and meaningfully extended previous work on autism and mind perception, thus providing insight into the relationship of autism with potentially different perceptions and treatments of others, selves, and toy objects.
A rapid method for solubilization of chimeric human interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) protein in Escherichia coli.

Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a vertebrate transcription factor that plays significant roles in cell cycle regulation, anti-viral response, tumor suppression and immune response. High-level expression of recombinant IRF-1 at 37 °C leads to the formation of insoluble aggregates (insoluble fraction) in Escherichia coli (E. coli), which usually devoid of biological activity. In this study, we use chemical additives such as mannitol, proline, l-arginine and CTAB (cetyl trimethly ammonium bromide) at the recommended concentration during cell lysis to aid in solubility at 37 °C. The use of additives resulted in the increased solubility of the recombinant glutathione S-transferase-linked human IRF-1, with l-arginine being most effective. Here, we developed an efficient process for the manufacturing of soluble IRF-1 with the aid of minimizing the formation of degradation products and optimizing protein purification conditions. This result was further confirmed by western blot with anti-GST and anti-IRF-1 polyclonal antibodies. The functionality of GST-huIRF-1 was attained by elerophoretic mobility shift assay study as a clear band shifting showed with virus response element-Interferon beta (VRE-IFNβ) promoter region. Taken together, the biological activity of purified GST-huIRF-1 was also optimized and confirmed by supershift assay concluded that GST-huIRF-1 interacts with the VRE motif of IFNβ promoter that reflected to require for IFNβ gene regulation. We describe a straightforward approach for the production of absolutely soluble and biologically active IRF-1 in E. coli. This method can be further used for the study of other recombinant proteins and this study will pave way for the analysis of IRF-1 function in vitro.
Bilateral Femoral Fracture in an Adolescent Male Due to Severe Vitamin D Deficiency.

Purpose/background Mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency is common in pediatric patients in the U.S. Severe hypovitaminosis D has been linked to specific risk factors, such as female gender, obesity, winter season, darker skin, lack of exposure to the sun, and low vitamin D intake. It has been reported that adolescents usually experience less severe clinical symptoms than young children with vitamin D deficiency. We present a previously healthy 15-year-old Caucasian male with bilateral spontaneous femoral fracture due to severe hypovitaminosis rickets. He had unusual eating habits such as avoiding dairy, vegetables, and fruits. In addition to always preferring to eat alone due to anxiety. Patient is underweight with a BMI z score of -4.05 at time of presentation. Due to lack of interest in physical activities, the patient spent most of his time indoors. Design/methods This is a case report of a patient who presented to the children's hospital for further workup for bilateral spontaneous femoral fractures. Findings/results Laboratory work up revealed that his 25 hydoxy-vitamin D level was less than 4 ng/ml, calcium level was 5.7 mg/dl (8.4-10.5mg/dL), and phosphorus was 3.5 mg/dl (3.7-4.7 mg/dl). His intact parathyroid hormone was elevated at 555 pg/ml (14-95 pg/ml) and alkaline phosphatase was elevated at 777 U/L (91-339 U/L). A wrist x-ray showed widening of the distal radial and ulnar metaphyses with metaphyseal cupping. Further labs showed macrocytic anemia and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Workup for malabsorption was negative. Patient underwent bilateral open hip reduction internal fixation. Hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcemia were treated with calcium carbonate and oral vitamin D3 supplements. His follow up laboratory evaluation showed normalization of his calcium, phosphorus, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D levels. Repeat wrist X-ray two months later revealed marked improvement in the appearance of the distal radial and ulnar growth plates and metaphyseal regions. Conclusions This patient's vitamin D deficiency/rickets was found to be secondary to malnutrition due to limited intake, along with limited sunlight exposure. We recommend that a detailed dietary history is obtained in every adolescent patient to evaluate for proper vitamin D intake, especially in patients who are significantly underweight. If vitamin D deficiency is expected, vitamin D level should be checked and appropriate treatment should be initiated once vitamin D insufficiency is confirmed.
Interdisciplinary ocean observing applications for investigating coastal hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico

Despite advances in ocean observing technologies, operational difficulties and constraints with surveying in coastal waters still remain. Coastal observing awareness has increased recently with the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Deepwater Horizon oil spill, hurricanes, and persistent environmental hazards, such as harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. To overcome limitations in coastal sampling, we implemented an interdisciplinary approach by integrating traditional ocean observing platforms with advanced shipboard instrumentation and high-resolution numerical models. This integrative effort improves the monitoring and prediction of coastal hypoxia in the GOM. This publication provides an overview our effort by presenting historical, survey, and model observations specific to investigating hypoxia on the TX shelf. The discussion will highlight future directions for integrating and analyzing these data sources and emphasize how coastal integration of these resources can significantly improve coastal hazard science in the GOM.
The evaluation of falls in the emergency department

Falls occur commonly among elderly persons and are often evaluated in the ED when they result in either a minor or serious injury. The injury resulting from the fall should not be the sole focus of the physician's evaluation. Rather, a careful history, physical examination, including the observation of simple physical performance measures, and laboratory evaluation should enable the physician to identify a possible cause of the fall. Specific treatment depends on the cause, but certain immediate interventions can be undertaken, or the patient can be followed up or referred to a specialist as appropriate for each situation.
Patterning skin by planar cell polarity: the multi-talented hair designer

In mammals, the skin can form complex global and local patterns to meet diverse functional requirements in different parts of the body. To date, the fundamental principles that underlie skin patterning remain poorly understood because of the involvement of multiple interacting processes. Genes involved in the planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling pathway, which is capable of polarizing cells within the planar plane of an epithelium, can control the orientation and differentiation of hair follicles, underlining their involvement in skin pattern formation. Here, we summarize recent progress that has been made to understand the PCP signalling pathway and its function in mammalian skin, including its role in hair follicle morphogenesis, ciliogenesis and wound healing. We argue that dissecting PCP signalling in the context of hair follicle formation might reveal many as-yet-undiscovered functions for PCP in the development, homeostasis and regeneration of skin.
Renal stones and intravenous fielding.

Adelman et al1 report nephrolithiasis as another complication that may be seen associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The authors implicate parenteral calcium infusion as the cause of calcium phosphate calculi in their patient. Another possible etiologic factor in renal stone formation is that of hypophosphatemia. Urinary excretion of pyrophosphate, a potent inhibitor of calcium crystal formation, is decreased in the presence of hypophosphatemia, thus favoring calculi formation. It has also been shown that a decrease in cellular phosphate in the renal cortex2 may stimulate increased formation of 1,25(OH)2D3, which in turn will cause an increase in urinary calcium excretion.3
Production of galactooligosaccharides using a hyperthermophilic β-galactosidase in permeabilized whole cells of Lactococcus lactis

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are novel prebiotic food ingredients that can be produced from lactose using β-galactosidase, but the process is more efficient at higher temperatures. To efficiently express the lacS gene from the hyperthermophile Sulfolobus solfataricus, in Lactococcus lactis a synthetic gene (lacSt) with optimized codon usage for Lc. lactis was designed and synthesized. This hyperthermostable β-galactosidase enzyme was successfully overexpressed in Lc. lactis LM0230 using a nisin-controlled gene expression system. Enzyme-containing cells were then killed and permeabilized using 50% ethanol and were used to determine both hydrolysis and transgalactosylation activity. The optimum conditions for GOS synthesis was found to be at pH 6.0 and 85 °C. A maximum production of 197 g/L of GOS tri- and tetrasaccharides was obtained from 40% initial lactose, after 55 h of incubation. The total GOS yield increased with the initial lactose concentration, whereas the highest lactose conversion rate (72%) was achieved from a low lactose solution (5%). Given that a significant proportion of the remaining lactose would be expected to be converted into disaccharide GOS, this should enable the future development of a cost-effective approach for the conversion of whey-based substrates into GOS-enriched food ingredients using this cell-based technology.
Impact of a folic acid-enriched diet on urinary tract function in mice treated with testosterone and estradiol.

Aging men are susceptible to developing lower urinary tract symptoms, but the underlying etiology is unknown and the influence of dietary and environmental factors on them is unclear. We tested whe...
Duplication of the cervical esophagus in children

True duplication of the cervical esophagus is rare. An 18-month-old girl presented with a large asymptomatic neck mass, which was found to be an intramural duplication of the esophagus. The evaluation and treatment of this patient is presented as well as a review of the six previously reported cases.
Geometric view factors for thermal radiation hazard assessment

Estimating the thermal radiation field surrounding a large fire involves characterization of the flame geometry and computation of radiant intensity at a given location. The latter requires computation of geometric view factors. In this article, closed form expressions that are common in the design of impoundment systems. These include tilted cylindrical and rectangular geometries. The computed geometric view factors compare very well with limited experimental data for circular geometries. The closed form expressions allow rapid computation of view factors that are necessary in estimating the fire hazards associated with large hydrocarbon pool fires.
Correlation of quantitative protein measurements in 8-, 12-, and 24-hour urine samples for the diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if a patient's 8- and/or 12-hour urine total protein values correlate with the 24- hour value to confirm the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Study Design: The study population included 65 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Patients' urine was collected over 24 hours with the first 8 hours, next 4 hours, and remaining 12 hours collected in separate containers. The urine volume, and total protein and creatinine levels were measured in the 8-, 12-, and 24-hour samples. The 8- and 12-hour results were compared to the 24-hour results by use of simple regression analysis. Results: Of the 65 patients, 20 had no proteinuria, 37 had mild proteinuria, and 8 had severe proteinuria. The results of the 8- hour sample correlated with those of the 24-hour sample for patients with mild ( P P =.003). The 12-hour sample correlated with the 24-hour sample for patients with no disease ( P P Conclusion: Total protein values for 8- and 12-hour urine samples correlate positively with values for 24-hour samples for patients with proteinuria. The results for 12- and 24-hour samples correlate for patients without proteinuria. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185: 804–7.)
Lesions in the midbrain reticular formation and the startle response in rats

Abstract After receiving bilateral lesions in the midbrain reticular formation, rats showed no tendency toward habituation of the startle response to an acoustic stimulus. Control animals exhibited a reduction of over 60 per cent in the amplitude of the startle reaction under the same conditions. Disturbances in eating and drinking behavior were also noted in animals with reticular lesions.
Pion resonant states

Empirical regularities in resonant-state energy properties are considered. A model in which pi resonant states should possess quadrupole moments is presented. Calculations and data are presented in tabular form.
The Train-of-Four Count and Kinetic-Dynamic Modelling

The intraoperative monitoring of neuromuscular blockade usually involves measurement of the muscular responses to motor nerve stimulation. Although researchers have the time and technology to obtain predrug control measurements of the twitch responses, these are seldom available to the clinician. During surgically useful relaxation, there is progressive inhibition of responses to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation in the presence of a nondepolarizing relaxant, and the clinician can count the number of responses to predict the likely time-course of paralysis. At the extremes, a count of four (of four) responses may indicate a need for further relaxant, whereas with profound paralysis, the absence of responses may suggest that reversal with an anticholinesterase may be ineffective. Concentrations in the effect compartment associated with these two extremes of the TOF count are combined with concentration-time profiles of vecuronium with various dose regimens. This study models the effect compartment concentrations associated with vecuronium-induced paralysis, combining them explicitly with the range of concentrations associated with the TOF count to demonstrate the kinetic mechanisms underlying the time-course of paralysis.
Neuere Werkstoffe in der medizinischen Technik

Einleitend werden die wichtigsten Eigenschaften medizinischer Werkstoffe diskutiert, und zwar sowohl die mechanischen und physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften als auch die medizinischen Anforderungen (Stabilitat im physiologischen Medium, Gewebe- und Blutvertraglichkeit und Anforderungen an den Verbund). Es wird dann versucht, schwerpunktmasig auf Grund neuerer Publikationen den Stand des Einsatzes von Werkstoffen zu umreisen. Die am haufigsten benutzten Implantate in der orthopadischen Chirurgie bestehen aus Metall. Bei den Stahlen und Kobalt/Chrom-Legierungen sind keine spektakularen Entwicklungen festzustellen. Titan und Titan-Legierungen induzieren von allen Werkstoffen am wenigsten die Blutgerinnung. In den letzten Jahren wurden deshalb Titan-Legierungen mit verbesserten Eigenschaften entwickelt. Keramische Werkstoffe werden inzwischen auch als Endoprothesen erprobt und z. T. bereits klinisch eingesetzt. Sie sind weitgehend bioinert, haben eine beachtliche mechanische Festigkeit und lassen sich auch in poroser Form (gunstig fur die Fixierung im Gewebe) herstellen. Die Kunststoffe haben eine grose Einsatzbreite als Werkstoffe und Hilfsmittel, jedoch sind bei manchen Implantat-Materialien noch erhebliche Probleme zu losen. Insgesamt gesehen ist es bisher nur in wenigen Fallen gelungen, Werkstoffe optimal an lebende Organismen anzupassen, da die Abwehrmechanismen gegen Fremdkorper schwierig zu beherrschen sind.
Utilization of context for word identification decisions in children

Abstract The use of context was investigated with subjects from fourth- and sixth-grade populations. A Word Boundary task was used that requires subjects to make word-identification decisions both with and without contextual information. Results indicated that context was utilized effectively by the sixth-grade students, while the fourth-grade students showed small context-use effects. These findings are consistent with performance models that emphasize the role of predictive behavior in language analysis.
Automated Honeynet Deployment for Dynamic Network Environment

One of the challenges facing information technology (IT) security professionals is the laborious task of sifting through numerous log files in an attempt to identify malicious traffic and conduct a forensics analysis to determine an appropriate course of action. This process is complicated significantly by the volume of traffic that can be associated with a production device environment. A honey net can provide a mechanism to identify much of the forensically interesting traffic by creating a representative system to collect traffic data. However, it is challenging to maintain an accurate representation of a dynamic system in order to consistently collect the appropriate data of interest. This research effort addresses a current challenge identified by researchers at the Honey net Project by describing a methodology for automatically creating and dynamically updating a honey net in order to facilitate IDS support.
The role of the giemsa stain in cytogenetics

In just half a century since the human diploid chromosome number was correctly identified as 46, there has been a rapid expansion in our understanding of both the genetic foundation of normal human development and the development of various constitutional and acquired abnormalities. The ability to detect numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities was made possible by the Giemsa stain. Despite the recent advent of powerful molecular-based cytogenetic techniques (e.g., fluorescence in situ hybridization, array-based comparative genomic hybridization), Giemsa-based chromosomal banding and staining techniques retain their crucial role in cytogenetics.
Prevalence of colorectal cancer screening in a large medical organization.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among eligible patients in a large medical practice. A secondary objective was to compare CRC screening rates obtained from medical records with physician self-reported CRC screening recommendation. We conducted a retrospective record review of 214 patients ages ≥ 50 years of a large multispecialty medical organization in Houston, Texas, for receipt of fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy (SIG), and/or colonoscopy (COL). We estimated prevalence using two definitions: ( a ) FOBT in past year or SIG in past 5 years or COL in past 10 years; and ( b ) FOBT in past year and SIG in past 5 years or COL in past 10 years. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, family history, number of chronic conditions, and index visit were independent variables. Contingency table and logistic regression analysis were used to test for associations between outcomes and independent variables. Our study population was 48% male with a mean age of 63 years (range: 53–84 years). One-quarter of the records showed FOBT by 3-day kit (51 of 214) and 27% by digital rectal exam (57 of 214). SIG was recorded in 32% of records. Half (54%) of the records had documentation of CRC screening according to definition no. 1 and 19% according to definition no. 2. Screening rates from medical record review were lower than those derived from physician self-report. Our findings underscore the need for interventions to improve CRC screening in primary care settings.
Schwann cell lines derived from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors respond abnormally to platelet-derived growth factor-BB.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease caused by the loss of neurofibromin, which can lead to formation of highly invasive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). We characterized platelet-derived growth factor- (PDGF-) receptor expression levels and signal transduction pathways in NF1 MPNST cell lines and compared them with the expression of PDGF- receptors in normal human Schwann cells (nhSC). As examined by Western blotting, PDGF- receptor expression levels were similar in nhSC and NF1 MPNST cell lines. MAPK and Akt also were phosphorylated in both cell types to a similar degree in response to PDGF B chains (PDGF-BB). However, increased intracellular calcium (Ca 2 ) levels in response to PDGF-BB were observed only in the NF1 MPNST cell lines; nhSC did not show any increase in intracellular calcium when stimulated with PDGF-BB. The calcium response in NF1 MPNST cell lines was blocked with thapsigargin, suggesting that the PDGF-BB-stimulated increases in intracellular calcium originated in the internal compartment of the cell rather than reflecting influx of calcium from the extracellular compartment. Calmodulin kinase II (CAMKII) is phosphorylated in response to PDGF-BB in the NF1 MPNST cell lines, whereas no phosphorylation of CAMKII was observed in nhSCs. The decreased growth of NF1 MPNST cell lines after treatment with a CAMKII inhibitor is consistent with the view that aberrant activation of the calcium-signaling pathway by PDGF-BB contributes to the formation of MPNST in NF1 patients. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. †
Atomistic simulations of dislocation–precipitate interactions emphasize importance of cross-slip

This work examines the interaction of screw dislocations with Guinier–Preston (GP) zones using atomistic simulations. Both Orowan looping and cross-slip mechanisms are found to control the interactions. Cross-slip, occurring both at zero and finite temperatures, is found to either significantly reduce or enhance precipitate strengthening, depending upon the orientation of the dislocation–GP zone interaction. The orientation dependence, and its dependence on temperature, provides a micromechanical explanation for the experiments of Muraishi et al. (Philos. Mag. A 82 (2002) 2755).
Chronic pulsatile shear stress alters insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) binding protein release in vitro.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a potent smooth muscle cell mitogen indicated to have a role in vascular disease. IGF-I stimulates proliferation via receptor activation but its activity is mediated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Since hemodynamics have been linked to vascular proliferative disorders, we studied how pulsatile low (5±2 dynes/cm2) and high (23±8 dynes/cm2) shear stresses impacted IGFBP metabolism in bovine aortic endothelial cells using the Cellmax capillary system. We modeled the pulsatile flow in our system using the Womersley model for flow inside a rigid tube and harmonic analysis revealed that the flow was sinusoidal with a frequency of ∼0.3 Hz for both shear stress treatments. Laminar flow was confirmed and the phase lag between the pressure and the flow found to be insignificant. Thus, our study provides a necessary characterization of this in vitro system as well as an investigation into how shear impacts the IGF axis. We found a significant difference in IGFBP distribution between treatments and, given that IGFBPs regulate IGF-I activity and that IGF-I-independent activities have been suggested for IGFBP-3, suggest that shear stress may indirectly regulate IGF-I activity, and, by extension, the effect of IGF-I on vascular pathologies. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8719Uv, 8715La, 8719Rr, 8714Ee, 8716Dg
VirtualExplorer: a plugin-based virtual reality framework

This paper introduces VirtualExplorer, a customizable plugin- based virtual reality framework for immersive scientific data visualization, exploration and geometric modeling. The framework is layered on to of a run-time plugin system and reconfigurable virtual user interface and provides a variety of plugin components. The system provides access to scene- graph-based APIs, including Performer and OpenInventor, direct OpenGL support for visualization of time-critical data as well as collision and generic device mangers. Plugins can be loaded, disabled, enabled or unloaded at any time, triggered either through pre-defined events or through an external Python-based interface. The virtual user interface uses pre- defined geometric primitives that can be customized to meet application-specific needs. The entire widget set can be reconfigured dynamically on a per-widget basis or as a whole through a style manager. The system is being developed with a variety of application areas in mind, but its main emphasis is on user-guided data exploration and high-precision engineering design.
The neural consequences of repetition: Clinical implications of a learning hypothesis

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are difficult to treat. Some individuals with RSIs may ultimately develop chronic pain syndromes or movement problems like focal hand dystonia (FDh), a disorder of motor control manifested in a specific context during skilled, hand tasks. This paper reports on the results of four neuroplasticity studies suggesting that repetitive hand opening and closing can lead to motor control problems, measurable somatosensory changes, and problems in graphesthesia and stereognosis. The experiments support a learning hypothesis for the origin of severe RSIs, particularly FDh. This degradation in the sensory representation of the hand may not only explain the therapeutic challenge of returning these patients to work, but also provide a foundation for developing more effective physical rehabilitation strategies. Implications and conjectures for the applications of this learning hypothesis to conditions of chronic pain are also discussed.
Teachers’ attitudes toward integration of students with disabilities in Haïti and the United States

This investigation compared the attitudes of teachers toward integration of students with disabilities in Haiti and the United States. A sample of 152 high school teachers in Haiti and 216 high school teachers in the United States was asked to complete a background questionnaire and the Opinions Relative to the Integration of Students with Disabilities scale (Antonak & Larrivee, 1995). Results showed that teachers in both countries had similar attitudes toward the integration of students with disabilities. Years of experience was individually correlated with attitudes, but it was not a significant predictor when other variables were included in a multiple regression. Three variables predicted attitudes toward integration of students with disabilities. Teachers’ attitudes explained the largest variance, followed by advanced degree, and range of effective accommodation of different categories of disabilities.
Eco-Evolutionary Feedbacks Drive Niche Differentiation in the Alewife

Intraspecific niche variation can differentially impact community processes and can represent the initial stages of adaptive radiation. Here we test for intraspecific differences in niche use in a keystone species, the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus). To test whether feedbacks between predator foraging traits and prey communities have led to differences in niche use, we compare the diet composition and trophic position of anadromous and landlocked alewife populations. These populations differ in phenotypic traits related to foraging (gill raker spacing, gape width, and prey selectivity). Trait differences appear to have resulted from eco-evolutionary feedbacks between alewives and their zooplankton prey, and suggest that these two life history forms are exploiting different niches. Direct diets show that anadromous alewives consume a greater biomass of predatory copepods than do landlocked alewives. Anadromous alewives also consume more ostracods—a littoral prey item—as the growing season progresses. These diet differences do not translate into a significant difference in trophic position, as estimated from stable isotopes. However, stable-isotope estimates of diet source show that during early fall, anadromous alewives obtain significantly more of their dietary carbon from the littoral food web. This increased reliance on littoral prey is likely a result of a diet switch that occurs in response to the alewife-driven exhaustion of large-bodied prey items available in the pelagic zone, i.e., alewife niche construction. These findings show the existence of important intraspecific niche differences in the alewife and support the role of eco-evolutionary feedbacks in shaping these niche differences. The initiation of alewife divergence is the result of dam building by humans. Therefore, alewife niche differentiation can be considered to be an eco-evolutionary byproduct of human cultural niche construction.
The Mundane, Power, and Symmetry: A Reading of the Field with Dorothy Winsor and the Tradition of Ethnographic Research

Dorothy Winsor's induction as an ATTW Fellow in 2007 and the disciplinary moment of reflection invited by this issue provide the exigence for the story of how Winsor's scholarship, and ethnographic scholarship more broadly, has shaped the field. This story, told via the interpretive lens of three topoi (the mundane, power, and symmetry) that emerged from an interview with Winsor in 2009, suggests how the field's theory and methodology have matured over the past three decades and anticipates what it will become in the future.
Heat transfer and surface renewal dynamics in gas-fluidized beds

Local instantaneous heat transfer between a submerged horizontal cylinder and a gas-fluidized bed operating in the bubble-flow regime was measured and the resulting signals analyzed. Unique to this investigation is the division of particle convective heat transfer into transient and steady-state contact dynamics through analysis of instantaneous heat transfer signals. Transient particle convection results from stationary particles in contact with the heat transfer surface and yields a heat transfer rate that decays exponentially in time. Steady-state particle convection results from active particle mixing at the heat transfer surface and results in a relatively constant heat transfer rate during emulsion phase contact. The average time of contact for each phase is assessed in this study. Signals were acquired using a constant-temperature platinum film heat flux sensor. Instantaneous heat transfer signals were obtained for various particle sizes by varying the angular position of the heat transfer probe and the fluidization velocity. Individual occurrences of emulsion phase heat transfer that are steady-state in nature are characterized by contact times significantly higher than both the mean transient and mean emulsion phase contact times under the same operating conditions. Transient and steady-state contact times are found to vary with angular position, particle size, and fluidizing velocity. Due to the extremely short transient contact times observed under these fluidization conditions, mean transient heat transfer coefficients are approximately equal to the mean steady-state heat transfer coefficients.
Donor bone marrow in laryngeal transplantation: results of a rat study.

Abstract Introduction The concept of donor bone marrow transplantation has been successfully used in human solid organ transplantation to increase recipient chimerism. The development of recipient chimerism is associated with a decreased need for immunosuppression and even donor-specific tolerance. In this study, we attempted to augment recipient chimerism by the transfer of donor bone marrow at the time of rat laryngeal transplant. Study design Experimental study in rats. Methods The study used a well-established semiallogeneic rat laryngeal transplant model with partial major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched Lewis-Brown-Norway donors and Lewis recipients. Donor bone marrow was introduced at transplantation via (1) intravascular injection and (2) transfer of a vascularized femoral bone graft. Recipients were treated with an established immunosuppressive regimen consisting of everolimus and anti- αβ TCR monoclonal antibody for a 7-day perioperative course. Animals received a 5-day boost of the same regimen at 90 days posttransplantation. Parathyroid hormone levels and histological examination were used for rejection surveillance and scoring. Results Animals treated with intravenous bone marrow injection followed by perioperative and pulsed immunosuppression commonly demonstrated early rejection (90%). Animals receiving transfer of vascularized donor femur had an average rejection score of 2.9 (scale, 1-6) at 180 days posttransplantation. Mixed-lymphocyte reaction did not demonstrate donor-specific tolerance in the latter group, and chimerism was less than 1%. Conclusions In the rat laryngeal transplant model, donor bone marrow does not consistently lead to augmentation of peripheral chimerism using our established pulsed immunosuppression protocol. In many cases, rejection occurred earlier than animals not receiving bone marrow. This may be due to several different factors including (1) an element of graft-vs-host disease, (2) inability to establish bone marrow engraftment due to our short-term perioperative immunosuppression regimen, or (3) preferential rejection of donor bone marrow cells.
Jelly belly protein activates the receptor tyrosine kinase Alk to specify visceral muscle pioneers

The secreted protein Jelly belly (Jeb) is required for an essential signalling event in Drosophila muscle development. In the absence of functional Jeb, visceral muscle precursors are normally specified but fail to migrate and differentiate1. The structure and distribution of Jeb protein implies that Jeb functions as a signal to organize the development of visceral muscles1. Here we show that the Jeb receptor is the Drosophila homologue of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk), a receptor tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor superfamily. Human ALK was originally identified as a proto-oncogene, but its normal function in mammals is not known2. In Drosophila, localized Jeb activates Alk and the downstream Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade to specify a select group of visceral muscle precursors as muscle-patterning pioneers. Jeb/Alk signalling induces the myoblast fusion gene dumbfounded (duf; also known as kirre) as well as org-1, a Drosophila homologue of mammalian TBX1, in these cells.
Palliative medicine nurse preceptorship at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Abstract This article describes a 3-day nurse preceptorship education program in cancer pain and palliative medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The program includes experiential and didactic information, skills development, and assistance with planning for institutional change in the delivery of health care services. The education program is centered around five teaching modules: pain, nonpain symptoms, hospice, nursing professional issues, and palliative care. Evaluation data from a recent cohort of 23 nurses demonstrate that learning and personal objectives were met to a high degree of satisfaction.
Conserved Helix 7 Tyrosine Acts as a Multistate Conformational Switch in the 5HT2C Receptor: IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL “LOCKED-ON” PHENOTYPE AND DOUBLE REVERTANT MUTATIONS *

Studies in many rhodopsin-like G-protein-coupled receptors are providing a general scheme of the structural processes underlying receptor activation. Microdomains in several receptors have been identified that appear to function as activation switches. However, evidence is emerging that these receptor proteins exist in multiple conformational states. To study the molecular control of this switching process, we investigated the function of a microdomain involving the conserved helix 7 tyrosine in the serotonin 5HT2C receptor. This tyrosine of the NPXXY motif was substituted for all naturally occurring amino acids. Three distinct constitutively active receptor phenotypes were found: moderate, high, and "locked-on" constitutive activity. In contrast to the activity of the other receptor mutants, the high basal signaling of the locked-on Y7.53N mutant was neither increased by agonists nor decreased by inverse agonists. The Y7.53F mutant was uncoupled. Computational modeling based on the rhodopsin crystal structure suggested that Y7.53 interacts with the conserved aromatic ring at position 7.60 in the recently identified helix 8 domain. This provided a basis for seeking revertant mutations to correct the defective function of the Y7.53F receptor. When the Y7.53F receptor was mutated at position 7.60, the wild-type phenotype was restored. These results suggest that Y7.53 and Y7.60 contribute to a common functional microdomain connecting helices 7 and 8 that influences the switching of the 5HT2C receptor among multiple active and inactive conformations.
Fast rise times and the physical mechanism of deep earthquakes

A systematic global survey of the rise times and stress drops of deep and intermediate earthquakes is reported. When the rise times are scaled to the seismic moment release of the events, their average is nearly twice as fast for events deeper than about 450 km as for shallower events.
The role of the EPA in the regulation of antimicrobial pesticides in the United States

Following the series of articles on the regulation of biocides in Europe (Pesticide Outlook, 2003, 14(2), 65-75), Frank T. Sanders, Director of the Antimicrobials Division of the US-EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, describes how the USA regulates what it terms 'antimicrobial pesticides'.
Production of condensation nuclei in clean air by nucleation of H2SO4

High concentrations (e.g. 104–105 cm−3) of condensation nuclei are occasionally observed in the polar regions or over the central oceans in air that has been free of passage over continental surfaces for many days. The particles are relatively fresh, being no more than a few days old, as otherwise interparticle coagulation would lower the concentration well below that observed. We show a plausible scheme through which the particles (assumed to be droplets of H2SO4) may be produced from the acid vapor phase through the process of homogeneous nucleation, and develop (approximate) analytic expressions to estimate the particle production. A large fraction of pre-existing aerosol, however, must first be scavenged, as they would otherwise serve as surfaces of condensation and inhibit the nucleation. We conclude that the production of substantial (> 103 cm−3) numbers of new particles can take place only in humid pre-cleaned air mass systems.
Global Competition and the Family-Owned Business in Latin America:

Challenges and adaptations are discussed in a practice context for Latin-American family-owned businesses. These strategies include family-owned conglomerates, monarchical families, financial obscurity, concentrated ownership, and succession. These Latin American strategies are compared to those in the United States.
The role of behavior in the success of invasive crustaceans

Many crustaceans have been moved to new locations where they have caused ecological or economic problems, that is, have become invasive. This article focuses on the role of animal behavior in contributing to their success. Certain behaviors are particularly relevant, including (1) feeding: outcompeting native species for food or eating native species of concern; (2) predator avoidance: the invader may be more successful at avoiding predators than native species; (3) habitat: invasive species may displace natives from their habitat or may alter the environment; (4) aggressive behavior: may contribute to (1) or (3) above; (5) movements: if the invader undergoes extensive migrations, it can spread more rapidly; (6) plasticity: (learning) if the invader is “smarter” than native species, it may be more likely to outcompete them for habitat and/or food; and (7) reproduction (though not strictly reproductive behavior per se). These behaviors are discussed with respect to invasive crustaceans, including freshwate...
A software system for syntactic analysis of the EEG.

Abstract This paper describes an interlocking set of programs used for syntactic analysis of the electroencephalogram. This system constrates a basic set of programs in the Vanderbilt EEG analysis system (VEAS). The concepts underlying the methods are explained and examples of the use of the system are given. The algorithms employed for spatial, temporal and global parsing of ‘EEG sentences’ are presented and examples of the use of various grammatical rules are described.
A re-evaluation of polypodium bradeorum and P. Colysoides

During field studies on the pteridophytes of Costa Rica, a peculiarly dimorphic polypodioid fern was found in the rain-forests of the Atlantic lowlands near Puerto Viejo. The variation in the fertile frond, ranging from simple and short petiolate to pinnatisect and long petiolate, coupled with peculiarly elongate and irregular sori, prompted further investigations. Additional herbarium specimens from localities in Mexico, British Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica showed intermixed variations between plants with all leaves simple (typified byPolypodium bradeorum Rosenstock) to plants with all leaves lobed or pinnatisect (typified byP. colysoides Maxon & Copeland). Other characters were judged sufficiently homogeneous to consider these individuals as conspecific underP. bradeorum. Morphological studies indicate parallel evolution of several characters in the Asiatic generaColysis, Microsorium, andLeptochilus on the one hand and the New World members ofMicro gramma, Pleopeltis, andPolypodium bradeorum on the other
An Exploratory Investigation of the Roles Friends Groups Play in National Park Management

Community-based advocacy organizations (CBOs) have an increasingly visible and important function in natural and cultural resources management. This phenomenon has obvious implications for managers struggling with budget shortfalls, but also portends new agency responsibilities and perhaps a new image of public lands as being â€œco-managed.â€ This study examines CBOs associated with national park units in the Midwestern United States. The driving research questions include: (1) What are important characteristics of CBOs? (2) What are their roles in public lands management (3) What has contributed to and constrained their success? Results indicated the organizations' primary functions are fundraising, community outreach, visitor education and volunteering. Significant challenges include fundraising, member recruitment and retention, budget constraints. This information can be used to build effective partnerships between parks and CBOs. For example, managers interested in working with CBOs should consider providing technical assistance or training in fundraising, public relations, organization publications, and information resources.